SPORTS ADVISORS
New Orleans (49-32, 34-35-2 ATS) at San Antonio (52-38, 40-39-2 ATS)
Two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the jumbled Western Conference are set to duel at the AT&T Center, where the Spurs host the Hornets on the final night of the NBA’s regular season.
San Antonio is tied with Houston atop the Southwest Division standings, but the Rockets hold the tiebreaker edge, meaning the Spurs have to win tonight and hope Houston loses at Dallas to claim the division title. The Spurs, who currently are fifth in the Western Conference playoff standings, will enter the playoffs as the No. 3, 4 or 5 seed. Meanwhile, New Orleans is tied with Dallas for the sixth seed in the Western Conference, and depending on tonight’s results will finish as either the No. 6 or 7 seed.
One night after a controversial last-second 95-92 win at Sacramento, San Antonio made the short trek south to Golden State on Monday and destroyed the Warriors 101-72 as a four-point road favorite. The Spurs have won three in a row, but despite Monday’s easy spread-cover, they’re still just 6-11 ATS in their last 17 games, covering in back-to-back contests just once during this stretch. Additionally, Gregg Popovich’s team is just 4-5 SU and 2-7 ATS in its last nine at home.
The Hornets followed up Sunday’s impressive 10-point home win over Dallas with Monday’s ugly 86-66 loss at the Rockets as an eight-point road underdog. New Orleans has dropped five of its last seven games both SU and ATS, and it is just 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS in its last eight on the highway.
San Antonio outlasted the Hornets in a seven-game Western Conference semifinal series last year, but New Orleans has won two of three clashes this season (SU and ATS), both at home. In fact, the host is 11-1 SU and ATS in the last 12 series meetings, the lone exception being the Spurs’ Game 7 win in New Orleans last May. Additionally, the favorite has covered in eight of the last 10 meetings, and the SU winner is 10-0 ATS during that stretch. Finally, the Hornets have failed to win or cover in five straight visits to San Antonio.
New Orleans is in ATS funks of 2-5 overall, 2-6 on the highway, 5-12 after a SU defeat, 3-7 against winning teams and 1-5 versus the Western Conference. The Spurs also carry nothing but negative pointspread trends, including 2-7 at home, 3-7 when playing on one day of rest, 3-10 when playing on Wednesday, 2-5 versus winning teams, 1-4 after a SU victory and 0-4 after a spread-cover.
Six of the last seven meetings in this rivalry have stayed below the total. Also, the under is on runs for San Antonio of 4-1 in divisional games, 4-0-1 after a SU win, 6-1 against winning teams, while New Orleans is riding “under” streaks of 4-1 overall, 4-0 as a visitor, 18-6-1 against Southwest Division rivals, 10-4 against the Western Conference and 6-1 when facing opponents with a winning record.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO and UNDER
Houston (53-28, 40-40-1 ATS) at Dallas (49-32, 39-42 ATS)
The Rockets control their own destiny as it pertains to the Southwest Division title when they visit the rival Mavericks to close out the regular season.
Houston moved a step closer to clinching the division title and possibly even the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with Monday’s 86-66 destruction of the Hornets, covering easily as an eight-point home favorite. The Rockets, who have won five in a row (4-1 ATS), can beat out the Spurs for the Southwest title with a victory over the Mavericks, but a loss could drop them all the way into the No. 5 slot in the playoff seedings.
Dallas barely edged Minnesota 96-94 on Monday, falling way short as an 11½-point home favorite. The Mavericks, who will either be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the playoffs, have won four of their last five and six of their last eight, but they’ve followed up a 3-0 ATS run with consecutive non-covers. However, the Mavs have won five straight home games (3-2 ATS) and are 14-1 SU and 10-5 ATS in their last 15 inside American Airlines Center, scoring at least 100 points in 13 of those 15 contests.
The road team took the first two meetings in the season series between these clubs, but the Rockets took care of business at home in the most recent battle Feb. 20, winning 93-86 as a four-point chalk. Houston has won three of the last four series meetings both SU and ATS after the Mavericks had gone 6-0 SU and ATS in the previous six. Despite their recent success in this rivalry, the Rockets are still just 4-10 ATS in the last 14 series meetings.
Additionally, the road team and the underdog are both 5-1 ATS in the last six Houston-Dallas clashes.
Despite cashing in four of its last five games overall, Houston is still mired in ATS slumps of 1-4 on the road, 1-6 on Wednesday, 8-18-1 after a double-digit win and 9-22-1 after an ATS triumph. The Mavs have cashed in 15 of their last 20 after a non-cover and 17 of their last 22 on Wednesday, but they’re only 2-7 ATS in their last nine against divisional foes.
The over is 4-1 in the last five series meetings in Dallas, and the over is 9-4 in the Mavericks’ last 13 home games overall, 6-2 in their last eight on Wednesday and 5-2 in Houston’s last seven against the Western Conference.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Denver (54-27, 44-36-1 ATS) at Portland (53-28, 45-36 ATS)
Having clinched the Northwest Division title and matched the franchise record for wins in a season, the Nuggets now will try to put the finishing touches on the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference when they visit the Rose Garden for a battle with the Trail Blazers.
J.R. Smith scored 45 points to lead Denver to an easy 118-98 victory over Sacramento on Monday, covering as a 17-point home favorite. With the rout of the Kings, the Nuggets, who are on a 14-2 SU run (10-6 ATS), won a division title and earned home-court advantage for a playoff series for the first time in 21 years. They can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a victory tonight or a Houston loss in Dallas. At worst, George Karl’s club will enter the postseason as the No. 3 seed.
Portland posted its own blowout home win Monday, a 113-83 laugher over Oklahoma City as a 12½-point chalk. Like Denver, the Blazers are finishing the season with a flourish, having won five in a row (4-1 ATS) and nine of their last 10 (8-2 ATS), and they’re 5-0 SU and ATS at home during this span.
Even though Portland can match Denver’s season record with a victory tonight, the Nuggets hold the tiebreaker edge in the division standings. Therefore, Nate McMillan’s squad, which is returning to the postseason for the first time since 2002-03, will either be the No. 4 or 5 seed in the playoffs depending on various results tonight.
The home team has held serve in this rivalry so far this season, with Denver going 2-0 SU and ATS on its floor and the Blazers posting a 101-92 victory as an eight-point favorite in the lone previous meeting in Portland. The host has won eight of the last 10 clashes (5-5 ATS), but the Nuggets are 24-9-1 ATS in the past 34 head-to-head matchups, including 11-4-1 in their last 16 visits to Portland.
The Nuggets are on ATS tears of 8-3 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-0 after one day of rest, 8-2 versus the Western Conference and 4-1 against teams with a winning record. In addition to cashing in four straight overall and five straight at home, Portland is on positive pointspread rolls of 5-2 against division rivals and 6-1 after a spread-cover. However, neither team has done well at the betting window on Wednesdays of late, with Denver going 1-4 ATS in its last five and the Blazers going 4-9 ATS in their last 13.
The under is on streaks of 4-1 in this rivalry, 11-3 for Portland against Northwest Division opponents, 49-22-1 for Portland on Wednesday and 4-1 for the Nuggets on the road. However, the over is on upticks of 20-8 for Denver when playing after one day off and 6-1 for the Blazers at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Florida (6-1) at Atlanta (5-2)
The red-hot Marlins send southpaw Andrew Miller (0-0, 3.86 ERA) to the mound opposite the Braves’ Derek Lowe (1-0, 0.82) in the middle game of a three-game series between division rivals at Turner Field.
Florida got yet another outstanding starting pitching effort in Tuesday’s series opener, this time from Chris Volstad, who allowed just three hits and a run over seven innings en route to a 5-1 victory. The Marlins have the best record in baseball, and they’re doing with both starting pitching and a potent offense that’s scored 42 runs in seven games. Going back to last season, Florida is on runs of 7-1 overall (all against the N.L. East), 13-3 following a victory, 6-0 on Wednesday and 5-1 as an underdog.
Atlanta had its three-game winning streak snapped in Tuesday’s loss, and it was the first time all season the Braves – who entered yesterday’s game with a .300 team batting average– had scored fewer than four runs. Atlanta is still on streaks of 5-1 at home, 7-2 against N.L. East rivals and 4-1 versus lefty starters, but Bobby Cox’s club has dropped nine of its last 11 on Wednesday.
Although the Braves won the season series from Florida last year 10-8, the Marlins have now taken four of the past six meetings. Still, Atlanta is 36-16 in the past 52 matchups with the Fish at Turner Field.
Miller’s two appearances this year have come out of the bullpen, and he’s surrendered a run on five hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. He struggled in a starting role in his first season with Florida a year ago, registering just three quality starts in his last 10. However, the lefty is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against Atlanta, including a 7-2 road win last April.
With Miller starting, the Marlins are mired in slumps of 0-5 overall (all as an underdog) and 0-4 on the road (all as an underdog).
Lowe was brilliant in his Braves debut on April 5 (two hits allowed in eight scoreless innings of a 4-1 win Philadelphia), but a rain delay forced the veteran right-hander out of his most recent start against Washington on Friday. He allowed a run on four hits with six strikeouts, getting a no-decision as Atlanta pulled out a 6-5 home victory.
Lowe is 5-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 14 career games (nine starts) against Florida, and he’s 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA in his career at Turner Field.
Tuesday’s contest stayed below the total, making the under 5-1 in the last six Braves-Marlins meetings. Also, Florida sports “under” streaks of 8-0 as an underdog and 8-0 against winning teams. On the flip side, the over is 4-0 in the Marlins’ last four on Wednesday, 9-3-3 in Miller’s last 13 starts overall and 5-1-2 in his last eight on the road. Also, for the Braves, the “over” is on runs 11-5 at home and 8-3 as a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels (3-4) at Seattle (6-2)
Jarrod Washburn (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is set to oppose his former team for the 11th time in the last three-plus years as he leads the streaking Mariners against Jered Weaver (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and the Angels in the middle game of a three-game set at Safeco Field.
Seattle’s home opener Tuesday was a successful one, as it scored on an error in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat Los Angeles 3-2 and run its winning streak to five in a row. The Mariners, who had the worst record in the American League last season, have given up a total of just 10 runs in their six victories, including a pair of shutouts. Dating to last season, Seattle has won seven straight games against A.L. West foes.
The Angels have alternated wins and losses in their last five contests, and Tuesday’s two-run effort was their lowest output of the season and snapped a five-game streak of scoring at least four runs. However, Mike Scioscia’s squad remains on hot streaks of 8-3 on the road, 35-17 against the Mariners (7-2 in the last nine overall) and 7-2 in Seattle.
Washburn was magnificent in his season debut Thursday in Minnesota, scattering five hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 road win. Going back to his final start of 2008 on Aug. 30, the southpaw has pitched 14 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just eight hits while striking out 12. Also, he’s delivered five quality starts in his last six outings. Despite all that, the Mariners are in funks of 11-27 with Washburn on the hill overall and 3-13 when Washburn starts at home.
Washburn, who broke into the big leagues with the Angels, is 4-5 with a 4.31 ERA in his 10 career starts against his former mates, including 0-3 with a 4.42 ERA last year. Also, he was just 2-7 with a bloated 5.40 ERA in 11 home starts last season.
Like Washburn, Weaver was dominant in his first outing of 2009, giving up just one unearned run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight as the Angels beat Boston 6-3 at home in their first game following the tragic death of young pitcher Nick Adenhart. Weaver has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts dating to mid-August.
Weaver is 6-2 in his brief career against the Mariners, despite a hefty 5.07 ERA over 11 starts. That includes a 3-2 mark and a 5.86 ERA in seven outings in Seattle. Last year on the road, Weaver was 5-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 16 starts, including 1-1 with a 7.79 ERA in three games at Safeco.
Tuesday’s contest stayed well under the total. However, the over is still 10-3 in the last 13 Angels-Mariners battles at Safeco, 9-0 in Weaver’s last nine starts against the Mariners and 6-0 in Weaver’s last six trips to Seattle. Also, as a team, the Angels are on “over” streaks of 5-1-1 overall, 9-3 on Wednesday and 7-3 versus A.L. West rivals. Meanwhile, Seattle sports “over” trends of 9-5 overall, 7-2 on Wednesday, 7-2 against the A.L. West, 5-2 at home and 7-2 against right-handed starters.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
DUNKEL
Chicago White Sox at Detroit
The Tigers are 6-2 in Armando Galarraga's last 8 starts as a favorite, while the White Sox are 1-4 in Jose Contreras' last 5 starts as an underdog. The Tigers are the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has Detroit favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145).
Game 951-952: Colorado at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Marquis) 15.819; Cubs (Harden) 15.257
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-200); No Total
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+180); N/A
Game 953-954: St. Louis at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 14.375; Arizona (Garland) 15.000
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over
Game 955-956: Houston at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Hampton) 14.579; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.468
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+125); Over
Game 957-958: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Blanton) 14.447; Washington (Martis) 14.668
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+125); Under
Game 959-960: Florida at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Miller) 15.066; Atlanta (Lowe) 16.512
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-200); Under
Game 961-962: San Diego at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.490; NY Mets (Perez) 16.139
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-210); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-210); Over
Game 963-964: Cincinnati at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 13.827; Milwaukee (Looper) 14.578
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-145); Under
Game 965-966: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 14.407; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.153
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+130); Under
Game 967-968: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Contreras) 15.243; Detroit (Galarraga) 16.430
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Under
Game 969-970: Cleveland at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 15.509; Kansas City (Ponson) 15.398
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-110); Over
Game 971-972: Boston at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Wakefield) 14.233; Oakland (Anderson) 15.253
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Over
Game 973-974: NY Yankees at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.890; Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 15.836
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+100); Under
Game 975-976: Baltimore at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Hendrickson) 14.339; Texas (Benson) 15.992
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 13
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-120); Over
Game 977-978: Toronto at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Richmond) 14.229; Minnesota (Baker) 15.905
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-145); Over
Game 979-980: LA Angels at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 14.946; Seattle (Washburn) 16.069
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100); Under
NHL
Carolina at New Jersey
The Hurricanes open up the first round after finishing the regular season 9-2 in their last 11, while New Jersey was just 1-7 in its last 8 against teams with a winning record. Carolina is the underdog pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+125).
Game 51-52: NY Rangers at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.225; Washington 12.600
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-170); Over
Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.609; Pittsburgh 12.605
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-150); 6
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-150); Over
Game 55-56: Carolina at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.473; New Jersey 11.338
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-145); 5
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+125); Over
Game 57-58: St. Louis at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 10.794; Vancouver 12.244
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-180); 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-180); Under
Cajun Sports
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers
Play: Indiana Pacers -8.5
Conseco Fieldhouse will be the site of tonight’s clash between the host Indiana Pacers and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams are home for the playoffs and the Bucks have tossed the proverbial towel since the All-Star break posting an ATS record of 4-12 ATS when playing on the highway. Milwaukee is 4-13 ATS when playing against a team with a win percentage of 40 to 49 percent during the second half of the season the last two years and 0-9 ATS after playing 4 consecutive home games the last 3 seasons. The Bucks are coming in off back-to-back wins at home versus Oklahoma City and a Magic team that rested players. The Pacers enter tonight’s contest off a home loss to league leading Cleveland 117 to 109 as a four-point home underdog on Monday night. Prior to that loss the Pacers fought hard against the Atlanta Hawks and managed to get the spread cover in that contest and they just defeated a Detroit Pistons team that was fighting for playoff position 106 to 102 last Saturday night at Conseco. This Pacers team has shown some fight down the stretch and has not tossed in the towel even though they are not headed to the playoffs. The Pacers had covered four straight before that loss to Cleveland and should bounce back here with a SU and ATS win over a disinterested Bucks squad. Not a huge fan of the over used “revenge” factor by so many in this business but there are times its valid. Indiana lost at Milwaukee back on February 11th 122 to 110 as a five-point road underdog, that win gave the Bucks a 2-1 series lead this season. Not only will the Pacers want to avenge that 12 point road loss but they would like to even the season series. Database research has uncovered the fact that the Pacers are 29-18 ATS revenging a loss, 21-12 ATS revenging a same season loss, 16-5 ATS revenging a loss of 10 points or more, 22-11 ATS revenging a road loss and 15-4 ATS revenging a road loss of 10 points or more this season. Indiana coming off a SU and ATS loss in their previous game now facing a conference opponent on their home floor have posted a perfect record of 5-0 ATS their last five. The Bucks as a division underdog have gone 2-9 ATS their last 11. Milwaukee after going ‘under’ in their last game and now a division underdog have gone a perfect 0-5 ATS their last five in this situation. Milwaukee is active in an NBA system that tells us to Play AGAINST NBA division road underdogs coming off a home game, 20-40 ATS, if they won that game their record is 17-33 ATS. With the Pacers playing with some degree of purpose and the Bucks having tossed the towel and planning their vacations we will back the host as they avenge their earlier loss by double-digits to this Bucks team and even the season series at two apiece. Lay the chalk as the Pacers roll in Conseco to end the 2008-09 campaign.
Graded Selection: 2* Indiana Pacers 112 Milwaukee Bucks 95
AC Sports Advisors
LAA Angels vs. Seattle Mariners
Play: LAA Angels
We are getting ready for our NBA playoff run which historicaly we have dominated and look to do so again this year we are excited! Free play Seattle has won a lot of games to start the season off and they are not that good of a team they will come back to the pack starting tonight! We have been extremely hot to start off our baseball season and look to continue with a top play going tonight!
James Patrick Sports
Padres vs. Mets
Oliver Perez gets the start for the Mets and he has been lit up since he pitched in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico. Perez is just 1-3 in his career with a 9.00 ERA against San Diego and this series has averaged 11.2 runs per game. James Patrick Sports Diamond Club Major League Baseball Wednesday complimentary selection is Padres - Mets Over the Total.
DAVE COKIN
BALTIMORE ORIOLES VS TEXAS RANGERS
Take: BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles continue to play well and they'll be going for the sweep tonight at Texas. Baltimore sends lefty Mark Hendrickson to the mound, and he's turned into a Mr. April of sorts. Hendrickson is now 6-0 in the season's opening month over the past three years. Kris Benson is back in the bigs following a lengthy injury hiatus and I can't see him as even small chalk until he proves he's sound. I'll back the Birds to finish off the sweep.
Tom Freese
Sacramento at Minnesota
Sacramento is 7-3 OVER their last 10 games as an underdog and they are 6-2 OVER when playing with one day of rest. The Kings are 9-4 OVER on the road their last 13 games vs. a team with a losing home record. Minnesota is 35-17 OVER their last 52 games as favorites and they are 8-1 OVER their last 9 games as home favorites. The Timberwolves are 4-0 OVER their last 4 games vs. losing teams and they are 4-1 OVER their last 5 meetings with the Kings. PLAY ON 'OVER'
Scott Spreitzer
Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Oakland Athletics
The BoSox had a ton of chances last night, including a bases loaded situation with David Ortiz at the plate in extra-innings. But Boston still can't get that clutch hit. Now, toss in Tim Wakefield's poor numbers at Oakland and we have a great afternoon spot for the home team. The knuckleballer has struggled throughout his career at this venue, including a horrible 8.44 ERA in his last couple of visits. I expect a big day for Oakland bats. The A's punished righties in home day games last season, going 13-6 while averaging over 5 rpg. Let's put that into perspective. That's a 68-percent winning situation for a team that won just 47-percent of their games, overall. Brett Anderson counters for the home team today. I expect the 21-year old lefty to flourish in this stadium. He has potential all-star talent, with a low-90s fastball with fantastic movement and location. Anderson pitched five strong shutout innings in his debut last week. Unfortunately, he had a case of first-start nerves and gave up five earned runs in the 2nd inning of a 5-4 loss to Seattle. He then retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced, and overall, it was a strong outing. Now, with nerves out of the way he can take care of business on Wednesday. I'm backing the A's.
Jimmy The Moose
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
Prediction: Over
The nerves will show for both team's as the NHL playoffs start tonight. The Rangers have played over the total in 7 of their last 8 road games. The over is 6-2 in their last 8 games following a win. In their last 8 games as an underdog the over is 6-2. The over is 6-1 in the Rangers last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games. The over is 14-3-1 in the Capitals last 18 home games. In their last 7 games overall the over is 5-1-1. In their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning record the over is 8-2-1. Play the over in Game 1.
Big Al Mcmordie
Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
At 7:05 pm, our member selection is on the Pittsburgh Pirates over Houston, with Russ Ohlendorf on the hill, as the Buccos are 17-5 as a home favorite their last 22. Houston has lost its last five games by a combined score of 37-11, and its starter, Mike Hampton, was not sharp in his season debut last week (3 runs, 4 hits, 4 walks in 5 innings). Take the homestanding Pirates.
Jeff Benton
We got a lucky free-play winner Tuesday as the Rangers and Orioles exploded for six runs in the 10th inning to push their game OVER the total. That’s now four straight freebie winners on the diamond, plus 13 of 19 overall with the complimentary releases. Let’s keep it rolling Wednesday as we back the Yankees in a pick-em spot at Tampa Bay.
New York bounced back nicely from Monday’s disastrous 15-5 loss to the Rays, getting a tremendous pitching performance from newcomer A.J. Burnett combined with some timely hits for a 7-2 victory. Now the Yanks send Andy Pettitte to the hill, and the veteran lefty was terrific in his season debut, beating the Royals 4-1 while pitching seven innings of three-hit ball.
Pettitte made three starts against Tampa last year, and was solid in three of them, including the last one when he tossed a complete-game 5-0 shutout win on July 8 at Yankee Stadium. For his career, he’s 15-4 with a 3.63 ERA against the Rays.
As for Pettitte’s counterpart tonight, Tampa right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, he got torched in his first start of 2009, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings at Baltimore, losing 5-4. Worse than that, check out Sonnanstine’s career ERA against the Bronx Bombers: 6.08. Last year, he faced New York twice and got pummeled, allowing 11 runs (all earned), including four home runs, in just 9 1/3 innings, and the Yankees hit a whopping .349 against Sonnanstine.
Throw in the fact that Tampa Bay will be without its best bat – Evan Longoria will miss the game for personal reasons – and New York is absolutely live in this one. Back Pettitte and the visitors.
4♦ N.Y. YANKEES
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday let's play a rare total and take the over at Arlington.
I really do not love totals as they are crapshoots for the most part and that is part of the reason why this is not a real pay play but I truly do not see how the Orioles and Rangers don't light up the scoreboard and combine for a billion runs tonight in an easy over tonight.
Kris Benson just made his first start in literally three years in Detroit and was blasted by Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers. The guy was awful as he threw meatball after meatball. Sure he may be a little better tonight, ashe really can't be much worse, but he is in a hitters' paradise here unlike the first start at Comerica which is still more of a pitchers' park, even if not as much as in the first year or two of existence.
The former Pirate wonder-kid never really lived up to the hype and is now almost in that embarassing himself stage. There is just no reason why the hard hitting O's won't put up a bunch of crooked numbers. Absolute best case scenario here is 5 innings and three earned runs and that is absolute best case.
Meanwhile on the other side this Texas team can bash with the best of them at home as Hamilton, Blalock, Young, Cruz and the Rangers offense is no joke against good pitchers and I do not consider the tall 6'10" soft tossing Mark Hendrickson a good pitcher. The lefty at times can be alright but his upside is not very high and asking him to pitch anything better than bad is asking a lot.
The total is high there is no denying that at all but if there was ever a game that can be 10-9 this is it. The pitching was certainly lacking in the first few games of this series and in what is probably the worst couple of pitchers I just don't see anything at all changing
Jake Timlin
I am 8-1 to open the season with my freebie selections thanks to the Royals drilling the Indians last night.
Now to continue my amazing run here with my freebie selections I look for the Phillies to keep the Nationals winless today. Sure Washington is more than due for win this year, but until it happens I will be more than happy to go against them when a reasonable number is post. After all for Washington they absolutely suck all due to their starting pitching that already has an ERA of 9.29 ERA as the Nationals as a team has allowed at least 8 runs in 4 of its 7 games. Meanwhile, for the Phillies despite their struggle on the mound they have at least won their last three games thanks their high powered offense that has scored 24 runs in those three games. Plus, with Philadelphia having won 7 of the last 9 series games in Washington, including Monday’s game 9-8 the odds are in the Phillies corner here once again today. So minus a favorable number I say take the Phillies as they blast the Nationals once again.
PICK: Philadelphia Phillies
Bobby Maxwell
Philadelphia -125 at WASHINGTON
We hit our second straight FREE play on Tuesday when the Reds got an outright win in Milwaukee. Tonight we'll make it three in a row as we lay a little chalk and play the Phillies on the road in Washington against the Nationals.
The Phillies were supposed to visit the White House in honor of their World Series win on Tueday, instead they spent the day mourning the loss of their Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Today they will march out there and crush the Nationals in honor of Kalas.
Washington has opened the season 0-7 while the Phillies are 4-3 to open the campaign. Ryan Howard has just teed off against the Nationals, going 8-for-18 in his last five games against them with four homers and 11 RBIs.
Philadelphia has scored 24 runs in its three-game winning streak and now they need their pitching to come along for the ride. Joe Blanton goes tonight and he was roughed up in his debut, giving up seven runs on nine hits in four innings against the Braves, but the Phils rallied to win the game 12-11.
Washington's starters are in worse shape than the Phillies. The Nationals' starters have a 9.29 ERA and they've allowed eight runs or more in four of its seven games. Shairon Martis goes for them today after giving up three runs on five hit sin three innings of a 6-5 loss to the Brewers on Friday.
This will be a big offensive show for the Phillies. Lay the chalk and play them in this one.
4♦ PHILADELPHIA
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NY Yankees at TAMPA BAY
We are on a 10-6 comp play run the last 16 days.
Baseball for Wednesday, and we take the Yankees as they play the rubber game of a 3-game set against the Rays.
New York looked solid in last night's 7-2 win, and veteran southpaw Andy Pettitte looked vintage in his first start of the year, as he worked 7 frames of 1 run ball in a win at Kansas City.
Pettitte also won 2 of his last 3 starts last season against Tampa, and the Yankees are now 11-9 their last 20 games played at the Trop.
Andy Sonnanstine will counter for Tampa Bay, and while he did go 1-0 against the Yanks last season, he was far from dominant, allowing 11 runs in just 9 innings of work.
New York is looking for a little springboard, as they do have their much-anticipated home opener on Thursday, and taking 2 of 3 from the Rays is just the tonic the Yankees are looking for.
Play on the Yanks.
2♦ NY YANKEES