Tuesday Trends and Indexes 07/17

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Tuesday, July 17

Good Luck on day #198 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 Tuesday

The Mets fired batting coach Rick Down because scoring and pitches seen were both down, or so they say. Well, we looked at the numbers, week-by-week, and here's what we found-- a breakdown of the Mets' offense, week-by-week

---P/AB R/g W-L
1) 3.90 6.0 4-2
2) 3.88 4.6 3-2
3) 3.79 7.3 4-2
4) 3.50 3.8 4-2
5) 3.68 5.0 4-3
6) 3.67 5.0 4-2
7) 3.81 5.0 5-2
8) 4.17 4.0 4-2
9) 4.07 3.0 3-3
10) 3.58 4.0 1-5
11) 3.73 2.8 1-5
12) 3.58 5.0 4-2
13) 3.96 4.1 5-2
14) 3.53 3.7 2-5
15) 3.76 3.5 3-1

The first nine weeks, Mets averaged 3.82 pitches per at-bat In the last five weeks before Down got fired, that number dropped to 3.67, with Mets 13-19 during that time, so they made Down the scapegoat and fired him. Mets are correct that the numbers went down, but whose fault is it? Player or coach? Easier to replace a hitting coach than a player.

Funny, when the Mets made playoffs last year, Down never got any credit, but he gets the blame when they lose. Nice.

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

[pm530]

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

13) A's trade of Jason Kendall to Cubs makes prefect sense; Kurt Suzuki was going to be the Oakland catcher next year-- Kendall makes $11M a year, and the Cubs need a catcher and are contending, so it helps Chicago, lowers the A's payroll a bit, and effectively raises the white flag for '07 for Oakland.

12) Cubs' win Monday night makes them 10-3 in 1-run games since June 1; they were 3-9 in one-run games before that.

11) Would it be asking too much for the ESPN's Sunday night announcers to occasionally provide insight? For instance, in Sunday's game, Phillies were carping at the home plate umpire Jim Wolf, whose brother Randy pitched for the Phillies until last season. Wouldn't the viewers like to know that?

10) Seems like summer just started, but NFL camps open next week; can't imagine practicing football in this weather, and in the south, where Bucs and Saints train, it is even worse. Then you often finish the season in frigid conditions.........weird.

9) Hard to pencil in defending champ Colts as the favorite to repeat; they've lost both starting CBs and a LB, plus Patriots really improved their offense, although remains to be seen if Randy Moss will help or hurt. Chargers are also really good, so I wouldn't be rushing to Vegas to invest in the Colts.

8) Lions' defensive coordinator Joe Barry is married to head coach Marinelli's daughter; now thats job security.

7) New Orleans wants to host the NFL Draft, and turn it into a week-long event; league is committed to New York for 2008, but after that, who knows? New Orleans seems to be getting any event they ask for, so it could happen.........

6) You wonder why Jose Reyes isn't the same player he was in April, then you realize Mets have batted twelve different hitters in #2 hole behind him. Willie Randolph hasn't grasped the concept of getting your best guys the most at-bats.

5) Scumweasel agent Scott Boras complained Monday that the Red Sox are using Daisuke Matsuzaka too much (average of 110 pitches per start); isn't this the same guy we were told threw 90 pitchers the day before starts in Japan? His problem seems to be that against AL teams, there are very few easy outs in any lineup, so he has to work very hard. He's doing fine, really, just not at the $103M level.

4) Jose Reyes hit dribbler to right side in third inning Monday and first baseman Gonzalez went to his right to get ball, but in as great a mismatch as you'll see, Reyes beat David Wells to the bag for a cheap hit. Reyes vs Wells in footrace? Not fair.

3) Phillies' Shane Victorino once won Hawai'i high school title in both 100 and 200-meter dashes.

2) Cincinnati pitcher Bobby Livingston was 4-4 Monday, and is now batting .625 so far this season.

1) Heading to Florida this week for summer hoop tournaments One of best parts of these events is seeing kids from different parts of the country facing each other. One of first games I'll see Saturday is NY Gauchos (Bronx) against Alaska's Finest. Now thats worlds colliding, as George Costanza would say.

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

[pm530]

Pro Basketball (Women’s) – Long Sheet

WNBA
Long Sheet


Tuesday, July 17

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


MINNESOTA (5 - 16) at CONNECTICUT (9 - 11) - 7/17/2007, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 20-32 ATS (-15.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in July games this season.
MINNESOTA is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 43-25 ATS (+15.5 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) as a favorite this season.

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


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


SEATTLE (11 - 9) at PHOENIX (11 - 9) - 7/17/2007, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 103-68 ATS (+28.2 Units) in home games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) in home games on Tuesday since 1997.
PHOENIX is 64-43 ATS (+16.7 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
SEATTLE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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


SAN ANTONIO (12 - 6) at LOS ANGELES (7 - 12) - 7/17/2007, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 6-13 ATS (-8.3 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 6-13 ATS (-8.3 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
LOS ANGELES is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) in home games after allowing 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 4-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 6-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

[pm530]

Pro Basketball (women) – Hot Lines

WNBA


Tuesday, July 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lady luck: Tuesday’s best WNBA bets


San Antonio Silver Stars at Los Angeles Sparks (+5, 142)

The news just keeps getting worse for the Sparks. The club knew early in the offseason that defending MVP Lisa Leslie would miss significant time because she was pregnant, but now Leslie is suggesting she might not be able to play at all this year.

“I just don’t know what I’m capable of because I didn’t know I was going to have a caesarian versus a natural birth,” she said last week. “I’m not in shape at all, so to go from zero to trying to play real basketball, I have no idea.”

Leslie, who gave birth to her first child four weeks ago, suggested in May that a return late in the season wasn’t out of the question.

As for her teammates, they could really use a hand. With the surprise retirement of Chamique Holdsclaw earlier this year, the Sparks lack star power. The team has lost a franchise-record six consecutive games.

Pick: San Antonio –5



Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury (-5, 169)

The All-Star break was just what the Mercury players needed. The club seemed drained physically in its last two games (both losses) against the Silver Stars and Detroit Shock.

“No juice right now,” Diana Taurasi told the East Valley Tribune after falling 87-77 to San Antonio. “I guess the break comes at the right time.”

But Taurasi along with teammates Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor didn’t get much rest, as each played in the All-Star game on Sunday. Taurasi also completed in the 3-point shooting contest.

Lauren Jackson was Seattle’s lone representative at the All-Star game so the Storm will have plenty of energy. The winner of this game will grab sole possession of third place in a crowded Western Conference.

Pick: Seattle +5

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

[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Tuesday, July 17

Hot Pitchers
-- Cardinals won eight of ten Thompson starts (4-2, 4.92).
-- Youman is 2-0, 3.00 in two starts this season.
-- Marshall is 4-1, 3.99 in his last seven starts (Cubs 6-1)
-- Petit is 1-1, 3.12 in his three starts this season. Milwaukee has won 12 of 15 Vargas starts (6.29 RA in his last nine starts).

-- Garland is 3-0, 1.71 in his last three road starts.
-- Wakefield is 3-0, 4.26 in his last three starts.
-- Garza threw six shutout innings at Chicago in his only start this season, a 12-0 win in second game of doubleheader.
-- Hernandez is 3-0, 2.50 in his last five starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Vanderhurk is 2-2, 8.77 in six starts this season.
-- Fogg is 1-1, 9.18 in his last three starts.
-- Sampson is 0-1, 7.20 in his last four starts. Redding is 1-1, 4.09 in two starts this season.
-- Reyes allowed five runs in three innings in 8-5 loss at Petco, in his only start this season. Reds are 3-9 in last 12 Arroyo starts.
-- Giants lost last six Zito starts (0-4, 8.40).
-- Hernandez is 1-3, 8.41 in his last four starts. Peavy is 1-2, 4.74 in his last four home starts.
-- Hendrickson is 1-4, 7.18 in his last seven starts. Durbin gave up six runs in 4.2 IP vs Mets in his only start, a 6-5 loss.

-- Byrd has 6.75 RA in his last six home starts.
-- Pettitte is 1-2, 9.35 in his last five starts. Halladay is 1-2, 7.02 in his last three starts.
-- Nunez was 1-1, 2.00 in three AAA starts, giving up 12 hits in 18 IP, with three walks, 15 strikeouts.
-- Detroit lost ten of last thirteen Robertson starts.
-- Shields is 1-5, 6.87 in his last six starts. Colon is 0-4, 9.52 in his last eight starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-2, 5.63 in his last four starts.
-- Gaudin is 2-3, 4.79 in his last six starts, but he is 1-0, 1.42 in a couple starts vs the Rangers this season. Tejeda is 0-2, 7.77 in his last five starts.


Totals
-- Over is 8-4 in Florida's last twelve home games.
-- Under is 6-3-1 in Atlanta's last ten home games.
-- Over is 10-4 in Colorado's last fourteen road games.
-- Under is 8-1-2 in last eleven Washington home games.
-- Eight of last eleven games at Wrigley Field went over the total.
-- Under is 6-0-2 in last eight Arizona road games.
-- Seven of last ten games at Petco Park stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Dodger home games went over the total.

-- Under is 10-4-1 in last fifteen White Sox road games.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in Boston's last ten games.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Bronx games.
-- Over is 8-0-1 in Tampa Bay's last nine games.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Detroit games.
-- Six of last eight Oriole games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Texas road games.


Hot Teams
-- Atlanta won six of its last seven home games.
-- Nationals won last three home games, allowing nine runs.
-- Cubs won nine of their last ten home games.
-- Brewers won eleven of their last thirteen home games.
-- Dodgers won last five games, scoring 41 runs.

-- Indians won twelve of their last sixteen home games.
-- Bronx won nine of its last twelve games.
-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine home games. Royals won five of their last eight road games.
-- Tigers won seven of their last nine games. Minnesota won its last four games, allowing total of eleven runs.
-- Seattle won thirteen of its last sixteen games. Orioles won last three of last four games, allowing total of thirteen runs.
-- Rangers are 6-4 in their last ten games.

Cold Teams
-- Cardinals are 1-5 in second game of road series, if they won the opener. Marlins are 5-10 in last fifteen home games.
-- Cincinnati lost seven of its last ten road games.
-- Colorado lost eleven of its last fourteen road games. Pirates are 1-5 in their last six games overall.
-- Astros are 5-23 in their last 28 road games.
-- Arizona lost nine of its last ten road games.
-- Giants lost their last five games, allowing 34 runs.
-- Mets lost seven of their last nine road games. Padres lost 11 of last 17 at home.
-- Phillies lost five of their last seven road games.

-- White Sox lost three of their last four games.
-- Toronto lost eight of their last twelve road games.
-- Devil Rays lost sixteen of their last eighteen games. Angels are 6-9 in their last fifteen games.
-- Oakland lost eight games in row, scoring total of 15 runs.

Umpires
-- StL-Fla-- Six of last nine Rapuano games stayed under total.
-- Col-Pitt-- Unerdog is 6-2 in last eight Meals games, with last four going over the total.
-- Hst-Wsh-- Home side won six of last seven Diaz games, with six of his last nine games going over the total.
-- Cin-Atl-- Visiting team is 8-3 in last eleven Barrett games.
-- Az-Mil-- Under is 9-3 in last dozen Wendelstedt games.
-- SF-Chi-- Underdog is 4-3 in last seven Reynolds games.
-- NY-SD-- Favorite won last three Fairchild games.
-- Phil-LA-- Underdog is 10-6 in last sixteen Runge games.

-- Chi-Cle-- Five of last six Tschida games went over the total.
-- KC-Bos-- Home side is 9-4 in last thirteen Gibson games, with last three staying under the total.
-- Tor-NY-- Five of last six Culbreth games went over the total.
-- Do not know who umps are in Angel-Tampa Bay game.
-- Do not know who umps are in Tiger-Twin game.
-- Blt-Sea-- Over is 7-3-1 in last eleven Cooper games.
-- Tex-A's-- Underdog is 4-2 in last six Montague games.

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

[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Tuesday, July 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians (7:05 PM ET)

Chicago’s Jon Garland is 7-10 with a 5.90 ERA in 21 career outings against Cleveland. He allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Indians on April 4 – picking up a no-decision. EDGE: INDIANS
Garland has been very effective on the road in 2007, posting a 4-1 record and 2.95 ERA. The right-hander has allowed just one home run away from U.S. Cellular Field in 55 innings of work. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Indians starter Paul Byrd is 6-2 in 10 career starts against the White Sox despite having a 4.61 ERA. He threw six shutout innings and allowed just five hits in his last start versus Chicago. EDGE: INDIANS
Cleveland has lost three of Byrd’s last four starts at Jacobs Field, mainly because the right-hander has allowed double-digit hits in each of those starts. EDGE: WHITE SOX
The White Sox are 15-7 in Garland’s last 22 road starts.



Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)

Toronto starter Roy Halladay is 9-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 23 career appearances against New York. He’s struck out 113 batters and walked just 36 batters in 139 2/3 innings against them. EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Halladay has allowed five earned runs in three of his last four starts. Opponents have been putting the ball in play against the right-hander, as he’s fanned just 12 batters in his last 23 2/3 innings. EDGE: OVER
Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte is 15-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 30 career outings against the Blue Jays. EDGE: YANKEES
Pettitte has struggled a bit at home this year, posting a 3-2 record and 5.63 ERA in eight starts. The left-hander is 84-32 in 145 career outings at Yankee Stadium. EDGE: YANKEES
The UNDER is 8-2 in Halladay’s last 10 road starts versus the Yankees.

Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (7:10 PM ET)

Los Angeles right-hander Ervin Santana is an even 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay. The right-hander has struck out 21 batters and walked just four batters in 24 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: D-RAYS
Santana is a miserable 1-8 with an 8.59 ERA in 10 road starts in 2007. The Angels have lost his last two games away from Angel Stadium, being outscored 20-3 in the process. BIG EDGE: D-RAYS
Tampa Bay has lost five of Shields’ last five starts, including his last two at Tropicana Field to Chicago and New York. EDGE: ANGELS
Shields surrendered 26 hits in 18 1/3 career innings against the Angels, which turned into a 1-1 record and 3.93 ERA. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS



San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs (8:05 PM ET)

San Francisco starter Barry Zito picked up a loss in his only career start against Chicago, allowing four runs and seven hits in five innings. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
The Giants have lost six straight games with Zito on the hill and the left-hander is 3-6 with a 5.96 ERA in 10 road starts. San Francisco has been outscored 31-10 in his last three outings away from AT&T Park. BIG EDGE: CUBS
Chicago has won six of starter Sean Marshall’s last seven starts, as the Cubs have scored 38 runs and allowed just 22 over that span. EDGE: CUBS
Marshall is an even 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA in four starts at Wrigley Field this season. He was reached for six earned runs and seven hits in his last home start against Milwaukee. EDGE: GIANTS
The Cubs are 1-4 in Marshall’s last five starts versus the NL West.



Baltimore Orioles at Seattle Mariners (10:05 PM ET)

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie is a perfect 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 road outings this season. The right-hander has allowed three earned runs or less in all six of his starts away from Camden Yards. EDGE: ORIOLES & UNDER
Guthrie is coming off his worst start of the season, allowing five earned runs and nine hits over 3 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. Many MLB insiders believe the amount of innings is starting to catch up to this reliever-turned-starter. EDGE: MARINERS
Seattle’s Felix Hernandez is 2-1 in four career starts against Baltimore, but carries a 5.96 ERA into this contest. He received a no-decision on June 4 versus the Orioles, when he allowed four runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 7-4 Mariners victory. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS & OVER
Hernandez may have found his early season groove in July, posting a 2-0 record and 1.61 ERA in three starts. In April, he was 2-1 with a 1.56 ERA in three outings as well. EDGE: MARINERS
The UNDER is 6-1 in Hernandez’s last seven starts overall.



New York Mets at San Diego Padres (10:05 PM ET)

New York’s Orlando Hernandez is a perfect 2-0 with a 2.40 EAR in three career starts against San Diego. He’s allowed just seven hits and struck out 15 batters in 15 career innings versus the Padres. EDGE: METS
Hernandez may have been showing signs of wearing down in his last two starts, giving up seven earned runs and nine hits in 10 innings during July. EDGE: PADRES & OVER
Padres right-hander Jake Peavy is making his first appearance of the second-half after starting the All-Star Game. He’s 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets. EDGE: PADRES
Peavy is an impressive 25-16 with a 3.01 ERA in 60 career starts at Petco Park. EDGE: PADRES
The UNDER is 10-3-1 in Peavy’s last 14 starts overall.



Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (10:05 PM ET)

Texas starter Robinson Tejada is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in four career starts against Oakland. He allowed three runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings versus the Athletics earlier this season. SLIGHT EDGE: RANGERS
Tejada brings in a 3-4 road record in 2007, but he carries a highly-inflated 7.17 ERA in eight starts away from Texas. EDGE: OVER
Oakland’s Chad Gaudin picked up a 5-3 home victory over Texas on May 28, allowing no earned runs and four hits over 6 2/3 innings. EDGE: A’S
Gaudin is 5-2 with a 3.17 ERA in nine home starts this year. He’s allowed just two home runs in 54 innings in Oakland. EDGE: A’S & UNDER
The Athletics are 0-5 in their last five games versus a right-handed starter.

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

[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Tuesday, July 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLB Betting Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday’s MLB betting notes

Butler serving Royals well

With Mike Sweeney out of the Kansas City Royals lineup for the foreseeable future due to a knee injury, manager Buddy Bell has tried several different players in the No. 4 spot in the lineup. He may finally have found his man in Billy Butler.

Butler played in the cleanup spot on both Saturday and Sunday against the Cleveland Indians. He went 4-for-9 with four hits and four RBIs in those two games. The 21-year-old is batting .312 with 17 RBIs and three homers for the season.

"It'll be nice to keep him in the middle of the lineup and see what he can do there," Bell told MLB.com on Sunday. "He can do a lot of different things for you - hit the ball out of the park, take the ball the other way."

Butler will continue in that spot on Tuesday when Kansas City takes on the Red Sox for the second of a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Falling at the last

The Colorado Rockies have lost eight games in the final at-bat this season, which is three more times than all of last season. The 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday was the fifth time in 10 road games they have been beaten in the bottom of the ninth.

Those stats highlight the Rockies' shaky bullpen, which is 12th in the NL with a 4.43 ERA. Their pen has blown 17 save opportunities this season and hitters are batting .272 against them.

The Rockies are currently on a 10-game road trip and face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday. The Pirates are –101 favorites with the total set at 9 ½.

Jays continually caught napping

The Toronto Blue Jays have given up 84 stolen bases so far this season, an American League high. MLB.com reports that the club’s catchers have an 11 percent caught stealing average, which does not compare well to the league average of 26 percent.

Veteran catcher Sal Fasano managed to throw out 21 percent of attempted steals, but fellow catchers Gregg Zaun and Jason Phillips have not come close to that. They have combined for a nine percent caught-stealing rate.

When asked about the teams inability to deal with runners after Saturday night’s game in Boston, in which they gave up a double steal, manager John Gibbons said: "That's how teams try to exploit us. I have no answer for you. It is what it is."

After splitting a four-game series at Fenway Park over the weekend, the Jays face the Yankees in Game 2 of another four-game series on Tuesday. Toronto is a +121 underdog with the total set at 9.

Hot Chipper

Veteran slugger Chipper Jones has been on a hot streak since returning from the DL on June 13. The Braves third baseman is batting .402 in 26 games since then, the best average in the majors over that time.

Jones is batting .335 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs for the season, good enough for fourth overall on the NL hitting list. The 35-year-old has had five multi-hit outings in his last 10 games.

On Tuesday, Jones will look to continue his recent form against struggling Cincinnati Reds starter Bronson Arroyo (3-10, 4.78 ERA). Atlanta is a –129 favorite with the total set at 9 ½.

Two Tigers return

The Detroit Tigers were without Placido Polanco and Ivan Rodriguez for Sunday’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners, but both players are expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday.

Polanco has been struggling with a back injury and was given a two-day rest (Monday was an a day off), while Rodriguez did not play because he was catching in Saturday night’s game.

Rodriguez’s absence on Sunday does not count as his one-game suspension, which he picked up on Thursday after bumping into an umpire during an argument. The Tigers are still planning to appeal that decision.

Detroit open a three-game series at the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and are +105 underdogs with the total set 9 ½.

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

[pm530]

Baseball – Injury Report

MLB


Tuesday, July 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injuries
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MLB Infirmary Report

Not everyone was able to shake off their aches and pains over the All-Star Break. Here's a look at who's nursing an injury in this edition of the MLB Infirmary Report . . .

Arizona - Randy Johnson P 15-Day Disabled List
Johnson can return from the disabled list at any time, but he still hasn't started throwing off a mound. The D-Backs hope to have The Big Unit back in the rotation before August.

Atlanta - John Smoltz P 15-Day Disabled List
Smoltz missed the All-Star Game and was placed on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder. However, the Braves' ace is still probable to return and start on Wednesday.

Baltimore - Miguel Tejada SS 15-Day Disabled List
Baltimore - Melvin Mora 3B 15-Day Disabled List
The Orioles are missing the left side of their infield, with both Tejada and Mora on the disabled list. Tejada isn't expected to return from his wrist injury until the start of August, while Mora should be able to come back from a sprained foot when his DL time expires.

Boston - Curt Schilling P 15-Day Disabled List
The Red Sox are holding onto their division lead without Schilling, but they'd still like him back in their rotation as soon as possible. The righthander has been on the DL with a sore shoulder since June 19, and he is slated to start for Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday.

Chi Cubs - Ryan Dempster P 15-Day Disabled List
Dempster has recovered enough from his strained oblique that he was able to throw bullpen sessions on the weekend. He could come back from the disabled list this week.

Colorado - Brian Fuentes P 15-Day Disabled List
Fuentes missed the All-Star Game because of a pulled muscle in his side, and he was placed on the DL retroactive to July 4. The closer could return to the team this weekend.

LA Angels - Howie Kendrick 2B 15-Day Disabled List
The Angels put their starting second baseman on the disabled list with a fractured index finger in the first week of July, and he should be out of the lineup a couple more weeks.

LA Dodgers - Randy Wolf P 15-Day Disabled List
Wolf has said that his shoulder is now pain-free, and he's started a throwing program. The starting pitcher is eligible to return on July 19, but he might be out for another week.

Milwaukee - Ben Sheets P 15-Day Disabled List
Sheets left his start early on Saturday after suffering a sprained finger on his pitching hand. He went on the disabled list on Monday and will undergo some tests this week.

NY Mets - Pedro Martinez P 15-Day Disabled List
Martinez has reportedly been making good progress, and he's scheduled for a couple more throwing sessions this week. The righthander is on track to return in early August.

Oakland - Rich Harden P 15-Day Disabled List
The Athletics put Harden on the disabled list once again last week with a strained shoulder. There is no timetable set for his return, and he could miss an extended period.

San Diego - Jake Peavy P Day-to-Day (sore biceps)
Peavy was scheduled to take the mound on the weekend, but the All-Star Game starter complained of a sore bicep. The righthander is instead scheduled to pitch on Tuesday.

St. Louis - Chris Carpenter P 15-Day Disabled List
Carpenter was making starts on a rehab assignment earlier this month, but his elbow became stiff and swollen. The righthander isn't expected to be back for another month.

Tampa Bay - Al Reyes P 15-Day Disabled List
Reyes can be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday, and it's looking like he will return to the D-Rays that day. The closer has been feeling fine on a rehab assignment.

Toronto - A.J. Burnett P 15-Day Disabled List
Burnett went back on the disabled list at the beginning of July with a sore right shoulder, and he's not expected to return to the Blue Jays' rotation until the beginning of August.

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

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Tuesday, July 17


Hot

Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners) - King Felix is looking like the pitcher who nearly threw a no-hitter earlier in the season. Hernandez is 2-0 over his last three starts with a stellar 1.61 ERA for the Mariners, who are -156 favorites tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. The rest of Hernandez's stat sheet looks pretty good if you're an M's backer, with the righty sporting a .259 OBP against and 0.99 WHIP in his last 22 innings of work.

Cold

Andy Pettitte (New York Yankees) - It's no wonder Pettitte is on this list. He carries a horrible 13.14 ERA since June 27 and it gets even worse when you dig deeper. Pettitte has a lofty 5.63 ERA at Yankee Stadium this season, and hasn't won there in over a month. With the Yankees as -125 favorites tonight in the Bronx against Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays, Pettitte has sucked all the value out of betting on the Bombers.

Robinson Tejeda (Texas Rangers) - This guy is just plain bad, which explains why he seems to make the 'cold' portion of this list nearly every time he takes the hill. Tejeda hasn't won a start since June 8 for the Rangers, +141 underdogs tonight against the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander's biggest problem has been keeping runners off the bases - he has a stiff .455 OBP against since June 20.

Claudio Vargas (Milwaukee Brewers) - Vargas has faded in recent weeks after a pretty solid start to the season, much like his team. The hard thrower has a 7.31 ERA over his last three trips to the mound, while surrendering nine homers and six free passes in his last 16 innings pitched. Oddsmakers have the Brewers as -140 favorites tonight at Miller Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


San Francisco at Chicago Cubs
The Cubs staged another late rally last night to beat the Giants (3-2) for their fifth straight win at Wrigley and 14th in their last 18 at home. Meanwhile the Giants wasted a good outing from rookie Tim Lincecum to drop their fifth straight and 18th out of 22. It doesn't look to get much better for the Giants today with disappointing free agent Barry Zito on the mound. Zito hasn't won since June 4 and the Giants are 0-6 in his starts since then. The Cubs look like a good pick (-140) in this one according to Dunkel, which has Chicago favored straight up by 3. Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-140). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, JULY 17

Game 951-952: St. Louis at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Thompson) 13.986; Florida (Vanden Hurk) 13.375
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120); Over

Game 953-954: Colorado at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Fogg) 14.234; Pittsburgh (Youman) 14.414
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110); Over

Game 955-956: Houston at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Sampson) 12.765; Washington (Redding) 14.245
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+130); Under

Game 957-958: Cincinnati at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.454; Atlanta (Reyes) 14.955
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-135); Under

Game 959-960: Arizona at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Petit) 14.387; Milwaukee (Vargas) 13.681
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+160); Under

Game 961-962: San Francisco at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 12.768; Cubs (Marshall) 15.655
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 3; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-140); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-140); N/A

Game 963-964: NY Mets at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Hernandez) 14.246; San Diego (Peavy) 14.892
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Over

Game 965-966: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Durbin) 13.348; LA Dodgers (Hendrickson) 16.032
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-125); Over

Game 967-968: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Garland) 14.326; Cleveland (Byrd) 14.929
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-150); Over

Game 969-970: Kansas City at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Nunez) 14.019; Boston (Wakefield) 15.419
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 971-972: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 14.283; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.421
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-125); Over

Game 973-974: LA Angels at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Colon) 13.677; Tampa Bay (Shields) 12.838
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 975-976: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Robertson) 16.084; Minnesota (Garza) 16.285
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+110); Under

Game 977-978: Baltimore at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Guthrie) 15.022; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.653
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-160); Under

Game 979-980: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Tejeda) 14.032; Oakland (Gaudin) 13.310
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+165); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Tuesday, July 17


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


ST LOUIS (42 - 47) at FLORIDA (44 - 49) - 7:05 PM
BRAD THOMPSON (R) vs. RICK VANDEN HURK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 136-130 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 13-22 (-12.9 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 136-130 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 79-97 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 16-25 (-12.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ST LOUIS is 29-35 (-14.9 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.
FLORIDA is 88-91 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
THOMPSON is 8-1 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 19-33 (-18.6 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 19-27 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
FLORIDA is 19-27 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 13-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

BRAD THOMPSON vs. FLORIDA since 1997
No recent starts.

RICK VANDEN HURK vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.




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


COLORADO (46 - 46) at PITTSBURGH (40 - 52) - 7:05 PM
JOSH FOGG (R) vs. SHANE YOUMAN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 112-168 (-57.0 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 43-29 (+16.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 10-4 (+8.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
PITTSBURGH is 48-38 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 49-39 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 47-31 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.
COLORADO is 46-46 (+5.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 46-43 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 35-30 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JOSH FOGG vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
FOGG is 0-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 16.63 and a WHIP of 2.079.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

SHANE YOUMAN vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.




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


HOUSTON (39 - 54) at WASHINGTON (38 - 54) - 7:05 PM
CHRIS SAMPSON (R) vs. TIM REDDING (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 21-32 (-14.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
HOUSTON is 5-13 (-9.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
HOUSTON is 18-27 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
HOUSTON is 39-54 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 271-265 (-57.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
HOUSTON is 10-19 (-11.3 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 15-32 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 39-54 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 28-39 (-13.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-24 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 14-10 (+9.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-21 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
HOUSTON is 111-61 (+27.2 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997.
SAMPSON is 6-0 (+6.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
REDDING is 11-22 (-15.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
REDDING is 21-34 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

CHRIS SAMPSON vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

TIM REDDING vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.




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


CINCINNATI (38 - 55) at ATLANTA (50 - 43) - 7:35 PM
BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. JO-JO REYES (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 38-55 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 27-40 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CINCINNATI is 12-25 (-13.0 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CINCINNATI is 38-55 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 21-35 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ARROYO is 5-14 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 2-8 (-7.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 1-9 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 7-16 (-12.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 5-14 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 4-11 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 31-19 (+7.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 403-454 (+56.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 129-126 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 57-69 (-23.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 65-63 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 29-38 (-18.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 65-63 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 49-50 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 1-0 (+1.5 Units) against ATLANTA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BRONSON ARROYO vs. ATLANTA since 1997
ARROYO is 2-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.23 and a WHIP of 1.775.
His team's record is 4-2 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+2.0 units)

JO-JO REYES vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.




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


ARIZONA (49 - 45) at MILWAUKEE (52 - 40) - 8:05 PM
YUSMEIRO PETIT (R) vs. CLAUDIO VARGAS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 110-129 (-38.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
MILWAUKEE is 47-25 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 54-46 (+11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 37-29 (+16.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 51-25 (+17.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 33-14 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 33-14 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
VARGAS is 12-3 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 16-7 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 26-18 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 49-45 (+2.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 49-45 (+2.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against ARIZONA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

YUSMEIRO PETIT vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

CLAUDIO VARGAS vs. ARIZONA since 1997
VARGAS is 1-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.467.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.0 units)




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


SAN FRANCISCO (38 - 52) at CHICAGO CUBS (48 - 43) - 8:05 PM
BARRY ZITO (L) vs. SEAN MARSHALL (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-52 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 50-75 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 4-15 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-52 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 34-56 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 60-75 (-19.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-29 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MARSHALL is 16-5 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 115-139 (-30.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 60-66 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 115-143 (-50.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 115-136 (-27.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 31-44 (-18.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 43-53 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 55-65 (-18.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

BARRY ZITO vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
ZITO is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

SEAN MARSHALL vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
MARSHALL is 0-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 12.53 and a WHIP of 2.248.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)




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


NY METS (51 - 41) at SAN DIEGO (51 - 40) - 10:05 PM
ORLANDO HERNANDEZ (R) vs. JAKE PEAVY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 154-110 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 74-57 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 152-109 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 113-76 (+19.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 67-49 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against NY METS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 3-0 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.05 and a WHIP of 0.909.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

JAKE PEAVY vs. NY METS since 1997
PEAVY is 3-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.20 and a WHIP of 1.245.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.7 units)




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


PHILADELPHIA (46 - 46) at LA DODGERS (53 - 40) - 10:10 PM
J.D. DURBIN (R) vs. MARK HENDRICKSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 53-40 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 50-37 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-16 (+12.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 56-45 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

J.D. DURBIN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

MARK HENDRICKSON vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.




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


CHI WHITE SOX (41 - 50) at CLEVELAND (54 - 38) - 7:05 PM
JON GARLAND (R) vs. PAUL BYRD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 41-50 (-9.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 58-64 (-20.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 34-43 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
GARLAND is 3-9 (-7.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
BYRD is 28-10 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BYRD is 28-10 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 147-96 (+30.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 111-86 (+21.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 33-22 (+18.0 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 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 121-93 (+26.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 176-113 (+44.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
GARLAND is 29-16 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARLAND is 34-16 (+17.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARLAND is 18-7 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARLAND is 11-3 (+10.3 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 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 86-90 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-3 (+0.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

JON GARLAND vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
GARLAND is 7-10 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 6.10 and a WHIP of 1.565.
His team's record is 8-12 (-6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-9. (+1.7 units)

PAUL BYRD vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BYRD is 7-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.228.
His team's record is 8-4 (+5.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-7. (-3.0 units)




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


KANSAS CITY (39 - 53) at BOSTON (56 - 36) - 7:05 PM
LEO NUNEZ (R) vs. TIM WAKEFIELD (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 (+1.5 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

LEO NUNEZ vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 7-5 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.02 and a WHIP of 1.202.
His team's record is 9-5 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-9. (-6.4 units)




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


TORONTO (45 - 47) at NY YANKEES (46 - 44) - 7:05 PM
ROY HALLADAY (R) vs. ANDY PETTITTE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 39-25 (+20.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 48-42 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 73-48 (+22.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HALLADAY is 49-19 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HALLADAY is 34-9 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 46-44 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 17-20 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 12-18 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 40-38 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY YANKEES are 53-40 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 79-64 (-25.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 (+2.3 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

ROY HALLADAY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
HALLADAY is 9-4 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.206.
His team's record is 13-8 (+7.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-12. (-3.9 units)

ANDY PETTITTE vs. TORONTO since 1997
PETTITTE is 10-7 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.55 and a WHIP of 1.469.
His team's record is 14-9 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-15. (-11.4 units)




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


LA ANGELS (55 - 36) at TAMPA BAY (35 - 56) - 7:10 PM
BARTOLO COLON (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

BARTOLO COLON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
COLON is 9-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.277.
His team's record is 11-5 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-3. (+10.0 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
SHIELDS is 1-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.93 and a WHIP of 1.746.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.0 units)




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


DETROIT (54 - 36) at MINNESOTA (49 - 43) - 8:10 PM
NATE ROBERTSON (L) vs. MATT GARZA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ROBERTSON is 21-29 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ROBERTSON is 4-11 (-9.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ROBERTSON is 2-8 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
ROBERTSON is 7-19 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 85-59 (+19.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-17 (+7.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 145-112 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 54-36 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 34-14 (+18.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 29-17 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 17-6 (+10.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 33-19 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 105-68 (+23.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 52-38 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 97-60 (+24.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-4 (+1.1 Units) against DETROIT this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.2 Units)

NATE ROBERTSON vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
ROBERTSON is 5-7 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.37 and a WHIP of 1.403.
His team's record is 6-9 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-10. (-8.5 units)

MATT GARZA vs. DETROIT since 1997
GARZA is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 8.31 and a WHIP of 2.079.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)




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


BALTIMORE (41 - 51) at SEATTLE (52 - 38) - 10:05 PM
JEREMY GUTHRIE (R) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 18-32 (-16.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 47-90 (-32.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 34-75 (-33.8 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.
BALTIMORE is 21-44 (-26.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 52-38 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 30-17 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 50-37 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 38-26 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 34-31 (+5.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SEATTLE is 30-21 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 197-184 (-72.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-1 (+1.8 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JEREMY GUTHRIE vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 2-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 5.96 and a WHIP of 1.853.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.8 units)




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


TEXAS (40 - 52) at OAKLAND (44 - 49) - 10:05 PM
ROBINSON TEJEDA (R) vs. CHAD GAUDIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEJEDA is 3-14 (-13.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GAUDIN is 13-6 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GAUDIN is 13-5 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 3-10 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
OAKLAND is 28-36 (-12.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
OAKLAND is 11-18 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
OAKLAND is 44-49 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 17-27 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 24-36 (-25.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 8-14 (-11.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-3 (+1.5 Units) against OAKLAND this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.9 Units)

ROBINSON TEJEDA vs. OAKLAND since 1997
TEJEDA is 2-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.661.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.3 units)

CHAD GAUDIN vs. TEXAS since 1997
GAUDIN is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 0.71 and a WHIP of 1.026.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)




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

[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Tuesday, July 17


Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (-150, 9)

The Jason Kendall days in Oakland are over. The A’s traded their starting catcher of the last three years to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Rob Bowen and minor-league pitcher Jerry Blevins.

Is the deal a result of a disappointing season that has the Athletics 12 games back of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West?

“I’d be less than honest to say otherwise,” general manager Billy Beane told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It certainly had some impact. To say that it was no factor would be disingenuous.”

Beane said 23-year-old catcher Kurt Suzuki will take over as the starting catcher. Suzuki will be an upgrade at the plate (Kendall is batting a career-low .226) but he won’t be able to handle the pitching staff as well as Kendall.

“(Kendall) does everything you could ask and more,” today’s starter Chad Gaudin said. “He’s definitely one of the reasons why I’ve been doing as well as I’ve been doing, and he’s one of the big reasons why I’ve found a home here in Oakland.”

Pick: Texas +142



Baltimore Orioles at Seattle Mariners (-156, 8)

The Angels have baseball’s second-best record but only a 2 ½-game lead over the Mariners in their division.

Seattle backers will be happy to know that Ichiro Suzuki will be back in center field tonight. The All-Star Game MVP left Sunday’s game shortly after getting hit by a 96 mph fastball above his right knee. Ichiro went 2-for-3 with a double as the club’s DH last night.

“Ichiro feels good,” Mariners John McLaren told the Seattle Times. “I felt like with everything that he’s been through for the last week with the All-Star Game and the festivities to contract negotiations, the press conference (for his contract extension), him getting hit, I thought it was a good time to let him DH and catch his breath.”

Ichiro isn’t the only hot bat in Seattle’s lineup. Third baseman Adrian Beltre and right fielder Jose Guillen are each hitting over .400 so far this month.

Pick: Seattle –156



New York Mets at San Diego Padres (-153, 7 ½)

New York’s season can be broken into two parts: 35 games with a healthy Moises Alou and 57 games without him.

The Mets averaged 5.2 runs with Alou in the lineup and only four runs since Alou went down with a quadriceps injury at the beginning of May. Only the Washington Nationals have scored fewer runs than the Mets' 226 since May 2.

Alou should be back next week if everything goes smoothly in his rehab outings but that does’t help the Mets tonight against Jake Peavy in Petco Park.

Pick: San Diego -153

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Tuesday, July 17th

National League

St. Louis at Florida, 7:05 EST
Brad Thompson (R) vs. Rick Vanden Hurk (R)
Thompson: 8-1 TSR in night games
Vanden Hurk: Fla 1-6 at home vs. St. Louis

Colorado at Pittsburgh, 7:05 EST
Josh Fogg (R) vs. Shane Youman (L)
Fogg: 19-7 Over 2nd half of season
Youman: Pit 20-9 Over after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7

Houston at Washington, 7:05 EST
Chris Sampson (R) vs. Tim Redding (R)
Sampson: 6-0 TSR when the total is 9 to 9.5
Redding: 28-13 Under in home starts

Cincinnati at Atlanta, 7:35 EST
Bronson Arroyo (R) vs. Jo-Jo Reyes (L)
Arroyo: 0-8 TSR as a road underdog
Reyes: Atl 20-8 when the money line is -100 to -150

Arizona at Milwaukee, 8:05 EST
Yusmeiro Petit (R) vs. Claudio Vargas (R)
Petit: Ari 11-2 Under revenging a one run loss
Vargas: 12-3 TSR in all games

San Francisco at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 EST
Barry Zito (L) vs. Sean Marshall (L)
Zito: 0-3 TSR, 5.29 ERA L3 starts
Marshall: 16-5 TSR in night games

NY Mets at San Diego, 10:05 EST
Orlando Hernandez (R) vs. Jake Peavy (R)
Hernandez: 16-5 TSR as a road underdog of +100 to +150
Peavy: 13-3 Under at home 2nd half of season

Philadelphia at LA Dodgers, 10:10 EST
JD Durbin (R) vs. Mark Hendrickson (L)
Durbin: Phil 8-23 as an underdog
Hendrickson: LAD 24-9 after a win by 6+ runs


American League

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, 7:05 EST
Jon Garland (R) vs. Paul Byrd (R)
Garland: 12-3 TSR as a road underdog
Byrd: Cle 4-11 off a division loss as a favorite of -150 or higher

Kansas City at Boston, 7:05 EST
Leo Nunez (R) vs. Tim Wakefield (R)
Nunez: KC 2-8 at Boston
Wakefield: 3-0 TSR, 4.26 ERA L3 starts

Toronto at NY Yankees, 7:05 EST
Roy Halladay (R) vs. Andy Pettitte (L)
Halladay: 7-0 Over in road starts
Pettitte: NYY 18-9 Over vs. division opponents

LA Angels at Tampa Bay, 7:10 EST
Bartolo Colon (R) vs. James Shields (R)
Colon: 21-8 TSR in road starts
Shields: TB 4-19 off BB losses by 2 runs or less

Detroit at Minnesota, 8:10 EST
Nate Robertson (L) vs. Matt Garza (R)
Robertson: 2-8 TSR in night games
Garza: Min 8-1 Over at home with a money line of -100 to -125

Baltimore at Seattle, 10:05 EST
Jeremy Guthrie (R) vs. Felix Hernandez (R)
Guthrie: Bal 15-6 Under as an underdog of +125 to +175
Hernandez: Sea 15-3 as a home favorite of -125 to -175

Texas at Oakland, 10:05 EST
Robinson Tejeda (R) vs. Chad Gaudin (R)
Tejeda: Tex 6-1 Under vs. Oakland
Gaudin: Oak 41-18 Under vs. right-handed starters


** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

Baseball Today - July 17


SCOREBOARD

Tuesday, July 17

Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (7:05 p.m. EDT). Roy Halladay and Andy Pettitte square off as the Yankees try to win their fourth straight game.

STARS

Monday

-Kason Gabbard, Red Sox, pitched a three-hitter and struck out eight to lead Boston past Kansas City 4-0.

-Bobby Livingston, Reds, gave up two runs in five innings and went 4-for-4 with an RBI to help Cincinnati defeat Atlanta 10-3.

-Jamey Wright, Rangers, allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings and Texas topped Oakland 4-1.

-Dmitri Young, Nationals, hit a go-ahead three-run homer to lift Washington over Houston 4-3.

-Paul Konerko, White Sox, hit a three-run homer to highlight a nine-run sixth inning and the Chicago White Sox held on to beat Cleveland 11-10.

LEADING OFF

Arizona's Chris Young and Milwaukee's Corey Hart each hit leadoff home runs in the Brewers' 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday. It's the first time two leadoff men have homered in the same game since April 23 this season when Houston's Craig Biggio and Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins did it. ... Miguel Cabrera led off the eighth inning of Florida's 5-3 loss to St. Louis on Monday with his 22nd home run of the season and has now homered the last three times he has led off an inning.

MILESTONE

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 587th home run in Cincinnati's 10-3 win over Atlanta on Monday, passing Frank Robinson for sixth on the career list. Griffey moved 15 behind Texas' Sammy Sosa for fifth place. He began the season tied with Reggie Jackson for 10th place with 563 homers.

THE ANDY MAN CAN

Andy Phillips hit a two-run bloop single in the sixth inning to break a tie and push the New York Yankees past Toronto 6-4 on Monday. Phillips also hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning of Sunday's 7-6 victory over Tampa Bay, then made a diving catch at first base with a runner on second to start an inning-ending double play that preserved a one-run lead.

INVALUABLE PENNY

Brad Penny picked up the win in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 10-3 win over Philadelphia on Monday and became the first Dodger to begin a season 11-1 since Doug Rau in 1977. The right-hander, coming off his second straight appearance in the All-Star game, allowed a run and four hits over seven innings.

HELPING HIS OWN CAUSE

Cincinnati pitcher Bobby Livingston went 4-for-4 with an RBI and allowed two runs in five innings to get the win in the Reds' 10-3 victory over Atlanta on Monday. The last Reds pitcher to go 4-for-4 in a game was John Smiley, who had four RBIs while pitching Cincinnati to a 12-3 victory at Montreal on June 7, 1993.

STREAKS

J.J. Putz picked up his 27th save in Seattle's 4-2 win over Baltimore on Monday. It was his 29th straight conversion dating to last September 30, extending the longest streak in the major leagues and ending the Orioles' three-game winning streak. ... Texas beat Oakland 4-1 to hand the Athletics their eighth straight loss.

TRADE

The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran catcher Jason Kendall on Monday in a trade with Oakland for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins. Kendall, a .298 career hitter, could join the Cubs for Tuesday night's game against San Francisco at Wrigley Field. The Cubs defeated the Giants 3-2 on Monday.

SPEAKING

"I think it's funny to watch every day. I've never seen anything like it. Even the position players are asking questions." - Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen about his bullpen, which nearly blew a nine-run lead in a 11-10 win over Cleveland on Monday. Chicago relievers' have a 7.52 ERA since May 8.

SEASONS

July 17

1924 - Jesse Haines of the St. Louis Cardinals pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Boston Braves.

1936 - Carl Hubbell's 24-game winning streak over two years began as he beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 on five hits.

1941 - Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak of 56 games was stopped by Al Smith and Jim Bagby of the Indians before 67,000 at Cleveland. The Yankees still won, 4-3.

1969 - Jim Kaat, Gold Glove winner for seven straight years, was charged with three errors, leading to three unearned runs against the Chicago White Sox. Nevertheless, he won the game at Minnesota 8-5.

1974 - Bob Gibson struck out Cesar Geronimo of the Reds in the second inning to become the second pitcher in major league history to record 3,000 strikeouts. Cincinnati beat St. Louis, 6-4.

1978 - Doc Medich of the Texas Rangers saved the life of a 61-year-old fan who had a heart attack just before a scheduled game at Baltimore. Medich, a medical student, administered heart massage until help arrived.

1987 - Don Mattingly became the first AL player to hit at least one home run in each of seven consecutive games as the New York Yankees disposed of the Texas Rangers 8-4.

1990 - Minnesota became the first team in major league history to pull off two triple plays in one game, but it wasn't enough to overcome Boston as the Red Sox beat the Twins 1-0.

2000 - St. Louis rookie outfielder Chris Richard hit the first major league pitch he saw for a homer in an 8-3 win over Minnesota.

Today's birthday: Jason Jennings, 29.