SPORTS ADVISORS
Miami (41-37, 37-39-2 ATS) at Boston (59-19, 40-38 ATS)
The Celtics are shooting for their fifth straight win tonight when they host the Heat inside the TD BankNorth Garden.
Miami lost 93-87 in overtime to the Hornets at home Tuesday, falling as a 4½-point favorite. The loss ended a three-game ATS winning streak that included two road wins at Charlotte 97-92 a week ago as five-point ‘dogs and then at Washington on Saturday, winning 118-104 as a 1½-point road chalk.
The Celtics have won five straight (3-2 ATS) and nine of 10 (6-4 ATS), including seven in a row at home (2-5 ATS). They’ve topped the century mark in their last four games and over their last five they are shooting 50.5 percent from the floor.
Boston has won seven of the last eight (5-3 ATS) in this rivalry and two of three this season (1-2 ATS). Back on March 18, the Celtics edged the Heat 112-108 in overtime and failed as seven-point home favorites. Boston has gotten the cash in six of the last nine meetings between these two, but the road team has cashed in six of the last eight.
Miami is on ATS slides of 9-22 against Atlantic Division squads, but otherwise on ATS runs of 11-5 on Fridays, 5-1 after a non-cover and 4-1 after a straight-up loss. Meanwhile, Boston is on ATS slides of 3-11 at home, 4-10 against Eastern Conference teams and 2-7 at home against teams with a losing road record, but the Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four after one day off and 4-1 in their last five Friday games.
The Heat are on over runs of 17-6-1 after a straight-up loss and 15-5-1 after a non-cover. Boston is riding “over” streaks of 20-8-1 at home, 4-0 against the Eastern Conference, 4-1 overall and 13-4-1 at home against teams with losing road records. In this rivalry, the under is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings and 7-1-1 in the last nine in Boston.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Utah (47-31, 38-40 ATS) at San Antonio (50-28, 38-38-2 ATS)
The struggling Jazz go to San Antonio tonight for a matchup with the Spurs after getting embarrassed in Dallas on Wednesday.
Utah has lost four of its last five (SU and ATS), including Wednesday’s 130-101 loss in Dallas as a 3½-point underdog. The defense has been letting the Jazz down lately, allowing 113.2 points a game over the last five (13 points more than they’ve allowed all season), including an astonishing 54.1 percent shooting from the field.
San Antonio has alternated wins and losses over its last five games (2-3 ATS) and lost at home to the Blazers on Wednesday, 95-83 as a three-point chalk. The Spurs have dropped two straight at home, including a 95-96 loss to the Thunder on March 31 as 13-point favorites. They’ve topped the 100-point mark just once in their last six games (2-4 ATS).
San Antonio has won the last three in this series, including both matchups this season (2-0 ATS). The Spurs got a 119-94 win back on Nov. 21 as 4 ½-point favorites and then went to Utah on Jan. 27 and got a 106-100 win as one-point road favorites. The Spurs are 7-3 SU and ATS in the last 10 series clashes and the home team is 17-5 ATS in the last 22, including San Antonio’s 10-1 ATS run in the last 11 at home.
Utah is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 Friday games and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games against Southwest Division foes, but it is on ATS slides of 2-12 as a ‘dog, 1-11 as a road ‘dog, 1-7 overall, and 1-4 on the road. San Antonio is on several negative ATS slides, including 1-7 at home, 1-5 against Northwest Division teams, 2-7 against the Western Conference, 2-6 after getting one day off and 4-9 overall.
The Jazz are on “over” streaks of 19-7-1 as underdogs, 5-0 on the road, 6-0 overall, 17-4-1 as road ‘dogs and 5-0 on the road against teams with winning home marks. For the Spurs, the over is on runs of 6-2-1 overall, 12-5-1 against Northwest Division teams, 5-0 after a non-cover, 5-2 as a favorite and 4-0 after a straight-up loss. In this series, the over is 10-3 in the last 13 overall and 10-1 in Texas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
New Orleans (48-30, 33-43-2 ATS) at Dallas (47-31, 38-40 ATS)
Having clinched a spot in the playoffs, the Mavericks will now try to end a four-game losing streak at the hands of the Hornets when they host New Orleans inside American Airlines Arena tonight.
The Hornets have dropped three of four (SU and ATS), including Wednesday’s 105-100 setback at home to the Suns as 2½-point favorites. On the bright side, New Orleans has won three of four on the highway (2-2 ATS), including Tuesday’s 93-87 overtime victory in Miami as a 4½-point road underdog.
Dallas earned its playoff spot with a 130-101 home win over Utah on Wednesday, easily cashing as a 3½-point favorite. The Mavs have scored 270 points in their last two games, home wins over the Jazz and Suns, easily covering in both.
New Orleans has won four straight in this series (3-1 ATS) and won both meetings this season, winning 104-97 in Dallas on Jan. 14 as a 4 ½-point favorite and then the Hornets scored a 104-88 home win on March 5 as 6 ½-point favorites. They are 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) in the last nine series clashes, but the home team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 and the favorite is 20-8-1 ATS in the last 29.
The Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last five as ‘dogs and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 against Southwest Division teams, but otherwise they are on ATS slides of 8-20 as a road pup, 4-11 after a straight-up loss, 1-4 against the Western Conference and 4-11 after a straight-up loss. The Mavericks are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 as a home chalk, but they are on several negative ATS trends, including 1-6 against Southwest Division teams, 4-11 after a spread-cover, 2-5 after getting one day off and 1-6 at home against teams with winning road marks.
New Orleans is on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 12-3 overall, 8-3 against the Western Conference, 16-5 on Fridays, 5-1-1 as a ‘dog, 9-2 after getting a day off and 16-5-1 against Southwest Division squads. For Dallas, the over is 16-5 in its last 21 as a favorite and 9-2 in its last 11 at home, but the under is 11-5 in its last 16 against Southwest Division teams and 4-1 in its last five against teams with a winning record. In this rivalry, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings and 9-2 in the last 11 in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
L.A. Lakers (63-16, 41-38 ATS) at Portland (50-28, 42-36 ATS)
Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference square off at the Rose Garden in Portland when the Lakers visit the Trailblazers.
Los Angeles won its fifth straight last night, getting a 116-102 victory over Denver at home, cashing as an 8½-point favorite. The Lakers have now covered in three of their last four after going through a three-game ATS slide when they dropped two of three SU. They have held to opposition to 98 points or less in eight of their last 10 games.
Portland has won two straight (1-1 ATS) and six of its last seven overall (5-2 ATS). The Blazers just ended a four-game road trip 3-1 (2-2 ATS) with a Wednesday night win in San Antonio, beating the Spurs 95-83 as three-point pups. They’ve won three straight at home (SU and ATS), including a dominating 125-104 win over the Jazz back on March 31 as six-point favorites.
The host has dominated this series the last few years, winning eight straight (5-3 ATS) and nine of 10. Portland is 8-2 ATS in those 10 meetings, including 4-0 (SU and ATS) in the Rose Garden. The Blazers got a 111-94 home win back on March 9 as 2 ½-point pups to improve to 22-7 ATS in the last 29 games against the Lakers and make the underdog 23-6 ATS in the last 29 meetings.
Los Angeles is just 1-4 ATS in its last five as a road favorite of up to 4 ½ points, but it is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 roadies and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 when playing the second night of a back-to-back. Portland is on a host of positive ATS trends, including 28-10 as a home ‘dog, 9-3 overall, 4-1 at home, 5-1 against Pacific Division teams and 4-0 on Fridays.
The Lakers have topped the total in seven of 10 games when playing the second night of a back-to-back, but they are on “under” streaks of 20-9-1 overall, 16-6-1 as a favorite, 6-1 on the road and 4-0 on Fridays. The Trailblazers have stayed under the total in 19 of 28 Friday games and five of seven when playing after a day off, but they’ve topped the total in four of five at home and five of seven as a home pup. In this rivalry, the over is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Oregon.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PORTLAND
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers (2-2) at Arizona (1-2)
The Diamondbacks will start newly acquired right-hander Jon Garland (14-8, 4.90 ERA last year with the Angels) at Chase Field when they take on N.L. West rival Los Angeles and rookie right-hander James McDonald, who made just six late-season appearances last year.
Los Angeles split its season-opening four-game set at San Diego, losing 4-3 Thursday night after giving up three runs in the eighth inning to squander a 3-1 lead. Despite that setback, the Dodgers are still on positive runs of 17-8 as a favorite and 11-3 coming off a loss.
Arizona posted a 9-8 win over Colorado in its season opener, then lost the next two games in Phoenix, including Wednesday’s 9-2 drubbing to close out the three-game series. The Diamondbacks are 1-6 in their last seven starts from the underdog role, but they are on upticks of 6-1 following a day off, 8-2 at home, 6-1 at home against right-handers, 5-1 in series openers and 10-3 in division games.
Garland made 32 starts last year with the Angels, going 7-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 home outings. Los Angeles went 10-3 in his last 13 starts (4-1 in his last five starts), with the 29-year-old going 6-2 with five no-decisions, despite a bloated 5.99 ERA. This will be the veteran’s first career start against the Dodgers.
McDonald made six relief appearances last year, four in the regular season and two in the National League Championship Series against the eventual World Series champion Phillies. The Dodgers lost five of those six games, though McDonald threw 11 1/3 shutout innings in his stints, allowing eight hits and three walks while striking out nine.
The Dodgers edged the Diamondbacks by two games last season to win the division title, claiming the last five meetings in this rivalry. However, Los Angeles posted only five more wins over Arizona the rest of the 2008 campaign, winning the season series by a slim 10-8 margin.
The over for Arizona is on runs of 5-2 overall, 5-2 in division contests and 4-0 following a loss, and in this rivalry, the over is on stretches of 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings and 4-0 in Phoenix. On the flip side, the under for the Dodgers is on rolls of 5-0 overall, 6-0 in division games and 4-0 on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston (1-2) at L.A. Angels (1-2)
The Angels return to the field after Thursday’s game against Oakland was postponed due to the tragic death of rookie starter Nick Adenhart early Thursday following an auto accident. Los Angeles is scheduled to send Jared Weaver (11-10, 4.33 ERA in 2008) to the hill at Angel Stadium against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (10-11, 4.13 ERA in 2008).
Hours before being killed in an auto accident, Adenhart threw six shutout innings Wednesday night against Oakland, allowing seven hits and three walks while striking out five before exiting with a 3-0 lead. The Angels boosted that advantage to 4-0 in the seventh before collapsing in the final two innings of a 6-4 home loss. Los Angeles won the season opener Monday before dropping the next two against the Athletics, falling to 2-5 in its last seven outings since last year’s playoffs, but the Angels are still on runs of 11-5 following a loss and 23-11 against American League East foes.
Boston also dropped two of its first three at home to open the season, winning Game 1 against Tama Bay, then mustering just five runs in the next two games, including a 4-3 loss Thursday night. Despite the slow start, the Red Sox are still on rolls of 11-2 against the A.L. West, 7-1 on Friday, 5-1 as an underdog, 17-7 following a loss and 14-3 in series openers.
Los Angeles posted the best record in baseball last season at 100-62, then got swept in the first round of the playoffs by Boston, which won the first two games in Anaheim, then finished off the best-of-5 series with a 3-2 win at Fenway Park. However, the Angels are 9-3 in the last 12 clashes with the Red Sox.
Weaver dropped off a bit last season after a sterling first two years in the majors, with his ERA jumping from 3.91 in 2007 to 4.33 in 2008 over 30 starts and 176 2/3 innings, both career highs. The Angels went an even 5-5 in his last 10 starts, with Weaver going 3-2 with five no-decisions. But he did notch Los Angeles’ lone playoff win, a 5-4 victory at Boston in which he threw two innings of scoreless relief.
Weaver was 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 14 home starts last year, though the Angels went 5-1 in Weaver’s last six home outings. He was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts against Boston last year, allowing eight runs on 16 hits in 10 2/3 innings. In six career starts against the Red Sox, he is 1-2 with a 5.35 ERA.
Wakefield also made 30 starts last season, with the Red Sox going 6-3 in his last nine regular-season outings as he went 4-3 with two no-decisions and a 4.66 ERA. In his lone playoff start, he got shelled by Tampa Bay for five runs on six hits – including three homers – in just 2 2/3 innings of a 13-4 home blowout in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
Wakefield was just 3-7 with a 5.14 ERA in 16 road starts last year, and he took the loss in his only start against the Angels, a 5-3 road setback in July in which he allowed four runs on six hits, including two homers. For his career, Wakefield is 9-12 with a 4.80 ERA in 28 appearances (23 starts) against Los Angeles. The Sox are just 3-9 in Wakefield’s last 12 road starts.
The under for Boston is on runs of 4-1 overall and 20-8-2 in series openers, but the over is 4-1 in Wakefield’s last five starts and 4-0 in his last four road outings. Likewise, the over for Los Angeles is on tears of 18-8 in series openers, 7-3 with the Angels a chalk, 5-1-1 against right-handers and 5-1-1 following a loss. Finally, in this rivalry, the over is 5-2 in Wakefield’s last seven starts against the Angels.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS and OVER
VEGAS EXPERTS
Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles
The Rays just finished off a series with the Red Sox and now drop in class to the only team in the AL East that's not expected to be very good this year. After taking the first two games of a three-game set with the Yankees, Baltimore was really roughed up in an 11-2 loss Thursday and now O's starter Hendrickson must deal with a Rays lineup that produced seven runs in its only matchup with a lefty starter to date. Hendrickson lost to Tampa both times he faced them last year.
Play on: Tampa Bay
Craig Trapp
Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs
Play: Utah Jazz +3.5
When the end of NBA year comes Craig always is looking for the motivated team! In this match up it is definately the Utah Jazz. The Spurs are coming off bad nose as they found out they have lost start guard Manu Ginobli for the season. Lets look at these two teams records and trends:
Records:
Utah Jazz- 47-31 38-40 ATS
SA Spurs- 50-28 38-38-2 ATS
Trends:
-Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
-Jazz are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog.
-Spurs are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
-Spurs are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
As you can see neither of these teams have been great ATS this year. Also recently they are both not going well ATS. In this case you have to fall back onto the straight up handicapping. The Spurs have beat the Jazz 20 straight times at home but currently are in a tailspin losing 4 out of there last 6. Both are in the playoffs but if the Jazz win they can push for home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. This game will be playoff type atmosphere. The Jazz group of inside players will hold down a beat up Tim Duncan and break the losing streak in SA. Enjoy the free winner. SCORE UTAH 100 - SA 95
JIM FEIST
HOUSTON ROCKETS / GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Take: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS.
You have to change styles when playing the young, athletic uptempo Warriors. Houston is a veteran team that prefers a more half court pace. Plus, they are in the second of a back to back road spot, as well as their 3rd game in 4 nights. Golden State is getting healthy, on a 3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS run as Center Andris Biedrins came off the bench for nine points and six rebounds in 25 minutes in his return from a sprained left ankle the last game. Jamal Crawford led the Warriors with 31 points and Kelenna Azubuike added 26 points and eight rebounds. A good situational spot for the rested home team. Play the Warriors.
Nelly
New Jersey + over Detroit
The Pistons got the big win they needed on Wednesday and now Detroit sits in strong position for one of the final playoff spots. That Detroit needed a big win to stay in the playoff chase this late in the season says a lot about how far they have fallen in the Eastern Conference after being the premier team for several years. The Pistons are 13-26 ATS at home this season and 5-9 S/U in the last 14 games overall. New Jersey has continued to play hard late in the season with recent wins over these Pistons and the 76ers so far in April. The Nets also played two very close games against Boston and Chicago on the road. New Jersey has been a strong ATS team on the road all season long and the Nets have won 15 games S/U on the road this season, far more than most teams with similar records. New Jersey is the much better offensive team and Detroit's defense is no where near as strong as it used to be. The Nets are a dangerous team playing as a big underdog and Detroit should let down after playing a great game on Wednesday.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: L.A. Angels vs. Wakefield
On the heels of the tragic death of pitcher Nick Adenhart, the Angles take on Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox in the opener of this three game set. While the Halos own a 9-3 winning edge of late in this series and Wakefield has struggled in this park throughout his major league career 91-5 with a 6.81 ERA here) the main focus on tonight's game is the Angels' desire to win this contest in honor of Adenhart. Look for a concerned effort by the Halos here tonight.
James Patrick Sports
Hornets vs.Mavericks
Nobody in the NBA has been on the mark of late as have the Dallas Mavericks putting up 130 & 140 point totals in their past two games. With the Mavs Over the Total in 11 of 21 as a favorite and 9 of 11 at home we'll recommend our complimentary NBA selection on New Orleans - Dallas Over the Total.
DAVE COKIN
LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Take: LOS ANGELES DODGERS
James McDonald was very sharp in his big league cup of coffee last season, including good work in the playoffs. He has a chance to nail down a regular spot in the LA rotation with some good early efforts, and I believe he's up to the task. Jon Garland is going to have to prove to me that he's anything more than a back of the rotation innings eater at this point. The Diamondbacks have not shed their free swinging ways and struck out 24 times in the opening series with Colorado. LA was not sharp in splitting four games with the Padres, although I thought Joe Torre's mismanagement of the bullpen possibly cost them Thursday's game. It's the home opener for 'Zona, but I like McDonald and the Dodgers to spoil the party.
Big Al Mcmordie
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
At 10:05 pm, our member selection is on the Los Angeles Angels over Boston. The storyline in this ballgame will be, "How will the Angels react to the shocking death of their young teammate, Nick Adenhart?" Although the pain will be with the club for a while, I expect the Angels to come out with a focused effort tonight, and get the Win as a sort of "dedication" to their fallen teammate. Tim Wakefield will get the ball for the BoSox, and the Angels have bombed him in his last two starts (10 runs in 11 innings). Overall, since 1997, Boston's only won 7 of Wakefield's 18 starts vs. Anaheim, and his ERA is 5.33. In his last three home starts in 2008, Jered Weaver gave up just five earned runs in 18 innings. Take the Angels.
Jimmy The Moose
Nashville Predators at Minnesota Wild
Prediction: Nashville Predators
With Thursday's win in Detroit the Predators are tied with the Duck and the Blues with 88 points and one of the three team's won't make the playoffs. This is Nashville's last game of the year and they need the win. The Predators have won 5 of theor last 7 vs. a team with a losing record. The Wild are 3-9 in their last 12 vs. a team from the Central Division. The Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 games played with 2 days rest between action. Nashville has won the last 2 meetings, 2-0 and 1-0 and will take this one. Play on the Nashville Predators -.
Bob Harvey
Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers
Play: Over 9½
The Rangers have come roaring out of the gate winning three straight. They’re averaging over nine runs per game to start the season and are allowing nearly five runs per game.
The prospects for another OVER look good today as well. Texas will start the well traveled Kris Benson who hasn’t appeared in a big league game since 2006. Even when healthy, Benson isn’t an overpowering pitcher and for that matter hasn’t been a productive one either. The former #1 pick of the Pirates 13 years ago has a career mark of 68-73 and an ERA of 4.34. He was with the Phillies AAA team last season and went 1-4 with an ERA of 5.52. To no one’s surprise he was released following the season. His signing should tell you plenty about the woeful shape the Rangers pitching staff is in.
Detroit has gotten off to a slow start losing three of its first four games. Pitching has been the culprit for Jim Leyland’s team with Tiger hurlers posting a combined 6.00 ERA. Armando Gallaraga who won 13 games last season will be throwing ‘em down for the Tigers in their home opener. Gallaraga’s ERA last season was under four so if he’s on, he’ll be tough.
I say with all of the big bats up and down both of these line-ups the OVER is the right play here.
Jeff Benton
Tough beat with Thursday's freebie on the Kings, who had the game covered against Houston for three quarters before falling part. Still, I'm 9-5 with complimentary plays over the last two weeks, and we'll look to build on that record Friday as we head the diamond and side with the Rangers as a nice-sized road underdog at Detroit.
The Tigers would seem to have the starting pitching edge here, as they hand the ball to one of their top prospects, hard-throwing Armando Galarraga, while the Rangers are going with former hot-shot prospect Kris Benson, who hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since 2006 when he was with Baltimore.
However, I get the feeling that the Tigers could trot out Sandy Koufax circa 1963 and have a hard time shutting down this juggernaut of a Rangers offense. Texas completely destroyed a pretty decent Cleveland Indians staff the last three days, scoring 29 runs on 37 hits, including seven home runs as the Rangers beat the tar out of reigning A.L. Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, phenom Fausto Carmona and veteran Carl Pavano.
Texas – surprisingly, the only team in the American League that’s still unbeaten – is off to its first 3-0 start since 1996, when it won the A.L. West. I know it’s early, but if this club gets any kind of pitching whatsoever, it is going to be in the hunt all season long.
Meanwhile, Detroit dropped three of four in Toronto to start the year, allowing 23 runs in the three defeats. It must be like déjà vu for Tigers skipper Jim Leyland, who saw his ballclub stumble badly out of the gate last year and never recover despite entering the season as one of the favorites to win it all. And even though Galarraga, by all accounts, has electric stuff, the fact is that while he allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of 10 starts after Aug. 1 last year, he also went 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his final four outings last year – with the Tigers getting outscored 26-16 in those four contests.
Bottom line: With the way that the Rangers’ young lineup is hitting right now – and that’s with minimal contributions from hits best hitter, Josh Hamilton (.333 average, but just one RBI – and with as shaky as Detroit’s bullpen is (once again), this juicy plus price is too good to pass up!
3♦ TEXAS RANGERS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Cleveland -6' at PHILADLEPHIA
We are on an 8-3 comp play run the last 11 days!
The way the 76ers are playing right now, tonight's game could possibly wind up being a first round preview, as Philly's current 3-game slide is not the kind of slide you want to go on with just a few games remaining.
Cleveland does have a Sunday showdown with Boston on-deck, but we don't expect them to be distracted against a Philadelphia team they have won 4 in a row against, and 8 of 10 overall.
More importantly, Cleveland has been able to cover the number in the last 3 series showdowns, and with the 76ers a money-burning 7-12 against the spread when playing with no rest, we don't see this game being close.
Yes, Philadelphia has clinched a playoff spot, but it may not be the spot they had hoped for just a few days ago.
Play on the Cavs to hang loss # 4 in a row on Philly.
3♦ CLEVELAND
Karl Garrett
Charlotte -3' at OKLAHOMA CITY
It is a 12-4 comp play run for the G-Man coming into Friday's NBA action!
While it may a little too late for the Bobcats, I am rolling with Charlotte to cover the road impost at Oklahoma City tonight.
Charlotte still has a playoff pulse, but they must win out, and hope for some help from above. Hey, stranger things have happened, and the fact remain the Thunder are crawling to the finish line right now, losers of 9 of their last 11 straight up.
The points haven't been much of a help for Okie City either, as they have dropped 8 of those 11 against the math.
The Bobcats just ended a 3-game slide with a win over Philadelphia the other days, and they have won the last 3 meetings against Oklahoma City, going 2-0-1 against the spread in those 3.
G-Man laying the small road chalk, and backing the Bobcats.
3♦ CHARLOTTE
Bobby Maxwell
Tampa Bay at BALTIMORE +120
We delivered you a FREE winner on the diamond Thursday as the Giants got an easy win over the Brewers at home. Today we've got another comp winner on the Orioles as they host the Rays in Baltimore.
Both these teams had successful opening series to begin the season with the Rays going to Boston and taking two of three while the Orioles took two of three at home against the Yankees.
While the Rays have won 12 in a row in this rivalry, we like the makeup of this young Baltimore squad. They have speed, defense and decent pitching. They need a little more pop in the lineup but these guys are going to make some noise in this A.L. East.
Mark Hendrickson is on the mound for the Orioles tonight after going 7-8 for the Marlins last season. He should be familiar with the Rays as he pitched for them in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He did most of his work out of the bullpen last year for the Marlins but didn't allow a run in eight of his last nine appearances.
Andy Sonnanstine was 13-9 last year for the Rays with a 4.38 ERA and he got hti pretty hard at the end of last season, giving up three earned runs or more in three of his last four starts, including his World Series outing when he gave up five runs in four innings of their 10-2 loss.
The Rays are just 5-13 in their last 18 roadies against left-handers and 0-4 when they are a road favorite. Play the Orioles in this one at home.
3♦ BALTIMORE