Dave Cokin
Fee Play Sunday
RAYS (Archer) at TIGERS (Zimmermann) 1:08 PM
Take: RAYS +101
My Saturday call on Tampa Bay didn’t work out as the Rays dropped a 5-4 decision to the Tigers. But I’ll try them again today, hopefully with a better result.
Chris Archer is on the hill for TB, and he’s still having some BB issues. But Archer is trending in the right direction for the most part, and when he’s on his game, this righty is one of the better pitchers in the game.
Jordan Zimmermann got the strikeouts rolling in his last start, but that might have actually been more of a result of lousy overall command. Zimmermann was sort of wild in the strike zone in that outing, and ended up getting hit hard by the Twins. It’s tough to find great fault with 6-2, 2.45. But some of the Zimmermann peripherals are not so hot. Perhaps I’m nitpicking a bit, and I’ll admit I have a tendency to do that every now and then, but I think the Rays have decent chance to get to the Detroit righty today.
The Rays did get cooled off for most of Saturday’s game, at least until that very shaky Tigers bullpen got involved. Tampa Bay suffered way more than just one loss in the process. Kevin Kiermaier broke his hand trying to make a diving catch, and that is a big hit for this team. The Rays can certainly replace his average bat, but Kiermaier is a brilliant defender and this is an injury that will definitely create a substantial void in the Tampa Bay outfield.
I’m basically banking on Archer today. There’s definitely some gamble involved, as anyone who has followed my baseball analysis here over the years knows how walks can drive me a bit nuts. Plus, Archer still hasn’t gotten back to his 2015 velocity levels with the heater. His slider is right there though, and Archer seems to be trusting his change more than he has in the past. Bottom line is that he’s still missing bats, but there are times when I think Archer is trying too hard to strike everyone out.
Nevertheless, Archer remains a guy I’m really high on and I like the idea of being able to take him at roughly even money today. If it’s tight at the finish line, I definitely prefer the Tampa Bay bullpen. My play is on the Rays to win the series rubber match.
Fee Play Sunday
RAYS (Archer) at TIGERS (Zimmermann) 1:08 PM
Take: RAYS +101
My Saturday call on Tampa Bay didn’t work out as the Rays dropped a 5-4 decision to the Tigers. But I’ll try them again today, hopefully with a better result.
Chris Archer is on the hill for TB, and he’s still having some BB issues. But Archer is trending in the right direction for the most part, and when he’s on his game, this righty is one of the better pitchers in the game.
Jordan Zimmermann got the strikeouts rolling in his last start, but that might have actually been more of a result of lousy overall command. Zimmermann was sort of wild in the strike zone in that outing, and ended up getting hit hard by the Twins. It’s tough to find great fault with 6-2, 2.45. But some of the Zimmermann peripherals are not so hot. Perhaps I’m nitpicking a bit, and I’ll admit I have a tendency to do that every now and then, but I think the Rays have decent chance to get to the Detroit righty today.
The Rays did get cooled off for most of Saturday’s game, at least until that very shaky Tigers bullpen got involved. Tampa Bay suffered way more than just one loss in the process. Kevin Kiermaier broke his hand trying to make a diving catch, and that is a big hit for this team. The Rays can certainly replace his average bat, but Kiermaier is a brilliant defender and this is an injury that will definitely create a substantial void in the Tampa Bay outfield.
I’m basically banking on Archer today. There’s definitely some gamble involved, as anyone who has followed my baseball analysis here over the years knows how walks can drive me a bit nuts. Plus, Archer still hasn’t gotten back to his 2015 velocity levels with the heater. His slider is right there though, and Archer seems to be trusting his change more than he has in the past. Bottom line is that he’s still missing bats, but there are times when I think Archer is trying too hard to strike everyone out.
Nevertheless, Archer remains a guy I’m really high on and I like the idea of being able to take him at roughly even money today. If it’s tight at the finish line, I definitely prefer the Tampa Bay bullpen. My play is on the Rays to win the series rubber match.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Sunday, May 22, 2016 2:10 PM
(969) TEXAS RANGERS VS (970) HOUSTON ASTROS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Sunday, May 22, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Texas Rangers and the Astros in Houston. A pair of aces are on the mound for this division showdown. Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.10 ERA) goes for Texas, with 51 strikeouts in 49 innings. Hamels' 9.3 K-to-walk ratio is the best since his rookie season (2006), he's inducing groundballs at a career-high rate and his 85.7 percent strand rate is well above his career average. The under is 7-3 in the Rangers last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter. He faces a suspect Houston offense that is tops in baseball in strikeouts. No. 18 in runs scored and on base percentage. Houston is 8-2-4 under the total at home against a team with a winning record. Ace Dallas Keuchel likes to throw in this park, with a 3.27 ERA. He's pitched six of his nine games on the road, including the last two. The Under is 4-1-3 in the Astros last 8 home games, plus 5-0-2 under against the AL West. Play the Texas Rangers/Houston Astros Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Sunday, May 22, 2016 2:10 PM
(969) TEXAS RANGERS VS (970) HOUSTON ASTROS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Sunday, May 22, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Texas Rangers and the Astros in Houston. A pair of aces are on the mound for this division showdown. Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.10 ERA) goes for Texas, with 51 strikeouts in 49 innings. Hamels' 9.3 K-to-walk ratio is the best since his rookie season (2006), he's inducing groundballs at a career-high rate and his 85.7 percent strand rate is well above his career average. The under is 7-3 in the Rangers last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter. He faces a suspect Houston offense that is tops in baseball in strikeouts. No. 18 in runs scored and on base percentage. Houston is 8-2-4 under the total at home against a team with a winning record. Ace Dallas Keuchel likes to throw in this park, with a 3.27 ERA. He's pitched six of his nine games on the road, including the last two. The Under is 4-1-3 in the Astros last 8 home games, plus 5-0-2 under against the AL West. Play the Texas Rangers/Houston Astros Under the total.
Art Aronson
WAS vs MIA
1* Bonus Play UNDER Nats/Marlins
The vistors turn to ace Max Scherzer (4-3, 4.01 ERA) who gave up two runs off three hits, while also striking out ten over seven innings in an unfortunate setback to the Mets on Tuesday. Scherzer induced 17 swinging strikes, but would give up two solo home runs as his only mistakes of the outing. Over his past two starts the veteran has been sharp, giving up a total of four earned runs while racking up and amazing 30 strikeouts over 15.1 innings of work. The home side counters with Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40) who is also coming off a gem, allowing one run over six innings while striking out five in a win over the Phillies on Monday. Recent performance is one of the best indicators when judging starting pitching and with these two hurlers coming into this one seemingly “firing on all cylinders,” the UNDER is indeed worth a second look in this matchup.
AAA Sports
WAS vs MIA
1* Bonus Play UNDER Nats/Marlins
The vistors turn to ace Max Scherzer (4-3, 4.01 ERA) who gave up two runs off three hits, while also striking out ten over seven innings in an unfortunate setback to the Mets on Tuesday. Scherzer induced 17 swinging strikes, but would give up two solo home runs as his only mistakes of the outing. Over his past two starts the veteran has been sharp, giving up a total of four earned runs while racking up and amazing 30 strikeouts over 15.1 innings of work. The home side counters with Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40) who is also coming off a gem, allowing one run over six innings while striking out five in a win over the Phillies on Monday. Recent performance is one of the best indicators when judging starting pitching and with these two hurlers coming into this one seemingly “firing on all cylinders,” the UNDER is indeed worth a second look in this matchup.
AAA Sports
Marc Lawrence
Rays vs Tigers
Play - Detroit Tigers w/Zimmerman
Edges - Tigers: Jordan Zimmerman 8-2 last ten home team starts during May; and 3-0 in day starts this season. Rays: Chris Archer 0-3 day starts this season; and 0-2 last two starts in this series. With Zimmerman in strong current form with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP this season, to go along with 21 K’s and 4 BB’s in his last four starts, we recommend a 1* play on Detroit. Thank you and good luck as always.
Rays vs Tigers
Play - Detroit Tigers w/Zimmerman
Edges - Tigers: Jordan Zimmerman 8-2 last ten home team starts during May; and 3-0 in day starts this season. Rays: Chris Archer 0-3 day starts this season; and 0-2 last two starts in this series. With Zimmerman in strong current form with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP this season, to go along with 21 K’s and 4 BB’s in his last four starts, we recommend a 1* play on Detroit. Thank you and good luck as always.
Hondo
Hondo: Texas isn’t toast
Hondo not only hit with the Marlins on Saturday night to raise his earnings to 512 kerfelds, but also delivered the winner of the Preakness — Exaggerator — to the loyal citizenry of HondoNation.
Sunday: Mr. Aitch will go with Texas over Dallas in Houston — 20 units on Hamels to win his duel with Keuchel.
Hondo: Texas isn’t toast
Hondo not only hit with the Marlins on Saturday night to raise his earnings to 512 kerfelds, but also delivered the winner of the Preakness — Exaggerator — to the loyal citizenry of HondoNation.
Sunday: Mr. Aitch will go with Texas over Dallas in Houston — 20 units on Hamels to win his duel with Keuchel.
NBA
Dunkel
Sunday, May 22
Golden State @ Oklahoma City
Game 711-712
May 22, 2016 @ 8:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
135.112
Oklahoma City
127.313
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 3
220 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-3); Under
Dunkel
Sunday, May 22
Golden State @ Oklahoma City
Game 711-712
May 22, 2016 @ 8:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
135.112
Oklahoma City
127.313
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 3
220 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-3); Under
NBA
Long Sheet
Sunday, May 22
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GOLDEN STATE (82 - 12) at OKLAHOMA CITY (64 - 31) - 5/22/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 157-114 ATS (+31.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 52-39 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-32 ATS (+5.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-38 ATS (+7.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-41 ATS (+14.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-41 ATS (+13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-27 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 67-46 ATS (+16.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 20-29 ATS (-11.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 27-39 ATS (-15.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 8-4 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Long Sheet
Sunday, May 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOLDEN STATE (82 - 12) at OKLAHOMA CITY (64 - 31) - 5/22/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 157-114 ATS (+31.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 52-39 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-32 ATS (+5.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-38 ATS (+7.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-41 ATS (+14.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-41 ATS (+13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-27 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 67-46 ATS (+16.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 20-29 ATS (-11.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 27-39 ATS (-15.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 8-4 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
