Thursday, May 11, 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) - 9:40 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -120 Arizona Diamondbacks Pick Title: 8 Star MLB Ugly Pig Play (WIN) Here's a series where I feel has been circled by Arizona. They were humiliated last time in a 3-game series in Pittsburgh. Look for the D'Backs to get it done tonight with Zack Greinke. The Pirates travel from Los Angeles to Phoenix with no momentum losing 4 in a row, losers of 7 of their last 10 & are a putrid 6-13 on the road this season. In addition, they've struggled versus RHP batting just .234 in compiling a 9-12 record. Also in the numbers you'll find Pittsburgh struggling versus winning teams to the tune of 11-27 their last 38. My bottom line says Greinke is pitching well and fits nicely versus a team 26th in the majors in batting @ .228. The Diamondbacks have shown consistency as they've hit RHP well with a .264 average which clearly shows in going 21-8 @ home of late as well as 12-3 in Phoenix versus the patsies. If Manager Torey Lovullo can get better relief performances from his pen, they'll have a shot @ the last wild card (5th-seed) later in the season. Gerrit Cole may keep pace with Greinke for the most part. However, I'll board with a consistent homer who should get to the Pirates' pen late. Let's go down to Chase Field in Phoenix to put some green backs on the ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS as my 8 Star MLB Ugly Pig Play! Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals (MLB) - 7:05 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -163 Washington Nationals Pick Title: 9 Star Role Reversal Play (WIN) The Nationals came up short in Baltimore for their 2-game stint. Now, they cruise down the Beltway back to D.C. for a 2-game home-stand against my Orioles. Strasburg has fared well & has shown excellent mechanics thus far. Miley is coming off a wrist injury & I'm not certain he's all the way back. Washington has tattooed LHP to the tune of .a hefty 327 B.A. this season. Look for them to put runs up here as they finally get one versus their inter-league rivals. Let's go to Nationals Park in D.C. to play the WASHINGTON NATIONALS as my 9 Star Role Reversal Play! Tuesday, May 09, 2017 Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros (MLB) - 8:10 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -188 Houston Astros Pick Title: 9 Star MLB Big Bouncer (WIN) The Braves seem like they're going with the old veteran movement as Bartolo Colon takes to the hill versus red hot Houston. I like Charlie Morton here as he should get some excellent support from the Astros' bats who've hit RHP @ a nice .280 clip going 17-6 this season. Houston (12-6 @ Minute Maid Park) should pad their stats versus Colon (0-3 & 7.62 ERA @ night--8.44 ERA his last 3 starts) as well as the Braves overall as they've gone 10-18 this season versus RHP. Looking into their last 13 inter-league roadies, the Wahoos have won just 3 times. Atlanta has also had their share of close affairs & have lost 6 of 8 one-run games. On the flip side of the coin, Morton has experience, decent mechanics & has fared well @ night this season going 3-1 with a decent 3.72 ERA. My bottom line points toward Houston since they've taken care of the patsies consistently winning their last 4 against losing teams. Atlanta is on a 4-game skid largely due to a pitching staff that's ranked 28th out of 30 in overall pitching with a hefty 4.82 ERA & has a ballooning bullpen ERA of 4.99. This is greatly contrasted to Houston who leads the AL in batting average (.275), is 5th in overall pitching @ 3.54 ERA & ranks 7th in bullpen ERA with 3.11. Expect the bats to be pounding as 2B Jose Altuve goes (.304 batting average, 5 doubles, 5 HR's) so does his teammates (mainly 1B Yulieski Gurriel & C Brian McCann have combined for a .294 batting average, 7 HR's, 26 RBI's). Let's go to Minute Maid Park in the state of Texas to play the HOUSTON ASTROS as my 9 Star MLB Big Bouncer! NOTES: Vegas has its share of sharp lines. However, they also have some mistakes. Being patient, waiting for the window to open (which means passing @ intervals) & striking when the time warrants is paying off bigger dividends for us. Always check here for the CORRECT updated records since the VegasTopDogs grading system DOES NOT take into account buy points (in baskets & foots) which changes our winning percentages into an in-accurate percentage quite lower. Here's accurate records through Friday morning, May 12th: 2017 MLB Overall seasonal Record: 6-1----86%---- 2016-17 NHL Overall Seasonal Record: 27-20----57%---- 2016-17 NBA Overall Seasonal Record : 13-2----87---- Last 2 NBA Seasons Combined Record: 26-5----84%---- Gearing it up for the weekend----Mike Handzelek
 

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