Saturday Trends and Indexes 6/13 (MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

[Udog]

WNBA
Long Sheet


Saturday, June 12

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NEW YORK (0 - 2) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 1) - 6/13/2009, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 43-24 ATS (+16.6 Units) on Saturday games since 1997.
NEW YORK is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SACRAMENTO (1 - 2) at PHOENIX (2 - 1) - 6/13/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 116-83 ATS (+24.7 Units) in home games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 74-50 ATS (+19.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
PHOENIX is 47-29 ATS (+15.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-3 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[Udog]

WNBA


Saturday, June 13

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Lady Luck: Saturday's WNBA best bets
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New York Liberty at San Antonio Silver Stars (-6, 145)

Judging by the way their former star guard has tormented them since, the New York Liberty may have made a mistake two years ago when they traded Becky Hammon to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Hammon looks to continue her success against her old team Saturday night when the Silver Stars try to defeat the Liberty for the sixth straight time.

New York (0-2) dealt Hammon to San Antonio before the 2007 season for the No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft. That selection, Jessica Davenport, was cut by the Liberty earlier this year.

Hammon, meanwhile, has emerged to lead the Silver Stars (0-1) to the playoffs for two straight years, including last season's appearance in the WNBA finals against Detroit. Two years after the trade, she claims there are no hard feelings.

"I have great memories of New York," Hammon said. "My former teammates are already blowing up my phone wanting to cook out when they get here so I still keep in touch with most of the girls.

"I have a lot good memories of Madison Square Garden. We did a lot of great things, Eastern Conference championships and finals and all sorts of stuff so I have nothing but love for them."

San Antonio is 4-0 against New York since the trade, with Hammon averaging 24.5 points. She averaged 28.5 in last season's sweep of the Liberty. The Silver Stars set a league record by going 14-0 against Eastern Conference opponents in 2008.

Pick: San Antonio -6


Sacramento Monarchs at Phoenix Mercury (-4.5, 169)

The Sacramento Monarchs know the key to beating the Phoenix Mercury is being able to contain stars Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter.

After succeeding at that in their last contest, the Monarchs hope for a repeat performance while looking for their first road victory over the Mercury in four years Saturday night in the finale of a home-and-home between the Western Conference rivals.

Nicole Powell scored 19 points and Sacramento (1-2) held Taurasi and Pondexter to a combined 21 points in a 90-71 home victory over Phoenix on Friday.

The WNBA's top two scorers from a year ago, Taurasi and Pondexter entered Friday's game averaging a combined 47.5 points for the Mercury (2-1), who scored 181 in their first two contests.

"It was a great defensive effort, it takes a collective focus against a team like that,'' said Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek, whose team outrebounded the Mercury 42-31 and held a 22-6 edge in second-chance points. "We hope to take momentum from this game into (Saturday). There's not a lot of time for them to make adjustments.''

That's especially true since the Monarchs haven't won in Phoenix since a 77-72 victory on May 21, 2005.

"There's absolutely no margin for error,'' Boucek said. "If you don't show up playing your 'A' game, you're going to get beat. (Phoenix) is a good team."

Powell, who had 22 points combined in two losses to Seattle, was 5 for 11 from the floor for Sacramento, which is trying to get by without veteran point guard Ticha Penicheiro, who is out with an injured thumb.

Center Laura Harper added 12 points and eight rebounds, and rookie Courtney Paris also had eight boards for the Monarchs.

"It's just the way it is,'' Powell said. "Each person is just worried about doing what they can. We're not worried about who's coming out there. ... We just go out there and do the best we can.''

Taurasi, who had 11 points and was plagued by foul trouble Friday night, could get back on track as she returns home where she scored 46 points in the first two games of the season.

Pick: Over 169


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[pm530]

Weekend Six-pack

Here are the top and bottom six teams in major leagues, as far as who has drafted the most major leaguers, over last decade. As long as the guy made big leagues, team that drafted him gets credit for it......

Top six .....................%
A's ...............43-452, .095
Rays ............46-497, .093
Dodgers .......43-489, .088
Cubs ........... 44-503, .087
Arizona ........44-506, .087
Blue Jays ......41-480, .085

Bottom six .................%
Reds .............21-505, .042
Mets .............28-490, .057
Brewers .......29-489, .059
Mariners .......30-499, .060
Phillies ..........29-479, .061
Tigers ...........29-471, .062

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Saturday's List of 13: Wrapping up a baseball Friday........

13) Not often you see a major league ball game end on a dropped popup to the infield, but Luis Castillo snatched defeat from jaws of victory when he dropped an easy popup that would've given the Mets a win. Instead, they lost their third game in a row, a sloppy 9-8 loss in the Bronx.

12) Game took 3:46 to play; Bronx pitchers walked nine hitters, with Joba Chamberlain using 100 pitches to get just 12 outs. Very ugly game.

11) Somehow Jon Switzer (career ERA of 6.16 in 67 career IP) is back in big leagues; he gave up long HR to Matsui that put Bronx ahead 7-6. Back in 2007, Stokes, Fossum, Switzer were all on Devil Rays squad that went 66-96 and had worst bullpen in MLB history- now they've all pitched for Mets this year- what the hell is Omar Minaya thinking about??????

10) If you don't count games against the Red Sox (unfortunately for Bronx fans, those games all count) the Bombers are 21-6 in their last 27 games. .

Elsewhere in the world........
9) Colorado Rockies are on a nine-game winning streak. Problem for them is they'll need to win another nine in a row to get back into contention.

8) Fantasy owners all over America lost their lunch with news that Jake Peavy and Roy Halladay are both hurt, probably for extended periods. So much for Peavy being dealt at the trading deadline.

7) Howard tied game game 2-2 with ninth inning HR off Ramirez, but Red Sox won 5-2 in 13 innings, striking out 20 Philly hitters.

6) There were four complete games Friday night, a lot in modern baseball; Hochevar threw an 80-pitch gem against the Reds, Jimenez got complete game win over Seattle, throwing 127 pitches at Coors Field. Lincecum and Haren also had complete game wins.

5) Texas has shut out its last two opponents, but Padilla labored through five innings, putting seven men on base in five IP, throwing 100 pitches in 6-0 win over the Dodgers. Rangers signed El Duque to minor league deal, so you know they're wary of their own pitching depth.

4) Gabe Kapler homered to give Rays a 4-3 win over Washington, but only after Nick Johnson dropped foul pop in same at-bat. Is there a full moon?

3) Detroit's Porcello held Pirates to one run in seven IP, and knocked in a couple runs, as Detroit beat Pittsburgh 3-1.

2) Atlanta prospect Hanson got his first big league win, but not before he put 14 men on base in 5.2 IP; disappointing first couple of starts for him.

1) Think about it; Luke Hochevar threw an 80-pitch complete game, while Joba Chamberlain threw 100 pitches in four IP, the night after David Price had a 105-pitch, 4.1 inning outing. Throwing strikes makes life easier.

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