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Baseball Picks
6/4/2009
2:05:00 PM OVER 9 RUNS,CHICAGO WHITE SOX (Buehrle)
-vs- Oakland Athletics (Anderson)
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB (Regular Play) OVER the total in Chicago-AL vs Oakland @ 2:05 PM ET: Buehrle vs Anderson – The A’s certainly won’t be mistaken for an offensive juggernaut anytime soon. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re not offering value in certain situations and this is one of those spots! Part of the reason Oakland has such unimpressive offensive numbers is that they play in a pitchers’ park. This is evident too when they are on a run like they are now. The A’s have won three of their last four on the road and they’ve scored five runs in all three wins and averaged two homers per game during this four game stretch. US Cellular Field favors the long-ball and, in afternoon games, the ball often carries even better. As impressive as Mark Buehrle’s overall numbers are this season, note that he has given up 20 hits in his last 14 innings at home. Also, he’s allowed four homers in his last four outings. The A’s hit Buehrle at a .352 clip in his two starts against them last season and the White Sox southpaw had a 5.88 ERA and a .350 BAA in his six daytime starts last season. Oakland’s recent results means that they’re stepping to the plate with confidence right now and they’ve also enjoyed recent success against Buehrle which also adds to their confidence level! While the A’s should score well today it’s their pitching that is a concern. Southpaw rookie Brett Anderson gets the start and he’s 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA and a .292 BAA this season! Also, he’s compiled a 6.46 ERA away from home as he misses the help of his pitcher-friendly home park when he’s on the road. The White Sox lineup includes plenty of power that can do some damage at US Cellular Field. While the A’s have started three rookie starting pitchers so far in this series and they’ve all enjoyed success, Anderson is easily the most hittable of the bunch and he’s also allowed 8 homers in his 23.2 innings of road work. That is a major concern as he enters this afternoon at US Cellular Field which is capable of becoming a launching pad in an afternoon game. The A’s do have some good arms in their bullpen but, they’ve also got a number of guys who have struggled recently. The problem today for the A’s is that the call to the bullpen is likely to come too early. Anderson has averaged under 5 innings per start in his last seven starts! His struggles continue here and, after three straight unders in this series, look for a high-scoring slugfest this afternoon! Play OVER the total in the Chicago White Sox game as a regular selection.
Pro Hockey Picks
6/4/2009
8:05:00 PM Detroit Red Wings0 Goals +125
over PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Scott Rickenbach’s NHL (Top Play) Detroit Red Wings Money Line (+) @ Pittsburgh @ 8:05 PM ET – Analysis will be posted here by Noon ET but the best line value is available early in the day for this one! It’s already making a downward move so play this one as early as you can to get the best plus money return with the Red Wings and then please check back for the write-up. Thank you and best of luck – Scott Rickenbach
10˜ NYM -120 ov PITTSBURG (12:05pm EST)
10˜ Texas +145 ov NYY (1:05pm EST)
10˜ CHICAGO -163 ov Oakland (2:05pm EST)
10˜ TAMPA BAY -165 ov Kansas City (4:05pm EST)
I will continue to provide free comp selections everyday. This is the least I can do for those that viist the page.
Take Under 8.5 between San Francisco Giants @ Washington Nationals (Thursday @ 8:05pm est) Sometimes when a line looks to good to be true it is. But, you are not ballsy enough to go against the line, so you ride it indirectly. Such is the case in today's NL contest between the Giants @ Washington. The line is strikingly low with Cain as is just -110 for a pitcher that is 6-1 with a 2.31 era. But rather than rolling with 70% of the public, let's take the Under 8.5 as I believe the line indicates that Vegas is expecting a solid performance from Detwiler. Remember, the Giants have not seen this young man, he is coming off a start where he gave up 5 runs and this is undoubtedly a bounce-back for him. Both offenses are shotty at best and I like the 8.5 number here as this is likely to be a pitcher's duel most of the way. The Under is 4-1 for Cain in his last 5 starts with 5 days of rest, the Under is 14-3-1 for the Giants in their last 18 games against left-handed pitching and the Under is 5-0 in Kellog's last 5 games behind the plate.
I do not laying large money on big favorites. Yet, something is not right with this line. The Yanks have Wang who is 0-3 in his starts and has a 16 era facing McCathy who is 5-3 with a era of just over 4 and the Yankees are -159 favs? Not to mention that Jeter and Tex are probable for todays game. This line just doesn't seem right to me.
Game: Kansas City at Tampa Bay (4:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Tampa Bay -170 (moneyline)
The Tampa Bay Rays have the wheels in motion at home once again and they have been tough here. They have blitzed Kansas City in the first two games of this series by a combined score of 15-2, and the Rays have now won five of their last six at home by a combined score of 33-15. It’s needless to say that the pitching and hitting are both clicking. The Royals are once again in free-fall mode on the road. They have now dropped nine of their last 10 road tilts, and have been outscored by an amazing 55-14. That represents an average score of 5.5-1.4, or by over four runs per game. You’re not going to win too many games scoring just over one run per game. The Rays are killing the teams they should beat at home, as they have run their mark at home to 42-9 when favored in the range of -151 to -200. The Royals are just 7-21 in their last 28 in Tampa, and that included a lot of bad Tampa teams, which this one certainly isn't. I'm going with the Rays in this one.
500* - NY Mets w/Pelfrey over Ohlendorf - 12:35 pm
I am not going to sit here and bore you with chapter, and verse on this Orlando-Los Angeles contest, I am here to tell you that I LOVE LA in Game One of this best-of-seven series.
Yeah, yeah, I know all about Orlando winning and covering both regular season meetings, and I know all about Jameer Nelson proclaiming himself fit for action. I also know all about the fact the Magic won on the parquet in Boston in Game Seven of the semis, and then bitch-slapped LeBron and the Cavs in the East Finals, I just don't see Orlando hanging in this first game.
Granted, I feel Dwight Howard is going to give the Lakers headaches before this seven game set is over, I just believe strongly Los Angeles is coming out strong in this game, and winning it going away for the easy cover.
Go right ahead and lay the lumber with this CAN'T MISS ONE-AND-ONLY 2000? of the postseason.
2000? - LA Lakers
Carry over play from yesterday's slate, as I like the Mets, and here is why:
The Mets lineup resembles a MASH unit, but I do like them today with Mike Pelfrey going against Russ Ohlendorf.
New York has dropped the first 2 games of this now 3 game set, and with the Phillies winning out west, New York better get on the stick in this game.
Pelfrey is 0-1 over his last 3 starts, but has pitched effectively, as he has allowed just 5 runs over his last 21 innings of work.
His counterpart Russ Ohlendorf has gone 0-2 his last 2 times to the bump, allowing 7 runs over just 13 innings of work.
Look for the Mets to come up with the win in this "must win" spot tonight.
500? - NY Mets w/Pelfrey over Ohlendorf
??Note: Both listed pitchers must start, or no action on the play!??
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