BIG AL
3* Tampa Bay/Baltimore Over
3* Chicago Cubs
Passing NBA
Maddux Sports
10 Units - Washington/Philadelphia Under 10
10 Units - Boston/Minnesota Over 8.5
10 Units - Chicago/Toronto Over 8
Cal Sports
5* A's
4* Jays
3* Marlins Over
Erin Rynning
Washington Over 213.5
Memphis +6
Minnesota Over 207.5
Teddy Covers
Bucks
Braves
Wunderdog
Game: Ottawa at Pittsburgh
5 Units Pittsburgh -210
Game: Ottawa at Pittsburgh
3 Units Pittsburgh -1.5 +155
Game: Detroit at Phoenix
5 Units Detroit -110
ATS Lock Club
5 Units Florida -125
3 Units Chicago White Sox -120
4 Units NY Yankees/LA Angels OVER 10
Vince Akins
Oakland A's at Seattle Mariners
Pick: Mariners +104
Seattle has been struggling mightily so far this season but we think the soft tossing lefty in Gonzalez is just what they will need to jumpstart the offense for at least day tonight.
Seattle did win last night, but relied on a great outing by Doug Fister, while their offense still scored only three runs. Oakland was held to just three hits in that game. The Athletics are 2-14 since September 30, 2006 on the road within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1185 when playing against.
Obviously, the A’s never led in the shutout, but the game was scoreless until the eighth innings. These teams react differently to this. The Athletics are 0-6 since August 25, 2009 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a loss in which they never led for a net profit of $610 when playing against. However, the Mariners are 7-0 since April 23, 2009 at home after playing as a dog and it is the last game of a three game series when they split the first two for a net profit of $790
PREDICTION: SEATTLE 6, Oakland 4
Jeff Benton
20 Dime: BRAVES
5 Dime: SPURS
Braves
So the Padres exploded for 17 runs in Monday’s home opener against Atlanta. Good for them, because they’ll be lucky to score 17 runs combined through the rest of the eight games on this homestand – and I’m not even kidding. This is one BAD offensive team, and Monday’s 10-run fourth-inning doesn’t erase that fact.
Seriously, San Diego opened the season with a six-game road trip to Arizona and Colorado – two of the BEST hitters ballparks in the National League – and they scored a grand total of 19 runs, including getting held to seven runs in 32 innings (one game went 14 innings) at Coors Field. My point: What happened Monday at Petco Park – a notoriously difficult place to hit – is the flukiest of flukes, and there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll see the “real” Padres offense in this one.
One of the reasons I’m very much convinced of that is hard-throwing young right-hander Tommy Hanson is starting for Atlanta tonight. Hanson has nasty stuff, and his numbers bear that out. Since a shaky major-league debut (seven runs allowed in six innings vs. Milwaukee), he’s surrendered three runs or fewer in 16 of 20 starts, giving up two runs or less in 14 of those contests. And since that debut, he hasn’t once allowed more than four runs in a game.
One of Hanson’s gems last year came in San Diego, when he limited the weak-hitting, strikeout-prone Padres to two runs in six innings, cruising to a 6-2 victory. In all, Hanson made 10 road starts last year and went 4-2 with a solid 2.61 ERA, striking out 43 and walking just 22 in 58 2/3 innings.
Even though the Braves got spanked on Monday, they’re still 17-7 in the last 24 meetings overall and 10-4 in their last 14 games in San Diego. In fact, prior to Monday, Atlanta had won four of five at Petco Park, and in the four wins, the Padres tallied 2, 2, 3 and 1 run.
What about Padres starter Clayton Richard, you ask? Here’s all you need to know about the lefty: He faced the Braves in Atlanta last August and lasted all of 2 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits in a 9-1 loss.
The Braves are still 11-3 in their last 14 on the highway, 9-1 in their last 10 as a road favorite and 43-20 in their last 63 after a day off. Lay the chalk in this one, and watch how Hanson dominates a punchless Padres lineup that has slugger Adrian Gonzalez and little else.
Spurs
You didn’t think I was going to pass up one last opportunity to go against the Dallas Mavericks at home before the playoffs start, did you? Sure, this is a very meaningful game for the Mavs, who need to win (or hope Utah loses at home to Phoenix) to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. But that doesn’t mean the Spurs are going to lay down like dogs. San Antonio needs a victory to move up to the No. 6 slot in the West and avoid a first-round matchup with the rival Mavericks.
So this figures to be one of those rare instances where two teams that have already clinched playoff spots given an all-out effort in the season finale. But let’s be honest: I’m taking the points because you pretty much have to whenever Dallas is at home.
To review: Since beating the Spurs 99-94 in overtime as a three-point home favorite on Nov. 18, the Mavs have gone 5-29-2 ATS at home, including 4-27-2 ATS as a home favorite. The word “abysmal” comes to mind.
True, Dallas comes into this game on a 7-2 SU and ATS roll overall, including four straight wins and covers in its last four games. This four-game ATS run matches the Mavericks’ longest of the season (that came back in mid-November, with the fourth one – ironically – coming in that overtime win over the Spurs). You know the last time the Mavs cashed in five straight games? From March 8-16 … in 2008, more than two years ago!
Meanwhile, the Spurs are playing strong basketball down the stretch. Like Dallas, they’re also on a 7-2 SU and ATS run, including taking three of their last four on the road (with wins at Denver and the Lakers mixed in). Since the end of February, San Antonio is 18-7 SU and ATS, cashing in 10 of its last 14 on the road. It is also 7-1 ATS in its last eight games after a day off and 4-0 ATS in its last four when coming off a double-digit win (the Spurs beat Memphis 133-111 on Monday).
As for this rivalry, it’s belonged to the underdog the last several years, with the pup cashing in 19 of the last 28 meetings. In the end, I won’t be surprised if Dallas wins this game. But I won’t be surprised if they lose outright, either. What will shock me is if the Mavs blowout out San Antonio and cover the spread.
Larry Ness
Legend - Mavericks
Scott Rickenbach
GOY - Bulls
C-Star Sports
5000 Units Washington/Philadelphia over the total
5000 Units NBA Detroit plus the points over Minnesota
5000 Units NHL Ottawa/Pittsburgh over the total
Will Cover
4* Golden State Warriors
Bob Balfe
St. Louis Cardinals -1.5
The Astros are 0-7 and have yet to score on the road this season. Until Houston can start generating runs, we will continue to go against them. Brad Penny is a good pitcher, but you almost have to feel bad for the Astros, who have unfortunately faced great pitching every game this season. Houston will come around, but until they ignite their offense and start hitting, it is wise to continue fading them. In addition, Brett Myers has given up a lot of home runs in his last few starts. Expecting that trend to continue, this game should be over before the end of the 4th inning. Look for another big Cardinal win. Take St. Louis.
John Ryan
15* Padres