SPORTS WAGERS
Anaheim +129 over NASHVILLE
The closeout game. The Nashville Predators have a chance to advance in the playoffs for the first time in their history. Closing out a series is the most difficult win of them all. We see it time and time again and we’ve seen it this year on three occasions with Vancouver (twice) and Pittsburgh yesterday. Nashville has not shown any killer instinct ever, and has not shown it this season either. What we do know is that this series has been extremely close. The Ducks are the far superior offensive club and Pekka Rinne, although he had a great year, has not shown that same ability or consistency in the playoffs. He simply does not have ice in his veins like the other top goaltenders in this league. The team that comes in on the verge of being eliminated comes in with nothing to lose and they just seem to be the more relaxed squad. So, while the Preds certainly can win this game and close it out, they still have to prove they can do that and until they do, we’ll gladly take back a tag. Play: Anaheim +129 (Risking 2 units).
CHICAGO -½ +141 over Vancouver
The Canucks won the first three games of this series to go up 3-0 but they won by the slimmest of margins. The Blackhawks responded by winning the next two by scores of 7-2 and 5-0 and Roberto Luongo was yanked in both games. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault is going back to Luongo today and while he and Luongo are saying the right things, the fact is, Luongo’s confidence has to be shattered. There’s more to the story too. The Sedin Twins have been non-existent and for the Canucks to win in Chicago, those two, along with Ryan Kessler, have to hit the board. The Canucks have all the pressure in the world on them. Every year it’s the same story. They excel in the regular season and bow out in the playoffs. The Canucks still have a 3-2 lead in the series and they’re still in a more favorable position but they’re also in trouble with three of their key players struggling to no end. The Blackhawks are an offensive juggernaut. They're going to come out and try to bombard Luongo with everything they got. An early goal could lead to many more. Right now, despite being up 3-2, the Canucks are so much more fragile. Play: Chicago -½ +141 (Risking 2 units).
SPORTS WAGERS
Boston –3½ over NEW YORK
The last time the Knicks won a playoff game 85% of the players in the NBA this season hadn't made their debut. With the Knicks at death's door and on the verge of being swept, Amar'e Stoudemire said yesterday he may sit out today -- his playing in the potential elimination game not worth the risk of further injuring his strained back muscle, especially considering his lack of production. In other words, he’s out and so is Chauncey Billups. Now the “Big 3” is down to Carmelo Anthony and the C’s are not going to allow one guy to beat them. Boston is superior in every way. They execute better, they have a game plan they stick to and defensively, comparing these two is equivalent to comparing Jennifer Lopez to Rosie O’Donnell. The Celtics know how to close out games and they can absolutely smell a kill here. The Knicks are not only physically banged up but mentally, they’ve already conceded defeat. Get on this one early, as this line could go up a point before game time. It shouldn’t matter because the Celtics should bury this defenseless host but you always want to get the best line possible. Play: Boston –3½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
SPORTS WAGERS
Cleveland +118 over MINNESOTA
The Twins had a breakout of sorts yesterday when the scored 10 times but even with those 10 runs added, Minnesota is still the lowest scoring team in the AL and second lowest in the majors. The eight jacks they’ve hit is also the lowest output in the majors, as is a whole slew of other offensive categories. Carl Pavano has thrown two gems and two disasters in his four starts and that’s a trend that we’re likely to see all season with Pavano. He’s hit and miss and there is no crystal ball in the world can predict if he’s going to be on or off. However, his two gems were against two subpar offenses in Oakland and TB while his two disasters were against Toronto and Baltimore. The Indians offense ranks near the top in many offensive categories so the 35-year-old Pavano could have a rough outing. Carlos Carrasco was a premium sleeper target heading into the season. Carrasco has struggled even though Cleveland has gotten off to a nice start as a team. But there's reason for optimism here too. Carrasco's 5.68 ERA has been inflated due to a low 58% strand percentage. His base skills haven't shown much life so far, but they were sabotaged by a terrible first start against the White Sox. There's still plenty of profit to be made betting on Carrasco as a pooch and against the Twins as the chalk. Play: Cleveland +118 (Risking 2 units).
Los Angeles +110 over CHICAGO
Plenty of runs were scored in the first two games of this series and while the Cubbies won yesterday, the Dodgers bats are scorching with 20 runs in the two games thus far. Now those bats will face Carlos Zambrano, a pitching time bomb that is going to blow very soon. Zambrano’s numbers this season give the illusion of a resurrection, especially after his last start in which he threw a eight-inning, three hit shutout and struck out 10. That came against the Padres and their .213 team BA and 157 team strikeouts. Prior to that gem, Zambrano allowed 12 runs in 17 frames and had an ERA of 6.11. In four starts, three of the teams he faced, the Padres, Astros and Pirates have some ugly offensive numbers and facing that trio has helped to mask Zambrano’s deficiencies. Lastly, a third of the Dodgers batting lineup here has outstanding career numbers against Zambrano. Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Tony Gwynn have a collective .452 career BA against the Cubs' right-hander. Hiroki Kuroda is a worthy investment. With a high groundball rate and pinpoint control he’s reliable and consistently good. In 27 frames this year he’s walked just five batters and has an ERA of 3.33 and a WHIP of 1.19. Kuroda can pitch and his chances of throwing a good game are so much better than his counterpart. Play: Los Angeles +110 (Risking 2 units).