Tuesday News and Notes

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

 

Four winners in three sports, with 3-of-4 plays being Wise Guys.  We have two MLB, plus NHL and NBA. One of our baseball is a Dandy Dog. Dandy dogs are dogs of 140 or more in MLB. We are on an 8-2 NHL run, including 4-0 with Wise Guy plays.

The ENTIRE card  is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  Alternate forms of payment are available. Godspicks is proud to be part of the Handicapper’s Sampler rundown of which sports services are hot and who has the big play at JoeDuffy.net  

NBA

 

Heat-Pistons

 

Sun Sentinel

Putting every other factor aside, Detroit holds homecourt advantage, and that could prove decisive between two teams that are so evenly matched. Unlike last season, when the Heat entered hobbled, with O'Neal bothered by a bruised thigh, and then endured a rib injury to Wade in Game 5, the Pistons this time are the ones with the concerns, with Saunders saying forward Rasheed Wallace is not fully over the severe ankle sprain he suffered in the Cavaliers series. Detroit also is returning off one day of rest, while the Heat has been idle for a week.

 

Miami Herald

Every single series has been won by the favorite.

 

NHL

 

Ducks-Oilers

 

EdmontonOilers.com

Of the 16 playoff teams, Edmonton had the least number of home wins but so far in this postseason, the Oilers have the most wins on home ice with five. Heading into this series, Anaheim had killed off 39 straight penalties but so far the Oilers are scoring at a 20% clip through two games against the Ducks. The team that wins Game 1 and 2 on the road historically has an all-time series record of 44-16 (.733). That improves to 11-1 (.917) when considering the Stanley Cup Semi-Final round or Conference Final since the 1970s.

 

MLB

 

Cubs-Marlins

 

Miami Herald

After struggling with his control early in the season, Olsen has struck out 16 in his past two starts. But the left-hander still hasn't been able to consistently pitch deep into games, coming out before the sixth inning in four of his past five starts. Olsen never has won at Dolphin Stadium, but has pitched well against the Cubs, giving up three earned runs in 11 innings. With 2005 NL batting champion Derrek Lee still out because of a broken wrist, Chicago entered the three-game series hitting just .185 against left-handers, the worst average in baseball. Wood, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, will be making his second start since July 20. In his first game back, he gave up three home runs in five innings in a loss to Washington.The Marlins have defeated Wood just once in six regular-season decisions and never at Dolphin Stadium, where Wood has a 1.59 ERA and a shutout in three starts.

 

Angels-Rangers

 

USA Today

Los Angeles lost the Monday's series opener 3-2, matching a season-high with its sixth straight loss. The Angels have dropped 18 of their last 23 games, and have not lost seven in a row since Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2001. Los Angeles is averaging just 2.2 runs during its six-game skid. The Rangers are 2-2 against the Angels this season, after going 4-15 against them in 2005.