Sharp Bettor
Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Thursday, April 14, 2016, MLB. Chicago's offense is hitting and the defense has a quality veteran in Mat Latos. Latos (1-0) picked up an impressive win in his White Sox debut Thursday. He tossed six scoreless frames and struck out two while limiting the Athletics to just one hit. The White Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400. Minnesota hasn't done anything well and the Twins are 1-10 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Play Chicago.
Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Thursday, April 14, 2016, MLB. Chicago's offense is hitting and the defense has a quality veteran in Mat Latos. Latos (1-0) picked up an impressive win in his White Sox debut Thursday. He tossed six scoreless frames and struck out two while limiting the Athletics to just one hit. The White Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400. Minnesota hasn't done anything well and the Twins are 1-10 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Play Chicago.
Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday
959 REDS (Iglesias) at 960 CUBS (Hammel) 8:05 PM
Take: REDS +155
Let’s call it straight right out of the box. Going against the Cubs isn’t easy. Even with the Kyle Schwarber injury, this is a loaded team that is rightfully on the short list of entries with a real shot to win it all in 2016.
The Reds are not part of that conversation. Cincinnati contending would be an enormous surprise, to put it mildly. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t spots where this team will be a play on possibility, and I have tonight as one of those nights.
Raisel Iglesias makes the start for Cincy here, and he’s a guy with a ton of upside. Iglesias features three really good pitches, and I don’t think it’s at all inconceivable that we’re looking at a future staff ace here. Iglesias really got serious this winter and arrived at camp in much improved shape, and his efforts thus far are highly encouraging. Iglesias still needs to work on his efficiency so he can go deeper in games, but I pretty much like everything I’m seeing from the 26 year old righty.
Jason Hammel goes for the Cubs tonight, and he’s a tough guy to fade, particularly early in the season. Hammel has shown a tendency to wear down in the second half, but I expect the veteran to be an asset for the Cubs, especially up till the All-Star break based on his track record. Hammel threw it well enough in his first 2016 start and he doesn’t figure to be easy prey for Cincinnati hitters tonight.
If this game were even money, I obviously would not be considering this play. But the idea of getting Iglesias at what I see as an inflated number is very appealing. I should point out that if I can get to the seventh inning with a short lead, I’ll consider hedging if the price is right. I certainly would not mind getting a position where I can guarantee myself a profit, and let’s face it, that Cincinnati pen is not exactly shutdown city. But for now, I’m happy enough to grab a generous +155 and will take the Reds and Iglesias.
Bonus Play Thursday
959 REDS (Iglesias) at 960 CUBS (Hammel) 8:05 PM
Take: REDS +155
Let’s call it straight right out of the box. Going against the Cubs isn’t easy. Even with the Kyle Schwarber injury, this is a loaded team that is rightfully on the short list of entries with a real shot to win it all in 2016.
The Reds are not part of that conversation. Cincinnati contending would be an enormous surprise, to put it mildly. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t spots where this team will be a play on possibility, and I have tonight as one of those nights.
Raisel Iglesias makes the start for Cincy here, and he’s a guy with a ton of upside. Iglesias features three really good pitches, and I don’t think it’s at all inconceivable that we’re looking at a future staff ace here. Iglesias really got serious this winter and arrived at camp in much improved shape, and his efforts thus far are highly encouraging. Iglesias still needs to work on his efficiency so he can go deeper in games, but I pretty much like everything I’m seeing from the 26 year old righty.
Jason Hammel goes for the Cubs tonight, and he’s a tough guy to fade, particularly early in the season. Hammel has shown a tendency to wear down in the second half, but I expect the veteran to be an asset for the Cubs, especially up till the All-Star break based on his track record. Hammel threw it well enough in his first 2016 start and he doesn’t figure to be easy prey for Cincinnati hitters tonight.
If this game were even money, I obviously would not be considering this play. But the idea of getting Iglesias at what I see as an inflated number is very appealing. I should point out that if I can get to the seventh inning with a short lead, I’ll consider hedging if the price is right. I certainly would not mind getting a position where I can guarantee myself a profit, and let’s face it, that Cincinnati pen is not exactly shutdown city. But for now, I’m happy enough to grab a generous +155 and will take the Reds and Iglesias.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp NHL Pick, Thursday, April 14, 2016 10:35 PM
(63) SAN JOSE SHARKS VS (64) LOS ANGELES KINGS
Take: Over the total
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, April 14, 2016 is in the NHL playoff contest between the San Jose Sharks and the Kings from Los Angeles. A low NHL total and both teams are rested for Game 1 with plenty of offensive firepower. The Kings are home and much improved from a year ago on offense with the addition of Milan Lucic. The Over is 9-1-2 when the Kings are playing on 3 or more days rest. The Sharks likely will receive a boost on the blue line as Marc-Edouard Vlasic is expected to play in the series opener after missing the final 12 regular-season games with a knee injury. San Jose is No. 4 in the NHL in goals scored, No. 3 on the power play. The Over is 7-1-2 in Sharks last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games. The over is 3-0-3 in the last six meetings, including 5-2-3 over the total in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles. Play San Jose/LA Kings Over the total.
Jim Feist's Comp NHL Pick, Thursday, April 14, 2016 10:35 PM
(63) SAN JOSE SHARKS VS (64) LOS ANGELES KINGS
Take: Over the total
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, April 14, 2016 is in the NHL playoff contest between the San Jose Sharks and the Kings from Los Angeles. A low NHL total and both teams are rested for Game 1 with plenty of offensive firepower. The Kings are home and much improved from a year ago on offense with the addition of Milan Lucic. The Over is 9-1-2 when the Kings are playing on 3 or more days rest. The Sharks likely will receive a boost on the blue line as Marc-Edouard Vlasic is expected to play in the series opener after missing the final 12 regular-season games with a knee injury. San Jose is No. 4 in the NHL in goals scored, No. 3 on the power play. The Over is 7-1-2 in Sharks last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games. The over is 3-0-3 in the last six meetings, including 5-2-3 over the total in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles. Play San Jose/LA Kings Over the total.
Scott Spreitzer
Royals vs Astros
Bonus Play Kansas City Royals
I'm recommending a play on the KC Royals on Thursday with Ian Kennedy over Doug Fister. We backed KC on these pages yesterday and we'll look to make it two straight in the win column, backing the world champs again tonight. Salvador Perez broke out of a mini-slump at the plate with a two-run, late inning blast in last night's win. Perez may rest on Thursday, but his teammates, most notably Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas have all hit Doug Fister well and I expect the pitcher to struggle in his return to the American League. Meanwhile, as reported, Ian Kennedy has had little trouble with Astros' bats, posting a .195 BAA. We also take note that Houston's bullpen has been the third busiest in the AL so far this season. KC enters on a 22-7 run going back to last season and we'll back them here. I'm backing the KC Royals on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Royals vs Astros
Bonus Play Kansas City Royals
I'm recommending a play on the KC Royals on Thursday with Ian Kennedy over Doug Fister. We backed KC on these pages yesterday and we'll look to make it two straight in the win column, backing the world champs again tonight. Salvador Perez broke out of a mini-slump at the plate with a two-run, late inning blast in last night's win. Perez may rest on Thursday, but his teammates, most notably Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas have all hit Doug Fister well and I expect the pitcher to struggle in his return to the American League. Meanwhile, as reported, Ian Kennedy has had little trouble with Astros' bats, posting a .195 BAA. We also take note that Houston's bullpen has been the third busiest in the AL so far this season. KC enters on a 22-7 run going back to last season and we'll back them here. I'm backing the KC Royals on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
MLB
Dunkel
Thursday, April 14
Atlanta @ Washington
Game 957-958
April 14, 2016 @ 4:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Teheran) 13.219
Washington
(Strasburg) 14.604
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
N/A
Cincinnati @ Chicago Cubs
Game 959-960
April 14, 2016 @ 8:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Iglesias) 15.831
Chicago Cubs
(Hammel) 14.355
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-170
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+150); N/A
Arizona @ LA Dodgers
Game 961-962
April 14, 2016 @ 10:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 16.001
LA Dodgers
(Strplng) 14.551
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+130); Under
Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota
Game 963-964
April 14, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Latos) 15.226
Minnesota
(Santana) 16.797
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-120); Over
Cleveland @ Tampa Bay
Game 965-966
April 14, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Salazar) 14.936
Tampa Bay
(Archer) 16.478
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-120
7
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-120); Over
NY Yankees @ Toronto
Game 967-968
April 14, 2016 @ 7:07 pm
Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Eovaldi) 16.778
Toronto
(Stroman) 15.359
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(+135); Over
Baltimore @ Texas
Game 969-970
April 14, 2016 @ 8:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Tillman) 15.436
Texas
(Hamels) 12.294
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 3
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-135
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+115); Over
Kansas City @ Houston
Game 971-972
April 14, 2016 @ 8:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 16.381
Houston
(Fister) 18.163
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-115); Under
San Diego @ Philadelphia
Game 951-952
April 14, 2016 @ 1:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Pomrnz) 15.882
Philadelphia
(Velsquez) 14.258
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-135
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+115); Under
Detroit @ Pittsburgh
Game 973-974
April 14, 2016 @ 12:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 12.526
Pittsburgh
(Cole) 17.042
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-145
7
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-145); Under
Milwaukee @ St. Louis
Game 953-954
April 14, 2016 @ 1:45 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Peralta) 15.273
St. Louis
(Garcia) 13.839
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-200
8
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+170); Under
San Francisco @ Colorado
Game 955-956
April 14, 2016 @ 3:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cain) 15.721
Colorado
(De La Rosa) 14.239
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 1 1/2
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-130
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(-130); Over
Dunkel
Thursday, April 14
Atlanta @ Washington
Game 957-958
April 14, 2016 @ 4:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Teheran) 13.219
Washington
(Strasburg) 14.604
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
N/A
Cincinnati @ Chicago Cubs
Game 959-960
April 14, 2016 @ 8:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Iglesias) 15.831
Chicago Cubs
(Hammel) 14.355
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-170
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+150); N/A
Arizona @ LA Dodgers
Game 961-962
April 14, 2016 @ 10:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 16.001
LA Dodgers
(Strplng) 14.551
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+130); Under
Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota
Game 963-964
April 14, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Latos) 15.226
Minnesota
(Santana) 16.797
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-120); Over
Cleveland @ Tampa Bay
Game 965-966
April 14, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Salazar) 14.936
Tampa Bay
(Archer) 16.478
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-120
7
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-120); Over
NY Yankees @ Toronto
Game 967-968
April 14, 2016 @ 7:07 pm
Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Eovaldi) 16.778
Toronto
(Stroman) 15.359
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(+135); Over
Baltimore @ Texas
Game 969-970
April 14, 2016 @ 8:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Tillman) 15.436
Texas
(Hamels) 12.294
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 3
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-135
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+115); Over
Kansas City @ Houston
Game 971-972
April 14, 2016 @ 8:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 16.381
Houston
(Fister) 18.163
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-115); Under
San Diego @ Philadelphia
Game 951-952
April 14, 2016 @ 1:05 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Pomrnz) 15.882
Philadelphia
(Velsquez) 14.258
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-135
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+115); Under
Detroit @ Pittsburgh
Game 973-974
April 14, 2016 @ 12:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 12.526
Pittsburgh
(Cole) 17.042
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-145
7
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-145); Under
Milwaukee @ St. Louis
Game 953-954
April 14, 2016 @ 1:45 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Peralta) 15.273
St. Louis
(Garcia) 13.839
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-200
8
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+170); Under
San Francisco @ Colorado
Game 955-956
April 14, 2016 @ 3:10 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cain) 15.721
Colorado
(De La Rosa) 14.239
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 1 1/2
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-130
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(-130); Over
