Wunderdog Sports Bonus Play
Game: San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat
Time: Thursday 06/12 9:00 PM Eastern
Pick: First Half – UNDER 97.5 (-105)
San Antonio was scorching hot in game three, as they cruised to an easy win. Things are likely to be quite different tonight. The Heat have an in-depth understanding of what wins playoffs games, and that is defense. No team over the last 14 Heat playoffs losses have topped the 100-point mark against them, and there is a huge difference when they are off a loss vs. off a win in this time period. The Heat allow 46.4% shooting after a win, but just 43.5% after a loss, so the focus coming out of the gate will be on the defensive end, which has been their playoffs protocol after a loss. The Spurs are a savvy veteran team with a very good coach, and they know that they are going to have to come out and match the defensive intensity of the Heat early. This game should be played strong on the defensive end early – before a free-throw contest turns a low-scoring game into a higher scoring game late. Respect the early defense and play the first half UNDER the total.
Game: San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat
Time: Thursday 06/12 9:00 PM Eastern
Pick: First Half – UNDER 97.5 (-105)
San Antonio was scorching hot in game three, as they cruised to an easy win. Things are likely to be quite different tonight. The Heat have an in-depth understanding of what wins playoffs games, and that is defense. No team over the last 14 Heat playoffs losses have topped the 100-point mark against them, and there is a huge difference when they are off a loss vs. off a win in this time period. The Heat allow 46.4% shooting after a win, but just 43.5% after a loss, so the focus coming out of the gate will be on the defensive end, which has been their playoffs protocol after a loss. The Spurs are a savvy veteran team with a very good coach, and they know that they are going to have to come out and match the defensive intensity of the Heat early. This game should be played strong on the defensive end early – before a free-throw contest turns a low-scoring game into a higher scoring game late. Respect the early defense and play the first half UNDER the total.
Wunderdog Sports Bonus Play
Game: Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox
Time: Thursday 06/12 8:10 PM Eastern
Pick: Game Total UNDER 7 (+100)
This should be an interesting game as the upstart Chicago White Sox, a team that lost 99 games a year ago, trail the Tigers by just 2.5 games in the AL Central. Chris Sale has become one of the top pitchers in MLB, and has yet to lose at 5-0 with an ERA of 2.06. The White Sox will have to face Max Scherzer, who is 7-2 with a 3.38 ERA, and both pitchers have the stuff to dominate any lineup, so runs should be hard to come by. Scherzer owns a 2.57 ERA vs. the Sox, and Sale posts a 3.00 ERA vs. the Tigers, and both are capable of going deep into the game. The Tigers’ offense has produced 3 or fewer runs in 7 of their last 10 games. Scherzer is 11-3-1 to the UNDER in his last 15 road starts, and Chicago is now 11-3 to the UNDER in their last 14 to a total of 7 to 8.5. This one finishes UNDER.
Game: Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox
Time: Thursday 06/12 8:10 PM Eastern
Pick: Game Total UNDER 7 (+100)
This should be an interesting game as the upstart Chicago White Sox, a team that lost 99 games a year ago, trail the Tigers by just 2.5 games in the AL Central. Chris Sale has become one of the top pitchers in MLB, and has yet to lose at 5-0 with an ERA of 2.06. The White Sox will have to face Max Scherzer, who is 7-2 with a 3.38 ERA, and both pitchers have the stuff to dominate any lineup, so runs should be hard to come by. Scherzer owns a 2.57 ERA vs. the Sox, and Sale posts a 3.00 ERA vs. the Tigers, and both are capable of going deep into the game. The Tigers’ offense has produced 3 or fewer runs in 7 of their last 10 games. Scherzer is 11-3-1 to the UNDER in his last 15 road starts, and Chicago is now 11-3 to the UNDER in their last 14 to a total of 7 to 8.5. This one finishes UNDER.
EZWINNERS
1 STAR SELECTION: (951) Los Angeles Dodgers -$140
(Risking $140 to win $100)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (965) Cleveland Indians +$132
(Risking $100 to win $132)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (967) Detroit Tigers -$105
(Risking $105 to win $100)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (969) New York Yankees +$100
(Risking $100 to win $100)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (951) Los Angeles Dodgers -$140
(Risking $140 to win $100)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (965) Cleveland Indians +$132
(Risking $100 to win $132)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (967) Detroit Tigers -$105
(Risking $105 to win $100)
(Action)
1 STAR SELECTION: (969) New York Yankees +$100
(Risking $100 to win $100)
(Action)
SPORTS WAGERS
PHILADELPHIA -109 over San Diego
The Padres have scored 14 runs over their past nine games and just two runs over their past three games, which includes the last two games at Citizens Bank Park. Over that nine-game stretch, San Diego is batting .155, they’ve struck out 97 times and they have a measly 19 extra base hits in 272 plate appearances. The Padres have two wins over their past nine games and one of those victories occurred when they had one hit in a game against Pittsburgh (a bunt single, no less) and won, 3-2. To win today, the Padres are going to have to score quite a few because Eric Stults has very little chance of success. At 34-years-old, Stults’ is the epitome of a lefty soft-tosser. His four-pitch mix makes up for his weak 87-mph fastball but it's his pinpoint control (13 BB in 65 IP) that allows him to keep his job for now. One thing you can count on is that Stults will get into a bunch of jams every game and give the opposition plenty of opportunities to score. In 13 starts, he has a 1.55 WHIP, a 4.65 xERA (5.68 actual ERA), 34 K’s (in 65 IP) and a weak 6% swing and miss rate.
Kyle Kendrick is 1-6 with an ERA of 4.30 after 12 starts. Kendrick teased us with a couple of decent years and a nice uptick in strikeouts in 2012 but there's not much upside in this skill set except that he can take the ball every fifth day. In the end, the weak strikeout numbers, middling xERA and his disaster risk all make Kendrick at best an innings eater. Thing is, the Padres are going so bad right now that they have a great chance of making Kendrick look good. Without an advantage on the hill, which they do not have here, the Padres are a great fade spotting less than a dime.
Croatia +1156 over Brazil
From a rhetorical standpoint taking Croatia to beat Brazil in the opening game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is exceptionally enticing because the tag on the Croatians is enormous. The next question would be whether or not an upset is possible. Croatia is team that has been to the big dance. In 1998, they finished in third place when France hosted the World Cup. In their next two qualifications in 2002 and 2006, the Blazers would be relegated from their tournament at the conclusion of the group stage, failing to accumulate enough points to advance.
Brazil will undoubtedly have wonderful momentum entering their opening match. The number three team in the world is eager to defend their home pitch, as their country plays host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil is seeking redemption from an early exit in 2010 and would relish the opportunity to secure another golden trophy in its own backyard. However, Croatia has played in big games before and they are certainly battle tested. They managed to draw with the sixth-ranked Switzerland and thirteenth-ranked Belgium. This team thumped South Korea on two separate occasions and they were a contender in the 2012 European Championship.
An upset here is unlikely but it is not inconceivable. This fixture along with the Mexico/Brazil fixture are both attractive betting options. The upside of the reward is substantial and Croatia is certainly capable of being a pest and hanging around. Ask Portugal who narrowly defeated Croatia by one solitary goal in 2013. We've seen the hosts of big events struggle many times in the past as big favorites because the pressure to perform is huge (see Russia's hockey team at these years Winter Olympics, among others) and it would come as no big suprise to us if the Brazilians suffered a similar fate.
PHILADELPHIA -109 over San Diego
The Padres have scored 14 runs over their past nine games and just two runs over their past three games, which includes the last two games at Citizens Bank Park. Over that nine-game stretch, San Diego is batting .155, they’ve struck out 97 times and they have a measly 19 extra base hits in 272 plate appearances. The Padres have two wins over their past nine games and one of those victories occurred when they had one hit in a game against Pittsburgh (a bunt single, no less) and won, 3-2. To win today, the Padres are going to have to score quite a few because Eric Stults has very little chance of success. At 34-years-old, Stults’ is the epitome of a lefty soft-tosser. His four-pitch mix makes up for his weak 87-mph fastball but it's his pinpoint control (13 BB in 65 IP) that allows him to keep his job for now. One thing you can count on is that Stults will get into a bunch of jams every game and give the opposition plenty of opportunities to score. In 13 starts, he has a 1.55 WHIP, a 4.65 xERA (5.68 actual ERA), 34 K’s (in 65 IP) and a weak 6% swing and miss rate.
Kyle Kendrick is 1-6 with an ERA of 4.30 after 12 starts. Kendrick teased us with a couple of decent years and a nice uptick in strikeouts in 2012 but there's not much upside in this skill set except that he can take the ball every fifth day. In the end, the weak strikeout numbers, middling xERA and his disaster risk all make Kendrick at best an innings eater. Thing is, the Padres are going so bad right now that they have a great chance of making Kendrick look good. Without an advantage on the hill, which they do not have here, the Padres are a great fade spotting less than a dime.
Croatia +1156 over Brazil
From a rhetorical standpoint taking Croatia to beat Brazil in the opening game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is exceptionally enticing because the tag on the Croatians is enormous. The next question would be whether or not an upset is possible. Croatia is team that has been to the big dance. In 1998, they finished in third place when France hosted the World Cup. In their next two qualifications in 2002 and 2006, the Blazers would be relegated from their tournament at the conclusion of the group stage, failing to accumulate enough points to advance.
Brazil will undoubtedly have wonderful momentum entering their opening match. The number three team in the world is eager to defend their home pitch, as their country plays host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil is seeking redemption from an early exit in 2010 and would relish the opportunity to secure another golden trophy in its own backyard. However, Croatia has played in big games before and they are certainly battle tested. They managed to draw with the sixth-ranked Switzerland and thirteenth-ranked Belgium. This team thumped South Korea on two separate occasions and they were a contender in the 2012 European Championship.
An upset here is unlikely but it is not inconceivable. This fixture along with the Mexico/Brazil fixture are both attractive betting options. The upside of the reward is substantial and Croatia is certainly capable of being a pest and hanging around. Ask Portugal who narrowly defeated Croatia by one solitary goal in 2013. We've seen the hosts of big events struggle many times in the past as big favorites because the pressure to perform is huge (see Russia's hockey team at these years Winter Olympics, among others) and it would come as no big suprise to us if the Brazilians suffered a similar fate.
NonStopSportsPicks
2* Rockies/Braves Under 10
Some books have already dropped to 9.5, some are at 10-115, so I just said 10, -120. Getaway day here & I like Santana & Chacin to keep this one LOW scoring. We also have the possibility of rain and higher humidity today, which will help keep the ball in play. The Braves SUCK at scoring more than not, and even at Coors we’ll take the UNDER here as I think it’s about a FULL run off from what the total SHOULD be.
I also wanted to have the Phillies +100 on the card for 2*, but with it being 15 minutes from first pitch, I can’t make it an “official” play as some can’t get down. I am…and anyone who gets this can as well.
2* Rockies/Braves Under 10
Some books have already dropped to 9.5, some are at 10-115, so I just said 10, -120. Getaway day here & I like Santana & Chacin to keep this one LOW scoring. We also have the possibility of rain and higher humidity today, which will help keep the ball in play. The Braves SUCK at scoring more than not, and even at Coors we’ll take the UNDER here as I think it’s about a FULL run off from what the total SHOULD be.
I also wanted to have the Phillies +100 on the card for 2*, but with it being 15 minutes from first pitch, I can’t make it an “official” play as some can’t get down. I am…and anyone who gets this can as well.
