The Kentucky Derby odds are just two days away and there are still tough decisions to make at the racebook. Some horse race fans betting online see the field as I Want Revenge versus the rest whereas other bettors see a tightly contested race with a least half a dozen legit contenders. Let’s look at some of the more intriguing horses entering the Race for the Roses.
Three-year-old I Want Revenge, the clear Kentucky Derby odds favorite at +325, is the class of the field, boasting a great Tomlinson Distance rating and Beyer Speed Figure. He also made a successful transition to dirt tracks on April 4, winning the Wood Memorial. There’s an off chance his lack of experience at Churchill Downs will throw him off, but it’s his race to lose. It will take a phenomenal performance to top him on Saturday.
Friesan Fire seems to be in his own class as the No. 2 racebook contender with +485 horse race betting line. He’s looked strong this season, winning the Louisiana Derby, and he has that special pedigree as his daddy, A.P. Indy, was a dominant horse in the early 1990s. His main caveat is a long layoff; he hasn’t raced in seven weeks. The last time a horse won the Kentucky Derby odds after a seven-week layoff: 1956.
Dunkirk is next at +545 and has no glaring problems, but Pioneerof the Nile jumps out at me way more in this tier at +625. He has the great trainer Bob Baffert on his side and has generated a lot of buzz in drills this week, so he could be a nice racebook steal.
In boxing betting, part of what makes the Pacquiao odds so enticing this weekend is the momentum he carries into the fight. The same principle applies to Chocolate Candy (+1215) and Papa Clem (+1815) for the Derby, as they carry as much steam as any horses entering the big race. Candy has won four of six races and Clem not only captured the Arkansas Derby, but also recently posted a pair of second-place finishes against top-notch competition.
General Quarters is a major long shot at +2550, but it’s tempting to bet with your heart on this guy, as his Trainer, Tom McCarthy, is a former high-school principal from Louisville. Seeing a win for the local product would be horse race betting magic.
The San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Dodger Stadium.
The Padres will trot JoshGeer out to the mound in this one. Righthander Geer has a 0-0 record and a 1.29 ERA this season.
The Dodgers will counter Geer with JamesMcDonald. RighthanderMcDonald has a 7.72 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 152-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Padres were defeated 7-5 by the Rockies last time out, as +125 underdogs. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
AdrianGonzalez belted two home runs and drove in three runs in a losing effort, while KevinCorreia allowed six hits and three runs and fell to 0-2.
The Dodgers were defeated 9-4 by the Giants last time out, as +130 road underdogs. That game’s 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5).
Orlando Hudson went 2-for-5 with one RBI for the Dodgers, while EricStults gave up five runs over 2 2-3 innings in the loss.
Team records: San Diego: 11-10 SU Los Angeles: 14-8 SU
San Diego most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing LA Dodgers are 4-6 After playing Colorado are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing San Diego are 7-3 After playing San Francisco are 7-3 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego’s last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego’s last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers San Diego is 4-9 SU in their last 13 games when playing LA Dodgers San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games when playing at home against San Diego LA Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against San Diego The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games when playing San Diego
Next up: LA Dodgers home to San Diego, Friday, May 1
The Florida Marlins will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Marlins will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander ChrisVolstad in this game. Volstad has a 2-0 record and a 2.70 ERA this season.
Volstad’s opponent in this one will be SeanMarshall. The Cubs lefthander has a 4.91 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 117-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Marlins rallied with two runs in the eighth inning and edged the Mets 4-3 in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale, as +165 underdogs. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5).
CodyRoss drove in two runs to lead the Marlins, and LeoNunez picked up the win in relief.
The Cubs were blown away 10-0 by the Diamondbacks last time out, as -115 favorites. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
RyanDempster was tagged for six hits and five runs over six innings in the loss.
Current streak: Florida has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Florida: 13-8 SU Chicago: 10-10 SU
Florida most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After playing NY Mets are 7-3 After a win are 8-2
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Florida are 5-5 After playing Arizona are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: Florida is 13-4 SU in their last 17 games when playing Chi Cubs Florida is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Florida is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 16 of Florida’s last 24 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 16 of Chi Cubs’s last 24 games when playing at home against Florida The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games at home Chi Cubs are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games Chi Cubs are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Florida
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at MillerPark.
MaxScherzer will be the starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks on this day. RighthanderScherzer is 0-2 this season with a 4.91 ERA.
The Brewers will counter Scherzer with JeffSuppan. RighthanderSuppan has a 7.32 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Brewers listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
DougDavis combined on a two-hit shutout Wednesday, as the Diamondbacks cruised to a 10-0 win over the Cubs. The Diamondbacks won the game as +105 underdogs, while the 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Chad Tracy homered and drove in three runs to lead the way, and Davis whiffed seven batters over the seven-innings on the mound.
YovaniGallardo fanned 11 batters and homered for the only run on Wednesday, as the Brewers defeated the Pirates 1-0 for a sweep of the three-game set. The Brewers won the game as -200 favorites, while the team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Current streak: Milwaukee has won 3 straight games.
Team records: Arizona: 9-12 SU Milwaukee: 11-10 SU
Arizona most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Milwaukee are 2-8 After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After a win are 3-7
Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Arizona are 7-3 After playing Pittsburgh are 9-1 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee Arizona is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Milwaukee Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road Milwaukee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 8 games when playing at home against Arizona
The fans at Tropicana Field will be treated to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays when they take their seats on Thursday.
Ace righthander JoshBeckett will take the mound for the Red Sox to start this game. Beckett is 2-1 this season with a 6.00 ERA.
The Rays will counter Beckett with MattGarza. RighthanderGarza has a 4.97 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 105-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Jonathan Van Every belted a game-winning home run to give the Red Sox a 6-5 victory over the Indians on Wednesday, as -130 favorites. The game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
JacobyEllsbury went 3-for-5 at the plate and drove in one run for the Red Sox. HidekiOkajima tossed an inning of relief for the win, and JonathanPapelbon collected his sixth save.
The Rays were defeated 8-3 by the Twins as a -115 favorite last time out. That game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
EvanLongoria drove in two runs, while ScottKazmir gave up nine hits and eight runs over four innings in suffering the loss.
Current streak: TampaBay has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Boston: 14-7 SU TampaBay: 8-14 SU
Boston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5 After playing Cleveland are 7-3 After a win are 9-1
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 9-1 Before playing Boston are 6-4 After playing Minnesota are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: Boston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay Boston is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games when playing Boston Tampa Bay is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Boston The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games at home Tampa Bay is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Boston
The Los Angeles Angels will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Angels will give the ball to starter AnthonyOrtega in this one. RighthanderOrtega is 0-1 this season with a 7.20 ERA.
It’ll be AJBurnett toeing the rubber for the Yankees in this contest. RighthanderBurnett is 2-0 with a 5.47 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 235-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Angels completed a sweep of their two-game set with a 3-2 win over the Orioles on Wednesday, as +145 underdogs. That game’s five runs went UNDER the day’s posted over/under (10.5).
Kendry Morales led the way for the Angels with a solo home run and two RBIs. ShaneLoux tossed the win, allowing just five hits and one run over six innings of work.
NickSwisher belted two home runs and the Yankees scored seven runs in one inning as they held off the Tigers 8-6 on Wednesday, as -145 favorites. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
HidekiMatsui hit a bases-loaded double and drove in three runs. JobaChamberlain allowed just three hits and one run over seven innings for the win.
Current streak: Los Angeles has won 3 straight games. New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Los Angeles: 9-11 SU New York: 11-10 SU
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing NY Yankees are 8-2 After playing Baltimore are 8-2 After a win are 2-8
New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing LA Angels are 4-6 After playing Detroit are 6-4 After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider: LA Angels are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels’s last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees The total has gone OVER in 10 of LA Angels’s last 14 games when playing NY Yankees LA Angels are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games NY Yankees are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels The total has gone OVER in 10 of NY Yankees’s last 14 games when playing LA Angels The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 6 games at home
Next up: NY Yankees home to LA Angels, Friday, May 1
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at NationalsPark.
The Cardinals will trot MitchellBoggs out to the mound in this one. RighthanderBoggs has a 1-0 record and a 0.00 ERA this season.
The Nationals will counter Boggs with DanielCabrera. RighthanderCabrera has a 4.42 ERA to go along with a 0-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 132-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals rallied with four runs in the fifth inning as they got past the Braves 5-3 in Wednesday’s series finale, at EVEN odds. That game’s eight runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (8).
AlbertPujols went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run for the Cardinals. AdamWainwright tossed his third straight win, and RyanFranklin collected his seventh save of the season.
The struggling Nationals banged out 11 hits and avoided a three-game sweep by defeating the Phillies 4-1 on Wednesday, as +165 underdogs. That game’s five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (10.5).
Anderson Hernandez went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs to lead the way. ScottOlsen picked up his first win in four outings, and JulianTavarez notched his first save.
Team records: St. Louis: 15-7 SU Washington: 5-15 SU
St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Washington are 6-4 After playing Atlanta are 6-4 After a win are 6-4
Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing St. Louis are 3-7 After playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider: St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games The total has gone UNDER in 12 of St. Louis’s last 16 games when playing on the road against Washington St. Louis is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington’s last 16 games when playing at home against St. Louis Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games at home Washington is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games at home
Next up: Washington home to St. Louis, Friday, May 1
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Kauffman Stadium.
LefthanderBrianBurres will take the mound for the Blue Jays to start this game. Burres is 0-1 this season with a 12.47 ERA.
The Royals will counter Burres with KyleDavies. RighthanderDavies has a 4.88 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Royals listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
BillyButler belted two home runs and drove in four runs to lead the Royals to an 11-3 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8).
MikeAviles went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the Royals. ZackGreinke improved to 5-0, allowing just five hits and two runs over seven innings of work.
BrianTallet was rocked for 10 runs off 11 hits over four innings in the loss for the Blue Jays, who were +135 underdogs.
Team records: Toronto: 15-8 SU Kansas City: 11-10 SU
Toronto most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Baltimore are 6-4 After playing Kansas City are 6-4 After a loss are 9-1
Kansas City most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Minnesota are 3-7 After playing Toronto are 3-7 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Kansas City Toronto is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Kansas City Kansas City is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto Kansas City is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
Next up: Toronto home to Baltimore, Friday, May 1 Kansas City at Minnesota, Friday, May 1
A winning streak will be on the line for the Texas Rangers on Thursday when they battle the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark.
Lefthander Dallas Braden will take the mound for the Athletics to start this game. Braden is 2-2 this season with a 2.52 ERA.
The Rangers will counter Braden with ace VicentePadilla. RighthanderPadilla has a 8.27 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Nelson Cruz’s RBI-single in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Rangers past the Athletics 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Texas won as -145 home favorites as the game played under the 10-run total listed by sportsbooks.
Cruz finished with two runs batted in for the Rangers, while KevinMillwood allowed two earned runs over eight innings to earn the win for Texas.
RyanSweeney was 2-for-4 with a homer for Oakland, as MichaelWuertz was handed the loss after allowing the single to Cruz in the eighth.
Current streak: Texas has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Oakland: 7-11 SU Texas: 10-10 SU
Oakland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Seattle are 4-6 After playing Texas are 4-6 After a loss are 4-6
Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Chi White Sox are 6-4 After playing Oakland are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: Oakland is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing Texas Oakland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games Oakland is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Texas Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games Texas is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Oakland Texas is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing Oakland Texas is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next up: Oakland at Seattle, Friday, May 1 Texas home to Chi White Sox, Friday, May 1
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at ToyotaCenter in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 5-point favorites versus the Trail Blazers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
LaMarcusAldridge had 25 points and seven rebounds as the Trail Blazers stifled the Rockets 88-77 in Game 5 of the series on Tuesday night.
Portland covered as 5-point home favorites as the game played under the 182-point total posted by sportsbooks.
BrandonRoy also scored 25 points for the Trail Blazers, who got 15 points and seven boards from SteveBlake in the payday.
LuisScola led the way with 21 points and six rebounds for Houston, which leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Team records: Portland: 54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS Houston: 53-29 SU, 40-41-1 ATS
Portland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a win are 7-3
Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 After playing Portland are 7-3 After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland’s last 5 games on the road Portland is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road Portland is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games at home Houston is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Portland
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