Free Picks Newsletter Lead Researcher

168-113-1 Overall Record

NBA Predictions: Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5) vs Los Angeles Lakers (+2.5) Over-Under 192

The Oklahoma City Thunder will attempt to continue their good fortunes in the Staples Center for game three of the second round.  As this series shifts to a new venue, the power of making adjustments cannot be under estimated.  The Thunder dominated game 1 in Oklahoma City with a blowout win, but the Los Angeles Lakers were able to make some nice defensive adjustments that nearly helped the Lakers come away with a win in game 2.

If you look beyond all the hype about Steve Blake’s missed three in the final seconds that could have been a game winning basket, the Lakers were able to play great defense versus Oklahoma City.  Their defensive effort held the Thunder to a scoring total that was 25 points below Oklahoma City’s season average, and had it not been for Kobe Bryant’s meltdown in the final two minutes the Lakers would have emerged victorious.  Even though rumors surround Coach Mike Brown’s job security, there is no denying that he is a defensive master and it is not all that unreasonable to expect game three’s scoring total to be similar to game two’s.

The way that the Thunder stole game two away from the Lakers would have made a lesser team pack it in for the series, but everyone knows that the Lakers will continue to compete.  Kobe Bryant shot 9-25 from the field in game two and his shot selection was questionable at best, but the Thunder also had a tough time getting to the basket against all of L.A.’s size inside.  This will definitely be a low scoring affair if the Thunder hang out around the perimeter shooting jump shots similar to the way they did in game two.

Overall, this series should be tied at one.  The Lakers ran into a buzz saw in game 1, and responded very nicely in game two with an inspired defensive performance before they game the game away in the closing minutes.  The Lakers will respond with another good defensive effort in game three to make this a closely contested game and a low scoring game, as well.

Pick: Under 192

MLB Predictions: Boston Red Sox (+122) vs Tampa Bay Rays (-131) Over Under 9

The Boston Red Sox look to even it up in a two game series in Tropicana Field for the AL East leaders Tampa Bay Rays. Boston really needs a win to keep up in the early race but going up against these teams but all of the teams, including the Orioles, are still winning games. Being 6.5 Games behind The O’s and Rays is keeping them out of
all contention. being tied up with the O’s the Rays have been just trying to get past that half game win column and this might be the small series to do so.

I think this game will come down to if the Red Sox batters can read Moore. I feel as if they for sure have the hitting talent there and are going to try and smack homers all over the dome. If Moore brings his “A” game like he did last playoff season then this could go Rays way. In the end I do think the Red Sox could pull off win here in a
split and give the Rays just their 4th loss at home all year, but it will be fought down the line. If the Rays are up in the 7th they will win because the Boston bullpen is awful.

Pick: Boston Red Sox +122

MLB Predictions: NY Yankees (-150) at Baltimore Orioles (+141) Over-Under 8

The last time the Orioles met up against them they went 2 of 3. Yes, you are seeing this correctly. Not one single person saw the O’s doing anything this good this early and it looks to be as if they are going to stay up top the AL East, well until they decide to crumble like most years. At least they look good early.

This game will showcase two really good pitchers. One is the Ace for the Yankees CC Sabathia and the other is Baltimore’s Wei-Yin Chen. Ones a pro, ones a young guy proving his worth.

The Yankees have won 7 of their last 10. Looking like things are starting to heat up in New York with the bats swinging and the pitching doing pretty awesome their selves. CC has been on fire. 5-0 this year with a 3.51 ERA and a WHIP of just 1.07. Almost as hot as Jeters .367 BA. They look to be on the upward swing if they can get
some wins on an AL East Team that is. The fact is that the Yankees are in a weird spot in which there is a lot of different age but Jeter is proving even the older guys still can keep up with the youngins.

No Chen however is a different left hander than Sabathia. Hes young and spry ready to send some of the best hitters to sit back down in their own dugout. He has 28KOs in just 37 innings. A WHIP of just 1.27 in a rookie year is pretty awesome and he looks to stand up going forward with it since he has laid waste to several other AL East
teams. He hasn’t lost a game and granted its only his 4th full game but I do think he has some spunk in his slider, enough to drive the Yankees crazy.

With the most wins in the 9th inning the Orioles take on the kings of the East and actually pose a threat to dismantle and knock the Yankees down just another notch to stay up top even after their loss last night.

I see the Yankees doing their normal power hitting but the O’s actually staying in this game and taking the second game in this match up.

PIck: Baltimore +141

Jason Storm

Free Picks Newsletter Lead Researcher

166-112-1 Overall Record

NBA Predictions: Philadelphia 76ers (+4) vs. Boston Celtics (-4) Over-Under 173.5

After an exciting game Saturday night, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics take the floor in game 2 of their second round playoff series.  The Sixers were able to clog up the paint versus Boston forcing Boston’s frontcourt players to live on the perimeter where they were mostly ineffective for most of the game.  Both teams seemed comfortable playing an up tempo type of game, which will likely lead to a lot points for both teams in game two.

Both teams averaged over 90 points per game during the season, which makes this 173.5 point line seem laughable.  In game one, the line was 171 and the Sixers and Celtics combined to score 183 points.  Although the first game was close, do not expect game 2 to be much different from an offensive standpoint.

For the Sixers, the over play is 7-1 in their last 8 games following a straight up loss and 4-1 in Philadelphia’s last 5 playoff games as an underdog.  Even though, the Sixers are very fortunate to even be in the second round, people forget that this team started the season off on fire before slowing down after the All-Star break.  Expect for Philadelphia to come out fired up for game two as they know that they let the first game slip away from them.

As for Boston, they have been very comfortable playing faced paced with Rajon Rondo and nobody expects for Paul Pierce to struggle the way he did in the first game.  The over play is 4-1 in Boston’s last 5 games following an against the spread loss and 5-1 in the Celtics last 6 Conference Semifinals games.  The only real question mark for Boston will be the effectiveness of Ray Allen with those bone spurs in his right ankle.

Whether Ray Allen is effective or not for the Celtics, they have enough offensive firepower to push the combined scoring total for this game over 173.5 points.  Philadelphia has a chance to win this game, because of their balanced scoring attack with four players averaging double figures, so there is no reason not to believe this game will be a higher scoring affair than the odds makers think.  Honestly, there is no reason that I can see to take the under play, so bet the over and get ready to collect your money.

Pick: Over 173.5

MLB Predictions: Toronto Blue Jays (-138) at Minnesota Twins (+130) Over Under 8.5

This is the first of a few times this year the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Minnesota Twins this 2012 season but while things are looking good for the Jays not the same can be said about the Twins. Both teams are headed in different directions so early in the season it almost feels like after the All-Star Break. Toronto heads into this game winner of 6 games out of the last 10 and the Twins have lost 7 of their last 10. Not really much to be bringing into this match up but you’d be surprised, The Blue Jays really need these small wins to keep pace with the rest of the AL East, which for the first time since May 1st, 1994 the Yankees and Red Sox are in last place. The Rays and Orioles keep winning games against big names. Since Toronto can keep pace why not take a few road wins on a team that isn’t doing to hot.

The troubles for the Twins don’t just come out of anywhere. The ownership cant afford to spend much money setting up new guys or pay big names to come, mainly because the city hasn’t helped out fan wise. Some say that goes both way but with very little gems in Minnesota you got to at least cheer for someone at home, even if it is the opposing team. The poor Twins are 8-22 (4-10 at home) and cant get a rhythm going at all. They have the absolute MLB worst pitching rotation and batting isnt anything golden either. Hopefully Jason Marquis brings it in this game hard or hes gonna be devoured by the batting of Toronto.

Hes pitched only 23.1 innings with a 5.40 ERA. Garbage. He is 2-1 so thats got to count for something right?

The Blue Jays however are knocking balls outta every place they travel. 39 HRs already and although they arnt the best they certainly know when to kick it up. Averaging 4.71 Runs a game also isn’t the best in the big leagues but its getting the job done. The hitting squad of Encarnacion, Lawrie, and Bautisia has been really good when it needs to be in a tight clutch win. When the game is on the line they step up. The batting average is fairly low but only because most of the walking and strikes they take. Swing for the fences Jays.

Henderson Alvarez is coming into the matchup 2-2 with an ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP barely over 1.0. He knows how to get calls he needs for the win.

I dont see the pitching or bullpen stepping up against the Blue Jays so I’ll say this will be an easy slugfest for AL East Toronto. I see atleast 2 HRS off of such a pitcher as Marquis.

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-138)

MLB Predictions: Tampa Bay Rays (+107) vs. New York Yankees (-114) Over-Under 9

Boy do we have a great game on our hands. I know I said I wouldn’t focus on the AL East as much but come on guys its the best division in all of baseball and we know people are looking to see who’s gonna come out on top. Here we have two of the bigger names in the last few years. The Yankees are a main staple in all of the MLB and for sure the AL East. The upstart Rays have been in the division leading picture for the past 4 seasons and seem to keep fighting all that oppose, i.e. Boston 2011 collapse.

Speaking of rays of light, The Tampa Rays are holding a tie for best record in baseball with the Texas Rangers and The Baltimore Orioles (yes, that’s not a typo, The Orioles). The dominate pitching and decent batting. David Price has 5 wins, Longoria still has the best BA even if hes out for a few weeks, which i dont feel will hurt them. The fact of the matter is the Rays all around are amazing. Young guys that are getting their hot streaks early and don’t seem to be letting up. The man taking the mound against the HR Yankees will be the 5-0 James Shields. He has a ERA of 3.05 and a WHIP of 1.23 of all shows why he hasn’t lost a game yet. Well that and his bullpen. If this were at Tropicana I’d say this would already be over and a sweep just like the first games of the year but alas were going to New York where no one is safe.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Tampa Bay Rays. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Desmond Jennings (Q), Will Rhymes, B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Jeff Keppinger, Luke Scott, Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce, Chris Gimenez, Elliot Johnson

Jennings is Questionable for the game but signs point to him still leading off. Longoria is Out for 12 weeks

Below is the projected starting line up for the New York Yankees

Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Nix, Russell Martin, Dewayne Wise

Out- Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain

Even if the Yankees are at home I see their revenge game falling short to the Rays. Yes, they power hit like crazy but can they hit Shields? The Rays will find ways with their moving around players set up that seems to confuse everyone this year. The wins will keep coming. After all, the Orioles did take 2 of 3 from them.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays +107

MLB Predictions: Toronto Blue Jays (121) vs LA Angels (-128) Over-Under: 7

In the recent weeks the Blue Jays have stepped up their game early in the season to take a higher lead than the Red Sox in the AL East which is very surprising to most people who thought by this point the Red Sox would’ve taken an early lead. The Angels have not lived up to the hype like the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Power hitting is not the forte this season.

Speaking of hitting look at the Blue Jays trying to battle in the AL East. Escobar, Bautista, and Encarnacion have all managed to have a so-so start and are now heating up. Jose has belted out the past few years knocking homers in all the parks and cant say it hasn’t been fun to watch but they do put a ton of swing in each hit and sometimes that is not for the best outing. Encarnacion is batting a .320 with 9 HRs which no one can complain about. The team is 5th in overall HRs int he MLB and I honestly think they can keep it up. Tampa, Baltimore, and Toronto are sitting ontop of the AL East in which seems to be some early season fluke, but why not just call it what it is, a few wishful
teams that will falter when the Yankees and Sox get their acts together. But maybe, just maybe, these teams can hang with this big leagues. Brandon Morrow who has been what they Jays have been waiting for is pitching tomorrow for his 4th game of the season. With his 3.04 ERA he’s going to be a bigger star as they year progresses.

Below is the projected starting line up for the LA Angels. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Erick Aybar, Vernon Wells, Albert Pujols, Kendrys Morales, Torii Hunter, Howard Kendrick, Mark Trumbo, Chris Iannetta, Peter Bourjos

No notable players out.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Ben Francisco, Brett Lawrie, Eric Thames, J.P. Arencibia, Colby Rasmus

Q – Rajai Davis

I’m gonna have to side with the line on this one and shoot for the Blue Jays coming away with another win over the AL West

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays +121

MLB Predictions: Arizona Diamondbacks (+135) vs. Washington Nationals (-145) Over-Under 6.5

I will be the first to start this off and say I’m on the Zimmermann bandwagon. How can you not be? I dont think theres a sports writer in the game right now that isnt interested in the marvel hes started with. That bring said I will keep it as even down the line as much as I can on this match up only because of who they are playing and thats the 12-11 Diamondbacks who is having a fairly good early season themselves keeping only a 4 games behind the power slugging Dodgers in the NL West.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Nationals. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Ian Desmond, Stephen Lombardozzi, Danny Espinosa, Adam LaRoche, Xavier Nady, Tyler Moore, Craig Stammen, Chad Tracy, Bryce Harper, Jesus Flores, Rick Ankiel

Jayson Werth – Doubtful, Ryan Zimmerman – Out

Below is the projected starting line up for the Diamondbacks

Willie Bloomquist, Ryan Roberts, Justin Upton, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Ransom, Gerardo Parra, A.J. Pollock, Henry Blanco, Patrick Corbin,
Craig Breslow, Lyle Overbay, David Hernandez,

Chris Drew – Out, Chris Young – Out

With no crazy good batters I dont see the Diamondbacks jumping on this game with Zimmermann up on the mound. He simple just too good. If they can start off early and confuse him then I say they have a shot but the fact of the matter is that The Nats pitching is just really that good. How else would they be 14-8?

Pick:  Washington Nationals -145

At this point the two teams playing this match up should be fairly even with the history of the Nationals not being to hot and the Padres just so-so over the past 10 years. But as you have seen this year has already had some surprises that no one really planned for. The Nationals is one. Sure they were gonna be good with the pitching they have but the way they’ve been playing is outstanding, The Padres however are doing the opposite completely. They look about as good as the Royals, just ya know in a different division.

The pitching has been the key for the Nationals this year. Some of the best pitchers sit on one team together and no its not the Phillies. Washington has a knack for building up hype in all of their sports and letting them down, but this year the Nats this time arent playing for last place. They seem hungry and ready for the wins and they arent letting up. Today’s game has Edwin Jackson taking the mound ready to see if the low hitting San Diego will swing for the fences. His ERA floats in at 4.26 but his 1-1 record has 20 K’s just this year alone. In his 9 years in the MLB hes starting way hot with his fast ball. Sure his WHIP isn’t Strausburg but what is in this league? As a team they are still boasting a 1.03 WHIP which cant hurt right?

Over on the Padres side the 7 year pitcher Edison Volquez sure has seen better days. He hasn’t had a win since early June of last season against the Rays. Although he hasn’t posted a win this season he still has 22K’s which is slightly better than Jackson. Even his ERA is only .04 different than Jackson. Sure hes not that great so far but I could see him picking up some real heat going into this game looking to prove something. The biggest play will be the strikes he and the bullpen can put out. They are 6th overall with 151 and could watch it climb very high come the 9th inning at home.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Nationals. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Chad Tracy, Mark DeRosa, Tom Gorzelanny, Adam LaRoche, Jayson Werth, Rick Ankiel, Wilson Ramos, Roger Bernadina, Stephen Lombardozzi

Below is the projected starting line up for the Padres

Will Venable, Andy Parrino, Chase Headley, Jeremy Hermida, Micah Owings, Huston Street, Mark Kotsay, Yonder Alonso, Cameron Maybin, Orlando Hudson, John Baker,  Jesus Guzman, Luke Gregerson, Joshua Spence, Chris Denorfia

The hitters for both teams haven’t gotten off to a great start which may hurt both with decent pitchers setting up to duel it out. I dont see anyone knocking many home runs, it will be a low scoring game I feel. The Nationals have kept the last 4 games before last night to shut outs so like I said I don’t see much of a scoring shoot out.

Washington is playing on top of their game right now and if they improve the batting they will stay above the Braves and hopefully win the first half of the season.

Pick: Washington Nationals -102

Things look to get interesting Tuesday as the 6-10 Angels head into Tropicana ready to do battle with the 9-7 Tampa Rays who only trail the Yankees and Blue Jays by one game in the AL East. Both teams going in different directions at the current moment with the Angels dropping 4 of the last 6. The Rays however have done the opposite winning 4 of their last 2. The Angels just haven’t been able to get their team pushing the boundaries like everyone expected when they picked up several big names in the off season like Albert Pujols, who was easily the most sought after free agent along with the likes of the Tigers Prince Fielder.

The Angels didn’t have a great start to the year. After only winning 1 of each of their last 2 series its hard to see this team already catching up with the division leaders The Texas Rangers but alas it is way early in the season. They have the talent but dropping 2 to the Orioles and 3 to the A’s is heartbreaking. I see this only as a hiccup early in the year as to get their new rotations and pitching right as they are a power house waiting to explode. Tuesday we will see Ervin Santana take the mound against the Rays and hopefully pull of a win for the away team. Hes been rather ineffective this year against anyone beginning with a 0-3 record and a terrible 6.75 ERA.  His OBP is resting at .341 and that just seems a little weak for a guy whos been with the same team for 7 years. I’m going with bad start is all. Biggest flaw with thinking hes gonna come around on this game is the fact that the Rays are 5-1 at home. Thats pretty big for anyone this year and so early.

The Rays on the other hand have an excellent Ace David Price stepping up tonight to show the Angels how to play, even if his stats this year don’t fully show how awesome he can be. Coming back home with a 2-1 record hes still got a fairly high 4.20 ERA with a OBP of .391 which could really use some improvement. His strikes haven’t been dead on with year with only 11K’s which for Price seems low. He is the Ace and is at home and with the way the Angels have been hitting I’m not seeing much of an upswing in this game, especially in Tropicana Field which may be the weirdest place in the MLB. (That is if you don’t include the crazy dolphin statue thing in the Miami Marlins home)

Sure, the pitching looks a little lopsided but before you just jump at that being the only factor in this game think about the offense each team has. The Angels have the 7th best BA in the MLB to the 15th of the Rays. In the HR department I even figured this to be easily leaning over to the Angels but they haven’t gotten the power hitting down just yet. I expect more out of this as the season goes but the Rays are sliding in with 7th best HR record at 19 and expect weird things at The Trop when it comes to these pop-ups or ya know season ending shots over the small wall.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Angels. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Erick Aybar, Howard Kendrick, Albert Pujols, Torii Hunter, Mark Trumbo, Vernon Wells, Alberto Jose Callaspo, Bobby Wilson, Maicer Izturis, Peter Bourjos, Kendrys Morales, Bobby Abreu

Below is the projected starting line up for the Tampa Rays

Desmond Jennings, Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, Jeff Keppinger, B.J. Upton, Sean Rodriguez, Chris Gimenez, Elliot Johnson

As you can already suspect I’m heading towards a Rays win but I do think the Angels to put up a fight. If David Price is on point like the Ace he is supposed to be then I feel he will walk away with a 3-1 record in the early 2012 season. I just really dont see Pujols or the other Halos coming into Tampa and crushing at least in the first game of this series. I do however think that both of these teams will get it right when it comes down to the playoff push late in the season. The Angels cant be done already, its just not like them or any team in the West.

I’ll put my “W” in the Tampa Rays column this game.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -148