free picks
Braves vs Cardinals Free Pick May 11, 2012
The Atlanta Braves visit the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night for the first of three games. The Cardinals have played very well of late and have an overall record of 20-11, while the Braves are tied for first place with the Washington Nationals with a record 19-13.
The Cardinals have won their last four games and are 3 ½ games in front of Cincinnati in the National League Central. St. Louis beat Arizona on Wednesday to sweep the Diamondbacks. Rafael Furcal who has an average of .361 leads the Cards in batting. David Freese and Allen Craig also are hot at this time for the Cardinals.
Mike Minor will start on the mound for the Braves. Minor is 2-2 with an ERA of 5.97 and was hit hard in his last game. The Braves beat the Rockies 13-9 but he gave up 10 hits and allowed 8 runs in just five innings. Jaime Garcia will start for the Cardinals in Friday’s game. Garcia is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.76. He also was hit hard in his last game. He gave up six runs in a loss to Houston.
St. Louis is 6-1 against starters who are left handed, while the Braves are 7-7 against southpaws. The Cards have a home record of 8-4 and the Braves are 11-8 playing on the road. Both the Braves and Cardinals lead the National League in hitting.
For the Cardinals the UNDER is 16-14-1 this season, but at home the OVER is 9-3 in 12 games. The OVER for the Braves is 16-14-2 and 10-8-1 on the road. This week the UNDER paid out in the three games they played against the Cubs.
The current line has the Cardinal as the favorite at -145 and the Braves at +135. The total is at 8. Take the Cardinals at home to beat the Braves, with the total ending OVER.
Grizzles vs Clippers Free Pick May 5, 2012
On May 5, the Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of their western conference quarterfinals. The teams split the first two games of the series in Memphis.
In game one, the Clippers came back from 27 points to defeat the Grizzlies by a single point. However, in game two the Grizzlies were able to pull out a win 105-98. The Grizzlies had hoped they could put their fourth quarter collapse of game one behind them. Memphis was outscored in that quarter 35-13 by the Clippers. The results of game two are evidence that the Grizzlies did not keep those negative thoughts and went on to the next game.
The Grizzlies went back to what they do best. They hit the offensive boards hard and outscored the Clippers 46-38 down low in the paint and collected 16 offensive boards to just four for the Clippers. Memphis was much more aggressive in game two as they went to the free throw line 39 times to only 18 in game one. They also scored 18 second chance points in game two to just 6 in game one. Their transition game was much better as well. They scored 20 points off the transition compared to six in game one.
The depth for Los Angeles has been tested in the first two games. Los Angeles lost guard Caron Butler for up to six weeks following game one when he broke his hand. In game two, they lost Eric Bledsoe and Mo Williams, although the two are expected to play on Saturday in Los Angeles.
The Clippers comeback attempt in game two on Wednesday did not have the same results as game one. This time around, the Grizzlies stuck to their guns and played the same ball as what gave them the lead. They were actually able to increase their fourth quarter lead to 13 points and easily end the game with a seven-point advantage.
The current line has the Clippers as the favorite by 3 points with the total at 187 ½. Smart money takes the visiting Grizzlies plus the points with the total ending OVER.
Giants vs Reds Free Pick April 24, 2012
Two teams that have started the season mediocre meet tonight when the San Francisco Giants visit the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park. The Giants are 9-7 on the season and will have Matt Cain on the mound. Cain has had two very good games the last two outings he has pitched for the Giants. Over the last two games, Cain has pitched 18 innings and given up just three hits. He will look to add to that when the Giants open a three game set against Cincinnati.
Even with those two great outings, Cain is just 1-0 on the season with an ERA of 1.88, after a shaky first start. He gave up only one hit in a 5-0 victory against Pittsburgh on April 13 and then followed that up with a no decision in a Giant 1-0 win against Philadelphia where he only gave up two hits but the game went 11 innings.
The Reds are 7-9 and are home after a 10 game road trip. Cincinnati just finished a series with Chicago where they won two out of three. They will send Mat Latos to the mound. Latos has not had a good start to the season, as in his first two starts in did not make in past the fifth and in his last start he allowed eight runs in only 5 2/3 innings, in the Reds 11-1 loss against the Cardinals. Latos has a career 2-3 record in nine games against the Giants with an ERA of 2.64.
The Giants have been helped by the offense of Pablo Sandoval. The third baseman has a 16-game hitting streak as he has hit safely in each game to start the season. The Giants are 0-5 in their last five games in Cincinnati.
The line is 7.5 with both teams at -105. Take the Giants behind the arm of Matt Cain to win this game in a low scoring affair.
Bulls vs Pacers Free Pick April 25, 2012
The Chicago Bulls are looking to get 100% healthy and ready for a playoff run as they visit the Indiana Pacers for an NBA matchup April 25. The Bulls are 48-16 on the season and tied for the best record in the league with the San Antonio Spurs. Chicago is 6-4 SU over their last ten games and has an impressive 23-9 record on the road. The Bulls are also getting healthy again for the first time in months, as MVP guard Derrick Rose is back from a bad back, sore groin and sprained ankle.
Indiana is in third place in the Eastern Conference playoff race and is 8-2 SU over their last 10 games played. The Pacers are 23-9 at home and 29-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. The Pacers have clinched the third position and will likely face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.
Head to head the Bulls have the advantage 7-3 SU in the last 10 games the teams have played one another. Both teams are 5-5 ATS in the same ten games. The total has been UNDER 6 times and OVER 4 times in the last 10 games head to head between the two. This season the teams have played twice with each team winning once. In January, the Pacers defeated the Bulls 95-90 and in March, the Bulls returned the favor in defeating the Pacers 92-72.
With a win in this game, the Bulls can wrap up home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bulls are 3-2 SU over their last five games including a win over the Dallas Mavericks. The Pacers are 3-1 SU over their last four games, with their only loss against the 76ers on Saturday.
The game should not be that intense of a battle, as both teams will be looking forward to their first round playoff matchups. Look for the Bulls to take this game SU, but the Pacers to win ATS. The total will end OVER.
Clippers vs Hawks Free Pick April 24, 2012
The Los Angeles Clippers head east one last time for a regular season matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs, but both are trying to move up in the standings to get home court advantage. The visiting Clippers are 40-24 on the season and winners of eight of their last 10 games. They are in fourth place in the playoff race just a half game behind the third place Los Angeles Lakers. On the road, the Clippers are 16-15 on the season.
The Hawks are 38-26 on the season and 21-10 at home. Atlanta is 7-3 SU over their last 10 games and is securely in the fifth position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, against Western Conference opponents, the Hawks are just 7-9 SU on the season.
Blake Griffin the leading scorer and rebounder for the Clippers has a sore neck, but is listed as day to day and most likely will suit up for this matchup. Over the last 10 games, head to head the Hawks are 7-3 SU against the Clippers. The total in those 10 games has ended OVER 7 times and UNDER 3 times. This season, the teams have met on one occasion. The Clippers beat Atlanta in Los Angeles 96-82 in mid March. In the victory, the Clippers covered a 7-point favorite spread. The total cashed out to the UNDER, but was the first UNDER total in five games.
The Clippers are 4-1 SU in the last five games with only a loss at Phoenix. The Hawks are 3-2 SU in their last five games. They lost to the New York Knicks Sunday by one point in a high scoring shootout.
Both teams are playoff bound and this game is more important to the Clippers for playoff position than the Hawks. The Clippers want to move up to catch the third place Lakers and win a Pacific Division title to go along with third place in the West. Take the Clippers to cover the spread, with the total ending OVER.
Indians vs A’s Free Pick April 21, 2012
Baseball is already three weeks into the season and many teams are trying to find the lineup that will win them the necessary games to reach the post season. Tonight the Cleveland Indians are out west to take on the Oakland A’s in the second game of a three game set. The Indians have an overall record of 7-5 and are 6-1 on the road.
The Indians started the season just 1-4 at home and have won six of their last seven, all part of a nine-game road trip. The Indians defeated the A’s in the opener Friday night 4-3. The Indians have been led by the consistent bat of Jack Hannahan. In Friday’s first game of the series, he drove in three runs and leads the team with 11 RBI’s all from either the eighth or the ninth spot in the batting order.
Jeanmar Gomez is scheduled to start for Cleveland and is 0-0 on the season with an ERA of 2.25. He pitched twice last season against the A’s and was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.79. The A’s will us Brandon McCarthy on the mound. McCarthy is 0-2 on the season with an ERA of 3.60. On Monday, he gave up 5 runs, allowing 11 hits over seven innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels 6-0.
Last year McCarthy made one appearance against the Indians and allowed five hits and two runs and struck out 10, but still took the loss 2-1. Friday night’s loss to Cleveland ended the A’s three game win streak. Yoenis Cespedes is continuing to pay dividends for the A’s. He was 3 for 5 last night knocking in two runs. He leads the A’s with 14 RBIs.
The total is set at 7 with the A’s favored -130 and the Indians at +110. Gomez will take control of the game on the mound and the Indians will take this with the total UNDER.
Thunder vs Lakers Free Pick April 22, 2012
The Playoff picture is coming into focus. Only two spots in the West remain open and those will be clinched before the weekend is over. On April 22, two of the top three qualifying teams for the playoffs will hook up at the Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder visits the Los Angeles Lakers in a key matchup for LA.
The Lakers are still fighting the Los Angeles Clippers for the Pacific Division title and the third spot in the conference playoffs. Los Angeles has a record o 40-24, just a half game better than the Clippers. The Lakers are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games and on Friday night had Kobe Bryant back in the lineup after being out for six games. Nevertheless, the Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
Oklahoma City has the second best record in the West at 46-17 and has won two straight games and 6 of 10. The Thunder has clinched their division title and is just a half game behind the Spurs for the top spot and home court advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
In head to head matchups, the teams are split. Both teams are 5-5 SU in the last ten games between them. The Thunder is 6-3-1 ATS in those same 10 games. The total in the 10 games has been UNDER 6 times and OVER 4 times. This season the teams have met on two occasions. The Thunder is 2-0 SU and ATS in those two matchups. In both games, the point total cashed out to UNDER bettors.
The game is critical for the Lakers, as they must win to stay ahead of the Clippers as the season winds down to a close. Not only could they lose first place to the Clippers, they could also drop as far back as fifth place as the Memphis Grizzlies are only a game and a half behind them. Take the Lakers to win this “must” win big time game with the point total UNDER.
Rangers vs Red Sox April 17, 2012
The Texas Rangers are once again leaders of the pack as they have jumped out of the gate early in the season. Tonight they take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Rangers have started well on the road, as they are 4-0 for the first time in 20 years. Tonight’s game is the first of two against the Red Sox in a short series.
The Red Sox are not only trying to reach the .500 mark as they are just 4-6 on the season, but they find themselves mired in some controversy. Manager Bobby Valentine earlier in the season questioned the effort of Kevin Youkilis. That caused other players to defend Youkilis and yesterday Valentine apologized for his words.
In the game today, the Red Sox will have their ace Jon Lester in the mound. Lester lost his only decision of the early season but has pitched well with very little offensive support. Lester will have to try to control Josh Hamilton who is off to a hot start at the plate. In his last 13 at bats, Hamilton has 6 hits, including two home runs and two doubles. He has hit .333 for his career at Fenway.
Colby Lewis will be on the mound for the Rangers who lead the American League with an 8-2 record. Lewis is 1-0 this season with an ERA of just 1.42. However, he has not fared well against the Red Sox. In three starts during last season, Lewis was 1-2 with an ERA of 8.22. Adrian Gonzalez led the Red Sox batters against Lewis last season. Gonzalez had 6 hits in 7 at bats against Lewis last season, including two round trippers.
Currently the Red Sox are favored in this game with the total at 8.5. Look for Boston ace Lester to quiet the Ranger bats and the Red Sox to win this game with the total ending UNDER the 8.5.
Pacers vs 76ers April 17, 2012
The playoff picture in the Eastern Conference of the NBA is coming into clearer focus. Six of eight teams have qualified for the playoffs and just four teams have a chance to qualify for the two remaining spots. On April 17, the Indiana Pacers visit the Philadelphia 76ers in a key game with playoff implications for the 76ers. The Pacers have qualified for the playoff with their 38-22 record. The 76ers, on the other hand, are in seventh place in the conference by just a half game in front of the New York Knicks, and one and half in front of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 76ers have a record of 31-28 and have won only four of their last 10 games. Philly will be counting on Lou Williams and Elton Brand to carry the team to victory against the Pacers. The head to head matchup between the two teams has been close. Indiana is 6-4 SU and ATS over the last 10 games the two teams have played against one another. The point total has been UNDER in 7 of those same 10 games.
The two teams have played on two occasions this season. In early January the 76ers defeated the Pacers in Philly 96-86. In that game, the 76ers covered a 7-point favorite spread. In mid-March the Pacers routed the 76ers 111-96 to cover a one-point favorite spread. In the first game between the two teams, the total was UNDER, while the second game saw much more scoring and the total ended OVER.
With playoff implications on the line in this matchup, the 76ers will be giving 150% effort. The Pacers may rest a few players so they can recover from nagging injuries are to get ready for the playoff run. This game will be won SU by Philly, as they try to lock down one of the remaining two spots in the playoff race. An UNDER total will pay out to bettors.
76ers vs Magic, April 16, 2012
The end of the regular season is just ten days away and the playoffs are on the minds of many teams. The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Orlando Magic in a key matchup with playoff implications for both teams on April 16. The 76ers have fallen all the way to 8th place in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. They are 31-28 on the season and have lost 6 of their last 10 games. They are just two and a half games in front of the ninth place Milwaukee Bucks.
Orlando has not played well of late and has lost 7 of 10 and dropped to sixth in the East. The Magic are a game behind the fifth place Atlanta Hawks in the playoff hunt. Orlando has had to play five consecutive games without start forward Dwight Howard. The team’s high scorer and top rebounder has not been able to play due to a bad back.
Orlando has the advantage head to head against Philly 8-2 SU and ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two teams. The total has been UNDER 6 times and OVER 4 times in those same 10 games. This season the teams have met three times and Orlando is 2-1 SU.
Philly is 2-3 SU over their last five games, while the Magic is 2-2 SU over their last four games and both are headed in the wrong direction for teams that want to play in the playoffs. The Magic will turn things around in this game with a victory SU and ATS against the 76ers. The game will be tightly contested as most of them are between the two teams and will be very low scoring. Look for the total to pay out to those who put smart money on the UNDER.
