5-26-10

[spook]

REGULAR SERVICE PLAYS go here!! NEW GUYS! LURKERS!

Dont be afraid to post services if you come across them. Your posts will be appreciated for sure.

Just put them in the appropriate section (regular or premium.........LETS MAKE SOME !!

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

papayagang 5/26/2010

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Colorado rockies RL 50*
New York mets ML 20*
Oakland ML 20*

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

NBA NEWS AND NOTES
GAME OF THE DAY
Celtics at Magic
By Teddy Covers

Not dead yet

Most teams facing a 3-0 series deficit basically mail in Game 4. We’ve seen it happen repeatedly in the NBA playoffs this year.

Orlando earned sweeps in the first two rounds, easily dismantling Charlotte and Atlanta in Game 4 after taking 3-0 series leads. The Lakers and Suns had similar success sweeping the Jazz and Spurs out of the postseason.

In fact, the only team all year to go up 3-0 in a series and lose Game 4 is the Boston Celtics. They’ve done it twice - once against Miami in the first round and here in the conference championships following their overtime loss to Orlando in Game 4.

Heading into Game 4, the Magic’s biggest lead of the entire series had been a 3-point edge in the first quarter of Game 2. But Orlando led by five after one quarter of Game 4, and took a 10-point lead in the second quarter. The Magic never extended that lead further, but it was enough to withstand a late Boston run to win in overtime.

Orlando enjoyed strong production from its two best players this postseason. Dwight Howard finished with 32 points and 16 boards, while Jameer Nelson scored 23 points and dished nine assists, hitting a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the overtime session.

But the Celtics deserved to lose as much (if not more) than Orlando deserved to win. Boston lacked the sense of urgency that had been a constant throughout its impressive run of six straight wins against the Cavs and Magic.

For most of the game, Doc Rivers squad lacked intensity. Those repeated offensive shortcomings were on full display during crunch time, as Boston managed only 24 points in the fourth quarter and the overtime session combined.

The dreaded 0-3 deficit

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. There have been 93 teams that have taken a 3-0 series lead and 93 teams have moved on to the next round (or won the championship).

In fact, a team has rallied to win the series after facing a 3-0 series deficit only four times in the history of major pro sports leagues in the US. It’s happened three times in the NHL - most recently, earlier this month by the Flyers over the Bruins - and once in baseball, when the Red Sox rallied to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS.

“At some point, somebody is going to come from 3-0 down and win a series,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. “The only thing I knew for sure was it would start by winning Game 4. I figured that one out. You have to win Game 4. … This was a must-win.”

“When you go down 3-0, what you're fighting against is that human nature to just sort of let it go. Our guys didn't do that,” he continued.

The Celtics, to a man, didn’t sound too concerned about Orlando’s first victory of the series.

“They don’t want to leave. We’re going to have to throw them out. It’s just like somebody renting a house,” Glen Davis told the media.

Crunch-time woes

Orlando got absolutely nothing from Vince Carter in Game 4. Carter’s first-quarter layup was the only shot that he made all night and he finished with as many turnovers (three) as points scored.

But Carter’s no-show is only one piece of the crunch time equation for Orlando. Dwight Howard missed five of six free throw attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime, cracking under the pressure.

As a team, the Magic were inept offensively when it mattered most. They scored only a single point in the final two minutes of regulation and failed to score a single point in overtime until Nelson banked in a long 3-pointer with under three minutes to play. Had the Celtics been able to hit shots themselves, this series would not be going back to Orlando for a Game 5.

But Boston didn’t hit those shots during crunch time. The Celtics have been outscored in the fourth in all four games of this series, continuing a season long pattern of wilting late in competitive games.

After making his first five shots of the game, Kevin Garnett missed his last seven attempts from the floor. Paul Pierce led Boston with 32 points, but he missed his last eight jump shots, many of them contested.

The Celtics bench was also a no-show in Game 4. Rasheed Wallace missed all four 3-point attempts and picked up a key technical foul in the fourth quarter. Tony Allen and Michael Finley were complete non-factors, despite getting more than twenty minutes of playing time between them.

Injury concerns

Boston is a banged up squad right now. Kendrick Perkins wrist injury (adding to his shoulder and knee problems) has left him without any sort of offensive game at all. Perkins is on the court for defensive and rebounding purposes only, leaving Boston with only four offensive options when he’s playing.

Tony Allen’s ankle injury is problematic as well. Nate Robinson – relegated to the end of Doc Rivers’ bench here in the playoffs – got some of Allen’s minutes in Monday’s loss.

And Rivers has to be concerned with the one guy that Boston can’t afford to lose – point guard Rajon Rondo, the team’s MVP during their impressive postseason run. Rondo went to the locker room suffering from muscle spasms in the first half and his counterpart, Jameer Nelson, won the point guard battle for the first time all series.

Trends and angles

-The underdog is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings between these two teams.
-The road team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings between these two teams.
-The Celtics are 4-0 SU and ATS following their last four losses.
-The Celtics are 5-2 SU and ATS on the road here in the playoffs.
-The Magic were 11-0 SU (9-1-1 ATS) in their previous 11 home games prior to the start of this series.

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

PICK 'N' ROLL

Wednesday's Best NBA Bet

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic (-4, 186.5)

The Magic will need to pull another rabbit out of the hat Wednesday to avoid an exodus from the NBA Playoffs.

A couple of desperation 3-pointers heaved by Jameer Nelson in the overtime frame of Game 4 proved to be the deciding factors in the series-saving victory. But those shots resemble exactly how this Orlando squad is playing – desperate.

"We want to make this a series and win this series,” Dwight Howard said. “We all have to believe that. I told the guys before the game, 'Put out all disbelief, anxiety and fear. We just got to keep playing."

Only four teams in the history of sports have rallied to win a playoff series after falling behind three games to none – never in the NBA. And when the Celtics have taken a 3-0 lead in a postseason series the team has never failed to close out before Game 6.

And it’s almost as if Boston knows that because there isn’t a hint of desperation in its voice.

"There's no need to panic," Ray Allen said. "We like the position we're in. It's just always a lesson in humility. As a team, as individuals, you never get too big for the situation. We're in a great position.”

Doc Rivers said his team played awful in the first half of Game 4. He mentioned specifically poor execution of plays and lack of effort.

But as bad as Celts performed they never trailed by more than 10 points and had an opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation.

And do you think Rasheed Wallace, Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis are pleased after allowing Dwight Howard to drop 32 points on them? Not by a long shot so expect these guys to come out hacking Wednesday and put Superman on the charity stripe where he is shooting less than 50 percent in the series.

Pick: Boston Celtics

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

NY Players Club 5/26 (Overall 27-13 in May)

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On Thursday they have three selections:

4* on Orlando/Boston OVER 186 (7-1 on 4*/5*)
3* on Orlando -4
2* on Minnesota Twins -115 with Liriano over Yankees with Pettite

NOTE: If Yankees/Twins pitchers changed due to the suspended game today being played on Wednesday, pass the Twins bet.

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

National Sports Service Picks
Picks For 05/26/10


4* Orlando -4 over Boston (NBA)

4* Chicago White Sox (BEUHLRE) -120 over Cleveland (WESTBROOK)

3* Milwaukee (NARVESON) -115 over Houston (OSWALT)

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

Welcome To Insider Sports Report!
Premier Picks® For 05/26/10

4* St. Louis (Garcia) -125 over San Diego (Correia)
Range: -105 to -140
3* Texas (Feldman)/Kansas City (Hochevar) OVER 9.5
Range: 9 to 10
3* Boston/Orlando OVER 186 (NBA)
Range: 184.5 to 188

[spook]

Re: 5-26-10

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Wednesday’s Streaking And Slumping Starting Pitchers
By Covers Staff

Streaking

Tim Hudson (5-1, 2.09), Atlanta Braves

It must be the early 2000s all over again because Tim Hudson is pitching like Cy Young.

The veteran right-hander has yielded a total of three hits in each of his last two outings – both wins. In his last five starts, Hudson is 4-0 while giving up only five earned runs and no more than two in a single game.

“My sinker feels really good, and for me that’s the key,” Hudson said. “Stay down in the zone with it, (get) good action, stay on top of it, (with) good downward tilt.”

“He’s got that extra, late movement and that makes it frustrating,” Pittsburgh’s Ryan Church said of the sinker. “He’s a ground-ball pitcher and it looks like he’s got his arm strength back from surgery.”

Hudson is 8-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 15 career starts versus Florida.

Chad Billingsley (5-2, 3.36), Los Angeles Dodgers

After a rough first month of the 2010 season, Chad Billingsley is starting to collect himself.

In his last three outings, the righty is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA. Billingsley didn’t yield more than four hits in each of those three starts and he struck out 18 hitters.

Billingsley likes to work fast on the mound but some analysts attributed his early struggles to being too quick between pitches and hitters.

“He was great,” manager Joe Torre said after Billingsley shutout the Padres in a 1-0 victory last week. “He was so comfortable to watch for me. He had a good tempo all game. He didn’t try to rush himself.”

Slumping

Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.06), Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia’s third option in the rotation hasn’t found his form since returning from injury in early May.

Joe Blanton has historically been a second-half pitcher, dropping his ERA almost a full run in 2009 post-All-Star break, so maybe he’s still working out the kinks.

This season, Blanton has surrendered no less than three runs in each of his four starts and opposing offenses are averaging a hit per inning of the right-hander.

There aren’t too many times you’re going to find the Phillies around a pick ‘em against a pitcher making his second big league start (Takahashi, Mets) but Blanton’s struggles are likely the reason.

Kevin Correia (4-4, 4.57 ERA), San Diego Padres

Kevin Correia has made two starts since his 21-year-old brother fell to his death in a hiking accident. He lost both of those games and has dropped three straight outings overall.

Correia said that when he's been on the mound he's "just concentrating on the game" but you have to wonder if his mind drifts to more personal matters, which would be completely understandable.

The righty has been tagged for four earned runs in his last two starts and registered a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio in those games while not getting past the sixth inning.

Correia called his brother’s death the toughest think he’s ever had to deal with and until more time passes San Diego’s No. 2 guy may continue to struggle.

[kar261]

Re: 5-26-10

Note: Accuscore probability is 55.3% at -1.5 runs. Craig Davis is 12-3 lifetime (80%) with 100-dime plays.

Craig Davis
Wednesday's Lineup
100 Dime Winner on the COLORADO ROCKIES -1 1/2 RUNS over the Arizona Diamondeacks with Lopez and Jimenez as the schedulhed starters. If either pitcler does not start, this play is null and void. The run line price on this game is listed between -120 and -130 as I go live this morning. Always shop around for the best price!

COLORADO ROCKIES (WITH JIMENEZ AND LOPEZ) (-1 1/2 RUNS) --- Absolutely no surprise that I'm backing the Rockies again here with Ubaldo Jimenez on the hill. You can argue for Tim Lincecum or Barry Zito or Roy Halladay or even Tim Hudson, but the clear cut leader for the NL Cy Young Award is Ubaldo Jimenez. Just listen to these numbers... 9 starts, 8-1 record (his only loss was 2-0), 63 1/3 innings pitched, 36 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 home run allowed, 23 walks and 58 strikeouts. Those numbers are good for a 0.99 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP on the season... which is BY FAR the best in the majors. Consider this --- Jimenez hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a single start this year, and that's only happened twice. Three times he's allowed just one earned run, and on four occasions he's shut out his opponent. He's on an absolutely incredible pace, and there's absolutely no way the Arizona Diamondbacks can stop him tonight.

Arizona is hitting just .264 as a team... which is good for 12th (out of 16 teams) in the National League, but they are 3rd in the National League in home runs with 57. The good news for us tonight is the fact that Jimenez has given up just one homer all year because he keeps hitters off balance. Imagine facing a starter that was consistently hitting 98 mph on the gun with his fastball, then mixing in an 84 mph change up and curve ball... no wonder he's surrenderhed just one dinger. When Arizona doesn't go deep, they don't score. And since we've already established that Jimenez doesn't give up the long ball and he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any game yet this season, I don't see how the Diamondbacks are going to score tonight.

Jimenez has thrown against the D'Backs 9 times in his career (58 1/3 innings), allowing just 16 earned runs while striking out 65... that's less innings and more strikeouts than he has all of this year. Impressive. His career ERA vs. Arizona is 2.57, his career WHIP is 1.10, and he's allowing Arizona a .183 batting average over those 9 games. He's allowed only four home runs in those 58 innings and has only two hard-luck losses. He's alrealy faced them once this year... and it was one of my previous 100-dime winners as I had Jimenez on the run line. Colorado won 12-1 and Jimenez only had to go 6 innings. He allowed just 2 hits, 2 walks 0 earned runs and 6 strikeouts for his 5th straight win of the season vs. no losses.

Jimenez's opponent tonight, Rodrigo Lopez, has had his ups and downs this season but one thing, in particular, really stands out to me and I'm expecting that trend to continue tonight. Lopez absolutely sucks against teams from his own division. Don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to give the impression that he's a good pitcher outside of his division, I'm just stating a fact that was too overwhelming to overlook. His season W/L record is 2-2 in 9 starts while his ERA is 4.42/WHIP is 1.47, but when you look at his three starts vs. the Giants and Dodgers (twice), it's a staggering difference. 17 innings pitched, 28 hits, 14 earned runs, 8 walks, and only 6 strikeouts. So, his ERA vs. the NL West is 7.41 and his WHIP is 2.12... and those numbers just aren't going to get it done.

In only one career outing vs. the Rockies, Lopez went a mere two innings allowing five hits and two earned runs for an ERA of 9.00, and WHIP of 2.50 and a BAA of .500. That's right, the Rockies hit .500 against Lopez in two innings. Yikes. He's allowed four or more earned runs in four of his nine starts this year, and twice he's allowed 6 ERs... and like I said, most of the damage was done by teams from within his division.

Although the series is tied at 2 this season (after Colorado's 3-2 win last night), the Rockies have owned the Diamondbacks of late, winning 11 of 17 meeting last year. What's interesting about that is the fact that Jimenez pitched in five of those games, winning four and beating Arizona ace Dan Haren twice (3-0 and 5-1). Jimenez was good last year... he's GREAT this year. Colorado has won four of its last five games overall and has won 53 of their last 78 games played at Coors Field. The Rockies are also 5-1 in their last 6 during Game 2 of a series, 13-3 in their last 16 when listed as a favorite of -200 or greater, 6-0 in Jimenez's last 6 starts as a home favorite vs. a team with a losing record, 9-2 in his last 11 starts as a home favorite, and 9-1 in his last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record.

Arizona, meanwhile, is 16-35 in their last 51 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15, 18-40 in their last 58 games as an underdog, 11-27 in their last 38 road games vs. a righty, 3-23 in their last 26 games as a road underdog of +200 or greater and 2-27 in their last 29 games as an overall underdog of +200 or greater. Folks, there are simply too many factors playing against the Diamondbacks tonight... and too many in Colorado's favor. I guess there's a 2% chance Jimenez has his first "slip up" of the season tonight, but I'll take my chances. Nothing is a guarantee, and we're dealing with professional athletes who make millions of dollars and are capable of beating anyone on a given night, but if everything plays out like it should, the Rockies will win this game by at least four runs. I'm banking on it. I like the Rockies on the run line as my biggest baseball play of the year.

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

Default

JR ODonnell | MLB Total Wed, 05/26/10 - 7:10 PM

triple-dime bet 977 BOS / 978 TAM Over 8.5
Analysis: 3* OVER 8.5 RAYS/SOX GAME AT 7:05
LISTED PITCHERS
GARZA/LACKEY


JR O is moving all in on the Red sox/Rays Wednesday battle tonight in Fenway. The Rays @ 32-14 will get to Boston's John Lackey (4-3, 5.07 ERA) as he is really struggling , bombed by the Phillies last game and having a poor recent record vs the Rays, bu~t he's 0-2 with a 17.28 ERA the last two times he's squared off vs. the Boys from Fla. Let's take a hard look at the Over as Vegas has this baby at 8.5 for a reason. The under will be the popular play here and JR O is going against the grain as 3* totals have cashed nicely . Power play ratings have this May 26th battle at 11.3 runs on the variances we have. That’s a full 2 runs off . Over 8.5 grabs the 3* status.
OVER IT GOES

6-5 FINAL ON THE HORIZION

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

JB SPORTS

Opinion Orlando

3 star LA Lakers (5.27.2010)

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

DAVE COKIN

Matchup: Oakland at Baltimore
Time: 7:05 PM EDT (Wed)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) CAHILL, T vs. (L) MATUSZ, B

Play: Baltimore (ML -115)

The Oakland A's had lots of chances to break things open early in their Tuesday game with the Orioles. But they left loads of runners stranded and ended up with the loss, extending the road miseries for this team. The A's are now a woeful 5-14 on the road, and I think they're in trouble tonight. The Orioles clearly have bullpen issues, so they will need a good start tonight from lefty Brian Matusz. The talented young southpaw is off a very bad outing, but I expect him to rebound smartly against an A's lineup that's not real loaded for bear against lefties. On the flip side, Baltimore can bang righties, especially at home, and A's starter Trevor Cahill has struggled in most of his away starts. Given the Oakland problems on the road and the fact the O's have what I believe is an edge on the mound, this number is actually a little on the low side. I'll look for the O's to win their second straight.
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Matchup: Boston at Orlando
Time: 8:30 PM EDT (Wed)

Play: Boston (+4 -110)

It's amazing how quickly people will change their tune when analyzing sports. Most of the same people who said this series was over after Game Three are suddenly talking about how the Magic are right back in the series and that the pressure is now on the Celtics. I think that's absurd. Boston is ahead three games to one. The pressure is on Orlando, because if they lose tonight, their season is finished. I also am not putting a whole lot of stock into the Game Four result. The Celtics played flat, and yet they still got the game to OT and might well have won in regulation has Rasheed Wallace not taken another of his typically stupid technical fouls late in the game. In my opinion, the Celtics still have the physical advantage and unless the Magic have another game where they are unconscious from beyond the arc, it's ending tonight. At the very least, I expect Boston to be in it all the way, so taking the points with the Celtics is the play.

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

JIMMY BOYD

3* NBA Playoffs SMASH (ESPN) on Magic -4

If the Magic were going to just pack it in, they would have done so in Boston in Game 4. Instead, they showed a lot of heart and extended the series. Now they're back home, where they are 38-9 on the season, with some momentum on their side. I know Boston stole the first two games of this series on the road, but I can't see it winning three in a row in Orlando. The Magic's Game 4 win will give them some much needed confidence. As a result, expect the three-point shots to start falling. The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 4.5 or fewer points. Plus, they are a perfect 13-0 ATS after a win by 6 points or less this season, winning in this situation by an average score of 106.5 to 90.5. I'll play by the numbers tonight. Take the Magic.

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

JSM SPORTS
HRC PREMIUM MLB ACTION-May 26th
Capper: JSM Sports (Handicappers Paradise)
Play Strengths
*****************
2* Action
5* Selection (Rated)
8* Premium (Rated)
10* Diamond (Rated)
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[954] Philadelphia |5*|-120|B+0|Network N/A|7:10 pm EST
[954] Cincinnati |5*|-165|B+0|Network N/A|7:10 pm EST
[976] Oak/Bal Over 8.5 |2*|-130|B+0|Network N/A|7:05 pm EST
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HRC PREMIUM NBA ACTION-May 26th
Capper: JSM Sports (Handicappers Paradise)
Play Strengths
*****************
2* Action
5* Selection (Rated)
8* Premium (Rated)
10* Diamond (Rated)
*****************
[518] Orlando |5*|-4|B+0|ESPN|8:30 pm EST

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 5-26-10

Ferringo MLB

2-Unit Play. Take #962 Colorado (-1.5, -120) over Arizona (8:40 p.m.)


1-Unit Play. Take #955 Philadelphia (-110) over N.Y. Mets (7 p.m.)


0.5-Unit Play. Take #957 L.A. Dodgers (+100) over Chicago Cubs (8 p.m.)


0.5-Unit Play. Take #975 Oakland (+105) over Baltimore (7 p.m.)


0.5-Unit Play. Take #966 San Francisco (-1.5, -125) over Washington (10 p.m.)


Today's Totals
1.5-Unit Play. Take Over 9.5 Texas at Kansas City (2 p.m.)

1.5-Unit Play. Take Under 7.5 Washington at San Francisco (10 p.m.)

1-Unit Play. Take Over 8.5 Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (7 p.m.)

1-Unit Play. Take Over 8.5 Arizona at Colorado (8 p.m.)

1-Unit Play. Take Over 9.5 Toronto at L.A. Angels (7 p.m.)

0.5-Unit Play. Take Under 8.5 Atlanta at Florida (7 p.m.)

0.5-Unit Play. Take Under 9.0 N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota (7 p.m.)

0.5-Unit Play. Take Under 7.5 L.A. Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (8 p.m.)