Sunday Trends and Indexes 5/3 (NBA, MLB, NHL, Misc.)

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes

Sunday, May 3

Good Luck on day #123 of 2009!

At this time the sports menu in this thread consists of the NBA, MLB, and the NHL until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will be posted here.

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

Daily Sports Roundup

Sunday, May 3

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Nuggets and Mavericks launch the second round of the NBA playoffs, and the Red Sox and Rays battle in Tampa.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The second round of the NBA playoffs begins on Sunday afternoon, with the Mavericks on the road to take on the Nuggets in Denver. Dallas beat San Antonio 106-93 in their series clincher on Tuesday night, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 31 points in that contest. Denver bounced New Orleans with a 107-86 victory on Wednesday night, with Carmelo Anthony leading the way with 34 points. The oddsmakers opened the Nuggets as 5-point home favorites for Game 1 on Sunday, with that line quickly moving to 5.5 points. The total is 206.5 points.

As well, the first round of the postseason will conclude on Sunday, with the Hawks hosting the Heat in Atlanta in a deciding seventh game. Miami forced a Sunday meeting by taking Game 6 98-72 at home on Friday night. Dwyane Wade was good for 41 points in that victory, while Jermaine O'Neal sat out with a mild concussion. Mike Bibby tossed in 20 points in a losing cause for the Hawks.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Brad Penny will take his 2-0 record but ugly 8.66 ERA to the mound on Sunday afternoon when his Red Sox complete their road series in Tampa Bay. The righthander was pounded for seven runs (four earned) in just 2 2-3 innings in a start against the Indians on Tuesday, but he escaped with a no-decision. The Rays will counter with James Shields, who is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA in five outings.

The Yankees will host the Angels again on Sunday afternoon, while Cleveland is in Detroit. As well, it'll be Baltimore at Toronto, Kansas City at Minnesota, and Oakland at Seattle, with the Rangers hosting the White Sox in the primetime matchup. John Danks (2-1. 2.74 ERA) is slated to get the ball for Chicago in that 8:05pm ET contest, while Matt Harrison (1-2, 7.89 ERA) will pitch for the Rangers.

Over in the National League on Sunday the Dodgers will send Chad Billingsley to the mound at home against the Padres; righthander Billingsley is 4-0 with a sparkling 2.14 ERA on the season. Elsewhere it's Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Philadelphia, St. Louis at Washington, Houston at Atlanta, Arizona at Milwaukee, Florida at the Cubs, and Colorado at San Francisco to finish the slate.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

There are two Game 2's on the National Hockey League playoff schedule for Sunday, with Anaheim at Detroit and Carolina at Boston. The defending-champion Red Wings got a late goal from Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 1 on Friday night in a 3-2 win over the Ducks. Lidstrom tallied twice in that contest, and Johan Franzen had the other Detroit goal. Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne had the goals for Anaheim, while Jonas Hiller stopped 34 of the 37 Red Wings shots.

The Bruins had no trouble taking a 1-0 lead in their second-round series on Friday night, rolling to a 4-1 win over the Hurricanes. Boston got two goals from Marc Savard and singles from David Krejci and Michael Ryder in the victory, while Tim Thomas made 26 saves. Jussi Jokinen had the lone Hurricanes goal late in the first period, while Cam Ward was victimized for four goals on 24 shots.

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Sunday

The six biggest longshots to win the Kentucky Derby......

6) Proud Clarion 1967-- $62.20

5) Charismatic 1999-- $64.60

4) Gallahadion 1940-- $72.40

3) Giacomo 2005-- $102.30

2) Mine That Bird 2009-- $103.20

1) Donerail 1913-- $184.90

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Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday.......

13) How bizarre was the Kentucky Derby Saturday? Winning trainer was Bennie Woolley Jr, whose training record for '09 is now 2 for 33.

12) 153,653 people were at Churchill Downs to watch 2nd-biggest upset in Derby history, but does NBC have to make a 2.5-hour show out of a two-minute race? It seems a little much, unless you show all the races during the day, like ESPN does.

11) I love the blimp shot on horse racing; you can see everything that happens, the quick decisions jockeys have to make, Great stuff.

10) After playing the Celtics 11 times this season, pretty sure Bulls had an exhaustive scouting report on Boston, but what did they have next to Eddie House's name? All they needed was one word; shooter. House got open way too often in the Celtics' Game 7 win.

9) Storms in Dallas area collapsed the Cowboys' training bubble, and six people got hurt, including special teams coach Joe DeCammilis, the son-in-law of Dan Reeves. None of the injuries were said to be very serious. There were also four rain delays in White Sox-Rangers game in Arlington Saturday night.

8) Interesting to see this fall if Cowboys have same problems selling tickets for their ridiculously big new stadium that Bronx Bombers are having this spring with theirs. Jerry Jones was in Louisville at Derby and did an interview with NBC, promoting Week 2 Sunday night tilt with the Giants, his new stadium's opener.

7) CC Sabathia's first six starts for Bronx Bombers: 1-3, 4.85.

6) Oliver Perez has a 9.97 ERA in six starts for Mets, walking 21 in 21.2 IP; he threw 41 balls, 37 strikes Saturday. Only thing that buys him another start for the Mets is they have no one to take his place in the rotation-- their pitching in minor leagues isn't very good.

5) Phillies already have 11 bases loaded walks this season-- believe I heard ESPN's Tim Kurkjian say the major league record is 28, so they have a decent shot at setting a new record.

4) If Ryan Sweeney doesn't win a Gold Glove this year, they need to stop giving them out; dude is on Web Gems every single night.

3) Evan Longoria already has 15 RBI against the Red Sox this season.

2) If playoffs started Sunday morning, here are your playoff teams:
AL Toronto 17-9/Royals 13-11/Mariners 14-10/Boston 15-9
NL: Florida 14-10/St Louis 14-8/Dodgers 17-8/Phillies 12-10

1) I am told Justin Upton of Arizona hit the longest average homer in the National League last year; Saturday night, he cranked one off the restaurant in leftfield at Miller Park.

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[pm530]

NBA
Long Sheet


When additional “Top Trends” are available, we will update.

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Sunday, May 3
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MIAMI (46 - 42) at ATLANTA (50 - 38) - 5/3/2009, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 11-7 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 9-9 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
13 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DALLAS (54 - 33) at DENVER (58 - 29) - 5/3/2009, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 50-36 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 34-23 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
DENVER is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) in home games this season.
DENVER is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
DENVER is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 216-172 ATS (+26.8 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 115-84 ATS (+22.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 8-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 7-4 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

NBA
Short Sheet


Sunday, May 3rd

Eastern Conference Playoffs - Round One
Game Seven
Series Tied, 3-3
Miami at Atlanta, 1:00 ET

Miami:
12-25 ATS off home win
13-5 Under off DD win

Atlanta:
18-3 Under revenging DD loss
13-4 ATS at home revenging DD loss

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Western Conference Playoffs - Round Two
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
Dallas at Denver, 3:30 ET

Dallas:
11-24 ATS off road win
17-6 Under playing with double revenge

Denver:
23-11 ATS off home win
17-7 ATS playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

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[pm530]

NBA

Sunday, May 3


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Trend Sheet
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1:00 PM
MIAMI vs. ATLANTA
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games on the road
Atlanta is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games

3:30 PM
DALLAS vs. DENVER
Dallas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas

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[pm530]

NBA


Sunday, May 3

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: NBA best bets
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Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks (-5, 181)

The NBA's leading scorer erupted for a series-high 41 points to lead Miami to a 96-72 rout with its season on the line. Time and time again, Wade found gaps in the Hawks' defense and either made the shot or drew the foul, finishing 16 of 17 at the free-throw line.

He can't wait to try again.

''There's nothing better in the playoffs than playing a Game 7,'' Wade said. ''I'm one of those guys that live for these moments to try to do whatever I can to help my team win. Sometimes you fall short of the glory, but sometimes you come through. There's no sweeter feeling than coming through.''

The Hawks hope Al Horford's gimpy right ankle has recovered enough for him to come through. The second-year center went down with a sprain in Game 5 and didn't play Friday, but he'll be back in the lineup for the clincher.

''Al is a big part of what we do,'' coach Mike Woodson said. ''We missed him (Friday) night, that's for sure.''

Horford said he'll be ready to play, even though his ankle is still hurting.

Pick: Miami +5



Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (-6, 206.5)

Move over Tony Parker and Chris Paul. Make way for the old guards.

The second-round series between Dallas and Denver that begins Sunday at the Pepsi Center features two veteran floor leaders in point guards Jason Kidd, 36, of the Mavericks and Chauncey Billups, 32, of the Nuggets.

''Two old dogs,'' Kenyon Martin said.

One great matchup, proclaimed Nuggets coach George Karl and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

Kidd sent Parker packing along with the rest of the San Antonio Spurs, and Billups gave Paul and the New Orleans Hornets an early start on their summer break, too.

Billups and Kidd have met in the postseason before. Kidd's Nets swept Billups' Pistons in the 2003 Eastern Conference finals but bowed out to Detroit in the semifinals in '04, when Billups got his ring.

''It's been five years, they're probably a step slower, but they're smarter,'' said Martin, who has a unique perspective on the matchup because he played with Kidd back then and he's on Billups' side now.

Billups said he hasn't had to make concessions for age: ''I'm still in my prime right now, so I haven't had to.''

Kidd free acknowledges he's changed his game as he's gotten older, and Martin said Kidd's only gotten better since they parted ways five years ago.

''The older you get, the more you have to think,'' Martin said. ''He's always been a thinker on the court. But I think he's thinking more than he ever has. I think that's why they're playing as well as they are.''

Billups is the main reason the Nuggets made it out of the first round for the first time in 15 years.

Pick: Under 206.5

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[pm530]

MLB


Sunday, May 3

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Trend Sheet
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1:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT
Cleveland is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Detroit is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cleveland

1:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. NY YANKEES
LA Angels are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
LA Angels are 2-5-1 SU in their last 8 games on the road
NY Yankees are 4-0-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
NY Yankees are 3-5-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels

1:07 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TORONTO
Baltimore is 1-5-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
Baltimore is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 7-1-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Toronto is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games

1:35 PM
CINCINNATI vs. PITTSBURGH
Cincinnati is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home


1:35 PM
HOUSTON vs. ATLANTA
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home

1:35 PM
NY METS vs. PHILADELPHIA
NY Mets are 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games
NY Mets are 1-4-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-5-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Philadelphia is 2-4-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

1:35 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. WASHINGTON
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games at home
Washington is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games

1:38 PM
BOSTON vs. TAMPA BAY
Boston is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Boston
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston

2:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. MILWAUKEE
Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Arizona is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Milwaukee is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing Arizona
Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona

2:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Kansas City is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Minnesota is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

2:20 PM
FLORIDA vs. CHI CUBS
Florida is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Florida
Chi Cubs are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing Florida

4:05 PM
COLORADO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Colorado is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado

4:10 PM
OAKLAND vs. SEATTLE
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Oakland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Seattle is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oakland

4:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. LA DODGERS
San Diego is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home

8:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. TEXAS
Chi White Sox are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

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[pm530]

MLB


Sunday, May 3

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers (-111, 9.5)

A lack of run support has been a major factor in Cliff Lee's slow start, but given the way the Cleveland Indians are swinging the bats recently, he could get some help in his next outing.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner takes the mound Sunday when the Indians close their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.

After two mediocre starts to begin the season, Lee (1-3, 3.94 ERA) has been outstanding in his last three outings. In the past two, however, Cleveland (9-15) hasn't provided him with any support.

Lee allowed two runs over eight innings in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City on April 22 and had his best start of the season against Boston on Monday. He pitched eight scoreless innings in which he allowed five hits, struck out five and didn't walk a batter, but failed to receive a decision as the Indians lost 3-1 after Kerry Wood gave up a three-run homer in the ninth.

"I'm sure Cliff's frustrated, and we all feel it with him," Wood told the Indians' official Web site.

Despite failing to earn his second win, Lee was feeling good about the progress he's made since giving up seven runs in five innings in the season opener.

"I feel good where I'm at," Lee said. "I'm locating my pitches and I'm able to throw my offspeed pitches for strikes when I need to and balls when I need to."

Pick: Under 9.5



New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (+103, 10.5)

Facing Philadelphia (12-10) may be what Maine needs to keep that momentum going. The right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career starts against the Phillies, limiting them to a .211 batting average.

Shane Victorino is hitting .316 (6-for-19) with a homer against Maine, and the center fielder helped lead the Phillies to an extra-inning victory on Saturday. Victorino tripled and doubled in his first two at-bats to help knock starter Oliver Perez out after 2 1-3 innings, then drew a bases-loaded walk off Sean Green in the 10th to give Philadelphia a 6-5 win.

"You try to tell yourself to be patient," Victorino told the Phillies' official Web site. "He's got to find the zone. He has as much pressure on him as you have."

While New York has had trouble getting its starters to go deep in games, it's been even more of an issue for Philadelphia's rotation. Phillies starters have just four wins in 22 games and a 6.71 ERA, both of which are the worst in the major leagues.

Pick: New York -111

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[pm530]

MLB


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MLB weekend cheat sheet
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In the MLB Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate the best bets, we focus on two top series in both leagues on this weekend’s schedule. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are ‘team starts’ unless noted otherwise.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs

Most Recent Series Result: Marlins 13-4 last 17 games vs. Cubs

Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Marlins 6-2 last eight away games vs. Phillies

Key Day/Month Stat: Marlins 6-1 last six Fridays; Cubs 1-5 last six Fridays

Best Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Zambrano 7-0, 3.12 ERA last seven starts

Worst Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Lilly 1-4, 5.53 ERA lifetime

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

Most Recent Series Result: Mets 11-6 last 17 games vs. Phillies

Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Mets 4-1 last five away games vs. Phillies

Key Day/Month Stat: Phillies 9-1 home on Sundays; Mets 0-6 on Sundays

Best Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Mets’ Maine 8-1, 2.54 ERA lifetime vs. Phillies

Worst Arm in the Series: Phillies’ Hamels 0-3, 5.83 ERA last three starts vs. Mets


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees

Most Recent Series Result: Angels 5-1 last six games vs. Yankees

Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Angels 6-4 last 10 games away vs. Yankees

Key Day/Month Stat: Yankees 14-6 home on Saturdays; Angels 0-4 on Saturdays

Best Arm in the Series: Angels’ Weaver 3-1, 6.14 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees

Worst Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Pettite 0-3, 7.98 ERA last three starts vs. Angels

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

Most Recent Series Result: Rays 13-6 last 19 games vs. Red Sox

Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Rays 11-3 last 14 home games vs. Red Sox

Key Day/Month Stat: Red Sox 4-0 on Saturdays; Rays 0-5 on Saturdays

Best Arm in the Series: Rays’ Sonnanstine 3-0, 1.34 ERA last three starts vs. Red Sox

Worst Arm in the Series: Red Sox’s Wakefield 0-5, 7.48 ERA last five starts vs. Rays; Rays’ Shields 2-9, 5.18 ERA lifetime vs. Red Sox

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[pm530]

MLB


Sunday, May 3

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Sunday Night Baseball: White Sox at Rangers
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Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers (+120, 10.5)

It’s the Central against the West in an American League matchup Sunday night when the Rangers play host to the White Sox at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Rangers’ starter Scott Feldman retired 17 of the first 18 batters he faced Friday night in the opener of this series before the White Sox rallied to escape with a 4-3 victory.

Josh watch

The player every fan in America roots the hardest for, Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton, remains sidelined with a strained rib cage muscle. While he continues to show enough improvement to avoid a trip to the disabled list, he is still not ready to return to the lineup.

"Probably not," Hamilton told reporters if he could play this weekend. "It's getting better. Not doing any baseball activities, I'm probably feeling 60 percent better. That doesn't mean that if I started swinging the bat, I wouldn't go back to where I was before."

Hamilton sustained the injury in Toronto April 21 and last started against the Orioles in Baltimore last Saturday. He pinch-hit Sunday, but he hasn't played since then.

"We'll just see if he makes it through that," manager Ron Washington told the media. "We're still going day-by-day."

Young stuff

Sunday night’s matchup features a pair of promising youngsters. Chicago’s John Danks matches serves with Texas’ Matt Harrison in a battle of young right handers.

Danks (2-1 2.74 ERA) lasted only four innings while yielding five runs and eight hits in a 9-1 loss to the Mariners Tuesday.

"Obviously I didn't expect to go four and give up five runs," Danks told the press. "I felt I had plenty of stuff to give us chance to win and I knew I was up against Felix (Hernandez) and he is one of the best in the game right now. Anytime you give up five runs you can pretty much pack it in. He's that good and I put us in a hole I couldn't get out of and I take full blame for that."

After a commanding start to the season, the bad outing has Danks’ ERA on the rise to 2.74. He is perfect away from U.S Cellular Field this year, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

Because of Wednesday’s rainout against Oakland, Harrison (1-2 7.89 ERA) gets the start under the Sunday night lights. He comes off his first win of the season against Detroit on Monday. Harrison couldn’t get out of the sixth inning but was in total control the first five.

The history book says…

Heading into the weekend, the White Sox had dropped 11 of the last 16 games in this series, including five of the last six in Arlington. However, Chicago stood 8-2 in its last 10 meetings against teams from the AL West. Texas was on a 1-5 slide against the AL Central.

Chicago shines on Sundays, winning 11 of its last 13 games on the day of rest, including four wins in a row on the Sunday road. On the flip side, Texas is tame on Sundays, going 2-8 the last 10.

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[pm530]

NHL
Long Sheet


When additional “Top Trends” are available, we will update.

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Sunday, May 3
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ANAHEIM (46-35-0-8, 100 pts.) at DETROIT (56-21-0-10, 122 pts.) - 5/3/2009, 2:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 10-9 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 10-9-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
9 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.1 Units)

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CAROLINA (49-33-0-8, 106 pts.) at BOSTON (58-18-0-11, 127 pts.) - 5/3/2009, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-6 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-6-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)
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[pm530]

NHL
Short Sheet


Sunday, May 3rd

Western Conference Playoffs - Semifinals
Game Two
Detroit Leads, 1-0
Anaheim at Detroit, 2:05 ET

Anaheim:
7-25 SU at Detroit
23-14 Over off an Under

Detroit:
30-5 SU at home off home win
23-12 Over off BB wins

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Eastern Conference Playoffs - Semifinals
Game Two
Boston Leads, 1-0
Carolina at Boston, 7:35 ET

Carolina:
28-14 SU Away off Away loss
10-3 Under Away revenging loss by 2+ goals

Boston:
20-3 SU off BB wins by 2+ goals
41-16 SU off a win

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[pm530]

NHL


Sunday, May 3

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Ice Picks: NHL best bets
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Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings (-240, 5.5)

Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf and Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen seem to have some similarities.

They're both in their fourth NHL season.

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Getzlaf is an inch taller and 4 pounds lighter than Franzen.

Getzlaf has 39 points in 50 playoff games in his career to Franzen's 35 points in 45 postseason games.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, though, said they're not the same type of player nor are they in the same class.

''Johan is a real good player,'' Babcock said. ''Getzlaf is one of the best players in the world.''

Getzlaf will get another chance to show what he can do Sunday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal.

The Ducks need Getzlaf to deliver just as he did in Game 1 when he assisted on both of their goals in a 3-2 loss at Joe Louis Arena, giving him an NHL-high 10 points entering Saturday's games.

Getzlaf extended his points streak in the playoffs to five games.

''I'm just playing the same way I did during the regular season,'' Getzlaf said, shrugging his shoulders. ''Obviously, I've had a little playoff experience since I've been here, so that helps.''

Pick: Over 5.5



Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins (-200, 5)

The Boston Bruins are staying out of the penalty box and shutting down the rare power plays they have given up in the playoffs.

The Bruins' penalty killers improved to a perfect 9-for-9, killing off the only power play they gave up during their 4-1 victory against Carolina in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal Friday night.

''A lot of what this has to do with - at least from a defenseman's point of view - is having some forwards back helping us, not having too many breakdowns where we're forced to be out of position and have to use our sticks,'' defenseman Steve Montador after practice Saturday. ''So I think because we're in better position, because our forwards are helping out, credit to them because it's making our job that much easier.''

The clean play in front of him has impressed Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas.

''I can't rarely, if ever, think of a time period where a team that's played so well defensively without taking penalties,'' Thomas said. ''It's because they work so hard to be in position and they're not taking penalties because they're in the right position all the time. So it is discipline so you don't reach out your stick and stuff.''

Pick: Boston -200

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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Cleveland at Detroit
The Indians look to bounce back from last night's 9-7 defeat and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a loss, while the Tigers are just 2-7 in Justin Verlander's last 9 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in the previous game. Cleveland is the underdog pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Indians favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+105). Here are all of today's games

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Game 951-952: Houston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Rodriguez) 14.618; Atlanta (Reyes) 16.017
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+110); Under

Game 953-954: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 16.317; Pittsburgh (Karstens) 15.100
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-130); Under

Game 955-956: NY Mets at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Maine) 14.404; Philadelphia (Blanton) 15.623
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-110); Under

Game 957-958: St. Louis at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.735; Washington (Lannan) 14.956
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-125); Under

Game 959-960: Arizona at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Petit) 14.639; Milwaukee (Bush) 16.059
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-145); Over

Game 961-962: Florida at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 14.643; Cubs (Zambrano) 13.987
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-165); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+155); N/A

Game 963-964: Colorado at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 14.536; San Francisco (Zito) 15.508
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-120); Under

Game 965-966: San Diego at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Gaudin) 14.500; LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 13.518
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-230); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+210); Under

Game 967-968: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Saunders) 15.021; NY Yankees (Hughes) 15.552
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-150); Under

Game 969-970: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Lee) 16.287; Detroit (Verlander) 15.275
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+105); Under

Game 971-972: Baltimore at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Guthrie) 15.198; Toronto (Richmond) 14.660
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+110); Over

Game 973-974: Boston at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Penny) 15.099; Tampa Bay (Shields) 16.033
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-155); Under

Game 975-976: Kansas City at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 16.886; Minnesota (Baker) 15.745
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Over

Game 977-978: Oakland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Outman) 14.805; Seattle (Jakubauskas) 16.311
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-115); Under

Game 979-980: Chicago White Sox at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 15.963; Texas (Harrison) 14.529
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-125); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-125); Under