Tuesday's Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather to watch
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics – 14-mph winds will be blowing out to right. Skies will be clear, with temperatures in the high 50s.
Who’s hot
NBA: Indiana is 4-0 ATS in its last four games playing on one day’s rest.
NHL: The Kings are 7-0 in their last seven road games.
MLB: Baltimore is 10-4 in Brian Matusz’s last 14 starts on four days’ rest.
MLB: Texas is 10-2 in Matt Harrison’s last 12 road starts.
Who’s not
NBA: The over is 0-9 in Miami’s last nine home games vs. teams with winning road records.
NHL: The over is 1-6 in the Coyotes’ last seven games playing on one day’s rest.
MLB: Colorado is 1-6 in Juan Nicasio’s last seven road starts.
MLB: The White Sox are 0-7 in Gavin Floyd’s last seven starts vs. the Twins.
Key stat
2 – That’s how many points Miami’s “other” players, those not named LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, scored in the second half of Sunday’s Game 4 win in Indianapolis. James and Wade combined for 53 of 55 points as the Heat tied the series 2-2. Host Miami is set as a 6.5-point favorite in Tuesday’s Game 5.
Injuries that shouldn’t be overlooked
Angels outfielders Vernon Wells (thumb) and Ryan Langerhans (separated right shoulder) were placed on the DL Monday after both got hurt Sunday. Wells tore a ligament in his right thumb while trying to steal. He needs surgery and will be out at least 8-10 weeks. Langerhans ran into a wall chasing a double. He will not need surgery, but will be out for an extended period of time.
Game of the day
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat (-6.5, 180)
Notable quotable
"I guess that's what sports are all about, trying to do something that someone hasn't done for a while, try to do things (when) the odds are kind of stacked against you. Nobody wants to be in the position we're in, but everybody wants to prove they can answer that call." – Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who scored both goals in Phoenix’s 2-0 win Sunday. The Coyotes still trail the series 3-1 heading into Tuesday’s Game 5 at home.
Notes and tips
Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman will miss at least 6-8 weeks with an injured right knee. The 36-year-old will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week. In Berkman's absence, Matt Adams and Matt Carpenter will get most of the starts at first base.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade would not say if his knee, which was drained of fluid last week, required extensive treatment before Tuesday’s Game 5 in Miami. Wade bounced back from a horrific Game 3 performance with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Sunday’s Game 4 win. "I'm a no-excuse type person," Wade said. "When I'm on the basketball court, I'm all about trying to help my team win. Obviously, when things are going great, everyone pats you on the back. When things are not going great, some people turn their back. But I'm the kind of person who always believes in myself, believes in my teammates and knows that it can always turn around."
Tigers OF Austin Jackson, who has missed four straight games with a mild abdominal strain, is not certain to return to the lineup Tuesday when Detroit visits Cleveland in the opener of a three-game series. Jackson participated in pre-game drills over the weekend and should be back this week, if not Tuesday. "When I went to run, you know, try to get up to 80 percent at least, it didn't feel that good," Jackson said Sunday. "It was still kind of hurting to run, so that's why I'm thinking maybe a couple more days."
Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg left Sunday's win against the Orioles after five innings due to biceps tightness, but manager Davey Johnson said Strasburg should be able to make his next start. "The bicep is fine," Strasburg confirmed. "Starting out, I threw a lot of pitches early and then we put up a lot of runs. I got a little tired. [The bicep] got a little tight. It's nothing different than any other outing. It's probably gonna be like this for the rest of the year. It's all part of coming back from Tommy John [surgery]. It's something I have to be smart about."