Doc's Weekly Prescription
by Doc's Sports Services - 04/24/2007
There's a natural letdown that occurs from all the hair-raising, blood-boiling, shock-inducing, gleeful dancing, and general mayhem that occurs through a weekend's worth of gambling action. And it's a scientific fact that Monday's are the most difficult day of the week for sports and gaming fans across the world, with Monday Sports Syndrome linked to illness and famine across the globe. OK, so I made that last part up. But it the start of a new week can be a cold splash of water to the face for Men of Action like you and I.
Fortunately, our team of handicappers at Doc's Sports Services has precisely the cure: DOC'S WEEKLY PRESCRIPTION. Each week we'll be bringing you a quick recap of the insanity that engulfed the industry over the weekend and a short preview of some key matchups in the week ahead. It's exactly what you need to keep your instincts heightened and your eyes firmly fixed on upcoming opportunities to keep your bankroll growing.
Here's the inside scoop from the guys who get it done over at Doc's Sports:
DOC'S SPORTS
What a weekend. The NHL and NBA playoffs are going on and MLB saw the best series in baseball renewed, when for the first time in 17 years, the Red Sox swept the Yankees at Fenway Park. The Red Sox trailed in all three games, but gradually wore down the suspect Yankee pitching. The highlight had to be on Sunday Night Baseball when the Red Sox hit four consecutive home runs to turn a 3-0 deficit to a 4-3 lead!
Boston now sits atop the AL East at a comfortable margin of four games over their rivals from the Bronx. Will this be the year they finally are able to hold off the Yankees? History would seem to say so since the Yankees are in need of healthy starting pitching. But as we all know, head-to-head meetings between these two teams are just a small percentage of the total games played and Boston must not falter against bottom feeder teams if they have visions of winning the division crown.
Ottawa vs. New Jersey (Eastern Conference Semifinals)
The most balanced match-up of the four remaining series, the Senators enter as a slight favorite despite not having home ice advantage. Contrasting styles will be evident in this match-up as Ottawa likes to press on offense and the Devils like to sit back and only gamble when high percentage opportunities arrive. Ottawa is playing well right now, but this team is known for being soft, something that should allow the Devils to be the more physical team. I suspect that whoever wins Game 1 will go on to win the series.
Doc's has been on fire during the playoffs in both the NHL and NBA. NBA is currently on a 17-4 run, capped by a 3-0 performance on Sunday. NHL has been beating the books consistently since the middle of February with a 46-17 run, picking up +119 units during this time. Both sports are currently offering playoff specials of $224 for NBA and $149 for NHL giving you over two months of playoff action. For more information about this promotions, check out our Insider's Page.
ROBERT FERRINGO
It's a great time to alive and an even better time to be a sports fan. I'm hooked on the NHL Playoffs and watched more NBA basketball over the weekend than I have over the last four months combined. I'm up to my ears in baseball, trying to squeeze every last dime out of the Boys of Summer, and the NFL Draft kicks off on my birthday this Saturday. What more can you ask for? Other than a date with Keira Knightly, a Ferrari, another vacation in the Bahamas and a flurry from Dairy Queen. Since I'm still working on the first three I'm going to go pick up the fourth and sit down and watch the Mets own the Rockies.
Here's a few series that I'll have my eye on this week while I hope that my wife doesn't sell all my stuff in a garage sale, Strahan-style:
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
The most intriguing series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs seems destined for seven games. On one hand you have the hottest team in hockey right now, the New York Rangers. On the other hand you have the best team of the entire season, the Buffalo Sabres. Barry Melrose picked New York to come out of the Eastern Conference - and when The Mullet speaks, I listen - but I'm sticking with Buffalo.
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Tigers-White Sox series this weekend may have the best baseball. And the Yankees-Red Sox will undoubtedly have the most drama. But as far as paydays go I'm looking west. Los Angeles may be the hottest team in the country right now and have already swept San Fran by the Bay. That means the Dodgers are 11-1 against the Giants since the All-Star break last season. I think L.A. will have to leave the brooms in the closet this week but that means we have a 66 percent chance at hitting on what will likely be a Game of the Week situation.
VEGAS SPORTS INFORMER
It's NBA Playoff Time so that means we have hoops until the first week of June. And can someone please tell why the first round of the NBA playoffs are best-of-seven series? To me it seems like the first round takes three weeks by itself!
In baseball, I'm a big homer so Sunday, of course, I'm watching my loveable losers the Chicago Cubs play against division rival and the much-hated St. Louis Cardinals. The wind is blowing out in Wrigley Field and the total in this game is 12. Of course my Cubs lost 12-9 in 10 innings but this wind in Chicago was unbelievable. I think I could've hit a home run off on Sunday. Being a Cub fan as of late is like ordering a Big Mac, super-size fries, 2 apple pies and a diet coke. Why are you ordering a diet Coke!!!
Here are three games that I have my eye on this week:
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Monday-Tuesday) MLB
I feel sorry for the Devil Rays pitching staff for Monday and Tuesday. The Yankees are coming off three straight losses to their arch rivals the Boston Red Sox. Rumor also has outfielder Hideki Matsui coming off the disabled list. Can this Yankee offense get any better? Only if they dig up Babe Ruth and put him in the lineup.
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls (Tuesday-Friday-Sunday) NBA
As fellow Doc handicapper Robert Ferringo calls me - Homer!!! I love this Bulls team this week over Miami. Granted, Shaq had his way in Game 1 but no one on this Heat roster can guard Luol Deng. Deng he's good!!! If the Bulls let Shaq and D-Wade get their points, but play good defense on the rest of the Heat, Chicago should win this series in six.
Check out my Insider Page Here for notes, updates, and free plays.
STRIKE POINTS SPORTS
How about them Baby Bulls? Our hometown Chicago squad came out strong against the defending champs and they look like a tough out in the playoffs. So far, our Suns/Bulls title match-up looks good. For SPS, we cashed our third straight winning week of the young baseball season and look to keep the good times rollin'.
Here are several match-ups we'll be eyeing this week:
Florida at Philadelphia
If the Phillies are going to keep this winning up and climb to respectability they have to cash in against the division. The Marlins will be tough all year, but it will be interesting to see if their hitting keeps up at this pace.
Boston at Baltimore
The O's have their stock at a soaring rate, however this is the team to bring them back to reality. The Red Sox pitching could be the best in the AL alongside the Tigers' staff, and so far they are getting it done with a less than stellar Manny Ramirez.
San Francisco at Los Angeles
The Giants have looked much better from their first week blunders, and that includes a healthy, free-swinging Bonds and a much-improved Barry Zito. I think the Dodgers are the best team in the NL, and that includes the Mets. They have to be considered a big threat to win the pennant with their combo of arms and bats.