BOB BALFE
Boston Red Sox -151
The Red Sox got to the Angels bullpen last night and I expect more of the same tonight. The best thing that could have happened to Boston was to start as slow as they did. This team has awesome talent and are going to make the playoffs. Look for the Sox to try to get to .500 baseball by the end of the week. The Angels are not a very good team and will start to fade soon. Take Boston.
Boston Red Sox -151
The Red Sox got to the Angels bullpen last night and I expect more of the same tonight. The best thing that could have happened to Boston was to start as slow as they did. This team has awesome talent and are going to make the playoffs. Look for the Sox to try to get to .500 baseball by the end of the week. The Angels are not a very good team and will start to fade soon. Take Boston.
DR BOB SPORTS
Strong Opinion
Boston (+5) over MIAMI
04:05 PM Pacific - Rotation 707
Miami had a solid 9 point win in game 1, but Boston applies to a very good 41-11-2 ATS playoff bounce-back situation that is 16-3-1 ATS when applying to a game 2. Boston is also better with Jermaine O’Neal at center most of the time instead of Krstic but my ratings favor the Heat by 6 points even after adjusting for Boston being the team off the loss. The line is close to being fair, but I’ll pass on making the Celtics a Best Bet unless the line goes up. I’ll consider Boston a Strong Opinion at +5 points or more and I’d make the Celtics a 2-Star Best Bet at +6 or more. I also lean Under (181 ½), as game 1 only went over by 7 points despite the two teams combining to make 49% of their 3-point attempts (the game would have gone under if the teams shot a 42% or less from 3-point range, which is likely going forward).
Opinion
Under (197 ½) – Memphis at OKLAHOMA CITY (-6 ½)
06:35 PM Pacific - Rotation 710
Memphis is now 23-5 ATS this season as an underdog of more than 3 points with leading scorer Zach Randolph in the lineup, but Oklahoma City is in a favorable situation following their 13 point home loss in game 1. I have no opinion on the side in this game but I’d lean with Memphis if the line gets to +7 points or more.
Game 1 was much higher scoring than anticipated, but that’s not because of a faster pace, as each team had just 1 more possession than expected. The teams simply were more efficient scoring in game 1 than projected, but that hot shooting is not likely to continue. If the game is at the projected pace then I get a predicted total of 193 points and I’d get 195 ½ points if they play at the same pace as they did in game 1. I’ll lean Under 197 points or higher.
Strong Opinion
Boston (+5) over MIAMI
04:05 PM Pacific - Rotation 707
Miami had a solid 9 point win in game 1, but Boston applies to a very good 41-11-2 ATS playoff bounce-back situation that is 16-3-1 ATS when applying to a game 2. Boston is also better with Jermaine O’Neal at center most of the time instead of Krstic but my ratings favor the Heat by 6 points even after adjusting for Boston being the team off the loss. The line is close to being fair, but I’ll pass on making the Celtics a Best Bet unless the line goes up. I’ll consider Boston a Strong Opinion at +5 points or more and I’d make the Celtics a 2-Star Best Bet at +6 or more. I also lean Under (181 ½), as game 1 only went over by 7 points despite the two teams combining to make 49% of their 3-point attempts (the game would have gone under if the teams shot a 42% or less from 3-point range, which is likely going forward).
Opinion
Under (197 ½) – Memphis at OKLAHOMA CITY (-6 ½)
06:35 PM Pacific - Rotation 710
Memphis is now 23-5 ATS this season as an underdog of more than 3 points with leading scorer Zach Randolph in the lineup, but Oklahoma City is in a favorable situation following their 13 point home loss in game 1. I have no opinion on the side in this game but I’d lean with Memphis if the line gets to +7 points or more.
Game 1 was much higher scoring than anticipated, but that’s not because of a faster pace, as each team had just 1 more possession than expected. The teams simply were more efficient scoring in game 1 than projected, but that hot shooting is not likely to continue. If the game is at the projected pace then I get a predicted total of 193 points and I’d get 195 ½ points if they play at the same pace as they did in game 1. I’ll lean Under 197 points or higher.
Bob Valentino 30 DIME MLB Underdog of the Week ... 30 DIME MLB releese on the PITTSBURGH PIRATES over the Padres in the second game of a three-game series at Petco Park in San Diego. At the time I publcish this play at 12:45 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, the coniensus series odds have Pittsburgh at +145 at Las Vegas and offshore sportsbooks. Important note: When placing your wagers, you need to list Jeff Karstens as the Pirates' starting pitcher. If Karstens doesn't start, this play is voided! Once again, I remind you to maximize your moneymaking abilities by shopping around to get the most favorable odds available.
