Cnotes Sports Page For Saturday August 8th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

Storm-Stars Preview


Although the Seattle Storm and San Antonio Stars are on four-game losing streaks and at the bottom of the Western Conference, the final playoff spot is well within reach.


Both clubs look to draw closer to Los Angeles for that postseason berth when they meet at Freeman Coliseum on Saturday night.


Despite their struggles, the Storm (5-16) and Stars (6-16) aren't far behind the 7-14 Sparks.


Seattle will be playing its fourth in a six-game stretch on the road, where it's 1-11. The Storm fell 78-62 to New York in its most recent outing Sunday, getting outscored 24-9 in the third quarter to turn a one-point halftime deficit into an insurmountable margin.


"We just had a lot of breakdowns in the third quarter," coach Jenny Boucek told the team's official website. "They (Liberty) really took it to us."


Sue Bird scored 14 points but shot 5 of 17 for Seattle, which made 38.7 percent from the field. Still, she became the first player in WNBA history to amass 5,000 points and 2,000 assists during the contest.


Bird, tied for second in the league in assists per game at 5.2, will go up against San Antonio's Danielle Robinson, also averaging 5.2.


The Stars return home after dropping two straight on the road, the most recent a 66-63 loss to Washington on Wednesday. Jia Perkins scored a team-high 23 points but went 1 of 6 from 3-point range and missed a potential tying shot from beyond the arc as the final buzzer sounded.


San Antonio is winless in 11 games away from Freeman Coliseum this season.


Perkins, averaging 11.6 points on the year, has scored 20.7 over the last three games.


Stars coach Dan Hughes was knocked over by a hustling Robinson during the second quarter and had to be taken off the floor on a stretcher with a back injury. However, he's expected to be on the sideline Saturday.


''Coach Hughes is doing well,'' a team spokesman said.


Robinson failed to score Wednesday, missing her five shots, but recorded nine assists. Kayla McBride scored 18 points and Sophia Malcolm-Young chipped in 17, but San Antonio's bench contributed just five points.


Saturday will be the second of five meetings between the teams this season. The Stars won the first 73-71 on June 27 in San Antonio after trailing by 12 in the third quarter.


McBride scored a game-high 23 points and hit a runner with 22.7 seconds remaining to put San Antonio ahead before rebounding Bird's miss in the final seconds to wrap it up. Langhorne scored 18 to lead Seattle, which had won three straight in San Antonio.

 

[CNOTES]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE


Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak


New York Liberty 14 6 0.700 0 7-2 7-4 7-5 8-2 W-2


Washington Mystics 12 8 0.600 2 7-3 5-5 7-7 6-4 L-1


Chicago Sky 13 9 0.591 2 9-3 4-6 10-5 6-4 L-1


Indiana Fever 12 9 0.571 2 8-4 4-5 8-7 7-3 W-1


Connecticut Sun 11 9 0.550 3 6-5 5-4 4-8 4-6 W-2


Atlanta Dream 7 14 0.333 7 5-5 2-9 4-8 2-8 L-6





WESTERN CONFERENCE


Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak


Minnesota Lynx 15 6 0.714 0 8-2 7-4 11-4 7-3 L-2


Phoenix Mercury 14 7 0.667 1 9-2 5-5 11-3 8-2 W-5


Tulsa Shock 10 12 0.455 5 6-4 4-8 6-10 2-8 L-8


Los Angeles Sparks 7 14 0.333 8 5-6 2-8 6-8 5-5 W-4


San Antonio Stars 6 16 0.273 9 6-5 0-11 4-8 3-7 L-4


Seattle Storm 5 16 0.238 10 4-5 1-11 4-9 2-8 L-4

Updated Sat Aug 8 10:07 AM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Dunkel


Week 7


Saskatchewan @ Toronto


Game 125-126
August 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Saskatchewan
106.134
Toronto
118.209
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12
44
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9 1/2
48
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9 1/2); Under
-----------------------------------------------


CFL


Long Sheet


Saturday, August 8


SASKATCHEWAN (0 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 2) - 8/8/2015, 7:05 PM


Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons. SASKATCHEWAN is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in dome games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 105-74 ATS (+23.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
TORONTO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


-----------------------------------


CFL


Week 7


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report


Saturday, August 8


7:00 PM
SASKATCHEWAN vs. TORONTO
Saskatchewan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Saskatchewan's last 15 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Saturday, August 8


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the day: Roughriders at Argonauts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts (-9.5, 48.5)


The Toronto Argonauts look to pull ahead in the race for the top spot in the East Division when they host the winless Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday. The Argonauts missed a chance to take sole possession of first place when they dropped a 34-18 decision to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and find themselves tied with two division rivals.


Toronto plays at the Rogers Centre for the first time after the Pan Am Games forced the team on the road for five weeks and hopes to beat the Roughriders once more following a thrilling 42-40 double-overtime victory in Week 2. Saskatchewan remains the only winless team in the CFL following a 30-5 setback to the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 6. The Roughriders were forced to use their third different starting quarterback of the season after Kevin Glenn was ruled out with a shoulder injury and rookie Brett Smith was left to run for his life as he was sacked five times. Saskatchewan coach Corey Chamblin was given a vote of confidence by general manager Brendan Taman earlier in the week and hopes to turn things around in order to avoid the team's first 0-7 start since 1979.


TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN


LINE HISTORY: The spread and total have both remained at TOR -9.5, 48.5 since open.


INJURY REPORT: Roughriders - LB Shea Emry (Ques-Neck) Argonauts - RB Anthony Coombs (Ques-Undisclosed), SB Chad Owens (Ques-Ankle), LB Cory Greenwood (Out-Concussion)


ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (0-6 SU, 0-5-1 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Smith struggled in his debut as a starter as he finished with zero touchdown passes and two interceptions before being relieved in favour of Tino Sunseri, who fared no better by turning the ball over twice. Saskatchewan signed former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, who led the Crimson Tide to the SEC title last year, to the practice roster Tuesday while wide receiver James Richardson was apparently let go. "He's no longer with the team at this point right now," Chamblin told reporters. "I can't tell you exactly what his status is."


ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS, 2-3 O/U): Toronto's rookie receivers continue to shine as Vidal Hazelton caught 10 passes for a career-high 134 yards and a touchdown while Kevin Elliott had five receptions for 61 yards against the Tiger-Cats. "I just tried to go out there and compete," Hazelton told reporters. "When my number is called in the huddle it's just my mindset to go out there and come down with the ball." Wide receiver Chad Owens suffered an ankle injury versus Hamilton and is questionable for Saturday's contest as is halfback Anthony Coombs, who is suffering from concussion-like symptoms.


TRENDS:


*Roughriders are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
*Argonauts are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss.
*Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
*Under is 4-0 in Argonauts last 4 home games.


CONSENSUS: 51 percent of users are backing the Argos and 56 percent are on the over.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Saturday, August 8


Saskatchewan (0-6) @ Toronto (3-2)-- Argonauts (+3) won 42-40 in OT at Regina in Week 2, in a game Roughriders led 17-10 at half; Toronto has now won four of last six series games, with five of the six going over total. Riders are 7-2 in last nine visits here, but lost 48-15 LY; they're 0-6 this year, losing twice in OT- they've only trailed three of the games at halftime- Riders allowed an average of 23.2 ppg in last five games, just in second half!!!! Toronto is favored for first time this year after 4-1 start vs spread as a dog- they beat Edmonton 26-11 (+4) in only home game so far.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack


-- Mets 4, Rays 3-- Wilmer Flores gets GW RBI for second Friday in row, in game where both bullpens coughed up leads late.


-- Angels 6, Orioles 4-- Mike Trout has played on his birthday four times, and hit three home runs-- he is pretty good.


-- Red Sox traded Mike Napoli to Texas, where he is expected to platoon at 1B.


-- Catcher McCann, SS Iglesias got into a brief scuffle in the Detroit dugout, after the young SS didn't dive to keep a ball from leaving the infield. Tensions are high.


-- Blue Jays 2, Bronx 1 (10)-- All three runs came on solo homers.


-- A's 3, Astros 1-- Its always Sonny in Oakland when Gray pitches.




**********


Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Some Week 1 NFL knowledge.....


13) Cincinnati Bengals are favored at Oakland in Week 1, but they're 0-10 at the O.Co Coliseum and have covered once in their last six tries as a road favorite. They did win once in four tries against the Raiders when the Silver and Black played in LA.


12) Denver is 23-3 SU in its last 26 home openers, 10-4-1 vs spread in last 15.


11) Arizona Cardinals won eight of their last nine home openers.


10) Underdogs are 17-7 vs spread in Carolina road games the last three years.


10a) Dick Enberg just made an amazing Roller Derby reference in the 8th inning of the Phils-Padres game, mentioning that if a jammer put his/her hands on his/her hips, it automatically stopped the action. Who remembers that? Enberg is a gem!!!!


9) Home team won last seven Miami-Washington games.


8) Green Bay is 13-7 vs spread in last 20 tries as a divisional road favorite.


7) Seattle lost its first road game of the season in seven of last eight years.


6) Over last five regular seasons, over is 28-12 in New England home games.


5) Buffalo Bills covered ten of last 13 tries as a home underdog.


4) Since 2007, Jets are 18-27 vs spread as home favorites. Cleveland has been 1-0 once in the last sixteen years. Once.


3) Since 2012, Detroit Lions are 4-9 vs spread as a road underdog; they're 5-10 in last fifteen non-divisional road games.


2) Since 2011, Tampa Bay is 6-12 vs spread when favored; they're 5-11-2 in last 18 games when the spread was 3 or less points.


1) Since 2010, Dallas is 8-24 vs spread as a home favorite; they averaged 10.7 and 9.5 yards per pass attempt in their two games against the Giants last season.

 

[CNOTES]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores


1:05 PM EDT


915 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Price, D -125 -146 / -145 / -150 -145 -1.5(+115)
916 NEW YORK YANKEES (R) Nova, I 8o15 8 / 8u15 / 8u16 8u20 +1.5(-135)

TV: YES, DTV: 631


4:05 PM EDT


917 HOUSTON ASTROS (R) Mchugh, C -125 -133 / -120 / -119 -124 -1.5(+140)
918 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (R) Chavez, J 7.5o20 7.5o20 / 8u15 / 8u23 7.5o15 +1.5(-160)

TV: CSN-California, ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 674, 698


4:10 PM EDT


919 TEXAS RANGERS (L) Perez, M 7.5o20 8u20 / 8u22 / 7.5 7.5u15 +1.5(-200)
920 SEATTLE MARINERS (L) Montgomery, M -135 -127 / -125 / -123 -125 -1.5(+170)

TV: FS-Southwest, ROOT-Northwest, DTV: 676, 687


4:05 PM EDT


901 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (R) Latos, M 7 7 / 7o15 7 +1.5(-215)
902 PITTSBURGH PIRATES (L) Liriano, F -135 -135 / -130 / -127 -129 -1.5(+185)

TV: FS-1, DTV: 219


4:05 PM EDT


903 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (R) Cain, M 8u15 8u15 +1.5(-170)
904 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Hendricks, K -140 -140 / -141 / -140 -145 -1.5(+150)
TV: CSN-Bay, DTV: 696


6:10 PM EDT


929 NEW YORK METS (R) Syndergaard, N -115 -120 / -115 / -119 -117 -1.5(+150)
930 TAMPA BAY RAYS (R) Karns, N 6.5o25 6.5o25 / 6.5o15 6.5o20 +1.5(-170)

TV: SunSports, DTV: 653

 

[CNOTES]

RECAPPING YESTERDAY'S ACTION:


MLB: 7 - 4 - 0


WNBA: 6- 2 - 0


CFL: 1 - 1



WNBA JUNE/ JULY RECORD/ AUGUST :


*****...............................14 - 15 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................37 - 30
TRIPLE PLAY......................16 - 11
SLAM DUNK.......................19 - 16


MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY/AUGUST:


*****.............................86 - 103 - 1 .....................,........- 13.06
double play......................141 - 153 - 2 ............................- 28.22
triple play........................66 - 56 - 2 ................................ +5.67
grand slam......................85 - 82 - 3................................- 8.26
double grand slam.............3 - 4........................................- 4.08
.
CFL JUNE/JULY/ AUGUST RECORD:


SINGLE PLAY.................................1 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY................................7 - 11
TRIPLE PLAY..................................4 - 2
BLOW OUT.....................................3 - 2

 

[CNOTES]

Month of August Totals For All Picks ( As Monitored By Covers )


MLB Contest - Records by Date


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record


08/07/15 20-*9-*1 68.97% +*5650 Detail


08/06/15 9-*11-*0 45.00% -*1370 Detail


08/05/15 15-*14-*1 51.72% -*890 Detail


08/04/15 19-*10-*1 65.52% +*4560 Detail


08/03/15 7-*11-*0 38.89% -*2375 Detail


08/02/15 12-*17-*1 41.38% -*3480 Detail


08/01/15 17-*11-*1 60.71% +*2280 Detail


Totals 99-*83-*5 54.40% +4375




WNBA Contest - Records by Date


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record


08/07/15 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail


08/06/15 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail


08/05/15 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


08/04/15 3-*5-*0 37.50% -*1250 Detail


08/02/15 3-*7-*0 30.00% -*2350 Detail


08/01/15 1-*0-*1 100.00% +*500 Detail


Totals 15-*16-*1 48.39% -*1300




CFL Contest - Records by Date


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record


08/07/15 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail


08/06/15 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail


08/03/15 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail


08/01/15 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


Totals 3-*5-*0 37.50% -*1250

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Toronto - 1:05 PM ET Toronto -140 500 *****
NY Yankees - Under 8 500


Houston - 4:05 PM ET Houston -124 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Oakland - Under 7.5 500


San Francisco - 4:05 PM ET San Francisco +131 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Chi. Cubs - Over 8 500 TRIPLE PLAY


LA Dodgers - 4:05 PM ET Pittsburgh -129 500 GRAND SLAM
Pittsburgh - Under 7 500


Texas - 4:10 PM ET Seattle -121 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Seattle - Under 7.5 500


NY Mets - 6:10 PM ET Tampa Bay +104 500 *****
Tampa Bay - Under 6.5 500

 

[CNOTES]

Diamond Trends - Saturday


August 8, 2015




SU TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Tigers are 13-0 since Jul 30, 2014 at home after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent.


PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:


-- When David Price starts teams are 9-0 since April 27, 2015 when he is at least a -120 favorite if they did not win by more than three runs last game.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Reds are 0-10-2 OU since May 10, 2015 after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings.


CHOICE TREND:


-- The Yankees are 0-11 since Jul 30, 2013 as a dog after a home game vs a team that has won at least their last three games.


ACTIVE TRENDS:


-- The Angels are 10-0 since Jun 12, 2015 as a favorite after scoring 6+ runs.

 

[CNOTES]

Astros get lefty reliever Oliver Perez in trade with D-backs


August 8, 2015


PHOENIX (AP) The Houston Astros added help in the bullpen Friday night, acquiring lefty reliever Oliver Perez from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a minor league pitcher.


The trade was announced following Arizona's 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Perez joins a surprising Houston team that has a 1 1/2-game lead in the AL West and is trying to hold off the second-place Los Angeles Angels.


''They're in a good spot right now,'' Perez said. ''I would love to help wherever they need.''


The 33-year-old Perez is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 48 appearances. He leaves Arizona with a 19-game scoreless streak that is tied for the third-longest in Diamondbacks history.


The veteran pitcher said goodbye to teammates and Diamondbacks staff in the clubhouse late Friday. He can become a free agent after the season and didn't rule out a return to Arizona. He has a home in the area.


''I know this team is going to be in the playoffs,'' said Perez, who set a club record for strikeouts by a left-handed reliever with 76 last year.


Arizona gets 19-year-old lefty Junior Garcia in the deal and will call up another left-hander, Keith Hessler, from Triple-A Reno to fill Perez's spot in the bullpen.


Garcia is 3-1 with a 0.96 ERA and 26 strikeouts in a combined nine games (six starts) between Class A Tri-City and rookie-level Greeneville.


The swap came a week after baseball's deadline for trading players without placing them on waivers.


''I was taken by surprise,'' Perez said. ''Sometimes you feel nervous because, you know, you're going to go to a new organization.''


Perez said he found out he'd been dealt right after Friday's game ended.


''It's a really good organization, and I know they're going the right way,'' Perez said of the Diamondbacks. ''I'm just thankful for all the opportunity they gave me.''

 

[CNOTES]

Castro: Winning matters more than demotion


August 8, 2015


CHICAGO (AP) Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro says he just wants to help the team win and is preparing the same way for games after he was removed from the starting lineup.


Manager Joe Maddon benched Castro for Friday's 7-3 victory over San Francisco, and had a similar lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants. Addison Russell was at shortstop, Chris Coghlan got the start at second and Kyle Schwarber was in left field, keeping Castro in the dugout.


The 25-year-old Castro is batting .183 in 18 games since the All-Star break. He says he was ''a little frustrated'' after he was told of the decision, but he understands.


Also Saturday, the Cubs placed catcher David Ross on the bereavement list and recalled outfielder Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa. Ross could return to the roster as soon as Tuesday.

 

[CNOTES]

Holy $hit Betting Stat of the Day: Reds are on a tear for Under bettors


Totals bettors take note: the Cincinnati Reds have become the hottest Under play in Major League Baseball in recent weeks.


The Under is 9-1-1 in the Reds' last 11 contests. During that span, Cincy has scored 35 runs while allowing opposing base runners to cross the plate 26 times.


Bryan Price's crew have been shutout in back-to-back games heading into Saturday's meeting with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Keyvius Sampson (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to get the ball for the Reds, while Robbie Ray (3-6, 3.01) is slated to counter for the D-Backs.


Pinnacle Sports has tabbed the NL tilt with an 8.5 run total.


----------------------------------


Marlins, Braves going Over totals with ease lately


The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves collide Saturday on profitable streaks for Over bettors.


The Over is 7-1 in the Fish's last eight and 6-0-2 in the Braves' past eight contests. Tom Koehler and Michael Foltynewicz are the probable starters for Miami and Atlanta, respectively.


Sportsbooks have set the game with a 7.5 run total.


--------------------------------------


Jiminez, Orioles not getting the job done


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The Baltimore Orioles are just 1-5 in Ubaldo Jimenez's last six outings.


Jimenez will be seeking to buck that trend Saturday when the O's take on the Los Angeles Angels in California. Garrett Richards is scheduled to counter for the Halos.


Baltimore is currently +138 moneyline underdogs at Pinnacle Sports.

 

[CNOTES]

Santana pitching far better on the road this season


Ervin Santana may have only start six games this season, but he has been excelling on the road so far. In four road starts this season Santana has a 2-1 record with a 1.52 ERA while only allowing opponents to hit .170.


In two of those four starts Santana did not allow a single earned run across 15.2 innings pitch.


The Minnesota Twins are currently +120 when they visit the Cleveland Indians.


--------------------------------------


Shaky defense has the Braves cashing over tickets


The Atlanta Braves have posted an over/under record of 6-0-2 in their past eight contests and have not gone under a closing total since July 30.


During that span the Braves have allowed their opponents to score an average of 7.0 runs per game. In five of those eight contests Atlanta's opponents topped the closing total themselves.


The Braves host the Marlins Saturday with a total currently set at 7.5.

 

[CNOTES]

Overs aplenty in Padres games


Over bettors continue to cash in big when the San Diego Padres take the field.


The Over is 9-1 in the Friars' last 10 games. Philly takes on the Padres at Petco Park Saturday evening.


As of this writing, the total for the game was sitting at seven.


-----------------------------------


Runs coming easily when the Indians and Twins clash


The over has cashed in the past five meetings between the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins. The AL Central rivals have combined for 61 runs in those games, which is an average of 12.2 runs per game.

 

[CNOTES]

Royals have Jeff Samardzija's number this season


Jeff Samardzija will be looking for some redemption when he faces the Kansas City Royals Saturday. In his two starts this season against the Royals, Samardzija is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in two starts.


Samardzija has not fared well against KC throughout his career with a 0-4 record and a 5.95 ERA in four career appearances against the Royals.


The White Sox are currently -110 when they visit Kauffman Stadium Saturday.

 

[CNOTES]

Blue Jays acquire Pennington from Diamondbacks


Aug 08, 2015


NEW YORK -- Seeking some help at second base, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired infielder Cliff Pennington from the Arizona Diamondbacks during Saturday's game against the New York Yankees.


The Blue Jays also will acquire cash considerations and will send minor league shortstop Dawel Lugo to the Diamondbacks.


Pennington can play shortstop and second base and has a reputation for good defensive range. He is expected to split time at second base with Ryan Goins until rookie Devon Travis returns from a left shoulder injury and occasionally fill in for newly acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.


In 157 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks this season, Pennington batted .237. He had been previously been linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals in the days leading up to last week's non-waiver trade deadline.


Pennington began his career with the Oakland Athletics and is a career .248 hitter in parts of eight seasons. He is making $3.25 million this season and is eligible for free agency after the season.

 

[CNOTES]

At the Gate - Saturday


August 8, 2015


Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Del Mar:

DMR Race 8 The John C. Mabee G2 (5:40 PT)


7 Queen of the Sand 7-2


8 Elektrum 6-1


3 Fanticola 5-2


4 Stormy Lacy 4-1

Analysis:


Queen of the Sand was the beaten favorite last out in the Royal Heroine (G2) at a mile where she made a good late rally to come up a neck short of getting to Fanticola. Her last trip over the turf here was a solid second here last summer in the Matriarch (G1). She gets an extra furlong to run them down here and should get an honest pace to run at. She looks capable of turning the tables and is reunited with Van Dyke who was aboard her for her win in the Santa Barbara Handicap (G3) three back.

Elektrum may get overlooked here but ran a good fourth last out in the Gamely (G1) where she was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths. The winner Hard Not to Like returned to win the Diana (G1) at the Spa in her next start while the runner up Fanticola came back to win the Royal Heroine (G2). She gets a jock upgrade her to Espinoza and should be a decent price in this spot.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 7,8 / 3,4,7,8
TRI: 7,8 / 3,4,7,8 / 2,3,4,7,8

Live Longshots:


These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

 

[CNOTES]

HOF Notes - Steelers vs. Vikings


August 7, 2015




Pittsburgh Steelers


Head Coach: Mike Tomlin


Quarterback Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones, Tajh Boyd (Rookie)


Mike Tomlin began his career with the Steelers dominating in preseason play, owning a 19-6 SU and 14-10-1 ATS record from 2007 through 2012. However, Pittsburgh has struggled in exhibition action the last two seasons, going 1-7 SU/ATS, while the 'under' has cashed six times in this span.


When Tomlin started in '07, the Steelers were a team to back in preseason openers, winning and covering four straight. Pittsburgh has gone backwards since 2011, losing four consecutive Game 1's in preseason action, while scoring a combined 29 points in the past two openers.


Minnesota Vikings


Head Coach: Mike Zimmer


Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Taylor Heinicke (Rookie), Mike Kafka


The Vikings struggled in the preseason prior to Mike Zimmer arriving on the scene last season. The former Bengals' defensive coordinator came out of the gate with a perfect 4-0 record in his 2014 preseason debut, along with a 3-1 ATS mark.


Minnesota stumbled in preseason openers from 2011-13, losing each time, but bounced back with a 10-6 victory over Oakland last August to cash as a three-point home favorite. Zimmer's defensive style slowed down opposing offenses in the preseason, yielding 12 points or less in three of four exhibition wins in 2014.


Preseason Coaching Stats


Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh - 20-13 SU, 15-17-1 ATS, 12-20-1 O/U
Mike Zimmer, Minnesota - 4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, 1-3 O/U


Preseason Results - Last Two Years


Pittsburgh


2014 (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, 1-3 O/U)


Pittsburgh (+2.5, 36.5) 16 at N.Y. Giants 20
Pittsburgh (-1, 41) 19 vs. Buffalo 16
Pittsburgh (+3.5, 48) 21 at Philadelphia 31
Pittsburgh (-4, 37.5) 0 vs. Carolina 10


2013 (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS, 1-3 O/U)


Pittsburgh (-2.5, 36) 13 vs. N.Y. Giants 18
Pittsburgh (+2.5, 39.5) 13 at Washington 24
Pittsburgh (-3, 40) 20 vs. Kansas City 26 (OT)
Pittsburgh (+3.5, 36) 10 at Carolina 25


Minnesota


2014 (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, 1-3 O/U)


Minnesota (-3, 38) 10 vs. Oakland 6
Minnesota (-4.5, 40) 30 vs. Arizona 28
Minnesota (+3, 45) 30 at Kansas City 12
Minnesota (+1.5, 42) 19 at Tennessee 3


2013 (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, 3-1 O/U)


Minnesota (-1, 35.5) 13 vs. Houston 27
Minnesota (+3.5, 43) 16 at Buffalo 20
Minnesota (+3, 39) 14 at San Francisco 34
Minnesota (+4, 39) 24 vs. Tennessee 23


Hall of Fame Game History & Trends


Recent Trends:


-- Pittsburgh beat New Orleans, 20-7 in the 2007 HOF game, going 3-2 all-time.
-- Minnesota has gone 2-1 in HOF game appearances, knocking off Seattle in 1997.
-- The 'under' has hit in three of the past four HOF contests.
-- Four straight HOF games have been decided by four points or more.


HALL OF FAME GAME HISTORY (1962-2014)
Year Result
2014 N.Y. Giants 17 Buffalo 13
2013 Dallas 24 Miami 20
2012 New Orleans 17 Arizona 10
2011 PPD
2010 Dallas 16 Cincinnati 7
2009 Tennessee 21 Buffalo 18
2008 Washington 30 Indianapolis 16
2007 Pittsburgh 20 New Orleans 7
2006 Oakland 16 Philadelphia 10
2005 Chicago 27 Miami 24
2004 Washington 20 Denver 17
2003 Kansas City 9 Green Bay 0
2002 N.Y. Giants 34 Houston 17
2001 St. Louis 17 Miami 10
2000 New England 20 San Francisco 0
1999 Cleveland 20 Dallas 17
1998 Tampa Bay 30 Pittsburgh 6
1997 Minnesota 28 Seattle 26
1996 Indianapolis 10 New Orleans 3
1995 Carolina 20 Jacksonville 14
1994 Atlanta 21 San Diego 17
1993 L.A. Raiders 19 Green Bay 3
1992 N.Y. Jets 41 Philadelphia 14
1991 Detroit 14 Denver 3
1990 Chicago 13 Cleveland 0
1989 Washington 31 Buffalo 6
1988 Cincinnati 14 L.A. Rams 7
1987 San Francisco 20 Kansas City 7
1986 New England 21 St. Louis 16
1985 N.Y. Giants 21 Houston 20
1984 Seattle 38 Tampa Bay 0
1983 Pittsburgh 27 New Orleans 14
1982 Minnesota 30 Baltimore 14
1981 Cleveland 24 Atlanta 10
1980 San Diego 0 Green Bay 0
1979 Oakland 20 Dallas 13
1978 Philadelphia 17 Miami 3
1977 Chicago 20 N.Y. Jets 6
1976 Denver 10 Detroit 7
1975 Washington 17 Cincinnati 9
1974 St. Louis 21 Buffalo 13
1973 San Francisco 20 New England 7
1972 Kansas City 23 N.Y. Giants 17
1971 L.A. Rams 17 Houston 6
1970 New Orleans 14 Minnesota 13
1969 Green Bay 38 Atlanta 24
1968 Chicago 30 Dallas 24
1967 Philadelphia 28 Cleveland 13
1965 Washington 20 Detroit 3
1964 Baltimore 48 Pittsburgh 17
1963 Pittsburgh 16 Cleveland 7
1962 St. Louis 17 N.Y. Giants 17