Cardinals-Reds Odds Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Great American Ball Park.
The Cardinals will give the ball to starter Joel Pineiro in this one. Righthander Pineiro is 4-1 this season with a 3.24 ERA.
Pineiro’s opponent in this one will be Johnny Cueto. The Reds righthander has a 1.65 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Reds listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals scored four runs in the fifth inning in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over the Pirates, as -185 favorites. The game’s seven runs went UNDER the day’s posted over/under (9.5).
Jason LaRue went 2-for-4 with a solo home run for the Cardinals. Todd Wellemeyer gave up four hits and two runs over seven innings for the win.
The Reds earned a split of a two-game set at Great American Ball Park by defeating the Brewers 6-5 on Thursday, as +110 underdogs. The 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Jay Bruce hit a solo home run for the Reds, while scoring twice in the victory. Micah Owings notched his second win of the season, and Francisco Cordero collected his eight save.
Current streak:
St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 19-10 SU
Cincinnati: 15-13 SU
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing St. Louis are 4-6
After playing Milwaukee are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
St. Louis is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Next up:
Cincinnati home to St. Louis, Saturday, May 9

 

Yankees-Orioles Lines Preview

The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Camden Yards.
Ace lefthander CC Sabathia will take the mound for the Yankees to start this game. Sabathia is 1-3 this season with a 4.84 ERA.
Sabathia’s opponent in this one will be Jeremy Guthrie. The Orioles ace righthander has a 5.05 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Yankees lost 8-6 to the Rays last time out, as -175 favorites at home. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Johnny Damon homered and finished with four RBIs for the Yankees, while Mariano Rivera took the loss in relief.
Aubrey Huff belted a two-run homer to help the Orioles defeat the Twins 5-4 on Thursday, as a -105 pick’em. That game’s nine runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (10.5).
Melvin Mora had two hits with one RBI and two runs scored for the Orioles. Jim Johnson picked up the win in relief, and George Sherrill notched his fifth save.
Current streak:
New York has lost 5 straight games.
Baltimore has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 13-15
SU
Baltimore
: 12-17 SU
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing NY Yankees are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
NY Yankees are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing Baltimore
NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Yankees’s last 12 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 12 games when playing NY Yankees
Baltimore is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
Baltimore is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
Next up:
Baltimore home to NY Yankees, Saturday, May 9

 

Cubs-Brewers Lines Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Miller Park.
Righthander Randy Wells will take the mound for the Cubs to start this game. Wells is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
Starting this game for the Brewers will be David Bush. The righthander has a 3.94 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Brewers listed as 123-moneyline favorites versus the Cubs, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cubs sealed a victory on Thursday with an 8-5 victory over Astros. The Cubs 13 runs made it OVER the posted total of 10.
Alfonso Soriano belted two home runs and drove in three runs to lead the Cubs. Ted Lilly earned the victory, allowing four hits and two runs.
The Brewers were defeated 6-5 by the Reds last time out, as -130 favorites. That game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Prince Fielder went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs for the Brewers. Braden Looper gave up five runs off eight hits in suffering the loss.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 16-12 SU
Milwaukee: 16-13 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Milwaukee are 6-4
After playing Houston are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After playing Cincinnati are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
Chi Cubs are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Chi Cubs’s last 18 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chi Cubs’s last 13 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Milwaukee’s last 18 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Next up:
Milwaukee home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, May 9

 

Tigers-Indians Odds Preview

The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians will meet on the field at Progressive Field on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
The Tigers will trot ace Justin Verlander out to the mound in this one. Righthander Verlander has a 2-2 record and a 5.66 ERA this season.
Verlander’s opponent in this one will be Cliff Lee. The Indians ace lefthander has a 3.92 ERA to go along with a 1-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Tigers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Tigers were shut down 9-0 by the White Sox last time out, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s six runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (9).
Armando Galarraga allowed six runs off six hits over six innings in a losing effort.
The Indians were defeated 13-3 by the Red Sox last time out, as +140 underdogs. That game’s 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Ryan Garko drove in one run in a losing effort for the Indians. Jeremy Sowers was tagged for seven runs in just five innings on the mound.
Team records:
Detroit: 14-13
SU
Cleveland
: 11-18 SU
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 3-7
After playing Chi White Sox are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 7-3
After playing Boston are 3-7
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Cleveland is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 8 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Cleveland home to Detroit, Saturday, May 9

 

Braves-Phillies Odds Preview

The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Citizens Bank Park.
Jo-Jo Reyes will be the starting pitcher for the Braves on this day. Lefthander Reyes is 0-1 this season with a 5.00 ERA.
Reyes‘s opponent in this one will be Cole Hamels. The Phillies ace lefthander has a 7.27 ERA to go along with a 0-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Braves, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Casey Kotchman homered and drove in two runs to lead the Braves to a 4-2 doubling of the Marlins on Thursday, as a -105 pick’em. That game’s six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
David Ross belted a two-run homer for the Braves, and Jair Jurrjens tossed seven solid innings to earn the victory.
The Phillies were swept in their two-game set with the Mets, after dropping Thursday’s finale 7-5, as +100 underdogs. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10).
Jayson Werth went 4-for-4 with a two-run dinger for the Phillies. Jamie Moyer was tagged with the loss, giving up seven runs off seven hits.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 2 straight games.
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 13-15 SU
Philadelphia: 14-12 SU
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Atlanta are 6-4
After playing NY Mets are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games when playing Atlanta
Philadelphia is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Atlanta
Philadelphia is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
Philadelphia is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Atlanta, Saturday, May 9

 

Lakers-Rockets Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Toyota Center in the third game of their second-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Kobe Bryant dropped a game-high 40 points in leading the Lakers over the Rockets 111-98 in Game 2 on Wednesday night and tying up the series 1-1.
The Lakers managed to cover the 10-point spread, and the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 194.
Bryant shot 16-for-27 from the field with six rebounds, while Pau Gasol added a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Ron Artest led the Rockets with 25 points and dished out five assists.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Houston: 53-29 SU, 40-41-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing Houston are 9-1
After a win are 7-3

Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing Houston
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
LA Lakers are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games
Houston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers at Houston, Sunday, May 10
Houston home to LA Lakers, Sunday, May 10

 

Celtics-Magic Lines Preview

The Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Amway Arena in the third game of their second-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 4-point favorites versus the Celtics, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Eddie House dropped 31 points to lead the Celtics to a 112-94 victory over the Magic in Game 2 on Wednesday and even the best-of-seven series.
That game’s combined score made it OVER the posted total of 190.
Ray Allen netted 22 points, while Rajon Rondo collected a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists for the Celtics.
Rashard Lewis collected 17 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in the loss 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 Friday are 7-3
Before playing Orlando are 8-2
After playing Orlando are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

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

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games when playing Orlando
Boston is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando’s last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games at home
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Boston at Orlando, Sunday, May 10
Orlando home to Boston, Sunday, May 10

 

NHL Odds – Thursday hockey betting picks

As each hockey betting series progresses, storylines—bad blood, controversial calls and unsung heroes—get deeper and deeper. Let’s breakdown what’s happening in the Wild West for tonight’s NHL odds.

Canucks vs Blackhawks odds – Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET
NHL odds: Canucks +135, Blackhawks -155

The Canucks can afford a loss in this hockey betting series after stealing Game 3 on the road, but the Blackhawks really have to win tonight to make this a series. If they don’t, they’ll face the daunting task of winning not just three straight, but two in Vancouver. The Canucks are a tempting sportsbook pick as the underdog but, as it showed against the Flames after consecutive losses, this Blackhawks team is resilient. Coach Joel Quenneville knows what his team needs to do to even the series tonight: score first. The Canucks have jumped to leads of two or more goals in all three games so far in the Blackhawks vs Canucks odds. With roughly 22,000 hungry fans rocking at the United Center tonight, the Hawks will have plenty of inspiration to come out skating and hitting harder than ever. Expect them to rely on their depth and speed to overcome the Canucks tonight.

Hockey betting pick: Blackhawks -155

Red Wings vs Ducks odds – Tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET
NHL odds: Red Wings -150, Ducks +130

What’s done is done. The referees botched a call bigtime in Game 3, blowing the whistle on a lose puck before Marian Hossa banged it in for a goal, but that happens in sports and the Ducks got the win. However, even if the Wings can’t fight the call, that doesn’t mean they can’t have their revenge. There’s just no way the defending Stanley Cup odds champions will go quietly. They’ll be swift-skating and angry tonight, so don’t be surprised if Jonas Hiller gets overwhelmed in goal for the first time in these playoffs. Bet on the Wings odds to even things up.

Hockey betting pick: Red Wings -150

Sports Betting Systems

Traditionally, bookmakers controlled betting systems locally. The bookmakers would set out the betting odds and the prices for players to wager on. However, the birth of the Internet has enabled changes to betting systems that blows the bookmakers right out of the water.

A betting exchange is a betting system that is an innovation of the Internet. The player now has control over the odds, which are chosen by them instead of by a bookmaker. Conditions are more favourable to players as they compete amongst themselves rather than against the bookie.

Betting exchanges are used in some betting sites that offer players a chance to wager on horse races. Players’ place bet prices not only on winning horses, but also on losing horses. For example, one person might wager that a particular horse will win a race, but another person might think that the same horse will lose. If the player who thinks the horse will lose likes the betting odds that the former set out, and then wagers in favour of the horse losing, a bet is matched.

Players Are In Control

As previously stated, betting exchanges offer a revolutionary change to betting systems where the players are in control of the odds and wager prices. This new betting system has turned previous systems upside-down.

Players Bet Against Each Other

Betting exchanges function on an offer and counter-offer system of betting where players will offer their own odds and bet prices, and then other players will come to count-offer these odds. Once both sides reach an agreement regarding the odds and the prices, then the bet is matched. One of the highlights of betting exchanges is that no matter what the outcome of the race is, the player always wins.

Players Always Win

It may seem hard to believe, but the player always wins when betting with this system. However, closer observation of the foundation of betting exchanges makes it obvious why the player always wins. Betting exchanges offers players a chance to control the odds, and shrewd players will be able to predict the kinds of odds that will be in their favour.

As can be imagined, betting exchanges can be very attractive to all kinds of players, from players who are just looking to wager a couple of dollars, to players who want to wager thousands of dollars.

Another interesting aspect of betting exchanges is that players can place their bets in the middle of any race. This feature makes betting systems a battleground of intense, high-energy action where players need excellent analysis skills that must be employed in real time if they want to come out on top of their competition. Betting tips for players interested in fine-tuning their skills, or who are just starting out starting out on betting exchanges, are available on the Internet.

Game 4 Ducks-Red Wings Betting Preview

Robbed of a chance to win Game 3, Sportsbook.com oddsmakers expect the Detroit Red Wings to head home with their Western Conference Semifinal tied 2-2.

Detroit currently trails the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 but they’re listed as the -150 favorite for Thursday’s Game 4 in Anaheim.

Sportsbook.com bettors are not only backing the Red Wings to the tune of 53% on the Money Line, they’re also putting 75% of the Puck Line bets on the defending champs, according to early Betting Trends numbers.

“The Red Wings are a resilient team and it’s hard to believe Anaheim will be able to grab a 3-1 series lead,” said Sportsbook.com spokesman, Dave Staley. “Detroit is going to bring pressure all game after feeling like they were robbed in the final minute of Game 3.”

Trailing 2-1 with the clock winding down on Tuesday night, Detroit thought they had tied the game when Marion Hossa put the puck in the net with just over a minute to play. The goal, however, was quickly waved off by referee Brad Watson as he had lost sight of the puck and was in the process of blowing the play dead.

While the puck went in the net before the whistle actually blew, the goal was disallowed as the referee intended to blow the whistle before the puck crossed the goal line.

Now, Detroit must find a way to get more pucks past Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller or they’ll return home with their backs to the wall.

Hiller, with an amazing .955 save percentage, has been outstanding through the first two rounds of the playoffs and stopped 45 of 46 Detroit shots in Game 3, including all 18 shots fired his way in the third period. He stopped 59 of 62 shots in Game 2.

“It was obvious that Hiller was in the heads of the San Jose players in the first rounds and it could be happening to the Red Wings now too,” said Staley. “Obviously bettors think he’s bound to break down at some point.”

The other interesting aspect for Game 4 is how heated the game is following the fireworks that ensued when the buzzer went to end Game 3. All players on the ice mixed it up and the bad blood between these teams is evident.

Who will win Game 4? Bet on all the NHL Playoff action right now at Sportsbook.com.

 

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