The St. Louis Cardinals are off to a good start in their attempt to defend their world championship. The Atlanta Braves should give them a very strong test this upcoming weekend.

Atlanta Braves @ St. Louis Cardinals – Series Overview

Game 1: Friday, May 11

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game weekend series between Atlanta and St. Louis should offer a compelling encounter that youll want to study. Mike Minor is Atlantas starter in the first game of this weekend set. He has a 5.97 earned-run average thanks to 15 earned runs allowed in his last two starts. St. Louis will go with starter Jaime Garcia, a lefty who has consistently performed much better at home than on the road. Garcia has a 3.76 ERA, which isnt exactly splashy but is certainly a lot better than anything Minor has been able to manage so far this season. The fact that Garcia is so comfortable pitching at Busch Stadium in St. Louis is what should give the Cardinals an extra advantage on Friday night. It would be hard to go against them in this specific spot.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis

Game 2: Saturday, May 12

The when you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this second game of the three-game series, you have to pay attention to the man who will take center stage, Brandon Beachy, the Braves ace of the future. Beachy has been rolling along this season, steaming to a microscopic 1.62 earned-run average with his live, young arm, which has been overwhelming opposing hitters. The Cardinals starter in this game, former staff ace Adam Wainwright, has been struggling to find his rhythm after sitting out the 2011 season due to injury. Wainwright carries a 5.61 ERA into this contest, and its going to be hard for him to match Beachy pitch for pitch. If one had to lay odds on this game, theyd definitely be stacked against the Cardinals. Atlanta is an irresistible choice on Saturday in game two of this highly-anticipated clash. If the starting pitchers gave St. Louis the clear nod on Friday, all indications would suggest that the pendulum is going to swing the other way on Saturday, lending balance to this battle in the Midwest.

MLB Betting Pick: Atlanta

Game 3: Sunday, May 13

The Braves will send right-handed starter Tommy Hanson to the bump. Hanson has posted a 3.63 earned-run average to this point in the season, being an entirely solid pitcher but not a shutdown force. On the other hand, Lance Lynn has dazzled as a new member of the Cardinals starting rotation, ringing up a 1.40 ERA and being a very effective innings-eater for new manager Mike Matheny. Lynns emergence has been one of the reasons the Cardinals have been able to maintain their hold on the National League Central Division through one month of play this season. It only stands to reason that in what could very well be the rubber game of this three-game series, Lynns pitching will be the difference maker, enabling the Cardinals to win this series and affirm their credentials as a betting sites National League favorite.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis

Posted on May 9th, 2012 by admin
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When the Washington Capitals were swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in last year’s playoffs, it seemed as though it was the beginning of the end for a core group that had spent the past five seasons together in the nation’s capital. Captain Alex Ovechkin seemed to lack the same explosiveness that he showed through his first few seasons, Alex Semin couldn’t find the back of the net when it mattered the most, and All Star defenseman Mike Green spent more time rehabbing injuries than actually performing on the ice. The dismissal of head coach Bruce Boudreau earlier in the season could have been the last strand, but instead it now appears to be an important turning point for one of the league’s most underachieving teams the last few best best sportsbook years.

New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals
Wednesday May 9, 2012 – TBD
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
NHL best sportsbook Odds: New York Rangers

The Capitals have not lost consecutive games in regulation since March, have a 6-4 record in one-goal games, and after knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins in the Eastern conference quarterfinals, they will return home for a game six against the New York Rangers. Washington split the first two home games in this series, but now must rally together once again in a must-win situation.

NHL Betting Preview: New York Rangers

The Rangers failed to capitalize on opportunities to take a commanding two-game lead in the series, but still have a chance to prove they deserve to be the favorites in this game. Henrik Lundqvist should be an easy selection for the Vezina trophy, but while he has performed at an elite level it doesn’t seem like the players in front of him have played to their potential. New York is going to need to play a full 60 minutes in order to get a win in this building in such an intense situation, when their elite stars such as Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards get another chance to prove their worth.

NHL Betting Preview: Washington Capitals

While Lundqvist would have given the Rangers the edge in any goaltending matchup they faced, it’s hard to imagine anybody expected Braden Holtby would be as good as he has been in these playoffs. Holtby has given Washington a chance to win every game, and his team has responded in front of him. The Capitals’ have been solid in five-on-five situations, and if Ovechking and Nicklas Backstrom can continue to produce up, they should be able to get a big win.

NHL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

In addition to the hometown fans, the Capitals will also get the advantage of the final change to get the on-ice matchups they want, which plays a bigger role the longer the series goes on. Washington lost game six of their opening round series against the Bruins when they had the chance to eliminate them, but the experience of what they dealt with against the defending Stanley Cup champions will benefit them in this betting sites contest, as they look to give their loyal fans another chance to celebrate.

NHL Betting Pick: Washington Capitals

Posted on May 8th, 2012 by admin
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Sports betting sharps watched Bodemeister dominate the Kentucky Derby until the very end of the race, when he gave up the victory due to fatigue. Don’t expect that to happen when he takes to Pimlico Race Course for the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.

What: Horse Betting
When: Saturday, May 19th (confirm post time)
Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
Pick: Bodemeister

The Favorites

Even though I’ll Have Another stormed to the win at the Kentucky Derby, there aren’t many horse betting experts who think he’ll have enough to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. His odds to win the Triple Crown are the longest of any Kentucky Derby winner since Assault in 1946, but Assault actually went on to complete the Crown, and I’ll Have Another wasn’t even a favorite at Churchill Downs; instead, he had to track down Bodemeister, who is going to be a popular pick in Baltimore after leading most of the Derby.

Bodemeister tired down the stretch at the Kentucky Derby, but at 1 3/16 miles, the Preakness Stakes is the shortest of the Triple Crown races and that would allow Bodemeister’s frontrunning speed to shine through. The next three horses that finished in the Derby, Dullahan, Went The Day Well and Creative Cause, should be considered at Pimlico if their handlers decide to throw their names into the ring, although it isn’t likely that Dullahan will make it to the Preakness because of his schedule; if he comes out at Pimlico, it’ll be Dullahan’s third race in just over five weeks, so we could see him next at the Belmont Stakes.

The Second Tier

Optimizer may earn a look from horse betting sharps after a decent 11th-place run at Churchill Downs, along with Liaison, who finished sixth in the Derby. These two were both huge longshots to win the Derby and managed to bring home respectable finishes, so they could come away with a win, depending on the field. They came into Churchill Downs with nothing to lose and saw their profiles raise, but how would Optimizer and Liaison do with expectations on their back? You’ll have to wait and see if their handlers will bring them to Baltimore.

Union Rags was one of the pre-Derby favorites along with Bodemeister, but could only muster a seventh-place finish and even though his handlers say that Union Rags will be held out until the Belmont, don’t be surprised if he gets back onto the track in Baltimore. Right now, it is looking very unlikely, but Union Rags didn’t give a proper representation of his skills and didn’t seem right from the very start of the race. Like many horses, Union Rags has to show he is recovered from the “Run for the Roses” before he can be eligible for the Preakness, which is known as the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”.

The Longshots

There are a number of longshots that horse betting players are going to look for as I’ll Have Another came in at +1200 to win the Derby and five of the first eight finishers were no better than that, including two at +5000. The Preakness may even be the best chance for a darkhorse to win because of the short length.

Keep an eye out for these potential starters at the Preakness: Zetterholm, Pretension, Isn’t He Clever, Tiger Walk, The Lumber Guy and Cozetti, among others. None of these horses lined up at Churchill Downs and won’t have a lot of time to show sharps and experts that they can handle the big boys of thoroughbred horse racing, so be sure to check their resumes thoroughly to make your decision.

How It Will Play Out

Last year at the Preakness, another horse that was rated at +1200, Shackleford, held off favorite Animal Kingdom to come away with the win and you can run a horse as fast as you want at the Preakness due to the distance. Shackleford got out to a fast start before tiring at the Derby, but the distance at Pimlico helped him out in that regard.

Bodemeister is similar to Shackleford in terms of pure speed, but he couldn’t hold on at Churchill Downs. That will chance at Pimlico as the horse that didn’t race as a two-year-old will get the win that he probably deserved at the Kentucky Derby. He’ll also be led by a trainer in Bob Baffert who has won the Preakness States five times, so he knows how to get horses ready to whip around Pimlico. Consider the odds carefully, but lean towards Bodemeister for the Preakness in your online betting picks.

Preakness Stakes Betting Pick: Bodemeister

Posted on May 8th, 2012 by admin
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When the Memphis Grizzlies allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to record the biggest sports betting comeback in NBA playoff history, it was much worse than simply conceding home court advantage in the series. The Grizzlies admitted the serious psychological effects of their game one loss, but that only increased their resolve for game two and the chance to draw even. Memphis responded with a 105-98 win at the FedEx Forum on Wednesday, and now after a couple of days off to regroup will have the chance to take back home advantage with game three on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angles Clippers
Saturday May 5, 2012 – 4:30 PM ET
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA best sportsbook Line: Los Angeles Clippers

For as much as the game one comeback win meant to the Clippers, they still have a lot of work to do if they are going to make it through to the second round. One reason that Los Angeles was able to record that big comeback win was because it was in such a big hole in the first place, and they have to be better with Memphis unlikely to concede another big lead in similar fashion.

NBA Betting Pick: Memphis Grizzlies

For as tough as the game one collapse must have been for some of the Grizzlies’ players to deal with, perhaps the only positive in the mess was the way they took responsibility for what happened and moved forward as a team. There was no single performances pointed out, no negative talk, only resolve and the determination to put that game in the past with a win. OJ Mayo scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and Memphis rallied together with six players reaching double-digit points totals in game two. The Grizzlies should probably be up two games heading to Los Angeles, but rather than worry about the result this team is prepared to take the positive to go out and execute.

NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles Clippers

If the Clippers are expecting that every game will be as easy as the first, they are in for a major shock. Los Angeles has struggled with consistency all season, and as incredible as their series-opening win was they still need three more victories to advance and its unlikely that Memphis will cough up another big lead. Chris Paul scored 29 points with six assists and five steals on Wednesday in another solid performance, and while Blake Griffin, Nick Young, and Mo Williams all reached double-digits in scoring, the Clippers weren’t committed enough at their own end of the floor. Los Angeles should get a spark playing a postseason game in front of their home fans on the same day as this year’s Kentucky Derby betting, and they need to respond by playing a full four quarters.

NBA Betting Pick: Outlook & Pick

The Grizzlies were embarrassed in front of their home fans in game one, so look for them to do whatever they can to return the favor as the series shifts to Hollywood. Memphis is a solid team with very little in terms of holes, and while the game one collapse won’t be forgotten anytime soon, the Grizzlies now have the chance to return the favor with a big road win that would swing momentum back in their favor.

NBA Betting Pick: Memphis Grizzlies 

Posted on May 5th, 2012 by admin
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The 2012 NHL Playoffs have been the showcase for many surprising players, but nobody has captured the spotlight quite like Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby.

East First Round, Game 5: Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers – Monday, May 7
Sports betting line: N/A
Why Washington Will Win

When you place a bet on an NHL playoff series after looking at any of several sports betting sites, there will come a time when you have to acknowledge the power and durability of the “magic carpet ride factor,” that rare but real dynamic in which a player who slipped under the radar over the course of the regular season comes onto the scene in the playoffs and befuddles the opposition. Studying the rise of Braden Holtby, the Washington Capitals emergent net minder, is a lot like studying a young pitcher who gets called up late in a regular baseball season and has success because hitters havent seen him pitch very often. Hitters are confounded by a release point they havent seen. Theyre thrown off balance by a man who doesnt have a well-developed history or the scouting report to match.

Hitters find it hard to formulate a precise and coherent plan of attack. They might figure him out the following year, but not in the present moment. This is what the New York Rangers are coming to terms with in their series against Holtby and the Capitals. Holtby doesnt have a well-developed scouting report because he was the Caps third-string goalie this past regular season. He sat on the bench behind the top two goalies on the team, but when each goalie suffered an injury before the playoffs, Holtby was the only choice. He outlasted and outplayed Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas in round one of the playoffs, and now hes playing New York superstar Henrik Lundqvist on very even terms in round two.

Holtby currently has the stage presence and mental toughness to carry his team to the Stanley Cup Finals. Theres no reason to think that after enduring and winning a Game 7 on the road in the first round of the postseason, Holtby will suddenly wilt in Game 5 of a second-round series. This kid is legitimate, and hell answer the call for head coach Dale Hunter.

Why New York Will Win

The people who are studying this contest will calmly point out that as you assess your latest attempt to bet on sports, the Rangers have the knowledge that theyve already survived a seven-game grind in the first round against the Ottawa Senators. New York was really shaky in Games 3 through 5 (and the first 25 minutes of Game 6) against Ottawa, but now that the top seed in the Eastern Conference has steered clear of that challenge, it should be much more trusting in its own ability to persevere and thrive in tight situations. Lundqvist is a rock in goal, and the Rangers know that this is their best chance to win the Stanley Cup since 1994.New York will embrace this moment and figure out Braden Holtby.

Who Will Win?

While Holtby is the real deal, the Rangers have an equally good goaltender plus a level of stamina that Washington will find hard to match.New York will dig out a 2-1 win in this contest. It should be a thriller.

NHL Betting Pick: New York Rangers

Posted on May 5th, 2012 by admin
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In order for the Dallas Mavericks to reach the NBA finals a year ago, they had to first take care of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western conference finals, which they did on their way to an NBA title. Fast-forward one year later and its now the Thunder looking for their shot at championship rings, with Dallas the first obstacle in their way on the long road to the NBA finals. Oklahoma City took a two-games-to-none series lead over the Mavericks as the series shifted to Texas on Thursday, with the chance to repay Dallas for what went down last season this Kentucky Derby betting weekend.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
Saturday May 5, 2012 – 7:30 PM ET
American Airlines Center, Dallas Texas
NBA best sportsbook Line: Dallas Mavericks

It isn’t that Dirk Nowitzki and company haven’t been good in the series, it’s just that the Thunder have been better. Losing the first two games by an average of two points is testament to how closely these teams match up, and Oklahoma City will do everything they can to avoid letting the Mavericks climb back in to this series.

NBA Betting Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder

The fact that the Thunder has been so good even despite Kevin Durant’s struggles has been what has stood out the most in this series, with Russell Westbrook elevating his game to that next level to help Oklahoma City take the early series lead. Westbrook is averaging a series-high 28.5 points per game, while Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins have given Dallas all it can handle down low. Eventually Durant is going to come around and start hitting his shots, and the Thunder are hoping that breakout performance will come in Texas.

NBA Betting Preview: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks have been right there in every game so far, and the biggest thing now is to maintain a certain level of confidence after losing a couple of close games that could have very well gone either way. Dirk Nowitzki is averaging a team-high 28 points, but he will need more help from other key veterans like Jason Terry and Vince Carter if Dallas is going to claw its way back in to this series. The loss of Tyson Chandler has left somewhat of a hole in the middle for the Mavericks even though Brendan Haywood has played well. Nowitzki and company have to realize how close the first two games were, and not veer away from the game plan.

NBA Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

Even though they won both sports betting sites contests at home, the Thunder have to be feeling at least a little bit anxious about how close those victories were, and anxious to put this series away with memories of last year’s Western conference finals still lingering. Westbrook has been among the biggest stars in the series and the fact that he has been able to handle the offensive load with Durant struggling from the field is proof that he has taken that next step as a key star on this team in his own right.

NBA Betting Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder

Posted on May 4th, 2012 by admin
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A lot of online betting sharps woke up exhausted on Thursday morning thanks to Game 3’s triple-overtime game between New York and Washington, which was pulled out by the Rangers on the road. Now, the Rangers smell blood and they’ll pounce on Saturday afternoon in the nation’s capital.

What: NHL Betting
When: Saturday, May 5th, 12:30 PM ET
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Pick: New York Rangers

Why Bet On New York Rangers

The Rangers escaped the Game 3 marathon with a 2-1 win, and while Marian Gaborik was taking a little heat from different corners of the media for his play, he quieted critics with the triple-overtime winner to cap off a seven-shot performance. Ryan Callahan also got on the scoresheet, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 45 of the 46 shots he faced, including all 17 during the three overtimes. The most important players for the Rangers may have been defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi, who had to get multiple stitches after taking a puck and a stick to the face on two separate occasions. McDonagh led players on both teams with 53:17 of ice time, and he and Girardi combined to block 14 shots in total, although it seemed like more. While Lundqvist gets most of the attention from NHL betting players and for good reason (he isn’t nominated for the Vezina and Hart Trophies for nothing), his defense has played incredible in front of him all season and this was a heroic performance from this duo, along with Marc Staal.

New York also won the giveaway battle as they turned the puck over just 10 times to 27 for the Capitals, and it is little things like those statistics that will turn a game in a team’s favor. The Rangers are a fundamentally sound team that doesn’t panic when the going gets rough, and even though they’ve scored a few more goals this season than in previous years, it’s their strength at the back that will carry them to their first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Why Bet On Washington Capitals

The Capitals fought valiantly, but they made a couple more mistakes than the Rangers and not just in the turnover battle; Gaborik was left wide open in front of Braden Holtby, who had another brilliant game with 47 saves and he is absolutely the last person on the Rangers you want to leave open right in front of your goalie. John Carlson notched his first goal of the playoffs for the Capitals, who had 59 hits to the Rangers’ 46, but that wasn’t enough. It was another close game for the Capitals as now, all 10 of their postseason games have been decided by two goals or less, and nine of them by a goal, so they have to be mentally fatigued and they’re doing it all with a young goalie in Holtby who has been unflappable for the most of the playoffs.

However, it’s still a little puzzling that Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin aren’t getting more time on the ice, especially Semin, who was on the ice for 25:38 despite assisting on Carlson’s goal. Ovechkin had a fair amount with 35:14 and he may have regained a little more of Dale Hunter’s trust after scoring the winner in Game 2, but it was also a triple-overtime game and he could afford to put his star sniper out more since he had over 13 minutes in the previous game. Whatever Hunter’s plan is, at this point he needs to ride with his stars if the Capitals are going to make this a series, but with rumors that Hunter will return to junior hockey after this playoff run is over, he may not care what anyone thinks, which is admirable, but only if they win.

How It Will Play Out

Look for the NHL betting odds to be close in this game either way, and the extra day of rest should make for a better outing in Game 4 because if these two had to play on Friday night, it could have been one of the ugliest games of the postseason. In particular, the defensemen on both teams were run into the ground and the goalies could surely stand a little more rest as well.

Both teams have actually be worn down with close games throughout the postseason, so at this point it’s all about mental strength and defense, and we’re giving the edge to the Rangers in both categories. It is always deflating to lose a multiple-overtime game and this will be a massive test for the Capitals, but the Rangers are simply the better team and they see an opportunity to go back up three games to one. Take New York on the road in Saturday’s sports betting picks.

Rangers Capitals Betting Pick: New York Rangers

Posted on May 4th, 2012 by admin
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What is a good online betting site for legally gambling on horse racing like the Kentucky Oaks today. Not a shady offershore sportsbook; I want legal wagering at a legit horse betting site from the USA.

I think there are a few good legal, USA-based online horse betting sites. But the best one for betting the Kentucky Oaks online has to be Twin Spires. They are owned by Churchill Downs, plus they offer great betting tools and full track odds. They have a new sign-up bonus and you can bet everything just like you were at the track but without the lines.

Here’s the link to their site if you want to bet online on the Kentucky Oaks, the Oaks/Derby Double, or almost any race at any track, plus you get a sign-up bonus:

http://partners.twinspiresaffiliates.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_654b_3

Posted on May 4th, 2012 by admin
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The 2012 NHL Playoffs were quite compelling in round one. The St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings could be on the verge of producing a memorable second-round series.

West Semifinals, Game 3: St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings – Thursday, May 3
Sports betting line: N/A

Why St. Louis Will Win

When you place a wager on an NHL playoff series, you don’t have to consult sports betting sites in order to realize that a number eight seed has reached the Stanley Cup Finals before. The Edmonton Oilers reached the Cup finals in 2006 before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. However, thats the exception which proves the rule. Are the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Kings really going to move to the Western Conference finals and then take the next step to the NHLs championship series? Its still doubtful. Los Angeles took a lot of penalties this past Saturday in Game 1, and while the Kings prevailed in that contest, they cant continue to tempt fate.

St. Louis shrugged off a Game 1 home loss in the first round of the NHL playoffs to the San Jose Sharks. It can definitely toss aside a Game 1 loss in this series as well. Blues coach Ken Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the best bench bosses in all of professional hockey. He knows how to motivate his young players and get the best out of them.

Hitchcock has won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars (1999), something L.A. coach Darryl Sutter has never been able to do (though he came close with the Calgary Flames in 2004). Hitchcocks presence will make a difference for St. Louis.

Why Los Angeles Will Win

The people who are studying this contest will calmly point out that your bet on sports needs to look beyond the two-versus-eight seed matchup and identify the strong defense that the Los Angeles Kings are playing in this series and – on a broader level – the 2012 playoffs at large. First of all, netminder Jonathan Quick has been a rock of Gibraltar for Los Angeles in the playoffs. The Kings were brilliant when killing penalties this past Saturday in their Game 1 victory over the Blues. In fact, Los Angeles scored the go-ahead goal in the series opener while being shorthanded.

This is a very wily and crafty group that consistently outflanked and outmaneuvered defending Western Conference champion Vancouver in a breathtaking five games in the first round. Los Angeles has used a simple formula – just get to the postseason, and then when in the playoffs, max out – as its mantra on gamedays. The level of commitment displayed by this team has become too substantial to ignore, its degree of sacrifice – guys risking the body to block shots and deliver hits – too profound to sweep under the rug. This is a rugged team that is flying across the ice at the moment. The Kings hitting and checking, if sustained, will carry them to victory.

Who Will Win?

The goaltending is even and the defenses are even, but the coaching matchup favors St. Louis. Ken Hitchcock will make the right adjustments, and the Blues will win in Southern California.

NHL Betting Pick: St. Louis

Posted on May 3rd, 2012 by admin
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After the Boston Red Sox were labeled preseason sports betting favorites to win the World Series a year ago, it was hard for their fans to watch them struggle out of the gate, and then after looking so strong at midseason, collapse down the stretch to miss the playoffs. The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t done much better for their fans so far as the preseason World Series favorites out of the National League, but after climbing back to the .500 mark earlier this week they have the chance to make a statement against the Washington Nationals. The Nationals started strong but lost five-straight to fall back towards the pack in the NL West, setting up one of the most highly anticipated series’ of the weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
Friday, 7:05 PM ET

The Phillies won’t have to wait long to face their toughest test in the series, as 23-year old phenom Stephen Strasburg starts the opener for Washington against Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick is sporting an awful 6.59 ERA on the season, and Philadelphia has lost all six games that he has started. It won’t be any easier with Strasburg and his 1.13 ERA on the mound for the Nationals, as he has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his six starts. The Phillies’ offense has struggled all season and ranks 25th in runs scored, so it doesn’t really make sense to take them in the opener regardless of their best sportsbook odds.

MLB Betting Pick: Washington Nationals

Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
Saturday, 1:05 PM ET

The second time around doesn’t get much easier for Philadelphia with Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nationals, but at least they have a weapon of their own to counter with in Vance Worley. Worley has looked dominant in his last three starts with just two earned runs allowed in a combined 20 innings, while striking out 22 batters. Gonzalez has been just as good for Washington, but he did lose a 2-0 game to the Los Angeles Dodgers his last time out and the Phillies really can’t afford to drop this contest with the Kentucky Derby betting going on that first Saturday in May.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
Sunday, 8:00 PM ET

Nobody projected at the beginning of the season that the Nationals would be in contention for the NL West title in early May, and now that they are there, Washington should fight like heck to stay in contention. A five-game losing streak may have hurt the team’s confidence, but with Jordan Zimmermann set to pitch opposite Cole Hamels in front of a national audience for the season finale, the Nationals have a chance to bounce back in a major way. Zimmermann actually has the better numbers of the two starting pitchers and Washington has played some great baseball at home this season. The Phillies have a pitching staff that ranks among the best in the majors, but until they can start producing on offense look for the teams they play to continue to cause them problems.

MLB Betting Pick: Washington Nationals

Posted on May 3rd, 2012 by admin
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