Bring Back Steroids to Baseball!

I mean it; let these baseball players start taking something again. O.K. roids are illegal in baseball but some chemist dude has to cooking up something with a masking agent that could bring the power back to baseball. Jose Bautista of Toronto leads the big leagues with 18 home runs. Back when Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Jose Canseco played, those guys and even a freakin’ Brady Anderson could hit that many in a month. In the National League, Cory Hart leads with 15 homers, that is less than 45 for the entire season from the leading masher.

I used to watch Sports Center and Baseball Tonight religiously knowing I’d get my fill of long blasts of 400+ feet with guys having bulging biceps, necks bigger than their oversized 8 ¾ hats and enough acne that Clearsil could carry my stock portfolio.

Now you get the occasional long ball, hitters going the other way with a pitch for a single and even the worst of all, showing guys moving the runner to another base to help SET-UP another run to be scored. No wonder I bought Captain Morgan’s Long Island Iced Tea.

Betting baseball totals has become a joke. The oddsmakers spotted the trend last year and immediately began posting lower numbers from a season ago. The average posted total is more than five percent lower than a year ago and runs scored and home runs are their lowest in over a decade. Even with the reduction of totals numbers, the Under is still 842-784, 51.7. I know San Diego’s pitching has been incredible this year with the fewest runs allowed at 3.3 per game and they play in the second largest expanse other than the Grand Canyon, but come on, they have had more totals of six (2) than anything above 7.5 (none) at Petco (Death Valley) Park.

Remember the good old days when you wagered against the oddsmakers at Coors Field? Totals of 11.5 to 13 were common before humidors. Sadly, Colorado has only had three games of 10.5 or higher all season at their Rocky Mountains home. I know the Rockies are better with the likes of Troy Tulowitzki and Ubaldo Jimenez, but I sure miss Dante Bichette, Larry Walker and 1,000 Colorado pitchers who never got anybody out. Let the baseball’s breathe and dry out in Colorado for more runs to be scored.

Besides where did all the hitting stars disappear to? Bautista and Hart leading their respective leagues in home runs, where is Albert Pujols, Mark Reynolds, David Ortiz and A-Rod. I understand they are close, but who is talking about Alex Rodriguez catching Barry Bonds for the all-time home run lead let alone Hank Aaron as the former long ball king.

I admit it, I used to be a juicer, I had the machine where you put all the fruits and vegetables in it and made it a drink, but after a few months, though I felt better, a friend pointed out to me that I’ll live six months longer than him in a nursing home by doing this.

I like seeing second sacker Kelly Johnson of Arizona with 13 home runs already (16 is career high), that means he’s doing something right to make himself stronger. In fact the D-Backs are my favorite team at 38-19 Over. They are way better than any reality TV show with people screwing up their lives. All the Arizona hitters swing WAY harder than they should, strikeout a ton while hitting enough home runs. And their pitching is so bad the Phoenix Fire Department is a new stadium sponsor with their 7.22 bullpen ERA.

Maybe I’m over-reacting, but when Carlos Silva is 8-0 with a 2.93 ERA and the Cubs are +10 units with him pitching with their sickly offense, something isn’t right in baseball.

While baseball celebrates the end of the steroids era with the likes of Jimenez, Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, Chris Carpenter and now Stephen Strasburg, plus countless other pitchers that are taking over the game, I’ll be rooting for youngsters like Atlanta’s Jason Heyward and Florida’s Michael Stanton to be the next hitting stars, while dreaming about Harry Caray saying this about another Sosa bomb, “It could be, it might be, IT IS another home run for Sosa!”

Written by Red Wydley who drops by on occasion.

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Philadelphia switching roles for Game 6

Even the best of players will have an off day. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant haven’t always dominated every finals game they played in and Sidney Crosby and Steve Yzerman were not always the best player on the ice game after game in the Stanley Cup finals they played in. After four marvelous outings against Chicago, the Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger had one of those games.

Pronger, who’s been dishing legal and illegal hits for years, was pounded a few different times by Blackhawks’ players in Game 5 and ended up -5 for his time on the ice in the 7-4 defeat.

Credit Chicago coach Joel Quenneville for creative line switches that appeared desperate before the game and brilliant after it. Quenneville broke up his top scoring line of line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien after they had totaled one goal and three assists in the first four contests of the Finals, mostly facing Pronger when on the attack.

Each player was placed on a different line and Pronger and the entire Flyers defense was thrown off. The 6’6 blue-liner was singled out since he had been such a pain to Chicago, being on the ice for six of the Blackhawks goals and in the penalty box for the other. Philly is 4-10 after playing a game where nine or more total goals were scored this season.

Pronger has logged the most ice time of any player in the series and having two days off should refresh him, plus Philadelphia is 24-7 at home since the midpoint of the regular season. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will work to combat his club’s off night and remind them the home team has won every contest in the series thus far, so by just playing Philadelphia hockey, they can extend series one more game.

After Chicago’s overwhelming performance, the sports bettor has to use his polyhistoric references and realize though the Hawks won the last game, realistically, neither team has the momentum.

Chicago as least psychologically feels good having laid out Pronger a few times and possibly shaken the confidence of goalie Michael Leighton, who reportedly is not a sure thing to start in goal for this encounter. Expect to see Leighton between the pipes since he is 6-0 at the Wachovia Center and his teammates are 9-1.

The Blackhawks are 19-3 off a home win scoring four or more goals this season and are starting to feel like they might have found something. “I think we've been looking for that throughout the whole series,” Kane said. “With him (Pronger) on the ice, he's a big guy, but we feel we can get around him and make some good plays.

Though Pronger has been a huge part of the discussion between games, his coach adds perspective. “I think if we look just for Chris Pronger to do it, everybody will be in trouble," Laviolette said. "We are a team that, by all accounts, we win together, and usually it's a team effort. And when we lose, well, we do it as a team. Everybody could have been a little bit better last night. I'm sure Chris will have a big game and lead the way, but others -- we need to make sure that we have all hands on deck."

This all leads to Philly opening as -120 money line favorite and being shifted to +100 home underdogs by sports bettors, where they are only 10-29 in that role. Bettors are not expecting Chicago to go quietly and with position switched are 16-5 as favorites and with total Ov5.5, the Hawks are 6-0 OVER in road games after both teams scored four goals or more this year. The Flyers will look to batten down the hatches and are 11-3 UNDER after permitting five goals or more.

NBC and the CBC will have Game 6 at 8:00 Eastern as Philadelphia tries to extend home winning streak over Chicago to 11, dating back to March of 1998.

Big League Trendy Talk

While your parents taught you gossip is unhealthy, it is a positive when breaking down baseball betting. For those that participate in sports betting, having knowledge that can give you the edge, well it’s invaluable. Review the best information anywhere on four meaningful baseball contests tonight.

Florida at Philadelphia 7:05 E

Both these NL East clubs busted out scoring slumps last night as they totaled 18 runs on 26 hits, with Philadelphia (31-26, -5.4 units) winning 10-8. Because of tonight’s pitching matchup, they could both go right back into batting slumps. Roy Halladay (8-3, 2.03 ERA) goes for the Phillies and Josh Johnson (6-2, 2.10) for Florida (28-31, -5.5).

Sportsbooks have the Phillies as -160 money line home favorites and as good as Doc Halladay is, Johnson isn’t too shabby with the Marlins 41-18 when he starts and 13-5 when he is underdog of +150 or less. With the way the Phils have been hitting lately, Halladay probably feels like he’s back in Toronto and is 5-9 (-11.8 Units) against the ML after giving up two or less earned runs in his last two outings over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

It’s not all doom and gloom for Philadelphia as they are 29-15 vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better and the floundering Fish (four straight losses) are 1-11 versus a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or lower this season.

San Diego at N.Y. Mets 7:10 E

The Padres (34-24, +13.3) got a rare taste of their own medicine, falling 2-1 in extra innings to New York (31-27, +4.1). Even with last night’s defeat, San Diego is uncanny 9-3 when a total of four or less runs are scored this year. Mat Latos (5-4, 3.26) has the unfortunate luck of drawing another top line pitcher in tonight’s action. Latos has been matched against Halladay, Tim Hudson, Felix Hernandez, Josh Johnson, Yovani Gallardo and Jonathan Sanchez (three times) and has to look at Johan Santana (4-2, 2.76 ERA) this evening.

Santana has thrown 15 straight scoreless innings and has a 0.74 ERA over his last five starts and his teammates are thriving at Citi Field. The Mets are 23-9 at home and are riding their second nine-game winning streak in the Big Apple. New York is 7-0 at home after three or more consecutive wins this season and is a -150 ML favorite. Santana is his career is 104-33 as a favorite of -150 or more. (Team's Record) San Diego will attempt to counter and is 9-3 after four or more consecutive road games in 2010.

L.A. Angels at Oakland 10:05 E

Though it seldom gets much play nationally, the Angels (32-29, +2.2) and Athletics (31-29, +3.7) is one of the more heated division rivalries in baseball. The teams have split the first two of a four game series and Oakland will attempt to retake second place on the AL West behind Dallas Braden (4-5, 3.77), who hasn’t won since tossing a perfect game on Mother’s Day. Braden is 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA since May 9th; however oddsmakers still have the left-hander and the A’s as -128 favorites. Braden is 5-13 (-12.1 Units) against the ML as a home favorite of -110 or higher. (A's Record)

The Halos had their six-game winning stopped last night with 10-1 thumping and hand the ball to Joe Saunders (4-6, 4.78), who could be spokesperson for a yoyo company with his up and down performances. Saunders and the Angels are 13-4 in road tests vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs a game since 2008 and the port-sider is 10-4 vs. his rival. Even with last night’s loss, the Angels are 14-6 at McAfee Coliseum the past three seasons.

St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 10:10 E

Manager Tony LaRussa tried to play the percentages, essentially giving away the first game of the series in Los Angeles with his pitching choices and coming back with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright (8-3, 2.05 ERA) the next two games. His plan was foiled as Hiroki Kuroda and two relievers combined for a six-hitter in the Dodgers 1-0 shutout victory. St. Louis (33-26, -5) hasn’t been great this year, however they have avoided long losing streaks, but our in danger of losing four in a row for the first time since June 5-9, 2009.

Having Wainwright to pitch will be a big plus, as he is 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 30 innings over his last four overall outings and has a 1.23 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers (35-24, +4.8). With the Cardinals a -105 betting option, they and Wainwright are 14-3 when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last two seasons.

The Blue Crew is in the midst of its longest homestand of the year (13 games) and have won seven of first nine and they own the finest record in the big leagues since May 9 at 22-7. Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.06) toes the rubber for L.A., with his club 37-15 at Dodger Stadium with a money line of -100 to -150 since last year.

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June 8 Wagering Options

A good quick rebound of 2-1 takes 3DW to 72-37, 65.4 percent. We offer an 80 percent system in the Clearwater dome in Florida. In the great state of Texas, matching trends pop up with a certain pitcher of the Rangers. Finally, Sal is 12-3 in last 15 MLB plays and likes a Midwestern team on the Left Coast. Good Luck

What I thought today – Looking forward to watching Steve Strasburg pitch. Did you know the Nationals have never been above a -155 favorite since moving to D.C.?

For old time Cubs fans, Carlos Silva is 8-0 on the North Side, which is the best start for Chicago pitcher since Ken Holtzman in 1967.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Blue Jays, who bat .260 or less, against a good AL starting pitcher (ERA of 3.50 or less), hitting .200 or worse over their last three games. Looking back 13 years we find a 52-13 record.
Free Baseball Trend -2) Colby (Cheese) Lewis of Texas is 12-1 in home games vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs game (Rangers record) and these same contests are also 12-1 OVER.

Free Baseball Pick -3) These plays have been little faulty the last few days and Sal has St. Louis with Chris Carpenter to down the Dodgers.

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Game 3 moves to Boston for NBA Finals

Don’t you just love the drama of the NBA Finals, everything is overanalyzed, everyone is seeking a unique storyline and all the conjecture goes right to the top. One day the Lakers are invincible, the next they might not play another game this season in Los Angeles. Boston is in the same predicament as Doc Rivers noted. “We lose and were old, we win and we have veteran experience.”

The easiest aspect to lose sight of is this is a series, a best of seven. That alone usually means twists and turns, especially when it is The Finals.

No question Rajon Rondo has had a fantastic playoff series for Boston, but ESPN’s Colin Cowherd is calling him the third best player in the NBA, just behind Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. (His reasoning why ahead of Dwayne Wade is because he’s taken his team deeper in the playoffs, disregarding the talent difference between the two clubs.)

Face the facts, Boston has too much leadership and experience to go down like a Cleveland, they have players that will find a way to contribute, even if a part of their game is not working 100 percent perfectly.

The Celtics return home where they are 31-19 and 19-30-1 ATS this season (7-2 SU & ATS in the playoffs). While Boston fans and backers are psyched they can end the series at home, it’s extremely unlikely to happen. As noted, the Celtics are far from a sure thing or bet at home and the Bryant surly attitude after Sunday’s loss would suggest he will come with a vengeance, if the referee’s let both teams play.

Both games in the Finals have gone Over the total, however not based on level of skill shown, rather by referee’s enjoying the tweeting of their whistles and evidently TV time. As compared to the Stanley Cup Finals where penalties are down compared to the rest of the playoffs, the basketball fouls are coming faster than Twitter ‘tweets”.

As John Hollinger of ESPN.com points out, after two contests the numbers show an average of 56 fouls and 67 free throws compared to regular season average of 41.7 and 49.1 per game, respectively. Though playoff basketball tends to be slower and more physical and a few more fouls would be expected to be called since teams will not concede layups as often. Nonetheless, the fouls for a four quarter Finals confrontation are up over 20 percent compared to the rest of the postseason.

NBA fans are not turning on The Finals to see Bryant, Ray Allen and several other players on the bench with ticky-tacky fouls that are not even called during the regular season.

In spite of the defeat, the Phil Jackson and company can’t be totally depressed. It took the best deep shooting performance ever by Allen and a triple-double by Rondo to knock off the Lakers with Bryant and Lamar Odom glued to the bench with fouls for lengthy periods. Though it is earlier than a couple of the other series they’ve played, L.A. is 18-6 ATS when tied in a playoff series since 1996.

Boston will look to keep the pressure on with Rondo forcing the issue with the ball and feeding the C’s big guys in the paint, to keep Pau Gasol and others busy, opening up the mid-range jump shooting game the Celtics prefer.

Sportsbooks have Rivers club as 2.5-point favorites with total of 192.5. It will be worth watching how both teams react in the first half traveling across the country and playing a game of this magnitude less than 48 hours after completing the prior conflict and losing additional three hours for time zone shift.

The rest aspect could be important for sports betting purposes with Boston 7-2 ATS with one day between contests and the Lakers 5-14 ATS.

Los Angeles is 13-3 UNDER in road games revenging a straight up loss as a home favorite, while the home team for Game 3 is 7-3 UNDER as playoff favorite.

The starting time moves back to 9:00 Eastern, with the Celtics 4-2 and 4-1-1 ATS when the Lake Show makes an appearance in Bean-Town the last three years.

Baseball Systems that round the bases

On this Tuesday in baseball, believe it or not there are other baseball games as or possibly even more important than Pittsburgh at Washington. While you can still buy a ticket to Roy Halladay’s perfect game in Florida (at full price no less, go Marlins), there are four baseball systems (plus a bonus play) in place tonight for the online sports betting fan which could add to cash to wagering account.

Florida at Philadelphia 7:05E

Another lesser known rookie will be making his debut, as power hitter Mike Stanton will be in the Marlins batting order. The 20-year-old outfielder has been tearing it up Double-A Jacksonville (hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games) and his first big league at bat will be against Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.62 ERA) who has found a groove and is 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last six outings.

Philadelphia (30-26, -6.4 units) still isn’t hitting the baseball, averaging two runs per contest in last 13 outings, however their fielding has been impeccable, with no errors in last five games. The Phillies are -138 money line choice and favorites with a ML of -125 to -175, after three straight games where they committed no errors, starting a pitcher whose given up one or less earned runs in his last two outings are 65-19 since 2006. (Note: The San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain also fit this system)

Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10E

The Rays are seventh in the American League in home runs, but still manufacture runs well enough to be third in baseball at 5.2 per game. Tampa Bay (37-20, +6.5) won on Sunday 9-5 in Texas to salvage a .500 road trip and send Jeff Niemann (5-0, 2.79) up against Toronto’s (33-25, +12) power laden lineup.

The Blue Jays lead the Major’s in home runs yet only bat .245 as a team and Niemann and the Rays are 8-0 vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. Tampa Bay is a -195 ML pick and home favorites with a ML of -175 to -250, averaging 0.9 or less dingers a game on the season, after a win by four runs or more, are 27-4 the previous three years.

Kansas City at Minnesota 8:10E

Zack Grienke (1-7, 3.60) might be feeling the pressure of late with the lack of run support and trying to be too perfect. Last year’s Cy Young award winner has a 7.04 ERA in last three starts, allowing 24 hits in 15 1/3 innings. He’s received the lowest run support in the American League at 2.64 per start.

“The last month I haven’t really been myself, I guess,” said Greinke. “Everything looks tougher, like the hitters look better and the strike zone looks smaller. It just seems tougher out there at the moment.”

The Kansas City hurler will take on a Minnesota team (33-24, +3.2) scrambling for bodies with a number of injuries and not hitting the ball. With oddsmakers setting the total Un8, the play is UNDER when a ice cold hitting team is batting .200 or worse over their last five games, against opponent with a frigid starting pitcher, whose ERA is 7.00 or higher over his last three starts. In the last 13 years this system is 67-28 below the number.

St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 10:10E

The Cardinals offense could be a Dateline mystery on NBC, ranking a pedestrian 14th overall at 4.6 runs per game. Manager Tony LaRussa gave the appearance at least that last night’s game was not particularly important using two pitchers Blake Hawksworth and P.J. Walters, in a 12-4 loss to Los Angeles (34-24, +3.6).

Evidently, LaRussa is focusing on the last two games of the series and has Chris Carpenter (7-1, 2.76) on one extra day rest taking on Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda (5-4, 3.63). Carpenter is 9-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last 14 regular-season road starts; however has 5.21 ERA when pitching with five or more days rest.

Does it make it a wise to bet to back the underdog Dodgers at +115, since National League clubs scoring 4.3 to 4.8 runs a contest vs. a NL starter with an ERA of 3.70 or less, after allowing 10 runs or more, are 19-49?

Monday Mania

Took a slight misstep at 1-2 and will attempt to correct that immediately starting with a perfect trend in one of the AL West battles. The Best System is 82.7 percent and Mike of the LCC has what he believes is NL winner! Good Luck

What I thought today – The referees are ruining the NBA playoffs while enhancing those in the NHL. (See tomorrow’s article for more details)

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against home underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like Cleveland, averaging less than a home run per game, against a starting pitcher who gives up 0.5 or less HR's/start, with an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 to 1.400 on the season. Boston certainly appears the play backed with system that is 43-9, 82.7 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Angels are 11-0 after accumulating 17 or more base hits.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Mike went 9-3 over the weekend in all sports and has the Reds as his top play tonight.

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Make Umpires part of MLB Wagering Portfolio

This baseball season, umpires have been in the news a bit more often than usual. Joe West called out the Yankees and Red Sox for slow play in April, as most of their games go right up against a 240 minute hour glass. And just last week Jim Joyce cost Detroit’s Armando Galarraga a place in baseball history by missing a call that would have given him the 21st perfect game ever.

But umpires have other uses besides being screamed at like “Hey ump you stink” or “Come on blue get in the game”. Sharp baseball bettors take the time to study or at the very least know whose working behind the dish to understand what kind of influence they may have on the outcome of a game.

This is especially true for baseball bettors who playing totals. Umpiring is more standardized today with the use of modern equipment to see how consistent an umpire is in calling balls and strikes, compared to the old days when the National League was known a “high ball” league and American League was known as a “low ball” league based on how they wore their chest protectors.

Those days are gone, however each umpire interprets the strike zone differently and it tends to be somewhat of a moving target.

This is where you find some are liberal with the zone and their games tend to be lower scoring, while others are smaller, either by width or height and the games they call behind the plate are often higher scoring with pitchers having to catch more of plate which gives batters a better choice of pitches to hit.

Here are the umpires that have called the highest percentage of Over contests this season.

Games OVER the total (Pushes not listed)

Angel Campos 9-2
Tim Welke 9-2
Angel Hernandez 9-3
Mike Reilly 8-3
Sam Holbrook 6-2

Next are the umps that have called the most Under the oddsmakers total.

Games UNDER the total (Pushes not listed)

Jim Wolf 10-1
Bob Davidson 10-2
Bruce Dreckman 9-2
Dan Iassogna 9-3

One aspect that has to be considered is who and the types of pitchers involved. If the men in shirtsleeves this time of year have No. 4 or 5 starters on consistent basis and they have tighter strike zone to begin with, needless to say the chances of a higher scoring game go up. Conversely, if an umpire draws the top pitchers from the various teams and normally gives the hurler the benefit of the doubt to begin with, than he’s more inclined to have games flying Under the number.

One further point of consideration is the record of an umpire in home or away situations. This generally is less important, nevertheless extreme cases should be part of the decision-making process.

These guys are human and are going to be influenced by their surroundings, a juiced up home crowd could sway decisions, just like what happens in basketball to officials. Other umps might be a touch “prickly”, and go out of their way to give the visitor the benefit of the doubt.

You can’t help but notice the home team is 12-0 with Ted Tichenor behind the plate in a home ball park in 2010. Others with figures supporting the club that bats last are Tim McClelland 11-2, Gerry Davis 10-3, Brian O’Nora 10-3, Greg Gibson 10-3 and Jerry Meals 10-3.

Those that have the opposite numbers with the visiting team coming out ahead are Ed Rapuano 9-2 (visitors record), Marvin Hudson 8-3, plus Bob Davidson and Laz Diaz at 9-4.

The idea isn’t to base a baseball wager on the outcome of what an umpire’s record is on totals or sides, but to understand they can and do influence the outcome of games. Mixed with other key information, they are part of the fabric of the game and baseball wagering.

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Sunday Stuff

Another 2-1 Saturday takes us to 69-34 and we have a MLB system similar to yesterday with a slightly different twist that is 87.3 percent. The Top Trend yields two from the same game and is 25-1. Mr. Buck has hit a nice stretch and hopes to sail along with another winner today. Good Luck

What I thought today – As soon as Kendry Morales broke the bone in his leg jumping on home plate in freak accident, everyone assumed the Angles would fly away and not be contender. Instead they have won six of seven as other players are stepping up offensively. I acknowledge playing the M’s and Royals helps.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 like Arizona, with an on-base percentage of .310 or worse over their last 20 games, against opponent with a ridiculous starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 or less over his last five starts. In the last 63 times this system has come up in the last five years, 55 have been winners.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Boston is 12-0 after four or more consecutive Over’s and Baltimore is 1-13 after scoring two runs or less two straight games this season.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Though I continue to do well with 2-1 day, I missed my play here yesterday and in moves Paul Buck who is on steaming 10-2 run. He’s on the Mariners to salvage one game in their series.

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Lakers large and in charge

Have you noticed how calm the Lakers have been this postseason? Yes, they have lost four road games and been 2-2 in two different series, plus gave away a few fourth leads the caused spread losses for backers, but not once have Kobe Bryant and the rest of his teammates looked truly flustered and exasperated to the point where they appeared beatable in a series.

Game 1 was perfect example as Los Angeles was methodical in beating Boston. The Lakers were up by five after the first quarter, led by nine and the half and salted the contest away with 34-23 third stanza, building insurmountable 84-64 lead.

Phil Jackson’s club is 9-2 ATS after a playoff win this spring and are under control. After the Lakers ended the series against Phoenix in Game 6, the talk in the desert was the Suns lack of defensive intensity, as the Lake Show has 91 points after three quarters. Who would have ever guessed the defensive-minded Celtics would have permitted 84 points with 12 minutes still left to play?

It was shocking how little resistance Boston put up. Early today if you Googled the term “non-factor”, pictures of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett all appeared. Paul Pierce was the only Celtics player showing any game close to what Celtics would expect, but that was mostly in the final quarter when the outcome was already determined, as they fell to 6-19 ATS versus teams averaging 83 or more shots a game this year.

To borrow a little Dick Vitale speak, the Lakers were ‘windex-men” cleaning the glass, outrebounding Boston by 42-31. With Pau Gasol having eight offensive rebounds, you would have thought he had grown a foot.

When Doc Rivers was asked about the last time he remembered his team being so outclassed on the boards, he responded this way. “I don’t know if I recall one,” he said. “But I know if there was, we lost that game, too. I can guarantee you that.”

You don’t rebound; you don’t win. What’s true during the regular season holds even truer now.
“They killed us on the glass,” he said.

What can Boston do to plot an upset in Game 2? Of course they have to rebound better, which might entail sending more players to the glass on the defensive side and once the ball is secured, immediately find Rondo and let him fire up the jets to beat L.A. down the floor. Rondo has to show better judgment with the ball in his hands.

The Celtics staff has to find ways to rub Pierce off Ron Artest’s “krazy glue” defense. Garnett can’t be dominated by Gasol, he has to work harder for rebounds and make medium range jump shots to pull the big man from Spain away from the bucket.

The Lakers offense is especially fluid at the Staples Center, which suggests Perkins has to be more a factor on the offense end besides setting screens. Though his scoring skills are limited, Perkins has to defeat Andrew Bynum in the post and be fed the ball for dunks or layups. Rivers and his coaches usually make solid adjustments and are 9-1 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more over the last two seasons.

Oddsmakers have L.A. as a six-point fave with total of 190.5 and they are 8-3 ATS after breaking the century mark. With two days between contests the Lakers are 12-4 UNDER this season. The Celtics will have to be much more assertive and are 22-10 ATS away from home after consecutive games with 19 or less assists. The last five times Boston has allowed 100 or more points, the next contest goes UNDER the number.

This matchup has earlier start time of 8:00 Eastern on ABC and this is an absolute must win for the team in green, as it appears very unlikely they would sweep three at home.

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Hopefully more winners on the way

Let’s make today a good Saturday. We have nailed exactly 67 percent of our last 100 selections at the 3DW and let’s hunt down more winners. We’ll start with a MLB killer system that is 93.4. We have a different kind of trend; check it out, rather quirky and perfect. I’ve been going well lately, see my top play today. Good Luck

What I saw today – Justin Masterson won Friday to end his streak of winless starts at 17, which was the longest streak of winless starts in Indians history. The previous record, 15 starts, was set by Brent Strom in 1973 and tied by Rod Nichols from 1989 to 1991.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 like Baltimore, batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games, against opponent with a hot starting pitcher (Jon Lester) whose WHIP 1.000 or less over his last five starts. Since 2006 this incredible system is 57-4, 93.4 percent. For good measure, Lester is 10-0 against the Birds.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Here is a bit of a changeup, but worth noting. Umpire Todd Tichenor is behind the plate tonight in St. Louis and home teams are 11-0, winning by 3.4 runs per game when he is calling balls and strikes this season. I’m just sayin’!

Free Baseball Pick -3) I’m 31-17, +11.04 units since May 20 and like the underdog Athletics this evening.

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Desperation fuels Philadelphia Flyers

When you were a child, did you have one of those plastic punch-down toys? They usually had a clown face on it and when you would hit it, the toy falls over but had a base where it always would come right back up to be punched again. If you think about, the Philadelphia Flyers are a lot like this toy, you can smash it, bash it and kick it, but they get right back up looking for more.

Forget about all the other remarkable aspects the Flyers have done just to be in the Stanley Cup Finals, what they had to overcome emotionally in Game 3 was plenty.

Down 2-0 in the finals, Philadelphia needed video replay to take a 2-1 lead in the second period. Chicago roared back to take a 3-2 lead in the third period before stunned Philly fans, yet 20 seconds later Ville Leino tied the score at 3-all.

Off they went to overtime knowing any fluky Chicago goal would for all intents and purposes end their season. The Flyers Claude Giroux redirected Matt Carle’s pass past Antti Niemi for the game winner at the 5:59 mark, but only after having video replay confirm an early goal the Flyers crowd had thought had ended the contest at that juncture.

This is how everything is done hockey-wise in Philadelphia these days.

“Like I said this morning (Wednesday), 2-0 for us is comfortable,” coach Flyers Peter Laviolette said. “We’re OK with that. We know how to battle through it.” Philadelphia is up to 13-7 in the postseason after the victory.

This story takes on made-for-TV-movie quality with the tale Giroux had after the best contest of the series. While Giroux was having his pregame nap, he said he received a text message from a friend.

"He doesn't usually text me a lot," Giroux explained. "He said, 'I have a feeling you're going to score the overtime winner tonight.' I texted back and said, 'You're crazy.' I'm going to call him now. It's obviously a big goal. It's probably my biggest goal in my career." This gives him nine in the playoffs, compared to 16 during the regular season.

Chicago has been fantastic in stopping the Flyers top scoring unit led by Mike Richards, who have all but invisible. The Hawks should start turning attention to Leino, Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell line, who are doing most of the damage for Philadelphia.

The Blackhawks seven game road winning streak was snapped and though beaten, they are hardly down, knowing they could have just as easily been up 3-0 in the series.

“Right now it looks like they have the momentum in the series,” Patrick Kane said. “But if we take Game 4, then we put ourselves in a great position to go back and play in front of our home crowd and hopefully win it there.” Chicago is 8-1 on the road if the opponent has won 60 percent or more of their home games.

Sportsbooks have Philadelphia as -115 money line favorites to even the series, with total once again Ov5.5. The Flyers are 11-1 in last dozen favorite roles and 7-1 UNDER after a home game where both teams scored three or more goals this season. Chicago enters next contest as treacherous road underdog with 11-1 mark and 20-9 UNDER off a loss.

The Flyers continue to thrive when faced with dire circumstances and that is fine with defenseman Chris Pronger who has been a force.

“We've had an awful lot of adversity this year. We have had to learn on the fly," Pronger told reporters. "I don't think anybody has ever questioned [ourselves] in the locker room, anyway. I'm sure some of you clowns have, but we haven't questioned ourselves or questioned exactly what it is we're trying to do. We've struggled at times and been able to turn the corner and figure it out."

Philadelphia has defeated Chicago nine consecutive times in the City of Brotherly Love and is 7-0 after winning previous game in overtime.

The VERSUS Network will have Game 4 at 8:00 Eastern.

MLB Series Wagering- Rays at Rangers

In American League action, it’s a battle of two division leaders this upcoming weekend for a three-game series. Before the season began, you probably could have made some cash saying on the first weekend of June, you predict the Tampa Bay and Texas would be in first place in their respective divisions, yet that is exactly what has happened. Though the season still has four months left, this is meaning confrontation in the pecking order of the American League.

Neither club enters this series playing their best baseball of the season. Tampa Bay (36-18, +7.9 units) is 4-6 in last 10 games, with the pitching sputtering in allowing 4.9 runs per contest. Manager Joe Maddon has gotten the scouting reports and knows the Rangers are for real.

“They got better,” Maddon told MLB.com. “They’ve really pitched well against us. I think they’re pitching substantially better. And you’ve got Vladimir (Guerrero) playing like he did a couple of years ago right now. And that’s definitely going to make them a better ballclub.”

Texas (28-25, -1) has fallen off their saddle seven of the last 10 outings and seen their lead over Oakland dwindle to zilch; leading the A’s by one percentage point in the AL West standings. What has caused the slide for the Rangers is an inconsistent offense, totaling 26 runs in the three victories and 20 runs in the seven defeats.

In trying to figure out what to expect, both teams are playing from a position of strength. The Rays are marvelous 21-6 on the road and Texas is 18-9 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Tampa Bay won 7-3 at Toronto on Wednesday and is 16-3 in road games after a win this season and will start Wade Davis (5-4, 4.04 ERA) who has permitted more than three runs only three times in his 10 starts. The 24-year old has needed relief help, pitching more than six innings just twice.

Sportsbooks have Texas as -130 money line favorites behind left-hander C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.48). After an impressive beginning, Wilson is 0-2 with a 9.56 ERA in his past three starts and will have to do his part for his club to improve on 14-3 record vs. AL teams allowing 3.7 or less runs per contest. The converted reliever has posted a 1.35 ERA against Tampa Bay in 13 appearances out of the bullpen, however the Rays are 17-6 vs. lefty’s this year.

Game 1 Edge: Tampa Bay

Saturday’s matchup is a FOX regional afternoon telecast. Tampa was 3-6 and just 1-5 at Arlington last season and will look for quick reversal of fortune. The Rays starting pitchers didn’t handle the smallish dimensions of the Rangers ball-yard, allowing better than a run per inning in the 28 they threw in 2009. James Shields (5-3, 3.62) will seek to change this direction for his team. The right-hander has almost a 5-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio, however, working the plate as well as he does leaves him to susceptible to the long ball and he has given up 11 (third most in AL) home runs.

Tommy Hunter was supposed to be part of the Texas rotation from opening day after last year’s 9-6 campaign with a 4.10 ERA. Hunter strained a muscle in his left ribcage in Arizona in March and has made six starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being recalled (1-2, 4.05). The Rangers won six of his eight home starts a year ago, but are only 7-19 on Saturday’s.

Watch the line carefully on this contest with the Rays 9-1 coming into the series when the money line is +125 to -125. Shields has not pitched since last Saturday and is 5-0 with five days rest.

Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

Rich Harden (3-1) will pitch the finale for Texas and he’s brought his club luck, as they have won eight of his 11 starts in spite of 5.33 ERA. Normally when the right-hander has problems, its loss of command and walks too many batters, with low hit totals. That has not been the case in Rangers uniform, as Harden has been wild enough to concede 37 base on balls in 54 innings, but also has been touched for 55 hits.

Watching Matt Garza (5-4, 3.08) pitch, the feeling is something is missing. You witness the mid-90’s fastball that can saw off a bat like beaver and has curve and slider that can freeze hitters. Despite the obvious ability, he is 24-25 in a Rays’ uniform for his career, not always having the right mental makeup when he doesn’t have his A-Game. Against Texas, Garza is 3-3, however is 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA at Arlington.

Game 3 Edge: Texas

Both teams have started to swing the bats better the last few contests, which could lead to totals plays on the Over in the series. The Rays are the better overall team and they can negate the Texas home field edge with how outstanding they have played on the road. This is not a walkover by any means and I’ll throw support to Tampa Bay, but only by the slimmest of margins.

Sports Betting Series odds: Tampa Bay -145, Texas +115

3Daily Winners Pick: Tampa Bay

2010 Record – 3-5

Thursday's Thoughts

We start the day 66-31 and have an 80 percent system listed as a full article for you to read below this. I’m giving one of the Left Coast guys a break and letting him use his NBA selection instead. The Top Trend follows one of the best pitchers this month in baseball. Good Luck

What I saw today – Class act all the way around with Armando Galarraga and umpire Jim Joyce. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5246454

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Free Baseball System -1) See system below

Free Baseball Trend -2) Seattle and Felix Hernandez are 16-3 in June during his career.

Free Basketball Pick -3) Ron of the LCC actually missed on his top play earlier today on Washington, but I couldn’t post (thankfully for you), thus I’ll give him mulligan and instead he took the Celtics plus the points.

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Lakers vs Celtics - That say's it all

In the history of the NBA, two names stand above the rest, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. These two franchises have combined to win 32 NBA titles (the Lakers won five in Minneapolis). Boston has beaten the Lakers nine of 11 meetings in the NBA Finals which substantiates the point for many people of substance over style.

The Lakers like to make the argument that in spite of having a couple less titles than the Celtics, theirs is the better franchise having a bit of Jack Nicklaus in them (18 major’s titles, 17 second’s), finishing runner-up 16 times.

What makes this appointment television is history. For many of the players let alone those tuned in to watch, this matchup is about Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. What made this important is they met one another over a short period of time. Boston defeated the Lakers seven times from 1959 to 1969 and they met three times in four years from 1984 to 1987.

That is what makes this renewal even better than two June’s ago. The last time basketball fans had a 21-year break between heated encounters; this time most of the combatants are the same that met two years prior. What is different this time compared to 2008 when the Celtics hung their first NBA championship banner since 1986?

Trust and Age

Though Ray Allen was having brutal postseason two years ago, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in particular were at the top of their respective games. Each was able to dominate for lengthy periods of any contest and did in those six games.

Today, neither KG nor Pierce has that same ability; both can make a series of outstanding plays to help Boston, just in a shorter time span. The Celtics are helped by Allen being a much stronger contributor, but the driving force of this Doc Rivers club is Rajon Rondo. The former Kentucky product has exploded onto the scene in the playoffs and been the catalyst behind the Celtics success. The C’s now feed off what Rondo delivers.

Two years ago, Kobe did not trust his teammates. He demanded total effort in the biggest games and they did not deliver to his liking. Last year’s title drive was all about finishing the deal and becoming champions again and thou Bryant has his doubts from time to time about the 2010 edition of the Lake Show, he knows what to expect from Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol and to a lesser degree Lamar Odom and Ron Artest.

It’s all about the matchups

How does Boston limit Kobe’s effectiveness? Doc Rivers coach’s by feel more than X’s and O’s during games. Rivers will go after Bryant with Baskin-Robbins approach, using a variety of methods. Guard Kobe tight to force him to drive into lane where the Celtics big men can create issues. Let him shoot from the outside to prevent him from getting fouled too often and adding up points. They will double Kobe on the wings or single him up in the middle of the floor and go with what works best.

Derek Fisher took it as personal mission to stay with Steve Nash in West finals, but he has nowhere near enough foot speed to stay with Rondo. That means Bryant will see Rondo aplenty and if Boston wants to slow the pace, L.A. will be cool with that process, since Bryant can use his size and wing span to stay in front of Rondo. Expect coach Rivers to dictate to Rondo to run at every opportunity to maximize his effectiveness.

Pierce and Artest is a potential swing matchup in the series. Pierce’s jab step jumper is more deadly when he sets up defender by driving to the bucket. If he can make Artest indecisive about his intentions, he could frustrate Ron-Ron into drawing silly fouls and taking him mentally out of the game.

Artest has to knock down enough shots to keep Pierce honest on defense and prevent him from clogging driving lanes. Artest’s job on the other end of the floor is to limit Pierce’s scoring ability and work him so that his legs don’t give him the leverage he needs late in the game to make jumpers.

In the frontcourt, Boston will try and manhandle the Lakers bigs with their imposing strength using Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace to roughhouse. Los Angeles should be accustomed to these tactics, expect Phil Jackson to try and manufacture matchups playing to the strengths of Gasol, Odom and Andrew Bynum in the triangle offense.

Coaching counts

In 2008, the Rivers vs. Jackson coaching matchup was thought to be akin to choosing between Snookie of “Jersey Shore” and Megan Fox. Rivers it turns out is the right coach for Boston, continually pushing his club to do better thru effort and precision and working game plans with mastermind assistant Tom Thibodeau.

Jackson was almost passive when his club lost to the Celtics in the finals two seasons ago, but has been much more involved the last two years, not sitting idly by wanting players to learn from adversity. He’s been more aggressive in substitution patterns and back to trying different bench players in various situations to find the spark when needed.

ATS nuts and bolts

Both teams were unreliable home teams wagers with the Lakers 42-7 and 21-27-2 ATS record and the Celtics 31-19 and 19-30-1 ATS. Given their ability and skill, each was a factor as visitors with Boston 31-18 (26-22-1 ATS) and L.A. 27-22 (22-26-1 ATS).

In the last three years the Celtics “Big Three” is 7-5 and 9-2 ATS against Los Angeles. The road team has won five games outright of the previous 13 meetings, however just one was in the finals in 2008.

You will read the home court is not a significant factor because of how the visitors have played lately, but if you are making series wager, the teams with home court advantage has won eight of last ten.

What happens?

Only once in the previous 25 years has seed other than No. 1-3 won the NBA championship and Boston was a four seed coming into the postseason. Eddie House and Leon Powe were significant players for the Celtics in the last finals meeting, both play elsewhere today.
Gasol and Bryant together are better players than previous finals confrontation and the Lakers are 44-0 in any series with Jackson as coach if they win Game 1.

This will be rugged, physical series, with the trophy staying in L.A.

3Daily Winners Pick- L.A. Lakers (-180) in seven over Boston (+150)

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Rangers in ripe system for a sweep

You never know when a Major League baseball team will go into a batting slump or when they might come out of one. The Texas Rangers had lost six of seven, including last three in being swept in Minnesota last weekend and prospects were hardly positive they would have a chance for .500 road trip heading to the Windy City to play the Chicago White Sox.

The Rangers (28-24, +0.1 units) after all, were 8-15 in their road uniforms and this normally potent offensive club was hovering at 3.6 runs per game away from home. Though the combination of Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd had not been unbeatable this campaign, at U.S. Cellular Field, they certainly appeared formidable for the opening two games of the series.

The White Sox (22-30, -10.3) came into 2010 with arguably the four best starting pitchers in the American League. The offense was thought to have a few holes, but between pitching and hitting, Chicago figured to be a factor in the AL Central.

As baseball games are played, what looks like and what is are two very different things. Only one White Sox starter has an ERA under 4.80 (John Danks 3.34) and the offense has not picked up the slack, leaving the Pale Hose much closer to Kansas City and Cleveland in third place than to front-running Minnesota in the division.

Chicago ranks 10th in the AL in offense at 4.3 RPG and they have the lowest team batting average in the junior circuit at .241 and the on-base percentage is nothing to get excited about at .312.

After totaling 10 hits in series finale in the Twin Cities, the Texas hitters got in a groove and roughed up Chicago starters and relievers for 31 total base hits and nine runs in each contest for a pair of victories.

What does that mean for tonight’s third game with the Rangers a -114 money line favorite, a good chance of a sweep according to this super situation.

Play Against all teams when the money line is +125 to -125, a poor AL offensive team scoring 4.7 runs or less per game on the season, after allowing nine runs or more two straight contests.

This outstanding system delivers winners at a rate of 80 percent the last five seasons with 32-8 record. Texas is 18-6 vs. teams outscored by 0.5 or more runs a contest and tonight’s starting pitching Colby Lewis (4-3, 3.41 ERA) is 18-8 vs. AL clubs scoring 4.7 or less RPG in his career. (Team's Record) With Chicago below .500 at home (11-15) and 12-22 playing at night, it certainly appears the right system is in place.

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Time for baseball trendy talk

Because the sport of baseball is played on daily basis all teams have streaks, some are good and others are not. For this Hump Day, we’ll focus on four teams that couldn’t knockout their own shadow, let alone defeat the team in the other dugout the way they are playing. Is today the day these derided derelicts of the diamond stand up and fight over adversity, probably not.

Arizona at L.A. Dodgers 3:10 E

Anytime you are 0 for anything, chances are life isn’t going so well. The Arizona Diamondbacks (20-33, -12.9 units) left the unfriendly borders of home on May 24 and haven’t won a game since, losing the first eight encounters of the road trip and a total of nine overall. The D-Backs offense tends to run like a microwave, or or off, unfortunately manager A.J. Hench just can’t press a button for start. The Snakes have averaged 2.1 runs per game in this stretch which places them in tough spots and they have lost last three contests in opponents final at bat.

Arizona is 3-12 after three or more consecutive losses this season and 8-22 with an on-base percentage of .285 or worse over their last five games and today’s get-away game in Los Angeles (30-22, +2.2) has added meaning for D-Backs players. Arizona is a +134 underdog at most sportsbooks against the Dodgers, who have taken the first two games of the series and are 13-32 in road tilts with double revenge. It will be Edwin Jackson (3-6, 6.03 ERA) for the Snakes against rookie Carlos Monasterios (2-0, 2.20) and L.A. is only 15-1 off three straight wins vs. division rivals over the last two seasons.

Chic. Cubs at Pittsburgh 7:05 E

In Chicago there has been a lot of talk about how lifeless the Cubs (24-29, -13 units) have played all season. This is a stunning development to Cubs fans who figured that Lou Piniella would throwing players out of the clubhouse and turning over tables and chewing on umpires’ ears on a daily basis with his team’s nonchalant attitude on the field. Instead, Piniella has acted like an older employee taken over by new ownership and just wants to keep quiet until his full pension kicks in.

It doesn’t help the middle of the Cubs lineup resembles the recent Guatemalan sinkhole, with Derek Lee batting .232 and Aramis Ramirez (.167) needs a three week hitting streak just to climb to Mendoza Line.

Forget all that and somebody explain why the Cubs 1-7 against Pittsburgh (22-31, +4.0) in 2010 and have lost 10 of 11 to the Pirates. With Pittsburgh a National League worst -128 in run differential, it would seem logical the Bucs are going to win a few one run games and get clobbered the rest of the time, however for the Cubs, it seems the worse a team is, the more awful they play. Chicago has these dubious angles riding, they are 2-11 vs. NL teams scoring 3.8 or less runs a game on the season and 2-8 in road contests if teams in their own league allows 5.3 or more runs per outing.

The Cubs turn to Carlos Zambrano of all people for the start and they are -135 favorites and oh by the way, are 1-7 revenging a loss vs. opponent as a road favorite this season. One other note, Pittsburgh is 10-2 at home after a one run victory.

Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees 7:05 E

It cannot be very fun to go to work every day as a Baltimore Orioles player. Your teams stinks with 15-37 record (-17.4) and the division you play in has four of the five teams with the best record in the American League as June starts moving forward.

Baltimore actually held the New York Yankees (32-20, +2.8) to three runs last night, but tallied just one themselves. The O’s are 3-19 after scoring two runs or less this year and alarming 1-17 in road games after scoring one or fewer runs in a loss to an AL East rival since 2008. Even when the Birds get a good pitched game, they are 6-27 as visitors after scoring and allowing three runs or less.

Its little wonder why Baltimore is a +260 underdog in the Bronx having to face Phil Hughes (6-1, 2.70), whose been New York’s best and most consistent pitcher this season. The Yankees are scoring 6.6 runs per game in the pinstripes and are 16-1 in home conflicts after allowing one run or less.

Cleveland at Detroit 7:05 E

The Tigers (26-25, +0.4) have lost eight of 10 with a balky offense not firing regularly. In Detroit’s previous defeats, they have scored 2.3 runs per game, compared to 4.4 in the season. Manager Jim Leyland has considered having the public address system at Comerica Park play Motley Crue’s “Kick start my heart” every time his team comes to bat (this might be a Twitter rumor) since all aspects of the pitching have been solid and fielding on good ground, yet they are only 12-19 after four straight games where they committed no errors.

Detroit managed only two runs against Jake Westbrook and Cleveland in 3-2 loss on Tuesday and gives the ball to Armando Galarraga (1-1, 4.50), who makes his third start of the season and first since May 22.

Though it’s nice to see Galarraga has worked hard to return to the big leagues after beginning the season in the minors, he still has a poor track record with 4-14 record in night games since last year. (Tigers Record) With Cleveland in the throes of a terrible season at 19-31, Detroit at -142 money line wager at online sports betting outlets sounds like a descent wager, yet they are 8-15 vs. teams outscored by one or more runs a contest on the season.

Will the Tigers be able to overcome 4-12 record with Galarraga as starting pitcher against losing team and instead move to 13-1 at Comerica off a loss to a division rival as a home favorite? Stay tuned.

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Is Philly finished?

The Flyers gave a much better overall accounting of themselves in Game 2 and dominated the last 20 minutes, but they don’t hand out Stanley Cups for trying, you have to win four games to take home this trophy which is large dilemma in Philadelphia.

The Flyers outshot Chicago 15-4 in the last period and against 80 percent of the teams in the NHL they would have won the last stanza 3-0 or more, however not every team has a goalie like Antti Niemi between the pipes, who made a handful of incredible saves to keep Philly shooters out of the net but once.

Philadelphia has remorse for not playing with the same passion the entire contest.

"I thought we were way too conservative in the first two periods," Philadelphia forward Danny Briere said. "We didn't give them much, I understand that. But it's not really our type of hockey. We didn't forecheck. We didn't create much offensively. We didn't spend much time in their zone." This left the Flyers 6-18 against good passing teams averaging five or more assists per game this season.

What was particularly painful was letting down at the exact wrong moment. Ben Eager, a former Flyer, is a high energy enforcer who was moved from fourth line duty to the first line by coach Joel Quenneville with Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien, just seconds after Marian Hossa had broken scoreless tie.

Philadelphia had done exceptional work in keeping the Blackhawks top unit down and Quenneville wanted an individual to mix it up, especially after he had flatten a couple of Philly players earlier the game.

What could not have expected was Eager unleashing a blast just 28 seconds after Chicago had taken initial lead, that beat goalie Michael Leighton to the glove side. “It was awesome,” said Adam Burish, with whom Eager usually plays with on the fourth unit. “It was a beauty. It was almost like a practice drill; he comes flying down that wing and snaps one and he’s got a heavy shot when he lets it go.”

However, Chicago wouldn’t be 44-21 off a home win had it not been for netminder Niemi. The 26-year rookie has exceptional flexibility and he needed it throughout the third period with the Philly barrage. “We call him the octopus because he's got arms and legs going everywhere," Chicago forward Adam Burish said. "He was special tonight. Niemi was unbelievable in that third period. Some of the pucks, I don't know how he saw them."

Philadelphia might be dire straits (teams that sweep the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals are 31-2), however they are in familiar territory (think Boston series) and have leaders like Chris Pronger upon returning home where they are 22-7 the second half of the season.

"Yeah, I think we need to play with more desperation than we did, like the third period," Pronger said. "We need to play with that passion, energy, drive, determination, like we did in the third through the whole game. It needs to be 60 minutes."

The Flyers are 7-1 in the tournament at the Wachovia Center and 9-1 in last 10 since April 4. Sportsbooks have Philadelphia as -130 money line play with total lowered to Ov5.5.
With the unbalanced schedule in place, this will be just Chicago’s 10th visit to the City of Brotherly Love in 14 years and they have one win in the time span. The Blackhawks are 20-5 after playing exactly two consecutive home games this season and 8-1 UNDER in road tilts with six-game or more win streak.

The Flyers have lived dangerously almost all season, with their margin for error thinner than a skate blade and are 6-14 revenging consecutive losses to opponent as a favorite. The Flyers are 8-1 UNDER off a road failure by one goal this season.

The first game in Philly has an 8:00 Eastern start on VERSUS, with Chicago having won seven straight on the playoff road.

Welcome to June

Had a couple of off days and that has to be expected with such a good streak going. Our record is still 64-30, which you can take to the bank. The LCC continue to be sharp and has the Pale Hose as top play. The Orioles play the Yankees; guess which team is on the wrong end of Top Trend? The Best System is 83.3 percent way down in South Florida. Good Luck

What I’ll thought today – A rather peculiar day with just baseball, it’s been awhile, unless you count the WNBA, I don’t.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs like Milwaukee with a money line of +100 to +150, with a bad bullpen that blows 38 percent or more of their save opportunities, with a chilly starting pitcher whose WHIP is 2.250 or higher over his last three starts. This has the feel of outstanding profit potential with 35-7 record, 83.3 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Baltimore is 1-16 in road games after scoring one or less runs in a loss to a division rival over the last three seasons, losing by a whopping 3.4 runs per game.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The Left Coast Connection is on incredible run and they actually have three games in which they are on one side, but the one with White Sox is most dominant at 14-0.

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When did people think the NBA became Fixed?

The NBA Finals are just days away and this nagging feeling has been bothering me for some time. For years, even decades, there has been a public perception that professional basketball is run by a higher power than the players and coaches. It has become assumed in the thoughts of the general public and by the masses that either wager on or follow the NBA that enough (not every) games are predetermined similar to professional wrestling.

I’ve personally heard this for years and have become increasingly fascinated, especially come playoff time, when the discussion and contemplation reach a fever pitch.

For me, it’s the “why factor” and wondered why elements changed from things like aliens in Roswell, NM and the U.S. Government setting up 9/11 in New York City, to the “accepted” point of view by so many that follow or bet on the NBA that it is in some way fixed.

While perusing numerous forums to see what people are thinking as I usually do, I was struck this year more than ever about comments that people shared about the NBA playoffs.

Among the various quotes found were these

“The Lakers will be in the Finals because that what (David) Stern wants.”

“The Suns and Magic have no shot (in conference finals), they (the NBA one would surmise) want the Celtics and Lakers for TV ratings.”

“Kobe (Bryant) will get every call and the Lakers will win the NBA Finals again, the series will have to go 7 to get max dollars for the league.”

While these statements in and of themselves are harmless, the follow up comments by almost everyone were in agreement.

For those under the age of 30, the single greatest impact for this belief was referee Tim Donaghy being caught and prosecuted for admitting betting on games. For the suspicious mind, this created validation of belief, that yes; it was very possible to fix a NBA game. While Donaghy stuck to his story of not fixing games, public perception was altered in their minds the fix was in.

Trying to understand where this idea was formulated in the first place, possibly it starts with the history of championship teams.

The NBA more than any other sports league, has the best teams being crowned champions. It remains the last bastion in sports where a team doesn’t just get hot and win the whole thing. How else could one explain how other the Houston Rockets of 1995-96, they are the only team other than a top three seed to win a NBA title since the current 16-team format was changed in 1984. The Rockets (sixth seed) were the defending NBA champs at the time and suffered an injury-riddled regular season before getting healthy late and became back-to-back champions.

In one way it’s easy for people to be jaded. Boston won 11 titles in 13 years in the late1950’s and 60’s and 17 overall. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Celtics in the finals six times in the 1960’s and have 15 titles if you count the Minneapolis Lakers who won five of the first eight when the NBA was formulated.

The Chicago Bulls won six in eight years with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and more recently, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs captured four rings in nine years. Add them up and that is 42 titles among four teams in the league’s 63 years of existence, 66.6 percent and the number is guaranteed to go higher with this year’s finalists.

A good friend who I can talk candidly about these types of topics who works on the Vegas Strip doesn’t believe games are fixed, because of fixed limits on NBA contests and the lack of unusual movement, plus the sportsbooks themselves have a stake because if it were true this was happening, nobody would ever bet on professional basketball again.

I questioned a professional gambler in Nevada I’ve known for some time.

His name is Sal, who bets daily. “It is at times understandable why amateur bettors would believe the NBA has games that appear fixed, it just isn’t factual. If the league was so desperate for money and ratings, why wouldn’t every series go six or seven games, every year?

“In order for games to be fixed, you need a common denominator. Somebody that has money and wants to make more and someone else who needs money and once they taste it, wants more.”

“No NBA player is in need of cash other than maybe a 12th man on any team and they have no influence on the outcome. Would they be a source of information about team problems with the coach or girl friend problems, sure, but do you chase around making max bets at all different outlets on this information without a track record. Not me.”

Sal added, “Referees are the easiest targets because they believe they are underpaid, but their true influence has to do more with totals, since they can either blow or swallow the whistle.”
Nevertheless, public perception is still prevalent.

I put the question of fixed games in the NBA to the StatFox Forum and by the time I had to write this article, every person responded with a “yes”.

The responses were numerous, but all in agreement.

“All are fixed, easy money”.

“….billions being bet .......now when that many can control the masses who wager...why wouldn't they fix the games when the money is tilt by a 80/20 margin it is simple economics”

“Of course it’s fixed. One ref gets arrested and says I’m not the only one, and no one wants to investigate who else?

“Yes I do believe all sports are fixed. The reason is quite simple to me and that is the fact that with the amount of cash being wagered on games, there is no way they will leave the outcome to pure chance or luck.”

“Yes-because anytime money is involved it corrupts”

“Did the caveman invent fire? Is Ed "Too Tall" Jones to tall?

It certainly is intriguing subject and while there is no way to prove it one way or another, the public has spoken and they see it only one way.

Of course your comments welcome.

June’s Best and Worst MLB Pitchers

If it’s June, school is out. And so too will be the NBA (we think). It’s also the time of the season when MLB pitchers look to ace exams in hopes of keeping their teams in the pennant chase. To get a better feel on what to expect, Marc Lawrence of Playbook.com examines their results from exams in the past.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team starts the last three seasons during the month of June. On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in June team starts, winning 33% percent or less of their efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each June over the last three years. I’ll be back next month with July’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, enjoy…

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Floyd, Gavin • 10-2
The White Sox are hoping for quick reversal for what has been disappointing season for right-hander at 2-5 and unseemly 6.02 ERA. His manager has been riding him about his lack of mental toughness this season.

Haren, Dan • 13-4
After showing great consistency in Arizona uniform, Haren has been like his D-Backs teammates with 5-4 record and 5.35 ERA. Though his strikeout to walk ratio is still among the best in the big leagues, he grooved far too many pitches in permitting 16 home runs.

Hernandez, Felix • 12-2
It’s time for the “King” to start pitching like one. Hernandez hasn’t won a game since April (neither has Seattle in his starts), saddled with lack of run support and his occasional poor pitching. Time for Felix to elevate his game.

Kazmir, Scott • 8-4
The Angels lefty is becoming known for giving up big innings, explaining 3-5 record and 6.34 ERA. Amazingly, he’s been deplorable against left-hand hitters who are batting incomprehensible .500 against him starting June, compared to .238 vs. RH swingers.

Lackey, John • 11-4
The tall Texan has been a mild disappointment in Boston with 4.84 ERA to go with his 5-3 record. Lackey doesn’t have the over-powering hard stuff any longer and has to get by on guile, throwing in a smaller ballpark.

Nolasco, Ricky • 8-2
The sturdy Nolasco (4-4) still is throwing strikes, but having trouble hitting his spots deep in the count. He only totaled 15 K’s in May after having 29 punch-outs in same number of starts (5) in April. If he gets the feel of fastball or slider back, he should have another outstanding June.

Pettitte, Andy • 11-5
The 37-year port-sider might be having his best season yet in his career with 7-1 mark and 2.48 ERA. What’s fun to watch about Pettitte these days is where the catcher puts the glove that is where he throws the ball, which helps him get the benefit of the doubt from umpires.

Wakefield, Tim • 11-5
Being used as spot starter to fill in for injured Boston pitchers.

Zambrano, Carlos • 14-3
Believed to be rejoining the starting rotation this month, the Cubs could use a typical June from Big Z.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arroyo, Bronson • 4-13
The Reds starter should have the last name of yo-yo, since that is how he tends to pitch. Obviously this month falls in the “down” category.

Blanton, Joe • 5-12
Blanton has been unimpressive since coming off the disabled list with 1-4 record and 5.68 ERA. Pitches are up in the zone and being ripped.

Garland, Jon • 5-11
The much-traveled hurler has found a home at spacious Petco Park and is 6-2 with sharp 2.55 ERA this season. At home in San Diego, Garland is Ubaldo-like with miniscule 1.15 ERA. Can he keep it going?

Hernandez, Livan • 6-12
Washington has gotten far more than they could have ever expected from Hernandez, who is 4-2 with superb 2.15 ERA. In the last few years, he’s gotten off to starts somewhat similar, but by the third month of the season, the bite of his pitches starts to lose effectiveness and the spots he was wearing out are not as consistent, leading to more hits, runs and defeats piling up.

Hudson, Tim • 4-8
Hudson is healthier than he’s been in years (5-1, 2.24), which might be the greatest factor in how he performs this month.

Doug Upstone contributed to this article.

Memorial Day plays

Hope every one has a great day!

Have to make this quick.

Best System - Tampa Bay

Top Trend - Detroit

Free Play - St. Louis

Good Luck

Game 2 of Stanley Cup expected to set the tone

Nervous netminders, unstable defense and a frantic pace led to the highest scoring Finals contest in 18 years as Chicago outlasted Philadelphia 6-5 in the opener. Here was the weird part, not one of the acknowledged scoring stars for either team put any rubber on the back of the net. If they find the range will the goaltenders will feel like they playing in the NHL All-Star where nobody plays defense or takes a hit?

For the Flyers, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne all came up empty. “I thought we had good looks. We just didn’t score and did everything but,” Richards said Sunday.

The Blackhawks trio of players, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien, who have been domineering in the postseason, all took responsibility for their Game 1 actions. “I think all three of us know it’s not as much what they did as it was what we didn’t do on the ice,” Toews said.

Chicago might be 31-12 against good offensive teams scoring 2.85 or goals a game this season, but realize allowing five goals, let alone in the Stanley Cup Finals won’t lead to many victories.
“It was such a long week…… just to kind of treat it as just another game and we're playing hockey," Toews said Sunday. "But everyone knows what's at stake here, so it's tough not to get excited about it.”

I think both teams maybe realized that maybe a little bit too much last night. You could definitely see that there was definitely some jitters early on."

The Hawks were efficient in chasing Philly goalie Michael Leighton, scoring five times on 20 shots. With a day to digest the situation, both teams understand they have to play better defense and settle in.

"I think tomorrow's going to be a better game from our side and I think Philly's going to play better too, so it's probably going to be a pretty good game tomorrow, but I don't think it's going to be high-scoring," predicted Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.

All the talk of holding serve and winning on home ice to force a game seven is nonsense, as teams down 2-0 in the Cup Finals end up winning less than 13 percent of the time.

"Well, I look at it as an opportunity to steal home ice and tomorrow's not a do-or-die situation by any means," said Flyers defenseman Matt Carle. "Win or lose, we're going to be ready to go for Game 3 back in our barn, but we certainly want to try and steal home ice and that's the objective." Philadelphia has won eight of last 10 and is 7-1 with one day between games.

"Every loss is big in the playoffs. I'm not going to lie about that," said Danny Briere, who was outstanding in opener with four points. "But at the same time, coming in, everybody was talking how good the Blackhawks were. And not too many people -- I haven't heard anybody giving us a chance to win this series.

"What I liked is, [Saturday] night; we proved we belong with them. You know, maybe not to all the hockey experts, but in our room, I think we realize we can play and we can stretch the series and definitely come back in it."

Though Game 1 was fun and entertaining, a truer read on each team will be given Monday evening. Are the Blackhawks as good as many said coming into the series or does the Flyers grit and uncompromising determination matter more?

Online sports betting outlets have Chicago as -190 money line favorite with total U6 and they are 18-3 and 15-6 OVER off a home win scoring four or more goals this season. Philadelphia has lost 11 of 16 as a road underdog since Jan 16 and is 5-0 UNDER as the visitor after a road game where both teams score three or more goals this campaign.

The second confrontation of the Finals has an 8:00 start on NBC.

Memorial Day Baseball Action

For many people today it is cookouts, time to spend with family and friends or watch a “Criminal Minds” marathon. While participating in these or other activities the baseball sports better still wants to get his fill of action, just with a little more urgency, with having other fun things to participate in.

Let’s not waste any more time and get to it for those that prefer online sports betting.

At 1:05 Eastern the two best teams in the NL East do battle, Philadelphia (28-21) at Atlanta (28-22). The Phillies have won 20 of last 26 Monday assignments and send Joe Blanton (1-5, 5.63 ERA) to the mound. Though everything counts, the Braves Tommy Hanson (4-3, 4.06) has 2.89 ERA this year if you subtract May 20 dud (eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings) against Cincinnati. Hanson and Atlanta are 7-2 at home facing teams with winning records; however the Phils have taken 15 of last 21 in Hotlanta.

At 1:35 Eastern on WGN the Chicago Cubs (24-27) begin a road trip in Pittsburgh (20-31). The Cubs begin their nine game excursion having a bad taste in the mouth courtesy of the Pirates, who have won five of six against Chicago in 2010 and are 7-1 dating back to last season. The Cubs have played down to or below their level of competition with 2-8 record against losing teams. Pittsburgh gladly returns home where they are 8-3 after road trip of a week or more. Seven of the previous 10 meetings have gone UNDER the total in the Steel City.

At 4:15 Eastern, the city with the Arch hosts the surprise team of the NL Central, Cincinnati (31-20). The Reds have played the fewest road games of any squad in the National League (21) and taken advantage of it with a sensational home record of 19-10. Cincy will be the first team to face St. Louis rookie Jaime Garcia (4-2, 1.14) a second time and is 8-3 against left-handed pitchers. The Reds are 7-1 when Bronson Arroyo (5-2, 4.30) pitches a series opener, yet are 2-6 if the right-hander faces a team above .500. The Cardinals (29-22) have relished playing the Reds at home, with 37-15 record and are perfect 12-0 on Monday’s.

At 7:07 Eastern, Tampa Bay (34-17) returns to the road with not only the best record in baseball, but with remarkable 19-5 mark as the visiting team. Matt Garza (5-3, 2.97) lacked his usually excellent fastball control in his last start, a loss to Boston and amazingly he and the Rays are 2-12 on the road against clubs like Toronto (30-22) with a positive record. At a sluggish start (6-10), the Blue Jays have won eight of nine at the Rogers Centre and are 10-1 seeing right handed hurlers in home whites. Watch the total of this matchup with these AL East teams a combined 7-3 UNDER north of the border and Garza 7-1 UNDER vs. Toronto.

On last thing, take a moment from sports betting to remember the real reason for Memorial Day, to honor those that have died serving our country to protect our freedom.

Gentlemen, start your engines

Another perfect day takes us to 62-26, 70.4 percent! It’s not as good as some handicappers that consistently hit 80 percent (wink-wink), but not too shabby. We’ll see if our luck can continue with the LCC having another Free play in the NL. The Top Trend is about a pitcher who is almost unbeatable at home and the Best System is far down the Left Coast and is 46-10. Good Luck

What I’ll thought today – With Kendry Morales having one of the most freak accidents you can have on the diamond, the Halos could well be in the heap of trouble. Without him they only have two players (Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu) hitting over .260.

Remember when you couldn't watch the Indy 500 live and had to listen to it on the radio and it was cool?

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Nationals with a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season, against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350. Dating back 13 years, this MLB system is 46-10, 82.1 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) James Shields and Tampa Bay are 17-2 as a home favorite of -150 to -175.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The LCC consensus plays have been awesome and they are 7-0 on Cincy today with a mixture of ML or RL action. For our purposes, it’s just the Reds.

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