We're back with SFTC picks for today, April 22

Well after a crazy weekend, we're back to making picks, doing write-ups, and helping you with your fantasy games!  It's good to back!

Obviously we missed making the 1st pick of the day.  In case you were wondering, our pick was Slovia Prague Win, which they did 1 - 0.  We have the mid-day soccer props done, and will finish the rest of the props soon, so keep checking back.  

We'll also do beat the streak and 1-N-Done write-ups later today for tomorrow. 

Our top stash pick:

1. NHL:  Anaheim Ducks

Our picks for every prop:

1. Soccer:  Manchester United wins by 2+
• Man U will be motivated to win this game to secure their place at the top of the league table and to show people what they're really about.  In the last match between these two, ManU was down by 2 goals and came back to win 3 - 2.  That game was at Aston Villa.  This time ManU is at home, and they'll come out firing.
• Confidence:  70%
2. Soccer:  Yes Manchester United is leading at halftime
• The only way I see the no option winning this prop is a 0 - 0 score.  I will be very surprised if Aston Villa is leading at the half.  I'll also be surprised if it's a 0 - 0 game.  ManU should come out attacking and will want to score early so as not to have to come from behind to win.
• Confidence: 70%
3. Soccer:  2 or more goals scored in the 2nd half
• Clearly you'll want to see how the first half goes, how the teams are playing, and most importantly, the halftime score.  If less than 3 goals are scored in the 1st half, then I really like this option.  Update:  even though the halftime score is 3 - 0, I still like the 2+ option.  Aston Villa desperately needs some goals, and I don't think ManU will lay off the pressure.  (For the record, I think it's idiotic to not give 100% for the entire game.  Teams "laying off" in the second half is lazy and ridiculous.)
• Confidence: 60%
4. MLB:  Oakland As
• My heart says Red Sox, but my head and all the stats say As.  After getting swept by the Rays in their last series, the As are desperate to get back to winning games.  The Red Sox have blown leads in their last 2 games at home, and have lost 8 straight games to the As, who have hit .356 and outscored the Red Sox 54 - 15 in that span.  For whatever reason, the Red Sox have major problems beating the As, especially Doubront.  He is 0 - 2 with a 12.86 ERA against them in his last 2 starts.  A.J. Griffin on the other hand is 1 - 0 with a 2.08 ERA in his 2 starts against Boston, and although he has never pitched at Fenway, he is 5 - 1 with a 2.61 ERA in his last 8 road starts.  The line is Boston -132, but I'm nervously taking Oakland.
• Confidence: 60%
5. MLB:  Tampa Bay Rays
• After a really sluggish start to the season, the Rays seem to be back on track.  They're coming off a series sweep of what were the red-hot As.  They have a great history against the Yankees, winning 11 of 13 at home over the last 2 years.  Matt Moore has been outstanding for the Rays, winning his last 4 starts and allowing just his first 2 runs of the season yesterday.  Sabbathia meanwhile hasn't fared well against the Rays.  He's won just 1 of his last 8 starts at Tampa Bay.  The line is Rays -115.
• Confidence: 65%
6. MLB:  Baltimore Orioles
• Baltimore won 7 of 9 meetings against the Blue Jays last season.  They are in good position to continue their home success.  Tillman has struggled a little bit for the Orioles, but the Blue Jays have only won consecutive games this season once before, and Happ has not been spectacular for the Blue Jays either.  The line is Baltimore -118.
• Confidence: 60%
7. MLB:  Pittsburgh Pirates
• The Pirates are coming off of an impressive series win against the Braves, and have won their last 3 straight.  The Phillies haven't looked spectacular this season, and are starting a pitcher that is brand new to the major leagues.  It's likely that he'll be rusty and nervous, even though the Phillies are at home for this game.  The line, at -106, is not heavily in favor of Pittsburgh, but Burnett has been very solid for them this season and leads the NL with 35 strikeouts. 
• Confidence: 70%
8. NHL:  Winnipeg Jets
• The Jets still have a chance, however slim it might be, of making the postseason.  I really doubt they make it though.  They have only made the postseason once (in '06 - '07), and would have to overtake the Rangers to make it twice.  Still, Buffalo is already eliminated from playoff contention, so they really have nothing to play for, and the Jets have been very successful against them.  They have outscored Buffalo 15 - 5 and allowed them to score only 1 goal in each game, over their last 5 match-ups.  Their goalie has a 1.00 GAA against Buffalo in his last 5 starts.
• Confidence: 80%
9. MLB:  St. Louis Cardinals
• I'm a little torn on this pick, but I have to go with the Cardinals in this one.  Haren has not been good for the Nationals.  He is 1 - 2 with a 8.10 ERA so far this season.  Shelby Miller on the other hand is 2 - 1 with a 1.96 ERA.  I think the Cards win this game, though they may not win the series.
• Confidence: 70%
10. MLB:  Rays hits or tie
• In all of Sabbathia's starts this season, he has lost this type of prop.  The trend continues tonight.  The tie option may be huge, but I think the Rays win the prop outright.
• Confidence: 70%
11. NHL:  Ottawa Senators
• Despite the Penguins' success against the Senators, I'm going to take a chance with the Senators in this one.  They need this win more than Pittsburgh does as they're fighting off elimination from the playoff race.  They also had a big upset over the Caps on Thursday, in a prop that ended many streaks.  I'm not very confident in this pick but I just have a feeling the Senators might win this one at home.
• Confidence: 40%
12. NHL:  Phoenix Coyotes
• The Coyotes just beat the Blackhawks on Saturday and are 2 - 0 - 2 in their last 4 road games. Detroit is just 1 - 3 - 2 in their last 6 home games.  These teams have played each other twice this season, both games in Phoenix, with each team winning one.  
• Confidence: 60%
13. MLB:  Cleveland Indians
• Masterson has been awesome for the Indians so far this season!  He is 3 - 1 with a 1.67 ERA. Axelrod is 0 - 1 with a 4.70 ERA, and the White Sox have lost 3 straight.  The Indians should give Masterson the run support he needs, as they have gotten their offense going again after their series against the Astros.
• Confidence: 60%
14. NBA:  Nets Winning Margin
• The Nets just destroyed the Bulls in game 1, winning by 17.  The Bulls only made 2 3-pointers in that game.  The line for this game is Nets -5.5, and I do think it will be a closer game than in game 1, but the Bulls just don't make a ton of 3s, and the Nets are just playing really in rhythm right now.
• Confidence: 70%
15. NHL:  Anaheim Ducks
• Edmonton is now officially out of the playoffs, and have not been since 2006.  The Ducks are inches away from a division title, and winning this game will all but ensure that.  They just beat the Oilers 3 - 1 on Sunday, and have won 13 of the last 15 meetings against the Oilers.  I will be completely shocked if the Ducks lose this game. 
• Confidence: 80%
16. NHL:  Chicago Blackhawks
• This is a meeting between two great teams.  Each team has won the regular season meetings at home.  I think Vancouver is very capable of winning this game, especially at home.  I just think the Blackhawks are a little bit better and steal one on the road tonight.
• Confidence: 50%
17. MLB:  Texas Rangers
• The Rangers have been hitting very well, and Blanton has been anything but impressive, losing every start this season while recording a 8.59 ERA.  The Rangers' pitching has been great however.  Holland will get the start tonight.  He is 1 - 1 with a 1.64 ERA on the season.  The Rangers won 2 of 3 in the previous series against the Angels.
• Confidence: 60%
18. MLB:  Milwaukee Brewers
• The Padres have lost their last 5 straight at home.  Kyle Lohse has been awesome for the Brewers.  Nothing else to say.
• Confidence: 70%
19. MLB:  San Francisco Giants
• The Giants have been awesome against their division foes, going 8 - 1.  The Giants win this one at home.
• Confidence: 60%
20. NBA:  Clippers winning margin
• Randolph had 6 field goals and the Clippers won by 21 in game 1.  I really don't think Randolph has too many more field goals made in game 2 than in game 1.  The line is Clippers -6, but I think they win by at least double digits.
• Confidence: 70%