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Betting: Susan Boyle or Flawless, Plus NBA Playoff and NHL Playoffs Odds

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Phillies turn to their ace for a victory, the Indians continue their New York set, and the NHL continues its first-round series.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

In what will be Stephan A. Smith’s ESPN finale, NBA action resumes on Saturday (NBA playoff series odds), with Game 1 of four of the league’s first-round series: Detroit at Cleveland, Chicago at Boston, Dallas at San Antonio, and Houston at Portland. The other four series get underway on Sunday, with Philadelphia at Orlando, Miami at Atlanta, Utah at the Lakers, and New Orleans at Denver. Los Angeles is pegged as the 3/5 Vegas fave to win the title, with the Cavaliers at 8/5, the Celtics at 2/1, the Magic at 9/2, and the Trail Blazers at 8/1 according to BetUs Sportsbook.

Also the 2009 NBA playoff odds and betting lines for the individual games are up.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Phillies ace Cole Hamels will try to get back on track on Friday night when his team plays host to the Padres. The lefthander was pounded in his first start of the season on April 10, surrendering seven earned runs on 11 hits in just 3 2-3 innings of work versus the Rockies. San Diego will send Chris Young out to the mound on Friday; the righthander is 2-0 with a tiny 1.38 ERA through two outings.

The Cards and Cubs play a matinee in Chicago Friday, while the Mets get a visit from the Brewers. Rounding out the National League slate: Atlanta at Pittsburgh, Florida at Washington, Cincinnati at Houston, Colorado at the Dodgers, and Arizona at San Francisco; Dan Haren (0-2, 2.08 ERA) will pitch for the D-Backs.

Cleveland and New York will continue their series in the new Yankee Stadium on Friday, with the Tribe’s Anthony Reyes (1-0, 6.00 ERA) taking on the Bombers’ Joba Chamberlain (0-0, 1.50 ERA). Elsewhere around the American League: Oakland at Toronto, Baltimore at Boston, the White Sox at Tampa Bay, Kansas City at Texas, the Angels at Minnesota, and Detroit at Seattle. Tigers starter Justin Verlander has given up nine earned runs over 8 2-3 innings this season.

Picks that are hotter than Donna Feldman and Carlie Becker are GodsTips in the NHL. Their baseball domination also is resuming. GodsTips is 4-1 in the NHL playoffs including two Dandy Dogs. Get six MLB and NHL winners tonight. The big story is the National League Underdog of the Month. We will also add that there are some Dandy Dogs among our six winners. Click now to purchase

The next Susan Boyle…

The inspirational story of Susan Boyle on ‘Britain‘s Got Talent’ has bettors with renewed interest in Hollywood and entertainment betting odds. Paddy Power, an Irish sportsbook has Boyle as only an 8-11 favorite to win the talent contest. Dance group Flawless is 5-1 to topple the poster child for rags to riches.

Boyle is a bit more inspirational than former American Idol contestant Tozier Robbins who was arrested for stalking Britney Spears.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The National Hockey League offers up Game 2 of three first-round playoff series on Friday night, including Carolina at New Jersey. The Devils rolled to a 4-1 win over the Hurricanes in Game 1 on Wednesday, with Zach Parise providing a goal and an assist and Martin Brodeur stopping 18 of 19 Carolina shots. Ray Whitney had the lone Carolina marker in the third period, and Cam Ward made 35 saves.

The other Eastern matchup on Friday has Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, with the Penguins looking to a grab a 2-0 lead in the series. Pittsburgh picked up a 4-1 win in the opener on Wednesday, on goals by Sidney Crosby, Tyler Kennedy, Mark Eaton, and Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves for the Penguins in that matchup, while Martin Biron stopped 29 of 33 Pittsburgh shots.

Finally, it’ll be St. Louis at Vancouver in the second game of their first-round Western series on Friday. The Canucks pulled out a 2-1 win at home in Game 1 on Wednesday night, with Roberto Luongo making 25 saves on the night. Daniel Sedin and Sami Salo had the Vancouver goals, while Brad Boyes made it close for the Blues in the second period. Chris Mason picked up 29 saves in the defeat.

NBA Picks and Predictions

NBA playoff betting is here! Time to make some picks for Saturday’s games. It’s safe to say we know what will happen in the Cavaliers vs Pistons odds and the Celtics vs Bulls odds (to a lesser extent), so let’s focus on the tougher-to-predict basketball betting matchups.

Spurs vs Mavericks odds – Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET

After these two teams split the season series, basketball betting players can’t assume the Spurs odds are a sure thing in Game 1. That said, the Spurs are still the better sportsbook pick in this matchup. While wear and tear on Tim Duncan and an aging lineup missing Manu Ginobili are a concern, the Spurs should still be fresh enough in Game 1 and have momentum after closing out the NBA betting regular season with a four-game winning streak. Look for the Spurs to start fast and lay a Game 1beatdown on the Mavs, maybe by a double-digit margin. Tony Parker will run wild. Go with the Spurs odds here.

Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds – Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET

The Rose Garden will rock Saturday night as many young Blazers play their first career playoff game. That, however, could be problematic in game 1. While the Blazers odds still look good for the entire series, the young guns could be nervous in Game 1 and may force some bad shots or turn over the ball more than normal. The more experienced Rockets, led by Yao Ming and Shane Battier, should use their savvy to quiet the crowd, just for one game. On paper, picking the Rockets odds is a risky proposition given that the Rockets were just 20-21 in the road this season while Portland went 34-7 at home. But the playoffs are a new experience and the Blazers may need a game to adjust. Pick Houston to pull off the offshore sportsbook upset in Game 1.

Indians-Yankees Lines Preview

The Cleveland Indians will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Indians will give the ball to starter Anthony Reyes in this one. Righthander Reyes is 1-0 this season with a 6.00 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Joba Chamberlain who starts for the Yankees. Righthander Chamberlain is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 230-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Grady Sizemore blasted a grand slam home run in a nine-run seventh inning on Thursday, as the Indians defeated the Yankees 10-2 in the opener of a four-game series. The Indians won that game as +190 underdogs, and the 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Jhonny Peralta and Kelly Shoppach had two hits and two RBIs apiece for the Indians. Cliff Lee tossed six innings for the win, allowing seven hits and one run.
Jorge Posada hit a solo home run for the Yankees, who were -210 favorites. Jose Veras surrendered three runs in relief and was tagged with the loss.
Current streak:
Cleveland has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 3-7 SU
New York: 5-5 SU
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After playing NY Yankees are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Cleveland is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
Cleveland is 7-18 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Yankees are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Cleveland
NY Yankees are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games
NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Cleveland
Next up:
NY Yankees home to Cleveland, Saturday, April 18

 

Cardinals-Cubs Lines Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs will meet on the field at Wrigley Field on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
The Cardinals will give the ball to starter Kyle Lohse in this one. Righthander Lohse is 2-0 this season with a 1.13 ERA.
Starting this game for the Cubs will be ace Carlos Zambrano. The righthander has a 3.00 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals rallied with four runs over the final four innings to defeat the Cubs 7-4 in the opener of a four-game series oin Thursday, as +105 underdogs. The game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Chris Duncan went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer and three RBIs to lead the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright posted the victory with six-complete innings, and Ryan Franklin tossed a scoreless ninth for his second save.
Kosuke Fukudome cracked a three-run homer for the Cubs, who had been -115 favorites. David Patton gave up the winning run in relief.
Current streak:
St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 8-3
SU
Chicago
: 5-4 SU
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After playing Chi Cubs are 3-7
After a win are 8-2

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing St. Louis are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 9-1
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 8-17 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home
Next up:
Chi Cubs home to St. Louis, Saturday, April 18

 

NBA Playoff Picks – Spurs vs Mavericks odds

The first round of playoff NBA lines offers some mismatches and, while no one would’ve expected it a few months ago, the Spurs vs Mavericks odds are not one of those mismatches. Not only did the two teams split their season series 2-2, both winning a game in the other’s barn, but the Spurs are banged up entering the NBA betting playoffs and the Mavericks may be playing their best basketball of the season right now. So online betting players cant totally write this one off as a sportsbook joke.

When assessing the Spurs odds, there’s no getting around the fact that (a) Manu Ginobili is out for the season with a stress fracture in his ankle and (b) Tim Duncan is past his prime, posting his second lowest points and rebounding averages of his career this season. That puts pressure on young (yes, young—can you believe he’s only 26?) Tony Parker to carry the team. Luckily for the Spurs odds, Parker seems more than up to the task. His 22.0 points per game were a career high and, more importantly, he really brought it in last year’s playoffs, averaging 22.4 points per game. He’s ready to be the face of this franchise.

The Mavs won’t go quietly, though. There’s a ton of pressure on them after years of NBA playoff betting flops and it’s pretty likely that a firesale is on the horizon if they fail again. Dirk Nowitzki can still put points on the board and Jason Terry was a revelation as the sixth man this season. They’ll need a special performance from him off the bench for the Mavericks odds to stand a chance.

While the Spurs are somewhat hobbled and the Mavs played them evenly in the regular season, online betting fans should realize that playoff basketball betting is a different beast. We know these Mavericks are playoff chokers and we know these Spurs always elevate their game, so you should make the Gregg Popovich’s Spurs your sportsbook pick in this series.

Online betting pick: Spurs in six.

Angels-Mariners Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Angels will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
Lefthander Joe Saunders will take the mound for the Angels to start this game. Saunders is 1-1 this season with a 2.63 ERA.
It'll be Chris Jakubauskas toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. Righthander Jakubauskas is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Mariners rocked Los Angeles for seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Angels 11-3 on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Ichiro Suzuki blasted a grand slam homer to pace the Mariners. Jarrod Washburn gave up two runs off four hits in six innings for the win.
Torii Hunter went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer for the Angels, who were favored at -130 in that contest. Jered Weaver surrendered four runs over five innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Seattle has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 3-5 SU
Seattle: 7-2 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing LA Angels are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games when playing Seattle
LA Angels are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Seattle
LA Angels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games on the road
LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Seattle is 5-14 SU in their last 19 games when playing LA Angels
Next up:
LA Angels at Minnesota, Friday, April 17
Seattle home to Detroit, Friday, April 17

Giants-Dodgers Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
The Giants will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Barry Zito in this game. Zito has a 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it'll be Eric Stults who starts for the Dodgers. Lefthander Stults is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Dodgers edged out the Giants 5-4 for a two-game lead in the best-of-three series on Wednesday, as -165 favorites. The nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Matt Kemp went 2-for-4 and drove in a run for the Dodgers. Jonathan Broxton tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn the victory.
Aaron Rowand smacked a three-run homer in a losing effort for the Giants, who were +145 underdogs. Bob Howry gave up two runs in relief to suffer the loss.
Current streak:
San Francisco has lost 5 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
San Francisco: 2-6 SU
Los Angeles: 6-3 SU
San Francisco most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Arizona are 5-5
After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing San Francisco are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
San Francisco is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games at home
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Next up:
San Francisco home to Arizona, Friday, April 17
LA Dodgers home to Colorado, Friday, April 17

Blue Jays-Twins Odds Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at The Metrodome.
Ace righthander Roy Halladay will take the mound for the Blue Jays to start this game. Halladay is 2-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA.
Meanwhile, it'll be ace Francisco Liriano who starts for the Twins. Lefthander Liriano is 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Blue Jays belted out 16 hits en route to a 12-2 victory over the Twins on Wednesday, as +130 underdogs. The 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Aaron Hill went 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs, including a two-run dinger. Scott Richmond tossed 6 1-3 innings for the win, allowing two runs and four hits.
Scott Baker surrendered six runs in just four innings in suffering the loss for the Twins, who were -150 favorites.
Team records:
Toronto: 7-3 SU
Minnesota: 4-6 SU
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Oakland are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing LA Angels are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Minnesota
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Minnesota is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Oakland, Friday, April 17
Minnesota home to LA Angels, Friday, April 17

Padres-Mets Odds Preview

The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Citi Field.
The Padres will trot ace Jake Peavy out to the mound in this one. Righthander Peavy has a 1-1 record and a 3.52 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it'll be John Maine who starts for the Mets. Righthander Maine is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Mets evened their three-game series with the Padres by earning a 7-2 victory on Wednesday, as -190 favorites. That game's nine runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (9).
Carlos Delgado went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a solo home run for the Mets. Oliver Perez allowed just one run off three hits over six innings to post the victory.
Scott Hairston and Adrian Gonzalez knocked in the runs for the Padres, who were +170 underdogs. Kevin Correia surrendered two runs over five innings in the loss.
Team records:
San Diego: 6-3 SU
New York: 4-4 SU
San Diego most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing NY Mets are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After playing San Diego are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
San Diego is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing NY Mets
San Diego is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games on the road
San Diego is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against San Diego
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
NY Mets are 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing San Diego
Next up:
San Diego at Philadelphia, Friday, April 17
NY Mets home to Milwaukee, Friday, April 17

White Sox-Rays Odds Preview

The Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Tropicana Field.
The White Sox will give the ball to starter John Danks in this one. Lefthander Danks is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
Starting this game for the Rays will be Jeff Niemann. The righthander has a 10.13 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 103-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The White Sox were shut out 9-0 by the Tigers on Wednesday, as +145 road underdogs. That game's nine runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under 9.5.
Jose Contreras fell to 0-2, giving up five runs over 5 1-3 innings in the loss.
The Rays lost the rubber match 4-3 to the Yankees on Wednesday, as +105 underdogs. That game's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Carlos Pena went deep in a losing effort, while Troy Percival surrendered the winning run in relief.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 4-4 SU
Tampa Bay: 4-5 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Chi White Sox are 7-3
After playing NY Yankees are 1-9
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chi White Sox's last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay
Chi White Sox are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games when playing Tampa Bay
Chi White Sox are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Tampa Bay is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 19 games when playing Chi White Sox
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Chi White Sox, Friday, April 17