Sunday Trends and Indexes 07/15

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Sunday, July 15

Good Luck on day #196 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 Sunday

-- Spent Saturday in Cooperstown, watching my godson in twinbill at Doubleday Field. Young Tom, a 16-year old, hit home run in second game, after throwing a complete game, 83-pitch win (2-1) in the opener, so good job by him.

-- Mo Williams turned down Pat Riley's money, re-upped in Milwaukee, so at least someone wants to play there, even if Yi Jianlian doesn't. Yi is rumored headed for Sacramento.

-- Chris Young, outfielder, went 0-3 Saturday against the pitcher Chris Young, but Arizona won anyway, 5-4.

-- Phil Mickelson birdied 3rd hole at Loch Lomond in third round Saturday, after hitting approach shot out of a pond, where his ball was submerged. Can't practice shots like that at your local driving range.

-- Bombshell actress Famke Janssen, who was in Rounders, does the Dutch-language translations for studio tram tours down at Disney World.

-- It cost $14 to get into Hall of Fame; 14??? Isn't that Pete Rose's number? It is stupid to keep him out of the Hall.

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[pm530]

Sunday's List of 13: Outside Magazine's best places to live

I am a dedicated indoorsman, so not even sure how an issue of Outdoor Magazine got through the front door, but it did, and here are thirteen places the magazine says are great places in our country to live, with a bent towards outdoorsy things, which I know almost nothing about............HM is for the four Honorable Mention cities they mentioned.

HM) Madison, WI-- Mad City is amazing place on Saturdays in fall; you can buy almost anything you'd like with Bucky Badger's picture, even condoms ("Get Lucky with Bucky"). City also has 100+ miles of on-and off-road bicycle lanes.

HM) Portland, OR-- City's drivers were ranked friendliest in the country, they have Greg Oden now, so the Blazers will be tough to drive against. There are 239 parks, including largest urban park in America, Forest Park, and they also have 400 different coffee shops, why, I have no idea.

HM) Tucson, AZ-- City took in $2B from tourism last yr, that is billion, with a B; University of Arizona has 36,000 students and an excellent hoop team, Saguaro National Park, and even a bohemian district. Tucson is surrounded by three different 8,000-foot mountain ranges. Did I mention the great weather?

HM) Minneapolis, MN-- I was there once on New Year's Eve, was 20 freakin' below; the next day it was 50, the warmest Jan 1in their history. The **** of America is awesome; it is so big, they have full-sized rollercoaster inside. They also have a lot of city parks, 182 in all. Why would anyone live there?

9) Burlington, VT-- Hey, if I could set my alarm clock to Tom Brennan's (former Vermont basketball coach) drive-time show on radio, I would. They make Ben and Jerry's ice cream here, and IBM has 6,000 employees. Vermont's basketball team is still a hot item, even with Brennan on ESPN now.

8) Portland, ME-- Any town that has $5.95 all-you-can-eat at a fish fry place has to be on this list, but again, it gets really cold in Maine, which may be why LL Bean is largest employer here. Portland claims to have more Ultimate Frisbee leagues in it than any city in country. Have yet to hear any challenges.

7) Asheville, NC-- No Starbucks downtown, median income is only $38,837, in part due to influence of the alternative liberal culture that still exists here. They have Southeast's biggest free outdoor music festival (70+ bands). They have a minor league baseball team, and thats always cool.

6) Duluth, MN-- Its too damn cold to live in Minnesota, but if you like houses that cost $148,000, ski jumps just like ones in Oslo, Norway, kayaking, cross-country skiing and looking at grain elevators every day, then this is a place for you. Duluth is the farthest inland port in the world.

5) Santa Fe, NM-- State capitol provides 7,643 jobs; there are 300 art galleries (3rd-largest art market in US), 300 sunny days each year, mile-high elevation and a 2,000-seat movie theater. Outside probably ranked it high because their headquarters have been here since 1994.

4) Bend, OR-- 49% of residents here have a dog; 1,500 have a job at Les Schwab Tire Center, and five breweries are here, so if the 10,000-foot volcanoes that surround town spook you, drink up!!! Where else can you take a turkish bath in a spa that is a converted Catholic school? Don't answer that.

3) Iowa City, IA-- There are 28 bars in the 11-block downtown area; University of Iowa is the biggest employer, with 17,993 jobs. There is an Ethiopian cafe, six yoga studios, and a place that specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. Seriously, but none of this was enough to keep Steve Alford from bolting to New Mexico. Maybe he likes the art galleries out there.

2) Jackson, WY-- 37% of cars registered in Teton County are Subarus; median home price is $1.7M, but this is a seasonal place, a skiing stronghold. If you hate people, this is a town for you, with only five people per square mile. If you like the weather warm, move on to the next city on this list.

1) Santa Cruz, CA-- Has fifteen different independent shapers for custom surfboards. Median income: $53,998, median price of a house, $777,550. Got to shape a lot of surfboards to pay for a house that costs $777,500. Only 90 miles from Bay Area, so you can go watch the A's whenever you want!!!!!

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[pm530]

WNBA
All-Star Notes


Sunday, July 15

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Eastern Conference looking for 2nd straight win in All-Star game

WASHINGTON -- The Eastern Conference lost the first six WNBA All-Star games before breaking through with a victory last year. Now, the East wants to establish its own streak in the midseason contest set for Sunday.

The Eastern Conference is listed as a 3-point favorite. The total is set at 181 points.

''Of course, you always want to win, especially in the All-Star game, especially when you know you only won one,'' Detroit's Deanna Nolan said. ''The past reasons I think we haven't been winning is we've been coming out thinking it's all fun, and the West comes serious. Now, we have to be serious from the start.''

Nolan will be joined in the East's starting lineup by Shock teammates Cheryl Ford and Kara Braxton, and Indiana's Tamika Catchings and Anna DeForge. After four Connecticut players - led by the game's MVP, Katie Douglas - helped the East to last year's 98-82 win in New York, Nolan is hoping the team can benefit from a familiarity once again.

''I think it can help a little bit,'' she said. ''We play each other so many times during the season. We know what each other likes to do.''

Catchings, averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists, was the top vote-getter in the East and earned her fifth straight All-Star start - though she missed last year's win because of an injured left heel.

''Nobody wants to be on the losing side,'' Catchings said. ''I'm excited about this year. We pretty much have a lot of the same players we had last year. So we should hopefully get out with a win. ... It'd be great to get two in a row.''

Although the West will be without usual All-Stars Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Sue Bird, the team will start four of the league's top seven scorers - Seattle's Lauren Jackson (22.4. points per game), San Antonio's Becky Hammon (19.1), Phoenix's Diana Taurasi (18.8) and Houston's Tina Thompson (18.3).

''The West is fun,'' Hammon said. ''It's a run-and-gun conference, and hopefully that's the kind of offense we're going to play.''

Bird, recovering from arthroscopic surgery on her left knee on July 6, was the top vote-getter for the game. She was replaced as a starter by Thompson, selected to the team as a reserve. Leslie is sitting out this season because of pregnancy - she gave birth to a daughter last month - and Swoopes has been sidelined with a back injury since May 29.

Sacramento's Yolanda Griffith will be making her seventh All-Star appearance - fourth as a starter. Hammon, acquired from New York in the offseason, will become the second player to start for both conferences - joining Dawn Staley, who accomplished the feat last season for Houston after previously starting for Charlotte.

Tammy Sutton-Brown was selected as a reserve for the East, giving Indiana three players on the team as well. Other reserves from the conference are: Douglas and Asjha Jones from the Sun; Washington's Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton-Jones; and Chicago's Candice Dupree.

Taurasi is joined on the West by Mercury teammates Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor, Sacramento's Kara Lawson, Los Angeles' Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Minnesota's Seimone Augustus - second in scoring at 22.0 points per game - and San Antonio's Sophia Young.

''They really gave it to us last year in New York,'' Taurasi said. ''It was the first time they'd won. The East had something to prove. ... This year, we have a little bit of chemistry. We have people that have been playing with each other for a long time. We might throw a Sacramento lineup out there, a Phoenix lineup.''

Before the game on Sunday, Augustus will defend her Dribble, Dish and Swish title against challenges from Hammon, Seattle's Betty Lennox and the Mystics' Nikki Teasley.

The competition involves completing eight skill tasks - a layup at one end of the court, dribbling between three standing WNBA logo silhouettes down one side, making a chest-high pass into a net, then a bounce pass, hitting a jumper from behind the free-throw circle, another chest pass, and dribbling back through another set of silhouettes and another layup.

Taurasi, Douglas, Taylor, Nolan, Washington's Laurie Koehn and the Sparks' Sidney Spencer will compete in a 3-point shootout.

This is the second time the All-Star game is in Washington, joining New York as the only multiple hosts of the event. The game was also held at the Verizon Center in 2002, when the arena was known as the MCI Center. New York's Madison Square Garden has hosted the event three times (1999, 2002, 2006), and Connecticut (2005), Orlando (2001) and Phoenix (2000) once each.

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Major League Soccer

MLS
Preview


Sunday, July 15

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Sunday's MLS preview and pick: Toronto at Houston
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It's worth adding a note of caution in the midst of all the David Beckham hype.

‘Becks’ is not the kind of player who will light up this league with flair and skill. Instead, it will be his passing, vision, work-rate and dead-ball skills that will be on show.

Many Americans who aren't familiar with Beckham may be expecting a player in the mold of Pele or Zidane. What they are actually getting is a less skillful but very effective superstar. Even the man in question is keen to get that point across.

"People probably do think they're going to see me turn out, and we'll win our first game 10-0," Beckham told FIFA.com this week. "That's one thing I'm worried about. I'm not a player who will run past 10 players and score three or four goals. My game is about working hard and being a team player."

Beckham’s arrival is a huge coup for MLS and the L.A. Galaxy, as he could have played at the highest level in Europe for years to come. His play in North America will undoubtedly improve the standard of the league over time.

Galaxy backers who expect him to win every match single-handedly will be disappointed, but fans who appreciate what he brings to the game will realize how lucky we are to have one of the world’s greatest stars playing here.

Now on to what’s happening elsewhere today.

Toronto FC at Houston Dynamo (+425, +260, -188)

The Houston Dynamo take on Toronto FC knowing that if they can get through 77 minutes without conceding a goal they'll have set a new MLS record. The Dynamo hasn’t allowed a goal in 10 hours of play and the current record stands at 10 hours, 77 minutes.

It’s a nice statistic, but the fact is that Houston will be more worried about beating Toronto than breaking the record.

The champions are the hottest team in the league by a long shot. The Dynamo have won eight of their last nine league games, with one tie, and have put together the kind of complete performances that coaches dream of.

The fact they haven’t conceded a goal in six games shows just how strong the Texans are defensively. They've only allowed 10 goals in 17 games this season, by far the best defensive record in MLS.

It’s not just their solid back four that’s responsible. The team works as unit. When they don’t have the ball, midfielders and strikers are constantly putting opponents under pressure. That minimizes the work the defenders have to do.

The Dynamo’s midfield is also one of the most creative in MLS. They've combined for 16 goals and 12 assists this season, pulling the side through some tight games in recent weeks.

Toronto travel to Robertson Stadium with some form on their side too. Forced into a six-game road trip because their stadium is being used for the U-20 World Cup, Toronto seems to have come to terms with playing away from home.

The Canadians recently managed their first road win and tied two of the trip's other three games.

Toronto always plays with spirit and determination, but that’s unlikely to be enough Sunday. TFC’s most recent game was a 1-1 tie at Chicago last Sunday. Houston’s last game was also at Chicago, on Thursday, and the Dynamo came out massive 4-0 winners. That’s a measure of the gap between these two sides.

Pick: Houston -188

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Sunday, July 15

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Tips and Trends
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Cincinnati Reds at New York Mets (1:10 PM ET)

Cincinnati starter Kyle Lohse is a dismal 2-7 with a 6.28 ERA in 10 road starts this season. The Reds have managed to score just one run in three of his last four starts away from the Great American Ball Park. EDGE: METS & UNDER
Lohse enters today off consecutive victories against Arizona and St. Louis, allowing two runs and nine hits over 16 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: REDS
New York’s Oliver Perez has compiled a 6-3 record and 4.06 ERA in 14 career starts against Cincinnati. He posted a 1-1 record and 6.75 ERA in two starts versus the Reds in 2006. SLIGHT EDGE: METS
Perez has started five day games this season, going 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA. He’s allowed just two home runs in 32 2/3 daytime innings. SLIGHT EDGE: METS
The UNDER is 6-1-1 in Lohse’s last eight starts overall.



Colorado Rockies at Milwaukee Brewers (2:05 PM ET)

Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook is 4-2 with a 3.63 ERA in seven career appearances against the Brewers. He posted an even 1-1 record and 2.57 ERA against them in 2006. EDGE: ROCKIES
Cook is a dismal 0-4 with a 6.29 ERA in seven daytime starts this year. He’s allowed eight home runs in 44 1/3 innings during the day compared to eight in 80 2/3 innings under the lights. EDGE: BREWERS
Milwaukee’s Jeff Suppan has won two straight starts at Miller Park and is 5-2 with a 4.26 ERA in eight home outings. EDGE: BREWERS
Suppan has allowed three earned runs or more in 13 straight starts. He posted an inflated 7.68 ERA in June and hasn’t fared much better in July with a 6.30. EDGE: OVER
The Rockies are 19-7 in their last 26 games versus a team with a winning record.



Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins (2:10 PM ET)

Oakland’s Dan Haren is an even 2-2 with a 2.50 ERA in five career starts against Minnesota. He’s allowed just 26 hits and struck out 27 batters in 36 innings. EDGE: UNDER
Haren has given up eight earned runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings over his last two starts, which is hard to believe considering he allowed the same amount of runs in 43 May innings. SLIGHT EDGE: OVER
Twins right-hander Boof Bonser picked up a loss in his lone career start against the Athletics, surrendering four runs and five hits over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
Minnesota has lost five straight games with Bonser on the hill, mainly due to their offensive struggles of scoring 12 runs over that span. EDGE: A’S & UNDER
The Twins are 4-1 in their last five games as a home underdog.



Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs (2:20 PM ET)

Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez has been terrible outside of Minute Maid Park this season, posting a 1-5 record and 6.60 ERA in eight starts. EDGE: CUBS
Rodriguez has been brilliant in two July starts, tallying 16 shutout innings and allowing just seven hits. BIG EDGE: ASTROS
Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis is 7-5 with a 4.92 ERA in 20 career appearances against the Astros. He dropped a 4-2 decision to Houston during his second start of the year, allowing three runs and four hits in five innings. SLIGHT EDGE: OVER
Marquis has posted a solid 3-1 record and 2.84 ERA in seven daytime starts this year. He’s allowed just three home runs in 44 1/3 innings over that span. EDGE: CUBS & UNDER
The Astros are 4-0 in their last four Sunday games.



Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners (4:05 PM ET)

Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander is a perfect 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners. He picked up a 7-3 home victory versus Seattle on May 10, even though he allowed nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. EDGE: TIGERS
Verlander has won three straight road games and is 5-1 with a 2.56 ERA in eight starts away from Comerica Park. EDGE: TIGERS
Seattle’s Jeff Weaver is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA in four career starts against Detroit. The right-hander has issued just three walks in 26 1/3 innings against them. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
The Mariners have won four straight games with Weaver on the hill, outscoring opponents 25-6 over that period. BIG EDGE: MARINERS
The UNDER is 6-1 in Verlander’s last seven starts with nine or more days of rest.



San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks (4:40 PM ET)

San Diego starter Justin Germano is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six road starts this season, but the Padres have lost two straight games away from Petco Park with him on the mound. SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Germano has been reached for 12 earned runs and 18 hits in his last 10 2/3 innings of wok. He’s allowed four home runs in his last three starts, after giving up just three in his first eight. EDGE: D-BACKS & OVER
Arizona’s Brandon Webb is a disappointing 3-5 in 16 career starts against San Diego, despite having a respectable 3.66 ERA.
The Diamondbacks are 7-2 in Webb’s last nine home starts versus the Padres.



St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies (ESPN | 6:05 PM ET)

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright is a perfect 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three career outings against Philadelphia. He allowed two runs and seven hits in his lone start versus the Phillies this year. SLIGHT EDGE: CARDINALS
Wainwright has a 5.18 ERA on the road through seven starts, mainly due to his control problems. He’s issued 24 walks in 41 2/3 innings away from Busch Stadium. EDGE: OVER
Philadelphia’s Adam Eaton has allowed seven home runs in 30 1/3 career innings against St. Louis and has served up six long balls in his last four starts. EDGE: OVER
Eaton is 3-2 in six daytime starts, but he’s posted an inflated 6.29 ERA. SLIGHT EDGE: PHILLIES
The UNDER is 4-1-1 in Wainwright’s last six starts.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Sunday, July 15

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MLB Betting Notes
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Sunday’s MLB betting notes

Ron Washington’s dilemma

The return of Texas Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira is certainly a boost for the team’s offense, but it has left manager Ron Washington with a bit of a headache.

Brad Wilkerson replaced Teixeira while he was on the DL and batted an impressive .246 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 19 games before the All-Star break. For Friday’s game against the L.A. Angels, Washington used Teixeira at first, but that will not be the case on Sunday.

MLB.com reports the Texas manager is planning on using Teixeira as the designated hitter on both Sunday and Wednesday, with Wilkerson likely to return to first base on those days.

Texas sends Brandon McCarthy (4-6, 5.70 ERA) to the mound to counter L.A.’s Jered Weaver (6-5, 3.67 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale against the Angels. L.A. is a –205 favorite with the total set at 9.

Bale debut

Left-handed reliever John Bale was activated from the DL on Saturday and looks likely to make his Kansas City Royals debut this weekend. He signed for the Royals in the off-season on a two-year $4-million contract, but suffered a shoulder injury in spring training.

Bale was acquired as a setup man for closer Octavio Dotel, who was also injured in the spring. Dotel returned to the Royals lineup at the end of May and now Bale finally gets to join him in the bullpen.

When Bale pitches for the Royals it will be his first major league appearance since 2003, playing the last three years in Japan. In his last MLB season he went 1-2 with a 4.47 ERA in nine starts for the Cincinnati Reds.

Bale is likely to play a role in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Indians in which Jorge De La Rosa gets the start for Kansas. Cleveland counters with Fausto Carmona and are –230 favorites to take the game.

No ‘d’ in Florida

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Florida Marlins are struggling in their respective divisions and they can both thank poor defensive play for some of their problems.

Heading into this weekend Tampa Bay had the worst fielding percentage in the majors at .977. Sadly for fans of baseball in Florida, the Marlins were next lowest on the list with a .978 fielding percentage.

The two Florida teams also come in at the bottom of the errors list. The Marlins have been charged with 73 errors this season, second only to the Rays’ 75, according to MLB.com.

Both teams will be hoping for solid defensive performances on Sunday as they close out their respective series. The Devil Rays send Edwin Jackson (1-9, 7.23 ERA) to face the New York Yankees while the Marlins send Scott Olsen (6-7, 5.23 ERA) to the mound against the Washington Nationals.

Cust concerns

Jack Cust has been a revelation at DH for the Oakland Athletics this season after being called up as a replacement for the injured Mike Piazza in May. Cust has a .262 average with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs, and forced Piazza back into the catcher’s position upon his return from injury.

But in recent games the 27-year-old has hit a bit of a slump. Cust entered the weekend with just one hit in his last 18 at-bats and his team has lost both its games since the All-Star break.

"I was hot at the beginning, and I went through a little slump before I got hot again," Cust told MLB.com. "It's just baseball. I've been swinging the bat all right. I'm just not getting the breaks right now."

The Athletics close out a four-game series at Minnesota on Sunday. The Twins send Boof Bonser (5-6, 4.70 ERA) to the mound to face Oakland’s Dan Haren (10-3, 2.30 ERA). The A’s are –119 favorites with the total set at 8.

Police cut up Cubs field

Two concerts in two days by music group The Police on July 5-6 left the grass at Wrigley Field in a bad state. MLB.com reports center field is particularly patchy, with the grass burned in spots and new sod put down in others.

"It's a little messy," Cubs outfielder Angel Pagan told the press on Thursday. "Sometimes it'll happen and you have to make the adjustment. You have to try to do the best you can."

Both the Cubs and the visiting Houston Astros will have to deal with the field conditions Sunday when they finish a three-game series. Chicago’s Ted Lilly (8-4, 3.67 ERA) will test his stuff against Houston’s Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.53 ERA), with the home side –129 favorites.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Gameday

MLB


Sunday, July 15

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Gameday
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Sunday MLB Gameday

The first Sunday of baseball's second half features a couple of double-digit winners in Boston's Josh Beckett and Detroit's Justin Verlander. Here is your MLB Gameday . . .

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox, 2:05pm ET
Jesse Litsch (1-3, 4.74 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett (12-2, 3.44 ERA)

Litsch picked up a victory with a strong outing against the Orioles on May 15 (one earned run over 8 2-3 innings), but since that start he's gone 0-3 with a no-decision. However, the righthander is coming off a strong outing against the Athletics on July 3, in which he held the opposing hitters to zero earned runs on seven hits over seven innings.

Beckett bounced back from a rare poor outing against the Rangers on June 30 (five earned runs over five innings) by getting his 12th win of the season against the Devil Rays on July 5 (three earned runs over six innings). The righthander has gone 3-2 over his last five starts, but he's 12-2 on the season, and he's struck out 92 over 102 innings.


Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs, 2:20pm ET
Wandy Rodriguez (6-7, 3.87 ERA) vs. Jason Marquis (6-5, 3.67 ERA)

Rodriguez gave up six earned runs over five innings to the Brewers on June 26, but since then he's tossed 16 scoreless innings versus the Rockies and the Mets (going 2-0 and striking out 12 batters over that span). The lefthander is now just one win below the .500 mark on the season, and solid results since the start of June has his ERA at 3.87.

Marquis is coming off his worst outing of the season; the righthander surrendered six earned runs on eight hits over just 4 2-3 innings against the Pirates on July 6. Over his last six starts Marquis is just 1-3 with two no-decisions, but his ERA is still at a solid 3.67 on the season. Marquis has struck out 62 batters and walked 41 over 105 innings.


Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners, 4:05pm ET
Justin Verlander (10-3, 3.14 ERA) vs. Jeff Weaver (2-6. 6.34 ERA)

Other than a blip against the Twins on June 29 (six earned runs over five innings) Verlander has been cruising for the Tigers over the past month. The righthander has gone 5-1 since the beginning of June, allowing only 12 earned runs combined in those six outings. Verlander has also increased his strikeout total to 97 over his 109 innings.

Weaver was terrible for the first two months of the season, but since the beginning of June he's bounced back in a big way. The righthander's worst outing over his last six starts came against the Cubs, when he allowed just three earned runs over six innings. pitched. Over the other five outings Weaver has surrendered one or fewer earned runs.


San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:40pm ET
Justin Germano (5-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. Brandon Webb (8-6, 3.37 ERA)

Germano hasn't picked up a victory since June 14, when he dominated the Devil Rays. Since that outing the righthander is 0-3 with a no-decision, which lowered his record to 5-3 on the season. Germano had a rough outing last time out, surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over just four innings of work versus the Braves.

Webb has had a rough start to the month of July. In his first outing of the month (July 2), the righthander gave up five earned runs on seven hits over six innings in a loss to the Cardinals. On July 7 Webb surrendered four earned runs on five hits over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Reds. Webb is now 8-6 on the year, with a good 3.37 ERA.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Injury Report

MLB


Sunday, July 15

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Injuries
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This week’s MLB injury report

Rich Harden (OAK)

The Oakland A’s were dealt a huge blow on Thursday when Rich Harden went back on the disabled list just days after making his first start of the season. The right-hander is suffering from the same shoulder injury that kept him out for most of the season's first half. The A’s have not set a timeline for his return, but hope to have him pitch again this season. Harden was 4-0 with a 4.24 ERA in nine starts in 2006, another injury-plagued year.


Scott Podsednik (CWS)

White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik is close to a return from a rib injury, telling the Chicago Tribune that he hopes to play by Tuesday. The news comes after criticism from manager Ozzie Guillen, who labeled Podsednik "unreliable" in an earlier Tribune interview. Podsednik is batting .269 with one homer and two RBIs in just 19 games this season.


Pedro Martinez (NYM)

Martinez still has a lot of work to do as he bids to return from a rotator cuff injury, but the New York Mets righty is making progress. He has pitched several simulated games, with MLB.com reporting that he threw 50 pitches in his last game July 3. The Mets are now hopeful that Martinez can return sometime in August but they refuse to set a date. Martinez was 9-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 23 starts last season.


Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya (DET)

Both relievers played catch before the Detroit Tigers' game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, signaling that they may be close to returning to Detroit’s bullpen, reports MLB.com. Zumaya has been on the DL since early May with a dislocated tendon in his middle finger, while Rodney has been out since late June with shoulder problems. Rodney is expected to return before Zumaya, but both should be back in action over the next few weeks. A bullpen featuring these two, and fellow closer Todd Jones, was a major reason why Detroit earned 95 wins and the lowest ERA in the majors (3.84) last season.


Curt Schilling (BOS)

Schilling threw a 55-pitch side session off the mound at Fenway Park on Friday and reported that his arm felt good. The right-hander went on the disabled list on June 18 with tendonitis in his arm that lowered his fastball into the mid 80s. "It went really well," he told reporters after the session. "It felt good, it felt real good. The ball came out of my hand better than it's come out all year." Schilling is 6-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 15 starts this season.


Ryan Dempster (CHC)

The Chicago Cubs reliever is close to returning to the bullpen after he threw off flat ground on Friday and reported no problems. The right-hander was placed on the DL on June 23 due to rib cage problems but looks set to make a minor-league start in the next few days. "By the middle to the end of next week, if everything goes according to schedule, he'll be pitching for us," manager Lou Piniella told MLB.com on Friday. Dempster managed 24 saves and had a 4.80 ERA in 74 appearances last season.


Melvin Mora (BAL)

Veteran third baseman Melvin Mora will miss at least a week after x-rays on Friday showed he has a bad sprain in his left foot. This is the same injury that forced him to miss six games of Baltimore’s last road trip. Even with a few days off over the All-Star break, the injury flared up again in the second inning of Thursday’s game against the White Sox. Mora is batting .265 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs this season.


Horacio Ramirez (SEA)

Ramirez looks set Monday to make his first start for Seattle since the end of May after coming through several Triple-A rehab assignments without aggravating his injured shoulder, reports MLB.com. The lefty’s performances steadily improved through those starts. He didn’t allow any runs or walks in seven innings in the most recent outing. Ramirez re-enters the rotation looking to improve on the 4-2 (6.47 ERA) record that he's compiled in eight starts this season.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Short Sheet

MLB
Short Sheet


Sunday, July 15

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National League

Washington at Florida, 1:05 ET
Jason Simontacchi (R) vs. Scott Olsen (L)
Simontacchi: Wash 9-1 Over vs. Florida
Olsen: Fla 13-4 Over as a favorite of -125 to -175

Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 1:05 ET
Paul Maholm (L) vs. Buddy Carlyle (R)
Maholm: Pit 30-56 in day games
Carlyle: Atl 9-1 Over in July

Cincinnati at NY Mets, 1:10 ET
Kyle Lohse (R) vs. Oliver Perez (L)
Lohse: 12-33 TSR as an underdog
Perez: NYM 21-3 Under as a favorite of -150 or more

Colorado at Milwaukee, 2:05 ET
Aaron Cook (R) vs. Jeff Suppan (R)
Cook: 4-14 TSR in day games
Suppan: Mil 7-1 at home vs. Colorado

Houston at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET
Wandy Rodriguez (L) vs. Jason Marquis (R)
Rodriguez: 2-6 TSR, 6.60 ERA in road starts
Marquis: Cubs 12-5 Under at home vs. Houston

LA Dodgers at San Francisco, 4:05 ET
Brett Tomko (R) vs. Noah Lowry (L)
Tomko: 0-9 TSR after giving up 2+ HR last outing
Lowry: 3-0 TSR, 1.47 ERA L3 starts

San Diego at Arizona, 4:40 ET
Justin Germano (R) vs. Brandon Webb (R)
Germano: SD 16-6 Under in day games
Webb: Ari 29-13 as a favorite of -110 or higher

St. Louis at Philadelphia, 6:05 ET
Adam Wainwright (R) vs. Adam Eaton (R)
Wainwright: StL 27-13 Over on Sunday
Eaton: 13-1 TSR as a home favorite of -125 to -175


American League

Kansas City at Cleveland, 1:05 ET
Jorge De La Rosa (L) vs. Fausto Carmona (R)
De La Rosa: 5-0 TSR in day games
Carmona: Cle 23-9 Under at home in day games

Chicago White Sox at Baltimore, 1:35 ET
Jose Contreras (R) vs. Garrett Olson (L)
Contreras: 2-10 TSR Away when the total is 9 to 9.5
Olson: 9-1 Over at home vs. White Sox

NY Yankees at Tampa Bay, 1:40 ET
Mike Mussina (R) vs. Edwin Jackson (R)
Mussina: NYY 6-0 Over vs. Tampa Bay
Jackson: TB 15-5 Over as an underdog of +150 or more

Toronto at Boston, 2:05 ET
Jesse Litsch (R) vs. Josh Beckett (R)
Litsch: 0-3 TSR, 6.00 ERA L3 starts
Beckett: Bos 14-2 Over at home vs. division opponents

Oakland at Minnesota, 2:10 ET
Dan Haren (R) vs. Boof Bonser (R)
Haren: 6-1 TSR, 2.08 ERA in day games
Bonser: Min 7-0 Over as a home underdog of +100 to +125

Texas at LA Angels, 3:35 ET
Brandon McCarthy (R) vs. Jered Weaver (R)
McCarthy: 14-3 Under as an underdog
Weaver: LAA 21-9 Under in day games

Detroit at Seattle, 4:05 ET
Justin Verlander (R) vs. Jeff Weaver (R)
Verlander: Det 21-5 as a road favorite of -125 to -150
Weaver: 1-5 TSR in day games

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

[Dat Boi E]

Thnx!

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Detroit at Seattle
The Mariners have won five of their last six and are a MLB-best 16-5 since June 20. Today's starter, Jeff Weaver, hit rock bottom against the Tigers on May 10 by dropping his sixth straight start and watching his ERA balloon to 14.32. But a stint on the DL has turned his season around and Weaver is an impressive 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his six starts (Seattle is 5-1 in those starts) since rejoining the rotation. The Tigers will face a different pitcher today and make the Mariners a decent home underdog pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has Seattle favored straight up by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+150). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, JULY 15

Game 951-952: Washington at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Simontacchi) 14.339; Florida (Olsen) 13.215
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+165); Over

Game 953-954: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 13.236; Atlanta (Carlyle) 15.792
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-150); Over

Game 955-956: Cincinnati at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Lohse) 14.376; NY Mets (Perez) 13.741
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-185); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+185); Under

Game 957-958: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.224; Milwaukee (Suppan) 15.139
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+135); Over

Game 959-960: Houston at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Rodriguez) 14.243; Cubs (Marquis) 15.317
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-135); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-135); N/A

Game 961-962: LA Dodgers at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Tomko) 14.235; San Francisco (Lowry) 14.633
Dunkel Line: San Francisco (-125); 10
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Over

Game 963-964: San Diego at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Germano) 13.403; Arizona (Webb) 14.539
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-165); Under

Game 965-966: St. Louis at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.176; Philadelphia (Eaton) 15.493
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-135) 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-135); Over

Game 967-968: Kansas City at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (De La Rosa) 15.008; Cleveland (Carmona) 13.901
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-245); 10
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+245); Under

Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Contreras) 13.505; Baltimore (Olson) 15.045
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-112); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-112); Under

Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Mussina) 14.966; Tampa Bay (Jackson) 12.524
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-200); Under

Game 973-974: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Litsch) 13.840; Boston (Beckett) 15.548
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-235); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-235); Over

Game 975-976: Oakland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Haren) 14.018; Minnesota (Bonser) 15.271
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+130); Over

Game 977-978: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (McCarthy) 14.757; LA Angels (Weaver) 14.822
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-215); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-215); Under

Game 979-980: Detroit at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 16.102; Seattle (Weaver) 16.413
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+150); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Sunday, July 15


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WASHINGTON (37 - 53) at FLORIDA (43 - 48) - 1:05 PM
JASON SIMONTACCHI (R) vs. SCOTT OLSEN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 87-90 (+8.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-23 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 37-35 (+17.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 38-35 (+15.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 20-20 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
FLORIDA is 18-26 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
FLORIDA is 18-26 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-5 (+2.6 Units) against FLORIDA this season
9 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+7.1 Units)

JASON SIMONTACCHI vs. FLORIDA since 1997
SIMONTACCHI is 1-0 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.372.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

SCOTT OLSEN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
OLSEN is 2-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.770.
His team's record is 2-4 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.9 units)




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PITTSBURGH (40 - 50) at ATLANTA (49 - 42) - 1:05 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. BUDDY CARLYLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 15-40 (-18.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-56 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 25-57 (-22.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 17-45 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 56-68 (-22.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 64-62 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 28-37 (-18.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 64-62 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 36-46 (-14.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 60-64 (-16.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-1 (+3.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

PAUL MAHOLM vs. ATLANTA since 1997
MAHOLM is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

BUDDY CARLYLE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.




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CINCINNATI (37 - 54) at NY METS (50 - 40) - 1:10 PM
KYLE LOHSE (R) vs. OLIVER PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 37-54 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 20-34 (-15.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 37-54 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 37-54 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LOHSE is 9-26 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 153-109 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 33-17 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY METS are 151-108 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 112-76 (+18.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 402-453 (+55.7 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
NY METS are 11-15 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
PEREZ is 5-13 (-10.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-1 (+0.6 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

KYLE LOHSE vs. NY METS since 1997
LOHSE is 0-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

OLIVER PEREZ vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
PEREZ is 6-3 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.06 and a WHIP of 1.442.
His team's record is 10-4 (+5.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-5. (+2.7 units)




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COLORADO (45 - 45) at MILWAUKEE (50 - 40) - 2:05 PM
AARON COOK (R) vs. JEFF SUPPAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 94-148 (-42.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 111-167 (-57.0 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 5-20 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COOK is 17-34 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COOK is 4-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COOK is 17-33 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 31-14 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 30-13 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 31-14 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
SUPPAN is 30-14 (+14.1 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 45-45 (+5.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 45-42 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 34-31 (+9.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 25-19 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-22 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

AARON COOK vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
COOK is 3-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.62 and a WHIP of 1.554.
His team's record is 4-2 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.3 units)

JEFF SUPPAN vs. COLORADO since 1997
SUPPAN is 5-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.218.
His team's record is 5-2 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.3 units)




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HOUSTON (39 - 52) at CHICAGO CUBS (46 - 43) - 2:20 PM
WANDY RODRIGUEZ (L) vs. JASON MARQUIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 39-52 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 18-36 (-16.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 15-30 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 15-26 (-13.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 9-18 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
HOUSTON is 39-52 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 28-38 (-12.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 21-30 (-11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 113-139 (-32.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 58-66 (-23.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 200-188 (-57.6 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 59-76 (-26.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 113-136 (-29.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 8-14 (-10.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 48-63 (-19.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 53-65 (-20.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MARQUIS is 76-82 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 17-28 (-20.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 5-16 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 3-2 (-0.1 Units) against HOUSTON this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

WANDY RODRIGUEZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 2-3 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.70 and a WHIP of 1.369.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

JASON MARQUIS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
MARQUIS is 7-5 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.65 and a WHIP of 1.538.
His team's record is 8-8 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-7. (+0.1 units)




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LA DODGERS (51 - 40) at SAN FRANCISCO (38 - 50) - 4:05 PM
BRETT TOMKO (R) vs. NOAH LOWRY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 2-9 (-8.2 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
LOWRY is 22-14 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
LOWRY is 15-6 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 51-40 (+7.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 13-6 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
LA DODGERS are 82-45 (+27.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 37-16 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-50 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 7-17 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 13-25 (-15.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-50 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 26-38 (-13.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LOWRY is 14-26 (-13.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-3 (+1.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

BRETT TOMKO vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
TOMKO is 2-4 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 5.37 and a WHIP of 1.558.
His team's record is 2-8 (-6.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-6. (-2.8 units)

NOAH LOWRY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LOWRY is 3-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.22 and a WHIP of 1.193.
His team's record is 5-4 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.6 units)




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SAN DIEGO (49 - 40) at ARIZONA (49 - 43) - 4:40 PM
JUSTIN GERMANO (R) vs. BRANDON WEBB (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 24-38 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 49-43 (+5.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 49-43 (+5.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 29-19 (+9.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN DIEGO is 70-57 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 28-14 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 68-56 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 54-38 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 421-368 (-63.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
ARIZONA is 83-82 (-30.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
ARIZONA is 302-270 (-47.6 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 5-2 (+3.1 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

JUSTIN GERMANO vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

BRANDON WEBB vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
WEBB is 3-5 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.306.
His team's record is 9-7 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-9. (-3.4 units)




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ST LOUIS (40 - 47) at PHILADELPHIA (46 - 44) - 6:05 PM
ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R) vs. ADAM EATON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 134-130 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 134-130 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 17-37 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-12 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
EATON is 34-19 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
EATON is 30-16 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
EATON is 33-18 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 56-33 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 120-76 (+29.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-28 (-14.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-32 (-17.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 99-96 (-37.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-1 (+2.9 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

ADAM EATON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
EATON is 1-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 5.93 and a WHIP of 1.549.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)




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KANSAS CITY (39 - 51) at CLEVELAND (53 - 37) - 1:05 PM
JORGE DE LA ROSA (L) vs. FAUSTO CARMONA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 101-152 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 17-16 (+16.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 17-14 (+22.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +200 to +225 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 92-137 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 79-98 (+32.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 44-54 (+15.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 24-25 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 28-35 (+17.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DE LA ROSA is 5-0 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 4-4 (+3.0 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JORGE DE LA ROSA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
DE LA ROSA is 1-2 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 7.62 and a WHIP of 1.539.
His team's record is 1-4 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.9 units)

FAUSTO CARMONA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
CARMONA is 1-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.77 and a WHIP of 1.385.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)




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CHI WHITE SOX (40 - 49) at BALTIMORE (40 - 50) - 1:35 PM
JOSE CONTRERAS (R) vs. GARRETT OLSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-49 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 58-63 (-19.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 33-42 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 39-51 (-23.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CONTRERAS is 9-17 (-13.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CONTRERAS is 2-10 (-9.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CONTRERAS is 9-18 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CONTRERAS is 7-12 (-10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 120-92 (+26.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 98-109 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 22-43 (-23.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 98-109 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-3 (+0.8 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

JOSE CONTRERAS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
CONTRERAS is 3-3 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 5.48 and a WHIP of 1.443.
His team's record is 5-3 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.7 units)

GARRETT OLSON vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
OLSON is 0-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.16 and a WHIP of 2.309.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)




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NY YANKEES (44 - 44) at TAMPA BAY (35 - 55) - 1:40 PM
MIKE MUSSINA (R) vs. EDWIN JACKSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 44-44 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 121-85 (-57.5 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -175 or more since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 18-26 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY YANKEES are 10-18 (-17.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 13-19 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NY YANKEES are 102-79 (-21.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 21-21 (-12.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
MUSSINA is 5-9 (-8.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MUSSINA is 67-57 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MUSSINA is 41-34 (-33.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 34-29 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 35-55 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-3 (+3.7 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+6.0 Units)

MIKE MUSSINA vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
MUSSINA is 16-6 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.25 and a WHIP of 1.186.
His team's record is 19-8 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-16. (-6.7 units)

EDWIN JACKSON vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.




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TORONTO (44 - 46) at BOSTON (55 - 35) - 2:05 PM
JESSE LITSCH (R) vs. JOSH BECKETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 41-62 (-21.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 27-37 (-12.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 42-22 (+14.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 47-41 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 72-48 (+20.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 192-157 (-43.4 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
BOSTON is 284-223 (-53.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-4 (+2.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.8 Units)

JESSE LITSCH vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSH BECKETT vs. TORONTO since 1997
BECKETT is 2-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.25 and a WHIP of 1.278.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.6 units)




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OAKLAND (44 - 47) at MINNESOTA (48 - 43) - 2:10 PM
DAN HAREN (R) vs. BOOF BONSER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 28-34 (-10.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 144-112 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 97-72 (+14.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 67-63 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 22-11 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 59-39 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 111-98 (+20.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-2 (+1.6 Units) against OAKLAND this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.9 Units)

DAN HAREN vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
HAREN is 3-2 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.2 units)

BOOF BONSER vs. OAKLAND since 1997
BONSER is 0-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)




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TEXAS (38 - 52) at LA ANGELS (55 - 35) - 3:35 PM
BRANDON MCCARTHY (R) vs. JERED WEAVER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 77-50 (+17.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 234-166 (+31.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 43-25 (+10.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 76-83 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 9-3 (+5.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.5 Units)

BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
MCCARTHY is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

JERED WEAVER vs. TEXAS since 1997
WEAVER is 1-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.41 and a WHIP of 1.326.
His team's record is 3-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.6 units)




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DETROIT (53 - 36) at SEATTLE (51 - 37) - 4:05 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. JEFF WEAVER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 51-37 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 25-18 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 29-16 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 18-6 (+12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 49-36 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 34-30 (+6.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SEATTLE is 30-20 (+12.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 20-15 (+9.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WEAVER is 11-3 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 53-36 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 33-14 (+17.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 21-5 (+14.4 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 28-17 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 16-6 (+9.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 48-31 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 51-38 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-3 (+0.9 Units) against DETROIT this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. SEATTLE since 1997
VERLANDER is 2-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.19 and a WHIP of 1.298.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

JEFF WEAVER vs. DETROIT since 1997
WEAVER is 2-4 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.144.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-5. (-4.5 units)




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[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Sunday, July 15


Colorado Rockies at Milwaukee Brewers (-124, 9)

The Brewers may already have the best batting order in the National League but the topic wouldn’t even be debatable if Rickie Weeks could find his swing. The Brewers second baseman has been bothered by sore wrists for most of the year and it’s telling when you look at his stats.

Weeks – who batted .279 and scored 79 runs in 95 games last year – has the lowest batting average of any Brewer regular (.220) but he’s confident things will improve.

“I’m really not worried about it, to tell you the truth,” Weeks told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Of course, things didn’t go the way I wanted them to, but that’s over with. I’ve just got to keep pushing and keep working hard.”

Center fielder Corey Hart stole the leadoff spot from Weeks but it would be in the Brewers best interest if Weeks could regain the spot. J.J. Hardy, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder would drive in even more runs with a productive table-setter like Weeks leading off.

Pick: Brewers –124



Houston Rockets at Chicago Cubs (-121, N/A)

How bad is Houston’s offense? Yesterday on a day with whipping Chicago winds blowing out, the Astros put up only one run. The same conditions allowed the Cubs to score nine times against Houston ace Roy Oswalt.

“The disappointing thing for me on a day like today (was that) we don’t answer offensively,” Astros manager Phil Garner told the Houston Chronicle. “We start off scoring one run and then we just don’t do anything the rest of the day. We did not hit the ball at all.”

Garner sounds surprised but bettors certainly aren’t. The Astros haven’t been an offensive threat since Carlos Beltran was smashing moon shots for Houston the second half of the 2004 season. This year Houston is in the bottom tier of the majors in batting average (.259) and runs scored (405).

The numbers would be even more embarrassing if not for the performances of Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee.

Pick: Cubs –121



Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants (-120, 9)

Takashi Saito is in a mini-slump. The Dodgers All-Star closer has blown his last two save chances after converting 47 of his first 50.

Saito allowed the Giants to score a run in the bottom of the ninth, forcing the game into extra innings. The Dodgers won in 12 innings but Saito's failure to close the door was the story afterwards.

“It’s something that happens to closers every once in a while,” Dodgers manager Grady Little told the Los Angeles Times. “If he gets another opportunity (today), he’ll be right back out there.”

Waiting in the wings for a bullpen shuffle is setup man Jonathan Broxton. The 23-year-old has 53 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings this season.

Pick: Dodgers +112

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Sunday, July 15


Hot Pitchers

Josh Beckett (Boston Red Sox) - Josh Beckett is having a spectacular season for the Boston Red Sox and can become the first 13-game winner in baseball. The right-hander is 12-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.14 WHIP and the Red Sox are 7-3 in his last 10 starts at Fenway Park. Beckett is 12-3 in his last 15 starts as a favorite and the Red Sox are -222 against the Blue Jays.

Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers) - It’s hard to believe that Justin Verlander is just in his second season as a starter for the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander is a spectacular 10-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.15 WHIP and is 5-1 with a stunning 2.56 ERA outside Comerica Park. The Tigers are 6-1 in Verlander’s last seven road starts and are 13-3 in their last 16 road games. Verlander is 2-0 in two career starts against the Mariners and the Tigers are a -139 road favorite against the Mariners.

Cold Pitchers

Brett Tomko (Los Angeles Dodgers) - Brett Tomko should be thankful that he is still a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander is 1-7 with a 6.18 ERA and 1.63 WHIP as a starter and has been scored on in each of his last five appearances as a reliever for the Dodgers. Tomko is 1-2 with a massive 10.05 ERA in his last three starts and is 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP outside Dodgers Stadium. Oddsmakers list the Dodgers at +115 on the road against the San Francisco Giants.

Jose Contreras (Chicago White Sox) - The White Sox offense has come alive but the magic isn’t rubbing off on Jose Contreras. The right-hander is 1-6 with a 6.85 ERA in his last eight starts and is 2-5 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.45 WHIP outside U.S. Cellular Field. The veteran starter is 3-3 with a 5.24 ERA against the Baltimore Orioles and has allowed at least five runs in four of his last five starts against Baltimore. Oddsmakers list the White Sox as a -112 road favorite against the Orioles.