A new month, a new start, and additional features on Streak for the Cash!

All right!  A new month!  Although the stash was reached in April, there is still the chance for $100K in May.  Streak for the Cash has also introduced some new features.  There is now the long-awaited Forfeit button, a new email alerts system, an all-time leaderboard, and I think best of all, fan-entered picks.  That's right, you can now submit your own props for consideration, and if they post your prop, your member name will appear with the prop.  We plan to submit multiple props, so be on the lookout for our member name on the SFTC prop boards!  Leave a comment or send us a tweet and let us know your thoughts on these new features.  We'd love to h hear your thoughts.

I've been absent from blogging for a while due to my crazy end-of-semster school workload, and I've missed it a lot.  I had a little time tonight so I've included write-ups as well, but until the semester is over in mid May, this will not be the norm.  I will try my best to post my picks every day though.  The remaining picks will be posted tomorrow.  

I will also try to do a write-up for 1-N-Done and Beat the Streak, so look on the Basketball Games site and Baseball Games site for those.

We wish you the best of luck with a new month!

Our top stash picks:

1. NHL:  Boston Bruins
2. NBA:  Yes Durant scores 5+ points in both quarters of the first half

Our picks for every prop:

1. Soccer:  Bayern Munich Win or Draw
• Since Barca got destroyed in Germany in the first leg of this fixture, they obviously have to come out attacking from the first whistle.  This is not a "who will advance" pick but rather, what will be the 90 minute result.  Barca would have to win 4 - 0 just to have a chance at playing extra time and penalties.  This would be a monstrous undertaking to say the least. It was just announced this morning that Messi will not be starting, and Bayern has tremendous defense and are now the favorites of the match, so Bayern is looking like the best pick.
• Confidence: 70%
2. Soccer: No Messi doesn't score in the first half
• The outcome of this prop really depends on how Bayern Munich controls Messi in this game.  They did a very good job at containing him in their last match, and if they do that again, I don't think Messi will score in this half, and maybe not in this game.  He just hasn't been the same since his hamstring injury.  I think he has a better chance at scoring in the 2nd half than the first, especially while it was just announced that he will not be in the starting lineup.
• Confidence: 60%
3. MLB:  Oakland Athletics
• The A's have won every game they have played against the Angels this season.  After the marathon 19 inning game 2 days ago, and a game again yesterday, these clubs will most likely be tired, but I see no reason why the A's shouldn't be able to pull out a victory at home.  They are the favorites at -120 and have the better pitcher.
• Confidence: 70%
4. Soccer:  Yes both teams score in the 2nd half
• You will want to see how the game goes in the 1st half, but I think the yes option has a great chance here.  Barcelona will obviously be looking to score, as they have a mountain to climb in order to even have a shot at advancing.  Barca's trying to attack so much will open up opportunities for Bayern on the counter.  I like this pick even more if there is little scoring in the 1st half.
• Confidence: 60%
5. MLB:  Philadelphia Phillies
• The Indians have to be kicking themselves ever since they traded Cliff Lee to the Phillies back in 2009.  He has had phenomenal success as a pitcher, though he has never faced the Indians.  Although the Indians have been hot of late, the Phillies are -140 to win and Lee will have something to say about their hot bats.  Nick Swisher will likely be out for the Indians tonight.
• Confidence: 70%
6. NHL:  Boston Bruins
• These teams have not met in the postseason since 1974.  In the 4 times they played this season, Boston won 3 out of 4, the lone loss coming on the road.  Boston is at home for this game, and should start this best-of-seven series off with a win.
• Confidence: 80%
7. MLB:  Atlanta Braves
• The Braves have won every game against the Nationals this season.  Even though Zimmerman is an outstanding pitcher who has definitely been the Nationals' bright spot, I just don't think they can muster enough offense to win this game.  The Braves are -115 favorites at home.  The Nationals are in dire need of a win though, and if anyone can help them win it's Zimmerman.
• Confidence: 50%
8. MLB:  Boston Red Sox
• Interestingly, neither of these teams have won consecutive games against each other this season.  Toronto won yesterday, so the pattern would indicate that Boston wins this game.  An even more convincing reason to take Boston is that Bucholz is their starting pitcher.  He looks to make history tonight by winning his first 6 starts of the season and by being the first Red Sox pitcher to win 7 consecutive decisions at Toronto.  The line is Boston -125.
• Confidence: 80%
9. NBA:  Celtics Win or Single Digit Loss
• It's win or go home time for the Celtics.  The Knicks won 2 of the 4 games of this series by double digits and are favored by 8.5 points for this game, but I think the Celtics keep it close as they try to avoid elimination.  I think the Knicks will win, as they have Josh Smith back from suspension and are at home, but the Celtics will not go out without a fight.
• Confidence: 70%
10. NBA:  Paul Pierce 1st half field goals made or tie
• Pierce is the leading scorer for the Celtics.  My guess is that he'll probably have at least 10 points from field goals in the first half, giving him 5 field goals made.  Can Boston keep it to within 5 or less at the half?  I think so.
• Confidence: 60%
11. NHL:  Pittsburgh Penguins win by 2+ goals
• I don't think I saw even one NHL pick during the regular season that wasn't just a straight up pick.  Hockey can be very unpredictable, but the Penguins are heavy favorites in this game, and they are at home.  The Islanders really struggled down the stretch to close out the regular season, and haven't made the playoffs since 2007.  The Penguins are featureed regularly in the postseason, and should take this prop.
• Confidence: 60%
12. MLB:  Chicago Cubs
• The Cubs won the first game of the series and the Padre won the second yesterday.  The pattern conttinues and the Cubs get the win at home.
• Confidence: 60%
13. NBA:  Atlanta Hawks 3 pointers made or tie
• The Hawks made 7, 9, 4, and 11 3 pointers in games 1 - 4.  They have made some adjustments to their lineup for the last two games which have payed off.  They got beat big in the first two games of this series, but have come back and made a series of it and should keep it close tonight.
• Confidence: 70%
14. MLB:  Texas Rangers
• The Rangers won the first game of this series 10 - 6, Tepesch has had the better season, and the Rangers have been great at home.
• Confidence: 60%
15. NBA:  Any Other Result
• The results from quarters 1 and 2 are: Knicks outscored Boston by 2 in the first, and Boston outscored New York by 8 in the 2nd quarter.  So in both of the first two quarters, the any other result option won.  Gotta roll with what's hot.
• Confidence:  70%
16. MLB:  San Francisco Giants
• The Giants go for the series sweep tonight.  This may be hard to do given Lincecum's recent history against them.  He has lost his last 6 starts against them, posting a 6.75ERA over that span.  Fortunately for the Giants, McCarthy has been terrible this season, giving up 27 runs over 25 innings and has a current ERA of 7.48.  Lincecum will make history tonight and get a win against his nemesis.
• Confidence: 60%
17. NBA:  Rockets win or single digit loss
• The Rockets have kept every game close except for game 1.  The Thunder are without Russell Westbrook and will be until next season.  I think the Thunder will close out the series tonight, but the Rockets will not go down without a fight.  The line is currently Thunder -8.5.
• Confidence: 70%
18. NBA:  Yes Durant scores 5+ points in both quarters of the first half
• This prop has got to be one of if not the easiest prop today.  It is also the first fan suggested prop that the game has started this month.  Now that Westbrook is out, Durant is the main guy for the Thunder, and has just been dominant in the scoring category since Westbrook went down.
• Confidence: 90%
19. Soccer: Monterrey
• I really have no idea about these teams, but Monterrey is at home and have had the better result over their last 5 games.  These teams drew 0 - 0 in their last game.  
• Confidence: 50%
20. MLB:  Los Angeles Dodgers
• Beckett is winless so far this season, but I think he'll get his first win tonight.  Hanley Ramirez coming back has really given the Dodgers a boost, and they are -142 to win.
• Confidence: 70%
21. MLB:  Baltimore Orioles
• The Orioles stopped the Mariners' win streak yesterday, and have a chance to win their 5th straight series.  Chen has been very solid for the Orioles.  Harang has been terrible for the Mariners, losing each of his 3 starts this season and only last a combined 12 innings while posting an 11.37 ERA.  The Orioles will light him up.
• Confidence: 80%
22. NHL:  San Jose Sharks
• The Sharks have had an amazing run to get into the playoffs.  I think the trend continues tonight.  With so much controversy around Vancouver's goaltending, it's hard to see them winning this series, let alone this game.  They are at home for this game though.
• Confidence: 70%