Free Picks: Service Plays for Monday, April 7

DUNKEL INDEX
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
MLB
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Oakland at Minnesota
The A's head to Minnesota today after a 5-3 win over Seattle yesterday and come in with an 0-4 record in their last 4 games following a victory. Minnesota is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115).
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 953-954: Cincinnati at St. Louis (4:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cingrani) 14.324; St. Louis (Wacha) 15.931
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-150); 7
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-150); Under
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 955-956: Baltimore at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Jimenez) 14.862; NY Yankees (Kuroda) 16.332
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-150); Under
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 957-958: LA Angels at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Wilson) 13.242; Houston (Cosart) 14.256
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+130); Over
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 959-960: Oakland at Minnesota (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Kazmir) 14.283; Minnesota (Correia) 15.371
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Over
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 961-962: Texas at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Scheppers) 15.810; Boston (Lackey) 17.442
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-155); Under
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 963-964: Tampa Bay at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Moore) 14.483; Kansas City (Vargas) 15.440
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+110); Under
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 965-966: San Diego at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Erlin) 13.726; Cleveland (Kluber) 15.229
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-145); Over
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Game 967-968: Chicago White Sox at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Paulino) 14.605; Colorado (Lyles) 15.992
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Colorado (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over

Marc LawrenceFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Baltimore Orioles at New York YankeesFREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Prediction: New York YankeesFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
When Hideki Kuroda matches serves with Ubaldo Jimenez in this international affair of American League arms at Yankee Stadium Monday afternoon, Kuroda will take the hill knowing he is 5-1 in his last six team starts during April. He was also around the plate this spring with 10 strikeouts and 1 walk. With Jimenez 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his last three starts against the Pinstripes, we recommend a 1-unit play on the Yankees.

Rob Vinciletti

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks
Play: Anaheim Ducks -115

The Ducks have won the first 4 meetings with Vancouver this season and have out scored them 21-6 in the process. They have the leagues 2nd best offensive unit and take on a Vancouver team with the 27th tanked home defense. The Ducks are 27-9 vs losing teams and Vancouver is 11-25 vs winning teams and have lost 25 of 37 in the second half. Look for Anaheim to take another from Vancouver here tonight.

Rob Vinciletti's Featured Package

Jim FeistFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis CardinalsFREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: St. Louis CardinalsFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
These two club just opened the season in Cincinnati and now they play again here in St Louis. The Reds are 2-4 after winning on Sunday at the Mets, 2-1. The Reds have scored just 15 runs in just six games while allowing 19 runs overall. Not surprisingly the Reds are 27th in runs scored and 26th in batting average. Tony Cingrani gets the start for the Reds after a very nice initial outing. Cingrani threw seven shutout innings against these Cards last Wednesday, posting nine strike outs. Still, the Reds wasted the great outing with a loss to the Cards. The Cardinals aren't off to a much better start, just 3-3 after Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh, 2-1. Much like the Reds, the Cardinals are struggling early at the plate. St Louis is 22nd in runs scored and 27th in batting average. And, much like his counterpart tonight, Michael Wacha is coming off a excellent initial outing going 6 2/3 innings allowing just three hits and no runs. I look for another good pitching match here tonight but with the Cardinals at home I'm giving them the edge. Wacha is a pitcher I see continuing his success over much of the year while Cingrani is a much more questionable pitcher.

Art AronsonFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Orioles vs. YankeesFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Over 8½FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
This is the Yanks home opener. The visiting Baltimore Orioles come in off a 3-1 win over the Tigers in Detroit yesterday. The O’s send Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1, 6.00 ERA) to the hill tonight. Jimenez gave up four runs over six innings in a loss to the Red Sox in his first start of the season. Jimenez has had his troubles against the Yankees having gone 1-3 life time with an ERA of 6.45. In his last start versus the Yanks he gave up seven earned runs in just under five innings of work. New York comes in off a series win over the Toronto Blue Jays last night to move to 3-3 on the season behind some timely hitting and C.C. Sabathia pitching. The Yankees will counter with Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 3.00 ERA) today. The right-hander gave up two runs, three hits and a walk over six innings Wednesday in Houston but was on the hook for the 3-1 loss. Obviously this is a big game for New York."There's always something special about Opening Day," manager Joe Girardi assessed last night. The Yankees have a lot of new players that will be looking to make their mark offensively in this game. The Orioles come off a low scoring game but will pretty jacked up to play the Evil Empire in the Big Apple. Baltimore’s big bats will likely have to step up here considering how shaky Jimenez has been vs. the Bronx Bombers. Consider taking the “over.”

Ray MonohanFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Oakland vs. MinnesotaFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Over 8FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Twins have been scoring a lot more than expected this season while owning the league’s second worst ERA so far. They are a perfect 6-0 over this year and though a streak like that is made to be broken the pitchers going in this on give it a great chance to extend to another day. Oakland has power and everything the Twins do is scoring runs right now. I think the combo will put up some fireworks.

Bryan PowerFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Cincinnati vs. St. LouisFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Cincinnati +1.5FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Playing against the Cardinals when they faced a lefty starter was always a good idea last season, so I'll grab southpaw Tony Cingrani for the Reds +1.5 Monday afternoon....
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Cincinnati snapped a three-game losing streak w/ a 2-1 win over the Mets Sunday afternoon. The previous time they tasted victory was against St. Louis w/ the exact same pitching matchup we have this afternoon - Cingrani vs. Michael Wacha. I had the Under that day and the two starters came through by combining to throw 13+ scoreless innings, a game eventually won by the Reds 1-0. While the Reds haven't had much success here in St. Louis over the last decade, I like their chances w/ Cingrani.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Cingrani went seven innings and allowed just two hits while striking out nine in last week's game. The team has now won all three times he has started vs. the Cards, who are just 3-3 this season after losing Sunday in Pittsbrugh. They had only three hits. Look for the Reds to either win or lose by only a single run.

Jesse SchuleFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Baltimore vs. NY YankeesFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: NY YankeesFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Bronx Bombers are coming off a win in Toronto on Sunday, taking two of three in their series versus the Blue Jays. They will be back in New York Monday, hosting the Orioles in their home opener.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Hiroki Kuroda will get the nod for the home team, and he pitched well in the Bronx last year. Kuroda (0-1, 3.00 ERA) was 7-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 14 home starts. He was also far more effective in day games than he was at night, with a record of 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 10 starts in the afternoon.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Orioles will hand the ball to Ubaldo Jimenez, who was roughed up by the Red Sox in his season debut. Jimenez (0-1, 6.00 ERA) allowed four runs on five hits, including a pair of home runs, losing 6-2 to Boston.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
It would appear that Jimenez prefers pitching under the lights, as he's 6-15 with a 5.53 ERA in afternoon games over the past three seasons.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Carlos Beltran is hitting .364 with a pair of home runs lifetime versus Jimenez.

Matt FargoFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
LA Angels vs. HoustonFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: HoustonFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Houston evened its record on the season at 3-3 and has a chance to salvage the split today with the series against the Angels while jumping over .500 before hitting the road for the first time. Scott Feldman turned in his second quality start of the season and the offense came back to life, scoring seven runs as Houston had scored a grand total of seven runs in their previous four games combined. We won with the Astros in Jarred Cosart's first outing this season and we will back him again here as he still remains an under the radar pitcher. He is coming off a solid outing in his opener as he allowed just four hits and no runs in five innings against the Yankees in the Astros 3-1 victory. Last year in limited action, he tossed 60 innings, allowing 46 hits, 13 earned runs, 35 walks, and 33 strike outs. He only won one game but posted a 1.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP while Houston won four of his nine starts when he was an underdog which showed a net profit. Cosart improved his command enormously in spring training with 16 strikeouts and only five walks in 12 innings. He showed good ground ball numbers last year and has a nasty cut fastball that can keep that going. C.J. Wilson got lit up in his first start this season as he allowed six runs on eight hits in 5.2 inning against the Mariners but still comes in as the hefty favorite because of name and expectations which I have talked about before that drives these lines. Granted, Wilson dominated Houston last year but the Angels went just 2-2 in those games and going back, they are 2-5 in his last seven starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.

Matt Fargo's Featured Package

EZWINNERSFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Connecticut +3FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Kentucky has had the most impressive run in the tournament this year considering the teams that they have defeated but I believe that this will be their toughest task. I am still sitting on the 10-1 future for Kentucky to win the tournament that I placed in January when I was in Vegas, so this is a bit of a hedge, but the backcourt of the Huskies is playing as well as anyone in the nation. The Wildcats have got to this point due to the play of the Harrison twins, but Napier and Boatwright are going to be a very tough match up. When Kentucky struggled this season it was due to the twins as well and the UCONN back court could very well make those struggles reappear for the twins. Kentucky has also not blown anyone out during this run so this game could very well be decided by one possession where a Kentucky one or two point win would be the best of both worlds for me. Take the points.

Will Rogers

Minnesota vs. Winnipeg
Pick: Minnesota

Minnesota can lock up a playoff berth with a win tonight in Winnipeg. This has been a good road team of late and with the Jets season all over but the shouting while the Wild have been hot, I expect the two points to go the way of the visitors in this one.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Traveling Well - Minnesota is 4-1-2 its last seven road games. They have won in Winnipeg earlier this year. They have a recent win in Los Angeles, which is impressive.

2. Recent Trends - The Wild are coming off a tough four-game stretch that saw them go 3-0-1. While the Jets beat the slumping Leafs two days ago, they had just four wins in their previous 12 games.

3. X-Factor - Coming off an impressive shutout of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, the Wild are in a good place here. They have won four of six coming off a shutout win this season.

Jimmy Boyd

Cleveland Indians -144

The Indians won their home opener against the Twins on Friday, but would lose the series with back-to-back losses over the weekend. I look for Cleveland to come out focused and ready to take care of business against a bad San Diego team. While the Padres were able to avoid their fifth straight loss with a 4-2 win at Miami on Sunday, San Diego's offense comes in averaging a mere 2 runs and is hitting just 1.89 as a team on the season.

I look for Cleveland to provide more than enough runs for today's starter Corey Kubler, as the Indians will face off against the Padres No. 5 starter Robbie Erlin, who was just 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA in 11 games (9 starts) in 2013. Kubler was rocked for 5 runs on 8 hits in just 3 and 1/3 innings in his first start of the year at Oakland, but you have to keep in mind that he had a 4.98 ERA on the road last year compared to just a 2.76 ERA at home. I expect Kubler to bounce back in a big way against the soft-hitting Padres.

Cleveland is 30-11 in their last 41 games when listed as a favorite of -125 to -175 and a dominant 11-3 in their last 14 after two straight home losses against a division opponent. It's also worth noting that Kubler is 11-2 against the money line in his last 13 starts versus teams who draw 3 or fewer walks per game.

Steve Janus

Minnesota Twins +137

The Twins finished up a respectable 3-3 on their 6-game road trip to start the season and are showing strong value as an underdog in their home opener. Minnesota's Kevin Correia is coming off a strong first start, where he allowed just 2 earned runs in six innings vs the White Sox. While Oakland's Scott Kazmir threw 7 and 1/3 shutout innings in a 6-1 A's win over the Indians at home in his first start, he's had his fair share of trouble on the road. Over the last 3 seasons, Kazmir is just 3-7 with a 4.66 ERA in 16 starts on the road.

We also have a strong system in play favoring Minnesota. Home underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (MINNESOTA) - excellent fielding team - averaging <=0.5 errors/game on the season against opponent starting a pitcher who gave up no earned runs last outing are 53-30 (64%) over the last 5 seasons.

Sam Martin

Kentucky at Connecticut
Prediction: Over.

Once again the tournament doesn't make logical sense - instead bringing together the final two teams that got hot at the right time. Kentucky is here after winning games by 7, 2, 5, 3, and 1 points - defying the odds of virtually a coin-flips chance of winning or losing in four straight games.

UConn scores 60 points on 35% shooting vs. Michigan State, then scores 63 points on 56% shooting vs. Florida. Go figure. No idea who will win this game outright or cover the small number, but we do believe there is some value backing the Over. Kentucky prefers to speed things up, and despite UConn winning the last two games with low scores, the Huskies prefer a higher tempo as well. Against "offense" teams in Michigan and Wisconsin the Wildcats put up combined totals of 147 points two games in a row, and a similar final scores seems about right here.