Harry Bondi
OAKLAND (+115) over Detroit
It took us three days to get them to finally play a game but it was worth it as we cashed in on the Indians as your free play last night. Today we will back the hottest team in baseball over one of baseball's best pitchers in what looks like a Vegas trap. The Oakland Athletics have won nine straight and face the ace Justin Verlander. Verlander allowed only one run in his two victories in the American League Division Series over Oakland last October and has owned the A's over his career. He’s coming off a strong effort against the Yankees last Sunday and has led the American League in strikeouts the last two seasons and has 11 through his first 12 innings in 2013. So why is Verlander only a -125 favorite here? Because Vegas is trying to suck you in on him and the Tigers! We will not take the bait but instead back the red-hot A's and their outstanding pitcher Brett Anderson who is off to an impressive start with 16 strikeouts over 13 innings in his first two outings.
Nelly
Seattle Mariners + over Texas Rangers
Through over 10 innings Joe Saunders has allowed just four runs this season and he will face a Texas lineup that is not having success against left-handed pitching. The Rangers are batting just .247 vs. southpaws and scoring less than three runs per game in those match-ups. Seattle lacks great offensive numbers overall but the Mariners are scoring 4.6 runs per game vs. right-handed pitching. Alexi Ogando has brilliant numbers through two starts but he is overvalued on the road given his very limited track record. Ogando has faced the Astros and Rays so he has not pitched against great offensive teams and he has occasionally had control issues. Seattle has scored at least three runs in eight straight games as this offense looks improved even with a few key hitters off to slow starts. Texas has only scored five runs in the last three games and the bullpen has been worked hard in the last few days. Value is with the Mariners at home as an underdog with a veteran left-hander on the mound.
NHL Predictions
Lightning / Capitals Under 6
These two teams have met three times this season, and although 2 of the 3 have gone over 6 goals I think we will see both teams tighten up defensively. The Lightning are all but out of the playoff race 8 points back of 8th place, but I still think their young coach will want to work on the defensive side of things after allowing 6 goals against Pittsburgh the last time out. The UNDER is 3-3 in the Lightning’s last 6 games, but if the total were set at 6 in those games the UNDER would be 3-1-2 with only one game getting over 6 total goals. Washington has really played well as of late putting them third in the Eastern Conference a top their division currently. Good defensive play and good goaltending has led them to 6 straight victories. Over those wins they’ve allowed 2 or fewer goals 4 times and 3 or fewer goals against in all 6. We had two good goalies in net tonight in Bishop and Holtby so I’ll go with the UNDER 6.
Calgary Flames +180
The Calgary Flames are far out of a playoff spot but that isn’t stopping them from playing the spoiler role. The Flames beat Phoenix 3-2 last night to keep the Coyotes 2 points back from 8th in the West. Calgary has won 2 of 3, but they’ve brought a lot of energy in all 4 of their past games. Aside from last night’s win they had gotten 34+ shots in their three previous games, although losing 2 to Vancouver. The Oilers have a very tough hill to climb as they’ve lost 4 straight games dropping them 6 points back of 8th. They sit in 12th place so it will be nearly impossible to jump over that many teams. The Oilers have scored just 3 goals over their past 4 games being outscored 13-3. Although Edmonton has won 2 of their 3 meetings this year the Flames are still 19-7 in their last 26 meetings overall and 7-3 in their last 10 meetings in Edmonton. Yes the Oilers are still technically alive in the playoff race, but I don’t know how much jump we will see from them after their four straight losses where they’ve managed only 3 goals. On the other hand the Flames have accepted they won’t make the playoffs and seem to be playing energized hockey lately as they try to knock off teams fighting for playoff positioning. Take note that the Oilers have just 1 more win than the Flames. The Oilers deserve to be favored here tonight, but not by this much. I think at +180 we have value on the Flames and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come into Edmonton and even up the battle of Alberta for the year.