NBA
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Oklahoma City played matador defense in Game 1; Dallas shot 53.4% from floor, made 34-36 from line in Game 1, as Terry/Barea came off the bench and lit Thunder up. Nowitzki scored 46 despite taking shooting only 15 times from floor. Durant/Westbrook took 37 of Thunder's 43 foul shots- they need to get others involved. Mavericks are 6-0 at home in playoffs, winning by 2-12-8-11-12-9 points. Thunder is 2-4 on road in playoffs, losing by 3-8-12-9 points. Bottom line is this: if Oklahoma City doesn't make Nowitzki pass ball a lot more in this game, they will get beat again- they have no one who can stop him 1-on-1. Like Miami last night, this is an attitude game for the Thunder.
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Oklahoma City played matador defense in Game 1; Dallas shot 53.4% from floor, made 34-36 from line in Game 1, as Terry/Barea came off the bench and lit Thunder up. Nowitzki scored 46 despite taking shooting only 15 times from floor. Durant/Westbrook took 37 of Thunder's 43 foul shots- they need to get others involved. Mavericks are 6-0 at home in playoffs, winning by 2-12-8-11-12-9 points. Thunder is 2-4 on road in playoffs, losing by 3-8-12-9 points. Bottom line is this: if Oklahoma City doesn't make Nowitzki pass ball a lot more in this game, they will get beat again- they have no one who can stop him 1-on-1. Like Miami last night, this is an attitude game for the Thunder.
NHL
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Tampa Bay scored five goals in each of first two series games, but had to play 9:50 of Game 2 shorthanded, giving up two goals, as Bruins had 14 of their 35 shots in those 10 minutes. Lightning rallied back from down 6-3 to scare Beantown crowd, but goalie Thomas stopped several golden chances for Lightning goals. In 79:43 when teams have been even so far in series, Bruins have six goals on 50 shots, Tampa Bay has eight goals on 60 shots. Teams split their last eight meetings in this building, with four of last five series meetings going over the total.
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Tampa Bay scored five goals in each of first two series games, but had to play 9:50 of Game 2 shorthanded, giving up two goals, as Bruins had 14 of their 35 shots in those 10 minutes. Lightning rallied back from down 6-3 to scare Beantown crowd, but goalie Thomas stopped several golden chances for Lightning goals. In 79:43 when teams have been even so far in series, Bruins have six goals on 50 shots, Tampa Bay has eight goals on 60 shots. Teams split their last eight meetings in this building, with four of last five series meetings going over the total.
MLB
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Hot pitchers
-- Cueto is 2-0, 2.08 in his first couple starts this year. McDonald is 2-1, 2.86 in his last four starts.
-- Mets are 4-0 when Gee starts (2-0, 4.50).
-- Happ is 2-0, 3.93 in his last three starts.
-- Chacin is 1-0, 3.79 in his last three starts. Blanton is 1-1, 3.38 in his last four outings.
-- Jurrjens is 5-0, 1.87 in six starts this season. Collmenter threw six shutout innings in his first start, at LA.
-- Billingsley has a 2.05 RA in his last three starts, but Dodgers lost all three games, scoring total of two runs. Bumgarner has a 2.88 RA in his last four starts, but Giants lost three of four, scoring seven runs.
-- Ross is 2-0, 1.69 in his last four starts. Blackburn is 1-0, 2.18 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 2-1, 2.52 in five road starts this season. Fister is 2-1, 2.84 in his last five starts overall.
-- Beckett is 3-0, 1.36 in his last seven starts. Verlander is 1-0, 1.57 in his last three starts.
-- Davis is 4-1, 3.16 in his last six starts. Romero is 3-1, 4.00 in his last three outings.
-- Carmona is 2-0, 3.03 in his last four starts.
-- Hochevar is 1-1, 3.26 in his last three starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Hernandez is 0-3, 5.40 in his last three starts; Washington scored one run in those three games.
-- McClellan has a 5.11 RA in his last four starts.
-- Coleman is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts. Volstad is 0-1, 6.35 in his last three outings.
-- Harang is 1-2, 8.46 in his last four starts. Narveson is 1-3, 6.64 in his last four starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-6, 4.70 in his last seven starts. Sabathia is 1-2, 6.86 in his last three starts.
-- Floyd is 1-2, 5.40 in his last three starts.
-- Holland is 0-0, 6.00 in his last four starts.
Totals
-- Nine of Phillies' last twelve games stayed under the total.
-- Cubs' last seven games went over the total.
-- Ten of last thirteen Cincinnati home games went over the total.
-- Mets' last four home games stayed under the total.
-- Cardinals' last six home games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 13-2-3 in last eighteen Arizona games.
-- Six of Milwaukee's last seven road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in Giants' last thirteen games, 8-2-1 in Dodgers' last 11 games.
-- Last four Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Toronto home games went over the total.
-- Last three games at Camden Yards stayed under the total.
-- Five of White Sox' last six home games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last six Texas games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-1-2 in Oakland's last eight games.
-- Seven of Angels' last ten games went over the total.
Hot teams
-- Cincinnati won ten of its last thirteen games.
-- Mets won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Cardinals won six of their last seven home games.
-- Braves won seven of their last ten road games. Arizona won five of its last seven home games.
-- Giants won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Brewers won seven of their last nine games.
-- Oakland is 7-1 in game after its last eight losses.
-- Detroit won seven of its last nine games. Red Sox won eight of their last ten games.
-- Orioles won three of their last four home games, but lost last couple of games overall, both in the last inning.
-- Toronto won six of its last seven games. Tampa Bay won nine of its last thirteen games.
-- White Sox won eight of their last eleven games. Indians won 13 of their last 19 games.
-- Rangers won five of their last seven games.
Cold teams
-- Colorado lost six of its last seven road games. Phillies lost four of their last five games, scoring total of nine runs.
-- Cubs lost six of their last nine games. Florida lost six of its last eight home games.
-- Pirates lost six of their last seven games.
-- Nationals lost four of their last five games.
-- Astros lost nine of their last eleven games.
-- San Diego lost 12 of its last 17 home games.
-- Dodgers lost four of their last five games.
-- Bronx lost six of eight, ten of last fifteen games.
-- Kansas City lost seven of its last nine games.
-- Minnesota lost nine of its last eleven games.
-- Angels lost six of their last seven games. Mariners lost seven of their last nine games.
Umpires
-- Pitt-Cin-- Seven of eight Barry games went over the total.
-- Wsh-NY-- Gonzalez is rookie ump; don't have enough data on him.
-- Hst-StL-- Home team won last six Tichenor games.
-- Colo-Phil-- Favorites won four of last five Rapuano games.
-- Chi-Fla--Underdogs won four of last five Emmel games.
-- Atl-Az-- Over is 4-2-1 in last seven Fairchild games.
-- Mil-SD-- Five of seven BWelke games stayed under the total.
-- SF-LA-- Road team won three of four Reyburn games.
-- Min-A's-- Seven of eight Runge games stayed under the total.
-- LA-Sea-- Five of last six Meals games went over the total.
-- Det-Bos-- Favorites won three of last four Cederstrom games.
-- NY-Balt-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Vanover games.
-- TB-Tor-- Underdogs won four of last five TWelke games.
-- Clev-Chi-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Carlson games.
-- Tex-KC-- Four of last five Muchlinski games stayed under total.
Write-Up
Thursday, May 19
Hot pitchers
-- Cueto is 2-0, 2.08 in his first couple starts this year. McDonald is 2-1, 2.86 in his last four starts.
-- Mets are 4-0 when Gee starts (2-0, 4.50).
-- Happ is 2-0, 3.93 in his last three starts.
-- Chacin is 1-0, 3.79 in his last three starts. Blanton is 1-1, 3.38 in his last four outings.
-- Jurrjens is 5-0, 1.87 in six starts this season. Collmenter threw six shutout innings in his first start, at LA.
-- Billingsley has a 2.05 RA in his last three starts, but Dodgers lost all three games, scoring total of two runs. Bumgarner has a 2.88 RA in his last four starts, but Giants lost three of four, scoring seven runs.
-- Ross is 2-0, 1.69 in his last four starts. Blackburn is 1-0, 2.18 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 2-1, 2.52 in five road starts this season. Fister is 2-1, 2.84 in his last five starts overall.
-- Beckett is 3-0, 1.36 in his last seven starts. Verlander is 1-0, 1.57 in his last three starts.
-- Davis is 4-1, 3.16 in his last six starts. Romero is 3-1, 4.00 in his last three outings.
-- Carmona is 2-0, 3.03 in his last four starts.
-- Hochevar is 1-1, 3.26 in his last three starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Hernandez is 0-3, 5.40 in his last three starts; Washington scored one run in those three games.
-- McClellan has a 5.11 RA in his last four starts.
-- Coleman is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts. Volstad is 0-1, 6.35 in his last three outings.
-- Harang is 1-2, 8.46 in his last four starts. Narveson is 1-3, 6.64 in his last four starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-6, 4.70 in his last seven starts. Sabathia is 1-2, 6.86 in his last three starts.
-- Floyd is 1-2, 5.40 in his last three starts.
-- Holland is 0-0, 6.00 in his last four starts.
Totals
-- Nine of Phillies' last twelve games stayed under the total.
-- Cubs' last seven games went over the total.
-- Ten of last thirteen Cincinnati home games went over the total.
-- Mets' last four home games stayed under the total.
-- Cardinals' last six home games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 13-2-3 in last eighteen Arizona games.
-- Six of Milwaukee's last seven road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in Giants' last thirteen games, 8-2-1 in Dodgers' last 11 games.
-- Last four Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Toronto home games went over the total.
-- Last three games at Camden Yards stayed under the total.
-- Five of White Sox' last six home games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last six Texas games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-1-2 in Oakland's last eight games.
-- Seven of Angels' last ten games went over the total.
Hot teams
-- Cincinnati won ten of its last thirteen games.
-- Mets won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Cardinals won six of their last seven home games.
-- Braves won seven of their last ten road games. Arizona won five of its last seven home games.
-- Giants won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Brewers won seven of their last nine games.
-- Oakland is 7-1 in game after its last eight losses.
-- Detroit won seven of its last nine games. Red Sox won eight of their last ten games.
-- Orioles won three of their last four home games, but lost last couple of games overall, both in the last inning.
-- Toronto won six of its last seven games. Tampa Bay won nine of its last thirteen games.
-- White Sox won eight of their last eleven games. Indians won 13 of their last 19 games.
-- Rangers won five of their last seven games.
Cold teams
-- Colorado lost six of its last seven road games. Phillies lost four of their last five games, scoring total of nine runs.
-- Cubs lost six of their last nine games. Florida lost six of its last eight home games.
-- Pirates lost six of their last seven games.
-- Nationals lost four of their last five games.
-- Astros lost nine of their last eleven games.
-- San Diego lost 12 of its last 17 home games.
-- Dodgers lost four of their last five games.
-- Bronx lost six of eight, ten of last fifteen games.
-- Kansas City lost seven of its last nine games.
-- Minnesota lost nine of its last eleven games.
-- Angels lost six of their last seven games. Mariners lost seven of their last nine games.
Umpires
-- Pitt-Cin-- Seven of eight Barry games went over the total.
-- Wsh-NY-- Gonzalez is rookie ump; don't have enough data on him.
-- Hst-StL-- Home team won last six Tichenor games.
-- Colo-Phil-- Favorites won four of last five Rapuano games.
-- Chi-Fla--Underdogs won four of last five Emmel games.
-- Atl-Az-- Over is 4-2-1 in last seven Fairchild games.
-- Mil-SD-- Five of seven BWelke games stayed under the total.
-- SF-LA-- Road team won three of four Reyburn games.
-- Min-A's-- Seven of eight Runge games stayed under the total.
-- LA-Sea-- Five of last six Meals games went over the total.
-- Det-Bos-- Favorites won three of last four Cederstrom games.
-- NY-Balt-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Vanover games.
-- TB-Tor-- Underdogs won four of last five TWelke games.
-- Clev-Chi-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Carlson games.
-- Tex-KC-- Four of last five Muchlinski games stayed under total.
FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
MLB Baseball Thursday
Play Oakland (-170) over Minnesota (Top Play of the Day)
Starts at 3:30 PM EST
Minnesota has lost 9 of the last 11 games and they have also lost 21 of the last 30 games vs. right-handed starting pitchers. Oakland has won 11 of the last 16 day games and pitcher, Tyson Ross is 2-0 over the last 3 games with an ERA of 2.29.
Play St. Louis (-170) over Houston (Top Play of the Day)
Starts at 1:45 PM EST
St. Louis pitcher, Kyle McClellan has won 5 consecutive games as a favorite of -110 or higher and he has an ERA of 3.62 this season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Play Florida (-160) over Chicago Cubs (Bonus)
MLB Baseball Thursday
Play Oakland (-170) over Minnesota (Top Play of the Day)
Starts at 3:30 PM EST
Minnesota has lost 9 of the last 11 games and they have also lost 21 of the last 30 games vs. right-handed starting pitchers. Oakland has won 11 of the last 16 day games and pitcher, Tyson Ross is 2-0 over the last 3 games with an ERA of 2.29.
Play St. Louis (-170) over Houston (Top Play of the Day)
Starts at 1:45 PM EST
St. Louis pitcher, Kyle McClellan has won 5 consecutive games as a favorite of -110 or higher and he has an ERA of 3.62 this season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Play Florida (-160) over Chicago Cubs (Bonus)
SPORTS WAGERS
Milwaukee –106 over SAN DIEGO
Like a Hollywood actor who is typecast in a particular role, Chris Narveson has become synonymous with the term "swingman" since he was first called up to the majors. He did a respectable job as a starter as a fill-in for the Brewers last year and opened 2011 as the club's 5th starter. His flyball % has continued to drop as his career progresses. Continued progress on that front could go a long way in helping bring his HR/9 rate down. His performance last season was promising, and he's off to a fast start this year. He possesses a solid strikeout rate rate (42 k’s in 45 IP), decent command and an improving GB% (this year it’s 47%). If for no other reasons than those, he's worth watching. By contrast, there’s little to like about Aaron Harang. His ERA at Petco is 4.80 and after a decent start to the year we’ve already begun to see his numbers crumbling. Harang has been hit hard in four straight starts and three of those were at home. Over that span he’s allowed 29 hits and 21 earned runs in 22.1 innings. His profile is tilting towards a stronger fly-ball rate than groundball. The Brewers came in here last night and took the opener 5-2. They’ve now won five of six with the Padres can’t get out of their own way at home. Much better pitcher and offense laying a small price gets the call. Play: Milwaukee –106 (Risking 2 units).
Minnesota +159 over OAKLAND
We all know that the Twins have been about the most fundamentally sound team in baseball over the past many years. This year they’re off to a nightmarish beginning and what that has done is created a nice situation for us dog bettors. The Twins are in no way as bad as their league worst record indicates and that has created a big overlay on the Twins. The poor record is all about runs — they've got the fewest runs scored and the most runs allowed in the AL — each by a large margin and it can’t continue. Ron Gardenhire demands smart baseball and he usually gets it. Nick Blackburn reinvented himself as an extreme groundball pitcher in second half last season and it’s continued well into this season. Blackburn is 1-0 in his last three starts with an ERA of 1.74 and it came against the Jays, Red Sox and White Sox. Pitching against the A’s in Oakland should be a picnic. Tyler Ross is drawing some interest given his 2.50 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. At age 24, he's got both upside and time on his side. But his skill support is lacking. His strikeout rate and command are slightly above average. An 80% strand % has helped him, as has his 3% HR/F. His pitch mix shows that he is attempting to become a three-pitch pitcher. He is throwing a changeup 15% of the time, a pitch he did not throw in relief last season. He remains a young pitcher worth watching, but there's a lot of short-term ERA risk here. The Twins have now won two in a row and no matter how you break it down, they’re simply an undervalued club, especially against teams like the A’s that have to scratch and claw for everything. Play: Minnesota +159 (Risking 2 units).
Milwaukee –106 over SAN DIEGO
Like a Hollywood actor who is typecast in a particular role, Chris Narveson has become synonymous with the term "swingman" since he was first called up to the majors. He did a respectable job as a starter as a fill-in for the Brewers last year and opened 2011 as the club's 5th starter. His flyball % has continued to drop as his career progresses. Continued progress on that front could go a long way in helping bring his HR/9 rate down. His performance last season was promising, and he's off to a fast start this year. He possesses a solid strikeout rate rate (42 k’s in 45 IP), decent command and an improving GB% (this year it’s 47%). If for no other reasons than those, he's worth watching. By contrast, there’s little to like about Aaron Harang. His ERA at Petco is 4.80 and after a decent start to the year we’ve already begun to see his numbers crumbling. Harang has been hit hard in four straight starts and three of those were at home. Over that span he’s allowed 29 hits and 21 earned runs in 22.1 innings. His profile is tilting towards a stronger fly-ball rate than groundball. The Brewers came in here last night and took the opener 5-2. They’ve now won five of six with the Padres can’t get out of their own way at home. Much better pitcher and offense laying a small price gets the call. Play: Milwaukee –106 (Risking 2 units).
Minnesota +159 over OAKLAND
We all know that the Twins have been about the most fundamentally sound team in baseball over the past many years. This year they’re off to a nightmarish beginning and what that has done is created a nice situation for us dog bettors. The Twins are in no way as bad as their league worst record indicates and that has created a big overlay on the Twins. The poor record is all about runs — they've got the fewest runs scored and the most runs allowed in the AL — each by a large margin and it can’t continue. Ron Gardenhire demands smart baseball and he usually gets it. Nick Blackburn reinvented himself as an extreme groundball pitcher in second half last season and it’s continued well into this season. Blackburn is 1-0 in his last three starts with an ERA of 1.74 and it came against the Jays, Red Sox and White Sox. Pitching against the A’s in Oakland should be a picnic. Tyler Ross is drawing some interest given his 2.50 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. At age 24, he's got both upside and time on his side. But his skill support is lacking. His strikeout rate and command are slightly above average. An 80% strand % has helped him, as has his 3% HR/F. His pitch mix shows that he is attempting to become a three-pitch pitcher. He is throwing a changeup 15% of the time, a pitch he did not throw in relief last season. He remains a young pitcher worth watching, but there's a lot of short-term ERA risk here. The Twins have now won two in a row and no matter how you break it down, they’re simply an undervalued club, especially against teams like the A’s that have to scratch and claw for everything. Play: Minnesota +159 (Risking 2 units).
SuperSportsGroup MLB - 5/19
LAA v. Seattle 3:40pm
PICK: Mariners ML +140 Game Hidden Gem
Colorado v. Philadelphia 7:05pm
PICK: Phillies ML +110 Game
Detroit v. Boston 7:05pm
PICK: Detroit ML +117 Game Best bet of the day #1
PICK: OVER 7.5 Game +110
Chicago v. Florida 7;10pm
PICK: OVER 9 Game +105 Best bet of the day #2
LAA v. Seattle 3:40pm
PICK: Mariners ML +140 Game Hidden Gem
Colorado v. Philadelphia 7:05pm
PICK: Phillies ML +110 Game
Detroit v. Boston 7:05pm
PICK: Detroit ML +117 Game Best bet of the day #1
PICK: OVER 7.5 Game +110
Chicago v. Florida 7;10pm
PICK: OVER 9 Game +105 Best bet of the day #2
Richie Carrera
Oklahoma City +5.5 over DALLAS 10 Dimes
Last game was certainly the Dirkshow... No question about it, this guy is on a warpath to the NBA finals. Regardless, I just can envision him knocking down 12 of 15 for 48 again. Ultimately, I do believe that he wills them to the finals, but I think the next 3-6 games are going to be very close and very hard fought. For as much as OKC may not have an answer for Dirk, Dallas definitely has no answer for Westbrook. He went 3/15 from the field and that just won't happen again. Kidd did a nice job using all of the veteran tactics that he has come to know, but sooner or later Westbrook will take advantage.
Oklahoma City +5.5 over DALLAS 10 Dimes
Last game was certainly the Dirkshow... No question about it, this guy is on a warpath to the NBA finals. Regardless, I just can envision him knocking down 12 of 15 for 48 again. Ultimately, I do believe that he wills them to the finals, but I think the next 3-6 games are going to be very close and very hard fought. For as much as OKC may not have an answer for Dirk, Dallas definitely has no answer for Westbrook. He went 3/15 from the field and that just won't happen again. Kidd did a nice job using all of the veteran tactics that he has come to know, but sooner or later Westbrook will take advantage.
