(5 unit play) PORTLAND -1½ (vs. L.A. Lakers) - 10:05 pm ET #722
We used the Lakers as a Best Bet winner last night as they were in a solid home revenge situation against a Denver squad that was traveling without rest. The situation now works against the Lakers on Friday night as Los Angeles is now the team traveling without rest and the Lakers might be a bit flat after their big national TV win.
Portland has one of the strongest home courts in the league as the Blazers are a young, but talented team that plays much better at home where they stand 31-7 SU and 23-14 ATS with an average win by +9.4 points per game. Portland enters in excellent current form tonight as they are 6-1 SU (5-2 ATS) in their past seven games which includes a 21-point home win versus Utah last week and a 12-point road win at San Antonio on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers fit a solid 88-57 ATS momentum situation and the home team has dominated this head-to-head series with a current 14-1 SU run the past four years, including a perfect 7-0 SU home record the past two seasons, including the Blazers easy 111-94 win versus the Lakers on March 9th. ------------------------
No additional NBA opinions for Friday, but I would lean towards Charlotte -3 and also towards the Kings/Clippers OVER 217 as both fit decent technical situations.
Friday, Apr. 10
MLB Night
(4 unit play) SAN DIEGO -115 (Hill/Zito) - 10:05 pm ET #916
Barry Zito takes the hill for the first time this season as the Giants travel to San Diego to take on the Padres. Zito's last year was forgettable with a 10-17 record and a weak 5.15 ERA and he was awful early in the season as the Giants went 0-9 SU in his first nine starts. Zito is 3-2 with a 3.70 ERA in nine career starts against the Padres with the wins coming in the last three decisions. Zito's wacky curveball doesn't scare Adrian Gonzalez who is hitting .273, while Brian Giles checks in at .308.
Shawn Hill goes for the Padres. Potential is the buzzword surrounding this righty who just can't manage to stay healthy. In 2007 Hill had a 3.42 ERA over 16 starts with the Nationals before injuries hurt him. Hill faced the Giants once losing a 6-0 decision, but Hill did pitch well, giving up just 2 runs in seven innings. The problem was a lack of run support.
The Padres are an underrated team this season after offseason additions and they are coming off a disappointing 63-99 season last year, but keep in mind San Diego had won the division in two of the three previous seasons before last year's step back.
(3 units) OVER 9 -110 (Astros/Cardinals) (Hampton/Pineiro) - 8:15 pm ET #911
Take a picture, that's how long Mike Hampton may last in the Houston Astros rotation. Hampton makes the start for Houston as play their first road game of the season in St. Louis tonight. Hampton is set to make just his 2nd start against the Cardinals since 2005 and Albert Pujols has hit .333 with Khalil Greene checking in at .329 in the previous meetings. Hampton's spring training was horrible as he gave up 17 runs in 30 innings over eight spring starts.
Taking the bump for St. Louis is Joel Pineiro. The right-hander didn't face the Astros in 2008 and hasn't beaten them since June 23, 2002 when he pitched for Seattle. Houston hits .308 collectively against the righty including Pudge Rodriguez's .429 average and Carlos Lee's .391 average. The numbers are just as good for Miguel Tejada (.353) and Lance Berkman (.364). This game looks like an old fashioned NL Central slugfest in the making
Sportsbob 4-10-09
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