MLB Weekend Interleague Cheat Sheet
By Marc Lawrence
Round 2 in Interleague play resumes this weekend as the American League looks to improve on its domination this weekend. American League certainly holds a 724-591 record against its National League cousins over the last five-plus years (including 22-20 overall this season).
In this week’s edition of the Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on two rivalry series. In addition, we’ve updated the records of the best and worst performers in the history of Interleague play. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are team stats unless noted otherwise.
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Red Sox 13-3 last sixteen games vs. Phillies
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox 8-2 last 10 games away vs. Phillies
Key day/month stat: Phillies 20-4 on Sundays; Red Sox 1-4 away in Sundays
Best arm in the series: Josh Beckett 12-4 3.79 lifetime vs. Phillies (4-0 last four)
Worst arm in the series: Joe Blanton 1-3 3.24 ERA home lifetime vs. Red Sox
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Mets 4-2 last six games vs. Yankees
Most recent series result at the site: Mets 3-0 last three away vs. Yankees
Key day/month stat: Yankees 16-3 home on Sundays; Mets 1-4 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Johan Santana 5-1 1.67 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees; Yankees’ Andy Pettite 6-1 3.33 ERA home lifetime vs. Mets
Worst arm in the series: John Maine 0-2 16.50 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees; Mets’ Livan Hernandez 0-2 6.55 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees
Best all-time interleague teams
1. New York Yankees 124-89 .582
2. Minnesota Twins 123-90 .578
3. Oakland Athletics 124-91 .577
4. Chicago White Sox 118-96 .551
5. Boston Red Sox 117-97 .547
Worst all-time interleague teams
1. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-105 .379
2. Baltimore Orioles 92-122 .430
3. San Diego Padres 83-111 .428
4. Tampa Bay Rays 88-111 .442
5. Cincinnati Reds 79-96 .457
By Marc Lawrence
Round 2 in Interleague play resumes this weekend as the American League looks to improve on its domination this weekend. American League certainly holds a 724-591 record against its National League cousins over the last five-plus years (including 22-20 overall this season).
In this week’s edition of the Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on two rivalry series. In addition, we’ve updated the records of the best and worst performers in the history of Interleague play. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are team stats unless noted otherwise.
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Red Sox 13-3 last sixteen games vs. Phillies
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox 8-2 last 10 games away vs. Phillies
Key day/month stat: Phillies 20-4 on Sundays; Red Sox 1-4 away in Sundays
Best arm in the series: Josh Beckett 12-4 3.79 lifetime vs. Phillies (4-0 last four)
Worst arm in the series: Joe Blanton 1-3 3.24 ERA home lifetime vs. Red Sox
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Mets 4-2 last six games vs. Yankees
Most recent series result at the site: Mets 3-0 last three away vs. Yankees
Key day/month stat: Yankees 16-3 home on Sundays; Mets 1-4 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Johan Santana 5-1 1.67 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees; Yankees’ Andy Pettite 6-1 3.33 ERA home lifetime vs. Mets
Worst arm in the series: John Maine 0-2 16.50 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees; Mets’ Livan Hernandez 0-2 6.55 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees
Best all-time interleague teams
1. New York Yankees 124-89 .582
2. Minnesota Twins 123-90 .578
3. Oakland Athletics 124-91 .577
4. Chicago White Sox 118-96 .551
5. Boston Red Sox 117-97 .547
Worst all-time interleague teams
1. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-105 .379
2. Baltimore Orioles 92-122 .430
3. San Diego Padres 83-111 .428
4. Tampa Bay Rays 88-111 .442
5. Cincinnati Reds 79-96 .457
Playing Right Back
By Judd Hall
It’s a fact of life when it comes to baseball that eventually every starting pitcher will go down with some sort of an injury. Whether it’s a strained shoulder, torn labrum or a bum elbow, a hurler is going to need some time off of the diamond.
Those trips to the disabled list have given bettors a chance to play what is known as the “right back” angle. This is a two-part play that takes into account that a starting pitcher that has been on the DL for an extended period of time will be rusty in their first outing.
This fade has come into play on four occasions thus far with some of the better known pitchers in the big leagues. And the payoff has been pretty good for gamblers with a 3-1 mark if you bet against them.
Los Angeles’s John Lackey started the year on the DL with inflammation in his throwing elbow, but was ready to go on May 16 on the road against the Rangers as a $1.05 road pup. He only got two pitches into his start before getting the ol’ heave ho for tossing behind Ian Kinsler’s back and then nailing him in the side. Texas went on to win that game 5-3. Not the best example of this fade since he only threw two pitches. But Lackey was the pitcher of record and helped bettors backing Texas as a $1.20 home “chalk.”
The fade even holds true when the pitcher in question has appeared in a few games as a reliever. Chien-Ming Wang was diagnosed with weakness in his hip muscles after going 0-3 in April. He returned for some extended relief work in late May before making his first start on June 10 in Boston. Wang threw only 2 2/3 innings as the Red Sox claimed a 6-5 victory. And with that win, bettors cashed on the BoSox as slight $1.10 home favorites.
The Angels have a second entrant on this play with Kelvim Escobar. LA’s No. 3 starter didn’t pitch an inning after having season-ending surgery on his right shoulder and you can bet that he was pretty rusty…no doubt the sportsbooks had that on their mind by making the Halos $1.35 road underdogs against Detroit on June 6. Escobar fared well in his first outing in over a year, giving up two earned runs on four hits in five innings of work. He still lost to the Tigers 2-1, but a solid effort nonetheless.
I mentioned earlier that this is a two-part play for bettors. The second part of the play is to back that pitcher who is making his second start after coming off of the DL. That’s where the “right back” name comes from.
That play will be coming up soon with Los Angeles’s Escobar preparing to make his second start of the season at home against the Padres as a $1.85 home favorite with a total of 8 ½. That’s a huge line to take, but you can always play the run line here for a plus-110 return (-1 ½, risk $100 to win $110).
Lackey came through on this as he allowed five runs in five innings of work on May 18 as the Angels won 10-6 as $1.25 road faves in Seattle. Los Angeles even covered the run line for a return of plus-135.
There will be another chance to fade a well rested starter comes on June 13 when the Cubs send right-hander Rich Harden makes his first start almost a month at home versus Minnesota. The Twins have feasted on righties this season, ranking third in the majors with a .273 batting average.
vegasinsider
By Judd Hall
It’s a fact of life when it comes to baseball that eventually every starting pitcher will go down with some sort of an injury. Whether it’s a strained shoulder, torn labrum or a bum elbow, a hurler is going to need some time off of the diamond.
Those trips to the disabled list have given bettors a chance to play what is known as the “right back” angle. This is a two-part play that takes into account that a starting pitcher that has been on the DL for an extended period of time will be rusty in their first outing.
This fade has come into play on four occasions thus far with some of the better known pitchers in the big leagues. And the payoff has been pretty good for gamblers with a 3-1 mark if you bet against them.
Los Angeles’s John Lackey started the year on the DL with inflammation in his throwing elbow, but was ready to go on May 16 on the road against the Rangers as a $1.05 road pup. He only got two pitches into his start before getting the ol’ heave ho for tossing behind Ian Kinsler’s back and then nailing him in the side. Texas went on to win that game 5-3. Not the best example of this fade since he only threw two pitches. But Lackey was the pitcher of record and helped bettors backing Texas as a $1.20 home “chalk.”
The fade even holds true when the pitcher in question has appeared in a few games as a reliever. Chien-Ming Wang was diagnosed with weakness in his hip muscles after going 0-3 in April. He returned for some extended relief work in late May before making his first start on June 10 in Boston. Wang threw only 2 2/3 innings as the Red Sox claimed a 6-5 victory. And with that win, bettors cashed on the BoSox as slight $1.10 home favorites.
The Angels have a second entrant on this play with Kelvim Escobar. LA’s No. 3 starter didn’t pitch an inning after having season-ending surgery on his right shoulder and you can bet that he was pretty rusty…no doubt the sportsbooks had that on their mind by making the Halos $1.35 road underdogs against Detroit on June 6. Escobar fared well in his first outing in over a year, giving up two earned runs on four hits in five innings of work. He still lost to the Tigers 2-1, but a solid effort nonetheless.
I mentioned earlier that this is a two-part play for bettors. The second part of the play is to back that pitcher who is making his second start after coming off of the DL. That’s where the “right back” name comes from.
That play will be coming up soon with Los Angeles’s Escobar preparing to make his second start of the season at home against the Padres as a $1.85 home favorite with a total of 8 ½. That’s a huge line to take, but you can always play the run line here for a plus-110 return (-1 ½, risk $100 to win $110).
Lackey came through on this as he allowed five runs in five innings of work on May 18 as the Angels won 10-6 as $1.25 road faves in Seattle. Los Angeles even covered the run line for a return of plus-135.
There will be another chance to fade a well rested starter comes on June 13 when the Cubs send right-hander Rich Harden makes his first start almost a month at home versus Minnesota. The Twins have feasted on righties this season, ranking third in the majors with a .273 batting average.
vegasinsider
Weekend Odds and Ends
By Josh Jacobs
Interleague play is back and minus a National League matchup between Houston and Arizona, 12 other contests will follow AL vs. NL protocol.
Unless you’ve been held up in a cave for the past few days then you already know that the big news on campus has been Boston’s dominance over the Yankees. But there are plenty of other happenings to focus on, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the two AL East rivals.
Windy City ‘Under’
The Cubs (29-27, -434) are a bit unpredictable in the standings these days, but there is one tend that continues to gain momentum. In the last 26 games, Chicago and its opponents have pounded the ‘under’ into submission, going 19-7. Sitting at the bottom of the stats lists in offensive production, the North Siders are batting .250 on the season resulting in scoring 245 runs. Anyway you look at it books couldn’t set the total low enough. Average runs for and against on the road have gone a combined 8.2 while home stands haven’t been far off at 8.9. Factor in seasonal pitching numbers of a 3.89 ERA, .237 BAA and a sixth best, 449 strikeouts and what we’re seeing is Chicago’s strength at dictating low scoring affairs.
In the look ahead clash against Minnesota over the weekend, the Cubs’ game plan is to send out Randy Wells to the mound on Friday, Rich Harden on Saturday and Ted Lilly on Sunday. Here are some tidbits on all three slingers leading up to their starts.
Randy Wells (0-2, 1.86 ERA): Helping to facilitate the club’s earning in the totals department, Wells has been a part of the ‘under’ cashing in four times in his six starts (the Cubs are 5-2 on the ‘under’ in their last seven home games). Allowing no more then three runs in any given start this year has been solid work but getting only 3.3 runs of support per start has helped result in not a single win on the season. Look for the ‘under’ play on Thursday as Wells has generated a 0.98 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in Wrigley thus far.
Rich Harden (4-2, 4.74 ERA): This right-hander has been idle for almost a full month after being forced to sit on the DL (back). A 1:05 p.m. start on Saturday falls in line with Harden’s career, 16-9 record during day games. That success has stemmed from a 3.47 ERA and 1.30 WHIP off 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. This season alone, Harden had been blessed with the team producing 5.9 runs of support per start. In turn, the Cubs are 5-1 in his last six trips to the hill. Books have installed Harden as a favorite in every start this season. Those prices have ranged from a high, minus-270 (in an 8-6 victory versus Florida on May 1) to a low, minus-118 (10-3 victory in St. Louis on Apr. 26).
Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.00 ERA): Lefty Ted Lilly will end the weekend long series on Sunday. His last outing in Houston on Jun. 9 was just short of perfect after logging in 6.2 innings on a 114 pitch count. That shutout outing was his third of the season and seventh start in which Lilly held opponents to tacking on five hits or less. Coinciding once again with totals wagering, the southpaw has been involved in the ‘under’ going 8-3 in the last 11 starts. While Chicago has manufactured 4.3 runs of support per start, Lilly has complimented low scoring contests, allowing 2.2 runs per game in 12 games. When coming off a win, a 3-2 record with a 5-1 ‘under’ performance has been generated during the next start.
Subway Series
The Yankees (34-25, -125) will be happy just to get out of Boston this weekend. Pending the result of Thursday’s Game 3, the Red Sox have brutally laid down the law, taking seven straight this season. But getting back to the matter at hand, the Pinstripes will entertain their cross town rival, the Mets in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees were once the lone proprietor of the best record in interleague play. Taking two losses in the last three games versus Philadelphia this season, the gap is nearly closing. Oakland is 124-91 in interleague play, just two games shy of tying the Bombers.
If the Mets (31-26, +101) were a part of Hollywood we’d be calling them the classic drama queens. All joking aside, New York is 4-6 in its last 10. Pitching hasn’t been a strong suit in June as both starters and pen are in an early hole. This is a core of arms coming together for a 20th ranked 4.56 ERA in just the first 11 days of the month.
On a positive note for those looking to back the visiting team, the Mets are 14-6 in Game 1 of a series. The big difference is an offensive batting order scoring 5.2 runs per game in conjunction with the defense giving up 3.7 runs per game (the ‘over’ is a not so inspiring 11-9). And if you’re interested in further investigation, the Metropolitans are 10-4 coming into Game 1’s after a loss and 4-2 entering Game 1 off a win.
That Mets’ offense has been fueled specifically by David Wright’s five RBIs and .483 BA followed by Carlos Beltran bringing in his own four RBIs on two homers. Then there’s the opposite side of the spectrum. Gary Sheffield has recorded just three hits this month (batting .125 in June) and five other players are swinging for a BA of .250 or below. There’s a large disparity in those getting the job done from the rest of the pack.
During 2008, the Mets went 4-2 in their six meetings against the Yankees. Their success was based on scoring double-digit figures in two of those games, while the four wins witnessed the Metropolitans averaging nine runs per game. Even more convincing was the Mets beginning interleague play in ’08 taking three straight in the Bronx (at -124 with Johan Santana pitching his way to victory followed by prices of +147 and +138 in succession).
Talking about Santana, we can't avoid his last outing and loss against Philadelphia (6-5). The lefty was beaten for five runs off eight hits but it was the four homers that put the exclamation point on Santana's night. In-fact the ace has now coughed up at least one homerun in five straight starts.
Some numbers to go along with this weekend’s matchup include the Yankees 12-4 stranglehold at home in their last 16, the ‘under’ at 7-1 in the Yanks last eight interleague home games and the ‘under’ at three straight in the last three head-to-head matchups. Let’s just keep Yankee Stadium’s newest aerodynamic discussion close at hand as the ‘over’ is 16-11-2 and counting.
Both teams will face left-handed pitching this weekend. The Mets will face southpaw pitcher, Andy Pettitte on Saturday for which they’ve logged in a .299 BA against. The Yankees will be facing All-Star slinger, Johan Santana in their quest to conquer lefties (the Yanks are batting .293 versus lefties).
vegasinsider
By Josh Jacobs
Interleague play is back and minus a National League matchup between Houston and Arizona, 12 other contests will follow AL vs. NL protocol.
Unless you’ve been held up in a cave for the past few days then you already know that the big news on campus has been Boston’s dominance over the Yankees. But there are plenty of other happenings to focus on, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the two AL East rivals.
Windy City ‘Under’
The Cubs (29-27, -434) are a bit unpredictable in the standings these days, but there is one tend that continues to gain momentum. In the last 26 games, Chicago and its opponents have pounded the ‘under’ into submission, going 19-7. Sitting at the bottom of the stats lists in offensive production, the North Siders are batting .250 on the season resulting in scoring 245 runs. Anyway you look at it books couldn’t set the total low enough. Average runs for and against on the road have gone a combined 8.2 while home stands haven’t been far off at 8.9. Factor in seasonal pitching numbers of a 3.89 ERA, .237 BAA and a sixth best, 449 strikeouts and what we’re seeing is Chicago’s strength at dictating low scoring affairs.
In the look ahead clash against Minnesota over the weekend, the Cubs’ game plan is to send out Randy Wells to the mound on Friday, Rich Harden on Saturday and Ted Lilly on Sunday. Here are some tidbits on all three slingers leading up to their starts.
Randy Wells (0-2, 1.86 ERA): Helping to facilitate the club’s earning in the totals department, Wells has been a part of the ‘under’ cashing in four times in his six starts (the Cubs are 5-2 on the ‘under’ in their last seven home games). Allowing no more then three runs in any given start this year has been solid work but getting only 3.3 runs of support per start has helped result in not a single win on the season. Look for the ‘under’ play on Thursday as Wells has generated a 0.98 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in Wrigley thus far.
Rich Harden (4-2, 4.74 ERA): This right-hander has been idle for almost a full month after being forced to sit on the DL (back). A 1:05 p.m. start on Saturday falls in line with Harden’s career, 16-9 record during day games. That success has stemmed from a 3.47 ERA and 1.30 WHIP off 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. This season alone, Harden had been blessed with the team producing 5.9 runs of support per start. In turn, the Cubs are 5-1 in his last six trips to the hill. Books have installed Harden as a favorite in every start this season. Those prices have ranged from a high, minus-270 (in an 8-6 victory versus Florida on May 1) to a low, minus-118 (10-3 victory in St. Louis on Apr. 26).
Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.00 ERA): Lefty Ted Lilly will end the weekend long series on Sunday. His last outing in Houston on Jun. 9 was just short of perfect after logging in 6.2 innings on a 114 pitch count. That shutout outing was his third of the season and seventh start in which Lilly held opponents to tacking on five hits or less. Coinciding once again with totals wagering, the southpaw has been involved in the ‘under’ going 8-3 in the last 11 starts. While Chicago has manufactured 4.3 runs of support per start, Lilly has complimented low scoring contests, allowing 2.2 runs per game in 12 games. When coming off a win, a 3-2 record with a 5-1 ‘under’ performance has been generated during the next start.
Subway Series
The Yankees (34-25, -125) will be happy just to get out of Boston this weekend. Pending the result of Thursday’s Game 3, the Red Sox have brutally laid down the law, taking seven straight this season. But getting back to the matter at hand, the Pinstripes will entertain their cross town rival, the Mets in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees were once the lone proprietor of the best record in interleague play. Taking two losses in the last three games versus Philadelphia this season, the gap is nearly closing. Oakland is 124-91 in interleague play, just two games shy of tying the Bombers.
If the Mets (31-26, +101) were a part of Hollywood we’d be calling them the classic drama queens. All joking aside, New York is 4-6 in its last 10. Pitching hasn’t been a strong suit in June as both starters and pen are in an early hole. This is a core of arms coming together for a 20th ranked 4.56 ERA in just the first 11 days of the month.
On a positive note for those looking to back the visiting team, the Mets are 14-6 in Game 1 of a series. The big difference is an offensive batting order scoring 5.2 runs per game in conjunction with the defense giving up 3.7 runs per game (the ‘over’ is a not so inspiring 11-9). And if you’re interested in further investigation, the Metropolitans are 10-4 coming into Game 1’s after a loss and 4-2 entering Game 1 off a win.
That Mets’ offense has been fueled specifically by David Wright’s five RBIs and .483 BA followed by Carlos Beltran bringing in his own four RBIs on two homers. Then there’s the opposite side of the spectrum. Gary Sheffield has recorded just three hits this month (batting .125 in June) and five other players are swinging for a BA of .250 or below. There’s a large disparity in those getting the job done from the rest of the pack.
During 2008, the Mets went 4-2 in their six meetings against the Yankees. Their success was based on scoring double-digit figures in two of those games, while the four wins witnessed the Metropolitans averaging nine runs per game. Even more convincing was the Mets beginning interleague play in ’08 taking three straight in the Bronx (at -124 with Johan Santana pitching his way to victory followed by prices of +147 and +138 in succession).
Talking about Santana, we can't avoid his last outing and loss against Philadelphia (6-5). The lefty was beaten for five runs off eight hits but it was the four homers that put the exclamation point on Santana's night. In-fact the ace has now coughed up at least one homerun in five straight starts.
Some numbers to go along with this weekend’s matchup include the Yankees 12-4 stranglehold at home in their last 16, the ‘under’ at 7-1 in the Yanks last eight interleague home games and the ‘under’ at three straight in the last three head-to-head matchups. Let’s just keep Yankee Stadium’s newest aerodynamic discussion close at hand as the ‘over’ is 16-11-2 and counting.
Both teams will face left-handed pitching this weekend. The Mets will face southpaw pitcher, Andy Pettitte on Saturday for which they’ve logged in a .299 BA against. The Yankees will be facing All-Star slinger, Johan Santana in their quest to conquer lefties (the Yanks are batting .293 versus lefties).
vegasinsider
NHL DUNKEL
Pittsburgh at Detroit
The Red Wings look to bounce back from their 2-1 loss in Game Six and build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 games after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Detroit is the pick (-170) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-170). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Game 13-14: Pittsburgh at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 13.317; Detroit 14.796
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-170); Under
Pittsburgh at Detroit
The Red Wings look to bounce back from their 2-1 loss in Game Six and build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 games after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Detroit is the pick (-170) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-170). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Game 13-14: Pittsburgh at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 13.317; Detroit 14.796
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-170); Under
NHL LONG SHEET
Friday, June 12
PITTSBURGH (60-35-0-10, 130 pts.) at DETROIT (66-26-0-12, 144 pts.) - 6/12/2009, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 91-36 ATS (+2.0 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
DETROIT is 40-12 ATS (+11.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 121-86 ATS (+14.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 82-50 ATS (+18.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 15-6 ATS (+7.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
PITTSBURGH is 68-53 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-6 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 9-6-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.9 Units)
Friday, June 12
PITTSBURGH (60-35-0-10, 130 pts.) at DETROIT (66-26-0-12, 144 pts.) - 6/12/2009, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 91-36 ATS (+2.0 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
DETROIT is 40-12 ATS (+11.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 121-86 ATS (+14.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 82-50 ATS (+18.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 15-6 ATS (+7.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
PITTSBURGH is 68-53 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-6 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 9-6-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.9 Units)
NHL WRITE-UP
Friday, June 12
NHL Finals
Home team is 6-0 in this series, with Penguins scoring two goals total in three games in this building; including LY's Finals, Pittsburgh lost five of six in Motor City, winning only in OT in Game 5 LY, when they staved off elimination- Red Wings outscored them 21-6 in those six games. Last game, Detroit had only 12 shots on goal in first two periods, in a clean game where only four penalties were called. Anything can happen in one game, but Penguins haven't come close yet in this arena.
Friday, June 12
NHL Finals
Home team is 6-0 in this series, with Penguins scoring two goals total in three games in this building; including LY's Finals, Pittsburgh lost five of six in Motor City, winning only in OT in Game 5 LY, when they staved off elimination- Red Wings outscored them 21-6 in those six games. Last game, Detroit had only 12 shots on goal in first two periods, in a clean game where only four penalties were called. Anything can happen in one game, but Penguins haven't come close yet in this arena.
Trend Report
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8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. DETROIT
Pittsburgh is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games
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8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. DETROIT
Pittsburgh is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games
Ice picks: Friday's best NHL bet
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings (-190, 5.5)
Detroit had a shot for its second straight Cup on Tuesday night in Game 6, but fell 2-1 in Pittsburgh. The Red Wings have one more chance to secure it, and they will try at home where they are 11-1 in the playoffs - 3-0 in this series.
"It's no different," said Osgood, 15-7 with a 2.00 goals-against average in the playoffs. "Game 7 is just another game to win the Cup. That was our Game 7 in Pittsburgh.
"It makes no difference if it's Game 4, 5, 6, or 7. If you can win the Cup, you've got the exact same type of game. The only difference is they have a chance now, too."
That depends on whom you ask.
The home team won each of the first six games. The Penguins went 1-2 at Joe Louis Arena in last year's finals and have been outscored 11-2 in three losses in this series.
Given the chance to practice in Detroit on Thursday, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma decided the upside wasn't enough to sacrifice another day at home. The Penguins skated one last time in Pittsburgh before flying to Detroit.
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby has been bottled up by forward Henrik Zetterberg, who hits the ice pretty much every time Crosby does, and hasn't scored a goal in six finals games in Detroit.
Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin, who led the NHL with 113 points in the regular season, went pointless in the Game 6 win. That was Pittsburgh's first postseason victory since the dynamic duo joined the team in which neither star got on the score sheet.
The Penguins can't expect to dethrone the Red Wings in Detroit if Crosby and Malkin are blanked again.
"I'd always like to score more," said Crosby, who has a goal and two assists in the series. "I look back, and on some of the chances I've had just didn't really get a whole lot of luck. Now is not the time to think about what could have been. The only way I'm looking at here is it's a great opportunity, and I've got to try to go out there and play my best game in the playoffs.
"No matter what's happened before, whether I had one goal or 10, doesn't really matter."
History strongly favors the Red Wings heading into the final game of the season. Home teams are 12-2 in championship Game 7s and have won 80 of the 128 playoff series that have gone the distance (62.5 percent).
The Red Wings are 12-7 overall in Game 7s, but haven't played one in the finals since 1964 and haven't hosted a decisive game with the Cup on the line since 1955 - a 3-1 victory over Montreal.
Pick: Under
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings (-190, 5.5)
Detroit had a shot for its second straight Cup on Tuesday night in Game 6, but fell 2-1 in Pittsburgh. The Red Wings have one more chance to secure it, and they will try at home where they are 11-1 in the playoffs - 3-0 in this series.
"It's no different," said Osgood, 15-7 with a 2.00 goals-against average in the playoffs. "Game 7 is just another game to win the Cup. That was our Game 7 in Pittsburgh.
"It makes no difference if it's Game 4, 5, 6, or 7. If you can win the Cup, you've got the exact same type of game. The only difference is they have a chance now, too."
That depends on whom you ask.
The home team won each of the first six games. The Penguins went 1-2 at Joe Louis Arena in last year's finals and have been outscored 11-2 in three losses in this series.
Given the chance to practice in Detroit on Thursday, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma decided the upside wasn't enough to sacrifice another day at home. The Penguins skated one last time in Pittsburgh before flying to Detroit.
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby has been bottled up by forward Henrik Zetterberg, who hits the ice pretty much every time Crosby does, and hasn't scored a goal in six finals games in Detroit.
Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin, who led the NHL with 113 points in the regular season, went pointless in the Game 6 win. That was Pittsburgh's first postseason victory since the dynamic duo joined the team in which neither star got on the score sheet.
The Penguins can't expect to dethrone the Red Wings in Detroit if Crosby and Malkin are blanked again.
"I'd always like to score more," said Crosby, who has a goal and two assists in the series. "I look back, and on some of the chances I've had just didn't really get a whole lot of luck. Now is not the time to think about what could have been. The only way I'm looking at here is it's a great opportunity, and I've got to try to go out there and play my best game in the playoffs.
"No matter what's happened before, whether I had one goal or 10, doesn't really matter."
History strongly favors the Red Wings heading into the final game of the season. Home teams are 12-2 in championship Game 7s and have won 80 of the 128 playoff series that have gone the distance (62.5 percent).
The Red Wings are 12-7 overall in Game 7s, but haven't played one in the finals since 1964 and haven't hosted a decisive game with the Cup on the line since 1955 - a 3-1 victory over Montreal.
Pick: Under
What Bettors Need to Know: Stanley Cup finals Game 7
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings (-180, 5.5)
Home ice is nice
The home team has won every game this series and Pittsburgh must try to break that trend in order to win its first Stanley Cup since 1992. The Wings have only lost once at home (11-1) in this year’s playoffs.
The Wings will have last change at home, and will have the matchup advantages against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Detroit has done an excellent job containing Pittsburgh’s two young superstars at home. Malkin has two assists in three games in Detroit while Crosby has yet to register a point.
Goaltending
Detroit’s Chris Osgood and Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury have played well this postseason, but both have been much better at home than on the road.
Osgood is sporting a 1.40 goals against average at the Joe Louis Arena compared to a GAA of almost a goal and a half higher on the road.
Fleury made several spectacular stops in the third period of Game 6 to keep the Penguins in front. In Detroit, however, he has not been as fortunate. Fleury’s performance in Game 5 was not awful, but he did let in five goals. The young netminder also allowed some questionable goals in Games 1 and 2 at Detroit.
Secondary scoring
Typically this section would be about Detroit’s depth, but several Wings players have gone missing this series, most notably Marian Hossa. The All-Star forward, a perennial point-per-game player, has gone relatively unnoticed throughout the series. Jiri Hudler, Tomas Holmstrom and Daniel Cleary have all been playing below their capabilities as well.
Jordan Staal has emerged as a secondary scoring option for the Pens. Staal had a game-changing, short-handed goal in Game 4 and was responsible for the opening goal in Tuesday’s tilt. Crosby and Malkin have not registered a point in the Pens’ last two games but Pittsburgh has managed to stay alive in the series.
Overcoming the odds
Detroit is currently -180 to win Game 7, the most either team has been favored this series. Home teams are 12-2 in Game 7s of Stanley Cup finals, and a road team has only won the Stanley Cup once after trailing 3-2 in the final series (1-21).
However, in sports, any team can win on any given day. Good luck, bad bounces and turnovers 180 feet from the net can be the difference between a Stanley Cup win and a summer of regret.
Other notes
- Penguins are 5-2 in their last seven games following a win.
- Red Wings are 5-1 in their last six after scoring two goals or less in their previous game.
- The under is 4-0 in Pittsburgh’s last four road games.
- The over is 8-2-2 when Pittsburgh is a road underdog of +151 to +200
- The under is 5-0 in Detroit’s last five games.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings (-180, 5.5)
Home ice is nice
The home team has won every game this series and Pittsburgh must try to break that trend in order to win its first Stanley Cup since 1992. The Wings have only lost once at home (11-1) in this year’s playoffs.
The Wings will have last change at home, and will have the matchup advantages against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Detroit has done an excellent job containing Pittsburgh’s two young superstars at home. Malkin has two assists in three games in Detroit while Crosby has yet to register a point.
Goaltending
Detroit’s Chris Osgood and Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury have played well this postseason, but both have been much better at home than on the road.
Osgood is sporting a 1.40 goals against average at the Joe Louis Arena compared to a GAA of almost a goal and a half higher on the road.
Fleury made several spectacular stops in the third period of Game 6 to keep the Penguins in front. In Detroit, however, he has not been as fortunate. Fleury’s performance in Game 5 was not awful, but he did let in five goals. The young netminder also allowed some questionable goals in Games 1 and 2 at Detroit.
Secondary scoring
Typically this section would be about Detroit’s depth, but several Wings players have gone missing this series, most notably Marian Hossa. The All-Star forward, a perennial point-per-game player, has gone relatively unnoticed throughout the series. Jiri Hudler, Tomas Holmstrom and Daniel Cleary have all been playing below their capabilities as well.
Jordan Staal has emerged as a secondary scoring option for the Pens. Staal had a game-changing, short-handed goal in Game 4 and was responsible for the opening goal in Tuesday’s tilt. Crosby and Malkin have not registered a point in the Pens’ last two games but Pittsburgh has managed to stay alive in the series.
Overcoming the odds
Detroit is currently -180 to win Game 7, the most either team has been favored this series. Home teams are 12-2 in Game 7s of Stanley Cup finals, and a road team has only won the Stanley Cup once after trailing 3-2 in the final series (1-21).
However, in sports, any team can win on any given day. Good luck, bad bounces and turnovers 180 feet from the net can be the difference between a Stanley Cup win and a summer of regret.
Other notes
- Penguins are 5-2 in their last seven games following a win.
- Red Wings are 5-1 in their last six after scoring two goals or less in their previous game.
- The under is 4-0 in Pittsburgh’s last four road games.
- The over is 8-2-2 when Pittsburgh is a road underdog of +151 to +200
- The under is 5-0 in Detroit’s last five games.
NHL Hot Betting Trends
Stanley Cup finals: Hot betting trends
We’re down to the last hockey game of the season for bettors to cash in. With that in mind we thought we’d try and dig up some saucy stats and trends to help our readers with their wagers for Friday’s Game 7.
Please feel free to add any other numbers you think worthy in the comments below:
-Friday’s game marks the 15th Game 7 in the history of the Stanley Cup finals. The home team has won 12 of the previous 14 cases. The only teams to lose on their home ice in the finals were the ’71 Blackhawks and the ’45 Red Wings.
-The home side has also won every game in this series and, outside of Game 6, covered the puckline as well.
-There are a handful of Detroit players who have a shot at lifting the Cup for a fifth time, but the club hasn’t been tested to this degree in any of its past four championship seasons. The Wings swept the Flyers and Capitals (1997 and 1998), polished off the Hurricanes in five games (2002) and shut the door on the Pens in six last season.
-While Chris Osgood has been the starting goalie on more than one championship team, but he hasn’t always played well in tough spots. His solid rookie campaign was tarnished after the top seeded Wings were eliminated by the eight seeded San Jose Sharks in 1994.San Jose finished off Detroit on a goal setup by Osgood’s poor clearing attempt. The veteran netminder is also 1-3 in his last four elimination games with a goals against average of 3.75.
-The under has been a good bet in this Cup finals and a lot of that may have to do with the fewer amount of penalties being called. In last year’s finals, the two clubs amassed 22 minor penalties in the series’ first two games. In the first two games of this year's rematch there was only seven penalties called and most of those came in the final minute of Game 2. Pittsburgh and Detroit each had two power play chances in Tuesday’s contest with both sides finishing without a special teams marker.
A couple other quick ones:
-The Pens are 38-14 in their last 52 games playing on two days’ rest.
-Red Wings are 5-1 in their last six after scoring two or less in their previous game.
-The under is 5-0 in Detroit’s last five home games and 9-3-2 in the club’s last 14 Stanley Cup finals games.
Stanley Cup finals: Hot betting trends
We’re down to the last hockey game of the season for bettors to cash in. With that in mind we thought we’d try and dig up some saucy stats and trends to help our readers with their wagers for Friday’s Game 7.
Please feel free to add any other numbers you think worthy in the comments below:
-Friday’s game marks the 15th Game 7 in the history of the Stanley Cup finals. The home team has won 12 of the previous 14 cases. The only teams to lose on their home ice in the finals were the ’71 Blackhawks and the ’45 Red Wings.
-The home side has also won every game in this series and, outside of Game 6, covered the puckline as well.
-There are a handful of Detroit players who have a shot at lifting the Cup for a fifth time, but the club hasn’t been tested to this degree in any of its past four championship seasons. The Wings swept the Flyers and Capitals (1997 and 1998), polished off the Hurricanes in five games (2002) and shut the door on the Pens in six last season.
-While Chris Osgood has been the starting goalie on more than one championship team, but he hasn’t always played well in tough spots. His solid rookie campaign was tarnished after the top seeded Wings were eliminated by the eight seeded San Jose Sharks in 1994.San Jose finished off Detroit on a goal setup by Osgood’s poor clearing attempt. The veteran netminder is also 1-3 in his last four elimination games with a goals against average of 3.75.
-The under has been a good bet in this Cup finals and a lot of that may have to do with the fewer amount of penalties being called. In last year’s finals, the two clubs amassed 22 minor penalties in the series’ first two games. In the first two games of this year's rematch there was only seven penalties called and most of those came in the final minute of Game 2. Pittsburgh and Detroit each had two power play chances in Tuesday’s contest with both sides finishing without a special teams marker.
A couple other quick ones:
-The Pens are 38-14 in their last 52 games playing on two days’ rest.
-Red Wings are 5-1 in their last six after scoring two or less in their previous game.
-The under is 5-0 in Detroit’s last five home games and 9-3-2 in the club’s last 14 Stanley Cup finals games.
Friday, June 12
With interleague play here, remember there are DHs in games played in the American League parks, no DHs in National League parks. Under is off to good start in interleague play-- 14-7 in NL parks, 16-4-1 in AL
Hot Pitchers
-- Haren is 1-0, 1.71 in his last three starts. Hampton is 2-0, 1.29 in his last couple of starts.
-- Slowey is 4-1, 3.35 in his last six starts. Wells has a 2.09 RA in six starts for Cubs, but no wins.
-- Blanton is 2-0, 1.80 in his last three starts. Lester is 2-0, 1.20 in his last couple starts.
-- Porcello is 5-1, 2.75 in his last seven starts.
-- Halladay is 5-0, 1.77 in his last seven starts.
-- Hernandez is 2-0, 1.57 in his last four starts. Bronx won five of last six Chamberlain starts (2-0, 3.82).
-- Suppan is 1-0, 1.74 in his last two starts.
-- Kuroda has 1.62 RA in three starts this season.
-- Maloney allowed two runs in six IP in his big league debut, vs Cubs.
-- Jimenez is 1-0, 1.93 in his last two starts. Washburn is 0-1, 0.95 in his last three starts.
-- Escobar gave up two runs un five IP in his first '09 start, in Detroit.
-- Massaro is 2-0, 0.00 in his first two major league starts (13.2 IP). Lincecum is 2-0, 2.20 in his last four starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Snell is 0-4, 6.00 in his last nine starts.
-- Pineiro is 0-3, 5.63 in his last three starts. Huff has an 8.71 RA in his five starts for the Indians.
-- Nolasco is 0-3, 10.69 in his last four starts.
-- Highly-touted prospect Hanson gave up seven runs in six IP in his big league debut, at home vs Milwaukee. Berken is 0-2, 8.71 in his last two starts.
-- Stammen is 0-2, 6.85 in four starts this season. Eays lost Garza's last three starts (0-2, 4.00).
-- Richard is 0-1, 7.20 in his last two starts.
-- Padilla has 6.27 RA in his last three starts.
-- Hochevar is 1-2, 8.35 in four starts this season.
-- Gaudin is 1-3, 6.59 in his last five road starts.
Hot Teams
-- Astros won three of their last four games.
-- Cubs won 12 of their last 17 home games.
-- Phillies won three of their last four games. Red Sox won eight of 10.
-- Pirates won six of their last eight home games. Detroit won five of its last seven road contests.
-- Indians won three of their last four games.
-- Blue Jays are 18-8 in their last 26 home games.
-- Bronx Bombers are 20-6 in last 26 games not against the Red Sox.
-- Rays won 12 of their last 16 home games.
-- Dodgers won nine of their last twelve road games.
-- Rockies won their last eight games, allowing 11 runs in their last six. Mariners won four of their last five games.
-- A's won ten of their last thirteen games. Giants won six of their last seven home games.
Cold Teams
-- Arizona lost three of its last four home games.
-- Twins lost 15 of their last 20 road games.
-- Cardinals lost their last five road series openers.
-- Marlins lost seven of their last ten road games.
-- Mets lost seven of their last eleven games.
-- Braves lost five of their last seven road games. Orioles lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Nationals lost six in row, nine of last ten on road.
-- Brewers lost their last four games, three by one run. White Sox lost eight of their last 11 games, all at home.
-- Rangers lost three of their last four home games.
-- Reds lost nine of their last 13 road games. Royals lost 11 of their last 13 games overall.
-- Padres lost 19 of their last 24 road games. Angels lost four of their last five games overall.
Totals
-- Over is 10-4 in Arizona's last fourteen home games.
-- Four of last five games at Wrigley Field stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-3 in Phillies' last eleven home games.
-- Last three Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in Cardinals' last five road games.
-- Eight of last eleven Florida road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in Mets' last thirteen road games.
-- Six of last eight Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 15-5 in last twenty games at Miller Park.
-- Five of last seven Dodger games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last 11 Cincinnati road games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Colorado games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in Padres' last dozen road games.
-- Over is 9-3-1 in Giants' last thirteen home games.
With interleague play here, remember there are DHs in games played in the American League parks, no DHs in National League parks. Under is off to good start in interleague play-- 14-7 in NL parks, 16-4-1 in AL
Hot Pitchers
-- Haren is 1-0, 1.71 in his last three starts. Hampton is 2-0, 1.29 in his last couple of starts.
-- Slowey is 4-1, 3.35 in his last six starts. Wells has a 2.09 RA in six starts for Cubs, but no wins.
-- Blanton is 2-0, 1.80 in his last three starts. Lester is 2-0, 1.20 in his last couple starts.
-- Porcello is 5-1, 2.75 in his last seven starts.
-- Halladay is 5-0, 1.77 in his last seven starts.
-- Hernandez is 2-0, 1.57 in his last four starts. Bronx won five of last six Chamberlain starts (2-0, 3.82).
-- Suppan is 1-0, 1.74 in his last two starts.
-- Kuroda has 1.62 RA in three starts this season.
-- Maloney allowed two runs in six IP in his big league debut, vs Cubs.
-- Jimenez is 1-0, 1.93 in his last two starts. Washburn is 0-1, 0.95 in his last three starts.
-- Escobar gave up two runs un five IP in his first '09 start, in Detroit.
-- Massaro is 2-0, 0.00 in his first two major league starts (13.2 IP). Lincecum is 2-0, 2.20 in his last four starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Snell is 0-4, 6.00 in his last nine starts.
-- Pineiro is 0-3, 5.63 in his last three starts. Huff has an 8.71 RA in his five starts for the Indians.
-- Nolasco is 0-3, 10.69 in his last four starts.
-- Highly-touted prospect Hanson gave up seven runs in six IP in his big league debut, at home vs Milwaukee. Berken is 0-2, 8.71 in his last two starts.
-- Stammen is 0-2, 6.85 in four starts this season. Eays lost Garza's last three starts (0-2, 4.00).
-- Richard is 0-1, 7.20 in his last two starts.
-- Padilla has 6.27 RA in his last three starts.
-- Hochevar is 1-2, 8.35 in four starts this season.
-- Gaudin is 1-3, 6.59 in his last five road starts.
Hot Teams
-- Astros won three of their last four games.
-- Cubs won 12 of their last 17 home games.
-- Phillies won three of their last four games. Red Sox won eight of 10.
-- Pirates won six of their last eight home games. Detroit won five of its last seven road contests.
-- Indians won three of their last four games.
-- Blue Jays are 18-8 in their last 26 home games.
-- Bronx Bombers are 20-6 in last 26 games not against the Red Sox.
-- Rays won 12 of their last 16 home games.
-- Dodgers won nine of their last twelve road games.
-- Rockies won their last eight games, allowing 11 runs in their last six. Mariners won four of their last five games.
-- A's won ten of their last thirteen games. Giants won six of their last seven home games.
Cold Teams
-- Arizona lost three of its last four home games.
-- Twins lost 15 of their last 20 road games.
-- Cardinals lost their last five road series openers.
-- Marlins lost seven of their last ten road games.
-- Mets lost seven of their last eleven games.
-- Braves lost five of their last seven road games. Orioles lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Nationals lost six in row, nine of last ten on road.
-- Brewers lost their last four games, three by one run. White Sox lost eight of their last 11 games, all at home.
-- Rangers lost three of their last four home games.
-- Reds lost nine of their last 13 road games. Royals lost 11 of their last 13 games overall.
-- Padres lost 19 of their last 24 road games. Angels lost four of their last five games overall.
Totals
-- Over is 10-4 in Arizona's last fourteen home games.
-- Four of last five games at Wrigley Field stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-3 in Phillies' last eleven home games.
-- Last three Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in Cardinals' last five road games.
-- Eight of last eleven Florida road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in Mets' last thirteen road games.
-- Six of last eight Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 15-5 in last twenty games at Miller Park.
-- Five of last seven Dodger games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last 11 Cincinnati road games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Colorado games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in Padres' last dozen road games.
-- Over is 9-3-1 in Giants' last thirteen home games.
Trend Report
2:20 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHI CUBS
Minnesota is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games
Chi Cubs are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games at home
7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. BALTIMORE
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games
Baltimore is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Baltimore is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
7:05 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Boston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games at home
7:05 PM
DETROIT vs. PITTSBURGH
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
7:05 PM
NY METS vs. NY YANKEES
NY Mets are 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets
7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CLEVELAND
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
7:07 PM
FLORIDA vs. TORONTO
Florida is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
7:38 PM
WASHINGTON vs. TAMPA BAY
Washington is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
8:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MILWAUKEE
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games at home
8:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. TEXAS
LA Dodgers are 15-8 SU in their last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games
Texas is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Texas is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home
8:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 7 games
Cincinnati is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
9:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. COLORADO
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
Colorado is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Colorado's last 24 games at home
9:40 PM
HOUSTON vs. ARIZONA
Houston is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona's last 7 games
10:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. LA ANGELS
San Diego is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego's last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Angels's last 12 games when playing San Diego
LA Angels are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against San Diego
10:15 PM
OAKLAND vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing San Francisco
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Francisco's last 10 games at home
2:20 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHI CUBS
Minnesota is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games
Chi Cubs are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games at home
7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. BALTIMORE
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games
Baltimore is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Baltimore is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
7:05 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Boston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games at home
7:05 PM
DETROIT vs. PITTSBURGH
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
7:05 PM
NY METS vs. NY YANKEES
NY Mets are 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets
7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CLEVELAND
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
7:07 PM
FLORIDA vs. TORONTO
Florida is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
7:38 PM
WASHINGTON vs. TAMPA BAY
Washington is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
8:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MILWAUKEE
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games at home
8:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. TEXAS
LA Dodgers are 15-8 SU in their last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games
Texas is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Texas is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home
8:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 7 games
Cincinnati is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
9:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. COLORADO
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
Colorado is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Colorado's last 24 games at home
9:40 PM
HOUSTON vs. ARIZONA
Houston is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona's last 7 games
10:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. LA ANGELS
San Diego is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego's last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Angels's last 12 games when playing San Diego
LA Angels are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against San Diego
10:15 PM
OAKLAND vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing San Francisco
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Francisco's last 10 games at home
MLB weekend interleague cheat sheet
Round 2 in Interleague play resumes this weekend as the American League looks to improve on its domination this weekend. American League certainly holds a 724-591 record against its National League cousins over the last five-plus years (including 22-20 overall this season).
In this week’s edition of the Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on two rivalry series. In addition, we’ve updated the records of the best and worst performers in the history of Interleague play. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are team stats unless noted otherwise.
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Red Sox 13-3 last sixteen games vs. Phillies
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox 8-2 last 10 games away vs. Phillies
Key day/month stat: Phillies 20-4 on Sundays; Red Sox 1-4 away in Sundays
Best arm in the series: Josh Beckett 12-4 3.79 lifetime vs. Phillies (4-0 last four)
Worst arm in the series: Joe Blanton 1-3 3.24 ERA home lifetime vs. Red Sox
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Mets 4-2 last six games vs. Yankees
Most recent series result at the site: Mets 3-0 last three away vs. Yankees
Key day/month stat: Yankees 16-3 home on Sundays; Mets 1-4 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Johan Santana 5-1 1.67 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees; Yankees’ Andy Pettite 6-1 3.33 ERA home lifetime vs. Mets
Worst arm in the series: John Maine 0-2 16.50 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees; Mets’ Livan Hernandez 0-2 6.55 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees
Best all-time interleague teams
1. New York Yankees 124-89 .582
2. Minnesota Twins 123-90 .578
3. Oakland Athletics 124-91 .577
4. Chicago White Sox 118-96 .551
5. Boston Red Sox 117-97 .547
Worst all-time interleague teams
1. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-105 .379
2. Baltimore Orioles 92-122 .430
3. San Diego Padres 83-111 .428
4. Tampa Bay Rays 88-111 .442
5. Cincinnati Reds 79-96 .457
Round 2 in Interleague play resumes this weekend as the American League looks to improve on its domination this weekend. American League certainly holds a 724-591 record against its National League cousins over the last five-plus years (including 22-20 overall this season).
In this week’s edition of the Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on two rivalry series. In addition, we’ve updated the records of the best and worst performers in the history of Interleague play. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are team stats unless noted otherwise.
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Red Sox 13-3 last sixteen games vs. Phillies
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox 8-2 last 10 games away vs. Phillies
Key day/month stat: Phillies 20-4 on Sundays; Red Sox 1-4 away in Sundays
Best arm in the series: Josh Beckett 12-4 3.79 lifetime vs. Phillies (4-0 last four)
Worst arm in the series: Joe Blanton 1-3 3.24 ERA home lifetime vs. Red Sox
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Mets 4-2 last six games vs. Yankees
Most recent series result at the site: Mets 3-0 last three away vs. Yankees
Key day/month stat: Yankees 16-3 home on Sundays; Mets 1-4 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Johan Santana 5-1 1.67 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees; Yankees’ Andy Pettite 6-1 3.33 ERA home lifetime vs. Mets
Worst arm in the series: John Maine 0-2 16.50 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees; Mets’ Livan Hernandez 0-2 6.55 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees
Best all-time interleague teams
1. New York Yankees 124-89 .582
2. Minnesota Twins 123-90 .578
3. Oakland Athletics 124-91 .577
4. Chicago White Sox 118-96 .551
5. Boston Red Sox 117-97 .547
Worst all-time interleague teams
1. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-105 .379
2. Baltimore Orioles 92-122 .430
3. San Diego Padres 83-111 .428
4. Tampa Bay Rays 88-111 .442
5. Cincinnati Reds 79-96 .457
Lady Luck: Friday's WNBA best bets
Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx (-4, 158)
The Minnesota Lynx are off to a fast start for the second straight year. This time, they're hoping to maintain that momentum through the season.
The Western Conference leaders, the highest-scoring team in the WNBA, go for a second straight victory over a top West contender when they host the Seattle Storm on Friday night.
Minnesota (3-0) fizzled after a 5-0 start last year, but is hoping that the experience will help it keep up its strong play throughout this season. The Lynx missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 16-18.
Wednesday night's 87-76 win over Los Angeles should certainly help toward that end. Although the Sparks played without league MVP Candace Parker, they still featured a strong, veteran roster after reaching the West finals last year.
A win over the Storm - something Minnesota couldn't manage in three meetings last year - would further build its confidence.
Seattle (2-1) finished second in the West with a 22-12 record in 2008, even though two-time league MVP Lauren Jackson missed 13 games due to the Olympics and an ankle injury.
The Australian center has returned after flirting with free agency, averaging 23.0 points in the Storm's first three games.
After a home-and-home sweep of Sacramento last weekend, Seattle lost 73-66 at Indiana on Tuesday.
Pick: Storm
Phoenix Mercury at Sacramento Monarchs (Pick, 169)
Phoenix hasn't enjoyed much success lately at Arco Arena. After starting the season with two straight wins, though, the Mercury may be able to expect better results Friday night.
The Mercury look to remain unbeaten when they open a home-and home series Friday night in Sacramento against a Monarchs club still seeking its first victory of the season.
Phoenix is now seeking its best start since 1998, when it finished 19-11 and earned a trip to the WNBA finals, where it lost to the Houston Comets in three games.
The Mercury have lost 14 of 17 at Arco Arena since winning their first four visits there.
The Monarchs (0-2) are seeking to bounce back from a pair of 10-point defeats to Seattle, losing 80-70 on the road Sunday after falling 71-61 to the Storm on Saturday.
Sacramento has won 11 of 13 regular-season home games dating to last season, but starting with Saturday night's game in Phoenix, the Monarchs play six of seven on the road.
Pick: Monarchs
Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx (-4, 158)
The Minnesota Lynx are off to a fast start for the second straight year. This time, they're hoping to maintain that momentum through the season.
The Western Conference leaders, the highest-scoring team in the WNBA, go for a second straight victory over a top West contender when they host the Seattle Storm on Friday night.
Minnesota (3-0) fizzled after a 5-0 start last year, but is hoping that the experience will help it keep up its strong play throughout this season. The Lynx missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 16-18.
Wednesday night's 87-76 win over Los Angeles should certainly help toward that end. Although the Sparks played without league MVP Candace Parker, they still featured a strong, veteran roster after reaching the West finals last year.
A win over the Storm - something Minnesota couldn't manage in three meetings last year - would further build its confidence.
Seattle (2-1) finished second in the West with a 22-12 record in 2008, even though two-time league MVP Lauren Jackson missed 13 games due to the Olympics and an ankle injury.
The Australian center has returned after flirting with free agency, averaging 23.0 points in the Storm's first three games.
After a home-and-home sweep of Sacramento last weekend, Seattle lost 73-66 at Indiana on Tuesday.
Pick: Storm
Phoenix Mercury at Sacramento Monarchs (Pick, 169)
Phoenix hasn't enjoyed much success lately at Arco Arena. After starting the season with two straight wins, though, the Mercury may be able to expect better results Friday night.
The Mercury look to remain unbeaten when they open a home-and home series Friday night in Sacramento against a Monarchs club still seeking its first victory of the season.
Phoenix is now seeking its best start since 1998, when it finished 19-11 and earned a trip to the WNBA finals, where it lost to the Houston Comets in three games.
The Mercury have lost 14 of 17 at Arco Arena since winning their first four visits there.
The Monarchs (0-2) are seeking to bounce back from a pair of 10-point defeats to Seattle, losing 80-70 on the road Sunday after falling 71-61 to the Storm on Saturday.
Sacramento has won 11 of 13 regular-season home games dating to last season, but starting with Saturday night's game in Phoenix, the Monarchs play six of seven on the road.
Pick: Monarchs
