Saturday Trends and Indexes 9/27 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


**Trends are Incomplete Due to Overnight Pitching Changes**

Saturday, September 27th

National League

(TC) Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee, 3:55 ET FOX
Ted Lilly (L) vs. Ben Sheets (R)
Lilly: Cubs 9-3 Over vs. Milwaukee
Sheets: 6-13 TSR at home vs. division

(TC) Washington at Philadelphia, 3:55 ET FOX
John Lannan (L) vs. Jamie Moyer (L)
Lannan: Wash 40-74 in night games
Moyer: 24-8 TSR vs. division

Cincinnati at St. Louis, 7:15 ET
Aaron Harang (R) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (R)
Harang: 19-7 TSR as an underdog
Wellemeyer: 0-3 TSR, 3.18 ERA L3 starts

Colorado at Arizona, 8:10 ET
Glendon Rusch (L) vs. Brandon Webb (R)
Rusch: Col 3-13 vs. Arizona
Webb: 3-0 TSR, 1.64 ERA L3 starts

LA Dodgers at San Francisco, 9:05 ET
Greg Maddux (R) vs. Matt Cain (R)
Maddux: 31-18 TSR vs. division
Cain: 30-12 Under in night games

Pittsburgh at San Diego, 10:05 ET
Jimmy Barthmaier (R) vs. Chris Young (R)
Barthmaier: Pit 1-7 at San Diego
Young: SD 7-0 Under as a home favorite of -150 to -175

American League

Oakland at Seattle, 4:05 ET
Greg Smith (L) vs. Ryan Rowland-Smith (L)
Smith: 19-0 Under in night games
Rowland-Smith: Sea 5-18 in September

Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, 7:05 ET WGN
Zach Jackson (L) vs. Javier Vazquez (R)
Jackson: Cle 1-6 at Chicago
Vazquez: 27-12 vs. division

Toronto at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
John Parrish (L) vs. Brian Bass (R)
Parrish: Tor 43-32 in the second half of the season
Bass: Bal 4-19 in September

(TC) Kansas City at Minnesota, 3:55 ET
Gil Meche (R) vs. Glen Perkins (L)
Meche: 12-3 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 to +150
Perkins: 11-5 TSR in night games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Saturday, September 26


Hot Pitchers
-- Marlins won eight of last ten Nolasco road starts. Mets are 8-1 in last nine JSantana starts- he is on 3 days' rest, after 125-pitch start in his last outing Tuesday.
-- Lilly is 3-0, 2.05 in his last three starts. Sheets has 3.18 RA in his last three starts, but as had injury issues, as usual.
-- Phillies won Moyer's last six starts, scoring 39 runs.
-- Harang is 3-0, 1.96 in his last three starts.
-- Webb is 3-0, 2.05 in his last three starts.
-- Young is 2-1, 1.57 in his last three starts.
-- Giants won five of Cain's last six home starts.

-- Ponson is 1-2, 11.84 in his last five starts.
-- Smith has a 3.04 RA in his last four starts. Rowland-Smith has 2.72 RA in his last seven starts.
-- Blue Jays are 5-0 when Parrish starts.
-- Garza is 0-2, 3.68 in his last five starts.
-- Meche is 3-1, 3.66 in his last five starts. Perkins has 10.13 RA in his last five outings.
-- ESantana is 3-1, 2.70 in his last five starts. Feldman is 0-3, 8.64 in his last three starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Parr has a 12.00 RA in his last two starts. Backe has 6.04 RA in his last five outings.
-- Nationals are 2-8 in Lannan's last ten road starts.
-- Rusch has 5.19 RA in his last five starts.
-- Cardinals are 3-7 in Wellemeyer's last ten home starts.
-- Barthmeier has 15.19 RA in two starts this season.
-- Dodgers lost five of six Maddux starts.

-- Red Sox lost Beckett's last five home starts.
-- Vazquez has 14.09 RA in his last two starts. Jackson has a 6.42 RA in his eight starts this season.
-- Bass has 7.11 RA in three starts for Orioles.
-- Willis is 0-2, 17.65 in his last three starts.

Hot Teams
-- Phillies won eleven of last fourteen games.
-- Braves won four of their last six games. Astros won last three in a row, scoring 18 runs.
-- Reds won thirteen of their last twenty-one games. Cardinals won three in a row, scoring 18 runs.
-- Cubs won ten of their last fifteen games. Brewers won their last five games, scoring 29 runs.
-- Cardinals won last three games, scoring 23 runs.
-- Padres won four of their last six games.
-- Dodgers are 9-6 in their last fifteen games.

-- Red Sox are 11-5 in their last sixteen home games. Bronx won eight of its last nine games.
-- Rays are 14-7 in their last twenty-one games- have clinched the AL East title.
-- Indians won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Royals won eleven of their last thirteen games. Minnesota won four of its last five games, now leads AL Central by half a game.
-- Angels won twelve of their last sixteen games. Rangers won three in a row, scoring 32 runs.

Cold Teams
-- Nationals lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Marlins lost four of last six games. Mets lost five of their last seven
-- Arizona lost three of their last four games.
-- Pirates lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Giants are 3-8 in their last eleven games.

-- Tigers lost ten of their last thirteen games.
-- Toronto lost three of their last five games. Orioles are 6-29 in their last 35 games.
-- White Sox lost five of their last six games.
-- Mariners lost 14 of their last 16 games. A's lost their last three.

Totals
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Sheets starts.
-- Six of Florida's last seven road games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-3 in Moyer's last nine starts.
-- Over is 8-2 in last ten Backe starts.
-- Under is 18-5 in Cincinnati's last 23 road games.
-- Under is 4-0-2 in Rusch's last six starts.
-- Over is 6-3 in Young's last nine starts.
-- Over is 3-1 in Cain's last four home starts.

-- Last four Beckett starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-1 in Seattle's last six home games.
--
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Cleveland road games.
-- Last three Willis starts went over the total.
-- Under is 4-1 in Meche's last five starts.
-- Last seven ESantana starts stayed under the total.

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Saturday, September 26


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CHICAGO CUBS (96 - 63) at MILWAUKEE (89 - 71) - 3:55 PM
TED LILLY (L) vs. BEN SHEETS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 62-33 (+20.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 54-34 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 94-59 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 14-6 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 96-63 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 28-15 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LILLY is 11-2 (+9.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 9-15 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
SHEETS is 6-13 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 8-6 (+1.2 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+6.1 Units)

TED LILLY vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
LILLY is 1-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 5.53 and a WHIP of 1.337.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-5. (-5.4 units)

BEN SHEETS vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
SHEETS is 10-8 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.98 and a WHIP of 1.184.
His team's record is 14-12 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-13. (-2.2 units)

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FLORIDA (83 - 76) at NY METS (88 - 72) - 1:10 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. JOHAN SANTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 82-74 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 37-35 (+12.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
FLORIDA is 251-263 (+47.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
FLORIDA is 83-76 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 38-40 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
FLORIDA is 39-30 (+16.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
FLORIDA is 23-18 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NOLASCO is 21-10 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 13-5 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 20-10 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 13-4 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 54-53 (-12.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 88-72 (-5.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 88-72 (-25.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 12-17 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in home games in September games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 74-68 (-22.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 88-72 (-5.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SANTANA is 3-9 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 14-18 (-12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 9-7 (-0.4 Units) against FLORIDA this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. NY METS since 1997
NOLASCO is 2-4 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 7.43 and a WHIP of 1.871.
His team's record is 4-4 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+2.0 units)

JOHAN SANTANA vs. FLORIDA since 1997
SANTANA is 4-0 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 2.49 and a WHIP of 1.066.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.1 units)

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WASHINGTON (59 - 100) at PHILADELPHIA (90 - 70) - 3:55 PM
JOHN LANNAN (L) vs. JAMIE MOYER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 59-97 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 33-67 (-24.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
WASHINGTON is 24-52 (-20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WASHINGTON is 59-100 (-22.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MOYER is 21-11 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 24-8 (+16.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 21-11 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 68-25 (+26.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 43-47 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 91-76 (+44.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 38-41 (+19.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 119-109 (-39.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-24 (-12.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-18 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
MOYER is 23-39 (-23.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-10 (+0.2 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.3 Units)

JOHN LANNAN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
LANNAN is 0-2 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.688.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

JAMIE MOYER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MOYER is 5-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.14 and a WHIP of 1.299.
His team's record is 7-2 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-6. (-3.8 units)

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ATLANTA (71 - 89) at HOUSTON (85 - 74) - 7:05 PM
JAMES PARR (R) vs. BRANDON BACKE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 39-48 (-13.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ATLANTA is 71-89 (-23.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 28-51 (-19.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ATLANTA is 1-10 (-9.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
ATLANTA is 70-87 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 48-61 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ATLANTA is 20-36 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 49-35 (+20.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
HOUSTON is 21-10 (+14.1 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
HOUSTON is 39-29 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
HOUSTON is 85-74 (+22.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 46-30 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 8-1 (+7.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
HOUSTON is 83-73 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 63-53 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 60-54 (+13.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BACKE is 29-10 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BACKE is 13-4 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in September games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BACKE is 29-10 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
BACKE is 32-24 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BACKE is 17-4 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-2 (+0.5 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

JAMES PARR vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

BRANDON BACKE vs. ATLANTA since 1997
BACKE is 3-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.65 and a WHIP of 1.291.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+1.0 units)

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CINCINNATI (74 - 86) at ST LOUIS (84 - 76) - 7:15 PM
AARON HARANG (R) vs. TODD WELLEMEYER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 77-97 (-23.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 31-45 (-16.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CINCINNATI is 44-61 (-21.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 84-76 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-50 (+6.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-47 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 84-76 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 35-24 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 43-42 (+5.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CINCINNATI is 45-41 (+10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 449-521 (+44.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 295-337 (+31.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
HARANG is 50-41 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 48-40 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 37-27 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 13-7 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 23-34 (-19.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 34-41 (-10.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-5 (+3.3 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-1.0 Units)

AARON HARANG vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
HARANG is 6-8 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.252.
His team's record is 8-9 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-5. (+5.5 units)

TODD WELLEMEYER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
WELLEMEYER is 0-2 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.17 and a WHIP of 1.468.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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COLORADO (74 - 86) at ARIZONA (80 - 80) - 8:10 PM
GLENDON RUSCH (L) vs. BRANDON WEBB (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 73-87 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 46-67 (-23.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 34-50 (-16.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
COLORADO is 73-87 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 30-40 (-13.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
WEBB is 27-9 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WEBB is 46-22 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 125-113 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 67-70 (+25.2 Units) against the money line in road games in September games since 1997.
RUSCH is 14-4 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in road games in September games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 81-77 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 56-51 (-6.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 38-41 (-11.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 81-80 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 24-31 (-13.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 13-3 (+10.8 Units) against COLORADO this season
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

GLENDON RUSCH vs. ARIZONA since 1997
RUSCH is 3-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.73 and a WHIP of 1.117.
His team's record is 3-4 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.8 units)

BRANDON WEBB vs. COLORADO since 1997
WEBB is 11-8 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.77 and a WHIP of 1.293.
His team's record is 14-11 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-14. (-5.7 units)

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LA DODGERS (83 - 77) at SAN FRANCISCO (71 - 89) - 9:05 PM
GREG MADDUX (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 52-56 (-14.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 83-77 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 35-44 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 83-77 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 60-54 (-8.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MADDUX is 240-183 (-46.3 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MADDUX is 153-121 (-42.8 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 659-554 (+80.9 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 54-58 (+6.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-35 (+8.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MADDUX is 31-18 (+11.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 64-98 (-25.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 142-180 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 75-85 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 142-180 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CAIN is 23-42 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 8-20 (-13.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 23-42 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 15-28 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 7-17 (-12.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 9-25 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 8-8 (+3.7 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.3 Units)

GREG MADDUX vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
MADDUX is 17-5 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 2.90 and a WHIP of 1.033.
His team's record is 21-8 (+8.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-14. (-1.8 units)

MATT CAIN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
CAIN is 0-5 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.24 and a WHIP of 1.639.
His team's record is 4-6 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.4 units)

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PITTSBURGH (66 - 94) at SAN DIEGO (62 - 98) - 10:05 PM
JIMMY BARTHMAIER (R) vs. CHRIS YOUNG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 82-159 (-40.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 82-159 (-40.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 62-97 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 42-73 (-31.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 42-62 (-17.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 39-57 (-16.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN DIEGO is 36-47 (-14.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN DIEGO is 62-97 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 34-44 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 3-2 (+0.6 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JIMMY BARTHMAIER vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

CHRIS YOUNG vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
YOUNG is 3-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.52 and a WHIP of 0.640.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.1 units)

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NY YANKEES (88 - 72) at BOSTON (94 - 66) - 3:55 PM
SIDNEY PONSON (R) vs. DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 16-25 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 159-121 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 183-143 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 88-50 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 86-51 (+20.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 94-66 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 20-5 (+11.8 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 this season.
BOSTON is 55-24 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BOSTON is 37-11 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MATSUZAKA is 23-5 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MATSUZAKA is 14-2 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
MATSUZAKA is 19-4 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 51-31 (+11.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
PONSON is 22-12 (+17.6 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997. (Team's Record)
PONSON is 13-6 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 42-45 (-15.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 8-8 (-0.2 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
10 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.8 Units)

SIDNEY PONSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
PONSON is 3-13 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.95 and a WHIP of 1.805.
His team's record is 7-15 (-5.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-14. (-7.4 units)

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
MATSUZAKA is 3-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 6.30 and a WHIP of 1.567.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)

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OAKLAND (75 - 84) at SEATTLE (59 - 101) - 4:05 PM
GREG SMITH (L) vs. RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 4-11 (-8.0 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
OAKLAND is 50-62 (-16.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 21-37 (-14.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 25-46 (-22.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SEATTLE is 235-222 (-74.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
SEATTLE is 59-101 (-39.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 24-43 (-22.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 33-46 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 19-26 (-11.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 6-18 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
SEATTLE is 7-18 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
SEATTLE is 20-35 (-17.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
SEATTLE is 54-94 (-38.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 10-7 (+2.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.1 Units)

GREG SMITH vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SMITH is 1-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH vs. OAKLAND since 1997
ROWLAND-SMITH is 0-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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CLEVELAND (80 - 80) at CHI WHITE SOX (86 - 73) - 7:05 PM
ZACH JACKSON (L) vs. JAVIER VAZQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 80-80 (-8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 23-30 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 74-71 (-6.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 82-56 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 31-19 (+9.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 86-72 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 51-26 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 41-28 (+12.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
VAZQUEZ is 22-8 (+13.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 137-105 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 10-6 (+4.5 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
10 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.7 Units)

ZACH JACKSON vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

JAVIER VAZQUEZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
VAZQUEZ is 7-4 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.327.
His team's record is 10-5 (+3.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-7. (+0.6 units)

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TORONTO (85 - 75) at BALTIMORE (67 - 92) - 7:05 PM
JOHN PARRISH (L) vs. BRIAN BASS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 15-26 (-14.5 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 54-59 (+4.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 65-52 (+9.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 85-75 (+1.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 71-88 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 15-32 (-16.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 35-55 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 10-24 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 31-58 (-17.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BALTIMORE is 13-35 (-17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
BALTIMORE is 135-185 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 18-34 (-14.3 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 71-88 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 4-19 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
BALTIMORE is 21-49 (-21.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 11-5 (+3.6 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.9 Units)

JOHN PARRISH vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
PARRISH is 0-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.143.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

BRIAN BASS vs. TORONTO since 1997
BASS is 0-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 10.39 and a WHIP of 1.617.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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TAMPA BAY (96 - 64) at DETROIT (73 - 86) - 7:05 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. DONTRELLE WILLIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 53-64 (-17.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
GARZA is 2-8 (-8.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 37-26 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TAMPA BAY is 96-64 (+27.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 18-8 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
TAMPA BAY is 63-43 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 22-37 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 10-20 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 73-86 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 39-40 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 7-16 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
DETROIT is 68-75 (-24.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 48-55 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 47-64 (-28.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 3-2 (+0.7 Units) against DETROIT this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

MATT GARZA vs. DETROIT since 1997
GARZA is 0-3 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 4.84 and a WHIP of 1.433.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

DONTRELLE WILLIS vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
WILLIS is 2-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.67 and a WHIP of 1.259.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.2 units)

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KANSAS CITY (74 - 86) at MINNESOTA (87 - 73) - 3:55 PM
GIL MECHE (R) vs. GLEN PERKINS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 42-28 (+10.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 54-29 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome this season.
MINNESOTA is 54-32 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf this season.
MINNESOTA is 58-50 (+4.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 20-8 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 87-73 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 52-27 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PERKINS is 16-9 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 17-7 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 29-25 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 35-24 (+21.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 39-33 (+11.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 114-158 (+19.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 74-86 (+2.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 40-30 (+20.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
KANSAS CITY is 36-43 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 19-17 (+12.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MECHE is 13-6 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 20-14 (+15.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 24-14 (+13.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 10-4 (+8.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 7-1 (+8.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 21-29 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in September games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 11-5 (+2.6 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
10 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.4 Units)

GIL MECHE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MECHE is 6-5 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.73 and a WHIP of 1.336.
His team's record is 8-7 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-10. (-6.4 units)

GLEN PERKINS vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

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TEXAS (78 - 82) at LA ANGELS (99 - 61) - 9:05 PM
SCOTT FELDMAN (R) vs. ERVIN SANTANA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 93-54 (+25.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 69-50 (+5.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 66-45 (+12.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 40-20 (+17.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 99-61 (+23.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 43-17 (+23.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 103-58 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 24-9 (+11.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SANTANA is 22-7 (+14.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 72-76 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 59-59 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 57-52 (+13.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 70-78 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 78-82 (+6.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 15-11 (+9.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 this season.
TEXAS is 38-41 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA ANGELS are 91-88 (-50.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 11-6 (+2.4 Units) against TEXAS this season
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-1.2 Units)

SCOTT FELDMAN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
FELDMAN is 0-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 10.34 and a WHIP of 1.787.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. TEXAS since 1997
SANTANA is 7-4 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 6.01 and a WHIP of 1.399.
His team's record is 8-5 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-3. (+5.6 units)

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Saturday

-- At 12:53am Saturday, Bronx beat Boston 19-8 in a rain-plagued game that clinched the AL East title for the Tampa Bay Rays.

-- Phillies can clinch NL East with a win or Met loss Saturday.

-- Mets lost at home to Florida while Brewers beat the Cubs, so it is Milwaukee that leads the NL Wild Card chase by a game.

-- White Sox, Twins both got whacked at home, so Minnesota still has a half-game lead in the AL Central.

-- Only one of the four playoff matchups that is set so far is that Red Sox will be facing the Angels next week.

-- Horse named Wordspinner won at Fingerlakes yesterday at 6-1, ending an 0-50 career drought; he had finished second ten times.

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[pm530]

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

13) According to the New York Post, Plaxico Burress will lose a cool $235,294 as result of his one-week suspension. Whatever caused him to miss those two days, I hope it was worth a quarter million bucks.

12) Oregon Ducks lost their starting QB Costa with knee injury this summer, and has since used four other signal callers, as injuries have ravaged the position. QB #5 was in a car accident this week, where a teammate was racing and was charged with reckless driving. QB #5 is expected to play at Washington State today.

11) Seattle Mariners have a $117M payroll, 100 losses and a ton of dissension; there are reports that one Mariner dislikes star OF Ichiro Suzuki so much, he wanted the beat him up earlier this season.

10) Dallas Cowboys are 3-0 already, but they've had a -1 turnover ratio in all three games. Unusual to win in NFL with a negative ratio.

9) Can you imagine being a kid in school named Wolf Blitzer? The CNN anchor must have taken a decent amount of grief as a kid.

8) Ole Miss spent $6M in preparations for the Presidential debate Friday night, as Weaselmania now has 53 days left. Politicians and their operatives treat the truth like a dog treats a fire hydrant.

7) Baltimore Orioles have used six different shortstops to replace Miguel Tejada this season; the six combined to hit less than .220.

6) Florida Gators failed to cover the spread the last six games after playing Tennessee the week before.

5) UCLA Bruins covered their last eight tries as a home underdog.

4) Duke was a home favorite against Navy September 13 for the first time since 2003; they covered, and are now home favorite again this week, against a Virginia team that lost its QB to legal issues. .

3) JM Singh drained a hole-in-one on 7th hole at British Masters on Friday, and acted like nothing happened. Hosw many aces do these guys get, that it doesn't seem special?

2) Sounds like my Rams have a mutiny on their hands, with Bulger getting benched, and Jackson speaking out against the move. Inmates are running the asylum, never a good sign. After they lose to Buffalo Sunday, they can fire the coach, then the highly-paid underachievers will have to play better, since they won't be able to blame Linehan.

1) With Oregon State winning as 25-point dog Thursday, there has now been a double-digit underdog winning straight up every weekend so far this season. The race for #1 is now wide-open.

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

[pm530]

Wnba

WNBA
Long Sheet


Conference Finals

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 27
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LOS ANGELES (23 - 15) at SAN ANTONIO (26 - 12) - 9/27/2008, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) after a division game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 7-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 6-6 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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


WNBA
Trends Sheet


Conference Finals

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:00 PM LOS ANGELES vs. SAN ANTONIO
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
San Antonio is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing Los Angeles

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[pm530]

Baseball Today

MLB


Saturday, September 27

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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD
Washington at Philadelphia (3:55 p.m. EDT). Veteran Jamie Moyer (15-7) takes the hill for the Phillies, who are trying to hang on in the NL East. He goes against Odalis Perez (7-11).


STARS

Friday

— Rickie Weeks, Brewers, came off the bench to hit a three-run homer, helping Milwaukee move to the top of the NL wild-card race with a 5-1 win over the Cubs.

— Gary Sheffield, Tigers, went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs in a 6-4 win over the Rays that prevented them from clinching the AL East—at least, until the Red Sox lost.

— Ryan Howard, Phillies, homered and drove in four runs in an 8-4 win over the Nationals that gave Philadelphia a two-game lead over the Mets in the NL East.

— Robinson Cano, Yankees, went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs in a rain-delayed, 19-8 win over Boston that handed the AL East title to Tampa Bay.

— Scott Richmond, Blue Jays, gave up four hits in six sparkling innings, striking out three in a 3-0 win over the Orioles.

— Albert Pujols, went 3-for-3 with a homer and a pair of RBIs in a 7-6 win over the Reds.

— Billy Butler, Royals, had a two-run homer among his three hits, helping Kansas City beat AL Central-contending Minnesota 8-1.


LOSING WINNERS…

The Tampa Bay Rays won their first AL East championship when the Boston Red Sox lost to the New York Yankees. It didn’t matter that the Rays lost 6-4 to the Detroit Tigers earlier in the night. They became the first team other than Boston and New York to win the division since Baltimore did it in 1997.


…AND WINNING LOSERS

Pinch-hitter Darin Erstad hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning to lift Houston to a 5-4 win over Atlanta, but the Astros were still eliminated from playoff contention. They entered 3 1/2 games back of the Mets and Milwaukee. New York lost, but the Brewers won.


NEW YORK MESS

The Mets are again poised to miss the playoffs in the season’s final weekend, losing 6-1 to Florida and allowing the Brewers to take a one-game lead in the wild-card race. New York also dropped two games back of the Phillies in the NL East. Last year, the Mets lost the division to Philadelphia on the final day after a historic September collapse.


HOME RUN, HOWARD

Ryan Howard hit his major league-leading 48th homer, and combined with a strong start from Joe Blanton, the Phillies moved closer to winning the NL East. Their magic number for winning their second straight division championship was cut to one after the Mets lost to the Marlins.


SUZUKI STILL SCORING

Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki matched Lou Gehrig’s record with his eighth season of at least 200 hits and 100 runs. Suzuki scored his 100th run of the season in the third inning against Oakland. Gehrig reached the marks in 1927-28, 1930-32, 1934 and 1936-37.


SPOILING ROYALS

Kansas City roughed up Francisco Liriano in an 8-1 win over the Twins, keeping them a half game up on the White Sox in the AL Central. The Royals have won 12 of 14 overall and seven straight on the road, and hope to play spoiler again. Two years ago, the Tigers needed to win just one game at home against Kansas City to sew up the division. But the Royals swept Detroit, allowing the Twins to jump into the top spot.


SPEAKING

“It was like being in detention for a month, then your first day out for recess, just getting out there and having fun again and playing the game where it’s fun. We’re having fun right now.”—Brewers reliever Seth McClung, a one-time superstar prospect who pitched Milwaukee to a win over the Cubs and the lead in the NL wild-card race.


SEASONS

Sept. 27

1923—Lou Gehrig hit his first homer in the majors off Bill Piercy of the Boston Red Sox. On the same date 15 years later, he would hit his 493rd and last off Dutch Leonard of the Senators.

1930—Hack Wilson hit two home runs for the Chicago Cubs, giving him an NL-record 56 for the season.

1935—The Chicago Cubs clinched the NL pennant and won their 21st consecutive game with a doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs won the pennant with the opening-game victory.

1936—Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston played in his only major league game as a late-inning substitute at first base for Johnny Mize of the St. Louis Cardinals. He made one error in two chances and struck out in his only at-bat.

1940—Rookie Floyd Gieball pitched the Detroit Tigers to a pennant-clinching 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians. It was Gieball’s second and last major league win.

1973—The California Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in 11 innings as Nolan Ryan struck out 16, including No. 383 of the season, a modern major league record.

1993—Randy Myers became the first NL reliever with 50 saves in a season as the Chicago Cubs beat Los Angeles 7-3.

1996—San Francisco’s Barry Bonds became the second player to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a season. Jose Canseco was the other. Bonds, who had 42 homers, stole his 40th base in a 9-3 win over Colorado.

1998—Mark McGwire gave baseball a new magic number, hitting two homers to reach No. 70 in the St. Louis Cardinals’ season finale against Montreal. It was McGwire’s fifth homer in the season-ending, three-game series. McGwire’s 70th and final home run of the season was a line shot over the left-field wall on a first-pitch fastball from Carl Pavano in the seventh.

1998—The New York Yankees won their seventh straight game and ended their incredible regular season with 114 victories. With a .704 winning percentage, the Yankees (114-48) became the first team since the 1954 Cleveland Indians (111-43) to play .700 ball over an entire season.

2000—Anaheim’s Darin Erstad was 4-for-5 with an RBI in a 9-7 loss to Oakland. Erstad had 99 RBIs to break broke the major league record for RBIs in a season by a leadoff batter set by Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra (98) in 1997.

2003—Edgar Renteria became the first National League shortstop in 18 years to drive in 100 runs as St. Louis beat Arizona 3-2. Montreal’s Hubie Brooks was the last NL shortstop to have at least 100, in 1985.

2003—Sammy Sosa hit his 40th home run as Chicago beat Pittsburgh 7-2 in the second game of a doubleheader. Sosa set an NL record by reaching the mark for the sixth straight year.

2005—The Atlanta Braves clinched their 14th straight division title thanks to Philadelphia’s loss to the New York Mets. The Braves began their record-setting streak in 1991—when they were in the NL West.

2006—Florida is the first team in major league history to have four rookie pitchers with 10 wins after Anibal Sanchez (10-3) joined Scott Olsen (12-9), Josh Johnson (12-7) and Ricky Nolasco (11-10) following a 7-2 win over Cincinnati. Dontrelle Willis (12-12) gives the Marlins five 10-game winners for the first time in franchise history.

Today’s birthdays: Jon Garland 29; Jon Rauch 30; Vicente Padilla 31; Mike Schmidt 59.

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