VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen has opinions on tonight’s opening NBA Play-In Games.
No. 8 Hawks (+5) at No. 7 Magic, 7:30 pm ET. >Preview.
This is a game that should be pretty close throughout, but that’s why I like the idea of taking Atlanta with the points. When things get tough, I put more faith in Trey Young to create easy buckets than anybody else on the floor in this one.
No. 8 Grizzlies (+7) at No. 7 Warriors, 10 pm ET. >Preview.
The reality is that the Warriors probably aren’t as good as their late-season surge, and the Grizzlies aren’t as bad as their second half of the year. That makes it hard for me to see Golden State winning by eight or more. There isn’t a huge difference in talent, and Memphis’ size could hurt Golden State.
>VSiN’s NBA Playoff Hub page with Zach’s previews for Wednesday’s Play-In games.
Makinen’s MLB Bullpen Systems
If you aren’t familiar with Steve Makinen’s Bullpen Ratings Systems, today might be a good time.
Steve does a weekly update on his bullpen systems. And in this week’s edition, he explains why he decided to focus on bullpens.
I have always embraced the idea that better bullpen teams are the stronger wager when assessing the options. They just aren’t accounted for as much as starting pitching by oddsmakers, thus giving bettors value in typically at least 1/3 of games or more.
Steve has a formula to generate power ratings for bullpens. Here is the latest:
Rank – Team – Bullpen PR
- Cleveland: 28
- San Diego: 24
- LA Dodgers: 22
- NY Mets: 21
- Arizona: 20
- San Francisco: 18
- Atlanta: 16
- Detroit: 16
- Houston: 15
- Minnesota: 15
- NY Yankees: 14
- Seattle: 14
- Philadelphia: 13
- Baltimore: 13
- Toronto: 12
- Milwaukee: 3
- Chicago Cubs: 2
- Kansas City: 2
- Cincinnati: 2
- St Louis: 2
- Texas: 1
- Tampa Bay: 0
- Athletics: -1
- Chicago White Sox: -1
- Boston: -2
- Pittsburgh: -3
- Miami: -4
- LA Angels: -5
- Washington: -15
- Colorado: -16
Other MLB resources
Greg Peterson has filed his top plays for today.
Steve and Adam Burke will file their contributions by mid-morning and you can find them on the MLB page.
>Our daily matchup page with more detail by clicking on “Matchup Analysis.”
>Makinen’s daily power ratings
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
Quick Hits
NHL: Jonathan Davis will post his top picks later this morning.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Tuesday, April 15. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
