OddsShark presents WINNERS
What’s happening brothers? It’s Friday, it’s nearly the weekend, it’s time to get ourselves pumped for the days to come. We’ve got NBA and NHL playoffs. We’ve got MLB. Hell, we’ve even got the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby, on Saturday. Things can hardly get better than this. The only way they get better is if the games we’ll all be watching, wind up putting a little more paper in our pocket. That’s why we’re here, to grab these wins and cash those tickets. And with the help of our friends at OddsShark, that is exactly what we will do. OddsShark is the one-stop location for all your gambling needs. If you want news, analysis, injury updates, a world class match-up page for any game, or even computer predictions, OddsShark is the place to go.
WINNERS:
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins (BOS-160)–The Bruins were my pick to come out of the Eastern Conference at the beginning of these playoffs, and they still are today. The Lightning had a nice bounce back in Game Two and an even better performance in Game Three in Boston. Having said that, I don’t think they can keep the Bruins top line down any longer. Boston knows how important this game is, and I still think they are the more physical, better balanced team. They need a big game out of Tuukka tonight and I expect to get it. THE PICK: BRUINS ML
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans (GSW -4.5)–The Warriors have looked like an absolute steamroller in the playoffs thus far. Steph Curry stepped right back in the lineup and looked like he hadn’t really missed a beat. The Pelicans were better in Game Two, particularly Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo. The Smoothie King Center (really?) should be electrified tonight for this game. The Pelicans are still a very good team, and Davis and Mirotic make for a lethal combination. The whole world is on Golden State, go the other way. THE PICK: PELICANS +4.5 (Maybe wait this one out a little closer to tip, you might get 5 or 5.5)
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (LAD -114)–This is a matchup of two struggling teams. Both are 3-7 in their last ten games. The Padres have had a day off to prepare for this game, which is actually in Monterrey, Mexico. The difference in this game is in the starting pitching. The Dodgers are starting 23 year old prospect Walker Buehler, who has looked very good in his two starts this season, only giving up two earned runs in ten innings pitched. Having said that, those are the only two starts of his career. The Padres will send Joey Lucchesi to the mound. He continues to be one of the most undervalued starters in all of baseball. In six starts he is 3-1, with a 2.78 ERA and opponents are only hitting .222 off him. People sleep on his starts and there is always value there because of it. THE PICK: PADRES ML
Normally brother, this is where we would part company for the week, but not today. Oh no, not today. We have the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and it would be ugly of me to not leave you with something to play on Derby Day.
Justify–He is the most talented horse in this field, plain and simple. There won’t be a lot of value on him because he will go off as the favorite. Trainer Bob Baffert can’t stop talking about how much he loves this horse, and with good reason. He dominated legitimate contenders in the Santa Anita Derby. He’s big, he’s powerful and seems as if he may not have even shown his best effort yet. He’s only raced three times in his young career, and there is always the concern about getting a bad trip in a twenty horse field at Churchill Downs. If things go well for him, there’s no reason he’s not in the money at the end of this race, and likely in front.
Audible–The winner of the Florida Derby and a Todd Pletcher trained horse, Audible is one of those horses on the fringe of the favorites that could make a nice run in the Derby. He is an impressive horse with a great trainer and jockey, Javier Castellano, and he is racing out of the luckiest post in this race, position number 5. The five spot has produced more Derby winners than any other post.
Vino Rosso–This is where we add some value to the ticket. Vino Rosso may well go off at a double digit price come Saturday afternoon. If you’re unsure of this horse, go back and watch the Wood Memorial race he won. It was incredible. He sat far back and then when he made his move, he found another gear that was absolutely beautiful to watch. This horse could steal the whole thing if he finds room. The biggest concern is having him hung wide after starting from post position 18, but you have to think trainer Todd Pletcher and rider John Velazquez have a plan for that in place.
I’ll probably wind up boxing all three of these in a trifecta, but I also like sprinkling a little something on Vino Rosso to win.