tonyosports
Josh Smith will be Public Enemy #1 for the Miami Heat tonight, as they will attempt to force a Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks from AmericanAirlinesArena.
Smith attempted a between-the-legs dunk in the final minutes during Atlanta's blowout Game 5 win that seemed to irk some of Miami's players.
The Heat will have to do a better job containing Flip Murray tonight, as Murray nearly outscored Miami's entire bench by himself (Murray scored 23, Miami's bench scored 24) in Game 5.
Heat reserve Michael Beasley had his best game of the series despite the Game 5 loss, as he scored 18 points off the bench along with 5 rebounds.
I look for Miami to come out with a lot of emotion tonight & they will send this series back to Atlanta for a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.
All Heat!
The New York Mets begin a crucial NL East showdown tonight with the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently are in 2nd place with a 2.5 game lead over their rival team.
Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 6.32 ERA) will take the mound Friday night & will be opposed by Phillies righthander Chan Ho Park (0-0, 7.16 ERA).
Pelfrey has been unable to reach the 6th inning in all 3 of his starts so far this season & finished 1-1 in 3 starts with a 4.24 ERA vs. Philadelphia in '08.
Park will attempt to beat the Mets for the first time on Friday since August 9th, 2005. In that game as a member of the San Diego Padres, Park pitched 5 & 2/3 innings & allowed 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out eight during the Mets' 8-3 loss.
Look for the Mets to hold on late to record a win in what should be an exciting slugfest.
All Mets!
Josh Smith will be Public Enemy #1 for the Miami Heat tonight, as they will attempt to force a Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks from AmericanAirlinesArena.
Smith attempted a between-the-legs dunk in the final minutes during Atlanta's blowout Game 5 win that seemed to irk some of Miami's players.
The Heat will have to do a better job containing Flip Murray tonight, as Murray nearly outscored Miami's entire bench by himself (Murray scored 23, Miami's bench scored 24) in Game 5.
Heat reserve Michael Beasley had his best game of the series despite the Game 5 loss, as he scored 18 points off the bench along with 5 rebounds.
I look for Miami to come out with a lot of emotion tonight & they will send this series back to Atlanta for a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.
All Heat!
The New York Mets begin a crucial NL East showdown tonight with the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently are in 2nd place with a 2.5 game lead over their rival team.
Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 6.32 ERA) will take the mound Friday night & will be opposed by Phillies righthander Chan Ho Park (0-0, 7.16 ERA).
Pelfrey has been unable to reach the 6th inning in all 3 of his starts so far this season & finished 1-1 in 3 starts with a 4.24 ERA vs. Philadelphia in '08.
Park will attempt to beat the Mets for the first time on Friday since August 9th, 2005. In that game as a member of the San Diego Padres, Park pitched 5 & 2/3 innings & allowed 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out eight during the Mets' 8-3 loss.
Look for the Mets to hold on late to record a win in what should be an exciting slugfest.
All Mets!
Winning Way Sports (John Fina)
Basketball for April 30, 2009
NBA - 5 units on Atlanta Hawks +5.5 (-110)
aseball for May 1, 2009
MLB - 2.5 units on Philadelphia Phillies (-110)
- Pelfrey & Park
- Action
MLB - 2.5 units on Washington Nationals (-110)
- Wellemeyer & Zimmermann
- Action
MLB - 2.5 units on Cincinnati Reds (+120)
- Arroyo & Duke
- Action
PS - Dont ever buy his plays, I have a lifetime subscription. If you ever need them just ask!
Basketball for April 30, 2009
NBA - 5 units on Atlanta Hawks +5.5 (-110)
aseball for May 1, 2009
MLB - 2.5 units on Philadelphia Phillies (-110)
- Pelfrey & Park
- Action
MLB - 2.5 units on Washington Nationals (-110)
- Wellemeyer & Zimmermann
- Action
MLB - 2.5 units on Cincinnati Reds (+120)
- Arroyo & Duke
- Action
PS - Dont ever buy his plays, I have a lifetime subscription. If you ever need them just ask!
Craig Davis Friday's Lineup
30 Dime ---- HEAT
20 Dime ---- RED SOX (Masterson must start or this play is void)
10 Dime ---- GIANTS (Johnson must start or this play is void)
HEAT --- To me, this game tonight comes down to one thing: PRIDE. How much pride do the Heat have left? Do they realize they are one game away from elimination? Yes, they do. Do they realize the Hawks were "rubbing it in" when Josh Smith tried a "between the legs" dunk on them in the 4th quarter after Game 5 was out of hand? You bet they do.
One things these players thrive on is pride and respect. You don't "disrespect" another man on the basketball court... let alone a team of them. Miami's players were absolutely furious that Smith attempted this type of dunk on them and viewed it as a slap in the face. You can trust me when I say this might be the best complete effort Miami has given the entire playoffs.
The funny thing about this series is that, well, it sucks. It hasn't been fun. Good basketball hasn't been played by BOTH teams in the same game yet. Not one game has been decided by single digits, and I don't see that trend changing tonight... I mean, why should it?
Atlanta knows how well they play at home, and even if they happen to fall tonight, they still get one more game at home where they are DOMINANT. You have to remember, these guys are human, just like you and me. They're not stupid, they know they're currently sitting in the driver's seat right now. Now, I'm not saying they won't come out and give maximum effort, but seeing as they've won just one road playoff game in their last 13 tries tells me this team simply doesn't know how to prepare for road contests.
I also realize Dwayne Wade hasn't been 100% since Game 3, but Atlanta has their own worries as Al Horford is a game-time decision and Marvin Williams isn't expected to play either.
Look, I know both of these teams are capable of winning, but much like my top NBA play of the year on Miami in Game 3 of this series, I believe the Heat will play the game of their lives at home tonight, grabbing a 105-91 victory to force a pivotal game 7.
BOSTON RED SOX --- You know that as a Yankees fan, this play pains me. I hate backing the Red Sox in anything... but color me impressed by Justin Masterson since he's moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
So far, two starts for Masterson, and both of them were nearly identical. 5.1 IP in both games; 1 ER in both games; both games resulted in a win for the Red Sox; and both of Masterson's starts resulted in just one ER allowed by the entire staff. Yes, I realize it's early, but if those two starts are any indication as to what he's capable of, you might not see him back in the bullpen anytime soon... even when Dice K comes back off the DL.
There's no doubt, Tampa owns Boston recently, especially at home, but I'll take a pitching matchup like this any day of the week. Andy Sonnanstine counters for Tampa tonight, but let's be honest, he's no Matt Garza or James Shields. He's not even Scott Kazmir. He's a solid pitcher on the backend of their rotation that they hope just keeps the team in the game until they can get to the pen.
Boston has been on quite a roll lately, especially when listed as the favorite (12-1 over their last 13 in that role). Vegas isn't stupid, and they're just begging you to side with the Rays as an underdog at home, tricking you into believing it's "great value". Trust me, it's not.
The Rays are 0-3 in Sonnanstine's starts this year as he sports a 7.78 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP in those three starts. And yes, I realize you could look back at 2008 and feel comfortable backing Sonnanstine tonight, but his two wins against the BoSox last year don't sway me away from watching what he's done in 2009. Until he gets "right", there's no way I could back the Rays in any game. Take Boston as your top baseball play of the day.
SF GIANTS --- Randy Johnson vs. Ubaldo Jimenez. Giants 8-3 at home; Colorado 4-7 on the road. I'm sorry, but there are just too many factors in my favor tonight. The Giants have won seven of their last nine and are getting very solid pitching from their starters, their middle relief and their closer, and nothing about Colorado on the road really scares me from backing Johnson tonight.
The last time I backed Ubaldo Jimenez, I think the Dodgers hit 25 home runs and, at last report, they were still hitting (sorry, poor attempt at humor). Seriously, though, this guy has been nothing short of miserable to start the season.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Jimenez at the beginning of the year... some even thought he could be a legitimate ace. Sorry, but I haven't seen it. The guy's WHIP is over 2... THAT'S INSANE. That means every inning Jimenez has allowed at LEAST two base runners, whether by hit or walk. I'll take those odds every time. No wonder the guy has just one win in four tries this year.
After dominating Arizona in his first start of the year (no ER in 7 innings of work), Jimenez has allowed 14 BB, 16 ER and 19 H in three games since then.
And again, I'll say that I'm fully aware that old-man Randy Johnson hasn't been great either, but in two home games so far this year, Johnson has allowed a total of four ER in 12 innings of work, not to mention 14 total strikeouts (7 in each game). At his age, he probably doesn't like to travel and pitch as much as he did in his younger days. The cool breezes of AT&T Park are just what the doctor ordered tonight for Mr. Johnson, as he sets down the Rockies and the Giants run their home record to 9-3.
BOUGHT, PAID AND CONFIRMED-------------GL GUYS
30 Dime ---- HEAT
20 Dime ---- RED SOX (Masterson must start or this play is void)
10 Dime ---- GIANTS (Johnson must start or this play is void)
HEAT --- To me, this game tonight comes down to one thing: PRIDE. How much pride do the Heat have left? Do they realize they are one game away from elimination? Yes, they do. Do they realize the Hawks were "rubbing it in" when Josh Smith tried a "between the legs" dunk on them in the 4th quarter after Game 5 was out of hand? You bet they do.
One things these players thrive on is pride and respect. You don't "disrespect" another man on the basketball court... let alone a team of them. Miami's players were absolutely furious that Smith attempted this type of dunk on them and viewed it as a slap in the face. You can trust me when I say this might be the best complete effort Miami has given the entire playoffs.
The funny thing about this series is that, well, it sucks. It hasn't been fun. Good basketball hasn't been played by BOTH teams in the same game yet. Not one game has been decided by single digits, and I don't see that trend changing tonight... I mean, why should it?
Atlanta knows how well they play at home, and even if they happen to fall tonight, they still get one more game at home where they are DOMINANT. You have to remember, these guys are human, just like you and me. They're not stupid, they know they're currently sitting in the driver's seat right now. Now, I'm not saying they won't come out and give maximum effort, but seeing as they've won just one road playoff game in their last 13 tries tells me this team simply doesn't know how to prepare for road contests.
I also realize Dwayne Wade hasn't been 100% since Game 3, but Atlanta has their own worries as Al Horford is a game-time decision and Marvin Williams isn't expected to play either.
Look, I know both of these teams are capable of winning, but much like my top NBA play of the year on Miami in Game 3 of this series, I believe the Heat will play the game of their lives at home tonight, grabbing a 105-91 victory to force a pivotal game 7.
BOSTON RED SOX --- You know that as a Yankees fan, this play pains me. I hate backing the Red Sox in anything... but color me impressed by Justin Masterson since he's moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
So far, two starts for Masterson, and both of them were nearly identical. 5.1 IP in both games; 1 ER in both games; both games resulted in a win for the Red Sox; and both of Masterson's starts resulted in just one ER allowed by the entire staff. Yes, I realize it's early, but if those two starts are any indication as to what he's capable of, you might not see him back in the bullpen anytime soon... even when Dice K comes back off the DL.
There's no doubt, Tampa owns Boston recently, especially at home, but I'll take a pitching matchup like this any day of the week. Andy Sonnanstine counters for Tampa tonight, but let's be honest, he's no Matt Garza or James Shields. He's not even Scott Kazmir. He's a solid pitcher on the backend of their rotation that they hope just keeps the team in the game until they can get to the pen.
Boston has been on quite a roll lately, especially when listed as the favorite (12-1 over their last 13 in that role). Vegas isn't stupid, and they're just begging you to side with the Rays as an underdog at home, tricking you into believing it's "great value". Trust me, it's not.
The Rays are 0-3 in Sonnanstine's starts this year as he sports a 7.78 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP in those three starts. And yes, I realize you could look back at 2008 and feel comfortable backing Sonnanstine tonight, but his two wins against the BoSox last year don't sway me away from watching what he's done in 2009. Until he gets "right", there's no way I could back the Rays in any game. Take Boston as your top baseball play of the day.
SF GIANTS --- Randy Johnson vs. Ubaldo Jimenez. Giants 8-3 at home; Colorado 4-7 on the road. I'm sorry, but there are just too many factors in my favor tonight. The Giants have won seven of their last nine and are getting very solid pitching from their starters, their middle relief and their closer, and nothing about Colorado on the road really scares me from backing Johnson tonight.
The last time I backed Ubaldo Jimenez, I think the Dodgers hit 25 home runs and, at last report, they were still hitting (sorry, poor attempt at humor). Seriously, though, this guy has been nothing short of miserable to start the season.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Jimenez at the beginning of the year... some even thought he could be a legitimate ace. Sorry, but I haven't seen it. The guy's WHIP is over 2... THAT'S INSANE. That means every inning Jimenez has allowed at LEAST two base runners, whether by hit or walk. I'll take those odds every time. No wonder the guy has just one win in four tries this year.
After dominating Arizona in his first start of the year (no ER in 7 innings of work), Jimenez has allowed 14 BB, 16 ER and 19 H in three games since then.
And again, I'll say that I'm fully aware that old-man Randy Johnson hasn't been great either, but in two home games so far this year, Johnson has allowed a total of four ER in 12 innings of work, not to mention 14 total strikeouts (7 in each game). At his age, he probably doesn't like to travel and pitch as much as he did in his younger days. The cool breezes of AT&T Park are just what the doctor ordered tonight for Mr. Johnson, as he sets down the Rockies and the Giants run their home record to 9-3.
BOUGHT, PAID AND CONFIRMED-------------GL GUYS
Andre Gomes
CINCINNATI (11 - 10) at PITTSBURGH (11 - 10)
Friday, 5/1/2009 7:05 PM BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. ZACH DUKE (L)
Note: No write ups for today
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on Pittsburgh ML @ 1.80 on Pinnacle
SAN DIEGO (11 - 11) at LA DODGERS (15 - 8)
Friday, 5/1/2009 10:10 PM JAKE PEAVY (R) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on San Diego ML @ 2.24 on Bookmaker
BOSTON (14 - 8) at TAMPA BAY (9 - 14)
Friday, 5/1/2009 7:38 PM JUSTIN MASTERSON (R) vs. ANDY SONNANSTINE (R)
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on Over 9 @ 2.02 on Pinnacle
KANSAS CITY (12 - 10) at MINNESOTA (11 - 11)
Friday, 5/1/2009 8:10 PM SIDNEY PONSON (R) vs. KEVIN SLOWEY (R)
Pick: 2 units on Minnesota ML @ 1.588 on Pinnacle
Pick: 1 units on Minnesota RL -1.5 @ 2.19 on Pinnacle
CINCINNATI (11 - 10) at PITTSBURGH (11 - 10)
Friday, 5/1/2009 7:05 PM BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. ZACH DUKE (L)
Note: No write ups for today
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on Pittsburgh ML @ 1.80 on Pinnacle
SAN DIEGO (11 - 11) at LA DODGERS (15 - 8)
Friday, 5/1/2009 10:10 PM JAKE PEAVY (R) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on San Diego ML @ 2.24 on Bookmaker
BOSTON (14 - 8) at TAMPA BAY (9 - 14)
Friday, 5/1/2009 7:38 PM JUSTIN MASTERSON (R) vs. ANDY SONNANSTINE (R)
Pick: 3 units (Regular Play) on Over 9 @ 2.02 on Pinnacle
KANSAS CITY (12 - 10) at MINNESOTA (11 - 11)
Friday, 5/1/2009 8:10 PM SIDNEY PONSON (R) vs. KEVIN SLOWEY (R)
Pick: 2 units on Minnesota ML @ 1.588 on Pinnacle
Pick: 1 units on Minnesota RL -1.5 @ 2.19 on Pinnacle
Kevin Rogers
Atlanta at Miami
Pick: Miami -5
It's tough to remember a playoff series in recent memory that involves two teams with records so close apart and yet every game in their best of seven series has been decided by double-digits. Miami looks for a return trip to Atlanta for a potential Game 7, as the Heat host the Hawks tonight at the AAA, trying to stave off elimination. The Heat weren't too thrilled with the way the Hawks were showboating towards the end of Game 5. Atlanta may be down two starters tonight, as Marvin Williams is still out with a sprained wrist, while Al Horford's sprained ankle may cause him to miss tonight's game. Horford said about his ankle after Thursday's practice, "It’s better, I think I’ll be ready to go Sunday either way.” Not to say tonight is a throw-away game for the Hawks knowing they have Game 7 on their home-court, but with Miami's motivation returning home, I'll continue to side with the trend of this series with every game being a blowout. I'll back the Heat tonight.
Atlanta at Miami
Pick: Miami -5
It's tough to remember a playoff series in recent memory that involves two teams with records so close apart and yet every game in their best of seven series has been decided by double-digits. Miami looks for a return trip to Atlanta for a potential Game 7, as the Heat host the Hawks tonight at the AAA, trying to stave off elimination. The Heat weren't too thrilled with the way the Hawks were showboating towards the end of Game 5. Atlanta may be down two starters tonight, as Marvin Williams is still out with a sprained wrist, while Al Horford's sprained ankle may cause him to miss tonight's game. Horford said about his ankle after Thursday's practice, "It’s better, I think I’ll be ready to go Sunday either way.” Not to say tonight is a throw-away game for the Hawks knowing they have Game 7 on their home-court, but with Miami's motivation returning home, I'll continue to side with the trend of this series with every game being a blowout. I'll back the Heat tonight.
Brian Edwards
Atlanta at Miami
Play: Over 182.5
I think we're going to see an extremely physical game as the bad blood continues to boil in this rivalry. These teams have now played each other nine times this year, so they are really sick of each other. On that note, I think we'll see the game called tightly with fouls galore, which will lead to both clubs in the bonus early and often. This will bode well for the 'over' and we have a low number here. The 'over' is 24-18-1 for the Heat in their home games.
Atlanta at Miami
Play: Over 182.5
I think we're going to see an extremely physical game as the bad blood continues to boil in this rivalry. These teams have now played each other nine times this year, so they are really sick of each other. On that note, I think we'll see the game called tightly with fouls galore, which will lead to both clubs in the bonus early and often. This will bode well for the 'over' and we have a low number here. The 'over' is 24-18-1 for the Heat in their home games.
