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 Time 2008-05-12 22:05:00 |
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I pick "
(921) CHI White Sox
".
Take the Chicago White Sox over the LA Angels.
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Time 2008-05-12 20:05:00 |
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I pick "
(6) DAL Stars
".
This is the make or break game for the Stars. Down 2-0 they have to win tonight or it's all over from the boys from the Lone Star State. We fully expect the best effort tonight from Dallas and we get the added extra that they are a home dog. Take the Dallas Stars!!
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Time 2008-05-12 20:05:00 |
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I pick "
(919) SEA Mariners
".
It will be good for Seattle to get out of town. The Mariners heard the boos before two innings were complete in Saturday's loss. They opened the season against this bad Texas team and took 2 of 3. Texas is second worst in team ERA in the AL. Seattle goes with ace Erik Bedard, who has been great with a 1.99 ERA. He's 4-2 lifetime against Texas with a 2.44 ERA. Play the Mariners!
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Time 2008-05-12 20:05:00 |
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I pick "
(516) CLE Cavaliers
".
Game 4: Play the Cavaliers!
Home court is still alive and well in the East! The home team is 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS in this series. In the playoffs, Boston is 6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS at home, yet 0-4 SU/ATS on the road. They've been terrible defensively on the road, getting beat up by Atlanta under the glass, and then the Cavs ate them up in a 108-84 Game 3 rout, their worst beating all season. This is not the same team that went 31-10 on the road, the best regular season road mark. The playoffs are a different animal. The pressure is off the Cavs after the big win and they will be fired up with confidence to get back in this series. That won't be hard against this Celtics defense that is completely lost away from home. Play the Cavaliers!
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Time 2008-05-11 15:30:00 |
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I pick "
(511) LA Lakers
".
The Utah Jazz were in a must win spot in game three and they came through with the much needed win. However, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers hung right in there and closed it to four points late, coming up just a bit short. It was not only the first straight up loss for the Lakers in the playoffs, but the first time they failed to cover a spread. Don't expect the same thing to happen here in game four, as the Lakers behind Bryant will take this series back to LA up 3-1!!!
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Time 2008-05-11 13:05:00 |
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I pick "
(969) NY Yankees
".
The Detroit bullpen troubles continue, especially when shaky starters don't provide enough quality innings. In this game, starter Nate Robertson has struggled badly, at 1-4 with a 6.64 ERA. He's averaged just over 5 innings per game. Even when he was throwing well, the Yankees knocked him around, with a 2-5 record against them, plus a 5.02 ERA. NY lefty Andy Pettitte has a .500 record, but is throwing well with a 3.77 ERA. The Yankees have a better road record than the struggling Tigers have at home. Play the Yankees!
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Time 2008-05-10 22:05:00 |
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I pick "
(914) SDG Padres
".
San Diego is home after a long road trip to the East coast. Their pitching staff likes the spacious outfield of Petco Park. It's a park you need to be able to throw strikes in and not walk anyone. That's the problem with Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who has 25 walks in 34 innings. That's why he's 1-2 with a 5.82 ERA. San Diego starter Greg Maddux knows all about the value of throwing strikes, walking just 8 in 44 innings. He's been much better the last two years at home than on the road. An excellent spot for the home team. Play the Padres!
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Time 2008-05-10 17:05:00 |
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I pick "
(507) DET Pistons
".
Game 4: Playoff GOY Pistons.
This Detroit group is a veteran team, one with excellent balance and a deep bench. The deep bench comes in handy with the injury to Chauncey Billups, plus they are loaded in the frontcourt and will pound the glass this game. PG Rodney Stuckey stepped in for Billups and played 34 minutes, scoring 19 points (making all nine of his free throws) and only turned the ball over twice. The Pistons are off an embarrassing blowout loss in Game 3. They've been through this before, as recently as last week: After getting blown out in Game 3 at Philadelphia, the Pistons won and covered the next game, 93-84. They also lost last month by double digits at Washington, then the very next night beat Phoenix in a pick 'em game in overtime, showcasing their depth and pride. Look for a bounce back game by the deep, veteran visitors. Jim's Playoff GOY: Play the Pistons!
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Time 2008-05-09 20:10:00 |
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I pick "
(978) MIN Twins
".
Minnesota is in first place because of a terrific bullpen and an excellent home field edge, starting 11-6 at home. Minnesota pitchers lead the majors in fewest walks allowed, which is essential in a hitter's park like this. Starter Boof Bonser has walked just 9 in 42 innings. He's also 2-0 lifetime against Boston with a 3.75 ERA. Young Red Sox starter Jon Lester still has control troubles, walking 26 in 45 innings. That's even more dangerous in a small park like Minnesota. Play the Twins!
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Time 2008-05-09 19:35:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
Game 1: Over the total.
The Flyers are a bit of a miracle team, advancing this far despite getting outshot in 6 of the last 7 games. They've been doing it with offense, averaging 4 goals per game against a dynamite Montreal defense. They won Games 2-4 despite getting outshot by margins of 36-23, 34-14 and 38-26. That's winning the hard way! In this game they face rival Pittsburgh. In 8 meetings this season the average score was 5-2, with 6 overs and 2 unders. Look for plenty of offense in this one again, play the Flyers/Penguins over the total in Game 1.
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