Service Plays Saturday 5/29/10

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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Thank you, wilheim




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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Denver Money | NHL Puck Sat, 05/29/10 - 8:05 PM

triple-dime bet 1 PHI 1.5 (-165) BetUS vs 2 CHI
Analysis:

This is my one and only GOY and I think we have a great chance on this one.

Philadelphia Flyers +1.5 -165

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (-1.5, 215.5)

Just call them the heartbreak kids. Of course the only hearts the Suns ever break is their own.

The club long associated with raw deals in the postseason had to break out the Pepto again following its last-second loss to the Lakers on Thursday night.

Lost in the hub-bub of Ron Artest’s late game theatrics was the most important stat of the game: The Suns covered the spread (+7.5) after climbing back from 18 down.

Phoenix is now 3-0 ATS since it switched to a zone defense and the Lakers’ point total has shrunk in each game of the series.

"I don't think it's so much the zone," Grant Hill told the Arizona Republic. "I think it's the effort and the fight."

Whatever it is, it’s working. Bettors should expect another big night from the Phoenix bench and the Suns to force a Game 7 in Los Angeles.

Pick: Suns

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the day: Lakers at Suns

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (-1, 215)

Los Angeles leads the series 3-2.

Series story

The home team has dominated this series so far, winning each of the first five games.

The Lakers appeared on track to deliver a blowout victory Thursday night before the Suns rallied, eventually tying the game with 3.5 seconds remaining. Ron Artest’s buzzer beater turned out to be the difference in a 103-101 Lakers victory.

Game 5 marked the first time in this series that the straight-up winner failed to cover the pointspread.

It was also the first time we saw a game stay under the total after the over cashed in Games 1 through 4.

These two teams have now met nine times since the start of the regular season, with the road team winning just once. The Lakers pulled out a 102-96 decision in Phoenix back on March 12.

Championship material

Backing the Lakers can be frustrating at times, as they often lack that killer instinct that represents the difference between a winning and losing ticket.

Winning games and covering spreads are two entirely different matters.

They led Game 5 by as many as 18 points, but were barely able to stave off a furious Suns rally. But, the fact that they were able to win that game on Ron Artest’s put-back tells a lot about this team’s character.

"Plays like that are the difference between championship teams and really good teams,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry put it best.

It was the perfect illustration of why they were able to win the NBA title one year ago and why they’re on the verge of reaching the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year.

When it comes to winning series, the Lakers haven’t lacked killer instinct. They’re a perfect two-for-two when attempting to finish off an opponent in these playoffs and 8-1 in that position dating back to the start of the 2008 playoffs.

It’s also worth noting that each of their last four series-clinching victories have come on the road, including both this postseason.

Suns set?

"We lost and they held home court. We'll go back home and do the same and we'll come back here for Game 7,” Phoenix point guard Steve Nash assured reporters following Game 5.

That’s as close to a guarantee as you’re going to get.

Nash certainly believes his team can get the job done at home and force a seventh and deciding game, and why not?

This is a team that has gone 6-1 SU and ATS on its home floor in the playoffs. The Suns last loss at home came way back in their playoff opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Alvin Gentry doesn’t believe his team’s disappointment will linger.

"We had an opportunity to win and didn't quite get it done, but we're not going to get discouraged,” he said. “We're not happy, I can tell you that. We're very disappointed. We're not jovial. But we'll be OK."

One thing’s for sure, the Suns can’t afford to fall behind early as they did in Game 5. If not for their sharp shooting from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, the Lakers likely would have rolled to a double-digit win Thursday.

Phoenix has led by seven and nine points at the half in its two home games in this series. Getting off to a quick start will be imperative in a do-or-die situation Saturday.

Change of pace

After more than 220 points were scored in each of the first four games of the series, Game 5 totaled just 204 points.

It had a lot to do with the Lakers’ defensive gameplan. They did an excellent job of trapping the Suns and giving them little room to work with. Most of the Suns success came as a result of blown defensive assignments, rather than offensive efficiency.

Whether the Lakers can keep up that level of defensive intensity as the scene shifts back to Phoenix remains to be seen. They allowed 118 and 115 points in dropping Games 2 and 3 in the desert.

The Suns zone defense has been effective at times. Despite giving up 103 points, they did hold the Lakers under 42 percent shooting Thursday night.

Line moves

The Suns opened as 1 or 1.5-point favorites at most offshore books and remain at -1.5 as of Friday afternoon.

The early money has come in on the favored Suns. That’s no surprise given the short line and the home dominance in this series.

The total opened at 215, the lowest number we’ve seen since Game 1.

The betting public will likely line up to back the over, just as they have in virtually every game in this series.

The fact that the oddsmakers are willing to shave 2.5 points off the Game 5 opener is indicative of the type of action they’re expecting to receive from the big players.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks (-200, 5.5)

Even the most seasoned veteran is holding his stick a little tight when it comes to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

Hockey bettors can expect a sloppy first period when the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks open their showdown for Lord Stanley’s Cup at the United Center Saturday.

The city of Chicago is buzzing with excitement, putting a Blackhawks helmet on the lion statues outside the Chicago Art Institute as well giving the Michael Jordan statue outside the United Center the Blackhawks makeover, including helmet, jersey and skates. The pressure is definitely on a young Chicago team to give the Windy City its first Stanley Cup since 1961.

“It would be nice to end one of the longest droughts in sports history,” Patrick Kane told the Globe and Mail. “It’s been a long time coming for the fans.

“The city is on fire right now.”

The Blackhawks haven’t performed well at home during the postseason, going just 5-3 inside the United Center and needing overtime in two of those home victories. Chicago averages 2.6 goals per game at home in the playoffs (outscored 23-21 as hosts) but scores four goals a night inside opposing barns.

With the pressure to perform peaking and those home-ice woes, the Blackhawks will be dealt a rude awakening from a veteran-laden Flyers club with nothing to lose.

Pick: Flyers

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (-200, 8.5)

Last year, the Angels were one of the most patient teams in the league with an average of 3.88 pitches per plate appearance.

This season, L.A. has increased that mark to 3.91 but it hasn’t equated to the team leading the league in batting average like it did in 2010.

"That's my argument — sometimes you have to be more aggressive," batting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "Instead of trying to work the count all the time, you might have to open up a little more and fire on those fastballs."

The Halos rank 10th in the American League in average this season (.251) and hitters are batting below the Mendoza Line with two strikes on them.

"There are a lot of guys on our club who are underachieving," Scioscia said. "We need guys to get into their game, not to be supermen, but to bring what they can do on a daily basis."

One of those guys is offseason acquisition Hideki Matsui. Godzilla has been moved from cleanup to the seventh spot this season to try and get him going but the left-handed slugger is hitting just .238 on the year.

Only one game between these two teams this season has exceeded an 8.5 total and last year 10 of the 16 graded totals in this series went under. Expect more of the same Saturday.

Pick: Under


Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins (+105, 7)

Since the Binogate incident when Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was caught with the binoculars and accused of stealing signs the team is averaging 3.79 runs per game.

We’re not making any assumptions here, but the Phils were averaging 5.44 runs per before that.

Mired in a five-game slide heading into Friday’s opener in Florida, the Phillies have lost their offensive punch. The NL East leaders have been outscored 29-3 during their losing streak and did not score a run during a three-game sweep against New York.

Manager Charlie Manuel tinkered with the lineup before Friday night’s game, sitting Jayson Werth and moving Raul Ibanez down to the No. 5 spot in the order. Werth reportedly shaved his beard in hopes of busting out of his slump.

The team also has had multiple meetings this week, with the manager and players only, to try and figure out what is wrong.

Just like a hitter taking pitches until the guy on the mound can throw a strike, bettors shouldn’t be backing the Phils until they can post more than three runs in a game.

Pick: Marlins

 

[BiggDogg5n2]

Moneylineking
7-4 Run (64%)
Fri 2-0
Sat 1-0
Sun 0-1
Mon 2-1
Tue 0-1
Wed 1-0
Thu 0-1
Fri 1-0
Sat
NY Yankees -1.5 (4.35 units to win 3)
Phillies -118 (3.54 units to win 3)

 

[mmssddd]

Stephen Nover Saturday 100 Dime play

My 100 Dime play on the Phoenix Suns. As I release this play at Midnight eastern, the line is -1.5.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Magic (+3) Friday night. Saturday it's the Lakers.

The deficit is 1125 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SHUT EM DOWN SPORTS

2 TEAM PARLAY
50* Toronto ML & New York Yankees ML

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LADY LUCK

Saturday's Best WNBA Bets

Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx (-2.5, 162.5)

The Sky and Lynx can take comfort that at least one team will pick up its second win of the season when these two basement teams meet in Minny Saturday.

Chicago and Minnesota are both off to slow 1-4 starts, however, the Sky are coming off a big win over the Seattle Storm Thursday, handing the Storm their first defeat of the 2010 season with an 84-75 victory as 2-point home underdogs.

Sylvia Fowles led the way with 19 points for Chicago while Cathrine Kraayeveld netted 12 of her 14 points in the second half.

"That's the beauty of our team, we've got players that can come off the bench and give us a lot of spark," Fowles told reporters. "They came out with a lot of energy and kept the lead up. You can't ask for more than that."

The Lynx, on the other hand, are coming off a 105-79 beating from the Connecticut Sun. Minnesota is still without stars Candace Wiggins (questionable for Saturday) and Simone Augustus (out until June).

Pick: Chicago Sky


Indiana Fever at Tulsa Shock (+4.5, 154)

In the whacky world of the WNBA, you’ve got to pull the trigger quickly with only 34 games on the schedule. That sometimes means trading players on a whim – to teams you play this week.

The Shock did that very same move, sending talented second-year guard Shavonte Zellous to the Fever for a second-round pick in next year’s WNBA Draft. Zellous was outstanding for the Shock (when the franchise was in Detroit) last season, averaging almost 12 points in her rookie season. This year, she’s scoring just four points per game but should get a lot of floor time in a thin Indiana backcourt.

Zellous should also bring an inside edge against her former team. Not only does she know each player inside and out but she also knows the Shocks' offensive and defensive schemes. Women’s hoops fans should expect an informed Fever team to be one step ahead of Tulsa Saturday.

Pick: Indiana Fever

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA NEWS AND NOTES

The WNBA season begins with a little change as Sacramento closes its doors and Detroit is moved to Tulsa and the Western Conference. This is the league’s 14th season with the Phoenix Mercury the defending champions. Teams like Minnesota and Chicago are on the rise, while strongholds like Connecticut and San Antonio look to return to former elite status. Sports bettors that put in the time have profited handsomely by following the WNBA regularly. Here are the season previews of this year’s squads

San Antonio Silver Swords 2010 Preview
There was a moment at the Alamo when it became clear Santa Anna was going to win – and those adobe walls were going to come tumbling down.

The situation for the San Antonio Silver Stars isn’t quite that serious, but it sure looks like this particular battle- the summer of 2010 – is going to be a losing one. There’s only one premier player in the prime of her career (Sophia Young), and that’s for a team coming off a 15-19 year. On top of that, coach Dan Hughes finally had enough of battling officials and stomping up and down the sidelines, leaving San Antonio in the hands of WNBA rookie head co-coaches Sandy Brondello and Olaf Lange.

But let’s start with the positive: Sophia Young is simply one of the best players in the world. Last year, she averaged 18.2 ppg on 45.4 percent shooting, added 6.5 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.3 apg. In the last two seasons, she’s added a three-point threat to her game – granted, she’s not brilliant from beyond the arc, but she has to be guarded there, and that opens up the floor for the rest of her game. Young has just gotten better and better in her four-year career, and at 26, there’s no reason to expect that improvement to stop.

If Becky Hammon were 26 instead of 33, that pair might be enough to throw a scare into the WNBA West, but the crafty Hammon simply can’t be expected to get 19.5 ppg and shoot 44.7 percent every season. She’s a very good passer too, but her turnovers and defense can be a problem. With more perimeter help, those issues could be dealt with, but the Silver Stars’ roster simply doesn’t have much to offer.

Helen Darling, who will be 32 in August, shot an incredibly awful 24.8 percent shooting last season (coming off 26.8 percent in 2008) and even a 2.5 A/TO can’t offset that dismal percentage. And with her quickness fading, Darling isn’t a good defender any more, but still, she started 13 games last year. Edwige Lawson-Wade started 12 games, and had her best WNBA season in four tries, but 5.2 ppg in 17.7 mpg isn’t going to take much heat off Hammon. And Lawson-Wade, like Hammon and Darling, is small (5-6) and in her 30s (31).

Belinda Snell is at least taller (5-11) and younger (29), but there’s a reason she’s been referred to as Belinda Snail. Yes, she’s supposed to be a shooter (though career numbers of 35.1 percent and 31.3 percent from three suggest otherwise), but she can’t really defend and doesn’t rebound well for her size.

The best bet is probably Roneeka Hodges, who had a fine year for Minnesota last summer, but her skill set duplicates Hammon’s to a great extent. Still, she’s a better call than Darling or Lawson-Wade, though she’s no threat to make the All-Star roster.

Sadly, the perimeter game is in better hands than the post game. San Antonio was happy to watch Jayne Appel fall to number four in the April draft, but Appel will need time to recover from her injuries, as well as adjust to the WNBA. In the long run, she should be a more than serviceable center, and as a healthy rookie, will eventually supply more interior presence than the 6-5, contact-averse, Ruth Riley (26 free throws in 31 games (650 minutes) last year). Riley is a decent shooter and rebounds well for a small forward, but Lange and Brondello will need more physicality from her than her history provides if the Silver Stars are to make the Playoffs.

Veteran Michelle Snow could conceivably step into the gap, but she managed just 5.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for the Dream last season, and the 30-year-old’s best season was back in the mists of time (OK, it was 2005 for Houston).

Perhaps the most intriguing frontcourt player is second-year Megan Frazee, one of a set of triplets who won a lot of games at Liberty (the college, not the Blazejowski-guided train wreck). Frazee is a strong 6-3 who can shoot from beyond the arc and got to the free-throw line 39 times in 326 minutes (compare to Riley). She’s also a good rebounder, and could wind up playing a pivotal role for San Antonio all summer long.
And that’s pretty much it, unless you’re one of the Blue Raider faithful who think Alysha Clark can play in the W. You’ve got the Young star, the older Hammon, the journeywoman Hodges and the potential of Appel and Frazee. Otherwise, it’s fading veterans and rookie coaches trying to hold off the hordes in the West and avoid the lottery.

It didn’t work out all that well in 1836, and, sadly for one of the more stable franchises in the league, it doesn’t look all that much better 184 years later.

New York Liberty 2010 Preview

It’s simple, really: If Cappie Pondexter can play the point for 30 minutes a game, the Liberty will make the Playoffs.

But if Pondexter finds herself out of position, and is really just a two guard masquerading as a one, then Anne Donovan’s brief term as Liberty coach will not be all that much fun.

Why is Pondexter’s ability to play the point so important? Because otherwise, it’s Leilani Mitchell, and that’s just not going to work for a full season. Mitchell is a smart, small point guard who has an excellent 2.7 career A/TO – but she shot 27 percent from three-point distance last season, took just six free throws in 436 minutes, and, at a generously listed 5-5, struggles at the defensive end. Behind Mitchell are rookies Ashley Houts, who is undersized and underquicked like Mitchell, and Kalana Greene, who had 62 assists and 60 turnovers for Connecticut last season, which are not the kind of numbers future WNBA point guards put up.

With Pondexter finding a way to score and run the show at the one, then the rest of the lineup falls neatly into place. Essence Carson and Nicole Powell are complementary wings, with Carson defending the other team’s top perimeter player and Powell stretching the defense with her three-point shooting ability.

Up front, 24-year-old free agent Taj McWilliams will step in to replace Cathrine Kraayeveld, joining Janel McCarville. Those two are fine scorers, decent rebounders and well, McWilliams used to be a really good defender.

And there’s that defense thing again. Pondexter is going to have to defend the opposition’s quickest guard, with Carson using her length and athleticism to match up with taller scorers. Powell, when motivated, is better than many acknowledge, but McWilliams, who will be 40 in October and is just 6-1, cannot be expected to slow many elite scorers down. McCarville isn’t a great defender either, which means the Liberty will especially vulnerable to big teams. Of course, if Pondexter and Carson can’t stay in front of quick guards, New York will be vulnerable to quick teams as well, which pretty much means they have to outscore everyone.

To do that, the Liberty will need improvement from players like the wonderfully athletic Tiffany Jackson — but she’s 25 now and if she hasn’t figured it out yet, there’s reason to believe she never will. Kia Vaughn is a big body who needs to take a great leap forward in 2010, especially when it comes to the physical aspect of the game. At 6-4, she should be an above-average rebounder, but she’s actually below-average; and as quick and tall as she is, she should get to the line a lot, but she doesn’t (Kristi Toliver, for example, attempted 90 free throws in 386 minutes; Vaughn took 34 in 396 minutes).

Of course, New York could have Tina Charles in the post mix, but Carol Blazejowski, without question the worst general manager in the league, traded the top pick in the draft, which turned out to be Charles, for Sidney Spencer, who averaged 3.0 ppg in 10.3 mpg last year. And Blazejowski has also wasted other draft picks, leaving the Liberty with a thin bench behind a starting five that will be tested on the defensive end every night and quite possibly lacks a point guard who can make things go on offense.

Sure, Pondexter is a great addition, but she cost New York two starters (Shameka Christon and Kraayeveld), and at best, replacing them with Powell and McWilliams is a wash. It could well be that McWilliams is past her sell-by date and will be significant downgrade at the four, and it could be that Pondexter will be sadly miscast as a point guard and needs to be a two. If those two likely scenarios play out, then the Liberty are lottery bound – which of course wouldn’t be a bad thing because it’s hard to imagine even Blazejowski somehow losing the Maya Moore sweepstakes.

But, for the sake of optimism, let’s just say Pondexter is a wonderful one, and McWilliams has a really good year left in the tank. Let’s throw in Jackson growing up, and Vaughn learning to love contact, and now you just might have a team that can get to, and maybe even win, the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

That’s a lot of ifs, though – and it says here that wishes don’t come true, so the Liberty slide into the lottery, the ping-pong balls bounce their way, and Maya Moore is wearing a New York uniform in 2011.

There are worse fates, of course, but for the good of the league, it would be nice to see the Liberty win a lot of games, generate a lot of buzz and sell a lot of tickets. It would be nice if French vanilla ice cream didn’t have any calories, too.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL NEWS AND NOTES
Stanley Cup Final Betting Preview

(2) Chicago vs (7) Philadelphia
The routes the two teams took to reach the Stanley Cup are very different, however not the methods. This doesn’t apply to just this season either, it goes back in time.

The Chicago Blackhawks last appeared in the Finals in 1992 and the Wirtz family had a long history of, how do you put this charitably, being frugal. In the late 1950’s and most of 60’s, Chicago was a lot like the Atlanta Braves under Bobby Cox, a great team with Hall of Fame players, but secured just one championship, that in 1961.

Once Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita moved on, the Blackhawks became just another team. After mostly years of ineptitude, Chicago put the resources into building a foundation with extremely young, talented players who moved so well it appeared they could lace them up with Apolo Ohno.

Last year the diligence and patience paid off as Chicago made it to the conference finals and this year their increased maturity and skill has them as the favorites to be Stanley Cup champions.

Though Philadelphia was not an Original Six team, being one of six expansion teams in 1969, they quickly became a league fascination. In 1974 the Flyers rocked the NHL establishment being the first non-Original Six squad to capture the Stanley Cup. With the likes of Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Dave Schultz and Bernie Parent, the “Broad Street Bullies” were born and they captured another championship the following season.

Unlike the Chicago, Philadelphia has always been good, having the NHL’s second best winning percentage over the length of time of any franchise. The year after the cancellation of the 2004–05 NHL season, the rule changes reshaped the game and the Flyers were ill-prepared. Though they were still talented enough to be playoff team, Philadelphia was so slow looked like they were skating in puddles of water compared to their competitors.

Like the Blackhawks, Philadelphia drafted and acquired players that could skate, score and defend and the last two months have been magical, making it to the Finals for the first time since 1997.

As speed has overtaken hockey, a further premium is being placed on blueliners who can skate and be physical to disrupt offenses. Both teams rank high in this department with Philadelphia having the likes of Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen and Matt Carle as its top defenders and Chicago countering with Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

The Hawks have been getting superior goaltending from rookie Antti Niemi, while netminder Michael Leighton (actually drafted by Chicago in 1999) is the perfect person to have between the pipes for this fairy tale playoff run for the Flyers. Niemi has permitted two or less goals in seven of last nine starts, while Leighton has hung four zeros since taking over for injured Brian Boucher.

Offensively, the Blackhawks have been lighting the lamp like a traffic corner, scoring 3.8 goals per game since Game 5 against Nashville. The line of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien has been virtually unstoppable. Kane has everyone on the edge of their seats when he has the puck. Captain Toews is a Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) candidate with 26 points in 16 contests and Byfuglien has eight goals in his last eight games, with his 257-pound frame making him a human bridge - you can run into him but you suffer the damage to this immovable object.

Philadelphia has an ample supply of scoring power with Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Danny Briere. As Boston found out late and Montreal throughout the series, the Flyers had scoring depth over three lines, with youngsters Claude Giroux and Ville Leino making important contributions to keep the pressure on opposing defenses.

On paper this looks like mismatch. Chicago was one of the best teams from day one of the season, while Philadelphia underachieved most of the regular season before making late run to sneak into the playoffs on the final day.

The Blackhawks biggest edge appears to be in the net and starts the Finals 8-0 at the Madison Street Madhouse after allowing two goals or less in three straight games this season. It’s would seem foolish to sell the Flyers short, as an awful lot of events fell a certain way and they have taken advantage of every single one and are 11-4 in road games off a home win.

Do not foresee an upset for two reasons, Chicago is the better team and is on 7-0 roll as playoff visitor. Nonetheless, this series goes longer than expected with Philly’s dogged determination.

Pick- Chicago (-260) in six Philadelphia (+220)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Saturday’s Streaking And Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking

Carlos Silva, Chicago Cubs

What a long strange trip it’s been for Carlos Silva. Long considered one of the most overpaid starters in the majors, Silva has turned around his career in his first year in the Windy City.

Silva continues to rack up the wins even though the Cubs are playing like crap. Chicago is 8-1 on days the big righty takes the mound. Silva has six quality starts in nine appearances for the Cubs and his teammates are helping him out with great run support.

Oddsmakers still aren’t buying into Silva. They made him a large dog in his last outing and the Bolivian native did his part helping the visiting Cubs top the Rangers.

Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins

The Marlins ace didn’t allow a run in either of his last two trips to the bump and he sports an eye-popping 0.45 ERA over his last three starts.

"He's probably the best unheralded pitcher in our league," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said after Johnson pitched seven scoreless innings and tacked on nine K’s to boot. "He doesn't get a lot of attention down here in Florida, but he's pretty good. He's got a lot of weapons and knows how to pitch."

That’s probably why the notoriously-cheap Marlins decided to sign the young stud to a four-year extension. Florida backers should be able to grab Johnson and the Fish at a cheap price going against Roy Halladay and the Phillies.

Slumping
CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

CC has been up and down this year but since he’s always a heavy – no pun intended – favorite, bettors are a little bit more critical. The southpaw pitcher, who earns over $600,000, a start hasn’t won a decision since May 3.

He was touched up for five earned runs in five innings of work Sunday night against the Mets, making it three out of four games where Sabathia failed to deliver a quality start for the Bronx Bombers.

His biggest problem is keeping the ball in the park. Sabathia has given up seven homers in his last four starts.

C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers

Wilson was enjoying great success in his transition from closer to starter, but he got rocked in his last two outings. Wilson has been charged with 12 earned runs in his last 10 innings.

The big fly has been Wilson’s problem too. He gave up one in his last start and the Angels took him out of the park twice in his previous appearance. While Wilson owns swing-and-miss stuff his WHIP (walks + hits per inning) is beginning to creep up.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hondo

Suddenly hot Hondo hit with the Cards yesterday afternoon and came right back last night with the A's to raise his winning streak to four and lower ac counts payable to 510 reeses.

Tonight, he'll give the nod to Kuroda -- 10 units on the Dodgers to find the right recipe for a delicious victory over Cook.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI

Season: 448-302 (.597)

Stanley Cup Finals
Game 1, best-of-7 series
CHICAGO 3, Philadelphia 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI

Season
Straight Up: 865-375 (.698)
ATS: 663-615 (.519)
ATS Vary Units: 1593-1489 (.517)
Over/Under: 634-652 (.493)
Over/Under Vary Units: 822-853 (.491)

Western Conference Playoffs, Finals
Game 6, best-of-7 series
PHOENIX 111, L.A. Lakers 105

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

papayagang

20* Oakland RL
20* San francisco ML

 

[pjoyce5893]

Cleveland Insider (System Plays)

MLB: 12-1
WNBA: 4-0

Plays for Saturday 5-29-10

MLB

Wager #2- Baltimore +1.5 (-125) @ Toronto (wager $300 win $240)
Wager #2- Houston +1.5 (-135) @ Cincinnati (wager $378 win $280)

Win on the Liberty outright takes us to 4-0.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports
454 - 329 run 58 %

Bonus Play Sat Bost Red Sox