Saturday 4/22/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Brad Wilton

Saturday's comp play is the Wizards plus the couple of points as they put a stranglehold on their Eastern Conference series against the Atlanta Hawks.

John Wall finally got some backcourt help from Bradley Beal, and that combination will continue to lead the way against an Atlanta team that simply doesn't have the answer in the backcourt to what the Wizards bring to the table.

Throw in big man Marcin Gortat chipping is with his double-doubles, and it becomes a real struggle for the Hawks at multiple positions on the floor to just keep pace with this Washington team.

Dating back to the regular season, the Wizards have now captured 5 straight in this series and 7 of the last 9 meetings overall.

Seems to me the wrong side is favored in this game.

Side with Washington.

5* WASHINGTON

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Larry Ness

Wizards vs. Hawks
Play: Hawks -2½

The Atlanta Hawks haven't found a way to stop Washington PG John Wall, who has scored 32 points in each of the first two games of this series, while also averaging 11.5 assists. Wall's backcourt partner Beal has averaged 26.5 PPG in Washington's two wins. The Wizards own a strong starting-five, all of whom averaged double digits during the regular season. Only Otto Porter (13.4 and 6.4) has not done that so far in this series, averaging a modest 7.0 PPG, while adding 7.0 RPG. Fellow forward Morris chips in 12.0 & 5.0 and center Gotat has sure stood up to Dwight Howard, averaging 14.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG.

Atlanta's All Star forward Paul Millsap compared the series to an "MMA" match after a physical Game 1 but was more prepared for the physicality while delivering 27 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort in Game 2. The hawks had chances in both games, so they are hardly giving up. "We had a chance in both games," head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "We gave ourselves a chance on the road in the playoffs. Nobody likes the result. Nobody feels any better but the fact that you are there and you have an opportunity, you have to keep building on it. ... Now we have to go home and do the same."

The Hawks will need to find a way to Wall, whose slashes into the paint have allowed him to take 21 FTs in the first two games (he's made 18). Also, it will be interesting to see how Budenholzer uses Dwight Howard (6.5 PPG and 10.5 RPG in the series). He chose to leave him on the bench for the entire fourth quarter in Game 2, going instead with Mike Muscala, who he believed had a better chance of stretching the floor. That said, Budenholzer might want to take note that Marcin Gortat matched a season high with five blocks in Game 2 and has posted a double-double in each of the first two games.

The Hawks had a mediocre home record this season (23-18 SU and 17-24 ATS) but the Wizards have been vulnerable defensively all season away from home, allowing 109.3 PPG. Atlanta PG Dennis Schroder has been overshadowed by Wall in this series so far but note that he's averaged 24 points and 7.5 assists in the first two games. Also, I have an inkling Dwight Howard just may assert himself in this one. I'll back the Hawks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big Al

Kansas City vs. Texas
Pick: Texas

The only thing keeping the Texas Rangers from being dubbed the most under-performing team in the American League is the play so far of the Toronto Blue Jays. After the first 17 games of the 2017 season, the Rangers - a club many thought would be on top in the AL West - find themselves tied for last place with a 7-10 record. This despite an offense that has plated more runs - 79 - than all but two teams in the league. That can only mean one thing - that the pitching hasn't been up to snuff, and that's exactly what's happening so far. The Rangers starters actually have been pretty good (3.46), but their bullpen - well that's another story. Texas' relievers have the fourth-worst ERA in the league at 5.13. One of the clubs that's worse than that? How about tonight's opponent, the Royals, with a bullpen ERA of 5.32. Tonight, we'll back the Rangers behind Nick Martinez vs. Ian Kennedy and the Royals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stephen Nover
MLB | Apr 22, 2017
Nationals vs. Mets
Nationals +106 at BETONLINE

The Mets shouldn't be favored here. Yes, Jacob deGrom is an outstanding pitcher. But his start was pushed back due to a stiff neck. So you wonder if he's 100 percent? The biggest problem the Mets have, though, is multiple key injuries.

Among those out for the Mets are Yoenis Cespedes, Lucas Duda and Wilmer Flores, New York also could be missing Asdrubal Cabrera and Travis d'Arnaud. The Nationals just got back Trea Turner.

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez is enjoying a strong April - three earned runs allowed in three starts - and has a strong history versus the Mets with an 11-5 record and 3.04 ERA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Andre Ramirez
NBA | Apr 22, 2017
Warriors vs. Blazers
Warriors -6 -105 at 5DIMES

This Warriors team didn't have superstar Kevin Durant and still pounded the struggling Blazers, look for Golden State to do it again on Saturday. This time it's Golden State winning on the road at Portland. The Warriors are 13-3 ATS on the road. I have the Golden State Warriors win and cover ATS 113-103.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mark Franco
MLB | Apr 22, 2017
Indians vs. White Sox
Indians -1½ -125 at 5DIMES

#917

Indians (run-line)

The Cleveland Indians are hitting their stride with four straight victories, while the Chicago White Sox are struggling to feel at home at Guaranteed Rate Field. The reigning American League champion Indians look to continue their run of good fortune and secure a series victory Saturday against Chicago, which has dropped three of four overall and four of six on its home field.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 2.33 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mike Pelfrey (2016: 4-10, 5.07)

Carrasco sustained his first loss despite yielding just two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings against Detroit on Sunday. The 30-year-old Venezuelan struggled with his control to the tune of allowing five walks to elevate his pitch count after issuing just one free pass and striking out 14 in his previous two outings. Carrasco traditionally has struggled mightily in his career versus the White Sox with a 3-9 mark with a 5.31 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts), although he pitched well by permitting one run on four hits and striking out seven in seven frames of a no-decision on April 11.

Pelfrey posted an 0-2 mark with a 7.50 ERA in two starts with the Knights after signing a minor-league deal on the heels of being released by Detroit in spring training.

Carlos Santana is 6-for-18 (.333) in his career versus Pelfrey, who owns a 65-91 mark with a 4.57 ERA since making his major-league debut for the New York Mets in July 2006.

Indians are 12-3 in their last 15 road games vs. a right-handed starter and are 8-2 in Carrascos last 10 starts with 5 days of rest. White Sox are 4-11 in their last 15 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15 and are 0-5 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter. White Sox are 1-6 in their last 7 games with Layne behind home plate.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tys Terrific Tips

NBA BUCKS ‑2

 

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Sportsbook Advisor

NBA ATLANTA ‑2.5

 

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Bird Dog Sport Picks

MLB OAKLAND ‑120

 

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Team Underground

NBA ATLANTA HAWKS ‑145

 

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Assassin Sports Betting

MLB TEXAS ‑105

 

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Mr Profits Picks

MLB CHICAGO CUBS ‑175

 

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AASI Wins

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ‑6

 

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Top Shelf Sports Pick

NBA SPURS ‑165

 

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Line Mover Sports

NBA SPURS ‑5 ‑110

 

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Power Play Wins

MLB COLORADO ‑110

 

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Tommy King Wins

MLB ARIZONA +105

 

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Mikey Money

MLB PIRATES +100

 

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Ace / Line Beaters

NBA RAPTORS +2.5

 

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Valley Sports

MLB CLEVELAND ‑193