JACK JONES
Chicago White Sox -112 over Baltimore Orioles
Adam Eaton has been horrible this year in allowing 10 runs in eight innings with opponents batting .425 against him. The Orioles offense has been terrible as of late too, scoring two or fewer runs in three of their last four games which has helped the O's lost six of their last seven. The White Sox have gone 5-3 on the road this year, and are actually hitting a shade under .300 away from home. I'll take the hotter team here as I think they continue to roll with a win today.
Mike Rose
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls Under 201
Boston really has to feel fortunate that it was able to come out of Game 2 with the victory. If not for Ray Allens second half efforts, they'd be venturing into hostile waters in a big hole. It really has been unbelievable how easily the Bulls have been able to carve their defense up throughout the first two games of this series. I know KG is the defensive court general, but come on! They've given up a total of 220 points throughout the first two games, and that's something that shouldn't have sat well with HC Doc Rivers. Everything in the papers has stated how Boston plans to be more physical with the Bulls in the UC. Bostons defense really stepped it up on the road this season evidenced by the fact that the under went a $$$-making 26-15 ATS in their 41 lined games.
As for Chicago, it has to be feeling really good about itself right about now. They were a clutch shot from Allen away from shocking the defending champs, and now get to play the next two in their own house. Chicago went a solid 28-13 SU & 22-19 ATS at home throughout the regular season, so the chance of them securing the win in Game 3 looks really good. The guard tandem of Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose has been sensational thus far, with Rose tallying 36 points in Game 1 and Gordon exploding for 42 in Game 2. The Bulls will need another solid outing from at least one of those two to keep the pressure on whats been a very porous Boston defense.
Boston knows its not going to win this series if it continues to falter on the defensive end of the court. While the over is 4-0 ATS in each of the L/4 meetings between these teams, the under is 5-1 ATS the L/6 times they've squared off in the United Center. These clubs have both stated they'll look to be more physical now; ok then, show me!
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Toronto Blue Jays -104
The Jays are yet to drop a series in 2009 and I don't see it happening yet. While Millwood has been solid this season, he has struggled against the Jays to the tune of 1-3 with an ERA of 6.45 and a WHIP of 1.672. I expect Toronto's bats to win this matchup tonight and the numbers support this claim. Plays on home teams (TORONTO) - good power team - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game on the season against an opponent with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 0.800 over his last 3 starts are 33-14 the last 5 seasons. Plus, Millwood is just 19-35 against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 5.2 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. Bet the Jays tonight.
Wunderdog
Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston
Pick: Houston +120
Wandy Rodriguez has always been considered to have plus stuff. Now, he has he finally matured and come of age on the mound, and harnessed that stuff. If his first three games are any indication, then the future looks bright. He has allowed just 11 hits with 18 Ks in his 19 innings so far this season, and pitching to a 1.89 ERA. He has allowed just four earned runs in three quality starts. Chad Billingsley has been an equally impressive 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA to start the season. He is a solid young pitcher, but has struggled on the road where the Dodgers were just 8-10 in his 18 road starts. Of his 16 wins a year ago, just six took place on the road. I will go with the Astros here as a live home dog.