Red Dog Sports
Philadelphia vs. Miami
Play: Under
The 76ers have 35 overs and 40 unders this year while the Heat have 31 overs and 44 unders. Miami has 6 unders, 1 over and a push in their last 8 games and 9-2-1 unders in the last 12 meetings between the two clubs. Play the under on Wednesday!
Frank Jordan
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Chicago Cubs +142
The Cubs and Braves played quite the interesting game on Monday as the Braves put 16 runs on their way to winning 16-5. There were 9 runs scored in the first inning 3 by the Cubs and 6 by Atlanta. Luckily for the Cubs Tuesday was an off day to allow the pen to rest. Another big break is that they have veteran Ryan Dempster to chew up some innings as well as put forth a quality start. Look for the Cubs to bounce back nicely against the Braves. Play Chicago Cubs
BEN BURNS
Nashville Predators @ Phoenix Coyotes
PICK: Phoenix Coyotes -135
These teams have split two meetings at Nashville this season. However, the Coyotes won the lone meeting here at Phoenix. That's not that surprising, given their outstanding record at home this season.
For the season, the Coyotes have gone 28-12 (28-10-2) here in the desert. That includes a perfect 6-0 mark their last six here. This is their final home game of the regular season, so they'll be looking to go out on a winning note. That's particularly true, as they may face the Predators in the first round of the playoffs. They'd like to send a message to Nashville and the rest of the league, that winning here at Phoenix will not be easy.
Of course, the same line of thinking holds true for the Preds, as they'd like to prove that they can win here. That said, I feel that the extra rest (neither team has played since 4/3) will favor Phoenix.
The Coyotes are a profitable 15-9 (+10.6) the last 24 times that they played with three or more day's rest in between games. During the same stretch, the Preds are a money-burning 5-14 (-8) when they have done so. Consider Phoenix
SEAN MURPHY
Denver @ Oklahoma City
PICK: Under 214.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder would love nothing more than to avenge their 109-90 beatdown at the hands of the Nuggets, suffered back on March 3rd in Denver, but after last night's OT thriller in Utah, and playing their fourth game in five nights, they're not in good position to do so.
With that said, I'm not interested in backing the Denver Nuggets right now either. They own a miserable 1-9-1 ATS record over their last 11 games, and most recently fell behind by as many as 21 points against the lowly Clippers at home this past Saturday. They have won back-to-back games, but they're not playing their best basketball by any means.
So instead of looking at the side in this game, I'll play the total. At 214.5 this is the highest total we've seen in any previous meeting between these teams this season. They've matched up three times, with the highest total being set at 209.5. All three games have played under tonight's total, averaging just 196.3 points.
You would have to go back 11 games to find the last time the Nuggets were involved in a game that finished north of 214 total points. That came back on March 15th in a 125-123 loss in Houston. Denver was in excellent offensive form at that time, having scored over 100 points in six straight games. Since then, they've been held under the century mark in eight of 10 contests.
The Thunder have seen the over cash in five consecutive games, matching their longest over streak of the season. The last time they were involved in five straight overs, their next game totaled just 184 points.
Note that Thunder home games have averaged just over 197 total points this season. Nuggets road games average just north of 206 points per contest. Denver has also posted a 15-24 o/u record away from home, while Oklahoma City checks in at an even 18-18-2.
The under is 36-16 in the Nuggets last 52 games when listed as an underdog and 7-3 in the Thunder's last 10 games as a home favorite of 4.5 points or less. The fact that the Thunder were involved in a game that totaled 279 points has helped push this total three-and-a-half points higher than the opener. We'll go the other way and count on a lower-scoring game than expected. Take the under.
DAVID CHAN
Minnesota Twins @ Los Angeles Angels
PICK: Minnesota Twins +120.
Carl Pavano is one of those pitchers who we profiled in the “Expected ERA” articles as being somewhat unlucky in 2009. This free selection is meant as something of a follow-up to point out the type of situation where we need to look at betting such an arm.
Pavano’s ERA was 5.10 last year, a gaudy headline number, but the Expected ERA formula says it should have been 3.98. Ineffective relief and a couple bouts of Gopheritis sealed his fate. He has a great skill set, though: in 199 IP last year, he fanned 147 while walking only 39.
In Pavano’s final Grapefruit tune-up, the Twins’ first game at their new yard, he coughed up two more taters, so that’s a little troubling, but he still held St. Louis to three runs in seven innings.
Angels’ pitcher Ervin Santana is only 27 but looked like he broke down last year. He’s losing velocity on his fastball, and it looks like he’ll fight his elbow for the rest of his career. He’s had good stuff the last two weeks since returning from a skipped start due to an inflamed bursa sac, but did not get through five innings on either occasion.
Minnesota and Pavano should win this game 50-52 percent of the time. Taking Pavano as a dog is the percentage play.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Boston Celtics -1.5
The Raptors are expected to be without Chris Bosh tonight after he suffered facial fractures in last nights game with the Cavs. Not having Bosh on the court to contend with Boston's solid front line of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins puts the Raptors at a disadvantage. Boston was not at all happy about the way it played on the defensive end in last night's loss to the Knicks so I would be surprised if it doesn't play much better defense tonight. If the Celtics do so, especially with the Raptors minus their leading scorer, they should come out on top. Boston has won 7 straight and 11 of the last 12 in this series, and I expect its dominance to continue this evening.
Black Widow
1* on New York Knicks +10
Inflated line here with the odds makers giving the Indiana Pacers way too much respect. Hard to believe Indiana could be favored by double-digits tonight against the Knicks considering the Pacers are just 29-48 this season. Indiana has been playing well lately, but they don't have many wins against playoff teams during their run. And they have not fared well against the Knicks. New York is 4-1 SU in their last 5 meetings with Indiana, winning by 43, 7, 4 and 9 points. The Knicks are 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons. The Knicks are 33-14 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing their 3rd game in 4 days over the last 2 seasons. Playing on little rest has not hurt this team one bit, and they have a lot of confidence following their overtime win against the celtics last night. Take New York and the points.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Nuggets/Thunder UNDER 211.5
The Nuggets aren't the same high scoring team on the road. In fact, the Nuggets have been held under the century mark in their last 4 road games. Plus, OKC has proven to be a quality defensive team on its home floor, holding its opponents to only 95.9 points on the season. The last time these two teams faced off, the Thunder gave up 119 points to the Nuggets in a 29-point loss. In addition, they gave up 140 points in a defeat to Utah last night. With these two games in mind, I expect OKC to really tighten the screws on the defensive end and to be careful not to get into a track meet. History is certainly on our side here as home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 210, revenging a loss to an opponent of 10 points or more, off a road loss, are 82-40 Under since 1996. Lastly, Denver is 23-10 Under in road games where the total is greater than or equal to 200 this season. Bet the Under tonight.
Jack Jones
Wizards/Magic UNDER 194.5
Washington comes into this game very tired after running with the Golden State Warriors last night in a 112-94 victory. Look for the Wizards to come out flat and for Orlando to hold them to a small number. Washington has scored 99 or less points in 19 of their last 21 games overall. They've also held 10 of their last 12 opponents to 99 or less points, so though they are struggling offensively, their defensive effort has certainly been there night in and night out. I cannot see the Magic putting up more than 100 tonight, and I don't see Washington surpassing 90.
This play also falls under a system that is 77-33 (70%) to the UNDER over the last 5 seasons. It tells us to bet the UNDER on all teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points (ORLANDO) - well rested team - playing 4 or less games in 10 days, in April games. Bet the UNDER.
Dave Price
1 Unit on LA Dodgers -160
The Dodgers are 47-18 in the last 65 meetings in this series so I look for them to bounce back with a win behind Kershaw tonight. Kershaw has been at his best in game 2 of a series. In fact, the Dodgers are 7-1 in Kershaw's last 8 game 2 starts during a series. On the whole, LA has been a strong game 2 team. The Dodgers are 44-21 in their last 65 game 2's of a series. The Pirates are just 1-5 in Ohlendorf's last 6 starts during game 2 of a series. We'll take the Dodgers tonight.
SPORTS WAGERS
Golden State +1.10 over MINNESOTA
The Warriors have five games left to get Don Nelson the victory that’ll give him the most wins by a coach in the history of this league. They blow it tonight and Nelson may have to wait til next year because the Warriors four remaining games will against the Clip Joint in L.A. followed by games against the Thunder, Jazz and Blazers. They had a celebratory win in Toronto on Sunday and last night they were extremely flat out of the gate in Washington. This is the game they want badly because they have nothing else to play for and they absolutely love their coach. Yeah, it’s the Warriors third game in four nights but this isn’t the Jazz or Suns they’ll be playing. The T-Wolves have dropped 18 of 19 and 22 of 24. For the Warriors, it would be a big slap in the face not to get it done here, thus, you know for sure they’ll come out focus and very determined. After winning in Toronto on Sunday, when Nelson tied the record, the whole team gathered in a circle after the game around Nelson and starting jumping up and down like a college team does after a tournament win. They want it tonight. Play: Golden State +1.10 (Risking 2 units).
ATLANTA –1½ +1.38 over Chicago
Jair Jurrjens is going to soon be recognized as one of the best in the game. Jurrjens will begin his third year after a terrific rookie season with the Tigers and subsequently an even better sophomore year with the Braves. He went 14-10 last year but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The league hit just .237 off him and he finished with an ERA of 2.60. At Turner Field the opposition hit a puny .218 off him. He’s had a strong spring going 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA and only walking three guys in 12 innings. In his two years in the majors, his April numbers are even better. In five April starts, Jurrjens posted and ERA of 1.72 and didn’t allow a single jack in 31 frames of work. The Braves made quite a few offseason moves, both adding and subtracting bodies with the most significant being Troy Glaus and Melky Cabrera. Keep your eye on Jason Heyward, the 14th overall pick in ’07. Heyward was rated the top prospect in the game by both MLB.com and Baseball America and for good reason. Heyward owns a .318 average, 29 homers and 125 RBI in 238 games in the minors. He played in three minor-league levels last season, hitting .323 with 17 homers, 63 RBI and just 51 strikeouts to 51 walks in 362 at-bats. He was the Braves opening day right-fielder and promptly went 2-5 with 4 RBI’s. The South Side could be in for a long year because of a bullpen that is going to cause the starters some real misery. Ryan Dempster is solid as hell but he’s never had success in this park or against this team. He has a career 4.66 ERA at Turner Field to go along with a BAA of .314. He’s also 2-11 vs the Braves over his career and even if he does well, the bullpen will blow it up. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.38 (Risking 2 units).
NY Yankees +1.37 over BOSTON
Does this one really need much explanation? The Yanks are just so loaded offensively that they have to be considered a serious threat every time they step between the white lines. They smacked around Josh Beckett in the opener and beat the Red Sox yesterday with Lester going. Each guy in the line-up is as dangerous as the next and John Lackey sure as hell isn’t going to scare them. Lackey’s numbers have been declining slowly but surely over the past couple of years and now he’s 32 and hasn’t started more than 27 games in either of the last two years. Andy Pettitte is traditionally a slow starter but so what. The Yanks are capable of beating anyone with their offense and with a tag like this on them they’re simply a must play. Play: NY Yankees +1.37 (Risking 2 units).
San Francisco –1½ +1.11 over HOUSTON
How good is the Giants rotation when Matt Cain starts the third game of the year? Cain would be a #1 guy on 70% of the teams in this league and he has the numbers to back it. Cain went 14-8 last year with a 2.89 ERA. With a little support he could have easily been a 20-game winner. In his career the league has hit just .231 off him and he’ll face a team that is 0-2 and that was shutout yesterday. The Giants are playing with house money here and aside from being the superior team in every way they have a big psychological edge as well. The Astros will send out Bret Myers to try to help them get their first win of the year. Good luck with that. Myers had been a Phillie his whole career and had the offense to allow him to pitch with leads but all that changes now. He’ll no longer have the luxury to pitch with a six-run lead and he’s not even that good to begin with. He appeared in just 18 games last season, 10 as a starter and went 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA. He also allowed 18 bombs in just 70 innings of work and that was one of the worst ratios on the league. This is a pitching mismatch and to top it off the Giants are feeling absolutely fantastic and can’t wait for this game to start. Play: San Francisco –1½ +1.11 (Risking 2 units).
Toronto +1.87 over TEXAS
As mentioned on opening the day the Blue Jays are going to offer up a lot of value early in the year and that’s evident once again in this one. The name Rich Harden inflates the line but Harden is a guy you should sell high if you own him in your fantasy league. Aside from switching from the NL to the AL, he’s also leaving the confines of pitcher-friendly Wrigley Field in favor of that land mine in Arlington. He ended the year with a very average ERA of 4.09 and his numbers got progressively worse as the year wore on. Harden appeared in six spring games and was also smacked around pretty good. He allowed 24 hits and 23 runs in 22 frames for an ERA of 8.87. This park has no soul and does not give a damn who’s pitching. If you’re not sharp, you’re going to pay the price and Harden might be a long way off. Brian Tallet had his second straight effective start last Thursday, holding the Yankees to a pair of earned runs. Tallet is in for now but might not last once the Jays get some healthy bodies back in the rotation. He’s unpredictable but this isn’t about him. This is all about value and in no way should Harden and the Rangers be close to a 2-1 favorite over the Jays. Play: Toronto +1.87 (Risking 2 units).
EDMONTON +1.07 over Colorado
The Av’s clinched a playoff spot last night in Vancouver in rather dramatic fashion when Matt Dushene scored in the third round of the shootout. The team went into a major celebration and you could almost hear a big sigh of relief from not only the players but the whole city. This team played their hearts out from the opening night faceoff right up until they clinched last night and now they can relax after accomplishing their goal of making the playoffs. Craig Anderson will get the night off tonight in favor of Peter Budaj and the rest of the team will very likely show up in body only. The Oilers are in such a favorable spot here. They’ve also picked up three of a possible four points in its last two games, taking Phoenix to OT and subsequently defeating the Wild. The Av’s are riper to get beat tonight than at any other time during the year and anything but an Oiler victory will be surprising to say the least. Wrong side favored. Play: Edmonton +1.07 (Risking 2 units).
Nelly
New Jersey + over Milwaukee
We took Milwaukee last night for a nice win as we felt there was a great overreaction to the Andrew Bogut injury. Bogut has had a great season will certainly be missed on this team as they enter the playoffs but the Bucks have been successful because of their approach on defense. The offense is valuing its possessions and being more patient and Bogut has seen his numbers benefit while the tough perimeter defense is allowing Bogut rebounding opportunities. The Bucks will still be a competitive team despite the injury as they held off Phoenix in the game he was hurt and then won in Chicago last night against a Bulls team that is fighting for the playoffs. Last night's win was a big proving game for the Bucks to show they can win despite the injury and Milwaukee had two off days to prepare for that game. This will be a more difficult situation even though the quality of the opponent is much less. Last night’s win also officially clinched a playoff spot for the Bucks so there is an even greater letdown potential. The Bucks have covered in six straight games but only one of those games came as heavy favorite and that cover came by a slim margin. The Bucks have failed to cover in three of the last four games as a favorite of six or more and New Jersey has been a very respectable road ATS team. The Nets are also playing its best ball of the season right now with wins in four of the last seven games and most recent losses have been competitive outings. The Nets are 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14 road games and this is a big game for a couple of Nets players with Devin Harris returning to his home town and Yi Jianlian returning to play the team that drafted and then traded him. Milwaukee has a strong record in the second of back-to-back games but this is an entirely different situation given what has happened for the team in the last few days and New Jersey looks like a strong bet tonight.
DUNKEL INDEX
Washington at Orlando
The Magic look to build on their 7-1 ATS record in their last 8 games as a favorite of 11 points or more. Orlando is the pick (-14) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 20. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-14)
Game 701-702: Boston at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 118.973; Toronto 116.979
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 6; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+6); Over
Game 703-704: New York at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.272; Indiana 127.262
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 16; 222
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 10; 220 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-10); Over
Game 705-706: Philadelphia at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 115.989; Miami 126.103
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 10; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 11 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+11 1/2); Under
Game 707-708: Atlanta at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 123.092; Detroit 111.711
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 11 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-4 1/2); Over
Game 709-710: New Jersey at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 109.251; Milwaukee 124.689
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 15 1/2; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 8; 190
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-8); Under
Game 711-712: Washington at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 109.575; Orlando 129.366
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 20; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 14; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-14); Under
Game 713-714: Golden State at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 113.908; Minnesota 111.501
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 2 1/2; 225
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 230 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+2 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: Denver at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 119.186; Oklahoma City 125.925
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 6 1/2; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 2 1/2; 210 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-2 1/2); Over
Game 717-718: Charlotte at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 117.708; New Orleans 119.041
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 1; 193
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+1); Under
Game 719-720: Memphis at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 116.634; Dallas 121.570
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 5; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 9 1/2; 204
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+9 1/2); Over
Game 721-722: Utah at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 124.422; Houston 115.576
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 9; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 4; 214
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-4); Under
Game 723-724: San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 126.085; Phoenix 126.406
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 7; 210
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+7); Over
Game 725-726: Portland at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 120.896; LA Clippers 110.309
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 10 1/2; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 8; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-8); Under
MLB
Detroit at Kansas City
The Tigers look to take advantage of a KC team that is 3-13 in Luke Hochevar's last 16 starts. Detroit is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Tigers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-140)
Game 901-902: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.035; Milwaukee (Davis) 16.229
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-110); Over
Game 903-904: San Francisco at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 15.201; Houston (Myers) 14.153
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150); Under
Game 905-906: LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.436; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.551
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-165); Over
Game 907-908: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.544; Washington (Marquis) 14.480
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-170); Over
Game 909-910: Chicago Cubs at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago (Dempster) 14.508; Atlanta (Jurrjens) 14.005
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+140); Under
Game 911-912: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.138; Cincinnati (Cueto) 16.690
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+120); Over
Game 913-914: Florida at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 15.628; NY Mets (Maine) 14.630
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-120); Under
Game 915-916: San Diego at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 15.534; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.830
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125); Under
Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.320; Boston (Lackey) 15.941
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+125); Under
Game 919-920: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Guthrie) 14.881; Tampa Bay (Garza) 15.996
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-210); Over
Game 921-922: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Tallet) 15.308; Texas (Harden) 16.733
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Texas (-185); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-185); Over
Game 923-924: Cleveland at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 13.929; White Sox (Peavy) 14.680
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-170); Under
Game 925-926: Detroit at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Scherzer) 15.334; Kansas City (Hochevar) 14.334
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-140); Over
Game 927-928: Minnesota at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pavano) 16.413; LA Angels (Santana) 16.213
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+130); Over
Game 929-930: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Rowland-Smith) 15.728; Oakland (Duchsherer) 15.034
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+105); Under
NHL
Nashville at Phoenix
The Coyotes look to build on their 12-3 record in their last 15 games when playing with 3 days of rest. Phoenix is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-135)
Game 1-2: Toronto at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.660; NY Rangers 10.870
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-205); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+175); Over
Game 3-4: Columbus at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.181; Detroit 12.470
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-190); Under
Game 5-6: St. Louis at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.893; Chicago 13.392
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-200); Over
Game 7-8: Colorado at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.191; Edmonton 11.003
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-105); Under
Game 9-10: Nashville at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.802; Phoenix 12.348
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-135); Under
Scott Delaney
Twins (Pavano) at Angels (Santana)
This is more about going against Carl Pavano, as I was astonished I saw his name as the starter ... I forgot he was still around.
The right-hander went 14-12 with a 5.10 ERA in 2009, and is on the downside of his career, no doubt. He lacks the strength of his pre-injury days with the Yankees and has little margin for error when he steps on the mound.
I'd much rather back Ervin Santana, who looked good last Friday, in his last spring training start, fanning nine over 4-2/3 innings against the Dodgers.
Lay the chalk with the home team in this one.
2♦ ANGELS
Craig Davis
Today's free play is on the Yankees. Truth be told, they should be 2-0 and Boston should be 0-2... but Sunday night's Boston comeback just shows you how intense this rivalry is. No lead is safe, and even if you have your ace on the hill, anything can happen. Tonight, my money is on the veteran Andy Pettitte, who usually figures out a way to beat Boston. He's 18-9 in his career vs. the Red Sox, including a very impressive 3.74 ERA in 36 games. What's also impressive is the way he keeps the ball in the yard, allowing just 9 home runs in those 36 games. John Lackey, on the other hand, has never fared that well against the Yankees in his career, and he's much more dominant outside of April. His April career ERA is almost 5 and his numbers vs. the Yankees aren't far off from that. 5-7 W/L record in 16 games with a 4.66 ERA and an opponents batting average against of .290. Yanks smell blood and would love to take two of the first three from Boston. I like New York to end this series in style tonight.
3♦ NY YANKEES