It was a good day in the neighborhood for SCP on Wednesday as we Swept the Board with a 4* Winner in MLB and two 1* Winners in the NBA. Our 4* ELITE play on the Dodgers came through as they beat the Pirates 6-5 to halt a 3 game losing streak, but it was a sweat. After scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning the bats went silent and they needed Blake Treinen to get out of a self-inflicted jam in the 9th to barely hold on for the 1 run victory. For all of their offense, this pitching staff looks suspect early. The Dodgers get Freddie Freeman back on Friday, as they open a series against the Cubs, but if the starting pitching does not improve they will have to outscore most opponents. For the Nationals their young hitters, led by Abrams and Wood at the top of the lineup, appear to be taking the next step and we will be looking hard at the OVER in many of the upcoming Washington contests. Our two 1* OVERS in the NBA came through as both Portland/UTAH (126-133) and Denver/SACRAMENTO (124-116) filled the bucket. As the NBA season winds down it seems many teams are not even PRETENDING to play DEFENSE. We will try to take advantage of that over the next 4 days as that will all change once the PLAYOFFS begin. Adding 6 Units brings our rolling 44 day record to 76-58 for PLUS 74.6 UNITS. With College Hoops done for 6 months, it will be FULL FOCUS on MLB and the NBA Playoffs going forward.
4* ELITE – (MLB) Dodgers -180 (6-5) WIN
1* SOLID – (NBA) Portland/UTAH OVER 229 (126-133) WIN
1* SOLID – (NBA) Denver/SACRAMENTO OVER 234.5 (124-116) WIN
4-9-25 4* ELITE – (MLB) Dodgers -180 (Listed Pitchers: Knack/Irvin): This afternoon the LA Dodgers (9-4) visit the Washington Nationals (5-6) with the Home team going for a 3 game series Sweep. The Dodgers enter this contest having lost 3 straight while the Nationals are on a 4 game winning streak. LA tries to stop the losing streak behind Landon Knack. The 27-year-old made 12 starts among 15 regular-season appearances with the big club as a rookie last year, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 69:18 K:BB over 69 innings. He faced the Nationals twice last season allowing 4 earned runs in 11 innings. The Nationals send Jake Irvin to the bump. In 3 seasons with Washington Irvin has 59 starts and a 4.52 ERA. He faced the Dodgers last season and allowed 6 earned runs, 3 Home Runs and 17 baserunners. This season Irvin sports a 5.40 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with five punchouts over 10 innings. The Dodgers have a big edge on the mound with Knack, and a big edge in the bullpen should Knack have his innings limited. This sets up as an excellent bounceback spot for an angry Dodger bunch.
4-9-25 1* SOLID – (NBA) Portland/UTAH OVER 229: Tonight Portland visits Utah in what should mimic a Summer League game with both teams running up and down the court and playing Zero Defense. The Jazz threw in the towel some time ago and routinely “rest” their better players to give them a better chance in the “Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes”. Tonight Kessler and Markkanen are out and Collier is questionable. Amazingly Utah has allowed 147, 140 and 143 in their last 3 outings and, with the Blazers still trying hard every night, there is no reason to believe they cannot score at will as they have averaged 118 ppg in winning 3 of their last 4 against better teams with better defense. The Jazz will keep firing and should do their part as well.
4-9-25 1* SOLID – (NBA) Denver/SACRAMENTO OVER 234.5: Tonight the Denver Nuggets visit the Sacramento Kings with a new Head Coach. Nuggets fans hope the switch will improve a defense that ranks 21st over their last 10 games. For their part, the Kings have scored 120+ in 3 straight and they can’t stop anyone either. Sacramento is especially bad defending the 3 ball so look for the Nuggets to be chucking from deep all night. The Kings are 10-4 to the OVER in their last 14 at HOME. Both squads can score, and neither defends, so this one sets up as a SHOOTOUT!
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