Service Plays Sunday 6/13/10

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Game of the day: LA Lakers at Boston Celtics

Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (-3, 187.5)

Line dancing

The early money quickly came in on the under and the oddsmakers had to drop the Game 5 total from 189.5 to 187.5 (187 with some books). It is not a surprise considering the under is now 3-1 in this series and 5-1 in all six meetings this season.

The books opened Boston as a 3-point home favorite for Game 5 and the line is holding steady. The zig-zag theory has applied in this series as the loser of the previous game is a perfect 3-0 straight up and against the spread so far.

Despite being the underdog in Game 5, the Lakers are still a -190 favorite to win this overall series because Game 6 and 7 (if necessary) will both take place in Los Angeles. This line is actually a bit higher than the initial series line which saw the Lakers open as a -185 favorite last week.

Past History

Kobe Bryant missed the regular season meeting on February 18 and the Celtics won 87-86 as a 2.5-point underdog at Los Angeles, but the Lakers are still 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS in the other seven head-to-head meetings the past two seasons.

This is a stark reversal from the 2007-08 season which saw the Celtics go a perfect 8-0 against the spread versus the Lakers (6-2 straight-up) on Boston’s way to the NBA Championship.

The Celtics actually lost Game 5 in the 2008 NBA Finals, 103-98, as a 7-point road underdog, but Boston came back and dominated Game 6 with a series-clinching 131-92 win as a 4.5-point home favorite.

What Happened to Ray?

Boston’s Ray Allen single handily led the Celtics to a win in Game 2. He scored a game-high 32 points after shooting 55 percent (11-20) from the field. Allen also set a Finals record by knocking down eight 3-pointers including seven in the first half.

But Allen’s shooting touch has disappeared over the last two games. In Games 3 and 4 Allen has scored a total of 14 points on a miserable 16.7 percent (4-24) shooting from the field. And he hasn’t hit a 3-pointer since Game 2, going 0-12 from beyond the arc.

Second Unit Shines

The Celtics won Game 4 thanks to their second unit. Down 62-60 going into the fourth quarter, head coach Doc Rivers took a major gamble by beginning the final 12 minutes with four reserves and one starter (Ray Allen) on the court.

Doc’s gamble paid off as the duo of Glen Davis and Nate Robinson led the Celtics to victory. They scored a combined 30 points after going 11-18 (61 percent) from the floor. They played all but the final two minutes of the quarter and if not for their outstanding performance, Boston may not have won that game.

Andrew Bynum’s Knee

Los Angeles desperately needs Andrew Bynum back on the court. The big man has played a huge part in his team's playoff run this season, but his nagging knee injury has become a major concern over the last two games.

Bynum averaged 13 points and seven rebounds in the first two games of the series but he was limited to just two points and three rebounds in 12 minutes in Game 4 because of the sore knee. The Celtics offense and defense looks much better with Bynum on the bench.

Bynum is expected to play Sunday.

 

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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Houston Astros at New York Yankees (-325, 9)

The Yankees are going to continue to mash, with or without Alex Rodriguez.

"Everybody's got to step up -- with him or without him," said Jorge Posada. "It's been a battle (personally lately). During the year you're going to go through times when you have no idea what you're doing. That's been the case."

Posada was cleared to catch his first game since coming off the DL Saturday and broke a 2-for-29 slump with a grand slam in the third inning of the 9-2 victory over Houston. When the Yanks backstop gets going this team is lethal.

"[Posada] makes adjustments," manager Joe Girardi said. "You don't hit 250 home runs in this game and drive in as many runs as Jorge has if you don't know how to make adjustments."

New York has won seven straight decisions at Yankee Stadium and only one of those victories has come by a margin of one run. In fact, in all of the Yankees’ 21 wins at home this season only one game has been decided by a lone run.

We surely can’t suggest laying this lofty of a number because there is no value in that but New York should be able to power its way to a decisive margin of victory.

Pick: Yankees -145 (runline)


Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants (-200, 7.5)

It’s no secret to bettors that interleague play puts American League teams at a disadvantage in National League ballparks because they have to construct the lineup sans a designated hitter.

While the Athletics reside in the Junior circuit, the team is often confused for an NL squad because of its small-ball approach to hitting. Oakland holds a 12-21-1 over/under record at its pitcher-friendly Coliseum.

But this game is across the Bay at AT&T Park where the Jints have put together a 11-17-3 over/under mark. All three game totals in the first series between these teams were 7.5 and every one of them went under. A combined total of 11 runs (3.67 rpg) were scored during the three-game set.

Looking back at the Battle of the Bay’s recent history, the A’s and Giants have played 20 games since the 2006 season and the over/under record is 5-13-2.

Starting pitchers Matt Cain and Vin Mazzaro have been in fine form recently with neither surrendering more than three runs in their last four starts. Runs should come at a premium in Sunday’s series finale.

Pick: Under

 

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Sunday’s Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking

Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets

No disrespect to Johan Santana but he’s no longer the Mets’ No. 1 starter. That title belongs to Mike Pelfrey. The lanky righthander has allowed just five runs over his last five starts and the Mets have won eight of his last 10 starts.

"He expects to go out there and dominate and that's what he's been doing," Mets third baseman David Wright said of Pelfrey after a one-run, eight-inning outing against the Padres.

Pelfrey is kind to total bettors too. The under has cashed in four of his last five appearances.

Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays

There’s not much not to like about the Rays’ starting rotation. The unit boast quality arms one through five including second-year hurler Jeff Niemann.

Many wondered whether the 6-9 righty could equal his success from 2009 when he went 13-6 with an ERA under 4.00. Those doubts no longer exist after his first 12 starts this season.

Niemann is 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA and is fresh off a complete game shutout. He’s allowed more than three runs just once this year and the Rays are 10-1 the last 11 times he’s taken the bump.

Slumping

Kevin Millwood, Baltimore Orioles

When the rebuilding Orioles signed Millwood this offseason, the hope was that the grizzled veteran would set a good example for the younger arms on the staff.

That plan hasn’t worked out too well so far. The former Texas ace is 0-7 and has given up 12 runs in his last 11.1 innings.

"I'm just not throwing the ball where I want to. I need to locate to pitch well," Millwood told the Associated Press after a recent bad outing vs. the Yankees. "With five walks, I'm definitely not where I want to be, and some the balls they're hitting are in bad spots."

 

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Sunday Night Baseball: White Sox at Cubs

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs (-155)

A pair of cross-town rivals battle under the Sunday night lights on ESPN when the White Sox taxi over to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs on the North Side of Chicago. Let’s take a look at this matchup.

Sub central standard

On the heels of the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup, the Cubs and White Sox play in 2010 pales in comparison with both teams currently sitting mid-pack in their divisions, a collective 16.5 games behind American League Central leading Minnesota and National League Central pacesetter Cincinnati.

“I guess we’re a hockey town now,” said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “It’s very disappointing. It’s frustrating. We thought we were good.”

The Cubs feel the same way. Manager Lou Piniella expressed his disgust on the discouraging season when he started benching his regulars.

“All we’re trying to do is create a little sense of urgency here,” Pinella said.

Meanwhile, tension grows between the front offices and the coaches.

“Some changes need to take place,” says White Sox GM Kenny Williams.

Sounds like it could be another summer of disarray for these blasé ballers from the Windy City.

Rumor central

The Cubs’ clubhouse is rumored to be a disaster right now. Word is the Latin players - specifically third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pitcher Carlos Zambrano - have completely walled themselves off from everyone.

Ramirez has completely shut down, refuses to practice, and is barely willing to take the field for games. His.168 batting average belies a $16,750,000 salary.

Despite all his struggles, the team hasn’t turned on outfielder Alphonso Soriano, who continues to work hard despite his recent woes. But the team is supposedly turning on Ramirez, because he doesn’t, and doesn’t see a problem with it.

'We haven't been playing well. We know it,'' Xavier Nady said. ''We've got to obviously turn things around sooner or later, or it's going to be a long year.''

My cup spilleth over

Making matters worse, from a public relations standpoint, these two teams are playing for the inaugural BP Crosstown Cup. The timing couldn’t be worse.

Fans at Wrigley Field let out loud boos Friday afternoon when the Cup was presented before the series opener Friday afternoon between the Cubs and the White Sox.

Another three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field is scheduled for June 25-27. The Cup goes to the series winner, or the team that takes the final game if they split the six games.

Unless an overflow of pitching and hitting suddenly oozes for one team or the other, the fans could care less about who wins the not-so-coveted BP Cup.

Hose job

Jake Peavy has made it clear that if it's a full rebuilding mode the White Sox are looking for they better count him out.

"I just want a chance to win," Peavy said. "I believe it can happen here. I'm excited to be in the situation. Nothing's changed just because we haven't played well.

"Obviously, something's got to give. We've underachieved as a team, as a whole organization."

Meanwhile, Gordon Beckham, voted the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year by his peers, continues to struggle with a .204 average, with one home run and 12 RBIs entering Friday's series opener.

"When he comes out of this, it's only going to make him better," said Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, White Sox television play-by-play man, who has closely observed Beckham for the past two seasons.

Beckham went 112 at-bats without an extra-base hit, before a double against Detroit on June 9, and had gone 170 at-bats since his lone home run of the year. He also led the White Sox with 38 strikeouts entering Friday.

"There have been a lot of rock bottoms this year. I'm like you, kind of out of answers. If there are any, come and let us know,” pleaded Paul Konerko, on all that has gone wrong for the Sox so far this season.

By the numbers

Entering this series, the Cubs were only 12-12 this season in games in which they surrendered three or fewer runs. The Cubs have 14 one-run losses and seven more by two runs.

With Friday’s win, the White Sox improved to 8-2 in its last 10 games at Wrigley.

Cubs starter Ted Lilly takes an 8-2 career team start mark against the Pale Horse into this contest. His team is also 11-1 in his last 12 home team starts during June.

The White Sox are 4-16 in Gavin Floyd’s last 20 road starts.

 

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Lady Luck: Today's WNBA best bets

Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks (-5, 161.5)

Los Angeles has been one of the biggest underachievers in the WNBA this year, but a home contest versus the lowly Lynx may be just what the doctor ordered.

The Sparks are coming off a lackluster performance against league-leading Seattle where they committed 19 turnovers, which included 13 steals. Star center Candace Parker was forced to leave the game for about a quarter because of a shoulder injury but said she was “Okay” afterward.

"I really wasn't pleased with our effort. I don't think we matched (Seattle's) intensity at all," said L.A. coach Jennifer Gillom. "Hopefully we'll learn from this and move on and be ready for Minnesota. If not, it's going to be a long season."

Almost sounds like a “must-win” type of game for the Sparks only a month into the 2010 season.

Los Angeles has won three straight games against the Lynx going back to last season (3-0 ATS) and outscored them by an average of 22.0 ppg during their last four meetings. Minnesota has dropped nine of their last 10 games and has failed to cover the spread in three straight.

Gillom coached the Lynx last season so she should know the tendencies of the carry-over players on the team. Look for L.A. to get a convincing victory Sunday.

Pick: Sparks


San Antonio Silver Stars at Atlanta Dream (-6, 161.5)

If your team can’t convert at the free throw line it can’t win championships, just ask John Calipari.

Atlanta holds a league-worst shooting percentage (64.7) from the charity stripe this year and is coming off a loss to New York where it missed 10-of-21 free throws. This has led to the Dream dropping three of their last four games after opening the season 6-0.

"It cost us," said Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors. "People are fouling us because we go to the line and we miss, so we have to figure out a way to start making free throws."

With its free-throw deficiencies Atlanta may be in prime position for an upset. San Antonio is coming off an 87-75 win over Tulsa where it returned key players Sandy Brondello and Becky Hammon.

"The thing in general with this game is just having Becky back," said Chamique Holdsclaw."She's a great player at creating for others. She's our Steve Nash."

Holdsclaw was a holdout for the Dream to begin this season and ended up leaving the team after she said she couldn’t play under Meadors. Atlanta’s loss was San Antonio’s gain as Holdsclaw is averaging 14.7 ppg this season for the Silver Stars and there is no doubt she will be fueled with additional motivation Sunday.

Pick: Silver Stars

 

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Fantasy Gametime Sports

Sunday Baseball

100* Play Tampa Bay (-190) over FloridaGame starts at 1:40 PM EST Tampa Bay has won 60 of the last 79 home games as a favorite of -150 to -200 and they have also won 11 of the last 14 games vs. Florida. Jeff Niemann has won 7 consecutive games when pitching in the month of June and he is 6-0 overall this season with an ERA of 2.48.

50* Play Detroit (-190) over PittsburghGame starts at 1:00 PM EST Detroit has won 17 of the last 20 inter-league home games and they have also won 25 of the last 33 home games when playing in the month of June. Armando Galarraga has won 11 of the last 13 games when pitching in the month of June and he is 2-0 at home this season with an ERA of 0.61.

Sunday World Cup Soccer

50* Play Slovenia/Algeria UNDER 2 Goals

50* Play Ghana/Serbia UNDER 2 Goals

50* Play Australia/Germany UNDER 2.5 Goals

Sunday WNBA Hoops

25* Play Atlanta (-6) over San Antonio San Antonio has lost 4 of the last 5 games and they have also lost 4 of the last 5 games against the spread vs. Atlanta. San Antonio has lost 14 of the last 18 non-conference games against the spread and they have also lost 14 of the last 18 games against the spread coming off a win.

 

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Outlaw Sports Advisor

$200 dollar play - San Diego Padres -127 Bookmaker 12:21 am
$400 dollar play - New York Mets -140 betonline 12:24 am

 

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BestHandicappers

Sunday's Plays

1.)St.Louis -160 ( 4* )MLB

2.) La Lakers +125 ML ( 4* ) MLB

 

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JOE WIZ

GIGANTIC NBA PARLAY:
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Under

MLB SUNDAY NIGHT:
Chicago Cubs

 

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BASEBALL CRUSHER
PLAY OF THE DAY

NY Mets -145 over the Baltimore O's

 

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COMPPICKS

NBA
Lakers +2.5
Lakers/Celtics UNDER 187.5

MLB
Nationals -1.5 (-130)
Royals -105
Twins -135
Padres -125

Platinum Padlock
Mets -135

Comppick (free pick)
Blue Jays +155

 

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RW Sports 45-42-11 (3-1)

world cup
algeria - slovenia, 1st half Draw, x units, 2.10 @ eurobet

algeria - slovenia, algeria under 0.75 goals, x units, 1.95 @ pinnacle

ghana - serbia, serbia -0.25, x unit, 1.92 @ pinnacle

australia - germany, australia +1.25, x units, 1.74 @ pinnacle

australia - germany, under 2.5 goals, x units, 1.76 @ pinnacle

 

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Insider Sports

5* N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey) -140 over Baltimore (Millwood)
Range: -125 to -160
3* Detroit (Galarraga) -1.5 runs +110 over Pittsburgh (Karstens)
Range: +125 to -110
3* L.A. Lakers/Boston OVER 187 (NBA)
Range: 185.5 to 189

 

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National Sports Picks

* Boston -3 over L.A. Lakers (NBA)

* San Diego (RICHARD) -125 over Seattle

 

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Teddy Covers

LA Lakers +3

 

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shut em down sports

20* New York Mets ML
20* St Louis ML

50*Dodgers ML

 

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Reds Saturday night. Sunday it's the Lakers (+3).

The deficit is 1010 sirignanos.

 

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Hondo

The Cubs, showing why they haven't won since 1908, came up a little shy against the Chisox yester day, which caused Hondo's negative number to grow to an even-steven 900 stones.

Today, Mr. Aitch expects Pelfrey to get in touch with his inner Gaga by flipping the Birds -- 10 units on the Metamucils to let it flow.

 

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Arthur Ralph Sports
465 - 335 run 58 %

Bonus Play Sun Red Sox -130

 

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gill alexander | MLB Money Line Sun, 06/13/10 - 1:05 PM

double-dime bet 954 CLE (+190) Bookmaker.com vs 953 WAS