MLB
St. Louis Cardinals (-150) at Houston Astros
Yes, I know that this is the same game that I called yesterday (and won) but I really can't stay away from this matchup. The last place Astros will be sending their worst starting pitcher, Nelson Figueroa (0-3, 8.55 ERA), against the Cards and Kyle McClellan (3-0, 2.16 ERA). Figueroa has yielded five or more earned runs in every start except when he faced the feeble Padres. He allowed 11 base runners and six runs in four innings last outing vs the Brewers. McClellan hasn't allowed over two earned runs all season in four starts. My only fear is the putrid Cardinal bullpen, which almost gave away another game last night. Someone has to tell Tony LaRussa not to let Ryan Franklin pitch again.....ever. Go with the Cards!!
NBA
Orlando Magic (-1.5) at Atlanta Hawks - Over/Under 179
Let's make this quick. These teams have played each other eight times this season, only once has the game gone over 179. In addition, the games in Atlanta have averaged less points (171) than the games in Orlando. This game should be a battle with no easy buckets and a lot of fouls. Let's roll with the Under 179!!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
MLB Pick of the Day
MLB
St. Louis Cards (-135) at Houston Astros - Over/Under 8.5
The first place Cards send their righty Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.01 ERA), who has won his last three starts against the last place Astros and their starter JA Happ (1-3, 6.94 ERA). Happ has given up 10 runs and 13 hits in his last two outings. The Cards pound lefties this season and are second in the NL in scoring. Look for the Cardinals to pound Happ early and often. This game could get really ugly in a hurry. Go with the Cards!!
St. Louis Cards (-135) at Houston Astros - Over/Under 8.5
The first place Cards send their righty Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.01 ERA), who has won his last three starts against the last place Astros and their starter JA Happ (1-3, 6.94 ERA). Happ has given up 10 runs and 13 hits in his last two outings. The Cards pound lefties this season and are second in the NL in scoring. Look for the Cardinals to pound Happ early and often. This game could get really ugly in a hurry. Go with the Cards!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Big Monday Picks
NBA
OKC Thunder at Denver Nuggets (-2.5) - Over/Under at 205
Denver is playing for their playoff lives tonight in Denver against the Thunder. Denver lead the NBA in scoring during the season averaging over 107 points a game. The Thunder have taken down the Nuggets in all three games so far, and the Nuggets have shot the ball terribly in the series. Denver will find their stroke tonight and should push the ball to avoid the Thunder's tough half court defense led by Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. Denver has the fire power and should at least go down firing tonight. Go with the Over!!
MLB
Oakland A's at LA Angels (-150)
The Angels send their ace Jared Weaver (5-0, 1.23 ERA) to the mound against Oakland's Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.80 ERA). Gonzalez's luck finally caught up to him against Boston last week, losing 5-3. Gonzalez allows a lot of baserunners, and that could lead to his demise tonight. Weaver has pitched better than any other pitcher in baseball so far, and should have no problem with the weak hitting A's offense. The A's rank in the bottom of the AL in hits, runs and homeruns. Look for Weaver to shut down the A's, Go with the Angels!!
OKC Thunder at Denver Nuggets (-2.5) - Over/Under at 205
Denver is playing for their playoff lives tonight in Denver against the Thunder. Denver lead the NBA in scoring during the season averaging over 107 points a game. The Thunder have taken down the Nuggets in all three games so far, and the Nuggets have shot the ball terribly in the series. Denver will find their stroke tonight and should push the ball to avoid the Thunder's tough half court defense led by Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. Denver has the fire power and should at least go down firing tonight. Go with the Over!!
MLB
Oakland A's at LA Angels (-150)
The Angels send their ace Jared Weaver (5-0, 1.23 ERA) to the mound against Oakland's Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.80 ERA). Gonzalez's luck finally caught up to him against Boston last week, losing 5-3. Gonzalez allows a lot of baserunners, and that could lead to his demise tonight. Weaver has pitched better than any other pitcher in baseball so far, and should have no problem with the weak hitting A's offense. The A's rank in the bottom of the AL in hits, runs and homeruns. Look for Weaver to shut down the A's, Go with the Angels!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Picks of the Day- Friday Fool!
NBA
Boston Celtics at NY Knicks (-3) - Over/Under 190
Yes, Boston is up 2-0 in this series. Yes, Boston is better on paper and has the experience to reach the Finals again. But, the Celtics nearly lost both games in Boston against the Knicks and failed to cover the spread in each game. Boston was a bottom five team against the spread on the road this season. This is the first postseason game in New York since 2004, the Knicks should be ready and real active with the crowd on their side. The Knicks formula for winning is to push the ball and create quick open shots. The Celtics are old and slow and will try to slow it down unless they get behind early. I think the Knicks come to play tonight. For them to win the game, it will have to be high scoring. Let's parlay the Knicks and the Over!!
MLB
Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates - Over/Under 8 Runs
Washington sends Livan Hernandez (2-1, 2.88 ERA) to the hill against the worst offense in the NL. The Pirates are last in the NL in runs scored and have lost three straight games. The Pirates are 1-5 with 15 runs scored at home so far in 2011. Hernandez has allowed just one run in each of his last two starts (13.66 IP). The Pirate run line is Over/Under 4 runs, and I just can't seem them scoring five runs tonight in the cold (43*F). Go with the Pirates Under 4!!
Boston Celtics at NY Knicks (-3) - Over/Under 190
Yes, Boston is up 2-0 in this series. Yes, Boston is better on paper and has the experience to reach the Finals again. But, the Celtics nearly lost both games in Boston against the Knicks and failed to cover the spread in each game. Boston was a bottom five team against the spread on the road this season. This is the first postseason game in New York since 2004, the Knicks should be ready and real active with the crowd on their side. The Knicks formula for winning is to push the ball and create quick open shots. The Celtics are old and slow and will try to slow it down unless they get behind early. I think the Knicks come to play tonight. For them to win the game, it will have to be high scoring. Let's parlay the Knicks and the Over!!
MLB
Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates - Over/Under 8 Runs
Washington sends Livan Hernandez (2-1, 2.88 ERA) to the hill against the worst offense in the NL. The Pirates are last in the NL in runs scored and have lost three straight games. The Pirates are 1-5 with 15 runs scored at home so far in 2011. Hernandez has allowed just one run in each of his last two starts (13.66 IP). The Pirate run line is Over/Under 4 runs, and I just can't seem them scoring five runs tonight in the cold (43*F). Go with the Pirates Under 4!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
MLB and NBA Picks for Wednesday
MLB
Minnesota at Baltimore (-140)
The hapless twins continue their road trip in Baltimore tonight to face the Orioles star rookie Zach Britton. Britton is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.75 and will face the Twins' Nick Blackburn (1-2, 3.06 ERA). The Twins are 6-11 and in last place in the AL Central. The Orioles have struggled so far as well and are 7-9, but won last night against the Twins 11-0. The Twins are last in the majors in runs scored and will be without C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Mourneau. The soft tossing Blackburn will have to be perfect to win. The Orioles lineup is much more dangerous and should benefit from playing at home with a better starting pitcher. Go with the Orioles!!
NBA
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-8) - Over/Under 193
The Grizzlies stole game one 101-98 against the Spurs, who were without their best player G Manu Ginobili. Ginobili should return for game two, in a must win contest for the Spurs. The Spurs only shot 40% from the floor in game one, but shot a astronomical 47 free throws. On the other hand, the Grizzlies hit 55% FG and made 6 of 10 three pointers. Memphis has played the Spurs tough all season (3-2), and four of those five matchups resulted in greater than 196 points scored. These teams averaged a combine score of 204 total points during the regular season. The Spurs will play tough tonight and the Grizzlies believe in themselves. Go with the Over!!
Minnesota at Baltimore (-140)
The hapless twins continue their road trip in Baltimore tonight to face the Orioles star rookie Zach Britton. Britton is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.75 and will face the Twins' Nick Blackburn (1-2, 3.06 ERA). The Twins are 6-11 and in last place in the AL Central. The Orioles have struggled so far as well and are 7-9, but won last night against the Twins 11-0. The Twins are last in the majors in runs scored and will be without C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Mourneau. The soft tossing Blackburn will have to be perfect to win. The Orioles lineup is much more dangerous and should benefit from playing at home with a better starting pitcher. Go with the Orioles!!
NBA
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-8) - Over/Under 193
The Grizzlies stole game one 101-98 against the Spurs, who were without their best player G Manu Ginobili. Ginobili should return for game two, in a must win contest for the Spurs. The Spurs only shot 40% from the floor in game one, but shot a astronomical 47 free throws. On the other hand, the Grizzlies hit 55% FG and made 6 of 10 three pointers. Memphis has played the Spurs tough all season (3-2), and four of those five matchups resulted in greater than 196 points scored. These teams averaged a combine score of 204 total points during the regular season. The Spurs will play tough tonight and the Grizzlies believe in themselves. Go with the Over!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Picks of the Day
NBA
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic (-9.5) - Over/Under 183
The Hawks look to go up 2-0 in the series tonight in a must-win game for the Magic at home. The Hawks have now beaten the Magic four times in five games this season. These teams are very similar, but the longer and more athletic Hawks seem to have Orlando's number. Both teams focus on defense and primarily shoot a lot of outside jumpers. The Hawks have no answer for Howard (46 points in game 1) inside but seem content to let him have his points while stopping Orlando from getting their 3-pointers. The Hawks shot the ball ridiculously well at 51% FG. That won't happen again, but what I noticed was how aggressive they were at going to the hoop collecting 29 FTs. The Hawks are younger and hungrier than the Magic. The Magic look old and slow right now. Go with the Hawks and the points!! If you need another pick, than go with the Under!!
MLB
LA Angels at Texas Rangers (-190) - Over/Under 10
The Rangers thrive at home and should have no problem with Angels right-hander Matt Palmer. Palmer didn't get out of the fifth inning at home against a struggling Toronto Blue Jay offense, yielding 10 hits and a walk with 5 runs scoring. He is the Angel's emergency starter and really belongs in the minor leagues. He is a journeyman that throws in the mid-eighties without good off speed stuff. The Rangers have scored 44 runs in seven games at home this season for an average of 6.3. They beat the Angels and Ervin Santana 7-1 last night. This could get really out of control in a hurry. The Ranger Run Line is 5----please take the OVER 5!!
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic (-9.5) - Over/Under 183
The Hawks look to go up 2-0 in the series tonight in a must-win game for the Magic at home. The Hawks have now beaten the Magic four times in five games this season. These teams are very similar, but the longer and more athletic Hawks seem to have Orlando's number. Both teams focus on defense and primarily shoot a lot of outside jumpers. The Hawks have no answer for Howard (46 points in game 1) inside but seem content to let him have his points while stopping Orlando from getting their 3-pointers. The Hawks shot the ball ridiculously well at 51% FG. That won't happen again, but what I noticed was how aggressive they were at going to the hoop collecting 29 FTs. The Hawks are younger and hungrier than the Magic. The Magic look old and slow right now. Go with the Hawks and the points!! If you need another pick, than go with the Under!!
MLB
LA Angels at Texas Rangers (-190) - Over/Under 10
The Rangers thrive at home and should have no problem with Angels right-hander Matt Palmer. Palmer didn't get out of the fifth inning at home against a struggling Toronto Blue Jay offense, yielding 10 hits and a walk with 5 runs scoring. He is the Angel's emergency starter and really belongs in the minor leagues. He is a journeyman that throws in the mid-eighties without good off speed stuff. The Rangers have scored 44 runs in seven games at home this season for an average of 6.3. They beat the Angels and Ervin Santana 7-1 last night. This could get really out of control in a hurry. The Ranger Run Line is 5----please take the OVER 5!!
Monday, April 18, 2011
NBA Pick of the Day
Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (-11) - Over/Under 193
Let's roll with the Under 193. The Pacers played about as well as they could play last game shooting over 46% (55% on 3s) and only scored 99. The Bulls are phenomenal on defense and should stop the Pacers cold in Game 2. The Bulls play their best ball when they run their half court offense and pound the boards. I don't think that the Pacers will start out hot again and dictate an uptempo game like Game 1. The Bulls should take an early lead then methodically attack the Pacers. Go with the Under!!
Let's roll with the Under 193. The Pacers played about as well as they could play last game shooting over 46% (55% on 3s) and only scored 99. The Bulls are phenomenal on defense and should stop the Pacers cold in Game 2. The Bulls play their best ball when they run their half court offense and pound the boards. I don't think that the Pacers will start out hot again and dictate an uptempo game like Game 1. The Bulls should take an early lead then methodically attack the Pacers. Go with the Under!!
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