Monday Trends and Indexes 07/23

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Monday, July 23

Good Luck on day #204 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 Monday

-- Padraig Harrington hits two balls in water on 18 and still wins? What is it about Carnoustie that brings about such drama? Why don't they have a tourney there every year?

-- Bronx Bombers scored 21 runs Sunday, and there were still only 133 runs scored the whole day (8.87/game). Not a lot is being said about this, but scoring is down in baseball.

-- Five of 16 NL starting pitchers didn't allow a run Sunday.

-- Then there are the Reds and D-Rays -- Florida scored 30 runs in waxing Reds last three days; in those three games, Reds' pen yielded 11 runs in 5.1 IP.

-- Tampa Bay beat Bronx Friday, then lost last three games, giving up an absurd 45 runs. If you hit your first homer in big leagues against a DRay reliever, does it really count as a major league home run?

-- Does anyone think Barry Bonds is only baseball player who used performance enhancing drugs? If he is only guy to do this, then he deserves the vilification he gets, but if he isn't, then he is just the face of the many who cheated, and a whole generation of players deserves it, not just him.

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[pm530]

Monday's List of 13: Thoughts from second day of showcase

13) D-I coaches started to filter into the Milk House Sunday, mostly assistants, but Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Will Brown (Albany) and Matt Brady (Marist) were all in the house. With 17/under showcase starting Tuesday, the place will be filling up with coaches from all over the country.

12) Izzo was courtside for both games of The Family, a team from Detroit; one of the Family's subs is Jordan Dumars, son of Joe. A stocky 6-5 wing, Dumars showed considerable skill shooting and passing, but isn't that athletic. He doesn't start for The Family, but wound up with starters' minutes in game I was watching. .

11) There is team here called the Speed City Chargers; in case you were wondering, Speed City is Newport News, Virginia, hometown of one Michael Vick.

10) The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced players' development is hurt by the 3-point arc. You watch all these games, and so many horrible 3's get jacked, especially late in games. The mid-range game is almost a lost art. Everything is either 3-pointers or dribble drives.

9) Some of the teams here get all their offense off the dribble, but when they run into teams of equal athletic ability, and the dribble doesn't work, then they're lost for what to do. This is why teams that pass the ball well are more consistent.

8) Why would anyone ride a motorcycle without a helmet? I saw guy on I-4 today with no helmet; its his free choice not to wear one (at least in Florida it is) but it just seems stupid. Just ask Ben Roethlisberger or Lavar Arrington.

7) There is kid from Martin Brothers in Iowa, Matt Gatens; he is going to be senior in high school next year, but he signed with Iowa and Steve Alford two or three years ago. This will be his fourth year I've seen him down here, but he has small problem-- Alford is now coaching at New Mexico. We'll find out if he signed for the coach or for the school.

6) Team from my hometown, City Rocks, did well in 16/under Showcase; Carmen Macariello did nice job coaching, and kid from Saratoga HS, Jordan Stevens, showed considerable skill in leading his team to their pool championship. They lost to strong Birmingham Storm in playoffs, but had good weekend.

5) They have scoreboards here where the team's score that is leading is in green, the trailing team is in red, and if it is a tie game, then the scores are in gold. This is work of someone who has too much time on his or her hands. If you can't tell who is winning by looking at the numbers, colors ain't going to help you, I'm pretty sure.

4) If you sit high enough in bleachers at Milk House, you can see all four games going on at once, and yes, I've done it.

3) Do kids realize how important body language is when they are being recruited? I watched one team Saturday; when their guys came out of the game, they went over, sat on end of the bench and slumped like convicts on Death Row. No coach is going to recruit kids who appear to be bad teammates.

2) If I could only give one pice of advice to kid playing down here, whether he be a guard or a big guy, I'd tell him that he'd better be strong with the ball, whether dribbling, rebounding or taking ball to the basket. Summer ball is very physical, and referees ain't calling a lot of fouls. Only the strongest survive.

1) I have to find out the name of the kid on Birmingham Storm who totally dominated their game Sunday night; there were assistants from Alabama, UAB and Mississippi State there to see him. The kid had to have 40 points and 20 rebounds, but he also had bad footwork, travelling five or six times. I'll get his name Monday, but I wish someone would send him to the Pete Newell Big Man Camp; he has shot to be an NBA player.

It serves no purpose for him to play here; all the big schools know about him. He needs to refine his footwork in order to become a truly great college player-- he isn't that far away.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Monday, July 23

Hot Pitchers
-- Harang is 1-0, 2.75 in his last three starts; Reds won his last eight starts, scoring 59 runs.
-- Billingsley is 3-0, 2.74 in his last four starts.
-- Smoltz is 1-1, 1.50 in his last three starts.
-- Arizona won seven of nine Davis home starts.

-- Santana is 5-1, 1.67 in his last six starts.
-- Buehrle has a 1.21 RA in his last three starts.
-- Ramirez is 3-0, 3.80 in his last four starts. Millwood is 2-1, 2.67 in his last four starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Brewers lost last ten Capuano starts; he is 0-1, 7.85 in his last four outings.
-- Willis is 0-1, 13.50 in his last three starts.
-- Colorado lost six of last seven Francis starts. Maddux is 0-3 in his last four starts, with a 6.64 RA, and is 0-2, 5.68 vs Colorado this season.
-- Giants lost ten of last eleven Cain starts (1-4, 7.24 in last five).

-- Lester makes first '07 start, and first big league appearance in almost a year, after being diagnosed with cancer. Westbrook is 0-3, 4.50 in five starts since coming off the DL.
-- Marcum is 1-2, 9.39 in his last three starts.
-- Perez is 1-1, 8.04 in his last three starts. Clemens is 0-3, 7.47 in his three road starts this season.
-- Gaudin is 2-4, 5.18 in his last seven starts. Colon is 0-5, 9,07 in his last nine starts.


Totals
-- Six of last seven Harang starts went over the total.
-- Seven of last nine Sampson starts went over the total.
-- Seven of last nine Francis starts went over the total.
-- Under is 12-5 in last seventeen Davis starts.
-- Last five Cain starts, last three Smoltz starts, all went over the total.

-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Westbrook starts.
-- Under is 12-6-1 in last nineteen Santana starts.
-- Six of last seven Buerhle starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Perez starts.
-- Over is 7-2 in last nine Ramirez starts.
-- Over is 7-1-2 in last ten Colon starts.


Hot Teams
-- Brewers won six of their last nine games.

-- Indians won three of their last four games.
-- Toronto won three of its last four games.
-- Detroit won five of its last six road games.
-- Royals won four of last five home series openers. Bronx won last three games, scoring 45 runs.

Cold Teams
-- Reds lost their last three games, outscored 30-6.
-- Astros lost six of their last nine games. Dodgers lost three of their last four games, but won six of last seven on the road.
-- Colorado lost three of last four games, scoring zero runs the last two days. Padres lost last three games, by 28-7 total.
-- Arizona lost four of last five home series openers. Florida has lost eight of last thirteen road series openers.
-- Braves lost five of their last seven games. Giants lost six of their last eight home games.

-- Red Sox lost their last six road games.
-- Twins lost six of their last nine road games.
-- White Sox are 6-14 in their last twenty home games.
-- Seattle got shut out the last two days in Toronto. Rangers lost four of their last five games.
-- Oakland lost eleven of its last thirteen games.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Monday, July 23

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Tips and Trends
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Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians (ESPN2 | 7:05 PM ET)

Boston's Tim Lester will make his first start for the team this season after battling back from lymphoma. Lester was 7-2 last season with the Red Sox, carrying a 4.76 ERA before a back injury turned into something much more serious. His parents will be in attendance after he went 4-5 with a 3.89 ERA at Triple-A Pawtucket. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook has posted an impressive 3-1 record in five career starts against Boston, even though he’s allowed 38 hits and 13 walks in 27 2/3 innings against them. SLIGHT EDGE: INDIANS
Westbrook has struggled in three July starts, going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA. He’s allowed 22 hits and nine walks in 18 innings of work. EDGE: RED SOX
The Red Sox are 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Cleveland.



Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET)

Minnesota starter Johan Santana has been absolutely brilliant away from the Metrodome this season, going 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 10 starts. He’s limited opposing batters to just a .186 average in 68 innings against him. EDGE: TWINS & UNDER
Santana has struggled at time versus the Blue Jays, coming in with a 2-3 record and 4.15 ERA in nine career appearances. He picked up a loss in his only start versus Toronto in 2006, allowing four runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Toronto’s Shaun Marcum is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against Minnesota. He picked up a 2-1 loss on June 26 versus the Twins, allowing just one run and six hits over eight innings. SLIGHT EDGE: TWINS
The Blue Jays have lost five of Marcum’s last six starts mainly because the offense has scored just 11 runs in those losses. EDGE: TWINS
The Twins are 76-25 in Santana’s last 101 starts as a favorite.



Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox (8:11 PM ET)

Detroit rookie Andrew Miller has an even 2-2 record on the road with a 2.45 ERA and tonight’s start will be his third in a row away from Comerica Park The young left-hander may be showing signs of fatigue, as he’s thrown the minimum five innings in his last two starts. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
Miller has developed an interesting pattern over his last six starts, alternating wins with losses. He picked up a 3-2 road win over Minnesota in his last outing. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Chicago left-hander Mark Buehrle has enjoyed some success in his career against Detroit, tallying a 11-7 record and 2.92 ERA in 21 career outings against them. He’s walked just 25 batters in 144 2/3 innings versus the Tigers. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Buehrle has also developed an alternating win-loss pattern like his opponent Miller. He’s alternated wins and losses over his last six starts and picked up a 5-1 road victory over Cleveland last time out. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
The Tigers are 17-4 in their last 21 road games.



Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (8:35 PM ET)

Seattle starter Horacio Ramirez picked up a victory in his only career start against Texas, allowing one earned run and seven hits over six innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
Ramirez came off the disabled list in brilliant fashion, grabbing a 4-2 victory over Baltimore last time out. The left-hander scattered five hits and allowed just two runs over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
Texas right-hander Kevin Milwood has thrown the ball really well in July, going 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA over four starts. EDGE: RANGERS
Milwood has a 4-3 record at home in seven starts despite having a very-high 6.03 ERA. He’s allowed opponents to hit .312 against him in 37 1/3 innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: OVER
The Mariners are 6-1 in the last seven meetings.



San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies (9:05 PM ET)

San Diego starter Greg Maddux is an ultra-impressive 27-17 with a 3.37 ERA in 56 career starts against Colorado. He picked up a 4-2 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field on April 22, allowing four runs and seven hits over seven innings. EDGE: PADRES
Maddux bounced back nicely in his last start after three dismal ones to start the month, tossing five shutout innings and allowing just four hits versus the Mets. SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Colorado’s Jeff Francis is a dismal 4-8 with a 5.75 ERA in 12 career starts against San Diego. He allowed six runs and 13 hits over six innings earlier this year against the Padres. EDGE: PADRES
The Rockies have won six out of Francis’ last seven starts, as the offense has provided him with 49 runs over that span. EDGE: ROCKIES & OVER
The UNDER is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings.



Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)

Oakland starter Chad Gaudin is a perfect 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in nine career appearances against Los Angeles. He picked up an easy 4-1 home victory over the Angels on April 17, allowing just a single run and four hits over 7 2/3 innings. EDGE: A’S
Gaudin has been reached for 10 earned runs and 14 hits over 10 innings of work since the All-Star break, picking up losses against Minnesota and Texas. EDGE: ANGELS
Los Angeles right-hander Bartolo Colon is 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 career starts against Oakland. He hasn’t faced the Athletics since 2005, but went 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA in three starts against them that year. EDGE: ANGELS
Colon has been reached for 47 runs and 84 hits in just 52 2/3 innings of work under the lights this season. EDGE: OVER
The Athletics are 5-2 in the last seven meetings.



Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants (ESPN2 | 10:15 PM ET)

Atlanta starter John Smoltz is 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine road starts this season, but his home earned-run-average is nearly two runs lower at 1.98. EDGE: BRAVES & OVER
Smoltz hasn’t picked up a victory in July, even though the veteran right-hander has allowed just three runs over 13 innings of work. He threw seven shutout innings in his first start after the All-Star break and tallied 11 strikeouts. EDGE: BRAVES
The Giants simply don’t score runs for starter Matt Cain, as the offense has failed to score more than three runs in nine out of his last 10 starts. EDGE: UNDER
Cain hopes to repeat his performance from last year after the All-Star break, allowing just 77 hits in 99 1/3 innings during his 15 starts. EDGE: GIANTS
The Giants are 24-9 in their last 33 home games following a road trip of seven or more days.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Monday, July 23

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MLB Betting Notes
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Monday's MLB betting notes

Lack of closure

Ever since John Smoltz returned to the starting rotation in 2005, the Atlanta Braves have not been able to find a closer to replace the former Cy Young award winner. This season has been no different.

Bob Wickman started the year in the closer role but he lost his job earlier this month. Manager Bobby Cox elected to go with Rafael Soriano and it hasn’t panned out. Soriano has blown saves in each of this last two outings and he’s given up five runs in his last 3 1/3 innings.

Soriano has a 6.75 ERA since June 14 – not exactly the guy you want shutting the door at the end of a tight game.

Shaking things up

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin filled out his 90th different lineup card on Saturday in the club’s 99th game of the season. Melvin insists he has to mix things up so much because he has a deep roster of talented young players.

“It’s impossible to run an everyday lineup out there,” he told the East Valley Tribune. “ We know it. They know it. The guys we have here now, everybody has to play. Therefore, the juggling part.”

The lack of consistency in the batting order has no doubt attributed to Arizona’s slump. Going into Sunday, the Diamondbacks have lost 12 of 17 games.

New kid in town

The Kansas City Royals haven’t had a consistent DH since Mike Sweeney was in his prime and healthy but Billy Butler is trying to change that. The rookie is hitting .339 and he’s driven in 22 runs in the last 19 games.

“He’s the best hitter I’ve ever seen,” third baseman Alex Gordon told the Kansas City Star. “I said it last year when we were together at (Double-A) Wichita. He’s just an all-round hitter."

The Royals are 12-8 since he took over the everyday DH role on June 25 .

Home Run Derby curse?

This year’s Derby (Vladimir Guerrero) winner hasn’t smashed a big fly in 21 games and with 14 home runs, he’s on pace for only 24 at season’s end. Over the last three years Guerrero has averaged 35 homers a season.

The Angels’ right fielder is still batting .323 and has driven in 78 RBIs (fourth best in the AL). There’s no denying the offense would benefit from a few more home runs. Los Angeles has lost five of its last six and over that period they are scoring just 3.2 runs a game.

Winning in different ways

The Seattle Mariners are continuing to chase the Angels for the AL West crown but the way they are collecting victories in July differs from the season’s first three months.

Seattle had one of the league’s top offenses through June but the club is averaging slightly fewer than four runs a game since July 1. It hasn’t affected the team in the win-loss column thanks to some outstanding performances from a mediocre pitching staff.

Jeff Weaver, Miguel Batista and Horacio Ramirez have a combined 3.10 ERA in July. Bettors should question whether the three starters can continue to pitch this well.

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[Kaptain]

Points of Interest for Monday

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07/23/07
01:41 AM Injuries
MLB
Monday: Astros 1B Lance Berkman (.260; hand) is questionable; Giants LF Barry Bonds (.279; rest) is questionable.

07/23/07
01:40 AM Injuries
MLB
Monday: Reds SS Alex Gonzalez (.251; personal) is questionable; Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez (.336; shoulder) is doubtful.

07/23/07
01:39 AM Injuries
MLB
Monday: Rangers DH Sammy Sosa (.239; head) is questionable; D-Backs 3B Chad Tracy (.262; knee) is questionable.

07/23/07
01:38 AM Injuries
MLB
Monday: Red Sox DH David Ortiz (.321; shoulder) is questionable; Angels OF Gary Matthews Jr. (.278; wrist) is probable.

07/23/07
01:23 AM Injuries
MLB
Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez left Sunday's game in the first inning with a left shoulder injury.

07/23/07
01:17 AM Injury Alert
MLB
Astros SP Roy Oswalt will miss his scheduled start Wednesday against the Dodgers because of soreness in his upper chest.

07/23/07
01:16 AM Injuries
MLB
Astros OF Hunter Pence expects to be fine to play this week after leaving Sunday's game with a right wrist injury.

07/23/07
01:14 AM Injuries
MLB
Dodgers closer Takashi Saito will remain behind in LA on Monday and undergo an MRI on his shoulder.

07/23/07
01:13 AM Lineups
MLB
Angels OF Gary Matthews Jr. is expected back Monday after resting Sunday against the Twins.

07/23/07
01:13 AM Lineups
MLB
A's closer Huston Street is expected to be activated in time for Monday's game.

07/23/07
01:12 AM Lineups
MLB
Astros 1B Lance Berkman (hand) is expected to play Monday.

07/23/07
01:10 AM Coach's Call
MLB
Rangers DH Sammy Sosa didn't play Sunday, but manager Ron Washington said he'd be back in Monday's lineup.
__________________

[Udog]

Thanks, Kapt.! I was going to ask you , later, if you'd mind this stuff being included in the trends thread.
We have really been needing a daily situational update.
Good luck today, Kapt.!

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Monday, July 23


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MILWAUKEE (55 - 43) at CINCINNATI (41 - 58) - 7:10 PM
CHRIS CAPUANO (L) vs. AARON HARANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 17-36 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 61-74 (-24.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 23-41 (-25.2 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.
MILWAUKEE is 16-32 (-14.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 46-80 (-29.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 5-15 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 44-76 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 35-60 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CAPUANO is 7-18 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAPUANO is 1-9 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAPUANO is 7-17 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 16-5 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 16-5 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 8-1 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 13-19 (-9.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 41-58 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 29-42 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CINCINNATI is 4-11 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 41-58 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 23-37 (-14.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 20-26 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HARANG is 5-16 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday since 1997. (Team's Record)

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

CHRIS CAPUANO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
CAPUANO is 2-3 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.30 and a WHIP of 1.514.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.5 units)

AARON HARANG vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
HARANG is 4-3 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.98 and a WHIP of 1.617.
His team's record is 6-5 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-3. (+4.8 units)




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LA DODGERS (55 - 44) at HOUSTON (42 - 56) - 8:05 PM
CHAD BILLINGSLEY (R) vs. CHRIS SAMPSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAMPSON is 7-0 (+7.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 13-6 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
LA DODGERS are 28-15 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LA DODGERS are 38-16 (+16.4 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.
HOUSTON is 42-56 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 29-40 (-13.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 42-56 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 273-267 (-57.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.

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

CHAD BILLINGSLEY vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

CHRIS SAMPSON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.




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SAN DIEGO (53 - 44) at COLORADO (49 - 49) - 9:05 PM
GREG MADDUX (R) vs. JEFF FRANCIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 28-42 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
MADDUX is 137-104 (-39.1 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 49-46 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 37-31 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
COLORADO is 36-33 (+8.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 65-42 (+22.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 25-20 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLORADO is 49-49 (+5.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FRANCIS is 33-19 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FRANCIS is 33-19 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN DIEGO is 71-57 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 69-56 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 29-22 (+10.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 115-171 (-57.3 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 4-2 (+1.6 Units) against COLORADO this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)

GREG MADDUX vs. COLORADO since 1997
MADDUX is 8-6 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.37 and a WHIP of 1.238.
His team's record is 9-7 (-5.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-7. (+1.8 units)

JEFF FRANCIS vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
FRANCIS is 4-8 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 5.75 and a WHIP of 1.723.
His team's record is 4-8 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-6. (-1.3 units)




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FLORIDA (48 - 51) at ARIZONA (52 - 48) - 9:40 PM
DONTRELLE WILLIS (L) vs. DOUG DAVIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 52-48 (+3.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 30-21 (+8.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 52-48 (+3.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DAVIS is 9-1 (+8.0 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 19-8 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 19-8 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 19-14 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
FLORIDA is 212-219 (+41.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
FLORIDA is 25-22 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 184-172 (-44.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ARIZONA is 421-369 (-64.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
DAVIS is 8-17 (-11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

DONTRELLE WILLIS vs. ARIZONA since 1997
WILLIS is 1-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.32 and a WHIP of 1.360.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.4 units)

DOUG DAVIS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
DAVIS is 0-1 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 4.07 and a WHIP of 1.471.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)




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ATLANTA (52 - 47) at SAN FRANCISCO (41 - 55) - 10:15 PM
JOHN SMOLTZ (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 92-92 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 131-130 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 27-14 (+14.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 589-472 (+85.0 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 25-18 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 226-151 (+39.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997.
ATLANTA is 88-47 (+27.7 Units) against the money line in road games in July games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 19-32 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 41-55 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 41-55 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 28-41 (-14.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CAIN is 3-16 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 1-11 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 1-8 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 1-7 (-8.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 3-16 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 0-12 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 10-19 (-11.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 1-11 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)

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

JOHN SMOLTZ vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
SMOLTZ is 1-4 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.79 and a WHIP of 1.256.
His team's record is 5-5 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-5. (-0.5 units)

MATT CAIN vs. ATLANTA since 1997
CAIN is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)




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BOSTON (59 - 39) at CLEVELAND (58 - 40) - 7:05 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. JAKE WESTBROOK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 5-17 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-10 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 67-67 (-17.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 16-22 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 90-91 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 2-1 (+0.3 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JON LESTER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
LESTER is 0-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

JAKE WESTBROOK vs. BOSTON since 1997
WESTBROOK is 3-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.843.
His team's record is 3-2 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.6 units)




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


MINNESOTA (51 - 47) at TORONTO (48 - 50) - 7:05 PM
JOHAN SANTANA (L) vs. SHAUN MARCUM (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 44-37 (+22.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 147-116 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 100-73 (+17.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 115-47 (+42.9 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 78-25 (+37.7 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 70-24 (+28.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf since 1997. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 59-15 (+31.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
TORONTO is 20-27 (-9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-3 (+0.7 Units) against TORONTO this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

JOHAN SANTANA vs. TORONTO since 1997
SANTANA is 2-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.70 and a WHIP of 1.357.
His team's record is 3-3 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.9 units)

SHAUN MARCUM vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MARCUM is 0-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.308.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)




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


DETROIT (58 - 38) at CHI WHITE SOX (43 - 54) - 8:10 PM
ANDREW MILLER (L) vs. MARK BUEHRLE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 113-90 (+20.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 21-7 (+14.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 12-4 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
DETROIT is 78-37 (+24.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 58-38 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 37-16 (+18.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 32-17 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 19-6 (+12.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 13-4 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
DETROIT is 24-12 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 23-14 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 43-54 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 60-66 (-19.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 19-25 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 36-47 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-53 (-23.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 3-11 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

ANDREW MILLER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

MARK BUEHRLE vs. DETROIT since 1997
BUEHRLE is 11-7 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 12-8 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-5. (+8.4 units)




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


NY YANKEES (51 - 46) at KANSAS CITY (43 - 54) - 8:10 PM
ROGER CLEMENS (R) vs. ODALIS PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 45-40 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY YANKEES are 10-15 (-12.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 82-65 (-25.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 51-46 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 3-10 (-12.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -150 to -175 this season.
NY YANKEES are 19-26 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CLEMENS is 28-34 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 10-18 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 28-33 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 19-25 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 14-19 (-12.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 96-140 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 81-105 (+27.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 32-36 (+9.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 46-56 (+17.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 28-28 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 32-38 (+20.5 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.
KANSAS CITY is 105-155 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 39-30 (+27.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 3 seasons.

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

ROGER CLEMENS vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
CLEMENS is 9-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP of 1.100.
His team's record is 10-0 (+10.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.4 units)

ODALIS PEREZ vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
PEREZ is 0-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 15.43 and a WHIP of 2.357.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)




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


SEATTLE (54 - 41) at TEXAS (42 - 56) - 8:35 PM
HORACIO RAMIREZ (L) vs. KEVIN MILLWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 23-35 (-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.
TEXAS is 25-10 (+13.3 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 51-38 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 40-27 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 54-41 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 8-2 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday this season.
MILLWOOD is 1-8 (-10.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 6-2 (+3.8 Units) against TEXAS this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.2 Units)

HORACIO RAMIREZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
RAMIREZ is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. SEATTLE since 1997
MILLWOOD is 6-4 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.03 and a WHIP of 1.357.
His team's record is 7-5 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.0 units)




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


OAKLAND (46 - 52) at LA ANGELS (57 - 40) - 10:05 PM
CHAD GAUDIN (R) vs. BARTOLO COLON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 44-47 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 30-38 (-13.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
OAKLAND is 46-52 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 18-29 (-15.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 5-13 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
LA ANGELS are 234-167 (+30.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 67-64 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
GAUDIN is 13-6 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
COLON is 11-20 (-16.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 4-2 (+2.7 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.0 Units)

CHAD GAUDIN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GAUDIN is 1-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.13 and a WHIP of 0.868.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

BARTOLO COLON vs. OAKLAND since 1997
COLON is 6-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.193.
His team's record is 8-5 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-6. (-0.5 units)




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

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


NY Yankees at Kansas City
The Royals are a dangerous team right now after taking two-out-of-three on the road against both Detroit and Boston. Throw in a home series against Seattle in early July and K.C. has gotten the best of three teams this month battling for the postseason. The Yankee bats are certainly sizzling after putting up 45 runs in the last three games against Tampa Bay. But starter Roger Clemens has been struggling on the road (0-3, 7.70 ERA) opening up an opportunity for the Royal bats to respond and give Odalis Perez much-needed cover. Kansas City looks too dangerous at home (+185) to pass up according to Dunkel, which has the Royals favored straight up by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, JULY 23

Game 951-952: Milwaukee at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Capuano) 14.692; Cincinnati (Harang) 16.148
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-122); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-122); Under

Game 953-954: LA Dodgers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 16.100; Houston (Sampson) 15.131
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-115); Over

Game 955-956: San Diego at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Maddux) 14.047; Colorado (Francis) 17.095
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 3; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over

Game 957-958: Florida at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Willis) 15.149; Arizona (Davis) 15.915
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 10
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-130); Under

Game 959-960: Atlanta at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Smoltz) 16.770; San Francisco (Cain) 15.284
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-125); Over

Game 961-962: Boston at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 17.211; Cleveland (Westbrook) 15.485
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-135); 11
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+135); Under

Game 963-964: Minnesota at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Santana) 15.959; Toronto (Marcum) 16.328
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+180); Under

Game 965-966: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Miller) 17.863; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.666
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-118); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+118); Over

Game 967-968: NY Yankees at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Clemens) 16.022; Kansas City (Perez) 17.503
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+185); Over

Game 969-970: Seattle at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Ramirez) 17.090; Texas (Millwood) 15.099
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+120); Under

Game 971-972: Oakland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Gaudin) 14.720; LA Angels (Colon) 16.013
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-140); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Monday, July 23


HOT

Jeff Francis (Colorado Rockies) – The Rockies left-hander can thank the offense for his spot on the hot list today. Although Francis has been great at times recently, he’s been equally as bad at times as well. He is 5-0 in his last seven outings, including three starts in which he’s allowed six earned runs but came out 2-0 in those contests. Other than those three games, Francis has allowed a total of just three earned runs in the other four starts during his run. He carries a –134 price tag against the San Diego Padres tonight.

Mark Buehrle (Chicago White Sox) – Buehrle has been quietly dominant over the last two months, going 5-2 in his last eight starts while posting a dazzling 1.65 ERA. During that stretch, the White Sox have played under the total in seven of Buehrle’s eight outings. Chicago hosts the Detroit Tigers tonight with oddsmakers setting the ChiSox as –107 favorites and the total at nine.

COLD

Dontrelle Willis (Florida Marlins) – To say the D-Train has been derailed would be an understatement. It’s been more like a train wreck lately. Opponents have been teeing off on the southpaw over the past two months. Willis hasn’t won a game since May, going 0-6 in his last nine trips to the hill. In his last two games, he hasn’t made it out of the third inning and has given up a total of nine earned runs during the brief appearances. Florida is +117 in Arizona tonight to take on the D-backs.

Bartolo Colon (Los Angeles Angels) – Halo backers hoped Colon could regain the stuff that won him a Cy Young Award in 2005 and a 5-0 start to the season seemed to indicate things were looking bright. Since that hot start, however, Colon has dropped five of his last six outings and his ERA ballooned to an ugly 6.38. He’s given up five or more earned runs five different times this season. Colon and the Angels take on the Oakland Athletics tonight with L.A. at –132 and the total at nine.

[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Monday, July 23


Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians (-130, 11)

It was 11 months to the day when Jon Lester last pitched in the big leagues but the wait is over. The young lefty has been playing in the minors while recovering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Boston called him up to pitch tonight.

“I can’t sit here and tell you there won’t be some emotion involved,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “I think (Lester’s) folks are going to be there, which I’m sure for them will be extra special.”

Lester went 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA last season before being diagnosed with the cancer and leaving the team last August. The southpaw went 4-5 with a 3.61 ERA in his minor-league stint.

Francona said Lester will replace Julian Tavarez in the starting rotation.

Pick: Red Sox +122



Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels (-132, 9)

Athletics closer Huston Street will to be activated today but don’t expect him to be the ninth-inning guy right away. Street hasn’t pitched since May 9 because of an elbow injury and A’s manager Bob Geren said he wants to ease the 23-year-old back into the closer role.

“I won’t use him to close a game the next outing or two or three – but in the sixth or seventh inning, to make sure he’s ready to do that,” Geren told the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the meantime, Alan Embree will continue as the team’s closer.

“I took it as a part-time gig,” Embree who has saved 10 of 12 games this season, said. “We’re definitely a better team if Huston’s in the bullpen closing. It’s nice to have him back. It makes us that much deeper down there.”

Pick: Athletics +124



Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds (-118, 9)

There were snickers heard around the newsroom when word broke the Reds had signed Aaron Harang to a four-year $36.5 million deal last winter. Now the only ones laughing are those who’ve backed the Cincinnati ace pitcher.

The Reds have a .762 winning percentage with Harang on the mound and only a .321 with anyone else pitching. Harang starts have accounted for almost 40 percent of the team’s victories.

Cincinnati has the National League’s worst bullpen (5.15 ERA) but Harang should be able to pitch late into the game because he’s well rested. Harang last pitched on Tuesday after taking time off because of the death of his grandfather.

Pick: Reds –118

[Udog]

Baseball Today - July 23


SCOREBOARD Monday, July 23

Atlanta at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EDT). Barry Bonds looks to continue his pursuit of Hank Aaron as he faces the Braves' John Smoltz.

STARS Sunday

-Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, pitched a three-hitter to lead Toronto past Seattle 8-0.

-J.D. Durbin, Phillies, pitched his first career shutout in Philadelphia's 9-0 victory over San Diego.

-Shelley Duncan, Yankees, homered twice and the New York Yankees routed Tampa Bay 21-4.

-Woody Williams, Astros, threw eight shutout innings in Houston's 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh.

-Chip Ambres, Mets, singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to lead New York to a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

BLITZED

The New York Yankees had 25 hits in Sunday's 21-4 rout of Tampa Bay, reaching 20 in consecutive games for the first time Aug. 23 and 25, 1902 - when the team was playing in Baltimore. The Yankees hit six home runs in a game for the first time in two years. They took three of four from the Devil Rays, hitting .408 in the series with 49 runs, 62 hits and 11 homers.

IN SHORT ORDER

Ryan Braun hit his 15th homer in the first inning of Milwaukee's 7-5 victory over San Francisco on Sunday. Braun's 15th homer came in his 50th game, making him the fastest player to hit 15 home runs in the major leagues since Albert Pujols (15 in 49 games) in 2001.

BLANKED

Four Washington pitchers combined on a second consecutive shutout of Colorado in the Nationals' 3-0 victory Sunday. The Rockies went 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position in the series. No team had gone an entire series with that many hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position since May 31-June 2, 1991, when the Montreal Expos went 0-for-28 against the Chicago Cubs, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

LATE SURGE

Skip Schumaker hit a two-run home run and Scott Rolen added a three-run homer in the 10th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. Schumaker, who entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch-hitter, drove an 0-1 pitch from Tyler Yates over the right-field fence for his second homer.

SPEAKING

''I've never seen anything like it. Even in batting practice you don't get hits every time you swing the bat.'' - Yankees manager Joe Torre after New York had 25 hits, reaching 20 in consecutive games for the first time in more than 100 years in a 21-4 rout of the Devil Rays on Sunday. On Saturday, the Yankees had 20 in a 17-5 win that finished off a day-night doubleheader sweep.

SEASONS July 23

1925 - Lou Gehrig hit the first of his major league record 23 grand slams as the New York Yankees posted an 11-7 triumph over the Washington Senators.

1930 - Pie Traynor won both ends of a doubleheader for the Pittsburgh Pirates with home runs. In the first game, Traynor homered in the ninth and in the second game, he connected in the 13th.

1944 - Bill Nicholson of the Chicago Cubs hit four home runs in a doubleheader split with the New York Giants. Nicholson hit a home run in the opener, which the Cubs won 7-4. He hit three straight in the second game, but the Giants won 12-10. In that game, Nicholson was walked with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

1964 - Bert Campaneris of Kansas City hit two home runs in his first major league game. He homered on the first pitch off Minnesota's Jim Kaat, and then connected again in the seventh to lift the Athletics to a 4-3 win.

1974 - Write-in starter Steve Garvey of the Los Angeles Dodgers singled and doubled to lead the NL to a 7-2 victory over the AL in the All-Star game at Pittsburgh.

1984 - Kansas City's Dan Quisenberry registered his 200th career save as the Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-2. Quisenberry reached the 200-save plateau in his 409th appearance, the quickest in major league history.

2000 - Ryan Klesko hit a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning and a two-run shot in the 10th to lift San Diego over Colorado 6-4.

2002 - Nomar Garciaparra homered three times on his 29th birthday, connecting twice in a 10-run third inning and then hitting a grand slam in the fourth inning of Boston's 22-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Today's birthdays: Hong-Chih Kuo 26; Nomar Garciaparra 34.

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Monday, July 23rd

National League

Milwaukee at Cincinnati, 7:10 EST
Chris Capuano (L) vs. Aaron Harang (R)
Capuano: 1-9 TSR in July
Harang: 8-1 TSR when the money line is +125 to -125

LA Dodgers at Houston, 8:05 EST
Chad Billingsley (R) vs. Chris Sampson (R)
Billingsley: Dodgers 13-5 Over in July
Sampson: 7-0 TSR when the total is 9 to 9.5

San Diego at Colorado, 9:05 EST
Greg Maddux (R) vs. Jeff Francis (L)
Maddux: SD 13-4 Under as a road underdog +125 or less
Francis: 11-1 Under when the total is 8.5 to 10

Florida at Arizona, 9:40 EST
Dontrelle Willis (L) vs. Doug Davis (L)
Willis: Florida 5-1 Over at Arizona
Davis: 19-8 TSR in home starts

Atlanta at San Francisco, 10:15 EST
John Smoltz (R) vs. Matt Cain (R)
Smoltz: 28-12 TSR when the money line is -100 to -150
Cain: 0-12 TSR in night games


American League

Boston at Cleveland, 7:05 EST
Jon Lester (L) vs. Jake Westbrook (R)
Lester: Boston 19-4 SU after scoring 8+ runs BB games
Westbrook: Cleveland 20-10 Over at home off a win

Minnesota at Toronto, 7:05 EST
Johan Santana (L) vs. Shaun Marcum (R)
Santana: 45-18 TSR as a favorite of -125 to -175
Marcum: Toronto 19-8 Under at home off an Under

Detroit at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 EST
Andrew Miller (L) vs. Mark Buehrle (L)
Miller: Detroit 7-0 SU Away after scoring 2 runs or less
Buehrle: 3-11 TSR in July

NY Yankees at Kansas City, 8:10 EST
Roger Clemens (R) vs. Odalis Perez (L)
Clemens: 10-0 TSR, 2.83 ERA vs. Kansas City
Perez: KC 21-11 Under as an underdog of +125 to +175

Seattle at Texas, 8:35 EST
Horacio Ramirez (L) vs. Kevin Millwood (R)
Ramirez: 9-0 Over as a road underdog of +125 or less
Millwood: 1-8 TSR as a home favorite of -125 to -150

Oakland at LA Angels, 10:05 EST
Chad Gaudin (R) vs. Bartolo Colon (R)
Gaudin: Oakland 26-8 Under after having lost 2 of their last 3
Colon: LA 1-8 SU at home playing with triple revenge

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[WayneChung]

y-GOOD LUCK TONIGHT YOUNG SKYWALKER !!
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