I think and hope that North Carolina wins tonight, but with the way State is playing it's hard to bet against them. Equally, it's hard to bet against North Carolina so I'm avoiding the biggest game in college basketball and putting some money down on the ball diamond.
$$$$ Dodgers +130 @ San Diego
Jake Peavy takes the mound for the Padres today but that doesn't bother me. Peavy struggled in the WBC and at the end of the season last year and overall San Diego can't match up with the Dodgers. Pitching match ups are the key to betting on baseball, and although Peavy is one of the best pitchers in baseball, LA righty Hiroki Kuroda who posted a 3.7 ERA last year (a .373 in one outing against the Padres) will throw enough strikes to get the win. And strikes is all you need to throw against a poor hitting Padres team. Play the Dodgers + the money line.
$$$$ Arizona - 1 1/2 vs. Colorado
I don't need to say much more than Matt Holiday is no longer a Rocky and Brandon Webb gets the start against Aaron Cook. You could play the D-backs to win straight up at -160, but they should be able to assemble enough runs to win by more than one. Play the D-backs in an opening day shellacking.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
PICKing on State
I like Tom Izzo a lot and would probably vote for him if he ran for President (I'd definitely vote for him if he ran for Governor), but I can't stand State fans. See your average State fan is the same as your die hard State fan. There is no difference because all State fans are alike. They are overwhelmingly subjective, bee sting whiny, and ridiculously uninformed when it comes to common sports knowledge outside of East Lansing.
Nine consecutive State fans called into one of the local talk radio programs here in Grand Rapids to predict how the Spartans would fare this weekend. All nine predicted that State would walk all over UConn and trounce North Carolina Monday night. And the thing about it was, there was no doubt in their minds that this is going to happen. One fan even had the audacity to complain about the spread of the game, saying "I can't believe that State isn't favored in this game. I just don't get it."
Nor do I get you, State fan... nor do I get you.
But I do like their coach, and their defense, and for them to cover against Uconn.
$$$$ State + 4 1/2 vs. Uconn
Hasheem Thebeet will be a factor in this game whether you State fans want to admit it or not. His presence alone will play much more into this game than the 50,000 + State fans who will be packing Ford field with there green and white seat cushions and matching fanny packs. But State's defense and coaching, like it always does, will keep them in the game and could possibly catapult them into the title game where they will get waxed by North Carolina... AGAIN. Play Izzo's team in a tight one.
NBA...
$$$$ Bucks -7 vs. Grizzlies
The Bucks are a good team at home (or at New Jersey) and they're playing a Grizzlies club who's good nowhere. The Bucks have picked up there play of late and should be able to produce a butt kicking against the Grizz. Take the Bucks to walk all over Memphis.
Nine consecutive State fans called into one of the local talk radio programs here in Grand Rapids to predict how the Spartans would fare this weekend. All nine predicted that State would walk all over UConn and trounce North Carolina Monday night. And the thing about it was, there was no doubt in their minds that this is going to happen. One fan even had the audacity to complain about the spread of the game, saying "I can't believe that State isn't favored in this game. I just don't get it."
Nor do I get you, State fan... nor do I get you.
But I do like their coach, and their defense, and for them to cover against Uconn.
$$$$ State + 4 1/2 vs. Uconn
Hasheem Thebeet will be a factor in this game whether you State fans want to admit it or not. His presence alone will play much more into this game than the 50,000 + State fans who will be packing Ford field with there green and white seat cushions and matching fanny packs. But State's defense and coaching, like it always does, will keep them in the game and could possibly catapult them into the title game where they will get waxed by North Carolina... AGAIN. Play Izzo's team in a tight one.
NBA...
$$$$ Bucks -7 vs. Grizzlies
The Bucks are a good team at home (or at New Jersey) and they're playing a Grizzlies club who's good nowhere. The Bucks have picked up there play of late and should be able to produce a butt kicking against the Grizz. Take the Bucks to walk all over Memphis.
Friday, April 3, 2009
back to the big leagues
2-1 on $$$$$ picks after Penn State dominates Baylor in the second half. Today it's back to the NBA.
$$$$ Bobcats - 4 1/2 vs. Miami
I've recently learned that while the Bobcats have a losing record, they are the 3rd best team when it comes to covering the spread. They beat the Lakers at home two nights and followed that up with a tough double overtime loss in Boston. They are 4-1 ATS in their last five and they have to keep winning to have a shot at the playoffs. I know how good Dwayne Wade is, but the Bobcats are playing too good for him to be a factor tonight. Take the Bobcats in a double digit victory.
$$$ Spurs - 4 1/2 @ Indiana
You'd think that the Spurs would be dominating teams with 6th man Manu Ginobli available, but they've struggled of late since his return. Tonight they don't need to play well against a bad Pacers team to cover, but they will. Take the Spurs in a route.
$$$ Lakers - 5 1/2 vs Houston
Houston is a solid ball club, but they can't match up with the Lakers, especially in L.A. They are 8-1 SU in their last 9 at home and will make it 9-1 after tonight's game. After a long road trip they finally get to relax on their home floor. Look for the Lakers to pull away late.
$$$$ Bobcats - 4 1/2 vs. Miami
I've recently learned that while the Bobcats have a losing record, they are the 3rd best team when it comes to covering the spread. They beat the Lakers at home two nights and followed that up with a tough double overtime loss in Boston. They are 4-1 ATS in their last five and they have to keep winning to have a shot at the playoffs. I know how good Dwayne Wade is, but the Bobcats are playing too good for him to be a factor tonight. Take the Bobcats in a double digit victory.
$$$ Spurs - 4 1/2 @ Indiana
You'd think that the Spurs would be dominating teams with 6th man Manu Ginobli available, but they've struggled of late since his return. Tonight they don't need to play well against a bad Pacers team to cover, but they will. Take the Spurs in a route.
$$$ Lakers - 5 1/2 vs Houston
Houston is a solid ball club, but they can't match up with the Lakers, especially in L.A. They are 8-1 SU in their last 9 at home and will make it 9-1 after tonight's game. After a long road trip they finally get to relax on their home floor. Look for the Lakers to pull away late.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Five Star Release
$$$$$ Penn State + 3 1/2 vs. Baylor
Notre Dame is very similar to Baylor in that they both shoot the three well and don't play any defense. Penn State dominated Notre Dame yesterday with DEFENSE and should be able to get by a Baylor team who hasn't met a good defensive team in over a month. Play Penn State to win outright.
Notre Dame is very similar to Baylor in that they both shoot the three well and don't play any defense. Penn State dominated Notre Dame yesterday with DEFENSE and should be able to get by a Baylor team who hasn't met a good defensive team in over a month. Play Penn State to win outright.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Quick Picks
$$$$ Bobcats + 8 1/2 @ Celtics
The Bobcats are in the playoff hunt and the Celtics are once again without Garnett. This should be a close one.
$$$ Pistons +1 @ New Jersey
The Pistons are finally healthy and did anyone see the Nets play the Bucks two nights ago?
The Bobcats are in the playoff hunt and the Celtics are once again without Garnett. This should be a close one.
$$$ Pistons +1 @ New Jersey
The Pistons are finally healthy and did anyone see the Nets play the Bucks two nights ago?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Syracuse
The answer to yesterday's question was the Syracuse/Oklahoma game. Good news is nobody got it wrong. Bad news is nobody guessed. Today I'm thinking about taking the day off, but I'll consult a few buddies of mine to get their take on today's games. If I like something I'll post it by 5 PM ET.
Oh and by the way, if you had money on the Nets last night you're an idiot. They lost by 29. Talk about swinging and missing.
Oh and by the way, if you had money on the Nets last night you're an idiot. They lost by 29. Talk about swinging and missing.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Question of the day
I have to admit, it was hard for me to watch basketball yesterday without having any money on the line. Sign of an addict? Absolutely. That's why I had to put money on the second half line of the North Carolina game. I took the Tarheels -2 which looked great until Oklahoma had a 9-0 run in 1:32 with under 5 to play. But in the end UNC got it done and won the second half by 3. It's never easy.
I often check out other sports books to see if they offer any "expert" advice on an upcoming game and one site I've found mildly appealing is thesportsadvisors.com. There are about 7 or 8 guys on here that do the same thing I do here on Trapline except they charge for their picks. They do however give away one free pick a day, usually on a game they like but don't have much confidence in. I'd say their free picks hit 60-40, which is better than flipping a coin. Anyway, the guy that runs the site is this genuine "bad ass" named Steve Budin. He's straight up gangster, as in the mafia gangster type. He's the type of guy that makes you wonder how many arms he's shattered and lives he's arranged to be taken. Regardless, Budin and his boys know what they're talking about and though I've never purchased their picks, it's not a bad investment for a clueless higher end gambler.
They're not perfect by any means though and nearly every guy on the site missed what Budin had as his Sweet 16 game of the year. This game according to Budin was a lock because a betting group (perhaps a fellow gang affiliate) who call themselves the "Cali Cartel," said it was a lock. Don't quote me on this, but Budin made it sound like the Cartel only release or bet on 15-20 games a year, games they are 100% in love with. Budin was 3-0 with his SPECIAL CALI CARTEL releases ($50 for the single pick) until he completely swung and missed over the weekend. So my question to you handful of Trapliners is... what game did Budin have as a lock?
Whoever gets the question right will get more free picks from me tomorrow.
Today I like one game and one game only.
$$$$ Nets -3 vs. Bucks
Here we have two teams that have been playing like garbage of late. The Bucks are 0-5 straight up and against the spread in their last 5, and the Nets are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 and 1-4 SU in their last 5. Couple kickers here that make me like the nets: 1. The Nets were the human cover until Devin Harris was injured almost a month ago. Harris returned to the starting lineup last week and should be close 100 % by now and back in the rhythm of things. 2. The Nets are at home and the Bucks don't play inspired ball on the road. Not only are the Bucks 0-5 ATS (2 were home games) in their last 5 games, they are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games on the road. Look for Vince Carter and Devin Harris to go off as they shoot down the hobbling Bucks in a route.
I often check out other sports books to see if they offer any "expert" advice on an upcoming game and one site I've found mildly appealing is thesportsadvisors.com. There are about 7 or 8 guys on here that do the same thing I do here on Trapline except they charge for their picks. They do however give away one free pick a day, usually on a game they like but don't have much confidence in. I'd say their free picks hit 60-40, which is better than flipping a coin. Anyway, the guy that runs the site is this genuine "bad ass" named Steve Budin. He's straight up gangster, as in the mafia gangster type. He's the type of guy that makes you wonder how many arms he's shattered and lives he's arranged to be taken. Regardless, Budin and his boys know what they're talking about and though I've never purchased their picks, it's not a bad investment for a clueless higher end gambler.
They're not perfect by any means though and nearly every guy on the site missed what Budin had as his Sweet 16 game of the year. This game according to Budin was a lock because a betting group (perhaps a fellow gang affiliate) who call themselves the "Cali Cartel," said it was a lock. Don't quote me on this, but Budin made it sound like the Cartel only release or bet on 15-20 games a year, games they are 100% in love with. Budin was 3-0 with his SPECIAL CALI CARTEL releases ($50 for the single pick) until he completely swung and missed over the weekend. So my question to you handful of Trapliners is... what game did Budin have as a lock?
Whoever gets the question right will get more free picks from me tomorrow.
Today I like one game and one game only.
$$$$ Nets -3 vs. Bucks
Here we have two teams that have been playing like garbage of late. The Bucks are 0-5 straight up and against the spread in their last 5, and the Nets are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 and 1-4 SU in their last 5. Couple kickers here that make me like the nets: 1. The Nets were the human cover until Devin Harris was injured almost a month ago. Harris returned to the starting lineup last week and should be close 100 % by now and back in the rhythm of things. 2. The Nets are at home and the Bucks don't play inspired ball on the road. Not only are the Bucks 0-5 ATS (2 were home games) in their last 5 games, they are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games on the road. Look for Vince Carter and Devin Harris to go off as they shoot down the hobbling Bucks in a route.
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