Wednesday Service Plays 4/9
- Thread starter Al Kaline
- Start date
Dave Cokin
MIN Twins
CHI White Sox
Take "MIN Twins"
Scott Baker and John Danks are two pitchers with a decent chance to break out this year. Neither projects as a staff ace, but both have a good chance to become very solid mid-rotation types. I like Baker in this matchup. He's showing some pretty decent numbers against the likely starting lineup for the Pale Hose. But Danks hasn't fared as well with the Twins probables, with Justin Morneau in particular giving him nightmares. The Chisox have been impressive so far, but I believe they're a shade overpriced here, so I'll back the Twins for the upset.
MIN Twins
CHI White Sox
Take "MIN Twins"
Scott Baker and John Danks are two pitchers with a decent chance to break out this year. Neither projects as a staff ace, but both have a good chance to become very solid mid-rotation types. I like Baker in this matchup. He's showing some pretty decent numbers against the likely starting lineup for the Pale Hose. But Danks hasn't fared as well with the Twins probables, with Justin Morneau in particular giving him nightmares. The Chisox have been impressive so far, but I believe they're a shade overpriced here, so I'll back the Twins for the upset.
DCI
NHL
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
N.Y. Rangers vs. NEW JERSEY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
PITTSBURGH 3, Ottawa 2
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
MINNESOTA 3, Colorado 2
SAN JOSE 3, Calgary 2
NHL
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
N.Y. Rangers vs. NEW JERSEY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
PITTSBURGH 3, Ottawa 2
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game 1, best-of-7
MINNESOTA 3, Colorado 2
SAN JOSE 3, Calgary 2
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
Boston (62-15, 48-27-2 ATS) at Washington (40-37, 43-34 ATS)
Boston, which has begun to rest its Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen for the playoffs, travels to the Verizon Center to take on Washington, which is aiming to maintain ? if not improve ? on its spot as the fifth seed in the East.
The Celtics, despite resting their stars, pounded Charlotte 101-78 Saturday as a 1?-point chalk, then went to Milwaukee on Tuesday night and edged Milwaukee 107-104 in overtime for their seventh straight win. However, Boston came up way short as an 9?-point road chalk, ending a 6-0 ATS roll.
The Wizards dropped Chicago 99-87 Saturday as a seven-point road underdog for their second straight win after a three-game slide. Washington is 3-5 ATS in its last eight starts overall, though six of those games were played on the highway, including five in the Western Conference. The Wizards currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game ahead of Philadelphia and two clear of Toronto.
Washington has won two of three meetings against league-leading Boston this season, including an 88-83 road upset catching 11? points on Jan. 14. Just two nights earlier, the Wizards knocked off the Celtics 85-78 as a 6?-point home pup. The underdog is on a 10-3 ATS run in this series.
Despite last night?s non-cover, the Celtics are on a 15-4 ATS tear in their last 19 starts and are on further positive ATS runs of 4-0 on Wednesday, 4-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-1 against winning teams, 46-18-1 on the road and a sterling 27-9-1 when playing on back-to-back nights.
The Wizards are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 starts against the Atlantic Division, but they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine on Wednesday and 1-5 ATS in their last six home starts.
For Boston, the under is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 7-1 against the Eastern Conference, 7-2 against Southeast Division foes, 4-1 on Wednesdays and 4-1 when playing on no rest. On the flip side, for Washington, the over is on runs of 5-1 overall, 7-0 against Atlantic Division opponents, 8-1 in D.C., 4-1 when playing on three or more days of rest and 19-7 in Eastern Conference play. Finally, the over is 7-2 in the last nine matchups between these two in Washington.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON and OVER
Phoenix (52-26, 37-38-3 ATS) at San Antonio (53-24, 35-40-2 ATS)
Phoenix, playing for the second straight night on the road, heads to the AT&T Center to take on red-hot San Antonio in a battle of Western Conference powers.
The Suns, who blew a big fourth-quarter lead in losing to Dallas 105-98 Sunday as a 4?-point home favorite, traveled to Memphis on Tuesday night and hammered the Grizzlies 127-113, barely getting the cover as a 12?-point favorite. Phoenix, which trails the Lakers by 1? games in the race for the Pacific Division title, has alternated ATS wins and losses over its last eight games and is just 4-5 ATS in its last nine.
The Spurs held off Portland 72-65 Sunday in a defensive battle, failing to cover as an 8?-point road chalk for its second straight ATS setback. However, San Antonio is on a 9-1 SU run, going 7-3 against the number during that stretch.
Phoenix has taken two of three meetings with the Spurs this season, including a 94-87 home win a month ago as a 1?-point ?dog. The Suns also posted a 100-95 road win catching two points in December, but the Spurs won 84-81 at Phoenix in January as a 7?-point pup. So the underdog has cashed in all three clashes this season and is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six going back to last year?s contentious Western Conference semifinal playoff series, which San Antonio won 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS).
The Suns are just 5-16-3 ATS in their last 24 Wednesday contests, and they are 2-4 ATS in their last six on the highway and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five when playing on back-to-back nights. But they are on positive ATS upticks of 9-2-1 against the Western Conference and 6-2 against the Southwest Division.
The Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last six when playing on two days rest, but they carry positive pointspread trends of 4-1 against winning teams, 4-1 at home and 7-3 on Wednesday.
For Phoenix, the over is on streaks of 8-1 on Wednesday, 7-2 against the Southwest Division, 5-2 on no rest and 16-5 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. For San Antonio, though, the under is on runs of 5-1 against winning teams, 6-2 on Wednesday and 4-1 when playing on two days? rest. Finally, the under is on a 5-1 tear in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO
NBA
Boston (62-15, 48-27-2 ATS) at Washington (40-37, 43-34 ATS)
Boston, which has begun to rest its Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen for the playoffs, travels to the Verizon Center to take on Washington, which is aiming to maintain ? if not improve ? on its spot as the fifth seed in the East.
The Celtics, despite resting their stars, pounded Charlotte 101-78 Saturday as a 1?-point chalk, then went to Milwaukee on Tuesday night and edged Milwaukee 107-104 in overtime for their seventh straight win. However, Boston came up way short as an 9?-point road chalk, ending a 6-0 ATS roll.
The Wizards dropped Chicago 99-87 Saturday as a seven-point road underdog for their second straight win after a three-game slide. Washington is 3-5 ATS in its last eight starts overall, though six of those games were played on the highway, including five in the Western Conference. The Wizards currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game ahead of Philadelphia and two clear of Toronto.
Washington has won two of three meetings against league-leading Boston this season, including an 88-83 road upset catching 11? points on Jan. 14. Just two nights earlier, the Wizards knocked off the Celtics 85-78 as a 6?-point home pup. The underdog is on a 10-3 ATS run in this series.
Despite last night?s non-cover, the Celtics are on a 15-4 ATS tear in their last 19 starts and are on further positive ATS runs of 4-0 on Wednesday, 4-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-1 against winning teams, 46-18-1 on the road and a sterling 27-9-1 when playing on back-to-back nights.
The Wizards are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 starts against the Atlantic Division, but they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine on Wednesday and 1-5 ATS in their last six home starts.
For Boston, the under is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 7-1 against the Eastern Conference, 7-2 against Southeast Division foes, 4-1 on Wednesdays and 4-1 when playing on no rest. On the flip side, for Washington, the over is on runs of 5-1 overall, 7-0 against Atlantic Division opponents, 8-1 in D.C., 4-1 when playing on three or more days of rest and 19-7 in Eastern Conference play. Finally, the over is 7-2 in the last nine matchups between these two in Washington.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON and OVER
Phoenix (52-26, 37-38-3 ATS) at San Antonio (53-24, 35-40-2 ATS)
Phoenix, playing for the second straight night on the road, heads to the AT&T Center to take on red-hot San Antonio in a battle of Western Conference powers.
The Suns, who blew a big fourth-quarter lead in losing to Dallas 105-98 Sunday as a 4?-point home favorite, traveled to Memphis on Tuesday night and hammered the Grizzlies 127-113, barely getting the cover as a 12?-point favorite. Phoenix, which trails the Lakers by 1? games in the race for the Pacific Division title, has alternated ATS wins and losses over its last eight games and is just 4-5 ATS in its last nine.
The Spurs held off Portland 72-65 Sunday in a defensive battle, failing to cover as an 8?-point road chalk for its second straight ATS setback. However, San Antonio is on a 9-1 SU run, going 7-3 against the number during that stretch.
Phoenix has taken two of three meetings with the Spurs this season, including a 94-87 home win a month ago as a 1?-point ?dog. The Suns also posted a 100-95 road win catching two points in December, but the Spurs won 84-81 at Phoenix in January as a 7?-point pup. So the underdog has cashed in all three clashes this season and is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six going back to last year?s contentious Western Conference semifinal playoff series, which San Antonio won 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS).
The Suns are just 5-16-3 ATS in their last 24 Wednesday contests, and they are 2-4 ATS in their last six on the highway and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five when playing on back-to-back nights. But they are on positive ATS upticks of 9-2-1 against the Western Conference and 6-2 against the Southwest Division.
The Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last six when playing on two days rest, but they carry positive pointspread trends of 4-1 against winning teams, 4-1 at home and 7-3 on Wednesday.
For Phoenix, the over is on streaks of 8-1 on Wednesday, 7-2 against the Southwest Division, 5-2 on no rest and 16-5 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. For San Antonio, though, the under is on runs of 5-1 against winning teams, 6-2 on Wednesday and 4-1 when playing on two days? rest. Finally, the under is on a 5-1 tear in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO
las vegas sports advisors
MLB
4/9/2008 at 8:10:00 PM
NY Yankees/Ian Kennedy at Kansas City/Zach Greinke
NY Yankees
MLB
4/9/2008 at 8:10:00 PM
NY Yankees/Ian Kennedy at Kansas City/Zach Greinke
NY Yankees
Marc Lawrence
Wednesday 4/9
Play On: Seattle w/Washburn
Note: The Mariners send southpaw Jarrod Washburn up against the Rays tonight knowing he is 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA in his career team starts against Tampa. He also owned a sharp 3.30 ERA in 14 starts in April entering this season. Back the better team with Washburn here tonight.
Wednesday 4/9
Play On: Seattle w/Washburn
Note: The Mariners send southpaw Jarrod Washburn up against the Rays tonight knowing he is 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA in his career team starts against Tampa. He also owned a sharp 3.30 ERA in 14 starts in April entering this season. Back the better team with Washburn here tonight.
Karl Garrett
Another NBA chalk tonight as New Orleans saw their 5-game winning streak come to an end last night at home no less, as Utah took it to the Hornets pretty much all night long.
On-deck for New Orleans is a stop at the Staples Center for a date with the Lakers, so with little wiggle room for the top spot in the West Conference, look for New Orleans to take care of a Minnesota team that lost their 5th in a row last night.
The loss by the Timberwolves did see them sneak inside of the number for the first time in their last 4 games.
New Orleans has won 2 of the 3 meetings this year both straight up, and against the spread, and the G-Man sees no reason why the current #1 team in the west won's roll the Timberwolves tonight.
Hornets to cruise.
2 NEW ORLEANS
Another NBA chalk tonight as New Orleans saw their 5-game winning streak come to an end last night at home no less, as Utah took it to the Hornets pretty much all night long.
On-deck for New Orleans is a stop at the Staples Center for a date with the Lakers, so with little wiggle room for the top spot in the West Conference, look for New Orleans to take care of a Minnesota team that lost their 5th in a row last night.
The loss by the Timberwolves did see them sneak inside of the number for the first time in their last 4 games.
New Orleans has won 2 of the 3 meetings this year both straight up, and against the spread, and the G-Man sees no reason why the current #1 team in the west won's roll the Timberwolves tonight.
Hornets to cruise.
2 NEW ORLEANS
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Arizona (Owings) + 110* over Los Angeles Dodgers (Kuroda)
Owings is 1-0 winning at Colorado 8-1 allowing one run on two hits over seven innings posting a career high nine strike outs. Arizona on a five game win streak is 5-1 last six meetings.
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Philadelphia (Kendrick) + 130* over (at) New York Mets (Pelfrey)
Defending NL East champ Philadelphia has won the last nine meetings. The Phillies are 7-2 last nine Kendrick starts. Kendrick is 1-0 life vs. the Mets with a 2.70 ERA.
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St. Louis (Looper) - 105* over (at) Houston (Sampson)
St. Louis is 6-1 last seven games. The Cardinals went 3-1 in four Looper starts vs. Houston last season. Sampson was 1-1 vs. St. Louis last season allowing six runs over 13 innings.
Arizona (Owings) + 110* over Los Angeles Dodgers (Kuroda)
Owings is 1-0 winning at Colorado 8-1 allowing one run on two hits over seven innings posting a career high nine strike outs. Arizona on a five game win streak is 5-1 last six meetings.
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Philadelphia (Kendrick) + 130* over (at) New York Mets (Pelfrey)
Defending NL East champ Philadelphia has won the last nine meetings. The Phillies are 7-2 last nine Kendrick starts. Kendrick is 1-0 life vs. the Mets with a 2.70 ERA.
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St. Louis (Looper) - 105* over (at) Houston (Sampson)
St. Louis is 6-1 last seven games. The Cardinals went 3-1 in four Looper starts vs. Houston last season. Sampson was 1-1 vs. St. Louis last season allowing six runs over 13 innings.
JIM FEIST
Give credit to the young Bobcats, winning 5 of 9 games. The only losses were to playoff teams, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and Utah. That win streak includes victories as an underdog at Portland and the LA Lakers. They take on a terrible NY Knick team that has packed in the season, losing 10 of their last 12. The Knicks are 15-23 ATS at home. It?s also a tough scheduling spot, their third game in four nights after playing at Detroit Tuesday. Play the Bobcats!
Give credit to the young Bobcats, winning 5 of 9 games. The only losses were to playoff teams, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and Utah. That win streak includes victories as an underdog at Portland and the LA Lakers. They take on a terrible NY Knick team that has packed in the season, losing 10 of their last 12. The Knicks are 15-23 ATS at home. It?s also a tough scheduling spot, their third game in four nights after playing at Detroit Tuesday. Play the Bobcats!
Nick Parsons
Play UNDER the total in San Jose vs Calgary @ 10:05 ET The Sharks and Flames figure to feature some hard hitting and some stellar goaltending and this should certainly help to keep both offenses in check for much of this series. It all starts with Game 1 in San Jose on Wednesday night in what should be a grueling grudge match. The Flames took three of four from the Sharks in the regular season but San Jose finished up the season as one of the hottest teams in the league. That being the case, Calgary knows that their best opportunity at notching an upset in one of these two first round games (on the road in San Jose) is to slow the game down and allow their goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff, to have a shot at shutting down the Sharks. Kiprusoff got the better of the Sharks Evgeni Nabokov the last time these two squared off in a playoff series. As a result, you can certainly expect Nabokov to bring his A game to this series and what a game that is! Nabokov is simply a fantastic goalie and easily one of the best in the league right now. Look for him to be successful in holding down the Flames here while at the same time the Sharks offense will struggle against a Calgary team that will have no qualms about getting physical with this big San Jose club. The Sharks are now built for the playoffs but the Flames know how to get physical too. Also, the absence of San Jose defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, 21 assists this season, takes away a solid player from the Sharks. He missed practice yesterday and is expected to miss this game tonight. His absence will help the Flames to keep this game tight and a 2-1 game is what should be expected here. The beauty of the total posted on this game is thats its a full 5 goals so even if both teams happen to get to two goals (which is not likely), a 3-2 final score (and a corresponding push with this play) would be the end result. Value can be had with the UNDER 5 in this game and that is the play in Game 1 of this series.- NP
Play UNDER the total in San Jose vs Calgary @ 10:05 ET The Sharks and Flames figure to feature some hard hitting and some stellar goaltending and this should certainly help to keep both offenses in check for much of this series. It all starts with Game 1 in San Jose on Wednesday night in what should be a grueling grudge match. The Flames took three of four from the Sharks in the regular season but San Jose finished up the season as one of the hottest teams in the league. That being the case, Calgary knows that their best opportunity at notching an upset in one of these two first round games (on the road in San Jose) is to slow the game down and allow their goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff, to have a shot at shutting down the Sharks. Kiprusoff got the better of the Sharks Evgeni Nabokov the last time these two squared off in a playoff series. As a result, you can certainly expect Nabokov to bring his A game to this series and what a game that is! Nabokov is simply a fantastic goalie and easily one of the best in the league right now. Look for him to be successful in holding down the Flames here while at the same time the Sharks offense will struggle against a Calgary team that will have no qualms about getting physical with this big San Jose club. The Sharks are now built for the playoffs but the Flames know how to get physical too. Also, the absence of San Jose defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, 21 assists this season, takes away a solid player from the Sharks. He missed practice yesterday and is expected to miss this game tonight. His absence will help the Flames to keep this game tight and a 2-1 game is what should be expected here. The beauty of the total posted on this game is thats its a full 5 goals so even if both teams happen to get to two goals (which is not likely), a 3-2 final score (and a corresponding push with this play) would be the end result. Value can be had with the UNDER 5 in this game and that is the play in Game 1 of this series.- NP
Tony Stoffo
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Apr 9, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Play: Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Cosby and Evgeni Malkin scored 71 goals and 180 points this season, and I look for them to explode against a Ottawa defense that is less than average at best coming into the playoffs. Plus with Marc-Andre Fleury having all the momentum at the present time, compared to the inept Senators goaltending. I look for a injured (Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher, and Chris Kelly) Ottawa squad that really don't like each other to go down with not much of a fight to the Penguins here.
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Apr 9, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Play: Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Cosby and Evgeni Malkin scored 71 goals and 180 points this season, and I look for them to explode against a Ottawa defense that is less than average at best coming into the playoffs. Plus with Marc-Andre Fleury having all the momentum at the present time, compared to the inept Senators goaltending. I look for a injured (Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher, and Chris Kelly) Ottawa squad that really don't like each other to go down with not much of a fight to the Penguins here.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Wednesday, April 9th, 7:05 PM ET
Cubs did not fare well against left-handed starters last year, averaging just 2.6 runs per game vs. southpaws. Therefore, despite Monday's offensive outburst, they're probably not too happy to see the Pirates Zach Duke, who has a 2.10 ERA against them to begin with. At the same time, Chicago starter Ryan Dempster, a converted starter from the closer's role, has really struggled against Pittsburgh going 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA, including work out of the bullpen.
Play on: Pittsburgh
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Wednesday, April 9th, 7:05 PM ET
Cubs did not fare well against left-handed starters last year, averaging just 2.6 runs per game vs. southpaws. Therefore, despite Monday's offensive outburst, they're probably not too happy to see the Pirates Zach Duke, who has a 2.10 ERA against them to begin with. At the same time, Chicago starter Ryan Dempster, a converted starter from the closer's role, has really struggled against Pittsburgh going 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA, including work out of the bullpen.
Play on: Pittsburgh
Mike Rose
Chicago White Sox (-135)
Wed Apr 9 '08 8:10p
Toeing the rubber for Ron Gardenhire?s Twins in Game 2 will be Scott Baker who threw a gem in his first start of the year against Kansas City. He went 6 1/3rd innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out two. However, he?s been roughed up by the White Sox in his career going 1-2 with a 9.14 ERA in five career starts.
Also coming off a fabulous start is the White Sox John Danks who was almost unhittable in his first start of the season against the Cleveland Indians. Danks turned it over to the bullpen after 6 2/3rd innings of two-hit ball, and it came through allowing the lefty to pick up his first win of the season. In his career against Minnesota, Danks is 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA.
These clubs split their 18 games a season ago, and the over went 10-6-2. The Twins are 2-7 SU in their L/9 overall meetings and 1-5 SU their L/6 trips to the ?Windy City?. The over has been money recently cashing in 10 of their L/14 overall meetings, and in 5 of their L/8 meetings in Chicago
Chicago White Sox (-135)
Wed Apr 9 '08 8:10p
Toeing the rubber for Ron Gardenhire?s Twins in Game 2 will be Scott Baker who threw a gem in his first start of the year against Kansas City. He went 6 1/3rd innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out two. However, he?s been roughed up by the White Sox in his career going 1-2 with a 9.14 ERA in five career starts.
Also coming off a fabulous start is the White Sox John Danks who was almost unhittable in his first start of the season against the Cleveland Indians. Danks turned it over to the bullpen after 6 2/3rd innings of two-hit ball, and it came through allowing the lefty to pick up his first win of the season. In his career against Minnesota, Danks is 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA.
These clubs split their 18 games a season ago, and the over went 10-6-2. The Twins are 2-7 SU in their L/9 overall meetings and 1-5 SU their L/6 trips to the ?Windy City?. The over has been money recently cashing in 10 of their L/14 overall meetings, and in 5 of their L/8 meetings in Chicago
DCI
NBA
TORONTO 105, Milwaukee 96
PHILADELPHIA 92, Detroit 91
Boston 98, WASHINGTON 93
ORLANDO 107, Chicago 96
CLEVELAND 100, New Jersey 93
NEW YORK 100, Charlotte 99
New Orleans 103, MINNESOTA 93
HOUSTON 107, Seattle 88
SAN ANTONIO 105, Phoenix 100
NBA
TORONTO 105, Milwaukee 96
PHILADELPHIA 92, Detroit 91
Boston 98, WASHINGTON 93
ORLANDO 107, Chicago 96
CLEVELAND 100, New Jersey 93
NEW YORK 100, Charlotte 99
New Orleans 103, MINNESOTA 93
HOUSTON 107, Seattle 88
SAN ANTONIO 105, Phoenix 100
Platinum Sports Investing Club
MLB
Los Angeles Dodgers ~vs~ Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks -106
MLB
Los Angeles Dodgers ~vs~ Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks -106
- Apr 7, 2008
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THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (4-4) at N.Y. Mets (2-4)
The Phillies send second-year starter Kyle Kendrick (1-0, 7.20 ERA) to the mound at Shea Stadium to face another young right-hander in the Mets? Mike Pelfrey (3-8, 5.57 in 2007), who is making his first start of the season. Philadelphia was a key contributor to New York?s late-season swoon last year, taking eight straight games from the Mets, including a key three-game series at Shea in mid-September. On Tuesday, the Phillies picked up where they left off last year, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 for their ninth straight win in the series. They?re 13-6 in the last 19 meetings overall and 8-2 in their last 10 games at Shea New York has lost three straight overall and 10 of its last 11 at home. Meanwhile, Philly is 7-2 in its last nine as an underdog. Kendrick, who went a solid 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts last season, gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work in his season debut Friday, an 8-4 victory at Cincinnati. In his only start against the Mets as a rookie, he gave up just two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 5-3 home victory last July.
Pelfrey was the losing pitcher against Kendrick last July in his only start against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings. He was a wreck at home, too, going 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in 10 games (eight starts). The under is 7-3-1 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings overall and 7-2 in the last nine clashes in New York. The under is also 9-4 in the Phillies? last 13 games against right-handed starters. On the flip side, the over is on streaks of 8-1 when Kendrick starts (1-0 this year), 6-2-1 for the Mets at Shea, 16-6 for the Mets overall, 17-6-1 for the Mets against division rivals and 4-0 for Pelfrey at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit (0-7) at Boston (4-4)
The Tigers, who remain the only winless team in baseball, look to finally get in the win column when they send righty Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 5.68) to the mound against left-hander Jon Lester (1-1, 3.38) in the second game of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Detroit dropped all six games of its season-opening homestand, then went to Fenway yesterday afternoon and got blanked 5-0, managing just five hits in the defeat. The Tigers, who have the second-highest payroll in baseball, have been shutout twice already this season, and their potent offense has produced just 15 runs in seven games. The Red Sox, who returned home yesterday after a brutal four-city, three-country road trip that took them from Tokyo to Los Angeles to Oakland to Toronto, snapped a three-game slide with Tuesday?s victory. Including postseason games, Boston is 58-31 at home since the start of last season. The Tigers are now 5-18 in their last 23 games at Fenway Park, including going 1-3 in a four-game set last May before sweeping the Red Sox in a three-game July series at home.
Bonderman, who went 11-9 with a 5.01 ERA last season, allowed four runs on eight hits ? including two homers ? in 6 1/3 innings in a 4-1 home loss to Kansas City on Thursday. Against the Red Sox, he is 3-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine career starts, with all three wins coming in the last three outings, all in Detroit. However, he?s 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA in four career starts at Fenway Park. Bonderman was 6-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 14 road starts last year, far better than his home numbers (5-6, 5.32 ERA). The Tigers have won eight of his last 11 on the highway. Lester, who was 4-0 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts last year, bounced back from a 5-1 loss to the A?s in Japan two weeks ago to lead a 5-0 win at Oakland on April 2. Lester allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 innings in the victory.
Not including the postseason, Lester is 5-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 14 career games (13 starts) at Fenway Park. Tonight marks his first ever start against the Tigers. For Detroit, the under is on runs of 16-7 on the highway, 5-1 against lefty starters and 4-1 with Bonderman on the mound. Also, the under is 4-2-1 in Boston?s last seven, 7-1 in Lester?s last eight starts (2-0 this year) and 7-2-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (4-4) at N.Y. Mets (2-4)
The Phillies send second-year starter Kyle Kendrick (1-0, 7.20 ERA) to the mound at Shea Stadium to face another young right-hander in the Mets? Mike Pelfrey (3-8, 5.57 in 2007), who is making his first start of the season. Philadelphia was a key contributor to New York?s late-season swoon last year, taking eight straight games from the Mets, including a key three-game series at Shea in mid-September. On Tuesday, the Phillies picked up where they left off last year, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 for their ninth straight win in the series. They?re 13-6 in the last 19 meetings overall and 8-2 in their last 10 games at Shea New York has lost three straight overall and 10 of its last 11 at home. Meanwhile, Philly is 7-2 in its last nine as an underdog. Kendrick, who went a solid 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts last season, gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work in his season debut Friday, an 8-4 victory at Cincinnati. In his only start against the Mets as a rookie, he gave up just two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 5-3 home victory last July.
Pelfrey was the losing pitcher against Kendrick last July in his only start against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings. He was a wreck at home, too, going 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in 10 games (eight starts). The under is 7-3-1 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings overall and 7-2 in the last nine clashes in New York. The under is also 9-4 in the Phillies? last 13 games against right-handed starters. On the flip side, the over is on streaks of 8-1 when Kendrick starts (1-0 this year), 6-2-1 for the Mets at Shea, 16-6 for the Mets overall, 17-6-1 for the Mets against division rivals and 4-0 for Pelfrey at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and OVER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit (0-7) at Boston (4-4)
The Tigers, who remain the only winless team in baseball, look to finally get in the win column when they send righty Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 5.68) to the mound against left-hander Jon Lester (1-1, 3.38) in the second game of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Detroit dropped all six games of its season-opening homestand, then went to Fenway yesterday afternoon and got blanked 5-0, managing just five hits in the defeat. The Tigers, who have the second-highest payroll in baseball, have been shutout twice already this season, and their potent offense has produced just 15 runs in seven games. The Red Sox, who returned home yesterday after a brutal four-city, three-country road trip that took them from Tokyo to Los Angeles to Oakland to Toronto, snapped a three-game slide with Tuesday?s victory. Including postseason games, Boston is 58-31 at home since the start of last season. The Tigers are now 5-18 in their last 23 games at Fenway Park, including going 1-3 in a four-game set last May before sweeping the Red Sox in a three-game July series at home.
Bonderman, who went 11-9 with a 5.01 ERA last season, allowed four runs on eight hits ? including two homers ? in 6 1/3 innings in a 4-1 home loss to Kansas City on Thursday. Against the Red Sox, he is 3-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine career starts, with all three wins coming in the last three outings, all in Detroit. However, he?s 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA in four career starts at Fenway Park. Bonderman was 6-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 14 road starts last year, far better than his home numbers (5-6, 5.32 ERA). The Tigers have won eight of his last 11 on the highway. Lester, who was 4-0 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts last year, bounced back from a 5-1 loss to the A?s in Japan two weeks ago to lead a 5-0 win at Oakland on April 2. Lester allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 innings in the victory.
Not including the postseason, Lester is 5-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 14 career games (13 starts) at Fenway Park. Tonight marks his first ever start against the Tigers. For Detroit, the under is on runs of 16-7 on the highway, 5-1 against lefty starters and 4-1 with Bonderman on the mound. Also, the under is 4-2-1 in Boston?s last seven, 7-1 in Lester?s last eight starts (2-0 this year) and 7-2-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
