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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:01 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Sunday, July 12

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cubs and Cards play a doubleheader, the White Sox take on the Twins, and the drivers of Formula 1 race in Germany.

Colliding in the Junior Circuit . . .

Scott Baker (6-7, 5.31 ERA) will hit the hill for the Twins on Sunday afternoon as they close out their series against the White Sox and Mark Buehrle (9-2, 3.14 ERA). Righthander Baker will be looking to bounce back on Sunday after giving up five earned runs over three innings of work in a loss to the Yankees last time out; Baker lost to the ChiSox back on May 19. Lefthander Buehrle picked up a victory over the Indians last time out, and Chicago has won his last five outings.

Also on the American League schedule for Sunday: Cleveland at Detroit, Toronto at Baltimore, Kansas City at Boston, Oakland at Tampa Bay, Texas at Seattle, and the Yankees at the Angels. New York lefthanded starter CC Sabathia (8-5, 3.70 ERA) beat the Twins handily last time out, surrendering a single earned run on three hits over seven innings of work. Righthander John Lackey (3-4, 5.18 ERA) will pitch for Los Angeles; he was knocked around by Texas last time out.

Clashing in the Senior Circuit . . .

The Cards and Cubs will close out the first half of their MLB schedules on Sunday with a day/night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Adam Wainwright (9-5, 3.09 ERA) and Kyle Lohse (4-4, 3.99 ERA) are slated to take the hill for St. Louis in that pair of games, while Chicago counters with Randy Wells (4-3, 2.48 ERA) and Carlos Zambrano (4-4, 3.47 ERA). Righthander Zambrano took a hard-luck loss against the Braves last time out, giving up just two runs over his six innings.

Rounding out the National League slate for Sunday: Cincinnati at the Mets, Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, Washington at Houston, the Dodgers at Milwaukee, Atlanta at Colorado, San Diego at San Francisco, and Florida at Arizona. The Marlins will send Josh Johnson (7-2, 2.82 ERA) to the mound on Sunday, while the D-Backs counter with Doug Davis (4-8, 3.13 ERA). Lefthander Davis has given up three or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts, but won once.

Roaring around the track . . .

The drivers of Formula 1 will return to the track for the German Grand Prix on Sunday, with Sebastien Vettel looking to pick up his second straight victory. Vettel held off Mark Webber for the win in the British Grand Prix last time out. Jenson Button, who has won six events already this season, stumbled to a sixth-place result at Silverstone but still leads Rubens Barrichello 64-41 in the drivers championship (Vettel has 39 points). Lewis Hamilton won the German Grand Prix last year, with Vettel finishing in eighth spot and Button well behind in 17th place.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, there are a pair of games on the WNBA slate for Sunday, with Minnesota at San Antonio and Chicago at Seattle. The Storm will be looking to keep their perfect home record intact in that last matchup; Seattle has won all five of their home games so far this season, going 4-1 against-the-spread in those contests. The Storm got past visiting Sacramento 66-55 in their last game Thursday night.

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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:03 AM

Six-pack for Sunday

The six most expensive cities in the world to live.........

6) Zurich, Switzerland-- No wonder people have Swiss bank accounts.

5) Hong Kong-- 7.6% more expensive that it was last year.

4) Geneva, Switzerland-- Up 5.7%. Lift tickets in Alps are costly.

3) Moscow, Russia-- Was most expensive city in last year's survey.

2) Osaka, Japan-- I think Mr Fuji, the pro wrestler, was from Osaka.

1) Tokyo, Japan-- Still want to see Japanese baseball on TV.

In case you're wondering, New York City ranked 8th on the list.

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Sunday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but..........

13) From the statistics I've spent the last month compiling, the pitcher who induces the highest percentage of swings/misses is Richmond of the Blue Jays (20.5%), followed by Braves' JVazquez (.201) and Paulino (.200) of the Astros. Getting swings/misses is a basic part of pitching.

12) That percentage is of his strikes thrown; so of the 1,249 strikes that Javier Vazquez has thrown in 2009, 20.1% of them were swings/misses.

11) Among regular starting pitchers, lowest percentage of swings/misses goes to Vicente Padilla (8.7%), Livan Hernandez and Bronson Arroyo (8.8%), Joel Pineiro (8.9%) and John Lannan (9.0%). Four NL guys.

10) Phillies scored five in ninth to further demoralize the Pirates, 8-7. There are rumors afloat that Bucs want to dump Freddy Sanchez. They might be the worst team in all of sports to root for, worse even than the Clippers-- at least Clippers have cheerleaders that look like strippers.

9) Want to see a great catch? Watch Saturday's highlights and look for a catch Washington's Nyjer Morgan made going toward leftcenter down in Houston last night-- tremendous effort, stretched full out for the catch.

8) Pirates traded the popular Morgan to Washington by the way; in this week's Sporting News, they did on a spread on how beautiful ballpark in Pittsburgh is-- the player they use on the main picture? Nyjer Morgan.

7) Not really sure why the Reds gave struggling prospect Jay Bruce two days off, then brought him back to face Johan Santana-- so much for his confidence. Then Bruce broke his wrist trying to make a diving catch in rightfield, so his season is over. For Bruce, 2009 is a year to forget.

6) Ratio of strikes to balls in major league games is a clean 5:3; 62.5% of all major league pitches this season were either called strikes, balls put in play, balls fouled off or swings/misses. Figure is same in AL and NL.

5) Johnson-Willingham-Dunn hit consecutive homers for the Nationals in their 13-2 win at Houston. Since Dunn is from Texas, his eyes have to get big when he steps inside Minute Maid Park-- small dimensions.

4) Padres got 7 hits in 17.2 IP vs Giant starting pitchers this weekend, but pitcher Stauffer hit line drive off Cain's right arm Sunday, knocking him out of game, ande scaring the hell out of Giant fans and guys who've got Cain on their fantasy team (me). X-rays were negative, thank God, but San Francisco beat the pathetic Padres anyway, 2-1.

3) Eight starting pitchers didn't finish the 5th inning Saturday; nine got through the 7th, with Washington's Stammen tossing the only complete game on Saturday's card, and that was in 13-2 rare Washington laugher.

2) Pepsi is the official soft drink of Major League Baseball; wonder what Bronx relief pitcher Phil Coke thinks about that.

1) Sunday is the end of the 14th week of a 26-week regular season; it is also the All-Star break, when everything stops for three or four days so they can sell All-Star Game t-shirts on the Internet. For us, it is a time to relax and recharge-- we'll have articles every day, but ones written by a pool somewhere, and for that, I am thankful.

From: Armadillo
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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:12 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

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Sunday, July 12
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CINCINNATI (42 - 43) at NY METS (40 - 45) - 1:10 PM
AARON HARANG (R) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 82-103 (-29.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
HARANG is 5-16 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 471-546 (+45.4 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 409-491 (+30.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 344-401 (+30.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
NY METS are 129-118 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 129-118 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 85-87 (-17.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

AARON HARANG vs. NY METS since 1997
HARANG is 2-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.04 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
PELFREY is 2-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.88 and a WHIP of 1.458.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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PITTSBURGH (38 - 48) at PHILADELPHIA (46 - 38) - 1:35 PM
VIRGIL VASQUEZ (R) vs. J.A. HAPP (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 31-76 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 12-41 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-23 (+20.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 149-111 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-17 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.

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

VIRGIL VASQUEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

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

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LA DODGERS (55 - 31) at MILWAUKEE (44 - 42) - 2:05 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 9-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 this season.
LA DODGERS are 27-18 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 55-31 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 38-21 (+14.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 55-31 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 8-14 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 6-13 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

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

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
KERSHAW is 0-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE 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 1-0. (+1.0 units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

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WASHINGTON (25 - 60) at HOUSTON (43 - 43) - 2:05 PM
JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R) vs. BRIAN MOEHLER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 9-34 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 8-26 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-57 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 19-43 (-20.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 25-60 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 129-118 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 64-53 (+18.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 26-13 (+18.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 39-32 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 125-116 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 94-88 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 24-14 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MOEHLER is 24-16 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MOEHLER is 23-16 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 103-105 (+28.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against HOUSTON this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.1 Units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

BRIAN MOEHLER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MOEHLER is 1-4 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 6.88 and a WHIP of 2.037.
His team's record is 2-6 (-3.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.6 units)

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ATLANTA (42 - 44) at COLORADO (46 - 40) - 3:10 PM
KRIS MEDLEN (R) vs. JASON HAMMEL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 42-44 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 25-31 (-11.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 42-44 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 50-75 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 25-8 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 33-26 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 35-17 (+18.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-3 (+0.7 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

KRIS MEDLEN vs. COLORADO since 1997
MEDLEN is 0-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 15.00 and a WHIP of 2.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. ATLANTA since 1997
HAMMEL is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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SAN DIEGO (35 - 51) at SAN FRANCISCO (48 - 38) - 4:05 PM
KEVIN CORREIA (R) vs. BARRY ZITO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 98-149 (-47.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 9-30 (-18.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 12-31 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 10-25 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 5-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
SAN DIEGO is 12-31 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 37-69 (-27.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-38 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-14 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-14 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-38 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-30 (+6.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 25-16 (+9.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ZITO is 75-43 (+30.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 8-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 6-4 (+1.9 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

KEVIN CORREIA vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
CORREIA is 0-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 0.948.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

BARRY ZITO vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
ZITO is 3-4 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.373.
His team's record is 6-6 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.6 units)

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FLORIDA (45 - 43) at ARIZONA (37 - 50) - 4:10 PM
JOSH JOHNSON (R) vs. DOUG DAVIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DAVIS is 33-28 (+15.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 129-120 (+22.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 398-366 (+44.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
FLORIDA is 59-63 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 39-32 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 125-115 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 20-11 (+10.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
JOHNSON is 24-8 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 11-3 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 23-7 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 37-50 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 37-43 (-13.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 19-29 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ARIZONA is 14-24 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 37-50 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 13-21 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 36-56 (-24.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DAVIS is 16-28 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 16-28 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 4-2 (+2.6 Units) against FLORIDA this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

JOSH JOHNSON vs. ARIZONA since 1997
JOHNSON is 1-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 0.825.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

DOUG DAVIS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
DAVIS is 2-3 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 5.27 and a WHIP of 1.488.
His team's record is 2-5 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)

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ST LOUIS (48 - 40) at CHICAGO CUBS (41 - 42) - 8:05 PM
ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R) vs. RANDY WELLS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-3 (+4.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 3-3 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.94 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 6-3 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.3 units)

RANDY WELLS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

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CLEVELAND (34 - 53) at DETROIT (47 - 38) - 1:05 PM
TOMO OHKA (R) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 34-53 (-23.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 37-57 (-27.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 15-22 (-9.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 30-49 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 31-47 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-42 (-19.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 17-28 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OHKA is 6-19 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 26-12 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 20-10 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
DETROIT is 45-30 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OHKA is 16-8 (+12.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 121-126 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 45-59 (-24.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 77-94 (-31.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
VERLANDER is 16-24 (-16.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-1 (+5.0 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.6 Units)

TOMO OHKA vs. DETROIT since 1997
OHKA is 0-2 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 9.28 and a WHIP of 1.969.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
VERLANDER is 6-10 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.73 and a WHIP of 1.343.
His team's record is 6-11 (-7.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-10. (-4.8 units)

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KANSAS CITY (37 - 49) at BOSTON (52 - 34) - 1:35 PM
BRUCE CHEN (L) vs. JOSH BECKETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 64-111 (-33.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 87-42 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-1 (+9.3 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
BOSTON is 141-81 (+32.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 68-36 (+21.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BECKETT is 30-8 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-1 (+0.9 Units) against BOSTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

BRUCE CHEN vs. BOSTON since 1997
CHEN is 2-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 5.01 and a WHIP of 1.608.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

JOSH BECKETT vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
BECKETT is 3-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.41 and a WHIP of 0.950.
His team's record is 3-2 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

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OAKLAND (35 - 49) at TAMPA BAY (48 - 39) - 1:38 PM
BRETT ANDERSON (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 20-40 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 4-16 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 10-28 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 12-31 (-18.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 153-112 (+30.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 92-40 (+39.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 76-71 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 34-9 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 93-43 (+36.8 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 99-49 (+37.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 22-20 (+20.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 4-4 (+1.5 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

BRETT ANDERSON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
ANDERSON is 1-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. OAKLAND since 1997
SHIELDS is 3-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.83 and a WHIP of 1.155.
His team's record is 5-2 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.6 units)

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TORONTO (44 - 44) at BALTIMORE (38 - 48) - 1:35 PM
MARC RZEPCYNSKI (L) vs. BRADLEY BERGESEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-12 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 39-30 (+13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 52-37 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 7-31 (-24.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 33-69 (-26.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 19-50 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 490-531 (-108.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 490-531 (-108.2 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 (+0.4 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.5 Units)

MARC RZEPCYNSKI vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.
BRADLEY BERGESEN vs. TORONTO since 1997
BERGESEN is 0-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (44 - 42) at MINNESOTA (44 - 43) - 2:10 PM
MARK BUEHRLE (L) vs. SCOTT BAKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 7-24 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 24-11 (+11.5 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 80-47 (+21.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-6 (+16.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 59-41 (+13.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 83-51 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 83-54 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 29-10 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-19 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 65-47 (+16.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 13-4 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 4-3 (+0.6 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

MARK BUEHRLE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
BUEHRLE is 23-13 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.315.
His team's record is 24-13 (+8.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 18-19. (-2.8 units)

SCOTT BAKER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BAKER is 3-3 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 6.85 and a WHIP of 1.634.
His team's record is 5-4 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-2. (+5.0 units)

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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:13 AM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games at home

1:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. NY METS
Cincinnati is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games

1:35 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. BOSTON
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kansas City's last 16 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Boston's last 23 games when playing at home against Kansas City

1:35 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. PHILADELPHIA
Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Pittsburgh's last 16 games
Philadelphia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

1:35 PM
TORONTO vs. BALTIMORE
Toronto is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Baltimore
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Baltimore is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Toronto

1:38 PM
OAKLAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Oakland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oakland's last 13 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 13 games

2:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. HOUSTON
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against Washington

2:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games

2:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MINNESOTA
Chi White Sox are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox

3:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Colorado's last 13 games

3:35 PM
NY YANKEES vs. LA ANGELS
NY Yankees are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games at home

4:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego's last 10 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games

4:10 PM
FLORIDA vs. ARIZONA
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Florida is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Florida
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida

4:10 PM
TEXAS vs. SEATTLE
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Seattle's last 23 games at home

8:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 4-1-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi Cubs are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games at home

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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:14 AM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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Kansas City at Boston (-300, 9)

Pitcher Jon Lester keeps things in a pretty simple perspective for the Red Sox.

"You still have to go out and execute pitches, regardless if you are facing a high school team, or you're facing the Yankees, or you're facing the Royals," he told the Associated Press. "It doesn't matter."

And look for Sunday’s starter Josh Beckett to execute plenty of perfect pitches against the Royals on Sunday. Beckett (10-3, 3.62 ERA) should have little trouble stifling an offense that is hitting just .237 BA on the road and has crossed home plate an MLB-low 135 times in opponents' parks.

The Royals' over/under record on the road also is 13-25-2.

And while the Red Sox have one of the league’ Top-5 offenses (5.16 rpg), they have an over/under mark of just 16-23-4 at Fenway.

Pick: Under 9

Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies (-142, 10)

The Rockies just keep scoring runs at home – but not the way you’d think. Colorado, known for bashing home runs at Coors Field, has used a balance assault to score 225 runs at home this season, the eighth-most in the majors.

The Rockies have hit 85 doubles and 13 triples to go with 46 home runs. The team also is batting .276 BA in its own back yard. Atlanta does have one of the better team ERA’s on the road (4.07 ERA), but is letting opponents hit better than .260 BA against.
And prior to Atlanta coming to Denver, the Rockies had swept three of their previous five home series.

"[Manager Jim] Tracy talked to us and told us what he wanted out of us," Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis told the Associated Press. "He told guys to be held more accountable for their actions, positive and negative, and guys responded to that real well. We're playing baseball the way it should be played and we're having fun. Tracy's definitely had an effect on a lot of these young guys."

Pick: Rockies -142

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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:15 AM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking

Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)

The 2006 American League Rookie of the Year appears to finally be pitching like the ace of a staff with World Series aspirations. Verlander (9-4, 3.59 ERA) allowed three earned runs over six innings in an 8-5 win over the Royals last week, but most importantly he struck out 11 and walked none, proving his control is getting better.

The right-hander also is first in the AL with 141 total punchouts.

All that adds up to bad news for the Indians. In two starts against the Tribe earlier this year, Verlander combined to strike out 22 and allow only one run on four hits in 16 innings.

“This is certainly the best I've felt in a while," Verlander told the Associated Press. "This is why I worked so hard in the spring to get back to my natural arm angle. It wasn't easy - I felt like I was throwing sidearm for a week when I had only moved it an inch - but it is paying off."

Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The wild success of the 21 year old is one of the best kept secrets around the Dodgers organization.

Kershaw (6-5, 3.27 ERA) has been much better the past several weeks than his numbers would suggest. The left-hander has allowed only two runs in the past 29 2-3 innings as he has been dominant for Los Angeles. Kershaw, however, has been kept on tight inning and pitch counts and hasn’t lasted past the seventh inning this season.

If Kershaw learns how to keep down his walks – he has issued 54 free passes, second-most in the National League – he likely will be able to go deeper in games and be even more dominant. Last week in his most recent start, Kershaw gave up just three hits in six shutout innings against the Mets.

Slumping

Dustin Nippert (Texas Rangers)

Nippert barley made it through more innings (3 2-3) than earned runs he allowed (3) in his first start this season after being activated from the DL.

Texas had hoped the 28-year-old right-hander would bolster its staff, but instead Nippert will likely be pitching to keep the No. 5 spot in the team’s rotation against the Mariners. His nagging injury has been a strained right shoulder.

Nippert once was a young prospect for the Diamondbacks, but after failing to make an impact in Arizona, he tried to find a spot on the pitching-poor Rangers. If Nippert, who began the season with just 11 career starts, can’t keep a spot in the rotation, he will need to find a new place to call home.

Bruce Chen (Kansas City Royals)

Chen almost had us fooled. After allowing four runs in 6 1-3 innings against Pittsburgh in his season debut last month, the 10-year veteran appeared a little rusty, but solid. Then, he followed that performance by giving up just two earned runs in six innings against the White Sox.

But last week, Bruce was back to being the Bruce Chen we all know: seven earned runs, five walks and three home runs allowed in just 4 2-3 innings as the Tigers smoked the Royals, 8-5.

Good luck against the Red Sox, Bruce.

"That's five homers in three starts he’s allowed," Royals manager Trey Hillman said of Chen to the Associated Press. "And, four of them have been on the same pitch -- a changeup that he leaves up. When you keep making the same mistakes on the same pitch, you need to make some kind of adjustment.”

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**pm530** · 07-12-2009, 06:19 AM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals at Cubs
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The second half of a rare day-night doubleheader finds the Cubs hosting the Cardinals in the final game before the All-Star break Sunday.

Central division leading St. Louis will send Adam Wainwright (9-5 3.09 ERA) to the mound against Chicago’s Randy Wells (4-3 2.48 ERA) in a matchup of right-handers.

What a difference a year makes

Last year at this time, the Cubs lead the National League Central and were rewarded with eight players earning spots on the All-Star roster.

Thanks to an impotent lineup, only pitcher Ted Lilly is an All Star this season.

"There's nothing else to say," an aggravated Lou Piniella told Chicago reporters this week of an offense that ranks second last in the NL in runs scored. “There really isn't. ... I get asked the same questions every day. Every day. And I think what you need to do is go ask the players why they're not hitting instead of asking me. Or go talk to the hitting coach."

The third-place Cubs entered the weekend with a .247 team batting average. The first-place Cardinals were hitting .256 BA on the season.

Injury bugged

To make matters worse, the Cubs lost starting catcher Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Piniella said Soto could be out for a month.

After showing up overweight this spring, Soto was hitting just .230 BA, 55 points below last year's average. His power is way down (eight homers after belting 23 last year) and he tested positive for marijuana while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster (an All Star last year) went on the DL Tuesday with a fractured right toe, a dugout injury he got celebrating a win on Sunday.

In Dempster’s absence, the Cubs called Jeff Stevens up from Iowa. Stevens is one of three pitchers the Cubs obtained in the offseason trade for Mark DeRosa. Stevens' presence gives the Cubs seven relievers for this four-game series. Stevens has not pitched in the major leagues.

Cardinal IF/OF DeRosa (strained left wrist tendon) joined SS Khalil Greene (social anxiety disorder) on the 15-day disabled list June 29. Meanwhile, 3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder surgery in January 2009) was batting in Jupiter, Florida last week but he was still having trouble throwing.

Strong arm tactics

Wells has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs this season. He rebounded off a sluggish 1-4 team start effort and has now won each of his last four team starts in a row with a 2.46 ERA along the way.

The rookie right-hander is 3-2 in his five home starts with a 3.07 ERA. Wells brings an excellent 1.09 WHIP into tonight’s contest.

Despite not being named to this year’s All-Star squad, Wainwright has put big numbers for the Cardinals this season. St. Louis is 12-6 in his team starts, including 7-1 away from home.

The 6-foot-7 Wainwright enjoys pitching this time of the season, as evidenced by a 6-1 career team start mark during July. He is also 5-0 his last five team starts against the Cubs, including 3-0 this season.

The envelope, please

To quote Piniella, “These games are probably more important to us than to St. Louis.”

The Cubs would like nothing better than to head to the All-Star break with a victory over the division leading Cardinals.

Given Zambrano’s sterling 17- team start mark in his last twenty efforts in July and his 10-2 mark in his last 12 starts in this series, look for the Cubbies to improve to 18-4 at home on Sundays.

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**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 09:30 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Oakland at Tampa Bay
The A's look to follow up yesterday's 7-2 win and build on their 4-1 record in their last 5 games as a road underdog between +150 and +200. Oakland is the pick (+180) according to Dunkel, which has the A's favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+180). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, JULY 12

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Harang) 13.426; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 14.594
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+120); Under

Game 953-954: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Vasquez) 14.539; Philadelphia (Happ) 16.273
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-210); Over

Game 955-956: LA Dodgers at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.795; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 14.760
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+130); Over

Game 957-958: Washington at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Zimmermann) 14.251; Houston (Moehler) 16.059
Dunkel Line: Houston by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Houston (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-115); Under

Game 959-960: Atlanta at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 15.156; Colorado (Hammel) 16.375
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-155); Under

Game 961-962: San Diego at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.506; San Francisco (Zito) 14.153
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+135); Under

Game 963-964: Florida at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Johnson) 15.507; Arizona (Davis) 16.463
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+110); Under

Game 965-966: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.746; Cubs (Wells) 16.027
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 967-968: Cleveland at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Ohka) 14.162; Detroit (Verlander) 15.811
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-240); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-240); Under

Game 969-970: Kansas City at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Chen) 14.413; Boston (Beckett) 16.769
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-300); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-300); Over

Game 971-972: Oakland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Anderson) 15.516; Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.112
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+180); Over

Game 973-974: Toronto at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Rzepczynski) 14.342; Baltimore (Bergesen) 16.268
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-115); Over

Game 975-976: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 14.086; Minnesota (Baker) 16.058
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120); Under

Game 977-978: NY Yankees at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.421; LA Angels (Lackey) 15.719
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-145); Under

Game 979-980: Texas at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Nippert) 17.055; Seattle (Bedard) 16.020
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Seattle (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+145); Over

Game 981-982: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.547; Cubs (Zambrano) 15.135
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 11:55 AM

MLB
Short Sheet

If Cards/Cubs Game 1 updates, we'll re-post.

Sunday, 7/12/2009

National League

CINCINNATI at NY METS, 1:10 PM ET
HARANG: CIN 14-2 off loss by 4+ runs
PELFREY: NYM 24-12 Over after allowing 1 run or less

PITTSBURGH at PHILADELPHIA, 1:35 PM ET
VASQUEZ: PIT 17-2 Under off 5+ road games
HAPP: PHI 11-17 at home vs. righties

LA DODGERS at MILWAUKEE, 2:05 PM ET
KERSHAW: LAD 16-7 as road underdog
GALLARDO: 9-1 Under in day games

WASHINGTON at HOUSTON, 2:05 PM ET
ZIMMERMANN: WAS 9-32 off an Over
MOEHLER: HOU 27-11 at home revenging loss as home favorite

ATLANTA at COLORADO, 3:10 PM ET
MEDLEN: ATL 36-17 Under vs. righties
HAMMEL: COL 15-2 at home revenging BB home losses

SAN DIEGO at SAN FRANCISCO, 4:05 PM ET
CORREIA: SD 2-14 Away off an Under
ZITO: SF 26-10 when favored

FLORIDA at ARIZONA, 4:10 PM ET
JOHNSON: 11-3 TSR in day games
DAVIS: ARI 20-29 at home

GAME 2 ST LOUIS at CHICAGO CUBS, 8:05 PM ET ESPN
WAINWRIGHT: 6-0 TSR as an underdog
WELLS: CHC 17-30 off an Under

American League

CLEVELAND at DETROIT, 1:05 PM ET
OHKA: CLE 9-25 off a win
VERLANDER: DET 20-10 in day games

KANSAS CITY at BOSTON, 1:35 PM ET
CHEN: KC 10-2 Under in road day games
BECKETT: BOS 20-2 off 4+ home games

OAKLAND at TAMPA BAY, 1:38 PM ET
ANDERSON: OAK 19-9 Under in day games
SHIELDS: 23-3 TSR as a home favorite of -150 or more

TORONTO at BALTIMORE, 1:35 PM ET
RZEPCYNSKI: TOR 2-13 Away vs. division
BERGESEN: BAL 19-50 in day games

CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA, 2:10 PM ET
BUEHRLE: CHW 8-24 on artificial turf
BAKER: MIN 33-16 at home off loss

NY YANKEES at LA ANGELS, 3:35 PM ET
SABATHIA: NYY 11-0 Under off a game where they had 6+ extra base hits
LACKEY: LAA 15-7 in day games

TEXAS at SEATTLE, 4:10 PM ET
NIPPERT: TEX 20-9 Under vs. lefties
BEDARD: SEA 19-9 Under in day games

Write-In Game

GAME 1 ST LOUIS at CHICAGO CUBS, 1:05 PM ET
LOHSE: n/a
ZAMBRANO: n/a

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 12:08 PM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Tips and Trends
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New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels [3:35 PM ET]

Yankees (-$1.40 O/U 9): New York ranks first or second in the major leagues in batting average, runs scored and home runs. There are eight Yankees who have hit at least 10 home runs this season. But pitching is the key for New York. The Yankees are counting on CC Sabathia. Sabathia has had problems pitching in Yankee Stadium’s band box with a 2-2 mark and 4.55 ERA. On the road, though, Sabathia is 6-3 with a 2.98 ERA. In his second-to-last start, Sabathia lost as a -$3.15 home favorite. The Mariners got to Sabathia for six earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. The big lefty rebounded to hold the Twins to one run on three hits in seven innings last Tuesday at the Metrodome. Sabathia lost to the Angels in his lone start against them this season, giving up four runs in 6 2/3 innings.

The Yankees have scored at least 4 runs in 16 consecutive games going into the final weekend before the All-Star break.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)

Angels: Prior to his last start, John Lackey (3-4, 5.18 ERA) had showed signs of turning around his slow start. Lackey had allowed just nine earned runs in four previous starts spanning 30 innings. But he had a bad inning in his last outing on Tuesday against the Rangers. The right-hander was cruising with a shutout with two outs in the fifth inning, but then proceeded to give up a double, three singles, two walks and a three-run homer to Andruw Jones, which finished his night. Lackey ended up yielding six earned runs. Lackey has averaged 7.4 strikeouts in his last five starts. Lackey is 4-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 15 career starts against the Yankees. At home this season, Lackey is 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA. The Angels will be missing injured star outfielders Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero. Both are on the DL.

The Angels are 5-0 the past five times they’ve been an underdog.

Key Injuries - Vladimir Guerrero (knee) and Torii Hunter (groin) are on the DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Florida Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks [4:10 PM ET]

Marlins (-$1.16, O/U 8.5): Josh Johnson (7-2, 2.82 ERA) is enjoying an excellent season becoming an ace. The right-hander, however, is winless in his last three starts. Johnson gave up three earned runs on five hits in seven innings during his last start on Tuesday against the Giants, but lost 3-0. Johnson has been amazingly consistent. In 18 starts this season, he’s surrendered more than three earned runs only once. Just twice has Johnson given up more than seven hits during a start. Johnson has been more effective when pitching at LandShark Stadium. He’s 4-1 at home with a 1.98 ERA. This compares to 3-1 on the road with a 3.91 ERA. Johnson fell to the Diamondbacks on May 19, yielding three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the Florida lineup on Friday after missing five consecutive starts due to a strained hip flexor.

The Marlins have gone under the past 5 times they’ve faced a left-handed starter.

Key Injuries - Matt Lindstrom (elbow) is on the DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

Diamondbacks: Doug Davis usually doesn’t get much respect, but the left-hander is having a very solid season with a 3.13 ERA. Davis, though, is just 4-8. He has won only once since June 5. That victory occurred in his last start versus the Padres. Davis held punchless San Diego to two runs in 6 1/3 innings. Davis should have more victories with the way he has pitched, but he has been hurt by lack of run support and poor outings from the Arizona bullpen. Before beating the Padres last Tuesday, Davis had allowed just two earned runs in his past three starts, spanning 21 innings. Yet he couldn’t get a victory during that time frame. In his last nine starts, Davis has yielded 13 earned runs in 57 2/3 innings. He is 2-5 at home with a 2.83 ERA as opposed to 2-3 on the road with a 3.17 ERA.

The Diamondbacks have won 6 in a row versus a right-handed starter.

Key Injuries - Eric Byrnes (hand) is on the DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4 (OVER - Total of the Day)

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**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 12:27 PM

MLB

Sunday, July 12

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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD

Sunday, July 12

Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee (2:05 p.m. EDT). The Brewers' Yovani Gallardo (8-6) looks to match his career high in wins in a matchup of young pitchers against LA's Clayton Kershaw (6-5).

STARS

Saturday

-Ryan Howard, Phillies, hit a tying three-run homer in the ninth inning of Philadelphia's 8-7 win over Pittsburgh

-Melvin Mora, Orioles, ended a 50-game homerless drought with an opposite-field drive in the 12th inning to give Baltimore a 4-3 win over Toronto.

-John Smoltz, Red Sox, got his first win for Boston in a 15-9 victory over Kansas City.

- Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn, Nationals, homered in consecutive at-bats in Washington's 13-2 win over Houston.

-Rob Johnson, Mariners, hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning of Seattle's 4-1 win over Texas.

-Jim Thome, White Sox, drove in four runs in Chicago's 8-7 win over Minnesota.

SLAM, BAM, WHAM!

Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Dunn homered in consecutive at-bats and the Nationals set season highs for hits and runs in a 13-2 win at Houston on Saturday night. Washington went deep three straight times for the first time since the franchise relocated from Montreal in 2005 - the 21 hits were also the most since the move.

GETTING THE HANG OF IT

John Smoltz got his first win for the Red Sox in Boston's 15-9 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. Coming off shoulder surgery that cut his 2008 season to six appearances, the 42-year-old Smoltz didn't make his first start until June 25 against Washington. He struggled with an 0-2 record and 6.60 ERA in three previous appearances.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

The Los Angeles Angels have 24 runs and a pair of wins over the New York Yankees in their first two games since outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter went on the disabled list. They followed Friday night's 10-6 win with a 14-8 come-from-behind one on Saturday.

CENTURY CLUB

Ted Lilly allowed got his 100th career win on Saturday, allowing just four hits in eight strong innings as the Cubs beat the first-place St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 to stop a three-game losing streak. Lilly is 100-81 in his major league career that began in 1999. He has also pitched for the Expos, Yankees, Athletics and Blue Jays. Of his 100 wins, 41 have come in his 2 1/2 seasons with Chicago.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Alex Rodriguez homered twice and the New York Yankees hit a season-high five homers in a 14-8 loss at the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

RELIEF WORK

Milwaukee's fill-in starter Mike Burns struck out a career-high seven and drove in a run to win for the second time in his career and help the Brewers to a 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK

Jeff Francoeur's name was misspelled when the lineup was posted outside the New York clubhouse. A few fans at Citi Field encouraged him to go back to Atlanta. A baserunning blunder led to some razzing in the dugout. Francoeur laughed off all of it and hit a two-run single in his Mets debut, helping New York to a 4-0 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday.

SPEAKING

"It has been a long time, but this is not a feel-good story. I believe this team will be in position to win every time I go out there and the best is yet to come.'' - John Smoltz, after getting his first win for the Red Sox on Saturday night.

SEASONS

July 12

1901 - Cy Young of the Boston Red Sox won his 300th game with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia A's.

1945 - Tommy Holmes of the Boston Braves went hitless to end his consecutive-game hitting streak at 37 games, an NL record that stood until Pete Rose broke it in 1978.

1949 - Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians and Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe of the host Brooklyn Dodgers became the first black players to appear in an All-Star game as the AL took advantage of five NL errors to win 11-7 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

1951 - Allie Reynolds of the New York Yankees beat Bob Feller of the Indians 1-0 with a no-hit game at Cleveland. Gene Woodling's home run was the difference.

1955 - St. Louis' Stan Musial hit Frank Sullivan's first pitch of the 12th inning for a home run to give the NL All-Star team a 6-5 victory over the AL at Milwaukee's County Stadium. The AL had led 5-0 after six innings.

1979 - In the most ill-fated promotion in baseball history, thousands of fans overran the Comiskey Park field during "Disco Demolition Night'' and caused the Chicago White Sox to forfeit the second game of a doubleheader after losing to Detroit 4-1 in the first.

1990 - Melido Perez pitched the record-tying seventh no-hitter of the season as the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees 8-0 in a game shortened to six innings by rain. That was one inning longer than the rain-shortened no-hitter pitched in 1988 by Melido's brother Pascual, who watched from the Yankees' bench.

1994 - Tony Gwynn barely slipped past Ivan Rodriguez on Moises Alou's double in the 10th inning to give the NL an 8-7 victory and end its record six-game losing streak in the All-Star game. Fred McGriff's two-run homer in the ninth off Lee Smith had tied it and earned him MVP honors.

1997 - Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon combined for a 10-inning no-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 3-0. Cordova pitched nine innings, walking two and striking out 10, before being removed with the score 0-0. Rincon pitched the 10th and got the win when Mark Smith hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

2001 - Mark McGwire hit his 563rd homer to tie Reggie Jackson for sixth on baseball's career list in a 7-5 loss to the Tigers. It was also McGwire's 200th homer since joining the Cardinals at the trade deadline in 1997, making him the third player in history to hit 200 homers in both leagues.

2005 - Miguel Tejada and Mark Teixeira led the American League to a 7-5 win over the National League in Detroit for its eighth straight win. Tejada, the game's MVP, homered off John Smoltz to start the scoring and Teixeira added a two-run drive off Dontrelle Willis.

2008 - Greg Maddux, at 42 years and 89 days, became the oldest pitcher in big league history to steal, in San Diego's loss to Atlanta. Jim Kaat had the previous mark. It was the 11th stolen base of Maddux's career.

Today's birthdays: Howie Kendrick 26; Tom Gorzelanny 27; Phil Dumatrait 28.

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**Kaptain** · 07-12-2009, 12:31 PM

Pm/u dog

you guys are the

best

thanks

**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Good morning, Kaptain! Thanks a million!

Have you dropped anchor (I hope!!!) or are you still adrift?

**Udog** · 07-12-2009, 12:39 PM

Never mind, Kapt. I just checked the board for the first time today and, of course, answered my own question!

Announcement

Sunday Trends and Indexes 7/12 (MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

Sunday Trends and Indexes 7/12 (MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

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