Penguins-Red Wings, Cavs-Magic Top Betting Games Saturday

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Magic try again to finish off the Cavs, while the Pens skate into Detroit for the opening game of the Stanley Cup final.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Cavaliers will try to tie up their best-of-seven series with the Magic on Saturday night when the Eastern Conference Finals shifts back to Orlando for Game 6. LeBron James poured in 37 points on Thursday night to lead the Cavs to a 112-102 victory and cut Orlando‘s series lead to 3-2. Mo Williams added 24 points in the win for Cleveland, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas picked up 16 points. Hedo Turkoglu had 29 points for the Magic, and Dwight Howard added 24 points and 10 rebounds. Game 7, if required, would be played in Cleveland on Monday.

 

Superstar Stevie Vincent is ready for today’s card to say the least. The Cleveland/Orlando game side is a Level 3, the over/under a Level 4. The Great One has Level 4 and 5 plays in pro baseball. This season, the founder of forensic sports handicapping has hit 13 of his 16 pro baseball Level 5 plays. He has hit a stunning 36-of-60 Level 4 and 5 plays in pro basketball. Get all four winners up now. Click now to purchase Stevie’s picks now.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

White Sox ace Mark Buehrle gets the ball on Saturday as his team continues its road series in Kansas City. The lefthander has allowed more than three runs in just one start so far this season, and he’s sitting at 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA. Buerhle got a no-decision vs. the Royals back in his season debut on April 7. Gil Meche (2-5, 4.55 ERA) hasn’t picked up a win since May 3, but the righthander held his own in that duel with Buerhle back on April 7 – one earned run in seven innings.

Elsewhere around the American League on Saturday it’ll be Boston at Toronto, Minnesota at Tampa Bay, Detroit at Baltimore, Oakland at Texas, Seattle at the Angels, and the Yankees at Cleveland. CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.42 ERA) takes the mound for New York; he’s allowed just six earned runs over his past 32 innings. Fausto Carmona (2-4, 6.42 ERA) was rocked by the Rays in his previous outing, allowing five runs in 1 1-3 innings. Carmona beat the Yankees back on April 18.

Over in the National League on Saturday it’ll be Florida at the Mets, Atlanta at Arizona, the Dodgers at the Cubs, Houston at Pittsburgh, Washington at Philadelphia, Cincinnati at Milwaukee, San Diego at Colorado, and St. Louis at San Francisco. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter is 2-0 through four starts and hasn’t given up an earned run this season (through 23 innings pitched). Giants counterpart Barry Zito has now lost three in a row and sits at 1-5 with a 4.02 ERA.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

It’ll be Penguins vs. Red Wings once again in the Stanley Cup final this season, with Pittsburgh looking for a better result this time around. Those two teams will meet in Detroit on Saturday night to drop the puck on the championship series, with the Wings pegged as -165 home favorites for the opener. The oddsmakers also have Detroit listed as -150 favorites to win the series, despite the injuries to star players Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and Nicklas Lidstrom (lower body). The healthy Pens swept the Canes last round, while the Wings knocked out the Hawks in five.

White Sox-Royals Odds Preview

The Kansas City Royals will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Saturday when they take on the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.
The White Sox will give the ball to ace starter Mark Buehrle in this one. Lefthander Buehrle is 6-1 this season with a 2.59 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be ace Gil Meche who starts for the Royals. Righthander Meche is 2-5 with a 4.55 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The White Sox scored six runs in the sixth inning to earn a 11-2 victory over the Royals on Friday, as a +110 underdog. The 13 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Josh Fields went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs for the White Sox. Clayton Richard tossed the win, giving up six hits and two runs over seven innings.
Billy Butler cracked a two-run homer in a losing effort for the White Sox, who had been -130 favorites. Brian Bannister allowed nine this and seven runs over five innings for the victory.
Current streak:
Kansas City has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 22-25 SU
Kansas City: 23-25 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Kansas City are 4-6
After playing Kansas City are 3-7
After a win are 3-7

Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After playing Chi White Sox are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
Chi White Sox are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Kansas City is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Kansas City home to Chi White Sox, Sunday, May 31
 

Twins-Rays Odds Preview

The Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Tropicana Field.
Ace lefthander Francisco Liriano will take the mound for the Twins to start this game. Liriano is 2-6 this season with a 6.42 ERA.
It’ll be David Price toeing the rubber for the Rays in this contest. Lefthander Price is 0-0 with a 5.41 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Evan Longoria belted a three run homer to lift the Rays to a 5-3 victory over the Twins on Friday, as -150 favorites. That game’s eight runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Carl Crawford had two hits with three runs scored and one run batted in for the Rays. Josh Fields gave up seven hits and two runs over seven innings in the win.
Justin Morneau drove in one run and finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Scott Baker gave up seven hits and four runs over 5 2-3 innings on the mound for the Twins, who were +130 underdogs.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 24-26 SU
Tampa Bay: 24-27 SU
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Minnesota is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Minnesota, Sunday, May 31
 

Braves-Diamondbacks Odds Preview

The Atlanta Braves and the Arizona Diamondbacks will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Chase Field.
Righthander Javier Vazquez will take the mound for the Braves to start this game. Vazquez is 4-4 this season with a 3.80 ERA.
Starting this game for the Diamondbacks will be Doug Davis. The lefthander has a 3.77 ERA to go along with a 2-6 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Braves scored nine runs over two innings and earned a 10-6 victory over the Diamondbacks on Fiday, as -125 favorites. That game’s 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Yunel Escobar went 2-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Braves, and Jeff Francoeur drove in two runs. Jair Jurrjens allowed five runs off eight hits in five innings of work.
Chad Tracy hit a three-run homer and collected four runs for the Diamondbacks, ho were +105 underdogs. Jon Garland was rocked for nine hits and nine runs over 2 2-3 innings in the loss.
Team records:
Atlanta: 24-24 SU
Arizona: 21-28 SU
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Arizona are 6-4
After playing Arizona are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Arizona most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Atlanta are 2-8
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Arizona is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Arizona is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Arizona home to Atlanta, Sunday, May 31
 

Dodgers-Cubs Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Wrigley Field.
The Dodgers will trot Eric Stults out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Stults has a 4-1 record and a 4.29 ERA this season.
Stults’s opponent in this one will be Ryan Dempster. The Cubs righthander has a 4.99 ERA to go along with a 3-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Dodgers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cubs scored twice in the seventh inning and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers on Friday, at EVEN odds. That game’s three runs went UNDER the day’s posted over/under (8).
Koyie Hill belted a solo home run, and Kosuke Fukudome drove in the other run for the Cubs. Ted Lilly notched the win with a seven-inning performance, allowing four hits and one run.
Matt Kemp went deep in a losing cause for the Dodgers, who were -120 favorites. Chad Billingsley gave up eight hits and both runs in suffering the loss.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 34-16
SU
Chicago
: 24-23 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing LA Dodgers are 3-7
After playing LA Dodgers are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
LA Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi Cubs are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games at home
Chi Cubs are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Next up:
Chi Cubs home to LA Dodgers, Sunday, May 31
 

Red Sox-Blue Jays Lines Preview

The Florida Marlins and the New York Mets will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Citi Field.
The Marlins will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Josh Johnson in this game. Johnson has a 3-1 record and a 2.67 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Tim Redding who starts for the Mets. Righthander Redding is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Omir Santos drove in the winning run in the 11th inning to give the Mets a 2-1 victory over the Marlins on Friday, as -180 favorites. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Santos drove in both runs for the Mets, while Pedro Feliciano got the win in relief.
Brian Sanches allowed the winning run and was tagged with the loss. Sportsbooks listed the Marlins as +160 underdogs in that contest.
Current streak:
New York has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 22-27 SU
New York: 27-20 SU
Florida most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing NY Mets are 6-4
After playing NY Mets are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Florida is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
Florida is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
NY Mets are 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
NY Mets home to Florida, Sunday, May 31 The Florida Marlins and the New York Mets will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Citi Field.
The Marlins will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Josh Johnson in this game. Johnson has a 3-1 record and a 2.67 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Tim Redding who starts for the Mets. Righthander Redding is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Omir Santos drove in the winning run in the 11th inning to give the Mets a 2-1 victory over the Marlins on Friday, as -180 favorites. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Santos drove in both runs for the Mets, while Pedro Feliciano got the win in relief.
Brian Sanches allowed the winning run and was tagged with the loss. Sportsbooks listed the Marlins as +160 underdogs in that contest.
Current streak:
New York has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 22-27 SU
New York: 27-20 SU
Florida most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing NY Mets are 6-4
After playing NY Mets are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Florida is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
Florida is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
NY Mets are 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
NY Mets home to Florida, Sunday, May 31
 

Cavaliers-Magic Odds Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Amway Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
LeBron James poured in a game-high 37 points in a triple-double performance to propel the Cavaliers to a 112-102 victory over the Magic on Thursday and cut the series deficit to 3-2.
The Cavaliers covered the 7.5-point spread, while the 214 points sailed OVER the posted total of 197.
James finshed with 14 rebounds and 12 assists in that win. Mo Williams chipped in with 24 points.
Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 29 points, and Dwight Howard had a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Team records:
Cleveland: 66-16 SU, 49-33 ATS
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
After playing Orlando are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games
Cleveland is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Orlando is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games

 

NFL Oddsmakers Say Patriots Are Favorites For 2010 Super Bowl

From the Week 1 home opener against the Buffalo Bills to Super Bowl futures odds, there’s no question that the Sportsbook.com oddsmakers expect the New England Patriots to dominate this season. The oddsmakers have the Patriots listed as a heavy favorite in all the NFL Futures

Odds available right now and with quarterback Tom Brady back on the field, expectations continue to rise for the three-time Super Bowl Champions. New England is a hefty 10-point favorite for the Week 1 Monday Night Football opener against the Buffalo Bills, a -400 favorite to win the AFC East Division, a +180 favorite to win the AFC Championship and +350 favorite to capture the teams fourth Super Bowl since 2000. Not only are the Patriots the leader to win division, AFC and Super Bowl, but oddsmakers have set their Regular Season Win Total at Over/Under 11.5 games.

That’s the highest Win Total of all 32 teams with the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers the only other team getting a double digit win total at Over/Under 10.5 victories. “New England is a team that won nine games last year without their MVP Quarterback and went 16-0 with him the previous regular season,” said Sportsbook.com spokesman, Dave Staley. “They do have the third toughest strength of schedule for the upcoming year but if Brady’s healthy, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Brady performed in front of the media for the first time on the third of New England’s four Organized Team Activities and although not practicing at full speed, the media circus was there to document every move. The  two-time Super Bowl MVP and 2007 NFL MVP, Brady has been the focus of the offseason but bettors would be wise to remember that coach Bill Belichick has spent the offseason re-tooling a slow, aging defense that had trouble getting off the field on third downs last year. 

The most notable additions to the team are in the secondary that gave up numerous big plays last year. Cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs were signed as free agents with safety Patrick Chung and cornerback Darius Butler added early in the draft. These players join 2008 draft picks Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, two players that played well when given time last year. “You take all the new additions and factor in that they have last year’s defensive Rookie of the Year, Jerod Mayo back for his second season, and this defense is going to be improved,” said Staley.

“Plus, Adalius Thomas is coming back from injury and you have big nose tackle Vince Wilfork in a contract year. “They are going to be a tough unit to play this season.” Ready to place your bets on the Patriots or any of the other NFL teams? Check the Live Odds page at Sportsbook.com for a complete list of NFL Betting options.

Sports Betting: Jets Have A Lot to Prove

The New York Jets have a new coach and a new defense but it’s the offense that still has oddsmakers questioning the team as the 2009 season approaches.

Sports Betting Sportsbook oddsmakers are listing the Jets at Over/Under 7 wins with the recently released Regular Season Wins futures odds.

The win totals are always a favorite offseason wager for football fans and Sportsbook.com has odds for every team and a complete list of futures wagers to hold bettors over until the start of the season.

When new head coach Rex Ryan moved from Baltimore to New York, he took with him some of the talent that helped make his Ravens’ defense one of the best in the league.

Among the recruits from Baltimore are defensive lineman Marques Douglas, linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard. Scott was second on the Ravens last year with 82 tackles while Leonhard was third with 69 tackles.

The addition of these players should improve a defense that ranked 16th in the league with 329.4 yards of offense against per game but will that be enough to win in a tough AFC East division that includes the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills?

“No-one is going to question the defense but without a quarterback, it might not matter what the defense does,” said Sportsbook.com spokesman, Dave Staley. “The chances of Mark Sanchez coming in and having a season like Matt Ryan had in Atlanta last year aren’t good.

“Even if they go with Kellen Clemens, they’ll still be a weak offensive team.”

Not only are the Jets without a top tier quarterback, they lost wide receiver Laveranues Coles in free agency, leaving a big void in the catching game behind Jerricho Cotchery.

That does not bode well for a team that will be playing the Patriots, Bills and Dolphins twice this season.

New York is going to need to score points to compete with these teams and I just can’t see them matching up with these teams offensively,” said Staley. “Unless the defense can be as dominant as the Ravens were last year and they can rely on the run game, they could have a hard time getting Over the seven victories.”

The Division Champs from last year, the Dolphins have the toughest schedule in the league and are also listed at seven wins, with the Terrell Owens and the Bills at 7.5 wins.

New England leads the entire NFL with a regular season win total set at 11.5.

Bet on all Sportsbook.com NFL Future Odds.

 

Hugh Hollins Call on Scotty Pippen Wrong: GodsTips Keeps Making Right Call

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Kobe Bryant and the Lakers try to finish off the Nuggets, and the Bronx Bombers head to Cleveland in search of some wins.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

It’s curtains for the Nuggets on Friday night if they can’t get past the Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Denver trails Los Angeles 3-2 in the best-of-seven third-round series after falling 103-94 on the road in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Bryant led the Lakers with a team-high 22 points in that win, while Lamar Odom contributed 19 points and 14 boards off the bench. Carmelo Anthony had a game-high 31 points on just 9-of-23 shooting for the Nuggets in the loss. Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin each put up 12 points Wednesday.

Hugh Hollins calls the foul against Scottie Pippen in the 1994 playoffs may be the most disputed playoff call ever but the most indisputable truth is that GodsTips continues to make all the right calls.

Seriously, if you are betting on your own and without the aid of the top sports betting experts of all-time at GodsTips, you are on a gambling death wish. But we sincerely thank you for keeping the bookmakers in business for us. Sixteen of our last 17 NBA Wise Guy plays have won. Yes 16-1. Cleveland last night was the latest.

Are you ready to begin the rest of your gambling life or do you just want to keep subsidizing the bookmakers for GodsTips clients? Wise Guy on the side and total in the NBA tonight and we have added two night MLB Wise Guys, three night Majors. That’s seven night winners in all! Oh overall it’s 15-5 the last 20 picks. Click now to purchase

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

It’ll be a battle of lefthanders in Cleveland on Friday night as Cliff Lee and the Indians host Andy Pettitte and the Yankees. Lee (2-5, 3.04 ERA) has given up three or fewer earned runs in each of his last eight outings, but his team is just 2-6 in those contests. Pettitte (4-1, 4.30 ERA), has given up four or more earned runs in four of his past five outings, but the Yankees have compiled a 4-1 record.

Also on the AL schedule for Friday: Boston at Toronto, Minnesota at Tampa Bay, the White Sox at Kansas City, Seattle at the Angels, and Oakland at Texas (in a doubleheader). As well, the Tigers and Orioles will continue their series down in Baltimore, with the O’s expected to debut their top prospect, catcher Matt Wieters. Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.57 ERA) heads to the hill for Detroit Friday night.

Over in the National League on Friday things will get underway early with a 2:20pm ET game between the Dodgers and Cubs in Chicago. Chad Billingsley (6-2, 2.82 ERA) is expected to get the start for Los Angeles in that contest; the lefthander gave up five runs (four earned) over six innings in a loss to the Angels last time out. Chicago will send lefthander Ted Lilly (5-4, 3.77 ERA) to the mound.

Rounding out the Senior Circuit slate for Friday: Houston at Pittsburgh, Washington at Philadelphia, Florida at the Mets, Cincinnati at Milwaukee, San Diego at Colorado, Atlanta at Arizona, and St. Louis at San Francisco. The Giants will turn to Matt Cain for that west-coast matchup; the righthander is 5-1 with a solid 2.40 ERA on the season, and his team is 4-0 in his last four outings.

Entertainment headlines….

Phil Spector was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson… With Susan Boyle feeling the pressure, sportsbooks no longer have her as the runaway favorite in Britain‘s Got Talent…The NCAA baseball regionals are going on. Remember the 2009 College World Series odds will be posted on OffshoreInsiders.com