[tinfw17]

SERIES
Colorado +1.42 over PHILADELPHIA PINNACLE
If momentum means anything at all the Rockies most definitely have an edge, as they’ve been absolutely tearing it since early June. The Rockies lost Jorge De La Rosa to an injury but the return of Aaron Cook makes up for it. Cook went eight innings in the clinching game and looked strong indeed. So, the Rockies will send out Jiminez, Cook and Jason Hammel in the first three games while the Phillies will send out Lee, Hamels and it looks like Joe Blanton. Well, Hamels has been way off, Lee faded badly down the stretch (0-2 with a 6.32 ERA in his final three starts) and one also has to wonder who is going to pitch in the late innings for the Phillies because they really don’t have a reliable choice. Brad Lidge has blown 11 saves and his ERA of over 7.00 is not very endearing. Neither Madson nor Myers can be counted on either. The Phillies line-up is scary and it’s their strongest suit for sure. However, hitting usually doesn’t win a series or even get you to the playoffs. Just ask the Texas Rangers about that. The Phils pitching was solid early but after a long season last year and another playoff run this year, the staff might be a little burned out and considering how they’ve faired the past few weeks, it certainly appears that way. The Rocks are fresher, hungrier and playing as good or better than any playoff team including the Phillies. Jason Hammel is not very well known but he’s a good one and Jiminez is one of the best, as his 3.47 ERA (the best ever by a Rockies starter) will attest to. So give me the tag with the Rockies, as this team is playing too good to ignore right now and if they can win one of the first two games, they’re going to be awfully tough to take down. Give Jiminez and Cook a good chance to win both games in Philly. Play: Colorado +1.32 (Risking 2 units).

GAME ONE
Colorado +1.24 over PHILADELPHIA PINNACLE
For the same reasons above. Play: Colorado +1.24 (Risking 2 units).

[tinfw17]

Phoenix +2.06 over PITTSBURGH Pinnacle
The Penguins proved last season that you don’t have to be the best team to win it all and this year they’ll very likely get exposed for what they are. The Pens are a good team that can be beat and as a big favorite early in the year they’re a pretty risky wager. As for the Coyotes, well, they’re an interesting story to be sure. Here’s a team that was abandoned by its coach just before the season started. Here’s a team that nobody other than a few thousand fans (and themselves) gives a rats ass about and here’s a team that doesn’t even know where they’re going to be situated in the future. The mentality must be “it’s us against the world” and that makes them dangerous, as they proved in its season opener in L.A. Don Maloney has worked hard and smart to put a pretty decent roster together. If all the talk weren’t dominated by the ownership of this team, focus would be on the fact that the Coyotes might actually surprise a few people this season. There’s a lot of young talent such as Mikkel Boedker, Martin Hanzal, Peter Mueller, Viktor Tikhonov, Keith Yandle, Kyle Turris and Daniel Winnik. Every one of those players was drafted and developed by the Coyotes and each one of those could crack just about any line-up in the league. Again, at this price and with its “us against the world mentality, I would be very cautious laying big juice against this squad. They’re dangerous for sure. Play: Phoenix +2.06 (Risking 2 units).

Montreal +1.75 over VANCOUVER Pinnacle
Don’t know about you but I have no interest in laying close to 2-1 on a Canucks team that is 0-3 and that really hasn’t been close in any of its first three games. All of a sudden there is tremendous pressure on them and its leader, Roberto Luongo is laboring badly. In fact, the Canucks have been outscored 13-6 in its three losses and outshot 130-74. What’s interesting about the Habs is that the best game they’ve played is the game they lost and that came last night in Calgary. The Habs were badly outplayed in its first two games and won them both. The good news is that Carey Price will be back in the net tonight and he’s been the leagues best early on. Montreal played a solid game last night against a very good Calgary team and that’s a good sign indeed. They actually outplayed the Flames in the third period while creating many scoring chances and a repeat performance tonight gives them a huge shot for a better fate. Carey Price in net alone makes the Canadiens worthy of a look and when you throw in the tag and the way the Canucks are playing, this one has to be considered a pretty sweet overlay. Play: Montreal +1.75 (Risking 2 units).