Celtics-Magic Odds Preview

The fans at Amway Arena will be treated to a matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic when they take their seats on Thursday for the sixth game of this second-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Celtics, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Glen Davis had 22 points and seven rebounds to lead the Celtics past the Magic 92-88 to take a 3-2 lead in the series on Tuesday night.
Boston covered as 2.5-point home favorites as the teams played UNDER the 192-point total set by oddsmakers.
Paul Pierce went for 19 points, nine boards, and eight assists for the Celtics, who got 13 points from Ray Allen in the win.
Rashard Lewis netted 19 points for Orlando, while Hedo Turkoglu added 18 points and seven assists for the Magic.
Team records:
Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
After playing Orlando are 8-2
After a win are 4-6

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston’s last 8 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Boston’s last 19 games
Boston is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Orlando is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Orlando is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando’s last 8 games at home

 

Baseball Betting – Sabathia Tries To Quiet Toronto Bats

Preakness betting players will hope their pick this weekend doesn’t stumble out of the gate like New York "thoroughbred" C.C. Sabathia has since putting on the world’s most famous pinstripes. However, Sabathia showed signs of life in his last outing and he’ll need more of the same on Thursday at Rogers Center, when the Yankees wrap up a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays, the most potent offense in the majors.

Yankees vs Blue Jays odds – Thursday, 7:07 PM ET

Sabathia (2-3, 3.94) tossed a four-hit shutout gem in a 4-0 win at Baltimore, striking out a season-high eight batters while walking only one. This was easily the best start of Sabathia’s short New York career to date, and after a half-year in the National League spent dragging Milwaukee to the playoffs, the giant 28-year-old righthander returns to face a time against which he’s had success in the past. Sabathia is 7-3 in 10 starts against the Blue Jays when he was with Cleveland, with an ERA of 2.15 while holding them to a .215 batting average.

The Blue Jays will counter with Brian Tallet (2-1, 4.95), who also pitched a stunner in his last outing. Tallet went seven strong innings, giving up a run on two hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks in a 6-4 victory at Oakland. Tallet wasn’t even supposed to be in the rotation, but various injuries to pitchers like Jesse Litsch and Ricky Romero forced Toronto‘s hand, and he’s done rather well. Tallet has made 20 relief appearances against the Yankees, going 0-1 with an ERA of 2.86.

MLB odds should favor the Blue Jays at home in your US-friendly sportsbook , although it looks like a pitching mismatch on paper between Sabathia and Tallet. The Blue Jays have a great offense, but Sabathia likes pitching agianst them for whatever reason, and it looks like he’s got his mojo back. Tallet, on the other hand, the jury is still out on as a starter, and this will be a major test for him. Take the Yankees on the road for your baseball betting pick on Thursday.

Sports Bettors Go From Being the Biggest Loser To Biggest Winners

The sportsbooks are paying out the Biggest Loser Season 7 winnings as a few bettors unloaded on Helen Phillips. Sports bettors who are tired of being the biggest losers and having the bookmaker garnishee their paycheck can begin the rest of their gambling lives.  The longest way to winning sports bets is betting on your own, the quickest is using the top sports handicappers.

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Nuggets try again to close out the Mavericks, while the Capitals play host to the Penguins in Game 7 of their series.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Mavericks remain on the ropes as they head to Denver for Game 5 of their second-round series against the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Dallas avoided elimination on Monday with a 119-117 home victory, as Dirk Nowitzki led the team’s attack with a game-high 44 points. Josh Howard added 21 points for the Mavs, who now trail the best-of-seven set 3-1. Carmelo Anthony poured in 41 points in the loss for Denver, who opened as 8-point faves for Wednesday night.

 

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Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Undefeated Mark Buehrle will take the mound for the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon as they finish off their road series against rival Cleveland. Buehrle sits at 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA on the season, and he tossed eight scoreless innings (giving up just one hit) against the Tigers last time out. Countering for the Tribe will be Cliff Lee, who has a solid 3.45 ERA on the year but sits with a 1-5 record.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Wednesday it’s Tampa Bay at Baltimore, the Yankees at Toronto, Seattle at Texas, Detroit at Minnesota, Kansas City at Oakland, and Boston at the Angels. Red Sox starting knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA in six outings so far this year.

Over in the National League on Wednesday it’ll be Atlanta at the Mets, Washington at San Francisco, St. Louis at Pittsburgh, the Dodgers at Philadelphia, San Diego at the Cubs, Florida at Milwaukee, Houston at Colorado, and Cincinnati at Arizona. Reds starter Johnny Cueto has allowed just one run and nine hits over his last 15 innings of work, and he sits at 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Penguins and Capitals will play for all the marbles in Washington on Wednesday night as those clubs contest Game 7 of their second-round series. The Caps pulled out a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 6 on Monday to extend the set to seven games, with David Steckel providing the tally in the extra frame. Viktor Kozlov scored twice for Washington in that contest, and Alexander Ovechkin had three assists. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist for the Pens.

Dodgers-Phillies Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Citizens Bank Park.
The Dodgers will give the ball to starter Randy Wolf in this one. Lefthander Wolf is 1-1 this season with a 2.95 ERA.
Wolf‘s opponent in this one will be Jamie Moyer. The Phillies lefthander has a 7.26 ERA to go along with a 3-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Dodgers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Raul Ibanez knocked in two runs to lead the Phillies past the Dodgers 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Philadelphia cashed as -120 home favorites as the game played UNDER the 10-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino also drove in runs for the Phillies, while Chan Ho Park gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win for Philadelphia.
Orlando Hudson went 3-for-4 with a run batted in for Los Angeles, as Clayton Kershaw allowed four runs over five innings to take the loss for the Dodgers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 22-12 SU
Philadelphia: 16-14 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing LA Dodgers are 7-3
After playing LA Dodgers are 9-1
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
LA Dodgers are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Philadelphia home to LA Dodgers, Thursday, May 14

 

Nationals-Giants Odds Preview

The San Francisco Giants will be trying to extend a winning streak on Wednesday when they take on the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park.
Righthander Shairon Martis will take the mound for the Nationals to start this game. Martis is 4-0 this season with a 4.67 ERA.
The Giants will counter Martis with Barry Zito. Lefthander Zito has a 3.57 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 147-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Pablo Sandoval’s walk-off, three-run homer lifted the Giants past the Nationals 9-7 on Tuesday night.
San Francisco won as -140 home favorites as the game played OVER the 8-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Randy Winn went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in for the Giants, while Brandon Medders got the win in relief of starter Matt Cain for San Francisco.
Nick Johnson was 2-for-4 with a three-run dinger and five RBIs for Washington, as Joe Beimel took the loss after allowing the walk-off to Sandoval.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
San Francisco has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 10-21 SU
San Francisco: 18-14 SU
Washington most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 2-8
After playing San Francisco are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

San Francisco most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing NY Mets are 3-7
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Washington is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco
San Francisco is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
San Francisco is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Washington home to Philadelphia, Friday, May 15
San Francisco home to NY Mets, Thursday, May 14

 

Braves-Mets Lines Preview

The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Citi Field.
Jo-Jo Reyes will be the starting pitcher for the Braves on this day. Lefthander Reyes is 0-2 this season with a 5.48 ERA.
Reyes‘s opponent in this one will be Jonathon Niese. The Mets lefthander has a 3.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Braves, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Carlos Beltran’s bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Mets over the Braves 4-3 on Tuesday night.
New York cashed as -125 home favorites as the game played UNDER the 9-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Jose Reyes went 2-for-5 with two runs batted in for the Mets, while Francisco Rodriguez picked up the win in relief of starter Mike Pelfrey for New York.
Brian McCann was 3-for-4 with an RBI for Atlanta, as Jeff Bennett was handed the loss after allowing the winning run in the 10th inning.
Team records:
Atlanta: 16-17 SU
New York: 18-14 SU
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Arizona are 5-5
After playing NY Mets are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing San Francisco are 8-2
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
NY Mets are 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta home to Arizona, Friday, May 15
NY Mets at San Francisco, Thursday, May 14

 

White Sox-Indians Lines Preview

The Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Progressive Field.
The White Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace lefthander Mark Buehrle in this game. Buehrle has a 5-0 record and a 2.61 ERA this season.
It’ll be ace Cliff Lee toeing the rubber for the Indians in this contest. Lefthander Lee is 1-5 with a 3.45 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Jim Thome went 2-for-3 with two homers and four runs batted in to lead the White Sox past the Indians 7-4 on Tuesday night.
Chicago won as +100 road underdogs as the game played OVER the 9.5-run total listed by sportsbooks.
Corky Miller was 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the White Sox, while D.J. Carrasco got the win in relief of starter Clayton Richard for Chicago.
Asdrubal Cabrera went 2-for-5 with an RBI for Cleveland, as losing pitcher Jeremy Sowers was tagged for five runs over four innings for the Indians.
Team records:
Chicago: 15-17
SU
Cleveland
: 12-22 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 2-8
After playing Cleveland are 7-3
After a win are 2-8

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After playing Chi White Sox are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Chi White Sox are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games when playing Cleveland
Chi White Sox are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 6-12 SU in their last 18 games when playing Chi White Sox
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Chi White Sox at Toronto, Friday, May 15
Cleveland at Tampa Bay, Thursday, May 14

 

Mavericks-Nuggets Odds Preview

The Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 9-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dirk Nowitzki went for 44 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Mavericks past the Nuggets 119-117 in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinals series on Monday night.
Dallas covered as 1-point home favorites as the game played over the 209.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Josh Howard had 21 points and 11 boards for the Mavericks, who now trail the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Carmelo Anthony led the way for Denver with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals, while Chauncey Billups added 24 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.
Team records:
Dallas: 50-32 SU, 40-42 ATS
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
After playing Denver are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Denver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas’s last 6 games
Dallas is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Denver is 8-0-1 ATS in its last 9 games

 

NHL Odds and Free Picks

Is the wild second round of NHL playoff betting about to get wilder? Maybe, as two tough franchises—the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks—face elimination tonight and don’t want to go quietly. Can the Hurricanes and Red Wings close out their respective series?

Bruins vs Hurricanes odds – Game 6 tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET
NHL odds: Bruins -115, Hurricanes -105

No matter what the Hurricanes accomplish in Stanley Cup betting, they seem doomed to be sportsbook underdogs—even at home tonight. Zdeno Chara can’t do it all on defense for Boston and the ‘Canes have capitalized, overwhelming the Bruins’ blueline with their size and speed. Game in, game out, the Chara-versus-Eric-Staal matchup has dictated this series; when Staal scores, Carolina wins. While Chara dominated Staal when the Bruins stayed alive in Game 5, he hasn’t done it yet on the road, where Carolina is 2-0 in this NHL betting series. Even if Staal one-ups Chara again tonight, though, don’t rush to throw your online sports bets down on Carolina just yet. Something big happened for Boston in Game 5 as two of their most important weapons—Marc Savard and Phil Kessel—woke up. When those two play with confidence and creativity, the Bruins odds usually prevail. I think the Bruins can carry that regained swagger into Game 6 and finally steal one on the road.

Hockey betting pick: Bruins -115

Red Wings vs Ducks odds – Game 6 tonight at 10:05 p.m ET
NHL odds: Red Wings -155, Ducks +135

With their season on the line, the Ducks will be the hungrier team tonight, right? Well, not necessarily. The defending champion Red Wings suddenly have a juicy carrot dangling in front of them: the Chicago Blackhawks, who advanced to the Western Conference final Monday night. They Wings would likely relish the chance to battle their old rivals in an epic Original-Six showdown, so they’ll be more motivated than some sportsbook players would expect tonight. The Wings also have a couple of X-factors on their side. First, Johan Franzen is repeating his amazing Stanley Cup odds performance of last year, with 13 points in 10 games and five goals in six games against the Ducks. Second, although neither roster will have jitters—these are the last two Stanley Cup winners—the exception is Jonas Hiller. He’s never faced elimination before and has looked shaky in the last few games. Detroit just has too much going for it right now, so it should close out the series tonight.

Hockey betting pick: Red Wings -155

Mariners-Rangers Odds Preview

The Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers will meet on the field at Rangers Ballpark on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals.
Jason Vargas will be the starting pitcher for the Mariners on this day. Lefthander Vargas is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
It’ll be Scott Feldman toeing the rubber for the Rangers in this contest. Righthander Feldman is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mariners defeated Minnesota 5-3 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The eight runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (8).
Ken Giffey Jr. hit a two-run home run for Seattle and Jose Lopez hit a solo home run in the win.
The Rangers defeated the White Sox 7-1 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The eight runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (10).
Hank Blalock hit a pair of solo home runs for Texas, while Vicente Padilla allowed one run on one hit over seven innings in the win.
Team records:
Seattle: 16-16 SU
Texas: 17-14 SU
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Texas are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

Texas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Seattle are 7-3
After playing Chi White Sox are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing Texas
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Texas
Seattle is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Texas
Seattle is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games when playing Seattle
Next up:
Texas home to Seattle, Wednesday, May 13

 

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