SPORTS ADVISORS
SUNDAY, MAY 2
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta (3-3 SU and ATS) at Milwaukee (3-3 SU and ATS)
The third-seeded Hawks, who have already avoided an early exit once, look to finish off the upset-minded Bucks at Philips Arena in the only first-round series that has stretched to seven games. After posting double-digit home wins in the first two games of this series, then dumping the next three to stand on the brink of elimination, Atlanta shut down Milwaukee in Game 5 Friday night, rolling to an 83-69 victory as a 1½-point road favorite. The Hawks held the Bucks under 20 points in each of the first three quarters, including a meager 11 in the third frame, and they finished with a 51-42 rebounding edge, more than making up for their 38.3 percent shooting (31 of 81). Jamal Crawford (24 points) and Joe Johnson (22 points) led the way for Atlanta, and Al Horford piled up 15 points and 15 boards.
Sixth-seeded Milwaukee shot a lowly 32.9 percent in the loss (25 of 76), going just 7-for-26 from three-point range (26.9 percent) in the process. About the only thing the Bucks did effectively was shoot free throws, going 12-for-12, but Atlanta got to the charity stripe 10 more times and hit 16. Carlos Delfino had 20 points, but no other Buck scored more than 12.
Atlanta is a superb 36-8 SU (27-17 ATS) at home this year, averaging 103.9 ppg on 47.2 percent shooting, while allowing 95.6 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting. However, the Hawks were up by nine points with four minutes left in Game 5 at Philips Arena before allowing a 14-0 Milwaukee run en route to a 91-87 upset loss. With its Game 5 win in Atlanta, Milwaukee is now 30-14 (29-14-1 ATS) on the road, getting outscored by less than half a point per game (95.3-95.0) and outshot 44.9 percent to 43.2 percent. Atlanta’s Game 6 win halted a 3-0 SU and ATS run by Milwaukee in this series, and the SU winner has cashed in all six games in this series and seven in a row overall dating to the regular season. In fact, the SU winner is 17-3-1 ATS in the last 20 clashes in this rivalry, and the favorite is 13-5-1 ATS in the last 19 meetings. Also, the SU winner is a scorching 23-0-1 ATS in Atlanta’s last 24 playoff games, and the winner is 12-0-1 ATS in Milwaukee’s last 13 contests overall.
The Bucks – who went an NBA-leading 52-28-2 ATS in the regular season – are on pointspread rolls of 36-14-2 overall, a stout 20-5-1 on the highway, 13-3 as a road pup, 21-8 after a SU loss, 8-2 following a SU loss of more than 10 points and 9-3 catching five to 10½ points. However, they are also in ATS ruts of 3-9-1 as a playoff ‘dog and 4-9-1 in first-round playoff games. Likewise, the Hawks are on a handful of ATS upswings, including 7-3 at home (all as a chalk), 5-1 coming off a SU win, 4-0 after a SU win of more than 10 points, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 9-3 on Sunday, 10-4 against winning teams and 5-2 as a playoff chalk. Friday’s outing fell miles short of the 189-point posted price, but the total has still gone high in 11 of the last 14 meetings overall in this rivalry – including four of six in this series – and the over is also 5-2 in the last seven meetings at Philips Arena. In addition, the Bucks are several “over” sprees, including 15-6-2 in first-round playoff games, 10-3 against winning teams and 4-1 after a non-cover, though the under for Milwaukee is on surges of 5-2 on the road, 4-1 with the Bucks a road pup and 7-3 on Sunday. Finally, Atlanta is on “over” runs of 7-3 against winning teams and 16-5 after a SU win, but the under is 13-5 in the Hawks’ last 18 Sunday outings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ATLANTA
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Utah (4-2 SU and ATS) at L.A. Lakers (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)
After a hard-fought opening-round victory, the defending NBA champion Lakers begin their Western Conference best-of-7 semifinal series against the fifth-seeded Jazz inside the Staples Center. Utah dispatched of the fourth-seeded Nuggets in six games, wrapping things up with a 112-104 home win on Friday, cashing as a 6½-point favorite. The Jazz continued their hot playoff shooting Friday, hitting 52.2 percent of their field goals, led by Carlos Boozer who shot 10-for-14 from the field for 22 points to go with 20 rebounds. Wesley Matthews chipped in 23 points for Utah and reserve Paul Millsap added 21. The Lakers put away the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday, winning 95-94 when Pau Gasol put back a Kobe Bryant miss with 0.5 seconds left, getting Los Angeles the win and cover as one-point underdogs. Bryant finished with 32 points and Gasol added nine points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers held the Thunder to just 36.5 percent shooting. The Jazz and Lakers met in the first round of the postseason last year with Los Angeles prevailing in five games (2-3 ATS) en route to the NBA title. Additionally, the Lakers won a six-game second-round playoff series from Utah two years ago. This year, L.A. took three of the four regular-season meetings (SU and ATS), including two easy wins and covers in Hollywood, capped by a 106-92 victory exactly a month ago as a 4½-point favorite. Los Angeles is 18-6 in the last 24 meetings overall (15-8-1 ATS) and it has won 14 consecutive meetings at the Staples Center (11-3 ATS). In fact, the home team has cashed in 18 of the last 27 head-to-head clashes. Utah is 22-22 (24-18-1 ATS) on the road this season and just 5-6 (SU and ATS) in its last 11 on the highway (1-2 SU and ATS in the playoffs). Los Angeles has gone 37-7 inside Staples Center, but just 18-24-2 ATS, despite outscoring the opposition by more than eight ppg (103.5-94.8).
The Jazz are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven as road ‘dogs, 3-8 ATS in their last 11 on the road against teams with winning home records and 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 as ‘dogs of five to 10½ points, but they are on ATS surges of 35-16-3 overall (4-1 last five) and 4-0 with just one day off. The Lakers are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 conference semifinal games, but otherwise they carry several negative pointspread trends, including 8-17-1 as a favorite, 4-10-1 at home, 5-16-2 after a day off, 1-7 after a straight-up win and 1-10 after a spread-cover.
Utah has stayed below the posted total in five of seven after a spread-cover, seven straight against winning teams and five of six against Pacific Division foes, but it is on “over” streaks of 5-1 overall, 35-16-1 as a road ‘dog, 8-3 as a playoff pup, 4-1 on the road, 5-1 on Sunday and 4-1 after one day off. It’s been all “unders” for Los Angeles lately, including 7-2 at home (all as a chalk), 19-9 as a favorite, 37-18-2 on Sunday, 24-9 against Northwest Division teams, 7-0 against winning teams and 4-0 in conference semifinal games. Finally, this rivalry has seen the “under” cash seven straight times – including the final three playoff contests last year – but the over has been the play in 12 of the last 17 in California.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
N.Y. Mets (14-10) at Philadelphia (12-11)
The Mets send ace Johan Santana (3-1, 2.08 ERA) to the mound for the rubber match of a three-game weekend series against Jamie Moyer (2-2, 5.25) and the rival Phillies in a nationally televised battle from Citizens Bank Park. Roy Halladay pitched a complete-game three-hit shutout and Shane Victorino’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run fourth inning as Philadelphia rolled the Mets 10-0 on Saturday, snapping New York’s eight-game winning streak and its own three-game home losing skid. Still, since starting the season 8-2, the Phillies have lost eight of 13, and they’re in further funks of 0-4 against lefty starters overall and 0-5 when facing lefties at home. On the bright side, Philadelphia has won 38 of its last 51 Sunday contests. Although the Mets’ long winning streak came to a halt Saturday, they’re still 10-2 in their last 12 games, outscoring the opposition 54-15 in the 10 wins. However, Jerry Manuel’s club is still in slumps of 17-39 on the road, 16-39 against N.L. East rivals, 7-17 versus winning teams, 9-22 versus southpaw starters and 5-16 on the road against lefties. The Phillies went 12-6 against the Mets last year, and they’ve now won 12 of the last 15 meetings, including seven of the last nine at Citizens Bank. Santana is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his last three starts (all Mets wins), giving up just one run on 16 hits and four walks with 20 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. In his most recent outing Wednesday against the Dodgers, he scattered four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings of a 4-0 win. In his only road effort in 2010, the former Cy Young winner pitched seven shutout innings but didn’t factor in the decision as the Cardinals won 2-1 in 20 innings. New York has won four of Santana’s five starts this season and four of his last five starts against the Phillies. Santana has faced Philadelphia nine times in his career, with eight of those starts coming since the joined the Mets in 2008, and he’s 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA, including 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in four games at Citizens Bank Park. Last year, he went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Phillies. Moyer is coming off a 6-2 loss in San Francisco, getting rocked for four runs on 10 hits in six innings. The 47-year-old has pitched exactly six innings in all four of his starts this season, including a 5-1 loss to the Marlins in his only home game so far, with Moyer giving up all five runs in that defeat. The Phillies have really struggled lately with Moyer starting, going 2-7 in his last nine starts overall, 0-5 in his last five at home and 1-6 in his last seven against winning teams. However, Philly has won seven of Moyer’s last nine on Sunday and 37 of his last 53 starts against the N.L. East. Against the Mets, he’s 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 22 starts, including 1-1 with a beefy 6.91 ERA in five contests last year. Still, Philadelphia is 5-2 in Moyer’s last seven outings against New York. The Mets are on “under” runs of 10-5-1 overall, 4-2 on the road, 6-1 against N.L. East foes and 21-8-1 on Sunday, and with Santana on the hill, the under is on stretches of 3-0-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-1 against the N.L. East and 4-1 on Sunday. The under is also 5-2 in Philadelphia’s last seven divisional games and 7-3 both in Moyer’s last 10 Sunday starts and his last 10 against the N.L. East. On the flip side, though, the Phillies carry lengthy “over” streaks of 35-16-2 overall, 11-3-1 at home, 12-2 in the third game of a series, 6-2 on Sunday and 5-1 when Moyer starts at home. Finally, these teams soared over the total Saturday, but the under is still 11-3 in the last 14 series meetings overall, including 7-2 in the last nine in Philadelphia.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels (12-13) at Detroit (15-10)
Jered Weaver (3-0, 2.53 ERA) looks to keep his perfect record intact and help his team avoid a three-game sweep when he leads the Angels against Justin Verlander (1-2, 5.53) and the Tigers in the finale of a weekend series at Comerica Park.
Detroit stretched its winning streak to four in a row with Saturday’s 3-2 walk-off victory over Los Angeles, as Johnny Damon belted a game-winning homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers are on positive runs of 8-3 at home this year, 4-1 versus right-handed starters, 7-2 in the third game of a series, 6-2 versus the A.L. West and 7-2 on Sunday Los Angeles has followed up a five-game winning streak by going 4-6 in its last 10 games. Still, Mike Scioscia’s squad is on surges of 7-4 versus winning teams, 36-15 on Sunday and 49-19 in the third game of a series. These teams split a four-game set in Anaheim earlier this month, with Los Angeles taking the first two contests (2-0 and 6-5) and Detroit posting one-run wins in the last two (4-3 and 5-4). Even though the Tigers have won the last four in a row, the Angels remain on a 49-25 overall run in this rivalry. Weaver dominated the Indians in a 5-2 home victory Monday, giving up just a run on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings. The veteran right-hander pitched at least six innings and gave up three earned runs or fewer in all five of his April starts, including yielding two runs or fewer in the last four, and he’s got a 34-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Additionally, going back to last season (playoffs included), Weaver has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 straight starts and 13 of the last 14. With Weaver on the bump, the Halos are on positive runs of 23-9 overall (7-1 last eight), 10-4 on the road (1-0 this year), 9-2 versus A.L. Central foes and 6-1 on Sunday. However, the only game the Angels have lost this season with Weaver pitching came against Detroit on April 21, as he surrendered two runs on six hits in seven innings, getting a no-decision in his team’s 4-3 loss. For his career, Weaver is 2-2 with a 6.34 ERA against the Tigers, including 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in one game at Comerica Park. Verlander allowed just one unearned run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on Tuesday, but he threw 121 pitches and got no run support in a 2-0 home loss. It marked the fourth time in five starts this year that the right-hander failed to get out of the sixth inning, and he’s now 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in two home starts this season. Prior to facing the Twins, Verlander led his team to a 5-4 road victory over Los Angeles despite surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks in five innings. He’s now 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, but the Tigers have lost four straight home games to the Angels with Verlander starting. On the positive end, with Verlander working Detroit is on upticks of 6-2 overall, 44-21 at home, 17-8 against the A.L. West and 16-4 on Sunday. The Halos sport “under” streaks of 21-6 on the road, 15-5-1 versus the A.L. Central and 14-4 against right-handed starters on the road. Also, with Weaver starting, the under is on runs of 9-1-3 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-1 on Sunday, 20-7-1 against the A.L. Central and 3-1 versus the Tigers. Conversely, Detroit is on “over” surges of 6-3-1 overall, 6-3 at home, 5-1-1 versus the A.L. West, 4-1-1 against right-handed starters, 7-2-1 behind Verlander overall, 4-1 when Verlander starts at home and 3-1 when Verlander faces L.A. Finally, the under is 7-3-1 the last 10 times the Angels have visited Motown, with Saturday’s contest staying well under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
SUNDAY, MAY 2
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta (3-3 SU and ATS) at Milwaukee (3-3 SU and ATS)
The third-seeded Hawks, who have already avoided an early exit once, look to finish off the upset-minded Bucks at Philips Arena in the only first-round series that has stretched to seven games. After posting double-digit home wins in the first two games of this series, then dumping the next three to stand on the brink of elimination, Atlanta shut down Milwaukee in Game 5 Friday night, rolling to an 83-69 victory as a 1½-point road favorite. The Hawks held the Bucks under 20 points in each of the first three quarters, including a meager 11 in the third frame, and they finished with a 51-42 rebounding edge, more than making up for their 38.3 percent shooting (31 of 81). Jamal Crawford (24 points) and Joe Johnson (22 points) led the way for Atlanta, and Al Horford piled up 15 points and 15 boards.
Sixth-seeded Milwaukee shot a lowly 32.9 percent in the loss (25 of 76), going just 7-for-26 from three-point range (26.9 percent) in the process. About the only thing the Bucks did effectively was shoot free throws, going 12-for-12, but Atlanta got to the charity stripe 10 more times and hit 16. Carlos Delfino had 20 points, but no other Buck scored more than 12.
Atlanta is a superb 36-8 SU (27-17 ATS) at home this year, averaging 103.9 ppg on 47.2 percent shooting, while allowing 95.6 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting. However, the Hawks were up by nine points with four minutes left in Game 5 at Philips Arena before allowing a 14-0 Milwaukee run en route to a 91-87 upset loss. With its Game 5 win in Atlanta, Milwaukee is now 30-14 (29-14-1 ATS) on the road, getting outscored by less than half a point per game (95.3-95.0) and outshot 44.9 percent to 43.2 percent. Atlanta’s Game 6 win halted a 3-0 SU and ATS run by Milwaukee in this series, and the SU winner has cashed in all six games in this series and seven in a row overall dating to the regular season. In fact, the SU winner is 17-3-1 ATS in the last 20 clashes in this rivalry, and the favorite is 13-5-1 ATS in the last 19 meetings. Also, the SU winner is a scorching 23-0-1 ATS in Atlanta’s last 24 playoff games, and the winner is 12-0-1 ATS in Milwaukee’s last 13 contests overall.
The Bucks – who went an NBA-leading 52-28-2 ATS in the regular season – are on pointspread rolls of 36-14-2 overall, a stout 20-5-1 on the highway, 13-3 as a road pup, 21-8 after a SU loss, 8-2 following a SU loss of more than 10 points and 9-3 catching five to 10½ points. However, they are also in ATS ruts of 3-9-1 as a playoff ‘dog and 4-9-1 in first-round playoff games. Likewise, the Hawks are on a handful of ATS upswings, including 7-3 at home (all as a chalk), 5-1 coming off a SU win, 4-0 after a SU win of more than 10 points, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 9-3 on Sunday, 10-4 against winning teams and 5-2 as a playoff chalk. Friday’s outing fell miles short of the 189-point posted price, but the total has still gone high in 11 of the last 14 meetings overall in this rivalry – including four of six in this series – and the over is also 5-2 in the last seven meetings at Philips Arena. In addition, the Bucks are several “over” sprees, including 15-6-2 in first-round playoff games, 10-3 against winning teams and 4-1 after a non-cover, though the under for Milwaukee is on surges of 5-2 on the road, 4-1 with the Bucks a road pup and 7-3 on Sunday. Finally, Atlanta is on “over” runs of 7-3 against winning teams and 16-5 after a SU win, but the under is 13-5 in the Hawks’ last 18 Sunday outings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ATLANTA
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Utah (4-2 SU and ATS) at L.A. Lakers (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)
After a hard-fought opening-round victory, the defending NBA champion Lakers begin their Western Conference best-of-7 semifinal series against the fifth-seeded Jazz inside the Staples Center. Utah dispatched of the fourth-seeded Nuggets in six games, wrapping things up with a 112-104 home win on Friday, cashing as a 6½-point favorite. The Jazz continued their hot playoff shooting Friday, hitting 52.2 percent of their field goals, led by Carlos Boozer who shot 10-for-14 from the field for 22 points to go with 20 rebounds. Wesley Matthews chipped in 23 points for Utah and reserve Paul Millsap added 21. The Lakers put away the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday, winning 95-94 when Pau Gasol put back a Kobe Bryant miss with 0.5 seconds left, getting Los Angeles the win and cover as one-point underdogs. Bryant finished with 32 points and Gasol added nine points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers held the Thunder to just 36.5 percent shooting. The Jazz and Lakers met in the first round of the postseason last year with Los Angeles prevailing in five games (2-3 ATS) en route to the NBA title. Additionally, the Lakers won a six-game second-round playoff series from Utah two years ago. This year, L.A. took three of the four regular-season meetings (SU and ATS), including two easy wins and covers in Hollywood, capped by a 106-92 victory exactly a month ago as a 4½-point favorite. Los Angeles is 18-6 in the last 24 meetings overall (15-8-1 ATS) and it has won 14 consecutive meetings at the Staples Center (11-3 ATS). In fact, the home team has cashed in 18 of the last 27 head-to-head clashes. Utah is 22-22 (24-18-1 ATS) on the road this season and just 5-6 (SU and ATS) in its last 11 on the highway (1-2 SU and ATS in the playoffs). Los Angeles has gone 37-7 inside Staples Center, but just 18-24-2 ATS, despite outscoring the opposition by more than eight ppg (103.5-94.8).
The Jazz are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven as road ‘dogs, 3-8 ATS in their last 11 on the road against teams with winning home records and 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 as ‘dogs of five to 10½ points, but they are on ATS surges of 35-16-3 overall (4-1 last five) and 4-0 with just one day off. The Lakers are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 conference semifinal games, but otherwise they carry several negative pointspread trends, including 8-17-1 as a favorite, 4-10-1 at home, 5-16-2 after a day off, 1-7 after a straight-up win and 1-10 after a spread-cover.
Utah has stayed below the posted total in five of seven after a spread-cover, seven straight against winning teams and five of six against Pacific Division foes, but it is on “over” streaks of 5-1 overall, 35-16-1 as a road ‘dog, 8-3 as a playoff pup, 4-1 on the road, 5-1 on Sunday and 4-1 after one day off. It’s been all “unders” for Los Angeles lately, including 7-2 at home (all as a chalk), 19-9 as a favorite, 37-18-2 on Sunday, 24-9 against Northwest Division teams, 7-0 against winning teams and 4-0 in conference semifinal games. Finally, this rivalry has seen the “under” cash seven straight times – including the final three playoff contests last year – but the over has been the play in 12 of the last 17 in California.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
N.Y. Mets (14-10) at Philadelphia (12-11)
The Mets send ace Johan Santana (3-1, 2.08 ERA) to the mound for the rubber match of a three-game weekend series against Jamie Moyer (2-2, 5.25) and the rival Phillies in a nationally televised battle from Citizens Bank Park. Roy Halladay pitched a complete-game three-hit shutout and Shane Victorino’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run fourth inning as Philadelphia rolled the Mets 10-0 on Saturday, snapping New York’s eight-game winning streak and its own three-game home losing skid. Still, since starting the season 8-2, the Phillies have lost eight of 13, and they’re in further funks of 0-4 against lefty starters overall and 0-5 when facing lefties at home. On the bright side, Philadelphia has won 38 of its last 51 Sunday contests. Although the Mets’ long winning streak came to a halt Saturday, they’re still 10-2 in their last 12 games, outscoring the opposition 54-15 in the 10 wins. However, Jerry Manuel’s club is still in slumps of 17-39 on the road, 16-39 against N.L. East rivals, 7-17 versus winning teams, 9-22 versus southpaw starters and 5-16 on the road against lefties. The Phillies went 12-6 against the Mets last year, and they’ve now won 12 of the last 15 meetings, including seven of the last nine at Citizens Bank. Santana is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his last three starts (all Mets wins), giving up just one run on 16 hits and four walks with 20 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. In his most recent outing Wednesday against the Dodgers, he scattered four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings of a 4-0 win. In his only road effort in 2010, the former Cy Young winner pitched seven shutout innings but didn’t factor in the decision as the Cardinals won 2-1 in 20 innings. New York has won four of Santana’s five starts this season and four of his last five starts against the Phillies. Santana has faced Philadelphia nine times in his career, with eight of those starts coming since the joined the Mets in 2008, and he’s 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA, including 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in four games at Citizens Bank Park. Last year, he went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Phillies. Moyer is coming off a 6-2 loss in San Francisco, getting rocked for four runs on 10 hits in six innings. The 47-year-old has pitched exactly six innings in all four of his starts this season, including a 5-1 loss to the Marlins in his only home game so far, with Moyer giving up all five runs in that defeat. The Phillies have really struggled lately with Moyer starting, going 2-7 in his last nine starts overall, 0-5 in his last five at home and 1-6 in his last seven against winning teams. However, Philly has won seven of Moyer’s last nine on Sunday and 37 of his last 53 starts against the N.L. East. Against the Mets, he’s 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 22 starts, including 1-1 with a beefy 6.91 ERA in five contests last year. Still, Philadelphia is 5-2 in Moyer’s last seven outings against New York. The Mets are on “under” runs of 10-5-1 overall, 4-2 on the road, 6-1 against N.L. East foes and 21-8-1 on Sunday, and with Santana on the hill, the under is on stretches of 3-0-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-1 against the N.L. East and 4-1 on Sunday. The under is also 5-2 in Philadelphia’s last seven divisional games and 7-3 both in Moyer’s last 10 Sunday starts and his last 10 against the N.L. East. On the flip side, though, the Phillies carry lengthy “over” streaks of 35-16-2 overall, 11-3-1 at home, 12-2 in the third game of a series, 6-2 on Sunday and 5-1 when Moyer starts at home. Finally, these teams soared over the total Saturday, but the under is still 11-3 in the last 14 series meetings overall, including 7-2 in the last nine in Philadelphia.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels (12-13) at Detroit (15-10)
Jered Weaver (3-0, 2.53 ERA) looks to keep his perfect record intact and help his team avoid a three-game sweep when he leads the Angels against Justin Verlander (1-2, 5.53) and the Tigers in the finale of a weekend series at Comerica Park.
Detroit stretched its winning streak to four in a row with Saturday’s 3-2 walk-off victory over Los Angeles, as Johnny Damon belted a game-winning homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers are on positive runs of 8-3 at home this year, 4-1 versus right-handed starters, 7-2 in the third game of a series, 6-2 versus the A.L. West and 7-2 on Sunday Los Angeles has followed up a five-game winning streak by going 4-6 in its last 10 games. Still, Mike Scioscia’s squad is on surges of 7-4 versus winning teams, 36-15 on Sunday and 49-19 in the third game of a series. These teams split a four-game set in Anaheim earlier this month, with Los Angeles taking the first two contests (2-0 and 6-5) and Detroit posting one-run wins in the last two (4-3 and 5-4). Even though the Tigers have won the last four in a row, the Angels remain on a 49-25 overall run in this rivalry. Weaver dominated the Indians in a 5-2 home victory Monday, giving up just a run on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings. The veteran right-hander pitched at least six innings and gave up three earned runs or fewer in all five of his April starts, including yielding two runs or fewer in the last four, and he’s got a 34-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Additionally, going back to last season (playoffs included), Weaver has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 straight starts and 13 of the last 14. With Weaver on the bump, the Halos are on positive runs of 23-9 overall (7-1 last eight), 10-4 on the road (1-0 this year), 9-2 versus A.L. Central foes and 6-1 on Sunday. However, the only game the Angels have lost this season with Weaver pitching came against Detroit on April 21, as he surrendered two runs on six hits in seven innings, getting a no-decision in his team’s 4-3 loss. For his career, Weaver is 2-2 with a 6.34 ERA against the Tigers, including 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in one game at Comerica Park. Verlander allowed just one unearned run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on Tuesday, but he threw 121 pitches and got no run support in a 2-0 home loss. It marked the fourth time in five starts this year that the right-hander failed to get out of the sixth inning, and he’s now 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in two home starts this season. Prior to facing the Twins, Verlander led his team to a 5-4 road victory over Los Angeles despite surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks in five innings. He’s now 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, but the Tigers have lost four straight home games to the Angels with Verlander starting. On the positive end, with Verlander working Detroit is on upticks of 6-2 overall, 44-21 at home, 17-8 against the A.L. West and 16-4 on Sunday. The Halos sport “under” streaks of 21-6 on the road, 15-5-1 versus the A.L. Central and 14-4 against right-handed starters on the road. Also, with Weaver starting, the under is on runs of 9-1-3 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-1 on Sunday, 20-7-1 against the A.L. Central and 3-1 versus the Tigers. Conversely, Detroit is on “over” surges of 6-3-1 overall, 6-3 at home, 5-1-1 versus the A.L. West, 4-1-1 against right-handed starters, 7-2-1 behind Verlander overall, 4-1 when Verlander starts at home and 3-1 when Verlander faces L.A. Finally, the under is 7-3-1 the last 10 times the Angels have visited Motown, with Saturday’s contest staying well under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
ALL COMPS !!!!!!!!!
golden contender
On Sunday the Bonus Play is on the Detroit Tigers. Game 970 at 1:05 eastern. The Tigers get the call here today. They are off a close win on Saturday and have a fine 8-3 day record. They send hard throwing righty J.Verlander today and in his last start here at home vs the Halos he went 8 strong innings allowing no runs. The Angels have J.Weaver taking the hill today and he has a 6.34 era vs the Tigers. Detroit has come alive offensively of late averaging over 6 runs per game and hitting right around .300 the past 7 games. As a home favorite from -100 to -125 they have won 3 of 4 times this season. Look for them to get the win here today.
Craig Trapp
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) - May 2, 2010 3:40 PM EDT
Play: Total: 200/-111 Under Pick Title:
Ouch a 1/2 pt loss yesterday as Craig's NBA run still has been over 70% the last 6 weeks. This weeks 5-1 NBA run and 37-14 over last 6 weeks shows why Craig is the top Win Percentage NBA capper the last 6 weeks! Get in today as Craig wins really big on Sunday with his NBA 5 star Superstar Winner!
Under 200 UTAH/LAL: These two played 4 games this year going under in all 4 games. In fact they only averaged 186.5 in the 4 games played head to head this year. The Lakers offense has gone south the last month but lucky for them the defense has been unbelievable. For LA to win they just can't outscore teams this year instead they play a much slower ball controlled game. UTAH looks to get back best defender AK47 which should help them matchup much better with Kobe and other big guards/forwards. This one has over all over it as these two teams did all regular season.
Jorge Gonzalez
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) - May 2, 2010 8:05 PM EDT
Play: Money Line: -133 New York Mets Play Title:
The New York Mets (14-10) will be playing the Philadelphia Phillies (13-10) on their third straight Sunday Night. The Mets have recovered after a slow start to the season by winning 10 of their last 11 games. One of the reasons for the turn around has been the play of Johan Santana (2-0, 2,08). Santana has been lights out this season striking out 28 batters in 31,1 innings of work. Over his last three starts he has an almost perfect .087 ERA. Santana is 4-1 against the Phillies and has pitched at least seven innings in Eight of the starts. The Phillies will be sending Jamie Moyer (2-2, 5,25) to the mound in his fifth start of the season. Moyer has pitched well at home with a 0-4 record and an ERA of 7.07. Before being shutdown 10-0 by Roy Holiday in Saturday's action. The Mets offense has scored 26 runs in three games. Take the Mets. Have a Winning day
Jim Feist
MLB | May 02
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Total
8½ un-110 at BOOKM > 11h.
Play the Rockies/Giants Under the total.
Steve Merril
MLB | May 02
Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants Total
8 un-110 at 5dimes > 10h.
BIG AL
Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks 'under' 5.5 goals
usa sports consulting
Oakland (B.Sheets) at Toronto (S.Marcum) OVER 8.5 -105, 1:05 ET - 2 units
Mike Wynn
Bonus Play: LA Angels w/Weaver +110 Over Detroit
Totals4U
Sunday's free selection: Colorado Rockies/San Francisco Giants under 8 runs
Big Time
ANGELS / TIGERS OVER 8 1/2
#1 Sports
Sunday's free selection: Milwaukee Brewers - 110
Computer Sports
SUNDAY FREE WINNER!!
Padres +100 over Brewers
Platinum Plays
MLB: Minnesota Twins Liriano -160 Over Cleveland
Dr. Vegas
FREE Sunday Selection
Cubs -145 over Arizona
TV Hotline
Free Sunday Pick
Tampa Bay -130 over KC
Teyas Sports
Free Pick 5/2/2010
TWINS -160 (LISTED PITCHERS)
High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Sunday: San Francisco Giants - 155
golden contender
On Sunday the Bonus Play is on the Detroit Tigers. Game 970 at 1:05 eastern. The Tigers get the call here today. They are off a close win on Saturday and have a fine 8-3 day record. They send hard throwing righty J.Verlander today and in his last start here at home vs the Halos he went 8 strong innings allowing no runs. The Angels have J.Weaver taking the hill today and he has a 6.34 era vs the Tigers. Detroit has come alive offensively of late averaging over 6 runs per game and hitting right around .300 the past 7 games. As a home favorite from -100 to -125 they have won 3 of 4 times this season. Look for them to get the win here today.
Craig Trapp
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) - May 2, 2010 3:40 PM EDT
Play: Total: 200/-111 Under Pick Title:
Ouch a 1/2 pt loss yesterday as Craig's NBA run still has been over 70% the last 6 weeks. This weeks 5-1 NBA run and 37-14 over last 6 weeks shows why Craig is the top Win Percentage NBA capper the last 6 weeks! Get in today as Craig wins really big on Sunday with his NBA 5 star Superstar Winner!
Under 200 UTAH/LAL: These two played 4 games this year going under in all 4 games. In fact they only averaged 186.5 in the 4 games played head to head this year. The Lakers offense has gone south the last month but lucky for them the defense has been unbelievable. For LA to win they just can't outscore teams this year instead they play a much slower ball controlled game. UTAH looks to get back best defender AK47 which should help them matchup much better with Kobe and other big guards/forwards. This one has over all over it as these two teams did all regular season.
Jorge Gonzalez
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) - May 2, 2010 8:05 PM EDT
Play: Money Line: -133 New York Mets Play Title:
The New York Mets (14-10) will be playing the Philadelphia Phillies (13-10) on their third straight Sunday Night. The Mets have recovered after a slow start to the season by winning 10 of their last 11 games. One of the reasons for the turn around has been the play of Johan Santana (2-0, 2,08). Santana has been lights out this season striking out 28 batters in 31,1 innings of work. Over his last three starts he has an almost perfect .087 ERA. Santana is 4-1 against the Phillies and has pitched at least seven innings in Eight of the starts. The Phillies will be sending Jamie Moyer (2-2, 5,25) to the mound in his fifth start of the season. Moyer has pitched well at home with a 0-4 record and an ERA of 7.07. Before being shutdown 10-0 by Roy Holiday in Saturday's action. The Mets offense has scored 26 runs in three games. Take the Mets. Have a Winning day
Jim Feist
MLB | May 02
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Total
8½ un-110 at BOOKM > 11h.
Play the Rockies/Giants Under the total.
Steve Merril
MLB | May 02
Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants Total
8 un-110 at 5dimes > 10h.
BIG AL
Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks 'under' 5.5 goals
usa sports consulting
Oakland (B.Sheets) at Toronto (S.Marcum) OVER 8.5 -105, 1:05 ET - 2 units
Mike Wynn
Bonus Play: LA Angels w/Weaver +110 Over Detroit
Totals4U
Sunday's free selection: Colorado Rockies/San Francisco Giants under 8 runs
Big Time
ANGELS / TIGERS OVER 8 1/2
#1 Sports
Sunday's free selection: Milwaukee Brewers - 110
Computer Sports
SUNDAY FREE WINNER!!
Padres +100 over Brewers
Platinum Plays
MLB: Minnesota Twins Liriano -160 Over Cleveland
Dr. Vegas
FREE Sunday Selection
Cubs -145 over Arizona
TV Hotline
Free Sunday Pick
Tampa Bay -130 over KC
Teyas Sports
Free Pick 5/2/2010
TWINS -160 (LISTED PITCHERS)
High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Sunday: San Francisco Giants - 155
jeff benton sunday
0-1 yesterday minus 30 dimes....overall, 28-34-3 MINUS 60 dimes since i started posting...he has been god awful the past 3 or 4 days..
Sunday's Action 15 Dime: LOS ANGELES LAKERS
5 Dime: Jazz-Lakers UNDER the total
Lakers
The NBA playoffs have always been about matchups, and the fact of the matter is while the Lakers didn’t match up very well against the Thunder in the first round, they match up perfectly against Utah. And history tells us so.
Going back to the 2006 season, the Lakers and Jazz have faced off 24 times – including playoff series each of the last two years – and Los Angeles is 18-6 SU and 15-8-1 ATS during this stretch. Stretch it back to 2005, and the Lakers are riding a 14-game home winning streak against the Jazz (11-3 ATS).
This year, Los Angeles won three of four against Utah, and here were the final scores of those three wins: 101-77 at home (as a 10 ½-point favorite); 96-81 on the road (as a 5½-point underdog and without Kobe Bryant) and 106-92 at home (as a 4½-point favorite exactly one month ago).
In fact, during L.A.’s current 18-6 surge against Utah, 15 of the 18 wins have been double-digit routs, and only one of was by fewer than seven points. The Lakers’ average margin of victory in those 15 wins? 15.4 points per game!
And keep in mind that in the vast majority of the recent meetings between these two, Utah had the services of starting center Mehmet Okur and scoring forward Andrei Kirilenko – in fact, this year, Okur played in all four meetings, scoring in double figures three times; Kirlenko played in one of the games and scored 17 points in a 15-point loss in Los Angeles. Well, Okur is out for the season after blowing out his Achilles in Game 1 against Denver, while Kirilenko is highly doubtful after missing 15 straight games and 21 of the last 23 with a calf injury.
Why is L.A. so successful against the Jazz? Because it even with Okur on the floor, the Jazz cannot handle the Lakers’ frontcourt size with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. And with Carlos Boozer being forced to shift from his power forward spot to the low post for the majority of the time, the Jazz are facing TWO mismatches: Boozer against Bynum (it’s no contest because Boozer just isn’t physical enough) and Paul Milsap against Gasol.
And I haven’t even mentioned the nightmare that game-planning for Kobe is for Utah. Byrant averages 26.1 ppg in his career (regular-season only) against the Jazz. In three games this year against the Jazz, he put up 22.7 points and 6 rebounds per game, and in last year’s playoff series – won by L.A. in five games – Bryant tallied 24, 26, 38 and 31 points in the four victories.
Bottom line: I know the tendency in Game 1 will be to side with the Jazz, who did a tremendous job in wiping out the Nuggets in six games, while the Lakers struggled in their six-game series win over Oklahoma City (with only one of those five contests resulting in a Lakers blowout). But as I mentioned above, the Thunder were a tough draw for L.A. And as I mentioned time and again in that Jazz-Nuggets series, Utah benefited from a massive coaching mismatch with Jerry Sloan annihilating Denver interim coach Adrian Dantley (filling in for the ill George Karl).
Well, that coaching mismatch won’t exist today. Instead, the only mismatch is the one you’ll see on the actual court, and the Lakers will once again score another double-digit victory. Lay the chalk with confidence.
Jazz-Lakers UNDER
Might seem crazy to be playing a sizeable favorite and the under, but two factors point to this being a low-scoring contest. The first is situational. This is a very tough turnaround spot for both teams, as each went down to the wire to close out their respective series on Friday, then each had to hop on a plane for a long trip to Los Angeles.
Utah and L.A. had to go six games to put away Denver and Oklahoma City, respectively, and all the games were extremely hard fought and physical with many going down to the wire. So to have just 24 hours to rest up for (let alone game plan for) this Game 1 is a tall order.
As for the second factor, it’s historical. These teams stayed under the total in all four regular-season meetings, plus the final three playoff matchups last year. That’s seven straight “unders” in this rivalry. Additionally, the Lakers have been dealing with inflated totals for quite some time now, as the oddsmakers have been slow to adjust to the fact that this has become a very defensive-minded club. To wit, L.A. is on “under” runs of 7-2 at home, 19-9 as a favorite, 20-7 as a playoff favorite, 24-9 against Northwest Division teams and 37-18-2 on Sunday.
Throw in the fact that the four regular-season Jazz-Lakers contests had combined totals 178, 196, 177 and 198, and this total being in excess of 200 points is completely unjustified, especially given the aforementioned situational factors. Play it low.
0-1 yesterday minus 30 dimes....overall, 28-34-3 MINUS 60 dimes since i started posting...he has been god awful the past 3 or 4 days..
Sunday's Action 15 Dime: LOS ANGELES LAKERS
5 Dime: Jazz-Lakers UNDER the total
Lakers
The NBA playoffs have always been about matchups, and the fact of the matter is while the Lakers didn’t match up very well against the Thunder in the first round, they match up perfectly against Utah. And history tells us so.
Going back to the 2006 season, the Lakers and Jazz have faced off 24 times – including playoff series each of the last two years – and Los Angeles is 18-6 SU and 15-8-1 ATS during this stretch. Stretch it back to 2005, and the Lakers are riding a 14-game home winning streak against the Jazz (11-3 ATS).
This year, Los Angeles won three of four against Utah, and here were the final scores of those three wins: 101-77 at home (as a 10 ½-point favorite); 96-81 on the road (as a 5½-point underdog and without Kobe Bryant) and 106-92 at home (as a 4½-point favorite exactly one month ago).
In fact, during L.A.’s current 18-6 surge against Utah, 15 of the 18 wins have been double-digit routs, and only one of was by fewer than seven points. The Lakers’ average margin of victory in those 15 wins? 15.4 points per game!
And keep in mind that in the vast majority of the recent meetings between these two, Utah had the services of starting center Mehmet Okur and scoring forward Andrei Kirilenko – in fact, this year, Okur played in all four meetings, scoring in double figures three times; Kirlenko played in one of the games and scored 17 points in a 15-point loss in Los Angeles. Well, Okur is out for the season after blowing out his Achilles in Game 1 against Denver, while Kirilenko is highly doubtful after missing 15 straight games and 21 of the last 23 with a calf injury.
Why is L.A. so successful against the Jazz? Because it even with Okur on the floor, the Jazz cannot handle the Lakers’ frontcourt size with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. And with Carlos Boozer being forced to shift from his power forward spot to the low post for the majority of the time, the Jazz are facing TWO mismatches: Boozer against Bynum (it’s no contest because Boozer just isn’t physical enough) and Paul Milsap against Gasol.
And I haven’t even mentioned the nightmare that game-planning for Kobe is for Utah. Byrant averages 26.1 ppg in his career (regular-season only) against the Jazz. In three games this year against the Jazz, he put up 22.7 points and 6 rebounds per game, and in last year’s playoff series – won by L.A. in five games – Bryant tallied 24, 26, 38 and 31 points in the four victories.
Bottom line: I know the tendency in Game 1 will be to side with the Jazz, who did a tremendous job in wiping out the Nuggets in six games, while the Lakers struggled in their six-game series win over Oklahoma City (with only one of those five contests resulting in a Lakers blowout). But as I mentioned above, the Thunder were a tough draw for L.A. And as I mentioned time and again in that Jazz-Nuggets series, Utah benefited from a massive coaching mismatch with Jerry Sloan annihilating Denver interim coach Adrian Dantley (filling in for the ill George Karl).
Well, that coaching mismatch won’t exist today. Instead, the only mismatch is the one you’ll see on the actual court, and the Lakers will once again score another double-digit victory. Lay the chalk with confidence.
Jazz-Lakers UNDER
Might seem crazy to be playing a sizeable favorite and the under, but two factors point to this being a low-scoring contest. The first is situational. This is a very tough turnaround spot for both teams, as each went down to the wire to close out their respective series on Friday, then each had to hop on a plane for a long trip to Los Angeles.
Utah and L.A. had to go six games to put away Denver and Oklahoma City, respectively, and all the games were extremely hard fought and physical with many going down to the wire. So to have just 24 hours to rest up for (let alone game plan for) this Game 1 is a tall order.
As for the second factor, it’s historical. These teams stayed under the total in all four regular-season meetings, plus the final three playoff matchups last year. That’s seven straight “unders” in this rivalry. Additionally, the Lakers have been dealing with inflated totals for quite some time now, as the oddsmakers have been slow to adjust to the fact that this has become a very defensive-minded club. To wit, L.A. is on “under” runs of 7-2 at home, 19-9 as a favorite, 20-7 as a playoff favorite, 24-9 against Northwest Division teams and 37-18-2 on Sunday.
Throw in the fact that the four regular-season Jazz-Lakers contests had combined totals 178, 196, 177 and 198, and this total being in excess of 200 points is completely unjustified, especially given the aforementioned situational factors. Play it low.
Craig Davis
Sunday's Lineup
75 Dime Winner on the MINNESOTA TWINS -1 1/2 RUN LINE over the Cleveland Indians with Liriano and Huff as the listed pitchers. If either pitcher does not start, this play is VOID.
MINNESOTA TWINS (WITH LIRIANO AND HUFF) (-1 1/2 RUN LINE) --- This one is just flat out too easy, and I'm not holding back. I'm jumping all over this easy money winner in this afternoon's bases and you should too. The Minnesota Twins, with or without C Joe Mauer, will completely devastate David Huff and the Cleveland Indians, just like they did in their first meeting of the year. Right now this three-game series stands at one game apiece after Minnesota took Game 1 Friday night, 9-3 and Cleveland bounced back Saturday for a 5-4 extra innings win. But today, I expect nothing less than a one-sided affair as the Indians simply won't have an answer for Francisco Liriano.
Seriously, have you watched this guy pitch lately? He's absolutely unhittaole, recording 23 straight scoreless innings (over the span of the last three games), lowering his ERA to below 1 (0.93) and his WHIP to 0.97. In fact, the only reason he didn't dominate his first outing of the year was the high number of free passes he handed out (5 walks). Since then Liriano has settled into his groove, walking just five in his last three starts combined. So, 5 walks in his first game matches his entire total for the last three games put together. Needless to say, he's dialed in right now and I'm not sure there's a pitcher in baseball who is hotter than he is. Just listen to these last three games:
April 15 --- an 8-0 win vs. Boston --- 7 IP, 4 hits, 0 ERs, 2 BBs, and 8 Ks.
April 21 --- a 6-0 win vs. Cleveland (with Huff as his opponent, mind you) --- 8 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, 2 BBs, and 6 Ks.
April 27 --- a 2-0 win at Detroit --- 8 IP, 4 hits, 0 ERs, 1 BB, and 10Ks
An impressive resume, to say the least. And that's not counting his first start of the season in which, although he didn't get the decision, the Twins won the game, 4-3. In that game Liriano allowed only 3 ERs in 6 innings of work and the bullpen came on to do the rest. Liriano has a career 3.47 ERA vs. Cleveland and if his last start vs. the Tribe is any indication of what we're going to see today, Cleveland is in for a long afternoon... especially after beating them yesterday in extra innings. The Indians are also hitting just .207 vs. leftiees this year, and the last time I checked Liriano was a southpaw. Expect at least 8 quality innings out of him yet again today.
As for Cleveland, they send lefty David Huff to the hill where the last time he faced Minnesota he was roughed up for 4 ERs in 6 innings of work, not to mention the fact he allowed a career-high 6 walks in that game. Okay, so he's not doing as badly as I honestly thought he'd do at this point in the season, but his season ERA is a little deceptive as he's getting credit for what he did over a month ago. His last two starts have been forgettable, allowing 9 combined earned runs in 11 1/3 innings of work. Vs. Minnesota, Huff has just two career wins and an ERA up near 6, which is exactly what he did in his last outing (a few weeks ago in Minnesota) vs. the Twins... 6 IP, 4 ER. Minnesota is actually hitding better against lefties (.275) than righties (.254) on the road this year, and considering they just saw Huff not too long ago, I have a feeling they are about to open up the flood gates early.
Minnesota is 21-6 in their last 27 as a listed favorite and 9-4 in their last 13 on the road and 11-3 in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a losing record. My point being... they beat bad teams no matter where they play. The Indians, on the other hand, are 4-12 in their last 16 vs. a lefty starter, 9-23 in their last 32 vs. a pitcher who has a WHIP under 1.15, and 1-4 in their last 5 when Huff starts and he's the underdog. Twins mop up the floor with Cleveland today and chase Huff early. Twins take the series while Liriano wins game #4 on the season.
Sunday's Lineup
75 Dime Winner on the MINNESOTA TWINS -1 1/2 RUN LINE over the Cleveland Indians with Liriano and Huff as the listed pitchers. If either pitcher does not start, this play is VOID.
MINNESOTA TWINS (WITH LIRIANO AND HUFF) (-1 1/2 RUN LINE) --- This one is just flat out too easy, and I'm not holding back. I'm jumping all over this easy money winner in this afternoon's bases and you should too. The Minnesota Twins, with or without C Joe Mauer, will completely devastate David Huff and the Cleveland Indians, just like they did in their first meeting of the year. Right now this three-game series stands at one game apiece after Minnesota took Game 1 Friday night, 9-3 and Cleveland bounced back Saturday for a 5-4 extra innings win. But today, I expect nothing less than a one-sided affair as the Indians simply won't have an answer for Francisco Liriano.
Seriously, have you watched this guy pitch lately? He's absolutely unhittaole, recording 23 straight scoreless innings (over the span of the last three games), lowering his ERA to below 1 (0.93) and his WHIP to 0.97. In fact, the only reason he didn't dominate his first outing of the year was the high number of free passes he handed out (5 walks). Since then Liriano has settled into his groove, walking just five in his last three starts combined. So, 5 walks in his first game matches his entire total for the last three games put together. Needless to say, he's dialed in right now and I'm not sure there's a pitcher in baseball who is hotter than he is. Just listen to these last three games:
April 15 --- an 8-0 win vs. Boston --- 7 IP, 4 hits, 0 ERs, 2 BBs, and 8 Ks.
April 21 --- a 6-0 win vs. Cleveland (with Huff as his opponent, mind you) --- 8 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, 2 BBs, and 6 Ks.
April 27 --- a 2-0 win at Detroit --- 8 IP, 4 hits, 0 ERs, 1 BB, and 10Ks
An impressive resume, to say the least. And that's not counting his first start of the season in which, although he didn't get the decision, the Twins won the game, 4-3. In that game Liriano allowed only 3 ERs in 6 innings of work and the bullpen came on to do the rest. Liriano has a career 3.47 ERA vs. Cleveland and if his last start vs. the Tribe is any indication of what we're going to see today, Cleveland is in for a long afternoon... especially after beating them yesterday in extra innings. The Indians are also hitting just .207 vs. leftiees this year, and the last time I checked Liriano was a southpaw. Expect at least 8 quality innings out of him yet again today.
As for Cleveland, they send lefty David Huff to the hill where the last time he faced Minnesota he was roughed up for 4 ERs in 6 innings of work, not to mention the fact he allowed a career-high 6 walks in that game. Okay, so he's not doing as badly as I honestly thought he'd do at this point in the season, but his season ERA is a little deceptive as he's getting credit for what he did over a month ago. His last two starts have been forgettable, allowing 9 combined earned runs in 11 1/3 innings of work. Vs. Minnesota, Huff has just two career wins and an ERA up near 6, which is exactly what he did in his last outing (a few weeks ago in Minnesota) vs. the Twins... 6 IP, 4 ER. Minnesota is actually hitding better against lefties (.275) than righties (.254) on the road this year, and considering they just saw Huff not too long ago, I have a feeling they are about to open up the flood gates early.
Minnesota is 21-6 in their last 27 as a listed favorite and 9-4 in their last 13 on the road and 11-3 in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a losing record. My point being... they beat bad teams no matter where they play. The Indians, on the other hand, are 4-12 in their last 16 vs. a lefty starter, 9-23 in their last 32 vs. a pitcher who has a WHIP under 1.15, and 1-4 in their last 5 when Huff starts and he's the underdog. Twins mop up the floor with Cleveland today and chase Huff early. Twins take the series while Liriano wins game #4 on the season.
soccerpluss 2/05/2010
Soccer Argentina Primera Division 2/05/2010 7:09AM
6901 Banfield - 6902 Atletico Huracan
play on : 6902 Atletico Huracan pk and +0,25 (Ah +0,25)
stake : 2u odds 1,82 @pinnaclesports
Soccer Argentina Primera Division 2/05/2010 10:09 AM
6907 Chacarita Juniors - 6908 Estudiantes La Plata
play on : 6908 Estudiantes La Plata -1 Ah
stake : 2u 1,82 @pinnaclesports
Soccer Argentina Primera Division 2/05/2010 7:09AM
6901 Banfield - 6902 Atletico Huracan
play on : 6902 Atletico Huracan pk and +0,25 (Ah +0,25)
stake : 2u odds 1,82 @pinnaclesports
Soccer Argentina Primera Division 2/05/2010 10:09 AM
6907 Chacarita Juniors - 6908 Estudiantes La Plata
play on : 6908 Estudiantes La Plata -1 Ah
stake : 2u 1,82 @pinnaclesports
Al DeMarco-
10 Dime play on Los Angeles minus the points at home against Utah. As I release this play at 5:30 Pacific Sunday morning, the Lakers are -7 everywhere here in Vegas and offshore. For this contest, I bought down the 1/2 point on Los Angeles, making the Lakers -6 1/2, and I suggest you buy the insurance as well.
5 Dime play on the Boston Red Sox - 1 1/2 Runs at Baltimore with Josh Beckett and Kevin Millwood the scheduled starters. Specify both pitchers as this play is predicated on each taking their turn today. FYI - I got the Red Sox at +110 on the Run Line in this one.
I'm seeking a 5th straight NBA winner today, but it won't be on Atlanta-Milwaukee as I'm not touching that Game 7 match-up as I explain in today's Free Pick Video Report (which will be available by 10 AM Eastern).
Instead I'm heading out west to the Staples Center and backing the Lakers, who have won 14 in a row at home versus the Jazz.
Los Angeles-Utah is another 10 dime release, a play equal to my 10 dime winners on the Jazz Friday over Denver and the Spurs over Dallas on Thursday.
I cap the Sunday card by heading back to the diamond for another Run Line release in the American League on the Boston Red Sox - 1 1/2 run at Baltimore. I'm 7-3 in baseball this season, including 5-2 with Run Line plays.
Whenever you've got two teams playing on short rest opening a new series - both of whom are coming off emotional victories - I'll generally side with the one playing at home. And when that home team has reeled off 14 straight victories against the visitor on its home floor, like Los Angeles has against Utah at the Staples Center, the choice is even easier to make.
The playoffs are all about match-ups. Utah enjoyed an edge in the match-up department against its first-round foe, Denver, despite missing Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko, because the Nuggets were soft in the middle to begin with and not particularly deep on the wings. The Jazz enjoy no such advantage versus Los Angeles.
The Lakers struggled against Oklahoma City in Round One because of the match-up problems offered by the Thunder's athleticism and ability to run with them, particularly in the backcourt where Russell Westbrook was a headache all series long. They will not have similar problems against Utah, however.
The Jazz played great ball against Denver, averaging 110.5 points a game on 50.7% shooting. They're not going to shoot that well against Los Angeles and you have to question just how much this injury-depleted team has left - especially with Deron Williams bothered by a bruised elbow suffered late in Friday's win against the Nuggets.
Yes, the Lakers have their own injury concern with Andrew Bynum questionable with a knee injury, but his availability being in doubt is nothing new for them as he's been in and out of the lineup most of the season. Plus I've always maintained they've been a better team when Pau Gasol slides over to the middle and Lamar Odom comes off the bench to start in Bynum's absence. It was with that lineup that Los Angeles played its best ball down the homestretch of the regular season.
Take a look at what happened when these two met during the regular season this year:
April 2 - Los Angeles rolled 106-92 at home. Bynum was out, but Odom led the way with 26 points and 10 boards. Kobe added 25 and Gasol came within an assist of a triple-double with 14 points and 16 boards. And the Jazz - who had won 8 of 10 entering the contest - lost despite 20 points and 18 rebounds from Carlos Boozer and 20 points and 10 assists from Williams.
February 10 - Los Angeles won 96-81 at Utah, snapping the Jazz's nine-game winning streak, despite Kobe missing the game. Odom again led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Gasol scored 22 and grabbed 19 boards while blocking five shots. And Jordan Farmer chipped in with 18 in place of the injured Bryant. Bynum was out again as well. For Utah, Boozer and Williams scored 11 apiece and Kirilenko led the way with 17.
December 12 - Utah actually won 102-94 at home, snapping LA's 11-game winning streak. But keep in mind Kobe broke his finger the night before and was also struggling with a stomach bug. He shot just 7 for 24 from the field and finished with 16 points. Gasol did his best with 16 points and 20 boards as again the Jazz had no answer for him. Williams led the Jazz with 21 points and 11 assists.
December 9 - Los Angeles won its 10th straight overall, rolling 101-77 at home as Kobe had 27, Gasol scored 19 with 12 rebounds, and Artest added 17 points. The Lakers scored 19 in a row while outscoring the Jazz 28-6 in the decisive fourth quarter. Odom scored 7 points and grabbed 10 boards off the bench. Williams and Boozer combined for 28 points to pace Utah.
That's a brief capsule summary of how the season series played out and it shows again how the Lakers dominated in every game - winning once with Kobe out and losing once the night after he got injured. Gasol and Odom owned Utah, who struggled despite strong performances from Williams and Boozer in every contest.
With Williams at less than 100% for today's opener, and Derek Fisher seemingly always playing his best ball against his former team, my concerns about containing the Utah point guard, who averaged 25.8 points and 11.3 assists against Denver, are somewhat mitigated. Plus Phil Jackson has options against Williams as he has Shannon Brown and even Bryant as defensive options.
The Jazz got outstanding contributions from Wesley Matthews and C.J. Miles in Round One, but the Lakers have plenty of wing players to match-up with them, and again, Utah has no answer for Gasol in the middle.
Los Angeles beat the Jazz in the 2008 conference semifinals in six games and last year in the first round in five games. Among the 14 straight wins at home have been six straight in the postseason. Today the toll of upsetting Denver leaves Utah drained and the Lakers pull away late for a comfortable 11 point win.
For Sunday's baseball play, I feel it's time to get on the Red Sox bandwagon as the calendar has flipped to May and it's Josh Beckett's time to shine. Boston is 4-1 in his starts this season, but it certainly hasn't been because of his outstanding pitching as Beckett posted a 7.22 ERA in the month of April. But his earned run average last year in April was exactly the same and he then proceeded to go 9-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his next 13 starts, a stretch that earned him the big contract he recently signed.
Beckett is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA in eight career starts at Baltimore with the most recently being a seven-inning shutout performance last August 1 in which he scattered just six hits.
The Orioles counter with Kevin Millwood today, and although he's pitched well, their lack of offensive punch has resulted in a 1-4 record behind their ace.
Baltimore hasn't swept Boston in a series of at least three games at home since 1998 and I don't see that steak coming to an end today as the Red Sox take it 5-2.
10 Dime play on Los Angeles minus the points at home against Utah. As I release this play at 5:30 Pacific Sunday morning, the Lakers are -7 everywhere here in Vegas and offshore. For this contest, I bought down the 1/2 point on Los Angeles, making the Lakers -6 1/2, and I suggest you buy the insurance as well.
5 Dime play on the Boston Red Sox - 1 1/2 Runs at Baltimore with Josh Beckett and Kevin Millwood the scheduled starters. Specify both pitchers as this play is predicated on each taking their turn today. FYI - I got the Red Sox at +110 on the Run Line in this one.
I'm seeking a 5th straight NBA winner today, but it won't be on Atlanta-Milwaukee as I'm not touching that Game 7 match-up as I explain in today's Free Pick Video Report (which will be available by 10 AM Eastern).
Instead I'm heading out west to the Staples Center and backing the Lakers, who have won 14 in a row at home versus the Jazz.
Los Angeles-Utah is another 10 dime release, a play equal to my 10 dime winners on the Jazz Friday over Denver and the Spurs over Dallas on Thursday.
I cap the Sunday card by heading back to the diamond for another Run Line release in the American League on the Boston Red Sox - 1 1/2 run at Baltimore. I'm 7-3 in baseball this season, including 5-2 with Run Line plays.
Whenever you've got two teams playing on short rest opening a new series - both of whom are coming off emotional victories - I'll generally side with the one playing at home. And when that home team has reeled off 14 straight victories against the visitor on its home floor, like Los Angeles has against Utah at the Staples Center, the choice is even easier to make.
The playoffs are all about match-ups. Utah enjoyed an edge in the match-up department against its first-round foe, Denver, despite missing Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko, because the Nuggets were soft in the middle to begin with and not particularly deep on the wings. The Jazz enjoy no such advantage versus Los Angeles.
The Lakers struggled against Oklahoma City in Round One because of the match-up problems offered by the Thunder's athleticism and ability to run with them, particularly in the backcourt where Russell Westbrook was a headache all series long. They will not have similar problems against Utah, however.
The Jazz played great ball against Denver, averaging 110.5 points a game on 50.7% shooting. They're not going to shoot that well against Los Angeles and you have to question just how much this injury-depleted team has left - especially with Deron Williams bothered by a bruised elbow suffered late in Friday's win against the Nuggets.
Yes, the Lakers have their own injury concern with Andrew Bynum questionable with a knee injury, but his availability being in doubt is nothing new for them as he's been in and out of the lineup most of the season. Plus I've always maintained they've been a better team when Pau Gasol slides over to the middle and Lamar Odom comes off the bench to start in Bynum's absence. It was with that lineup that Los Angeles played its best ball down the homestretch of the regular season.
Take a look at what happened when these two met during the regular season this year:
April 2 - Los Angeles rolled 106-92 at home. Bynum was out, but Odom led the way with 26 points and 10 boards. Kobe added 25 and Gasol came within an assist of a triple-double with 14 points and 16 boards. And the Jazz - who had won 8 of 10 entering the contest - lost despite 20 points and 18 rebounds from Carlos Boozer and 20 points and 10 assists from Williams.
February 10 - Los Angeles won 96-81 at Utah, snapping the Jazz's nine-game winning streak, despite Kobe missing the game. Odom again led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Gasol scored 22 and grabbed 19 boards while blocking five shots. And Jordan Farmer chipped in with 18 in place of the injured Bryant. Bynum was out again as well. For Utah, Boozer and Williams scored 11 apiece and Kirilenko led the way with 17.
December 12 - Utah actually won 102-94 at home, snapping LA's 11-game winning streak. But keep in mind Kobe broke his finger the night before and was also struggling with a stomach bug. He shot just 7 for 24 from the field and finished with 16 points. Gasol did his best with 16 points and 20 boards as again the Jazz had no answer for him. Williams led the Jazz with 21 points and 11 assists.
December 9 - Los Angeles won its 10th straight overall, rolling 101-77 at home as Kobe had 27, Gasol scored 19 with 12 rebounds, and Artest added 17 points. The Lakers scored 19 in a row while outscoring the Jazz 28-6 in the decisive fourth quarter. Odom scored 7 points and grabbed 10 boards off the bench. Williams and Boozer combined for 28 points to pace Utah.
That's a brief capsule summary of how the season series played out and it shows again how the Lakers dominated in every game - winning once with Kobe out and losing once the night after he got injured. Gasol and Odom owned Utah, who struggled despite strong performances from Williams and Boozer in every contest.
With Williams at less than 100% for today's opener, and Derek Fisher seemingly always playing his best ball against his former team, my concerns about containing the Utah point guard, who averaged 25.8 points and 11.3 assists against Denver, are somewhat mitigated. Plus Phil Jackson has options against Williams as he has Shannon Brown and even Bryant as defensive options.
The Jazz got outstanding contributions from Wesley Matthews and C.J. Miles in Round One, but the Lakers have plenty of wing players to match-up with them, and again, Utah has no answer for Gasol in the middle.
Los Angeles beat the Jazz in the 2008 conference semifinals in six games and last year in the first round in five games. Among the 14 straight wins at home have been six straight in the postseason. Today the toll of upsetting Denver leaves Utah drained and the Lakers pull away late for a comfortable 11 point win.
For Sunday's baseball play, I feel it's time to get on the Red Sox bandwagon as the calendar has flipped to May and it's Josh Beckett's time to shine. Boston is 4-1 in his starts this season, but it certainly hasn't been because of his outstanding pitching as Beckett posted a 7.22 ERA in the month of April. But his earned run average last year in April was exactly the same and he then proceeded to go 9-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his next 13 starts, a stretch that earned him the big contract he recently signed.
Beckett is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA in eight career starts at Baltimore with the most recently being a seven-inning shutout performance last August 1 in which he scattered just six hits.
The Orioles counter with Kevin Millwood today, and although he's pitched well, their lack of offensive punch has resulted in a 1-4 record behind their ace.
Baltimore hasn't swept Boston in a series of at least three games at home since 1998 and I don't see that steak coming to an end today as the Red Sox take it 5-2.
Scott Delaney-
10 Dime Bucks - I'm sorry, as much as I've seen the Hawks do some great things in this series, I don't know if they deserve to lay this kind of number to a scrappy club like Milwaukee.
Quite frankly, I believe the pressure lay solely on Atlanta, as it wasn't expected to be here, in Game 7 against the Bogut-less Bucks. But the Hawks have been less-than spectacular at times, while Milwaukee has proved the doubters wrong.
So with everything on the line, and the Bucks able to come out loose and with a nothing-to-lose attitude, you should see them as the more comfortable team. The Hawks will be uptight.
This is for everything, and with the season on the line, I have to take the points with the Bucks here.
10 Dime Bucks - I'm sorry, as much as I've seen the Hawks do some great things in this series, I don't know if they deserve to lay this kind of number to a scrappy club like Milwaukee.
Quite frankly, I believe the pressure lay solely on Atlanta, as it wasn't expected to be here, in Game 7 against the Bogut-less Bucks. But the Hawks have been less-than spectacular at times, while Milwaukee has proved the doubters wrong.
So with everything on the line, and the Bucks able to come out loose and with a nothing-to-lose attitude, you should see them as the more comfortable team. The Hawks will be uptight.
This is for everything, and with the season on the line, I have to take the points with the Bucks here.
DUNKEL MLB
Minnesota at Cleveland
The Twins look to bounce back from yesterday's 5-4 loss and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a loss. Minnesota is the pick (-165) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-165). Here are all of today's picks.
SUNDAY, MAY 2
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 951-952: Washington at Florida (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 15.504; Florida (Johnson) 16.292
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Florida (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-210); Under
Game 953-954: Houston at Atlanta (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Norris) 14.087; Atlanta (Lowe) 13.418
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over
Game 955-956: Cincinnati at St. Louis (2:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Harang) 15.297; St. Louis (Carpenter) 16.077
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-260); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-260); Under
Game 957-958: Arizona at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Jackson) 15.131; Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.540
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-150); No Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150); N/A
Game 959-960: Milwaukee at San Diego (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Wolf) 15.036; San Diego (Garland) 14.801
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-115); Under
Game 961-962: Colorado at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Chacin) 15.843; San Francisco (Sanchez) 15.458
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+145); Under
Game 963-964: Pittsburgh at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 14.005; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 13.287
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-250); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+210); Over
Game 965-966: NY Mets at Philadelphia (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 14.844; Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.974
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+120); Under
Game 967-968: Minnesota at Cleveland (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 15.773; Cleveland (Huff) 14.903
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-165); Over
Game 969-970: LA Angels at Detroit (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 16.138; Detroit (Verlander) 15.477
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+105); Under
Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 16.426; NY Yankees (Hughes) 15.894
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-210); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+180); Over
Game 973-974: Oakland at Toronto (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Sheets) 15.589; Toronto (Marcum) 15.009
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+130); Over
Game 975-976: Boston at Baltimore (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 14.156; Baltimore (Millwood) 14.549
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+135); Under
Game 977-978: Kansas City at Tampa Bay (1:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 16.983; Tampa Bay (Davis) 15.779
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+120); Over
Game 979-980: Texas at Seattle (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Wilson) 15.580; Seattle (Fister) 14.588
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over
Minnesota at Cleveland
The Twins look to bounce back from yesterday's 5-4 loss and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a loss. Minnesota is the pick (-165) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-165). Here are all of today's picks.
SUNDAY, MAY 2
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST
Game 951-952: Washington at Florida (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 15.504; Florida (Johnson) 16.292
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Florida (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-210); Under
Game 953-954: Houston at Atlanta (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Norris) 14.087; Atlanta (Lowe) 13.418
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over
Game 955-956: Cincinnati at St. Louis (2:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Harang) 15.297; St. Louis (Carpenter) 16.077
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-260); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-260); Under
Game 957-958: Arizona at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Jackson) 15.131; Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.540
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-150); No Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150); N/A
Game 959-960: Milwaukee at San Diego (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Wolf) 15.036; San Diego (Garland) 14.801
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-115); Under
Game 961-962: Colorado at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Chacin) 15.843; San Francisco (Sanchez) 15.458
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+145); Under
Game 963-964: Pittsburgh at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 14.005; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 13.287
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-250); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+210); Over
Game 965-966: NY Mets at Philadelphia (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 14.844; Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.974
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+120); Under
Game 967-968: Minnesota at Cleveland (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 15.773; Cleveland (Huff) 14.903
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-165); Over
Game 969-970: LA Angels at Detroit (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 16.138; Detroit (Verlander) 15.477
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+105); Under
Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 16.426; NY Yankees (Hughes) 15.894
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-210); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+180); Over
Game 973-974: Oakland at Toronto (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Sheets) 15.589; Toronto (Marcum) 15.009
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+130); Over
Game 975-976: Boston at Baltimore (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 14.156; Baltimore (Millwood) 14.549
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+135); Under
Game 977-978: Kansas City at Tampa Bay (1:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 16.983; Tampa Bay (Davis) 15.779
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+120); Over
Game 979-980: Texas at Seattle (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Wilson) 15.580; Seattle (Fister) 14.588
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over
