Sunday Trends and Indexes 08/12

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Sunday, August 12

Good Luck on day #224 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.

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Six-pack for Sunday

-- Brandon Webb has now tossed 33 consecutive scoreless innings, as he leads Arizona into contention.

-- Diamondbacks have now won their last seven 1-run tilts.

-- Macier Itzuris went yard in bottom of 8th to break Twins' hearts and lead Angels to 4-3 win. Big win for Halos, who trailed 3-0 after 7, when Silva was lifted after 88 pitches.

-- Rockies scored 13 runs in three innings Saturday; earlier in week, they scored 27 runs over 7-inning period. This is a team America needs to meet; will the networks cooperate?

-- The Mets are drifting, playing uninspired ball, getting spotty relief work, and now LoDuca is on DL ,and they are playing Easley in RF vs lefties. By this time of year, their lineup should be a little more set, no?

-- No baseball game started before 3:55 Saturday, yet they were all over by 11:50 pm. Weird schedule for a weekend.

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

13) Why would Dolphin fans boo Trent Green in his debut as Miami's QB? Good lord, have some patience.

12) Lou Piniella's lack of faith in his bullpen was exposed on Thursday, when he let Ted Lilly toss 127 pitches in a game he led by eight runs. Cubs have dropped five of last seven.

11) Rick Ankiel hit two more homers Saturday, is 5-12 since he returned to Cardinals as an outfielder.

10) Did you know there is a national Scrabble ranking, and in big Scrabble tournaments, major wagering takes place, with all kinds of sidebets with the contestants? I had no idea.

9) Mets are just 21-21 against their NL East rivals this season.

8) Sergio Garcia got DQd at PGA because Boo Weekley, his playing partner, wrote down wrong score on 17, then Sergio signed the incorrect card, even though Weekley told him the score was wrong (you can't erase or cross out on scorecard). Hideous mistake by such a good player.

7) A Detroit starting pitcher won Saturday for just the second time in Tigers' last 24 games.

6) Dallas punter Matt McBriar is highest-paid punter in NFL history; not sure why. When Jimmy Johnson was with Pokes, they went through different punter/kicker every year, or so it seemed, keeping them at very low pay, for salary cap reasons

5) Good to see Kansas State hooper Bill Walker get his year of eligibility back from NCAA; he left high school year early to play for Bob Huggins, then blew his knee out after only a few games, then Huggins bolted Manhattan for West Virginia so Walker needed some good news.

4) Brewers trailed 4-1 after seven Saturday, rallied to win, and gain game on sliding Cubs in NL Central; Beermakers lead by game and a half now, with Cardinals sneaking back in picture.

3) Kudos to ESPN's Hank Goldberg, who pegged Jumbalaya in the Arlington Million; horse paid $17.20 to win. Guy on TV here in Albany, Anthony Mormino, pegged Senor Enrico in the 7th at Saratoga; that horse paid $87.50 to win!! Nice work.

2) If the baseball playoffs started Sunday morning, the teams involved would be:
NL: Mets-Brewers-Diamondbacks-San Diego
AL: Red Sox-Indians-Angels (Seattle/Bronx tie)

1) Eldrick Woods is 12-0 in majors when he has at least part of the lead at this point of tournament. Not sure why they get better ratings for tournaments he is in, because there is just almost no suspense as to who is going to win.

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[pm530]

National Football League - Long Sheet

NFL
Pre-Season
Long Sheet


Sunday, August 12

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SEATTLE (2 - 2) at SAN DIEGO (2 - 2) - 8/12/2007, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 straight up against SEATTLE 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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National Football League - Short Sheet

NFL
Pre-Season
Short Sheet


Sunday, August 12th

Seattle at San Diego, 8:00 ET NBC
Seattle: 9-5 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
San Diego: 13-7 Over as a home favorite of 7 points or less

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[pm530]

National Football League – Write up

NFL
Pre-Season
Write-up


Sunday, August 12

These Week 1 preseason games aren't great places to make an investment; regulars don't play enough.

Seattle won five of six road preseason games the last three years over is 7-3 in their last ten summer games. Chargers were 4-0 the last two summers at home, but now Marty is out, Norv Turner is in-- Bolts' backup QBs are Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst, so they're pretty set there, while Seattle has Seneca Wallace, David Greene and someone named Derek Devine. Doubt LT will be on field much. Doubt Norv is type to drive too hard for early win. Over is 8-4 in Charger summer games the last three years.

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[pm530]

National Football League - Gameday

NFL
Pre-Season
Gameday


Sunday, August 12

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NFL Preseason Gameday
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The Chargers and Seahawks both had their seasons end in the second round of the playoffs last year, but the two teams took different paths to those finales. The Chargers rumbled through the AFC on the back of LaDainian Tomlinson, then stumbled in the playoffs. The Seahawks battled through injuries to their biggest stars during the season, squeaked into the playoffs, and were upended as well.

The Chargers look almost exactly the same on the field this season, but there have been some big changes on the sidelines. A 14-2 record couldn't save head coach Marty Schottenheimer's job after the Chargers' playoff exit. Both coordinators also departed, with their defensive coordinator taking the top job in Dallas and their offensive coordinator landing in Miami as the Dolphins' new coach. Filling those posts now are Norv Turner as head coach, Clarence Shelmon as offensive coordinator, and Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator.

The new staff arrives with plenty of Pro Bowl players with which to work. The San Diego offense is stacked, starting with Tomlinson on the ground and QB Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates through the air. That high-scoring trio will likely see very little field time Sunday unless Turner gets a hankering to see them in action. The Chargers' main focus throughout the preseason should be finding a go-to wide receiver. Vincent Jackson seems to fit the mould perfectly, while Eric Parker's toe injury might have opened the door for rookie Craig Davis to get a serious look.

After all the injuries the Seahawks endured last season Mike Holmgren should limit his starters' playing time as much as possible during the preseason. Running back Shaun Alexander appeared in only 10 games last year, and he didn't look like the touchdown machine he was a year earlier. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck made it into a dozen games, but his play was also slowed by injury.

Don't be surprised if both Hasselbeck and Alexander are limited to only a few series on Sunday. If Holmgren were smart he would sit Hasselbeck until Turner pulled his defensive starters (or more specifically, Shawne Merriman) from the game. Hasselbeck should try and develop a better rapport with Deion Branch after the big-money receiver caught only four touchdown passes and failed to exceed 1000 receiving yards last season.

This game opened with the Chargers listed as a 5-point favorite and the total set at 38, but heading into the weekend the line had changed to the Chargers being favored by 3.5, with a total of 36.5. The Chargers and Seahawks squared off last season on Christmas Eve, when San Diego edged Seattle 20-17 as a 4-point favorite.

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Major League Soccer – Hot Lines

MLS
Hot Lines


Sunday, August 12

Sunday’s MLS preview and picks


Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls (Toronto +350, draw +230, NY -143)

There seems to be no end to Toronto’s severe injury problems and that spells trouble as they head to New York. The Canadians are winless in five games and can’t afford too many more slip-ups if they want to make the playoffs.

Toronto’s injury list includes six players who normally start if fit, which means over half of their strongest side is now out of action. Even established MLS teams would not be able to cope with that.

Toronto's biggest loss is in the attack. Danny Dichio, Jeff Cunningham and Ronnie O’Brien are all out and that’s had a devastating effect. The team hasn't scored a goal in over six hours of play, since a 1-1 draw with Chicago in early July.

Despite not winning in five games, the injury crisis has not led Toronto to roll over and die. They have battled hard against every team they faced – with the exception of the loss to the Chicago Fire.

Last weekend, with several new players in the team, Toronto outplayed and outclassed the L.A. Galaxy for 90 minutes but could not find the all-important breakthrough to avoid a 0-0 draw.

The injury problems have forced manager Mo Johnston to introduce some of his promising youngsters and squad players, giving them valuable MLS experience which will improve the Toronto's roster in the future.

But that doesn't help in the short term, and a trip to Giants Stadium will be a bridge too far for Johnston’s patched-up team. The Red Bulls have not played a league game in two weeks and will come into this match well rested and well prepared. Sensational Columbian forward Juan Pablo Angel returns from injury for this clash, and that spells trouble for the visitors on Sunday.

Pick: New York -143


Los Angeles Galaxy at New England Revolution (LA +320, draw +230, New England -138)

Even David Beckham's introduction late in Thursday’s game against DC United wasn’t enough to stop the Galaxy's sixth defeat of the season. Can Beckham help L.A to a much-needed win against New England this Sunday?

Well, that first depends on how much of the game he plays. The latest reports suggest he could come on as a substitute for some, if not all, of the second half. If the game is close when he subs in there is no doubt he can help his team win.

But it's not just about Beckham. The rest of the Galaxy team have got to get their act together. L.A.’s squad includes stars like Landon Donovan, Abel Xavier and Cobi Jones – to name a few – and it’s simply not acceptable they are still winless on the road this season. If the Galaxy continue to play like they did against DC United and Toronto FC this week they'll fail to make the playoffs – a real disaster for them, and a disaster for an MLS that was banking on Beckham's presence in the postseason.

The performance in Toronto last Sunday, despite the game finishing in a tie, was most worrying. The Galaxy were run ragged by a makeshift Toronto side. It looked at times as if the L.A. players weren’t really giving it their all.

On Sunday, they travel to play one of the best teams in the league. If they don’t give a full effort they will be made to pay. There’s a lot of history between these two sides, stretching back to the 2002 MLS Cup final, which L.A won 1-0 in dramatic fashion. With or without Beckham, the Galaxy are nowhere near as complete a team as they were in 2002, whereas the Revolution are vastly improved. Despite Beck’s best efforts, the Revolution should take all three points in this one.

Pick: New England -138

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[pm530]

WNBA


Sunday, August 12

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WNBA News and Notes
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The Washington Mystics are not satisfied with simply recovering from an 0-8 start and getting into a playoff position. They hope to hold on to the spot and extend their turnaround into the postseason.

''I'm never, never satisfied until we reach our goals. And we are taking it one goal at a time,'' Mystics star Alana Beard said. ''A lot of people didn't think we would get in the playoffs, so after (securing a postseason berth), then we start talking about a championship.''

Washington, 14-7 since its winless start, headed into the final 10 days of the season with a two-game lead over fifth-place New York for the East's final playoff spot.

''That 0-8 start really shook the foundation of everything around here,'' veteran forward DeLisha Milton-Jones said. ''We could have easily sat around and started pointing the finger, started blaming this, blaming that. But we didn't. ... And now we're in a situation many people probably didn't think we would be in - with a chance for the playoffs. That's something we are all very elated about.''

Milton-Jones pointed to the remarkable turnaround by the Charlotte Sting in 2001 as inspiration. The Sting began that season 1-10, then won 17 of their last 21 games, and beat Cleveland and New York in the playoffs before losing to Milton-Jones and the Los Angeles Sparks in the finals.

''It was amazing to see a team make a turnaround like that,'' Milton-Jones said. ''Your mental strength and your mental toughness come into play. If you're sitting here crying over spilled milk, then only bad things are going to happen to you.''

Beard also credited interim coach Tree Rollins for not changing the system after replacing Richie Adubato, who stepped down after four games. Adubato lasted two-plus seasons with the Mystics, who had six coaches in the previous seven years.

''Tree did a great job of understanding that we've had so many changes already,'' Beard said, ''that if he tried to change the system it was going to make it worse.''

And the key for the Mystics down the stretch as they try to hold off the Liberty and Chicago Sky?

''We really have to pay attention to details,'' Milton-Jones said. ''You have to play mistake-free basketball. The closer you get to the playoffs, the more tedious you have to be in everything you do.''

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GETTING THE HOME-COURT? After bouncing back from a 5-10 start with 11 wins in their last 13 games, the Sun have a chance to catch Indiana for second place in the Eastern Conference - and earn home-court advantage in a potential first-round series against the Fever.

However, with 13 wins in the last 16 games between the teams, Connecticut coach Mike Thibault is more concerned about how his team is playing than where they might play in the playoffs.

''I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about second place vs. third place,'' Thibault said. ''I've spent more time thinking just about playing well and getting better each game.''

Sun forward Nykesha Sales credits her teammates' focus on their individual roles for the team's turnaround.

''Instead of just one, two or three (players), you have four five and six doing what they're supposed to do,'' she said. ''No one's trying to do too much. Players are here to do certain things and, when they come into the game, they're doing those things.

''Jamie (Carey) is here to shoot (3-pointers) and she's doing it well. Evanthia (Maltsi) is coming in shooting and playing with confidence. ... We're just a deep team right now.''

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INSIDE LOOK: During Saturday's broadcast of the Fever-Shock game, ABC was set to have video access inside both teams' locker rooms during halftime. The network planned to give viewers a chance to hear Detroit's Bill Laimbeer and Indiana's Brian Winters address their teams in preparation for the second half.

''We want to push the envelope with our WNBA coverage by providing access, beyond game action, that will further enhance the broadcast,'' said Carol Stiff, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions.

Also, there was to be a wireless camera used on the court during free-throw attempts and a live chat with analyst Carolyn Peck on ESPN.com during the game.

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EARLY DEPARTURE: Lynx rookie Kathrin Ress left the team after Minnesota's 80-77 loss to Houston on Aug. 4 to rejoin the Italian national team in preparation for the European championships, to be held in Chieti, Italy, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7.

Ress was drafted by the Lynx in the second round in this year's draft and averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 28 games. In her final game, she had 10 points and six rebounds.

''Obviously, it is disappointing to see her leave after a 10 and six night, but I understand her situation,'' Lynx coach Don Zierden said. ''We will miss her. We were pleased with her progress.''

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STATS: Connecticut was outscored 23-20 in the fourth quarter of an 81-79 loss to Sacramento on Tuesday, marking the first time the Sun were topped in that quarter since July 6 at Phoenix - a span of 11 games. For the season, Connecticut has outscored its opponents by an average of 20.8-14.8 in the fourth quarters. ... Seattle's Lauren Jackson entered the weekend leading the league in scoring (23.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.7). Jackson was also tops in field-goal shooting (53 percent) among players with at least 250 attempts, blocks (56) and free-throw shooting (88 percent) among players with at least 105 attempts. ... Minnesota's Seimone Augustus (22.7 points) was second in scoring, followed by Phoenix's Diana Taurasi (18.8). ... Connecticut's Lindsay Whalen was tops in assists at 5.0 per game. ... Taurasi was leading the league with 83 3-pointers made. ... San Antonio's Sophia Young is averaging 20.5 points on 45 percent shooting from the field in her last eight games. ... Sacramento's Rebekkah Brunson is averaging 11.3 rebounds her last four games, increasing her season average to 8.5.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: ''It's about clinching the No. 1 seed. ... We'd have home-court (advantage) all the way through which is important, especially in this tough Western Conference. So that's something we want to strive for. ... We want to keep peaking. We don't want to stop just because we made the playoffs.'' - Mercury guard Cappie Pondexter, on the team's focus over the final games of the season. Phoenix, which clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2000, can secure the top seed in the West with a combination of four wins and/or losses by second-place San Antonio.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Dunkel Index

MLB
Dunkel Index

Sunday, August 12

Note: Due to travel requirements, I will not be posting picks for Saturday, August 11 or Sunday, August 12, but will post my next picks late Monday afternoon, August 13. I apologize for any inconvenience...Bob Dunkel.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Short Sheet

MLB
Short Sheet


Sunday, August 12th

National League

Florida at NY Mets, 1:10 ET
Rick VandenHurk (R) vs. Oliver Perez (L)
VandenHurk: Florida 30-14 SU vs. division
Perez: Mets 8-15 SU at home vs. division

San Diego at Cincinnati, 1:10 ET
Jake Peavy (R) vs. Bronson Arroyo (R)
Peavy: 3-0 TSR, 0.45 ERA L3 starts
Arroyo: Cincinnati 9-0 Over at home when the total is 8 to 8.5

(TC) Atlanta at Philadelphia, 8:05 ET ESPN
Buddy Carlyle (R) vs. Jamie Moyer (L)
Carlyle: Atlanta 25-9 Over 2nd half of season
Moyer: 25-7 TSR as a home favorite of -110 or higher

Milwaukee at Houston, 2:05 ET
Claudio Vargas (R) vs. Woody Williams (R)
Vargas: 9-0 TSR as a favorite of -110 or higher
Williams: Houston 10-3 Over at home in day games

LA Dodgers at St. Louis, 2:15 ET
Mark Hendrickson (L) vs. Anthony Reyes (R)
Hendrickson: 12-2 Under as a road underdog
Reyes: 0-9 TSR as a home favorite of -125 to -175

Chicago Cubs at Colorado, 3:05 ET WGN
Sean Marshall (L) vs. Josh Fogg (R)
Marshall: 2-12 TSR in day games
Fogg: Rockies 1-5 SU vs. Cubs

(TC) Pittsburgh at San Francisco, 3:05 ET
Tom Gorzelanny (L) vs. Barry Zito (L)
Gorzelanny: Pittsburgh 7-2 SU at San Francisco
Zito: 17-5 Over at home 2nd half of season

Washington at Arizona, 4:40 ET
Mike Bacsik (L) vs. Micah Owings (R)
Bacsik: 12-1 Under as an underdog of +125 to +175
Owings: Arizona 12-4 Over at home vs. lefties


American League

Oakland at Detroit, 1:05 ET
Dallas Braden (L) vs. Nate Robertson (L)
Braden: Oakland 19-5 Under when the total is 10 or higher
Robertson: 4-10 TSR as a favorite of -110 or higher

NY Yankees at Cleveland, 1:05 ET
Andy Pettitte (L) vs. Jake Westbrook (R)
Pettitte: Yankees 5-0 SU vs. Indians
Westbrook: 18-6 Under in home starts

Boston at Baltimore, 1:35 ET
Curt Schilling (R) vs. Steve Trachsel (R)
Schilling: Boston 26-9 SU in day games
Trachsel: 1-13 TSR as an underdog

Seattle at Chicago White Sox, 2:05 ET
Jeff Weaver (R) vs. John Danks (L)
Weaver: Seattle 21-8 SU vs. lefties
Danks: White Sox 15-5 Under at home in day games

Minnesota at LA Angels, 3:35 ET
Boof Bonser (R) vs. Jered Weaver (R)
Bonser: 0-3 TSR, 5.40 ERA L3 starts
Weaver: Angels 25-11 Under in day games

Toronto at Kansas City, 7:10 ET
AJ Burnett (R) vs. Brian Bannister (R)
Burnett: Toronto 15-3 Under on Sundays
Bannister: 12-2 Under in all starts

Tampa Bay at Texas, 8:35 ET
Jason Hammel (R) vs. Kason Gabbard (L)
Hammel: Tampa Bay 37-11 Over on grass
Gabbard: 5-0 TSR, 2.48 in home starts

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Sunday, August 12

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MLB Betting Notes
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Sunday’s MLB betting notes

Yankees surging

The gap between the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees was 9 ½ games coming out of the All-Star break. Now it’s just five thanks to the Yankees winning 22 of their 30 games.

They’ve also pulled level with the Seattle Mariners in the race for the AL wild card. Hot hitting has been behind New York’s resurgence; they are first in the majors since the break with a .324 average and 51 homers.

The Bronx Bombers still have seven games to play against division rivals Boston and with four of them at Yankees Stadium, a comeback remains in the cards.

The Yankees are now locked in a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians which ends Sunday. Andy Pettitte (8-7, 4.00) tests his stuff against Jake Westbrook (3-6, 5.00), and New York is a –130 favorite with the total set at 10.


Nady hurt, could play Sunday

Big-hitting Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady is still out of action with a hamstring injury, but may be fit to return to the lineup Sunday.

"He's no better, although he's moving around better," manager Jim Tracy told MLB.com on Friday. "When I talk to the player and he says it will be a push, you don't want it to get any worse."

Nady is a major part of the heart the order that, along with Jason Bay and Adam LaRoche, has produced almost half of Pittsburgh’s homers and 192 of the team’s 446 runs. Individually, he's hitting .287 with 14 homers and 58 RBIs this season.

Tracy harbors an outside hope that Nady will feature in Sunday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants. That game features the pitching matchup of Tom Gorzelanny (10-6, 3.50) and Barry Zito (8-10, 5.16) and the Pirates are +103 underdogs.


Brewers clinging to first

The Milwaukee Brewers have lost 14 of their last 21 games but have managed to retain their lead in the AL Central by grinding out wins when they need them. How long they can maintain that lead remains to be seen, as the Chicago Cubs are now within a half-game.

"When you've got a half-game lead, every game is a must-win," Brewers manager Ned Yost said after Friday’s victory in Houston. "When you're struggling a little bit, every once in a while you have to scratch and claw and get yourself out of it. That's what we did today."

In fact, that’s what they’ve done since the All-Star break when their numbers started going down to the tube. Before the break they were second in the NL in batting with a .267 average and 430 runs scored. Since then they have fallen to ninth with a .248 average and 123 runs scored.

Pitching, too, has suffered greatly since the Midsummer Classic: the Brewers staff has posted a 12-16 win/loss record and a 5.29 ERA in 28 games over that time.

The Brewers face the Houston Astros in the series finale on Sunday, sending Claudio Vargas to the mound to face Woody Williams. Milwaukee is a –108 favorite with the total set at 9 ½.


Not a happy return for Overbay

Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay has been slumping at the plate since his return from the DL on July 12. He is batting just .241 and is homer-less in that time, but refuses to blame his troubles on the injury.

"I am always in some kind of pain, but it is not affecting me," he told reporters during the Yankees series this week. "I am not trying to compensate to change my swing. It's one of those things where it hurts afterwards. I don't think about that when I am up there."

"I would like to blame it on that because I stink, but that is not it," he added. "It is just trying to get in a spot to hit and I think I found that a little bit the last few days."

Overbay is batting .251 with eight homers this season and will be looking to break out of his slump against Kansas City on Sunday. The Royals send Brian Bannister (8-6, 3.32) to the mound to face the Jays A.J. Burnett (5-6, 4.31) and Toronto is a –104 favorite with the total set at 9 runs.


Ortiz's injury problems persist

David Ortiz may have returned to the Boston lineup on Friday, but that doesn’t mean he has recovered from the shoulder injury that has hampered him all season. Big Papi knows he needs rest, but doesn’t want to take it.

"I'm going to hang tight, because it's going to keep bothering me on and off," he told MLB.com. "With shoulder injuries, if you don't have the time off, you don't get better."

Ortiz received a cortisone shot on Wednesday to lessen the pain and managed one hit and four RBIs in Friday’s 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The injury has led to the DH having one of his worst seasons in Boston – 21 homers and 42 RBIs short of what he had posted this time last year.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox aim to put their shaky form behind them as they close out a three-game series against the Orioles on Sunday. They send Curt Schilling (6-5, 4.31) to the mound to face Steve Trachsel (5-7, 4.88) and are –168 favorites with the total set at 10.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Sunday, August 12

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Tips and Trends
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New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians (1:05 PM ET)

New York starter Andy Pettitte is 5-7 with a 4.66 ERA in 15 career starts versus Cleveland. The left-hander is 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in eight outings at Jacobs Field. SLIGHT EDGE: YANKEES
Pettitte is a perfect 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two August starts this season. He’s yet to allow a home run this month over 12 2/3 innings. EDGE: YANKEES
Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook is 2-3 with a 5.31 ERA in nine career appearances versus New York. He was blasted for eight runs and eight hits in just 1 2/3 innings against hem back on April 17 at Yankee Stadium. EDGE: YANKEES
Westbrook has been brilliant in two starts this month, posting a perfect 2-0 record and 0.64 ERA. The right-hander has allowed just seven hits while walking one and striking out 10 over 14 innings of work. BIG EDGE: INDIANS
The UNDER is 6-0 in Westbrook’s last six starts overall.


Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles (1:35 PM ET)

Boston right-hander Curt Schilling is 6-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 12 career starts versus Baltimore. He tallied a 13-4 home victory over the Orioles on May 12, allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
Schilling is an even 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA on the road this season. The Red Sox have lost his last two starts away from Fenway Park, being outscored 13-6 in the process. EDGE: ORIOLES
Orioles starter Steve Trachsel is a perfect 3-0 with a 4.20 ERA in nine home starts this season, but hasn’t picked up a victory at Camden Yards since June 8 over the Rockies. SLIGHT EDGE: ORIOLES
Baltimore has lost seven of Trachsel’s last eight starts. The right-hander posted a miserable 1-4 record and 8.40 ERA over the months of June and July. EDGE: RED SOX
The OVER is 20-6 in Schilling’s last 26 starts versus the AL East.


Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros (2:05 PM ET)

Milwaukee starter Claudio Vargas is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA in eight career outings versus Houston. He ended up with a no-decision in the Brewers 11-5 victory over the Astros on June 26, surrendering four earned runs and four hits over five innings. SLIGHT EDGE: BREWERS
Vargas has been miserable in August, going 0-2 with a 12.10 ERA in two starts. The right-hander has given up 13 earned runs and 17 hits over nine innings of work. EDGE: ASTROS
Houston’s Woody Williams is a superb 12-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 29 career outings versus Milwaukee. He’s 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Brewers in 2007, allowing five runs and 11 hits over 12 innings. EDGE: ASTROS
Williams is 1-3 with a 4.21 ERA in seven daytime appearances. He’s allowed six home runs and 38 hits in 36 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: BREWERS
The Brewers are 6-0 in the last six meetings.


Seattle Mariners at Chicago White Sox (2:05 PM ET)

Seattle’s Jeff Weaver is a dismal 1-5 with a 6.25 ERA in nine road starts this season. He’s been better of late away from Safeco Field, allowing just eight earned runs over his last 25 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
Weaver is 5-6 with a 4.53 ERA in 15 career appearances versus Chicago. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the White Sox in 2006, giving up eight earned runs and eight hits. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
White Sox left-hander John Danks is 3-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine home starts in 2007. He picked up a 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians in his last start at U.S. Cellular Field, allowing two runs and four hits over six innings. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Danks is a disappointing 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in eight daytime starts this season, even though he carries a respectable 3.86 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .258 against him under the daylight compared to .289 under the lights. SLIGHT EDGE: MARINERS
The Mariners are 5-15 in the last 20 meetings in Chicago.


Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals (2:15 PM ET)

Los Angeles starter Mark Hendrickson is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three career starts versus St. Louis. He’s allowing the Cardinals’ batters to hit .314 against him over 17 1/3 innings. EDGE: CARDINALS
Hendrickson is 4-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 11 daytime outings this season, as the left-hander has fanned 36 batters and walked just nine over 40 innings of work. EDGE: DODGERS
Cardinals right-hander Anthony Reyes has pitched much better over his last four starts despite picking up just one victory. He’s allowed just eight earned runs and 15 hits in his last 23 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: CARDINALS
The Cardinals offense has failed to score a single run in three of Reyes’ last five starts, being outscored 19-9 over that span. SLIGHT EDGE: DODGERS
The Dodgers are 8-23 in the last 31 meetings.


Chicago Cubs at Colorado Rockies (3:05 PM ET)

Chicago’s Sean Marshall has been reached for 12 runs and 16 hits over his last eight innings of work. The Cubs have lost four of Marshall’s last five starts, scoring just ten runs over the four losses. EDGE: ROCKIES
Marshall is 3-2 with a solid 3.38 ERA in seven road starts this season. The left-hander has allowed two earned runs or less in three of his last four starts away from Wrigley Field. EDGE: CUBS
Rockies right-hander Jason Hirsch is 3-4 with a 4.80 ERA in ten home starts this season. Colorado has picked up victories in his last three starts at Coors Field, with the offense supplying 27 runs of support over that span. SLIGHT EDGE: ROCKIES
Hirsch was handed a 6-4 defeat in his only career start against the Chicago Cubs on June 27, giving up five earned runs and five hits over six innings. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
The Rockies are 1-7 in their last eight Sunday games.


Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels (3:35 PM ET)

Minnesota right-hander Boof Bonser will make his third career start versus Los Angeles, going 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA in his first two starts. He was rocked for six runs and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings at Angel Stadium on June 4. EDGE: ANGELS
Bonser is a disappointing 2-5 with a 5.11 ERA in ten road starts this season. The Twins have lost six straight road games with him on the mound, with the offense scoring just 14 runs over that span. EDGE: ANGELS
Los Angeles starter Jered Weaver is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two career starts versus Minnesota. The Angels were thrown for a 5-2 defeat in his last starts versus the Twins, with the right-hander picking up a no-decision – allowing two runs and five hits over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS
Weaver has allowed eight runs and 18 hits in just 12 innings of work during the month of August. EDGE: TWINS
The OVER is 7-2 in the Angels' last nine home games.


Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (ESPN | 8:05 PM ET)

Atlanta’s Buddy Carlyle is 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA in five road outings this season. The right-hander picked up a 7-3 victory over the Mets in his last start at Shea Stadium, allowing three earned runs and six hits over five innings. EDGE: BRAVES
Carlyle has made just one career start versus Philadelphia, giving up five earned runs and six hits over four innings. SLIGHT EDGE: PHILLIES
Phillies left-hander Jamie Moyer is a disappointing 2-6 with a 5.04 ERA in nine career outings versus the Braves. He’s issued 29 walks while striking out just 28 batters in 60 2/3 innings against them. EDGE: BRAVES
Moyer has pitched brilliantly in his last two home starts versus the Marlins and Pirates, outscoring them 19-2 in two blowout victories. The left-hander gave up just one earned run over his last 13 innings at Citizens Bank Park. EDGE: PHILLIES
The Phillies are 6-0 in Moyer’s last six starts versus the NL East.
All of 13 of Philly's wins with Moyer on the mound this season have been decided by two runs or more.

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[Kaptain]

POINBTS of INTEREST

Points of Interest for Sunday

08/12/07
01:08 AM Lineups
MLB
Sunday: Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez (.311; wrist) is not expected to play.

08/12/07
01:07 AM Injuries
MLB
Sunday: Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols (.311; rest) is doubtful; Padres OF Milton Bradley (.292; hamstring) is questionable.

08/12/07
01:07 AM Injuries
MLB
Sunday: D-Backs 3B Chad Tracy (.262; knee) is questionable; Nationals 1B Dmitri Young (.333l wrist) is
questionable.

08/12/07
01:06 AM Injuries
MLB
Sunday: Indians DH Travis Hafner (.254; hamstring) is doubtful; Yankees C Jorge Posada (.338; neck) is probable.

08/12/07
12:43 AM Injuries
MLB
Rockies placed IF/OF Jeff Baker on the 15-day disabled list with a mild concussion.

08/12/07
12:41 AM Info Alert
MLB
Red Sox Josh Beckett became the league's first 15-game winner Saturday night.

08/12/07
12:40 AM Injuries
MLB
Rockies Willy Taveras aggravated his strained quad and won't play again this weekend.

08/12/07
12:39 AM Injuries
MLB
Twins Jason Kubel left Saturday's game in the fourth inning with a strained right oblique muscle.

08/12/07
12:39 AM Lineups
MLB
Yankees Jorge Posada is likely to play Sunday after missing a second straight game Saturday with a stiff neck.

08/12/07
12:31 AM Boxscore
MLB
Mariners J.J. Putz earned a save despite giving up a grand slam to Josh Fields on Saturday.

08/12/07
12:29 AM Injury Alert
MLB
Mets Paul Lo Duca is expected to go on the DL after aggravating his hamstring injury during Saturday's game.

[Udog]

MLB
70% Situation


MLB (Sunday): Play Under MLB road teams when the total is 10 or higher after having won 5 or 6 of their last 7 games, a marginal losing team (46% to 49%) playing a winning team.
(62-22 since 1997.) (73.8%) PLAY: Oakland / Detroit UNDER 10 (-110)