Author Archives: Guillermo J.P

Vegas MLB Gambling – New York Yankees at Cincinnati Reds

Posted on by
Reply

A spectacular performance by Andy Pettitte in his second start since coming out of retirement halted a three-game losing streak by the New York Yankees on Friday. It also provided a warm and fuzzy moment to help mask an alarming offensive trend for the Yankees, who continue to shrivel up in the clutch. New York went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, including a failure to score with the bases loaded and no outs. The Yankees are 3-for-48 with runners in scoring position in the last six games.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Cincinnati Reds managed only four singles and was shut out for the first time this season. It also marked the seventh time in 10 games that the Reds have been held to three runs or fewer. The leadoff spot is killing the team. Rookie Zack Cozart is mired in a 3-for-36 funk and Drew Stubbs batted less than .100 during his seven-game stint at the top of the order. Cincinnati’s leadoff hitters rank last in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the National League.

Reds Yankees Betting

When: 1:05 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-3, 4.35) vs. New York RH Ivan Nova (4-1, 5.44 ERA)

Bailey bounced back from his worst outing with his best start last time out. He limited the Atlanta Braves to one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings but did not factor in the decision. He has surrendered three homers in a start twice but hasn’t allowed a long ball in his five other outings. Bailey is looking to snap a four-start winless streak.

Nova was hit hard in his last start against Baltimore and also hurt his right foot, but pronounced himself good to go for Saturday. The Yankees have scored at least five runs in six of Nova’s seven starts – and they’ve been needed with opponents batting .326 against him. Nova limited the Reds to one run on four hits in eight innings last year.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. New York’s Raul Ibanez homered for the fifth time in nine games. He hit a three-run shot in two at-bats against Bailey last year.

2. Reds outfielder Chris Heisey is 8-for-15 (.534) in his last five games.

3. Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to five games Friday. He has an extra-base hit in each game.

betting lines Sports

Baltimore Orioles visit the Washington Nationals – MLB Betting

Posted on by
Reply

The Baltimore Orioles are making themselves at home on the road – even though their eighth consecutive win in such a scenario wasn’t too far from Camden Yards. Nick Markakis’ solo homer in the 11th inning provided just enough pop to give Baltimore a 2-1 triumph over the Washington Nationals in Friday’s opener of the Beltway Series. The American League East-leading Orioles have won four in a row and seven of nine heading into Saturday’s contest.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Adam Jones may have saw his consecutive homers streak end at three contests, but recorded his third 10-game hitting streak of the season with an RBI infield single in the first inning. Ian Desmond did homer, but that was all Washington could muster en route to its fourth loss in seven games.

Orioles Nationals Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (4-1, 2.68 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (3-2, 2.75)

Hammel has won all three career decisions versus Washington, handcuffing the team with a 1.18 WHIP and .248 batting average against. The 29-year-old has improved upon the latter two numbers against every team in 2012 – posting a 1.10 WHIP and .214 batting average against. Hammel’s last outing was not indicative of that, however, as he yielded five runs in as many innings in a no-decision versus the New York Yankees on Monday.

Detwiler matched Hammel’s effort Monday by posting the same statistics in a no-decision versus San Diego. The sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft, Detwiler dropped his lone career decision to Baltimore. In two starts against the Orioles, he has allowed six runs on 10 hits in 11 innings.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. Baltimore isn’t just belting the ball out of the park – it’s doing it with timely effectiveness. The Orioles lead the majors with 62 homers – 27 of which have come in the seventh inning or later. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Baltimore has won 13 of 16 games decided in the seventh inning or later.

2. Ryan Zimmerman, who had two hits in the series opener, is 5-for-14 with a homer and three RBIs in his career versus Hammel.

3. With Friday’s heroics fresh in his mind, Markakis could continue to swing a hot bat when he faces Detwiler. The Orioles’ star is 3-for-6 with an RBI in his career against him.

betting lines Sports

May 19 MLB Odds – Atlanta Braves at Tampa Bay Rays

Posted on by
Reply

So far in 2012, Atlanta has found plenty of success away from Turner Field. The Braves won their major-league leading 15th road game of the season in Friday’s series opener at Tampa Bay, handing the Rays only their fifth loss at home this season. The Atlanta Braves already have won twice at Dodger Stadium and swept defending World Series champion St. Louis in Busch Stadium. Tampa Bay has lost two in a row since winning four straight.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Friday’s loss dropped the Rays two games behind Baltimore in the American League East. Injuries have ravaged Tampa Bay’s roster as nine Rays are currently on the disabled list. The Tampa Bay Rays start right-hander Alex Cobb, promoted to take the place of Jeff Niemann in the rotation. Niemann suffered a small fracture in his right leg in his last start against Toronto. The Braves lead the National League East by 1½ games and have won six of their past eight.

Braves Rays Betting

When: 4:10 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Peachtree TV (Atlanta), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79 ERA) vs. Tampa Bay RH Alex Cobb (2011: 3-2, 3.42)

Delgado has pitched far better than his record indicates. The 22-year-old has allowed only three runs over 20 1/3 innings in his past three starts, but is 0-1 with two no-decisions thanks in large part to poor run support. Delgado has not won since beating the Mets on April 17. Cobb made nine starts for Tampa Bay last season, striking out 37 in 52 2/3 innings. He was 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A Durham this season.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. Since losing their first four games this season – all on the road – the Braves are 25-11 overall and 15-4 on the road.

2. Cobb struck out eight in five shutout innings for Triple-A Durham in his last start.

3. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman drove in two runs in Friday’s series opener, giving him 32 for the season.

betting lines Sports

MLB Baseball Prediction – Minnesota Twins vs Milwaukee Brewers

Posted on by
Reply

The Minnesota Twins are riding their first three-game winning streak of the season and are breaking out of a season-long offensive slump. The lowest-scoring team in the American League entering Friday, the Twins broke out for 11 runs for the second time in the last three games in an 11-3 triumph at the interleague rival Milwaukee Brewers. The last two days have also included rare strong starting pitching performances. The Brewers are streaking in the opposite direction, having dropped three straight and five of six.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Ryan Braun is up to .317 and hit his 11th homer Friday but is getting little help from the rest of the Milwaukee offense. Rickie Weeks went 1-for-3 on Friday to raise his average to .159. The Twins got Justin Morneau back in the lineup Wednesday and immediately began to take off. The former MVP has driven in six runs in the past two games and has combined with Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham to form a strong middle of the order.

Twins Brewers Betting

When: 4:10 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (2-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (2-4, 5.04)

Pavano has allowed four earned runs in three of his last four starts and has not made it through seven innings in any of his last five turns. The veteran right-hander has issued only six walks in 49 total innings but has surrendered 56 hits – seven home runs. Pavano is 2-4 with a 4.77 ERA in 14 career games – 12 starts – against Milwaukee. Ryan Braun is 5-for-14 with a pair of homers off Pavano.

Gallardo has taken the loss in three of his last four turns. He yielded only two runs on two hits last time out but walked six in six innings. The 26-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in four career starts against Minnesota but Mauer and Morneau are a combined 9-for-16 off Gallardo.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. Pavano had deep tissue work done on his right shoulder this week back in Minneapolis before rejoining the team Friday.

2. Twins outfielder Ryan Doumit (calf) was available Friday but did not get into the game.

3. Weeks was dropped to sixth in the batting order Friday. He had hit first, second or third in the first 36 games.

betting lines Sports

NBA playoffs betting: Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers, Game 4

Posted on by
Reply

After a sound beating in Game 3 at Indiana, the have been supplanted by the as the NBA title favorites at WagerWeb.com and the Heat’s season will be on life support if they don’t win Game 4 at the Pacers on Sunday afternoon. Miami opened as a 2-point betting favorite.

The Heat clearly aren’t the same without the injured Chris Bosh, having lost the past two games without him. And they were outclassed on Thursday night in Game 3, falling 94-75.  Dwyane Wade was nothing short of terrible for Miami. Wade scored just five points on 2-of-13 and had a sideline confrontation with his head coach.

During a third-quarter timeout, Erik Spoelstra was talking to Wade, who didn’t like what he heard and angrily snapped at his coach. Several Miami players stepped in before the confrontation escalated. Wade reportedly is dealing with a lower leg issue, the same injury that caused him to miss time during the regular season. He has been getting treatment for the last few days to treat the injury. Wade hasn’t been fully practicing in between games and is shooting just 31 percent from the floor during the second round.

LeBron James scored 22 — 16 in the first half before wearing down — and Mario Chalmers made up for Wade’s abysmal night by adding 25 for Miami. Chalmers fell on his wrist late in the game and later had an X-ray, which came back negative. He should play Sunday.

Indiana outscored Miami 51-32 in the second half, when the Pacers could do no wrong. The Pacers were led by Roy Hibbert, who had 19 points (on 9-for-16 shooting), 18 rebounds and five blocks. George Hill scored 20 and Danny Granger 17. For a second consecutive game, the Pacers also battered the smaller Heat on the boards, winning by a 52-36 margin.

Since the NBA began recording blocked shots in the 1973-74 season, only six other individuals have reached the four levels (points, rebounds, blocks, shooting percentage) that Hibbert did in one playoff game: Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan each did it twice, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Artis Gilmore and Dwight Howard each did it once. The last to do it was Howard (25 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks, 61.5 shooting percentage) against the Raptors in the Magic’s playoff opener in 2008.

The Heat scored 10 transition points and were 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) in transition in Game 3. Miami has been outscored 47-42 in transition in the first three games against the Pacers and the Heat have not found the transition success they had against the Knicks.

Place your NBA basketball bets at our online sportsbook!

betting lines Sports

NBA playoffs betting: San Antonio Spurs at L.A. Clippers, Game 3

Posted on by
Reply

The are in the second round of the NBA playoffs for only the second time in the modern era, but if their first two games of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio are any indication, the Clips’ stay will be a short one.

The Spurs look flat-out invincible right now as they won their 16th straight game on Thursday night – 13th in that stretch by double figures – 105-88. Now the series shifts to L.A., where the Spurs are 3.5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com.

After a lousy Game 1, San Antonio point guard Tony Parker scored 22 points on his 30th birthday, Tim Duncan had 18 as the Spurs easily took a 2-0 series lead. Only two other teams have sustained a longer winning streak in the playoffs: the 2004 Spurs (17) and the 2001 Lakers (19).

The Spurs outscored the Clippers 50-18 in the paint in Game 2. They have outscored the Clippers by an average of 22.0 points per game in the paint during the first two games of the series. In Game 2, the Spurs made more field goals inside 5 feet (16) than the Clippers attempted.

L.A. point guard Chris Paul responded to his awful Game 1 with only a slightly better encore, scoring 10 points. At halftime, the third-place finisher in the league’s MVP voting had more personal fouls (3) than points (2), assists (2) or rebounds (2). He finished with eight turnovers, a career playoff high. He’s still being bothered by the strained right hip flexor he suffered in Game 5 of the Clippers’ first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.

In the four games Paul has played against the Spurs with Parker this season, he’s shot 16-of-51 (31 percent) from the floor and averaged fewer than 12 points. It’s gotten even worse this series, with Paul producing nearly as many turnovers (13) as points (16). And he’s had a plus/minus of minus-40 in the 72 minutes he’s been on the court this series, the second-worst of any player on either team, behind only Caron Butler. By comparison, Paul’s backup, 22-year-old Eric Bledsoe, has been plus-2 in his 50 on-court minutes.

L.A.’s Blake Griffin scored 20 points in Game 2 but added another injury to the list, this time what he described as a hip flexor strain. He’s already battling a sprained left knee and shaking off a turned ankle in Game 1. Randy Foye was the Clippers’ only other player in double digits, scoring 11.

The Clippers are simply beaten up and exhausted. They’ve played seven games in 13 days, and they’ll have played nine in 16 by the time the weekend is over.

Place your NBA basketball bets at our online sportsbook!

betting lines Sports

New York Yankees against Cincinnati Reds on Friday – MLB Betting

Posted on by
Reply

When Andy Pettitte announced he was returning from a one-year retirement, the modest expectations were that he could fill the No. 5 starter role for the New York Yankees. As he prepares to make his second start in the opener of a three-game interleague series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, the Yankees will be looking for the Pettitte of old rather than an old Pettitte. New York has dropped three straight games and has been outscored 17-4 in that span.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

The Cincinnati Reds appeared well on their way to a two-game sweep of the New York Mets on Thursday, but blew a four-run lead and endured a meltdown by baseball’s best bullpen. Relievers Aroldis Chapman and Logan Ondrusek had both been unscored upon before giving up the tying and go-ahead runs. Compounding matters is that Chapman threw 35 pitches and Ondrusek tossed 34, putting their availability in question for Friday night’s contest.

Reds Yankees Betting

When: 7:05 PM ET, Friday, May 18, 2012
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Ohio, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 3.25) vs. New York LH Andy Pettitte (0-1, 5.68 ERA)

Arroyo gives up a lot of hits – 35 in 22 2/3 innings over his past four starts – but has done a better job of staying away from the long ball after surrendering a major league-high 46 last year. He has made eight appearances (six starts) against the Yankees with no record and a 5.45 ERA. Raul Ibanez is 4-for-8 against Arroyo, but Derek Jeter has only four hits in 18 at-bats.

Pettitte gave up a pair of two-run homers in his season debut and took the loss against Seattle last Sunday. He gave up four runs on seven hit in 6 1/3 innings while throwing 60 of 94 pitches for strikes. He has made 10 career starts against the Reds, logging a 4-3 record and 3.64 ERA. Arroyo is 3-for-6 with a double and four RBIs against Pettitte.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$ 

1. The Yankees lead the American League with a 157-109 record in interleague play, including 13-5 last year.

2. Cincinnati is 5-4 against the Yankees in interleague play.

3. Arroyo makes his first appearance in the Bronx since a relief stint with Boston in the famous Curt Schilling “bloody sock” game in the 2004 AL Championship Series.

betting lines Sports

MLB Baseball Prediction – Colorado Rockies at Seattle Mariners

Posted on by
Reply

The Seattle Mariners will try to salvage something in what has been a disastrous road trip when they begin a three-game interleague series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies. Seattle has lost 12 of 13 road games, including six of seven on its current road trip. The Mariners were swept in two-game sets at Boston and Cleveland earlier in the week. Colorado hasn’t exactly been dominant at home. After splitting a pair of home games against Arizona, the Rockies are 9-11 at Coors Field and have lost four of their last five there.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Mariners Rockies Betting

When: 8:40 PM ET, Friday, May 18, 2012
Where: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (1-4, 5.09 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Alex White (0-2, 6.75 ERA)

Millwood is no stranger to the National League – or to Coors Field. He pitched nine games for the Rockies at the end of last season and is 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field in his career. The veteran got off to a rough start this season, but he is coming off his best outing of the year after earning his first win with seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball against the Yankees.

White has made two starts since being called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs – with decidedly different results. He turned in a quality start in a loss at San Diego on May 8, but he was knocked around for six runs in 4 1/3 innings Sunday against the Dodgers. White will make only his fourth career start at Coors Field, where he is 1-1 with a 9.18 ERA.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$ 

1. Mariners 2B Dustin Ackley is riding a 13-game hitting streak. He is 16-for-50 during the streak.

2. Three Rockies players have enjoyed seeing Millwood in their careers – Todd Helton is 11-for-34 (.324) with two home runs against him, Michael Cuddyer is 12-for-28 (.429) with two homers and Jason Giambi is 8-for-19 with three homers.

3. Mariners LH Lucas Luetge set a Mariners record Thursday by making his 15th consecutive appearance to begin his major league career without allowing an earned run.

betting lines Sports

Milwaukee Brewers Open a Three-Game Set against Minnesota Twins

Posted on by
Reply

The Milwaukee Brewers were swept by one of the teams who languished at the bottom of the standings in 2011. They’ll look to avoid a similar indignity when they open a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Milwaukee, which has won just five of 15 games in May, was unable to find the timely hit and suffered a 4-0 setback to Houston on Thursday.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Minnesota swept an abbreviated two-game series against defending American League Central champion Detroit, highlighted by Justin Morneau’s two-run homer. Morneau is a perfect 2-for-2 with a double and RBI against Friday’s scheduled starter, Marco Estrada. The modest two-game win streak is the Twins’ second this season.

Twins Brewers Betting

When: 8:10 PM ET, Friday, May 18, 2012
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSWI (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-2, 4.20 ERA)

Diamond has been downright dominant in his two starts this season. The 25-year-old Ontario native has yet to yield a run while permitting only nine hits in 14 innings this season. He allowed just five hits and struck out four in seven innings as Minnesota posted a 4-3 win over Toronto on Sunday.

Estrada deserved a better fate in his last outing. After yielding five runs in his previous two starts, the 28-year-old Mexican allowed just two runs on five hits in six innings. He settled for a no-decision as the Chicago Cubs erupted for an 8-2 victory on Sunday. Estrada has not recorded a decision in three career appearances versus the Twins.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$ 

1. Milwaukee’s Norichika Aoki collected three hits on Thursday and has seven in his last three starts.

2. Minnesota placed starter Nick Blackburn on the disabled list with a left quad strain. Blackburn struggled in his last start, permitting six runs in two innings on Wednesday.

3. Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez underwent surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He will be sidelined for at least six months.

betting lines Sports

MLB Pick and Tips – Arizona Diamondbacks at Kansas City Royals

Posted on by
Reply

Interleague play is at its best when it brings together regional rivals or top teams that otherwise would not meet until the World Series. And then sometimes it brings together the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals. While the Diamondbacks were expected to be playoff contenders, the Royals have not made the postseason since 1985. Kansas City and Phoenix are over 1,200 miles apart. Still, the fans of western Missouri will get another chance to see young stars like Justin Upton and Miguel Montero.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

The Diamondbacks swept a three-game set at Kansas City last season and are frequent interleague opponents of the Royals, owning an 11-7 record against them all-time and a 9-3 mark at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City enters having dropped back-to-back home games after a 6-1 stretch. The Royals lost a 15-inning affair on Wednesday and have totaled six runs in the last 24 innings. Arizona earned a wild win on Thursday but is just 3-9 over its last 12 games.

Diamondbacks Royals Betting

When: 8:10 PM ET, Friday, May 18, 2012
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona), FSKC (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (2-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (2-2, 4.76 ERA)

The wheels have come off a bit for Saunders lately. After holding his first five opponents to two earned runs or less, the veteran left-hander has surrendered a total of 12 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings over his last two turns. Saunders has given up four home runs in that span while recording only three strikeouts. He is 5-1 with a 3.32 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City.

Mendoza is trending in the opposite direction, having allowed two runs or less in each of his last three starts. The problem for the right-hander has been sticking around, as his 5 2/3 innings at Chicago last weekend matched a season high. He has issued 18 walks while striking out just 13 in 28 1/3 total innings.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$ 

1. Kansas City went 5-13 in interleague play last season while Arizona went 10-8.

2. Upton snapped a 13-game homerless streak with a two-run blast on Thursday.

3. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer was held out of the lineup on Thursday. He is batting .174 and has not homered since April 25.

betting lines Sports