Sunday Trends and Indexes 07/29

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Sunday, July 29

Good Luck on day #210 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]

Arena Football League – Long Sheet

AFL
ArenaBowl XXI, New Orleans

Long Sheet

Sunday, July 29

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COLUMBUS (10 - 9) vs. SAN JOSE (15 - 3) - 7/29/2007, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games this season.
SAN JOSE is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 110 this season.
SAN JOSE is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN JOSE is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) after playing a game on a Saturday this season.

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

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[pm530]

Arena Football League – Write up

AFL
Write-up


Sunday, July 29

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Arena Bowl, New Orleans

Columbus vs San Jose (@ New Orleans) -- Columbus is on road for sixth week in row, after winning playoff games at Tampa Bay, Dallas, Georgia (last two opponents were combined 30-4); after a 7-9 regular season, Destroyers are playing for league title, but the SaberCats have won eleven games in row- their last loss was on this field in Week 7, 67-54 vs Voodoo. San Jose's wins have all been by 7+ points, but Columbus is scoring 62.3 ppg so far this playoffs. Destroyers lost five games in a row from Weeks 13-16; has team ever won a league title with a long losing streak so late in the season?

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[pm530]

Arena Football League – Betting Trends

AFL


Sunday, July 29

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Betting Trends
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COLUMBUS DESTROYERS vs. SAN JOSE SABERCATS
7-9 July 29, 3:00 PM | New Orleans Arena 13-3

BETTING TRENDS

COLUMBUS
Columbus is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Columbus is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games
Columbus is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
Columbus is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose

SAN JOSE
San Jose is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 6 games
San Jose is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 15 of San Jose's last 19 games at home
San Jose is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Columbus

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[pm530]

Arena Football League - ArenaBowl XXI

AFL

Sunday, July 29

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ArenaBowl XXI Preview
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The San Jose SaberCats will try to close out a successful season with the franchise’s third ArenaBowl championship on Sunday when they take on the giant-killing Columbus Destroyers.

Calling the Destroyers giant-killers isn’t much of an understatement when you examine their playoff run to date. Columbus finished the regular season 7-9 and were basically written off heading into the playoffs. In the opening round the Destroyers edged Tampa Bay 56-55 as a 6.5-point underdog. In the divisional round the Destroyers went up against the Dallas Desperados as huge 12-point underdogs, but somehow came away with an amazing 66-59 victory. Another upset was in the cards for Columbus in the conference championship, as they dismantled the Georgia Force 66-56 as an 11-point underdog.

The SaberCats' playoff journey was much smoother. San Jose earned a first-round bye after winning the American Western Division. In the divisional round they toyed with the Colorado Crush before dropping them 76-67 as a 12-point favorite. The conference championship game was a romp for San Jose, as they tore through the Chicago Rush 61-49 as a 3.5-point favorite.

San Jose is difficult to contain due to their explosive offense led by quarterback Mark Grieb. Grieb led the SaberCats to victory back in Arena Bowl XVII, and he’s coming off a solid season in which he passed for 4486 yards with 99 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. The SaberCats' high-flying offense isn’t their only big weapon, though, as they also sported one of the best defenses in the league this season after allowing the second-lowest point total per game (47.6).

The Destroyers’ chances of continuing their steak of upsets lies in the hands of QB Matt Nagy. This will be Nagy's second trip to the ArenaBowl. He led Georgia to ArenaBowl XIX two years ago only to lose to Colorado 51-48. Despite the Destroyers' losing record during the regular season Nagy had pretty good numbers that included 3561 yards passing, 75 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Nagy has a terrific go-to receiver in AFL veteran Damien Groce, but he’ll likely need another one of his wideouts, such has Josh Bush or David Saunders, to step up to conquer the tough San Jose secondary.

Not surprisingly the Destroyers are the underdog in this game, as the SaberCats are a 6.5-point favorite. The SaberCats have only played Columbus once, but when the Destroyers still resided in Buffalo the two teams clashed five times. In those six combined meetings San Jose is 6-0, including a 68-47 romp as a 4.5-point favorite when they met during the 2006 season.

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[pm530]

Major League Soccer – Hot Lines

MLS
Hot Lines


Sunday, July 29

MLS Preview and Picks


Chicago Fire at Toronto FC (+240, +225, -105)

It’s not often that a game between two teams at the bottom of the table is make or break, but that’s exactly the situation when Chicago takes on Toronto this Sunday. Anything less than a win for the Fire and their season is all but over.

That’s because they are nine points off the playoff places and glued to the bottom of the Eastern Standings with only 13 games remaining.

In June Chicago fired coach Dave Sarachan, replacing him with Dennis Hamlett in an effort to kick-start their campaign. Despite some initial signs that the change had an effect on the players, things have gone from bad to worse.

The Fire are on the longest winless streak of any team in MLS and have not picked up three points since a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew in early June. Since then they have lost four and tied two of their six league games.

The problem that Hamlett is facing as a coach is actually remarkably obvious. The Fire are not working well together as a team. They have stand out players in every position; Jim Curtin at the back, Diego Gutierrez in the middle and Chris Rolfe up front, and yet all three of those areas have struggled.

Chicago’s defense has conceded 26 goals this season, the most in the Eastern Division, while their attackers have only hit the net 13 times. Again, that’s the worst record in the East.

The midfield is another huge weakness; there are 11 midfielders in the squad and all of them combined have only managed three assists. Compare that to division-leading New England whose midfielders have combined for 16 assists and you start to see the depth of Chicago’s problems.

Granted, Saturdays opposition are only three points better off in the standings, and could only manage a tie when they went to Chicago. But Toronto are a team that have improved game-to-game this season and they are particularly dangerous at home.

Chicago will be desperate to get a much-needed win and will have a go at TFC right from the whistle. But the home side are extremely dangerous on the counter-attack and the pace of Jeff Cunningham, combined with the power of Danny Dichio, will prove to be the Fire’s undoing.

Pick: Toronto -105



Chivas USA at Kansas City Wizards (+260, +225, -116)

Chivas USA traveled to New York on Thursday night and caused a major upset when they comfortably beat the Red Bulls 2-0. On Sunday they take on Kansas City in the second of a four game road trip, looking to build on that unexpected victory.

Chivas have found a good balance through their team this season. They have combined hard-working, powerful players with more skillful stars and the results have been quite impressive.

Take the front two of Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo. Ravoz is a big, strong, old fashioned centre forward who is adept at bringing players into the game and also has a an eye for goal.

Galindo is smaller and faster, with more a few tricks up his sleeve, and he has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time in front of the net.

That combination sums up what Chivas are all about, and with 13 goals and nine assists between them, they also prove that formula works.

The biggest challenge that Chivas have faced this season is grinding out results on the road. Before Thursday’s win they had a 1-5-2 record away from home, versus as 6-0-1 record at the Home Depot Center. That’s one of the biggest differentials of any team in MLS.

At times they have struggled without their strong home support and the defense in particular has not adapted well to life on the road. They have conceded 14 times away from home, but only twice in L.A. this season.

"I said it before the game that we have been having a tough time on the road," Chivas coach Preki told reporters after the New York win. "I don't know if it is because we are such a young team or we really don't feel comfortable playing on the road. I don't know what it is, but Thursday we played good."

They did play well, better than most teams have at Giants Stadium this season, and that confidence should carry through to Saturday’s game.

Of course it’s unlikely that one win will suddenly turn Chivas into the best road team in the league, but if they recreate Thursday’s night performance they should take something from the Wizards.

Pick: Draw +225

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball (women) – Hot Lines

WNBA


Sunday, July 29

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Hot Lines
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Lady luck: Sunday’s best WNBA bets


Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty (-2, 149)

New York covered the spread by a half-point on Friday night in Hartford, but the Sun won the game to give the Liberty their fifth straight loss. The second half of their home-and-home goes down at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, where Connecticut won both of last year’s meetings by at least 15 points.

The Sun have a 6-1 record over its last seven. Count on them to slow down New York center Janel McCarville, who hit 11 of 15 shots en route to a career-high 24 points on Friday. Connecticut was better off with Erika de Souza in the middle on Friday instead of starter Margo Dydek, so expect more de Souza on Sunday as well as more shots from Greek rookie Evanthia Maltsi.

“The girls are like, 'Shoot the ball!’” Maltsi told New London’s The Day after the game. “’When you're open, shoot. Just shoot the ball. Don't be afraid.' Every time I hesitate or I pass it back, (teammate Katie Douglas) is yelling at me.”

Maltsi is more comfortable in her role and her eight points in the final two minutes on Friday shows that she’s willing to take big shots on a star-laden team.

Pick: Sun +2



Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury (-8 ½, 161 ½)

Their straight-up records are only one game apart and their against the spread records are identical. What the Fever and Mercury don’t have in common is their recent on-court form.

Indiana has lost five straight games and failed to cover the spread in all its losses. That includes road losses on Thursday and Friday nights, when Indiana received quite a few points from oddsmakers but lost both games by double-digits.

Friday’s 14-point loss in Seattle was misleading in that the Fever needed a 27-11 fourth quarter to make the score halfway respectable. Indiana star Tamika Catchings has missed four games with her foot injury and the team’s starters haven’t pieced together a decent offensive performance since she went down.

Phoenix is scoring in bushels, winning its third straight game on Friday night. The Mercury have scored at least 98 points in regulation time in each recent win and had all five starters score 14 or more points on Friday.

Pick: Mercury -8 ½



San Antonio Silver Stars at Seattle Storm (+1, 150)

San Antonio has won and covered the spread in all three head-to-head meetings in 2007, including a 10-point win in Seattle on June 2.

The Storm only lost by seven points in the teams’ most recent meeting in Texas, however, and the fact that they were missing Sue Bird yet outscored the Silver Stars 48-38 in the second half has to encourage Seattle backers.

The bigger source of encouragement for the Storm is Lauren Jackson. The statuesque Aussie has always been a star in the league, but her play since the All-Star break has been phenomenal. Jackson is averaging 29.8 points per game on 57 percent shooting in the second half. She topped the 4,000-point mark faster than anyone in WNBA history on Friday night and has 74 points on 67 percent shooting over her last two games.

“The things that she's done and is doing are unbelievable," teammate Betty Lennox raved to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer after Friday’s win over Indiana. "That just defines the player she is.”

Pick: Storm +1

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[pm530]

Baseball - Dunkel Index

MLB
Dunkel Index

Sunday, July 29

No Picks Today
The Index is taking a short summer break and will not publish picks from July 27 through August 4.
Please check back on August 5 for our latest updates.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Short Sheet

MLB
Short Sheet


Sunday, July 29th

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National League

Washington at NY Mets, 1:10 ET
Jason Bergmann (R) vs. John Maine (R)
Bergmann: Washington 6-25 when the total is 8 to 8.5
Maine: Mets 24-6 Under as a favorite of -150 or more

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, 1:15 ET WGN
Carlos Zambrano (R) vs. Matt Belisle (R)
Zambrano: 12-2 TSR Away in day games
Belisle: 2-8 TSR in home starts

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 1:35 ET
Ian Snell (R) vs. Kyle Kendrick (R)
Snell: 0-3 TSR, 9.00 ERA L3 starts
Kendrick: 5-0 TSR, 3.73 ERA at home

San Diego at Houston, 2:05 ET
Tim Stauffer (R) vs. Jason Jennings (R)
Stauffer:
Jennings: 1-7 TSR in home starts

Milwaukee at St. Louis, 2:15 ET
Yovani Gallardo (R) vs. Kip Wells (R)
Gallardo: Mil 28-12 Under as a road favorite of -125 to -150
Wells: 3-15 TSR in all starts

LA Dodgers at Colorado, 3:05 ET
Chad Billingsley (R) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (R)
Billingsley: 3-0 TSR, 2.70 ERA L3 starts
Jiminez: Colorado 5-1 Under vs. Dodgers

Florida at San Francisco, 4:05 ET
Sergio Mitre (R) vs. Matt Morris (R)
Mitre: 0-8 TSR when the money line is -100 to -150
Morris: 0-3 TSR, 8.62 ERA L3 starts

Atlanta at Arizona, 4:40 ET TBS
Tim Hudson (R) vs. Livan Hernandez (R)
Hudson: 10-0 Over in July
Hernandez: 9-2 TSR as a home underdog


American League

Minnesota at Cleveland, 1:05 ET
Matt Garza (R) vs. CC Sabathia (L)
Garza: 8-2 Under when the total is 8.5 to 10
Sabathia: 4-11 TSR in July

NY Yankees at Baltimore, 1:35 ET
Chien-Ming Wang (R) vs. Daniel Cabrera (R)
Wang: 23-8 Under when the total is 9 to 9.5
Cabrera: Baltimore 4-17 SU as a home underdog of +125 to +175

Boston at Tampa Bay, 1:40 ET
Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) vs. Scott Kazmir (L)
Matsuzaka: Boston 23-8 SU in day games
Kazmir: Tampa Bay 0-5 SU vs. Boston

Toronto at Chicago White Sox, 2:05 ET
Shaun Marcum (R) vs. Javier Vazquez (R)
Marcum: Toronto 13-3 Under on Sunday
Vazquez: White Sox 47-27 Under at home in day games

Texas at Kansas City, 2:10 ET
Kameron Loe (R) vs. Leo Nunez (R)
Loe: 22-10 Under in all starts
Nunez: KC 41-33 SU at home when the total is 10 or higher

(TC) Detroit at LA Angels, 8:05 ET ESPN
Jeremy Bonderman (R) vs. Dustin Mosely (R)
Bonderman: Det 39-10 SU as a road favorite of -125 or more
Mosely: Angels 7-0 Over vs. Detroit

Oakland at Seattle, 4:05 ET
Lenny DiNardo (L) vs. Jarrod Washburn (L)
DiNardo: Oakland 21-7 Under vs. division opponents
Washburn: Seattle 13-2 SU as a home favorite of -125 to -150

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Sunday, July 29

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Tips and Trends
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Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (1:05 PM ET)

Minnesota starter Matt Garza picked up a loss last year in his first career loss against Cleveland, allowing three earned runs and five hits over five innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: INDIANS
Garza has thrown eight shutout innings in his two road outings this season versus the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He’s 4-1 with a 3.30 ERA in six career appearances away from the Metrodome. EDGE: TWINS
Indians ace C.C. Sabathia is 8-7 with a 3.59 ERA in 22 career starts against the Twins. He threw eight strong innings in a 7-1 victory over Minnesota on May 16, allowing just one run and five hits while striking out five. EDGE: INDIANS
Sabathia is a remarkable 9-3 with a 3.22 ERA in 14 starts home starts this season, but the All-Star left-hander has dropped his last two games at Jacobs Field. SLIGHT EDGE: INDIANS
The OVER is 4-1 in Sabathia’s last five starts overall.


Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds (1:15 PM ET)

Chicago’s Carlos Zambrano is 8-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 23 career outings against Cincinnati. The power right-hander has lost both starts versus the Reds this season, allowing 11 earned runs and 11 hits in nine innings of work. EDGE: REDS
The Cubs have picked up victories in eight of Zambrano’s last ten starts overall. Zambrano has allowed three earned runs or less in each of those starts. EDGE: CUBS
Reds starter Matt Belisle is 0-2 with a 5.94 ERA in 12 career outings versus the Cubs. He’s given up six home runs in just 16 2/3 innings against them. EDGE: CUBS
Cincinnati has lost eight of Belisle’s last ten starts, including his last seven at home. The right-hander is 1-6 with a 6.22 ERA in 10 starts at Great American Ball Park. EDGE: CUBS
The Reds are 8-1 in their last nine home games.


Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1:40 PM ET)

Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka picked up a 4-1 victory in his only career start against Tampa Bay, allowing just four hits and striking out nine in eight shutout innings. EDGE: RED SOX
The Red Sox have fallen into a win/loss pattern in Matsuzaka’s last seven starts, as the right-hander picked up a 1-0 road victory over Cleveland last time out. SLIGHT EDGE: D-RAYS
Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir is 5-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 12 career starts against Boston. The Red Sox reached him for three earned runs and six hits in a 4-1 home victory on July 3. SLIGHT EDGE: D-RAYS
Kazmir has picked up two victories in his last three starts, surrendering just four runs and 14 hits over 19 2/3 innings. EDGE: D-RAYS
The Red Sox are 5-0 in Matsuzaka’s last five starts versus the American League East.


Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox (2:05 PM ET)

The Chicago White Sox look for their first three-game home sweep of the season today, picking up their last sweep against Detroit on Aug. 11-13 last season. They are just 24-27 at home this year – the third-worst mark in the American League. SLIGHT EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Chicago turns to its hottest starter in Javier Vazquez, who hasn’t lost since June 11 and is 5-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his last seven starts. He’s 4-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 career starts against the Blue Jays. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Toronto starter Shaun Marcum will make his second career start against Chicago. He lasted just three innings and gave up three runs and four hits in a 4-3 win on June 3 – his shortest start of the year. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Since joining the rotation on May 13, Marcum has gone 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA. He gave up four runs over six innings in a 6-4 victory over Minnesota on Monday. EDGE: BLUE JAYS
The UNDER is 5-1 in the last six meetings.


Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners (4:05 PM ET)

Oakland’s Lenny DiNardo has thrown just 11 2/3 career innings against Seattle over four outings, allowing two runs and nine this while striking out six. SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
DiNardo has put together four straight quality outings, picking up victories over the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers in his last two. The left-hander has allowed just three earned runs over his last 25 innings. EDGE: A’S
Seattle starter Jarrod Washburn is 8-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 career outings against Oakland. He allowed two earned runs and just three hits in six innings against them earlier this season. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
Washburn has compiled a 15-14 and 3.86 ERA in 38 career starts at Safeco Field, as a member of the Angels and Mariners. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
The Athletics are 1-5 in the last six meetings.


Florida Marlins at San Francisco Giants (4:05 PM ET)

Florida starter Sergio Mitre has posted an even 2-2 record with a 4.85 ERA in five July starts, but is coming in off his worst start of the year. He lasted just three innings on the road versus Arizona, allowing seven runs and eight hits in the process. SLIGHT EDGE: GIANTS
Mitre is 1-0 with a 1.37 ERA in four daytime starts this season, giving up just four earned runs and 20 hits over 26 1/3 innings. EDGE: MARLINS
San Francisco’s Matt Morris is 7-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 13 career appearances against Florida. He picked up a loss in his only start versus the Marlins last season, but gave up just three earned runs and six hits over six innings. SLIGHT EDGE: GIANTS
Morris has been knocked around for 63 hits in 42 1/3 daytime innings this year, resulting in a 1-3 record and 6.59 ERA. EDGE: MARLINS
The OVER is 8-3 in that last 11 meetings in San Francisco.


Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels (ESPN | 8:05 PM ET)

Detroit has scored the most runs in the majors (601), but has failed to get timely hits in this series. The Tigers have 26 hits in the first two games, but are just 4-for-23 with runners in scoring position and have left 20 on base. EDGE: ANGELS & UNDER
Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman is enjoying another great season with the Tigers winning 12 of his last 14 starts. He is 5-1 with a 4.11 ERA in 10 starts away from Comerica Park. EDGE: TIGERS
Los Angeles turns to reliever-turned-starter Dustin Moseley for a possible series sweep, his first start since April 12. He’s 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts this season. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS
In three appearances against the Tigers this season, Moseley has given up three hits in 3 1/3 shutout innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS
The Tigers are 6-22 in the last 28 meetings in Los Angeles.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Sunday, July 29

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MLB Betting Notes
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Sunday’s MLB betting notes

Yost warning

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost has warned his players that if their poor road form continues, it could cost them the NL Central title.

The Brewers are 21-29 on the road this season, the worst such record of any division-leading team. Their lead at the top of the NL Central has shrunk from 8 ½ games on June 23, to just three games entering this weekend’s play.

"In a nutshell, it cannot continue,'' Yost told the St Louis Post-Dispatch. "We cannot continue to play like this and win the division."

"They do not have the same comfort level on the road that they do at home, and I don't know why," he added.

The Brewers close out a four-game series in St Louis on Sunday, sending Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 2.18 ERA) to the mound. The Cardinals counter with Kip Wells (4-13, 5.57) and are +125 underdogs with the total set at 9.


Manny back to his best

By his standards Manny Ramirez had a quiet first half of the season, posting a .284 average with 11 homers and 45 RBIs.

Since the All-Star break he has looked more like the Manny of seasons past, and a giant 481-foot homer at Jacobs Field on Thursday signaled that his power is back.

"We've come to expect it," Red Sox manager Terry Francona told the Boston Globe. "He's kind of set the bar high for himself. That first pitch he swung at yesterday, that ball went a long way. It's fun to watch."

Ramirez is batting .415 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 16 games since the break – the seventh best record in the American League over that time.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox close out a three-game series against the Devil Rays on Sunday. Daisuke Matsuzaka (12-7, 3.79) squares up to Scott Kazmir (7-7, 4.02) and Boston is a –147 favorite with the total set at 9.


Tejada wants to stay at shortstop

Miguel Tejada returned to the Baltimore Orioles lineup at shortstop on Friday night after missing five weeks due to a fractured wrist. The injury broke a streak of 1,152 consecutive starts at that position, and although he is keen to start another streak, manager Dave Trembley is being cautious.

"I don't think it's practical to put Tejada out there, after he's missed so much time, every day at shortstop," Trembley told the Baltimore Sun. "I would think that Sunday might be a good time for Miggy to DH, a day game after a night game."

Tejada did not seem overly pleased with his manager’s plans when asked by reporters before Friday’s game, "You guys know that I don't like to be DH. I'm not a DH; I like to be in the field every day. That's not the same thing."

Where Tejada – who is batting .301 for the season – starts on Sunday remains to be seen, but we do know that the Orioles will send Daniel Cabrera to the mound to face the Yankees. New York counters with Chien-Ming Wang and is a –167 favorite.


Padres can’t follow a lead

The San Diego offense might be slumping through the month of July, but that certainly can’t be said about leadoff man Brian Giles. He returned from the DL at the end of June and is batting .333 with one homer and 12 runs scored since then.

"That first game off the disabled list, I saw the ball a lot better than I anticipated," said Giles on MLB.com. "The key to my success is my knowledge of the strike zone. I've been able to get myself in some good hitting counts and also draw some walks, and I'm waiting until my timing catches up."

His red-hot hitting has continued through San Diego’s current seven-game road trip and he is 8-for-18 over the past four games.

The Padres finish out the road-trip on Sunday when they send Chris Young to the mound for the last of a three-game series against Houston. The Astros counter with Jason Jennings.


Angel’s catcher woes

The L.A. Angels were left to rue last week’s trade of Jose Molina to the Yankees when current catcher, Mike Napoli, left Friday’s win over Detroit with a strained right hamstring. His absence means that the catching duties will fall to 24-year-old Jeff Mathis.

Napoli was hitting .253 with nine homers and 30 RBIs before his injury, whereas Mathis has only managed a .095 average in his 21 at-bats this season. Following Friday’s game, manager Mike Scioscia confirmed he would call up a minor leaguer, most likely Ryan Budde from Triple-A Salt Lake.

We're going to have guys that can do the job," Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "We're very confident of that."

For Sunday’s series finale against the Tigers, Mathis will be catching for Dustin Moseley (4-1, 4.06). Detroit starts with Jeremy Bonderman (10-2, 3.69) and is a –124 favorite with the total set at 10.

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[Kaptain]

07/29/07
04:07 AM Injuries
MLB
Sunday: Mets CF Carlos Beltran (.263; abdominal) is doubtful, and C Paul Lo Duca (.270; hamstring) is questionable.

07/29/07
04:06 AM Injuries
MLB
Sunday: A's 3B Eric Chavez (.240; back) is doubtful.

07/29/07
04:02 AM News Alert Vernon Forrest defeated Carlos Baldomir to win the WBC super welterweight championship Saturday night.

07/29/07
04:00 AM Boxscore
MLB
Giants Barry Bonds went 0-for-3 with 1 walk Saturday night.

07/29/07
03:59 AM News Alert
MLB
Reds acquired IF Jorge Cantu and cash from the D-Rays.

07/29/07
03:57 AM Info Alert
MLB
Pirates optioned SP John Van Benschoten to Triple-A Indianapolis.

07/29/07
03:57 AM Boxscore
MLB
Padres Mike Cameron went 0-for-4 in Saturday's loss and is batting .154 in 52 at-bats since the break.

07/29/07
03:56 AM News Alert
MLB
Devil Rays acquired RP Dan Wheeler from the Astros for 3B Ty Wigginton.

07/29/07
03:55 AM Injury Alert
MLB
Padres placed SP Chris Young (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list.

07/29/07
03:55 AM Injuries
MLB
Reds Aaron Harang left Saturday's game after one inning with lower back soreness.

07/29/07
03:53 AM Injuries
MLB
Mets Paul Lo Duca left Saturday's game in the seventh inning with an apparent right leg injury.

07/29/07
03:53 AM Boxscore
MLB
Twins Johan Santana took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Saturday and ended up striking out 12 while allowing two runs in seven inning.

07/29/07
03:52 AM Boxscore
MLB
Rangers Kevin Millwood was torched for six runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings by the Royals on Saturday.

07/29/07
03:51 AM Boxscore
MLB
Cardinals Anthony Reyes finally earned his first win after 10 losses by allowing two runs and two hits over six innings Saturday.

07/29/07
03:51 AM Boxscore
MLB
Yankees Roger Clemens took the loss in his 700th career start, allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings Saturday against the Orioles.

07/29/07
03:50 AM Boxscore
MLB
Orioles Miguel Tejada drove in four runs with a double and a single Saturday in the Orioles' 7-5 win over the Yankees.

07/29/07
03:49 AM Boxscore
MLB
Marlins Dontrelle Willis limited the Giants to two runs over seven innings on Saturday.

07/29/07
03:48 AM Boxscore
MLB
Yankees Jason Giambi (foot) had a double in five at-bats during Saturday for Single-A Tampa in the first games of his rehab assignment.

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Sunday, July 29


Hot

Javier Vazquez (Chicago White Sox) - The White Sox will turn to their hottest starter today when they go for their first three-game home sweep of the season against the Blue Jays. Vazquez has not lost since June 11 and is 5-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his last seven starts. Backers should also know the right-hander has already beaten Toronto once this year in a 3-0 win on June 1.

Tim Hudson (Atlanta Braves) - Hudson is coming off one of his best outings of the season against the Giants in which he came within one out of a shutout. The Braves starter is 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA over his last six starts and those numbers could get better because he has been money against the Diamondbacks in his career. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA in five starts against them. The Braves are -133 road favorites with the total set at 9 ½.

Carlos Zambrano (Chicago Cubs) - Zambrano will try to become baseball's first 14-game winner today against the Reds. Chicago is a major league-best 32-17 since June 3 and the Cubs ace has been a key part of Chicago's climb in the standings. Zambrano has won all three of his starts since the All-Star break and is 7-1 with a 2.04 ERA in his last eight road starts. Bettors should be aware that the right-hander has struggled against the Reds this season, giving up 11 runs and nine walks in two losses early in the year.

Cold

Ian Snell (Pittsburgh Pirates) - Snell was rolling along in what was looking like a breakout season for the Pirates and then the luck shifted. Since being 7-5 with a 2.93 ERA earlier in the season, the righty has a 9.00 ERA in his last three outings, all of which have been losses. On Tuesday he gave up a season-high six earned runs in a loss to the Mets. Snell is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies, but he beat them twice with a 0.64 ERA in two starts last year.

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Sunday, July 29


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


WASHINGTON (45 - 59) at NY METS (58 - 46) - 1:10 PM
BILLY TRABER (L) vs. JOHN MAINE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 6-25 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
NY METS are 161-115 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 159-114 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 45-59 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 29-29 (+14.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-18 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 43-40 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 42-56 (+6.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 6-11 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 4-4 (+3.2 Units) against NY METS this season
7 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+5.9 Units)

BILLY TRABER vs. NY METS since 1997
TRABER is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 0.571.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

JOHN MAINE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MAINE is 2-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.40 and a WHIP of 1.151.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)




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


CHICAGO CUBS (54 - 48) at CINCINNATI (45 - 60) - 1:15 PM
CARLOS ZAMBRANO (R) vs. MATT BELISLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 121-144 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 37-55 (-18.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 63-78 (-25.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 121-141 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 388-438 (-121.2 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 95-102 (-27.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 11-5 (+7.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-14 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
ZAMBRANO is 19-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 12-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 19-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 39-56 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 45-60 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 45-60 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 26-38 (-13.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 66-68 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 211-231 (-53.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 15-27 (-13.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
BELISLE is 2-8 (-7.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
BELISLE is 2-8 (-7.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 5-3 (+2.7 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.9 Units)

CARLOS ZAMBRANO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
ZAMBRANO is 8-7 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.361.
His team's record is 10-9 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-11. (-4.3 units)

MATT BELISLE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
BELISLE is 0-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 15.00 and a WHIP of 2.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)




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


PITTSBURGH (42 - 60) at PHILADELPHIA (54 - 49) - 1:35 PM
IAN SNELL (R) vs. KYLE KENDRICK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 43-88 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-59 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 43-88 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 26-61 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 18-50 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 9-25 (-14.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-13 (+14.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
SNELL is 29-23 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SNELL is 29-23 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 23-31 (-12.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

IAN SNELL vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
SNELL is 2-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.474.
His team's record is 2-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

KYLE KENDRICK vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.




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


SAN DIEGO (55 - 48) at HOUSTON (46 - 58) - 2:05 PM
TIM STAUFFER (R) vs. JASON JENNINGS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

TIM STAUFFER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JASON JENNINGS vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
JENNINGS is 9-5 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 4.41 and a WHIP of 1.508.
His team's record is 13-8 (+6.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-11. (-2.3 units)




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


MILWAUKEE (57 - 48) at ST LOUIS (48 - 53) - 2:15 PM
YOVANI GALLARDO (R) vs. KIP WELLS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 10-19 (-11.7 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 16-27 (-19.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997.
MILWAUKEE is 48-85 (-33.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 4-11 (-8.8 Units) against the money line in road games in July games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 15-32 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 19-30 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 36-64 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 9-19 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 5-12 (-9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 57-33 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 58-31 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 127-78 (+37.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 142-136 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 142-136 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 16-30 (-17.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
WELLS is 3-15 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
WELLS is 35-60 (-24.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
WELLS is 3-15 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
WELLS is 1-9 (-9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-3 (+2.1 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

KIP WELLS vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
WELLS is 6-8 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.449.
His team's record is 7-12 (-7.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-7. (+2.1 units)




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


LA DODGERS (57 - 47) at COLORADO (52 - 51) - 3:05 PM
CHAD BILLINGSLEY (R) vs. UBALDO JIMENEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 52-51 (+6.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 52-48 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 39-35 (+9.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 28-22 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 15-7 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
LA DODGERS are 15-7 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 118-173 (-56.3 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-3 (+0.7 Units) against COLORADO this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.8 Units)

CHAD BILLINGSLEY vs. COLORADO since 1997
BILLINGSLEY is 0-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.800.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

UBALDO JIMENEZ vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.




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


FLORIDA (48 - 57) at SAN FRANCISCO (45 - 57) - 4:05 PM
SERGIO MITRE (R) vs. MATT MORRIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-57 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 13-27 (-18.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-57 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-43 (-14.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-62 (-23.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MORRIS is 13-21 (-14.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

SERGIO MITRE vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT MORRIS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
MORRIS is 6-3 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.214.
His team's record is 7-3 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-5. (-0.2 units)




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


ATLANTA (54 - 51) at ARIZONA (58 - 48) - 4:40 PM
TIM HUDSON (R) vs. LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 133-134 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 59-73 (-26.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 131-130 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 58-48 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 33-20 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ARIZONA is 15-4 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 58-48 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 26-14 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 36-21 (+15.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 16-7 (+9.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
HERNANDEZ is 36-22 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 39-12 (+26.7 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
HUDSON is 178-99 (+39.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HUDSON is 167-89 (+42.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-0 (+2.4 Units) against ATLANTA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

TIM HUDSON vs. ARIZONA since 1997
HUDSON is 3-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.91 and a WHIP of 1.142.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.8 units)

LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. ATLANTA since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 5-14 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.85 and a WHIP of 1.421.
His team's record is 7-17 (-7.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 13-11. (+1.2 units)




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


MINNESOTA (52 - 51) at CLEVELAND (60 - 44) - 1:05 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 29-14 (+13.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CLEVELAND is 138-128 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-26 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
SABATHIA is 4-11 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-1 (+6.4 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

MATT GARZA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
GARZA is 0-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SABATHIA is 8-7 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.59 and a WHIP of 1.311.
His team's record is 11-11 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-9. (+1.5 units)




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


NY YANKEES (55 - 49) at BALTIMORE (49 - 54) - 1:35 PM
CHIEN-MING WANG (R) vs. DANIEL CABRERA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 25-26 (-12.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY YANKEES are 55-49 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 21-22 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 5-12 (-14.1 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -150 to -175 this season.
NY YANKEES are 23-29 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY YANKEES are 7-13 (-10.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 18-22 (-17.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 16-20 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NY YANKEES are 49-43 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 19-12 (+10.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
BALTIMORE is 28-21 (+8.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CABRERA is 13-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 24-43 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 50-92 (-30.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 37-77 (-31.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 6-2 (+7.0 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

CHIEN-MING WANG vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
WANG is 2-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.95 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.5 units)

DANIEL CABRERA vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
CABRERA is 2-3 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.462.
His team's record is 2-7 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.3 units)




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


BOSTON (64 - 40) at TAMPA BAY (38 - 65) - 1:40 PM
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (R) vs. SCOTT KAZMIR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 44-57 (-20.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 12-18 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-32 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-45 (-18.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 36-35 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KAZMIR is 13-8 (+9.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 12-4 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
BOSTON is 23-8 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-45 (-23.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 38-65 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 5-19 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 19-30 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played in a dome this season.
TAMPA BAY is 19-30 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on artificial turf this season.
TAMPA BAY is 26-46 (-16.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
MATSUZAKA is 1-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.625.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. BOSTON since 1997
KAZMIR is 5-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.228.
His team's record is 7-5 (+7.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-7. (-2.6 units)




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


TORONTO (51 - 52) at CHI WHITE SOX (48 - 56) - 2:05 PM
SHAUN MARCUM (R) vs. JAVIER VAZQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 43-67 (-22.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 183-116 (+50.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 150-99 (+31.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 17-5 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after getting shut out over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 75-51 (+22.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 62-67 (-18.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
VAZQUEZ is 23-29 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VAZQUEZ is 1-8 (-9.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VAZQUEZ is 20-24 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VAZQUEZ is 12-17 (-13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VAZQUEZ is 1-7 (-11.0 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. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 3-3 (+0.3 Units) against TORONTO this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

SHAUN MARCUM vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
MARCUM is 0-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JAVIER VAZQUEZ vs. TORONTO since 1997
VAZQUEZ is 4-4 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.303.
His team's record is 6-5 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-7. (-3.8 units)




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


TEXAS (46 - 58) at KANSAS CITY (46 - 57) - 2:10 PM
KAMERON LOE (R) vs. LEO NUNEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 51-61 (-19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 41-33 (+26.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 99-143 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 34-39 (+8.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 48-57 (+18.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-57 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against TEXAS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

KAMERON LOE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
LOE is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 26.97 and a WHIP of 3.745.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

LEO NUNEZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.




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DETROIT (60 - 43) at LA ANGELS (60 - 42) - 3:35 PM
JEREMY BONDERMAN (R) vs. DUSTIN MOSELEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 59-44 (+15.3 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.
LA ANGELS are 237-169 (+29.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 60-43 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 23-5 (+16.4 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 34-22 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 148-101 (+24.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 55-41 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 14-6 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 78-84 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 4-3 (+0.5 Units) against DETROIT this season
7 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+7.1 Units)

JEREMY BONDERMAN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
BONDERMAN is 3-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.192.
His team's record is 4-4 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.4 units)

DUSTIN MOSELEY vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.




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OAKLAND (49 - 55) at SEATTLE (56 - 46) - 4:05 PM
LENNY DINARDO (L) vs. JARROD WASHBURN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 49-55 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 19-30 (-15.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 8-16 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
OAKLAND is 47-50 (-8.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 13-2 (+10.3 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
SEATTLE is 33-19 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 20-7 (+13.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 53-43 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 19-8 (+13.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
SEATTLE is 32-23 (+10.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 56-46 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 28-19 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 114-102 (+20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 70-67 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 42-32 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 31-15 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 57-88 (-27.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 25-40 (-18.7 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.
WASHBURN is 5-17 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 9-3 (+8.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.5 Units)

LENNY DINARDO vs. SEATTLE since 1997
DINARDO is 0-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

JARROD WASHBURN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WASHBURN is 8-12 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.87 and a WHIP of 1.290.
His team's record is 13-16 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-15. (-3.8 units)




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[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Sunday, July 29


Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox: (-116, 8 ½)

A season in the American League East can test a team’s patience. The Jays probably feel like they’re running on a wheel, not getting any closer to the Yankees and Red Sox after playing .500 baseball for most of the year.

Frustrations boiled over this weekend in Chicago when pitcher Josh Towers called out his teammates and coaches for not being prepared to play every game. Towers, whose 5-7 record makes him the poster boy for inconsistency, didn't get a good reaction from his teammates.

"I always understand frustration, but I never understand throwing teammates and coaches under the bus," catcher Gregg Zaun told the Toronto Star.

Another inconsistent starter Shaun Marcum is trying to put his team’s turmoil behind them when he takes the mound today. Marcum is 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA this season but was hit hard last Monday against the Twins. He allowed as many home runs as he had strikeouts (3) and was taken to the warning track numerous times.

Pick: White Sox -116



Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals: (-103, 10)

Despite sitting near the bottom in most offensive categories this season, the Kansas Royals have won three straight games behind their red-hot bats.

The Royals have outscored their opponents 19-6 in the last three contests, hitting .361 during this stretch. Kansas City goes for win No. 4 this afternoon, which would give the club a 13-10 record during the month of July.

Facing the Royals is Rangers 6-foot-7 righty Kameron Loe. In three career appearances against Kansas City, Loe hasn't done well. His ERA in those games is above 15.00 in one start and two relief efforts.

Pick: Royals -103



Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels: (+121, 10)

An injured Bartolo Colon has given Angeles reliever Dustin Moseley another shot at starting, which is good and bad for Los Angeles.

The good: In his two starts this season, Moseley pitched very well and allowed only one run in each of his six-inning efforts.

The bad: Those starts were way back in April and since then, Moseley has pitched so-so out of the bullpen, posting a 4.06 ERA during his 31 relief appearances. In his most recent game, Moseley was knocked around for five runs including two home runs in just under three innings pitched.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia is taking a wait-and-see approach to Moseley before permanently placing him in the rotation. He is expected to allow the young righty to throw around 75 pitches tonight.

Pick: Tigers -129