***MLB FREE PICK PREVIEW***

Do not love today's action so do not mortgage the house on any of these but if you have the itch...have fun!

Bos
Phl
OVER 10.5 -115

Det
LAD
UNDER 8 -115

SD
Sea
OVER 7.5 -120

***Free Pick Preview***

Sacramento +9.5
San Antonio -5.5
Phoenix -13

UNLV -6

Zen Master

I'm not enjoying the NBA Finals this year. I grew up in Philadelphia and am a die hard Sixers fan. I grew up hating the Celtics and hating the Lakers (1983!!! yes, our last title). Now I live in Sin City where everyone is a Laker "fan". Kobe...please. Great player, but not a fan (see earlier blog). I do however love one member of the Lake Show. He happens to be the coach, The Zen Master, Phil Jackson. You have to love a guy that lead egos such as MJ and Scottie, Shaq and Kobe to all those titles. You have to love a guy that hammers the officials before anyone asks during press conferences and doesn't get fined. You have to love a guy that blows off a 41 point 4th quarter, stating momentum doesn't travel 3000 miles. You have to love a guy that calls his players confused and missing at this point of the season. He calls it like it is. His team has been soft, really soft in the first two games and he's calling them out. We'll see if it works tonight in Lip Stick City...Los Angeles.

For the Record...
Yesterday: 1-1 (-$45)
Blog to Date: 9-8-1 (-$80)

Today's Picks...
--Game 3 tonight in LA. Everyone is expecting the Lakers to win this "must win" game, but what's with the spread? 9.5??? Why? This number is just too high to play the home team. Boston has dominated LA thus far. Not saying they will win tonight, although it wouldn't surprise me, just saying respect the green. Celtics +9.5
--Phillies travel south to take on the Marlins. Florida's last 6 games have gone over (9 of last 10). All three head to head games between the two have hit the over this season and 8 of 10 over the past two years. Brett Myers (0-5, 7.15 era on road) throws against Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 7.16 era at home). Look for some runs tonight. PHL/FL OVER 9.5
--Los Angeles Dodgers roll down the coast to take on Greg Maddux (1-0, 1.37 era at home) and the San Diego Padres. Maddux is just way too strong pitching in Petco. He'll be facing youngster, Clay Kershaw. In Clay's only away start, he was drilled in 3.2 innings for 4 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks in NY vs Mets. Padres -130
--The hottest team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox go to the D to take on the Tigers. Sox have won 7 in a row and send out Jose Contreras (6-3, 2.76 era & 3-1 on road) to take on Nate Robertson (3-6, 6.03 era). The Tigers have had success vs Contreras, but not tonight. The boys from the south side keep riding Ozzie's crazy train. White Sox -120

Have Fun!!!

NBA Coaching Carousel

Congrats to former NBA players Terry Porter and Vinny Del Negro. Porter has officially accepted the head coaching position in the valley of the sun. Phoenix Suns introduced him as their new head coach this morning. Potter played guard for 17 years in the NBA and complied a 71-93 record as a head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003-2005. During his two year stint, he made one playoff appearance bowing out in the first round. Reports out of Chicago have Del Negro ready to accept the head spot for the Bulls. Vinny played for multiple teams from 1988-2002. He recently was the assistant GM for the Phoenix Suns, but has made no secrets about his desire to become a head coach. Here's his chance and with the first pick in this year's draft, Vinny must be chopping at the bit to get into Chicago and sign the deal. We are still awaiting the Pistons coaching decision, but yet another former baller is waiting for the call. Reports have current Detroit assistant Michael Curry getting "the D" gig. I say there could be a surprise in store. Stay tuned.

***this just in...Michael Curry has been named the Detroit Pistons head coach.***

For the record...
Yesterday: 2-1-1 (+$90)
Blog to Date: 8-7-1 (-$35)

Today's Pick...
--Cincinnati and Florida wraps up their 4 game series this evening in Miami. I'm all about Reds starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (8-1, 1.35 era). This guy has been absolutely sick this year. He faces Mark Hendrickson (7-3, 5.33 era). Hendrickson has been shaky his last three starts giving up an average of 6+ run during that span and his last two starts vs Red have been losses. Reds -130
--Los Angeles Angels host the surprising Tampa Bay Rays tonight. Angels had a 7 game winning streak snapped yesterday in Oakland while the Rays have been 2-4 on their current road swing. Tampa swept the Halos earlier this year in Florida, but LA sends out Joe Saunders (9-2, 2.63 era) vs Edwin Jackson (3-5, 3.95 era) Jackson lost both games in LA last year giving up 13 runs in those starts while Saunders only gave up 1 run in Tampa earlier this season in a 2-0 loss. Look for some revenge tonight. Angels -145

Have Fun!!!

Bad Bets

I took the day off yesterday due to a very long night/morning in the casino and needed to recharge my batteries. I'm back today with a lesson. Stay away from the bad bet. Yesterday there were two examples of bad bets. First was the Belmont. Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was going for the Triple Crown and according to the odds (1-4), his trainer (ass), media and general public he couldn't lose. Funny thing happened on the way to the lock of the year in horse racing. He lost. He lost badly. He came in dead last. Nobody really knows why he lost. It could have been his bad foot (doubt it), the heat (93 degrees at race time - i think), lack of steroids in his blood (maybe) or simply a bad day at the track. Fact is, any horse with odds of 1-4 is a bad bet. Why would you put so much up to win so little? This was an event to be watched for the potential history. All of you that lost cash on Big Brown...shame on you. 1-4 odds is never worth it in sports (especially horse racing). The second example of a bad bet yesterday was a little hidden, so not many people were hurt. There was a boxing match pairing WBC super welterweight champion Vernon Forrest (40-3, 37 years old) vs season one winner of "The Contender" Sergio Mora (21-0-1, 27 years old). This was the fifth time a "Contender" participant has attempted to fight for a world title. The four previous attempts were jokes. Not even close. Blowouts going to the champ. So by that, it sounds like Forrest should have been a no-brainer to win this fight. Well, he lost at odds of -$500. Ouch! When it comes to boxing, I always say bet the dog. In this fight it was a case of an old fighter getting out worked by a younger true contender. Finally, on Friday I pick the Boston Red Sox to beat Seattle. It was -$150. They lost 8-0. It killed my night, but I should have known better. It was a bad bet. When two of your starters are out due to injury (one being Manny!) stay away. In addition, anyone see Manny fighting his own teammate the night before in the dugout? I did. Should have told me something was not right in that clubhouse at least temporarily. So remember, stay away from the bad bet.

For the Record...
Friday: 1-3 (-$300)
Blog to Date: 6-6 (-$125)
Red Sox killed me (see above)...Brewer relief pitcher, Guillermo Mota didn't help either. Nice line: 4 runs on 4 hits...no outs in 8th.

Today's picks...
--NBA championship game two. As i said on Friday, look for Kobe to show up and the Zen Master to out coach Doc Rivers. It looks like I'm not the only one that believes the Lakers take the game. The line opened Boston -1.5 and has shifted this morning to LA -1. Don't care. LA Lakers -1
--Day baseball in Miami as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Marlins. This is game three in the series with both of the first two hitting the over. In addition, Florida has gone over 9 of last 10. In face to face battles the over has shown up 4 of 5 times in 2008 and 8 of 10 in the past two seasons. Arron Harang (1-5, 4.42 era on road) starts for the Reds vs Fish first time starter Ryan Tucker. Expect the ball to be popping. CIN/FL OVER 9 -120
--Phillies go for three in a row at Atlanta this afternoon. Philadelphia sends Adam Eaton vs the Brave's Jorge Campillo. Philly has hit the under 6 games in a row including the last two against the Braves. Eaton and Campillo's last two starts have both gone under. Even in the Atl heat, I feel this NL East battle follows the trend. PHL/ATL UNDER 10 -105
--St. Louis Cardinals take on Houston today at Minute Made Park. These two teams have already faced each other 11 times this season. The under has come in 8 of 11. Today the pitching match up makes me think it's coming again. Cardinals send Kyle Lohse (6-2, 3.87 era) takes on the Astros Wandy Rodriguez (2-1, 2.38 era & 1-0, 0.98 era at home) Lohse's last three starts have gone under the total and Rodriguez has been under all year (6 starts). Go with it. STL/HOU UNDER 9 -105

Have fun!

Big Ticket...BIG sticker

Game one of the NBA finals went to the home team last night. Boston took the game 98-88 (under pay dirt!) being lead by the big ticket, Mr. Kevin Garnett. KG was unstoppable with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers looked soft getting out rebounded 46-33 and were held to only 15 points in the 4th quarter. None of this should surprise anyone. Boston has done this in every game one throughout the playoffs by dominating with stifling defense and no answers from the other side for KG. Even with Paul Pierce "injuring" his knee could not stop the Celts from taking game one in what I expect to be a long hard fought final. Look for the Zen Master and Kobe to reset, out coach and outplay Doc Rivers and Boston in game two. Oh yes, before I forget...if you didn't realize it was the NBA finals last night, the NBA made sure you did. Anyone notice the Larry O' Brien Championship trophy sticker at mid-court? Damn! I actually love looking at the Boston's parquet floor. Not anymore. A bit overkill Mr. Stern.

For the record...
Yesterday: 2-1 (+$90)
Blog to Date: 5-3 (+$175)
Liked Cubs and should have listened to myself. Oh well. Winning day nonetheless.

Today's Picks...
--Cleveland's road trip continues as Detroit's end this evening with the two set to play in Comerica Park. The Tribe has been bashing the ball as of late. 8 of their last 10 games have gone over, including the last 4 in a row. The two teams have meet twice this season with both games going above the total. Paul Byrd (2-5, 4.66 era & 0-5, 7.71 on road) takes the hill for Cleveland vs Justin Verlander (2-8, 5.16 era). If we look at all starts by both pitcher vs opposition from 2007...every game went over at least 9 runs with 8 of 9 games totals in double digits. In addition, both squads bullpens have been terrible recently. CLE/DET OVER 9.5 -115
--Seattle heads to Boston this evening to face the green monster and the Sox. Boston is hot winning the last 3 (7 of last 10)...Seattle is cold losing 4 in a row (7 of last 10). This game is a pitching rematch of the 5/26 game in Seattle with Bartolo Colon (3-0, 3.50 era) getting the 5-3 win over Felix Hernandez (3-5, 3.92 era). Both Bullpens have performed well recently. I see a similar result this time around in Beantown. Red Sox -150
--The Rockies come home after a very long road trip tonight to face the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brew Crew have won 9 of 10 and send out their ace this eve in Ben Sheets (6-1, 2.71 era). In addition to sheets, Milwaukee's bullpen hasn't given up a run in last 6 games. Colorado sends Ubaldo Jimenez to the hill with an ugly 1-6 record, 5.37 era. Rockies have won two in a row. That's the good news, the bad is this winning streak is nothing compared to the 8 game losing streak before victories in LA. Go with Big Ben and the Crew tonight. Brewers -135
--LA Angels head north to the bay to battle the Oakland Athletics. Both teams are on nice winning streaks (Angels 5 in a row, A's 4) This one will be about pitching. Halos send out John Lackey (1-1, 1.80 era) vs Oakland's Joe Blanton (3-7, 4.27 era but 1-5 at home). Add Lackey's sick era to no runs given up by the Angels bullpen in the last 5 games, you have a tough nut to crack. This should be a tight game that could go either way, but I'm rolling with the Halos. Angels -110

Have fun!

silver cup...gold bucket...rich lawyer

Well last night the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pens to capture Lords Stanley Cup and tonight the LA Lakers will take on the Boston Celtics for the big gold bucket. I love this time of year. Hard hockey played on soft ice and this year we get an old school feel to the NBA finals. First of all, congrats to the Wings. Hockey town had the best team this year and the best team won. Congrats to the NHL. They got their dream match-up with young gun Penguins battling their hearts out only to fall to the Euro Wings. TV rating were better then ever (for hockey that is) and that's a good thing for a great sport that needed a big push since shutting down just a few seasons ago due to a labor disagreement. The lock-out saved the league (financially) and this series reminded everyone how great NHL playoffs can be and always have been. As for the other finals beginning tonight...haven't we seen this before??? Yes it's the Lakers and Celtics, but it's not the Lakers and Celtics of old. More like Kobe vs "the boston three party". Personally, I'm pulling for the Lakers because of the Zen master (love him), Luke Walton (UofA!) and Vanessa Bryant. That's right, I said Vanessa not Kobe. I love Kobe as a player. He's amazing. As a person, I feel he comes across as a complete asshole. The bigger Kobe gets (and a few more titles will blow him up) the more he'll be f**ked a year or so after he retires. You see how much Jordan's wife took MJ for after he retired and she finally said...it's time for mine! Wait til Vanessa's lawyers get a hold of Kobe accountants. Ouch! I'm guessing $200M. I'm saying, but I'm not saying, know what I'm saying?

For the record...
Yesterday: 3-0 (+$310)
Blog to Date: 3-2 (+$85)
You're welcome bitches!

Today's picks (a little late today so no east coast baseball):
--Let start right off with game one in Bean-town, Laker vs Celtics. Honestly, I have no idea about this game or this series. However I did some research from the past 10 game one finals and found the under came in 7 times. When teams have time off, defense tends to overshadow offense. In addition, LA has gone under their last 5 games and boston hit the under 3 out of their last 4. So that's it. It's going under. LA/BOS UNDER 192
--NY Mets visit Petco this eve to take on the Padres. Both teams are coming off wins last night guided by solid pitching. That might not be the case tonight. Mets could be in trouble. They send Michael Pelfrey (2-6, 4.98 era) to the hill. He is 0-2 with a chunky 9.64 era on the road this season. In addition he has lost 4 out of his last 5 starts the other being a no decision. San Diego throws Josh Banks (2-0, 0.00 era). Who? Josh Banks. One start...one win...9 innings...no earned runs (1 run). Go with the kid at home. Padres +110
--LA Dodgers host the red hot Chicago Cubs. Cubs had a 9 game winning streak snapped last night by Greg Maddox and the Padres while LA dropped another one to the Rockies. I generally like playing teams coming off steaks (at least 4 games wither way, W/L) to get back on track after getting bumped or bumping, but the Cubs starter, Dempster, hasn't won on the road yet this season. That's a concern. In the three meetings this year between the two, all have gone to the cubs and all have gone under. That brings us back to pitching. Dempster vs Billingsley. Both pitchers have gone under their last 4 of 5 outings. I like the cubs, but like the under more. UNDER 7.5 -120

Have Fun!