The Advisory Board: Weekly Prescription
by Doc's Advisory Board - 06/05/2007
Here's the inside scoop into the betting world from the Advisory Board at Doc's Sports:
DOC'S SPORTS
Being a huge Red Sox fan, one would easily assume that I live for the Yankees/Red Sox series that occurs six times every year. Boston has amassed such a big lead over the entire AL East that the main goal for the Red Sox faithful was just not to get swept in either of the series. They did manage to achieve this in both series, winning one of the three games in New York and one of the three games in Boston.
Here are a few items we'll be trailing as the week progresses:
The 2007 Belmont Stakes (6:25 p.m., Saturday, June 9)
There is still one race left in the Triple Crown season, but the casual fan will fail to watch because no Triple Crown winner can come from the Belmont. Unfortunately, that great battle between Street Sense and Curlin in the Preakness Stakes will not happen again, as Street Sense is taking this race off. Curlin will race and will enter as a heavy favorite over this field. Hard Spin is another holdover, but it is hard to image that this speed horse could challenge Curlin at a long distance of 1.5 miles.
That being said, Doc's Sports will be releasing selections on the race and our $100 recommended bet would have grossed you $720 in the 2005 race. We have been studying the field for the last week and plan on cashing in big on Saturday. We did nail the trifecta in the Preakness Stakes, although the payout was disappointing. Selections will be released on Friday, June 8, so sign-up now.
It was an outstanding weekend for Doc's MLB Selections, as we went 6-1 over the weekend. Unfortunately our lone loss happened to be our strong totals play, but we have gone 15-4 over the last six days and the encore we have in store will be outstanding. Be sure to check out our Insider's Page for daily updates!
ROBERT FERRINGO
Did the Cavs really beat the Pistons? Here I was, looking forward to a classic seven-game series between the Pistons and Spurs (even though the average score would have been about 72-70 for the seven games) when LeBron James decided to completely take over. I also attribute the Cavs success to the karmic forces working against a notorious scumbag: Chris Webber. However, that was more LeBron winning than the Pistons losing.
In baseball, our diamond dominance continues as we crossed the +150 Unit threshold. The weather is getting warm, so look for teams like Minnesota and Oakland to start to heat up. Also, stay away from the Mets for a few weeks unless you're looking to bet against. Without Shawn Green, Jose Valentin and Moises Alou this is not the same team that was dominating people in April and May.
Beyond that, here's what I'll be keeping my eyes on as we make a run at $100,000 in net profit this week:
The 2007 Belmont Stakes (6:25 p.m., Saturday, June 9)
I've managed to correctly peg the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, hitting both a straight-up winner and an exacta at Pimlico a few weekends ago after just missing a winning exacta at the Derby. While there isn't a horse going for the Triple Crown in New York, we're still trying to make it 3-for-3 in racing winners for the year!!!
New York Mets at Detroit Tigers (Friday-Sunday)
With the level of confidence and control that the Tigers are playing with right now I think they will easily take two out of three from the Mets. New York is missing three key starters, as I mentioned, and that has left them without some of the pop they may need to keep up with Detroit. However, there is one huge X-factor here: the Tigers have one of the worst bullpens in the game and the Mets are notorious for late inning comebacks. Tread lightly.
Boston Red Sox at Arizona Diamondbacks (Friday-Sunday)
This is a sneaky series for bettors. The D-Backs have been smoking hot, and remain the streakiest team in MLB. But will they get caught in a cold spell before or during this three-game set? Big Papi will be out of the lineup and I don't think that the Sox are set up well in the outfield to handle spacious Bank One Ballpark. I'll be looking to cash in on the dogged D-Backs if they can stay at their current level.
VEGAS SPORTS INFORMER
What can I say about last week that doesn't start bringing teardrops from eyes? I'm talking about my fighting Cubbies. Not only have they lost six out of our last seven games, but the Cubs have also decided that since they can't beat other teams they will beat up each other. The only good thing that came out from the dugout brawl was that I had Carlos Zambrano over Michael Barrett, even though I had to lay heavy juice on Big Z (-200). Then just when it can't get any worse, good old boy Lou has a tantrum fit for a three-year-old on Saturday and was tossed out. As my t-shirt says right now as I type this, "Any Team Can Have a Bad Century: Chicago Cubs World Series Champs 1908."
Here are some games that I have my eye on this week:
Chicago at Milwaukee (Monday-Wednesday)
Chicago won Sunday afternoon, 10-1, against Atlanta to avoid the three-game sweep. Now the Cubs play the N.L. Central Division leaders in a key series. If the Cubs want to get out from under all the bad press they've received, they can start by taking two of three in Milwaukee. Wednesday's game should be a good one with pitcher/boxer Carlos Zambrano matched up with Jeff Suppan.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs (Thursday-Sunday)
King James vs. Tim Duncan will be the TV match-up. On paper this looks bad for the Cavaliers, but Cleveland did beat San Antonio twice this year. But the playoffs are a different type of basketball. I do believe that Bruce Bowen will cause LeBron some trouble and Tony Parker should be able to drive all over these Cavaliers guards. Before picking a series winner, I look directly to which team receives better bench play. By that rationale the San Antonio Spurs have the better bench and will win this series in six games.
Check out my Insider Page Here for notes, updates, and free plays.
STRIKE POINTS SPORTS
Things seem to be going from bad to worse here in Chicago for the Cubs. And what's even worse is it seems they are a great bet if you want to ride their losing streak. No matter the team, it appears the Cubbies find ways to lose games. When they're not hitting a batter in extra innings they're blowing leads the bullpen, so don't put anything past this very shaky team. If they don't get their act together with this series against the division-leading Brewers, they could be too far behind to make much of the difference the rest of the way.
Here are several match-ups we'll be eyeing this week:
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee has hardly been legit as a division leader, almost by default in the weak NL Central. However, .500 could easily get them in the playoffs if the then-second place Cubs continue their plummet. Milwaukee at home is still a much better team than anyone else in the division.
New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox
Clemens isn't going this series, however if the Yanks cannot score enough over this offensively hapless Sox squad, then problems definitely are here to stay. Chicago is getting good starting pitching, but New York needs to slug its way to another series victory.
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres
I might be crazy, but I sit here firmly stating that I think the NL West is the best division in the National League. The Dodgers, Padres and surprising D-Backs are all playoff contenders, while Colorado is competitive, as is San Fran. These two squads have the best bullpens in baseball along with Boston, so expect all the runs in this series to come within the first six innings.