The Duke's Sports
Boston (+7') for 2.5 Units
The Ziz-Zag Theory has struck a chord here with each team alternating wins and losses; however, we have enough leverage with the Celtics here to break the trend. The Celtics are 11-4-1 ATS as a playoff dog and 24-11 ATS as a road dog in this spread range. The Cavaliers have not stopped Rondo in this series consequently, they'll pick their spots to have LeBron James attempt to slow him down however, that will surely leave a window for Pierce, who has been smothered by James, to start heating up Cleveland is a mere 3-7 ATS as a home favorite and has not covered in their last 5 attempts on 1 day of rest. Celtics the call.
Boston (+7') for 2.5 Units
The Ziz-Zag Theory has struck a chord here with each team alternating wins and losses; however, we have enough leverage with the Celtics here to break the trend. The Celtics are 11-4-1 ATS as a playoff dog and 24-11 ATS as a road dog in this spread range. The Cavaliers have not stopped Rondo in this series consequently, they'll pick their spots to have LeBron James attempt to slow him down however, that will surely leave a window for Pierce, who has been smothered by James, to start heating up Cleveland is a mere 3-7 ATS as a home favorite and has not covered in their last 5 attempts on 1 day of rest. Celtics the call.
jeff benton tuesday
1-0 yesterday..winner on the magic for 15 dimes..overall, 34-40-3 MINUS 30 dimes.
Monday's Winner 15 Dime: MINNESOTA TWINS on the run line (-1 1/2 runs)
NOTE: List Kevin Slowey (Minnesota) and Freddy Garcia (Chicago) as the starting pitchers. If either does NOT start, this play is VOID!
Twins (-1½ runs)
The Minnesota Twins sure have taken a liking to their new stadium, christening Target Field with 11 wins in the first 16 games. Of those 11 wins, eight have been by multiple runs, as Minnesota has outscored its visitors 83-56, and the Twins are batting a cool .274 at home with a 3.50 team ERA. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost nine of 13 road games, they’re hitting just .233 on the highway (which is actually better than their .228 overall average) and their pitching staff has recorded a 5.56 ERA on foreign mounds.
The biggest problem for Chicago on the road has been starting pitching, with the staff posting a whopping 6.62 ERA. Tonight’s starter, Freddy Garcia, has done his part to contribute to that ugly number, as in two road starts he’s given up 11 runs on 13 hits and five walks in nine innings. Not surprisingly the Sox lost both games in convincing fashion (6-4 at the Yankees; 7-3 at Toronto).
As for Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey, he’s been effective if not spectacular. He’s only gotten out of the sixth inning once in six starts, but he’s given up three runs or fewer in five of those contests, and the Twins are 4-2 overall when Slowey takes the mound (three of those four wins by more than a run). The right-hander has also enjoyed pitching at Target Field, posting a 3.38 ERA in three starts.
Finally, hard to ignore the fact that the Twins (21-11) are already up 7½ games on the White Sox (13-19) in the A.L. Central standings … just as it’s hard to ignore the way Minnesota has owned Chicago lately, taking 13 of the last 16 meetings (including two of three on the South Side in the first week of this season). And in the final 28 meetings at the Metrodome the past two seasons, the White Sox went 7-21.
Furthermore, Chicago has dropped 25 of 35 as a road underdog and eight of 11 within the division, while the Twins are on runs of 38-18 overall since last September, 21-7 at home, 82-36 as a home favorite, 24-9 against losing teams, 36-15 versus the A.L. Central, 21-6 when beginning a series, 20-7 when Slowey pitches at home and 21-6 when Slowey is a home favorite.
Throw in the fact the Twins have a HUGE edge in the bullpen – their 2.86 ERA is fourth-best in the majors; Chicago’s 4.30 ERA ranks 19th – and this is an easy call. Look for a 7-2 Minnesota victory.
1-0 yesterday..winner on the magic for 15 dimes..overall, 34-40-3 MINUS 30 dimes.
Monday's Winner 15 Dime: MINNESOTA TWINS on the run line (-1 1/2 runs)
NOTE: List Kevin Slowey (Minnesota) and Freddy Garcia (Chicago) as the starting pitchers. If either does NOT start, this play is VOID!
Twins (-1½ runs)
The Minnesota Twins sure have taken a liking to their new stadium, christening Target Field with 11 wins in the first 16 games. Of those 11 wins, eight have been by multiple runs, as Minnesota has outscored its visitors 83-56, and the Twins are batting a cool .274 at home with a 3.50 team ERA. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost nine of 13 road games, they’re hitting just .233 on the highway (which is actually better than their .228 overall average) and their pitching staff has recorded a 5.56 ERA on foreign mounds.
The biggest problem for Chicago on the road has been starting pitching, with the staff posting a whopping 6.62 ERA. Tonight’s starter, Freddy Garcia, has done his part to contribute to that ugly number, as in two road starts he’s given up 11 runs on 13 hits and five walks in nine innings. Not surprisingly the Sox lost both games in convincing fashion (6-4 at the Yankees; 7-3 at Toronto).
As for Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey, he’s been effective if not spectacular. He’s only gotten out of the sixth inning once in six starts, but he’s given up three runs or fewer in five of those contests, and the Twins are 4-2 overall when Slowey takes the mound (three of those four wins by more than a run). The right-hander has also enjoyed pitching at Target Field, posting a 3.38 ERA in three starts.
Finally, hard to ignore the fact that the Twins (21-11) are already up 7½ games on the White Sox (13-19) in the A.L. Central standings … just as it’s hard to ignore the way Minnesota has owned Chicago lately, taking 13 of the last 16 meetings (including two of three on the South Side in the first week of this season). And in the final 28 meetings at the Metrodome the past two seasons, the White Sox went 7-21.
Furthermore, Chicago has dropped 25 of 35 as a road underdog and eight of 11 within the division, while the Twins are on runs of 38-18 overall since last September, 21-7 at home, 82-36 as a home favorite, 24-9 against losing teams, 36-15 versus the A.L. Central, 21-6 when beginning a series, 20-7 when Slowey pitches at home and 21-6 when Slowey is a home favorite.
Throw in the fact the Twins have a HUGE edge in the bullpen – their 2.86 ERA is fourth-best in the majors; Chicago’s 4.30 ERA ranks 19th – and this is an easy call. Look for a 7-2 Minnesota victory.
Johnny Guild
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 8:05 PM EST.
Boston Celtics (56-35) at Cleveland Cavaliers (67-24)
The Cavaliers have the edge tonight back at home and should take a close contest, but the eager Celtics and guard Rajon Rondo will be fired up. Rondo has played superbly, causing mayhem for the Cavaliers, while Lebron James has played below par. It could possibly be Lebron’s elbow is hurting.
Take the points! The Dog in this series has covered the spread in four of the last five clashes.
Boston Celtics +7.5
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 8:05 PM EST.
Boston Celtics (56-35) at Cleveland Cavaliers (67-24)
The Cavaliers have the edge tonight back at home and should take a close contest, but the eager Celtics and guard Rajon Rondo will be fired up. Rondo has played superbly, causing mayhem for the Cavaliers, while Lebron James has played below par. It could possibly be Lebron’s elbow is hurting.
Take the points! The Dog in this series has covered the spread in four of the last five clashes.
Boston Celtics +7.5
thank you big time..
