Picks And Parlays

Indiana at Miami 8:30 ET Heat - over Pacers- I see this game much like Game One of the Western Finals between San Antonio and Memphis where for the most part the feeling is that underdog is ready to take on the favorites. I had the Spurs in Game One an easy 22 point winner and I see more of the same here with the well rested Miami Heat taking control of this series early. Indiana was able to do things against the Knicks that they will not be able to do against Miami for the most part because of a man named LeBron James. Last year James really came into his own and he shows every night that he is e most dominate player on the court be it on offense or defense. We are all aware of just how intimating 7' 2" Roy Hibbard can be as his presence is undeniable around that basket especially on defense but to is where Miami can turn the Pacers around with the great outside shooting of their center Chris Bosh who is deadly from 15 to 18 feet and even often beyond. Dwayne Wade has had eight days to rest his sore knee and at home will be another huge asset to the Heat. This in not the New York Knicks Pacers as facing it is not just another team, it is the reining and future NBA World Champions. Take Miami to win Game 1, it's the Heat!

Tampa Bay at Toronto 4:37 ET Blue Jays over Rays- There should be plenty of 'action' tonight as both of these starters are among baseball's leaders in runs allowed as Tampa Bay's Jeremy Hellickson (2-2 5.82 ERA) faces Toronto's Mark Buehrle (1-3, 6.33). Hellickson is 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA in five road starts while Buehrle is 8-3 lifetime against the Rays. At home with their power packed lineup Toronto is the side. Take the BLUE JAYS!

Boston at Chicago White Sox 8:10 ET White Sox over Red Sox- These two pairs of dirty Sox go at it heading in different directions as the White Sox will start lefty Hector Santiago (1-2, 2.78 ERA) in place of Chris Sale and Boston will counter with 'spit-baller' Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.78) who is 1-2 with a 5.02 ERA in five starts against Chicago. Buchholtz has not had a decision in his last three starts as the Red Sox bats have gone silent. The Whire Sox starters have posted a 2.84 ERA over their last 31 games that that should be enough to put down the Red Sox tonight. Take the WHITE SOX!.

St. Louis at San Diego 10:10 ET Padres over Cardinals- The Cardinals have the best record in baseball at 29-16 and are an impressive 15-8 away from home. St. Louis also has the best run differential in the MLB at a plus 57. Tonight's hurlers have yet to record a decision as the Cardinals send Tyler Lyons against the Padres Burch Smith. Both of these starters pitched college baseball in Oklahoma with Lyons throwing for the Cowboys and Smith for the Sooners. At home the Padres pull off a mild upset. Take SAN DIEGO!

Memphis at San Antonio 9:00 ET Grizzlies + over Spurs- I feel very comfortable with Memphis here tonight after having posted the winner with San Antonio on Sunday. It seems odd that these two will be playing Game Two of the West Finals while the Miami Heat will have eight days rest before they start the Eastern Finals on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have now lost the opening game of all three playoff series and have managed to win eight of nine after that loss to beat the Clippers (4-2) and the Thunder (4-1) to move on. I'm hoping that pattern will continue and Memphis bounces back with at least a 'cover' if not an out-right win here. Take the GRIZZLIES!

Boston at Chicago White Sox 8:00 ET White Sox over Red Sox- A pair of struggling starters go at it tonight in Chicago as the Red Sox send Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.03 ERA) against the White Sox Jose Quintana (2-1, 3.97). Quintana is winless in his last four starts with a 5.16 ERA but has one start against Boston where he pitched eight shutout innings. Doubront is the meantime is trying to save his spot in the rotation and the Red Sox have just about run out of patience as he walked six in his last start. Take the WHITE SOX!

Arizona at Colorado 8:40 ET Diamondbacks over Rockies- These two NL West rivals will be playing each other for the eight time already this season as the Diamondbacks hold a 4-3 series edge while they hold a one-game lead over the Rockies. Arizona will start Patrick Corbin (6-0, 1.52 ERA) who has pitched at least six innings and allowed two ot fewer runs in all eight of his starts. He is only 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in four career starts against Colorado. The Rockies will start Jon Garland (3-4, 4.89) who is 3-4 with a 4.59 ERA in nine career starts against Arizona. Take the first place DIAMONDBACKS!

Memphis at San Antonio 3:30 ET Spurs + over Grizzlies- There is no question that the 'public' and general feeling is that the Memphis Grizzlies will make it to the Finals and most likely face the Miami Heat. The problem for them is that is their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in franchise history and they are facing a veteran team that knows how to win and is returning the Conference Finals for the second straight season. The Spurs remember being bounced out of the playoffs two years ago when the Grizzlies won the series in six games. San Antonio is 33-7 at home including 4-1 in the postseason when hosting the Grizzlies. The Spurs will be ready here. Take SAN ANTONIO!

Detroit at Texas 8:05 ET Rangers over Tigers- The Detroit Tigers may be the best balance team in baseball with Triple Crown winner Michael Cabrara and Cy Young Award winner pitcher Justin Verlander and not send this season's best Doug Fister (5-1, 3.06 ERA) up against one the majors top scoring teams. Texas will send Derek Holland to the hill (3-2, 2.93) against the Tigers and he holds a lifetime ERA of 1.54 in two career starts against Detroit. Fister has struggled against Texas as he is 2-4 with a 5.61 ERA in seven career starts. Tonight the Rangers take the third of this four game series. Take TEXAS!

New York Knicks at Indiana 8:00 ET Knicks + over Pacers- The Pacers are undefeated at home during the post-season and they Knicks are 0-4 straight-up at Indiana for the season and 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Indiana. After losing Game 5 in New York the Pacers have got to be feeling the pressure knowing that a return to Madison Square Garden could be disastrous. The Knicks Carmelo Anthony failed to record a field goal in the fourth quarter of either Game 3 or 4 and that will be different tonight. Jason Kidd who is 0-17 and hasn't scored a point in the last nine games will have his playing time diminished as 29-year-old rookie Chris Copeland brings more size and youth to New York's line-up. In a surprise it's the Knicks!

Cincinnati at Philadelphia 4:05 ET Phillies over Reds- The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up their play as they have won four of their last five and are looking to even their home at at 11-11 with a win here. Tonight they start their most consistent starter in Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.47 ERA) will attempt to extend their improved play against thr Reds how had their own six game winning streak stopped last night by the Phillies. Cincinnati will start Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.76) who has had little success against the Phillies as he is 3-7 with a 6.00 ERA in his career against the 'Whiz Kids.' Kendrick is unbeaten in his last seven starts and has lasted at least six innings in all those assignments. Take PHILADELPHIA!

Kansas City at Oakland 9:05 ET A's over Royals- The A's broke a three game losing streak to Kansas City with their 2-1 win last night which help raise Oakland's record to 3-11 in their last 14 games. The Royals who had a great pre-season are were off to a fast start have now dropped eight of their last 11 and will be sending Ervin Santana (3-2, 2.79 ERA) to the hill against Tom Milone (3-5, 3.71) who has dropped his last three starts. This time around the A's get it done...take OAKLAND!

Detroit at Texas 8:05 ET Tigers over Rangers- We've has the winners in both of the first two games of this series and see another one today as the Rangers host the Tigers against in Texas. Tonight the Tigers will start Anibal Sanchez (4-3, 2.05 ERA) who has been excellent in his most recent starts allowing only 45 hits in 53 innings of work while striking out 42 including 17 against Atlanta in late April. Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.28) the Rangers starter was off to a fast start winning the AL Rookie of the Month for April but has lost three straight in May and gave up six runs in one inning against Detroit last June. Tonight it's the Tigers!