Steve Merril
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh continues their series at PNC Park as they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Cincy sends righthander Micah Owings to the bump. He brings with him a 1-2 record and a 3.78 ERA, but Owings has been terrible on the road going 0-2 with a 5.58 ERA away from Cincinnati. Owings has faced the Pirates three times in his career and he is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA and a WHIP of 1.500. Pittsburgh hits .375 against him with Jack Wilson (3-6) and Nate McLouth (2-5) among those who have succeeded against Owings. Pittsburgh sends Ross Ohlendorf to the hill. He is 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA so far this year. Two of his four starts have been at home where he is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Ohlendorf faced the Reds once last season as a starter, picking up a no-decision in a 6-5 Pittsburgh win. Ohlendorf went six innings, giving up four runs and seven hits. Ohlendorf has improved since the last time he faced Cincinnati and he remains an underrated pitcher as evident by this home underdog price tonight.
Matt Fargo
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
PICK: Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona grabbed game two of this series on Friday as the Diamondbacks snapped the Brewers four-game winning streak but this is not the spot to jump on Arizona. The Diamondbacks are struggling to start the season and putting them in the favorite role on the road is simply too aggressive. This is just the sixth road game of the season for Arizona who has played a Major League-high 18 home games and yet is still three games under .500. Milwaukee is making a push in the National League Central as it has won eight of its last 10 games but that has only matched what division-leading St. Louis has done as it remains four and a half games out of the lead. The push is against every other team and the Brewers could very well be ready to extend this run much further before three huge series’ against the Cubs, Marlins and Cardinals beginning on May 8th. I was not on the Braden Looper bandwagon to start the season but I am slowly progressing that way. The St. Louis import has been solid in his debut season with the Brewers, posting a 2.45 ERA through four starts. His WHIP is questionable at 1.50 and that is the main reason for keeping this play rated lower than I would have liked. Milwaukee is 3-0 in his three home starts this season and that is not only due to good pitching but a potent offense behind Looper as Milwaukee has averaged 7.7 rpg in those three contests. Another reason for the Diamondbacks chalk here is that Danny Haren takes the hill and he is becoming a very public pitcher. He is 4-4 in quality starts this season and he is coming off a masterful performance at home against the Cubs, pitching a complete game while allowing just three hits. Arizona dropped his lone road start this season as it scored no runs, which is no surprise as it has scored four runs or fewer in nine of his last 17 starts dating back to last season. Milwaukee has won 12 of the last 17 meetings despite the setback last night and it gets it back tonight at a solid price. 3* Milwaukee Brewers
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Astros/Braves UNDER 8
I'll bet the under today with a pair of struggling offenses sending their aces to the hill. Oswalt brings in a ERA of just 2.37 over his last 3 starts and Jurrjens brings in an ERA of only 1.33 over his last 3 starts. The Astros are only averaging 3.0 runs per game on the road this season and the Braves are only scoring 3.7 runs per game at home. Houston is 14-4 UNDER in road games vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better over the last 2 seasons, 15-6 UNDER in all games this season, and 9-1 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. The UNDER is 6-1 in Jurrjens' last 7 starts overall and 11-3 in Oswalt's last 14 starts overall. Bet the UNDER.
Tony Karpinski
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
This is more a play against New York lefty Oliver Perez than anything else. Yes, Perez was outstanding against the Phillies last year, giving up just one run in four starts covering 26 innings, with the Mets winning three of those contests. But after signing a hefty free-agent contract in the offseason to remain with New York, he hasn’t exactly been earning his paycheck. In four starts in 2009 (three of which the Mets have lost), Perez has given up 20 runs and 23 hits (three home runs) in 19 1/3 innings (9.31 ERA). He is over weight and looks awful and another bad outing and he'll be down in AAA.
Throw in the fact that Philadelphia is on streaks of 9-1 against lefty starters and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the home squad to bounce back with a win this afternoon.
MTi Sports
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are 26-9 vs a team that has won at least their last four games and 41-16 after a one run loss. The Yankees are a money-burning 13-15 as a favorite of MORE than 200 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series. The Halos worth a shot at this price.
Dennis Macklin
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
The Orioles have lost six of seven with only win notched by today's starter Bergesen who was lucky to survive 8-5 win over Texas. Toronto just keeps keeping on and sends first time starter Robert Ray (AAA Las Vegas) to the bumb. FTS's has been a consisten winning angle of old-time players for decades and comes into play here at very reasonable price in a series spot (Toronto 13-6 L19 series here) the Jays have dominated. Take Toronto.
DUNKEL
Chicago at Boston
The Celtics look to close out the Bulls at home and build on their 7-3 ATS record in their last 10 games when playing on 1 day of rest. Boston is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6 1/2).
Game 573-574: Chicago at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 116.979; Boston 123.842
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 6 1/2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6 1/2); Over
MLB
Kansas City at Minnesota
The Royals look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 9-2 record in their last 11 games as a road underdog between +110 and +150. Kansas City is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Royals favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+130).
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 14.922; Washington (Martis) 15.269
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-140); 10
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+130); Over
Game 903-904: Florida at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Sanchez) 15.100; Cubs (Lilly) 13.530
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-145); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+135); N/A
Game 905-906: NY Mets at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Perez) 15.546; Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.481
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 11
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+115); Over
Game 907-908: Houston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 15.769; Atlanta (Jurrjens) 14.866
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+125); Under
Game 909-910: Colorado at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Marquis) 14.794; San Francisco (Cain) 16.250
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-130); Over
Game 911-912: Arizona at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 16.159; Milwaukee (Looper) 14.639
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-125); Over
Game 913-914: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 14.720; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 15.697
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-125); Over
Game 915-916: San Diego at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Young) 14.498; LA Dodgers (Wolf) 14.521
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+145); Over
Game 917-918: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Palmer) 16.138; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.635
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-250); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+230); Under
Game 919-920: Baltimore at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bergeson) 15.160; Toronto (Ray) 14.698
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-135); 11
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+125); Under
Game 921-922: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 14.653; Detroit (Miner) 15.909
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-115); Over
Game 923-924: Boston at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Wakefield) 16.366; Tampa Bay (Niemann) 14.766
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-115); Under
Game 925-926: Kansas City at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 16.672; Minnesota (Perkins) 14.959
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+130); Over
Game 927-928: Chicago White Sox at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago White Sox (Contreras) 14.405; Texas (McCarthy) 16.086
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-120); Over
Game 929-930: Oakland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Cahill) 16.505; Seattle (Washburn) 15.411
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-135); Over
NHL
Pittsburgh at Washington
The Caps open up the series looking to build on their 9-3 record in their last 12 home games as a favorite between -110 and -150. Washington is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Capitals favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-135).
Game 5-6: Pittsburgh at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.576; Washington 12.710
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-135); Under
Game 9-10: Chicago at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.785; Vancouver 11.919
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-140); Over
maddux sports free pick is on a 60% win run since 2003
Today's Free Pick is Chicago & Boston Under 196.5
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
254 - 166 run 60 % Sat: Boston Red Sox w/ Wakefield
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Free Selection from Totals4U
Saturday's free selection: White Sox/Rangers over 11 1/2
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Free Selection from Platinum Plays
KENTUCKY DERBY: PAPA CLEM @ 20/1
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Free Selection from Razor Sharp
FREE PICK FOR SATURDAY: Take MINNESOTA (Perkins)
-135 over Kansas City
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Free Selection from #1 Sports
Saturday's free selection: Oakland Athletics + 120
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Free Selection from Computer Sports
SATURDAY FREE WINNER!!
MLB - BALTIMORE/TORONTO OVER 10'
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Vegas Experts
Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners
After a decent start to the season, Oakland's Trevor Cahill has fallen off the wagon a bit posting a 6.00 ERA in his last three starts. Oakland has lost all four meetings with the Mariners this season and looking back even further, they've dropped 27 of the last 42. That includes 13 of 21 here in Seattle. Problem is that the A's can't hit lefty pitching (3.4 runs per game) and will be facing a solid southpaw tonight in Jarrod Washburn.
Play on: Seattle
Game Time Sports Advisors
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Play: San Diego Padres
Young had been pitching well until getting lit up in Coors Field. That happens to many pitchers. But now in a great pitchers park, we find him getting a nice number vs a middle of the road retread pitcher.
Rocketman
St Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
St Louis is 17-7 this year while Washington is only 5-17 on the season. St Louis is 9-2 this year when playing against a team with a losing record. Washington is 1-7 in day games this year. Washington is 2-10 this year when playing against a team with a winning record. St Louis is scoring 5.8 runs per game overall, 5.7 runs per game on the road and 6.6 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Washington bullpen has a 5.28 ERA overall this year and 6.06 ERA at home this season. Joel Pineiro is 4-0 with a 3.76 ERA overall this year. Shairon Martis has a whopping 6.20 ERA overall this year. Pineiro has a 3.08 ERA overall vs Washington since 1997. We'll recommend a small play on St Louis today!
Jimmy The Moose
St Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are 17-7 on the year, 7-4 on the road. In their last 8 games following a win St. Louis is 6-2. One of the Cardinals early season surprise's has been the play of SP Joel Pineiro. After 4 starts Pineiro is 4-0 with an ERA of 3.76. The Nationls are 5-17 on the year and although the record is yet bad again they have shown glimpses of hope for the future. Washington has lost the first two games of the series and will drop this one too. Play on the St. Louis Cardinals -.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit Fon Texas Rangers -120
Contreras is 0-2 with an ERA of 8.44 on the road this season and he has a career ERA of 8.69 against the Rangers. Expect him to get whacked by the Rangers today. Texas has taken 5 of the last 7 home games in this series and you have to like its chances tonight when you consider that it is 4-0 in its last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30 and that the White Sox are 0-6 in Contreras' last 6 starts. Take Texas.
Jrtips
SAN DIEGO PADRES vs. LA DODGERS
The Dodgers will try to join the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers as the only teams in franchise history to open 9-0 at home when they face the struggling San Diego Padres.Los Angeles (16-8) won 1-0 Friday over San Diego despite recording a season-lows with a run and three hits. Now left-hander Randy Wolf (1-1, 4.31 ERA) who has given up at least three runs in each of his last three starts, and allowed four or more in six of 10 career meetings with a with a 6.02 ERA all-time against San Diego will go tonight.The Dodgers will face San Diego's Chris Young (2-1, 5.74), who's coming off his worst career performance when the Padres lost 12-7 on Monday in Colorado as the right-hander was tagged for eight runs, seven hits and five walks in only three innings. He also allowed five stolen bases in his brief outing, and has given up 14 in five starts - six more than any other pitcher. Young is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in his career against Los Angeles, but went 0-2 and allowed 10 earned runs in two starts last season at Dodger Stadium. San Diego (11-12) lost for the ninth time in 11 games on Friday. The Dogers are coming off their worst run and hit production of the season and Chris Young will be a great remedy to get them badck off track as this pitcher can't keep runners off the bases. Although the Padres have struggled, their bats have had much success against the Dodgers starting pitcher Wolf. Both teams will put a lot of runners on the bases against these pitchers and scores runs.
TAKE OVER 8 1/2 runs
Jack Jones
Philadelphia Phillies -115 over NY Mets
It seems like there is something wrong with Oliver Perez who has given up 20 runs in 19.3 innings this year, mainly because he's issued 15 free passes. Jamie Moyer hasn't been great, but is coming off a six innings, one run performance in Florida. the Phillies have torn apart left-handed pitching this year, hitting .317 and scoring 8 runs in the five games. The Mets are struggling and with Perez on the mound this is a good spot to take the defending champs at a cheap price.