Service Plays Friday 5/6/11

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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.

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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




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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.......

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GL!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Prediction Machine

NBA Normal play
Chi-2.5 57.3%

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PICK 'N' ROLL

Friday's Best NBA Bets

Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks (+2.5, 178)

Josh Smith hasn’t just been ineffective for the Atlanta Hawks in their first two games against Chicago. He has been killing his own team.

The forward known for his lack of a long-range jump shot is a combined 7-of-23 from the floor, 0-for-3 from beyond the arc and has amassed just 12 total rebounds. He also has five turnovers through both games in Illinois and has admitted he is in a bit of a mental rut.

"Turnovers, a couple of unforced errors on my part, maybe a couple of untimely shots. Just a couple–maybe one or two," Smith said. "It is just frustrating because I know I can give this team a little bit more on the offensive end. Right now I am not doing my part on that end. I know I have got to do more and be efficient like I've been all season."

First he has to keep the Bulls from getting easy points. Chicago’s starting front court had just four offensive boards in Game, but in the team’s Game 2 win, they racked up a staggering 11.

"I was [ticked] off at myself," Smith said. "I understand what I need to do to be more effective with this ballclub, especially at the offensive end. I think Game 3 will be a different look for me."

Start with defensive rebounding and better shot selection, but it’s likely too late to start now.

PICK: Bulls


Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5, 186)

Just like the hot girl who is dating a crazy guy, the Lakers are dealing with trust issues.

"It's obvious we have trust issues," Lakers forward Andrew Bynum said. "We have to come out and discuss them or things won't change."

But just how does the team miraculously learn to work together this late in the year? Guard Derek Fisher said the team is making far too many mistakes at this point in the season and he is correct. Plus, it doesn’t help the team’s bench has been putrid the first two games.

Los Angeles reserves combined for just 25 points on 10-of-23 shooting in a Game 1 loss. They also combined for just three assists and four turnovers that night and Game 2 wasn’t much prettier. In that defeat, the unit had a mere 12 points, was 6-for-23 from the field and had six assists against six turnovers.

Conversely, Dallas got 40 points from its reserves in Game 1 and a solid 31 in Game 2.

Even more troubling, Lakers stud sixth man Lamar Odom will likely start in Game 3 due to a suspension to forward Ron Artest for a flagrant foul in Game 2.

"Our bench does not play the same as other benches," Lakers veteran bench player Shannon Brown said. "They've got guys coming off the bench playing 35, 40 minutes. So you really can't compare the benches. But at the same time, we do have to hold up our end of the bargain."

So far they aren’t and don’t expect it to change in Texas.

PICK: Mavericks

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

ICE PICKS

Friday's Best NHL Bets

San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings (-130, 5.5)

If the Red Wings have any chance of making history against San Jose, somebody other than Pavel Datsyuk has to step up.

The European star has registered a point in all but one postseason contest and has three goals and nine assists through seven games – both team-highs. No other player on the team has more than six points and his 26 shots on goal lead his next closest teammate by eight.

Forwards Valtteri Filppula, Todd Bertuzzi, Daniel Cleary, Jiri Hurdler and Darren Helm have combined to register a mere one assists through the first three games.

"You've got to work for your bounces," Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said. "So we've got to just continue to keep going, and hopefully the tide will turn. Why not us? That's the mentality that you have to have. Why not?"

Well for one thing, Detroit can’t seem to kill penalties. After registering a power play goal in each victory in San Jose, the Sharks were 2-for-4 on the man advantage in Michigan. This season, Detroit’s penalty kill was ranked in the bottom half of the league, killing off just 82.3 percent of opponent’s chances.

That weakness is coming back to bite them.

"They're good players and when you give them room, they execute when they have their chances," Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg said. "Our power play was pretty good, too. Most of the time that's what decides series like this and when it's a tight game, it's the special teams that need to be good."

Detroit’s just aren’t good enough.

PICK: Sharks


Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins (-170, 5.5)

Can the Flyers rally from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins for a second straight season? Doubtful, but it is even more doubtful that Philadelphia will simply roll over.

The Flyers haven’t been swept since the Stanley Cup finals in 1997 when Detroit showed them the broom. The Flyers are 6-1 over the past two seasons when facing elimination.

Philadelphia also just got back injured forward Jeff Carter, who hadn't played since April 20, and he expects to add some punch into the team’s lineup after finding his legs on Wednesday night.

"You can draw strength from everything that you've gone through as a group," captain Mike Richards said. "This is not the time to point fingers. It's not the time to get down. It's a time you have to stick together and come together as a group and hopefully do something special."

That something special happened against the Bruins last year, but Boston thinks things have changed.

“We learned from last year, obviously,’’ said Boston’s Johnny Boychuk. “The hardest game to win is the fourth game. But that was last year.’’

It was last year. However, the Flyers are best with their back against the wall and will send the series back to Pennsylvania.

PICK: Flyers

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

HOT LINES

Friday’s Best MLB Bets

Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates (-120, 7.5)

The Houston Astros are going to be without closer Brandon Lyon, who landed on the DL Thursday with a partially torn rotator cuff. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing for Houston bettors remains to be seen.

Lyon has blown four of his eight save opportunities this season and has a fat 7.15 ERA.

"I am going to do what I can to build the strength back up," Lyon said. "It may come back in a few days. It may be a week or two weeks. When we tested the shoulder there was a lot of weakness."

Lyon isn’t the only one in Houston’s pen that is having problems. The Astros bullpen checks in with a 5.24 ERA, while opposing batters are hitting .304 against them collectively.

Mark Melancon gets first crack to fill in for Lyon and the change could do Houston good. Melancon has a 1.72 ERA in 15 2/3 innings so far this year

The Pirates won four out of six on the road but we like Wandy Rodriguez a lot better than Paul Maholm at this price.

PICK: Astros


Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (-105, 8)

After Bobby Abreau gave the Angels a victory with an RBI single in the 13th inning of Wednesday’s marathon with the Red Sox, Los Angeles’ offense blew up to book an 11-0 blowout, earning a split in Beantown.

Four different Angels knocked in at least two runs and the club smacked out 18 hits before all was said and done.

"It seemed like there was a carry-over from Bobby's hit," Peter Bourjos told reporters after picking up three hits and scoring four times. "Everyone was calm and relaxed in the batter's box. We got back to playing Angels baseball -- being aggressive, going first to third, making things happen. It was fun."

With the Angels’ rolling offense lining up against a Cleveland attack that ranks among the league's best in most statistical categories, we can’t see this one staying under the total.

PICK: Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Friday's Betting tips: Mavs Riding Huge ATS Streak

Who's Hot

NBA: Dallas is 7-0-1 against the number so far in the postseason.

NBA: Chicago is 10-4 against the spread in its last 14 road games.

NBA: The road team is 12-4-1 in the last 17 meetings between the Lakers and Mavericks.

NHL: Boston has won seven of its last eight.

MLB: Colorado had won 11 of 14 road games heading into Wednesday’s action.

Who’s Not

NBA: The over is 0-8 in Atlanta’s last eight home games.

NHL: Philadelphia has lost six of its last seven games against Boston overall.

NHL: Detroit has dropped seven of its last eight against San Jose.

MLB: The Chicago Cubs have won just two of their last 12 meetings with Cincinnati.

Key Stat

98.2 percent - NHL teams that hold a 3-0 series lead go on to advance to the next round 98.2 percent of the time. The San Jose Sharks are up 3-0 heading into Friday’s Game 4 with Detroit, but are set as a +120 underdog on the road. Meanwhile, Boston is pegged as a -175 favorite at home to finish off its sweep of the Flyers. Last year the Flyers became just the third team to overcome a 3-0 deficit against these same Boston Bruins.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers: Pronger is currently listed as doubtful for Game 4 with a hamstring and/or a back injury that has kept him out of the last two games of the club’s series with Boston. The team is keeping quiet about his status, but he hasn’t skated with the team over the past few days and may be out for the remainder of the series.

Game Of The Day

Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5, 186)

Notable Quotable

"It's deeply rooted at this point. It's obvious that we have trust issues, individually. All 13 of our guys have trust issues right now. I think it's quite obvious to anyone watching the game -- hesitation on passes, and defensively we're not being a good teammate because he wasn't there for you before -- little things. And unless we come out and discuss them, nothing is going to change." Lakers center Andrew Bynum after the Lakers dropped their opening two games of their series against the Dallas Mavericks at home.

Tips And Notes

The Los Angeles Lakers will head to Dallas without Ron Artest after he was ejected from Game 2’s loss for closelining J.J. Barea and subsequently suspended for one game. Artest delivered the blow with less than 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter after putting together a pretty solid game with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and three blocks.

It looks as though the Philadelphia Flyers will turn to rookie Sergei Bobrovsky for Game 4 after Brian Boucher failed to play the full game in any of his three starts against the Bruins. Bobrovsky came on for about nine minutes during Game 2’s overtime loss after Boucher injured his hand and managed to stop all six shots he faced. The Flyers have replaced their starting goaltender six times through 10 playoff games so far.

Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is standing behind veteran forward Carlos Boozer even if Bulls fans seem to have had about enough of him. Boozer has struggled with ankle and toe injuries in the playoffs and he’s hearing the boos from the Chicago faithful as well as some harsh remarks from former-Bull Horace Grant. Boozer is averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds per game in the postseason, but Thibodeau defended him on Thursday, saying that the Bulls need his rebounding and presence in the paint.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Friday's NHL Playoff Action
San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings (-127, 5.5)
San Jose Leads Series 3-0

THE STORY: The San Jose Sharks have a chance to make history Friday when they take on the third-seeded Detroit Red Wings in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Joe Louis Arena. After winning the first three games of the matchup, second-seeded San Jose can complete the first series sweep in franchise history with a victory. The Sharks posted a 4-3 triumph in overtime on Wednesday, their third one-goal win of the series and fourth in a row dating to Game 6 of the conference quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Kings. Five of San Jose's seven victories this postseason have come in overtime. Detroit has not been swept of a series since falling to Anaheim in the 2003 conference quarterfinals.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, VERSUS, TSN

ABOUT THE RED WINGS: Detroit had a pair of one-goal leads in Game 3 but was unable to hold on, allowing San Jose to forge a 3-3 tie with just 4:08 remaining in the third period. The Red Wings had a golden opportunity to emerge victorious in overtime as San Jose's Devin Setoguchi was called for holding at 5:11 but managed just one shot on goal during the power play. Captain Nicklas Lidstrom recorded a power-play goal and an assist while Pavel Datsyuk and Patrick Eaves also scored. Lidstrom's tally was the 29th man-advantage playoff goal of his career, moving him past Hall of Famer Denis Potvin for most among NHL defensemen.

ABOUT THE SHARKS: Setoguchi atoned for his miscue early in the extra session, scoring at 9:21 to give San Jose the commanding series lead and complete his first career postseason hat trick. He became just the third player in club history to accomplish the feat in the playoffs, joining current teammate Patrick Marleau (three times) and Ulf Dahlen. Defenseman Dan Boyle made it possible for Setoguchi by scoring the tying goal late in the third period. Captain Joe Thornton helped set up all three of Setoguchi's tallies.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Thornton's three assists on Wednesday gave him nine points this postseason, tying him with Ryane Clowe for the team lead. Setoguchi, Clowe and Joe Pavelski each have a club-high four goals. Datsyuk tops the Red Wings with nine points and shares the team lead in goals with Eaves as each have three.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Both clubs went 2-for-4 on the power play in Game 3. Overall, San Jose has converted 15.8 percent (6-for-38) of its opportunities in the postseason while Detroit has a 25.9 percent (7-for-27) efficiency. The Sharks have successfully killed 77.8 percent of their penalties and the Red Wings have a 69.7 percent success rate, better only than Nashville in the playoffs.

TRENDS:

* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Detroit.
* Sharks are 6-0 in the last six meetings.
* Sharks are 5-1 in the last six meetings in Detroit.

LAST WORD: "I'm going to spend no time worrying about the series. We're going to spend our time preparing for one game." - Detroit coach Mike Babcock on his team's dire situation.



Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins (-172, 5.5)
Boston Leads Series 3-0

THE STORY: Haven't we been here before? The Boston Bruins have pushed the Philadelphia Flyers to the brink of elimination after winning the first three games of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. What's that, you say? Last year saw the exact same scenario unfold before the Flyers skated into history by winning the next four contests in the series. Flipping the calendar back to 2010, Philadelphia skated to a 5-4 overtime win in Game 4 to ignite the rally. Does coach Peter Laviolette's club have another miraculous comeback in its bag of tricks, or will coach Claude Julien's team gleefully bring its brooms? We'll see when the teams reconvene at TD Garden in Boston for Game 4.

TV: 8 ET, VERSUS, CBC

ABOUT THE BRUINS: After pulling out an overtime triumph in Game 2, second-seeded Boston didn't put too much suspense into Wednesday's 5-1 victory. Captain Zdeno Chara and David Krejci scored in the contest's first 63 seconds and Nathan Horton and Daniel Paille tallied just 72 ticks apart in the second period to essentially seal the win. Chara added another tally late in the third period - and while it was cosmetic at best on the scoreboard - it marked Boston's first power-play goal of the postseason. Buoyed by an impressive offensive onslaught, Vezina Trophy finalist Tim Thomas stopped 37 shots as Boston improved to 6-0-1 against Philadelphia this season. Should the Bruins advance, they will have home-ice advantage against the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals.

ABOUT THE FLYERS: In what might be the final turn of the goaltending carousel, rookie Sergei Bobrovsky will likely receive the start for Game 4. The Russian actually began the postseason as Philadelphia's starting netminder before being shuffled to both the bench and even the press box in favor of Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton, respectively. All told, the second-seeded Flyers have pulled their netminder in six of 10 postseason games. Bobrovsky came in and stopped seven of eight shots for an ineffective Boucher in Game 3. Leading scorer Jeff Carter returned from a five-game absence due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and logged 16:41 of ice time. He had five shots on goal. Playing on his 22nd birthday, James van Riemsdyk led all skaters with six shots on goal on Wednesday. Defenseman Andrej Meszaros netted the team's lone goal, which also marked his first in 35 career contests against the Bruins.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Krejci has recorded four goals and two assists in three games versus the Flyers. That's quite a contrast from his one-goal, no-assist effort against the Montreal Canadiens in the conference quarterfinals. Philadelphia was absolutely brutal on faceoffs. The Flyers won just 12 of 55 faceoffs (22 percent) in Game 3, with Blair Betts winning just one of his seven on Wednesday.

SPECIAL TEAMS: While it shouldn't set off fireworks or begin plans for a parade, Boston did finally manage to score on the power play. Chara netted his second of the contest with 1:22 remaining in the game for Boston's first power-play goal in 32 chances this postseason. For their part, the Flyers went 0-for-2 on the power play and are now 7-for-44 in the playoffs.

TRENDS:

* Underdog is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Road team is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Flyers are 0-5 in the last five meetings.

LAST WORD: "It's shown that throughout. It came back from a 3-2 deficit going into Buffalo, won two in a row, and won that series. Last year we showed fight throughout the playoffs. Very much the same squad, so I have a lot of faith in these guys. They're not going to ever quit." - Flyers chairman Ed Snider.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What Bettors Need to Know: Friday's NBA Playoff Action
Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks (+3.5)
Series Tied 1-1

THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls went back to what they do the best - locking down on defense. That philosophy helped them even the series in Game 2 despite an off night from MVP Derrick Rose. The Atlanta Hawks are undaunted, however, after winning Game 1 and stealing home-court advantage in the best-of-seven set. Between Joe Johnson and the emergence of Jeff Teague, Atlanta has a backcourt that can give Rose trouble, especially if his ankle is not 100 percent. The Hawks will host the Bulls on Friday when the series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT THE HAWKS: After shooting 51 percent in a 103-95 victory in Game 1, Atlanta slipped to 34 percent in Game 2 - including 3-of-13 from 3-point range - in the 86-73 setback. Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams and Al Horford were the worst offenders, combining to shoot 7-of-31. The backcourt was the bright spot, as Teague scored a team-high 21 points and Johnson chipped in 16. Going back home is not the big advantage for the Hawks that it would be for other teams, however, as they were only 24-17 at Philips Arena in the regular season. That mark is only better than the New York Knicks among NBA playoff teams.

ABOUT THE BULLS: Rose received his MVP trophy before Game 2 and led the way with 25 points. Still hobbled by an ankle injury which he suffered at the end of Game 1, Rose shot just 10-of-27 from the floor and turned the ball over eight times. Chicago was not exactly lighting it up on offense either in Game 2, but it did manage to control the tempo defensively. The Bulls amassed a 14-point lead in the third quarter and then held the Hawks without a field goal over the last 4:15 to secure the win. After getting outrebounded in Game 1, Chicago dominated the boards, 58-39. Joakim Noah pulled down 14 rebounds to go along with 19 points.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: After scoring 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting for Atlanta in Game 1, Crawford slipped to 11 points on 2-of-10 in Game 2. Kyle Korver is shooting just 4-of-16 in the first two games for Chicago.

KEY STATISTIC: 3-point shooting. Neither team shot well from beyond the arc in Game 2, with the Bulls going 5-of-22 and the Hawks coming in at 3-of-13. Both teams shot better than 35 percent from 3-point range in the regular season.

TRENDS:

* Over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings in Atlanta.
* Over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
* Bulls are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Atlanta.

LAST WORD: Carlos Boozer is dealing with a turf toe injury and managed just eight points on Wednesday. “It’s definitely painful,” Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer said of his teammate’s injury. “If you’ve played the game, if you’ve played any sport, you know how painful something as small as turf toe is.”



Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (-1.5)
Dallas Leads Series 2-0

THE STORY: The two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers are in supreme trouble as the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals moves to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday. The Mavericks have a 2-0 series lead after winning both games in Los Angeles and can place the Lakers in a dire situation with a third straight triumph. The Mavericks thoroughly frustrated the Lakers during Wednesday’s 93-81 victory and Los Angeles appeared close to coming unhinged as things disintegrated and its home fans serenaded the club with boos. The atmosphere in Dallas will be at a fever pitch on Friday with the Mavericks in position to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: This is how good Dirk Nowitzki has been in the playoffs – that stellar 24-point performance in Game 2 represents his second-lowest scoring game of the postseason. Nowitzki is averaging 27 points and has scored 20 or more points in all eight of Dallas’ postseason games. The Mavericks received a solid boost from backup guard J.J. Barea, who had 12 points in 17 minutes for his first double-digit contest of the playoffs. Barea’s bench play was pivotal as Dallas survived poor shooting games from key reserves Jason Terry (3-for-12, nine points) and Peja Stojakovic (2-for-9, four points). Shawn Marion added 14 points and nine rebounds and guard DeShawn Stevenson contributed nine points on three 3-pointers.

ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles opened a series with back-to-back home losses for the first time since 1977 when it was swept by the Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas-led Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers were out-of-sync offensively in the second half of Game 2 when they scored just 32 points. Pau Gasol has been badly outplayed by Nowitzki and has struggled throughout the playoffs. Gasol is averaging just 13.6 points in eight postseason games and hasn’t scored more than 17 points. He is averaging 14 points in the two games against Dallas. Kobe Bryant scored just 23 points in Game 2 after recording 36 in the opener. Bryant’s 3-point basket with 2:43 remaining was the Lakers’ first of the game. Los Angeles could be without Ron Artest on Friday after he was ejected in the final half-minute for belting Barea with a shot to the face.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Marion has scored in double figures in five consecutive games and is averaging 13.2 points during the stretch. Lakers guard Steve Blake missed all five shots in Game 2 for his third straight scoreless playoff outing.

KEY STATISTIC: Los Angeles is just 7-of-39 from 3-point range through the two games. The Lakers were 5-of-19 in the opener and a putrid 2-for-20 in Game 2.

TRENDS:

* Underdog is 17-8-1 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
* Road team is 12-4-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
* Lakers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
* Mavericks are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games.

LAST WORD: “We’re gonna need every gun blazing and throw the kitchen sink at these guys when they come into our place.” – Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on his team’s approach for Friday’s Game 3.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Friday Late Night Tips
By Kevin Rogers



The Friday baseball card wraps up with three intriguing matchups on the West Coast. The struggling White Sox head to Seattle trying to end their woes, while the Rockies and Giants hook up in San Francisco. We'll start in Southern California with the surging Indians making their second trip to Anaheim to battle the Angels.

Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels (-105, 8)

The first team to 20 victories in the American League isn't the Yankees or Red Sox. Instead, it's Manny Acta's Indians, who have won seven of eight games to take firm control of the AL Central race. Cleveland's road swing through California continues in Orange County as the Tribe battles an Angels' team returning home after a 4-3 East Coast trip.

Cleveland is listed as an away favorite in the series opener with Justin Masterson (5-0, 2.25 ERA) taking the mound. Masterson has been brilliant in six starts, all quality outings. The former Red Sox right-hander has tossed at least six innings in each trip to the hill, while the 'over' has cashed in each of his last four starts. Masterson shut down the Halos in their last meeting in September 2010, limiting Los Angeles to six hits and one earned run in six innings of a 6-1 rout.

The Angels send out Tyler Chatwood (2-1, 4.94 ERA), who made an emergency start at Tampa Bay last Sunday in place of the ailing Jered Weaver. Chatwood lasted just four innings as he allowed nine hits and five earned runs, but the Angels rallied for a 6-5 win as a $1.30 underdog. The Halos are 1-2 in Chatwood's three home starts, including a 4-0 setback on April 11 as the righty gave up all four runs.

Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners (-160, 6.5)

Chicago's offense has been abysmal recently as the Sox look to improve on a 4-17 mark the last 21 games. The task isn't easy with Ozzie Guillen's club traveling to the Pacific Northwest against the Mariners, who send out their reigning Cy Young Award winner in Felix Hernandez.

Seattle's offense isn't setting the world on fire with a .228 average, but the pitching staff has helped the M's win six of their last eight contests. Hernandez (3-2, 3.21 ERA) received a no-decision in his last start, a 3-2 loss at Boston as Carl Crawford delivered the walk-off hit against the M's bullpen. King Felix is 3-1 in his last four starts against the White Sox since 2009, including a pair of scoreless efforts in victories at Safeco Field.

Phil Humber (2-3, 3.06 ERA) turned heads in his near no-hit performance at Yankee Stadium on April 25, limiting the Yankees to one hit in seven innings of a 2-0 shutout. The Chicago right-hander allowed two early runs in his last outing against the Orioles, but still delivered a quality start in a 6-2 defeat. The Sox offense hasn't helped their staff by scoring two runs or less in 12 of the last 19 games ('under' is 12-6-1 in this stretch).

Colorado Rockies at SF Giants (-120, 6.5)

San Francisco returns to the Bay Area following a 5-5 road trip against the Pirates, Nationals, and Mets. The offense shut down in Thursday's 5-2 loss at New York as the Giants picked up only five hits, while scoring two runs or less in seven of the last nine games. The Giants entertain the Rockies, as Colorado looks to improve on a league-best 11-4 road mark.

Ubaldo Jimenez (0-2, 7.20 ERA) has struggled to find the magic of last season in which he started 15-1 in the first half. Jimenez is nursing a right thumb injury that plagued him throughout the first month, while the right-hander has failed to put together a quality start in four outings. After splitting four starts against the Giants last season, Jimenez allowed four earned runs in five innings as the Rockies lost, 6-3 earlier this month as $1.40 home 'chalk' to San Francisco.

The Giants send out Matt Cain (2-2, 3.53 ERA), who is making only his second start at AT&T Park this season. Cain is coming off a loss in last start at Washington, even though it was the fifth quality outing in six trips to the mound. The only non-quality start came at Coors Field on April 20 as the Rockies avoided a sweep with a 10-2 pounding, while Colorado racked Cain by plating six runs in 4.2 innings. Cain dominated the Rockies in two home starts last season, allowing one earned run in 16 innings as the Giants won each meeting.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 837-366 (.696)
ATS: 632-621 (.504)
ATS Vary Units: 1493-1477 (.503)
Over/Under: 649-622 (.511)
Over/Under Vary Units: 781-759 (.507)

Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 3, best-of-7
Chicago 90, ATLANTA 87
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 3, best-of-7
DALLAS 97, L.A. Lakers 91

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 394-300 (.568)

Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 4, best-of-7
BOSTON 3, Philadelphia 2
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 4, best-of-7
San Jose vs. DETROIT: TOO CLOSE TO CALL

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

635 - 482 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Bonus Play Fri: SL Cards -140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the O's on Thursday.

Friday: Lakers (86% System). Deficit: 1960 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hondo

Hondo's five-play Cinco de Mayo extravaganza turned into a disaster yesterday as his lone victory with the Angels was thoroughly overwhelmed by losses with the Marlins, A's, Yanks and Brewers. That sent the deficit soaring into four figures at a crisp 1,125 cavarrettas.

Today, brimming with tentativeness, Mr. Aitch will try a day/nighter with Garza and The One And Only Jimmy Shields -- 10 units apiece on the Cubs and Rays.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Gamblers Data

Bonus Play Friday

TB/Baltimore under 8 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Today's NBA Picks

LA Lakers at Dallas

The Lakers look to take advantage of a Dallas team that is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 playoff games as a favorite of 1 to 4 1/2 points. LA is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mavericks favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+2 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4"><tbody><tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 564px;" height="17">FRIDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 6:00 a.m. EST</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 717-718: Chicago at Atlanta (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 123.574; Atlanta 119.504
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 4; 174
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 178
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-2 1/2); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="564" height="17">Game 719-720: LA Lakers at Dallas (9:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.374; Dallas 125.032
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 2 1/2; 186
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+2 1/2); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 5px;" width="566">
</td> </tr> <tr> </tr></tbody></table>

 

[steliocantos]

bookiemonsters

Bonus Play 5/6
stl -145

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Today's MLB Picks

Colorado at San Francisco

The Rockies look to build on their 10-4 record in their last 14 road games. Colorado is the pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105). Here are all of today's picks.
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" width="538"><tbody><tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">FRIDAY, MAY 6
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 901-902: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Volquez) 14.517; Cubs (Garza) 15.637
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-125); N/A</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 903-904: Atlanta at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Lowe) 16.541; Philadelphia (Lee) 16.134
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+140); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 905-906: Houston at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Rodriguez) 15.557; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.879
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+100); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 907-908: Washington at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Zimmermann) 14.362; Florida (Nolasco) 15.852
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Florida (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-160); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 909-910: LA Dodgers at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 14.327; NY Mets (Niese) 13.837
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+100); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 911-912: Milwaukee at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Wolf) 13.897; St. Louis (Garcia) 16.522
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-145); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 913-914: Arizona at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Galarraga) 14.129; San Diego (Stauffer) 14.915
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140) Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 915-916: Colorado at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.296; San Francisco (Cain) 14.366
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 917-918: Minnesota at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 13.588; Boston (Wakefield) 15.920
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-145); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 919-920: Detroit at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Coke) 15.747; Toronto (Litsch) 15.291
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-105); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.920; Baltimore (Britton) 14.396
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-105); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Nova) 14.690; Texas ((Harrison) 15.348
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-115); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-115); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 925-926: Oakland at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Gonzalez) 15.621; Kansas City (O'Sullivan) 16.603
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+100); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 927-928: Cleveland at LA Angels (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Masterson) 17.287; LA Angels (Chatwood) 15.848
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-115); Over</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" width="522" height="17">Game 929-930: Chicago White Sox at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Humber) 14.783; Seattle (Hernandez) 14.567
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Seattle (-180); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+160); Under</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 5px;" width="522">
</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Marlins -155 over Nats

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hockey Crusher
Play of the Day:

RedWings -135 over Sharks