Service Plays Tuesday 8/17/10

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Rx.com Mod Team has created this Service Play sub-forum in order to supply an area for Rx Service Play Posters to expand upon their posting topics without creating a logjam in the main forum where the three principle threads are maintained..

Posters can track services here if they care to but we will need any trackers to do so in an accurate and civil manner. We did not create this area for posters to ridicule or bash any services..

You can also discuss who is hot and who is not. The general state of the pay for plays industry and any other subject or topic related to service plays.

You can also create individual threads about specific services and discuss them freely but civilly. Again bashing and abusive treatment of any services will not be tolerated.

Please remember, this forum is not here for regular posters who cap their own games to post ther daily plays. Please use our individual sport forums to post your plays. Professional cappers (those that sell plays) must remain in the Site Promotion Forum.

The Rx.com will not tolerate posters that post false records of any services they track. Please be truthful if you decide to track a particular service.

Lastly The Rx Moderators are appealing to you our everyday posters to report any promotional threads or posts that are made by services or individual touts. No links or contact information to an individual service will be allowed. Just the name of the service. Please report any threads or posts that are promotional attempts by services and touts to use this forum to promote themselves..

Posters can easily report a promotional post by using the triangular Report-a-Post Icon at the bottom left of all post boxes. The poster name of any poster who reports a post that is out of line will be kept strictly confidential.

I will leave this thread open for a month to take questions and do my best to answer them. I will check in daily but am off on Wednesday and Thursday.

I hope this additional Service Play Forum will satisfy those posters that would like to widen the scope of topics relating to service plays and the industry in general to have their own threads. Mods will be liberal as possible regarding topics but this forum was specifically created to allow you more freedom to express your ideas regarding service plays and related subject matter. No off topic threads will be allowed.

Thank you, wilheim




TheRX.com Policy on Posting Handicapper Plays:
In the poster agreement that all posters agree to when signing up, posters have agreed to NOT post copyrighted information.
Some handicappers do not mind having their plays posted, If we are asked by any company to not let their information be posted here, we will comply with the request and remove the information if we see it.
For The Record.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To all services and professional handicappers. I am only going to be editing posts where your copyrighted write-ups are involved. Please do not email me if someone simply posts so and so likes xyz team plus or minus so many points only.
Thank you, wilheim.......

We have received requests from the following companies:
Apple Handicappers
PlusLineSports- Do not post
PowerPlay Wins
Pregame.com
The Real Animal
THELOCKOFTHEDAY
Right Angle Sports (RAS)
Tony Karpinski and 3G-Sports
Discreat Cat (do not post at all..)
Dr. Bob Sports
Dr. guru sports
madduxsports
Red Zone Sports
Dennis Hill
Peter Gold at VI
Strike Point Sports
Vegas Sports Informer
Winning Points/Sports Reporter
ASA, ASA Inc’s or American Sports Analysts
Sal Bansa/sportspicks1019
Mikelineback
Larry Ness
Al McMordie
zen_gambler
Tom Stryker
Lenny Delgenio
Scott Spreitzer
Matt Fargo
@ntonwins
Doc's Sports Services
Robert Ferringo
Pacific (Pac Star) Sports
The Prez
Mike Rose
LT Profits
Pregame.- which include (shaker,law,o'shea,jwip,creole,nover,rocketman,d'angelo,vrunner)
Alex Smart
JB Sports
ATS Consultants
Ken Jenkins
AJ Apollo
Jim Avery
Jim Kruger
Paul Stone
Ross Benjamin
Dave Cokin
Tony George
Fred Wallin
Rocky Atkinson
Jorge Gonzalez
Greg DiPalma
Vernon Croy
Ron Raymond
Dennis Macklin
Ben Lewis
Lucky Lester
Bruce Marshall
Ted Sevransky (Teddy Covers)
Ben Burns
Fairway Jay
EZ Winners
Pointwise Sports
Pro Sports Info
Steve Merril SportsAlatex Sports
Tennessee Valley Sports
Trushel Sports Consulting
Sports Memo Crew which include:
Rob Veno,Brent Crow,Erin Rynning,Donnie Black,Marty Otto,Jared Klein,David Jones,Ed Cash
Sixth Sense Sports
Marc Lawrence, and/or
Playbook, and/or
Preferred Picks
Boxslayer
PayneInsider
Killersportslive
-------

****Please note we can post ONLY Picks for the services above - NO WRITE - UPS. All other services not on this list can be posted in any fashion. GL!​

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaking And Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking

Brandon Morrow (9-6, 4.45 ERA), Toronto Blue Jays
We’ve had five no-hitters and two (really should be three) perfect games this season and you could still make an argument that Brandon Morrow’s 17-strikeout, one-hit performance last week was the most dominant start from a pitcher this year.

The first-year Blue Jay is 4-0 in his last four trips to the hill and Toronto is 6-2 in his last eight appearances.

Clay Buchholz (13-5, 2.49 ERA), Boston Red Sox

Don’t worry about Josh Beckett’s slow death on the pitcher’s mound, Red Sox backers. You’ve got a new and improved front-of-the-rotation talent ready to take over Beckett’s spot.

Buchholz has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last four outings, owns 1.48 ERA and has wins over the Yankees, Blue Jays and Angels over the four-game stretch. The Sox are 4-0 during his hot streak and he was an underdog in three of those contests.

Slumping

Tommy Hunter (9-1, 3.38 ERA), Texas Rangers

Hunter has hit a bit of a snag recently after a perfect beginning to the year. He lost his first decision of the campaign three starts ago and got a no-decision last week after giving up four runs in three innings of work against Boston.

MLB.com reported that Hunter battled a stomach bug in that start against the Sox and threw up in dugout between innings.

Scott Olsen (3-4, 5.11 ERA), Washington Nationals

This big lefty has put up back to back stinkers and you have to wonder if he’d still have a spot on a big league rotation if he were pitching for any other team besides the Nationals.

The former Marlin prospect allowed seven runs on eight hits over 1 2/3 innings last week against Florida and the brutally-bad Diamondbacks tagged him for five runs in less than six innings before that.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Smokin' Aces: Hot And Cold MLB Hurlers

Two Starting Pitchers To Play And Two To Fade In A Two-Week Window.

Before you call me out on not including guys like Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, remember, I’m looking for pitchers that boast value. That means I won’t always be targeting Cy Young candidates.

Here’s a look at this week’s list:

Moneymakers

Dallas Braden, Oakland Athletics

Since returning to the rotation after a month-long stint on the disabled list, Dallas Braden has helped his team to four wins in five starts.

He’s gone the distance in two of his last three outings, and thanks to that month off, should still have a live arm down the stretch.

The long ball continues to be a bit of an issue, but Braden has recorded at least five strikeouts in four of his last five starts and has given up just nine hits over his last 15 innings of work.

The A’s aren’t in top form right now, but they’ll be returning to Oakland for a seven-game homestand beginning on Monday night.

They still have solid value at home, where they’re 10 games over .500 on the season.

Brett Myers, Houston Astros

Brett Myers is one of the most underrated starters in all of baseball this season and I don’t think there’s any denying it.

Despite pitching for a weak Astros squad, Myers has still managed to post a winning record along with a terrific 3.13 ERA and 1.21 WHIP (walks + hits per inning).

The Astros have won six of Myers’ last seven starts overall, and he’s allowed more than two earned runs only once over that stretch.

It’s been quite a turnaround for a guy that recorded an ERA north of 4.30 while going 19-23 over the last three seasons.

Houston is playing better baseball lately, and that opens the door for us to back Myers, at least in his next couple of starts.

Bankroll Burners

Javier Vazquez, New York Yankees

Vazquez has been dodging bullets lately, managing to go 3-1 over his last seven starts despite being wildly inconsistent.

He’s gotten progressively worse in each of his last three outings, lasting 6 1/3, 5 1/3, and 4 1/3 innings respectively. Over that stretch he’s been tagged for 22 hits and 13 earned runs.

It’s also worth noting that the veteran righthander has allowed at least one home run in five consecutive starts and seven total over that period.

The Yankees’ offense can only bail out Vazquez for so long. In games where they’ve scored three runs or less this season, he’s posted an ugly 4-8 record.

Keep an eye out for spots where you’re being asked to lay heavy chalk with Vazquez in the coming weeks, and be ready to fade.

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

Something isn’t right with "The Freak" these days.

The Giants have dropped each of his last three starts, and Lincecum has been rocked for 22 hits and 14 earned runs in just 14 innings over that stretch.

We’ve seen the velocity on his fastball inexplicably drop over his last two outings, and opposing hitters are taking full advantage of his lack of command.

Lincecum held opponents to a .268 batting average or lower in each of the first four months of the season, but here in August, they’re hitting well north of .300 against him.

There still appears to be plenty of value in fading Lincecum. In his most recent start, he was listed as a -170 favorite against the NL West-leading Padres. San Diego won that game 8-2. In two of his three starts previous, he closed as a -190 or higher favorite.

As much as I like the way the Giants have been playing, backing them with their franchise pitcher on the mound just isn’t a favorable proposition right now.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

HOT LINES

Tuesday's Best MLB Bets

Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers (-167, 7)

Clayton Kershaw should be licking his lips seeing the Colorado Rockies on the schedule. The team is one of the better at hitting left-handed hitters in the league, but couldn’t smack a Kershaw fastball with a two by four.

In two starts against the boys from the Rockies this year, Kershaw has posted a 2-0 record, going 13 innings while allowing only two runs on six hits with 18 strikeouts. Colorado is batting just .136 against him this season.

But then again, the Rockies can’t hit anything on the road this year. Colorado is a horrendous 23-36 in opponent’s ball parks. The team ranks next to last in away batting average (.232), 25th in on-base percentage (.306) and 24th in road runs scored (230). Overall, the Rockies are 3-10 in their past 13 road games and are a horrendous 7-21 in their past 28 versus the Dodgers.

"We need to concentrate and do our best, because we're making too many mistakes," Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez told MLB.com. "Sometimes you play perfect and one mistake can cost you the game, but right now we're not giving ourselves a chance."

Kershaw will make them be perfect.

Pick: LA Dodgers


Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics (-107, 7)

Can you name the best home pitching team in baseball? The case can be made for the Oakland Athletics.

The land of elephants balancing on baseballs has been kind to the home hurlers this season. Oakland pitchers have allowed a league-low 168 earned runs in their own park this season and have a sterling 2.86 ERA – a meager 0.02 points behind San Diego for the best home mark in the Majors.

But opponents aren’t just struggling to score runs, they also can’t get hits. Visiting teams are batting a league-low .220 in McAfee Coliseum. Overall, the Athletics have ridden their pitching to win six of their past eight at home.

The Blue Jays have pounded out 78 home runs on the road this year and scored a fantastic 261 road runs, but they rely too much on their power. Toronto is hitting only .239 this year South of the border.

"We've got to start getting runs for all those guys," A's manager Bob Geren told The Oakland Tribune. "We have the best young rotation in baseball, and it continues to improve. You look back at where they were a year ago and think to where they'll be a year from now."

Pick: Oakland A's

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA Betting Preview

Sky-Dream Preview

A victory over Chicago in its last game helped Atlanta snap its losing streak and clinch a playoff berth. Another win against the Sky can possibly help the Dream improve their position in the Eastern Conference.

The Dream look to win the season series and snap a four-game home losing streak against Chicago on Tuesday night.

In its third season since joining the WNBA, Atlanta (19-13) is making its second playoff appearance. The Dream secured a postseason berth with a 98-74 win at Chicago on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.

Atlanta, which had lost each of its previous four games by 10 or fewer points, led by as many as 35 in the second half and shot 56.1 percent overall.

"They decided that that was enough," coach Marynell Meadors said. "They came out and played like they have been playing throughout the season, with a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the game. They shared the ball extremely well and played some really good defense."

After securing the playoff berth, Meadors' team is now looking to improve its seeding. The Dream are a half-game behind third-place Washington and a game back of second-place New York. However, they only have two games remaining while the Mystics have three and the Liberty have four left.

Atlanta closes the season at home against Washington on Sunday.

While the Dream routed the Sky (13-18) over the weekend, they haven't always had such an easy time against the East's last-place team. The clubs have split their four meetings and Chicago has won both of its visits to Atlanta, most recently posting an 88-82 victory July 3.

The Sky, who have lost six of seven, will try to bounce back after one of their worse defensive efforts of the year. They allowed their most points of the season and opponents are averaging 89.2 in their last five games.

Chicago is allowing 76.5 points per game - fifth-fewest in the league.

"We should be embarrassed for (this) kind of play," coach Steven Key said. "The hard part for us is that we know that's not us as a team. That's not the way we practice, that's not the way we played all season long."

Sylvia Fowles scored 14 points Saturday to surpass 1,000 for the season. She's averaging 19.8 in four games against the Dream this year.

Shock-Sun Preview

The Connecticut Sun were in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race a month ago. They're officially out now.

Playing for the first time since they were eliminated from postseason contention, the Sun close out their home schedule when they face the league-worst Tulsa Shock on Tuesday night.

A 96-80 victory over Atlanta on July 17 left the Sun one game behind the Dream and Washington for first place in the East. Connecticut, though, has lost eight of 11 since and will miss the postseason for the second straight year.

The Sun (15-16) were officially eliminated with Sunday's 79-66 home loss to conference-leading Indiana. Connecticut led 62-59 with 6:05 left but was outscored 20-4 the rest of the way.

"This was the perfect example of the difference between two teams in their stages of maturity," coach Mike Thibault said.

Although the Sun are disappointed there's just three games left in their season, No. 1 overall pick Tina Charles has been a bright spot for the club.

The favorite for rookie of the year honors, Charles is averaging 15.6 points and a league-best 11.9 rebounds. She had 18 points and 13 boards Sunday to set the league's single-season rebounding record with 368 while posting a WNBA-record 20th double-double.

"It's definitely bittersweet," said Charles, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 101-89 victory at Tulsa on June 29. "We lost and we're not in the playoffs."

The Shock (5-26), who have lost 23 of 25 and have clinched the worst record in franchise history, have long been out of the playoff race. Since an 84-75 victory over league-best Seattle on Aug. 3, Tulsa has dropped four straight.

After getting beat by an average of 33.0 points in their previous two games, the Shock fell to visiting Los Angeles 92-87 on Saturday despite Ivory Latta's 26 points and Tiffany Jackson's 11 points and 13 rebounds.

"To me, the warrior of the game was Tiffany Jackson," coach Nolan Richardson said. "She is what we got to have. She guarded people, she rebounded, she was the spark-plug of what brought us back and gave us a chance."

Scholanda Robinson led Tulsa with 19 points in June's meeting with the Sun.

Connecticut will try to win the season series against the Shock franchise for the first time since 2004.

Fever-Liberty Preview

A franchise-record winning streak has transformed the New York Liberty from a .500 club into a contender for first place in the Eastern Conference.

A meeting with the East-leading Indiana Fever on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden could get the Liberty closer to the top.

New York (19-11) has won a team-record eight games in a row by an average of 10.4 points after beating Phoenix 107-69 Saturday, setting a franchise mark for points in a game.

"It's just been great basketball the second half of this season," said guard Cappie Pondexter, who had 28 points against the Mercury.

Mystics-Silver Stars Preview

The Washington Mystics know they'll be playing in the postseason for a second straight year. Their next opponent, however, isn't a guarantee to be joining them.

The San Antonio Silver Stars may be without starting forward Chamique Holdsclaw as they look to improve their chances at securing a playoff berth Tuesday night against the Mystics.

San Antonio (12-19) is tied with Los Angeles and Minnesota, and the three teams with identical records will be battling for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Silver Stars own the tiebreaker over the Sparks but lost a chance to secure a season-series win over the Lynx after losing 84-78 at Minneapolis on Sunday.

The Silver Stars' final three game are at home, with East-leading Indiana coming in Friday and Phoenix visiting on Sunday.

"(The final week) is extremely important," coach Sandy Brondello said. "We do have the luxury that we are playing at home. We still control our own destiny, but we are going to take one game at a time."

Brondello's team failed to overcome a slow start Sunday after it scored 29 points in the first half. Becky Hammon finished with a season-high 30 points, hitting six 3-pointers, but also had six of her team's 16 turnovers.

The Silver Stars lost Holdsclaw, their third-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game, midway through the second quarter because of a sprained ankle. She's expected to be re-evaluated before Tuesday's game, but Hammon said the team is prepared in case its second-leading rebounder cannot go.

"Obviously (Holdsclaw) is a big player for us, so we are just going to have to do our best to collaborate on the boards," Hammon said. "You do not really replace her, so we are going to have to do it by committee."

The Silver Stars are only 6-8 at home and after Tuesday, their final two games are against teams that have already secured postseason berths. Holdsclaw scored a team-high 17 points in a 79-75 win over the Mystics on July 29.

Unlike San Antonio, Washington (19-12) can relax a bit after clinching a playoff spot over the weekend. The Mystics are a half-game behind second-place New York and a half-game ahead of fourth-place Atlanta in the East.

They'll face both of those teams this week, taking on the Liberty at home Friday and closing the regular season on the road against the Dream on Sunday.

Washington set a franchise record for wins with an 80-71 victory over Seattle on Sunday. Monique Currie scored 25 points, making five 3-pointers, and the Mystics began a 21-10 run late in the third quarter en route to their third straight win.

"Getting into the playoffs is a big deal," guard Katie Smith said. "Obviously home-court advantage would be really nice. The bottom line is you get in."

Currie scored 22 points against San Antonio last month.

The Liberty have gone 12-2 since the All-Star break to clinch a playoff spot and move within 1 1/2 games of Indiana (21-10) for the East's top seed. A win Tuesday would be a boon to New York's hopes of claiming that spot, considering it holds a game in hand on the Fever and a 2-1 advantage in the season series.

The Liberty won the most recent matchup 82-72 at Indiana on Aug. 3. However, they've lost four in a row at home to the Fever, including an 84-81 defeat July 18.

New York has since won five in a row at MSG, and will play three of its remaining four games there.

Pondexter could make a difference down the stretch. She's second in the league with a career-high average of 21.4 points and had a season-high 40 against Indiana in July.

The Fever, the WNBA finalists last year, have put together a season high-tying five-game winning streak since losing to the Liberty earlier this month. They continued their run with a 79-66 win at Connecticut on Sunday.

"All we are focused on is the fact that we control our own destiny. We don't have to worry about somebody else helping us," coach Lin Dunn said. "We don't have to hope somebody beats somebody to help us.

"We are in the position that if we win our ballgames and take care of business, then we can win a championship. It's a great position to be in."

Tamika Catchings, Indiana's leader with 18.1 points per game, has spurred the recent winning streak with an average of 24.0 points after getting 26 with seven rebounds and seven assists Sunday.

The forward had 22 points in Indiana's last visit to New York.

Lynx-Storm Preview

The Minnesota Lynx pulled off a one-point victory to stun the Seattle Storm just over two weeks ago.

Duplicating that upset would go a long way in helping their postseason chances.

The Lynx, tied for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, open a difficult season-ending, three-game road trip against the Storm on Tuesday night.

Minnesota (12-19), San Antonio and Los Angeles are tied for third place in the West, and only two will make the postseason.

The Lynx defeated the Silver Stars 84-78 on Sunday to win the season series, giving them the edge in the tiebreaker. Monica Wright scored 20 points and Seimone Augustus added 17 for Minnesota, which has made the playoffs just twice in its 12 seasons.

"I feel good about our chances, but I'm not going to guarantee anything," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Reeve is feeling optimistic despite having to visit the Storm, who are 15-0 at home, followed by a game Friday against the Sparks and Sunday's regular-season finale at East-leading Indiana.

"Anything can happen," guard Monica Wright said.

Especially if the Storm aren't playing to their abilities.

Seattle (25-6), which clinched the top overall seed for the playoffs last week, is simply trying to make sure everyone is rested and healthy for the postseason.

Two-time MVP Lauren Jackson sat out Friday's 88-68 loss in Connecticut with back spasms, and most of Seattle's starters played significantly fewer minutes in Sunday's 80-71 loss in Washington. The back-to-back defeats match a season worst for the Storm.

While Seattle coach Brian Agler doesn't want a repeat of last year, when an injured Jackson missed the final six games of the regular season and all of the playoffs and the team was eliminated in the conference semifinals, he might be ready to give his stars more playing time.

"We have to stay focused on what we have to do to try and get our people to playoffs," Agler said. "We've experienced not being 100 percent in the playoffs and we don't like that. We have to keep people rested, healthy and sharp. You have to have a feel for what your team needs and now we're closing in on the stretch run so we have to get these people back ramped up going in the playoffs."

Regardless of the mindset of the Storm, Minnesota has proven it can beat them at full strength.

The Lynx snapped Seattle's 13-game winning streak with a 72-71 victory Aug. 1. Augustus finished with 24 points and Nicky Anosike made 1 of 2 from the free-throw line with 5.5 seconds left for the final score.

Minnesota limited Jackson to a season low-tying 12 points on 4 of 12 shooting and forced 18 turnovers.

Mercury-Sparks Preview

The Phoenix Mercury have already clinched a postseason spot. The Los Angeles Sparks' playoff fate likely will come down to their final game.

The Sparks begin their season-ending stretch as they host the slumping Mercury on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles (12-19) is entering the final three games of the season tied with San Antonio and Minnesota for the final two playoff positions in the Western Conference. The clubs are also two games back of second-place Phoenix (14-17), which has clinched a berth in the postseason.

The Sparks host Minnesota on Friday before visiting West-leading Seattle for the regular-season finale Saturday.

A three-game winning streak could be key for Los Angeles, which is coming off Saturday's 92-87 win at Tulsa after forward Tina Thompson's hit a 17-foot buzzer-beater to clinch a 78-77 victory over the Lynx two nights prior.

Thompson came up big again Saturday, totaling 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

"Early on, they were just giving me a lot of good looks at the basket," said Thompson, who shot 9 for 18 from the floor against the Shock. "I don't know if that was their defensive scheme or not, but I got a lot of one-on-one. I made a lot of shots early on, and as far rebounds, just playing aggressive."

Thompson, who became the WNBA's all-time leading scorer earlier this month, is averaging 15.6 points and 6.1 rebounds on the season. However, she's struggled in four meetings with the Mercury, scoring 7.8 points per game while shooting 13 for 44 from the floor, including 5 for 21 from 3-point range.

The Sparks have dropped four of five at home to Phoenix, including Game 1 of last year's conference finals as the Mercury went on to win the WNBA title.

Los Angeles also lost the most recent matchup at Staples Center, 98-89 on July 6.

The Mercury are on a four-game slide and were routed in their last two. They lost 107-69 at New York on Saturday, a night after falling 110-90 at East-leading Indiana.

Phoenix secured a playoff berth despite the loss to the Fever, and can clinch the No. 2 seed in the conference with a win Tuesday combined with a loss by San Antonio to Washington.

The Mercury hold the tiebreakers on the Sparks and Lynx, and visit San Antonio in Sunday's regular-season finale.

Phoenix could use a better performance from guard-forward Diana Taurasi, who had a season-low five points on 1-for-7 shooting at New York.

The league's leader with 22.9 points per game, Taurasi had 30 in the last visit to Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LADY LUCK

Tuesday's Best WNBA Bets

Indiana Fever at New York Liberty (-2.5, 152.5)

You can’t stop Cappie Pondexter, you can only hope to contain her. The New York guard has guided the team to eight straight wins and victories in nine of the team’s past 10 as she was just named the WNBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

Pondexter claimed the award for the fourth time this season, leading the team to a 2-0 record while averaging 29.5 points and shooting .615 from the field, .500 from three and making a phenomenal 22-of-22 free throws.

And if the Liberty have any chance of catching the Fever for first place in the East, she must be just as good on Tuesday night. Up to this point in the season, she has. In three games against Indiana this season, Pondexter has averaged 26.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

“Every game means a difference in the standings," Liberty coach Anne Donovan told Womhoops.com. "We're one of those teams that we know we can play with anybody. There isn't a game we haven't been in. And we're starting to jell. We've played so much better of late, so we have to win games and climb."

Pick: NY Liberty


Tulsa Shock at Connecticut Sun (-11, 172)

We all know Tulsa sucks. But just how bad are they on the road?

The numbers say “Ugly Step-sister” level hideous. The team is just 2-13 away from home this season and an equally bad 6-9 ATS in opponents’ gyms. Overall, the team has lost 13 of 14 on the road and has allowed an average of 88.8 points per game in their past five away defeats.

Meantime, the Sun beat the Shock, 101-89 in the team’s only meeting in Oklahoma earlier this year. Overall, the Sun are 11-5 SU at home this season and an equally solid 10-6 ATS. The team also is 4-2 ATS as a favorite of at least 7.5-points this year.

Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, but the Sun remains on a mission of pride.

"The playoffs were the goal, but now it's time to be a professional," forward Asjha Jones told the Hartford Courant. "It's our job. The fans pay money to come see us play. This is bigger than just us. We have to come out and play hard, regardless of the situation.”

Pick: Connecticut Sun

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BETTORS' TIPS AND NOTES
Bettors' Best Friend (BBF): Tuesday's Wagering Tips

Lines To Keep An Eye On

Indians at Royals: The total opened at 8 and now sits at 7.5.

Brewers at Cardinals: The hosts opened at -190 but have seen that number shrink to -180.

Fever at Liberty: The Liberty opened at -1.5 with most services and have seen that balloon to -2.5.

Lynx at Storm: The Storm opened at -4.5 but that number has risen to -6.

Weather To Watch

Padres at Cubs: 30 percent chance of showers.

Indians at Royals: 60 percent chance of thunderstorms with a 14 mph wind.

Nationals at Braves: 40 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms.

Who’s Hot

The Minnesota Lynx are 7-1 ATS in their past eight games.

The Cincinnati Reds are 13-3 in their past 16 games against the Diamondbacks.

Under is 16-4-1 in Oakland’s past 21 games.

Who’s Not

Detroit Tigers are 9-24 against the Yankees in their past 33 trips to the Bronx.

Chicago Cubs are 4-14 in their past 18 overall.

The White Sox are 6-20 in their past 26 games against the Twins in Minnesota.

Key Stat

6: The under is 6-0 in the past six starts for Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander. During that streak he has guided the score below totals of eight twice, 7.5 three times and seven once.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

With slugger Nelson Cruz on the disabled list, the last thing Texas wanted to see was more injuries. But third baseman Michael Young left Monday’s game with a stiff neck he suffered the night before. If this injury persists, it is another huge blow to the lineup, as Young was hitting .288 with 19 homers and 69 RBI.

Game Of The Day

______________

Notable Quotes

"I was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today ... but I won't get that chance. I've been fired." – Renee Gork, formerly of radio station KAKS, who was fired for wearing a Florida Gators hat to an Arkansas football news conference.

Tips And Notes

San Jose just got a little Brazilian flair. The team signed its first designated player on Monday when it inked former Premier League standout Geovanni. The attacking midfielder played the past two season with Hull City, scoring 13 goals in 65 games, including a team-best eight last year before the team was relegated at the end of the campaign. This is a huge get for San Jose, which has notched a meager 21 goals this season, the second-fewest in the MLS.

The Connecticut Sun may be out of the playoff chase but former No. 1 pick Tina Charles still is breaking records and cruising toward her Rookie of the Year title. Charles is averaging 15.6 points and a league-best 11.9 rebounds. She had 18 points and 13 boards last Sunday to set the league's single-season rebounding record with 368 while also throwing up her WNBA-record 20th double-double. "The rebounding part has been the dominant part," Sun coach Mike Thibault told the Associated Press. "It's been better than I expected. I knew she was a good rebounder but she has been relentless about getting the ball."

The Dodger’s lineup could be getting some much needed pop very soon. Outfielder Manny Ramirez (hamstring) and shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) both will be reevaluated on Tuesday and should start rehab assignments this week. The team needs any boost it can get as it is 4-6 in its past 10 and has slipped to only two games above .500. "Maybe physically, without him in the lineup, they're not getting pitched to as much," manager Joe Torre told MLB.com. "He's such a force, a presence. I know he doesn't hit home runs, but he's still a threat, still has the ability to knock in runs. He can scare opposing managers. If I was over there, I'd be scratching my head."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAMEDAY CONSULTANTS

Boston Red Sox -140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GREEK SPORTS PICKS

Bonus Plays
MLB
LA Dodgers -175

WNBA
Seattle Storm -6.5

SOCCER
Tottenham Champions League Qualifying -140

PREMIUM PLAYS 1 OF 4
MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks +110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BASEBALL CRUSHER
PLAY OF THE DAY

Boston Red Sox (-135) over LA Angels

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chad Greene

Angels/Red Sox UNDER 8

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty split with the Rangers and NFL Giants Monday night.

Tuesday it's the Yankees. The profit is 255 sirignanos.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hondo

The wretched Rangers flopped at the Trop last night, which caused Hondo's deficit to expand to a hefty 1,455 harders.

Tonight, it's back to the Indians for a 10-unit play on Righty Gomez over the Royals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports
495 - 366 run 58 %

Bonus Play Tues KC Royals -170

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Gamblers Data

Tuesday
Padres -112

 

[MoneyKing]

Lance's Lock

Pick: The Cubs +105
Overall: 1003-895-35
Current streak: 6 losses

 

[MoneyKing]

Greek Sports Picks

Dodgers -175

WNBA Seattle -6.5

Tottenham Champions League Qualifying -140

1 0f 4 premium plays:

AZ +110

 

[BrockLanders]

John Harrison

Yankees/Tigers OVER 7.5 (3 UNITs)

 

[MoneyKing]

Sorry for double post did not see it

Gameday Consultants Bonus Play
Red Sox -140

 

[MoneyKing]

MoneyLineKing

Boston Red Sox