With a 10-11 record this season (2-3 again last weekend), the Gasman has as much credibility as Roger Clemens. Anyway, multiple-sports nights are slimming down. Hockey is in the conference finals and basketball is finally hitting playoff gear. Baseball, well, it’s still early. So, here’s the skinny.
Friday
NHL: Flyers at Penguins — The battle of Pennsylvania has finally begun and this is as good, and deceiving of a story as Dewey Defeats Truman. The Flyers were the worst team in the league last year and rebounded to almost taste champagne out of the Cup. It’s good enough for Philly fans, but it won’t last. Pittsburgh loaded all of their lines and is unbeatable. The pick: Penguins, 6-2.
NBA: Lakers at Jazz — Kobe Bryant finally won an MVP, and the Lakers are already up 2-0 this series. Funny thing is Bryant wasn’t the real MVP, Chris Paul was. Nonetheless, Bryant is playing his normal game. And so far, it’s good enough for the early series advantage. If Pau Gasol ignites, the hardest arena to play in becomes the Lakers playground. The pick: Lakers, 98-87.
Saturday
NBA: Pistons at Magic — If Wednesday night’s game is any indication, the Magic will coast. The injury to Chauncey Billups is detrimental to Mo-Town’s quest for another title. And Detroit couldn’t cover Dwight Howard or Rashard Lewis earlier this week. Lewis seems to have the playoff touch, scoring 20.8 points per game this postseason. With Billups out, Lewis is on fire. The pick: Magic, 84-72.
NHL: Stars at Red Wings — These teams’ makeup changed more than Little Richard’s throughout this season. Dallas, born again with Bret Hull in charge, hit another gear this playoffs and are playing their best hockey. Detroit was poised for the President’s Cup until a mediocre second half almost issued the trophy to the Sharks. It prompted changes between the pipes and Detroit seems comfortable again. The pick: Detroit at home, 3-1.
NASCAR: Darlington Raceway — The only trip to the Lady in Black this season comes at a time when the circuit is heating up. Greg Biffle has won twice there in the past three years. But that was when Roush Fenway Racing was on top and the Car of Tomorrow was an infant. The times have changed. The pick: Kyle Busch pushes everyone out of the way for his third win this season.
Sunday
MLB: Angels at Rays — Ervin Santana is the third best fantasy pitcher this season, according to MLB.com. Yes, Ervin Santana. You know. The 6-foot-2 righthander who was once Baseball America’s seventh-best prospect in 2005. Can’t remember him? Here are his stats: Seven starts, one complete game, 38 strikeouts, nine walks, a 2.02 ERA and a 6-0 record. It’s a season where several unknown pitchers emerged. Santana is one of them. So, the easy pick: Angels, 6-2.
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