SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(3) Orlando (5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS) at (2) Boston (6-4, 5-4-1 ATS)
With a buzzer-beating victory in Orlando in Game 4, the Celtics return to TD Banknorth Garden with the home-court advantage back in their favor as they try to go up 3-2 on the Magic in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Glen Davis, in the lineup only because injured Kevin Garnett is out for the season, finished his 21-point performance with a game-winning 19-footer as time expired Sunday to give the Celtics a 95-94 victory as a five-point road pup and even this series at 2-2. Paul Pierce had a game-high 27 points and point guard Rajon Rondo finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds for Boston, which won despite scoring just 16 fourth-quarter points.
Just 48 hours after shooting almost 60 percent from the floor in a Game 3 blowout win at home, the Magic were held to 40 percent shooting Sunday and just 18.5 percent from beyond the three-point line. Dwight Howard had a monster game with 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis chipped in 22 points for the Magic, who got outrebounded 44-38.
Orlando has won five of its last seven overall (4-3 ATS) and seven of its last 11 (5-6 ATS), and the Magic are 3-2 (2-3 ATS) on the road in the playoffs, including a Game 1 victory in this series. The Celtics have alternated wins and losses in their last nine outings (5-3-1 ATS) and they are 4-2 (2-4 ATS) inside the Garden in the postseason.
Orlando has won four of the last six head-to-head contests against the Celtics (3-3 ATS), including taking two of the last three in Boston. However, they’re still just 4-13 ATS in their last 17 trips to Beantown and the host in this rivalry is on streaks of 10-4 SU and 23-11 ATS.
The Magic are just 5-11 ATS in their last 16 overall, 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 against Atlantic Division teams, but they’re on positive ATS runs of 36-16-3 as an underdog, 14-5 as a road ‘dog, 16-7-1 on Tuesdays and 49-20-1 after a straight-up loss.
The Celtics are just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 conference semifinal games, 7-15 ATS in their last 22 at home and 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine following a spread-cover, but they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight as a home chalk of less than five points.
The under is 5-2 in the last seven Magic-Celtics meetings (2-2 in this series). Meanwhile, Orlando is on a plethora of “under” runs that include 12-5 overall, 6-1 after a non-cover, 15-6 after one day off, 5-2 as an underdog, 12-5 against the Atlantic Division and 4-0 on Tuesdays. On the flip side, Boston carries “over” streaks of 14-4 overall, 35-16-1 at home, 18-5 as a favorite, 21-7 against Eastern Conference teams 6-1 as a playoff favorite and 5-0 on Tuesdays.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(5) Houston (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS) at (1) L.A. Lakers (6-3, 4-5 ATS)
The Rockets dominated the Lakers in Game 4 on Sunday to even this best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal, and now it’s a best-of-3 series as the action shifts back to Staples Center in Los Angeles for Game 5.
Playing without center Yao Ming, who is out for the season with a broken foot, the Rockets shocked Los Angeles 99-87 as a 7½-point home underdog Sunday, leading by as many as 29 in the third quarter before cruising in the fourth quarter. Houston point guard Aaron Brooks finished with 34 points and Luis Scola had 11 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way. Shane Battier added 23 points and hit his first four three-point shots to help the Rockets build a sizable early lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Lakers got 30 points and nine boards from Pau Gasol but just two other teammates hit double-digits in scoring, including a lowly 15 from Kobe Bryant, who played nearly 35 minutes. Also, despite the fact Houston didn’t have the 7-foot-6 Yao manning the post, the Rockets still had a 43-37 rebounding edge.
Houston has won 11 of its last 16 (9-7 ATS) while the Lakers are 13-4 in their last 17 (9-8 ATS). The Rockets are 2-3 (3-2 ATS) on the highway this postseason, including a 100-92 upset victory as an 8½-point underdog in Game 1 in Los Angeles last week. The Lakers are 4-1 (2-3 ATS) inside the Staples Center in the playoffs.
Including this playoff series, the Lakers are 6-2 SU and ATS against the Rockets this season and 9-5 ATS in the last 14 meetings overall. Furthermore, Los Angeles has cashed in four of the last five clashes in Hollywood.
Rick Adelman’s Rockets are on ATS slides of 5-11 against Pacific Division teams, 11-25-1 after a spread-cover, 2-5 after getting one day off and 3-7 on the road against teams with winning home records. Meanwhile, Phil Jackson’s squad is 5-2 ATS in its last seven after a non-cover, but just 4-9 in its last 13 as a playoff favorite.
After going over the posted number in Games 2 and 3, Sunday’s contest stayed well below the total making the under 4-2 in the last six series clashes.
The Rockets have soared over the total in nine of its last 12 Tuesday contests, but otherwise they are on “under” streaks of 6-2 overall, 5-2 after getting one day off and 5-2 after a straight-up win. Los Angeles has topped the total in five of its last seven conference semifinal games, but it also is on a host of “under” runs that include 5-2 overall, 7-3 on Tuesdays, 15-3-1 after a non-cover, 13-3 after a straight-up loss, 5-2 as a playoff favorite and 15-7 after getting one day off.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers (22-11) at Philadelphia (15-14)
Young lefty Clayton Kershaw (1-2, 4.91 ERA) is slated to take the mound at Citizens Bank Park as the Dodgers open a six-game road trip with a series against the Phillies. Los Angeles capped an 11-game homestand with Saturday’s 7-5, 13-inning loss to the Giants. Since Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for violating baseball’s substance-abuse policy, the Dodgers have lost three of four, which follows a seven-game winning streak.
Philadelphia is coming off consecutive weekend home losses to the Braves by scores of 6-2 and 4-2, and the Phillies have dropped four of their last five overall and four of their last six at home. Former Dodger Chan Ho Park (0-1, 6.67 ERA) gets the start tonight opposite Kershaw.
Los Angeles enters this series on hot streaks of 20-8 overall, 16-7 after a loss, 7-3 after an off day, 6-2 on Thursday and 6-2 against right-handed starters, and they’re 8-3 in Kershaw’s last 11 outings overall. However, they’ve lost 12 of their last 14 games against N.L. East foes and five of Kershaw’s last seven road starts.
Philadelphia has won 11 of its last 13 games against left-handed starters and is on further runs of 17-7 after a day off, 7-3 on Tuesday and 59-28 in series openers. The Phillies are also 12-4 in their last 16 games against the N.L. West, including knocking off Los Angeles in five games in last year’s National League Championship Series. Charlie Manuel’s club is on an 8-1 run against the Dodgers and is 22-8 in the last 30 meetings in Philadelphia.
The home team won the first 11 head-to-head battles between these clubs last year before the Phillies won Games 4 and 5 of the NLCS in Los Angeles.
Kershaw has surrendered a combined one run in his last two starts covering 12 innings, both at home, with the Dodgers beating the Padres 1-0 and the Nationals 10-3. However, he’s 0-2 with a 10.29 ERA in three road starts (all Dodgers losses). That includes allowing a total of 15 runs in nine innings in his past two outings on the highway at Houston (8-5 loss) and Colorado (10-4 loss).
Park is coming off his best performance of the season, yielding just one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings at the Mets, but he got no run support as the Phillies fell 1-0. The veteran right-hander is 0-1 with a 9.28 ERA in two starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Kershaw saw the Phillies twice as a rookie in a two-week stretch last August, allowing a combined nine runs on 13 hits in 10 innings (8.10 ERA), with the Dodgers winning 4-3 at home and losing 9-2 at Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Park faced his former mates five times when he was with San Diego in 2005 and 2006, going 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA.
The Dodgers are on a bunch of “over” streaks, including 5-1-3 on the road, 13-3-1 against right-handed starters, 7-3-2 after an off day, 5-0-1 as an underdog, 5-1 against the N.L. East, 4-1 when Kershaw pitches and 5-0-1 when Kershaw pitches on Tuesday. Also, the over is 5-1 in Philadelphia’s last six games against N.L. West foes. Conversely, the under is 10-3 in the last 13 Dodgers-Phillies clashes at Citizens Bank Park.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston (20-12) at L.A. Angels (16-14)
Justin Masterson (2-2, 5.28) will try to bounce back from two terrible outings when he takes the mound for the Red Sox, who open a six-game West Coast road trip with this contest at Angel Stadium. Boston was idle Monday following Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Rays, which capped a 3-2 homestand. Since an 11-game winning streak, Terry Francona’s squad is just 7-6 (4-4 on the road).
Jered Weaver (3-1, 2.66) will try to extend the Angels’ four-game winning streak that included a weekend home sweep of the previously red-hot Royals. Los Angeles has gotten incredible pitching during its recent run, holding its last four opponents to five total runs, including Weaver’s complete-game 6-1 victory over Toronto on Thursday.
The Red Sox are on positive runs of 18-6 overall, 17-4 on grass, 10-1 against winning teams, 46-18 after a day off, 13-6 against the A.L. West and 21-10 on Tuesday. Los Angeles, in addition to its four-game overall winning streak (all at home), is 5-0 in its last five as a favorite and 25-11 in its last 36 on Tuesday. Also, with Weaver on the hill, the Halos are on runs of 19-7 at home (4-0 this year), 4-1 when favored, 6-2 in series openers and 4-1 against the A.L. East.
The Angels took two of three from Boston in Anaheim a month ago. Going back to last season, Los Angeles is on a 10-1 run against the Red Sox in the regular season, but Boston eliminated the Angels 3-1 in a best-of-5 opening-round playoff series last October.
Masterson allowed six runs in each of his last two starts, pitching six innings in a 6-2 loss at Tampa Bay then lasting 6 1/3 frames in Wednesday’s 9-2 home setback to Cleveland. Now in his second season in the big leagues, the hard-throwing right-hander has compiled a startling home-road split, going 7-1 with a 3.34 ERA in 25 games (eight starts) at Fenway Park, but 1-6 with a 4.14 ERA in 19 appearances (five starts) on foreign turf.
Weaver was brilliant in his complete-game victory over the hot-hitting Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing just one run on three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. It was the right-hander’s fourth quality start in six trips to the mound this season, and he’s now 3-0 with a microscopic 1.21 ERA in four home starts.
Masterson does not have a decision in four career appearances (one start) against L.A., allowing six runs in 10 2/3 innings (5.06 ERA). On the other hand, Weaver is 2-3 with a 4,37 ERA in eight career starts (one in the playoffs) against Boston. That includes a 6-3 home victory on April 10 in which Weaver gave up one unearned run on four hits with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
The high-scoring Red Sox carry “over” trends of 19-7-2 overall, 10-3-1 on the road, 12-5-2 against right-handed starters, 5-0 versus the A.L. West and 10-2-1 on Tuesday. However, the under is 19-9-4 in Boston’s last 32 games following an off day, while L.A. is on “under” stretches of 4-0 overall (all at home), 4-1 when favored, 11-5 on Tuesday, 4-1-1 after a day off and 5-1-1 when Weaver pitches at home.
Finally, the over is 7-3-1 in Boston’s last 11 games at Angel Stadium (2-0-1 this year), and the over is 4-0-1 in Weaver’s last five starts against the Red Sox.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS
DUNKEL
Orlando at Boston
The Magic look to bounce back from their Game Four loss at the buzzer and build on their 19-7 ATS record in their last 26 games as a road underdog between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Orlando is the underdog pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (+2 1/2).
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 733-734: Orlando at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 122.386; Boston 123.171
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 2 1/2; 192
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (+2 1/2); Under
Game 735-736: Houston at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 123.865; LA Lakers 131.458
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 12; 198
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+12); Over
NHL
Boston at Carolina
The Hurricanes look to rebound from their 4-0 loss in Boston and build on their 4-1 record in their last 5 games after losing by 3 goals or more in the previous game. Carolina is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-105).
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 63-64: Boston at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.606; Carolina 13.044
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-115); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-105); Under
Game 65-66: Detroit at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.494; Anaheim 10.820
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-150); Over
MLB
St. Louis at Pittsburgh
The Pirates look to snap an eight-game slide and take advantage of a St. Louis team that is just 1-9 in its last 10 games as a road favorite between -110 and -150. Pittsburgh is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Pirates favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+130).
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 13.807; Pittsburgh (Duke) 14.106
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+130); Under
Game 903-904: LA Dodgers at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.763; Philadelphia (Park) 15.544
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120); Over
Game 905-906: Atlanta at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 15.703; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 16.151
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-125); Under
Game 907-908: Florida at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Koronka) 15.266; Milwaukee (Parra) 15.041
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+140); Under
Game 909-910: San Diego at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Peavy) 14.186; Cubs (Harden) 14.569
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-160); N/A
Game 911-912: Houston at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Paulino) 13.920; Colorado (Jimenez) 14.980
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Colorado (-165); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-165); Over
Game 913-914: Cincinnati at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 14.978; Arizona (Haren) 15.265
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-200); Under
Game 915-916: Washington at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Zimmerman) 15.710; San Francisco (Cain) 14.729
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 9
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+130); Over
Game 917-918: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Richard) 14.395; Cleveland (Sowers) 13.963
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-160); 10
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+150); Over
Game 919-920: Tampa Bay at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 14.758; Baltimore (Hendrickson) 15.922
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+120); Over
Game 921-922: NY Yankees at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 16.127; Toronto (Halladay) 15.626
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+135); Under
Game 923-924: Seattle at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Vargas) 15.806; Texas (Feldman) 15.177
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Texas (-150); 11
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+140); Over
Game 925-926: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 14.663; Minnesota (Slowey) 16.123
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120); Under
Game 927-928: Kansas City at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.055; Oakland (Cahill) 16.219
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Under
Game 929-930: Boston at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Masterson) 16.723; LA Angels (Weaver) 15.707
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+125); Under
Scott Rickenbach
Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks
The Red Wings have simply taken command of this series and, through the years, they've shown a great ability to close out series like this on the road. Since the game is at Anaheim, we get decent line value with a Red Wings club whose offensive skills and depth have simply worn down the Ducks. Through the post-season, Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller did a great job but, eventually, there comes a point where there's only so much your netminder can do for you. The Ducks have reached that point. The Red Wings have worn them down and are dominating in terms of puck possession and shots on goal. It's been a valiant effort for the Ducks but the Red Wings have simply proven to be too much. Consider a small play on Detroit on the money line in the NHL on Tuesday night.
Play on: Detroit
Terron Chapman
Boston Red Sox vs. LAA Angels
Play: LAA Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are surging, winning seven of their last eight, including a three game sweep of the once red hot Kansas City Royals in their last series. They’ll look to continue that success when they begin a three game set with the visiting Boston Red Sox Tuesday evening at Angels stadium. The Red Sox will send right hander Justin Masterson to the mound in his second appearance and first start against the Angels. In his lone appearance against the Angels this season, he came out of the bullpen and was tagged for four runs and three hits in one inning. His last two starts have been shaky at best, giving up 12 runs in 12 1/3 innings, both losses. The Angels will counter with Jered Weaver who is coming off of his strongest outing of the season. He pitched his first complete game against the explosive Blue Jays, allowing one run and three hits, while striking out eight. Weaver defeated the Red Sox in his season debut at home, holding them to one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings striking out eight while walking two. He has been particularly strong at home this season, allowing just four earned runs in 29 2/3 innings, while going 3-0. I think there is plenty of value on the home team in game one with a shaky road pitcher on the mound against a quality home starter. The Red Sox will more than likely be without two key pieces in Kevin Youkilis (oblique) and Dustin Pedroia (groin) who are both listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game. The Red Sox have struggled recently with the Halos who have won 11 of the last 15 meetings. Play on the Los Angeles Angels for 2 units.
Cajun Sports
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
Oriole Park will be the site of this two-game mini series between the host Baltimore Orioles and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. The O’s took two out of three from the Rays when they met here in April and then split a two-game mini in Cigar City the first of May. This series was dominated by the Rays last season with the Orioles posting a record of 3-15 W/L (-1195) in 2008 and the Rays are 22-9 W/L the last 31 meetings overall. This contest provides a rematch between Orioles pitcher Mark Hendrickson and Rays pitcher Andy Sonnanstine who met back on April 10 with Hendrickson and the O’s getting the 5 to 4 win. Hendrickson pitched 5.3 innings giving up one earned run on six hits while Sonnanstine threw for 4.7 innings giving up five earned runs on eight hits in the loss. Hendrickson’s lone win came in that game he lost his next four starts posting an ERA of 7.0 in those outings. He is 1-4 W/L with an ERA of 5.13 overall this season and 3-4 W/L with an ERA of 4.57 versus this Rays team. Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine is coming off his best outing of the season the right-hander pitched a season-high 7 1/3 innings against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two runs and six hits in a 4 to 3, 10-inning win. The Rays are 4-0 W/L their last four following a loss in their last game. Tampa Bay is 9-3 W/L their last twelve when Sonnanstine takes the bump versus the AL East and 8-3 W/L their last eleven when he is working on five days rest. The Orioles are 17-35 W/L following a loss in their last game, 16-37 W/L their last fifty-three when installed as an underdog and 5-12 W/L their last seventeen when facing an opponent with a losing record on the season. Our PPR (Pitcher Performance Ratings) Index shows the Rays with a rating of 28.8 with Sonnanstine on the bump while the O’s Hendrickson checks in with a rating of -4.9. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index projects a Rays win in tonight’s game by 2.3 runs over the Orioles. With significant technical and fundamental support for the visitor we will back the Tampa Bay Rays here as they get the win tonight in Baltimore.
Graded Selection: 3* Tampa Bay Rays 6 Baltimore Orioles 4
Craig Trapp
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
Play: Boston Celtics -2
Finally yesterday we ended our Free Play losing streak. A very easy win with SF Giants killing Washington. Today Handicapper Craig Trapp looks to keep up the winning with his NBA Tuesday Free Play. Lets look at the trends and his against the spread winning breakdown.
Betting Trends
Magic are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Magic are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Celtics are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 home games.
Magic are 4-13 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Boston.
Neither Teams trends are unbelievable so we will disregard them in this instance. Pure handicapping this game comes down to the end and the winning team will be the one that makes tough shots and comes up with a few defensive stops. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have not played well in this series and are due for huge breakout game. The heart of the champion and the home crowd will carry the Celtics to cover this one. Magic have played well in the playoffs but still rely on too many three point shots which Boston will take away in game 5. Orlando has not learned how to win close games yet and BOSTON has owned close games this year!!SCORE BOS 98 - ORL 92
Nelly
Kansas City at Oakland
Play Under
With two unproven pitchers on the mound the total for this game is a bit elevated but given the venue and the limited offense from each of these teams this will likely be a low-scoring game. The A's and Royals have the top two bullpen ERAs in the American League and both are also two of the lowest scoring teams in the AL. Oakland has averaged less than 4.2 runs per game and Kansas City has averaged just over 4.5 runs per game. By a fairly significant margin the Royals and A's have allowed the fewest amounts of runs in the AL as well. Both teams have also averaged less than one home run hit per game. The Oakland Coliseum has the lowest OPS of any ballpark in the AL and batters own just a .247 average in this stadium. Oakland home games have averaged just 8.4 runs per game and in a small sample those numbers are even inflated a bit based on a couple of games. The 'under' has cashed in seven of the last ten Oakland home games and despite an overall surge in scoring and 'overs' in MLB at this point in the year both of these teams have been 'under' clubs. Luke Hochevar had decent results for the Royals in August last year and Trevor Cahill has pitched well in five of his six starts this season, allowing two or fewer earned runs in all but one outing.
JIM FEIST
KANSAS CITY ROYALS / OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Take: KANSAS CITY ROYALS.
It's time to pay some attention to these Royals, they are playing good baseball, terrific at home, a respectable .500 on the road. Starter Luke Hochevar ranks as the Royals top pitching prospect and posted a 5-0 record in six starts for Omaha with a 0.90 ERA. Last place Oakland is 6-10 at home and starter Trevor Cahill allows a lot of base runners (18 walks, 32 hits in 33 innings). He has far more walks than strikeouts (12), an even worse sign. Play the Royals.
DAVE COKIN
CHICAGO WHITE SOX VS CLEVELAND INDIANS
Take: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
The Indians finally won a game on Monday, but I'd look for the White Sox to bounce back tonight. Clayton Richard isn't anything to write home about, but he's a better option than Jeremy Sowers, who just doesn't possess the arsenal to thrive at the big league level. If this turns out to be a battle of the bullpens, the White Sox own a substantial edge. The road team looks right tonight.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: San Diego w/Peavy
A matchup of staff aces takes place in Chicago this evening with the Padres send Jake Peavy to the hill against Rich Harden and the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Peavy enjoys hurling during the month of May where San Diego has come up a winner in 14 of Peavy's last 20 teams starts. In the rare role of a dog against a pitcher that is not in good form, we'll back Peavy and the Padres here tonight.
Brad Diamond Sports
Play on: Philadelphia over Los Angeles
The guess of death with Phillies hurlers lies in the game after a good outing. RHP Park (0-1, 6.67) is coming off a decent outing up in Citi-Field in New York. If the veteran can buck that trend the series history angles point to Philadelphia. Overall, Philly has won 22 of last 30 games in the series, 8 of 9 at this writing. Just as important, the home standing club is a super 11-2 against left hand pitching.
Jimmy The Moose
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets May
Prediction: New York Mets
The Braves won last night in New York and are now 5-1 in their last 6 games. After losing last night the Mets are 7-1 in their last 8 games. Altanta sends Jurrjens to the mound and the Braves have lost 2 of his last 3 starts. New York counters with Pelfrey and he comes in having won his last 3 starts. The Mets are 11-4 in his last 15 home starts. In their last 9 trips to New York the Braves are 3-6. New York takes this one and evens the series. Play on the New York Mets -.
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take the number back with Jordan Zimmerman and the Nats.
I am the first person to boast about how good San Francisco righthander Matt Cain can be. Cain has Cy Young type stuff and more times than not can dominate an opponent. With that said this kid Jordan Zimmerman is an absolute future stud himself and has an immense upside. In what should be a low scoring game I will gladly back Zimmerman and the visitors from the nation's capital.
Zimmerman was not on in that last start (or at least in that dreaded six run first inning) at Los Angeles but the Nats were able to find a way to storm back and upset the favored Dodgers. I don't know what went wrong in that opening inning but the righty shut down Joe Torre's bats for the next five innings and has already had a huge amount of success this season including upsetting the Mets in New York and downing the Braves at home in DC.
Say what you want about these Nats but they have played a lot better of late after the miserable start and have a couple of semi stars in Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn. Granted I'm not calling Washington a good club by any means but they are not at all dreadful and it's not like San Fransisco is exactly a juggernaut.
Yes the Giants have been good at home but the hitters are still overall very light hitting and we can easily see a pitcher's duel where one bounce of the ball or one stolen base can mean a win or a loss. Plus money in this scenario with a hot team and a stud pitcher is enough for me!
Tony Weston
Today's Selection
We come through last night as the Nuggets and Mavericks hit well Over the Total. We’re making it two in a row tonight as we’re taking the Under in the Rockets-Lakers matchup in Los Angeles.
The number for tonight is set at 198 points and just like in Game 4 the Under will come in.
Consider that in their last six meetings overall - all since March 11 - the Under is on a 4-2 run and has come in 2 of the last 3 games in Los Angeles. In that 6-game stretch these two have totaled, on average, 193.5 points per. In their last 3 games in L.A. the teams have totaled, on average, 191.6 points per game.
Keep in mind also that the Under is on a 6-2 run for the Rockets and it has come in 5 of the Lakers last 7 games overall.
Tonight, the defense will dictate the game as these two play Under the total. Take the Under in this one tonight.
3♦ ROCKETS-LAKERS UNDER
Karl Garrett
Orlando at BOSTON
In the NBA on Tuesday, take the OVER in the Orlando-Boston series for you free winner.
Sunday's UNDER between the teams snapped a 2 game OVER streak in the series, and the bottom line is games in Boston have been sailing OVER the total with alarming frequency of late for the C's.
14 of the last 18 games played on the parquet have played HIGH, and Boston is also on a 18-5 OVER clip their last 23 when laying points.
Finally, the Celts have played 7 of their last 9 games against teams from the Southeast Division OVER the total.
Tuesday night's game will go OVER the total as well.
4♦ OVER