Friday Trends and Indexes 04/13

[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Friday, April 13


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


Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays: Pick Tigers +140

Rarely do baseball bettors get value on the Tigers' Jeremy Bonderman but books have dogged Detroit facing Toronto ace Roy Halladay today. While Bonderman was solid in his last start, giving up two runs and seven hits in six innings, it might be the Blue Jays defense that gives Detroit the upper hand.

Toronto’s fielding has been shaky with seven errors in its last three games. The careless defense has cost backers in two of those three, including Thursday’s game against the Tigers when pitcher Tomo Ohka made a costly throwing error on a routine double play. This error led to the eventual deciding run in the 5-4 ball game.

"You give up extra outs and that kills you, especially against good teams," Toronto manager John Gibbons told MLB.com.





Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies: Pick Astros +102

Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt isn’t going to blow batters away with his strikeout ability but his control and pitch placement make him one of the best groundball pitchers in the majors.

The 29-year-old right-hander has started the season in top form, allowing only one run and five hits in each of his two starts this season. Oswalt went nine innings this past weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals for his first win of the season and the 99th of his career.

Oswalt hasn’t broken the 100-pitch mark yet, throwing only 94 and 95 pitches in his first two starts. Rejuvenated confidence in his changeup is making the difference, using it as his first pitch and forcing hitters to ground out on their first swing.





Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals: Pick Brewers -119

Brewers ace Ben Sheets has an opportunity to bounce back from an uncharacteristic start last weekend against the futile bats of the defending World Series champs.

Sheets pitched six innings and was smacked for five runs and nine hits in Milwaukee’s 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs as a -115 favorite last Saturday. In his first start of the season, the young righty went nine full innings against the Los Angeles Angels while allowing only one run.

The Cardinals lineup is putting up fewer than three runs per game behind a .240 team batting average. Power hitters Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen aren’t proving any offense in the middle of the order, hitting .176 and .192 to start the season.





San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers: Pick Padres +118

Four years ago this pitching matchup would have passed for one of the great rivalries in sports. Now it's a minor blip on the radar in MLB's weakest division.

Both David Wells and Derek Lowe were impressive in their last starts. Wells went a little over six innings and allowed two runs on six hits in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies in his season debut.

Lowe pitched well against the Giants last weekend, allowing only one run on four hits in seven innings. But he did take a pounding to open the season, giving up six runs in only four innings versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

Wells also has a lights-out bullpen backing him up today. San Diego’s relievers haven’t allowed a run in their nine games this season and they've recorded a win or a save in each of the Padres' six wins.

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Friday, April 13


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


Hot

John Lackey (Los Angeles Angels) - Lackey cashed in his first two starts allowing just one earned run over 12 innings in those games. Both starts resulted in unders. The Los Angeles Angels take on the Boston Red Sox tonight with oddsmakers setting Lackey & Co. as -121 favorites.

Dontrelle Willis (Florida Marlins) - Unlike last year, Willis got his season off to a solid start this season with a 2-0 record and a respectable 3.00 earned run average. He went six strong allowing just one earned run on seven hits against the Washington Nationals in his last outing. The Marlins gave him plenty of support in both games scoring a combined 17 runs and pushing the total over the number. Florida was set at -101 against the Atlanta Braves early Friday and the total is nine runs.

Johan Santana (Minnesota Twins) - After a sub-Santana-like performance in the Twins' season opener, the ace regained his superb form with a seven-inning one-hit performance against the Chicago White Sox his last time out. Santana is now 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA on the season and will face the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight, a team he has pitched well against in his career. He is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 66 strikeouts against Tampa Bay in his career. Oddsmakers have the Twins set as a reasonable -200 favorite.

Cold

Kei Igawa (New York Yankees) - The Japanese fireballer's MLB career got off to a rocky start with a horrendous debut. Igawa allowed seven earned runs on eight hits in five innings against the Baltimore Orioles in his first start on American soil. He will look for better results tonight when the Yanks take on the Oakland Athletics as slight -103 dogs. The total is set at 9 1/2.

John Patterson (Washington Nationals) - It should be no surprise a Nationals pitcher cracked the cold pitchers' list. Patterson is responsible for two of the Nats' eight losses this season. He dropped both starts this year, posting an ugly 9.35 ERA. Washington enters tonight's matchup with the New York Mets as +174 underdogs.

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Minnesota at Anaheim
Despite losing 2-1 in Game 1, the Wild should feel good about the play of goalie Niklas Backstrom, who made 32 saves in his playoff debut. It took a Dustin Penner goal with 5:20 remaining to lift the Ducks to victory at home. Given Minnesota's strong play down the stretch (11-2-1 in its last 14 regular-season games, including wins at Buffalo, Vancouver and Calgary) the Wild look like a good pick to bounce back according to Dunkel, which has Minnesota favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

Game 1-2: San Jose at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 14.100; Nashville 12.920
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (+1 1/2); Over

Game 3-4: Dallas at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 12.751; Vancouver 13.475
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 5
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+1 1/2); Over

Game 5-6: Minnesota at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 13.364; Anaheim 13.157
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim by 1 1/2; 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+1 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Friday, April 13th

Detroit at Toronto, 7:05 EST
Detroit: 1-7 ATS off 3+ games committing 11 or less turnovers
Toronto: 7-1 ATS after playing as a road favorite

Milwaukee at Boston, 7:35 EST
Milwaukee: 1-9 ATS off a home division loss
Boston: 41-21 ATS off a home loss

New York at New Jersey, 7:35 EST
New York: 27-12 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9.5 points
New Jersey: 4-12 ATS off a loss by 10+ points

Washington at Atlanta, 7:35 EST
Washington: 12-3 ATS off a loss by 3 points or less
Atlanta: 2-11 ATS off 3+ Overs

Indiana at Miami, 8:05 EST ESPN
Indiana: 6-1 ATS off a road division win
Miami: 1-8 ATS revenging a loss scoring 75 points or less

Denver at New Orleans, 8:05 EST
Denver: 9-1 Over off a win as a road underdog
New Orleans: 16-6 ATS at home after playing as a favorite

San Antonio at Minnesota, 8:05 EST
San Antonio: 15-3 ATS off 3+ games forcing 11 or less turnovers
Minnesota: 0-9 ATS at home in April

Utah at Dallas, 8:35 EST
Utah: 0-7 ATS off ATS losses in 6 or 7 of their last 8 games
Dallas: 11-3 ATS off 3+ games allowing 90 points or less

Charlotte at Chicago, 8:35 EST
Charlotte: 6-18 ATS off BB wins
Chicago: 15-3 ATS in April

Golden State at Sacramento, 10:05 EST
Golden State: 22-4 Over after winning 5 or 6 of their last 7 games
Sacramento: 8-20 ATS after losing 2 of their last 3 games

LA Lakers at Phoenix, 10:35 EST ESPN
LA Lakers: 6-15 ATS off BB losses
Phoenix: 31-16 ATS after making 12+ three-point shots

Portland at LA Clippers, 10:35 EST
Portland: 7-17 ATS revenging a home loss
LA Clippers: 21-9 ATS off a win as an underdog

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Friday, April 13th


Western Conference Playoffs
First Round, Game Two
San Jose Leads, 1-0
TV: None
San Jose at Nashville, 8:05 EST

San Jose:
7-1 Under away after winning 8+ of their last 10 games
7-0 Under away off BB games allowing 4+ goals

Nashville:
32-11 SU as a home favorite of -200 or less
16-7 SU revenging a one-goal loss

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

Western Conference Playoffs
First Round, Game Two
Vancouver Leads, 1-0
TV: VER
Dallas at Vancouver, 9:05 EST

Dallas:
7-12 SU in April
11-2 Under revenging a one-goal loss

Vancouver:
8-0 SU off 3+ games allowing 3+ goals
6-1 SU off a combined score of 8+ goals

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

Western Conference Playoffs
First Round, Game Two
Anaheim Leads, 1-0
TV: None
Minnesota at Anaheim, 10:35 EST

Minnesota:
17-7 Under off BB games allowing 2 goals or less
25-13 Under away off a loss

Anaheim:
19-5 SU as a home favorite of -200 or less
12-4 SU when leading a playoff series

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Friday, April 13th

National League

Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 EST
Aaron Harang (R) vs. Carlos Zambrano (R)
Harang: 21-10 TSR away off a team win
Zambrano: Cubs 9-24 SU revenging a loss as a road favorite

Houston at Philadelphia, 7:05 EST
Roy Oswalt (R) vs. Brett Myers (R)
Oswalt: Houston 30-16 Under as an underdog of +150 or less
Myers: Philadelphia 6-18 SU at home off 3+ road games

San Francisco at Pittsburgh, 7:05 EST
Russ Ortiz (R) vs. Zach Duke (L)
Ortiz: 6-21 TSR as an underdog
Duke: Pittsburgh 15-7 SU at home after losing 5 or 6 of their last 7 games

Washington at NY Mets, 7:10 EST
John Patterson (R) vs. Mike Pelfrey (R)
Patterson: 0-6 SU after scoring 2 runs or less
Pelfrey: Mets 29-8 SU off BB Unders

Florida at Atlanta, 7:35 EST TBS
Dontrelle Willis (L) vs. Mark Redman (L)
Willis: 37-14 TSR as a favorite of -150 or less
Redman: Atlanta 8-16 SU off BB games allowing 3 runs or less

Milwaukee at St. Louis, 8:10 EST
Ben Sheets (R) vs. Anthony Reyes (R)
Sheets: 2-9 TSR vs. division opponents
Reyes: St. Louis 5-1 SU vs. division opponents

Colorado at Arizona, 9:40 EST
Josh Fogg (R) vs. Brandon Webb (R)
Fogg: Colorado 9-27 SU off BB games scoring 2 runs or less
Webb: Arizona 7-1 SU as a favorite

San Diego at LA Dodgers, 10:40 EST
David Wells (L) vs. Derek Lowe (R)
Wells: San Diego 7-1 Under this season
Lowe: Dodgers 12-2 SU at home after winning 4 of their last 5 games


American League

LA Angels at Boston, 7:05 EST
John Lackey (R) vs. Tim Wakefield (R)
Lackey: 21-8 TSR pitching on 5 or 6 days rest
Wakefield: 18-5 Under pitching on 5 or 6 days rest

Kansas City at Baltimore, 7:05 EST
Brandon Duckworth (R) vs. Erik Bedard (L)
Duckworth: Kansas City 7-37 SU away vs. AL East opponents
Bedard: Baltimore 26-12 Under at home after scoring 2 runs or less

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, 7:05 EST
Javier Vazquez (R) vs. Fausto Carmona (R)
Vazquez: 9-22 TSR as a home favorite of -150 or less
Carmona: Cleveland 24-11 Under after the bullpen allowed 0 runs

Detroit at Toronto, 7:05 EST
Jeremy Bonderman (R) vs. Roy Halladay (R)
Bonderman: Detroit 23-9 Under in April
Halladay: 24-5 TSR pitching off a team loss

Tampa Bay at Minnesota, 8:10 EST
Scott Kazmir (L) vs. Johan Santana (L)
Kazmir: Tampa Bay 7-28 SU as an underdog of +150 to +200
Santana: 18-1 TSR in home games

NY Yankees at Oakland, 10:05 EST
Kei Igawa (L) vs. Dan Haren (R)
Igawa: Yankees 39-19 Over off 3+ road games
Haren: Oakland 14-3 SU after the bullpen allowed 4+ runs

Texas at Seattle, 10:05 EST
Kevin Millwood (R) vs. Jarrod Washburn (L)
Millwood: 10-20 TSR pitching off a team loss
Washburn: 12-2 Under at home on Fridays

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[pm530]

NHL
Tips and trends


Friday, April 13

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

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks (9 PM ET)
Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped all 36 shots after regulation and finished wit 72 saves, one short of Kelly Hrudey's playoff record. EDGE: CANUCKS
Dallas was frustrated with its Game 1 loss considering the Stars outshot Vancouver 76-56. EDGE: STARS
Stars goaltender Marty Turco continues to have problems during the playoffs, dropping his record to 2-9 in his last 11 postseason games. EDGE: CANUCKS
The home team is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings.


Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks (10:30 PM ET)
Anaheim elected to go with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in Game 1 and he delivered a 2-1 victory. Bryzgalov is 7-4 with a 1.42 GAA and three shutouts in 12 postseason games. EDGE: DUCKS & UNDER
The Ducks have won five straight playoff games against Minnesota, including a four-game sweep in the 2003 conference finals. The Wild have lost eight of their last nine visits to Anaheim. BIG EDGE: DUCKS
Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom was excellent in his playoff debut despite the loss, making 32 saves and stopping five of six all-out or partial breakaways. EDGE: WILD
The UNDER is 16-5-3 in the last 24 meetings.

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

[Dennis14072]

Thanks as always guys!