Friday, April 20, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 204.36 Units

San Jose Sharks over Nashville Predators MONEYLINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.10 Units

Simply a bargain bet. Nashville should take this game at home, but SJ has been the better team in this series, and there is no reason not to take them with no spread at these odds.

Vancouver Canucks over Dallas Stars MONEYLINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.30 Units
(Game played on Saturday)

Same as above, if someone said "Lets flip a coin, if you win I'll give you $13, if I win you give me $10", wouldn't you take it? Every game in this series has been a coin flip, so I'll take Luongo at better-than-even odds.

Good luck!

RESULTS: 1.10 Units Won (205.46 Units)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 201.46 Units

Minnesota Twins -1.5 over Seattle Mariners
Bet 1.10 Units to win 1 Unit

Johan Santana VS. Jarrod Washburn. Next?

Ottawa Senators -1.5 over Pittsburgh Penguins
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.30 Units

Better team, playing at home, for a chance to close out the series. Worth putting a unit on.

Anaheim Ducks -1.5 over Minnesota Wild
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.70 Units

Better team, playing at home, for a chance to close out the series. Worth putting a unit on.
(Deja vu, anyone?)

NHL Total UNDER 21 goals
Bet 1.05 Units to win 1 Unit

This has been a fairly low scoring playoffs, due in large part to some of the defensive match-ups in the first round. At least one of these games should end up 2 - 1, making the under a safe enough bet.

Good luck!

RESULTS: 2.90 Units Won (204.36 Units)

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 198.06 Units

Cincinnati Reds -1.5 over Houston Astros
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.50 Units

With Harang on the mound, the Reds are always liable to win the game; and I think they'll do so tonight. Whether or not it is by 2 runs, time will tell.

Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 over San Diego Padres
Bet 2 Units to win 2.80 Units

Are you kidding me? It is Brandon Webb VS one of the worst offenses in the league. Standing in his way... David Wells? If Webb wasn't off to a rocky start this season, this would be a 3 unit play.

Seattle Mariners -1.5 over Minnesota Twins
Bet 1.05 Units to win 1 Unit

Unfortunately, this bet isn't a very good bargain, because King Felix is officially ON the radar. Look for him to continue his dominance and keep making batters - and fans - shake their heads in confusion.

Atlanta Thrashers @ New York Rangers OVER 5.5 goals
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.10 Units

Atlanta's goaltending has left much to be desired all series, meaning the Rangers should get at least 3 goals. And, since I think the Thrashers just might win tonight, the total should be over 5.

Buffalo Sabres - 1.5 over New York Islanders
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.55 Units

I'll make this bet until I'm blue in the face. No disrespect to the Islanders, but the Sabres are the best team in the East and have a legitimate shot to win by 2+ goals every night.

RESULTS: 3.40 Units Won (201.46 Units)

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 194.06 Units

Atlanta Braves -1.5 over Washington Nationals
Bet 1.30 Units to win 1 Unit

Okay, the Nats got their upset out of the way yesterday, as I thought they might. Now, they face the ageless John Smoltz, who should cruise to victory.

Milwaukee Brewers over Cincinnati Reds MONEYLINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.14 Units

Dave Bush is, for now at least, one of the best kept secrets in baseball (in my opinion). His first start of the season looked terrible on the box score (6 earned runs), but I got to watch that game, and it was a misplayed ball by Bill Hall in center field (not charged as an error) that got the Cubs rally going. Bush is a solid pitcher that is easy to forget behind Sheets and Capuano, but I don't think he'll stay quiet too long.

Houston Astros -1.5 over Florida Marlins
Bet 1.05 Units to win 1 Unit

Roy Oswalt VS. Sergio Mitre. I don't need to go on, do I?

San Fransisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies UNDER 10 runs
Bet 3.15 Units to win 3 Units

I'm putting it all on the line in this game. Matt Cain is going for the Giants, and he is completely lights out. Jason Hirsh for the Rockies is likely the reason the total runs on this game is so high, but I believe in him.

Good luck!

RESULTS: 4 Units Won (198.06 Units)

Monday, April 16, 2007

Good thing I'm taking a break from gambling...

I'm losing my fake "units" about as fast as I eat french fries.

Today was particularly frustrating...

Tampa Bay squandered a 6 run lead to lose me that bet.

Buffalo gave up a goal after they had a 3 - 1 lead - and didn't get an empty netter - to allow the Islanders to cover the goal and a half spread.

The Marlins lost their tie game in the 9th inning.

And all 3 NHL games failed to end in either an empty net goal or a game-tying goal, which would have covered my 17 total goal bet.

The one bet I did win; Detroit routing Kansas City; Depresses me much more than it uplifts me. My fantasy opponent this week has Carlos Guillen and Pudge Rodriguez, while I've got Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez. In todays win;

Ordonez/Sheffield: 1 for 6, .167 BA, 5 runs, 0 HRs, 1 RBI
Guillen/Rodriguez: 4 for 8, .500 BA, 3 runs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs

I love you so much, Sports Gods. Why do you hate me so?

Picks of the Day

Total: 197.06 Units

Florida Marlins over Houston Astros MONEYLINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.02 Units

Anibal Sanchez is a bit better than Wandy Rodriguez, and I still trust the Marlins to put up runs more than I trust the Astros.

Detroit Tigers -1.5 over Kansas City Royals
Bet 1.10 Units to win 1 Unit

Justin Verlander should be able to stymie the Royals' offense, and while I respect Zach Greinke, I'm sure the Tigers can put up a few runs on him.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays -1.5 over Baltimore Orioles
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.70 Units

Just a gut feeling bet here... but I have a feeling the Rays will power their way to a 2+ run victory tonight over Adam Loewen.

Buffalo Sabres -1.5 over New York Islanders
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.40 Units

Rick DiPietro's triumphant return surprised everyone - including me. I'd heard whispers that he was practicing again, but had no idea he would return full force the way he did. Buffalo, however, is still the much better team, and will quiet the crowd and cut the momentum with a convincing win tonight.

NHL: NJ/TB/BUF/NYI/NAS/SJ OVER 17 goals
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.05 Units

I get the feeling that at least one of these games will be a 8 - 10 goal game, making it easy for the other 2 games to split the difference and put today's goal total over 17.

RESULTS: 3 Units Lost (194.06 Units)

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 198 Units

San Diego Padres over Los Angeles Dodgers MONEY LINE
Bet 1.14 Units to win 1 Unit

Much like yesterday's Peavy over Schmidt match-up, I simply can't pass up on Young over Wolf. No disrespect to Wolf... but I am a big Chris Young fan.

Anaheim Ducks over Minnesota Wild MONEYLINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.20 Units

I hope the Wild win this game, and I know they are a much better home team than they are a road team, and I know they have desperation working in their favor and can't afford to lose this game. All that said, when you have a chance to bet on the better team, without a spread, and with better-than-even odds, you don't pass up on it.

Dallas Stars -1.5 over Vancouver Canucks
Bet 1 Unit to win 2 Units

Turco looks great. The Stars look great. It's time to give the Dallas fans something to cheer about at home in the playoffs for the first time in a few years. Dallas wins by 3+ goals tonight.

Good luck everyone!

RESULTS: .94 Units Lost (197.06 Units)

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 197.75 Units

Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 over Houston Astros
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.25 Units

Get used to this. When Cole Hamels is on the mound, I'll be putting my money on him 9 out of 10 times. It is borderline creepy how much I love this kid; but low ERA and WHIP and high strikeout to walk ratios just do it for me.

San Diego Padres over Los Angeles Dodgers MONEY LINE
Bet 1.15 Units to win 1 Unit

Betting the Padres MINUS a run and a half is always too risky, considering that it is party-worthy if they put 3 runs on the board. Peavy VS. Schmidt, I have my money on Peavy. Besides, the Dodgers might get caught sleeping after their rare offensive explosion last night.

Ottawa Senators -1.5 over Pittsburgh Penguins
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.65 Units

I'm expecting much of the same as we saw in game one; Ottawa taking care of business on home ice.

Atlanta Thrashers -1.5 over New York Rangers
Bet 1 Unit to win 2 Units

Much like the Nashville game I picked yesterday, the Thrashers will be too pumped up to let this series head back to Madison Square Garden 2 - 0 in the Rangers favor.

Good luck everyone!

RESULTS: .25 Units Won (198 Units)

Friday, April 13, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 200 Units

Houston Astros @ Philadelphia UNDER 8 runs
Bet 1.25 Units to win 1 Unit

When Roy Oswalt takes the mound, the team he's pitching against doesn't score too many runs... usually in the 0 - 3 range. Meanwhile, the Astros' offense has looked dreadful this year, and against Brett Myers, they too should be in the 0 - 3 range. This game doesn't hit 8 runs.

Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 over St. Louis Cardinals
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.40 Unit

Ben Sheets VS. Anthony Reyes. Reyes is a solid young arm, but Sheets is a legitimate ace, and I think he'll have a strong game tonight and take care of the Cards.

Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 over Colorado Rockies
Bet 2 Units to win 2.20 Units

I love this play. Cy Young winner Brandon Webb goes up against Josh Fogg and an inferior team IN ARIZONA. D-Backs cruise to a 5 - 1 victory in this one.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over Boston Red Sox MONEY LINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.01 Units

Ace John Lackey going against mediocre and ancient Tim Wakefield. I like my chances with the Halos.

Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 over Detroit Tigers
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.45 Units

The Tigers have been swinging ice cold bats to start the year off, and "The Doc" Roy Halladay won't be the cure for them. Toronto should take care of business if they can get some runs off of Bonderman.

Nashville Predators -1.5 over San Jose Sharks
Bet 1 Unit to win 2 Units

While I still like the Sharks in this series, Nashville does NOT want to head to the Shark tank being behind in the series two games to none. They use the home crowd and the back-against-the-wall mentality and grab a victory tonight. By two goals? That's the gamble.

Dallas Stars over Vancouver Canucks MONEY LINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1 Unit

I'll stick by my Dallas-to-win the series pick, and since I don't have to give up a goal for spread in this one, I'll take my chances on Dallas in game 2.

Minnesota Wild @ Anaheim Ducks OVER 5 goals
Bet 1 Unit to win 1 Unit

It is a risky bet, but after both teams played a conservative, defensive minded game in game one, I expect both teams to take a few more chances tonight and open up the ice a little. Besides, if the game is ever tied at 2 - 2, worst you do is push on this wager.

LOTS of bets today. Good luck and happy gambling!

RESULTS: 2.25 Units Lost (197.75 Units)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Picks of the Day

Total: 200 Units

Seattle Mariners @ Boston Red Sox UNDER 8.5 runs
Bet 1.25 Units to win 1 Unit

Two of the best exciting young arms in the game today meet in this one; King Felix Hernandez and Dice-K Matsuzaka. I don't expect either of these two to disappoint, either. Look for a great pitching duel and a score somewhere around 3 - 2 when it is all said and done, well under the 8.5 runs needed to cash in.

Atlanta Braves -1.5 over Washington Nationals
Bet 1.30 Units to win 1 Unit

Pure and simple, the Braves are a flat out better team than the Nationals. They've got a solid arm in Chuck James pitching tonight, as well as home field advantage. A 2+ run victory should be a cake walk.

Colorado Rockies over Los Angeles Dodgers MONEY LINE
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.35 Units

It won't take long for you to figure out how much I love young pitching, and Jason Hirsh is a name that I'm anticipating won't remain a "Who?!?" for too long this season. The kid has the stuff to be dominant, and no offense to the Dodgers who are my pick out of the NL West, but they have a line-up that isn't impossible to dominate. Look for the Rockies upset backed by a solid performance by Mr. Hirsh.

New York Yankees -1.5 over Minnesota Twins
Bet 1 Unit to win 1.05 Units

I'm not a huge Mussina fan, but I like his chances against a Twins lineup that features a few strong bats, but mixed in among a lot of duds. The real reason why this pick is so strong? Ramon Ortiz against that heavy hitting Yankees lineup. Yanks put up 7+ in this one, and if Mussina keeps it halfway respectable, this bet pays off.

RESULTS: 0 Units Won/Lost (200 Units)