GAMEHUNTER
RED SOX -115 (1.5 UNITS) - Call it a bet based upon personal trainers and personal training regimens. CC Sabathia has traditionally been a bit of a slow starter. At 290 pounds, it probably takes him time to shed some of the winter blubber to hit his best stride as the heat of summer shrinks him down to size and condition. In the last four seasons, his first start of the year has not been pretty. Last season in his opener he lasted 4 innings and allowed 8 hits and 6 earned runs while failing to strike anyone out while walking 5. In his 2008 opener, he lasted 5 innings and allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 7 with 3 walks. In the last 4 seasons' opening starts, he has thrown 17 1/3 innings and allowed 25 hits, 17 earned runs and had a 12:10 K:BB ratio for an 8.83 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. He really didn't look all that effective in spring training throwing 18 2/3 innings allowing 24 hits, 15 earned runs with a 15:8 K:BB ratio and a 7.23 ERA. I watched one of his recent starts, and his ball didn't have the normal zip and break that I am accustomed to seeing from CC. In his L2 spring starts, he didn't show much improvement throwing 10 innings and allowing 12 hits and 7 earned runs for a 6.30 ERA. Meanwhile Josh Beckett has consistently started seasons strongly. In 5 of the last 6 years, in Beckett's first start of the season, he allowed 1 or less runs. Last year, he was outstanding in the opener throwing 7 innings of 1 run ball allowing just 2 hits with 10 K's and 3 walks. In the last 6 years, in his first start of the season, Beckett has tossed 36 2/3 innings and allowed just 20 hits, 9 earned runs, had a 41:18 K:BB ratio for a 2.21 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Beckett was solid this spring throwing 19 1/3 innings and allowing 17 hits and 8 earned runs (3/72 ERA) while compiling a 22:5 K:BB ratio. In his L2 spring starts, he was effective and continued to show improvement, throwing 11 innings and allowing 9 hits and 3 earned runs with an outstanding 17:3 K:BB ratio. Obviously Fenway will be buzzing and the crowd will be energized and the line seems fair for a play on the Red Sox to start out the season on the right foot.
RED SOX -115 (1.5 UNITS) - Call it a bet based upon personal trainers and personal training regimens. CC Sabathia has traditionally been a bit of a slow starter. At 290 pounds, it probably takes him time to shed some of the winter blubber to hit his best stride as the heat of summer shrinks him down to size and condition. In the last four seasons, his first start of the year has not been pretty. Last season in his opener he lasted 4 innings and allowed 8 hits and 6 earned runs while failing to strike anyone out while walking 5. In his 2008 opener, he lasted 5 innings and allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 7 with 3 walks. In the last 4 seasons' opening starts, he has thrown 17 1/3 innings and allowed 25 hits, 17 earned runs and had a 12:10 K:BB ratio for an 8.83 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. He really didn't look all that effective in spring training throwing 18 2/3 innings allowing 24 hits, 15 earned runs with a 15:8 K:BB ratio and a 7.23 ERA. I watched one of his recent starts, and his ball didn't have the normal zip and break that I am accustomed to seeing from CC. In his L2 spring starts, he didn't show much improvement throwing 10 innings and allowing 12 hits and 7 earned runs for a 6.30 ERA. Meanwhile Josh Beckett has consistently started seasons strongly. In 5 of the last 6 years, in Beckett's first start of the season, he allowed 1 or less runs. Last year, he was outstanding in the opener throwing 7 innings of 1 run ball allowing just 2 hits with 10 K's and 3 walks. In the last 6 years, in his first start of the season, Beckett has tossed 36 2/3 innings and allowed just 20 hits, 9 earned runs, had a 41:18 K:BB ratio for a 2.21 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Beckett was solid this spring throwing 19 1/3 innings and allowing 17 hits and 8 earned runs (3/72 ERA) while compiling a 22:5 K:BB ratio. In his L2 spring starts, he was effective and continued to show improvement, throwing 11 innings and allowing 9 hits and 3 earned runs with an outstanding 17:3 K:BB ratio. Obviously Fenway will be buzzing and the crowd will be energized and the line seems fair for a play on the Red Sox to start out the season on the right foot.
Dan Bebe
BOS -1 vs CLE
The Celtics are a monster value here, coming off that overtime loss to Houston, they are going to want this game badly, and I'm not sure we see the Celtics play any harder than they do in this very game.
The Cavs are coming off a win over the Hawks, and to a certain degree, are just cruising down the stretch. It doesn't look that way because they keep winning, but this isn't a team that is ultra-focused right now, and I realize they can clinch home court throughout the playoffs with another win, but that will come much easier in their next game, at home against the Raptors.
The Cavs are playing just to say they won, but Boston has lost 2 straight to Cleveland, including a meeting where they had a legitimate chance to win before going through a prolonged scoring drought. Not today. Both teams will start slow in the early game, but the Celtics will get a boost of energy from the home crowd, the Cavs don't want to be on the road on Easter, and I expect the motivated Celts to bring home a victory.
SAN +4.5 vs LAL
The Lakers STOMPED the Spurs on the road just a little over a week ago in what turned out to be an horrifically ugly second half for San Antonio. They got nothing going offensively, the Lakers rained in three-pointers, and the Spurs looked hapless.
Yes, we're going back to the well, and the Spurs will battle like crazy to get this one and continue their battle to stay out of the bottom playoff seeds in the Western Conference.
The Spurs are relying pretty heavily on Manu Ginobili, who continues to play some amazing basketball, but they'll need some help from the other guys in this one. We saw another great offensive performance from the Spurs against the Magic in their last game, but against a rested Lakers team? I believe they can do it with defense.
Tim Duncan is going to need to step up and out-play Pau Gasol, and something tells me this is the game where he comes to play. He's been quiet for far too long, and his noticeable absence from any sort of statistical relevance is exactly what kept the Spurs from competing with LA in their last game. Ginobili did his part, as did George Hill, but Duncan was just getting pushed around.
You know damn well Popovich has been on Duncan's case, and reminding him that he has one more chance to prove he's got something left in the tank against these Lakers. I expect the Spurs to play an inspired first 36 minutes, and I expect the Lakers to come back to tie it, and this game ends with a victor on either side of less than 5 points. Hence, I'll take the dog, I'll take the points, and barring some poor rebounding on free throws or a supremely odd conclusion to the game, this one should be a Spurs cover.
BOS -1 vs CLE
The Celtics are a monster value here, coming off that overtime loss to Houston, they are going to want this game badly, and I'm not sure we see the Celtics play any harder than they do in this very game.
The Cavs are coming off a win over the Hawks, and to a certain degree, are just cruising down the stretch. It doesn't look that way because they keep winning, but this isn't a team that is ultra-focused right now, and I realize they can clinch home court throughout the playoffs with another win, but that will come much easier in their next game, at home against the Raptors.
The Cavs are playing just to say they won, but Boston has lost 2 straight to Cleveland, including a meeting where they had a legitimate chance to win before going through a prolonged scoring drought. Not today. Both teams will start slow in the early game, but the Celtics will get a boost of energy from the home crowd, the Cavs don't want to be on the road on Easter, and I expect the motivated Celts to bring home a victory.
SAN +4.5 vs LAL
The Lakers STOMPED the Spurs on the road just a little over a week ago in what turned out to be an horrifically ugly second half for San Antonio. They got nothing going offensively, the Lakers rained in three-pointers, and the Spurs looked hapless.
Yes, we're going back to the well, and the Spurs will battle like crazy to get this one and continue their battle to stay out of the bottom playoff seeds in the Western Conference.
The Spurs are relying pretty heavily on Manu Ginobili, who continues to play some amazing basketball, but they'll need some help from the other guys in this one. We saw another great offensive performance from the Spurs against the Magic in their last game, but against a rested Lakers team? I believe they can do it with defense.
Tim Duncan is going to need to step up and out-play Pau Gasol, and something tells me this is the game where he comes to play. He's been quiet for far too long, and his noticeable absence from any sort of statistical relevance is exactly what kept the Spurs from competing with LA in their last game. Ginobili did his part, as did George Hill, but Duncan was just getting pushed around.
You know damn well Popovich has been on Duncan's case, and reminding him that he has one more chance to prove he's got something left in the tank against these Lakers. I expect the Spurs to play an inspired first 36 minutes, and I expect the Lakers to come back to tie it, and this game ends with a victor on either side of less than 5 points. Hence, I'll take the dog, I'll take the points, and barring some poor rebounding on free throws or a supremely odd conclusion to the game, this one should be a Spurs cover.
Felix Wagner
Yankees at Red Sox
Pick: Yankees +108
After celebrating their first World Series title since 2000, the Yankees didn't spend much time feeling sentimental this winter. Brian Cashman let both Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui bolt via free agency, and walk-off warrior Melky Cabrera was traded. The Red Sox have been painted as a team that's gone heavy on the starting pitching and defensive ends of the game following a winter in which they acquired ace pitcher John Lackey along with defensive wizards Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre and Mike Cameron. Yankees are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings, 4-1 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5, 4-0 in Sabathias last 4 Sunday starts. Yankees are 10-1 in Sabathias last 11 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Yankees are 8-1 in Sabathias last 9 road starts, 6-1 in Sabathias last 7 starts vs. American League East, 9-2 in Sabathias last 11 starts during game 1 of a series and 4-1 in Sabathias last 5 road starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Red Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series, 0-6 in their last 6 vs. American League East and 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Yankees at Red Sox
Pick: Yankees +108
After celebrating their first World Series title since 2000, the Yankees didn't spend much time feeling sentimental this winter. Brian Cashman let both Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui bolt via free agency, and walk-off warrior Melky Cabrera was traded. The Red Sox have been painted as a team that's gone heavy on the starting pitching and defensive ends of the game following a winter in which they acquired ace pitcher John Lackey along with defensive wizards Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre and Mike Cameron. Yankees are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings, 4-1 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5, 4-0 in Sabathias last 4 Sunday starts. Yankees are 10-1 in Sabathias last 11 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Yankees are 8-1 in Sabathias last 9 road starts, 6-1 in Sabathias last 7 starts vs. American League East, 9-2 in Sabathias last 11 starts during game 1 of a series and 4-1 in Sabathias last 5 road starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Red Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series, 0-6 in their last 6 vs. American League East and 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
THIS GUY IS ON AN AMAZING RUN WITH Bonus Plays
Jeff Benton
Bonus Play
That’s now 14 of 15 freebie winners as the Thunder (7?) scored the outright upset at Dallas On Saturday. In addition to going 14-1 with my last 15 comp releases, I’m on runs of 53-23-2, 43-18-2 and 34-13-2 with plays that I’m giving away!
For Sunday, I’ll go for my fifth straight NBA free-play winner by grabbing the points with the Spurs at Los Angeles.
You take away a shocking 90-84 loss at New Jersey on Tuesday, and the Spurs have won and covered four straight games, including three impressive victories over playoff-bound squads (Cavaliers, Celtics and Magic). In Friday’s 112-100 victory over visiting Orlando, San Antonio made over half of its shots (43-for-83), and the aging Tim Duncan (10-for-12, 23 points, nine rebounds) schooled Dwight Howard (4-for-7, 10 points, six rebounds) in the post as the Spurs outscored the Magic in the paint by a whopping 62-38 margin.
As good as Duncan was, though, it was Manu Ginobili who shined brightest on Friday. Ginobili – who not-so-coincidentally didn’t play in last week’s loss at New Jersey – poured in a season-best 43 points, and with point guard Tony Parker still nursing a broken hand, the Argentinean sharp-shooter is the Spurs unquestioned floor leader right now.
Obviously, Ginobili will have to come up huge today in Los Angeles for the Spurs to have a chance. But given the fact he scored 24 and 21 points in his last two matchups against the Lakers, I think it’s a safe bet to assume he’ll be on his game today. The key for the Spurs is for others to step up on the offensive end. That’s because, despite Ginobili’s efforts, San Antonio lost those two games to the Lakers by double digits, producing just 89 and 83 points in defeat.
Of course, we don’t need the Spurs to actually win, just keep this one close and get inside the number. That’s realistic because the Lakers have been abysmal at covering pointspreads the last two months, going 14-21-1 ATS since the All-Star break. And although L.A. cashed easily in Friday’s 14-point rout of the Jazz, this team hasn’t had back-to-back spread-covers since Feb. 10. That was also the last time the Lakers dominated playoff-caliber competition in back-to-back games.
San Antonio is on a 7-2 ATS run as an underdog and is 8-1 ATS in its last nine against Western Conference teams, while the Lakers have cashed just five times in their last 18 as a favorite. Take the points.
(based on a 1? to a 10? Rating)
5? SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Jeff Benton
Bonus Play
That’s now 14 of 15 freebie winners as the Thunder (7?) scored the outright upset at Dallas On Saturday. In addition to going 14-1 with my last 15 comp releases, I’m on runs of 53-23-2, 43-18-2 and 34-13-2 with plays that I’m giving away!
For Sunday, I’ll go for my fifth straight NBA free-play winner by grabbing the points with the Spurs at Los Angeles.
You take away a shocking 90-84 loss at New Jersey on Tuesday, and the Spurs have won and covered four straight games, including three impressive victories over playoff-bound squads (Cavaliers, Celtics and Magic). In Friday’s 112-100 victory over visiting Orlando, San Antonio made over half of its shots (43-for-83), and the aging Tim Duncan (10-for-12, 23 points, nine rebounds) schooled Dwight Howard (4-for-7, 10 points, six rebounds) in the post as the Spurs outscored the Magic in the paint by a whopping 62-38 margin.
As good as Duncan was, though, it was Manu Ginobili who shined brightest on Friday. Ginobili – who not-so-coincidentally didn’t play in last week’s loss at New Jersey – poured in a season-best 43 points, and with point guard Tony Parker still nursing a broken hand, the Argentinean sharp-shooter is the Spurs unquestioned floor leader right now.
Obviously, Ginobili will have to come up huge today in Los Angeles for the Spurs to have a chance. But given the fact he scored 24 and 21 points in his last two matchups against the Lakers, I think it’s a safe bet to assume he’ll be on his game today. The key for the Spurs is for others to step up on the offensive end. That’s because, despite Ginobili’s efforts, San Antonio lost those two games to the Lakers by double digits, producing just 89 and 83 points in defeat.
Of course, we don’t need the Spurs to actually win, just keep this one close and get inside the number. That’s realistic because the Lakers have been abysmal at covering pointspreads the last two months, going 14-21-1 ATS since the All-Star break. And although L.A. cashed easily in Friday’s 14-point rout of the Jazz, this team hasn’t had back-to-back spread-covers since Feb. 10. That was also the last time the Lakers dominated playoff-caliber competition in back-to-back games.
San Antonio is on a 7-2 ATS run as an underdog and is 8-1 ATS in its last nine against Western Conference teams, while the Lakers have cashed just five times in their last 18 as a favorite. Take the points.
(based on a 1? to a 10? Rating)
5? SAN ANTONIO SPURS
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#dddddd><TD vAlign=top>Wise Guy Insider</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>Guaranteed Selections</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Date: Sunday, April 04, 2010
$25.00 Guaranteed: The name of the game is INFORMATION and we have just received some KILLER INFO on one of today's games! You can get our WISE GUY NBA SLAM DUNK BASKETBALL BOMB for just $25 and as always you must win this game or you will not be charged! We are currently on a 104-46 run with all of our guaranteed selections!</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>4/4/2010</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>WISE GUY NBA SLAM DUNK BASKETBALL BOMB
506 Orlando -11 6:05 EST</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
$25.00 Guaranteed: The name of the game is INFORMATION and we have just received some KILLER INFO on one of today's games! You can get our WISE GUY NBA SLAM DUNK BASKETBALL BOMB for just $25 and as always you must win this game or you will not be charged! We are currently on a 104-46 run with all of our guaranteed selections!</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>4/4/2010</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>WISE GUY NBA SLAM DUNK BASKETBALL BOMB
506 Orlando -11 6:05 EST</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
ChicagoSportsConnection
ChicagoSportsConnection
************************************
6 ET
nba
6******GOLDEN ST +8 @ Toronto
TOR will play their 10th game in 17 days.
All but one of those 10 involved travel.
They also played OT yesterday IN Philly...while G.ST had the day off.
TOR is 1-3 SU in the last 4 home games.
G.ST will play their 1st game of the road trip and are rested....3rd game in 7 calendar days.
Let's take the generous points and hopefully end the week at +20*'s (5 units).
GL2us
ChicagoSportsConnection.
Star Ratings
1*.....1/4 unit
2*.....1/2 unit
3*.....3/4 unit
4*.......1 unit
5*....1.25 units
6*....1.50 units
7*....1.75 units
8*.......2 units
ChicagoSportsConnection
************************************
6 ET
nba
6******GOLDEN ST +8 @ Toronto
TOR will play their 10th game in 17 days.
All but one of those 10 involved travel.
They also played OT yesterday IN Philly...while G.ST had the day off.
TOR is 1-3 SU in the last 4 home games.
G.ST will play their 1st game of the road trip and are rested....3rd game in 7 calendar days.
Let's take the generous points and hopefully end the week at +20*'s (5 units).
GL2us
ChicagoSportsConnection.
Star Ratings
1*.....1/4 unit
2*.....1/2 unit
3*.....3/4 unit
4*.......1 unit
5*....1.25 units
6*....1.50 units
7*....1.75 units
8*.......2 units
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#dddddd><TD vAlign=top>Winners Inc.</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>Guaranteed Selections</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Date: Sunday, April 04, 2010
$35.00 Guaranteed: Today in the NBA we our featuring our $500,000 NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH! You can get this HUGE WINNER for just $35 and as always you WILL WIN THIS GAME or YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED! We are the WINNING MACHINES at Winners Inc.! We are now on an 166-103 run with all of our guaranteed Selections And we are currently 26-18 in the NBA and 53-31 in College Hoops!</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>4/4/2010</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>$500,000 NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH
OVER 193 San Antonio and La Lakers 3:30 EST</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
$35.00 Guaranteed: Today in the NBA we our featuring our $500,000 NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH! You can get this HUGE WINNER for just $35 and as always you WILL WIN THIS GAME or YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED! We are the WINNING MACHINES at Winners Inc.! We are now on an 166-103 run with all of our guaranteed Selections And we are currently 26-18 in the NBA and 53-31 in College Hoops!</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>4/4/2010</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>$500,000 NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH
OVER 193 San Antonio and La Lakers 3:30 EST</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
