[University of Sportsbooks]

University of Sportsbooks April 1st Fools Days Plays

MLB

Seattle Mariners -187

(Listing Padilla and Hernandez)
Felix Hernandez use being named the No. 2 starter this season to be extra motivated to have an even more impressive 2008. Erik Bedard took his spot as the Mariners’ Ace, and now Hernandez has to prove he is still worth of that spot come next season. It all starts tonight against the Rangers. Hernandez finished with a 14-7 record and a nice 3.82 ERA last year. Texas will counter with righthander Vicente Padilla, who will be trying to bounce back from an atrocious 2007, that saw him post a 6-10 record with a 5.76 ERA. Padilla has never fared well against the Mariners, owning a 2-7 mark with a 6.26 ERA in nine games - seven starts. Ichiro Suzuki has been a particularly big problem for Padilla, owning a .522 (12-for-23) batting average. Felix Hernandez has is 3-0 in his last 3 starts against the Rangers, allowing just 4 earned runs in 22 innings of work. The Mariners easily win this one by at least 2 runs Tuesday.

Mets/Marlins OVER 8.5

(Listing Martinez and Vandenurk)
Look for a lot of runs being scored tonight when the Mets visit the Marlins for their 2nd game in this 3-game series. The Mets got the best of the Marlins in a 7-2 victory yesterday. Now Florida gets to face the washed up Pedro Martinez after facing the best pitcher in all of baseball with Johan Santana Monday. It will be just like batting practice for the Marlins here. The OVER is 14-5 in the last 19 meetings between the Mets and Marlins. Rick Vandenhurk’s last start against the Mets resulted in a 10-4 New York win to go well OVER the posted total. Florida is 46-22 OVER against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. Florida is 26-7 OVER after scoring 2 runs or less over the last 2 seasons. Look for both teams to light up the scoreboard tonight.

NBA

Minnesota +7

This line has moved in our favor and we'll lock it in with the T-Wolves catching better than 8 points against a Pistons team which has lost 3 straight road games. This veteran Pistons team often coasts against lesser opponents and as a result is just 5-16 ATS versus terrible teams - outscored by their opponents by 6+ points/game over the last 3 seasons. Detroit is 4-13 ATS in road games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread this season, 3-17 ATS in road games after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons, and 1-10 ATS in road games after a combined score of 175 points or less 2 straight games over the last 3 seasons.

Houston Rockets -2.5

After a blowout defeat to San Antonio, I like the Rockets to bounce back tonight. Houston is 21-8 ATS in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons, 18-8 ATS second half of the season this season, and 13-4 ATS in road games off a road loss over the last 2 seasons. The Kings had a tough time defending the Rockets on March 24th when they went down in Houston, allowing 108 points to a team which only averages around 97ppg. Sac's defense will stick out like a sore thumb again tonight