DUNKEL
Orlando at Philadelphia
The Sixers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games as a home underdog from 1 to 4 1/2 points, while the Magic 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games against the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia is the underdog pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Orlando favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+4 1/2).
Game 527-528: Boston at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 118.496; Chicago 122.326
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 4; 203
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3); Over
Game 529-530: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 126.023; Detroit 119.976
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 6; 180
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 9; 177
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+9); Over
Game 531-532: Orlando at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 118.186; Philadelphia 117.519
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 1; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 4 1/2; 191
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+4 1/2); Under
Game 533-534: Portland at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 126.378; Houston 129.189
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 3; 176
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 4 1/2; 181 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+4 1/2); Under
MLB
Texas at Baltimore
The Orioles look to salvage a game in the series against a Texas team that is 2-8 Brandon McCarthy's last 10 starts against the AL East. Baltimore is the pick (-125) according to Dunkel, which has the Orioles favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-125).
Game 901-902: Philadelphia at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.011; Florida (Taylor) 15.322
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-115); Under
Game 903-904: Washington at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Zimmerman) 14.889; NY Mets (Perez) 13.990
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-185); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+175); Over
Game 905-906: Atlanta at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Kawakami) 14.950; Cincinnati (Owings) 15.626
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+115); Over
Game 907-908: Milwaukee at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 14.973; Houston (Ortiz) 15.836
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+115); Under
Game 909-910: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Harden) 14.146; St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 16.482
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+115); Under
Game 911-912: LA Dodgers at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.553; Colorado (Marquis) 15.107
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-150); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+140); Under
Game 913-914: Pittsburgh at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.815; San Diego (Peavy) 15.139
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-200); Over
Game 915-916: San Francisco at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 13.964; Arizona (Garland) 14.479
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Under
Game 917-918: Minnesota at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Perkins) 15.069; Cleveland (Laffey) 15.585
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-125); Over
Game 919-920: Texas at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (McCarthy) 14.333; Baltimore (Bergesen) 15.928
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-125); 11
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-125); Under
Game 921-922: Toronto at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.888; White Sox (Conteras) 15.764
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-165); Under
Game 923-924: Detroit at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 14.785; Kansas City (Ponson) 16.434
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+150); Under
Game 925-926: Seattle at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Washburn) 15.463; LA Angels (Weaver) 14.343
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+115); Under
Game 927-928: Tampa Bay at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 16.101; Oakland (Eveland) 14.982
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-125); Under
Game 929-930: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.519; Boston (Masterson) 15.969
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+135); Over
NHL
New Jersey at Carolina
Trying to avoid elimination, the Hurricanes will look to build on their 12-2 record in their last 14 games as a home favorite between -110 and -150. Carolina is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-145).
Game 51-52: Washington at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.610; NY Rangers 12.214
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+120); Under
Game 53-54: New Jersey at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 10.530; Carolina 12.281
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-145); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-145); Over
Red Dog Sports
Washington Capitals at New York Rangers
Play Washington and the New York Rangers to go under 5 goals. The Rangers have played 32 overs and 50 unders this year and 4 of the 5 playoff games with the Capitals have gone under with 7, 1, 4, 3 and 4 goals being scored. The Rangers have gone under in 8 of their last 9 at home. Look for a low scoring game.
Play under 5
Scott Rickenbach
Boston Celtics (+) @ Chicago
The Celtics have proven that they feel they have something to prove here. What is that? That they can win without Kevin Garnett. That has essentially become their calling card. After losing game one of this series and playing very porous defensively, they've turned it all around and played Celtic basketball. Granted, Game Two was a tight win at home but they bounced back with a huge defensive effort in Game Three and absolutely dominated the Bulls.They've put the clamps on Derrick Rose and, you can tell by the effort, it's almost as if each and every one of the Celtics is taking this the challenge personally. They've really stepped up their efforts, they are still the defending champs, and we absolutely see line value with them here in Game Four as they're again catching a handful of points against the over-rated Bulls. Consider a small play on Boston plus the points early Sunday afternoon.
GoodFella
PHI (+105) vs FLA
Graham Taylor (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his major league debut filling in for Andrew Miller, who went on the disabled list earlier this week with an oblique strain.Taylor, a left-hander known for excellent control, was 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA with Double-A Jacksonville this season. He made one start in spring training for the Marlins, retiring all nine batters he faced. Philadelphia has faced two left-handed starters this season and chased each one early. The Phillies scored five runs in 4 2-3 innings off Colorado's De La Rosa in an 8-4 win April 11, and struck for five runs in four innings off Milwaukee's Manny Parra in an 11-4 victory Tuesday. The Fish bullpen has an 11.91 ERA during their current five-game losing streak & their so-called closer Lindstrom has been a complete disaster as of late....I like the combo we have here this morning, with the young, inexperienced lefty facing this Philly team who has been teeing off on lefty's & than they get into that Fish bullpen. The Phillies will also turn to a left-hander Sunday as they seek their first three-game sweep in Florida since Sept. 21-23, 2004, and it's a pitcher the Marlins would prefer to avoid. Jamie Moyer (2-1, 6.35) is 11-1 with a 2.95 ERA in 12 career starts vs Florida, and he went 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA at Dolphin Stadium in 2008. I see several things in Philly's favor here, and I will back them as small dogs this morning.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
ANA (-120) vs SEA
Carlos Silva willed himself through five painful innings -- practically begging rookie manager Don Wakamatsu to let him stay long enough to quality for his first victory in almost 10 months. Silva won for the first time in his past 15 starts dating to last season, Russell Branyan hit a three-run homer and the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-8 on Saturday night. When I look at these teams, two things immediately come to mind; Seattle is definitely 'over- achieving', while the Angels are 'underachieving'! Angels SP Jered Weaver allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings during a no decision Tuesday against the Tigers. Weaver allowed a run in each of the first three innings, including leadoff homers to Curtis Granderson in the first and third. He then pitched four scoreless frames while Los Angeles rallied to tie the game at 3 in the fifth.Weaver didn't issue a walk and struck out six and I look for him and the rest of the ANGELS to improve to 6-5 (+2.1 units) when playing in front of the hometown crowd!
Matt Rivers
For Sunday lay the number with the Cavs.
No doubt this is a preposterous number to lay on the road in the NBA playoffs, in most scenarios. But today is not most scenarios.
The Pistons have shown absolutely zero life pretty much ever since the Iverson for Billups trade and now are as dead of a man walking for a basketball team that I have literally ever seen. It's as if Michael Curry's team would rather lose than win which is shocking as experienced guys like Hamilton, Prince, Wallace and others should come with some fire you would think but they haven't yet and in no way, shape or form should show much of anything here.
LeBron is absolutely rolling right now and can do whatever he wants. Before this series began I really thought that we would see glimpses of the old Pistons and they would compete but it was extremely evident after the first 20 or so minutes of that first game that this thing was going to get ugly. The Detroit players have no intensity whatsoever and have no inside presence at all making them shoot jump shot after jump shot and that just cannot get it done.
Cleveland did at times let Detroit get back in the games, at least near to the number, but when they want to go on that 10-2 run they do it with very little resistance. The Pistons have no presence in the paint and truly look as if they would rather go home than go back to Cleveland and get drubbed one more time.
Psychologically and physically the Pistons were beaten from the beginning of game one. Could the home squad play in another low scoring game and sneak within this fairly large number late? I guess they could but one team on this court today is going to the NBA Finals and the other is complete and utter mush. I know what side I want to back.
Home dog, road chalk, whatever, throw that out the window today as this thing is another burial!
Jake Timlin
Taking complete control this series I like the Celtics minus the road points today. You see after losing game one to the Bulls it’s been the Celtics who have controlled this series thanks to their defense of Derek Rose who after scoring 36 in the opening game the rookie of the year has been limited to 19 total points in two games. Even better with their 21 point win in game three the Celtics have now won 8 of the last 10 series meeting straight up while coving 8 of the last 11. Well given that Boston still has a few all-starts on their rosters and a lot more experience than the Bulls I fully expect for the Celtics erase anyone’s though of Chicago winning this series with another easy win in Chicago.
PICK: Boston Celtics
Tony Weston
Of course we came through yesterday as the Nuggets do just enough to get us a solid Comp Play winner.
We’re making it 2 in a row tonight as we’re taking the Houston Rockets at home against the visiting Portland Trailblazers in Game 4 of this series.
Coming into tonight, Houston has covered in 3 of 4 against the Blazers and have covered in 6 of their last 9 against Portland.
Also, the Blazers have failed to cover in 10 of their last 15 games when installed as a road underdog and have covered only once in their last five games against the Southwest Division.
The Rockets, on the other hand, have covered in 5 of their last 8 games against the Western Conference and are 7-2 ATS their last 9 against the Northwest Division.
After just missing a cover in Game 3 of this series, the Rockets will come out firing and get over easily against the Blazers. Take Houston easy at home in this one.
3♦ ROCKETS
Craig Davis
So, let's see. Cleveland dominates Detroit in Game 3 on the road and the number in Game 4 jumps up a few points, yet Boston completely clobbers Chicago in Game 3 and the line doesn't move a bit. Chicago is still favored in this one though many thought after Boston's win in Game 3 the line would be very close to even, if not having the Celtics favored. Vegas is BEGGING people to take the C's in this one, but I'm not falling for it. Chicago still has a lot to play for and still has the talent to compete with this veteran team. They simply got "overhyped" playing in front of the home crowd and could never recover from an early deficit. Not today boys. Chicago learned from their mistakes in the third game and will come out more focused and ready to play, and won't let the limelight of playing in front of the home crowd get them too excited. This team was still 28-13 at home in the regular season and it's not like they've forgotten how to play basketball. Expect Ben Gordon and a few of the "bigs" to play better this afternoon, beating Boston by 8-10 points.
2♦ CHICAGO BULLS
GREG SHAKER
San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks
Play: Diamondbacks
You can call me crazy if you like but I am not passing on this very good number for a DBack home contest. This will be the first time I have played this team this year and a good spot for them with Garland finally throwing a good game last time out, the DBacks trying to avoid the sweep, and Cain on the mound, who has been very good so far, but has struggled on the road somewhat with his team winning just 9 of 34 road starts, and 1-4 on the road verses Arizona. He already has had his worst start of the season away from home with a loss to LA, and his K Totals were down in that contest, his BB Totals were up. The Giants still remain one of the worst hitting teams in the major leagues, dead last with just 10 Dingers this year. They are batting a mere .219 verses righthanded pitching while traveling, and just .232 overall. These first 2 wins of this series were the first 2 this year over 8 games played. I am not going to try to convince you that all is OK in Arizona. They do have the worst batting average in the National League, but they are hitting in their best Batting Posture today verses the righty. They certainly are in the "Circle the Wagons" stance as well. This is a good number to play for an AZ Team that has performed very well at this park for a long time and I will play into SF's win streak.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Oakland A's +100
The Rays are just 12-33 in their last 45 meetings in Oakland and they went down 2-5 Saturday. I'll bet the A's at home at even money Sunday. The Rays are perhaps the worst hitting team in baseball against southpaws at just 35-72 in their last 107 road games vs. a left-handed starter and 0-6 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter. That gives the A's a big edge at home with Eveland on the hill. The Athletics are 5-0 in Eveland's last 5 home starts, 6-0 in his last 6 home starts vs. a team with a losing record, 7-0 in his last 7 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game, and 4-0 in his last 4 Sunday starts. Side with the A's.
EZWINNER'S FREE SELECTION
Game: Portland Trailblazers @ Houston Rockets
(533) Portland Trailblazers +5
The Blazers almost pulled off the win in game three and I look for them to
get the job done here. Portland has done a good job of taking Yao out of
the game and I look for that to continue here. Take the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 61-53 (53.5%)
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Free Selection from Totals4U
Sunday's free selection: Tampa Bay/Oakland under 9 1/2
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
253 - 161 run 60 %
Sunday NY METS
SAT-BRAVES TY Fri- Boston Red Sox ty
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Mike Anthony
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay has the speedy players and outfield to contain this A's team. TB is 10-4 their last 14 games vs. Oakland and they are 38-13 after scoring two or less runs in their last game. The Rays are 4-1 vs. teams with a win percentage of under 40%. Oakland is 9-24 their last 33 games vs. AL East teams and they are 8-21 in Game 3 of a series. The Athletics are 7-19 vs. an opponent that scored 2 or less runs in their last game and they are 1-5 their last 6 games overall. PLAY ON TAMPA BAY Sunday evening at the bay.
John Ryan
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Toronto as the face the CWS slated to start at 2:05 EST. Supporting this graded play is a series of meaningful game dependent angles. CWS are just 28-51 (-22.0 Units) against the money line versus teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 3 seasons. Toronto is 33-16 (+17.9 Units) against the money line against AL Central opponents over the last 2 seasons. No comparison with today’s starters as Halladay is clearly the better starter and is far better this season. He sports a 3.72 ERA and 1.034 WHIP while Contreras is struggling with a 8.05 ERA and a 1,916 WHIP. Take Toronto
Big Al McMordie
Selection: Padres
At 4:05pm our free selection is on the San Diego Padres over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a 2-2 record and 5.13 ERA, it is way too early to be concerned about former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy. The Padres' righthanded ace has been in slumps and gotten off to slow starts before (in 2006, he had a 5.17 ERA for the month of April, before settling down and going 3.32 for May and 3.68 after the break) and as long as there is nothing physically wrong with the eight year veteran (and there apparently is not), then there is no reason to think that Peavy shouldn't bounce back. And it could very well be sooner rather than later, as the Pirates may be just the tonic that Peavy needs to break out of his funk. In seven lifetime starts against Pittsburgh, Peavy is 5-1 with a 1.85 ERA and even better, this game is at home, where Peavy had a 1.74 ERA last season (vs. 4.28 on the road). After losses in his first two starts, Pirate righthander Ross Ohlendorf broke through in his third start at home against the Marlins and pitched almost flawlessly for seven innings to register his first win. But his team was able to jump all over the Marlins injured starter Andrew Miller in that game (Miller has now been placed on the DL), and it is unlikely that they will be able to do the same against San Diego, a team that they have struggled against in recent years (the Pirates were 5-15 against them from 2006 through 2008). Take the Padres.