Service Plays Monday 5/3/10

[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




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Thank you, wilheim.......

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[liger420]

No one buy Chris Jordan. I have him for the week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6.5, 191.5)

The key to the Cleveland's comeback in Game 1 was more than just MVP LeBron James taking over the game. It also was Cavs' ability to take Boston point guard Rajon Rondo out of it.

The Celtics built a double-digit lead in the first half behind 19 points from Rondo, who was driving the lane and scoring and dishing at will against primary defender Mo Williams.

The Cavs made a halftime switch, putting 6-foot-6 guard Anthony Parker as the primary defender on the 6-1 Rondo and providing more help in the paint.

The taller, lankier Parker was able to stop Rondo's dribble penetration at the point of attack. He held Rondo to just nine points and one field goal in the second half.

"That's what it takes. Whatever way (Rondo) goes, AP just beats him to the spot," the 6-8 Jamario Moon, who also took a turn guarding Rondo late in the game, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "That's about all we can try to do."

Expect the Cavs to do it again Monday night. The Celtics' offense flows through Rondo and Parker presents one heck of a clog.

Pick: Cavs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the day: Spurs at Suns

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns (-4.5, 203.5)

Two veteran squads tip off Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday. The No. 7-seeded Spurs upset the Dallas Mavericks in six games in their opening series. The No. 3-seed Suns had some rough moments in their first-round series but knocked off the Trail Blazers.

One-sided rivalry

These two teams are no strangers to each other in the playoffs. The Spurs have eliminated the Suns four of the last five times Phoenix has reached the playoffs. And the year the Suns won, Tim Duncan missed the series due to injury.

The Suns have home-court advantage and are the favorites in the series but history is clearly on the side of the Spurs.

Injury report

Suns guard Steve Nash has been fighting a sore hip. He will play but tends to get a bit more rest on the sidelines lately. Nash has done some shooting but has not practiced for the past two days and said the injury is worse now than when he originally injured it in Game 3 of the Blazers’ series.

Suns center Robin Lopez is doubtful for Monday’s game. He did practice Saturday and said he feels better. Lopez has a bulging disk in his back. He vows to play in the series but don’t count on him until at least Game 3.

Also, Spurs guard Malik Hairston missed the first series with an ankle injury and is questionable for Monday’s game. DeJuan Blair played in Game 6 of the last series after driving his car into a guardrail before the game.

Season series

The Suns won the season series 2-1, all high-scoring affairs. The two teams averaged 218 points in the game and each game went over the total. Amare Stoudemire averaged over 32 points and the Suns covered the spread all three games.

The edge

Every time you count the Spurs out, their savvy and grit seems to carry them.

The Suns have watched Tim Duncan and Robert Horry bury 3-pointers at the buzzer. Even during the regular season, Roger Mason hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Suns have also had Stoudemire and Boris Diaw suspended in crucial contests and injuries have cost them at other times. Nash couldn’t stop his nose from bleeding in another memorable contest.

But, the Suns seem to have the better legs. They’ve got Grant Hill to slow down Manu Ginobili and Duncan has seen better days. They have to believe they can win this one.

No donuts for Duncan

For years, the Suns have tried to find a way to limit Duncan – with little or no success. Stoudemire’s guarded him. They brought in Kurt Thomas and even failed with the Shaq. Now, Robin Lopez is banged up.

Duncan may be aging but he and his pick-and-roll are still a weapon. He averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds during the season. Jarron Collins will get his chance to slow him down this series.

The X-factor

Jason Richardson averaged 23.5 points in the playoff series against the Blazers. He scored 42 points to single-handedly win Game 3 and shot over 50 percent from 3-point range in the series. After toiling in Golden State and Charlotte for several years, Richardson seems to be poised to make a name for himself in the playoffs.

Trend setting

The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last five conference semifinal games but they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven playoff games as an underdog.

The Suns are 8-2 ATS when a slight favorite up to 4.5 points. The line is currently -4.5.

While these teams have gone over the total the last three times they’ve met, most of the figures point to the under in the contest. The Spurs have gone under the total six of the last seven games and the other was a push. The Suns have gone under the total four straight

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins (-150, 5)

If there's a bright spot to all the injuries the Boston Bruins have dealt with this season it's that they have learned how to handle them better than most teams.

The loss of leading goal scorer Marco Sturm is a big concern in Beantown heading into Monday's Game 2, but the Bruins know how to close ranks when needed. They've been doing it all season.

"We've battled through that all season long," Boston's Daniel Paille told NHL.com. "It's something that we've grown accustomed to. I think we all know how to play with each other, regardless of who we're playing with."

Paille said he played left wing on all four lines during their Eastern Conference quarterfinal victory over the Buffalo Sabres. The hodgepodge shift duty has paid off in a sort of patchwork cohesion.

Boston's David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron saw increased playing time after Sturm left Friday's Game 1 with a season-ending knee injury.

Krejci scored a goal and Bergeron had a goal and an assist. And with Marc Savard working his way back into patchwork lineup, look for the Bruins to stay strong without Sturm.

Pick: Bruins

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

What bettors need to know: Canucks at Blackhawks

Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-165, 6)

Vancouver leads series 1-0

Returning the favor

The Vancouver Canucks were fueled by revenge in their 5-1 flogging of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal Saturday.

The Canucks got a bit of playback for the Blackhawks’ 4-2 series victory over Vancouver in the second round of last year’s playoffs. They jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first, followed by a three-goal middle frame.

Chicago snapped goaltender Roberto Luongo’s shutout two minutes into the third period but couldn’t claw any closer despite outshooting Vancouver 12-3 in the third.

“We’re a hungry group,” Mason Raymond told reporters following the win. “We remember how things went last year and we’ve got to keep pushing. It’s a great first win and we’ve got to build on top of that.”

The Canucks won the opening game against the Los Angeles Kings last round, but fell 3-2 in overtime in Game 2. Chicago lost its playoff opener to the Nashville Predators but rebounded with a 2-0 victory at home in Game 2.

The Blackhawks won last season’s series opener, 5-3, then dropped Game 2, 6-3, in GM Place.

Rounding into form

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo seems to be finding his classic form after struggling in the second half of the season and early into the playoffs.

In the last three games, Luongo has allowed just five total goals on 95 combined shots. He faced 37 shots from Chicago in Game 1 Saturday, holding onto a shutout until early in the third period.

Last year, Luongo was embarrassed by the young Blackhawks. He gave up 21 total goals in the six games against Chicago, with 12 of those coming in the final three games of the series – all of which were losses.

However, despite that poor showing and the media attention surrounding his collapse heading into this series, Luongo insist he doesn’t consider his past performances against the Blackhawks when stepping between the pipes this year.

"Nothing, it doesn't mean nothing to me," Luongo told ESPN when asked what Saturday’s win meant to him. "It's only one game. We're here to win four games, we're not here to win one. There's no satisfaction for me personally or for this team."

Whether he cares or not, Luongo set the standard for the series - especially for Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi, who is considered the team’s weakest link. Niemi gave up five goals on 25 shots before getting the hook in the second intermission. Backup Cristobal Huet stepped in for the final frame, turning away all three shots faced.

While there is a buzz to replace the young puck-stopper with Huet for Game 2, Chicago’s dressing room is confident in Niemi.

"He's fine," coach Joel Quenneville told the Chicago Daily Herald. "We anticipate him moving forward and getting ready for the next game."

Niemi has allowed 12 total goals in his last three playoff games and owns a 2.68 GAA with two shutouts and a save percentage of .905 this postseason.

Sloppy start

The Blackhawks showed their youth in Game 1 Saturday, coughing up the puck numerous times on both ends of the ice and dragging their skates on defense.

That poor showing prompted a restless crowd at the United Center to pelt their beloved team with a chorus of boos in the third period.

"We didn't manage (the puck) well in all zones," Quenneville told reporters. "I thought the first three goals against us were all plays that technically or mentally we played very poorly."

Chicago has shown the ability to tighten up with the puck and bounce back from bad games this season. In the first round, the Blackhawks followed each of their two losses with shutout performances, winning 2-0 in Game 2 and 3-0 in Game 4.

Something special

The Canucks’ woes on the penalty kill in the opening round was such an issue, it actually became a running joke among coach Alain Vigneault and the media.

Vancouver has a measly 65.6 percent penalty kill efficiency this postseason and has given up 11 power-play goals – making up 59 percent of their total goals allowed (19) in the playoffs. However, the special teams looked much better against Chicago in Game 1 Saturday.

Vancouver killed 3-of-4 penalties, giving up a shorthanded goal to Patrick Kane in the third period. The Canucks power play, which boasts a 25 percent success rate, also found the back of the net. Kyle Wellwood netted a second-period goal with the man advantage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres (145, 6.5)

Colorado isn't known for producing Cy Young Award contenders. The thin air and short porch (or is that waterfall a patio?) of Coors Field prevent it from being a pitcher's paradise.

But Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is breaking new ground. His 5-0 record and 0.79 ERA attest to the fact that his no-hitter against the light-hitting Braves was not a fluke.

Coincidentally, catcher Miguel Olivo told Jimenez in spring training that he was going to throw a no-hitter someday, he just didn't know it would come so quickly. Now he's making a bolder prediction.

"I tell him, ‘You’re going to win the Cy Young,' " Olivo told Yahoo Sports. "He’s putting everything together."

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves but bettors seem to be slow to jump on the Jimenez bandwagon. Despite a powerful Padres lineup and a strong starter in Kevin Correia (4-1, 3.86 ERA), it's hard to pass up the hot hand at this price.

Pick: Rockies


Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians (-125, 8.5)

The Cleveland Indians shouldn't pick a fight with Phil Mickelson right now. They haven't been able to hit a Lefty all season.

The Tribe entered Sunday's 8-3 loss to Minnesota batting just .211 against southpaws this season before losing to Twins lefty Francisco Liriano.

The Indians face another wrong-handed pitcher Monday. Brett Cecil hasn't exactly been a world-beater (1-1, 3.55 ERA), but he has been a Tribe-baffler, limiting the Indians to one earned run over 13 innings with 15 strikeouts to only four walks in their two meetings last year.

Indians starter Mitch Talbot has pitched well (3-1, 2.05 ERA) but the Blue Jays have been swinging the sticks lately and have a lefty on the hill.

Pick: Blue Jays (+110)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Hawks (-9-1/2) on Sunday.

Monday it's the Cardinals. The deficit is 600 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hondo

The Angels had a helluva tough time in Detroit yesterday, making a loser of Hondo and causing his deficit to soar to three figures at 100 mayberrys.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch will revert to the tried and true Anti-Peavy Method, which in this case calls for a 10-unit plunge on the Royals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 850-365 (.700)
ATS: 648-603 (.518)
ATS Vary Units: 1538-1454 (.514)
Over/Under: 619-641 (.491)
Over/Under Vary Units: 811-842 (.491)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Semifinals
Game 2, best-of-7 series
CLEVELAND 100, Boston 94
Western Conference Playoffs, Semifinals
Game 1, best-of-7 series
PHOENIX 107, San Antonio 101

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI NHL

Season: 436-296 (.596)

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Semifinals
Game 2, best-of-7 series
BOSTON 3, Philadelphia 2
Western Conference Playoffs, Semifinals
Game 2, best-of-7 series
CHICAGO 4, Vancouver 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS ADVISORS

MONDAY, MAY 3

NBA PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston (4-2 SU and ATS) at Cleveland (5-1, 3-3 ATS)

The top-seeded Cavaliers look to maintain home-court advantage when they face the fourth-seeded Celtics in Game 2 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland found itself in trouble in the third quarter of Game 1, trailing 69-58, but it finished the quarter on a 21-9 tear to get the lead and went on to a 101-93 victory Saturday, barely covering as a seven-point home favorite. LeBron James, named the league MVP on Sunday for the second straight year, had 35 points and seven assists, and the Cavs shot 48.7 percent (38 of 78). Cleveland also made 31 trips to the free-throw line, making 21, while Boston was 17 of 21 from the charity stripe. Rajon Rondo (27 points, 12 assists) and Kevin Garnett (18 points, 10 rebounds) each had double-doubles for Boston, which went 36 of 81 from the floor (44.4 percent) but hit just 4 of 16 from three-point range (25 percent). Cleveland is a stout 39-6 SU at home this year, but is just 19-26 ATS (2-3 ATS in the playoffs), averaging 103.1 points per game on 49.6 percent shooting while giving up 94.3 ppg on 43.9 percent shooting. Boston is 27-17 on the highway (22-21-1 ATS), putting up 97.9 ppg on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 94.6 ppg on 44.5 percent shooting. The Cavs have owned this rivalry lately, going 19-7-2 ATS in the 28 meetings (3-2 this season), including 7-1 ATS in the last eight clashes at the Q. The home team and the chalk are 6-2 ATS in the last eight matchups, and Cleveland is on a 7-1 ATS run in playoff games against Boston (6-0 last six), having covered in six of seven during a second-round meeting two seasons ago. Also, the SU winner has cashed in all five meetings this season and eight straight overall. Despite the non-cover in Game 1, the Celtics remain on pointspread upswings of 9-4-1 as a postseason underdog, 5-1 after either a SU or an ATS loss and 23-11 when catching five to 10½ points, though they are also on ATS dives of 1-4 as an underdog overall, 4-14 in second-round contests and 6-17-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. The Cavaliers are still on ATS slides of 5-11 overall (3-6 last nine), 1-6 against winning teams, 2-7 after a SU win and 4-9 as a favorite.**** However, they carry positive pointspread streaks of 18-5-1 in second-round playoff games and 18-7-1 as a playoff chalk. The under is 17-6 in Cleveland’s last 23 conference semifinal contests, but the Cavs are otherwise on a bundle of “over” surges, including 11-1 against Atlantic Division foes, 8-2 as a playoff favorite, 6-0 as a playoff chalk of five to 10½ points and 5-1 after a SU win. Likewise, Boston is on “over” sprees of 11-4 overall, 5-1 on the road, 7-1 against the Central Division, 7-1 as a pup and 6-2 as a playoff 'dog.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has cleared the posted price in all five meetings this season and is 6-1 in the last seven contests.

ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and OVER


WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio (4-2 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) at Phoenix (4-2 SU and ATS)

The seventh-seed Spurs, fresh off an upset of second-seeded Dallas, make the trek to the desert for Game 1 of their best-of-7, second-round series against the third-seeded Suns at U.S. Airways Center. San Antonio dumped the Mavericks in six games in the first round, capped by Thursday’s 97-87 home victory as a 4½-point chalk. Manu Ginobili had 26 points, and rising young star George Hill poured in 21, while Tim Duncan added 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. The Spurs won by double digits despite blowing all of a 22-point lead and shooting just 19 of 31 from the free-throw line (61.3 percent).
The Spurs shot 45.9 percent in the opening round and held Dallas to 42.9 percent shooting. Phoenix also went six games in its first-round series against Portland, finishing off the Blazers with Thursday’s 99-90 road victory as a 1½-point underdog. Jason Richardson paced the Suns with 28 points, hitting 10 of 16 overall and 5 of 8 from long distance. Phoenix shot 47.3 percent from the field (35 of 74), including 12 of 23 from beyond the arc (52.2 percent). For the series, the Suns shot 47.2 percent and limited Portland to 43 percent shooting. San Antonio is 22-22 SU and ATS on the road this season (1-2 SU and ATS in the playoffs), putting up an average of 96.9 ppg (45.4 percent shooting) and yielding 95.5 ppg (44.3 percent shooting). Phoenix is 34-10 (27-16-1 ATS) in the home jerseys (2-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs, scoring a whopping 112.3 ppg on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 102.6 ppg on 44.5 percent shooting. Phoenix has cashed in all three meetings this season in this rivalry (2-1 SU), winning and covering in both contests in the desert, including a 112-101 victory as a six-point chalk on April 7. These two teams met in the first round two seasons ago, with the Spurs advancing 4-1 (2-2-1 ATS), and in the second round three years ago, with San Antonio winning in six games (3-2-1 ATS). Also, the SU winner is 13-1-1 ATS in the last 15 clashes between these two. The Spurs are on ATS upticks of 21-9-1 overall, 4-1 on Monday and 4-1 in conference semifinal games, but are also 1-6 ATS in their last seven as a playoff pup and 1-5 ATS in their last six after a break of three days or more. The Suns are on several ATS rolls, including 29-11-1 overall, 15-5-1 at home, 16-5 against the Southwest Division, 20-7-1 as a favorite and 15-6-1 after a spread-cover. That said, Phoenix is 5-13-1 ATS in its last 18 after a break of three days or more and 2-8 as a playoff chalk of less than five points. San Antonio is on a bundle of “under” tears, including 6-0-1 overall (all against the Mavericks), 23-9-2 on the highway, 4-0 after a SU win, 4-0 in second-round games, 4-0-1 as a ‘dog, 8-1-1 as a playoff pup, and 13-3-2 getting points on the road. The under for Phoenix is on runs of 4-0 overall and 4-1 after either a SU or an ATS win, but the Suns also sport “over” streaks of 5-2 at home (all as a chalk), 10-4 in second-round playoff games and 9-4 against the Southwest Division. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in four of the last five meetings overall, including all three this season.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX


NATIONAL LEAGUE

St. Louis (17-8) at Philadelphia (14-10)

The Cardinals kick off a seven-game trip to Pennsylvania when they send red-hot rookie Jaime Garcia (2-1, 1.04 ERA) to the hill opposite the Phillies’ Joe Blanton (12-8, 4.05 in 2009), who is slated to come off the disabled list and make his 2010 debut in the opener of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Chris Carpenter and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout Sunday, leading St. Louis past Cincinnati, 6-0. With the win, the Cardinals finished off a solid 6-1 homestand and won for the seventh time in their last eight games. Tony LaRussa’s squad, which has the National League’s best record, is on additional outstanding runs of 6-1 as a favorite, 5-0 versus N.L. East foes, 10-1 on Monday and 28-8 in series openers. The Phillies hit two home runs – including a grand slam by Shane Victorino – in a nine-run fourth inning to rally past the Mets 11-5 on Sunday night, winning the first series of a 10-game homestand. Although it scored blowout victories on Saturday (10-0) and Sunday, Philadelphia has still dropped eight of its last 14 contests since starting the season 8-2, going 2-3 at home during this stretch. The Phillies have also lost four of five to left-handed starters, four of five at home versus southpaws and four straight series openers, but on the positive end they’ve won 35 of 52 against the N.L. Central and 24 of 32 on Monday. These teams faced off just five times last year, with the Phillies winning four of the five contests, and going back to 2008, they’ve won eight of the last 10 series clashes, going 4-1 at home. In last year’s four wins over St. Louis, Philadelphia tallied 39 runs. Garcia delivered yet another stellar effort in his most recent outing on Wednesday, holding the Braves to just four hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings en route to a 6-0 home victory. The left-hander has allowed a total of three earned runs in 26 innings, going exactly six innings in his two road starts (at San Francisco, at Milwaukee) and seven innings in his two home contests. Furthermore, Garcia has permitted just 25 baserunners (16 hits, nine walks) with 17 strikeouts in 26 innings. Blanton has been on the shelf all season recovering from a strained left abdominal muscle. His last appearance was in the World Series against the Yankees on Nov. 1, when he started and gave up four runs on six hits in six innings, getting a no-decision in Philadelphia’s 7-4 home loss. Over his final six outings of 2009 (four starts, two relief appearances), the veteran right-hander gave up 19 earned runs in 27 1/3 innings (6.26 ERA). In 16 regular-season home starts last year, Blanton went 7-4 with a 3.77 ERA. Also, he’s 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three all-time appearances against the Cardinals. Two of those three wins came last year, with Blanton holding St. Louis to a total of three runs in 14 innings in leading Philadelphia to a 6-1 road win and a 9-2 home victory. St. Louis brings a slew of “under” trends into this four-game series, including 7-2-1 overall, 7-3 on the road, 7-0 in series openers, 12-3-1 versus winning teams and 8-3 on Monday, and all four of Garcia’s starts this year have stayed low. On the flip side, it’s been all “overs” for Philadelphia, including 36-16-2 overall, 16-5-2 at home, 8-2 against N.L. Central teams, 6-1 on Monday and 7-2 as an underdog. Finally, the over is 13-6-2 in the last 21 Phillies-Cardinals clashes at Citizens Bank Park.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and OVER


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Detroit (16-10) at Minnesota (16-9)

The top two teams in the A.L. Central begin a three-game series at the new Target Field in Minneapolis, with Scott Baker (2-2, 5.72 ERA) scheduled to toe the slab for the Twins opposite Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.23) in a pitching rematch from last week. Justin Verlander went 8 1/3 strong innings Sunday, giving up just a single run on three hits and no walks in helping Detroit to a weekend sweep of the Angels with a 5-1 victory. The Tigers have won a season-high five straight games (all at home), and they’re 9-3 in their last dozen contests (4-2 on the road). Additionally, they’re on stretches of 7-3 against division rivals and 4-1 as an underdog, but Detroit has also lost 29 of 43 as a road ‘dog and five of six when opening a series. The Twins return home after capping a nine-game road trip with Sunday’s 9-3 victory in Cleveland. Minnesota was a mediocre 5-4 on the trip – including losing two of three in Detroit – but the Twins’ first ever homestand at Target Field was a success, as they went 6-3. Minnesota enters this series on impressive runs of 16-5 at home (including the Metrodome), 27-11 against A.L. Central foes, 25-17 versus right-handed starters, 20-6 in series openers, 22-6 as a favorite and 6-1 on Monday. These division rivals met last week in Motown, with the Twins winning the opener 2-0 and Detroit coming back to score victories of 11-6 and 3-0. Last year, Minnesota took 11 of the final 17 meetings with the Tigers, including a 6-5, 12-inning home victory in a one-game playoff to determine the division champ. Also, no team was happier to see the Twins depart their old home than the Tigers, who lost 62 of their last 90 games inside the Metrodome. Scherzer, who’s in his first year with Detroit, is coming off his worst outing of the season, as he squandered six runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Twins on Wednesday. However, the Tigers’ offense bailed him out and ended up rolling to an 11-6 home win. Despite that result, Scherzer’s teams (Detroit and Arizona) are just 2-7 in his last nine starts dating to September.
Scherzer’s been at his best on the road so far, going 1-0 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts, pitching at least six innings in all three contests. Last week’s start against Minnesota was the first time in the right-hander’s young career that he’s faced the Twins. Baker started opposite Scherzer on Wednesday and got torched for five runs on nine hits in four innings, and he’s now had back-to-back poor outings – both against division rivals (Detroit and Cleveland) – yielding 11 runs on 19 hits in 9 2/3 innings. At home this year, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in three games. Despite his last two poor efforts, with Baker starting the Twins are still on positive runs of 11-5 overall, 8-2 at home, 36-16 as a favorite, 12-3 as a home chalk, 5-1 in series openers and 13-4 versus division rivals. Baker is also now 5-4 with a 4.60 ERA in 18 career starts against the Tigers, including getting a no-decision in last year’s one-game playoff for the division title. The Tigers are on “over” streaks of 4-0-1 on the road, 4-1-1 as an underdog, 3-0-1 as a road pup, 5-2 versus A.L. Central competition and 8-1 on Monday. Additionally, when Baker pitches, the over is on tears of 5-1-2 overall, 15-7-2 at home, 6-1-1 in series openers and 20-7-2 versus division rivals. However, the under is 5-0-2 in Minnesota’s last seven Monday contests and 5-0-1 in Baker’s last six on Monday. Finally, the under was 4-1-1 in the last six Metrodome meetings between these two in 2009, but the over has cashed in eight of Baker’s last nine starts against Detroit, with four of his last five at home versus the Twins flying high.

ATS ADVANTAGE: MINNESOTA and OVER

 

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Super Pogodak 2-2-0 (0-1)

empoli - brescia
bet on empoli to win @ 2.30 (bet365)

 

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"Bulgarian Paid service" 49-49 (0-1)

Aalesunds FK - IK Start
Win bet Aalesunds FK @ 2,00(Pinnacle)

 

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The Joker's Bet of the Day:

Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.12 in Empoli v Brescia

 

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Don Wallace Sports
NBA Playoffs

4* Phoenix -4 over San Antonio

0-1 yesterday

 

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Jr. O'Donnell (RedZone Sports) free internet play:

We are rolling the Over 9.5 here Monday as we note the 10-15 Chicago White Sox own the worst batting average @ 2.23 and tonight's Royals hurler is just what the doctor ordered for the Chicago Sox. Gas can Gill Meche (0-2, 10.13) is a on a terrible run and the Royals bullpen will be shelled after he get's rocked early. Looking at J Peavy (0-2, 7.85 ERA) he has been a huge bust and the (10-15) Royals will get to him. They have shown that they can hit the rock this young season. The line is @ 9.5 here Monday and we have it @ 10.6 runs. Let's look for 2 awful pitchers to get rocked tonight.Over it goes boys $$$$$$$$$$$
Chi White Sox 8 Kc Royals 5

 

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LinexGroup - 05/03

2* MLB is on Yankees RL

 

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JR ODonnell | MLB Money Line Mon, 05/03/10 - 7:10 PM ƒŠ

triple-dime bet 904 CIN (-123) Bookmaker.com vs 903 NYM
Analysis:


Jr's 3* Diamond in the Rough Mlb Bomb= Cinnci Reds with rookie Phenom M Leake
Let's break this baby down:

We are all over Rookie Reds pitcher M Leake who sports a 2-0, 3.25 ERA as the Reds have confidence with this rookie hurler. He has been a dynamite pitcher so far this young season as last outing he went a strong 7 innings and the Reds have won 3 out of the last 4 he has thrown. Oliver Perez the Met's pitcher has been pasted so far this season and his terrible 0-2, 4.35 ERA, he can't find the strike zone and the NY Met's are coming back to earth fast, We had those Phillies last night as a nice juicy dog + 120, The Jr Power ratings we have so far have the Reds at a 2.5 run variance. Cinnci Reds Boys ..Pound them!

 

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Ben Burns

10* MLB Situational Blockbuster 5/3
Cincy Reds