Friday, May 28, 2010

"Go to Gulf Beaches....Most are Still Open"

Tonight's action does little to inspire me. However, I expect the Yankees to rebound after last night's "throw away game" against the Twins. With Hughes on the hill against a weak hitting Indians lineup, I would expect the Yankees to win this one going away. While Carmona is capable of a good outing I expect the Yankees to be able to put up some runs. Take the Yanks -220 and the Yanks runline (-1.5 -115) tonight.

No this is not a misprint, those were the brave words echoed by none other than our commander in chief. Evidently Barry was feeling a little brazen when muttering those words as he was en route to his own family vacation. I think it is safe to say that the first family will be nowhere near the "Chernobyl" like beaches of our gulf coast. This is a disgrace and Propick Sports would like to issue our condolensces to all the families who have lost someone-persons, pets, etc., as BP decides whether to stuff golf balls or softballs in an effort to quell the ever growing oil spill. That being said, the president urging people to "head to the beach" appears to be nothing short of lunacy. What next? "Hey go for a swim, don't worry about the third arm you end up growing in a week". In times of uncertainty, it appears best to always err on the side of caution. Who would have guessed that hanging out at the Gulf Coast beaches would be the recommendation from our highest ranking official.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thursday.......

After losing two close games to the Yankees, the Twins find themselves trying to salvage a win at home. Despite the utter dominance over the Twins, the Yankees find themselves sending Javier Vasquez to the hill against a strong left handed lineup of the Twins. As a result, this feels like the perfect spot for the Twins to steal one. At even money I will take the Twins over the Yankees tonight.

Have the Suns figured out how to stop the Lakers vaunted triangle offense? Are the Lakers no longer the favorite to win the whole championship again? Judging by the series price of -420, I would say Vegas has a firm belief that the Lakers will find a way to get out of this series and advance to play the Eastern Conference Champions in the finals. At -7.5 the oddsmakers are begging you to take Phoenix and the points. I on the other hand have no problem laying the wood and going against the common man who is convinced that the Suns have no found the magic panacea for stopping the Lakers. The Lakers lost because their big guys played poorly on the road. Expect a spirited effort. Take the Lakers -7.5.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Beat LA...Beat LA......

While the Western half of the NBA finals matchup may not be certain, the same cannot be said for the Eastern Conference. By no later than halftime I expect to hear the chants of "Beat LA, Beat LA" pouring down from the rafters of the Fleet center. After sweeping their way into the Eastern Conference Finals, the Orlando Magic have fallen flat on their collective faces and in the process, have embarrassed Magic fans everywhere. By this time tomorrow, Vince "big game" Carter can wipe the cry baby sis face look off his mug and Rashard Lewis can continue to figure out ways to spend his 2010-11 season contract which amounts to more than $19.5 million. In fact, between Carter and Lewis, the Magic are saddled with contracts that no team in their right mind would ever consider taking on. Factor in an ineffective Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus and all of a sudden this apparent juggernaut for years to come is resembling an albatross.

On the other end of the spectrum you have a Boston Celtics team that while old at many key positions, have an infusion of young talent in the form of Rondo and Big Baby Davis. Furthermore, this is a gritty team that knows how to win. All one has to do is look back at game two when Paul Pierce drained clutch foul shots on the road. Seconds later, Vince "big game" Carter proceeded to miss two foul shots in his own building. What we saw Saturday from Orlando was heartless. Either the Magic just really stink and can no longer operate on the level of a playoff team, or more likely they have called it quits.

After running through my historical database involving closeout games, I expect this game to be a blowout. There are two scenarios: 1) the Magic come out strong and show heart but once adversity strikes they roll over and fade. The second and most likely scenario is the Magic (which is a team lacking championship grit), realizes theres not a snowballs chance in hell of them coming back in this series and proceed to get run out of the building. Game three was their moment of truth and they showed their true colors. Tonight's release.......Celtics -7 over the Magic to complete the sweep.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Got 99 Problems....

but picking winners ain't one. After seeing a gold ATM machine in Abu Dhabi I cannot help but think what a great idea that would be here in the United States. As if crime isn't bad enough, why not stick a gold vending machine on the corner of a New York City street. In fact, during this busy upcoming parade season (my favorite time of year), I suggest doing so around the time of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. If there was ever a time to "Test drive" an idea, now is that time.

After playing poorly for the better half of May, the St. Louis Cardinals return home tonight against a hot Washington Nationals team. Despite having to lay a hefty 154 tonight on the Cards, I am recommending this as a Five Star release. In addition to their recent dominance over the Nationals, expect to see the Cardinals get back into the swing of things and start putting up some runs.

In game two of my package I am releasing the Atlanta Braves over the Mets. Heartless does not begin to describe this Mets team. After watching John Maine throw twelve straight balls to open Saturday night's game, I honestly thought he was about to cry. Furthermore, upon seeing Oliver Perez in the dugout it appeared as if he was on the verge of busting out a big smile, as if to say "Im not the only one who sucks around here". Expect Derek Lowe to continue his domination over the Mets tonight.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Tuesday........

Today's play is the Mets -135 over the Nationals. I don't want to hear about how the Nationals are a "much improved" ballclub this year. Regardless of whether or not this team has made a quantum leap from complete crap to semi-complete crap, the Mets have no right losing two in a row to these guys. While the Mets will do their best to keep this game close: runners left on base (think Jason Bay), multiple 2 out walks, etc., my gut feel is they find a way to win tonight behind Southpaw CY Young candidate J. Niese.

Just got off the phone with Dream. After being in the penalty box for months (still no idea why), I received a message regarding tonight's Cavs-Celtics game. While in a well known sportsbook in Vegas, Dream informed me that a huge amount of Dumb money was flying on the over (194 total) tonight. After speaking with a top guy at the sportsbook he was told "people are coming out of the woodwork on this one. People are expecting a 20 point Cavs win". With that being said, I will gladly take the other side of that bet. Take the Under 194 for a few dimes.........

Friday, May 7, 2010

Blank Check Friday........

After thoroughly evaluating all tonight's lines in the NBA and MLB, I have found the mother of all releases. On Wednesday night I had the over 203 in the Suns-Spurs game. Despite both teams shooting a fantastic field goal percentage and the Suns consistently draining three pointers, the total was by no means a lock. Towards the end of the game the Spurs hit a few three pointers and the Suns were able to make their foul shots to seal the victory and the over.

Looking ahead to tonight's game in San Antonio, I cannot help but think this is a contest that ends up with the final score being somewhere in the neighborhood of 94-89. The Spurs are a team that likes to slow the pace of the game down and based on recent home playoff games, they have successfully accomplished this goal. As for the Suns, they weren't able to dictate the pace in the form of a wide open, run and gun style that they are known for. With this being the case, I absolutley love the Under 207 for my Platinum 10 Dime release. Although this line appears to be begging you to take the under, sometimes dislocations exist and this is one of those times.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wednesday.......

Despite my prescient call on the Reds the other night, my blank check winner was "upstaged" by a dopey fan who got tasered for running on the field during the Phillies-Cardinals game. As a result, I stood on the sidelines last night to allow all the sports talk show and other media outlets to beat this proverbial dead horse into the ground. While some may consider my antics somewhat indicative of a diva, I beg to differ. Propick Sports Services is in the business of picking winners and avoiding the "noise" that so often accompanies sports.

Without further adieu I will get to this afternoon's action in the form of my major league release. While I correctly predicted a let down from the Mets in Monday's game against the Reds, I have completely changed course going forward. The Red's are one of the worst offense teams in recent memory. While they have managed to muster up a few runs in the prior two games against the Mets, they have been lackluster with runners in scoring position and are without a true power hitter. As for the Mets, this is a legitimate offensive team that despite not completely coming together yet, is more than capable of beating up on an inferior Reds team. As always, the Mets pitching could end up being their downfall, however based on recent outings by John Niece, I do not expect this to be the case. Take the Mets +110 over the Reds.

As a public service announcement, we are quickly approaching the ten year anniversary of the Puerto Rican Parade "wilding" situation. While this was a dark day for parade goers (and fans such as myself), I am pleased to announce there has been a steady decline in arrests/summonses since 2000. Once again Propick Sports will be setting up shop and distributing merchandise along with refreshments as our show of ardent support for this fine event.

Monday, May 3, 2010

No Happy Ending.....

After escaping a bases loaded, one out scenario in the bottom of the 8th inning, I assumed the Red Sox would eek out a victory and leave Camden yards with a much needed win. However, my assumption was dead wrong. In an effort to channel the ghost of Armondo Benitez past, Jonathan Papelbon took it upon himself to single handedly blow the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. As someone who has been the victim of many a Papelbon prison raping, I can only wish him the absolute worst going forward.

With the Red Sox loss behind me, I immediately turned my attention to my beloved Mets who were jockeying out Johan Santana in their rubber game against the Phillies. With Johan only laying 125 against a relic, in the form of pitcher Jamie Moyer, I was counting the ways to spend my newfound wealth. With the Mets taking a 5-2 lead I received every gamblers worst nightmare......The dreaded congratulatory text(s). Nothing says "you just got screwed" any clearer than a text declaring that your bet is a winner, followed up with "I wish I remembered to put the game in myself". Anytime you receive a message like this I advise the following: head straight for the medicine cabinet(preferably anti-anxiety meds) or start drinking aggressively. Within minutes, Santana gave up 8 runs all with two outs and for the extra kick in the balls, he walked the pitcher. Now down 10-5, I had the same dumb dog expression that Jerry Manuel so eloquently manages to pull off.

Last year I correctly predicted the Mets demise, prior to their rash of injuries and long before realizing Omar Minaya is incapable of forming a complete sentence in English. Tonight the Mets send Ollie Perez to the mound against a very average Reds team. That being said, I LOVE THE REDS -130 tonight. Knowing the Mets propensity to fall apart after big division series, I expect a hangover in the form of a flat performance.