5--20-10

[spook]

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Just put them in the appropriate section (regular or premium).......lets win some money....

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Thursday Day Tips
By Kevin Rogers

Prior to the start of interleague this weekend, the Thursday baseball card features a handful of solid afternoon matchups. Three contests inside the National League showcase NL East versus NL Central showdowns, including red-hot Cincinnati battling Atlanta.

Reds at Braves - 1:05 PM EST

Cincinnati is turning the corner inside the NL Central by winning nine of ten to take the lead inside the division. The Reds send out prized rookie Mike Leake to the mound, while the Braves counter with fireballer Tommy Hanson.

Leake (4-0, 3.09) has been fantastic through his first seven starts of the season, compiling quality outings on seven occasions. The Reds are 6-1 when Leake takes the mound, including victories over the Cardinals and Cubs his last two outings. The ex-Arizona State righty has made just two starts on the road, but Leake went seven innings in each game at Houston and Pittsburgh.

The run support for Hanson (3-3, 2.88 ERA) is hit-or-miss with the Braves scoring one run or less in three of his starts, but tallying at least six runs in three other outings. Hanson's numbers are better on the road than at home, as the righty has compiled just one quality outings in four starts at Turner Field. Hanson managed to strike out 10 in seven innings of an 11-1 loss to Arizona, while allowing a season-high five earned runs. In his only career start against the Reds, Hanson scattered three hits in six scoreless innings of a 7-0 shutout at the Great American Ballpark last June.

The Reds are 6-0 the last six games against right-handed starting pitchers, while going 6-2 to the 'under' the previous eight road contests. The Braves have won five of their last six Game 2's, dating back to the start of May.

Cubs at Phillies - 1:05 PM EST

Philadelphia continues a seven-game homestand as the Phillies wrap up their series with the Cubs. Charlie Manuel's team is 8-3 the last 11 games at Citizens Bank Park, while Chicago is 1-5 in their previous six on the highway.

Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.49 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season, but the righty has allowed 12 earned runs and 21 hits so far. Blanton is coming off a victory over the Brewers in his last outing, giving up six hits and five earned runs in seven innings of work. The former Oakland A's hurler shut down the Cubs last season at home, 4-1, by delivering seven innings of five-hit ball, while striking out five.

Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.49 ERA) continues to go deep into his starts, but the Cubs are 1-5 in his last six trips to the mound. Four of those losses came as a favorite of at least $1.50 against the Pirates twice, Nationals, Astros. However, the Cubs lost each of those games by one run apiece as Dempster delivered a quality start in all four defeats. Dempster's career numbers against the Phillies are not very solid, allowing ten earned runs in his last two outings versus Philadelphia dating back to 2008.

The Cubs are 2-8 in Dempster's last ten starts as a road underdog, while five of his six starts this season have finished 'under' the total. Each team is riding nice 'under' runs with the Phillies going on an 8-2 'under' run at home and the Cubs cashing the 'under' in six of the last eight overall.

Marlins at Cardinals - 1:40 PM EST

The Fish are trying to put the Hanley Ramirez situation behind them as the reigning NL batting champion played in Wednesday's game at St. Louis. The Cardinals send out their second ace to the mound with Adam Wainwright listed as a substantial favorite over Nate Robertson.

Wainwright (5-2, 2.48 ERA) is making his first home start since April 29, as the Cards have dropped two of his last three outings. The righty failed to turn in a quality start for the first time in eight outings this season in a 4-3 setback at Cincinnati his last time out. Wainwright allowed seven hits and four earned runs in six innings, while extending his streak to 38 consecutive starts in which he has struck out more batters than walked. The Cardinals are 3-1 in his four career starts against the Marlins, with the lone loss coming as a $2.15 home favorite last September in a 2-1 defeat.

Robertson (4-3, 4.35 ERA) has become a viable addition to the back end of the Marlins' rotation after getting acquired right before the season. The southpaw is coming off consecutive wins over the Cubs and Mets, while allowing two earned runs in each of his last three outings. The Marlins have won two of Robertson's three road starts despite Florida scoring just seven runs. Robertson has made only one start at Busch Stadium, but that came in the 2006 World Series as a member of the Tigers. The lefty was on the wrong side of a 5-0 defeat, lasting only five innings and allowing two earned runs, giving the Cards a 2-1 series advantage on their way to the title.

St. Louis owns a 25-6 record since 2007 when Wainwright starts following a loss in his last outing. Florida has sailed 'over' the total in eight of 12 games when facing a right-handed starter after a left-hander, as the Marlins battle rookie lefty Jamie Garcia in the series opener.

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

HOT LINES

Thursday's Best MLB Bets

Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds (-165, 7.5)

The first-place Cincinnati Reds don't need much relief after taking a Leake ... in the first round of the 2009 draft, that is.

Rookie righty Mike Leake is off to an impressive 4-0 start (perhaps more importantly, 6-1 against the money line) with a team-best 3.09 ERA and has not thrown fewer than six innings in each of his seven starts. He came straight to the majors after starring for four seasons at Arizona State.
"I'm passed being surprised," manager Dusty Baker said of the rookie sensation. "Just do your thing."

Beyond his effectiveness, Leake's ability to stay on the mound has avoided the need for relying too heavily on a shaky bullpen, which is overrated considering the team has won 10 games in their last at-bat this season.
It's rare for a rookie not have have a breakdown against big-league hitting. It's a good thing the Braves aren't big-league hitters. After their 11-run explosion against Arizona on Saturday they scored just six runs in their next three games and rank in the bottom third in batting average, home runs and RBIs.

Look for Leake to make it rain against the light-hitting Braves.

Pick: Cincinnati Reds


Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates (+105, 9)

The Brewers and Pirates play today for the seventh time this season and only one of those meetings has gone under the posted total of 9.

In fact, two of those meetings resulted in a total of 20 runs. Apparently average hitting wins out when it runs into sub-par pitching.

Expect no different today when Milwaukee's Christopher Narveson (3-1, 5.29 ERA) battles Pittsburgh's Paul Maholm (3-3, 4.40) on the mound.
Narveson was just added as a starter last month and the Brewers lost Doug Davis due to a heart condition over the weekend, further throwing their rotation out of whack.

Malholm has been hammered by the Brewers on a consistent basis. He is just 3-9 in his last 12 starts vs. Milwaukee, not including a no-decision in last month's 6-5 victory by the Brew Crew.

The Brewers, which rank in the top five in virtually every offensive category, have lost eight straight while the Pirates are 3-6 in their last nine. Both team's recent poor play makes it tough to pick a winner, but not necessarily a number.

Pick: Over

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

NHL NEWS AND NOTES
Must-Win For Montreal
By Judd Hall


The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been hotly contested in the first two rounds. The Eastern Conference Final, however, has left a lot to be desired. The Flyers and Canadiens both went the full seven games in their respective second round matchups. Yet Philadelphia comes into Game 3 of this series with a 2-0 lead.

If there is one good thing for Montreal, it’s that they come home for its must-win contest, with the puck dropping at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Versus. The Bell Centre has easily been the most raucous venue in this tournament. Yet the Habs are only 3-3 in six home tests during the playoffs.

Perhaps a bit of home cooking is just what the Canadiens need right now after two disastrous outings in Philly. The Flyers have taken them to task, outscoring them 9-0 in just two games. Now it isn’t just in the final score that the Broad Street Bullies are leading; they are dominating every facet of the game right now.

Philadelphia is using an extremely physical brand of defense that has seen them outhit the Habs 54-41. And even though Montreal has outshot the Flyers 58-48 in the series, most of the shots have been easy to snag for Michael Leighton. Plus, they are keeping guys like Mike Cammalleri away from making big shots. Montreal’s top scorer in the playoffs (12 goals, 6 assists) had been averaging almost seven shots on goal per game in the tournament. Cammalleri has just fired five SOG in the Eastern Conference Final.

Leighton is just the latest in a long line of netminders for the Flyers this year (9 have dressed during the 2009-10 campaign). And all he has done in five games of work is go 4-0 with an ungodly goals against average of 0.87 and a .969 save percentage. Now he gets to head into the Bell Centre, where he has logged a 1-0 mark with a .923 save percentage to go along with a 2.06 GAA.

The white-out of Montreal will no doubt be a welcome sight for Jaroslav Halak. The Canadiens’ backstop has been making the most out of his postseason spotlight in a contract year (He’s a restricted free agent for the 2010-11 season), stopping 92 percent of the shots fired his way with a GAA of 2.66.

As great as his numbers have been in the tournament, we have yet to really see the Halak that posted those great numbers. He did bounce back with a good outing on Tuesday night (20-23 SOG), but it was still the first time in the entire postseason that Halak had surrendered at least three goals on back-to-back games.

If anything, Halak and his teammates need to find a way to put the clamps down on Danny Briere. The former Sabre is seeing the net as if it were Aretha Franklin’s backside, logging a goal in four straight games and in five of his last six appearances.

Despite the ownership demonstrated by the Flyers, Montreal has been installed as a $1.30 home favorite (risk $130 to win $100) for Game 3 with a total of five coming in at most betting shops.

It’s been a while since the Habs were listed as home faves (April 4 vs. Toronto, to be exact). And they haven’t responded all that well in this spot, going 12-10 during the season, covering the puck line (-1 ½-goals) in seven of those fixtures.

Montreal has won both of its games as a home “chalk” against clubs from the Atlantic Division this year. Of course, those were both against the Islanders.

Philadelphia has won its last two games against Northeast Division foes as a road pup, which both came in the previous series with the Bruins.

What gamblers don’t know is that the Flyers have been road ‘dogs four times this season after a pitching a shutout in their last game. They are 1-3 in those games, much to the chagrin of Philly fans everywhere. The gamblers taking them to cover the puck line (+1 ½-goals) have seen them go 4-0. Now all those fun loving risk takers need to decide is if it is worth taking Philly to cover at minus-275 (risk $275 to win $100) or just hope for the outright win and a plus-110 return (risk $100 to win $110).

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

ICE PICKS

Thursday's Best NHL Bet

Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens (-125, 5)

After a superhero-like performance in the first two rounds of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak has looked simply ordinary in two losses to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Halak, who stumped the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, has given up seven goals on 37 shots this series and was even given the hook after allowing four goals on 14 shots in Game 1. He watched three pucks go by in a 3-0 loss in Game 2, leaving many hockey bettors thinking the tank has run dry for the Habs postseason savior.

"Every series is a different series, so right now we are facing a different team than we faced in the first round and second round," Halak told the CBC following Game 1. "So every team plays different hockey, and we just need to make a little bit adjustment in our penalty killing and our system. I think if we do that we should be OK."

Halak has played better at home in the playoffs. He’s 3-2 in five starts inside the Bell Centre with a 2.24 goals against average and a save percentage of .939. He won his last two home contests, blanking the Penguins for just five goals on 72 total shots.

Bettors should expect a return to form Thursday night and a potential goaltending duel with Philadelphia netminder Michael Leighton.

Pick: Under

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
GM SURVEY: 2010 PREDICTIONS
By WNBA.COM

Who is the best player in the game? Who is the best coach? Which team has the best chance of taking the title from the Phoenix Mercury? Which player would GMs sign first if they were starting a team today?

Once again, WNBA.com posed questions to the league's general managers to learn what the people who make the decisions really think about these topics and more.

Which team will win the 2010 WNBA Finals?
1. Phoenix Mercury 36.4%
2. Indiana Fever 18.2%
3. Atlanta Dream 9.1%
Connecticut Sun 9.1%
Los Angeles Sparks 9.1%
Minnesota Lynx 9.1%
Washington Mystics 9.1%

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Connecticut Sun 36.4%
2. Indiana Fever 27.3%
3. Atlanta Dream 18.3%
4. New York Liberty 9.1%
5. Washington Mystics 9.1%

Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. Phoenix Mercury 63.6%
2. Seattle Storm 18.2%
3. Los Angeles Sparks 9.1%
4. Minnesota Lynx 9.1%

Which teams will qualify for the Eastern Conference playoffs?
1. Atlanta Dream 81.8%
Indiana Fever
Connecticut Sun 81.8%
Indiana Fever 81.8%
4. New York Liberty 55%
Washington Mystics 55%
6. Chicago Sky 27.3%

Which teams will qualify for the Western Conference playoffs?
1. Phoenix Mercury 90.9%
Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm 90.9%
3. Los Angeles Sparks 72.7%
Minnesota Lynx 72.7%
5. San Antonio Silver Stars 45.5%
6. Tulsa Shock 9.1%

More Survey Results
2010 Predictions Best players Offseason moves Rookies, International
Defense Top coaches Miscellaneous

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

LADY LUCK

Thursday's Best WNBA Bet

San Antonio Silver Stars at Tulsa Shock (-1.5, 159)

After leaving Detroit and moving to Tulsa this season, the Shock were desperate to make a name in their new market. That could be the reason they brought on shamed steroid-using sprinter Marion Jones.

Jones, who played college basketball at North Carolina, made her WNBA debut last weekend. She failed to register any points, assists or rebounds in just under four minutes of time in a 80-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx as 5.5-point home favorites.

"It's difficult, I'm a competitor. I want to see the team win and I want to see myself contribute to a win but I understand it is a process," Jones told reporters.

"I know people kind of expect great things, they think I will be out there 40 minutes but you've got to understand it's a process."

Jones presence grabbed a ton of media attention for the usually-ignored women’s league and even packed in a sell-out crowd of 7,806 fans at Bank of Oklahoma Center. All the hype is also inflating Tulsa’s spread a tad, leaving the door open to fade the franchise in the early part of the schedule.

The Shock shot just 37 percent from the field in Saturday’s loss including going 5-for-14 beyond the arc and a dreadful 19-for-30 at the foul line. Tulsa also committed 22 turnovers. That sloppy play won’t fly against one of the WNBA’s seasoned teams Thursday.

Pick: San Antonio Silver Stars

[spook]

Re: 5--20-10

BASEBALL CRUSHER
PLAY OF THE DAY

Chicago White Sox -129 over the LA Angels

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

JR ODonnell | NHL Money Line Thu, 05/20/10 - 7:05 PM ƒŠ

dime bet 59 PHI (+105) Sportbet vs 60 MON
Analysis:
UNDER THE RADAR ICE MELTER= PHILA FLYERS BABY AS THEY HAVE THE TALENT AND MOXY TO ROLL THE CANS TONIGHT.

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

RUDY NYC SPORTS
957 Thursday, 5/20/2010

Milwaukee Brewers/Pittsburgh Pirates Over 9.0 3 units
7:05pm EST @ Pittsburgh Pirates

OVER has come in the last five games with these two. One would think the books would start raising the number as it is evident that these teams know one another rather well. Tonight we have converted reliever Chris Narveson (2-1, 4.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .287 BAA) starting for the Brewers. Narveson has not pitched more than six innings in any of his four starts and 3 of 4 have gone OVER the number. There is little doubt that we will see the decimated and inept Brewers relievers early tonight. The Pirates are hitting southpaws, especially of late. We have Paul Maholm (3-3, 4.79 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .282 ERA) throwing for the Pirates. The pirates have given up 5+ runs in Maholm’s eight starts. These teams like to beat up on one another and we see this total set too low. Grab the OVER, this line is off! (Throw a few bucks on the Pirates, too)

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

Jeff Benton
Thursday's Winner ... 15 Dime: TORONTO BLUE JAYS ... NOTE: List Ricky Romero as the Blue Jays' starting pitcher. If Romero does NOT start, this play is VOID!

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

DAVE COKIN

Matchup: Toronto at Seattle
Time: 3:40 PM EDT (Thu)
Listed pitchers must go: (L) ROMERO, R vs. (L) VARGAS, J

Play: Toronto (ML -118)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: THERE WAS A PICHING CHANGE - PEAVY IS NOW LISTED INSTEAD OF BUEHRLE. I POST ONLY TO INFORM IN CASE YOU SEE THE PLAY SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Matchup: L.A. Angels at Chi. White Sox
Time: 8:10 PM EDT (Thu)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) SANTANA, E vs. (L) BUEHRLE, M

Play: L.A. Angels (ML +110)

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

MIKE LINEBACK

4* Philadelphia Philllies (-135)

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

PITTVIPER

Brewers -114
Brewers/Pitt over 9 -105

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5--20-10

RANDALL THE HANDLE

Philadelphia +1.13 over MONTREAL
Play: Philadelphia +1.13 (Risking 2 units).