Friday Trends and Indexes 3/6 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

Thanks guys! Have a great day! Good luck!

You, too, kb!!

[Udog]

NCAAB
Write-Up


Friday, March 6

Notes on the best of today's games.............

St John's (+8.5) upset Notre Dame 71-65 Jan 3, but they're 1-6 as a Big East road underdog, losing away games by 21-23-19-23-10-10-14 pts. Red Storn covered just one of last nine as a dog. Notre Dame is 4-3 in its last seven games, 1-4 as home favorite, winning at home by 6-9-10-33-5 points. Big East home favorites are 42-43 against the spread.

CAA tournament
Home side won both Delaware-Georgia State games; team that lost led both games at half by 7 points; Panthers were just 13-26 from line in the two games. State won three of last four games- they're 2-7 vs spread in last nine tries as underdog. Blue Hens lost three of last four games- they are 2-6-1 vs spread in CAA away games, 0-2 as a road favorite.

Hofstra won six of last seven games, beating NC-Wilmington 88-81 six days ago in double OT; they also won first meeting 80-78 in Wilmington Pride is 3-4 as CAA favorite; their last two wins were both in overtime. UNCW lost six of last seven games, but is 8-2-1 vs the spread in last 11 games. Four of their last five games were decided by 7 or less points.

Missouri Valley tournament
Keep in mind Indiana State, Wichita State played last night.

Indiana State won in double OT at Northern Iowa Dec 28, then lost at home to Panthers 61-57 Jan 31; Sycamores made 21-52 from arc in the two games- they've won seven of last eight games after 2-10 start, and covered last eight games as a dog. UNI is 3-4 in last seven games, after a 11-0 streak; five of their last seven wins are by seven or less points.

Home side won both Southern Illinois-Bradley games, leading by double digits at half in both; Bradley turned ball over 38 times in the two games. Braves won four of last five games, covered three of last four as favorite; they won last seven times they scored 66+ pts. Salukis won two games in row, covered one of last four as a Missouri Valley underdog.

Home side won both Creighton-Wichita games; Shockers lost 68-56 in Omaha Dec 28, shooting 35%, then upset Bluejays 74-61 (+4.5) Jan 17, holding Creighton to 33%. Wichita is 10-4 in last 14 games after starting 0-6 in Valley- they're 0-4 in last four games as an underdog. Creighton is on 10-game win streak; three of last four wins were by 6 or less points.

Illinois State beat Evansville twice this season, 80-50 at home Dec 31 in game they led 48-22 at half; they led rematch 45-24 at half, then hung on to win 70-68, as Aces shot 52% from floor. State lost last three games, are 1-9 vs spread in last 10 games as favorite- they played five OT tilts this year (2-3). Evansville is 3-5-1 vs spread an an MVC underdog.

Southern Conference tournament
Appalachian State (9-11) lost five of last seven games, covered two of last eight as a favorite; they won 95-82 at Georgia Southern Feb 2 (+4)- ASU was 9-14 from arc. Eagles lost 11 of last 12 games, covered one of their last 10 as an underdog- they are 5-15 in Southern Conference where favorites were 48-55 against the spread this season.

NC-Greensboro lost six of last seven games, with five of six losses by 9 or more points, but they did cover eight of last 11 games. Charleston is on five-game win streak, scoring 82.6 ppg, but they're just 3-10 against spread in last 13 games as favorite. Cougars won both meetings this year by 16-15 points- they shot 55% from floor in both games.

[Udog]

NBA


Friday, March 6

Updated
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Tips and Trends
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Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics [ESPN | 8 PM ET]

Cavs: Cleveland became the first team to clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday with a 91-73 rout of the Bucks while Boston followed soon thereafter. The Cavs have surpassed the Celtics as the best defensive team in the NBA this year, allowing 90.3 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting. “We got one goal,” Cleveland star LeBron James said. “That’s to win an NBA championship.” The Cavs may have helped their chances by bringing back free-agent big man Joe Smith earlier in the week. “It’s a great thing for us,” Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. "We’ll have a big who can shoot, play good defense, a great teammate who knows the system. I expect him to fit right in.”

Cavs are 22-5 ATS in their last 27 games vs. Atlantic Division.
The UNDER is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

Key Injuries - C Ben Wallace (leg) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 89 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Celtics (-2, O/U 184): The defending NBA champs will be without All-Star forward Kevin Garnett for the seventh straight game, which could be the difference in what has become the best rivalry in the Eastern Conference. The home team has won the last 14 meetings between them, but Garnett's absence could turn the tide by ending that streak. “I think you have to play a team in the playoffs to get a better rivalry, like us with Cleveland,” Boston head coach Doc Rivers said. “I think that’s what starts it,” the coach added. “You see a team every night, seven times, the next time you see them in the next regular season, you can’t love each other anymore.”

Celtics are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
The UNDER is 12-4 in Boston's last 16 Friday games.

Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (knee) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 91



Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz [ESPN | 10:30 PM ET]

Nuggets: Denver stayed in first place in the Northwest Division with a 106-90 rout of Portland on Thursday. The Nuggets had lost five of seven games but got a game-high 38 points from Carmelo Anthony, who returned from a one-game suspension for refusing to come out of Sunday's loss at Indiana. “I wanted to be aggressive tonight with a must-win after the two losses,” Anthony said. “After everything that was going on, it was good to come out and have a good game tonight. I was feeling it since this morning. I wanted this game so bad tonight.”

Nuggets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The OVER is 3-1 in Denver's last 4 road games.

Key Injuries - F Kenyon Martin (back) is day-to-day.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98

Jazz (-9.5, O/U 210.5): Utah will be trying to win 10 in a row overall and 11 straight at home and hopes the healthy return of Carlos Boozer will help the team win the division. Boozer is coming off his best game since coming back from a knee injury, scoring 20 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in a 101-94 win over Houston on Wednesday. “My knee’s getting better and better - every day is an improvement,” Boozer said. “I’m trying to stay encouraged about it. I still can’t jump high, but that’s OK. I’m going to continue to take what they give me and figure out a way to be effective.”

Jazz are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 6-1 in Utah's last 7 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 112 (Side Play of the Day)


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[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Friday, 3/6/2009

NEW JERSEY at ORLANDO, 7:05 PM ET
NEW JERSEY: 7-17 ATS AWAY 2nd half of the season
ORLANDO: 10-1 ATS playing with 2 days rest

ATLANTA at CHARLOTTE, 7:05 PM ET
ATLANTA: 48-68 ATS off an Over
CHARLOTTE: 10-2 ATS vs. division opponents

MIAMI at TORONTO, 7:05 PM ET
MIAMI: 11-3 ATS after allowing 105+ points
TORONTO: 3-12 ATS playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

GOLDEN STATE at DETROIT, 8:05 PM ET
GOLDEN STATE: 29-16 ATS off DD road loss
DETROIT: 1-10 ATS at home vs. Western Conference

CLEVELAND at BOSTON, 8:05 PM ET ESPN
CLEVELAND: 10-1 ATS vs. Atlantic Division
BOSTON: 16-41 ATS after a game where both teams scored 105+ points

PHOENIX at HOUSTON, 8:35 PM ET
PHOENIX: 3-11 ATS as a road underdog
HOUSTON: 34-19 ATS off a road loss

WASHINGTON at SAN ANTONIO, 8:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON: 9-19 ATS playing with same season revenge
SAN ANTONIO: 24-8 Under after a loss by 6 points or less

MILWAUKEE at CHICAGO, 8:35 PM ET
MILWAUKEE: 25-14 ATS after playing as underdog
CHICAGO: 8-28 ATS off a home win

DENVER at UTAH, 10:35 PM ET ESPN
DENVER: 10-22 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
UTAH: 11-2 ATS at home on Friday

MINNESOTA at LA LAKERS, 10:35 PM ET
MINNESOTA: 11-1 ATS AWAY after 5+ SU losses
LA LAKERS: 8-22 ATS in March

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Friday, 3/6/2009

ST JOHNS at NOTRE DAME, 7:00 PM ET
ST JOHNS: 29-11 ATS after scoring 60 points or less
NOTRE DAME: 0-6 ATS off BB conference losses

DARTMOUTH at YALE, 7:00 PM ET
DARTMOUTH: 8-23 ATS after playing as favorite
YALE: 11-3 Over after a combined score of 125 points or less

PRINCETON at COLUMBIA, 7:00 PM ET
PRINCETON: 1-10 ATS Away when the line is +3 to -3
COLUMBIA: 8-1 ATS off DD loss

HARVARD at BROWN, 7:00 PM ET
HARVARD: 10-2 Under Away vs. conference
BROWN: 0-11 ATS after playing as underdog

PENNSYLVANIA at CORNELL, 7:00 PM ET
PENNSYLVANIA: 12-23 ATS as underdog
CORNELL: 12-3 ATS off SU loss

Colonial Athletic Tournament - First Round - Richmond, VA

DELAWARE vs. at GEORGIA ST, 12:00 PM ET
DELAWARE: 7-0 ATS as neutral court favorite
GEORGIA ST: 17-5 Under off conference loss

UNC-WILMINGTON vs. at HOFSTRA, 2:20 PM ET
UNC-WILMINGTON: 21-9 TAS in March
HOFSTRA: 6-0 Over on neutral court

WM & MARY vs. at JAMES MADISON, 6:00 PM ET
WM & MARY: 15-6 Under the total is 130 to 139.5
JAMES MADISON: 10-1 ATS off road game

TOWSON ST vs. at DREXEL, 8:20 PM ET
TOWSON ST: 2-8 ATS off DD loss
DREXEL: 8-1 ATS after scoring 55 points or less

Missouri Valley Conference Tournament - Quarterfinals - St. Louis, MO

INDIANA ST vs. at N IOWA, 1:00 PM ET
INDIANA ST: 5-1 ATS vs. N Iowa
N IOWA: 17-3 Under in tournament games

S ILLINOIS vs. at BRADLEY, 3:30 PM ET
S ILLINOIS: 10-3 Over off ATS win
BRADLEY: 16-2 ATS off conference win

WICHITA ST vs. at CREIGHTON, 7:00 PM ET
WICHITA ST: 9-2 Under on neutral court
CREIGHTON: 8-2 ATS on neutral court

EVANSVILLE vs. at ILLINOIS ST, 9:35 PM ET
EVANSVILLE: 9-1 ATS after playing as underdog
ILLINOIS ST: 1-8 ATS off road loss

Horizon League Tournament - Second Round - Indianapolis, IN

WI-MILWAUKEE vs. at WRIGHT ST, 6:00 PM ET
WI-MILWAUKEE: 13-6 ATS vs. conference
WRIGHT ST: 3-11 ATS off home conference win

IL-CHICAGO vs. at CLEVELAND ST, 8:20 PM ET
IL-CHICAGO: 12-4 ATS off BB SU wins
CLEVELAND ST: 2-12 ATS in conference tournament games

WCC Tournament - First Round - Las Vegas, NV

LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT vs. at SAN DIEGO, 9:00 PM ET
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT: 13-4 Under in tournament games
SAN DIEGO: 7-0 ATS Away revenging SU loss as favorite

SAN FRANCISCO vs. at PEPPERDINE, 11:30 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO: 9-1 Under Away playing with 5 or 6 days rest
PEPPERDINE: 12-2 Under vs. conference

Added Games

Southern Conference Tournament - First Round - Chattanooga, TN

GA SOUTHERN vs. at APPALACHIAN ST, 2:00 PM ET
GA SOUTHERN: 5-15 ATS vs. conference
APPALACHIAN ST: 8-0 ATS after a game with 9 or less assists

UNC-GREENSBORO vs. at COLL OF CHARLESTON, 4:20 PM ET
UNC-GREENSBORO: 8-2 ATS Away vs. conference
COLL OF CHARLESTON: 0-9 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5

ELON vs. at WOFFORD, 7:00 PM ET
ELON: 10-1 Under on neutral court
WOFFORD: 18-7 ATS Away off DD home win

FURMAN vs. at SAMFORD, 9:20 PM ET
FURMAN: 0-6 ATS on Friday nights
SAMFORD: 14-6 ATS vs. conference

Ohio Valley Tournament Semifinals - Nashville, TN

MOREHEAD ST vs. at TENN-MARTIN, 7:00 PM ET ESPNU
MOREHEAD ST: 13-27 ATS off DD home win
TENN-MARTIN: 14-5 ATS vs. conference

MURRAY ST vs. at AUSTIN PEAY, 9:20 PM ET ESPNU
MURRAY ST: 38-61 ATS off home win
AUSTIN PEAY: 7-1 ATS Away vs. conference

Metro Atlantic Tournament - First Round - Albany, NY

CANISIUS vs. at LOYOLA-MD, 7:30 PM ET
CANISIUS: 3-13 ATS as favorite
LOYOLA-MD: 28-15 ATS as an underdog

MARIST vs. at IONA, 9:50 ET
MARIST: 1-6 ATS off road ATS win/SU loss
IONA: 9-1 Under off home loss

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Friday, 3/6/2009

CALGARY at CAROLINA, 7:05 PM ET
CALGARY: 11-5 SU when playing their 3rd road game in 5 days
CAROLINA: 1-6 SU at home after playing a game with 7+ total goals

PHOENIX at BUFFALO, 7:35 PM ET
PHOENIX: 0-7 SU when playing BB road games in 2 nights
BUFFALO: 7-2 SU off a division win

MONTREAL at ATLANTA, 7:35 PM ET
MONTREAL: 21-12 SU AWAY after covering 2 of their last 3
ATLANTA: 3-12 SU when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

ST LOUIS at TAMPA BAY, 7:35 PM ET
ST LOUIS: 6-1 SU off a division loss
TAMPA BAY: 8-22 SU after playing a home game

DALLAS at ANAHEIM, 10:05 PM ET
DALLAS: 12-5 SU off a road loss
ANAHEIM: 18-27 SU at home after playing 4 consecutive road games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Kaptain]

thanks Guys....appreciate it

[Udog]

NP, Kaptain! Good luck tonight! Here comes the rest of the NCAAB write-up.

[Udog]

NCAAB
Write-Up


Update

CAA tournament

James Madison beat William & Mary twice this year, 74-65 on road on Jan 10 (+1.5, holding Tribe to 32% from floor), 76-67 at home (-8.5) on Feb 14, making 28-34 from line (W&M was 6-10). Dukes lost last three CAA games by 3-19-14 points; they're 5-2-1 in last eight tries as a fave. W&M covered four of its last five conference games.

Drexel beat Towson twice this season, 60-53 on road Jan 31 (-3), 78-65 at home two weeks later (-11); Dragons held Towson to 34/38% from the floor in those two games. Drexel lost last three CAA games, all by a point (48-49/46-47/47-48)- they're 7-4 as CAA favorite. Towson is 2-7 in last nine games- their last four losses were all by 12+ points.


[Horizon League tournament

Home side won both Wright State-Milwaukee games; Panthers won Dec 6, 66-59, making 10-18 from arc; Wright won 70-60 last week, shooting 9-18 from arc, after UWM had led 32-27 at half. Raiders are 4-1 in their last five games, 6-4 vs spread in last ten tries as a favorite. Milwaukee is 2-4 in last six games, but 6-3 vs spread as a Horizon League underdog.

Cleveland State beat Ill-Chicago twice this year, 79-69 at home Jan 10th (-8.5, led 39-24 at half), 66-63 on road Feb 5 (-1.5). Vikings won eight of their last ten games, are 6-2 vs spread in last tries as favorite. UIC is 5-1 in last six games, winning last four games by 3-11-7-4 points, but they're 1-6-1 vs spread as a Horizon underdog this year.

Southern Conference tournament

Wofford beat Elon 74-71 in OT Jan 26, making 17-22 from the foul line, while Elon was 5-12; Terriers won seven of last nine games, are 5-1 vs the spread in last six tries as a favorite. Elon lost five of last seven games but is 9-2 vs spread in last 11 games as underdog- four of their last six losses are by 12 or more points.

Home side won both Samford-Furman games, with 4-16 Furman winning 63-57 Feb 5 (+3.5); Paladins are 8-4 vs spread in their last dozen games. Samford won first meeting 71-60, but they run Princeton offense- more often you see it, easier it is to defend. Samford is 4-0-1 vs spread in last five games (3-2 SU)- they're 5-4 as a favorite in SoCon play.

WCC tournament

Home side won both LMU-San Diego games this season; Toreros won 70-59 Jan 17 (-23), then got upset 65-57 at LMU Feb 12 (-13.5), a game where USD shot just 36% from floor. San Diego lost eight of 11 after its 4-0 start in WCC- they're 1-6 in last seven tries as favorite. LMU is 5-1 vs spread in last six games, 6-4 vs spread as double digit underdog.

Road team won both San Francisco-Pepperdine games this year; Waves won first meeting 69-67 (+11), making 8-16 from arc, then lost 70-62 in rematch six nights ago (starters shot 31% from floor). Dons won two of last three games after 1-10 start; they're 1-2 as WCC favorite. Waves are on 4-game losing streak, but are 6-5 vs spread as WCC underdog.

Ohio Valley tournament

Home side won both Tennessee-Martin/Morehead State games; Eagles won OVC opener 80-71 on Dec 4, holding Martin to 37% from floor. In rematch, Skyhawks won 79-65 five nights ago (-7), making 12-22 from arc but still shooting under 40% for game- they're 14-2 in last 16 games, covering eight of last nine as a favorite. Morehead is 3-3-1 as OVC dog.

Murray State lost twice to Austin Peay this year, 58-57 at home Jan 10 (-4.5), then 83-80 at Peay Feb 7, as Governors shot 60.4% from floor. Peay won four of last five games, are 5-2 vs spread as an OVC underdog. Racers won three in row, 11 of last 13 games; they're 2-4 vs spread their last six tries as a favorite.

MAAC tournament

Home side won both Iona-Marist games this season by one point; Gaels lost 51-50 at Marist Dec 5 (+3), going 0-10 from arc, 35% from floor; in rematch, Iona won 66-65 in OT, still shooting just 38.6%, holding Foxes to 38.6% from floor. Marist is 1-11 in last dozen games, 4-3 vs spread in last seven games as underdog. This game is on neutral Albany court.

Road team also won both Canisius-Loyola games this season; Loyola got 86-62 win at Canisius Jan 3, then lost 69-67 at home to Griffins Feb 16.

[pm530]

NCAAB
Write-up

Update on last game of write-up

Friday, March 6

Road team also won both Canisius-Loyola games this season; Loyola got 86-62 win at Canisius Jan 3, then lost 69-67 at home to Griffins Feb 16, shooting just 38.3%. Loyola snapped 7-game skid in last game; they are 7-3-1 vs spread as MAAC underdog. Canisius won two of its last three games, covering all three; they're 1-4 vs spread as a MAAC favorite.

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[pm530]

NBA
Write-up


Friday, March 6

Hot Teams
-- Nets covered their last five games (3-2 SU). Orlando won seven of its last nine games.
-- Bobcats won, covered their last four games.
-- Celtics won six of their last nine games. Cavaliers won nine of their last ten games.
-- Pistons won last three games, covered last four.
-- Rockets won eight of last ten games.
-- Lakers won 13 of their last 16 games.
-- Jazz won last nine games (7-2 against spread).

Cold Teams
-- Miami is 1-6 vs spread in game after their last seven wins. Raptors are 4-11 in their last fifteen games.
-- Hawks lost five of their last seven games, but are 6-2 vs spread in the game after their last eight losses.
-- Warriors lost four of their last five games.
-- Bucks lost six of their last eight games.
-- Bulls are 1-4 vs spread in game after their last five losses.
-- Suns lost last three road games, by 26-12-6 points.
-- Spurs lost last three games, by 11-18-5 points. Wizards lost five of their last six games.
-- Minnesota lost seven in row, 12 of last 13 (0-5 vs spread last five).
-- Nuggets lost five of their last eight games.

Totals
-- Eight of last nine New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in Miami's last eight games.
-- Seven of last ten Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Golden State games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-3 in last eleven Phoenix games.
-- Last four San Antonio games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Laker games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Denver games stayed under the total.

Back-to Back
-- Miami is 7-5 vs spread if they p;ay again the next night.
-- Atlanta is 6-5 vs spread on road if they play again the next night.
-- Celtics are 9-4 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Detroit is 5-5 vs spread if it plays again the next night.
-- Bucks covered three of last four if they play again the next night.
-- Wizards are 5-5 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Lakers are 6-7-1 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Denver is 3-5 vs spread on road if they play again the next night.

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[pm530]

NHL
Write-up


Friday, March 6

Hot teams
-- Flames won six of their last seven games. Carolina is 6-1 in game after its last seven losses.
-- Canadiens won four of their last five games.
-- Blues won three of their last four games.

Cold teams
-- Sabres lost three of their last four games. Coyotes lost six of last nine.
-- Thrashers lost five of their last seven home games.
-- Lightning lost three of their last four games.
-- Ducks lost four of their last six home games. Stars lost six of their last seven games overall.

Totals
-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Carolina games.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Buffalo games.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Last six St Louis games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Anaheim-Dallas games.

Back-to-Back
-- Flames are 2-7 if they played the night before.
-- Phoenix is 0-7 playing second consecutive night on road.
-- Blues are 6-5 if they play again the next night.
-- Mavericks are 2-6 if they played the night before.

Series Records
-- Flames won last two games vs Carolina, 3-0/4-3.
-- Coyotes won two of last three games against Buffalo.
-- Canadiens won three of last four games vs Montreal.
-- Lightning won last two games vs St Louis, both by 5-4 scores.
-- Dallas is 5-3 in its last eight visits to Anaheim.

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Friday

We're looking at some of the top prospects from all thirty major league teams.........today, we look at the Milwaukee Brewers

-- Alcides Escobar, SS-- Hit .328 in AALY; could bump Hardy.

-- Mat Gamel, 3B-- Reached base in 53 consecutive games LY.

-- Brett Lawrie, C-3B-- Olympian has yet to play in pros.

-- Jeremy Jeffress, P-- Suspended 50 games for marijuana in 2007.

-- Angel Salome, C-- .322 career hitter batted .360 in AA last year.

-- Lorenzo Cain, OF-- Didn't play any baseball until high school.

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[pm530]

Friday's List of 13: Random baseball facts to warm us up.........

13) Adam Dunn's stats the last five years:
HRs-- 46-40-40-40-40..........RBI-- 102-101-92-106-100
Runs scored-- 105-107-99-101-79. Very productive player who may not like playing in Washington instead of Cincinnati, because of the bigger ballpark in Washington, but still he is an excellent pickup for the Nationals, who need all the help they can get.

12) Randy Johnson has a career record of 2-8, 4.85 in divisional series games.......in league championship/World Series games, he is 5-1, 1.50.

11) Games played/days on disabled list for Rocco Baldelli, who got his wish and is now with the Red Sox, after escaping Tampa Bay..... 2005: 0/181......2006: 92/68.......2007: 35/137........2008: 28/132.

10) SS Jack Wilson of Pittsburgh is a fine fielder; was surprised that he is a .269 career hitter. Would think someone who fields like him, and is a decent hitter, would have been liberated by a contender by this time in his career.

9) Had forgotten that AJ Burnett was originally a Mets' prospect; he is 32 years old, was once traded in part of a package for Al Leiter, as he was dealt to the Marlins. He also threw a no-hitter at San Diego in a game where he walked nine Padres, but allowed no hits.

8) Only once in last nine years has Miguel Tejada played in less than 158 games; he played 133 in 2007, when he had a broken wrist.

7) Daisuke Matsuzaka is 33-15 in two years with Boston; he had a record of 108-60 in Japan (eight seasons), walking 502, striking out 1,102 in 1,403 innings pitched over 204 starts.

6) Ichiro Suzuki has surprisingly had 22 or less doubles in each of his last four seasons; A's catcher Kurt Suzuki had 25 in his rookie year.

5) Matt Holliday knocked in 49 less runs LY than in 2007; now he did miss 23 games with hamstring issues, but still, thats a dropoff to be concerned about, and since he plays for both the A's and a fantasy team owned by me, yes, I am concerned. .

4) Contenders should think about trading for Darin Erstad in July; he has career postseason batting averages of .388 in divisional series, 308 in league championship series, and .300 in World Series.

3) 17 of Jim Thome's 45 career postseason hits are home runs.

2) In Joe Blanton's last 86 starts for the A's, he was 35-34, allowing 626 hits in 551.1 IP, not very good numbers; in 13 starts for Phillies LY, he was 4-0, allowing 66 hits in 70.2 IP while pitching his home starts in a much worse pitcher's ballpark.

1) Jamie Moyer is 35-21 in 2,5 years as a Phillie, after being 26-32 in his last 2.5 years with Seattle; he's been traded three times, but all in different decades-- 1988, 1996 and 2006. Think anyone else can say they've been traded in three different decades? I'm not sure.

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