Wednesday News and Notes

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

As we’ve been telling you for the past three years, there are two givens in life.  Godspicks dominates regulation games, but we have no chance in OT.  Thank Godspicks there are a lot more games that don’t go into extra innings or overtime.

Despite a 2 OT five point dog failing, we are 26-14 in the NBA playoffs and have a Wise Guy and a Major on the sides tonight. We also have three baseball including two Dandy Dogs.  We have a Wise Guy in baseball as well. 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

Mavericks-Spurs

WOAI.com

In games the Spurs have had to win to keep a series going, they’re 0-5, losing by an average of 13.6 points. San Antonio did avoid elimination by winning Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals, but that’s a bit different because the series was ending either way.

The Mavericks’ brief playoff history under Johnson includes victories in their last two games when they could be the eliminator. They won a Game 7 against Houston last year by 40 points and drubbed Memphis by 26 to close out a first-round sweep this year. The Mavericks have thus far, going 7-1 this postseason. The only loss was by two points on the road. They’ve gone to overtime twice and haven’t trailed in either one.

MLB

Padres-Diamondbacks

Associated Press

The San Diego Padres recalled right-hander Mike Thompson from Triple-A Portland Tuesday night. Thompson is scheduled to make his major league debut Wednesday night as the starting pitcher at Arizona. Thompson, 5-0 at Triple-A Portland with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts, will take the rotation spot that opened up when Woody Williams went on the disabled list with a strained left calf May 13.

Mariners-Athletics

MLB.com

After going seven games without a home run earlier this month, the Mariners have hit 10 homers in their last five games.

Twins-Tigers

Detroit Free Press

Verlander, the Tigers’ rookie right-hander, is six-of-seven in quality starts and has often pitched with impressive dispatch. Santana, the esteemed lefty, reigns as the American League’s best starting pitcher.Verlander will be starting against the Twins for the third time in his short career. He hasn’t started against any other team twice. If there will be such a thing as the opposition hitting Verlander better after a few looks at him, the Twins could be the first team to disclose it. Detroit Designated hitter Dmitri Young returned after a three-game absence caused by continued problems in his upper right leg.