Sunday Trends and Indexes 08/05

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Sunday, August 5

Good Luck on day #217 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]

NFL - Hall of Fame Game



NFL

Sunday, August 5

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Tips and Trends
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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints (NFL Network | 8 PM ET)

Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker is expected to miss the Hall of Fame game on Sunday night with a sore knee that has kept him out of two days of practice. Parker has experienced some swelling in the knee and the team wants to let it rest. The Steelers could also be without backup running backs Vernon Hayes, who got the doctor’s OK to start practicing last Friday. EDGE: SAINTS
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has looked like his old self through the first week of camp, after throwing three touchdowns in last Friday’s night practice. “He knows what he’s doing right now,” offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. EDGE: STEELERS
This year's training camp has been much easier on New Orleans QB Drew Brees after entering last year with a six-year contract and only the first year being guaranteed. “We’re trying to take things to the next level,” Brees said. “So that’s our No. 1 priority.” He’s coming off a year in which he threw for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns while starting for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. EDGE: SAINTS
Defensive tackle is a big area of concern for New Orleans this season, even more now that Brian Young will miss the preseason and maybe some early season games with an ankle injury. Hollis Thomas - who started last year - is in the doghouse because he’s overweight. EDGE: STEELERS



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Hall of Fame Game: What bettors need to know
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There are many questions the preseason presents to the betting public. Who’s playing and for how long? Who’s motivated to win and who’s simply going through the motions?

The Hall of Fame Game is a special scenario for teams involved because even after Sunday’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints both still have four more games to play before the regular season. Will the killer instinct be there?

The official team answers are murky. A truth potion would help, but until it becomes legal to drug NFL coaches to get honest answers out of them the best we can do is read between the lines with the facts we're given.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has shown no mercy in his preseason practices. The first-year head coach has continually stressed the importance of intensity early on. The Steelers were the first team to open for training camp and Tomlin has been borderline cruel with his two-a-day practices.

“Week 2, this is where it probably gets a little miserable,” Tomlin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday. “You get to know people under duress. Nobody feels great. It’s getting hot, I like that; keep turning up the heat. We’ll get to know them more, they’ll get to know themselves more.”

Scott Rickenbach says he normally stays away from the first preseason game but admits there are some factors favoring Pittsburgh backers.

“With Pittsburgh having a new coach this game certainly means more to them than the Saints,” Rickenbach says.

That’s not always the case. Last preseason Sean Payton was in his first year as head coach of New Orleans and the Saints looked terrible. Payton left bettors reasoning it was going to be an ugly year for the club. After a 10-6 regular season, they instead went on to win a NFC South division title and fall one win short of a Super Bowl berth.

What does that New Orleans flip-flop mean for this year's exhibition season?

“Payton showed he had absolutely no interest in the preseason last year,” Ted Sevransky says.

Sevransky also believes the game in Canton, Ohio, to be essentially a home game for the Steelers – another factor that shouldn’t be disqualified.

What's hurting the Steelers' chances are injuries. Pittsburgh is a bit banged up coming into Sunday’s matchup. Linebackers James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons are both expected to miss the game as is starting running back Willie Parker. Parker has a sore left knee but it’s not believed to be serious. With Parker out, Najeh Davenport will likely get the start at tailback.

“That’s exactly what injures are about – it’s unfortunate for someone but it’s an opportunity for someone else,” Tomlin said. “I look forward to seeing what those other guys will do with the opportunities they get.”

Depth is something the experts say can’t be ignored when betting the preseason, particularly with quarterbacks. The Steelers have a proven backup in Charlie Batch while the Saints QB outlook is a little less certain after Pro Bowler Drew Brees.

Jamie Martin has only made one start last season and Jason Fife has yet to take a snap in an NFL game.

“I don’t want to put my money on those two guys,” Sevransky says.



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Quick snap: Hall of Fame Game notebook
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The matchup: New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers

The line: Steelers –2 ½, total set at 49

Injuries mount for Pittsburgh

It’s only the preseason and starters don’t get much time on the field, but already the Steelers have injury concerns. Starting running back Willie Parker hasn’t been officially ruled out by head coach Mike Tomlin, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Parker won’t play because of a sore left knee.

James Harrison – the man penciled in to replace Joey Porter at outside linebacker – likely won’t play because of sore ribs and his backup, first-round draft pick Lawrence Timmons, hasn’t practiced in a week due to a nagging groin injury.

Saints’ special teams have new faces

The Saints offensive and defensive units return nearly intact from last year but special teams dealt with high turnover.

New Orleans traded for a new kicker (Orlando Mare) and released longtime returner Michael Lewis. Mare’s addition should be a big boost for the team’s defense. New Orleans ranked 23rd last year in average starting point after a kickoff (28.2), the Mare helped the Miami Dolphins to the second-best mark (24.9).

Reggie Bush and rookie receiver Robert Meachem are expected to be the primary return men. Lewis was a fan favorite but any move that puts the ball in Bush’s hands more has to be considered a good thing.

Rule with an iron fist

Tomlin has been stapling his no-nonsense attitude on the club ever since being named as Bill Cower’s replacement.

The Steelers were the first team to open training camp and they’ve been the most liberal using the two-a-day practices. The decisions haven’t been popular ones with many of the players, something Tomlin doesn’t seem too concerned about.

“It’s part of the mental warfare. I don’t want guys coming up to me and talking about how hot it is because they know I don’t care,” Tomlin said of high temperatures during practice. “I hope it gets hotter.”

Additional game good thing for Saints

Most of the veterans probably aren’t thrilled about an extra exhibition contest but the Saints coaching staff say it helps when evaluating the roster.

“If you can play someone else instead of scrimmaging against yourself, I think there’s an advantage to that from the standpoint that you’re getting a different look and a different defense,” New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “The personnel are different, so it’s an excellent measuring stick.”

Weather report

The forecast is calling for a sunny day with a high of 92 degrees. Kickoff isn't until 8 p.m. ET, so it should be cooler when the players take the field.

Meteorologists predict a 30 percent chance of thundershowers.



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Hall of Fame Game Preview
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Real football returns on Sunday night when the New Orleans Saints take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

The Steelers entered the weekend as a 3-point favorite in the game, but that could quickly change if Willie Parker can’t go. Parker has been bothered by swelling in his left knee throughout training camp and is listed as doubtful for Sunday. Even though he likely would have been limited to only one or two quarters, losing Parker would be a big blow to the Steelers' offense. When Pittsburgh faced New Orleans last year in the regular season (a game they won 38-31 as a 6.5-point favorite), Parker was their offensive catalyst, rushing for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Without Parker the rushing duties will fall to backup Najeh Davenport, which basically means it will be up to QB Ben Roethlisberger to get the Steelers into the end zone. Roethlisberger had one of his better games of the season last year against New Orleans when he threw for 213 yards with two touchdowns and, more importantly, no interceptions. Even though this is an exhibition game it will hold at least some importance to Pittsburgh, as it will be the coaching debut for new head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has some big shoes to fill after taking over for long-time coach Bill Cowher and he’ll be expected to turn the Steelers around right away after Pittsburgh slid to a disappointing 8-8 record a year ago.

The Saints are still riding high after proving all the experts wrong and winning the NFC South last season. Don’t expect the high-scoring Saints from last season to show up on Sunday though. New Orleans’ big guns like Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and Marques Colston will likely be limited to a quarter or two at the most, which would only give them a chance to score one or two touchdowns. When Brees went up against the Steelers last season he threw for a huge 398 yards, but he only found the end zone once. Deuce McAllister and Bush combined for 104 rushing yards in the win, with McAllister scoring two touchdowns and Bush breaking the plain once.

The players to watch on the Saints side of the ball throughout the preseason will be Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem. With Joe Horn now in Atlanta there is an open starting receiver spot in New Orleans. After performing well last season Henderson appears to have a better shot at filling the empty slot, but Meachem, the rookie, could end up playing spoiler if he can prove his worth during the preseason.

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[pm530]

Major League Soccer – Hot Lines

MLS
Hot Lines


Sunday, August 5

Sunday’s MLS preview and picks

Los Angeles Galaxy at Toronto FC (+175, +200, +140)

Will Beckham play, or won’t he? That’s the question that's dominated the column inches in the media and the minds of the fans ahead of Sunday’s clash between Los Angeles and Toronto. And it’s a real shame too, because no one player should ever overshadow a game of soccer, especially one as important as this.

So let's get Beckham's ankle injury issue out of the way and then take a look at the game. Should fans expect to see Becks trot on to the field on Sunday for his MLS debut? Well, it depends on who you listen to. Reports range from him missing the game, to making a substitutes appearance, to missing the next month. I for one always listen to the manager in these cases and from what he says, Beckham is highly unlikely to play.

"It will be tough to put him in the lineup with what he's been doing," Galaxy coach Frank Yallop told MLSnet.com. "The chances (of him playing) are probably slim, I would think.

"He's just starting to do his running. I saw him running and he wasn't limping. He just wants to get rid of that real sharp pain, and he wouldn't be running on it if it was hurting badly," Yallop added.

The ironic thing about the Beckham hype is that it’s Toronto’s injury problems that will have the most profound effect on this game. Their ever-increasing injury list includes Greg Sutton, Jeff Cunningham, Danny Dichio, Marvell Wynne and Ronnie O'Brien. These players are the heart soul of this Toronto team and – as was proved in last week’s dismal defeat to the Chicago Fire – TFC do not have the depth in their squad to adjust.

The side that will start Sunday will be a shadow of the Toronto team that made life so difficult for all the big names that visited BMO Field this season. The Galaxy will get off lightly, regardless of whether or not Beckham takes the field. L.A. are in desperate need of points, having won just two of their last seven games. The visitors – even without Becks – should manage a relatively easy win against a team that'll have most of its stars watching from the sidelines.

Pick: Los Angeles +175



DC United at New England Revolution (+280, +200, -105)

New England got a long overdue win over Kansas City on Thursday, and are now four points clear at the top of the table. The Revolution have finally hit their stride. Unbeaten in the last five games, the Revs are now just one behind the Houston Dynamo for most points in MLS.

New England’s 2-0 win over the Wizards this week kicked off a busy stretch for the team. They have Thursday-Sunday doubleheaders in two of the next three weeks and an Open Cup quarterfinal to play. That’s six games in a three-week stretch.

But the run couldn’t have come at a better time. The Revs' big players are firing on all cylinders. Taylor Twellman, Andy Dorman, Khano Smith and goalkeeper Matt Reis are all playing at their best, but it's Pat Noonan that has impressed the most.

Noonan scored the first goal against Kansas on Thursday, continuing his fantastic linkup play with Twellman. The pair plays so well together that all of Twellman’s three assists this season have been for Noonan goals.

Sunday’s match is likely to be fiercely competitive, in keeping with recent meetings between these sides. When they met earlier in the season at RFK stadium, the Revs and DC played out a battling 1-1 tie in which neither team gave the other an inch.

Getting off the mark early will be the key to this weekend’s game and it’s the home team that's best equipped to do it. They have scored first in their last five games and went on to win four of them.

DC's last MLS game was two weeks ago, but they've lost three of their last four games and could struggle to find their rhythm against a Revs side that has played more regularly of late.

Pick: New England -105

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[pm530]

Pro Basketball (women) – Hot Lines

WNBA


Sunday, August 5

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Hot Lines
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Lady luck: Sunday’s best WNBA bets


Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics (-3, 152)

Washington coach Tree Rollins has the Mystics in a playoff mindset already and it showed in Washington's 12-point win over New York on Friday night.

"Normally we're laughing and playing in the shoot-around,” point guard Nikki Teasley told the Washington Post. “There was no laughing and joking, and it showed when we came out tonight."

It was a far better showing than the Sky managed on Friday. Chicago lost at home to Detroit, leaving both of Sunday’s competitors 10 games out of the Eastern Conference lead.

The Sky will have Candice Dupree back on Sunday after the star missed Friday’s game to attend her grandmother’s funeral in Florida. But Dupree’s 4-point showing against Connecticut on Tuesday showed that she can be shut down if shadowed.

Chicago may have the league’s best ATS record at 17-10, but the Mystics seem to have the Sky’s number: Washington won and covered the spread in the teams’ last two head-to-head meetings.

Pick: Mystics -3



Sacramento Monarchs at Indiana Fever (-1, 135)

Indiana has a quick turnaround time after playing in Connecticut Saturday night, but the lack of rest isn’t as big a concern as the continued absence of Tamika Catchings. The Fever finally won without their injured star last Tuesday, but remain 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS without her this season.

Catchings is out with a partial tear in the plantar fascia of her left foot and told the Indianapolis Star that she won’t rush back with the playoffs and USA Basketball looming on the horizon.

The Fever are in tough against Sacramento. The Monarchs are 4-1 SU and ATS over their last five games including a 4-point win as 5 ½-point underdogs in their last road effort in Seattle. Another of the recent wins was over the Fever, albeit at Arco Arena in the Californian capital.

Sacramento won the July 26 meeting in ugly fashion as Indiana played uglier – combining 33 percent shooting with 23 turnovers.

Pick: Monarchs +1

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Sunday

-- High drama Saturday night, as Papelbon survives pair of walks in 9th inning, and Red Sox beat Seattle, 4-3.

-- Bonds tied Henry Aaron, of course, but game came down to extra innings, where Khalil Greene knocked in winning run in 12th inning for Padres, who keep pace with Arizona.

-- Phillies had a 5-1 lead in sixth inning with Hamels on hill, and lost; damaging setback, because Braves have gotten a lot better, while Phils are hurting. They needed that win.

-- Nationals won ten of their last eleven home games.

-- A's won despite getting only two hits Saturday, the first time since 1995 they won a game they got only two hits in.

-- Arizona held off the Dodgers 8-7, staying red-hot; this is an excellent story, as young Snakes lead NL West.

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[pm530]

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

13) Barry Bonds hit his 755th homer late Saturday night, off of San Diego's Clay Hensley; if you'd like to win a bet, know that Henry Aaron hit his 755th off Dick Drago of the Angels; the Brewers were an American League team back then.

12) It is such a historic moment, but all we know about Bonds is so negative, it is impossible to be happy for him. I am glad for his teammates, who can get back to normal soon, and the Giant pitchers, who will have a decent leftfielder shortly

11) As for Bud Selig, baseball commissioner, stop acting like this is an ordeal for you; first class flights, sitting in a luxury box, earning a fortune for being a nitwit. He'd definitely prefer to be in Milwaukee following the Brewers, but your job is one of best in country, so man up and deal with it. It'll end soon, and you can go back to making stupid decisions like having the winner of the All-Star game mean something.

10) Every year, I go up to Saratoga and get a giveaway hat on the Sunday they give them away, but the rascals gave them away when I was in Florida this year. Their giveaways are of high quality-- worth the trip up the Northway, but better to be there at 10:30, to avoid the hideous traffic.

9) I'll be stunned if the Mariners don't beat out the Angels in the AL West; they're much stronger team right now.

8) Red Sox paid $14M a year for JD Drew, who is hitting .245. Thats $560,000 a year to scumweasel agent Scott Boras, if he is getting the standard 4% that agents get. At some point, do these teams refuse to pay an underachiever like Drew stupid money? Boras has more power than anyone in baseball.

7) Win another bet: all-time pinch-hit leader is Lanny Harris, with 212; the Giants' Mark Sweeney is second, with 151.

6) Baseball attendance, through July 28, was up 4.4% from a year ago, with the average crowd 32,258.

5) Red Sox ended their nine-game losing streak at Seattle on Saturday and kept Detroit in the Wild Card lead. Tigers are in a big slump, but help is on the way; the Devil Rays visit for four games in Motown, starting Monday. End of slump.

4) It amuses me that officially, the NFL is "anti-gambling", but they push fantasy football with enthusiasm; in some states in this great country of ours, fantasy football is still considered to be a form of gambling. Go figure.

3) Since I love handicapping and think gambling should be a legal activity, I'll point out that in his NFL career, Drew Brees is 6-1 against the spread as a road favorite. Also, road dogs are 32-12-2 against the spread, since 2001, in any game that Jake Delhomme started at quarterback.

2) That said, I don't think anyone should invest in preseason NFL games; coaches don't care who wins, players who win or lose the game will be working at UPS or a health club by the end of the summer. I know a good handicapper who plays the over in all national TV preseason games. Other than that, do not know one solid handicapping theory for the preseason, but we'll post information, albeit limited, on the NFL page.

1) I was proud of my hometown this weekend; walked into a bar, and saw five baseball games and a Canadian Football tilt on different TVs. Now thats a quality bar.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Sunday, August 5

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Tips and Trends
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Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees (1:05 PM ET)

Kansas City’s Gil Meche is an even 3-3 with a 4.18 ERA in 10 career starts versus New York. He was reached for five earned runs and nine hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Yankees just two starts back in a 7-1 loss. SLIGHT EDGE: YANKEES
Meche is an even 2-2 with a 2.80 ERA in five daytime starts. The right-hander has issued just eight free passes while striking out 25 in 35 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ROYALS
New York starter Mike Mussina holds a dominant 16-7 record and 2.98 ERA in 32 career starts versus Kansas City. He picked up a 7-1 road victory over the Royals two starts back, allowing just a single run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings. BIG EDGE: YANKEES
Mussina has been battered in six daytime starts this season, going 0-3 with a 5.35 ERA. He’s allowed 20 runs and 43 hits in just 33 2/3 daytime innings. EDGE: ROYALS
The Royals are 3-26 in their last 29 meetings in New York.


Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves (1:05 PM ET)

Colorado right-hander Aaron Cook is winless in six outings against Atlanta, posting a 0-1 record and 5.81 ERA. He picked up a no-decision on April 29 against the Braves, allowing five runs and nine hits over six innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: BRAVES
Cook enjoyed a tremendous July, going 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six starts. The Rockies have picked up victories in Cook’s last three starts, outscoring opponents 19-6 over that span. EDGE: ROCKIES
Atlanta’s Chuck James has allowed 11 earned runs and 14 hits in 12 1/3 career innings against Colorado. He picked up a 9-7 victory over the Rockies on April 27 despite allowing four earned runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ROCKIES
James is coming off his best month of the season, posting a 2-1 record and 2.48 ERA in five July starts. EDGE: BRAVES
The OVER is 24-8 in the Braves last 32 games overall.


Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins (2:10 PM ET)

Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona is 2-1 with a 2.10 ERA in seven career outings against Minnesota. He threw a 2-0 shutout versus the Twins on May 17, scattering just four hits and striking out four in the process. EDGE: INDIANS
Carmona is a brilliant 8-0 with a 1.98 ERA in nine daytime starts this season. The talented right-hander has allowed just four home runs in 63 2/3 innings during those outings. BIG EDGE: INDIANS
Minnesota’s Scott Baker is 1-3 with a 5.47 ERA in five career starts versus Cleveland. The Tribe has touched up the right-hander for 37 hits in just 26 1/3 innings against them. EDGE: INDIANS
Baker has led the Twins to three victories over his last four home starts. He’s allowed just seven earned runs over his last 27 1/3 innings at the Metrodome. EDGE: TWINS
The Twins are 4-1 in their last five games as a home underdog.


Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics (4:05 PM ET)

Los Angeles right-hander John Lackey is a dominant 10-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 21 career starts versus Oakland. He’s an even 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three starts against them in 2007. EDGE: ANGELS
Lackey will make his eighth daytime start, as the right-hander is 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in those starts. He’s allowed just four long balls in 51 1/3 innings over those outings. SLIGHT EDGE: UNDER
Oakland ace Dan Haren is a dominating 8-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 12 home starts this season. The right-hander has surrendered just 62 hits in 83 innings of work in Oakland. BIG EDGE: A’S
Haren has flourished in eight daytime starts in 2007, posting an impressive 6-1 record and 2.18 ERA. EDGE: A’S
The UNDER is 36-17-1 in the last 54 meetings.


San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres (4:05 PM ET)

San Francisco starter Noah Lowry is 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 11 career outings versus San Diego. He picked up his second loss of the season against the Padres on April 11, allowing three earned runs and five hits over six innings. SLIGHT EDGE: GIANTS
The Giants have won six of Lowry’s last seven starts, including his last three away from AT&T Park. The left-hander posted an impressive 4-1 record and 2.87 ERA in five July starts. EDGE: GIANTS
San Diego right-hander Justin Germano is 2-4 with a 5.87 ERA in seven home starts this season. The Padres have lost his last five home starts, being outscored 31-13 in the process. EDGE: GIANTS
Germano has posted a solid 4-2 record and 2.68 ERA in six daytime starts. He allowed just four home runs and nine walks in 37 innings of work under the sun. EDGE: PADRES
The Padres are 13-4 in their last 17 home games versus a left-handed starter.


Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners (4:05 PM ET)

Boston right-hander Josh Beckett is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in three career starts against Seattle. He was dominant in a 14-3 victory over the Mariners on April 10, allowing just one earned and two hits over seven innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
The Red Sox have suffered two straight losses for the first time this season with Beckett on the hill, but have been outscored by just three runs. The right-hander finished July with a 2-3 record and 3.50 ERA. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
Seattle’s Miguel Batista is an even 4-4 with a 6.61 ERA in 16 career outings against Boston. He’s allowed 93 base runners in just 47 2/3 innings against them. EDGE: RED SOX
Batista has tallied a 6-4 record and 4.04 ERA in 11 home starts this season. The Mariners have won four straight starts at Safeco Field with Batista on the hill, including an impressive 2-0 victory in his last start. BIG EDGE: MARINERS
The Red Sox are 1-4 in their last five Sunday games.


Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers (4:10 PM ET)

Arizona starter Brandon Webb is an impressive 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. He paced the Diamondbacks to a 2-0 victory over the Dodgers on July 27, tossing seven shutout innings and allowing just seven hits. EDGE: D-BACKS
Webb hasn’t allowed a run over his last two starts, tossing 14 shutout innings in victories over Florida and San Diego. The right-hander also enters without giving up a home run in his last four starts. EDGE: D-BACKS
Los Angeles right-hander Brad Penny is a dominant 7-2 with a 1.81 ERA in 14 career starts versus Arizona. He’s allowed just six home runs in 89 1/3 innings against them. BIG EDGE: DODGERS
Despite posting a 3-1 record in July, Penny allowed 16 earned runs and 30 hits in just 29 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander allowed just 16 earned runs in the first two months of the season. SLIGHT EDGE: D-BACKS
The Diamondbacks are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Los Angeles.


New York Mets at Chicago Cubs (ESPN | 8:05 PM ET)

New York veteran starter Tom Glavine is looking to pick up career victory No. 300 tonight on national television. The left-hander is 14-13 with a 3.64 ERA in 34 career starts versus the Cubs. SLIGHT EDGE: METS
Glavine has been very impressive under the lights in 2007, posting an 8-3 record and 3.46 ERA in 18 starts. Opponents are hitting just .245 against him under the lights compared to .351 in his five daytime outings. EDGE: METS
Chicago’s Jason Marquis is 5-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 19 career outings against New York. He allowed four earned runs and five hits in five innings of work against the Mets on May 14 earlier this year. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
Marquis has thrived since joining the Cubs this season at Wrigley Field, posting a rock solid 6-2 record and 3.79 ERA in 12 starts. The Cubs have won his last six starts at home over the last two months. BIG EDGE: CUBS
The Mets are 2-5 in Glavine’s last seven road starts.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Sunday, August 5

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MLB Betting Notes
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Sunday’s MLB betting notes

Chavez out for ‘at least’ 15 days

The Oakland Athletics have finally placed Eric Chavez on the disabled list after the third baseman played only three times in the last 17 games. The A’s were monitoring him day-to-day. When he was unable to take batting practice on Thursday, they took action.

"He was going to be out at least 15 days, anyway," manager Bob Geren told MLB.com. "A few days ago, it looked like he wouldn't."

Chavez, who is struggling with back spasms, is one of seven Athletics currently on the DL. Oakland has used the DL 19 times this season, the most since 1997 when they used it on 21 occasions.

Meanwhile, the fit members of Oakland's ball club close out a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. John Lackey (13-6, 3.07) and Dan Haren (13-3, 2.44) are the starters and Oakland is a +100 underdog with the total set at 7 ½.

Villanueva overworked?

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Carlos Villanueva is having a successful season pitching out of the bullpen, but numbers crunched by MLB.com suggest that the righty is starting to wear down.

Villanueva had pitched a major league-high 67 innings from the bullpen heading into the weekend and is on course to break last season’s league high of 102 innings. He has a 10.80 ERA in 10 appearances since the All-Star break.

"It's easy to look at it that way," Villanueva said when asked by MLB.com if he is overworked. "Maybe you're tired, but you don't feel it, but really, I feel fine. If my legs feel tired, I would say something, but they're not. Really."

Brewers manager Ned Yost is also adamant that his reliever is not tiring. "He's just not making pitches," said Yost. "He's falling behind in the count, and he's not making good pitches. That's what's happening."

Villanueva is likely to see more action Sunday as Milwaukee close out a three-game series against Philadelphia Phillies. Adam Eaton (9-7, 5.87) and Jeff Suppan (8-9, 4.97) take the mound for their respective teams and Milwaukee is a –116 favorite.

Rockies on a roll

The Colorado Rockies 55-52 record heading into this weekend’s play is only one game worse than in 1995, when they made their only playoff appearance.

Colorado's had a winning record in August just one other year, in 1996, according to MLB.com.

The Rockies have kept themselves in contention this season due to an impressive 30-21 home record. They've won seven of the last 10 games to move within 3 ½ games of the Arizona Diamondbacks at the top of the NL West, and within 2 games of the San Diego Padres in the wild-card race.

Colorado’s playoff push continues Sunday when they wrap up a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. The Rockies send Aaron Cook (8-6, 4.13) to the mound to face Chuck James (9-8, 3.70). Atlanta is a –122 favorite with the total set at 9.

D-Backs add a pair of veterans

The Arizona Diamondbacks underlined their determination to make the postseason this year by signing a pair of veterans on Friday. Right-handed reliever Byung-Hyun Kim joined from Florida and infielder Jeff Cirillo arrived from Minnesota.

This will be Kim’s second time playing for Arizona. During his previous stint with the D-Backs he was mainly used as a closer. He has also been used a starter this season, making 14 starts with the Rockies and the Marlins.

"With BK, he really, obviously over the course of his career, has had success as a reliever and most recently has had success as a starter," general manager Josh Byrnes told MLB.com. "So we think there's a chance he can help us in either area."

Cirillo is a strange signing for Arizona considering they already have several corner infielders on the books. But the 37-year-old is batting .261 with two homers and 21 RBIs this season and will add experience to the lineup.

"He's a guy who, obviously, his strengths are he can hit and he can hit off the bench," Byrnes added. "He can hit left-handed pitching and play a few spots on the infield. We'll figure out how he fits, but he's excited to be coming here."

Both players are available to play in Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers. Brandon Webb (10-8, 3.08) will face Brad Penny (13-2, 2.60) in that game and Arizona is a +120 dog with the total set at 7 ½.

Giants attendance streak set to end

The San Francisco Giants have played in front of 25 consecutive sellout crowds, mainly due to Barry Bonds’ pursuit of the home run record. But on Sunday this streak could end, with around 4,000 seats still available for the final game of the series against San Diego.

"At home, we always sell out, or it's at least close. It's something you almost come to expect," Giants lefty Jack Taschner told MLB.com. "It's almost more noticeable when we don't get a big crowd now."

"Ever since I've been here, Barry's been a big draw," added outfielder Randy Winn. "You come to watch him, to cheer him, or you come to boo him. When I was in the American League, the Yankees were like that."

Bonds continues his chase of Hank Aaron’s record on Sunday, when the Giants send Noah Lowry (12-7, 3.32) to the hill to face Justin Germano (6-6, 4.38). The Padres are –104 favorites with the total set at 8.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Totals Notes

MLB


Sunday, August 5

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MLB totals bets since the break
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Just because oddsmakers don’t overreact to teams’ trends when setting totals doesn’t mean bettors aren’t interested in them, right? In that mindset, here are the top over and under teams in baseball since the All-Star break, through Friday’s games.

Top 5 second-half over bets

1. Cincinnati Reds (70 percent of second-half games, not including pushes, have played over)

Reds games since the break have only averaged 9.5 runs per game, middle-of-the-road numbers for MLB. Eight of the 14 Cincinnati contests playing over did so by only two runs or less, five by only half a run.

2. Atlanta Braves (67.7%)

Atlanta’s offense has scored 6.4 runs per game since the break, second-most in the NL and third in MLB. The addition of Mark Teixeira can only help in this regard, especially if the added protection in the lineup wakes up Andruw Jones’ sleeping bat.

3. Philadelphia Phillies (63.2%)

The Phillies own the NL’s most productive second-half offense, more than enough to make up for its improved pitching for over bettors. The loss of Chase Utley is huge for the offense, but Pat Burrell’s re-awakening has made up for it so far.

T4. Los Angeles Angels (61.1%)

L.A.’s homerless streak through July got a lot of attention and might have convinced bettors that the Angels’ offense as a whole had ground to a halt. Not so, say the 7.3 runs per game the team has posted over their last nine games, seven of which have played over.

T4. Pittsburgh Pirates (61.1%)

We’ll blame the Bucs' pitching for this one. Pittsburgh has scored more than five runs only four times in 19 second-half games. Opposing teams, however, have topped the oddsmakers’ total by themselves five times over the same span.

Top 5 second-half under bets

1. Minnesota Twins (72.2 percent of second-half games, not including pushes, have played under)

Meet the coldest offense in MLB. The Twins are scoring only 3.4 runs per game in the second half, have topped out at seven runs, and have been held to four of fewer runs 15 times in 20 games. In the meantime, Minny’s pitchers continue to live up to their billing.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (71.4%)

Surprise! The Jays have the stingiest pitching staff in baseball in the second half, with opposing teams scoring only 3.3 runs per game since the break. The youngsters in the rotation have been great, though the pending return of A.J. Burnett will result in one of them being demoted.

3. Colorado Rockies (64.7%)

The Rockies own the NL’s stingiest staff, letting opponents score only 3.7 runs per game in the second half. The offense has slowed in Colorado, meaning Rockies games have played over the total only six times in 20 opportunities.

4. Oakland A’s (63.6%)

As noted in the Friday piece, the Oakland pitching staff has lost some of its luster. If the A’s ever learn to put some runs on the board, look out! Their lineup, however, isn’t promising for over bettors. The under remains the safe play no matter how much the rotation deteriorates.

5. Washington Nationals (63.2%)

The average Washington game involves only 8.4 runs crossing the plate so far this half. That’s kept the Nats below their already-low totals more often than not. The offense has shown signs of life recently, though, scoring six or more runs in six of its last nine games.

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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Pirates' starter Tom Gorzelanny missed his last start because of shoulder stiffness and is just 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA in his three starts since the All-Star break. Gorzelanny's slide mirrors the Pirates' woes as they've won only four of 20 since the break. The Reds have taken the first two games of the series while combining for 22 runs and 32 hits off Bucs' pitching. Adam Dunn continues to sizzle against Pittsburgh with seven of his 30 HRs coming against the Pirates, including four in five games at PNC. Cincinnati looks like a good underdog pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Game 901-902: Colorado at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.466; Atlanta (James) 14.547
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over

Game 903-904: Houston at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Albers) 13.325; Florida (Olsen) 14.012
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-145); Over

Game 905-906: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.515; Pittsburgh (Gorzelanny) 13.426
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-125) 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over

Game 907-908: St. Louis at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 13.889; Washington (Chico) 24.678
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+105); Over

Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Eaton) 14.987; Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.567
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-125); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+105); Under

Game 911-912: San Francisco at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lowry) 14.879; San Diego (Germano) 14.276
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-105); Under

Game 913-914: Arizona at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 15.678; LA Dodgers (Penny) 14.576
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-135); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+115); Over

Game 915-916: NY Mets at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Glavine) 15.467; Cubs (Marquis) 14.987
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-110); N/A

Game 917-918: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 15.413; Detroit (Tata) 15.562
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 11
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-200); Over

Game 919-920: Kansas City at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 13.982; NY Yankees (Mussina) 14.567
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-230); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-230); Over

Game 921-922: Texas at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (McCarthy) 13.569; Toronto (McGowan) 14.673
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-180); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-180); Over

Game 923-924: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bedard) 15.643; Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 13.598
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-155); Over

Game 925-926: Cleveland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 15.769; Minnesota (Baker) 15.001
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-135); Under

Game 927-928: LA Angels at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 14.329; Oakland (Haren) 14.797
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-105); Under

Game 929-930: Boston at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 15.497; Seattle (Batista) 15.987
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+130); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Sunday, August 5


HOT

Erik Bedard (Baltimore Orioles) – Bedard has been hands-down the best pitcher in the majors over the past two months. He is 7-0 with a sparkling 2.01 ERA in his last eight starts while piling up 69 strikeouts along the way. The O’s ace hasn’t lost since June 10 and has only given up more than two earned runs in a start once since that loss. Bedard faces the Devil Rays today with books pricing him as a –149 favorite and setting the total at 8 1/2. The under is 5-0 in his last five starts.

Noah Lowry (San Francisco Giants) – With Barry Bonds getting the day off, Lowry will have his time to shine today. The Giants lefty will be gunning for his seventh win in his last eight games when he takes the hill against the Padres this afternoon. Oddsmakers have San Francisco listed as +107 underdogs.

Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Webb seems to have found his A-game after struggling for most of the season. He hasn’t allowed a single earned run in his last two starts going 2-0 and giving up just nine hits. Webb faces the Dodgers today, a team he’s had success against. He's 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA against L.A. over his career. Webb and the D-backs are +118 underdogs in Los Angeles today.


COLD

Andy Sonnanstine (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) – The Devil Rays have just one victory in the last nine games Sonnanstine has started. During that stretch he’s giving up three earned runs or more in eight of the nine trips to the mound. He faces the Orioles today as a +141 underdog. The O’s beat Sonnanstine and the D-Rays on July 25, touching him up for five earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work.


Justin Germano (San Diego Padres) – Since starting the season 5-0, Germano has come back down to earth with a thump, going 1-6 in his last eight outings. He's allowed four or more earned runs in five of those games. The young right-hander takes to the hill against the Giants today with oddsmakers setting the Padres as –115 favorites and the total at eight.

[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Sunday, August 5


Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves: (-127, 9)

The Rockies are looking for some home cooking on the road tonight when righty Aaron Cook takes the mound. Cook is 4-2 on the road this season with an ERA under 3.00 and has won his last three starts, posting an ERA of 1.52 during these games.

"He's just in a good zone now," manager Clint Hurdle told reporters after Cook’s most recent start. "There's less effort, more power, more sink, more crispness to his slider."

Cook is one of the hardest working starting pitchers in the National League, pitching over 154 innings this season. He's worked at least six innings in each of his last seven starts. In his most recent appearance against the Braves, back in April, Cook pitched six innings and allowed five runs in a 9-7 Colorado win.

Pick: Rockies +119



Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics: (-103, 7 ½)

Danny Haren’s push for American League Cy Young honors continues Sunday when the A’s ace goes for win No. 14.

Oakland has won seven of Haren’s last 10 starts and his 13 wins are tied for second in the AL. The ERA league-leader (2.44) is 8-1 at McAfee Coliseum this year including a win over the Angels back in April. Haren pitched seven shutout innings in that game, allowing just four hits.

Pick: Athletics -103



New York Mets at Chicago Cubs: (-109, N/A)

The New York Mets have Cubs closer Ryan Dempster running for the hills – or should we say, running from the hill.

New York’s bats beat around the right-hander reliever on Friday, scoring four runs in the ninth off of Dempster to snap a 2-2 tie ball game. This wasn’t the first time Dempster has struggled against the Mets. He has 5.50 career-ERA versus New York with a .283 batting average against over 22 games.

His troubles with the Mets has Chicago manager Lou Piniella hesitant to use his closing pitcher in tonight’s series finale on Sunday Night Baseball. But Piniella insists Dempster's job is secure.

"Ryan's our closer," Piniella told MLB.com. "I've got confidence in him. I don't have an explanation as to why this team here hits him. I don't know if it's a fluke, or they have his pitches, or they feel good against him – I don't know. I've got confidence he can get the job done, and we'll go from there."

Pick: Mets +101

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Sunday, August 5


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COLORADO (56 - 53) at ATLANTA (58 - 53) - 1:05 PM
AARON COOK (R) vs. CHUCK JAMES (L)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 96-150 (-42.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 6-22 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COOK is 20-35 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COOK is 5-15 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COOK is 20-34 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 56-53 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 56-50 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 29-23 (+8.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
COLORADO is 30-23 (+14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ATLANTA is 137-136 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 63-73 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 70-69 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 34-41 (-17.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 135-132 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 64-69 (-19.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 27-35 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-2 (+0.4 Units) against COLORADO this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.2 Units)

AARON COOK vs. ATLANTA since 1997
COOK is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 6.17 and a WHIP of 1.628.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

CHUCK JAMES vs. COLORADO since 1997
JAMES is 1-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 8.71 and a WHIP of 1.549.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)




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HOUSTON (48 - 62) at FLORIDA (51 - 60) - 1:05 PM
MATT ALBERS (R) vs. SCOTT OLSEN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 48-62 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 276-272 (-59.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
HOUSTON is 19-38 (-17.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 20-37 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 11-21 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
HOUSTON is 48-62 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 11-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
FLORIDA is 25-32 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
FLORIDA is 25-32 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

MATT ALBERS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
No recent starts.

SCOTT OLSEN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
OLSEN is 1-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.876.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)




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CINCINNATI (47 - 64) at PITTSBURGH (44 - 64) - 1:35 PM
BRONSON ARROYO (R) vs. TOM GORZELANNY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 47-64 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 15-28 (-14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 39-57 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 47-64 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 20-34 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ARROYO is 7-16 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 2-11 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 7-16 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 4-14 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARROYO is 1-8 (-8.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 51-44 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 408-460 (+56.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 203-206 (+46.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 44-64 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 9-17 (-9.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
PITTSBURGH is 12-30 (-16.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 32-60 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 44-64 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 7-5 (+1.2 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.9 Units)

BRONSON ARROYO vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
ARROYO is 1-3 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.440.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

TOM GORZELANNY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
GORZELANNY is 0-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 7.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)




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ST LOUIS (50 - 57) at WASHINGTON (50 - 60) - 1:35 PM
ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R) vs. MATT CHICO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 144-140 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 14-26 (-16.5 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 4-13 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in road games in August games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 144-140 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 44-55 (-24.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 31-40 (-18.2 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.
WASHINGTON is 50-60 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 37-26 (+25.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 29-29 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 23-11 (+17.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 43-41 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 47-57 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 99-102 (+15.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 27-22 (+16.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-8 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICO is 12-10 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CHICO is 10-4 (+10.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
CHICO is 9-3 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
CHICO is 7-1 (+8.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
CHICO is 12-10 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 12-5 (+7.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-34 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 32-25 (+10.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 4-1 (+4.3 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 0-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MATT CHICO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
CHICO is 0-0 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.750.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)




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PHILADELPHIA (57 - 53) at MILWAUKEE (60 - 51) - 2:05 PM
ADAM EATON (R) vs. JEFF SUPPAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 39-19 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 33-15 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 39-19 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 59-49 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 42-32 (+17.6 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.
SUPPAN is 31-14 (+15.1 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 30-13 (+15.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-19 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 62-51 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
EATON is 24-11 (+12.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
EATON is 19-8 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-3 (+0.1 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

ADAM EATON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
EATON is 2-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.20 and a WHIP of 1.033.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

JEFF SUPPAN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
SUPPAN is 3-5 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.831.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-6. (-3.6 units)




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SAN FRANCISCO (47 - 61) at SAN DIEGO (59 - 50) - 4:05 PM
NOAH LOWRY (L) vs. JUSTIN GERMANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 47-61 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 55-81 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 13-28 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 19-28 (-11.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 40-52 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 47-61 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 32-46 (-14.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 23-37 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOWRY is 13-3 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
LOWRY is 19-12 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LOWRY is 13-5 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 8-3 (+5.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
9 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+7.9 Units)

NOAH LOWRY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LOWRY is 3-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.326.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.6 units)

JUSTIN GERMANO vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
GERMANO is 0-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)




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


ARIZONA (62 - 50) at LA DODGERS (58 - 52) - 4:10 PM
BRANDON WEBB (R) vs. BRAD PENNY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PENNY is 17-5 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PENNY is 16-5 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PENNY is 32-20 (+17.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 62-50 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 106-114 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 62-50 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 43-38 (+4.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 38-23 (+15.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 27-23 (+6.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 18-29 (-13.9 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 7-4 (+2.3 Units) against ARIZONA this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.4 Units)

BRANDON WEBB vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WEBB is 7-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.182.
His team's record is 8-4 (+4.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-7. (-3.1 units)

BRAD PENNY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
PENNY is 7-2 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.81 and a WHIP of 1.030.
His team's record is 9-5 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-8. (-3.9 units)




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NY METS (62 - 48) at CHICAGO CUBS (58 - 51) - 8:05 PM
TOM GLAVINE (L) vs. JASON MARQUIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MARQUIS is 9-2 (+7.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 165-117 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 23-15 (+10.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 81-61 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 163-116 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 24-15 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
NY METS are 121-80 (+23.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 74-53 (+16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 27-14 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GLAVINE is 40-18 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GLAVINE is 39-18 (+18.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GLAVINE is 29-12 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GLAVINE is 62-36 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 125-147 (-30.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 66-72 (-23.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 120-169 (-56.7 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 125-144 (-27.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 10-16 (-10.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 46-57 (-27.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 3 seasons.
MARQUIS is 8-20 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 41-57 (-36.6 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 4-2 (+1.7 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.1 Units)

TOM GLAVINE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
GLAVINE is 3-7 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.94 and a WHIP of 1.389.
His team's record is 6-8 (-6.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-10. (-7.1 units)

JASON MARQUIS vs. NY METS since 1997
MARQUIS is 5-4 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.399.
His team's record is 5-7 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-8. (-5.7 units)




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CHI WHITE SOX (51 - 59) at DETROIT (61 - 48) - 1:05 PM
GAVIN FLOYD (R) vs. JORDAN TATA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 165-120 (+21.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 149-106 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 81-44 (+18.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 126-99 (+28.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 58-39 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 100-77 (+25.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 185-118 (+51.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 152-100 (+32.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 25-14 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 120-94 (+25.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 38-28 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 8-15 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 7-4 (+4.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

GAVIN FLOYD vs. DETROIT since 1997
FLOYD is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 2.355.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JORDAN TATA vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.




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KANSAS CITY (48 - 61) at NY YANKEES (60 - 50) - 1:05 PM
GIL MECHE (R) vs. MIKE MUSSINA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 48-61 (+5.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 17-15 (+21.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +200 to +225 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 52-83 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 100-145 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 85-107 (+31.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 30-35 (+10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-45 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MECHE is 29-22 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 19-14 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 60-50 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 18-21 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NY YANKEES are 54-44 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY YANKEES are 59-43 (-24.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 88-67 (-23.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MUSSINA is 10-14 (-23.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -225 to -250 since 1997. (Team's Record)
MUSSINA is 68-57 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MUSSINA is 44-35 (-33.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 5-1 (+3.5 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.0 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

GIL MECHE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
MECHE is 3-3 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.18 and a WHIP of 1.321.
His team's record is 4-6 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-8. (-6.5 units)

MIKE MUSSINA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MUSSINA is 7-6 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.180.
His team's record is 8-8 (-11.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-5. (+5.1 units)




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TEXAS (48 - 62) at TORONTO (55 - 54) - 1:05 PM
BRANDON MCCARTHY (R) vs. DUSTIN MCGOWAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 39-17 (+16.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 98-62 (+21.3 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MCGOWAN is 6-0 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 37-35 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 34-30 (+12.2 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.
TORONTO is 24-30 (-8.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 5-4 (+1.5 Units) against TORONTO this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.1 Units)

BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. TORONTO since 1997
MCCARTHY is 1-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.778.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

DUSTIN MCGOWAN vs. TEXAS since 1997
MCGOWAN is 0-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)




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


BALTIMORE (51 - 58) at TAMPA BAY (42 - 67) - 1:40 PM
ERIK BEDARD (L) vs. ANDY SONNANSTINE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 25-46 (-23.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 24-44 (-22.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
BEDARD is 3-13 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 21-16 (+8.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
BEDARD is 21-12 (+9.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 42-67 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 36-67 (-27.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 13-33 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 8-28 (-19.6 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 9-2 (+7.5 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.6 Units)

ERIK BEDARD vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
BEDARD is 9-3 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.87 and a WHIP of 1.345.
His team's record is 13-4 (+8.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-11. (-6.0 units)

ANDY SONNANSTINE vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
SONNANSTINE is 0-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 7.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)




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


CLEVELAND (62 - 48) at MINNESOTA (56 - 53) - 2:10 PM
FAUSTO CARMONA (R) vs. SCOTT BAKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 140-132 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 102-78 (+13.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 89-62 (+20.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 80-63 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 7-3 (+4.8 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.6 Units)

FAUSTO CARMONA vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
CARMONA is 2-0 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 1.66 and a WHIP of 0.969.
His team's record is 3-0 (+5.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

SCOTT BAKER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
BAKER is 1-3 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.13 and a WHIP of 1.710.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)




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


LA ANGELS (63 - 46) at OAKLAND (53 - 58) - 4:05 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. DAN HAREN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 24-7 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 62-44 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 69-65 (+12.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 76-62 (+26.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 45-33 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 240-173 (+28.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
LACKEY is 58-33 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LACKEY is 30-17 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LACKEY is 11-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LACKEY is 56-30 (+18.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LACKEY is 20-7 (+12.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LACKEY is 14-4 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 53-58 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 36-41 (-9.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
OAKLAND is 21-31 (-14.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 8-4 (+5.8 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.4 Units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. OAKLAND since 1997
LACKEY is 10-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.93 and a WHIP of 1.220.
His team's record is 12-9 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-9. (+1.8 units)

DAN HAREN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
HAREN is 3-5 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.183.
His team's record is 3-6 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-2. (+3.8 units)




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


BOSTON (67 - 43) at SEATTLE (60 - 48) - 4:05 PM
JOSH BECKETT (R) vs. MIGUEL BATISTA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 12-22 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 60-48 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 37-21 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 11-4 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
SEATTLE is 57-45 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 23-18 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BATISTA is 32-22 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 30-21 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 50-26 (+15.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-3 (+3.6 Units) against BOSTON this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.8 Units)

JOSH BECKETT vs. SEATTLE since 1997
BECKETT is 2-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.92 and a WHIP of 0.968.
His team's record is 2-1 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

MIGUEL BATISTA vs. BOSTON since 1997
BATISTA is 2-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.63 and a WHIP of 1.869.
His team's record is 3-4 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.9 units)




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

[Udog]

MLB
70% Situation


MLB (Sunday): Play Over MLB (NL) road teams when the total is 8.5 to 10 with a team batting average in the range of .255 to .269 facing a starting pitcher with an ERA between 5.20 to 5.70, with a team batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games.
(40-13 since 1997.) (75.5%) PLAY: Houston / Florida OVER 10 (+100)

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Sunday, August 5th

National League

Colorado at Atlanta, 1:05 EST TBS
Aaron Cook (R) vs. Chuck James (L)
Cook: 8-24 TSR as an underdog
James: Atlanta 21-8 Over in the second half of the season

Houston at Florida, 1:05 EST
Matt Albers (R) vs. Scott Olsen (L)
Albers: Houston 6-18 SU off 5+ road games
Olsen: 10-2 TSR vs. NL Central opponents

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 1:35 EST
Bronson Arroyo (R) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (L)
Arroyo: 1-9 TSR away with a line of +125 to -125
Gorzelanny: Pittsburgh 15-7 SU at home revenging a one-run loss

St. Louis at Washington, 1:35 EST
Adam Wainwright (R) vs. Matt Chico (L)
Wainwright: St. Louis 4-13 SU away in August
Chico: 7-1 TSR at home with a total o 9 to 9.5 runs

Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 2:05 EST
Adam Eaton (R) vs. Jeff Suppan (R)
Eaton: Philadelphia 12-26 SU as an underdog of +150 or less
Suppan: Milwaukee 39-19 SU in home games

San Francisco at San Diego, 4:05 EST
Noah Lowry (L) vs. Justin Germano (R)
Lowry: 13-3 TSR in August
Germano: San Diego 6-12 SU off 5+ home games

Arizona at LA Dodgers, 4:10 EST
Brandon Webb (R) vs. Brad Penny (R)
Webb: Arizona 8-1 SU off a combined score of 15+ runs
Penny: Dodgers 8-20 SU off BB losses by 2 runs or less

NY Mets at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 EST ESPN
Tom Glavine (L) vs. Jason Marquis (R)
Glavine: 29-12 TSR in night games
Marquis: 8-20 TSR in August


American League

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:05 EST
Gavin Floyd (R) vs. Jordan Tata (R)
Floyd: White Sox 21-12 SU off a division win as an underdog
Tata: Detroit 8-15 SU at home vs. division opponents

Kansas City at NY Yankees, 1:05 EST
Gil Meche (R) vs. Mike Mussina (R)
Meche: 5-0 TSR as an underdog of +150 or higher
Mussina: Yankees 20-6 Under off 5+ games scoring 6+ runs

Texas at Toronto, 1:05 EST
Brandon McCarthy (R) vs. Dustin McGowan (R)
McCarthy: 11-1 Under as an underdog of +125 to +175
McGowan: 6-0 TSR in day games

Baltimore at Tampa Bay, 1:40 EST
Erik Bedard (L) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (R)
Bedard: 21-12 TSR pitching off a team loss
Sonnanstine: Tampa Bay 1-8 SU at home after winning 4 or 5 of their last 6 games

Cleveland at Minnesota, 2:10 EST
Fausto Carmona (R) vs. Scott Baker (R)
Carmona: Cleveland 1-8 SU away off BB Unders
Baker: Minnesota 10-1 Under as a home underdog of +125 or less

LA Angels at Oakland, 4:05 EST
John Lackey (R) vs. Dan Haren (R)
Lackey: 11-3 TSR on Sundays
Haren: Oakland 9-18 SU off a win by 2 runs or less

Boston at Seattle, 4:05 EST
Josh Beckett (R) vs. Miguel Batista (R)
Beckett: Boston 12-22 SU in August
Batista: Seattle 11-4 SU at home in day games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change