Thursday Trends and Indexes 09/06

[pm530]

Six-pack for Thursday

-- Catastrophic loss for Phillies, who led 8-2 in 8th, then lost to Braves after the Mets had already lost. Hideous defeat.

-- The Mets are ordinary when Jose Reyes doesn't play.

-- Raiders haven't announced their starting QB for Sunday; that tactic worked really well for Charlie Weis last week.

-- You wonder if absence of Harrison, Seymour for the first month of season makes Patriot defense vulnerable early on.

-- Indians head out to Anaheim on 10-1 run, with 7.5-game lead in AL Central. Eric Wedge is surely Manager of Year.

-- Arizona, San Diego went at it like punch-drunk boxers in their last meeting of '07 regular season. Montero homered twice, and Arizona escaped with a 9-6 win. Good thing for both pitching staffs that they have Thursday off.

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[pm530]

Thursday's List of 13: Random Thursday thoughts.......

13) Chipper Jones ripped the umpires Tuesday night, using words like "abysmal, awful, a joke." I must admit, some of the umps have had a tougher time than usual this season.

12) Thursday nite, ESPN gives vs. Oregon State at Cincinnati, proving that teams will do anything to get on TV. Get a map sometime, locate Corvallis, them locate Cincinnati; hell of a road trip during the week, considering college students are, well, expected to go to college.

11) I am convinced that if ESPN wanted to schedule a game at 5am on a Thursday, they could get two eastern teams to play, on grounds that kids getting up to go to high school could catch the second half before they went to school.

10) I watched the Reds play couple times this week; its hard to believe they’ll ever be able to recruit good pitchers to work in their small ballpark. The only chance they have is to copy Colorado’s plan of finding guys who throw sinkers. Right now, Cincinnati isn’t close to being a contender.

9) Florida State’s loss at Clemson wasn’t good, although it did get better in second half; for game, they completed 17-35 passing, converted 3-17 on 3rd down, and had only eight first downs. Ugly.

8) Devil Rays have chance to become the first team since ’96 Indians (Ramirez-Lofton-Belle) to have all three starting OFs bat .300 or better.

7) Speaking of outfielders in Tampa, it is day 113 of the Rocco Baldelli Watch and we learn that Baldelli was removed from an August 23 minor league game/rehab assignment with leg soreness. If Jack Youngblood is a baseball fan, Baldelli is most definitely not his favorite player.

6) Mets are going to have some difficult decisions regarding the makeup of their playoff roster.

5) Cole Hamels claims his elbow injury is caused by bad back, which is caused by his inability to get regular chiropractic treatments on the road; he suggests the team hire its own chiropractor. Stay tuned.

4) With Padres needing win vs. Arizona to split season series with Snakes, ace Jake Peavy went on three days’ rest. Not the best idea, as Peavy gave up eight runs, Arizona won 9-6.

3) Lets face it; today's pitcher isn't meant to go on three days' rest, simple as that. Maybe moreso for a guy with slight build, like a Peavy or a Tim Hudson. Admirable effort tonight, but it didn't help the Padres.

2) Armadillo’s Super Bowl pick: Chargers over the Saints.

1) Why is the NFL the best league? Because in the league's first showcase of 2007 season, its OK for Indianapolis to be hosting New Orleans, two of the league's smallest cities. In a baseball parallel, this would be like Pirates vs Royals playing in a Sunday night game. Like that would ever happen.

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[pm530]

Major League Soccer

MLS

Thursday, September 6

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MLS Preview
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Preview: United at CD Chivas USA

D.C. United look to extend their winning streak to seven games for the first time in nearly eight years Thursday night when they visit surging CD Chivas USA, the only MLS team unbeaten at home.

D.C. (13-6-3), which is tied atop the Eastern Conference with idle New England at 42 points, last won seven games in a row when it set a franchise record with an 11-game winning streak from July 25-Sept. 25, 1999, en route to the third of United's four MLS Cup titles. Three of those victories came via the shootout.

The current run is D.C.'s longest without the league's original tiebreaker system, which was changed following the 1999 season to allow ties.

D.C. earned its sixth win in a row Saturday with a 4-0 rout at Dallas, as Ben Olsen scored two goals and Christian Gomez and Fred added the others. United have outscored opponents 14-1 during the winning streak.

"We have a habit lately of getting an early goal and it's a lot easier to play when you get one early," United coach Tom Soehn told the team's official Web site.

Olsen, a five-time All-Star and the league's reigning player of the week, has three goals and an assist in his last two games, giving him a career-high seven goals with four assists. The rugged midfielder has spent all 10 of his MLS seasons with D.C., helping it to two league titles.

"Benny has added a lot of offense this year," Soehn said. "We put him back in the spot where he originally started and he understands how to play that role well. He catches a lot of defenders on the back side. The shots he takes and the chances he creates are from being a veteran."

While offense has produced a league-leading 40 goals, United is getting terrific defensive play led by goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Last season's MLS goalkeeper of the year has a minuscule 0.17 goals-against average and 19 saves during the winning streak.

Perkins made eight stops in United's 2-1 win over Chivas USA on May 6 at RFK Stadium. D.C. has won all five previous meetings between the clubs.

However Chivas USA (11-6-3) has gone 7-0-1 at home this season while has dominating the opposition by a 16-2 margin.

Chivas has parlayed that home success into a second-place tie in the West with Dallas, three points back of first-place Houston.

Chivas opened a four-game homestand with a win on Aug. 26, beating Salt Lake 1-0 on a goal by defensive midfielder Jesse Marsch. It was Chivas' third victory in a row - all of them coming by shutout.

The team plays the remaining three home games in an eight-day span with a visit from New York on Sunday and city rivals Los Angeles on Sept. 13.

"We'll learn a lot about ourselves this weekend in general," Chivas forward Ante Razov said. "We've got to come prepared and the things we've been doing good we've got to do better and the things we haven't been doing good we've got to definitely improve."

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[pm530]

Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Thursday, September 6

Hot Pitchers
-- Cubs won nine of last twelve Marquis starts.

-- Wakefield is 2-1, 4.08 in four starts vs Orioles this season.
-- Byrd is 4-0, 3.42 in his last four starts. Angels won four of last five Escobar starts; he shut Indians out 8-0 on May 10.

Cold Pitchers
-- Maroth is 0-4, 10.74 in six starts for the Cardinals. Bullington was 11-9, 4.00 in 26 starts at AAA.
-- Lowe is 1-2, 6.75 in his last four road starts.

-- Buehrle is 0-3, 5.83 in his last five starts. Durbin is 0-3, 8.56 in his last three starts.
-- Olsen is 0-3, 8.84 in his last four starts, all Oriole losses.


Totals
-- Four of last five Maroth starts went over the total.
-- Four of last five Marquis starts stayed under the total, but over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Lowe outings.

-- Seven of last eight White Sox road games stayed under.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven Wakefield starts.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Byrd starts.


Hot Teams
-- Cardinals are 16-6 in their last twenty-two home games.
-- Dodgers won seven of their last ten games.

-- Red Sox won four of their last five games.
-- Cleveland won eleven of their last twelve games. Angels won seven of their last nine games.

Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost six of their last eight games.
-- Cubs are 9-10 in their last nineteen home games.

-- White Sox lost twelve of last fourteen road games. Tigers lost eleven of their last seventeen games, overall.
-- Orioles lost thirteen of their last fifteen games.

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[pm530]

Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Thursday, September 6

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Tips and Trends
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Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (1:05 PM ET)

Chicago’s Mark Buehrle is a solid 12-8 with a 3.23 ERA in 23 career games versus Detroit. He picked up a 7-4 victory against the Tigers at Comerica Park on August 3, allowing three runs and seven hits over eight innings. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Buehrle is searching for his first victory since August 3, as the White Sox have lost four of his last five starts overall. The White Sox have been outscored 35-18 over that span. EDGE: TIGERS
Tigers right-hander Chad Durbin has a losing 2-6 record and 8.89 ERA in 13 career outings versus the White Sox. He’s given up an incredible 15 home runs and 74 hits in just 52 2/3 innings. EDGE: WHITE SOX
Durbin has improved his control over his last five outings, issuing just three walks over 11 1/3 innings. That’s much improved considering he’s walked 47 batters in 119 total innings this season. SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
The UNDER is 7-1 in the White Sox last eight games as a road underdog.


Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals (2:10 PM ET)

Pittsburgh left-hander Shane Youman will make just his second career starts versus St. Louis. He allowed three runs and five hits over five innings of work, as the Pirates picked up a 5-4 home victory. SLIGHT EDGE: PIRATES
Youman is a dismal 1-5 with a 7.98 ERA in 10 games since the All-Star break, as the left-hander has walked 19 batters and allowed 49 hits in his last 38 1/3 innings. EDGE: CARDINALS
St. Louis starter Mike Maroth is a dismal 0-4 with a 5.40 ERA in seven home starts this season. He’s given up eight home runs and opponents are hitting an incredible .325 against him in those outings EDGE: PIRATES
Maroth hasn’t started since August 4, with the Cardinals picking up six straight losses when he takes the mound. The left-hander has allowed an unbelievable 26 earned runs and 36 hits over his last 12 1/3 innings. EDGE: PIRATES
The Cardinals are 12-4 in their last 16 games as a favorite.


Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (2:20 PM ET)

Los Angeles right-hander Derek Lowe is an even 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts versus Chicago. The sinker ball pitcher has allowed just a single home run in 32 2/3 innings against the Cubs. SLIGHT EDGE: DODGERS
Lowe has picked up a disappointing 1-4 record in his eight daytime appearances this season, but still has a respectable 3.86 ERA. Opponents have managed to leave the yard just two times under the sun against him. SLIGHT EDGE: CUBS
Chicago’s Jason Marquis is a fantastic 8-3 with a 4.12 ERA in 15 home games this season. The Cubs have picked up victories in his last two starts at Wrigley Field, outscoring opponents 16-7 in the process. EDGE: CUBS
Marquis has gone 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in seven career outings versus the Dodgers. The right-hander has issued just nine walks while striking 29 batters in 41 innings against them. EDGE: CUBS
The Cubs are 12-2 in Marquis' last 14 home starts.


Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)

Boston’s Tim Wakefield brings in a 22 scoreless innings streak into tonight’s contest. He’s picked up three straight victories over this current span, allowing just nine hits and striking out 11. BIG EDGE: RED SOX
Wakefield is just a game over .500 in 43 career games against the Orioles, posting a 14-13 record and 4.06 ERA. The knuckle ball pitcher has tallied a 7-5 record and 3.18 ERA in 21 career games at Camden Yards. SLIGHT EDGE: RED SOX
The Orioles have lost four straight games that Garrett Olson has started, being outscored 30-11 in the process. He’s failed to allow less than four earned runs in any of those starts. EDGE: RED SOX
Olson is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in two career starts versus the Red Sox. The left-hander has issued 11 walks and fanned 10 in 11 2/3 innings. EDGE: RED SOX
The OVER is 7-3 in Wakefield’s last 10 starts as a favorite.


Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)

Cleveland’s Paul Byrd is a perfect 3-0 with a 3.89 ERA in six career starts versus Los Angeles. The right-hander has compiled a 7-3 overall record at Angel Stadium, allowing just 12 walks over 125 innings. EDGE: INDIANS
Byrd has been a much better pitcher on the road this season, going 6-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 12 starts. He’s allowed just 82 hits in 80 innings of work away from Jacobs Field, compared to an incredible 113 hits in 83 1/3 innings at home. EDGE: INDIANS
Angels starter Kelvim Escobar has posted a dominant 9-4 record and 2.69 ERA in 15 home starts this season. Opposing batters are hitting just .228 against him at Angel Stadium and they’ve managed to hit just four home runs. EDGE: ANGELS
Escobar has posted a 6-3 record and 3.31 ERA in 17 career appearances versus the Indians. He led the Angels to an impressive 8-0 home victory over the Indians on May 10, tossing a complete game shutout and scattering just seven hits. EDGE: ANGELS
The Angels are 7-0 in their last seven games versus the AL Central.

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[pm530]

Baseball Today - September 6

SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Sept. 6
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (10:05 p.m. EDT). Paul Byrd faces Kelvim Escobar in a possible playoff preview.

STARS
Wednesday

-- Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, homered twice in an eight-run seventh inning to help the New York Yankees get past Seattle 10-2.

-- Matt Diaz, Braves, hit a three-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Atlanta over Philadelphia 9-8.

-- Carlos Pena, Devil Rays, homered twice and drove in a team-record seven runs as Tampa Bay pounded Baltimore 17-2.

-- Timo Perez, Tigers, hit a game-ending single in the 11th inning to push Detroit past the Chicago White Sox 2-1.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

After he was nearly scratched from the starting lineup with a sprained right ankle, Alex Rodriguez homered twice in an eight-run seventh inning to lead New York over Seattle 10-2 Wednesday night and help the Yankees open a three-game lead over the Mariners in the AL wild-card race. His first homer tied Mel Ott on the career list, and his second matched Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 17th place at 512. Rodriguez, who leads the majors with 48 homers and 134 RBIs, became the first Yankees player to homer twice in an inning since Cliff Johnson on June 30, 1977, at Toronto.

BONDS HOMERS

Barry Bonds hit his 762nd home run to help San Francisco beat Colorado 5-3 on Wednesday. Ubaldo Jimenez became the 449th pitcher to allow a home run to Bonds, who has 54 career home runs against the Rockies. Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run on Aug. 7.

BREWS BASH

Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart each hit three-run homers, and Milwaukee connected five times in all to beat Houston 14-2 on Wednesday. For Fielder, it was his NL-leading 41st homer. Hart became the fifth player in Brewers history to hit at least 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a season.

TWIN KILLING

Cleveland defeated Minnesota 6-2 Wednesday on the strength of a strong outing from Fausto Carmona to complete its second sweep of the Twins in 10 games. Minnesota had won five in a row and trailed the Indians by 6 1/2 games in the AL Central on Aug. 27 before a showdown in Cleveland. The Twins finished the series 12 1/2 games behind the Tribe.

BASEMENT DWELLERS

Carlos Pena homered twice, including a grand slam, and drove in a team-record seven runs as Tampa Bay hammered stumbling Baltimore 17-2 on Wednesday. The Orioles have lost 13 of 15. Including the 30-3 loss on Aug. 22 to Texas, Baltimore has allowed eight or more runs in 10 of 15 games. The 17 runs were a season high for Tampa Bay, and the team's most ever in a home game.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Rick Ankiel hit a two-run homer for St. Louis, his seventh in 75 at-bats, in an 8-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. It gave him 22 RBIs in 22 games since the former pitcher returned to the major leagues as an outfielder on Aug. 9.

STREAKING

Wily Mo Pena hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning to help Washington get past Florida 6-4 for the Nationals' fifth straight win. They have won seven straight games against the Marlins.

SPEAKING

"We get any of us old folks in that MRI machine for an hour, who knows what the hell the thing is going to say." -- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who hit two homers as the designated hitter in a 10-2 rout of Seattle on Wednesday. Rodriguez was questionable for the game with a bad ankle following a collision with Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre on Tuesday.

SEASONS
Sept. 6

1905 -- Frank Smith of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers in a 15-0 victory in the second game of a doubleheader. The score is the most lopsided margin of victory for a no-hitter in AL history.

1924 -- Urban Shocker of the St. Louis Browns pitched two complete games against the Chicago White Sox and won both, 6-2.

1943 -- At 16 years, eight months and five days, Philadelphia A's pitcher Carl Scheib became the youngest player to appear in an American League game.

1950 -- Don Newcombe missed pitching complete games in a doubleheader for the Brooklyn Dodgers by leaving in the seventh inning of the second game trailing the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0. Newcombe had won the first game 2-0.

1976 -- Los Angeles catcher Steve Yeager was seriously injured when the jagged end of a broken bat struck him in the throat while he was waiting in the on-deck circle.

1981 -- Fernando Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 to tie a National League record of seven shutouts by a rookie pitcher.

1995 -- Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive major league game to surpass Lou Gehrig's 56-year-old record. Ripken received a 22-minute standing ovation and went 2-for-4, including a homer, in Baltimore's 4-2 win over California.

1996 -- Eddie Murray hit his 500th home run, joining Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays with at least 3,000 hits and 500 homers. Murray homered off Felipe Lira in the seventh inning of the Baltimore Orioles' 5-4, 12-inning loss to Detroit.

2000 -- Scott Sheldon of the Texas Rangers became the third player to play all nine positions in a game when he did it in a 13-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Sheldon joined Bert Campaneris (Sept. 8, 1965) and Cesar Tovar (Sept. 22, 1968) as true utility players.

2001 -- Barry Bonds became the fifth player in baseball history to hit 60 home runs in a season, connecting in the second inning of San Francisco's game against Arizona. He joined Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

2002 -- The Oakland Athletics' 20-game winning streak was snapped as Brad Radke pitched the Minnesota Twins to a 6-0 victory at the Metrodome. The Athletics fell short of matching the second-longest winning streak in baseball history. The Chicago Cubs of 1880 and 1935 both won 21 straight.

2005 -- Texas slugger Mark Teixeira became the fifth player in major league history to hit 100 homers in his first three seasons. Teixeira's three-run homer in the top of the ninth gave the Rangers a 10-7 win over Minnesota.

2006 -- Anibal Sanchez, a 22-year-old rookie, threw a no-hitter in his 13th career start to end the longest no-hit gap in major league history as Florida beat Arizona 2-0.

Today's birthdays: Mark Teahen 26; Alex Escobar 29; Derrek Lee 32.

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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Boston at Baltimore
Boston looks to get a game back in the standings after having its four-game winning streak snapped last night by the Blue Jays. The Orioles certainly present a good opportunity after dropping 13 of their last 15, including a 17-2 spanking last night in Tampa Bay. Garrett Olson takes the mound for the Birds with an 0-2 record and 6.17 ERA in his young career against the Bosox. The last time he pitched he was on the wrong side of Clay Buchholz' history-making no-hitter. While Olson doesn't have to face Buchholz again, he does get 16-game winner Tim Wakefield, who has won his last three starts while allowing no runs over 22 innings. Boston looks like a good pick (-157) in this one according to Dunkel, which has the Red Sox favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-157). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Bullington) 15.627; St. Louis (Maroth) 14.275
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-142); 10
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+134); Under

Game 903-904: LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Lowe) 16.062; Cubs (Marquis) 14.739
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-105); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-103); N/A

Game 905-906: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 16.469; Detroit (Durbin) 15.199
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+127); Under

Game 907-908: Boston at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Wakefield) 16.883; Baltimore (Olson) 14.220
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-157); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-157); Over

Game 909-910: Cleveland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Byrd) 15.905; LA Angels (Escobar) 15.298
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-149); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+141); Over

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, September 6


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PITTSBURGH (61 - 78) at ST LOUIS (68 - 68) - 2:10 PM
BRYAN BULLINGTON (R) vs. MIKE MAROTH (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 64-39 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 67-37 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 39-29 (+13.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ST LOUIS is 83-78 (-15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 38-46 (-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.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-6 (-0.3 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.2 Units)

BRYAN BULLINGTON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

MIKE MAROTH vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MAROTH is 0-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 1.106.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


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LA DODGERS (73 - 66) at CHICAGO CUBS (71 - 67) - 2:20 PM
DEREK LOWE (R) vs. JASON MARQUIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LOWE is 32-39 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 18-10 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 12-3 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 18-10 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 13-3 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 71-67 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 38-35 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 70-86 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 71-67 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 333-319 (-75.5 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-36 (-11.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-35 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-2 (+2.4 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

DEREK LOWE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LOWE is 1-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.255.
His team's record is 3-2 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

JASON MARQUIS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
MARQUIS is 2-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.158.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.4 units)


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CHI WHITE SOX (59 - 80) at DETROIT (74 - 65) - 1:05 PM
MARK BUEHRLE (L) vs. CHAD DURBIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 59-80 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 68-77 (-21.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 52-73 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 102-62 (+24.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 59-34 (+18.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 134-117 (+32.6 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 129-111 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 61-42 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 191-135 (+42.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 69-52 (+29.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 41-34 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 7-12 (-9.9 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
DETROIT is 22-39 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in September games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 10-19 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
DETROIT is 11-19 (-14.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 9-5 (+6.6 Units) against DETROIT this season
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)

MARK BUEHRLE vs. DETROIT since 1997
BUEHRLE is 12-8 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.20 and a WHIP of 1.163.
His team's record is 13-9 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-7. (+6.3 units)

CHAD DURBIN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
DURBIN is 2-6 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 8.76 and a WHIP of 1.844.
His team's record is 4-7 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-6. (-1.5 units)


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BOSTON (84 - 56) at BALTIMORE (60 - 78) - 7:05 PM
TIM WAKEFIELD (R) vs. GARRETT OLSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 48-52 (-19.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 29-27 (+7.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
BOSTON is 19-9 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BALTIMORE is 60-78 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 30-37 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 6-14 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 30-37 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 70-83 (-26.1 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 20-27 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 31-44 (-13.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 23-44 (-16.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BALTIMORE is 44-92 (-37.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-5 (+1.2 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.3 Units)

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 9-9 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.370.
His team's record is 13-11 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 14-10. (+3.2 units)

GARRETT OLSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
OLSON is 0-2 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.17 and a WHIP of 2.230.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)


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


CLEVELAND (81 - 58) at LA ANGELS (82 - 57) - 10:05 PM
PAUL BYRD (R) vs. KELVIM ESCOBAR (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 141-127 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 108-104 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 82-57 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 47-23 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
LA ANGELS are 79-51 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 36-15 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 67-41 (+16.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 36-22 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA ANGELS are 19-10 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 25-12 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 88-68 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
BYRD is 19-9 (+10.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 75-76 (-47.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.9 Units)

PAUL BYRD vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
BYRD is 3-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.89 and a WHIP of 1.128.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.8 units)

KELVIM ESCOBAR vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
ESCOBAR is 6-3 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.20 and a WHIP of 1.222.
His team's record is 6-3 (+2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-3. (+2.7 units)


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

[Udog]

MLB
Streaking Pitchers


HOT


Tim Wakefield (Boston Red Sox) – the veteran knuckleballer has been lights-out lately. He’s won his last three starts and carries a 22-inning shutout streak into today’s matchup with the Orioles. With a victory, Wakefield will improve to 17-10 on the year and move into a tie for the major league lead in wins. During his shutout streak, he’s allowed a total of just nine hits. The Red Sox are listed as –157 road favorites for today’s game.

Paul Byrd (Cleveland Indians) – Byrd has won his last four starts and is coming off a complete-game, four-hit shutout against the White Sox in his last trip to the hill. He has just one loss in his last 10 outings improving to an impressive 14-5 on the season. Byrd faces the Los Angeles Angels tonight and he’s 3-0 with a 3.89 ERA against the Angels in his career. Oddsmakers have Cleveland listed at +141 and the total is set at 9 runs.


COLD


Mark Buehrle (Chicago White Sox) – the lefty hasn’t recorded a victory in his last five trips to the mound and has an ugly 5.56 ERA over those games. The White Sox have played under the total in four of Buehrle’s last six starts and on the season, under bets have cashed in 15 times when Buehrle’s taken to the hill. Tonight the White Sox are in Detroit to take on the Tigers with books setting Chicago as a +127 underdog and the total at 9 ½.

Garrett Olson (Baltimore Orioles) – the O’s left-handed rookie has had a tough time so far in his young career. He’s just 1-3 with an unacceptable 7.22 ERA overall and is 0-3 in his last four starts. During those last four outings, Olson has allowed four or more earned runs in each of the games. The kid will have his hands full tonight against the American League’s best in the Red Sox. Baltimore is +149 in the matchup with the total set at 10 ½.

[Udog]

MLB
Hot Lines


Thursday, September 6


Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (-135, 9 ½)

The White Sox have held the Tigers to just three runs over the first two games of this series, but that should change today when Detroit welcomes back the big bats of Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez.

Sheffield returns to the lineup for the first time since Aug. 21, while Ordonez has been struggling with a heel injury all week. Both start today as Detroit looks to maintain its three-game lead in the AL wild-card race.

The Tigers will face Chicago ace Mark Buehrle (9-9, 3.47), but he is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA in two starts against Detroit this season. Ordonez alone is 12-for-19 with two home runs against Buehrle this year.

Pick: Detroit -135


Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (-105, N/A)

Both of these teams are in the running for top spot in their respective divisions, but the Cubs' playoff push is looking healthier. Chicago’s 8-2 win last night kept them a half-game ahead in the NL Central, while L.A. fell four behind in the West.

But the Dodgers won the opening two contests of this four-game series – outscoring the Cubs 17-5 – and today they'll receive a huge boost with the return of catcher Russell Martin. Meanwhile the Chicago offense has been quiet this week. Sluggers Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are hitting 2-for-11 and 2-for-9 respectively.

That's music to the ears of Dodgers starter Derek Lowe (11-2, 3.78), who held the Cubs to one run over six innings in his last outing against them in May.

Pick: Dodgers -103


Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals (-142, 10)

The Cardinals have won 16 of their last 22 at Busch Stadium and tonight are looking to avoid losing a home series for the first time in six weeks.

They've lost the first two games of the series against the Pirates to fall two games behind the Cubs and 1 ½ games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central.

St. Louis' Mike Maroth (5-6, 6.79) is hoping he can end his team's small skid with a strong start tonight. But the southpaw has lost four consecutive starts allowing 24 earned runs and 36 hits. A hot-hitting Pirates lineup – they've scored 19 times in the past three games – will be able to do some damage.

Pick: Pirates +134

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Thursday, September 6th


National League

Pittsburgh at St. Louis, 2:10 EST
Bryan Bullington (R) vs. Mike Maroth (L)
Bullington: Pittsburgh 8-16 SU at St. Louis
Maroth: 0-3 TSR, 14.79 ERA L3 starts

LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 EST
Derek Lowe (R) vs. Jason Marquis (R)
Lowe: 8-2 Over 2nd half of season
Marquis: 12-3 TSR in home starts


American League

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:05 EST
Mark Buehrle (L) vs. Chad Durbin (R)
Buehrle: White Sox 6-2 SU at Detroit
Durbin: Detroit 7-0 Over at home off BB Unders


Boston at Baltimore, 7:05 EST
Tim Wakefield (R) vs. Garrett Olson (L)
Wakefield: 3-0 TSR, 0.00 ERA L3 starts
Olson: 0-3 TSR, 10.38 ERA L3 starts

Cleveland at LA Angels, 10:05 EST
Paul Byrd (R) vs. Kelvim Escobar (R)
Byrd: 3-0 TSR, 3.98 ERA L3 starts
Escobar: 16-3 Under as a home favorite of -150 to -175

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAF
Week 2 Betting Trends


at Illinois Fighting Illini by NL Western Illinois O/U NL
Illinois Fighting Illini are 13-27-0 ATS After 1 Losses (All Lines)
Illinois Fighting Illini are 8-20-0 ATS After 1 ATS Loss (All Lines)

at Purdue Boilermakers by NL Eastern Illinois O/U NL
Purdue Boilermakers are 17-31-3 O/U All Games (All Lines)
Purdue Boilermakers are 5-19-1 O/U As Home (All Lines)
Purdue Boilermakers are 4-13-1 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)
Purdue Boilermakers are 3-11-0 O/U After 1 Overs (All Lines)

at Arizona Wildcats by NL Northern Arizona O/U NL
Arizona Wildcats are 11-26-1 O/U All Games (All Lines)
Arizona Wildcats are 3-17-1 O/U As Home (All Lines)
Arizona Wildcats are 0-5-0 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)
Arizona Wildcats are 1-11-1 O/U After 1 Away (All Lines)

at Connecticut Huskies by NL Maine O/U NL
Connecticut Huskies are 17-7-2 ATS As Favorite (All Lines)

at Iowa State Cyclones by NL Northern Iowa O/U NL
Iowa State Cyclones are 8-22-0 ATS After 1 Losses (All Lines)
Iowa State Cyclones are 7-23-0 ATS After 1 ATS Loss (All Lines)

Nebraska Cornhuskers by 8.0 at Wake Forest Demon Deacons O/U 50.0
Nebraska Cornhuskers are 1-8-0 O/U As Favorite (7 -> 9.5)

at Oklahoma Sooners by 10.5 Miami Hurricanes O/U 43.0
Miami Hurricanes are 14-36-0 O/U All Games (All Lines)
Miami Hurricanes are 6-17-0 ATS After 1 ATS Wins (All Lines)
Miami Hurricanes are 7-18-0 O/U After 1 Home (All Lines)

at Minnesota Golden Gophers by 9.0 Miami of Ohio Redskins O/U 50.0
Minnesota Golden Gophers are 17-7-0 O/U As Home (All Lines)

at Ohio State Buckeyes by 29.0 Akron Zips O/U 50.0
Ohio State Buckeyes are 25-12-1 ATS As Home (All Lines)

at Virginia Cavaliers by 17.0 Duke Blue Devils O/U 38.0
Virginia Cavaliers are 25-9-0 ATS As Home (All Lines)
Virginia Cavaliers are 17-6-1 ATS After 1 Losses (All Lines)

Alabama Crimson Tide by 3.5 at Vanderbilt Commodores O/U 47.0
Alabama Crimson Tide are 8-19-0 O/U After 1 Wins (All Lines)
Vanderbilt Commodores are 7-18-1 ATS After 1 Home (All Lines)

at Central Michigan Chippewas by 3.0 Toledo Rockets O/U 54.0
Central Michigan Chippewas are 1-7-0 O/U As Home (All Lines)
Central Michigan Chippewas are 0-5-0 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)
Central Michigan Chippewas are 6-0-0 ATS After 1 Overs (All Lines)

at Michigan State Spartans by 18.0 Bowling Green Falcons O/U 57.0
Michigan State Spartans are 22-38-1 ATS All Games (All Lines)
Michigan State Spartans are 17-6-0 O/U After 1 Wins (All Lines)

at Baylor Bears by 6.0 Rice Owls O/U 44.0
Rice Owls are 18-5-0 O/U All Games (All Lines)
Rice Owls are 16-5-0 O/U As Dog (All Lines)

at Wyoming Cowboys by 24.0 Utah State Aggies O/U 40.0
Wyoming Cowboys are 22-8-0 ATS After 1 ATS Wins (All Lines)

at Kansas State Wildcats by 17.0 San Jose State Spartans O/U 45.0
Kansas State Wildcats are 13-4-0 O/U After 1 Away (All Lines)

California Golden Bears by 14.0 at Colorado State Rams O/U 61.0

Missouri Tigers by 6.0 at Mississippi Rebels O/U 54.0
Missouri Tigers are 1-7-0 O/U As Away Favorite (All Lines)
Mississippi Rebels are 3-11-2 ATS All Games (3 -> 6.5)
Mississippi Rebels are 7-18-1 O/U As Dog (All Lines)
Mississippi Rebels are 0-5-0 ATS After 1 ATS Loss (3 -> 6.5)

at Boston College Eagles by 13.5 North Carolina State Wolfpack O/U 49.5
Boston College Eagles are 0-6-0 ATS All Games (10 -> 13.5)
Boston College Eagles are 14-5-0 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)

Ball State Cardinals by 5.0 at Eastern Michigan Hurons O/U 43.0
Ball State Cardinals are 13-4-0 ATS All Games (3 -> 6.5)
Ball State Cardinals are 6-0-0 ATS As Away (3 -> 6.5)

at Michigan Wolverines by 8.0 Oregon Ducks O/U 64.0
Michigan Wolverines are 8-1-0 O/U After 1 Losses (All Lines)

Boise State Broncos by 3.0 at Washington Huskies O/U 57.5
Boise State Broncos are 5-0-1 ATS All Games (3 -> 6.5)
Boise State Broncos are 5-0-0 ATS After 1 Wins (3 -> 6.5)
Washington Huskies are 9-21-1 ATS As Home (All Lines)
Washington Huskies are 5-17-1 ATS After 1 Away (All Lines)

at Georgia Bulldogs by 4.5 South Carolina Gamecocks O/U 44.5
Georgia Bulldogs are 13-3-2 ATS All Games (3 -> 6.5)
Georgia Bulldogs are 10-1-1 ATS As Favorite (3 -> 6.5)
Georgia Bulldogs are 9-2-2 ATS After 1 Wins (3 -> 6.5)
Georgia Bulldogs are 6-0-1 ATS After 1 Home (3 -> 6.5)
Georgia Bulldogs are 0-5-0 O/U vs. South Carolina (All Lines)
South Carolina Gamecocks are 0-5-0 O/U vs. Georgia (All Lines)

at Tennessee Volunteers by 10.5 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles O/U 50.0
Tennessee Volunteers are 12-25-0 ATS As Home (All Lines)
Tennessee Volunteers are 8-23-0 ATS As Home Favorite (All Lines)
Tennessee Volunteers are 5-14-0 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)

at Texas Longhorns by 9.5 Texas Christian Horned Frogs O/U 44.5
Texas Longhorns are 11-3-0 O/U After 1 Unders (All Lines)

Mississippi State Bulldogs by 6.5 at Tulane Green Wave O/U 45.5
Mississippi State Bulldogs are 18-35-2 ATS All Games (All Lines)
Mississippi State Bulldogs are 9-26-2 ATS After 1 Losses (All Lines)

at Kentucky Wildcats by 13.0 Kent Golden Flashes O/U 51.5
Kent Golden Flashes are 3-12-0 O/U All Games (All Lines)
Kent Golden Flashes are 1-8-0 O/U As Dog (All Lines)
Kent Golden Flashes are 1-8-0 O/U As Away (All Lines)
Kent Golden Flashes are 0-7-0 O/U As Away Dog (All Lines)

at Texas Tech Red Raiders by 24.0 Texas El Paso Miners O/U 63.5
Texas Tech Red Raiders are 16-6-0 O/U As Home (All Lines)
Texas Tech Red Raiders are 22-7-1 O/U After 1 Wins (All Lines)
Texas Tech Red Raiders are 21-4-1 O/U After 1 ATS Wins (All Lines)

at Washington State Cougars by 13.5 San Diego State Aztecs O/U 49.5
Washington State Cougars are 14-4-0 O/U After 1 ATS Loss (All Lines)
Washington State Cougars are 6-17-0 ATS After 1 Away (All Lines)

Hawaii Warriors by 28.0 at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs O/U 76.5
Hawaii Warriors are 18-5-0 O/U As Favorite (All Lines)
Hawaii Warriors are 13-3-0 O/U After 1 ATS Wins (All Lines)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are 21-37-1 ATS All Games (All Lines)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are 9-25-1 ATS As Dog (All Lines)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are 3-19-1 ATS After 1 Wins (All Lines)

at Iowa Hawkeyes by 21.5 Syracuse Orangemen O/U 42.0
Iowa Hawkeyes are 24-9-0 ATS As Home (All Lines)
Iowa Hawkeyes are 21-7-0 ATS As Home Favorite (All Lines)
Syracuse Orangemen are 4-13-0 O/U After 1 ATS Loss (All Lines)

at Western Michigan Broncos by PK Indiana Fightin Hoosiers O/U 60.0
Indiana Fightin Hoosiers are 14-30-1 ATS As Dog (All Lines)
Indiana Fightin Hoosiers are 7-20-1 ATS After 1 Home (All Lines)

at Auburn Tigers by 6.5 South Florida Bulls O/U 39.0
South Florida Bulls are 8-24-1 O/U All Games (All Lines)
South Florida Bulls are 2-16-0 O/U After 1 Wins (All Lines)
South Florida Bulls are 3-11-0 O/U After 1 Home (All Lines)

at Louisiana State Fighting Tigers by 12.5 Virginia Tech Hokies O/U 38.0
Virginia Tech Hokies are 17-7-0 ATS After 1 Unders (All Lines)

at New Mexico Lobos by 7.0 New Mexico State Aggies O/U 54.5
New Mexico Lobos are 7-0-0 ATS After 1 Unders (7 -> 9.5)
New Mexico State Aggies are 1-7-0 ATS All Games (7 -> 9.5)

at Florida Gators by 26.5 Troy Trojans O/U 53.0
Florida Gators are 15-29-2 ATS As Favorite (All Lines)

at Oklahoma State Cowboys by 23.0 Florida Atlantic Owls O/U 54.0
Oklahoma State Cowboys are 13-3-0 O/U As Home (All Lines)
Oklahoma State Cowboys are 6-0-0 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)

Ohio Bobcats by 1.5 at UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns O/U 43.5

Maryland Terrapins by 23.5 at Florida Intl Golden Panthers O/U 47.0
Florida Intl Golden Panthers are 2-9-0 O/U After 1 Losses (All Lines)
Florida Intl Golden Panthers are 1-7-0 O/U After 1 ATS Loss (All Lines)
Florida Intl Golden Panthers are 2-10-0 ATS After 1 Away (All Lines)
Florida Intl Golden Panthers are 1-7-0 O/U After 1 Away (All Lines)

Memphis Tigers by 4.0 at Arkansas State Indians O/U 48.0

at Southern Methodist Mustangs by 17.0 North Texas Eagles O/U 44.0
Southern Methodist Mustangs are 8-0-0 O/U After 1 Home (All Lines)
North Texas Eagles are 7-17-0 O/U All Games (All Lines)
North Texas Eagles are 0-5-0 O/U After 1 Overs (All Lines)
North Texas Eagles are 2-10-0 O/U After 1 Away (All Lines)

[Udog]

Guys,

I just tried the matchups and weather links we were posting. They're still down. I'll keep watching them and, as soon as whatever problem is fixed, I'll start posting those links again.

Good luck today!!!

[Dennis14072]

Thanks Guys, good luck today!