4-27-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

::clap::

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA playoffs: Saturday's East betting preview

Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls (-2.5, 178)

Bulls lead series 2-1.

The Chicago Bulls are now in position to take a commanding 3-1 lead when they host the Brooklyn Nets in Saturday’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference best-of-seven series. Chicago squeezed out a 79-76 victory in Thursday’s Game 3 in a contest in which both teams shot poorly. Nets guard Joe Johnson and Bulls center Joakim Noah are both dealing with foot ailments. Game 5 is in Brooklyn and the Nets would like to go home even.

Fourth-seeded Chicago shot just 39.7 percent on Thursday while holding the Nets to 34.6 percent. The Bulls know the contest wasn’t aesthetically pleasing but it was the results that mattered to them. “We did what we had to do to win the game,” said Bulls forward Carlos Boozer, who had 22 points and 16 rebounds. “In the playoffs, you have to win different ways. Nothing is perfect.” Fifth-seeded Brooklyn has averaged 79 points while losing the last two games and point guard Deron Williams is frustrated with the offense. “When we get the ball swung to the weak side and we get some movement, we’re fine,” Williams said. “But when we just let them keep us on one side, we’re struggling.”

TV: 2 p.m. ET, TNT, WWOR (Brooklyn), Comcast SportsNet Chicago

ABOUT THE NETS: Johnson received a cortisone shot in his sore left foot prior to Game 3 so he could play and scored 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Johnson indicated he wouldn’t have been able to play without the injection. “I felt pretty good the whole game other than probably about the last two to three minutes,” Johnson said. “It kind of tightened up. But other than that, I felt all right.” Johnson is averaging 16 points and shooting 42.2 percent in the series and it remains to be seen whether he will need another shot prior to Saturday’s game.

ABOUT THE BULLS: Boozer is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds and shooting 57.4 percent in the series. He had a 25-point game in the opener and was sensational in the Game 3 victory. “Carlos is huge, man,” forward Luol Deng said. “He was hitting some big shots for us. He’s been playing great. Every time they made a run, he was just giving them an answer. Carlos is a great player, man.” Deng also had a fine outing with 21 points and 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double. Noah missed all seven of his field-goal attempts but contributed eight boards in 27 minutes despite the foot issues.

TRENDS:

* Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
* Bulls are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
* Over is 7-1 in Nets’ last eight games following a loss.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets C Brook Lopez had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven blocked shots in Game 3. He is averaging 21.3 points in the series.

2. Bulls PG Kirk Hinrich is averaging 12.5 points in Chicago’s two victories and had just two points in the one loss.

3. Brooklyn is 15-for-56 from 3-point range in the series and the Bulls are just 8-for-35.


Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks (-2.5, 190.5)

Pacers lead series 2-0.

The Atlanta Hawks have not done a very good job defensively in the first two games of the series against the Indiana Pacers. The Hawks will try to improve on that end when the series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday. The Pacers were not exactly known for an uptempo style in the regular season but have put up 220 points in the first two games of the series behind a pair of strong efforts from Paul George.

George recorded a triple-double in the first game and added some offensive aggression en route to 27 points in Game 2. The small forward also provides a tough matchup on the other end for Josh Smith, Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson or any other player Atlanta has sent at the defensively-sound George. Indiana has taken each of the first two games by at least 15 points and has been strong enough in the post to force the Hawks to settle for shots on the perimeter.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Indiana, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), ESPN

ABOUT THE PACERS: George has gotten plenty of help from George Hill and Gerald Green on the outside, taking some of the focus away from Roy Hibbert and David West in the middle. West struggled with foul trouble in Game 2 and was held to seven points and one rebound in 20 minutes. Indiana still managed to make the 113-98 victory look easy as seldom-used forward Jeff Pendergraph came off the bench to provide a lift. The Pacers are using the athleticism on the wings of George and Green to explode into the paint and attack, which gives an offense that finished 23rd in the regular season in scoring average some extra burst.

ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta battled through foul trouble in each of the first two games and is hoping a change in venue will even up a discrepancy that has seen the Pacers attempt 63 free throws to the Hawks’ 34. Atlanta was even called for three technical fouls in Game 2, including one that had Al Horford in disbelief. Horford put up a double-double in Game 2 but Smith was limited by an ankle injury and foul trouble to 20 minutes. The Hawks tried bigger lineups with Ivan Johnson or Johan Petro in the middle but could not keep the Pacers off the offensive glass. “They handled their home court and now Game 3 is crucial for us, and now we have to handle ours,” Horford said.

TRENDS:

* Hawks are 0-7 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Over is 6-1 in Pacers’ last seven overall.
* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers have won each of their first two playoff games by at least 15 points for the first time since joining the NBA in 1976.

2. Atlanta took both meetings on its home court during the regular season, 89-86 on Nov. 7 and 109-100 on Dec. 29.

3. Indiana G Lance Stephenson suffered a bruised right hip in Game 2 but returned to the floor and is probable for Game 3.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA playoffs: Saturday's West betting preview

Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-3.5, 177)

Clippers lead series 2-1.

The Memphis Grizzlies attempt to tie their Western Conference series with Los Angeles when they host the Clippers on Saturday in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. Memphis recovered from two losses in Los Angeles to post a 94-82 victory in Thursday’s Game 3 and played with a higher level of aggressiveness. Clippers point guard Chris Paul seeks to bounce back from a performance in which he had more turnovers (five) than assists (four).

Paul was upset with himself after the contest as the fourth-seeded Clippers opened the door for Memphis to get back into the series. “They made some good adjustments and now it will be our opportunity to make our adjustments,” Paul said. “Game 4 will be a big game for both of us. We know we need this game so we can go back home and have an opportunity to close it out.” The fifth-seeded Grizzlies were glad to avoid a 0-3 hole but know there is plenty of work to do. “We haven’t done anything yet,” guard Tony Allen said. “We’ve won one game. There is a Game 4. We’re not even too happy about it. We just have to focus on Game 4 and take care of business.”

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Sport South (Memphis)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Los Angeles averaged 102.5 points in its two victories and never got into the flow in Game 3 while shooting 38.8 percent. Paul had eight points on 4-of-11 shooting but wasn’t the lone player to have a subpar outing. Sixth man Jamal Crawford had 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting and backup guard Eric Bledsoe missed all four of his shots after going 10-for-13 over the first two games. The Clippers committed 18 turnovers with the usually reliable Paul being the biggest culprit. “It’s uncharacteristic of us,” Paul said. “I mean especially me. I had five turnovers and our turnovers led to 17 of their points.”

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Power forward Zach Randolph had a monster game with 27 points and 11 rebounds in Game 3 after totaling just 26 points and 12 rebounds in the first two games. It was the type of performance Memphis has come to expect from a player who had 45 double-doubles in the regular season. “I definitely wanted to come out and be aggressive,” Randolph said afterward. “They’ve been double-teaming, triple-teaming me. So just go fast, hit a couple jump shots and open it up. Most definitely, I wanted to come out and be aggressive.” Allen also had a fine game with 13 points and nine rebounds, falling one board short of his second straight double-double.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 4-1 in Clippers’ last five road games.
* Under is 5-0 in Grizzlies’ last five home games.
* Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Memphis.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Grizzlies have won the battle of the boards in each of the past two games after Los Angeles had a dominating 47-23 edge in the opener.

2. Clippers F Blake Griffin had just two rebounds in Game 3 and is grabbing just five per game in the series.

3. Memphis swingman Quincy Pondexter had 13 points in Game 3 after totaling just five in the first two contests.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (1, 208.5)

Thunder lead series 2-0.

The Houston Rockets weren’t given much of a shot of upsetting Oklahoma City in the first place and the odds will become nearly impossible if they don’t defeat the visiting Thunder in Game 3 on Saturday. However, the Rockets' odds of winning Game 3 became a lot better Friday. Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook will require surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee. The team said that Westbrook suffered his injury in the second quarter of Game 2 against the Rockets on Wednesday and be out indefinitely. Houston lost the first two games of the Western Conference best-of-seven series and the eighth-seeded Rockets are in must-win mode after falling three points short in Game 2. Top-seeded Oklahoma City let a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead get away before sealing the 105-102 win.

The Thunder struggled with Houston’s lineup and strategy revisions in Game 2. Rookie guard Patrick Beverley moved into the starting lineup and contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds while going toe-to-toe with Oklahoma star Russell Westbrook. “I thought the lineup gave them a little issue,” forward Chandler Parsons said. “When we space the floor like that, they can’t guard us. I think we showed that and proved that we can score on them.” Houston also had 18 offensive rebounds and had a 57-40 overall edge on the boards and Thunder coach Scott Brooks wasn’t thrilled with the overall performance. “We won the game so we’re happy with that,” Brooks said. “We’re not saying we’re satisfied but we’re happy. We did a lot of good things, but we also have to understand that they’re really good.”

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fox Sports Oklahoma, Comcast SportsNet Houston

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Oklahoma City stars Kevin Durant (10-for-26) and Westbrook (10-for-25) had trouble shooting in Game 2 as the Rockets played a zone most of the contest. The defensive alignment also forced the Thunder into several uncharacteristic turnovers. “It’s not easy. We haven’t seen it much during the year,” guard Thabo Sefolosha said. “When a team throws a zone at us like this, we try to keep the ball moving, keep bodies moving and really try to attack the paint. I think this is where the weakness is. We’ve got to do a better job at driving the ball and then maybe kicking it out.” Taking advantage in the interior didn’t happen in Game 2 as Houston had a 50-30 edge in points in the paint.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Whether or not Houston has point guard Jeremy Lin available will be decided prior to Game 3. Lin missed the second half of Game 2 and underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that revealed he has a bruised muscle in his chest. Lin hopes he can play but his optimism was tempered by the fact he was unable to shoot the basketball on Thursday. “I really don’t know because this is something that should heal quickly but right now I’m not there yet so I don’t know when I will be (able to play).” Lin was 4-of-14 shooting for 11 total points in the first two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Houston G James Harden had 36 points in Game 2 and is averaging 28 points and 8.5 rebounds in the series.

2. Thunder F Serge Ibaka has nine blocks in the two games while averaging 14.5 points and nine rebounds.

3. The Rockets are 18-of-71 from 3-point range through two games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

UFC 159 betting: MMA stats are on Jones' side vs. Sonnen
By MMAODDSBREAKER

Reed Kuhn writes for MMAOddsbreaker and fightnomics.

Regardless of how excited - or not - Jon Jones may be about this, the UFC light heavyweight title is going to be on the line at UFC 159. Jones will defend his title against former Middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen after a refreshingly awesome 17th season of the Ultimate Fighter.

Jones (17-1) is already 11-1 in the UFC and is making his fifth title defense since his TKO finish of Shogun Rua in 2011. During his reign thus far, the 25-year old champ has finished five opponents in title bouts, with only one decision (a dominant one) against Rashad Evans. It’s easy to see on paper why Jones has been so successful.

Boasting the longest reach in the UFC, “Bones” Jones has been very effective in using his unique physical attributes. He has a very accurate jab, excellent striking defense and outworks his opponents by averaging 30 percent more strikes while standing and trading. These are all signs of a strong use of reach.

On the ground, however, is where Jones has shown his best skills. With legitimate wrestling credentials, Jones has translated his reach into one of the most dangerous submission arsenals in the game. His limbs can wrap up submissions other fighters can’t find from similar positions. Having scored five UFC submission victories, his two most recent even came against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts.

Sonnen (27-12-1) is strapping on an extra 20 pounds for his return to the light heavyweight division, and what is likely his last chance for UFC gold. At the age of 36, it’s also safe to assume that retirement from fighting may be lurking if this fight doesn’t go his way.

Bettors should never underestimate the man who won four rounds against Anderson Silva, and got past challenges of Brian Stann and Michael Bisping to get earn a second title shot at the pound-for-pound best. There’s no shame in losing to Anderson Silva, even twice.

Those middleweight fights exemplified the skills that Sonnen brings to the cage, namely wrestling and tenacity. Though his standup striking skill metrics are below average, he throws a high volume attack that sets up an effective clinch game and ultimately takedowns.

Once the ground, Sonnen focuses on striking and outstrikes opponents 7:1. By this dominating method of control, Sonnen tends to win a lot of rounds and decisions. But if you live by the sword, be prepared to die by it. Sonnen’s clearest weakness is his submission defense and he’s been submitted five times in the WEC and UFC.

The shining example of this paradox was his first fight with Anderson Silva, where he won four straight rounds, only to fall into a triangle choke at the end of the fight. MMA bettors are faced with another five-round fight with an even more dangerous grappler in Jones.



Based on statistical advantages alone (mainly age and reach), Jones has at least a 70 percent chance of victory. But layer in Sonnen’s typical plan of attack to push forward and get top position on the ground to grind out rounds, and all of a sudden Jones’ ranginess and submissions skills look like the perfect counter.

Though it may take a round or two to develop, look for Jones to frustrate Sonnen by landing shots from the outside and stifling Sonnen’s attempts to clinch and drag this to the floor. In transitions, Jones can lock in a submission from anywhere. Even if Sonnen becomes the first fighter to ever score a takedown on the champ, Jones can still use sweeps and attack from his back.

The eventual finish is more likely to come from a tap rather than strikes, and that tap may also signify the last move Chael Sonnen ever makes inside the Octagon. Don’t worry though, we’ll see - and hear - plenty of best talker in MMA in broadcasting down the road.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NASCAR beting: Toyota Owners 400 preview

After back-to-back races at 1.5-mile tracks, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shifts to the short ¾-mile track at Richmond International Raceway Saturday.

High drama followed Matt Kenseth’s win at Kansas last week after his No. 20 car was suspended for six races following a failed engine inspection. NASCAR came down hard on Joe Gibbs Racing with many other sanctions, including suspending crew chief Jason Ratcliff for six races and fining him $200,000.

Here’s a look at this week’s favorite, a live dog and a long shot for bettors to consider:

Favorite: Kyle Busch (+500)

Busch had a rough race last week in Kansas, but has enjoyed plenty of success at Richmond. He leads all drivers with a 5.4 average finish and has won the spring race three consecutive times from 2009-12. Busch has four wins, 12 top-fives, 13 top-10s and one pole in his last 16 starts at RIR.

Live dog: Kevin Harvick (+1,400)

Harvick ranks second out of 48 drivers with an average place of 7.5 in the last eight seasons at Richmond. The No. 29 Chevrolet was running second at one point of last week’s race in Kansas before slipping to 12th. Harvick has two wins, six top-fives and 15 top-10s in his career at Richmond.

Long shot: Jeff Burton (+5,000)

Burton has one win, nine top-fives, 16 top-10s and one pole in 37 career starts at Richmond. He has an average place of 15.4 at the track over the past eight seasons and has good value at +5,000.

Key stat: The last three NASCAR Sprint Cup races have been won from the pole position. Twenty-two of the 113 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Richmond International Raceway have been won from the pole.

Notable quotable:

"To crush Joe Gibbs like that and say he can't win an owner's championship with the 20 this year, I just can't wrap my arms around that. It just blows me away. The same for (crew chief) Jason Ratcliff. I don't feel bad for myself at all, but for Jason and Joe, I couldn't feel any worse. There are no more reputable, hard-working, honest guys than them two. I feel really bad for them." – Kenseth on the sanctions handed down by NASCAR on Joe Gibbs Racing.

Odds to win the Toyota Owners 400 courtesy of bet365 (http://www.bet365.com/):

Kyle Busch +500
Brian Vickers +700
Matt Kenseth +750
Jimmie Johnson +750
Brad Keselowski +900
Clint Bowyer +900
Kasey Kahne +1,000
Carl Edwards +1,000
Jeff Gordon +1,100
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +1,400
Kevin Harvick +1,400
Tony Stewart +1,600
Ryan Newman +1,800
Greg Biffle +2,000
Martin Truex Jr. +2,200
Mark Martin +2,500
Joey Logano +3,300
Ricky Stenhouse +4,000
Kurt Busch +4,000
Jeff Burton +5,000
Paul Menard +5,000
Marcos Ambrose +6,600
Jamie McMurray +6,600
Juan Pablo Montoya +6,600
Aric Almirola +8,000
A.J. Allmendiger +10,000
Brian Keselowski +25,000
Danica Patrick +25,000
Casey Mears +25,000
Bobby Labonte +30,000
David Ragan +50,000
David Reutimann +50,000
David Stremme +75,000
Joe Nemechek +75,000
David Gilliland +75,000
Travis Kvapil +75,000
Dave Blaney +75,000
Landon Cassill +100,000
J.J. Yeley +100,000
Michael McDowell +100,000
Timmy Hill +100,000

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB weather watch: Showers in St. Louis

There's rain in the forecast for three different parks on Saturday in the majors.

Here's our weather report:

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-125, 7.5)
Site: Busch Stadium

Forecasts are calling for a 45 percent chance of showers.

Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals (-141, 8.5)
Site: Kauffman Stadium

A 35 percent chance of rain is in the forecast for Kansas City.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners (-149, 7)
Site: Safeco Field

Winds will blow out to left field at 13 mph and there's a 30 percent chance of rain. The Mariners were 6-1 at home in 2012 when the wind blew out to left field.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Three 'over' pitchers to watch on Saturday

Here's a look at three struggling starters taking the mound Saturday who have a combined 11-1 over record this season in 12 starts.

Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers (0-2, 11.08 ERA, 4-0 O/U)

In his last start, Porcello got rocked by the Angels, giving up nine earned runs in the first inning. His three other starts this year haven't been much better. Porcello hasn't pitched into the sixth inning yet this season, and has only struck out three batters. All of Porcello's totals have been high, not seeing one lower than eight yet. Kris Medlen is scheduled to be his opposite number for the Braves on Saturday. He has a 1-2 record and 2.16 ERA this season.

Dan Haren, Washington Nationals (1-3, 7.36 ERA, 3-1 O/U)

Haren is another pitcher that has been taxing for his team's bullpen. He has pitched into the sixth inning only once and has given up at least six hits in all of his starts. His most recent total was at 7.5, after seeing eight in his first three outings. Haren will go against Cincinnati's Mike Leake on Saturday. Leake has a 1-0 record in four starts and a 3.81 ERA.

Joe Blanton, Los Angeles Angels (0-3, 7.84 ERA, 4-0 O/U)

The Angels have the second worst team ERA in baseball, and Blanton is one of the main reasons why. He has given up at least four earned runs and seven hits in each of his four starts. The righty has made it to the seventh inning only once and has struck out an average of two batters per game. The total has been either eight or 8.5 in all of Blanton's starts. He will take the hill against Seattle's Felix Hernandez on Saturday, who has a 2-2 record with a 2.08 ERA.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bettors beware these top MLB teams late in games
By JASON LOGAN

Losing a bet late in a game stings like a cut fastball high and inside. These four clubs are considered among baseball’s best but have been burning backers with their late-game letdowns. We break down why these clubs can’t finish and what bettors should look out for going forward:

St. Louis Cardinals (13-8, +5.14 units)

The Cardinals have jumped to the top of the National League Central thanks to a solid pitching staff (which ranks third in ERA) and some consistent offense, averaging 4.86 runs per game. However, after the seventh inning, things go south for St. Louis.

The Cards are hitting just .200 and average only one run in the final three innings. That lack of late-game pop isn’t enough to make up for a shaky bullpen, which lugs a 5.20 ERA (second worst in the bigs) and has blown five saves already this season.

St. Louis opens a three game set with Pittsburgh Friday. The Pirates have the second-best batting average from the seventh inning on in the National League and have won their last two games in comeback fashion.

Detroit Tigers (10-10, -3.71 units)

The Tigers’ current swoon hasn’t been helped out by the fact the team runs out of gas in the final three innings. Detroit has just one win in its last six games, heading into Friday, including an extra-innings loss to Kansas City Thursday. The Tigers have had troubles cashing in runners in scoring position recently, especially deep into games.

Detroit is hitting a measly .206 and averages just 0.65 runs from the seventh inning on – last in the majors. Big bats Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera are both hitting .250 in the late innings and have combined for just one home run in that span. The Tigers pitching staff has also struggled past the sixth, posting a collective 5.27 ERA – another stat that ranks worst in the bigs. The bullpen has a 1-5 record and has blown four saves.

Detroit is involved in a possible World Series preview this weekend, hosting the Atlanta Braves in interleague play. Atlanta is shutting the door in the final three innings, with an MLB-best ERA of 1.56 from the seventh on, and a bullpen which is limiting opposing bats to a .213 BA.

Washington Nationals (11-11, -2.77 units)

The Nationals have fallen far from their sky-high expectations in April, limping out to a .500 start heading into Friday. Washington’s once-powerful pitching staff is struggling and its offensive is only plating 3.82 runs an outing and only 0.73 of those runs are coming past the sixth inning.

The Nats are batting .218 and own an OBP of .267 in the late innings. On the other side of the ball, Washington’s staff lugs a 4.22 ERA from the seventh on – nearly a run more than last year’s 3.32 ERA in the same situation. The bullpen, which ranked third in the NL in 2012, is currently 11th and has already blown four saves. Washington’s relievers blew just 17 saves overall last year.

The Nationals opened a four-game set versus Cincinnati with an 8-1 win Thursday, scoring six of those runs before the seventh. The Reds boast the best ERA from the seventh on (2.84) in the majors and score 1.91 runs per game in that span – another MLB-best.

Boston Red Sox (14-7, +6.85 units)

The Red Sox have budged their way to the top of the American League East, knocking in nearly five runs per game and getting stellar work from their starters. Boston is hitting a respectable .257 and its starters own a combined 3.10 ERA – second lowest in the AL. Then comes the seventh inning stretch…

Boston’s bats cool off quickly after the sixth inning, hitting .186, and manage to cash in just 1.14 runs per game in that span. The pitching staff has a 4.32 ERA from the seventh on and the bullpen has been flighty with a 3-3 record and four blown saves.

The BoSox catch a bit of a break this weekend, hosting the Houston Astros. Boston took the first game of the series 7-2, doing all of the damage in the first five innings. The Astros also rank among the worst late-inning teams in baseball. But to be fair, Houston generally sucks no matter what inning it is.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL betting: Saturday's games with playoff implications

Saturday marks the unofficial end of the NHL regular season, so here's a breakdown of the games that have playoff implications and those matchups that don’t mean a darn thing.

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers (-175, 5)

The Rangers clinched a playoff berth with a 4-3 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday, and can finish anywhere from the No. 6 to No. 8 seed.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (+114, 5.5)

The Habs need a win Saturday to have a chance at clinching the Northeast Division title. They will also need the Bruins to lose both of their games this weekend. The Maple Leafs appear to be locked into the No. 5 spot in the East, but a win would make it impossible for the Ottawa Senators to catch them and bump them to the six seed.

Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators (-160, 5.5)

The Flyers have nothing to play for, but the Senators can finish anywhere from No. 5 to No. 8 in the East depending on the outcome of their final two games. Ottawa and Boston square off in the season finale on Sunday.

Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals (+114, 5.5)

The Bruins can clinch the Northeast with a win or Montreal loss. Washington has won the Southeast Division and will enter the 2013 playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the East.

Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets (-210, 5)

The Blue Jackets need a win in their season finale in order to have a shot at the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars (+114, 5)

The Red Wings sit seventh in the West heading into action Friday night and will be looking for points in their finale in order to qualify for their 22nd consecutive playoff appearance.

Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche (+155, 5)

The Wild will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Edmonton Oilers Friday in any fashion. If they should fall, Saturday’s date with the Avs will be crucial.

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (-152, 5)

The Blackhawks have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, but the Blues will be looking for points in order to lock down the No. 4 seed and clinch home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (-152, 5)

The Sharks and Kings are deadlocked at 57 points and both have a chance to leapfrog the Blues for home-ice advantage in the opening round.

Saturday’s meaningless games:

Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins (-191, 5.5)
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-186, 5.5)
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers (+114, 5)
Phoenix Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks (-157, 5)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Canadiens at Maple Leafs: What bettors need to know

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (+115, 5.5)

Sitting fourth and fifth in the Eastern Conference entering their final game of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to meet in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Toronto hosts the rival Canadiens on Saturday in a preview of that potential playoff matchup. The Maple Leafs hold a 3-1-0 series advantage on Northeast Division rival Montreal, opening the season with a 2-1 road victory and following that with a 6-0 rout on Feb. 9 - also at Montreal. The Canadiens’ only win over the Maple Leafs came at Toronto on Feb. 27, when Max Pacioretty scored twice in a 5-2 triumph, but Toronto responded with a 5-1 home win on April 13.

Montreal is tied with the Boston Bruins for the division lead at 61 points, but Boston has a game in hand. The Maple Leafs are three points clear of sixth place and a point on Saturday would ensure them fifth seed. James Reimer has been excellent for Toronto in April, posting a 2.09 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage in 10 starts. Conversely, Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has struggled, allowing three or more goals in five of his last seven starts. Montreal’s fifth-ranked power play remains potent, with goals in three of its last four games and an 11-for-50 mark this month. The Maple Leafs have allowed three power-play goals on 39 times short-handed in April.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, RDS, NHL Network (U.S.)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (28-14-5): Pacioretty leads the team with 13 points this month, while defenseman P.K. Subban has 11 (eight with the man advantage). Rookie Alex Galchenyuk has been held off the scoresheet in just three contests in April - by far the most consistent month of his young career. Galchenyuk has six of his nine career goals in the last 11 games. Fellow rookie Brendan Gallagher scored his 14th goal as part of a third-period comeback in Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Lars Eller has three points in his last two games and a season-high 10 this month. Tomas Plekanec has 13 goals, but none since March 30. Michael Ryder has three assists in his last eight contests.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (26-26-5): With nine goals and 17 points in April, Phil Kessel is carrying Toronto’s offense. Kessel also leads the Maple Leafs in scoring against the Canadiens, with seven points in the previous four games. Kessel skated on a line with Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul on Thursday and the trio combined for two goals - both by Kessel - and five points in a 4-0 win over Florida. Despite the shortened campaign, Kessel’s 32 assists match the second-best total of his career. Defenseman Cody Franson has nine points this month and is one away from tying his career-high of 29 set two seasons ago. Clarke MacArthur’s goal against Florida was his first since March 9.

TRENDS:

* Maple Leafs are 5-0 in their last five Saturday games.
* Over is 5-1 in Maple Leafs’ last six home games.
* Over is 6-1-1 in Canadiens’ last eight overall.

OVERTIME

1. Reimer is 4-2-0 in seven career starts against Montreal, with two shutouts.

2. The Canadiens have the third-best road record in the conference at 14-7-2, behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders.

3. The last time Toronto and Montreal met in the postseason was the 1979 conference semifinals, when their rosters included future Hall-of-Famers like Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald and Borje Salming. The Canadiens took that series in a four-game sweep en route to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

UFC 159 betting: MMA stats are on Jones' side vs. Sonnen
By MMAODDSBREAKER

Reed Kuhn writes for MMAOddsbreaker and fightnomics

UFC light heavyweight title fight: Chael Sonnen (+575) vs. Jon Jones (-875)

Regardless of how excited - or not - Jon Jones may be about this, the UFC light heavyweight title is going to be on the line at UFC 159. Jones will defend his title against former Middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen after a refreshingly awesome 17th season of the Ultimate Fighter.

Jones (17-1) is already 11-1 in the UFC and is making his fifth title defense since his TKO finish of Shogun Rua in 2011. During his reign thus far, the 25-year old champ has finished five opponents in title bouts, with only one decision (a dominant one) against Rashad Evans. It’s easy to see on paper why Jones has been so successful.

Boasting the longest reach in the UFC, “Bones” Jones has been very effective in using his unique physical attributes. He has a very accurate jab, excellent striking defense and outworks his opponents by averaging 30 percent more strikes while standing and trading. These are all signs of a strong use of reach.

On the ground, however, is where Jones has shown his best skills. With legitimate wrestling credentials, Jones has translated his reach into one of the most dangerous submission arsenals in the game. His limbs can wrap up submissions other fighters can’t find from similar positions. Having scored five UFC submission victories, his two most recent even came against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts.

Sonnen (27-12-1) is strapping on an extra 20 pounds for his return to the light heavyweight division, and what is likely his last chance for UFC gold. At the age of 36, it’s also safe to assume that retirement from fighting may be lurking if this fight doesn’t go his way.

Bettors should never underestimate the man who won four rounds against Anderson Silva, and got past challenges of Brian Stann and Michael Bisping to get earn a second title shot at the pound-for-pound best. There’s no shame in losing to Anderson Silva, even twice.

Those middleweight fights exemplified the skills that Sonnen brings to the cage, namely wrestling and tenacity. Though his standup striking skill metrics are below average, he throws a high volume attack that sets up an effective clinch game and ultimately takedowns.

Once the ground, Sonnen focuses on striking and outstrikes opponents 7:1. By this dominating method of control, Sonnen tends to win a lot of rounds and decisions. But if you live by the sword, be prepared to die by it. Sonnen’s clearest weakness is his submission defense and he’s been submitted five times in the WEC and UFC.

The shining example of this paradox was his first fight with Anderson Silva, where he won four straight rounds, only to fall into a triangle choke at the end of the fight. MMA bettors are faced with another five-round fight with an even more dangerous grappler in Jones.



Based on statistical advantages alone (mainly age and reach), Jones has at least a 70 percent chance of victory. But layer in Sonnen’s typical plan of attack to push forward and get top position on the ground to grind out rounds, and all of a sudden Jones’ ranginess and submissions skills look like the perfect counter.

Though it may take a round or two to develop, look for Jones to frustrate Sonnen by landing shots from the outside and stifling Sonnen’s attempts to clinch and drag this to the floor. In transitions, Jones can lock in a submission from anywhere. Even if Sonnen becomes the first fighter to ever score a takedown on the champ, Jones can still use sweeps and attack from his back.

The eventual finish is more likely to come from a tap rather than strikes, and that tap may also signify the last move Chael Sonnen ever makes inside the Octagon. Don’t worry though, we’ll see - and hear - plenty of best talker in MMA in broadcasting down the road.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Goodfellas triple dime play Reds/Washington Over 8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DAVE ESSLER

MLB Cliff Notes

Phillies at Mets: Marcum making his season debut, so we don't know what to expect. Utley and Howard hit him well in limited at bats, and clearly he's going to be on a pitch count, so assuming that the Phillies get "some" it may be the Mets bullpen that wins or loses the game. And they have been pitiful lately. Pettibone looked decent against the Pirates, but it was the Pirates and he did give up to long balls. Also gonna be on a pitch count. Phillies pen has been "better" lately, but that includes four games against Pittsburgh. This game could well go over, and there's no chance of me laying -145 on a pitcher who hasn't thrown a big league game this year, I DNC who it is.

Reds at Washington: First off you have two of the best hitting pitchers in baseball so my immediate lean would be to the over. Leake's only road start was at Pittsburgh, and he got lit up. Even Werth hits him, so assuming Ramos catches, I lean Nats. But, Haren hasn't had a great game all year, so in fact the best bet for me, here, is the over.

Pirates at St. Louis: A little surprised to see Westbrook only -130. That's giving Burnett, on the road, a bit too much credit, IMO. Four straight 100+ pitch games, which he did once last year. Holliday and Beltran have hit him at least reasonably, and we need to see bullpen use for the Cardinals. Matt Adams has had some oblique issues, and if they get used tonight, perhaps that -130 is begging people to take St. Louis, meaning I'll take the Pirates because their pen has been impressive and the Cardinals at home have an ERA of over 11.00.

Cubs at Miami: You know I love my home underdogs, but Sanabia's WHIP of 1.75 or so may be a deal breaker. Then again, this is the Cubs who are -135 on the road. There may be some chinks is Wood. He was hit by the Reds (who hasn't been unless I bet on the Reds) and he's a fly ball pitcher, which is why he can get shelled at any time. I really wonder if the total is reflective of the pitchers, the offenses, or the park, and probably all of the above. However, given the fact that Miami's pen just sucks, I think this may find a way over. I simply cannot at this point take the Cubs favored on the road. Yet.

Colorado at Arizona: There's no chance I lay -170 in a baseball game as a premium play, so taking Miley is not happening, and with the fact that Colorado CAN score (too much made of Helton being out) and Kubel and Hill are on the DL, I'd be hard pressed to lay the RL with Arizona, but could perhaps make a case for Colorado +1.5. That's a huge total based on Francis and the park, however, so given it's already 95 in Arizona and no more roof open, I could see taking the under, especially if somehow it gets forced to 10.

Giants at Padres: I thought perhaps Zito would be more than -125 here, given that they just faced and beat Stults. With that in mind I do like to take the pitcher to make the adjustments in the next game, so perhaps San Diego is alive. They've all certainly seen Zito, and you'd be hard pressed to convince me that he's going to throw another shutout. And given the strength of the Padres pen lately, combined with the fact that the Giants pen is simply not even close to the same on the road away from "the big park", I can make a reasonable argument for the Padres and under here.

Milwaukee at LA Dodgers: I've watched Peralta pitch several times, and he's got the potential. The problem I have is that he's usually not going to pitch deep, which brings the once maligned Brewers pen into play, but they've been one of the better back ends this season. Fife crushed in his one start at Baltimore, and I suppose he could benefit from being in Dodger Stadium, but he won't be in late either, meaning I'd almost have to go Brewers and over in this one, because we know the Dodgers pen is miserable. If Beckett can't keep them out of the game tonight, that makes this one even easier.

Baltimore at Oakland: I have been a big Tillman fan most of his short career, but this year not so much. The advantage he does have in this game is that Oakland hasn't seen much of him at all. We do like Griffin, but he was lit up in Boston and really hasn't faced a solid hitting team other than the Red Sox. But, of course, Baltimore hasn't seen him at all. This game perhaps more than some others really does depend more on Friday's game that many others. The best play right now, given the big park and the lack of familiarity, might well be the under. I'd love to see that total at 8.5 first, though.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI Pro Basketball
The Daniel Curry Index

04/27/13 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 821-383 (.682)
ATS: 647-586 (.525)
ATS Vary Units: 1641-1500 (.522)
Over/Under: 634-600 (.514)
Over/Under Vary Units: 857-779 (.524)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game #4
CHICAGO 94, Brooklyn 90

Game #3
Indiana 97, ATLANTA 95

Western Conference Quarterfinals
Game #4
MEMPHIS 94, L.A. Clippers 91

Game #3
Oklahoma City 109, HOUSTON 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI Pro Hockey
The Daniel Curry Index

04/27/13 Predictions

Season: 274-172 (.614)

N.Y. RANGERS 3, New Jersey 2
Montreal vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
OTTAWA 3, Philadelphia 2
PITTSBURGH 4, Carolina 2
WASHINGTON 3, Boston 2
TAMPA BAY 4, Florida 3
COLUMBUS 3, Nashville 2
Minnesota vs. COLORADO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
ST. LOUIS 3, Chicago 2
DALLAS 3, Detroit 2
Vancouver 3, EDMONTON 2
ANAHEIM 3, Phoenix 2
LOS ANGELES 3, San Jose 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1023-758 (57 + %) over the last 4 1/2 years !

Free winner 12-7 run Sat TEXAS w/Holland

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gamblers Data

Free Play Saturday

KC Royals -150

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Joe Wiz

Free Play Saturday San Diego/San Francisco Under 7 1/2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's MLB Picks

Milwaukee at LA Dodgers

The Brewers look to bounce back from last night's 7-5 loss to LA and build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 games after scoring 5 or more runs in the previous game. Milwaukee is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Brewers favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+110). Here are all of today's picks.


SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST


Game 901-902: Philadelphia at NY Mets (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Pettibone) 14.417; NY Mets (Marcum) 15.199
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-140); Under


Game 903-904: Cincinnati at Washington (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Leake) 14.366; Washington (Haren) 15.057
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Washington (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-110); Over


Game 905-906: Pittsburgh at St. Louis (4:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Burnett) 16.822; St. Louis (Westbrook) 16.307
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2 8 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110); Over


Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wood) 15.015; Miami (Sanabia) 14.062
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-135); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-135); Under


Game 909-910: Colorado at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Francis) 15.346; Arizona (Miley) 16.959
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-170); Under


Game 911-912: San Francisco at San Diego (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 15.590; San Diego (Stults) 15.988
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+105); Over


Game 913-914: Milwaukee at LA Dodgers (9:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Peralta) 15.704; LA Dodgers (Fife) 15.141
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+110); Over


Game 915-916: Baltimore at Oakland (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.307; Oakland (Griffin) 15.380
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-145); Under


Game 917-918: Toronto at NY Yankees (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Happ) 14.503; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.512
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-170); Under


Game 919-920: Texas at Minnesota (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Holland) 15.083; Minnesota (Hernandez) 15.498
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+130); Over


Game 921-922: Houston at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Peacock) 14.202; Boston (Doubront) 13.869
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-260); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+220); Under


Game 923-924: Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Moore) 16.517; White Sox (Floyd) 15.386
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-125); Over


Game 925-926: Cleveland at Kansas City (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 14.435; Kansas City (Santana) 16.267
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A


Game 927-928: LA Angels at Seattle (9:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Blanton) 13.340; Seattle (Hernandez) 14.911
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-170); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-170); Over


Game 929-930: Atlanta at Detroit (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 16.880; Detroit (Porcello) 15.641
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-125); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kevin
MLBPredictions

2 UNIT = Pittsburgh Pirates @ St Louis Cardinals - CARDINALS TO WIN (-118)
Listed Pitchers: Burnett vs Westbrook
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 1.69 units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

Bulls -3
Marlins +135
A's(RL) -1.5(+149)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hockey Crusher
Dallas Stars +114 over Detroit
(System Record: 53-3, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 53-38-3

Basketball Crusher
Chicago Bulls -155 over Brooklyn Nets
(System Record: 93-4, lost last game)
Overall Record: 93-71-4

Baseball Crusher
Washington Nationals -106 over Cincy Reds
(System Record: 13-2, lost last game)
Overall Record: 13-16

Soccer Crusher
San Martin + Union OVER 2
This match is happening in Argentina
(System Record: 389-15, won last game)
Overall Record: 389-338-47

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ScLiveDogs

Saturday MLB Write-Up of the Day

Why we like the OVER 8 in Saturday's Reds-Nationals matchup.
We know that each of these starting pitchers in this game have not had much success in the early going in 2013, but there is even more that backs this over in this daytime matchup. Mike Leake of the Reds comes into this game with a 3.81 era on the season, but is coming off of his best start against the below average Cubs at home. That game against the Cubs should give us a good read on how Leake's season will go because even against that below average offense, Leake still allowed 2 runs on 8 hits on 1 HR through 7 innings on 2 BBs and 5 Ks. When we take Leake a step further, he has faced this Nationals team four times over the past two seasons, including one time this season, where he allowed a combined 16 runs on 4 HRs through 15 innings. Leake has also been a disappointment during day games over the past two seasons where he has an average era of 5.62 while allowing 17 HRs through 100 innings (which is a red flag for a sinkerballer). Through 80 ABs, this Nationals team has a combined .275 average with 4 HRs off of Leake. On the other side of the field, we have Dan Haren of the Nationals who comes into this game with a 7.36 era where he has allowed 32 hits through 18 innings on 5 HRs. Haren faced this Reds team in his first start of 2013 where he took the L while allowing 6 runs through 4 innings on 4 HRs. During the 2012 season, Haren made 10 daytime starts, while allowing 10 HRs through those 59 innings. The reason we bring that number up is because Saturday's start will be Harens first daytime start of the 2013 season which should continue to allow earned runs against him. Through 80 ABs, this Reds team has a combined .263 average with 6 HRs off of Haren. With the bullpens may being playing a factor in this game, we can't shy away from the fact that the Reds come in with an 8.47 road era where they have allowed 4 HRs through 17 innings while the Nationals come in with a 3.55 home era. A few trends to look at for Sundays game is that the Reds have averaged 7 RPG in games that Leake starts this season. The Reds have 7 Overs compared to 3 Unders with a total of 8 to 8.5. The Reds have 7 Overs compared to 3 Unders in day games. The Nationals have 5 Overs compared to 1 Under with a total of 8 to 8.5. In Reds-Nationals games this season, 4 out of 5 games have gone Over the total while 9 out of 16 games have gone Over the total over the the last three seasons.
Play on the OVER 8 in Saturday's Matchup.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

MLB TAMPA BAY at CHI WHITE SOX

Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (CHI WHITE SOX) terrible offensive team (<=4.2 runs/game) against a very good starting pitcher (ERA<=3.50) (AL), with a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better on the season
44-20 since 1997. ( 68.8% 25.5 units )
0-1 this year. ( 0.0% -1.0 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends™ - FoxSheets

MLB BALTIMORE at OAKLAND

BALTIMORE is 74-49 (+34.2 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: BALTIMORE (4.5) , OPPONENT (4.1)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NBA BROOKLYN at CHICAGO

Play Over - All teams where the total is 179.5 or less in a game involving two average defensive teams (92-98 PPG) after 42+ games, after a combined score of 175 points or less
41-15 since 1997. ( 73.2% 24.5 units )

NBA INDIANA at ATLANTA

Play Against - Any team vs the money line (ATLANTA) cold team - failing to cover the spread in 8 or more of their last 10, extremely well rested team - playing 5 or less games in 14 days
81-49 since 1997. ( 62.3% 38.4 units )
8-2 this year. ( 80.0% 3.5 units )

NBA INDIANA at ATLANTA

Play Under - All teams where the first half total is between 95.5 and 100.5 points after being beaten by the spread by 30 or more points total in their last five games against opponent after being beaten by the spread by 42 or more points total in their last seven games
62-28 since 1997. ( 68.9% 31.2 units )
8-3 this year. ( 72.7% 4.7 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chase Diamond

9* NBA ELITE INSIDE INFO

Brooklyn vs. Chicago
Money Line: Chicago -149

[Can'tPickAWinner]

HANDICAPPING KINGS

JIMMY

BASEBALL

TAMPA -113 CHICAGO (7PM)

LA DODGERS -130 MILWAUKEE (9PM)

NBA

BROOKLYN +3 CHICAGO (2PM)

NHL

ANAHEIM -160 PHOENIX (10PM)

PERRY (SOCCER PLAYS)

Werder Bremen (GER-1) vs Bayer Leverkusen (GER-1) - OVER 3.5+116

Nurnberg (GER-1) vs Hoffenheim (GER-1) - OVER 2.5+101

West Bromwich (ENG-P) vs Southampton (ENG-P) - OVER 2.5-127

Celta Vigo (ESP-P) vs Levante (ESP-P) - UNDER 2.5-137

Catania (ITA-A) vs AC Milan (ITA-A) - UNDER 2.5+123

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Soulhat Sports

New York Yankees -1.59 ML
MLB
3:05 PM CT
4 units

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JACK JONES

TOP PLAY =-

NBA Apr 27 '13 (9:35p)
OKLAHOMA CITY GM3 vs HOUSTON GM3

HOUSTON GM3
+1½-110 at betus


20* Rockets/Thunder Side & Total Parlay on Houston +1.5/UNDER 207.5

I am backing the Houston Rockets and the UNDER tonight as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. My main reason for taking both plays is that Russell Westbrook will be out due to a torn meniscus in his knee.

The Thunder will be lost without their point guard on the floor tonight. As they struggle, it will prove just how important Westbrook is to this team. He constantly gets bashed in the media for taking too many shots, but the fact of the matter is the Thunder are better when he's being aggressive.

Without Westbrook, the Thunder are going to get much fewer fast break opportunities. They will look to slow it down and run their offense through Kevin Durant almost every time down the floor. The old man Derek Fisher will be running the point guard mostly tonight, and he doesn't have the ability to push the tempo.

The UNDER falls into a system that is 38-10 (79.2%) since 1996. It tells us to bet the UNDER on all teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (HOUSTON) - in the first round of the playoffs, in the 3rd game of a playoff series.

Houston is 11-1 ATS as a home underdog of 6 points or less over the last 2 seasons. In fact, the Rockets are a perfect 8-0 ATS as a home underdog of 3 points or less over the last 2 seasons. Bet the Rockets and the UNDER in Game 3 Saturday.


-= TOP PLAY =-


NBA Apr 27 '13 (9:35p)
OKLAHOMA CITY GM3 vs HOUSTON GM3

Total
207½ un-110 at BMaker

20* Rockets/Thunder Side & Total Parlay on Houston +1.5/UNDER 207.5

I am backing the Houston Rockets and the UNDER tonight as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. My main reason for taking both plays is that Russell Westbrook will be out due to a torn meniscus in his knee.

The Thunder will be lost without their point guard on the floor tonight. As they struggle, it will prove just how important Westbrook is to this team. He constantly gets bashed in the media for taking too many shots, but the fact of the matter is the Thunder are better when he's being aggressive.

Without Westbrook, the Thunder are going to get much fewer fast break opportunities. They will look to slow it down and run their offense through Kevin Durant almost every time down the floor. The old man Derek Fisher will be running the point guard mostly tonight, and he doesn't have the ability to push the tempo.

The UNDER falls into a system that is 38-10 (79.2%) since 1996. It tells us to bet the UNDER on all teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (HOUSTON) - in the first round of the playoffs, in the 3rd game of a playoff series.

Houston is 11-1 ATS as a home underdog of 6 points or less over the last 2 seasons. In fact, the Rockets are a perfect 8-0 ATS as a home underdog of 3 points or less over the last 2 seasons. Bet the Rockets and the UNDER in Game 3 Saturday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

Indiana at Atlanta

The Hawks look to take advantage of an Indiana team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games in Atlanta. Atlanta is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hawks favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-2 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.


SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST


Game 501-502: Brooklyn at Chicago (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 120.622; Chicago 118.087
Dunkel Line & Total: Brooklyn by 2 1/2; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3; 178
Dunkel Pick: Brooklyn (+3); Over


Game 503-504: LA Clippers at Memphis (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 123.620; Memphis 128.497
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 5; 174
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 3 1/2; 177
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-3 1/2); Under


Game 505-506: Indiana at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 115.472; Atlanta 121.649
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 6; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 190
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-2 1/2); Over


Game 507-508: Oklahoma City at Houston (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 126.035; Houston 121.453
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 4 1/2; 202
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 208
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City; Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

Detroit at Dallas

The Stars look to take advantage of a Detroit team that is 2-5 in its last 7 road games. Dallas is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+110). Here are all of today's picks.


SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Time Posted 9:00 a.m. EST


Game 1-2: New Jersey at NY Rangers (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.608; NY Rangers 11.935
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A


Game 3-4: Florida at Tampa Bay (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 9.749; Tampa Bay 11.398
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-185); Under


Game 5-6: Nashville at Columbus (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.908; Columbus 11.379
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Columbus (-230); 5
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (-230); Over


Game 7-8: Boston at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.990; Washington 11.974
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Under


Game 9-10: Carolina at Pittsburgh (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 10.858; Pittsburgh 13.168
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 2 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-200); Over


Game 11-12: Philadelphia at Ottawa (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.991; Ottawa 11.641
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A


Game 13-14: Montreal at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 10.999; Toronto 11.809
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Under


Game 15-16: Minnesota at Colorado (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.870; Colorado 10.959
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A


Game 17-18: Chicago at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.672; St. Louis 13.243
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-160); 5
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-160); Under


Game 19-20: Detroit at Dallas (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.041; Dallas 12.591
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+110); Over


Game 21-22: Vancouver at Edmonton (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.096; Edmonton 11.562
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+110); Over


Game 23-24: Phoenix at Anaheim (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.614; Anaheim 10.919
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-160); 5
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-160); Under


Game 25-26: San Jose at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.749; Los Angeles 11.249
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-155); 5
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (+135); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Alf Musketa

Michael Bisping vs. Alan Belcher
Play: Michael Bisping -175

This fight is co-main event of the evening and has been on the minds of fight fans ever since they announced this card. At UFC 159, Saturday night on Pay Per View, these two 185 pound middleweight contenders, Michael Bisping (23-5) versus Alan Belcher (18-7), finally enter the octagon. It has become obvious they do not like each other and have bashed each other through the media, most notably on YouTube.

Belcher made the fight even more interesting when last month his friend Cincinnati Bengal's defensive end Wallace Gilberry offered to put up his Phantom Rolls Royce worth $300,000 if Bisping could knock out Belcher in the first round. Bisping did not bite. Belcher then made another offer to get a tattoo of the flag of England on his chest if he lost and said if Bisping lost he would have to get a tattoo of Johnny Cash, the same one which is on Belcher’s left arm. Bisping believes he will use these childish offers as additional motivation.

Belcher won four fights in a row including a stunning TKO over Rousimar Palhares with odds of +215 before losing his last match to Yushin Okami. In fact that was the second time Belcher lost to Okami. Belcher can win this contest if he stays on his feet and tries to make this fight a stand up war. He has great hands and solid high kicks.

Bisping also lost his last fight but has never lost two fights in a row. I would compare his style to that of Okami, but Bisping has better cardio and performs well under pressure. He'll use his Ju Jitsu on the ground and he's by far the superior wrestler in this match. We see this fight going the three full rounds and Bisping dominating in the clinch and on the canvas and winning a unanimous decision.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gamblers Data (Fletcher)

3* Giants-120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

"Mr Chalk" 2013 MLB Season

Friday's game between the Royals -$162/Indians was Ppd.

For Saturday "Mr Chalk" likes the Diamondbacks -$168/Rockies.

"Mr Chalk" is 15-7 + $474 for the 2013 MLB Regular Season.


Ben lee lost with the Nuggets +1/Warriors on Friday.

For Saturday Ben lee likes the Grizzles -3/Clippers.

Ben lee is 5-3 +$170 for the NBA 1st round playoffs.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Todays Best Bets

(3 UNITS) Reds

(5 UNITS)Nets/Bulls - UNDER 178

(4 UNITS)LAC/Mem - OVER 177

(4 UNITS) Pacers +2.5

(3 UNITS) Rays

(5 UNITS) Thunder -1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WinSportsNow MLB 4/27

Under 8 Mets
Under 7.5 Pirates
Padres+115
Dodgers-130
Athletics-130
Yankees-1.5 runs
Under 9.5 Redsox
Mariners-130

[Can'tPickAWinner]

English Breakfast: Premier League Betting Notes

Here's a look at the ten games on tap in the Premier League this weekend that includes two games with ramifications for the relegation battle and a blockbuster tie between Arsenal and Manchester United.

Manchester City (2nd in table, 68 points) v West Ham (10th, 42) -400 +500 +900
Previous meeting: West Ham 0, Manchester City 0, November 3

* Manchester City will clinch a Champions League spot for next season with nine points in the final five matches.

* West Ham is safely in mid-table and face no fear of being relegated or challenging for the European places.

* Manchester City hasn't allowed a goal at home in 287 minutes in the league.

* West Ham has been held to a clean sheet eight times in 17 away matches.

Everton (6th, 56) v Fulham (11th, 40) -200 +350 +650
Previous meeting: Fulham 2, Everton 2, November 3

* Everton can still catch Tottenham for fifth, but is five points behind and Totty has a game in hand. Everton can still qualify for Europe next season if Manchester City defeats Wigan in the FA Cup final and finished sixth.

* Fulham is safely in mid-table and faces no fear of being relegated or challenging for the European places.

* Everton leading goal scorer Marouane Fellaini has scored three league goals in the previous 14 matches.

* Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell will miss the final four games of the season after picking up a red card against Arsenal last week. He has four goals and made 28 appearances for the club in the league this season.

Southampton (12th, 39) v West Brom (8th, 45) -133 +290 +400
Previous meeting: West Brom 2, Southampton 0, November 5

* Southampton needs only one more win to ensure Premier League survival. Two teams were relegated in 2010-11 with 39 points.

* West Brom is safely in mid-table and faces no fear of being relegated or challenging for the European places.

* Southampton has improved under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Saints have gained 17 points in 12 matches with Pochettino, and 22 points in their previous 22 games with former manager Nigel Adkins.

* West Brom has slowed in the second half of the season. It collected 27 points in its first 13 games and 18 points in its last 20 matches.

Wigan (18th, 31) v Tottenham (5th, 61) +250 +260 +115
Previous meeting: Tottenham 0, Wigan 1, November 3

* Wigan is in the final relegation place, three points behind Aston Villa in 17th. Wigan needs as many points as possible to finish outside of the bottom three.

* Tottenham is one point behind Chelsea and two behind Arsenal with a game in hand in the race for the final two Champions League spots.

* Wigan has finished outside the relegation zone in the past three seasons by an average of 5.3 points.

* Tottenham has scored at least two goals in seven of its past eight games.

Stoke (15th, 37) v Norwich (13th, 38) +115 +220 +300
Previous meeting: Norwich 1, Stoke 0, November 3

* Stoke is six points above Wigan for the final relegation spot.

* Norwich is seven points above Wigan for the final relegation spot.

* Stoke has gained four points (1-1-6) in the past eight matches.

* Norwich has scored four goals in its past eight away games.

Newcastle (16th, 37) v Liverpool (7th, 51) +220 +240 +140
Previous meeting: Liverpool 1, Newcastle 1, November 4

* Newcastle is six points above Wigan for the final relegation spot.

* Liverpool is safely in midtable and could conceivably jump Everton for sixth in the table, which could be worth a Europa League spot next season if Manchester City win the FA Cup over Wigan.

* The over is 6-1 in Newcastle's last seven at home.

* Liverpool will be without striker Luis Suarez for the rest of the season after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last week. Suarez has scored 23 of Liverpool's 61 goals (37 percent) in the league.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hondo

Slumping and sliding Hondo took another trip to Thump City last night when the Braves were blasted in Detroit to raise the burgeoning deficit to 110 buhners.

Today, Mr. Aitch has a suggestion: Go Westbrook, young investor 10 units on the Cards. Tonight, he expects Felix to show the Angels who’s King 10 units on the Mariners.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lang

60 dime play
Houston Rockets +1
Went 2-0 yesterday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jimmy Boyd

4* Bulls/Nets - UNDER 178

3* Atlanta Hawks -2.5

3* Reds/Nationals - UNDER 8

3* Philadelphia Phillies ML +128

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ANDY ISKOE

Grand Salami -- Saturday April 27

The regular season concludes today/tonight with a bakers' dozen games on the card.

My projected total for the Grand Salami is 65.70 and I've seen a couple of books post the GS at 70.

That gives us an edge of 4.30 towards playing the UNDER.

My models project most of the games to stay UNDER, adding further support.

The games showing the highest probability of staying UNDER:
Philadelphia/Ottawa - UNDER 5 1/2
Chicago/St Louis - UNDER 5
Phoenix/Anaheim - UNDER 5
San Jose/Los Angeles - UNDER 5

The games showing the greatest likelihood of going OVER:
Nashville/Columbus OVER 5
Minnesota/Coloracdo OVER 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

luckyirishpicks

play of the day

rockets +1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wunderdog Sports Free Pick

Game: Brooklyn at Chicago (2:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Chicago -2.5 (-110)

The Brooklyn Nets came out hot in game three and opened up a 17-5 lead in the first five and a half minutes. They were then stopped dead in their tracks as Chicago turned up the defensive heat and held the Nets to 59 points over the last 42 and a half minutes. The Bulls will take that lesson to heart in game four. The Bulls have won four of the six games between these teams on the season. Even though four of the six were played in Brooklyn, the oddsmakers say these teams are even, which hasn't been the case. Since scoring 60 points in the first half of the opener, Brooklyn has managed just a total of 204 points in five halves of basketball since, or an average of just 40.8 per half. The Bulls have cashed seven of their last ten vs. a winning team and have the defense to continue having success vs. this Nets team. Play on Chicago.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

Biggest Release
of the Entire Season

1,000♦ Opening Round
Playoff Game of the Year

Indiana Pacers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Paul Leiner

100* Clippers/Grizzlies Over 177

100* Rockets PK

100* Cubs -125

50* Bulls -3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bob Balfe

Rays/White Sox Under 7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MTi Sports

Hawks -2.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ROBERT FERRINGO

3-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 8.0 - Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (1 p.m., Saturday, April 27)

1-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 9.5 - Houston at Boston (7 p.m., Saturday, April 27)

1-Unit Play. Take #911 San Francisco (-115) over San Diego (8:40 p.m., Saturday, April 27)

1-Unit Play. Take #923 Tampa Bay (-115) over Chicago White Sox (7 p.m., Saturday, April 27)

1-Unit Play. Take #919 Texas (-145) over Minnesota (4 p.m., Saturday, April 27)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ALLEN EASTMAN

5-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 8.5 - Cleveland at Kansas City (8 p.m., Friday, April 26)
This is my MLB Game of the Week.
I am going with the 'under' in this game and I think that I will get a strong performance out of these two veteran starters. Ervin Santana has been really sharp this year. He is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 29 innings. He has better control and he is doing good work. He will face a banged up Indians lineup. Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera missed yesterday's game and they are both hurt. I am not sure if either will play. But they aren't 100 percent. The Indians have gone 'under' in four of their last five games. The Royals offense has not been very strong over the last two weeks and they are not hitting the ball well. I think the pitchers dominate this one and I have it handicapped at 4-0 for the Royals. Take the 'under'.

2-Unit Play. Take #906 St. Louis (-120) over Pittsburgh (4 p.m., Saturday, April 27)
The Cardinals blew out the Pirates last night. I think they can do it again today. The Pirates bullpen has really been worn down over the last week. The Cardinals are back after a long road trip and they have been very strong at home. St. Louis is 37-15 in their last 52 home games. Jake Westbrook is on the hill tonight. Westbrook is 5-2 in his last seven home starts and he will get the job done today. A.J. Burnett has been good this year. But the Pirates are just 2-3 in his five starts. I like the home team today.

2-Unit Play. Take #923 Tampa Bay (-125) over Chicago White Sox (7 p.m., Saturday, April 27)
The Rays let the White Sox come back and take them down last night. But I think they are going to get this win tonight. The visiting team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings and Tampa Bay has already lost two straight and don't want to go 0-3 so far in this series. Matt Moore is on the mound for the Rays and he has won six straight starts. Gavin Floyd is on the mound for Chicago. He is just 2-8 in his last 10 starts as an underdog and the White Sox are just 7-19 in their last 26 games as a dog. Take the road team.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Steve Fezzik

Focus Play

UNDER 177.5 - Nets / Bulls

[Can'tPickAWinner]

TEAM DOC SPORTS

5-unit Play Take #905 Pittsburgh Pirates (+115) over St. Louis Cardinals (4:15pm ET) We have a big series in St. Louis this weekend between the Pirates and Cardinals. Both teams are playing good baseball right now, fighting with each other and the Reds for supremacy in the division. I wasn't very high on this Pittsburgh team before the season began, but they've really impressed me against a tough schedule so far. Their lineup is in the middle of the pack as far as scoring runs, but that's exactly where they want to be with the starting rotation and bullpen that they've put together. Right-hander A.J. Burnett takes the mound for the Pirates today and he doesn't require much run support. He has a 2.79 ERA and 1.14 WHIP to go along with a dominating 42-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2013. He's also been very consistent in each of his five starts, including a game two weeks ago when he shut down the Cardinals throwing seven innings allowing only one hit and no runs. The Cards will counter with Jake Westbrook, who has had a strange start to the year. While he holds a 1.25 ERA, Westbrook has gotten into all kinds of trouble as he's walked 5.8 batters per nine innings. He's managed to avoid any home runs, but he can't continue to give up free passes at this rate. If he's able to keep this game close, St. Louis still isn't home free as their bullpen has been a mess for most of the season. The Pirates, meanwhile, have gotten some great efforts from the back end of their pen. Their closer Jason Grilli, is 9-for-9 in save chances and sports a perfect 0.00 ERA in 10 innings of work.
I don't see any other way but to play the Pirates here today, and it's our 5-unit Game of the Week.

4-unit Play Take #907 Chicago Cubs (-130) over Miami Marlins (7:10pm ET) The Chicago Cubs go for a third straight win in Miami as they take on the Marlins on Saturday night. And when the Cubs are beating up on you, you know your team is bad. Things have gotten pretty ugly for the Marlins organization in recent days. Owner Jeffrey Loria ruffled some feathers in the clubhouse when he dictated the pitching rotation for a doubleheader in Minnesota earlier in the week. The players didn't like it and it may have gotten under the skin of a team that was already struggling to begin with. The Cubs have an edge in the pitching matchup today as southpaw Travis Wood takes on youngster Alex Sanabia. The Marlins really struggle with lefties and Wood is pitching pretty well right now. Sanabia is only 24-years old and has a lot to learn at the big league level. I question if he's ready to pitch in the majors and I doubt if he'd be up here if he was on any other team. The Cubs should take advantage as they have a few good hitters in their lineup that have been swinging the bat well. Take the Cubs in this spot today.

The following game was originally rained out on Friday night. Play this game only if Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana are the starting pitchers.

4-unit Play Take #974 Kansas City Royals (-155) over Cleveland Indians (8:10pm ET) If you made a list of the worst starting pitchers that are currently on a big league roster, Scott Kazmir would have to be in the top five. The left-hander surprisingly made the Indians roster in the spring after missing the last two seasons with injuries. He didn't display great stuff in his starts, so it's a bit of a mystery why the Indians deemed with worthy of a rotation spot. His fastball was clocked in the mid-80's and his curveball isn't breaking as much as it needs to. He was torched by the Astros in his first start of the season where he gave up six earned runs in less than four innings of work. That might be brushed aside against anyone else, but when Houston is jumping all over you it's cause for concern. He'll get an even tougher test today against the Kansas City Royals. Ervin Santana takes the ball for the Royals and he's been superb so far in 2013. He's 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his four starts. But more importantly, his strikeout rate is the highest of his career and his walk rate the lowest of his career. Many times when a pitcher changes teams the new pitching coach is able to tweak a few things and give the pitcher a new perspective. That's seemingly what has happened for Santana and he's better than ever. The Indians lineup will be missing Michael Bourn tonight who is on the disabled list, and Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana may also be out. I have a feeling this one might get ugly in favor of the home team. Take the Royals tonight.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JASON SHARPE

Saturday April 27th 2013

3 Unit Play Take #905 Pittsburgh +110 over St. Louis (4:15pm est):
Not many pitchers fly more underneath the radar than Pittsburgh Pirates starter A.J. Burnett. The veteran right-hander is off to an excellent start so far this season including nearly throwing a no-hitter against these St. Louis Cardinals just ten days ago as Burnett went seven strong innings without allowing a run, gave up just one hit and zero walks in the outing. The Pirates are off to a nice 13-10 start on the season helped out by being one of the top defense's in all of baseball and are hitting 36 points higher as a team so far against right-handed pitching.

The Pirates will go up against a right-hander here in Jake Westbrook in this one. Westbrook has been a real lucky pitcher thus far as he comes in with just a 1.25 ERA to start the season but that hasn't been the really story with him as he has walked four or more batters in each of his three starts this season and comes in with a WHIP approaching 1.50. Somehow Westbrook has been able to avoid allowing the big hit and has left nearly 90% of his runners on base, which is way higher than a career mark that sits around 70%.

Nice underdog price here on a pitcher who never gets the respect he deserves. Play the Pittsburgh Pirates here in this one.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Marc lawerence

3* hawks
3* Seattle

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SB Professor MLB

Washington Nationals -105
Detroit Tigers -102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hoopsgooroo

[903] Cincinnati Reds -105 vs Washington Nationals
[930] Detroit Tigers -105 vs Atlanta Braves
[915] Baltimore Orioles +133 vs Oakland Athletics
[919] Texas Rangers -140 vs Minnesota Twins
[905] Pittsburgh Pirates +108 vs St Louis Cardinals
[924] Chicago White Sox +101 vs Tampa Bay Rays
[925] Cleveland Indians +150 vs Kansas City Royals
[925] Cleveland Indians OVER 9 +105 vs Kansas City Royals
[911] San Francisco Giants -107 vs San Diego Padres
[927] Los Angeles Angels +149 vs Seattle Mariners

[Can'tPickAWinner]

5Lines

Total Line for 04/27/2013
(Lost last 2 games)
Today's Winning Team is:
MLB - Los Angeles Angels : o7
Cost: -110

Run Line for 04/27/2013
(Lost last 4 games)
Today's Winning Team is:
MLB - Houston Astros : +1.5
Cost: +105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Saturday, April 27

NBA playoff notes: Westbrook out indefinitely

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will be out indefinitely after the team announced he will have surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. Here is a look playoff notes for Saturday's NBA action.

Westbrook to undergo surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook is going to have surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee and will no be out indefinitely, the team announced on Friday.

The injury occurred in the second quarter of Game 2 as Houston guard Patrick Beverley collided with Westbrook on an attempted steal.

"Anyone who knows me knows I don't go out there and try to hurt anybody," Beverley told ESPN. "I play at one speed and that's fast. I was just trying to make a play on the ball before they called a timeout and it's just unfortunate."

The Thunder guard has tallied 48 points and 14 assists in the first two games of the series with Houston.

Reggie Jackson could be called on to get the start in place of Westbrook.

The Thunder are 1.5-point road favorites for Game 3 Saturday. The total is 207.


Jeremy Lin hopes to play

Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin is cautiously optimistic about returning for Game 3 Saturday night. His status remains questionable as of Saturday morning.

Lin suffered a muscle contusion in his chest and did not play in the second half of Game 2. The point guard played 20 minutes in Houston's Game 2 loss. He scored seven points and dished 3 assists before leaving the game.

“Not going to make any promises or anything,” Lin told the Houston Chronicle. “I just don’t know. Right now, it’s just day-to-day. I’m still hopeful, still optimistic. I just learned my lesson about making guarantees.”


Johnson probable for Nets

Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson is listed as probable for Game 4 Saturday.

Johnson was a game-time decision for Game 3 but logged 41 minutes of action. He scored 15 points on 6-14 shooting

Johnson has been dealing with a foot injury and got a cortisone shot for the pain in Game 3.

"I felt pretty good the whole game, other than probably about the last two to three minutes. It had kind of tightened up," Johnson told ESPN. "But other than that, I felt all right."

The Nets are 3-point road underdogs for Saturday's game. The total is 177.5.


Stephenson questionable after leaving Game 2

Indiana Pacers starting shooting guard Lance Stephenson is listed as questionable for Game 3 versus the Atlanta Hawks.

Stephenson landed on his right hip late in the first quarter of Game 2 and did not return until late in the second half. He totaled 18 minutes and scored 4 points in the Game 2 victory.

The Pacers are 2.5-point road underdogs in Game 3. The total is 190.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Philly Godfather

My Moves

$100 1H TB RAYS M MOORE -L -120 (1H TB RAYS M MOORE -L vrs 1H CHI WHITE SOX G FLOYD -R): 1H -120
$100 1H CIN REDS M LEAKE -R -110 (1H CIN REDS M LEAKE -R vrs 1H WAS NATIONALS D HAREN -R): -110
#NBA Brooklyn Nets 300: +3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

HighRollerSportsPicks

Max 30 unit play Reds-Nats over 8 is going today! 1.05pm ET

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seabass Report for Saturday:
100 Clippers
50 Brewers
50 UNDER Padres
50 UNDER Orioles

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gavazzi:

NBA

Brooklyn at Chicago (-3) 2:00 PM ET TNT

2% Brooklyn +3

I offer you (3) NBA winners today including TNT and ESPN Double Header. Includes my Top of the Ticket 3* winner. I give you all the action.... take advantage.

Chicago showed again Thursday night why they have been NBA’s worst home favorite and why they have been such a poor positive momentum team. They blew a double digit lead failing to cover by ½ point in an eventual 79-76 win. That win, no cover also dropped their record to 15-29 ATS this season following a victory. Now Chicago enters Game #4 leading the series 2 games to 1 following back-to-back wins in which they allowed Brooklyn to score just 79 PPG on 35% shooting. Game #4 road dogs at 1-2 in the series /BBL are a high percentage play vs. sub .667 home teams. But Chicago’s edge in making adjustments with HC Thibodeau vs. HC Carlisimo is so dominant that one must reduce the situational play on the Nets.



LA Clippers at Memphis (-3-) 4:30 PM ET TNT

3% LA Clippers +3-

The Grizz use their strong home court where they are 33-9 this season to come away with a +12 rebound margin in Game #3 and stepped up their defense for a 94-82 victory. That might work again in Game #4 on a floor where Memphis is 10-5 ATS home to -6. But the fundamentals in the game are no worse than even for the Clippers and the zig-zag clearly works in their favor. Game #4 road teams to -4 in a win, win, lose set are a strong situational play with teams of this ilk. In addition, road teams off a double digit loss who fail to cover by 8 or more points have long been like money in the bank. Look for the Clippers to play with more emotion off a loss even off the boards and take control of this series.



Indiana at Atlanta (-2-) 7:00 PM ET ESPN

3% Atlanta -2-

This is a very strong contrary play against the fundamentals of this series. Indiana has cruised to a pair of comfortable wins by 17 and 15 points scoring an average of 110 PPG. They are simply the far better defensive team and far more physical. Atlanta truly misses the injured Zaza Pachulia in this series. But these teams have played 6 times this season with the home team winning each game by at least 3 points. The 2 Atlanta victories in this series runs it to 11 consecutive victories by Atlanta over Indiana at this site. Strong situational plays abound for Round #1 Game #3 home teams following a double digit loss in Game #2. Will follow the history and the situation with a winning selection full well understanding that the fundamentals are not in our favor.



Oklahoma City (P) at Houston 9:30 PM ET ESPN

4% OKC (P)

Who knew that when Houston HC McHale inserted Beverly into the starting lineup that it could have radically changed the entire outcome of the NBA Playoffs. Not only did Beverly score 16 points in Game #2 but he was also responsible for the knee injury to Russell Westbrook, the MVP of the Thunder. Westbrook will undergo knee surgery and miss his first ever NBA game. Look for a huge bounce by OKC in the first game in which they miss their fallen leader. And they won’t be overconfident knowing that Houston stormed back from 15 down in the 4th quarter to take a 4 point lead courtesy of a 21-2 run. Zig-zag theory points to Houston but this is a team that has lost 4 consecutive games, is just 14-24 ATS /loss this season and will have whatever zig-zag emotion taken away from them by injury to Westbrook. That, of course, has been fully compensated in the betting line making OKC the solid value play in this.





Saturday, April 27th

MLB

Colorado (Francis) at Arizona (Miley) (-150) 8:10 PM ET

3% Arizona (Miley) (-150)

In this matchup, we make a pure pitching play. Miley is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 23/7 KBB. Against Colorado, Miley is 4-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 6 starts, including 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA in 3 starts at this site. Colorado counters with Francis who is 1-2 with an 8.44 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. Due to DH scheduling earlier in the week, Francis is pitching on 3 days rest. In the 8 career starts on 3 days rest, Frances has a 4.99 ERA. I reduce this rating a bit as Francis is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA recently at this site.



Toronto (Happ) at NY Yankees (Sabathia) (-150) 4:05 PM ET

3% NY Yankees (Sabathia) (-150)

After beginning the season 1-4, the Bombers are on a 12-5 run after winning the first 2 games of this series. That pushes their record to 14-2 vs. Toronto at this site. Sabathia is off to a 3-2 start with a 3.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 32/10 KBB. He is off a rare poor performance in which he allowed 5 runs (3 HRs) in a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Look for the bounce back by Sabathia against a Toronto team against whom he has a record of 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 8 starts. The Blue Jays have underachieved at 9-15 going 1-4 most recently. Though Happ has pitched a bit better in recent starts, he has a 6.75 ERA in a pair of starts against NYY last year. I reduce the rating because the Yankees injury list continues to grow with Youkilis and now catcher, Cervelii, among the wounded.



Texas (Holland) (-145) at Minnesota (Pedro Hernandez) 4:10 PM ET

4% Texas (Holland) (-145)

Not about to stop riding the Rangers now. Texas is on a recent run of 7-1 outscoring the opposition 51-21. With a pair of victories against the Twins the last two nights, they run the record to 11-2 in this series, 5-0 at this site. Holland has pitched well this season reverting to his 2011 form following a shaky 012. This year, Holland has a 3.25 ERA with 0.98 WHIP and 22/8 KBB. Minnesota, who has dropped 3 straight, counters with Pedro Hernandez who is making only his 2nd start. In his first start, more than 2 weeks ago, Hernandez allowed 3 runs in 5 IP. Run line players take note: in the last 2 years 81/108 Texas wins have come by 2 or more runs. Consider part of your wager on the run line.



Cleveland (Kazmir) at Kansas City (Santana) (-155) 8:10 PM ET

4% Kansas City (Santana) (-155)

Pitching for the first time in 2 years and recovering from a strained oblique, Kazmir allowed 6 runs on 8 hits in 3 1/3 IP vs. Houston. The previous time Kazmir took the hill was at this site where he allowed 5 runs in 1 2/3 IP. I can’t see anything positive as he approaches this outing tonight. The Royals are off to a positive start at 11-8 with a 4-2 record at home. They look to extend a series record which has seen them win 7/8 and 4/5 at this site. Santana has been a pleasant surprise for the Royals. For the season, Santana is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 26/5 KBB. In his most recent 26 IP, Santana has allowed just 4 runs. Run line players take note: a whopping 90/105 recent Cleveland losses, including 9/11 this year, have been by 2 or more runs. Please consider part of your wager on the run line tonight.



Atlanta (Medlen) (-115) at Detroit (Porcello) 1:05 PM ET

3% Atlanta (Medlen) (-115)

Atlanta got locked down by An. San. last night in striking out 17 times and getting just 5 hits. Following their 13-2 start, the Braves have gone 2-5. Much has been the same for Medlen who following a streak where the Braves won consecutive Medlen starts they have failed in his last 2 trips to the mound. One of those was his most recent trip to the mound at Pittsburgh where he allowed 3 runs on 6 IP of a 4-2 loss to the Bucs. But in his 6 previous road starts, Medlin went 6-0 with a 0.64 ERA. Despite those downers for Atlanta which have reduce our rating on this selection, they are nothing compared to the troubles of Porcello. For the season, Porcello is 0-2 with an 11.08 ERA, a 2.00 WHIP and a .383 BAA. Porcello is off an outing in which he lasted just 2/3 IP allowing 9 runs and 9 hits. In 7 interleague starts, Porcello has a 7.90 ERA. Combined with a huge bullpen edge in which the Braves index of 184 is far superior to that of Detroit’s 104. We comfortably step in with this huge pitching mismatch.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MATT FARGO 10* NBA ENFORCER


Atlanta Hawks

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT RICKENBACH 8* NHL Road Warrior

Detroit Redwings

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT LANDAU AFTERNOON MLB:

OVER 8 -110 atl vs det

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Celtics (-3) Friday.
Saturday it’s the Bulls. The deficit is 507 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Z money

Clippers/Memphis over 177
Indiana + 2 1/2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

My 10* LEGEND Play is on the Atl Hawks at 7:05 ET. <p> I’ve had the Pacers in each of the first two games of this series. Indiana stumbled down the stretch in the regular season (1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS in its final six games) but I expected them to “come up big’ in the two games played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacer did just that but NOT by playing the kind of defense this team was known for during the regular season (more on that in a bit). Instead, Paul George has turned into an NBA Superstar in the first two games, posting LBJ-like numbers in averaging 25.0-9.5-7.5. The Pacers, who averaged a modest 94.7 PPG during the regular season, have erupted for 107 and 113 points in the first two games, an average of 110 per. However, what I believe to have been lost in the euphoria of Indian’s two wins is that the Hawks were actually able to shoot well and score some in those games. Indiana compensated for Granger’s lost point-production this season by stepping up its defensive intensity. The Pacers opened the postseason with the league's No. 1 defensive field goal percentage (42.0%), best defensive three-point percentage (32.7%) and the league's second-best scoring defense (90.7 PPG). However, the Hawks (not an offensive juggernaut), converted 38-of-76 FG attempts in Game 1 and 39-of-79 in Game 2, for a two-game 49.7 percent rate. That’s rather high, to say the least. Here at home, I expect the Hawks to play at least as well offensively plus MUCH better defensively. You’ve probably all heard that the Pacers have lost <b>11</b> in a row in Atlanta and let me add that the Hawks are an impressive <b>9-2</b> ATS in those games, with the two ATS losses coming by a point and a point-and-a-half! Let me add one final point here and that is Indiana has been the more physical and aggressive team in the first two games, with that leading to a HUGE disparity in free throws. Indiana is 51 of 63 from the line, while Atlanta is just 18 of 34. A favorable “home town whistle” can’t hurt but in the end, I look for Atlanta to earn this win and remind the Pacers they are in a series. Indiana may think it’s ready to “take down” the Heat but this team finds out here, it still has a way to go before that. Hawks win and with more than enough “room to spare!” <p> Good luck...Larry

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JACK JONES

MLB Baseball Premium Picks



MLB | Apr 27 '13 (7:10p)
Chicago Cubs vs Miami Marlins
Total
7½ un-107 (http://affiliates.5dimes.com/tracking/Affiliate.asp?AffID=af000123&mediaTypeID=633&Image=/tracking/banner/160x600/5dimes-MB-160x600v4.gif&AffUrlID=176) at 5dimes (http://www.5dimes.com/)


15* MLB Saturday Total ANNIHILATOR on Cubs/Marlins UNDER 7.5

The books have set the bar too high tonight in this National League showdown between Chicago and Miami. These are two of the most underrated starters in the league, and they'll be up against two of the worst lineups in the league.

Travis Wood is off to an excellent start for Chicago. He's 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.038 WHIP through four starts this season. Alex Sanabia is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA this season, but he's faced some very tough opponents in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Washington and New York.

The Cubs are hitting .226 and scoring 3.3 runs/game, including .198 and 2.5 runs/game on the road this season. The Marlins are hitting .220 and scoring 2.6 runs/game, .180 and 2.1 runs/game on the road, and .202 and 1.2 runs/game against left-handed starters this year.

This play falls into a system that is 46-11 (80.7%) to the UNDER over the last 5 seasons. It tells us to bet the UNDER on home teams where the total is 7 to 8.5 (MIAMI) - with a team on base percentage .300 or worse on the season (NL), playing on Saturday. Take the UNDER in this game Saturday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Ryan 25* Titan AL Underdog:

Chicago White Sox

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Double Play Sports (swami site) 22-8-3 ytd

7u play - LAA/Seattle under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Totals 4 You Pro Basketball Selections for Saturday, April 27th

2013 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Super Total of the Year!!!!!
Los Angeles/Memphis over 177
You Win or we'll email you Sunday's NBA Report Free of Charge!!!

NBA Best Bets
Brooklyn/Chicago under 178
Indiana/Atlanta under 190
Oklahoma City/Houston over 208

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Totals 4 U MLB

Phil/Mets OVER
Cincy/Wash OVER
Balt/Oak OVER
Pitt?Cards UNDER
Clev/ KC OVER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Goodfella 2 dime play on Pirates ML

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Danny b on giants money line.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Saturday, April 27

Hot pitchers
-- Leake is 1-0, 1.29 in his last two starts.
-- Burnett is 1-1, 2.31 in his last four starts.
-- Wood is 1-1, 2.42 in four starts this season.
-- Miley is 2-0, 2.81 in four starts this season.
-- Zito is 3-1, 3.42 in four starts, but his only road start was a disaster.

-- Medlen is 1-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.

-- Oakland won both of Griffin's home starts (1-0, 3.00).
-- Sabathia is 3-1, 3.00 in his last four starts.
-- Holland is 1-1, 3.25 in four starts this season.
-- Red Sox are 3-0 in Doubront's starts (2-0, 4.32), scoring 22 runs.
-- Moore is 4-0, 1.04 in four starts this season.
-- Royals won last three Santana starts (2-0, 1.96).
-- Hernandez is 1-0, 0.71 in his last couple starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Marcum is making first '13 start; he was 2-0, 2.25 in his last three starts LY. Pettibone allowed two runs in 5.2 IP in his MLB debut.
-- Haren is 1-3, 9.00 in his four starts this season.
-- Westbrook is 0-0, 7.88 in his last two starts.
-- Sanabia is 1-2, 6.88 in his last three starts.
-- Francis is 0-2, 15.75 in his last three starts.
-- Peralta is 1-1, 5.96 in four starts this season. Fife is 1-3, 4.74 in his last four starts.
-- Stults is 1-2, 6.00 in his last three starts.

-- Porcello is 0-2, 13.09 in three starts this season.

-- Tillman is 0-1, 3.64 in his last three starts.
-- Happ has a 5.49 RA in four starts this season.
-- Hernandez allowed three runs in five IP in his first '13 start.
-- Floyd is 0-3, 5.40 in four starts this season.
-- Kazmir allowed six runs in 3.1 IP in his first '13 start.
-- Blanton is 0-3, 8.27 in four starts this season.

Totals
-- Five of last six Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Ten of last thirteen Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Ten of last fourteen Met games went over the total.
-- Last three Pittsburgh games went over the total.
-- Ten of last twelve Arizona games stayed under the total.
-- Last five games at Dodger Stadium went over the total.
-- Five of last seven San Diego games stayed under the total.

-- Eigt of last eleven Detroit games went over the total.

-- 10 of last 14 Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Boston games.
-- Under is 11-4-1 in last sixteen Texas games.
-- Under is 7-1-2 in last ten White Sox games.
-- All four Santana starts stayed under the total.
-- 19 of last 23 Oakland games went over the total.
-- 14 of last 17 Angel games went over the total.

Hot teams
-- Pirates won 12 of their last 17 games. St Louis won five of last six.
-- Washington won its last two games; they've allowed 12 runs in last six.
-- Rockies won nine of their last thirteen games. Arizona won four of six.
-- Brewers won nine of their last eleven games.

-- Red Sox won 11 of their last 14 games.
-- Bronx won 12 of its last 17 games.
-- Texas won eight of its last ten games.
-- White Sox won last three games, allowing eight runs.
-- Indians won three of their last four games. Royals won four of last six.
-- Orioles won seven of their last nine games.

Cold teams
-- Phillies lost eight of their last twelve games. Mets lost seven of last ten.
-- Dodgers lost seven of their last eleven games.
-- Reds have one run, two hits in their last two games.
-- Miami lost nine of its first eleven home games. Cubs lost 12 of their last 18 games overall.
-- Padres lost seven of their ten home games. San Francisco lost their last four games on foreign soil.

-- Detroit, Atlanta both lost five of its last seven games.

-- Houston lost nine of its last twelve games.
-- Blue Jays lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Twins lost last three games, scoring nine runs.
-- Tampa Bay lost three of its last four games.
-- Oakland lost seven of its last eight games.
-- Angels lost four of last five on road. Mariners lost 12 of their last 17 games.

Umpires
-- Phil-NY-- Under is 20-4 in last 24 Culbreth games.
-- Cin-Wsh-- Underdogs won last five Drake games.
-- Pitt-StL-- Favorites won eight of last nine Winters games.
-- Chi-Mia-- Underdogs are 6-5 in last 11 Blaser games; over is 8-4 in his last twelve games behind plate.
-- Col-Az-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Cederstrom games.
-- SF-SD-- Underdogs won six of last seven Wendelstedt games.
-- Mil-LA-- Home team is 9-4 in last thirteen Eddings games.

-- Atl-Det-- Under is 8-4 in last twelve Knight games.

-- Blt-A's-- Six of last eight Hoye games went over the total.
-- Tor-NY-- 12 of last 14 Kellogg games stayed under the total.
-- Tex-Min-- Six of last eight Marquez games stayed under total.
-- Hst-Bos-- Home team won nine of last twelve Hudson games.
-- TB-Chi-- Home side won last seven Guccione games.
-- LA-Sea-- Visitors are 9-4 in last thirteen Bell games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Saturday, April 27

Early Games

Hot teams
-- Rangers won six of their last eight games. Devils won four of their last five.
-- Blackhawks won seven of their last eight games.
--

Cold teams
-- Panthers lost seven of their last eight games. Tampa Bay lost eight of last ten.
-- Predators lost nine of their last ten games.
--

Totals
-- Over is 4-0-2 in last six Ranger games.
-- Three of last four Lightning games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six Nashville games went over the total.
--

Series records
-- Rangers won last two games with New Jersey, allowing three goals.
-- Lightning won seven of last eight games with Florida.
-- Blue Jackets won three of last four games with Nashville.
--

Back-to-backs
--

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Denver Money NHL

1* Kings -150
1* Bos/Wash Under 5.5
1* Vancouver -125

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Denver Money MLB

2* Cubs -115

Had 2* mets & 1* braves

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kevin
MLBPredictions w/writeup

2 UNIT = Pittsburgh Pirates @ St Louis Cardinals - CARDINALS TO WIN (-118)
Listed Pitchers: Burnett vs Westbrook
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 1.69 units)

The St Louis Cardinals took the first game of this series 9-1 last night to move to 13-10 on the season and a solid 5-2 at home. The Pirates are 13-10 on the year and 5-6 on the road. These two teams have played three times this year with one game postponed due to weather, and the Cardinals are 2-1 in those meetings. Burnett pitched in the Pirates 5-0 win against St Louis and will be tonight's starter for Pittsburgh, but his numbers are usually not as good on the road. Burnett is 1-2 on the season with a 2.79 ERA, .208 OBA and 1.14 WHIP. Last sesaon his road ERA was 4.01 (while his home ERA was 3.10) and in 2011 his road ERA was 6.28 compared to a 4.41 home ERA. The Pirates are just 1-5 in Burnett's last 6 road starts. The Cardinals will have Jake Westbrook on the mound who is 1-1 on the season through three recorded starts with a 1.25 ERA, .243 OBA and 1.48 WHIP. Last season he was 13-11 with a 3.97 ERA, .282 OBA and 1.39 WHIP. Note that the Cardinals are 5-2 in Westbrook's last 7 home starts. Not too much focus can be put on home and road team batting average or OBP this early, but take note that the Cardinals are 5th in the MLB hitting .278 at home with a team .331 OBP. The Pirates are 30th in the MLB with a .194 team batting average and .266 OBP on the road through 11 games where they've scored just 31 runs (2.82 runs per game). Dating back to last season the Pirates are just 9-22 in their last 31 road games. The Cardinals are 37-15 in their last 52 home games. This afternoon we are getting St Louis at a good price at home and I will take them to win for my only Saturday play.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Patron 100k
Rockets+1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Root

millionaire rockets
billionaire clippers
Pinnacle (http://www.pinnaclesports.com) hawks

[Can'tPickAWinner]

rosica

Saturday 4/27/13
Houston Rockets (NBA)
100 Dimes

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben Burns

8* nhl main event

st louis blues

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Lee Earnest

3 unit(normal size) Houston Rockets +1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Big Al

Elite Hawks

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Runner

Ind / atl under 189.5 3*
Sfg / sd over 7.5 3*
Padres 2*
UFC bisping -175 3*

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT LANDAU EVENING MLB:

OVER 7.5 -110 cub vs mia ..... SF +100 ..... TBAY -113

(NOTE: LAD Pitching Change = Magill = NO LINE as of 5:25 EDT)