NBA
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot Teams
-- New York won its last four games, by 7-4-16-13 points.
-- Washington won its last three games or first time this season. Pacers won three of their last four games.
-- Miami won eight of last nine games, covering last three. Bucks are 9-2 vs spread in their last eleven games.
-- Rockets covered six of last seven games as an underdog. Hornets won four of their last six games.
-- Oklahoma City won 10 of its last 12 games. Clippers won last two games, are 5-3 vs spread in last eight on road.
-- Sacramento won six of its last eight games. Spurs won last two gams, after losing their previous six in a row.
-- Nuggets won six of their last seven games.
-- Warriors won four of their last six games.
Cold Teams
-- 76ers lost last two games, scoring 87-82 points, but won four of their last five home games.
-- Cavaliers lost last five road games (2-3 vs spread). Raptors lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Bobcats lost last three games, are 5-13-1 vs spread in last 19. Magic lost last three road games, are 3-13 vs spread in last 16 games overall.
-- Pistons lost seven of their last eight games. Nets lost six of seven.
-- Mavericks lost last three games, by 28-7-8 points.
-- Minnesota lost last ten games, covering one of last four. Suns lost six of their last seven games.
-- Lakers lost last two games, are 3-6 vs spread in last nine.
Totals
-- Knicks' last seven games all went over the total. Four of Philly's last five games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Indiana games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Toronto games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Charlotte games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Detroit games all went over the total.
-- Four of last five Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Phoenix road games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Sacramento games stayed under the total. Six of Spurs' last eight games went over.
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total. Denver's last five games all stayed under.
-- Last three Golden State games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Back
-- 76ers are 4-2 vs spread at home if they played night before. Knicks are 0-4 vs spread last four times they played night before.
-- Washington is 0-3 vs spread if it won the night before.
-- Cleveland is 3-10 vs spread on road if it played night before. Toronto is 10-8 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Charlotte is 6-5-1 vs spread if it played night before. Magic is 5-10 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Bucks are 7-3 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Pistons are 2-5 vs spread at home if they played night before. Nets are 2-4 vs spread if they won the night before.
-- Rockets are 4-6 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Minnesota is 8-6 vs spread if it lost the night before. Suns are 1-4 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Oklahoma City is 8-5 vs spread if it played the night before. Clippers are 7-4 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Kings are 1-5 vs spread last six times they played night before. Spurs are 8-6-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Denver is 5-1 vs spread on road if it played at home night before.
-- Warriors are 0-4 vs spread last four times they played night before. Lakers are 7-4-1 vs spread if they played the night before.
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot Teams
-- New York won its last four games, by 7-4-16-13 points.
-- Washington won its last three games or first time this season. Pacers won three of their last four games.
-- Miami won eight of last nine games, covering last three. Bucks are 9-2 vs spread in their last eleven games.
-- Rockets covered six of last seven games as an underdog. Hornets won four of their last six games.
-- Oklahoma City won 10 of its last 12 games. Clippers won last two games, are 5-3 vs spread in last eight on road.
-- Sacramento won six of its last eight games. Spurs won last two gams, after losing their previous six in a row.
-- Nuggets won six of their last seven games.
-- Warriors won four of their last six games.
Cold Teams
-- 76ers lost last two games, scoring 87-82 points, but won four of their last five home games.
-- Cavaliers lost last five road games (2-3 vs spread). Raptors lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Bobcats lost last three games, are 5-13-1 vs spread in last 19. Magic lost last three road games, are 3-13 vs spread in last 16 games overall.
-- Pistons lost seven of their last eight games. Nets lost six of seven.
-- Mavericks lost last three games, by 28-7-8 points.
-- Minnesota lost last ten games, covering one of last four. Suns lost six of their last seven games.
-- Lakers lost last two games, are 3-6 vs spread in last nine.
Totals
-- Knicks' last seven games all went over the total. Four of Philly's last five games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Indiana games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Toronto games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Charlotte games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Detroit games all went over the total.
-- Four of last five Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Phoenix road games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Sacramento games stayed under the total. Six of Spurs' last eight games went over.
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total. Denver's last five games all stayed under.
-- Last three Golden State games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Back
-- 76ers are 4-2 vs spread at home if they played night before. Knicks are 0-4 vs spread last four times they played night before.
-- Washington is 0-3 vs spread if it won the night before.
-- Cleveland is 3-10 vs spread on road if it played night before. Toronto is 10-8 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Charlotte is 6-5-1 vs spread if it played night before. Magic is 5-10 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Bucks are 7-3 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Pistons are 2-5 vs spread at home if they played night before. Nets are 2-4 vs spread if they won the night before.
-- Rockets are 4-6 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Minnesota is 8-6 vs spread if it lost the night before. Suns are 1-4 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Oklahoma City is 8-5 vs spread if it played the night before. Clippers are 7-4 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Kings are 1-5 vs spread last six times they played night before. Spurs are 8-6-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Denver is 5-1 vs spread on road if it played at home night before.
-- Warriors are 0-4 vs spread last four times they played night before. Lakers are 7-4-1 vs spread if they played the night before.
NHL
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot Teams
-- Toronto won six of its last nine games.
-- Washington won 15 of its last 18 games.
-- Hurricanes won six of their last eight games. Detroit won three of its last four road games.
-- Blues won five of their last seven games.
-- Flames won three of their last four games.
-- Ducks are 9-4 in last thirteen games, but lost last two, 4-2/4-3. Sharks won four in row, eight of last nine games.
-- Phoenix is 8-3 in its last 11 games. Kings won five of their last seven.
Cold Teams
-- Bruins are 6-9 in their last fifteen games. Islanders lost four of five.
-- New Jersey lost seven of its last ten games.
-- Florida lost its last eight games, scoring 11 goals.
-- Blackhawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Edmonton lost 11 of its last 12 games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-2-2 in last ten New Jersey games. Five of Maple Leafs' last six games went over.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in Florida's last eight road games.
-- Five of last seven Carolina games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Calgary games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Anaheim games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-2 in last nine Los Angeles games.
Back-to-Back
-- Toronto is 4-6 on road if it played night before. Devils are 2-7 if they lost the night before.
-- Washington is 1-4 if it won the night before.
-- Chicago is 6-3 if it lost the night before. Blues won five of last six if they played the night before.
-- Oilers are 3-7 if they played the night before.
Series records
-- Islanders lost 10 of last 13 games against Boston.
-- Maple Leafs are 6-5 in last 11 visits to New Jersey.
-- Panthers lost eight of last ten games against Washington.
-- Detroit won its last two games vs Carolina, both by 3-1 scores.
-- Blues lost four of last five visits to Chicago.
-- Flames won nine of last ten games against Edmonton.
-- Sharks won nine of last 12 games against Anaheim.
-- Coyotes are 5-3 in last eight visits to Staples Center.
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot Teams
-- Toronto won six of its last nine games.
-- Washington won 15 of its last 18 games.
-- Hurricanes won six of their last eight games. Detroit won three of its last four road games.
-- Blues won five of their last seven games.
-- Flames won three of their last four games.
-- Ducks are 9-4 in last thirteen games, but lost last two, 4-2/4-3. Sharks won four in row, eight of last nine games.
-- Phoenix is 8-3 in its last 11 games. Kings won five of their last seven.
Cold Teams
-- Bruins are 6-9 in their last fifteen games. Islanders lost four of five.
-- New Jersey lost seven of its last ten games.
-- Florida lost its last eight games, scoring 11 goals.
-- Blackhawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Edmonton lost 11 of its last 12 games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-2-2 in last ten New Jersey games. Five of Maple Leafs' last six games went over.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in Florida's last eight road games.
-- Five of last seven Carolina games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Calgary games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Anaheim games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-2 in last nine Los Angeles games.
Back-to-Back
-- Toronto is 4-6 on road if it played night before. Devils are 2-7 if they lost the night before.
-- Washington is 1-4 if it won the night before.
-- Chicago is 6-3 if it lost the night before. Blues won five of last six if they played the night before.
-- Oilers are 3-7 if they played the night before.
Series records
-- Islanders lost 10 of last 13 games against Boston.
-- Maple Leafs are 6-5 in last 11 visits to New Jersey.
-- Panthers lost eight of last ten games against Washington.
-- Detroit won its last two games vs Carolina, both by 3-1 scores.
-- Blues lost four of last five visits to Chicago.
-- Flames won nine of last ten games against Edmonton.
-- Sharks won nine of last 12 games against Anaheim.
-- Coyotes are 5-3 in last eight visits to Staples Center.
MLB
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot pitchers
-- Carpenter is 1-1, 3.15 in his last three starts.
-- Billingsley is 2-0, 2.66 in his last three starts.
-- Lincecum is 7-3, 2.17 in his last ten starts. Stauffer is 3-2, 1.97 in his last eight starts.
-- Blanton is 3-0, 2.77 in his last four starts.
-- Volstad is 3-0, 0.83 in his last three starts. LHernandez is 0-1, 2.37 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 4-0, 1.80 in his last nine starts. Hellickson was 3-0, 2.05 in four starts LY.
-- FHernandez is 3-1, 1.36 in his last four starts.
-- FGarcia is 2-1, 3.12 in his last five starts.
-- Verlander is 4-1, 2.74 in his last six starts.
-- Talbot is 2-2, 3.38 in his last four starts.
-- Braden is 2-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Correia is 1-3, 11.50 in his last four starts.
-- Dempster is 1-3, 8.02 in his last four starts. Galarraga is 0-4, 8.31 in his last four starts.
-- Hammel is 0-2, 8.61 in his last five starts.
-- Pelfrey is 0-3, 7.65 in his last four road starts.
-- Volquez is 1-2, 4.82 in his last five starts. Figueroa is 1-2, 5.91 in his last four outings.
-- Minor is 0-2, 9.37 in his last four starts. Estrada allowed two runs in three IP in his only '10 start, at Minnesota.
-- Wilson is 0-2, 5.70 in his last four starts.
-- Buehrle has a 6.52 RA in his last five starts. Francis is 0-3, 5.72 in his last six starts.
-- Pavano is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts.
-- Bergesen is 2-3, 3.72 in his last six starts.
-- Matsuzaka is 0-2, 6.98 in his last five starts.
-- Litsch is 1-2, 4.94 in his last five starts.
Totals
-- Last six Correia starts all went over the total.
-- Over is 14-5-1 in last twenty Dempster starts.
-- Seven of last eight Hammel starts went over the total. Under is 6-0-2 in last eight Billingsley starts.
-- Seven of last eight Stauffer starts stayed under.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Pelfrey starts.
-- Four of last five Volquez starts stayed under the total. Four of last five Figueroa starts went over.
-- Five of last six Volstad home starts went over the total.
-- Over was 6-1-1 in Minor's starts LY.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Haren starts.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in Seattle's first five games.
-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Buehrle starts.
-- Four of last five Pavano starts went over the total.
-- Four of last five Bergesen starts stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Matsuzaka starts went over the total.
-- Last four Braden starts stayed under the total.
Hot teams
-- Phillies, Mets both won three of their first four games.
-- Padres won three of their first four games.
-- Reds won their first four games, scoring 31 runs.
-- Cubs won three of their last four games.
-- Orioles won their first four games for first time since 1970.
-- Blue Jays won three of their first four games.
-- Rangers won their first five games, outscoring foes 35-17.
-- Royals won four of their first five games.
Cold teams
-- Arizona lost three of its first four games.
-- Nationals lost three of their first four games.
-- Giants lost four of their first five games.
-- Astros lost their first four games, allowing 29 runs.
-- Brewers lost four of their first five games.
-- Rays lost their first four games, scoring a total of five runs.
-- Oakland lost three of its first four games.
-- Detroit lost three of its first four games.
-- Red Sox lost their first four games, allowing 29 runs.
-- Mariners lost their last three games, scoring seven runs.
Write-Up
Wednesday, April 6
Hot pitchers
-- Carpenter is 1-1, 3.15 in his last three starts.
-- Billingsley is 2-0, 2.66 in his last three starts.
-- Lincecum is 7-3, 2.17 in his last ten starts. Stauffer is 3-2, 1.97 in his last eight starts.
-- Blanton is 3-0, 2.77 in his last four starts.
-- Volstad is 3-0, 0.83 in his last three starts. LHernandez is 0-1, 2.37 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 4-0, 1.80 in his last nine starts. Hellickson was 3-0, 2.05 in four starts LY.
-- FHernandez is 3-1, 1.36 in his last four starts.
-- FGarcia is 2-1, 3.12 in his last five starts.
-- Verlander is 4-1, 2.74 in his last six starts.
-- Talbot is 2-2, 3.38 in his last four starts.
-- Braden is 2-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Correia is 1-3, 11.50 in his last four starts.
-- Dempster is 1-3, 8.02 in his last four starts. Galarraga is 0-4, 8.31 in his last four starts.
-- Hammel is 0-2, 8.61 in his last five starts.
-- Pelfrey is 0-3, 7.65 in his last four road starts.
-- Volquez is 1-2, 4.82 in his last five starts. Figueroa is 1-2, 5.91 in his last four outings.
-- Minor is 0-2, 9.37 in his last four starts. Estrada allowed two runs in three IP in his only '10 start, at Minnesota.
-- Wilson is 0-2, 5.70 in his last four starts.
-- Buehrle has a 6.52 RA in his last five starts. Francis is 0-3, 5.72 in his last six starts.
-- Pavano is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts.
-- Bergesen is 2-3, 3.72 in his last six starts.
-- Matsuzaka is 0-2, 6.98 in his last five starts.
-- Litsch is 1-2, 4.94 in his last five starts.
Totals
-- Last six Correia starts all went over the total.
-- Over is 14-5-1 in last twenty Dempster starts.
-- Seven of last eight Hammel starts went over the total. Under is 6-0-2 in last eight Billingsley starts.
-- Seven of last eight Stauffer starts stayed under.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Pelfrey starts.
-- Four of last five Volquez starts stayed under the total. Four of last five Figueroa starts went over.
-- Five of last six Volstad home starts went over the total.
-- Over was 6-1-1 in Minor's starts LY.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Haren starts.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in Seattle's first five games.
-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Buehrle starts.
-- Four of last five Pavano starts went over the total.
-- Four of last five Bergesen starts stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Matsuzaka starts went over the total.
-- Last four Braden starts stayed under the total.
Hot teams
-- Phillies, Mets both won three of their first four games.
-- Padres won three of their first four games.
-- Reds won their first four games, scoring 31 runs.
-- Cubs won three of their last four games.
-- Orioles won their first four games for first time since 1970.
-- Blue Jays won three of their first four games.
-- Rangers won their first five games, outscoring foes 35-17.
-- Royals won four of their first five games.
Cold teams
-- Arizona lost three of its first four games.
-- Nationals lost three of their first four games.
-- Giants lost four of their first five games.
-- Astros lost their first four games, allowing 29 runs.
-- Brewers lost four of their first five games.
-- Rays lost their first four games, scoring a total of five runs.
-- Oakland lost three of its first four games.
-- Detroit lost three of its first four games.
-- Red Sox lost their first four games, allowing 29 runs.
-- Mariners lost their last three games, scoring seven runs.
COMPS:
1. NSA(The Legend) NBA - Lakers under 203
2. Ray "The Playmaker" Bowden MLB - Nationals +135
3. VegasSI.com NBA - Kings +9
4. SportsAction365.com NBA - Nets over 200
5. Gameday Network NBA - Magic -6.5
6. William E. Stockton NBA - Nuggets -5
7. Gerry "Big Cat" Andino NBA - Raptors -5
8. Lou Panelli MLB - Rangers over 8
9. Steve "Scoop" Kendall MLB - Blue Jays -130
10. Vincent Pioli MLB - Padres under 7
11. John Morrison MLB - Padres +125
12. Tony Campone NBA - Bucks over 184
13. Chicago Sports Group NBA - Kings over 210
14. Hollywood Sportsline NBA - Hornets -3.5
15. VIP Action NBA - Raptors -5
16. South Beach Sports MLB - Rockies -120
17. Michigan Sports NBA - Suns -3.5
18. NY Players Club MLB - Yankees under 10.5
19. Charlies Sports MLB - Rays -110
20. Fred Callahan MLB - Braves under 9
1. NSA(The Legend) NBA - Lakers under 203
2. Ray "The Playmaker" Bowden MLB - Nationals +135
3. VegasSI.com NBA - Kings +9
4. SportsAction365.com NBA - Nets over 200
5. Gameday Network NBA - Magic -6.5
6. William E. Stockton NBA - Nuggets -5
7. Gerry "Big Cat" Andino NBA - Raptors -5
8. Lou Panelli MLB - Rangers over 8
9. Steve "Scoop" Kendall MLB - Blue Jays -130
10. Vincent Pioli MLB - Padres under 7
11. John Morrison MLB - Padres +125
12. Tony Campone NBA - Bucks over 184
13. Chicago Sports Group NBA - Kings over 210
14. Hollywood Sportsline NBA - Hornets -3.5
15. VIP Action NBA - Raptors -5
16. South Beach Sports MLB - Rockies -120
17. Michigan Sports NBA - Suns -3.5
18. NY Players Club MLB - Yankees under 10.5
19. Charlies Sports MLB - Rays -110
20. Fred Callahan MLB - Braves under 9
GC NBA Play- Wednesday
Wednesday 7* Triple System NBA Game of the Year with 2 late season systems and a rare 100% Dominator system that wins by 18 ppg. MLB First 5* Diamond Cutter 100% System side wins by 4 runs per game. Big 3 game Pack. NBA Cashes Big with Ok. City on Tuesday. Free NBA play Below.
On Wednesday the NBA Play is on the LA. Lakers. Game 723 at 10:35 eastern. The Lakers were caught napping last night in a bad home loss to the Utah Jazz. The Lakers came back from an 18 point deficit a few days ago to collar the Jazz by 11 points in Utah. Tuesday night was a different story as the Jazz were able to keep the Lakers at bay and pull of the Big Upset as a 13 point dog. The Lakers will no doubt come out with a sense of purpose against a Golden State team that pulled off a big upset themselves torching the Blazers on the road by 21 points as a 10 point dog. The Lakers fit a nice system here tonight. We want to play on road favorites with no rest that were home favorites of -5 or more last night and scored 90 or less points vs an opponent that scored 90 or more as a road dog of 5 or more. These un rested road favorites cash 82% of the time. Lakers are 5-2 ats as a road favorite from -6.5 to -9. Look for the Lakers to bounce back. Tonight is the release of the 7* NBA Triple System Game of the Year backed with 2 late season Power systems both cashing over 90% and a rare 100% Dominator system that is perfect and wins by 18 points a game. I also have a Solid 90% total and the first 5* 100% MLB Diamond Cutter system side of the season that wins by 4 runs per game. We cashed top NBA last night and MLB is 4-1 on unit rated plays. For the Bonus Play take the LA. Lakers. GC
Wednesday 7* Triple System NBA Game of the Year with 2 late season systems and a rare 100% Dominator system that wins by 18 ppg. MLB First 5* Diamond Cutter 100% System side wins by 4 runs per game. Big 3 game Pack. NBA Cashes Big with Ok. City on Tuesday. Free NBA play Below.
On Wednesday the NBA Play is on the LA. Lakers. Game 723 at 10:35 eastern. The Lakers were caught napping last night in a bad home loss to the Utah Jazz. The Lakers came back from an 18 point deficit a few days ago to collar the Jazz by 11 points in Utah. Tuesday night was a different story as the Jazz were able to keep the Lakers at bay and pull of the Big Upset as a 13 point dog. The Lakers will no doubt come out with a sense of purpose against a Golden State team that pulled off a big upset themselves torching the Blazers on the road by 21 points as a 10 point dog. The Lakers fit a nice system here tonight. We want to play on road favorites with no rest that were home favorites of -5 or more last night and scored 90 or less points vs an opponent that scored 90 or more as a road dog of 5 or more. These un rested road favorites cash 82% of the time. Lakers are 5-2 ats as a road favorite from -6.5 to -9. Look for the Lakers to bounce back. Tonight is the release of the 7* NBA Triple System Game of the Year backed with 2 late season Power systems both cashing over 90% and a rare 100% Dominator system that is perfect and wins by 18 points a game. I also have a Solid 90% total and the first 5* 100% MLB Diamond Cutter system side of the season that wins by 4 runs per game. We cashed top NBA last night and MLB is 4-1 on unit rated plays. For the Bonus Play take the LA. Lakers. GC
Chip Chirimbes
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles' Dan Haren had a great outing in his first start of the season going seven innings and allowing only one run while striking out six without walking a batter get the start at Tampa Wednesday afternoon. Haren is 5-2 lifetime over the Rays with a career ERA of 2.74 in over 62 innings. Tampa is just not the same with all the defections and Longoria's absence won't help.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles' Dan Haren had a great outing in his first start of the season going seven innings and allowing only one run while striking out six without walking a batter get the start at Tampa Wednesday afternoon. Haren is 5-2 lifetime over the Rays with a career ERA of 2.74 in over 62 innings. Tampa is just not the same with all the defections and Longoria's absence won't help.
SPORTS WAGERS
KANSAS CITY –109 over Chicago
The White Sox have lost their last two and will face their first lefty of the year in K.C’s Jeff Francis. Francis is a guy that could really fly under the radar for a few starts and could be in line for a terrific year. Francis has missed parts of the last three seasons while struggling with a shoulder injury but there are many positives to consider. His 2010 ERA was bloated by some bad luck via hit %/strand % but his control and command were career-bests. Francis also had some very nice second half numbers and that sets up the possibility of a 2011 follow-up. His spring training audition for the rotation went well--with a 20 IP sampler, but 15 K and 3 BB. So did his first start of the year in which he faced the Red Sox and allowed just two runs in one out shy of six innings. Mark Buherle entered this season as a pitcher notorious for out-performing his skill-set on a seemingly annual basis. 2010 was shaky and his numbers should have been worse. His ERA/xERA gap continues to grow and this year you can expect that ERA to be much closer to 5 than 4. In his first start this year, Buherle was in trouble the entire game against the Indians. He ultimately surrendered eight hits and four runs in six full but was a base hit away on a few occasions from being yanked. His skills have now slipped to a level that is clearly subpar and he’s really an overvalued starter. Royals are a surprising 4-1 and can likely improve another notch when this one is completed. Play: Kansas City –109 (Risking 2.18 units to win 2).
Washington +130 over FLORIDA
Livan Hernandez isn’t going to dominate anyone but the savvy veteran can usually keep his team close enough for them to win it. Case in point was his opening day assignment in which he lost but held the Braves to four hits in 6.1 frames and didn’t walk a batter. Besides, this one is more about playing against Chris Volstad as the chalk. Volstad really doesn’t offer up much. He’s the Marlins fifth starter and they’re hoping he eats up some innings. Last season he was demoted to the minors and this season he barely made the roster after a very shaky spring in which he allowed 16 runs in 18.1 IP. This is Volstad’s first start of the year and it doesn’t come without pressure. He has little room for error with at least three other pitchers, Adalberto Mendez, Shawn Hill and Sean West just biting at the bit for their chance at that fifth spot in the rotation. Volstad is just 23 but his numbers began to deteriorate last season and we’d be very cautious about laying juice with a guy as fragile as he is. Play: Washington +130 (Risking 2 units).
KANSAS CITY –109 over Chicago
The White Sox have lost their last two and will face their first lefty of the year in K.C’s Jeff Francis. Francis is a guy that could really fly under the radar for a few starts and could be in line for a terrific year. Francis has missed parts of the last three seasons while struggling with a shoulder injury but there are many positives to consider. His 2010 ERA was bloated by some bad luck via hit %/strand % but his control and command were career-bests. Francis also had some very nice second half numbers and that sets up the possibility of a 2011 follow-up. His spring training audition for the rotation went well--with a 20 IP sampler, but 15 K and 3 BB. So did his first start of the year in which he faced the Red Sox and allowed just two runs in one out shy of six innings. Mark Buherle entered this season as a pitcher notorious for out-performing his skill-set on a seemingly annual basis. 2010 was shaky and his numbers should have been worse. His ERA/xERA gap continues to grow and this year you can expect that ERA to be much closer to 5 than 4. In his first start this year, Buherle was in trouble the entire game against the Indians. He ultimately surrendered eight hits and four runs in six full but was a base hit away on a few occasions from being yanked. His skills have now slipped to a level that is clearly subpar and he’s really an overvalued starter. Royals are a surprising 4-1 and can likely improve another notch when this one is completed. Play: Kansas City –109 (Risking 2.18 units to win 2).
Washington +130 over FLORIDA
Livan Hernandez isn’t going to dominate anyone but the savvy veteran can usually keep his team close enough for them to win it. Case in point was his opening day assignment in which he lost but held the Braves to four hits in 6.1 frames and didn’t walk a batter. Besides, this one is more about playing against Chris Volstad as the chalk. Volstad really doesn’t offer up much. He’s the Marlins fifth starter and they’re hoping he eats up some innings. Last season he was demoted to the minors and this season he barely made the roster after a very shaky spring in which he allowed 16 runs in 18.1 IP. This is Volstad’s first start of the year and it doesn’t come without pressure. He has little room for error with at least three other pitchers, Adalberto Mendez, Shawn Hill and Sean West just biting at the bit for their chance at that fifth spot in the rotation. Volstad is just 23 but his numbers began to deteriorate last season and we’d be very cautious about laying juice with a guy as fragile as he is. Play: Washington +130 (Risking 2 units).
