Lock of the Century: Pumping My Own Tires

Before the Stanley Cup Finals Started I gave the Citizens four Locks of the Century.  In those bets, I went 3-1.  Let’s recap:

More Total Points

Burrows -150

Bergeron +120

Before the series I said: “Burrows sucks.  I don’t know how else to put it.  The guy rides on the skirts of the Sedin Sisters and get points almost by default.  Chara will be smashing them in the face all series long and I don’t see that line being a big factor.  Kesler will be skating against the Krejci line most likely which means Bergeron will have plenty of space to score.  Bergeron is without a doubt getting more points than Burrows.”

I am not even all that proud of this one to be honest.  Burrows sucks and is completely gutless, and now everyone knows it.  He had 3 points in the series, all of which game in game 2…a game for which he should have been suspended.  So in my mind he really had 0 points. Complete non-factor.  Bergeron, meanwhile was one of the Bruins better players and leaders in the series.  He is a terrific hockey player.  He has great character, plays two-way hockey and does all the little things right.  By my count he finished with 5 points, and his performance in Game 7 will go down in Boston folklore.  I think Bergeron will be thought of much like Dave Roberts, David Ortiz, Teddy Brushci, Ty Law, etc.  Maybe not the best player on the team, but a guy who had spectacular moments that will be remembered forever. Its a little ironic that perhaps the 3rd goal of Game 7 which completely locked up the Cup appeared to go off the hand that Burrows bit.  Karma is a bitch. Play with some class next time, asshole.

More Total Points

Erhoff -150

Chara +120

Before the series I said: “I am really confused by this one as well.  Chara will most likely be parked in front of the net on the Bruins powerplay which will give him more opportunities to score than normal.  He is also good in the transition game and should pick up a few assists when he isn’t murdering the Sedins.”

Again, picking an underdog that never should have been an underdog is nothing to write home about…but its nothing to sneeze at either.  Erhoff finished the series with a grand total of…drum roll please…1 pt.  Erhoff’s performance was…err–off.  1 pt in the series and a +/- rating of minus 7 for the series.  Way to step up in the Stanley Cup Finals, real solid performance. Meanwhile, when Chara wasn’t smashing Thelma and Louise’s faces in, he was contributing on offense as well.  He didn’t spend as much time in front of the net like I thought he would, but he still managed to chip in 4 points and was a +5 for the series.  Great performance by an elite defenseman and a strong leader.

More Total Points

Ryder +105

Bergeron -135

Before the series I said: “Ryder is good for a one big game a series, but he doesn’t get the minutes required for him to out score Bergeron for an entire series.  It also wouldn’t surprise me if Seguin takes a few shifts from Ryder as well.  Take Bergeron.”

Well if I was going to miss on one bet, I am glad it was the one involving two Bruins players.  Full disclosure, I have never been a big Michael Ryder fan, but I have to give credit where credit is due.  Ryder played a terrific series and finished with 6 points to Bergeron’s 5 points.  Ryder used his size and great shot to be a very effective player for the Bruins.  They probably couldn’t have won the Cup without him.  Props to Ryder.

Exact Series Pick

Bruins in 7

Before the series I said: “My heart says Bruins, my head says Canucks, and my balls say Bruins.  Usually when my balls and heart agree it’s a recipe for disaster…but I don’t care.  Bruins in 7. Suck it Canada.”

I am quite proud of this one.  The Bruins were big underdogs in the series.  Vancouver had home ice advantage, had just come off an easy series against a soft San Jose team, had the best record, Vezina finalist in net, Hart Trophy Finalist, Selke Trophy finalist blah blah blah…I didn’t care.  All of those awards are for the regular season, and they didn’t have a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate on the roster. Something deep down inside told me that the Bruins had enough sand to win this series and I have never been happier with a winning pick in my life.  As Barry Melrose said last night on SportsCenter, it was will over skill.  The Bruins simply had too much heart, pride, grit, and character to lose to this gutless Canucks team.  This was a classic series and good won out over evil.

follow me @windycitisports

Sweet Game Lebron

You’re so vain, you probably think this blog is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this blog is about you
Don’t you? don’t you?

Where is Scottie Pippen now?  Lebron sucks.  I always knew it.  Even when I said he was great I also said he sucked.  He is who we thought he was.  In the biggest game of his life and with an opportunity to put a strangle hold on the NBA finals, Lebron James stat line for the night read as 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.  Way to come through in the clutch “King James”, really Jordanesque.  Lebron couldn’t even shut down Jason Terry who had his best game of the series with 17 points.  Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki is just doing his thing.  Hitting game winners, fighting off the flu, and trying to save America from the Heat. 

Lebron is a loser. Plain and simple.  The Heat should have swept the Mavericks, but Lebron making dumb decisions in game 2 and disappearing in game 4 is the reason why this series is knotted up at 2 games a piece.  I picked Miami in 5 as my lock of the century, but now that is out the window and I am free to root for America’s team.  The Havana Heat are dead to me.  Go Mavs.

follow me @windycitisports

Lock of the Century: NBA Finals Game 4

Miami Heat +3 @ Dallas Mavericks -3

My heart says Dallas, but my head says Miami.  Lebron James had 17 points in Game 3 and Miami still won.  All of these Heat playoff series are playing out the exact same way.  Hard fought throughout the first 40 minutes, then Miami’s talent and team athleticism just takes over in crunch time.  Miami learned their lesson in Game 2 that they can’t take their foot off the gas.  Look for Lebron to bounce back tonight and lead the Heat to a victory.  I am also all about omens. I am in Chicago and it is going to be 98 degrees here today.  Ignore signs like this at your own peril.  I like Miami in against the spread, against the moneyline and I also like the over in total 3pt field goals made. The war against the Costa Rican economy continues. I want the same citizenship medal that Obama gave Bill Russell when this thing is all said and done.

Lock of the Century: Gold Cup Soccer Edition

Canada +700 @ USA -315 Draw +325

 

Over (+140)/Under (even) 2.5

So I am taking the fight right to the Costa Rican’s back yard on this one with my first ever Soccer Lock of the Century.  If there is one thing Costa Rica knows its soccer…at least I assume so.  Doesn’t scare me one bit.  I am turning up the heat in this fight. 

Canada sucks.  I didn’t even know they had a soccer team until today.  If I didn’t know about you, that means you aren’t any good.  The moneyline at -315 for USA isn’t all that attractive, but a win is a win is a win.  The over/under is where it gets a little tricky.  We have established that Canada sucks, but after watching part of the USA vs Spain game this weekend I am under the impression that America sucks too.  So will the ineptitude of both teams lead to defensive break downs and an onslaught of offense or will it be a race to the bottom essentially with a 1-0 win for the US?  I’ll go with the under and an American victory.  U-S-A, U-S-A!!!

follow me @windycitisports

Jinxes, Curses, and Karma when Betting: Locks of the Century

I have nobody to blame but myself for Miami’s epic collapse last night.  I got cocky and via twitter basically proclaimed that nobody could stop me from winning.  I was staring a 5-1 maybe 6-0 record in the face mid-way through the 4th quarter.  The first rule of gambling is don’t taunt the gambling gods.  I had already nailed 3 of my 6 bets, and was looking like a prophet again.  Within in 5 minutes Dallas shooting, Lebron fade-away threes, and Eric Spoelstra coaching stole 3 wins from me.  That’s what I get.  Next time I’ll just gloat when the fat lady has sung.  Sorry America. 

Still went 3-3 for the game, not too shabby.  Live to fight another day.

Lock of the Century: NBA Finals Game 2

Dallas +180 @ Miami -220

Dallas +4.5 @ Miami -4.5

Costa Rica is in shambles after I demolished them in Game 1. Going 4-0-1 in various bets.  They are so scared that they haven’t even posted prop bets for this one knowing full well that I will rob them blind again.  Game 2 will play out just like Game 1 did. Relatively close for 80% of the game, and then Miami’s talent will just take over in the 4th.  Miami will not only win, but they will also cover the spread.  Dallas just doesn’t have the horses to win a game on the road.

follow me @windycitisports 

My future First Lady of Costa Rica

Lock of the Century: Baseball Edition

Chicago White Sox +130 @Boston Red Sox -145

No way the White Sox keep this up, right?  They have won 6 in a row and two against the Red Sox in Fenway Park.  I always bet against streaks…except my own and I am on fire right now after going 4-0-1 last night in the Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks game.  White Sox are losing this game.  Sorry Chicago. Sox vs Sox series ends with a 2-1 Sox victory though.  Maybe they are getting on track.

New York Yankees +105 @ Oakland A’s -115

Not the most attractive line, but if there is a road dog on the board to take today its the Yankees.  Burnett is due for a good start and the Yankees lineup is still one of the best in baseball.  Too much for the pesky little A’s even though Gio Gonzalez has pretty nasty stuff.

Still picking winners on a daily basis.  I am on fire right now.  Burning up Costa Rica.  Sportsbooks all over the world are in trouble.

follow me @windycitisports

Lock of the Century: Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

Boston Bruins +175 @ Vancouver Canucks -210

Over/Under Total Goals 5.5

I am so excited for the Stanley Cup Finals I can hardly contain myself.  I am definitely pulling for the Bruins and I feel like they may just have enough horses to pull off the upset.  I have no clue on a winner tonight.  Tim Thomas is going to steal a game at some point, but that night isn’t tonight.  I do think both teams will get up and down and are capable of lighting the lamp.  I would definitely take the over in total goals.  I am feeling an exciting shootout of a game. 

So…I guess I am a prodigy

I am not going sit here and tell everyone that I am some kind of sports gambling genius…but that’s what I am.  Picking winners, beating the odds, and taking down Costa Rica is just a talent that I have inately.  I got a text from a friend asking me to explain to him how I pick winners.  I didn’t know what to say.  I feel like that’s saying to Rembrandt “teach me to paint like you”.

Yesterday I gave the people 5 “Locks of the Century” in the Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks, and in Game 1 of the NBA Finals I gave the people 5 winners(well 4-0-1, but still undefeated).  Is this what Tiger felt like in 2000? When do the women start throwing themselves at me?  Sportsbooks of Costa Rica…you’ve been warned.  I am coming for you all.

follow me @windycitisports 

Lock of the Century: NHL Finals Prop Bets

This is almost getting too easy.  I feel like I should have gone to the prop bets in my war against Costa Rica a long time ago.  Its like these guys have never seen a hockey game…which is probably true since they are from Costa Rica.  There are low hanging plantains and papayas all over the prop bets.

Burrows sucks.  I don’t know how else to put it.  The guy rides tugs at the skirts of the Sedin Sisters and get points almost by default.  Chara will be smashing them in the face all series long and I don’t see that line being a big factor.  Kesler will be skating against the Krejci line most likely which means Bergeron will have plenty of space to score.  Bergeron is without a doubt getting more points than Burrows.

I am really confused by this one as well.  Chara will most likely be parked in front of the net on the Bruins powerplay which will give him more opportunities to score than normal.  He is also good in the transition game and should pick up a few assists when he isn’t murdering the Sedins.

Ryder is good for a one big game a series, but he doesn’t get the minutes required for him to out score Bergeron for an entire series.  It also wouldn’t surprise me if Seguin takes a few shifts from Ryder as well.  Take Bergeron.

I am just dominating Costa Rica.  They will be done in no time.  Pretty soon this will all be mine…

follow me @windycitisports