MLB
Monday, March 31
April Good Month Pitchers
GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:
Colon, Bartolo • 9-3
Now with New York Mets, Colon won 18 games last season and posted a career-low ERA of 2.65. The amazing part is the rotund right-hander is doing this at age 40 and throwing fastballs 85 percent of the time. Word is Oakland catchers just kept calling fastballs and Colon decided on his own what kind of movement he wanted. Crazy!
*Correia, Kevin • 10-5
The soft-tossing Twins starter does not walk or strikeout many batters, gives up more hits than innings pitched and is a junkballer deluxe. Yet for some reason, he usually pitches pretty well in April before setting into normal patterns.
Hammel, Jason• 13-3
Signed as free agent by the Chicago Cubs in February, he is expected to begin in the bullpen as a long reliever and start only out of necessity.
Kershaw, Clayton • 11-5
The best pitcher in baseball has the full package, able to command the fastball to certain locations, a cliff-diving curveball and if he regains the feel for the changeup, well, Kershaw becomes even better. Not good news for MLB hitters.
*Lohse, Kyle • 11-4
Like most pitchers that leave St. Louis as free agents, Lohse regressed putting on a Milwaukee uniform. At 35, he’s unlikely to pull a Colon, but if he continues to throw pitches just outside the strike zone that are tantalizing to batters, he should produce a winning first month of the season.
Nova, Ivan • 8-4
The Yankees are hoping for big things from Nova, after he a recorded a 2.70 ERA in his last 16 starts in 2013. His more mature attitude and sinker has elevated his game.
*Sabathia, CC • 11-5
A slimmed down Sabathia hopes to return to prior form as the ace of the Bronx Bombers. The fastball lacks the same velocity, which is why he’s worked on slowing down his changeup even further to have a greater separation to the batter’s eye. The still tall left-hander, of a solid spring camp, knows how to pitch and needs to spot his tosses effectively.
Scherzer, Matt • 11-5
Scherzer became an elite pitcher last season, which is why Detroit is still a threat to win a World Series. While some will question his intelligence in turning down 140+ million to stay with the Tigers, his curveball was devastating last season and he dominated right-hand hitters to the tune of a .165 batting average.
*Shields, James • 13-4
The Royals ace just knows how to pitch, working up and down and changing speeds effortlessly. This season he is playing on an improved Kansas City squad which has confidence from last year, Shields should start fast again.
*Weaver, Jered • 9-3
If the Angels are to return to the postseason, Weaver has to be a 17-18 game winner. His fastball and punchouts continue to decrease and he spent the spring trying to air it out, while doing a better job with location. His curve just rolls off the table and if he regains the bite of his dipping change, he could have a return to prior form.
BAD MONTH PITCHERS:
*Buehrle, Mark • 5-11
Talk about your innings-eater! Buehrle has pitched 200 or more innings in 13 consecutive years… the only other pitcher to that since 1980 is Greg Maddux. The crafty lefty has started poorly the last three seasons it might continue north of the border again.
Floyd, Gavin • 5-10
Floyd attempts to return from reconstructive elbow surgery for Atlanta and is likely out of action this April, hoping to return to action in May.
Hughes, Philip • 4-8
Still only 26, the former Yankee gets a chance to start over in a less stressful environment in Minnesota, which could allow him just to pitch. One problem, the Twins stink.
*Jackson, Edwin • 5-11
Jackson was 8-18 with the Cubs last season and his 4.98 ERA was his highest since his final year in Tampa Bay in 2007. What are his prospects for improving at 30 years old on one of the worst teams in baseball? You decide.
Latos, Mat • 4-9
After having off-season elbow surgery, Latos had surgery to repair a torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee on Valentine’s Day. Latos will begin the season on the disabled list, and he will remain in Arizona after the team leaves camp. The plan is for him to have at least five starts in spring before pitching in the regular season.
*Saunders, Joe • 5-10
With injuries and underachieving pitchers, Texas is forced to turn to Saunders, who is coming off a 11-16 season in Seattle, where his ERA was 5.26 and he surrendered 26 percent more hits than innings pitched (232 vs. 183). Given his past, the Rangers better score runs if they expect to win when Saunders starts. FYI: he compiled a sky-high 3.69 WHIP this spring.
Monday, March 31
April Good Month Pitchers
GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:
Colon, Bartolo • 9-3
Now with New York Mets, Colon won 18 games last season and posted a career-low ERA of 2.65. The amazing part is the rotund right-hander is doing this at age 40 and throwing fastballs 85 percent of the time. Word is Oakland catchers just kept calling fastballs and Colon decided on his own what kind of movement he wanted. Crazy!
*Correia, Kevin • 10-5
The soft-tossing Twins starter does not walk or strikeout many batters, gives up more hits than innings pitched and is a junkballer deluxe. Yet for some reason, he usually pitches pretty well in April before setting into normal patterns.
Hammel, Jason• 13-3
Signed as free agent by the Chicago Cubs in February, he is expected to begin in the bullpen as a long reliever and start only out of necessity.
Kershaw, Clayton • 11-5
The best pitcher in baseball has the full package, able to command the fastball to certain locations, a cliff-diving curveball and if he regains the feel for the changeup, well, Kershaw becomes even better. Not good news for MLB hitters.
*Lohse, Kyle • 11-4
Like most pitchers that leave St. Louis as free agents, Lohse regressed putting on a Milwaukee uniform. At 35, he’s unlikely to pull a Colon, but if he continues to throw pitches just outside the strike zone that are tantalizing to batters, he should produce a winning first month of the season.
Nova, Ivan • 8-4
The Yankees are hoping for big things from Nova, after he a recorded a 2.70 ERA in his last 16 starts in 2013. His more mature attitude and sinker has elevated his game.
*Sabathia, CC • 11-5
A slimmed down Sabathia hopes to return to prior form as the ace of the Bronx Bombers. The fastball lacks the same velocity, which is why he’s worked on slowing down his changeup even further to have a greater separation to the batter’s eye. The still tall left-hander, of a solid spring camp, knows how to pitch and needs to spot his tosses effectively.
Scherzer, Matt • 11-5
Scherzer became an elite pitcher last season, which is why Detroit is still a threat to win a World Series. While some will question his intelligence in turning down 140+ million to stay with the Tigers, his curveball was devastating last season and he dominated right-hand hitters to the tune of a .165 batting average.
*Shields, James • 13-4
The Royals ace just knows how to pitch, working up and down and changing speeds effortlessly. This season he is playing on an improved Kansas City squad which has confidence from last year, Shields should start fast again.
*Weaver, Jered • 9-3
If the Angels are to return to the postseason, Weaver has to be a 17-18 game winner. His fastball and punchouts continue to decrease and he spent the spring trying to air it out, while doing a better job with location. His curve just rolls off the table and if he regains the bite of his dipping change, he could have a return to prior form.
BAD MONTH PITCHERS:
*Buehrle, Mark • 5-11
Talk about your innings-eater! Buehrle has pitched 200 or more innings in 13 consecutive years… the only other pitcher to that since 1980 is Greg Maddux. The crafty lefty has started poorly the last three seasons it might continue north of the border again.
Floyd, Gavin • 5-10
Floyd attempts to return from reconstructive elbow surgery for Atlanta and is likely out of action this April, hoping to return to action in May.
Hughes, Philip • 4-8
Still only 26, the former Yankee gets a chance to start over in a less stressful environment in Minnesota, which could allow him just to pitch. One problem, the Twins stink.
*Jackson, Edwin • 5-11
Jackson was 8-18 with the Cubs last season and his 4.98 ERA was his highest since his final year in Tampa Bay in 2007. What are his prospects for improving at 30 years old on one of the worst teams in baseball? You decide.
Latos, Mat • 4-9
After having off-season elbow surgery, Latos had surgery to repair a torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee on Valentine’s Day. Latos will begin the season on the disabled list, and he will remain in Arizona after the team leaves camp. The plan is for him to have at least five starts in spring before pitching in the regular season.
*Saunders, Joe • 5-10
With injuries and underachieving pitchers, Texas is forced to turn to Saunders, who is coming off a 11-16 season in Seattle, where his ERA was 5.26 and he surrendered 26 percent more hits than innings pitched (232 vs. 183). Given his past, the Rangers better score runs if they expect to win when Saunders starts. FYI: he compiled a sky-high 3.69 WHIP this spring.
Game of the Day: Spurs at Pacers
San Antonio Spurs at Indiana Pacers (+4.5, 190)
Monday's game between the San Antonio Spurs and host Indiana Pacers may be a matchup between conference leaders, but make no mistake: the teams are headed in vastly different directions. San Antonio comes into this one on a franchise record-tying 17-game winning streak and will look to wrap up the second unbeaten complete month in franchise history. The Spurs will look to extend their run against a Pacers team that has lost four of its last five games.
San Antonio's incredible hot streak has allowed it to build a three-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and with just nine games remaining for both teams it would take a major collapse for the Spurs to not finish on top. But Gregg Popovich only needs to look to the other sideline for proof it can happen. The Pacers lead Miami by one game, and will face the Heat in a pivotal showdown April 11.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), FSN Indiana
LINE HISTORY: The Spurs opened as 3.5-point road faves but have been bet to -4.5. The total opened 190.5 and is currently 190.
INJURY REPORT: Spurs: G Danny Green (Questionable, Foot), F Matt Bonner (Early April, Calf). Pacers: G C.J. Watson (Early April, Hamstring), C Andrew Bynum (Out indefinitely, Knee)
WHY BET THE SPURS (57-16 SU, 40-33 ATS, 41-31-1 O/U): It's one thing for San Antonio to own the league's best record; it's another altogether for the Spurs to be so productive despite ranking 20th in the NBA in payroll. At approximately $63 million, the Spurs - through Saturday - have spent roughly $1.11 million per victory, well ahead of the runner-up Houston Rockets ($1.18 million per win). Head coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio News-Express: "(General manager R.C. Buford) and his group work very hard at trying to be as frugal as we can possibly yet put a product on the floor that everybody will be proud of."
WHY BET THE PACERS (52-22 SU, 35-38-1 ATS, 29-43-2 O/U): Indiana is fourth on the payroll-dollars-per-victory chart at $1.29 million, but could use some extra cash to buy an offense. Indiana shot just over 37 percent in Sunday's 90-76 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has surpassed the 80-point mark just once in the previous five games - an 84-83 win over Miami that makes up Indiana's slim lead over the Heat. "We're losing games at an alarming rate to teams that are inferior to us," power forward David West said. "We can't figure out a way to perform better. We're kind of looking for answers right now."
TRENDS:
* Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Indiana.
* Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games.
* Pacers are 0-5 ATS in their last five vs. Western Conference.
* Over is 9-1 in Spurs last 10 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
CONSENSUS: 58 percent of wagers are on the Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs at Indiana Pacers (+4.5, 190)
Monday's game between the San Antonio Spurs and host Indiana Pacers may be a matchup between conference leaders, but make no mistake: the teams are headed in vastly different directions. San Antonio comes into this one on a franchise record-tying 17-game winning streak and will look to wrap up the second unbeaten complete month in franchise history. The Spurs will look to extend their run against a Pacers team that has lost four of its last five games.
San Antonio's incredible hot streak has allowed it to build a three-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and with just nine games remaining for both teams it would take a major collapse for the Spurs to not finish on top. But Gregg Popovich only needs to look to the other sideline for proof it can happen. The Pacers lead Miami by one game, and will face the Heat in a pivotal showdown April 11.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), FSN Indiana
LINE HISTORY: The Spurs opened as 3.5-point road faves but have been bet to -4.5. The total opened 190.5 and is currently 190.
INJURY REPORT: Spurs: G Danny Green (Questionable, Foot), F Matt Bonner (Early April, Calf). Pacers: G C.J. Watson (Early April, Hamstring), C Andrew Bynum (Out indefinitely, Knee)
WHY BET THE SPURS (57-16 SU, 40-33 ATS, 41-31-1 O/U): It's one thing for San Antonio to own the league's best record; it's another altogether for the Spurs to be so productive despite ranking 20th in the NBA in payroll. At approximately $63 million, the Spurs - through Saturday - have spent roughly $1.11 million per victory, well ahead of the runner-up Houston Rockets ($1.18 million per win). Head coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio News-Express: "(General manager R.C. Buford) and his group work very hard at trying to be as frugal as we can possibly yet put a product on the floor that everybody will be proud of."
WHY BET THE PACERS (52-22 SU, 35-38-1 ATS, 29-43-2 O/U): Indiana is fourth on the payroll-dollars-per-victory chart at $1.29 million, but could use some extra cash to buy an offense. Indiana shot just over 37 percent in Sunday's 90-76 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has surpassed the 80-point mark just once in the previous five games - an 84-83 win over Miami that makes up Indiana's slim lead over the Heat. "We're losing games at an alarming rate to teams that are inferior to us," power forward David West said. "We can't figure out a way to perform better. We're kind of looking for answers right now."
TRENDS:
* Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Indiana.
* Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games.
* Pacers are 0-5 ATS in their last five vs. Western Conference.
* Over is 9-1 in Spurs last 10 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
CONSENSUS: 58 percent of wagers are on the Spurs.
Wild at Kings: What bettors need to know
Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings (-170, 5)
Although the Los Angeles Kings are resting comfortably in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, they can play a significant role in deciding the wild-card representatives. Red-hot Los Angeles vies for its seventh win in a row on Monday, when it hosts the Minnesota Wild. The Kings conclude their three-game homestand with a date against Phoenix, which resides three points behind the seventh-place Wild.
"The story to the games leading up to the playoffs has been important to all the teams ... somebody's trying to get ready, somebody's trying to just fight for the playoff position," Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar said. The Slovenian Olympian certainly is doing his part after scoring twice in the Kings' 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Saturday. Zach Parise tallied twice and defenseman Jared Spurgeon netted the go-ahead goal as Minnesota posted a 3-1 triumph over the Coyotes on Saturday for just its fourth win in 13 games (4-5-4).
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2
ABOUT THE WILD (38-26-11): Captain Mikko Koivu notched two assists versus Phoenix and has scored one goal and set up six others during his five-game point streak. Ilya Bryzgalov made 23 saves against one of his former teams in the Coyotes and is in line to receive his second consecutive start. The Russian has fared well against Los Angeles, posting a 14-7-4 mark with a 2.32 goals-against average.
ABOUT THE KINGS (44-25-6): Marian Gaborik has made himself at home in Los Angeles, notching two assists on Saturday to record points in three straight games. Minnesota's first-ever draft pick, Gaborik has secured eight points in his last nine games after going without one in his first three contests following his acquisition from Columbus. Jonathan Quick is rounding into postseason form, having won 11 of his last 13 decisions.
TRENDS:
* Under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings.
* Wild are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. Pacific.
* Kings are 14-3 in their last 17 overall.
* Over is 5-1-2 in Wild last eight overall.
OVERTIME:
1. Los Angeles and Minnesota have recorded one shootout victory over the other on the road this season. The Kings posted a 3-2 win on Oct. 3 before the Wild answered with a 2-1 triumph on Jan. 7.
2. Minnesota D Jonathon Blum, who is a California native, will play in his 100th NHL game on Monday.
3. Los Angeles C Jarret Stoll scored his team's lone goal on Jan. 7 and registered a team-high nine hits on Saturday.
Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings (-170, 5)
Although the Los Angeles Kings are resting comfortably in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, they can play a significant role in deciding the wild-card representatives. Red-hot Los Angeles vies for its seventh win in a row on Monday, when it hosts the Minnesota Wild. The Kings conclude their three-game homestand with a date against Phoenix, which resides three points behind the seventh-place Wild.
"The story to the games leading up to the playoffs has been important to all the teams ... somebody's trying to get ready, somebody's trying to just fight for the playoff position," Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar said. The Slovenian Olympian certainly is doing his part after scoring twice in the Kings' 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Saturday. Zach Parise tallied twice and defenseman Jared Spurgeon netted the go-ahead goal as Minnesota posted a 3-1 triumph over the Coyotes on Saturday for just its fourth win in 13 games (4-5-4).
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2
ABOUT THE WILD (38-26-11): Captain Mikko Koivu notched two assists versus Phoenix and has scored one goal and set up six others during his five-game point streak. Ilya Bryzgalov made 23 saves against one of his former teams in the Coyotes and is in line to receive his second consecutive start. The Russian has fared well against Los Angeles, posting a 14-7-4 mark with a 2.32 goals-against average.
ABOUT THE KINGS (44-25-6): Marian Gaborik has made himself at home in Los Angeles, notching two assists on Saturday to record points in three straight games. Minnesota's first-ever draft pick, Gaborik has secured eight points in his last nine games after going without one in his first three contests following his acquisition from Columbus. Jonathan Quick is rounding into postseason form, having won 11 of his last 13 decisions.
TRENDS:
* Under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings.
* Wild are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. Pacific.
* Kings are 14-3 in their last 17 overall.
* Over is 5-1-2 in Wild last eight overall.
OVERTIME:
1. Los Angeles and Minnesota have recorded one shootout victory over the other on the road this season. The Kings posted a 3-2 win on Oct. 3 before the Wild answered with a 2-1 triumph on Jan. 7.
2. Minnesota D Jonathon Blum, who is a California native, will play in his 100th NHL game on Monday.
3. Los Angeles C Jarret Stoll scored his team's lone goal on Jan. 7 and registered a team-high nine hits on Saturday.
GC: NBA Play
Monday card has two 5* NBA Plays, a 100% Blowout and 96% Dominator system, both data to 1995 and NBA Has cashed 6 of 8. In MLB We have 2 Powerful Early Season Power Angle plays and both have Perfect Pitching angles and solid indicators. S.D. Cahses on Sunday. NBA Totals system below.
On Monday the NBA Totals system play is on the Under in the Spurs at Pacers game. Rotation numbers 733/734 at 7:05 eastern. This game fits a rare totals system that has only applied 8 times and has played under every time. We want to take the under for road favorites of 4 or Less, like the Spurs that covered the spread by 1-3 points as a 10+ home favorite, if they are playing a team that scored 90 or less on the road and lost to the spread, like the Pacers. The Spurs have stayed under in 5 of their last 6 and the Pacers have played under 10 of the last 12 vs winning teams, 7 of 9 vs South West division teams and the last 7 overall. Look for this game to stay under tonight. On Monday there are 4 big plays up 2 in the NBA and 2 in MLB. The NBA is on a tear cashing big again on Sunday now on a 6-2 run, tonight there are 2 Huge 5* plays a 100% Blowout and 96% Dominator system sides. In MLB we look to pick up where we left off last season as we have 2 Solid Perfect angle plays that have undefeated Pitching angles and big Statistical indicators. Jump on now and end the Month big. For the play take the under in the San Antonio at Indians game. GC
Monday card has two 5* NBA Plays, a 100% Blowout and 96% Dominator system, both data to 1995 and NBA Has cashed 6 of 8. In MLB We have 2 Powerful Early Season Power Angle plays and both have Perfect Pitching angles and solid indicators. S.D. Cahses on Sunday. NBA Totals system below.
On Monday the NBA Totals system play is on the Under in the Spurs at Pacers game. Rotation numbers 733/734 at 7:05 eastern. This game fits a rare totals system that has only applied 8 times and has played under every time. We want to take the under for road favorites of 4 or Less, like the Spurs that covered the spread by 1-3 points as a 10+ home favorite, if they are playing a team that scored 90 or less on the road and lost to the spread, like the Pacers. The Spurs have stayed under in 5 of their last 6 and the Pacers have played under 10 of the last 12 vs winning teams, 7 of 9 vs South West division teams and the last 7 overall. Look for this game to stay under tonight. On Monday there are 4 big plays up 2 in the NBA and 2 in MLB. The NBA is on a tear cashing big again on Sunday now on a 6-2 run, tonight there are 2 Huge 5* plays a 100% Blowout and 96% Dominator system sides. In MLB we look to pick up where we left off last season as we have 2 Solid Perfect angle plays that have undefeated Pitching angles and big Statistical indicators. Jump on now and end the Month big. For the play take the under in the San Antonio at Indians game. GC
Scotty Shiller
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]Monday, March 31st, 2014[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]MLB Regular Season[/FONT]
Washington Nationals @ New York Mets ( 1:10 PM Eastern )
Play - Nationals ML (-170)
Rating - (3*)
Philadelphia Phillies @ Texas Rangers ( 2:05 PM Eastern )
Play - Rangers/Phillies under 8 (-110)
Rating - (2*)
Boston Red Soxs @ Baltimore Orioles ( 3:05 PM Eastern )
Play - Red Sox ML (-115)
Rating - (5*)
Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Soxs ( 4:10 PM Eastern )
Play - White Soxs ML (-165)
Rating - (8*)
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]MLB Regular Season[/FONT]
Washington Nationals @ New York Mets ( 1:10 PM Eastern )
Play - Nationals ML (-170)
Rating - (3*)
Philadelphia Phillies @ Texas Rangers ( 2:05 PM Eastern )
Play - Rangers/Phillies under 8 (-110)
Rating - (2*)
Boston Red Soxs @ Baltimore Orioles ( 3:05 PM Eastern )
Play - Red Sox ML (-115)
Rating - (5*)
Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Soxs ( 4:10 PM Eastern )
Play - White Soxs ML (-165)
Rating - (8*)
