Announcement

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 08:05 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

Six of the best minor league prospects for the Oakland A's.......

1) Franklin Barreto, SS-- Will be 20-year old playing in AA Texas League/

2) Sean Manaea, P-- One concern is he has been hurt a lot, but he has skills.

3) Matt Chapman, 3B-- Cal State Fullerton alum could be in Oakland next year.

6) Matt Olson, 1B/OF-- Has 310 walks in 1,957 minor league plate appearances.

8) Dillon Overton, P-- Went 5-2, 3.06 in hitter-friendly Texas League. Not bad.

12) Bubba Derby, P-- San Diego State alum had 47 K's in 37 IP last year.

**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend........

13) Boston College's athletic program may make money, but on the field, its move to the ACC has been a complete debacle. Eagles are 0-16 in ACC basketball games- in football, the Eagles were 0-8 in ACC play. This is not good. Hasn't happened in one of the major conferences since World War II.

12) Up until this season, Dwight Howard had earned $144,726,223 in salary as an NBA player; assuming he makes roughly the same $21M he made last year, that puts him around $166M for his NBA career, just in salary. Not bad, so it was surprising when Howard showed his gratitude this week......by firing his agent. No bueno.

John Wall and DeAndre Jordan have also fired the same agent within last six months, claiming he doesn't do enough for them, off the court. Being an agent must be fun.

11) Burger King sells hot dogs now? Why? The two Burger Kings closest to my house both went out of business- its been a while since I've been to one. I don't have best diet in America, but if I ever go to Burger King to buy a weiner, God help me.

10) So Duke's Grayson Allen gets away with tripping two opponents on purpose and also getting a technical foul AFTER he fouled out at Louisville- Where is Coach K the educator? Shouldn't the school sit Allen down for being a total jerk? What if one of Kentucky's players did that? Media would want the book thrown at him.

I don't think the ACC should've suspended the kid, but Coach K should've stepped up and sat the kid for a game, for his own sake. But because Duke has zero despth, if they sit Allen, they're basically forfeiting that game, so you know that won't happen.

9) I'll give Duke credit for this; in their last 19 NCAA tournaments, they've been a #1 or a #2 seed 16 times- thats quite an accomplishment, to be that good for that long.

8) Dave Dombrowski replaced Ben Cherington as Red Sox GM; both are married to past or present ESPN anchors- Dombrowski to Karie Ross, Cherington to Wendi Nix. Cherington went to Amherst, a fancy school, relied heavily on analytics and new school thinking. Dombrowski went to Western Michigan, a good ol' state school!!!! Red Sox wised up and will use a more traditional approach under Dombrowski.

People who go to fancy schools should do more important stuff than running ballclubs.

7) There is such a thing as the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament- this year was the 38th one. 567 people entered and competed. Thought you'd like to know.

6) Iowa Hawkeyes lost at Ohio State Sunday, their 4th loss in five games; since it won the Big 14 tournament in 2006, Iowa is 2-9 in conference tournament games, 1-2 in NCAA tourney games. Iowa has four seniors in its nucleus- if they flop again this March, it could be a while before they're back in the NCAA tournament.

5) Wide receivers averaged 4.56 in their 40-yard dashes this week at the Combine, slowest average time in many years; not by much, but slowest nonetheless.

4) Of the top 10 college basketball teams last week, eight of them lost this week.

3) Per capita, Utah has the most plastic surgeons of any state in the country.

2) Ian Desmond gets $8M to play for the Rangers this year; they're rumored to be using him in LF. Desmond may be firing his agent soon, too.

1) Lebron James didn't play at Washington Sunday; I'd hate to be a guy who brought his kid(s) to the game (it ain't cheap) and then Lebron doesn't play because he is "resting". If he is hurt, say so. People would understand. But lot of teams utilize this tiered pricing, where it costs more to see the better teams play, and guys rest?

Without Lebron, the Cavaliers are nothing special (3-12 the last two years).

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 08:05 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, February 29

Calgary @ Philadelphia

Game 53-54
February 29, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
12.078
Philadelphia
10.986
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 1
4 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-160
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(+140); Under

Columbus @ NY Rangers

Game 55-56
February 29, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Columbus
10.890
NY Rangers
12.305
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-175
5
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-175); Under

Tampa Bay @ Toronto

Game 57-58
February 29, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
13.017
Toronto
9.243
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 4
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
N/A

Detroit @ Dallas

Game 59-60
February 29, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
11.300
Dallas
12.904
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(-145); Over

Montreal @ San Jose

Game 61-62
February 29, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
10.130
San Jose
11.577
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-170
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-170); Under

Arizona @ Pittsburgh

Game 51-52
February 29, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
11.718
Pittsburgh
10.764
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
N/A

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 08:10 AM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, February 29

Hot teams
-- Flyers won four of their last six games.
-- Rangers won four of last five games. Blue Jackets won three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay won last six games, scoring 24 goals.
-- Montreal won three of its last four games.

Cold teams
-- Arizona lost last five games, outscored 20-11. Penguins are 0-4 in game after last four wins.
-- Calgary lost seven of its last eight games.
-- Maple Leafs lost five of their last six games.
-- Dallas Stars lost five of last six games. Red Wings lost four of his last five road games.
-- San Jose lost three of its last five games.

Series records
-- Penguins are 5-3 in last eight games with Arizona.
-- Flames won their last three games with Philadelphia.
-- Rangers won their last five games with Columbus.
-- Lightning won four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Red Wings won five of last seven games with Dallas.
-- Sharks won five of last six games with Montreal.

Totals
-- Last five Arizona-Pittsburgh games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eight Calgary-Philly games stayed under total.
-- Eight of last ten Ranger-Columbus games went over total.
-- Under is 3-0 in last three games for both Tampa Bay/Toronto.
-- Four of last five Dallas-Detroit games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine San Jose-Montreal games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- Lightning won three of last four times they played night before.

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 08:12 AM

NHL

Monday, February 29

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
ARIZONA vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games

7:00 PM
CALGARY vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games
Calgary is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary

7:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. NY RANGERS
Columbus is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
Columbus is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
NY Rangers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Columbus

7:30 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. TORONTO
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay

8:30 PM
DETROIT vs. DALLAS
Detroit is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games at home
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:30 PM
MONTREAL vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing San Jose
Montreal is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 15 of San Jose's last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing Montreal

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

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 10:41 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, February 29

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

ARIZONA (27-29-0-6, 60 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (31-21-0-8, 70 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 3-2 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 3-2-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.1 Units)

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

CALGARY (26-31-0-4, 56 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (28-22-0-11, 67 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 24-16 ATS (+43.0 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-51 ATS (+85.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 229-238 ATS (-19.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-44 ATS (+67.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-19 ATS (-13.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-2 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 3-2-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.0 Units)

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

COLUMBUS (26-29-0-8, 60 pts.) at NY RANGERS (36-20-0-6, 78 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 100-63 ATS (+190.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 59-31 ATS (+15.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 42-21 ATS (+13.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 76-35 ATS (+29.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 23-6 ATS (+13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 38-33 ATS (+74.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 25-16 ATS (+43.9 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 64-73 ATS (-47.7 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 7-3 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 7-3-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.7 Units)

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

TAMPA BAY (36-22-0-4, 76 pts.) at TORONTO (21-29-0-10, 52 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-4 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 6-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

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

DETROIT (31-20-0-11, 73 pts.) at DALLAS (38-19-0-6, 82 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 36-21 ATS (+12.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 112-70 ATS (+24.5 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
DETROIT is 18-8 ATS (+27.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 2-9 ATS (-10.9 Units) in home games in February games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 13-18 ATS (-12.2 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-2 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 3-2-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.0 Units)

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

MONTREAL (30-27-0-5, 65 pts.) at SAN JOSE (33-22-0-6, 72 pts.) - 2/29/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 5-15 ATS (-12.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SAN JOSE is 140-100 ATS (+7.1 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
MONTREAL is 34-17 ATS (+12.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 68-55 ATS (+123.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 10-16 ATS (-18.3 Units) in February games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 15-20 ATS (-20.3 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 150-129 ATS (-58.7 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 10-17 ATS (-18.4 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 10-15 ATS (-17.7 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 3-9 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
SAN JOSE is 33-35 ATS (-19.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 23-26 ATS (-21.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 4-1 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 4-1-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.3 Units)

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

**Udog** · 02-29-2016, 02:27 PM

Five steps to safely bet MLB Spring Training action

There is almost zero consistency in Spring Training, so when you start to see a pattern – winning or losing – jump on it.

Betting MLB Spring Training is right up there with eating that week-old slice of pizza at the back of your fridge and lending your car to that sweet girl with the tramp stamp you met at the bar last night (she said she had to pick up her aunt from the hospital) – not the best idea.

But for those of you dealing with massive intestinal discomfort or the ones describing your 1997 Isuzu Trooper to the local police, you know that sometimes you just can’t help yourself.

If you are going to bet on Cactus and Grapefruit League action this spring, at least follow these guidelines.

Do your homework

Like betting any preseason sport, you have to know what the gameplan is before even thinking of putting your hard-earned coin on the line. Read, read and read some more.

“One advantage that bettors have in these exhibition games is information,” Covers Expert Matt Fargo says. “Similar to NFL preseason games where coaches give out their player rotations and game plans, managers in baseball are very up front on how long starters will be pitching for and what sort of lineups they are going with.”

Listen to what the manager is hoping to accomplish this spring: Is he working in prospects or trying to sure up the rotation? And study up on key players and how they approach spring ball: Do they pace themselves in March or come out swinging? We hate to sound like a public service announcement, but “The more you know…”

Start cautiously

The first few games of spring training might as well be a high school science fair. Managers are experimenting with lineups and rotations, mixing this guy with that guy and swapping bodies like he’s rolling out hockey lines. A new managers are working with players for the first time, still getting an idea of how to best use their talents.

Players are also a tough read in the opening slate of exhibition games. Some guys are easing into the action, others are battling for positions, and others are just trying to stay healthy. Keep an ear to the base paths or sit back and watch how a manager is treating the first weeks of spring ball.

Find the right pitching matchups

As Spring Training marches on, starting pitchers take on more and more work. Guys will go at least five innings, giving you a pretty good idea of what to expect from the staff. The best situation is when you have an ace matched up against a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, or a young prospect trying to break into the bigs. Managers aren’t quick to change up pitchers in the spring, even if a guy is getting hammered.

Betting the “better” team

Roster depth and a surplus of talent can go a long way in Spring Training. Since veterans tend to limit themselves in the exhibition slate, knowing who’s behind them is imperative to betting spring baseball.

A talent-loaded lineup can make up for the absence of one or two big bats, while a shallow roster struggles without those elite hitters at the plate. It’s the reason baseball bettors see many of the same clubs excelling spring after spring.

Ride hot teams, fade cold ones

There is almost zero consistency in Spring Training, so when you start to see a pattern – winning or losing – jump on it. Managers couldn’t care less about the results, so don’t expect them to rush to right the ship if their club struggles in the spring. And if a team is winning, the skip must be doing something right and will only tweak minor details.

Announcement

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 2/29

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 2/29

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