Thursday 4/26/18 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for Wednesday’s NBA, MLB and NHL games.
Brad Wilton
Willing to give the Celtics and Bucks a "mulligan" for Tuesday night's Under played by the teams, as the Over has been the dominant of the two choices when these teams meet, and when the teams play in general.
Keep in mind that prior to Tuesday's anomaly the teams had played 6 in a row Over the total, and 7 of the previous 8 overall also landed Over the total.
You need some more convincing? Boston has played 8 of their last 9 overall Over the total, and each of their last 6 games following a straight up win have toppled the total. For Milwaukee, the Over is 11-1 following a straight up loss, and 8 of their last 9 played at the Bradley Center have also landed Over, along with 5 of the last 6 series meetings played in Wisconsin.
Marcus Smart is back in the Boston lineup and played almost 25 minutes the other night. I am sure he will only be sharper as the playoffs progress. So with a little depth in their lineup, and a chance to close things out tonight, going to look for the Celts to do their part offensively. As for the Bucks, this is now an elimination game, and teams in that spot tend to foul a little more if things are close at the end. Free throws mean points scored with no time coming off the clock.
Just too many Overs played of late for me to think Tuesday is going to be the new norm.
Celtics-Bucks Over.
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Jeff Benton
Your Thursday freebie is the Sharks over the Knights on the ice.
Time for a pair of Pacific Division foes to meet once again, as both the San Jose Sharks - Western Conference Finalists last season - and the Vegas Golden Knights - not even a team last season - get reacquainted after getting on-and-off the ice in quick 4-game sweeps in the opening round.
The Sharks dusted the Ducks in 4 games, and they put some offense up on the board with 16 goals scored (8 in one game), and only 4 allowed. The Knights 4 game sweep of the Kings saw Marc-Andre Fleury pitch a pair of shutouts and allow just 3 goals total. Vegas was not as offensive as San Jose, scoring just 7 times in their sweep, but it is clear their lock-down defense was the emphasis in the opening round.
Regular season meetings show Vegas claiming 3 of the 4 meetings, with 2 of the games going to overtime. San Jose was not able to win in Sin City, but both were one goal games, and one of them was one of the overtime affairs of the two played.
Evander Kane was a late addition to the Sharks attack, and he only played in 2 of the regular season series meetings, with the Sharks splitting the pair. He is certainly a dangerous asset to have in your lineup, and I see him playing a major role in how things get played out as this series unwinds.
Things have gone as well as you can expect in their inaugural season, but the skating gets tougher as the teams get eliminated, and tonight's value rests with the experienced visiting dog.
San Jose to steal Game One on Golden Knight ice.
2* SAN JOSE
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Jimmy Boyd
Apr 26 '18, 12:35 PM in 2h
MLB | ATL vs CIN
Play on: OVER 9 +105
Free pick on Braves OVER
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Mark Wilson
Apr 26 '18, 7:10 PM in 9h
NHL | Penguins vs Capitals
Play on: Capitals -111 at GTBets
Free Play on Capitals -111
Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Bosto w/Sale -180 Over Toronto
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Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, April 26, 2018
MLB (917) CHICAGO WHITE SOX VS (918) KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Take: UNDER
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Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take ARIZONA (Koch) over Philadelphia
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Totals4U
Thursday's Free Selection: Tampa Bay/Baltimore over 7 1/2
John Anthony Sports
Thursday's Free Selection: Vegas - 140
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Atlantic Sports
Thursday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Pittsburgh Penguins + 120
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#1 Sports
Thursday's Free Selection: Boston Red Sox - 185
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Easy Money Sports
Lee's Free Thursday Selection Is
Seattle/Cleveland OVER 7½ +105
Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Thursday: Take PITTSBURGH (Nova) -135 over Detroit
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play: Kansas City Junis -140
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Hawkeye Sports
Thursday's Free Pick: Vegas Golden Knights - 145
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Golden Dragon Sports
Free Pick Baltimore Bundy -132
Arthur Ralph Sports
FREE play: THURS Brewers w/Anderson + 145
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Platinum Plays
Free Pick the Boston/Toronto Game UNDER 8 Runs
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The Vegas Steam Line
Your free winner for Thursday: Take CHICAGO CUBS (Hendricks) -140 over Milwaukee
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Thursday: Milwaukee Brewers + 140
Kenny Towers
Un 5 SJ/LV - NHL
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Roz Wins
Roz's Thursday April 26, 2018, Free Pick
4/26 05:15 PM MLB (917) CHICAGO WHITE SOX (L GIOLITO - R) VS (918) KANSAS CITY ROYALS (J JUNIS - R)
Take : Royals
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Jeff Allen Sports
Thursday's Free Selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins
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Totals Guru
Apr 26 '18, 6:10 PM in 6h
MLB | SEA vs CLE
Play on: OVER 7½ +100
Free Total Annihilator On Mariners vs Indians over 7½ +100
Jack Jones
Apr 26 '18, 12:35 PM in 58m
MLB | Tigers vs Pirates
Play on: Tigers +130 at 5Dimes
Jack’s Free Pick Thursday: Detroit Tigers +130
The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting a little too much respect from oddsmakers this afternoon as big home favorites over the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates are just 2-7 in their last nine games overall and don’t deserve this type of respect.
Ivan Nova is 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA in five starts for the Pirates, including 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in his lone home start. Nova has never beaten the Tigers, going 0-4 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.851 WHIP in seven career starts against them.
Michael Fulmer has been the ace of the Tigers’ staff over the past two seasons. He is 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA in four starts this year. Fulmer gave up just one earned run in 8 innings for a 1.13 ERA in his lone career start against Pittsburgh, which came earlier this month on April 1st.
Fulmer is 8-1 (+7.9 units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last three seasons. The Tigers are 12-2 in Fulmer’s last 14 starts during Game 3 of a series. The Pirates are 0-7 in their last seven games vs. a right-handed starter. Bet the Tigers Thursday
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Ricky Tran
Apr 26 '18, 7:10 PM in 7h
NHL | Penguins vs Capitals
Play on: Capitals -120 at MyBookie
Ricky's Free play on the Washington Capitals -115:
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. In today's game there is no doubt that home ice is particularly significant. The Capitals are 91-38 in their last 129 home games, and it seems like a bargain getting the team with the better regular season record at close to a pickem in Game 1 on home ice. The absence of Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin will also hurt the Penguins.
Key Trends:
- The Capitals are 16-5 in their last 21 overall.
- The Capitals are 16-7 in their last 23 games playing on 2 days rest.
- The Capitals are 75-32 in their last 107 home games versus a team with a losing road record.
Verdict: Take Washington -115
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Larry Ness
Apr 26 '18, 8:15 PM in 8h
MLB | White Sox vs Royals
Play on: Royals -145 at BetPhoenix
My 1* Free Play is on the Kansas City Royals (8:15 EST).
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Dustin Hawkins
Apr 26 '18, 7:10 PM in 7h
NHL | Penguins vs Capitals
Play on: Capitals -111 at GTBets
Free Play on Capitals -111
Sal Michaels
Apr 26 '18, 10:10 PM in 10h
NHL | Sharks vs Golden Knights
Play on: UNDER 5 +100
Free Play on Sharks vs Golden Knights under 5 +100
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Dave Price
Apr 26 '18, 1:05 PM in 1h
MLB | Twins vs Yankees
Play on: Yankees -1½ -105 at 5Dimes
Dave’s Thursday Free Play:
1* on New York Yankees -1.5 (-105)
The Key: The New York Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 games overall with all 5 wins coming by 3 runs or more. They have outscored the opposition 43-10 during this 5-game winning streak. Look for them to win by multiple runs again today against the Minnesota Twins, who are 0-6 in their last 6 games overall with their last 5 losses all coming by 2 runs or more. Kyle Gibson is 1-4 with a huge 9.31 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 6 lifetime starts vs. New York. Jordan Montgomery is 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA in 4 starts this season. The Yankees are 18-3 at home after allowing 4 runs or less in 3 straight games over the last 2 seasons. They are winning by 3.9 RPG in this spot. Take New York on the Run Line.
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Info Plays
Apr 26 '18, 12:35 PM in 58m
MLB | Tigers vs Pirates
Play on: Pirates -140 at BMaker
1* Free Play on Pirates -140
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Marc Lawrence
Apr 26 '18, 7:05 PM in 7h
MLB | Rays vs Orioles
Play on: Orioles -130 at pinnacle
Play - Baltimore Orioles w/Bundy vs Archer (Game 914).
Edges - Orioles: Bundy 4-1 April home career team starts… Rays: Archer 1-5 career team starts in this park, including 0-4 the last four… With Bundy in sharp KW form with 25 Ks and 6 BBs his last three starts, we recommend a 1* play on Baltimore. Thank you and good luck as always.
John Martin
Apr 26 '18, 8:15 PM in 8h
MLB | White Sox vs Royals
Play on: White Sox +147 at betonline
1 Unit FREE PLAY on Chicago White Sox +147
The 5-17 Kansas City Royals cannot be favored this heavily against anyone right now. Jake Junis has put up good numbers for the Royals, but that doesn’t warrant the Royals getting this much respect. The White Sox will go with Lucas Giolito, who has enjoyed great success against the Royals. Giolito is 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in three previous starts against Kansas City, and the White Sox have gone 3-0 in those three games. Kansas City is 1-12 against right-handed starters this season. Give me the White Sox.
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Scott Rickenbach
Apr 26 '18, 10:10 PM in 10h
NHL | Sharks vs Golden Knights
Play on: Sharks +130 at 5Dimes
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Game #81 Thursday Free Pick San Jose Sharks Money Line (+) @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:05 ET - This looks like the perfect spot for the road team to steal one. It has been a long layoff for both hockey clubs. That said, no advantage there. The Sharks had only 14 losses in regulation on the road this season while the Golden Knights had 10 regulation losses on home ice. The point is that Vegas doesn't have the huge home edge that one might think they would have. The Golden Knights are only 2 for 26 on the power play their last 9 games. The Sharks are a fantastic 8 for 25 on the power play their last 7 games. Don't be surprised if special teams play a key role in this one as both teams have been getting solid goaltending. That said, I'll gladly take the team that has been clicking on the power play and is also offering solid plus money line value here. Free Pick SAN JOSE
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Brandon Lee
Apr 26 '18, 1:15 PM in 1h
MLB | NYM vs STL
Play on: UNDER 7 -105
10* FREE MLB PICK (Under 7)
I'll take my chances here with the Cardinals and Mets staying UNDER the mark set here by the books. This one shouldn't need a whole lot of explanation, as we have two of the games best pitchers facing off in this one. St Louis will send out Carlos Martinez, who has a 1.42 ERA and 1.137 WHIP in 5 starts and a sensational 0.75 ERA in 2 home outings. New York will counter with Noah Syndergaard, who has a 2.08 ERA and 0.981 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Give me the UNDER 7!
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Jesse Schule
Apr 26 '18, 7:10 PM in 7h
NHL | Penguins vs Capitals
Play on: Capitals -120 at 5Dimes
Penguins vs Capitals Free Pick April 26, 2018
The Capitals finished at the top of the Metropolitan Division this season, five points ahead of the Penguins. This earns them home ice in this second round best of seven series that starts tonight. History tells us that the Penguins have dominated this rivalry in the post-season, but I think things could play out differently here in 2018. The Caps have already faced adversity in their first round series versus Columbus, and after losing the first two games on home ice, they won four straight. Braden Holtby came in to replace Philip Grubauer, and he's 4-0 as a starter in the post-season. The Penguins won't have Evgeni Malkin for Game 1, and he scored a team high 42 goals during the regular season. Ovechkin scored five goals in six games in the first round, including a pair of goals in the series clinching win in Columbus in Game 6. I'll take Washington in Game 1, and if I had to pick a team to win the series I'd go with the Caps as the underdog with home ice advantage.
Take WAS.