Thursday Trends and Indexes 07/12

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Thursday, July 12

Good Luck on day #193 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

Six story lines for second half of the baseball season

-- Which teams will be buyers, which teams sellers at trade deadline on July 31?

-- Milwaukee hasn't had winning season since '92; can they make the playoffs this season?

-- Will Rickey Henderson, hitting coach, help Met offense, or will they underachieve in second half, too?

-- Can the Angels' banged-up pitching staff hold off Seattle and win the AL West?

-- Can the $220 million trainwreck known as Bronx Bombers get enough momentum to make playoff run in second half?

-- Will Barry Bonds break Hank Aaron's record, and will the commissioner be there when he does it?

[pm530]

Thursday's List of 13: Random facts on a summer night.....

Late Additions:

-- Mets used hitting coach Rick Down as scapegoat for their shaky first half, and signed Rickey Henderson to replace him. That should fix everything, as long as Rickey can pitch six or so innings every fifth day.

-- ESPN taped the ESPYs Wednesday, to show Sunday night, when we'd rather be watching baseball games. Meanwhile, on one of the worst sports nights of the year, I actually watched harness racing and the AAA All-Star Game. Whomever it is that runs ESPN has completely lost their mind....

-- Darko Milicic goes to Memphis; this is it, big fella, time to step up and become a star.

-- God forbid the Grizzlies' website actually write about this. I almost forgot, they have cheerleader tryouts soon, thats a lot more important than trading for a 7-foot center.

-- By the way, Henderson was so excited about being hitting instructor for the Mets, he played with some extra enthusiasm in the celebrity softball game Monday. Are they kidding?

-- If Alex Rodriguez gets $30M a year, I'm going to puke.

13) If Bud Selig isn't there when Barry Bonds hits his 756th home run, he should be fired immediately. What else does he have to do? Bonds was the only cheater? Be serious. They don't have to do a big ceremony, but Selig has to be there.

12) Why did Tony Larussa leave Albert Pujols out Tuesday night? Was he sending his slugger a message? Whomever is the eventual NL champ won't be happy starting World Series in the AL park, when NL could have won the game, had they Larussa put Pujols up and he had gotten a key hit.

11) Urban Meyer is starting his 7th season as a head coach in college football, but it is first time he is starting his third year as a head coach at the same school. He left Utah and Bowling Green after his second season in each place.

10) Oak Hill Academy's basketball team was 40-1 last season; this is no high school team. High school teams don't play 41 games in a season. The school is in Virginia; one of the better players is from California. When USA Today ranks their Top 25 high school teams, they shouldn't be included.

9) Although he later busted out, Montel Williams was a chip leader at the World Series of Poker for a little while this week.

8) According to the NFL Record and Fact Book, 30 of the 32 NFL head coaches are married, with Mike McCarthy and Bill Belichick the only two exceptions; the 32 head coaches have a combined 47 sons and 35 daughters, plus Belichick's kids (he is only coach without family information in his bio).

7) Between September 15 and November 3, Southern Miss is going to play one Saturday game, one Tuesday game, one on Wednesday and two more on Sunday nights.

6) Texas Rangers have 28 sacrifice bunts this season; in '05 and '06 combined, they had 27.

5) Cool moment Sunday, when grounds crew at Coors Field was struggling with the tarp on a windy, rainy day, and some players from the Phillies ran out to help them. You don't see that a lot in today's pro sports, guys willing just to help.

4) ESPN's Baseball Tonight crew was banned from being out at the All-Star Game, because ESPN announced the players in the game before they were supposed to. WTBS had rights to do it first, but the Braves' game went extra innings that day, so things got delayed, and ESPN jumped the gun.

3) NY-Penn League's Brooklyn Cyclones have numbers on the sleeve of their uniform, a unique and pretty cool idea.

2) New Orleans Saints held a "funeral" to "bury last season" during their minicamp, complete with jazz band, preacher and a parade. Motivational tactics come in all shapes and sizes.

1) At the end of the day, the sooner Bonds breaks the record and retires, the better for baseball. Alex Rodriguez is going to break his record anyway; the only question with ARod will be which strip club is he going to after he breaks the record?

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball (Women’s) – Long Sheet

WNBA
Long Sheet


Thursday, July 12

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MINNESOTA (5 - 15) at HOUSTON (5 - 14) - 7/12/2007, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 201-157 ATS (+28.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 144-93 ATS (+41.7 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
HOUSTON is 106-75 ATS (+23.5 Units) in home games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 66-44 ATS (+17.6 Units) in July games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 144-101 ATS (+32.9 Units) in May, June, or July games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) on Thursday since 1997.
HOUSTON is 39-22 ATS (+14.8 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
HOUSTON is 81-52 ATS (+23.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-3 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 5-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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NEW YORK (10 - 8) at INDIANA (14 - 4) - 7/12/2007, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
NEW YORK is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
INDIANA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 10-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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DETROIT (13 - 5) at CHICAGO (8 - 11) - 7/12/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CONNECTICUT (7 - 11) at SACRAMENTO (12 - 7) - 7/12/2007, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
CONNECTICUT is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 31-15 ATS (+14.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 20-5 ATS (+14.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-4 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-4 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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[pm530]

Pro Basketball (women) – Hot Lines

WNBA


Thursday, July 12

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Hot Lines
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Lady luck: Thursday’s best WNBA bets

Minnesota Lynx at Houston Comets (-4, 151)

The Comets won’t make the playoffs after a terrible start to the season but they sure are showing a lot of moxie. Houston was one made basket away from defeating the league’s best team on Tuesday despite an off night from top scorer Tina Thompson.

“They’ve come on really strong and have so much talent,” Indiana forward Tamika Catchings told the Houston Chronicle. “After the way they played tonight for most of the game, I can’t imagine how they are on the bottom of the standings in the league.”

If Tamecka Dixon can continue to produce, Thompson may finally have the offensive support she has been lacking all year.

Pick: Comets -4



Detroit Shock at Chicago Sky (+2, 152 1/2)

These two teams face each other for the second time in three days after the Shock beat the Sky 92-84 in Detroit on Tuesday. If Chicago is successful tonight it will have to improve on defense. The Sky allowed Detroit to shoot 83.3 percent from the field in the fourth quarter.

The Shock are a difficult team to stop offensively because they possess so many quality scorers. On any given night Swin Cash, Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith, Cheryl Ford or Kara Braxton could lead the team in points.

“That’s kind of what we do,” Shock coach Bill Laimbeer told the Detroit News. “Nobody is really a ball hog, and nobody really goes out looking for their own shots.”

Pick: Shock -2

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Long Sheet

CFL
Long Sheet

Thursday, July 12

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CALGARY (1 - 1) at TORONTO (1 - 1) - 7/12/2007, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games in July games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-1 against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Write up

CFL
Write-up


Thursday, July 12

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Calgary (1-1) @ Toronto (1-1) -- Western teams were 3-0-1 back in Week 1 vs their eastern foes; Stampeders won 37-9 at home in opener vs Hamilton, but got waxed 49-8 in Regina last week, trailing 25-8 at half, before it got worse. Argos also won big vs TiCats, after losing 24-22 at home to Lions in the home opener. Bishop threw three TDs last week, but his mobility is the key.

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Betting Trends

CFL

Thursday, July 12

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Betting Trends
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CALGARY
Calgary is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Calgary is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Calgary is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Calgary is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Calgary is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Calgary is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto

TORONTO
Toronto is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Toronto's last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Toronto's last 18 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Calgary
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing at home against Calgary

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[pm530]

Baseball – Long Sheet

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, July 12

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CINCINNATI (36 - 52) at NY METS (48 - 39) - 7:10 PM
BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. ORLANDO HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 36-52 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 20-32 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 36-52 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 25-38 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARROYO is 5-13 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 12-24 (-14.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 5-13 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 110-75 (+17.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 151-108 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 83-46 (+23.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 149-107 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 300-339 (+40.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 199-203 (+44.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 401-451 (+56.4 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.

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

BRONSON ARROYO vs. NY METS since 1997
ARROYO is 2-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.40 and a WHIP of 1.186.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 0-2 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 7.10 and a WHIP of 1.815.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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TORONTO (43 - 44) at BOSTON (53 - 34) - 7:05 PM
ROY HALLADAY (R) vs. TIM WAKEFIELD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 58-71 (-24.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 26-35 (-12.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 40-21 (+13.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 42-16 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
TORONTO is 46-39 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
HALLADAY is 49-18 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HALLADAY is 34-8 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 247-188 (-39.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
BOSTON is 190-156 (-44.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-3 (+1.5 Units) against TORONTO this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=- 0.3 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)

ROY HALLADAY vs. BOSTON since 1997
HALLADAY is 9-7 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.27 and a WHIP of 1.282.
His team's record is 12-15 (-5.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-12. (+1.4 units)

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. TORONTO since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 12-6 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.233.
His team's record is 18-10 (+6.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-16. (-6.4 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (39 - 47) at BALTIMORE (38 - 49) - 7:05 PM
JON GARLAND (R) vs. JEREMY GUTHRIE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 32-40 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 39-47 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 45-23 (+21.6 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 175-112 (+44.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 146-95 (+29.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 74-43 (+21.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 41-28 (+17.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 119-90 (+27.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
GARLAND is 9-1 (+9.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARLAND is 28-16 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARLAND is 33-16 (+16.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 96-108 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 17-31 (-15.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 20-43 (-25.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 96-108 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 9-22 (-16.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 21-39 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

JON GARLAND vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
GARLAND is 4-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.82 and a WHIP of 1.393.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

JEREMY GUTHRIE vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

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NY YANKEES (42 - 43) at TAMPA BAY (34 - 53) - 7:10 PM
ANDY PETTITTE (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 100-79 (-23.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 20-20 (-12.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
NY YANKEES are 42-43 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 16-19 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 16-25 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY YANKEES are 5-11 (-9.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 13-16 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 8-17 (-18.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PETTITTE is 8-14 (-10.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PETTITTE is 40-42 (-21.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 33-28 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 12-26 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 34-53 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 3-1 (+4.4 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

ANDY PETTITTE vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PETTITTE is 11-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.29 and a WHIP of 1.362.
His team's record is 13-4 (+4.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-12. (-8.3 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SHIELDS is 0-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.68 and a WHIP of 1.263.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

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OAKLAND (44 - 44) at MINNESOTA (45 - 43) - 8:10 PM
CHAD GAUDIN (R) vs. SCOTT BAKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 95-72 (+12.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 48-41 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 62-55 (+14.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 105-103 (+29.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
OAKLAND is 140-117 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 67-60 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 18-8 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
GAUDIN is 13-5 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GAUDIN is 15-6 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 2-1 (+1.2 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

CHAD GAUDIN vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
GAUDIN is 1-0 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 2.600.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

SCOTT BAKER vs. OAKLAND since 1997
BAKER is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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DETROIT (52 - 34) at SEATTLE (49 - 36) - 10:05 PM
ANDREW MILLER (L) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 47-35 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 35-25 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 15-7 (+10.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
SEATTLE is 29-19 (+12.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 18-14 (+8.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SEATTLE is 49-36 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 27-15 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 47-29 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 104-66 (+24.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 51-36 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 97-58 (+26.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 21-8 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 52-34 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 27-15 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-1 (+0.1 Units) against SEATTLE this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

ANDREW MILLER vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 0-2 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Thursday, July 12

Hot Pitchers
-- OHernandez is 2-0, 0.67 in his last four home starts.

-- Red Sox won four of last five Wakefield starts. Toronto won seven of Halladay's last eight starts.
-- Gaudin is 2-0, 1.23 in his last two starts.
-- Miller is 4-2, 3.86 in six starts this season. Hernandez is 2-0 in his last four starts, with a 2.43 RA.

Cold Pitchers
-- Cincinnati is 1-12 with Arroyo if they score less than six runs.

-- Guthrie is 0-1, 3.98 in his last three starts. White Sox are 3-6 in last nine Garland starts; he allowed 12 runs in 3.2 IP in last start on Friday, a dreadful 20-14 loss.
-- Pettitte is 0-2, 10.64 in his last four starts. Shields is 1-4, 6.47 in his last five starts, and Devil Rays' closer is on DL.
-- Baker is 2-3, 6.10 in his last seven starts.


Totals
-- Five of last six Cincinnati road games went over the total.

-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten White Sox road games.
-- Four of last five Boston games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1 in last eight games at Tampa Bay.
-- Under is 6-3 in Baker starts this season.
-- Four of last five Detroit games went over the total.


Hot Teams
-- Reds won last four games, allowing total of eleven runs, but they're 4-10 in their last fifteen road games.

-- White Sox won six of their last seven road games.
-- Red Sox won eight of their last ten home games. Toronto won three of last four games, but are 5-8 in last thirteen on the road.
-- Bronx won five of its last seven games, but is 1-7 in its last eight games on the road.
-- Detroit won last five games overall, and are 11-2 in last thirteen games on foreign soil. Seattle won four of its last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Mets lost six of their last eight games.

-- Orioles lost ten of their last thirteen home games.
-- Devil Rays lost thirteen of their last fourteen games.
-- Minnesota lost six of its last nine games. A's lost four of their last five games.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Thursday, July 12

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Tips and Trends
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Chicago White Sox at Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)

Chicago’s Jon Garland is 4-2 with a 4.85 ERA in eight career outings against Baltimore. He posted a perfect 2-0 record and 5.11 ERA in two starts versus the Orioles last year. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Garland has pitched well on the road this season, going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven starts. He’s allowed just one run over his last 14 innings away from U.S. Cellular Field. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie will make his first career start against the White Sox, but he’s tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings against them in his career. SLIGHT EDGE: ORIOLES
Guthrie has picked up just one victory at Camden Yards this season in eight appearances, even though he’s posted an incredible 2.68 ERA. He’s fanned 35 batters and walked just seven in 50 1/3 home innings. EDGE: UNDER
The OVER is 8-0-1 in the last nine meetings in Baltimore.



Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox (7:05 PM ET)

Toronto starter Roy Halladay is just 9-8 with a 4.67 ERA in 30 career appearances against Boston. He was roughed up for eight runs and 11 hits in just five innings of work versus Boston on May 10. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
The Blue Jays have won seven of Halladay’s last eight starts. He’s posted a 5-1 record since June 1, but has allowed 26 earned runs in 44 1/3 innings of work. EDGE: OVER
Boston’s Tim Wakefield is 14-9 with a 3.75 ERA in 43 career games against Toronto. He’s posted a 2-1 record and 1.80 ERA in three starts versus the Blue Jays this season. EDGE: RED SOX
The Red Sox have won four straight home games with Wakefield on the hill, but the right-hander has an inflated 5.01 ERA at Fenway Park in eight starts. EDGE: RED SOX & OVER
The UNDER is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings.



Cincinnati Reds at New York Mets (7:10 PM ET)

Cincinnati right-hander Bronson Arroyo is 2-1 with a 4.40 ERA in four career starts against New York. He picked up both of his victories versus the Mets last year, allowing just four runs and 13 hits over 17 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: REDS
Arroyo is a disappointing 1-6 on the road this season, but has a respectable 3.88 ERA away from Cincinnati that is two runs lower than his 5.96 home ERA. SLIGHT EDGE: UNDER
New York’s Orlando Hernandez is winless in two career starts versus Cincinnati, as the Reds offense has hammered him for 10 runs and 17 hits in 12 2/3 innings. EDGE: REDS & OVER
Hernandez has been brilliant at Shea Stadium in 2007, allowing just eight runs and 23 hits in 32 innings of work this season. EDGE: METS & UNDER
The OVER is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings in New York.



New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (7:10 PM ET)

New York starter Andy Pettitte is an incredible 11-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 18 career outings against Tampa Bay. BIG EDGE: YANKEES
Pettitte is a disappointing 1-4 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 outings on the road this season. The Yankees have posted a 3-8 record in Pettitte’s game outside of Yankee Stadium. EDGE: D-RAYS
Devil Rays right-hander James Shields is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees. EDGE: YANKEES
Shields enjoys pitching at Tropicana Field, posting a 3-1 record and 3.65 ERA in nine starts. Tampa Bay’s ace has fanned 62 batters and walked just 12 in 66 2/3 innings at home. EDGE: D-RAYS
The OVER is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.



Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins (8:10 PM ET)

Oakland right-hander Chad Gaudin has made three career outings against Minnesota, but just one start. He allowed two runs and eight hits in five innings of work against them in a 4-2 victory on June 8. SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
Gaudin is at his best away from the Bay Area this season, going 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in nine road starts before the All-Star break. EDGE: A’S
Twins starter Scott Baker tallied a victory in his only career start against Oakland, surrendering three runs and five hits in five innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: TWINS
Baker is still winless at the Metrodome this season, posting a 0-1 record and 7.20 ERA in four starts. The Twins have won three of his home outings. SLIGHT EDGE: TWINS & OVER
The UNDER is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.



Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners (10:05 PM ET)

Detroit rookie starter Andrew Miller is an even 1-1 on the road with a 2.25 ERA in two starts. He threw six shutout innings versus the Braves in his last start away from Comerica Park. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS & UNDER
Miller has been absolutely fantastic during four nighttime starts, posting a 3-1 record and 1.44 ERA. EDGE: TIGERS
Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez is winless in two career starts against the Tigers, but he’s surrendered just two earned runs and nine hits in 12 innings of work. EDGE: UNDER
After struggling for most of June, Hernandez has bounced back in his two starts this month. He’s allowed just two runs and seven hits in 17 innings. EDGE: MARINERS
The OVER is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

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[pm530]

Baseball Today - July 12

SCOREBOARD
Baseball Today


SCOREBOARD

Thursday, July 12
Chicago White Sox at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EDT). Chicago's Jon Garland (6-6 with a 3.92 ERA) faces off against Jeremy Guthrie (4-2, 2.74 ERA).

STARS
Tuesday

-- Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, went 3-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run to lead the American League to a 5-4 victory over the National League in the All-Star game.

STREAK

In a decade of dominance, the AL has won the last 10 All-Star games played to a decision, only 2002's notorious tie at Milwaukee interrupting the run. The only longer streak was when the NL took 11 in a row from 1972-82. The AL improved to 5-0 since the All-Star winner received homefield advantage in the World Series.

MVP

Ichiro Suzuki is closing in on a contract extension with the Seattle Mariners -- and he showed his club why it would want to keep him around for the long haul. Suzuki hit the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star game history Tuesday night, winning MVP honors and helping the American League to a 5-4 victory. His go-ahead, two-run drive off San Diego's Chris Young took a crazy bounce off the right-field wall -- he's never hit one during the regular season.

COMEBACK THWARTED

After Alfonso Soriano's two-out, two-run homer in the ninth, the NL loaded the bases on three walks before Los Angeles Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez retired Aaron Rowand on a routine fly to right for the save.

SPOTLIGHT ON BONDS

Barry Bonds flied to right field in the first inning, hit an opposite-field shot to the left-field warning track in the third, then departed at the top of the fourth. Hitting in the No. 2 spot -- his last regular-season appearance in that slot was 20 years ago -- he even faked a bunt on the first pitch of his second at-bat.

SPEAKING

"That was sweet. That ball is a double and he turns it into more." -- Boston slugger and AL All-Star David Ortiz, on Ichiro Suzuki's inside-the-park homer in the AL's 5-4 win over the NL on Tuesday. Ortiz started at first base and went 0-for-2 in the victory.

SEASONS
July 12

1901 -- Cy Young of the Boston Red Sox won his 300th game with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia A's.

1945 -- Tommy Holmes of the Boston Braves went hitless to end his consecutive-game hitting streak at 37 games, an NL record that stood until Pete Rose broke it in 1978.

1949 -- Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians and Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe of the host Brooklyn Dodgers became the first black players to appear in an All-Star game as the AL took advantage of five NL errors to win 11-7 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

1951 -- Allie Reynolds of the New York Yankees beat Bob Feller of the Indians 1-0 with a no-hit game at Cleveland. Gene Woodling's home run was the difference.

1955 -- St. Louis' Stan Musial hit Frank Sullivan's first pitch of the 12th inning for a home run to give the NL All-Star team a 6-5 victory over the AL at Milwaukee's County Stadium. The AL had led 5-0 after six innings.

1979 -- In the most ill-fated promotion in baseball history, thousands of fans overran the Comiskey Park field during "Disco Demolition Night" and caused the Chicago White Sox to forfeit the second game of a doubleheader after losing to Detroit 4-1 in the first.

1990 -- Melido Perez pitched the record-tying seventh no-hitter of the season as the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees 8-0 in a game shortened to six innings by rain. That was one inning longer than the rain-shortened no-hitter pitched in 1988 by Melido's brother Pascual, who watched from the Yankees' bench.

1994 -- Tony Gwynn barely slipped past Ivan Rodriguez on Moises Alou's double in the 10th inning to give the NL an 8-7 victory and end its record six-game losing streak in the All-Star game. Fred McGriff's two-run homer in the ninth off Lee Smith had tied it and earned him MVP honors.

1997 -- Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rinco combined for a 10-inning no-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 3-0. Cordova pitched nine innings, walking two and striking out 10, before being removed with the score 0-0. Rincon pitched the 10th and got the win when Mark Smith hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

2001 -- Mark McGwire hit his 563rd homer to tie Reggie Jackson for sixth on baseball's career list in a 7-5 loss to the Tigers. It was also McGwire's 200th homer since joining the Cardinals at the trade deadline in 1997, making him the third player to hit 200 homers in both leagues.

2005 -- Miguel Tejada and Mark Teixeira led the American League to a 7-5 win over the National League 7-5 in Detroit for its eighth straight win. Tejada, the game's MVP, homered off John Smoltz to start the scoring and Teixeira added a two-run drive off Dontrelle Willis.

Today's birthdays: Howie Kendrick 24; Tom Gorzelanny 25.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Hot Lines

MLB
Hot Lines


Thursday, July 12

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Hot lines
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Hot lines: Thursday's best MLB bets

Cincinnati Reds at New York Mets (-161, 9)

The Mets have decided to make a change after a disappointing first half. Hitting coach Rick Down was let go and replaced by Rickey Henderson.

New York has not hit with the same success as last year. The club is batting .252 with runners in scoring position (24th in the majors) and Carlos Delgado hasn’t been able to shake a season-long slump.

“My biggest theory is being able to hit with two strikes, being able to put the bat on the ball,” the 48-year-old Henderson told the New York Daily News.

Mets backers should worry about Henderson’s focus. The all-time stolen base leader has repeatedly told anyone who will listen that he’d like to play in the big leagues again.

Pick: Reds +153


Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins (-114, 9)

The A’s have confidence going into the second half knowing they have a reputation for playing their best ball after the All-Star Game. Since 1999, no team has a better record than Oakland (376-217) after the break.

“We’re right where we want to be,” A’s slugger Nick Swisher told the San Francisco Chronicle. “A predator in the weeds.”

Injuries limited the team’s profitability in the first half, but many key contributors are expected back soon. Travis Buck should return this weekend, closer Huston Street should be back in a week and starter Esteban Loaiza should be playing by the end of the month.

Pick: Athletics +106


Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners (-130, 8 ½)

The Tigers finished off the first half of the season in fine fashion. Detroit took two of three from the Cleveland Indians and followed that up with a series sweep of the Boston Red Sox, improving their record to 52-34.

Detroit backers are hoping the team doesn’t have a collapse similar to last season when they went 58-28 in the first three months but played two games below .500 (36-38) the rest of the way.

“With the way this team swings and hits and pitches, we aren’t going to (taper) like that,” Tigers closer Todd Jones told the Detroit Free Press. “We’re in first place right? What’s not to be happy about?”

The Tigers are the best team in baseball and a solid road bet (27-15 away record). We support taking them whenever they're dogged.

Pick: Tigers +122

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[pm530]

Baseball – Streaking Pitchers

MLB


Thursday, July 12
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Streaking Pitchers
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Thursday's streaking starting pitchers

Hot Pitcher

Chad Gaudin (Oakland Athletics) - Chad Gaudin has emerged as one of the Oakland Athletics' most reliable pitchers this season. The right-hander is 8-3 with a solid 2.88 ERA and 1.37 WHIP and is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.25 WHIP outside McAfee Coliseum. The Athletics are 10-2 in Gaudin’s last 12 starts and are 4-1 in his last five starts as a road underdog. Oakland is a +106 road underdog tonight against the Minnesota Twins and the total is set at 9 runs.


Cold Pitcher

Bronson Arroyo (Cincinnati Reds) - It has been a turbulent season for Bronson Arroyo. The veteran hurler is 3-9 with a lofty 4.84 ERA and 1.48 WHIP and is 1-6 with a 3.88 ERA outside the Great American Ball Park. Arroyo has given up the most runs of any Reds pitcher this year (67) and most hits (127). He's also 0-8 in his last eight starts as a road underdog. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.40 career ERA against the New York Mets. Cincinnati is a +153 road underdog against New York and the total is set at 9 runs.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Short Sheet

MLB
Short Sheet


Thursday, July 12

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National League

Cincinnati at NY Mets, 7:10 ET
Bronson Arroyo (R) vs. Orlando Hernandez (R)
Arroyo: 12-3 Under as an underdog
Hernandez: Mets 19-3 Under as a favorite of -150 or more


American League

Toronto at Boston, 7:05 ET
Roy Halladay (R) vs. Tim Wakefield (R)
Halladay: 14-2 TSR when the money line is +125 to -125
Wakefield: Bos 11-0 Over at home with a money line of -100 to -125

Chicago White Sox at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
Jon Garland (R) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (R)
Garland: 9-1 TSR as a road underdog of +100 to +125
Guthrie: Baltimore 1-6 at home vs. White Sox

NY Yankees at Tampa Bay, 7:10 ET
Andy Pettitte (L) vs. James Shields (R)
Pettitte: NYY 8-17 vs. division opponents
Shields: TB 8-2 after allowing 8+ runs BB games

Oakland at Minnesota, 8:10 ET
Chad Gaudin (R) vs. Scott Baker (R)
Gaudin: 13-5 TSR in all games this season
Baker: Min 8-0 Over at home with a money line of -100 to -125

Detroit at Seattle, 10:05 ET
Kenny Rogers (L) vs. Felix Hernandez (R)
Rogers: Det 14-3 Over when the total is 7 to 8.5
Hernandez: Sea 15-7 vs. lefties

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