Bobby Maxwell
Philadelphia +130 at N.Y. METS
We've scored three straight FREE play winners for you, including Wednesday's comp winner on the Lakers as they covered the number against the Rockets. Today we'll get you another one with the Phillies as they visit the Mets.
Great game these two played on Wednesday as the Mets' ace Johan Santana threw a three-hitter and the Mets blanked the Phillies 1-0. But keep in mind that the Phillies allowed just two hits. So it's not like the New York bats are on fire. Tonight they have to face crafty lefty Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.65 ERA). We'll play the veteran in this one and grab the plus-money with the Phillies.
Philadelphia is 16-5 in its last 21 games as an underdog and they are 7-3 in Moyer's last 10 starts against the Mets. The Phillies have won eight of their last 11 and Moyer just pitched against these Mets on Saturday and his offense rallied to get the 6-5 extra-inning victory.
The Phils have won his last four outings and his last roadie he allowed just one run in six innings of a 13-2 blowout win in Florida. Against New York, the Phillies have won seven of his last 10 outings and his last start in the Big Apple he blanked New York on two hits for seven innings in a 6-2 win last September.
The Mets are going with Michael Pelfrey (3-0, 6.00) who has lost two of his last three outings agaisnt the Phils and gave up three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work in Philly on Friday, but his offense got him a 7-4 victory.
Play the plus-money on Philadelphia tonight as Moyer has a knack of shutting down the Mets.
3♦ PHILADELPHIA
Jeff Benton
Detroit at CHICAGO -110
I'm still on a 24-15 free-play run after Wednesday's selection on the White over Detroit was rained out. We'll stick with the same play for Thursday, as the pitching matchup is slated to remain the same.
Chicago is 5-0 in Mark Buehrle’s five starts this season, with the veteran lefty posting a 3.30 ERA. Buehrle has given up three runs or fewer in all five of his starts, and he’s pitched at least six innings in the last four. Also, he’s made three home starts, going 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA, and he’s dominated Detroit recently, giving up just six earned runs in his last four starts against the Tigers covering 30 innings – that’s a 1.80 ERA.
Meanwhile, although the Tigers have a solid young pitcher on the mound tonight in Armando Galarraga, they also bring a ton of negatives into this contest. They’ve lost 15 of their last 22 road games; they’re 1-4 in their last five games against the White Sox and 1-7 in their last eight games in Chicago; they’re 20-41 in their last 61 as an underdog; they’re 7-23 in their last 30 series-openers; and they’ve dropped four straight contests with Galarraga taking the mound as an underdog.
Throw in the fact that, in addition to going 5-0 with Buehrle pitching this season, the White Sox are 43-17 in his last 60 home starts and 47-20 in his last 67 as a chalk, and getting Chicago at this dirt-cheap price is a steal.
3♦ WHITE SOX
Matt Rivers
For Thursday take a stab with the underdog Nats in LA.
Washington is clearly one of the worst teams in all of baseball but they are not dreadful and do have enough of an upside to win this game.
Jordan Zimmerman is a future stud and can more than hold his own today. The Washington hurler recently won in New York downing a quality Mets squad and is not afraid to pitch on the road against quality competition. This kid is well ahead of his years and even with all of the wins at home the Ddogers still do not frighten me like an elite team should. Sure Manny Ramirez is a killer and there are other quality bats like Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal but in the end Joe Torre's squad is going to lose some ballgames and to get money back like this makes me more than fine in backing the visitors.
Randy Wolf is a decent enough lefty that can hold his own as well tonight as these Nats are not exactly the 1917 Yankees but I don't fully trust the southpaw and will take my chances with Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and a few other at least capable hitters.
All in all obviously Los Angeles is the clear better team but the blue will lose some games at Chavez Ravine and at this price with a young stud on the bump makes me fine with believing today can be the day.
Victor Monte
My Afternoon Comp Play is on the Kansas City Royals!
I am backing the Royals this afternoon & releasing this selection FREE. With last nights Victory the Royals have now Won 5 Straight games and 7 of there last 8 overall coming into play today. I am also aware the Royals scored 9 runs in there 9-1 Win over the Mariners last night. Let's make a note that Kansas City has averaged over 7 Runs Per Game during there current 5 game Winning streak. While the Royals are winning the Mariners have lost 3 straight (2 of the 3 losses were with there best pitchers Hernandez & Bedard on the mound) they have scored just 8 runs in those 3 losses! When we look at the pitching match up we see a major mismatch! The Mariners send "Lefty" Jarrod Washburn to the hill. The Royals have torched southpaws hitting .328 over the last 10 games & have Won 5 in a row against "Lefty Starters". Let's also state that Washburn is a "Money Burning" 9-23 in "Daytime" Games since 2003. This Includes 1-1 this year. In that stretch Washburn has allowed 154 Earned Runs in 285 1/3 Innings! Not good at all playing under the sunlight! Royals starter Brian Bannister has made a living during the day going a Profitable 12-4 in his career day game starts ! Want More? The Mariners have lost there last 5 games inside Kauffman Stadium!
Comp Winner on Kansas City Royals -115
DAVE COKIN
CHICAGO CUBS / HOUSTON ASTROS
Take CHICAGO CUBS
Ted Lilly has been rock solid once again for the Cubs this season, and he's in a pretty good spot to grab a road win this evening. Russ Ortiz is on the hill for Houston, and he just can't keep surviving the constant jams he puts himself in with his lousy control. Ortiz has issued 17 BB in only 19 IP, and he ought to be getting crushed with that ratio. I can't see Ortiz's luck holding out again and I'll look for the Cubs and Lilly to collect another win tonight.
JIM FEIST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS / LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Take OVER
The Angels have had all kinds of injury problems to the pitching staff, which is why their bullpen is worst in the majors from the 7th inning on. Fortunately, the offense has been better than expected, ranked 2nd in the AL in batting and second in steals. Toronto starter Robert Ray is a newcomer, a kid with a 4.76 ERA, walking 4 in 5 innings. You can't be a successful big leaguer and walk batters. Toronto's offense is strong, and this total is too low for an AL game with the DH. Play the Blue Jays/Angels Over the total.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic have gone UNDER the total in four straight games and a fifth game is very likely. The Boston Celtics are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA holding opponents to just over 95 points per game in Boston. Orlando has not scored over 100 points in seven tries against the Celtics. The Magic are 14-4 UNDER coming off back-to-back road games and 13-5 UNDER after a win by 6 or more points. Expect another low scoring game again tonight in Boston.
Play on: UNDER
James Patrick Sports
Canucks vs. Blackhawks
Game #4 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 Thursday NHL complimentary selection is Chicago Blackhawks in their home game as they are 4-1 at home and on a 11-5 run of late and can climb out of a series hole here.
Mike Anthony
Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies and Mets conclude a big two-game series in New York when Jamie Moyer takes on Mike Pelfrey at new Cit Bank Field as Philadelphia looks to even up the score tonight. With Pelfrey in horrible KW form with 10 walks and 4 strikeouts in his last three starts and Moyer 12-6 in his career team starts in this series, for the Mets to drop to 2-9 in Pelfrey's team starts in May here this evening and the crafy veteran Moyer and the Phillies to get the win.
Sports Gambling Hotline
Arizona at SAN DIEGO
Late afternoon action at Petco Park, an we will look for a pitcher's duel between Dan Haren, and Chris Young to break out.
First of all, the Diamondbacks are on a 6-0-1 UNDER run their last 7 games, while the Padres have been LOW in their last pair, and 4 of their last 6.
Dan Haren comes into this one in a groove, winning his last 3 starts, while allowing only 3 runs over his last 24 innings of work. Haren's season ERA stands at 1.47, so it is unlikely the Padres will get much started against him in this matinee.
Chris Young is fresh off 7 innings of 1 run ball at Los Angeles, and back at home the tall righty stands at 2-0 for the season with an ERA of 1.38.
We look for the quality pitching to stiffle the hitting once again today, and for both teams UNDER trends to continue.
Play the LOW.
5♦ UNDER
Sportsbettingstats
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers lead this best of 7 series 1-0.
Even though it is only game 2 of this series it does not look good for the Hawks. They were crushed in game 1 and they fell apart in the 2nd half. There is some hope, as the Hawks need to play like they did in the first half of game 1. In the first half they shot 56% from the floor and only trailed the Cavs by 5 points. In the second half the Hawks went cold and only settled for jump shots. That did not work, as they only scored 28 points in the second half and only shot 30% from the field. Besides Josh Smith the 4 other Hawks starters only shot a grand total of 2 free throws. The Hawks need to play better perimeter defense on LeBron James, Delonte West, and Mo Williams (combined for 68 points in game 1), at tack the rim, and shoot the rock better. Tall order for the Hawks, but they are big underdogs in this game and there is really no pressure on them, as nobody gives them a chance in this series.
The Cavs crushed the Hawks in game 1 on Tuesday night 99-72. For the game the Cavs shot 37/79 for a FG% of 46.8%, while the Hawks shot 28/64 for a FG% of 43.8%. This season the Cavs ranked 13th in scoring (100.3 ppg) and the Hawks ranked 19th (98.1 ppg). On D the Cavs were the best team in the league in terms of points allowed at 91.3 ppg and the Hawks allowed an average of 98 ppg.
Even though the Hawks do not have much inside presence they did play decent D on the tandem of Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who only combined for 11 points on 4/17 shooting in game 1. However, they need to hit the glass better tonight, as in game 1 the Cavs out-rebounded the Hawks and they pulled down 15 offensive boards. Joe Johnson is one of the key players for the Hawks and he played poorly in game one only scoring 11 points and committing 5 turnovers. Speaking of turnovers the Hawks committed 17 in game 1 and they need to hold onto the rock better tonight.
Staff Pick: The Cavs look like they are THE team to beat and the Hawks are simply in their way to getting to the finals. Look for LeBron and company to cruise to another easy victory tonight and cover the big spread.
Cavaliers 95 Hawks 80
Gina
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Go with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Expect Cleveland to continue playing potent defense, as well as the dominant play of King James to crush the Hawks again at home in Game 2. The Cavaliers are 42-2 straight up and 30-14 against the spread at home this season and have covered the spread in ten of its last 11 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers -13
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers
Go with the hot Dodgers to grab their 14th straight home win tonight against the struggling Nationals. Los Angeles is 11-4 in the last 15 games versus Washington and Dodgers' lefthander Randy Wolf is 9-4 with a 4.58 ERA in 19 career starts against them.
Los Angeles Dodgers -165
Mr A
Cleveland Cavaliers -13
St. Louis Cardinals -200
Philadelphia Phillies +120
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Nationals/Dodgers UNDER 9 Runs
I'll take the Under in this matchup tonight as the Dodgers face one of the most talented young pitchers in baseball. Jordan Zimmerman comes in at 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA, and he will be ready to bounce back from his first loss of the season on the road where he is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA. It will also be to his benefit that the Dodgers have not seen him before. Wolf has been solid for LA early on with a 3.18 ERA in his 2 home starts. In a letdown spot after breaking the modern-day MLB record for most consecutive wins to start a season, I expect runs to be harder to come by for the Dodgers here tonight. Washington is 17-4 UNDER vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .280 or better over the last 3 seasons and 25-8 UNDER vs. an NL team with an on base percentage of .350 or better over the last 3 seasons. The Dodgers' Wolf is 13-4 UNDER in home games over the last 2 seasons and 17-4 UNDER in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons. Bet the UNDER.
EZWINNER'S FREE SELECTION
(766) Los Angeles Dodgers -$160
(Listing Wolf and Zimmerman)
The Dodgers still have not lost at home this season and I don't
expect them to lose tonight. Washington has one of the worst
teams in baseball and struggles against left handed starting
pitchers. Lay the juice with LA.
2009 Free Selections Record 68-55 (55.3%)
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Free Selection from Razor Sharp
FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY:
Take NY YANKEES (Pettitte) -150 over Tampa Bay
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Free Selection from Totals4U
Thursday's free selection: Philadelphia/NY Mets over 10 1/2
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
256 - 169 run 60 % Thurs - DODGERS
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