Monday 6-10-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Monday, June 10

Trend Report

New York Mets
NY Mets is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Mets is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
NY Mets is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
NY Mets is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
NY Mets is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Mets is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Mets is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
NY Yankees is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
NY Yankees is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of NY Yankees's last 12 games
NY Yankees is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
NY Yankees is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games at home
NY Yankees is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
NY Yankees is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing NY Mets
NY Yankees is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets

Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
Arizona is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Arizona is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona
Philadelphia is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
Philadelphia is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona

Oakland Athletics
Oakland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games
Oakland is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
Oakland is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games on the road
Oakland is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay
Oakland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
Oakland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 23 games at home
Tampa Bay is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Oakland
Tampa Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Oakland
Tampa Bay is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing at home against Oakland

Texas Rangers
Texas is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games
Texas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas's last 11 games
Texas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Texas's last 21 games on the road
Texas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Boston
Texas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Red Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Texas
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Texas
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas

St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 games on the road
St. Louis is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 15 of St. Louis's last 22 games when playing Miami
St. Louis is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 7 of St. Louis's last 10 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami Marlins
Miami is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami's last 8 games
Miami is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami's last 12 games at home
Miami is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Miami's last 22 games when playing St. Louis
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 10 games when playing at home against St. Louis

Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Pittsburgh's last 23 games
Pittsburgh is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 10 games
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Washington Nationals
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chicago White Sox
Chi White Sox is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
Chi White Sox is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games
Chi White Sox is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games at home
Chi White Sox is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Chi White Sox is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games when playing Washington
Chi White Sox is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington

Chicago Cubs
Chi Cubs is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Chi Cubs is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
Chi Cubs is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing Colorado
Colorado Rockies
Colorado is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Colorado is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 8 games
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Colorado's last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games at home
Colorado is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games
LA Dodgers is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 8 games
LA Dodgers is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
LA Dodgers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Dodgers is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Los Angeles Angels
LA Angels is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Angels is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games
LA Angels is 1-12 ATS in its last 13 games at home
LA Angels is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games at home
LA Angels is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Angels is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
LA Angels is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ballpark Figures - Week 12
Joe Williams


Subway Time

If weather permits (see below), the New York Yankees will host the New York Mets for a two-game interleague series on Monday, and this annual meeting usually just means a little more. Even though the teams do not play in the same league, they do share the same city, and it can get awfully contentious. On Monday, we'll get LHP Jason Vargas taking the baseball for the Mets, while ace RHP Masahiro Tanaka will be the starting pitcher for the home side. Vargas enters with a 2-3 record and a 3.57 ERA, and he is 1-1 with an impressive 0.86 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across his past three outings.

Tanaka heads into this one with a surprising 3-5 record, although he has a respectable 3.42 ERA and .297 opponent on-base percentage. He'll return for this start off of the paternity, as he will celebrate this start as a new dad. Perhaps the impending birth of a child is why he has been off the past couple of starts, coughing up four earned runs in each of his past two outings, both losses. The Yankees are just 3-5 across his past eight outings, too.

The Mets have won four of their past five outings, and they're 4-1 in the past five against right-handed starting pitchers. They're also 11-5 in the past 16 starts by Vargas. However, the Mets are also 1-4 in Vargas' past five outings against a team with a winning record, 3-8 in his past 11 while working on four days of rest and they're 1-7 in their past eight games on the road against teams with a right-handed starting pitcher. The Mets are also just 4-9 in the past 13 against winning teams and 5-12 in the past 17 on the road in interleague play.

For the Yankees, they narrowly avoided a sweep in Cleveland, grinding out a win in extras on Sunday. They're still 35-16 across the past 51 games overall. They are also 6-1 in the past seven interleague games agaisnt a left-handed starting pitcher while going 5-0 in their past five home games against teams with a losing overall mark. The Yankees are also 3-7 in Tanaka's past 10 starts on a grass surface while going 2-5 in his past seven interleague assignments.

Total bettors will likely the fact the under is 5-0-2 in the past seven starts by Vargas, and 3-0-1 in his past four against winning teams. However, the over is 6-2-1 in his past nine on the road, while going 5-2-3 in his past 10 road outings against a team with a winning record. The under is 3-1-1 in their past five overall, and 4-1-1 in the past six vs. RHP. For the Yankees, the under is 4-0-1 in the past five interleague games while going 9-2-1 in the past 12 at home. The under is also 4-1-1 in Tanaka's past six home outings and 4-0-1 across his past five interleague starts, while going 7-3 in his past 10 against NL East foes. The over has connected in each of the past four meetings in the Bronx.

Looking Ahead

Monday, June 10

The Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox hook up on Monday in a battle of left-handed starting pitchers. The Rangers roll out LHP Mike Minor, who has cooled off a bit after a hot start. Texas is 2-5 across the past seven road outings, while going 4-9 in his past 13 against teams with a winning record. The Rangers are also just 1-6 across his past seven starts in Game 1 of a series.

Fort the Red Sox, they counter with LHP Chris Sale, who hasn't been his normal self this season. The Red Sox are 1-4 over his past five home outings and 1-4 in his past five vs. AL West foes. In addition, the Red Sox are just 4-9 over his past 13 starts overall. Boston has also won just four of their past 15 tries against teams with a winning overall record. However, they are 16-6 across the past 22 home game against a left-handed starting pitcher. The under is 6-1 in Minor's past seven starts, including 4-1 in the past five on the road and 5-2 in his past seven road outings against winning teams. The under is 4-0 in Sale's past four, and 6-0 in his past six against AL West teams while going 7-0 in his past seven while working on four days of rest.

Boston has been a difficult matchup for Texas, as the Rangers are 3-13 in the past 16 meetings, and 0-7 in their past seven tries in Fenway Park.

Weather Report
The weather forecast looks ominous for the Bronx, with rain chances at or around 80 percent for most of the evening. That might mean a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday between these rivals.

Rain is also in the forecast for the Diamondbacks and Phillies at 'The Vault', with chances of rain around 60 percent and showing no signs of tapering off through midnight ET. Those are the only two weather trouble spots on Monday, however.


Tuesday, June 11

The Reds heads up Interstate 71 (OK, they probably flew) for the annual Battle of Ohio interleague series at Progressive Field. Cincinnati rolls with RHP Luis Castillo against Cleveland and RHP Trevor Bauer. Cincinnati has won just two of the past seven games overall, but they're 4-1 in his past five against teams with a winning record. The Reds are 1-4 in the past five road games vs. RHP, 0-8 in the past eight against AL Central teams and just 14-39 in the past 53 on the road in interleague play.

For the Indians, they have won four straight against NL Central teams, while going 4-0 in the past four following an off day. However, they're 3-9 in the past 12 vs. RHP, and 1-6 in the past seven at home against a righty. They're also struggling with 'Bauer Outage' on the hill, going 0-4 in Bauer's past four starts, 1-5 in his past six six outings at home and 4-10 in the past 14 interleague starts. In this series the Reds are a dismal 4-17 in the past 21 trips to Cleveland while losing four straight in this series.

The Padres and Giants kick off a two-game set at Oracle Park in San Francisco, and San Diego might have the upper hand with RHP Chris Paddack. The Padres are .500 at 33-33, just like Paddack is .500 at 4-4, but he has a solid 2.97 ERA and .241 on-base percentage against while registering 66 strikeouts over just 60 2/3 innings. San Diego has won six of the past seven in Game 1 of a new series, and they're 4-1 in Paddack's past five starts against a team with a losing record. San Diego is also 14-4 in the past 18 following an off day.

The Giants counter with RHP Tyler Beede, who pitched well in Miami in his first start of the season. However, San Francisco has really struggled lately, going 1-4 in the past five overall, 1-5 in the past six inside the NL West and 1-7 in the past eight games at home. They're also 0-4 in the past four at home vs. RHP.

As far as the total, the over is 6-2-2 in San Diego's past 10 overall, and 3-1-1 in their past five vs. RHP. The under is 7-2 in Paddack's past nine, however, and the under is 4-0 in the past four divisional games, too. The over is 6-2 in the past eight home games for the Giants, but the under is 20-9-2 in the past 31 at home against righties. The under is also 6-2 in the past eight in this series, with the Padres also winning six of the past eight.

Weather Report
Wind will be the story on Tuesday. The Jays and Orioles will be contending with winds of 10-13 mph blowing in from the left-center field power alley toward home plate, knocking the ball down for right-handed power hitters. In the Bronx, winds will be blowing across the diamond from third to first at a 12-15 mph clip. Winds will also be the story in Philadelphia with 10-13 mph winds gusting in from left-center field. In Boston, the Rangers and Red Sox will also face 11-14 mph winds blowing out toward Pesky's Pole in right field. The good news is that no precipitation should ruin the day at any of the venues.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, June 10

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ARIZONA (34 - 32) at PHILADELPHIA (37 - 28) - 7:05 PM
TAYLOR CLARKE (R) vs. JERAD EICKHOFF (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-17 (+12.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 30-22 (+20.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 20-16 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 25-11 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 42-30 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 20-13 (+7.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 17-11 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

TAYLOR CLARKE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

JERAD EICKHOFF vs. ARIZONA since 1997
EICKHOFF is 0-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.24 and a WHIP of 1.680.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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ST LOUIS (31 - 32) at MIAMI (23 - 40) - 7:10 PM
MICHAEL WACHA (R) vs. SANDY ALCANTARA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 77-72 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 474-427 (+56.8 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 14-5 (+10.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 2-13 (-10.1 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MICHAEL WACHA vs. MIAMI since 1997
WACHA is 2-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 4.59 and a WHIP of 1.340.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.5 units)

SANDY ALCANTARA vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

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PITTSBURGH (30 - 34) at ATLANTA (36 - 29) - 7:20 PM
JOE MUSGROVE (R) vs. KEVIN GAUSMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 127-103 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 95-70 (+24.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 70-55 (+16.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 13-9 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 26-30 (-16.8 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 2-1 (+1.2 Units) against ATLANTA this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JOE MUSGROVE vs. ATLANTA since 1997
MUSGROVE is 2-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.12 and a WHIP of 0.915.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

KEVIN GAUSMAN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
GAUSMAN is 1-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.314.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (37 - 27) at COLORADO (33 - 31) - 8:40 PM
YU DARVISH (R) vs. GERMAN MARQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1827-1859 (-264.3 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1353-1388 (-206.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 894-930 (-205.7 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 230-221 (-51.3 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997.
COLORADO is 125-106 (+21.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 86-68 (+20.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 72-62 (+17.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 24-12 (+10.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 2-1 (+0.2 Units) against COLORADO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

YU DARVISH vs. COLORADO since 1997
DARVISH is 0-3 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 8.20 and a WHIP of 1.715.
His team's record is 1-3 (-4.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)

GERMAN MARQUEZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
MARQUEZ is 1-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 6.87 and a WHIP of 1.322.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

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TEXAS (34 - 30) at BOSTON (34 - 32) - 7:10 PM
MIKE MINOR (L) vs. CHRIS SALE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 34-30 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 44-51 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-32 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 8-13 (-10.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
BOSTON is 465-423 (-81.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
SALE is 4-9 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
SALE is 52-60 (-26.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MIKE MINOR vs. BOSTON since 1997
MINOR is 1-2 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.391.
His team's record is 1-3 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.5 units)

CHRIS SALE vs. TEXAS since 1997
SALE is 7-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP of 0.886.
His team's record is 7-3 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-5. (-0.4 units)

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OAKLAND (33 - 33) at TAMPA BAY (40 - 24) - 7:10 PM
TANNER ANDEROSON (R) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

TANNER ANDEROSON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.

CHARLIE MORTON vs. OAKLAND since 1997
MORTON is 1-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.346.
His team's record is 1-4 (-6.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.4 units)

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NY METS (32 - 33) at NY YANKEES (40 - 24) - 7:05 PM
JASON VARGAS (L) vs. MASAHIRO TANAKA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 178-210 (-47.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 9-25 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 76-98 (-33.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 65-111 (-41.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
VARGAS is 100-87 (+26.6 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 40-32 (-24.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
TANAKA is 2-7 (-12.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -250 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TANAKA is 6-9 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

JASON VARGAS vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
VARGAS is 0-7 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 6.93 and a WHIP of 1.520.
His team's record is 2-8 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-6. (-2.9 units)

MASAHIRO TANAKA vs. NY METS since 1997
TANAKA is 1-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.42 and a WHIP of 0.722.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.0 units)

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WASHINGTON (30 - 35) at CHI WHITE SOX (31 - 33) - 8:10 PM
ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R) vs. ODRISAMER DESPAIGNE (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SANCHEZ is 3-5 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.56 and a WHIP of 1.454.
His team's record is 6-7 (-4.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-7. (-4.1 units)

ODRISAMER DESPAIGNE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
DESPAIGNE is 0-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 1.900.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS (45 - 21) at LA ANGELS (31 - 35) - 10:07 PM
HYUN-JIN RYU (L) vs. GRIFFIN CANNING (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 23-27 (-12.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 121-139 (-39.4 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
RYU is 7-15 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 45-21 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 32-12 (+15.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
RYU is 41-14 (+21.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 44-54 (-16.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 9-16 (-9.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 27-34 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 39-73 (-30.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

HYUN-JIN RYU vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
RYU is 2-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 0.83 and a WHIP of 0.600.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.2 units)

GRIFFIN CANNING vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, June 10

Golden State @ Toronto

Game 529-530
June 10, 2019 @

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
126.467
Toronto
132.621
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 6
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 3
212
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-3); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, June 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOLDEN STATE (70 - 32) at TORONTO (73 - 31) - 6/10/2019, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 43-57 ATS (-19.7 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 53-70 ATS (-24.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-52 ATS (-22.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 36-46 ATS (-14.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
TORONTO is 218-270 ATS (-79.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-5 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Monday, June 10

Golden State’s three starters other than Curry/Thompson shot combined 7-18 from floor last game; with Durant likely out here, Warriors need more than that, or else. Raptors can win their first NBA title with a home win here; Ibaka scored 20 off bench in Game 4 win, when Toronto outscored Warriors 63-46 in second half to assume a 3-1 series lead. Raptors are 5-1 vs Golden State this year, going 3-0 in Oakland; Raptors covered six of last eight series games. Durant practiced Sunday, isn’t expected to be much help, if any, here. VanVleet chipped a tooth and got 7 stitches after Game 4. Over is 7-3 in last ten series games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Monday, June 10

Trend Report

Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Golden State is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 8 games on the road
Golden State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Golden State is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing Toronto
Golden State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Golden State's last 12 games when playing Toronto
Golden State is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Golden State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
Toronto is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing Golden State
Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Finals Game 5 - Warriors at Raptors
Tony Mejia

NBA Finals – Game 5

Golden State at Toronto (-1.5/214.5), ABC, 9:07 p.m. ET

Dec. 12 – Raptors (-2) 118 vs. Warriors 109 (Over 212.5)
Nov. 29 – Warriors (+2) 109 at Raptors 104 (Under 213.5)
Nov. 29 – Raptors (+3) 123 at Warriors 109 (Over 210.5)
Nov. 29 – Raptors (+5) 105 at Warriors 92 (Under 215)

Kevin Durant practiced with his Golden State teammates on Sunday. Reporters who saw him exit Scotiabank Arena didn’t see him limping as he exited the premises. Although listed as ‘questionable,’ if would be stunning if the reigning two-time Finals MVP didn’t wear a Warriors uniform at least one last time in order to try and prevent his team from coming up short of their season-long goal of a threepeat.

The foolish ones among you who thought the Warriors were a better team without him have now been quieted. Golden State is down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, having dropped both home games of its fifth straight championship series despite being favored with Durant ruled out. Toronto won each of the contests in Oakland convincingly and now stands one win away from its first title since entering the league in 1995.

Durant may as well throw on a cape in addition to his Nikes and uniform tonight. He’ll be asked to play savior even if he ends up being more decoy than focal point as the Warriors look to become the second team in league history to battle back from a 3-1 deficit and win a ring.

Ironically, Golden State was the lone victim, losing to Cleveland back in 2016 in order to help facilitate Durant’s defection from Oklahoma City, a move still skewered by many as one that helped ruin the competitive balance in the NBA. The Warriors haven’t finished with the league’s top record, but did take down LeBron James’ Cavaliers in both Finals, doing so rather easily in order to exact revenge. They had one brush with their mortality in last year’s Western Conference finals, but took advantage of Chris Paul’s absence due to an injured hamstring in order to win consecutive games and erase a 3-2 deficit against Houston.

Entering last year’s Game 6, the series price on the Warriors against the Rockets saw them as a -130 favorite at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. Even down, they were expected to win due to Paul’s demise. Prior to Game 4 on Saturday night, Golden State was demoted to even money to win the title and the Raptors became the first team other than the defending champs to be made the favorite to win the title (-120). As things stand now, you can get a return of +400 or a little higher throughout the strip and offshore if you invest in the Warriors making history. Toronto is currently in the -500/-550 range to win one more time and crown itself a winner.

Kawhi Leonard is looking like a shoo-in for Finals MVP so long as the Raptors hold on, averaging 30.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in leading the way for a Raptors squad that has seen veterans Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Danny Green and Serge Ibaka excel. Pascal Siakam was the hero of Game 1 and has changed games with his length and energy on defense in addition to his ability to create shots when Leonard is being doubled. Fred VanVleet has been the ultimate x-factor, playing tremendous defense on Stephen Curry while burying buckets from beyond the arc, helping stretch the floor by being a threat to shoot it whenever the ball comes his way.

Toronto head coach Nick Nurse, a veteran tactician sitting in the head seat in the NBA for the first time, has proven every bit the worthy opponent for Steve Kerr, excelling through both his game planning and lineup adjustments. He’s certainly had fewer injury concerns to deal with, but has to be given credit for pressing the right buttons and not dragging his team down with bad decisions due to a lack of experience. If anything, he’s been an asset. Starting VanVleet over Danny Green at the start of the second half in Oakland helped contribute to a pair of wins since it allowed him to effectively play box-and-one, taking advantage of the lack of scoring punch out there for the Warriors.

Klay Thompson returned from a Game 3 absence due to a hamstring injury and shot the ball well, finishing with a team-high 28 points, but he couldn’t prevent Golden State from its lowest-scoring output of the postseason in a 105-92 Saturday night loss. It hadn’t been held under the century mark since a March 23 home loss to Dallas and was outscored 37-21 coming out of the break. After turning around Game 2 with an 18-0 run to open the third quarter, it was a startling contrast to see the Warriors squander a four-point halftime edge by being thoroughly dominated in what’s supposed to be their quarter to gain separation in.

NBA expert Kevin Rogers says that Golden State can’t count on experience to bail them out of this hole since it isn’t accustomed to having to dig out of those due to its dominance throughout its run.

The Warriors are in very unfamiliar territory by sitting one game away from elimination in the Steve Kerr era. Discounting the Game 7’s against Cleveland in the 2016 NBA Finals and against Houston in the 2018 Western Finals in which both teams were facing elimination, Golden State has been on the verge of getting knocked out twice in the last five postseasons,” Rogers said. “Both times came in the conference finals with the Warriors blasting the Rockets at home last season and stunning Oklahoma City in 2016. The victory over the Thunder was the only road win in this stretch when staring elimination in the face as the Warriors outscored OKC, 33-18 in the fourth quarter to force a Game 7 back at home, which they eventually won.”

Durant was on the losing side of that collapse with the Thunder but has since emerged as arguably the NBA’s top player. Leonard got healthy this season and has come for the throne vacated by LeBron James, but Durant’s back-to-back Finals MVP awards and his body of work before being injured in the third quarter of Game 5 of May’s conference semifinals against the Rockets had him on the top perch. It now remains to be seen exactly what he can bring to the table.

Siakam and Leonard will likely draw the majority of assignments against him, which means he’ll be thrown back in the mix against a pair of agile, willing defenders who won’t make it easy for him to find a rhythm. His presence alone should be able to get Curry and Thompson cleaner looks and give Draymond Green another option to work with to facilitate offense through, but the rust factor and his likely lack of stamina are challenges that must be dealt with. He’s one of the most special players ever, but it’s hard to imagine Durant will be able to pick right up where he left off, which means his likely return will see him offer up whatever he can for as long as he can, even if it’s as a decoy to get teammates more room to work with.

Kerr has the unenviable task of working with three frontcourt players who wouldn’t be playing if this were still the regular season and now has no room for error. DeMarcus Cousins’ unexpected brilliance in Game 2 helped contribute to Golden State’s lone series win, but he’s been a liability since, picked on defensively and blitzed often on the offensive end, leading to countless turnovers. Kevon Looney is playing through a collarbone fracture that was expected to sideline him the rest of the way, but he returned to lend a hand on Friday night and finished with 10 points and six boards in 20 minutes. Andre Iguodala is currently being held together by Elmer’s glue and paper clips, but played 38 minutes in the Game 4 loss, so Durant returning should lighten his load.

Oddsmakers reacted to Durant’s likely return by downgrading the Raptors from three-point home favorites to laying just 1.5 points entering game-day betting. Considering how little Shaun Livingston and Alfonzo McKinnie gave the Warriors in trying to help fill Durant’s shoes of late, it’s hard to argue that they won’t be better here. What remains to be seen is whether there’s enough chemistry, on the road no less, to overcome weeks of inactivity. With another key figure who is operating at less than a 100 percent giving it a go, Golden State is all-in with a weak hand entering the flop. The Warriors will need for it to be friendly and then will likely need to go runner-runner on the turn and river in order to win three straight and not see their dynasty die off with a defeat that would then be scrutinized to no end entering free agency.

In attempting to win it all in its first Finals appearance, Toronto will need to show off its killer instinct. It must take advantage of Durant getting back in the flow early to keep the visiting Warriors from gaining confidence and getting juiced up. The Raptors must ride their raucous crowd to make communication difficult for a team that won’t be able to rely on carrying a positive rhythm into a road atmosphere simply because they haven’t all played together in over a month.

“Since suffering through an 0-4 ATS run in the final two games of the Philadelphia series and the first two contests against Milwaukee, the Raptors have rolled off a 7-1 SU/ATS mark over their last eight,” Rogers said. “Toronto has wrapped up each of its previous three series at Scotiabank Arena, while holding its three opponents to 96, 90, and 94 points.”

The Warriors haven’t been held under 100 points in consecutive games since Nov. 18-21, having suffered blowout losses against the Spurs and Thunder. They’ll need Curry to bounce back from a Game 4 disappearing act in which he followed up a 47-point effort by finishing just 2-for-9 from 3-point range, shooting 9-for-22 from the field. An extra day of treatment should serve guys like Thompson, Iguodala and Cousins well. Green has averaged nearly 41 minutes per game in the series and is contributing 13.5 points, 9 rebounds and 8.8 assists but must be better and more efficient, so having one more rest day should prove invaluable for him too.

From this point forward, the NBA Finals will be played with two days of rest in between every remaining game. That’s to Golden State’s advantage, but it must get the series back to Oakland for a Game 6, which would then place pressure on them to avoid being eliminated in the final contest ever played at Oracle Arena. As things stand now, Friday night’s loss would be the last result there. The Warriors have put themselves in position where they can add to their legacy by doing something special or leave themselves open to criticism for the rest of time, especially with the group likely to disband in some capacity.

Oddsmakers sent out an opening total of 212 for Game 5 but the number was nudged up to 214 at most betting shops after the status of Durant was upgraded to ‘questionable’ on Sunday afternoon.

“You can handicap this total a variety of ways but the possible addition of KD back in the lineup for Golden State has to be the starting point for Monday,” said NBA totals expert Chris David.

“Durant hasn’t played in over a month and if he’s practicing, then you have to believe he’s going to give it a go on Monday. In five road games through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Durant averaged 40.2 PPG against the Clippers and Rockets. Golden State did lose two of those five games, both at Houston, while the ‘over’ went 4-1,” David said. “However, the Warriors averaged 122.4 PPG and even if Durant gives you less than half or a third of his average, that’s a big boost to a Golden State offense that’s been running on empty in this series. If KD plays and gets close to 30 minutes, I see no reason why the Warriors wouldn’t eclipse their Team Total of 105 ½.”

The total results for this series sit at 2-2 and the ‘under’ (215) in Game 4 last Friday was never in doubt with Golden State held to its playoff low. David touched on Golden State’s ability to rebound after poor shooting nights.

“Including Friday’s production, the Warriors have been held under 100 points nine times this season. In the following contests, Golden State has gone 6-2 and the offense has averaged 118.1 PPG,” said David. “Sticking with trends, we’ve only seen the Warriors drop three straight games once this season and that occurred in the second month of the season when they lost four consecutive contests. The offense averaged 95.5 PPG during that losing skid.”

The Warriors must also overcome the excitement currently permeating throughout Toronto, which is on the cusp of its first championship in one of North America’s major leagues since MLB’s Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993. Jurassic Park, the area outside the arena, is going to be overflowing with fans looking to celebrate, while the atmosphere inside the arena promises to be intense. Golden State would love nothing more than to shut superfan Drake up again like they managed to on June 2, but the Raptors are 9-3 on their home floor in these playoffs, eliminating all three of their Eastern Conference conquests in the building to advance to this point. Their regular-season home record was tied for third-best in the NBA (32-9).

“In 12 playoff games at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto has held seven opponents under 100 points, which is an incredible feat in the offensive age of the NBA. If you’re leaning to the Raptors to close the series out on Monday, it’s hard not to lean to the ‘under’ in the game especially if you look at the production from the Warriors in finals losses. Going back to the 2015 installment, Golden State been held to 98.7 PPG in 10 setbacks of the NBA Finals,” David said. “As good as Golden State has been over the last five postseasons, sometimes the matchup doesn’t suit you and credit has to be given to the other squad. That’s certainly been the case against Toronto and when you factor in the injuries, the flaws and depth issues for the Warriors have become more exposed. Despite only having one superstar, the Raptors team defense has been a nightmare for everybody in the postseason.”

If the Warriors are able to pull out a Game 5 upset, they would try to stave off elimination again on Thursday night. A potential Game 7 would take place on Sunday, making for an interesting Father’s Day.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Durant's return looms large heading into potential clincher
Shaun Powell

* Tonight on ABC: Game 5, Warriors vs. Raptors (9 ET)

TORONTO -- Let us dismiss the tasty-yet-faulty comparison folks will try to make regarding Game 5 and Kevin Durant and the fate of the Golden State Warriors in these NBA Finals:

In 1970, New York Knicks center Willis Reed famously limped out of the tunnel at Madison Square Garden for Game 7 of The Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. He only hit two jumpers and was done, too gimpy to go any further. The Warriors, starved for points against a toothy Toronto Raptors defense, will require plenty more than that from Durant before he’s done.

Back then, it was winner-take-all, New York vs. L.A. Durant and the Warriors are trailing 3-1 and face elimination at Scotiabank Arena. They’re staring down a far deeper and darker tunnel.

This is the stark reality for a would-be savior and his recuperating calf and the desperate two-time defending champions. Durant was upgraded to questionable for Monday, which means it's likely he’ll at least be on the floor. Whether he stays long enough to break a sweat or plays well enough to make the Raptors perspire is the real issue.

Perhaps never before has an injury to a superstar of this magnitude been this mysterious -- and perhaps costly -- in the history of The Finals. Remember, with Reed, the Knicks won the series. Maybe there's more in common with Magic Johnson pulling a hamstring in 1989 during Game 1. In that instance, Magic was finished for the series and so were the Lakers (as they were swept by the Detroit Pistons).

Durant is trying to return and in the process squelch the innuendo swirling about his recovery and also trigger a historic comeback. Can he pull this off after not playing since May 8, and practicing for the first time only Sunday?

It was a practice, but only in the tamest sense. Durant joined his teammates and took part after the media was hustled off the court, leaving no outside witnesses or sneaky TMZ footage. The Warriors, this time of year, only conduct light drills. And it was over within an hour.

To recap: Durant is supposed to step into an intense basketball game after missing a month, and battle a Toronto defense led by Kawhi Leonard, and thwart a championship bid by a team and city bracing for a maddening celebration around midnight, and … rescue the Warriors? OK, then.

“I think it’s pretty easy to realize we obviously miss him out there and he’s propelled us to two championships in two years,” said Warriors guard Klay Thompson. “So it would be pretty storybook if he could come back and help us do the same.”

If it sounds like the Warriors are so stretched for answers and solutions that they’re banking on Durant being close to normal after a lengthy layoff, well … maybe they are. When you’re facing elimination, there’s really no other choice. And the Warriors haven’t been able to solve the Raptors without him.

Yet Durant has set himself a high bar. Before his injury, which occurred in the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets, he was on a nearly galactic level. He averaged 34 points, five rebounds and five assists in 11 games and was a finalist for everyone’s “best player in the playoffs" honors with the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo. Since then Leonard, the postseason leader in points, and rebounds, and minutes, has yanked that praise for himself. The Raptors, as a result, are heavy favorites to lift the trophy.

Durant may not be fully healthy, leaving what he can possibly do an open question: Will he be more of a decoy than a legitimate offensive threat? And on defense, how can the Warriors cover for him, since the Raptors will surely try to exploit the situation by running Durant through screens?

Without Durant, the scoring burden had to be carried by Thompson and Stephen Curry. While both have handled that fairly well, the Warriors have had little margin for error. Whenever Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala or DeMarcus Cousins failed to lend support for Thompson and Curry, the results have been disastrous.

Coach Steve Kerr feels Durant’s presence will be enough to cause a ripple effect that influences what both teams do when he’s on the floor.

“The game plan changes if Kevin is out there, or if he’s not,” Kerr said. “So you adapt accordingly. It changes matchups, it changes rotations, all that stuff.”

It’ll be a surprise if Durant’s return causes issues within the Warriors and the system that was tweaked in his absence. Although they’ve been without him for nine games, he did play three seasons with them, which means there shouldn’t be any adjustment problems. Quite the contrary, says Curry.

“We’ll be able to adjust in transition pretty smoothly,” he said. “He’s been in plenty of Finals and has played well. No matter what the percentage he’s at, I’m sure he’ll be impactful and effective.”

It’s always tricky to play doctor and determine how much time Durant should’ve missed, although that never deters anyone from doing so. Taking it a step further, while none of his teammates or coaches publicly questioned the depths of Durant’s injury, dealing with the daily dose of “is he or isn’t he?” became tiring to some.

They all suspect that if Durant could’ve played, he would. What possible motive would encourage him to stay out longer than necessary? To show everyone how much the Warriors need him? That seems a stretch for someone who craves a championship. Possibly not his pending free agency either; if anything Durant would get bonus points for playing through pain and would have all summer to recover in the event of re-injuring the calf, which is not considered career-threatening.

Injured players have no obligation to speak to the media, and Durant hasn’t, with his silence only feeding speculation.

“I feel for Kevin,” Thompson said. “I know what type of competitor he is and we obviously miss him dearly. But whether it’s tomorrow or Game 6, we just have to do everything in our power to help him get back. He will be very welcome, I’ll say that much. Kevin’s (injury) is serious and I know how badly he wants to be out there. He’s one of the best competitors I’ve been around.”

The stretchy shooting range, the high release of a shot that’s nearly impossible to block or discourage, the energy and determination and ability to make plays in tense moments -- those are the elements Durant brings and the Warriors have missed in The Finals. They’ll take whatever he can give, whatever that might be.

“I would like to think he would make a difference,” Warriors reserve Shaun Livingston said. “Again, it’s just any time a player of that caliber comes back or goes out of the lineup, it’s going to be felt certain ways. We’ll see what happens.”

And if Durant is unable to play extended minutes or sputters around the floor, making mistakes and dogged by rust and fatigue and inefficiency? Then it’ll fall on his teammates, a group that couldn’t beat the Raptors in two games at Oracle Arena yet somehow must thrive in a Canadian madhouse that awaits Monday.

“You’re going to see a resilient Warriors team,” Thompson said. “We’ve had our backs against the wall with this same group. Obviously, it’s a little more daunting being down 3-1 but usually when our backs are against the wall, we respond the best.”

Question is, will Durant have their back? Or will he and that wall crumble under pressure from these hungry Raptors and the long odds?

[Can'tPickAWinner]

R and R Totals

MLB

LOS ANGELES DODGERS/LOS ANGELES ANGELS ‑105 u9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tommy King Wins

MLB

ATLANTA BRAVES ‑150

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Top Dog

MLB

LOS ANGELES ANGELS +150

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Investment Picks

NBA

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS +2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Brown

Tony's *5 Star NBA Free play

Golden State vs. Toronto, 06/10/2019 21:00 EDT

Total: -115/+213½ Over

Sportsbook:
Betonline

Fp: warriors playing to stay alive Toronto playing to win a championship . Both teams leave it all on the floor and the buckets come early and often , making the over my NBA Free play !

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dwayne Connors

It was a bad road trip for the Yankees who went just 2-4 over their last 6 games in Toronto and in Cleveland, as the Yankees are on an overall 2-5 dip that was almost a 1-6 dip as they blew a 5-0 lead yesterday at Progressive Field, but should some grit in winning a 7-6 contest off of the Indians in 10 innings.


Back at home tonight I expect the Yanks to roll, as they are 21-12 this year at Yankee Stadium, and tonight they start the latest chapter in the Subway Series with the New York Mets.


The Metropolitans have won 4 of their last 5 games as they get set for this series with the Yankees, but those wins came at home. On the road this season the Mets are just 13-22 and have lost 21 of their last 27 away from Citi Field. The Mets are also just 3-7 their last 10 tangles with the other team from New York.


Tonight it will be Jason Vargas working against Masahiro Tanaka. Vargas has not faced the Yankees since the 2017 season when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals. In that season, Vargas made a pair of starts against the Pinstripers and lost them both as he allowed 9 runs to score over his 10 innings of work. Vargas has been very steady of late for the Mets, as his ERA is under 2 for his last 7 season starts, but that track record against the Yankees suggests he may see that ERA balloon with tonight's assignment.


As for Tanaka, he was pushed back a day for paternity leave, as he was home for the birth of his second child on Friday and should be ready to deliver the goods tonight in his first since last Tuesday when he got roughed up at Toronto to drop to 0-2 over his last 3 starts.


Tanaka made just one start last year against the Mets in the Subway Series, it was a no-decision in which he allowed one run over 5 innings while striking out 8.


Yankees have been playing sub-par ball lately, as they are now tied for first in the A.L. East, tonight back at home they get healthy at the expense of the poor-traveling Mets.


Run Line winner on the Yanks.

4* N.Y. YANKEES -1 1/2 RUNS