Game: Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks
Sport: NBA
Pick:
Heat +5.5, 1.91Reason for Pick:
The Hawks are still have a hurting front court that Wade and the Heat exploited nicely in their game 6 blowout.
The NBA's leading scorer erupted for a series-high 41 points to lead Miami to a 96-72 rout with its season on the line. Time and time again, Wade found gaps in the Hawks' defense and either made the shot or drew the foul, finishing 16 of 17 at the free-throw line.
Marvin Williams did play but played only 5 minutes and missed his only shot. Al Horford missed the game entirely and he says his ankle still hurts. Both will play today but I do not expect them to have any effect on the outcome of the game.
With a weak front court for the Hawks, I expect Wade and the Heat to control the boards and be able to slice to the basket for a tonne of baskets and/or free-throws.
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Game: Kansas City Royals @ Minnesota Twins
Sport: NBA
Pick:
Twins ML, 1.83
Reason for Pick:
Starting for the Twins is Scott Baker who struggled in his first 3 starts this season. To his credit though he did face three very offensively potent AL opponents - Rays, Red Sox and Jays.
Against the Royals however, he has had success. In his three starts against the Royals last year he went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA.
The Royals start Gil Meche who is battling back problems. It affected his last start where he allowed 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The Twins have posted solid averages against Meche and they had recently welcomed back Joe Mauer to the lineup. He is 6 for 9 since returning from injury. In contrast, the Royals, who already hit poorly, have only 2 player who hit above .300 against Baker with the next best hitter (John Buck) hitting only .214.
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Game: Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays
Sport: MLB
Pick:
Over 9, 1.91Reason for Pick:
The OVER has been abundent at the Rays home field and with poor pitching matchups in this one, I expect a lot of runs being scored today.
Boston's Brad Penny has struggled so far this season. Although he is 2-0 he was carried by a Boston offense as he has an ERA of 8.66.
James Shields for the Rays gets the start today and has not had success against the Red Sox. Career wise he is 2-5 with a 5.59 ERA against them.
With both teams swinging a hot bat, bad pitching matchups and bullpens not meeting expectations, I expect a tonne of runs to cross the plate today.
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Game: Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets
Sport: NBA
Pick:
Nuggets -6.0, 1.91Reason for Pick:
The Nuggets have the talent to dominate the Western Conference (sorry Lakers fans). They have depth, great defense and can score in bunches.
The Dallas Mavericks are a good team but this year's Nuggets team is completely different. They sweeped the season series against the Mavs and I expect them to win handily today.
So far in this year's playoff's they're undefeated at home and 3-1 against the spread at home.
Matchup wise, Dirk will be suffocated by a heathy K-Mart. The aging Jason Kidd will be defended by Billups and Dahntay Jones will (who shut down Chris Paul) will be on Jason Terry.
I expect good matchups and home court advantage to lead to a dominating victory for the Nuggets.
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Game: San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Sport: MLB
Pick:
Dodgers -1.5, 2.10Reason for Pick:
The Dodgers send their ace to the mound against a team he has had success against in his career. He is 6-3 with a 2.43 ERA lifetime and beat them 5-2 on April 8.
The Dodgers offense was shut down the past two games (although they did pick up the victories) facing two extreemly difficult pitchers - Jake Peavy and Chris Young. Today they face a much easier task in Chad Gaudin.
The Dodgers are undefeated at home and they'll be going for their record setting 10th straight win at home.
With their Ace on the mound and good pitching/batting matchups for the Dodgers, I expect the Dodgers to take one by more than two runs.
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Past 10 Picks:
WIN - May 2, Baseball (CHI @ TEX) - Tex
LOSS - May 2, Baseball (CLE @ DET) - Cle
LOSS - May 2, Basketball (CHI @ BOS) - Under 195.5
LOSS - May 2, Baseball (FLA @ CHC) - Fla
WIN - May 1, Baseball (LAA @ NYY) - Over 10
WIN - May 1, Baseball (BAL @ TOR) - Tor-1.5
LOSS - May 1, Baseball (OAK @ SEA) - Oak
WIN - May 1, Basketball (ATL @ MIA) - Mia -5.0
WIN - April 30, Baseball (LAA @ NYY) - Over 10.5
WIN - April 30, Hockey (CHI @ VAN) - Canucks
