Pick of the Day - May 19th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 28-18-1
Week: 2-3
Month: 11-7

New Jersey Devils (HOME) (-120) OVER New York Rangers (AWAY)

The Devils for the most part got outplayed throughout both games in New York even though the series is tied 1-1. I expect a different New Jersey squad to come out at home today. This is the biggest game in the history of the Prudential Center to date and I expect it will be a loud and obnoxious crowd to play in front of for the Rangers. Take the Devils to win.

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Taking a Look at Possible #1 Prospect Candidates for 2013

By: Justin Millar

zazzles.com

To be named the top prospect in baseball is quite a prestigious honor. If you are named one, you join the likes of Chipper Jones, Alex Rodgriuez, and Joe Mauer. Many, including myself, turn to well-known prospect mavens such as Keith Law, Baseball America, John Sickels, and Kevin Goldstein to get valuable information that helps to influence our decision. This past year, there wasn't a consensus on the top prospect, as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Matt Moore were all well-loved among the prospect community. But Trout, Harper, and Moore are all likely to exhaust their rookie eligibility in 2012, meaning they won't be included on any top prospect lists come 2013.  The race for the 2013 top prospect is wide open at the moment and includes a number of names. Here are a few players that could be honored with the title of being the top prospect in all of baseball come this time next year.


Taijuan Walker, RHP - Seattle Mariners


Walker is the type of athlete that scouts dream on. He has a top of the line fastball, and has the potential to be one of the best starters in the game. Most places listed him in the 15-30 range this year. Walker will play much of 2012 in Double-A and he is already playing fantastically. If he can continue to dominate and work on his secondary stuff, Walker should be an easy top 10 prospect in 2013, with a slight chance at getting top honors.


Bubba Starling, Outfield - Kansas City Royals


Starling, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback recruit, is another player with supreme athleticism. If he reaches his potential, then Starling is a 5 tool player capable of hitting .300 with 30 home runs and plus defense in centerfield. The problem is Starling is very raw, and it may take a while before the Royals really know what they have. The Royals are not likely to rush Starling, making him being the top prospect next year a long shot. But if Starling can go out and show he is making the proper improvements, he very well may rocket up most lists. He's a true boom or bust prospect.


Gerritt Cole, RHP - Pittsburgh Pirates


Cole wasn't as advanced as some of his other fellow draftees, but his insane pure stuff convinced the Pirates to take him with the number 1 overall choice. Given a full season, Cole could probably pitch his way to the top of any list, but the Pirates will likely follow the same plan with him as they did with Jameson Taillon last season. That could diminish his chances of moving quicker.


Manny Machado, Shortstop - Baltimore Orioles


At just 19, Machado has already reached Double-A. He is a big bodied shortstop that may have to move to third base, but the bat has the potential to be something special. If Machado can show enough prowess to stay at short, he is a potential MVP caliber player. A strong 2012 season at Double-A could vault Machado to best prospect in the game status.


Archie Bradley, RHP - Arizona Diamondbacks


Bradley is nowhere near as polished as his 2011 draft counterpart, Dylan Bundy, but he has the pure stuff to potentially be better than Bundy. He has a monster fastball that sits in the mid to upper 90's to go along with a plus-plus curveball. If he can properly develop a changeup, we could be looking at a future ace. Bradley has made great strides already so far this season. He has struck out 38 batters in 35 innings so far this season, but he is showing some control problems as he has walked 21. I'm not sure if Bradley could top a list in 2013, but barring any setbacks, he could be the best pitching prospect in baseball coming into 2014.


Jurickson Profar, Shortstop - Texas Rangers


I ranked Profar as the 4th best prospect entering the season, and now that Trout, Harper, and Moore have graduated, he may very well be the best prospect in baseball. Unlike Machado, Profar is a lock to stick at short. He is a potential game changer along the lines of Jose Reyes, but with better defense and less steals. Right now Profar appears to be the one of the if not the most likely candidate to top prospect lists come spring 2013.


Dylan Bundy, RHP - Baltimore Orioles


There is a very good chance that the top 2 prospects in all of baseball next year will belong to the Orioles organization. The legend that is Dylan Bundy has already begun wrecking havoc on the South Atlantic League, and could be moved up at any moment. In just 20 innings so far this season, he has struck out 33 and allowed just 4 baserunners. I'd put Bundy as the best pitching prospect in baseball right now, and he could potentially be the best prospect in baseball all positions accounted for. As high as it is, success at a higher level such as Double-A could truly raise his stock even further.


You can follow Justin Millar on twitter at @justinmillar1, or email him at Justinmillar1@gmail.com. Comment below to join the discussion.

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Pick of the Day - May 18th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 28-17-1
Week: 2-2
Month: 11-6

Boston Celtics (AWAY) (+2) OVER Philadelphia 76ers (HOME)

Game 1 and 2 were both decided by a single point. The Celtics in Game 3 then blew out the 76ers by 16. I think the Celtics are going to close out this series as quick as possible. I look for them to come out strong again tonight and dominate. Unlike the Heat, this team knows how to step up when the time comes in a playoff series. That's what makes the Celtics champions and the Heat a bunch of choke artist losers. The 76ers are too inexperienced and young to compete with Boston for the duration of the series. Take the Celtics.

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Saves: The Outdated Statistic

By: Zac Cordova

I played baseball growing up, all throughout high school, and eventually even college. Until my junior year, I was the speedy Center Field/Leadoff Hitter type. The first day of practice my junior year, my coach decided to turn me into a submarining closer, because we did not have a closer. I got pretty good at it, and enjoyed the nuiances associated with being a closer. The one thing I really enjoyed were the pressure packed 7^th (games are only 7 innings in high school) innings, and of course earning saves.

Now while saves are a good stat to measure how much a “closer” has been used, or how much winning the team is actually doing, it is pretty meaningless in determining the true success of a pitcher. I don’t think closers are completely useless, I just think they need to be transformed into something else, say a “stopper.” So traditionally, the closer would come in the 9^th, and only if their team has a lead of 3 runs or less. The closer can only pitch the 9^th, because the title of “closer” means that it is his right to earn the saves. So if say the Rays have a one run lead going into the top of the 8^th against the Rockies with Gonzalez, Tulo, and Cuddyer due up. The normal way of approaching this would be to give the set up man Jake McGee, who by title is an inferior pitcher, the tougher task of facing the heart of the lineup. I believe the best move from a strategy standpoint, is to have the closer, Fernando Rodney, the 8^th inning against better hitters, while giving the easier 9^th to Jake McGee.

NYPOST

I truly believe the only reason managers are not doing this already is for two reasons. First, it makes measuring the pitchers effectiveness much tougher because of different levels of competition for the pitchers. Is a 4.00 ERA out of Rodney facing all of the toughest parts of each teams lineups really worse then a 3.00 ERA out of Jake McGee facing the easier parts? Eventually, there will be an analysis to tell these things, but until then it is a major cog in the process of closer evolution. The second reason is the psychological health of the “closer.” The new way of using closers requires a sacrifice in statistics such as saves and potentially ERA. This requires a very strong minded pitcher and manager to help control the mental health of a closer sacrificing stats to help the team win ballgames. I used the Rays as an example because I believe Joe Maddon is the best manager in baseball, and if anyone can pull off this advanced statistical advantage, its Maddon. The closest this situation has come to fruition in recent years is the 09 Braves, who had right handed Rafael Soriano and left handed Mike Gonzalez as dual closers based on the better matchup. If facing the Phillies, Gonzalez would pitch whichever inning was more likely to feature Howard and Utley, attempting to make good on the lefty/lefty matchups.

This change in the way closers are used is due for a change, and it will come sooner than later.


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Pick of the Day - May 17th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 27-16-1
Week: 1-1
Month: 10-5

Los Angeles Kings (HOME) (-200) OVER Phoenix Coyotes (AWAY)

A lock is a lock. If you read all of my picks, I keep saying over and over continue riding the Kings until they give us a reason not to. They haven't even given the slightest of reasons yet. We are witnessing one of the greatest runs in not just hockey playoff history but possibly all of professional sports. Despite the odds, do what you have to do to make money on this game. Take the Kings to win.

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The Texas Rangers Are For Real

By: Patrick Despain

The 2012 Texas Rangers have proven through April and half of May that they are the team to beat. Not just in the American League, but in all of baseball. They have one of the best records, the best player in Josh Hamilton, and arguably the best front office in baseball.

Texasproud.com

The Rangers have demolished their schedule, to a point. They have beat up on everyone except for the Blue Jays, but that was without Josh Hamilton. They pitch with effectiveness, both in the rotation and the best bullpen in MLB. They have Yu Darvish (5-1 2.84 ERA), Neftali Feliz (2-1 3.38 ERA), and those two are supposed to be the question marks of the staff. Also, the Ranger bullpen is simply ridiculous. The Texas bullpen has given up 13 earned runs in 76 2/3 innings. That is remarkable. On the contrary the Angels bullpen has given up, 34 earned runs in 66 1/3. 

Josh Hamilton is an absolute beast. Matt Kemp can have commercials about "Beast Mode", Justin Verlander can pump a video game, and the East Coast Media can talk about Rivera's injury or whatever they want. The story in all of baseball, is Josh Hamilton. Done. No argument, no rebuttle. There is not a story bigger than what "Hambone" is doing for the Texas franchise right now. As long as #32 patrols the outfield in Texas, they will always be a threat. If you have an argument let me settle this with on simple table: (keep in mind this is game #34 for Texas)

Hamilton AVG HR RBI OBP SLG OPS

.407 17 40 .463 .873 1.336

That brings me to my final; point. Jon Daniels, the GM of the Rangers, could make a billion dollars as a poker player. He may get called, and beaten on certain hands, but he'll never show his cards until it matters. He is smart, cold and calculating. And JD (as they call him in Texas) never gets out played on a large scale. You may beat him on smaller hands of poker, but at the end of the night, he is taking your money. What Daniels has brought to that team is his ability to surround himself with quality scouts, but people who he trusts 100%. That is rarely the case in MLB.

The Texas Rangers will contend again…the question is….will anyone challenge them?

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It Should Have Been LeBron's 5th MVP

By: Nick Bartlett


Well-Deserved

Sneakerfiles.com

Congratulations to LeBron James on his 3rd MVP in 4 years. Why it’s not his 5th straight MVP is still ridiculous to me (yes he should have won it in 07-08 over Kobe as well as last year). I don’t care who he plays for or what kind of shenanigans he pulls in the off-season, no one plays a more efficient game than him. And really, no one is even all that close. He has been the best regular season player year in and year out for the past 5 years. Yes, let’s put the emphasis on “regular season”, but isn’t that the basis for the MVP vote anyways?


Why not last year?


I think it will forever haunt me that the voters in 2011 honestly thought that Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard were more valuable than LeBron. Or did they? I think we all know that regardless of how he played or what kind of numbers he put up, he “eliminated” himself from contention because he decided to take his talents to South Beach. Whatever the circumstance, whoever voted for Derrick Rose or Dwight Howard over LeBron should be ashamed of themselves. He still led his 2nd place in the Eastern Conference Miami Heat in virtually every statistical category. How does that eliminate him from anything?


D-Rose: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 APG, 4.1 RPG, 44.5% FG, 23.34 PER


LeBron: 26.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, 7.5 RPG, 51.0% FG, 27.34 PER


Wait, D-Rose won over LeBron in 2010-2011? What? Believe it or not, he was a full 4 points better than D-Rose in Player Efficiency Rating. Yeah, I don’t understand it either.


2007-2008? That’s a Long Time Ago.


Even though it seems like ages ago, take a look at the stats from 2007-2008 and try to tell me LeBron shouldn’t have won over Kobe:


Kobe: 28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 45.9% FG 1.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG 24.09 PER


Lebron: 30.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 48.4% FG, 1.8 SPG 1.1 BPG 29.15 PER


Yup, better than Kobe in every statistical category in 07-08. The most glaring though is the Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Over 5 points more than Kobe?! Wow. Maybe it was five years ago, but I want a recount.


Stats Always Back Him Up


Since the 07-08 season (5 seasons in a row), LeBron has been the most efficient player every year according to John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER). I realize that this shouldn’t necessarily be the only metric to consider when looking at the MVP, but it’s basically backing up the fact that he’s putting up ridiculous numbers while be extremely efficient at the same time. Sounds like MVP type of material to me…


If you take a look at almost every advanced metric it will back up LeBron’s case. He consistently leads the league in plus-minus and estimated wins added. I just find it funny that voters decided to overlook these measures in 07-08 and, of course, last year.


How Many Can He Win?


I honestly don’t see why LeBron can’t win 8+ MVPs in his career. He is just 27 years old with 3 MVPs already. He is clearly the most dominant player in the NBA right now and has at least 5 more years in his prime. If he continues to play at this level for those next five years, he will certainly reach Kareem’s record of 6 and even look to surpass beyond that.


It’ll be fun to see him and Kevin Durant battle for MVP in the coming years. Durant is a lethal scorer, but isn’t quite the complete player or facilitator that LeBron is. We’ll see how he continues to develop. Other than KD35, I don’t see any other clear threats for MVP in the coming seasons. Watch out for Kevin Love, though. Derrick Rose and Chris Paul certainly have a chance as well. But no one is on LeBron’s level right now. I don’t see how that’s changing any time soon.


It Should be a No-Brainer


Going on national television to announce your free agency decision shouldn’t eliminate anyone from the MVP consideration. Being hated nationwide for teaming up with two other All-Stars definitely shouldn’t impact the MVP race. Call me or any LeBron lover biased, but at least we have numbers to point to. How can you argue against that?


Feel free to try and tell me why I’m wrong!


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Pick of the Day - May 16th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 27-16-1
Week: 1-1
Month: 10-5

New York Rangers (HOME) vs. New Jersey Devils (AWAY) - TOTAL UNDER 4.5

The Devils and Rangers have now played 4 times this season at Madison Square Garden. The total scores have been 1, 2, 7, and 3 in Game 1. The Devils appear unable to solve King Henrik at the moment. They looked extremely frustrated in Game 1. Even if they manage to win tonight, I expect it will be a score of 2-1. I do not envision the Devils putting up any more than 2 goals. They played a weak Panthers team and the Flyers had no goaltending which made them appear to be a more offensive team than they truly are. Take the Under.

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UFC on Fuel TV 3 See Poirier "The Zombie Killer"

By: Dale Leavitt

This free event is to be held at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia on May 15, 2012 at 7pm. Below you will find the fight card, and breakdown of each fight, with my predictions. I will be on Twitter tonight randomly discussing the fights. Be sure to follow @DaleFtLaud33

Main Card Headliner Chan Sung Jung vs  Dustin Poirier (Winner Poirier)


Jung 12-3 "The Korean Zombie" is 2-0 in his UFC career coming off wins over Leonard Garcia (Submission Twister) and Mark Hominick (KO Punches). With the way both of these fights ended Jung has catapulted up in the rankings of the Featherweight division. Jung is a very good well rounded fighter but will be overmatched in this contest.


Poirier 12 -1 has won his last five fights, headlined by a decision over Josh Grispi at UFC 125. He is a heavy hitter and has a very strong ground game. I expect Dustin will control this fight on the ground and standing up.


Both of these fighters are highly skilled and with the winner of this contest most likely getting a title shot against Jose Aldo, expect a high energy and exciting headliner.


I pick Dustin Poirier to overpower Jung on the ground submitting him in rd 3 




Main Card Lightweight  Donald Cerrone vs  Jeremy Stephens (Winner Cerrone)


This is an interesting match-up that the UFC has put together. Both fighters are well rounded but Cerrone likes to submit his opponents and Stephens likes to knock his opponents lights out. Stephens is a veteran with many fights 20-7 record with 3 of his losses coming via submission (armbar). 


Cerrone is 17-4 only losing to Nate Diaz, Jamie Varner and Benson Henderson twice. Will Cowboy be able to rebound off of the Nate Diaz loss? The only way I see him losing this fight is via KO.


I am picking Cerrone to win via submission in the 2nd round.


Main Card Bantamweight  Yves Jabouin vs  Jeff Hougland   (Winner Hougland)


This is a hard fight for me to predict. Jabouin is 17-7 with 11 KO's but he has not KO'ed anyone since 2008. His last two fights were won via split decision against Ian Loveland and Walel Watson.


Hougland 10-4 has a 9 fight win streak going with most coming via submission choke or armbar. His 4 losses came in a row back in 2002-2003. It seems Hougland has been reborn and is looking to climb the bantamweight ladder.


I am picking Hougland to win via submission (rear naked choke) possibly in the 1st round.




Main Card Welterweight  Amir Sadollah vs  Jorge Lopez (Winner Sadollah)


Amir 5-3 the season 7 TUF winner is coming back from an injury that has had him sidelined for 9 months. Amir is trying to keep from losing 2 fights in a row for the first time in his young career. 


Jorge 11-2 is also coming off of a loss to Justin Edwards. He will be trying to make a name for himself with his first UFC win tonight.


I am picking Amir Sadollah to be able to avoid getting KO'ed by Lopez and to come out with a split decision victory.




Main Card Middleweight  Jason MacDonald vs  Tom Lawlor (Winner Macdonald)


Macdonald 25-15 is a veteran fighter that has faced many noteworthy challengers. Coming off of a loss to Alan Belcher, at age 36 Jason looks to rebound and keep fighting for a job. He is 5-5 in his last 10 fights. Of his 25 wins 19 are via submission and only 3 are via KO. He has not fought in 8 months but will do his best to get Lawlor on the ground, he also has a big reach advantage and that might offset Lawlors good stand-up.


Lawlor 7-4 has lost 3 out of his last 4 fights with the only win coming over Patrick Kote at UFC 121. I believe Lawlor will try to keep this fight standing up and make use of his heavy hands and good boxing skills.


I originally had Lawlor winning this one via KO, but, I have changed my mind, going with Macdonald via submission choke rd 3




Main Card Light Heavyweight  Igor Pokrajac vs  Fabio Maldonado (Winner Pokrajac)


Maldonado 18-4 is a viscious striker standing up. With 12 of his wins via KO he hopes he can keep this fight off of the mat. He has not fought in a year (due to a rib injury) since his loss to Kyle Kingsbury at TUF 13 Finale.


Pokrajac 24-8 is a well rounded fighter tallying 13 KO's and 8 submission wins. I expect him to be able to control most of this fight on the ground or standing. I don't think he can KO Maldonado but I do expect him to win.


I am picking Igor Pokrajac to win in the 2nd rd via referee stoppage (punches).
    


The preliminary cards are as follows




Preliminary Bantamweight  Alex Soto vs  Francisco Rivera    


Preliminary Bantamweight  Jeff Curran vs  Johnny Eduardo    


Preliminary Lightweight  Rafael dos Anjos vs  Kamal Shalorus    


Preliminary Lightweight  TJ Grant vs  Carlo Prater    


Preliminary Middleweight  Brad Tavares vs  Dongi Yang    


Preliminary Lightweight  Cody McKenzie vs  Marcus LeVesseur   




If you like this article please share and you can follow me on Twitter @DaleFtLaud33 be sure to hit the Google +1 button


I would also like to hear comments on if you think I am wrong or right. Just hit the comments link below!!!


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FANTASY BASEBALL-Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: Pitchers

Fantasy Furnace is a contributing writer to Daily Shootout. Follow them on Twitter @FantasyFurnace If you like this, please stop by and let them know! 


Entering week 7, we can’t help but witness the injuries beginning to mount among starters like Danny Duffy, Cory Luebke, Daniel Hudson and relievers such as Sergio Santos, Houston Street and Carlos Marmol to name a few. We put together five pitchers who are available in around 60% + of leagues who you might consider grabbing. You’ll notice that the four the starters that we’re recommending are on fair to awful teams but between them they have 16 wins and 133 K’s!! Our recommended reliever is our sleeper of the week!


1. Jason Vargas-SP-Mariners- This 29 year old southpaw and former 2nd round pick of the Marlins, is 3-1 in his last four starts on a team that has a hard time scoring runs. He has collected 38 K’s in 50 innings pitched and has a 2.79 ERA to go along with a 0.97 WHIP. He’s beaten the Indians and Detroit, twice, over his last four outings and had amassed six quality starts through his eight games this season. Vargas currently is ranked 50th among all pitchers in Yahoo! leagues. Owned in 41% of leagues he should be picked up in deeper leagues of 12 or more.


2. James McDonald-SP-Pirates- McDonald is someone to consider just taking a flier on at the moment. Last year, his first season starting more than 11 games, he struck out 142 and walked 78. Although his control is serviceable, he needs to cut down on giving up the long ball. (he gave up 24 dingers last season). He seems to have made some strides this year as he’s only given up 2 HR in 44 innings which equates to approximately 8-9 over the course of a full season. We like that he has fanned 39 in those 44 innings and has his lowest ERA 2.43 of his career. Being on Pittsburgh he won’t get you many wins (he currently has 2) but he’s worth a look if you’re in need of K’s. McDonald will face the Nationals on Wednesday who he beat last year and the Mets, (he beat them both times he faced them last year), on the 21st. He is owned in just 24% of leagues.


3. R.A. Dickey-SP-Mets-The knuckleballer has had quality starts in every game he’s pitched this season except the one where he imploded vs the Braves in Atlanta on April 18th. Dickey boasts a 5-1 record and has 32 K’s. In his past two seasons with the Mets, he’s kept very respectable ERA’s of 2.84 and 3.28. This former 1st round pick of the Texas Rangers has 32 strike outs in 44 innings and should be owned in deeper leagues, perhaps even leagues of 10+. Dickey has won 19 games on a pretty underachieving Mets team the last two seasons and we think he’s worth a look now, especially while the team is doing so well.

Mets SP R.A. Dickey looks ugly & mean when he releases the ball, but it’s not looks you need when competing in fantasy leagues. At 5-1, he should be owned in more leagues. Photo: (Gash/AP )

4. Scott Diamond-SP-Twins- This lefty 25 year old has started only seven major league games prior to the two this season and he’s won both of them. Diamond had thrown 14 scoreless innings in both starts and has a 10:1 K:BB ratio. He has beaten the Blue Jays and the Angels and will face the Brewers on Friday. Given his small sampling last year in those seven games where he struck out 19 but walked 17, plus his poor minor league records, we’re not sure how much longer Diamond will continue to ‘outperform’, so in the meantime, take a flier on him, see how he fares vs Milwaukee later this week and if you’re in deeper leagues, give him some consideration. He is, of course, widely available in over 65% of leagues so there’s no rush. Just your basic low risk, high reward type of pitcher.


5. Dale Thayer-RP-Padres- Andrew Cashner who had the closer spot on the Padres, has been consistently ineffective with 14K’s and 14 BB. He has a lofty ERA of 3.45 and a bloated WHIP of 1.66. He has since yielded the closing duties to Thayer, who becomes a ‘sleeper of the week’ as he’s probably the best kept secret of all relievers in MLB. He has already converted all three save opportunities and in seven relief appearances has 7 K’s while allowing no walks. His ERA is 0.00 and his WHIP is 0.71. If your team is in need of saves, there is no reason why Thayer should not be owned in all leagues. As he is only owned in 28% of leagues, you should not hesitate to grab him before other managers begin to take notice…

Our ‘Sleeper of the Week’ RP Dale Thayer is now getting the save opportunities in San Diego. Photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images

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Pick of the Day - May 15th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 26-16-1
Week: 0-1
Month: 9-5

Los Angeles Kings (AWAY) (-135) OVER Phoenix Coyotes (HOME)

Tough one last night. Been a while since we bombed on a hockey pick like that. Bounce back winner tonight with the Kings. They continue to play at a different level than their competition. Los Angeles wins.

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The Hot Streak: May 14th, 2012

BRP’s Picks – May 14^th , 2012

YTD (28-23) -6.05 Units

***I’m tired of bullpens screwing me, the capping that I do is based mainly on starting pitching matchups, so due to that I am going to be playing first 5 inning lines from now on.  FF with the picks below stands for first 5, if you can’t get a bet on a first 5, my lean is obviously still the same way for the game.***

7:10 P.M. – Pittsburgh Pirates (Brad Lincoln) @ Miami Marlins (Anibal Sanchez)

The Miami Marlins come into this game winner of 8 of their last 10 games, and 8-6 at home so far this season.  The Pirates on the other hand come into this game just 6-10 on the road this season.  The Marlins have also taken 9 of the last 10 games in this matchup, and the Marlins are the much hotter team right now!

Anibal Sanchez has been great this year, and has parlayed last years’ success into becoming a legitimate ACE this season.  Sanchez’s 2.01 E.R.A. through his first 7 starts this year is one of the best in baseball, and his best 2 starts have been his last 2.  Sanchez has also yet to give up more than 2 earned runs in ANY start this season.  Sanchez has also been DOMINATE against the Pirates over the last 3 years as well, posting a 1.64 E.R.A. against his opponent today in that span.

The Pirates are throwing Brad Lincoln tonight as a spot starter against the Marlins.  Lincoln has a career 5.74 E.R.A. and 3-7 record in 17 career starts, and there is no reason to believe the Marlins hot bats shouldn’t feast on him tonight.

Marlins are HOT, Sanchez has been dominant, Pirates are throwing a spot starter, Roll Fish!!!

Marlins FF –½  at -125 (6.25 units to win 5)

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7:10 P.M. – Seattle Mariners (Jason Vargas) @ Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester)

SEA/BOS FF Un. 5 at -120 (2.4 to win 2)

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10:10 P.M. – Arizona Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw)

Dodgers FF –½  at -110 (2.2 units to win 2)

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8:10 P.M. – Detroit Tigers (Drew Smyly) @ Chicago White Sox (John Danks)

Tigers FF at -115 (2.3 units to win 2)

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7:05 P.M. – Chicago Cubs (Ryan Dempster) @ St. Louis Cardinals (Jake Westbrook)

STL/CHC FF Un. 4 at -110 (2.2 units to win 2)

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7:05 P.M. – San Diego Padres (Tim Stauffer) @ Washington Nationals (Ross Detwiler)

Nationals FF –½  at -110 (1.1 units to win 1)

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7:05 P.M. – Tampa Bay Rays (Jeff Niemann) @ Toronto Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow)

Blue Jays FF –½  at +100 (1 units to win 1)

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Pick of the Day - May 14th

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 26-15-1
Last Week: 5-2
Month: 9-4

New Jersey Devils (AWAY) (+110) OVER New York Rangers (HOME)

Apologies for the lack of analysis over the weekend. 18 years ago, as a 7 year old little boy growing up on the Jersey Shore, I watched the greatest hockey game I have ever seen. It was the game that made me fall in love with hockey, and would soon after lead me to fall in love with the Canucks. I watched the scummiest team in the history of sports beat my beloved Devils in Game 7 OT causing me to jump ship to any team that was playing the Rangers (Vancouver Canucks) in the Stanley Cup Finals. The only thing that has remained the same since then is the goalie in net for the Devils. 18 years later, Martin Brodeur still stands tall in net for Jersey.

As my one die-hard Rangers fan told me, the Devils have played weak competition so far. As he put it, the Panthers are barely a NHL team and the Flyers have no goaltending. While I do agree with him on both points, the Devils look to me to be a team on a mission. Maybe Brodeur isn't out for revenge against the Rangers for 1994, but perhaps he wants to prove just how relevant he still is (benched during the 2010 Olympics to Roberto Luongo). The Rangers have played 2 hard fought 7 game series. I expect them to come out drained tonight. To me, the Devils look like a team on a mission similar to the Kings. I expect them to win the series and get off to a good start tonight. The 5 day lay off won't affect the Devils mostly young skates. Take the Devils to win.

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Will the Los Angeles Kings advance to the Stanley Cup?

By: Chad Smith

The Los Angeles Kings will be taking on the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Finals. Yes that’s not a typo the Kings will be taking on the Coyotes in the conference finals. This is the first time these two teams will meet in the playoffs, and they both got to this point playing defensive styles of hockey and having great goaltending. The Kings won their first playoff series this season since 2001 and the Coyotes won their first playoff series in the history of their franchise. A few seasons ago the Coyotes filed for bankruptcy and were bought out by the league, but instead of focusing on that you can read more about that in this article. Both teams have brought two nontraditional hockey markets to the fore front of hockey this post season by their style of play. Maybe hock ey can be successful in places that never freeze.

Keys to the series:

Goaltending – Both Quick and Smith have been playing out of their skulls this post seasons. Quick is sporting a 1.55 goals against average with a .949 save percentage. Smith has a 1.77 goals against average and a .948 save percentage. Both these goalies have been unbeatable and these numbers should not change too much throughout this series. These teams are even in net so this is going to be a low scoring series and there could be a lot of overtime in this series.

Defense – Both teams have great defenseman that can stay back and play defensive hockey but also have the ability to join the rush and create offense. Drew Doughty has played great hockey for the Kings this postseason. He has a plus-7 rating and is logging more 25 minutes a game. The rest of the Kings defense has stepped up with Doughty and are playing great in front of Quick. They are winning battles in the defensive end and breaking up plays coming through the neutral zone making it tough for teams to create offense around quick. The Coyotes have a great young defenseman in Oliver Ekman-Larson who has played like a 10 year veteran even though he is only 20 years old. He is averaging over 26 minutes a game and has played mistake free hockey through these playoffs. The Coyotes defense has a whole has played mistake free hockey and have kept the odd man rushes on Smith to a minimum.

Offense – Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, and Jeff Carter have found their scoring touch this postseason. While these forwards were inconsistent during the regular season they have shown up in the post season and have been capitalizing on scoring chances. Every forward on the Kings who has played six or more games has a positive plus minus rating except for Dwight King. The Kings forwards have done a great job of getting on the back check and helping out inside the defensive zone. The Coyotes have had scoring from everyone throughout these playoffs. Thirteen of the fifteen forwards the Coyotes have dressed this postseason have a point while 10 have scored a goal. Similar to the Kings the forwards for the Coyotes have done a great job of getting back on defense.

Prediction:

After watching just about every game this postseason both these teams have impressed me. Each team is getting contributions from everyone on the roster. I am taking the Kings in 6 games. Every team the Kings have played has had to adjust to the Kings style of play. The Kings forced the 1 and 2 seeds in the West to play the Kings style of hockey. When teams set the tone they win games and the Kings have done that. The Kings are 8-1 this postseason and have dominated each series. While the game summaries may not show it the Kings have frustrated each of their opponents so far and I would look for that to continue this series as well. The Kings will become the first team in NHL history to beat the 1, 2, and 3 seed in consecutive order to advance to the Stanley Cup.


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Changing The Landscape of Baseball

By: Dan Jaillet

For many years, a common theme occurred throughout baseball. Big- market, ample money teams would destroy younger teams whose entire pay role could be the salary of a Yankee or Red Sox player. Throughout the 90’s the New York Yankees dominated the baseball landscape winning titles in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Smaller teams would get left by the wayside as the Yankees continued to put themselves in a position be to perennial contenders year after year.

The first small market victory  of this century  occurred in 2001 when the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees in seven games. It happened again in 2003 when the 101-61 Yankees lost to the 91-71 Florida Marlins again in six games. That was a landmark victory for Major League Baseball. It excited the fans and put true a previously untested notion that conglomerate teams were untouchable. The Marlins win evened the landscape of professional baseball as teams began to realize “Hey, if the Marlins could do it, we can too”. The Red Sox and Yankees did win the World Series a collective three more times ( 2004, 2007, 2009), but teams that were once laughing stocks of Major League Baseball began to contend again. For example in 2008, the Rays, a classic example of a small-market team battled with the Phillies in the World Series. Although the Phillies won the series in five games it was a moral victory for small market teams everywhere.

Fast forward to 2012 and  the Tampa Bay Rays are in second place while the Red Sox are dead last in their division. Meanwhile in the NL East, the Phillies who have Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee,  and Roy Halladay on their pitching staff are in last place. What about the Washington Nationals? They are in first place as phenom Bryce Harper and ace Stephen Strasburgh are coming into their own.

Why is this happening? Well I guess you could say it was supposed to happen this way. With the Rays and Nationals being bottom-feeders for so long, they were the beneficiaries of high draft picks. That is exactly how the draft is supposed to work and it is working perfectly. Draft elite young talent, suffer through more losing seasons while the talent continues to grow and then you will be built for success for years to come as the prospects reach their peak. So as the Red Sox continue to struggle and the Yankees grow older look for young teams like the Rays, Orioles and Nationals to rise. Move over, superpowers, there are new sheriffs in town. 


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Pick of the Day - May 13th (Mother's Day)

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Overall: 25-15-1
Week: 4-2
Month: 8-4

Los Angeles Kings (AWAY) (-110) OVER Phoenix Coyotes (HOME)

Happy Mother's Day

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Alert to Basketball Fans: Put the Spurs on Your NBA Radar

By: Scott Partington

For the past decade, the San Antonio Spurs franchise has been the definition of “under-the-radar”. In that timespan, the Spurs won 3 championships- that’s tied with the Lakers for most in the league. So why don’t casual sports fans ever mention San Antonio as the best NBA team of the past 10 years? PF Tim Duncan was the franchise cornerstone behind each of those 3 titles, winning 2 NBA Finals MVP awards, and making 8 regular season All-NBA teams during that span.  So why doesn’t his name come up when NBA fans and analysts debate the best player of the ‘00s? Coach Gregg Popovich (who’s coaching smarts have made me 100% convinced that “Pop” is a Jedi Master) has led the Spurs to every championship in franchise history, and is widely regarded by basketball analysts as the best coach in the NBA.  But, be honest, would you have known how to spell the man’s name more than two sentences ago? Despite continually flying under-the-radar, the San Antonio Spurs have time and time again found success. 

Sports Betting Journal

This season is no different. The Spurs are winning, but nobody is talking about it. Since the start of the season, all mainstream “Western Conference favorites” buzz has been focused towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies. Not fazed at all, the Spurs’ boasted a stellar 9-3 combined record against these so-called “favorites”. After the regular season was all said and done, the Spurs had secured the top playoff seed in the Western Conference. Yet, once the playoffs came around, the trendy picks for conference champion were still the Thunder, Lakers, Clippers, and Grizzlies. Why is the public letting this great San Antonio team fly under-the-radar once again?

Recently, critics like to point out that the Spurs’ core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker is getting too old, too slow, and thus too injury prone. Those same critics also say that the Spurs’ unconventional 10-man playoff rotation cannot work, and that the younger, more athletic teams will run the aging Spurs into the ground. The word around the sports world is that this year’s Spurs team will not succeed in the playoffs.

While somewhat justified, overall that criticism is just plain wrong.

Due to the lockout-shortened regular season, Master Popovich periodically gave games off to the veteran Duncan-Ginobili-Parker core. This wise move proved to be extremely successful. The entire trio was healthy and making major contributions in the Spurs 1^st round playoff sweep of the Utah Jazz. (Popovich received some heated criticism from fans for sitting his veteran stars, to which I reply, “What would you rather see: a meaningless Spurs win over the Rockets in February or a healthy trio of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker competing in the NBA Finals? The second choice? I thought so.”) Thanks to Popovich’s savvy coaching, the Duncan-Ginobili-Parker core is healthy and ready to compete for their 4^th championship of the decade.

Ok, the veteran Spurs are well rested and not injured, but they are still extremely old! Old people are slow and can’t score! Right?

Wrong!                   

PG Tony Parker could well be one of the fastest players in league history and is entering the playoffs on the heels of an incredible, All-NBA worthy regular season.  In a grueling, lockout-shortened season, Parker registered 18.3 PPG, 7.7 APG, and a near-career high of 22.0 PER (23.4 PER in 2008-09). Carrying the team on the nights Duncan and Ginobili were given limited minutes, Parker flourished. He quickly established himself as the Spurs’ go-to guy in the closing minutes of close games. According to 82games.com, Parker was at his best during these situations, scoring 36.7 points per 48 minutes of clutch time while connecting at a stellar 90% from the foul line. Parker continues to preform at an exceptional level of play during the playoffs, scoring 28 and 27 points in Games 1 and 2 (respectively) of San Antonio’s first round sweep of the Utah Jazz (Can somebody please explain to me what is “jazzy” about Utah? Utah and New Orleans should switch team names. But that’s a discussion for another day).

The other 2/3rds of the core are producing as well. Duncan registered a double-double in Games 1 and 2, Ginobili lead the Spurs in points for Game 4. The Spurs’ core may be aging, but Duncan, Ginobili, and especially Parker are not letting age get in the way of producing for their team and winning basketball games.

On the occasional nights when the Duncan-Ginobili-Parker trio is shaky, the Spurs have no reason to panic. Boasting the deepest bench in the league, the Spurs are loaded with role players who contribute night in and night out. Stephen Jackson brings elite defense along with a pinch of clinical insanity to the table. Tiago Splitter provides solid bench scoring and great length. Gary Neal is one of the best backup PGs in the entire league. Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard inject youthful energy into the lineup, plus both can score the ball. Need a huge 3 pointer? Matt Bonner and his “Jersey Shore tan-like” bright orange hair is your man. And if worse comes to worse, Boris Diaw can eat the other team. (I will never run out of Boris Diaw fat jokes! You hear me? Never!). With such an overload of solid players, it’s really no wonder why Popovich runs a 10-man rotation. (The deep roster and 10-man rotation also benefit Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker- more rest time means maximizing high-production court time for the veteran stars).

After handily sweeping the Utah Jazz in Round 1, San Antonio readily awaits the winner of the Clippers-Grizzlies series for Round 2. That series (and all series that proceed it) will prove to be a challenge for San Antonio. But don’t count on the Spurs’ playoff run coming to an end anytime soon. Being dubbed “underdogs” won’t intimidate this veteran team. Besides, isn’t being the underdog with home court advantage the ideal scenario for every playoff team? Flying under-the-radar does not bother this team at all. In fact, it’s right were they want to be. “Keep the off-court distractions to a minimum, keep winning basketball games” has been proven to be Duncan, Popovich, & Co.’s key to success. That franchise-wide motto has worked brilliantly in the past, and it will continue to work in the future. The San Antonio Spurs are primed for a deep playoff run. They may not make SportsCenter “highlight-reel” plays, but they know how to win basketball games.

Scott Partington is a contributor at DailyShootout.com. For more articles by Scott, check out his sports and pop culture blog at lifeandtimesofscott.wordpress.com. Follow him on twitter @LATOS14.

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