The Bum's Sports Page For Sunday July 12th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Pirates' Hurdle, Cervelli ejected

Jul 11, 2015

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and catcher Francisco Cervelli were ejected during the second inning of Saturday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cervelli got the thumb from home plate umpire Vic Carapazza immediately after Cardinals first baseman Mark Reynolds hit a long solo home run into the left field bleachers with two outs to open the scoring.

The Pirates thought Reynolds struck out swinging on the previous pitch on a 1-2 count, but Carapazza ruled a foul tip. Video replays were clear that Reynolds swung through the pitch, but the play cannot be reviewed under Major League Baseball rules.

Cervelli vehemently argued the foul tip call. Moments after Cervelli was tossed, Hurdle was also ejected for excessive arguing.

Catcher Chris Stewart took over behind the plate for Cervelli.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (7-4) at Dream (5-7)

Date: July 12, 2015 3:00 PM EDT

The last time the New York Liberty won four straight games, they handed the Atlanta Dream a 22-point loss almost exactly four years ago.

They'll try to do it again Sunday in Atlanta, and this time the Liberty are also riding a five-game winning streak over their Eastern Conference foes.

After Thursday's 79-76 overtime win at Washington, New York (7-4) is on the doorstep of its first four-game streak since July 1-13, 2011.

That was the last Liberty team to finish over .500, but this one has the benefit of Tina Charles. Settling into her second season in New York, the center had 21 points and 10 rebounds and became the 10th-fastest player in league history to reach 3,000 points.

Her offense is down some this season at 15.6 points per game on 38.8 percent shooting, but those numbers are on the rise in the last three games with marks of 21.0 and 44.6.

Some of the scoring pressure has been alleviated by Sugar Rodgers, who scored 15 and is averaging 14.1 in her last seven after putting up 4.5 over her first four.

New York also figures to benefit from the return of Epiphanny Prince, who played her first game with the club after missing 10 while taking part in the Eurobasket 2015 tournament with Russia. The former Chicago guard had 12 points in 30 minutes off the bench.

"It feels good to finally be home, get a chance to play with my teammates, try to catch up on everything and get a smooth transition," Prince told the team's official website.

The Liberty can also move four games over .500 for the first time since the end of 2011 with a third win this season over the Dream (5-7) after winning the final three meetings of 2014. Atlanta has scored 68.5 points and shot 32.8 percent in this year's matchups while leaning heavily on Angel McCoughtry's 25.0 points per game across the series losing streak.

Atlanta sits at the bottom of the East as the only team under .500, though the conference's leaders have yet to separate themselves much with the Dream just 2 1/2 games back of second-place New York and three off Connecticut's pace.

The Dream are seeking a third win on a four-game homestand after Tuesday's 85-75 loss to Tulsa. Most of their success has come at Philips Arena with a 4-4 record, though they're averaging 73.0 points and shooting 24.1 percent from 3-point range on the homestand.

McCoughtry had her second-worst shooting effort of the season against the Shock, going 8 of 28 for 25 points, but she's averaged 25.0 and shot 40.4 percent in the last four.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 21, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW « 73 Cover: 14
ATL 64 Under: 137
Tools: Recaps

Jun 5, 2015 Score ATS Results
ATL 73 Over: 155
NEW « 82 Cover: 15.5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 3, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW « 83 Cover: 15
ATL 76 Over: 159
Tools: Recaps

Jul 16, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL 75 Under: 152
NEW « 77 Cover: 7.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 22, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL 78 Over: 163
NEW « 85 Cover: 11.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 20, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW 64 Under: 149
ATL « 85 Cover: 12
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Storm (3-11) at Mercury (7-5)

Date: July 12, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

Unlike the WNBA's crowded Eastern Conference, the West seems to be separating into two groups: three contenders and three teams with sub-.300 records that could face extremely low standards to grab the conference's final playoff spot.

That divide was on display as Phoenix beat Seattle on Friday, and the Mercury will try to further it Sunday night and complete a home-and-home sweep with their eighth straight win over the Storm.

Phoenix (7-5) started the year looking like one of the conference's lesser clubs, but the 94-79 win in Seattle gave it a four-game winning streak and pushed it four games clear of fourth-place San Antonio. The Mercury won five straight from Aug. 16-29, and the team has again taken off with Brittney Griner back in the swing of things.

The team dropped her first game back from suspension but has taken off offensively since. On the winning streak, the Mercury are averaging 89.7 points and shooting 54.3 percent, and it hasn't all been because of Griner increasing their efficiency in the post.

In the last two, they've gone 16 of 31 from 3-point range. Leilani Mitchell hit all four of her attempts against the Storm and is 9 for 12 on the streak, helping soften the blow from Diana Taurasi's decision to sit out the season.

Griner is scoring 16.7 points per game and shooting 62.5 percent in the last four, while Candice Dupree is averaging 18.0 and connecting at a 58.5 clip.

"Look, Candice is a major part of what we're trying to do," coach Sandy Brondello told the team's official website. "There's no question. She's so versatile and makes things look easy out there. Her skill-set on the offensive end of the floor is remarkable."

The Storm (3-11), meanwhile, have lost four straight and are one shy of their second five-game skid in just 11 contests.

The offensive output was an improvement for Seattle, which shot 45.6 percent after averaging 62.0 points and shooting 39.7 percent in the first three losses of the skid, but the club wasn't able to keep up with the Mercury.

"They turned up the pressure" Storm coach Jenny Boucek told the team's official website. "There are times when we don't have extra in the tank, so when these teams are going up a notch, lately we have had a hard time matching that increase. And I thought that happened here tonight. They went up a notch and we just couldn't quite get there."

Renee Montgomery had 14 points off the bench, but top scorers Crystal Langhorne and Sue Bird were again quiet. Langhorne is averaging 7.5 points on the skid, while Bird is at 8.7 on 31.7 percent shooting.

"Game by game we try to look at our opponent and figure out strengths and weaknesses and what we want to do to try to be successful," Bird said. "They are a very good team and you can't take that away from them. I think that for us to play well we just have to play a that really fast, up-tempo pace."


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 10, 2015 Score ATS Results
PHO « 94 Cover: 7
SEA 79 Over: 173
Tools: Recaps

Jun 21, 2015 Score ATS Results
PHO « 84 Cover: 9.5
SEA 72 Over: 156
Tools: Recaps

Aug 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
PHO « 78 Cover: 8
SEA 65 Under: 143
Tools:

Jul 22, 2014 Score ATS Results
PHO « 89 Cover: 11.5
SEA 71 Over: 160
Tools: Recaps

Jul 9, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA 58 Under: 136
PHO « 78 Cover: 10
Tools: Recaps

Jun 3, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA 72 Over: 159
PHO « 87 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

May 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA 64 Under: 145
PHO « 81 Cover: 7
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (7-3) at Sky (7-5)

Date: July 12, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

Although they became one of the few teams to slow Elena Delle Donne last time out, the Connecticut Sun will have to keep a closer watch on the Chicago Sky's Allie Quigley.

In the second meeting between the clubs this month, the first-place Sun will try to remain unbeaten on the road and keep the high-scoring Sky from claiming their third straight win.

Connecticut has been idle since hosting Chicago on July 2 and will look to replicate its defensive effort against Delle Donne after holding the league's scoring leader (26.9 ppg) to a season-low 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The Sun, however, didn't have an answer for Quigley, who tied a season high with 19 points. The guard scored seven in the final five minutes, including the go-ahead free throws with 15.4 seconds left as Chicago won 77-74 to even the season series.

"She was ridiculous, got ice going through her veins," Delle Donne said. "She was so clutch."

Alex Bentley finished with a career-high 25 points but went scoreless in the fourth quarter while Connecticut was outscored 19-9. The Sun (7-3) have lost back-to-back games for the first time, leaving them a half-game up on New York and one game ahead of the Sky (7-5) in the Eastern Conference.

"It is a tough loss because I felt like we had it," Connecticut coach Anne Donovan said. "We made some mistakes late in the game that we need to clean up."

Donovan's club is a league-best 4-0 on the road but has dropped its last five at Chicago.

Kelsey Bone should be able to help after missing the last meeting while serving a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul 2. Bone, averaging 14.9 points and 6.3 rebounds, finished with 14 and 12 in a 67-65 home win over the Sky on June 11.

Bentley, fifth in the WNBA at 17.1 points per game, scored 16 in that contest and Alyssa Thomas made the go-ahead free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining.

Delle Donne had 27 points that day, but Connecticut held Chicago - which averages a league-best 85.1 points - to its lowest total of the season on 36.2 percent shooting. Quigley wasn't available while she played for Hungary in the EuroBasket tournament.

While the Sun haven't played since last week's meeting, Delle Donne got back on track Friday with 24 points and 10 boards in the Sky's 90-83 home win over West-leading Minnesota. Cappie Pondexter, sixth in the league at 16.9 points per game, added 24 while Quigley struggled with two points on 1-of-5 shooting.

"Early on, we didn't find a rhythm and I thought Cappie really stepped up," coach Pokey Chatman said.

Delle Donne has averaged 31.5 points as Chicago has won three of four at Allstate Arena.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 2, 2015 Score ATS Results
CHI « 77 Under: 151
CONN 74 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 11, 2015 Score ATS Results
CHI 65 Under: 132
CONN « 67 Cover: 7
Tools: Recaps

Aug 5, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI « 82 Cover: 12
CONN 66 Under: 148
Tools: Recaps

Jun 25, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 69 Under: 148
CONN « 79 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

May 30, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 82 Over: 183
CHI « 101 Cover: 11
Tools: Recaps

May 21, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 68 Under: 146
CHI « 78 Cover: 5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Stars-Lynx Preview

The Minnesota Lynx were feeling good about their effort on the defensive end before failing to pass a big test against the league's highest-scoring team.

The WNBA-best Lynx now seem to have an opportune matchup as they try to regroup Sunday night, facing a low-scoring San Antonio Stars team which is winless on the road and looking to avoid a 14th straight loss at Minnesota.

The Lynx (8-3) had been allowing 67.8 points per game, on pace to be their lowest mark in 10 years, after holding Phoenix to 56 and Seattle to 57 in back-to-back victories.

They couldn't continue that trend Friday when they let Chicago shoot 50.8 percent and gave up a season-high point total in a 90-83 road loss that snapped their three-game winning streak. The Sky entered the contest averaging a league-high 84.6 points.

Now Minnesota hopes to bounce back against a San Antonio team that ranks near the bottom of the league with 71.9 points per game, 41.4 percent field-goal shooting and 26.2 percent from 3-point range.

The Lynx had little trouble shutting down the Stars (3-9) in the first meeting June 19, holding them to 35.5 percent shooting - including 3 of 15 from long range - in a 74-59 road win.

San Antonio has since shown improvement offensively, averaging 77.3 points in its last seven games. Sophia Young-Malcolm has been the catalyst by scoring 19.7 per game over that span.

Even though the forward finished with a season-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting Friday, the Stars fell to 0-6 on the road with an 83-76 defeat at Indiana.

Jia Perkins had a team-high 16 points in the first matchup with the Lynx, but Young-Malcolm and leading scorer Kayla McBride (14.0 ppg) were held to a combined 15 on 5-of-18 shooting. Now the Stars could be without Perkins (calf) and McBride (foot) for a third straight game.

San Antonio has dropped 11 of 12 meetings with Minnesota, including playoff series losses in 2014 and 2011. Including those games, the Stars have lost 13 in a row at the Target Center since a 74-72 win July 22, 2010.

Maya Moore totaled 42 points, 17 assists and 14 rebounds in Minnesota's two-game playoff sweep over the Stars last August. The reigning MVP is third in the league with 18.1 points per game after scoring 25 of her 29 in the second half Friday.

Moore only scored 14 in San Antonio last month while Seimone Augustus led the Lynx with 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Augustus has averaged 18.3 points in her last three matchups versus the Stars.

Anna Cruz, acquired from New York in April, could get more time after scoring six points in her Lynx debut. She missed the start of the season while playing for Spain at EuroBasket 2015.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, July 12

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NEW YORK (7 - 4) at ATLANTA (5 - 7) - 7/12/2015, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent since 1997.
ATLANTA is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW YORK is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
ATLANTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
ATLANTA is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 7-3 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-3 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CONNECTICUT (7 - 3) at CHICAGO (7 - 5) - 7/12/2015, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 112-75 ATS (+29.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
CHICAGO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-3 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 8-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SEATTLE (3 - 11) at PHOENIX (7 - 5) - 7/12/2015, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 67-94 ATS (-36.4 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 76-52 ATS (+18.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 7-4 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-4 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (3 - 9) at MINNESOTA (8 - 3) - 7/12/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 53-37 ATS (+12.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 8-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 11-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Sunday, July 12

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Trend Report
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3:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 8 games on the road
New York is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games

6:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Connecticut's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Connecticut

6:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. PHOENIX
Seattle is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 9 games
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MINNESOTA
San Antonio is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing San Antonio

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Sunday, July 12


New York @ Atlanta

Game 601-602
July 12, 2015 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
111.111
Atlanta
110.428
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 1
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 2
147
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+2); Under

Connecticut @ Chicago

Game 903-904
July 12, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
111.327
Chicago
115.290
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 4
151
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 7 1/2
157
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(+7 1/2); Under

Seattle @ Phoenix

Game 605-606
July 12, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
110.923
Phoenix
117.868
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 7
156
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 14
150
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+14); Over

San Antonio @ Minnesota

Game 607-608
July 12, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
110.523
Minnesota
121.162
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 10 1/2
153
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 15
148 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+15); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday's Tip Sheet

July 12, 2015

Phillies at Giants – 4:05 PM EST

San Francisco’s offense has finally woken up prior to the All-Star break, scoring 23 runs in the past two games as it goes for the sweep of Philadelphia this afternoon. The Giants outlasted the Phillies, 8-5 on Saturday night to cash as nearly -200 favorites, while going for its first home sweep since mid-May against the Dodgers.

Chris Heston (8-5, 3.51 ERA) is winless in his last two outings for the Giants, even though the right-hander tossed quality starts each time. San Francisco blew a 5-3 lead in the ninth inning on a walk-off homer in a 6-5 setback at Miami, while the Mets scored three runs off the Giants’ bullpen in the ninth inning of a scoreless game in Heston’s past two starts. The Giants own a 2-4 record in Heston’s last six starts at AT&T Park, with four of those games going ‘over’ the total.

The Phillies send out veteran right-hander Chad Billingsley (1-2, 6.67 ERA), who beat his former team, the Dodgers as a +245 road underdog in his past outing, 7-2. Billingsley scattered six hits and allowed two earned runs in six innings of work, while picking up his first win in five starts. The Phillies enter today’s action with a 2-5 record in road series finales when trying to avoid a sweep.

Braves at Rockies – 4:10 PM EST

Colorado started the season with a three-game sweep of Milwaukee as the Rockies try to end the first half with another sweep, this time of Atlanta. The Braves have scored just eight runs through the first three losses in this series, while dropping a 3-2 walk-off decision on Saturday. Atlanta entered this series winning seven of 10 games, but their offense hasn’t gotten going, as each of the first three games finished ‘under’ the total in this series.

Alex Wood (6-5, 3.34 ERA) lasted a whole two pitches in his last start on Thursday at Colorado, as a nearly three-hour rain delay knocked the Braves’ southpaw out. Wood hits the reset button this afternoon going for his sixth road win of the season, beating the Pirates in his last true away start as a +145 underdog, 2-1 on June 28. Wood has never pitched at Coors Field (besides Thursday), while shutting down the Rockies the last time he faced them in July 2013 at home, 11-3 as a -150 favorite.

The Rockies counter with Chad Bettis (4-4, 4.95 ERA), who looks to hit the reset button for a different reason today. The Colorado right-hander allowed 10 earned runs in less than three innings of work against the Angels in his last outing, suffering his second straight loss following a pair of impressive starts against San Francisco and Milwaukee. Bettis is making his third start in the favorite role this season, as the Rockies won the first two times in this situation against the Phillies and Brewers.

Brewers at Dodgers – 4:10 PM EST

Los Angeles heads into the All-Star break atop the NL West, looking to pad its lead with a victory in the rubber match against Milwaukee. After the Brewers blew Friday night’s game at Chavez Ravine, Milwaukee rebounded last night with a resounding 7-1 rout of Los Angeles as +135 underdogs. Rookie Taylor Jungmann tossed a complete-game for the Brewers, picking up his fourth win of the season, as Milwaukee turns to another right-hander for the series win.

Kyle Lohse (5-10, 6.29 ERA) has allowed four earned runs in each of his last three trips to the mound, while seeing his modest two-game winning streak snapped in his past outing against Atlanta. Lohse gave up 11 hits in 5.1 innings of a 5-3 home defeat as a -150 favorite, as he enters today’s game at 1-3 in his past four starts as an underdog. In the last five games that the Brewers have won with Lohse on the mound, Milwaukee has scored at least seven runs, meaning it’s tough to see them winning a pitcher’s duel.

The Dodgers have won six straight games off a loss, sending out southpaw Brett Anderson (5-5, 3.12 ERA) to the mound. Anderson lost as a heavy -270 favorite in his past outing against Philadelphia, lasting five innings in a 7-2 setback. The Dodgers fell to 6-3 in Anderson’s nine starts at Chavez Ravine this season, while two of those losses came as a favorite of -200 or higher (Phillies and Rockies). Los Angeles has won four of its past five home series finales, while holding three of those opponents to two runs or less.

Angels at Mariners – 4:10 PM EST

Seattle has taken two of the first three games of this pivotal AL West showdown with Los Angeles, capped off by last night’s 5-0 shutout. The ‘under’ cashed on Saturday following a pair of ‘overs’ in the first two contests, as the hot Angels’ offense was shut out for the first time since a May 26 home defeat to San Diego.

The Mariners have won each of Taijuan Walker’s (7-6, 4.53 ERA) last six starts, while the right-hander picked up a no-decision in his past outing against Detroit, a 7-6 win. Walker had allowed six earned runs in his previous five wins prior to giving up five earned runs in six innings to Detroit, the most runs he has allowed at home this season. The right-hander shut down the Angels in his last meeting with them in Southern California on June 26, scattering seven hits and one earned run in seven innings of a 3-1 triumph.

The Angels own an impressive 7-1 record in their last eight games off a loss, as southpaw Andrew Heaney (2-0, 1.77 ERA) looks to stay hot. Heaney has been impressive since entering the Los Angeles rotation in late June, allowing four earned runs in three starts, capped off by victories over the Yankees and Rockies in his last two outings. Heaney faces a Mariners’ squad that is just 1-9 in their last 10 home games off a home win, but that is 4-2 in its previous six home contests against southpaw starters.

[StarDust Bum]

Living it up 'Low Roller' style in downtown Las Vegas

Since I live out in the Las Vegas suburbs, a week on the Strip still feels like a Vegas vacation for me. A few times a year, I have friends visit and I decide to take a few days to live like a tourist in Sin City. Last week, I took my summer vacation and it was eye opening and fun as usual.

Thursday afternoon and evening was planned around a pretty awesome promotion at Binion’s in Downtown Vegas. Every Thursday from noon-midnight Binion’s has “Throwback Thursday” $1 blackjack. The game pays 3:2 on blackjack but you can only double on 10 and 11 and there’s no doubling after splitting. While not perfect rules, the game still has a house edge under 1 percent and is only $1 per hand. Not too shabby.

The evening started at Pizza Rock, which is just off Fremont Street on 3rd Street. They have one of the best Happy Hour deals you’ll find in Vegas from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. until close. Happy Hour food prices are between $3 for a dish of delicious meatballs to $7 for fancy personal pizzas. Craft beer is $2 off per glass from their already low prices. After a few Delirium Tremens' (my favorite beer) and a couple of meatballs and pizzas later we were ready to get a night of low rolling underway.

I love a night of low rolling because it’s cheap and fun with a little gambling to add to the excitement. Make no mistake, $1 blackjack isn’t a game that will make anyone rich but it’s a good excuse to hang out with friends, share some laughs and drink a little. Or a lot.

The $1 blackjack at Binion’s was surprisingly played very well. Low limits blackjack is usually a good place to learn the game but most, if not all, the players seemed to have a grasp on basic blackjack strategy. That said, if you take your gambling seriously, $1 blackjack probably isn’t the game for you. The players and dealers were lighthearted, having fun and making lots of jokes. There was one guy who split face cards against a bust card since it was “only another dollar” but that was really the dumbest play. We all left and he left shortly after that play.

The session lasted four or five Johnny Walker on the rock's and three bottles of water (don’t forget to hydrate in the summer) which was about four hours. There were people stalking the four $1 blackjack tables all night. Players swapped in and some had better skill than others but the one thing everyone had in common was having a good time.

On this night, the $1 Throwback Blackjack promotion was a success for Binion's. The friend I was with had never been inside Binion’s and liked the vibe and game selection. A return trip is very likely in their future. If nothing else, the 24 seats dedicated to the game gained at least one customer who will spend much more money at Binion’s in the future. There were a few other players that seemed to be visiting for the first time too.

Oh, after tipping for seven or eight drinks, I ended up losing a total of $15 at $1 blackjack on the night. I spent that much at Pizza Rock slamming another order of meatballs and another Delirium Tremmens' in their late night Happy Hour after the session. Not a profitable night gambling but probably the most fun I had during my week-long vacation.

I can’t recommend breaking out part of a trip for a little low rolling fun in Downtown Vegas enough. You can find $5 blackjack, pai gow and craps in various casinos just about any day and most evenings. Fun games with a low house advantage, good friends and a couple of drinks go a long way in making a great Vegas memory.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

What college football expert Phil Steele thinks about the Pac-12 North Division

6) Oregon State-- New coach, three freshman QBs; that spells rebuilding.

5) Washington State-- Outgained Pac-12 foes by 46 ypg; turnovers killed them.

4) Washington-- Only nine starters back; opener in Boise could be dicey.

3) California-- Golden Bears are 3rd-most experienced team in the country.

2) Oregon-- Vernon Adams transfers from I-AA Eastern Washington to play QB; his first game is against..........Eastern Washington.

1) Stanford-- Experienced offense; only four starters back on defense.

**********

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday......

13) Pirates 6, Cardinals 5 (14)-- Epic regular season game; Mark Reynolds hit two HRs, narrowly missed a third in extra innings. McCutchen hit a walk-off two-run shot when Bucs trailed in 14th, after Hurdle/Cervelli were tossed in second inning.

12) AJ Burnett homered in this game for the first time in ten years; next week, he is going to the All-Star Game for the first time. Good month for him.

11) Friday at Wrigley, Carlos Rodon walked six batters in six IP but didn't allow a run. How many times does a pitcher walk six guys in six IP and not allow a run?

10) Mets 4, Arizona 2-- Matt Harvey got 31 called strikes from pitcher-friendly ump John Hirschbeck; D'backs swung at 40 pitches, got only five hits.

9) Casey McGehee is the 8th Miami Marlin to play third base this season. Miami lost 2B Gordon to a dislocated thumb yesterday.

8) With Gordon hurt, DJ LeMahieu gets the start at 2B for the NL Tuesday night.

7) Angels lost in Seattle, keeping Houston atop AL West for 84th consecutive day. Astros are 9-22 in last 31 road games and sliding quickly.

6) Cubs' P Kyle Hendricks' last three starts: 1-0, 2-0, 0-1. Not much support there.

5) White Sox have been outscored 65-27 in first inning this season, but they're playing better right now, winning nine of last eleven games.

4) 94-year old William Wachter is the oldest person ever to cash at the World Series of Poker Main Event. Good for him just for sitting there that long.

3) Sacramento Kings' coach George Karl still has a Subaru commercial running on Denver TV stations, during Rockies games.

2) NBC is broadcasting the last round of the Scottish Open today; it is a precursor to the British Open next week and a bigger event than the Quad Cities tournament in this country, but with Spieth/Zach Johnson playing, Quad Cities is still a good event.

1) Looks like 76ers totally whiffed on last year's first round pick; Joel Embiid needs another foot operation and will miss next season. Kid seems like the next version of Greg Oden, someone who hardly played in college and never playing in NBA. Too bad.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores


1:10 PM EDT

951 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (R) De La Rosa, R 7o20 -105 / -104 / -103 -105 +1.5(-230)
952 NEW YORK METS (L) Niese, J -125 7.5u15 / 7.5 / 7.5o15 7.5o18 -1.5(+190)

TV: FS-Arizona, DTV: 686 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 87, RH 38% HEAT INDEX 87

1:10 PM EDT

953 CINCINNATI REDS (R) Cueto, J -145 -161 / -162 / -160 -162 -1.5(+100)
954 MIAMI MARLINS (R) Haren, D 6.5u15 6.5u20 / 6.5u25 / 6.5u20 6.5u15 +1.5(-120)

MIA-RF-Giancarlo Stanton-OUT | TV: FS-Ohio, Florida, DTV: 654, 661 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND IN FROM CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 89, RH 55% HEAT INDEX 96 (MARLINS STADIUM ROOF MAY CLOSE IN HOT WEATHER)

4:05 PM EDT

955 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (R) Billingsley, C 8u20 8u20 / 8u19 / 8u14 8u26 +1.5(-110)
956 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (R) Heston, C -230 -221 / -222 / -223 -230 -1.5(-110)

TV: CSN-Philadelphia, Bay, DTV: 696 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND OUT TO CENTER 8-13. GAME TEMP 70, RH 63% HEAT INDEX 71

4:10 PM EDT

957 ATLANTA BRAVES (L) Wood, A 10 10o15 / 10 / 10o25 10o20 +1.5(-175)
958 COLORADO ROCKIES (R) Bettis, C -120 -121 / -122 / -120 -119 -1.5(+155)

TV: FS-South, ROOT-Rocky Mountain, DTV: 646, 683 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 88, RH 20% HEAT INDEX 84

4:10 PM EDT

959 MILWAUKEE BREWERS (R) Lohse, K 8u20 8u30 / 7.5 / 7.5u20 7.5u19 +1.5(-150)
960 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (L) Anderson, B -175 -179 / -175 / -176 -177 -1.5(+130)

TV: FS-Wisconsin, DTV: 669 | MOSTLY FAIR, WIND OUT TO LEFT CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 78, RH 41% HEAT INDEX 79

8:05 PM EDT

961 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (L) Cooney, T 7u25 7u25 / 6.5o20 / 7u30 6.5o25 +1.5(-150)
962 PITTSBURGH PIRATES (L) Liriano, F -170 -170 / -171 / -172 -174 -1.5(+130)

STL-LF-Matt Holliday-OUT | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND IN FROM RIGHT 6-11. GAME TEMP 71, RH 63% HEAT INDEX 72

1:10 PM EDT

963 HOUSTON ASTROS (R) Mccullers, L -115 -127 / -128 / -126 -127 -1.5(+135)
964 TAMPA BAY RAYS (L) Moore, M 7 7u19 / 7u17 / 7o20 7o19 +1.5(-155)

TV: ROOT-Southwest, SunSports, DTV: 653, 674 | Dome

1:10 PM EDT

965 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (R) Gray, S 6.5u20 6.5u20 / 6.5u16 / 6.5u15 6.5o15 +1.5(-200)
966 CLEVELAND INDIANS (R) Kluber, C -125 -119 / -117 / -126 -140 -1.5(+170)

TV: CSN-California, SportsTime Ohio, DTV: 662, 698 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND IN FROM RIGHT CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 75, RH 63% HEAT INDEX 78

1:35 PM EDT

967 NEW YORK YANKEES (R) Eovaldi, N 9u15 9u15 / 9u25 9 +1.5(-210)
968 BOSTON RED SOX (L) Miley, W -125 -109 / -106 / -108 -109 -1.5(+180)

BOS-DH-David Ortiz-? | TV: YES, NESN, TBS, DTV: 247, 628, 631, | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO RIGHT CENTER 7-12. GAME TEMP 88, RH 38% HEAT INDEX 89

2:10 PM EDT

969 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Doubront, F 8.5u15 8.5u17 / 8.5u19 / 8.5u20 8.5u19 +1.5(-200)
970 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Volquez, E -108 -105 / -106 / -115 -116 -1.5(+170)

TOR-3B-Josh Donaldson-Doubtful | TV: FS-Kansas City, DTV: 672 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 91, RH 50% HEAT INDEX 98

2:10 PM EDT

971 DETROIT TIGERS (R) Greene, S 8.5 9u20 / 9u15 / 9 9u15 +1.5(-170)
972 MINNESOTA TWINS (R) Gibson, K -160 -130 / -132 / -130 -129 -1.5(+150)

DET-1B-Miguel Cabrera-OUT | TV: FS-Detroit, North, DTV: 663, 668 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 7-12. GAME TEMP 83, RH 64% HEAT INDEX 88

4:10 PM EDT

973 LOS ANGELES ANGELS (L) Heaney, A 7o20 7o20 +1.5(-215)
974 SEATTLE MARINERS (R) Walker, T -108 -117 / -118 / -114 -113 -1.5(+185)

TV: FS-West, ROOT-Northwest, DTV: 687, 692 | CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS. WIND OUT TO LEFT CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 70, RH 58% (SAFECO FIELD ROOF CLOSES IN WET WEATHER)

1:35 PM EDT

975 WASHINGTON NATIONALS (R) Scherzer, M -117 -113 / -111 / -112 -111 -1.5(+150)
976 BALTIMORE ORIOLES (L) Chen, W 7u20 7u20 / 7u25 7u20 +1.5(-170)

TV: MASN2, MASN, DTV: 640, 641 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 3-8. GAME TEMP 84, RH 44% HEAT INDEX 85

2:20 PM EDT

977 CHICAGO WHITE SOX (L) Quintana, J 6.5o19 6.5u18 / 6.5u20 / 6.5u19 6.5u20 +1.5(-155)
978 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Arrieta, J -170 -158 / -160 / -161 -170 -1.5(+135)

CWS-1B-Jose Abreu-Doubtful | TV: CSN-Chicago, DTV: 665 | PARTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND OUT TO LEFT 7-12. GAME TEMP 78, RH 64% HEAT INDEX 80

3:05 PM EDT

979 SAN DIEGO PADRES (R) Ross, T 8.5 8.5o26 / 8.5o27 / 8.5o28 8.5o25 +1.5(-170)
980 TEXAS RANGERS (R) Gallardo, Y -135 -122 / -125 / -134 -140 -1.5(+150)

TV: FS-San Diego, Southwest, DTV: 676, 694 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 7-12. GAME TEMP 95, RH 37% HEAT INDEX 99

[StarDust Bum]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores


3:05 PM EDT

601 NEW YORK LIBERTY 146.5o05 145.5 / 145.5o30 / 146.5 147 -105
602 ATLANTA DREAM -2 -07 -2 -08 / -1.5 / -1 PK -115

6:05 PM EDT

603 CONNECTICUT SUN 154.5o05 156 / 157 / 157o16 157.5 +240
604 CHICAGO SKY -8 -03 -7.5 -05 / -6.5 / -6.5 -15 -6.5 -05 -290

CON-F-Chiney Ogwumike-OUT | CHI-C-Sylvia Fowles-OUT

6:05 PM EDT

605 SEATTLE STORM 149o07 150.5 / 150 / 150u12 149.5
606 PHOENIX MERCURY -11.5 -05 -14 / -14 -05 / -14 -14.5

PHO-G-Diana Taurasi-OUT

7:05 PM EDT

607 SA STARS 149o07 149o21 / 149o14 / 149u12 148.5
608 MINNESOTA LYNX -14 -05 -15 -05 / -15 -15 / -15.5 -15.5 -15

TV: FS-Southwest, North, DTV: 668, 676

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, JULY 12

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 3:00 PM ET New York +1 500 SLAM DUNK
Atlanta - Over 147.5 500

Seattle - 6:00 PM ET Phoenix -14.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Phoenix - Under 150 500

Connecticut - 6:00 PM ET Chicago -7 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Chicago - Over 157 500

San Antonio - 7:00 PM ET San Antonio +15.5 500 *****
Minnesota - Over 148.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, JULY 12

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Oakland - 1:10 PM ET Cleveland -134 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Cleveland - Under 6.5 500

Houston - 1:10 PM ET Houston -123 500 *****
Tampa Bay - Over 7 500

Arizona - 1:10 PM ET NY Mets -101 500 TRIPLE PLAY
NY Mets - Under 7.5 500

Cincinnati - 1:10 PM ET Cincinnati -156 500
Miami - Over 6.5 500

Washington - 1:35 PM ET Washington -105 500 *****
Baltimore - Under 7 500

NY Yankees - 1:35 PM ET Boston -110 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Boston - Under 9 500

Detroit - 2:10 PM ET Detroit +118 500 GRAND SLAM
Minnesota - Over 8.5 500 GRAND SLAM

Toronto - 2:10 PM ET Kansas City -118 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Kansas City - Over 8.5 500

Chi. White Sox - 2:20 PM ET Chi. White Sox +152 500 GRAND SLAM
Chi. Cubs - Under 6.5 500

San Diego - 3:05 PM ET Texas -133 500 *****
Texas - Under 8.5 500

Philadelphia - 4:05 PM ET San Francisco -217 500 TRIPLE PLAY
San Francisco - Under 7.5 500 GRAND SLAM

LA Angels - 4:10 PM ET LA Angels -102 500
Seattle - Over 7 500

Atlanta - 4:10 PM ET Atlanta +115 500 *****
Colorado - Under 10 500

Milwaukee - 4:10 PM ET Milwaukee +154 500 TRIPLE PLAY
LA Dodgers - Under 7.5 500

St. Louis - 8:05 PM ET Pittsburgh -168 500 GRAND SLAM
Pittsburgh - Under 7 500

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA JUNE/ JULY RECORD:


*****...............................4 - 9 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................16 - 20
TRIPLE PLAY......................6 - 4
SLAM DUNK.......................13 - 8


MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY:


*****.............................58 - 67 - 1 .............................- 3.92
double play......................99 - 101 - 2 ............................- 10.53
triple play........................39 - 31 - 1 .............................+ 18.52
grand slam......................59 - 61 - 2...............................- 30.88
double grand slam.............0 - 1.......................................- 8.00


CFL JUNE/JULY RECORD:

SINGLE PLAY.................................1 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY................................3 - 3
TRIPLE PLAY..................................3 - 0
BLOW OUT....................................0 - 2