Monday Trends and indexes 6/1 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

Trends and Indexes

Monday, June 1

Good Luck on day #152 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.

[Udog]

Daily Sports Roundup

Monday, June 1

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The NBA and NHL playoffs take a break, while Major League Baseball starts off the week with a slate of nine matchups.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Reds are expecting to activate starter Edinson Volquez in time for Monday night's matchup on the road against the Cardinals. The righthander was placed on the disabled list on May 17 with back spasms, and hasn't earned a victory since May 5 vs. the Marlins. Volquez took a no-decision vs. the Cards on May 10, allowing seven earned runs over 6 2-3 innings. St. Louis will counter with Todd Wellemeyer on Monday; the righthander is 5-4 with a 5.02 ERA this season.

There are five other games on the National League slate for Monday, including Milwaukee at Florida, Colorado at Houston, Philadelphia at San Diego, and Arizona at the Dodgers. As well, the Mets will start up a road series in Pittsburgh, with Livan Hernandez (4-1, 4.28 ERA) scheduled to take on Ian Snell (1-6, 5.43 ERA). Hernandez beat Pittsburgh in a start on May 10, allowing two runs in six innings. Snell was the loser on that day, giving up three runs over his six innings.

Finally, the American League offers up just three games on Monday, with Oakland at the White Sox, Baltimore at Seattle, and the Yankees at Cleveland. New York will turn to Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.97 ERA) in the series finale vs. the Tribe; the righthander was knocked around by Cleveland back in April, and has been dealing with a sore knee. Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71 ERA) gets the ball for Cleveland; the lefthander threw five shutout innings vs. the Rays last time out.

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[Udog]

Six-pack for Monday

Anatomy of a college baseball marathon.........

-- Texas beat Boston College 3-2 in 25 innings Saturday, in a game that took 7:03 to play in 95-degree weather, in front of 7,104 fans.

-- Longhorn lefty pitcher Austin Wood came in the game in relief, then pitched 12.1 innings of no-hit ball; all in all, he struck out 14, walked four, gave up two hits no runs while throwing 169 pitches.

-- BC reliever named Belfiore threw 9.2 scoreless innings in relief, with no walks, 11 strikeouts, throwing 129 pitches.

-- Kicker is that both relievers had thrown 40+ pitches in games a night earlier-- college baseball coaches don't coddle their guys.

-- Boston College didn't commit an error in 25 innings. Amazing.

-- Texas had 20 hits, left 24 men on base. BC had eight hits, left 12 runners on base. Longhorns were the visiting team, even though the game was played in Austin. Must have been great game to watch.

As it turns out, Boston College lost 4-3 to Army Sunday in losers' bracket and was knocked out of double elimination tourney. Texas then beat Army to move on to the Super Regionals next week.

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Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend........

13) Joe Paterno needs a new agent; he made $1.03M last year, while nomad Nick Saban earned $3.8M at Alabama. Doesn't seem right.

12) Then there's Les Miles at LSU, whose contract says he has to be paid $1,000 more than any other SEC coach, so he apparently made at least $3,801,000 last season. JoePa needs to call Miles' agent.

11) What would happen if another SEC coach had the same clause put in his contract that Miles has?

10) New Mexico football coach Mike Locksley was accused of both sexual harassment and age discrimination recently, which is unusual only because he hasn't even coached in a game yet. Maybe Locksley can call Lane Kiffin for advice on how to break into a job quietly.

9) When San Diego State beat Fresno State in NCAA tournament in an elimination game Saturday, it was first NCAA tourney win for the Aztecs since 1990. Tony Gwynn has done a solid rebuilding job.

8) Freddie Lewis of the Giants is only major leaguer ever whose first two big league home runs were 1) a grand slam and 2) part of a cycle.

7) Four of the starters in Florida Marlins' rotation are 6-7 or taller.

6) You'd think with three sons as major league catchers that the dad in the Molina family was a backstop himself, but no-- he was not only a second baseman, but good enough to be in the Puerto Rican baseball Hall of Fame.

5) Adrian Gonzalez is the first major leaguer to 20 HRs this season.

4) Angels trailed Seattle 6-0, rallied to win 9-8, but Scioscia has to be concerned with his starting pitching.

3) Edwin Jackson allowed only three baserunners in eight innings as Detroit blanked the Orioles 3-0 at Camden Yards. Jackson was lone major league starting pitcher to finish the 8th inning Sunday.

2) Playoff teams, if baseball playoffs started Monday morning:
AL: Bronx-Detroit-Texas-Red Sox
NL: Philadelphia-Milwaukee-Los Angeles-Cardinals

1) What genius decided the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals had to be played on consecutive nights? At what point is it the job of the commissioner to step in, tell TV no? Hockey is a great, physical game; players need a day to recover in between games of the Finals.

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[Udog]

Baseball Today

SCOREBOARD

Monday, June 1

New York Yankees at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EDT). The Yankees cap a four-game set at Cleveland with Joba Chamberlain (2-1) on the mound against Jeremy Sowers (1-2).

STARS

Sunday

-Jamie Moyer, Phillies, gave up three hits and a run over six innings to win his 250th career game as Philadelphia beat Washington 4-2.

-Johnny Peralta, Indians, drove in three runs, including the winner in the ninth inning of Cleveland's 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees.

-John Maine, Mets, scattered three hits and two walks in six shutout innings, striking out five in New York's 3-2 victory over Florida.

-Edwin Jackson, Tigers, gave up just two hits and a walk in eight innings, fanning seven in Detroit's 3-0 win over Baltimore.

-Mike Cameron, Brewers, homered and drove in three runs in Milwaukee's 5-2 win over Cincinnati.

-Scott Podsednik, White Sox, finished a homer short of the cycle and drove in a run, as Chicago rallied for a 7-4 win over Kansas City.

-Adrian Gonzalez, Padres, hit his major league-leading 20th homer and drove in three runs in San Diego's 5-2 victory over Colorado.

-Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, extended his hitting streak to 24 games, going 4 for 5 with two doubles, a homer and an RBI in Seattle's 9-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

-Chipper Jones, Braves, homered and drove in four runs to help Kris Medlen win his first big league game in Atlanta's 9-3 win over Arizona.

TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY

A day after the Mariners rallied for three runs in the ninth, the Angels scored three in the ninth to beat Seattle. The Angels were down seven runs early on before the late rally. It was the Angels' biggest comeback in a victory since July 15, 1996, at Texas under manager Marcel Lachemann -the third time during that season that the Rangers lost after leading by seven runs.

SCORED UPON

Texas closer Frank Francisco gave up his first earned run of the season after pitching 17 2-3 scoreless innings in his first 17 appearances, the most in the majors without allowing a run. Francisco gave up a solo homer to Adam Kennedy in the top of the ninth as Oakland beat Texas 5-4.

HIT MACHINE

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 24 games with four hits, including a home run. Suzuki's hitting streak is the longest current run in the majors, and one game shy of the franchise record he set in 2007. The two-time AL batting champ finished this month with a .377 average. His .365 career percentage in May is the highest by any player since 1955.

SIDELINED

The Indians placed All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation. Sizemore had struggled at the plate and not played much in the field recently because of the injury. He went 1 for 4, hitting his team-leading ninth homer Saturday night against the Yankees, but is hitting only .223 overall.

SIZZLING

Mark Teixeira extended his season-high hitting streak to 13 games and had four RBIs for New York. He hit a two-run homer, his 16th, in the sixth off former Yankees right-hander Carl Pavano. His two-run double off Matt Herges in the eighth tied it at 4. Teixeira is hitting .400 with 20 RBIs during his streak.

STELLAR IN THE FIELD

The New York Yankees played their 17th straight errorless game, tying the major league record set by Boston in June 2006, but lost for only the fourth time in 18 games.

SICK TO THEIR STOMACH

Carlos Beltran was out of the New York Mets' lineup Sunday because of a stomach virus, and starting pitcher John Maine also had to leave after six innings with the same bug. Maine pitched six shutout innings before being forced to leave with the flu bug that seems to be running through the team.

SPEAKING

"I'll see where the numbers are at the end of the year, because May means nothing.'' - Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez, who hit his major league-leading 20th home run in a 5-2 victory over the Rockies.

SEASONS

June 1

1923 - The New York Giants scored in every inning to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 22-8 at the Baker Bowl.

1925 - Lou Gehrig batted for Pee Wee Wanninger in the eighth and replaced Wally Pipp at first base to start his streak of 2,130 consecutive games. The Washington Senators beat the New York Yankees 5-3.

1937 - Bill Dietrich of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in an 8-0 win.

1975 - Nolan Ryan of the California Angels pitched his fourth no-hitter, striking out nine. Ryan tied Sandy Koufax's record by beating the Baltimore Orioles 1-0. It was Ryan's 100th major league victory.

1977 - Seattle's Ruppert Jones homered off Cleveland's Dennis Eckersley in the fifth inning to snap Eckersley's no-hit string of 22 1-3 innings, just two outs short of Cy Young's major league record. The Indians went on to win, 7-1.

1987 - Cleveland's Phil Niekro pitched the Indians to a 9-6 victory, his 314th, over the Detroit Tigers. The win gave him and his brother, Joe, a major league record 530 combined victories, surpassing Gaylord and Jim Perry.

2000 - Pawtucket's Tomo Ohka became the third pitcher in the 117-year history of the International League to throw a nine-inning perfect game when he beat the Charlotte Knights 2-0.

2005 - Miguel Tejada hit a homer, three doubles and scored three runs in Baltimore's 9-3 victory over Boston.

Today's birthdays: Carlos Zambrano 28; Derek Lowe 36.

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[Udog]

MLB


This Day in Baseball

On June 1 in Baseball History...

1917 - Hank Gowdy is the first major-league player to enlist during World War I when he signs up in the Ohio National Guard. He will play until he reports for duty July 15.

1918 - Losing 5-4 against the Yankees, the White Sox load the bases in the ninth with no outs. Chick Gandil lines a shot to third baseman Frank Baker, who turns it into a game-ending triple play.

1925 - Lou Gehrig begins a consecutive-game streak that will surpass Everett Scott's mark by pinch-hitting for Pee Wee Wanninger, the shortstop who replaced Scott in the Yankees lineup. The next day, first baseman Wally Pipp shows up with a headache, and Gehrig takes over.

1941 - Mel Ott's two-run homer, the 400th of his career and his 1,499th and 1,500th RBI, gives the Giants a 3-2 win over the Reds.

1943 - Rip Sewell of the Pirates throws his dew-drop ball in a game. Sewell loops the ball 18 to 20 feet high on its way to the strike zone. Later it is called a blooper or eephus ball. The pitch is more than a gag, and Sewell is on his way to a 20-win season.

1959 - Two-time champ Monterrey, Mexico is barred from 1959 Little League competition for its failure to comply with the rule that specifies using only players from a predetermined geographical area.

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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Cincinnati at St. Louis
The Reds open the series looking to build on their 8-0 record in Edinson Volquez' last 8 road starts against a team with a winning record. Cincinnati is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+110). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JUNE 1

Game 901-902: NY Mets at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Hernandez) 14.128; Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.417
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+115); Under

Game 903-904: Milwaukee at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 15.657; Florida (Miller) 16.990
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-120); Under

Game 905-906: Colorado at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 13.659; Houston (Oswalt) 15.030
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-135); Under

Game 907-908: Cincinnati at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Volquez) 15.695; St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 15.045
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+110); Under

Game 909-910: Philadelphia at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Blanton) 15.198; San Diego (Correia) 16.537
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+115); Over

Game 911-912: Arizona at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Buckner) 14.626; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.309
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-180); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-180); Under

Game 913-914: NY Yankees at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 16.446; Cleveland (Sowers) 17.138
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-155); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+145); Under

Game 915-916: Oakland at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Cahill) 14.641; White Sox (Colon) 15.783
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-135); Under

Game 917-918: Baltimore at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Hill) 14.760; Seattle (Washburn) 16.414
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-120); Under

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Monday, June 1

Hot Pitchers
-- LHernandez is 3-0, 2.70 in his last five starts.
-- Miller is 1-0, 3.00 in his two home starts this year. Brewers won Suppan's last five road starts.
-- Volquez is 2-0, 2.86 in his last four starts. Wellemeyer is 2-0, 1.59 in his last couple starts.
-- Blanton is 2-0, 4.77 in his last three starts (Phillies 27 runs).

-- None

Cold Pitchers
-- Snell is 0-4, 6.00 in his last seven starts.
-- Rockies are 1-6 with Cook if they score less than seven runs. Oswalt has a 5.52 RA in his last five starts.
-- Buckner is 1-1, 4.38 in two starts this season. Kuroda comes off DL to make his first start since Opening Night (one run, 5.2 IP).

-- Sowers is 0-2, 12.00 in two starts this season. Chamberlain has 4.84 RA in his last five starts.
-- Colon is 1-3, 6.56 in his last five starts. Cahill is 0-3, 6.89 in his last three starts.
-- Hill has 6.75 RA in three starts, but Orioles won all three (19 runs). Mariners lost last six Washburn starts (0-3, 4.71).

Hot Teams
-- Mets won five of their last six games, but are 2-5 in last seven road contests.
-- Brewers won last three games, scoring 17 runs.
-- Rockies won three of their last four road games.
-- Cardinals won five of their last six home games.
-- Phillies won eight of their last ten road games. Padres won their last ten home games.
-- Arizona won six of its last eight road games. Dodgers won five of last seven games overall.

-- Bronx won ten of its last fourteen road games. Indians won four of their last six games.
-- White Sox won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Orioles won seven of their last ten games. Mariners won three of their last four contests.

Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Marlins lost 13 of their last 17 home games.
-- Astros lost five of their last seven games.
-- Cincinnati lost its last six road games.

-- Oakland lost nine of its last twelve road games.

Totals
-- Under is 5-1-1 in Mets' last seven road games.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in Florida's last eight home games.
-- Last three Colorado road games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Cincinnati games stayed under the total.
-- Five of Phillies' last six road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Arizona games went over the total.

-- Three of last four Cleveland games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last twelve Oakland road games went over the total; under is 8-2 in White Sox' last ten home games.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in Orioles' last dozen road games.

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[Udog]

MLB


Monday, June 1

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Trend Report
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7:05 PM
NY METS vs. PITTSBURGH
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 12 of NY Mets's last 16 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:05 PM
NY YANKEES vs. CLEVELAND
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games

7:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. FLORIDA
Milwaukee is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games

8:00 PM
COLORADO vs. HOUSTON
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 9 games
Houston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado

8:11 PM
OAKLAND vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Oakland is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi White Sox's last 10 games at home

8:15 PM
CINCINNATI vs. ST. LOUIS
Cincinnati is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cincinnati

10:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. SAN DIEGO
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 9 games
San Diego is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

10:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
LA Dodgers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing Arizona

10:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. SEATTLE
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Baltimore's last 15 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore

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[Udog]

MLB


Monday, June 1

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians (+140, 10)

The Yankees send Chamberlain to the mound Monday night when they try to capture a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians.

Chamberlain pitched two scoreless innings at Progressive Field last season. Including the playoff appearance, he hasn't allowed a hit over 5 2-3 innings in Cleveland.

The right-hander turned in a forgettable outing Tuesday at Texas, allowing three runs over four innings with four walks. Chamberlain did not get a decision, and the Yankees lost 7-3.

"Plain and simple, I was terrible," he said. "I've got to do a better job of keeping the team in the game."

Chamberlain faced the Indians in New York on April 17, when he gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings before the Yankees rallied to win 6-5.

New York (29-21) took the first two games of this series before Cleveland (22-30) won 5-4 on Sunday on Johnny Peralta's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth.

Mark Teixeira extended his season-high hitting streak to 13 games and drove in all four runs for New York. He hit a two-run homer in the sixth, and added a game-tying two-run double in the eighth.

Teixeira is batting .400 (22 for 55) with eight homers and 20 RBIs during his streak.

His run isn't even the longest current one by a New York player. Captain Derek Jeter is batting .397 (25-for-63) during a 14-game hitting streak, and has five straight multihit efforts - going 11 for 23 in that span.

Cleveland's Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71) returns to the rotation after recording his first win of the season. Sowers posted a 12.00 ERA in losing two straight starts before yielding three hits over five scoreless innings of relief to earn an 11-10 win over Tampa Bay last Monday - his first career relief appearance after 51 starts.

The left-hander is 1-1 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees.

Indians catcher Victor Martinez sat out Sunday after bruising his left knee the day before. He is unsure when he will be back.

Pick: Yankees


New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates (+100, 9.5)

There was a time when Livan Hernandez could front a team's rotation. At this stage of his career, the burly right-hander is generally considered nothing more than a fringe starter.

The New York Mets' recent opponents may disagree.After an unbeaten May, Hernandez will look to get off to a similarly hot start in June when the surging Mets open a four-game road set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

New York (28-21) compiled a 4.46 staff ERA during a 9-12 April, but bettered that mark to a major leagues-best 3.34 in May, and went 19-9.

Hernandez (4-1, 4.28 ERA), who only locked up the Mets' fifth starter spot late in spring training, has been a major contributor to the turnaround. The veteran right-hander had a 6.75 ERA in four April starts but went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA over five May outings, concluding with a complete game, six-strikeout effort Tuesday in a 6-1 win against Washington.

New York got six shutout innings from John Maine on Sunday in its series finale against Florida before he felt ill and left the game. Still, Maine paved the way to a 3-2 victory, the club's fifth in six games.

When the Mets get six innings or more from a starter, they're 22-7.

"Our pitching has really stepped up for us," manager Jerry Manuel said.

One of those victories came May 10, when Hernandez and New York finished a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh (22-28). Hernandez allowed two runs in six innings to improve to 4-4 in his career against the Pirates.

Regulars Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes are out for New York, and Snell may also miss Carlos Beltran. The Mets center fielder, batting .352, sat out Sunday's win with a stomach virus and is considered day-to-day.

Fill-in Angel Pagan left Sunday's game with a groin injury and may also miss a few games.

The Pirates have dropped four of five, scoring two or fewer runs in each contest. Nate McLouth's first-inning homer was all they could muster Sunday in a 2-1 loss to Houston.

Pick: Under

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[Udog]

MLB


Monday, June 1

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Monday’s streaking and slumping starting pitchers

Good luck finding a hot arm on Monday’s schedule. Because of the lack of sizzling hurlers, we’ll focus more on the slumping variety as well as a few coming back from the disabled list.

Slumping

Ian Snell, Pittsburgh Pirates

Remember when this guy used to be a can’t-miss pitching prospect? He’s hated among Pittsburgh backers and loathed by fantasy baseball players who drafted him early hoping to cash in on his untapped potential.

Hopefully you Snell what the Pirates are cooking when they send the 27-year-old righty to the mound.

Snell gave up six runs – all earned – in five innings last week against the Cubs. The outing brings his 2009 numbers into fringe starter area (1-6 win-loss record with a 5.43 ERA).

Jeremy Sowers, Cleveland Indians

Don’t let this lefty’s latest performance (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 R) fool you. He’s as predictably bad as they come for starters in the bigs. Sowers had allowed 12 runs in his other two starts before his surprising long relief appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays.

He’s 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 1-3 innings this season and when he gets in jams – as he often does – he lacks the ability to strikeout batters.

Returning

Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds

The hard-throwing righty returns from the DL after leaving a game against the Padres on May 16 due to back pain. A 17-game winner for the Reds last season, Volquez has mixed performances this year.

He is 4-2 with a 4.25 ERA. He had showed signs of his 2008 form with back-to-back eight-inning shutouts on April 29 and May 5, but followed that up by allowing seven runs against the Cards.

As inconsistent as he’s been, his stuff remains dynamic. Opponents are batting only .185 against the Dominican, good for the lowest mark among National League starting pitchers.

Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kuroda teased Dodger backers after outdueling San Diego ace Jake Peavy on opening day, only to miss the next eight weeks because of a strained muscle in his left side.

He made two rehab starts with the Class A squad – his latest on Wednesday when he allowed seven runs in five innings of work. Regardless, Joe Torre will send Kuroda to the hill with the original scheduled starter, Clayton Kershaw, on stand by in case Kuroda gets in trouble early on.

The Japanese hurler went 9-10 with a 3.73 ERA last season for the Dodgers. L.A. has won seven of the last eight games Kuroda has started dating back to 2008.

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[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet


Monday, June 1

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NY METS (28 - 21) at PITTSBURGH (22 - 28) - 7:05 PM
LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R) vs. IAN SNELL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 42-49 (-22.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 8-21 (-16.4 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 252-268 (+28.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
HERNANDEZ is 24-16 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 23-15 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 20-11 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 18-7 (+15.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 4-4 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.545.
His team's record is 7-6 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-4. (+4.6 units)

IAN SNELL vs. NY METS since 1997
SNELL is 0-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 6.33 and a WHIP of 1.704.
His team's record is 0-5 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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MILWAUKEE (30 - 20) at FLORIDA (23 - 28) - 7:10 PM
JEFF SUPPAN (R) vs. ANDREW MILLER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 107-105 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 66-51 (+22.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 106-103 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 49-48 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 30-20 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 30-17 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SUPPAN is 15-9 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SUPPAN is 15-9 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SUPPAN is 10-3 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 4-11 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
FLORIDA is 9-18 (-10.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JEFF SUPPAN vs. FLORIDA since 1997
SUPPAN is 4-4 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.332.
His team's record is 7-5 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.6 units)

ANDREW MILLER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

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

COLORADO (20 - 29) at HOUSTON (20 - 28) - 8:05 PM
AARON COOK (R) vs. ROY OSWALT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 93-118 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 93-118 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 60-86 (-27.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 48-66 (-17.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 106-103 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 104-102 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 57-47 (+14.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-1 (+1.4 Units) against COLORADO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

AARON COOK vs. HOUSTON since 1997
COOK is 4-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.05 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 5-2 (+4.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.9 units)

ROY OSWALT vs. COLORADO since 1997
OSWALT is 6-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 1.84 and a WHIP of 1.068.
His team's record is 7-2 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.5 units)

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

CINCINNATI (26 - 23) at ST LOUIS (29 - 21) - 8:15 PM
EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R) vs. TODD WELLEMEYER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 115-97 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 45-30 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 115-97 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 77-61 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 77-62 (+13.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 462-534 (+47.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 401-481 (+31.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 305-347 (+33.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 339-394 (+32.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
VOLQUEZ is 15-5 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 10-2 (+9.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 8-1 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 15-4 (+12.2 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 16-4 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 8-0 (+8.8 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)
ST LOUIS is 3-12 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 1-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.79 and a WHIP of 1.209.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.3 units)

TODD WELLEMEYER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
WELLEMEYER is 1-2 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.409.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

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

PHILADELPHIA (28 - 20) at SAN DIEGO (25 - 25) - 10:05 PM
JOE BLANTON (R) vs. KEVIN CORREIA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 8-1 (+7.6 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
SAN DIEGO is 17-6 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 17-6 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CORREIA is 20-9 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 20-9 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 131-93 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-6 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-6 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 94-63 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-4 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 88-123 (-33.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 61-90 (-26.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 32-57 (-22.0 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 2-1 (+2.3 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

JOE BLANTON vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
BLANTON is 0-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

KEVIN CORREIA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
CORREIA is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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

ARIZONA (22 - 29) at LA DODGERS (35 - 17) - 10:10 PM
BILLY BUCKNER (R) vs. HIROKI KURODA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 105-109 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 105-106 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 72-80 (-22.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 30-45 (-19.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 35-17 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 15-3 (+12.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA DODGERS are 18-5 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
LA DODGERS are 23-8 (+14.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA DODGERS are 35-17 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 25-11 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 23-11 (+11.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 70-57 (-35.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-1 (+3.5 Units) against ARIZONA this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

BILLY BUCKNER vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

HIROKI KURODA vs. ARIZONA since 1997
KURODA is 1-2 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.450.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

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

NY YANKEES (29 - 21) at CLEVELAND (22 - 30) - 7:05 PM
JOBA CHAMBERLAIN (R) vs. JEREMY SOWERS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 18-22 (-16.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 3-14 (-13.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 20-32 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 29-14 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 81-80 (-35.6 Units) against the money line in home games in June games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-4 (+0.3 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

JOBA CHAMBERLAIN vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
CHAMBERLAIN is 0-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 2.355.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

JEREMY SOWERS vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SOWERS is 1-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 6.60 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.3 units)

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

OAKLAND (19 - 29) at CHI WHITE SOX (24 - 25) - 8:11 PM
TREVOR CAHILL (R) vs. BARTOLO COLON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 67-38 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 15-2 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in home games in June games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 107-78 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 64-38 (+23.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 188-134 (+51.6 Units) against the money line in June games since 1997.
COLON is 13-22 (-17.3 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997. (Team's Record)

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

TREVOR CAHILL vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

BARTOLO COLON vs. OAKLAND since 1997
COLON is 6-4 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 8-6 (-0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-6. (+0.6 units)

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

BALTIMORE (23 - 28) at SEATTLE (24 - 27) - 10:10 PM
RICH HILL (L) vs. JARROD WASHBURN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 74-75 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 85-128 (-40.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 37-54 (-20.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 1-10 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in home games in June games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 77-117 (-39.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 54-88 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 51-77 (-24.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
WASHBURN is 10-25 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHBURN is 25-35 (-24.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
WASHBURN is 6-25 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHBURN is 7-20 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in night games 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.

RICH HILL vs. SEATTLE since 1997
HILL is 0-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.349.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JARROD WASHBURN vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
WASHBURN is 6-4 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.398.
His team's record is 8-6 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-10. (-7.3 units)

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

[Udog]

MLB


Monday, June 1

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

New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians [ESPN | 7:05 PM ET]

Yankees (-160, O/U 10): Joba Chamberlain pitched two scoreless innings at Progressive Field last season. He hasn't allowed a hit over 5 2-3 innings in Cleveland. The right-hander turned in a forgettable outing Tuesday at Texas, allowing three runs over four innings with four walks. Chamberlain did not get a decision, and the Yankees lost 7-3. Chamberlain faced the Indians in New York on April 17, when he gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings before the Yankees rallied to win 6-5. New York played its 17th straight errorless game Sunday, tying the major league record set by Boston in June 2006.

The Yankees are 14-4 in their last 18 overall.
The Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Cleveland.


Key Injuries - OF Xavier Nady (elbow) is on the 15-day DL.
OF Melky Cabrera (shoulder) is PROBABLE.

PROJECTED SCORE: 7 (Side Play of the Day)

Indians: Cleveland's Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71) returns to the rotation after recording his first win of the season. Sowers posted a 12.00 ERA in losing two straight starts before yielding three hits over five scoreless innings of relief to earn an 11-10 win over Tampa Bay last Monday - his first career relief appearance after 51 starts. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees. In two home starts against the Yankees, Sowers allowed five earned runs on 13 hits, and only two walks while striking out seven in 12 1-3 innings.

The Indians are 6-1 in their last 7 games as an underdog.
The Indians are 6-17 in their last 23 games following a win.

Key Injuries - C Victor Martinez (knee) is QUESTIONABLE.
DH Travis Hafner (shoulder) is QUESTIONABLE.
F Grady Sizemore (elbow) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 3



New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates [7:05 PM ET]

Mets (-120, O/U 9.5): Livan Hernandez had a 6.75 ERA in four April starts but went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA over five May outings, concluding with a complete game, six-strikeout effort Tuesday in a 6-1 win against Washington. It took Hernandez 127 pitches - plus an estimated 85 warming up - for his first nine-inning complete game since May 7, 2008. "I think he's just getting loose when he gets to 100," bullpen coach Randy Niemann told the Mets' official Web site. "He could have pitched when they didn't have pitch counts." Hernandez is 4-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 career starts against Pittsburgh.

The Mets are 10-2 in their last 12 in game 1 of a series.
The Over is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.

Key Injuries -OF Carlos Beltran (illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
SS Jose Reyes (calf) is on the 15-day DL.
1B Carlos Delgado (hip) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Pirates: Ian Snell allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs in a rain-shortened 6-1 loss. "I am trying, I think, too hard to win games instead of just letting myself just go out there and pitch," Snell told the Pirates' official Web site. "I think I'm thinking a little bit too much in every at-bat with every hitter to try and trick them with this instead of throwing what I believe in. I think I mess up when I do that." Snell is 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA in five starts against the Mets - all Pittsburgh losses. Pittsburgh has scored one run or been shut out 15 times this season.

The Pirates are 3-15 in Snell's last 18 starts as a home underdog.
The Pirates are 5-15 in their last 20 games following a loss.

Key Injuries - C Ryan Doumit (wrist) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 3


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

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Monday, 6/1/2009

National League

NY METS at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
HERNANDEZ: 11-4 TSR when working on 5 or 6 days rest
SNELL: PIT 15-5 UNDER when the total is 9 to 9.5

MILWAUKEE at FLORIDA, 7:10 PM ET
SUPPAN: 11-4 TSR as a road underdog of +100 to +150
MILLER: FLA 2-9 after 5+ consecutive road games

COLORADO at HOUSTON, 8:05 PM ET
COOK: COL 20-7 revenging 2 straight home losses
OSWALT: HOU 11-1 UNDER at home after 5+ consecutive road games

CINCINNATI at ST LOUIS, 8:15 PM ET
VOLQUEZ: 11-1 TSR after BB losses
WELLEMEYER: STL: 3-12 at home on Mondays

PHILADELPHIA at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
BLANTON: PHI 11-3 AWAY when the money line is +125 to -125
CORREIA: SD 31-60 after 2+ consecutive road games

ARIZONA at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
BUCKNER: ARI 3-12 AWAY after 5+ consecutive home games
KURODA: LAD 11-1 at home when the total is 8.5 to 10

American League

NY YANKEES at CLEVELAND, 7:05 PM ET
CHAMBERLAIN: NYY 3-14 AWAY when the total is 10 to 10.5
SOWERS: CLE 16-9 as a home underdog

OAKLAND at CHI WHITE SOX, 8:11 PM ET
CAHILL: OAK 22-10 UNDER as a road underdog of +125 to +150
COLON: 13-22 TSR as a home favorite of -125 to -150

BALTIMORE at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
HILL: BAL 15-7 AWAY after 5+ consecutive home games
WASHBURN: SEA 2-21 after allowing 9+ runs

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[pm530]

Len’s Top Five


Monday, June 1

Len's Top 5

Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for June 1, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

It will be the Lakers against Orlando for the NBA title. Game one is Thursday night in L.A.

LeBron James says it doesn't make sense to shake somebody's hand after you lose to them. He stormed off after getting eliminated by Orlando. James would never make it in tennis.

Rafael Nadal loses at the French Open for the first time. The four time defending champ was 31-0. He lost in 5 sets to Robin Soderling of Sweden. (And Nadal didn't storm off afterwards.)

Detroit is halfway home to the Stanley Cup leading Pittsburgh 2 games to none.

2. La La Land

So when Shaq and Kobe got a divorce in 2004, who thought that the Lakers were finished? I did. And here they are in their second straight NBA Finals. Tells you about their organization, one of the most consistently successful in all of sports. That is rare. And it makes you wonder all the more why teams like the Knicks, Clippers, and Warriors just to name three, rarely, if ever, get it together.

3. You Stop Girl

If you read my Top 5 the Monday after the Preakness I virtually begged the owners of winner Rachel Alexandra not to run their filly in the Belmont. The Belmont is a mile and a half, the longest Triple Crown race. And there was tragedy on that track in 1975 with the great filly Ruffian racing against a colt. Rachel Alexandra already beat the boys in the Preakness, there's nothing left for her to prove. She will not race this Saturday in the Belmont. I salute her owners for giving her a "rest."

4. The Name Game

Well isn't that special. Pitcher Lance Broadway is now the property of the Mets. It almost never happens that way. Reggie Cleveland never pitched for the Indians and Daryl Boston never patrolled the outfield in a Red Sox uniform at Fenway. Not only that, Chili Davis never played baseball in South America and Michael Jordan never won a championship in the Middle East. Should I go on?

5. Fore

A foursome was playing golf at Abbey Hill in the UK when they spotted a hazard. A big naked guy was lying in the 9th fairway. He was sunbathing and he refused to budge. Police had to be called. Always gets confusing when 4 golfers tee off and there are 6 balls in the fairway.

Today's Birthday: Former NBA and Fordham guard Smush Parker. (I love the name Smush) 28.
Bonus Birthday: Model Heidi Klum. 36.
Extra Bonus Birthday: Andy Griffith. 83.
Marilyn Monroe would have been 83 today as well.

Today in Sports: Lou Gehrig played the first of his 2,130 consecutive baseball games. 1925.
Bonus Event: Look, up in the sky! Superman flies for the first time in Action Comics. 1938.

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

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