Ricky's 10* play RUN LINE PLAY on the Boston Red Sox.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Revenge. MLB comes down to starting pitching and each contest has to be looked at by itself, however after losing both games of yesterday’s double header, I think the home side bounces back in this revenge situation. Eduardo Rodrigues (1-2, 7.20 ERA) of the Red Sox will be expecting some support here after his team left 13 men on base last night. Rodriguez will be feeling confident here as well as he’s 2-1 with a very respectable 3.52 ERA in four starts vs. the Tigers. 

Key Trends:

- Detroit is still just 10-33 (-13.4 units) in its last 43 as a road dog of +150 or more.

- Boston is still 103-51 (+12.6 units) the L2 years as a home favorite.

The verdict: I think Tyson Ross gets the hook early here vs. the determined and clearly underachieving home side. Lay the 1.5 runs for the pick em price!

Ricky's 8* play on the San Diego Padres.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Felix Hernandez’s road issues. The King has dominated the Padres throughout his career, especially at Petco Park. However that was a long time ago. Hernandez is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA this season, including 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA on the road. Last year he was 8-13 with a 5.64 ERA, including only 4-8 with a 6.97 ERA on the road. Padres’ rookie Chris Paddack is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA and over his first 20 frames of work he’s allowed six runs on nine hits with 21 K’s for a tiny .134 opponents batting average and a 0.800 WHIP. 

The verdict: The Padres are 3-1 in Paddacks first four starts, but he’s yet to actually earn a victory himself. Expect that to change today. Lay the price!

Ricky's 1* Free Play on the Washington Capitals.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Home ice advantage. So far it’s meant everything in this series. The Capitals won all four regular season meetings between the clubs, but so far each team has been successful on its own ice in this series and I see no reason at all for that trend to suddenly end here. In fact the last time these teams played in the Nation’s capital, Washington skated away with an impressive 6-0 victory. 

Key Trends:

- Washington is 7-2 in its last nine following a playoff loss.

- Carolina is just 2-6 in its last eight road games following a home win by three goals or more.

The verdict: Home ice. Experience. Two major/crucial factors are clearly working in favor of the defending champs tonight. The price is right as well and it could/should in fact be much larger in my professional opinion. Consider the Capitals in Game 7!

Ricky's 10* play on the over Carolina/Washington.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Defenses and goaltenders appear fatigued. Over the last two games, a 6-0 win for Washington and a 4-2 victory for Carolina, I’ve felt that defense has taken a back seat. And I look for that trend to carry over here. Note that some crucial ATS O/U stats are listed below.

Key Trends:

- Carolina has seen the total go over the number in four of its last five after a win by three goals or more.

- Washington has seen the total go over in 18 of 27 this year after allowing four goals or more.

- The Capitals have seen the total soar over in 19 of 30 this year in revenging a loss vs. an opponent.

The verdict: Everything points to a wide open “goal-fest.” Play the over!

Ricky's 8* play on the Houston Rockets.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Home cooking. I think it matters in Game 5. These teams split four regular season meetings, but Houston rolled out to three straight convincing victories before falling flat in Game 4. Clearly the Rockets can’t give the Jazz any more hope, so with the home side doubling down with their effort to end things here and now, I expect a similar style blowout as what we saw in Game’s 1 and 2. Utah’s achilles heel has been its play on the road and I expect that trend to continue. 

Key Trends:

- Utah is 1-4 ATS this year already off an upset win as a home underdog.

- The Jazz are an inconsistent 20-24 this year after a game where they covered the spread.

The verdict: Expect Houston to put the foot on the gas from start to finish and lay the points with confidence!

Ricky's 10* play on the LA Clippers.

Key Trends:

- LA is 24-18 ATS on the road this year.

- The Clippers are 17-10 ATS this season revenging a loss vs. an opponent.

- LA is 19-11 ATS this year after allowing 110 points or more in three straight games.

- GS is just 17-25 ATS at home.

- The Warriors are a poor 13-14 ATS this season off a road victory.

The verdict: The Clippers covered at home in Game 4 and I think they’ll take Game 5 down to the wire as well. Golden State comes in complacent here in my opinion and while I’ll stop short in calling for the outright win, I think that all signs point to a very competitive battle. Grab the points!