Jimmy BoydFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Kansas City Royals +116FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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This matchup falls into a system to play against home favorites with a money line between -125 and -175 like Chicago when they are an American League team who had a batting average of .260 or worse last season. This system is 47-31 (60%) since 1997. This game also falls into a system to play against a team like Chicago when they average .6 errors per game or less coming off a matchup where they stranded 3 or less runners on base. This system is 30-12 (71%) over the last five seasons. Jeremy Guthrie has a history if pitching solid games against the White Sox. He has a 3.35 ERA and a 1.128 WHIP in his last 9 starts against Chicago and his team has an 8-6 record in those starts. Gavin Floyd on the other hand has not had that kind of success against Kansas City. Floyd has a 4.18 ERA and his team is 5-10 in those starts against the Royals. Kansas City is playing to avoid the sweep and they should be able to pick up their first win of the season today.
Will RogersFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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San Antonio vs. Oklahoma CityFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: San AntonioFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Though I will readily admit that the situation greatly favors the Thunder tonight in a battle with the Spurs, I believe the oddsmakers have overadjusted the line for tonight's contest, and as a result, I'm taking San Antonio and the points.
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Here are my keys to the game.
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1. Rest vs. Rust - The Spurs are caught in a pretty brutal spot tonight, playing in the second game of back to backs after being Orlando at home last night. It is also their fourth game in five nights. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City last played on Saturday when they beat Milwaukee by double digits on the road. It's almost as if the schedule makers were "trying" to give this one to the Thunder. But again, the oddsmakers have adjusted, and in my opinion, overadjusted the line for this scheduling situation. Consider that in the three previous meetings the line was 5.5 or lower every time.
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2. Homecourt Advantage at stake - Don't think for a second that the Spurs will be willing to "throw this one away." They lead Oklahoma City by only 1.5 games for the top spot in the West and a loss here would make things a bit too "close for comfort." A win would be huge, giving them a 2.5 game cushion with only six games to play.
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3. X-Factor: Sure, the Spurs have lost three times in the last six games. But those three losses have come by a combined FIVE points, less than what the line is here. Take the points.
Jeff AlexanderFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Washington Nationals -1.5 +106FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Nats are showing value at this price on the run line considering they have covered the run line in each of the first two games of the series while holding Miami scoreless. The Nats have the advantage on the hill with Zimmerman, who posted a 2.94 ERA last season in 32 starts. Washington has won by 4 and 3 runs, respectively, the last two times Zim has faced Miami.
Jack JonesFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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New York Yankees -119FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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After losing the first two games of this series to AL East rival Boston, I look for the New York Yankees to salvage it with a Game 3 victory tonight. I like their chances given the edge they have on the mound with Andy Pettite over Ryan Dempster.
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Dempster was traded from Chicago to Texas in 2012 mid-season, and it was clear he could not handle the American League. He posted a 2.25 ERA in 16 starts for the Cubs before registering a 5.09 ERA with the Rangers following the trade.
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Pettite was limited to 12 starts due to a broken leg that kept him out three months last year. However, he took advantage of the 12 starts he did receive, going 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA.
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Dempster is 0-4 with a 7.63 ERA and 2.048 WHIP in five career starts against New York. His teams have gone 0-5 in those five starts. That includes a 2-8 loss at New York in his lone start against the Yankees last year on August 13th. Dempster surrendered 8 earned runs and 11 base runners over 6 innings in that outing.
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The Yankees are 39-13 in their last 52 games after losing the first 2 games of a series. The Red Sox are 17-38 in their last 55 games as a road underdog. New York is 44-18 in Pettite's last 62 starts as a favorite. Bet the Yankees Thursday.
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Iowa -2FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Iowa has covered the number in each of its last 10 games, and I believe the Hawkeyes have one more cover in them this season. Iowa has been more impressive than Baylor in this tournament. It won at Virginia, a team that had won 19 in a row on its home court. It also defeated a Maryland team that had defeated Duke twice this season. For Baylor, wins over Arizona State, Providence and BYU don't stand out as much. Iowa has also been better against like opponents this season. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 80-71 while Baylor lost to the Cyclones 79-71. Iowa buried Northwestern 3 times by double digits while Baylor lost to the Wildcats 74-70. Coach Scott Drew said it best, "I know Pierre (Jackson) is the straw that stirs our drink." Baylor must have good play from him to win. This benefits an Iowa team that is among the the nation's leaders in both field goal percentage defense and three-point field goal percentage defense. Iowa will be keying on him. If the Hawks can slow down Jackson, they will have an excellent chance to win. Baylor isn't as strong as Iowa defensively. Plus, Iowa has proven it can win without strong performances from Devyn Marble. Lay the points with Iowa.
SPORTS WAGERSFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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TORONTO -½ +114 over PhiladelphiaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Regulation only. Excuse us while we crap our pants in awe of the Flyers 5-3 win over the Canadiens last night. It was Philadelphia’s second win in succession. They have not won three in a row the entire season and playing the tail end of back-to-backs against a rested Maple Leaf squad, chances are they won’t accomplish that here either. The Flyers did make a move at the deadline, acquiring Steve Mason from Columbus. Seriously? This Flyer team has had chronic goaltending issues for 30 years. They keep making bonehead goaltending moves and this one is no different. Hopefully, Mason gets the start tonight but it’s really not going to matter.
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The Maple Leafs stood pat. Leafs fans should be thankful they didn’t make a move for Roberto Luongo or Miikka Kiprusoff, although Kiprusoff refused to waive his no-trade clause. Toronto is playing well and while they’re not Stanley Cup contenders just yet, everything they’ve done this year has been positive. The Leafs are playing exciting hockey and they’re winning games. There will be no major collapse this season. Toronto just jumped over the Senators into fifth place in the East and its goal differential keeps increasing. No duo is hotter than Joffrey Lupol and Nazem Kadri right now. The Leafs are 2-0 this season on three or more days of rest. Having been off since last Saturday when they whacked the Senators 4-0 and having won three in a row and picking up points in eight straight, the Maple Leafs are primed to take the ice against this slow footed guest, a team they’ve already defeated twice this year in two attempts while outscoring Philly 9-4. This one is unlikely to bring different results.
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Columbus +129 over NASHVILLEFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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OT included. Marion Gaborik (reports are Gaborik will play tonight) was in John Tortorella’s doghouse. He wasn’t producing in New York but was it really Gaborik’s fault? Truth is, the Rangers coach had Gaborik playing on his off wing, he constantly benched him, he called him out in the press numerous times and finally, Tortorella got his wish by running him out of town. The beneficiary is the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were in need of a speedy forward capable of scoring 40 goals. Gaborik, playing in his first game with the Jackets will add energy and offense and you know for sure he’s going to come out jacked up. The Jackets also get Brandon Dubinsky back for this one. The players have to be feeling pretty good too, as the moves made at the deadline suggests to them that management believe they can make the playoffs this year. Expect a big effort from the Blue Jackets here.
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The Preds traded away Martin Erat for young talent and they found a buyer in the Washington Capitals. Erat for Filip Forsberg, the 11th overall pick in the 2012 draft. What were the Caps thinking? In any case, it doesn’t help Nashville this season and the club has pretty much conceded that even if they do make the playoffs, which is unlikely, it’s going to be a quick exit. Nashville has one win in its past four games and that lone victory occurred against Colorado. The Preds have seven wins over their past 20 games and those wins were against Colorado, Calgary, Edmonton (twice), Columbus and Dallas (twice). Nashville also lost to Columbus twice this year. Pekka Rinne has been awful for two months running. Sergei Bobrovsky is a Vezina candidate. Now we get a nice take-back on the team in better form, in a better state of mind, with superior goaltending and with some added motivation, offense and grit.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Oklahoma City/ San Antonio Under 202: Theses teams have met 3 times this year and 170. 200 and 198 points were scored in those games. Oklahoma City is know for thier offense, but their defense is very underrated. The Thunder come in having allowed just 90.7 ppg in their last 6 games, while in their home games this year they have given up just 94.9 ppg. Yes this team knows how to play some defense. On the other side we have another team that all brings the defense when they take the court. The Spurs are 9th in points allowed and 8th in defensive FG%. They have allowed 93.8 ppg in their last 8 games and that includes allowing 88 to Miami, 96 at Houston and 93 to Golden State. Both teams have also been average at best on offenses of late as the Thunder have averaged just 99 ppg in their last 6 games, while the Spurs have put up just 95.6 ppg in their last 5 games. Big games bring defensive intesity and that has me expecting no more than 195 points in this one.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Baylor/ Iowa over 141.5: The Baylor offense has been nearly unstoppable in the NIT as they have averaged 89 ppg. On the road this year the Bears have averaged 69.9 ppg, while in their 5 neutral site games they have put up 77.4 ppg. I know they will be facing a tough Iowa defense, but this team has more than enough offense to put up 70 points on them. Iowa's offenses has averaged 73.7 ppg in their last 3 games and that includes putting up 75 at Virginia, where the Cavs have allowed less than 50 ppg. This offenses is more than capable of putting up 70+ on a Baylor defense that has allowed 70.4 ppg on the road and 71.2 ppg in their neutral site games. Both teams do play at a rather fast pace and both offenses are clicking right now. With this being a there's no tomorrow game you can bet that one of the teams will be fouling till the end as well. I look for at least 148 points scored in this one.
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Boston Red Sox + over New York YankeesFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Veteran Ryan Dempster did not have great success in his move to the American League last season with a 5.09 ERA in 12 starts, though he did pick up seven wins for a strong Rangers squad. Dempster is getting a fresh start with Boston and he was the most dominant pitcher in baseball early last season for the Cubs. He faces a banged up Yankees lineup that has had brutal results so far this year, posting a .221 team average with just three extra base hits and six runs scored. Boston meanwhile has delivered excellent results on offense with 15 runs in two games. The New York bullpen is in rough shape right now after needing a lot of innings last night due to Hiroki Kuroda's early injury and veteran Andy Pettitte will have a tall order today. Pettitte made just 12 starts last season and he is working his way back to full strength after deliberating about retirement this winter. This is a Red Sox lineup well suited to hit left-handed pitching and Boston had a lot of success against C.C. Sabathia on Monday. With underdog value the Red Sox are certainly worth a look today as New York is a shell of its former self right now and this is not a team playing with confidence or positive energy while playing in front of an embarrassingly sparse home crowd for Yankee Stadium and this rivalry.
NHL PredictionsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Toronto Maple Leafs -132FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Philadelphia Flyers are 16-17-3 on the year, but just 4-12-1 on the road. They are on a back to back as they played Montreal at home last night winning 5-3. The Flyers have won 3 straight games, but all have been played at home. They had lost 4 straight before that 3 game winning streak, and still sit 4 points out of 8th place in the East. The Toronto Maple Leafs are 20-12-4 on the year and 10-6-2 at home this season. They are coming off of 4 days of much needed rest after playing a lot of games over the last week or so. The Leafs have won 3 straight games heading into tonight, and have gong 5-0-2 over their last 7. In their last 3 victories the Leafs have out scored opponents 13-5. The two teams have already met twice this season with the Maple Leafs winning both, including a 5-2 victory in Toronto. Philly has won just 4 of 17 games on the road, and I like the odds here on a rested and healthy Leafs squad that is playing well.
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Detroit Red Wings +106FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Since sending this out early this morning the line has changed with the Red Wings -105 in some places, but I still like them at that price. The Red Wings sit in 7th in the Western Conference with a 18-13-5 record. They are 8-7-2 on the road. Detroit is coming off a 3-2 victory at home vs Colorado, and they are 6-3 over their last 9 games. The Coyotes are 15-15-6 on the season and 11-7-1 at home. They've won 2 of their last 3 games, but they've lost 8 of their last 10 overall. Phoenix has dropped to 12th in the West. The Coyotes made some moves on Trade Deadline Day, but they shipped out some players to build for the future. Take note that the Red Wings are 5-1 in their last 6 road games. The Coyotes are just 2-5 in their last 7 following a win. Detroit has taken their only meeting with Phoenix so far this year, which was a 3-2 win in Phoenix. The Red Wings have won 8 of their last 9 games against Phoenix, and are 21-6-3 in their last 30 meetings in the desert. I'm on Detroit here as road dogs.