Marc Lawrence MLB Bonus Play! - Friday 4/24
Play On: Atlanta w/Vazquez vs Volquez
Note: The Braves open a 3-game weekend series with the Reds in the Queen City this evening when they send Javier Vazquez to the mound against Edison Volquez. With Volquez nowhere near the plate early on this season (13 walks and 15 strikeouts) and Vaquez in commanding KW form with 6 walks and 25 strikeouts in his last three starts, look for him to improve to and 6-2 in his MLB career team starts against the Reds here tonight.
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Play On: Atlanta w/Vazquez vs Volquez
Note: The Braves open a 3-game weekend series with the Reds in the Queen City this evening when they send Javier Vazquez to the mound against Edison Volquez. With Volquez nowhere near the plate early on this season (13 walks and 15 strikeouts) and Vaquez in commanding KW form with 6 walks and 25 strikeouts in his last three starts, look for him to improve to and 6-2 in his MLB career team starts against the Reds here tonight.
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Cajun Sports MLB 2* Complimentary Selection -Friday
Date/Time: Friday April 24 / 8:05PM EST
Sport/Type: MLB / Side
Game: Milwaukee Brewers @ Houston Astros
Graded Selection: 2* Houston Astros +100
Analysis:
Minute Maid Park will be the site of tonight’s National League battle between the host Houston Astros and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. This is not one of the Brewers favorite places to play having posted a record of 21-44 their last 65 trips to Houston. The Brewers are 5-15 on the road overall their last 20, 4-10 their last 14 on the road versus right-handed starters and 6-20 their last 26 when facing a starter with a WHIP of 1.15 or less. Milwaukee will send right-hander Yovani Gallardo to the bump with his 1-1 record and ERA of 4.58 on the season. Brewers are 0-4 in his last four trips to the bump during game one of a series, 1-4 his last five starts when installed as a favorite of -110 to -150 and 3-7 his last 10 starts overall. Houston will send Felipe Paulino to the hill with his 0-0 record and an ERA of 0.00 in one start this season which was a home loss to the Reds 4 to 2. The Astros are 25-12 their last 37 home games overall. Houston is 22-16 versus a starting pitcher who gives up 5.5 or less hits per start the last 2 seasons and 27-16 versus a starting pitcher who strikes out 5 or more batters per start the last 2 seasons. Comparing their Home/Away splits Houston averages 1.30 more runs at home while Milwaukee is -2.00 runs on the highway. The Brewers are only managing to average 3.2 runs per game when playing on the road with a batting average of .234. Their bullpen has struggled as well with an ERA of 5.47 and a WHIP of 2.108. Houston has been a little more efficient scoring 4.2 runs per game with a batting average of .291 and an OBP of .364. The Astros bullpen has an ERA of 4.35 at home with a WHIP of 1.290. We are going to back the home underdog here as the Houston Astros grab game one of this three-game set.
Graded Selection: 2* Houston Astros 5 Milwaukee Brewers 3
Date/Time: Friday April 24 / 8:05PM EST
Sport/Type: MLB / Side
Game: Milwaukee Brewers @ Houston Astros
Graded Selection: 2* Houston Astros +100
Analysis:
Minute Maid Park will be the site of tonight’s National League battle between the host Houston Astros and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. This is not one of the Brewers favorite places to play having posted a record of 21-44 their last 65 trips to Houston. The Brewers are 5-15 on the road overall their last 20, 4-10 their last 14 on the road versus right-handed starters and 6-20 their last 26 when facing a starter with a WHIP of 1.15 or less. Milwaukee will send right-hander Yovani Gallardo to the bump with his 1-1 record and ERA of 4.58 on the season. Brewers are 0-4 in his last four trips to the bump during game one of a series, 1-4 his last five starts when installed as a favorite of -110 to -150 and 3-7 his last 10 starts overall. Houston will send Felipe Paulino to the hill with his 0-0 record and an ERA of 0.00 in one start this season which was a home loss to the Reds 4 to 2. The Astros are 25-12 their last 37 home games overall. Houston is 22-16 versus a starting pitcher who gives up 5.5 or less hits per start the last 2 seasons and 27-16 versus a starting pitcher who strikes out 5 or more batters per start the last 2 seasons. Comparing their Home/Away splits Houston averages 1.30 more runs at home while Milwaukee is -2.00 runs on the highway. The Brewers are only managing to average 3.2 runs per game when playing on the road with a batting average of .234. Their bullpen has struggled as well with an ERA of 5.47 and a WHIP of 2.108. Houston has been a little more efficient scoring 4.2 runs per game with a batting average of .291 and an OBP of .364. The Astros bullpen has an ERA of 4.35 at home with a WHIP of 1.290. We are going to back the home underdog here as the Houston Astros grab game one of this three-game set.
Graded Selection: 2* Houston Astros 5 Milwaukee Brewers 3
Carlo Campanella
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
Cleveland heads to Detroit for Game #3 on Friday night on a 7-1 SU & ATS winning streak, that includes a 2-0 lead in this first round Playoof series. This is one of the few series where the road team will be favored both on the home and on the road, as the Cavs are slight Favorites to win Game #3. Cleveland lead Game #2, 46-32, at Halftime but then fell asleep to have that large margin slip away late in the game to win, 94-82. LeBron James and the rest of the team realized that you can't let your guard down during the Playoffs, and expect a solid wire to wire performance after that wake up call, especially as we find Detroit 0-10 ATS following a loss against a Division rival this season!
Play on: Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
Cleveland heads to Detroit for Game #3 on Friday night on a 7-1 SU & ATS winning streak, that includes a 2-0 lead in this first round Playoof series. This is one of the few series where the road team will be favored both on the home and on the road, as the Cavs are slight Favorites to win Game #3. Cleveland lead Game #2, 46-32, at Halftime but then fell asleep to have that large margin slip away late in the game to win, 94-82. LeBron James and the rest of the team realized that you can't let your guard down during the Playoffs, and expect a solid wire to wire performance after that wake up call, especially as we find Detroit 0-10 ATS following a loss against a Division rival this season!
Play on: Cleveland
Craig Trapp
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play: Cincinnati Reds
Hope everybody was all in with our Bonus Play yesterday!! The Dodgers pulled off an easy win and hopefully will start a nice winning streak for Craig. Today we have a great free MLB play that Craig has winning easily. Todays free matchup is between the Braves and Reds in Cincinnati today!!
Records
Atlanta Braves 7-8 Vazquez 1-1 (3.00 ERA)
Cincinnati Reds 9-6 Volquez 2-1 (6.46 ERA)
Betting Trends
Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Braves are 7-24 in their last 31 games as a road favorite.
Reds are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
Reds are 4-0 in Volquezs last 4 starts as a home underdog.
The Reds are coming home after a long road trip where they were 7-3. Finishing with 2 straight wins over the divisional favorite Chicago Cubs. With great weather predicted Cincinnati will have a big friday night crowd and welcome a very hot Reds team. The Braves are very average on the road the last few years and only going 4-5 thus far this year. Volquez had two average starts to this season but last game looked like his old self shutting down the Astros. He will shut down the Braves today and the Reds bats will give him a few runs to play with early. SCORE CIN 3 - ATL 0
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play: Cincinnati Reds
Hope everybody was all in with our Bonus Play yesterday!! The Dodgers pulled off an easy win and hopefully will start a nice winning streak for Craig. Today we have a great free MLB play that Craig has winning easily. Todays free matchup is between the Braves and Reds in Cincinnati today!!
Records
Atlanta Braves 7-8 Vazquez 1-1 (3.00 ERA)
Cincinnati Reds 9-6 Volquez 2-1 (6.46 ERA)
Betting Trends
Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Braves are 7-24 in their last 31 games as a road favorite.
Reds are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
Reds are 4-0 in Volquezs last 4 starts as a home underdog.
The Reds are coming home after a long road trip where they were 7-3. Finishing with 2 straight wins over the divisional favorite Chicago Cubs. With great weather predicted Cincinnati will have a big friday night crowd and welcome a very hot Reds team. The Braves are very average on the road the last few years and only going 4-5 thus far this year. Volquez had two average starts to this season but last game looked like his old self shutting down the Astros. He will shut down the Braves today and the Reds bats will give him a few runs to play with early. SCORE CIN 3 - ATL 0
Steve Merril
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5
A pair of 9-6 teams begin this series in San Diego with the Padres hosting the Pirates. Pittsburgh is sending Ian Snell to the hill. He's 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA but he has allowed two earned runs in his last 13 innings pitched. Snell has had good success against the Padres going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a WHIP of 0.667. Last year he faced San Diego and won 6-3 on the road as a +130 underdog. Padre hitters struggle mightily with the righty hitting .197 as a team against him with Chris Burke (0-6), Kevin Kouzmanoff (0-5) looking for their first hit against him. San Diego sends Kevin Correia to the hill. He is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA this season only managing to get to 6 innings once in his two starts. Correia is a converted reliever taking up a spot in SD's rotation. He faced the Pirates once last season losing 7-0 giving up three of those runs in 4.3 IP. The Pirates hit .371 against him in limited at-bats. Adam LaRoche (.556), Freddy Sanchez (.600) and Nyjer Morgan (.333) lead the charge against him. The Pirates are hot coming off a sweep of the first place Marlins and the Bucs should continue their momentum tonight.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5
A pair of 9-6 teams begin this series in San Diego with the Padres hosting the Pirates. Pittsburgh is sending Ian Snell to the hill. He's 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA but he has allowed two earned runs in his last 13 innings pitched. Snell has had good success against the Padres going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a WHIP of 0.667. Last year he faced San Diego and won 6-3 on the road as a +130 underdog. Padre hitters struggle mightily with the righty hitting .197 as a team against him with Chris Burke (0-6), Kevin Kouzmanoff (0-5) looking for their first hit against him. San Diego sends Kevin Correia to the hill. He is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA this season only managing to get to 6 innings once in his two starts. Correia is a converted reliever taking up a spot in SD's rotation. He faced the Pirates once last season losing 7-0 giving up three of those runs in 4.3 IP. The Pirates hit .371 against him in limited at-bats. Adam LaRoche (.556), Freddy Sanchez (.600) and Nyjer Morgan (.333) lead the charge against him. The Pirates are hot coming off a sweep of the first place Marlins and the Bucs should continue their momentum tonight.
Nelly
Los Angeles at Colorado
Play: Under
Colorado still owns a reputation as one of the highest scoring parks in baseball but the Rockies have only played three home games so far this season and although all three games went 'over' too much is being read into that series with Philadelphia. As a team Colorado is batting just .243 as a team and although the Rockies hit left-handed pitching well the Dodgers pitching staff has been among the best in baseball. Colorado's offense has scored five or fewer runs in nine of the last ten games and expecting an outburst tonight would be a reach.Eric Stults is far from a young pitcher but he is a relative unknown after bouncing back-and-forth between the Dodgers and the minors the past few seasons. This year injuries have given him a regular spot in the rotation and he has delivered. Stults has allowed just three runs in two starts and he is yet to allow a home run. The Los Angeles offense is hitting just .247 away from home and the Dodgers have not been the same team on the road. Los Angeles also faced a night game in Houston Thursday and travel could take a toll for this game.Aaron Cook was one of the best pitchers in the NL last season and his rocky start should be overcome in short order. Cook will get a chance at redemption against, and the last time he faced LA at home he delivered eight innings of shutout ball for a 1-0 win.
Los Angeles at Colorado
Play: Under
Colorado still owns a reputation as one of the highest scoring parks in baseball but the Rockies have only played three home games so far this season and although all three games went 'over' too much is being read into that series with Philadelphia. As a team Colorado is batting just .243 as a team and although the Rockies hit left-handed pitching well the Dodgers pitching staff has been among the best in baseball. Colorado's offense has scored five or fewer runs in nine of the last ten games and expecting an outburst tonight would be a reach.Eric Stults is far from a young pitcher but he is a relative unknown after bouncing back-and-forth between the Dodgers and the minors the past few seasons. This year injuries have given him a regular spot in the rotation and he has delivered. Stults has allowed just three runs in two starts and he is yet to allow a home run. The Los Angeles offense is hitting just .247 away from home and the Dodgers have not been the same team on the road. Los Angeles also faced a night game in Houston Thursday and travel could take a toll for this game.Aaron Cook was one of the best pitchers in the NL last season and his rocky start should be overcome in short order. Cook will get a chance at redemption against, and the last time he faced LA at home he delivered eight innings of shutout ball for a 1-0 win.
ROCKETMAN
Tampa Bay @ Oakland
Play: Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is scoring 5.8 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Tampa Bay bullpen has been good with a 2.53 ERA on the road this season. Scott Kazmir is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA on the road this year. Kazmir is 6-2 with a 2.70 ERA overall vs Oakland since 1997. Rays are 37-14 in their last 51 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. Rays are 17-5 in Kazmirs last 22 starts vs. American League West. Rays are 6-2 in Kazmirs last 8 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Rays are 20-7 in Kazmirs last 27 starts as a favorite. Rays are 20-8 in Kazmirs last 28 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game. Rays are 14-6 in Kazmirs last 20 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game. Rays are 9-4 in Kazmirs last 13 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. Rays are 23-11 in Kazmirs last 34 starts. Athletics are 16-39 in their last 55 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Athletics are 8-21 in their last 29 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game. Athletics are 8-23 in their last 31 vs. American League East. Athletics are 1-9 in their last 10 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. Rays are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Tampa Bay tonight!
Tampa Bay @ Oakland
Play: Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is scoring 5.8 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Tampa Bay bullpen has been good with a 2.53 ERA on the road this season. Scott Kazmir is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA on the road this year. Kazmir is 6-2 with a 2.70 ERA overall vs Oakland since 1997. Rays are 37-14 in their last 51 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. Rays are 17-5 in Kazmirs last 22 starts vs. American League West. Rays are 6-2 in Kazmirs last 8 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Rays are 20-7 in Kazmirs last 27 starts as a favorite. Rays are 20-8 in Kazmirs last 28 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game. Rays are 14-6 in Kazmirs last 20 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game. Rays are 9-4 in Kazmirs last 13 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. Rays are 23-11 in Kazmirs last 34 starts. Athletics are 16-39 in their last 55 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Athletics are 8-21 in their last 29 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game. Athletics are 8-23 in their last 31 vs. American League East. Athletics are 1-9 in their last 10 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. Rays are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Tampa Bay tonight!
Dennis Macklin
Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
Last year Ryan Dempster had a breakout career year but if you really look at the numbers closely, you'll see he did most of his damage in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley. Dempster off to a very ordinary start at 1-0 and 5.00 in three starts, 16 hits over 15 innings. Wainright is 2-0 and 3.31 over three starts but enjoys extra rest knowing Cards are 7-2 defending home turf. Take the homestanding Red Birds in this classic MLB rivalry.
Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
Last year Ryan Dempster had a breakout career year but if you really look at the numbers closely, you'll see he did most of his damage in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley. Dempster off to a very ordinary start at 1-0 and 5.00 in three starts, 16 hits over 15 innings. Wainright is 2-0 and 3.31 over three starts but enjoys extra rest knowing Cards are 7-2 defending home turf. Take the homestanding Red Birds in this classic MLB rivalry.
Big Al Mcmordie
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
At 7:05 pm our member selection is on the Minnesota Twins over the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland righthander Fausto Carmona didn't have to worry about run support in his last start as his team put up 14 runs in the second inning at the new Yankee Stadium as the Tribe embarrassed the Bronx Bombers 22-4. But somewhat lost in that record-breaking performance was the fact that Carmona did not pitch particularly well, and had his third sub-par performance in as many starts. Although he obviously got the win in that blowout, Carmona should probably be 0-3 as he gave up four runs on six hits in six innings. But perhaps most troubling is that he had four walks and only one strikeout in that outing. The Twins' righthanded starter Nick Blackburn has pitched better this season than his 0-1 record and 5.71 ERA would indicate. Blackburn pitched into the seventh inning in his last start at home against the Angels and came away with a no-decision. More importantly, the Twins are 2-1 when Blackburn has taken the hill this season, and they should continue the success tonight at Jacobs Field where Blackburn is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts. Take the Twins.
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
At 7:05 pm our member selection is on the Minnesota Twins over the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland righthander Fausto Carmona didn't have to worry about run support in his last start as his team put up 14 runs in the second inning at the new Yankee Stadium as the Tribe embarrassed the Bronx Bombers 22-4. But somewhat lost in that record-breaking performance was the fact that Carmona did not pitch particularly well, and had his third sub-par performance in as many starts. Although he obviously got the win in that blowout, Carmona should probably be 0-3 as he gave up four runs on six hits in six innings. But perhaps most troubling is that he had four walks and only one strikeout in that outing. The Twins' righthanded starter Nick Blackburn has pitched better this season than his 0-1 record and 5.71 ERA would indicate. Blackburn pitched into the seventh inning in his last start at home against the Angels and came away with a no-decision. More importantly, the Twins are 2-1 when Blackburn has taken the hill this season, and they should continue the success tonight at Jacobs Field where Blackburn is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts. Take the Twins.
Karl Garrett
NY Yankees at BOSTON -125
Well, here we go once again, the annual Yankees-Red Sox rivalry renews tonight at Fenway Park, and both team come in sporting winning streaks. New York has captured 3 in a row, while Boston has won 7 in a row to improve to 7-2 this season at home.
G-Man will back Boston on their home field to draw first blood, as Jon Lester looks like he has shaken off his 2 early bombings, and has righted his ship. Lester fired 7 scoreless his last time out in a home win over Baltimore.
Lester also went 2-0 in his 3 starts against the Yankees a season ago, working 23 innings while allowing a scant 3 runs to score.
Joba Chamberlain is still a work in progress in the starting rotation, and his last start of 5 runs in just 5 innings in a no-decision against the Indians has the G-Man not trusting Joba in this series opening spot.
Boston's 7-game winning streak is the one that continues, while the Yankees 3-game uptick takes the hit.
Go with the Red Sox minus the small home chalk.
4♦ BOSTON
NY Yankees at BOSTON -125
Well, here we go once again, the annual Yankees-Red Sox rivalry renews tonight at Fenway Park, and both team come in sporting winning streaks. New York has captured 3 in a row, while Boston has won 7 in a row to improve to 7-2 this season at home.
G-Man will back Boston on their home field to draw first blood, as Jon Lester looks like he has shaken off his 2 early bombings, and has righted his ship. Lester fired 7 scoreless his last time out in a home win over Baltimore.
Lester also went 2-0 in his 3 starts against the Yankees a season ago, working 23 innings while allowing a scant 3 runs to score.
Joba Chamberlain is still a work in progress in the starting rotation, and his last start of 5 runs in just 5 innings in a no-decision against the Indians has the G-Man not trusting Joba in this series opening spot.
Boston's 7-game winning streak is the one that continues, while the Yankees 3-game uptick takes the hit.
Go with the Red Sox minus the small home chalk.
4♦ BOSTON
Nick Parsons
New York Rangers +175 @ Washington Capitals
Henrik Lundqvist has all but single-handedly put the Rangers within one victory of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight year. Washington has outshot (149-99), outscored (8-7) and arguably outplayed New York over the balance of five games, but the Capitals' potent offense found its rhythm only in Game 3's 4-0 win; I expect the Rangers goaltender to once again take the spotlight tonight! Look for NEW YORK to advance to the 2nd round and improve to 9-4 (+6 units) in a road game where the total is 5 or less!
New York Rangers +175 @ Washington Capitals
Henrik Lundqvist has all but single-handedly put the Rangers within one victory of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight year. Washington has outshot (149-99), outscored (8-7) and arguably outplayed New York over the balance of five games, but the Capitals' potent offense found its rhythm only in Game 3's 4-0 win; I expect the Rangers goaltender to once again take the spotlight tonight! Look for NEW YORK to advance to the 2nd round and improve to 9-4 (+6 units) in a road game where the total is 5 or less!
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Cleveland -4' at DETROIT
Detroit really hasn't come close to beating Cleveland in either game in this series, and we doubt a shift in venues is going to help too much. There is a definite changing of the guard in the East Conference, and Cleveland's time is now.
The Cavs have now won the last 5 series meetings, and they are a profitable 4-1 against the spread in those 5 tilts!
Detroit meanwhile, has now lost 5 in a row dating back to the regular season, and the the Pistons are just 6-15 straight up their last 21 games, sporting a money-burning 4-12 spread mark their last 16, including dropping 6 straight against the line.
With all 3 of the other Eastern Conference first rounds already having split their first pair of games, Cleveland would like nothing better than to put the Pistons out of their misery, and grab an extra day or two of rest while the other teams slug it out.
Play on the Cavaliers minus the road wood.
2♦ CLEVELAND
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Cleveland -4' at DETROIT
Detroit really hasn't come close to beating Cleveland in either game in this series, and we doubt a shift in venues is going to help too much. There is a definite changing of the guard in the East Conference, and Cleveland's time is now.
The Cavs have now won the last 5 series meetings, and they are a profitable 4-1 against the spread in those 5 tilts!
Detroit meanwhile, has now lost 5 in a row dating back to the regular season, and the the Pistons are just 6-15 straight up their last 21 games, sporting a money-burning 4-12 spread mark their last 16, including dropping 6 straight against the line.
With all 3 of the other Eastern Conference first rounds already having split their first pair of games, Cleveland would like nothing better than to put the Pistons out of their misery, and grab an extra day or two of rest while the other teams slug it out.
Play on the Cavaliers minus the road wood.
2♦ CLEVELAND
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Bobby Maxwell
Seattle -120 at L.A. ANGELS
Gave you a FREE winner on the diamond Thursday with the Dodgers and we've got another one for you tonight as we play the Mariners in Anaheim taking on the Angels.
The Mariners have been playing very well this season and it looks like lefty starter Erik Bedard (1-1, 1.86 ERA) has come around after missing most of last season. We're going to play him tonight in Anaheim against this Angels' team that is struggling to score runs.
Bedard has thrown 19.1 innings this year and allowed just four earned runs, striking out 23 and walking just three. While he hasn't had much luck against the Angels in the past, that was when the Angels had their full complement of offensive weapons. Tonight they definitely don't have much in the lineup with all the injuries they've endured.
Shane Loux (0-1, 3.65 ERA) is on the mound for Los Angeles and he's allowed five runs on 15 hits in 12 1/3 innings this season. His two starts this season are the first he's made since 2003 with the Tigers.
Seattle shut out the Rays on Thursday, 1-0, in the Pacific Northwest and they are 10-4 in their last 14 on grass. Look for them to get another great pitching effort from Bedard against this punchless Angels' team.
Play the Mariners.
3♦ SEATTLE
Orlando -3' at PHILADELPHIA
Tonight we've got a FREE winner on the NBA Hardwood for you as we play the Magic in Philadelphia for Game 3 of this Eastern Conference playoff series.
Orlando has seemingly dominated the first two games but it is only tied 1-1 with the Sixers in this series. The Magic have built 18-point leads in each of the first two games, but they let Philly back in both times and it cost them the win in the opener.
But we've got complete faith in Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy and how he'll get his guys prepared for the road in the playoffs. Honestly, Orlando is a much better and deeper team, but they have just gotten a little too relaxed when they've built big leads.
The Magic won 96-87 in Game 2 after losing Game 1. They the win despite getting just 11 points from center Dwight Howard. He knows he's got to be a superstar for his team to have any chance of advancing. he can't be a spectator and just cruise along and you can rest assured Van Gundy has told him that.
Orlando went 27-14 on the road this season, 26-14-1 ATS. And look at the Sixers and they went just 18-21-2 ATS in front of the home fans. Philly is also on ATS slides of 2-5 overall, 7-15-1 as a playoff 'dog and 0-5 after a straight-up loss.
Look for the Magic to play with amazing intensity tonight in Philly. This game is going to be a 10-point win for Orlando.
4♦ ORLANDO
Seattle -120 at L.A. ANGELS
Gave you a FREE winner on the diamond Thursday with the Dodgers and we've got another one for you tonight as we play the Mariners in Anaheim taking on the Angels.
The Mariners have been playing very well this season and it looks like lefty starter Erik Bedard (1-1, 1.86 ERA) has come around after missing most of last season. We're going to play him tonight in Anaheim against this Angels' team that is struggling to score runs.
Bedard has thrown 19.1 innings this year and allowed just four earned runs, striking out 23 and walking just three. While he hasn't had much luck against the Angels in the past, that was when the Angels had their full complement of offensive weapons. Tonight they definitely don't have much in the lineup with all the injuries they've endured.
Shane Loux (0-1, 3.65 ERA) is on the mound for Los Angeles and he's allowed five runs on 15 hits in 12 1/3 innings this season. His two starts this season are the first he's made since 2003 with the Tigers.
Seattle shut out the Rays on Thursday, 1-0, in the Pacific Northwest and they are 10-4 in their last 14 on grass. Look for them to get another great pitching effort from Bedard against this punchless Angels' team.
Play the Mariners.
3♦ SEATTLE
Orlando -3' at PHILADELPHIA
Tonight we've got a FREE winner on the NBA Hardwood for you as we play the Magic in Philadelphia for Game 3 of this Eastern Conference playoff series.
Orlando has seemingly dominated the first two games but it is only tied 1-1 with the Sixers in this series. The Magic have built 18-point leads in each of the first two games, but they let Philly back in both times and it cost them the win in the opener.
But we've got complete faith in Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy and how he'll get his guys prepared for the road in the playoffs. Honestly, Orlando is a much better and deeper team, but they have just gotten a little too relaxed when they've built big leads.
The Magic won 96-87 in Game 2 after losing Game 1. They the win despite getting just 11 points from center Dwight Howard. He knows he's got to be a superstar for his team to have any chance of advancing. he can't be a spectator and just cruise along and you can rest assured Van Gundy has told him that.
Orlando went 27-14 on the road this season, 26-14-1 ATS. And look at the Sixers and they went just 18-21-2 ATS in front of the home fans. Philly is also on ATS slides of 2-5 overall, 7-15-1 as a playoff 'dog and 0-5 after a straight-up loss.
Look for the Magic to play with amazing intensity tonight in Philly. This game is going to be a 10-point win for Orlando.
4♦ ORLANDO
JrTips
BLAZERS vs.ROCKETS
The Houston Rockets defenders, Shane Battier and Ron Artest know they'll have to do a better job on Brandon Roy in Game 2. Portland's star guard scored 42 points to lead the Trail Blazers to a 107-103 victory Tuesday night. Brandon Roy, the NBA's 10th leading scorer was the first player to score more than 40 points on Ron Artest in his 10 year career. He made 15 of 27 shots, and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Houston defense also struggled with Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 27 points with 12 rebounds in Game 2. Houston worked on getting the ball to leading scorer Yao Ming, who scored 24 in Game 1, then took only six shots and scored 11 in Game 2. Aldridge, Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden fronted Yao and hel him to one shot in the fourth quarter.The Blazers arrived in Houston on Thursday afternoon and had a short practice at the Toyota Center in the evening. Aldridge, a Dallas native, missed the workout to attend to a family matter but will play tonight. The Blazers have lost 10 of their last 11 games in Houston, and the Rockets have watched film which make changes to keep defensive pressure on Brandon Roy. The Rockets wil lmake other players have to beat them in order for the Blazers to win. Houston will move the ball around with patience tonight and make sure they go back to their leading Yao Ming, which was successful in game one. Both teams have made defensive adjustments and will increase the defensive intensisty makinf it tougher to score for both teams.TAKE UNDER 184 1/2
BLAZERS vs.ROCKETS
The Houston Rockets defenders, Shane Battier and Ron Artest know they'll have to do a better job on Brandon Roy in Game 2. Portland's star guard scored 42 points to lead the Trail Blazers to a 107-103 victory Tuesday night. Brandon Roy, the NBA's 10th leading scorer was the first player to score more than 40 points on Ron Artest in his 10 year career. He made 15 of 27 shots, and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Houston defense also struggled with Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 27 points with 12 rebounds in Game 2. Houston worked on getting the ball to leading scorer Yao Ming, who scored 24 in Game 1, then took only six shots and scored 11 in Game 2. Aldridge, Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden fronted Yao and hel him to one shot in the fourth quarter.The Blazers arrived in Houston on Thursday afternoon and had a short practice at the Toyota Center in the evening. Aldridge, a Dallas native, missed the workout to attend to a family matter but will play tonight. The Blazers have lost 10 of their last 11 games in Houston, and the Rockets have watched film which make changes to keep defensive pressure on Brandon Roy. The Rockets wil lmake other players have to beat them in order for the Blazers to win. Houston will move the ball around with patience tonight and make sure they go back to their leading Yao Ming, which was successful in game one. Both teams have made defensive adjustments and will increase the defensive intensisty makinf it tougher to score for both teams.TAKE UNDER 184 1/2
EZWINNER'S
Game: Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers
(515) Orlando Magic -3.5
Orlando has been strong on the road all season long and I look
for that to continue in this game. The Sixers stole game one in
Orlando to swing the home court advantage into their favor, but
I look for the Magic to get that home court advantage right back
by winning this game. The Magic are 5-2 against the spread in
their last seven trips to Philly and I look for that trend to continue.
Lay the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 61-51 (54.5%)
Game: Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers
(515) Orlando Magic -3.5
Orlando has been strong on the road all season long and I look
for that to continue in this game. The Sixers stole game one in
Orlando to swing the home court advantage into their favor, but
I look for the Magic to get that home court advantage right back
by winning this game. The Magic are 5-2 against the spread in
their last seven trips to Philly and I look for that trend to continue.
Lay the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 61-51 (54.5%)
