SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) L.A. Lakers (6-2, 4-4 ATS) at (5) Houston (5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS)
After regaining home-court advantage with a Game 3 victory on Friday, the Lakers look to take a commanding 3-1 lead when they take on the Rockets in Game 4 of their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series inside the Toyota Center in Houston.
Kobe Bryant scored 33 points to lead Los Angeles to a 108-94 win in the pivotal Game 3 on Friday, with the Lakers covering as 1½-point road favorites. All five L.A. starters scored in double digits with forward Lamar Odom going for 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers were outrebounded 56-43, but had just six turnovers compared with 17 for Houston.
Ron Artest had another strong offensive showing for the Rockets, going for 25 points before being ejected late in the fourth quarter for a questionable flagrant foul. Yao Ming added 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in what turned out to be his final game of the season, as he broke his foot in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and will miss the remainder of the postseason. Over the past two seasons, the Rockets are 19-8 SU without Ming, including 3-2 during the regular season this year.
The Lakers are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games (9-7 ATS) while the Rockets have won 10 of their last 15 (8-7 ATS). Despite the loss in Game 3, Houston is still 36-9 SU at home this season, including 3-1 (1-3 ATS) in home playoff games. Los Angeles is 31-13 SU on the road (25-19 ATS), including 2-1 SU and ATS in postseason games on the highway.
Including this playoff series, the Lakers are 6-1 SU and ATS against the Rockets this season, including 3-0 SU and ATS in Houston. Los Angeles is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings with the Rockets overall and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 visits to Houston. Finally, the chalk is on a 6-2 ATS run in this series.
Phil Jackson’s squad is on ATS slides of 1-4 following a straight-up win and 2-5 on Sundays, but it is on positive ATS runs of 7-3 after getting one day off, 9-3-1 in conference semifinal playoff action and 4-1 against Southwest Division foes. Rick Adelman’s Rockets are on ATS slumps of 4-11 against the Pacific Division, 7-17 as a home ‘dog, 1-5 after getting a day off and 2-6 after a double-digit home loss, but they are on positive ATS runs of 6-3 at home, 20-7 following a non-cover and 5-2 on Sundays.
Game 1 in this series stayed under the total, but the last two have soared over the posted price Additionally, Los Angeles has topped the total in six of seven after a spread-cover and five of its last six conference semifinal games, but it is on “under” runs of 8-2 as a road favorite, 7-1-1 on Sundays, 8-3 on the road and 20-9 as a favorite. The Rockets have gone over the total in five of seven playoff games as underdogs, but otherwise it’s all “unders” for Houston, including 5-2 overall, 5-1 at home, 5-1 on Sundays, 15-6 after a non-cover, 7-3 as a home ‘dog and 5-2 against Western Conference teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Boston (5-4, 4-4-1 ATS) at (3) Orlando (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS)
The Magic look to take a commanding 3-1 lead against the defending NBA champion Celtics when the two square off inside Amway Arena in Game 4 of their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Orlando shot 59.1 percent from the floor on Friday night en route to clobbering Boston 117-96 as a five-point home favorite. Forwards Rashard Lewis (28 points) and Hedo Turkoglu (24 points) led the way for the Magic, while superstar center Dwight Howard got his usual double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Magic, without the services of point guard Rafer Alston, who was suspended after a flagrant foul in Game 2, got 13 points from backup point guard Anthony Johnson and 11 from Courtney Lee.
After scoring just six points in Boston’s easy Game 2 victory, Celtics star Paul Pierce produced 27 points in the Game 3 defeat. However, fellow star Ray Allen managed just eight points on 3 of 13 shooting on Friday.
Orlando has now won five of its last six (4-2 ATS) and seven of its last 10 (5-5 ATS), plus it has won three of four at home during these playoffs (2-2 ATS). On the opposite side, Boston has alternated wins and losses in its last eight outings (4-3-1 ATS), but it’s just 1-3 SU (2-1-1 ATS) on the road in the postseason.
Orlando has won four of the last five meetings with the Celtics (3-2 ATS). Furthermore, the host is 10-3 SU in the last 13 clashes and 23-10 ATS in the past 33.
The Celtics are just 1-7 ATS in their last eight conference semifinal games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last six on Sundays, but otherwise Doc Rivers’ squad is on positive ATS streaks of 7-2-1 on the road, 8-1 after a non-cover, 44-18-1 as road underdogs, 7-1-1 as a playoff pup and 20-7 as a road ‘dog of between five and 10 ½ points.
The Magic are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 when laying points and 2-5 ATS in their last seven as playoff favorites, but they are on a host of positive pointspread streaks that include 4-1 overall, 6-2 on Sundays, 4-1 against the Atlantic Division and 17-7 against teams with a winning percentage above .600.
Boston is riding “over” streaks of 23-9 overall, 4-1 on the road, 38-18 against the Eastern Conference, 13-3 after a straight-up loss, 7-1 after getting one day off and 4-1 as a playoff ‘dog. Conversely, Orlando is on a plethora of “under” runs that include 18-8 overall, 10-4 at home, 11-5 against the Atlantic Division, 4-1 as a playoff favorite and 52-25-1 as a home chalk of between five and 10½ points.
Finally, the last two games in this series have soared over the posted total, but the under remains 4-2 in the last six head-to-head meetings and 6-2 in the last eight series matchups in Florida.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago (16-14) at Milwaukee (18-13)
The Brewers look to complete a three-game series sweep of the rival Cubs when they send Jeff Suppan (2-2, 5.68 ERA) to the mound against Chicago’s Sean Marshall (0-2, 4.15) at Miller Park.
After scoring a come-from-behind 3-2 win on Friday, Milwaukee pounded out a 12-6 victory over the Cubs on Saturday. The Brewers have won 10 of their last 13 and 14 of their last 17 overall. Additionally, they’re on runs of 8-2 at home, 8-1 against N.L. Central rivals, 36-17 as a favorite (9-2 last 11 as a chalk) and 4-0 against lefty starters.
Although they’ve dropped the first two games of this series, the Cubs are still 6-3 in their last nine games, a run that comes on the heels of a 2-7 slump. Chicago is also 21-8 in its last 29 Sunday contests, but Lou Pineilla’s club has now lost seven straight contests as an underdog.
These teams have met five times this season – all in Milwaukee – with the Brewers holding a slim 3-2 advantage. Still, the Cubs are 9-6 in the last 15 battles overall and 8-5 in their last 13 at Miller Park.
Marshall followed up consecutive quality starts against the Cardinals and Marlins with a poor effort Tuesday against the Giants, allowing five runs in seven innings of a 6-2 home loss. Chicago is winless in Marshall’s last eight trips to the mound and they’re also 4-17 in his last 21 starts overall, 0-4 in his last four on the road, 1-5 in his last six against N.L. Central foes and 1-5 in his last six on Sunday.
Marshall’s lone road start this season came at St. Luis, and he gave up three runs in six innings, but lost 8-2. He’s also 1-2 with a 9.53 ERA in nine lifetime appearances (two starts) against the Brewers.
Suppan has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, dropping his ERA from 12.81 to 5.68. He beat the Pirates 8-5 in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings. With Suppan on the bump, the Brewers are on runs of 4-0 overall, 7-2 when favored and 24-9 against division rivals, but they’ve lost five of his last six Sunday efforts.
Suppan is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts at home, with the loss coming to the Cubs on April 12 when he lasted just 3 2/3 innings, yielding five runs on two hits and six walks in an 8-5 setback. He’s now 6-7 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 career starts against Chicago, including 1-2 with a 10.22 ERA in the last three.
The over is 4-0-1 in Marshall’s last five starts overall, but the under is 8-1-1 in his last 10 on the highway and 6-1-1 in his last eight against the N.L. Central. The under is also 4-1-1 in Suppan’s last six starts at Miller Park.
For Chicago, the “over” is on streaks of 10-3-1 overall, 6-1-1 on the road, 12-5-1 as an underdog, 8-2 against right-handed starters and 9-4-2 against divisional rivals. The over is also 5-1 in Milwaukee’s last six overall and 7-2 in its last nine against N.L. Central foes. Lastly, in this rivalry, the over is on runs of 13-5-2 overall and 15-5-2 at Miller Park
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tampa Bay (15-17) at Boston (19-12)
Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.75) faces the Rays for the third time this season while Matt Garza (3-2, 3.51) does the same against the Red Sox as these division rivals clash in the rubber match of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
Tampa Bay pounded out a 14-5 victory on Saturday at Fenway after dropping Friday’s series opener 7-3. The Rays have followed up a 4-11 slump by going 7-3 in their last 10. They’ve also won seven of their last 10 against the A.L. East and six of their last seven as an underdog.
Boston had a modest two-game winning streak snapped yesterday, but remains on impressive streaks of 17-6 overall, 76-33 at Fenway Park, 11-4 against division rivals, 12-5 against right-handed starters, 14-4 as a favorite and 16-3 when playing on grass.
The Rays lead the season series 6-3, winning three of the last four in Beantown. However, they’re still just 16-49 in their last 65 games at Fenway Park (playoffs included).
Garza limited Baltimore to three runs (two earned) over eight innings on Tuesday, winning 6-3 at home. Tampa Bay is 6-1 in Garza’s last seven starts against divisional foes and 4-0 in his last four as an underdog, but they’ve lost six of his last eight on the highway and four of his last five Sunday starts.
The Rays are unbeaten in Garza’s last six starts against the Red Sox (playoffs included). That includes a 4-3 win at Boston on April 9 and a 13-0 rout at home on April 30. In those two contests, Garza surrendered a total of one run, five hits and four walks while striking out 15 over 14 2/3 innings. Over his last four starts versus the Red Sox (two in the playoffs), Garza is 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA.
After two straight dreadful outings (15 earned runs allowed in 9 2/3 innings), Beckett settled down on Tuesday at new Yankee Stadium, yielding three runs in six innings of a 7-3 victory. Still, the veteran right-hander has given up 10 hits in each of his last three trips to the hill, going 1-1 with a 10.34 ERA. That includes the 13-0 loss to Garza and the Rays on April 30, when Beckett gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. With that poor performance, the veteran right-hander dropped to 7-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 14 career starters (including playoffs) against Tampa Bay.
At home this year, Beckett is 2-0 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts, with Boston willing all three games, including a 5-3 victory over the Rays on Opening Day this season. In fact, despite Beckett’s recent struggles, the Red Sox have still won five of his last seven starts dating to last year’s playoffs and they’re 5-2 in his last seven starts against Tampa Bay at Fenway.
For Tampa Bay, the “under” is on stretches of 11-5 as an underdog, 4-1-1 when Garza pitches on the highway and 4-1 in Garza works on Sunday, but the over is 35-17-2 in the team’s last 54 contests against right-handed starters. The Red Sox “over” trends of 20-7-3 overall (8-2-2 last 12), 7-2-1 at home, 12-3-2 against losing teams, 7-2-2 against right-handed starters and 5-0 with Becket on the mound. However, the under is 9-1-1 in Boston’s last 11 Sunday contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
DUNKEL
Boston at Orlando
The Celtics look to rebound from their blowout loss in Game Three and build on their 8-1 ATS record in their last 9 games following an ATS loss. Boston is the underdog pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+5).
Game 725-726: LA Lakers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 128.758; Houston 120.865
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 8; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 195
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-7); Over
Game 727-728: Boston at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.165; Orlando 124.735
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 3 1/2; 190 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 5; 193
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+5); Under
MLB DUNKEL
St. Louis at Cincinnati
The Cardinals are 5-0 in Adam Wainwright's last 5 starts as a road underdog, while the Reds are just 1-7 in Edinson Volquez' last 8 starts as a home favorite between -110 and -150. St. Louis is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Cards favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+120).
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.385; Cincinnati (Volquez) 14.916
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+120); Under
Game 903-904: Pittsburgh at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.233; NY Mets (Hernandez) 14.961
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-165); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-165); Under
Game 905-906: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Kawakami) 14.312; Philadelphia (Myers) 15.698
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-145); Over
Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Marshall) 15.952; Milwaukee (Suppan) 15.659
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+110); Over
Game 909-910: San Diego at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Geer) 14.594; Houston (Oswalt) 13.512
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Houston (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+175); Under
Game 911-912: Florida at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 13.499; Colorado (Cook) 14.746
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-140); Under
Game 913-914: Washington at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Olsen) 14.488; Arizona (Scherzer) 15.443
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-170); Over
Game 915-916: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 16.101; LA Dodgers (Weaver) 15.019
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Under
Game 917-918: Detroit at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 14.345; Cleveland (Reyes) 15.402
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-120); Over
Game 919-920: NY Yankees at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 15.678; Baltimore (Uehara) 14.371
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-165); Over
Game 921-922: Texas at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Padilla) 14.721; White Sox (Colon) 15.830
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-115); Over
Game 923-924: Seattle at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Bedard) 15.227; Minnesota (Blackburn) 14.702
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-120); Under
Game 925-926: Kansas City at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Davies) 17.099; LA Angels (Loux) 15.664
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+125); Over
Game 927-928: Toronto at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Cecil) 15.113; Oakland (Braden) 16.732
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Over
Game 929-930: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.946; Boston (Beckett) 16.534
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-135); Under
NHL DUNKEL
Carolina at Boston
The Hurricanes look to close out Boston and build on their 10-2 record in their last 12 conference semifinal games. Carolina is the underdog pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+170).
Game 55-56: Anaheim at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.010; Detroit 12.304
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-240); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-240); Over
Game 57-58: Carolina at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 13.026; Boston 12.624
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-200); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+170); Over
Steve Merril
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Under 8.5
The Blue Jays wrap up their west coast swing with game three of their series against the Oakland Athletics. Toronto sends Brett Cecil to the mound. The rookie left hander made a good debut at home against Cleveland giving up just two runs in six innings striking out six and walking none in a 10-6 no decision victory over the Indians. Cecil will face an Oakland team who is 3-9 against lefties, hitting just .202 and averaging only 3.2 runs per game. The Under has hit in seven of those twelve games as well. Oakland sends Dallas Braden to the hill and he’s the ace of the staff. Braden is 3-3 with a 2.50 ERA this season and five Unders in six starts. Braden has improved over his last three starts, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA and three Unders. He faced Toronto in Canada losing 1-0 to the Jays. In the game he gave up only one earned run and five hits in 7.3 innings pitched. Braden has held down Kevin Millar (1-10), Marco Scutaro (1-5), Alex Rios (1-5), and Vernon Wells (0-2).
James Patrick Sports
Hurricane vs. Bruins
Game #5 in this Playoff match up and the action will be intense as one mistake could turn the series around for one of these teams. We'll take our Sunday NHL complimentary selection is Boston Bruins as they have won 36 of last 51 home games and a win here gets them back into the series.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: San Francisco w/Lincecum
The Giants conclude their 3 game visit with the Dodgers in Los Angeles today when they send Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum to the mound at Chavez Ravine. After a slow start, Lincecum has rounded n to terrific current form as evidenced by his 6/40 walk-to-strikeout ratio in his last four starts. No Manny means no money for the Dodgers, who are still distracted over Manny Ramirez' suspension. With that, we'll back the better arm here today.
Cajun Sports
Florida Marlins @ Colorado Rockies
Selection: 2* Florida Marlins +100
Coors Field will be the site of the final game of this three-game weekend set between the host Colorado Rockies and the visiting Florida Marlins. Florida is coming off a solid pitching performance by Josh Johnson in Saturdays 3 to 1 win over the Rockies. Johnson pitched eight innings of seven-hit ball on a chilly night at Coors Field to get the win. He has so many weapons and that was apparent in the win over Colorado. Johnson is 3-0 W/L and won his sixth straight decision, dating back to Sept. 13. He has 10 wins in his last 11 decisions since coming back last July from Tommy John surgery. Sunday the Marlins will send Chris Volstad to the bump with his 1-0 W/L record his last three road outings and an ERA of 2.95 with a WHIP of 1.037. The Marlins are a perfect 3-0 W/L in those three starts by Volstad. He has pitched 18.3 innings giving up 12 hits, 6 earned runs, 7 walks and 14 strikeouts over that span. The Marlins are 21-6 W/L their last twenty-seven games following a win, 11-5 W/L their last sixteen when installed as a road underdog and a perfect 5-0 W/L in Volstads last five starts on the highway. Colorado will send right-hander Aaron Cook to the hill with his 1-0 W/L record at home in three outings posting an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.474. In those contests he pitched 19 innings gave up 9 earned runs with 9 walks and 9 strikeouts. The Rockies are 7-12 W/L (-5.0) when facing right-handed starters this season. Colorado is 3-9 W/L after losing their previous game, 2-8 W/L their last ten at home versus right-handed starters including a perfect 0-4 W/L their last four, 2-9 W/L versus a starter whose WHIP is less than 1.15, 13-29 W/L in Cooks last forty-two starts versus a team with a winning record and 1-5 W/L in Cooks last six following a quality start in his last outing. We will back the Fish here as they get the win over the Rockies in the Mile High City on Sunday afternoon.
Graded Selection: 2* Florida Marlins 5 Colorado Rockies 4
JIM FEIST
SEATTLE MARINERS at MINNESOTA TWINS
Take: SEATTLE MARINERS
The good news for the M's is that they are in a weak West Division. Only four games separate top to bottom in the division. The once dominant LA Angels are just playing .500 ball right now as is the Mariners. Seattle is batting .258 and has slugged 22 HR's in their first 30 games. Ichiro is his consistent self, hitting over .300 in the leadoff spot. Ken Griffey hasn't done much yet, hitting just .205 with two HR's so far. The top three starters have been solid with Jarrod Washburn (2.68 ERA), Felix Hernandez (3.38 ERA) and today's starter, Erik Bedard (2.37 ERA). Bedard is coming off a fine performance, seven strong innings against the Rangers, allowing just one earned run with no walks and seven KO's. In fact, of the six starts this season for Bedard, he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any outing. The Twins are just below .500 this season and hitting a bit better as a team than the M's at .273. Nick Blackburn starts for the Twins and he's coming off a rough outing where he gave up six earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings to the Tigers. Blackburn has a 5.19 ERA on the season and is 2-2 with a WHIP of 1.56. Blackburn is definitely better than his last start indicates though here on Sunday the M's with Bedard get the money.
ROCKETMAN
Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics
Play: Toronto
Toronto comes in with a 21-12 overall record this year while Oakland is only 11-17 on the season. Toronto is 9-2 in day games this year. Toronto is scoring 6 runs per game overall this year and 6.4 runs per game on the road this season. Toronto bullpen has a 3.50 ERA overall and a 3.75 ERA on the road this year. Oakland is scoring only 3.2 runs per game against left handed starters and has a .202 batting average. Cecil has a 1.50 ERA overall this year. We'll recommend a small play on Toronto today!
Craig Trapp
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
Craig's Free Plays have been down right frigid lately but his premium picks have still been coming thru for his diamond team players. Make sure you get in with Craig today as he has his strongest NBA play of the post season thus far!! Lets look at Craig's late ESPN MLB Free play: trends, records, and winning breakdown!!
Records
Tampa Bay Rays 15-17, 9-10 away (Garza 3-2, 3.51 ERA)
Boston Red Sox 19-12, 12-4 home (Beckett 3-2, 6.75 ERA)
Betting Trends
Rays are 6-1 in their last 7 games as an underdog
Rays are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Red Sox are 16-5 in their last 21 games on grass.
Rays are 6-0 in Garzas last 6 starts vs. Red Sox.
Rays are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
TB is coming off a huge win where they blew Boston out of the water early and often winning going away 14-5. Longoria and Crawfords hot bats carried them to another beat down of there division rivals. Longoria looks like a lock for MVP this season with 44 RBI's and 11 HR's. Almost half of his RBI's and HR's have come at the expense of this Boston team so to say he likes playing Boston is a huge understatement!! If that was not good enough to convince you to take the visiting underdogs they have Garza on the mound tonight. Garza is 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his last six starts against Boston, including two wins during the ALCS. In the last three, Boston has managed seven hits in 21 2-3 innings versus Garza (3-2, 3.51 ERA). For Boston Beckett will try and slow down this hot TB team but will have no luck as he gets rocked early and often. SCORE TB 9 - BOS 2
Sports Gambling Hotline
Boston at ORLANDO
After an UNDER in Gane One, the Celtics and Magic have played to a pair of OVERS in Games Two, and Three.
We will stick with the emerging trend, and play the OVER in Sunday's Game Four.
Boston is now on a 23-9 OVER clip their last 32 games, and 8 of their 10 postseason tilts have landed on the HIGH side.
Without Kevin Garnett clogging the middle, Boston has become a shoot first, play defense second team, and that is just not going to change as this postseason continues.
Expect another game that sees plenty of points, and another OVER added to the tally.
Play on the HIGH.
3♦ OVER
Karl Garrett
Boston at ORLANDO -5
I have a feeling the Celtics are heading back to Beantown down 3 games to 1.
Orlando sure looks comfortable on their home floor where they are now 35-10 straight up, and 25-20 against the spread at home.
Not only that, but the Magic have won 4 of their last 5 home games against the Celtics, covering in 3 of those 5. The home team is also 23-10 against the spread the last 33 times
Orlando will have Rafer Alston back for this one, and the fact Anthony Johnson shot 5-of-7 on Friday, netting 13 points will only help the Magic coming off the bench.
Expect another double-double from Dwight Howard, and expect the Magic to nab the win, and the cover in Game Four.
3♦ ORLANDO
Bobby Maxwell
San Francisco at L.A. DODGERS +115
Today's FREE winner comes to you from Los Angeles as we go with the Dodgers at home taking on the rival Giants.
OK, it's been a few days now since the Dodgers got the shocking news that Manny Ramirez was done for the next 50 games. They got beat the first two nights after the news, but looked just fine on Saturday, beating the Giants 8-0 and they'll get it done again today, because what it boils down to is Los Angeles is a much better team than the Giants, with or without Manny.
Today Los Angeles sends Jeff Weaver (1-0, 1.00 ERA) to the mound after an impressive return to the Dodgers on Tuesday when he gave up just one run on five hits in five innings to the D'Backs.
Tim Lincecum (3-1, 3.05 ERA) goes for the Giants and he is starting to find his form, winning each of his last three outings. He faced these Dodgers on April 29 and gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings, but he got a lot of offensive support, winning 9-4.
Los Angeles started the season 13-0 at home and they now sit at 14-2 in front of the faithful. This team is good and the lineup is still impressive even without Manny. They will get three or four runs off Lincecum and the pitching staff will make it hold up.
2♦ L.A. DODGERS
Jeff Benton
Tough freebie loss with the Royals on Saturday, as they dropped a 1-0 decision to the Angels. Still I’m 26-16 with my last 42 complimentary selections. For Sunday’s free play, we’ll take the Giants and Tim Lincecum to beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Simply put, this is very cheap price to lay with the best pitcher in the National League, especially when he’s matched up against a relic like Jeff Weaver. Over his last four starts, Lincecum has allowed a total of six runs in 30 innings (1.80 ERA) with 40 strikeouts against just six walks. That includes a 9-4 victory over the Dodgers on April 29 in San Francisco, a game in which Lincecum was cruising through seven innings and leading 7-0 before relaxing in the eighth inning and giving up three runs.
Lincecum is now 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against the Dodgers, including 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched at Dodger Stadium. Also, the Giants are 5-2 in the right-hander’s last seven starts overall and 10-4 in his last 14 as a favorite.
Granted, San Francisco’s offense leaves a lot to be desired – it’s one of the weakest hitting teams in baseball. However, I trust that the Giants can scratch across three or four runs against Jeff Weaver. Yeah, Weaver pitched well in his first start in 18 months on Tuesday, beating the DBacks 3-1, but that was exception, not the rule. He’s still way over the hill and it’s only a matter of time before he gets lit up.
Bottom line: To get Lincecum at this price against Weaver and a Manny Ramirez-less Dodgers lineup is too good to pass up.
3♦ SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Matt Rivers
For Sunday take the points with the Rockets.
Call me stubborn, I don't care. Yes I fell short when the Rockets were soundly beaten in game three at home and yes Yao is now out but I still believe that Artest and the home boys will come out to play and compete until the end. The NBA is funny in that you can lose a key cog, like a 7' 6" Chinaman of a center, and somebody else is always there to fill in and have a game of his life and that could be the case today.
The Lakers are clearly the superior team but to lay around four on the road against a quality Houston team is just too much. The Rockets have not played their best in these past six quarters but they are a solid defensive team that has no choice but to lay it all on the line today. A loss and the series is over, I know it and they know it. Houston is not going to win three straight games in this series with two of them being at Staples, that just cannot happen. Therefore this is that swing game where they have their last chance to stay alive.
I fully understand how the Rockets are outmanned overall when compared to the Lakers but Artest is a fierce competitor who will not let his guys just pack it in. Houston will defend and have a shot today when all is said and done. After all their whole season is on the line and being the great home team they are at something like 36-9 makes me comfortable to back this barking home dog.
Jake Timlin
Building on yesterday’s outright winning on Denver I like the Magic minus the points here today as they take full control of this series.
Yes now that the Magic have won 4 of the last 5 series meeting against the Celtics I look for yet another win for Orlando today as they take a commanding series lead. Even better news for Orlando is the fact that the home team has dominated this head to head series going 10-3 SU in the last 13 clashes and 23-10 ATS in the past 33.
Meanwhile, any problems the Magic had in game two of this series where House and Rondo went off the Magic were able to make the adjustments in game three keeping House and Rondo in check. Well look for the same successful game plan to from the Magic tonight.
Flat out, thanks to being at home where they are fresh off a big win I look for Orlando to lay it to the Celtics once again here today for the easy win and cover.
PICK: Orlando Magic