Marlins-Cubs Odds Preview

The Florida Marlins and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Wrigley Field.
The Marlins will give the ball to ace starter Ricky Nolasco in this one. Righthander Nolasco is 1-2 this season with a 6.58 ERA.
It’ll be ace Carlos Zambrano toeing the rubber for the Cubs in this contest. Righthander Zambrano is 2-1 with a 4.64 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 172-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Cubs starter Ted Lilly went eight solid innings, giving the Cubs a 6-1 win over the Marlins at Wrigley Field Saturday.
Lilly pitched eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out 10 batters. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee hit his second home run of the season while shortstop Ryan Theriot also hit a home run and had two RBI on the day.
Marlins outfielder Cody Ross scored Florida’s lone run on a solo home run in the fifth inning. Stater Anibal Sanchez went just four innings after allowing six runs on nine hits.
Chicago won as a -130 home favorite while the final score played under the 10-run total.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 14-10
SU
Chicago
: 12-11 SU
Florida most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Cincinnati are 3-7
After playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing San Francisco are 6-4
After playing Florida are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Florida is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing Chi Cubs
Florida is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Florida is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Florida
Chi Cubs are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing Florida
Next up:
Florida home to Cincinnati, Monday, May 4
Chi Cubs home to San Francisco, Monday, May 4

 

Red Sox-Rays Odds Preview

The division rival Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Tropicana Field.
The Red Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brad Penny in this game. Penny has a 2-0 record and a 8.66 ERA this season.
Penny‘s opponent in this one will be James Shields. The Rays righthander has a 3.74 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Red Sox snapped a two-game losing skid to the Rays with a 10-6 win on Saturday, as -120 favorites. That game’s 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Kevin Youkilis and Nick Green drove in three runs apiece to lead the way for the Red Sox. Tim Wakefield gave up five runs over five innings in getting the victory.
Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena drove in two runs each for the Rays, who were +100 underdogs. Jeff Niemann surrendered six runs over three innings in the loss.
Team records:
Boston: 15-9 SU
Tampa Bay: 10-15 SU
Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After a win are 8-2

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Baltimore are 7-3
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
Boston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Boston
Tampa Bay is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Next up:
Boston at NY Yankees, Monday, May 4
Tampa Bay home to Baltimore, Monday, May 4

 

Angels-Yankees Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Yankee Stadium.
Joe Saunders will be the starting pitcher for the Angels on this day. Lefthander Saunders is 3-1 this season with a 3.41 ERA.
Starting this game for the Yankees will be Philip Hughes. The righthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 153-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Angels weathered a ninth-inning storm from the Yankees to win 8-4 at Yankee Stadium Saturday.
The Angels bullpen allowed three runs in the final frame but saved a stellar effort from starter Matt Palmer, who went over six innings and allowed just one run on three hits. First baseman Kendry Morales went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
Jorge Posada hit a two-run home run in the ninth as a pinch hitter. Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia gave up four runs on eight hits in just under seven innings on the mound.
Los Angeles won as a +241 road underdog while the final score played over the 10.5-run total.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 10-13 SU
New York: 13-11 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After a win are 2-8

New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing LA Angels are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
LA Angels are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games on the road
LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels
Next up:
LA Angels at Oakland, Monday, May 4
NY Yankees home to Boston, Monday, May 4

 

Mavericks-Nuggets Odds Preview

The Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dirk Nowitzki went for 31 points and nine rebounds to lead the Mavericks past the Spurs 106-93 to win their series 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Dallas cashed as 5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 188.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
The Nuggets clinched their first-round playoff series with a convincing 107-86 win over the Hornets last time out. The Nuggets covered the 10.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 197.5.
Carmelo Anthony shot 13-for-25 from the field with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Team records:
Dallas: 50-32 SU, 40-42 ATS
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 8-2
After playing San Antonio are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Denver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing New Orleans are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Dallas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Dallas’s last 20 games when playing Denver
Dallas is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Denver is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at Denver, Tuesday, May 5
Denver home to Dallas, Tuesday, May 5

 

Heat-Hawks Lines Preview

The division rival Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Philips Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 5-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Heat dominated the first half and went on to defeat the Hawks 98-72 last time out and forced a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. The Heat covered their 5-point spread, while the combined score went UNDER the posted total of 182.5.
Dwyane Wade led the way with a game-high 41 points, and Michael Beasley added 22 in the win.
Mike Bibby scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Hawks.
Team records:
Miami: 43-39 SU, 41-40-1 ATS
Atlanta: 47-35 SU, 43-37-2 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami’s last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami’s last 7 games on the road
Miami is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 6 games
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta’s last 10 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games

 

I Want Revenge Scratched Means A Long Shot Will Win!

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics play host to the Bulls, the Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond, and I Want Revenge guns for glory at the Derby.

Run For the Roses…

Bombshell, I Want Revenge has been pulled from the Kentucky Derby and the odds are now tight to win. The Kentucky Derby post time is 6:04 EST. For those who miss out on the Mass Mega Millions, the Ohio lottery or the Michigan lottery, you have a realistic chance to make money now thanks to I Want Revenge being scratched!

The 2009 Kentucky Derby morning line has Friesan Fire now the favorite at +250. General Quarters, Dunkirk, and Pioneer of the Nile are literally neck and neck at +500.

Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy says that a long shot was going tol show at the 2009 Kentucky Derby, but with the scratch, this horse will now win. He has the top four finishers at OffshoreInsiders.com, plus the Bulls-Celtics side and tons of MLB all for $17. Click now to purchase


Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Having staved off elimination in triple overtime in Game 6 on Thursday night the Bulls will try to complete the series upset on the road in Boston on Saturday night when they take on the Celtics in a winner-takes-all Game 7. John Salmons had a team-high 35 points for the Bulls on Thursday, while Derrick Rose was good for 28 points and seven assists. Ray Allen poured in 51 points in the 128-127 Boston loss, and Paul Pierce tossed in 22 points for the Celtics. Boston opened as a 6-point home favorite for Saturday’s matchup, with the total pegged at 195 points.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

CC Sabathia returns to the hill for the Yankees on Saturday afternoon looking to square off his record at 2-2. The big lefthander fell to 1-2 last time out, allowing four earned runs on six hits over eight innings in a loss to the Tigers. Sabathia’s opponent on Saturday afternoon will be the Angels and starter Matt Palmer. The righthander won his only start of the season, beating the Tigers back on April 23.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Saturday it’s Baltimore at Toronto, Cleveland at Detroit, Boston at Tampa Bay, Kansas City at Minnesota, the White Sox at Texas, and Oakland at Seattle. The M’s will go with Jarrod Washburn on Saturday; he’s 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA in four outings on the season.

Over in the National League the Mets and Phillies will continue their series in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, with Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA) meeting Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA). As well, it’ll be St. Louis at Washington, Florida at the Cubs, Houston at Atlanta, Colorado at San Francisco, Arizona at Milwaukee, and Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, with San Diego at the Dodgers to complete the night.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

It’s Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin vs. Alexander Ovechkin on Saturday afternoon as the Penguins and Capitals begin their second-round series in Washington. The Penguins dispatched state rival Philadelphia in six games in the first round, while the Capitals came back to bounce the Rangers in seven games in their opening-round set. Ovechkin has three goals and seven points in seven playoff games, while Crosby and Malkin have a combined 17 points in six games.

The other game on the National Hockey League schedule for Saturday is a Game 2 matchup between the Hawks and Canucks in Vancouver. The Canucks took a 3-0 lead in Game 1 on Thursday night, but needed goals late in the third period from Sami Salo and Ryan Johnson to get the 5-3 win. Patrick Kane had two goals for the Hawks in the failed comeback, while Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 22 of 26 Vancouver shots. Roberto Luongo made 28 saves in nets for Vancouver.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Horse racing gets the spotlight treatment on Saturday as the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown, is contested at Churchill Downs. I Want Revenge was pegged as the 3/1 morning line favorite in the No. 13 gate, with Dunkirk (No. 15 gate) and Pioneerof the Nile (No. 16 gate) both listed at 4/1 odds, and Friesan Fire (No. 6 gate) just back of them at 5/1 odds. The rest of the 20-horse field was pegged at 15/1 odds or higher. Post time for the 135th Derby will be 6:04pm ET.

As well, the Sprint Cup Series will race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night in the Russ Friedman 400. Jimmie Johnson has taken the checkered flag in three of the past four races at Richmond, but he’s just the second favorite at 5/1 odds to get the win on Saturday. Kyle Busch tops the odds list at 4/1 heading into the weekend, with Denny Hamlin at 6/1, Tony Stewart at 7/1, and Jeff Gordon at 8/1. Defending champion Clint Bowyer is 18/1.

Padres-Dodgers Odds Preview

The San Diego Padres will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Saturday when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
The Padres will give the ball to starter Chris Young in this one. Righthander Young is 2-1 this season with a 5.74 ERA.
The Dodgers will counter Young with Randy Wolf. Lefthander Wolf has a 4.31 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Russell Martin drove in the only run of the ballgame on Friday, as the Dodgers got past the Padres 1-0. The Dodgers won the game as -140 favorites, while the team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Jonathan Broxton tossed the ninth and came out with the victory.
Duaner Sanchez allowed the winning run on the mound for the Padres, who were +120 underdogs.
Current streak:
San Diego has lost 3 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
San Diego: 11-12 SU
Los Angeles: 16-8 SU
San Diego most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing LA Dodgers are 3-7
After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing San Diego are 6-4
After playing San Diego are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
San Diego is 4-11 SU in their last 15 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
San Diego is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against San Diego
LA Dodgers are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games
LA Dodgers are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games when playing San Diego
Next up:
LA Dodgers home to San Diego, Sunday, May 3

 

Athletics-Mariners Odds Preview

The Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners will meet on the field at Safeco Field on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.
Righthander Trevor Cahill will take the mound for the Athletics to start this game. Cahill is 0-2 this season with a 5.40 ERA.
Starting this game for the Mariners will be Jarrod Washburn. The lefthander has a 3.42 ERA to go along with a 3-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Jose Lopez drove in the winning run in the ninth inning on Friday, as the Mariners got past the A’s 8-7. The Mariners won the game as a -110 pick’em, while the 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Franklin Gutierrez belted a two-run dinger for the Mariners. Shawn Kelley tossed just under two innings of relief for the win.
Matt Holliday homered and drove in two runs for the A’s. Russ Springer gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss.
Team records:
Oakland: 8-12
SU
Seattle
: 14-9 SU
Oakland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Seattle are 4-6
After playing Seattle are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Oakland is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Oakland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
Seattle is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home
Next up:
Seattle home to Oakland, Sunday, May 3

 

White Sox-Rangers Lines Preview

The fans at Rangers Ballpark will be treated to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers when they take their seats on Saturday.
Jose Contreras will be the starting pitcher for the White Sox on this day. Righthander Contreras is 0-3 this season with a 6.75 ERA.
Contreras’s opponent in this one will be Brandon McCarthy. The Rangers righthander has a 5.32 ERA to go along with a 2-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The White Sox came from three runs down and defeated the Rangers 4-3 in the opener of a three-game series on Friday, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (11).
Chris Getz had two hits and drove in one run to lead the White Sox. Mark Buehrle tossed six innings and improved to 4-0, while Bobby Jenks notched his sixth save.
Ian Kinsler drove in two runs in a losing effort for the Rangers. Derek Holland gave up the winning run and was tagged with the loss.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Texas has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 12-10 SU
Texas: 10-12 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Texas are 4-6
After playing Texas are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

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

A few trends to consider:
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Texas
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Texas is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Texas home to Chi White Sox, Sunday, May 3

 

Royals-Twins Odds Preview

The division rival Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are set to renew hostilities on Saturday when they meet at The Metrodome.
The Royals will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brian Bannister in this game. Bannister has a 2-0 record and a 0.69 ERA this season.
Starting this game for the Twins will be Glen Perkins. The righthander has a 2.48 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Twins listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Twins scored four runs in the fourth inning and went on to defeat the Royals 7-5 on Friday, as -180 favorites. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Twins. Kevin Slowey threw five innings to pick up the win, allowing eight hits and five runs.
Jose Guillen went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs for the Royals, who were +160 underdogs. Sidney Ponson gave up nine hits and seven runs over 4 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Minnesota has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City: 12-11 SU
Minnesota: 12-11 SU
Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Kansas City are 7-3
After playing Kansas City are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Kansas City is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Kansas City is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Minnesota
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Kansas City
Next up:
Minnesota home to Kansas City, Sunday, May 3

 

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