4-21-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Rangers at Athletics

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (+126, 6.5)

Yu Darvish has been terrific this season, but the Oakland Athletics have posed a constant challenge for the Texas Rangers' ace. Darvish hopes to solve his prior issues against the Athletics when the teams begin a three-game set in Oakland on Monday. Texas also will try to supply Darvish with some offensive support after scoring a total of seven runs in his first three starts.

There were plenty of runs in the Rangers' most recent game on Sunday, although most of them - 16 of the 18 - were scored by the Chicago White Sox. Texas managed only two hits - both singles - as its five-game winning streak came to an ugly end. Oakland, meanwhile, completed a three-game sweep versus the Houston Astros on Sunday thanks in large part to Josh Donaldson (3-for-4, three RBIs).

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), CSN California (Oakland)

LINE HISTORY: The Athletics opened as slight +115 home dogs and have been bet to +126. The run total is currently at 6.5.

POWER RANKINGS: Oakland (-181), Texas (-136)

INJURY REPORT: Oakland: Yoenis Cespedes - probable (heel)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (1-0, 0.82 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Dan Straily (1-1, 5.40)

Darvish did not allow a run over 15 innings in his first two starts before yielding two in seven frames in Wednesday's eventual 3-2 win over Seattle. The 27-year-old native of Japan has 23 strikeouts against four walks and has held opponents to a .185 average. However, his lifetime numbers against the Athletics (1-6, 4.30 ERA) include an 0-4 mark with a 4.13 ERA last season.

Straily lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his last outing - an eventual 10-9 win over the Angels last Tuesday. He has surrendered four home runs in 16 2/3 innings this season, although no current members of the Rangers have ever homered against him. Elvis Andrus has endured significant struggles against Straily, going 0-for-14 with five strikeouts against the 25-year-old Californian.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Oakland.
* Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Rangers are 0-4 in the last four meetings.
* Rangers are 0-6 in Darvish's last six starts vs. Athletics

CONSENSUS: Fifty-three percent of the wagers are on the Rangers.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, April 21

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 8:00 ET
Memphis: 5-13 ATS in road games revenging a loss vs opponent
Oklahoma City: 51-36 ATS as a home favorite

Golden State at LA Clippers, 10:35 ET
Golden State: 23-11 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points
LA Clippers: 23-11 OVER off a upset loss as a favorite

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BritBull

Portugal:
1* Setubal +.25 -105

Belgium:
2* Genk u3 -137

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DAVE ESSLER

Monday free play & thoughts on a few games

966 BOS-1.5 (+125) vs 965 BAL
Analysis: We don’t usually play these games, and although I tried not to as well as factor in the Marathon, I am playing the Red Sox RL. They’ve hammered Chen, had the comeback last night (hence O’s pen used) and honestly, if they’re going to win this game it’s probably by more than one run. If not, oh well, but I’m not laying the chalk. Hardy is supposed to be out, Boston has the “A” team lineup, and simply see the Orioles being over whelmed. I grew up in Fenway/Boston, and know full well the emotion that will be behind this team. If the Orioles don’t score first, this could be a beating.

Pirates-Reds: As often as I am wrong on the Reds you shouldn’t take anything I say about them too seriously. However, with the overused Pirates bullpen if we’re betting on Pittsburgh we probably need Liriano to pitch deep. He just faced the Reds and had a reasonable outing, and KNOWING he has to eat innings, I would lean under in this game. Leake’s been a beast, but he’s thrown a lot of pitches. I still lean under. Leake need to pitch deep, too. Although the Reds won handily, they did allow 11 hits and used three relievers. Pirates late and under.

Cardinals-Mets: I suppose the tendency here is to take the Mets (and the early money has) given that the Mets beat Atlanta and the Cardinals lost late and used bullpen two straight days. Mejia hasn’t thrown more than six innings yet, so backing New York here means probably backing their bullpen, and I am not sure I’m ready for that. Tyler Lyons IS a strikeout pitcher, but how long he can go is also a big question. Slight helping breeze, so I think this game stays low scoring til late, and I’d simply have to be coin flipping at this point as to which bullpen we like least.

Miami-Atlanta: Braves in a first game back situation after a tough extra inning loss, which is always a red flag. Miami is doing everything well, even finding a way to win with only four hits against Seattle on Sunday. I faded Teheran against the Phillies the other day when he tossed a three-hitter, so the tendency might be to lay the chalk, which I will not do. Keohler hasn’t been touched at all, but there’s a couple of Atlanta players w/success. Either way, given the situation, I would take the Fish RL and think that the Braves might win it late.

Cubs-D-Backs: Who would have thought Arroyo would be +120 against the Cubs? Even with Wood pitching, that’s a bit telling right there. Arizona is in total free-fall, and as I just said, although the Cubs lost, they pounded out 11 hits. Wood has already had three 100+ pitch games, so that could be an issue. He’s given up hits, but been able to limit damage, and sooner or later the damn may break. The Cubs saw plenty of Arroyo when he was with the Reds, and they haven’t hit him much. Because this game is in Wrigley, the total might be a bit too high. Arizona a long trip after more losses, so Cubs and under.

San Diego-Milwaukee: Brewers in a first game back after a brutal series with the Pirates, either extra innings, late rallys and mood swings, or both. Tough spot for them but Peralta has been fantastic and keeps the ball on the ground more often than not. We know Cashner can pitch and he’s almost a mirror of Peralta in that he has the groundball thing going on, so I lean under, at least first five. Padres won’t get to Milwaukee til after midnight, either. However, this could go to 7 (the total) and the roof MAY be open with a helping breeze, so at 7 I could be convinced to take the over for the game.

Giants-Rockies: San Francisco holds on for a late win in San Diego, and had to use four relievers, so that could be a case for not backing Vogelsong here. He did have a good outing against the Dodgers, but again, hasn’t pitched deep often. Slight helping breeze in Coors, which as usual has the total over 10, which I actually think may be too high. De La Rosa had a great game against the Padres, but he’d been hit hard in his first three starts. I think if the Giants have their “A” lineup out there I could be convinced to take them at plus-money. Colorado is going to go through even more of a terrible bullpen against the Phillies, so lean Giants a bit but this is one game we HAVE to see BOTH lineups.

Phillies-Dodgers: Would would think that Lee would be a dog to Maholm. That tells you what they think of the Dodgers at home, really. Los Angeles with an easy win at home, so quite well rested, and the Phillies are playing late and long in Colorado, so they’re getting to LA late and probably tired and possibly after blowing another late lead. Maholm will give them six good innings, IMO, and give way to a rested pen, but one that’s really been hit or miss. Phillies pen has been terrible and obviously getting worse in Colorado, so a bet on the Phillies is probably a bet simply on Lee. But, Hanley and Adrian have hammered him enough for me to think the Dodgers are the winners.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Andre Gomes
2* Warriors/Clippers Over The Total

[golden contender]

GC: MLB Play

Monday card has Triple system NBA Game 2 play with a 21-1 lead system. NBA Cashed 2 o3 on Sunday. MLB Card has a 5* Blowout system that wins by an average 4 runs per game and a totals play that averages 11 runs per game from a 14-1 system, MLB Top totals play cashes on Sunday night Baseball. Free MLB System Play below.

On Monday the free MLB System Play is on the Chicago Cubs. Game 958 at 8:05 eastern. The Cubs fit a nice system that has cashed at an 80% clip the last 10 years and plays on home favorites that scored 4 or less runs in a home dog loss and are taking on an opponent that lost as a road dog and also scored 4 or less runs and had 4 or less hits. The Cubs are 20-2 as a home favorite that few seasons off a home loss by 5 or more runs. Arizona has lost 9 of the last 12 here and 3 of the last 4 ion the road vs a lefty, and looks like they are headed for along season. Tonight they have B. Arroyo going and has lost 3 of his last 4 road April starts. T.Wood goes for the Cubs and he has allowed just 5 runs in 19 innings in his last 4 April home starts. Look for the Cubs to take the opener. On Monday we have a Big Triple system NBA Play that has 21-1, 20-2 and 18-2 Power systems. NBA Cashes 2 of 3 on Sunday. MLB Card has a 5* Blowout system that wins by an amazing 4 runs per game and a 14-1 Totals system that averages 11 runs per game. MLB Top totals play cashes with the Over on Sunday night Baseball. Jump on and Start the week big. For the free MLB System Play take the Cubs. GC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben Burns NHL
Chicago ML -156
Colorado/Minny under 5 +106
Pittsburgh/Columbus under 5.5 -120
Anaheim/Dallas under 5.5 -115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wayne Root
NBA
Billionaire Memphis
Millionaire Clippers

MLB
No Limit Dodgers
Millionaire Padres

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Prophet Plays

Cardinals ML
Milwaukee under 7.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Doc's Sports Picks For Major League Baseball 4/21

4-unit Play Take #953 St. Louis Cardinals (-110) over New York Mets (7:10pm EST)


3-unit Play Take #970 Cleveland Indians (-145) over Kansas City Royals (Monday, 7:05pm EST)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indian Cowboy's Picks For NBA Basketball 4/21

7-Unit Play. #720. Take LA Clippers -8 over Golden State Warriors (Monday @ 10:30pm est) (You can currently find -7.5 at sportsbook.com)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Play Wins

POD – Texas Rangers -120 (J.Darvish)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Play Wins

POD – Texas Rangers -120 (J.Darvish)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas gunners

(mlb) 7:05 pm est – chicago white sox vs. Detroit tigers
over 8.5 (-110) – risk 10 units

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ADVANCED SPORTS INVESTMENTS
(records are of current month only)

BASEBALL RELEASES
JEFF (14-19-3 -8.03)
1X- ARIZONA +117 CHICAGO (8PM)
1X- MILWAUKEE -111 SD (8PM)
1X- OAKLAND +107 TEXAS (10PM)
JIMMY (19-13 +4.15)
1X- LAA +100 WASHINGTON (7PM)
1X- PHILLY +101 LAD (10PM)
MARC (21-17-2 +2.96)
1X- SEATTLE/HOUSTON – UNDER 6.5 -115 (10PM)
1X- CLEVELAND/KC – UNDER 8.5 -110 (7PM)

NHL RELEASES
JIMMY (7-7 -3.69)
1X- CHICAGO -160 ST LOUIS (830PM)
MARC (8-7-2 +.20)
1X- COLORADO/MINNESOTA – OVER 5 -120 (7PM)

NBA RELEASES
JEFF (5-6 -1.60)
PASSING
JIMMY (2-3 -1.30)
PASSING
MARC (9-4 +4.60)
1X- OKLAHOMA CITY/MEMPHIS – UNDER 189.5 (8PM)