Wednesday 4/8/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Spanish Primera Liga TODAY 19:00

Barcelona

v

Almeria

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS5		1/20	16	33	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BARCELONA	RECENT FORM
AWHWAWHWHWAW​ Most recent​	4 - 1 3 - 1 5 - 0 1 - 0	ALHDALHDALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Barcelona have won 19 of their last 20 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Almeria are without a win in seven games and are not helping themselves – they’ve had five players sent off in their last five matches. They can ill afford to be short-handed at Camp Nou where Barcelona have won 20 out of 22 fixtures in all competitions this season. Expect a Barcelona win and plenty of goals.

RECOMMENDATION: Barcelona to win 4-0
1

 

[superbeets]

German Cup TODAY 19:30

B Leverkusen

v

B Munich

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
ESPN		3	13/5	10/11	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT B LEVERKUSEN	RECENT FORM
HD*AWHWALAWHW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 0 1 - 1	HWAWHWAWHLAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Both teams scored in none of Bayer’s last eight games

EXPERT VERDICT: Bayer Leverkusen have kept five straight home clean sheets since Wolfsburg notched five at the BayArena, but that new-found defensive discipline will be tested to the maximum by Bayern Munich, who have their eyes set on successive domestic doubles. Bayern have injuries, but look fair value given their dominance of German football.

RECOMMENDATION: Bayern Munich
1

 

[superbeets]

Coppa Italia TODAY 19:45

Napoli

v

Lazio

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS3		6/5	12/5	12/5	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NAPOLI	RECENT FORM
HDHWALADHDAL​ Most recent​	4 - 2 1 - 0 3 - 0 0 - 0	AWNDHWAWHWAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Napoli have won one of their last eight matches

EXPERT VERDICT: This semi-final is delicately poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw and backing goals at both ends looks a wise move after the clash in Rome produced 24 shots with 12 attempts on target. Lazio are playing exceptionally well, but Napoli have notched in 21 of their 22 home matches this season.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
1

​

 

[superbeets]

Scottish Premiership TODAY 19:45

Dundee

v

Dundee Utd

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		6/4	12/5	17/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT DUNDEE	RECENT FORM
HLHWAWALHDAD​ Most recent​	1 - 4 1 - 2 0 - 3 1 - 2	HLHDHLALALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Dundee United have failed to win any of their last nine matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Dundee United have enjoyed plenty of success in the Tayside derby and have not lost any of their last nine matches against their neighbours. However, they go into this clash in poor form and with nine of Dundee's last nine games having featured fewer than three goals, this could prove another tight affair.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1


REFEREE: John Beaton STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

English FA Cup TODAY 19:45

Blackburn

v

Liverpool

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1		19/4	3	4/6	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BLACKBURN	RECENT FORM
ADHWAWHLHLAW​ Most recent​	2 - 3 3 - 1 0 - 0 1 - 3	HWHWHDAWHLAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Blackburn have kept only five clean sheets in 20 home Championship matches

EXPERT VERDICT: The first meeting between these FA Cup quarter-final rivals ended goalless at Anfield but the replay should be a more open affair. Liverpool have some quality attacking players but their defenders have struggled against Arsenal and Manchester United recently. Blackburn have scored nine goals in four league games and can make their mark.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

Spanish Primera Liga TODAY 21:00

R. Vallecano

v

Real Madrid

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS5		11	6	1/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT R. VALLECANO	RECENT FORM
ALHWALHWHWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 3 0 - 2 0 - 1 2 - 3	HDALHLHWALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Rayo haven’t had a draw in their last 27 league matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Rayo have surged to mid-table with a run of five wins in seven games – but they boast far and away the worst goal difference in the top half. The reason is the hidings they take off the big boys – 5-1 at Real and 6-1 at Barcelona, for example. They could concede a few more against Ronaldo and co.

RECOMMENDATION: Over 2.5 goals
3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Grand Salami - April

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI

Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
4/1 4 22.5 24 OVER
4/2 9 48.5 55 OVER
4/3 5 27 34 OVER
4/4 13 69.5 76 OVER
4/5 5 26.5 21 UNDER
4/6 5 26 25 UNDER
4/7 9 - - -
4/8 3 - - -
4/9 11 - - -
4/10 2 - - -
4/11 15 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Preview: Bruins (41-25) at Capitals (44-25)

Date: April 08, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Boston Bruins still have plenty of work to do in their last three games despite a five-game winning streak that has them close to making the playoffs.

Next up is a road matchup with a Washington Capitals team that's clinched a postseason berth and has turned its focus to securing home-ice advantage in the first round.

The Bruins can earn yet another key victory Wednesday night, but that will mean recording a goal against Washington for the first time in three meetings this season.

Boston's surge has it in the mix for the third playoff spot in the Atlantic Division or a wild-card spot, as the club is currently in the second wild-card position. It has the same amount of points as Ottawa but owns the regulation/overtime wins tiebreaker, and is a point behind Pittsburgh for the first wild card.

The Bruins, though, have played one fewer game than both of those teams and Detroit, which holds a two-point lead over Boston for the third spot in the Atlantic.

The Bruins (41-25-13) have been off since Saturday, when they defeated Toronto 2-1 in a shootout. Boston needed Patrice Bergeron's decisive goal in the tiebreaker after a season-high 50 shots weren't enough to win in regulation or overtime.

'Everyone is playing desperate hockey, good hockey, and it definitely keeps us on our toes,' Bergeron said. 'You know it's in our heads. (Our opponents aren't) going to quit, and we knew that heading into the last stretch, but we're seeing it right now, so we have to keep going.'

The Bruins, who have allowed eight goals in the win streak, play their final three on the road, starting with this front end of a back-to-back that concludes against Florida. Boston has won its last two away from home.

'We're not going to give up many goals and that's what it takes to win hockey games right now,' defenseman Torey Krug said. 'That's how the Boston Bruins win hockey games, by not giving up more than a couple of goals.'

Scoring any has been the problem against the Capitals (44-25-11), who took the first matchup 4-0 at Boston on Oct. 11 and the second 2-0 at home March 15. Braden Holtby started both as the Washington goaltender moved to 6-2-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average in eight career starts in the series.

He stopped 35 shots in a 2-1 victory at Detroit on Sunday that gave the Capitals an 8-2-1 mark in their last 11. The win, combined with the Senators' 3-2 shootout loss at Toronto later that night, put Washington in the playoffs.

The Capitals went 2-0-1 on their final road trip of the season, which was played over four nights.

" ... We still have to take home (ice) advantage, win a couple games, and feel (more) comfortable," forward Alex Ovechkin said.

Washington is fighting it out with the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh for the second spot in the Metropolitan. It holds a one-point lead on New York and a three-point cushion on the Penguins.

The Capitals realize that they'll be facing an opponent that will be more desperate than they are Wednesday.

" ... Boston needs the points to make the playoffs, so it's going to be an interesting game," said Ovechkin, who scored twice Oct. 11 for his fourth career multi-goal game against the Bruins.

Washington, 10-3-1 in its last 14 at home in the series, has won three of four overall at the Verizon Center.

Boston's Tuukka Rask has started each game of the win streak and is expected to play in his 68th game of the season Wednesday, which would be the most by a Bruins goalie since Byron Dafoe played in that number in 1998-99.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL betting road map: Back Penguins to win out
By ART ARONSON

Art Aronson of AAA Sports takes a look at some of the best betting opportunities for the upcoming week on the ice.

Moneyline/Puckline Watch

Team to fade this week: Buffalo, Arizona

These teams are in a race to finish last in the league in points in the hopes to the get the first crack at top prospect Conner McDavid. As strange as it sounds, I think both teams are well aware of it.

Arizona has games against three playoff bound teams in Vancouver, Calgary and Anaheim so don’t be surprised of a “puck-line” play is the way to go.

Buffalo’s home crowd cheers against it when it wins games so remaining games against Carolina and Pittsburgh aren’t going to be easy this week. I would look to fade them by multiple goals in games against playoff hungry teams.

Team to bet this week: Pittsburgh

The Penguins are in serious trouble of missing the playoffs thanks to a three-game losing streak. I think a must-win attitude this week will get them back in the right column.

Pittsburgh will be in control of their own destiny with a game against Ottawa that will likely decide a spot in the postseason. An injury to top flight center Evgeni Malkin has helped to add to the woes of the Penguins but he is back and with a game or two under his belt, he should back to helping the Penguins win games.

It is not bold to predict that the Penguins will win all remaining three games.

Total Watch

Dallas Stars OVER streak

The Stars' games have seen the higher number hit in four straight and five of six coming into the last week of the season.

The loss of top defenseman Trevor Daley has plagued this team all year long and after brief hot streak thanks to good play from their starting goalie in Kari Lehtonen, the Stars are back to playing high scoring games.

Injury Watch

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks

This late in the season, any injury to top players is pretty key but we should keep an eye on the Blackhawks top player in Patrick Kane.

The Blackhawks struggle to score without him and he has been their most clutch player in recent playoff runs.

He isn’t expected back for another month and the Hawks could be in big trouble against a big strong team like St. Louis in the first round.

Playbook: The LA Kings

The LA Kings have four games remaining and are a single point out of the final playoff spot.

The four games are all against divisional opponents. It is highly likely it comes down to the last game of the year and a match-up with California rival San Jose Sharks.

What drama that game will be as the Sharks will love to play spoiler against the defending games. I think the rest of the league is praying they don’t make the big dance.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

National League
Cardinals @ Cubs
Lynn is 0-2, 2.56 in his last six starts, four of which stayed under total.

Arrieta is 3-0, 1.27 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over.

St Louis won five of last seven games with Chicago; last four stayed under.

Mets @ Nationals
deGrom is 3-0, 1.85 in his last five starts; four of his last six went over.

Zimmerman is 7-0, 2.19 in his last ten starts; his last four stayed under.

Washington won eight of last 11 games with the Mets; four of last five in series stayed under the total.

Braves @ Marlins
Miller was 0-0, 4.58 in his last four St Louis starts; five of his last seven starts stayed under the total.

Koehler is 1-1, 3.98 in his last seven starts; three of last four went over.

Marlins lost three of last four games with Atlanta; under is 4-2-1 in last seven. Braves won first two games of this series, 2-1/12-2.

Pirates @ Reds
Cole is 4-0, 3.27 in his last five starts; his last three starts stayed under.

Leake is 0-2, 4.50 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over.

Reds won four of last five games with Pittsburgh; under is 5-1-1 in last seven series games.

Rockies @ Brewers
Butler is 1-1, 6.75 in three career starts, two of which were at Coors Field.

Peralta is 2-2, 2.14 in his last five starts, all of which stayed under.

Brewers lost last three series games, losing 10-0/5-2 in first two games of this series; over is 9-2-1 in last 12 series games.

Giants @ Diamondbacks
Rookie Heston is making second MLB start; he gave up three runs in four IP vs San Diego last September. He was 12-9, 3.38 in 28 AAA starts LY.

Hellickson was 0-4, 7.05 in his last eight starts for Tampa Bay; over was 6-0-1 in his last seven starts.

Giants won seven of last nine games with Arizona; four of last six in series went over the total.

Padres @ Dodgers
Cashner is 3-1, 3.10 in his last four starts; three of his last four road starts went over the total.

McCarthy is making first Dodger start; he was 2-1, 3.12 in his last four starts for Bronx. Eight of his last ten starts stayed under total.

Padres lost six of last nine games in LA; five of last six series games went over the total.

American League
Twins @ Tigers
Nolasco is 1-6, 5.34 in his last ten starts; over is 3-2-1 in his last six.

Sanchez is 2-2, 5.34 in his last five starts, four of which went over.

Minnesota won four of last seven games with Detroit; seven of last 11 series games went over the total.

Blue Jays @ Bronx
Dickey is 4-1, 2.48 in his last six starts; over in 6-4 his last ten starts.

Pineda is 2-1, 1.42 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.

Toronto is 4-3 in its last seven games in the Bronx; five of last seven games in series stayed under total.

Orioles @ Rays
Gonzalez is 4-3, 1.81 in his last seven starts; eight of his last nine went under.

Odorizzi is 1-2, 8.10 in his last three starts, all of which went over total.

Baltimore is 6-3 in its last nine games with Tampa Bay; last three series games went over the total.

White Sox @ Royals
Quintana is 3-1, 3.12 in his last five starts.

Duffy is 1-1, 2.95 in his last five starts, but totalled just 21.1 IP; four of his last six starts stayed under.

Royals won eight of last ten games with Chicago; six of last seven went over the total.

Indians @ Astros
Carrasco is 5-3, 1.43 in his last ten starts, nine of which stayed under total.

Feldman is 2-3, 2.12 in his last seven starts, with last five staying under.

Cleveland won eight of last 11 games with Houston; ten of those 11 games stayed under the total.

Rangers @ A's
Detwiler has made 69 big league starts, but last one was in '13, when he was 2-7, 4.04 in 13 starts for Washington.

Kazmir is 1-2, 5.23 in his last five starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Oakland lost six of last nine games with Texas; over is 6-3-1 in last ten series games.

Angels @ Mariners
Shoemaker is 6-0, 1.39 in his last eight starts; four of his last six went over.

Iwakuma is 1-3, 8.35 in his last four starts; over is 6-0-1 in his last seven.

Angels lost five of last six games with Seattle; six of last seven series games stayed under the total.

Interleague
Red Sox @ Phillies
Porcello is 0-5, 7.47 in his last six starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Harang is 2-5, 4.25 in his last seven starts, with last three staying under.

Boston won five of its last seven games with the Phillies; five of last eight series games went over the total.

Umpires
obviously, these numbers go back to last year
StL-Chi-- Under is 4-1-3 in last eight Wegner games.
NY-Wsh-- Favorites won 13 of last 17 Timmons games.
Atl-Mia-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten Guccione games.
Pitt-Cin-- Ump Holbrook didn't work LY; over was 35-30 in his '12-'13 games.
Col-Mil-- Underdog is 13-10 in last 23 Bucknor games.
SF-Az-- Six of last eight Drake games stayed under total.
SD-LA-- Five of last seven Dimuro games stayed under.

Minn-Det-- Underdogs won 13 of last 15 Danley games.
Tor-NYY-- Under is 13-1-1 in last fifteen Reynolds games.
Balt-TB-- Five of last seven Nauert games stayed under.
Chi-KC-- Favorites won 10 of last 11 Wendelstedt games.
Cle-Hst-- Four of last five Hernandez games stayed under.
Tex-A's-- Five of last six Wolf games stayed under total.
LAA-Sea-- Underdogs are 12-7 in last nineteen Knight games.

Bos-Phil-- Under is 14-5-1 in last 20 Randazzo games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rangers favored to hoist the Stanley Cup
Stephen Campbell

Despite having the Chicago Blackhawks favored to win the Stanley Cup for the majority of the season, sportsbooks have made the New York Rangers the frontrunner with the regular season drawing to a close.

The Rangers are now priced at +450 at the book with the Hawks right behind them at +650.

Here's each playoff-bound and playoff-hopeful NHL club's shot at taking home the hardware:

New York Rangers +450
Chicago Blackhawks +650
Anaheim Ducks +900
Minnesota Wild +900
Montreal Canadiens +1,000
Nashville Predators +1,000
St. Louis Blues +1,000
Tampa Bay Lightning +1,000
Los Angeles Kings +1,200
New York Islanders +1,400
Boston Bruins +1,800
Pittsburgh Penguins +1,800
Washington Capitals +1,800
Vancouver Canucks +2,000
Detroit Red Wings +2,200
Winnipeg Jets +3,000
Calgary Flames +3,500
Ottawa Senators +5,500

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Golf: Books ready for 2015 Masters

Odds to win the 2015 Masters (4/12/15)

Rory McIlroy 6/1 (Bet $100 to win $600)
Bubba Watson 10/1
Jordan Spieth 10/1
Dustin Johnson 12/1
Jason Day 12/1
Adam Scott 20/1
Henrik Stenson 20/1
Jimmy Walker 25/1
Matt Kuchar 25/1
Patrick Reed 25/1
Phil Mickelson 25/1
Rickie Fowler 25/1
Brandt Snedeker 30/1
Justin Rose 40/1
Hideki Matsuyama 50/1
JB Holmes 50/1
Lee Westwood 50/1
Louis Oosthuizen 50/1
Sergio Garcia 50/1
Tiger Woods 50/1
Angel Cabrera 60/1
Billy Horschel 60/1
Brooks Koepka 60/1
Jim Furyk 60/1
Keegan Bradley 60/1
Martin Kaymer 60/1
Ryan Moore 60/1
Zach Johnson 60/1
Bill Haas 80/1
Charl Schwartzel 80/1
Hunter Mahan 80/1
Ian Poulter 80/1
Jason Dufner 80/1
Paul Casey 80/1
Gary Woodland 100/1
Kevin Na 100/1
Luke Donald 100/1
Padraig Harrington 100/1
Ryan Palmer 100/1
Victor Dubuisson 100/1
Chris Kirk 125/1
Graeme McDowell 125/1
Jamie Donaldson 125/1
Branden Grace 150/1
Ernie Els 150/1
Fred Couples 150/1
Jonas Blixt 150/1
Kevin Streelman 150/1
Marc Leishman 150/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 150/1
Shane Lowry 150/1
Vijay Singh 150/1
Webb Simpson 150/1
Bernd Wiesberger 200/1
James Hahn 200/1
Matt Every 200/1
Russell Henley 200/1
Steve Stricker 200/1
Brendon Todd 250/1
Camilo Villegas 250/1
Charley Hoffman 250/1
Graham DeLaet 250/1
John Senden 250/1
Joost Luiten 250/1
Nick Watney 250/1
Bernhard Langer 300/1
Geoff Ogilvy 300/1
Seung-Yul Noh 300/1
Stephen Gallacher 300/1
Thomas Bjorn 300/1
Thongchai Jaidee 300/1
Tim Clark 300/1
Ben Crane 500/1
Brendon de Jonge 500/1
Brian Harman 500/1
Charles Howell III 500/1
Darren Clarke 500/1
Erik Compton 500/1
Francesco Molinari 500/1
Freddie Jacobson 500/1
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 500/1
KJ Choi 500/1
Kevin Chappell 500/1
Kevin Stadler 500/1
Matt Jones 500/1
Mikko Ilonen 500/1
Ryo Ishikawa 500/1
Scott Harvey 500/1
Stewart Cink 500/1
Trevor Immelman 500/1
Bradley Neil 1000/1
Jose Maria Olazabal 1000/1
Mike Weir 1000/1
Tom Watson 1000/1

Odds to finish in the Top 10 of the 2015 Masters (4/12/15)

Rory McIlroy 10/19 (Bet $100 to win $52)
Bubba Watson 20/23
Jordan Spieth 20/23
Dustin Johnson 21/20
Jason Day 21/20
Adam Scott 7/4
Henrik Stenson 7/4
Jimmy Walker 217/100
Matt Kuchar 217/100
Patrick Reed 217/100
Phil Mickelson 217/100
Rickie Fowler 217/100
Brandt Snedeker 13/5
Justin Rose 7/2
Hideki Matsuyama 17/4
J.B. Holmes 17/4
Lee Westwood 17/4
Louis Oosthuizen 17/4
Sergio Garcia 17/4
Tiger Woods 17/4
Angel Cabrera 5/1
Billy Horschel 5/1
Brooks Koepka 5/1
Jim Furyk 5/1
Keegan Bradley 5/1
Martin Kaymer 5/1
Ryan Moore 5/1
Zach Johnson 5/1
Bill Haas 7/1
Charl Schwartzel 7/1
Hunter Mahan 7/1
Ian Poulter 7/1
Jason Dufner 7/1
Paul Casey 7/1
Gary Woodland 17/2
Kevin Na 17/2
Luke Donald 17/2
Padraig Harrington 17/2
Ryan Palmer 17/2
Victor Dubuisson 17/2
Chris Kirk 21/2
Graeme McDowell 21/2
Jamie Donaldson 21/2
Branden Grace 13/1
Ernie Els 13/1
Fred Couples 13/1
Jonas Blixt 13/1
Kevin Streelman 13/1
Marc Leishman 13/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 13/1
Shane Lowry 13/1
Vijay Singh 13/1
Webb Simpson 13/1
Bernd Wiesberger 17/1
James Hahn 17/1
Matt Every 17/1
Russell Henley 17/1
Steve Stricker 17/1
Brendon Todd 21/1
Camilo Villegas 21/1
Charley Hoffman 21/1
Graham Delaet 21/1
John Senden 21/1
Joost Luiten 21/1
Nick Watney 21/1
Bernhard Langer 26/1
Geoff Ogilvy 26/1
Seung-Yul Noh 26/1
Stephen Gallacher 26/1
Thomas Bjorn 26/1
Thongchai Jaidee 26/1
Tim Clark 26/1
Trevor Immelman 26/1
Ben Crane 40/1
Brendon de Jonge 40/1
Brian Harman 40/1
Charles Howell III 40/1
Darren Clarke 40/1
Erik Compton 40/1
Francesco Molinari 40/1
Freddie Jacobson 40/1
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 40/1
KJ Choi 40/1
Kevin Chappell 40/1
Kevin Stadler 40/1
Matt Jones 40/1
Mikko Ilonen 40/1
Ryo Ishikawa 40/1
Scott Harvey 40/1
Stewart Cink 40/1
Bradley Neil 85/1
Jose Maria Olazabal 85/1
Mike Weir 85/1
Tom Watson 85/1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bet on where the Masters winner will hail from
Stephen Campbell

Where do you think the future winner of the 2015 Masters will be from? If you have an idea, you can get your bet in now.

Here's a look at odds on the geographical region for the man who will put on the green jacket this year:

USA -140

Europe +210

Rest of the world +400

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Forecast calling for rain-filled Masters weekend
Stephen Campbell

The Masters is set to get underway on Thursday, but Mother Nature could have other plans for the highly-anticipated major championship.

According to The Weather Network, there is currently a 30 percent chance of precipitation on Thursday, 80 percent chance on Friday, 80 percent chance on Saturday and a 70 percent chance of rain on Sunday.

Hopefully the news gets better on that front throughout the week, but it's certainly something to take note of.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Have some fun with these offbeat Masters prop bets
By STEPHEN CAMPBELL

Ask any professional golfer and they'll tell you that, despite its history and beauty, Augusta National is anything but a fun golf course.

Do you know what is fun, though? Goofy Masters prop bets. Bookmaker released a boatload of offbeat proposition wagers ranging from which family member the eventual winner will hug first to what kind of meat reigning champion Bubba Watson will serve at the championship dinner.

What kind of meat will Bubba Watson serve at the championship dinner?

BEEF -125
CHICKEN +225
PORK +625
SEAFOOD +5250
NO MEAT INVOLVED +525

How many hole-in-one shots will be recorded during the par 3 contest?

0 +1015
1 +625
2 +245
3 +225
4 OR MORE +185

Will the winner of the par 3 contest win the Masters?

YES +2250
NO -5250

Winning score of the par 3 contest will be:

OVER 21.5
UNDER 21.5

Will there be a playoff to decide the winner of the par 3 contest?

YES +265
NO -385

Will any player make a hole-in-one skipping the ball across the pond on No. 16 during Wednesday's practice round?

YES +400
NO -725

Will Jack Nicklaus's ceremonial first tee shot settle in the fairway?

YES -205
NO +160

Will Arnold Palmer's ceremonial first tee shot settle in the fairway?

YES -225
NO +165

Will Gary Player's ceremonial first tee shot settle in the fairway?

YES -225
NO +165

How many players will withdraw during the tournament?

OVER .5 -135
UNDER .5 +105

Will Tiger Woods withdraw during the tournament?

YES +405
NO -650

Which conference will have more top 10 finishers?

SEC CONFERENCE -300
ACC CONFERENCE +210

Which player over 50 will have the best finish?

FRED COUPLES +165
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ +205
VIJAY SINGH +405
BERNHARD LANGER +425

Who will the winner hug first? (Excluding their caddy)

CHILD +485
PARENT +1015
WIFE/GIRLFRIEND +125
WIFE HOLDING CHILD +165
NO HUG +1215

Will the winner be wearing a hat or a visor?

HAT -215
VISOR +185
NO HEAD WEAR +1015

Winning region

NORTH AMERICA -135
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND +345
AUSTRALIA +765
CONTINENTAL EUROPE +785
REST OF THE WORLD +725

Will there be a playoff?

YES +235
NO -285

Winning margin

PLAYOFF +235
1 SHOT +285
2 SHOTS +405
4 SHOTS OR MORE +405
3 SHOTS +545

Bookmaker also has head-to-head matchups posted, as well as players to make or miss the cut. They matched up Tiger vs. PAR golf.

TIGER WOODS +150
PAR -180
(this opened at WOODS +135 and PAR -165)

Tiger making the cut opened at YES -130/NO +100 but that has already been bet down to YES -115/NO -114

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

2015 Masters Preview
By Dan Daly

Hello friends, and welcome to the greatest week of the calendar year. The azaleas are in full bloom, the pine needles are in place, the magnolias are spectacular and JD is set up in the Hooter’s parking lot on Washington Ave. The only issue this week may be the weather on tap at Augusta National Golf Club. The good news though, as always, with the help of their sponsors, Augusta National and CBS will continue to bring us 56 minutes of every hour of golf coverage.

Before we go any further though, a quick prayer to God, Hootie, Bobby Jones, or whoever really controls the Masters; Please, I beg of you, anything but a repeat of last year's Masters. Not only was it the most boring Masters in my lifetime (and the lowest rated in 21 years) but you allowed that Justin Bieber loving, ring finger tattooed, whiny bitch, Bubba Watson to win a second green jacket. That was not cool and you owe us all one of the best Masters ever this year to make up for it.

Anyone who reads the Waggle even on a semi-regular basis knows I’ve had the 2015 Masters winner locked in since Sunday night of the 2014 Masters. And since then he has done nothing but make me an even a bigger believer (just to be clear God, Hootie, or Bobby Jones; that’s believer…not Belieber) you’re 2015 Masters Champion will be…

Jordan Spieth (12/1) – Someone go ahead and get this guy fitted for a green jacket already. My man Spieth held the lead on Sunday last year in his first ever Masters before finishing a very respectable T2. Well, the Masters Rookie curse is now behind him. Couple that with the fact that he comes into this year’s Masters off a win at the Valspar followed by a second place finish at the Valero and a playoff in Houston and I would say he’s pretty frickin’ dialed in right now. I know this much, if the Green Jacket comes down to making clutch putts on Sunday afternoon, there is no one on earth I have more faith in right now than Jordan Spieth.

If that wasn’t enough, 2015 marks the 44th and final Masters for the legendary Ben Crenshaw. Nothing would be more poetic (and the Masters is nothing if not poetic) than Jordan Spieth winning his first Masters the same year fellow Texas Longhorn, and Spieth idol, Ben Crenshaw played his final Masters. I’m already shedding a tear just thinking about it.

It’s your money, spend it however you want, but if you like winning 12 times your money then I would go ahead and bet on Jordan Spieth this week to win the Masters.

As for everyone else…

Bubba Watson (10/1) – Unless God, Hootie, or Bobby Jones has the world’s sickest sense of humor this can’t and won’t happen again, at least not this year.

Dustin Johnson (12/1) – I’m rooting for DJ this week just so my fantasy of Paulina posting pictures of herself in nothing but the green jacket might come true! I just don’t think he putts well enough to win here.

Lee Westwood (65/1) - LOL…this is still considered a major right?

Jason Day (12/1) – He is on a very bad pace to become the next Lee Westwood.

Angel Cabrera (60/1) - The anti-Lee Westwood. This guy only shows up in majors. As long as they play the Masters the Duck has a chance. He’s obviously a long shot at 60/1, but with those odds how can you not take the Duck for a few bucks just in case?

Henrik Stenson (18/1) – He withdrew from Houston with the Flu, and if you have ever had the Flu you know that he has no chance of winning a Major championship one week later.

JB Holmes (40/1) – Obviously coming off his win in Houston and playing very well as of late, Holmes will be a popular pick this week. Two things working against Holmes though…first, he plays a power fade on a course that favors a draw. Second, and this surprised me, Holmes has only played in one Masters in his career; 2008 where he finished T25. He will play well this week but I can’t see Holmes winning.

Jimmy Walker (35/1) – Some people can’t understand why he is only the 10th ranked player in the world and has such high odds this week as hot as he’s been the last 18 months. Well, nothing against Jimmy Walker but look at the courses he has won on and the fields he has beaten. This is Augusta National and the Masters, sorry Jimmy.

Adam Scott (22/1) - As they say in football, if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. Well, Scott has two putters right now and thus he has none. And if there is ever a course and a tournament you DON’T want to be between putters, this is it.

Phil Mickelson (27/1) – Twenty-seven to one…really? I know Phil showed signs of life this week in Houston the first two rounds, and it’s Phil at The Masters, and I agree that there is something to that; but the guy has one top 10 on the PGA Tour since August 2013. ONE. Mickelson had the 36-hole lead last weekend and still didn’t even finish in the top 10. He will make the cut, and probably even make a little run at some point that will get everyone all excited but when it’s all said and done he has no real chance to win.

Brandt Snedeker (30/1) - There is no one in the field that wants the green jacket more than Sneds. Problem is it keeps working against him. The second he gets into contention here he starts thinking too much and it leads to weekend meltdowns. I really want him to win sooner than later but it won’t happen until he calms down over the weekend.

In case you were wondering why Zach Johnson (75/1), Graeme McDowell (90/1), Keegan Bradley (90/1), Jason Dufner (100/1), Ernie Els (150/1) and Webb Simpson (150/1) all have such high odds…they all finished the 2014 Maters behind Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize. Let that sink in for a second.

Patrick Reed (30/1) – Considering he also finished the 2014 Maters behind Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize I don’t think he’s quite ready to win at Augusta just yet.

Martin Kaymer (45/1) – He won the US Open by 50 shots last year using his putter anytime he was within 100 yards of the green. This isn’t Pinehurst, you actually have to be able to chip and pitch at Augusta. Seve won there twice for a reason.

Justin Rose (50/1) - CUT, CUT, 55, CUT, T37. Those are his five starts on the PGA Tour so far this year. I’m thinking 55/1 might be pretty generous at this point.

Sergio Garcia (50/1) - Might as well be 5,000,000/1. He certainly has the game but Sergio sealed his fate forever at Augusta in 2009 when he said, "I don't like it, to tell you the truth. I don't think it's fair. It's too tricky. Even when it's dry you still get mud balls in the middle of the fairway. It's too much of a guessing game. They can do whatever they want. It's not my problem. I just come here and play and then go home." Yeah, you can’t say that at Augusta, the powers that be will never allow him to win a Masters…ever.

Rickie Fowler (25/1) - You would think he was due by now with a top 5 in all four majors last year but the guy hasn’t posted a single top 10 all year. I don’t think he wins this week but does post a top 10 and rights the ship just in time for a US Open run in June.

Jim Furyk (65/1) – You still have to play all four rounds at the Masters right? Ok, just checking.

Matt Kuchar (40/1) - He tied for the lead when he chipped in on the 3rd hole Sunday last year only to immediately 4 putt the 4th hole. Kuchar might have a little too much Furyk running through his blood to win.

Charl Schwartzel (85/1) – I still can’t believe he has one Green Jacket, he’s not going to get a second.

Luke Donald (110/1) – His odds have dropped every year. Vegas is finally figuring out what I’ve said for years… As long as they make Luke Donald play the back tees during the Masters this is one tournament he will never win.

Fred Couples (150/1) - Fred Couples at Augusta is like a stripper; every year he gets you all excited but inevitably leaves you high and dry. He lures you into believing there is actually a chance he could win again and just when you have convinced yourself this could actually happen…BAM, denied.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (200/1) – The man did shoot a 66 on Saturday last and closed with a 4th place finish. At 200/1, you can make worse investments in your life.

Tiger Woods (50/1) – I honestly don’t even know where to begin here. Tiger could shoot anywhere from 70 to 90 and neither would surprise me. Hell, he might do both. On the one hand, he came into the 2013 Masters injured, having not played in months, written off for dead and was arguably one horrible break away from winning his 5th Masters. On the other hand it has been almost 570 days since Tiger finished a PGA Tour event under par and has completed only one final round in an official PGA Tour event in the last year. I would probably bet somewhere in the middle to be honest. It also may be a sign of the times that that Nike released this “tribute” commercial to Tiger.

Rory McIlroy (8/1) – Rory is obviously the favorite and the biggest story going into Masters week. Not counting “Young” Tom Morris (back in the 1800’s) or Bobby Jones when Amateur’s counted as Majors; Rory will be looking to become only the fifth player in Modern Golf history to win three consecutive majors joining Hogan (’53), Jamie Anderson (’77-’78), Bob Ferguson (’80-’81) and of course the TigerSlam in ’00-’01. Between the pressure of the three-peat, the demons of the 2011 collapse and the fact that he just hasn’t played that well in 2015, you can go ahead and count Rory out this year. A back door top 10, sure, the green jacket come Sunday…not so much. He also got beat Saturday last year by a guy that wasn’t even in the field.

Happy Master Week to Everyone!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Masters begins Thursday at Augusta
By: Freddy Wander

The Masters
Tees Off: Thursday, April 9th
Augusta National GC – Augusta, GA

Here is the betting preview for this matchup:

The first major of the year is finally here as the top players from around the world hit the hallowed grounds of Augusta for the Masters this week. They will be chasing the green jacket for the 81st year and the par-72, 7,435-yard course has given up a decent amount of scoring in recent years with the winning score being in double-digits under par at four of the past six installments. There will be plenty of multiple time victors playing here this year with the most recent being Bubba Watson, who won his second Masters last year with a score of eight-under par. He defeated his next closest opponent by three strokes despite a Saturday 75 and added to his 2012 playoff win over Louis Oosthuizen. Tiger Woods is another multiple-time winner here, taking the green jacket four times in his career, but he hasn’t played since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open in early February and has not won this event since 2005. There will be 20 players in this year’s field that have never played in this famous tourney before and will be joined by 78 returning pros. Let’s look through everybody to find a few who could win this week, getting their names forever etched in the lore of the event.

Rory McIlroy: McIlroy has yet to win the Masters in his impressive career, but has won each of the past two majors while showing up for his best finish in Augusta last year when he carded an even-par over the four days and placed eighth. The world’s top golfer hasn’t exactly torn up the PGA in his three events this season, but has an 11th and a ninth in his past two tourneys and has the length off the tee (305.0 yards per) to put himself in a great position at these tough holes. This is the one big event that has eluded him in the past, but he also hasn’t been all that bad, making the cut in five of his six visits as he added four top-25 finishes. He should have all the drive in the world to get a green jacket and complete the majors grand slam.

Jason Day: Day is one of the best players in the world who has not earned a major in his career despite having seven career top-10s in them. Twice he was right at the top of the leaderboard in this event, finishing third in 2013 with a score of seven-under and second in 2011 after going 12-under par. Last year he also put up a solid performance with a 20th in Augusta but had just one round better than par. His season so far has also been quite impressive with a win and two other top-10 finishes in his six outings. Day has a massive driver (305.1 yards per, 9th on tour) and should be able to navigate this tough course with his tremendous scrambling skills (66.7%, 7th on tour). He has come close to wearing the green jacket in the past and has the skills to win here, so don’t be surprised to see him as the victor come Sunday.

Patrick Reed: Reed is an emerging superstar and has the makeup of a multiple time winner of majors in the future. He’s shown up with a solid putter this year (0.515 strokes gained putting, 24th on tour) and is amazing around the greens with a sand save percentage of 66% (8th on tour) and scrambling percentage of 69.4% (3rd on tour). These numbers have led to seven top-25s, including a win and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, in 10 events this year and he has yet to miss a cut. Reed didn’t perform well here last season, posting a 79 on Friday and missing the cut, but will surely be more comfortable in his second go around and be a factor at week’s end.

Keegan Bradley: Bradley knows what it takes to win in big events after being the victor at the PGA Championship back in 2011 and since then he has four top-20s in majors. Unfortunately, the Masters has been his worst of the four tournaments, but he has still made the cut in 2-of-3 attempts and is coming off a fifth-place showing at the Shell Houston Open last week. Being long off the tee is often needed to compete here and he is averaging 302.8 yards per drive (12th on tour) as he ranks third in total driving. If he can string together some better putting this week there is no reason why he can’t take aim at winning his second career major.

Jamie Donaldson: Donaldson seems to dot the top of the leaderboard in tons of major events and that was no different last year in Augusta with a 14th at his second visit to the course. If he does make a run this week it will be because of his short game as he ranks in the top-30 at strokes-gained putting (0.315, 30th on tour), scrambling (66.9%, 6th on tour) and sand save percentage (63.5%, 18th on tour). Donaldson has yet to grab a win on the PGA tour and he could break out for his first in his third Masters appearance.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Showers, thunderstorms on the way to Augusta
Stephen Campbell

As the golfing world anxiously awaits for Thursday, the opening day of the 2015 edition of the Masters tournament, it's looking like Mother Nature has plans of her own for the iconic sporting event.

According to AccuWeather golfers are in store for a warm and humid weekend, with unsettled weather set to play a common theme throughout its duration. Meteorologists are predicting showers and thunderstorms to hit Augusta, as Friday and Saturday are looking like the two days that will be most affected by the inclement weather.

On the opening day of the tournament temperatures could be eclipsing 90 degrees Fahrenheit - just shy of the record high 91 degrees set in 2011. If there are no weather delays, Sunday - the scheduled final day - should be relatively clear, with sunny skies and highs near the 80 degree mark.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Money pouring in on Tiger making the Masters' cut
Stephen Campbell

When Tiger Woods announced on Friday that he would participate in the Masters, Sportsbooks released a prop on the former world no. 1 making with cut with both sides priced at -110.

But those odds have steadily been on the move since. As of Tuesday, the books moved the YES to -130 with the NO priced at +110. Seventy-one percent of support is on Tiger advancing past the first two days of the tournament.

Tiger's fall from grace has been well documented throughout the years as a result of a long list of various injuries and spotty play, most recently evidenced by the 38-year-old falling out of the top 100 rankings last week for the first time since 1996.

Despite a major championship drought that's approaching seven years, Sportsbooks have Woods at 20/1 to wear the green jacket on Sunday.