Saturday Trends and Indexes 08/25

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Saturday, August 25

Good Luck on day #237 of 2007!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.

[pm530]

Six-pack for Saturday

-- Washington led 5-1 at Colorado after eight innings, but in ninth, Rockies scored five runs, winning game on an error by Washington's shortstop on a slow roller behind mound.

-- Tigers had sellout Friday night, so game was going to be played, hell or high water. First pitch was scheduled for 7; it was thrown a little after 11pm. Luckily, Saturday's game is a 7:00 start, but still, the 11pm start is tough on the fans.

-- That said, I'm sitting here just before midnight; there are some empty seats in Comerica, but not a whole lot of them.

--- Placido Polanco's record errorless streak ended in the 1st inning, on a bad throw to first.

-- Curtis Granderson had double and two triples for Tigers, in the first four innings.

-- Mr $1M-per-start, Roger Clemens, didn't exactly earn his huge salary Friday night, giving up six runs in five innings.

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[pm530]

Saturday's List of 13: Stuff for a sultry summer Saturday

13) ESPN is going to have a 25-hour pregame show before it opens college football with LSU-Miss State Thursday night.

12) Seriously-- at 3am Thursday, you can put ESPN on, see the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors practice. Live. I'm not kidding.

11) ESPN also has Bengals-Falcons Monday night; only the most cynical of us would suggest that this game would be better off if it were being shown on Court TV.

10) Florida's recruiting budget is $600,000 a year, Hawai'i's is a little less, $65,000, and they have to go to mainland for guys.

9) The guy who retrieved Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball got $3M for it at an auction. Wonder what its worth now?

8) How many more Red Sox fans do you think there are now, as opposed to four years ago? Seems like an awful lot more.

7) I think the director of Bronx Bomber games on YES would get fired if he didn't show Derek Jeter at least twice an inning; they even showed him during the game he sat out Sunday. It is stuff like this that makes you resent the guy; he's a terrific player, but he's not as good a player as A-Rod, but try and tell that to a Bronx Bomber fan.

6) When the Dodgers give away stuff at their games, they'll give out 50,000 of them; the Bronx team, even though they'll have full house to every game and charge outrageous prices for those tickets, usually give out 18,000 or 22,000 of an item.

5) When the Steelers travel for road games, Heinz is the only ketchup that can be served at their team meals.

4) According to the Sporting News, a kid named Pryor is the #1 ranked high school football player in this year's class; he is a QB from western Pennsylvania. I saw him play hoop last month in Orlando; he went home during tournament, after an argument with his AAU coach. Is that a red flag?

3) Milwaukee's pitching is falling apart; Vargas didn't get out of the first inning Friday, and they used Capuano out of the pen, so rookie Parra is likely to take his spot in the rotation. San Francisco led 6-3 after the first inning Friday night.

2) White Sox look like a team in the tank; they got swept by the Red Sox Friday, giving up 21 runs in two games.

1) It is 2am as I type this, and Bronx-Detroit game is in top of the 8th inning; since Michael Kay is so annoying, we have a Norah Jones CD playing, rather than listen to the propaganda spewing from Kay's mouth. It is a wise decision.

Wish I paid decent money to take a kid to a 7pm game that is in the top of the 8th inning at 2am.

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Long Sheet

CFL
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 25

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HAMILTON (1 - 6) at MONTREAL (4 - 3) - 8/25/2007, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 4-2 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 5-1 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Write up

CFL
Write-up


Saturday, August 25

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

Hamilton (1-6) @ Montreal (4-3)-- Alouettes won last three in a row, by 13,2,12 points, after 1-3 start; they won 29-20 in Week 3 at Hamilton (-6), even though TiCats gained 439 yards. Calvillo was 27-37/310 passing in that game. Hamilton covered three of last four games, as two of their last three losses were by 4 and 2 points. Three of last four Montreal games stayed under total. Als are 2-3 against spread as favorite this season.

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Additional

CFL

Saturday, August 25

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Makin’ Canadian bacon: Week 9 CFL picks
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Week 8 was an out-and-out disaster on the handicapping front. There's no getting around it.

The Lions and Stampeders combined for 90 points (62 in regulation time) in a game I called to play under the 51-point total. I'd suggested that Joe Smith and Joffrey Reynolds were going to pound the ball for their respective teams, which they did. Unfortunately, the quarterbacks for both teams combined to hit 72 percent of their passes for 711 yards and seven touchdowns.

It was entertaining to watch, "the CFL at its best" as Calgary head coach Tom Higgins rightfully pointed out after the game. I couldn't enjoy it as much as most viewers, however, after realizing in the first quarter that we were in for a shootout.

Then there was the Riders' win over the Eskimos. As mentioned last week, Saskatchewan opened as 7-point home favorites and I'd have escaped with a push if I'd gone with the early line. By the time we got around to publishing the Week 8 Bacon, however, the Riders were 8 1/2-point faves. I took 'em anyway. Whoops.

Saskatchewan needed to score the last 15 points in a wild one in Regina to pull out a 39-32 win. Sure, a Luca Congi make from 32 yards in the fourth quarter would've made the difference for me with a payday, but I guess I can't complain, having not seen the bloody fourth quarter (well done, CBC).

So I'll approach Week 9 picks with a full stomach (thank you, Taco Bell) and a clear head (just watched Mandy Moore's "Chasing Liberty" on the Women's Network, a bad enough movie to empty your noggin' of any and all thoughts). Here we go – time to get back on the good side of .500.


CFL 2007ATS and O/U records
Team ATS, O/U
BC 4-4, 3-5
Calgary 3-5, 5-3
Edmonton 2-6, 4-4
Hamilton 3-4, 3-4
Montreal 3-4, 3-4
Saskatchewan 6-2, 4-4
Toronto 4-3, 2-5
Winnipeg 5-2, 4-3


Hamilton Tiger Cats at Montreal Alouettes (-7, 47 ½)
Saturday, August 25, 7 p.m. ET

Dozens of players will take to the field at Molson Stadium on Saturday night, but the pregame chatter will revolve around only two of them. To the relief of both Hamilton's Jesse Lumsden and Montreal's Jarrett Payton, the attention will be the result of their play rather than their bloodlines.

Lumsden, son of former CFL star fullback Neil, has become the face of the resurgent Ti Cats. Hamilton deserves better than its 1-6 record and actually scares opponents after being the closest thing to a guaranteed win for years on end. Lumsden has shown breakaway speed as well as a willingness to put his shoulder into defenders.

Payton, son of NFL great Walter, was dominant against Calgary two weeks ago. He overcame an early fumble to gain 160 yards on only 20 carries and led Montreal to a 12-point win. It was the Alouettes' second straight win on their home turf, but this past weekend's games proved once again that scoring points against Calgary is no big deal.

Hamilton has put in some yeoman efforts on the road this season and with Toronto sitting only one game ahead of the Ti Cats in the East, Tabbies backers can reasonably talk about the playoffs. Lumsden and an improving Hamilton passing game will prove to the doubters why that's the case on Saturday night.

Pick: Tiger Cats +7

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[pm530]

National Football League - Long Sheet

NFL
Pre-Season
Long Sheet


Saturday, August 25

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DETROIT (2 - 0) at INDIANAPOLIS (0 - 2) - 8/25/2007, 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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TAMPA BAY (1 - 1) at MIAMI (2 - 0) - 8/25/2007, 7:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 1-1 against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 2-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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DALLAS (2 - 0) at HOUSTON (1 - 1) - 8/25/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 11-29 ATS (-20.9 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points since 1993.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 1-0 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 1-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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BALTIMORE (1 - 1) at WASHINGTON (1 - 1) - 8/25/2007, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-0 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
BALTIMORE is 2-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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NY JETS (1 - 1) at NY GIANTS (1 - 1) - 8/25/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY GIANTS are 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) when playing on a Saturday since 1993.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY GIANTS is 2-0 against the spread versus NY JETS over the last 3 seasons
NY GIANTS is 2-0 straight up against NY JETS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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SAN FRANCISCO (1 - 1) at CHICAGO (2 - 0) - 8/25/2007, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-0 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-0 straight up against CHICAGO 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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CLEVELAND (1 - 1) at DENVER (1 - 1) - 8/25/2007, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 22-6 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing on a Saturday since 1993.

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


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MINNESOTA (1 - 1) at SEATTLE (1 - 1) - 8/25/2007, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1993.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-0 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA 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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SAN DIEGO (1 - 1) at ARIZONA (0 - 2) - 8/25/2007, 10:00 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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[pm530]

National Football League - Short Sheet

NFL
Pre-Season
Short Sheet


Saturday, August 25

Detroit at Indianapolis, 7:00 ET
Detroit: 2-7 ATS in August
Indianapolis: 19-9 Over off a home game

Tampa Bay at Miami, 7:30 ET
Tampa Bay: 8-2 Under off a loss by 10+ points
Miami: 5-1 ATS as a home underdog

Dallas at Houston, 8:00 ET
Dallas: 6-1 ATS as a favorite
Houston: 2-7 ATS in the last two weeks

Baltimore at Washington, 8:00 ET
Baltimore: 8-1 Under off a non-conference game
Washington: 1-5 ATS off a loss

NY Jets at NY Giants, 8:00 ET
NY Jets: 11-3 ATS vs. NY Giants
NY Giants: 14-30 ATS off a non-conference game

San Francisco at Chicago, 8:00 ET
San Francisco: 6-1 ATS off a non-conference game
Chicago: 8-2 Under off a combined score of 50+ points

Cleveland at Denver, 9:00 ET
Cleveland: 6-1 Under vs. conference opponents
Denver: 9-1 ATS at home off a loss

Minnesota at Seattle, 9:00 ET
Minnesota: 10-2 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
Seattle: 5-1 Over off a combined score of 50+ points

San Diego at Arizona, 10:00 ET
San Diego: 1-5 ATS off a road win by 10+ points
Arizona: 6-2 Under as a home underdog

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[pm530]

National Football League – Starter Report

NFL

Saturday, August 25

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Saturday's Starter Report
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Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts (-6 ½, 40 ½)

The Lions may use only one quarterback for today’s game and if that’s the case it won’t be Jon Kitna. The leader of the first-string offense was absent from the last three practices because of back spasms. Kitna contends he can still play but the coaching staff is being much more cautious.

“We’ll just wait till game time,” offensive coordinator Mike Martz told reporters. “We’re not going to risk anything with Jon … I know he wants to play, but we’ll just see.”

Backup Dan Orlovsky also wants to play but his turf toe has him classified as doubtful. That leaves J.T. O’Sullivan, who was signed 2 ½ weeks before training camp, as the lone healthy QB.

The Lions' first offensive and defensive units will play at least the first half and possibly into the second quarter.

As for the Colts, coach Tony Dungy says his top players will play about 40 plays, which should translate into some second-half action. The most pressing issue for the offense is to find out who will be second on the depth chart behind top running back Joseph Addai.

DeDe Dorsey, Kenton Keith and Clifton Dawson are all in contention for the spot.

“We won’t have Joseph run 35 straight plays,” Dungy told the Indianapolis Star. “We’re going to do it more like we would a regular season game. One of those guys will get a little action with the first group.”


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (+2, 34)

Miami head coach Cam Cameron is holding his cards close as to how long he plans on playing his starting units. Earlier this week it sounded like defensive stars Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Keith Traylor would all play this weekend but Cameron told reporters not to jump to any conclusions.

“Zach wants to play every down,” Cameron told reporters. “We had a drill (Monday morning) and we didn’t block Keith Traylor one time. It was in a 9-on-7 padded (session) and he made every play … That’s always been the challenge with the guys you are not going to play a lot (in the preseason). Just treat the practice like game.”

The Bucs starters are expected to play at least the first half but don’t count on No. 1 RB Cadillac Williams. Coach Jon Gruden doesn’t want to risk injury to his star back during the exhibition schedule.

“He won’t carry the ball a lot against Miami, he just won’t,” Gruden said, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Gruden may have a few more surprises up his sleeve for Bucs fans. Top draft pick Gaines Adams has been working with the first-unit defense and could start on Saturday. Also, former starting quarterback Chris Simms may see the field in the second half.


Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins (+3 ½, 35)

The Skins will be without their top quarterback and running back in today’s matchup. QB Jason Campbell is still recovering from a knee injury suffered last week so wily vet Todd Collins gets the nod as this weekend’s starter.

“It’s a preseason game, but the more opportunities you get, the better,” Collins said after being told he would start by reporters. “You prepare the same way every week, but it’s obviously nice to be starting a game.”

Tailback Clinton Portis will also sit out due to tendonitis in his knee. The first units – offense and defense – are expected to be pulled at halftime.

Ravens coach Brian Billick refuses to say how long his starters will play but judging by how he’s treated the third week of the preseason in years past, each first unit should be finished after the second quarter.


Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (+2 ½, 40)

Cowboys field boss Wade Phillips is nothing if not a players’ coach. His easy-going attitude has been a welcome change from the in-your-face tactics of former coach Bill Parcells.

Phillips says his first-stringers would play into the second half with the exception of a few. Pro Bowl receiver Terrell Owens may see less time whereas starting offensive tackles Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo should see more.

“There is a certain amount of work for certain veterans that can play,” Phillips told the Dallas Morning News. “They know what to do. They’ve shown they know what to do, (so) you have to be careful to a certain extent. You can’t overplay them. Each guy is an individual.”

Starters Terence Newman (CB) and Terry Glenn (WR) will not play due to injuries.

As for the Texans, head coach Gary Kubiak said his top crews will play 2 ½ to three quarters against Dallas.


New York Jets at New York Giants (+3, 36 ½)

The Giants' top units will play into the second quarter after a sharp performance last week against the Ravens. Tight end Jeremy Shockey has been ruled out of action because of a bothersome hamstring.

Jets coach Eric Mangini continues to be uncooperative with reporters asking about starters’ playing time. Last season the “Mangenius” pulled Chad Pennington and Co. midway through the third quarter.


San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears (-6, 36 ½)

The Niners’ starters will play at least the entire first half and possibly into the third quarter depending how many snaps they get. San Francisco coach Mike Nolan told reporters Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore will not play in the preseason even if Gore’s broken is healed.

“It might be one of those things if LT plays, Frank plays,” Nolan said.

Of course this is a big joke because it’s a well-known fact the San Diego Chargers rarely play LaDainian Tomlinson in preseason games.

The Bears starters should play into the third quarter as well but that may not include Tommie Harris. The hulking defensive tackle missed the last two contests while recovering from offseason surgery on his hamstring.


Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks (-6 ½, 38)

Both teams expect to have their starters come out for some snaps in the third quarter at least. Seattle will start Matt Hasselbeck even though he sprained his knee the last time the two clubs met in preseason and missed four games.


Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (-6, 37)

Charlie Frye will take the starting snaps for the Browns, but it’s still unclear who is going to be their No. 1 guy moving forward.

"I've taken most of the reps with the ones (first team) this week, so I feel like I'm ready to play," Frye told reporters. "I'm ready to go out and just fine-tune everything."

Cleveland’s first-string unit should play at least the first half, while Denver’s sticking with its status quo when it comes to the third week of preseason.

“We've been pretty consistent with this since I've been here," coach Mike Shanahan said. "The third game the starters usually go 35 plays. Then the fourth game, the established starters don't play."


San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals (+3, 40 ½)

San Diego starters (excluding Tomlinson, of course) are scheduled for about 40 plays. That should take them into the third quarter.

“It's going to be the most extensive playing time our guys get,” coach Norv Turner told reporters. “I like our guys to have that feeling coming out at halftime and preparing for the second half and going out and getting a series or two to start the second half.”

Arizona’s first-stringers will play at least the first half but may not play much past that, depending on how many snaps they get in before halftime.

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[pm530]

Major League Soccer

MLS
Previews and Picks


Saturday, August 25

Saturday’s MLS preview and picks


New York Red Bulls at New England Revolution (+240, draw +230, -105)

This will be the Red Bulls' second top-of-the-table clash inside four days. On Wednesday they fell 3-1 to DC United in the capital.

Unusually for MLS, defense will be to the forefront of this game. These teams boast two of the strongest attacks in the league and whichever side can keep it tightest at the back will win out. In that regard the Revolution have the edge.

While the back four of Avery John, Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps and Jeff Larentowicz have struggled away from home at times this season, they have generally been solid at Gillette. They have kept two clean sheets in the last three games and are a major reason why New England has lost just twice at home this season.

The Revs defense will also be helped by New York’s poor scoring record on the road – the Red Bulls have found the net 12 times away from home this season, compared to 23 times at Meadowlands.

Pick: New England -105


DC United at Toronto FC (+145, draw +225, +155)

Toronto FC are on the verge of setting an unwanted record. If they don’t score in the first five minutes against United, they'll break Salt Lake’s record of 558 minutes without a MLS goal.

Of course, if you can’t score you can’t win, and the streak that manager Mo Johnston will be more worried about is seven games without a victory. That run has led to TFC falling out of a playoff spot and into last place in the standings.

Toronto’s inability to score is due more to severe injury problems than a lack of quality in the squad. Now that the injury list is shrinking, the starting side should be able to score some much-needed goals.

Striker Danny Dichio is set to start his first game in three weeks on Saturday and Marvell Wynne will also get the nod. Those two will give TFC more of an attacking edge, but, unfortunately for the Canadians, forward Jeff Cunningham is unlikely to feature.

Even worse for Toronto is the fact that this crunch game had to come against one of the league’s best teams. DC United have won four league games on the trot and the forward pair of Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno will prove too much for the hosts.

Pick: DC United +145


Kansas City Wizards at Chicago Fire (+170, draw +225, +130)

Similar to how a baseball pitcher can make a quality start and still lose, the Chicago Fire played well in their most recent game – against Kansas on Wednesday – but ended up with a defeat. Now they get a chance for immediate retribution.

The Fire largely dominated Wednesday’s game, but a rash tackle and red card for Gonzalo Segares meant they played the last half-hour of the game with ten men. Kansas took advantage, scoring two late goals to win 3-2.

This weekend, providing they can keep 11 men on the field, the Fire look good for a home win. The signings of Mexican sensation Cuauhtemoc Blanco and former English Premier League star Paolo Wanchope have given Chicago a real attacking edge, and Kansas will not be able to deal with it.

The Fire also added highly rated Colombian defender William Conde this week. While he is unlikely to be eligible to play on Saturday, it’s another sign of the progress that Chicago is making this season.

Pick: Chicago +130


Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo (+350, +240, -154)

This game would have a home win written all over it under normal circumstances. But these are not normal circumstances: injuries and suspensions mean the Dynamo could be without up to five starting players this weekend.

There are two main areas of concern for Houston ahead of this match – the centre back spots and the entire midfield four.

In defense, Eddie Robinson is suspended for getting too many yellow cards while Ryan Cochrane is struggling with an ankle injury.

The midfield is also severely depleted, with Stuart Holden and Brad Davis definitely out and Joseph Ngwenya doubtful with an ankle sprain. That will force Houston to play inexperienced youngsters like defender Patrick Ianni and midfielders Corey Ashe and Chris Wondolowski.

Columbus, winless in three league matches, may not be the best road team around, but they will be able to take advantage of a depleted Houston squad and get a tie that would otherwise be unlikely.

Pick: Draw +240

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[pm530]

WNBA – Betting Trends

WNBA


Saturday, August 25

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Betting Trends
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ATS Trends
Sacramento
Monarchs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Monarchs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Monarchs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Monarchs are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.
Monarchs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.


San Antonio
Silver Stars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
Silver Stars are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Silver Stars are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Silver Stars are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Silver Stars are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite.
Silver Stars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Silver Stars are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
Silver Stars are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Silver Stars are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.


OU Trends
Sacramento
Over is 6-0 in Monarchs last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
Over is 5-1 in Monarchs last 6 games as an underdog.
Over is 5-1 in Monarchs last 6 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Monarchs last 5 games as a road underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Monarchs last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 9-3 in Monarchs last 12 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Over is 5-2 in Monarchs last 7 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Under is 31-13 in Monarchs last 44 games following a S.U. win.
Over is 7-3 in Monarchs last 10 playoff games as an underdog.


San Antonio
Under is 4-0 in Silver Stars last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Silver Stars last 5 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Under is 14-5 in Silver Stars last 19 Saturday games.
Under is 11-4 in Silver Stars last 15 games following a S.U. loss.


Head to Head
No trends available.



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ATS Trends
Connecticut
Sun are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Sun are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Sun are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
Sun are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Sun are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Sun are 37-14-1 ATS in their last 52 games as a road underdog.
Sun are 42-16-2 ATS in their last 60 games as an underdog.
Sun are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
Sun are 38-17 ATS in their last 55 road games.


Indiana
Fever are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Fever are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Fever are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
Fever are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Fever are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.
Fever are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.


OU Trends
Connecticut
Under is 4-0 in Sun last 4 playoff games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Under is 7-0 in Sun last 7 playoff games as an underdog.
Under is 9-1 in Sun last 10 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 5-1 in Sun last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 6-2 in Sun last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 5-2-1 in Sun last 8 games as a road underdog.
Over is 5-2 in Sun last 7 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.


Indiana
Under is 5-1 in Fever last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Fever last 5 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Fever last 5 games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Fever last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Over is 8-3 in Fever last 11 games as a home favorite.
Under is 9-4 in Fever last 13 overall.
Under is 36-17 in Fever last 53 games following a S.U. loss.


Head to Head
Sun are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Indiana.
Sun are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Short Sheet

MLB
Short Sheet


Saturday, August 25th

National League

LA Dodgers at NY Mets, 3:55 ET FOX
Eric Stults (L) vs. Orlando Hernandez (R)
Stults: Dodgers 6-14 SU on Saturdays
Hernandez: 8-0 Under in home starts

Pittsburgh at Houston, 7:05 ET
Matt Morris (R) vs. Troy Patton (L)
Morris: Pittsburgh 12-27 SU as a road underdog of +125 or less
Patton: Houston 7-0 Under at home when the total is 10 or higher

San Diego at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Clay Hensley (R) vs. Kyle Lohse (R)
Hensley: 5-1 TSR working on 7+ days rest
Lohse: 1-8 TSR vs. NL West

Florida at Cincinnaati, 7:10 ET
Sergio Mitre (R) vs. Matt Belisle (R)
Mitre: Florida 5-1 Under Away when the total is 11 or higher
Belisle: 2-10 TSR in home starts

Atlanta at St. Louis, 7:15 ET
Tim Hudson (R) vs. Joel Pineiro (R)
Hudson: 8-0 Over 2nd half of season
Pineiro: 23-9 Over when the money line is +125 to -125

Washington at Colorado, 8:05 ET
Tim Redding (R) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (R)
Redding: 8-0 Under as an underdog
Jimenez: Colorado 12-7 SU vs. Washington

Milwaukee at San Francisco, 9:05 ET
Yovani Gallardo (R) vs. Kevin Correia (R)
Gallardo: Milwaukee 7-20 SU vs. NL West
Correia: SF 26-12 Under at home in August

Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 9:40 ET WGN
Ted Lilly (L) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (R)
Lilly: 2-10 TSR Away with a money line of -100 to -125
Petit: 6-1 Under as an underdog


American League

Boston at Chicago White Sox, 3:55 ET FOX
Tim Wakefield (R) vs. Mark Buehrle (L)
Wakefield: Boston 14-3 Under Away in day games
Buehrle: 17-2 TSR at home on Saturday

Minnesota at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
Matt Garza (R) vs. Brian Burres (L)
Garza: Minnesota 23-6 Under as a road favorite of -125 to -175
Burres: Baltimore 0-5 SU vs. Minnesota

NY Yankees at Detroit, 7:05 ET
Chien-Ming Wang (R) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (R)
Wang: 5-1 TSR, 3.11 ERA vs. Detroit
Bonderman: Detroit 60-35 Under as an underdog

Cleveland at Kansas City, 7:10 ET
Aaron Laffey (L) vs. Kyle Davies (R)
Laffey: Cleveland 16-5 Under in August
Davies: Kansas City 31-13 Under as an underdog of +125 to +175

Oakland at Tampa Bay, 7:10 ET
Joe Blanton (R) vs. Scott Kazmir (L)
Blanton: 3-0 TSR, 5.00 ERA L3 starts
Kazmir: 8-1 Under at home with a money line of -100 to -125

Seattle at Texas, 8:35 ET
Horacio Ramirez (L) vs. Jamey Wright (R)
Ramirez: Seattle 25-6 SU as a favorite of -125 to -175
Wright: Texas 18-40 SU as a home underdog

Toronto at LA Angels, 9:05 ET
Shaun Marcum (R) vs. Joe Saunders (L)
Marcum: 7-1 TSR as an underdog of +150 or less
Saunders: 18-3 TSR when the total is 8.5 to 10

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Saturday, August 25

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Tips and Trends
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Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox (FOX | 3:55 PM ET)

Boston’s Tim Wakefield is 6-10 with a 5.43 ERA in 26 career appearances versus Chicago. He picked up a 8-5 home victory over the White Sox on July 22, allowing four earned runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Wakefield is a fantastic 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts this month. He’s yet to allow a single home run in August, as the right-hander has allowed just nine earned runs and 19 hits over 26 innings. EDGE: RED SOX
White Sox starter Mark Buehrle is 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA in 10 career outings versus the Red Sox. The left-hander was 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA in his only start against them in 2006, giving up five earned runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Buehrle has a losing 3-4 record and 4.24 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. He’s had a disappointing month of August, going 1-2 with an inflated 5.55 ERA in four outings. EDGE: RED SOX
The White Sox are 22-4 in Buehrle’s last 26 Saturday starts.



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

Yankees sinkerball thrower Chien-Ming Wang is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.90 ERA in five career starts versus the Tigers. He tallied an impressive 9-3 victory over Detroit on August 19, giving up three earned runs and nine hits over six innings. BIG EDGE: YANKEES
Wang has an incredible 10-2 record and 4.05 ERA in 14 nighttime starts this season. The right-hander has allowed just three home runs over 91 innings under the lights. EDGE: YANKEES
Detroit’s Jeremy Bonderman has struggled in his career against the New York Yankees, posting a 2-5 record and 5.00 ERA in nine outings. He picked up a 9-3 loss to the Yankees and Wang, as the right-hander gave up three earned runs and seven hits over six innings. EDGE: YANKEES
Bonderman has posted a 5-3 record and 4.26 ERA in 11 home starts this season. The Tigers have lost his last two games at Comerica Park, as they’ve been outscored 15-6 over that span. EDGE: TIGERS
The Tigers are 10-2 in Bonderman’s last 12 starts versus a team with a winning record.



Oakland Athletics at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (7:10 PM ET)

Oakland’s Joe Blanton is an even 2-2 with a 5.87 ERA in six career starts versus Tampa Bay. He picked up a 5-3 road victory over the Devil Rays on May 6, allowing two earned runs and 11 hits over 7 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
The Athletics have won four straight games with Blanton on the mound. The right-hander has been dominant over his last two starts against the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, allowing just a single run and 11 hits over 14 innings. BIG EDGE: A’S
Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in seven career starts versus Oakland. The Devil Rays have picked up two victories over the Athletics with Kazmir on the mound this season, as he’s gone 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. BIG EDGE: D-RAYS
Kazmir has posted a dominant 4-2 record and 1.97 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. He’s limited batters to just a .222 against him in the second-half, after batters collected a .274 average against him in his first 19 outings. EDGE: D-RAYS
The OVER is 6-2 in the Athletics last eight games overall.



Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals (7:15 PM ET)

Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson is 3-1 with a 4.09 ERA in five career starts versus St. Louis. The Braves collected an impressive 10-1 victory over the Cardinals on July 19 with Hudson on the mound, allowing just one run and five hits over seven innings. EDGE: BRAVES
Hudson has been nearly untouchable away from Turner Field, going 7-1 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 starts. Atlanta has six straight road games with him on the mound, as the offense has provided 56 runs of support. BIG EDGE: BRAVES
St. Louis right-hander Joel Pineiro has picked up three consecutive victories, limiting his opponents to just five runs and 16 hits over 19 innings of work. EDGE: CARDINALS
Pineiro has been much better under the lights with a 2-1 record and 3.77 ERA in 26 appearances compared to a 6.39 ERA during the day. SLIGHT EDGE: CARDINALS
The OVER is 9-1 in Hudson’s last 10 starts overall.



Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels (9:05 PM ET)

Toronto’s Shaun Marcum is 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 15 road appearances this season. The right-hander has allowed just two earned runs and three hits over his last 14 2/3 innings away from the Rogers Centre. EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Marcum dominated the Angels in his only career start against them on August 15, giving up just one run and four hits in a 2-1 home victory. SLIGHT EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Los Angeles starter Joe Saunders is a perfect 3-0 with a 4.19 ERA in six home starts this season. The offense has scored 10 runs in each of his last two starts at Angel Stadium, picking up impressive victories over Boston and Detroit. EDGE: ANGELS
Saunders is an even 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts versus Toronto. He was handed a 4-1 defeat against the Blue Jays two starts back, allowing three earned runs and eight hits over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ANGELS
The UNDER is 6-1 in Marcum’s last seven road starts.



Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks (9:40 PM ET)

Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly has a solid 6-1 record and 3.76 ERA in 11 road starts in 2007. Chicago has picked up four straight road victories with Lilly on the hill, with the offense scoring 31 runs over that span. EDGE: CUBS
Lilly has struggled over his last two starts, allowing 11 earned runs and 13 hits over his last 11 innings. The left-hander has allowed an incredible eight home runs over his last five starts overall. EDGE: D-BACKS
Arizona’s Yusmeiro Petit has tossed seven shutout innings over two career appearances against Chicago. He tallied a 3-0 victory over the Cubs on July 22, scattering just three hits while issuing not a single walk and striking out five. EDGE: D-BACKS
Petit looks to regroup after struggling over his last three starts, as the right-hander has allowed 16 earned runs and 18 hits over 13 2/3 innings. He’s allowed five home runs over that span. EDGE: CUBS
The Cubs are 6-21 in the last 27 meetings in Arizona.

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[pm530]

Baseball – Betting Notes

MLB


Saturday, August 25

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MLB Betting Notes
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Saturday’s MLB betting notes

Twins continue to shuffle pack

With shortstop Jason Bartlett available to play for the first time in over a week, the Minnesota Twins shuffled their lineup for Thursday’s game in Baltimore. The changes are expected to continue for the rest of the four-game series against the Orioles.

Manager Ron Gardenhire put Bartlett back in the No. 2 slot behind leadoff man Alexi Casilla. The rest of the order was pushed down a place, with Joe Mauer in the 3-hole and Torii Hunter batting fourth.

"I like him at the top of the lineup, and Casilla is doing fine in the leadoff role," Gardenhire told MLB.com when asked about Bartlett’s return. "It just extends our lineup back out again. Torii [Hunter] is doing fine in the 3-hole or the 4-hole. He's just been swinging the bat well."

The Twins are eighth in the AL with a .265 average this month, but scored 12 runs in two games (both wins) heading into Friday’s action. For Saturday’s Game 3 against the Orioles, the new lineup will face lefty Brian Burres (5-5, 5.24). Minnesota counters with Matt Garza (2-4, 3.30) and is a –135 favorite.

Braves skid

The Atlanta Braves have lost six of their past eight games heading into Saturday's action, falling six behind in the NL East and three games back in the wild-card standings. In their most recent series, the Braves lost three of four to a Cincinnati Reds team that's struggled for most of the season.

"I’d say frustration is running at all-time high, because wins are essential right now," third baseman Chipper Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We’re playing good enough to win games, but we’re just not winning."

Thursday’s loss to the Reds is a perfect example of Atlanta’s frustrations. They came back from a 5-1 deficit to make it 5-5 and force extra innings. But reliever Bob Wickman gave up a two-run, walk-off home run to Adam Dunn in the bottom of the 12th inning, handing the Braves their third consecutive defeat.

This weekend they enter an important three-game series against wild-card rivals St. Louis Cardinals. Tim Hudson and Joel Pineiro are the starters for the second game of the series on Saturday and Atlanta is a –135 favorite.

Tigers starters lose their way

The Detroit Tigers have fallen 2 ½ games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central and manager Jim Leyland is laying the blame squarely with the starting pitchers.

"People get confused, I think, between being realistic and criticism," he told MLB.com. "I'm not criticizing anybody. I love my pitchers. I love my players. The fact of the matter is that the starting pitching has not been good. If it doesn't get better, we're not going to win. Period. I'm sorry, take it to the bank."

Detroit’s starters had been solid most of the season and were ranked second in the AL with 46 wins and a 3.97 ERA on July 20. Since then, they have posted a 5-18 record with a 7.02 ERA going into Saturday's action.

"I'm not mad at any starting pitchers," added Leyland. "I'm just telling you that's not good enough. I'm sorry. And if people can't handle that, they've got the wrong guy. If that puts pressure on them, I'm sorry. This is for the big boys."

On Saturday, Detroit sends Jeremy Bonderman (10-6, 4.65) to the mound to stop the Yankees in the second of a four-game series. New York counters with Chien-Ming Wang (14-6, 4.10) and is a –144 favorite with the total set at 10.

Gibbons hopeful for next season

The Toronto Blue Jays had quiet hopes of making an impact on the AL East this season, but instead they are 12 games behind the Red Sox and essentially out of contention. The Jays offense has been particularly sluggish this season, but manager John Gibbons thinks it will improve in 2008.

"I've got to believe that," Gibbons told MLB.com on Thursday. "Sometimes you have years where the offense carries you – like last year. You automatically assume everybody's going to repeat what they did in the following year, but the reality is, in this game, it doesn't always happen that way."

Last season Toronto ranked third in the AL with a .284 average, and fourth in homers with 199. This year they are eighth in the AL in home runs (128), 11th in batting average (.259) and tenth in runs scored (576).

"They can't escape it, because that's all that's been talked about," Gibbons said when asked if his players were under pressure. "It's not easy to hit, but we need to get on a little roll offensively if we want to do anything."

The Toronto offense gets another chance to break out of its slump when it faces Los Angeles Angels starter Joe Saunders (7-1, 3.25) on Saturday. The Jays counter with Shaun Marcum (10-5, 3.65) and are +121 favorites with the total set at 8 ½.

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[Udog]

Baseball Today - August 25


SCOREBOARD

Saturday, Aug. 25

Boston at Chicago White Sox (3:55 p.m. EDT). Tim Wakefield looks to be the majors first 16-game winner.

STARS Friday

-David Wright and Oliver Perez, Mets. Perez tossed seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and Wright homered and drove in two runs to lead New York to a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

-Milton Bradley and Adrian Gonzalez, Padres. Bradley hit a pair of three-run homers and Gonzalez also connected twice in San Diego's 14-3 victory over Philadelphia.

-David Ortiz, Red Sox, homered twice as Boston routed the Chicago White Sox 10-1 to take both ends of a split doubleheader.

-Matt Holliday, Rockies, hit a two-run homer to spark a five-run, ninth-inning comeback, and Colorado beat Washington 6-5.

-Adam LaRoche, Pirates, hit a three-run homer that triggered a five-run 15th inning, helping Pittsburgh beat Houston 8-3.

-Carlos Guillen, Tigers, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th and Detroit beat New York 9-6

MILESTONE

Greg Maddux became the first pitcher to win 10 games in 20 consecutive seasons, tossing seven solid innings in the San Diego Padres' 14-3 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. Maddux (10-9) allowed three runs and seven hits, outpitching Jamie Moyer in a matchup of 40-something hurlers with a combined 570 wins.

SWEET 16

Josh Beckett became the major league's first 16-game winner Friday, surviving a shaky first when he walked three batters and leading the Boston Red Sox over the Chicago White Sox 11-3 in the first game of a split doubleheader. Beckett (16-5) allowed seven hits and three runs over 5 2-3 innings.

MAKING MOVES

The Atlanta Braves cut ties with struggling closer Bob Wickman on Friday, designating him for assignment. The move came a day after Wickman surrendered a game-winning two-run home run to the Reds' Adam Dunn. Wickman is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA and 20 saves in 26 chances this season and was 38-for-45 in save opportunities with a 2.88 ERA since joining the Braves on July 23, 2006.

COMEBACK

Colorado matched its largest deficit overcome for a victory in the ninth inning or later after scoring five times in the last inning to beat Washington 6-5 on Friday night.

STREAKING

Pittsburgh has won three straight and seven of nine and moved out of last place in the Central by three percentage points ahead of Houston, following a 8-3, 15 inning win Friday.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

C.C Sabathia gave up two runs - one on a ground out and the other on a sacrifice fly - in eight innings, but the Cleveland Indians suffered a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

SPEAKING

''I just wanted to get it over with. We've been here too long today. I was swinging first pitch every time. That's why.'' - Boston slugger David Ortiz on Friday's doubleheader with Chicago. Ortiz homered twice in the nightcap to help the Red Sox sweep.

Aug. 25

1922 - In one of the wildest games ever played, the Cubs beat the Phillies 26-23. The Cubs led 25-6 in the fourth inning, but held on as the game ended with the Phillies leaving the bases loaded.

1934 - Detroit's Schoolboy Rowe won his 16th consecutive game with a 4-2 triumph over the Washington Senators. Rowe singled in the winning run in the ninth inning.

1937 - Cleveland's Bob Feller struck out 16 in an 8-1 win over Boston.

1952 - Detroit's Virgil Trucks pitched his second no-hitter of the season, a 1-0 gem over New York at Yankee Stadium. The Tigers committed two errors and Trucks walked one batter and struck out eight. It was the last victory of the season for Trucks, who finished with a 5-19 record.

1967 - Dean Chance of Minnesota pitched his second no-hitter of the month, defeating the Indians 2-1. Chance pitched an abbreviated five perfect innings against Boston on Aug. 6 for a 2-0 victory.

1972 - Philadelphia Ken Reynolds tied a National League record with his 12th consecutive loss, 6-1 to Cincinnati, from the beginning of the season.

1985 - New York's Dwight Gooden became the youngest pitcher ever to win 20 games with a 9-3 triumph over the San Diego Padres. Gooden at age 20 years, nine months, and nine days was one month younger that Bob Feller who won 20 games in 1939.

1998 - Toronto's Roger Clemens struck out 18 and won his 11th straight decision as he pitched a 3-0 three-hit victory over the Kansas City Royals.

2001 - Roger Clemens became the fourth pitcher since 1900 to win 17 of his first 18 decisions as the Yankees beat Anaheim 7-5. Clemens joined Rube Marquard of the New York Giants (19-1 in 1912); Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers (18-1 in 1955); and Elroy Face of the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-1 in 1959).

2002 - Randy Johnson, won his 19th game, striking out 16, in Arizona's 7-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.

2004 - Jeff DaVanon became the first Angels player in 13 years to hit for the cycle in Anaheim's 21-6 rout of Kansas City. He drove in four runs and Garret Anderson homered and had five RBIs. It was also the first time Anaheim swept an AL opponent in a season series during their 44-year history.

2006 - Alfonso Soriano became the 40th player in major league history - and the fastest ever - to reach 200 homers and 200 steals for his career. Soriano walked in the third inning of Washington's 7-6 win over Atlanta and stole second to reach 200 in that category. He already had 203 career homers.

Today's birthdays: Pedro Feliciano, 31; Pablo Ozuna, 33; Gary Matthews Jr., 33.