Service Plays Tuesday 5/27/14

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA Basketball Picks

Seattle at New York

The Liberty host Seattle tonight and come into the contest with a 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games versus the Storm. New York is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Liberty favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: New York (-5 1/2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 27 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 601-602: Seattle at New York (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 107.287; New York 119.134 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 12; 145 Vegas Line & Total: New York by 5 1/2; 140 Dunkel Pick: New York (-5 1/2); Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

RIVER CITY SHARPS

The Rays are starting to play better baseball and have won four of five games coming into this pitchers duel tonight. The Rays will send out Alex Cobb (1-1, 1.40 ERA) against the Blue Jays ace Mark Buehrle (8-1, 2.16) We realize that we are going “against the grain” in playing against the ace at home at a reasonable price, but we really like this Cobb kid and think you will get a solid performance from him tonight. He has had pretty good success vs. the Blue Jays, going 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA against Toronto lifetime. Buehrle has been really solid all year for the Jays, but the Rays do have several guys (Longoria most notably) that have enjoyed pretty good success over him for their career. An interesting trend line in this game is that the Rays are 6-0 in Cobbs last six starts against teams with a winning record. The value in this one clearly lies with the road dog, which is where we look tonight. The Sharps say…

3 UNITS – TAMPA BAY RAYS (+110)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Tuesday, May 27

Road team won three of first four series games, with last two going to OT; Rangers are 6-3 on road in playoffs, allowing total of five goals while winning last four on foreign ice. Montreal is 8-5 in last 13 series games, but needs win here to keep series alive; they're 9-6 in the playoffs, 4-3 at home, losing three of last four home games. Rangers are 32-18 on road for season; under is 6-3-3 in their last twelve games- they had twice as many penalty minutes in Game 4, but also had a shorthanded goal. Over is 43-26-14 in playoffs, 4-2-2 this round.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Tuesday, May 27

Early Tuesday forecasts are calling for scattered thunderstorms heading to the East Coast, stretching to the Midwest and putting the status of some ball games in jeopardy.

Five Major League Baseball matchups could be affected by the inclement weather. Those games (with current odds) are Miami at Washington (Nationals -114), Colorado at Philadelphia (Phillies -119), Pittsburgh at New York Mets (Mets -114), Cleveland at Chicago White Sox (White Sox -161) and Texas at Minnesota (Rangers -148).

New York versus Pittsburgh looks to be the most vulnerable since it's projected Citi Field will see thundershowers all day with a 60 percent chance of precipitation at gametime.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Tuesday, May 27

Oklahoma City got big man Ibaka back in Game 3, Spurs shot 39.6% in a Thunder win; OC has now won 11 of last 15 games with San Antonio, is 8-0 in last eight series games played here. Thunder was +16 on boards in Game 3; Spurs are 28-67 from arc in series, +11 in turnovers. Eight of last eleven series games stayed under total. Thunder is 5-3 at home in playoffs. Spurs are 4-3 on road in playoffs. One guy makes a difference; Spurs shot 58%/50% in first two series games. Home team covered six of seven games in this round of playoffs so far.

Over is 46-33 in playoffs this season, 4-3 in this round..
Favorites are 30-49 in playoffs this season, 6-1 in this round.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PHILLY GODFATHER

Under 5 – rangers vs canadians

 

[bettenguy]

Hondo made a change of direction Monday when he rolled with the Rangers against the Twins to lower the accounts payable to a still obese 1,190 armases.

Tuesday: Mr. Aitch sure as shootin’ will go with Scherzer to shove him closer to the black against Gray and the A’s — 10 units. Also, he will play the Chisox to batter Masterson for the sale price of 10 units.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Paul Leiner

100* Over 7 – Redsox vs Braves
100* Angels -135
50* Rangers -145

 

[bettenguy]

Hondo made a change of direction Monday when he rolled with the Rangers against the Twins to lower the accounts payable to a still obese 1,190 armases.

Tuesday: Mr. Aitch sure as shootin’ will go with Scherzer to shove him closer to the black against Gray and the A’s — 10 units. Also, he will play the Chisox to batter Masterson for the sale price of 10 units.

 

[cracy]

STATSYSTEMS SPORTS NL PITCHING REPORT
TUESDAY, MAY 27TH 2014
INFORMATION WORTH BETTING ON EACH DAY
_______________________________________

#951 MIAMI @ #952 WASHINGTON - 7:05 PM
•Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 3.21 ERA, WHIP: 1.362) - Alvarez has been up and down all season, gaining his only two victories with shutouts and failing to get a decision in his last outing despite tossing seven scoreless frames. The Venezuela native also yielded four or more runs in three of his last five starts. Alvarez lost to Washington on April 8 - giving up three runs (one earned) over 5 2/3 innings - and is 0-3 versus the Nationals with a 3.81 ERA in five starts overall.

--KEY STAT: ALVAREZ is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was ALVAREZ 2.4, OPPONENT 2.8.

--ALVAREZ is 10-0 against the run line (+10.0 Units) in road games versus National League teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was ALVAREZ 3.3, OPPONENT 3.2.

•Nationals RH Blake Treinen (0-2, 1.56 ERA, WHIP: 1.676) - Treinen lost in his first two major-league starts while allowing five runs (two earned) in 10 2/3 innings and he walked five in his last outing at Pittsburgh. The University of South Dakota product gave up two hits in two scoreless innings against Miami on April 14. Treinen, who was originally drafted by Miami in 2010 but did not sign, compiled a 2-0 record and 1.96 ERA in six starts with Triple-A Syracuse earlier this year.

#953 COLORADO @ #954 PHILADELPHIA - 7:05 PM
•Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (5-3, 3.91 ERA, WHIP: 1.151) - De La Rosa did not allow a hit against San Francisco in his last outing, which was cut short after three innings because of a rain delay, and has yielded only one in his last two starts. The 33-year-old Mexican, who took a no-hitter into the seventh frame of his previous turn - a 3-1 victory over San Diego on May 16, has recorded a 1.85 ERA in his last six outings. De La Rosa is 1-4 with a 6.42 ERA in eight games against Phillies, with the victory coming in their last meeting on Aug. 20.

--KEY STAT: DE LA ROSA is 28-9 (+18.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 6.6, OPPONENT 4.6.

--DE LA ROSA is 19-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line versus National League teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 4.8, OPPONENT 3.5.

--DE LA ROSA is 21-9 (+12.5 Units) against the money line versus an National League team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 4.9, OPPONENT 3.6.

--DE LA ROSA is 14-4 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 5.6, OPPONENT 4.1.

--DE LA ROSA is 8-0 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 6.0, OPPONENT 2.4.

--DE LA ROSA is 17-0 (+18.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was DE LA ROSA 6.1, OPPONENT 3.3.

•Phillies LH Cole Hamels (1-2, 4.30 ERA, WHIP: 1.407) - Hamels yielded three runs and six hits while striking out six in seven innings and was not tagged with the loss in a 4-3 setback at Miami on Thursday. The 30-year-old San Diego native is 1-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last three turns after going 0-2, 7.02 in his first three starts. Colorado's active roster is batting .193 against Hamels, who is 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven starts versus the Rockies - 2-0, 1.96 in three turns at home, with Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer a combined 1-for-20.

--KEY STAT: HAMELS is 4-19 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HAMELS 3.5, OPPONENT 4.5.

--HAMELS is 1-9 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HAMELS 3.6, OPPONENT 4.9.

--HAMELS is 8-18 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HAMELS 3.3, OPPONENT 3.6.

#955 PITTSBURGH @ #956 NY METS - 7:10 PM
•Pirates RH Edinson Volquez (2-4, 4.37 ERA, WHIP: 1.131) - Volquez is coming off one of his best outings of the season, limiting Washington to one run on three hits over six innings to snap a five-start winless drought. It was a needed bounce-back effort for Volquez, who had yielded 20 runs in his previous four turns after giving up a combined seven runs in his first five appearances. Volquez is 1-5 with a 7.11 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets, including an 0-3 mark at Citi Field.

--KEY STAT: VOLQUEZ is 13-3 (+12.0 Units) against the money line versus an National League team with a team batting average of .255 or worse over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was VOLQUEZ 5.4, OPPONENT 3.4.

--VOLQUEZ is 18-6 (+15.0 Units) against the money line versus an National League team with an on base percentage .315 or worse over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was VOLQUEZ 4.7, OPPONENT 3.4.

•Mets LH Jonathon Niese (3-3, 2.70 ERA, WHIP: 1.165) - Niese was tossing a gem last time out before surrendering a two-run homer in the seventh inning, but still earned the win over the Los Angeles Dodgers with three runs and four hits allowed in seven frames. Niese has yet to allow more than three earned runs and has pitched at least six innings in seven of nine outings. Niese has made four starts versus Pittsburgh, posting a 2-1 mark and 4.70 ERA

--KEY STAT: NIESE is 18-5 OVER (+12.6 Units) in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was NIESE 4.6, OPPONENT 5.5.

#957 SAN DIEGO @ #958 ARIZONA - 9:40 PM
•Padres LH Eric Stults (2-5, 4.97 ERA, WHIP: 1.539) - Stults has lost back-to-back decisions and has just one victory in his last six starts. He has exhibited great control with eight walks in 50 2/3 innings but has been tagged for 70 hits, including nine homers. Stults is 5-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) against Arizona.

--KEY STAT: STULTS is 24-15 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was STULTS 3.9, OPPONENT 3.6.

--STULTS is 13-3 UNDER (+9.7 Units) as a road underdog of +100 to +150 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was STULTS 2.5, OPPONENT 4.1.

•Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (3-5, 4.85 ERA, WHIP: 1.296) - Miley traditionally struggles against the Padres and possesses a 1-6 record and 5.09 ERA in 10 career starts against them. He received a no-decision against San Diego on May 4 when he allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings. Miley has lost back-to-back outings and has won just once in his last eight starts.

--KEY STAT: MILEY is 26-12 against the run line (+15.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was MILEY 5.0, OPPONENT 3.9.

--MILEY is 14-3 against the run line (+12.1 Units) versus National League teams scoring 3.8 or less runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was MILEY 4.2, OPPONENT 3.1.

#959 CINCINNATI @ #960 LA DODGERS - 10:10 PM
•Reds RH Alfredo Simon (6-2, 2.31 ERA, WHIP: 1.011) - Simon remained dominant away from home, permitting one run on five hits while striking out six over seven innings in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. The 33-year-old Dominican has limited opponents to two runs or fewer in seven of his nine turns and struck out 14 over his last two starts after failing to record one over his previous two outings combined. Simon’s only two career appearances versus the Dodgers came in relief last season, when he gave up a run over 2 1/3 innings.

--KEY STAT: SIMON is 8-0 (+8.7 Units) against the money line versus teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game this season. (Team's Record)
The average score was SIMON 3.4, OPPONENT 1.4.

--SIMON is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) versus an National League team with an on base percentage .325 or worse this season. (Team's Record)
The average score was SIMON 3.4, OPPONENT 1.4.

--SIMON is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) versus teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game this season. (Team's Record)
The average score was SIMON 3.4, OPPONENT 1.4.

•Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (7-1, 2.01 ERA, WHIP: 1.114) - Although he was affected by two errors, Greinke needed 101 pitches to record 15 outs and did not factor into the decision following Thursday’s 5-3 setback against the New York Mets. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, who yielded three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks, ranks second in the National League in wins and fifth in ERA. Greinke has enjoyed most of his eight career starts against Cincinnati, compiling a 4-1 record and 2.62 ERA.

--KEY STAT: GREINKE is 20-3 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in home games versus an National League team with a team batting average of .250 or worse since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was GREINKE 5.6, OPPONENT 3.5.

--GREINKE is 46-13 (+27.8 Units) against the money line in home games versus teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was GREINKE 5.1, OPPONENT 3.7.

--GREINKE is 17-3 (+13.4 Units) against the money line versus poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was GREINKE 4.2, OPPONENT 2.3.

--GREINKE is 18-3 (+14.4 Units) against the money line versus National League teams scoring 3.8 or less runs/game on the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was GREINKE 4.3, OPPONENT 2.4.

--GREINKE is 19-2 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in home games versus an National League team with an on base percentage .315 or worse since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was GREINKE 5.0, OPPONENT 2.6.

#961 CHICAGO CUBS @ #962 SAN FRANCISCO - 10:15 PM
•Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (1-0, 2.33 ERA, WHIP: 1.552) - Arrieta earned his first win last Thursday against San Diego, allowing one run over six innings and impressing Padres catcher Nick Hundley, who later was traded to Baltimore. “I faced him in 2010 and he’s a completely different pitcher now,” Hundley told MLB.com. “He has a good, hard cutter and backed it up with a fastball.” The 28-year-old Arrieta yielded one run over seven frames in his only previous start against the Giants on June 15, 2010.

--KEY STAT: ARRIETA is 32-16 OVER (+15.4 Units) in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
The average score was ARRIETA 5.5, OPPONENT 5.3.

•Giants RH Tim Hudson (4-2, 2.13 ERA, WHIP: 0.885) - Hudson returned on Thursday after missing one start due to a strained left hip and threw just three innings before a rain delay in Colorado forced his early exit. Chris Coghlan is 8-for-17 against the 38-year-old, who is 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs. Hudson, who has logged seven-plus frames in seven of his nine outings this season, owns a 1.33 ERA in his last three outings versus Chicago.

--KEY STAT: HUDSON is 9-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in home games versus an national League team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 5.9, OPPONENT 2.6.

--HUDSON is 10-0 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in home games versus teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 5.8, OPPONENT 2.7.

--HUDSON is 12-0 (+12.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -110 or higher over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 5.7, OPPONENT 2.7.

--HUDSON is 13-0 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 5.8, OPPONENT 2.8.

--HUDSON is 12-0 (+12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7.5 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 5.8, OPPONENT 2.8.

--HUDSON is 17-5 UNDER (+11.3 Units) versus teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was HUDSON 3.3, OPPONENT 2.7.
________________________________________________

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Shuttlesworth

Oakland Athletics -112 Triple Star

Philadelphia Phillies -120 Triple Star

Washington Nationals -115 2 Units

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

EZWINNERS

2* Pirates -105

2* Red Sox -103

2* Tigers +105

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Soccer Play

vip-picks

ABC - Oeste
Tip: ABC -0.5, 1
Odds: 1,90

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Spurs look to rebound

San Antonio Spurs (72-25) at Oklahoma City Thunder (68-30)

Line and Total: Oklahoma City -3, Total: 207.5

After an important win in Game 3 of this series, the Thunder look to even the series at two games apiece when playing at home Tuesday night against the Spurs.

The return of PF Serge Ibaka to the Oklahoma City lineup certainly gave the team a big boost in a crucial 106-97 win as 2.5-point favorites on Sunday night. The defense was very impressive as San Antonio was held to just 39.6% FG in the game after it had shot 53.8% FG over the first two contests of this series. Ibaka’s presence was certainly felt, as he helped the Thunder out-rebound the Spurs 52-38 while also getting 10 blocks compared to just two by the Spurs. Both SF Kevin Durant and PG Russell Westbrook went 8-for-19 from the field for Oklahoma City while combining to score 51 points in the game. SG Manu Ginobili scored a team-high 23 points for San Antonio, as PF Tim Duncan and SF Kawhi Leonard were the only other players that reached double-digits.

Even with Sunday's loss, the Spurs are still 32-15 SU (26-21 ATS) when playing in road games while the Thunder are an impressive 39-10 SU (27-21-1 ATS) at home. Even after losing the first two games of this series, Oklahoma City is still 5-2 (SU and ATS) in this matchup this season and is 12-8 SU (13-6-1 ATS) in all meetings over the past three seasons, which includes a stellar 9-1 mark (SU and ATS) when hosting San Antonio.

But the Spurs don't usually lose twice in a row, going 20-4 SU (14-10 ATS) when following an SU loss this season, and they are also excellent with less than two days' rest, going 57-19 SU (43-33 ATS) in this scenario.

However, the Thunder are an outstanding 14-4 ATS versus very good teams (6+ PPG margin) this season and 17-5 ATS at home versus teams that force 14 or less turnovers per game in the second half over the past two seasons.

With Ibaka making his way back to the lineup, neither team has any significant injuries going into Game 4.

The Spurs have been impressive once again in these playoffs and are scoring 106.5 PPG on 49% FG (40% threes) so far in the postseason, which has improved to 110.3 PPG on 49% FG (42% threes) in the Western Conference Finals. Their defense has been stellar as well, allowing opponents to score just 98.2 PPG on 44% FG (34% threes), including 96.0 PPG on 44% FG (29% threes) this series.

PG Tony Parker (15.0 PPG, 7.0 APG in series) had just nine points (4-of-13 FG) in Sunday’s loss while having as many turnovers as assists (four). He did not get to the free-throw line in the contest and has attempted only five fould shots in his past four games combined.

PF Tim Duncan (19.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG in series) had 16 points and eight rebounds in Game 3, and has made 11-of-12 free throws in this series so far. He has not been efficient from the floor over the past two games though, making only 12-of-29 (41%) from the field.

SG Manu Ginobili (17.3 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG in series) had his best game of this series on Sunday, scoring a team-high 23 points while draining 6-of-9 three-pointers and dishing out four assists. He has yet to miss a free-throw in this series (8-for-8) while making 17-of-29 shots (59%), including 10-of-15 (67%) from behind the arc.

SF Kawhi Leonard (10.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG in series) had 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting on Sunday while adding a block and two steals. He now has averaged 2.6 SPG over his past five games and has at least two steals in four of those five contests.

Oklahoma City’s offense has been tremendous all season long, scoring 106.2 PPG (47% FG, 36% threes) during the regular season before dropping 107.2 PPG (48% FG, 34% threes) in the six-game series win over the Clippers. But the club has just 96.0 PPG (44% FG, 29% threes) for this series due to a weak 1.1 Ast/TO ratio (54 Ast, 48 TO) and a horrendous 8-for-42 clip (19%) from behind the arc in its past two contests.

SF Kevin Durant (22.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG in series) had a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) on Sunday and has made 37-of-39 free throws in his past five games. His efficiency has not been good over his past two games though, making just 14-of-35 FG (40%) and 1-of-8 threes in that time.

PG Russell Westbrook (22.0 PPG, 6.3 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG in series) had a great all-around performance on Sunday with 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block) in Game 3, but has struggled with turnovers all postseason, coughing up the ball 4.4 times per game. After shooting a solid 49% (35% threes) in the last series versus the Clippers, Westbrook is making only 38% FG (27% threes) over the first three games of this series.

PF Serge Ibaka (12.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.4 BPG in playoffs) gave his team a huge lift in Sunday’s win, scoring 15 points while adding seven rebounds and four blocks. He made 6-of-7 shots in Game 3 and is shooting 63% in the postseason.

PG Reggie Jackson (12.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.0 RPG in playoffs) has shot well all series at 52% FG, and thrived in his starting role on Sunday with 15 points, five assists and four rebounds.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

NBA | SAN ANTONIO at OKLAHOMA CITY
Play Under - All teams where the total is 200 to 209.5 well rested team - playing 4 or less games in 10 days, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team
129-91 over the last 5 seasons. ( 58.6% | 28.9 units )
20-34 this year. ( 37.0% | -17.4 units )

NBA | SAN ANTONIO at OKLAHOMA CITY
Play Against - All teams with a money line of +135 to -155 (SAN ANTONIO) very good team - outscoring their opponents by 6+ points/game, on Tuesday nights
88-51 since 1997. ( 63.3% | 39.1 units )
4-2 this year. ( 66.7% | 2.2 units )

NBA | SAN ANTONIO at OKLAHOMA CITY
Play On - Home teams vs. the 1rst half line (OKLAHOMA CITY) when trailing in a playoff series, good team, winning 60-75% or more of their games on the season
152-91 since 1997. ( 62.6% | 51.9 units )
7-6 this year. ( 53.8% | 0.4 units )

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (45-31) at Canadiens (46-28)

Date: May 27, 2014 8:00 PM EDT

MONTREAL (AP) - When other parts of their game are sputtering, the New York Rangers have two key assets to fall back on - penalty killing and goaltending.

It's a combo that has put them within one victory of their first Stanley Cup final in 20 years. And it has frustrated the Montreal Canadiens, who must win Game 5 Tuesday at the Bell Centre to stave off elimination.

Against the Rangers, the Canadiens are 1 for 17 with the man advantage.

Montreal's lone power-play goal came Sunday night in a 3-2 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden. That P.K. Subban blast from the point, however, was tempered by a short-handed goal by Carl Hagelin that opened the scoring.

The Canadiens' power play went 1 for 8 on a night when the Rangers spent 14 1/2 minutes or almost 22 percent of the game a man short.

'Give credit to our killers and our goaltender,' Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. 'They did a real good job.'

That is nothing new. Before Subban's goal, the Rangers had killed off 27 straight penalties. New York is 37 for 39 (95 percent) on the penalty kill in its past 12 games

'We had the opportunity on the power play but we didn't take advantage of it,' Montreal coach Michel Therrien. 'Yes, we scored a goal. It was a tying goal, but we gave up one, and that was the story of the game. I thought our power play had to be better.'

The Rangers' go-to forward pairing on the penalty kill is Hagelin and Brian Boyle. Hagelin uses his speed while Boyle's resume reads 'big body, blocks shots, good on faceoffs,' according to Vigneault.

Boyle can also pass a bit, finding Hagelin on a pass deep from the New York end. Hagelin broke in alone, faked a shot and tucked a backhand between the legs of Dustin Tokarski at 7:18 for his sixth goal of the playoffs. It was the Rangers' first short-handed goal in 70 playoff games, dating to 2008.

The New York penalty kill is smart and sleek. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist has worked hard on his puck handling and his defenders are positioned well.

'I think our guys do a good job whether it be on the forecheck coming back in the right positions and trying to create those battles where you've a chance to make a couple plays and get it out,' Vigneault said. 'When we don't, (our) goaltender stops the puck.'

In four games, Montreal has seven goals on 107 shots.

While Tokarski has won kudos for his play in stepping in for the injured Carey Price, Lundqvist's playoffs numbers are sparkling - a .931 save percentage and 1.98 goals-against average.

The Canadiens are going to need Tokarski to continue to play well if they want to extend their season.

'It's no secret: you start doing the right things, you start getting rewarded for it and momentum builds,' captain Brian Gionta said. 'You keep carrying that.

'A couple of teams have been able to do that this year, the Kings and the Rangers. So it's not something that can't be done and with the group we have in here, we believe we can do it. And we believe we've got better as the series goes on.'

Gionta and Tomas Plekanec were part of a Canadiens team that came back from a 3-1 deficit to upset the Washington Capitals en route to their previous trip to the conference final in 2010.

And they remain without Price, the Canadian gold medalist from the Sochi Olympics in February who suffered a possible right knee injury when New York's Chris Kreider crashed the net in the second period of the series opener.

Price skated for about 20 minutes without equipment before the team's optional practice, but Therrien said he will not be back in this series.

For Gionta, hope comes from a feeling that his team is getting better and still has time to turn things around, as they did when they fell behind 3-2 to the Bruins in the conference semifinal.

The Canadiens rebounded with their best game of the playoffs in Game 6 and closed it out in Boston two days later.

'We were able to wear (Boston's) defense down with our speed and forechecking,' he said. 'We need to get better at that and I think that's what we've gotten better at as (the New York series) went on.

'Try to take advantage of their defensemen down low, try to spend some time in the offensive zone, and start to make breakdowns and make things happen that way. Our backs are against the wall. It's win or go home. I would expect the same kind of effort as we had against Boston for sure.'

Beating Lundqvist three straight times will be tough. He has 41 career playoff wins, tying him with Mike Richter for the most in Rangers history. His counterpart, Tokarski has played all of 13 NHL games - 10 in the regular season and three in the playoffs.

Lundqvist picked up an assist on Derick Brassard's second-period goal, his first in 85 postseason games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first Rangers goaltender to record a playoff assist since Richter on May 11, 1997.

The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of their 18 playoff games, including six of the past seven games.

One question for the Rangers will be whether Derek Stepan can return from his broken jaw in Game 3. Over the weekend, he dropped by the arena to see his teammates before returning home to recuperate from surgery.

Martin St. Louis is on a roll for the Rangers. His overtime winner Sunday extended his point streak to six games. He leads the Rangers with 13 points in these playoffs.

NOTE: The Rangers are 12-1 when they lead a playoff series 3-1.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | HOUSTON at KANSAS CITY
Play Against - Home teams (KANSAS CITY) terrible offensive team (<=4.2 runs/game) against a good starting pitcher (ERA<=4.20) (AL), after allowing 9 runs or more
96-47 since 1997. ( 67.1% | 41.8 units )
5-4 this year. ( 55.6% | 1.3 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | DETROIT at OAKLAND
OAKLAND is 80-35 (+41.8 Units) against the money line in Home games vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: OAKLAND (4.6) , OPPONENT (3.4)

 

[pascal5757]

Kevin's Pick(s):
Although Toronto's starter gave up 5 runs we couldn't cash an underdog yesterday as Bedard struggled from the get-go.
2 UNIT = Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins - UNDER 7 RUNS (+105)
Listed Pitchers: Darvish vs Hughes
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 2.10 units)
Texas won the first meeting of this series yesterday by a score of 7-2. Today we will see yu Darvish on the mound for Texas who is 4-2 on the season with a 2.35 ERA, .215 OBA and 1.11 WHIP. Over his last 4 starts he is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA, and on the road this season he is 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA. In two career starts vs the Twins he holds a 2.92 ERA. Phil Hughes will counter for the Twins and he has been great this season. He is 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA, .272 OBA and 1.20 WHIP. Over his last 6 starts he is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA and has struck out 30 and walked just one over that span. Although his ERA is higher at home, his numbers overall are better with a .248 OBA and 1.09 WHIP when pitching at home. Take note that the UNDER is 20-8-2 in Darvish's last 30 starts overall, and 6-1 in his last 7 starts vs a team with a losing record. The UNDER is 4-0-1 in Hughes' last 5 starts overall and 3-0-1 in his last 4 vs a team with a winning record. The UNDER is also 5-1 in the Twins last 6 home games vs a team with a winning record. These two teams don't see each other too often, but the UNDER is 15-5-1 in their last 21 meetings and 7-1-1 in their last 9 meetings in Minnesota. Hughes has quietly been one of the best starting pitchers lately, while Yu Darvish is Yu Darvish. I expect runs to be tough to come by tonight, and I'll take the UNDER 7 runs at plus money.
Kyle's Pick(s)
2 UNIT = Baltimore Orioles @ Milwaukee Brewers - OVER 8 RUNS (-105)
Listed Pitchers: Chen vs. Garza
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 1.90 units)
The way things have been going, I was beginning to worry that the 6-6 game between the Red Sox and Braves was going to be suspended. Thankfully it went on and I cashed in a much needed win on the OVER 7 for one of the more easy wins of the season.
I liken the Baltimore Orioles to the Toronto Blue Jays. They both had slow starts, generally offensively, but guys you expect to be mashing the ball are finally stepping up. However, the Orioles are severely lacking in the pitching department. I think a lot depended on Jimenez, but he has failed to excite anyone thus far. Wei-Yin Chen may actually be their best option in the starting rotation next to Bud Norris, which isn't saying much. In the Orioles last seven games, three of them they lost when they scored more than 5 runs. Likewise, Baltimore is on a 7-1 run on the OVER, which is to be expected with a team that is giving up a lot and scoring a lot. Chen has a 4.08 ERA, but I think he is fortunate, as his WHIP is 1.42. On the road his WHIP is all the way up to 1.52 with a .341 OBP. Moreover, Chen has an ERA of 4.43 away from home. Matt Garza has been consistent this season, not consistently good, but consistently mediocre. That has been Garza throughout his whole career, though. In his last five games he has given up 5, 3, 3, 3, and 4 runs. His past three starts has yielded a 4.91 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. 8 times out of 10 it is easy to predict what Garza is going to do. 4 runs allowed in this spot seems realistic. Factor in the bullpens and Chen's unreliability, this game should be able to get OVER the posted total of 8.

 

[pascal5757]

FantasySportsGametime

TUESDAY
NBA BASKETBALL

1000* Play Oklahoma City -3 over San Antonio (NBA TOP PLAY)
9:00 PM EST

Oklahoma City has won 58 of the last 78 games when playing as a favorite and they have won 39 of the last 49 home games.Oklahoma City has won 36 of the last 47 games coming off an UNDER the total in their last game and they are averaging 107 points a game at home this season.

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NHL HOCKEY


50* Play New York Rangers -110 over Montreal (NHL TOP PLAY

 

[pascal5757]

FantasySportsGametime


MLB Baseball

1000* Play San Francisco -170 over Chicago Cubs (MLB TOP PLAY)

San Francisco has won 49 of the last 73 games when playing as a favorite of -150 or higher and they have won 98 of the last 177 games coming off a loss in their last game.San Francisco has won 88 of the last 157 games after having won two of the last three games and they have won 44 of the last 79 games when playing in the month of May.

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50* Play Chicago White Sox -160 over Cleveland (MLB BONUS PLAY)
50* Play LA Dodgers -150 over Cincinnati (MLB BONUS PLAY)