Armvin Sports
Pittsburgh Pirates 132
Toronto Blue Jays 140
West Coast Sports Service Baseball:
Cubs -130
Houston +145
Baltimore +115
Minnesota +120
Toronto +140
Kelso
Chairmans Club 10 units Charlotte +2
Best Bets 5 units Denver +6.5
March Madness
50 unit Bradley +5.5 @ Tulsa in the best of three CBI tourney.
Keith Martin Sports
Yankees under 9
Reds under 8.5 - Comp
Thanks for all of your hard work in getting these picks, they're terrific! Do you get the daily MLB package from Jeff Bonds?
Michael Cannon
Monday's Plays...
15 Dime –
BRADLEY
Take the points with Bradley tonight when they travel to take on Tulsa in Game 1 of the CBI Finals.
Bradley has the advantage in the backcourt in this matchup with Daniel Ruffin, Andrew Warren and Jeremy Crouch.
This is one of the few times Bradley has had all three of those players healthy and in the lineup together this year. The Braves are 14-5 SU this year when Ruffin and Warren are in the lineup together.
Crouch has been the hottest of the three, however. He’s posted seven 20-point or more games in his last nine, including 27 in the semifinal win at Virginia.
With the way they are playing right now, Bradley has a definite chance at stealing a win here before returning home on Wednesday night.
Take the points with Bradley as they stay within the number.
5 Dime –
BLUE JAYS (With Halladay as listed pitcher)
Take the Blue Jays as the underdog this afternoon over the Yankees.
It’s hard to pass up Toronto at a plus return when Roy Halladay is pitching, regardless of the opponent.
The fact that it’s the Yankees makes this a bit of a reach, but Halladay hasn’t exactly been intimidated by the Pinstripes in his career.
The right-hander is 10-4 lifetime with a 2.99 ERA in 24 games against the Yankees. What’s more, he’s 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA in his last eight starts against New York, which hasn’t beaten him since September 2004.
The Yankees will counter with Chien-Ming Wang, who was destroyed in the playoffs last year against Cleveland, going 0-2 with a 19.06 ERA in two games.
You have to wonder about Wang’s mental state after that disappointment, and going against Halladay only reduces his margin for error in this game.
Take Toronto at the plus return as they grab the road win.
TIGERS -1 ½ RUN LINE (With Verlander as listed pitcher)
Take the Tigers on the run line this afternoon over the Royals.
It’s hard not to like the Tigers at this reduced price, considering their potent lineup.
Off-season acquisition Miguel Cabrera only strengthens a lineup that already includes Magglio Ordonez and Gary Sheffield. They figure to score a lot of runs this year, and with Justin Verlander getting the nod today it shouldn’t take much to cover the run line.
Verlander is 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA in eight career starts against the Royals, who lost 11 of the 18 meetings with the Tigers last year.
Take Detroit on the run line as they win by at least two.
PIRATES (With Snell as listed pitcher)
Take the Pirates at the plus return tonight over the Braves.
Atlanta played last night at Washington and had to catch a late flight home, while the Pirates already went through their workout at Turner Field.
I know it’s the Pirates and they are a woeful team, but Ian Snell gets the start tonight and he’s proven to be a promising young starter for the Bucs.
The right-hander won 14 games in 2006, then responded with a 3.76 ERA in 32 starts last year.
The Braves will counter with Tom Glavine, and while he’s a 300-game winner in the majors, you have to wonder how much the 42-year-old has left in the tank.
Take the Pirates at the plus return as they grab the road win.
Thanks for all of your hard work in getting these picks, they're terrific! Do you get the daily MLB package from Jeff Bonds?
Sometimes I post everything I find
Akmens CBB
Bradley/Tulsa OVER 141
Lance's Lock
Current streak: 4 losses
Todays play: The Grizzlies +3
FAST EDDIE
Toronto
Last time the Jays opened up the season in March they defeated a highly touted Rangers team 8-3 at Arlington. And yes, it was, Roy Halliday, Mister April tossing that win. Once again Halliday gets the nod for the Jays on opening day. The obvious starter for the Jays considering what he does in April and against the Yankees in his career. Last season Halliday started off 4-0 in April with a solid 2.28 ERA in 6 starts. He followed up that early success as the Jays #1 man against the Yankees too. In his 3 starts against the Yankees Halliday went 2-0 with a decent 2.43 ERA including 2 GEMS at Yankee Stadium. In those 2 starts last year he allowed just 2 runs in 15.2 innings while striking out 10 with a miniscule ERA of 1.18. Last year was not an aberration as he has had success every year against the Yanks. The cream comes to the top in big games and that describes Halliday when facing the Yankees. In last seasons opener he stymied the mighty Tigers over 6 innings of 2 run ball.
Once again, Halliday has carried his early season success into spring training. In 14 innings he has an ERA of 2.57 and best of all, the Halliday trade mark, he has K’d 12 while not allowing a free pass. That’s how you beat the Yankees; just keep the runners off the bases. Halliday has the talent to do this all game. With the new improved defence behind him and arguably the best bullpen in the American League, the Jays are primed for another opening day win.
The true pressure today and all eyes will be on the Birthday Boy Wang in his first opening day start. Wang has not looked good since being demolished by the Indians in last year’s playoffs. In his 2 starts he allowed 12 runs and 14 hits in just 5 and 2/3 innings of work. That huge let down that he says took him 2 months to get over has carried into spring. In his 3 spring outings he has been lit up for an ERA of 8.44 in just 10 innings. The 10 runs allowed and 15 hits are a real concern for the Yankees with a suspect pen at best. Sure he has won 38 games the last 2 years but his disaster October seems to be playing on his mind. The Jays have had no problems beating him either. He faced the Jays 3 times last year going 0-2 with a high 6.35 ERA. Bad news for Wang is the emergence of the bats of Wells and Overbay. Both are having great springs and both struggled last season. The only good news for Wang is that Rolen may be out. However, the Jays have gone out and got some infield depth so no worries for the Jays.
I can talk all day about Wangs difficulties coming in but more impressively is how Halliday ended last year and this spring. In September he was untouchable and he has carried that success into opening day. A big difference between these 2 starters’ attitudes and mentality going into opening day. It gets more intriguing for Halliday as well with Posada, Jeter and Damon all struggling to hit above .220 in spring.
With Superior starting pitching, bullpen and defence, expect the Jays to duplicate their 8-3 win on opening day!
JAYS 8 YANKEES 3
Jake Timlin
500* Atlanta Hawks
No doubt an awful match up, but thanks to the Hawks being in a must win situation and Memphis still horrible I really like Atlanta minus the small road chalk tonight. After thanks to the Hawks winning 7 of their last 9 games and having won & covered 3 straight in this series what is there not to like about the Hawks laying a small number tonight? Especially given the fact that Memphis is awful this year with just 19 total wins and losers of 3 of their last 4 as the Grizzlies will be tired tonight playing their 3rd game in 4 nights. Flat out tonight is Atlanta has not room for error as they continue to hold onto the final playoff spot in the East and well thanks to the Hawks playing their best basketball of the season look for Atlanta to continue their red hot run tonight as they bring home the cash. All Atlanta minus the road chalk tonight!
100* Colorado Rockies Specify both Francis & Wainwright
We last left off with the Rockies being swept in the World Series, but before those four games Colorado was the hottest team in the league winning 21 of 22 games. Well thanks to their offense in tack and their ace in Francis take the hill today look for the Rockies to start the year off with a huge road win today. After all thanks to Francis sporting a day time ERA 2.48 last year and with the lefty owning the Cardinals with a career record of 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA and a shutout in six career starts against the Cardinals I sure like the defending NL champs this afternoon.
100* Los Angeles Dodgers -1 ½ Runs
Bad last year and now in an even worst situation this season San Francisco is going to be the NL West bastard team that everyone beats up on and starting today. Sure the Giants were competitive against the Dodgers last year, but this year will be different as Los Angeles with a new boss in town and better talent will finally be able to take advantage of the Dodgers solid staff spear headed by Penny who get the ball today after a very solid 16 win season with a 3.03 ERA year a ago. Meanwhile for the Giants despite Zito ending the year strong in ‘07 the lefty is a historically a slow starter as evidence to his 0-3 record with a 9.49 ERA in three previous opening day starts. Well thanks to a new era kicking off today in Los Angeles look for the Dodgers behind Penny to blowout the Giants for an opening day Run Line winner.
Trace Adams
1000* - Bradley Braves, 500* - Denver Nuggets, 500* - Angels w/Weaver
Take the points with Bradley tonight, as the Braves big road win at Virginia in the semis is the perfect springboard for this game against a Tulsa team that barely got by Houston in their semifinal matchup to advance to the finals.
No denying Tulsa's 16-2 straight up mark at home, and their superior 11-3 home spread mark, but consider the Braves have been "brave" on the road, covering 7 of their last 9 roadies, and overall Bradley is on a 12-4 spread march their last 16 games!
This is the first of a best-of-three series (what the hell is that, by the way?!?!?), and I will look for it to be a close one.
Take the points.
1000* - Bradley Braves
The Nuggets have made their move, and are now in the 8th playoff spot in the west thanks to 5 straight wins, and wins in 8 of their last 10 straight up. The Nuggets have also covered 8 of their last 19 games, and I think they will cover again tonight at Phoenix.
The Suns have just played 4 in a row against the east conference on the road, and this is the front end of a big home-and-home for these two. Denver won the last meeting earlier this month at home 126-113 as the 7-point favorite. Denver's playing too well right now to get blown out, and Phoenix has got to be a little bit tired after 4 in a row on the road.
Nuggets to keep it close.
500* - Denver Nuggets
Livan Hernandez resufaces yet again!
Give the guy credit, as Hernandez has been doing it for years, but tonight is not the night to back this "feel-good" story.
The Twins still have position talent, but their pitching staff just has too many question marks including the aged Hernandez for me to like.
The Angels won 6 of the 9 meetings last season, with Jered Weaver going 2-0in his 3 starts against Minny, working 21 frames of 5 run ball.
Lay the small road lumber with the Halos tonight.
500* - Angels w/Weaver
ATS Basketball Lock Club
3 Atlanta Hawks
IndianCowboy
Game: Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers - Monday March 31, 2008 7:00 pm
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: Indiana Pacers -16.5 (-109) (Play of the Day)
On a personal note, I wanted to thank you for staying with me over this latest stretch. Yesterday was a sound day at 4-1 and +10 units of profit including the Twolves outright at +201 and of course the Grizzlies outright on Friday at +1133 ML. I've always said I have the best clients anyone can ever hope for and I will continue to work as hard as I can to deliver the most quality plays, with the best value and consequently ensuing profit. Not many cappers say this, but thank you for the faith you have shown in me and let's stretch this winning streak out.
As per this play, this might be my only play tomorrow. In fact, it likely will be despite the fact I like the Grizzlies a good bit tomorrow, the over in that game as well and and possibly the Wizards when the line comes out, but I am likely just to take it easy on the card today as there are plenty of action in the NBA to come in the coming weeks and if I do make an additional play it would be for just 1 unit on the Wizards ML tomorrow. But, we will see what the line comes up as but if it is at a 2:1 price, I will likely take it. I am hoping for 2.4 or better. Back to this game, long story short here, how would you feel if you were one of the few teams that have lost to the Heat this year. Well, the Pacers know what it feels like. In fact, the Pacers beat this team by a bucket this year before losing outright on the road in their last game to them. The Pacers are making a late run and they have been playing well of late and scoring points with ease. The Pacers come off a nice win over the Nets, they get O'Neal likely back today and will be fired up about that, they have revenge, the Heat have scored 69 and 62 points against the Celtics and Pistons in their last 2 ballgames, the Pacers have scored a 100 or more in their last 8 ballgames and I will take the Pacers here with the revenge for a 20 point win or more at home to give their fans something to cheer about when all is said and done. The Heat do come off a terrible game, but I think the Pacers keep pouring it on from start to finish as these teams do not like each other. The Pacers have covered their last 4 at home and their last 4 against teams with a winning % of .400 or lower, meaning they are winning the games they are supposed to against the weaker teams in the league.
Game: Washington Wizards @ Utah Jazz - Monday March 31, 2008 9:00 pm
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: Washington Wizards +9 (-109) (Normal)
It's the liberty that my clients give me which allows me to take the shots that I'd like. I mentioned yesterday in my research that if the Washington line was around 6 or 6.5 I would simply take a shot on the Moneyline for a unit along with the Pacers and call it a day. However, given that the line is 9, of course, I would take the ATS and given that the Moneyline is +371, it only makes sense that I take this as I took the Wizards on the moneyline in their last game with the Lakers for +241 - so why would i not take it here at +371. Look the Wizards are an excellent team. They nearly won outright at L.A., they have revenge on the Jazz who beat them on the road in their last game by 9 (that was a game the Wiz were banged up in), now this team has Butler back, the Jazz are likely to have AKirilinko and Brewer likely to sit out or miss considerable minutes today, the Wizards come off a loss as do the Jazz, but the Wizards have revenge and frankly, more scoring options than the Jazz with Daniels, Stephenson, Jamison, Butler and Haywood. I think this line is a bit of a ripoff here as this is a game that the Wiz can win outright as they have won 8 of 10 straight up, I understand that Utah is 32-4 at home, but this is a game that Utah can lose outright as the Wiz are a very competitive team including on the road - remember they won at Orlando and the Magic with revenge and the Magic haven't loss many games on the road, this is about building a bankroll and units, and I have done that in the NBA and this is the same philosophy that one must use for Baseball as well, the Wizards are 4-0 ATS as underdogs of this margin and this team was competitive on the road in the west coast road trip without Butler, they can certainly be competitive with him off a loss, the Jazz are 0-4 ATS as favorites by this margin. I will gladly take a shot on the moneyline as well as this is likely to come down to the wire and a shot here or a foul call there and the +371 ml also has a chance to cash. The Pacers still remain as my POD.
Game: Washington Wizards @ Utah Jazz - Monday March 31, 2008 9:00 pm
Pick: 1 unit(s) MONEYLINE: Washington Wizards +371 (Normal)
It's the liberty that my clients give me which allows me to take the shots that I'd like. I mentioned yesterday in my research that if the Washington line was around 6 or 6.5 I would simply take a shot on the Moneyline for a unit along with the Pacers and call it a day. However, given that the line is 9, of course, I would take the ATS and given that the Moneyline is +371, it only makes sense that I take this as I took the Wizards on the moneyline in their last game with the Lakers for +241 - so why would i not take it here at +371. Look the Wizards are an excellent team. They nearly won outright at L.A., they have revenge on the Jazz who beat them on the road in their last game by 9 (that was a game the Wiz were banged up in), now this team has Butler back, the Jazz are likely to have AKirilinko and Brewer likely to sit out or miss considerable minutes today, the Wizards come off a loss as do the Jazz, but the Wizards have revenge and frankly, more scoring options than the Jazz with Daniels, Stephenson, Jamison, Butler and Haywood. I think this line is a bit of a ripoff here as this is a game that the Wiz can win outright as they have won 8 of 10 straight up, I understand that Utah is 32-4 at home, but this is a game that Utah can lose outright as the Wiz are a very competitive team including on the road - remember they won at Orlando and the Magic with revenge and the Magic haven't loss many games on the road, this is about building a bankroll and units, and I have done that in the NBA and this is the same philosophy that one must use for Baseball as well, the Wizards are 4-0 ATS as underdogs of this margin and this team was competitive on the road in the west coast road trip without Butler, they can certainly be competitive with him off a loss, the Jazz are 0-4 ATS as favorites by this margin. I will gladly take a shot on the moneyline as well as this is likely to come down to the wire and a shot here or a foul call there and the +371 ml also has a chance to cash. The Pacers still remain as my POD.
Nick Parsons
Memphis Grizzlies +3
Certainly it is understood why the Hawks are listed as road chalk here. Atlanta has won three straight games and is battling hard to secure a playoff spot in the weaker Eastern Conference. Contrast this with a Grizzlies team that is just 19-54 on the season and hasn't thought about the postseason in a long, long time as theyve already been eliminated for weeks. All of the above said, the fact remains that nothing is ever as easy as it may appear on the surface. The Grizzlies have actually been playing some inspired basketball and they will battle hard all the way with the Hawks here. Also, note that Atlanta is just 9-27 on the road this season and just snuck out a home win over the Knicks yesterday. The Grizzlies were off yesterday as they just returned home from a West Coast road trip. Memphis lost to the Clippers on Saturday night to wrap up the road trip but they simply came out flat after beating the Lakers on the same floor the night before. That win over the Lakers made the Grizzlies 4-3 in their last seven games. Note that the Grizzlies last eight games, before the loss to the Clippers, were all quite competitive. Memphis went 4-4 in those 8 games with only one loss by more than four points! The Grizzlies continue to compete hard and they would love nothing more than to play the role of spoiler against Atlanta on Monday night. Grab the points here but no points should be needed as Memphis should get the outright win.