Announcement

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:29 PM

Daily Sports Roundup: October 16

The BYU Cougars will look to improve to 7-0 on Thursday night, while the Tampa Bay Rays will try to advance to the World Series. Here's a look in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The 6-0 Cougars haven't exactly had a murderer's row of opponents so far this season, which is part of the reason why they're only at No. 9 in the rankings despite the perfect mark. As well, BYU hasn't even been lucrative for bettors - they're just 2-3 against-the-spread on the season. Thursday should be their toughest test to date, as they'll play on the road against 6-1 (4-2 ATS) TCU. The Cougars are sitting as only 1-point favorites.

The other college football game on the schedule for Thursday sees Florida State at North Carolina State. The Seminoles are 4-1 (2-1 ATS) on the season, and they beat Miami 41-39 last time out. The 2-4 (3-2 ATS) Wolfpack fell 38-31 to Boston College in their last game. The oddsmakers have the Seminoles pegged as 11-point favorites.

Other Notable Events

Tampa Bay can end Boston's season on Thursday night with a win in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The Rays were all over the Red Sox in Game 4 on Tuesday night, blasting three home runs for a 13-4 win and a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Red Sox will go with Daisuke Matsuzaka at home in Game 5 as they try to stave off elimination. Dice-K has already pitched his team to a win over the Rays in the ALCS, tossing seven shutout innings and giving up just four hits (while fanning nine) back in Game 1. Matsuzaka got a no-decision in his only start against the Angels in the ALDS.

The Rays were scheduled to go with James Shields on Thursday, but instead they'll move up Scott Kazmir to make the start. Kazmir picked up a no-decision in Game 2 of this series, allowing five earned runs on six hits over just 4 1-3 innings of work (and striking out two). The lefthander had some success at Fenway Park back in September, surrendering just two earned runs on five hits over six innings of work in a no-decision.

The Rest of the Schedule

There are seven National Hockey League games on tap for Thursday night, including a matchup of winless teams when Philadelphia plays in Denver against the Avalanche. Also on the schedule: New Jersey at Atlanta, Vancouver at Detroit, Washington at Pittsburgh, the Islanders at Tampa Bay, Minnesota at Florida, and Dallas at St. Louis.

News from the Wire

The Cowboys picked up wide receiver Roy Williams from the Lions prior to the NFL's trade deadline, but they have lost cornerback Adam Jones to a suspension . . . Browns tight end Kellen Winslow is expected to return from his illness this weekend . . . Bengals running back Cedric Benson could see an increase in playing time starting this week . . . embattled Senators goalie Martin Gerber will get the start against Phoenix on Friday.

A Peek at the Future

Friday's lone college football game sees Hawaii playing on the road against No. 15 Boise State; the Broncos are pegged as big 24.5-point favorites in that contest . . . the injury to Tony Romo has dropped the Cowboys to just 6.5-point favorites against the Rams on Sunday afternoon . . . Jimmie Johnson opened as the 7/2 Vegas favorite to win the Sprint Cup's Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:34 PM

Thursday's List of 13: How the Tampa Bay Rays were built.....

Lot of discussion on New York talk radio this week about how the Mets and Bronx Bombers should re-tool their teams to do better in 2009; the usual panic exists, as in trade Wright-Reyes-Beltran, the kind of thinking that makes people dismiss talk radio.

Anyway, I thought I'd look into how the Rays were put together, so here it, how all their players came to be Tampa Bay Rays...........

Starters
2B Akinori Iwamura-- Purchased from Yakult Swallows, 2-15-06.
CF BJ Upton-- 1st round pick, 2002 draft
1B Carlos Pena-- Signed as free agent, 2-1-07
3B Evan Longoria-- 1st round pick, 2006 draft
LF Carl Crawford-- 2nd round pick, 1999 draft
RF Gabe Gross-- Acquired in trade from Brewers, 4-22-08.
C Dioner Navarro-- Acquired in trade from Dodgers, 6-27-06.
DH Willy Aybar-- Acquired in trade from Braves, 1-17-08.
SS Jason Bartlett-- Acquired in trade from Twins, 11-28-07.

Comments
-- Three of the four trades listed above were yawners when they got announced; all have turned out to be major steals for the Rays.
-- Rays got lucky with Pena; had Greg Norton been healthy at end of spring training in 2007, Pena would have been sent to AAA. Instead he hit 46 homers and is now a mainstay of the team.
-- The big boys missed the boat on Iwamura; he plays every day, he is a terrific fielder, and while not the best leadoff hitter ever, he isn't a bad hitter. If Bronx Bombers had signed him, put ARod at short and moved Jeter to first, they would have been hell of a lot better off.

Bench
Cliff Floyd-- Signed as free agent, 12-14-07.
Ben Zobrist-- Acquired in trade with Astros, 7-12-06.
Rocco Baldelli-- 1st round pick, 2000 draft
Eric Hinske-- Signed as free agent, 2-7-08.
Pat Riggans-- 24th round pick, 2000 draft

Starting Pitchers
James Shields-- 16th round pick, 2000 draft
Scott Kazmir-- Acquired in trade with Mets, 7-30-04.
Matt Garza-- Acquired in trade with Twins, 11-28-07.
Andy Sonnanstine-- 13th round pick, 2004 draft.
Edwin Jackson-- Acquired in trade with Dodgers, 1-14-06.

Comments
-- Rays traded their closer at the time, Danys Baez, to get Jackson, who will be odd man out in rotation when David Price steps in next spring, but Jackson has been a huge help.
-- Kazmir for Victor Zambrano is one of the greatest ripoffs ever.
-- The Bartlett/Garza trade worked out well for both sides.
-- Getting James Shields with 16th round draft pick was tremendous.

Bullpen
Troy Percival-- Signed as free agent, 11-30-07, after he had been out of baseball for year (He threw out the first ball at Angels' '07 home opener).
Dan Wheeler-- Acquired in trade with Astros, 7-28-07.
Grant Balfour-- Acquired in trade with Brewers, 7-28-07
JP Howell-- Acquired in trade with Royals, 6-20-06.
Chad Bradford-- Acquired in trade with Orioles, 8-7-08.
David Price-- 1st round pick in 2007 draft.
Trever Miller-- Signed as free agent, 2-6-08.
Jason Hammel-- 10th round pick in 2002 draft.

Comments
-- Balfour for Seth McClung? The Brewers couldn't use Balfour?
-- JP Howell for Joey Gathright? No wonder the Royals always lose.
-- Wheeler and Miller are both on their second tour of duty in Tampa.
-- David Price will eventually be a top-flight starter.

While the New York media wants splashy solutions to shore up the problems in Queens and the Bronx, seems like it is crafty trades that involve mid-level players are what made the Rays bullpen lot better this season. You can't throw money at problems and create the kind of chemistry Joe Maddon has in St Pete, and thats why these Rays have been so much fun to watch.

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:35 PM

Wednesday's six-pack
Some NFL knowledge with Week 7 approaching.........

-- Carolina is 4-9 in its last 13 tries as home favorite; all thirteen of those games stayed under the total.

-- Ravens covered one of their last ten road games.

-- Seahawks are 4-14 vs spread in last 18 games in EST zone.

-- Tennessee is 7-2-1 vs spread in last ten road games.

-- Lions covered two of their last ten road games.

-- 49ers are 8-23-1 vs spread in last 32 games in EST zone.

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:36 PM

MLB

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This Day in Baseball
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On October 16 in Baseball History...

* 1909 - The Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series as rookie Babe Adams registered his third victory by beating the Detroit Tigers, 8-0, in the seventh game of the World Series.

* 1912 - Fred Snodgrass dropped a fly ball in the 10th inning that helped the Boston Red Sox score two runs and take the World Series from the New York Giants.

* 1936 - Lou Gehrig, who hit 49 home runs, scored 167 runs, knocked in 152, and batted .354, is voted AL MVP.

* 1960 - The NL votes to admit Houston and New York to the league, the first structural change since 1900.

* 1962 - With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, San Francisco's Willie McCovey hit a hard line drive at second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out and the New York Yankees won Game 7 by a score of 1-0 for their 20th World Series title.

* 1969 - The New York Mets won their fourth straight game from the Baltimore Orioles with a 5-3 triumph behind Jerry Koosman to take the World Series in five games.

* 1971 - Brooks Robinson drives in Frank Robinson in the tenth inning of Game Six to give Baltimore a Series-tying 3-2 win.

* 1973 - The A's win Game Three of the World Series in 11 innings as Bert Campaneris gets the winning RBI in a 3-2 victory over the Mets. In a private clubhouse meeting, Dick Williams tells A's players he will resign after the Series.

* 1974 - Ken Holtzman, who hadn't batted all season, belts a third-inning home run in Game Four and gets the 5-2 win. Rollie Fingers holds the Dodgers in relief and Oakland takes a 3-1 Series lead.

* 1975 - Tony Perez broke an 0-for-15 slump with two home runs to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the World Series.

* 1976 - Don Gullett and Pedro Borbon combine on a five-hitter as the Reds win the first game of the World Series over the Yankees 5-1. Three hits by Tony Perez, the first World Series designated hitter, and a Joe Morgan homer supply the offense.

* 1977 - The Dodgers stay alive with a 10-4 victory in Game Five against the Yankees. Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith homer, and Don Sutton pitches a complete game.

* 1979 - John Candelaria and Kent Tekulve combine on a 4-0 shutout as the Pirates send the World Series to its seventh game.

* 1982 - Four Cardinals pitchers are helpless to stop the Brewers from rallying for a 7-5 win to even the World Series after four games.

* 1983 - Eddie Murray hit two homers and Scott McGregor pitched a five-hitter to give Baltimore a 5-0 victory, its fourth straight over the Philadelphia Phillies to give the Orioles the World Series in five games.

* 1985 - The Kansas City Royals won the American League pennant with a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7, capping a comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

* 1985 - Jack Clark's three-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth gave the St. Louis Cardinals a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League pennant.

* 1988 - Orel Hershiser gives up three hits and has three hits himself to beat Oakland, 6-0. The Dodgers have a shocking 2-0 World Series lead over the favored A's.

* 1990 - Eric Davis becomes the 22nd player to homer in his first World Series at-bat. The Reds go on to rout the A's, 7-0, ending Oakland's 10-game post-season winning streak.

* 1991 - The Braves win the third 1-0 game of the NLCS to force a seventh game in Pittsburgh. Greg Olson doubles home the only run of the game in the ninth inning.

* 1993 - The Blue Jays put the game away with a three-run rally in the seventh inning at the SkyDome in Game One of the World Series. Reliever Al Leiter gets the 8-5 victory against the Phillies.

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:38 PM

MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, October 16

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TAMPA BAY (103 - 67) at BOSTON (99 - 71) - 8:05 PM
SCOTT KAZMIR (L) vs. DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 99-71 (+9.7 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 57-28 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BOSTON is 24-7 (+14.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 92-54 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 71-49 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BOSTON is 89-54 (+19.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-17 (+28.8 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
MATSUZAKA is 25-6 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MATSUZAKA is 20-5 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
MATSUZAKA is 16-4 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 103-67 (+32.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 39-26 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 46-30 (+19.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
TAMPA BAY is 66-45 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 76-42 (+31.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 62-40 (+17.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TAMPA BAY is 57-37 (+20.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KAZMIR is 21-8 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KAZMIR is 16-3 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
KAZMIR is 21-7 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KAZMIR is 23-9 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KAZMIR is 23-15 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 226-180 (-45.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
BOSTON is 289-265 (-49.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
BOSTON is 47-50 (-16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 31-33 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 13-9 (+6.2 Units) against BOSTON this season
12 of 22 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. BOSTON since 1997
KAZMIR is 6-7 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.415.
His team's record is 12-10 (+8.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-11. (-0.5 units)

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
MATSUZAKA is 3-3 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.27 and a WHIP of 1.309.
His team's record is 4-5 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+1.0 units)

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:39 PM

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 16th

American League Championship Series
Best of Seven
Game Five
Rays Leads, 3-1
TV: TBS
Tampa Bay at Boston, 8:05 ET
Scott Kazmir (L) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (R)

Kazmir:
TB 7-16 Away off BB wins
TB 17-6 Over Away playing with day off

Matsuzaka:
22-5 TSR as a favorite
Boston 14-4 facing elimination in a playoff series

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:40 PM

MLB
Write-Up

Thursday, October 16

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Kazmir is pitching Game 5 because umpire Cousins has home plate if a Game 6 is necessary, and Kazmir/Cousins do not get along very well at all. Plus, Shields is better at home. Kazmir allowed 24 runs in 22.1 IP vs Boston this season, but Tampa went 3-2 in those five games. Red Sox are 11-2 in last 13 Matsuzaka starts; he is 2-0, 2.05 in his four starts vs Rays, shutting them out for seven IP in opener of series. Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Kazmir starts. Rays become an unlikely World Series team if they win this game.

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:41 PM

MLB

Thursday, October 16

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Trend Sheet
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8:07 PM TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Tampa Bay is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:43 PM

MLB

Thursday, October 16

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Tips and Trends
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Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox [TBS | 8:05 PM ET]

Rays: Rays manager Joe Maddon decided to do something different with his pitching staff, opting to start Scott Kazmir instead of James Shields in Game 5. Kazmir is the only Tampa Bay starter to pitch poorly in this series. He lasted just 4.1 innings on Saturday, yielding five runs, six hits - three homers - and three walks. Kazmir is 6-7 with a 3.86 ERA in 22 starts versus Boston, but 0-2 with a 9.27 ERA in five outings this season.

Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 games following a win.
The OVER is 7-3 in Tampa Bay's last 10 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Red Sox (-150, O/U 9): With their season on the line, the Red Sox turn to their most consistent pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Sox have won both of Dice-K’s postseason starts including Game 1 against the Rays where he pitched seven innings of shutout ball, while striking out nine. Matsuzaka was tough at home this season, going 9-3 with a 3.34 ERA at Fenway Park.

Red Sox are 11-4 in their last 15 playoff games.
The OVER is 4-1 in Matsuzaka’s last 5 starts vs. Rays.

Key Injuries - 3B Mike Lowell (back) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:44 PM

MLB

Thursday, October 16

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Hot Lines: Thursday's best MLB bets
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Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox (-150, 9)

The Rays look to continue their offensive surge, overcome Daisuke Matsuzaka and finish off the reigning champions when they face the Red Sox in Game 5 of the AL championship series Thursday night at Fenway Park.

After finishing two games ahead of Boston to win the AL East, the Rays are on the verge of besting the Red Sox again. Tampa Bay, which failed to win more than 70 games in its first decade of existence, has outscored Boston 22-5 in two games since this series moved to Fenway.

While a 3-1 deficit may be daunting, it's a hole from which the Red Sox can emerge. Under manager Terry Francona, Boston is 7-0 when facing elimination in the ALCS. The Red Sox came back from an identical deficit in last year's ALCS against Cleveland, and rallied from 3-0 down in 2004 to stun the New York Yankees in seven games. They went on to win the World Series both times.

Of the 26 teams to face a 3-1 deficit in an LCS, only six have rallied to win the series. The Red Sox have mounted three of those comebacks, including the 1986 series versus the Angels.

For Game 5, Francona will turn to the only Red Sox starter to pitch well in this series. Matsuzaka (1-0, 2.25 ERA) took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning of Boston's 2-0 victory in Game 1 last Friday. He struck out nine, gave up four hits and walked four in seven-plus innings, but the Rays don't seem worried about facing him again.

"The last thing on our minds is going to be Dice-K," said first baseman Carlos Pena, 5-for-13 with two homers in the last three games after going hitless against Matsuzaka in the opener. "We're not going to focus on how he pitched last time. We want to go in there with the same approach. It doesn't matter if Godzilla's pitching."

The right-hander may not be Godzilla, but he's continued his season-long Houdini impression. Opponents were hitless in 14 at-bats with the bases loaded against Matsuzaka in the regular season, and he got Cliff Floyd to ground out in that situation in the first inning of Game 1. He wiggled out of another jam in the seventh as the Rays stranded seven total baserunners.

"It's amazing. We always joke how he gets out of these innings," Boston infielder Kevin Youkilis said. "He'll have bases-loaded, nobody out; or first and third, nobody out, and he gets out of jams. We wish he wouldn't put himself in those jams, but it's amazing how he does it and shows how great of a pitcher he is."

Since Game 1, though, Tampa Bay's offense has dominated the series. The Rays have racked up 31 runs and 39 hits - including 10 homers - to win the last three games while getting contributions from up and down the lineup. Eleven Tampa Bay players have scored runs in the ALCS and six have homered, led by third baseman Evan Longoria, who's gone deep three times.

"Right now it's kind of contagious," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I don't want to see us do anything different."

Maddon, though, decided to do something different with his pitching staff Wednesday morning, opting to start Scott Kazmir (0-0, 10.38) instead of James Shields in Game 5.

Kazmir is the only Tampa Bay starter to pitch poorly in this series. He lasted 4 1-3 innings in Saturday's Game 2, yielding five runs, six hits - three homers - and three walks.

Pick: Red Sox

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:46 PM

NHL
Dunkel

Dallas at St. Louis
The Stars won their first game of the season last night, but run into a St. Louis team that has won two of its first three and is 3-1-0 against Dallas at home over the last three seasons. The Blues are the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has St. Louis favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16

Game 51-52: New Jersey at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.240; Atlanta 10.835
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-145); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-145); Over

Game 53-54: NY Islanders at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 11.873; Tampa Bay 10.750
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+130); Over

Game 55-56: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.877; Pittsburgh 11.333
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+115); Over

Game 57-58: Minnesota at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 10.750; Florida 12.062
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-110); 5
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-110); Over

Game 59-60: Vancouver at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.350; Detroit 12.989
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-190); Over

Game 61-62: Dallas at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 10.475; St. Louis 12.075
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-110); 5
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110); Under

Game 63-64: Philadelphia at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.995; Colorado 10.882
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+115); Over

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:49 PM

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, October 16

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NEW JERSEY (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) at ATLANTA (1-1-0-1, 3 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 7:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 14-24 ATS (-17.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 4-16 ATS (-12.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 9-22 ATS (-23.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 6-16 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 4-4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.2 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (1-2-0-0, 2 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (0-2-0-1, 1 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 7:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 60-56 ATS (+134.2 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 31-54 ATS (-29.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 15-27 ATS (-21.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 15-33 ATS (+49.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 8-19 ATS (-15.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-3 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 5-3-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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WASHINGTON (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (2-1-0-1, 5 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 7:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 63-43 ATS (+107.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-1 (+5.9 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-1-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)

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MINNESOTA (2-0-0-0, 4 pts.) at FLORIDA (1-1-0-0, 2 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 7:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 68-47 ATS (+20.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
FLORIDA is 62-89 ATS (+161.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
FLORIDA is 39-59 ATS (-35.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 2-0-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)

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VANCOUVER (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) at DETROIT (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 7:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 35-11 ATS (+17.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 20-5 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 107-116 ATS (+257.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 4-4 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 4-4-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)

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DALLAS (0-1-0-1, 1 pts.) at ST LOUIS (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 8:35 PM

Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 22-17 ATS (+41.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 28-22 ATS (+50.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 2-13 ATS (+18.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 6-20 ATS (+38.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 4-4 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 4-4-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.6 Units)

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PHILADELPHIA (0-2-0-1, 1 pts.) at COLORADO (0-3-0-0, 0 pts.) - 10/16/2008, 9:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-34 ATS (+59.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 77-76 ATS (-76.6 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
COLORADO is 65-64 ATS (-68.6 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
COLORADO is 18-24 ATS (-17.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
COLORADO is 1-0-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:52 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 16th

New Jersey at Atlanta, 7:05 ET
New Jersey: 4-10 SU off a loss by 2+ goals to a division rival
Atlanta: 18-13 SU when playing their 2nd game in 5 days

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay, 7:35 ET
NY Islanders: 26-18 SU after playing 2 consecutive home games
Tampa Bay: 0-7 SU off 2 straight losses by 1 goal

Washington at Pittsburgh, 7:35 ET
Washington: 4-12 SU Away if the total is 5 or less
Pittsburgh: 21-14 SU off BB losses

Minnesota at Florida, 7:35 ET
Minnesota: 10-3 SU AWAY after 2 consecutive non-conference games
Florida: 7-15 SU at home when the money line is -100 to -150

Vancouver at Detroit, 7:35 ET
Vancouver: 7-13 SU after a non-conference game
Detroit: 18-4 SU off a road win by 2+ goals

Dallas at St Louis, 8:35 ET
Dallas: 11-3 SU AWAY after scoring 4+ goals in previous game
St Louis: 1-12 SU after allowing 4+ goals in 2 straight games

Philadelphia at Colorado, 9:05 ET
Philadelphia: 12-34 SU after 3+ consecutive losses
Colorado: 27-10 SU as a home favorite of -200 or less

**Udog** · 10-16-2008, 03:53 PM

NHL
Write-Up

Thursday, October 16

Hot teams
-- Devils won two of first three games, but scored total of five goals.
-- Washington won last two games, allowing total of three goals.
-- Minnesota won first two games, scoring four goals in each.
-- Blues won two of their first three games.
-- Canucks won two of their first three games. Red Wings won their last two games, allowing total of three goals.

Cold teams
-- Thrashers lost last two games, scoring two goals in each.
-- Islanders lost two of their first three games. Lightning lost their first three games, scoring total of five goals.
-- Penguins split four games, with three of four going into OT.
-- Florida split first two games, with home side winning both.
-- Dallas lost two of its first three games.
-- Colorado lost first three games, all by one goal. Flyers lost first three games, 3-4/3-5/203ot.

Series Records
-- Devils won three of last four games against Atlanta.
-- Islanders lost five of their last six games in Tampa.
-- Penguins won 10 of last 12 games against Washington.
-- Minnesota won last two games vs Florida, 4-2/3-2.
-- Red Wings won three of last four vs Vancouver, after losing previous six series games.
-- Stars lost four of their last five visits to St Louis.
-- Colorado won its last two games vs Philadelphia, 4-3/2-1.

Totals
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Devil-Thrasher games.
-- Three of last four Islander-Lightning games stayed under.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in last dozen Penguin-Washington games.
-- First two Minnesota games both went over the total.
-- Under is 4-1-4 in last nine Detroit-Vancouver games.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Dallas-St Louis games.
-- There are no interesting totals trends in Philly-Colorado game.

Announcement

Thursday Trends and Indexes 10/16 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

Thursday Trends and Indexes 10/16 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

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