Brandon Lang
25 Dime
RAPTORS
10 Dime
BRAVES
DIAMONDBACKS
TIGERS
Free Pick
Astros-Cards Under
Nuggets
25 Dime
RAPTORS
10 Dime
BRAVES
DIAMONDBACKS
TIGERS
Free Pick
Astros-Cards Under
Nuggets
Saturday Service Plays 4/26/08
- Thread starter the duke
- Start date
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
20* NBA CRUSHER OF THE MONTH $29.00
Talk about an easy blowout winner, we'll Brad Diamond's super stat package has the right side answers to all your NBA playoff questions come Saturday. If you're looking for a profitable group of angles, go live to the guaranteed links and pay after scoring!
20* Houston Rockets
Not afraid to back up the Rockets performance the other night on foreign boards. Always difficult to steal a 4th game on the road, but with guard Alston back in the lineup the early season negative match-ups are no longer. Critical too, is the poor 60% foul shooting by Utah and rebounding edge afforded Houston without Yao. These statistics tend to have a carry over effect. On the technical side, road team has been money in the bank carving out a nice 6-1 ATS edge L7 times out. The underdog in the series supports this mindset as the low post is 6-1 ATS of late. Granted the techs issue a Utah edge on their home floor over the last few years in this series, but Houston is 22-7 ATS off a SU win!
20* NBA CRUSHER OF THE MONTH $29.00
Talk about an easy blowout winner, we'll Brad Diamond's super stat package has the right side answers to all your NBA playoff questions come Saturday. If you're looking for a profitable group of angles, go live to the guaranteed links and pay after scoring!
20* Houston Rockets
Not afraid to back up the Rockets performance the other night on foreign boards. Always difficult to steal a 4th game on the road, but with guard Alston back in the lineup the early season negative match-ups are no longer. Critical too, is the poor 60% foul shooting by Utah and rebounding edge afforded Houston without Yao. These statistics tend to have a carry over effect. On the technical side, road team has been money in the bank carving out a nice 6-1 ATS edge L7 times out. The underdog in the series supports this mindset as the low post is 6-1 ATS of late. Granted the techs issue a Utah edge on their home floor over the last few years in this series, but Houston is 22-7 ATS off a SU win!
Big Al
3* Toronto Blue Jays (Marcum/Hochevar)
3* Denver Nuggets
3* Utah Jazz
Opinion Jazz/Rockets under
3* Toronto Blue Jays (Marcum/Hochevar)
3* Denver Nuggets
3* Utah Jazz
Opinion Jazz/Rockets under
BIG AL McMORDIE
MLB PITCHING MISMATCH GAME OF THE MONTH! $20.00
Al McMordie is releasing a very strong play in Major League Baseball on this Saturday. Although the oddsmakers rate this game a near Pick 'em, one team has a HUGE ADVANTAGE on the mound. It's Big Al's Pitching Mismatch Game of the Month for April. Get on it.
Toronto BlueJays (Marcum/Hochevar)
81% (25-6 ATS) NBA PLAYOFF PAYDAY! $35.00
Al McMordie split out in the NBA last night, cashing on the Philly 76ers, and losing with Phoenix. On Saturday, Big Al has a play he ABSOLUTELY LOVES. It's out of a KILLER 25-6 (81% ATS) PLAYOFF SYSTEM, and it will be the EASIEST WINNER OF YOUR LIFE. Don't miss Big Al's Saturday NBA Playoff Payday.
Utah Jazz
100% ATS SATURDAY AFTERNOON NBABLOWOUT! $35.00
2007 World Series of Sports Handicapping Champ Al McMordie's off to a 5-3 start in the Playoffs, and is STEPPING OUT BIG TIME on Saturday AFTERNOON with a Super NBA Winner out of a System that's CASHED 100% ATS over the past 10 years. And the next big winner goes today. Hop on board right now, and get the $$$$.
Denver Nuggets
MLB PITCHING MISMATCH GAME OF THE MONTH! $20.00
Al McMordie is releasing a very strong play in Major League Baseball on this Saturday. Although the oddsmakers rate this game a near Pick 'em, one team has a HUGE ADVANTAGE on the mound. It's Big Al's Pitching Mismatch Game of the Month for April. Get on it.
Toronto BlueJays (Marcum/Hochevar)
81% (25-6 ATS) NBA PLAYOFF PAYDAY! $35.00
Al McMordie split out in the NBA last night, cashing on the Philly 76ers, and losing with Phoenix. On Saturday, Big Al has a play he ABSOLUTELY LOVES. It's out of a KILLER 25-6 (81% ATS) PLAYOFF SYSTEM, and it will be the EASIEST WINNER OF YOUR LIFE. Don't miss Big Al's Saturday NBA Playoff Payday.
Utah Jazz
100% ATS SATURDAY AFTERNOON NBABLOWOUT! $35.00
2007 World Series of Sports Handicapping Champ Al McMordie's off to a 5-3 start in the Playoffs, and is STEPPING OUT BIG TIME on Saturday AFTERNOON with a Super NBA Winner out of a System that's CASHED 100% ATS over the past 10 years. And the next big winner goes today. Hop on board right now, and get the $$$$.
Denver Nuggets
TEDDY COVERS
Saturday April 26th 2008
-- Arena Football --
7:30p
Tampa Bay Storm - Orlando Predators u116.5 (-110) / 4 units
We bet Orlando Under the total last week, and frankly, we should have cashed our ticket with ease. Each defense held their opponent out of the end zone on four different ?meaningful? drives. Neither team gained more than 7.4 yards per pass attempt. With a total of 113, normally, that?s a recipe for a solid cash. But we saw two interceptions get returned for touchdowns. We saw a late first half fumble completely change the crucial final minute before halftime, which turned into a 16 point disaster for us. And we lost our bet with more than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The bad news is that we lost our bet on the Predators Under last week. The good news is that it gives us an even higher, more inflated total to bet into this week, giving us a prime opportunity to cash an Under ticket this time around. These two teams met twice last year. The games were totaled at 98 and 99. Both games went Under. Now the oddsmakers are hanging a 116.5?!? Yes, I?ll get involved here, and recommend that you do the same.
We?re talking about two of the better defensive lines in the AFL, capable of putting all kinds of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tampa Bay had six tackles for loss last week and three sacks against New York , but their defense failed to force a turnover for the fifth consecutive week. Orlando QB Shane Stafford was sacked four times against Georgia last week, as the offensive line was repeatedly manhandled by the Force defenders. We?ve seen this Orlando offense struggle repeatedly against the better defenses that they?ve faced, held to 50 points or less in three straight games prior to the last two contests. Expect the Storm?s string of failing to force a turnover to end here, with an inspired defensive effort against their arch-rivals in the ?War on I-4?.
Orlando?s defense has improved by leaps and bounds over where they were early in the season. The Predators allowed 25 touchdowns on 28 meaningful drives without a single turnover forced, sack or even tipped pass in their first three games, each of which flew Over the total. Head coach Jay Gruden changed things up prior to Week 4, and the results speak for themselves. The Predators held three consecutive opponents under 50 points in regulation prior to two weeks ago when they took their foot off the gas pedal with a 40 point lead in the second half (61-21). Last week, the Predators defense was again rock solid, but, as described above, they somehow gave up 62 points. Don?t expect that to happen two weeks in a row, particularly against the struggling Storm QB Brett Dietz and their Swiss cheese offensive line. And let?s not forget to mention the struggles Tampa Bay has had on kick returns, with their average drive starting at their own nine yard line. Put it all together and the case for the Under is perfectly clear in one of the most intense rivalries in the AFL. Take the Under. Current Line: Under 116.5, reduce wager size to 0.5 unit at 113 or lower.
10:00p Ted
Arizona Rattlers +7.0 (-110) / 4 units
Last year, Georgia quarterback Chris Greisen was the best quarterback in the league, throwing for 117 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions, averaging more than 9.1 yards per pass attempt, leading to a league leading QB rating of 132. This year, we?re finding out that it wasn?t all Greisen. Georgia lost their offensive coordinator in the offseason. They lost two of their top three receivers as well, as Chris Jackson and Derrick Lee (238 catches, 67 touchdowns) moved on in free agency. Greisen?s QB rating has declined markedly, down to 112.7. His interceptions are up. His yards per pass attempt is down to 7.9. Instead of being the #1 QB in the league, Greisen?s QB rating is all the way down to 15th in the AFL.
Georgia?s defense has declined markedly as well. The Force have allowed 63 and 65 points over the last two weeks. Yes, the Force still have a solid pass rush, but their play in the secondary simply hasn?t been very good, a significant part of the reason why they have been a pointspread disaster area this year, just 2-5 ATS, earning only a single SU road victory all year long.
We bet Arizona Over the total last week, but QB Lang Campbell suffered through a truly miserable game. Campbell came into the contest having thrown only two interceptions in his three previous starts, but the playmaking New Orleans defense gave him all kinds of trouble in an ugly five interception performance. Even with the picks, the Rattlers still gained 355 yards of total offense, a perfectly respectable number. In the other two games that Campbell started and finished, Arizona scored 63 points each time, winning outright as a seven point underdog and as a 14 point underdog. Head coach Kevin Guy: "Sometimes you've got to have some pain to learn. He doesn't want to look bad, so he's going to get it cleaned up. He was fired up to get back out here (at practice)." Expect a ?fired up performance from the home team here, against a road favorite that really doesn?t have much business in this pointspread range, especially coming off a devastating loss last week in which they blew a ten point lead in the final five minutes of the game. Take Arizona . Current Line: +7, reduce wager size to 0.5 unit at +4 or lower.
Saturday April 26th 2008
-- Arena Football --
7:30p
Tampa Bay Storm - Orlando Predators u116.5 (-110) / 4 units
We bet Orlando Under the total last week, and frankly, we should have cashed our ticket with ease. Each defense held their opponent out of the end zone on four different ?meaningful? drives. Neither team gained more than 7.4 yards per pass attempt. With a total of 113, normally, that?s a recipe for a solid cash. But we saw two interceptions get returned for touchdowns. We saw a late first half fumble completely change the crucial final minute before halftime, which turned into a 16 point disaster for us. And we lost our bet with more than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The bad news is that we lost our bet on the Predators Under last week. The good news is that it gives us an even higher, more inflated total to bet into this week, giving us a prime opportunity to cash an Under ticket this time around. These two teams met twice last year. The games were totaled at 98 and 99. Both games went Under. Now the oddsmakers are hanging a 116.5?!? Yes, I?ll get involved here, and recommend that you do the same.
We?re talking about two of the better defensive lines in the AFL, capable of putting all kinds of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tampa Bay had six tackles for loss last week and three sacks against New York , but their defense failed to force a turnover for the fifth consecutive week. Orlando QB Shane Stafford was sacked four times against Georgia last week, as the offensive line was repeatedly manhandled by the Force defenders. We?ve seen this Orlando offense struggle repeatedly against the better defenses that they?ve faced, held to 50 points or less in three straight games prior to the last two contests. Expect the Storm?s string of failing to force a turnover to end here, with an inspired defensive effort against their arch-rivals in the ?War on I-4?.
Orlando?s defense has improved by leaps and bounds over where they were early in the season. The Predators allowed 25 touchdowns on 28 meaningful drives without a single turnover forced, sack or even tipped pass in their first three games, each of which flew Over the total. Head coach Jay Gruden changed things up prior to Week 4, and the results speak for themselves. The Predators held three consecutive opponents under 50 points in regulation prior to two weeks ago when they took their foot off the gas pedal with a 40 point lead in the second half (61-21). Last week, the Predators defense was again rock solid, but, as described above, they somehow gave up 62 points. Don?t expect that to happen two weeks in a row, particularly against the struggling Storm QB Brett Dietz and their Swiss cheese offensive line. And let?s not forget to mention the struggles Tampa Bay has had on kick returns, with their average drive starting at their own nine yard line. Put it all together and the case for the Under is perfectly clear in one of the most intense rivalries in the AFL. Take the Under. Current Line: Under 116.5, reduce wager size to 0.5 unit at 113 or lower.
10:00p Ted
Arizona Rattlers +7.0 (-110) / 4 units
Last year, Georgia quarterback Chris Greisen was the best quarterback in the league, throwing for 117 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions, averaging more than 9.1 yards per pass attempt, leading to a league leading QB rating of 132. This year, we?re finding out that it wasn?t all Greisen. Georgia lost their offensive coordinator in the offseason. They lost two of their top three receivers as well, as Chris Jackson and Derrick Lee (238 catches, 67 touchdowns) moved on in free agency. Greisen?s QB rating has declined markedly, down to 112.7. His interceptions are up. His yards per pass attempt is down to 7.9. Instead of being the #1 QB in the league, Greisen?s QB rating is all the way down to 15th in the AFL.
Georgia?s defense has declined markedly as well. The Force have allowed 63 and 65 points over the last two weeks. Yes, the Force still have a solid pass rush, but their play in the secondary simply hasn?t been very good, a significant part of the reason why they have been a pointspread disaster area this year, just 2-5 ATS, earning only a single SU road victory all year long.
We bet Arizona Over the total last week, but QB Lang Campbell suffered through a truly miserable game. Campbell came into the contest having thrown only two interceptions in his three previous starts, but the playmaking New Orleans defense gave him all kinds of trouble in an ugly five interception performance. Even with the picks, the Rattlers still gained 355 yards of total offense, a perfectly respectable number. In the other two games that Campbell started and finished, Arizona scored 63 points each time, winning outright as a seven point underdog and as a 14 point underdog. Head coach Kevin Guy: "Sometimes you've got to have some pain to learn. He doesn't want to look bad, so he's going to get it cleaned up. He was fired up to get back out here (at practice)." Expect a ?fired up performance from the home team here, against a road favorite that really doesn?t have much business in this pointspread range, especially coming off a devastating loss last week in which they blew a ten point lead in the final five minutes of the game. Take Arizona . Current Line: +7, reduce wager size to 0.5 unit at +4 or lower.
Michael Cannon
NBA Playoffs: 4-4 (+/- 0 dimes overall)
20 Dime
LAKERS
5 Dime
PHILLIES (With Morris as listed pitcher)
TIGERS (With Galarraga as listed pitcher)
BLUE JAYS (With Marcum as listed pitcher)
NBA Playoffs: 4-4 (+/- 0 dimes overall)
20 Dime
LAKERS
5 Dime
PHILLIES (With Morris as listed pitcher)
TIGERS (With Galarraga as listed pitcher)
BLUE JAYS (With Marcum as listed pitcher)
Dunkel Index
MLB
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
The Phillies have won five of their last six and look to take advantage of Pittsburgh starter Matt Morris, who is 0-3 with a 9.14 ERA in four starts this season. Philadelphia is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120)
Game 901-902: Atlanta at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.191; NY Mets (Maine) 14.555
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Under
Game 903-904: Houston at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 16.026; St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.309
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+110); Under
Game 905-906: Arizona at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Owings) 15.525; San Diego (Germano) 14.193
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Under
Game 907-908: Florida at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Hendrickson) 14.718; Milwaukee (Villanueva) 14.984
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Under
Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Kendrick) 16.025; Pittsburgh (Morris) 13.498
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120); Under
Game 911-912: Chicago Cubs at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Zambrano) 16.113; Washington (Chico) 14.204
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-165); Over
Game 913-914: Cincinnati at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Belisle) 14.266; San Francisco (Correia) 15.317
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+100); Over
Game 915-916: Colorado at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Redman) 14.859; LA Dodgers (Penny) 15.341
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-175); Over
Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Kennedy) 16.246; Cleveland (Sowers) 14.962
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-110); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+100); Over
Game 919-920: LA Angels at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Moseley) 15.674; Detroit (Galarraga) 16.442
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-130); Over
Game 921-922: Baltimore at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Burres) 14.962; White Sox (Danks) 16.283
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-145); Under
Game 923-924: Boston at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Buchholz) 16.294; Tampa Bay (Jackson) 14.925
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-125); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-125); Over
Game 925-926: Toronto at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Marcum) 13.892; Kansas City (Hochevar) 13.527
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-115); Over
Game 927-928: Minnesota at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 14.581; Texas (Feldman) 14.114
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-110); 10
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-110); Under
Game 929-930: Oakland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Duchscherer) 15.649; Seattle (Bedard) 15.663
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-135); Under
Game 931-932: Baltimore at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Trachsel) 15.312; White Sox (Masset) 15.569
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
MLB
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
The Phillies have won five of their last six and look to take advantage of Pittsburgh starter Matt Morris, who is 0-3 with a 9.14 ERA in four starts this season. Philadelphia is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120)
Game 901-902: Atlanta at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.191; NY Mets (Maine) 14.555
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Under
Game 903-904: Houston at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 16.026; St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.309
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+110); Under
Game 905-906: Arizona at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Owings) 15.525; San Diego (Germano) 14.193
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Under
Game 907-908: Florida at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Hendrickson) 14.718; Milwaukee (Villanueva) 14.984
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Under
Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Kendrick) 16.025; Pittsburgh (Morris) 13.498
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120); Under
Game 911-912: Chicago Cubs at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Zambrano) 16.113; Washington (Chico) 14.204
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-165); Over
Game 913-914: Cincinnati at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Belisle) 14.266; San Francisco (Correia) 15.317
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+100); Over
Game 915-916: Colorado at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Redman) 14.859; LA Dodgers (Penny) 15.341
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-175); Over
Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Kennedy) 16.246; Cleveland (Sowers) 14.962
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-110); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+100); Over
Game 919-920: LA Angels at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Moseley) 15.674; Detroit (Galarraga) 16.442
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-130); Over
Game 921-922: Baltimore at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Burres) 14.962; White Sox (Danks) 16.283
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-145); Under
Game 923-924: Boston at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Buchholz) 16.294; Tampa Bay (Jackson) 14.925
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-125); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-125); Over
Game 925-926: Toronto at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Marcum) 13.892; Kansas City (Hochevar) 13.527
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-115); Over
Game 927-928: Minnesota at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 14.581; Texas (Feldman) 14.114
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-110); 10
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-110); Under
Game 929-930: Oakland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Duchscherer) 15.649; Seattle (Bedard) 15.663
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-135); Under
Game 931-932: Baltimore at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Trachsel) 15.312; White Sox (Masset) 15.569
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Dunkel Index
NBA
LA Lakers at Denver
The Lakers opened with two easy wins at home, but should face a tougher challenge in Denver where the Nuggets went 33-8 SU this season. Denver is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by 3.
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-1 1/2)
Game 701-702: Orlando at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 120.891; Toronto 122.876
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (+3); Under
Game 703-704: LA Lakers at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 122.534; Denver 125.635
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3; 227
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 1 1/2; 230
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-1 1/2); Under
Game 705-706: Boston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 124.949; Atlanta 120.799
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 4; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 8; 187
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+8); Over
Game 707-708: Houston at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 121.418; Utah 130.368
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 9; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 8 1/2; 185 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-8 1/2); Over
NBA
LA Lakers at Denver
The Lakers opened with two easy wins at home, but should face a tougher challenge in Denver where the Nuggets went 33-8 SU this season. Denver is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by 3.
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-1 1/2)
Game 701-702: Orlando at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 120.891; Toronto 122.876
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (+3); Under
Game 703-704: LA Lakers at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 122.534; Denver 125.635
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3; 227
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 1 1/2; 230
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-1 1/2); Under
Game 705-706: Boston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 124.949; Atlanta 120.799
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 4; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 8; 187
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+8); Over
Game 707-708: Houston at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 121.418; Utah 130.368
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 9; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 8 1/2; 185 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-8 1/2); Over
Dunkel Index
NHL
Philadelphia at Montreal
The Flyers were less than a minute away from stealing Game One in Montreal before finally losing in overtime. They bounced back from a similar late loss at Washington in the first round with a solid win (2-0) in Game Two. The Flyers are the underdog pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has Philadelphia favored straight up by 1.
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+150)
Game 51-52: Colorado at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 12.475; Detroit 11.807
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-195); 5
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+170); Under
Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 12.060; Montreal 11.259
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+150); Under
NHL
Philadelphia at Montreal
The Flyers were less than a minute away from stealing Game One in Montreal before finally losing in overtime. They bounced back from a similar late loss at Washington in the first round with a solid win (2-0) in Game Two. The Flyers are the underdog pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has Philadelphia favored straight up by 1.
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+150)
Game 51-52: Colorado at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 12.475; Detroit 11.807
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-195); 5
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+170); Under
Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 12.060; Montreal 11.259
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+150); Under
THEERODFATHER OF SPORTS
NBA PLAYOFFS
PREMIUM PACKAGE HITT PLAYS
DENVER-1.5 35 UNIT HITT PLAY
UTAH-8.5 25 UNIT HITT PLAY
NBA PLAYOFFS
PREMIUM PACKAGE HITT PLAYS
DENVER-1.5 35 UNIT HITT PLAY
UTAH-8.5 25 UNIT HITT PLAY
Alex Smart
Arena Football Total GOM -48-9 Edge! $30.00
The Smart Money has isolated his strongest Arena Football TOTAL of the month, this Saturday. Todays gridiron banger is backed with a key duo of trends that combine for a 48-9 Edge! Join Alex as he takes advantage of a weak nunmber. (Pay only after you win)
Cleveland Gladiators/New York Dragons under 112.0
Also
3 units Los Angeles Avengers/San Jose SaberCats
under 119.0
Arena Football Total GOM -48-9 Edge! $30.00
The Smart Money has isolated his strongest Arena Football TOTAL of the month, this Saturday. Todays gridiron banger is backed with a key duo of trends that combine for a 48-9 Edge! Join Alex as he takes advantage of a weak nunmber. (Pay only after you win)
Cleveland Gladiators/New York Dragons under 112.0
Also
3 units Los Angeles Avengers/San Jose SaberCats
under 119.0
SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(3) Orlando (54-31, 51-31-3 ATS) at (6) Toronto (42-43, 41-43-1 ATS)
Having climbed back into their series with the Magic with a victory on Thursday, the Raptors now look to draw even in Game 4 of this best-of-7 opening-round set at the Air Canada Centre.
Toronto scored a 108-94 win Thursday night, easily cashing as a four-point chalk. It was a complete team effort for the Raptors, as they shot 49.4 percent from the floor and had seven players reach double digits, led by T.J. Ford?s 21 points.
The Raptors have now covered the last two games in the series and ended the Magic?s five-game SU win streak. However, Toronto is still just 4-7 SU and ATS in its last 11 games, while Orlando is 8-4 SU and 7-4-1 ATS in its last 11 starts.
The Magic have won four of the last six clashes with the Raptors, but are just 3-3 ATS. Dating back to 2005, the Raptors are now on streaks of 10-3 ATS versus Orlando overall and (8-5 SU) 8-1 ATS versus Orlando north of the border.
Despite Thursday?s pointspread setback, the Magic still are on a plethora of positive pointspread streaks, including 5-2 against the Eastern Conference, 4-2 on the highway, 27-10-1 after a non-cover, 14-6-1 as a road ?dog, 21-9 when getting less than five points on the road and 10-5 on one days? rest. One negative note for Orlando: It is just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight as a playoff underdog.
The Raptors are 38-16-2 ATS in their last 56 against Southeast Division opponents but the ATS trends are all negative from there, including 9-20 overall, 3-8 against teams with a winning SU mark, 4-7 against the East, 3-8 on one days? rest, 2-7 following a spread-cover and 0-5 on Saturdays.
In this rivalry, the over is on streaks of 5-2 overall (2-1 in this playoff series) and 4-2 in games played in Toronto. In addition, the over is 7-2 in Orlando?s last nine first-round playoff games, 4-1 in Toronto?s last five first-round contests and 5-2 in the Raptors? last seven against winning teams. Conversely, the under is on streaks of 7-1 for Orlando on the road and 7-2-1 for Toronto at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(1) Boston (68-16, 54-28-2 ATS) at (8) Atlanta (37-47, 37-46-1 ATS)
The Celtics try to take a commanding 3-0 lead when they meet the Hawks in Game 3 of their best-of-7 first-round series, which shifts to Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Boston went up 2-0 in the series with Wednesday?s 96-77 victory, covering as a 15-point home favorite for the second straight time in this series. The Celtics? defense dominated the game, limiting the Hawks to 38.3 percent shooting and not allowing them to hit a 3-pointer (0-for-5). Boston also outrebounded Atlanta 45-35 and forced the Hawks into 22 turnovers while committing just 14.
Doc Rivers? Celtics have now won 13 of their last 14 games going back to the regular season, going 12-2 ATS. That includes an ongoing 6-0 SU and ATS winning streak.
The Hawks, who are back in the postseason for the first time since 1999, have now lost five straight games and seven of their last nine, both SU and ATS. In fact, the winner has cashed in each of the team?s last 11 games.
Boston is 5-0 against Atlanta this year (4-1 ATS), easily winning all five games by double digits. Still, the underdog is 7-5 ATS in the last 12 clashes.
The Celtics are on ATS runs of 21-5 overall, 16-5 as a favorite, 48-19-1 on the highway, 35-17 on Saturdays, 4-1 on two days? rest, 5-1 against the Southeast Division and 7-2 as a road chalk. Meanwhile the Hawks are on ATS slides of 1-5 at home, 0-4 as an underdog, 0-5 overall and 0-5 against the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday?s game stayed under the total, making the under 5-0 in the five meetings this year. Also, for the Celtics, the under is on runs of 9-3 overall, 12-3 against the Eastern Conference, 6-1 against the Southeast Division and 8-2 following an ATS win.
On the flip side, for the Hawks, the over is still on streaks of 9-5 overall, 8-5 against the Eastern Conference and 6-4 against the Atlantic Division. However, Atlanta has stayed under the total in four of its last five against the Atlantic Division, as well as five straight Saturday contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) L.A. Lakers (59-25, 49-34-1 ATS) at (8) Denver (50-34, 44-40 ATS)
The Lakers season-long dominance of the Nuggets continued in Game 2, and now they look to take a decisive 3-0 lead when the two teams meet inside the Pepsi Center in Denver for Game 3 of their best-of-7 first-round series.
Los Angeles got 49 points and 10 assists from Kobe Bryant in Wednesday?s 122-107 home win, cashing as 8?-point favorites. Bryant was 18 of 27 from the field as the Lakers, who shot 50.5 percent from the floor and accumulated 33 assists as compared with Denver?s 12 on Wednesday. Also, Los Angeles has averaged 125 points a game in this series.
Wednesday?s win improved the Lakers to 5-0 SU and ATS against Denver this season and 8-2 ATS in the last 10. In the lone matchup between these squads in the Mile High City this season, the Lakers scored a 111-107 win as nine-point ?dogs back on Dec. 5, improving to 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to the Pepsi Center.
The Lakers are on a 10-1 SU surge dating to the regular season, but they?re just 6-5 ATS during this stretch. Meanwhile, Denver, which had to win four of its last five regular-season games to get into the playoffs for the fifth straight year, has now dropped sixth consecutive playoff games both SU and ATS (all as an underdog) going back to last year?s opening-round, five-game loss to the eventual champion Spurs.
Phil Jackson?s squad is on ATS streaks of 6-1 as a road underdog, 19-7-1 on the highway, 20-9 following an ATS win, 7-3 when playing on two days? rest and 4-1 in conference quarterfinal matchups. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are on positive pointspread runs of 19-8 following a SU defeat, 8-3 at home, 11-4 as a favorite, 9-2 following a SU loss and 4-1 at home against teams with a winning road mark.
Game 2 narrowly stayed under the 230-point posted total, making the over 3-1 in the Lakers? last four overall and 4-2 in the Lakers? last six first-round playoff contests. Also, Denver has topped the total in 15 of its last 21 home games and 18 of its last 26 games as a favorite. However, for the Nuggets, the under is still on streaks of 6-1 overall and 17-5 in first-round playoff games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
(5) Houston (56-29, 48-35-2 ATS) at (4) Utah (56-29, 48-37 ATS)
After dropping two games at home, the Rockets got themselves back into their best-of-7 first-round series against the Jazz with Thursday?s narrow win inside Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City and now look to draw even with another road win.
With their backs against the wall, the Rockets held off Utah 94-92, cashing as a nine-point underdog to become the first time all season to win twice in Salt Lake City. Tracy McGrady led the charge for the Rockets with 27 points and seven assists, while Rafer Alson, who sat out Games 1 and 2 with an injury, added 20 points and five assists.
When these two squared off in last year?s opening round of the postseason, the home team went 6-0 SU before the Jazz stole Game 7 in Houston. Including the Game 7 clincher, the road team is on 6-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry (all as an underdog), including 3-0 SU and ATS in this series. However, Utah is still on an 8-2 ATS run against Houston (7-3 SU) and is 6-2 ATS in its last eight at home against the Rockets.
Despite Thursday?s setback, Jerry Sloan?s squad is still 8-3 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 overall. Meanwhile, the Rockets are 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six overall, a downturn that comes on the heels of a 5-0 SU and ATS streak. Finally, the straight-up winner is 13-0 ATS in Houston?s last 13 contests.
The Rockets snapped an 0-7 ATS playoff losing streak with Thursday?s win, all in games played against Utah. Still, Houston remains on pointspread slides of 2-4 as an underdog overall, 1-4 as a playoff underdog, 1-5 as a road pup of five to 10? points and 1-4 against the Northwest Division. On the bright side, Houston is 7-2 in its last nine Saturday tip-offs and 17-8 ATS in its last 25 on the highway.
The Jazz remain on a bevy of positive ATS streaks, including 25-9 against the Western Conference, 8-2 against the Southwest Division, 38-17-1 against winning teams, 6-1-1 as a playoff favorite, and 37-15-1 at home.
The under for Houston is on runs of 6-2 overall, 4-1 as a ?dog of any price, 17-6 as a road pup of five to 10? points, 11-3 against the Northwest Division and 8-4 in first-round playoff games. For Utah, the under is 11-4-1 in the team?s last 15 against the Southwest Division, 15-7 in its last 22 first-round playoff games and 6-3 in its last nine overall. Finally, the under is 2-1 in this best-of-7 series and 10-5 in the last 15 head-to-head meetings in Salt Lake City.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona (17-6) at San Diego (9-15)
Micah Owings (4-0, 2.42 ERA) goes for his fifth straight win to start the season when he leads the red-hot DBacks against Justin Germano (0-2, 5.01) and the slumping Padres in the middle game of a weekend series at Petco Park.
Arizona, which owns baseball?s best record, took Friday?s series-opener 5-1, improving to 16-4 in its last 20. The DBacks have now scored at least four runs in 19 of their last 20 games, and they?re also 8-4 on the road this year.
San Diego is in the midst of an ugly slump, having lost five in a row and nine of its last 10. That includes five straight home losses during which the Padres have scored a total of six runs. In fact, Bud Black?s squad has produced those six runs over their last 66 innings at Petco, and they?ve scored three runs or fewer in 16 of their 23 contests overall.
These teams met last weekend in the desert, with Arizona taking two of three. Dating to last year, the Diamondbacks are on a 5-1 run against the Friars. However, San Diego is still 4-2 in the past six meetings at Petco.
Owings, who was just 8-8 with a 4.30 ERA in 29 games (27 starts) in his rookie season last year, is off to a fantastic start to 2008, allowing a total of seven runs in 26 innings, lasting at least six innings in every start. He?s also 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two road starts.
Owings faced San Diego three times last year. He got rocked in the one outing at home (five runs allowed in three innings of a 10-2 loss), but was brilliant in two starts at Petco Park, giving up one run in each contest on a total of seven hits over 13 innings, winning 9-5 and getting a no-decision in a 3-1 Arizona loss.
Germano was outstanding in his first three starts, giving up just three earned runs in 20 innings (1.35 ERA). But his last time out in Houston, the right-hander got destroyed, yielding 10 runs on 10 hits in just 3 1/3 innings, falling 10-3. San Diego is 0-6 in Germano?s last six starts dating to last September, including 0-3 at home. Going back further, the Pads are mired in the following slumps with Germano on the hill: 5-17 overall, 2-9 at home and 3-13 against the N.L. West.
In Germano?s two home outings this year, he?s posted a 2.08 ERA, but San Diego lost 7-1 to the Dodgers and 10-2 to Colorado. Also, he went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in four games (three starts) against Arizona in his rookie season last year.
The over is 6-3 in Germano?s last nine starts overall and 9-3 in his last 12 starts at home, but the under is 5-2 in Owings? last seven.
The over is 10-3-1 in Arizona?s last 14 overall, and 6-1-1 in the last eight series meetings between these teams. However, the under is now 10-3 at Petco Park this season, including 7-1 in the last eight.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (12-12) at Cleveland (11-12)
A pair of young pitchers face off at Progressive Field late this afternoon, as struggling Yankees right-hander Ian Kennedy (0-2, 9.64) opposes Cleveland?s Jeremy Sowers (1-6, 6.42 ERA in 2007), who is set to make his season debut.
New York dropped Friday?s series opener 6-4, falling to 3-4 on its current road trip. That 3-4 mark continues a season marked by inconsistent play, as Joe Girardi?s club has not won or lost more than three straight games all season. Also, the Yanks are now 5-4 at home and 7-8 on the road.
The Indians have rebounded from a 3-10 slump to win six of their last eight, including the last four in a row. However, since opening the season with two home wins, the Indians have lost six of nine at Progressive Field.
New York had an eight-game regular-season winning streak against Cleveland snapped in Friday?s defeat. It was also the Yankees? first regular-season loss in Cleveland in their past six outings. However, Cleveland won the games that mattered most in last year?s postseason, knocking out the Yanks in four games in a best-of-5 Divisional round series.
Kennedy has just one quality outing in three starts this season, and he lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his most recent outing a week ago today in Baltimore. In that contest, he gave up four runs on five hits and five walks, taking a 6-0 loss. He?s 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in two road starts. Finally, this is Kennedy?s first career start against the Indians.
The Indians went just 4-9 in Sowers? 13 starts last year, including 1-3 at home. The southpaw was 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in those four home outings.
Sowers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his one start against New York last year, giving up six runs on nine hits in a 9-2 defeat at Yankee Stadium. However, in 2006 at home, he held the Yanks to two runs on six hits in seven innings, winning 5-2.
The over is 8-3 in Sowers? last 11 starts (3-0 at home) and 2-1 in Kennedy?s three outings this season. The over is also 10-3-1 in the last 14 meetings between these squads and 4-0 in the Yankees? last four overall. Finally, the Indians have topped the total in three of their last four.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(3) Orlando (54-31, 51-31-3 ATS) at (6) Toronto (42-43, 41-43-1 ATS)
Having climbed back into their series with the Magic with a victory on Thursday, the Raptors now look to draw even in Game 4 of this best-of-7 opening-round set at the Air Canada Centre.
Toronto scored a 108-94 win Thursday night, easily cashing as a four-point chalk. It was a complete team effort for the Raptors, as they shot 49.4 percent from the floor and had seven players reach double digits, led by T.J. Ford?s 21 points.
The Raptors have now covered the last two games in the series and ended the Magic?s five-game SU win streak. However, Toronto is still just 4-7 SU and ATS in its last 11 games, while Orlando is 8-4 SU and 7-4-1 ATS in its last 11 starts.
The Magic have won four of the last six clashes with the Raptors, but are just 3-3 ATS. Dating back to 2005, the Raptors are now on streaks of 10-3 ATS versus Orlando overall and (8-5 SU) 8-1 ATS versus Orlando north of the border.
Despite Thursday?s pointspread setback, the Magic still are on a plethora of positive pointspread streaks, including 5-2 against the Eastern Conference, 4-2 on the highway, 27-10-1 after a non-cover, 14-6-1 as a road ?dog, 21-9 when getting less than five points on the road and 10-5 on one days? rest. One negative note for Orlando: It is just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight as a playoff underdog.
The Raptors are 38-16-2 ATS in their last 56 against Southeast Division opponents but the ATS trends are all negative from there, including 9-20 overall, 3-8 against teams with a winning SU mark, 4-7 against the East, 3-8 on one days? rest, 2-7 following a spread-cover and 0-5 on Saturdays.
In this rivalry, the over is on streaks of 5-2 overall (2-1 in this playoff series) and 4-2 in games played in Toronto. In addition, the over is 7-2 in Orlando?s last nine first-round playoff games, 4-1 in Toronto?s last five first-round contests and 5-2 in the Raptors? last seven against winning teams. Conversely, the under is on streaks of 7-1 for Orlando on the road and 7-2-1 for Toronto at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(1) Boston (68-16, 54-28-2 ATS) at (8) Atlanta (37-47, 37-46-1 ATS)
The Celtics try to take a commanding 3-0 lead when they meet the Hawks in Game 3 of their best-of-7 first-round series, which shifts to Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Boston went up 2-0 in the series with Wednesday?s 96-77 victory, covering as a 15-point home favorite for the second straight time in this series. The Celtics? defense dominated the game, limiting the Hawks to 38.3 percent shooting and not allowing them to hit a 3-pointer (0-for-5). Boston also outrebounded Atlanta 45-35 and forced the Hawks into 22 turnovers while committing just 14.
Doc Rivers? Celtics have now won 13 of their last 14 games going back to the regular season, going 12-2 ATS. That includes an ongoing 6-0 SU and ATS winning streak.
The Hawks, who are back in the postseason for the first time since 1999, have now lost five straight games and seven of their last nine, both SU and ATS. In fact, the winner has cashed in each of the team?s last 11 games.
Boston is 5-0 against Atlanta this year (4-1 ATS), easily winning all five games by double digits. Still, the underdog is 7-5 ATS in the last 12 clashes.
The Celtics are on ATS runs of 21-5 overall, 16-5 as a favorite, 48-19-1 on the highway, 35-17 on Saturdays, 4-1 on two days? rest, 5-1 against the Southeast Division and 7-2 as a road chalk. Meanwhile the Hawks are on ATS slides of 1-5 at home, 0-4 as an underdog, 0-5 overall and 0-5 against the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday?s game stayed under the total, making the under 5-0 in the five meetings this year. Also, for the Celtics, the under is on runs of 9-3 overall, 12-3 against the Eastern Conference, 6-1 against the Southeast Division and 8-2 following an ATS win.
On the flip side, for the Hawks, the over is still on streaks of 9-5 overall, 8-5 against the Eastern Conference and 6-4 against the Atlantic Division. However, Atlanta has stayed under the total in four of its last five against the Atlantic Division, as well as five straight Saturday contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) L.A. Lakers (59-25, 49-34-1 ATS) at (8) Denver (50-34, 44-40 ATS)
The Lakers season-long dominance of the Nuggets continued in Game 2, and now they look to take a decisive 3-0 lead when the two teams meet inside the Pepsi Center in Denver for Game 3 of their best-of-7 first-round series.
Los Angeles got 49 points and 10 assists from Kobe Bryant in Wednesday?s 122-107 home win, cashing as 8?-point favorites. Bryant was 18 of 27 from the field as the Lakers, who shot 50.5 percent from the floor and accumulated 33 assists as compared with Denver?s 12 on Wednesday. Also, Los Angeles has averaged 125 points a game in this series.
Wednesday?s win improved the Lakers to 5-0 SU and ATS against Denver this season and 8-2 ATS in the last 10. In the lone matchup between these squads in the Mile High City this season, the Lakers scored a 111-107 win as nine-point ?dogs back on Dec. 5, improving to 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to the Pepsi Center.
The Lakers are on a 10-1 SU surge dating to the regular season, but they?re just 6-5 ATS during this stretch. Meanwhile, Denver, which had to win four of its last five regular-season games to get into the playoffs for the fifth straight year, has now dropped sixth consecutive playoff games both SU and ATS (all as an underdog) going back to last year?s opening-round, five-game loss to the eventual champion Spurs.
Phil Jackson?s squad is on ATS streaks of 6-1 as a road underdog, 19-7-1 on the highway, 20-9 following an ATS win, 7-3 when playing on two days? rest and 4-1 in conference quarterfinal matchups. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are on positive pointspread runs of 19-8 following a SU defeat, 8-3 at home, 11-4 as a favorite, 9-2 following a SU loss and 4-1 at home against teams with a winning road mark.
Game 2 narrowly stayed under the 230-point posted total, making the over 3-1 in the Lakers? last four overall and 4-2 in the Lakers? last six first-round playoff contests. Also, Denver has topped the total in 15 of its last 21 home games and 18 of its last 26 games as a favorite. However, for the Nuggets, the under is still on streaks of 6-1 overall and 17-5 in first-round playoff games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
(5) Houston (56-29, 48-35-2 ATS) at (4) Utah (56-29, 48-37 ATS)
After dropping two games at home, the Rockets got themselves back into their best-of-7 first-round series against the Jazz with Thursday?s narrow win inside Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City and now look to draw even with another road win.
With their backs against the wall, the Rockets held off Utah 94-92, cashing as a nine-point underdog to become the first time all season to win twice in Salt Lake City. Tracy McGrady led the charge for the Rockets with 27 points and seven assists, while Rafer Alson, who sat out Games 1 and 2 with an injury, added 20 points and five assists.
When these two squared off in last year?s opening round of the postseason, the home team went 6-0 SU before the Jazz stole Game 7 in Houston. Including the Game 7 clincher, the road team is on 6-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry (all as an underdog), including 3-0 SU and ATS in this series. However, Utah is still on an 8-2 ATS run against Houston (7-3 SU) and is 6-2 ATS in its last eight at home against the Rockets.
Despite Thursday?s setback, Jerry Sloan?s squad is still 8-3 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 overall. Meanwhile, the Rockets are 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six overall, a downturn that comes on the heels of a 5-0 SU and ATS streak. Finally, the straight-up winner is 13-0 ATS in Houston?s last 13 contests.
The Rockets snapped an 0-7 ATS playoff losing streak with Thursday?s win, all in games played against Utah. Still, Houston remains on pointspread slides of 2-4 as an underdog overall, 1-4 as a playoff underdog, 1-5 as a road pup of five to 10? points and 1-4 against the Northwest Division. On the bright side, Houston is 7-2 in its last nine Saturday tip-offs and 17-8 ATS in its last 25 on the highway.
The Jazz remain on a bevy of positive ATS streaks, including 25-9 against the Western Conference, 8-2 against the Southwest Division, 38-17-1 against winning teams, 6-1-1 as a playoff favorite, and 37-15-1 at home.
The under for Houston is on runs of 6-2 overall, 4-1 as a ?dog of any price, 17-6 as a road pup of five to 10? points, 11-3 against the Northwest Division and 8-4 in first-round playoff games. For Utah, the under is 11-4-1 in the team?s last 15 against the Southwest Division, 15-7 in its last 22 first-round playoff games and 6-3 in its last nine overall. Finally, the under is 2-1 in this best-of-7 series and 10-5 in the last 15 head-to-head meetings in Salt Lake City.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona (17-6) at San Diego (9-15)
Micah Owings (4-0, 2.42 ERA) goes for his fifth straight win to start the season when he leads the red-hot DBacks against Justin Germano (0-2, 5.01) and the slumping Padres in the middle game of a weekend series at Petco Park.
Arizona, which owns baseball?s best record, took Friday?s series-opener 5-1, improving to 16-4 in its last 20. The DBacks have now scored at least four runs in 19 of their last 20 games, and they?re also 8-4 on the road this year.
San Diego is in the midst of an ugly slump, having lost five in a row and nine of its last 10. That includes five straight home losses during which the Padres have scored a total of six runs. In fact, Bud Black?s squad has produced those six runs over their last 66 innings at Petco, and they?ve scored three runs or fewer in 16 of their 23 contests overall.
These teams met last weekend in the desert, with Arizona taking two of three. Dating to last year, the Diamondbacks are on a 5-1 run against the Friars. However, San Diego is still 4-2 in the past six meetings at Petco.
Owings, who was just 8-8 with a 4.30 ERA in 29 games (27 starts) in his rookie season last year, is off to a fantastic start to 2008, allowing a total of seven runs in 26 innings, lasting at least six innings in every start. He?s also 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two road starts.
Owings faced San Diego three times last year. He got rocked in the one outing at home (five runs allowed in three innings of a 10-2 loss), but was brilliant in two starts at Petco Park, giving up one run in each contest on a total of seven hits over 13 innings, winning 9-5 and getting a no-decision in a 3-1 Arizona loss.
Germano was outstanding in his first three starts, giving up just three earned runs in 20 innings (1.35 ERA). But his last time out in Houston, the right-hander got destroyed, yielding 10 runs on 10 hits in just 3 1/3 innings, falling 10-3. San Diego is 0-6 in Germano?s last six starts dating to last September, including 0-3 at home. Going back further, the Pads are mired in the following slumps with Germano on the hill: 5-17 overall, 2-9 at home and 3-13 against the N.L. West.
In Germano?s two home outings this year, he?s posted a 2.08 ERA, but San Diego lost 7-1 to the Dodgers and 10-2 to Colorado. Also, he went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in four games (three starts) against Arizona in his rookie season last year.
The over is 6-3 in Germano?s last nine starts overall and 9-3 in his last 12 starts at home, but the under is 5-2 in Owings? last seven.
The over is 10-3-1 in Arizona?s last 14 overall, and 6-1-1 in the last eight series meetings between these teams. However, the under is now 10-3 at Petco Park this season, including 7-1 in the last eight.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (12-12) at Cleveland (11-12)
A pair of young pitchers face off at Progressive Field late this afternoon, as struggling Yankees right-hander Ian Kennedy (0-2, 9.64) opposes Cleveland?s Jeremy Sowers (1-6, 6.42 ERA in 2007), who is set to make his season debut.
New York dropped Friday?s series opener 6-4, falling to 3-4 on its current road trip. That 3-4 mark continues a season marked by inconsistent play, as Joe Girardi?s club has not won or lost more than three straight games all season. Also, the Yanks are now 5-4 at home and 7-8 on the road.
The Indians have rebounded from a 3-10 slump to win six of their last eight, including the last four in a row. However, since opening the season with two home wins, the Indians have lost six of nine at Progressive Field.
New York had an eight-game regular-season winning streak against Cleveland snapped in Friday?s defeat. It was also the Yankees? first regular-season loss in Cleveland in their past six outings. However, Cleveland won the games that mattered most in last year?s postseason, knocking out the Yanks in four games in a best-of-5 Divisional round series.
Kennedy has just one quality outing in three starts this season, and he lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his most recent outing a week ago today in Baltimore. In that contest, he gave up four runs on five hits and five walks, taking a 6-0 loss. He?s 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in two road starts. Finally, this is Kennedy?s first career start against the Indians.
The Indians went just 4-9 in Sowers? 13 starts last year, including 1-3 at home. The southpaw was 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in those four home outings.
Sowers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his one start against New York last year, giving up six runs on nine hits in a 9-2 defeat at Yankee Stadium. However, in 2006 at home, he held the Yanks to two runs on six hits in seven innings, winning 5-2.
The over is 8-3 in Sowers? last 11 starts (3-0 at home) and 2-1 in Kennedy?s three outings this season. The over is also 10-3-1 in the last 14 meetings between these squads and 4-0 in the Yankees? last four overall. Finally, the Indians have topped the total in three of their last four.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
ETHAN LAW
2% COLORADO +$165
Redman (2-1, 5.23) at LOS: RHP Brad Penny (3-2, 2.67)
I am going to keep this analysis much shorter then previous ones that have appeared on this forum, in the hope that I can get to a couple of games (with analysis) before the morning hits. As of this writing (2:44 a.m.) the Dodgers and Rockies are currently battling in a 7-7 game in the bottom of the 10th inning. Despite not knowing the result from Fridays game, what we do know is this game has a tremendous amount of value in the opening line. Incredibly, the odds makers opened this line, with Colorado as a +$160 road favorite! WOW! The true line in this contest should be in the neighborhood of +$135-140 so we know before we looking any further that are getting some serious value on the road underdog. Always a good start! And as I have stated to you in countless times, that all I need to make my selection. But since this might be one of the more difficult selections to swallow, I will go a bit further in the analysis. We always know that big market teams are often over-valued in comparison to small market teams, and we also know that when teams send their Aces against a team who is pitching their number 3 through 5 starters, we often also see inflated lines. Although thats a very rudimentary way to look at this, few people would dispute the validity of that theory. Tonight, the Dodgers will send their Ace in right-hander Brad Penny. I not going to waste anybodies time in trying to argue that Penny is not an elite pitcher, as I believe he is one of the best in the league. But the bigger pitcher is whether Penny is good enough to warrant being priced at this +$165 line. As you would imagine my answer to that question is no! So far this season, Penny is 3-2 so far this season. In the 3 wins he has allowed a total of one earned run, and in the two losses he has allowed 4 earned runs on each occasion. As a result, Pennys current totals (ERA of 2.67 and WHIP of 1.42) resemble last years totals. However, the consistency in which he has obtained them is not the same, which would leave us to believe that the Ace right-hander will be unable to achieve the same quality start percentage (hereinafter QS%) that he achieved last season. Before last seasons quality start percentage of 78%, Pennys previous three QS% in order from 2004 to 2006 were 58%, 55%, and 48%. This season there is a likelihood that Pennys QS% is once again somewhere in the 5060 percent range. If this happens, Penny, who has not been able to go 7 innings yet this season, may find it tough to repeat last seasons win total of 16. Moreover, Penny is giving up well over a hit an inning and he could very well struggle against this Colorado team that is an impressive 4-2 +$325 on the road against right-hander this season, with an offense that averages an impressive 5 runs per game. Those impressive stat is not a deviation as this is a Rockies team that was one of the very best against right-handers last season (70-49 +$3040 against right-handers in all settings), and they were an impressive +$1,515 in road/night games against right-handers (averaging 5.1 runs per game).
Colorado will counter of a right-hander of their own in Mark Redmen. Now granted, Redmen certainly does not come into this contest with number anywhere near that of Penny, but Redmen does have the disadvantage of playing in the unfriendly confines of Coors Field, while Penny gets to pitch in one of the biggest ballparks in the major leagues. Indeed, although Redmens 5.23 ERA looks unattractive, it should be pointed out that he is a much better pitcher than his stats indicate. In his last start against the Rockies, the right-hander struck out five and forced nine ground-ball outs. Unfortunately, we gave up four fly balls, but three were home runs. However, is he had pitched that exact game in Dodger stadium, those might not have gone out of the park. That is evidenced by Redmens road ERA of only 3.60 this season. Redmen should find success against this Dodgers team that comes into this contest at just 7-10 against right-handers in all settings this season, where their offense averages just over 4 runs per contest. It should also be noted that the Dodgers lost money in their home ballpark last season -$745. Turning to the technical side of things, I can confidently say that this selection is the absolute strongest (meaning Colorado has technical dominance over LA) that I have seen all season. Indeed, I uncovered 39 trends with a cover percentage of over 60% in favor of the Rockies in this situational setting, while uncovering only 4 in favor of the Dodgers! WOW. So highlights of those above reference trends is that Colorado is an impressive 33-20 +$1,920 against a starting pitcher (Penny) whose gives up 0.5 or less Home runs/start over the last 2 seasons; 40-21 +$2,420 against an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game over the last 2 seasons; 16-6 +$1,500 against an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better over the last 2 seasons and their average margin of victory is a staggering 1.8 runs per game! WOW. Given the above, we have not other choice but to take a s**t at this absolute monster underdog!
Verdict: Colorado 5, Los Angeles 3
PLAY 1* UNIT (2%) ON COLORADO +$165
2% COLORADO +$165
Redman (2-1, 5.23) at LOS: RHP Brad Penny (3-2, 2.67)
I am going to keep this analysis much shorter then previous ones that have appeared on this forum, in the hope that I can get to a couple of games (with analysis) before the morning hits. As of this writing (2:44 a.m.) the Dodgers and Rockies are currently battling in a 7-7 game in the bottom of the 10th inning. Despite not knowing the result from Fridays game, what we do know is this game has a tremendous amount of value in the opening line. Incredibly, the odds makers opened this line, with Colorado as a +$160 road favorite! WOW! The true line in this contest should be in the neighborhood of +$135-140 so we know before we looking any further that are getting some serious value on the road underdog. Always a good start! And as I have stated to you in countless times, that all I need to make my selection. But since this might be one of the more difficult selections to swallow, I will go a bit further in the analysis. We always know that big market teams are often over-valued in comparison to small market teams, and we also know that when teams send their Aces against a team who is pitching their number 3 through 5 starters, we often also see inflated lines. Although thats a very rudimentary way to look at this, few people would dispute the validity of that theory. Tonight, the Dodgers will send their Ace in right-hander Brad Penny. I not going to waste anybodies time in trying to argue that Penny is not an elite pitcher, as I believe he is one of the best in the league. But the bigger pitcher is whether Penny is good enough to warrant being priced at this +$165 line. As you would imagine my answer to that question is no! So far this season, Penny is 3-2 so far this season. In the 3 wins he has allowed a total of one earned run, and in the two losses he has allowed 4 earned runs on each occasion. As a result, Pennys current totals (ERA of 2.67 and WHIP of 1.42) resemble last years totals. However, the consistency in which he has obtained them is not the same, which would leave us to believe that the Ace right-hander will be unable to achieve the same quality start percentage (hereinafter QS%) that he achieved last season. Before last seasons quality start percentage of 78%, Pennys previous three QS% in order from 2004 to 2006 were 58%, 55%, and 48%. This season there is a likelihood that Pennys QS% is once again somewhere in the 5060 percent range. If this happens, Penny, who has not been able to go 7 innings yet this season, may find it tough to repeat last seasons win total of 16. Moreover, Penny is giving up well over a hit an inning and he could very well struggle against this Colorado team that is an impressive 4-2 +$325 on the road against right-hander this season, with an offense that averages an impressive 5 runs per game. Those impressive stat is not a deviation as this is a Rockies team that was one of the very best against right-handers last season (70-49 +$3040 against right-handers in all settings), and they were an impressive +$1,515 in road/night games against right-handers (averaging 5.1 runs per game).
Colorado will counter of a right-hander of their own in Mark Redmen. Now granted, Redmen certainly does not come into this contest with number anywhere near that of Penny, but Redmen does have the disadvantage of playing in the unfriendly confines of Coors Field, while Penny gets to pitch in one of the biggest ballparks in the major leagues. Indeed, although Redmens 5.23 ERA looks unattractive, it should be pointed out that he is a much better pitcher than his stats indicate. In his last start against the Rockies, the right-hander struck out five and forced nine ground-ball outs. Unfortunately, we gave up four fly balls, but three were home runs. However, is he had pitched that exact game in Dodger stadium, those might not have gone out of the park. That is evidenced by Redmens road ERA of only 3.60 this season. Redmen should find success against this Dodgers team that comes into this contest at just 7-10 against right-handers in all settings this season, where their offense averages just over 4 runs per contest. It should also be noted that the Dodgers lost money in their home ballpark last season -$745. Turning to the technical side of things, I can confidently say that this selection is the absolute strongest (meaning Colorado has technical dominance over LA) that I have seen all season. Indeed, I uncovered 39 trends with a cover percentage of over 60% in favor of the Rockies in this situational setting, while uncovering only 4 in favor of the Dodgers! WOW. So highlights of those above reference trends is that Colorado is an impressive 33-20 +$1,920 against a starting pitcher (Penny) whose gives up 0.5 or less Home runs/start over the last 2 seasons; 40-21 +$2,420 against an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game over the last 2 seasons; 16-6 +$1,500 against an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better over the last 2 seasons and their average margin of victory is a staggering 1.8 runs per game! WOW. Given the above, we have not other choice but to take a s**t at this absolute monster underdog!
Verdict: Colorado 5, Los Angeles 3
PLAY 1* UNIT (2%) ON COLORADO +$165
Mike Rose
AFL
3* NEW YORK (-4') VS. CLEVELAND ACTION 7:00 ET
2* TAMPA BAY (+5') VS. ORLANDO ACTION 7:30 ET
MLB
2* HOUSTON/ ST. LOUIS UNDER 8' -120
2* BOS -120 (BUCHHOLZ) VS. TBY (JACKSON)
3* CINCY/SAN FRAN OVER 8 (BELISLE/CORREIA)
NBA
2* LA LAKERS (+1') VS. DENVER
3* HOUSTON/UTAH UNDER 185'
AFL
3* NEW YORK (-4') VS. CLEVELAND ACTION 7:00 ET
2* TAMPA BAY (+5') VS. ORLANDO ACTION 7:30 ET
MLB
2* HOUSTON/ ST. LOUIS UNDER 8' -120
2* BOS -120 (BUCHHOLZ) VS. TBY (JACKSON)
3* CINCY/SAN FRAN OVER 8 (BELISLE/CORREIA)
NBA
2* LA LAKERS (+1') VS. DENVER
3* HOUSTON/UTAH UNDER 185'
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Winners Edge
NBA
Orlando magic + 3.5 , 3 units
Boston Celtics - 8 , 2 units
MLB:
NY Mets -115 , 2 units
Chicago Cubs RL - 110 , 2 units
LA Angels + 110 , 2 units
NBA
Orlando magic + 3.5 , 3 units
Boston Celtics - 8 , 2 units
MLB:
NY Mets -115 , 2 units
Chicago Cubs RL - 110 , 2 units
LA Angels + 110 , 2 units
Tony Mathews
BIG GAME ALERT
NBA Playoff Winner!
Saturday Night (Rockets / Jazz)
Tony Mathews is hitting over 68% in the NBA this season! In addition, Tony Mathew's hit over 76% in the NBA Playoffs last season! Tony Mathew's continues his success as he has a HUGE PLAY in Saturday Night's NBA Playoff matchup between the Rockets & Jazz! A note from Tony Mathew's... "My Sources & I absolutely LOVE this Rockets/Jazz game! Clearly one of the easiest NBA Playoff Winners of the Month!" Tony Mathew's offers a 100% Guarantee that this selection will WIN, or 2 Full Days of his NBA Playoff Service will be yours absolutely FREE! Your order must be placed before 10:30 P.M. EST.
PRICE: $85.00
25 Stars Utah Jazz -7.5(-115)
BIG GAME ALERT
NBA Playoff Winner!
Saturday Night (Rockets / Jazz)
Tony Mathews is hitting over 68% in the NBA this season! In addition, Tony Mathew's hit over 76% in the NBA Playoffs last season! Tony Mathew's continues his success as he has a HUGE PLAY in Saturday Night's NBA Playoff matchup between the Rockets & Jazz! A note from Tony Mathew's... "My Sources & I absolutely LOVE this Rockets/Jazz game! Clearly one of the easiest NBA Playoff Winners of the Month!" Tony Mathew's offers a 100% Guarantee that this selection will WIN, or 2 Full Days of his NBA Playoff Service will be yours absolutely FREE! Your order must be placed before 10:30 P.M. EST.
PRICE: $85.00
25 Stars Utah Jazz -7.5(-115)
Larry Ness
15* Team Mismatch GOW (12-5 s/Apr 7) $20.00
While Larry has had a rough three-day stretch in MLB and overall, has not opened the '08 season anywhere near the way he started the '07 season, his 15* GOW plays can hardly be blamed. Larry takes a 12-5 run (since April 7) into Saturday's 15* Team Mismatch of the Week. Join this 24-year vet, as "the winning resumes!"
Boston RedSox
Oddsmaker's Error-MLB (Day game) $20.00
Larry will admit to being frustrated, as two extra-inning losses plus another in the bottom of the 9th (all last night!), have a way of "raising one's blood pressure." However, this 24-year vet has been through tough times before and worked his way out of them. Join him this afternoon, for his latest Oddsmaker's Error and win with Larry.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Weekend Wipeout Winner-MLB $20.00
Larry will admit to being frustrated, as two extra-inning losses plus another in the bottom of the 9th (all last night!), have a way of "raising one's blood pressure." However, Larry's calling for a W-I-P-E-O-U-T in one of tonight's games and this is one 'party' you want an invitation to. RSVP now.
Toronto Bluejays
15* Team Mismatch GOW (12-5 s/Apr 7) $20.00
While Larry has had a rough three-day stretch in MLB and overall, has not opened the '08 season anywhere near the way he started the '07 season, his 15* GOW plays can hardly be blamed. Larry takes a 12-5 run (since April 7) into Saturday's 15* Team Mismatch of the Week. Join this 24-year vet, as "the winning resumes!"
Boston RedSox
Oddsmaker's Error-MLB (Day game) $20.00
Larry will admit to being frustrated, as two extra-inning losses plus another in the bottom of the 9th (all last night!), have a way of "raising one's blood pressure." However, this 24-year vet has been through tough times before and worked his way out of them. Join him this afternoon, for his latest Oddsmaker's Error and win with Larry.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Weekend Wipeout Winner-MLB $20.00
Larry will admit to being frustrated, as two extra-inning losses plus another in the bottom of the 9th (all last night!), have a way of "raising one's blood pressure." However, Larry's calling for a W-I-P-E-O-U-T in one of tonight's games and this is one 'party' you want an invitation to. RSVP now.
Toronto Bluejays
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VEGAS SPORTS PICS
NBA
Los Angeles Lakers +1.5 over (at) Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles is 5-0 (SU & ATS) over Nuggets this season. Lakers up 2-0 figure to want to get past this series asap to rest for next round.
MLB
Arizona (Owings) -105 over (at) San Diego (Germano)
San Diego is 2-9 last 11 Germano home starts. Arizona is 6-1 last seven Owings' road starts.
Chicago Cubs (Zambrano) -160 over Washington (Chico)
Zambrano, 2-0 over Nationals last season, has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last ten starts. First place Cubs look to regain the win column off losing at last place Washington 5-3 Friday.
NBA
Los Angeles Lakers +1.5 over (at) Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles is 5-0 (SU & ATS) over Nuggets this season. Lakers up 2-0 figure to want to get past this series asap to rest for next round.
MLB
Arizona (Owings) -105 over (at) San Diego (Germano)
San Diego is 2-9 last 11 Germano home starts. Arizona is 6-1 last seven Owings' road starts.
Chicago Cubs (Zambrano) -160 over Washington (Chico)
Zambrano, 2-0 over Nationals last season, has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last ten starts. First place Cubs look to regain the win column off losing at last place Washington 5-3 Friday.
Dave Malinsky comp
GAME: Astros (HT) @ St. Louis Cardinals (HT) Apr 26, 2008 1:10PM
SPORT: MLB First 5 Innings
PICK: under
4* HOUSTON/ST. LOUIS First Half Under 4.5 -125
This one should not really come as any surprise - we have been trying to get behind Adam Wainwright in some fashion in each of his starts this season, and also indicated on Monday our feelings about Roy Oswalt being back on track (unfortunately, Justin Germano did not bring us anything at all in that one). So with neither pitcher being priced for just where he is right now, let?s get in play.
We have told the Wainwright story often but let?s repeat it one more time - after having some troubles adjusting to being in a starter?s role LY he has found his game - over his last 20 starts he sports a 2.57 ERA, which is Cy Young award territory, and in 14 of those games he allowed two earned runs or less. He has 22 strikeouts vs. only seven walks so far this season, and has had a positive ground-out to fly-out ratio in every start so far this season. In three starts against the Astros last season he worked to a 1.80 over 20 innings, and we will call for more of the same here.
Meanwhile Oswalt got off to one of the worst starts of his career, and as such the pitching forms are forced to show a 2-3/6.00 that helps to get us such a favorable price. But all we need to focus on are his last two starts, a pair of sharp outings in which we saw the kind of velocity and command that we are accustomed to seeing from him. He controlled the Cardinals to a dominating 0.60 over 30 innings LY, and should continue to make up for lost time in this one.
By putting all of our eggs in the First Half basket, we are not only taking advantage of the two starting pitchers, but also some hitters that will be a bit weary. Both had to travel to St. Louis after playing on the road on Thursday, and because of last night?s rain delay the final out was not recorded until 12:03 AM local time. That almost guarantees no batting practice before this early start, and it could be well into the game before the hitters are able to get quality swings, especially against the kind of pitches they are going to see.