Friday Trends and Indexes 08/17

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Trends and Indexes
Friday, August 17

Good Luck on day #229 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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Weekend Sports Preview

Friday, August 17

The playoff races are heating up in Major League Baseball this weekend, while the playoffs are right around the corner in the WNBA. Also filling the weekend sports schedule is NFL preseason, CFL and NASCAR.

In the American League this weekend the Red Sox and the Angels clash in a four-game set that is important for both clubs. Both Boston and Los Angeles have slimming leads atop their divisions and need wins to keep their leads. The Red Sox chasers, the Yankees, have a tough series this week when Detroit visits Yankee Stadium, while the Mariners, who are chasing the Angels, host the White Sox. The rest of the AL weekend schedule includes Baltimore at Toronto, Cleveland at Tampa Bay, Texas at Minnesota and Kansas City at Oakland.

In the National League the Cubs and Cardinals face off again with both teams in pursuit of the Brewers in the Central. The Brewers host Cincinnati this weekend, while other important matches include Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Washington, Arizona at Atlanta, Houston at San Diego and Colorado at Los Angeles. Also on tap in the NL is San Francisco at Florida.

The second week of the NFL preseason continues this weekend on Friday with four games on the gridiron. Friday night’s games include Atlanta at Buffalo, Carolina at Philadelphia, Minnesota at the Jets and Tennessee at New England.

Saturday night is jampacked with nine games starting with Houston at Arizona, Detroit at Cleveland, New Orleans at Cincinnati, Tampa Bay at Jacksonville, San Diego at St. Louis and Denver at Dallas. The rest of the Saturday night schedule includes Pittsburgh at Washington, Seattle at Green Bay and Oakland at San Francisco.

Sunday’s lone NFL game has the Giants traveling to Baltimore.

Up north on the Canadian gridiron this weekend the CFL enters Week 8. With four teams on their bye week there are only two games on the schedule. On Friday night BC visits Calgary, while Edmonton travels to Saskatchewan on Saturday.

The WNBA enters the final weekend of the regular season with only one playoff spot undecided. Washington and New York are both in the running for the final playoff spot in the East. On Friday New York hosts Connecticut, while also on tap is Indiana at San Antonio, Los Angeles at Seattle and Phoenix at Sacramento. On Sunday, the final day of the regular season, Washington takes on Connecticut and New York hosts Chicago. The rest of the Sunday schedule includes San Antonio at Minnesota, Detroit at Indiana, Sacramento at Phoenix and Houston at Los Angeles.

On the track this weekend NASCAR heads to Michigan International Speedway for the 3M Performance 400. Matt Kenseth won this race last season, but red-hot Tony Stewart and points leader Jeff Gordon are the favorites with only four races remaining before The Chase begins.

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Six-pack for Friday

-- Mets had won 133 games in row when they led by five or more runs, until Thursday's loss. Last time they blew 5-run lead and lost was in '04 at San Diego. Oddly, Lawrence was starter for Mets last night, and for Padres in that '04 game.

-- ESPN.com already has bowl projections for this season. Can we wait for one game to be played before we project who will be playing in the Poinsettia Bowl? Please?

-- Pro golfer Parker McLachlin looks an awful lot like Danny Noonan in the film classic Caddyshack.

-- Wilt Chamberlain once scored 50+ points seven games in a row; no one else has ever done it more than four in a row.

-- When they first put seats on top of the Green Monster at Fenway Park, the seats cost $50. Now they're $140 apiece. Imagine paying $140 to see the Devil Rays play?

-- A's rookie catcher Suzuki hit walkoff, three-run tater in 10th, as A's swept the Pale Hose. Reliever Brown, Suzuki are among rookies who will help A's bounce back in 2008.

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Friday's List of 13: Random thoughts on a summer Friday

13) College football coaches' preseason press conferences are must-see TV; you get a rare glimpse into the personality of a coach, or lack thereof. The SEC coaches seem to have a lot more personality than their Big 11 counterparts, except for new Minnesota coach Brewster, who is brimming with energy

12) Purdue's Joe Tiller was only coach I saw in either SEC or Big 11, who wore a coaches' shirt, instead of shirt and tie. He pointed out that kickoffs are most violent plays in football, so moving kickoffs back 5-yards will create a greater chance for more injuries, in addition to more scoring.

11) Someone please explain to me how Jason Giambi admits to taking steroids, then gets off scot-free, while Greg Anderson is still in jail, for refusing to rat out Barry Bonds. Something is amiss here, as a famous man once said.

10) Speaking of Bonds, Giants were selling commemorative bats on TV 10 minutes after homer #756 was hit; we figured it out that Giants/Bonds would have pocketed $649,750, if all of the bats were sold, and that doesn't count a hat/tshirt combo they were selling for $45.

9) Mets scored five runs in first inning, five more in ninth and nothing in between in their win Wednesday night; they were the first team since the Phillies in August of '58 to do that.

8) New York Times is reporting that Michael Vick's lawyers have urged Vick to accept a plea deal. We'll see how this is going to end, but it seems the quickest way for Vick to return to his former life would be to cop a plea, hard as that is to do.

7) Falcons are booked for primetime games in Weeks 6-12-14 this year, with a Thanksgiving Night game vs Colts on NFL's own NFL Network, which is still not available everywhere in this great country of ours (If any congressmen/senators are reading this, #1-- please care of this and #2-- stop reading, go back to work). the NFL must be thrilled about showcasing the Vick-less Falcons three times, twice late in season.

6) NFL needs to redo their red zone stats; instead of giving a team's TD percentage inside opponents' 20-yard line, give us the points per possession in red zone. It is simpler and tells a better story than just TD percentage.

5) If JaMarcus Russell is serious about not signing to play in NFL this season, why not just stay at LSU and play another season there? Any rookie who holds out, especially a QB, is risking career suicide. Its just not a good idea. Raiders have Culpepper-McCown-Walter at QB; they're not folding here.

4) Tennessee Vols' rushing yards per game last year were the Vols' lowest since 1964; somehow, I'd expect them to be more of a running team this year, especially after losing top three WRs from last year to graduation.

3) Notre Dame hasn't won a bowl game since 1993. That they are constantly discussed in the media is amazing to me.

2) I heartily recommend Quizno's tuna sub on a toasted roll. Darned tasty.

1) My stat of the day, and yes, this is true..........

Jack Nicklaus' career earnings, combining PGA Tour and the Seniors' Tour-- $9,106,529
Woody Austin's career earnings on PGA Tour- $10,806,930.

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[pm530]

National Football League - Long Sheet

NFL
Pre-Season
Long Sheet


Friday, August 17


CAROLINA (1 - 0) at PHILADELPHIA (0 - 1) - 8/17/2007, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) against conference opponents since 1993.

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


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ATLANTA (0 - 1) at BUFFALO (1 - 0) - 8/17/2007, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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


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TENNESSEE (0 - 1) at NEW ENGLAND (0 - 1) - 8/17/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games in August games since 1993.

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


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MINNESOTA (0 - 1) at NY JETS (1 - 0) - 8/17/2007, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY JETS is 1-0 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 1-0 straight up against MINNESOTA 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


Friday, August 17th

Carolina at Philadelphia, 7:00 ET
Carolina: 12-2 ATS vs. conference opponents
Philadelphia: 3-7 ATS off a loss by 14+ points

Atlanta at Buffalo, 7:00 ET
Atlanta: 10-0 ATS off a loss by 14+ points
Buffalo: 6-0 Under vs. non-conference opponents

Tennessee at New England, 8:00 ET
Tennessee: 10-0 Over away off a loss
New England: 18-7 ATS at home in August

Minnesota at NY Jets, 8:00 ET FOX
Minnesota: 9-2 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
NY Jets: 5-1 Over off a home win by 10+ points

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National Football League – Write up

NFL
Pre-Season
Write-up


Friday, August 17

In Week 2 and 3 preseason games, regulars play little more, but still, no one really cares who wins. Invest carefully...........

McNabb makes preseason debut in front of home crowd, after Iggles got pounded in Baltimore Monday night. Carolina gained 200+ yards in first half at Giants last week, as Panthers won their 11th summer game in last 13 tries under Fox. In last three years, Philadelphia lost their first summer game, won the second one.

Harrington leads Vick-less Falcons into second straight game on road, while Buffalo is off win at New Orleans last Friday, and gets first home action here. Five of Falcons' last six summer games got over the total. Bills were pushed all over field in first half last wk at New Orleans, but blocked FG, picked off pass in end zone, and pulled off the upset in Superdome.

Vince Young makes '07 debut after being suspended last week-- Patriots lost in Tampa last week; under is 8-4-1 in their summer games the last 3+ years. Kerry Collins is Titans' backup QB, not good news, but 3rd-stringer Rattay isn't bad. USC backup Cassel is Pats' backup QB. New England won their two summer games at home last year by combined score of 71-3.

Former Jet Brooks Bollinger is involved in battle for #1 QB job with Jackson; rumors came out this week that Minnesota might be interested in trading for Kurt Warner. Jets ran kick back for a TD last week; Oregon alum Clemens played well in relief at QB, is highly regarded by Mangini. Can Bollinger get it done against his former team?

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Canadian Football League – Long Sheet

CFL
Long Sheet

Friday, August 17

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BRITISH COLUMBIA (5 - 2) at CALGARY (3 - 4) - 8/17/2007, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 5-1 against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 5-1 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Write up

CFL
Write-up


Friday, August 17

Intelligent quirk in CFL schedule, with eastern teams getting a bye this week, western teams getting next week off, as season hits the midway point.

BC Lions (5-2) @ Calgary (3-4) -- Lions lost last two games after 5-0 start, scoring 15 ppg in losses, after averaging 29.8 ppg in their wins. BC escaped 32-27 at McMahon three weeks ago (+2) running ball for 176 yds, forcing five Calgary turnovers. Lions have +8 turnover ratio this season. Under is 5-2 in BC's games. Stampeders' home loss to BC was their only loss in three home games-- they've scored 32.3 ppg in their home games.

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Canadian Football League – Hot Lines

CFL
Hot Lines


Friday, August 17

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Makin’ Canadian bacon: Week 8 CFL picks


CFL 2007 ATS and O/U records
Team ATS, O/U
BC 3-4, 2-5
Cal. 3-4, 4-3
Edm. 1-6, 3-4
Ham. 3-4, 3-4
Mon. 3-4, 3-4
Sas. 6-1, 3-4
Tor. 4-3, 2-5
Win. 5-2, 4-3

BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders (-2, 51)
Friday, Aug. 17, 10 p.m. ET

Calgary continued last year’s home dominance when this season opened, winning 37-9 and 33-10 in its first two games at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders then lost 32-27 to BC in Week 5 as 2-point favorites.

The Stamps haven’t improved since, yet they’re once again 2-point favorites when the Lions revisit southern Alberta on Friday night. The line reflects how the defending Grey Cup champs have struggled recently as well as how banged up the Leos are as a team.

Buck Pierce starts again at quarterback for BC and should have Tony Simmons back as a target. Given the way Jarrett Payton rolled over the Stamps last Thursday in Montreal, however, expect to see Joe Smith running between the tackles more often than usual.

Otis Floyd is already back at linebacker for the Lions and defensive back Korey Banks should play on Friday too. Whoever lines up in the Leos defense will get a steady diet of Joffrey Reynolds. The quiet running back met with Calgary coaches this week and all parties agreed that Reynolds needs more touches to balance the pass-happy Calgary offense.

Two talented teams looking to right their respective ships by running the ball? Sounds like an under to me, especially after a Week 7 in which all four games played under the total.

Pick: Under 51



Edmonton Eskimos at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-8 ½, 52)
Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 p.m. ET

The Riders were 7-point favorites when I started this column on Wednesday morning, 8 ½-point favorites by the early afternoon. Why could this be?

For starters, Saskatchewan has already hosted the Eskies once this season, a 54-14 drubbing of Edmonton back in Week 5. That game played a factor in the Riders’ statistical dominance in all facets of the game: they’ve scored more points than anyone in the CFL while allowing the fewest, and they’ve been penalized the fewest yards while owning the league’s best turnover ratio at +11 through seven games.

But that’s not all! The Roughriders bring the league’s top pass rush to the table against a beat-up offensive line, one likely missing both its starting guards on Saturday night. Speaking of beat up, the Eskimos are dealing with multiple injuries at nearly every position. A.J. Gass is still appealing his suspension, meaning he’s free to play on Friday, but his presence will mean less against the Riders’ balanced attack than it did against Hamilton last week.

I’m not a big fan of hopping on heavy favorites, especially after the line’s already moved past a touchdown, but the Riders are not only the CFL’s best team at the moment, they’re its best bet as well at 6-1 ATS.

Pick: Roughriders -8 ½

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Baseball - Dunkel Index

MLB
Dunkel Index

Arizona at Atlanta
The surprising Diamondbacks won their eighth straight series last night against Florida and have a 19-6 record over that span. Ace Brandon Webb has not given up a run in his last four starts (all wins) covering 32 innings. Atlanta pitching was tattooed for nine runs in a loss to the punchless Giants last night and goes with a shaky Lance Cormier (0-2; 13.50) on the mound tonight. Webb and the D-Backs look like a good pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has Arizona favored straight up by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-150). Here are all of today's games.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

Game 901-902: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Looper) 17.204; Cubs (Hill) 16.003
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+105); N/A

Game 903-904: NY Mets at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Glavine) 15.345; Washington (Chico) 15.678
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+120); Under

Game 905-906: San Francisco at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 13.367; Florida (Olsen) 15.466
Dunkel Line: Florida by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Florida (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-135); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Durbin) 16.467; Pittsburgh (Gorzelanny) 15.432
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+105); Over

Game 909-910: Arizona at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 17.432; Atlanta (Cormier) 14.989
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-150); Over

Game 911-912: Cincinnati at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.678; Milwaukee (Suppan) 13.290
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over

Game 913-914: Houston at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Williams) 15.988; San Diego (Peavy) 16.876
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-210); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-210); Under

Game 915-916: Colorado at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Fogg) 16.333; LA Dodgers (Stults) 14.876
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (Even); Over


Game 917-918: LA Angels at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 16.445; Boston (Buchholz) 15.344
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-121); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-121); Under

Game 919-920: LA Angels at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 14.672; Boston (Beckett) 17.876
Dunkel Line: Boston by 3; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-195); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-195); Over

Game 921-922: Detroit at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Robertson) 14.690; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 17.081
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-180); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-180); Over

Game 923-924: Baltimore at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Olson) 15.567; Toronto (Burnett) 16.785
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-160); Under

Game 925-926: Cleveland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Byrd) 14.924; Tampa Bay (Jackson) 15.677
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-122); 10
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+102); Under

Game 927-928: Texas at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Gabbard) 13.987; Minnesota (Silva) 15.456
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-135); Under

Game 929-930: Chicago White Sox at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Contreras) 14.622; Seattle (Batista) 17.322
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Seattle (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-160); Over

Game 931-932: Kansas City at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 15.672; Oakland (Meyer) 14.554
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-118); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-102); Under

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[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Friday, August 17

Hot Pitchers
-- Glavine is 1-0, 2.41 in his last three starts.
-- Webb won his last four starts, not allowing a run (32 IP).
-- Gorzelanny is 2-0, 1.13 in his last couple starts. Phillies won last three Durbin starts, scoring 34 runs.
-- Astros won last three Williams starts, scoring 23 runs. Peavy is 4-0, 1.69 in his last four starts.
-- Fogg is 4-1, 3.65 in his last six starts.

-- Beckett has a 2.51 RA in his last four starts. Angels won last four Lackey starts (2-0, 2.43).
-- Pettitte is 3-0, 2.70 in his last three starts.
-- Indians won six of Byrd's last seven road starts. Jackson has a 1.29 RA in his last three starts.
-- Silva has a 1.71 RA in his last three starts.
-- Batista is 2-1, 2.41 in his last three starts.
-- Bannister is 3-1, 2.20 in his last five starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Cubs lost four of Hill's last five starts. Looper has 6.92 RA in his last five starts, but Cards won three of the last four, scoring 11-10-6 in the three wins.
-- Chico has a 6.12 RA in his last six starts.
-- Olsen is 1-2, 7.33 in his last four starts. Giants are 3-9 in Zito's last dozen starts.
-- Cormier is 0-2, 13.11 in his last three starts.
-- Arroyo is 1-2, 7.54 in his last three starts. Suppan is 0-2, 4.89 in his last nine starts.
-- Stults allowed two runs in 5.2 IP in his only start, a game LA lost in extra innings.

-- Rookie Buchholz was 1-1, 3.26 in six AAA starts, allowing 23 hits, striking out 48 in just 30.1 IP.
-- Robertson has 6.35 RA in his last five starts.
-- Olsen is 1-1, 4.60 in three starts this season. Toronto lost five of last six Burnett starts.
-- Gabbard is 1-1, 4.50 in three starts for Rangers; he left with a stiff forearm in his last start.
-- White Sox are 1-11 in last dozen Contreras starts, but he did throw five shutout innings in relief since his last start.
-- Meyer was 6-2, 3.40 in 19 AAA starts; acquired in trade for Hudson, he finally makes majors for A's- he threw two innings for Braves in 2004. he allowed 93 hits in 103 IP in PCL, which is a hitter's league.


Totals
-- Over is 6-1 in Cubs' last seven home games.
-- Over is 5-0 in Mets' last five games.
-- Over is 5-1 in Marlins' last six home games.
-- Over is 17-4 in Pirates' last twenty-one games.
-- Over is 12-3-1 in last sixteen Atlanta home games.
-- Over is 14-0-1 in last fifteen Cincinnati road games.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in Astros' last ten road games.
-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Colorado games.

-- Under is 9-3 in Angels' last twelve road games.
-- Over is 5-0-1 in last six Bronx home games.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five Baltimore road games.
-- Under is 4-1 in Cleveland's last five games.
-- Under is 16-1 in Minnesota's last seventeen home games.
-- Over is 8-4 in White Sox' last twelve road games.
-- Last eight Kansas City games stayed under the total.


Hot Teams
-- Arizona won nine of its last eleven road games. Braves won seven of their last eleven games.
-- Phillies won seven of their last ten games.
-- Nationals won eight of last eleven at home. Mets won six of their last eight road games.
-- Reds won four of their last five road games.
-- Cardinals won seven of their last eight games.
-- Padres won six of their last seven home games.

-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine home games. Angels are 7-3 in their last ten games.
-- Orioles are 8-6 in their last fourteen road games.
-- Toronto won eleven of its last fourteen home games.
-- Rangers won nine of last thirteen home games.
-- A's are 11-5 in their last sixteen games.

Cold Teams
-- Cubs lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Marlins lost three of last four games, allowing 29 runs.
-- Giants lost eleven of their last fifteen games.
-- Brewers lost eight of their last ten games.
-- Pirates are 4-8 in their last twelve home games.
-- Astros are 8-18 in their last 26 road games.
-- Dodgers are 6-15 in their last twenty-one games. Colorado is
5-9 in its last fourteen road games, 1-4 in last five on road.

-- Detroit is 4-8 in its last twelve road games. Bronx lost three in a row, allowing 26 runs.
-- Indians lost four of their last five games. Devil Rays are 3-10 in game after their last thirteen wins.
-- Twins are 6-7 in their last thirteen home games.
-- White Sox lost six of their last seven games. Mariners are 1-4 in their last five home games.
-- Royals lost seven of their last nine road games.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Friday, August 17

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Tips and Trends
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St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs (2:20 PM ET)

St. Louis starter Braden Looper is 3-2 with a 2.44 ERA in 34 career appearances versus the Cubs. The right-hander is 2-0 with a fantastic 1.29 ERA in two starts against them this season EDGE: CARDINALS
Looper has been truly dominant in seven daytime starts this season, posting a 6-0 record and 1.84 ERA. He’s given up just one home run and 32 hits in 44 innings of work under the sun. BIG EDGE: CARDINALS
Cubs left-hander Rich Hill hasn’t posted a decision in three career outings versus the Cardinals. He’s allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 12 1/3 innings against them. SLIGHT EDGE: CARDINALS
Hill has posted a 3-2 record and 3.88 ERA in 10 home starts this season. Chicago has picked up victories in three of his last four starts at Wrigley Field, but he’s failed to reach the fifth inning in two of those outings. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
The Cardinals are 1-4 in the last five meetings.



Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox (1:05 PM ET)

Los Angeles starter John Lackey has a fantastic 9-3 record and 2.65 ERA in 13 road starts this season. The right-hander has picked up back-to-back road victories over Oakland and Seattle, allowing three earned runs over 15 2/3 innings. EDGE: ANGELS
Lackey has a terrible 1-5 record and 5.75 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Red Sox. He’s been battered for 79 hits in just 56 1/3 innings against them. EDGE: RED SOX
Boston’s Josh Beckett is a perfect 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts versus Los Angeles. He’s allowed just one home run and struck out 14 batters in 18 innings against them. EDGE: RED SOX
Beckett hasn’t been overly dominant at Fenway Park this season, going 7-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 starts. The Red Sox have picked up losses in three of his last five home starts, including a 5-3 defeat to Baltimore on July 31. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS
The Red Sox are 14-3 in their last 17 home games versus a team with a winning home record.



San Francisco Giants at Florida Marlins (7:05 PM ET)

San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito gave up six earned runs and eight hits over four innings of work in his only career start versus Florida on July 27. He’s a dismal 5-7 with a 5.52 ERA in 14 road outings this season. SLIGHT EDGE: MARLINS
Zito is a tremendous 61-29 with a 3.38 ERA in his career after the All-Star break. The left-hander is an even 2-2 with a 5.82 ERA in seven second-half outings this season. EDGE: GIANTS
Florida’s Scott Olsen picked up a victory in his lone career starts versus San Francisco. He allowed just one run and five hits over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: MARLINS
The Marlins have split Olsen’s last four starts, as the left-hander has allowed 19 earned runs over his last 23 1/3 innings. EDGE: GIANTS
The UNDER is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings in Florida.



Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)

Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson has a losing 1-4 record and 4.46 ERA in six career starts versus the Yankees. He tallied an 0-2 record and 4.60 ERA in two starts against New York in 2006, allowing eight runs and 20 hits over 15 2/3 innnings. EDGE: YANKEES
Robertson has struggled mightily on the road this season, posting a 2-6 record and 5.40 ERA in eight starts. Opposing hitters are batting .320 against him away from Comerica Park. EDGE: YANKEES
New York’s Andy Pettitte has a solid 5-2 record at home this season, but carries an inflated 4.61 ERA in 12 starts. The left-hander has allowed 81 hits in just 66 1/3 innings of work at Yankee Stadium. SLIGHT EDGE: YANKEES
Pettitte suffered a 5-0 loss to the Tigers in his only start against them in 2006, allowing 10 hits and five runs – two earned – in 6 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
The UNDER is 8-3 in Pettitte’s last 11 starts versus Tigers.



New York Mets at Washington Nationals (7:05 PM ET)

New York’s Tom Glavine is 32-22 in his career versus the Washington franchise. He picked up a 6-2 victory over the Nationals to end the month of April, allowing just a single run and three hits over six innings. EDGE: METS
Glavine is a disappointing 4-5 with a 5.31 ERA in 14 road starts this season. He’s issued 31 walks and struck out just 29 in 78 innings at Shea Stadium. EDGE: NATIONALS
Nationals starter Matt Chico is 5-1 with a 4.63 ERA in 13 home starts in 2007. Washington has won four straight home games with Chico on the mound, outscoring opponents 23-10 in the process. EDGE: NATIONALS
Chico has been knocked around during the month of August, giving up seven runs and 10 hits over 10 innings of work. EDGE: METS
The Nationals are 1-7 in their last eight home games versus a team with a winning road record.



Arizona Diamondbacks at Atlanta Braves (7:35 PM ET)

Arizona’s Brandon Webb is an even 1-1 with a 1.53 ERA in four career starts versus Atlanta. The right-hander has struggled a bit with his control against the Braves, issuing 11 walks in 29 1/3 innings against them. SLIGHT EDGE: D-BACKS
Webb has been brilliant over his last four starts, failing to allow an earned run over his last 32 innings. The Diamondbacks have outscored their opponents 15-0 in that span. BIG EDGE: D-BACKS
Braves right-hander Buddy Carlyle is 5-2 with a 4.60 ERA in eight home starts this season. Atlanta has won four straight home games with him on the mound, outscoring opponents 37-12 in the process. EDGE: BRAVES
Carlyle hasn't posted a decision in three career outings versus the Diamondbacks, allowing three earned runs and seven hits over 9 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: BRAVES
The Diamondbacks are 0-4 in Webb’s last four starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.



Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins (8:10 PM ET)

Texas starter Kason Gabbard has posted a 0-1 record and 6.30 ERA in four road starts this season. The left-hander has been brilliant at home, going 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA in six starts. EDGE: TWINS
Gabbard is a perfect 3-0 with a 4.21 ERA in seven nighttime starts in 2007. Opponents are hitting just .197 against him under the lights compared to .262 during the daytime. EDGE: RANGERS
Twins right-hander Carlos Silva is 2-4 with a 5.49 ERA in seven career starts versus the Rangers. He’s allowed an incredible 55 hits in 39 1/3 innings against them. EDGE: RANGERS
Silva has excelled at the Metrodome this season, going 6-4 with a 3.63 ERA. The right-hander has allowed just four earned runs and 13 hits in his last 15 innings at home. EDGE: TWINS
The UNDER is 8-1-1 in the Twins last 10 games as a favorite.



Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners (10:05 PM ET)

Chicago’s Jose Contreras is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four career appearances versus Seattle. The right-hander has managed to limit the Mariners to just one home run against him in 21 innings. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Contreras has struggled mightily on the road this season, posting an unimpressive 2-8 record and 6.27 ERA in 12 starts. He’s surrendered 22 runs and 28 hits in his last 16 innings away from U.S. Cellular Field. EDGE: MARINERS
Mariners starter Miguel Batista is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in nine career outings versus the White Sox. He’s a perfect 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his two starts against them this season. EDGE: MARINERS
Batista has battled with his control over his last 11 2/3 innings of work, issuing nine walks over his last two starts. The right-hander has allowed 211 runners reach base in 139 1/3 frames this season. EDGE: WHITE SOX
The Mariners are 1-4 in their last five home games.

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Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Friday, August 17

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MLB Betting Notes
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Friday’s MLB betting notes

Buchholz buzz

The Boston Red Sox will summon top prospect Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket to make his major league debut in the first game of a doubleheader against the L.A. Angels on Friday, according to the Boston Herald.

The newspaper also reports the righty will be sent back to the minors after the start, making room for the Red Sox to purchase the contract of switch-hitting Bobby Kielty in time for the second game of the day.

Buchholz, who turned 23 on Tuesday, is 8-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 22 appearances with the Paw Sox and Double-A Portland this season. He was the 42nd overall pick in the 2005 draft and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a Triple-A outing in his career.

If Buchholz starts he will pitch against Angels right-hander Ervin Santana (5-11, 6.22). Los Angeles is dogged at +123 in the first of the two games, with the total set at 8 ½.



Mariano meltdown

When Mariano Rivera entered Wednesday’s game against the Orioles with the score tied in the tenth inning, most Yankees fans would have expected the result to go their way. Instead Rivera gave up three runs and New York suffered a 6-3 defeat.

"I’m a human being," Rivera told the New York Times after the game. "I’m allowed to make mistakes. It hurts because your teammates are giving you the opportunity to pitch, the opportunity to be able to hold them and come back and score and win the game. I wasn’t able to do that. It’s bad."

Unfortunately for Rivera it’s not the first time he’s struggled – in fact, it’s not the first time this week. He blew another save opportunity against the Orioles on Monday, but the Yankees were able to recover and win 7-6.

New York continues a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, sending Andy Pettitte (9-7, 3.93) to the mound. Detroit counters with Nate Robertson (7-9, 5.01) and is a +167 favorite with the total set at 10.



Phillies' capital struggles

The Philadelphia Phillies lead the National League in batting this season, but the Washington Nationals found a way to stop them on their most recent road trip.

The Phillies managed just five hits and five runs over the first two games against the Nats, after scoring 15 runs in their previous three games. In the series opener they were bailed out by rookie Russell Branyan, who hit a late two-run homer to win the game. But the lack of offense on Wednesday hurt the Phillies. They could only generate two runs and lost 4-2.

"We just haven't hit the ball the last two games," manager Charlie Manuel told the Philadelphia Daily News when asked why his lineup went cold against Washington.

It’s not just the series against Nats in which the Phillies bats cooled off. They rank 14th in the majors so far this month with a .241 average, whereas last month they were second only to the Yankees with an impressive .314. The hitting slump is reflected in Philadelphia's August 5-8 over/under record heading into Friday's game.

Philadelphia face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a three-game series tonight. J.D. Durbin (4-2, 5.73) and Tom Gorzelanny (11-6, 3.29) are the starters and Philadelphia is a +117 underdog with the total set at 9.



Delgado doubtful

New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado suffered a hyperextended left knee when chasing a foul ball in Tuesday’s game against the Pirates and is doubtful for Friday’s series opener in Washington.

Delgado picked up the injury when he ran into a railing while chasing a Jose Castillo pop up in the second inning. He continued to play until the eight inning when he was replaced by Shawn Green (with Lastings Milledge slotting into rightfield).

Delgado has struggled with injuries all season but has still managed a .254 average with 18 homers and 68 RBIs. He finished last year with a .265 average, 38 home runs and 114 RBIs.

If he does return to fitness in time for Friday’s game, Delgado will face Nats lefty Matt Chico (5-6, 4.85). New York counters with Tom Glavine (10-6, 4.25) and is a –135 favorite with the total set at 8 ½.

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[pm530]

Baseball Today - August 17

SCOREBOARD
Friday, Aug. 17
Arizona at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EDT). Brandon Webb has thrown 33 straight scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks.

STARS
Thursday

-Kurt Suzuki, Athletics, hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning to lift Oakland over the Chicago White Sox 8-5.

-Yadier Molina, Cardinals, hit a pair of homers as St. Louis blanked Milwaukee 8-0.

-Mark DeRosa, Cubs, went 5-for-5 with four RBIs and the Chicago Cubs beat Cincinnati 12-4.

-Derek Lowe, Dodgers, allowed five hits in seven scoreless innings to win for the first time in almost two months and the Los Angeles Dodgers topped Houston 6-2.

TIGHT NL CENTRAL

St. Louis completed a three-game sweep of NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Thursday to close to within 2 1/2 games of the division lead for the first time since April 20. The Cardinals outscored the Brewers 28-7 in the series. Milwaukee has lost 13 of their last 18 games. ... The Chicago Cubs pounded out a season-high 20 hits in a 12-4 win over Cincinnati to move to a half-game behind the Brewers going into a four-game home series against the Cardinals.

NO BONDS, NO PROBLEM

Even with Barry Bonds on the bench, San Francisco put on quite a power display. The Giants homered in each of the first four innings off Chuck James, scored in every inning until the eighth and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves 9-3 Thursday night, salvaging the finale of a three-game series. Bonds got the night off after hitting his 759th career homer on Wednesday.

COMEBACK

The New York Mets fell 10-7 to Pittsburgh on Thursday and lost a game after having a lead of at least five runs for the first time since April 30, 2004, at San Diego, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Jason Bay had three run-scoring singles and Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer to help the Pirates rally from deficits of 5-0 and 7-3. The Mets would have swept a road series for the first time since May with a win. They haven't swept a series in Pittsburgh since Sept. 2001.

ROAD WOES

Wandy Rodriguez allowed five hits and four runs, two earned, in five innings and was the losing pitcher in Houston's 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The 28-year-old left-hander is 6-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 12 starts at home and 1-9 with a 7.80 ERA in 12 starts on the road.

STREAKS

Kelvim Escobar allowed one run in seven innings to pick up the win in the Los Angeles Angels' 4-3 win over Toronto on Thursday. Escobar has now worked at least six innings in each of his past eight starts. ... The Blue Jays extended their run of consecutive games with a double to 23 in the loss, the longest active streak in the AL. ... Hanley Ramirez extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games in Florida's 5-4 loss to Arizona. That's the longest active streak in the major leagues. ... Cole Hamels pitched 6 2-3 innings to pick up his 14th win of the season in Philadelphia's 4-2 victory over Washington. He has now pitched into the seventh inning in his last six starts.

SPEAKING

''Maybe with an aluminum bat in my hand, but not wood.'' - Kurt Suzuki, when asked the last time he had hit a ball as far as his game-winning, three-run home run in the 10th inning that lifted the Oakland Athletics to an 8-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

SEASONS
Aug. 17

1904 - Jesse Tannehill of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter, beating the Chicago White Sox 6-0.

1920 - Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman died from a beaning by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees on Aug. 16. It was the only on-field fatality in major league history.

1933 - Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th straight game to break Everett Scott's record of 1,307.

1944 - Johnny Lindell of the New York Yankees hit four consecutive doubles in a 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Lindell drove in two runs and scored twice.

1972 - Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies won his 15th consecutive game with a 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

1990 - Carlton Fisk broke Johnny Bench's major league record for catchers with his 328th homer as the Chicago White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 for a split of a doubleheader.

1992 - Kevin Gross pitched a no-hitter as Los Angeles beat San Francisco 2-0 at Dodgers Stadium.

1999 - Jesse Orosco set a major league record by pitching in his 1,072nd game, breaking a tie with Dennis Eckersley atop the career list. The 42-year-old Orosco took the mound with two outs in the seventh inning of Baltimore's victory over Minnesota.

2001 - Jeff Frye became the second Toronto player to hit for the cycle as the Blue Jays beat Texas 11-3. Frye tripled in the second inning, doubled in the fifth, homered in the sixth and hit a shot to the right-center field gap in the seventh. With the game in hand, he held up at first.

2002 - Alex Rodriguez became the sixth player in major league history to have five straight 40-homer seasons.

2004 - Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton, 19, became the first teenager in more than six years to homer in a major league game, helping Tampa Bay snap a six-game losing streak with an 8-3 victory over Anaheim.

Today's birthdays: Dustin Pedroia 24; Brett Myers 27; Chad Qualls 29; Mike Maroth 30; Jorge Posada 36.

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