by WINNERS_ONLY
NBA Odds and Predictions: Wednesday, April 22 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews
It has not been a good couple of days for the Trail Blazers franchise. First there was a Game 1 loss in Memphis on Sunday, then news came out that the Blazers had what sounds like a racist laminated card in their locker room that included the phrase “We don’t lose to Spanish players,” presumably referring to Memphis star center Marc Gasol (apparently they do lose to Spanish players). Then word came out that Portland is very afraid that star big man LaMarcus Aldridge will leave as a free agent this summer as the team is getting signs he might. The Knicks for sure will throw a max offer at him. Let’s see how the Blazers react in Wednesday’s Game 2.
♦Game 2: Nets at Hawks (-9.5, 202)
This tips at 7 p.m. on NBA TV. Atlanta had little trouble sweeping four games from Brooklyn this regular season and not a whole lot more in Sunday’s 99-92 Game 1 victory. The Hawks led for all but the first 39 seconds, although I wouldn’t say they played great as the Nets kept rallying. There are two major injury concerns for the Hawks, however. All-Star forward Paul Millsap played after missing five of the final six games of the regular season with a sprained shoulder but didn’t look right, going just 2-for-11 from the field. Millsap mentioned he might get rid of the protective shoulder pad he was wearing as that could have been a factor in his struggles. All-Star center Al Horford dislocated his right pinkie finger going for a rebound early in the fourth quarter. On Monday, Horford said there is still “some question” as to whether or not he’ll be available for Game 2. I highly doubt he sits out.
The Nets actually outshot Atlanta from the field, 45.6-43.0 percent, but Brooklyn hit only 5-for-20 from 3-point range and was 15-for-22 from the charity stripe to 21-for-22 for Atlanta. Joe Johnson (just 6-for-17) and Brook Lopez led the Nets with 17 points each. Atlanta largely took Lopez away as he had only seven shots. The Hawks will make the Nets beat them from the perimeter. Brooklyn guard Alan Anderson played after missing the final seven games of the regular season with an ankle injury. He scored five points in 16 minutes. Coach Lionel Hollins mentioned he might start Anderson or Bojan Bogdanovic at shooting guard for Game 2 over rookie Markel Brown, who was benched after playing six minutes in the opening quarter of Game 1.
Updated series line: Hawks -3000, Nets +1500.
Key trends: The Nets are 5-1-1 against the spread in their past seven after a loss. The “over/under” has gone under in five of Atlanta’s past seven at home. The Nets are 4-1 ATS in their past five in Atlanta.
Early lean: Nets (to cover not win) and under.
♦Game 2: Trail Blazers at Grizzlies (-6, 189)
An 8 p.m. start on TNT. The injury-ravaged Blazers didn’t end the season well, losing four straight games, three by double digits. They didn’t look much better in this series opener, falling 100-86. If you had Beno Udrih being the Grizzlies’ best player in that game, kudos to you. He had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench. Beno Udrih? He played a lot because starting point guard Mike Conley is still dealing with a bit of a foot injury — Conley played only 24 minutes and took the fourth quarter off. Zach Randolph had 16 points and 11 boards, while Gasol had 15 and 11. Despite those two guys with a combined 22 boards, the Blazers actually won that battle 56-48.
However, Portland shot just 33.7 percent overall (worst this season and worst in a playoff game since 1999) and 8-for-26 from 3-point range. Aldridge had 32 points but took 34 shots, which is way out of character for him and the most he has taken in any game in his career. Damian Lillard didn’t play well, going 5-for-21 for 14 points. Portland played without starting guard Arron Afflalo due to a shoulder injury. CJ. McCollum started for him and was just 1-for-8 for two points. Afflalo, out since April 11 due to a right shoulder strain, sounds like he will play on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers are 2-12 all-time in series when losing Game 1 in a best-of-seven series.
Updated series line: Grizzlies -435, Blazers +365.
Key trends: The Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their past four vs. teams with a winning record. Memphis is 6-1 ATS in its past seven vs. the West. The Blazers are 0-5 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 6-2 in the past eight in Memphis.
Early lean: This is just a bad matchup for Portland. Take the Grizzlies and under.
♦Game 2: Spurs at Clippers (-1.5, 207.5)
It’s a 10:30 start time on TNT. Certainly if any team can bounce back from an ugly loss it’s the five-time champion Spurs. And I thought they would win this series in seven. I’m not totally off the bandwagon yet, but I’m a tad concerned. San Antonio was totally outplayed by New Orleans in the regular-season finale when a Spurs win would have given them the No. 2 seed and avoided the red-hot Clippers. They were totally outplayed again in Game 1 on Sunday, a 107-92 Clippers win. Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and six rebounds and Tim Duncan 11 points and 11 rebounds, but the rest of the team didn’t do much. Tony Parker had just 10 points and one assists and was dominated by Chris Paul. Manu Ginobili was 3-for-10 in 19 minutes. The Spurs shot only 36.6 percent, missed 23 3-pointers in 33 tries and were only 14-for-26 from the free-throw line. The good news: they have won six of their past 10 series when losing the opener.
That was the Clippers’ eighth straight win and 14th in the past 15 games. Paul, who still really has never won anything, was fabulous with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Blake Griffin added 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. The Clippers can beat anyone when those two play like that. DeAndre Jordan had 14 rebounds, and the Spurs hacked him on purpose only a few times. He was 5-for-12 from the line. The Clippers starters were simply so much better than the Spurs’ first five that San Antonio’s better bench didn’t matter much in Game 1. The L.A. bench was outscored by 21 and outrebounded by 19.
Updated series line: Clippers -120, Spurs +100.
Key trends: The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their past five road games vs. teams with a winning home record. The Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their past six at home. The over is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings.
Early lean: The Spurs haven’t lost two straight since late February, but the Clippers are clicking on all cylinders. Take them and the over.
NBA PLAYOFFS
Brooklyn lost last six games with Atlanta, losing by seven in Game 1 as Atlanta’s starters took 11-12-12-12-12 shots. Hawks made 10 of 30 from arc, 21-22 on line. Nets had only four fast break points. Brooklyn lost last three road games by 32-23-7 points. Hawks’ C Horford hurt his finger in Game 1, but he came back in game later. Johnson was just 6-17 for Nets; he’ll have to do better.
Memphis held Portland to 33.7% from floor in 100-86 Game 1 win; they were up 19 at half. Grizzlies won five in row, 10 of its last 11 games with Portland, covering nine of last ten. Memphis held the Blazers to six fast break points. Portland covered six of last nine games, lost four of last five on road, losing by 4-8-14-14- its subs made final score more respectable- starters were combined -71.
Defending champ Spurs are 12-2 in last 14 first round series, 3-1 in years after they won a title. SA lost last three games with Clipper, losing 107-92 in Game 1- Spurs’ starting G’s shot combined 6-22 from floor. LA won its last seven games overall, winning four in row at home by 5-8-7-5 points. Spurs won 11 of last 13 games; they lost first playoff game in three of four championship seasons.
Home favorites are 7-6 in this round; home teams are 11-2 SU, with Washington getting both road wins– over is 4-9.
Game of the Day: Wednesday’s NBA Playoff Matchups
♦Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks (-9.5, 202)
Hawks lead series 1-0.
The Brooklyn Nets dropped Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks but have plenty of time to correct some mistakes. The Nets will try to even the series when they visit the Hawks for Game 2 on Wednesday.
The series got a long break after beginning with Atlanta’s 99-92 win on Sunday, and Brooklyn is working on small fixes. “We played hard,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins told reporters of Game 1. “I had no fault with the effort of our guys. We just have to be smarter and execute better.” Atlanta went 21-of-22 from the free-throw line in the win to help survive a subpar effort from Paul Millsap but could have a tougher challenge in Game 2. Center Al Horford is questionable for the contest after suffering a dislocated finger in the opener.
TRENDS:
* Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Atlanta.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Underdog is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
♦Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies (-6, 189)
Grizzlies lead series 1-0.
The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a series-opening blow and hope to return with an uppercut when they host the Portland Trail Blazers in Wednesday’s Game 2 of the first-round Western Conference series. Memphis led by as many as 29 points while cruising to a 100-84 victory in Game 1 to defeat Portland for the fifth straight time this season.
The aftermath wasn’t much better for the Trail Blazers as their locker room motivation card became public and included the phrase “We don’t lose to Spanish players,” and Grizzlies star Marc Gasol, who is from Barcelona, Spain, was miffed about the meaning. “I don’t know where it comes from and I don’t know what it means,” Gasol told reporters. “I have better things to think about than what they’re writing on the wall.” Memphis’ domination in the opener marked its third double-digit victory over Portland this season and also handed the Trail Blazers their fifth straight loss overall dating back to the regular season. “Nobody is giving us a shot,” Portland point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. “Nobody is saying, ‘Portland is going to come in here and win the series.’ If anything, they’re doubting us.”
TRENDS:
* Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Memphis.
* Trail Blazers are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Memphis.
♦San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5, 207.5)
Clippers lead series 1-0.
The San Antonio Spurs were thrashed by the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 and look to even up the Western Conference series when the teams clash in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Clippers have won 15 of their last 16 games counting the regular season and controlled the flow in the opener.
Sixth-seeded San Antonio was outclassed by third-seed Los Angeles and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was surprised at the level in which his club was dominated. “The game was their defense was better than our offense; that’s the bottom line,” Popovich told reporters. “Their aggressiveness, their physicality, their athleticism really hurt us offensively.” Point guard Chris Paul (32 points) and power forward Blake Griffin (26) combined for 58 points in the 107-92 victory but Clippers coach Doc Rivers expects a tougher challenge from the Spurs in Game 2. “They’re still the defending champs, and they’re going to be the defending champs every night,” Rivers told reporters. “We have a lot of confidence in our team but you just have to stay humble and respect who you’re playing.”
TRENDS:
* Spurs are 1-7 ATS in their last eight Western Conference quarterfinal games.
* Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
* Under is 6-1 in the Clippers last seven games overall.
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
NBA | PORTLAND at MEMPHIS
Play On – Road teams (PORTLAND) an explosive offensive team (>=102 PPG) against a good offensive team (98-102 PPG), after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half
33-11 since 1997. ( 75.0% | 20.9 units )
1-2 this year. ( 33.3% | -1.2 units )
NBA | SAN ANTONIO at LA CLIPPERS
Play Against – Any team vs the money line (SAN ANTONIO) revenging a loss vs opponent of 10 points or more, off 2 or more consecutive road losses
187-86 over the last 5 seasons. ( 68.5% | 65.4 units )
23-12 this year. ( 65.7% | -0.2 units )
NBA | SAN ANTONIO at LA CLIPPERS
Play Against – Road teams where the 1rst half line is +1.5 to -1.5 (SAN ANTONIO) off 2 or more consecutive road losses, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team
50-21 since 1997. ( 70.4% | 26.9 units )
5-5 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.5 units )
Five To Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews
It’s not too often that you see a manager fired in April, but there have been rumblings out of south Florida that Miami’s Mike Redmond is very much on the hot seat. Owner Jeffrey Loria isn’t exactly the most patient man; he spent a lot of money on the team this offseason and it has started just 3-10. In fact, the Marlins already have reportedly targeted a potential replacement: Mets Triple-A affiliate manager Wally Backman, who has interviewed for a handful of big-league jobs in recent years. If the Marlins lose a few more in a row, Redmond gets the boot.
♦Indians at White Sox (+108, 7.5)
The lone matinee on the schedule with a 2:10 p.m. ET start and will be shown on the MLB Network, so there should be live betting at sportsbooks. Should be a low-scoring game too as it’s AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.49) for the Tribe. He’ s not getting much help from his offense and has taken a no-hitter into the sixth inning in two of his three starts. Kluber has a 3.09 ERA in 64 career innings vs. the White Sox. Jose Abreu is 6-for-17 with a homer and three RBIs off him. Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.29) wasn’t good in his first two starts but was last time out, allowing a run and striking out seven in eight innings of a no-decision in Detroit. Michael Bourn is 5-for-10 off him with two doubles.
Key trends: The Indians have won five straight Wednesday games, while the Sox have dropped four straight on that day. The “over/under” has gone under in 11 of Kluber’s past 12 starts.
Early lean: Sox and under.
♦Cubs at Pirates (-113, 7.5)
Are the Cubs now the most interesting team in baseball? I am surprised that the team decided to call up its second most-touted prospect in Addison Russell for Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh. Most thought it would be at least June before Russell came up for service time reasons. He was the key piece that came over from Oakland for Jeff Samardzija last July. Russell was rated as high as the No. 3 overall prospect by some, with of course new Cub Kris Bryant at No. 1. Russell will play shortstop full time at some point but for now will man second base, which has been an offensive black hole thus far from the Cubs. Now that infield has the potential to be amazing offensively along with Bryant, shortstop Starlin Castro (he’s moving positions probably next season or will be traded) and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Jason Hammel (1-0, 5.11) starts on the mound for Chicago. Andrew McCutchen is 6-for-20 with two homers off him. Vance Worley (1-1, 5.84) goes for Pittsburgh. Both his 2015 starts have been against Milwaukee. Castro is just 1-for-8 with six strikeouts off him.
Key trends: Chicago is 0-4 in Hammel’s past four starts in Game 3 of a series. The Pirates are 5-1 in Worley’s past six at home. The over is 6-1 in Hammel’s past seven road starts.
Early lean: Cubs and over.
♦Reds at Brewers (+118, 7)
Milwaukee has been the only NL team worse than Miami thus far, and things aren’t likely to get better soon as All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy suffered a fractured toe on Monday night when hit by a foul ball, and he’s headed to the disabled list. Carlos Gomez is already on the DL, and second baseman Scooter Gennett was just placed on it Tuesday after cutting his hand in the shower recently (only a baseball player!). So a weakened lineup for Reds starter Johnny Cueto (0-2, 2.14), who doesn’t need much help. Although you can see by his record and ERA that he’s not getting much run support. The Reds have scored one run in each of his past two games. Ryan Braun is just 8-for-38 off him with 11 strikeouts. Aramis Ramirez hits him well, going 16-for-45 with five homers and 11 RBIs. Jimmy Nelson (1-1, 1.50) goes for Milwaukee. He has only faced Pittsburgh this season.
Key trends: The Reds are 11-5 in Cueto’s past 16 vs. the NL Central. The Brewers are 1-6 in Nelson’s past seven starts. The under is 6-1 in Cueto’s past seven vs. Milwaukee.
Early lean: Reds and under.
♦Padres at Rockies (+119, 10)
Colorado could be without outfielder Corey Dickerson for a few games after he left Monday’s matchup with mild plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The team is hoping Dickerson can avoid the DL. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was scratched from Monday’s lineup with a sore left wrist, so keep an eye on him. James Shields (2-0, 2.84) gets the call for San Diego. He has been just about everything the Padres could have hoped for thus far. Justin Morneau really hits him well from their AL days as Morneau is 15-for-47 with four homers, six doubles and 11 RBIs. Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 7.56) has been bombed his last two starts and may not be long for the Colorado rotation. San Diego’s Justin Upton is a career .348 hitter off him with two homers in 23 at-bats.
Key trends: The Padres are 5-2 in their past seven in Game 3 of a series. The over is 5-0 in San Diego’s past five road games vs. a righty starter.
Early lean: Padres and under.
♦Dodgers at Giants (+112, 5.5)
Clearly this pitching matchup is a must preview as it’s Clayton Kershaw, the best regular-season pitcher on the planet, against Madison Bumgarner, the best postseason pitcher on the planet. Kershaw (1-1, 4.42) had been a bit off in his first two starts and still was not quite up to his usual standards in beating the Rockies last time out, allowing three runs (two homers) in six innings. He did strike out a season-high 12. Kershaw was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in four starts against the Giants in 2014. Bumgarner (1-1, 5.29) was very good in his first start of the year but has allowed nine runs and 16 hits over 10 innings in his past two, both Giants losses. He was 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts last year vs. the Dodgers. Justin Turner may get a spot start as he’s 6-for-18 with two doubles and two homers career off Bumgarner.
Key trends: The Giants are 4-0 in Bumgarner’s past four vs. teams with a winning record. They are 4-1 in his past five at home vs. L.A. The Dodgers are 8-2 in Kershaw’s past 10 in San Francisco. The under has hit in seven of Bumgarner’s past 10 vs. L.A. overall.
Early lean: This might be the first 5.5 total I’ve seen this season, at least to open. Take Dodgers and over.
2015 BASEBALL
National League
Marlins @ Phillies
Cosart is 0-1, 4.76 in two starts this year; seven of his last ten went under.
Hamels is 0-2, 5.00 in three starts this year; under is 3-1-1 in his last five home starts, 5-3 in last eight overall.
Marlins lost five of last eight games with Philly; Miami lost its last five games; six of their last seven went over total. Phillies lost seven of last nine games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven.
Cardinals @ Nationals
Lackey is 1-0, 2.77 in two starts this year; five of his last seven stayed under.
Fister is 6-0, 1.29 in his last seven starts, 1-0, 1.38 in two starts this year; six of his last eight stayed under the total.
Cardinals won eight of last 11 games with Washington; under is 8-1-1 in last ten series games. St Louis won five of its last six games, allowing seven runs; five of the six stayed under. Washington also won five of last six games; six of its last eight went over total.
Cubs @ Pirates
Hammel is 1-0, 4.73 in to starts this year; three of his last four went over.
Worley is 1-1, 5.40 in two starts this year; six of his last eight stayed under.
Cubs won three of last four games with Pittsburgh; over is 5-0-1 in last six series games. Pirates is 3-4 in last seven games; over is 3-0-2 in their last five. Chicago won seven of its last ten games.
Braves @ Mets
Stults is 0-1, 6.30 in two starts this year; six of his last nine went over.
Gee is 0-1, 7.59 in two starts this year; his last four starts went over.
Mets won their last nine games, scoring 42 runs in last seven (over 5-1-1); they won five of last seven games with Atlanta, last five going over. Braves are 5-2 on road; eight of their last ten overall went over the total.
Reds @ Brewers
Cueto is 0-2, 2.57 in three starts this year; under is 7-2-1 in his last ten.
Nelson is 1-1, 2.25 in two starts this year; under is 5-3 in his last eight starts.
Milwaukee lost last seven games, outscored 47-20; nine of last twelve series tilts stayed under total, with Reds winning last three. Brewers scored 10 runs last night, still lost by a TD. Five of last seven Cincinnati games stayed under the total- they scored 22 runs in first two games of this series.
Padres @ Rockies
Shields is 2-0, 3.32 in three starts this year; eight of his last nine went over.
Kendrick is 1-2, 7.56 in three starts this year; four of his last five went over.
San Diego won nine of their last 11 games overall; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten. Colorado lost its last five games, outscored 41-14. Home side won nine of last 12 Padre-Rockie games- San Diego won last three.
Dodgers @ Giants
Kershaw is 1-1, 5.89 in three starts this year; over is 6-2-1 in his last nine.
Bumgarner is 1-1, 5.29 in hree starts this year; five of his last seven went over the total.
Giants lost nine of their last 11 games; Dodgers won seven of their last eight, scoring 46 runs. LA won seven of last ten games against Giants; over is 4-1-2 in last seven series games. Six of last eight LA games went over.
American League
Orioles @ Blue Jays
Jimenez is 1-0, 0.00 in two starts (10.2 IP, one hit allowed) this season; he got tossed from last start (without warning) for drilling a Boston hitter.
Sanchez is 0-2, 6.23 in his first two MLB starts.
Baltimore lost three of last four games with Toronto, giving up 10+ runs in all three losses; over is 3-0-1 in last four series games. Blue Jays lost five of their last eight games, all at home- three of their last four went over.
Bronx @ Tigers
Warren is 0-1, 5.79 in his two starts this season.
Price is 1-0, 1.61 in three starts this year; five of his last six stayed under.
Detroit is off to an 11-3 start- they allowed total of three runs in last five wins. Bronx won four of last five games; nine of their last twelve games went over. Tigers lost six of last ten series games, with eight of last nine staying under the total.
Red Sox @ Rays
Kelly is 1-0, 2.13 in two starts this year; three of his last four road starts went over the total.
Karns is 1-1, 5.09 in three starts this year; all three went over total.
Red Sox won last three games with Tampa Bay by combined score of 23-4; they’ve lost three of last five games overall, with eight of last 11 going over. Rays lost five of last six games, with four of those six going over total.
Twins @ Royals
Pelfrey is 0-0, 4.50 in two starts this year; four of his last five went over.
Guthrie is 1-0, 5.54 in two starts this year; five of his last seven went under.
Kansas City won its last three games, allowing seven runs; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Minnesota lost three of last four games. Over is 4-1-1 in last six Twin-Royal games; KC won seven of last ten against the Twins.
Indians @ White Sox
Kluber is 0-1, 2.49 in three starts this year; Indians scored eight runs in three games. Three of his last four starts stayed under the total.
Samardzija is 0-1, 4.29 in three starts this year; five of his last six went over.
Cleveland won eight of last 11 games against White Sox; 11 of last 12 series games stayed under total. Indians lost seven of last ten games, with six of last seven staying under. Chicago lost four of its last six games.
A’s @ Angels
Gray is 1-0, 2.53 in three starts this year, all of which went over.
Weaver is 0-2, 6.61 in three starts this season.
Oakland lost eight of last ten games with Angels- five of last six went over total. LA lost seven of last 11 games, are 1-4 at home. Oakland lost four of its last six games overall.
Astros @ Mariners
Hernandez is 0-1, 6.75 in two starts; over is 6-1-1 in his last eight.
Happ is 0-1, 2.70 in two starts this year; eight of his last ten stayed under.
Houston won six of last seven games with Seattle; last five went over total. Astros won five of last six games, Seattle lost six of its last eight games; eight of their last eleven went over.
Interleague
Rangers @ Diamondbacks
Gallardo is 2-1, 3.45 in three starts this year; four of his last six stayed under.
Bradley is 1-1, 1.42 in his first two MLB starts, allowing five hits in 12.2 IP.
Texas won seven of last ten games with Arizona, taking last three by total of 23-7; Rangers lost five of last eight games overall- three of their last four went under total. Five of last seven Arizona games stayed under total.
Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Mia-Phil: Cosart 0-2; Hamels 1-2
Stl-Wsh: Lackey 1-1; Fister 1-1
Chi-Pitt: Hammel 1-1; Worley 1-1
Atl-NY: Stults 1-1; Gee 1-1
Cin-Mil: Cueto 1-2; Nelson 1-1
SD-Col: Shields 2-1; Kendrick 1-2
LA-SF: Kershaw 2-1; Bumgarner 1-2
Blt-Tor: Jimenez 1-1; Sanchez 0-2
NY-Det: Warren 1-1; Price 3-0
Bos-TB: Kelly 2-0; Karns 1-2
Min-KC: Pelfrey 1-1; Guthrie 2-0
Clev-Chi: Kluber 0-3; Samardzija 1-2
A’s-LAA: Gray 1-2; Weaver 1-2
Hst-Sea: Hernandez 0-2; Happ 1-1
Tex-Az: Gallardo 2-1; Bradley 2-0
Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Mia-Phil: Cosart 0-2; Hamels 2-3
Stl-Wsh: Lackey 1-2; Fister 0-2
Chi-Pitt: Hammel 0-2; Worley 0-2
Atl-NY: Stults 0-2; Gee 1-2
Cin-Mil: Cueto 1-3; Nelson 0-2
SD-Col: Shields 0-3; Kendrick 2-3
LA-SF: Kershaw 2-3; Bumgarner 1-3
Blt-Tor: Jimenez 0-2; Sanchez 1-2
NY-Det: Warren 0-2; Price 0-3
Bos-TB: Kelly 0-2; Karns 1-3
Min-KC: Pelfrey 0-2; Guthrie 1-2
Clev-Chi: Kluber 1-3; Samardzija 0-3
A’s-LAA: Gray 0-3; Weaver 0-3
Hst-Sea: Hernandez 1-2; Happ 1-2
Tex-Az: Gallardo 1-3; Bradley 1-2
Umpires
Mia-Phil– Over is 19-6-1 in last 26 Basner games.
StL-Wsh– Six of last nine Wolf games stayed under.
Chi-Pitt– Over was 15-1-1 in last 17 Morales games LY.
Atl-NY– Eight of last nine Segal games went over.
Cin-Mil– Five of last six Barber games went over.
SD-Colo– Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Joyce games.
LA-SF– Over is 10-6 in last sixteen Fagan games.
Balt-Tor– Favorites won eight of last ten Dimuro games.
NY-Det– Six of last seven Davis games went over total.
Bos-TB– Underdogs won three of last four BWelke games.
Min-KC– Eight of last twelve Blaser games stayed under.
Cle-Chi– Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Bellino games.
A’s-LA– Under is 9-3-1 in last thirteen Muchlinski games.
Hst-Sea– Underdogs won four of last five LBarrett games.
Tex-Az– Six of last eight Everitt games stayed under.
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
MLB | OAKLAND at LA ANGELS
Play On – Road teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (OAKLAND) good defensive catchers – allowing 0.5 or less SB’s/game on the season against opponent starting a pitcher who did not walk a hitter last outing
118-75 over the last 5 seasons. ( 61.1% | 47.3 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends™ – FoxSheets
MLB | ATLANTA at NY METS
ATLANTA is 19-6 (+15.9 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 1 or more runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: ATLANTA (4.6) , OPPONENT (3.0)
Wednesday’s NHL Playoffs Betting Cheat Sheet
♦Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators (-115, 5)
Dale Weise is hardly considered one of the team’s primary goal scorers, but he was presented with a new nickname: “Mr. Clutch.” “I don’t know if you can call me that yet,” said Weise, who has five goals and four assists in 19 playoff games over the last two seasons. The 26-year-old’s totals are a significant upgrade from his 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 140 regular-season contests in that same span.
Clarke MacArthur has scored the first goal in each of the last two contests while captain Erik Karlsson has notched an assist in all three games. The 6-foot, 180-pound defenseman also made a surprising statement by unleashing six hits in Game 3, highlighted by a jarring shot on Nathan Beaulieu (upper body) that will sideline the Montreal defenseman for the rest of the series. “That open-ice hit was perfect, a textbook body check. It gets the momentum going for your team,” Ottawa’s Curtis Lazar said.
TRENDS:
* Canadiens are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
* Canadiens are 6-0 in their last six overall.
* Under is 4-1-1 in Senators last six vs. Atlantic.
♦New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins (+100, 5)
New York is receiving offensive production from its defensemen, as Dan Girardi notched a pair of secondary assists in Game 3, Keith Yandle set up Hagelin’s breakaway goal and Marc Staal’s shot-pass was later converted by Chris Kreider at the left post. Speaking of blue-liners, Kevin Klein was an active participant in the team’s optional skate on Tuesday, but coach Alain Vigneault did not update his condition. “I can tell you as soon as he tells me he’s ready to go, he’s going to play,” Vigneault said of Klein, who has been sidelined since sustaining a broken arm after blocking a shot from Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin on March 11.
Evgeni Malkin let the cat out of the bag by saying that he’s been playing injured during the series. “(He) has been progressing every single game,” Johnston said of the former Hart Trophy winner, who failed to record a shot on Monday and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight contests. “He still has to direct more pucks to the net; he’s a three-or-four-shot a game guy and he needs to do that but I think he’s on the verge of breaking through.”
TRENDS:
* Under is 5-0-1 in Penguins last six home games.
* Rangers are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
* Penguins are 2-11 in their last 13 vs. Eastern Conference.
♦St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild (-135, 5)
Ken Hitchcock hinted there could be changes to the lineup after Monday’s lackluster performance, but he has no issues with the play of rookie Jake Allen, who has started all three games in net. “The opposition’s scored, what, five goals? Our goalie’s been excellent,” Hitchcock said. “They’ve got five goals when you count the ones with the goalie in the net; that’s not much. … Any coach in the world would take five goals against right now after three games.” Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis’ leading scorer during the regular season, had a hat trick to spark a 4-1 victory in Game 2 but has not registered a shot on goal in either loss.
Home ice has allowed Minnesota coach Mike Yeo to play the matchups and he has opted to send out his top line of Jason Pominville, Zach Parise and Mikael Granlund against St. Louis’ No. 1 unit. Each of the Wild’s trio collected two points in Game 3, including second-period goals by Pominville and Parise, while bottling up Tarasenko and linemates Alexander Steen and Jori Lehtera, holding them to a combined two shots. “I wasn’t too excited about the way our first two games went in St. Louis,” Parise said. “I thought we could do a lot better. … The three of us wanted to have a better performance than we had in St. Louis.”
TRENDS:
* Blues are 12-5 in the last 17 meetings.
* Blues are 1-6 in their last seven Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Wild are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Central.
♦Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets (-125, 5.5)
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Anaheim is the first team in NHL history to win three straight games in which it trailed after two periods. Despite its success in that situation throughout the campaign, coach Bruce Boudreau knows the team is playing with fire. “The rules and laws say it just can’t continue,” he said. “We’re fortunate that it has, but it’s not saying it’s going to continue (in Game 4).” Nate Thompson, who missed the first three games with an upper-body injury, could replace Tomas Fleischmann in the lineup for Game 4.
Instead of being demoralized about the fact it just as well could be the team with the 3-0 lead, Winnipeg is remaining positive as it hopes to claw its way back into the series. “You’ve got to make them win four games, so we’re sure not going to go down easy,” said right wing Blake Wheeler, who scored his second career playoff goal – and first since 2010 with Boston – in Game 3. “You’ve got to win four games. We’ve won four in a row before. The first one’s going to be the hardest one, apparently.”
TRENDS:
* Ducks are 7-0 in the last seven meetings.
* Over is 5-1 in Jets last six home games.
* Jets are 0-7 in their last seven Conference Quarterfinals games.
2014-15 NHL PLAYOFFS
Canadiens scored 8:47 into OT to take 3-0 series edge, winning last two games in OT, after Ottawa had led all three games after the first period; six of nine Montreal goals have come in second period, as Canadiens outshot Ottawa 52-26 in 2nd period in series. Montreal won its last five games overall, allowing 13 goals; over is 5-1-3 in their last nine games. Ottawa is 3-7 on power play in series, but have only three even-strength goals. Over is 7-2-2 in last eleven series games. Canadiens are 3-2 in last five games played here. Montreal is 1-13 on power play this series.
Rangers won eight of last ten games with Pittsburgh, winning four of last five visits here. Penguins lost seven of last nine games overall, eight of their last eleven stayed under. Rangers won eight of last ten games overall, with five of last eight going over total. Last two games, there were total of only 18 shots on goal (10-8 NY) in first period. Penguins were held to 11 shots in first two periods of last game- they had 13 in third period, but too little, too late. Rangers are just 2-14 on power play in series, Pens are 2-7.
St Louis was shut out 3-0 on only 17 shots in Game 3, prompting ESPN’s Barry Melrose to rip them for looking like they don’t care. Blues didn’t have one power play in Game 3; they’re not creating any scoring chances. Curious to see how they come out here- they get home ice edge back if they can even series. Wild is 0-4 on power play last two games, after scoring half their goals (2-4) with man edge in Game 1. Minnesota lost three of its last four home games. . Blues have 109-87 faceoff advantage so far in series. Over is 3-1-1 in last five series games.
Anaheim is first team ever to win first three games of series, when they trailed all three games in third period- they won last six games with Winnipeg, scoring with 2:14 left to to force OT in Game 3. Still expect Winnipeg crowd to give home side a boost; this is first playoff series in Winnipeg since 1996. Five of last seven series games went over the total. Winnipeg is 1-10 on power play in series. Ducks won eight of their last ten games overall; they’ve outscored Jets 6-0 in third period.
Home teams are 18-9 in this round; over is 12-11-4.
CRUSHER
Baseball Crusher
LA Dodgers -123 over SF Giants
(System Record: 7-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 7-7
Hockey Crusher
Ottawa Senators -110 over Montreal Canadiens
(System Record: 92-4, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 92-77-9
Basketball Crusher
San Antonio Spurs +1.5 over LA Clippers
(System Record: 80-1, lost last 3 games)
Overall Record: 80-83-4
Soccer Crusher
Reading + Birmingham – UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in England
(System Record: 747-25, won last 16 games and 3 pushes)
Overall Record: 747-606-113
Here are the rest of his baseball, hockey and basketball plays for today…
Baseball
Arizona Diamondbacks -130 over Texas Rangers
New York Mets -140 over Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs +115 over Pittsburgh
Hockey
Winnipeg Jets -123 over Anaheim Ducks
Pittsburgh Penguins +104 over New York Rangers
Basketball
Brooklyn Nets +9.5 over Atlanta Hawks
PAUL LEINER
100* NBA – Grizzlies -6
100*MLB – Pirates -125
100* MLB – Over 8 – Royals/Twins
EZWINNERS
MLB – (ACTION)
1* (916) White Sox +$110
1* (911) Padres -$123
1* (913) Dodgers -$123
(Lines from Americasbookie.com)
Chicago Syndicate – MLB
Triple Dime – Cleveland Indians -116
FRANK PATRON
Must Win 100,000 Unit NBA Playoffs Lock – Memphis Grizzlies -6 over Portland
If you have 6.5, buy the half point to 6.
GOODFELLA (NBA PLAYOFFS)
Triple-Dime bet – Memphis Grizzzlies-6
STEVE FEZZIK (NBA PLAYOFFS)
Double-Dime bet – OVER 206.5 – SAS vs LAC
Hot betting stat of the day: Mets ‘Undefeated at home’
The New York Mets are a perfect 8-0 record at Citi Field so far this season and will try to make it 9-0 Wednesday when they host the Atlanta Braves.
The Mets have been favored in every home game this season, outscoring opponents 44-23 in the process and will be again today versus the Braves.
New York is currently listed as a -140 favorite with right hander Dillion Gee expected to take the mound. The Braves counter with lefty Eric Stults.
The Mets will also be trying to extend their overall winning streak to 10 consecutive games.
CHASE DIAMOND
10* MLB RUN LINE DESTOYER
Houston vs. Seattle, 04/22/2015 22:10
Point Spread: +1½/-165 Houston
This game features the 8-6 Astros at the 5-9 Mariners. The Astros have been playing great Baseball having won 4 straight games and I love them again tonight although I really am not sold on Roberto Hernandez as a starter. 62% of public money is backing the Mariners here yet this line is going the other way. This game will be a 1 run game either way I’ll gladly play the +11.5 at a descent number for a 10* play take the Astros +1.5