If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Sunday 5-27-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
Sunday night comp play is the Celtics to advance to the NBA Final with another home win, and more importantly another home cover over the Cavaliers.
Hey, LeBron James is the best player in the game, and you know, I know, and the whole hoops world knows he is going to get his tonight on the parquet floor.
What is unknown is whether his supporting cast can help the cause? It's a supporting cast that is now minus one Kevin Love who is out with concussion-symptoms.
I will trust in the C's to seize the moment tonight.
The home team in this series is a perfect 6-0 both straight up and against the spread, and as you are probably well aware, Boston has not lost a home game either straight up or against the spread in this year's postseason.
Boston taking all 4 in the opening round against the Bucks, then taking all 3 in the conference semifinals over the 76ers, and finally going 3-for-3 here in the conference finals over the Cavaliers.
This is going to be an instant classic, and my money is on the Celtics to eliminate the Cavs in a thrilling Game 7 from Beantown.
While goaltending and quickness are the strength of the Golden Knights, there is plenty of playoff experience on Washington's side. And Ovechkin, of all people, has been waiting a long time for this.
Ovie looks like a man on a mission right now - just watch the first 1:02 of Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he wasted no time in getting the scoring underway.
And we can talk all we want about Fleury, but when you combine the explosiveness of Ovechkin and his linemates, with the play of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby - who hasn't allowed a goal since Game 5 of the conference final - and you get a team on the brink of a championship.
The Golden Knights are a fairy tale for the NHL, and all of sports, but Vegas is also facing a team of destiny in the Capitals, who have put their past playoff disappointments behind them to get this far. It's the second time in their history and first time since 1998 the Caps are in the Stanley Cup Final.
The x-factor for this series is special teams. The Capitals have proven to be much better on the power play, than Vegas. They've proven they can capitalize with the man advantage, while the Golden Knights are relying on too Fleury too much.
Ovechkin has shown he is a true leader and is very much still a dominant offensive force, and Holtby has re-established himself as a stellar netminder at the right time.
I also think Washington has gotten here after tougher competition, and will be battled tested, more so than Vegas.
Take the Caps, and look for them to wrap this up in 6.
RACE #5 - BELMONT PARK 3:36 PM EASTERN POST
6½ FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD OPTIONAL CLAIMING $70,000.00 PURSE
#5 LADY BERGEN
#4 MIZZEN MAX
#3 LITTLE BEAR CAT
#2 HAY FIELD
#5 LADY BERGEN qualifies as a TrackMaster PLUS "PowerPony," drops in class (-4), has excellent early speed abilities to compliment for this sprint, and has hit the board in four of her last five outings, winning twice, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in her 3rd race back. Jockey Irad Oriz, and Trainer Jason Servis send her "postward" this afternoon, they've hit the board with an impressive 73% of more than 100 entries saddled as a team to date, winning at an equally impressive 36% clip, producing a +41% return on investment in the process. #4 MIZZEN MAX, the pace profile leader in this field, has it the board in five straight winning twice.
Handicapped by The Walker Group at Lone Star Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 9 - Stakes - 8.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $200000 Class Rating: 115
LONE STAR PARK H. - GRADE 3 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. NO NOMINATION FEE. $1,500 TO PASS THE ENTRY BOX AND AN ADDITIONAL $1,500 TO START WITH $200,000 GUARANTEED OF WHICH $110,000 TO THE OWNER OF THE WINNER, $38,000 TO SECOND, $20,000 TO THIRD, $11,500 TO FOURTH,
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 1 MUBTAAHIJ (IRE) 1/1
# 4 FEAR THE COWBOY 5/2
# 2 FULL OF LUCK (CHI) 7/2
I've got to go with MUBTAAHIJ (IRE). Has run solidly when travelling a dirt route race. Must be given a shot based on the competitive speed fig recorded in the last affair. Have to look at solely on class, with some of the top class figures of this group. FEAR THE COWBOY - Has to be considered versus this field displaying formidable numbers recently and an average speed figure of 106 under similar conditions. Had one of the best Speed Figures of this field in his last outing. FULL OF LUCK (CHI) - Don't overlook this horse in your propositions - very dangerous with Prat aboard. With a reliable rider who has won at a competitive 28 percent clip over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top selections.
Handicapped by The Walker Group at Pimlico
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 10 - Maiden Claiming - 5.0f on the Turf. Purse: $33000 Class Rating: 76
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $40,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $35,000 2 LBS. MD-BRED AND/OR MD-SIRED HORSES MAY WAIVE CLAIMING PRICE IN THIS RACE.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 3 MY BROTHERSLEDGE 5/2
# 7 ME DARLIN KARA 9/2
# 1 SEATTLE RIC 12/1
MY BROTHERSLEDGE looks strong to best this field. Is a solid choice - given the 77 speed figure from his most recent race. Has to be considered versus this group displaying very strong numbers recently and an average speed figure of 77 under similar conditions. Overall, has one of the best earnings per start in turf sprint races in this lot. ME DARLIN KARA - He has been running well lately while recording strong Speed Figures. Formidable average Equibase Speed Figs in turf sprint races make this pony a solid choice. SEATTLE RIC - Has been racing very well and has among the most respectable speed in the race for today's distance.
Allowance • 870 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 85 • Purse: $5,600 • Post: 4:30P
QUARTER HORSE 870Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND OLDER. $150 TO ENTER, WEIGHTS: 124 LBS.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * GENERATIONS (T): Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation. MRSHAKEY (T): Quarte r horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. ZONIC ZOOM: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PURE MOMENT (T): Horse has a TrackMaster "B" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
4
GENERATIONS (T)
1/1
Prairie Meadows - Race #8 - Post: 4:07pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,065 Class Rating: 49
Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar
#7 A DAY EARLY (ML=5/1)
#4 WALKING SOLO (ML=2/1)
A DAY EARLY - Lets try to beat the morning-line choices with this gelding. Just missed last out, but ran a decent race. 39-41-44 are last 3 speed figs. Improving each time out is something he should do again in this event. WALKING SOLO - Was beaten as the public choice in his last start. Ran well considering the figure recorded was good enough to make him one of the contenders in today's race. The most recent figure of 49 is the highest last race speed rating in the bunch. This gelding is in exceptional physical condition right now. Finished third last time out and comes back quickly. PP lines show this thoroughbred with 3 improving speed figs. Cabrera should be on a live horse right here.
Vulnerable Contenders: #6 AWESOME MAX (ML=4/1), #3 SMOKY DREAMS (ML=9/2), #5 HOWARD STREET (ML=6/1),
AWESOME MAX - Not probable that this steed can get it done in this sprint after showing no early speed in that last route affair. Not likely that the speed rating he earned on May 10th will hold up in this race. SMOKY DREAMS - The Brain always cautions me to keep my distance from ponies in sprint contests that haven't hit the board in sprint races of late. HOWARD STREET - This gelding has already tasted defeat as the public's choice twice. Hard to give him another chance. This gelding is always in the money, but just doesn't finish first. Difficult to wager on him on the front end.
Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - WALKING SOLO - Put a bet on this gelding. At the top in earnings per start and has a lot more to offer as well.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 A DAY EARLY is the play if we get odds of 5/2 or better
Exacta / Trifecta / .10 Superfecta / 3rd Leg Pick 4 /2nd Leg Pick 3
Trial • 400 Yards • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 89 • Purse: $8,000 • Post: 1:52P
QUARTER HORSE 400Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS THAT WERE NOMINATED AND REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR THE 2018 RUIDOSO QUARTER HORSE DERBY (G1). WEIGHT: 122, LBS. ALL HORSES MUST ENTER FOR THE TRIALS ON SUNDAY MAY 20, 2018 BY 10:00 A.M. AND PAY THE $1,200 ENTRY FEE. LATE NOMINATIONS OF $30,000 (INCLUDES ALL FEES) WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF ENTRY INTO THE TRIALS. THE TEN FASTEST QUALIFIERS WILL ADVANCE TO THE FINALS. THERE WILL BE NO ALSO ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THE FINAL.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * RAY DONOVAN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. FLASH CANNON: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PAINT ON CANVAS: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. MIGHTY PYC 123: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" desi gnation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
1
RAY DONOVAN
9/5
Santa Anita - Race #9 - Post: 4:50pm - Maiden Special - 6.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $54,000 Class Rating: 96
Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar
#4 JIMMY CHILA (ML=7/2)
#8 PADDOCK PICK (ML=3/1)
JIMMY CHILA - That last effort must not have been too hard on this colt for him to be able to race again so quickly. Although I sometimes have doubts about a campaigner who was beaten as the public choice in his last race, this colt got a solid rating and fits well here. Don't look any further. This horse has my dough. Way too much pace. This colt has the top turf figure in his last race. It doesn't take a college grad like The Brain to figure this here thoroughbred has a good chance. I'm focusing on the class of this thoroughbred, and this one is the 'classiest' of the bunch. PADDOCK PICK - This first time turf runner is going to give these ponies a run for their money. He came in third in his try on a sluggish track on Feb 18th. Should like the turf.
Vulnerable Contenders: #5 DATA CENTRAL (ML=4/1), #9 BRIGHTON BOY (ML=6/1), #6 I AM THE DANGER (ML=6/1),
DATA CENTRAL - Didn't let me see any speed in the route event for me to back him in today's sprint race. This entrant ran a mediocre speed fig last time around the track. He shouldn't show signs of improvement and will likely suffer defeat in today's event running that number. BRIGHTON BOY - Don't think this questionable contender is worth 6/1 in this race. I AM THE DANGER - In any contest of 6 1/2 furlongs, I like to bet on a contender that has been on the board in sprint contests recently.
Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Turf Man - JIMMY CHILA - In today's sprint on the grass this mount has the best speed rating at the distance.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 JIMMY CHILA to win if we can get at least 3/2 odds
Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
26th May 2018 by Gracenote
the boston red sox designated first baseman hanley ramirez on friday in part to open up more playing time for mitch moreland, and the latter is quickly proving he belongs in that spot. moreland will try to stay hot and lead the red sox to a three-game interleague sweep when they host the atlanta braves in the series finale on sunday afternoon.
moreland slotted into the no. 4 spot in the lineup behind j.d. martinez and is 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, a triple, three rbis and two runs scored in the first two games of the series. moreland is batting .321 with a .652 slugging percentage in 112 at-bats for the red sox, who own the best record in the majors at 36-16 and are winners of six of their last seven games. the braves, who dropped their last three contests, entered the series with the best offense in the national league but are struggling to keep up with boston thanks to a pitching staff that surrendered 17 hits and allowed eight two-out rbis in the first two games of the series. atlanta will try to stop the bleeding with right-hander mike foltynewicz on sunday but faces a tough test while going up against boston ace chris sale.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, fs south (atlanta), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: braves rh mike foltynewicz (3-3, 2.72 era) vs. red sox lh chris sale (5-1, 2.17)
foltynewicz allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 10 starts but completed six innings in just three of those turns. the 26-year-old, who struggles with his control at times and owns 26 walks in 53 total innings, surrendered a total of one earned run in his last three outings and struck out 19 in 16 innings in that span. foltynewicz made two relief appearances against boston previously in his career, yielding a total of one run and six hits in 3 1/3 frames.
sale is 4-0 in his last six starts and breezed through 7 2/3 innings at tampa bay on tuesday, striking out nine while allowing one earned run and four hits. the florida native notched a total of 45 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings over his last four turns, bumping his season total to 96 punchouts. sale is 6-5 with a 2.84 era in 26 career interleague games - 18 starts - but lost his only previous turn against atlanta while getting knocked around for eight runs and 10 hits in five innings as a member of the chicago white sox on july 8, 2016.
walk-offs
1. red sox 2b dustin pedroia (knee) made his season debut on saturday and went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
2. braves rf nick markakis is 3-of-7 with three doubles and three rbis in the series.
3. atlanta rhp anibal sanchez (hamstring) came through a rehab start on friday with no issues and is expected to be activated off the 10-day dl next week.
Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
27th May 2018 by Gracenote
there are some who believe 26-year-old mike trout has done enough to make the hall of fame despite playing the equivalent of roughly 6 1/2 seasons, but every so often he proves he can take his game to yet another level. following a mammoth performance from the two-time mvp in their last contest, the los angeles angels attempt to steal a three-game set from the host new york yankees when the teams conclude their season series sunday.
trout was a one-man wrecking crew in saturday's 11-4 victory over the yankees, clubbing a two-run homer to go along with two rbi doubles as part of an effort in which he set career highs in hits (five), extra-base hits (four) and total bases (11). the six-time all-star's offensive onslaught carried the angels to their first win in five meetings with the yankees this season while also keeping them unbeaten in series play on the road (6-0-1). one day after watching its club-record, five-game streak of hitting at least three home runs come to an end, new york connected on three more to run its major-league leading total to 83. gleyber torres' remarkable four-game run in which he amassed seven hits - including a homer in four straight - to go along with nine rbis for the yankees finally came to an end, however, as he finished 0-for-3 with a walk.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, mlb network, fs west (los angeles), yes (new york)
pitching matchup: angels rh garrett richards (4-3, 3.31 era) vs. yankees rh masahiro tanaka (5-2, 4.95)
with los angeles skipping shohei ohtani's turn through the rotation to manage his workload, richards will make the start after allowing five runs (one earned) across five frames in a loss at toronto on tuesday. the oklahoma product, who will pitch on his 30th birthday, is 1-2 despite a 1.50 era in four turns this month. richards was pounded for nine runs (five earned) over 1 2/3 innings versus the yankees on april 28 and is 0-4 with an 8.10 era in six appearances (five starts) against them.
tanaka labored through five innings monday in texas but was still able to extend his unbeaten streak to six games despite permitting four runs on three hits - including two homers and four walks. the 2014 all-star has surrendered at least one home run in eight of his 10 starts and 11 for the season, placing him in a tie for the ninth-highest total in the majors. tanaka cruised to a victory on april 28 in los angeles, permitting one run while fanning a season-high nine across six innings.
walk-offs
1. trout, who moved into a tie with boston's mookie betts for the league lead in homers (17), is the eighth angel to drive in at least 600 career runs in his career.
2. new york 1b greg bird went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his season debut saturday after he was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day.
3. los angeles c jose briceno went 2-for-4 with a home run in his big-league debut saturday.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
26th May 2018 by Gracenote
the baltimore orioles are last in the american league east in runs scored, and consequently occupy the basement in the division. the orioles managed three runs in the first two games of their series against the tampa bay rays and will try to manufacture more offense and earn a series win when they visit for the rubber match and close out an 11-game road trip on sunday.
baltimore scored three or fewer runs in nine of its last 11 games, including a 2-0 win in friday's series opener and a 5-1 setback on saturday. the biggest culprit in the offensive drought is first baseman chris davis, who is making $23 million this season but is batting .159 with a .247 on-base percentage and 68 strikeouts in 47 games while going homerless in his last 14 contests. the rays aren't an offensive juggernaut but are getting solid performances from an unconventional pitching staff that continues to use relievers as starting pitchers. tampa bay will send former closer sergio romo, who also started the series opener on friday, to the mound for the first pitch on sunday against orioles righty kevin gausman.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, masn (baltimore), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: orioles rh kevin gausman (3-3, 3.48 era) vs. rays rh sergio romo (1-1, 4.66)
gausman allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts and is coming off one of his strongest performances after striking out a season-high 10 in 6 1/3 scoreless innings at the chicago white sox on tuesday. the lsu product could not get any run support and did not factor in the decision in a game the orioles went on to lose 3-2. gausman's last win came over tampa bay on may 11, when he scattered two runs and 11 hits over 7 1/3 innings.
romo had a string of six straight scoreless appearances come to an end on friday, when he was reached for one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning and absorbed the loss. the 35-year-old started back-to-back games at the los angeles angels last weekend and struck out six without allowing a hit in 2 1/3 scoreless frames. romo's lone win on the season came in relief against baltimore on may 12, when he worked 1 1/3 perfect frames.
walk-offs
1. orioles lhp zach britton (achilles) threw a two-inning simulated game on saturday and is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on wednesday.
2. tampa bay c wilson ramos is 6-for-12 over the last three games and hit safely in seven straight.
3. orioles of/dh mark trumbo (knee), who sat out his fourth straight game on saturday, is expected to avoid the dl and could return on monday.
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
26th May 2018 by Gracenote
mark reynolds has shown little rust since joining his eighth major-league team and the washington nationals have enjoyed quite the run of success since the 34-year-old came aboard. the nationals (28-22) bid to record their 11th straight win over the miami marlins (19-32) on sunday afternoon when the national league east rivals conclude their three-game series in south florida.
coming off a season in which he belted 30 homers and drove in 97 runs, reynolds went deep for the fifth time in nine outings as his go-ahead blast in the ninth inning lifted washington to a 4-1 triumph on saturday. reynolds is 12-for-27 with seven rbis and as many runs scored since joining the nationals, who have won 17 of 23 overall and nine of their last 10 on the road. brian anderson drove in a run for the second straight contest and has six multi-hit performances in his last 11 games for cellar-dwelling miami, which has dropped five of seven overall. anderson and the marlins have a tall task on their hands on sunday versus stephen strasburg, who has tossed 18 consecutive scoreless innings in his last three starts against the club to boost his career mark to 15-7 versus miami.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, masn2 (washington), fs florida (miami)
pitching matchup: nationals rh stephen strasburg (5-4, 3.36 era) vs. marlins rh elieser hernandez (0-1, 2.08)
strasburg saw his three-start winning streak end with a thud, courtesy of a pair of homers as well as a season-high four walks in sunday's 7-2 setback to the los angeles dodgers. the 29-year-old saw his pitch count elevate to a campaign-high 115 despite working just 6 2/3 innings. j.t. realmuto (7-for-19) has flustered strasburg, but the right-hander has kept derek dietrich (2-for-22) under wraps.
hernandez sustained a hard-luck setback while making his second start and fourth career appearance on monday, as he pitched through a sore throat and allowed just one run in five innings of a 2-0 loss at the new york mets. "he attacks," manager don mattingly said of the 23-year-old venezuelan. "he's always coming after you. doesn't matter really who you are, he's coming to get you." hernandez has permitted 14 hits and struck out six against just one walk in 13 innings since making his major-league debut on may 10.
walk-offs
1. washington has outscored miami by a 66-18 margin during its 10-game winning streak.
2. realmuto is 9-for-19 with three rbis and two runs scored in his last four contests.
3. nationals rf bryce harper fanned four times on saturday to drop to 2-for-13 with nine strikeouts in his last three games.
Comment