Saturday Trends and Indexes 8/30

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Saturday August 30

Good Luck on day #243 of 2008!

FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL, SEE SEPARATE THREAD: NCAAF Week 1 Trends and Indexes 8-28 through 9-1

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.
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[pm530]

Daily Sports Roundup

Saturday, August 30

It'll be Red Sox/White Sox action on Saturday night as Boston plays host to Chicago at Fenway Park in a key American League series. Here's your Daily Sports Roundup . . .

Event of the day . . .

Josh Beckett was supposed to start the opener of the Sox/Sox series for Boston on Friday, but he was scratched and Daisuke Matsuzaka was moved up in the rotation instead. That meant the Red Sox needed to find a pitcher for a spot start against the White Sox on Saturday night - and they seem to have settled on Michael Bowden for the job. Righthander Bowden will be making his Major-League debut in that contest.

The White Sox will send veteran Mark Buehrle (11-10, 3.86 ERA) to the mound on Saturday night. Chicago has managed to pick up the win in each of the lefthander's last four starts. That includes an outing against the Red Sox back on August 8 when Buehrle gave up just a single earned run on four hits over his seven innings pitched.


Non-event of the day . . .

Hands up if you missed the WNBA during its Olympic break. Ok, hands up if you even knew the WNBA had an Olympic break. The summer's afterthought-of-a-league has four games on its Saturday schedule, including San Antonio at Los Angeles. Also on the slate: Atlanta at Indiana, Washington at Minnesota, and Houston at Sacramento.

Also on the schedule . . .

Francisco Liriano (4-3, 3.83 ERA) will be looking to continue his impressive comeback when he pitches in Oakland for the Twins on Saturday night. Also on the American League schedule: Toronto at the Yankees (at 1:05pm ET), Baltimore at Tampa Bay, Seattle at Cleveland, Kansas City at Detroit, and Texas at the Angels.

Over in the National League the top pitching matchup is in Arizona, where it'll be the Dodgers' Chad Billingsley (12-10, 3.15 ERA) vs. the D-Backs' Dan Haren (14-6, 3.10 ERA). Rounding out the NL slate: Philadelphia at the Cubs, Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, St. Louis at Houston, Atlanta at Washington, the Mets at Florida, San Francisco at Cincinnati, and Colorado at San Diego.

Finally, college football stages its first Saturday of wall-to-wall action, with No. 1 Georgia playing Georgia Southern in an expected blowout. Other notable matchups for the day include Hawaii vs. No. 5 Florida (-34.5), No. 24 Alabama vs. No. 9 Clemson (-4.5), No. 20 Illinois vs. No. 6 Missouri (-8.5), and No. 3 Southern California (-19.5) vs. Virginia.

News from the wire . . .

Outfielder Mark Kotsay made his debut for the Red Sox on Thursday, collecting one hit in four at-bats . . . the Blue Jays have sent veteran outfielder Matt Stairs to the Phillies and recalled top prospect Travis Snider . . . Tight end Todd Heap returned to action for the Ravens on Thursday . . . Colts head coach Tony Dungy fully expects quarterback Peyton Manning to be ready to play for the team in its season opener next week.

Peek at the future . . .

The Sunday night baseball game this week is Los Angeles at Arizona, with Derek Lowe (10-11, 3.81 ERA) facing Brandon Webb (19-5, 2.96 ERA) . . . Coverage of the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway begins at 7:00pm ET on Sunday . . . the Giants are listed as 3.5-point home favorites against the Redskins in next Thursday's NFL kickoff game.

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Saturday

Quick thoughts on the Presidential campaign.........

-- Please tell me John McCain met Sarah Palin more than one time before he offered her chance to be his running mate.

-- She is a very pretty woman; looks like Yvonne Craig, who played Batgirl in the old Batman TV series. She was a point guard on a state championship high school basketball team, and finished second in the 1984 Miss Alaska beauty pageant.

-- How do the Republicans justify attacking Obama for his inexperience, then nominate someone for VP who two years ago was a councilwoman in a small Alaskan town?

-- Joe Biden will be in no-win situation when his debate with Ms Palin takes place; if she beats him, Republicans will score major points. If he crushes her, he's a bully. Tough spot.

-- Don't want to hear abortion as a major issue; when price of gas gets below $3.00 a gallon, which may never happen, then something other than the economy can be the focus.

-- One thing for sure: Ms Palin is the first candidate for VP who went to college in Moscow (University of Idaho).

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[pm530]

Saturday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but..........

13) What team will get suckered into giving Carl Pavano a big contract this winter? He allowed one run in six IP vs Toronto Friday, his second start after 500+ days on the disabled list. It is etched in stone that some nitwit will pay him off.

12) Carlos Beltran hit a dramamtic grand slam in ninth inning, as Kevin Gregg couldn't hold 2-1 ninth inning lead for Florida.

11) Marlins are 4-6 in last ten games, with three walk-off losses.

10) Every starting pitcher in American League got decision on Friday, which means there was zero late inning drama in those seven games. No late-inning comebacks at all.

9) Bob Stoops makes $6.5M a year at Oklahoma? Thats half a million bucks per game. Could he at least win some bowls?

8) Tampa Rays clinched their first-ever winning season Friday.

7) St John's basketball team was making its first international trip since 1991 this weekend, but cancelled a trip to Mexico out of respect for Tropical Storm Gustav. Red Storm will be able to take a trip next summer; just hope Norm Roberts willl still be the coach then. He needs to win pretty soon, like this year.

6) First three batters for Brewers scored Friday night, and that was that for Milwaukee offense in a 3-1 win. Their lead in Wild Card standings is now 4.5 games over the Cardinals.

5) Wow, SMU's defense looked slow in June Jones' debut as the Mustangs' coach. He has some work to do, recruiting some kids who can run fast and tackle. Sounds simple, huh?

4) Temple might be only team in country that has all 22 starters from last year's team back this season. Owls drilled Army 35-7 in their season opener Friday night.

3) Was reading an article about Bronx Bombers' new ballpark that opens next spring; there are executives with other teams who claim if Bronx sells out its 2,200 most expensive seats at the new park, those seats alone will generate more income than many big league teams will take in all season, from all areas.

2) In other words, the Rays better enjoy this season, because the gap in resources between the haves, have nots is about to get way, way bigger.

1) Analysis on all the college football games is on our college football page; our first selection of the year is at the bottom.

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Long Sheet

CFL
Long Sheet

Week 10

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Sunday, August 31
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WINNIPEG (2 - 6) at SASKATCHEWAN (6 - 2) - 8/31/2008, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 122-92 ATS (+20.8 Units) in all games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 122-92 ATS (+20.8 Units) in all lined games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 42-23 ATS (+16.7 Units) when playing on a Sunday since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 111-82 ATS (+20.8 Units) in games played on turf since 1996.

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


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Monday, September 1
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EDMONTON (5 - 3) at CALGARY (5 - 3) - 9/1/2008, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games off a division game over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 5-3 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (3 - 5) at HAMILTON (2 - 6) - 9/1/2008, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up losses since 1996.
TORONTO is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) in weeks 10 through 15 since 1996.
HAMILTON is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games versus division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-3 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-2 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Write up

CFL
Write-up


Week 10 CFL games

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The four eastern teams had last weekend off.

Sunday, August 31

Winnipeg (2-6) @ Saskatchewan (6-2)-- Riders lost last 2 games after 6-0 start, then traded for QB Bishop, as Crandell was 7-24 passing in last week's loss. Bombers are 0-3 on road, losing by 14-9-7 points- they scored 32-37 points in their two wins, after scoring average of 17.3 ppg in six losses. Riders gained total of just 549 yards in last two games, after averaging 390.3 first six

Monday, September 1

Edmonton (5-3) @ Calgary (5-3)-- Stampeders lost 34-31 back in Week 2 at Edmonton (-2.5); all three Stamp losses are by four or less points- they won last two games, both on road, scoring 30-36 points in upset wins at Regine, BC. Four of last five Calgary games went over total. Eskimos allowed 34-35-40 points in their three losses- they've won five of their last seven games.

Toronto (3-5) @ Hamilton (2-6)-- TiCats may be 2-6, but both wins are vs Arognauts; they ran ball 57 times for 620 yards in those two games- they're 0-5 when scoring less than 32 points. Six of last seven Hamilton games went over the total. Toronto got outgained 510-177 in its last game; they had a +8 turnover ratio in first six games, but don't have a takeaway last two (-4).

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Additional Trends

CFL

Week 10

Trend Sheet

Sunday, August 31

3:00 PM WINNIPEG vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Winnipeg is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Saskatchewan
Winnipeg is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Saskatchewan is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games



Monday, September 1

4:00 PM EDMONTON vs. CALGARY
Edmonton is 1-2-2 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Edmonton is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Calgary is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Edmonton
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton


7:30 PM TORONTO vs. HAMILTON
Toronto is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 games when playing Hamilton
Toronto is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Hamilton
Hamilton is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games at home
Hamilton is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games at home

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Previews and Picks

CFL


CFL games – Week 10

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Previews and Picks
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Sunday, August 31

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-6) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-2) (Saskatchewan by 3)

After winning six games in a row, the reigning Grey Cup Champs have their last two games including a brutal 27-10 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in week 9! Marcus Crandell had a terrible night, completing only six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. The Blue Bombers, who are coming off a bye week, won 37-24 against Hamilton in week 8. Kevin Glenn threw for 285 yards, completing 24 of 37 pass attempts for one touchdown. Charles Roberts rushed for 145 yards and pair of touchdowns. But expect defence to be the difference in this game and if that's the case, it will be to advantage of the Roughriders who, so far this season, as allowed about 23 points a game while Winnipeg concedes around 30 points a game. In short, the Blue Bombers usually give up one more touchdown each game than the Riders?and it probably won't be different this coming Sunday.

Pick: Saskatchewan (-3)


Monday, September 1

Edmonton Eskimos (5-3) at Calgary Stampeders (5-3) (Calgary by 5.5)

This has all the ingredients to be THE game to watch on Labour Day! These great Albertan rivals both have a 5-3 record and score around 30 points a game. Both teams average more than 300 passing yards a game, although Calgary has fared better running the ball and shutting off the opponents rushing, which actually is not strength on Edmonton's side. Ricky Ray will need a strong performance to prove the Eskimos should be treated seriously as contenders for the Western division championship, but it will be a huge challenge against Calgary's defensive squad, especially if their forced to rely only on their passing game. This being said, I would not recommend taking the Stampeders with a 5.5 points margin. Expect a shootout that will be resolved by less than three points.

Pick: Edmonton (+3)


Toronto Argonauts ( ) at Hamilton Tiger Cats ( ) (Hamilton by 3)

Kerry Joseph won't have the responsibility of calling the Argos offensive plays and that should be good news for Toronto fans. But it also shows the lack of leadership of Joseph who felt distracted by play-calling! In fact, one gets to wonder if anybody has leadership in the Argos dressing room. CFL's outstanding player last season has struggled so far in 2008, completing only 56.4 per cent of his passes and throwing six interceptions and only 4 touchdown passes! The Argonauts loss to Montreal in week 8, 32-14 and parted earlier this week with backup QB Michael Bishop, traded to Saskatchewan. It was the second consecutive loss for Toronto. The Tiger Cats lost their last game 37-24 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but, if you compare stats, they score more points a game than the Argos and have a stronger running game led by Jesse Lumsden.

Pick: Hamilton (-3)

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – ATS Previews

CFL
ATS Previews


CFL ATS Previews Week 10

One of the best kept secrets in football is the CFL Labor Day Classic games, as these are the Canadian Football League's most popular double-header matches of the year and they carry many memories to long living CFL fans. Week 10 will kick off in Montreal with the Lions travelling to face the surging Alouettes. On Sunday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Mosaaic Stadium for a showdown with the first place Roughriders. Then on Labor Day Monday, the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders will headline the Game of the Week; as both teams are 5-3 SU and depending on the Roughriders outcome on Sunday, could be sharing the top spot in the west with Saskatchewan. Finally, the other game on Monday is the showdown in Steel town, the 3-5 SU Argonauts travel down the QEW to face the 2-6 SU Tiger Cats. Both games on Monday will have plenty of energy in the stands and should deliver great memories. Enjoy the Classic CFL fans!


Sunday, August 31

Winnipeg (51) vs. Saskatchewan (-3)

Blue Bombers at Roughriders History: The Bombers are 7-9-0 (ATS), 6-10 (SU) and the O/U is 10-5-1 since 1996 in Saskatchewan.

What looked like a team that was flirting with perfection through six week is now a team who will face their biggest game of the year and here's the reason why I'm stating this fact. When the Riders lost their first game of the year 30-25 to Calgary a few weeks back, it was a close game that could have went either way. However, they got man handled last week in Edmonton 27-10 and lost by 17 points. Now, this third game will be major challenge for the boys from Regina on how this story plays out the rest of the year. If the Riders win in a convincible fashion, they are for real and just went through a hiccup stage the last few weeks. However, if they lose and lose bad, then it's the law of averages taking care of business on the back side. The Bombers remind me of a dysfunctional family who have all the right pieces to the puzzle, but can't find the corner pieces to lay the foundation. Winnipeg is only as good as when Charles Robert is playing dominating football, and he's yet to find his form this season. In the meantime, it's the QB position who is accepting all the mud being slung their way. Until Roberts gets his act together, the QB position will be the person getting all the blamed or all the glory for wins and loses. The Bombers have a chance to start a good streak in the second half of the season and be the Argos of the 2007 season. Winnipeg won 37-29 last week to Hamilton and is coming off a 2 game home stand. If you?re thinking this game might be decided by defenses, there's a good chance you are right! The UNDER is 8-2-0 for Winnipeg when they are a road team after a division game and the total is between 49.5 and 51.0. However, if you're backing up the Riders this Sunday, they are 7-3 SU and 6-4-0 ATS as a Home Favorite during Week 8 to 12 vs. these same Bombers. Defense will be the story of this game in my view.

forecast: Saskatchewan 19 Winnipeg 17

Stat of the Game: When ANY CFL Team played as a Road team -Before a non division game - Coming off a 2 game Home stand - Allowed scored 24 points or less against - Coming off a game scored 35 points or more; The UNDER is 12-6-0 for the Road Team in this position.


Monday, September 1

Edmonton (57) vs. Calgary (-5.5)

Eskimos at Stampeders History: The Eskimos are 9-14-0 (ATS), 10-13 (SU) and the O/U is 8-15-0 since 1996 in Calgary.

What a great way to start the Labor Day classics with a good old fashion shootout at the Calgary "ok coral"! The Eskimos and Stampeders could switch players and you wouldn't know the difference, that's how identical these two Alberta teams have been this season. Both teams are 5-3 SU on the season and both are averaging 32 Points For on offense this year. However, the Stampeders have been the better defensive team and the kicking game is pretty much a coin toss too with DeAngelis and Prefontaine having great seasons! Edmonton is coming off a nice butt kicking last week, as they smoked the Roughriders 27-10 at home, but when an away underdog has allowed 10 points or less in their last game, they are only 19-35 SU in their next game. Therefore, this will be a big statement game for Ricky Ray and the Eskimos to prove they are true contenders of the Western Division and look for Henry Burris to outshine Ricky Ray on Monday. Calgary is coming of an emotional road win in BC, where they scored in the last minute of the game to steal a win. The last two games for the Stamps have gone OVER the total and expect another sell out at McMahon Stadium in this "Battle of Alberta" on Monday. Another betting angle that supports the Stampeders; the Eskimos are only 4-11 SU as a +3.5 to +6.5 point underdog vs. a division foe and they are coming off a division opponent. Plus, here's a CFL trend that goes back to 1996 that supports the Stamps this week; when any CFL team is a Home Favorite during a Monday game in September, they are 12-3 SU in this betting spot. I see this being a classic shootout game, but Calgary and the home crowd goes home happy! But not ATS Happy?

forecast: Calgary 31 Edmonton 30

Stat of the Game: When ANY CFL Team played as Home team as a Favorite -During the month of September -Before a conference game -During Week 8 to 12 - Allowed scored 30 points or less against; The Home Fave is 10-2 SU in this position since '96.


Toronto (54.5) vs. Hamilton (-3)

Argonauts vs. Tiger Cats History: The Argos are 11-11-1 (ATS), 12-10-1 (SU) and the O/U is 10-13-0 since 1996 in Hamilton.

Well, this is too easy to start ripping the Argos and where they went wrong from training camp to where they are at today. If anything, I'm very disappointed in Michael "Pinball" Clemons for letting Rich Stubbler take most of the heat for the Argos struggle this season. Let's focus on the main reason why the Argos are in this 3-5 SU situation and it starts with leadership. Who is the leader on this team? The defense is getting old, some veteran players don't have the football speed to attack the holes, and they can't establish a running game on offense and nobody knows for sure who?s calling the offense. I'm a handicapper and I can see this from my living room, which makes me wonder what the hell they do all week in practice? The Bishop thing was a given and should have been rectified weeks ago, but you can't be averaging 18 Points For on offense and expect to win football games in a pass happy league like the CFL. The Argos are coming off a 32-14 lost to Montreal and they'll be facing a Hamilton team who are loose, but will be keeping a close eye on Casey Printers who's coming back from a thumb injury. I think this is a marketing move by the Tiger Cats, because Richie Williams is the real deal and I haven't seen a Tiger Cats offense score so many points in 3 consecutive games since the Danny Mac days. Hamilton has been averaging 34 points per game in their last 3 outings, but they still need to find a way to tighten it up on defense, because 32.67 Points Against in their last 3 games is the main reason why they are not 3-0 in their last 3 games. Well, when it rain it pours as they say and here's more ammunition for the media to beat up Toronto; the Argos are in a horrible position on Monday, they are 1-11 SU as a Road Underdog vs. division foes during Week 8-12 of a CFL season. Hamilton on the other hand are perfect in September as a home favorite during week 8 to 10; like 9-0-1 SU perfect since '96. The bookmakers have this number right, I like the Tabbies to win by a field goal!

forecast: Hamilton 27 Toronto 24

Stat of the Game: When ANY CFL team played as Road team as a Underdog -During the month of September - Allowed score 31 points or more against; The Road Dog is 8-25 SU in this role since 1996.

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[pm530]

WNBA – Trends Sheet

WNBA


Updated

Saturday, August 30

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Trend Sheet
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7:00 PM ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Indiana is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games


8:00 PM WASHINGTON vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington


10:00 PM HOUSTON vs. SACRAMENTO
Houston is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Sacramento
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Houston
Sacramento is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Houston


10:30 PM SAN ANTONIO vs. LOS ANGELES
San Antonio is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
San Antonio is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
Los Angeles is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing San Antonio
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Trend Sheet

MLB


Saturday, August 30

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Trend Sheet
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1:05 PM TORONTO vs. NY YANKEES
Toronto is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
NY Yankees are 17-7 SU in their last 24 games at home


3:55 PM BALTIMORE vs. TAMPA BAY
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore


3:55 PM PHILADELPHIA vs. CHI CUBS
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Philadelphia is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games


3:55 PM SEATTLE vs. CLEVELAND
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home


7:05 PM CHI WHITE SOX vs. BOSTON
Chi White Sox are 2-10 SU in their last 12 games when playing Boston
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home


7:05 PM KANSAS CITY vs. DETROIT
Kansas City is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home


7:05 PM MILWAUKEE vs. PITTSBURGH
Milwaukee is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee


7:05 PM ST. LOUIS vs. HOUSTON
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games


7:10 PM ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games


7:10 PM NY METS vs. FLORIDA
NY Mets are 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Florida
NY Mets are 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games


7:10 PM SAN FRANCISCO vs. CINCINNATI
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
San Francisco is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
Cincinnati is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games at home


8:10 PM LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
LA Dodgers are 0-4-1 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 0-4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
Arizona is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games


9:05 PM MINNESOTA vs. OAKLAND
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Oakland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Oakland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Minnesota


9:05 PM TEXAS vs. LA ANGELS
Texas is 6-13 SU in their last 19 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Texas is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home


10:05 PM COLORADO vs. SAN DIEGO
Colorado is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Colorado
San Diego is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB


We will update when projected scores and key injuries are available.

Saturday, August 30

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Tips and Trends
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Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs [FOX | 3:55 PM ET]

Phillies: Brett Myers has been outstanding since returning from a stint in the minors, going 4-1 in seven starts with three no-decisions. The biggest difference for Myers has been keeping the ball in the park, as he has served up just two homers during that stretch after giving up 24 in his first 17 starts. Myers has been especially strong in winning his last two outings, pitching 16 scoreless innings with four walks and 17 strikeouts. However, both of those starts were at home, and he remains 1-7 on the road this season with a 6.35 ERA.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Cubs (NA): Chicago has gone 6-1 in Ted Lilly's last seven starts. Like Myers, Lilly has gone 4-1 during that stretch, although he has struggled a bit both at home and against the Phillies. Lilly is 6-4 in 13 starts at Wrigley Field with an inflated 4.48 ERA, and he is 1-2 in three career starts vs. Philadelphia with an even higher 5.19 ERA. He has also clearly benefit from strong run support in his last four wins, as the Cubbies have averaged 9.5 runs in those games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD



Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays [FOX | 3:55 PM ET]

Orioles: Daniel Cabrera faces a team he has never lost to in the Rays. Cabrera is a perfect 6-0 in 14 career starts vs. Tampa Bay to go along with a 3.63 ERA. He has faced the Rays three times this season though and did not get a decision in any of those games despite the Orioles going 2-1. Cabrera has struggled away from home this season with a 4-6 mark and 4.47 ERA in 16 starts.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Rays (NA): Andy Sonnanstine will try to earn his third straight win at home and bounce back from a road loss at Chicago last time out. Sonnanstine gave up four runs and nine hits - including two homers - in 6.1 innings against the White Sox to snap a personal three-game winning streak overall. He is just 2-2 in four career starts against the Orioles with a 5.70 ERA.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD



Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox [WGN | 7:05 PM ET]

White Sox: Mark Buehrle has struggled on the road this season with a 3-7 mark and 4.16 ERA, and he will be making his first start away from home since August 2. Buehrle has made his last four starts at home, with his team emerging victorious each time. However, in his last two road starts, he has surrendered a combined 13 runs and 22 hits in 9.1 innings. Buehrle is 5-4 lifetime vs. Boston with a 4.16 ERA and earned a win against the Red Sox on August 8 during his recent run at home.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Red Sox (NA): David Pauley will make just his second start of the season and first in the majors since back on April 22. Pauley pitched 4.1 innings against the Angels in that game, giving up five runs and seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in an eventual 7-6 victory. He has gone 14-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket this year.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Streaking Pitchers

MLB

Saturday, August 30

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Streaking Starting Pitchers
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Saturday’s streaking and slumping pitchers

Streaking

Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies (7-10, 4.49)

Myers is 2-1 and has a 1.17 ERA in his last three starts. He has not relinquished more than three earned runs in any of those starts.

Myers, who had just two wins in his first 11, is 4-1 in his last six and has relinquished two homers in that period. He has 35 strikeouts against eight walks in his last six overall.

He is also 6-3 and has a solid 2.63 career- ERA against the Chicago Cubs.

The Phillies are 8-3 in their last 11 games on grass and are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.

Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets (13-8, 3.70)

Pelfrey, who has seven wins in his last 10, is 3-0 and has a 1.44 ERA in his last three overall.

In his last road start, a victory against the Florida Marlins, he surrendered no earned runs in seven IP. He is 5-1 in his last seven road starts and has relinquished more than four ERs just three times in that stretch.

The Mets are 7-2 in their last nine road outings and are 13-4 in their last 17 in Florida.



Slumping

Jason Bergmann, Washington Nationals (2-10, 4.56)

Bergmann has one win in his last 10 and has a 7.47 ERA in his past three. He has relinquished 13 earned runs and three homers in his last 15 IP.

Bergmann is winless at home and has a 5.30 ERA. In his last home contest, a setback at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, he relinquished four earned runs on four hits in four IP. He also has a lofty 11.25 season-ERA against the Atlanta Braves.

The Nationals are 1-8 in their last nine against the NL East and are 16-35 in their last 51 overall.

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[pm530]

Baseball Today

MLB


Saturday, August 30

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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD

Saturday, Aug. 30

New York Mets at Florida, 7:10 p.m. A pair of pleasant surprises take the hill when Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.70 ERA) and the Mets take on Ricky Nolasco (13-7, 3.62) and the Marlins in a key NL East matchup.


STARS

Friday

- Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox, allowed two hits in eight innings to lead Boston over the White Sox 8-0.

- Ben Zobrist and Cliff Floyd, Rays. Zobrist hit a grand slam, and Floyd drove in five runs and Tampa Bay guaranteed its first winning season with a 14-3 rout of Baltimore.

- Chris Dickerson, Reds, went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBIs and a stolen base to help Cincinnati beat San Francisco 11-7.

- Carlos Beltran, Mets, hit a ninth-inning grand slam and New York rallied to beat Florida 5-4.

- Garret Anderson and Torii Hunter, Angels. Anderson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning, center fielder Hunter robbed Marlon Byrd of a two-run shot in the seventh, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Rangers 3-1.

- Garrett Atkins, Rockies, hit two home runs and drove in five runs in Colorado's 9-4 win at San Diego.

- Joe Mauer, Twins, matched his career high with five hits and had four RBIs in Minnesota's 12-2 win over Oakland.


WINNERS

Ben Zobrist hit a grand slam, Cliff Floyd drove in five runs and the AL East-leading Rays guaranteed their first winning season with a 14-3 rout of Baltimore. Tampa Bay (82-51), an AL-best 50-19 at home, had never won more than 70 games in a season before this year.


OUT

Josh Beckett was put on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed right elbow and manager Terry Francona hopes the Boston Red Sox ace can return to the rotation next Friday in Texas. Beckett was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola., Fla., on Friday.


PERFECT 10

With Scott Kazmir's 14-3 win over Baltimore, Tampa Bay joined the 1968 Oakland Athletics as the only teams to have five pitchers 26 years old or younger with 20 starts and 10 wins in the same season. Kazmir is 10-6.


COSTLY

Even seats behind the outfield fence will be costly at the new Yankee Stadium. The front part of the area behind the outfield in right and left will cost $100 and $75 per game next year as part of season-ticket plans at the $1.3 billion ballpark. Nine sections of bleachers, however, are priced at $12, the same as the cost this season in the final year of the 85-year-old ballpark.


VENERABLE DEBUT

San Diego's Will Venable, making his major league debut, tripled to right-center field in his first at-bat in the Padres' 9-4 loss to the Rockies. He scored a few pitches later on Aaron Cook's wild pitch for a 1-0 lead in the second. Venable is the son of former major leaguer Max Venable, who was his son's hitting coach at Triple-A Portland.


SLUMPING

The Dodgers lost 9-3 to the Diamondbacks, their eight straight defeat - all on a 10-game road trip that mercifully ends this weekend. Los Angeles fell 4 1/2 games behind Arizona in the NL West. The Dodgers arrived in the desert early Friday morning from Washington, where they were swept in a three-game series by the Nationals, the worst team in the majors. The Dodgers had mustered 12 runs in the first seven games of their road trip.


FEELING OK, FINALLY

Carl Pavano drew a smattering of applause from a sellout crowd when he stepped to the mound for just his 21st start with the Yankees since signing a four-year contract worth nearly $40 million before the 2005 season. The oft-injured pitcher, in his second start since Tommy John surgery, gave up only three hits and a run over six innings in a 2-1 win over Toronto.


STATS

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera got the final five outs for his 32nd save, a 2-1 win over Toronto. It was the first time Rivera has pitched more than an inning on back-to-back days this season. He went 1 1-3 innings Thursday for the win against the Boston Red Sox. ... Daisuke Matsuzaka (16-2) tied Hideo Nomo's single-season record for the most wins by a native of Japan with Boston's 8-0 win over Chicago.


INSTANT REPLAY

The Philadelphia Phillies may have benefited from an instant replay in the seventh inning. Too bad the rule only is in effect for home run calls. Ryan Howard was called out on a close play at first, thwarting a rally that helped the Cubs beat the Phillies 3-2 for their seventh straight win. Since the new system put in place this week deals only with boundary calls on home runs, there was no way to review the pivotal play. TV replays showed that Howard beat the throw to the bag with two outs in a tie game in the seventh inning and Jimmy Rollins at third. But Howard was called out, the game remained tied and Alfonso Soriano homered in the bottom half for the surging Cubs.


BRAUN-Y

Ryan Braun continued his success against left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, hitting a three-run home run to help the Brewers hand the Pirates their eighth straight loss, 3-1. Braun, who went 2-for-4, is 8-for-17 with three home runs and nine RBIs in his career against Gorzelanny. He also homered last Saturday against the pitcher in a 6-3 win at Milwaukee. "It's just lefties in general,'' Braun said. "I normally see the ball well. He's a good pitcher. Hopefully, I can keep that up. We'll see what happens.''


'PEN PROBLEMS

The Marlins were one strike away from a win, but closer Kevin Gregg couldn't get the job done. Gregg gave up a grand slam to Carlos Beltran in the Mets' 5-4 win. It was Gregg's ninth blown save of the season. In his past seven outings he's 0-4 with an ERA of 16.20. The Mets have had bullpen woes of their own, and Luis Ayala earned his third save despite giving up four hits in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Mike Jacobs singled in one run, and Jorge Cantu doubled home another before Wes Helms grounded out with runners at second and third to end the game.


AILING

Nationals right-hander Shaun Hill will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow. Hill, on the 15-day disabled list since June 25, has "bony buildup'' behind his elbow ligament, according to team doctor Ben Shaffer. Hill was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts this season. ... The Padres placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the 15-day disabled list because of a torn ligament in his left thumb.


SPEAKING

"I was pretty sure I was safe. ... It's definitely frustrating. It changes the outcome of the game. It changes the momentum. Instead of being down 3-2, they get out of the inning, Soriano comes up and hits a home run, now they're up 3-2.'' - Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard after he was called out at first on a close play in a 3-2 loss to the Cubs.


SEASONS

Aug. 30

1905 - Ty Cobb made his major league debut, hitting a double off Jack Chesbro 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 26; Adam Wainwright 27; Luis Rivas 29; Cliff Lee 30; Todd Wellemeyer 30; Marlon Byrd 31.

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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


LA Dodgers at Arizona
The Dodgers lost their eighth straight last night and have to face Arizona's Dan Haren, who is 10-3 at home this season. The Diamondbacks are the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has Arizona favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-140). Here are all of today's games.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

Game 951-952: Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Myers) 15.190; Cubs (Lilly) 16.350
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-160); N/A

Game 953-954: Colorado at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 16.873; San Diego (Greer) 14.691
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Colorado (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-160); Over

Game 955-956: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.524; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.728
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135); Over

Game 957-958: St. Louis at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Looper) 14.806; Houston (Moehler) 15.380
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+135); Under

Game 959-960: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.857; Florida (Nolasco) 14.988
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-115); Over

Game 961-962: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Reyes) 13.787; Washington (Bergmann) 14.770
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Washington (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-115); Over

Game 963-964: San Francisco at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Correia) 14.587; Cincinnati (Ramirez) 15.272
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-140); Over

Game 965-966: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 12.711; Arizona (Haren) 14.728
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-140); Over

Game 967-968: Seattle at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Washburn) 15.157; Cleveland (Reyes) 16.847
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-170); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-170); Over

Game 969-970: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Parrish) 16.212; NY Yankees (Rasner) 15.893
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 10
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-150); Under

Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 16.230; Boston (Pauley) 16.161
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 973-974: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Duckworth) 13.105; Detroit (Rogers) 15.132
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-215); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-215); Over

Game 975-976: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Waters) 16.137; Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 15.832
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 977-978: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 16.790; Oakland (Braden) 14.522
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-185); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-185); Over

Game 979-980: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Feldman) 14.724; LA Angels (Weaver) 16.848
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-180); Under