DAVE COKIN
ORLANDO MAGIC / HOUSTON ROCKETS
Take ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic and Rockets can both use a win tonight, but with the #2 seed on the line in the Eastern Conference, it might be even bigger for the Orlando side. The home court has meant very little in this series with the visitor winning eight of the last 10 meetings outright, a trend I believe continues tonight. I'll go with the Magic to notch the road win and cover.
Nick Parsons
Atlanta Braves @ Phillies
Play: Philly -120
The Philadelphia Phillies rode a lineup that thrived on the home run to a World Series title last season. In the 2009 opener, it was the Phillies that were victimized by the long ball. Philadelphia looks to get its offense in gear and pick up its first victory of the season when it continues a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. I look for the veteran Jamie Moyer to outduel his counterpart Jair Jurrjens; Jurrjens went 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA in four starts against the Phillies last year. Play on PHILLY!
John Martin
1 Unit on Rockies/Diamondbacks Under 9
(Listing Jimenez and Haren)
I really like this UNDER Tuesday after the Rockies & Diamondbacks scored a ton of runs Monday. If that hadn’t happened, this Total would have been set at 8 runs most likely, placing all value on the UNDER tonight. Aaron Cook and Brandon Webb got lit up yesterday, but don’t expect the same to happen to Ubaldo Jimenez and Dan Haren tonight. Jimenez posted a 3.99 ERA last season, and the UNDER was 22-12 in his 34 starts. Haren posted a 3.33 ERA last year for yet another consistent season as a starter. The UNDER is 6-1 in Jimenez’ last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The UNDER is 21-7 in Jimenez’ last 28 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. The UNDER is 8-2 in Diamondbacks’ last 10 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The UNDER is 4-0 in Jimenez’ last 4 starts vs. Diamondbacks. Home Plate Ump Brian O’Nora is known for having a big strike zone, and the UNDER is 7-2 in O'Noras last 9 games behind home plate. Cash in with the UNDER 9 runs.
John Ryan
Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros
Play: Houston Astros
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Houston as they take on the Cubs slated to start at 8:05 EST. Houston is 14-6 (+9.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons. HC Cooper is a solid 18-8 (+11.8 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 as the manager of Houston. Dempster didn't fare well the last time he took the mound in a game that counted, allowing four runs and seven walks in 4 2-3 innings of the Cubs' 7-2 loss to Los Angeles in Game 1 of the NL Division series. He's also struggled against Houston, going 4-9 with a 5.18 ERA in 15 starts. Wandy Rodriguez has won nine games in each of his last three seasons, is 4-4 with a 4.68 ERA in 10 starts against Chicago, including 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA versus the Cubs at Minute Maid Park.
Ratedpicks
NO Hornets vs Miami Heat -4
Miami is in a great spot here, after winning against Washington on Saturday, they pull closer to the Hawks. Miami is playing at home, against a banged up and tired Hornets team (20-17 SU and 14-22-1 ATS on the road), with James Posey and center Tyson Chandler out for the game, look for the Heat to cruise and win this one by 8.
Orlando Magic -1 vs Houston Rockets
Easy play here on the Magic, facing the rockets on the road. When the Magic are a Favorite OR a 'Dog between -2 and +2 they are 15-5 out of the last 20, and playing ofr the #2 seed in the playoffs is a must for this young team. The Magic are just the better team, and in this last stretch of the season, look for them to pull it out.
LT Profits
Tampa Bay Rays +135
While we would like to preface this selection by saying that we expect the Tampa Bay Rays to regress this season after a magical World Series run last year, we do see value at this price in the opener vs. the Boston Red Sox today.
Rays starter James Shields has some of the nastiest stuff in the league, and he is one of the few Tampa Bay players that we could see either duplicating or even possibly improving on his season last year. He had good success against the Red Sox year also, recording four Quality Starts in six starts against them including a perfect two for two in the ALCS.
On the other hand, Josh Beckett was somewhat of a disappointment in 2008, going just 12-10 with a 4.03 ERA. As great as his reputation is, this marked the second time in three years that he had an ERA over 4.00 (it was a poor 5.01 in 2006), and he has become rather injury prone.
It remains to be seen if a heavy workload earlier in his career is a contribution factor, but the fact is that Beckett had a difficult time going beyond six innings when he did make it to the mound last season. As if that is not disconcerting enough, Beckett did not exactly fool the Rays batters in two starts in the ALCS, allowing a total of 10 earned runs and 13 hits in just 9.1 innings over two starts.
While it may be short-lived, look for the Tampa Bay magic from last year to carry over into opening day here.
Pick: Rays +135
Marc Lawrence
Play On: San Antonio
When the Spurs take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City this evening they will do so knowing they are playing with DOUBLE REVENGE from a pair of losses suffered earlier this season. With San Antonio off a 20-point loss, look for the Spurs to improve to 8-1 SU and 6-2 ATS as road favorites with same season double revenge here tonight.
LEE KOSTROSKI
Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins
PICK: Seattle Mariners
Had the Twins played better against Seattle last August they likely would have made the playoffs but the lowly Mariners won four times against Minnesota late in the year. High profile acquisition Erik Bedard was not involved in any of those games as his season was shutdown early but all indications are that Bedard is ready to go after limited action this spring. The Twins have had past problems against left-handed pitching as several key hitters in the lineup are left-handed, although Joe Mauer will not be one of them as he has been placed on the DL.
Nick Blackburn only pitched 14 innings this spring and although he won eleven games last year there is reason to believe his numbers could be worse this season. Opponents hit .279 against Blackburn last season and he has just 96 strikeouts in 193 innings pitched. Home runs were a bit of a problem and he figures to be the least steady of the young Twins starters in the rotations. The Twins bullpen has a great closer but the middle innings were a problem last season and could again be an issue this year.
Minnesota had a great season last year built on incredible numbers hitting with runners in scoring position. Those numbers will be hard to replicate and Minnesota may be a team that sees a drop in the standings this year. In 2007 Bedard was a Cy Young candidate that was routinely priced as a heavy favorite, he is a bargain at this number going against a second year starter that was inconsistent last season. The Mariners have some potential this season and even with Ichiro out of the lineup there is enough offense on this club to surprise early in the year.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Minnesota Twins -115
After getting crushed 6-1 in last night's home Opener, expect the Twins to bounce back strong tonight. I'll gladly fade the Mariner's Erik Bedard as he is 0-5 when starting against Minnesota with an ERA of 4.84 and a WHIP of 1.783. The Twins are one of the best hitting teams in the bigs against Southpaws at 18-3 in their last 21 home games vs. a left-handed starter. The Mariners are 1-10 in their last 11 games as a road underdog and 13-40 in their last 53 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game. Bet the Twins tonight.
DUNKEL
New Orleans at Miami
The Hornets are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog between 1 and 4 1/2 points, while the Heat are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite by the same margin. Miami is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-3 1/2).
Game 651-652: Atlanta at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 122.093; Toronto 120.410
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 197
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-1); Under
Game 653-654: Philadelphia at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 115.572; Charlotte 123.040
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 7 1/2; 187 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 4 1/2; 185 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-4 1/2); Over
Game 655-656: New Orleans at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 114.553; Miami 121.766
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 7; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 3 1/2; 189
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-3 1/2); Over
Game 657-658: Portland at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 121.844; Memphis 118.798
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 3; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 7; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+7); Over
Game 659-660: San Antonio at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 119.400; Oklahoma City 115.388
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 4; 196 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 661-662: New York at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: New York 112.272; Chicago 123.897
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 11 1/2; 221
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 8; 217
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-8); Over
Game 663-664: Orlando at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 121.972; Houston 125.910
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 4; 188
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston; Under
Game 665-666: LA Lakers at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 121.206; Sacramento 115.263
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 6; 209
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 667-668: Minnesota at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.582; LA Clippers 113.448
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 3; 200
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
MLB
Seattle at Minnesota
The Twins are 6-1 in Nick Blackburn's last 7 home starts as a favorite and look to take advantage of a Seattle team that is just 1-10 in their last 11 games as a road underdog. Minnesota is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120).
Game 951-952: Milwaukee at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 13.955; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.342
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-185); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-185); Over
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 15.777; Philadelphia (Moyer) 16.850
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120); Over
Game 955-956: Washington at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Olsen) 13.223; Florida (Johnson) 15.862
Dunkel Line: Florida by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-165); Under
Game 957-958: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 16.466; Houston (Rodriguez) 15.349
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-130); Under
Game 959-960: Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 16.385; St. Louis (Lohse) 15.116
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+155); Over
Game 961-962: Colorado at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.349; Arizona (Haren) 14.748
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+155); Under
Game 963-964: LA Dodgers at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Wolf) 13.872; San Diego (Young) 14.568
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-130); Over
Game 965-966: Detroit at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 13.532; Toronto (Purcey) 16.607
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 3; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-125); Over
Game 967-968: Seattle at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Bedard) 15.170; Minnesota (Blackburn) 16.073
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Minnesota (120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120); Under
Game 969-970: Oakland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Cahill) 14.908; LA Angels (Moseley) 14.669
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+130); Under
Game 971-972: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 16.998; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.822
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+130); Under
Game 973-974: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 16.295; Boston (Beckett) 14.851
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+135); Over
NHL
St. Louis at Phoenix
The Blues are 6-1 in their last 7 games versus the Pacific Division, while the Coyotes are 0-7 in their last 7 against the Central. St. Louis is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Blues favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-135).
Game 51-52: Toronto at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.545; New Jersey 12.130
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-260); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-260); Over
Game 53-54: NY Islanders at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 10.707; Carolina 12.890
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-320); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-320); Over
Game 55-56: Washington at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.728; Atlanta 12.234
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-165); 7
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+145); Over
Game 57-58: Florida at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.951; Philadelphia 11.613
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+165); Under
Game 59-60: Montreal at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.714; NY Rangers 11.691
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+140); Under
Game 61-62: Boston at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.987; Ottawa 12.169
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+145); Under
Game 63-64: Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.114; Tampa Bay 10.195
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-240); 6
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-240); Over
Game 65-66: Chicago at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.631; Nashville 11.284
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-110); Over
Game 67-68: Dallas at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 10.361; Minnesota 11.805
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-200); 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-200); Under
Game 69-70: Los Angeles at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 10.654; Edmonton 11.601
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-180); Over
Game 71-72: Calgary at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.334; Vancouver 10.446
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+140); Under
Game 73-74: St. Louis at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.242; Phoenix 10.273
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-135); Under
Game 75-76: Colorado at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 10.310; San Jose 11.635
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-400); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-400); Over
ALEX SMART
Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins
PICK: Minnesota Twins
Southpaw hurler Erik Bedard was a big disappointment for the Seattle Mariners last season , because of shoulder, hip and back problems. Despite of what was described as a pain free spring in cactus league play, he was just 1-1 along with a bloated 5.56 ERA and looks primed to be beat around by a Minnesota team that plays their best baseball at home in the Metro Dome. It must be noted that the Twinkies have been especially tough when hosting lefties as is evident by their 18-3 L/21 record. Meanwhile, the Twins, will return fire with sophomore right hurler Nick Blackburn, who is off a 11-11 rookie season along with a 4.05 ERA. He has shown promise, and with his team winning 6 of his L/7 starts in the land of Lakes as favorite, looks like a viable pitcher to back. Both teams are missing integral offensive components with the Mariners playing without super star Ichiro and the Twins missing Joe Mauers bat ,so they are on even grounds personnel wise . The main difference maker will come via the pitching matchup and home field advantage.
Final notes & Key Trends: Mariners are 4-17 in their last 21 games with umpire Chuck Meriwether behind home plate . The Twins pounded out 27 runs in three home wins over the Mariners last season. Bedard is 0-5 with a 4.84 ERA against the Twins in seven career starts.Play on Minnesota to win (moneyline)
Tom Freese
Orlando Magic at Houston Rockets
Prediction: Orlando Magic
Two NBA heavyweights hook up tonight when the Magic takes on the Rockets in Houston. Orlando has won 8 of their last 9 games while Houston has won 10 of their last 15 games. The Magic have been road warriors going 59-28-3 ATS their last 90 road games. They are also 22-8 ATS their 30 games vs. winning teams. The Rockets are 7-21-1 ATS off an ATS win and they are 7-17-1 ATS off a double digit win. PLAY ON ORLANDO
Dwayne Bryant
MIN (-108) vs SEA
Look for the Twins to bounce back tonight after losing the home opener last night, 6-1.The Mariners lefty starter Erik Bedard is getting a lot of respect with this line. Bedard has been dominant in the past, but his recent history is a bit questionable.Bedard averaged just 5 1/3 innings in his 15 starts last season, struggling with hip and back problems before requiring season-ending surgery on his pitching shoulder.Bedard is ready to appear in a regular-season game for the first time since July 4th against Detroit, although he was slowed for part of the spring with sore buttocks.He'll try to start by beating the Twins for the first time. He's 0-5 with a 4.84 ERA against them in seven career starts, with Minnesota's Justin Morneau plaguing his Canadian countryman, going 8-for-16 with two home runs.On the heels of his breakout rookie season in 2008, right-hander Nick Blackburn will try to help Minnesota get back on track. Blackburn was 11-11 with a 4.05 ERA in 33 starts last season, serving as a steady presence to help the Twins reach a one-game playoff with the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central crown. He faced Seattle just once, earning the victory after giving up three runs in six innings of Minnesota's 7-3 road win on 8/6/08.The Twins are 18-3 in their last 21 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Minnesota totaled 27 runs in three home wins over the Mariners last season and I expect them to bounce back tonight. Take Minnesota.
Andre Gomes
NOH +4.5 vs MIA
The Hornets are coming from a humiliating home loss against the Jazz 94-108. I remember that it was the first road win of the Jazz against a Western top team and the Hornets didn't have any change to compete as they trailed 19-41 after the first quarter. The Jazz pounded the Hornets down the post by taking advantage from the fact that Tyson Chandler is still out. Utah had 40 points in the paint . . . in the first half alone. They finished the game with 54 points inside vs just 36 points from the Hornets.I expect a great bounce back tonight for the Hornets as they face the Heat on the Road: "This was very frustrating, " Hornets Coach Byron Scott said. "We talked the other day about coming out and being aggressive with this team. And when I say aggressive, I mean to kind of take away things. I thought we just allowed them to pass the ball where they wanted to, go where they wanted to.Miami is coming from 2 nice road wins against the Bobcats and the Wizards and they come to home in a good mood. Dwayne Wade is carrying this team but I think that the Hornets have a real chance to perform fine today. First of all the Heat doesn't have a powerful frontcourt that can pound the Hornets inside the paint. They are ranked just 22th with 37.3 ppg in pointer in the paint per game and for this contest power forward Udonis Haslem is out! In those last 2 wins in Charlotte and Washington the Heat was actually outscored in the paint 38-50 and 36-50. This is a clear sign that Miami is relying on their perimeter shooters. Head coach Spoelstra started with forward Yahkouba Diawara in the place of Haslem and the Heat played small ball last game.In my opinion I really think that the Hornets have the edge on the frontcourt because David West won't have any real opponent tonight. Also rookie Chalmers has a tough matchup tonight against Chris Paul. Despite Chalmers is a good defender the fact is that he struggled to keep up defensively with the likes of Will Solomon, Nate Robinson and Sebastian Telfair.Miami is coming from a short road trip and this is flat spot for them. The Heat are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win of more than 10 points and I expect the Hornets to perform well with the sense of urgency. This series has been a good matchup for the Hornets as they are 6-0-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings vs Miami and I think this is likely to be a ballgame and Chris Paul will took over the game. Take the Hornets in here
Ron Raymond
PHI / FLA Over 5.5
When FLORIDA played as Road Underdog- in the month of April; The OVER is 7-3-0 for the Panthers in this spot the L10 Games.