SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Charlotte (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) at Orlando (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
The Magic fought off a late surge by the seventh-seeded Bobcats in Game 1 and now look to go up 2-0 in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference opening round series inside Amway Arena.
Orlando bolted out to a 59-43 halftime lead, but Charlotte closed the gap to five points in the fourth quarter before the Magic finished strong and pulled away for the 98-89 Game 1 victory, but they came up just short as 10-point favorites. Jameer Nelson led the way for Orlando with 32 points and six assists, but All-Star center Dwight Howard finished with just five points and seven rebounds. The Bobcats got a huge game from Gerald Wallace who finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds.
Charlotte has now dropped two straight and three of its last five going back to the regular season, and despite getting the money on Sunday the Bobcats are still just 3-6 ATS in their last nine overall. Meanwhile, Orlando is riding a seven-game winning streak, and it has taken 10 of its last 11 overall (8-2-1 ATS).
Larry Brown’s Bobcats have been awful on the road this season at 13-29 SU, but they have managed to cash in 22 of the 42 games. Orlando is 35-7 at home (24-17-1 ATS), winning eight straight (5-2-1 ATS) and 14 of its last 15 (10-4-1 ATS) inside Amway Arena.
This is the first trip to the postseason for this Charlotte franchise in its sixth season in existence. Meanwhile, the Magic are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Last spring, they eliminated the Sixers 4-2 (2-4 ATS) in the opening round, then went on to take down the defending-champion Celtics in the conference semifinals (4-3 SU and ATS) and the top-seeded Cavaliers (4-2, 5-1 ATS) to reach the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history. However, the dream ended in five games against the Lakers (1-4 ATS).
Orlando has beaten the Bobcats eight times in the last nine tries, and the Magic are 7-4 ATS in the last 11 contests in Florida. However, the road team has now covered in five straight series clashes.
The Bobcats are just 2-4 ATS in their last six overall and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five as an underdog, but they are on pointspread surges of 7-2-1 against winning teams, 23-9-1 against Southeast Division squads and 6-1-1 after a straight-up loss.
It’s all positive ATS trends for the Magic, including 18-8-1 overall, 4-1-1 at home (all as a favorite) 7-1 on Wednesday, 20-8 against Eastern Conference teams, 5-1 after a spread-cover and 7-4 against Southeast Division teams.
Charlotte is on “under” runs of 7-2-1 on the road, 7-0-1 as a road ‘dog, 10-3-1 against winning teams and 6-2-1 against Southeast Division squads. Orlando has topped the total in four of six overall and four of six as a favorite, but it is on “under” streaks of 10-4-2 at home, 10-3-1 as a chalk of five to 10½ points and 9-4-1 against Southeast Division teams.
In this series, the under is 9-3-1 in the last 13 clashes overall and 6-2-1 in the past nine contests in Florida. Game 1 finished right on the 187-point total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio (0-1 SU and ATS) at Dallas (1-0 SU and ATS)
The second-seeded Mavericks look to maintain home-court advantage when they take on the Spurs at the American Airlines Center in Game 2 of this best-of-7 series.
Dallas held off San Antonio 100-94 on Sunday in the series opener, covering as a four-point favorite, the team’s sixth straight win and sixth-straight spread-cover (the latter marking a season-high). The difference came at the free-throw line, where the Mavericks were awarded 34 shots, making 25, while the Spurs got just 14 foul shots, making 12. Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 36 points, and midseason addition Caron Butler added 22 for Dallas, which in addition to its six-game winning streak is 9-2 SU and ATS in its last 11 overall.
San Antonio actually outshot the Mavs in Game 1, hitting an even 50 percent from the floor (39 of 78) while Dallas shot 47.3 percent (35 of 74), but the free-throw differential and a minus-8 rebounding margin (45-37) were too much for the Spurs to overcome. Tim Duncan (27 points) and Manu Ginobili (26) shined in a losing effort for San Antonio.
The Spurs remain a solid 29-13 SU (20-22 ATS) on the highway this year, averaging 97.2 ppg on 45.5 percent shooting, and giving up 95.5 ppg on 44.5 percent shooting. The Mavericks are 29-13 SU at home this season, but are a dismal 12-29-1 ATS in those contests, outscoring foes by about a bucket more per game in averaging 101.8 ppg and allowing 99.5 ppg.
These instate rivals also met in the first round last year, with Dallas rolling to a 4-1 series victory while also going 4-1 ATS, averaging 96.4 ppg and allowing 90.4 ppg. The Mavs are 7-1 ATS in the last eight clashes, including 4-1 SU and ATS this year, winning and cashing in the last four meetings in a row. Dallas has also cashed in six straight at home against San Antonio, the host is 7-2 ATS in the last nine matchups, and the SU winner has covered the number in each of the last 15 head-to-head battles.
The Spurs are on ATS slides of 0-5 as a playoff pup and 1-6-1 in first-round games (0-4 last four), though they also sport positive ATS runs of 18-8 overall, 6-2 after either a SU or an ATS loss, 6-3 against winning teams and 12-5 against Western Conference squads.
In addition to cashing in a season-high six consecutive games, the Mavericks are on ATS surges of 5-0 as a favorite, 6-1 in first-round playoff games and 5-1-1 inside the Southwest Division. However, despite their current hot streak, they still shoulder negative pointspread trends of 8-28-1 at home, 17-34-1 as a home favorite and 5-10 as a playoff chalk.
San Antonio is on “under” strings of 6-1-2 on the road, 4-1-1 as an underdog and 6-1-1 as a playoff pup, while Dallas is on “under” surges of 6-1-1 at home and 14-6-1 as a playoff chalk, though the over has hit in six of the Mavs’ last nine against winning teams. Also, the over is 4-1-1 in Dallas’ last six first-round playoff games – all against the Spurs.
Finally, in this rivalry, the under is 3-1-1 in this year’s meetings and 3-1-1 in the last five in Dallas, with Game 1 on Sunday landing right on the 194-point total. In last year’s playoff series, the total cleared the posted price in four of the five contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (8-5) at Atlanta (8-5)
Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.12 ERA) shoots for his fourth win in a Phillies uniform in as many tries when he matches up against the surging Braves and Tim Hudson (1-0, 2.84) as this three-game series between N.L. East rivals continues at Turner Field.
Atlanta scored its second straight walk-off come-from-behind victory last night, following up Sunday’s 4-3 win over Colorado with a 4-3, 10-inning triumph over the Phillies. Troy Glaus and rookie Jason Heyward hit back-to-back two-out home runs to erase a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, then Nate McClouth led off the bottom of the 10th with a solo blast to seal the win.
The Braves have won four of their last five (following a 1-4 slump), and they’re on additional runs 16-6 after a victory, 21-8 in the second game of a series and 4-1 on Wednesday. However, Bobby Cox’s crew ended a six-game losing skid to N.L. East foes with Tuesday’s victory
After exploding for 77 runs in its first 10 games (winning eight of them), Philadelphia has been held to a total of four runs in its last three contests, losing the final two games of a weekend home series against the Marlins (5-1 and 2-0) prior to last night’s heartbreaking setback. The Phillies are still 5-2 on the road this year, and the two-time defending N.L. champs continue to sport positive trends of 6-2 against right-handed starters and 6-1 on Wednesday.
The Braves took 10 of 18 meetings with Philadelphia last year, but the Phillies are still 13-6 in their last 19 contests at Turner Field.
Halladay, acquired in an offseason trade from Toronto where he had spent his entire big-league career, has been everything the Phillies could’ve hoped for so far, giving up just four runs (three earned) over 24 innings, scoring wins over the Nationals (11-1 on the road), Astros (2-1 on the road) and Marlins (8-6 at home). Additionally, the veteran right-hander has walked just two while striking out 21. Going back to last September, Halladay has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, registering a 1.45 ERA during this stretch with three complete games.
Including his two efforts at Washington and Houston (one earned run allowed in 16 innings), Halladay is 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA in 16 road starts since the beginning of last season. He also faced Atlanta twice in interleague competition with Toronto, going 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA (one run, seven hits, two walks, eight strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings). That includes a game at Turner Field last May when Halladay scattered five hits and a walk in seven shutout innings, but failed to get a decision as the Jays lost, 1-0.
Hudson overcame some rare wildness Thursday in San Diego, issuing five walks (along with six hits) in 5 2/3 innings. However, the veteran right-hander mitigated the damage and gave up just two runs in a 6-2 victory. He’s now surrendered two runs in each of his first two starts (both on the road) along with a combined nine hits and five walks with just two strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. Atlanta is 19-7 in Hudson’s last 26 starts following five days of rest.
Hudson, who missed half of the 2008 season and most of 2009 while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, made just four home starts last year, going 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 26 innings, and the Braves lost all four games. For his career, he’s 4-6 with a 3.79 ERA in 15 games against the Phillies, including a 9-4 home loss last year when he gave up just three runs in seven innings. Atlanta has come up empty in Hudson’s last three starts against Philadelphia, even though he’s allowed just six earned runs in 20 2/3 innings (2.61 ERA).
Despite staying under the total in their last three games, the Phillies remain on a slew of “over” runs, including 33-17-2 overall, 18-7 on the road, 8-3 versus division rivals, 4-1 on Wednesday, 19-7-2 against right-handed starters and 12-4-1 when coming off a loss.
Atlanta is 5-2 “over” in Hudson’s last seven starts, but the under is 5-1 in the team’s last six at home. Additionally, the under has cashed in eight of the last 11 meetings between these teams overall and six of the last eight at Turner Field.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (10-3) at Oakland (9-6)
The Yankees shoot for their sixth straight win when they continue a three-game series at the Coliseum by sending Phil Hughes (1-0, 3.60) to the hill against A’s veteran Ben Sheets (1-0, 2.65).
Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer while Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher each drove in a pair of runs to lead New York to a 7-3 victory in Tuesday’s series opener. The Yankees have won five in a row and eight of their last nine, and they’re 5-2 on the road to start the 2010 season. Joe Girardi’s troops enter tonight on additional positive stretches of 62-24 overall (playoffs included), 5-0 against the A.L. West, 60-24 after a victory, 55-20 against right-handed starters, 42-12 as a favorite, 20-7 as a road chalk and 45-16 on Wednesday.
Oakland has followed up a three-game overall winning streak and a six-game home winning streak with consecutive losses, including Sunday’s 8-3 home setback to Baltimore. The A’s – who remain atop the A.L. West – are still on runs of 9-5 overall, 6-2 at home, 6-3 versus righty starters and 5-1 versus right-handers at home, but they’ve lost 10 of 13 as an underdog and six straight as a home ‘dog.
New York went 7-2 against the A’s last year and has now won 12 of the last 15 meetings, going 5-2 in the last seven in Oakland.
Hughes made his first start of 2010 on Thursday, holding the Angels to two runs on three hits while walking five and striking out six in five innings of a 6-2 home win. Going back to the end of the 2008 season, Hughes has made 10 starts, holding eight of those opponents to three earned runs or less. However, he’s gone past five innings just once in his last seven starts.
Going back to last year, the Yanks are 4-1 in Hughes’ last five starts overall, 4-1 in his last five against the A.L. West and 4-0 when he starts on Wednesday. Last year, Hughes was 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 24 games on the road, but 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in four starts. He’s faced the A’s three times (all out of the bullpen), giving up two hits and five walks in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
Sheets has delivered consecutive quality outings in his first two trips to the mound in an Oakland uniform, pitching six innings in each contest. That includes Thursday’s 6-2 home win over Baltimore, with Sheets scattering five hits and three walks in six shutout innings. He’s now 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at the Oakland Coliseum.
Sheets’ only start against the Yankees came in a 2005 interleague game when he was with the Brewers, and he gave up two hits and five walks in seven shutout innings en route to a 2-1 home win.
The Yankees have stayed under the total in four of their last six games overall, four of their last six against the A.L. West and 16 of 23 on Wednesday. However, they remain on “over” runs of 35-16-2 on the road and 9-1 against winning teams.
Oakland is on “under” surges of 6-2 overall, 5-1 against right-handed starters, 8-3 after a defeat, 4-2 versus A.L. East opponents, 7-3 on Wednesday and 13-3 in the second game of a series. Also, both of Sheets’ starts this year have stayed below the posted total. Finally, the total has alternated in the last seven meetings between these teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES
DUNKEL INDEX
San Antonio at Dallas
The Spurs look to rebound from their 100-94 loss in Game 1 and build on their 9-1 ATS record in their last 10 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in the previous game. San Antonio is the pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has the Mavericks favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+4)
Game 729-730: Charlotte at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 118.471; Orlando 127.073
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+9); Under
Game 731-732: San Antonio at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 122.983; Dallas 123.455
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+4); Under
MLB
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
The Pirates look to build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 home games with the total set between 7 and 8 1/2 runs. Pittsburgh is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Pirates favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+115)
Game 901-902: San Francisco at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Wellemeyer) 15.831; San Diego (Garland) 16.875
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-125); Over
Game 903-904: Colorado at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 14.574; Washington (Lannan) 15.350
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-105); Over
Game 905-906: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Gallardo) 14.497; Pittsburgh (Duke) 15.119
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+115); Under
Game 907-908: LA Dodgers at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.013; Cincinnati (Harang) 14.536
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-130); Over
Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Halladay) 15.914; Atlanta (Hudson) 14.248
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-150); Under
Game 911-912: Chicago Cubs at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Silva) 14.581; NY Mets (Perez) 14.462
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-110); Under
Game 913-914: Florida at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Johnson) 15.701; Houston (Norris) 14.718
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Florida (-155); 8
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-155); Over
Game 915-916: St. Louis at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.736; Arizona (Jackson) 14.337
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-150); Under
Game 917-918: Kansas City at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 15.416; Toronto (Marcum) 16.719
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-110); Over
Game 919-920: Texas at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harrison) 14.732; Boston (Beckett) 14.722
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+170); Over
Game 921-922: Cleveland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Huff) 14.963; Minnesota (Liriano) 16.326
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-175); Under
Game 923-924: Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Davis) 16.111; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.197
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-105); Under
Game 925-926: NY Yankees at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 16.093; Oakland (Sheets) 15.418
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-145); Under
Game 927-928: Detroit at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Bonderman) 14.475; LA Angels (Weaver) 15.988
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-165); Under
Game 929-930: Baltimore at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Millwood) 14.102; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.583
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-200); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-200); Over
NHL
Vancouver at Los Angeles
The Canucks look to rebound from their 5-3 loss in Game 3 and build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games after allowing 5 goals or more in the previous game. Vancouver is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Canucks favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-120)
Game 51-52: Buffalo at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 12.634; Boston 12.424
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+110); Under
Game 53-54: Washington at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 10.970; Montreal 11.593
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-200); 6
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+170); Under
Game 55-56: Vancouver at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.774; Los Angeles 11.582
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-120); Over
Marc Lawrence
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
The Cubs send Carlos Silva to the mound in New York against Oliver Perez tonight knowing Perez has not issued a walk in either of his two starts this season while fanning eight. Meanwhile, Perez has dropped nine of his last 11 team starts in April. With that, look for Perez to fall to 2-5 at home in his career against the Cubbies here this evening.
Rob Vinciletti
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Atlanta Braves
The reason we are playing against Roy Halladay here is due to a nice system that plays against the Philles here tonight. What we want to do is play against road favorites of -140 or higher that are off a road dog loss at +140 or more in a one run loss where they scored 4 or less runs, and the opponent also scored 4 or less runs. This system may sound complicated. However it has cashed 5 of the last 6 times. Atlanta should be able to keep pace with the Phillies with T.Hudson on the mound. The Braves also have a bullpen that has a 0.47 era. Hudson doesn't quite have the 0.56 era that Halladay has,however he has a solid 2.84 era. The Braves are 4-2 vs winning teams,while the Phillies are just 1-3 vs winning teams. Take the Braves as a nice dog here tonight.
Nick “The BookieKiller” Parsons
Capitals @ Canadiens
PICK: Under 6
The Capitals scored in the final 30 seconds of Game 3 for a 5-1 final; for a number of different reasons though I expect today's game to be a more tightly contested affair as the Habs fight for their playoff lives:
Washington won 5-1 on Monday night but was once again stymied on the powerplay, going 0-for-7.
The Capitals are in fact 0-for-14 with the man advantage in this series (unbelievably, they haven't scored a powerplay goal in five games which includes their final two regular season contests).
Montreal had its chances in Game 3, but was turned away behind some great play from Semyon Varlamov; “I didn’t realize when I was watching it this morning that they had so many good chances,” coach Bruce Boudreau commented. “Sometimes the score of the game masks how you played. We thought at the end of the first we were doing pretty good and they came close to scoring about five really good chances to score and Varly was up to the task and played really strong in that period.”
On the other side of the rink: This series is essentially over if Montreal loses tonight.
After wining the opener, falling apart in Game 2, and getting blown out in Game 3, the wind is now definitely out of Montreal's sails.
Bottom line: To say this is an important game for the Habs would be an understatement; although actually winning this contest is a tall order, I believe the Canadiens will put forth a titanic effort and leave everything they have on the ice.
The penalty kill has been sharp; I'd suggest taking a second look at the "under" in this game.
Info Plays
3* on San Diego Padres -125
Reasons why the Padres win:
1.) They face Todd Wellemeyer. This guy should not even be starting in the league, but the Giants had no other choice. Wellemeyer is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA this season, giving up 11 earned runs, 11 hits, 7 walks and 4 home runs in 10.3 innings. Jon Garland has not been spectacular, but he is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his career against San Francisco. In 2 starts against them last season, Garland gave up just 4 earned runs in 15.3 innings.
2.) The Padres are 9-2 in their last 11 home meetings with San Francisco. The home team is 15-5 in the last 20 meetings overall. Bet San Diego at home.
Jack Jones
L.A. Dodgers -121
If there was such a thing as a one-sided series in baseball, this would be it. The Dodgers are 22-5 in their last 27 meetings with Cincinnati overall. Off a rare loss to the Reds last night, look for the Dodgers to bounce back Wednesday. Aaron Harang is washed up, but somehow is still tagged as the Reds' Ace. Harang is 0-2 with a monster 7.87 ERA this season, and he's just 2-4 with a 4.78 ERA in his career when facing the Dodgers. He has been blown up by L.A. recently as the Reds are just 1-4 in Harang's last 5 starts vs. the Dodgers.
Hiroki Kuroda has been the Dodgers' best starter early on. Kuroda has allowed 2 earned runs in 15 innings of work in two starts this year, projecting out to a 1.20 ERA. In his only career starts against the Reds he allowed 2 earned runs in 8 innings of a 5-2 victory. Kuroda has been dominant against the NL Central as the Dodgers are 8-1 in his last 9 starts vs. NL Central foes. The Dodgers are 18-6 in Kurodas last 24 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. The Reds are just 2-9 in Harang's last 11 starts overall. I'll back the better starter and the more hungry team here after a late-innings loss to the Reds last night. Roll with the Dodgers Wednesday.
Black Widow
1* on Philadelphia Phillies -145
Roy Halladay's transition to the National League has been smooth sailing. Halladay is 3-0 with a 1.12 ERA and 0.958 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 24 innings. He has allowed just 3 earned runs this year, including 1 earned run in 16 innings pitched on the road this season. After a painful loss in which the Phillies blew a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth last night, look for Halladay to come in and shut the Braves down to help give his team some payback Wednesday. In fact, we would not be surprised for a second if he went the distance and pitched all 9 innings as he's already done it once this season. The Phillies are 37-18 in their last 55 games as a road favorite. The Braves are 0-4 in Tim Hudsons last 4 home starts. The Phillies are 13-6 in the last 19 meetings in Atlanta. The Braves are just 1-4 in Hudson's last 5 starts against the Phillies. Take the Phillies on the Money Line.
Jim Feist
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
Take: New York Mets
The Cubbies have struggled badly on the road and a big reason is a weak offense, scoring 6 total runs over 3 recent games. Chicago goes with soft thrower Carlos Silva, a guy who relies on painting the corners. Well the Mets love his below average fastball, having smoked him to the tune of 32 hits and 5 walks in only 18 innigs (8.84 ERA). The Mets have offensive talent and got better this week bringing up Ike Davis, who had 2 hits in his debut. Play the NY Mets.
EZWINNERS
Minnesota Twins -175
After a so-so performance in his first start, Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano looked like the pitcher he was back in 2006 before his elbow injury and Tommy John surgery. Liriano pitched seven shutout innings for the Twins as Minnesota took the first series at the new Target Field with an 8-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox last Thursday. Liriano scattered four hits and only walked two while striking out eight batters. The Indians starting pitcher David Huff has pitched very well this season, but I just don't expect the Cleveland offense to give him much run support. The Indians are one of the worst teams in the American League against left handed starts. Cleveland is 0-7 in their last seven road games against a left-handed starter and they are only 2-10 overall in their last 12 games against a south paw dating back to last season. If the Tribes woes against lefties is not enough, they are only 4-13 in the last 17 games played in Minnesota. Play on the Twins.
JR O'Donnell
VAN (-120) vs LOS
The Ice has been very good to Jr O as last free bomb was on the Under 5 +105 Boston Bruins/Buff Sabres and that baby $$$$$ easy as a 2-1 final . Tonight's bounce back play is on the Vancouver Cans boys with a mighty and focused net minder R Luongo. He was bombed last outing four goals on 13 shots and he will respond very well tonight. The Cans do not lose tonight!! Looking inside the #'s, Vancouver Canucks are 5-0 in their last 5 when the allow 5+ goal the game before and we would also lean to the OVER tonight.
Bobby Maxwell
Charlotte (+9) at ORLANDO
Nailed the FREE NBA playoff winner on Tuesday as the Hawks scored the win and cover over the Bucks in Atlanta. That improved my comp record to 84-61-3. Tonight I have another NBA playoff winner as I grab the points with the Bobcats visiting Orlando for Game 2 of this series.
The Bobcats are going to give the Magic fits this entire series. This might be a four-game series or it might go a few more games, but every night is going to be a fight for the Magic. Charlotte isn’t backing down to anybody. They have too many veterans who know how to play the playoff game.
Orlando opened up a big early lead in Game 1 only to see the Bobcats fight back and draw to within five points in the fourth quarter and make a game of it, losing 98-89, but cash as a 10-point road underdog. Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds and showed he’s going to be a tough guard in this series, and if they can get some more production from Boris Diaw, watch out.
The Bobcats did a superhuman job on center Dwight Howard who finished with just five points and seven rebounds, but they let point guard Jameer Nelson get off for 32 points and six assists. I think Larry Brown can live with Nelson being forced to do all the scoring as long as they contain Howard.
In this series, the road team is 5-0 ATS and the Bobcats are on further pointspread runs of 7-2-1 against winning teams, 23-9-1 against Southeast Division squads and 6-1-1 after a straight-up loss.
I like the way this Charlotte team is going to fight, and they’ve got some talent if they can get everybody on the same page. I’ll grab the points again with the Bobcats in Orlando.
3♦ CHARLOTTE
Scott Spreitzer
Tigers @ Angels
Pick: Over
Just in case you thought Jeremy Bonderman had found the "right elixir" after his first start of the season (Cleveland) just checkout his second start against Seattle. Bonderman is still a starter who's going to get tagged throughout the season, especially against formidable lineups. He's facing his first of the kind on Wednesday night. The Angels absolutely pound righthanders at home, and they have had no trouble against the Detroit hurler. Over the last three seasons, Bonderman has toed the Angel Stadium rubber on three occasions. He's been thumped, giving up 17 earned runs and 31 base runners in 15 2/3 IP, for a 9.75 ERA & 1.97 WHIP, to go along with a ridiculous, .366 BAA. The Angel bats must be licking their chops. So, why don't I just make a wager on the Halos? Well, because the price is too high for Jered Weaver, who has been dominant in 2010, and at home throughout his career, but not against Detroit teams. Believe it or not, Weaver was outstanding in his one start at Comerica. But in four home starts against the Tigers, he has been tagged for 19 earned runs and 38 base runners in 19 1/3 IP. That's a huge, 8.86 ERA & 1.97 WHIP. The Halos received some outstanding starts of late, and decent work from the pen. But I believe they're going to be involved in a bit of a shootout tonight. Detroit is 10-1-2 to the Over in Bonderman's last 13 starts against AL West opposition and I expect another high-scoring game tonight. I'm playing the Over between the Tigers & Angels.
MTI Sports
Phillies at Braves
Play: Under
The Braves are 1-8 OU at home when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and the Phillies are 0-5 OU as a road 140+ favorite when they are off a loss in which they held the lead. Take these two UNDER.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox
Play: Texas Rangers
Not convinced the big price is worth the risk here, as Boston is nearly a 2-1 favorite despite losing five of their six games. And who would have thought David Ortiz would be pinch-hit for late in a close game? Yesterday’s walk-off win notwithstanding, this Boston team is in some real trouble, and we like the Rangers chances to steal a win here. Beckett goes for Boston, but his stats don’t match up to Texas’ Matt Harrison, who has allowed one earned run in each of his two starts against Seattle and Cleveland. Texas has more than a coin-flip’s chance to winning here, and we’ll take the generous payout.