Game 4, Lakers at Magic
By Chris David
Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the home team posted a 54-25 straight up record, which included an 8-4 mark in the conference finals. The Lakers captured the first two games of the NBA Finals at Staples Center, proving that homecourt edge is instrumental in winning the championship.
On Tuesday, Orlando kept the hot streak at home going as it dropped Los Angeles 108-104 in Game 3 to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. After scoring a playoff-low 75 in Game 1 and only 96 in Game 2, the Magic prolific offense finally caught fire.
Stan Van Gundy’s club set NBA Finals records for shooting percentage from the floor in both the first half (75%) and the game (63%). Orlando’s specialty is the long ball yet the team was just 5-of-14 (35.7%) from 3-point land on Tuesday. The key to the success was balance and attacking the rim, which is exactly what the Magic received in Game 3 from its role players.
“Lamar Odom was the difference in Game 2, but it was Rafer Alston and Mickael Pietrus erupting for Orlando in Game 3. I know Alston wasn’t playing well in L.A., but Van Gundy has got to go with who got him there. He played Jameer Nelson way too much in the first two games,” said VegasInsider.com handicapper and host of the VI Power hours Brian Edwards.
Rafer Alston scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Game 3 after being held to a combined 10 points in the two games at Los Angeles. Pietrus had 18 points by draining 7-of-11 attempts from the field and had three steals, including a big rip late on the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.
Bryant finished with 31 points but he was just 3-of-10 in the second half and the aforementioned turnover plus costly misses at the free throw line hurt the club. The Black Mamba went 5-of-10 from the charity stripe in Game 3, which was well below his playoff percentage of 87.3.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard was timid in his first two finals appearances but stepped up with 21 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday, 11 of his points coming from the free-throw line. Defensively, Howard was exposed a bit by Pau Gasol, who finished with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting. It makes you wonder why the Spanish product didn’t get more touches down the stretch.
Another thing people are wondering about in Game 3 is why the refs blew the whistle at the end of the game. With Orlando leading 106-102, the Lakers missed numerous 3-point attempts before Kobe Bryant chipped in a meaningless bucket with 0.5 seconds left to cut the lead to 106-104.
On the ensuing in-bounds play, the Lakers immediately fouled but the horn sounded and the confetti fell from the rafters at Amway Arena. For bettors who had the Lakers as four-point underdogs, this was obviously a crucial clock decision.
After reviewing the play, the officials added 0.2 ticks back on the clock and Rashard Lewis went to the free throw line for two. He nailed both free throws to at least allow some Magic backers to garner a push. What’s even funnier about the second make is it appeared that Van Gundy wanted him to miss.
Fast forwarding to Game 4, the oddsmakers dropped the Magic down to 2 ½-point favorites, while the total jumped from 198 ½ to 202 ½.
Brian Edwards talked about the shift at the books. He said, “I think we’ve got good numbers from the oddsmakers here. I feel the side is a toss-up, so making the Magic the short favorite at home is the right call, and I agree that you take 1 ½-2 points off of the number from Game 3. As for the total, it’s right to increase it, four points in this instance. But before gamblers pounce on the ‘over,’ they should consider that the total only hit 212 with Orlando setting Finals records with its shooting. Surely the Magic won’t shoot that sort of percentage again in Game 4?”
While Orlando’s offense broke all sorts of records in Tuesday’s affair, bettors should also be aware that the Lakers’ attack hasn’t been slowed down at all by Orlando in the first three games.
Prior to the finals, the Magic only gave up 100-plus points in four of their 19 games in the first round of the playoffs. Since then, the Lakers have busted the century mark in all three games of the finale. And, the Lakers’ offense hasn’t brought its “A” game to the finals either, especially from long range. The team is shooting just 34 percent from 3-point land.
The setback for the Lakers dropped their road record to 4-5 both SU and ATS in the playoffs. Fatigue could set in Game 4, since this will be the second battle played on one-day of rest for both teams and the third game in five days.
On just one day off this year, both the Lakers (45-16 SU, 26-34 ATS) and Magic (44-19 SU, 37-25 ATS) have been productive during the season.
The Lakers are still listed as minus-500 favorites (Bet $500 to win $100) to win the best-of-seven series. Magic backers can take a shot at their team at a 7/2 price (Bet $100 to win $350).
Game 5 is slated for Sunday from Amway Arena.
Tip-off for Game 4 is set for 9:05 p.m. EDT, with ABC providing national coverage.
vegasinsider
By Chris David
Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the home team posted a 54-25 straight up record, which included an 8-4 mark in the conference finals. The Lakers captured the first two games of the NBA Finals at Staples Center, proving that homecourt edge is instrumental in winning the championship.
On Tuesday, Orlando kept the hot streak at home going as it dropped Los Angeles 108-104 in Game 3 to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. After scoring a playoff-low 75 in Game 1 and only 96 in Game 2, the Magic prolific offense finally caught fire.
Stan Van Gundy’s club set NBA Finals records for shooting percentage from the floor in both the first half (75%) and the game (63%). Orlando’s specialty is the long ball yet the team was just 5-of-14 (35.7%) from 3-point land on Tuesday. The key to the success was balance and attacking the rim, which is exactly what the Magic received in Game 3 from its role players.
“Lamar Odom was the difference in Game 2, but it was Rafer Alston and Mickael Pietrus erupting for Orlando in Game 3. I know Alston wasn’t playing well in L.A., but Van Gundy has got to go with who got him there. He played Jameer Nelson way too much in the first two games,” said VegasInsider.com handicapper and host of the VI Power hours Brian Edwards.
Rafer Alston scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Game 3 after being held to a combined 10 points in the two games at Los Angeles. Pietrus had 18 points by draining 7-of-11 attempts from the field and had three steals, including a big rip late on the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.
Bryant finished with 31 points but he was just 3-of-10 in the second half and the aforementioned turnover plus costly misses at the free throw line hurt the club. The Black Mamba went 5-of-10 from the charity stripe in Game 3, which was well below his playoff percentage of 87.3.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard was timid in his first two finals appearances but stepped up with 21 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday, 11 of his points coming from the free-throw line. Defensively, Howard was exposed a bit by Pau Gasol, who finished with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting. It makes you wonder why the Spanish product didn’t get more touches down the stretch.
Another thing people are wondering about in Game 3 is why the refs blew the whistle at the end of the game. With Orlando leading 106-102, the Lakers missed numerous 3-point attempts before Kobe Bryant chipped in a meaningless bucket with 0.5 seconds left to cut the lead to 106-104.
On the ensuing in-bounds play, the Lakers immediately fouled but the horn sounded and the confetti fell from the rafters at Amway Arena. For bettors who had the Lakers as four-point underdogs, this was obviously a crucial clock decision.
After reviewing the play, the officials added 0.2 ticks back on the clock and Rashard Lewis went to the free throw line for two. He nailed both free throws to at least allow some Magic backers to garner a push. What’s even funnier about the second make is it appeared that Van Gundy wanted him to miss.
Fast forwarding to Game 4, the oddsmakers dropped the Magic down to 2 ½-point favorites, while the total jumped from 198 ½ to 202 ½.
Brian Edwards talked about the shift at the books. He said, “I think we’ve got good numbers from the oddsmakers here. I feel the side is a toss-up, so making the Magic the short favorite at home is the right call, and I agree that you take 1 ½-2 points off of the number from Game 3. As for the total, it’s right to increase it, four points in this instance. But before gamblers pounce on the ‘over,’ they should consider that the total only hit 212 with Orlando setting Finals records with its shooting. Surely the Magic won’t shoot that sort of percentage again in Game 4?”
While Orlando’s offense broke all sorts of records in Tuesday’s affair, bettors should also be aware that the Lakers’ attack hasn’t been slowed down at all by Orlando in the first three games.
Prior to the finals, the Magic only gave up 100-plus points in four of their 19 games in the first round of the playoffs. Since then, the Lakers have busted the century mark in all three games of the finale. And, the Lakers’ offense hasn’t brought its “A” game to the finals either, especially from long range. The team is shooting just 34 percent from 3-point land.
The setback for the Lakers dropped their road record to 4-5 both SU and ATS in the playoffs. Fatigue could set in Game 4, since this will be the second battle played on one-day of rest for both teams and the third game in five days.
On just one day off this year, both the Lakers (45-16 SU, 26-34 ATS) and Magic (44-19 SU, 37-25 ATS) have been productive during the season.
The Lakers are still listed as minus-500 favorites (Bet $500 to win $100) to win the best-of-seven series. Magic backers can take a shot at their team at a 7/2 price (Bet $100 to win $350).
Game 5 is slated for Sunday from Amway Arena.
Tip-off for Game 4 is set for 9:05 p.m. EDT, with ABC providing national coverage.
vegasinsider
Game 4 Breakdown
By Matt Fargo
Line Shift
The Lakers lost Game 3 by four points which fell right on the number for most bettors. It actually closed at -4.5 so for those who waited to bet Los Angeles got a never in doubt win by the hook. All sarcasm aside, it was very much in doubt but a win nonetheless and a tough loss for Orlando backers who played a team put together a solid effort, easily it best of the season, and they were given nothing in return at the window.
Linesmakers are thinking what a lot of the sharp players are thinking and that is the fact that the Lakers will come out and conceivably win Game Four. The line is already down to -2.5 and is actually -2 at some shops so the Magic win is not swaying action toward their side to even up this series. If not for a missed layup at the end of regulation in Game 2, Orlando would have the ball in its court and would really be able to put the pressure on the Lakers.
The first two games of this series stayed way under as Game 1 missed the total by 29.5 points while Game 2 missed the total by 26 points (in regulation). Game Three saw the first posted total of this series be under 200 and it ended up going over by 14 points. Now the linesmakers don’t know what to do and LVSC opened Game Four at 201.5 and that is where it currently sits. Based on the first three games, it is tough to decipher what sort of game will be played out on Thursday.
Shooting Blanks or Shooting Darts
The Magic shot a dismal 29.9 percent in Game 1 and 41.8 percent in Game 2. To no ones surprise, they lost both of those games. Orlando came back on Tuesday and shot a blistering 62.5 percent from the floor and it needed every bit of it to pull out the win. The Magic shoots 45.8 percent at home compared to 45.5 percent on the road so it isn’t like they have a big advantage when playing at Amway Arena.
While Orlando was able to pick things up, it cannot be overlooked what the Lakers have done. They have gone from 46.1 percent to 46.2 percent to 51.3 percent over the three games. If nothing else, they have been more consistent and that is a sure sign that it will continue as Orlando has been all over the place on the offensive end. The fact that Orlando played arguably the best it could play and won by just four points tells us something.
“We didn’t allow being down 0-2 to discourage us,” Orlando center Dwight Howard said. “We’ve come along way and we want to win a championship.” He made two great points in that quote but it will be tough for Orlando to play near perfect basketball for three more games to win the title. “The sad thing is we shot 62.5 percent and nearly lost the game,” said guard Rafer Alston. He is exactly right.
The Kobe Factor
The Lakers could have and should have won Game 3 in Orlando if Kobe Bryant played his normal game. He came far from it. After a hot start, he missed 10 of his final 12 shots while also missing five of his 10 free throw attempts. Not to mention the fact that “Mr. Clutch” became “Mr. Choke” after his lack of production and numerous miscues in the fourth quarter. Have we already seen the best of Kobe or was it just an aberration? I vote for the latter.
“It was disappointing,” Bryant said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m used to coming through in these situations, the team trusts me in those situations and it just didn’t happen tonight.” He is hungry for this title and we saw it after Game Two when he was as monotone as ever saying that two wins in two games means nothing and there is no reason to be happy.
Watching him at the end of the Nuggets series showed us how fatigued he really was. The time off in-between the Conference Finals and this series helped no one more than Bryant. He did have a bad game on Tuesday but every player does in these types of games. He will be back and whether it be Game 4 or Game 5, he is going to lead the Lakers to a win and send the series back to Los Angeles or he may just step it up both times and raise the trophy in Orlando. We will wait and see.
By Matt Fargo
Line Shift
The Lakers lost Game 3 by four points which fell right on the number for most bettors. It actually closed at -4.5 so for those who waited to bet Los Angeles got a never in doubt win by the hook. All sarcasm aside, it was very much in doubt but a win nonetheless and a tough loss for Orlando backers who played a team put together a solid effort, easily it best of the season, and they were given nothing in return at the window.
Linesmakers are thinking what a lot of the sharp players are thinking and that is the fact that the Lakers will come out and conceivably win Game Four. The line is already down to -2.5 and is actually -2 at some shops so the Magic win is not swaying action toward their side to even up this series. If not for a missed layup at the end of regulation in Game 2, Orlando would have the ball in its court and would really be able to put the pressure on the Lakers.
The first two games of this series stayed way under as Game 1 missed the total by 29.5 points while Game 2 missed the total by 26 points (in regulation). Game Three saw the first posted total of this series be under 200 and it ended up going over by 14 points. Now the linesmakers don’t know what to do and LVSC opened Game Four at 201.5 and that is where it currently sits. Based on the first three games, it is tough to decipher what sort of game will be played out on Thursday.
Shooting Blanks or Shooting Darts
The Magic shot a dismal 29.9 percent in Game 1 and 41.8 percent in Game 2. To no ones surprise, they lost both of those games. Orlando came back on Tuesday and shot a blistering 62.5 percent from the floor and it needed every bit of it to pull out the win. The Magic shoots 45.8 percent at home compared to 45.5 percent on the road so it isn’t like they have a big advantage when playing at Amway Arena.
While Orlando was able to pick things up, it cannot be overlooked what the Lakers have done. They have gone from 46.1 percent to 46.2 percent to 51.3 percent over the three games. If nothing else, they have been more consistent and that is a sure sign that it will continue as Orlando has been all over the place on the offensive end. The fact that Orlando played arguably the best it could play and won by just four points tells us something.
“We didn’t allow being down 0-2 to discourage us,” Orlando center Dwight Howard said. “We’ve come along way and we want to win a championship.” He made two great points in that quote but it will be tough for Orlando to play near perfect basketball for three more games to win the title. “The sad thing is we shot 62.5 percent and nearly lost the game,” said guard Rafer Alston. He is exactly right.
The Kobe Factor
The Lakers could have and should have won Game 3 in Orlando if Kobe Bryant played his normal game. He came far from it. After a hot start, he missed 10 of his final 12 shots while also missing five of his 10 free throw attempts. Not to mention the fact that “Mr. Clutch” became “Mr. Choke” after his lack of production and numerous miscues in the fourth quarter. Have we already seen the best of Kobe or was it just an aberration? I vote for the latter.
“It was disappointing,” Bryant said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m used to coming through in these situations, the team trusts me in those situations and it just didn’t happen tonight.” He is hungry for this title and we saw it after Game Two when he was as monotone as ever saying that two wins in two games means nothing and there is no reason to be happy.
Watching him at the end of the Nuggets series showed us how fatigued he really was. The time off in-between the Conference Finals and this series helped no one more than Bryant. He did have a bad game on Tuesday but every player does in these types of games. He will be back and whether it be Game 4 or Game 5, he is going to lead the Lakers to a win and send the series back to Los Angeles or he may just step it up both times and raise the trophy in Orlando. We will wait and see.
NBA FINALS
L.A. Lakers (14-7 SU, 12-9 ATS) at Orlando (13-9 SU, 11-11 ATS)
After climbing back into the series with a victory in Game 3, the Magic aim to tie up the best-of-7 NBA Finals when they host Game 4 against the Lakers at Amway Arena.
Orlando shot an NBA Finals-record 62.5 percent from the field Tuesday night – including a whopping 75 percent in the first half – and hung on for a 108-104 victory, pushing as a four-point home chalk. Five Magic players scored at least 18 points, paced by Dwight Howard (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Rashard Lewis (21 points). Rafer Alston added 20 points, and Mickael Pietrus and Hedo Turkoglu chipped in 18 apiece, with Turkoglu also contributing seven assists.
Kobe Bryant paced Los Angeles with 31 points and eight assists, but he went just 5 of 10 from the free-throw line, and the Lakers finished 16 of 26 from the charity stripe (61.5 percent), well off Orlando’s 23-for-30 foul-line effort (76.7 percent). Pau Gasol added 23 points but had just three rebounds in a battle of two hot-shooting teams – L.A. hit a respectable 51.3 percent from the floor. However, the Lakers lost the rebounding battle for the first time in this series.
Including this series, Orlando is 3-2 SU and 3-1-1 ATS this season against Los Angeles and 5-2-1 ATS (4-4 SU) in the last eight clashes in this rivalry. In addition, the underdog is 7-1-1 ATS in the last nine meetings, with the road team 6-2-1 ATS during this span. The Lakers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five outings at Amway Arena.
Orlando is 40-11 SU (29-21-1 ATS) at home this season, including 8-2 SU (6-3-1 ATS) in the postseason. Los Angeles is 33-17 SU (27-22-1 ATS) on the highway, but just 4-5 SU (4-4-1 ATS) in road playoff games.
The Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five starts against the Western Conference, but they remain on several ATS upswings, including 8-2-1 overall, 4-0-1 at home, 21-8-1 against the Western Conference and 5-1-1 as a playoff chalk.
The Lakers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five and sport additional pointspread streaks of 7-0 following a SU loss, 22-8-3 as road underdog, 16-7-1 catching less than five points and 4-1 after a day off. On the flip side, L.A. still carries negative ATS streaks of 2-11-2 in the Finals and 3-11-1 against the Southeast Division.
The last six meetings between these squads in Orlando have cleared the posted price, with Tuesday’s game soaring over the 198-point total. The over is also on a 5-1 run with the Lakers as a road pup and is also on rolls for Orlando of 4-0 after a day off and 4-1 following a SU win.
On the flip side, Orlando sports “under” trends of 6-1 against the West and 7-3 as a playoff chalk, and the under for Los Angeles is on surges of 10-3 overall, 7-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-1 against the Southeast Division and 17-4 after a SU loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
Gametimepicks
L.A. Lakers (14-7 SU, 12-9 ATS) at Orlando (13-9 SU, 11-11 ATS)
After climbing back into the series with a victory in Game 3, the Magic aim to tie up the best-of-7 NBA Finals when they host Game 4 against the Lakers at Amway Arena.
Orlando shot an NBA Finals-record 62.5 percent from the field Tuesday night – including a whopping 75 percent in the first half – and hung on for a 108-104 victory, pushing as a four-point home chalk. Five Magic players scored at least 18 points, paced by Dwight Howard (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Rashard Lewis (21 points). Rafer Alston added 20 points, and Mickael Pietrus and Hedo Turkoglu chipped in 18 apiece, with Turkoglu also contributing seven assists.
Kobe Bryant paced Los Angeles with 31 points and eight assists, but he went just 5 of 10 from the free-throw line, and the Lakers finished 16 of 26 from the charity stripe (61.5 percent), well off Orlando’s 23-for-30 foul-line effort (76.7 percent). Pau Gasol added 23 points but had just three rebounds in a battle of two hot-shooting teams – L.A. hit a respectable 51.3 percent from the floor. However, the Lakers lost the rebounding battle for the first time in this series.
Including this series, Orlando is 3-2 SU and 3-1-1 ATS this season against Los Angeles and 5-2-1 ATS (4-4 SU) in the last eight clashes in this rivalry. In addition, the underdog is 7-1-1 ATS in the last nine meetings, with the road team 6-2-1 ATS during this span. The Lakers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five outings at Amway Arena.
Orlando is 40-11 SU (29-21-1 ATS) at home this season, including 8-2 SU (6-3-1 ATS) in the postseason. Los Angeles is 33-17 SU (27-22-1 ATS) on the highway, but just 4-5 SU (4-4-1 ATS) in road playoff games.
The Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five starts against the Western Conference, but they remain on several ATS upswings, including 8-2-1 overall, 4-0-1 at home, 21-8-1 against the Western Conference and 5-1-1 as a playoff chalk.
The Lakers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five and sport additional pointspread streaks of 7-0 following a SU loss, 22-8-3 as road underdog, 16-7-1 catching less than five points and 4-1 after a day off. On the flip side, L.A. still carries negative ATS streaks of 2-11-2 in the Finals and 3-11-1 against the Southeast Division.
The last six meetings between these squads in Orlando have cleared the posted price, with Tuesday’s game soaring over the 198-point total. The over is also on a 5-1 run with the Lakers as a road pup and is also on rolls for Orlando of 4-0 after a day off and 4-1 following a SU win.
On the flip side, Orlando sports “under” trends of 6-1 against the West and 7-3 as a playoff chalk, and the under for Los Angeles is on surges of 10-3 overall, 7-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-1 against the Southeast Division and 17-4 after a SU loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
Gametimepicks
Thursday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
By Covers
Streaking
Edwin Jackson (Detroit Tigers)
Justin Verlander may get the kudos in Motown but Jackson (6-3, 2.16 ERA) is the arm anchoring Detroit’s run to the top of the American League Central.
The right-hander leads the Tigers in most pitching statistical categories and is building on those numbers in his recent starts. Jackson is 5-1 in his last six outings, posting a 1.40 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk count of 34-to-9.
In his most recent appearance, Jackson pitched a nine-inning gem against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, allowing just one earned run on four hits. It marked the 11th time he’s gone at least six innings in his 12 2009 starts and he’s kept his pitch counts from swelling, throwing just 109 pitches in Saturday’s win.
"Pretty much (manager Jim Leyland) wants our starters to be strong and learn to finish out games," Jackson told the Detroit Free Press. "You go out there with the intention every game to finish the game."
Nick Blackburn (Minnesota Twins)
Nick Blackburn is a ray of light in the gloomy Minnesota Twins rotation. The young righty has gone 5-2 with a 3.30 ERA this season and is quickly becoming the team’s ace after fellow arms Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano struggled to start the season.
Blackburn has allowed just four runs in his past four outings, posting a 1.33 ERA during that span. In his most recent effort, Blackburn went seven innings and allowed only one run to the Seattle Mariners. However, poor offense spoiled that showing and dropped his record to 3-2 on the road.
The sinker-baller has 12 quality starts on the year but has suffered from a lack of run support. During his current streak, the Twins scored an average of 7.25 runs each time Blackburn takes the hill. But those number are inflated by the 20-run explosion Minnesota put on the Chicago White Sox on May 21. Without that game, the Twins have mustered just an average of three runs in his last three outings.
Slumping
Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)
One bad start shouldn’t count as an actual slump, especially when you’re having the year Zack Greinke is having. The Royals budding ace was knocked around by the Toronto Blue Jays in his most recent appearance, allowing five runs on seven hits and surrendering two home runs – his first since September 2 of last year.
“It’s one thing to get hit,” Greinke told the Kansas City Star, “but everything was a line drive. There was no weak contact. It was good hitting and bad pitching coming together. So it was a bad game all around.”
However, any baseball bettor riding Greinke over the past month will tell you the righty is in an awful slump. Greinke has won just two of his last four starts and has cost bettors over four units in that span.
The biggest culprit is the Royals lineup, which has provided an average of under three runs in those losses. Kansas City is currently in a free fall, losing nine of its past 10 games heading into Wednesday.
Todd Wellemeyer (St. Louis Cardinals)
When it rains it pours for Todd Wellemeyer. The Cardinals right-hander has been vulnerable to disastrous innings – much like the three and four-run innings he surrendered to the Colorado Rockies in his most recent start.
The game before that, Wellemeyer coughed up three runs in fourth to the Cincinnati Reds. He has gone just 2-4 in his past six outings and has pitched at least six innings only twice in that span, posting an ERA just under 6.00.
In most of his six losses this season, the damage has been done in bunches. Wellemeyer has an ERA 5.32 on the year but throws an ERA over 10.00 with runners on base and doubles that number with runners in scoring position.
"If knew the answer, I'd know how to fix it," Wellemeyer told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's up to me to remain confident. I would say if I'm 2-0 on a guy, I just have to be able to go out there and know I'm going to hit my next spot. I can't go out there and nip at the strike zone."
A lack of run support hasn’t helped Wellemeyer’s cause either. St. Louis is scoring just over four runs per game this season and has put an average of 2.5 runs on the board the past six times the struggling starter has taken the hill.
By Covers
Streaking
Edwin Jackson (Detroit Tigers)
Justin Verlander may get the kudos in Motown but Jackson (6-3, 2.16 ERA) is the arm anchoring Detroit’s run to the top of the American League Central.
The right-hander leads the Tigers in most pitching statistical categories and is building on those numbers in his recent starts. Jackson is 5-1 in his last six outings, posting a 1.40 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk count of 34-to-9.
In his most recent appearance, Jackson pitched a nine-inning gem against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, allowing just one earned run on four hits. It marked the 11th time he’s gone at least six innings in his 12 2009 starts and he’s kept his pitch counts from swelling, throwing just 109 pitches in Saturday’s win.
"Pretty much (manager Jim Leyland) wants our starters to be strong and learn to finish out games," Jackson told the Detroit Free Press. "You go out there with the intention every game to finish the game."
Nick Blackburn (Minnesota Twins)
Nick Blackburn is a ray of light in the gloomy Minnesota Twins rotation. The young righty has gone 5-2 with a 3.30 ERA this season and is quickly becoming the team’s ace after fellow arms Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano struggled to start the season.
Blackburn has allowed just four runs in his past four outings, posting a 1.33 ERA during that span. In his most recent effort, Blackburn went seven innings and allowed only one run to the Seattle Mariners. However, poor offense spoiled that showing and dropped his record to 3-2 on the road.
The sinker-baller has 12 quality starts on the year but has suffered from a lack of run support. During his current streak, the Twins scored an average of 7.25 runs each time Blackburn takes the hill. But those number are inflated by the 20-run explosion Minnesota put on the Chicago White Sox on May 21. Without that game, the Twins have mustered just an average of three runs in his last three outings.
Slumping
Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)
One bad start shouldn’t count as an actual slump, especially when you’re having the year Zack Greinke is having. The Royals budding ace was knocked around by the Toronto Blue Jays in his most recent appearance, allowing five runs on seven hits and surrendering two home runs – his first since September 2 of last year.
“It’s one thing to get hit,” Greinke told the Kansas City Star, “but everything was a line drive. There was no weak contact. It was good hitting and bad pitching coming together. So it was a bad game all around.”
However, any baseball bettor riding Greinke over the past month will tell you the righty is in an awful slump. Greinke has won just two of his last four starts and has cost bettors over four units in that span.
The biggest culprit is the Royals lineup, which has provided an average of under three runs in those losses. Kansas City is currently in a free fall, losing nine of its past 10 games heading into Wednesday.
Todd Wellemeyer (St. Louis Cardinals)
When it rains it pours for Todd Wellemeyer. The Cardinals right-hander has been vulnerable to disastrous innings – much like the three and four-run innings he surrendered to the Colorado Rockies in his most recent start.
The game before that, Wellemeyer coughed up three runs in fourth to the Cincinnati Reds. He has gone just 2-4 in his past six outings and has pitched at least six innings only twice in that span, posting an ERA just under 6.00.
In most of his six losses this season, the damage has been done in bunches. Wellemeyer has an ERA 5.32 on the year but throws an ERA over 10.00 with runners on base and doubles that number with runners in scoring position.
"If knew the answer, I'd know how to fix it," Wellemeyer told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's up to me to remain confident. I would say if I'm 2-0 on a guy, I just have to be able to go out there and know I'm going to hit my next spot. I can't go out there and nip at the strike zone."
A lack of run support hasn’t helped Wellemeyer’s cause either. St. Louis is scoring just over four runs per game this season and has put an average of 2.5 runs on the board the past six times the struggling starter has taken the hill.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (34-23) at N.Y. Mets (31-26)
The Phillies finally conclude a 10-game, three-city road trip tonight when they send veteran lefty Jamie Moyer (4-5, 6.27 ERA) to the Citi Field mound, while the Mets are scheduled to counter with Tim Redding (0-2, 6.97) in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Philadelphia rallied from a 4-1 deficit last night and got a 10th-inning home run from Chase Utley – his second of the game – to pull out a 5-4 victory while moving to 6-3 on its current road swing. The Phillies 14-5 in their last 19 on the highway and they continue to sport baseball’s best road record at 22-9. Furthermore, the defending World Series champions are on lengthy hot streaks of 58-29 overall, 36-16 as a visitor, 24-9 on the road against right-handed starters, 39-17 against winning teams and 9-3 versus N.L. East rivals.
The Mets are just 4-6 in their last 10 contests, but they’re on positive upticks of 8-3 in divisional games, 6-2 at home, 11-4 on Thursday and 22-9 at home against southpaw starters.
Dating to last season, the Mets are still on an 11-6 overall run in this rivalry (4-2 this season), winning six of the last nine clashes in New York (3-1 at Citi Field this year).
Moyer seems to have turned his season around, delivering three quality starts in his last four trips to the hill, including Friday in Los Angeles when he limited the Dodgers to two runs on four hits and no walks in seven innings. However, Phillies closer Brad Lidge blew Moyer’s win and Philadelphia lost 4-3, dropping to 1-5 in Moyer’s last six starts overall and 2-5 in his last seven road outings. On the bright side, the Phillies are 31-11 when Moyer faces N.L. East competition.
Moyer is 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA in five road starts and 1-5 with a 7.61 ERA in seven night games. He’s also 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 19 career starts against the Mets, including 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in two contests this year (12 runs allowed in eight total innings), with the Phillies winning 6-5 at home and losing 7-5 at Citi Field.
Redding is coming off his best start of the season, as he gave up just a run in six innings at Washington on Friday, failing to get a decision as the Mets prevailed 3-1 in 10 innings. In his two previous outings, Redding surrendered 13 runs (all earned) in 8 2/3 innings, losing to Boston and Florida by respective scores of 12-5 and 7-3. The veteran right-hander has faced the Phillies 11 times in his career, going 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA.
The under is 4-0 in Moyer’s last four starts overall, 13-6 in his last 19 on the highway, 8-3 in his last 11 on Thursday and 14-6-1 in his last 21 against winning teams. Also, six of Moyer’s last seven starts in New York have stayed low. Conversely, going back to last year when he pitched for Washington, Redding has topped the total in seven of his last 10 starts.
Philadelphia carries “under” trends of 12-5-1 overall, 7-4-1 on the road, 15-5-2 on Thursday and 5-0 in the third game of a series. Likewise, the Mets are on “under” runs of 13-7-2 overall, 4-2 versus the N.L. East and 5-2 versus lefty starters. However, the over is 24-7-1 in New York’s last 32 Thursday tilts and 5-1-1 in the last six Mets-Phillies clashes in the Big Apple.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (34-25) at Boston (35-24)
CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.56) makes his first start at Fenway Park in a Yankees uniform, and he’ll try to get New York its first victory this season against the Red Sox, who will counter with Brad Penny (5-2, 5.85) in the finale of a three-game series.
One night after blanking the Yankees 7-0, the Red Sox held on for a 6-5 victory Tuesday to take over sole possession of first place in the A.L. East while improving to 7-0 against their hated rivals this season. The BoSox are on upticks of 85-37 at home, 18-6 against the A.L. East and 40-14 on Thursday.
Despite losing the last two games, New York is still on runs of 19-8 overall, 7-4 on the highway, 7-3 against divisional foes, 11-6 versus right-handed starters and 4-1 on Thursday.
Not only are the Red Sox are a perfect 7-0 against the Bronx Bombers this season, but they’ve won eight straight meetings dating to last year, going 6-0 at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have scored a total of 51 runs in seven contests against Yankee pitching this season.
Sabathia’s streak of five consecutive quality starts (2.08 ERA) ended with Saturday’s 9-7 home loss to Tampa Bay, in which he gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits (two home runs) in eight innings. The portly lefty had pitched at least seven innings in six straight starts, with New York winning four of those contests. Sabathia has been solid on the highway this season, going 4-2 with a 3.07 ERA, and he’s been dominant under the lights (5-1, 1.93 ERA at night as opposed to 0-2, 5.49 ERA in day games).
During his time with the Indians, Sabathia made seven regular-season starts against the Red Sox, going 2-4 with a 3.91 ERA. However, the last time he saw Boston was in the 2007 American League Championship Series, and he went 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA as the Indians got drubbed 10-3 at Fenway and 7-1 at home in a decisive Game 7.
Penny suffered his first Fenway Park setback Saturday against Texas, falling 5-1 after giving up all five runs in 7 2/3 innings. Boston is 3-5 in the veteran right-hander’s last eight trips to the mound, with Penny posting a 5.20 ERA during this stretch. He’s now 3-1 in four home outings despite a beefy 6.51 ERA, and he’s 3-1 with a 7.12 ERA in six night starts.
Penny’s experience against the Yankees has been limited to three starts when he was with the Marlins – one interleague game in 2000 and two World Series starts in 2003 – and he gave up a total of six earned runs in 17 1/3 innings (3.12 ERA), with New York losing all three contests.
The Yankees are on “under” stretches of 11-5-2 overall, 5-1-2 on the road, 9-3-2 against winning clubs and 4-1 in Sabathia’s last five road starts. Also, the Red Sox are on “under” runs of 20-6-2 overall, 7-1-1 at home (4-0-1 last four) and 6-2-1 versus divisional opponents. Lastly, the under is now 5-1-1 in the last seven Yanks-Sox at Fenway and 5-2-2 in the last nine head-to-head meetings overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
Gametimepicks
Philadelphia (34-23) at N.Y. Mets (31-26)
The Phillies finally conclude a 10-game, three-city road trip tonight when they send veteran lefty Jamie Moyer (4-5, 6.27 ERA) to the Citi Field mound, while the Mets are scheduled to counter with Tim Redding (0-2, 6.97) in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Philadelphia rallied from a 4-1 deficit last night and got a 10th-inning home run from Chase Utley – his second of the game – to pull out a 5-4 victory while moving to 6-3 on its current road swing. The Phillies 14-5 in their last 19 on the highway and they continue to sport baseball’s best road record at 22-9. Furthermore, the defending World Series champions are on lengthy hot streaks of 58-29 overall, 36-16 as a visitor, 24-9 on the road against right-handed starters, 39-17 against winning teams and 9-3 versus N.L. East rivals.
The Mets are just 4-6 in their last 10 contests, but they’re on positive upticks of 8-3 in divisional games, 6-2 at home, 11-4 on Thursday and 22-9 at home against southpaw starters.
Dating to last season, the Mets are still on an 11-6 overall run in this rivalry (4-2 this season), winning six of the last nine clashes in New York (3-1 at Citi Field this year).
Moyer seems to have turned his season around, delivering three quality starts in his last four trips to the hill, including Friday in Los Angeles when he limited the Dodgers to two runs on four hits and no walks in seven innings. However, Phillies closer Brad Lidge blew Moyer’s win and Philadelphia lost 4-3, dropping to 1-5 in Moyer’s last six starts overall and 2-5 in his last seven road outings. On the bright side, the Phillies are 31-11 when Moyer faces N.L. East competition.
Moyer is 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA in five road starts and 1-5 with a 7.61 ERA in seven night games. He’s also 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 19 career starts against the Mets, including 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in two contests this year (12 runs allowed in eight total innings), with the Phillies winning 6-5 at home and losing 7-5 at Citi Field.
Redding is coming off his best start of the season, as he gave up just a run in six innings at Washington on Friday, failing to get a decision as the Mets prevailed 3-1 in 10 innings. In his two previous outings, Redding surrendered 13 runs (all earned) in 8 2/3 innings, losing to Boston and Florida by respective scores of 12-5 and 7-3. The veteran right-hander has faced the Phillies 11 times in his career, going 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA.
The under is 4-0 in Moyer’s last four starts overall, 13-6 in his last 19 on the highway, 8-3 in his last 11 on Thursday and 14-6-1 in his last 21 against winning teams. Also, six of Moyer’s last seven starts in New York have stayed low. Conversely, going back to last year when he pitched for Washington, Redding has topped the total in seven of his last 10 starts.
Philadelphia carries “under” trends of 12-5-1 overall, 7-4-1 on the road, 15-5-2 on Thursday and 5-0 in the third game of a series. Likewise, the Mets are on “under” runs of 13-7-2 overall, 4-2 versus the N.L. East and 5-2 versus lefty starters. However, the over is 24-7-1 in New York’s last 32 Thursday tilts and 5-1-1 in the last six Mets-Phillies clashes in the Big Apple.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (34-25) at Boston (35-24)
CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.56) makes his first start at Fenway Park in a Yankees uniform, and he’ll try to get New York its first victory this season against the Red Sox, who will counter with Brad Penny (5-2, 5.85) in the finale of a three-game series.
One night after blanking the Yankees 7-0, the Red Sox held on for a 6-5 victory Tuesday to take over sole possession of first place in the A.L. East while improving to 7-0 against their hated rivals this season. The BoSox are on upticks of 85-37 at home, 18-6 against the A.L. East and 40-14 on Thursday.
Despite losing the last two games, New York is still on runs of 19-8 overall, 7-4 on the highway, 7-3 against divisional foes, 11-6 versus right-handed starters and 4-1 on Thursday.
Not only are the Red Sox are a perfect 7-0 against the Bronx Bombers this season, but they’ve won eight straight meetings dating to last year, going 6-0 at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have scored a total of 51 runs in seven contests against Yankee pitching this season.
Sabathia’s streak of five consecutive quality starts (2.08 ERA) ended with Saturday’s 9-7 home loss to Tampa Bay, in which he gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits (two home runs) in eight innings. The portly lefty had pitched at least seven innings in six straight starts, with New York winning four of those contests. Sabathia has been solid on the highway this season, going 4-2 with a 3.07 ERA, and he’s been dominant under the lights (5-1, 1.93 ERA at night as opposed to 0-2, 5.49 ERA in day games).
During his time with the Indians, Sabathia made seven regular-season starts against the Red Sox, going 2-4 with a 3.91 ERA. However, the last time he saw Boston was in the 2007 American League Championship Series, and he went 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA as the Indians got drubbed 10-3 at Fenway and 7-1 at home in a decisive Game 7.
Penny suffered his first Fenway Park setback Saturday against Texas, falling 5-1 after giving up all five runs in 7 2/3 innings. Boston is 3-5 in the veteran right-hander’s last eight trips to the mound, with Penny posting a 5.20 ERA during this stretch. He’s now 3-1 in four home outings despite a beefy 6.51 ERA, and he’s 3-1 with a 7.12 ERA in six night starts.
Penny’s experience against the Yankees has been limited to three starts when he was with the Marlins – one interleague game in 2000 and two World Series starts in 2003 – and he gave up a total of six earned runs in 17 1/3 innings (3.12 ERA), with New York losing all three contests.
The Yankees are on “under” stretches of 11-5-2 overall, 5-1-2 on the road, 9-3-2 against winning clubs and 4-1 in Sabathia’s last five road starts. Also, the Red Sox are on “under” runs of 20-6-2 overall, 7-1-1 at home (4-0-1 last four) and 6-2-1 versus divisional opponents. Lastly, the under is now 5-1-1 in the last seven Yanks-Sox at Fenway and 5-2-2 in the last nine head-to-head meetings overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
Gametimepicks
Thursday's Afternoon Action
By Josh Jacobs
Did you see Colorado’s recent six-game winning streak coming? How about the Cardinals recent implosion? Or what about Seattle’s 20-6 ‘under’ record in the last 26 (including five straight ‘under’ plays in the last six games)?
Whether you caught one or all of those trends or missed the boat entirely, don’t worry because Thursday is chock full of action to capitalize on. Focusing on the afternoon hours, eight games will challenge our wallets. Are you prepared to take this card to the bank?
Pittsburgh at Atlanta – 1:00 p.m. EDT
Having taken three in a row as $2.07, $1.36 and $1.13 favorites (in descending order) against the Pirates (26-32, -162), the Braves (29-28, -300) will shift focus to improving on their 7-3 record in the last 10 home games. Atlanta is packing the second best BA at .296 during the daytime and a middle of the pack, 103 runs scored has actually stimulated a 4-1 ‘over’ record when the total has been placed at eight runs during the daytime. Even when a 10-run total has been set, the ‘over’ is cashing at a 4-2 clip (again, at home during the day).
Atlanta is planning to start Javier Vazquez (4-5, 3.54). The Braves are 0-3 in his last three starts, losing backers a total of minus-4.34 units on the money line. But giving up 2.3 runs per game isn’t all that poor. A 2-4 ‘under’ record in his last six starts has been a result.
Pittsburgh is just 9-12 during the day. A 4.23 ERA and .271 BAA followed by the hitting department making contact for a .262 BA while scoring 93 runs helps explain daytime problems in the standings. Lefty, Paul Maholm (4-2, 3.94) is 10-12 lifetime with a 5.01 ERA in 37 starts during day games. But a .298 BAA and a .806 on base percentage allowed are numbers to watch out for (all daytime figures).
The Braves are tagging southpaws for a .276 BA and 91 RBIs is fifth best in the Majors.
Pittsburgh is 9-28 in its last 37 meetings in Atlanta.
Colorado at Milwaukee – 2:05 p.m. EDT
We begin the preview by stating Milwaukee’s (33-25, +868) league leading, 2.84 ERA during day games. Ok, with the obvious number in the open, the Brewers have been less then impressive. A 7-10 record in the last 17 coupled with being listed as the underdog six times in the last eight games has placed a “buyers beware” tag on this franchise. At least starting pitcher, Yovani Gallardo (6-2, 2.84 ERA) could end up making or braking Thursday’s bets. Gallardo is an outstanding 2-0 in four starts during the day. And how can you beat a 0.33 ERA and a.162 BAA during these day time shifts?
The Rockies (26-32, -485) are six games deep in a winning streak thanks to sweeping St. Louis in a four-game series (now six straight victories versus the Cards in the last six meetings). Colorado will entrust Aaron Cook (4-3, 4.50) for the 27th win of the season. His 2-3 record while surrendering 6.4 runs per game (including runs surrendered by relief pitchers) adds to the volatility in backing the team but it’s not like the Rockies haven’t been faced with adversity before.
The ‘over’ is 9-2-1 in Cook’s last 12 starts and 3-1 in the last four head-to-head meetings. The Rockies have reign dominance in this matchup, tendering an 8-3 performance in the last 11mettings. However, the Brewers have countered at home in head-to-head meetings by going 10-4.
Minnesota at Oakland – 3:35 p.m. EDT
The first problem surrounding the Twins (29-31, -303), a 7-22 record playing on natural grass. That means that Minnesota’s 21-12 home record and 8-19 away performance are stark contrasts to how this team plays at home versus on the road. Starting slinger Nick Blackburn is 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA on the road this season. Even more inspiring is his personal 3-0 record in his last four starts and the Twins’ three wins and one loss during the same stretch. The ‘under’ is also 3-0 in Blackburn’s last three starts and 6-2-1 in the last nine. Not hard to picture when Blackburn is responsible for allowing just 1.9 earned runs per game in the same nine starts.
Beginning with three straight wins as $1.22, $1.25 and $1.56 visiting underdogs against the White Sox, Oakland (26-31, -267) was able to string out four more victories for a total of seven in a row. A loss against Minnesota on Tuesday (10-5) ended the run. Now the Twinkies will be looking to Trevor Cahill (3-5, 4.21) to get them back on track. The problem here is that Cahill is 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA during day games. Getting 4.5 runs of support per start overall equates to a run difference of plus-1.7 on the season. So although the offense hasn’t been blistering in his starts, Cahill is getting almost a two run cushion to work with.
Take into account that without home field advantage in its favor, Minnesota and its opponents have excelled at hitting the ‘over’, currently standing at 18-7-2 this year. But coming off a road win, the Twins are 5-0 on the ‘under’ in the following road game. So pay attention to Wednesday’s results which will be posted ASAP.
Extra Innings
-- San Francisco (30-27, +281) looks to stretch out a 5-2 record in the last seven when it encounters Arizona (25-34, -1076). The Giants have opened the books as $1.30 visiting underdogs. A run total of nine has been set in the early hours on the board.
-- Arizona is 7-3 on the ‘over’ during the day and at home when the total has been posted at nine runs. The club is averaging a total of 10 ½-runs during day games at home (runs produced combined with runs alloweed). What this says is the pitching staff has logged in a 4.25 ERA during the day this season.
-- Max Scherzer (2-4, 4.10) takes the ball on Thursday. His 2-2 record in the last seven starts is far from effective although the Diamondbacks are 4-2 in his last six starts. And a 1-2 record followed by a 7.46 ERA at home could be partial importance for the fade alert to be signaled.
-- The talk of the town could be the Giants’ 5-2 stranglehold on ‘Zona this season, but Thursday’s starter must be addressed. Jonathan Sanchez (2-5, 5.19) giving up 3.6 runs per game isn’t the strongest of stats and a 1.65 WHIP despite both righties and lefties hitting for a .248 BA could justify the +130 price on San Fran (bet $100 to make $130). But the D-backs are struggling hardcore against southpaws with a .230 BA and a .323 OBP.
-- The ‘under’ is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings in Arizona. The Diamondbacks are just 3-8 in their last 11 home games. But don’t be so surprised. Arizona has 12-20 overall home record can be partially attributed to owning the worst home cooking ERA at 5.49. Another damaging stat for the fade play include the D-backs going 1-10 when coming off a home win in their next home stand.
vegasinsider
By Josh Jacobs
Did you see Colorado’s recent six-game winning streak coming? How about the Cardinals recent implosion? Or what about Seattle’s 20-6 ‘under’ record in the last 26 (including five straight ‘under’ plays in the last six games)?
Whether you caught one or all of those trends or missed the boat entirely, don’t worry because Thursday is chock full of action to capitalize on. Focusing on the afternoon hours, eight games will challenge our wallets. Are you prepared to take this card to the bank?
Pittsburgh at Atlanta – 1:00 p.m. EDT
Having taken three in a row as $2.07, $1.36 and $1.13 favorites (in descending order) against the Pirates (26-32, -162), the Braves (29-28, -300) will shift focus to improving on their 7-3 record in the last 10 home games. Atlanta is packing the second best BA at .296 during the daytime and a middle of the pack, 103 runs scored has actually stimulated a 4-1 ‘over’ record when the total has been placed at eight runs during the daytime. Even when a 10-run total has been set, the ‘over’ is cashing at a 4-2 clip (again, at home during the day).
Atlanta is planning to start Javier Vazquez (4-5, 3.54). The Braves are 0-3 in his last three starts, losing backers a total of minus-4.34 units on the money line. But giving up 2.3 runs per game isn’t all that poor. A 2-4 ‘under’ record in his last six starts has been a result.
Pittsburgh is just 9-12 during the day. A 4.23 ERA and .271 BAA followed by the hitting department making contact for a .262 BA while scoring 93 runs helps explain daytime problems in the standings. Lefty, Paul Maholm (4-2, 3.94) is 10-12 lifetime with a 5.01 ERA in 37 starts during day games. But a .298 BAA and a .806 on base percentage allowed are numbers to watch out for (all daytime figures).
The Braves are tagging southpaws for a .276 BA and 91 RBIs is fifth best in the Majors.
Pittsburgh is 9-28 in its last 37 meetings in Atlanta.
Colorado at Milwaukee – 2:05 p.m. EDT
We begin the preview by stating Milwaukee’s (33-25, +868) league leading, 2.84 ERA during day games. Ok, with the obvious number in the open, the Brewers have been less then impressive. A 7-10 record in the last 17 coupled with being listed as the underdog six times in the last eight games has placed a “buyers beware” tag on this franchise. At least starting pitcher, Yovani Gallardo (6-2, 2.84 ERA) could end up making or braking Thursday’s bets. Gallardo is an outstanding 2-0 in four starts during the day. And how can you beat a 0.33 ERA and a.162 BAA during these day time shifts?
The Rockies (26-32, -485) are six games deep in a winning streak thanks to sweeping St. Louis in a four-game series (now six straight victories versus the Cards in the last six meetings). Colorado will entrust Aaron Cook (4-3, 4.50) for the 27th win of the season. His 2-3 record while surrendering 6.4 runs per game (including runs surrendered by relief pitchers) adds to the volatility in backing the team but it’s not like the Rockies haven’t been faced with adversity before.
The ‘over’ is 9-2-1 in Cook’s last 12 starts and 3-1 in the last four head-to-head meetings. The Rockies have reign dominance in this matchup, tendering an 8-3 performance in the last 11mettings. However, the Brewers have countered at home in head-to-head meetings by going 10-4.
Minnesota at Oakland – 3:35 p.m. EDT
The first problem surrounding the Twins (29-31, -303), a 7-22 record playing on natural grass. That means that Minnesota’s 21-12 home record and 8-19 away performance are stark contrasts to how this team plays at home versus on the road. Starting slinger Nick Blackburn is 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA on the road this season. Even more inspiring is his personal 3-0 record in his last four starts and the Twins’ three wins and one loss during the same stretch. The ‘under’ is also 3-0 in Blackburn’s last three starts and 6-2-1 in the last nine. Not hard to picture when Blackburn is responsible for allowing just 1.9 earned runs per game in the same nine starts.
Beginning with three straight wins as $1.22, $1.25 and $1.56 visiting underdogs against the White Sox, Oakland (26-31, -267) was able to string out four more victories for a total of seven in a row. A loss against Minnesota on Tuesday (10-5) ended the run. Now the Twinkies will be looking to Trevor Cahill (3-5, 4.21) to get them back on track. The problem here is that Cahill is 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA during day games. Getting 4.5 runs of support per start overall equates to a run difference of plus-1.7 on the season. So although the offense hasn’t been blistering in his starts, Cahill is getting almost a two run cushion to work with.
Take into account that without home field advantage in its favor, Minnesota and its opponents have excelled at hitting the ‘over’, currently standing at 18-7-2 this year. But coming off a road win, the Twins are 5-0 on the ‘under’ in the following road game. So pay attention to Wednesday’s results which will be posted ASAP.
Extra Innings
-- San Francisco (30-27, +281) looks to stretch out a 5-2 record in the last seven when it encounters Arizona (25-34, -1076). The Giants have opened the books as $1.30 visiting underdogs. A run total of nine has been set in the early hours on the board.
-- Arizona is 7-3 on the ‘over’ during the day and at home when the total has been posted at nine runs. The club is averaging a total of 10 ½-runs during day games at home (runs produced combined with runs alloweed). What this says is the pitching staff has logged in a 4.25 ERA during the day this season.
-- Max Scherzer (2-4, 4.10) takes the ball on Thursday. His 2-2 record in the last seven starts is far from effective although the Diamondbacks are 4-2 in his last six starts. And a 1-2 record followed by a 7.46 ERA at home could be partial importance for the fade alert to be signaled.
-- The talk of the town could be the Giants’ 5-2 stranglehold on ‘Zona this season, but Thursday’s starter must be addressed. Jonathan Sanchez (2-5, 5.19) giving up 3.6 runs per game isn’t the strongest of stats and a 1.65 WHIP despite both righties and lefties hitting for a .248 BA could justify the +130 price on San Fran (bet $100 to make $130). But the D-backs are struggling hardcore against southpaws with a .230 BA and a .323 OBP.
-- The ‘under’ is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings in Arizona. The Diamondbacks are just 3-8 in their last 11 home games. But don’t be so surprised. Arizona has 12-20 overall home record can be partially attributed to owning the worst home cooking ERA at 5.49. Another damaging stat for the fade play include the D-backs going 1-10 when coming off a home win in their next home stand.
vegasinsider
NBA DUNKEL
LA Lakers at Orlando
The Magic look to follow up their Game Three win and take advantage of LA's 2-11-1 ATS record in its last 14 championship games. Orlando is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Game 707-708: LA Lakers at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 127.320; Orlando 131.783
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 4 1/2; 211
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 3; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3); Over
LA Lakers at Orlando
The Magic look to follow up their Game Three win and take advantage of LA's 2-11-1 ATS record in its last 14 championship games. Orlando is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3). Here are all of today's playoff picks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Game 707-708: LA Lakers at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 127.320; Orlando 131.783
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 4 1/2; 211
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 3; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3); Over
NBA LONG SHEET
Thursday, June 11
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LA LAKERS (79 - 24) at ORLANDO (72 - 32) - 6/11/2009, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 62-42 ATS (+15.8 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 43-34 ATS (+5.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
ORLANDO is 56-39 ATS (+13.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
ORLANDO is 41-21 ATS (+17.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
ORLANDO is 48-31 ATS (+13.9 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ORLANDO is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 110-93 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
LA LAKERS are 58-40 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-4 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Thursday, June 11
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LA LAKERS (79 - 24) at ORLANDO (72 - 32) - 6/11/2009, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 62-42 ATS (+15.8 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 43-34 ATS (+5.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
ORLANDO is 56-39 ATS (+13.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
ORLANDO is 41-21 ATS (+17.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
ORLANDO is 48-31 ATS (+13.9 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ORLANDO is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 110-93 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
LA LAKERS are 58-40 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-4 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NBA WRITE-UP
Thursday, June 11
NBA Finals
If you take away Orlando's 3-point shots in Game 3, they shot 70% on the night from the floor, an amazing number, and also got to line thirty times (23-30). That said, they only won by four on night when Bryant was just 11-25 from floor, 5-10 from line. Lakers shot 51% from floor, their best figure of series, but Odom was just 4-6 from floor, after he had scored almost at will in games at Staples Center. Tuesday was Orlando's first-ever Finals win (1-6). So far in series, Orlando's shooting has gone up from 29.9% to 41.8% to 62.5%- had Lee made the layup at end of Game 2, this might be different-looking series right now.
Thursday, June 11
NBA Finals
If you take away Orlando's 3-point shots in Game 3, they shot 70% on the night from the floor, an amazing number, and also got to line thirty times (23-30). That said, they only won by four on night when Bryant was just 11-25 from floor, 5-10 from line. Lakers shot 51% from floor, their best figure of series, but Odom was just 4-6 from floor, after he had scored almost at will in games at Staples Center. Tuesday was Orlando's first-ever Finals win (1-6). So far in series, Orlando's shooting has gone up from 29.9% to 41.8% to 62.5%- had Lee made the layup at end of Game 2, this might be different-looking series right now.
Trend Report
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9:00 PM
LA LAKERS vs. ORLANDO
LA Lakers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers are 18-6 SU in their last 24 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 6-18 SU in their last 24 games when playing LA Lakers
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9:00 PM
LA LAKERS vs. ORLANDO
LA Lakers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers are 18-6 SU in their last 24 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 6-18 SU in their last 24 games when playing LA Lakers
MLB DUNKEL
Cincinnati at Washington
The Nationals look to avoid the sweep today and take advantage of Cincinnati's 1-4 record in Micah Owings' last 5 starts as a road underdog. Washington is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Nats favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-130). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 15.674; Florida (Miller) 14.173
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+110); Under
Game 903-904: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.530; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.541
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-185); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-185); Over
Game 905-906: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 14.408; Houston (Ortiz) 15.392
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Under
Game 907-908: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.680; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 16.622
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-185); Under
Game 909-910: San Francisco at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.731; Arizona (Scherzer) 14.875
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-150); Under
Game 911-912: Cincinnati at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 14.134; Washington (Lannan) 14.518
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Washington (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-130); Under
Game 913-914: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.098; NY Mets (Redding) 15.611
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+105); Under
Game 915-916: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 15.890; White Sox (Floyd) 14.612
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under
Game 917-918: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.618; Oakland (Cahill) 16.514
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Over
Game 919-920: Kansas City at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 14.878; Cleveland (Sowers) 14.282
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-140); Over
Game 921-922: LA Angels at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.681; Tampa Bay (Price) 15.039
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+140); Under
Game 923-924: Seattle at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Olson) 14.588; Baltimore (Uehara) 15.192
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-155); Under
Game 925-926: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.161; Boston (Penny) 16.974
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+145); Under
Game 927-928: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 14.911; Texas (Millwood) 15.830
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-160); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-160); Over
Cincinnati at Washington
The Nationals look to avoid the sweep today and take advantage of Cincinnati's 1-4 record in Micah Owings' last 5 starts as a road underdog. Washington is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Nats favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-130). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 15.674; Florida (Miller) 14.173
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+110); Under
Game 903-904: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.530; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.541
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-185); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-185); Over
Game 905-906: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 14.408; Houston (Ortiz) 15.392
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Under
Game 907-908: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.680; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 16.622
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-185); Under
Game 909-910: San Francisco at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.731; Arizona (Scherzer) 14.875
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-150); Under
Game 911-912: Cincinnati at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 14.134; Washington (Lannan) 14.518
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Washington (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-130); Under
Game 913-914: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.098; NY Mets (Redding) 15.611
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+105); Under
Game 915-916: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 15.890; White Sox (Floyd) 14.612
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under
Game 917-918: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.618; Oakland (Cahill) 16.514
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Over
Game 919-920: Kansas City at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 14.878; Cleveland (Sowers) 14.282
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-140); Over
Game 921-922: LA Angels at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.681; Tampa Bay (Price) 15.039
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+140); Under
Game 923-924: Seattle at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Olson) 14.588; Baltimore (Uehara) 15.192
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-155); Under
Game 925-926: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.161; Boston (Penny) 16.974
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+145); Under
Game 927-928: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 14.911; Texas (Millwood) 15.830
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-160); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-160); Over
Thursday, June 11
Hot Pitchers
-- Vazquez is 2-2, 3.35 in his last six starts, but Braves scored total of only four runs in his last three outings. Pirates are 5-2 in Maholm's road starts this season.
-- Dempster is 1-0, 2.07 in his last two starts.
-- Brewers won last three Gallardo starts (2-0, 0.84). Cook is 2-2, 3.10 in his last four starts.
-- Lannan has 2.57 RA in his last two starts, but Nationals are 1-10 if they give him less than seven runs.
-- Moyer is 1-0, 2.07 in his last two starts, but allowed 12 runs in eight IP in two starts against the Mets this year.
-- Jackson is 5-1, 1.79 in his last six starts. Floyd is 2-1, 2.12 in his last four starts.
-- Blackburn is 3-0, 1.67 in his last four starts. Cahill has 3.25 RA in his last four starts.
-- Sowers is 0-4, 7.20 in four starts this season.
-- Santana has 1.17 RA in two road starts. Price is 1-0, 3.68 in his three starts, but hasn't finished sixth inning in any of them.
-- Sabathia is 4-0, 2.68 in his last six starts.
-- Millwood is 1-0, 2.89 in his last three starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Miller is 1-1, 5.63 in his last three starts. Wellemeyer is 0-2, 7.43 in his last two starts.
-- Ortiz has 5.82 RA in his four starts this season.
-- Owings is 0-3, 6.86 in his last four starts.
-- Sanchez is 0-5, 7.77 in his five road starts this season. Scherzer is 0-2, 4.66 in two '09 starts against the Giants.
-- Redding is 0-2, 8.59 in his last three starts.
-- Greinke is 0-1, 8.25 in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs, after he had allowed total of eight runs in his first ten starts.
-- Orioles lost six of last seven Uehara starts. Mariners are 0-3 if Olson starts (0-1, 5.19).
-- Romero is 1-2, 7.16 in his last three starts.
-- Penny is 0-2, 6.17 in his last couple starts.
Hot Teams
-- Braves won seven of their last eleven home games.
-- Marlins won seven of their last eleven home games.
-- Phillies won nine of their last twelve games. Mets won 12 of their last 16 home games.
-- Cubs won four of their last six games. Astros won seven of their last ten games.
-- Rockies won their last seven games, scoring 50 runs.
-- Giants are 11-4 in their last fifteen games.
-- Angels are 9-6 in their last fifteen road games. .
-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine games.
-- Blue Jays won four of their last five games.
-- Tigers won five of their last six games.
-- A's won seven of their last nine games, but lost last two.
Cold Teams
-- Nationals lost 11 of their last 13 games. Reds lost eight of their last eleven road games.
-- Cardinals lost five of their last six games.
-- Pirates lost four of their last six games.
-- Brewers lost their last three games, 8-7/3-2/4-2.
-- Arizona is 5-12 in its last seventeen home games.
-- Rays lost three of their last four games.
-- Bronx is 0-7 against the Red Sox this season.
-- Rangers lost their last three home games.
-- Orioles lost six of their last seven games, scoring total of twelve runs. Mariners lost 14 of their last 20 road games.
-- Royals lost ten of their last twelve games. Indians are 10-12 in their last 22 home games.
-- White Sox lost eight of their last ten games.
-- Minnesota lost 13 of its last 18 road games, but won last two.
Totals
-- Eight of last ten Cincinnati games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 4-1-2 in last seven Florida home games.
-- Three of last four games at Citi Field went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven games at Turner Field.
-- Eleven of last fourteen Cub road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3 in Milwaukee's last twelve home games.
-- Over is 10-3 in Arizona's last thirteen home games.
-- Seven of last eight games at Tropicana Field stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine games at Camden Yards stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Nine of last twelve games at Fenway Park stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Texas home games.
-- Eight of of last eleven Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Eleven of last fifteen Minnesota games stayed under the total.
Hot Pitchers
-- Vazquez is 2-2, 3.35 in his last six starts, but Braves scored total of only four runs in his last three outings. Pirates are 5-2 in Maholm's road starts this season.
-- Dempster is 1-0, 2.07 in his last two starts.
-- Brewers won last three Gallardo starts (2-0, 0.84). Cook is 2-2, 3.10 in his last four starts.
-- Lannan has 2.57 RA in his last two starts, but Nationals are 1-10 if they give him less than seven runs.
-- Moyer is 1-0, 2.07 in his last two starts, but allowed 12 runs in eight IP in two starts against the Mets this year.
-- Jackson is 5-1, 1.79 in his last six starts. Floyd is 2-1, 2.12 in his last four starts.
-- Blackburn is 3-0, 1.67 in his last four starts. Cahill has 3.25 RA in his last four starts.
-- Sowers is 0-4, 7.20 in four starts this season.
-- Santana has 1.17 RA in two road starts. Price is 1-0, 3.68 in his three starts, but hasn't finished sixth inning in any of them.
-- Sabathia is 4-0, 2.68 in his last six starts.
-- Millwood is 1-0, 2.89 in his last three starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Miller is 1-1, 5.63 in his last three starts. Wellemeyer is 0-2, 7.43 in his last two starts.
-- Ortiz has 5.82 RA in his four starts this season.
-- Owings is 0-3, 6.86 in his last four starts.
-- Sanchez is 0-5, 7.77 in his five road starts this season. Scherzer is 0-2, 4.66 in two '09 starts against the Giants.
-- Redding is 0-2, 8.59 in his last three starts.
-- Greinke is 0-1, 8.25 in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs, after he had allowed total of eight runs in his first ten starts.
-- Orioles lost six of last seven Uehara starts. Mariners are 0-3 if Olson starts (0-1, 5.19).
-- Romero is 1-2, 7.16 in his last three starts.
-- Penny is 0-2, 6.17 in his last couple starts.
Hot Teams
-- Braves won seven of their last eleven home games.
-- Marlins won seven of their last eleven home games.
-- Phillies won nine of their last twelve games. Mets won 12 of their last 16 home games.
-- Cubs won four of their last six games. Astros won seven of their last ten games.
-- Rockies won their last seven games, scoring 50 runs.
-- Giants are 11-4 in their last fifteen games.
-- Angels are 9-6 in their last fifteen road games. .
-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine games.
-- Blue Jays won four of their last five games.
-- Tigers won five of their last six games.
-- A's won seven of their last nine games, but lost last two.
Cold Teams
-- Nationals lost 11 of their last 13 games. Reds lost eight of their last eleven road games.
-- Cardinals lost five of their last six games.
-- Pirates lost four of their last six games.
-- Brewers lost their last three games, 8-7/3-2/4-2.
-- Arizona is 5-12 in its last seventeen home games.
-- Rays lost three of their last four games.
-- Bronx is 0-7 against the Red Sox this season.
-- Rangers lost their last three home games.
-- Orioles lost six of their last seven games, scoring total of twelve runs. Mariners lost 14 of their last 20 road games.
-- Royals lost ten of their last twelve games. Indians are 10-12 in their last 22 home games.
-- White Sox lost eight of their last ten games.
-- Minnesota lost 13 of its last 18 road games, but won last two.
Totals
-- Eight of last ten Cincinnati games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 4-1-2 in last seven Florida home games.
-- Three of last four games at Citi Field went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven games at Turner Field.
-- Eleven of last fourteen Cub road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-3 in Milwaukee's last twelve home games.
-- Over is 10-3 in Arizona's last thirteen home games.
-- Seven of last eight games at Tropicana Field stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine games at Camden Yards stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Nine of last twelve games at Fenway Park stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Texas home games.
-- Eight of of last eleven Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Eleven of last fifteen Minnesota games stayed under the total.
Trend Report
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12:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. FLORIDA
St. Louis is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis's last 16 games when playing Florida
Florida is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. ATLANTA
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home
2:00 PM
CHI CUBS vs. HOUSTON
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Houston is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
2:05 PM
COLORADO vs. MILWAUKEE
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Colorado
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
2:05 PM
DETROIT vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Detroit is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 11 games
3:35 PM
MINNESOTA vs. OAKLAND
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
3:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ARIZONA
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games at home
4:35 PM
CINCINNATI vs. WASHINGTON
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Washington is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
7:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. CLEVELAND
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
7:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. BALTIMORE
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games
7:08 PM
LA ANGELS vs. TAMPA BAY
LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels
7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
NY Yankees are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 9 games when playing Boston
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY METS
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
Philadelphia is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games on the road
NY Mets are 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games at home
8:05 PM
TORONTO vs. TEXAS
Toronto is 4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Toronto is 2-9-1 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Texas is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Texas is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games
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12:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. FLORIDA
St. Louis is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis's last 16 games when playing Florida
Florida is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. ATLANTA
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home
2:00 PM
CHI CUBS vs. HOUSTON
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Houston is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
2:05 PM
COLORADO vs. MILWAUKEE
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Colorado
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
2:05 PM
DETROIT vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Detroit is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 11 games
3:35 PM
MINNESOTA vs. OAKLAND
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
3:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ARIZONA
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games at home
4:35 PM
CINCINNATI vs. WASHINGTON
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Washington is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
7:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. CLEVELAND
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
7:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. BALTIMORE
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games
7:08 PM
LA ANGELS vs. TAMPA BAY
LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels
7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
NY Yankees are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 9 games when playing Boston
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY METS
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
Philadelphia is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games on the road
NY Mets are 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games at home
8:05 PM
TORONTO vs. TEXAS
Toronto is 4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Toronto is 2-9-1 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Texas is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Texas is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games
Roz Juarbe Bonus Play
(911) CINCINNATI REDS
(912) WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take "(912) WASHINGTON NATIONALS"
This isn't a bad Washington offense, one ranked 7th in the NL in scoring and 3rd in on base percentage. It's the pitching that is the problem, though for this game they have a good one going in John Lannan (3.68 ERA). Cincy is weak in all offensive categories, plus starter Micah Owings (3-7, 4.90 ERA) walks too many batters (30 in 60 innings). A good spot for the home team. Play the Nationals.
(911) CINCINNATI REDS
(912) WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take "(912) WASHINGTON NATIONALS"
This isn't a bad Washington offense, one ranked 7th in the NL in scoring and 3rd in on base percentage. It's the pitching that is the problem, though for this game they have a good one going in John Lannan (3.68 ERA). Cincy is weak in all offensive categories, plus starter Micah Owings (3-7, 4.90 ERA) walks too many batters (30 in 60 innings). A good spot for the home team. Play the Nationals.
