Author Archive
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
May 17, 2012 | 
Author The San Antonio Spurs look to make it 2-0 against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 on Thursday night. The Spurs are -11 point favorites over the Clippers with an over/under point total set at 194.
Head to head, the Clippers are 3-12 ATS in the last 15 meetings and 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings in San Antonio, while the favorite is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings. The Spurs are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite of 11.0 or greater, 21-4-1 ATS in their last 26 home games and 37-10-4 ATS in their last 51 games overall. The Clippers on the other hand are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss, but just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 11.0 or greater and 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Like they have done most of the season, the Spurs easily brushed away the Clippers in the opening game of the series, running away with a comfortable 108-92 victory in San Antonio on Tuesday night. Despite MVP candidate Tony Parker going just 1-9 from the field, the Spurs got 26 points and 10 rebounds from veteran Tim Duncan and the rest of the team connected on 13 of 25 from beyond the arc as they ran away with the game after the first quarter. The visitors were led by Eric Bledsoe’s 23 points, while All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were clearly not 100% healthy, combining for just 21 points on 10-30 shooting.
In case you didn’t know, the Spurs are really really good. Sure, the Clippers have some banged up stars, but when Tony Parker goes 1-9 from the field and you still nearly lose by 20 points, you know you have problems. I said on Twitter that I thought the Spurs will win this series in four or five games and nothing I saw in Game 1 changed my thought. The Spurs are just the best team in the league and I would be surprised if they didn’t take the whole thing out this season. Having covered in 21 of their last 25 home games, do you really want to go against them?
Pick
San Antonio Spurs -11 Los Angeles Clippers
Posted in NBA, Sportsbook | 
Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA betting, San Antonio Spurs | 
No Comments »
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox meet for game two of their two game series. The Rays are -120 favorites over the Red Sox with an over/under run total set at 9.
The Tampa Bay Rays had their share of chances on Wednesday to make their lead in the game over the Red Sox more comfortable and while they didn’t score many they scored enough to get the win. On Wednesday Carlos Pena and Sean Rodriguez each had two hits and Luke Scott and Matt Joyce added hits as the Rays scored two runs on eight hits in all. On the mound Jeremy Hellickson allowed five hits and a run while striking out six over six innings to earn his fourth win of the year while Fernando Rodney earned his 12th save of the young season. For Thursday’s game Tampa Bay starts Matt Moore who has been hit pretty hard in spots this year. For the season Moore has allowed 43 hits and 23 earned runs while striking out 34 over 39 innings of work for a 5.31 ERA.
The Boston Red Sox dropped another game in the standings on Wednesday as they lost to the first place Rays. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mike Aviles had two hits each and Dustin Pedroia had a hit as the Red Sox scored just once on seven hits. On the mound Clay Buchholz pitched well allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out five over five innings but he picked up his second loss of the season. For Thursday’s game Boston starts Feliz Doubront who has won three of his last four starts. For the season Doubront has allowed 38 hits and 19 earned runs while striking out 37 over 38.1 innings for a 4.46 ERA.
Tampa Bay is 38-14 in their last 52 home games, 17-7 in their last 24 games overall, and 2-5 in Moore’s last seven starts. Boston is 5-1 in their last six games overall, 3-10 in their last 13 games as an underdog, and 5-2 in Doubront’s last seven starts.
The Rays are the better team and for that reason I like them to win this one but at these odds it is a bad bet.
Pick
Tampa Bay Rays -120 Boston Red Sox
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, Boston Red Sox, MLB betting, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds
The New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds meet on Thursday for game two of their series at Citi Field. The Mets are -115 favorites over the Reds with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The New York Mets have been playing scrappy baseball this season but they didn’t have enough in the tank to hold off the Reds on Wednesday. Lucas Duda had three hits and Ike Davis and Justin Turner each had a hit as they had eight hits and scored three runs in all. On the mound Johan Santana allowed six hits and two runs while striking out five over 6.2 innings of work and he left the game with the lead as it was Jon Rauch who had his third blown save of the year and who took the loss allowing three runs in just a third of an inning. For Thursday’s game New York starts R.A. Dickey who has won his last three decisions. For the season Dickey has allowed 41 hits and 18 earned runs while striking out 32 over 44.1 innings of work for a 3.65 ERA.
The Cincinnati Reds are charging up the standings in the National League Central and they continued the charge on Wednesday. Todd Frazier had two hits and both were home runs, Drew Stubbs had two hits, and Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips each had hits as the Reds banged out 10 hits and scored six runs in all. On the mound Mike Leake allowed seven hits and three runs, one of them earned, while striking out five over six innings to not factor in the decision as it was Jose Arredondo who got the win and Sean Marshall picked up his seventh save of the year. For Thursday’s game Cincinnati starts Mat Latos who like the Reds as a whole started the season slow and is coming on strong. For the year Latos has allowed 40 hits and 20 earned runs while striking out 33 over 39.2 innings of work for a 4.54 ERA.
New York is 6-3 in their last nine home games, 7-4 in their last 11 games overall, and 2-8 in Dickey’s last eight starts against the N.L. Central. Cincinnati is 5-2 in their last seven games as a road favorite, 14-6 in their last 20 games against a right handed starter, and 0-4 in their last four game two of a series. Cincinnati is 3-5 in the last eight meetings of these two.
I don’t see a lot of runs being scored in this one and it should stay well below the total.
Pick
Under 7.5
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, Cincinnati Reds, MLB betting, New York Mets | No Comments »
Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins
The Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins meet for game two of their two game series at Turner Field on Thursday. The Braves are -140 favorites over the Marlins with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The Atlanta Braves have been one of the hottest teams in baseball but on Wednesday they ran into a hotter team as they fell to the Marlins. Martin Prado had three hits and Dan Uggla and Brian McCann had two hits each as the Braves scored four runs on 10 hits. On the mound Mike Minor had another rough outing as he allowed six hits and six runs while striking out three over 4.2 innings to take his third loss of the year. For game two Atlanta starts Brandon Beachy who has won his last four starts. For the season Beachy has allowed 29 hits and eight earned runs while striking out 33 over 45 innings of work for a 1.60 ERA.
The Miami Marlins continued their strong play as they went into Atlanta and beat the first place Braves in game one of their series. On Wednesday Giancarlo Stanton hit a two run home run, Omar Infante had three hits and Austin Kearns and Emilio Bonifacio each had two hits as the Marlins scored eight runs on 10 hits. On the mound Mark Buehrle allowed six hits and four runs over six innings to earn his third win of the year. For Thursday’s game Miami starts Ricky Nolasco who will be looking to bounce back from his first loss of the year. For the season Nolasco has allowed 44 hits and 18 earned runs while striking out 24 over 44.1 innings of work for a 3.65 ERA.
Atlanta is 4-1 in their last five games against a right handed starter, 13-4 in their last 17 games against a team with a winning record, and 1-4 in Beachy’s last five home starts. Miami is 9-1 in their last 10 road games, 12-3 in their last 15 games overall, and 5-2 in Nolasco’s last seven starts. Miami is 5-10 in their last 15 games in Atlanta.
This should be a good one but the odds here are simply out of whack as this is a coin flip so the Marlins at the price are the pick here.
Pick
Miami Marlins +130 Atlanta Braves
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Baseball betting, Miami Marlins, MLB betting | No Comments »
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers head home to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. The 76ers are -2 point favorites over the Celtics with an over/under point total set at 172.5.
Head to head, the Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings and 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Philadelphia, while the home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. The 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall, but just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games. The Celtics on the other hand are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games, but just 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.
Talk about a closely contested series so far, the 76ers and Celtics have split the opening two games of the series by the slimmest of margins. In the opening game of the series, it was Boston who prevailed 92-91 behind the strong play of Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. The 76ers however would bounce back in Game 2 on Monday night behind a dominate third quarter that saw them outscore the home team 21-11 to take control of the game. The Celtics would make a charge in the final quarter, but came up short as Philly escaped with a 82-81 victory to even the series at one game apiece.
This is a tricky one because I think the Celtics will win either tonight or in Game 4, but which one will it be? Boston is just too good to lose both games and fall behind 1-3 in the series. Considering what happened in Games 1&2, it’s fair to say we should see another close one tonight. The 76ers did take both regular season meetings in Philly quite easily, but I’m not sure we can take anything from that, considering the Celtics beat the 76ers in Boston in the last regular season game by 24 points. I’ll be honest, I could see any team taking this game out, however I think Boston bounces back and gets the win here.
Pick
Boston Celtics +2 Philadelphia 76ers
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
First place and last place in the American League East face off as the Tampa Bay Rays meet on Wednesday at Tropicana Field. The Rays are -145 favorites over the Red Sox with an over/under run total set at 8.5.
The Tampa Bay Rays have won three games in a row and now return home for game one of a quick two game series against the Red Sox. The Rays are 4-6 in their last 10 games, 13-3 at home this season, and they are tied for first place in the A.L. East with the Orioles. As a team the Rays are hitting .245 with Matt Joyce hitting .282, Desmond Jennings hitting .265, and Sean Rodriguez hitting .239. As a team the Rays pitching staff has an ERA of 3.75 with the starters at 3.59 and the bullpen at 4.08. For game one against Boston Tampa Bay starts Jeremy Hellickson who is unbeaten this season. For the year Hellickson has allowed 37 hits and 14 earned runs while striking out 29 over 42.2 innings of work for a 2.95 ERA.
The Boston Red Sox are winning more often than they were at the start of the year but they aren’t playing at the level that is expected of them as an organization. The Red Sox have won five games in a row, are 8-8 on the road, and are in last place in the A.L. East, 5.5 games behind the leaders. As a team the Red Sox are hitting .276 with David Ortiz at .353, Ryan Sweeney at .319, Dustin Pedroia at .311, and Adrian Gonzalez at .287. On the mound the Red Sox pitching staff has an ERA of 4.76 with the starters at 5.28 and the bullpen at 3.86. For game one against the Rays Boston starts Clay Buchholz who has won his last three decisions despite giving up runs in bunches. For the year Buchholz has allowed 55 hits and 36 earned runs while striking out 20 over 39 innings of work for an 8.31 ERA.
Tampa Bay is 37-14 in their last 51 home games, 16-7 in their last 23 games overall, and 10-3 in Hellickson’s last 13 home starts. Boston is 5-1 in their last six road games against a right handed starter, 9-24 in their last 33 games against the A.L. East, and 7-2 in Buchholz’s last nine starts as an underdog. Boston is 6-2 in Buchholz’s last eight starts against the Rays.
Both of these teams can come up with runs and hits and I have this one coming in over the total.
Pick
Over 8.5
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, Boston Red Sox, MLB betting, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins
The Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins meet on Wednesday for game one of a two game series at Comerica Park. The Tigers are -185 favorites over the Twins with an over/under run total set at 9.
The expectations were very big for the Detroit Tigers this season but thus far they haven’t lived up to it but there is plenty of baseball left to play. The Tigers are 5-5 in their last 10 games, 9-9 at home this season, and two games back in the A.L. Central. As a team the Tigers are hitting .254 with Austin Jackson hitting .323, Miguel Cabrera hitting .308, and Price Fielder hitting .292. As a team the Tigers pitching staff has an ERA of 4.28 with the starters at 3.89 and the bullpen at 5.00. For game one against the Twins Detroit start Rick Porcello who has won two of his last three starts. For the season Porcello has allowed 49 hits and 24 earned runs while striking out while striking out 24 over 41.2 innings of work for a 5.18 ERA.
The Minnesota Twins were the worst team in baseball last season and this season they are even worse than they were then. The Twins are 3-7 in their last 10 games, 4-12 on the road this season, and 10 games back in the American League Central. As a team the Twins are hitting .236 led by Denard Span at .292, Josh Willingham at .286, and Joe Mauer at .270. As a team the Twins pitching staff has an ERA of 5.28 with the starters at 6.38 and the bullpen at 3.52. For game one at Comerica Park Minnesota starts Nick Blackburn who is having a season similar to his team, miserable. For the year Blackburn has allowed 40 hits and 25 earned runs while striking out 17 over 31.1 innings for a 7.18 ERA.
Detroit is 55-22 in their last 77 games against the A.L. Central, 0-9 in their last nine games following a win, and 19-7 in Porcello’s last 26 starts as a favorite. Minnesota is 16-36 in their last 52 games against the A.L. Central, 16-40 in their last 56 road games, and 1-7 in Blackburn’s last eight starts. Minnesota is 7-20 in the last 27 meetings of these two.
I expect a lot of scoring here and I look for this one to get past the total in a hurry so my play is the over.
Pick
Over 9
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, Detroit Tiger, Minnesota Twins, MLB betting | No Comments »
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
The Indiana Pacers hope to even things up against the Miami Heat in Game 2 from South Beach. The Heat are -7 point favorites over the Pacers with an over/under point total set at 183.
Head to head, the underdog is 24-10-1 ATS in the last 35 meetings. The Heat are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5, 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 Conference Semifinals games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games. The Pacers on the other hand are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5 and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
Led by two of the best players in the world, the Heat came from behind to take a 1-0 lead in the series opener on Sunday in Miami. Despite a six point deficit heading into half time, Miami didn’t panic and led by Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, who cominbed to score 61 points, outscored the Pacers by 15 points to cruise to a 95-86 victory. It wasn’t all good news however as Chris Bosh left the game with an abdominal strain late in the second quarter. Big men David West and Roy Hibbert led the visitors with 17 points apiece, while Danny Granger struggled with just seven points on 1-10 shooting.
If you had bet on the Pacers in Game 1, you would have been feeling pretty good about things at half time. However, it all came apart in the second half as Hibbert sat with foul trouble and Granger continued to struggle, while James and Wade took off. With everything that went on in Game 1, I think the Pacers have a good shot at taking this game tonight. Granger will play better, although he has always struggled against Lebron, while you would hope Hibbert can stay on the court longer this time. James and Wade will get there’s, but with no Bosh down low, Miami doesn’t have any post options whatsoever. I have a feeling Indiana could steal this one.
Pick
Indiana Pacers +7 Miami Heat
Texas Rangers vs. Kansas City Royals
The Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals meet for game two of their series in Arlington. The Rangers are -250 favorites over the Royals with an over/under run total set at 10.
The Texas Rangers looked to have it all going their way and then on Monday they looked hopeless against the Royals. Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run and Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Adrian Beltre were among those getting hits as the Rangers scored just the one run on seven hits. On the mound Scott Feldman allowed three hits and two runs over 4.2 innings to take the loss. For Tuesday’s game Texas looks to bounce back with Colby Lewis who has lost his last two starts. For the season Lewis has allowed 45 hits and 19 earned runs while striking out 43 over 46.1 innings of work for a 3.69 ERA.
The Kansas City Royals have won their last three games and perhaps got their biggest win of the year on Monday. Jeff Francoeur had two hits and scored twice, Alex Gordon had a hit, and Billy Butler had a hit as the Royals scored three runs on six hits. On the mound Bruce Chen allowed five hits and a run while striking out seven over 6.2 innings for his second win of the season and Jonathan Broxton earned his eighth save of the year. For Tuesday’s game Kansas City starts Vin Mazzaro who has pitched just one inning this year. Last year Mazzaro had an 8.26 ERA allowing 39 hits and 26 earned runs over 28.1 innings of work.
Texas is 17-4 in their last 21 during game two of a series, 16-7 in their last 23 games against the A.L. Central, and 4-1 in Lewis’ last five home starts. Kansas City is 5-1 in their last six games overall, 7-2 in their last nine games as a road underdog, and 6-2 in their last eight games against a team with a winning record. Kansas City is 9-21 in their last 30 games in Texas.
Texas is a huge favorite and for good reason as they should tee off on Mazzaro here in a high scoring game.
Pick
Texas Rangers -250 Kansas Royals
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, Kansas City Royals, MLB betting, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet on Tuesday for game two of their series in Toronto. The Blue Jays are -120 favorites over the Rays with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The Toronto Blue Jays have dropped six of their last 10 games as they lost again on Monday. Kelly Johnson had two hits, Eric Thames had a hit and Brett Lawrie had a hit as the Blue jays had four hits and a run total on Monday. On the mound Brandon Morrow allowed four hits and six runs while striking out seven over five innings to take his second loss of the year. For Tuesday’s game Toronto starts Henderson Alvarez who has won his last three starts. For the season Alvarez has allowed 40 hits and 14 earned runs while striking out 14 over 48.1 innings of work for a 2.61 ERA.
The Tampa Bay Rays win on Monday put them back into a tie for first place in the A.L. East with the Baltimore Orioles. Sean Rodriguez had two hits and two RBI’s, Luke Scott had a hit and two RBI’s, and Ben Zobrist hit a solo home run as the Rays scored seven runs on seven hits. On the mound Jeff Niemann left after the first inning and was replaced by Cesar Ramos who allowed two hits and struck out three over three innings to get the win. For Tuesday’s game Tampa Bay starts David Price who looks to be back into form after a tough season a year ago. For the year Price has allowed 42 hits and 15 earned runs while striking out 39 over 45.1 innings of work for a 2.98 ERA.
Toronto is 4-2 in their last six home games, 0-6 in their last six games against the A..L. East, and 2-5 in Alvarez’s last seven starts as a favorite. Tampa Bay is 6-2 in their last eight road games against a right handed starter, 17-8 in Price’s last 25 road starts. The Rays are 5-1 in the last six meetings of these two.
This one should belong to the pitchers and I have this one staying under the total.
Pick
Under 7.5
Posted in Sportsbook | Tags: Baseball betting, MLB betting, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays | No Comments »
