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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:26 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Monday, August 3

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Royals finish off a series in Tampa Bay, the Giants take on the Astros, and the Brewers try to grab a win in Los Angeles.

Colliding in the Junior Circuit . . .

Zack Greinke (10-6, 2.08 ERA) will take on Scott Kazmir (5-6, 6.22 ERA) on Monday afternoon as the Royals and Rays close out their series in Tampa Bay. Righthander Greinke has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven starts, but Kansas City went 2-5 in those games. Lefthander Kazmir got back on track for Tampa Bay last time out, surrendering just one earned run over seven innings in a win. That was Kazmir's first victory since way back on May 9.

There are just two other games on the American League schedule, with Texas at Oakland and Baltimore at Detroit. The Orioles will go with Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.79 ERA) in that contest. Righthander Tillman made his Major League debut against the Royals last time out, giving up three runs (and three home runs) on seven hits in 4 2-3 innings of work. The Tigers will counter with Justin Verlander (12-5, 3.16 ERA), who topped the Rangers and White Sox in his last two outings.

Clashing in the Senior Circuit . . .

Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA) will be gunning for his 13th win of the season on Monday night as the Giants begin a series in Houston against the Astros and Mike Hampton (6-8, 5.36 ERA). Righthander Cain is coming off a stellar outing against the Pirates, tossing nine shutout innings and giving up just three hits (in a tough no-decision). Lefthander Hampton was bombed by the Cubs in his last trip to the mound, surrendering nine earned runs on eight hits over just four innings.

Elsewhere around the National League on Monday it'll be Washington at Pittsburgh, the Cubs at Cincinnati, Arizona at the Mets, Atlanta at San Diego, and Milwaukee at the Dodgers. Manny Parra (5-8, 6.50 ERA) will take the hill for the Brewers in that matchup; lefthander Parra has allowed nine earned runs over his last 11 innings of work. Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.76 ERA) will get the ball for the Dodgers; the righthander hasn't been tagged with a loss since his June 10 start.

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:27 AM

Six-pack for Monday

Today we take a look at the Big 11 football race.........

-- Penn State-- Only nine starters back but have seniors at QB, MLB. Would be stunning if they lost before November; their schedule is that easy. JoePa is 14-7-1 vs spread as a home favorite since 2005.

-- Ohio State-- Tressel is 83-19 in Columbus, just 4-4 in bowls, with three straight losses; they're 14-3 as road favorite since '05. USC is in Horseshoe Sept 12; Buckeyes go to Penn State, Michigan in Nov.

-- Illinois-- QB Juice Williams is finally a senior; with eight starters on offense returning, Illini should be explosive-- they've covered just one of last nine non-league games, but six of last seven as road underdog.

-- Iowa-- Should be better on defense with eight starters back- they held foes under 100 rushing yards/game for first time in four years LY. Very tough Big 11 road schedule- dog is 14-9-1 in last 24 road tilts.

-- Michigan State-- 15 starters return but they've very young on line and at QB/RB; Spartans won nine of last 12 vs Notre Dame, in series where road team won seven of last eight. Lost their last three bowls.

-- Michigan— Rodriguez was 3-9 in his first year at West Virginia, had big second year (9-4); similar results expected here, with 15 starters back, including 10 on offense. They have QBs to fit the offense now.

-- Wisconsin-- Just 8-8 in Big 11 last two years, after being 18-6 three years before that; Badgers played six games LY decided by three pts or less, including an OT win over I-AA Cal Poly. They slipping???

-- Minnesota-- Improved from 1-11 to 7-6 LY; they've got 17 starters back, so another bowl game is expected, but Gophers lost three bowls in row, giving up 40 ppg. Soph QB Weber is one of league's best.

-- Northwestern-- Only five starters back on offense, but four of five are on OL, and new QB is senior, so its not as bad as it might appear. Wildcats covered just four of 15 as a home favorite since 2001.

-- Purdue-- New coach, new QB, but four starters back on OL; Tiller went 126-92 in 12 years here- they had one winning season in a dozen years before he got to Purdue. They've lost their last eight road games.

-- Indiana-- Have had one winning season this decade, and that came in a season when their coach died; are 13-29 vs spread as road dog since '00. This spring, they changed the offense, moved the QB to WR, but then kicked him off the team anyway. Looks like another long year.

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Sunday's List of 13: Analyzing the Pirates' last 14 trades......

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

13) Must be fun to manage the Orioles; its bad enough you're stuck in the same division as Bronx/Boston, but then the Red Sox roll into town right after the trading deadline and they've added an All-Star catcher and didn't give up very much to get him. Victor Martinez was 5-6 Sunday, as Baltimore scored ten runs, but still lost by eight. Ouch.

12) The poor get poorer; Orioles head to Detroit Monday, where they run into Justin Verlander, one of the best pitchers in baseball.

11) Couldn't have been lot of fun in Cleveland Saturday night, when the team had one of its better '09 promotions: Victor Martinez Bobblehead Night. At least fans could say they got a collector's item.

10) Andrew McCutchen had quite a night Saturday; has anyone in the history of baseball ever had three HRs and a bunt single in same game? His fifth AB? He grounded into a double play.

9) Its weird that the Pirates never win but everyone seems to want their players. Freddy Sanchez had two RBI in his first game as a Giant.

8) Rookie Garrett Jones of the Pirates led majors with ten home runs in July, making him the first rookie to lead majors in HRs for month since 1990, when David Justice did it for the Braves.

7) The one trade that baffled me was Boston flipping Adam LaRoche to the Braves for Casey Kotchman. At first glance, looks like the Sox just purposely traded a better player for a lesser one to dump salary, since Kotchman is just going to be a backup anyway.

6) Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum are a combined 25-5 this season, which is why the Giants are leading the Wild Card race.

5) Last Thursday's Cub-Astro game was odd; by the time both starting pitchers left the ballpark, neither was on the team they started the game with. Cubs had traded Kevin Hart to Pittsburgh, Astros released Russ Ortiz. Houston is struggling to keep its pitchers healthy/effective.

4) Want to win a bar bet? The last pitcher to get five hits in a game was Mel Stottlemyre Sr., way back in 1964. His son is now pitching coach out in the desert, for the Diamondbacks.

3) You know its another rough season for the Royals when they roll into St Pete and their starting pitchers in the first two games of the series are Sidney Ponson and Bruce Chen. Their stadium has been refurbished, but the ballclub is the same mess it usually is.

2) John Daly shot a 51 on the back nine at the Buick Open Friday. Not sure at what point sponsors stop giving him exemptions.

1) Back in the 70's, the Mets had a second baseman named Felix Millan who once went 4-4 in a game, with four singles. The guy batting behind him then grounded into four double plays. The other guy? Joe Torre.

From: Armadillo
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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:32 AM

MLB
Baseball Today

SCOREBOARD

Monday, August 3

San Francisco at Houston (8:05 p.m. EDT). Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12) will go for his 13th victory of the season as the Giants begin a three-game set in Houston.

STARS

Sunday

-Melky Cabrera, Yankees, hit for the cycle in New York's 8-5 win over the Chicago White Sox, finishing with four hits and four RBIs.

-Matt Kemp, Dodgers, homered and matched a career high with five RBIs in Los Angeles' 9-1 victory against Atlanta.

-Kendry Morales, Angels, hit two three-run homers and had a career-high six RBIs in Los Angeles' 13-4 victory at the Minnesota Twins.

-Victor Martinez, Red Sox, had five hits and four RBIs to help Boston beat the Baltimore Orioles 18-10 at Camden Yards.

-Mitch Maier, Royals, drove in three runs and threw out a runner at the plate in Kansas City's 4-1 win over Tampa Bay.

-Carl Pavano, Indians, tossed eight crisp innings to lead Cleveland to an 11-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers.

-Alex Rios, Blue Jays, hit a three-run double to help Toronto to a 7-2 win at the Oakland Athletics.

BASE 10

Melky Cabrera became the first Yankees player in 14 years to hit for the cycle, leading New York to an 8-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the second to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead, doubled in the fourth, had an RBI single in the fifth, and completed it with a triple in the ninth. Cabrera's cycle was the 15th by a Yankees player and first since Tony Fernandez did it against Oakland on Sept. 3, 1995.

SIDELINED

The Texas Rangers placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Kinsler missed five straight starts and said before the game that the injury hadn't improved, but hadn't gotten worse either. Then, 10 minutes before the game's first pitch against Seattle, the team announced that Kinsler was headed to the DL retroactive to July 29.

SWINGS

Scott Feldman bounced back from his worst start of the season with one of his best. After knocked Feldman around for six runs and 10 hits in 2 1-3 innings earlier in the week, he improved to 10-4, allowing two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and two walks in a 4-2 win against Seattle.

SAD MEMORY

Sunday marked the 30th anniversary of Thurman Munson's fatal plane crash in Canton, Ohio, and Reggie Jackson still remembers the "chilling feeling'' that gripped him when he heard the news. The Yankees had a day off, and Jackson was in Connecticut when he learned about the crash. "I got a really eerie feeling because it said 'Yankee great,' 'Yankee superstar,' or something like that 'dies in a plane crash,''' said Jackson, now a special adviser.

STATS

The Red Sox outscored Baltimore 28-15 in completing their first three-game sweep on the road since June 2-4 in Detroit. Kevin Youkilis went 10 for 12 with three walks in the series and reached base 13 straight times (10 hits, three walks) before striking out in the eighth.

SPEAKING

"I'm honored to be on this side now. It's not the same when you're playing and you fall way back in the standings. Just coming over here to a team that is competing every year...'' Boston's Victor Martinez, who had five hits in the Red Sox's 18-10 victory against Baltimore. The Red Sox acquired Martinez from Cleveland on Friday.

SEASONS

August 3

1933 - Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia A's became the first pitcher since Aug. 2, 1931 - a span of 308 games - to shut out the New York Yankees, winning 7-0.

1948 - Cleveland's Satchel Paige made his first major league start and went seven innings to lead the Indians to a 5-3 victory over the Washington Senators.

1959 - The second game of All-Star play this year was won by the AL 5-3 at Los Angeles' Memorial Stadium. Nellie Fox of the Chicago White Sox singled in the deciding run in the seventh inning.

1961 - The Pittsburgh Pirates scored a 19-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals for the biggest shutout score in an NL night game.

1969 - Pinch-hitter Rich Reese hit a grand slam to power the Minnesota Twins to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles and end Dave McNally's 15-game winning streak. His two victories at the end of 1968 had given him 17 straight wins.

1977 - Eddie Murray, rookie first baseman for Baltimore, hit a home run from each side of the plate. The Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics, 8-6, in 10 innings.

1989 - The Cincinnati Reds scored 14 runs in the first inning on a major league record 16 hits and went on to beat the Houston Astros 18-2. Seven Reds had two hits off starter Jim Clancy and reliever Bob Forsch in the first, breaking a century-old record.
1998 - Mike Oquist allowed 14 earned runs - the most by a major leaguer since 1977 - in five innings of Oakland's 14-1 loss to the New York Yankees.

2001 - Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a one-hitter and faced 28 batters in a 4-0 win over Tampa Bay.

2004 - Tony Batista hit a grand slam in the 12th inning after tying the game with a two-run homer in the ninth, leading Montreal over St. Louis 10-6.

2006 - Chase Utley singled in the first inning of Philadelphia's 8-1 win at St. Louis to extend his hitting streak to 35 games.

2006 - Matt Murton tied a major league record with four doubles and drove in five runs to help the Chicago Cubs salvage a split of a doubleheader with Arizona 7-3.

2007 - Detroit Tigers' infielder Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a third time for a banned stimulant, a penalty that finished his season. Perez was suspended for 25 games on July 6 when he tested positive for a second time.

Today's birthdays : Mark Reynolds 26; Troy Glaus 33.

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:32 AM

MLB
This Day in Baseball

On August 3 in Baseball History...

1888 - Kansas City Cowboys rookie Billy Hamilton, recently purchased from Worcester, steals his first base in the major leagues. Before returning to the minors in 1902, Sliding Billy will amass 912 stolen bases, a record broken by Lou Brock in 1979.

1906 - Tom Hughes of the Washington Nationals becomes the first pitcher to win a 1-0 extra-inning game with his own home run when he homers in the tenth for a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Browns.

1933 - The Yankees are shut out by the A's and Lefty Grove 7-0. It is their first scoreless game since August 2, 1931. They had tallied in 308 games in a row, during which they scored 1,986 runs (6.5 per game) to 1,434 for the opposition.

1940 - With Ernie Lombardi hurt, Reds catcher Willard Hershberger is hitting .309 after taking over. However, depressed in recent weeks, Hershberger commits suicide by slashing his throat in Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel. Hershberger blamed himself for calling wrong pitches in the 5-4 loss to New York July 31. Hershberger's father had also committed suicide, in 1928.

1941 - The Browns Johnny Niggeling gets Joe DiMaggio in four at bats to stop DiMaggio's streak of 74 games in reaching base.

1948 - Cleveland's Satchel Paige made his first major league start and went seven innings to lead the Indians to a 5-3 victory over the Washington Senators.

1959 - For the first time, there are two All-Star Games in the same year. With the managers picking the starting lineup, the American League wins this second contest 5-3 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

1961 - The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 19-0 for the largest shutout margin in a National League night game.

1969 - Pinch-hitter Rich Reese hit a grand slam to power the Minnesota Twins to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles and end Dave McNally's 15-game winning streak. McNally's two victories at the end of 1968 had given him 17 straight wins.

1980 - Al Kaline, Duke Snider, Chuck Klein, and Tom Yawkey are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

1982 - The White Sox sweep a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, 1-0, and 14-2, prompting Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to fire manager Gene Michael and replace him with pitching coach Clyde King. King is the Yankees' third manager this season.

1986 - Willie McCovey, Bobby Doerr, and Ernie Lombardi are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

1987 - Twins pitcher Joe Niekro is caught with a file on the mound and is ejected during Minnesota's 11-3 win over the Angels. He will be suspended for ten games by American League president Bobby Brown, who doesn't buy Niekro's story that he had been filing his nails on the bench and stuck the file in his back pocket when the inning started.

1989 - The Reds score fourteen runs in the first inning of an 18-2 demolition of the Astros. Major league records set during the onslaught include most hits in an inning (16), most players with two hits in an inning (7), and most singles in an inning (12).

1997 - Knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro, former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda, second baseman Nellie Fox, and Negro League shortstop Willie Wells are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:34 AM

MLB
Write-up

Monday, August 3

Hot Pitchers
-- Morton has a 3.06 RA in his last three starts.
-- Wells is 3-0, 3.32 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 6-2, 2.43 in his last nine starts.
-- Cain is 4-0, 1.17 in his last six starts.
-- Latos is 2-1, 2.70 in his first three big league starts.
-- Kershaw is 5-0, 0.95 in his last nine starts. Parra is 2-0, 3.75 in his last four starts.

-- Royals lost Greinke's last five starts, despite his 1.80 RA in his last three outings.
-- Verlander is 4-1, 3.00 in his last five starts.
-- Anderson has a 1.85 RA in his last six starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Nationals are 0-3 when Mock starts (0-2, 10.54).
-- Harang is 0-4, 7.83 in his last four starts.
-- Figueroa allowed three runs in six IP in his only '09 start, a 4-3 loss to the Brewers back on April 19.
-- Hampton is 1-3, 10.89 in his last four starts.
-- Kawakami is 0-2, 4.96 in his last three starts.

-- Rays won four of Kazmir's last five home starts.
-- Tillman allowed three runs in 4.2 IP in his major league debut.
-- Nippert has a 4.85 RA in his first three starts.

Hot Teams
-- Pirates won six of their last nine home games.
-- Cubs won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Arizona is 15-10 in its last 25 games.
-- Giants won six of their last seven games.
-- Padres won five of their last six games.
-- Dodgers won six of their last eight home games.

-- Tigers are 16-5 in their last 21 home games.
-- Rangers won 11 of their last 14 games.

Cold Teams
-- Nationals lost 15 of their last 20 road games.
-- Reds lost 15 of their last 18 games.
-- Mets lost three of their last four games.
-- Astros lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Braves are 4-6 in their last ten games.
-- Brewers lost 12 of their last 17 road games.

-- Royals lost 15 of their last 19 road games. Rays lost five of their last eight home games.
-- Orioles lost their last three games, allowing 28 runs.
-- Oakland lost three of its last four games.

Totals
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Pittsburgh games.
-- Seven of last eleven Cub games went over the total.
-- Under is 14-4 in Arizona's last eighteen road games.
-- Seven of last eight Cain starts stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Kawakami starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 13-7-1 in Milwaukee's last 21 road games.

-- Under is 12-2-1 in last fifteen Tampa Bay games.
-- Under is 7-2 in Verlander's home starts.
-- Three of last four Anderson starts went over the total.

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:35 AM

MLB

Monday, August 3

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Trend Report
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12:08 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TAMPA BAY
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Kansas City

7:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. DETROIT
Baltimore is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore

7:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PITTSBURGH
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington

7:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Arizona's last 14 games on the road
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CINCINNATI
Chi Cubs are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games when playing Chi Cubs

8:00 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. HOUSTON
San Francisco is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home

10:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. SAN DIEGO
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games on the road
San Diego is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Diego's last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta

10:05 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 8 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games
Oakland is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games at home

10:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA DODGERS
Milwaukee is 2-9 SU in their last 11 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:36 AM

MLB

Monday, August 3

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds (+130)

Reds starter Aaron Harang told the media over the weekend that the club’s acquisition of third baseman Scott Rolen proved that the team wasn’t giving up.

You couldn’t tell from their performance on the field.

Now that the trade deadline has passed and the buyers and sellers have identified themselves, it seems the Reds have retreated to the comforts of the “wait until next year” zone despite adding the perennial All-Star to their infield.

The Reds have lost six straight home games and 12 of 14 overall. They now face a contending Cubs squad that has won eight of their past 11.

The struggling Harang (5-12) has given up 19 earned runs over his past four starts, all losses. This doesn’t bode well against the Cubs who have scored 37 runs over their past four games and sends surging starter Randy Wells to the mound.

Pick: Cubs

San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros (+130)

In order to salvage a chance at contending in the postseason, the Houston Astros need some wins … fast.

Sending erratic veteran Mike Hampton to the mound against Cy Young candidate Matt Cain of the Giants doesn’t look like a good place to start, but the Astros have a few factors working in their favor.

They are 5-1 at home this year against teams from the NL West and are 7-2 in their last nine tilts against the Giants.

San Francisco, coming off an important home series against the Philadelphia Phillies in which it took two of three, has scored just 16 runs in its past six road games (2-4) against the NL Central. The Giants also are 3-9 in their past 12 road games.

Pick: Astros

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:37 AM

MLB

Monday, August 3

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Detroit’s cornerstone starter has been earning both his paycheck and his reputation as one of the most reliable pitchers in the American League.

The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-1 in his past five starts, giving up three or fewer earned runs in each outing and holding opponents scoreless in two of them. He has allowed just eight earned runs total in this span. He also has 42 strikeouts against just eight walks during this streak.

Verlander (12-5, 3.16 ERA) has gone at least seven innings in each of his past four starts, including a complete-game, 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Randy Wells, Chicago Cubs

Wells quietly has become a big reason why the Cubs boast a team ERA of 3.81, which is fifth in the majors.

He has gone 7-1 over his last eight starts, going at least six innings in all but one contest. He has been a model of consistency, yielding four runs or fewer each time out during this span.

In his last start, Wells (7-4, 2.84) shut out the Houston Astros over eight innings while picking up another win. He has notched two of Chicago’s eight wins in their past 10 games.

Slumping

Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay’s erstwhile reliable lefty – he has posted double-figure wins in each of the past four seasons – Kazmir (5-6, 6.22 ERA) has battled both injuries and inconsistency this season.

He is 1-3 with four no-decisions in his past eight starts, and has struggled to find the strike zone despite winning his last start against the New York Yankees.

Kazmir has allowed seven earned runs in three starts during this span, and yielded five earned runs in another, contributing to his hefty ERA.

Kenshin Kawakami, Atlanta Braves

Kawakami (5-8, 4.37 ERA) has been a source of concern for Atlanta’s bullpen of late. He's failed to reach the fifth inning in three of his past six starts.

The 34-year-old righty is 1-2 with three no-decisions during this span; he was tagged for six earned runs in four-plus innings in his last start, a loss to the Florida Marlins.

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**pm530** · 08-03-2009, 06:40 AM

MLB

Monday, August 3

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News and Notes …..
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Texas puts Kinsler on DL; Mora unhappy in Baltimore

*The Texas Rangers placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, the Associated Press reported Sunday.

Kinsler missed five straight starts and said before the game that the injury hadn't improved, but hadn't gotten worse either. Then, 10 minutes before the game's first pitch against Seattle, the team announced that Kinsler was headed to the DL retroactive to July 29.

Kinsler was hitting .242 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI for the Rangers. Texas is 4-2 this season without its power hitting youngster in the lineup and the club has played under the total in four of those six contests. Expect veteran infielder Omar Vizquel to take over duties at second base until Kinsler returns.

*In other baseball news, third baseman Melvin Mora lashed out at Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley on Sunday after being benched for the third time in four games.

“I don’t appreciate the disrespect, because I've been playing hurt for a guy who won’t respect you. I don’t deserve it,” the 37-year-old Mora said. “I need to have my respect. This is not a guy who just came to the Orioles. This is a guy who’s been here for nine years.”

Mora is a two-time All-Star who hit .285 with 23 homers and 104 RBIs last season despite being bothered by a foot sprain for several weeks. This year, however, Mora is batting .256 with only three homers and 27 RBIs.

*In the National Laegue, Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb has opted for season-ending surgery on this pitching shoulder, according to a published report.

Webb’s father, Philip Webb, told the Daily Independent of Ashland, Ky., that Dr. Keith Meister of the Rangers will perform surgery on his son’s right shoulder on Monday in Arlington, Texas.

Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young winner, had met with Meister this week after consulting with team doctors and three other specialists earlier this month. He had been looking for a way to alleviate stiffness and soreness in his shoulder without surgery.

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**Udog** · 08-03-2009, 08:00 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Kansas City at Tampa Bay
The Rays look to bounce back from yesterday's loss and build on their 4-0 record in Scott Kazmir's last 4 starts as a favorite between -110 and -150. Tampa Bay is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Rays favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, AUGUST 3

Game 901-902: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Mock) 13.665; Pittsburgh (Morton) 14.810
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-150); Over

Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wells) 16.037; Cincinnati (Harang) 12.710
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 3 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-155); Over

Game 905-906: Arizona at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 17.551; NY Mets (Figueroa) 15.915
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-185); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-185); Over

Game 907-908: San Francisco at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 16.073; Houston (Hampton) 14.799
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150); Over

Game 909-910: Atlanta at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Kawakami) 13.465; San Diego (Latos) 14.916
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+120); Over

Game 911-912: Milwaukee at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 15.460; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.997
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+190); Over

Game 913-914: Kansas City at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 14.037; Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 14.328
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140); Under

Game 915-916: Baltimore at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.325; Detroit (Verlander) 16.029
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-260); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-260); Under

Game 917-918: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Nippert) 14.914; Oakland (Anderson) 14.296
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+120); Under

**Udog** · 08-03-2009, 10:10 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, August 3

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WASHINGTON (33 - 72) at PITTSBURGH (45 - 59) - 7:05 PM
GARRETT MOCK (R) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 33-72 (-33.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 17-33 (-14.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 11-31 (-16.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 13-39 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 33-69 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-53 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 24-54 (-25.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 28-20 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 28-20 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 21-12 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 85-91 (+15.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 5-2 (+3.4 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

GARRETT MOCK vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.

CHARLIE MORTON vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHICAGO CUBS (55 - 48) at CINCINNATI (45 - 59) - 7:10 PM
RANDY WELLS (R) vs. AARON HARANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1012-1057 (-188.1 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 22-29 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 151-192 (-57.9 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 22-29 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 503-472 (-98.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 45-59 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 45-57 (-24.8 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 76-105 (-32.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 2-13 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
HARANG is 20-30 (-13.7 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
CHICAGO CUBS is 6-3 (+1.6 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.3 Units)

RANDY WELLS vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
WELLS is 1-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.263.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

AARON HARANG vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
HARANG is 9-7 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.334.
His team's record is 12-9 (+7.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-9. (+1.7 units)

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ARIZONA (46 - 59) at NY METS (50 - 54) - 7:10 PM
DAN HAREN (R) vs. NELSON FIGUEROA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 46-59 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 46-59 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 90-93 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 15-30 (-17.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 20-16 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
HAREN is 35-13 (+16.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-1 (+0.6 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

DAN HAREN vs. NY METS since 1997
HAREN is 0-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 0.842.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

NELSON FIGUEROA vs. ARIZONA since 1997
FIGUEROA is 0-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.17 and a WHIP of 1.764.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (58 - 47) at HOUSTON (52 - 53) - 8:05 PM
MATT CAIN (R) vs. MIKE HAMPTON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 138-128 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 75-56 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 22-10 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 134-126 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 97-91 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 101-96 (+14.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 74-63 (+15.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 65-67 (+13.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 26-22 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 89-50 (+29.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAMPTON is 53-17 (+28.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 58-47 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 26-19 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 131-79 (+52.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 58-47 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-32 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-19 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CAIN is 16-5 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 16-5 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 11-3 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

MATT CAIN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
CAIN is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.385.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

MIKE HAMPTON vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
HAMPTON is 11-5 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.08 and a WHIP of 1.338.
His team's record is 12-8 (+4.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-6. (+6.8 units)

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ATLANTA (53 - 52) at SAN DIEGO (43 - 63) - 10:05 PM
KENSHIN KAWAKAMI (R) vs. MAT LATOS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 53-52 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 54-79 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 53-52 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 87-95 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 32-37 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 65-74 (-18.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 17-22 (-10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN DIEGO is 43-63 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 61-72 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 43-63 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 74-118 (-40.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 25-42 (-15.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 22-40 (-16.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN DIEGO is 39-75 (-31.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

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

KENSHIN KAWAKAMI vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

MAT LATOS vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

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MILWAUKEE (52 - 53) at LA DODGERS (65 - 40) - 10:10 PM
MANNY PARRA (L) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 16-27 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PARRA is 5-12 (-8.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PARRA is 5-11 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PARRA is 8-16 (-11.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 65-40 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 65-40 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 48-28 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 32-16 (+12.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

MANNY PARRA vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
PARRA is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.621.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
KERSHAW is 1-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

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KANSAS CITY (41 - 63) at TAMPA BAY (57 - 48) - 12:08 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. SCOTT KAZMIR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 41-63 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 162-121 (+27.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 95-45 (+34.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 37-22 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 34-11 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 96-48 (+31.6 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 104-55 (+33.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 115-72 (+34.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 35-14 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 59-57 (+12.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 27-17 (+13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 16-6 (+13.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 50-47 (+13.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 59-55 (+10.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 8-1 (+5.6 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.8 Units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
GREINKE is 0-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.468.
His team's record is 1-4 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.6 units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
KAZMIR is 1-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.95 and a WHIP of 1.525.
His team's record is 4-3 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

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BALTIMORE (44 - 60) at DETROIT (54 - 49) - 7:05 PM
CHRIS TILLMAN (R) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 131-239 (-101.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 80-144 (-44.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 18-47 (-23.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 31-16 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 31-16 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 128-137 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 12-18 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 9-20 (-15.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 80-90 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 82-102 (-35.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 63-72 (-18.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

CHRIS TILLMAN vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
VERLANDER is 4-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 1.85 and a WHIP of 1.147.
His team's record is 5-0 (+5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.2 units)

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

TEXAS (59 - 44) at OAKLAND (44 - 60) - 10:05 PM
DUSTIN NIPPERT (R) vs. BRETT ANDERSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 207-136 (+63.4 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
TEXAS is 59-44 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 61-65 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 16-10 (+12.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 21-9 (+13.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
TEXAS is 58-42 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 46-31 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 34-23 (+12.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TEXAS is 30-24 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 59-81 (-27.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 20-40 (-15.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 5-3 (+1.4 Units) against OAKLAND this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.7 Units)

DUSTIN NIPPERT vs. OAKLAND since 1997
NIPPERT is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

BRETT ANDERSON vs. TEXAS since 1997
ANDERSON is 0-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 7.00 and a WHIP of 1.778.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

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

**Udog** · 08-03-2009, 10:56 AM

MLB
Short Sheet

Monday, 8/3/2009

National League

WASHINGTON at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
MOCK: WAS 17-33 when the total is 9 to 9.5
MORTON: PIT 10-3 at home against NL East

CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI, 7:10 PM ET
WELLS: CHC 34-16 as a favorite of -125 to -175
HARANG: CIN 8-21 in the second half of the season

ARIZONA at NY METS, 7:10 PM ET
HAREN: ARI 10-22 after having won 2 of their last 3
FIGUEROA: 12-2 OVER when the total is 7 to 8.5

SAN FRANCISCO at HOUSTON, 8:05 PM ET
CAIN: SF 24-9 when the money line is -100 to -150
HAMPTON: HOU 10-2 UNDER at home after scoring 2 runs or less

ATLANTA at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
KAWAKAMI: ATL 30-13 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs
LATOS: SD 6-22 after a loss by 4+ runs

MILWAUKEE at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
PARRA: 5-14 TSR in the second half of the season
KERSHAW: LAD 34-13 as a home favorite

American League

KANSAS CITY at TAMPA BAY, 12:08 PM ET
GREINKE: KC 16-6 when playing on Monday
KAZMIR: TB 23-10 UNDER in day games

BALTIMORE at DETROIT, 7:05 PM ET
TILLMAN: BAL 17-6 OVER as an underdog of +200 or more
VERLANDER: DET 1-9 after allowing 9+ runs

TEXAS at OAKLAND, 10:05 PM ET
NIPPERT: TEX 21-9 against division opponents
ANDERSON: OAK 11-17 at home with a money line of -100 to -150

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 08-03-2009, 11:07 AM

MLB

Monday, August 3

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Tips and Trends
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Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers [7:05 PM ET]

Orioles: Two teams that allowed double-digit runs during Sunday’s action meet Monday night in Detroit when the Orioles and Tigers square off in the first game of a four-game series. The Orioles hit the road after a disappointing 2-5 homestand that ended with an embarrassing 18-10 loss to Boston that gave the Red Sox a sweep of the three-game series. Baltimore’s bullpen appeared early in the finale when starter Jason Berken lasted just 1 1/3 innings. Five relief pitchers finished the game, allowing 12 runs on 16 hits. As a result, the O’s hope Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.79) can eat some innings in just his second start of the season. The 6-foot-5 right-hander made his debut last Wednesday against Kansas City but was not involved in the decision after allowing three runs on seven hits (three homers) in just 4 2/3 innings. The O’s eventually won the game as a $1.20 underdog, 7-3. Baltimore is a dismal 16-31 away from home and 27-38 against right-handed starting pitchers. The season series with Detroit is tied 2-2, with each team winning twice at home. The ‘under’ cashed in three of the four meetings

Baltimore is 3-10 in its last 13 games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Tigers (-$2.80 O/U 8.5): Detroit returns home after dropping two of three games to both Texas and Cleveland on a short six-game road trip. The excursion was culminated by Sunday’s humiliating 11-1 loss to a depleted Cleveland club. The Tigers have now failed to register an extra-base hit in their last 22 innings. Detroit’s bullpen is also overworked, as two of the three games in Cleveland went extra innings before Sunday’s 11-run implosion that saw the starter get knocked out in the sixth inning. However, the tired pen might get a break Monday when ace right-hander Justin Verlander gets the ball. With wins in three of his last four starts, including Wednesday at Texas, Verlander is now jostling among the Major League leaders in that category as well as his AL lead in strikeouts. He fanned 13 Rangers over seven innings Wednesday, tying the career high he set against the Twins in May. Now he'll get another shot at an Orioles lineup he has tended to own over the last few years, His quality start May 30 at Camden Yards improved his record to 4-0 in five starts against the O's with a 1.85 ERA. The Tigers are 14-8 in Verlander’s first 22 starts.

The Tigers are 31-16 in their first 51 home games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (OVER - Total of the Day)

San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros [8:05 PM ET]

Giants: Trying for a fourth straight victory, Matt Cain looks to become the NL's first 13-game winner when his Giants open a three-game road series with the Astros. Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA) threw a three-hitter over nine innings in a 1-0, 10-inning win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday to finish 3-0 with an 0.94 ERA in six starts during July. The right-hander, who last lost at Milwaukee on June 26, can surpass teammate and 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum for the team lead in wins while matching his career high from his rookie 2006 season. After Cain received an NL-low 3.14 runs of support per game last year, the Giants are averaging 5.15 per contest for him this season. Cain is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA against an Astros team that is coming off a 2-5 road trip. However, the Astros have won the last four meetings between the teams in Houston. San Francisco is just 21-31 on the road this season. The Giants, however, are coming off a 6-1 homestand after beating NL East-leader Philadelphia 7-3 on Sunday.

The Under is 9-3 in the Giants’ last 12 games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)

Astros (-$1.20, O/U 8): Mike Hampton (6-6, 5.36 ERA) allowed six runs in the first inning of his last outing en route to suffering a 12-0 loss at Chicago to the Cubs. In the first innings of his 18 starts this year, he has a 12.00 ERA compared to 4.04 from the second inning on. The left-hander has pitched well against the Giants, however, going 15-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 23 starts. He went 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA versus them last season. The Astros are a dismal 6-12 in Hampton’s 18 starts this season. Miguel Tejada had two hits with an RBI and rookie Bud Norris allowed two hits over seven innings in his first start to help Houston snap a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win at St. Louis on Sunday. Tejada is batting .327, but is 2 for 13 against San Francisco this season. The Astros dropped two of three at San Francisco during the first week in July, and did not score in run in those two setbacks.

Houston is 8-3 in its last 11 home games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

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**Udog** · 08-03-2009, 11:09 AM

Len's Top 5

Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 3, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

Tiger Woods wins the Buick Open against a bunch of guys you probably never heard of. The final major of the year, the PGA Championship, is in two weeks at Hazeltine in Minnesota.
Mixed signals coming from Patriot-land. The owner says they're not interested in Michael Vick, the coach indicates they're not ruling it out.
More steroid intrigue from Fenway. The Boston Globe reports two Red Sox security staffers were fired last year in a steroid investigation.
The record is safe. They needed 1,924 women in the U.K. to set the world record for most women photographed in bikinis in the same place. They fell a tad short. Only 42 showed up. To quote a British newspaper: "The record attempt is a bust."

2. Jose Can you Seer?

So what did he mean exactly? Jose Canseco, the "Deep Throat" of the steroid era came up with this beauty. “Major League Baseball is going to have a big, big problem on their hands when they find out they have a Hall of Famer who’s used.” Let's discuss. Does that mean a juicer is already in the Hall of Fame? Or is he talking generically about the future? He won't name names this time. Maybe its one of those Nostradamus things. Or maybe not. That's the beauty of Jose Canseco. Or maybe not.

3. The Yankee Captain

It's hard to comprehend that it was 30 years ago yesterday Yankee catcher Thurman Munson was killed practicing takeoffs and landings in Canton Ohio. I was in the crowd a few days later with a camera crew when the Yankees played the Orioles the night of the funeral. Fans wept openly in the stands. I never formally met Thurman, but I've hosted the Thurman Munson Awards dinner for years. He left behind a wonderful wife and three children who are all adults now. His family legacy is as special as his baseball's.

4. Timing is Everything

Last Friday, Cleveland traded catcher Victor Martinez to Boston. The next night was Victor Martinez bobblehead night in Cleveland. Fans got free bobblehead dolls of their former player. Saturday was also "Turn Back the Clock Night." I guess they were turning it back to a couple of days before when Martinez actually played in an Indians uniform.

5. Genius of the Week

Here's our clubhouse leader for genius of the week. A Michigan man has been charged with assault and battery. He got upset during a game of Monopoly and allegedly slapped his friend damaging her glasses. Her offense? She wouldn't sell him Boardwark and Park Place. If the court had a sense of humor they'd send him directly to jail without passing Go.

Happy Birthday: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. 32.
Bonus Birthday: Astoria New York native and singing great Tony Bennett. 83.

Today in Sports: The birth of dunks, King LeBron and Shaqalicious. The NBA is formed. 1949.
Bonus Event: Christopher Columbus started all this. He left Spain with 3 boats. 1492.

Announcement

Monday Trends and Indexes 8/3 (MLB, Misc.)

Monday Trends and Indexes 8/3 (MLB, Misc.)

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