Thursday 4/25/19 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for Thursday's MLB, NHL & NBA games.
Mike Wynn
Free Play: MLB Philadelphia w/Nola -190
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Razor Sharp
CINCINNATI OVER the total of 9
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Totals4U
Boston Red Sox under 9 1/2
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Atlantic Sports
Bruin - 155
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#1 Sports
Thursday's Free Selection: Detroit Tigers + 175
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Platinum Plays
Free Pick: the Philadelphia Phillies w/Nola -190
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Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Thursday : Take DETROIT/BOSTON OVER the total of 9½
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Golden Dragon
Seattle Gonzalez -165
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Hawkeye Sports
St Louis Blues - 155
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play: Cincinnati Castillo -136
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Vegas Steam Line
LA ANGELS UNDER the total of 8
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Thursday: Seattle Mariners - 165
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Kenny Towers
FREE PLAY FOR THURSDAY - ST LOUIS/DALLAS OVER 5
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John Anthony Sports
Thursday's Free Selection: Boston Bruins - 155
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Hunter Price
Apr 25 '19, 12:35 PM in 4h
MLB | Diamondbacks vs Pirates
Play on: Diamondbacks +114 at GTBets
1* Free Pick on Diamondbacks +114
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Jimmy Boyd
Apr 25 '19, 6:40 PM in 10h
MLB | Braves vs Reds
Play on: Braves +128 at BetOnline
1* Free Pick on Braves +
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Marc Lawrence
Apr 25 '19, 12:35 PM in 4h
MLB | Diamondbacks vs Pirates
Play on: Diamondbacks +107 at Pinnacle
Play - Arizona Diamondbacks w/Greinke (Game 901).
Edges - Diamondbacks: Greinke 9-4 team-starts versus Pittsburgh; and 7-1 last eight team-starts during April … Pirates: Taillon 2-5 last seven team-starts during April … We recommend a 1* play on Arizona. Thank you and good luck as always.
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Will Rogers
Apr 25 '19, 7:08 PM in 10h
NHL | Blue Jackets vs Bruins
Play on: Bruins -149 at BetOnline
The set-up: Yes Columbus somehow managed to dispatch the Lightning in four games in Round 1 and it comes in rested compared to Boston, which needed seven games to advance past the Leafs. But I think the extra time off will in fact be detrimental to the Blue Jackets’ momentum. Columbus was one of the best down the stretch of the regular season and that momentum got carried over vs. the Lightning, but I think it finally comes out flat here. The Bruins come in off an exhausting series, but they’ve done well against Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, as he’s just 3-8 with a 3.90 GAA lifetime vs. Boston. The Bruins were 31-14 at home and were led by Tuukka Rask, who is 15-8 with a 2.32 GAA in Boston and who is 9-6 with a 2.67 GAA lifetime vs. Columbus.
The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Columbus is still only 18-38 in its last 56 as a road underdog in the +110 to +150 range, while Boston is 29-11 in its last 40 as a favorite in the -150 to -200 range. Consider the home side in Game 1.
1* FREE PLAY BRUINS
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Tim Michael
Apr 25 '19, 8:05 PM in 11h
NBA | Nuggets vs Spurs
Play on: Spurs -2½ -110 at 5dimes
T.M. Selection: San Antonio Spurs (1* FREE PLAY)
It’s a BIG game between the Nuggets and the Spurs in Game 6 in San Antonio. Both teams have looked great in this series and each has looked poor as well. With their backs against the wall though, I think the Spurs offer great value to extend this series to a decisive Game 7. The Spurs have been better at home all year than on the road and that matters here. So does the veteran leadership that San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich brings to the table. Denver has exceeded expectations this season, but it definitely struggled with consistency down the stretch. Note that the Nuggets are just 18-25 ATS on the road this year, while the Spurs are 14-5 ATS this season as a home favorite of six points or less. Buckle up boys, we’re heading to a Game 7!
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Mark Wilson
Apr 25 '19, 9:07 PM in 12h
MLB | Yankees vs Angels
Play on: Angels +110 at Pinnacle
Free Play on Angels +110
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Ricky Tran
Apr 25 '19, 9:38 PM in 13h
NHL | Stars vs Blues
Play on: Stars +136 at Pinnacle
Ricky's 1* Free Play on the Dallas Stars.
Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant.
- Stars’ net minder Ben Bishop. Note that only one other regular goaltender (the Islanders’ Robin Lehner) has a higher save percentage in the first round than Bishop’s .945. Bishop stopped 47 of 48 shots in his team’s 2-1 OT win over the favored Predators in his most recent and I think he offers great value to carry his team to another win in Game 1 vs. St. Louis.
The verdict: With the Flames, Predators and Jets all eliminated, it’s a free for all in the Western Conference. The Blues are riding a hot rookie goaltender (Jordan Binnington), but I’ll take his veteran counterpart in Game 1. Also note that the Stars have to be feeling pretty confident here after taking three of four from the Blues in the regular season. Great value, consider Dallas on Thursday night!
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Jack Jones
Apr 25 '19, 6:40 PM in 6h
MLB | Braves vs Reds
Play on: Reds -131 at pinnacle
Jack’s Free Pick Thursday: Cincinnati Reds -131
The Cincinnati Reds have a big edge on the mound tonight over the Atlanta Braves. They are also playing well coming in having won four of their last six. They are favored for good reason here today.
Luis Castillo is quickly becoming a star and the clear ace of this Cincinnati staff. He is 2-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 0.880 WHIP in five starts this season with 41 K’s in 30 2/3 innings.
Julio Teheran just continues to be mediocre at best year in and year out for the Braves. He is 2-2 with a 5.61 ERA and 1.636 WHIP In five starts this season, including 1-2 with an 8.59 ERA and 1.704 WHIP in three road starts.
Teheran has allowed 11 earned runs and 24 base runners in 11 innings in his last two starts against Cincinnati for a 9.00 ERA. The Reds are 11-4 in Castillo’s last 15 home starts. Teheran is overmatched here. Bet the Reds Thursday.
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Mark Franco
Apr 25 '19, 8:05 PM in 8h
NBA | Nuggets vs Spurs
Play on: Spurs -3 -105 at pinnacle
Spurs
The Denver Nuggets are in solid position to win a playoff series for the first time since 2009. Denver holds a 3-2 lead over San Antonio in the best-of-seven series as it visits the Spurs on Thursday for Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round matchup.
Second-seeded Denver won the past two games, including a Game 4 win that halted a 14-game losing streak in San Antonio, but is well aware eliminating the Spurs will be no easy task.
The Spurs have played solid at home all season and that will matter. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich will have his team totally ready tonight.
The Nuggets are 18-25 ATS on the road and the Spurs are 14-5 ATS this season as a home favorite of six points or less.
Nuggets are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games. Favorite is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings.
Back the Spurs at home to send this series to a game seven.
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Bobby Conn
Apr 25 '19, 8:10 PM in 8h
MLB | Indians vs Astros
Play on: Astros -140
Steve Janus
Apr 25 '19, 9:07 PM in 9h
MLB | Yankees vs Angels
Play on: Angels -102 at GTBets
1* Free Sharp Play on Angels -102
My money is on the Angels to put an end to the Yankees 6-game winning streak. New York just lost another guy to the IL in Clint Frazier, joining Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Giancarlo Stanton, Dellin Betances, Didi Gregorius, Luis Severino, Jordan Montgomery, Troy Tulowitzki and Miguel Andujar. The winning just can't continue at this clip with all these guys out. 4-game sweeps are tough to do and the Yankees are a mere 1-4 in Tanka's last 5 starts during Game 4 of a series. LA is also 4-1 in their last 5 after losing the first 3 games of a series. Bet the Angels -102!
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Brandon Lee
Apr 25 '19, 8:10 PM in 8h
MLB | Indians vs Astros
Play on: Astros -152 at betonline
10* FREE MLB PICK (Astros -152)
I'll take my chances here with Houston on the money line at home in Thursday's series opener against the Indians. Some might think the price is too much for the Astros with Cleveland sending out the red-hot Trevor Bauer against Gerrit Cole, who just gave up 9 runs on 9 hits in 4 1/3 innings at Texas in his last start. That was just a bad outing for Cole and I'm confident he bounces back. As good as Bauer is, this Houston offense is absolutely loaded and they come in having recorded 10 or more hits in 6 straight games. That's more than the Indianas (5) have for the entire season. Give me the Astros -152!
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Kenny Walker
Apr 25 '19, 8:10 PM in 8h
MLB | Indians vs Astros
Play on: Astros -140
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John Martin
Apr 25 '19, 10:10 PM in 10h
MLB | Rangers vs Mariners
Play on: Mariners -154 at pinnacle
1 Unit FREE PLAY on Seattle Mariners -154
I’ll lay the price with the Seattle Mariners at home tonight over the Texas Rangers, who are just 2-7 on the road this season. It’s all about Marco Gonzales, who is 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts for the Mariners, including 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three home starts. Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in five previous starts against the Rangers as well. He has pitched 11 shutout innings in his last two starts against Texas. Taylor Hearn will be making his major league debut for the Rangers tonight and it’s unlikely to go well for him. Give me the Mariners.
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Dwayne Connors
Comp play for this Thursday is going to be to look for the San Antonio Spurs to summon up a superior defensive effort on their home court tonight as their elimination game against the Denver Nuggets holds Under the total.
The Spurs scored a series-low 90 points on Tuesday night, as Game Five held Under the total in this series. That Under marked just the second time in the five games played that the teams held Under the total, but if San Antonio wishes to extend their season past tonight, they had better find a way to hold the Nuggets are the 100 point mark instead of the 110-plus points per game they average for the year.
I think they are capable of doing that, as all you need to do is take a look at the regular season series meetings to see that all 4 played at that time of the year did indeed hold Under the posted total.
I get the feeling that the fact Denver was able to snap a 14 game losing streak in their win at San Antonio on Saturday, and the fact that the have not won a postseason series in 10 years is going to leave Michael Malone's team just a little bit "tentative" in tonight's elimination game, as the Nuggets leave a few baskets too many on the hardwood and not through the net.
Spurs "D" it up tonight, as Game Six stays just Under the posted total.
3* DENVER-SAN ANTONIO UNDER
Bob Valentino
Comp play for Thursday is the Yankees to get the broom out in Anaheim before they head up the California coast for a weekend interleague series in San Francisco.
No doubt the Yanks are the most injured team in all of baseball, but that has not stopped them from reeling off a season-high 6 wins in a row. New York is also 8-1 their last 9 games to move to 14-10 now on the season. They will send their "ace" - at least as of this writing - Mashiro Tanaka to the hill to face the sliding Angels and Trevor Cahill.
Los Angeles has lost their last 3, and they have dropped 10 of their last 12 games overall. Not only that but against New York, the Halos have lost their last 6 series meetings against the Yanks at home, and have lost 8 of the last 9 overall meetings to the Pinstripers.
Tanaka owns a 2-1 mark for the year with a nice 2.76 ERA. He has also fared quite well in his efforts against the Angels, as he has worked 6 times against L.A., and is 3-0 with a small 1.59 ERA. His counterpart Trevor Cahill owns an over 10 career ERA against New York with just 1 win versus 4 losses, and a whopping 10 home runs surrendered! Not the kind of numbers that give one confidence that he can tame this Yankees attack - even if it is missing the likes of Judge, Stanton, Andujar and Hicks.
This Yankees team of unheralded names is believing in themselves, and are playing the full 9 innings - coming back from 5-0 down last night for the victory - so with their best hurler this young season on the hill, I will lay the small road juice with the Yankees to complete the sweep.
3* N.Y. YANKEES
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Chris Jordan
Welcome to your past Ben Bishop.
The former St. Louis Blue now gets to sit in net for the Dallas Stars, and face the best team in hockey since the calendar flip.
The Blues outdistanced Tampa Bay, surprising Carolina, Boston and the Islanders with 65 points, going 30-10-5 from Jan. 1 through the end of the regular season. In doing so, they outscored the competition 142-98.
And quite frankly, with as well as the Blues have played since being in last place in the Western Conference on Jan. 2, I don't think Bishop, who grew up a Blues fan before being drafted by them, knows what he is about to face.
Don't get me wrong, I know the Vezina candidate has been special during the playoffs, but I'm impressed with Ryan O’Reilly, who set career-highs in assists (49), points (77), and plus-minus (+22) - all of which led the Blues. He makes this team tick, and he gets things going.
O’Reilly became the first Blue to record at least 49 assists in a season since Paul Kariya (49) in 2007-08 and became the first Blue record at least 77 points in season since Pavol Demitra (93) in 2002-03.
He recorded 4 points in Round 1 versus Winnipeg, including his first career postseason power play goal (Game 5) and comes in with a three-game point streak.
Couple that with Vladimir Tarasenko, who since the start of the 2014 postseason, has 24 goals in the playoffs, which shares 5th in the NHL. His 24 career postseason goals are the 3rd most in franchise history.
Then there's rookie Jordan Binnington, who had a 2.63 goals against average and .908 save percentage in a six-game opening series win against Winnipeg.
Take St. Louis in Game 1, as it's time to make a statement.
1* BLUES
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Jack Brayman
My free winner for tonight is on the Boston Bruins over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After another thrilling seven-game series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, I'd have to say the momentum the Boston Bruins are bringing into the second round will help against the have-been idle Columbus Blue Jackets, who swept the Tampa Bay Lightning and have been off for nine days
Yes, Columbus has won 11 of its last 12 games dating back to the regular season. But its lone setback being a 6-2 decision against Boston on April 2.
And with too much time off, I wonder if the Jackets will be stale for this opener, while the Bruins will still be riding momentum from their Game 7 win.
The Bruins won't mind the quick turnaround since they're playing well. Unlike San Jose and Carolina, which needed overtime to advance past their Game 7s, Boston breezed past Toronto.
The key for me, from Tuesday, was watching Boston's fourth line take over in Game 7, with Sean Kuraly, Joakim Nordstrom and Noel Acciari totaling five points to set up the showdown with Columbus.
Look for Tuukka Rask, who captured Vezina Trophy honors in 2014, to step up between the pipes for Boston. He has a 9-4-2 record with a 2.67 GAA and .904 save percentage in his career against the Blue Jackets, and will be pumped for this series opener at home.
The Bruins now have home-ice advantage in this series and the remainder of the playoffs, and they know they need to protect that.
All Boston here.
2* BRUINS
Donny action
mlb los angeles angels ‑110
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Golden Lock Sports
MLB MIAMI MARLINS +180
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MaxActionSports
NHL COLORADO AVALANCHE +120
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Pure Lock
MLB HOUSTON ASTROS ‑150
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Tys Terrific Tips
NHL ST. LOUIS BLUES ‑155
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Mikey Sports
MLB PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ‑190
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Ace / V.I.P.
NBA SAN ANTONIO SPURS ‑3
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SportsPicks.Vegas
MLB ATLANTA BRAVES/CINCINNATI REDS u9
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Team Underground
NHL COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS/BOSTON BRUINS ‑115 u5.5
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R and R Totals
MLB NEW YORK YANKEES/LOS ANGELES ANGELS +105 o8
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Lasvegasmoneymachine
MLB NEW YORK YANKEES +100
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Monster Sports Picks
MLB NEW YORK YANKEES +100
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Top Shelf Sports Pick
MLB PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ‑200
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Valley Sports
MLB PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ‑200
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