Karl Garrett
Baseball action today, and I am very interested in the Mariners on the RUN LINE today in their home opener at Safeco Field.
Expectations are high in the Emerald City, as the M's have a new ace in their rotation with Erik Bedard taking the mound for the first time in his Seattle career.
Bedard's last 23 innings of work against the Rangers have seen just 2 earned runs cross the plate, while opposing hurler Kevin Millwood has been hit hard in his recent starts versus Seattle, allowing 4 runs or more in each of his last 5 starts against the M's.
Seattle won 8 of the 10 home games against Texas last season, and the G-Man see an opening day romp on tap for the King County faithful.
RUN LINE play on the Mariners.
4* SEATTLE -1 1/2-RUNS
Arthur Ralph
Superpick: La Angels with Weaver
Regular Play: Tulsa
Free Pick: Toronto Bluejays with Roy Halladay
Locksmith Sports
1 Unit on Bradley +5.5
I think this game will be very closely contested so we'll take the points. Bradley is 11-2 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season, 10-2 ATS in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons, and 7-1 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 4+ points/game after 15+ games this season. The Braves are also 15-6 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in a week this season, 21-9 ATS after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons, and an impressive 13-4 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins this season. Take the points.
DUNKEL INDEX - CBB NIT
Bradley at Tulsa
Tulsa hosts the first game tonight in the best of three series for the CBI championship and comes in with a 16-2 record at home. But Bradley has played well on the road with a 7-1 record ATS in its last eight games, including a win at Virginia in the semifinals. The Braves are the underdog pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Tulsa favored by 4 1/2.
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (+5 1/2).
Here are all of today's games.
MONDAY, MARCH 31
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 613-614: Bradley at Tulsa
Dunkel Ratings: Bradley 63.230; Tulsa 67.957
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (+5 1/2)
DUNKEL INDEX - NBA
Denver at Phoenix
Denver takes its five-game winning streak on the road tonight, but runs into a Phoenix team that is 5-0 SU and ATS over its last five home games. The Suns are the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Phoenix favored by 7.
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-5 1/2).
Here are all of today's games.
MONDAY, MARCH 31
Time Posted: 10:30 a.m. EST
Game 601-602: Miami at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 106.089; Indiana 120.191
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 14; 197 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 16 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+16 1/2); Under
Game 603-604: Toronto at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 118.334; Charlotte 115.005
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 3 1/2; 199
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 194
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-2); Over
Game 605-606: Atlanta at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 117.316; Memphis 112.761
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 3; 210
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-3); Over
Game 607-608: Washington at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 116.191; Utah 124.358
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 8; 207 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 9; 209
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+9); Under
Game 609-610: Denver at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 120.302; Phoenix 127.243
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 7; 245
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 236
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-5 1/2); Over
Game 611-612: Dallas at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 120.329; LA Clippers 113.468
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 6; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-6); Over
DUNKEL INDEX - MLB
Houston at San Diego
The Padres look to bounce back from their heart-breaking Wild Card loss last season behind starter Jake Peavy, who captured pitching's version of the Triple Crown by leading the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts. The Astros are rebuilding after a 73-89 campaign in '07. San Diego is the pick in the opener (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1.
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-155).
Here are all of today's and games.
MONDAY, MARCH 31
Time Posted: 10:30 a.m. EST
Game 901-902: Arizona at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 15.088; Cincinnati (Harang) 14.576
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-105); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-105); Under
Game 903-904: Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sheets) 14.962; Chicago Cubs (Zambrano) 15.077
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-120); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-120); N/A
Game 905-906: Washington at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Chico) 14.368; Philadelphia (Myers) 15.473
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-205); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-205); Under
Game 907-908: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 14.853; LA Dodgers (Penny) 14.786
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+160); Over
Game 909-910: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 15.163; Florida (Hendrickson) 14.167
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-210); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-210); Over
Game 911-912: Colorado at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Francis) 15.501; St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.748
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Colorado (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-110); Under
Game 913-914: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.463; Atlanta (Glavine) 15.773
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-145); Over
Game 915-916: Houston at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 14.375; San Diego (Peavy) 15.140
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-155); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-155); Over
Game 917-918: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 14.981; Detroit (Verlander) 15.530
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-200); Under
Game 919-920: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 15.243; NY Yankees (Wang) 16.006
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-150); Over
Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 14.425; Baltimore (Guthrie) 15.158
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+115); Under
Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 14.803; Cleveland (Sabathia) 15.452
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-170); Under
Game 925-926: Texas at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 14.879; Seattle (Bedard) 15.368
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-180); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-180); Under
Game 927-928: LA Angels at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.101; Minnesota (Hernandez) 15.179
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+135); Under
Brandon Lang
5 Dime Mets Run Line
5 Dime Bradley
5 Dime Nuggets
Free - Blue Jays and Angels
Drew Gordon
1. 200,000* Rockies
2. 50,000* LA Angels
3. 50,000* Hawks
2-Minute Warning
Dallas Mavericks
Chris Jordan
Kansas City at DETROIT -1' +105
No doubt about Gil Meche shocked some folks last season, when he opened the 2007 campaign with a win over the BoSox. This year he heads into Comerica Park, where he is admittedly 4-1 lifetime in nine starts, but will be facing an awfully rowdy crowd and even more hostile lineup. I am expecting Detroit to jump all over him early, providing young Justin Verlander with plenty to work with.
And there’s no doubting we’re safe in banking Verlander for the run line, as he’s emerged as an ace Tiger with that explosive fastball that overwhelms teams with late life. I love watching this kid vary his speeds, and then mix in his plus-curve with long-arm action against righties. And when he short-arms the lefties, it’s a wicked change that runs and sinks from the boys on the other side of the plate. Lay the run and a half with the jungle stripes on opening day.
2* TIGERS RUN LINE
Michael Cannon
Houston +145 at SAN DIEGO
Take the Astros as the road dog tonight over the Padres.
A great pitching matchup as Roy Oswalt and Jake Peavy square off in a battle of power right-handers.
But I like Oswalt and I love the Astros getting him at this price.
There's no doubt Peavy is one of the better pitchers in the league, but Oswalt has a good track record against the Padres and I'm going to ride that tonight.
The Astros right-hander is 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA in nine career games against San Diego. Pitching in Petco will only help to enhance those numbers tonight.
Houston can also send some serious hitters at Peavy, with guys like Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee.
San Diego's lineup doesn't pack nearly the punch, so look for Oswalt to breeze tonight.
Take Houston as the dog tonight as they grab the road win.
3* HOUSTON
Joel Tyson
Pittsburgh +130 at ATLANTA
The Pirates travel to Turner Field today to take on the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates had little success last year in the Braves home, as they managed to post just one victory.
Today however could be a day for the Pirates to end their Turner Field funk and walk out with a Win.
The Pirates will have slugging second baseman Freddie Sanches in the lineup today, after being sidelined with a sore shoulder. Sanchez hit .304 with 11 homers and 81 RBIs last season, and led the NL in battering average the year before.
The Pirates will send Ian Snell to the mound to square off against 41 year old Tom Glavine. Snell was 9-12 in 2007 with a 3.76 ERA, with his record being adversely effected by lack of run support. In the right handers final three starts of last year Snell held down a 1.42 ERA, but failed to win, as the offense bolstered just six runs of support over these outings.
Today however I look for better things, as Glavine was roughed up near the end of last season, an indication that age may be coming into play. Maybe or maybe not, well have to wait and see.
Pirates great value today as we say play ball.
2* PITTSBURGH
Bobby Maxwell
Colorado -105 at ST. LOUIS
We're going with the Rockies as we all remember their incredible run to end the season and through the first two rounds of the playoffs. This team won 14 of 15 games to end the season, won a wild-card tiebreaker and then swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs with seven straight wins before falling apart in the World Series.
And the roster is pretty much unchanged for this squad. The only regular they lost was second basebam Kaz Matsui who is easily replaced by rookie Jayson Nix who hit .292 with 11 homers in Triple-A Colorado Springs. Matt Holliday was a MVP candidate with a .340 average, 137 RBIs and 36 homers. SS Troy Tulowitzki had a .987 fielding percentge and hit 24 homers.
This offense is deadly and if the pitching comes along like it did in the second half of last season, this squad could be headed back to the World Series. Jeff Francis gets the start tonight for Colorado after going 17-9 last season with a 4.22 ERA. He was 9-4 after the All-Star break and is 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA in six starts against St. Louis.
There are questions surrounding the Cardinals offense with Albert Pujols not 100 percent and the departures of Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen and David Eckstein. And on the hill tonight is Adam Wainwright who went 14-12 last year with a 3.70 ERA.
Let's go with the Rockies in this one as the offense is just too much for Wainwright and the Cardinals.
4* COLORADO
SportsKingz
MLB
ANGELS -140
SAN DIEGO -165
NBA
SUNS OVER 235 (5 UNITS)
INFOPLAYS
3* on D-Backs/Reds UNDER 8.5
(List Webb and Harang)
Despite winning the division, the Diamondbacks scored only 712 runs - the fifth-fewest total in the major leagues last season. It won’t be a better start this season for the Diamondbacks offensively when they face the Reds’ Ace in Aaron Harang today. Harang was great at home last season with just a 3.41 ERA. D-Backs’ Ace Brandon Webb was better on the road last year with a 2.88 ERA in 18 road starts. This will definitely be a boring, pitcher’s duel on opening day. The UNDER is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings between Arizona and Cincinnati. That stat cannot be ignored. Bet the UNDER 8.5 runs.