Bob Harvey
NBA | May 20
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Total 184½ un-110
Get ready for the NBA version of the “Big East” as the Cavs and Magic battle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland is favored by 8.5 and while that number looks intriguing for an ORLANDO play, I say the money to be made on tonight’s game is to play the UNDER. Two of the three regular season meetings stayed below the number and the one game that topped the total occurred on a very rare off day for the Cavaliers league best defense. The Cavs gave up 116 points to the Magic and allowed them to shoot 54%. Outside of that anomaly the games have predictably stayed on the low side.
In fact the slew of low scoring games dates back to the ’07-’08 season in which four of the five series meetings finished below the number.
This should be a great series and I think much closer than the so called “pundits” have projected. In the last five meetings between the Magic and Cavs, Orlando is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS. Exhibit A is Cleveland's impressive 39-2 home court record this year including a 32-13 home ledger. But the veteran sports bettor will raise you Orlando’s 27 road victories.
Based strictly on this post-season, Cleveland looks like an unstoppable juggernaut posting an 8-0 SU record and 7-0-1 vs the spread. They’ve won all eight games by double-digits. But Orlando is the one team left that will slow down Cleveland’s run. Orlando was 3-0 ATS against Cleveland this season even with Lebron James averaging 30 ppg.
My money is on a low-scoring Game 1 and a close win for the Cavs. This series won’t be a cake walk for either team especially Cleveland.
My series prediction for what it’s worth: Orlando Magic in 6.
<!-- / message -->
NBA | May 20
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Total 184½ un-110
Get ready for the NBA version of the “Big East” as the Cavs and Magic battle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland is favored by 8.5 and while that number looks intriguing for an ORLANDO play, I say the money to be made on tonight’s game is to play the UNDER. Two of the three regular season meetings stayed below the number and the one game that topped the total occurred on a very rare off day for the Cavaliers league best defense. The Cavs gave up 116 points to the Magic and allowed them to shoot 54%. Outside of that anomaly the games have predictably stayed on the low side.
In fact the slew of low scoring games dates back to the ’07-’08 season in which four of the five series meetings finished below the number.
This should be a great series and I think much closer than the so called “pundits” have projected. In the last five meetings between the Magic and Cavs, Orlando is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS. Exhibit A is Cleveland's impressive 39-2 home court record this year including a 32-13 home ledger. But the veteran sports bettor will raise you Orlando’s 27 road victories.
Based strictly on this post-season, Cleveland looks like an unstoppable juggernaut posting an 8-0 SU record and 7-0-1 vs the spread. They’ve won all eight games by double-digits. But Orlando is the one team left that will slow down Cleveland’s run. Orlando was 3-0 ATS against Cleveland this season even with Lebron James averaging 30 ppg.
My money is on a low-scoring Game 1 and a close win for the Cavs. This series won’t be a cake walk for either team especially Cleveland.
My series prediction for what it’s worth: Orlando Magic in 6.
<!-- / message -->
Craig Trapp
MLB | May 20
Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves Total 8 un-110
Records
Colorado Rockies 15-23, 8-13 away (De La Rosa 0-3, 3.16 ERA)
Atlanta Braves 19-19, 7-11 home (Vazquez (3-3, 3.71 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Under is 8-0 in Rockies last 8 games as an underdog.
-Under is 5-1 in De La Rosas last 6 starts overall.
-Under is 7-3-1 in Braves last 11 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
-Under is 5-2-1 in Braves last 8 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Atlanta broke out of there home offensive slump yesterday scoring 8 runs but before yesterdays game at home there previous 14 games they only had averaged 2.8 runs at home. They may have trouble putting together another big game offensively Tuesday as they face Jorge De La Rosa (0-3, 3.16 ERA). In his last two starts, De La Rosa has given up three runs in 15 innings with one walk and 22 strikeouts, but he remains winless mainly because his average of 2.74 runs of support is among the lowest in the majors. Think both teams will struggle to score and both pitching staffs will dominate the average batters on these two lineups. SCORE COL 2 - ATL 1
MLB | May 20
Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves Total 8 un-110
Records
Colorado Rockies 15-23, 8-13 away (De La Rosa 0-3, 3.16 ERA)
Atlanta Braves 19-19, 7-11 home (Vazquez (3-3, 3.71 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Under is 8-0 in Rockies last 8 games as an underdog.
-Under is 5-1 in De La Rosas last 6 starts overall.
-Under is 7-3-1 in Braves last 11 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
-Under is 5-2-1 in Braves last 8 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Atlanta broke out of there home offensive slump yesterday scoring 8 runs but before yesterdays game at home there previous 14 games they only had averaged 2.8 runs at home. They may have trouble putting together another big game offensively Tuesday as they face Jorge De La Rosa (0-3, 3.16 ERA). In his last two starts, De La Rosa has given up three runs in 15 innings with one walk and 22 strikeouts, but he remains winless mainly because his average of 2.74 runs of support is among the lowest in the majors. Think both teams will struggle to score and both pitching staffs will dominate the average batters on these two lineups. SCORE COL 2 - ATL 1
thank you very much - helps a lot.
so, for clarification, it's not a 3 game losing streak. it's a 3 game sweep? i assume 4 game sweep counts, too?
"a" game is first of next three game series, "b" 2nd (if necessary) and "c" third (if necessary)?
are these specifically road series? or is home/away irrelevant?
straight play if favored and m/l if underdog?
Matt Fargo
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Kansas City Royals
The Royals started the season on absolute fire and they have definitely cooled off quite a bit following a miserable 0-5 roadtrip. After losing the first game against Baltimore in its four-game series against the Orioles, Kansas City won two of the final three games before winning this series opener last night to improve to 14-8 at home on the season. The Royals trail the Tigers by just a game in the American League Central and this is a rarity to be so close to first place a quarter of the way into the season. The run should go on. Prior to last night’s loss, the Indians won their opener in Tampa Bay but lost their final three games to the Rays as the pitching remains abysmal on the road. Cleveland has a 6.80 ERA on the road this season which is the worst in baseball. The loss last night is one that can stick to a team for sometime as the Royals scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull out the win. That knocked the Cleveland Bullpen ERA to 5.84 on the season including a dismal 7.32 in road games. Gil Meche gets the call for Kansas City tonight and he has hit a rough patch. He has gone four straight games without a quality start after starting the season by tossing three quality outings in his first four. He lost his first outing to the Indians earlier this season but it was a quality performance and hew has now allowed three runs or fewer in five of his last six starts against Cleveland, posting a 3.29 ERA in those games. He faces off against Fausto Carmona who I backed in his last start and it paid off in an 11-7 Indians victory. He was not strong however as he allowed four runs in 5.1 innings, the sixth time in eight starts this season he has allowed at least four runs. He has a 7.07 ERA on the road and after posting five straight quality outings in his first five career starts against the Royals, he has an 8.26 ERA in his last three against Kansas City. The Indians are 8-22 in their last 30 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600 while the Royals are 16-6 in their last 22 home games against a team with a road winning percentage less than .400. 3* Kansas City Royals
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Kansas City Royals
The Royals started the season on absolute fire and they have definitely cooled off quite a bit following a miserable 0-5 roadtrip. After losing the first game against Baltimore in its four-game series against the Orioles, Kansas City won two of the final three games before winning this series opener last night to improve to 14-8 at home on the season. The Royals trail the Tigers by just a game in the American League Central and this is a rarity to be so close to first place a quarter of the way into the season. The run should go on. Prior to last night’s loss, the Indians won their opener in Tampa Bay but lost their final three games to the Rays as the pitching remains abysmal on the road. Cleveland has a 6.80 ERA on the road this season which is the worst in baseball. The loss last night is one that can stick to a team for sometime as the Royals scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull out the win. That knocked the Cleveland Bullpen ERA to 5.84 on the season including a dismal 7.32 in road games. Gil Meche gets the call for Kansas City tonight and he has hit a rough patch. He has gone four straight games without a quality start after starting the season by tossing three quality outings in his first four. He lost his first outing to the Indians earlier this season but it was a quality performance and hew has now allowed three runs or fewer in five of his last six starts against Cleveland, posting a 3.29 ERA in those games. He faces off against Fausto Carmona who I backed in his last start and it paid off in an 11-7 Indians victory. He was not strong however as he allowed four runs in 5.1 innings, the sixth time in eight starts this season he has allowed at least four runs. He has a 7.07 ERA on the road and after posting five straight quality outings in his first five career starts against the Royals, he has an 8.26 ERA in his last three against Kansas City. The Indians are 8-22 in their last 30 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600 while the Royals are 16-6 in their last 22 home games against a team with a road winning percentage less than .400. 3* Kansas City Royals
Cajun Sports
Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Selection: 2* Toronto Blue Jays +110
Fenway Park will be the site of tonights American League battle between the host Boston Red Sox and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays would have to be one of the biggest surprises so far this season, with the best record in the league at 27-14. Toronto continues to play well having just swept the White Sox in a four-game series and also have the highest run differential in the league which is certainly helped by their league leading batting average of .289. The Jays are averaging 6.3 runs per game on the road and have a batting average of .308. Toronto will send Brett Cecil to the bump with his 2-0 W/L record and ERA of 1.89 in three starts this season. In those starts he has averaged 6.7 innings of work with 15 strikeouts and only 4 walks which includes a record of 1-0 W/L on the road with an ERA of 0.00. The Sox will counter with veteran right-hander Brad Penny who is 3-1 W/L on the year with an ERA of 6.69. In seven games this season he has averaged 5.2 innings of work, 20 strikeouts, 16 walks and 31 runs, 27 of those earned. When he takes the bump at Fenway he is 2-0 W/L in three starts but has an ERA of 7.63 and a WHIP of 1.826. Boston won the first game of this series on Tuesday night by the final score of 2 to 1. We look for the Blue Jays to rebound here and get a win in game two on Wednesday night with the big left-hander on the bump.
Graded Selection: 2* Toronto Blue Jays 5 Boston Red Sox 4
Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Selection: 2* Toronto Blue Jays +110
Fenway Park will be the site of tonights American League battle between the host Boston Red Sox and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays would have to be one of the biggest surprises so far this season, with the best record in the league at 27-14. Toronto continues to play well having just swept the White Sox in a four-game series and also have the highest run differential in the league which is certainly helped by their league leading batting average of .289. The Jays are averaging 6.3 runs per game on the road and have a batting average of .308. Toronto will send Brett Cecil to the bump with his 2-0 W/L record and ERA of 1.89 in three starts this season. In those starts he has averaged 6.7 innings of work with 15 strikeouts and only 4 walks which includes a record of 1-0 W/L on the road with an ERA of 0.00. The Sox will counter with veteran right-hander Brad Penny who is 3-1 W/L on the year with an ERA of 6.69. In seven games this season he has averaged 5.2 innings of work, 20 strikeouts, 16 walks and 31 runs, 27 of those earned. When he takes the bump at Fenway he is 2-0 W/L in three starts but has an ERA of 7.63 and a WHIP of 1.826. Boston won the first game of this series on Tuesday night by the final score of 2 to 1. We look for the Blue Jays to rebound here and get a win in game two on Wednesday night with the big left-hander on the bump.
Graded Selection: 2* Toronto Blue Jays 5 Boston Red Sox 4
Jimmy The Moose
Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
Two hot teams meet-up in Detroit tonight. The Rangers lost last night and are now 7-1 in their last 8 games. The Tigers win was their 4th in a row. In their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % better than .600 the Rangers are 2-6. Verlander has been great for the Tigers over his last 4 starts giving up 2 ER's or less in all 4 games. The Tigers have won 3 of his last 4 starts. Detroit has won 5 straight at home. In their last 8 games vs. a lefty they are 7-1. Detroit has won the last 5 meetings and the Rangers are 0-9 in their last 9 trips to Detroit. Play on the Detroit Tigers -.
Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
Two hot teams meet-up in Detroit tonight. The Rangers lost last night and are now 7-1 in their last 8 games. The Tigers win was their 4th in a row. In their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % better than .600 the Rangers are 2-6. Verlander has been great for the Tigers over his last 4 starts giving up 2 ER's or less in all 4 games. The Tigers have won 3 of his last 4 starts. Detroit has won 5 straight at home. In their last 8 games vs. a lefty they are 7-1. Detroit has won the last 5 meetings and the Rangers are 0-9 in their last 9 trips to Detroit. Play on the Detroit Tigers -.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Kansas City w/Meche vs Carmona
The Royals send Gil Meche to the mound against Fausto Carmona in a battle of AL Central division foes in Kansas City tonight. While Meche is not in peak form, he has cashed in 9 of his last 12 home team starts. On the flip side, Carmona can't find the plate, issuing 24 walks against 23 strikeouts this season. Back the better arm in their home park here this evening.
Play On: Kansas City w/Meche vs Carmona
The Royals send Gil Meche to the mound against Fausto Carmona in a battle of AL Central division foes in Kansas City tonight. While Meche is not in peak form, he has cashed in 9 of his last 12 home team starts. On the flip side, Carmona can't find the plate, issuing 24 walks against 23 strikeouts this season. Back the better arm in their home park here this evening.
Bobby Maxwell
Milwaukee -110 at HOUSTON
We handed you a FREE winner Tuesday night with the Tigers and they dominated the Rangers for an easy win. Tonight we've got another one for your as we play the Brewers in Houston taking on the Astros.
The Brewers got the 4-2 win on Tuesday and look for their early-season ace Yovani Gallardo (4-1, 3.09 ERA) to get the job done today in Houston.
Milwaukee has taken four of the last five meetings with the Astros and the Brewers have won each of Gallardo's last three starts. The Brewers have rattled off seven straight wins, four in a row on the highway.
Gallardo is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA on the road, allowing just seven runs in 28.2 innings with 25 strikeouts. Milwaukee has won his last four starts and he's allowed only seven runs in his last five trips to the mound. He faced Houston back on April 24 and gave up just two runs in a 5-2 complete-game victory.
Wandy Rodriguez (4-2, 1.90 ERA) is on the mound for the Astros, and while he's had a great start to the season, the Astros have lost seven of his last eight starts against the Brewers.
Milwaukee is 21-6 in their last 27 overall and 19-7 in their last 26 Wednesday games. Play the red-hot Brewers in this one.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee -110 at HOUSTON
We handed you a FREE winner Tuesday night with the Tigers and they dominated the Rangers for an easy win. Tonight we've got another one for your as we play the Brewers in Houston taking on the Astros.
The Brewers got the 4-2 win on Tuesday and look for their early-season ace Yovani Gallardo (4-1, 3.09 ERA) to get the job done today in Houston.
Milwaukee has taken four of the last five meetings with the Astros and the Brewers have won each of Gallardo's last three starts. The Brewers have rattled off seven straight wins, four in a row on the highway.
Gallardo is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA on the road, allowing just seven runs in 28.2 innings with 25 strikeouts. Milwaukee has won his last four starts and he's allowed only seven runs in his last five trips to the mound. He faced Houston back on April 24 and gave up just two runs in a 5-2 complete-game victory.
Wandy Rodriguez (4-2, 1.90 ERA) is on the mound for the Astros, and while he's had a great start to the season, the Astros have lost seven of his last eight starts against the Brewers.
Milwaukee is 21-6 in their last 27 overall and 19-7 in their last 26 Wednesday games. Play the red-hot Brewers in this one.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
