Tuesday's WNBA Trends and Indexes - 7/28

[Udog]

Trends and Indexes

Tuesday, July 28

Good Luck on day #209 of 2015!

NOTE: As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.

[Udog]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Current spreads on some NFL spreads down the road.......

Week 12-- Eagles @ Lions (-1.5)

Week 12-- Panthers @ Cowboys (-4.5)

Week 12-- Bears @ Packers (-9.5)-- Six NFC teams on Thanksgiving Day

Week 13-- Packers (-2) @ Lions-- Teams meet with full week of rest.

Week 13-- Jets @ Giants (-4.5)-- Both teams playing on their home field.

Week 17-- Seahawks (-3.5) @ Cardinals

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Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but........

13) Was going to sum up my Las Vegas vacation today, but Colorado traded its SS Troy Tulowitzki late last night, so we'll write about Vegas tomorrow. Rockies sent Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto for Jose Reyes and three prospects.

12) First question: Will both shortstops stay put? Rockies have a SS in AAA named Story who is a big prospect, so hard to believe a non-contender would pay Reyes big money ($20M+ a year)-- he could be moving again soon.

11) Toronto is currently 50-50, seven games out of first place in AL East, three games out of the second Wild Card in a mediocre AL. Is Tulowtzki an upgrade over Reyes? Even if he is, it ain't by much and asking an injury-prone guy to play half his games on art9ificial turf is dicey at best. Toronto still needs to add pitching.

10) Toronto is LaTroy Hawkins' 11th major league team, putting him two games behind record-holder Octavio Dotel, who pitched for 13 teams.

9) Blue Jays haven't been in the playoffs since '93; they're all in for this year.

8) Cubs 9, Rockies 8-- Carlos Gonzalez homered in top of 9th to give Colorado an 8-7 lead, but Kris Bryant sent everyone home happy with a walk-off tater in bottom of the ninth. Soon after, Colorado traded its best/most popular player. Rough night.

7) Alex Rodriguez homered on his 40th birthday, mkaing him the 4th player ever to homer as a teenager and then again when he was 40+ years old-- other three are Rusty Staub, Gary Sheffield and Ty Cobb.

6) White Sox 10, Red Sox 8-- Chicago hit back/back triples to start the game, first team since the 2011 Tigers to do that.

5) Randy Johnson gave up one home run to a pitcher in his career; when he was on the Giants, Yovani Gallardo hit one off him while pitching for the Brewers.

4) You don't think Clint Hurdle earns his salary? Pirates have had 15 sellouts already this season. Hurdle has done a fantastic job in the Steel City.

3) Someone named Ben Carson is running for President; I've vote for Ben Stiller, Ben Roethlisberger or Carson Palmer before this guy-- I have zero idea who he is.

2) Indians are 19-31 at home; 4-15 vs lefty starters, 15-16 vs righty starters. Indians are 9-8 on road vs lefties 17-15 vs righties. Go figure.

1) Weird week with trades starting to happen every few hours- this is also the week rosters in our keeper fantasy league freeze for the season, so lot of stuff to keep up with. Always wondered how late these GMs of big league teams call each other?

The Colorado-Toronto trade was announced late; did it set off a flurry of latenight phone calls with GMs all over baseball? What if a GM went to bed early and woke up to find the landscape had changed drastically? Lot of money at stake in the big leagues.

[Udog]

AFC North camp preview: Ravens restart playoff chase

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- When the Baltimore Ravens trudged out of the locker room at Gillette Stadium in January following a narrow AFC divisional-round playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, veteran wide receiver Steve Smith vowed they would be back and that the result would be different the next time.

Seven months later, the Ravens launch their training camp hoping that they had the kind of offseason that propels them to take a step forward in the playoffs instead of regressing. Baltimore has reached the playoffs in six of coach John Harbaugh's seven seasons.

That includes a Super Bowl XLVII win over the San Francisco 49ers, and they are 72-40 in the regular season during that span and 10-5 in the postseason.

Following an offseason where the roster absorbed some losses, including wide receiver Torrey Smith and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee leaving as free agents and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata being traded to the Detroit Lions after a contract dispute, the Ravens are nonetheless confident about where they stand.

"Happy with where we're at and looking forward to where we're going," Harbaugh said during the final day of the Ravens' minicamp in June.

As the Ravens launch their camp, they will have several competitions to monitor at strong safety, tight end and wide receiver. There is a strong likelihood they will have a younger, revamped depth chart with as many as five new starters this season. The goals for training camp are to identify the best possible starting lineup, continue to install the playbooks and build timing and chemistry.

"The training camp is built, so we have the reps built and all the practices built," Harbaugh said. "All the situations are built in, every football formation look that we want to work on. You learn a lot in the OTAs in terms of what you're going to be good at, you think, so you start steering in that direction a little bit more. And we'll try to keep evolving from that, because we're going to learn more as we go, and we'll adjust as we go.

"But I'm looking for the young guys to step up. Our young guys probably get more reps than I can imagine anybody else getting, so we put our young guys in positions to compete for jobs. These rookies are going to have a chance to compete for jobs."

CAMP CALENDAR

July 25: Rookies reported

July 29: Veterans report

July 30: First practice

Aug 19-21: Joint practices at the Philadelphia Eagles

Aug. 24: Camp ends

--Team strength: Linebacker.

Between outside linebackers Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw and Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and middle linebacker Daryl Smith, the position is a huge asset to the defense.

--Breakout player: Cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Smith is emerging as a shutdown cover guy. He was signed to a $48 million contract and has recovered from a Lisfranc foot sprain.

--Work in progress: Tight end.

The Ravens remain in flux at tight end where second-year pro Crockett Gillmore hasn't established himself yet as a receiver and rookie Maxx Williams is unproven in terms of durability and blocking.

The Ravens hope the two young players develop into proven pros this fall.

[Udog]

NFC East camp preview: Cowboys feel primed for title run

OXNARD, Calif. -- Nobody expected the Dallas Cowboys to be considered Super Bowl contenders a year ago.

Heck, most expected them to finish 8-8 or worse and for head coach Jason Garrett to be fired at the end of the season.

Of course, that was before the Cowboys became one of the surprising breakthrough stories of 2014, finishing with a 12-4 record, winning the NFC East and coming within a controversial non-catch by receiver Dez Bryant of reaching the NFC title game for the first time since 1995, the last time they won the Super Bowl.

It comes as no surprise that the Cowboys are considered prime Super Bowl contenders before the 2015 season. They remain the best team in the NFC East and they have ranked just behind the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers as the cream of the conference.

The Cowboys didn't care what outsiders thought last year and they don't care this year.

They will open training camp this week with the Super Bowl as their goal, but with the primary focus of defining themselves for themselves just as they did a year ago.

"Any coach or player or staff member, if you don't have the goal of winning the Super Bowl you are in the wrong profession," Garrett said. "Everybody has that goal. We define ourselves by what we do. We did that last year. We have to do that again this year. Everybody will understand that really well.

"Don't let other people define you. We define ourselves by what we do. When I did this press conference a year ago, we were probably regarded as a bottom-five or bottom-10 team in the league. One of the best things our team did last year was that we defined ourselves. We didn't listen to any outside forces who said we weren't this or we weren't that. We just went to work every day. We have to do that again. They might think differently of us this year. It really doesn't matter. We define ourselves by what we do. That starts (Tuesday)."

Still there is no question that the Super Bowl is the Cowboys' goal after last season's coming of age campaign and an offseason in which they accomplished almost everything they wanted, save for the acquisition of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in a trade.

But no one gets everything.

The Cowboys are still on the hunt for a starting running back but every other thing they tried came up roses.

The top priority was retaining Bryant and making him happy. He was signed to a five-year, $70 million contract two weeks ago, ending his threats to boycott the season and putting him on the field for training camp.

"To get him signed and ready to go to start camp is exciting," Garrett said in his first comments since the signing. "He is a great football player but more important he is a great teammate. He is passionate about the game. He is passionate about the team, his teammates. We are excited to see him out there."

Garrett is also happy to avoid the distracting story line of what a Bryant holdout would have brought to training camp.

"I don't think anyone wants those types of things," Garrett said. "You don't want holdouts. You don't want the business of the NFL to creep in as you get close to the season. The business is real. You have to take the emotions out of it. But it's fun to have him back. It's fun to have in him in the fold and on the practice field as we start training camp."

Quarterback Tony Romo had his first healthy offseason in three years and will head into training camp 100 percent for the first time since 2012.

The best offensive line in the NFL got even better with the addition of La'el Collins, an undrafted rookie free agent with first-round talent who could start at left guard.

The defense should be better because of the return of linebacker Sean Lee from injury and the additions of defensive ends Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory and cornerback Byron Jones in the draft and free agency.

The Cowboys got a win when Hardy's NFL suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy was reduced from 10 games to four.

Cornerback Morris Claiborne, who has been a disappointment since coming to the team with the sixth overall pick in 2012, is also a source of optimism because of a successful return from knee surgery that might allow the Cowboys to play Jones at safety.

"It's all about the production on the field," executive vice president Stephen Jones said in affirming the team's highly productive offseason. "We obviously feel like we got a lot accomplished. We theoretically got done what we felt like we needed to do to make our team better and take the next step. Now we'll see if it happens."

CAMP CALENDAR

July 28: Team reports

July 30: First practice

Aug. 17-18: Joint practices with Rams in Oxnard

Aug. 28: Camp ends

--Team strength: Offensive line.

The Cowboys' offensive line was considered the best in the NFL last year when it placed three players in the Pro Bowl: left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin. They return their entire unit from a year ago while also adding a first-round talent in undrafted rookie free agent La'el Collins, who was considered a top 15 pick before questions about the murder of an ex-girlfriend made him untouchable. Once cleared, Collins signed with the Cowboys and could replace Ron Leary at left guard.

--Breakout player: Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.

Crawford had a nice bounce-back season last year after missing the 2013 campaign with a torn Achilles. He replaced Henry Melton in the starting lineup at defensive tackle, recording 33 tackles and three sacks. The Cowboys expect marked improvement in 2015 as Crawford gets more comfortable at defensive tackle. He played defensive end his first two years in the league. He had 37 hurries last year so he has talent to rush up the middle. The key in 2015 is for him to finish those hurries with sacks.

--Work in progress: Running back.

The Cowboys have yet to find a replacement for the departed DeMarco Murray. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden are the most likely starters at this point. But the team doesn't trust the speedy Randle, who has yet to carry a full load for a full season. McFadden has been injured almost every year and averaged less than four yards per carry the past three seasons with Oakland.

The Cowboys also have no one to get the tough yards in short-yardage situations. They will be looking for options throughout training camp.

[Udog]

WNBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, July 28


Indiana @ Connecticut

Game 653-654
July 28, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
112.647
Connecticut
111.747
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 1
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 2
151
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+2); Under

Chicago @ Phoenix

Game 651-652
July 28, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
113.755
Phoenix
115.697
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 2
155
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 4 1/2
160 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+4 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 28

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CHICAGO (11 - 6) at PHOENIX (9 - 7) - 7/28/2015, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) after a division game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (8 - 8) at CONNECTICUT (8 - 7) - 7/28/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 112-145 ATS (-47.5 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 114-78 ATS (+28.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
INDIANA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 7-3 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 5-5 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Tuesday, July 28

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. CONNECTICUT
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Connecticut is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games at home

10:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games


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