The Bum's Sports Page For Friday July 14th Best Bets-Trends-News !

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TUESDAY, JULY 14

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Minnesota - 7:00 PM ET Minnesota -6.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Connecticut - Under 144.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Atlanta - 10:00 PM ET Phoenix -8.5 500 SLAM DUNK

Phoenix - Over 154.5 500 SLAM DUNK

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WNBA JUNE/ JULY RECORD:

*****...............................5 - 9 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................18 - 20
TRIPLE PLAY......................6 - 5
SLAM DUNK.......................13 - 8

MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY:

*****.............................60 - 68 - 1 .....................,........- 2.99
double play......................103 - 106 - 2 ............................- 8.81
triple play........................41 - 32 - 1 .............................+ 21.55
grand slam......................62 - 61 - 2...............................- 18.88
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

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Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

8:15 PM EDT

947 AMERICAN LEAGUE 7o20 7.5u20 / 7.5u15 / 7.5u20 7.5u15 +1.5(-205)
948 NATIONAL LEAGUE -119 -115 / -116 / -117 -118 -1.5(+175)

TV: FOX | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE THUNDERSTORMS EARLY. WIND OUT TO CENTER 11-16. GAME TEMP 80, RH 69%

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MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

7:00 PM American League +106 448 45.95% National League -115 527 54.05% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

7:00 PM American League 7.5 558 75.51% National League 7.5 181 24.49% View View

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TUESDAY, JULY 14

Game Score Status Pick Amount

American League - 7:00 PM ET National League -115 500 DOUBLE PLAY

National League - Under 7.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

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Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Chris Sale is White Sox' best pitcher; if he pitches in All-Star Game tonight, he will not pitch against the Royals this weekend. Royals' manager is Ned Yost, who is the AL manager tonight. Gee, I wonder if Sale will get in the game?

-- Zach Grienke has a 1.39 ERA, pretty amazing.

-- Todd Frazier won an interesting HR Derby; new format got the credit, but the small ballpark was a big factor. Next three years: San Diego-Washington-Miami, not great for Home Run Derby.

-- Personal viewing preference: NBA summer league over Home Run Derby, though Chris Berman gets credit for toning down his annoying act last night.

-- Florida State has banned its football players from going into bars, after couple of domestic violence problems. Not good.

-- Andrea Bargnani took less money to sign with the Nets, turning down Sacramento, which is having a very chaotic summer.

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Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: College football knowledge to ponder......

13) From 2009-12, Alabama was 49-5, with a +53 turnover ratio; last two years, they were 23-4, with a turnover ratio of 0.

12) Since 2008, Michigan State is 16-3-1 vs spread as a road favorite.

11) Arizona State is 16-9 as a favorite under Todd Graham; their turnover ratio the last two years is +29. Sun Devils are 20-7 SU during that time.

10) Penn State played 76 underclassmen LY, second most in country.

9) TCU's only loss last year was 61-58 to Baylor; Horned Frogs have ten starters back on offense- they're 3-8 vs spread in last 11 games as road favorite.

8) Florida State loses a QB who was 27-1 as a starter, and offensive linemen who started a total of 174 games, a huge loss-- their only senior starter on offense would be if Notre Dame transfer Golson becomes the starter at QB.

7) Speaking of the Seminoles, when Chief Osceola comes out on the field before home games, he is riding an Appaloosa horse named Renegade.

6) Oregon uses Donald Duck as its school mascot; they have a handshake agreement with the late Walt Disney himself that allows it.

5) Over last three season, Army Cadets are 0-9 vs spread as road underdogs.

4) Temple Owls have 19 starters back this season; since 2007, they're 30-19 vs spread when they're getting points.

3) Over last nine years, Boise State is 104-15 SU; over last three years, they're 7-1 vs spread in game followng a loss.

2) Northern Illinois covered 12 of last 15 games as a road favorite, but they've lost last three bowl games, allowing 34.7 ppg.

1) This will be first time since 2010 that Arkansas State had same head coach two years in a row; coaches at Ole Miss-Auburn-Boise State all came from Jonesboro.

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War Eagle Rising?

July 14, 2015

Two years after allowing a late lead to get away in a BCS Championship Game loss to Florida State, I expect Auburn to be in the national title mix again in 2015.

Gus Malzahn's team had a magical 2013 campaign, knocking off previously-unbeaten Alabama in an epic Iron Bowl battle. The Tigers would finish 12-2 both straight up and against the spread. But facing a tougher schedule last season, AU finished just 8-5 and limped to a miserable 4-9 ATS mark.

The issues were on defense. In the last six SEC games and an Outback Bowl loss to Wisconsin, Auburn allowed 31 points or more every time out. The Tigers scored 44 at Alabama, led by double-digits late in the third quarter, but still dropped a 55-44 decision. They scored 38 at home against Texas A&M, yet still lost by three. Facing the Badgers in Tampa, AU went down 34-31 in overtime.

To address the defensive side of the ball, Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and replaced him with Will Muschamp, who saw his first head-coaching tenure at Florida end after gut-wrenching setbacks to LSU, South Carolina and Florida State.

At SEC Media Days on Monday, Malzahn called Muschamp the best defensive mind in all of football, including the NFL. We have zero argument with that assessment in this space and there's no doubt that Coach Boom's scheme will have the Tigers vastly improved on defense.

Another reason for improvement on this side of the ball is the return of Carl Lawson, who is probably the SEC's best pass rusher not named Myles Jarrett (Texas A&M). Lawson missed all of 2014 with an ACL tear.

AU returns eight starters on defense (not counting Lawson), including All-SEC candidates in LBs Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost. On the flip side, Auburn brings back only four starters.

However, I don't think anyone should anticipate Malzahn's offense struggling. Nick Marshall had a pair of outstanding seasons at quarterback, but I expect true junior Jeremy Johnson to be an upgrade. Johnson doesn't have the speed of Marshall, but he can also make things happen running the ball and his size makes it extremely difficult to bring him down.

Johnson has a canon for an arm and perhaps the SEC's best deep threat in Duke Williams, who had 45 receptions for 730 yards and five TDs last year. Williams posted those stats in just seven games before going down with a season-ending injury. Johnson and Williams could be first-team All-Americans.

The top RBs are gone, but Malzahn has brought in the nation's top juco RB in Jovon Robinson, who was impressive in the spring and is poised for a monster campaign.

5Dimes is currently showing Auburn with a win total of 8.5 shaded to the 'over' for a -140 price. I like to have a 1.5-game cushion, especially if being forced to lay a -140 number, between my prediction for a team and the actual win total. In other words, I'd only play this 'over' if I like Auburn to go 10-2.

Looking at the schedule, AU gets Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Mississippi State at home. The Tigers will be in revenge spots against both sets of Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide. The opener is against Louisville at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and there are tough road tilts at LSU, at Arkansas and at Texas A&M.

I don't think U of L will have anything for Auburn, so I think it goes 4-0 in non-conference play. I'll confidently add wins in games vs. Mississippi State and at Kentucky, bringing us to six wins. Due to being at home on The Plains inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, I like AU over Georgia and Ole Miss though both contests will certainly be challenging.

In another revenge situation, I'm confident AU will go into College Station and prevail over the Aggies, who stunned the Tigers by a 41-38 count as 23-point road underdogs last year. That gets us to nine wins, which would be a winner.

Now certainly, there's a chance of Auburn falling at home to Ole Miss and UGA, but let's not forget Malzahn's 14-1 home record. Even if AU does slip in one of those games to drop the win tally to eight, we still have three games to consider.

Auburn will probably be a very short underdog at LSU win Week 3. My line for its game at Arkansas on Oct. 24 is a pick 'em. Those two road assignments could go either way, but I like AU's chances of winning at least one. There's also the Iron Bowl at home and I give AU a slight edge there.

I think 9-3 is a worst-case scenario for Auburn. I'm calling for an 11-1 regular-season record and an SEC West title, so I think bettors should hammer 'over' 8.5 wins.

I also really like a Game of the Year spread currently available at a number of offshore shops and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. I'm down on Mississippi State this year with the Bulldogs returning only seven total starters. I don't get how Auburn is only an eight-point home favorite to MSU. This number should certainly be double digits and I'm extremely bullish on AU laying that single-digit number.

With Malzahn and Muschamp calling the shots on offense and defense, Auburn will have dynamite play-calling on both sides of the ball. Assuming Johnson stays healthy, the sky is the limit for this team. The Tigers are my pick to win the SEC and they could win it all like in 2010.

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Mississippi State lacks hype despite last year's success

July 14, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) Mississippi State spent more than a month as the No. 1 team in the nation on the way to a 10-win season last year. The program is also returning one of the nation's top quarterbacks in senior Dak Prescott.

Yet one of the biggest topics of the day when the Bulldogs took the stage Tuesday at Southeastern Conference media days?

Coach Dan Mullen's choice of shoes.

Mullen said he was simply showing a little ''swag'' by wearing some Adidas Jeezy Boost 350 sneakers to go along with his suit. But it was telling that a fresh pair of popular footwear could partly overshadow a team that was among college football's best last season.

Mullen said he doesn't mind the seeming lack of respect. After six seasons in Starkville, he's become used to it.

''This is my seventh year coming here, and I think all seven years they've pretty much picked us to finish last in the West,'' Mullen said. ''It's kind of like a tradition, I guess. We don't really worry much about that. I'm much more concerned with how we finish.''

The Bulldogs are widely expected to finish near the bottom of the SEC's Western Division this fall despite last year's breakthrough season that included the program's first trip to the top of the national poll.

There are some legitimate reasons for that - including that the Bulldogs return just four starters on both sides of the ball. It also didn't help that they lost three of their final four games last season.

But Mullen believes Prescott will provide plenty of leadership and that the team is more experienced than it appears because several second-stringers received ample playing time last season.

''I like that people think that (we're young), but the fact that we rotate, we play a lot of guys in the course of games. Guys have experience,'' Mullen said. ''They've been on the stage. They've been in the moments. And they're going to be ready for this season as we move forward.''

The Bulldogs' unquestioned star is Prescott. He was fantastic as a junior, throwing for 3,449 yards and running for 986 more while accounting for 41 touchdowns.

That performance has earned him considerable early hype as a Heisman Trophy contender, though it remains to be seen if he'll have the talent around him to make that happen. For his part, Prescott isn't concerned about outside perception.

''They don't see the people I work out with every day,'' Prescott said. ''We have guys coming back that have played and started in big-time games. We have a chance, and our expectation for ourselves is not the same as everyone else's.''

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Gamecocks' Spurrier confident heading into 23rd SEC season

July 14, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier spent his Tuesday morning at SEC Media Days poking fun at some league rivals, discussing his football program and - of course - fending off questions about his advancing age.

The most quotable coach in the SEC turned 70 back in April, and he now enters his 11th season at South Carolina and 23rd in a league that's famous for churning through head coaches because of the immense pressure to win.

But Spurrier's still standing. And usually smiling.

''It's not near as stressful as maybe some people make it out to be,'' Spurrier said with his trademark grin.

That's not to say the Gamecocks don't have work ahead this season. The program struggled through a disappointing 7-6 season in 2014 and returns just four offensive starters. There have been some changes on the defensive staff - including the addition of co-coordinator Jon Hoke - and Spurrier must break in a new starting quarterback.

But Spurrier said he relishes the challenge of remaking the program, hoping to get back to the level reached from 2011-13, when it won 11 games in three consecutive years.

He said the way the Gamecocks ended last season - by winning three of four games, including the Independence Bowl - helped rejuvenate him for the coming fall.

''We were 7-6, same as Tennessee and the same as Arkansas, and I think they're sort of celebrating big seasons last year,'' Spurrier said, working in a trademark not-so-subtle jab. ''So we were celebrating also.''

The veteran coach said he feels good about his team and won't rule out a run to the top of the Eastern Division this fall, saying ''stranger things have happened.''

The chances of that are largely dependent on South Carolina's ability to play better defense. The Gamecocks gave up more than 30 points per game last season, which ranked 12th out of 14 SEC teams.

Though Spurrier said the quarterback job is a three-man race, the favorite appears to be Connor Mitch. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound sophomore threw just six passes last season as a backup behind Dylan Thompson.

Mitch - or whoever wins the job - will be helped by the return of junior Pharoh Cooper, who caught 69 passes for 1,136 yards last season.

''We're going to do a whole lot better than people think we're going to do,'' Cooper said. ''That's our mentality. We know we're a good team. We're young right now, but we're working hard to get back to that 10- or 11-win season, which is what we're expected to do at South Carolina.''

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Sumlin happy to have Chavis on his side

July 14, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin figured if he couldn't score against John Chavis, he should hire him.

''That's exactly what I did,'' Sumlin said. ''There's really nothing more to the answer than that. That's true. We've studied the defense. We get it.

''We struggled. It's a great fit for us and a great fit for him.''

Chavis' hiring was the hot topic for Sumlin's appearance Tuesday at Southeastern Conference media days, trumping returning quarterback Kyle Allen and star defensive end Myles Garrett.

Sumlin's Aggies have been struggling on defense and mostly prolific on offense - just not against Chavis' defenses.

Texas A&M had averaged just 15 points in going 0-3 against the Tigers under Sumlin.

Sumlin was impressed enough to give Chavis a three-year, $5 million deal to rebuild the league's worst defense in 2014.

He thinks the hiring of the veteran coordinator brought an instant infusion of needed confidence to the Aggies defense.

Sure sounds like it.

''Look at his track record,'' defensive lineman Julien Obioha said. ''He always turns things around. The first day he came in here, he said, `Look, I expect to win championships while I'm at A&M. I've got the talent and I've got the pieces to do it right now.'''

The hiring might also add some spice to the LSU-Texas A&M rivalry, though Sumlin says he's not sure ''if it can get any more spicy than it is now.''

Chavis and LSU have sued each other since his departure over a $400,000 buyout.

Sumlin denied reports that he called Chavis just before LSU's bowl game, a conversation reported by the A&M coach's (presumably now former) pool cleaner on Twitter.

As for the suits, Sumlin said: ''It hasn't been a distraction to me at all.''

There's no doubt defense was the big offseason priority after a promising season that opened with a rapid rise into the top 10.

The Aggies swooned to a 2-5 regular-season finish, including a 59-0 loss to Alabama, after winning their first five games. They did rebound with a Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia, and Sumlin can point to a number of talented young players such as Allen, Garrett and wide receivers Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones as reasons for optimism.

''I'm as excited as any year that I've ever coached because I've got a lot of really, really good young talent that really went through a year unlike any other year I've been a part of,'' Sumlin said.

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Early 2015-16 win total projections

July 13, 2015

Now that the moratorium on NBA free agent signings has passed and most teams have cobbled together the bulk of their roster for the upcoming ’15-’16 season, we can start projecting win totals. The following is a look at where most projections should be, barring significant injuries, come October. For comparison’s sake, we’ve included the WestgateLV Superbook’s totals entering last season in addition to where teams actually ended up.

Atlanta Hawks (40.5 LY), finished 61-21: After being last year’s top overachiever, the Hawks have lost their biggest surprise, wing DeMarre Carroll. They’ll be bigger with Tiago Splitter and Edy Tavares alongside Paul Millsap and Al Horford, but need point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder to take another step forward in their consistency. Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha returning to health is also essential. Projected wins: 46.5

Boston Celtics (26.5 LY), finished 40-42: No one expected them to make the playoffs, especially after moving Rajon Rondo, but Brad Stevens pushed the right buttons and young guys flourished. There will be more expectations going forward, but Amir Johnson, David Lee and top pick Terry Rozier don’t exactly move the needle. Projected wins: 35.5

Brooklyn Nets (41.5 LY), finished 38-44: Buying out Deron Williams truly ends up breathing fresh air into their situation, but this is still a rebuilding team. Joe Johnson is likely to be next to go, which will also help the Nets get younger and sleeker. Projected wins: 32.5

Charlotte Hornets (45.5 LY), finished 33-49: The acquisition of Nic Batum and drafting of the very capable Frank Kaminsky has this franchise encouraged that they’ve added some nice pieces to surround Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker. The x-factor remains former No. 2 pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who has to prove he can stay healthy while rounding out his offense to keep from being a liability on that end of the floor. Projected wins: 35.5

Chicago Bulls (55.5 LY), finished 50-32: New head coach Fred Hoiberg’s arrival is the major variable here, although Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah staying healthy will always be the key no matter who is coaching. Jimmy Butler returned to continue his ascent as one of the league’s top wings, while Pau Gasol’s resurgence should allow the offense some versatility in halfcourt sets. Projected wins: 50.5

Cleveland Cavaliers (58.5 LY), finished 53-29: The great LeBron James will have the deepest team in the Eastern Conference behind him, not to mention some continuity in place after last season’s bumpy ride. With Kevin Love likely to be an improved contributor and oddsmakers already instilling the Cavs as this season’s championship choice, expectations should increase. Projected wins: 59.5

Dallas Mavericks (49.5 LY), finished 50-32: There's no way to mask it. DeAndre Jordan’s change of heart tempered expectations significantly, even though trading for Zaza Pachulia and reaching a deal with Williams was a decent save to provide some new blood. Wes Matthews will provide a major upgrade on the wing once he’s finally healthy in 2016. Projected wins: 41.5

Denver Nuggets (40.5 LY), finished 30-52: The future of Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson makes this forecast murky, since both are likely to be involved in trade talks from here until they’re finally moved. Emmanuel Mudiay is likely to get the bulk of the minutes as a rookie point guard, which guarantees growing pains. Projected wins: 23.5

Detroit Pistons (36.5 LY), finished 32-50: The exit of Greg Monroe and Ersan Ilyasova’s arrival means Stan Van Gundy will be able to play his style more, while the growth of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson will dictate just how successful they’ll be. Projected wins: 34.5

Golden State Warriors (50.5 LY), finished 67-15: The defending champs have the NBA’s biggest homecourt advantage bolstering an up-tempo attack that is going to be tough for most to keep up with. Only the fact they’ll have a target on their back and play in the loaded West keeps expectations from getting significantly out of hand. Projected wins: 60.5

Houston Rockets (49.5 LY), finished 56-26: The Rockets certainly took a step forward as Dwight Howard looked fully healthy for the first time in years and James Harden became a deserving MVP candidate. With relatively the same core back, this team will be a factor. Projected wins: 51.5

Indiana Pacers (32.5 LY), finished 38-44: Swingman Paul George’s return to health instantly raises expectations, but it remains to be seen how they transition from a defensive-minded team anchored by 7-foot-3 Roy Hibbert to one that signed Monta Ellis and Jordan Hill while bringing back Rodney Stuckey in an intent to run. Projected wins: 35.5

Los Angeles Clippers (55.5 LY), finished 56-26: Coaxing Jordan back to the fold saved this cap-strapped squad, keeping it among the league’s elite. With Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson on board to upgrade the level of play on the wing, look for the Clips to hold tight at the number they were set at last season. Projected wins: 55.5

Los Angeles Lakers (31.5 LY), finished 21-61: Despite striking out on the big free-agent fish, there’s optimism that what is expected to be Kobe Bryant’s final season won’t be the disaster last season turned into. D’Angelo Russell arrives, Julius Randle returns and veterans Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams come aboard. Projected wins: 31.5

Memphis Grizzlies (48.5 LY), finished 55-27: Center Marc Gasol returned, while Brandan Wright and Matt Barnes arrive. Grit and grind lives to ride another day and may be better than ever given the increased depth. Projected wins: 51.5

Miami Heat (43.5 LY), finished 37-45: Since Chris Bosh is expected to return to 100 percent after a health scare, the Heat will have Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside joining him in a loaded starting lineup. Pat Riley has put together a deep bench, so don’t be surprised to see this team rejoin the league’s elite. Projected wins: 47.5

Milwaukee Bucks (24.5 LY), finished 41-41: Monroe signing with the Bucks over the larger markets provided a major lift to a team that also kept Khris Middleton around. With Jabari Parker returning, this is going to be a team that will be expected to make a major jump. Projected wins: 44.5

Minnesota Timberwolves (25.5 LY), finished 16-66: Reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins gets more help with top pick Karl-Anthony Towns coming on board, but this will still be a lottery team when all is said and done. Expect the determining factor to be the health of oft-injured Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic, but they won’t be expected to win much more than they were entering last season. Projected wins: 25.5

New Orleans Pelicans (41.5 LY), finished 45-37: The spectacular Anthony Davis is likely to emerge as an MVP candidate, so with Alvin Gentry taking over and promising a faster pace and improved execution, the Pelicans should be better. Even in the loaded West, they’ll be expected to make the playoffs. Projected wins: 45.5

New York Knicks (40.5 LY), finished 17-65: Star forward Carmelo Anthony didn’t get big-name help, but the organization is standing behind the acquisitions of Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams as tweaks that will team with draft picks Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant to significantly upgrade the core. They still don’t look like a playoff team. Projected wins: 31.5

Oklahoma City Thunder (57.5 LY), finished 45-37: With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook set to join forces against and Billy Donovan likely to get great results out of the gate, the Thunder will have extremely high expectations bestowed upon them. Matching Enes Kanter’s 4-year/$70 million offer sheet from Portland tells you they’re set to pull out all the stops to ensure Durant stays put at season’s end. Projected wins: 59.5

Orlando Magic (28.5 LY), finished 25-57: Forward Aaron Gordon’s improvement was the talk of Summer League in Orlando, while No. 5 pick Mario Hezonja also impressed. The young Magic should take another step forward under Scott Skiles, though they likely won’t be expected to make a breakthrough and reach the postseason. Projected wins: 33.5

Philadelphia 76ers (15.5 LY), finished 18-64: Center Joel Embiid will miss his second straight season with a foot injury, so Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel will have to hold the fort down for the league’s worst collection of talent. Once again, the 76ers will be expected to bring up the rear. Projected wins: 17.5

Phoenix Suns (42.5 LY), finished 39-43: Despite seeing their LaMarcus Aldridge pursuit come up short, the Suns did add Tyson Chandler and Mirza Teletovic. They’ll be able to play fast, but probably still have moves ahead of them with Markieff Morris and Eric Bledsoe both available via trade. Projected wins: 36.5

Portland Trail Blazers (48.5 LY), finished 51-31: The team that suffered the most personnel losses in the league will no longer be expected to make the playoffs, opening up the spot the Thunder are likely to claim. They’re rebuilding around Damian Lillard, but look to be in for a long season. Projected wins: 26.5

Sacramento Kings (30.5 LY), finished 29-53: Power forward DeMarcus Cousins may not be present for the long haul, or maybe he’ll win a power struggle with head coach George Karl and remain one of the league’s most productive big men. It’s tough to forecast how this season will go for a team that wants to win now and has some nice pieces, but badly is one way to go. Projected wins: 31.5

San Antonio Spurs (56.5 LY), finished 55-27: Aldridge and David West arrive, which means Tim Duncan should be even fresher come April. The fact Gregg Popovich rests players will keep regular-season expectations from being too extreme, but there’s no question that this is an impressive collection of talent that should be expected to avoid 20 losses. Projected wins: 62.5

Toronto Raptors (49.5 LY), finished 49-33: Carroll is the big offseason addition, expected to significantly upgrade the team’s perimeter defense. Considering the relative weakness of the Atlantic Division and how dead on last season’s projection was, look for it to be in a similar ballpark. Projected wins: 47.5

Utah Jazz (25.5 LY), finished 38-44: The way this team closed the regular season has many excited in their fortunes. With Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert back to anchor one of the top defensive teams in the game, look for a jump to .500 to be expected. Projected wins: 40.5

Washington Wizards (49.5 LY), finished 46-36: Pierce’s absence will be felt, but he did teach young guys how to win. That should keep the Wizards in the same vicinity of expectations, especially since Otto Porter looks ready to take a step forward in support of John Wall, Bradley Beal and bigs Nene and Marcin Gortat. Projected wins: 46.5

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Cavs' Blatt discusses what he learned

July 13, 2015

LAS VEGAS (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt says his first season in the NBA was a learning experience.

Blatt was a panelist Monday at a scouting school in Las Vegas. He says that when he ''came to the NBA I was under the impression that this was going to be a breeze.''

It was no breeze. The Cavaliers struggled for the first half of last season, then wound up making the NBA Finals even after losing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to injury.

Cleveland lost the finals in six games to Golden State.

Blatt says one of the biggest adjustments he had to make was how he had far more time to prepare for games in Europe, where most teams play only two games a week. He says the demands of the NBA schedule are much more daunting.

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MLB

Tuesday, July 14

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Game of the Day: MLB All-Star Game
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American League at National League (-115, 7.0)

Game to be played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio

Homefield advantage did not do much for manager Ned Yost and the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series, but he is not willing to give up the chance at another Game 7 at home. Yost will attempt to guide the American League to a third straight win in the All-Star Game and the resulting homefield advantage in the World Series in the 86th edition of the Midsummer Classic at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

Yost filled out his pitching staff with the kind of late-inning power relievers that have been a big part of his team’s success while using the end of the roster for versatile players like New York Yankees speedster Brett Gardner and Boston Red Sox super utilityman Brock Holt. The Royals’ manager should feel right at home with a record seven members of his own team enjoying the festivities, though left fielder Alex Gordon won’t be able to play due to a groin strain. San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy leads a National League squad so stacked with talent that reigning league MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw wasn’t added to the roster until Sunday. The middle of the NL lineup includes Washington right fielder Bryce Harper and Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who bring a combined .34 batting average, 47 home runs and 131 RBIs into the game.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: As of this writing, oddsmakers have not moved off their NL -115 number since opening.

WEATHER REPORT: There's currently a chance of showers and thunderstorms at game time with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The All-Star game has exhibited long streaks of dominance by certain leagues. The National League went 19-1 from 1963 to 1982 and then the American League went 18-3-1 from 1988 to 2009. Since then, the National League has won 3 of the past 5 years, but streaks continue to be present with the NL going 3-0 (2010-2012) and then 0-2 the past two years (2013-2014)." Covers Expert Steve Merril

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (11-4, 2.23 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39)

Keuchel put himself at the front of the list to start for the AL when he held Yost’s Kansas City squad scoreless over eight innings on June 30. The 27-year-old is tied with Seattle’s Felix Hernandez for the AL lead in wins and sits second in ERA behind Oakland’s Sonny Gray (2.04). "Just to be on the team with some of the best players in the world is truly an honor,” Keuchel told reporters. “That's the way I'm going to approach it, to have as much fun as I possibly can."

Greinke brings a streak of 35 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings into the game along with the lowest ERA in the majors. The former AL Cy Young Award winner is the first Dodger to start since Brad Penny in 2006 and is making his third appearance in the Midsummer Classic. "I had some great starters that were candidates, but these numbers that he's putting up are really, really unbelievable," Bochy told reporters, after announcing Greinke as his starter.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-one percent of users are backing the National League All-Stars.

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MLB

Tuesday, July 14


Rangers' Perez to return Friday

Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez, who showed promise during his first full major league season two years ago, will make his first big-league start in 14 months Friday after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He will be activated from the disabled list Friday to face the Houston Astros in the first game of the second half of the season, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

Perez went 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts for the Rangers in 2013 as a 22-year-old. After that season, the Rangers rewarded him with a four-year, $12.5 million extension with three club options.

He made eight starts in 2014 until elbow problems sidelined him. He made his last major league start May 10, 2014, when he gave up nine hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings, dropping his record to 4-3 and raising his ERA to 4.38. He had Tommy John surgery later that month.

This year, he made six minor league rehab starts at Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, going a combined 0-1 with a 4.56 ERA.

In his most recent rehab start Sunday, he allowed 12 hits and five earned runs in six innings while pitching for Round Rock.

Perez had a minor problem with a groin injury during the recovery process, but he has had no problems with his elbow.


Papelbon again asks Phillies to trade him

The Phillies' lone All-Star is doing his best to force his way out of Philadelphia.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon, never shy about asking for a trade from the cellar-dwelling Phillies, ramped up his campaign Monday in Cincinnati ahead of the All-Star Game.

"I signed up with a team that won 102 games (in 2011), and I expected certain things," he said. "It didn't happen, and I've tried to ride that ship and keep my mouth shut as much as I can, but it's time for the Phillies to you-know-what or get off the pot.

"I feel like three years is plenty enough time to ride it out, so to speak. If the fans don't understand that, I can't really side with them."

Papelbon added, "The Phillies have got to make a decision. You've got to go one way or the other. You can't be in limbo and sit here and say, 'What if we do this or what if we do that?' You've got to make a decision, and you've got to go with it.

"I know that we've got a new president (coming, Andy MacPhail). We've got a new interim manager (Pete Mackanin). We've got all this change supposedly happening, but I don't see any of it yet."

Papelbon, 34, is making $13 million this year, and his $13 million option for next year would vest if he finishes 48 games in 2015. At the break, he has finished 29 games, and he is 14-for-14 in save chances with a 1-1 record and a 1.60 ERA.

He is 120-for-135 in save chances over his 3 1/2 seasons with the Phillies.

Papelbon began his major league career with the Red Sox in 2005, and he was 218-for-246 in save opportunities over seven seasons in Boston. He helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, going 1-0 with four saves and a 0.00 ERA in seven postseason appearances that year.


Last Year's Cy Young winners costing bettors big in 2015

It has been anything but smooth sailing for bettors who have backed last year's Cy Young winners this season.

Cleveland Indians right-hander Corey Kluber and Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw are the two worst bets in terms of starter money in 2015, at -$1,421 and -$889 respectively.

That is based on $100 betting units, risking enough to win $100 as a favorite or risking $100 as an underdog.

One problem for Kershaw, who was last season's top money starter at $1,582, is that he sees so much chalk when he pitches, a loss is very costly.

He has been an average favorite of -217.17 through his 18 starts this season, with the heaviest juice coming in his last start against the Phillies at -335. The Dodgers are 9-9 in those starts.

Despite the "struggles", Kershaw is pitching to a 2.85 ERA and has 160 strikeouts to just 27 walks.

For Kluber it is a little more perplexing.

His numbers aren't terrible, posting a 3.38 ERA with 154 strikeouts to 28 walks, but he started the season slow giving up 25 earned runs in his first six starts, while seeing moderate chalk. He has only giving up 25 in the 12 starts since.

The big problem for Kluber is that he is getting the major's worst run support, with the Indians scoring just 2.32 runs per game when he starts. That is dead last among qualified pitchers.

So while both have been anything but money for their backers, there is some hope these trends can change.
Last edited by Udog; Today at 04:30 AM.

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MLB

Tuesday, July 14


Action Report: Action supporting the National League in MLB All-Star Game

The 86th edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati Tuesday evening and it is indeed the home team that is seeing the majority of the betting support with first pitch mere hours away.

"The American League has won seven of the past 10 All-Star games, including last year's 5-3 win in Minnesota," Michael Stewart of online shop CarbonSports.ag says. "This year's game in Cincinnati is seeing 60 percent of the action come in on the National League moneyline (-115) and a whopping 91 percent of the action on the NL to cover the -1.5 run line."

Those three NL victories came in 2010 (Angel Stadium), 2011 (Chase Field) and 2012 (Kauffman Stadium). But the Senior Circuit has dropped back-to-back games heading into the 2015 Mid-Summer Classic.

Despite under bets cashing in four of the last five All-Star games, Over wagers hit last year as the combined eight runs eclipsed the closing 7.5 and bettors like the Over here again as Stewart says 67 percent of action is coming in on the Over 7.5.

Here are the batting orders for tonight's game:

American League

1. Mike Trout, CF
2. Josh Donaldson, 3B
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Nelson Cruz, DH
5. Lorenzo Cain, RF
6. Adam Jones, LF
7. Salvador Perez, C
8. Jose Altuve, 2B
9. Alcides Escobar, SS

P. Dallas Keuchel, LHP


National League

1. Andrew McCutchen, CF
2. Todd Frazier, 3B
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
5. Buster Posey, C
6. Anthony Rizzo, DH
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Joc Pederson, LF
9. DJ LaMahieu, 2B

P. Zack Greinke, RHP