EZWINNER'S FREE SELECTION
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009
Game: Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Hornets
Sport: NBA
Time: 12:00PM CST
(702) New Orleans Hornets -3
These two teams just met in Dallas on Friday where the Mavericks picked
up the eight point win. Dallas has been playing very well at home, but they
are a different team on the road. The Hornets had won four straight meetings
between these teams before Friday's loss and I expect them to get back on
track in this game. Dallas is only 1-5 against the spread in their last six trips
to New Orleans. Lay the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 56-44 (56.0%)
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009
Game: Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Hornets
Sport: NBA
Time: 12:00PM CST
(702) New Orleans Hornets -3
These two teams just met in Dallas on Friday where the Mavericks picked
up the eight point win. Dallas has been playing very well at home, but they
are a different team on the road. The Hornets had won four straight meetings
between these teams before Friday's loss and I expect them to get back on
track in this game. Dallas is only 1-5 against the spread in their last six trips
to New Orleans. Lay the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 56-44 (56.0%)
Bobby Maxwell
Chicago Cubs at MILWAUKEE +125
Sunday night FREE winner for you here on the diamond as we go with the Brewers at home to get the victory over the Cubs.
These two teams have played two thrillers already in this series with the Brewers scoring two in the ninth to win Friday and the Cubs coming back with two in the ninth on Saturday to get the win.
Milwaukee's Jeff Suppan gets a shot at redemption after his opener on Tuesday when he gave up six runs on six hits in a 10-6 loss to the Giants. He's 6-6 in his career against the Cubs and went 1-1 last season with a 6.60 ERA in three games agaisnt them.
Ryan Dempster goes for the Cubs and they have lost five of his last seven starts, including the playoffs. He gave up two runs on six hits in Houston in his first start of the season and the Cubs lost 3-2 in 10 innings.
Milwaukee has alternated wins and losses this season and we're going to count on that to continue tonight. They will get enough offense off Dempster and expect Suppan to pitch very well at home. Get the plus-money and play the Brewers.
4♦ MILWAUKEE
Chicago Cubs at MILWAUKEE +125
Sunday night FREE winner for you here on the diamond as we go with the Brewers at home to get the victory over the Cubs.
These two teams have played two thrillers already in this series with the Brewers scoring two in the ninth to win Friday and the Cubs coming back with two in the ninth on Saturday to get the win.
Milwaukee's Jeff Suppan gets a shot at redemption after his opener on Tuesday when he gave up six runs on six hits in a 10-6 loss to the Giants. He's 6-6 in his career against the Cubs and went 1-1 last season with a 6.60 ERA in three games agaisnt them.
Ryan Dempster goes for the Cubs and they have lost five of his last seven starts, including the playoffs. He gave up two runs on six hits in Houston in his first start of the season and the Cubs lost 3-2 in 10 innings.
Milwaukee has alternated wins and losses this season and we're going to count on that to continue tonight. They will get enough offense off Dempster and expect Suppan to pitch very well at home. Get the plus-money and play the Brewers.
4♦ MILWAUKEE
VEGAS EXPERTS
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavs
Can't see the Cavs losing at home, so laying a short number should be no problem. Boston has not won in Cleveland since 2004. The road team has not won in this head to head series in over two years. Cleveland has won two straight by double-digits and when they do that, they are 15-7 ATS next game. Boston doesn't even have Kevin Garnett here. This is such a huge statement game for the Cavs, who want to square away the season series, that we project a blowout Sunday afternoon.
Play on: Cleveland
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavs
Can't see the Cavs losing at home, so laying a short number should be no problem. Boston has not won in Cleveland since 2004. The road team has not won in this head to head series in over two years. Cleveland has won two straight by double-digits and when they do that, they are 15-7 ATS next game. Boston doesn't even have Kevin Garnett here. This is such a huge statement game for the Cavs, who want to square away the season series, that we project a blowout Sunday afternoon.
Play on: Cleveland
Brian Hansen
New York Knicks at Miami Heat
The Knicks scored a big win in Orlando on Friday night beating Orlando by 10 points as a 10.5-point underdog. They stay on the road today in Miami and take on the Heat. The Sportsbooks have the Heat as 6.5-point dogs. Miami comes into this game off back-to-back losses and we think they’ll get an easy one today over these Knicks. Play on Miami and lay the points!
Play on: Miami
New York Knicks at Miami Heat
The Knicks scored a big win in Orlando on Friday night beating Orlando by 10 points as a 10.5-point underdog. They stay on the road today in Miami and take on the Heat. The Sportsbooks have the Heat as 6.5-point dogs. Miami comes into this game off back-to-back losses and we think they’ll get an easy one today over these Knicks. Play on Miami and lay the points!
Play on: Miami
Tony Karpinski
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -6.5
Sure, some of the luster of this Boston-Cleveland meeting is off considering that both have clinched their respective playoff spots for next weekend, but we feel both teams will get rested after it today, as they know they are likely to face each other once again in the postseason, and feel the need to "send a message" in this showdown.
That being said, we will side with the Cavaliers minus the number at home as they are still in the hunt with the LA Lakers for best overall record and the Celtics are without KG. Cleveland is 38-1 straight up on their home hardwood, and they thoroughly dominated the Celtics at the Quicken Loans Arena 98-83 back in early January. The Cavs are on a 7-1 spread run - playoffs included - the last 8 times the teams have clashed, and the Cavaliers are also on a 4-1 spread run the last 5 times they have been installed as a single digit favorite on the year and have won more games by double digits than any team in the NBA this year.Look for the Cavs to lock up another Double -Digit win Sunday afternoon!
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -6.5
Sure, some of the luster of this Boston-Cleveland meeting is off considering that both have clinched their respective playoff spots for next weekend, but we feel both teams will get rested after it today, as they know they are likely to face each other once again in the postseason, and feel the need to "send a message" in this showdown.
That being said, we will side with the Cavaliers minus the number at home as they are still in the hunt with the LA Lakers for best overall record and the Celtics are without KG. Cleveland is 38-1 straight up on their home hardwood, and they thoroughly dominated the Celtics at the Quicken Loans Arena 98-83 back in early January. The Cavs are on a 7-1 spread run - playoffs included - the last 8 times the teams have clashed, and the Cavaliers are also on a 4-1 spread run the last 5 times they have been installed as a single digit favorite on the year and have won more games by double digits than any team in the NBA this year.Look for the Cavs to lock up another Double -Digit win Sunday afternoon!
Frank Jordan
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres
Play: San Francisco Giants
Padres used a good outing from their ace Jake Peavy and a 4 spot in the 5th inning to double up the Giants 6-3 on Saturday. On Sunday look for Lincecum to make up for the shaky opening start with a quality start Sunday evening up the Giants record at 3-3. Play San Francisco
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres
Play: San Francisco Giants
Padres used a good outing from their ace Jake Peavy and a 4 spot in the 5th inning to double up the Giants 6-3 on Saturday. On Sunday look for Lincecum to make up for the shaky opening start with a quality start Sunday evening up the Giants record at 3-3. Play San Francisco
Jim Feist
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS at TORONTO RAPTORS
Take: TORONTO RAPTORS
Final home game for the Raptors, who always play their best at home. Raptors center Andrea Bargnani, who missed last Wednesday's loss at Indiana with a sore left heel, returned to the starting lineup and scored nine points the last game. They take on a Philadelphia team that is 16-23 on the road and has already clinched a playoff spot. They have been coasting since, on an 0-4 SU, 1-3 ATS. Play the Raptors.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS at TORONTO RAPTORS
Take: TORONTO RAPTORS
Final home game for the Raptors, who always play their best at home. Raptors center Andrea Bargnani, who missed last Wednesday's loss at Indiana with a sore left heel, returned to the starting lineup and scored nine points the last game. They take on a Philadelphia team that is 16-23 on the road and has already clinched a playoff spot. They have been coasting since, on an 0-4 SU, 1-3 ATS. Play the Raptors.
LT Profits
Mariners/Athletics Under 8
Erik Bedard has a lost season in his first with the Seattle Mariners last year due to injury, but he looked to be almost back to his true form in his first start this year, so runs should be at a premium today vs. the Oakland Athletics and the promising Trevor Cahill.
Sure, Bedard was touched up for three runs in five innings by the Twins on Tuesday, but he had eight strikeouts and no walks in those five innings, which is certainly an encouraging sign. He also tossed a masterpiece in his only start vs. the Athletics last year, allowing two hits in 6.2 scoreless innings, and the last time he pitched in this spacious stadium, he allowed one run on just one hit with 11 strikeouts in seven innings two years ago.
Cahill was solid in his first Major League start, allowing two earned runs in five innings vs. the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, and like most pitchers, he should appreciate the dimensions of his home ballpark. Cahill is one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and he has drawn comparisons to because of his natural sinker. He should be doubly tough his first time through the American League.
While both of these starters went only five innings in their season debuts, they should be stretched out a bit more today, which looks like bad news for the hitters.
Pick: Mariners/Athletics Under 8
Mariners/Athletics Under 8
Erik Bedard has a lost season in his first with the Seattle Mariners last year due to injury, but he looked to be almost back to his true form in his first start this year, so runs should be at a premium today vs. the Oakland Athletics and the promising Trevor Cahill.
Sure, Bedard was touched up for three runs in five innings by the Twins on Tuesday, but he had eight strikeouts and no walks in those five innings, which is certainly an encouraging sign. He also tossed a masterpiece in his only start vs. the Athletics last year, allowing two hits in 6.2 scoreless innings, and the last time he pitched in this spacious stadium, he allowed one run on just one hit with 11 strikeouts in seven innings two years ago.
Cahill was solid in his first Major League start, allowing two earned runs in five innings vs. the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, and like most pitchers, he should appreciate the dimensions of his home ballpark. Cahill is one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and he has drawn comparisons to because of his natural sinker. He should be doubly tough his first time through the American League.
While both of these starters went only five innings in their season debuts, they should be stretched out a bit more today, which looks like bad news for the hitters.
Pick: Mariners/Athletics Under 8
Big Al Mcmordie
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
At 2:05pm our member selection is on the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins. Left-handed veteran starter Mark Buehrle has provided the White Sox with some of the most consistent stats over the past nine seasons and there's no reason why he can't continue to do so. Buehrle's durability (he's thrown over 200 innings in every year since 2000) is probably due mostly to the fact that he doesn't throw very hard. As a result, Buehrle is often forgotten about because he is not flashy and doesn't strike out a lot of guys. But he was up to his old tricks in his first start of the season, even though he only went five innings, something he doesn't do very often (oddly enough, he also had a five-inning outing in his first start of 2008). He faced a light-hitting Royals team in his first start and he gets more of the same this afternoon with the Joe Mauer-less Minnesota Twins and their right-hander Nick Blackburn. The Twins were lucky to win Blackburn's 2009 debut on Tuesday when Seattle's bullpen squandered a two-run, ninth inning lead. This game is being played in Chicago and that also spells bad news for Blackburn as he was woeful on the road last season (3-8 with a 4.97 ERA in 19 starts away from Minneapolis). Take the White Sox.
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
At 2:05pm our member selection is on the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins. Left-handed veteran starter Mark Buehrle has provided the White Sox with some of the most consistent stats over the past nine seasons and there's no reason why he can't continue to do so. Buehrle's durability (he's thrown over 200 innings in every year since 2000) is probably due mostly to the fact that he doesn't throw very hard. As a result, Buehrle is often forgotten about because he is not flashy and doesn't strike out a lot of guys. But he was up to his old tricks in his first start of the season, even though he only went five innings, something he doesn't do very often (oddly enough, he also had a five-inning outing in his first start of 2008). He faced a light-hitting Royals team in his first start and he gets more of the same this afternoon with the Joe Mauer-less Minnesota Twins and their right-hander Nick Blackburn. The Twins were lucky to win Blackburn's 2009 debut on Tuesday when Seattle's bullpen squandered a two-run, ninth inning lead. This game is being played in Chicago and that also spells bad news for Blackburn as he was woeful on the road last season (3-8 with a 4.97 ERA in 19 starts away from Minneapolis). Take the White Sox.
Tom Freese
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors
Prediction: Over
Philadelphia is 7-1 OVER their last 8 road games and they are 20-7-2 OVER off a straight up loss. The Sixers are 6-2 OVER after allowing 100 or more points in their last game and they are 5-0 OVER in Canada vs. the Raptors. Toronto is 11-4 OVER after allowing 100 or more points in their game and they are 21-9 OVER of an ATS loss. The Raptors are 19-9 OVER off a straight up loss and they are 10-4 OVER vs. a team that allowed 100 or more points in their last game. PLAY ON 'OVER'
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors
Prediction: Over
Philadelphia is 7-1 OVER their last 8 road games and they are 20-7-2 OVER off a straight up loss. The Sixers are 6-2 OVER after allowing 100 or more points in their last game and they are 5-0 OVER in Canada vs. the Raptors. Toronto is 11-4 OVER after allowing 100 or more points in their game and they are 21-9 OVER of an ATS loss. The Raptors are 19-9 OVER off a straight up loss and they are 10-4 OVER vs. a team that allowed 100 or more points in their last game. PLAY ON 'OVER'
Jimmy The Moose
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
The Giants have dropped both games in the series to the Padres. Today they look to take game 3 with their ace Tim Lincecum on the mound. Lincecum has made 8 career starts vs. the Padres and the Giants have won 7 of the 8 games. Chris Young was steady in his first game of the season but he struggled last season vs. the Giants. The Padres lost his last 3 starts vs. the Giants and 2 of the 3 games were at home. Play on the San Francisco Giants -.
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
The Giants have dropped both games in the series to the Padres. Today they look to take game 3 with their ace Tim Lincecum on the mound. Lincecum has made 8 career starts vs. the Padres and the Giants have won 7 of the 8 games. Chris Young was steady in his first game of the season but he struggled last season vs. the Giants. The Padres lost his last 3 starts vs. the Giants and 2 of the 3 games were at home. Play on the San Francisco Giants -.
LARRY NESS
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds
PICK: Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh has had a number of players suffering from a virus (flu?) the last few weeks. Friday’s series opener at Cincy was postponed due to rain and the day off seemed to have helped. Pittsburgh had just been one-hit at St Louis on Thursday but had 12 hits (including three HRs) in Saturday's 10-2 win. The Reds have opened the 2009 season 1-3 (all at home) and after getting just six hits Saturday, are batting .218 as a team on the season. However, I expect those Cincy bats to 'wake up' vs Pittsburgh's Ian Snell on Sunday afternoon. Snell went 14-11 with 4.74 ERA back in 2006 and then 9-12 in 2007, although he did improve his ERA by almost a full run (3.76). However, he was only 7-12 with a 5.42 ERA last year, allowing 201 hits in 164.1 innings. The Pirates were 14-17 in his 31 starts, with Snell posting a 6.22 ERA on the road. Snell's 2009 debut hardly gives any indication of him showing improvement this year, allowing eight runs (six earned) and nine hits over four innings in Tuesday’s 9-3 loss to the Cardinals. He went 2-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four starts against the Reds last season and is 4-6 with a 5.21 ERA in 11 lifetime starts vs the Reds (Pirates are 4-7). The Reds counter with Aaron Harang. Harang won 16 games in both 2006 and 2007, going 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA in 2007. The team was a spectacular 24-10 in his 34 starts that year, making Harang MLB's biggest "moneymaker" among starters (plus-$1,347). Harang had a HUGE 'fall' last year, going 6-17 (4.78 ERA), with the Reds going 12-17 (minus-$640) in his 29 starts. However, he looked very good in Monday’s season-opening 2-1 defeat at the hands the Mets and Johan Santana. Harang allowed just one run, seven hits, three walks and struck out two in five innings. Harang was 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in three starts (Reds were 1-2) vs the Pirates last season after going 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in four starts (Reds were 3-1) against them in ’07. Harang is 11-5 (4.29 ERA) in his career vs the Pirates (team is 12-8 in 20 starts) and I'm of the belief that he'll be much closer to his '07 form this year, than to his '08 form. Let's see if I'm right, today? With the Reds facing Ian Snell, I should have more than a little "margin of error." Take the Reds.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds
PICK: Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh has had a number of players suffering from a virus (flu?) the last few weeks. Friday’s series opener at Cincy was postponed due to rain and the day off seemed to have helped. Pittsburgh had just been one-hit at St Louis on Thursday but had 12 hits (including three HRs) in Saturday's 10-2 win. The Reds have opened the 2009 season 1-3 (all at home) and after getting just six hits Saturday, are batting .218 as a team on the season. However, I expect those Cincy bats to 'wake up' vs Pittsburgh's Ian Snell on Sunday afternoon. Snell went 14-11 with 4.74 ERA back in 2006 and then 9-12 in 2007, although he did improve his ERA by almost a full run (3.76). However, he was only 7-12 with a 5.42 ERA last year, allowing 201 hits in 164.1 innings. The Pirates were 14-17 in his 31 starts, with Snell posting a 6.22 ERA on the road. Snell's 2009 debut hardly gives any indication of him showing improvement this year, allowing eight runs (six earned) and nine hits over four innings in Tuesday’s 9-3 loss to the Cardinals. He went 2-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four starts against the Reds last season and is 4-6 with a 5.21 ERA in 11 lifetime starts vs the Reds (Pirates are 4-7). The Reds counter with Aaron Harang. Harang won 16 games in both 2006 and 2007, going 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA in 2007. The team was a spectacular 24-10 in his 34 starts that year, making Harang MLB's biggest "moneymaker" among starters (plus-$1,347). Harang had a HUGE 'fall' last year, going 6-17 (4.78 ERA), with the Reds going 12-17 (minus-$640) in his 29 starts. However, he looked very good in Monday’s season-opening 2-1 defeat at the hands the Mets and Johan Santana. Harang allowed just one run, seven hits, three walks and struck out two in five innings. Harang was 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in three starts (Reds were 1-2) vs the Pirates last season after going 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in four starts (Reds were 3-1) against them in ’07. Harang is 11-5 (4.29 ERA) in his career vs the Pirates (team is 12-8 in 20 starts) and I'm of the belief that he'll be much closer to his '07 form this year, than to his '08 form. Let's see if I'm right, today? With the Reds facing Ian Snell, I should have more than a little "margin of error." Take the Reds.
tonyosports
In a potential playoff preview, the Cleveland Cavaliers will meet the Boston Celtics on Sunday without the reigning NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Kevin Garnett will be sidelined to rest his strained right knee, as Boston will begin the NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference's #2 seed. MVP candidate LeBron James has turned into a lethal outside shooter as of late, as he is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range in 28 games since the All-Star break. Mo Williams has also been shooting lights out, as he has a 48 percent clip from 3-point range in 28 games since the All-Star break. If Boston wants to pull off the upset on Sunday, they'll need a better performance out of Ray Allen. In 3 games against Cleveland this season, Allen is averaging just 12.3 points on 39 percent shooting. All Cavs.
The Chicago Cubs will try to end their season-opening 6 game road trip in positive fashion tonight with a prime-time matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. 2008 NL All-Star Ryan Dempster will pitch for the Cubs against Milwaukee's Opening Day starter Jeff Suppan. Dempster pitched very well at Miller Park last season, as he went 1-0 in 2 starts & allowed just 2 runs in 12 innings of work. Jeff Suppan struggled against the Cubs last season, as he went 1-1 in 3 starts with a 6.60 ERA. Look for the Cubs to win another close game, with Carlos Marmol shutting the door late with his 2nd save in as many days. All Cubs.
Guranteed To Win or Well Pay You back: 76ers
Today's Complimentary Play: MAVS
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In a potential playoff preview, the Cleveland Cavaliers will meet the Boston Celtics on Sunday without the reigning NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Kevin Garnett will be sidelined to rest his strained right knee, as Boston will begin the NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference's #2 seed. MVP candidate LeBron James has turned into a lethal outside shooter as of late, as he is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range in 28 games since the All-Star break. Mo Williams has also been shooting lights out, as he has a 48 percent clip from 3-point range in 28 games since the All-Star break. If Boston wants to pull off the upset on Sunday, they'll need a better performance out of Ray Allen. In 3 games against Cleveland this season, Allen is averaging just 12.3 points on 39 percent shooting. All Cavs.
The Chicago Cubs will try to end their season-opening 6 game road trip in positive fashion tonight with a prime-time matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. 2008 NL All-Star Ryan Dempster will pitch for the Cubs against Milwaukee's Opening Day starter Jeff Suppan. Dempster pitched very well at Miller Park last season, as he went 1-0 in 2 starts & allowed just 2 runs in 12 innings of work. Jeff Suppan struggled against the Cubs last season, as he went 1-1 in 3 starts with a 6.60 ERA. Look for the Cubs to win another close game, with Carlos Marmol shutting the door late with his 2nd save in as many days. All Cubs.
Guranteed To Win or Well Pay You back: 76ers
Today's Complimentary Play: MAVS
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