Friday, June 14
***BEST BET
Boston over Dallas* by 12
156-0. Most know these numbers now as the record when an NBA team goes up 3-0 in the playoffs. Neither of the two best Celtics players have yet to have an ‘out of this world’ game. It is just a matter of time, whether the Celts prefer to win this game or win in Boston. On the other end, it was disrespectful for Jason Kidd and Kyrie Irving to throw Luka under the bus because of his defense. It is Kidd’s job to demand competence. BOSTON 114-102.
BASEBALL
BEGINNING THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Oakland at Minnesota (4) 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
The Twins have fallen eight games back in the AL Central (4-6, -$310 last 10 days) so a strong showing against a weak team like the Athletics is urgent. They have a pair of pitchers in Simeon WoodsRichardson & Chris Paddack who have led Minnesota to wins in 16 of their 23 combined starts (+$1025). The last place A’s (2-8, -$490 last 10 days) are only 19-34 vs. right-handers (-$635), averaging just 3.4 runs per game. BEST BET: WoodsRichardson/Paddack.
BEGINNING FRIDAY, JUNE 14
St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
Two evenly matched clubs set to square off at Wrigley Field this weekend. The Cubs have been a profitable team against right-handers in 2024 (+$545) and they’ll face a trio of them in this series. St. Louis has climbed to just under .500, but they are only 11-16 in day games (-$770), and their offense averages just 3.9 runs per game. Shota Imanaga (1.96 ERA) and Jameson Taillon (3.09) have led Chicago to wins in 10 of their 11 combined starts at home (+$875), and we like them in this spot. BEST BET: Imanaga/Taillon.
Miami at Washington (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The 32-36 Nationals continue to be very profitable (+$1435 overall) and they’ve already managed a sweep vs. the hapless Marlins in head to head play (+$510). Miami is in the midst of another nosedive (2-8, -$550 last 10 days) and they check into this series with a disastrous 3-19 record vs. left-handers (-$1690), averaging just 2.7 runs per game in those contests. Washington is expected to start southpaws in all three games, so the situation for the visitor looks extremely bleak. BEST BET: Left-handers vs. the Marlins.
San Diego at N.Y. Mets (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Padres have been a successful road team in 2024 (19-14, +$615) but they have a hard time handling left-handers, averaging just 2.7 runs per game on offense. The Mets are a pathetic 15-23 here at CitiField (-$1260) but they have won 6 of their last 8 (+$385) and they have two southpaws slated to take the mound against San Diego. Dylan Cease (3.36 ERA) is set to take on Tyler Megill in Sunday’s finale. That looks like the best spot for the Padres to pick up a victory this weekend. BEST BET: Cease vs. Ty. Megill.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Brewers have dominated the Reds in head to head play over the past two seasons (12-4, $815), and they’ll attempt to extend their lead in the NL Central this weekend at Cincinnati’s expense. The Reds have a dismal 8-17 record with Hunter Greene (-$640) and Frankie Montas (-$395) on the mound. Milwaukee checks into this series with a 32-20 record against right-handers (+$1420), averaging a healthy 5.2 runs per game in those contests. Look for the home team to beat back this challenge from their hot division rival. BEST BET: Brewers vs. right-handers.
Pittsburgh at Colorado (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The last place Rockies have a 3-10 record vs. righties in night games at Coors Field (-$515, 3.3 runs per game) and they’ll have to contend with Jared Jones (3.27 ERA) on Saturday evening. He’s set to oppose Ty Blach (5.65 ERA in seven outings), which is good news for a Pittsburgh team that does its best work vs. southpaws (+$395, 4.8 runs per game). BEST BET: J. Jones vs. Blach.
Cleveland at Toronto (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Guardians are clicking on all cylinders at the moment (3.43 team ERA, 5.0 runs per game at the plate), but some of the pitchers they have slated to take turns do not look impressive (5.01 ERA among starters last 10 days). The one that does look promising is Ben Lively, who has led Cleveland to wins in 7 of his 10 starts so far (+$355, 2.59 ERA). Toronto is still languishing below .500 (-$700 overall) as they struggle to generate much offense (only 3.5 per game last 10 days). BEST BET: Lively.
N.Y. Yankees at Boston (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Red Sox went 9-4 vs. the Yankees in head to head play last year (+$565) but this is a far more formidable New York squad. The Bombers are the best pitching team in MLB (2.90 ERA) and the top offensive team as well (.771 OPS). They have a 40-16 record vs. right-handers (+$2145) and they’ll face three Boston righties at Fenway Park this weekend. Boston is only 16-19 playing at home this season (-$695). BEST BET: Yankees in all games.
Detroit at Houston (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Tigers have turned a profit on the road in 2024 (+$385) and they have staff ace Tarik Skubal (+$645, 1.92 ERA in 13 appearances) set to take the mound in the series opener. The under-achieving Astros remain well below .500 and eight game back in the AL West. They are only 7-13 vs. left-handers so far (-$1120) and scheduled starter Hunter Brown has led Houston to defeats in 10 of his 13 outings (-$950, 5.91 ERA). BEST BET: Skubal vs. H. Brown.
Texas at Seattle (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Rangers continue to languish below .500 (-$725 so far), while the Mariners have opened up a healthy lead in the AL West, thanks to their spectacular 24-12 record here at T-Mobile Park (+$845). The team has a 3.48 ERA, 5th best in the AL, and they have three strong pitchers set to take the mound. We’ll avoid Nathan Eovaldi (2.69 ERA in 10 starts) but no one else in the Texas rotation concerns us. BEST BET: Mariners unless opposed by Eovaldi.
Philadelphia at Baltimore (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
This weekend’s marquee match-up features the top team in the NL against a Baltimore club that is 2nd best to only the Yankees in the AL (Orioles 45-23 overall, +$1185). Baltimore has a 3.10 team ERA, but the Phillies average 5.6 runs per game against righties (+$1445), so it’s hard to feel much confidence. The Phillies are tops in the NL in pitching (3.08 ERA) and they rank 2nd best in hitting as well (.740 OPS). We’ll pass for the time being. BEST BET: None.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Braves have hit the skids over the past several weeks (-$1195 overall in 2024), falling nine games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. Tampa Bay is not having a great year, but they come into Atlanta with a 12-6 record vs. left-handers (+$415) averaging 5.0 runs per game in those contests. Chris Sale checks in with a bloated 8.18 ERA in his two most recent outings, so he’ll make a tempting target in the series opener. BEST BET: Rays vs. Sale.
Chicago W. Sox at Arizona (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
Not much we can say about the pitiful White Sox, who own an 18-52 record (-$2340), worst in MLB by far. They have the highest team ERA in the American League (4.86) and they average a mere 3.0 runs per game at the plate (.624 OPS). Arizona has been a money-burner here at Chase Field (-$435) and their starters have a 7.88 ERA in the past 10 days. The Diamondbacks should prevail but the prices look too inflated, so we’ll steer clear. BEST BET: None.
Kansas City at L.A. Dodgers (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Royals avoided a four game sweep at Kaufman Stadium when they rallied in the 9th to defeat the Yankees on Thursday. The much improved visitor is 10 games over .500 (+$1245). They’ve averaged just under 5.0 runs per game on offense, and they own a respectable 3.83 team ERA. The Dodgers have been treading water in recent days (4-5, -$365 last 10) and they’ve already lost a fortune in home games (-$990). If KC can win one game we won’t get hurt, if they win two or more we’ll clean up. BEST BET: Royals in all games.
L.A. Angels at San Francisco (3) 14th, 15th, 16th
The Angels are expected to start three left-handers at Oracle Park to take on a San Francisco team that is only 8-12 vs. southpaws in 2024 (-$565). On the other hand, LA is only 18-36 vs. right-handers (-$1220), averaging just 3.8 runs per game in those contests. The home team is only 7.5 games back in the NL West, while the Angels won’t come close to a .500 record. However, we can’t trust the home team at these high prices vs. the LA lefties. BEST BET: None.
