Saturday Trends and Indexes 5/16 (MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

Trends and Indexes

Saturday, May 16

Good Luck on day #136 of 2009!

At this time the sports menu in this thread consists of the NBA, NHL, and the MLB 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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[Udog]

Daily Sports Roundup

Saturday, May 16

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The second jewel of the Triple Crown takes place at Pimlico, NASCAR has its All-Star race, and the Giants take on the Mets.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Mets will send ace Johan Santana to the mound on Saturday afternoon for their road matchup with the Giants. Lefthander Santana (4-2, 0.78 ERA) took the loss against the Braves last time out despite giving up just two unearned runs in 6 1-3 innings of work. Countering for the Giants will be lefthander Randy Johnson. The Big Unit (3-3, 5.89 ERA) got a win vs. the Nationals in his last start.

Elsewhere on the National League schedule for Saturday it'll be Houston at the Cubs, Milwaukee at St. Louis, the Dodgers at Florida, Colorado at Pittsburgh, Arizona at Atlanta, and Cincinnati at San Diego. As well, the Phillies and Nationals will stage a doubleheader in Washington; Game 1 will be Brett Myers (2-2, 4.81 ERA) vs. Scott Olsen (1-3, 7.00 ERA), while Game 2 has a probable matchup of J.A. Happ (1-0, 2.75 ERA) taking on Daniel Cabrera (0-4, 4.98 ERA).

Over in the American League on Saturday the Yankees will try to get another win out of Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89 ERA) when they play host to the Twins and Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32 ERA). Righthander Chamberlain beat the Orioles in his last outing, giving up just three earned runs over six innings of work. Righthander Blackburn threw seven scoreless innings against the Mariners in his last outing.

Rounding out the Junior Circuit slate for Saturday: the White Sox at Toronto, Cleveland at Tampa Bay, the Angels at Texas, Oakland at Detroit, Baltimore at Kansas City, and Boston at Seattle. Projected Red Sox starter Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.42 ERA) got a no-decision vs. the Rays last time out, allowing three runs in six innings. Lefthander Garrett Olson (0-0, 2.57 ERA) gets the ball for the Mariners.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Filly Rachel Alexandra (Post #13) was pegged as the 8/5 morning line favorite for Saturday's running of the 134th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Rachel Alexandra competed in the Kentucky Oaks instead of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, winning that race by 20 ¼ lengths. Pioneerof The Nile (Post #9) sits second at 5/1 odds for the Preakness, while Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird (Post #2) and Friesan Fire (Post #5) are both listed in third at 6/1 odds.

Finally, the Sprint Cup Series stages its All-Star event at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday, with Jimmie Johnson listed as the 6/1 Vegas favorite to win the non-points race. Kyle Busch is next at 7/1 odds, followed by both Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart at 8/1, and Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin at 10/1. Kasey Kahne, the 2008 All-Star winner, is back at 30/1 to get the trophy again on Saturday. Martin Truex Jr. is pegged as the 6/1 favorite for the Sprint Showdown.

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Milwaukee at St. Louis
The Cardinals look to build on their 10-1 record in Adam Wainwright's last 11 home starts against teams with a winning record. St. Louis is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Cards favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-145). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Game 901-902: Houston at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 16.194; Cubs (Wells) 14.984
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-110); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+100); N/A

Game 903-904: Milwaukee at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 15.027; St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.624
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-145); Over

Game 905-906: NY Mets at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 14.837; San Francisco (Johnson) 15.700
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-165); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+155); Over

Game 907-908: LA Dodgers at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Milton) 14.848; Florida (Miller) 15.110
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-110); Under

Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Carpenter) 15.600; Washington (Cabrera) 14.238
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 11
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-125); Under

Game 911-912: Colorado at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 13.038; Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.330
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-110); Under

Game 913-914: Arizona at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Scherzer) 15.187; Atlanta (Kawakami) 15.010
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+120); Over

Game 915-916: Cincinnati at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Volquez) 14.639; San Diego (Geer) 14.789
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+115); Under

Game 917-918: Minnesota at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.673; NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 17.179
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-185); Under

Game 919-920: Chicago White Sox at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Colon) 14.531; Toronto (Ray) 14.957
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Under

Game 921-922: Cleveland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Pavano) 14.362; Tampa Bay (Garza) 16.036
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-170); Over

Game 923-924: LA Angels at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 16.416; Texas (Padilla) 17.645
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Texas (-110); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-110); Over

Game 925-926: Oakland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Braden) 16.682; Detroit (Porcello) 15.595
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+120); Over

Game 927-928: Baltimore at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Hill) 15.828; Kansas City (Davies) 14.108
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+110); Under

Game 929-930: Boston at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 16.421; Seattle (Olson) 14.931
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-155); Under

Game 931-932: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Myers) 14.800; Washington (Olsen) 16.012
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-130); 10
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+120); Over

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Saturday, May 16

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HOUSTON (16 - 18) at CHICAGO CUBS (20 - 14) - 1:05 PM
ROY OSWALT (R) vs. RANDY WELLS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OSWALT is 17-24 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)
OSWALT is 7-15 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 21-4 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 102-93 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 24-16 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 100-92 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 57-43 (+19.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 49-45 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 977-1023 (-182.7 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 524-476 (-108.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 383-350 (-74.0 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 920-939 (-160.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 474-501 (-116.3 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 484-456 (-96.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 4-1 (+2.9 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

ROY OSWALT vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
OSWALT is 11-12 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.300.
His team's record is 11-15 (-9.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-14. (-3.6 units)

RANDY WELLS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

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MILWAUKEE (21 - 14) at ST LOUIS (21 - 14) - 1:10 PM
JEFF SUPPAN (R) vs. ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 107-90 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 39-19 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 107-90 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 73-57 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WAINWRIGHT is 20-7 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WAINWRIGHT is 20-7 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WAINWRIGHT is 16-1 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SUPPAN is 24-10 (+15.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

JEFF SUPPAN vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
SUPPAN is 6-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.284.
His team's record is 8-3 (+6.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-8. (-5.6 units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 2-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.215.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)

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NY METS (20 - 15) at SAN FRANCISCO (18 - 17) - 4:10 PM
JOHAN SANTANA (L) vs. RANDY JOHNSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SANTANA is 16-20 (-13.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 155-92 (+41.2 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters since 1997.
SANTANA is 81-29 (+36.5 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-0 (+2.7 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

JOHAN SANTANA vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
SANTANA is 1-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.077.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

RANDY JOHNSON vs. NY METS since 1997
JOHNSON is 6-7 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.268.
His team's record is 7-9 (-8.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-8. (-3.7 units)

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LA DODGERS (25 - 12) at FLORIDA (17 - 19) - 6:10 PM
ERIC MILTON (L) vs. ANDREW MILLER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 101-96 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 66-47 (+26.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 100-94 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 456-513 (+35.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 25-12 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 25-12 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILTON is 21-11 (+13.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILTON is 71-61 (+29.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILTON is 90-79 (+24.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILTON is 34-25 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 4-14 (-11.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-0 (+1.3 Units) against FLORIDA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

ERIC MILTON vs. FLORIDA since 1997
MILTON is 1-3 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 5.94 and a WHIP of 1.260.
His team's record is 1-5 (-4.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.4 units)

ANDREW MILLER vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
MILLER is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 25.05 and a WHIP of 4.497.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (17 - 16) at WASHINGTON (11 - 22) - 7:05 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. DANIEL CABRERA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-14 (-12.3 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 57-44 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-16 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 56-43 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 44-29 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 70-124 (-33.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 70-121 (-30.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 48-88 (-26.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-67 (-28.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-2 (+0.9 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

J.A. HAPP vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

DANIEL CABRERA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
CABRERA is 0-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 8.30 and a WHIP of 1.961.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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COLORADO (14 - 20) at PITTSBURGH (14 - 21) - 7:05 PM
AARON COOK (R) vs. IAN SNELL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 87-109 (-30.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 56-76 (-28.3 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 15-27 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 87-109 (-30.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 55-81 (-28.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

AARON COOK vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
COOK is 2-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.13 and a WHIP of 1.405.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

IAN SNELL vs. COLORADO since 1997
SNELL is 2-2 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.97 and a WHIP of 1.224.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

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ARIZONA (13 - 23) at ATLANTA (18 - 17) - 7:10 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. KENSHIN KAWAKAMI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 13-23 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 8-21 (-12.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 38-55 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 15-27 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 13-23 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 7-17 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 64-75 (-26.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 28-45 (-21.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SCHERZER is 2-11 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SCHERZER is 2-11 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 90-107 (-24.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 89-105 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 60-72 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 37-43 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against ARIZONA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

KENSHIN KAWAKAMI vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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CINCINNATI (20 - 15) at SAN DIEGO (14 - 22) - 10:05 PM
EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R) vs. JOSH GEER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 67-91 (-32.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 13-6 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CINCINNATI is 13-6 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 305-344 (+36.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 339-389 (+38.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 11-3 (+9.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
VOLQUEZ is 15-4 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 15-3 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 12-4 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 16-3 (+12.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN DIEGO is 77-120 (-42.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 77-120 (-42.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 54-87 (-31.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 51-77 (-24.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 28-48 (-20.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 26-57 (-28.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 (+1.1 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 0-0 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JOSH GEER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

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MINNESOTA (18 - 18) at NY YANKEES (18 - 17) - 1:05 PM
NICK BLACKBURN (R) vs. JOBA CHAMBERLAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BLACKBURN is 0-9 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 210-144 (-67.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 84-79 (-54.8 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 91-74 (-44.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

NICK BLACKBURN vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
BLACKBURN is 0-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.249.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.3 units)

JOBA CHAMBERLAIN vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHI WHITE SOX (15 - 19) at TORONTO (24 - 14) - 1:07 PM
BARTOLO COLON (R) vs. ROBERT RAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 12-26 (-13.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 26-44 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 11-28 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 24-14 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 124-85 (+26.0 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997.
TORONTO is 29-15 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 11-2 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
TORONTO is 82-61 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 139-165 (-58.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-1 (+2.2 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

BARTOLO COLON vs. TORONTO since 1997
COLON is 8-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.80 and a WHIP of 1.225.
His team's record is 11-6 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-7. (+1.8 units)

ROBERT RAY vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

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CLEVELAND (14 - 23) at TAMPA BAY (17 - 20) - 4:10 PM
CARL PAVANO (R) vs. MATT GARZA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 14-23 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 28-40 (-17.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 25-38 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 9-19 (-11.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 122-93 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 27-5 (+18.9 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 69-35 (+24.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 26-8 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 70-38 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 74-43 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 91-56 (+30.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 60-73 (-21.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
GARZA is 3-11 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

CARL PAVANO vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PAVANO is 4-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.244.
His team's record is 6-2 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.6 units)

MATT GARZA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
GARZA is 0-3 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 6.12 and a WHIP of 1.800.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.9 units)

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

LA ANGELS (18 - 16) at TEXAS (21 - 14) - 4:10 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. VICENTE PADILLA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 21-14 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 52-34 (+18.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 11-3 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
TEXAS is 38-29 (+14.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 20-12 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 70-62 (+18.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PADILLA is 24-12 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 8-0 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 10-3 (+9.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 20-12 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 13-4 (+11.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 56-41 (+19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 119-81 (+24.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 57-40 (+19.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 37-15 (+22.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 113-71 (+28.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 81-58 (+13.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 51-28 (+21.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 56-39 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. TEXAS since 1997
LACKEY is 10-10 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 5.73 and a WHIP of 1.545.
His team's record is 15-12 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 13-14. (-2.3 units)

VICENTE PADILLA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
PADILLA is 5-3 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.95 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 5-6 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-4. (+2.8 units)

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

OAKLAND (13 - 19) at DETROIT (18 - 16) - 7:05 PM
DALLAS BRADEN (L) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 158-184 (-51.9 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997.
DETROIT is 92-104 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 44-53 (-18.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 86-87 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 58-68 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

DALLAS BRADEN vs. DETROIT since 1997
BRADEN is 1-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 8.68 and a WHIP of 1.660.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

RICK PORCELLO vs. OAKLAND since 1997
No recent starts.

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

BALTIMORE (15 - 21) at KANSAS CITY (19 - 17) - 7:10 PM
RICH HILL (L) vs. KYLE DAVIES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 63-120 (-40.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 44-31 (+25.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 50-42 (+14.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 68-71 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

RICH HILL vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

KYLE DAVIES vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
DAVIES is 1-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 10.80 and a WHIP of 1.800.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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

BOSTON (21 - 15) at SEATTLE (17 - 19) - 10:10 PM
JOSH BECKETT (R) vs. GARRETT OLSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 113-66 (+26.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 53-26 (+20.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 78-120 (-39.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 12-30 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 70-109 (-38.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 50-82 (-31.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 49-86 (-37.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 15-27 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-0 (+1.5 Units) against BOSTON this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JOSH BECKETT vs. SEATTLE since 1997
BECKETT is 3-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.29 and a WHIP of 1.097.
His team's record is 3-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

GARRETT OLSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
OLSON is 0-4 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 7.76 and a WHIP of 1.883.
His team's record is 0-6 (-6.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.9 units)

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

PHILADELPHIA (17 - 16) at WASHINGTON (11 - 22) - 1:05 PM
BRETT MYERS (R) vs. SCOTT OLSEN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-14 (-12.3 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
MYERS is 17-23 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MYERS is 0-6 (-8.1 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MYERS is 5-11 (-11.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MYERS is 17-25 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 57-44 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-16 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 56-43 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 44-29 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 70-124 (-33.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 70-121 (-30.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 48-88 (-26.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 5-25 (-20.7 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 40-83 (-31.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-67 (-28.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-2 (+0.9 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BRETT MYERS vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MYERS is 8-8 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.57 and a WHIP of 1.391.
His team's record is 9-12 (-9.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-9. (+0.2 units)

SCOTT OLSEN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
OLSEN is 5-5 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.98 and a WHIP of 1.642.
His team's record is 6-6 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-6. (+0.0 units)

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

[Udog]

MLB


Saturday, May 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Sheet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. NY YANKEES
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Yankees
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 15-8 SU in their last 23 games at home
NY Yankees are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games at home

1:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Philadelphia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Washington is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Washington is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games at home

1:07 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. TORONTO
Chi White Sox are 2-11 SU in their last 13 games when playing Toronto
Chi White Sox are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

1:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. ST. LOUIS
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of St. Louis's last 12 games

4:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Cleveland is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing Tampa Bay
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Tampa Bay is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games when playing Cleveland

4:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. TEXAS
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
LA Angels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing Texas
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

4:10 PM
NY METS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
NY Mets are 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
NY Mets are 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Francisco is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Mets
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets

6:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. FLORIDA
LA Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Florida
LA Dodgers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing Florida
Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Florida is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home

7:05 PM
COLORADO vs. PITTSBURGH
Colorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Colorado is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games

7:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. DETROIT
Oakland is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland

7:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-4-1 SU in its last 7 games
Washington is 3-8-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Washington is 1-4-1 SU in its last 6 games

7:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. ATLANTA
Arizona is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
Atlanta is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Arizona

7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. KANSAS CITY
Baltimore is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing Kansas City
Baltimore is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Kansas City is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

10:05 PM
CINCINNATI vs. SAN DIEGO
Cincinnati is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Cincinnati is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
San Diego is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home

10:10 PM
BOSTON vs. SEATTLE
Boston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Boston is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games
Seattle is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston


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

[Udog]

MLB


Saturday, May 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines: Saturday's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants (+160, 7.5)

Randy Johnson hopes to move a step closer to a milestone that may not be seen again for a very long time. To get there, however, he'll have to beat one of the best pitchers in the game.

Johnson seeks his 299th victory Saturday as the San Francisco Giants try to cool of the surging New York Mets and red-hot Johan Santana.

Santana's record isn't all that impressive but he has received minimal run support from his teammates. The Mets have scored only 11 total runs in their ace's seven starts for an average of 2.15 runs per game - the third-lowest total of any qualifying starter in the majors.

The left-hander was a victim of the same problem last season, as the Mets averaged 2.2 runs in his 12 starts that resulted in losses for the club. Santana has not allowed an earned run in his two losses this season.

"It's crazy that it happened twice already," Santana said. "There's not many things I can do."

The two-time Cy Young winner was outstanding again Monday, yielding two unearned runs and seven hits while striking out six over 6 1-3 innings of an 8-3 loss to Atlanta.

"Hopefully, there will come a point where we will pick him up," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "I think it's just coincidence, I really do. He's the type of guy that gets everybody up before his game. He might be getting 'em too geeked - that might be it. I think it'll turn around."

Santana won his only start against the Giants last season, allowing three hits with five strikeouts in five innings of a 5-0 victory.

New York's offense has been hot lately, batting .328 with 22 runs over the last three games. The Mets are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the best hitting team in baseball at .291.

Pick: New York -168



Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates (+106, 8.5)

Colorado will give the ball to Aaron Cook (2-1, 5.03 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last three starts.

The right-hander was solid again Sunday, yielding two runs - one earned - and four hits with three strikeouts and four walks in six innings of a 3-2 win over Florida.

Cook will now attempt to win a third consecutive decision for the first time since winning three starts in a row last July. That stretch included his only two career wins against the Pirates, while posting a 4.50 ERA. Prior to that, he was 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA in five games - two starts - against them.

The last-place Pirates have dropped 14 of 17 while hitting .239 and getting outscored 92-53.

Pittsburgh has also had major problems with its bullpen during that stretch, as the relievers are 0-5 with a 7.50 ERA while blowing four of five save chances.

Closer Matt Capps has played a big role in those struggles, going 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA and six saves on the season. He blew his second save in three opportunities Friday when he was reached for three runs and five hits in the ninth.

Snell (1-5, 4.50) looks to end a personal three-game losing streak. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA during his slide while getting four total runs of support. He lost four consecutive starts from May 21-June 6, 2008.

Snell allowed three runs and six hits with five strikeouts in six innings of an 8-4 road loss to the New York Mets on Sunday.

"I felt better," Snell told the Pirates' official Web site. "I felt strong. I battled through the whole game. I came prepared."

Snell is 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 26 1-3 innings over five games - four starts - against the Rockies. He is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in two home starts versus Colorado.

Pick: Under 8.5


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

[Udog]

MLB


Saturday, May 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Streaking

Johan Santana (New York Mets)

Santana's record isn't all that impressive but he has received minimal run support from his teammates. The Mets have scored only 11 total runs in their ace's seven starts for an average of 2.15 runs per game - the third-lowest total of any qualifying starter in the majors.

The left-hander was a victim of the same problem last season, as the Mets averaged 2.2 runs in his 12 starts that resulted in losses for the club. Santana has not allowed an earned run in his two losses this season.

"It's crazy that it happened twice already," Santana said. "There's not many things I can do."

The two-time Cy Young winner was outstanding again Monday, yielding two unearned runs and seven hits while striking out six over 6 1-3 innings of an 8-3 loss to Atlanta.

Vicente Padilla (Texas Rangers)

The Rangers hope Vicente Padilla (2-2, 4.97) can carry some momentum from his last two starts back home.

The right-hander was outstanding Sunday, yielding one run and one hit in seven innings of a 7-1 road win over the Chicago White Sox. That came five days after he limited Seattle to one run and one hit through eight innings in Texas' 7-2, 10-inning victory.

"I think about three starts ago there were questions about his velocity," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "The thing about Padilla, you don't know if that's by design. He can pitch, he can manipulate the baseball. He can do some good things. It just took him a little while to get going.

"Now he's going and I certainly hope he stays healthy and continues to make starts for us."

Padilla, however, hasn't come close to that type of production in four home outings, going 1-2 with an 8.10 ERA. He's also hit three batters in that span, and his five hit batsmen this season rank him third in the AL.

Padilla is 2-3 with a 5.79 ERA in his last six starts against the Angels.

Slumping

Scott Olsen (Washington Nationals)

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has hit .481 (13 for 27) with three doubles and two homers against Scott Olsen (1-3, 7.00 ERA), who starts the opener for Washington.

On Sunday, the left-hander took a batted ball off his ankle and exited after giving up five runs, 10 hits and a season high-tying three walks over 4 1-3 innings of a 10-8 loss to Arizona.

"My outing was awful," he told the Nationals' official Web site. "There was nothing positive."

Olsen has given up 10 earned runs in his past two starts, allowing 16 hits in just over nine innings pitched.

Olsen did beat the Phillies 4-1 on April 29 and is 4-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his last six starts against them.

Andrew Miller (Florida Marlins)

Andrew Miller (0-1, 6.94 ERA) is expected to return from the disabled list and start for Florida on Saturday. The left-hander went on the DL with a strained right oblique April 21 after giving up four runs over 4 2-3 innings in each of his previous two starts.

"I think the injury is a done issue," Miller told the Marlins' official Web site after his second rehab start with Double-A Jacksonville on Monday. "The strain is no longer an issue, and I think that's what we wanted to make sure was cleared up."

Being completely healthy could be particularly important for Miller against the Dodgers. He's posted a 25.07 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles, failing to last more than three innings in either.


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

[Udog]

MLB


Saturday, May 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals [1:10 PM ET]

Brewers: Jeff Suppan (2-3, 5.50) has lowered his ERA in each outing since a rough season debut April 7, but he was reached for four runs - three earned - in a 4-2 loss to the Cubs on Sunday. Suppan is 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in five starts against his former club since signing with the Brewers in January 2007. He is 6-0 with a 1.93 ERA in seven starts versus St. Louis since May 30, 2003. Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, 4 for 25 (.160) over his last seven games, is 12 for 30 (.400) with five doubles and four walks in his career against Suppan.

The Brewers are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in St. Louis.
The Brewers are 17-5 in their last 22 overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 3

Cardinals (-145, O/U 8.5): St. Louis is 5-2 this season in games started by Adam Wainwright (3-1, 4.35 ERA). "It's not a question of arm strength or stuff - the ball just isn't sinking the way it normally does, and I'm throwing fly balls," he told the Cardinals' official Web site after giving up two home runs for the second consecutive start. "It's just a matter of arm slot. So now that we recognize the problem, I should be able to correct it." Wainwright is 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in six starts versus the Brewers. He's 1-0 with a 1.37 ERA in five games - two starts - against them in St. Louis.

The Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings in St. Louis.
The Cardinals are 16-5 in Wainwright's last 21 home starts.

Key Injuries - OF Rick Ankiel (neck) is on the 15-day DL.
OF Ryan Ludwick (hamstring) is on the 15-day DL.
3B Troy Glaus (shoulder) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side Play of the Day)



Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers [FOX | 4:10 PM ET]

Angels: The Angels have won nine of their last 12, but lost the series opener last night, 10-8. John Lackey is expected to be activated from the disabled list prior to Saturday's contest after right elbow inflammation forced him to miss the first six weeks of the season. Lackey went 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 24 starts last season. He is 5-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 14 career starts at Texas. However, his last three starts there have all led to wins for the Angels, while he's gone 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA. Texas' Ian Kinsler is 6 for 15 with two homers vs. Lackey, while Josh Hamilton is 4 for 13 with three homers.

The Angels are 1-6 in Lackey's last 7 starts.
The Under is 10-1 in Lackey's last 11 starts as a road underdog.

Key Injuries - DH Vladimir Guerrero (pectoral) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 6

Rangers (-120, O/U 10): The Rangers hope Vicente Padilla (2-2, 4.97) can carry some momentum from his last two starts. "I think about three starts ago there were questions about his velocity," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "The thing about Padilla, you don't know if that's by design. He can pitch, he can manipulate the baseball. He can do some good things. It just took him a little while to get going." In four home outings, Padilla is 1-2 with an 8.10 ERA. He has also hit three batters in that span, and his five hit batsmen this season rank him third in the AL. Padilla is 2-3 with a 5.79 ERA in his last six starts against the Angels.

The Rangers are 8-1 in their last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Rangers are 13-3 in Padilla's last 16 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.

Key Injuries - Closer Frank Francisco (biceps) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 7 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)


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

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Saturday, 5/16/2009

National League

HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS, 1:05 PM ET
OSWALT: HOU 20-7 revenging BB home losses
WELLS: CHC 0-3 after scoring 10+ runs

MILWAUKEE at ST LOUIS, 1:10 PM ET
SUPPAN: MIL 11-2 after having won 3 of their last 4
WAINWRIGHT: STL 20-9 OVER when playing on Saturday

NY METS at SAN FRANCISCO, 4:10 PM ET
SANTANA: 47-11 TSR after 2+ consecutive wins
JOHNSON: SF 27-47 after 5+ consecutive home games

LA DODGERS at FLORIDA, 6:10 PM ET
MILTON: 21-11 TSR as a road underdog of +100 to +125
MILLER: FLA 4-14 after a team loss

PHILADELPHIA at WASHINGTON, 7:05 PM - ** Doubleheader Game #2 ET
HAPP: PHI 35-19 AWAY when the money line is +125 to -125
CABRERA: 13-33 TSR as an underdog

COLORADO at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
COOK: COL 12-3 OVER as a favorite
SNELL: PIT 20-9 OVER when playing on Saturday

ARIZONA at ATLANTA, 7:10 PM ET
SCHERZER: ARI 10-1 UNDER in road games
KAWAKAMI: ATL 0-6 at home with a money line of -100 to -150

CINCINNATI at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
VOLQUEZ: 11-2 TSR AWAY when the total is 7 to 8.5
GEER: SD 2-15 after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6

American League

MINNESOTA at NY YANKEES, 1:05 PM ET
BLACKBURN: MIN 21-5 OVER revenging a one run loss
CHAMBERLAIN: NYY 20-30 when the total is 10+

CHI WHITE SOX at TORONTO, 1:07 PM ET
COLON: 41-21 TSR AWAY when the money line is +125 to -125
RAY: TOR 15-6 OVER against AL Central

CLEVELAND at TAMPA BAY, 4:10 PM ET
PAVANO: CLE 7-0 OVER as an underdog of +125 to +175
GARZA: 0-7 TSR against AL Central

LA ANGELS at TEXAS, 4:10 PM ET
LACKEY: 9-0 UNDER as a road underdog
PADILLA: 8-0 TSR in May

OAKLAND at DETROIT, 7:05 PM ET
BRADEN: OAK 2-10 after having won 2 of their last 3
PORCELLO: DET 6-2 OVER as a home favorite

BALTIMORE at KANSAS CITY, 7:10 PM ET
HILL: BAL 18-8 OVER as an underdog
DAVIES: 16-5 OVER as a favorite

BOSTON at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
BECKETT: BOS 16-7 OVER as a favorite
OLSON: SEA 12-30 in May

Added Game

PHILADELPHIA at WASHINGTON, 1:05 PM - ** Doubleheader Game #1 ET
MYERS: 0-8 TSR AWAY with a money line of -100 to -150
OLSEN: WAS 50-36 against division opponents

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

Baseball Today


SCOREBOARD

Saturday, May 16

New York Mets at San Francisco (4:10 p.m. EDT). Randy Johnson will try for his 299th career victory. Mets ace Johan Santana (4-2, 0.78 ERA) has suffered from a lack of run support this season. Despite his miniscule ERA, the Mets have lost three games when he pitched.

STARS

Friday

- Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, homered twice, including a go-ahead, two-run shot in the sixth inning, to help Seattle rally for a 5-4 win over Boston.

- Zack Greinke, Royals, pitched seven innings to earn his seventh win in Kansas City's 8-1 win over Baltimore.

- David Wright, Mets, had three hits and four RBIs, three on a tying double in the seventh inning of New York's 8-6 win at San Francisco.

- Brad Hawpe, Rockies, hit a two-run homer in Colorado's three-run ninth inning for a 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh.

- Ian Kinsler, Rangers, homered twice to help Texas beat the the Los Angeles Angels 10-8.

- Juan Pierre, Dodgers, hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh inning of a 6-4 win at Florida.

SAYING HE'S SORRY

Manny Ramirez apologized to his teammates at the team hotel when the Dodgers arrived in Miami to play the Marlins. It was his first time with the Dodgers since being suspended for 50 games for using a banned substance. Then Los Angeles went out and upped the best record in the majors to 25-12 by beating the Marlins 6-4. The Dodgers improved to 4-4 without Ramirez.

BIG PAPI SITS

Boston finally benched slumping slugger David Ortiz on Friday night. Manager Terry Francona left the five-time All-Star out of the lineup for the series opener at Seattle, a day after he went 0-for-7 and stranded 12 base runners - tying a team record - in an extra-inning loss at the Los Angeles Angels. Ortiz is batting .208. He is without a home run in 144 at-bats.

OH, CANADA

The White Sox lost for the seventh straight time in Toronto, falling 8-3 Friday night. Chicago was limited to 11 runs and a .146 batting average during six consecutive defeats in Canada over the past two seasons, and was shut out twice in four games there in 2008.

SWINGING FRIAR

San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez homered in his fifth straight game to move within one game of tying Graig Nettles' club record set in 1984. Gonzalez's 15th homer of the season - best in the majors - helped the Padres beat Cincinnati 5-3 Friday night.

EMPTY 'PENS

J.A. Happ - scheduled to start Saturday night - came on for the 11th to throw two scoreless innings, and Raul Ibanez delivered a two-run single after Kip Wells, Washington's eighth pitcher, walked the bases loaded in the 12th to break a tie and sent the Phillies to a 10-6 victory Friday night. Philadelphia will bring up Andrew Carpenter from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

SEVEN OUT

Cleveland's pitching and defense helped Tampa Bay come back from a 7-0 deficit to win 8-7 over the Indians on Friday night when B.J. Upton led off the ninth with a home run. Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar drove in runs in the comeback against Indians starter Anthony Reyes and relievers Tony Sipp, Jensen Lewis and Rafael Betancourt, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh only to give up Zobrist's tying homer in the eighth.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

Brett Gardner was visiting with a young girl at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital on Friday, when she gave him a bracelet. "She told me that if I kept it, I would hit a home run,'' he said. "She said I'll hit a home run tonight. She said as long as I have it, I'll hit a home run every at-bat, which we all know is not going to happen.'' Gardner hit an inside-the-park homer in New York's 5-4 win over Minnesota on Friday night, helping stop the Yankees' five-game home losing streak. It was the Yankees' first inside-the-park homer since Ricky Ledee against Seattle's Paul Abbott on Aug. 29, 1999.

SLAM-TASTIC

Detroit got grand slams from Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge - the first time the Tigers had two in a game since Jim Northrup did it by himself on June 24, 1968 - in a 14-1 win over Oakland on Friday night.

NO RELIEF

Atlanta's Yunel Escobar hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the bottom of ninth, giving the Braves a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks after blowing a lead in the top of the inning Friday night. Closer Mike Gonzalez (2-0) gave up a tying homer to Stephen Drew to lead off the ninth.

SPEAKING

"When you score seven runs, you should be up at home plate tension-free. Our guys are up there and they're not tension-free for the fact they feel like they've got to score more runs, and that's ridiculous.'' - Indians manager Eric Wedge, after Cleveland blew a 7-0 lead and lost 8-7 to Tampa Bay on Friday night.

"It was probably more likely for me to hit an inside-the-parker than it was to hit once over the fence, so I'm glad I could do that for her.'' The Yankees' Brett Gardner, who was given a bracelet by a girl in a hospital on Friday. She told him if he kept it, he'd hit a home run.

SEASONS

May 16

1933 - Cecil Travis of the Washington Senators made his major league debut with five hits in a 12-inning, 11-10 win over the Chicago White Sox. 1939 - The Cleveland Indians beat the Philadelphia Athletics 8-3 in 10 innings in the first American League night game, held at Philadelphia's Shibe Park.

1953 - The White Sox loaded the bases against the Yankees in the ninth inning, but Vern Stephens, who had 10 grand slams in his career, was lifted for a pinch hitter. Pitcher Tommy Byrne, the substitute batter, then hit a homer off Ewell Blackwell for a 5-3 win.

1965 - Jim Palmer, 19, won his first major league game and hit his first homer, off Jim Bouton. The Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-5.

1972 - Rick Monday hit three consecutive homers to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-1 win at Philadelphia. Greg Luzinski's 500-foot home run hit the Liberty Bell monument at Veteran Stadium for the Phillies' only run.

1981 - Craig Reynolds of Houston hit three triples to lead the Astros to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

1997 - The Montreal Expos overcame an early nine-run deficit and rallied past the San Francisco Giants 14-13 on David Segui's RBI single in the ninth inning. The Giants took an 11-2 lead after three innings. Montreal came back with four runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and three more in the sixth for a 12-11 lead. Glenallen Hill's RBI single capped a two-run seventh that put the Giants ahead 13-12.

2000 - The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the Wrigley Field crowd after a fan ran off with Chad Kreuter's cap in the ninth inning of Los Angeles' 6-5 victory. The game was delayed for nine minutes while some Dodgers and fans fought.

2006 - The New York Yankees, down 9-0 in the second inning, matched the biggest comeback in Yankees history when Jorge Posada hit a game-winning, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth for a 14-13 victory over the Texas Rangers.

2008 - Jayson Werth of Philadelphia hit three home runs and tied the team record with eight RBIs in a 10-3 win over Toronto.

Today's birthdays: Jensen Lewis 25; Eugenio Velez 27; Doug Brocail 42.

[Udog]

This Day in Baseball


On May 16 in Baseball History...

1902 - Two deaf-mutes face each other for the first time when Dummy Hoy leads off for the Reds against Dummy Taylor of the Giants. The Reds win 5-3 with a five-run rally in the ninth. Hoy goes 2-for-4.

1932 - The Yankees score their fourth straight shutout to equal the record set by Cleveland (1903) and Boston (1906). Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffing, and Lefty Gomez are the hurlers.

1939 - The first A.L. night game is played at Shibe Park, with Cleveland beating the host Philadelphia Athletics 8-3 in ten innings.

1954 - Ted Williams returns to action after breaking his collarbone in spring training and goes 8-for-9 with two home runs and seven RBI in a doubleheader against the Tigers. Williams has three hits in game one, a 7-6 loss. He goes five-for-five in the nightcap, including two home runs, but Boston loses 9-8 in 14 innings.

1957 - The Yankees celebrate Billy Martin's 29th birthday in a raucous fashion. An ensuing fight at Manhattan's Copacabana Club leads to $5,500 in fines and the eventual trade of Billy to Kansas City. Hank Bauer allegedly starts the fight by hitting a patron, although Bauer denies it.

1967 - Philadelphia voters approve a $13 million bond issue to build a new stadium.

1979 - N.L. owners approve the sale of the Astros from the Ford Motor Credit Company to John J. McMullen for a reported $19 million.

1984 - The Twins sell 51,863 tickets to their 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays, but only 6,346 fans show up for the game. The skewed numbers are the result of a massive ticket buyout plan organized by Minneapolis businessman Harvey Mackay to keep the Twins in Minnesota; if the club does not sell 2.41 million tickets this season it can break its lease with the Metrodome. Taking advantage of reduced prices on the Family Day promotion, Mackay pays $218,718 for 44,166 tickets.

1987 - After starting off with an 18-2 record, the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers drop their tenth in a row, losing 13-0 to Kansas City, and earning the nickname Team Streak. The Brew Crew's only hit off Charlie Leibrandt is a bunt single.

1997 - Jim Leyland returns to Pittsburgh for the first time wearing a uniform other than that of the Pirates. Leyland, who spent 11 seasons as skipper in Pittsburgh, sees his new team, the Marlins, beat the Pirates, 3-1. Two days later he leaves town with Florida's first-ever sweep in Pittsburgh.

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Saturday, May 16

Hot Pitchers
-- Wells blanked Milwaukee for five innings in his first '09 start. Astros won last four Oswalt starts (1-0, 4.68- Astros 27 runs).
-- Brewers won four of last five Suppan starts (2-1, 4.20).
-- Santana is 4-2, 1.57 in seven starts this season.
-- Cook is 2-0, 2.57 in his last three starts.
-- Volquez is 2-0, 2.78 in his last three starts.

-- Pavano is 3-0, 3.66 in his last three starts.
-- Garza is 2-0, 2.38 in his last three starts.
-- Porcello is 2-0, 0.75 in his last couple starts.
-- Padilla is 1-1, 2.14 in his last three starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Wainwright has a 6.19 RA in his last five starts.
-- Carpenter is 1-0, 4.72 in six AAA starts. Myers is 2-2, 4.81 in seven starts this season. Olsen is 1-3, 7.30 in seven starts this year. Cabrera is 0-4, 8.39 in his seven starts.
-- Johnson has 5.57 RA in his last four starts.
-- Snell is 0-3, 4.70 in his last four starts.
-- Scherzer is 0-3, 4.26 in six starts this season. Kawakami is 1-4, 7.09 in his last five starts.
-- Miller is 0-1, 7.72 in two starts this season. Milton is 3-2, 2.83 in his seven AAA starts this year; he has made 265 career big lreague starts, but this is his first since '07.
-- Geer is 0-1, 5.25 in four starts this season.

-- Chamberlain is 0-1, 7.84 in two home starts. Blackburn is 2-2, 5.14 in seven starts this season.
-- Ray is 0-1, 6.75 in two starts. Colon is 1-2, 6.75 in his last five starts.
-- Braden is 0-2, 6.75 in his last two starts.
-- Hill is 1-1, 1.35 in three AAA starts; he's made 57 career starts in the big leagues, with the Cubs (18-17, 4.37). Davies has an 8.27 RA in four home starts this season.
-- Lackey is making first '09 start; he was 12-5, 3.75 in 24 starts LY.
-- Beckett has a 7.75 RA in his last six starts. Olsen was 9-10, 6.65 in 26 starts for Orioles LY; he is 2-2, 3.08 in five AAA starts this year.

Hot Teams
-- Cubs won seven of their last eight home games. Astros won five of their last six games.
-- Brewers won nine of their last eleven games. Cardinals are 11-3 in their last fourteen home games.
-- Braves won seven of their last nine games.
-- Dodgers won eleven of their last fifteen games.
-- Cincinnati won 10 of its last 14 road games.
-- Mets won ten of their last twelve games.

-- Minnesota is 11-5 in its last sixteen games. Bronx won four of its last five games.
-- Toronto won ten of its last fourteen home games.
-- Rangers won eleven of their last thirteen games. Angels won six of their last eight games.

Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost ten of their last twelve games. Rockies are 4-8 in their last twelve road games.
-- Phillies lost six of their last nine games. Nationals lost four of their last five games.
-- Giants lost their last three games, allowing 21 runs.
-- Marlins lost five in row, eleven of their last fourteen games.
-- Arizona lost six of seven games since changing managers.
-- Padres lost six of their last seven games.

-- White Sox lost five of their last six road games.
-- Tigers lost three of their last four games. A's lost eight of their last ten road games.
-- Rays lost four of their last five games. Indians lost six of last nine.
-- Orioles lost ten of their last twelve road games. Royals lost six of their last seven games.
-- Red Sox lost their last three games, allowing 18 runs. Mariners lost eight of their last ten games.

Totals
-- Over is 6-1-2 in last nine games at Wrigley Field.
-- Over is 10-2-1 in Philadelphia road games.
-- Six of last seven Colorado road games stayed under total.
-- Over is 11-5-1 in Dodgers' last seventeen road games.
-- Under is 10-0-2 in Arizona road games.
-- Last four Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Under is 11-4-1 in Cincinnati's last sixteen road games.
-- Eight of Mets' last nine games went over the total.

-- Over is 4-2-1 in last seven Minnesota games.
-- Last four Colon starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-3-1 in last eleven Detroit games.
-- Nine of last ten Cleveland road games went over the total.
-- Eight of last eleven Angel games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 10-3-1 in Baltimore road games.
-- Over is 8-4-3 in Seattle's last fifteen games.

Umpires
-- Hst-Chi-- No idea who the umpires are for this series.
-- Mil-StL-- No idea who the umpire is for this game.
-- NY-SF-- Underdog is 4-3 in Wendelstedt games.
-- LA-Fla-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Rapuano games.
-- Colo-Pitt-- Favorite won six of last seven Hernandez games.
-- Az-Atl-- Underdog won five of seven Marsh games.
-- Cin-SD-- Home team won four of last five Joyce games.
-- Phil-Wsh-- Five of last seven Meriwether games stayed under.
Three of last four Cooper games stayed under the total.

-- Min-NY-- Favorite is 6-0 in Foster games this season.
-- Chi-Tor-- Last five Vanover games went over the total.
-- Clev-TB-- Under is 6-1-1 in Fletcher games.
-- LA-Tex-- Road team won four of five Davidson games.
-- A's-Det-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Cuzzi games.
-- Blt-KC-- Over is 5-1-1 with Meals behind plate this season.
-- Bos-Sea-- Home side won all four Cederstrom games.

[pm530]

Six-pack for Saturday

-- Mets scored twice in ninth to beat Giants 8-6, scoring go-ahead run on a throwing error on a bunt play. Wright had four RBI.

-- Ichiro Suzuki hit two HRs off lefty Lester as Mariners handed Boston their third loss in a row, 5-4.

-- Zack Greinke won again, surviving a two-hour rain delay before he shut down the Orioles 8-1.

-- Tampa Rays trailed 7-0 in 4th inning, but won 8-7, as Upton hit a walk-off homer, snapping out of his early season funk.

-- Brad Hawpe homered in ninth to give Rockies 3-1 win at PNC Park, ruining a fine performance by Paul Maholm.

-- Brad Lidge blew his second save in seven chances, but Phillies scored four in 12th and won 10-6, with JA Happ getting win, so he won't start one of the games in their Saturday doubleheader.

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Saturday's List of 13: Random thoughts on a soggy Saturday

13) Huge blow for Indianapolis Colts this week, who lost a couple of great assistant coaches when offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd retired, because they would have lost some of their retirement benefits had they stayed on, because of changes in how teams fund coaches' pension plans. Pretty sad.

12) All the money in the NFL, and they nickel-dime coaches, just not good. Lions guarantee Matthew Stafford $42M before he ever plays in a game, but the Colts can't guarantee assistant coaches their full pensions? Pathetic.

11) Ray Fosse was talking on TV this week about how it is harder for guys to have long hitting streaks now, because they might face three different pitchers in a game. Back when Dimaggio/Williams played in the 40's/50's, you saw the same pitcher the whole game, so it was lot easier to get a hit off him. Interesting observation.

10) If I was a Dallas Cowboy player/coach/fan, think I'd prefer that Tony Romo spend his spring practicing football instead of golf.

9) Red Sox are giving David Ortiz the entire weekend off, to clear his head after his dreadful start this season.

8) If I ran the Washington Nationals, I'd fine me a centerfielder who is a great fielder, and I'd put him in the lineup every night. Nationals can hit the ball, but their outfield defense is hideous-- a fast guy who can patrol CF would be a great help for their young pitchers.

7) Johan Santana is first pitcher since 1918 to lose two of his first seven starts, despite having an ERA under 0.80.

6) White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was once goalie of the soccer team at NC State.

5) Read this week that NBA scouts aren't sure if Hasheem Thabeet loves basketball; if you're 7-foot-3 and you're going to be making lot of money playing ball, you better start convincing them you love it. What team wants to give $10M to a kid who might be disinterested?

4) My godson plays high school baseball in a league where they only use wooden bats-- makes for much lower scoring games.

3) Three of Orlando Magic's five starters didn't play college ball.

2) NFL salary cap jumps $12M this season, to $128M a team, but they don't have enough money to fund coaches' pension plans?????

1) Memo to baseball nitwits who oppose a salary cap-- when NFL started the cap system, in 1994, the cap was $34.6M, so everyone seems to be doing pretty well with a salary cap in place.

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