SPORTS ADVISORS
Miami (42-38, 38-40-2 ATS) at Atlanta (46-34, 43-36-1 ATS)
The Hawks put a three-game winning streak on the line when they host the Heat in what likely amounts to a preview of a first-round Eastern Conference playoff matchup.
Atlanta has locked up the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, while Miami sits in the No. 5 slot, two games ahead of Philadelphia and Chicago. If the standings hold, these Southeast Division rivals will square off in the opening round of the playoffs, with the Hawks having home-court advantage.
The Hawks’ offense has sprung to life during their three-game winning streak, averaging 117.7 points per game after managing just 88.3 ppg in their previous six contests, five of which were losses. Atlanta has been idle since Friday’s 122-118 home win over the Pacers, though it came up short as a 5½-point home favorite. The Hawks have followed up an eight-game home winning streak (7-0-1 ATS) by going 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five inside Philips Arena.
Dwyane Wade poured in 55 points to lead Miami to a 122-105 rout of the Knicks as a 6½-point favorite Sunday. Despite that impressive performance, the Heat have been stumbling down the home stretch, going 6-9 (8-7 ATS) in their last 15 games, including 3-7 (5-5 ATS) on the highway.
The Hawks have taken two of three series meetings this year both SU and ATS, and the host has won five of the last six (4-2 ATS) dating to last season. However, going back several years, Miami is on ATS runs of 20-8 overall against the Hawks and 6-2 in Atlanta. Also, the SU winner has covered the number in nine of the last 10 clashes.
Miami is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 on Tuesday and 4-1 ATS in its last five when playing on one day of rest, but the Heat are 19-42-3 ATS in their last 64 games after a SU win and 0-5 ATS in their last five following a double-digit victory. Atlanta’s ATS streaks include 6-2 on Tuesday and 8-3 after a SU win, but 1-4 at home and 2-5 against the Eastern Conference.
The last three meetings in this rivalry have stayed under the total, and the under is 3-1 in the last four clashes at Philips Arena. Otherwise, though, the “over” is on runs of 4-1 for the Hawks overall, 4-1 for the Hawks against the Eastern Conference, 4-1 for Miami overall, 5-0 for Miami against the East and 5-1 for Miami versus Southeast Division rivals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Utah (48-33, 39-42 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (64-17, 42-39 ATS)
In another possible preview of a first-round playoff series, the Jazz head to the Staples Center to face the Lakers in the regular-season finale for both squads.
Utah closed out its home schedule last night with a 106-85 victory over the Clippers as a 12½-point chalk, snapping a three-game SU and ATS losing skid. Despite the win, the Jazz are just 2-6 SU in their last eight games and 4-13 ATS in their last 17 (2-9 ATS in the last 11). Additionally, Jerry Sloan’s squad has dropped eight of its last 10 road contests both SU and ATS. In fact, the winner has cashed in each of Utah’s last 23 games on the highway.
Los Angeles rebounded from Friday’s 106-98 loss at Portland – a defeat that snapped a five-game winning streak – by pounding the Grizzlies 92-75 on Sunday, covering as an 11½-point home favorite. The Lakers have turned up the defense lately, holding nine of their last 12 foes under triple digits, and they’re riding a five-game home winning streak (3-2 ATS).
While the Lakers long ago clinched the top seed in the upcoming Western Conference playoffs, the Jazz remain in the eighth spot in the standings, one game ahead of Dallas. If Utah finishes eighth, these squads will square off in the postseason for the second consecutive year.
The Jazz snapped a three-game losing skid to the Lakers with a 113-109 victory as a one-point home favorite back on Feb. 11. However, including last year’s second-round playoff series, the host is 8-2 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 series clashes, with the Lakers winning the last five at home by an average of 11 ppg. Going back further, the Jazz are 4-9-1 ATS in the last 14 battles with Los Angeles overall and 1-7 ATS in their last eight trips to Staples Center, and the host is 12-4-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings (playoffs included).
In addition to ATS slides of 3-13 overall and 2-8 on the road, the Jazz carry negative pointspread streaks of 2-8 against the Western Conference, 0-6 when playing on back-to-back nights and 1-6 when facing winning teams. Meanwhile, L.A. is on ATS upticks of 5-2 against the Western Conference and 4-1 when playing on one day of rest.
The last five head-to-head meetings in this rivalry have topped the total, and the over is 6-1 in the last seven meeting in Los Angeles. Also, the Jazz are on “over” streaks of 7-2 overall, 6-0 on the road and 5-0 versus winning teams. However, the under is 9-4 in Utah’s last 13 Tuesday contests and 5-1 in its last six against the Pacific Division, while L.A. is on “under” stretches of 12-4 overall, 8-1 at home and 11-3 when playing after one day of rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and OVER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Florida (5-1) at Atlanta (5-1)
The top two teams in the National League open a three-game series at Turner Field, with the Braves scheduled to send veteran Javier Vazquez (0-0, 4.50 ERA) to the mound opposite Marlins youngster Chris Volstad (1-0, 1.80).
Atlanta swept a three-game weekend set from the Nationals, pounding out 19 runs in the process. Bobby Cox’s offense has scored at least four runs in every game this season and is batting .300 overall. The Braves’ only defeat came at Philadelphia on Thursday when they blew a 10-3 seventh-inning lead and lost 12-11. Atlanta is on streaks of 5-0 at home, 6-0 against right-handed starters, 7-1 against N.L. East rivals, 5-1 on Tuesday, 9-2 against righty starters and 37-16 after an off day.
After opening the season with a three-game home sweep of Washington, Florida took two of three from the Mets over the weekend at Dolphin Stadium, including Sunday’s 2-1 victory with righthander Josh Johnson outdueling New York ace Johan Santana. The Marlins’ starters have posted a sterling 2.45 ERA on the season, and going to last season, they’re on runs of 6-1 overall (all against the N.L. East), 12-3 following a victory, 6-0 after an off day and 4-1 as an underdog.
The Braves won the season series from Florida last year 10-8, winning six of the nine games played at Turner Field. Atlanta has won 36 of the last 51 matchups with the Fish at home.
Vazquez made his Braves debut in that wild 12-11 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday and he had a solid outing, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings before watching the bullpen blow his victory. Vazquez, who hasn’t faced Florida since 2005, is 6-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 17 career outings against the Fish.
Volstad, who went 6-4 with a sensational 2.88 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) as a rookie last year, got off to an outstanding start Wednesday as he allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings of a 6-4 victory over the Nationals. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has given up three earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, posting a 2.29 ERA during this stretch. With Volstad on the hill, Florida is on runs of 5-1 overall, 5-1 on the road (all as an underdog) and 4-1 against the N.L. East.
Volstad made two quality starts against the Braves last year, with identical results as he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings in each contest. He lost the first outing 4-0, then got a no-decision in his team’s 5-3 victory in early September.
For the Braves, the “over” is on runs 11-4 at home, 7-2 on Tuesday, 11-3 against right-handed starters, 8-2 as a favorite and 7-3 after an off day. Conversely, Florida sports “under” streaks of 7-0 as an underdog, 11-3-1 overall with Volstad on the hill and 5-1 when Volstad works on the road. Lastly, the under is 4-1 in the last five Braves-Marlins meetings, but the over is 5-2-1 in the last eight clashes in Atlanta.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (3-4) at Tampa Bay (4-3)
A.J. Burnett (1-0, 3.38) makes his second start in pinstripes when he opposes the Rays’ Matt Garza (1-0, 1.29) in the middle game of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.
The Rays pounced on New York starter Chien-Ming Wang on Monday and led 9-0 with no outs in the second inning en route to a 15-5 blowout victory in their home opener. Tampa Bay is on positive runs of 59-20 at home (playoffs included), 44-13 against right-handed starters, 5-1 on Tuesday and 14-7 against A.L. East rivals.
Despite Monday’s embarrassing defeat, New York is still 15-6 in its last 21 overall, 10-4 in its last 14 against divisional foes and 6-3 against Tampa Bay.
Burnett lasted only 5 1/3 innings in his Yankees debut at Baltimore on Thursday, but gave up just two runs on seven hits while striking out six in an 11-2 victory. Going back to last season when he was with Toronto, Burnett is 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA in his last four road starts, giving up a total of four earned runs in 26 1/3 innings.
Burnett is 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 16 career starts against Tampa Bay, including 2-2 with a 2.30 ERA in seven outings at Tropicana Field. Last year, the veteran righthander went 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in three starts against the Rays.
Garza allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings in his season debut Thursday in Boston, and the Rays held on for a 4-3 victory. Tampa Bay is 4-0 in Garza’s last four starts against divisional rivals, but 1-5 in his last six as a favorite.
Garza went 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 15 regular-season starts at home last season and 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA in three outings against the Yankees. For his career, Garza is 1-2 with a 4.56 ERA in five games (four starts) versus New York.
The over is 6-1 in the last seven Yanks-Rays contests. Additionally, the over is on streaks of 6-1 for the Yankees against the A.L. East, 9-3 for the Yankees as an underdog, 4-1 for the Yankees against right-handed starters and 16-6 for the Rays when facing a right-handed starter at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
DUNKEL
Cincinnati at Milwaukee
The Brewers are 0-5 in Manny Parra's last 5 starts and run into a Cincinnati team that is 5-1 in Bronson Arroyo's last 6 starts as an underdog between +110 and +150. The Reds are the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has Cincinnati favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+120).
Game 901-902: Florida at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 15.205; Atlanta (Vazquez) 16.373
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-135); Under
Game 903-904: Cincinnati at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 15.292; Milwaukee (Parra) 14.114
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+120); Under
Game 905-906: St. Louis at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.307; Arizona (Scherzer) 14.568
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+150); Under
Game 907-908: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 15.542; Detroit (Porcello) 16.222
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-130); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+120); Under
Game 909-910: LA Angels at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Loux) 14.928; Seattle (Silva) 16.086
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-115); Over
Game 911-912: NY Yankees at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 15.903; Tampa Bay (Garza) 16.823
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-125); Over
Game 913-914: Baltimore at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Simon) 16.246; Texas (McCarthy) 15.086
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 13
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+110); Over
Game 915-916: Toronto at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 15.470; Minnesota (Perkins) 14.664
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+135); Under
Game 917-918: Cleveland at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Pavano) 14.898; Kansas City (Davies) 16.009
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-155); Over
Game 919-920: Boston at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Matsuzaka) 14.231; Oakland (Eveland) 15.256
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+140); Under
Craig Trapp
Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Florida Marlins
Records:
Florida (5-1) Volstad 1-0 (1.80 ERA)
Atlanta (5-1) Vazquez 0-0 (4.50 ERA)
Trends:
Marlins are 12-3 in their last 15 games following a win.
Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Braves are 8-21 in their last 29 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Braves are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
Atlanta turns to Vasquez who is 6-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 17 career games against the Marlins, whom he hasn't faced since 2005. Vasquez is 6-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 17 career games against the Marlins, whom he hasn't faced since 2005. Florida will hand the ball to Chris Volstad, a right-hander who went 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 15 games - 14 starts - as a rookie in 2008. Volstad continued his smooth transition to the majors in his 2009 debut Wednesday, holding Washington to one earned run while striking out a career-high seven in a 6-4 win. Volstad is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against the Braves. Atlanta went 10-8 against Florida in 2008, including 6-3 at Turner Field. Atlanta is due for a letdown offensively and against one of the best young pitchers will definately have one. SCORE FLA 3 - ATL 1
Alex Smart
Kansas City Royals -137
The Cleveland Indians enter into this road tilt against the Kansas City Royals with a lowly 1-6 record to start their season. Breaking out of their current funk is most probably not on todays agenda as they send the reeling Carl Povano out to the hill , who in his opening day assignment struggled with his location. The veteran righty threw just 39 pitches, allowing 9 runs on 6 hits including two home runs and three walks in just a little over inning , for a massive 81.00 ERA. The often injured Povano is 0-1 along with a bloated 10.50 ERA in two career outings vs the Royals. Meanwhile, the KC Royals with a 4-3 record, will return fire with the extremely capable Kyle Davies, who is off a 7 inning shut out performance in his opening day assignment, allowing just 3 hits, while striking out eight,in a 2-1 win vs the White Sox. That performance followed up last seasons perfect 3-0 September .Considering the current form of both pitchers, the edge must go to a Royals side playing the friendly confines of their own stadium (Kauffman).
Final notes & Key Trends: The Royals have won their L/8 home games as favorites and have been very tough against right handed starters dating back to last season winning 10 of their L/11 contests. The Indians have lost 6 straight against right handers like Davies. Indians have lost 4 straight games at KC.
Play on the KC Royals
JIM FEIST
UTAH JAZZ / LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Take: LOS ANGELES LAKERS.
LA has been playing defense the last month, on a 12-4 run under the total. That was evident again in a 92-75 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Andruw Bynum had a team-high 18 points, Kobe Bryant had 16 points, and the Lakers improved to 64-17 with one regular-season game left Tuesday against Utah. They take on a team that hasn't played defense all year. Utah is also in a tough situational spot, playing their 4th game in 5 nights, plus the second of a back to back road spot. Play the rested Lakers.
DAVE COKIN
CLEVELAND INDIANS VS KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Take: KANSAS CITY ROYALS
The Indians are off to another miserable start and their problems are likely to continue tonight. Carl Pavano got trashed in his first start and he's matched up tough tonight against Kyle Davies, who was razor sharp in his '09 debut for KC. Davies closed 2008 with a rush and it looks like he might be on the verge of taking a step forward. I don't think Davies has enough stuff to be an upper-tier starter, but he's giving indications he can be a solid middle of the rotation type. The Royals are clearly playing better ball than the Tribe right now, so I'll have to look for KC to garner another win at home tonight.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Cleveland w/Pavano vs Davies
The Indians send Carl Pavano to the mound to take on Kyle Davies and the Royals in Kansas City Tuesday evening. Despite getting lit up in his debut with the Tribe last week the fact of the matter is Pavano had a solid spring training and has cashed in 12 of his last 16 team starts in April. With Davies owning a 5.54 ERA in April the previous three seasons and a 1-3 mark with a 9.00 ERA in his career team starts against the Tribe, look for Pavano to make amends for his poor debut with Cleveland here tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
After another loss last night the Indians are now off to a 1-6 start to the season. Cleveland has really had trouble with their pitching this season. Prior to last night's game the Indians starting staff had an ERA of 11.62. Pavano takes his 81.00 ERA to the mound tonight. In his first start of the year Pavaon lasted 1 inning giving up 6 hits and 9 ER's. The Royals counter with Kyle Davies who had an excellent start to the season. Davies went 7 strong innings striking out 8 while giving up 0 ER's. Look for the Indians to struggle and lose another one tonight. Play on the Kansas City Royals -.
Scott Spreitzer
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
Detroit lost a 10-6 shootout yesterday, but I expect a quick bounce-back by the Tigers, who pounded southpaws in home day games a season ago. Detroit finished 2008 with a 6-2 mark in this situation, scoring an average of almost 5 1/2 runs per game. White Sox lefty John Danks sports a hefty 6.75 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and .318 BAA in his two starts at Comerica Park...not a good sign considering how well the Tigers rip lefties at home in general. Detroit sends Rick Porcello to the bump today. The righty led the Florida State League in ERA last season (2.66) while sporting a strong 1.19 WHIP. He has developed a good, low-90s MPH sinker to go along with an incredible four-seam fastball. The 20-year old gave up four earned runs in five innings in his debut last week in Toronto. But he's back at home and I expect a winning result on Tuesday. He should get plenty of support (as mentioned above) and I'll back the Tigers with the youngster on the mound. I'm playing the underdog Tigers on Tuesday afternoon.
Ben Burns
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
It's never wise to read too much into a single performance. That said, it's also important to know what's going on. In tonight's game, we've got a pitcher going for the Royals who was dominant in his opener against an Indians' pitcher who was absolutely rocked in his.
Pavano goes for the Indians and he lasted only a single inning in his first start. Remarkably, he allowed a whopping nine runs in that span, giving him an 81.00 ERA heading into tonight's game. Cleveland lost that game by a score of 12-8. While Pavano is certainly better than he showed, let's also remember that he hasn't had an ERA below 4.76 since 2004.
Davies goes for the Royals and he pitched seven shutout innings in his first start, allowing a mere three hits during that stretch, striking out eight along the way. KC won that game by a score of 2-1. You may recall that Davies closed out last season with three straight victories. That prompted Royals manager Trey Hillman to comment: "He's on the same roll that he finished August with, and went through September with...Very impressive."
Davies doesn't have very good career numbers vs. the Indians. However, he was tough in his lone start against them last season. In that game, he gave up just one run through five complete innings. The Royals won by a score of 4-2. On the other hand, Pavano struggled in his lone start against the Royals. He lasted 5 1/3 innings but gave up nine hits (2 hrs) and five runs.
With yesterday's series opening victory, the Royals are 4-3 on the season while the Indians are just 1-6, including 0-4 on the road. It's also worth noting that the Royals are now 13-7 (+3.4) the last 20 times they were listed as road favorites in the -125 to -150 range. Consider a play on KC.
Big Al Mcmordie
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
At 8:10pm our member selection is on the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Indians. The Royals have to be excited about their young team, especially their pitching. At the top of their rotation they have Gil Meche and Zack Greinke and both have already pitched well this season, and perhaps most encouraging is that their #3 starter, righthander Kyle Davies has also looked impressive in his first start. This season it looks as though Davies may finally fulfill the promise that he brought with him into the league when he was a highly touted prospect coming up with the Braves in 2005. Davies is still relatively young (25) and last season was his most productive as he had career bests in wins (9) and ERA (4.06). Davies ended 2008 on a very strong note, going 4-1 in the month of September and he followed that up with a very strong Spring, then matched his career high with eight strikeouts in his season debut last Thursday. He pitches very well at home (two-thirds of his starts in 2008 came at Kauffman Stadium) and he did not disappoint the home crowd in most of those efforts while posting a sub-4 ERA there. KC almost reached the .500 mark against the Tribe in 2008 (8-10) and with the team they've assembled, nobody would be surprised if they take the season series against them in '09. The Indians avoided their worst start ever when they finally won their first game on Sunday, but chances are tougher times are still ahead for this group of under-achievers. Take the Royals.
Carlo Campanella
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
Cleveland has lost 6 of their first 7 games this season, including a 1-1 split as they play the third game in this series at Kansas City on Tuesday. The Royals should continue to kick Cleveland when they're down as they start Kyle Davies on the mound. Davies has each of his last 3 starts, including his season opener, by holding those opponents to just 3 Earned Runs in 20 Innings Pitched! Those numbers will be more than enough to beat a Cleveland squad that's allowed 4 Runs or more in ALL 7 games this season and now start Pavano on the mound, who allowed an INCREDIBLE 9 Earned Runs in only 1 Inning Pitched during his first effort of this new season!
7* Play On Kansas City
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take the number back with the Diamondbacks.
Chris Carpenter had that absolutely brilliant first start which was a great sign for Cardinals fan across the world but I still do not believe he can be all of the way back from the injuries.
Albert Pujols is God and the Redbirds should be pretty good this season finishing up possibly above .500. But I do feel that Arizona is the better team and to get a very good young kid in Max Scherzer plus a quality price back at home is fine with me here.
Scherzer is a guy that absolutely dazzled when he was brought up last season. This kid has a huge upside with his nasty stuff and could outpitch the former Cy Young awar winner and I truly would not be all that shocked.
If Carpenter does what he did last outing then Arizona is clearly in trouble. But it is asking a lot to twirl a gem like that in a second straight outing when not pitching for so long. Let's face it, Carpenter is a guy that obviously still has an upside, as he just proved against the Pirates, but his mechanics and stuff will just not be there all the time, they can't be. Missing all of that time and the wear and tear now on his aging body will catch up to him and not let him just dazzle every time out.
The Diamondbacks are an 86 or so win type of a team this season with solid young guys in Chris Young, Connor Jackson, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds and Stephen Drew. These guys overall are not a team I would deem as great and none of them are close to being the superstar that Pujols is but D-Backs are at home here, have a solid young hurler with a high ceiling and are up against a guy in Carpenter who I truly believe will regress a bit today.
Plus this number is too much to pass up, period!
Tony Weston
We’re coming through once again today as we’re taking the Yankees on the road at the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sure some of you might be scared off by that performance, or lackthereof, by the Yankees in Game 1 of this series yesterday, but don’t fret. Chien Ming Wang isn’t pitching and New York will even this series behind scheduled starter A.J. Burnett.
Consider that in 16 career starts against the Rays, Burnett is 7-4 with a solid 2.98 ERA. Also, in this series the Yankees are 6-3 their last nine games against Tampa and are 2-0 their last two matchups when the Rays send Matt Garza to the mound.
In those last two meetings against Garza, New York outscored Tampa 13-7.
Keep in mind, too, that Tampa has won only one of Garza’s last six starts when the Rays were installed as a favorite.
Garza and the Rays also have to deal with a Yankees team that has won 10 of its last 14 games against the AL East and is 15-6 overall its last 21 games.
The Yankees will avenge yesterday’s loss and get over on Tampa today.
3♦ YANKEES
Sports Gambling Hotline
Florida at ATLANTA -130
Both Florida and Atlanta off to good starts, but the Braves have been just a little better in the early going, and we will back them as the home favorite tonight with Javier Vazquez on the hill.
Vazquez pitched decent in his first Atlanta start, working 6 innings while allowing 3 runs in a no decision at Philadelphia. Look for Florida to have some problems in the early going figuring him out since he has been in the American League for the past few seasons.
Carl Volstad counters, and he did record a win in his first start of the year, dumping the winless Nats. Against Atlanta last season, he went 0-1 in 2 starts, allowing 6 runs over his 12 frames of work.
Atlanta did double up Florida at the Ted, going 6-3 at home versus the Marlins, and they are 11-7 overall against the Fish in Hot-lanta the last 2 season's.
Play on the Bravos in this one.
4♦ ATLANTA