Stu's 2500 Dime High Roller
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Chicago @ Boston 8:05 PM ET
Play On: Boston -6.5
The general public has fell in love with Bulls in this series. In this particular instance we are talking about the most highly pressurized of situations in the NBA Playoffs and that is a Game 7. Having said that experince will be a critical factor in this affair. The celtics were involved in two Game 7 situations in the 2008 Playoffs both versus decided underdogs and prevailed in easy fashion in both. This is the "Baby Bulls" first rodeo of this magnitude. The Celtics are tired of being part of close games resulting in this becoming a series of epic proportions. This one will not be an instant classic. Play on Boston minue the points as my 2500 Dime High Roller.
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Chicago @ Boston 8:05 PM ET
Play On: Boston -6.5
The general public has fell in love with Bulls in this series. In this particular instance we are talking about the most highly pressurized of situations in the NBA Playoffs and that is a Game 7. Having said that experince will be a critical factor in this affair. The celtics were involved in two Game 7 situations in the 2008 Playoffs both versus decided underdogs and prevailed in easy fashion in both. This is the "Baby Bulls" first rodeo of this magnitude. The Celtics are tired of being part of close games resulting in this becoming a series of epic proportions. This one will not be an instant classic. Play on Boston minue the points as my 2500 Dime High Roller.
Al DeMarco
Saturday's Play
5 Dime - Cincinnati Reds
Yes, the Pirates are struggling, having lost four in a row and being shutout in 22 straight innings following last night's 4-0 loss to Cincinnati, a game in which their offense mustered just five singles. Injuries, particular those to catcher Ryan Doumit and shortstop Jack Wilson, have certainly hurt, but that's not the reason I'm going against them tonight.
Truth be told, it's not like the Reds are striking fear into the hearts of opponents with their offense, currently ranked 28th in the majors with 82 runs scored in 22 games. But, Cincinnati has been getting good pitching for the most part this season and its staff has put up 19 scoreless frames on the board heading into Game Two of this series.
The reason I'm backing the Reds in this virtual pick-em game is Micah Owings, who lately has received more recognition for his hitting than pitching. But after struggling in his first two outings with his new team, Cincinnati's fifth starter came up with a gem in his last appearance, holding Atlanta to one run on six hits while fanning six in seven strong innings. True, the Braves aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but as noted previously, neither are the Pirates.
At the beginning of the 2008 season Owings was getting attention for his work on the mound as he won his first four starts while compiling a 2.42 ERA pitching for the Diamondbacks. But then he hurt his ankle running the bases in his fifth start and never was the same the rest of the season.
Last Sunday I backed Pittsburgh's Ross Ohlendorf at San Diego and he delivered as a big road dog in the last game won by the Pirates. But today I've got to go against the Bucs and side with Owings and Cincinnati.
Saturday's Play
5 Dime - Cincinnati Reds
Yes, the Pirates are struggling, having lost four in a row and being shutout in 22 straight innings following last night's 4-0 loss to Cincinnati, a game in which their offense mustered just five singles. Injuries, particular those to catcher Ryan Doumit and shortstop Jack Wilson, have certainly hurt, but that's not the reason I'm going against them tonight.
Truth be told, it's not like the Reds are striking fear into the hearts of opponents with their offense, currently ranked 28th in the majors with 82 runs scored in 22 games. But, Cincinnati has been getting good pitching for the most part this season and its staff has put up 19 scoreless frames on the board heading into Game Two of this series.
The reason I'm backing the Reds in this virtual pick-em game is Micah Owings, who lately has received more recognition for his hitting than pitching. But after struggling in his first two outings with his new team, Cincinnati's fifth starter came up with a gem in his last appearance, holding Atlanta to one run on six hits while fanning six in seven strong innings. True, the Braves aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but as noted previously, neither are the Pirates.
At the beginning of the 2008 season Owings was getting attention for his work on the mound as he won his first four starts while compiling a 2.42 ERA pitching for the Diamondbacks. But then he hurt his ankle running the bases in his fifth start and never was the same the rest of the season.
Last Sunday I backed Pittsburgh's Ross Ohlendorf at San Diego and he delivered as a big road dog in the last game won by the Pirates. But today I've got to go against the Bucs and side with Owings and Cincinnati.
Bob Valentino
Bob Valentino Saturday's NBA Playoffs winner ... 40 DIME -- BOSTON CELTICS (minus the points vs. Chicago Bulls)
NOTE: As always, be sure to shop around and get the best of the number! Never lay more on a favorite than you have to or take back less than you can on an underdog!
To that point, if this number is sitting at 6 1/2, play it smart and buy the half-point and only lay 6. You do not want to get beat by the half-point - the "hook" -- in this
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------------GL GUYS
Bob Valentino Saturday's NBA Playoffs winner ... 40 DIME -- BOSTON CELTICS (minus the points vs. Chicago Bulls)
NOTE: As always, be sure to shop around and get the best of the number! Never lay more on a favorite than you have to or take back less than you can on an underdog!
To that point, if this number is sitting at 6 1/2, play it smart and buy the half-point and only lay 6. You do not want to get beat by the half-point - the "hook" -- in this
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------------GL GUYS
Drew Gordon
Today's Games... 1. 200,000♦ Celtics
2. 50,000♦ Rangers
1. Celtics- I know, I know, everyone not only wants, but expects this game to be insanely competitive, like Game 6 or the multitude of razor close games in this series. But I for one, DO NOT expect that to happen tonight, and here's why:
First, there's a big difference between Game 6 and Game 7... The venue, as now the baby Bulls have to come to TD Banknorth Garden and attempt to eliminate the defending champs - a tall order if you ask me. Despite a couple bad games this series, Boston has been outstanding at home, going 37-7 SU there on the season. True, they are on a 5-14 slide ATS at home, but quite frankly, I believe Vegas knows that and we're actually getting value here, as I can easily see the Celtics winning this game by 10+ points.
I know its hard to believe, but remember guys, the Celtics had a 8-point lead late in Game 6 and simply let it slip away. Not only that, but Rajon Rondo, one of the Celtics "new" Big 3 had a good, but strange game (19 assists and no turnovers, but shot only 4 of 17). You know he'll shoot a hell of a lot better on the friendly rims at home, and his production (point production to be specific) is critical, as the Celts need him to score as well as distribute. Rondo is the key, and I say he gets it done at home tonight.
That brings me to Paul Pierce, who unlike Rondo (who had a good game with 19 assists), really did not play well in Game 6. He shot just 5 of 13 and had one of the costliest turnovers of the game in Game 6 (the Noah steal late). Look guys, what I'm trying to say is both Pierce & Rondo could've played better offensively, and if they would've, that 8-point lead late would've grown instead of evaporated. Point is, this Celtics team can beat the Bulls handily, we just haven't seen them put together a "complete" effort since Game 3 (a reminder of what this Boston team can do), and that's EXACTLY what I expect tonight.
Bottom line, Game 7's have a way of separating the men from the boys. Bulls have made a nice run, and are a team to contend with in the future, but tonight, their youth and inexperience comes back to bite them in the ass. Rondo, Pierce, and Allen lead the way, with a healthy dose of Glen Davis, as the Celtics circle the wagons at home and finally deliver that "complete" effort we've been waiting for at home all series!
Take the Celtics over the Bulls as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Rangers- True, Contreras is coming off his best start of the 2009 season, but its going to take a lot more than one good start to make me a believer again. Let's not forget, we're talking about the same guy who's still 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA on the season! Not only that, but that quality start came at home against the Blue Jays, whereas tonight's start is the complete opposite - on the road against a team he's struggled mightily against! Read on...
Anyone who's followed Contreras knows that Arlington has been a nightmare for him, going 1-1 with an astronomical 8.69 ERA in career starts there! Not only that, but he was 3-3 with a 5.85 ERA on the road last season, so let's not get too carried away with one good home start in 2009!
Granted, I'm not saying Brandon McCarthy is a lockdown pitcher, but he did post back-to-back quality starts before a sloppy game at the Orioles. Although he's never pitched against his former team during the regular season, we should expect a nice bounce back at home here, where his career ERA in 19 games with Texas is 4.34, or almost a run lower than his current ERA on the season (5.32).
Finally, although Hamilton is on the disabled list, the Rangers still have plenty of pop with Kinsler and company. Texas is averaging an impressive 6.1 runs per game against righties at home, and they should have little trouble matching that number against a pitcher they've dominated in the past. In the end, the Rangers have lost 2 straight at home, and I expect they'll come out swinging in this one - bad news Contreras if you ask me!
Take the Rangers behind McCarthy over the Chicago White Sox and Contreras in this MLB match up.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
Today's Games... 1. 200,000♦ Celtics
2. 50,000♦ Rangers
1. Celtics- I know, I know, everyone not only wants, but expects this game to be insanely competitive, like Game 6 or the multitude of razor close games in this series. But I for one, DO NOT expect that to happen tonight, and here's why:
First, there's a big difference between Game 6 and Game 7... The venue, as now the baby Bulls have to come to TD Banknorth Garden and attempt to eliminate the defending champs - a tall order if you ask me. Despite a couple bad games this series, Boston has been outstanding at home, going 37-7 SU there on the season. True, they are on a 5-14 slide ATS at home, but quite frankly, I believe Vegas knows that and we're actually getting value here, as I can easily see the Celtics winning this game by 10+ points.
I know its hard to believe, but remember guys, the Celtics had a 8-point lead late in Game 6 and simply let it slip away. Not only that, but Rajon Rondo, one of the Celtics "new" Big 3 had a good, but strange game (19 assists and no turnovers, but shot only 4 of 17). You know he'll shoot a hell of a lot better on the friendly rims at home, and his production (point production to be specific) is critical, as the Celts need him to score as well as distribute. Rondo is the key, and I say he gets it done at home tonight.
That brings me to Paul Pierce, who unlike Rondo (who had a good game with 19 assists), really did not play well in Game 6. He shot just 5 of 13 and had one of the costliest turnovers of the game in Game 6 (the Noah steal late). Look guys, what I'm trying to say is both Pierce & Rondo could've played better offensively, and if they would've, that 8-point lead late would've grown instead of evaporated. Point is, this Celtics team can beat the Bulls handily, we just haven't seen them put together a "complete" effort since Game 3 (a reminder of what this Boston team can do), and that's EXACTLY what I expect tonight.
Bottom line, Game 7's have a way of separating the men from the boys. Bulls have made a nice run, and are a team to contend with in the future, but tonight, their youth and inexperience comes back to bite them in the ass. Rondo, Pierce, and Allen lead the way, with a healthy dose of Glen Davis, as the Celtics circle the wagons at home and finally deliver that "complete" effort we've been waiting for at home all series!
Take the Celtics over the Bulls as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Rangers- True, Contreras is coming off his best start of the 2009 season, but its going to take a lot more than one good start to make me a believer again. Let's not forget, we're talking about the same guy who's still 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA on the season! Not only that, but that quality start came at home against the Blue Jays, whereas tonight's start is the complete opposite - on the road against a team he's struggled mightily against! Read on...
Anyone who's followed Contreras knows that Arlington has been a nightmare for him, going 1-1 with an astronomical 8.69 ERA in career starts there! Not only that, but he was 3-3 with a 5.85 ERA on the road last season, so let's not get too carried away with one good home start in 2009!
Granted, I'm not saying Brandon McCarthy is a lockdown pitcher, but he did post back-to-back quality starts before a sloppy game at the Orioles. Although he's never pitched against his former team during the regular season, we should expect a nice bounce back at home here, where his career ERA in 19 games with Texas is 4.34, or almost a run lower than his current ERA on the season (5.32).
Finally, although Hamilton is on the disabled list, the Rangers still have plenty of pop with Kinsler and company. Texas is averaging an impressive 6.1 runs per game against righties at home, and they should have little trouble matching that number against a pitcher they've dominated in the past. In the end, the Rangers have lost 2 straight at home, and I expect they'll come out swinging in this one - bad news Contreras if you ask me!
Take the Rangers behind McCarthy over the Chicago White Sox and Contreras in this MLB match up.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
