Category Archives: News

OVER and Out; Draft Me!

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OVER and Out; Draft Me!

Pick of the Day – Indians @ Blue Jays

OVER (10)

Thursday, May 3rd – 7:05 PM ET

Cleveland Indians @ Toronto Blue Jays;I know I haven’t been raking in the cash, or even pumping out picks since my plane trip to Paris, but I’m trying to get back on track, and my winning ways, before returning home to the States at the end of the month. My first order of business is to pick a baseball winner today. While I’m sure the Indians will take hom the W in this contest, I don’t like the -160 straight up, and while the -1.5 is fairly safe, I’m not a huge fan of baseballs 2 runs needed to win, so I’m taking an easy bet here, the OVER.

Bottom Line:Both the Jays and the Indians have hit over 10 in 7 of their last 10 games. Yes, they’ll do it again. Cliff Lee (a 4.4 era guy last season) pitches his first game of the year, while Toronto’s starter Dustin McGowan is a reliever, has started 10 career games, and has an ERA up aorund 7.00. Sounds like an over game if I’ve ever seen one. McGowan never goes past 5 innings, and the Jays and Indians went 11 last night, meaning bullpens will be tired. Two starters who aren’t up to par physically yet, (in Dustin’s cast; ever) and two teams that rake. Take the over, and follow me to my 20th win in 30 tries.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 19-9-1

European Tour of Duty: I’m still over on the other side of the Atlantic, and won’t be back for another 4 weeks or so. But I’ve learned from my Nadal/Federer loss, I’m staying with America for my picks. Good luck in your bets!

How about the NFL Draft? There were many surprising picks, but I’d have to say the Patriots and Jaguars made out like bandits. One reason, well, they straight jacked picks from teams. The Pats will have a loaded first day next season, while the Jags took home a number of solid picks, most based off a trade that lost them nothing, as they ended up with Reggie Nelson, the guy they wanted anyway. Good lord. The luck some guys have. The Raiders cut their losses, eh, Randy Moss, and hope to start a new without the half-time receiver. But just wait, he’ll blow up in New England this season. If Tom Brady and Dr. Bill can make Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, and company look solid, just wait until Randy shows up. The Pats won’t have problems with Randy, because if they do, they’ll just cut him, and they lost out on a 4th round pick. Big deal.The Hawks gave away Darrell Jackson. And while D-Jack has a knack for getting hurt, he’s been the most consistent weapon the Hawks have had catching the ball, by a ton. Expect D-Hack to step up with a huge year in Seattle, and Branch, who knows about that guy. Ted Ginn Jr; Hmmm….??? To be honest, I think he would have been gone in the next couple picks, so fools need to stop saying the Dolphins reached too far for his services. Yeah, they passed on Quinn, but if anyone can judge quarterbacks, its Cam Cameron, and he likes Beck more. Plus, this gives Daunte another chance in Miami; Something he might just take advantage of. Since I’ve left, the Bulls swept the Heat, the Mavericks went down 3-1 to Golden State, and Kobe’s Lakers didn’t have a chance, going down in 5 to the Suns. I love it. If only the Nuggets could have taken down the Spurs, my life would have been complete. Until another day, “Do Work!”

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood

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Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood

Pick of the Day – Roger Federer @ Rafael Nadal

Federer (+140)

Sunday, April 22nd – EARLY!!! PM ET

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal go at it again; this time for the championship in Monte Carlo. While Nadal easily leads the head to head between the two, Roger has done what Roger does and taken the last two from the clay court specialist. Should be a good one on the Cote D’Azur

Bottom Line:As this even takes place, I must tell you, I’m just outside of Monte Carlo, and certainly their is a nice French buzz about tomorrow’s event. I’ve never been a stickler for taking big favorites, something I thought I’d see before looking at the odds for this match. Well, I thought I’d see the best tennis player of all time entrenched as a -200 underdog, but as it seems, the odds have bounced away from Rog. But don’t get ahead of yourselves and bet against this super athlete. He may not be playing the best tennis of his life, and certainly, Nadal is a nice clay match-up for him, but Roger is a winner, even in the most adverse situations, and tomorrow (today for me), he will win. All I needed to see was Nadal fine tuning his game after yesterday’s match. That’s great. And while many think practice makes perfect, I’d have to say, extra time the day before the match will only lose Nadal confidence points.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 19-8-1

European Tour of Duty: As I had planned to do, I found right in front of my eyes, my first European sporting event to pick. Its nice how a little trip to the Azure Coast will crash straight into a Nadal/Federer showdown. You’ve gotta love it!

Once again Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

European Tour of Duty

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European Tour of Duty

Pick of the Day – Hornets @ Kings

New Orleans Hornets @ Sacramento Kings

Hornets (+4.5)

Monday, April 16th – 1:05 PM ET

Chris Paul & David West might not have gotten their team of youngsters into the post season, but does that mean they’re ready to bend over and take it from the Sac-Town Queens? Not a chance. Ron Artest & Mike Bibby may have had solid games lately, but that just means they’re ready to fold up their lawn chairs and head out to the beach as soon as this seasons’ over. The young Hornets are winners of the future, so expect them to give it their all right meow.

Bottom Line:The Hornets are much better than the Kings, so expect them to win. Weird.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-8-1

European Tour of Duty: Okay, so I’m off to Europe because a beautiful woman tricked me into buying a plane ticket to come see her. What can I do? On the road, I’ll do my best to get some inside looks at some overseas events, so stay tuned!

Once again Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

Hall of Drew Bledsoe

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Hall of Drew Bledsoe

Pick of the Day – Marlins @ Braves

Florida Marlins @ Atlanta Braves

Marlins (+185)

Sunday, April 15th – 1:05 PM ET

Annibal Sanchez VS Tim Hudson; both these pitchers have a lot to offer. Sanchez and his young Marlins try to make a name for themselves, as Hudson and his Braves look to get back on track after a down year. Andrew Jones & Miquel Cabrerra will have a lot to do with who wins this contest.

Bottom Line: This baseball game is all about numbers, right? Right. You talk to any manager, hardcore fan, or player, and they will tell you, the highs and lows don’t often exist, where the averages tell the story. That’s why there’s 162 games a year, and getting a hit one time in every 3 atbats gets you to the All Star Game. Well, the young Sanchez is much better than his 5.4 ERA, and Hudson’s .64 ERA isn’t about to last. Expect both of those numbers to even out as the Marlins take down the Braves in a big money winner, +185. I always try to go for big money winners to break my slump (0-2 in last 2 bets), and this is a good a chance as any.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-8-1

Hall of Drew Bledsoe?: Was he good, bad, or great? Sometimes bad, sometimes good, but never, never Great. Okay, in college Drew could toss that pigskin around, but in the NFL, Mr. Bledsoe has always come up short of great… Every single year. I’m not even going to argue with numbers, as surely, this inordinarily slow, tall, unathletic stumbler ranks in the Top 10 in more than a couple categories. But this isn’t baseball, where 500 long balls used to get you in, or the NBA, where leading the league in scoring a handful of times makes you a prime H.O.F. canidate. This is the NFL where great players find themselves in the Hall of Fame, and good players try to figure out what they could have done to be great. Drew Bledsoe had a few good years, only a few. He played solid in New England for a couple years, and had a nice season for a .500 Buffalo Bill team, but never, not even when he found himself in the Super Bowl, was he a great quarterback. Don’t be confused for even a minute, 7th all time in anything doesn’t make you great. Being great, not measure by numbers or titles or touchdowns or girth, just being geat, that’s it. It’s not that difficult to assess. Its right there in front of your eyes. Watch the great ones now and enjoy the show. As for what I will do without Drew to pinch and poke week after week, Eli Manning’s going to be around for awhile, he should do just fine.

In other news: Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

Oden or Durrant?

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Oden or Durrant?

Pick of the Day – Pacers @ Heat

Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat

Heat (-5)

Friday, April 13th – 8:00 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal & Dwayne Wade, should both be in the lineup when the Heat face the Pacers on Friday night, as the Heat try to make a push for the 3 spot while the Pacers try to dance into the playoffs. Check it out to see if Jermaine O’Neal can will his team past last year’s NBA Champs.

Bottom Line: Dwayne seems to be getting his first step back, and thus the Pacers will pay. Shaq is back after an absence for a funeral, and thus the Pacers will pay. Miami is looking to make a move up to the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and thus the Pacers will lose. Sure, Indy is attempting to get into the playoffs, but for what? To get swept in Round 1? They don’t have the gusto to do work, even in the East. Look for the Pacers playoff chances to go up in flames Friday Night.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-7-1

Oden or Durrant?: Two kids look to be a lock at the top of next year’s NBA Draft, those two young superstars are Greg Oden & Kevin Durrant. The question between NBA Fans has been answered, and for the most part, the fantasy sports mindset has demanded most of the votes, as Kevin is getting the nod over Greg, but if everyone could just pull their heads out of statlines, fantasy playoffs, and All Star game highlights, they’d begin to realize Greg Oden is the only decision. Now this is assuming Oden will join Durrant and come out early. Durrant plays the 3, and while I’m sure he has all the skills to develop into one of the league’s elite players, the bottom line is, 3’s are all around. Just next season, players like Rashard Lewis will be availiable in free agency, and while I like Durrants upside more than Lewis’, name a good center on the market next season. C’mon, what? You can’t find one? Hell, name a handfull of good centers in the league… Exactly. In a league that has lost the numbers of quality good centers, Oden has flashed a Bill Russell type ability to dominate defensively, with a nice offensive touch for a 7 footer still filling out his frame. I love KD, but the possibility of stealing a Center who should be a top 5 guy at his position the day he steps on the NBA floor, that’s too much to pass up. If teams could pass on Mike to get Hakeem and Sam Bowie, than surely Oden is the answer at #1. Because Oden has all the ability and force than any Center since Shaq, and while Durrant has tons of talent, he’s not Mike. You can’t go wrong with either player, as both will be All Stars in the NBA, but I’ll take Championships over MVP’s, and thus I’ll roll with Greg Oden.

In other news: Drew Bledsoe, has retired. Yes, my week to week bashing of Drew Bledsoe, the fat 7th grader, will surely come to an end… But! Not before I get out what I need to get out. Stay tuned to the site, as my next Top Shelf article will discuss one Cougar Donkey’s career.

Pacman Suspension Valid?

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Pacman Suspension Valid?

Pick of the Day – Heat @ Bobcats

Miami Heat @ Charlotte Bobcats

Heat (+1)

Tuesday, April 10th – 8:00 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal & Dwayne Wade, not to mention the rest of the Miami Heat, travel to Charlotte to revenge their most recent loss to the Bobcats. Wade is coming off his first game back, as Shaq looks to assert some dominance against the yong Bobcat front line. It will be interesting to see if the Heat play with some emotion in this one, trying to improve their playoff seed.

Bottom Line: Its hard for me to believe that the Charlotte Bobcats going to slay the Heat two games in a row. Inf fact, its down right foolish for anyone to think something like that. Wade’s first game back the Heat went to overtime before falling to a superb performance by Gerald Wallace, but don’t expect as much from the Bobcats this time around. Sure, the Cats play well against solid competition, but only because they go into most games beleiving they don’t have a chance. Its when they start to think they belong, thats when trouble strikes. Expect a 20-10 yester year perfromance from the Genie, and a better game out of Miami’s biggest star, Mr. Wade.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-6-1

Pacman Suspension Valid?: Honestly, I think Adam “Pacman” Jones deserves everything the NFL or any other league, division of the law, video game maker, judge has in store for the troubled youngster, but I still don’t think what the league did was legally right. This is somewhat similar to the whole “Steroids in Baseball” fiasco. Like in baseball, the rules were different when Pacman did his business, and now he’s getting punished as if the recent rules were in place all along. Jones is a moron, that’s the only way you could explain him throwing 80 large around a strip club in the first place, let alone to pose as a distraction so one of his “friends” could come in and Scarface the Las Vegas scene up. What a joke. But, the matter of fact is, the law assumes innocence until proven guilty, and the league is suspending Jones for a year based on what the media has written about the corner’s latest run-in with the law. I’m sure Jones and his attourney’s are writing their appeal as I speak, or quite possibly even sueing the NFL right meow. And while I think that crap is ridiculous, this country thrives off the rights that the NFL is taking away from Frogger Jones. We’ll see how this turns out, but I don’t think it will roll smoothly. As for Chris Henry’s suspension, I think that was a little more reasonable. Here’s a cat that strikes out three times a week, in or out of season, and he’s been charged, and found guilty on numerous occasions. Even then, I’m interested to see what the new agreement says about these cases. Its pretty childish to make new rules half way through the game, and penalize people for what they did prior to the new hard to see writing at the bottom. Comprende?

A Big Play Away

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One Minute Quickie

Pick of the Day – Raptors @ Timberwolves

Toronto Raptors @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Raptors (-2)

Monday, April 9th – 8:00 PM ET

In a out of conference match-up, the Timberwolves of Minnesota host the Toronto Raptors in a showdown that will show two contrasting styles. The Wolves do best when they run their half-court offense through one of the league’s best, Kevin Garnett while the Raptors run the show when they are sprinting from end to end. Chris Boshand company will try to stay hot in Minnesota.

Bottom Line:I think the Raptors play too uptempo for the Timberwolves. Toronto has been hot of late, winning 8 of 10, and don’t have to travel far for this road match-up. Chris Bosh has been unreal, and this is the type of game that can show his growth, as he matches up with Kevin Garnett. I don’t think te Wolves can run with Toronto, even when the Raptors are playing their second of a back to back.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 17-6-1

A Big Play Away: It may be easy to say guys like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Bears Defense, Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens, Tom Brady and other stars get you to a Super Bowl and ultimately win game for your team. You could even argue that defense wins championships. However, many fools take a pass on Special Teams when they start instigating discussion on why winners win, and who gets to Super Bowls, who wins playoff games, or gets to the post season instead of picking in the Top 5 year in and year out. Well, look no further than guys like Desmond Howard, Devin Hester, Deion Branch, Antwaan Randel El and other game breakers that give their team another gear. These guys are really the reason their squads finished with titles. Without their gamebreaking talent, and some huge plays in the biggest situations, their squads wouldn’t be fresh in our memories, even if they’re not. This is why a guy like Ted Ginn Jr., even if his route running is raw, his hands not perfect, and his body size not ideal, would make a great draft selection at any point in Round 1. I don’t care what people say about his raw technique, or non-chalant style, the bottom line is, his speed and break-away skills make him a must have guy. Look what Devin Hester has done for the Bears; well, TGjr is better offensively than Hester, and can actually play a position on a football field other than returner. What I’m saying is, people need to ignore his lack of size, or his raw skill set, and start seeing TGjr for what he is, the most illusive 0-100mph guy in the draft. His ability can win a couple games for you all by itself. And big plays, they make the differece, whether we’d like to believe it or not. Most “solid” teams in the league, those that didn’t make the playoffs, are just one big play away from seeing themselves in the post season. One play. Ted Ginn Jr. will be a guy who makes that play.

One Minute Quickie

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One Minute Quickie

Pick of the Day – Red Sox @ Royals

Boston Red Sox @ Kansas City Royals

Under (9.5)

Thursday, April 5th – 7:10 PM ET

It’s a pitching match-up to watch in Kansas City Thursday afternoon. The Red Sox, and Daisuke Matsuzaka play their 3rd against the Royals and super-talented starter Zach Greinke. Its easy to get caught up in the Daisuke lure, but don’t ignore the preseason Greinke had, the kid was once a top flight prospect.

Bottom Line: I would love to take the Royals in this one, as the payout is pretty big, just to win, in their home stadium. With all the Matsuzaka hoopla, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the Red Sox just didn’t hit for their Japanese Ace, and the Royals pull a quick one on good Old Boston. But its too hard for me to bet against David Ortiz, Manny Rameirez, Coco Crisp, JD Drew, Willy Mo Pena and company, to lose their first series of the season, 1-2, to the Kansas City Royals of all clubs. So, to be safe, I’m going with the under. Matsuzaka has been unhittable, and Greinke has all the talent to slow down the potent Red Sox free swingers.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 16-6-1

Baseball Season Sleepers

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Baseball Season Sleepers

Pick of the Day – Raptors @ Heat

Toronto Raptors @ Miami Heat

Raptors (+5)

Tuesday, April 2nd – 7:30 PM ET

The Miami Heat host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, trying to improve their playoff seed and stay ahead of Toronto in the East. Surely Shaq O’Neal will be at his best against a Toronto front line that doesn’t even have 1 guy that can pretend to muscle Shaq around. However, it will be interesting to see if the Heat can play the uptempo style against the Raptors.

Bottom Line: Honestly, I think this is a terrible match-up for the Heat. Toronto is full of young athletic kids always looking to make a name for themselves, something that’s tough up North in Canada. Against the Heat Chris Bosh, TJ Ford and company will be looking to drop the Heat and get the National Cred they deserve. Look for Bosh to use his superb all around game to beat a Heat team that is just waiting for Dwayne Wade to return. It’s always tough waiting on your star, you’re not sure about your minutes, where the ball will go, what you have to do now to continue getting the playing time you want when he returns. In a state of confusion, I wouldn’t be stunned if the Raptors make the Heat look silly in Miami.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 15-6-1

Baseball Season Sleepers: This is just going to be real quick, but I thought I’d document my crazy predictions so I can either refer to them at the end of this long baseball season, or just forget about them if they don’t work out. I prefer the first option, but we shall see. There are always obvious favorites to do the dirty and win the whole thing (Yankees, Cardinals, Tigers, Red Sox, etc.) but I’m looking through my skewed crystal ball to find my favorites of the not-so-favorite. Here they are; NL MVP You’ve got Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, and Jose Reyes among others, but I’m looking to a guy some people are forgetting about because of his injury filled 2006. One Derek Lee. If you can remeber, this young smasher flurted with .400 and pounded homeruns out by the bushels a couple years back. If the Cubbies get to the playoffs, he’ll be the reason why, and that will win him the NL MVP. AL MVP We have the favorites; Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Justin Morneau, and even Grady Sizemore, but I have another name I want to throw out there, remember Vladamir Guerrero? Many people aren’t even listing him as a possibility for the MVP, and I think he’s the favorite. Not quite a sleeper, but just wait and see if the L.A. Angels go deep, he’ll be the leading vote getter. If you want a sleeper, look no farther than Travis Haffner. The young crusher has all the makeup of an MVP sleeper. He’s got a great young team surrounding him, and he might be the next guy to flurt with 60 HR’s, he’s got that kind of crush in his swing. As far as the NL Champion is concerned, don’t give me the Mets, Cardinals, Cubs, as favorites, try the Florida Marlins on as a sleeper. Despite their huge comeback last season, in which they nearly snuck into the playoffs after competing for the League’s Worst Team Award, they should only be better in 2007. What a great team of young pitchers and hitters who can run those bases. All the littel things could get them in. And last but not least, of course the Yankees, Bo Sox, White Sox, Tigers, and A’s, my AL Champion sleeper is the Seattle Mariners. Sure, laugh it up, get your pokes in now before I make you look silly. Felix Hernandez is the most talented pitcher in baseball (aside from maybe Johan Santana) and instead of going out and getting a bunch of guys who were One-Year Wonders last season, they picked up a handful of guys that struggled in ’06 for a great price. In a picher’s park, I think the M’s can be scary. Just wait and see.

Don't Believe the Hype

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Don’t Believe the Hype

Pick of the Day – Hoyas @ Buckeyes

Georgetown Hoyas @ Ohio State Buckeyes

Buckeyes (+1)

Saturday, March 31st – 6:07 PM ET

The #2 Seed Georgetown Hoyas will wear the away jerseys for the second straight game, as they take on the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes. Big Men, Greg Oden & Roy Hibbert go head to head, signifying one of the best Center matchups in recent memory. It should be one hell of a game!

Bottom Line: I like Geogetown, but just don’t believe the hype surrounding John Thompson III and company. He’s a great coach that has gotten the most out of his guys, but to think Hibbert is on Oden’s level is obsurd. Hibbert uses his height advantage over opponents well, but what will happen when that advantage is null? We’ll see on Saturday, and I don’t think Hoya fans will be excited about the outcome. The only way Georgetown has a chance in this one is if Jeff Green goes off, rarely missing a shot, and Greg Oden spends much of the game in foul trouble, molting on the bench. Even then, I’ll still take Ron Lewis & Mike Connely Jr to pick up the slack, and slay the Hoyas in Game 1 of the FINAL FOUR

Lucky’s Overall Record: 14-6-1

Don’t Believe the Hype: The Georgetown Hoyas are everyone’s sexy pick to slip their way into the NCAA Championship game, but I just don’t see it. Jeff Green is great, but other than him, the Hoyas lack the athletic ability and outright firepower to compete with the Buckeyes, and certainly not the Gators (Shall Florida make it past the Bruins) The guards in OSU are filthy with the ball, and clutch like a Porche. Simply put, I wouldn’t be surprised if the OSU/Hoyas game finsihed up with the Buckeyes up 15. Any team can have a bad day shooting, and Hoyas’ fans, start praying now, because that’s your only shot at sniping the Big Bad Buckeyes in the Final Four.

In other news, what in the hell is the deal with the Media always trying to kill college hoops happiness and excitement by placing Final Four Coaches into new jobs before the season is over. How can you justify even asking a coach that’s playing for a National Championship “Are you interested in the Kentucky job?” Listen, every coach should answer this question the same way. Like this: “I’m interested in coaching basketball, I love it, right now, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Every single year, when the season is over, I entertain the options that I have… After the season. At this moment, I’m one of the 4 coaches lucky enough to still be coaching, which means my season isn’t over. Right now, and as far as I can see, i’m a (INSERT TEAM NAME HERE), and I bleed (Insert Team colors here), I love these kids!” That is a rallying cry, and a speech aimed for success. With all the garbage running around JT3 and Billy Donovan, I wish I could pick up a chair (Bobby Knight-style) and huck it into the media circle… Not in my directon, of course.