Service Plays Friday 4/23/10

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

New Addition to Service Play Forum..Specifically for posting additional topics.

The Rx.com Mod Team has created this Service Play sub-forum in order to supply an area for Rx Service Play Posters to expand upon their posting topics without creating a logjam in the main forum where the three principle threads are maintained..

Posters can track services here if they care to but we will need any trackers to do so in an accurate and civil manner. We did not create this area for posters to ridicule or bash any services..

You can also discuss who is hot and who is not. The general state of the pay for plays industry and any other subject or topic related to service plays.

You can also create individual threads about specific services and discuss them freely but civilly. Again bashing and abusive treatment of any services will not be tolerated.

Please remember, this forum is not here for regular posters who cap their own games to post ther daily plays. Please use our individual sport forums to post your plays. Professional cappers (those that sell plays) must remain in the Site Promotion Forum.

The Rx.com will not tolerate posters that post false records of any services they track. Please be truthful if you decide to track a particular service.

Lastly The Rx Moderators are appealing to you our everyday posters to report any promotional threads or posts that are made by services or individual touts. No links or contact information to an individual service will be allowed. Just the name of the service. Please report any threads or posts that are promotional attempts by services and touts to use this forum to promote themselves..

Posters can easily report a promotional post by using the triangular Report-a-Post Icon at the bottom left of all post boxes. The poster name of any poster who reports a post that is out of line will be kept strictly confidential.

I will leave this thread open for a month to take questions and do my best to answer them. I will check in daily but am off on Wednesday and Thursday.

I hope this additional Service Play Forum will satisfy those posters that would like to widen the scope of topics relating to service plays and the industry in general to have their own threads. Mods will be liberal as possible regarding topics but this forum was specifically created to allow you more freedom to express your ideas regarding service plays and related subject matter. No off topic threads will be allowed.

Thank you, wilheim




TheRX.com Policy on Posting Handicapper Plays:
In the poster agreement that all posters agree to when signing up, posters have agreed to NOT post copyrighted information.
Some handicappers do not mind having their plays posted, If we are asked by any company to not let their information be posted here, we will comply with the request and remove the information if we see it.
For The Record.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To all services and professional handicappers. I am only going to be editing posts where your copyrighted write-ups are involved. Please do not email me if someone simply posts so and so likes xyz team plus or minus so many points only.
Thank you, wilheim.......

We have received requests from the following companies:
PlusLineSports- Do not post
PowerPlay Wins
Pregame.com
The Real Animal
THELOCKOFTHEDAY
Right Angle Sports (RAS)
Tony Karpinski and 3G-Sports
Discreat Cat (do not post at all..)
Dr. Bob Sports
Dr. guru sports
madduxsports
Red Zone Sports
Dennis Hill
Peter Gold at VI
Strike Point Sports
Vegas Sports Informer
Winning Points/Sports Reporter
ASA, ASA Inc’s or American Sports Analysts
Sal Bansa/sportspicks1019
Mikelineback
Larry Ness
Al McMordie
zen_gambler
Tom Stryker
Lenny Delgenio
Scott Spreitzer
Matt Fargo
@ntonwins
Doc's Sports Services
Robert Ferringo
Pacific (Pac Star) Sports
The Prez
Mike Rose
LT Profits
Pregame.- which include (shaker,law,o'shea,jwip,creole,nover,rocketman,d'angelo,vrunner)
Alex Smart
JB Sports
ATS Consultants
Ken Jenkins
AJ Apollo
Jim Avery
Jim Kruger
Paul Stone
Ross Benjamin
Dave Cokin
Tony George
Fred Wallin
Rocky Atkinson
Jorge Gonzalez
Greg DiPalma
Vernon Croy
Ron Raymond
Dennis Macklin
Ben Lewis
Lucky Lester
Bruce Marshall
Ted Sevransky (Teddy Covers)
Ben Burns
Fairway Jay
EZ Winners
Pointwise Sports
Pro Sports Info
Steve Merril SportsAlatex Sports
Tennessee Valley Sports
Trushel Sports Consulting
Sports Memo Crew which include:
Rob Veno,Brent Crow,Erin Rynning,Donnie Black,Marty Otto,Jared Klein,David Jones,Ed Cash
Sixth Sense Sports
Marc Lawrence, and/or
Playbook, and/or
Preferred Picks
Boxslayer
PayneInsider
Killersportslive
-------

****Please note we can post Picks ONLY for the services above - NO WRITE - UPS. All other services not on this list can be posted in any fashion. GL!

 

[ugk]

NBA NEW AND NOTES
GAME OF THE DAY
Nuggets at Jazz
By Lee Kostroski

Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (-2, 216.5)

The Skinny

Utah stole Denver’s home-court advantage with a road victory in Game 2. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Nuggets go on the road, where they were a mediocre 19-22 (15-21-5 ATS) this season. The Jazz, meanwhile, were 32-9 at home this season (26-13-2 ATS).
Head to Head
In the final regular season meeting, the Jazz avoided a season-sweep by the Nuggets with a 116-106 victory. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups both did not play due to injuries.
Denver is 4-2 against the Jazz this season (including playoffs). Each game has been relatively close, with the Nuggets outscoring Utah by an average of 4.4 points.
Denver is 3-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in the last four meetings in Utah and 7-1-2 ATS in the last 10 matchups. The favorite is 24-11-3 ATS the last 38 times these two teams have played each other.

Put Up Or Shut Up

Denver is 2-6 in its last eight road games, with some bad losses to Houston and New York mixed in. The Nuggets are allowing 109 points per game in their last eight road dates while scoring just 101.5.
They’ll need to shore up their defensive deficiencies on Friday if they want to contain Utah’s offense.
In the first half of Game 2, the short-handed Jazz had their way on the offensive end, shooting 67.7 percent. The Jazz shot 52.9 percent, led by 33 points from point guard Deron Williams.
After arguably his best professional game, a 42-point effort in Game 1, Carmelo Anthony could not find his offensive rhythm. He finished 9-for-25 but scored 32 points, thanks for 14-of-15 shooting from the foul line. He fouled out late in the game after committing four offensive fouls earlier in the contest.
The Nuggets have to cut back on their fouls. They’ve sent Utah to the line 79 times in the first two games, giving the Jazz 60 points at the charity stripe.
"We want to play physical, we just have to play smart," acting Nuggets coach Adrian Dantley said. "First of all, we're fouling too much. We're putting them on the free-throw line. We can't do that.
"You've got to be able to keep your head. They're going to hold you, grab you. You can't get into a battle with them if that's not your game."
The Nuggets can’t complain about fouls being called. They’ve totaled 69 free throws attempts themselves, making 56 of those attempts.
"I'm pretty sure come Friday, it's going to be a pretty physical game." Anthony grinned as he said it after Tuesday's practice.

Sweet Music

Utah has won 10 of last 11 home games, winning by an average margin of 13.5 PPG (113.5 to 100).
The Jazz came through with an inspirational Game 2 victory that included 91 attempted free throws and 67 fouls called on the two teams.
Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur are both out for Game 3. Okur will miss the rest of the season while Kirilenko is hopeful to return if the Jazz advance past Round 1. Utah's lineup isn't nearly as experienced without those two in the lineup.
Three starters, C.J. Miles, Wesley Mathews and Kyrylo Fesenko had a combined 87 minutes of playoff experience before this series.
"I still believe we can win," Deron Williams said. "I said it [Sunday]. We still have a great team, we have guys that are on this team for a reason. They might not have got the playing time early, but they can play this game.
"We definitely wish we could have A.K. and Memo out here, but the reality is we don't and we can't just give up on the season just because we don't have those guys out here. We can still fight and still compete."
They don’t seem to miss a beat without their injured starters. Kirilenko and Okur averaged a combined 25.4 points in the regular season, yet the Jazz have scored 113 and 111 points in the first two games of the series while shooting 53.8 percent (77 of 143).
"It is a different series," Williams said, "but they've won there before. Just because we're at home, we're not going to get complacent. We've got to go out there and play our game."

Key Statistical Information – Away/Home Comparisons

Points Per Game
Denver: -0.8 PPG
Utah: +9.5 PPG
Field Goal Percentage
Denver: -0.2
Utah: +6.7
Rebounding
Denver: -2.0
Utah: +2.5

Trends

Denver is 6-1 ATS in its last seven playoff games as an underdog and 21-8-1 ATS in its last 30 games playing on three or more days' rest.
Utah is 23-9-2 ATS in its last 34 home games and 34-15-2 ATS in its last 51 games as a favorite.

 

[ugk]

PICK 'N' ROLL

Friday's Best NBA Bets

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-4, 182)

If someone told you at the start of this series that Dwyane Wade would average 27.5 points, 5.5 assists, 5 assists while shooting better than 60 percent after the first two games, you would have thought the Heat would be up 2-0 or at least earned a 1-1 split in Beantown.
But the lack of supporting help for Wade has paved the way for Boston’s 2-0 start to the series.
"We’re trying our best to stop Wade, it just hasn’t been working," Doc Rivers told the Boston Herald. "But we have absolutely had a focus on everyone else. Our theory always is that the great players are going to be great. But we just can’t let everyone else beat us as well."
The strategy seems to be working. Miami players not named Dwyane Wade are shooting just 32 percent from the field.
It just seems like the Heat don’t match-up well against the Celtics. Boston is getting to the line more often, rebounding the ball better and the team is outworking Miami on the defensive end.
Things won’t get any easier for Miami with Kevin Garnett returning from a one-game ban.

Pick: Boston Celtics


Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs (-3, 193.5)

It’s all starting to come together for the San Antonio Spurs. For most of the season Richard Jefferson looked lost playing for his third team in three years. But the versatile forward starting putting things together towards the end of the regular season and chipped in with a much-needed big performance in Game 2.
“This has been a humbling season,” Jefferson told the San Antonio Express-News. “I’m not sitting here thinking the series is over. I have a lot of work to do.”
Still, if Jefferson can continue to post numbers similar to Game 2 (19 points and seven rebounds) the Spurs should be in good shape.
“Jefferson is a hell of a player,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said after the loss. “He’s had some big games against a lot of teams, including us.”
Dallas hasn’t been able to stop Manu Ginobili or Tim Duncan and now it looks like Tony Parker is almost all the way back from his injury. Throw in an effective Jefferson and suddenly the Spurs seem like a good bet in Game 3.

Pick: SA Spurs

 

[ugk]

ICE PICKS

Friday's Best NHL Bets

Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals (-340, 6)

The Capitals have the Habs on the ropes after a 6-3 Game 4 beat down Wednesday night. All Washington needs to do now is land the knockout punch.
That punch comes in the form of superstar forward Alex Ovechkin, who has erupted for eight points in the Capitals’ last three games, including scoring two goals and an assist Wednesday night.
Ovechkin caught a lot of flack after failing to register a shot in a Game 1 loss, but has since answered those calls with his brilliant and dominating play.
"I just got into shape," Ovechkin joked with reporters about his much-improved performance. "I feel pretty good. Our line today, the first couple of periods, tried to find a way to do things better because they play a different game every game. We find a way."
Washington has buried Montreal under a pile of pucks in the last three games, outscoring its opponent 17-9 in that span while playing over the total in two of those wins and pushing with the number in another.

Pick: Over


Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks (-185, 5.5)

Die-hard hockey fans would have caught this bit of crowd interaction late after Wednesday’s 6-3 win for the Canucks in Game 4.
As Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo left the ice surface and slapped five with Canucks fans that made the trip to L.A., one Kings supporter managed to knock Luongo’s mask from the top of his head. The goaltender stopped, said nothing and shot the fan an icy stare that simply said, “It’s F-ing on”.
Luongo hasn’t been at his finest this postseason and honestly hasn’t been the same player since the Olympics. This series, he’s posted a 3.41 GAA and a save percentage of just .871.
Those struggles might be the only thing keeping Los Angeles in this series. However, something as simple as having his lid flipped by some drunken ass could spark the competitive fires inside Luongo, who, is the best in the game when he's hot.
With home ice Friday and the series tied at 2-2, expect the old Luongo to start showing his face.

Pick: Vancouver Canucks

 

[ugk]

HOT LINES

Friday's Best MLB Bets

Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays (-235, 8.5)

The Rays are hot even if their manager is not.
While manager Joe Maddon was catching heat from the MLB fashion police about wearing his hoodie during the team's chilly trip North, his Rays were pounding opponents to the tune of an 8-1 road swing. No need for the hoodie now that the Rays are back home indoors, but that isn't the only change.
Tampa Bay was batting just .170 against lefties (better than only the Jays at .157) before Wednesday's 12-0 rout of the White Sox and Mark Buehrle, who pitched a perfect game against the Rays last year. Apparently not all southpaws can stop the Rays.
"I think part of it is the lefties (we've faced) are good," Maddon told the Tampa Tribune. "I don't know if it's a function of us not hitting lefties as well as we're seeing some pretty good lefties. I think you really have to pitch well to beat those guys."
The Rays trot out a lefty tonight in Brett Cecil, who is making his season debut after experiencing hand soreness. The Rays counter with Matt Garza, who has been nothing short of spectacular this season with a 3-0 start and 0.88 ERA.
The Rays scored 58 runs in those eight wins on the road, an average of more than seven per game. If they can just have a typical night against Cecil they'll be close to hitting the total of 8.5 all by themselves.

Pick: Over


Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers (105, 9)

What does Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster have in common with MLB commissioner Bud Selig? They both own the Brewers.
Dempster has won eight of his last nine decisions against the Brew Crew, including last week's 9-5 victory at Wrigley Field. He is 12-3 lifetime against Milwaukee, his most wins against any opponent.
The Brewers counter with Jeff Suppon, who has had some success against the Cubs in the past. But he is coming off the DL with back pain and was far from steller despite winning his first start last week.
Home or away doesn't matter for the Cubbies, who have a huge fan base in Beer City and treat Miller Park like Wrigley Field North. Dempster Park has a nice ring to it too.

Pick: Chicago Cubs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Bulls (+4) Thursday night.

Friday it's the Celtics. The deficit is 245 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jr. O'Donnell (RedZone Sports)

free internet play: Bruins/Sabres under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 829-360 (.697)
ATS: 633-592 (.517)
ATS Vary Units: 1495-1418 (.513)
Over/Under: 605-627 (.491)
Over/Under Vary Units: 797-821 (.493)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 3, best-of-7 series
MIAMI 95, Boston 91
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 3, best-of-7 series
SAN ANTONIO 102, Dallas 97
UTAH 111, Denver 105

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 432-289 (.599)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 5, best-of-7 series
WASHINGTON 4, Montreal 3
Boston vs. BUFFALO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Western Conference Playoffs, 1st Round
Game 5, best-of-7 series
VANCOUVER 4, Los Angeles 3
PHOENIX 3, Detroit 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS ADVISORS

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

NBA PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Miami (0-2 SU and ATS) at Boston (2-0 SU and ATS)

The Heat return home to American Airlines Arena down 2-0 and in a must-win situation when they face the Celtics in Game 3 of this best-of-7 series. Miami entered Game 2 with a built-in advantage and a shot at stealing home court, with the Celts’ Kevin Garnett sitting out due to a one-game suspension incurred in Boston’s 85-76 Game 1 victory. But the Heat went on an eight-minute scoring drought in the second quarter, getting outscored 21-0 in that span on the way to getting hammered 106-77 as a one-point road underdog. Miami shot just 38.2 percent (29 of 76), even after hitting 9 of 18 from 3-point range. Dwyane Wade actually fared well for the Heat, scoring 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting, but none of his teammates mustered more than 13 points. Boston outscored Miami over the middle two quarters 62-36 to win and cover again, after entering the playoffs on a 3-7 SU and ATS purge. Ray Allen led the way with 25 points, going a torrid 7 of 9 from long distance, and Glen Davis made up for Garnett’s absence with 23 points and eight rebounds. The C’s also killed Miami on the boards, 50-33. Miami went 24-17 SU (18-22-1 ATS) at home in the regular season, averaging 96.8 ppg on 45.6 percent shooting, while allowing 93.3 ppg on 44.3 percent shooting. Boston, meanwhile, was a sturdy 26-15 on the highway (21-19-1 ATS), averaging 98.1 ppg on 47.6 percent shooting and giving up 94.2 ppg on 44.1 percent shooting. Boston has owned this rivalry lately, winning seven in a row (5-2 ATS) and 13 of the last 14 (10-4 ATS), and the Celts are 7-1 ATS on their last eight trips to South Beach. The favorite has covered in 10 of the last 12 meetings, and the road team is 9-5 ATS in the last 14 contests. The SU winner has covered the number in 10 of the last 12 clashes. Also, the SU winner is on a 9-0 ATS roll in Miami’s last nine postseason affairs and is 12-3-1 ATS in Boston’s last 16 playoff outings. The Heat are on a handful of ATS slides, including 2-5 overall, 3-9-1 ATS in opening-round playoff games (1-5 last six), 1-5-1 at home, 2-5 as a postseason chalk and 11-24 at home against teams with a winning road record. The only upside: a 9-1 ATS mark in their last 10 Friday starts. The Celts are a mixed bag at the betting window, carrying positive ATS streaks of 4-0 in first-round games, 4-1 against winning teams, 8-2-1 as a pup and 53-26-2 as a road underdog, along with negative ATS runs of 1-6 after a SU win and 1-5 after a spread cover. Miami is on “over” strings of 5-2 overall, 5-1 after a SU loss, 9-4 at home, 4-1 giving points and 6-2 against winning teams, but the under for the Heat is on stretches of 4-0 as a playoff chalk, 9-1 after a two-day break and 5-2 in first-round games. Boston holds “over” streaks of 8-3 overall, 5-1 in first-round playoff games, 4-1 as a ‘dog and 21-10-1 going on two days’ rest, though the Celts also own “under” rolls of 11-4 after a SU win and 9-4 after a spread-cover. Finally, the total has cleared the posted price in six of the last eight meetings between these rivals, with Game 2 barely getting past the 182.5 total, after Game 1 went below the 184-point price.

ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON


WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio (1-1 SU and ATS) at Dallas (1-1 SU and ATS)

The second-seeded Mavericks aim to bounce back from a Game 2 beatdown when they make the short in-state trip to the AT&T Center to face the Spurs. San Antonio outscored Dallas in three of four quarters Wednesday, rolling to a 102-88 victory as a three-point road pup, following a 100-94 loss getting 4½ points in the series opener. The Spurs outshot the Mavs by almost 12 percent, hitting 48.2 percent from the floor (40 of 83) and allowing just 36.5 percent shooting (31 of 85). Tim Duncan had a double-double of 25 points and 17 boards, and Manu Ginobili added 23 points. Beyond its shooting, Dallas’ major shortfall in Game 2 was on the glass, collecting 42 rebounds while allowing the Spurs to grab 51. Not even 95 percent free-throw shooting (19 of 20) could save the Mavs, who were paced by Jason Terry (27 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (24 points, 10 rebounds). San Antonio was 29-12 SU (24-16-1 ATS) in regular-season action at home, outscoring visitors by more than eight ppg (105.5-97.1) and outshooting them 49.2 percent to 46.1 percent. Dallas went 27-14 SU and a solid 26-15 ATS on the highway, far better than its dismal 11-29-1 home ATS mark in the regular season, with the Mavs averaging 102.2 ppg on 46.8 percent shooting and yielding 99.0 ppg on 45.2 percent shooting. These instate rivals also met in the first round last year, with Dallas rolling to a 4-1 series victory while also going 4-1 ATS. The Mavs are 7-2 ATS in the last nine clashes, including 4-2 SU and ATS this year while winning and cashing in four of the last five meetings, including the regular-season finale at home. The host is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 matchups, but Dallas is 12-4 ATS on its last 16 trips to San Anton. Also, the SU winner is on a 15-1 ATS tear. The Spurs are on ATS upswings of 19-8 overall, 10-1 after a road trip of seven or more days, 8-2 at home, 7-2 after a day off and 19-6-2 as a playoff chalk, though they are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine first-round games (1-4 last five, all against Dallas). The Mavericks are 9-3 SU and ATS in their last 12 starts overall, including a current 6-1 SU and ATS surge, and they are on further pointspread upticks of 5-0 on the highway, 6-1 after a day off, 5-1 as a road pup, 6-2 in first-round playoff games and 5-2-1 inside the Southwest Division. However, they are 1-4 ATS in their last five starts as a playoff ‘dog. San Antonio is on “under” upticks of 3-1-1 overall, 4-1-1 against winning teams and 15-7 after a spread-cover, but the over for the Spurs is on surges of 5-0 at home, 4-0 as a home chalk and 4-0 on Friday. Dallas is on under rolls of 9-4-1 overall, 3-0-1 in the Southwest Division and 4-1 as an underdog. Finally, in this rivalry, the under is 4-1-1 in this year’s six meetings (1-1 in this playoff series), but the over is 4-1 in the last five clashes in San Antonio, and in last year’s playoff series, the total cleared the posted price in four of the five contests.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO


Denver (1-1 SU and ATS) at Utah (1-1 SU and ATS)

After grabbing Game 2 in Denver, the Jazz will look to take a 2-1 advantage when they meet the Nuggets inside EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City for Game 3 of this best-of-7 Western Conference opening round series. Utah fell 126-113 in Game 1 on Saturday, failing as a 5 ½-point underdog, but the Jazz got a huge 33-point, 14-assist game from Deron Williams in a 114-11 Game 2 victory in Denver on Monday, pulling off the upset as six-point favorites. They got 20 points from Carlos Boozer, 18 from Paul Milsap and 17 from C.J. Miles as the Jazz shot 52.9 percent from the floor. Denver was just 19-22 (15-21-5 ATS) on the road this season and went just 2-6 (1-6-1 ATS) in its final eight on the highway. Utah was 32-9 (26-13-2 ATS) at home and closed by winning 10 of its last 11 in Salt Lake City (8-3 ATS). The Jazz were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs a season ago by the Lakers in five games (3-2 ATS). They’re in the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, but have lost four of their last six first-round series. The Lakers also took out the Nuggets on their way to the NBA title, topping Denver in six games (3-3 ATS) in the Western Conference Finals. Prior to meeting Los Angeles, the Nuggets had won eight of 10 playoff contests in the first two rounds – eliminating New Orleans and Dallas – while going 10-0 ATS. This is Denver’s sixth consecutive playoff appearance after a nine-year drought from 1995-2003. The Nuggets have won four of six (3-1-2 ATS) in the season series and split in Utah, including a 105-95 win in January as 7 ½-point pups and then falling 116-106 in February, pushing as 10-point underdogs. The Nuggets have won six of the last nine clashes while going 7-1-2 ATS in the last 10. Also, the home team is 10-2 (6-4-2 ATS) in the last 12 matchups between these two, and the chalk is 24-11-3 in the last 38. Denver is on ATS skids of 1-6-1 on the road, 1-4-2 as an underdog, 1-4 on Friday and 5-12-1 overall, but it is on positive ATS streaks of 6-1 as a playoff underdog, 21-8-1 after three or more days off and 4-0-1 after a non-cover. The Jazz are just 1-5 ATS in their last six Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last five after a spread-cover, but they are on a plethora of ATS streaks, including 23-9-2 at home, 32-15-3 overall, 8-3 as a home favorite, 21-7-1 as a chalk of up to 4 ½ points and 14-6 after three or more days off. The Nuggets have topped the total in four straight overall, six of eight against Northwest Division teams and four of five after three or more days off, but they are on “under” streaks of 4-1 on the road, 37-17 as underdogs, and 21-6 as playoff ‘dogs. Utah has gone “over” the total in 20 of 26 against Northwest Division teams and four straight against winning teams, but it is on “under” runs of 5-0-1 after a straight-up win, 8-3 on Friday and 5-2-1 as a favorite. In this rivalry, the “over” is 4-0 in the last four meetings, but the “under” has cashed in four of the last five in Utah.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER


NATIONAL LEAGUE

St. Louis (10-5) at San Francisco (8-7)

The Giants return home from a disastrous N.L. West road trip, and they’ll give the ball to ace Tim Lincecum (3-0, 0.90 ERA) while the Cardinals counter with rookie lefty Jaime Garcia (1-0, 0.69) in the opener of a weekend series at AT&T Park. St. Louis opened a six-game road trip against N.L. West teams by taking two of three in Arizona, capped by Wednesday’s 9-4 victory over the Diamondbacks. The Cardinals have won three of their last four games, tallying 25 runs in the process. They’re also on positive surges of 6-2 against right-handed starters, 12-5 after a day off, 39-19 in the opener of a series and 12-4 on Friday, but despite their success in Arizona, they’ve lost five of seven to N.L. West foes. San Francisco departed for a six-game road trip to Los Angeles and San Diego with a 7-2 record but return home just one game over .500 after losing five of the six games, including getting swept by the Padres to start this week. The Giants offense, which scored 17 runs in the first two games of the trip and was averaging 6.2 runs through the first 11 contests, has generated a combined five runs in their last four games (all losses). Bruce Bochy’s squad has also dropped seven of 10 after an off day and nine of 13 to left-handed starters, but the team is on positive streaks of 8-2 at home and 6-1 against the N.L. Central. The Giants barely won the season series from St. Louis last year, taking four of seven meetings (two of three at home), and San Francisco is 6-3 in the last nine clashes. Garcia has been outstanding in his first two starts of 2010, allowing a total of one run, five hits and five walks while striking out 10 in 13 innings. He beat the Brewers 7-1 on the road in his debut, but got a no-decision in Saturday’s 20-inning marathon against the Mets, giving up a single hit in seven innings with St. Louis eventually losing 2-1. Garcia’s only experience prior to this season came in 2008 with the Cardinals, when he pitched in 10 games (one start), going 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA. The 23-year-old has never faced the Giants. Lincecum, the two-team reigning N.L. Cy Young winner, is already in midseason form, giving up just two runs and 13 hits over 20 innings with 24 strikeouts against just three walks. He pitched the Giants to their only victory on their just-completed road trip, blanking the Dodgers on four hits in six innings Saturday en route to a 9-0 win. San Francisco has had tremendous success with Lincecum pitching, as they’re 4-0 in his last four starts overall (all multi-run wins), 21-8 in his last 29 at home, 7-3 in his last 10 against the N.L. Central and 16-5 in his last 21 when opening a series. Lincecum is 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals, giving up just five runs in 28 innings (no runs in the last two starts covering 16 innings). Last year, the lanky right-hander faced the Redbirds once and pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout in St. Louis, walking none and striking out eight in a 10-0 win. The Cardinals topped the total in their final two games at Arizona, but they remain on “under” runs of 9-4 overall, 5-1 on Friday and 4-0 in series openers. The Giants also carry “under” trends of 4-0 overall, 5-2 against lefty starters and 18-7-3 versus the N.L. Central. However, San Francisco is also on “over” surges of 5-0 after a day off, 5-1-1 at home, 5-1-1 in series openers and 5-1 on Friday, and with Lincecum on the hill, the “over” is on stretches of 3-0-1 overall, 4-0 after five days off and 3-1-1 in series openers. Finally, nine of the last 13 battles between these teams, including five of the last six in San Francisco, have jumped over the posted total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO and OVER


AMERICAN LEAGUE

N.Y. Yankees (11-4) at L.A. Angels (8-9)

Just a week after completing a three-game series against each other in the Bronx, the Yankees and Angels hook up again, this time at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, with Ervin Santana (1-2, 4.35) set to toe the slab for the hosts opposite A.J. Burnett (2-0, 2.37). New York’s six-game overall and four-game road winning streaks came to a halt with Thursday afternoon’s 4-2 loss at Oakland. Despite the setback, the Yankees are still 6-3 as a visitor this season, and the defending champs are on further runs of 63-25 overall dating to 2009 (playoffs included), 13-4 against the A.L. West, 55-20 against right-handed starters and 22-9 on Friday. Los Angeles started this week by splitting four home games with the Tigers, winning the first two contests before suffering a pair of one-run losses on Wednesday (4-3) and Thursday (5-4). Still, the Angels remain on upticks of 5-2 overall, 4-1 against the A.L. East and 7-3 on Friday. The Yankees took two of three from L.A. in the Bronx two weeks ago, including a 7-5 victory over Santana in the series opener on April 13. New York has won eight of the last 11 overall clashes with the Angels, taking four of six in last year’s American League Championship Series. However, the Halos have won 19 of the 26 meetings in Anaheim. Burnett has delivered back-to-back quality starts, following up a two-run, six-hit, seven-inning effort at Tampa Bay on April 17 with a no-run, six-hit, seven-inning performance at home against the Rangers on Saturday. The Yankees won both games by identical 7-3 scores, and they’re 9-2 in his last 11 starts overall and 4-1 in his last five on Friday. Also, since joining New York prior to last season, Burnett is 9-6 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 regular-season road starts. Burnett faced the Angels twice in the regular season last year, allowing six runs on 15 hits in 12 2/3 innings (4.26 ERA), with New York winning both games (one home, one road). The veteran right-hander also got two no-decisions against L.A. in the ALCS, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in 12 1/3 innings (5.84 ERA), and the Yankees won 4-3 at home and lost 7-6 on the road. Including the postseason, Burnett is 2-2 with a 4.73 in eight starts against the Angels, including 1-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five games in Anaheim. Five days after getting roughed up at Yankee Stadium, Santana cruised to a complete-game 3-1 win in Toronto on Sunday, yielding just the single run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. In his first home game this year, Santana gave up four runs in six innings of a 4-2 loss to the Twins. With the right-hander on the bump, the Halos are on runs of 5-2 against the A.L. East, 7-2 on Friday and 12-4 in series openers, but they’ve lost seven of his last 10 outings overall and four of his last five at home. The Angels are also just 1-4 in Santana’s last five starts against the Yankees, against whom the 27-year-old is 5-3 with a 5.50 ERA in nine games. In the April 13 contest in New York, he gave up five runs on eight hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings. In his last three outings against the Yanks, Santana has surrendered 16 runs (14 earned) over 18 innings (7.00 ERA), with L.A. losing all three by a combined score of 20-11. New York has stayed under the total in six of its last eight overall (all against the A.L. West), but it is otherwise on “over” runs of 35-18-2 on the road and 4-1 in series openers. Also, the over is 5-0 in Burnett’s last five starts overall and 5-0 in his last five road efforts, but the under has cashed in each of Burnett’s last six Friday outings.
It’s been all “unders” lately for the Angels, including 37-17-3 overall, 4-1 against the A.L. East, 23-11-2 versus right-handed starters, 6-2 on Friday, 7-3 overall with Santana pitching and 5-2-1 when Santana works on Friday. Also, the under is 8-4-1 in the last 13 Angels-Yankees battles following a 6-0 “over” surge in this rivalry.

ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grad betting

VFL Bochum - VFB Stuttgart ver 2.5@1,7
Hrvatska: NK Zagreb - NK Medimurje Cakovec :win bet Zagreb @1,55

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAMBLERS DATA
Friday Oakland -155

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Joe Wiz's Daily Free Pick

Under 8 runs bet. Cleveland and Oakland

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bettors' best friend: Friday's wagering tips

Line off the board

Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals: When Nats' scheduled starter Jason Marquis was placed on the disabled list, the line was pulled pending the announcement of his replacement.

Line to keep an eye on

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat: The Heat opened as 3.5-point favorites but quickly jumped to 4.

Who's hot

Spurs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 at home.

Mavericks are 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven.

Bruins are 6-1 in their last seven overall and 6-2 in their last eight road games.

Rays are 8-1 in their last nine overall and 7-1 in last eight vs. Jays.

Mariners are 7-1 in their last eight.

Who's not

Heat are 1-7 ATS in last eight at home vs. Celtics.

Kings are 1-7 in their last eight Friday games.

Rangers have lost six in a row.

White Sox are 1-5 in their last six.

Key stat

36-1 - Combined score from the Milwaukee Brewers' three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. After wins of 8-1 and 8-0, the Brewers broke out the bats and broom Thursday with a 20-0 victory, the worst defeat in the Pirates' 124-year history.

Injury that shouldn't be overlooked

Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek will be a game-time decision for Friday's Game 5 against the Boston Bruins with a foot injury. Vanek practiced Thursday for approximately 45 minutes and said that his foot was feeling better, but how much better will go a long way in determining tonight's outcome. Vanek has recorded 28 goals, 25 assists and 42 penalty minutes in 71 games this season for the Sabres.

Game of the day

Nuggets at Jazz

Notable quotable

"I know that certain referees were trying to bait me to get a tech. You could see it coming from a mile away. Like I say, I don't like to be cheated. I can deal with a loss. I can deal with playing bad. I can deal with getting my ass busted. I just don't like to be cheated."

Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace told the Boston Globe after Game 1 against the Miami Heat, comments for which he was fined $35,000 on Thursday.

Tips and notes

The Washington Capitals canceled Thursday's practice after the team's plane was delayed getting back from Montreal following Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Habs. Because of fog delays, the team's plane did not land until after 1 a.m. The late arrival had prompted customs agents to go home, forcing the players to spend nearly three hours on the tarmac and take a day off from the ice to recover.

The tide may have turned in the Jazz-Nuggets series when Utah pulled the upset in Game 2 to return home tied at one game apiece. The Jazz are 23-9-2 in their last 34 home games while the Nuggets are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight on the road. Of course that slump came while Kenyon Martin was out, and he may be again in Game 3. Martin (knee) missed practice Thursday and is a game-time decision tonight.

The defense of Rajon Rando against Dwyane Wade has been good enough to cut back on the Celtics' need to double-team. Rando hasn't kept Wade from scoring, but he has stopped him from creating. Wade is averaging 27.5 points in the series after two games, but his teammates have added just 49. It's not a fluke; the Celtics have won seven in a row against the Heat dating back to last season and 13 of the last 14 meetings overall.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

435 - 315 run 59 %
Bonus Play FRI Milwaukee + 115

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sampicks 4/23

Germany - Bundesliga - 19:30 GMT
BOCHUM - STUTTGART take STUTTGART to win
Best odds: 1,88

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bookie Monster
27-9 Run (75%)

Fri
CHCUBS -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Foxsheets 4/23

Play Against - Underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (DALLAS) after having covered 5 or 6 of their last 7 against the spread, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record
102-54 over the last 5 seasons. ( 65.4% | 42.6 units )
12-7 this year. ( 63.2% | 4.3 units )

Play On - Favorites vs. the money line (SAN ANTONIO) off a road win against a division rival against opponent off a home loss
103-23 over the last 5 seasons. ( 81.7% | 50.3 units )
12-2 this year. ( 85.7% | 4.8 units )

Play On - Road teams vs. the 1rst half line (DENVER) revenging a close loss vs opponent of 3 points or less against opponent off a close win by 3 points or less over a division rival
41-15 since 1997. ( 73.2% | 24.5 units )

Play Against - Road teams (PITTSBURGH) after a game where the bullpen was rocked for 6 or more earned runs against opponent with a hot bullpen whose WHIP is under 1.000 the last 5 games
49-18 over the last 5 seasons. ( 73.1% | 27.3 units )
1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | -1.5 units )BOSTON is 51-16 (+31.7 Units) against the money line after 5 or more consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: BOSTON (5.7) , OPPONENT (4.1)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PittViper 4/23
Back to back 2-1 days so let's keep it going, and loving the positivist. Likely won't be touching the NBA again until 2nd round (or possibly even later).

Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (-115)
Minnesota/Kansas City over 9.5 (-120)
Seattle Mariners (+112)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DUNKEL NBA

Denver at Utah

The Jazz look to build on their 6-1-1 ATS record in their last 8 playoff games as favorite between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Utah is the pick (-2) according to Dunkel, which has the Jazz favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Utah (-2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

Game 501-502: Boston at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.766; Miami 119.228
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2 1/2; 179
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 4; 182
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+4); Under

Game 503-504: Dallas at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 119.455; San Antonio 128.600
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 9; 190
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 3; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-3); Under

Game 505-506: Denver at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 117.356; Utah 125.115
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 8; 211
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 2; 216
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-2); Under