Thursday Trends and Indexes 08/30

[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Thursday, August 30

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Tips and Trends
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New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (1:05 PM ET)

New York starter Orlando Hernandez is an even 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in five career starts versus Philadelphia. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two outings against the Phillies in 2007, allowing two earned runs and six hits over 12 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: METS
Hernandez is a perfect 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in five starts this month. He’s also a perfect 5-0 with a 2.87 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break, as hitters are batting just .172 against him. EDGE: METS
Philadelphia right-hander Kyle Lohse is 5-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 home starts this season, which is dramatically different from his 2-9 record and 6.07 ERA on the road. He’s made two starts at Citizens Bank Park this season, going 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA. EDGE: PHILLIES
Lohse has limited experience against the Mets in his career, allowing seven runs and 11 hits over 11 2/3 innings. He was handed a 5-2 road loss to New York on July 15, giving up five runs and six hits over 4 2/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: METS


Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (1:05 PM ET)

Boston’s Curt Schilling is 7-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 22 career outings versus New York. The veteran right-hander has gone 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA in three starts against them in 2007, allowing 15 earned runs and 29 hits in just 18 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: YANKEES
Schilling has been solid in seven daytime starts, posting a 3-1 record and 3.27 ERA. He’s allowed just two home runs in 44 innings during the day, while giving up 14 home runs under the lights in 74 1/3 innings. EDGE: RED SOX
New York sinker ball thrower Chien-Ming Wang is an even 4-4 with a 4.78 ERA in 10 career games versus Boston. He’s struggled with his control against the Red Sox, issuing 27 walks and fanning just 21 batters in 58 1/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
Wang is a solid 8-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 13 home games this season. The Yankees have picked up three straight victories with him on the mound at Yankee Stadium, outscoring opponents 26-10 in the process. EDGE: YANKEES


Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)

Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir is an even 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA in 10 career starts versus Baltimore. He’s posted an even 1-1 record and 3.57 ERA in three starts against them in 2007, failing to serve up a home run in 17 2/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: D-RAYS
After allowing just one earned run in his first 19 innings this month, Kazmir has now given up nine earned runs over his last 13 2/3 innings. SLIGHT EDGE: ORIOLES
Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is a perfect 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA in three career games versus the Devil Rays. He grabbed an 8-3 home victory over Tampa Bay on May 8, allowing one run and six hits over six innings. EDGE: ORIOLES
Guthrie has a losing 2-4 record and 3.82 ERA in 12 home games this season. Opposing batters are hitting .269 against him at Camden Yards compared to just .211 on the road. SLIGHT EDGE: D-RAYS


Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs (8:05 PM ET)

Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo is 2-3 with a 6.88 ERA in eight road appearances this season. The rookie right-hander has struggled with his control away from Miller Park, issuing 16 of his 25 walks on the road. EDGE: CUBS
Gallardo has struggled mightily during the month of August despite posting a 3-2 record, giving up 24 earned runs and 37 hits in just 24 innings of work. He’s coming off a 6-2 road loss to the San Francisco Giants, allowing five runs and seven hits over three frames. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
Chicago’s Ted Lilly is an even 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in three career games versus the Brewers. The left-hander was impressive in picking up a 9-3 home victory over Milwaukee on April 25, allowing just a single earned run and six hits over seven innings. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
The Cubs have lost three straight games with Lilly on the hill, being outscored 20-14 in the process. He’s allowed 13 earned runs and 17 hits in 17 innings of work. EDGE: BREWERS


Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres (10:05 PM ET)

Arizona left-hander Doug Davis is 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA in nine career games versus San Diego. He’s gone 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts at Petco Park, allowing 10 earned runs and 19 hits over 19 innings of work. SLIGHT EDGE: D-BACKS
Davis has posted an unimpressive 4-8 record over 13 road starts, but carries a respectable 3.50 ERA. Opposing batters have knocked just five home runs against him in 79 2/3 innings away from Chase Field compared to 13 home runs when he’s at home. SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Padres starter Chris Young is a dominant 4-1 with a 0.66 ERA in 10 home starts this season. The All-Star right-hander has allowed just 37 hits and not a single home run in 68 innings of work at Petco Park. BIG EDGE: PADRES
Young hasn’t been terribly sharp in two of his last three starts, allowing eight earned runs and eight hits over 11 innings. The Padres have scored just six runs in his last three starts overall. EDGE: D-BACKS

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[pm530]

Baseball Today - August 30

SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Aug. 30
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (8:05 p.m. EDT). Ted Lilly (13-7) starts for the Cubs, who lead the Brewers by 1 1/2 games in the NL Central.

STARS
Wednesday

-- Aaron Harang, Reds, threw a two-hitter for his fourth career shutout and Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh 8-0.

-- Jack Hannahan, Athletics, hit a game-ending single in the 11th inning to lift Oakland over Toronto 5-4.

-- Jeff Francis and Garrett Atkins, Rockies. Francis pitched a six-hitter for his second career shutout and Atkins homered twice to help Colorado defeat San Francisco 8-0.

-- Matt Diaz, Braves, homered twice to lead Atlanta past Florida 7-4.

-- Roy Oswalt, Astros, struck out nine in seven innings and had an RBI single to propel Houston over St. Louis 7-0.

WILD WEST

The Los Angeles Angels beat Seattle on 8-2 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep and open a five-game lead in the AL West. For the series, the Angels outscored the Mariners 24-8, outhit them 43-23 and opened their biggest division lead since before play on June 30. Seattle has lost five in a row after winning 13 of 17.

WELCOME BACK

Ben Sheets came off the disabled list to give the sagging Milwaukee Brewers a lift Wednesday night in a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Sheets (11-4) worked six innings, allowing six hits and a run to get his first win since June 30 as Milwaukee kept Chicago right-hander Carlos Zambrano winless over the last month.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNES

Kansas City defeated Detroit 5-0 to drop the Tigers 4 1/2 games behind division-leading Cleveland, matching their largest deficit of the season. Detroit has dropped the first two games of this three-game series in a stadium where they had been 14-1 in their last 15 games. It was just the Brewers' fourth win in their last 15 games.

DON'T WALK THIS WAY

Greg Maddux didn't walk a batter for the sixth straight start and San Diego defeated Arizona 3-1 on Wednesday. The 41-year-old pitched seven strong innings, allowing one run and eight hits while striking out five. He got a no-decision after winning his previous three starts and four of five. ^REELING=

Washington blew a five-run lead and fell to Los Angeles 10-9 in 12 innings on Wednesday for their sixth straight loss.

SNAPPED

C.C. Sabathia allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings to win for the first time since Aug. 3 and Cleveland beat Minnesota 4-3 on Wednesday night. ... Oakland beat Toronto 5-4 in 11 innings to snap a five-game losing streak.

SPEAKING

"It was like, let's hurry up and get off the field before they change their mind." -- Philadelphia closer Brett Myers, on a controversial call that ended the game and sealed a 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday. On a grounder to shortstop, New York's Marlon Anderson made a rough slide at Tadahito Iguchi outside the baseline and knocked the second baseman down as he threw to first. Second base umpire CB Bucknor ruled interference and a double play.

SEASONS
Aug. 30

1905 -- Ty Cobb made his major league debut, hitting a double off Jack CheXXXo of the New York Highlanders in the Tigers' 5-3 victory.

1910 -- Tom Hughes of the New York Yankees pitched a no-hitter for 9 1-3 innings before giving up a single to Harry Niles of the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees lost 5-0, with Hughes giving up seven hits in 11 innings.

1912 -- Earl Hamilton of the St. Louis Browns pitched a 5-1 no-hitter against the Tigers at Detroit.

1916 -- Dutch Leonard of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns for a 4-0 victory.

1918 -- The New York Giants beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 1-0 in a game that took 57 minutes to play.

1953 -- In the opening game of a doubleheader, rookie Jim Pendleton hit three of the Braves major league record eight homers in a 19-4 win over Pittsburgh. The Braves hit four more homers in the second game, an 11-5 win, to set a major league record for a doubleheader.

1960 -- Pete Runnels went 6-for-7 as the Boston Red Sox edged the Detroit Tigers in 15 innings of a doubleheader opener. Runnels added three hits in the second game.

1966 -- Pete Rose homered from both sides of the plate to lead Cincinnati to a 6-4 win over St. Louis.

1986 -- Tommy John, 43, and Joe Niekro, 41, pitched a doubleheader for the New York Yankees against Seattle to become the first 40-plus teammates to start a doubleheader since Sept. 13, 1933, when the Chicago Cubs' Sad Sam Jones, 41, and Red Faber, 44, pitched against the Philadelphia Athletics. John lost the opener and Niekro won the second game, 3-0.

1987 -- Minnesota's Kirby Puckett went 6-for-6 with four RBIs and connected for two homers and two doubles to lead the Twins to a 10-6 victory over the Milwaukee.

1999 -- Edgardo Alfonzo of the New York Mets went 6-for-6 with three homers, five RBIs and a major league record-tying six runs scored in a 17-1 win over Houston.

2003 -- Gil Meche gave up one run on three hits in six innings as Seattle beat Baltimore 13-1. Meche (14-10) became the first pitcher in the major leagues since 1956 to win 14 games after missing the previous two seasons. He finished the year at 15-13.

2006 -- Curt Schilling became the 14th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,000 strikeouts when he fanned Oakland's Nick Swisher in the first inning of the Red Sox's 7-2 loss to Oakland.

2006 -- Adam LaRoche had three doubles, a triple and drove in three runs to lead Atlanta past the San Francisco 5-3.

Today's birthdays: Sean Marshall 25; Adam Wainwright 26; Russ Adams 27; Cliff Lee 29; Todd Wellemeyer 29; Marlon Byrd 30.

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[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


Thursday, August 30


HOT

Curt Schilling (Boston Red Sox) – Schilling hasn’t lost a game since a decent outing against the Angels on August 6. The sizzling veteran is showing a mastery command of his pitches and has only walked one batter in his last three games while managing a 3.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP during that stretch. Boston is a +144 underdog this afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Orlando Hernandez (New York Mets) – The last time Hernandez lost America was celebrating a national holiday. El Duque has been infuriating opponents since Independence Day and the Mets have won nine straight games with him on the mound. He has thrown an average of 115 pitches in his last three starts while striking out 19 and posting an ERA of 3.15. The Mets (-127) are favored to win on the road in Philadelphia today (+119).

COLD

John Danks (Chicago White Sox) – The White Sox’s fading rookie starter has been atrocious in the month of August. Danks has five straight losses in each of his last five starts and has lasted six innings only once during that span. The youngster was bounced after 3 1/3 innings in his last game, throwing just 57 pitches and giving up five earned runs. In his last three games, Danks has given up four home runs and posted a ridiculous 11.25 ERA. Chicago is a +137 underdog to win tonight against the Rangers (-145).

Jeremy Bonderman (Detroit Tigers) – Bonderman can't escape the late season struggles that have plagued him since entering the league. He is 18-31 since the All-Star Break in his career and he continues the trend by losing six of his last seven starts. He has not won a game since back July 13 and has struggled with his command lately. In his last three starts Bonderman has walked 11 while striking out 13. Compare that to his season stats of 44 walks and 138 strikeouts. To make matters worse, Bonderman hasn’t performed well as a favorite going 0-4 in each of the last four starts he has been holding the chalk. This doesn't bode well for the Tigers who are -145 faves tonight at Kansas City (+137).

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Detroit at Kansas City
Any momentum the Tigers had after the 16-0 trouncing of the Yankees on Monday has quickly disappeared in the confines of Kauffman Stadium. After being shutdown by Brian Bannister on Tuesday, the Tigers were shutout last night against Zack Greinke and three relievers. The Bengal offense may have a little better luck against young Leo Nunez today, but Nunez has been fairly decent (2-1, 3.00) in his new role as a starter. And based on Jeremy Bonderman's recent adventures (0-6, 8.78 ERA in last seven starts), that should be good enough to get KC another win, making the Royals a good underdog pick (+137) according to Dunkel, which has Kansas City favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+137). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30

Game 951-952: NY Mets at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Hernandez) 14.327; Philadelphia (Lohse) 15.241
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-129); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+121); Under

Game 953-954: St. Louis at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 14.386; Houston (Albers) 14.987
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+112); Under

Game 955-956: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Belisle) 16.329; Pittsburgh (Morris) 15.130
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+112); Under

Game 957-958: Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 15.965; Cubs (Lilly) 14.129
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-165); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+157); N/A

Game 959-960: Arizona at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Davis) 14.174; San Diego (Young) 16.261
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-170); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-170); Under

Game 961-962: Boston at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Schilling) 16.574; NY Yankees (Wang) 15.619
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-158); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+150); Over

Game 963-964: Detroit at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Bonderman) 14.091; Kansas City (Nunez) 16.226
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+137); Under

Game 965-966: Seattle at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Ramirez) 14.307; Cleveland (Laffey) 16.603
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 11
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-140); Under

Game 967-968: Tampa Bay at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 15.648; Baltimore 13.691
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-101); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-101); Over

Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: :White Sox (Danks) 14.126; Texas (Millwood) 15.903
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-145); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, August 30


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NY METS (73 - 59) at PHILADELPHIA (70 - 62) - 1:05 PM
ORLANDO HERNANDEZ (R) vs. KYLE LOHSE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 176-128 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 38-29 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY METS are 65-46 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Thursday since 1997.
NY METS are 40-22 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 59-36 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 38-29 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 130-88 (+22.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 24-14 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 32-18 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 7-0 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 2-11 (-8.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-12 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-38 (-10.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-36 (-18.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-6 (+3.2 Units) against NY METS this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.4 Units)

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 1-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.48 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

KYLE LOHSE vs. NY METS since 1997
LOHSE is 0-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.285.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)


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ST LOUIS (64 - 65) at HOUSTON (59 - 74) - 2:05 PM
JOEL PINEIRO (R) vs. MATT ALBERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 16-28 (-16.8 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 34-43 (-19.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PINEIRO is 13-30 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 63-37 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 10-0 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after getting shut out this season.
ST LOUIS is 37-28 (+12.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
HOUSTON is 59-74 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 30-40 (-12.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
HOUSTON is 23-33 (-12.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 13-23 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
HOUSTON is 59-74 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 39-55 (-17.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 24-37 (-17.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-4 (+3.4 Units) against HOUSTON this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

JOEL PINEIRO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
PINEIRO is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.40 and a WHIP of 1.067.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

MATT ALBERS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
ALBERS is 1-0 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.546.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


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CINCINNATI (61 - 72) at PITTSBURGH (59 - 73) - 7:05 PM
MATT BELISLE (R) vs. MATT MORRIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 33-45 (-12.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 24-36 (-14.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 51-37 (+15.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 17-11 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 317-299 (+35.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 56-48 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 413-464 (+58.6 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 16-10 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
CINCINNATI is 353-413 (+41.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 99-94 (+6.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 309-344 (+47.0 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 204-210 (+44.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
MORRIS is 6-17 (-11.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MORRIS is 5-13 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 8-7 (+0.1 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.9 Units)

MATT BELISLE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
BELISLE is 3-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.67 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.0 units)

MATT MORRIS vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
MORRIS is 8-6 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.234.
His team's record is 11-10 (-4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-13. (-7.2 units)


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MILWAUKEE (66 - 66) at CHICAGO CUBS (67 - 64) - 8:05 PM
MANNY PARRA (R) vs. TED LILLY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 66-66 (-7.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-41 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 8-17 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 64-65 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 19-42 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 67-64 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-16 (-13.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-32 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 32-49 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 205-192 (-58.8 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 67-64 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 331-317 (-75.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 8-6 (+0.4 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.7 Units)

MANNY PARRA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

TED LILLY vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
LILLY is 1-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 5.25 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)


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ARIZONA (74 - 60) at SAN DIEGO (73 - 59) - 10:05 PM
DOUG DAVIS (L) vs. CHRIS YOUNG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 74-60 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 34-34 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 74-60 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 56-41 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 51-44 (+6.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 33-30 (+5.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DAVIS is 16-11 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 16-11 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 9-4 (+7.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 10-1 (+11.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 7-7 (-0.3 Units) against ARIZONA this season
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

DOUG DAVIS vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
DAVIS is 3-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.338.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.4 units)

CHRIS YOUNG vs. ARIZONA since 1997
YOUNG is 1-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 0.776.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)


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BOSTON (80 - 53) at NY YANKEES (74 - 59) - 1:05 PM
CURT SCHILLING (R) vs. CHIEN-MING WANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 51-63 (-21.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-32 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 58-32 (+13.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 36-18 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SCHILLING is 9-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 74-59 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 27-27 (-11.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 14-20 (-20.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 24-25 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 23-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NY YANKEES are 66-52 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY YANKEES are 97-72 (-21.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
WANG is 0-6 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-7 (+1.5 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

CURT SCHILLING vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SCHILLING is 9-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.25 and a WHIP of 1.170.
His team's record is 13-8 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 14-7. (+6.4 units)

CHIEN-MING WANG vs. BOSTON since 1997
WANG is 4-4 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.86 and a WHIP of 1.714.
His team's record is 4-5 (-3.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-3. (+2.0 units)


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DETROIT (71 - 62) at KANSAS CITY (59 - 72) - 2:10 PM
JEREMY BONDERMAN (R) vs. LEO NUNEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 47-49 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 8-16 (-13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
KANSAS CITY is 59-72 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-31 (+14.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 54-65 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 42-50 (+6.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 53-65 (+16.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 37-41 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 41-51 (+18.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 175-134 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 23-7 (+13.8 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 90-67 (+24.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 39-25 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 74-53 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 6-8 (+0.6 Units) against DETROIT this season
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.6 Units)

JEREMY BONDERMAN vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
BONDERMAN is 8-5 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.22 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 9-7 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-8. (-0.9 units)

LEO NUNEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.


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MINNESOTA (67 - 66) at CLEVELAND (75 - 57) - 7:05 PM
HORACIO RAMIREZ (L) vs. AARON LAFFEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 21-29 (-12.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 43-48 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 24-12 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 153-141 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 138-126 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 104-104 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 76-75 (-18.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 11-4 (+7.7 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.4 Units)

HORACIO RAMIREZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

AARON LAFFEY vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
LAFFEY is 0-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.313.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)


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TAMPA BAY (53 - 80) at BALTIMORE (58 - 73) - 7:05 PM
SCOTT KAZMIR (L) vs. JEREMY GUTHRIE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 53-80 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 42-104 (-40.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 37-89 (-35.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 36-59 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 28-74 (-31.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 19-34 (-13.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-37 (-20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 12-32 (-18.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 27-22 (+9.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
KAZMIR is 20-11 (+11.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 58-73 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 28-49 (-24.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 30-36 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 14-25 (-16.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 8-18 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
BALTIMORE is 30-36 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 70-82 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 35-53 (-21.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 29-41 (-13.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 7-18 (-13.5 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 10-4 (+5.9 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.6 Units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
KAZMIR is 3-3 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 4-6 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-5. (-0.6 units)

JEREMY GUTHRIE vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
GUTHRIE is 1-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


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CHI WHITE SOX (57 - 76) at TEXAS (60 - 72) - 8:35 PM
JOHN DANKS (L) vs. KEVIN MILLWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 57-76 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 50-69 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 91-94 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 29-37 (-9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TEXAS is 60-72 (+0.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 36-31 (+6.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TEXAS is 25-16 (+9.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
TEXAS is 57-65 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 127-107 (+22.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 10-4 (+8.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 189-132 (+41.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 3-2 (+1.3 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

JOHN DANKS vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.

KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
MILLWOOD is 0-3 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 2.31 and a WHIP of 1.077.
His team's record is 1-5 (-5.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-1. (+3.9 units)


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[Udog]

MLB
Hot lines: Thursday’s best MLB bets


St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (+112, 9 ½)

St. Louis blew the chance to close within one game of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs last night, with Houston ace Roy Oswalt (14-6, 3.21) shutting them out 7-0.

The Cards will again be without veteran third baseman Scott Rolen today – one of their most important bats. Rolen, who has eight homers and 58 RBIs, has been hounded by injuries this season, and his replacement Brendan Ryan went 0-for-3 on Wednesday.

Houston sends Matt Albers (3-6, 5.71) to the mound as they try to secure the series win. Albers has given up three runs or less in four of his last five starts and gave up just three hits in a 13-0 Houston win in his only previous start against St. Louis – in May.

Pick: Astros +112


Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates (-120, 9 ½)

The Reds won for the seventh time in nine games last night, on the back of a masterful outing from Aaron Harang (14-3, 3.51). That gives Cincinnati a chance at a series split against the Pirates despite dropping the first two games of the four-game stretch.

Cincinnati will expect big things from Ken Griffey Jr. in the series closer. He hit a three-run shot Tuesday for career homer number 592, and has gone 8-for-24 against today’s Pirates starter Matt Morris (8-8, 4.40).

The Reds counter with Matt Belisle (7-8, 5.39), who is 6-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 16 career games (four of them starts) versus the Reds – his most wins against any team in the majors.

Pick: Reds +112


Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Baltimore Orioles (-107, 8 ½)

The Baltimore Orioles have lost eight straight games and are on the verge of being swept by the Devil Rays for the first time since 1998. It would also be Tampa’s first sweep in a three-game road series this season.

It was once again the bullpen that let Baltimore down in last night’s 5-4 loss. They allowed the Rays to rally from a three-run deficit in the ninth before surrendering the go-ahead run in the 12th. The Orioles pen has a 17.67 ERA over the current losing streak.

Tonight, the Devils Rays hand the ball to Scott Kazmir (10-8, 3.64) as he looks to build on a dominant performance in his last outing. The left-hander allowed just three runs and no walks in Saturday’s win over Oakland and held the Orioles to one run in seven innings the last time he faced them.

Pick: Devil Rays -101

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Thursday, August 30th


National League

NY Mets at Philadelphia, 1:05 EST
Orlando Hernandez (R) vs. Kyle Lohse (R)
Hernandez: Mets 10-1 SU away off a division loss by 1 run
Lohse: 13-36 TSR as an underdog

St. Louis at Houston, 2:05 EST
Joel Pineiro (R) vs. Matt Albers (R)
Pineiro: St. Louis 10-0 SU off a shutout loss
Albers: Houston 22-11 Over after allowing 2 runs or less

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 7:05 EST
Matt Belisle (R) vs. Matt Morris (R)
Belisle: Cincinnati 18-7 Over in August
Morris: 5-13 TSR at home vs. division opponents

Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 EST WGN
Manny Parra (L) vs. Ted Lilly (L)
Parra: Miwlaukee 8-17 TSR in August
Lilly: 5-1 Under after allowing 0 walks

Arizona at San Diego, 10:05 EST
Doug Davis (L) vs. Chris Young (R)
Davis: Arizona 7-17 SU after scoring 1 or 0 runs
Young: San Diego 10-2 Under as a favorite of -150 to -200


American League

Boston at NY Yankees, 1:05 EST
Curt Schilling (R) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (R)
Schilling: 9-0 TSR pitching off a team loss
Wang: 0-6 TSR on Thursdays

Detroit at Kansas City, 2:10 EST
Jeremy Bonderman (R) vs. Kyle Davies (R)
Bonderman: Detroit 10-2 SU away after scoring 2 runs or less
Davies: Kansas City 13-32 SU at home off 5+ home games

Seattle at Cleveland, 7:05 EST
Horacio Ramirez (L) vs. Aaron Laffey (L)
Ramirez: 6-0 Over as a road underdog
Laffey: Cleveland 14-5 Over off BB wins by 2 runs or less

Tampa Bay at Baltimore, 7:05 EST
Scott Kazmir (L) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (R)
Kazmir: 20-11 TSR pitching off a team win
Guthrie: Baltimore 1-8 SU at home off 4+ losses

Chicago White Sox at Texas, 8:35 EST
John Danks (L) vs. Kevin Millwood (R)
Danks: White Sox 9-21 SU after losing 4 of their last 5 games
Millwood: Texas 19-8 SU as a home favorite of -150 or less

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB, NCAAF, NFL
Matchups and Additional Trends

http://www.bettorstalk.com/index.php3?act=menu&page=16



MLB, NCAAF, NFL
Weather

http://www.bettorstalk.com/index.php3?act=menu&page=13



Weather info in more detail
for days to come for teams:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/event...eventid=168730

[Udog]

WNBA
Capsule previews of the WNBA conference finals series


A look at WNBA's conference finals series, which start Thursday:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Detroit (24-10) vs. No. 2 Indiana (21-13)

Season series: Tied 2-2, with each team winning once on the other's court.

Detroit: The defending champions survived a tough challenge from fourth-place New York in the opening round, outlasting the Liberty 71-70 in overtime in Game 3 to advance. The Shock were dominant in the regular season before cruising down the stretch and losing the last four games after clinching home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. All-Star game MVP Cheryl Ford (13.0 points, 11.2 rebounds in 15 games) returned for the playoffs after aggravating her sprained left knee on July 20 and sitting out the rest of the season. She was scoreless in nearly 11 minutes in the opener against New York, then had 11 points and 10 rebounds in 26 1/2 minutes in Game 2 and 17 points and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes in the series finale. Deanna Nolan averaged a career-high 16.3 points and 4.4 rebounds during the season, and increased those numbers to 18.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in the first round. The Shock, mostly reliant on their inside game, were 19.5 percent (8-for-41) on 3-pointers against New York. Nolan averaged 19.7 points and Katie Smith 17.0 to help the Shock win two of the first three meetings against the Fever this season.

Indiana: The Fever also overcame a big challenge in the first round, completing a playoff-record 22-point comeback and outlasting Connecticut 93-88 in overtime at home in Game 3 to advance. The Fever matched their franchise-record win total from the previous two seasons, becoming the first team in the East to reach 20 victories in three straight years. Indiana lost perennial All-Star Tamika Catchings to a partial tear in her left foot on July 20 and lost nine of its last 14 games. Like the Shock's Ford, Catchings didn't play again until the opening game of the playoffs and had 14 points and 20 rebounds in the Fever's loss. For the series, she averaged 19.7 points and 15.3 rebounds, up from the 16.0 and 9.0, respectively, she was producing before her injury. Anna DeForge led the way for Indiana, scoring 25.0 points per game, and Tamika Whitmore added 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. Veteran center Tammy Sutton-Brown had 14.3 points per game in the four meetings against the Shock, and Whitmore added 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Prediction: Fever in 3.

---

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Phoenix (23-11) vs. No. 2 San Antonio (20-14)

Season series: Mercury won 3-1, sweeping at San Antonio and splitting two games at home.

Phoenix: The Mercury swept Seattle in the opening round, closing out the series with a 95-89 victory in Game 2 for their first postseason series win since 1998. Second-year forward Cappie Pondexter led the way against the Storm, averaging 23.0 points, followed by Diana Taurasi (21.0) and Penny Taylor (20.0). The Mercury won 11 of their last 12 games to earn the West's top seed while returning to the postseason for the first time since 2000. As part of coach Paul Westhead's frenetic pace, Phoenix averaged a league-best 89.0 points - topping 100 in eight games. Taurasi led the Mercury with 19.2 points per game, and Taylor added career highs with 17.8 points and 6.3 rebounds while appearing in every game for the third time in seven seasons in the WNBA. Pondexter (17.2) and veteran Tangela Smith (12.6) also scored in double digits. The Mercury led the league in field-goal shooting (43.9 percent), free-throw shooting (81.7 percent), assists (20.1 per game) and blocks (4.7). Taurasi averaged 23.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in four games against San Antonio, and Smith added 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.

San Antonio: The Silver Stars used their home-court advantage to beat reigning two-time WNBA finalist Sacramento in the first round, advancing on Vickie Johnson's last-second basket in an 80-78 victory in Game 3. Becky Hammon and second-year forward Sophia Young averaged 19.3 points apiece against the Monarchs, and 11th-year veteran Johnson (9.7 points) and Young averaged 5.7 rebounds. The Silver Stars had their most successful season since moving from Utah in 2003. Hammon, brought over from New York in a draft-day trade, had career highs of 18.8 points and 5.0 assists in 28 games. Young added 16.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Johnson had 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Ruth Riley, who won two championships in Detroit, provides a strong veteran presence, and Shanna Crossley has emerged as a key reserve after averaging 15.2 points in the last nine games of the season. San Antonio was third in the league in scoring defense (73.1), but 12th in rebounding (32.0). Young averaged 19.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games against the Mercury, and Hammon added 17.8 points. Crossley scored 21 points in the teams' final meeting on Aug. 2.

Prediction: Mercury in 2.

[Udog]

NCAAF
70% Situation


NCAA (Thursday): Play On NCAA underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points in non-conference games, with 17 or more total starters returning, in the first month of the season.
(32-8 ATS since 1992.) (80%) PLAY: Utah State +6.5