Thursday Trends and Indexes 05/01

[Udog]

NHL


Thursday, May 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice picks: Thursday's best NHL bets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh vs. Rangers (-110, 5 1/2)

The Penguins went up 3-0 in their series with the Rangers Tuesday night with a 5-3 win but don’t expect New York to hand over the fourth win easily.

"I have a very funny feeling about this series," Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr told a group of reporters huddled around his locker after the game.

It's a little reminiscent of Ben Crenshaw the day before the American Ryder Cup team made the most improbable comeback in golf history at Brookline in 1999. You could sort of see in Jagr's eyes that he believes something special is coming.

But maybe it's more the fact a veteran is seeing his final days as an NHLer come to an end and he's clinging to all hope.

Unlike Ben Crenshaw's team, Tom Renney likely just lost a few players the day before the big event. Chris Drury squeaked to the bench in the second period, hunched over in pain in the second period in Game 3. It will be a surprise if he plays in Game 4. Blair Betts didn't play the third period Tuesday night. And winger Sean Avery was rushed to hospital during the wee hours of Wednesday morning and it turns out he played most of the game with spleen laceration. Avery is out for the season.

Not promising signs for a team on the brink.

Pick: Pittsburgh +100


Detroit vs. Colorado (+125, 5 1/2)

Some of you thought we were crazy when we took the Red Wings in five games to win this series in our Round 2 previews and picks. But the President's Cup winning Red Wings are playing their best hockey of the season and it's easy to see why they're the Stanley Cup faves.

They now have five straight playoff victories and have rewarded bettors for taking the chalk (favorite action). What's worse news for their opponents is their snipers are heating up.

In the first round, Detroit got scoring from a bunch of different sources from every line. Now Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are red hot after eight points combined over the past two games.

The loss of Ryan Smyth to a foot injury really bites the Avs, as does the fact Peter Forsberg isn't at full strength with a groin injury. Colorado just doesn't have the horses to keep up with the Wings here and Detroit will even this all-time playoff series at 3-3 Thursday night.

Pick: Red Wings -135

[Udog]

MLB


Thursday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball Today
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCOREBOARD

Thursday, May 1

Oakland at the Los Angeles Angels (10:05 p.m). Justin Duchscherer, 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA, leads the Athletics against Dustin Moseley, 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA, in a matchup between the top two teams in the AL West.

STARS

Wednesday

- Geovany Soto, Cubs, hit a pair of three-run homers in a 19-5 rout of the Brewers.

- Andy Sonnanstine, Rays, went eight innings and gave up just six hits and a run in an 8-1 win over the Orioles. He struck out five and walked two to improve to 4-1.

- Placido Polanco, Tigers, hit a pair of solo home runs in a 6-2 win over the Yankees.

- Chad Billingsley, Dodgers, scattered three hits and a run over seven innings in a 13-1 rout of the Marlins. He struck out eight and walked four to win for the first time this season.

- Rick Ankiel, Cardinals, went 3-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs in a 5-2 win over the Reds.

- Nate McLouth, Pirates, went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored in a 13-1 rout of the Mets.

FIVE ALIVE!

Cliff Lee (5-0) won his fifth straight start, leading Cleveland over Seattle 8-3. His consecutive scoreless innings streak ended at 27 on Wladimir Balentien's three-run homer in the seventh, which also raised his ERA from 0.28 to 0.96-still lowest in the majors.

SO CLOSE

Washington beat Atlanta 3-2 in the 12th inning to send Atlanta to another one-run loss. The Braves are the first team since the 2000 Houston Astros to lose their first nine one-run games.

SO CLOSE, PART 2

Manny Ramirez slid in just ahead of the tag on Jason Varitek's single in the ninth, giving Boston its second straight win in its last at-bat against Toronto. The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays Tuesday night on Kevin Youkilis' RBI single to center in the ninth.

LITTLE HELP

Aaron Harang allowed three runs in six innings-a quality start-but the Reds still lost to St. Louis 5-2. Harang (1-4) has worked at least six innings in each of his seven starts and has little to show for his 2.98 ERA because the Reds have totaled 23 runs in his outings.

AILING

Yankees starter Phil Hughes was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday night due to a strained right oblique muscle.
Braves RHP Jeff Bennett visited by manager Bobby Cox and a trainer after his nose began bleeding on the mound. Cox said Bennett was OK.
Texas RHP Jason Jennings is headed to the disabled list with muscle soreness in his forearm.
An 8-year-old boy was struck above the eye by David Eckstein's foul liner in the fourth in the Red Sox-Orioles game. He was taken to Children's Hospital and was expected to make a full recovery.

SUSPENDED

Giants minor league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, the first player penalized this year under Major League Baseball's drug program. Alfonzo is on San Francisco's 40-man roster so he falls under the major league program even though he has played all season at Triple-A Fresno.

SPEAKING

"He's 6-10. By the time he winds up and throws he's like, half way to the plate."-Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, on the difficulty in facing San Diego starter Chris Young after a 4-2 loss to the Padres.

SEASONS

May 1

1901-Herm McFarland and Dummy Hoy homered to help the Chicago White Sox rout the Detroit Tigers 19-9. The Tigers committed an AL record 12 errors, 10 by the infield.

1906-John Lush of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched a no-hitter at Brooklyn, beating the Dodgers 6-0.

1912-George Sisler, a freshman at Michigan, struck out 20 in seven innings.

1920-Joe Oeschger of the Boston Braves and Leon Cadore of the Brooklyn Dodgers each pitched 26 innings in a 1-1 tie, the longest in major league history.

1920-Babe Ruth hit his first home run as a Yankee as New York beat Boston 6-0 at the Polo Grounds.

1924-Chicago's Bill Barrett stole home twice, in the first and ninth innings, against the Cleveland Indians.

1927-Hod Lisenbee of Washington pitched a shutout in his first major league start, a 6-0 win over Boston.

1944-George Myatt of Washington went 6-for-6 and the Senators beat the Boston Braves 11-4.

1959-Early Wynn of the Chicago White Sox pitched a one-hitter, struck out 14, and hit a double and home run for a 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox at the age of 39.

1969-Houston's Don Wilson beat the Cincinnati Reds with a 4-0 no-hitter at Crosley Field, one day after the Reds' Jim Maloney no-hit the Astros and nine days after Wilson absorbed a 14-0 pounding by Cincinnati.

1973-The San Francisco Giants scored seven runs with two outs in the ninth inning to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7.

1991-Rickey Henderson surpassed Lou Brock as baseball's career stolen base leader with his 939th as the Oakland Athletics beat the New York Yankees 7-4.

1991-Nolan Ryan pitched his seventh no-hitter, struck out 16 and shut down the best-hitting team in the majors, as the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0.

1992-The Dodgers postponed a three-game series against Montreal because of rioting in Los Angeles following the Rodney King verdict.

1992-Oakland's Rickey Henderson stole his 1,000th base in the first inning at Tiger Stadium.

2002-With a save against the Chicago Cubs, San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman set the major league record for the most saves with one team. His 321st broke Dennis Eckersley's record of 320 with Oakland.

2005-Minnesota's Johan Santana lost 2-1 to the Los Angeles Angels, ending his 17-game winning streak. Santana struck out seven over eight innings and allowed two hits, but they were solo home runs by Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Molina.

2006-Tim Hudson threw the second one-hitter of his career, leading Atlanta past Colorado 2-0.

Today’s birthday: Manny Acosta 27.

[Udog]

MLB


Thursday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines: Thursday's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tampa Bay at Baltimore (-115, 9 1/2)

The last time lefty Brian Burress took the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays, he had a no-hitter going into the fifth - then allowed gave up six runs to take the loss as a +125 underdog. The kid bounced back in a big way though, and hasn't allowed a run since in two starts.

Meanwhile, Matt Garza, who landed in Tampa as a part of the Delmon Young trade, is searching for consistency. He hasn't pitched through the sixth inning yet this season and is currently working on a fat 7.62 ERA.

Pick: Orioles



Milwaukee at Chicago (-135, N/A)

Carlos Zambrano supporters often spend the majority of his starts covering their eyes or biting their fingernails, but it's hard to lay off the Big Z at this price. He's given up just three runs over his last 21 innings and Chicago has won four of his six starts to date.

But the reason Zambrano is so affordable at home is because he's up against Yovani Gallardo, who owns a 0.64 ERA through 14 innings pitched this season.

Pick: Cubs

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


Detroit at Philadelphia
The Sixers find themselves facing elimination at home tonight and face a Detroit team that is a perfect 6-0 ATS in road games where the total is listed between 170 and 179 1/2. The Pistons are the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has Detroit favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-5). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Game 509-510: Detroit at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 121.684; Philadelphia 115.503
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 6; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 5; 178
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-5); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Pittsburgh at NY Rangers
The Penguins won Game 3 (5-3) for their seventh straight postseason victory and look to close out the series tonight against a Rangers team that was just 9-14 this season after allowing 4 or more goals. Pittsburgh is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-115). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.338; NY Rangers 11.715
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-115); Over

Game 3-4: Detroit at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.404; Colorado 12.570
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-155); 5
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+135); Over

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet


Update


Thursday, May 1


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

PITTSBURGH (54-27-0-8, 116 pts.) at NY RANGERS (46-30-0-14, 106 pts.) - 5/1/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 25-8 ATS (+14.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
PITTSBURGH is 54-35 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 17-10 ATS (+27.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
PITTSBURGH is 34-17 ATS (+12.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 25-17 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 15-9 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY RANGERS are 46-44 ATS (+0.9 Units) in all games this season.
NY RANGERS are 111-133 ATS (-91.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 66-80 ATS (-53.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 69-86 ATS (-60.5 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 9-14 ATS (-11.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 14-13 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 14-13-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
16 of 26 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.9 Units)

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

DETROIT (61-23-0-7, 129 pts.) at COLORADO (48-34-0-9, 105 pts.) - 5/1/2008, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 45-40 ATS (-2.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 80-43 ATS (+16.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 105-101 ATS (-60.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
COLORADO is 65-63 ATS (-24.6 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 13-2 (+10.1 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 13-2-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.4 Units)

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

[Udog]

NBA
Long Sheet


Updated


Thursday, May 1


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

DETROIT (62 - 25) at PHILADELPHIA (42 - 45) - 5/1/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 50-37 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 42-29 ATS (+10.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
DETROIT is 53-38 ATS (+11.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) after allowing 85 points or less this season.
DETROIT is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-7 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 11-5 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, May 1


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

LA DODGERS (14 - 13) at FLORIDA (15 - 12) - 12:10 PM
HIROKI KURODA (R) vs. BURKE BADENHOP (R)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 415-470 (+27.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
FLORIDA is 11-5 (+8.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.2 Units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. FLORIDA since 1997
No recent starts.

BURKE BADENHOP vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

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

MILWAUKEE (15 - 12) at CHICAGO CUBS (17 - 10) - 2:20 PM
YOVANI GALLARDO (R) vs. CARLOS ZAMBRANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 21-41 (-19.2 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 65-105 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 49-82 (-27.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 22-48 (-23.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 67-109 (-36.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 7-21 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in road games in May games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 415-460 (-120.4 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 32-40 (-17.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 877-952 (-191.9 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 469-447 (-115.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 19-37 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 493-510 (-104.8 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 822-872 (-171.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 345-327 (-74.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters since 1997.
ZAMBRANO is 1-7 (-10.1 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)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-2 (+1.8 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
GALLARDO is 0-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

CARLOS ZAMBRANO vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
ZAMBRANO is 9-8 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.03 and a WHIP of 1.232.
His team's record is 9-11 (-6.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-8. (+2.1 units)

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

SAN DIEGO (11 - 17) at PHILADELPHIA (15 - 13) - 7:05 PM
RANDY WOLF (L) vs. ADAM EATON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 5-14 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-34 (+16.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 37-19 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 313-339 (+33.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
WOLF is 23-11 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

RANDY WOLF vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

ADAM EATON vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
EATON is 1-0 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.17 and a WHIP of 1.764.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

PITTSBURGH (11 - 16) at WASHINGTON (11 - 17) - 7:10 PM
ZACH DUKE (L) vs. ODALIS PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 14-33 (-17.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 24-56 (-23.7 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
DUKE is 6-24 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DUKE is 6-24 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 39-44 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 42-31 (+23.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 84-106 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 63-48 (+35.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 38-22 (+22.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 81-103 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 54-52 (+17.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

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

ZACH DUKE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
DUKE is 1-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 6.11 and a WHIP of 1.868.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.1 units)

ODALIS PEREZ vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
PEREZ is 2-4 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.229.
His team's record is 4-4 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+2.0 units)

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

TAMPA BAY (15 - 12) at BALTIMORE (15 - 12) - 12:35 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. BRIAN BURRES (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 54-119 (-37.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 44-101 (-35.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 19-31 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 67-124 (-40.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-3 (+0.6 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

MATT GARZA vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
GARZA is 3-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.68 and a WHIP of 1.455.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

BRIAN BURRES vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
BURRES is 0-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 13.50 and a WHIP of 2.375.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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

KANSAS CITY (12 - 15) at TEXAS (10 - 18) - 2:05 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. SIDNEY PONSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 33-21 (+11.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 108-141 (+23.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against TEXAS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. TEXAS since 1997
GREINKE is 2-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 4.85 and a WHIP of 1.615.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

SIDNEY PONSON vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PONSON is 9-7 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.60 and a WHIP of 1.550.
His team's record is 10-9 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-11. (-4.0 units)

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

SEATTLE (13 - 15) at CLEVELAND (13 - 15) - 7:05 PM
MIGUEL BATISTA (R) vs. PAUL BYRD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 94-81 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 75-61 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 101-89 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BATISTA is 40-30 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 63-43 (+23.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 21-14 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 38-26 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 54-59 (-27.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 342-302 (-65.8 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-1 (+0.7 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

MIGUEL BATISTA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
BATISTA is 0-3 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 10.71 and a WHIP of 1.904.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.2 units)

PAUL BYRD vs. SEATTLE since 1997
BYRD is 6-3 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.37 and a WHIP of 1.413.
His team's record is 6-4 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-7. (-4.7 units)

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

DETROIT (13 - 15) at NY YANKEES (14 - 15) - 7:05 PM
NATE ROBERTSON (L) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 69-73 (-20.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ROBERTSON is 12-23 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ROBERTSON is 10-20 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ROBERTSON is 7-14 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 103-81 (+24.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 71-52 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 109-86 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 73-68 (-49.9 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 18-24 (-20.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 95-77 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-0 (+2.5 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

NATE ROBERTSON vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
ROBERTSON is 1-6 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.54 and a WHIP of 1.615.
His team's record is 1-7 (-5.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-2. (+4.0 units)

IAN KENNEDY vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

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

TORONTO (11 - 17) at BOSTON (17 - 12) - 7:05 PM
A.J. BURNETT (R) vs. TIM WAKEFIELD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-16 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BURNETT is 37-60 (-24.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 17-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 11-2 (+9.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TORONTO is 99-70 (+26.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 207-166 (-42.8 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
BOSTON is 307-237 (-52.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 (+1.1 Units) against BOSTON this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

A.J. BURNETT vs. BOSTON since 1997
BURNETT is 3-0 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.51 and a WHIP of 1.081.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.0 units)

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. TORONTO since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 13-7 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.257.
His team's record is 19-12 (+5.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-17. (-6.5 units)

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

OAKLAND (17 - 12) at LA ANGELS (18 - 11) - 10:05 PM
JUSTIN DUCHSCHERER (R) vs. NICK GREEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 8-3 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 12-6 (+8.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-1 (+0.8 Units) against OAKLAND this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

JUSTIN DUCHSCHERER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
DUCHSCHERER is 1-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

NICK GREEN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
No recent starts.

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

[Udog]

NBA


Thursday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE POWER INDEX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1-1 yesterday

Philadelphia* even with Detroit

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Thursday, April 1st

National League

LA Dodgers at Florida, 12:10 ET
Hiroki Kuroda (R) vs. Burke Badenhop (R)
Kuroda: LAD 8-0 Under in day games
Badenhop: Fla 2-7 at home vs. Dodgers

Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET WGN
Yovani Gallardo (R) vs. Carlos Zambrano (R)
Gallardo: 1-6 TSR in day games
Zambrano: 1-7 TSR at home with a money line of -100 to -150

San Diego at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Randy Wolf (L) vs. Adam Eaton (R)
Wolf: 15-4 TSR when the total is 8.5 to 10
Eaton: 47-26 Over as favorite

Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:10 ET
Zach Duke (L) vs. Odalis Perez (L)
Duke: 4-22 TSR as road underdog
Perez: Wash 9-1 Under off BB Home games


American League

Tampa Bay at Baltimore, 12:35 ET
Matt Garza (R) vs. Brian Burres (L)
Garza: TB 34-16 Under off win by 6+ runs
Burres: Bal 8-0 Under in day games

Kansas City at Texas, 2:05 ET
Zack Greinke (R) vs. Sidney Ponson (R)
Greinke: 11-2 Under when the total is 8.5 to 10
Ponson: Tex 7-0 vs. AL Central

Seattle at Cleveland, 7:05 ET
Miguel Batista (R) vs. Paul Byrd (R)
Batista: 19-11 TSR as road underdog
Byrd: Cle 0-6 at home after having lost 2 of their last 3

Detroit at NY Yankees, 7:05 ET
Nate Robertson (L) vs. Ian Kennedy (R)
Robertson: 15-5 Under Away off team win
Kennedy: Yankees 2-7 if total is 10 or higher

Toronto at Boston, 7:05 ET
A.J. Burnett (R) vs. Tim Wakefield (R)
Burnett: Tor 5-16 in night games
Wakefield: 8-0 Over at home off team win

Oakland at LA Angels, 10:05 ET
Justin Duchscherer (R) vs. Nick Adenhart (R)
Duchscherer: Oak 9-4 as road underdog
Adenhart: Angels 27-13 Under vs. Oakland

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB


Thursday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs [WGN | 2:20 PM ET]

Brewers: Yovani Gallardo is making just his 3rd start of the season due to a knee injury, but he has allowed just 1 earned run in those 2 starts. The right-hander went 9-5 with a respectable 3.67 ERA in 2007. Gallardo said: "I have been able to make pitches when I've needed them." The second-round draft selection has had 1 career start against these Cubbies, surrendering just 2 earned over 6 innings at Wrigley Field last season.

Brewers are 1-9 in their last 10 Thursday games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Cubs (-145, O/U 11): Carlos Zambrano has been living up to his cce status in the rotation. The fiery right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA on the season with 32 strikeouts compared to just 9 walks. Zambrano has allowed more than 2 runs only once in his 6 season starts, and manager Lou Piniella called his last appearance (7 IP 0 ER) "wonderful." The Puerto Cabello native is 9-8 with a 3.99 career ERA against the Brewers.

Cubs are 16-7 in their last 23 games on grass.
Cubs are 12-4 in their last 16 games as a favorite.
The UNDER is 21-7-1 in Zambrano's last 29 starts on grass.

Key Injuries - OF Alfonso Soriano (calf) is expected to return.

PROJECTED SCORE: 7



San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies [7:05PM ET]

Padres: Randy Wolf must be happy not to be facing the Diamondbacks. The lefty has allowed 9 earned over his last 2 starts - both against Arizona - compared to just 3 runs over his first 3 starts of the season. Wolf said: "I kept getting behind in the count, and they took advantage." The former Phillies starter is 1-0 in 2 career starts against his former team with a 4.38 ERA.

Padres are 2-7 in their last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Phillies (-115, O/U 9.5): Adam Eaton is searching for his first decision on the season. He has 5 starts this on the year and is sporting a lofty 5.08 ERA. The right-hander couldn't get out of the 4th inning in his last start, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits to the Pirates. The former Padre starter has only faced his former teammates 1 time in his career, surrendering just 2 earned over 5+ innings.

Phillies are 7-2 in their last 9 Thursday games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (Side Play of the Day)



Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees [7:05 PM ET]

Tigers: Nate Robertson isn't off to the kind of start the Tigers were hoping for this season. In five appearances, Robertson is 0-3 with a whopping 6.91 ERA. Robertson has been particularly bad in his last 2 starts, allowing 9 runs in 12 innings pitched. Things won't get any better for Robertson tonight against the Yankees, a team he's 1-5 against with a 4.86 ERA during his career.

Tigers are 8-21 in the last 29 meetings in New York.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)

Yankees (-120, O/U 10): Ian Kennedy needs a solid outing or he could be on his way back to the minors. In five starts this season, Kennedy is 0-2 with an unacceptable ERA of 8.53. The Yankees have lost 4 of Kennedy's 5 starts, with their only win being a comeback victory over the Rays. Kennedy is averaging almost a run an inning in 2008 and he has more walks (17) than strikeouts (15). This will be Kennedy's first-ever start against the Tigers.

The UNDER is 16-5-1 in Yankees' last 22 games as a favorite.

Key Injuries - C Jorge Posada (shoulder) on 15-day DL.
3B Alex Rodriguez has been placed on the 15-day DL because of his Grade 2 quad strain.

PROJECTED SCORE: 7



Oakland A's at Los Angeles Angels [10:05 PM ET]

A's: Oakland's Justin Duchscherer has enjoyed amazing success against the Angels during his career despite making just 1 start. Duchscherer is a perfect 5-0 vs. LA in 22 appearances with a stellar 1.21 ERA, and the Angels are hitting just .182 against him. He lost at Seattle in his only road start last time out, giving up 2 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings with no walks and 2 strikeouts.

A's are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-2 in Oakland's last 9 road games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Angels (-110, O/U 9): Rookie Nick Adenhart will make his major-league debut for LA after going 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in 5 starts at Triple-A Salt Lake. The 21-year-old right-hander was a 14th-round draft pick in 2004 and will be pitching on three days' rest after giving up an unearned run and 3 hits in a season-high 8 innings on Sunday.

Angels are 6-2 in their last 8 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

[Udog]

NBA


Thursday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers [TNT | 8 PM ET]

Pistons (-5.5, O/U 178.5): Detroit is an impressive 11-3 in close-out opportunities since the 2003-04 championship season, with 2 of those losses taking place in last year's second round vs. Chicago. The Pistons came out like gangbusters in the first quarter of Game 5, scoring 35 points after totaling just 36 in the entire first half of Game 4. "We picked up on the momentum that we had in the second half of Game 4," said Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups, who finished with 21 points and 12 assists. "We came home and we knew it was going to be loud. We just took care of business from the jump ball."

Favorite is 15-7-1 ATS in the last 23 meetings.
Pistons are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-1 in Detroit's last 9 road games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 92

76ers: Despite Andre Iguodala's series-high 21 points in Game 5, Philadelphia's other players failed to show up and the team got destroyed. Igoudala had made just 11-of-49 shots through the first 4 games but hit 8-of-13 as only 1 of 2 Sixers to shoot better than 50 percent from the field. Philly also had more turnovers (18) than assists (13). "We've got to play a little better on the defensive end - on the screen and roll, 1-on-1 defense and rebounding the ball," 76ers head coach Maurice Cheeks said. "We can't turn it over as much."

76ers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 86