Announcement

**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 08:29 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- White Sox have been outscored 20-7 in the first inning this year.

-- La'el Collins gets a guaranteed three-year deal from the Cowboys, who get a real good prospect without spending a draft pick.

-- Seven of Joc Pederson's last eight hits have been home runs.

-- Mets are 18-10; their AAA team in Las Vegas has won 14 in a row, when is a big league team going to hire Wally Backman as its manager?

-- Mike Fiers struck out the side on nine pitches in the fourth inning; that does not happen very much.

-- Astros 3, Angels 2-- Houston scored three in ninth to stun Halos. In 71 games the last three nights, in only four games did the winning run score after the sixth inning. Three of those four were Angel games.

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Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here........

13) My last comment on DeflateGate; there are too many rules in this world and this is a perfect example of that. Let teams have as much as air as they want in the damn ball-- only footballs that need to be monitored are ones used for the kicking game, both punts and kicks. Otherwise, there should be no rule.

12) Staying in Boston, the Red Sox fired their pitching coach, as GM covers his own butt for the lousy pitching staff he put together. Instead of paying Rick Porcello $20M a year, how about paying Jon Lester while they had him?

11) Alex Rodriguez hit his 661st homer Thursday, passing Willie Mays for 4th on the all-time list. Think he's gotten that $6M check yet?

10) Random stat (from Chris Komka of Comcast Chicago): of all the guys in MLB history who hit 500+ homers, these three had the most plate appearances before hitting their first homer:
1) Mel Ott, 129......2) Reggie Jackson 112....3) Alex Rodriguez 108

9) Pirates are 13-15; in 10 of those 28 games, their hitters haven't drawn any walks. No other team has more than four games like that.

8) Florida hired Michael White from Louisiana Tech as its new hoop coach; his profile resembles Billy Donovan's from 20 years ago, except his dad is AD at Duke and his brother is AD at Buffalo. White was 83-24 the last three years at Tech but never made the NCAA tournament. He has very big shoes to fill.

7) Gregg Popovich makes $11M a year?!?!?! Damn, for that much he should not complain about doing interviews after the first or third quarters. TV helps write those big paychecks, after all.

6) Everett Golson is going to transfer from Notre Dame and is eligible to play this fall; this is a kid who led Notre Dame to the national title game vs Alabama as a freshman in 2012, but had fallen out of favor since. It is a fickle world.

5) Top three college baseball teams in latest rankings:
1) LSU...... 2) Texas A&M.....3) Louisville

4) John Wall has five non-displaced fractures in his left hand/wrist; x-rays taken after Monday's game revealed no fractures, but they're there. His status for Game 3 is still unclear, but his hand is still really swollen. I'm guessing the term "pain tolerance" will make an appearance fairly soon.

3) Teams whose pitchers walk more batters than they strike out in a game are 7-45 so far this season. It is important to throw strikes.

2) This fall will be the Cleveland Browns' 17th season since returning to the NFL; in the first 16 years, they were 1-0 once, in 2004, when they won 20-3 over the Ravens, who used to play in Cleveland. They lost their other fifteen season openers- their opener this year is against the Jets in Swamp Stadium

1) If the NFL suspends Tom Brady for the season opener, will NBC ask for a different Thursday night game to open its season with? Steelers-Patriots does not have the same marquee value if Jimmy Garoppolo is the Pats' QB.

**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 08:33 AM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 8

Washington held Rangers to one goal in winning Games 3-4; under is 3-0-1 this series. Caps won 78 of 125 faceoffs last two games. Under is 7-1-1 in Ranger playoff games, 7-2-2 in Washington's games. Capitals are 22-23 killing penalties in playoffs; Rangers are 1-9 on power play this series. Caps won six of last eight games overall. Rangers outshot Washington 51-26 in first period in series, then were outshot 87-75 in periods 2-3. New York has to win or series is over- they're 3-2 in last five games at home, Washington is 2-3 in last five on the road.

Home side won 11 of last 13 Calgary-Anaheim games, with Ducks 2-4 in last six games played in Saddledome- eight of last 11 series games went over. Calgary survived bad call that disallowed tying goal, tied game anyway with 0:19 left to play, then sent fans home happy 4:24 into OT with winning goal. Ducks are now 6-1 in playoffs, won ten of last 13 games overall- they won three of last four road games, but how will they react after first playoff loss? Both sides had only 21 shots in Game 3, even with Calgary having six power plays. Flames are 1-12 on power play in series, Anaheim is 2-10.

Home teams are 9-6 in this round of playoffs; under is 7-6-2.

2015 NHL playoffs
Washington vs NY Rangers
Wash 2-1, +$143, U5
NYR 3-2, -$174, N5
Wash 1-0, +$105, U5
Wash 2-1, -$107, U5

Tampa Bay vs Montreal
TB 2-1 OT, +$107, U5
TB 6-2, +$125, O5
TB 2-1, -$144, U5
Mtl 6-2, +$134, O5

Calgary vs Anaheim
Ana 6-1, -$190, O5.5
Ana 3-0, -$215, U5.5
Cal 4-3 OT, +$106, O5.5

Minnesota vs Chicago
Chi 4-3, -$135, O5
Chi 4-1, -$137, N5
Chi 1-0, +$134, U5
Chi 4-3, +$105, O5
Blackhawks win series, 4-0

NHL

Friday, May 8

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY RANGERS
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
NY Rangers are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games

9:30 PM
ANAHEIM vs. CALGARY
Anaheim is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Calgary is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Anaheim

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**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 08:35 AM

NHL

Friday, May 8

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Friday's NHL Playoffs betting cheat sheet
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Washington Capitals at New York Rangers (-166, 4.5)
Capitals lead series 3-1

The Washington Capitals are in command of their Eastern Conference semifinal series and can close out the host New York Rangers in Game 5 on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Rookie Andre Burakovsky scored both goal to lift the Capitals to a 2-1 victory in Game 4, giving the Capitals a 3-1 series lead and putting the Presidents' Trophy winners on the brink of elimination.

"It's tough times. We have to stick together," New York forward Rick Nash said. "We need that one win, that's it. Worry about the next game at home in front of our home fans." The punchless Rangers have scored twice in their three losses and extended their NHL record with their 11th consecutive one-goal decision dating to last season. Washington is understandably wary of looking ahead after getting knocked out of the postseason by New York in 2012 and 2013 and blowing a 3-1 series lead in falling to Montreal in 2009-10. "We've got to get one more win," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "That next win is going to be hard to come by."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVA

LINE HISTORY: The Rangers opened as -160 favorites before shifting to -166. The total has remained 4.5 since open.

INJURY REPORT: Capitals - RW Eric Fehr (Ques-Upper Body) Rangers - N/A

ABOUT THE CAPITALS: The 20-year-old Burakovsky found his way into the lineup after Eric Fehr was injured in Game 3 of the first round against the New York Islanders and picked the opportune time to end a goalless drought of nearly three months. The 2013 first-round draft pick tied the score with 3 1/2 minutes left in the second period before beating childhood idol Henrik Lundqvist 24 seconds into the third period for his first two tallies since Feb. 15. "The elements are there of a very competitive, talented young player who's got speed and skill and awareness and a lot courage," Trotz said of Burakovsky. "He's got a lot of confidence. I don't know what the ceiling is for a player like that."

ABOUT THE RANGERS: New York not only owned the league's top overall record but also the best mark on the road before dropping both games in Washington, scoring a combined one goal and seeing its offensive ineptitude peak when Carl Hagelin was denying on a penalty shot in the third period. "This team works really hard and prepares really hard to win every game," captain Ryan McDonagh said. "And when it doesn't happen it's not a good feeling. At the same time this series isn't over and our season isn't over so we've got to control what we can." The Rangers have been a tough out in front of their home fans - they have won a record eight straight at Madison Square Garden when facing elimination.

TRENDS:

*Capitals are 13-3 in their last 16 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
*Rangers are 23-11 in their last 34 home games.
*Under is 28-13-11 in the last 52 meetings.
*Under is 6-0-1 in Rangers last 7 overall.

Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames (+128, 5.5)
Ducks lead series 2-1

After producing very little punch in the first two contests, the Calgary Flames showed in Game 3 that they don't plan on going down without a fight in their Western Conference semifinal series. Calgary now looks to even the matchup when it hosts the top-seeded Anaheim Ducks for Game 4 on Friday.

The Flames were outclassed in the opening pair of games, scoring just one goal while allowing a total of nine as their losing streak at Honda Center reached 21 games (0-16-5). Calgary was on the verge of going down 0-3 in the series before doing the unthinkable, as Calder Trophy finalist Johnny Gaudreau scored a power-play goal with 20 seconds remaining in the third period to forge a 3-3 tie before Mikael Backlund tallied 4:24 into overtime to hand Anaheim its first loss this postseason. The Ducks elected to regroup from the stunning setback with a trip to the Alberta resort town of Banff during the two-day break between games, something that was appreciated by the players. "It was pretty nice," defenseman Cam Fowler said. "It's not every day you get the chance during a playoff series to kind of come out to a place like this and unwind a little bit. I thought it was a great thing for our team."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, RSN, TVA

LINE HISTORY: The Flames opened as +122 before moving to +128. The opening total of 5.5 has not moved.

INJURY REPORT: Ducks - N/A Flames - C Lance Bouma (Prob-Upper Body), C Paul Byron (Ques-Lower body), Michael Ferland (Ques-Upper Body)

ABOUT THE DUCKS: Despite the outcome on Tuesday, Corey Perry and captain Ryan Getzlaf continued their torrid pace this postseason as the former scored his sixth goal while the latter notched a pair of assists. Perry entered Thursday leading the league in playoff scoring with 14 points and Getzlaf was right behind his teammate with 12. Matt Beleskey - who failed to record a point in the first-round sweep of Winnipeg - has picked up his play, registering a goal in each of the first three games versus Calgary.

ABOUT THE FLAMES: Captain Mark Giordano was encouraged after Thursday's practice, as he absorbed his highest amount of contact since suffering a torn biceps tendon in late February. However, the defenseman understands he still is nowhere close to returning to the lineup. "It's still pretty early with this type of injury, so we've got to be smart about it," Giordano said. "It seems like every day is getting better and better, so it's been all positive." Coach Bob Hartley, whose team is 4-0 at home this postseason, was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for the first time in his career.

TRENDS:

*Home team is 43-10 in the last 53 meetings.
*Ducks are 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
*Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Calgary.
*Under is 4-0 in Flames last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.

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**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 09:51 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Friday, May 8

Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames

Game 7-8
May 8, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim Ducks
11.961
Calgary Flames
12.964
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary Flames
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim Ducks
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary Flames
(+130); Under

Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers

Game 5-6
May 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington Capita
13.015
New York Rangers
10.246
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington Capita
by 3
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York Rangers
-175
4 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington Capita
(+155); Under

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, May 8

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WASHINGTON (52-29-0-12, 116 pts.) at NY RANGERS (58-26-0-7, 123 pts.) - 5/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 58-33 ATS (+23.0 Units) in all games this season.
NY RANGERS are 38-18 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 28-11 ATS (+9.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
NY RANGERS are 27-14 ATS (+9.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 30-23 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY RANGERS are 130-127 ATS (-63.7 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 168-200 ATS (-116.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 12-10 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 12-10-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.5 Units)

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ANAHEIM (57-24-0-8, 122 pts.) at CALGARY (50-34-0-7, 107 pts.) - 5/8/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 50-41 ATS (-2.4 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 29-23 ATS (-1.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
CALGARY is 27-11 ATS (+15.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CALGARY is 24-13 ATS (+37.0 Units) after a division game this season.
CALGARY is 16-8 ATS (+25.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 57-32 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 33-17 ATS (+8.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 45-23 ATS (+11.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 196-148 ATS (+23.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 18-9 ATS (+6.9 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
ANAHEIM is 31-18 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 222-206 ATS (+444.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 10-5 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 10-5-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.5 Units)

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**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 10:16 AM

NHL

Friday, May 8

Unders galore as Holtby playing out of his mind

If there is one reason to believe in the Washington Capitals, it's Braden Holtby. In the 10 games Holtby has started for the Caps this postseason (missed one start), he has posted a .950 save percentage and has only allowed 15 goals.

Specifically against the New York Rangers, Holtby has only allowed five goals through four games in the series.

The red-hot goaltender is also a big reason why Washington is a red-hot under play, with the team going 1-7-2 over/under with Holtby in nets.

Currently, the total for Game 5 Friday is 4.5.

**Udog** · 05-08-2015, 12:45 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, May 8

Eastern Conference Semifinals - Best of 7-Game 5 - Wash Leads 3-1

Washington at New York Rangers, 7:05 ET
Washington: 4-12 SU after covering 4 of their last 5 SU
New York Rangers: 12-2 against the money line (+9.3 Units) after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games

Western Conference Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 4 - ANA Leads 2-1

Anaheim at Calgary, 9:05 ET
Anaheim: 22-32 against the money line (-17.7 Units) after scoring 3 goals or more in 5 straight games
Calgary: 12-3 against the money line (+9.2 Units) in home games off a win against a division rival

Announcement

Friday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 5/8

Friday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 5/8

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