5-12-12

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We are looking for someone to post service plays in the evenings from 5pm and on from there. If you can spare some time, the group would really appreciate it.




Note:


ALL PLAYS POSTED ARE UNCONFIRMED UNLESS YOU BUY THEM YOURSELF. THERE IS BAD INFO PASSED AROUND FROM TIME TO TIME, SO PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK

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Saturday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking

Ricky Nolasco, Miami Marlins (4-0, 2.72 ERA)

Nolasco held the Padres to two runs on five hits over seven innings to tie Dontrelle Willis for the franchise lead in victories with 68. Nolasco has worked at least seven innings in each of his last three starts and walked just a single better in each.

Brandon Beachy, Atlanta Braves (3-1, 1.62 ERA)

Beachy has been nothing short of dominant this season. He was cruising along before stumbling a bit in the seventh inning in a 7-2 win over Colorado. He gave up the two runs on four hits while also walking three. Beachy’s sporting a tidy 0.95 WHIP in 39 innings so far this season heading into a tough date with the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Slumping

Chris Volstad, Chicago Cubs (0-4, 6.55 ERA)

Volstad continues to get burned by one bad inning in his starts. In his last trip to the hill, he was looking good until he gave up three runs in the second inning – two of which came on a two-run double from pitcher Chris Capuano. Volstad hasn’t won since July 10 of last year and is working on a 6.88 ERA in his last three.

Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals (2-3, 9.00 ERA)

Hochevar couldn’t get out of the third inning against the Yankees, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs before getting the hook. He has now allowed at least seven runs in three of his first six starts and owns a fat 1.82 WHIP through 28 innings of work.

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What Bettors Need to Know: 76ers at Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (-5, 170.5)

SERIES ODDS TO WIN: 76ers +175, Celtics -250

THE STORY: The Philadelphia 76ers are participating in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in nine years as they open play against the division-rival Celtics in Boston on Saturday. Eighth-seeded Philadelphia defeated the injury-depleted Chicago Bulls in six games in the opening round while fifth-seeded Boston ousted the Atlanta Hawks in six games. The Celtics are in the second round for the fifth straight season. The 76ers won two of three regular-season meetings.

ABOUT THE 76ERS: Philadelphia had lost five consecutive playoff series before toppling the Bulls. Guard Andre Iguodala hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds left in Thursday’s series-clinching 79-78 victory. The 76ers won the finale despite being outrebounded 56-33 and will need to perform better in that area to upset the Celtics. Center Spencer Hawes averaged 15.5 points and 10.3 rebounds over the last four games of the Chicago series while point guard Jure Holiday averaged a team-best 18.2 points against the Bulls. Top reserve Lou Williams finished second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year alloting announced Thursday.

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Forwards Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and point guard Rajon Rondo took turns being stars in the series against Atlanta. Pierce was strong early in the series before injuring his left knee, Rondo had a triple-double in Game 3 and Garnett hit the go-ahead basket in the clinching game to cap off a performance in which he had 28 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. Guard Ray Allen has been inconsistent while battling an ankle injury and fellow backcourt mate Avery Bradley (shoulder) also is laboring. Rondo averaged 13.3 points in the three regular-season meetings against Philadelphia.

TRENDS:

- 76ers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog.
- Celtics are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 home games.
- 76ers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Boston and Philadelphia last met in the postseason in 2002 when the Celtics won the best-of-five first-round series 3-2.

2. Celtics coach Doc Rivers recorded his 50th postseason win on Thursday, third-most in franchise history behind Red Auerbach (90) and K.C. Jones (65).

3. Iguodala had 11 steals and just four turnovers in the six-game series with Chicago.

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What Bettors Need to Know: Nuggets at Lakers

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (-6, 196.5)

THE STORY: It was hard to tell what bothered Kobe Bryant more – his stomach bug or the nauseating performance put forth by his teammates in the Los Angeles Lakers' lopsided Game 6 loss at Denver on Thursday night. The Lakers will hope to avoid becoming the ninth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead when they host the resurgent Nuggets in Game 7 Saturday night. Starting forward Metta World Peace returns for Los Angeles after serving a seven-game suspension.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS: A different player seems to step up for Denver in each game, and speedy point guard Ty Lawson did the honors Thursday. Although he had back-to-back 25-point games earlier in the series, Lawson has struggled with his shot – particularly from long range. Getting desperate after going 2 of 16 from behind the arc in the first five games of the series, Lawson flew in his personal shooting coach before Game 6. The result was a playoff career-high 32 points that included making five of six 3-pointers in Denver's wire-to-wire rout. Rookie Kenneth Faried had his third double-double and is averaging 10 rebounds in the series against the Lakers’ towering front line.

ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles figured to have an enormous advantage inside with 7-footers Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Bynum had two huge games to help the Lakers to a 2-0 series lead, but the team's twin towers experienced a remarkable disappearing act in the thin air of Denver. Bynum's stat line (11 points, 16 rebounds) suggests a decent performance, but he and Gasol combined for a mere five points in the first half Thursday. Gasol scored a season-low three points in Game 6 and has seen his point production drop in four straight games. Bryant didn't mince words when asked if his teammates matched his heart in Game 6. ''No, of course they didn't,'' he said.

TRENDS:

- Nuggets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Lakers are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 home games.
- Under is 22-8 in the last 30 meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Lakers are 42-1 all-time when taking a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series – the only loss coming in 1969 vs. Boston. Los Angeles is the last team to blow a 3-1 lead, falling to Phoenix in 2006.

2. The Nuggets, losers in the first round of the playoffs in seven of the past eight seasons, have advanced to a Game 7 for the first time since 1994.

3. World Peace, who hasn't played since April 22, had 14 points and eight rebounds in a 103-97 win over Denver on April 13.

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NHL Betting Preview


Washington Capitals at New York Rangers (-140, 4.5)

(Series tied, 3-3)

While the three other second-round series flew right on by without much drama at all, the Rangers and Capitals have tried to make up for all of them. Multiple overtime games, costly late penalties, miraculous comebacks, the return to relevancy for Alexander Ovechkin - this series has had it all. And it will end under the bright lights of the big city at Madison Square Garden.

Just how good are they?

Perhaps New York shouldn’t be all that concerned about an upset. After all, the top-seeded Rangers are still alive in the East, which is more than you can say for the No. 1 club out West, Vancouver. Somehow they are finding ways to survive this postseason.

But it hasn't been pretty, and their lack of scoring depth has extended their first two series far longer than expected. You have to ask yourself, at some point, will all these losses come back to haunt them?

Last season, the Bruins, for instance, lost nine total games en route to the Stanley Cup. The season before, the Blackhawks lost six overall. Very modest numbers across four rounds. The Rangers have already lost six games this postseason and are just one game over .500 (7-6). That sound like a Cup run to you?

Also take into account this: The competition. Say what you will about Ottawa and Washington. They have provided stiff tests, no question, and have played hard throughout. But, at the end of the day, they still are the No. 8 and No. 7 seeds, respectively. That caliber of team shouldn’t be imposing its will on a No. 1 seed. Ottawa did, to a certain extent. And Washington has taken it a step further.

The Great Eight

In a postseason where Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin bowed out in Round 1, and Claude Giroux hit the skids earlier this week, Ovechkin, the biggest star left, has made the most of his stage. The point total (9) is modest compared to say, a Giroux (17), but Ovechkin has been more than a scorer against the Bruins and Rangers.

The winger has 54 hits, 48 shots on goal and 13 blocks. He's still stuck at minus-1 for the postseason across his 13 games, but has one game-winning goal and two power-play tallies.

New York is at home, has more depth, and perhaps more motivation. But without question, the Capitals have the best player in the series, and if you believe in the age-old sports cliché that says “big players make big plays in big games,” something great from No. 8 may be in store here.

Net work

Tough to find a weakness in net on either end. Henrik Lundqvist has been the Rangers' best player. He has a 1.73 goals-against average, and if he didn't stand tall in the third period of Game 5 -- allowing for the Rangers' miracle rally to happen in a 3-2 overtime win -- this series would already be over.

Braden Holtby isn't far behind with a 1.95 goals-against and for all intents and purposes, he pitched a shutout in Game 6 before the Rangers used a few deflections to post a goal late in their 2-1 loss. Holtby, a rookie, has a .930 save percentage and has truly been the darling of the postseason.

No matter what happens in New York over the weekend, it appears Washington has settled its shaky goaltending situation moving forward - he’s only 22.

History

The Capitals are winless in their previous four attempts this postseason to post consecutive victories. But Washington has won seven of the last eight Saturday games. The Rangers are just 4-9 in their last 13 Round 2 games. The over has yet to hit in this series (0-3-3).

[poopoo333]

Sports Wagers NHL

GAME 7
N.Y. Rangers -139 over WASHINGTON
We’re going to free roll on the Caps in game 7. We have them to win the series at +339 in a wager we recommended before game six. As a result of that wager, if the Rangers win, we lose 1 unit on the series and win 1 unit on them here, therefore breaking even. Should the Caps win, we lose -1.39 units on the Blue Shirts tonight but win 3.39 units on our updated series bet for a profit of 2 units. This is a bet you should make only if you were on board with us after game six. Had we not made that bet, we’d be recommending Washington. They should’ve already won this series but instead of folding after that game-five heartbreaking loss, they came back and played its best game of the series. Braden Holtby is certainly in the Rangers' kitchen. The Rangers appear frustrated and have little confidence in beating the hot goaltender. The Caps have momentum and confidence and they’re very likely to put these regular-season overacheivers away here. The play is Washington, if you don't have anything else attached to this one. For those on board prior, our play is protecting our investment with New York. (Risking 1.39 units to win 1).

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Today's NHL Picks

Washington at NY Rangers

The Rangers look to close out the series and build on their 12-4 record in their last 16 games when playing with 2 days rest. New York is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-145). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, MAY 12 Time Posted 6:00 a.m. EST

Game 75-76: Washington at NY Rangers (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.882; NY Rangers 12.672 Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-145); 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-145); Over

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Hockey Night In Canada

NHL Betting Preview: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers (-140, 4.5)

(Series tied, 3-3)

While the three other second-round series flew right on by without much drama at all, the Rangers and Capitals have tried to make up for all of them. Multiple overtime games, costly late penalties, miraculous comebacks, the return to relevancy for Alexander Ovechkin - this series has had it all. And it will end under the bright lights of the big city at Madison Square Garden.

Just how good are they?

Perhaps New York shouldn’t be all that concerned about an upset. After all, the top-seeded Rangers are still alive in the East, which is more than you can say for the No. 1 club out West, Vancouver. Somehow they are finding ways to survive this postseason.

But it hasn't been pretty, and their lack of scoring depth has extended their first two series far longer than expected. You have to ask yourself, at some point, will all these losses come back to haunt them?

Last season, the Bruins, for instance, lost nine total games en route to the Stanley Cup. The season before, the Blackhawks lost six overall. Very modest numbers across four rounds. The Rangers have already lost six games this postseason and are just one game over .500 (7-6). That sound like a Cup run to you?

Also take into account this: The competition. Say what you will about Ottawa and Washington. They have provided stiff tests, no question, and have played hard throughout. But, at the end of the day, they still are the No. 8 and No. 7 seeds, respectively. That caliber of team shouldn’t be imposing its will on a No. 1 seed. Ottawa did, to a certain extent. And Washington has taken it a step further.

The Great Eight

In a postseason where Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin bowed out in Round 1, and Claude Giroux hit the skids earlier this week, Ovechkin, the biggest star left, has made the most of his stage. The point total (9) is modest compared to say, a Giroux (17), but Ovechkin has been more than a scorer against the Bruins and Rangers.

The winger has 54 hits, 48 shots on goal and 13 blocks. He's still stuck at minus-1 for the postseason across his 13 games, but has one game-winning goal and two power-play tallies.

New York is at home, has more depth, and perhaps more motivation. But without question, the Capitals have the best player in the series, and if you believe in the age-old sports cliché that says “big players make big plays in big games,” something great from No. 8 may be in store here.

Net work

Tough to find a weakness in net on either end. Henrik Lundqvist has been the Rangers' best player. He has a 1.73 goals-against average, and if he didn't stand tall in the third period of Game 5 -- allowing for the Rangers' miracle rally to happen in a 3-2 overtime win -- this series would already be over.

Braden Holtby isn't far behind with a 1.95 goals-against and for all intents and purposes, he pitched a shutout in Game 6 before the Rangers used a few deflections to post a goal late in their 2-1 loss. Holtby, a rookie, has a .930 save percentage and has truly been the darling of the postseason.

No matter what happens in New York over the weekend, it appears Washington has settled its shaky goaltending situation moving forward - he’s only 22.

History

The Capitals are winless in their previous four attempts this postseason to post consecutive victories. But Washington has won seven of the last eight Saturday games. The Rangers are just 4-9 in their last 13 Round 2 games. The over has yet to hit in this series (0-3-3).

[poopoo333]

NASCAR Betting: Southern 500 Preview and Picks
by GREG ENGLE

There is no rest for the weary as the NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads to one of the toughest tracks on the circuit.

Darlington Raceway is the site of Saturday night’s Southern 500 - NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway event. Known as the track “Too Tough to Tame”, the abrasive surface of the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval provides challenges to teams seen nowhere else.

It’s a challenge that Greg Biffle is ready to take on. After a forgettable 2011, Biffle is on a roll. With one win and six Top-5 finishes in the first 10 races, Biffle is leading the points after surviving the carnage for a fifth-place showing at Talladega last weekend.

Biffle has two wins at Darlington and knows how to add to that total Saturday night. He’s under no illusion that he’s got Darlington’s number, though.

“There's no opportunity to correct or to gather it back up when you're that close to the wall, but you've got to run there because that's where all the speed is and the grip,” he told the media.” So if you make a little mistake or your car gets away from you a little bit, you've got a Darlington Stripe, and hopefully just a Darlington Stripe because you're going so fast, it can damage the car quickly.”

Denny Hamlin is hot and getting hotter. Like Biffle, he had 2011 season he’d rather forget. But with Tony Stewart’s championship-winning crew chief, Darian Grubb, on board, Hamlin has two wins this season. He won here in 2010 and could tame Darlington again Saturday night.

Don’t count out the latest series winner, Brad Keselowski. Keselowski has two wins this season, including a surprise win at Talladega. He finished third here last season and could easily go all the way to Victory Lane Saturday night.

Head-to-Head

Matt Kenseth vs. Carl Edwards: Both of Greg Biffle’s teammates are capable of winning Saturday night. But neither has won at Darlington before. In fact, Kenseth, who currently sits second in the standings, has struggled here finishing outside the Top 10 in the last three races, including a 23rd-place showing last season.

Edwards on the other hand, is struggling this season, but has three Top-5 finishes in the last five races at Darlington, including a second-place performance last season. Look for Edwards’ good fortune to continue at Darlington with a solid finish ahead of Kenseth.

Tony Stewart vs. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Both drivers are winless here, and each has an agenda. Stewart wants a rebound from a poor finish at Talladega last week while Earnhardt wants to continue his streak of six consecutive Top-10 finishes, which ties his career best. Neither driver has a Darlington record to brag about, but look for Earnhardt to do whatever he can to continue the momentum as he gets closer to his first win since 2008.

Bottom Line

Nineteen races at Darlington have been won from the pole - the most productive starting position. Dale Jarrett was the last driver to win from the pole in 1997.The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 43rd, in the track’s inaugural race in 1950 by Johnny Mantz. That race, however, had a 75-car field.

PICKS

Greg Biffle (+900)

Brad Keselowski (+1,200)

Denny Hamlin (+1,200)

[Mr. IWS]

Jeff Scott Sports

TOP PLAY

3 UNIT PLAY

Miami/ NY Mets Over 7.5: Really just one set of stats stands out to favor the Under and that the fact that in his last 4 starts vs Miami, R.A. Dickey has allowed just 1 ER. After that though the numbers point to an Over. Met home games have averaged just 6.5 rpg, but once this team gets out on the road their games have averaged 11.3 rpg. The Mets hit .281 and score 5.3 rpg away from home, while their staff has an ERA of 5.54 and have allowed teams 6.13 rpg away from home. The Marlin offense has had trouble with R.A. of late, but at home vs righties they have hit .276 and have scored 4.66 rp/9 off them, compared to hitting just .191 and scoring 3.34 rp/9 off of lefties at home. Ricky Nolasco has not had a good time vs the mets as he has a 5.03 ERA in 22 appearances (20 starts) vs them and he has an ERA of 4.35 in 2 starts in this park this year, while Dickey has a 6.23 ERA in 3 starts on the road this year. Let's also note that Met road day games have gone 4-1 OVER, while Miami home day games have gone 4-0 OVER. It'll be just my luck that R.A. will pitch a no-hitter here, but really I don't think so. The Mets hit and score really well on the road, while Miami's offense can put up some runs at home. I look for about 9 runs in this one.

OTHER PLAY

1 UNIT PLAY

NY YANKS -1.5 (+110) Over Seattle: Yanks Usually kill me on the RL, but we'll take a shot with them here. Just feel that the Yanjks Offense has been playing better of late and while both pitchers have struggled, they will be able to take advantage more than the M's will.

[Mr. IWS]

SPORTS WAGERS

Chicago +172 over MILWAUKEE

The Cubs lost the opener last night after blowing a 4-1 lead in the sixth and a 7-5 lead in the 9th. Tough loss but they once again showed some spark and despite losing, proved how beatable this host really is. The Cubbies are taking back a big price here because Chris Volstad has some horrible surface stats. Volstad is 0-4 with a 6.55 ERA but his xERA of 4.19 suggests some bad luck and there’s proof of that too. Volstad’s 50% strand rate is the lowest strand rate of any starting pitcher with at least 20 IP. He also has a strong groundball/fly-ball profile of 49%/33%. Volstad is an undervalued pitcher right now. Shaun Marcum’s xERA of 4.15 is nearly identical to Volstad’s 4.19 xERA. Marcum is 1-1 but the Brewers have lost his last five starts and he’s just not worthy of this big a tag playing for an average club. Marcum is a fly-ball pitcher and although he’s been consistent over the years, he’s a big risk at a big price and this pitching matchup is much closer than it looks on paper. Play: Chicago +172 (Risking 2 units).

San Francisco +100 over ARIZONA

Mait Cain has struck 40 while walking just seven batters in 45 innings of work. There’s added significance to that for this start because he’ll face a Diamondbacks squad that leads the majors in strikeouts with 262. Cain has allowed just 26 hits in those 45 frames for a BAA of .167 to go along with a 0.67 ERA. The real crime to all of this is that Matt Cain has just one win in six starts despite answering the bell for in the seventh inning for every one of his starts. He’s been one of the league’s best with very little to show for it. That will inevitably change and it’s likely to begin here, Trevor Cahill’s 3.26 ERA is a direct result from having success on the road. At home, Cahill has made two forgettable starts in which he’s surrendered eight runs in 11 innings for a home ERA of 6.55. Cahill has issued 15 walks while striking out just 23 in 38 innings. This pitching matchup strongly favors San Fran and it’s also worth noting that the Giants have struck out the second fewest times in the majors. Play: San Francisco +100 (Risking 2 units).

Pass NBA

[Mr. IWS]

MARC LAWRENCE
13-4 NBA RUN (76%)

L.A. Lakers -5.5 (-120) over Denver

[Mr. IWS]

Hoopsgooroo 5/12

954 Marlins -140 @ 1:05p
958 Pirates -140 @ 7:05p
972 Orioles +105 @ 7:05p
959 Nationals +105 @ 7:10p
978 Red Sox -135 @ 7:10p
961 Braves +115 @ 7:15p
980 A's +115 @ 8:05p
964 D-Backs -105 @ 8:10p

[Mr. IWS]

Insider Sports Report
5* Chicago White Sox (Sale) -120 over Kansas City (Hochevar) Range: -105 to -145
3* Boston -5 over Philadelphia (NBA) Range: -3½ to -7
3* Denver/L.A. Lakers UNDER 197 (NBA) Range: 199 to 194½

[Mr. IWS]

Jimmy Boyd

Off Back to back 2-0 sweeps last 2 nights.

***TOP PLAY*** Boyd's 5* NBA Playoffs *BEST BET*
LA Lakers -5.5

Boyd's 4* 'Never Lost' MLB SMASH!
St. Louis Cardinals