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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 02:31 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Thursday, June 18

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Tiger Woods tries to live up to his billing as the favorite at the U.S. Open, and the ChiSox try to top the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.39 ERA) will get the ball for the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday afternoon as the team finishes out its rain-shortened interleague series against the rival White Sox and Gavin Floyd (4-5, 4.94 ERA). Righthander Zambrano has surrendered just two earned runs over his past three starts (21 innings), but managed to pick up just one win and a pair of no-decisions for his efforts. Righthander Floyd has been similarly snakebit in the win column, allowing just seven earned runs over his last four outings but only picking up one victory.

Meanwhile, the BoSox send Jon Lester (5-5, 4.76 ERA) to the mound at Fenway Park on Thursday night to face Ricky Nolasco (2-6, 7.62 ERA) and the Marlins. Lefthander Lester has given up just a single earned run in each of his past three outings, surrendering just seven hits over those 22 innings of work. Righthander Nolasco has bounced back from an ugly May to give up just four earned runs over his last two starts. Nolasco was 0-1 with a no-decision in those two games.

Elsewhere on the Thursday interleague slate: Toronto at Philadelphia, Washington at the Yankees, Pittsburgh at Minnesota, Tampa Bay at Colorado, Seattle at San Diego, the Mets at Baltimore, Houston at Texas, Arizona at Kansas City, Detroit at St. Louis, and Oakland at the Dodgers. As well, the Braves and Reds will meet in Cincinnati to close out that three-game NL series.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The last golfer to win the U.S. Open? Tiger Woods. The last golfer to win the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black? Tiger Woods? The Vegas favorite to win the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black this week? That'd be Tiger Woods, at 5/2. A hobbled Woods dramatically won the major last year at Torrey Pines in a playoff against Rocco Mediate, and he took the trophy at Bethpage Black back in the '02 season.

Finishing second (by three strokes) in 2002 was Phil Mickelson, who has finished as the runner-up at the U.S. Open four times without ever claiming top spot. Lefty is pegged at 7/1 on the Vegas odds list for this week. Mickelson returned to action at the St. Jude Classic last week, finishing 59th with a score of 1-over par.

Padraig Harrington, Geoff Ogilvy, and Jim Furyk are then listed at 15/1 odds to win the 2009 U.S. Open, with Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, and Retief Goosen all at 25/1 odds. Ernie Els and Anthony Kim are farther back at 30/1 odds, with each of Camilo Villegas, Henrik Stenson, Kenny Perry, Rory McIlroy, and Sean O'Hair at 35/1 odds. Mediate is well back on the odds list at just 75/1 for the tournament.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 02:32 AM

Six-pack for Thursday

-- If the economy forced the Arena Football League to take 2009 off, why the hell is the WNBA operating this spring?

-- Arizona P Micah Owings hit 3-run HR as Reds beat Atlanta's Javier Vazquez, 4-3. Two of four hits Vazquez allowed were homers.

-- Heralded catching prospect Matt Wieters hit his first big league HR, which barely cleared fence in left-center, as Orioles beat Mets, 6-4.

-- Brewers blew an 8-4 lead in 9th, but won 9-8 in 11 at Cleveland.

-- Oakland's young pitchers have been super this spring; its veterans around them in the field who've been awful, just terrible. At 28-36, it is doubtful they'll contend this year, but next year is a possibility, if they can inject some youth into their position players.

-- Rams receiver Jack Snow was one of my boyhood idols, so hearing his son JT broadcast Giant games on TV makes me feel old.

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Thursday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind........

13) First things first; our thoughts and prayers go out to Dave Rose and his family; BYU's coach was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier in the week, and that's news that rarely has a happy ending.

12) Lets hear it for Manny Acta; weasel media types have Acta being canned any day now, like anyone else could do better with the pathetic team he was handed in Washington. So this week, when Nationals went to the Bronx, you figured only reason Acta wasn't ousted was because ownership didn't want to get the new skipper off to a bad start.........

11)........but Nationals fought hard last night, losing 5-3 (they led 3-2 in 7th inning), then won 3-2 tonight-- you're going to tell me Acta isn't a good enough manager to run the Nationals? Horse hockey, its political baloney to try and placate a dwindling fanbase. Show some onions and keep your manager, Washington-- just get him some better players.

10) Have to give Washington credit for consistency; they've played 20 series coming into this week, ten at home, ten on road- they were 1-8-1 in home series, 1-8-1 in road series. Just a terrible defensive outfield, but the young pitchers they've brought up have been a big improvement.

9) Reason #4,172 why you can't trust a lawyer-- Timberwolves hired a new guy to run their basketball operations last month, a lawyer who is experienced more in the business side of basketball; at his hiring, the guy said he would do nothing to hurt coach Kevin McHale, or something to that effect. Three weeks later, McHale has been fired as the coach of the T-Wolves. So much for trusting a guy at his word......

Armadillo's note: If your last name is Jednak-Gianetti-Garvey, disregard the previous note. I know, I know, not all lawyers are weasels........

8) Anyway, I think McHale would be a terrific college coach; he seems to be very personable, so he'd be good at recruiting, plus players say he was excellent at skill development, which is what college coaches do lot of. Doubt he'd want to do it, but I bet he'd be a keeper.

7) WCC took major hit this week when St Mary's Patty Mills went to the NBA, as did Gonzaga's Austin Daye-- those two moves probably make the WCC a one-bid conference next March.

6) Holy Cross head coach Ralph Willard, an excellent coach, quit his job to become as assistant to Rick Pitino at Louisville, a curious move that fuels speculation surrounding the court case involving woman who tried to extort money from Pitino, which has been pushed back to an August court date. Willard could be the interim head coach, if need be.

5) That leaves Holy Cross and USC as the only D-I hoop jobs open and as far as 2009-10 goes, Holy Cross has better chance of getting into the NCAAs-- most of USC's roster already skipped town, which is why....

4) .........if I'm running USC's athletic department, I would already have inked Reggie Theus as my new basketball coach; he has NBA experience, he's a great recruiter and he'll play an entertaining style to draw players and fans into the Galen Center. Theus was an actor/model at one point; I'm thinking he'll be a positive force with players' moms on home visits.

3) If you want to read a book that is equal parts interesting/disturbing, read poker player Mike Matusow's biography, Check Raising the Devil which details his drug use, his time spent in jail and his poker exploits. After reading this book, I'd be hesitant to ever sit down at a poker table, for a variety of reasons.

2) Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist deserves to be on the AL All-Star team; he is hitting .310, with 14 HRs, 39 RBI and a .420 OB%; he plays all over the field, and has been very valuable to the AL champs. Luckily for him, Joe Maddon is the AL manager, so doubtful he gets overlooked.

1) Why can't major leaguers catch popups anymore? Jack Cust dropped an easy one in LA just now, and Orlando Cabrera dropped an easier one on the next play. Luis Castillo started a trend last week, not a good one. Try using two hands, fellas. Announcers who are ex-players try to make excuses for these guys, but gee whiz, they're freakin' popups!!!!!

Jason Giambi should watch Daric Barton play first base; Giambi is so inflexible now, so terrible at balls in the dirt-- Barton stretches out for a thrown ball, saving infielders errors they'd have with Giambi at 1B.

From: Armadillo
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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:33 AM

MLB
Baseball Today

SCOREBOARD

Thursday, June 18

Detroit at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EDT). Tigers 20-year-old rookie Rick Porcello (7-4) faces MLB home run leader Albert Pujols and St. Louis Cardinals.

STARS

Wednesday

-Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, homered off Zack Greinke to help Arizona beat Kansas City 12-5.

-Matt Wieters, Orioles, hit his first home run to help Baltimore beat the New York Mets 6-4.

-John Lannan, Nationals, pitched into the ninth inning and Washington hung on for a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees.

-Scott Richmond, Blue Jays, struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings to help Toronto beat Philadelphia 7-1.

-John Danks, White Sox, pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Chicago White Sox over the cross-town rival Cubs 4-1.

SULTAN OF SQUAT

Ivan Rodriguez caught the 2,227th game of his career, breaking Carlton Fisk's record on Wednesday night. But the longtime Rangers backstop couldn't celebrate another Texas win, as his Houston Astros lost 5-4 in 10 innings.

FOURTH TIME'S THE CHARM

After striking out his first three times up, Mark Reynolds homered off Zack Greinke to get him out of the game and the Diamondbacks put up six more runs against the bullpen to beat the Royals 12-5 on Wednesday night.

OH MY, OMAR

Omar Vizquel matched Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for the most hits by a player from Venezuela, getting No. 2,677 in the Rangers' 5-4 win in 10 innings Wednesday night against the Houston Astros. It was the 2,706th career game for the 41-year-old Vizquel, who is in his 21st major league season.

COMEBACK TRAIL

Eight-time All-Star John Smoltz is scheduled to start next Thursday for Boston at Washington. In his final scheduled tuneup, he pitched four innings for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on Wednesday night, giving up one run on Keith Ginter's leadoff homer for the Charlotte Knights in the third. After undergoing major shoulder surgery, he had gone nearly 12 months without pitching in a game before six rehab starts.

HURTIN' HURLERS

Toronto ace Roy Halladay, Seattle's Erik Bedard and Houston's Mike Hampton were all placed on the disabled list Wednesday. The Blue Jays plan to put Halladay, who strained his right groin last Friday, on the DL on Thursday. The 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner, Halladay is 10-1 with a 2.53 ERA this season. Bedard was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with shoulder inflammation and Hampton will sit due to a left groin strain

BROTHER ACT

Jeff Weaver will start Saturday against younger brother Jered when the Dodgers face the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., across from the brothers' childhood hometown of Simi Valley. It will be the 21st time in major league history that siblings will start against each other and the first time since Sept. 6, 2002, when the Cardinals' Andy Benes handed the Cubs and younger brother Alan an 11-2 defeat at St. Louis.

Ks, Ks AND MORE Ks

Brewers reliever Mitch Stetter struck out two with two runners on to earn his first career save, preserving Milwaukee's 9-8 victory over Cleveland in 11 innings. The last 11 outs recorded by the left-hander have been strikeouts.

GETTING SNAPPY

A day after the Tampa Bay Rays ended the longest winning streak in the majors, the Colorado Rockies returned the favor, snapping the Rays' six-game winning streak with a 5-3 win Wednesday night.

ALL-STAR DUGOUT

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will join Dodgers manager Joe Torre as an NL coach for the July 14 All-Star game in St. Louis. Torre said last month he had been selected by Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel, the NL manager. AL manager Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay picked Kansas City's Trey Hillman and Seattle's Don Wakamatsu as his coaches, the commissioner's office said Wednesday.

SWEET SNELL OF SUCCESS

Pittsburgh's Ian Snell won for the first time in two months, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in six innings against Minnesota, helping the Pirates to an 8-2 win Wednesday night.

IT'S ALL GOOD

Trevor Hoffman, baseball's career saves leader with 570, squandered an 8-4 lead in the ninth, but the NL Central leaders earned their eighth straight interleague win over Cleveland, winning 9-8 in the 11th. Milwaukee also swept three in 2006 and won the final two of a three-game set in 2001.

HUNDREDS

Boston's Brad Penny lasted five innings to get his 100th career win, beating the Florida Marlins 6-1 on Wednesday night in front of the 500th straight sellout at Fenway Park.

SPEAKING

"It's like, 'What do you want for dinner? You want linguine with red clam sauce, or white clam?' They're both good.'' - Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who was able to use Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero as pinch hitters to spark a three-run rally that beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 Wednesday.

SEASONS

June 18

1947 - Cincinnati's Ewell Blackwell tossed a 6-0 no-hitter against the Boston Braves.

1950 - In the nightcap of a doubleheader, the Cleveland Indians scored 14 runs in the first inning for an American League record as they trounced the Philadelphia A's 21-2.

1953 - At Fenway Park, Dick Gernert's home run highlighted the 17-run, 14-hit seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 23-3. Gene Stephens collected three hits and Sammy White scored three runs in the big inning. Tom Umphlett also reached base three times in the inning.

1960 - The San Francisco Giants fired Bill Rigney and selected Tom Sheehan as manager. At 66 years, two months and 18 days, Sheehan was the oldest man to debut as a manager of a major league team.

1967 - Houston Astro Don Wilson tossed the first of his two career no-hitters by blanking the Atlanta Braves 2-0, facing 30 batters and striking out 15.

1975 - Fred Lynn batted in 10 runs with three homers, a triple and a single in a 15-1 Boston Red Sox victory over the Detroit Tigers. Lynn's 16 total bases tied an AL record.

1986 - California's Don Sutton pitched a three-hitter for his 300th career victory as the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 5-1. The 41-year-old right-hander became the 19th pitcher in baseball history to win 300 games.

2002 - Luis Castillo tied Rogers Hornsby's 80-year-old record for the longest hitting streak by a second baseman, beating out a dribbler to the pitcher in the sixth inning to make it 33 games in a row, in a 2-1 Florida win over Cleveland.

2005 - Atlanta's Julio Franco, 46, hit two homers in a game for the first time since September 12, 1996, becoming the second-oldest player to homer in major league history. Jack Quinn was a week shy of his 47th birthday when he homered in 1930.

2007 - Chone Figgins went 6-for-6 and drove in the game-winning run in the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Angels over Houston 10-9.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:36 AM

MLB
This Day in Baseball

On June 18 in Baseball History...

1938 - Babe Ruth is signed as a Dodgers coach for the rest of the season. He is in uniform for batting demonstrations the following day.

1953 - Red Sox rookie outfielder Gene Stephens becomes the only A.L. player to get three hits in the same inning, as Boston scores 17 in the seventh inning in a 23-3 romp over Detroit. The Red Sox send 23 to the plate in the seventh, getting 14 hits and six walks — 20 runners — in succession before third baseman George Kell flies out to end it.

1960 - The Giants, a big favorite to win the pennant in a preseason poll of writers taken by The Sporting News, change managers, replacing Bill Rigney with Tom Sheehan. Horace Stoneham's team is 33-25 and trails only Pittsburgh. At 66 years, two months, and 18 days, Sheehan is the oldest rookie manager in major-league history.

1962 - Hank Aaron of the Braves reaches the left-center field bleachers at the Polo Grounds, the second player to find the center field bleachers in two days and only the third ever. The Braves win 7-1.

1972 - By a 5-3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court confirms lower court rulings in the Curt Flood case, upholding baseball's exemption from antitrust laws and the legitimacy of its reserve clause. Its decision is narrowly construed, however, and leaves the way open for legislation or collective bargaining to undercut the reserve system.

1975 - Boston rookie Fred Lynn drives in ten runs with three home runs, a triple, and a single during a 15-1 drubbing of Detroit. Lynn's 16 total bases tie an A.L. record.

1976 - Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voids the A's sales, totaling $3.5 million, of Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers to the Red Sox and Vida Blue to the Yankees, saying they are 'not in the best interest of baseball.' A's owner Charlie Finley files a $10 million damage suit against Kuhn, and will refuse to use any of the three players until June 27.

1977 - New York's Reggie Jackson loafs after a fly ball during a 10-4 loss to Boston and is taken out by manager Billy Martin. Jackson and Martin nearly come to blows in the dugout as national television cameras watch.

1986 - California's Don Sutton becomes the 19th pitcher in ML history to win 300 games, beating the Rangers 3-1 on a three-hitter.

1995 - Tigers manager Sparky Anderson moves into third place on the all-time list with his 2,158th win. He passes Bucky Harris with the 10-8 victory over Baltimore.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:39 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

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Thursday, June 18
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ATLANTA (30 - 33) at CINCINNATI (32 - 31) - 12:35 PM
TOMMY HANSON (R) vs. MATT MALONEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 30-33 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 12-21 (-11.7 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 44-68 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 16-24 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 30-33 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 33-43 (-16.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 34-17 (+17.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 75-98 (-31.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

TOMMY HANSON vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT MALONEY vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

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WASHINGTON (16 - 46) at NY YANKEES (37 - 27) - 1:05 PM
CRAIG STAMMEN (R) vs. JOBA CHAMBERLAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 16-46 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 6-24 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 16-43 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 12-33 (-20.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 8-30 (-20.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WASHINGTON is 13-8 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 216-145 (-62.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.

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

CRAIG STAMMEN vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.

JOBA CHAMBERLAIN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

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TORONTO (35 - 31) at PHILADELPHIA (36 - 26) - 1:05 PM
BRAD MILLS (L) vs. JOE BLANTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 16-23 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 139-99 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-5 (+13.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 73-53 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BLANTON is 44-32 (+16.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 13-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-13 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 1-0 (+1.7 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BRAD MILLS vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

JOE BLANTON vs. TORONTO since 1997
BLANTON is 4-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.12 and a WHIP of 0.959.
His team's record is 5-2 (+3.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.4 units)

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PITTSBURGH (30 - 34) at MINNESOTA (33 - 33) - 1:10 PM
ZACH DUKE (L) vs. NICK BLACKBURN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 55-114 (-39.1 Units) against the money line in road games in June games since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 22-62 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in road games in an inter-league game since 1997.
DUKE is 1-13 (-11.6 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 27-7 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 75-40 (+26.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 25-17 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 20-4 (+17.8 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 20-5 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 78-44 (+26.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 78-47 (+22.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.

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

ZACH DUKE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

NICK BLACKBURN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHI WHITE SOX (30 - 34) at CHICAGO CUBS (30 - 30) - 2:20 PM
GAVIN FLOYD (R) vs. CARLOS ZAMBRANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 113-87 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLOYD is 29-18 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLOYD is 14-3 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLOYD is 27-15 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 488-465 (-105.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 987-1039 (-192.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 530-482 (-110.9 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 930-955 (-170.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.

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

GAVIN FLOYD vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

CARLOS ZAMBRANO vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
ZAMBRANO is 5-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.28 and a WHIP of 1.246.
His team's record is 5-4 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.9 units)

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TAMPA BAY (35 - 31) at COLORADO (31 - 33) - 3:10 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. UBALDO JIMENEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 3-13 (-11.8 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
GARZA is 6-13 (-10.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 108-92 (+26.2 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 11-4 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in June games this season.
COLORADO is 104-90 (+29.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 140-104 (+27.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 102-62 (+33.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 104-122 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 37-51 (-20.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 29-42 (-19.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 104-122 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
JIMENEZ is 3-12 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

MATT GARZA vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.

UBALDO JIMENEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.

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SEATTLE (31 - 33) at SAN DIEGO (28 - 35) - 3:35 PM
BRANDON MORROW (R) vs. JOSH GEER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 92-134 (-39.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 39-56 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 41-74 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 84-123 (-38.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 61-95 (-33.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 91-133 (-40.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 8-17 (-12.0 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 3-19 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 91-133 (-40.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 59-86 (-24.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 48-65 (-20.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

BRANDON MORROW vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSH GEER vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

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NY METS (33 - 29) at BALTIMORE (27 - 37) - 7:05 PM
LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R) vs. JASON BERKEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 10-24 (-17.8 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 25-18 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 20-13 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 69-127 (-41.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 485-527 (-108.9 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 485-527 (-108.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 1-0 (+1.2 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 3-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.625.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

JASON BERKEN vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.

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FLORIDA (32 - 34) at BOSTON (39 - 25) - 7:10 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. JON LESTER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 80-36 (+24.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 30-10 (+17.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 9-0 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
BOSTON is 35-18 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 100-66 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 56-29 (+20.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LESTER is 42-20 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 20-5 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 31-13 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 33-12 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 122-99 (+29.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
FLORIDA is 112-109 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 38-28 (+15.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 58-54 (+16.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 116-111 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 70-53 (+24.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 56-56 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 32-20 (+20.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NOLASCO is 26-17 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 17-9 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 20-12 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JON LESTER vs. FLORIDA since 1997
LESTER is 0-0 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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HOUSTON (29 - 33) at TEXAS (36 - 27) - 8:05 PM
BRANDON BACKE (R) vs. VICENTE PADILLA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 35-25 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 24-16 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 79-70 (+20.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 15-7 (+8.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TEXAS is 36-27 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 16-5 (+9.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
PADILLA is 27-13 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 23-13 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PADILLA is 17-10 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 113-107 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 84-81 (+10.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 115-108 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

BRANDON BACKE vs. TEXAS since 1997
BACKE is 1-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 6.52 and a WHIP of 1.138.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

VICENTE PADILLA vs. HOUSTON since 1997
PADILLA is 2-3 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.347.
His team's record is 2-5 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-2. (+2.8 units)

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ARIZONA (27 - 38) at KANSAS CITY (29 - 34) - 8:10 PM
DAN HAREN (R) vs. LUKE HOCHEVAR (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 47-62 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 13-28 (-17.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 27-38 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 18-28 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 75-87 (-26.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 27-38 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 33-40 (-13.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 55-44 (+21.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 37-30 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 18-7 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY 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)

DAN HAREN vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
HAREN is 2-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.02 and a WHIP of 1.121.
His team's record is 2-3 (-4.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+1.0 units)

LUKE HOCHEVAR vs. ARIZONA since 1997
HOCHEVAR is 1-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.429.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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DETROIT (34 - 30) at ST LOUIS (35 - 30) - 8:15 PM
RICK PORCELLO (R) vs. JOEL PINEIRO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 108-118 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 14-31 (-15.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 102-101 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 67-78 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 68-90 (-36.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 9-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.

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

RICK PORCELLO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

JOEL PINEIRO vs. DETROIT since 1997
PINEIRO is 5-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.58 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 5-3 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-6. (-4.4 units)

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OAKLAND (27 - 36) at LA DODGERS (43 - 22) - 10:10 PM
VIN MAZZARO (R) vs. RANDY WOLF (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 7-21 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 43-22 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 24-9 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
LA DODGERS are 43-22 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 31-15 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WOLF is 38-27 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 17-6 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 17-6 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 15-3 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 196-141 (+53.4 Units) against the money line in June games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS 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=+1.1 Units)

VIN MAZZARO vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

RANDY WOLF vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WOLF is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:41 AM

MLB
Write-up

Thursday, June 18

With interleague play here, remember there are DHs in games played in the American League parks, no DHs in National League parks. Under is 29-20-3 in NL parks, 32-24-4 in AL, As far as wins/losses go, the AL leads the NL, 62-51.

Hot Pitchers
-- Zambrano is 2-0, 1.29 in his last three starts. Floyd is 2-1, 1.91 in his last five starts, but White Sox lost his last four road outings.
-- Blackburn is 3-0, 2.40 in his last five starts.
-- Bronx won six of last seven Chamberlain starts.
-- Jimenez is 2-0, 2.74 in his last three starts.
-- Hernandez is 2-0, 2.91 in his last five starts.
-- Red Sox won last three Lester starts (2-0, 1.23).
-- Blanton is 2-0, 2.00 in his last four starts.
-- Padilla is 2-0, 2.25 in his last couple starts.
-- Hochevar is 2-0, 1.72 in his last couple starts.
-- Haren is 2-0, 1.45 in his last four starts.
-- Porcello is 6-1, 2.97 in his last eight starts.
-- Massaro is 2-1, 1.37 in three starts this season.

Cold Pitchers
-- Maloney is 0-1, 4.50 in his first two big league starts. Hanson has a 6.94 RA in his first two big league starts.
-- Stammen is 0-2, 6.51 in five starts this season.
-- Berken is 0-3, 8.59 in his last three starts.
-- Rookie Mills was 1-8 (yes, 1-8) 4.48 in 13 starts at AAA Las Vegas.
-- Nolasco is 0-3, 8.59 in his last five starts (3.46 in last two).
-- Pirates lost Duke's last four road starts (0-3, 4.79).
-- Pineiro is 1-7, 4.83 in his last eight starts.
-- Backe allowed 12 runs in nine IP this year; he is 31-29, 5.21 in his 78 career starts before this season.
-- Garza is 0-2, 4.18 in his last four starts.
-- Padres lost Geer's last three starts (0-1, 8.83). Morrow needed 64 PT to get through three innings (one run allowed) in first '09 start.
-- Wolf has 7.23 RA in his last three home starts.

Hot Teams
-- Bronx won five of its last seven home games.
-- Red Sox won seven of their last eight games.
-- White Sox won eight of their lastten road games.
-- Orioles won three of their last four games.
-- Blue Jays won four of their last five road games.
-- Royals won four of their last five games.
-- Pirates won five of their last seven games. Twins are 13-5 in their last eighteen home games.
-- Cardinals won three of their last four games.
-- Rangers are 16-7 in their last 23 home games.
-- Rockies won 12 of their last 13 games. Rays won six of last seven.
-- Mariners are 8-5 in their last thirteen games.
-- Dodgers are 10-7 in their last seventeen home games.

Cold Teams
-- Braves lost six of their last seven games. Reds lost four of last six.
-- Florida is 7-11 in its last 18 road games.
-- Nationals lost 13 of their last 15 road games.
-- Mets lost five of their last seven games.
-- Phillies are just 6-10 in their last sixteen home games.
-- Astros are 4-8 in their last twelve road games.
-- Cubs lost five of their last six games.
-- Tigers lost five of their last six games.
-- Arizona lost six of its last nine games.
-- Padres lost their last five games, outscored 35-10.
-- Oakland lost four of five, 14 of its last 21 road games.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Bronx Bomber games.
-- Over is 3-0-1 in last four Baltimore games.
-- Six of Phillies' last nine games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Florida road games went over the total.
-- Last nine Texas home games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Zambrano starts stayed under the total.
-- Ten of last twelve Arizona games went over the total.
-- Last four games at Metrodome went over the total.
-- 12 of last 17 St Louis home games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last fourteen Tampa Bay road games went over the total.
-- Under is 12-2-1 in Seattle's last fifteen road games.
-- Under is 9-3-1 in Oakland's last thirteen road games.

Umpires
-- Atl-Cin-- Seven of last nine Nauert games went over the total.
-- Chi-Chi-- Underdog is 7-4 in Dreckman games this season.
-- Wsh-NY-- Five of last six Vanover games stayed under the total.
-- NY-Balt-- Four of last five Wegner games stayed under total; dogs are also 4-1 in his last five games.
-- Tor-Phil-- Last seven Meriwether games went over the total.
-- Fla-Bos-- Eight of last ten Barry games stayed under the total.

-- Hst-Tex-- Underdog won last four Tschida games.
-- Az-KC-- Favorite won Scott's last seven games behind plate.
-- Pitt-Minn-- Not enough to data to analyze umpire Colon.
-- Det-StL-- Favorite won nine of last ten Guccione games.
-- TB-Colo-- Six of last nine Foster games stayed under the total.
-- Sea-SD-- Four of last five Campos games stayed under the total.
-- A's-LA-- Underdog won nine of Joyce's last ten games behind dish.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:47 AM

MLB

Thursday, June 18

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Trend Report
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12:35 PM
ATLANTA vs. CINCINNATI
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cincinnati is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
Cincinnati is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Atlanta

1:05 PM
TORONTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto

1:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY YANKEES
Washington is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Washington

1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. MINNESOTA
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh

2:20 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. CHI CUBS
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi White Sox are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home

3:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. COLORADO
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Tampa Bay is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Colorado is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

3:35 PM
SEATTLE vs. SAN DIEGO
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Diego
Seattle is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

7:05 PM
NY METS vs. BALTIMORE
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Baltimore is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets

7:10 PM
FLORIDA vs. BOSTON
Florida is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Florida is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Florida
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Florida

8:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. TEXAS
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston

8:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. KANSAS CITY
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Kansas City is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Arizona
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona

8:15 PM
DETROIT vs. ST. LOUIS
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

10:10 PM
OAKLAND vs. LA DODGERS
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Oakland

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:49 AM

MLB

Thursday, June 18

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Nationals at New York Yankees (-310, 10.5)

Most pitcher-catcher conversions are kept pretty quick and quiet. But the feud between New York Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain and catcher Jorge Posada has bled past the mound, out of the clubhouse and into the streets.

In his most recent appearance, Chamberlain constantly shook off the veteran backstop, prompting Posada to storm the mound for an explanation.

While most clubs would side with a seasoned catcher over a brash, young hurler, the argument seems split on this latest rumble in the Bronx. This isn’t the first time Posada hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with a pitchers.

Former Yankees starters David Cone, Mike Mussina, Orlando Hernandez and Randy Johnson have all preferred alternative targets, as does current ace C.C. Sabathia, who pitches exclusively to rookie Francisco Cervelli.

Cervelli is hitting .298 BA in his limited plate appearances, compared to Posada’s .244 BA this month. New York pitchers have a 6.31 ERA with Posada behind home plate. Cervelli is leading the Yankees arms to a 3.81 ERA in just over 333 innings of service.

Cervelli could be teaming with Chamberlain against the Nationals Thursday. The over/under is 3-5 in his last eight lineup appearances while three of Chamberlain’s last four starts have stayed under the total.

Pick: Under

Tampa Bay Rays at Colorado Rockies (-102,9)

Welcome back Tampa Bay Rays.

For a while there, it seemed as if the Rays were resorting back to their pre-2008 form. But now a six-game winning run has the club climbing the American League East. Their most recent win was a 12-4 road flogging of the NL’s hottest team, the Colorado Rockies.

"I found out before the game that they were as hot as they are, or were,'' second baseman Ben Zobrist told the St. Petersburg Times. "So it's definitely nice to know that we're keeping our streak going.''

The Rays’ bats have been on fire during this stretch. The team is hitting .346 BA, averaging more than eight runs a night and has totaled 26 home runs over the past week. The over/under is 4-2 in those contests.

Colorado is no slouch at the plate either. The Rockies are pushing almost six runs home per game and batting a collective .282 BA with 17 total home runs in June.

Pick: Over

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:52 AM

MLB

Wednesday, June 17

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking

Ricky Nolasco (Florida Marlins)

Last month, the 26-year-old righty struggled to get anybody out.

But after being recalled from Triple-A on June 7, Nolasco has won both of his starts by keeping the ball inside the park and throwing his pitches for strikes. Since returning to the majors, he hasn’t allowed a home run, something he did in six of his nine previous starts. In his first game back, Nolasco went seven innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out four against three walks. Last week in Toronto, he went six innings, yielding two runs and striking out nine with just one walk.

Nolasco’s stats for the season, however, still are a bit scary to look at. He’s 2-6 with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP (walks + hits per inning).

Dan Haren (Arizona Diamondbacks)

The sixth-year right-hander out of Pepperdine has been great the first eight weeks of the season, but he’s been close to unhittable in June.

In his first start of June against the Dodgers, he went seven innings, allowing one run while striking out seven and issuing just one free pass. He again went seven innings and yielded only a run as he struck out five and allowed one walk. His best performance of the season came against Houston last week. He pitched a complete game and gave up just two hits while fanning seven batters.

Haren’s eye-catching stats (2.20 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) should translate into a better record than his 5-4 mark, but his bullpen and a lack of run support have cost him multiple wins.

Slumping

Brandon Backe (Houston Astros)

All you have to know about Backe is that he is owned by 0.1 percent of ESPN Fantasy Baseball players.

Backe has been a punching bag in the Astros bullpen since coming off the disabled list to start his season on May 30. In just nine innings, he has allowed 12 earned runs, 17 hits and three home runs. His ERA is 12.00 and his WHIP is 2.44. Still, Houston manager Cecil Cooper promised Backe at least two starts. Good luck with that.

“I just hope I can do what I can do as much as possible,” Backe told the Houston Chronicle. “Obviously, it’s a crucial situation for me to go in and try and eat up as many innings as I can on Thursday. My job is to try to do my job as best I can.”

Not exactly the killer instinct you look for in a starting pitcher.

Josh Geer (San Diego Padres)

Here’s how poorly the 26-year-old hurler pitched in May – an inning of work on June 2 against the Phillies where he allowed two runs, two walks and a home run was enough to earn him his starting job back.

Not that it mattered.

In his next start on June 7, Geer was tagged for four runs in just five innings in a 9-6 loss to Arizona. Last week, he tried to make up for his poor performances by reconnecting with the fans to give them some free souvenirs. Unfortunately for Geer, these came in the form of four home runs he gave as he yielded seven runs in just 5 2-3 innings in a 9-1 loss to the Angels.

“Josh is a guy who understands pitching,” Padres manager Bud Black told reporters. “He doesn't walk people. Because of that, the ball is put in play. Because of his style of pitching, there will be baserunners through hits. Guys who give up hits, must keep the ball down.”

Geer’s 1-2 record isn’t awful, but his 6.14 ERA, 14 home runs allowed and 1.33 WHIP are that bad.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 04:54 AM

MLB

Thursday, June 18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLB Notes: “….to the Disabled List”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blue Jays place Thursday starter Janssen on DL

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Casey Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with inflammation in his pitching shoulder, according to the team’s web site.

Janssen was scheduled to start Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies but will be replaced by lefty Brad Mills, who was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas.

It is yet another setback for Toronto’s staff, which is already missing Shawn Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch. In addition, ace Roy Halladay has a strained groin and closer Scott Downs is scheduled for an MRI on his left foot.

Janssen had surgery on his right shoulder in 2008 and missed the entire season. This year, he is 2-3 with a 6.23 ERA in five starts.

Mills is 1-8 with a 4.48 ERA at Las Vegas. When he opposes Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton on Thursday, he will become Toronto’s 11th different starter this season.

Twins placing ailing OF Span on DL

The Minnesota Twins have been without leadoff hitter Denard Span for a week. Now they will be without him for another week.

Span, sidelined with an inner ear infection, was placed on the disabled list Wednesday retroactive to June 10, according to the Twins’ web site. He will be eligible to come off the DL on June 25.

“We talked to the doctors, and they said the earliest we might be able to see him get out on the field would be this weekend some time," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the web site. "So we're just going to give him the extra days."

The Twins recalled outfielder Jason Pridie from Triple-A Rochester after Tuesday’s win over Pittsburgh.

Span was hitting .291 with four homers, 24 RBI and a team-high 12 steals. In his absence, Gardenhire has been using primarily shortstop Brendan Harris as his leadoff hitter and Carlos Gomez as his center fielder.

Minnesota is averaging 4.67 runs in six games since Span was sidelined.

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 11:29 AM

MLB
Dunkel Index

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs
The Cubs look to bounce back from yesterday's loss to their crosstown rival and take advantage of the Chisox 0-4 record in Gavin Floyd's last 4 road starts. The Cubs are the pick (-170) according to Dunkel, which has the Cubs favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-170). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Game 951-952: Atlanta at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hanson) 14.054; Cincinnati (Maloney) 13.059
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+100); Over

Game 953-954: Washington at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Stammen) 14.444; NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 15.424
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-325); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-325); Under

Game 955-956: Toronto at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Mills) 16.209; Philadelphia (Blanton) 14.541
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-170); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+160); Under

Game 957-958: Pittsburgh at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 14.971; Minnesota (Blackburn) 16.712
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-145); Over

Game 959-960: Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 14.717; Cubs (Zambrano) 15.936
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-170); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-170); N/A

Game 961-962: Tampa Bay at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Garza) 17.898; Colorado (Jimenez) 16.660
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-115); Over

Game 963-964: Seattle at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Morrow) 14.405; San Diego (Geer) 14.196
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100); Under

Game 965-966: NY Mets at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Hernandez) 14.736; Baltimore (Berken) 15.818
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+120); Over

Game 967-968: Florida at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 16.368; Boston (Lester) 15.180
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-240); 10
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+220); Under

Game 969-970: Houston at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Backe) 14.258; Texas (Padilla) 15.276
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-180); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-180); Under

Game 971-972: Arizona at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 14.321; Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.679
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+135); Over

Game 973-974: Detroit at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 13.747; St. Louis (Pineiro) 15.146
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+105); Over

Game 975-976: Oakland at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Mazzaro) 14.969; LA Dodgers (Wolf) 16.206
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodges (-140); Under

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 11:35 AM

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, June 18

National League

ATLANTA at CINCINNATI, 12:35 PM ET
HANSON: ATL 11-19 when the money line is +125 to -125
MALONEY: CIN 23-15 when the total is 8.5 to 10

Interleague

WASHINGTON at NY YANKEES, 1:05 PM ET
STAMMEN: WAS 5-26 after having lost 2 of their last 3
CHAMBERLAIN: NYY 14-2 OVER at home after a one run loss

TORONTO at PHILADELPHIA, 1:05 PM ET
MILLS: TOR 3-8 after allowing 1 run or less
BLANTON: PHI 22-5 as a home favorite of -150 to -175

PITTSBURGH at MINNESOTA, 1:10 PM ET
DUKE: 1-13 TSR as a road underdog of +125 to +150
BLACKBURN: MIN 20-6 in interleague play

CHI WHITE SOX at CHICAGO CUBS, 2:20 PM ET
FLOYD: 14-3 TSR in day games
ZAMBRANO: CHC 2-10 after scoring 1 run or less

TAMPA BAY at COLORADO, 3:10 PM ET
GARZA: TB 18-6 OVER AWAY in interleague play
JIMENEZ: 3-12 TSR in day games

SEATTLE at SAN DIEGO, 3:35 PM ET
MORROW: SEA 13-5 AWAY when the total is 7 to 8.5
GEER: SD 8-18 at home with a money line of -100 to -125

NY METS at BALTIMORE, 7:05 PM ET
HERNANDEZ: 12-5 TSR when working on 5 or 6 days rest
BERKEN: BAL 27-17 OVER against right-handed starters

FLORIDA at BOSTON, 7:10 PM ET
NOLASCO: FLA 7-3 as a road underdog of +175 to +250
LESTER: BOS 23-10 OVER after having won 8 or more of their last 10

HOUSTON at TEXAS, 8:05 PM ET
BACKE: 16-4 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 to +150
PADILLA: TEX 16-5 at home when the total is 10 to 10.5

ARIZONA at KANSAS CITY, 8:10 PM ET
HAREN: ARI 7-12 as a favorite of -125 to -175
HOCHEVAR: KC 18-8 in interleague play

DETROIT at ST LOUIS, 8:15 PM ET
PORCELLO: DET 19-9 UNDER AWAY when the total is 8.5 to 10
PINEIRO: 2-13 TSR after BB team wins

OAKLAND at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
MAZZARO: OAK 8-1 after having lost 6 or 7 of their last 8
WOLF: 20-9 UNDER in the first half of the season

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 11:43 AM

MLB

Thursday, June 18

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Tips and Trends
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Florida Marlins at Boston Red Sox [7:10 PM ET]

Marlins: The Marlins have an all-time interleague record of 114-95. However, Florida is 8-15 versus Boston and has dropped the first two games of this series. The Marlins have scored just three runs in the two games. Ricky Nolasco makes his first start ever at Fenway Park. The Marlins are 14-8 in Nolasco’s past 20 starts as an underdog. Nolasco was sent to the minors after racking up a 9.07 ERA in his first nine starts. Since then, though, Nolasco has put together back-to-back quality starts since returning from Triple-A. Nolasco gave up two runs and five hits while striking out nine in six innings during Florida’s 7-3 victory over Toronto on Friday. Nolasco didn’t factor in the decision, though. The Marlins have won 14 of their last 19 road contests against a left-hander starter. Florida, however, is 8-18 in its last 26 games as an underdog.

The Over is 21-5-5 in the Marlins’ last 31 interleague matchups.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Red Sox (-$2.15, O/U 9.5): The Red Sox are a major-league best 23-8 at home. Boston is 12-3 in its last 15 games. The Red Sox have won five straight at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have won 70 percent of their past 124 home games. Boston also is 8-1 in Jon Lester’s past nine interleague starts. Lester became the first lefty in Red Sox history to strike out 10 or more batters in three consecutive starts. Lester has 96 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings. He is 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA at Fenway this season. After going 3-5 with a 6.07 ERA in his first 10 outings this season, Lester has been at his best during his last three starts. He’s 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA during this span and has struck out at least 11 batters in each of his last three starts. Opponents are batting .099 against him during this time frame.

The Under is 20-7-3 in Boston’s last 30 games.
The Red Sox are 23-4 in Lester’s last 27 starts as a home favorite.

Key Injuries - Jed Lowrie (wrist) is on the DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (OVER - Total of the Day)

Arizona Diamondbacks at Kansas City Royals [8:10 PM ET]

Diamondbacks (-$1.35, O/U 8 under $1.15): Statistically, Dan Haren is the best pitcher in the National League with the second-best ERA, fewest base runners allowed per inning and the best strikeout-to-walk ratio. Haren has been especially superb in his last four starts posting a 1.45 ERA and holding opponents to a .143 batting average. Haren threw a complete-game two-hitter in his last start, beating the Astros, 8-1, last Friday. He walked just two batters in that victory, while striking out seven. Arizona is 8-3 in Haren’s last 11 starts as a road favorite. Haren also is 7-0 during his past nine interleague starts. The last time Haren lost an interleague game was to Colorado in June of 2006 when he was with Oakland. Mark Reynolds is batting .423 with three homers and nine RBIs in his last seven games. Arizona is 6-14 in its last 20 interleague away contests versus a right-handed starter.

The Over has cashed in 8 of Arizona’s last 9 games as a favorite.

Key Injuries - Conor Jackson (illness), Chad Tracy (oblique) and Tony Clark (hand) are all on the DL

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)

Royals: Luke Hochevar has won both of his starts since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on June 6. Hochevar recorded his first complete game on Friday, beating visiting Cincinnati, 4-1. Hochevar, who was the first overall player selected in the 2006 draft, needed just 80 pitches to dispose of the Reds. He’s allowed just three runs in his last 15 2/3 innings and has seen his ERA go down from 7.85 after a rocky beginning to 5.60. Kansas City, though, is 1-7 in Hochevar’s last eight games as an underdog. The Royals had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. However, the Royals are 21-7 in their last 28 interleague home games. They have won their past five interleague matchups. Kansas City, though, has dropped 17 of its last 24 games as a home underdog. The Royals are averaging 5.7 runs in their last seven games.

The Royals are 2-10 in their last 12 games versus a team with a losing mark.
The Under is 10-4 in Hochevar’s last 14 home starts.

Key Injuries - Coco Crisp (shoulder) is on the DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 3

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**pm530** · 06-18-2009, 11:53 AM

Len’s Top Five

Thursday, June 18

Len's Top 5

Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for June 18, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

The U.S. Open is underway at Bethpage Black on Long Island with lots of rain in the forecast. Tiger Woods badly hooked his opening drive and still managed to par the first hole.

Congress will investigate whether Sammy Sosa lied to them about not using performance enhancing drugs.

Jose Canseco plans to sue Major League Baseball and the Players Association, claiming just because he wrote a book about steroids he's lost wages, he's been kicked out of the game, and he hasn't made the Hall of Fame. (Discuss among yourselves.)

The held the Lakers parade and celebration yesterday in L.A. Only 15 arrests, or one arrest per championship.

Because somebody had to tell you. David Beckham's wife Victoria reportedly had boob reduction surgery. Actually she had "boob reversal surgery." Implants were removed. Don't you feel better informed now?

2. Summer of S(h)am

I’m in the process of writing a kids book called “The 25 Greatest Baseball Players of All-Time.” One problem. Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez may make the cut. So what do I tell kids about their links to performance enhancing drugs? Would youngsters be disappointed to learn that some of their accomplishments were artificially induced? As an adult, I know I’m disappointed that the Summer of 1998 was a sham. Sosa vs. McGwire. It “saved baseball” after the '94 strike. So by correlation, steroids saved our national pastime. You explain it to the kids.

3. Here's the Pitch

So when I mentioned the other day that it was the anniversary of Johnny Vander Meer's second consecutive no-hitter in 1938, subscriber Ed G. made a great point. He wrote: "Be rare these days to see someone pitch back to back complete games, forget about no hitters." These days just to make two "quality starts," whatever that means, is an accomplishment. Actually, with the Mets, just staying healthy for two consecutive starts is considered a feat.

4. "Little Roller up along First..."

Starting yesterday Red Sox fans have 24 hour on Demand access to all things Red Sox. Season recaps, player profiles even a cribbage match between manager Terry Francona and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
Wonder if that Buckner play..... oh forget it.

5. Olympic Training

It's never too early to get ready for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. A brochure is going out to area prostitutes to advise them on dealing with the international media. It seems some of the scoundrels in the media are rude and ask impertinent questions. Like what? "Do you want to see my luge?"

Today's Birthday: Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock. 70.
Bonus Birthday: Paul (My wife would dump me for him in a heartbeat) McCartney. 67.

Today in Sports: The Knicks select Patrick Ewing with the first pick in the NBA draft. 1985.
Bonus Event: The War of 1812 ironically began. 1812.

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Announcement

Thursday Trends and Indexes 6/18 ( MLB, Misc.)

Thursday Trends and Indexes 6/18 ( MLB, Misc.)

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