2-28-14

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Four MLB teams that actually try in Spring Training
By JASON LOGAN

Betting on MLB Spring Training baseball can be a sign that winter has gotten the best of you. Like any preseason, spring ball is a craps shoot. Managers have their own agenda, as do players, so consistency in the Grapefruit and Cactus League schedules is about as hard to come by as a Derek Jeter jersey in Boston.

However, if you can’t help yourself – and god knows some of us can’t – you may want to stick to these four clubs who have excelled in the spring season for the past few years.

Detroit Tigers (61-33 in Spring Training since 2010)

The Tigers have plenty of wrinkles to iron out this spring, what with slugger Prince Fielder being dealt to Texas and manager Jim Leyland hanging up his spikes (He did actually wear spikes for most of his career). Ian Kinsler is a more reliable bat but will need to find his role in the lineup. The pitching staff is also working in some new faces and new skip Brad Ausmus is cooking up chemistry with his team.

Seattle Mariners (54-33 in Spring Training since 2011)

The Mariners got off to a strong start in spring ball last year, with a 22-11 record. Seattle, of course, made the biggest splash this offseason by adding second baseman Robinson Cano. That wasn’t the only move the M’s made on and off the field. They opened their wallet to names like Corey Hart and closer Fernando Rodney, and welcome new manager Lloyd McClendon. This is an aging club so spring ball could be played at half speed for Seattle, with player just hoping to stay healthy for Opening Day.

Kansas City Royals (61-33 in Spring Training since 2011)

The Royals are on the rise and used a strong 2013 tune-up campaign – going 25-7 - to springboard an 86-76 regular season. Kansas City kept its young core mainly intact and added an innings-eater in Jason Vargas, bolstering the rotation. The Royals added a couple of table setters to the top of the order, which should allow big bats like Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler and Alex Gordon to post some big numbers.

San Francisco Giants (80-54 in Spring Training since 2010)

The Giants have cooled off a bit in the spring after dominating the exhibition schedule in 2010 and 2011. However, San Francisco has still won more often than not in Cactus League play. This spring, the Giants have a lot of question marks in the air. Can the starting rotation return to a World Series class? Can the lineup stay healthy enough to support them? And what’s up with Tim Lincecum’s high school freshman mustache?

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Friday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers

Grizzlies at Thunder
Memphis: 32-24 SU, 25-30-1 ATS
Oklahoma City: 43-15 SU, 32-26 ATS
Since Russell Westbrook has returned to the Thunder lineup, OKC hasn’t won a game in three tries. All three losses have had a similar theme: a lack of defense. Oklahoma City has allowed at least 103 points in each defeat, while giving up 114 points to Cleveland in Wednesday’s shocking home loss to the Cavs as 15-point favorites. Since the start of February, the Thunder has compiled a dreadful 3-7 ATS record, including a 1-4 ATS mark at Chesapeake Energy Arena in this span.

The Grizzlies have won five of their past six games, including Wednesday’s 108-103 victory over the Lakers. However, Memphis has failed to cover seven consecutive home contests as a favorite, but the Grizzlies are a scorching 9-1 ATS the last 10 games in the underdog role. The lone ATS loss for Memphis in this stretch came at Oklahoma City on February 3 in an 86-77 defeat as eight-point underdogs, but point guard Mike Conley sat out with an ankle injury.

Warriors at Knicks
Golden State: 35-23 SU, 27-28-3 ATS
New York: 21-36 SU, 24-33 ATS
The Warriors continue their six-game road swing in New York following an embarrassing effort on Wednesday. Golden State was blown out at Chicago, 103-83 as 3½-point favorites to snap a four-game winning streak, while cashing the ‘under’ for the fifth consecutive contest. Mark Jackson’s team split a pair of contests against the Knicks last season, including a 54-point effort from Stephen Curry in a 109-105 defeat at Madison Square Garden as 7½-point underdogs.

The Knicks return home with no rest following Thursday’s contest at Miami, as New York owns a 4-8 SU and 6-6 ATS record on the second of a back-to-back. Mike Woodson’s club has struggled in the role of a home underdog, posting a 2-9 ATS record when receiving points at the Garden, with one of those covers coming in Monday’s buzzer-beating loss to Dallas. New York has cashed the ‘over’ in seven of the last 10 home contests, while each of the last four home meetings with Golden State has sailed ‘over’ the total.

Bulls at Mavericks
Chicago: 31-26 SU, 29-28 ATS
Dallas: 36-23 SU, 33-26 ATS
All of the sudden, the Bulls are looking like the third-best team in the Eastern Conference after winning seven of their past eight games. Following a rout of Golden State on Wednesday, the Bulls improved to 8-2 ATS the last 10 contests, while topping the 100-point mark for the third time in four games. The Bulls are playing with revenge on Friday after getting blown out by the Mavericks in December, 105-83, as Dallas put up 61 points in the first half.

The Mavericks are rolling right now, riding a four-game winning streak following Wednesday’s 108-89 home triumph over the Pelicans. The strong defensive effort for Dallas against New Orleans actually ended a five-game 'over' run for the Mavs, as Rick Carlisle's team has won five of their past seven at the American Airlines Arena. Dallas has taken care of Eastern Conference opponents of late, going 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS, as the last loss to an Eastern team came against Miami in the first game after the All-Star break.

Pelicans at Suns
New Orleans: 23-34 SU, 24-29-4 ATS
Phoenix: 33-24 SU, 36-20-1 ATS
The Pelicans haven’t won a game since the All-Star break, losing each of their last five games, while scoring 93 points or less four times in this stretch. New Orleans will likely be without All-Star center Anthony Davis on Friday night after the former top pick suffered a shoulder injury in Wednesday’s defeat at Dallas. The Pelicans are playing with double-revenge after losing each of the first two meetings with the Suns, including a 101-94 defeat in Phoenix as two-point road favorites on November 10.

The Suns are mired in a three-game skid, which includes a pair of home losses to the Rockets and Wolves. The most recent defeat came at Utah on Wednesday night as a short underdog, while Phoenix played without starting point guard Goran Dragic, who is a game-time decision on Friday with a sprained ankle. Four of the last five games for the Suns have finished ‘under’ the total, but Phoenix has given up at least 109 points in each of its past three contests.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Blues at Ducks

St. Louis Blues at Anaheim Ducks (-115, 5.5)

After beginning the season nearly unbeatable at home (20-0-2), the Anaheim Ducks have stumbled in five of their last seven games at the Honda Center. The Ducks look to regain their footing and vie for their first season sweep of St. Louis on Friday night when they return from the Olympic break by hosting the Blues. Team Canada representative Ryan Getzlaf collected a goal and an assist in both meetings with St. Louis as Anaheim skated to a 5-2 road win on Dec. 7 and a 3-2 road triumph on Jan. 18.

The victories were the Ducks' fourth and fifth in six outings against the Blues, which is par for the course considering the latter's struggles against the California-based clubs. St. Louis has dropped seven of its last eight meetings versus the Golden State teams. The Blues opened their three-game road trip by being shut out for the first time this season with a 1-0 setback to Vancouver on Wednesday.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSMW (St. Louis), FSPT (Anaheim)

LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened as -115 home faves. The total opened at 5.5 goals.

POWER RANKINGS: Blues (-203) / Ducks (-185)

INJURY WATCH: Blues - Jordan Leopold (Ques. - Leg). Ducks - Viktor Fasth (Prob. - Lower body), Nick Bonino (Ques. - Wrist), Mark Fistric (Ques. - Lower body)

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "A battle between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. Anaheim has dominated the season series so far winning both previous meetings out scoring the Blues 8-4. The Ducks have been dominate at home so far this season and I see that continuing in this matchup." - Michael Stewart, CarbonSports.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Blues are coming off a tough 1-0 loss in their return to the ice following the Olympic break, so they'll have no shortage of motivation as they make the trip from Vancouver to Anaheim Friday. Both of these teams sent a number of players to Sochi, so we could see a bit of a hangover effect in this one. With goals coming at a premium, you have to give the advantage to the Blues, one of the best defensive teams in the league. Anaheim has had St. Louis' number this season, but that could change Friday night." - Sean Murphy.

ABOUT THE BLUES (39-13-3-3 SU, 25-33 ATS, 27-25 O/U): St. Louis generated little offensive consistency on Wednesday, prompting United States Olympian T.J. Oshie to label the effort as "pretty sluggish." Coach Ken Hitchcock, who served as an assist for Team Canada during the Olympics, noted a decided difference in terms of play by his team in the third period. "I didn't think we had the energy in the third period that we did in the end of the first and the second," Hitchcock said. Perhaps Jaden Schwartz will ignite the Blues as he scored in three of the previous four games heading into the break as well as both contests versus Anaheim this season.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (41-14-1-4 SU, 31-29 ATS, 19-9-0-3 O/U): Getzlaf was on quite the roll prior to the Olympics, scoring four goals in five games to boost his total to a career-high 29 on the season. Fellow Canadian Olympian Corey Perry snapped a three-game scoreless streak with a goal in Anaheim's 5-2 triumph over Nashville on Feb. 8. Swede Jakob Silfverberg settled for silver in Sochi and recorded just one assist in his eight contests leading up to the break.

TRENDS:
* Over is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings.
* Home team is 29-10-1 in the last 40 meetings.
* Blues are 5-16-1 in the last 22 meetings in Anaheim.
* Blues are 1-5 in the last six meetings.

CONSENSUS: Almost 64 percent of the wagers are on the Ducks -115.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

POINTWISE

NBA BASKETBALL

(7:35) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 103 - Utah Jazz 95 _____ _____

(8:05) OKLAHOMA CITY 111 - Memphis Grizzlies 102 _____ _____

(8:05) NY KNICKS 104 - Golden St Warriors 99 (ESPN) _____ _____

(8:35) Charlotte Bobcats 107 - SAN ANTONIO 106 _____ _____

(8:35) DALLAS MAVERICKS 109 - Chicago Bulls 97 _____ _____

(10:35) New Orleans 98 - PHOENIX SUNS 97 (ESPN) _____ _____

(10:35) LA LAKERS 105 - Sacramento Kings 96 _____ _____

BEST BETS
CHARLOTTE
NEW ORLEANS (4)

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POINTWISE

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

(7:00) Providence 73 - SETON HALL 70 (CBSC) _____ _____

(7:00) Columbia 64 - DARTMOUTH 62 _____ _____

(7:00) HARVARD 81 - Cornell 55 _____ _____

(7:00) PRINCETON 68 - Yale 66 _____ _____

(7:30) Brown 67 - PENNSYLVANIA 64 (NBCS) _____ _____

(10:30) WASHINGTON 77 - Washington State 61 _____ _____

BEST BETS
YALE
WASHINGTON

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The Factsman

CBB Friday Video Pick
Providence+2.5

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NBA

Hot teams
-- Memphis won five of its last six games.
-- Warriors won four of their last five games.
-- Dallas won 10 of last 12 games. Bulls won seven of their last eight.
-- Bobcats won last four games, are 6-1-1 vs spread in last eight. Spurs won four of their last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Cleveland lost three of its last four games. Jazz lost four of their last five road games.
-- Thunder is 0-3 since Russell Westbrook returned to lineup.
-- Knicks lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Sacramento covered twice in its last eight games (3-5 SU). Lakers lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Pelicans lost seven of their last eight games. Phoenix lost last three.

Series records
-- Cavaliers won last two games with Utah, after losing previous six.
-- Grizzlies won five of last seven games with Oklahoma City.
-- Warriors won six of last eight games with New York.
-- Bulls lost three of last four visits to Dallas, by 1-7-2 points.
-- Spurs won eight of last nine games with Charlotte (5-3-1 vs spread).
-- Lakers won their last four games with Sacramento.
-- Suns won six of last eight games with New Orleans.

Totals
-- Last six Utah road games stayed under total.
-- Last four Memphis games went over the total.
-- Last five Golden State games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over total.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Charlotte games.
-- Five of last six Laker games went over the total.
-- Four of last five New Orleans games stayed under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Buffalo won its first two games since Olympics, 3-2/5-4ot. Sharks won four of their last five games.
-- Minnesota won its last three games, allowing three goals.
-- Blues won six of their last nine games.

Cold teams
-- Coyotes lost 13 of their last 20 games. Colorado lost three of last four.
-- Vancouver lost seven of its last eight games.
-- Anaheim lost three of its last four games.

Totals
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten San Jose games.
-- Last seven Phoenix games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Vancouver games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight St Louis road games stayed under.

Series records
-- Sabres won their last five games with San Jose.
-- Coyotes won five of last seven gamesd with Colorado.
-- Canucks lost their last three games with Minnesota.
-- Ducks won five of their last six games with St Louis.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hockey Crusher
Colorado Avalanche -145 over Phoenix
(System Record: 67-2, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 67-52-1

Rest of the Plays
San Jose Sharks -170 over Buffalo
St Louis Blues +105 over Anaheim
Vancouver Canucks -145 over Minnesota

Basketball Crusher
Chicago Bulls +4.5 over Dallas Mavs
(System Record: 51-7, lost last game)
Overall Record: 51-67-4

Rest of the Plays
Rider +1.5 over Canisius
Brown +1 over Pennsylvania
Iona +3.5 over Manhattan

Soccer Crusher
Mechelen + Lokeren UNDER 3
This match is happening in Belgium
(System Record: 531-18, won last game)
Overall Record: 531-455-78

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

Utah at Cleveland

The Cavaliers come into tonight's contest against the Jazz following a 114-104 win over Oklahoma City and carrying a 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Cleveland is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavaliers favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Time Posted: 8:00 p.m. EST

Game 801-802: Utah at Cleveland (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Utah 113.545; Cleveland 121.985 Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 8 1/2; 190 Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 4 1/2; 192 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-4 1/2); Under

Game 803-804: Memphis at Oklahoma City (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 119.740; Oklahoma City 120.740 Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 1; 202 Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 6; 192 Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+6); Over

Game 805-806: Golden State at New York (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 123.947; New York 115.913 Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 8; 207 Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 6; 201 Dunkel Pick: Golden State (-6); Over

Game 807-808: Charlotte at San Antonio (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 121.317; San Antonio 122.903 Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1 1/2; 212 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 809-810: Chicago at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 126.517; Dallas 120.021 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 6 1/2; 200 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4 1/2; 191 Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4 1/2); Over

Game 811-812: New Orleans at Phoenix (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 113.394; Phoenix 120.661 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 7 1/2; 204 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 813-814: Sacramento at LA Lakers (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 114.916; LA Lakers 114.672 Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 206 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

Minnesota at Vancouver

The Wild are coming off a win last night in Edmonton and stay on the road as they head to Vancouver tonight where they are 1-11 in their last 12 games versus the Canucks. Vancouver is the pick (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Canucks favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-155). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Time Posted: 8:00 p.m. EST

Game 1-2: San Jose at Buffalo (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.403; Buffalo 10.066 Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 2 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-190); 5 Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-190); Over

Game 3-4: Phoenix at Colorado (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.587; Colorado 10.622 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-155); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+135); Under

Game 5-6: Minnesota at Vancouver (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.397; Vancouver 12.893 Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-155); 5 Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-155); Over

Game 7-8: St. Louis at Anaheim (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.637; Anaheim 10.655 Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1; 4 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+105); Under

Game 59-60: Montreal at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 12.061; Pittsburgh 11.193 Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-190); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+165); Over

Game 61-62: Washington at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.653; Florida 10.029 Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (-120); Under

Game 63-64: Detroit at Ottawa (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 10.355; Ottawa 11.883 Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-135); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-135); Over

Game 65-66: Tampa Bay at Nashville (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.441; Nashville 10.162 Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-115); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-105); Under

Game 67-68: Phoenix at Winnipeg (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.587; Winnipeg 10.448 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 4 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+100); Under

Game 69-70: Carolina at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 10.816; Dallas 12.322 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-145); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-145); Over

Game 71-72: Minnesota at Edmonton (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.586; Edmonton 12.443 Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-115); 5 Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-105); Under

Game 73-74: Los Angeles at Calgary (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.380; Calgary 10.002 Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-135); 5 Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-135); Over

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Free Play 13-5 RUN FRI Manhattan -3

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Cappers Access

Seton Hall -2.5
Warriors -6

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with Western Carolina (-7 1/2) on Thursday and likes Princeton on Friday.

The deficit is 335 sirignanos