WNBA LONG SHEET
Thursday, August 20
SAN ANTONIO (11 - 13) at ATLANTA (13 - 11) - 8/20/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 2-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (19 - 5) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 18) - 8/20/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 71-97 ATS (-35.7 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 39-62 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 48-29 ATS (+16.1 Units) on Thursday since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Thursday, August 20
SAN ANTONIO (11 - 13) at ATLANTA (13 - 11) - 8/20/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 2-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (19 - 5) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 18) - 8/20/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 71-97 ATS (-35.7 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 39-62 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 48-29 ATS (+16.1 Units) on Thursday since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Matt Fargo
GAME: Minnesota Twins @ Texas Rangers Aug 20, 2009 8:05PM
PICK: over 10
REASON FOR PICK: The first two games of this series flew over the total while Wednesday resulted in a push and this is probably the best opportunity to see even more runs. We have seen an average of 12.3 rpg through the first three games and with the output of this series, the ‘Over’ is 10-5-1 in the last 16 meetings with those winners producing 13.7 rpg. Both teams have been hitting the ball very well of late as Minnesota is hitting .299 over its last 10 games while the Rangers are hitting .301 over that same span. Both bullpens have been fairly solid this season but both have been logging a lot of innings over their recent games so anything after the subpar starters could even cause more problems. For the Twins, no starter has gone past 5.1 innings over the last five games and for the Rangers, the bullpen has been called in prior to the end of the seventh inning in seven consecutive games. Minnesota sends Anthony Swarzak to the hill and he has had a rough season with a 5.87 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in his 11 starts. His numbers are actually better on the road but those are offset with his nighttime starts as he is 1-4 with a 7.80 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in seven starts. He has a putrid 18.00 ERA and 3.25 WHIP over his last three outings. He will be opposed by Derek Holland who has been up and down this season and while that has been mostly up of late, he has struggled at home for the majority of the year. He has a 6.14 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in seven starts at Ranger Ballpark with only two of those starts being quality outings. His numbers at night rival those of Swarzak as he has a 5.35 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 11 starts under the lights. The ‘Over’ is 11-1-1 in the Twins last 13 road games and they are hitting a solid .291 against left-handed pitching over the last 11 games. 3* Over Minnesota Twins/Texas Rangers
GAME: Minnesota Twins @ Texas Rangers Aug 20, 2009 8:05PM
PICK: over 10
REASON FOR PICK: The first two games of this series flew over the total while Wednesday resulted in a push and this is probably the best opportunity to see even more runs. We have seen an average of 12.3 rpg through the first three games and with the output of this series, the ‘Over’ is 10-5-1 in the last 16 meetings with those winners producing 13.7 rpg. Both teams have been hitting the ball very well of late as Minnesota is hitting .299 over its last 10 games while the Rangers are hitting .301 over that same span. Both bullpens have been fairly solid this season but both have been logging a lot of innings over their recent games so anything after the subpar starters could even cause more problems. For the Twins, no starter has gone past 5.1 innings over the last five games and for the Rangers, the bullpen has been called in prior to the end of the seventh inning in seven consecutive games. Minnesota sends Anthony Swarzak to the hill and he has had a rough season with a 5.87 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in his 11 starts. His numbers are actually better on the road but those are offset with his nighttime starts as he is 1-4 with a 7.80 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in seven starts. He has a putrid 18.00 ERA and 3.25 WHIP over his last three outings. He will be opposed by Derek Holland who has been up and down this season and while that has been mostly up of late, he has struggled at home for the majority of the year. He has a 6.14 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in seven starts at Ranger Ballpark with only two of those starts being quality outings. His numbers at night rival those of Swarzak as he has a 5.35 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 11 starts under the lights. The ‘Over’ is 11-1-1 in the Twins last 13 road games and they are hitting a solid .291 against left-handed pitching over the last 11 games. 3* Over Minnesota Twins/Texas Rangers
Scott Rickenbach
GAME: Philadelphia Eagles @ Indianapolis Colts Aug 20, 2009 8:00PM
PICK: Indianapolis Colts
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Rickenbach’s NFL Pre-Season Free Pick Opinion Play: Consider a small play on the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (+) vs Philadelphia on Thursday, August 20th at 8 PM ET: Consider a small play on the COLTS in this match-up. We faded the Eagles right here last week (and it paid off) as Philadelphia lost outright to the Patriots as a small favorite. Once again, in Week Two, the Eagles are favored and, once again, we’ll grab the value with the points on the other side! As noted last week, the Eagles training camp has already been ravaged by injuries. First it was linebacker Stewart Bradley (a starter!) and rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram. They were each lost to season-ending ACL injuries. Now, more recently, QB Kevin Kolb and defensive end Trent Cole were each lost to injury and already missed the pre-season opener. It’s truly a mess in Philly but, as of Tuesday morning, they’re still laying three points in this match-up. That’s offering a lot of line value to the Colts.
We expect this line value to hold until game time because the Eagles have covered the number in Game Two of the preseason ten straight times! This will certainly get some people’s attention and that will result in an “overlay” on the Eagles! Keep in mind, current situational edges are more important than trend data! As for the Colts, they were very disappointed with how their offensive line played in Game One. They should be healthier for Game Two (as well as fired up) after the 13-3 loss they took last week. Note that the Eagles scored 25 points last week so, even though they lost, you can see that it’s the Vikings offense that is likely to be the much hungrier unit entering this game. The Eagles Andy Reid is now 15-26 in preseason action after last week’s loss. Consider a small play on the COLTS on Thursday evening. Thanks for checking in here and best of luck always in all your sports gaming from Scott Rickenbach!
GAME: Philadelphia Eagles @ Indianapolis Colts Aug 20, 2009 8:00PM
PICK: Indianapolis Colts
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Rickenbach’s NFL Pre-Season Free Pick Opinion Play: Consider a small play on the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (+) vs Philadelphia on Thursday, August 20th at 8 PM ET: Consider a small play on the COLTS in this match-up. We faded the Eagles right here last week (and it paid off) as Philadelphia lost outright to the Patriots as a small favorite. Once again, in Week Two, the Eagles are favored and, once again, we’ll grab the value with the points on the other side! As noted last week, the Eagles training camp has already been ravaged by injuries. First it was linebacker Stewart Bradley (a starter!) and rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram. They were each lost to season-ending ACL injuries. Now, more recently, QB Kevin Kolb and defensive end Trent Cole were each lost to injury and already missed the pre-season opener. It’s truly a mess in Philly but, as of Tuesday morning, they’re still laying three points in this match-up. That’s offering a lot of line value to the Colts.
We expect this line value to hold until game time because the Eagles have covered the number in Game Two of the preseason ten straight times! This will certainly get some people’s attention and that will result in an “overlay” on the Eagles! Keep in mind, current situational edges are more important than trend data! As for the Colts, they were very disappointed with how their offensive line played in Game One. They should be healthier for Game Two (as well as fired up) after the 13-3 loss they took last week. Note that the Eagles scored 25 points last week so, even though they lost, you can see that it’s the Vikings offense that is likely to be the much hungrier unit entering this game. The Eagles Andy Reid is now 15-26 in preseason action after last week’s loss. Consider a small play on the COLTS on Thursday evening. Thanks for checking in here and best of luck always in all your sports gaming from Scott Rickenbach!
Frank Jordan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
Play: Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia lost at home to New England by a tough margin of 27-25. Indianapolis also lost at home to the Vikings 13-3. These games are meaningless in every way except to those fans paying full price, the last few guys trying to make the roster and the people betting on the game. In this one look for the Colts first team offense to put some points on the board and getting three send the fans home relatively happy. Play Indy
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
Play: Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia lost at home to New England by a tough margin of 27-25. Indianapolis also lost at home to the Vikings 13-3. These games are meaningless in every way except to those fans paying full price, the last few guys trying to make the roster and the people betting on the game. In this one look for the Colts first team offense to put some points on the board and getting three send the fans home relatively happy. Play Indy
Jeff Hochman
Florida Marlins vs. Houston Astros (MLB)
Play: Florida Marlins -116
When Josh Johnson pitched at Dodger stadium I witnessed one of the best young hurlers to take the bump every fifth day. The Marlins are 18-6 when Johnson starts, and he has matched his career high for wins in a season with 12. He should be a household name by next year. His 140 K's, 40 BB in 161.1 innings pitched is stellar. Check out his career record---31-13 with a 3.28 ERA. The Marlins are hitting .308 vs. left-handed starters for the past two weeks and Wandy Rodriguez has a 6.68 ERA in his last 3 starts. Will the Marlins reach DD hits for the 16th straight time? I think so. Go Fish!
Florida Marlins vs. Houston Astros (MLB)
Play: Florida Marlins -116
When Josh Johnson pitched at Dodger stadium I witnessed one of the best young hurlers to take the bump every fifth day. The Marlins are 18-6 when Johnson starts, and he has matched his career high for wins in a season with 12. He should be a household name by next year. His 140 K's, 40 BB in 161.1 innings pitched is stellar. Check out his career record---31-13 with a 3.28 ERA. The Marlins are hitting .308 vs. left-handed starters for the past two weeks and Wandy Rodriguez has a 6.68 ERA in his last 3 starts. Will the Marlins reach DD hits for the 16th straight time? I think so. Go Fish!
EZWINNERS
Game: Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays
(967) Boston Red Sox -157
(Listing Lester and Cecil)
Boston starting pitcher Jon Lester has been pitching like the ace of the staff lately, posting a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts, but has been the victim of a lack of run support as he has received no decisions in all three of those games. The Red Sox look like their bats are heating up against and they get to face Toronto's rookie lefty Brett Cecil. Cecil is making his first start in over two weeks after coming off of the DL with a knee problem. The Sox do very well against southpaws and they hammered Cecil earlier this to the tune of eight earned runs on eleven hits in only 4 2/3 innings. I expect them to provide Lester with enough run support here to pick up the win. Lester has pitched well against the Blue Jays this season posting a 2-1 record with a 2.33 ERA. I look for another solid performance by him here. Toronto is only 3-13 in their last 16 games against a left handed starter. Play on Boston.
2009 Free Selections Record 121-101 (54.5)
Game: Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays
(967) Boston Red Sox -157
(Listing Lester and Cecil)
Boston starting pitcher Jon Lester has been pitching like the ace of the staff lately, posting a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts, but has been the victim of a lack of run support as he has received no decisions in all three of those games. The Red Sox look like their bats are heating up against and they get to face Toronto's rookie lefty Brett Cecil. Cecil is making his first start in over two weeks after coming off of the DL with a knee problem. The Sox do very well against southpaws and they hammered Cecil earlier this to the tune of eight earned runs on eleven hits in only 4 2/3 innings. I expect them to provide Lester with enough run support here to pick up the win. Lester has pitched well against the Blue Jays this season posting a 2-1 record with a 2.33 ERA. I look for another solid performance by him here. Toronto is only 3-13 in their last 16 games against a left handed starter. Play on Boston.
2009 Free Selections Record 121-101 (54.5)
Jeff Benton
It wasn’t easy, but we squeaked out a freebie winner on the Giants over the Reds on Wednesday, so I’m now on a 27-16 run with my complimentary selections. For Thursday, I’ll play the streaking Cardinals on the run line (-1½ runs) over the Padres.
I scored a 15 Dime winner with St. Louis, which beat the Dodgers 3-2. The Redbirds are now on a 16-5 roll, going 6-2 on the road. Last weekend, they swept the Padres at home, winning all three games by multiple runs. That included a 7-4 victory on Saturday with Joel Pineiro beating San Diego’s Tim Stauffer (I backed Pineiro and the Cardinals with a 15 Dime Best Bet). Tonight, those same two pitchers go at it again, and even though the venue has switched, nothing has changed my opinion about this matchup.
Pineiro has given up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his last 13 starts, with 11 of them being quality outings. More importantly, the Cardinals are 8-0 in the right-hander’s last eight starts, with six of them being multiple-run wins. On the other hand, even though he’s pitched decently (3.50 ERA), Stauffer can’t get any run support from his team, which is 1-6 in Stauffer’s seven starts, including 0-3 at home (with the Padres scoring a total of five runs). In their last four defeats with Stauffer on the hill, San Diego has lost by scores of 13-1 (road), 9-2 (home), 5-1 (road) and 7-4 (home).
Finally, Pineiro has a 2.79 ERA in his last three starts against the Padres, while Stauffer has allowed 11 runs in 8 1/3 career innings against St. Louis (11.88 ERA). And then there’s this: The Cardinals have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Padres (including the last eight in a row) and they’re 57-20 – 57-20! – in the last 77 against San Diego. Easy call, guys: Lay the 1½ runs with the visiting Redbirds.
(based on a 1♦ to a 10♦ Rating)
5♦ ST. LOUIS (-1 1/2 runs)
It wasn’t easy, but we squeaked out a freebie winner on the Giants over the Reds on Wednesday, so I’m now on a 27-16 run with my complimentary selections. For Thursday, I’ll play the streaking Cardinals on the run line (-1½ runs) over the Padres.
I scored a 15 Dime winner with St. Louis, which beat the Dodgers 3-2. The Redbirds are now on a 16-5 roll, going 6-2 on the road. Last weekend, they swept the Padres at home, winning all three games by multiple runs. That included a 7-4 victory on Saturday with Joel Pineiro beating San Diego’s Tim Stauffer (I backed Pineiro and the Cardinals with a 15 Dime Best Bet). Tonight, those same two pitchers go at it again, and even though the venue has switched, nothing has changed my opinion about this matchup.
Pineiro has given up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his last 13 starts, with 11 of them being quality outings. More importantly, the Cardinals are 8-0 in the right-hander’s last eight starts, with six of them being multiple-run wins. On the other hand, even though he’s pitched decently (3.50 ERA), Stauffer can’t get any run support from his team, which is 1-6 in Stauffer’s seven starts, including 0-3 at home (with the Padres scoring a total of five runs). In their last four defeats with Stauffer on the hill, San Diego has lost by scores of 13-1 (road), 9-2 (home), 5-1 (road) and 7-4 (home).
Finally, Pineiro has a 2.79 ERA in his last three starts against the Padres, while Stauffer has allowed 11 runs in 8 1/3 career innings against St. Louis (11.88 ERA). And then there’s this: The Cardinals have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Padres (including the last eight in a row) and they’re 57-20 – 57-20! – in the last 77 against San Diego. Easy call, guys: Lay the 1½ runs with the visiting Redbirds.
(based on a 1♦ to a 10♦ Rating)
5♦ ST. LOUIS (-1 1/2 runs)
Jake Timlin
Go with the Rockies tonight as they finish off the Nationals with a series sweep.
With last night’s win it’s now Colorado who has won all five meetings this season and 21 of the last 27 over the Nationals who continue to be one of the worst teams in the league. Well thanks to the Rockies playing well again due to them winning 7 of their last 10 games I expect for Colorado to stay perfect against the Nationals this season thanks to another easy win tonight.
Leading the way for the Rockies tonight will be their offense that is getting production from top to bottom, including from a pair of rookies in Fowler and Gonzalez who both are presently playing light’s. Meanwhile, giving the Rockies a lift on the mound will be Hammel who has won 2 of his last 3 starts and helped lead Colorado to a 5-4 win over the Nationals in early July.
Flat out, Colorado is clearly the better team and I expect for them to continue to be the better team in this series tonight as the Rockies sweep the Nationals.
3♦ Colorado Rockies
(Based on a 1♦ to 5♦ scale)
Go with the Rockies tonight as they finish off the Nationals with a series sweep.
With last night’s win it’s now Colorado who has won all five meetings this season and 21 of the last 27 over the Nationals who continue to be one of the worst teams in the league. Well thanks to the Rockies playing well again due to them winning 7 of their last 10 games I expect for Colorado to stay perfect against the Nationals this season thanks to another easy win tonight.
Leading the way for the Rockies tonight will be their offense that is getting production from top to bottom, including from a pair of rookies in Fowler and Gonzalez who both are presently playing light’s. Meanwhile, giving the Rockies a lift on the mound will be Hammel who has won 2 of his last 3 starts and helped lead Colorado to a 5-4 win over the Nationals in early July.
Flat out, Colorado is clearly the better team and I expect for them to continue to be the better team in this series tonight as the Rockies sweep the Nationals.
3♦ Colorado Rockies
(Based on a 1♦ to 5♦ scale)
LARRY NESS
Florida Marlins @ Houston Astros
PICK: Houston Astros
The Marlins won 6-2 Tuesday night in Houston but the Astros bounced back to win 6-3 last night. The Marlins did reach 10 hits again (had 11) and have now had 10 hits or more in each the last 15 games. It's a remarkable streak which according to the Elias Sports Bureau, matches the longest streak since the St Louis Browns had one that long in 1937! However, in last night's game, the Marlins left a season-high 16 men on base, while the team committed three errors in the field. Tonight's 'rubber' game features Florida's Josh Johnson (12-2, 2.85 ERA) and Houston's Wandy Rodriguez (11-7, 3.05 ERA). Johnson has been quite special in 2009, allowing three ERs or less in 22 of his 24 starts, as the Marlins have gone 18-6 (plus-$1,122, which ranks No. 2 among all MLB starters). Rodriquez hasn't been that good but in seven starts since July 2, he had allowed one ER four times, while holding opponents to zero ERs in the other three, going 5-0 (team did lose both of his no decisions). However, in his last outing, Rodriguez inexplicably allowed 10 hits and 10 ERs in just four innings at Milwaukee, in an 11-2 loss. That was a road game though and we should note that here at Minute Maid Park, Rodriguez is 6-2 with a 1.92 ERA in 11 starts (Astros are 9-2). Going against Johnson is not easy, as since returning in July 2008 from an elbow injury that sidelined him for more than a year and required reconstructive surgery, Johnson is 19-3 in 38 starts (Marlins have gone 29-9!). However, I expect Rodriguez to rebound from his horrible last outing in Milwaukee and here at home, to out-duel Johnson. Take the Astros.
Florida Marlins @ Houston Astros
PICK: Houston Astros
The Marlins won 6-2 Tuesday night in Houston but the Astros bounced back to win 6-3 last night. The Marlins did reach 10 hits again (had 11) and have now had 10 hits or more in each the last 15 games. It's a remarkable streak which according to the Elias Sports Bureau, matches the longest streak since the St Louis Browns had one that long in 1937! However, in last night's game, the Marlins left a season-high 16 men on base, while the team committed three errors in the field. Tonight's 'rubber' game features Florida's Josh Johnson (12-2, 2.85 ERA) and Houston's Wandy Rodriguez (11-7, 3.05 ERA). Johnson has been quite special in 2009, allowing three ERs or less in 22 of his 24 starts, as the Marlins have gone 18-6 (plus-$1,122, which ranks No. 2 among all MLB starters). Rodriquez hasn't been that good but in seven starts since July 2, he had allowed one ER four times, while holding opponents to zero ERs in the other three, going 5-0 (team did lose both of his no decisions). However, in his last outing, Rodriguez inexplicably allowed 10 hits and 10 ERs in just four innings at Milwaukee, in an 11-2 loss. That was a road game though and we should note that here at Minute Maid Park, Rodriguez is 6-2 with a 1.92 ERA in 11 starts (Astros are 9-2). Going against Johnson is not easy, as since returning in July 2008 from an elbow injury that sidelined him for more than a year and required reconstructive surgery, Johnson is 19-3 in 38 starts (Marlins have gone 29-9!). However, I expect Rodriguez to rebound from his horrible last outing in Milwaukee and here at home, to out-duel Johnson. Take the Astros.
