Service Plays Monday 8/17/20

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Scott Spreitzer MLB

4-Unit Play: Take F5 Inn. Under 5 (-115) Jays v. Orioles (7:35 p.m., Monday, August 17)
Ryu has been outstanding in his last two starts, looking like the pitcher we grew used to as a member of the L.A. Dodgers. His first two times through a lineup have seen terrific numbers, including in his career where he owns a sub-3.00 ERA both times through. Alex Cobb is off to a strong start in 2020 but has yet to stay in a game longer than 5.1 innings. The Jays scored a total of 14 runs in their last half-dozen road games, so Cobb should stay in-form. Add-in what was a bullpen game for the O's yesterday and we'll eliminate the late innings and play the First 5 Innings Under between the Jays & Orioles on Monday. Thanks & GL!

Scott Spreitzer.
3-Unit Play: Take 965 Padres -130 over Rangers (9:05 p.m., Monday, August 17)
Zach Davies gets the ball to start things for the Padres as he looks to get SDG back in the win column. They've played a tough slate up to now but Davies has been fantastic and he'll face a Rangers' offense averaging just 3.85 rpg on the season. Jordan Lyles has been lit-up for 11 earned runs and 26 base runners (11 walks) in his last three starts, spanning just 14.1 IP. His xFIP says he's not likely to find the sweet elixir anytime soon. I'm backing the Padres on Monday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

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Bill Marzano

NHL

Tampa Bay Under 5

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Indian Cowboy NHL

4-unit Play. #053. Take Over 5 goals (-115) Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets. (Monday @ 3:00 pm et)
We like the over here as these two have hit exactly five goals in two of their first three games. Tampa has a 2-1 advantage heading into this afternoon's game. They found a breakthrough in the fifth overtime in game one last week, before Columbus took game two 3-1 where the Lightning were just out classed. Saturday saw the Lightning take the series lead once again with a 3-2 victory that saw Columbus come close to level the game in the third period. These two have played really great defense throughout this series as this is one of the lower scoring series in the opening round. With that said, we are expecting a break out offensively from both sides today. With the five overtimes, this will feel more like a game five or six than game four. Tampa is yet to have a game over five goals this post season, while Columbus had two seven goal games in game three and four against Toronto. Both sides know they need to produce and we see that happening today.

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Indian Cowboy NBA

3-Unit Play. #757. Take Dallas Mavericks +6 over LA Clippers (Monday @ 9pm est)
This is a decent selection for us to take with the points here as many are underestimating the Dallas Mavericks. This is a team that got routed against Phoenix in their last game by 20+ and has lost back to back games and has not tasted victory in a couple games now. They were beat by the Clippers last time too and now Luka gets a taste of the playoffs here with Kristaps and given Carlisle's championship pedigree and Cuban pushing them from the sidelines here giving the added pressure, what you have here is a great opportunity for a Dallas team to try to steal game 1. They don't have to necessarily steal it, but certainly they can put the necessary pressure here to be an active dog and stay within the number here. THis is likely going to be a highly competitive game that seems Dallas inside the number.

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Indian Cowboy MLB

3-Unit Play. #955. Take Under 10.5 Runs (-110) Washington vs. Atlanta (Monday @ 7:10pm est)
Sometimes you have to go against the numbers and go with what your gut tells you. And, I think that given Sanchez great track record over the years, and coming off his worst start of the year not lasting more than 3 innings in his last start and losing every single one of his starts, he probably bounces-back here. The Nats have fought back to nearly being .500 at this point and they need an important start in this shortened season and you have a pitcher that has traditionally done well against the Braves and you have Toussant giving up 6 runs in his last start coming off his worst start of the year. After getting hammered by the Rays in his first start, he was fantastic in his next start giving up 0 runs so he probably bounces-back here as well in this traditional divisional rivalry. Look for this game to likely go under here. Note, already +9200 on the year in the NBA winning 3 straight selections and with NBA/MLB/WNBA we are at +14,600 so far this year, let's keep rolling today.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Raphael Esparza NHL

5 Unit Play. Take #60 Vancouver +120 over St. Louis (10:30p.m., Monday, August 17 NBCS)
Last night was Game #3 in this series and the defending champs finally won a bubble game but needed overtime. The Canucks have won 5 out 6 in the bubble and lead this series 2-1 and I'm biting on the plus money with Vancouver. Yes the Blues played like champions last night but the troubles the Blues have had in the net I see the Canucks scoring first and holding on to a commanding 3-1 series lead. Vancouver has won 4 out against the Blues and the Canucks are 5-1 as an underdog.

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Vernon Croy MLB

7-Unit Play - #951 Toronto -140 over Baltimore (Monday, August 17 2020 at 7:30 PM ET)
Take Toronto on the Moneyline as my top MLB pick for Monday night. This pick falls into one of my top MLB systems and I expect a hands-down winner here Monday given this pitching matchup. Toronto has hit .512 as a team lifetime in limited at bats against Alex Cobb with an on-base percentage of .512 and slugging percentage of .661. Cobb has given up a homerun in the 3 of his 4 starts this season and Toronto has been hitting home runs big time. Ryu allowed just 2 hits in his last start that lasted 6 innings with just one earned run and he is allowed just one earned run over his last 2 starts. Toronto definitely has the superior pitcher on the mound here Monday and you can expect their bats to get going against Cobb. So play the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline here Monday night as we move to 8-2 the last 10 days on the bases and make sure you get on my 7-Unit NBA Play that goes Monday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vernon Croy NBA

7-Unit Play - #754 Toronto -9.5 over Brooklyn (Monday, August 17, 2020 at 4:00 PM ET)
Take Toronto against the spread as my top NBA pick for Monday afternoon. This pick falls into one my top NBA systems and Toronto is hands-down the superior team here Monday and also I believe the top team in the NBA. I gave you Toronto earlier this season to win it all and I still stand firmly behind that is they are the most complete team in the NBA. Brooklyn is 0-4 against the spread in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog and Toronto is 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 games overall. Brooklyn has allowed 121 points per game over their last 5 games with opponents shooting 47% against them and Brooklyn has shot just 42.6% against divisional opponents this season now they face one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Play Toronto against the spread.

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Doc's Sports NBA

7-Unit Play #758 Take LA Clippers -6 over Dallas (9 p.m. EST, Monday Aug 17)
The Clippers, more than almost any team in the league, didn't care about the regular season. They had injuries, and they didn't get too much time with a full roster to do their thing on the court. They didn't care about wins and losses, but they wanted to be healthy and have chemistry by the time the postseason arrived. Well, now is that time. While they aren't 100% heathy, they will start the postseason with a very strong roster, and we think they will raise their game to another level here in the postseason. For our money, this is the best team in the Western Conference. And we expect to see the best version of this team show up in the playoffs. Dallas is putting together something special, bur they are still a year or two and a couple players away from being a true championship contender. We think they are in deep in this series. They have lost four straight meetings, and they failed to cover in any of those games. The Clippers have great chemistry and talent, and we think they will want to make a statement here in Game 1.
--Best of Luck, Doc's Sports

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Ferringo NBA

2-Unit Play. Take #752 Denver (-4) over Utah (1:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17)
I think the Jazz have been one of the worst teams that I've seen since the restart. And to make matters worse they'll be playing without Mike Conley for most of this series since he left the bubble to be there for the birth of his child. Utah's offense is kind of a mess and I think they will struggle against a strong Denver defense. The Nuggets are just 1-3 in their last four games. But they are getting healthier and they have discovered a gem now that they are FINALLY using Michael Porter Jr. I like Denver's starting five a lot more than Utah's here.

7-Unit Play. Take #756 Boston (-6) over Philadelphia (6:30 p.m., Monday, August 17)

2-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 218.0 Philadelphia at Boston (6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17)
The Celtics have one of the most exciting rosters in the NBA and have shown a comraderie during this bubble, unlike some of the teams. They play with a joy and passion for each other and that will show tonight after a handful of meaningless games to end the seeding portion of the bubble. The Sixers are without Ben Simmons. And while they have shown some signs of getting out of their funk a 4-4 finish to the restart is not what they were looking for. This should be a hard-fought game to start but Kemba, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be too much for Philly so take the C's.

2-Unit Play. Take #758 L.A. Clippers (-6) over Dallas (9 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17)
I love the Mavericks and I really do think that they have enough talent to give the Clippers a run in this series. However, until they prove it we have to back the team with more proven talent. I think the Mavs still really miss Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein, and the Clippers should dominate the paint in this series. I'll go with the experience of the Clips over the youth of the Mavs.

[rocky57]

**Note
That Play from Mastermind Sports should say Under 218 Celtics/76ers

[rocky57]

Rockdeman Sports
MLB
Cubs (game one)
Braves/Nationals Over 10
Rockies/Astros Under 9.5

[rocky57]

H&H Sports (Final Update)
MLB - Triple Dime Minnesota Twins -162

NBA - Double Dime Clippers/Mavericks Over 229 (posted earlier)
NBA - Dime Play Philadelphia 76ers +7

NHL (Icecrusher) - Dime Play St Louis Blues -123

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kenny White

DALLAS +6.5
DALLAS @ L.A. CLIPPERS | 8/17 | 9:00 PM EDT
4:58 PM
The Mavericks are the top offensive team in the NBA. I know their defense is rather average, but if they're going to steal a game in this series, it will be the first one. Normally, I would back the defensive team, but I just don't want to lay points with no home-court advantage. The Clippers won all three regular-season meetings after beating Dallas in the bubble 126-111 in a very low-paced game. I'm expecting a similar contest tonight. The Mavericks outscore their opponent by five points per 100 possessions while Los Angeles outscores its foes by 6.3. I'll take the Mavericks and the points as they seek revenge.

4-0 IN LAST 4 NBA ATS PICKS | +400

UNDER 218
PHILADELPHIA @ BOSTON | 8/17 | 6:30 PM EDT
4:38 PM
During the eight-game stretch to end the regular season, Boston's median score was 117-112 and Philadelphia's was 121-124.5. Both add up way higher than today's total. Why? Rivals,The rivalry and playoff history from last year. The median score from the four regular-season games was 209, with three of the four going Under 218. Boston's defense is tremendous, and it plays at a slower place. Philadelphia's defense ranks in the top 10, its offense is outside of the top 10 and pace is No. 19 in the NBA.

5-4 IN LAST 9 NBA PICKS | +60
3-1 IN LAST 4 BOS O/U PICKS | +191

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Hartstein

N.Y. METS -157
N.Y. METS @ MIAMI | 8/17 | 7:10 PM EDT
3:15 PM
Both teams are slumping, but I like the Mets to continue their recent dominance of the Marlins. New York has won 15 of the past 22 meetings. The Marlins plated a total of one run in their past two games. Look for New York to improve to 21-7 in its last 28 as a road favorite.

22-13 IN LAST 35 MLB PICKS | +481
43-25 IN LAST 68 NYM ML PICKS | +1140

27-16 IN LAST 43 MIA ML PICKS | +795

CHI. WHITE SOX -153
DETROIT @ CHI. WHITE SOX | 8/17 | 8:10 PM EDT
1:54 PM
Detroit is in the midst of a five-game losing streak that began with a pair of home setbacks against Chicago. The Tigers have scored five runs in three of the defeats but have allowed a total of 36. Detroit left-hander Matthew Boyd has yielded seven runs over 4 2/3 innings in each of his last two starts. Expect the White Sox, who tied a major-league record Sunday by belting four consecutive home runs, to continue the assault against Boyd.

22-13 IN LAST 35 MLB PICKS | +481
8-1 IN LAST 9 CHW ML PICKS | +814

12-7 IN LAST 19 DET ML PICKS | +447

ST. LOUIS +158
ST. LOUIS @ CHI. CUBS | 8/17 | 5:15 PM EDT
1:46 PM
After returning from a lengthy quarantine to take two of three on the South Side of Chicago, the Cardinals begin a string of five games in three days on the North Side. The Cubs lead the NL Central but have dropped three straight after winning nine of their previous 10. They have allowed 16 runs during their skid and recorded only four hits in Sunday's 6-5 loss to Milwaukee. Look for the Cards to pounce on Kyle Hendricks in the opener of Monday's doubleheader.

22-13 IN LAST 35 MLB PICKS | +481
21-16 IN LAST 37 CHC ML PICKS | +217