JEFF BENTON
Your Wednesday freebie comes in the Bulls-Heat playoff game, as I say the teams play another Under.
Game One saw just 74 combined points at the break before the teams got the points flowing in the second half, but still wound up holding Under the posted total of 188 points, combining for 179 total points.
That puts the Under at 5-2 the last 7 times these Eastern Conference rivals have tangled, and 7 of the last 10 overall have also stayed Under, with 4 of the past 5 meetings in Miami holding low.
Miami is now 0-3-2 Under the total in their 5 playoff games to date, so with the total of this contest not really coming down much at all, would tend to believe Chicago's lone shot at taking another game outright is to do their best at slowing down the Miami offense.
Going to ride the Bulls defense to make it tough once again for Miami to find the baskets consistently.
Chicago-Miami Under in Game Two.
1♦ CHICAGO-MIAMI UNDER
BRAD WILTON
Why would I not play the Over in Wednesday night's Warriors-Spurs meeting?
All these teams did was shatter Monday's total by 50+ points!
True, the game did go double-overtime, but the Over was already in the bag at the end of regulation to make it the last pair of series meetings heading Over the price.
The Warriors have now eclipsed the total in 7 of their last 11 dating back to the regular campaign, while the Spurs are also on a 7-4 Over run their last 11 dating back to the regular season.
Series numbers show the Over with a slight upside at 5-4-1 the last 10 meetings, and with the Warriors having cracked the century mark or better in 5 of 6, and the Spurs having hit 100 points or more in 4 in a row, no reason to think this game is going to bog down into a defense slug-fest.
Too many sharp shooters on both sides of the ball, Warriors-Spurs to go Over on Wednesday.
4♦ GOLDEN STATE-SAN ANTONIO OVER
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Detroit at AnaheimFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Detroit +125FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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One thing you get when you make the playoffs 19 straight years, as the Red Wings have done, is a lot of good teams and a lot of experience when things get tight. This series is knotted at two games apiece, and a pivotal Game five will take place in Anaheim tonight. Detroit won a thrilling 3-2 overtime decision to even the series, and have some momentum taking to the road. Detroit has done very well at the Honda Center this year where they have won three of the four matchups, including one in the playoffs, and have been at their best of late on a single day of rest where they have won six of their last seven. The Ducks have shown vulnerability at home where they have won just once in their last five tries. Play on Detroit.
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Chicago White Sox vs. New York MetsSERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Take: Chicago White SoxFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Chicago White Sox will look to earn a split in their two game series with the Mets when the two teams meet tonight at Citi Field in New York. The Mets took Game 1 of the series behind Matt Harvey, who pitched one of the best games of the season last night giving up 1 hit with 12 strikeouts through 9 innings before the Mets plated a run in the bottom of the 10th for the 1-0 victory. Jake Peavy, who will be making his first start after missing two with a back injury, will be on the mound tonight for Chicago. He has been good this year for the Sox, posting a 3-1 record with a 3.38 ERA while allowing just over one base runner per inning pitched. He also has an excellent K:BB ratio which sits at 6.5:1. Peavy will be opposed by Jeremy Hefner, who is scheduled to be on the hill for New York. Hefner has struggled this season, posting a 0-3 record with a 4.34 ERA and he has had his problems keeping the ball in the yard, giving up 7 homers in just 27 innings pitched. The White Sox, despite their hitting troubles this season have actually been pretty good in the spot they are in here tonight against the Mets. They are 20-6 in their last 26 inter-league games against teams with a losing record and they have won 4 of their last 5 games when listed as a favorite of -110 to -150 by the odds makers. The Mets, on the other hand, have really struggled in the situation they are in here tonight. They are just 6-21 in their last 27 games at Citi Field when listed as an underdog and have lost 5 straight games where Hefner got the start. Pair that with the fact that Jake Peavy owns a career 5-2 mark against New York and we’ll lay the small price on the road here with the Sox to get the win.
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Toronto / Tampa Bay Over 7.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Rays have been an OVER Monster this year with the combination of strong offensive skills and a very poor Pen. They are especially scoring verses Southpaws at Over 5.5 RPG and here at this Park, an astronomical 7 Per 9 Innings. Unfortunately their Pen is 7ing per 9 innings as well here at home or near 7. Romero not so spiffy in his 1st outing, both Pens on both teams are spent and I have 8.6 here.
MLB Predictions
Houston Astros +131
Last night the Astros beat the Angels 7-6 to even the yearly series 2-2. The Angels were predicted to be American League Champions by many but have gotten off to a 11-21 starts, and they are just 4-12 on the road this season. The Houston Astros are 9-24 on the year and 5-12 at home. Los Angeles will send Joe Blanton to the mound who is looking for his first win of the season. He is 0-5 with a 5.97 ERA, .353 OBA, and 1.90 WHIP. Last year he was 10-13 with a 4.71 ERA, .273 OBA and 1.26 WHIP in the National League. The Angels are 0-6 in games he has started this season. Houston will send Bud Norris to the mound who is 3-3 on the season with a 3.89 ERA, .279 OBA and 1.54 WHIP. He has allowed 3 or fewer earned runs against in 6 of his 7 starts and 2 or fewer in 5 of 7. At home he is 2-1 with a better 2.70 ERA which isn’t surprising as last year he was 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA at home (compared to 6.94 on the road). Take note that the Angels are just 2-8 in their last 10 overall, 1-8 in their last 9 games as a road favorite and 3-13 in their last 16 road games vs a right handed starter. The Astros are 6-0 in Norris’ last 6 home starts vs a team with a losing record. The Angels clearly have more talent than the Astros, but talent doesn’t win ball games and Los Angeles is struggling to get any type of pitching right now giving up 42 runs over their last 8 games (5.25 runs per game). Norris loves pitching at home and with tonight’s pitching match up I’m surprised to see the Astros anywhere near +130. I will take them for 2 units.
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Chelsea/Tottenham Over 2.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Chelsea's last five games have reached 1, 4, 2, 3 and 4 goals. Tottenham's last six have reached 1, 4, 4, 4, 4 and 3. Chelsea does play Basel in the Europa final next Wednesday but that is a week away. Hopefully, we get to 2-1 and over 2.5 with these two teams that can score.
Bob Balfe
Heat -12
Chicago gets no credit for how well coached they are, but remember this is a team last year that were shocked by the 76ers because of injury. I am not saying they are not worthy of beating the Heat, but what I am saying is this team has a fraction of the talent on the court as Miami. The truth is the Nets were not ready for the playoffs with their team and the Heat just thought they were going to breeze through the playoffs crushing teams. Miami just thought they had to show up the other night. You are going to see a focused Miami team getting back to the level of play that had them dominating the NBA schedule the 2nd of of the season. Take the Heat
Warriors +7.5
I have made this mistake before. You take the Spurs in Game 1 and they don't cover and then you say to yourself well they will cover this next one for sure, but what did San Antonio do in that last game that makes me think it will go and different tonight? The Warriors dominated the entire game, but their one problem is they do not know how to close in the playoffs. They are young, but they are much quicker and I don't think the Spurs can stop them. How good is Steph Curry. The guy is simply amazing to watch and I think he has them right back in this game tonight. I think this is one the Warriors can win this one as they will know not to take their foot of the gas and that no lead is safe. Take the Warriors.
Tigers -110
This game was rained out last night so we will try again tonight. Remember that we always go with the listed pitchers. Anibal Sanchez has 50 strikeouts this year with the most impressive number being no home runs allowed. The Nationals have yet to really find their bats against right handed pitching while the Tigers are crushing the ball putting up on average two more runs per game then the Nats. This is going to be a great pitchers duel, but the srikeouts and that ability not to give up runs on one pitch have me really liking Detroit tonight. Take the Tigers.
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Detroit Tigers vs. Washington NationalsSERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Detroit TigersFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Let me start by saying I am totally aware of the fact that the Washington starter Ryan Zimmerman has been tremendous so far this season. However when looking inside the numbers a play on the Tigers is the only way to go especially at this cheap of a price. The Detroit starter Annibal Sanchez has dominated the Nationals in his career posting a terrific 1.97 ERA in 19 starts. As a matter of fact Sanchez is 7-2 in his last 9 team starts versus the Nationals with a sparkling 1.03 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. In 6 starts this season Sanchez has put up very impressive numbers with a 1.81 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a better than 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio. The Tigers enter this series red-hot winning their last 4 and 9 of the last 10. Detroit is hitting a sizzling .301 as a team over their last 7 games and has averaged a lofty 7.4 runs per game in the last 10. Detroit is also a shining 26-7 the last 3 seasons following a game they scored 9 or more runs. Any American League road team which is -100 to -150 on the money line and allows an average of 4.2 or less runs per game, and has allowed 3 runs or less in each of their last 4 games is 45-15 (75%) since the start of the 2009 season. Play on the Detroit Tigers on the money line.
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Washington Nationals +100FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Washington Nationals are showing excellent value as a home underdog to the Detroit Tigers Wednesday. With Jordan Zimmermann on the mound, there's no way they should be a dog in this one.
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Zimmermann is 5-1 with a 1.164 ERA and 0.750 WHIP in six starts this season, 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 0.864 WHIP in three home starts, and 2-1 with a 0.82 ERA and 0.409 WHIP in his last three starts. He has pitched 17 shutout innings in his last two starts in beating Atlanta and Cincinnati.
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The Tigers are 1-4 in their last 5 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record. The Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 interleague home games. Washington is 6-0 in Zimmermann's last 6 home starts. Bet the Nationals Wednesday.
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Baltimore Orioles -140FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Orioles are quietly catching fire. They have won three straight and 8 of their last 12 overall. Baltimore has an excellent chance to add another W to the win column tonight, as they have a CLEAR ADVANTAGE on the mound.
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Baltimore will send out Chris Tillman, who has been lights out of late with a 1.31 ERA and 1.016 WHIP over his last three starts. He's coming off his best start of the season, where he went 8 scoreless innings allowing just three hits in a 5-1 win vs the Angels. While Tillman comes in on fire, Kansas City's Luis Mendoza has been roughed up for 14 runs on 14 hits and 4 walks over his last two starts (9.7 innings).
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Kansas City is a miserable 16-33 over their last 49 road games vs a team with a home winning % greater than .600 and 1-4 in Mendoza last 5 road starts. Baltimore on the other hand is 11-3 in their 14 home games vs a right-handed starter, 5-1 as a home favorite of -110 to -150 and 6-0 in Tillman's last 6 home starts vs a team with a winning record.
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San Francisco Giants -152FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The defending World Series champs have lost the first two games of this series but are in good position to bounce back with Barry Zito on the bump. The veteran southpaw has been lights out at home where he's 3-0 with an ERA of 0.35 in 4 starts. The Giants are 21-6 in Zito's last 27 starts, 11-0 in his last 11 home starts and 6-0 in his last 6 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200. Take San Francisco.
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Minnesota Twins + over Boston Red SoxFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Twins easily could have won on Monday in this match-up as two late home runs that might only be home runs at Fenway Park burned a bullpen that has been excellent all season. Minnesota bounced back with the win in last night's game and this is a Boston team worth fading with high pricing off a suspect hot start to the season. Boston has scored just 11 runs in the last five games as the offense outside of David Ortiz has cooled off, batting just .232 in the last 5 games. For the year Boston has not hit left-handed pitching well, batting .227 and scoring just 3.2 runs per nine innings vs. southpaws. Minnesota has scored at least three runs in nine of the last 10 games as this offense is doing its part and the Twins have scored at least four runs in five of the last six games. Minnesota has actually won four of the last six meetings in Boston and in a match-up of two young starters the edge Minnesota has in the bullpen should be critical. Boston has several relievers sidelined with injuries and there are big questions in the late innings right now for the Red Sox. Allen Webster is making his second career MLB appearance tonight and he had average results in his debut, allowing two home runs and three runs in six innings. He is just 23 and will be on a tight pitch count. Pedro Hernandez has been promising with his only bad start coming against a red hot Indians offense. His season ERA is 3.92 and he has looked comfortable on the mound. Given Boston's struggles against left-handers and the Minnesota bullpen edge this could be a great underdog opportunity for the Twins.