Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:37 AM

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (503) LA CLIPPERS@ (504) SAN ANTONIO | 04/26/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using the money line in Home games second half of the season
The record is 13 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+11.95 units)

NBA > (507) HOUSTON@ (508) DALLAS | 04/26/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play AGAINST DALLAS using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 19 Losses for the this season (-17.5 units)

NBA > (505) TORONTO@ (506) WASHINGTON | 04/26/2015 - 06:35 PM
Play ON WASHINGTON using the money line in All games in April games
The record is 17 Wins and 6 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.4 units)

NBA > (501) CLEVELAND@ (502) BOSTON | 04/26/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the money line in All games on Sunday games
The record is 2 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-11.2 units)

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (503) LA CLIPPERS@ (504) SAN ANTONIO | 04/26/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play ON SAN ANTONIO in the first half in Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 21 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+15.5 units)

NBA > (507) HOUSTON@ (508) DALLAS | 04/26/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play AGAINST HOUSTON in the first half in Road games vs. division opponents
The record is 0 Wins and 9 Losses for the this season (-9.9 units)

NBA > (501) CLEVELAND@ (502) BOSTON | 04/26/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play AGAINST CLEVELAND in the first half in Road games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 14 Wins and 34 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.4 units)

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (501) CLEVELAND@ (502) BOSTON | 04/26/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play UNDER BOSTON on the total in All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 26 Overs and 57 Unders for the this season (+28.4 units)

NBA > (503) LA CLIPPERS@ (504) SAN ANTONIO | 04/26/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the total in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 7 Overs and 22 Unders for the this season (+14.3 units)

NBA > (505) TORONTO@ (506) WASHINGTON | 04/26/2015 - 06:35 PM
Play OVER TORONTO on the total in Road games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 23 Overs and 7 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.3 units)

NBA TOP POWERLINES

NBA > (501) CLEVELAND @ (502) BOSTON | 04/26/2015 - 01:05 PM
Line: BOSTON 7 BTB PowerLine: BOSTON -1
Edge On: BOSTON (8)

NBA > (503) LA CLIPPERS @ (504) SAN ANTONIO | 04/26/2015 - 03:35 PM
Line: SAN ANTONIO -6 BTB PowerLine: SAN ANTONIO -10
Edge On: SAN ANTONIO (4)

NBA > (505) TORONTO @ (506) WASHINGTON | 04/26/2015 - 06:35 PM
Line: WASHINGTON -5.5 BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON -5
Edge On: WASHINGTON (0.5)

NBA > (507) HOUSTON @ (508) DALLAS | 04/26/2015 - 09:05 PM
Line: DALLAS 2.5 BTB PowerLine: DALLAS 3
Edge On: DALLAS (0.5)

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:40 AM

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

1:00 PM EDT
501 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -7 -7.5 -15 / -8 / -7.5 -7 -330
502 BOSTON CELTICS 203.5 203.5 202.5 +270
TV: ABC
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3:30 PM EDT
503 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 202 201 / 199.5 / 199.5o15 199.5 +200
504 SAN ANTONIO SPURS -6 -6 -15 / -6.5 / -6 -6 -05 -240
TV: ABC
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6:35 PM EDT
505 TORONTO RAPTORS 198 198 +195
506 WASHINGTON WIZARDS -6 -5.5 / -5.5 -05 / -5.5 -08 -5.5 -235
Time-change to 06:35pm EDT | TV: TNT, DTV: 245
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9:05 PM EDT
507 HOUSTON ROCKETS -3.5 -3 / -3 -05 / -2.5 -2.5 -05 -140
508 DALLAS MAVERICKS 220.5 220.5 +120
Time-change to 09:05pm EDT | DAL-F-Chandler Parsons-OUT | TV: TNT, DTV: 245
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**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:42 AM

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

1:10 PM EDT
901 WASHINGTON NATIONALS (L) Gonzalez, G 7o20 -102 -111 +1.5(-217)
902 MIAMI MARLINS (R) Haren, D -106 7o37 / 7.5u20 / 7.5u24 7.5u25 -1.5(+198)
TV: FS-Florida, MASN2, DTV: 641, 654
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1:10 PM EDT
903 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Arrieta, J -125 -125 / -115 -120
904 CINCINNATI REDS (R) Desclafani, A 8o20 8o20 7u20
Overnight Pitching Change: Cincinnati - A. DeSclafani for J. Marquis | TV: FS-Ohio, WGN, DTV: 307, 661
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1:35 PM EDT
905 ATLANTA BRAVES (R) Cahill, T 8.5u20 8.5u20 / 8.5u39 8 +1.5(-193)
906 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (R) Williams, J -118 -118 -1.5(+177)
TV: FS-South, DTV: 646
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2:10 PM EDT
907 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (R) Lynn, L -145 -145 / -148 -149 -1.5(+112)
908 MILWAUKEE BREWERS (R) Fiers, M 8u20 8u20 +1.5(-121)
MIL-CF-Carlos Gomez-OUT | TV: FS-Midwest, FS-Wisconsin, DTV: 669, 671
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4:10 PM EDT
909 PITTSBURGH PIRATES (L) Liriano, F -145 -145 -1.5(+120)
910 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (R) Hellickson, J 8 8 +1.5(-130)
TV: FS-Arizona, ROOT-Pittsburgh, DTV: 659, 686
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4:10 PM EDT
911 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (R) Lincecum, T 10o20 10o20 +1.5(-163)
912 COLORADO ROCKIES (L) Matzek, T -130 -130 -1.5(+150)
TV: CSN-Bay, ROOT-Rocky Mountain, DTV: 683, 696
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4:10 PM EDT
913 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (R) Baker, S
914 SAN DIEGO PADRES (R) Morrow, B
TV: FS-San Diego, DTV: 694
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1:05 PM EDT
915 CLEVELAND INDIANS (R) Carrasco, C -115 -115 / -114 -123 -1.5(+146)
916 DETROIT TIGERS (L) Lobstein, K 8o20 8o20 / 8o23 8.5u15 +1.5(-159)
TV: FS-Detroit, SportsTime Ohio, DTV: 662, 663
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1:10 PM EDT
917 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Buehrle, M 7.5u15 7.5u15 +1.5(-161)
918 TAMPA BAY RAYS (R) Archer, C -150 -150 -1.5(+148)
TOR-RF-Jose Bautista-? | TV: SunSports, DTV: 653
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1:35 PM EDT
919 BOSTON RED SOX (L) Miley, W -125 -125 -1.5(+139)
920 BALTIMORE ORIOLES (R) Norris, B 9u20 9u20 +1.5(-151)
TV: MASN, NESN, DTV: 628, 640
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2:10 PM EDT
921 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Volquez, E -130 -130 -1.5(+134)
922 CHICAGO WHITE SOX (L) Danks, J 8 8 +1.5(-145)
TV: CSN-Chicago, FS-Kansas City, DTV: 665, 672
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3:35 PM EDT
923 TEXAS RANGERS (R) Martinez, N 8 8 +1.5(-165)
924 LOS ANGELES ANGELS (L) Santiago, H -150 -150 -1.5(+152)
TEX-P-Yu Darvish-OUT | TV: FS-Southwest, FS-West, DTV: 676, 692
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4:05 PM EDT
925 HOUSTON ASTROS (R) Wojciechowski, A 8 8 8u15 +1.5(-157)
926 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (L) Pomeranz, D -160 -160 -1.5(+145)
TV: CSN-California, ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 674, 698
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4:10 PM EDT
927 MINNESOTA TWINS (R) Gibson, K 8 8 +1.5(-168)
928 SEATTLE MARINERS (L) Elias, R -160 -160 -158 -1.5(+155)
TV: FS-North, ROOT-Northwest, DTV: 668, 687
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8:05 PM EDT
929 NEW YORK METS (L) Niese, J 8u20 8u20 +1.5(-178)
930 NEW YORK YANKEES (R) Eovaldi, N -130 -130 -135 -1.5(+164)
TV: ESPN, DTV: 206
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**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:43 AM

Team Open Line Movements Current Puck Line Scores

3:05 PM EDT
9 NEW YORK RANGERS
10 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
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3:05 PM EDT
11 ST. LOUIS BLUES 5u25 5u25 +1.5(-255)
12 MINNESOTA WILD -140 -140 -1.5(+210)
TV: NBC
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6:05 PM EDT
13 MONTREAL CANADIENS 5u25 5u25 +1.5(-285)
14 OTTAWA SENATORS -125 -125 -1.5(+235)
TV: NBCS, DTV: 220
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3:00 PM EDT
15 ANAHEIM DUCKS
16 WINNIPEG JETS
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**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:45 AM

Preview: Clippers (56-26) at Spurs (55-27)

Date: April 26, 2015 3:30 PM EDT

The San Antonio Spurs have experienced their share of double-digit losses and poor shooting performances during their five playoffs runs that ended with an NBA title.

Their response to such an effort in Game 1 has the Spurs leading their first-round series, though they're expecting the Los Angeles Clippers to come out with something to prove Sunday after suffering a blowout defeat in Game 3.

San Antonio lost by at least 10 points a combined nine times during its championship runs in 1999, 2003, '05, '07 and last year, never letting a single loss - no matter how bad - derail its championship march.

Last Sunday, the Spurs shot 36.6 percent from the field and fell 107-92 to the Clippers. In typical fashion, they bounced back to win 111-107 in overtime behind 28 points and 11 rebounds from Tim Duncan before Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard scored a playoff career-high 32 in Friday's 100-73 rout.

San Antonio shot 52.6 percent while holding Los Angeles to 34.1 from the floor.

"We're not that good, and they're not what you saw (Friday) without a doubt," coach Gregg Popovich said. "We just had one heck of a night, and that's all it is is one night. You throw it out and start all over again, and they'll do the same thing."

The Clippers will have to do just that if they hope to even this series. The only time Los Angeles has rallied from a series deficit in team history was last year when it came back after losing Game 1 to Golden State.

Chris Paul shot just 3 of 11 and scored seven points after netting 32 in Game 1 and 21 in Game 2. Los Angeles scored its fewest points in a playoff game in franchise history, and the 11 it put up in the third marked its fewest in any quarter this season.

"We beat them Game 1, they beat us Game 2," Paul said. "They came out, did what we did in Game 1 against us here. Now we've got to show some resolve."

Clippers coach Doc Rivers believes Paul's tough night was a credit to Danny Green's defense. Paul averaged 24 points and shot 56 percent over his previous five against San Antonio, including the postseason.

Duncan also got the better of Blake Griffin, who had 14 points after averaging 27.7 and shooting 52 percent in his previous six against the Spurs, including this series.

"This game can't dictate how we play in Game 4," Griffin said. "We just gotta forget about it and move on. Games like this happen. Whether we lose by one or lose by two or whatever it is, it doesn't matter. It's a loss. We gotta move on and get the next one."

Los Angeles has had championship aspirations since Paul was acquired from New Orleans before the 2011-12 season, but it has yet to reach the Western Conference Finals.

The Clippers, who were swept by the Spurs in the second round in Paul's first season in Los Angeles, now are in danger of falling into a bigger hole despite San Antonio guard Tony Parker not playing at full strength.

Parker aggravated a right Achilles injury in Game 2 and scored just six points while shooting 3 of 11 on Friday. He said he was able to move better in Game 3 and hopes the tightness will subside even more by tipoff, when he's expecting the Clippers to come out with a chip on their shoulders.

Rivers will be looking for more out of J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford, who combined for 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting. They combined for 27 points in each of the first two games.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:47 AM

Home-ice overrated in Wild-Blues series

April 25, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) - NHL teams play all season for home-ice advantage. Only to give it away.

It hasn't meant much at all in the Wild-Blues first-round Western Conference series. The teams have traded victories the first five games, three of them coming on the road, sending overflow crowds home grumbling.

The so-called advantage has been iffy throughout the playoffs. The Rangers won twice on the road while eliminating the Penguins, whose lone win came on the road. Anaheim's first-round sweep of Winnipeg included two road wins, Calgary seized the advantage by winning the opener at Vancouver, and every other series featured at least one triumph by the invaders, including Ottawa's victory at Montreal to stay alive Friday night.

Wild-card Minnesota has a 3-2 series edge against St. Louis, the Central champions, and can advance to the second round for the second straight season with a victory on Sunday.

The Blues dominated the last time they were in the Twin Cities, chasing goalie Devan Dubnyk from the net in a 6-1 rout. Two days later, Dubnyk was the star with 36 saves in a 4-1 victory.

It's the only series with no games decided by a single goal.

''Well, I don't think I can explain the lopsided wins,'' Dubnyk said. ''I don't think either team would have expected that. I think both sides aren't surprised by the going back and forth.

''We knew it was going to be a long tough series and I'm sure they did too, and that's when it becomes important to put games behind you, win or lose.''

Blues forward Steve Ott believes the way to eliminate gaps in their game is to rigidly stick to the relentless, physical style that earned them 109 points and the second seed in the West.

''We have to get rid of the lulls. We have to continue to be very robotic at times or almost methodical,'' Ott said. ''When we're methodical, we're very hard to play against.''

A look at Sunday's games. All times EDT:

---

St. Louis at Minnesota. Wild lead 3-2. Game 6, 3 p.m., NBC, TVA, SN

Game 5 was the first time in the series the team that scored first did not win. Vladimir Tarasenko put St. Louis up early with his playoffs-leading sixth goal and the Blues were up 8-0 in shots before momentum abruptly shifted. Marco Scandella scored on a shot from the top of the left circle that goalie Jake Allen couldn't handle, the puck popping out of his glove and into the net.

The Blues outshot the Wild 12-3 in the first period but the score was tied and Minnesota gained momentum over time.

Dubnyk instilled more confidence when he twice stoned Alexander Steen in the second period, kicking his pad into the air to bat away one close chance.

''The fireworks were going off in the building,'' Wild coach Mike Yeo said. ''Obviously, when you're on the bench your heart kind of sinks. All of a sudden, you're going down the other way on the rush. It's a big lift for your group.''

The Wild were resilient, shaking off the 6-1 Game 4 rout at home, and now it's the Blues' turn.

''We've still got two games to play,'' St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. ''We're not going to hang our heads, we know we've got to play better. We'll take a hard look at ourselves and get ready for Game 6.''

Since 1986, the Blues have lost 11 of 12 best-of-seven series when tied at two games apiece, with the lone victory coming in the first round in 2001 against the Sharks. Game 7 would be Wednesday in St. Louis.

---

Montreal at Ottawa. Canadiens lead 3-2. Game 6, 6 p.m., CBC, NBCSN, TVA

The Senators stayed alive with a surprising 5-1 rout in Game 5, getting 45 saves from Craig Anderson and goals from five players. They're trying to become just the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-0.

Anderson was a key to the Senators' first-round upset of the Canadiens in 2013 and has been a difference-maker again since replacing Andrew Hammond for Game 3. He's given up just three goals on 123 shots in three starts, and was targeted a bit late in Game 4.

''There's certainly frustration on their part,'' Ottawa coach Dave Cameron said. ''A sure sign is when they're taking cheap shots at your goaltender. Extremely cheap.''

Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty put it simply: ''We're trying to make it hard on their goalie.''

Montreal needs more offense, totaling just three goals the last three games and going 1 for 19 on the power play in the series. Tom Gilbert had the lone goal in Game 4, and Carey Price made 20 saves.

''I don't think we have time to be frustrated,'' said P.K. Subban, who drew a 10-minute misconduct along with Ottawa's Eric Gryba for a lively wrestling match. ''We have to wipe the slate clean.''

Montreal is 27-0 in best-of-seven series in which they have led 3-1, according to STATS. Twenty-one series wins came in Game 5, five in Game 6 and one - against the Bruins in 2008 - came in a Game 7.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:49 AM

Isles beat Caps 3-1 to force Game 7

April 25, 2015

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - Nikolay Kulemin scored the go-ahead goal with 9:27 left and the New York Islanders beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 on Saturday to force Game 7 in the first-round playoff series.

Islanders captain John Tavares had a goal and assist, and Nick Leddy had two assists in what could still be the franchise's final game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Cal Clutterbuck then got the loud crowd on its feet to seal the win with an empty-net goal with 53 seconds remaining.

John Carlson scored for the Capitals, who will host the deciding game Monday night. The series winner advances to face the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers, who finished off the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games Friday night.

Jaroslav Halak made 38 saves - including 13 in the final period - and bounced back from a 5-1 loss in Game 5 on Thursday night.

Kulemin's goal came during a frantic stretch in which officials allowed the play to continue despite players from both teams tangling in front of their benches.

Tavares started the play by driving into the Capitals' zone and attempting to split two defenders. He failed to get a shot off and then was bowled over heavily in the left corner by Alex Ovechkin and Karl Alzner.

No one seemed to notice that the puck squirted to Leddy at the left boards. He then fed Kulemin, who was all alone in front. Kulemin went across the top of the crease and wrapped the puck inside the left post.

Capitals forward Jay Beagle missed on a golden opportunity to tie it with 5:33 left.

Halak stopped Troy Brouwer's initial shot, and the rebound dribbled into the slot. Beagle got to it and lifted a shot over Halak but bounced it off the crossbar. The puck landed in the crease, where Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk shoveled it under Halak to stop the play.

Tavares opened the scoring 7 minutes in. After Islanders forward Ryan Strome was checked off the puck by Brooks Orpik, Tavares followed up and drove the zone up the right wing. With Carlson backing in, Tavares took advantage by cutting into the middle a snapping a shot in.

The Islanders were called for three penalties in the opening period, and the third one cost them. Carlson tied it at 1 with 5 seconds left and Tavares in the box for slashing Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Brouwer started the play by getting a lengthy pass at the Islanders blue line, and driving to the net. Jaroslav Halak stopped Brouwer, and then shoveled the puck to his right, and directly to Ovechkin in the circle. Ovechkin fed a pass across to Carlson, who took a few steps in and snapped it through a crowd and in off Halak.

The Islanders have a 3-4 record in Game 7s. The Capitals are 3-9, and 2-7 when hosting a seventh game.

Unless the Islanders advance, the Game 6 victory will be their final game at the arena. The franchise that won consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980-93 and produced such stars as Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin and Billy Smith, is moving to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the start of next season.

The Islanders are leaving Long Island after 43 seasons.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday said the move was long overdue because the arena was outdated, and placed the blame on local politicians for failing to approve several proposed plans for a new arena.

One fan carried a sign that read: ''This Is Home, Not Brooklyn.''

After the second period, fans inside the arena booed a commercial pitching season tickets for next season.

The Islanders and the NHL stepped up security inside and outside the arena, including having officers patrolling the surrounding parking lots on horseback.

Capitals fans complained they had their cars - bearing District of Columbia and Virginia license plates - vandalized last weekend. And even Islanders fans can't get along. A fight between two fans wearing Islanders jerseys erupted in the stands a few moments before Nicklas Backstrom scored in overtime of a 2-1 win in Game 4.

Orpik had beer spilled on him while celebrating Backstrom's winner Tuesday.

Ovechkin made a joke to CSN Washington-TV that he might consider taking a chair home as a souvenir.

It was a very chippy game that even had both captains - Tavares and Ovechkin - get tangled up and exchange shoves at center on their way to their respective benches for a line change in the first period.

Ovechkin, who is well known for his willingness to throw checks, lined up Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck along the boards that sent both players flying in the second period.

NOTES: The Islanders were minus another defenseman after Calvin de Haan was hurt during the third period of Game 5. Matt Donovan made his playoff debut stepping in for Griffin Reinhart, who struggled on Thursday. Rookie Scott Mayfield, who spent all this season in the minors, took over for de Haan. ... The Isles also sat C Anders Lee, who was replaced by Colin McDonald. ... Carlson scored just the second power-play goal of the series - both by Washington. The teams entered the game having converted just one of 22 chances.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:52 AM

Sunday's NHL Playoffs betting cheat sheet

St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild (-135, 5)
Wild lead series 3-2

With home ice not presenting much of an advantage, the St. Louis Blues hope to continue that trend and stave off elimination when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round series. The Wild bounced back from a 6-1 drubbing at home in Game 4 with a 4-1 victory in St. Louis to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

"Game 6 is obviously going to be a great challenge," Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said. "I think we're very aware that home ice has not been a huge advantage in this series. That's going to be a great challenge." The Blues, champions of the Central Division, are trying to avoid their third consecutive first-round ouster after blowing 2-0 series leads in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. “This thing’s going to push you right to the brink multiple times,” St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said, “so it’s a good test for us to regroup here and bring this thing back to home ice in Game 7.” The teams have alternated wins and losses in the first five games, with the last four contests decided by at least three goals.

TRENDS:

*Blues are 13-6 in the last 19 meetings.
*Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win.
*Over is 4-1-2 in the last 7 meetings.
*Over is 5-1-2 in Wild last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.

Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators (-120, 5)
Canadiens lead series 3-2

Although the Ottawa Senators were lovin' "The Hamburglar" during the regular season, they seem to be pretty fond of Craig Anderson as well. Anderson, who has stopped 73 of the last 74 shots he faced to help the Senators twice stave off elimination, will need to be at his best on Sunday as the team hosts the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

"He has a history of being a real good goalie in crucial games in the playoffs," Ottawa coach Dave Cameron said of Anderson, who trimmed Montreal's series lead to 3-2 after making 45 saves in Ottawa's 5-1 triumph in Game 5 on Friday. "I don't know why anyone's surprised." The Senators have played well with their backs against the wall in 2014-15, posting a 23-4-4 season-ending run to qualify for the playoffs. Defenseman Tom Gilbert scored early in the third period of Game 5 for the Atlantic Division-champion Canadiens, ending Anderson's shutout streak at nearly 102 minutes.

TRENDS:

*Home team is 18-8 in the last 26 meetings.
*Canadiens are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
*Over is 8-3-2 in the last 13 meetings.
*Over is 7-3 in Senators last 10 home games.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:54 AM

Indians a hot Under play with Carrasco pitching

The Over/Under count as gone 1-13 in Carlos Carrasco's previous 14 starts for the Cleveland Indians making the AL Central club a hot Under wager when the Venezuelan gets the ball.

Those 14 games have seen Carrasco allow an average of only 1.2 runs per outing while registering 7.3 K's per game. Hell, teams can't even hit Carrasco, as he has only given up four hits per game during that span while only allowing more than four hits 21 percent of the time.

The Indians have already proven to be a solid under play as the team has posted a 5-10 O/U mark overall this season, but an even better 2-8 away from Cleveland. You can thank Cleveland's lack of offense this season, as the team has averaged a mere 3.80 runs per game, good for twenty-first in the majors.

Carrasco is slated to get the start when the Indians visit the Detroit Tigers Sunday.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:55 AM

Buehrle the Blue Jays luck charm versus Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays will send veteran Mark Buehrle to the mound to face the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday. The leftie has meant wins when the Jays and Rays meet, with Toronto winning six of Buehrle's past seven starts against Tampa.

Buehrle has only allowed 2.4 runs per outing in those seven games, while twice leaving a zero in the runs column.

The Rays are expected to start Chris Archer opposite Buehrle Sunday.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 01:57 AM

Under Popovich, Spurs are dynamite when leading 2-1

The San Antonio Spurs hammered the Los Angeles Clippers 100-73 in Game 3 of their first-round series Friday night, putting the reigning champions up 2-1 in the process.

Under head coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have won 84 percent of their best-of-seven playoff series (16-3) when leading 2-1.

Game 4 is set to get underway in the Lone Star State on Sunday. The line for the tilt is currently off the board.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 02:03 AM

Preview: Indians (6-9) at Tigers (11-6)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 26, 2015 1:08 PM EDT

Making the Cleveland Indians pay for pitching around Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez helped the Detroit Tigers snap their longest skid since August and even the series with their AL Central rivals.

Martinez could find himself in a similar position Sunday given how well Cabrera has handled Carlos Carrasco, who will try to reverse his fortune at Comerica Park - the only place he's struggled of late.

Cabrera entered Saturday 12 for 18 with two home runs against the Indians (6-10), who chose to walk the slugger four times - three intentional - in Saturday's 4-1 defeat.

Martinez followed up two of those free passes with singles and knocked in three runs as Detroit (12-6) went 4 for 12 with runners in scoring position to halt a four-game losing streak. Rajai Davis added two hits and scored three runs.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona must now decide whether to pitch to Cabrera on Sunday with the two-time AL MVP going 5 for 11 with a home run and double off Carrasco since the start of the 2013 season.

Cabrera is also batting .457 with 16 RBIs in 24 games against the Indians over the past two seasons.

"He's an unusual hitter,' Francona said.

Carrasco (2-1, 2.38 ERA), meanwhile, hopes to rediscover his groove after his last two starts ended in unfortunate fashion.

The right-hander left in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 6-2 road win over the Chicago White Sox because he was "tight" in the cold weather. In his previous outing April 14, he sustained a bruised jaw after getting hit in the face with a first-inning comebacker.

"He came in (Wednesday) morning and said he felt really good," Francona told MLB's official website. "I don't think that (trainer James Quinlan) thinks there's anything (wrong). Maybe I overreacted."

Carrasco has the league's lowest ERA (1.46) since Aug. 10 among those with at least five starts. However, the only time he allowed more than two runs during that stretch was when he gave up four over 6 1-3 innings in a 7-2 loss at Detroit on Sept. 12.

Carrasco is 1-5 with an 8.18 ERA in seven starts against the Tigers. He's also 0-3 with a 10.80 mark in three at Comerica.

Detroit's Kyle Lobstein (1-1, 3.27) will make his third start in place of the injured Justin Verlander after giving up one run and three hits while scattering four walks in Tuesday's 5-2 home loss to the New York Yankees.

"I'd like to throw more strikes than that, try to get deeper in the game," the left-hander said.

Lobstein allowed three runs and eight hits over five innings in Detroit's 8-5 win at Progressive Field on April 12. He's 1-0 with a 5.28 ERA in three starts versus Cleveland since last September.

Although they had some success in the first meeting against Lobstein, the lefty-heavy Indians are batting just .211 with two home runs in 209 at_bats versus left-handers this season.

Carlos Santana is 3 for 7 with a home run when facing Lobstein, while Michael Brantley is 2 for 5 with a homer. Brantley is 13 for 20 in his last five games at Comerica after going 4 for 4 with two doubles Saturday.

Detroit's Ian Kinsler went 2 for 4 on Saturday and is batting .411 over a 13-game hitting streak against the Indians.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1

Indians at Tigers
Fri, Apr 24 Final 13 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2

Indians at Tigers
Sat, Apr 25 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 3

Indians at Tigers
Sun, Apr 26 - 1:08PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 02:05 AM

Preview: Nationals (7-10) at Marlins (6-11)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: April 26, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

An offensive slump has the defending NL East champion Washington Nationals nearing their worst skid in 21 months, but they may not need much scoring with Gio Gonzalez facing the Miami Marlins.

The Miami-area native will try to end Washington's four-game slide Sunday by continuing his dominance of the Marlins, who look to extend their longest winning streak since last July.

Since hitting .333 with runners in scoring position and averaging 6.0 runs over a six-game stretch, the Nationals have batted .167 in those situations while scoring 2.0 per contest in their last five. They finished with seven hits and failed to deliver in three spots with runners in scoring position in Saturday's 8-0 defeat.

Danny Espinosa is hitting .182 after going 0 for 3, though Jayson Werth hopes to build on his first two-hit performance after he had batted .152 in his previous nine games back from shoulder surgery.

"We're going through a bad stretch right now that's for sure, but it's going to turn," Werth said. "It always does."

The Nationals (7-11) appear to be handing the ball to the right pitcher as they try to avoid dropping five straight for the first time since a six-game losing streak July 19-24, 2013.

Gonzalez (1-1, 3.45 ERA) has been masterful during a five-start win streak versus Miami, posting a 1.13 ERA with 26 strikeouts and nine walks 32 innings. He's 6-2 with a 1.67 mark in eight starts against the Marlins dating to his time with Oakland.

The left-hander, however, hasn't been as sharp in his first three starts this season. He worked around eight hits and four walks Tuesday against St. Louis, needing 107 pitches to complete six innings in a 2-1, 10-inning victory.

Since the start of the 2013 season, Gonzalez is 1-6 with a 4.35 ERA when he walks four or more and 21-13 with a 3.25 mark when he issues fewer.

Giancarlo Stanton has gone 2 for 10 off Gonzalez since the start of 2013, but he went 3 for 3 with his fifth home run Saturday as the Marlins (7-11) won their fourth in a row for the first time since a six-game run July 24-29.

Adeiny Hechavarria hit a three-run homer and is 9 for 16 with six RBIs over his last four games. Ichiro Suzuki has gone 7 for 19 while hitting safely in each of the past five games while filling in for injured left fielder Christian Yelich.

"The mood changes when you win," said manager Mike Redmond, whose club has bounced back from a 3-11 start. "When you're losing games, nobody is happy about losing. It's all about wins."

After allowing three runs and seven hits over 13 innings in his first two outings, Miami's Dan Haren (1-1, 3.32) gave up four runs and two homers with seven strikeouts in a 7-3 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The right-hander, who went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA for the Nationals in 2013, allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-2 road loss May 7 in his only start versus Washington last season, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Denard Span could be back in the lineup after getting Saturday off since he's 7 for 18 lifetime versus Haren. Werth has gone 5 for 10 with a home run and double all-time in the matchup.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1

Nationals at Marlins
Fri, Apr 24 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2

Nationals at Marlins
Sat, Apr 25 Final 0 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3

Nationals at Marlins
Sun, Apr 26 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 04-26-2015, 02:06 AM

Preview: Cubs (9-7) at Reds (8-9)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: April 26, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati Reds rookie Anthony DeSclafani hasn't allowed a run since his season debut, beginning a scoreless inning streak at Wrigley Field last week.

The Chicago Cubs' Jake Arrieta is also off to a solid start to the season, though his worst outing came opposite DeSclafani.

DeSclafani looks to continue his dominance in a rematch with Arrieta and the Cubs on Sunday at Great American Ball Park after Saturday's scheduled contest was postponed by rain.

Eight starts into his professional career, DeSclafani (2-0, 0.86 ERA) is one of the majors' leaders with a 0.62 WHIP and has allowed only two extra-base hits in 76 batters faced.

The right-hander threw eight shutout innings in Monday's 6-1 victory over Milwaukee, holding the Brewers to two hits and a walk to extend his scoreless innings streak to 15. He also yielded two hits while shutting down the Cubs for seven innings in a 3-2 win on April 14.

"In my mind, I haven't thrown any shutout innings," he told MLB's official website Monday. "It's just going to be the same approach. Just take it inning by inning and just try to put up zeros. That stat doesn't really cross my mind. I don't care about that. I just want to put up zeros. As long as the team wins, then I'm happy."

The Reds (8-9), who have won all three of his starts, fell to the Cubs 7-4 in 11 innings in Friday's opener.

Anthony Rizzo homered, doubled, singled and scored the go-ahead run on Jonathan Herrera's single as the Cubs (9-7) bounced back after losing back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Chicago now has a chance to complete a shortened six-game trip with four wins after Saturday's contest was its second this season to be postponed because of rain. The Cubs still have to make up an April 7 game against St. Louis.

The Reds, meanwhile, have had four of their eight home games affected by rain, with the delays totaling 8 hours, 36 minutes.

'It looked like we were going to get to play at 1:30, then at 2:30,' Reds manager Bryan Price said. 'We thought we were going to play at 4:35, but by the time we got out there and got the pitchers stretched out, it was still raining.

'We didn't have a desire to keep the players or the fans here for four hours.'

Rizzo is 10 for 19 during a five-game hitting streak and batting .379 with six home runs and nine walks in his last eight contests in Cincinnati. However, he is hitless in six career at_bats against DeSclafani.

The teams combined for 30 strikeouts Friday, and the Reds stranded eight runners and went 0 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

'We had opportunities to pull it out,' said Jay Bruce, who went 0 for 5 and left six men on. 'We just couldn't come through. The writing was on the wall.'

Bruce is 0 for 11 with seven strikeouts in the last three games and has struck out six times while going 2 for 11 against Arrieta (2-1, 1.74).

Arrieta has a 0.64 ERA in his two wins but gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings to take the loss against the Reds last week. Joey Votto, who is 0 for 7 in his last two contests after four straight two-hit games, was 2 for 3 against the righty.

Arrieta bounced back by allowing one run and four hits while striking out seven and walking none over seven innings in Monday's 5-2 victory at Pittsburgh, improving to 5-1 with a 1.29 ERA over his last seven starts. This stretch began immediately after he permitted six runs in four innings in his only start at Cincinnati on Aug. 28.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1

Cubs at Reds
Fri, Apr 24 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 2

Cubs at Reds
Sat, Apr 25 - 1:10PM EDT

GAME 3

Cubs at Reds
Sun, Apr 26 - 1:10PM EDT

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The Bum's Best Bets For Sunday April 26th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

The Bum's Best Bets For Sunday April 26th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

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