Cnotes Sports Page For Thursday August 6th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Heston starts Giants-Cubs series, McCann ailing


August 6, 2015


A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:


CHARTING HESTON


San Francisco rookie Chris Heston pitches at Wrigley Field to begin a four-game series between teams that are neck-and-neck in the race for the second NL wild card. Heston, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season, is 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts since his last loss June 14 to Arizona. Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) starts for the Cubs.


PLANNING AHEAD


With the last-place Red Sox already looking beyond this season, manager John Farrell said rookie outfielder Rusney Castillo will get regular playing time. Castillo will be back in the lineup against lefty CC Sabathia in the series finale at Yankee Stadium, Farrell said. AL East-leading New York expects slugging catcher Brian McCann (left knee) to be out of the starting lineup for the second night in a row.


ZACK'S STREAK


Zack Greinke closes out the Dodgers' visit to Philadelphia, trying to improve his major league-leading 1.41 ERA. The LA ace has won five of his last six starts - he got a no-decision during the game in which the Mets ended his shutout streak at 45 2-3 innings.


TRY FOR THREE


Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha attempts to beat the Reds for the third time this season as the teams wrap up their set at Great American Ball Park. He's won both his starts against Cincinnati, allowing only two runs in 13 1-3 innings.


GO FOR TWO


Newly acquired A's righty Aaron Brooks starts at home vs. AL West-leading Houston. Brooks earned his first major league win in his previous outing, his first since being traded from Kansas City to Oakland last week in a deal for Ben Zobrist.

 

[CNOTES]

Rays claim OF Daniel Nava off waivers


August 5, 2015


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed outfielder Daniel Nava off waivers from the Boston Red Sox and optioned outfielder Mikie Mahtook to Triple-A Durham.


The moves were announced after Wednesday's 6-5, 10-inning road loss to the Chicago White Sox.


The switch-hitting Nava was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 28.


The 32-year-old batted .152 in 29 games with Boston this season. He also missed 48 games while spending nearly two months on the disabled list with a left thumb sprain.


Nava hit .267 with 23 homers and 169 RBIs over portions of five seasons with the Red Sox.

 

[CNOTES]

Yanks C McCann sidelined with stiff knee


August 5, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Brian McCann is out of the New York Yankees' lineup Wednesday night against Boston because of a stiff left knee.


The slugging catcher was injured blocking a pitch in the dirt from reliever Dellin Betances on Tuesday night, when McCann homered and drove in four runs. He shifted to first base late in the game.


McCann said an MRI showed inflammation around the medial collateral ligament on the inside of his left knee. He said he could come off the bench in an emergency, but hopes two days off and steady treatment will be enough to get him back on the field.


John Ryan Murphy was behind the plate for the major league debut of prized Yankees pitching prospect Luis Severino.


''I was definitely looking forward to catching him,'' said McCann, hitting .255 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs.


In other moves, the Yankees re-signed first baseman-outfielder Garrett Jones, optioned right-hander Caleb Cotham to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated right-hander Danny Burawa for assignment. Severino was called up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.


Jones was cut last Friday after New York acquired outfielder-infielder in a trade with Seattle. Ackley, however, went on the disabled list Tuesday with a strain in his lower back.


Jones, obtained in a trade with Miami last offseason, was available off the bench against the Red Sox. He batted .215 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 57 games during his first stint with the Yankees this season.


Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo noted Jones had already grown a beard in his brief time away from the team and was shaving it to comply with club rules once again.

 

[CNOTES]

Tigers hot with Sanchez on the mound at home


The Detroit Tigers are hot when starter Anibal Sanchez takes the mound at Comerica park, going 6-0 in his last six starts there.


Sanchez is 5-0 in those six starts, pitching to a 2.92 ERA with 35 strikeouts to 11 walks.


Despite the streak Sanchez will a slight +112 home dog Thursday afternoon, when the Tigers close out their series against Yordano Ventura and the Kansas City Royals.

 

[CNOTES]

Greinke looks for 11th straight start of 2 ER or fewer


Los Angeles Dodgers starter Zack Greinke will try to extend his streak of giving up two earned runs or fewer to 11 consecutive games when he goes up against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday afternoon.


Greinke's streak is the longest active such streak in the majors and he has pitched to a ridiculous 0.86 ERA in those 10 games. The streak has also made the Dodgers a decent under bet, with it going 8-2 in those starts.


Not surprisingly, Greinke is facing a huge amount of chalk today, with the Dodgers on the board at -243.

 

[CNOTES]

Braves still not giving Miller much run support


Aug 06, 2015


ATLANTA -- Maybe facing the Miami Marlins again is what Shelby Miller needs to finally end his long winless streak.


The right-hander nearly threw a no-hitter in Miami on May 17 before settling for a two-hit shutout. He hasn't won in 14 starts as the Braves give him the worst run support of any starter in the majors.


How bad has it been? The Braves have scored a total of 14 runs while Miller was on the mound during the winless stretch, going 2-12 despite a 3.14 ERA by the National League All-Star.


Miller has been the losing pitcher seven times, his record falling to 5-8. His season ERA of 2.44, though, ranks sixth among qualified National League starters.


Miller was in line for a victory Tuesday night against San Francisco when the Braves scored twice in the seventh inning for a 3-2 lead, but the Braves bullpen imploded and the Giants won 8-3.


"It kind of unraveled on us, and he doesn't get any decision," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "But he was great. He was dominant throughout the whole game. We can't ask for any more from him, really. We really can't."


The 14 starts by Miller without a victory ties Kenshin Kawakami for the longest by a Braves pitcher, but there is no comparison between the two.


Kawakami, a bust after being brought over from Japan, had a 5.10 ERA to go with his 1-10 record in 2010.


Miller's season is more comparable to Craig Swan's with the New York Mets in 1978. He also had a 14-start winless streak and won the National League ERA title.

 

[CNOTES]

Twins hope offense is on the rise


Aug 05, 2015


TORONTO -- The Minnesota Twins finally scored some runs on Wednesday.


By putting up seven runs, they equaled their output over the previous seven games. Three of their runs came in the first inning.


In the end, this outburst did them little good. They lost 9-7 to the Toronto Blue Jays, and they enter Thursday trying to avoid being swept in the four-game series against a team that also has wild-card aspirations.


Minnesota fell behind 9-3 after four innings Wednesday before scoring four unearned runs in the fifth. That turned out to be the end of the comeback.


"You applaud the guys staying with the game through nine innings, but you've got to deal with the fact that you came up short again," manager Paul Molitor said. "They've taken it to us for three days. They're rolling right now."


Molitor juggled his lineup Wednesday, moving center fielder Aaron Hicks to the leadoff spot and dropping second baseman Brian Dozier to second.


Hicks led off the game with a single, and Dozier hit a scorcher that Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson snared. Hicks also had a double in the fifth and scored a run.


"I think we're all frustrated," Molitor said. "We see what's happening and the fact that we're having trouble winning games. We know what our record is since the break (5-13). There's some frustration out there. You've got to try to find a way to just keep playing through it."


The Twins have one more shot at the Blue Jays on Thursday before visiting the Cleveland Indians. They can only hope that the runs that they scored Wednesday were a sign of an offensive awakening.

 

[CNOTES]

Can return of Span give Nationals a lift?


Aug 06, 2015


WASHINGTON -- The projected eight everyday players for the Nationals have not taken the field together for any game this year.


But that could happen this month if everything goes well for Washington and center fielder Denard Span, who has been on the disabled list since July 10 due to back tightness.


Span hit in the cage on Wednesday -- the third day in a row he has done that -- and took groundballs and also hit on the field and took flyballs in the outfield before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.


"Today was a step in the right direction," Span said. "It felt good."


Span said he will see how he feels Thursday and manager Matt Williams said the left-handed hitter could take live batting practice and maybe even run the bases later this week.


Span is hitting .304 with 11 steals in as many tries. Last year, he set career highs in doubles with 39 and also set a Nationals mark with hits in a season with 184 while he hit .302. The Nationals have a winning record with Span in the lineup and a losing record when he is out.


The Nationals certainly need a lift from someone, be it player or manager or coach.


Washington lost for the fifth time in six games Wednesday, falling 11-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was their fifth loss in six games and they fell two games back of the red-hot New York Mets.


"In the beginning of the season, if you'd told me we were two games back with 55 games to go, I would've taken it any day of the week," said right fielder Bryce Harper. "I don't think you can have a bad mentality or bad mind ... we're still going, still doing what we're doing, and just gotta get to swinging it and get comfortable and really just try to go about ... every single day. And laugh and try to enjoy the game. That's all that matters."


"Try to enjoy the game," he added. "Trying to laugh, trying to smile. There's bigger things than just baseball in life. Just come in, clean slate every single day and worry about what you can do to help your team win that day. If that's your first at-bat or your fourth at-bat, it don't matter."


After this year, Span will be a free agent and it appears he will leave the Nationals, who have groomed Michael A. Taylor as the next center fielder.


Taylor has been playing center with Span out and Taylor also played left field earlier this year when Jayson Werth was on the disabled list. Taylor hit a two-run homer Wednesday.


Other everyday regulars who have spent time on the DL this year include first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and infielder Anthony Rendon.

 

[CNOTES]

Hamels has adjustment to make with move to Texas


Aug 06, 2015


ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cole Hamels admitted the move to the American League is going to be an adjustment. Even though he's been involved in interleague play throughout his career, the move from Philadelphia to Texas involves a fulltime change in outlook.


Especially between innings.


"You kind of get used to knowing you're always going to be in the game, no matter what," said Hamels, slated to make his second start in a Texas uniform Saturday at Seattle. "Hitting, pitching, running. You really get to focus more on actually pitching, which that's my job is to be the best pitcher.


"I think that will be very helpful. I think that will help me out with getting a little bit more insight in preparation for the inning, knowing the hitters I'm going to face and see if I can pick the brain of a few of the guys. You just get to prepare a little bit more. And then all you have to do is actually execute the pitches. It gives you time to cool down, reset yourself."


Hamels has started studying AL hitters, though he said that relying on his catchers becomes more important as he gets to know the league.


"In this day and age there's a lot of information, you get to watch guys a little bit more," Hamels said. "You've got a lot more access with MLB network and the coverage from ESPN and the technology with video you get to at least watch them more than opposed to just relying on the scouting of a scout who covers that area. It leaves you with less excuses, but that's the fun part about baseball."

 

[CNOTES]

See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities


Aug 05, 2015

Spot bets are classic handicapping practices that have proven profitable no matter what sport you're betting. Whether it's a team looking past this week's opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots. Covers Expert Ben Burns points out his favorites:


Lookahead spot


Things are heating up north of the border. Since making the biggest splash in the majors during the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have played like World Series contenders and ride a 7-1 winning clip into Thursday’s series finale with the Minnesota Twins.


However, Toronto could get caught looking past this matchup with Minnesota and to Friday’s series opener with the New York Yankees. A series win over the Bronx Bombers would solidify the Jays' place as the team to beat in the AL East, with Toronto 5.5 games back of New York in the standings as of Wednesday. That eagerness to test this revamped roster against the Yankees could open up Toronto for a letdown spot against the Twins Thursday.


Schedule spot


Keeping things in Toronto, the CFL’s Argonauts make their Rogers Centre debut this weekend hosting Saskatchewan in their first official home game of the 2015 season. Thanks to the Pan Am Games taking over the Big Smoke, the Argos were on the road for their first five games, including a season-opening “home game” against Edmonton in Fort McMurray, Alberta.


Toronto has done well for facing sure a tough and quirky challenge to start the season, going 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS. The Argos got caught looking ahead to the comforts of home last week in Hamilton, losing 34-18 as 3.5-point underdogs. Oddsmakers have pegged Toronto as a 9.5-point favorite at home to the winless Rough Riders Saturday.


Letdown spot


The Texas Longhorns are a program in flux as the 2015 college football campaign gets closer. The Horns enter Year 2 under Charlie Strong and while they are still a very capable and talented program, Texas is a far cry from its national title days.


For Strong, showing the Longhorns can compete against the Big 12 elite is imperative to the growth of this program - even if that means just one marquee win. And that entails taking down the likes of TCU or hated rival Oklahoma, who highlight Weeks 5 and 6 for Texas. That back-to-back gauntlet is followed by a bye week then a home game against Kansas State. If Texas can't stand its ground against the Horned Frogs or Sooners, Strong may lose his grip on this program and it's players, lining up a letdown in Week 8.

 

[CNOTES]

Rough forecast at Great American Ball Park Thursday


Aug 6, 2015


Both the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals are hoping to get their getaway-day game in Thursday afternoon, but there is some rough weather in the forecast in Cincy.


Rain is expected throughout the game and there is even a chance of thunderstorms. If the game does get played there will also be a strong itchers wind gusting in from center field at 10 miles per hour.


Michael Wacha (3.09 ERA, 9-10 O/U) is expected to take the mound for the Cardinals (-157), while Michael Lorenzen (4.80 ERA, 7-7 O/U) counters for the Reds. The total is currently 8.0.

 

[CNOTES]

Mets win sixth straight, extend lead in NL East


The New York Mets were able to hold on for an 8-6 win over the Miami Marlins for their sixth consecutive win and extend their lead in the National League East.


The win, combined with the Washington Nationals getting thumped 11-4 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, means the Mets now lead the division by two games.


The Mets, who are currently 14/1 to win the World Series, are off Thursday before starting a three-game series in Tampa Bay Friday.

 

[CNOTES]

Two injured Pirates to start rehab play next week


Aug 05, 2015


PITTSBURGH -- The two injured starters on the left side of the Pirates' infield are expected to take a big step next week toward returning to the Pittsburgh lineup.


Third baseman Josh Harrison is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Indianapolis. Shortstop Jordy Mercer is expected to join Harrison three days later.


Harrison has been on the disabled list since July 6 with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, an injury that required surgery. Mercer has been out since July 20 with a sprained left knee.


Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday night before the team's 7-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs that there is no timetable for when Harrison and Mercer would be activated, though he indicated both players likely would need a minimum of 20-25 plate appearances in order to get their timing back at the plate.


"It's not going to be a 48-hour or 72-hour shuttle. It won't be one day and it won't be two days," Hurdle said. "There is going to be a commitment of time, I think, and reps. We are never comfortable throwing them out nine innings the first time they are out on the field.


"They'll play seven innings the first time out, get a day (off), then build up to the point where they can show they can play nine innings on back-to-back days."


Mercer began taking batting practice last weekend, while Harrison hit against live pitching Tuesday for the first time since his surgery.

 

[CNOTES]

Mets bullish on playoff chances


Aug 06, 2015


MIAMI -- The New York Mets have the easiest remaining schedule in the major leagues, according to a study by the Wall Street Journal.


Of course, the team the Mets are competing with in the battle for the National League East crown, the Washington Nationals, have the second-easiest schedule, according to the study.


The schedule, though, is only part of the reason why the Mets and their fans seem to be -- all of a sudden -- so bullish on the team's playoff chances.


There are other factors, including the potent pitching staff, which has become the franchise's identity, and the improved offense after trades brought in professional hitters Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.


Here is the net result of the improved offense: From June 28 to July 7, the Mets, amazingly, had no homers. But in their next nine games, coinciding with the start of new arrivals, the Mets hit 18 homers in nine games.


They also had two-double digit scoring games in eight days after having two for the first 90-plus games.


Even the bullpen -- despite a meltdown in the ninth inning of New Yorki's 8-6 win over the Marlins on Wednesday -- has been fortified in the past week with the trade acquisitions of right-hander Tyler Clippard and left-hander Eric O'Flaherty, who arrived Wednesday. O'Flaherty is an under-the-radar pick-up who could be significant -- lefty hitters are batting just .186 against him this year.


O'Flaherty joins a bullpen that is led by Jeurys Familia, who ranks sixth in the majors with 29 saves. Before Wednesday's ninth inning, the Mets' bullpen had gone 11 1/3 innings without allowing a run.


The entire Mets pitching staff ranks third in the majors with a 3.20 ERA. The Mets lead -- by a wide margin -- with 3,308 pitches of at least 95 mph this year. The second-place team in that category, the Cleveland Indians, has only 1,966 pitches that fast.


Writer Jayson Stark said on ESPN airwaves that the Mets have "the best rotation in the game," and former Braves star John Smoltz essentially echoed those sentiments.


But as good as things are going for the Mets right now, even more help appears to be on the way.


Rookie Steven Matz, who proved to be a sensation earlier this season when he won his two starts in dominant fashion while also driving in a combined total of five runs, is due to return off the disabled list in early September. The Mets could also get lefty reliever Jerry Blevins back by then, and he was hugely effective earlier this year.


Offensively, the Mets figure to get right-handed hitter Michael Cuddyer back Friday. He could platoon with Curtis Granderson in right and also give Lucas Duda occasional rest at first base.


"We have a ton of lefties coming up," Mets manager Terry Collins said of the pitching his team will face. "(Cuddyer) will play in those games for sure. He wants to help. He just wants to win. We're going to get him back in there."


Beyond that, the Mets could get team captain/third baseman David Wright back by early September, when rosters can expand up to 40 players.


The Mets could also bring up some rookies for part-time roles, including Wilfredo Tovar, who has 29 steals in Triple-A and could be a valuable pinch-runner.

 

[CNOTES]

Mariners offense thriving since tinkering with order


Aug 05, 2015


DENVER -- The Seattle Mariners' lineup has become more potent since manager Lloyd McClendon "threw something against the wall" on a day in Detroit and decided to move Robinson Cano into the cleanup spot.


In 17 games since that move, No. 2 hitter Kyle Seager, No. 3 hitter Nelson Cruz and Cano are thriving. In that span, they are hitting a combined .338 with 14 doubles, 15 homers, 36 RBIs and 42 runs scored.


"I've always wanted to put Seager in the two hole," McClendon said. "The secret to that is making sure you have someone who can get on base in the leadoff spot, because he's a fastball hitter."


McClendon believes Ketel Marte, whom the Mariners recalled July 31, can hit leadoff. He did it for the fifth time in six games Wednesday, when the Mariners lost 7-5 in 11 innings to the Rockies.


Because of Marte's ability to bunt, McClendon said he didn't think Marte would be overmatched.


"His speed will play and get him hits when he's not swinging very well," McClendon said. "I want to see what he can do in the leadoff spot."


The lineup switch moved Seager from fifth to second in the order. McClendon then flipped Cruz and Cano in the three-four slots so the right-handed-hitting Cruz was slotted between two left-handed hitters.


"I think we have a two, three and four who are locked in for the foreseeable future," McClendon said. "I don't see it changing. ... We just need to get this leadoff thing straightened out, and we may be doing even better than we are."

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


-- If you watched a lot of baseball the last week, you'd swear the Mets, Blue Jays will never lose again. Ever.


-- Mets are now 42-4 when they get more hits than their opponents.


-- Arizona Cardinal WR Michael Floyd is out 4-6 weeks with broken fingers.


-- Milwaukee Bucks' new advertising slogan: "Fear the Deer". We'll see about that.


-- George W Bush did jury duty this week; how can he not get out of it?


-- A couple at Astros-Rangers game last night was celebrating their 70th wedding annversary- they appeared to have hearing aids, which helps explain the longevity.




**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......


13) Beating a dead horse about instant replay: You look at the replay; is the call an obvious mistake? If yes, change the call. If not, the call stands. Its very simple.


12) I think about NFL pregame shows that I almost never watch and especially the one on ESPN-- former Cowboys exec Gil Brandt is still out there, very active. Wouldn't he be better TV guy than Keyshawn Johnson, who rarely says anything worthwhile?


Coaches/executives are usually better than ex-players; TV networks mostly ignore this.


11) NFL Network is very good during the day, showing camp from different teams every day. You at least get a feel for whats going on; not sure you get a lot of useful info for handicapping or fantasy, but it gets your mind working at least.


10) Indianapolis Colts have Frank Gore/Andre Johnson now; they're going to have one hell of an offense if those guys stay healthy. They were good last year.


9) Someone on TV was touting Sam Bradford as a "potentially great QB". I've rooted for Sam the last five years, during which time he went 18-30-1 as a starter and missed 31 of the 80 games he was supposed to play. His WRs in Philly aren't better than the ones he had in St Louis, though his tight ends are better now.


Bradford tried hard and seems like a good guy but if he turns into a great player after stealing $65M from the Rams the last five years, I'm going to projectile vomit.


8) Bills-Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 11; someone in the NFL office has a lot of faith in Rex Ryan to keep Buffalo relevant until then.


7) Couple of New York Mets have good bloodlines; Michael Conforto's dad played linebacker at Penn State; Matt Harvey's dad played baseball/football at UConn. John Mayberry's dad was a big leaguer.


6) Kris Bryant damn near got a concussion sliding headfirst into second base the other night, so he is going to give up sliding headfirst. Instant replay has unintentionally put a new premium on correct sliding techniques- it needs to be practiced more.


5) Chris Kamka of Comcast/Chicago had a great nugget yesterday; Avasail Garcia of the White Sox is the first big leaguer since 1979 (Rodney Scott) to have both a walk-off walk and a walk-off hit by pitch in the same season.


4) Seattle's Nelson Cruz is hotter than hell; he is on a 15-game hitting streak and he hit a home run in ten of those fifteen games. Lot of teams missed the boat on him.


3) Indians utility guy Mike Aviles would be a semi-valuable trade chip because he can play all over, but his 4-year old daughter is very ill, so Cleveland promised not to trade him during the season, so the family wouldn't be further inconvenienced. That is a very classy move by the Indians. Some things are more important than winning.


2) College football starts four weeks from tonight; summer goes by too fast.


1) If you drew up an all-time Lakers' starting five and you don't have Jerry West on it, then you need to do it over until you get it right. You can put Earvin Johnson at any position but center, so put Kobe/West in backcourt, Magic at the 3, Wilt and Kareem up front, with Elgin Baylor and Shaq coming off the bench. There, that is settled.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Shock (10-11) at Sparks (6-14)


Date: August 06, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Just like that, the Los Angeles Sparks are relevant again.


Surging since Candace Parker's return, the Sparks take a three-game winning streak into Thursday night's visit from the sputtering Tulsa Shock.


Parker sat out Los Angeles' first 16 games to rest, saying before the season she would miss an undetermined number of games to get 100 percent healthy. But she returned last week and has lifted the Sparks (6-14) out of last place and into the postseason picture.


The two-time MVP has stuffed the scoresheet in her four games, averaging 19.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals, all above her career averages.


Los Angeles has eclipsed the 80-point plateau in three straight, something that only happened four times previously. The Sparks averaged 64.3 points in the six games leading up to their star's return.


"Candace has been an influential part of the Sparks â??for several years and a big part of its success," coach Brian Agler told the team's official website. "She has been an All-Star and an MVP, and we are sure she will influence great play by the Sparks in the future."


While Parker has helped the Sparks find themselves, Tulsa is lost.


The Shock (10-11) still hold the Western Conference's third playoff spot despite 10 losses in their last 12, including seven straight. An ACL injury ended All-Star Skylar Diggins' season in late June, and two weeks ago the WNBA approved Tulsa's relocation to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for next season.


Another All-Star, Plenette Pierson, suffered a knee injury in Tuesday's 87-84 overtime loss at Phoenix. Pierson - Tulsa's fourth-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game - is questionable for Thursday.


Along with the loss of Pierson, the Shock coughed up a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost on DeWanna Bonner's buzzer-beating 3-pointer.


"We have a tendency to go away from our defensive scheme, our offensive scheme," Pierson said prior to Tuesday's loss. "What we really have to do is just focus on staying together and playing together and just executing."


Courtney Paris put up 16 points and 16 rebounds against the Mercury as all five starters scored at least 14 points.


Jantel Lavender posted her league-leading 11th double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in Los Angeles' 83-61 win over Minnesota on Tuesday. Guard Erin Phillips, who has started all 12 games she's been available, hasn't played since July 22 due to a leg injury and is questionable.


Sparks guard Kristi Toliver set a franchise record with 43 points and had nine assists in Los Angeles' 98-95 win over Tulsa at Staples Center on July 3 before being held to nine points in an 82-67 road loss eight days later.



WNBA HEAD TO HEAD


Jul 11, 2015 Score ATS Results
LOS 67 Under: 149
TUL « 82 Cover: 10.5
Tools: Recaps


Jul 3, 2015 Score ATS Results
TUL 95 Cover: 2.5
LOS « 98 Over: 193
Tools: Recaps


Aug 5, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL « 96 Cover: 12.5
LOS 90 Over: 186
Tools: Recaps


Jun 28, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS « 92 Cover: 2
TUL 89 Over: 181
Tools: Recaps


Jun 19, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL 77 Over: 164
LOS « 87 Cover: 3.5
Tools: Recaps


Jun 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS 67 Under: 136
TUL « 69 Cover: 6
Tools: Recaps

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA


Thursday, August 6

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


10:30 PM
TULSA vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulsa's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulsa's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 10 games

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA


Long Sheet


Thursday, August 6


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


TULSA (10 - 11) at LOS ANGELES (6 - 14) - 8/6/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 22-34 ATS (-15.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
LOS ANGELES is 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 8-3 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 7-4 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE


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


New York Liberty 13 6 0.684 0 7-2 6-4 6-5 8-2 W-1


Washington Mystics 12 7 0.632 1 7-3 5-4 7-6 6-4 W-1


Chicago Sky 13 8 0.619 1 9-2 4-6 10-4 7-3 W-2


Indiana Fever 11 9 0.550 2 7-4 4-5 7-7 7-3 L-1


Connecticut Sun 10 9 0.526 3 5-5 5-4 3-8 3-7 W-1


Atlanta Dream 7 13 0.350 6 5-5 2-8 4-7 3-7 L-5



WESTERN CONFERENCE


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


Minnesota Lynx 15 5 0.750 0 8-2 7-3 11-3 7-3 L-1


Phoenix Mercury 13 7 0.650 2 8-2 5-5 10-3 8-2 W-4


Tulsa Shock 10 11 0.476 5 6-4 4-7 6-9 2-8 L-7


Los Angeles Sparks 6 14 0.300 9 4-6 2-8 5-8 4-6 W-3


San Antonio Stars 6 16 0.273 10 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 Thu Aug 6 10:37 AM EDT