Van Pelt leads, Woods 9 shots back at Quail Hollow

April 30, 2010

Charlotte, NC – Bo Van Pelt fired a seven-under 65 to take the first-round lead Thursday at the Quail Hollow Championship.

Twenty-seven players were within five shots of Van Pelt’s lead, but only one of them was closer than two. And embattled world No. 1 Tiger Woods was nine strokes back.

Kenny Perry eagled his 16th hole to tie Van Pelt, but flubbed a shot on the next hole and made bogey, ending one stroke off the pace at six-under 66.

Camilo Villegas was next with a 67, while Geoff Ogilvy, Paul Goydos, Billy Mayfair, Andres Romero, Brad Faxon and J.J. Henry were knotted at 68.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson, playing for the first time since Augusta, reached as low as four-under par before ending his round with back-to-back bogeys for a 70.

Woods labored to a two-over 74 that included back-to-back tee shots into the water and was nowhere near the lead in his first start since the Masters.

He striped his first tee shot down the No. 10 fairway to open the tournament with a birdie, but made a bogey two holes later and never got back under par.

Struggling with his shot direction all day, Woods was done in by a three-hole stretch around the turn that included tee shots into the water hazards at 17 and 18.

Those wet shots led to a double-bogey the par-three 17th and a bogey at the 18th. After he also bogeyed No. 1 — his 10th hole — Woods was four-over par and tumbling down the leaderboard.

“A lot of mistakes,” said Woods, the 2007 Quail Hollow champion. “I didn’t hit the ball very good at all today.”

Meanwhile, Van Pelt has rarely hit it better. He had seven birdies to come within one shot of tying the course record that he shares with Kirk Triplett and Rory Sabbatini.

Van Pelt, who fired a 64 in the second round in 2006, is back using the putter he had in his bag when he captured his only PGA Tour win last year in Milwaukee.

The refurbished club served him well on the Quail Hollow greens, as Van Pelt took only 26 putts during the bogey-free effort.

“I think statistically I’m like second in total driving and about fourth in greens in regulation, so that hasn’t been holding me back,” said Van Pelt, who tied for third place in his last start at the Heritage two weeks ago. “It’s just converting on some of those (putting) opportunities.”

Van Pelt went 4-for-4 on the par fives, making birdies on each of them. He just missed a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 9 — his last hole — with a chance to extend his lead even further.

“I knew I was striking the ball well. My irons felt good, and I was driving the ball well,” said Van Pelt. “I just wanted to keep going forward. I didn’t really look at the [leaderboard], I just tried to take advantage of the opportunities I had, and this is one of those golf courses where if it’s going good, you’d better try to get it because it can jump up and grab you in a heartbeat.”

Woods rallied back to one-over par after his disastrous three-hole stretch around the turn, making birdies at Nos. 2, 5 and 8. But he closed with a bogey at No. 9 to shoot his worst score since a 75 in the final round of the PGA Championship.

That was the day Woods was upset by winner Y.E. Yang despite holding the third-round lead.

“One good round tomorrow could get me right back in it,” Woods said.

But first he will have to correct the control problem that had him guessing all day whether his balls would travel left or right off the club. Woods wasn’t interested in working on the problem right away, saying “The hell with it” about going to the range afterward.

“I’m just going to go hang it up today and come out tomorrow,” he said.

NOTES: Mickelson played despite leaving the pro-am Wednesday to be treated for dehydration…Defending champion Sean O’Hair, who netted his first $1 million paycheck when he won last year, opened with an even-par 72…Triplett and Sabbatini carded their 64s in 2004 and 2007, respectively…The 34-year-old Van Pelt also won once on the Nationwide Tour in 2003.

Written by admin · Filed Under Daily Sports Round Up

free pick Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles 4-30-10

April 30, 2010

The Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Camden Yards.

Righthander John Lackey will take the mound for the Red Sox to start this game. Lackey is 2-1 this season with a 5.09 ERA.

Meanwhile, it’ll be David Hernandez who starts for the Orioles. Righthander Hernandez is 0-3 with a 4.84 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

Jon Lester tossed a one-hit shutout through seven innings as the Red Sox shut down the Blue Jays 2-0 for series sweep last time out. The Red Sox won the game as -150 favorites, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

Dustin Pedroia Darnell McDonald drove in the runs for the Red Sox.

The Orioles were shut down 4-0 by the Yankees last time out, as +130 underdogs. The teams played UNDER that game’s posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

Brian Matusz was tagged with the loss, giving up nine hits and three earned runs over his six innings for the Orioles.

Current streak:
Boston has won 3 straight games.
Baltimore has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 11-11 SU
Baltimore: 4-18 SU

Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Baltimore are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 1-9
After playing NY Yankees are 1-9
After a loss are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Boston is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Baltimore
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Baltimore’s last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
Baltimore is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games
Baltimore is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games at home

Next up:
Baltimore home to Boston, Saturday, May 1

FREE PICK: Red Sox -1.5 Runs -115

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free pick Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves 4-30-10

April 30, 2010

The Atlanta Braves will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the Houston Astros at Turner Field.

Brett Myers will be the starting pitcher for the Astros on this day. Righthander Myers is 1-1 this season with a 3.81 ERA.

It’ll be Tommy Hanson toeing the rubber for the Braves in this contest. Righthander Hanson is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.

The Astros were swept away last time out as they dropped the finale 4-2 to the Reds. The Astros had been favored at -165 for that game, while the six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks.

Roy Oswalt gave up three earned runs over his seven innings in the Astros loss.

The Braves dropped a 10-4 decision to the Cardinals Thursday, and were swept in that four-game series. The Braves were +140 underdogs, while the 14 runs sailed OVER the day’s posted over/under (7) set by sportsbooks.

Jair Jurrjens gave up three earned runs in just one inning and was tagged with the loss.

Current streak:
Houston has lost 3 straight games.
Atlanta has lost 9 straight games.

Team records:
Houston: 8-13 SU
Atlanta: 8-14 SU

Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Atlanta are 6-4
After playing Cincinnati are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston’s last 15 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Houston is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Atlanta’s last 15 games when playing Houston
Atlanta is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 9 games when playing at home against Houston

Next up:
Atlanta home to Houston, Saturday, May 1

FREE PICK: Braves -1.5 Runs -100

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free pick Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-30-10

April 30, 2010

The Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Mellon Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Penguins listed as 270-moneyline favorites versus the Canadiens, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Jaroslav Halak turned away 41 shots to help the Canadiens come back to upset the Capitals 2-1 last time out and clinch the first-round series in Game 7. The Canadiens won that game as +260 underdogs, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (6) set by oddsmakers.

Marc-Andre Bergeron and Dominic Moore scored for the Canadiens.

Pascal Dupuis scored at 9:56 of overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 win over the Senators to win the first-round series last time out. The Penguins won that game as -175 favorites, and the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).

Matt Cooke scored a pair in regulation for the Pens, and Bill Guerin added the other marker.

Team records:
Montreal: 39-33-10
Pittsburgh: 47-28-7

Montreal most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After playing Washington are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 7-3
After playing Ottawa are 8-2
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal’s last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Montreal is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games at home
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Montreal, Sunday, May 2

FREE PICK : Over 5.5

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free pick Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-30-10

April 30, 2010

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Ford Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Thunder listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game’s total is sitting at 194½.

Pau Gasol went for 25 points and 11 rebounds, as the Lakers cruised past the Thunder 111-87 in Game 5 of their Western Conference first round series on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles covered as 6.5-point home favorites, while the teams played OVER the 194.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.

Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 11 boards for the Lakers, who now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Kevin Durant dropped 17 points for Oklahoma City, while Russell Westbrook posted 15 points and six assists for the Thunder.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 57-25 SU, 34-46-2 ATS
Oklahoma City: 50-32 SU, 48-34 ATS

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 15-3 SU in their last 18 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games
LA Lakers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City’s last 8 games

Next up:
LA Lakers home to Oklahoma City, Sunday, May 2
Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, Sunday, May 2

FREE PICK Oklahoma City -1.5

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Quail Hollow Championship tees off in Charlotte

April 29, 2010

PGA TOUR

QUAIL HOLLOW CHAMPIONSHIP
Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina –

Emerging as a can’t-miss event on the PGA Tour, the Quail Hollow Championship will feature at least three good storylines this week.

Tiger Woods will make his second post-scandal start after tying for fourth place at the Masters, saying last week that he was surprised at the warm welcome he received at Augusta.

It will be interesting to see how Woods, who won at Quail Hollow in 2007, will be received by fans at a tournament that’s not as controlled at the Masters. Woods has also committed to The Players Championship, the U.S. Open and his own AT&T National tournament.

It will be interesting to see how Tiger Woods will be received by fans at Quail Hollow.

Phil Mickelson will be playing for the first time since winning his third Masters title, a three-shot victory over Lee Westwood that was punctuated by a post-round embrace with his wife, Amy, who is battling breast cancer.

This week also marks an important title defense for 27-year-old Sean O’Hair, who captured his third PGA Tour win last year despite closing with back-to- back bogeys in the final round.

O’Hair coughed up a two-shot lead with two holes remaining, missing the green at the par-three 17th and three-putting from 26 feet at the 18th. But Lucas Glover also bogeyed the 17th, falling one shot back and giving O’Hair the win.

It was the most significant win of O’Hair’s career, netting the young American his first $1 million check. It came just five weeks after he lost to Woods on the final hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational after having the third-round lead.

O’Hair joined an impressive list of winners in the tournament’s short history, a list that includes Anthony Kim, Woods, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, Joey Sindelar and David Toms.

Coverage of the must-see event begins on Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday before CBS takes over on the weekend.

Next week is another can’t-miss event, The Players Championship, which was won by Henrik Stenson last year.

LPGA TOUR

TRES MARIAS CHAMPIONSHIP
Tres Marias Country Club, Morelia, Mexico –

Lorena Ochoa will make this week’s Tres Marias Championship her (sort of) going away party.

The 28-year-old Mexican star announced her retirement last week, saying she will play this week and then also compete annually in her own Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.

“I’m ready to move on,” said the recently-married Ochoa, the current world No. 1, who will become a non-active member of the LPGA Tour following her retirement.

Though her announcement was sudden, Ochoa picked a good time for it. She is the two-time defending champion after beating Suzann Pettersen by a shot last year. Ochoa also won the event in 2006, giving her wins in three of the five years it has been played.

Carin Koch won the inaugural tournament in 2005, and Silvia Cavalleri captured it in 2007.

Also playing this week is Michelle Wie, who is seeking her second LPGA Tour win after breaking through at Ochoa’s tournament near the end of last season. Wie is finished with her school work at Stanford this year.

Following the event, the LPGA Tour will take a week off before returning May 13th for the Bell Micro LPGA Classic, where Angela Stanford won last year.

EUROPEAN TOUR

OPEN DE ESPANA
Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, Seville, Spain –

France’s Thomas Levet captured his fifth European Tour victory at last year’s Open de Espana.

Levet closed with a four-under 68 to hold off hard-charging Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay by two shots, winning for only the second time in five years.

Zanotti, who was chasing his first tour victory, had a seven-under 65 in his final round on the PGA Golf de Catalunya course.

This year’s event will be held at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla. Levet will be joined by several former champions, including Peter Lawrie, Niclas Fasth, Christian Cevaer, Kenneth Ferrie, Jarmo Sandelin, Thomas Bjorn and Colin Montgomerie.

It will mark the first time the tour is on the European continent since the Madeira Islands Open three weeks ago. Y.E. Yang and Marcus Fraser won tournaments in Asia the last two weeks.

Golf Channel will have coverage of all four rounds beginning at 9:30 a.m. (et) the first two days and an hour earlier on Saturday and Sunday.

Next week is the Italian Open, where Daniel Vancsik won last year.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

MISSISSIPPI GULF RESORT CLASSIC

The $1.6 million tournament is a new event on the Champions Tour and will be held at the Tom Fazio-designed Fallen Oak course.

Only two of the top five players on the Charles Schwab Cup points list will be in the field this week: No. 2 Bernhard Langer and No. 3 Nick Price.

Points leader Fred Couples is playing the PGA Tour’s Quail Hollow Championship, while No. 4 Tom Watson and No. 5 Tom Lehman are taking the week off.

Mark O’Meara, No. 6 in the standings, teamed with Price to win last week’s Legends of Golf tournament in a playoff over John Cook and Joey Sindelar. It marked O’Meara’s first win in 58 career starts on the Champions Tour.

Golf Channel will have coverage of all three rounds beginning at 6:30 p.m. (et) on Friday and Saturday and starting a half-hour later on Sunday.

Following the tournament, the Champions Tour will take a week off until the Regions Charity Classic begins May 14. Keith Fergus won that event last year.

NATIONWIDE TOUR

STADION ATHENS CLASSIC
University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, Georgia –

Patrick Sheehan will be the latest player looking to become the first to successfully defend a title on the Nationwide Tour.

Sheehan won this event last year with a birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Michael Sim, who went on to earn an automatic promotion to the PGA Tour after winning three times in 2009.

It marked Sheehan’s second victory on the Nationwide Tour, where no one has ever won the same title in back-to-back years.

There is no television coverage for the tournament.

The Nationwide Tour is off next week, returning May 13 for the BMW Charity Pro-Am, where Sim captured one of his wins last year.

Written by admin · Filed Under Daily Sports Round Up

free pick Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers 4-29-10

April 29, 2010

The Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rangers Ballpark.

The White Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Gavin Floyd in this game. Floyd has a 0-2 record and a 8.38 ERA this season.

Starting this game for the Rangers will be ace Scott Feldman. The righthander has a 5.40 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total is sitting at 9½.

The Rangers scored five runs in the first inning and managed to hold on for a 6-5 win over the White Sox on Wednesday, as -120 favorites. That game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks.

Josh Hamilton went deep for a two-run homer for the Rangers, and Rich Harden gave up three earned runs over six innings in picking up the win.

Jake Peavy allowed six runs off six hits in his 6 1-3 innings for the White Sox in the loss.

Current streak:
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Texas has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Chicago: 8-13 SU
Texas: 10-11 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing NY Yankees are 5-5
After playing Texas are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Texas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 5-5
After playing Chi White Sox are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 6 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Chi White Sox’s last 25 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games
Texas is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas’s last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Texas is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games

Next up:
Chi White Sox at NY Yankees, Friday, April 30
Texas at Seattle, Friday, April 30

FREE PICK : White Sox +120

Written by admin · Filed Under Free MLB Picks

free pick Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks 4-29-10

April 29, 2010

The Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at HP Pavilion.

Oddsmakers currently have the Sharks listed as 140-moneyline favorites versus the Red Wings, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Nicklas Lidstrom had two goals and an assist as the Red Wings ripped the Coyotes 6-1 to win their Western Conference quarterfinal series in seven games on Tuesday night.

Detroit cashed as -115 road favorites, while the teams played OVER the 5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.

The Sharks scored four times in the third period to defeat the Avalanche 5-2 and clinch their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday. The Sharks won the game as -170 favorites, and the seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).

Joe Pavelski scored twice for the Sharks, while singles came off the sticks of Dan Boyle, Devin Setoguchi, and Douglas Murray.

Team records:
Detroit: 44-24-14
San Jose: 51-20-11

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Edmonton are 8-2
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

San Jose most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Toronto are 4-4-1
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing San Jose
San Jose is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose’s last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose’s last 5 games when playing Detroit

Next up:
San Jose home to Detroit, Sunday, May 2

FREE PICK : Under 5.5

Written by admin · Filed Under Free NHL Picks

free pick Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-29-10

April 29, 2010

The Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rose Garden.

Oddsmakers currently have the Trail Blazers listed as 1-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 202.

Channing Frye had 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench as the Suns coasted over the Trail Blazers 107-88 in Game 5 of their first-round series on Monday.

Phoenix covered as 7.5-point home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 205-point total set by oddsmakers.

Amare Stoudemire and reserve Jared Dudley dropped 19 points apiece for the Suns, who now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Andre Miller scored 21 points to lead Portland, while LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless netted 17 points each for the Trail Blazers.

Team records:
Phoenix: 54-28 SU, 48-32-2 ATS
Portland: 50-32 SU, 45-35-2 ATS

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Portland are 8-2
After playing Portland are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Portland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-9
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix’s last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games
Phoenix is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Phoenix is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Portland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Portland’s last 18 games at home

Next up:
Phoenix home to Portland, Saturday, May 1
Portland at Phoenix, Saturday, May 1

FREE PICK : Suns +1

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This Week in Golf – April 29th through May 2nd

April 28, 2010