Daily tips for June 5

State of Origin for June 5

NSW v Queensland, ANZ Stadium, Wednesday, June 5, 8pm

It’s on again! Thirty-three years after that fateful night at Lang Park in 1980, NSW and Queensland renew their annual rivalry in what could well be the most-anticipated State of Origin series of all time. Fair enough – that moniker is bandied about pretty much every year – but 2013 has good reason to lay claim to the title given last year’s series was undoubtedly one of the greatest we’ve ever witnessed. Queensland may well be riding high on the back of seven consecutive series wins but they came within a whisker (and perhaps a questionable refereeing decision or two) last year of seeing that record end at six.

For Queensland, they will be banking on the stability of their brilliant spine to lead them to an eighth straight series win. Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith have long worked wonders together for both Queensland and Australia and that continuity is the Maroons’ greatest strength. NSW will look to their big forwards to dominate Queensland after James Tamou, Greg Bird, Anthony Watmough and captain Paul Gallen enjoyed long periods of dominance 12 months ago.

The flow of money has been with the Blues. They’ve won 14 of 19 at ANZ Stadium and, while the sides look evenly rated on the field, the Blues look to have a superior bench. This will be a game of contrasting game styles.  The selectors' choice of players gives us insights into how the game will be played. QLD will look to play expansive football and exploit the edges at every opportunity, while NSW's decision to take on a number of specialist forwards indicates a focus on conservative play, racking up meters in the middle third before spreading on reaching the 20m. (Additional reporting, NRL.com)

Suggested bet: NSW -1.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN, game total +34 (1.5 units @ $1.90) LOSE, NSW by 4 (0.25 units @ $14) LOSE, NSW by 6 (0.25 units @ $17) LOSE (14-6)

Racing for June 5

Horse racing: Moonee Valley (Vic), Canterbury (NSW), Gawler (SA), Belmont (WA), Gold Coast (Qld). Harness racing: Horsham (Vic), Bathurst (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Echuca (Vic). Greyhound racing: The Meadows (Vic), Angle Park (SA), Nowra (NSW), Shepparton (Vic), Albion Park (Qld), The Gardens (NSW), Warrnambool (Vic), Rockhampton (Qld), Ballarat (Vic), Cannington (WA).

A rare midweek meeting at Moonee Valley highlights today’s racing, with the track rated a slow (6) on the tight Melbourne metro track. We have as close to a good thing as you can get as our best of the day, which comes up in the City Jeep Handicap over the Cox Plate distance of 2040m (race 8). Trained by Darren Weir, #4 Lake Sententia is a proven performer at this level with her career highlighted a second in the G2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington last spring. Her record reads five wins and three placings from 11 starts; she’s a last start winner at Morphettville over 2009 and gets the gun jump from barrier 4 with Michelle Payne aboard. Load up!

Suggested bet: Moonee Valley R8 #4 Lake Sententia WIN (four units @ $2.40) WIN (1st)

Other tips

Moonee Valley R3 #10 Mystical Miss (win) LOSE (3rd)

Moonee Valley R4 #10 Truffle (win) 1st ($3.40)

Moonee Valley R5 #1 Johannapine (E/W) 2nd ($2.50)

Canterbury R3 #5 Chateau Lafaite (win) 1st ($2.50)

Canterbury R4 #1 Commanding Wit (E/W) 3rd ($1.90)

Harness racing tip: Echuca R5 #8 Virginia Lightning (win) SCR

Greyhound racing tip: Ballarat R10 #3 Hurunui Hitman (win) 1st ($3.00)

MLB for June 5

New York Mets (22-32, 10-15 away) @ Washington Nationals (28-29, 15-11 home), Nationals Park, Washington DC, Wednesday, June 5, 9.05am

The Nationals and Mets struggled at the plate on the road against division rivals over the weekend. Both clubs are looking for answers heading into the opener of a three-game series. Washington (28-29) owns a losing record for the first time since April 30 after dropping two of three at Atlanta. The Nationals, who are without injured superstar Bryce Harper, hit .190 and tallied seven runs with two walks and 20 strikeouts in the series.

The Mets (22-32) swept four games last week from their city rival Yankees before heading to Miami over the weekend to face a Marlins team that had dropped a season-worst nine straight. New York batted .212, scored eight runs and was swept while falling to 3-6 against the majors’ worst team.

The Mets handed Jordan Zimmermann (8-3, 2.37 ERA) his first loss April 21, as the Nats starter allowed two runs over a season-low five innings in a 96-pitch effort. He still owns a 1.85 ERA over his last six starts against NYY. The Mets had dropped Jeremy Hefner’s first nine starts before he gave up three runs over six innings in a 9-4 victory over the Yankees last week. Hefner (1-5, 4.74) is 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA in four outings against Washington.

Suggested bet: Nationals -1.5 (1.5 units @ $2.13) LOSE, game total -7.5 (2.5 units @ $1.95) WIN (2-3)

Other tips

Indians WIN @ Yankees LOSE (3-4)

Rays @ Tigers -8 LOSE (1-10)

Pirates @ Braves -1.5 LOSE (4-5)

Rangers @ Red Sox +9 WIN (5-17)

Athletics WIN @ Brewers LOSE (3-4)

Orioles -1.5 @ Astros WIN (4-1)

Diamondbacks @ Cardinals +8 WIN (7-6)

Cubs @ Angels -7.5 WIN (3-4)

White Sox @ Mariners WIN WIN +6 WIN (4-7)

Blue Jays @ Giants +7.5 LOSE (1-2)

NHL playoffs for June 5

Western Conference finals, game 3: Chicago Blackhawks @ Los Angeles Kings, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, Wednesday, June 5, 11.10am

The Los Angeles Kings have been in all types of jams during the past two post-seasons. Just a few weeks ago, they even escaped the same 0-2 deficit they’re now facing in the Western Conference finals. Yet the defending Stanley Cup champions aren't sure they’ve tangled with an opponent that could match the depth and versatility of the Chicago Blackhawks, who might even be the team to end LA's 10 weeks of perfection at home.

After back-to-back losses in Chicago, the Kings, who will again be without center Mike Richards, are hoping they can stay perfect. The Kings have won 14 straight at home since March, and they've won seven straight home playoff games dating to last season’s Stanley Cup clincher. Going back even further, Los Angeles is an astounding 41-12 in their last 53 games played at home and 21-10 versus Central Division opponents.

The Blackhawks have the Kings on the ropes and they know how important it is to keep pressing forward – especially coming off their second round match-up against the Red Wings. After winning the first two games of this series, the Blackhawks have now moved to a perfect 6-0 in their last six Western Conference Finals games. Additionally, they are an impressive 5-1 in their last six against the Kings when facing them at the Staples Center, and should make it 6-1 here.

Suggested bet: Blackhawks WIN (1.5 units @ $1.91) LOSE, game total -5 (2.5 units @ $1.68) WIN (1-3)

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

Daily tips for June 4

Football for June 4

World Cup 2014 Asian final qualifying round match day 8; Japan v Australia, Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, June 4, 8.30pm

These nations are enjoying a rapidly growing rivalry that continues to shape as one of Asia’s most eagerly anticipated match-ups. Japan enter this penultimate match seeking to become the world’s first qualified team, after agonisingly failing to grasp early progression with an unexpected 2-1 loss in Jordan. A draw is all that the hosts need to complete their mission, with qualification able to provide Zaccheroni’s side with a timely boost heading into their 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup opener against Brazil on June 15.

Trailing second-placed Jordan by a point, Australia are all too aware that a win will strengthen their hopes of the section’s second spot. With a mere six points from five outings, the Australians are hoping to revive their stuttering fortunes with a second victory. If Holger Osieck’s side revive their first-leg form in which they battled from behind to draw 1-1 against Japan with 10 men, they could cause some problems for the hosts but we think the hosts will do everything in their power to ensure a draw here.

Suggested bet: Game total -2.5 (four units @ $1.80), Japan by 1 (0.5 units @ $3.90)

Racing for June 4

Horse racing: Geelong (Vic), Taree (NSW), Mackay (Qld), Devonport (Tas). Harness racing: Albion Park (Qld), Globe Derby (SA), Mildura (Vic), Menangle (NSW), Gloucester Park (WA). Greyhound racing: Bendigo (Vic), Gawler (SA), Devonport (Tas), Goulburn (NSW), Horsham (Vic), Ipswich (Qld), Lismore (NSW), Warragul (Vic), Gosford (NSW), Townsville (Qld), Mandurah (WA).

We get a reprieve from the wet tracks today with an eight-race program scheduled on the synthetic track at Geelong. Our best of the day comes up in the last for the in-form partnership of Robert Smerdon and Dwayne Dunn. The Centrebet 0-62 Handicap will be run over 2000 metres, which looks the logical step up for #5 Host of the Party. This 3yo gelding finished five lengths behind Tatra in the G2 Sandown Guineas last spring, and was most recently fourth over 1850m at Kyneton. He won a trial at Cranbourne over 1550m last week, and looks poised to collected his second win from eight starts here.

Suggested bet: Geelong R8 #5 Host of the Party WIN (two units @ $2.10) 1st ($2.40)

Other tips

Geelong R2 #7 Sky Host (win) 1st ($1.30)

Devonport R2 #6 Kentucky King (E/W) 2nd ($2.80)

Devonport R4 #1 Lander Dollar (E/W 1x4) LOSE (4th)

Mackay R2 #2 Mr Risky (win) 1st ($2.40)

Taree R1 #2 Pretty Uncanny (win) LOSE (4th)

Harness racing tip: Mildura R4 #1 Hexham Heartbeat (win) 1st ($1.80)

Greyhound racing tip: Gosford R6 #1 Rose Buzzard (win)

MLB for June 4

Chicago White Sox (24-30) @ Seattle Mariners (24-33), Safeco Field, Seattle, WA, Tuesday, June 4, 12.10pm

Chicago (24-30) has lost seven in a row on the road for the first time since a nine-game skid from May 30-June 22, 2008. The current slide is also part of six-game overall losing streak, and the White Sox haven't had a longer won since dropping seven straight from September 11-17, 2011. The White Sox haven’t had as many issues when facing Seattle (24-33) – winning 26 of the past 31 games over the past three years – including two of three at home from April 5-7. They're 10-2 in their last 12 games at Safeco Field, winning eight straight behind a 1.73 ERA and .292 average.

John Danks (0-1, 5.40 ERA) has played a key role, going 7-0 with a 1.31 ERA in eight starts versus the Mariners, including a 4-0 record in five visits to Seattle. The Mariners have dropped 12 of 16 after being held to five singles in Sunday’s 10-0 loss at Minnesota. Joe Saunders (3-5, 5.57) is expected to get the ball, and he’s 9-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 14 starts at Safeco. The left-hander is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA in five games at Seattle this year compared to 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in six road outings. Saunders has lost his last two starts against Chicago, allowing 12 runs in 11 innings.

Suggested bet: Game total +7 (two units @ $1.83) LOSE, Mariners WIN (two units @ $1.93) WIN (2-4)

Other tips

Indians WIN @ Yankees LOSE (4-7)

Marlins @ Phillies -1.5 WIN (2-7)

Astros @ Angels +8.5 LOSE (2-1)

Pirates @ Braves -7 LOSE (2-7)

Rockies @ Reds WIN WIN (0-3)

Athletics @ Brewers WIN LOSE (10-2)

Diamondbacks @ Cardinals WIN WIN (1-7)

Padres @ Dodgers WIN WIN (1-2)

NHL playoffs for June 4

Eastern Conference finals, game 2: Boston Bruins @ Pittsburgh Penguins, CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA, Tuesday, June 4, 10.10am (Bruins lead 1-0)

The Bruins rode David Krecji’s two goals, Tuukka Rask’s 29 saves and a hefty amount of antagonism to frustrate the Penguins into a Game 1 defeat via the kind of chippy play that does few favours to one of the NHL’s most talented teams. The NHL’s leading scorer during the post-season, Krecji pushed his point total to 19 with his sixth and seventh goals of the playoffs. He beat Tomas Vokoun with a semi-flubbed wrist shot in the first period then added a gritty score in the third period when he charged the net and knocked in a rebound.

Rask made a sprawling stop on Evgeni Malkin at the end of the first period kept the Bruins in front and he appeared to get stronger as time wore on. Pittsburgh trailed all of 17 minutes in regulation during a five-game romp over Ottawa in the conference semi-finals. Boston tripled that number in one game. There’s an interesting stat that five of the 12 games Pittsburgh lost this season were immediately followed by another loss. Great value about the Bruins to go two-up here.

Suggested bet: Bruins WIN (two units @ $2.40) WIN, game total +5.5 (one unit @ $2.10) WIN (6-1)

NBA playoffs for June 4

Eastern Conference finals, game 7: Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, Tuesday, June 4, 10.30am (series tied 3-3)

To the winner, a trip to the NBA Finals; to the loser, an off-season loaded with regret. It's that simple now for the champion Heat and the confident Pacers, who meet in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night in Miami – a perk the Heat earned by finishing with the league's best record this season. Monday’s winner will open the NBA Finals on Thursday against San Antonio.

History suggests that the odds are long for the Pacers. Since the NBA went to its current playoff format in 1984, home teams are 16-2 in Game 7s played in the conference finals or NBA Finals. Then again, the Pacers were colossal underdogs heading into this series, and if it weren’t for a last-second collapse in Game 1, they would probably be East champs.

The Heat may have Chris Andersen back, but Dwyane Wade’s sore right knee is not getting better anytime soon, and he’s stopped even wanting to discuss it. Chris Bosh said he needed to get back in the gym yesterday and regain some lost rhythm. Ray Allen is shooting 13 for 46 in this series, Shane Battier is at 2 for 16, and they're a combined nine for 39 from 3-point range against the Pacers. With little confidence, we’ll have a small play on the Pacers at the line and the ‘under’ game total, but much prefer to watch this one.

Suggested bet: Pacers +7 (one units @ $1.91) LOSE, game total -180 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (76-99)

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

Daily tips for June 3

NRL (R12) for June 3

Brisbane Broncos v NZ Warriors, Suncorp Stadium, Monday, June 3, 7pm

After being thrashed 62-6 by the Panthers in the round 11, the Warriors staged a massive turnaround to beat the Knights 28-12 at home last weekend. The question now is whether they can go on with it and establish some consistency in their performances, and they have absolutely no excuses tonight against a severely undermanned Broncos outfit in ideal conditions (given their habit of performing poorly on the road when the conditions don’t suit).

The Broncos have also been up and down this season, but they've been in better form than the Warriors. They took a 5-5 record into last weekend’s game against the Bulldogs, but lost it 24-14. The best run the Broncos have had this season came in Rounds 5-7, when they won three straight against the Titans, Cowboys and Tigers, but they have lost three out of four since then. The Broncos have lost Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker to State of Origin duty for Queensland. Origin hasn’t affected the Warriors.

Suggested bet: Warriors WIN (three units @ $1.91) WIN (18-56)

AFL (R10) for June 3

West Coast v Richmond, Patersons Stadium, Monday, June 3, 7.40pm

The Tigers have beaten West Coast just once in the west over the past 12 years and that looks unlikely to change here as the ascendant Eagles host a Richmond side coming off its worst performance of the season to date. There’s a trend to sides under-performing after playing GWS (the Eagles beat the Giants by 100 points last week) and West Coast is yet to beat a side in the top eight this season.

Damien Hardwick will have a new-look forward line on show with Luke McGuane and Robin Nahas axed meaning recruit Aaron Edwards will almost certainly make his first start. Richmond ran Freo to the wire earlier this year, and we’re expecting a stern response to last week’s capitulation to Essendon. With our expected game total of 178-182, it’s hard to see this being a blowout so the Tigers should cover.

Suggested bet: Richmond +23.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN, game total -189.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN (62-103)

Racing for June 3

Horse racing: Wodonga (Vic), Cessnock (NSW – abandoned), Dubbo (NSW), Northam (WA). Harness racing: Albion Park (Qld), Globe Derby (SA), Maryborough (Vic), Menangle (NSW), Pinjarra (WA), Wagga (NSW). Greyhound racing: Albion Park (Qld), Angle Park (SA), Ballarat (Vic), Bathurst (NSW), Bulli (NSW), Cranbourne (Vic), Launceston (Tas), Northam (WA), Shepparton (Vic)

The weekend trend of bog tracks continues today at Wodonga in north-east Victoria where the nine-race card will be run on a heavy (9). In contrast to yesterday’s program at Ballarat where we went with the proven ducks, today we’re on board with a runner well down in class on his previous starts. Just six horses will contest the Follow us @wodongaturfclub 0-68 HCP over 1600 metres (race 4) where #1 Littlebitaluck will jump from barrier 2 with Daniel Moor carrying 60kg. The 4yo gelding has been thereabouts in BM72 grade in his past two, including a last start fifth at Cranbourne behind metro-grade Cosentino. That form should be good enough for this bunch.

Suggested bet: Wodonga R4 #1 Littlebitaluck E/W (1x4) 2nd ($1.50)

Other tips

Wodonga R2 #6 Cashmia (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Wodonga R5 #1 Awesome Goal (E/W) 1st ($3.70/$1.20)

Wodonga R7 #10 Lachlan Lilly (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Dubbo R2 #2 Star of Dubai (win) LOSE (4th)

Northam R5 #6 World Domination (win) 1st ($2.00)

Harness racing tip: Albion Park R3 #1 Montana Tess (win) 1st ($1.80)

Greyhound racing tip: Shepparton R6 #8 Accelerant (win)

MLB for June 3

Boston Red Sox (34-23) @ New York Yankees (31-24), Yankee Stadium, New York, NY, Monday, June 3,

The Boston Red Sox are trying to create some breathing room atop the AL East. Clay Buchholz returns from a brief injury absence looking to become the first Red Sox starter to go 8-0 in five years in the conclusion of this three-game set with the slumping New York Yankees. Boston (34-23) regained a two-game lead in the East with an 11-1 victory Saturday after falling 4-1 in the series opener a day earlier. Sending Buchholz (7-0, 1.73 ERA), owner of the AL’s lowest ERA, to the mound should improve the team's chances of winning its second consecutive series at Yankee Stadium.

With the bats scuffling, New York could use another strong performance from Hiroki Kuroda (6-3, 2.39), who has won four straight home starts behind a 0.90 ERA. The right-hander was superb on the road Tuesday, striking out seven over seven scoreless innings against the Mets. He was in line for the win before Mariano Rivera faltered in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss. Kuroda is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, but he exited his most recent after being hit in the hand by a line drive early in April. He allowed two runs while hitting two batters in 1 1/3 innings opposite Buchholz.

Suggested bet: Game total -8 (2.5 units @ 1.87) WIN, Red Sox WIN (1.5 units @ $2.00) WIN (3-0)

Other tips

Giants @ Cardinals WIN LOSE (4-2)

Mariners @ Twins WIN WIN (0-10)

Brewers @ Phillies +8 WIN (5-7)

Tigers WIN @ Orioles LOSE (2-4)

Dodgers @ Rockies WIN WIN (2-7)

White Sox @ Athletics -7 WIN (0-2)

Mets @ Marlins +6.5 WIN (6-11)

Royals @ Rangers WIN WIN (1-3)

Nationals @ Braves WIN WIN (3-6)

Blue Jays @ Padres -8.5 LOSE (7-4)

NHL playoffs for June 3

Western Conference finals, game 1: Los Angeles Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks, United Center, Chicago, IL, Monday, June 3, 10.10am

The Chicago Blackhawks were able edge out the Los Angeles Kings in the series opener, and now will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals when the two teams clash on the ice once again at the United Center. Jonathan Quick was the playoff MVP while leading the Kings to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title last season, and he’s been the talk of this year's playoffs as well.

He entered this series with a 1.5 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in 13 playoff games while allowing more than two goals just twice. He was stellar again in Game 1 on Saturday, recording 17 of his 34 saves in the first period. The Kings had only two shots in the first 20 minutes but held a 1-0 lead as Justin Williams took advantage of a Chicago turnover for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

The Kings dropped to 1-6 on the road in the playoffs, with each defeat coming by a 2-1 score. Twelve of their 14 contests have been decided by one goal, while five of the Blackhawks’ 13 have been decided by that margin. The back-to-back games, which may fatigue both teams after they needed the full seven games last round to advance, is a necessity since the Rolling Stones are playing a third concert at the United Center tomorrow. We’re hoping the Kings can ‘paint it black’ here and make it 1-1.

Suggested bet: Kings WIN (1.5 units @ $2.22) LOSE, game total -5 (2.5 units @ $1.67) LOSE (2-4)

Other tips

ECF: Pittsburgh Pirates SERIES WIN

Note: no NBA playoff games are scheduled for today

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

Daily tips for June 2

NRL for June 2

Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys, Skilled Park, Sunday, June 2, 3pm

The Cowboys are in big trouble. They have lost three in a row for the second time this season and have just four wins to go with seven losses. Plus, they are without State of Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, James Tamou, Matt Scott and Brent Tate, and injured pair Matt Bowen and Gavin Cooper. The Titans have been hurt by Origin as well, with Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird all unavailable, but at least they get Dave Taylor back from injury to help plug the hole in the forwards.

Titans centre Jamal Idris is starting to make the sort of impact a man of his size is meant to make. Idris has scored four tries this season – all in his past five games. All five of his line-breaks have also come in his past five games. And of his 24 offloads, 15 have come in his past five games. The big fellow is going to take some stopping.

If the Titans can control the ball reasonably well, they are going to make life hard for the Cowboys, because even with all of the players out the Titans still have several potential match-winners in their side. The Cowboys are outnumbered in that area, and need to be more disciplined than at any previous stage of this season if they hope to win. – Preview with thanks to NRL.com

Suggested bet: Titans -9.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN, game total -38.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (31-12)

Racing for June 2

Horse racing: Ballarat (Vic), Murwillumbah (NSW), Wagga (NSW – abandoned), Toowoomba (Qld), Kalgoorlie (WA), Hamilton (Vic), Launceston (Tas). Harness racing: Hobart (Tas), Cranbourne (Vic). Greyhound racing: Healesville (Vic), Mt Gambier (SA), Sandown Park (Vic), Sale (Vic), Strathalbyn (SA), Wagga (NSW), Albion Park (Qld).

Many punters steer away from the heavy tracks as there is often little exposed form on genuine wet tracks but there’s often value galore if you can find a ‘duck’ that loves a heavy (9), as the runners will face at Ballarat today. One such runner comes up in the fourth, the Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club Maiden Plate over 2300 metres.

Michelle Payne takes the ride aboard the locally trained #4 Dashdan. Unusually for a maiden, this horse has won over the jumps on a heavy track and took out a steeple trail at Warrnambool on May 24 over 2400m. This 5yo gelding certainly represents a pick out of left-field, but we’re getting decent value at $13.

Suggested bet: Ballarat R4 #4 Dashdan E/W (0.5x2) LOSE (U/P)

Other tips

Ballarat R6 #1 Canadian Major (E/W) 2nd ($1.80)

Ballarat R7 #4 Centauraine (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($1.60)

Ballarat R8 #18 Al Maisan (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Hamilton R2 #2 Six Beat (win) 1st ($2.60)

Murwillumbah R7 #7 Don’t Get Me Rong (E/W) 1st ($2.80/$1.40)

Toowoomba R8 #5 Somnambulist (win) LOSE (U/P)

Harness racing tip: Cranbourne R8 #6 Rule Like A King (win)

Greyhound racing tip: Sale R9 #7 Proven Will (win)

AFL (R10) for June 2

Melbourne v Hawthorn, MCG, Sunday, June 2, 3.20pm

Here’s one of the more remarkable stats of recent history – Melbourne managed just 25 inside 50s in their 90-point loss against Freo last week. The Hawks tallied 28 during the third quarter of their win over Gold Coast last week. A Melbourne FC board meeting is scheduled for Monday night, so there’s every chance this will be Mark Neeld’s final game in charge and there’s nothing to suggest he’ll have a winning send-off.

This is another big line, but it’s the final game before the bye for the Hawks and with Michael Osborne, David Hale, Grant Birchall and Shane Savage all available, this could get very ugly. Melbourne have displayed a ‘bounce back’ ability after they’ve been smashed but we just can’t see it happening this time around. The heavy rain in recent days shouldn’t have too great an impact – the MCG drains remarkably well and this is the first game here for the weekend. That said, we’re leaning to the ‘under’ game total.

Suggested bets: Game total -206.5 (three units @ $1.91) WIN, Hawthorn -88.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (48-143)

Nth Melbourne v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Sunday, June 2, 4.40pm

North made it four losses by less than a goal when pipped at the line by Adelaide last week, but St Kilda lost in similar circumstances to lowly Footscray so it might come down to a battle of club psychologists in this one! Despite their inability to get the job done, North (3-6) still have to be considered an outside chance of making the eight while just one game behind at 2-7, the Saints look gone for 2013. It’s a big milestone day for North as Brent Harvey celebrates his 350th and despite the loss of Jack Ziebell (again) to suspension, the Roos should be able to outgun the Saints in a high scoring affair.

Suggested bet: Game total +196.5 WIN, St Kilda +26.5 LOSE (133-65)

MLB for June 2

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-24) @ Chicago Cubs (23-30), Wrigley Field, Chicago IL, Sunday, June 2, 9.15am

Enjoying their longest winning streak in nearly two years, the Cubs try to hand the Arizona Diamondbacks a 10th loss in 11 games at Wrigley Field here. Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija (3-6, 2.85 ERA) was at his best last Tuesday, throwing a two-hitter while striking out eight and walking two in a 7-0 road win over the White Sox. The right-hander ranks second in the NL with 9.91 strikeouts per nine innings and is among the league leaders with a .196 opponents’ batting average.

The Cubs have hit .294 with 18 homers in taking nine of 10 from the Diamondbacks (30-24) at Wrigley, including four straight by a 22-5 margin. Alfonso Soriano is batting .400 with 17 homers and 37 RBIs during his last 29 games against Arizona, and he’s 6 for 11 with three home runs off Arizona’s scheduled starter Ian Kennedy (2-3, 4.70). Kennedy is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA over his last three starts. He’s gone 2-2 in six match-ups versus Chicago while compiling a 6.94 ERA, his second-highest mark against any NL opponent.

Suggested bet: Cubs WIN (1.5 units @ $1.71) LOSE, game total +9 (2.5 units @ $1.91) WIN (12-4)

Other tips

Rays @ Indians WIN WIN (0-5)

Mariners @ Twins +8.5 WIN (4-5)

Tigers @ Orioles +9 WIN (10-3)

Dodgers @ Rockies WIN WIN (6-7)

White Sox @ Athletics -8 WIN (3-4)

Mets @ Marlins WIN WIN (1-8)

Royals @ Rangers -9 WIN (4-1)

Red Sox WIN @ Yankees WIN (11-1)

Astros @ Angels -1.5 LOSE (2-0)

Reds WIN @ Pirates WIN (2-0)

NHL playoffs for June 2

Eastern Conference finals, game 1: Boston Bruins @ Pittsburgh Penguins, CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA, Sunday, June 2, 10.10am

The big question – how will the Bruins turn the tables on a Pittsburgh team that defeated them in all three games this season? Granted the Pittsburgh victories were all by one goal but in two of the three games played, Tomas Vokoun was in net and starred in both outings. In the other game, Marc-Andre Fleury managed 16 saves on just 18 shots. While the Pens still got the 3-2 victory, Fleury was certainly not the brick wall that Voukon proved to be against Boston. Vokoun is now ‘the man’ between the pipes for Pittsburgh.

It's a phenomenon unique to goaltenders this time of year. For all the talk about the importance of playoff experience, the guys in the back of the net can sometimes seem immune to the pressure. In 16 winters, Vokoun never played on a team that made it past the opening round of the post-season until Pittsburgh ousted the Islanders three weeks ago. He was hardly overcome by the stage in the second round against Ottawa, allowing just 11 goals in five games. Look for him, and the Pens, to start this series in winning fashion.

Suggested bets: Penguins WIN (three units @ $1.57) LOSE, game total -5.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (3-0)

Other tips

WCF1: Kings WIN LOSE @ Blackhawks -5.5 WIN (1-2)

NBA playoffs for June 2

Eastern Conference finals, game 6: Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN, Sunday, June 2, 10.30am (Heat lead 3-2)

The books are still showing the Heat as a 2.5-point favourite, but we think the Pacers are good things here. A third straight Eastern Conference title is now just one win away for the reigning champions, though if the way this series has gone so far is an accurate indicator, that win will hardly come easily.

The teams have alternated wins and losses through the first five games, and if that trend holds, then it's the Pacers' turn to prevail here and send the series back to Miami for a winner-goes-to-the-finals Game 7 on Tuesday. The Pacers saw their season end a year ago on their home floor, at Miami's hand, in Game 6 of a second-round series. So Indiana's biggest source of motivation on Saturday may be the desire to avoid the indignity of watching Miami advance in Indianapolis for a second straight season.

Chris Andersen, the back-up big man who is 15 for 15 from the floor in the series and has made his last 18 shots overall, was suspended on Saturday for shoving Tyler Hansbrough twice in the second quarter, then not backing away quick enough for a referee who stepped in. It’s a big loss – so far this series the Pacers have had a massive advantage in the paint and Andersen’s absence will just make it easier for the Pacers to the find the basket.

Suggested bet: Pacers +2.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN, game total +183 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (77-91)

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