Karl Garrett
30 DIMER - DALLAS MAVERICKS
10 DIMER - OAKLAND A'S (Eveland over Adenhart)
30 DIMER - DALLAS MAVERICKS
G-Man coming strong with the home team tonight, as I loved what I saw on Sunday from Dallas, as the Mavericks crushed their nearest challenger for 8th spot in the West, the Suns, scoring 140-points in the win! Dallas has now won 3 of their last 4, and they are within a game of catching Utah for the 7th playoff spot in the West.
Utah is just 1-3 straight up their last 4, and 1-6 against the spread their last 7. Of course the Jazz and Mavs are battling to avoid dealing with the Lakers in the first round of the postseason, but playing on the road in this series has not been a good thing.
The home team in this series has won 7 in a row, covering in 6 of the 7. Dallas is just 3-8 against the spread their last 11 at Dallas, and overall, the host is 20-6-1 against the spread!
All Mavs tonight!
10 DIMER - OAKLAND A'S (Eveland over Adenhart)
Oakland got the bats cranking last night after being held to just 3-hits on opening night, the A's erupted in their 6-4 win by banging out 16-hits over 9 innings!
I like the hit barrage to continue tonight, as the Angels turn to the rookie Nick Adenhart to cool off the bats. Adenhart was up for a cup of coffee with the big club last season, and did go 1-0 over 3 starts, but had and ERA of 9, and he did get lit by Oakland to a tune of 5 runs in just over 2 innings of work.
Dana Eveland will counter, and while his numbers against the Angels are not outstanding, his team has played dead even at 11-11 the last 2-plus years at the Big "A".
At a near pick, side with the Athletics.
Paul Leiner
200* Atl/Milw Over 196
50* Royals even
25* Rays +130
10* Nationals +130
RON RAYMOND
5* Diamondbacks -135
Brandon Lang
10 Dime Dallas Mavericks
FREE - San Antonio Spurs
Antony Dinero
Jazz at Mavericks
Pick: Over 207
The Jazz have gone just 2-12 all-time at American Airlines Center, including 1-5 in the four seasons since Deron Williams' arrival, but he always does play well there. With him leading the chargefor the explosive Jazz and Dallas moving the ball so well, expect an entertaining, high-scoring affair as the Jazz try to avoid moving down to eighth in the conference by winning on the road in Big D. It will be a close call, but there's plenty of reasons to expect an over.
Scott Rickenbach
2* (Top Play) Detroit Pistons (-) @ New York
The Pistons are still looking to clinch their 8th straight post-season berth. Their home win over Charlotte was big for more reasons than one. Not only did it move them closer to reaching the playoffs, it also saw a breakout game from guard Will Bynum as he had 32 points and knocked down 9 of 15 from the field. While performances like that can not be expected on a regular basis it is evident that he can provide some “instant offense” off the bench for Detroit. The Pistons have plenty of motivation here at New York. While the Pistons, prior to Sunday’s key win over a fellow playoff contender, really haven’t been playing well, the Knicks have been even worse! New York has been a miserable slump and playing at home hasn’t helped matters. The Knicks have lost eight of their last ten games at Madison Square Garden and tonight they’re hosting a Pistons team that has plenty of motivation! Detroit is facing a Knicks team that is on a 2-11 overall run but one of the two New York wins in this miserable stretch came in overtime at Detroit last month. The Pistons haven’t forgotten about that defeat and they have payback on their minds here. Note that Richard Hamilton led the way against the Knicks last month with 27 points and he also will be hard to stop in tonight’s meeting! That’s because Hamilton brings a little extra hunger to the floor tonight after being ejected at the end of the third quarter against the Bobcats Sunday when he picked up his second technical foul! Note that Tayshaun Prince has been very strong against the Knicks this season and Antonio McDyess had 21 points and 22 rebounds when these teams matched up last month! In that game on March 11th, the Pistons were done in by turnovers but lately it’s been the Knicks that have been struggling with turnovers. Also, Detroit dominated the glass in that game with a big rebounding edge. Additionally, don’t look for such a disparity from the three point line this time either. The Knicks made ten three-pointers in that game while the Pistons made just one. Note that Detroit’s recent schedule had been tough and that had a lot to do with their recent slump. They can absolutely take care of business against an overmatched foe and that is the case tonight against the Knicks. New York has been losing no matter who they play. In fact, the Knicks current 2-11 run includes losses against five teams that will not be making the playoffs. Tonight, the Knicks take a step up in class again and, once again, they get knocked down! Play Detroit minus the points as a Top Play selection.
1* (regular play) Buffalo Sabres Money Line (-) @ Toronto
This money line is on the move this morning. After dropping down early this morning I pulled the trigger on this play and it’s now moving back up in a hurry. As a result, I am quickly posting this play first without the full analysis to allow clients the most time for line shopping. Please check after 11:55 AM ET for the details on this play. Thank you and best of luck always – Scott Rickenbach
Dr. Canada
Sabres/Leafs over 6
Erin Rynning
Playmaker: Kansas City -105
Robert Ferringo
5-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 8.5 Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Note: This is our Total of the Week.
I actually got burned quite a bit by the Cardinals on totals last year. They have a great lineup but don't always produce. But the bottom line is that this is a really strong spot and this play probably should be graded a bit higher. Zach Duke is 5-14 with a 4.82 ERA over the last 365 days. He is 8-22 in his career on the road with a 4.58 ERA. He is 2-6 in April with a 5.32 ERA. He is 2-4 against the Cards in his career and is 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA at Busch Stadium. Do I need to go on? Duke had a decent Spring Training, but nothing to raise an eyebrow at. Todd Wellemeyer is 2-3 in April with a 4.72 ERA. He is 4-1 with a 3.72 ERA against the Pirates. Wellemeyer was lit up this spring, posting a 7.00 ERA and has not been sharp. Mix in a pair of lineups that have been swinging pretty good sticks, two below-average bullpens, and if we can get a tight zone, then we're in business here.
1.5-Unit Play. Take Florida (-140) over Washington
What has Washington done in the first two games to suggest that they are ready for this season to be any different or any better than last season? I am not a fan of Daniel Cabrera - at all - and I think that he's going to run into the same issues with inconsistency and ineffectiveness with the Nats. Basically he's a fastball-curveball guy that's facing a lineup full of fastball-curveball hitters. The Marlins usually struggle against top-end power pitchers or soft-tossers. Cabrera is right up there alley. He was just 2-11 in interleague games, so he clearly doesn't like facing N.L. lineups.
2-Unit Play. Take Philadelphia (-105) over Atlanta
Going to be really surprised if the Phillies get swept at home to start the year. The Braves threw their two best pitchers out there and have to feel a bit of a relief to get a series win over their rivals. But I'm not sure if they are going to go for the jugular here. They do have an off day so I expect the regulars to play for both teams. But I think that the motivation is all on the side of the Phillies. I'm not a big Joe Blanton guy. Not at all. But April has been one of his better months and I think that he has a good mojo working with the Phils. I'll dabble with him on a short number here.
1.5-Unit Play. Take Arizona (-130) over Colorado
It's Doug Davis at home. Period. Just like with our Brandon Webb play earlier this week, sometimes it is better to just keep it simple. Davis is 14-4 as a home favorite and has been a consistent moneymaker in Chase Field. All of the Arizona power is from the right side, so facing a lefty is a big benefit to them. I think that they are going to get this first home series against a team that they've played great against at home over the past few years. Again, short number is too good to pass up.
1.5-Unit Play. Take Cincinnati (-110) over N.Y. Mets
I like a nice, tight 3-2 game today and I think that the Reds will get it done behind Eddy Volquez. He was sensational last year at the start of the season. He has been dominating this spring. And over the past two seasons the Mets have really been neutralized by top tier right-handed starters. They kill lefties, but top-of-the-line righthanders really give them trouble. I think Volquez on the short line here is really a nice value.
1-Unit Play. Take Detroit (+120) over Toronto
Now, in a true chase I would have been betting 2.5 Units on the Tigers today. But after that pathetic display last night by Jim Leyland - leaving Brandon Lyon in for the ninth after he gave up four runs, including a go-ahead 3-run home run in the eighth inning AND THEN leaving Lyon in to walk the leadoff man in the ninth, give up another base hit, and eventually lose - let's me know that this is still a pathetic, last-place-bound Detroit team. We're "pot committed" to a certain extent here and I'm going to ride them out. But we will be betting against the Tigers A LOT this year.
1-Unit Play. Take L.A. Dodgers (-160) over San Diego
Note: Bump to 1.5 Units at -175 or less. I like the line movement in our direction.
I'm not a big Chad Billingsley guy. I know his numbers are great and everything, but I just don't feel it from him. However, the Dodgers are going to win today. They just faced two of the best hurlers in the N.L. in Jake Peavy and Chris Young, and now getting their licks in against Walter Silva is going to feel like B.P. I'm sure Silva will have a couple nice starts for the Dads this year. But Manny is going to be pissed and this Dodgers lineup is going to have a field day. I see an 8-4 game, with the Dodgers taking it down.
1-Unit Play. Take Minnesota (-145) over Seattle
Note: Bump to 1.5 Units at -155 or less.
Mojo. Had to be a deflating loss for the M's last night. And if they are going to be featuring Miggy Batista in a prominent bullpen role I'll go ahead and say they are going to lose 90 games again this year without breaking a sweat. Carlos Silva is 0-1 with a 20.25 in his two games against his former team, the Twins. He's a righty with a flat fastball and that's going to put him in the wheelhouse of all of those lefties for the Twins. This play should be rated higher.
Today's Totals
3-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 7.0 L.A. Dodgers at San Diego
Note: I still recommend this play for 3 Units if you can only get 7.5. We're seeing at least 9 runs in this game. In fact, you can even feel free to bump this one up if you'd like to 3.5 Units. I think it's a great pick.
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 Oakland at L.A. Angels
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 8.5 N.Y. Mets at Cincinnati
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 10.0 Colorado at Arizona
DOC
7 Unit Play. Take Columbus +130 over Chicago
These two teams just meet last Sunday in Columbus with the Blackhawks shutting out the Blue Jackets 1-0 behind goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. Columbus is all the sudden reeling, losing four of their last five and with the Blues winning last night now find themselves just two points away from dropping from the sixth spot to the eight spot in the west playoff picture. The Blackhawks on the other hand are pretty much lock into the fourth seed in the west and have little to play for then just going into the playoffs in good form. In my opinion Chicago is in a very bad spot tonight after playing a hard game on the road in Nashville last night and coming away with a 4-2 win and putting another nail in the coffin for the Predators playoff hopes. Tonight's game will be Chicago sixth game in nine day's and with Khabibulin starting last night it looks like it will be Cristobal Huet for the Hawks. This will be Huet fifth start vs. Columbus this year and in the four before this he has given up 13 goals and nine of them have come in the last two games vs Columbus. The Blue Jackets have a huge edge here not playing since Sunday and had the luxury of waiting for what I think will be a tired Blackhawk team with little motivation for a win to get back to Chicago.
Kevin Rogers
Toronto at Indiana
Play: Over 217.5
After winning six straight, the Raptors have taken a step back, losing consecutive home games to the Knicks and Hawks, as Toronto gets set to play their fourth game in five nights in Indiana against the Pacers. Indiana is reverting back to their early season form in the scoring department, putting up at least 106 points in each of their last five games, while averaging 115 ppg during this stretch. Their defense has also gone backwards recently, allowing at least 105 points in four of their last five. The Raptors have hit plenty of OVERS as of late when getting points, as Toronto has gone OVER 10 of their past 12 as an underdog. With both teams being out of the playoff race, and Toronto playing their fourth in five nights, I like the Raptors and Pacers to play uptempo and go OVER the total.
Jamie Tursini
Utah at Dallas
Play: Dallas -3
This line is a bit low. My "Power Ratings" have the Mavs as a 4.5 point favorite.Now Utah is currently the #7 seed in the Western Conference, only 1 game ahead of Dallas who stands at #8.So obviously this is a big game.Both teams have had 2 days of rest for this matchup.Utah is only 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS on the road with 2 days rest. losing on average 102.3 to 105.1.Dallas is great at home with 2 days rest. They are 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS. Winning on average 113.5 to 103.1.Utah is only 15-23 SU on the road.Dallas is 28-9 SU at home.I think this line is too low, and Dallas takes care of business.
Maddux Sports
Hockey
3 units on Buffalo -150
3 units on Columbus +120
Bond
12* Mem/Orl Under 196
MLB: Minnesota/Boston ML Parlay
Dr Guru
10* New Orleans -3
La Angels -101