Ricky Tran – Sports Handicapper

Ricky's 10* play on the Seattle Mariners.

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. 

- Favorable matchup. For Marco Gonzales and the Mariners. Gonzales is 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA and he goes up against left-hander Taylor Hearn (0-0, 0.0 ERA) who makes his debut after going just 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA in four starts for Nashville.

Key Trends:

- Texas is just 2-7 as a road dog this year.

- Seattle is 11-6 in “night” games.

The verdict: This line could/should easily be much larger in my professional opinion. Lay the price!

Ricky's 10* play on the Seattle Mariners.

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. 

Key Trends:

Analysis posted shortly.

Ricky's 8* play on the Philadelphia Phillies.

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 field advantage. The Phillies broke a four-game slide with a 6-0 win last night in New York and I think they keep the foot on the gas here. Caleb Smith has been “lights out” for the Marlins and while Aaron Nola has struggled to start 2019, he comes in off a start in which he gave up no runs over six innings vs. Colorado on Saturday and there’s no reason not to hunk that the Philadelphia “ace” won’t be able to build here. The Marlins have been anemic offensively, especially on the road. I think this line could/should in fact be larger. 

Key Trends:

- Miami is just 18-47 (-16.4 units) the L2 years as a road dog.

- The Phillies are 8-4 at home.

- Philadelphia is 10-7 vs. the division.

The verdict: Expect the Phillies’ hard-hitting line-up to be the difference here. Lay the price!

Ricky's 8* play on the Cincinnati Reds.

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. 

- Reds’ starter Luis Castillo. A pretty obvious “key angle” for this game, but I love the hard-throwing right-hander in this matchup. Castillo (2-1, 1.47 ERA) will be opposed by Julio Teheran (2-2, 5.61). Note that since August 1st, 2018 Castillo is 5-2 with a 1.27 ERA. So far he’s not given up more than two runs or four hits in any of his five starts. Teheran gave up five runs off seven hits over four innings in a loss to the Tribe in his latest outing. 

Key Trends:

- Atlanta is just 1-4 (-2.5 units) this year as a road dog in the +125 to +175 range.

- The Reds are interestingly 4-1 (+3.1 units) vs. the NL East.

The verdict: No need to over think, I believe we’re getting great value on the superior starter in this matchup. Lay the price!

Ricky's 1* Free Play on the Dallas Stars.

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. 

- Stars’ net minder Ben Bishop. Note that only one other regular goaltender (the Islanders’ Robin Lehner) has a higher save percentage in the first round than Bishop’s .945. Bishop stopped 47 of 48 shots in his team’s 2-1 OT win over the favored Predators in his most recent and I think he offers great value to carry his team to another win in Game 1 vs. St. Louis.

The verdict: With the Flames, Predators and Jets all eliminated, it’s a free for all in the Western Conference. The Blues are riding a hot rookie goaltender (Jordan Binnington), but I’ll take his veteran counterpart in Game 1. Also note that the Stars have to be feeling pretty confident here after taking three of four from the Blues in the regular season. Great value, consider Dallas on Thursday night!

Ricky's 5* play on the Columbus Blue Jackets (PUCK LINE).

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. 

- Fatigue vs. rest. Columbus destroyed the Lightning in three games. The Blue Jackets are the hottest team in the NHL right now and I think they’re worth laying the price for the extra 1.5 goals of insurance. The Bruins come in off an exhausting seven game series win over the Leafs, but they’re awfully good at home. In a contest which I envision being decided late or even in extra time, I think the visitors on the puck line is the correct move.

Key Trends:

- Columbus is 15-5 (+10.5 units) in its last 20 when playing with three or more days rest.

- The Bruins are only 1-4 (-3.8 units) in their last five in the second round of the playoffs.

The verdict: For all the reasons listed above, play on the Blue Jackets on the puck line!

Ricky's 10* play on the Spurs.

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 floor advantage. I think it’s going to matter here. The Nuggets have been anything but dominant in this series, but after back-to-back victories, I think Denver will come up short here. San Antonio finished 32-9 at home this year. Coach Gregg Popovich has coached in 281 playoff games, while the Nuggets head coach Mike Malone coached his very first postseason game in Game 1. Denver is the youngest team in the NBA playoffs and it hasn’t even been in the postseason since 2013. I think the visitors struggle to close out this series on the road.

Key Trends:

- Denver is a poor 21-22 ATS this year after playing a home game.

- San Antonio is 7-2 ATS this year when playing with “double revenge” vs. an opponent this season.

The verdict: Do or die, now or never. Use whatever phrase you want, but I expect the Spurs to step up and deliver the goods. Lay the short points!