SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Denver (8-2 SU, 10-0 ATS) at (1) L.A. Lakers (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS)
The defending Western Conference champion Lakers, coming off a seven-game series with the Rockets, return after just one day off for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, hosting the streaking Nuggets at Staples Center.
Los Angeles, inconsistent throughout its series with Houston, eliminated the Rockets with an emphatic 89-70 rout Sunday, covering despite being an overwhelming 13-point home chalk. Kobe Bryant put up just 12 shots and scored 14 points, but he added seven rebounds and five assists. His supporting cast did most of the damage, led by Pau Gasol’s 21 points and 18 rebounds, as the Lakers killed the Rockets on the boards, 55-33. L.A. also outshot Houston 46.7 percent to 36.8 percent. The SU winner beat the spread in all seven games of this series, the final six of which were double-digit blowouts.
Denver has had five days off since finishing off Dallas with a 124-110 Game 5 victory Wednesday as a 10-point home chalk, keeping the Nuggets perfect against the spread in postseason play. Carmelo Anthony had 30 points, and Chauncey Billups added 28 points and 12 assists, and three others reached at least 15 points as Denver shot a torrid 58.5 percent, while Dallas shot a respectable 51.4 percent. The Nuggets needed just five games to dispose of New Orleans and Dallas.
The Lakers went 3-1 SU against the Nuggets in the regular season, with the squads splitting the cash and the home team covering in all four meetings. Most recently, L.A. rolled 116-102 as an 8½-point chalk on April 9, and the Lakers are on ATS rolls in this rivalry of 10-2 overall and 13-3 at Staples Center.
Los Angeles is 42-6 SU (24-24 ATS) at home this season, including 6-1 (4-3 ATS) in the postseason. Denver is 23-22 SU (25-20 ATS) on the highway (2-2, 4-0 ATS in the playoffs).
Denver is averaging an NBA-best 111.5 ppg in the postseason and it is outscoring opponents by an average of 16 ppg, with seven of its eight wins coming by double digits. Los Angeles is putting up 101.5 ppg and giving up 93.4 ppg in the playoffs, and its eight victories – all double-digit routs – have come by an average of 16.8 ppg.
Bryant has paced the Lakers through the first two rounds, averaging 28.6 ppg, the third-best scoring average in this year’s playoffs. Gasol is netting a double-double with 18.3 ppg and 10.1 rpg, making him the second-leading rebounder remaining in the postseason field, behind Orlando’s Dwight Howard (16.6). Like Gasol, Lamar Odom (12.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is also averaging a double-double.
Anthony is the fourth-leading scorer in the playoffs at 27.0 ppg, Billups is averaging 22.1 ppg and 7.3 assists per contest, and J.R. Smith has put up 16.3 ppg. The Nuggets also have four players averaging at least five rebounds per game – Nene (7.3), Anthony (6.4), Chris Andersen (6.1) and Kenyon Martin (5.1).
The Lakers are on ATS upticks of 7-3 at home and 4-1 as a home chalk of five to 10½ points, but they also carry negative ATS streaks of 1-6 after a SU win, 1-4 after a spread-cover, 1-5 after a victory of more than 10 points and 2-6 when laying five to 10½ points in the playoffs.
The Nuggets are on a 22-5 SU tear, and they are on a bundle of spread-covering sprees as well, including 20-6 overall, 7-0 after a SU win, 4-0 as a playoff pup (all this year, all on the road), 5-0 after three or more days off and 16-5 following an ATS win. That said, Denver is remains on ATS skids of 17-39-1 as an underdog of five to 10½ points and 0-4 as a playoff pup of the same price.
The under for Los Angeles is on surges of 8-2 overall (4-0 in the last four), 4-1 at home, 5-0 in the conference finals, 5-1 after a SU win and 24-9 with the Lakers laying points. The over has hit in Denver’s last four games, but otherwise, George Karl’s club is on “under” stretches of 7-3 on the road, 11-4 as an underdog, 17-5 as a playoff ‘dog and 9-1 with Denver catching five to 10½ points in the postseason.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in six of the last seven clashes overall and nine of the last 13 meetings in Los Angeles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago Cubs (21-15) at St. Louis (21-17)
Ted Lilly (5-2, 3.27 ERA) guns for his fourth consecutive victory when he leads the Cubs against the slumping Cardinals and Joel Pineiro (4-3, 4.17) in the opener a three-game series between N.L. Central rivals at Busch Stadium.
Chicago took Monday off after dropping a 6-5 home decision to Houston on Sunday, snapping the team’s five-game winning streak. Still, the Cubs have won 11 of their last 15, going 3-2 on the road during this stretch. They’ve also won five of their last six against right-handed starters.
St. Louis wrapped up a weather-delayed three-game home series against the Brewers on Monday with an 8-4 loss. The Cardinals were swept in the series and have now also lost five of their last six, seven of 10 and 10 of 14, going 2-5 at home along the way and 1-5 in their last six against divisional opponents. Additionally, Tony LaRussa’s squad is in ruts of 1-4 on Tuesday, 1-7 against winning teams and 1-4 in series openers.
This is the third series of the year between these hated rivals, with the squads splitting the first six games and the home team winning four of those six contests.
Lilly is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in his last three trips to the mound, and he’s been the beneficiary of great offensive support, with the Cubs scoring an average of 6.7 runs per game during this stretch. In his most recent effort Wednesday against the Padres, Lilly allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings, winning 6-4 in a rain-shortened game. The veteran southpaw is 2-1 on the road despite a hefty 6.75 ERA.
Chicago is 25-10 the last 35 times Lilly has pitched, including 5-1 in his last six on the road, 6-1 in his last seven versus divisional foes, 10-3 in series openers and 13-3 against teams with a winning record. The Cubs are also 6-1 in Lilly’s last seven starts against the Cardinals and 4-1 in his five lifetime outings in St. Louis. For his career, the 33-year-old is 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 11 starts against the Redbirds (3-0 with a 2.38 ERA at Busch Stadium).
Pineiro is coming off a 5-2 loss at Pittsburgh as he gave up five runs on 11 hits in six innings. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 4.74 ERA in his last three outings after starting the season 4-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his first four starts.
Pineiro, whose last four appearances have come on the road, has pitched just twice in Busch Stadium this season, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, and he’s 8-2 with a 3.61 ERA in his career at Busch. Additionally, he’s 2-3 with a 5.28 ERA in five career starts against Chicago.
The over is 4-1-1 this year when these teams meet, but the under is still 5-1-1 in the last seven battles at Busch Stadium. For Chicago, the over is on streaks of 6-2-1 on the road, 11-4 on Tuesday and 4-0 when Lilly works on the highway. Conversely, the Cardinals carry “under” trends of 4-2 overall (all against the N.L. Central and 4-1 in series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO CUBS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Toronto (27-14) at Boston (22-16)
The smoldering Blue Jays take a four-game winning streak to Fenway Park, where they begin a nine-game road trip with lefty Brian Tallet (2-1, 4.68) matched up against veteran Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (4-2, 4.03) in the first meeting of the season between these A.L. East foes.
Toronto capped off a four-game series sweep of the White Sox on Monday afternoon with a 3-2 victory. The Blue Jays have given up three runs or fewer in seven of their last eight games, including the last five in a row. In addition to its four-game winning streak, Cito Gaston’s crew is on solid surges of 12-5 overall, 5-2 against the A.L. East, 4-0 against right-handed starters and 11-4 on Tuesday. However, they are just 5-6 in their last 11 road games and 1-4 in their last five as an underdog.
Boston returns home after a disappointing 2-4 road trip that ended with Sunday’s 3-2, walk-off loss at Seattle. The Red Sox offense has been pedestrian of late, producing four runs or fewer in six of the last seven games, and they’ve gone eight straight contests without tallying more than five runs. Still, Boston carries positive trends of 77-33 at home, 16-7 as a favorite, 7-2 against southpaw starters, 20-7 in series openers, 47-18 after a day off, 4-1 in divisional contests and 22-10 on Tuesday.
These teams split their 18-game season series last year, but Boston won four of the final five and six of the last eight clashes.
Since surrendering 10 runs (all earned) in just four innings an 11-3 loss at Kansas City on April 29, Tallet has been outstanding in his last three starts, yielding a combined six runs and 10 hits in 19 innings (2.70 ERA). However, he has just one win to show for it as the Blue Jays are 1-3 in his last four starts. Tallet has pitched into the sixth inning in five of his six starts this season, giving up a total of just seven earned runs in those five outings covering 31 innings (2.03 ERA).
Tallet has made five road appearances (three starts), going 2-1 with a 6.55 ERA. Also, he’s faced the Red Sox 16 times – but only one start – going 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. The one start came way back in September 2002 when Tallet was with the Indians.
Wakefield is coming off his worst effort of the season, as he got tagged for seven runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings in Anaheim on Wednesday, losing 8-4 to the Angels. That snapped Boston’s five-game winning streak with Wakefield on the mound. Still, the Red Sox are 36-16 in his last 52 home starts and 23-11 in his last 34 on Tuesday, but they’ve lost 11 of his last 15 against A.L. East rivals.
Wakefield is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his first two starts at Fenway Park in 2009, beating the Twins 10-1 and the Indians 13-3. He’s got a long history against Toronto, too, going 16-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 48 appearances (38 starts), including 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts last season.
The over is 4-1 in Tallet’s last five starts, while Boston is on “over” streaks with Wakefield pitching of 8-1-1 overall, 4-0 at home, 6-1 against the A.L. East and 19-7-1 when favored. However, the under is 13-3-2 in Wakefield’s last 18 starts against Toronto and 5-1-1 in his last seven against Toronto at Fenway Park.
Toronto is on “over” stretches of 10-4 as an underdog, 14-6 on the road and 4-1 against the A.L. East. Boston is 5-1-1 “under” in its last seven overall, but otherwise the Sox are riding “over” streaks of 7-3-1 at home, 17-7-2 as a chalk, 11-4 versus southpaw starters and 10-3-1 on Tuesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
DUNKEL
Denver at LA Lakers
The Lakers open the series looking to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 home games as a favorite between 5 and 10 1/2 points, while the Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog by the same margin. Los Angeles is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Lakers favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-6 1/2).
Game 501-502: Denver at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 126.004; LA Lakers 132.865
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 218
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 6 1/2; 215
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-6 1/2); Over
MLB
Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
The White Sox look to snap a five-game skid and build on their 6-1 record in Mark Buehrle's last 7 starts. Chicago is the pick (-125) according to Dunkel, which has the White Sox favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-125).
Game 951-952: Pittsburgh at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 13.851; Washington (Martis) 14.701
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-135); Over
Game 953-954: Philadelphia at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 14.561; Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.785
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over
Game 955-956: Colorado at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 15.077; Atlanta (Jurrjens) 14.033
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-205); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+185); Under
Game 957-958: Arizona at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Garland) 14.165; Florida (Johnson) 15.387
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-185); Under
Game 959-960: Milwaukee at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Bush) 15.643; Houston (Hampton) 16.348
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+105); Over
Game 961-962: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 14.660; St. Louis (Pineiro) 14.917
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+105); Under
Game 963-964: San Francisco at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 15.967; San Diego (Young) 14.374
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+130); Under
Game 965-966: NY Mets at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Maine) 15.486; LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 16.804
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-155); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-155); Under
Game 967-968: Texas at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (McCarthy) 18.064; Detroit (Willis) 16.546
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 11
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-120); Over
Game 969-970: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Tallet) 16.900; Boston (Wakefield) 15.346
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+150); Under
Game 971-972: Baltimore at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bergesen) 15.622; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.299
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-280); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+260); Under
Game 973-974: Oakland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Outman) 15.309; Tampa Bay (Shields) 14.938
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-190); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+180); Over
Game 975-976: Cleveland at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Lee) 14.882; Kansas City (Bannister) 16.314
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+130); Over
Game 977-978: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 14.552; White Sox (Buehrle) 14.988
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-125); Under
Game 979-980: LA Angels at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Palmer) 15.331; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.672
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-150); Over
NHL
Chicago at Detroit
The Red Wings look to go up 2-0 in the series and build on their 8-2 record in their last 10 postseason games as a favorite between -150 and -200. Detroit is the pick (-200) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-200).
Game 5-6: Chicago at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.960; Detroit 13.690
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-200); Over
BIG AL
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Cleveland's Cliff Lee won the Cy Young award last season, but is not going to win it this year, unless the Tribe starts to score some runs when he's on the mound. Lee has a 3.00 ERA this year, but just a 2-5 record, as the Indians don't give him any run support. That was the case back on April 22 when Lee matched up against tonight's opponent, Kansas City. The Indians gave up just two runs, yet were shutout 2-0 by Brian Bannister and the Royals. Bannister will get the start tonight, as well, and he's 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA this season. And, in his career, he's a solid 4-1 vs. Cleveland with a 1.62 ERA. Take the 'under' in this AL Central matchup.
Play on: UNDER
Cajun Sports
Game: Texas Rangers @ Detroit Tigers
Selection: 2* Detroit Tigers +105
Comerica Park will be the site of tonights clash between the host Detroit Tigers and the visiting Texas Rangers. The Rangers are playing well of late winning seven straight which is their longest win streak since 2005 where they won nine straight. They also face another streak tonight this one has worked against the Rangers; they are winless in nine straight trips to Comerica Park. The Tigers have also been playing well of late they enter tonights contest off a three-game sweep of the Oakland As and have won four straight at home. Texas will send right-hander Brandon McCarthy to the bump with his 1-1 W/L road record and ERA of 8.40 in three road starts this season. McCarthy has averaged only 5.0 innings per start when getting the call on the highway and this is bad news for a Rangers bullpen that has an ERA of 5.18 and a WHIP of 1.752 when called upon on the road. Detroit will send Dontrelle Willis to the hill which will be only his second start of the season. On May 13 he went 4.7 innings giving up four earned runs on eight hits in a 14 to 10 loss at Minnesota a game in which he was not involved in the decision. Detroit is 11-5 W/L at home this season averaging 7.0 runs per game while allowing their opponents to only plate 4.4 runs per game. A big plus for the Tigers and Willis is the fact Detroits bullpen has an ERA of 3.70 and a WHIP of 1.339 when pitching at home. If the Tigers can get five or six innings out of Willis tonight that should be more than enough for the Tigers bullpen to bring another win home against this Rangers team. Play the host here as Detroit is a solid home pup on Tuesday night at Comerica Park in the Motor City.
Graded Selection: 2* Detroit Tigers 6 Texas Rangers 4
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Philadelphia w/Hamels
Cole Hamels and the Phillies meet the Reds in Cincinnati in the opening game of this three-games series Tuesday evening. While Hamels got off to a slow start this season he has rounded in to solid current form of late with 5 walks and 26 strikeouts in his last four starts. He's also 4-0 with a 0.60 ERA in his MLB career team starts against the Reds. With that, look for Hamels to improve to 8-2 in his last 10 road starts in May here tonight.
James Patrick
Blackhawks vs Red Wings
In the NHL Western Conference Playoff action in Tuesday NHL Stanley Cup action Big Game James Patrick's complimentary selection is Detroit Red Wings as the World Champions are 6-2 in Tuesday action and Chicago is just 5 -16 in Hockey Town.
Jimmy The Moose
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
The Twins come into this one having lost 4 straight. The Twins are 5-17 in their last 22 games played on grass. Baker is 1-4 on the year with an ERA of 6.95. The White Sox are coming into this one having lost 5 in a row. Buehrle is 5-1 on the year with an ERA of 3.00. Chicago has won 6 of his 7 starts this season. The White Sox are 9-4 in his last 13 starts vs. the Twins. Minnesota is 1-8 in their last 9 trips to Chicago. Play on the Chicago White Sox -.
Craig Trapp
Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Tampa Bay Rays -1½
Craig keeps up his 5 star top play winning streak in MLB with a win from TOR in his GRAND SLAM PLAY!! Unfortunately the free winner R/L play of the NYY gave up one run in 9th and only won by one run. But today Craig is on the right side of the R/L in todays game.
Records
Oakland Athletics 13-22, 5-12 away (Outman 1-0, 4.05 ERA)
Tampa Bay Ray 20-20, 10-8 home (Shields 3-4, 3.98 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Athletics are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
-Athletics are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Tampa Bay.
-Rays are 5-0 in Shields' last 5 starts vs. Athletics.
-Rays are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
The A's have lost 4 in a row and none of them have been close. Yesterday they were defeated 13-4 in Tampa. The A's have been outscored in the 4 game losing streak 47-13 in which their starting pitchers have yielded 31 runs (23 earned) in 13 innings. Shields has been very good as of late for Tampa only allowing over 3 earned runs once in last 5 starts. Outman goes for the A's today and he has been average in his three starts but he does not go deep into games which could spell trouble for a very tired bullpen. This one gets blown wide open late and easily covers the run line for the hot bats of TB. SCORE TB 8 - OAK 3*
Red Dog Sports
Toronto at Boston
Play: Toronto +123
Red Dog Sports won their free play yesterday on Toronto on Victoria Day and like the Blue Jays as road underdogs at Boston. Tim Wakefield has an ERA of 8.04 in his last 3 while Tallet's ERA over that span is 2.70. Toronto is 6-2 in their last 8 overall and 11-4 in their last 15 on Tuesday. Look for Toronto to win at Boston on Tuesday night!
Jeff Benton
For Tuesday’s free play, we’ll back the streaking Brewers at a virtual pick-em price against the Astros.
Gonna ride the hot hand here, as Milwaukee has now won six straight games after completing a three-game road sweep of the Cardinals with Monday’s 8-4 victory. Not only have the Brewers won six in a row, but they’re 20-5 in their last 25 contests, 21-8 in their last 29 against N.L. Central rivals, 27-13 in their last 40 games against teams with a losing record and they’ve won eight consecutive series openers.
Tonight, Milwaukee is going with right-hander Dave Bush on the mound. The Brew Crew have won five straight behind Bush, who has gone exactly seven innings in each of his last three starts while giving up a combined seven earned runs in those 21 innings (3.00 ERA). Also, Milwaukee has won five of Bush’s last seven starts against Houston.
Bush will be opposed in this game by Mike Hampton, who is 2-3 with a 5.31 ERA overall and 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA at home. Houston has won just twice in Hampton’s seven starts this year, going 0-3 when he pitches at home – including a 9-8 loss to these Brewers on April 25 when the veteran lefty gave up four runs in six innings.
Milwaukee took two of three in that series in Houston last month and it is 4-1 in its last five at Minute Maid Park. Add to all that the fact that the Brewers’ bullpen (2.12 ERA last 10 games) is in much better shape right now than Houston’s (6.25 ERA last 10 games), while the Astros are playing sub-.500 ball at home (8-10 record), and I can’t pass up the visitor in this spot.
3♦ MILWAUKEE
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take the Angels at Safeco.
Felix Hernandez is a total stud and a guy that has the ability and stuff to shut down any team at the drop of a hat. That last statement includes today as the Angels are not exactly a hard hitting bunch but with that said Matt Palmer has been great so far in his young career and the Mariners are not exactly worthy of laying a fairly steep price right now.
Seattle started out great this season and then it seemed as if Ichiro came back and things started going South a bit. The bottom line with the Mariners is that they have regressed mightily from a few seasons back and are just not a good ballclub right now. There are a few pieces for sure including the potential for a solid starting staff led by Hernandez and Erik Bedard but overall the M's are a 70 or so win team.
Mike Scioscia's squad was just swept in Arlington against the red hot Rangers and has certainly had their share of issues so far on the campaign thanks in part to the Vlad Guerrero injury but if you want to give me this price back with a 4-0 Palmer who is a kid that has been nothing less than great than I'm fine with the Halos. Even after losing K-Rod to the Mets Anaheim is still the more complete team when push comes to shove with Seattle.
I can't say that Palmer is not due to get hit a bit and the road is never easy but this thing is just a no-brainer at this quality takeback.
Tony Weston
Today's Selection:
Damn, the Mets had every opportunity possible to get past the Dodgers and couldn’t come through, costing us in the process.
That’s fine because we’re getting back on the winning track tonight as we’re taking the San Francisco Giants on the road at NL West rival San Diego.
The last time these two hooked up the Giants took a 2-game set at home against the Pads, outscoring San Diego 9-3.
Also, going back to last season the Giants have taken 11 of the last 16 matchups against the Padres.
Consider, too, that San Diego has won only 2 of its last 9 games against the NL West and the Pads have won only 7 of their last 26 games overall.
The Giants, on the other hand, are 12-5 their last 17 against the NL West and will add another one tonight at the Padres. Take San Francisco on the road in this one.
3♦ GIANTS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Denver at LA LAKERS
Milwaukee comes through last night for free to make it 4 straight comp play winners. 32-19-3 overall comp play run.
Western Conference Finals get underway this evening in LA, and we will play the Nuggets-Lakers UNDER the posted price.
First off, Denver has had a few extra days rest, and will more than likely be a little rusty coming out of the gate which will keep points off the board. Secondly, the Nuggets have played UNDER the total in 7 of their last 10 on the road, and Denver is also on an 11-4 LOW clip their last 15 when catching points.
The Lakers meanwhile have played UNDER the total in their last 4 games, and 8 of their last 10 overall. Los Angeles is also on a 24-9 UNDER run their last 33 when installed as the favorite.
A look at the series totals show 6 of the last 7 played between these west rivals staying LOW, as well as 9 of the last 13 contests played at the Staples Center holding UNDER.
Play on the LOW.
2♦ UNDER
Karl Garrett
Philadelphia at CINCINNATI
Tonight in the National League, look for the pitchers to be in charge all the way in this Phillies-Reds clash.
Cole Hamels is starting to throw like Cole Hamels, as the southpaw has allowed only 3 earned runs over his last 17 innings of work. Hamels has also handcuffed the Reds the last 3 times he has faced them, allowing just 2 earned runs in 25 innings of work for a 3-0 mark!
Johnny Cueto has been very impressive this year for Cincy, sporting a 4-1 mark on the year with a 1.93 ERA. This will be Philadelphia's first look at the righty, so you have to figure Cueto will go through the lineup with little trouble his first couple of go'rounds.
Last year, 6 of the 8 season series meetings between the clubs stayed UNDER the total, and I like this one to stay LOW as well.
Hamels and Cueto mow them down tonight!
1♦ UNDER
Bobby Maxwell
Texas at DETROIT +110
FREE winner coming on the diamond tonight as we play the Tigers at home against the Rangers.
Even though we not huge fans of the Tigers' Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 7.71 ERA), we love the fact the Rangers are horrible on the road and have lost nine straight games in Detroit. So we'll take the plus-money and play the home team Tigers in this one.
Detroit swept the Rangers from April 10-12 already this season and Texas hasn't gotten a win in the Motor City since Sept. 11, 2007.
Willis is making just his second start since coming off the DL. In his debut on Wednesday he gave up four runs in 4.2 innings in a 14-10 loss to the Twins. Last time he faced Texas, he gave up three runs in five innings of an 11-8 loss in Arlington.
The Tigers just swept the A's and they've won four straight at home, and on Sunday they rallied from a 6-0 deficit to beat Oakland 11-7.
The Rangers have won seven in a row but it won't get to eight as they send Brandon McCarthy (3-1, 5.92 ERA) to the hill. He is 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA in eight outings against the Tigers.
Play the Tigers at home tonight as Willis has an acceptable performance and the offense dominates the Rangers. Detroit gets this one.
3♦ DETROIT