The Bum's Sports Page For Tuesday August 4th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lynx (15-4) at Sparks (5-14)

Date: August 04, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

While Maya Moore hopes to take another step toward making history, Candace Parker is simply trying to guide the once league-worst Los Angeles Sparks to the playoffs.

After coming up short at Minnesota last week, the Sparks will get another shot at the WNBA-best Lynx on Tuesday night when the league's last two MVPs meet at Staples Center.

It looked as though Moore's streak of consecutive 20-point games might end Saturday before she scored 16 of her 20 in the fourth quarter to lead Minnesota to its third straight win, 86-80 at Tulsa.

The 2014 MVP has averaged 24.8 points while hitting 44.2 percent from 3-point range over a string of 11 straight games with at least 20 points. Diana Taurasi set the league record with 13 in a row from 2006-07.

Moore, second in the league with 21.0 points per game, scored 27 in an 82-76 win over Los Angeles on Wednesday. She's averaging 26.0 over her last five matchups.

Lindsay Whalen added 24 points as Minnesota (15-4) won for the fifth time in six meetings. It was the Lynx's first contest since acquiring Sylvia Fowles from Chicago in a three-team trade. The three-time All-Star is averaging 14.0 points in three games after scoring 19 against the Shock.

Parker finished with 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds Wednesday in her first game with Los Angeles in 11 months. The 2013 MVP has averaged 18.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in her last nine meetings.

Parker displayed little rust in her second game back from a self-imposed rest, scoring 31 in Friday's 88-77 win at Chicago. She then had 17 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday's 80-78 victory in San Antonio.

The three-time All-Star also came up big defensively with three blocks, including one on the potential tying shot in the final seconds after the Sparks (5-14) overcame a 13-point deficit.

She's certainly given the club a boost offensively. The Sparks, who haven't won three straight since July 2014, have averaged 81.3 points in Parker's three games after scoring 64.3 over their previous six.

Los Angeles, which had the league's worst record in the first half of the season, moved a half-game behind San Antonio for the Western Conference's fourth and final playoff spot.

The Sparks lost at Minnesota last week despite shooting 56.4 percent. That's partly because Minnesota hit 18 of 24 from the free-throw line compared to Los Angeles' 7 of 8.

Jantel Lavender had 15 points and 10 rebounds in that contest, while Kristi Toliver scored 14 after missing 14 games due to a foot injury. Lavender had 20 points and eight boards and Alana Beard added 15 points and seven assists at San Antonio.

Moore scored 22 in Minnesota's 67-52 win in the first meeting at Staples Center on June 16. Lavender finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 29, 2015 Score ATS Results
LOS 76 Cover: 2.5
MIN « 82 Over: 158
Tools: Recaps

Jun 16, 2015 Score ATS Results
MIN « 67 Cover: 3.5
LOS 52 Under: 119
Tools: Recaps

Aug 12, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS « 71 Cover: 16
MIN 63 Under: 134
Tools: Recaps

Jul 8, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS 72 Under: 155
MIN « 83 Cover: 7
Tools: Recaps

Jun 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN « 94 Cover: 15.5
LOS 77 Over: 171
Tools: Recaps

Jun 8, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN « 85 Cover: 16.5
LOS 72 Under: 157
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Shock (10-10) at Mercury (12-7)

Date: August 04, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Tulsa Shock's excitement resulting from a hot start behind star Skylar Diggins has faded into major disappointment stemming from her season-ending injury and the subsequent news that the club will relocate following the season.

The Phoenix Mercury have scored two easy victories over Tulsa during that downfall, and they'll look to deal the Shock a seventh straight defeat Tuesday night.

Tulsa won eight in a row after losing its opener, although the last victory was bittersweet after Diggins tore her ACL in the final minute against Seattle on June 28.

The Shock have lost nine of 11 since Diggins went down, and they've dropped all three since majority owner Bill Cameron on July 20 announced his plans to move the club to the Dallas-Fort Worth area after the season. The WNBA unanimously approved the move three days later.

Riquna Williams, who has started in place of Diggins, scored a season-high 35 points Saturday as Tulsa (10-10) fell 86-80 to Minnesota.

"We have a tendency to go away from our defensive scheme, our offensive scheme," said forward Plenette Pierson, who along with Odyssey Sims added 16 points. "What we really have to do is just focus on staying together and playing together and just executing."

Phoenix hasn't shown any sympathy for Tulsa's dysfunction. The Mercury (12-7) jumped ahead by 17 after one quarter and dominated throughout in an 86-55 home win July 2 before outscoring Tulsa 47-26 in the second half of Thursday's 78-66 victory.

Brittney Griner finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks in the last matchup, then swatted five shots in Sunday's 71-68 victory over Atlanta as the Mercury won their third straight.

Candice Dupree finished with 20 points against the Shock and had a season-high 27 on Sunday. Her latest effort is a testament to the Mercury's depth, as DeWanna Bonner - averaging a team-high 17.5 points - finished with a season-low four after netting 24 against the Shock.

Griner's nine points also were her fewest of the season. Monique Currie (14) and Leilani Mitchell (10) joined Dupree in double figures.

"Other people were scoring," Bonner said. "It wasn't my day. I missed a couple of easy shots. But I didn't have to (make shots). Candice scored, Monique came out and had a great game, as well as Brittney. So other people scored, and I did other things like rebound and got them the ball."

The Mercury have won nine of 11, and they'll have a great chance of improving that run if they can shut down Williams again. Williams shot 5 of 26 and scored 18 points in the first two meetings.

She's not the only one struggling, though. The Shock are shooting 33.8 percent over their last five and rank last in the league at 38.4.

Phoenix, which has won the last four meetings, leads the league with 7.0 blocks per game and ranks second in field-goal percentage defense at 39.5.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 30, 2015 Score ATS Results
PHO « 78 Cover: 10
TUL 66 Under: 144
Tools: Recaps

Jul 2, 2015 Score ATS Results
TUL 55 Under: 141
PHO « 86 Cover: 23.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 29, 2014 Score ATS Results
PHO « 80 Under: 157
TUL 77 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 20, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL 80 Cover: 0
PHO « 91 Over: 171
Tools: Recaps

Jun 6, 2014 Score ATS Results
PHO 78 Over: 172
TUL « 94 Cover: 21.5
Tools: Recaps

May 30, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL 78 Over: 178
PHO « 100 Cover: 12.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Stars-Sun Preview

The Connecticut Sun are trying to rediscover their early season form at the defensive end. Alex Bentley is also seeking a turnaround as she looks to stop her struggles since putting on a show at the All-Star Game.

Both could happen as the Sun try to avoid their fifth loss in six home games Tuesday night against defensively challenged San Antonio Stars, the last winless road team in the WNBA.

Since allowing 69.0 points per game during a 7-1 start, Connecticut (9-9) has surrendered an average of 80.4 in the past 10. The Sun, though, are only 3 1/2 games behind Eastern Conference-leading New York.

After snapping a four-game home skid with Friday's 67-66 win over Seattle, the Sun allowed Indiana to score 28 in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 83-70 road defeat. Kelsey Bone had 20 points and Alyssa Thomas added 18 for Connecticut, which led by nine at halftime.

The Sun also have been outrebounded in their last four games and were beat up 37-20 on the glass by the Fever. They rank second to last in the league with a minus-3.7 rebounding margin.

Bentley averaged 18.2 points over a 10-game stretch before scoring 23 with five 3-pointers in the All-Star Game on July 26. However, she's since totaled nine points on 4-of-21 shooting in three games.

The guard will try to get back on track against a San Antonio team that ranks 10th in the league with 77.6 points allowed per game. It's also last in the league in field-goal percentage defense at 45.5.

The Stars (6-14) have allowed at least 80 points in their last three contests after Los Angeles shot 53.8 percent in an 80-78 win at San Antonio on Sunday. The Sparks rallied from a 13-point deficit and blocked Jia Perkins' potential tying shot in the final seconds.

"We had an opportunity at the end," said coach Dan Hughes, whose club holds a slim lead for the final West playoff spot. "That's what you want to have in these games, and so we live and learn."

Perkins scored a season-high 24 points and Kayla McBride added 17.

They'll try to help San Antonio end its misery on the road, where it has gotten off to a franchise-worst 0-9 start.

"We've got to get it together," Perkins said. "Every game in unique and has its own uniqueness so we just have to move on to the next game and just try to get wins."

The road team won both meetings last year when the Stars and Sun split the season series. Bentley and Thomas had 18 points apiece in Connecticut's 89-79 victory last Aug. 1 after Robinson scored 17 in San Antonio's 74-71 win July 1, 2014.

McBride, who totaled 42 points in the two matchups, has averaged 16.2 in five games since returning from a five-game absence because of a foot injury. Danielle Adams will be back after serving a three-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug program.

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

New York Liberty
13 6 0.684 0 6-5 7-2 6-4 8-2 W 1

Washington Mystics
11 7 0.611 1.5 7-6 6-3 5-4 6-4 L 1

Chicago Sky
12 8 0.600 1.5 9-4 8-2 4-6 7-3 W 1

Indiana Fever
11 8 0.579 2 7-6 7-4 4-4 8-2 W 3

Connecticut Sun
9 9 0.500 3.5 3-8 4-5 5-4 2-8 L 1

Atlanta Dream
7 13 0.350 6.5 4-7 5-5 2-8 3-7 L 5


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

Minnesota Lynx
15 4 0.789 0 11-2 8-2 7-2 8-2 W 3

Phoenix Mercury
12 7 0.632 3 9-3 7-2 5-5 8-2 W 3

Tulsa Shock
10 10 0.500 5.5 6-8 6-4 4-6 2-8 L 6

San Antonio Stars
6 14 0.300 9.5 4-8 6-5 0-9 4-6 L 2

Los Angeles Sparks
5 14 0.263 10 4-8 3-6 2-8 3-7 W 2

Seattle Storm
5 16 0.238 11 4-9 4-5 1-11 2-8 L 4

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/27-8/2

August 2, 2015

League Betting Notes (from Monday, July 27 through Sunday, Aug. 2)

-- Favorites went 16-1 straight up
-- Favorites went 9-8 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 10-7 SU record
-- Road teams posted a 9-8 ATS record
-- The 'over' went 10-7

Team Betting Notes

-- Los Angeles (5-14) has won back-to-back games for the second straight time this season, and they're 2-0 SU/ATS in their past two road outings. Overall the Sparks have covered three straight, and four of the past five while the 'over' has hit in three in a row.

-- Indiana (11-8) has won three straight games after dumping Connecticut (9-9). The Fever have covered three in a row after an 0-3-1 ATS run. Indiana plays at Chicago (12-8) Tuesday. The Fever is 0-3 SU/ATS against the Sky this season.

-- The 'under' hit for the Sky Sunday, but the 'over' has been the play going 13-8, including 2-1 against the Fever, including their home game June 5 against Indiana.

-- New York (13-6) got back on track Sunday afternoon with a win over Seattle (5-16). The Liberty has won six of their past seven, but they have failed to cover three of the past four.

-- After a pre-All-Star break hiccup, Phoenix (12-7) has won three straight, including each of their past two on the road. The Mercury failed to cover for the sixth time in the past seven outings heading into their game Tuesday against Tulsa (10-11). They're 2-0 SU/ATS against the Shock this season.

-- The Shock are in quite the tailspin, losers of six in a row, and they have posted an 0-5-1 ATS mark during the stretch after covering their first eight.

-- San Antonio (6-14) dropped a second straight Sunday, and they have failed to cover in two in a row after a four-game cover streak. The Stars have been up and down all season, and they travel to Connecticut Tuesday.

-- Washington (11-7) lost Sunday in Chicago for the first time in six games, but they have covered in a season-high six straight. They host the Stars Wednesday, a team they rolled 88-53 in San Antonio July 31.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules

August 2, 2015

ATLANTA (AP) Candice Dupree scored a season-high 27 points and DeWanna Bonner had a steal and hit made two late free throws in the Phoenix Mercury's 71-68 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday.

Atlanta (7-13), after trailing by 18 in the first half, pulled to 67-66 when Damiris Dantas made a layup with 42 seconds left.

Angel McCoughtry came up with a steal on the other end but Bonner stole it back near midcourt and Leilani Mitchell's two free throws gave Phoenix (12-7) a three-point lead with 13 seconds to play.

Aneika Henry's putback of McCoughtry's missed 3-point attempt made it 69-68 with 0.5 seconds left and Bonner's free throws capped the scoring.

Monique Currie scored 14 points, and Mitchell added 10 for Phoenix. Bonner had a season-high 10 rebounds and five assists.

McCoughtry led Atlanta with 16 points.

SPARKS 80, STARS 78

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Jantel Lavender scored 20 points, and Candace Parker blocked a potential tying shot in the final seconds to help Los Angeles beat San Antonio.

The Sparks overcame a 13-point deficit. Ana Dabovic scored five points and Lavender added four during a 9-0 run that gave Los Angeles (5-14) a 78-71 lead with 3:02 left.

Jayne Appel's driving layup with 40 seconds remaining pulled San Antonio (6-14) to 80-78 but, after getting a stop on other end, the Stars came up short when Parker blocked Jia Perkins' shot.

Parker finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Alana Beard added 15 points and seven assists, Dabovic scored 13 points and Nneka Ogwumike had 10 for Los Angeles, which is 2-1 with Parker in the lineup and now sits a half-game out of the playoff race.

Perkins led San Antonio with 24 points.

LIBERTY 78, STORM 62

NEW YORK (AP) - Tina Charles scored 29 points and New York pulled away in the third quarter to beat Seattle for its fourth straight home victory.

Up 36-35 at the half, the Liberty (13-6) outscored for Storm (5-16) 24-9 in the third quarter.

Epiphanny Prince and Essence Carson each scored 11 points for the Liberty. Candice Wiggins added 10.

Seattle's Sue Bird, the first pick of the 2002 draft, was 3 of 7 from beyond the arc to score 14 points, becoming the first player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points and amass 2,000 assists.

The Liberty inducted former star Becky Hammon into the franchise' Ring of Honor at halftime. Hammon joined the San Antonio Spurs last year as the first full-time paid female assistant coach in the NBA and coached the Spurs' to a summer league title last month.

SKY 69, MYSTICS 68

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Elena Delle Donne scored 22 points, including the winning runner with 19 seconds to play, and tied her career high with four 3-pointers to lead Chicago past Washington.

Cappie Pondexter and Jessica Breland scored 12 points apiece, and Courtney Vandersloot had 10 assists for Chicago. The Sky (12-8) have won seven of their last 10 games after starting the season 5-5.

A layup by LaToya Sanders and a jumper by Stefanie Dolson gave Washington (11-7) a 68-67 lead with 28 seconds remaining, but Delle Donne answered with a driving scoop shot in the lane to put the Sky ahead 9 seconds later. Ivory Latta, who led the Mystics with 19 points, missed a short jumper with 3 seconds left. Breland then hit two free throws to seal it.

FEVER 83, SUN 70

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Shenise Johnson scored all 16 of her points in the second half, Erlana Larkins added 10 points and 13 rebounds and Indiana rallied to beat Connecticut for the second time in six days.

The Fever (11-8) have won six straight home games for the first time since 2011.

Connecticut (9-9) led by 11 after one quarter and had a nine-point lead at halftime, but Johnson, Larkins and Briann January led Indiana's second-half comeback. The Fever made 28 of 30 free throws.

January finished with 12 points.

Kelsey Bone led Connecticut with 20 points, and Alyssa Thomas had 18.

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox, Yankees hook up

August 4, 2015


BOSTON RED SOX (47-59) at NEW YORK YANKEES (59-45)

First pitch: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: New York -200, Boston +185, Total: 8.5

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees renew their once prestigious rivalry when they begin a three-game set in the Bronx on Tuesday night.

Despite a wealth of big moves in the offseason, the Red Sox have not been able to get things done and are currently the bottom dwellers of the AL East while sitting 13 games behind New York. After the All-Star break, Boston failed to get a win on a seven-game road trip, and since that time has gone an even 5-5 with all of those games being played at Fenway. The Sox did win their last series when Tampa Bay came to town, but failed to get a sweep on Sunday when they took a 4-3 loss as the bullpen blew a lead late in the contest. SS Xander Bogaerts (.319) continued to hit the ball all over the place and in the last 10 games has gone 18-for-43 (.419) with 10 runs scored.

The Yankees have surprised most with their impressive play this year as they lead the East by 5.5 games over both Baltimore and Toronto behind the second-best scoring offense in baseball. Things have not slowed down since the break and they are they are 11-5 since the mid-summer classic. They are coming home off of a 10-game road trip in which they were 6-4 and capped it off with a series win over the White Sox; taking the final game by a score of 12-3 as they went 6-for-11 with RISP.

One of the biggest driving forces to their success on the year has been 1B Mark Teixeira (.266) who over the past four contests is 7-for-15 (.467) with five homers and nine RBIs. Making his MLB debut in this game will be top prospect LHP Henry Owens (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for the visiting Sox as RHP Masahiro Tanaka (7-4, 3.80 ERA) takes the ball for New York. The road has been unwelcome for this Boston group in 2015 as they are 20-31 (.392) away from the confines of Fenway and will be facing the Yanks who have posted a record of 30-17 (.638) when they play in front of their fans.

This rivalry has lost some of its luster over the years, but the teams have still played tough and since the start of the 2013 season, New York holds a slight 24-23 edge in the series; going just 10-13 at home during that time though. This year, the Yankees have been able to take 6-of-9 games against the Red Sox and the last time they met, New York won 2-of-3 in Boston while outscoring them 16-12. Trends show that the Yankees are a mere 14-24 (.368) when playing on a Tuesday in the past two seasons as they’ve also managed to go 29-14 (.674) after having won two of their last three games this year.

Some big bats could be missing from the lineup for the Red Sox as 3B Pablo Sandoval (Wrist) is questionable while 2B Dustin Pedroia (Hamstring) and OF Mookie Betts (Concussion) ride the DL. New York will be missing just OF Mason Williams (Shoulder) as OF Carlos Beltran (Foot) is listed as probable.

Owens is a tall (6’6”) lefty that came out of the 2011 amateur draft as the 36th player selected overall and he immediately made an impact in his professional career. At each of his first three stops in the minor leagues between 2012 and 2013, Owens was able to mow down 299 batters in 236.2 innings (11.39 K/9), but did struggle with control as he posted more than 4.1 BB/9 at each stop.

In 2014, he was able to harness much of that control between visits to both double-A and triple-A and opened the 2015 season with the Pawtucket Red Sox as the team expected him to make the trip to the big league club at some point this year. The call has been made after posting a 3.16 ERA over 21 starts which was aided by batters hitting a meager .230 BABIP while he struck out a career-low 7.6 batters per nine and saw a lapse in control (4.1 BB/9).

He will need to be careful when facing both the aforementioned Teixeira and also 3B Alex Rodriguez (.277) who since the break has put up six homers, 10 RBIs and 14 runs in 55 at-bats. One player that has not been playing well is former Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury (.283) who is hitting .190 without a stolen base over his last 16 games played. Boston’s bullpen has gone 13-16 with a 3.88 ERA (1.33 WHIP) and is 25-for-38 (66%) in save chances. Koji Uehara (2.33 ERA, 23 saves) has blown two of his 25 save opportunities this season and over his last 10 appearances has allowed one run on five hits with a 16:2 K/BB ratio in 10.2 innings of work.

Since coming back from surgery, Tanaka has not exactly been the pitcher that the Yankees signed for $155 million a year ago. He still has been effective most of the time and does show flashes of his “Ace” potential, but has allowed too many balls to hover over the plate and as a result gets pounded every few outings. Tanaka is giving up far too many homers (1.54 HR/9) for a guy whose key pitch is a splitter, but he still has managed to keep the walks in check (1.9 BB/9) and strikeout a healthy number of the opposition (8.6 K/9).

The righty has earned a quality start in four of his last five outings, but struggled in his last visit to the bump against the Rangers; giving up four runs on nine hits with three strikeouts (3 walks) in six innings. He hasn’t been all too successful when taking on the Red Sox in his career, going 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA (1.35 WHIP), but did get a victory after going five innings and allowing four runs (3 ER) on four hits against them earlier this year.

Although he has struggled this year, 1B Mike Napoli could get on track against Tanaka as he has gone 3-for-6 with two solo homers against him in his career. On the other hand, both SS Xander Bogaerts and OF Jackie Bradley Jr. have had issues in the matchup and are a combined 3-for-16 (.188). The relievers for the Yanks have been solid, going 18-10 with a 3.39 ERA (1.16 WHIP) and have saved 33-of-41 (80%) games. Andrew Miller (1.75 ERA, 23 saves) has yet to blow a save on the year and owns an astounding 54:12 K/BB ratio with 14 hits allowed over 36 innings.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Rollins returns to Philly, Owens joins Red Sox

August 4, 2015

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

WELCOME BACK

Jimmy Rollins returns to Citizens Bank Park for the first time since Philadelphia traded the team's career hits leader to the Dodgers in the offseason. The 36-year-old shortstop is hitting just .216 with eight steals for the NL West leaders. The former MVP played 15 seasons for the Phillies, and they plan to honor him before the game. Once it begins, newly acquired Alex Wood makes his LA debut.

NO PRESSURE, ROOK

Red Sox lefty Henry Owens is set to make his major league debut, starting at Yankee Stadium against AL East-leading New York. The 23-year-old is 3-8 with a 3.16 ERA in 21 starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, and is being promoted with Rick Porcello on the disabled list. Masahiro Tanaka starts vs. last-place Boston.

ONE RUN, MAX?

Nationals ace Max Scherzer starts at home against Arizona, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2006 and brought him to the majors. He allowed a run in seven innings in an 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks in May.

JUST IN TIME

Tigers star Justin Verlander tries to slow down the AL Central-leading Royals when they visit Comerica Park. Verlander was winless in his first seven starts this year after coming off the disabled list, but struck out 10 in his last outing to beat Tampa Bay.

HOUSTON HELP

Mike Fiers makes his Astros debut, starting at Texas. He was 5-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 21 games before Milwaukee traded him and star outfielder Carlos Gomez to Houston last week.

THE BUC STARTS HERE

J.A. Happ pitches for the first time with Pittsburgh, taking on the visiting Cubs. Happ was 4-6 with Seattle before the Pirates got him last week - they need help on the mound, with A.J. Burnett expected to miss a month with an elbow strain.

[StarDust Bum]

Hessman sets minor league HR record with No. 433

August 4, 2015

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) Call him the real-life Crash Davis.

Mike Hessman, an infielder for Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers' system, became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues Monday night, hitting his 433rd in the seventh inning of a game against Lehigh Valley.

Davis was the character played by Kevin Costner in the movie ''Bull Durham'' who set the minor league record for homers.

Hessman reached the actual mark in style, hitting a grand slam to break a tie on the career list with Buzz Arlett, who played in the minors from 1918 to 1937.

''I don't follow the numbers, but after the season I'll probably do a little digging and learn a little bit about the guys I've passed,'' Hessman said.

According to the Society for American Baseball Research, Hector Espino hit 484 minor league home runs, but he hit most of them in the Mexican League, which is not part of the affiliated minor league system.

The 37-year-old Hessman has played 109 games in the major leagues for Atlanta, Detroit and the New York Mets. He has not appeared in the majors since 2010. He's hit 14 homers in the majors, batting .188 overall.

Hessman's record-setting home run came off right-hander Dustin McGowan. Toledo ended up losing 10-8 in 11 innings, but after the game, Hessman's teammates doused him with champagne in an on-field celebration.

''They've been cheering me on all year,'' Hessman said. ''I don't like to talk about numbers and such, but they gave me words of encouragement every day.''

''I was just happy to do it here at home for the good fans here in Toledo.''

Hessman was selected by Atlanta in the 15th round of the 1996 draft. Although he hasn't been productive enough for an extended stay in the majors, he's always shown good power, even hitting five home runs in 12 games for the Tigers in 2008.

That same year, he was a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. team at the Beijing Olympics.

Hessman also holds the career home run records for Toledo (184) and the International League (288).

[StarDust Bum]

WGC Bridgestone Invitational

August 4, 2015


Tournament: World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational
Date: Aug. 6 - Aug. 9
Venue: Firestone Country Club
Location: Akron, OH

The third leg of the WGC series will commence in Akron this week as the top players from around the world compete in the Bridgestone Invitational. The event first began back in 1999 along with the other two WGC tourneys that have already taken place this year and has been played at this par-70, 7,400-yard course in all but one installment.

The field will consist of golfers from the most recent President’s Cup and Ryder Cup teams, players ranked in the top-50 of the Official World Golf Rankings both a week and two weeks ahead of the event and selected winners from the PGA Tour of Australia, Sunshine Tour, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour. Plenty of late additions were made to the group and are highlighted by Troy Merritt, who jumped from 180th in the OWGR to 99th with his victory in the Quicken Loans National after a Saturday round of 61 which vaulted him to his first PGA TOUR win and a first visit to a WGC event.

The only two players from the top-50 that will not be making the trip this week are No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who is dealing with his ankle injury, and No. 22 Chris Kirk, who is out with an injured hand. Speaking of McIlroy, he was the winner here last year with a score of 15-under-par, shooting eight-under over the weekend as he was joined by just Sergio Garcia (-13) and Marc Leishman (-12) in double-digit numbers under par. It was Garcia who had a three-shot lead late on Sunday in the event, though, but carded a 71 on the final day and allowed McIlroy to win at a WGC event for the second consecutive time.

Since the inception of this event in 1999, Tiger Woods has won in an amazing eight of them, most recently in 2013, but will not earn a chance this season as he did not qualify. There will be plenty of opportunities to score on this course as evidenced by the winners here going 10-under-par or better in each year but 2005 and 2007 while Tigers Woods, to nobody’s surprise, holds the tourney record with a score of 21-under back in 2000 when he defeated the runners-up, Justin Leonard and Phillip Price, by an astounding 11 strokes.

Let’s now go through the players and find some names that could stand out amongst this strong field when the dust settles at Firestone.

Golfers to Bet

Adam Scott (15/1): Scott doesn’t get quite the recognition that he once did after rising to the top of the OWGR rankings and now sits just outside of the top-10. While he has not had a big win since the 2013 season, when he took down the Masters and the Barclays, he has continued to be a force in events with strong fields. Since the start of the 2011 campaign, this Aussie has been in the top-10 at 11-of-19 majors; including ranking in a tie for 10th at the Open Championship and a tie for fourth at the U.S. Open most recently. WGC stroke play events have been a forte of his as well and since 2010 he has earned seven top-nines in 16 attempts and came away with a tie for fourth at the Cadillac Championships earlier this season. His putter (-0.710 strokes gained putting, 186th on TOUR) is a problem and will continue to be when the TOUR eliminates his anchored style, but he makes up for it with a huge driver (309.6 yards per, 4th on TOUR) and the ability to consistently stick greens (73.17% GIR, 2nd on TOUR) better than anybody in the circuit not named Henrik Stenson. The 35-year-old takes his game to a different level in big events and Scott will likely be dotting the top of the leaderboard at this course where he has three top-10s and a victory in his last five attempts.

Jim Furyk (30/1): Earlier this year, Furyk was able to end a five-year winning drought with a victory at the RBC Heritage, his 17th career PGA TOUR win. Breaking through was huge for the 45-year-old who always seems to be in the mix, but cannot finish when it comes down to the wire. Overall on the year, Furyk has made it to the weekend in 12-of-14 (86%) events, and besides his victory in April, has four other top-10s. He’s continued to play well of late with a fifth at Memorial and a fourth at the Canadian Open as he looks to put on another show in Akron where he has three top-nines, including a runner-up showing in 2012, over the past five years. Furyk is more accurate than most off the tee (70.96%, 11th on TOUR) and has tremendous ball striking as evidenced by his 1.442 strokes gained from tee-to-green (7th on TOUR), so he should have no issues posting some impressive numbers during this tournament.

Branden Grace (80/1): Grace may not have a win when playing in a PGA TOUR event, but he does have plenty under his belt, taking home six trophies on the European Tour and five on the Sunshine Tour out of South Africa. He has become a name to know for many golf fans recently with a tie for fourth at the tough U.S. Open and has been solid when in the majors over the last few years, going 9-for-14 in cuts made with three top-25s. Grace also did well in the last WGC event, making it to the round of 16 in the Match Play Championship and netted a 23rd last year at this course. The 27-year-old grabbed two of his European Tour wins earlier in 2015 and comes in playing well with a finish no worse than 20th at his last five outings between the WGC events, majors and Scottish Open since March. Grace’s spot in the top-30 of the OWGR is no joke and another solid outing this week should vault him even higher.

Marc Leishman (50/1): Leishman has been establishing himself as a force in the golf world over the last couple of years as he continues to put up big efforts under the lights of majors and WGC events. He is fresh in most memories after making it into a playoff, but eventually losing out to Zach Johnson, at St. Andrews a few weeks ago, but that was not his first great showing at such an event as he had a fifth at the 2014 installment of the Open Championship and also has three top-10s at the past four WGC outings. One of those was a third-place finish at Firestone last season when he was one of three players to reach double-digit numbers under par behind 17 birdies; the most in the field. Leishman is one of those players who seem to always be around, but is unable to get it done; this week may change that as he uses his momentum from the British Open to vault him into contention.

Robert Streb (110/1): Streb will be making his debut in a WGC stroke play event when he tees off at Firestone this week after winning the McGladrey Classic earlier this year, as he also jumped into the top-50 of the OWGR this week. Each tournament recently has seen Streb’s name toward the top of the leaderboard and over his last seven outings he has just one finish worse than 19th. In that time he also just missed out on his second win of the year with a runner-up showing at the Greenbrier Classic and proved he could compete with the best after a score of eight-under at St. Andrews; a mark that put him in a tie for 18th. Streb is amongst the top-50 golfers on Tour in tons of statistical categories, but seems to excel best at hitting greens (70.61% GIR, 10th on TOUR) and makes the most of those situations with 0.404 strokes gained putting (28th on TOUR). He should be feeling good after competing with the best in the world at the Open and could put up another great effort in Ohio this week.

Odds to win 2015 Bridgestone Invitational - per Sportsbook.ag

Jordan Spieth 9/2
Jason Day 12/1
Dustin Johnson 14/1
Justin Rose 14/1
Rickie Fowler 14/1
Adam Scott 15/1
Louis Oosthuizen 20/1
Hideki Matsuyama 23/1
Sergio Garcia 23/1
Henrik Stenson 25/1
Bubba Watson 27/1
Jim Furyk 30/1
Keegan Bradley 30/1
Zach Johnson 35/1
Matt Kuchar 40/1
Patrick Reed 40/1
Brooks Koepka 45/1
Jimmy Walker 45/1
Phil Mickelson 45/1
Charl Schwartzel 50/1
Marc Leishman 50/1
Billy Horschel 60/1
Paul Casey 65/1
Bill Haas 70/1
Brandt Snedeker 70/1
Kevin Kisner 75/1
Martin Kaymer 75/1
Branden Grace 80/1
David Lingmerth 80/1
Ryan Palmer 80/1
Danny Lee 90/1
Danny Willett 90/1
Ryan Moore 95/1
Hunter Mahan 110/1
Robert Streb 110/1
J.B. Holmes 120/1
Brendon Todd 130/1
Charley Hoffman 130/1
Russell Henley 130/1
Webb Simpson 130/1
Gary Woodland 140/1
Troy Merritt 140/1
Kevin Na 150/1
Francesco Molinari 170/1
Lee Westwood 170/1
Steven Bowditch 170/1
Bernd Wiesberger 180/1
Ian Poulter 180/1
Shane Lowry 180/1
Byeong-Hun An 190/1
Victor Dubuisson 200/1
Graeme McDowell 210/1
Joost Luiten 220/1
Padraig Harrington 220/1
Ben Martin 230/1
Marc Warren 230/1
Anirban Lahiri 300/1
James Hahn 300/1
Jamie Donaldson 300/1
Matt Every 300/1
Sangmoon Bae 350/1
Camilo Villegas 400/1
Pablo Larrazabal 400/1
Andrew Dodt 500/1
David Lipsky 500/1
Fabian Gomez 500/1
Gary Stal 500/1
Koumei Oda 500/1
Marcel Siem 500/1
Mikko Ilonen 500/1
Nick Cullen 500/1
Oliver Wilson 500/1
Soren Kjeldsen 500/1
Stephen Gallacher 500/1
Thomas Bjorn 500/1
Thongchai Jaidee 500/1
WC Liang 500/1

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Tuesday

August 4, 2015


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Cardinals are 15-0 since May 15, 2014 as a favorite and after a walk off win.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When John Lackey starts the Cardinals are 0-10 O/U since Sep 10, 2014 after his team scored a total of fewer than three runs in his last start.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Rays are 0-10-1 O/U since Apr 26, 2015 and when they won their last two games and their opponent has lost their last two games.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Dodgers are 0-10 ML since May 31, 2007 on the road as a 140+ favorite and when they are off two wins in which they never trailed.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Pirates are 10-0 ML since Sep 23, 2011 as a home dog when their starter went less than four innings in his last start.

[StarDust Bum]

Torrid offense has the Lynx cashing the over

The Minnesota Lynx have gone over in four consecutive games and has seemed to simply turn those contests into shootouts.

Over their past four the Lynx are averaging four points (82.8) more than their season average (78.8), but they are also allowing nearly six more points (76) than their season average (70.4).

Minny visits the lowly LA Sparks Tuesday with the total currently set at 152.

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

Shock's ugly losing streak has bettors running away

The Tulsa Shock have dropped their past six games on the court, but have been just as abysmal at the betting window as they have not covered a single game during that span.

The Shock are being outscored by seven points per game during their skid, but have seen an average closing spread of +1.

Tulsa is currently +8.5, the largest dog they have been since their opening game, when thet visit the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday.

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

Braves dropping games at alarming rate behind Miller

The Atlanta Braves have been an awful bet when Shelby Miller has been on the mound recently, dropping 11 out of his last 12 starts.

That's a trend Braves backers will be hoping reverses itself Tuesday when Miller faces off against Jake Peavy and the San Francisco Giants.

As of this writing, the Braves were +103 on the moneyline.

[StarDust Bum]

Holy $hit betting stat of the day: Arrieta has been money on the road

Aug 04, 2015

Jake Arrieta has been thriving in hostile territory this season and it has meant wins for the Chicago Cubs. In Arrieta's 11 road games this season, the Cubbies are 9-2.

The right-hander has posted a 2.21 ERA away from Wrigley Field this season, which is almost a full point lower than his mark at home (3.07 ERA). Those 11 starts have seen Arrieta give up 58 hits and 18 earned runs over 73.1 innings pitched.

The good stats keep flowing for Arrieta, as the Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday. In two starts against the Buccos this season, Arrieta has a 1.29 ERA and has only allowing batters to hit .180.

Arrieta and the Cubs are currently -118 when they take to PNC Park Tuesday.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

7:05 PM EDT

651 SA STARS 148 148 / 149 / 149.5 150 +160
652 CONNECTICUT SUN -4.5 -4.5 -4 -05 -185

CON-F-Chiney Ogwumike-OUT

8:05 PM EDT

653 INDIANA FEVER 162.5 162.5 / 161.5 / 162 163 +215
654 CHICAGO SKY -5.5 -5.5 -6 -260

TV: NBA, DTV: 216

10:00 PM EDT

655 MINNESOTA LYNX -2 -2.5 / -2 / -2 -21 -2.5 -145
656 LOS ANGELES SPARKS 152.5 152 / 151 / 150 151.5 +125

MIN-G-Seimone Augustus-OUT | TV: ESPN2, DTV: 209

10:05 PM EDT

657 TULSA SHOCK 152 151.5u16 / 151.5 / 152.5 152 +345
658 PHOENIX MERCURY -10 -10 / -8.5 -8.5 -05 -425

Tul-G-Skylar Diggins-OUT | Tul-F-Glory Johnson-OUT | PHO-G-Diana Taurasi-OUT | TV: ESPN3.com

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

7:00 PM San Antonio +4 211 36.76% Connecticut -4 363 63.24% View View

8:00 PM Indiana +6 264 46.73% Chicago -6 301 53.27% View View

10:00 PM Tulsa +8 301 54.53% Phoenix -8 251 45.47% View View

10:00 PM Minnesota -2 352 61.32% Los Angeles +2 222 38.68% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM Indiana 162.5 190 40.08% Chicago 162.5 284 59.92% View View

7:00 PM San Antonio 150.5 206 44.49% Connecticut 150.5 257 55.51% View View

10:00 PM Minnesota 152 255 53.91% Los Angeles 152 218 46.09% View View

10:00 PM Tulsa 152 302 63.71% Phoenix 152 172 36.29% View View