Thursday Trends and Indexes 05/31

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Thursday, May 31

Good Luck on day #151 of 2007!

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.

[pm530]

Six-pack for Thursday

-- Paul Byrd has twice as many wins (6) as walks allowed (3)

-- Randy Johnson allowed one baserunner in six innings; he left after throwing only 61 pitches.

-- Astros haven't won a game since May 19; you look at the lineup they use, and it is amazingly unathletic. During this losing streak, they've been outscored 64-20.

-- Royals had brief hot spell, but now have lost seven in a row, outscored 54-13.

-- Visiting teams were 8-0 in National League Wednesday; the eight visiting starters gave up eight runs in 52 innings.

-- Six of the 15 visiting starters last night didn't allow a run.

[pm530]

Thursday's list of 13: Random late May thoughts........

13) Kevin Youkilis isn't on the All-Star ballot because David Ortiz is, because there is no DH in the All-Star Game this year because the game is in an NL park. Does Ortiz own a glove?

12) So if you want to vote for the Red Sox' first baseman, you have to write his name in, but if you do, you can't vote for the Red Sox' best hitter, Ortiz. Another brilliant move by baseball.

11) It is incredibly stupid to have a DH-less All-Star game.

10) Jim Leyland will get it right and have both Youkilis, Ortiz in the All-Star Game; Leyland also got a first hand look at the Devil Rays' All-Star candidate, James Shields, who beat the Tigers 5-3 Wednesday night, allowing three runs in the first, and shutting down Detroit from that point on.

9) Detroit had 22 hits Tuesday, then five more in first inning on Wednesday, but had just two hits in last seven frames.

8) As far as Alex Rodriguez' exploits Sunday night in Toronto are concerned, what do you think, he sits in a hotel room and plays scrabble on road trips?

7) Quote of the Day:
"Learn to be sincere. Even if you have to fake it"
David Gerrold, 1978

6) #125 on the PGA Tour money list is Jason Dufner, with an excellent $267,800 in earnings. Already this season, there are forty golfers who have earned $1M+ on tour.

5) Indians' Jhonny Peralta credits Lasix surgery for improved hitting this season; he has been a force so far in '07.

4) Thursday is the last day for teams to notify merchandising wing of Major League Baseball if they want to change colors for 2008, and it looks like the Devil Rays will change uniforms but will keep the "Rays" nickname.

3) Bobby Cox has been thrown out of 130 games in his career, one short of John McGraw's record. Leo Durocher is third on this list, having been ejected 124 times as a manager.

2) If you count his time in Japan and here, Ichiro Suzuki got his 2,700th hit last night (1,428 here, 1,272 in Japan). He has averaged 226 hits a year in six seasons in the major leagues.

1) World Series of Poker gets underway this weekend, with a first of 55 events taking place. It'll be interesting to see if they top the 8,000+ entrants in last year's Main Event, when first place was a cool $12M, thats million, with an M.

[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Thursday, May 31

Hot Pitchers
-- OHernandez is 2-0, 0.90 in his last three starts. Cain has a 1.67 RA in five road starts this season.
-- Cook is 4-0, 4.45 in his last five starts.

-- Indians won last three Sabathia starts (2-0, 2.25). Verlander is 4-1, 2.65 in his last five starts.
-- Baek is 1-1, 2.84 in two home starts this season.
-- Burres is 2-1, 2.81 in his last three starts. Angels won six of last seven Escobar starts; he is 3-0, 0.38 in last three home starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Hendrickson is 0-2, 8.18 in his last four starts. Bowie lasted a mere 8.1 IP in two starts (4.32), but Nationals won both games.
-- Chacon allowed one run in 3.2 IP in his first '07 start, throwing 80 pitches in game in which Pirates later beat Reds 9-5. Maddux is 0-2, 6.00 in five road starts this season.
-- Obermueller is 1-2, 8.69 in his last four starts. Vargas is 0-1 in his last three starts, with a 7.04 RA.
-- Arroyo is 0-3, 7.65 in his last four starts, but is 1-0, 1.93 in two starts against Astros this season. Williams is 0-3, 7.06 in four home starts this season.
-- Thompson has 6.57 RA in two road starts this season.

-- White Sox are 2-5 with Buehrle if they score less than 7 runs. Halladay comes off DL after appendicitis; he was 0-2, 14.81 in his last two starts, before taking ill.
-- Texas is 2-9 in Padilla starts; he is 1-3, 7.94 in last four starts.

Totals
-- Seven of last ten Dodger games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine San Diego games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Met games stayed under the total.
-- Three of four Vargas home starts went over the total.
-- Five of Astros' last seven games went over the total.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine St Louis away games.

-- Eight of last nine White Sox road games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2 in Sabathia's last seven starts.
-- Over is 7-2 in last nine Padilla starts.
-- Under is 10-2-2 in last fourteen Baltimore road games.


Hot Teams
-- Dodgers won six of their last seven games.
-- Pirates won four of their last six games. Padres won seven of their last nine games.
-- Reds won their last three games, allowing four runs.
-- Mets won nine of their last thirteen home games.
-- Marlins won their last six road games.
-- Colorado won seven of its last eight games. .

-- Toronto won seven of its last nine home games.
-- Indians won five of their last seven games.
-- Mariners won six of their last nine games overall.
-- Angels won seven of their last eight home games.

Cold Teams
-- Nationals didn't score in last two games against Dodgers.
-- Giants lost ten of their last fifteen road games.
-- Brewers lost thirteen of their last seventeen games.
-- Astros lost their last ten games, allowing 72 runs.
-- Cardinals lost twelve of their last fifteen road games.

-- White Sox lost five of their last six games.
-- Detroit lost five of its last six games.
-- Rangers lost seven of their last eight games, outscored 46-27.
-- Orioles lost ten of their last fifteen road games.

[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Write up

NBA
Write-up


Thursday, May 31

NBA Conference Finals

Home side now 4-0 in Cleveland-Detroit series, as Cavaliers got strong game from Gibson in Game 4, and evened series 2-2, with series now back in Auburn Hills. Detroit was just 3-17 from arc, 41.3% from floor for game. Hughes played a gutty if ineffective 16 minutes in Game 4. Detroit was fortunate to survive the first two games at home, when Cavs had ball late, with change to tie or take lead. Cleveland looks like a team with momentum.

[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB
Tips and Trends


Thursday, May 31

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San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 PM ET)
Life has been rough on the road for Padres starter Greg Maddux, going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in five starts. In his last start away from Petco Park, he allowed a season-high seven runs and 12 hits to the Mariners in a 7-2 loss. EDGE: PIRATES
Maddux is 25-16 with a 2.62 ERA in 50 career starts against Pittsburgh. He lost his only start against the Pirates last season, allowing three runs and seven hits. SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Pittsburgh's Shawn Chacon is 3-1 with a 4.03 ERA in 15 career appearances (seven starts) against San Diego. EDGE: PIRATES
Chacon has allowed just five runs and 18 hits in just 22 innings at home this season in seven games. EDGE: PIRATES & UNDER
The Padres are 5-1 in Maddux's last six starts as a favorite.



Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians (7:05 PM ET)
Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander is a perfect 2-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four road starts this season. Detroit has won three out of Verlander's four road outings this season. BIG EDGE: TIGERS
Verlander is an even 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA in five career starts against the Tribe. He allowed three hits and two runs in six innings of work in his last start against the Indians on May 26. SLIGHT EDGE: OVER
Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts this season at Jacobs Field. BIG EDGE: INDIANS
Sabathia is 11-7 with a 4.03 ERA in 21 career starts against the Tigers, including a 6-3 victory over Detroit on May 26. EDGE: INDIANS
The Indians are 0-4 in Sabathia's last four home starts versus the Tigers.



Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET)
White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle is 18-10 with a 3.76 ERA in 31 career outings against the Blue Jays. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Buehrle has allowed at least three earned runs in six straight starts this season. SLIGHT EDGE: OVER
Toronto's ace Roy Halladay is making his first start since landing on the disabled list with acute appendicitis. In his two starts prior to landing on the DL, he allowed 16 earned runs in just 10 1/3 innings. EDGE: WHITE SOX & OVER
Halladay is an incredible 54-24 with a 3.38 ERA in 109 career home appearances (98 starts). BIG EDGE: BLUE JAYS
The Blue Jays are 1-5 in Halladay's last six starts versus the White Sox.



San Francisco Giants at New York Mets (7:10 PM ET)
San Francisco starter Matt Cain is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts against New York. He allowed a season-high 10 hits in a 4-1 loss to the Mets on May 8. SLIGHT EDGE: GIANTS & OVER
Despite Cain's respectable 3.23 ERA this season, the Giants have won just two of his 10 starts this season. EDGE: METS
Mets right-hander Orlando Hernandez lost his only career start against the Giants, allowing five runs and eight hits in six innings of work. EDGE: GIANTS
Hernandez hasn't allowed a run in his last 13 innings of work, as the Mets have picked up two straight victories in those starts. EDGE: METS
The UNDER is 10-2 in Hernandez's last 12 starts overall.



Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros (8:05 PM ET)
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo has a disappointing 1-3 road record this season in six road starts, even though he has an impressive 1.94 ERA. EDGE: UNDER
Arroyo has been knocked around in his last two starts, allowing 12 runs and 13 hits in just six innings of work. EDGE: OVER
Houston right-hander Woody Williams is 9-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 21 career starts against Cincinnati. EDGE: ASTROS & OVER
Williams is a disappointing 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in three home starts this season. He's allowed 17 runs and 30 hits in 21 2/3 innings at Minute Maid Park. BIG EDGE: REDS & OVER
The OVER is 5-1 in Arroyo's last six starts versus the Astros.

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Tips and Trends

NBA
Tips and trends


Thursday, May 31

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#2 Cleveland Cavaliers at #1 Detroit Pistons
Game 5 - Thurday, May 31st, 8 p.m. Eastern (TNT)

Cavs star LeBron James clearly has become a different player at home in the last two games after being ridiculed for what happened in the first two games at Detroit. Cleveland is 10-0 SU in the playoffs when James scores more than 20 points and 0-4 when he scores 20 or less. However, three of his four games of 20 or less have come on the road, including the first two games of this series. SLIGHT EDGE: PISTONS
No more excuses for Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups, who continues to be a major disappointment in this series, totaling 22 turnovers and 16 assists for an average of four per game. Billups had averaged seven assists per game before this series and committed five turnovers just once in 10 games. He has at least five turnovers in every game of this series so far. EDGE: CAVS
Cleveland is just 1-5 in its last six games when scoring 85 points or less and has now won 14 straight when scoring more than 85. The key for the Cavs again will be to push the tempo in Game 5 and play better in the third quarter, the only quarter the Pistons have consistently outplayed them. EDGE: CAVS & OVER
Cleveland is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 against Central Division opponents.
Cleveland is 20-6-1 ATS in its last 27 road games.
Underdog is 12-2 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
UNDER is 24-5 in the last 29 meetings.

Head-to-Head Recaps

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (HOME team in CAPS)

RESULTS

Series tied 2-2 SU (Cavs 4-0 ATS)
UNDER 3-1

5/29/07 - Game 4 - CLEVELAND 91, Detroit 87 (ATS winner: Cleve -1.5 | OVER 172)
Recap | Boxscore
Summary: LeBron James put together another outstanding fourth quarter with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists to help the Cavs rebound from another poor third quarter and even the series. Cleveland has been outscored 87-58 in the third over the first four games but has held a scoring advantage in eight of the other quarters in the series. The Cavs led 50-43 at halftime to set the first OVER pace of this series and then a 46-point fourth quarter cashed it in. Cleveland also made 27-of-33 free throws, including 12-of-12 from rookie Daniel Gibson as part of his 21 points.

5/27/07 - Game 3 - CLEVELAND 88, Detroit 82 (ATS winner: Cleve -4 | UNDER 173)
Recap | Boxscore
Summary: This time, LeBron James made sure he didn't have to be involved in a last-second shot, scoring 12 of his game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter to put the Cavs into a more comfortable position down the stretch. James hit a 3-pointer with 2:43 left that put Cleveland up 84-76 and then hit a jumper with 16 seconds remaining to keep his team up four before Drew Gooden's two free throws capped the scoring.

5/24/07 - Game 2 - DETROIT 79, Cleveland 76 (ATS winner: Cleve +5.5 | UNDER 174.5)
Recap | Boxscore
Summary: This game mirrored Game 1 all the way down to the final score. The only difference was that the Cavs exploded for a series-high 34 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 50-38 lead at halftime, and LeBron James took the potential game-winning shot in the final seconds but missed and was not fouled.

5/20/07 - Game 1 - DETROIT 79, Cleveland 76 (ATS winner: Cleve +6.5 | UNDER 177)
Recap | Boxscore
Summary: Ugly is just one of many negative words one could use to describe this game - unless you appreciate defense. The Cavs shot just 37 percent from the field but outrebounded the Pistons 49-41 and forced 16 turnovers, including seven by Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups. That allowed Cleveland to stay in this game throughout, as the team managed to take 14 more shots than the home team. LeBron James had a chance to tie the game for the Cavs in the final seconds but instead chose to pass the ball to a wide-open Donyell Marshall, who missed what could have been the game-winning 3-pointer. Could have been is what everybody talked about afterwards and what Detroit backers felt should have been an easy cover.

SCHEDULE

5/29/07 - Game 4 - Detroit Pistons at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (TNT | 8 PM ET)
5/31/07 - Game 5 - Cleveland Cavaliers at DETROIT PISTONS (TNT | 8 PM ET)
6/2/07 - Game 6 - Detroit Pistons at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (TNT | 8:30 PM ET)
6/4/07 - Game 7 - Cleveland Cavaliers at DETROIT PISTONS (TNT | 8 PM ET)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

Detroit wins 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS)
UNDER 3-1

4/8/07 - DETROIT 87, Cleveland 82 (ATS winner: Cleve +5.5 | UNDER 181)
3/7/07 - Cleveland 101, DETROIT 97 (ATS winner: Cleve +5 | OVER 179)
2/4/07 - Detroit 90, CLEVELAND 78 (ATS winner: Detroit +2.5 | UNDER 184)
12/27/06 - Detroit 87, CLEVELAND 71 (ATS winner: Detroit +3 | UNDER 184)

REGULAR-SEASON SERIES RECAP: LeBron James scored a season-high 41 points in the third meeting at Detroit to lead Cleveland to its first win against the Pistons since Game 5 of their second-round series last May. That was the only win in the regular-season series for the Cavs, as Detroit won both meetings in Cleveland by an average of 14 points. That lack of a home-court edge along with the Pistons' dominance on the road - where they were an Eastern Conference-best 27-14 - could be the difference.

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Hot Lines

NBA
Hot Lines


Thursday, May 31

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Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (-5 ½, 172)

This series could easily be over or 3-1 instead of 2-2. Cleveland had chances in both games in Detroit to come away with a win. The Pistons claim they still haven’t played their best game, but when is that time going to come?

“This ain’t nothing new for us,” shooting guard Richard Hamilton told the Detroit News. “It’s the same old story. We have an opportunity to go home and get a win. Our confidence is still the same.”

The Pistons’ confidence may be the same, but Cleveland’s is sky high after winning the last two games.

“It definitely feels good, but I understand that it’s not over yet,” Cavs rookie guard Daniel Gibson told the Akron Beacon Journal. “We have handled our business and took care of home, but we still have a couple more games to win.”

Gibson has emerged as one of the Cavs top performers in the series after starting guard Larry Hughes went down with a foot injury. The point guard nailed some clutch 3-pointers in Game 3 and contributed 21 points off the bench in Game 4. Gibson should see plenty of action Thursday night after his performance and Hughes’ injury.

The Pistons need Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups to pick up their play. They are the first two options when Detroit needs a basket late in a game, but each looked terrible in Cleveland.

Pick: Cavs - 5 ½

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball (women) – Hot Lines

WNBA
Hot Lines


Thursday, May 31

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Lady luck: Thursday’s best WNBA bets


Phoenix Mercury at San Antonio Silver Stars (-2 1/2, 171 1/2)

San Antonio has jumped out to a 3-1 start and the team continues to surprise people. The Silver Stars won only 13 games all last season but, this year, guard Becky Hammon has brought a winning attitude to Texas. The former member of the New York Liberty is averaging 21.3 points and was named the league’s player of the week.

The Mercury are fresh off a surprising come-from-behind win against the Sacramento Monarchs on Tuesday after losing leading scorer Diana Taurasi in the first half. Taurasi, last year’s league leader in scoring, was ejected with 4:55 left in the first half and her team trailed by as many as 17 points before coming back to win 76-75.

Being able to grind out a win against one of the better teams in the league, without their best player, shows maturity and the Mercury will be a confident group heading into tonight's matchup.

Pick: Mercury



Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky (+7, 1501/2)

Last year the Sun didn’t have two losses until their ninth game of the season. Connecticut has been sloppy with its control of the basketball. In the Sun’s last two games (both losses) they have turned the ball over 43 times.

The team is missing the low-post scoring of Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in the offseason. Katie Douglas will have to increase her offensive production in order to get the Sun back on track.

Chicago is fresh off their first win of the season Friday night against the Minnesota Lynx. Candice Dupree led the way with 25 points in the 82-77 victory. The second-year forward is progressing along well but it should still take some more games before the Sky find their rhythm.

Pick: Sun

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Long Sheet

NBA
Long Sheet


Thursday, May 31

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CLEVELAND (60 - 36) at DETROIT (63 - 33) - 5/31/2007, 8:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
CLEVELAND is 51-42 ATS (+4.8 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) in home games this season.
DETROIT is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in the conference finals over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 15-8 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 14-9 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
19 of 23 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Short Sheet

NBA
Short Sheet


Thursday, May 31

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Eastern Conference Playoffs
Conference Finals, Game Five
Series Tied, 2-2
TV: TNT
Cleveland at Detroit, 8:05 ET

Cleveland:
19-8 ATS as a road underdog
19-4 Under vs. Detroit

Detroit:
1-9 ATS in the Conference Finals
0-8 ATS at home off a division loss as a favorite

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[tech fan]

thanks for all the hard work man

[pm530]

Baseball – Long Sheet

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, May 31

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LA DODGERS (31 - 21) at WASHINGTON (21 - 32) - 7:05 PM
MARK HENDRICKSON (L) vs. MICAH BOWIE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 33-21 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 72-36 (+28.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

MARK HENDRICKSON vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
HENDRICKSON is 0-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.750.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

MICAH BOWIE vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

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SAN DIEGO (30 - 22) at PITTSBURGH (23 - 29) - 7:05 PM
GREG MADDUX (R) vs. SHAWN CHACON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MADDUX is 0-7 (-9.2 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 41-30 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 40-33 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 59-50 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 36-19 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 59-50 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 47-35 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

GREG MADDUX vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MADDUX is 13-4 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.28 and a WHIP of 1.053.
His team's record is 14-7 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-9. (-2.6 units)

SHAWN CHACON vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
CHACON is 3-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.177.
His team's record is 3-4 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-1. (+5.0 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (25 - 26) at NY METS (33 - 18) - 7:10 PM
MATT CAIN (R) vs. ORLANDO HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 101-111 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 101-111 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CAIN is 2-8 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 2-8 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 0-8 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 136-87 (+26.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 50-25 (+19.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 134-86 (+25.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 24-11 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NY METS are 100-62 (+23.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-7 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 579-457 (+90.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 322-295 (+46.6 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 409-378 (+48.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
HERNANDEZ is 5-11 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 3-2 (+0.5 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

MATT CAIN vs. NY METS since 1997
CAIN is 2-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.211.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 0-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 7.50 and a WHIP of 1.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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FLORIDA (26 - 27) at MILWAUKEE (29 - 24) - 8:05 PM
WES OBERMUELLER (R) vs. CLAUDIO VARGAS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 66-42 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 66-42 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
VARGAS is 35-27 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 22-12 (+14.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 35-26 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 20-10 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 45-59 (-21.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against FLORIDA this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

WES OBERMUELLER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

CLAUDIO VARGAS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
VARGAS is 3-3 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.312.
His team's record is 4-3 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.4 units)

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CINCINNATI (21 - 33) at HOUSTON (21 - 31) - 8:05 PM
BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. WOODY WILLIAMS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 21-33 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 11-23 (-16.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 9-20 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
CINCINNATI is 21-33 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 12-26 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CINCINNATI is 11-18 (-9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
WILLIAMS is 168-136 (+32.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
WILLIAMS is 94-54 (+31.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
WILLIAMS is 145-109 (+37.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
WILLIAMS is 123-81 (+43.1 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 396-440 (+60.8 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 297-330 (+45.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 199-198 (+49.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
HOUSTON is 21-31 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 261-256 (-58.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
HOUSTON is 22-36 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 4-10 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 21-31 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 77-78 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 75-86 (-21.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 9-21 (-14.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
HOUSTON is 2-12 (-11.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-4 (+3.4 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.7 Units)

BRONSON ARROYO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
ARROYO is 3-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.92 and a WHIP of 1.358.
His team's record is 5-4 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-2. (+4.8 units)

WOODY WILLIAMS vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
WILLIAMS is 9-5 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.37 and a WHIP of 1.382.
His team's record is 14-7 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-11. (-1.8 units)

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

ST LOUIS (21 - 29) at COLORADO (25 - 28) - 9:05 PM
BRAD THOMPSON (R) vs. AARON COOK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 21-29 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 43-48 (-16.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 49-66 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 21-29 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 11-19 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 109-107 (-36.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 62-59 (-15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 61-40 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
COOK is 15-28 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COOK is 15-28 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-3 (+0.1 Units) against COLORADO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

BRAD THOMPSON vs. COLORADO since 1997
THOMPSON is 0-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

AARON COOK vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
COOK is 0-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.676.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.3 units)

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

CHI WHITE SOX (24 - 24) at TORONTO (24 - 28) - 7:05 PM
MARK BUEHRLE (L) vs. ROY HALLADAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 134-113 (+27.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 61-41 (+17.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HALLADAY is 20-4 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HALLADAY is 28-7 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 225-159 (+32.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 72-39 (+23.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 111-81 (+28.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 43-21 (+21.2 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 165-97 (+50.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 25-6 (+17.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MARK BUEHRLE vs. TORONTO since 1997
BUEHRLE is 2-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.96 and a WHIP of 1.300.
His team's record is 6-1 (+5.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-2. (+2.8 units)

ROY HALLADAY vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
HALLADAY is 1-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.59 and a WHIP of 1.312.
His team's record is 1-5 (-5.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

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

DETROIT (30 - 22) at CLEVELAND (32 - 19) - 7:05 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 65-107 (-34.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 32-19 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 17-4 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 13-4 (+9.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 17-4 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 15-2 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 134-94 (+22.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 68-47 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 31-17 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 121-80 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 89-56 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 44-23 (+15.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 44-67 (-34.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 47-56 (-30.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 70-77 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-0 (+3.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
VERLANDER is 2-2 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.85 and a WHIP of 1.382.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. DETROIT since 1997
SABATHIA is 11-7 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 4.03 and a WHIP of 1.215.
His team's record is 13-8 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-9. (+1.9 units)

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

TEXAS (19 - 34) at SEATTLE (25 - 24) - 10:05 PM
VICENTE PADILLA (R) vs. CHA SEUNG BAEK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 17-32 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BAEK is 10-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BAEK is 9-3 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BAEK is 8-2 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 28-47 (-19.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-1 (+2.4 Units) against TEXAS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

VICENTE PADILLA vs. SEATTLE since 1997
PADILLA is 1-3 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 5.10 and a WHIP of 1.633.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

CHA SEUNG BAEK vs. TEXAS since 1997
BAEK is 3-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 0.923.
His team's record is 4-0 (+6.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.3 units)

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

BALTIMORE (26 - 27) at LA ANGELS (33 - 21) - 10:05 PM
BRIAN BURRES (L) vs. KELVIM ESCOBAR (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 15-35 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 5-14 (-12.4 Units) against the money line after shutting out their opponent over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 41-76 (-26.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 212-152 (+32.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 23-11 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ESCOBAR is 7-15 (-14.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
ESCOBAR is 4-10 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

BRIAN BURRES vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

KELVIM ESCOBAR vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
ESCOBAR is 11-3 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.352.
His team's record is 12-5 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-7. (-0.8 units)

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

[pm530]

Baseball - Dunkel Index

MLB
Dunkel Index

Cincinnati at Houston
Houston may wonder if it is ever going to win another game after dropping the first two to last-place Cincinnati and running its losing streak to 10 straight. The Astros will try to salvage a win today and look to have a decent shot against Reds' starter Bronson Arroyo. In each of his last two starts, Arroyo has given up four runs in the first inning, while walking five batters and hitting one. That wildness should help the Astros' offense, which has scored only 20 runs in the 10 defeats while hitting .216 overall and .193 with runners in scoring position. The Astros are due for a win and look like a good underdog pick (+140) in this one according to Dunkel, which has Houston favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Houston (+140). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, MAY 31

Game 901-902: LA Dodgers at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Hendrickson) 16.083; Washington (Bowie) 17.089
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+140); Under

Game 903-904: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Maddux) 16.950; Pittsburgh (Chacon) 15.538
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-130); Under

Game 905-906: San Francisco at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 15.746; NY Mets (Hernandez) 17.458
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-145); Under

Game 907-908: Florida at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Obermueller) 15.337; Milwaukee (Vargas) 14.078
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+160); Under

Game 909-910: Cincinnati at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 13.644; Houston (Williams) 14.528
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+140); Under

Game 911-912: St. Louis at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Thompson) 16.033; Colorado (Cook) 18.316
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-160); Over


Game 913-914: Chicago White Sox at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 15.887; Toronto (Halladay) 15.066
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+160); Over

Game 915-916: Detroit at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 17.797; Cleveland (Sabathia) 17.520
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+135); Over

Game 917-918: Texas at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Padilla) 14.260; Seattle (Baek) 17.041
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 3; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-155); Under

Game 919-920: Baltimore at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Burres) 17.693; LA Angels (Escobar) 17.130
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+210); Over

[pm530]

Pro Basketball - Dunkel Index

NBA
Dunkel Index

Cleveland at Detroit
It's hard to tell if we are watching a new series between these two teams or just a replay of last year's. Once again Detroit has won the first two games at home and Cleveland managed to hold serve by winning the next two on its court setting up a showdown in the all-important Game Five in Detroit. Last year it was the Cavaliers who were able to pull the upset by winning Game Five on the road and they certainly look capable of pulling the feat again this year. LeBron James has clearly been the best player on the court the last two games as he averaged 28.5 ppg and came up big in the fourth quarters with 25 total points. Meanwhile Detroit's go-to guy, Chauncey Billups, has continued to struggle as he went 0-for-3 in the fourth quarter of Game Four with only one assist and three turnovers. The Pistons should get some help from the home-court crowd tonight, but not enough to cover the Vegas line of 5 1/2 according to Dunkel, which has Detroit favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, MAY 31

Game 511-512: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 125.944; Detroit 127.254
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 167
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 5 1/2; 172
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+5 1/2); Under