Daily tips for May 24

AFL R9 for May 24

Collingwood v Sydney, MCG, Friday, May 24, 7.50pm

Buoyed after handing Geelong its first loss of 2013, the Magpies return to the MCG for a Friday night blockbuster against the Swans. Collingwood still appear a cog below their best but the return of Luke Ball last week looked pivotal for a side that is unlikely to have its first choice midfield available again this season.

Similarly, the reigning premiers are nowhere near their best as shown by losses to Hawthorn and Geelong and last week’s draw with Freo after leading by more than four goals in the last quarter. Tellingly, Sydney have won just one of 12 at the MCG and have a less than impressive record against the Magpies in this traditionally low scoring fixture.

Suggested bets: Collingwood -8.5 (two units @ $1.91), game total -183.5 (two units @ $1.91)

Racing for May 24

Horse racing: Geelong (Vic), Casino (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Canberra (ACT)

Harness racing: Wagga (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Melton (Vic), Newcastle (NSW), Globe Derby (SA), Gloucester Park (WA)

Greyhound racing: Casino (NSW), Mt Gambier (SA), Bendigo (Vic), The Gardens (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Geelong (Vic), Wentworth Park (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Winnellie Park (NT)

After a chilly start to the day, conditions look fine for today’s seven-race meeting on the synthetic track at Geelong. Race 5 on the program is Decjuba Showcase Hcp (BM78) over 1900m where Vlad Duric takes the ride on the Peter Snowden-trained #11 Tiryns. This 3yo son of Lonhro was a last-start winner at Kilmore by three lengths over 1612m, which improved his record to three wins from nine starts. He’s up in class and distance but should enjoy a sweet run from barrier 2 and looks hard to hold out after a four-week breather.

Suggested bet: Geelong R5 #11 Tiryns E/W (one unit WIN, four units PLACE) LOSE (4th)

Other tips

Geelong R2 #2 Gas Burner (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Canberra R4 #3 Sydney’s Destiny (place) 2nd ($1.90)

Casino R6 #1 Floral Insight (win) ABANDONED

Harness racing tips: Melton R9 #1 Teo Enteo (win)

Greyhound racing tip: The Gardens R5 #8 Miss Nicole (win)

MLB for May 24

Los Angeles Angels (19-27) @ Kansas City Royals (21-22), Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MS, Friday, May 24, 10.40am

An offensive boon has the Los Angeles Angels on their longest winning streak of the season. An old friend is looking to end it. Hot-hitting Mike Trout and the surging Angels face former teammate Ervin Santana in the opener of this four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Los Angeles (19-27) has been one of baseball's biggest disappointments this season, but the team is showing signs of turning things around with four straight wins. The Angels have hit .348 with five homers and outscored opponents 37-12 during the streak.

Struggling Seattle proved to be no match the last two games, as Los Angeles followed Tuesday’s 12-0 rout with a 7-1 victory Wednesday. The Angels collected 27 hits with six doubles, three triples and three homers in those games. It’s never encouraging to see Joe Blanton’s name listed as the starter, but the Angels offence should have enough firepower to get the job done here and continue their climb out of the slump.

Suggested bets: Game total -8.5 (one unit @ $2.05) LOSE, Angels WIN (two units @ $2.10) WIN (5-4)

Other tips

Orioles @ Blue Jays +9 WIN (6-12)

Cubs @ Pirates WIN WIN (2-4)

Twins @ Tigers -9 LOSE (6-7)

Indians @ Red Sox -9.5 LOSE (12-3)

NHL playoffs for May 24

Western Conference semi-final, game 4: Chicago Blackhawks @ Detroit Red Wings, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI, Friday, May 24, 10.10am (Red Wings lead series 2-1)

Playoff hockey is a different beast, as the Blackhawks better realise before their Stanley Cup dreams are dashed for 2013. Apparently the Red Wings don’t care that Chicago led the league in points (77), were tops in goals against thanks to the heroics of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, and were second only to Pittsburgh in scoring.

It’s almost crunch time for Chicago. Unlike Game 2, when the heavily favoured Blackhawks came out flat and fired only 20 shots on the Detroit net, their Game 3 offence was far more energised. If not for the stellar play of Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, Chicago could be looking at a 2-1 series advantage instead of a 2-1 deficit.

Detroit is riding a wave of euphoria but that could come crashing down the moment their bodies and legs suddenly realise they have played a stack of hockey in a short period of time. They went seven games with the Ducks including four overtime sessions. The Blackhawks went only five games with the Wild and won fairly easily.

Suggested bets: Blackhawks WIN (two units $1.77) LOSE, game total -5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN (0-2)

Other tips

ECSF4: Bruins @ Rangers WIN WIN -5.5 LOSE (3-4)

WCSF5: Sharks @ Kings WIN WIN -4.5 WIN (0-3)

Note: no NBA playoff games are scheduled today

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication