Announcement

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:47 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Monday, August 31

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The U.S. Open begins in Flushing Meadows, the Rays and Tigers finish their set, and the Texans and Vikings take the gridiron.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The NFL concludes its third week of preseason action on Monday night with Houston hosting Minnesota. The Vikings are undefeated so far during the exhibition schedule (2-0), and they debuted Brett Favre in their 17-13 win over the Chiefs last week. Favre went 1-of-4 for four yards passing in that contest, and should see more time in the pocket on Monday night. Houston (1-1) was pounded 38-14 by New Orleans last time out, but they're the 3.5-point favorites.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Braves will give the ball to Tim Hudson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on Monday night as they begin a four-game road series against the Marlins. Righthander Hudson will be making his season debut in this contest; he is coming off elbow surgery and last pitched in the majors in July 2008. The Marlins will counter Hudson with Josh Johnson (13-3, 3.04 ERA). Righthander Johnson beat the Mets in his most recent trip to the mound, holding them to three earned runs over his six innings.

The Pirates and Reds will play a doubleheader in Cincinnati on Monday. Also on the day's National League schedule: Washington at San Diego, Arizona at the Dodgers, and Houston at the Cubs. Roy Oswalt (7-5, 3.86 ERA) will take on Rich Harden (8-7, 3.99 ERA) in that matchup. Righthander Oswalt gave up three earned runs over six innings in a loss to the Cards in his last start. Righthander Harden is coming off a no-decision (two runs over six innings) vs. the Nationals.

Over in the American League the Rays and Tigers will close out their series in Detroit with James Shields (8-10, 3.81 ERA) taking on Jarrod Washburn (9-7, 3.23 ERA). Righthander Shields got back into the win column in a start against the Blue Jays last time out, surrendering three earned runs over his 6 2-3 innings of work. Lefthander Washburn picked up a win against the Angels in his last trip to the mound, allowing three earned runs on eight hits in his six innings pitched.

Also on the AL slate for Monday: the Yankees at Baltimore, Toronto at Texas, the White Sox at Minnesota, Kansas City at Oakland, and the Angels at Seattle. Joe Saunders (10-7, 5.27 ERA) will pitch for Los Angeles; lefthander Saunders beat the Tigers in his last start, holding them to two earned runs over his five innings of work. Luke French (4-3, 3.92 ERA) gets the ball for Seattle; lefthander French has won two consecutive outings, knocking off both the Athletics and the Indians.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, the U.S. Open gets underway at Flushing Meadows Monday, with Roger Federer a big -10000 favorite to dispatch Devin Britton (+2500) in his opening match. On the women's side both Williams sisters will be in action Monday, with Venus (-1500) taking on Vera Dushevina (+800), and Serena (-5000) meeting Alexa Glatch (+2500). As well, Kim Clijsters (-3500) takes on Viktoriya Kutuzova (+1500). Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova will both take the court on Tuesday.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:48 AM

Bettor's best friend : Today's wagering tips

Monday, August 31

A true wild card

The Rockies-Giants series over the weekend got a lot of attention with both teams atop the National League wild card chase. But the Braves and Marlins are still in the picture and meet for the second time in two weeks. In the series opener, Atlanta is starting Tim Hudson, who is returning from Tommy John surgery and pitching for the first time since July 23, 2008 at Florida.

In 10 starts vs. the Marlins from 2006-08, Hudson is 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA and allowing just a .239 batting average. He hopes to get some support from Matt Diaz, who batted .586 (17-for-29) last week. The Braves are +143.

For openers, not so good

The Texas Rangers are very much in the American League wild card chase, partially because of their 41-24 record at The Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers are back home to face Toronto and are -162 faves. But Texas is just 5-5 in the first game of a homestand this season, including a loss to Toronto on June 8.

Whiteout

On Aug. 5, the White Sox were 56-52 and just one game behind first-place Deroit in the AL Central. They were about to claim Alex Rios on waivers and had Jake Peavy making rehab starts in preparation for the pennant push.

Since then, the White Sox are 8-16, including a horrendous 1-6 trip through Boston and New York last week, to fall below .500 and behind Minnesota into third place in the Central. Rios is mired in a 2-for-23 slump and Peavy experienced soreness in his elbow. The White Sox now visit Minnesota, where they are 7-19 in their last 26 games. Oddsmakers have the game listed close to a pick.

Favre from ready

With the national TV spotlight, all eyes figure to be on Brett Favre as he plays his second preseason game against the Houston Texans. Favre hopes to be better than he was last week, when he was just 1-of-4 for four yards.

Something else to watch will be Houston's run defense, which has been bad in the preseason. After allowing the Chiefs nearly four yards per carry in their opener, the Texans gave up 173 yards to the Saints last week. As 3-point home favorites, they will be trying to slow down Adrian Peterson, who figures to get a considerable amount of work.

No excuses for Nadal

Rafael Nadal said he is 100 percent healthy for the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam event he has not won. Nadal is the third choice at +350 behind Roger Federer (+110) and Andy Murray (+250). He won neither of the two hard court events he entered since returning from a three-month absence due to tendinitis in both knees.

"The knees are perfect right now. I don't have any problem," Nadal said at a media briefing at the U.S. Open. Nadal is -1500 in his first-round match Tuesday vs. Richard Gasquet.

Twin killers

It's been a little easier to pitch to Joe Mauer recently. The AL's leading hitter and Minnesota's No. 3 batter is not getting much protection of late. Cleanup hitter Justin Morneau is in a 2-for-19 slide and No. 5 hitter Jason Kubel is in a 2-for-18 funk. The Twins have scored just nine times in their last four games with the under cashing each time. The total for tomorrow's contest is set at 9.

First-day jitters?

Looking for an underdog to pull a stunner on the first day of the U.S. Open? Try Viktoriya Kutuzova.

Kutuzova hasn't won a main draw match since Strasbourg in May and has one career main draw win in three U.S. Open appearances. In one of the first matches of the tournament, she is +1350 against Kim Clijsters, who has not played in the U.S. Open since winning it in 2005. Clijsters began playing again earlier this month after sitting out for more than two years to start a family. She did no better tan the quarterfinals in two hardcourt events.

Screw Real, the real champions are here

The defending European and Spanish League champs begin their La Liga schedule Monday night at the Nou Camp. Despite winning multiple trophies last season, league rivals Real Madrid drew all the attention this summer thanks to the purchases of all-world talents like Ronaldo and Kaka.

"We won the treble last season, yet everybody is talking about Madrid,'' Barcelona center back Girard Pique told reporters earlier this week.

The Catalans, who are -600 faves Monday against Sporting Gijon, will be without right winger Lionel Messi. The Argentina flew home to prepare for his country's World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Paraguay. Sporting Gijon manager still says his club will stick with a defensive formation in hopes of slowing Barcelona's offensive attack.

A small play on the under (books have the total set at 2.5) might be a sharp play.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:48 AM

Six-pack for Monday

-- Brett Favre's nephew passed for 562 yards, six TDs in a high school game in Mississippi this weekend. Mississippi State is #1 on the kid's list of colleges so far, but Favres have been known to be indecisive.

-- Zach Greinke tossed a one-hitter in Seattle, beating Mariners 3-0. Only two Seattle batters reached base in the game.

-- Rockies-Giants are now tied for the NL Wild Card spot after Giants swept Colorado in Bay Area this weekend. Now they head east......

-- Red Sox got six shutout innings from scrapheap pickup Paul Byrd as Boston beat Roy Halladay and the fading Blue Jays, 7-0.

-- Phillies pinch-hitting specialist Matt Stairs is 0 for his last 27.

-- People actually showed up at the Bears-Broncos game Sunday night wearing Jay Cutler jerseys while wearing diapers, as in, our former QB is a baby. Yeah, but I bet they wish they had him back......

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

Monday's List of 13: Famous people, obscure knowledge......

13) In 1995, Montreal Expos drafted a high school catcher in 18th round but Tom Brady went to Michigan to play football instead. When he got to Ann Arbor, Brady was the 7th-string quarterback. Wonder how those other six guys are doing these days?

12) One of Bill Murray's sisters is a nun.

11) In 1977, Pete Carroll earned $182 a month as a grad assistant for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Monte Kiffin was defensive coordinator then for the Hogs, Lou Holtz was the head coach. Carroll's wife Glena babysat for 2-year Lane Kiffin, now the head coach at Tennessee.

10) The property where Bill Gates lives out in Medina, WA is worth $125M; his annual property taxes are a hefty $991,000.

9) Back in 1984, Ernie Els won the Junior World Golf Championship in the 13-14 year old division. Phil Mickelson finished 2nd. Eldrick Woods won the 9-10 year old division that same year.

8) Mr Woods' niece Cheyenne plays college golf at Wake Forest.

7) When Toronto Argonauts won the 1991 Grey Cup, two of their three co-owners were Wayne Gretzky and the late comedian John Candy.

6) Carrot Top's real name is Scott Thompson; his father was a scientist for NASA during the height of the space program.

5) North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams' first job out of college was at Charles Owen HS in Swannanoa, NC, where he coached hoop and boys' golf for five years, ninth-grade football for four years, and served as athletic director for two years.

4) In 2003, Alex Rodriguez gave U of Miami $3.9M to refurbish their baseball stadium, even though he never went to school there.

3) Sandra Bullock's movies have grossed over $2.7B worldwide. Billion.

2) Seahawks/Trailblazers' owner Paul Allen is ranked as the 32nd-richest American, with $10.5B; two years ago, he ranked 19th, with $18B.

1) In 1998, Jerry Tarkanian sued the NCAA, citing two decades of being harassed by the NCAA. They settled out of court for $2.5M.

From: Armadillo
----------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:50 AM

MLB
Baseball Today

SCOREBOARD

Monday, August 31

Atlanta at Florida (7:10 p.m. EDT). Tim Hudson is scheduled to make his first start for the Braves since undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery last summer. The right-hander's most recent major league outing was in Florida on July 23, 2008.

STARS

-Edgar Renteria, Giants, hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning and San Francisco pulled even in the NL wild-card race with Colorado, beating the Rockies 9-5.

-Zack Greinke, Royals, pitched a one-hitter, allowing only a second-inning single by Kenji Johjima, and Kansas City beat Seattle 3-0.

-Adam Wainwright, Cardinals, earned his major league-leading 16th victory on his 28th birthday as St. Louis completed a three-game sweep of Washington with a 2-1 win.

-Nelson Figueroa, Mets, struck out a career-high 10 and had an RBI single to lead New York to a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

-Matt Kemp, Dodgers, homered early before hitting a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning that lifted Los Angeles over Cincinnati 3-2.

-Mark Teixeira, Yankees, homered and drove in four runs to help New York finish off a three-game sweep of the struggling Chicago White Sox with an 8-3 victory.

-Placido Polanco, Tigers, hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting Detroit to a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay.

-John Lackey, Angels, pitched eight innings of five-hit ball for his 100th victory and Los Angeles beat Oakland 9-1.

STILL SIDELINED

Jake Peavy is having a hard time getting healthy. Still waiting to make his first start for the Chicago White Sox, Peavy left his minor league rehab outing after only 3 1-3 innings and 68 pitches Saturday night because he felt tightness in his pitching elbow. Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said Peavy will join the White Sox by Monday in Minnesota, where he is expected to get X-rays and be evaluated by the club's medical staff.

OUCH

Instead of celebrating a three-game sweep, the Arizona Diamondbacks tended to closer Chad Qualls, who dislocated his left kneecap on a freak game-ending play. Qualls crumpled to the dirt after deflecting a liner by Jason Michaels to shortstop Stephen Drew, who fired to first base for the final out. Qualls immediately motioned to the dugout for help, and trainers and teammates rushed to the mound. After several moments, trainers helped the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Qualls to his feet and off the field.

SHUTDOWN

Zach Greinke held Seattle to one hit in a 3-0 win by the Royals. It was the 16th time in franchise history that the Mariners had been one-hit and the first since April 8, 2006 by Oakland. It was the 10th individual one-hitter, the last one coming by the Yankees' Ted Lilly on April 27, 2002.

DRIVING IN RUNS

Los Angeles Angels slugger Kendry Morales hit his 30th homer off reliever Jay Marshall in the Angels' five-run eighth inning that gave the Cuban first baseman 33 RBIs in August, breaking the club record for RBIs in a month. Bobby Bonds drove in 31 runs in August 1977, but Morales leads the AL with 45 RBIs since the All-Star break.

SCRATCHED

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tim Wakefield expects to get a cortisone shot Monday after his next scheduled start was scratched because his balky back acted up again. The 43-year-old knuckleballer spent 5 1/2 weeks on the disabled list with back problems after the All-Star break. He returned Wednesday and pitched seven innings, allowing one run and six hits in Boston's 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

SPEAKING

"Give up five or six ground balls and a lot of them turn into hits, there's nothing you can say. Those guys are a speed-oriented team. It was like someone sacrificed a chicken for those hits. I made good pitches.'' - Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson after the Twins scored three runs using a walk, three singles, a squeeze bunt and an error to rally for a 5-3 victory Sunday.

SEASONS

Aug. 31

1915 - Jim Lavender of the Chicago Cubs pitched a 2-0 no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Giants.

1935 - Vern Kennedy of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter to beat Cleveland 5-0. Kennedy also had a bases-loaded triple.

1937 - Rudy York of the Tigers hit his 17th and 18th home runs of the month to set a major league record as Detroit beat Washington 12-3.

1950 - Brooklyn's Gil Hodges tied a major league record by hitting four homers against the Boston Braves in the Dodgers' 19-3 rout. Hodges also added a single for 17 total bases.

1959 - Sandy Koufax of Los Angeles struck out 18 Giants for a National League record and the Dodgers beat San Francisco 5-2.

1974 - In a Northwest League game, Portland manager Frank Peters rotated his players so each man played a different position each inning. The strategy worked for an 8-7 win over Tri-Cities.

1990 - The Griffeys - 20-year-old Ken Jr. and his dad, Ken, 40 - made major league history, leading Seattle to a 5-2 victory over Kansas City. The Griffeys were the first father and son to play together in the big leagues.

2001 - Pitcher Danny Almonte, who dominated the Little League World Series with his 70 mph fastballs, was ruled ineligible after government records experts determined he was 14 and that birth certificates showing he was two years younger were false. The finding nullified all the victories by his Bronx, N.Y., team, the Rolando Paulino Little League All-Stars, and wiped out all its records - including Almonte's perfect game and an earlier no-hitter.

2004 - Omar Vizquel went 6-for-7 to tie the American League record for hits for a nine-inning game in Cleveland's 22-0 victory over the New York Yankees. The 22-0 beating was the largest loss in the history of the Yankees' organization. Cleveland matched the largest shutout win in the major leagues since 1900, set by Pittsburgh against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16, 1975.

2005 - Florida's Jeremy Hermida became the second player, and the first player in more than a century, to hit a grand slam in his first major league at-bat, connecting in the seventh inning off the St. Louis Cardinals' Al Reyes.

2005 - Albert Pujols hit an RBI triple in St. Louis' 10-5 victory over the Florida Marlins, giving him 100 RBIs this season. Pujols became the first player in major league history to hit at least 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs in his first five seasons in the majors.

2006 - The Chicago White Sox became the first major league team to hit 200 home runs in seven straight seasons following A.J. Pierzynski's homer in a 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

2007 - Minnesota's Scott Baker came within three outs of a perfect game and two outs of a no-hitter, leading the Twins to a 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals in the second game of a doubleheader. Baker walked John Buck to open the ninth and allowed a single to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney. The 25-year-old right-hander recovered to get the one-hitter.

2008 - Milwaukee's CC Sabathia pitched a one-hitter in his latest dominant start, allowing only an infield single by Andy LaRoche in the fifth inning of a 7-0 victory over Pittsburgh.

Today's birthdays: Ramon Ramirez 28; Ramon Santiago 30; Shane Loux 30; Gabe Kapler 34; Frank Robinson 74.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:50 AM

MLB
This Day in Baseball

On August 31 in Baseball History...

1906 - Beset by injuries, the Tigers call 46-year-old Sam Thompson out of retirement. He drives in two runs in a 5-1 win over the Browns. Thompson last played in the majors in 1898. He appears in eight games and bats .226.

1909 - The A. J. Reach Company is granted a patent for a cork-centered baseball, which will replace the hard rubber-cored one. This change will be particularly apparent in the NL in 1910-11.

1937 - Detroit's rookie Rudy York sets a new record for home runs in a month, hitting his 17th and 18th to eclipse Babe Ruth's mark set in September 1927. Sammy Sosa will break that mark in 1998.

1935 - Vern Kennedy of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter to beat Cleveland 5-0. Kennedy also had a bases-loaded triple.

1950 - Brooklyn's Gil Hodges tied a major league record by hitting four homers against the Boston Braves in the Dodgers' 19-3 rout. Hodges also added a single for 17 total bases.

1954 - The Indians beat the Yanks 6-1 to record their 26th win of the month, tying the 1931 Philadelphia A's.

1959 - Sandy Koufax breaks Dizzy Dean's National League mark and ties Bob Feller's major league record of 18 strikeouts in a game against the Giants as 82,974 fans watch. He also totals 31 strikeouts for two consecutive games to set a new major league mark. (The major league record for strikeouts in a game is now shared by Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood, while Wood holds the record with 33 strikeouts over two games.)

1964 - Ground is broken for Anaheim Stadium, future home of next year's Angels.

1968 - Steve Blass gets the first out against the Braves, and then moves to left field as Roy Face relieves. Face retires Felix Millan and ties Walter Johnson's major league record of 802 pitching appearances with one club. Blass comes back in and the Pirates go on to win 8-0. Later in the game, the Pirates announce the sale of Face to the Tigers.

1979 - The Phillies fire Danny Ozark, the club's skipper since 1973. Farm director Dallas Green takes over.

1981 - Royals manager Jim Frey is fired and replaced by Dick Howser, whose Yankees lost to Frey's Royals in last season's American League Championship Series.

1989 - Arbitrator Thomas Roberts orders the major league owners to pay $10.5 million in damages as a result of their collusion against free agents after the 1985 season.

1990 - The Ken Griffeys, Griffey, Jr. in center field and Ken (Sr.) in left field, become the first father-and-son combination in major league history to play as teammates, and they each go 1-for-4 in Seattle's 5-2 win over the Royals. The Mariners had signed the elder Griffey after he was waived by the Reds.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:52 AM

MLB
Write-up

Monday, August 31

Hot Pitchers
-- Maholm is 1-0, 1.23 in his last couple starts.
-- Marlins are 13-4 in Johnson's last 17 starts.
-- Oswalt is 1-1, 2.07 in his last two starts. Harden is 3-1, 2.16 in his last eight starts, but he's also been claimed by Minnesota on waivers and might get traded Tuesday.
-- Wolf is 4-0, 1.80 in his last four starts.

-- Detroit won Washburn's last four starts (1-0, 4.85).
-- Guthrie is 2-0, 1.13 in his last couple starts. Bronx won last five starts by Pettitte, scoring 43 runs.
-- Holland is 3-1, 3.00 in his last four starts.
-- Floyd is 2-2, 2.98 in his last seven starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Cueto is 0-6, 10.64 in his last eight starts. KWells allowed three runs in five IP in his first start this season. McCutchen was 13-6, 3.47 in 24 starts at AAA Indianapolis.
-- Hudson returns to big leagues after arm surgery; he is 146-77, 3.48 in his 303 career starts.
-- Stauffer is 1-4, 5.40 in his last five starts. LHernandez is 0-3, 8.85 in his last four starts.
-- Davis is 0-1, 5.79 in his last five starts.

-- Shields is 2-4, 5.72 in his last eight starts.
-- Cecil is 0-2, 10.50 in his last three starts.
-- Blackburn is 0-5, 8.92 in his last eight starts.
-- Hochevar is 0-4, 7.13 in his last six starts.
-- GGonzalez is 0-3, 7.47 in his last three starts.
-- Saunders has a 9.35 RA in his last nine starts. French has 5.59 RA in his five starts for Seattle, but Mariners won four of the five games.

Hot Teams
-- Reds won five of their last seven games.
-- Braves won six of their last nine road games.
-- Arizona won its last four games, scoring 38 runs. Dodgers won four of their last five games.

-- Detroit is 14-6 in its last 20 home games.
-- Bronx won 13 of its last 18 games.
-- Rangers won five of their last seven games.
-- Twins won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Mariners won six of their last eight home games. Angels won six of their last nine road games.

Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost three of their last four games.
-- Marlins lost three of their last four games.
-- Cubs are 8-15 in their last 23 games. Astros lost six of last seven.
-- Nationals lost ten of their last thirteen games. Padres lost four of their last five home games.

-- Tampa Bay lost three of its last four games.
-- Orioles are 1-9 in game after their last ten wins.
-- Blue Jays lost seven of their last eight road games.
-- White Sox lost 18 of their last 25 road games.
-- Royals lost ten of their last fifteen games. Oakland lost eight of its last twelve games.

Totals
-- Under is 14-6-3 in last 23 Cincinnati home games.
-- Over is 9-2-1 in last twelve Florida home games.
-- Six of last eight Harden starts stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Stauffer starts went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Davis starts stayed under the total.

-- Seven of last nine Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Guthrie's last five home starts went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Holland starts.
-- Nine of last twelve White Sox games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in Royals' last nine games.
-- Over is 13-1 in Saunders' last fourteen starts.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:53 AM

MLB

Monday, August 31

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. DETROIT
Tampa Bay is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games

1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games at home

7:05 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BALTIMORE
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Baltimore
NY Yankees are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games
Baltimore is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. FLORIDA
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games at home

7:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 1-4-1 SU in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 2-7-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Cincinnati is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh

8:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. CHI CUBS
Houston is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 8-15 SU in their last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games

8:05 PM
TORONTO vs. TEXAS
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games
Texas is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home

8:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MINNESOTA
Chi White Sox are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 12 games
Minnesota is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

10:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. OAKLAND
Kansas City is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas City's last 9 games
Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing Kansas City

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

10:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona

10:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. SEATTLE
LA Angels are 15-6 SU in their last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing LA Angels
Seattle is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:54 AM

MLB

Monday, August 31

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

Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs (-140, NL)

Rich Harden may be headed to the Minnesota Twins. Milton Bradley may be talking his way out of town. But both are still helping the Cubs.

The Twins reportedly were awarded a waiver claim on Harden, who has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last eight starts. The Cubs have until noon Monday to let him go, pull him back or swing a trade, and Minnesota appears serious about acquiring the righthander and signing him to a long-term deal.

Bradley said last week he is "never comfortable" at Wrigley Field, accusing the fans of being verbally abusive and racist, then blaming the media for "twisted" his words. He has been booed for poor play for much of the season but is batting .545 (12-for-22) with nine runs, five walks and five RBI in his last five games.

The Cubs are 4-2 at home vs. the Astros this season, including a win over Wandy Rodriguez on July 27.

Pick: Chicago

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles (+165, 10)

It's no shame to lose to the powerhouse Yankees, but the Orioles seem to do it with alarming regularity.

Since July 30, 2008, Baltimore has lost 16 of its last 19 meetings with New York. In those games, the Yankees are averaging 6.4 runs and have scored at least nine runs five times. The Orioles are averaging 3.9 runs and have scored two runs or less six times.

The Yankees have won the last seven meetings, averaging 6.6 runs while holding the Orioles to an average of three runs.

Baltimore also has lost its last eight games on Monday.

Pick: New York

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 04:56 AM

MLB

Monday, August 31

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Streaking

Randy Wolf (9-6, 3.25 ERA), Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers starting rotation was supposed to be the one thing that could prevent the club from making the playoffs for a consecutive year.

But thanks to consistent performers like this lefty, Los Angeles’ postseason chances are looking good.

The Wolfman, who’s been priced north of -200 just once this year, is 4-0 with a nifty 2.72 ERA this month and the Dodgers are 5-0 in his last five appearances.

The 33-year-old veteran has been the definition of consistent in 2009. He’s delivered quality starts in 11 of his last 12 trips to the bump.

Slumping

Brett Cecil (5-3, 4.96), Toronto Blue Jays

Cecil is one of many Jays whose hot play flew south too early for Toronto backers. The young left hasn’t last longer than 4 1-3 innings in any of his past three starts.

The Rays were the latest team to prematurely end Cecil’s day. Tampa Bay scored six runs (five earned) before Jays manager Cito Gaston relieved Cecil in the fourth inning.

“Up in the strike zone, he stayed most of the time,” Gaston said, while doing his best Yoda impersonation. “When he’s down he pitches pretty good, his fastball sinks and runs a little bit and his changeup is good down. It looks like he’s getting his body out in front of his arm and he’s dragging his arm through.”

Whatever’s wrong with the kid, it doesn’t appear to be a quick fix. Cecil is 1-2 with a 7.11 ERA in August.

Nick Blackburn (8-9, 4.34), Minnesota Twins

If you faded the Twins each time this 27-year-old right took the ball over the last five weeks, your baseball bankroll should be in good shape.

Minnesota has come out on the losing end in seven of Blackburn’s last eight starts. He’s been taken out of the park six times in his last 15 innings and he has just one quality start in his last nine outings.

Returning

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves

Hudson is set to make his 2009 Major League debut on Monday. The veteran hurler missed the last 13 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2008.

He’ll take Kenshin Kawakami’s spot in the rotation.

“It’s time for me to go out there and earn my paycheck,” Hudson told MLB.com.

The former Oakland Athletic has a $12 million option for next season, and how he pitches in the final month of the season will likely determine whether the Braves bring him back in 2010.

The signs have been positive in Hudson’s last few rehab starts. He was scheduled to make his minor league game last Friday, but was called to join the big club early.

From the sounds of things, it seems the Braves are confident their former ace will be able get his pitch count up to 100 Monday night.

“I feel ready,” Hudson told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and put a lot of long hours of hard work in just anticipating this start. I’m excited about it.”

Hudson was 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six rehab appearances.

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

**Udog** · 08-31-2009, 07:59 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Houston at Chicago Cubs
The Cubs look to take advantage of a Houston team that is 1-5 in its last 6 games as an underdog. Chicago is the pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has the Cubs favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31

Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (McCutchen) 15.030; Cincinnati (Wells) 14.086
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 903-904: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.431; Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.872
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 905-906: Atlanta at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Kawakami) 14.622; Florida (Johnson) 14.920
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Florida (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-165); Under

Game 907-908: Houston at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 14.287; Cubs (Harden) 14.668
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-150); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150); N/A

Game 909-910: Washington at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Hernandez) 14.188; San Diego (Stauffer) 14.618
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: San Diego (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-145); Over

Game 911-912: Arizona at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Davis) 15.932; LA Dodgers (Wolf) 16.442
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-180); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-180); Over

Game 913-914: Tampa Bay at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.110; Detroit (Washburn) 16.168
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-115); Under

Game 915-916: NY Yankees at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.990; Baltimore (Guthrie) 16.132
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-180); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-180); Over

Game 917-918: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Cecil) 13.798; Texas (Holland) 16.165
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-165); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-165); Under

Game 919-920: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 14.663; Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.575
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-110); Over

Game 921-922: Kansas City at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hochevar) 14.334; Oakland (Gonzalez) 15.129
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-130); Under

Game 923-924: LA Angels at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Saunders) 15.456; Seattle (French) 15.073
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-140); Under

**Udog** · 08-31-2009, 09:52 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, August 31

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

PITTSBURGH (53 - 75) at CINCINNATI (56 - 73) - 1:10 PM
DANIEL MCCUTCHEN (R) vs. KIP WELLS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 4-4 (+0.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

DANIEL MCCUTCHEN vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

KIP WELLS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
WELLS is 2-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.179.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

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

PITTSBURGH (53 - 75) at CINCINNATI (56 - 73) - 7:10 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. JOHNNY CUETO (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 4-4 (+0.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

PAUL MAHOLM vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
MAHOLM is 4-3 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.320.
His team's record is 8-6 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-7. (-0.6 units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
CUETO is 3-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.300.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.9 units)

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

ATLANTA (68 - 62) at FLORIDA (68 - 62) - 7:10 PM
KENSHIN KAWAKAMI (R) vs. JOSH JOHNSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 68-62 (-6.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 97-105 (-22.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 40-44 (-14.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 68-62 (-6.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 34-37 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
FLORIDA is 36-34 (+7.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
FLORIDA is 265-275 (+52.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
FLORIDA is 68-62 (+3.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 405-373 (+44.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
FLORIDA is 67-51 (+25.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 148-134 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 106-102 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 104-100 (+8.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
JOHNSON is 19-7 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 16-3 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 18-2 (+17.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 18-6 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 12-2 (+10.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 12-3 (+9.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 41-31 (+7.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
FLORIDA is 18-26 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 6-5 (+3.3 Units) against ATLANTA this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

KENSHIN KAWAKAMI vs. FLORIDA since 1997
KAWAKAMI is 0-2 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 8.43 and a WHIP of 1.687.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

JOSH JOHNSON vs. ATLANTA since 1997
JOHNSON is 4-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.87 and a WHIP of 1.425.
His team's record is 6-3 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+0.7 units)

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

HOUSTON (62 - 68) at CHICAGO CUBS (65 - 63) - 8:05 PM
ROY OSWALT (R) vs. RICH HARDEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 32-25 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 144-141 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 110-108 (+12.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 70-75 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 31-30 (+12.6 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.
HOUSTON is 148-143 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OSWALT is 34-9 (+22.4 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
OSWALT is 45-19 (+21.3 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)
CHICAGO CUBS are 65-63 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-38 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 51-49 (-10.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-32 (-6.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 511-478 (-101.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 65-63 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 551-495 (-108.8 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 11-16 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in August games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 9-5 (+2.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.3 Units)

ROY OSWALT vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
OSWALT is 11-12 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.92 and a WHIP of 1.282.
His team's record is 12-16 (-9.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 13-15. (-3.7 units)

RICH HARDEN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
HARDEN is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.30 and a WHIP of 1.553.
His team's record is 2-1 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

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

WASHINGTON (46 - 85) at SAN DIEGO (56 - 76) - 10:05 PM
LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R) vs. TIM STAUFFER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 26-61 (-26.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 19-46 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 1-14 (-13.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 46-82 (-25.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 29-64 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 36-67 (-21.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 25-59 (-29.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
WASHINGTON is 46-85 (-28.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 28-29 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 93-95 (+20.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 51-46 (+15.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 69-103 (-28.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 61-81 (-22.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 119-174 (-45.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 119-174 (-45.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 87-125 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 79-115 (-26.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 12-6 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 4.58 and a WHIP of 1.411.
His team's record is 14-11 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-10. (+2.4 units)

TIM STAUFFER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
STAUFFER is 0-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 18.00 and a WHIP of 3.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

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

ARIZONA (59 - 72) at LA DODGERS (78 - 53) - 10:10 PM
DOUG DAVIS (L) vs. RANDY WOLF (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 62-84 (-22.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 59-72 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 101-102 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 13-25 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 24-34 (-12.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 43-70 (-30.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 59-72 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 78-53 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 78-53 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 35-16 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
WOLF is 36-25 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 22-7 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 10-2 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 18-9 (+10.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 36-25 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 29-18 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 7-4 (+2.4 Units) against ARIZONA this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

DOUG DAVIS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
DAVIS is 5-4 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.41 and a WHIP of 1.467.
His team's record is 6-5 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-5. (-0.5 units)

RANDY WOLF vs. ARIZONA since 1997
WOLF is 8-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.47 and a WHIP of 1.324.
His team's record is 11-4 (+9.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-7. (-0.1 units)

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

TAMPA BAY (70 - 59) at DETROIT (69 - 60) - 1:05 PM
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. JARROD WASHBURN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 7-22 (-18.4 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 28-38 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 21-33 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-23 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 3-10 (-9.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
SHIELDS is 12-15 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 42-21 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 19-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
DETROIT is 67-52 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 22-9 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 175-132 (+25.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 38-47 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 11-21 (-14.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 95-110 (-32.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 143-148 (-29.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. DETROIT since 1997
SHIELDS is 2-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.31 and a WHIP of 0.986.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.0 units)

JARROD WASHBURN vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
WASHBURN is 12-3 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.252.
His team's record is 12-5 (+2.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-9. (-1.2 units)

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

NY YANKEES (82 - 48) at BALTIMORE (54 - 77) - 7:05 PM
ANDY PETTITTE (L) vs. JEREMY GUTHRIE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 135-90 (-53.0 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -175 or more since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 93-52 (+22.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PETTITTE is 15-4 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 19-34 (-14.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BALTIMORE is 85-153 (-44.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 23-56 (-22.9 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.
BALTIMORE is 498-543 (-113.5 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 11-30 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 38-81 (-30.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 498-543 (-113.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 258-349 (-101.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
GUTHRIE is 16-26 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
GUTHRIE is 16-26 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
GUTHRIE is 2-8 (-7.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season. (Team's Record)
GUTHRIE is 5-15 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 9-3 (+4.2 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.8 Units)

ANDY PETTITTE vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
PETTITTE is 20-6 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.69 and a WHIP of 1.487.
His team's record is 21-9 (+8.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-16. (-3.9 units)

JEREMY GUTHRIE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
GUTHRIE is 3-4 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.82 and a WHIP of 1.321.
His team's record is 4-5 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.2 units)

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

TORONTO (58 - 70) at TEXAS (72 - 57) - 8:05 PM
BRETT CECIL (L) vs. DEREK HOLLAND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 58-70 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 31-46 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 17-25 (-10.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 30-39 (-13.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TORONTO is 23-39 (-16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 10-23 (-14.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
TEXAS is 32-25 (+9.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TEXAS is 72-57 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 41-24 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TEXAS is 26-9 (+15.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
TEXAS is 69-51 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 53-42 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 19-7 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-2 (+1.4 Units) against TEXAS this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

BRETT CECIL vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.

DEREK HOLLAND vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

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

CHI WHITE SOX (64 - 67) at MINNESOTA (65 - 65) - 8:10 PM
GAVIN FLOYD (R) vs. NICK BLACKBURN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 8-28 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 39-65 (-22.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 90-57 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 70-50 (+12.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 93-61 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 108-87 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 90-57 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 43-38 (+5.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
FLOYD is 36-24 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLOYD is 22-11 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLOYD is 19-9 (+10.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 65-65 (-7.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-32 (-20.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
BLACKBURN is 2-8 (-7.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-5 (+2.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)

GAVIN FLOYD vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
FLOYD is 4-3 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.19 and a WHIP of 1.248.
His team's record is 4-4 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.7 units)

NICK BLACKBURN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BLACKBURN is 4-4 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.22 and a WHIP of 1.444.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.4 units)

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

KANSAS CITY (50 - 80) at OAKLAND (57 - 73) - 10:05 PM
LUKE HOCHEVAR (R) vs. GIO GONZALEZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 44-70 (-26.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-52 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 16-33 (-17.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 20-35 (-15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 50-80 (-27.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 21-34 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
HOCHEVAR is 0-9 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 220-149 (+66.9 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 8-1 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Monday this season.
KANSAS CITY is 16-9 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 4-1 (+3.3 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.0 Units)

LUKE HOCHEVAR vs. OAKLAND since 1997
HOCHEVAR is 0-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 11.85 and a WHIP of 2.268.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.3 units)

GIO GONZALEZ vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
GONZALEZ is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

LA ANGELS (77 - 52) at SEATTLE (68 - 63) - 10:10 PM
JOE SAUNDERS (L) vs. LUKE FRENCH (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 68-63 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 65-59 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 38-25 (+14.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 70-44 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 62-44 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 28-14 (+13.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 45-31 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA ANGELS are 36-29 (+6.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA ANGELS are 77-52 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 75-45 (+20.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 38-26 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAUNDERS is 38-18 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 30-12 (+16.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 18-9 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 36-16 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 28-15 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 20-10 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 86-115 (-27.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 7-6 (+1.7 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.2 Units)

JOE SAUNDERS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SAUNDERS is 6-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 7-2 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.3 units)

LUKE FRENCH vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 12:08 PM

MLB
Short Sheet

Monday, August 31

National League

PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI, 1:10 PM - *** Doubleheader Game #1 ET
MCCUTCHEN: PIT 11-32 after 3+ consecutive road games
WELLS: CIN 16-8 UNDER in August

PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI, 7:10 PM - *** Doubleheader Game #2 ET
MAHOLM: 8-2 OVER against division opponents
CUETO: 1-7 TSR in August

ATLANTA at FLORIDA, 7:10 PM ET
KAWAKAMI: ATL 11-2 UNDER AWAY on Monday
JOHNSON: 18-2 TSR against division opponents

HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS, 8:05 PM ET
OSWALT: HOU 11-5 after a one run loss
HARDEN: CHC 8-17 after scoring 1 run or less

WASHINGTON at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
HERNANDEZ: WAS 1-15 AWAY when the total is 7 to 8.5
STAUFFER: SD 24-7 UNDER at home revenging a one run loss

ARIZONA at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
DAVIS: ARI 17-28 after 3+ consecutive home games
WOLF: 10-2 TSR in August

American League

TAMPA BAY at DETROIT, 1:05 PM ET
SHIELDS: TB 29-14 after scoring 3 runs or less in BB games
WASHBURN: DET 11-21 when playing on Monday

NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE, 7:05 PM ET
PETTITTE: 15-4 TSR in night games
GUTHRIE: BAL 8-19 after allowing 2 runs or less

TORONTO at TEXAS, 8:05 PM ET
CECIL: TOR 5-14 revenging a one run loss
HOLLAND: TEX 21-9 at home when the total is 8.5 to 10

CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA, 8:10 PM ET
FLOYD: 19-9 TSR after a team loss
BLACKBURN: 2-8 TSR after a team win

KANSAS CITY at OAKLAND, 10:05 PM ET
HOCHEVAR: KC 9-21 after allowing 2 runs or less
GONZALEZ: OAK 8-1 at home on Monday

LA ANGELS at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
SAUNDERS: LAA 13-3 after 3 consecutive division games
FRENCH: SEA 25-12 OVER as a home underdog of +100 to +125

TSR = Team Start Record
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 12:26 PM

MLB

Monday, August 31

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

Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners [10:10 PM ET]

Angels (-$1.40, O/U 9): The Angels have dropped seven of their last 11, but still have won 24 of their past 33 road matchups. Los Angeles is 18-4 in its last 22 road contests when facing a left-handed starter. Kendry Morales leads the American League in RBIs since the All-Star break with 45. Joe Saunders (10-7, 5.27 ERA) came back from two weeks on the DL because of a sore shoulder to give up two runs in five innings against the Tigers on Wednesday. Saunders had a 7.51 ERA in 13 starts before going on the DL, not throwing more than 88 miles per hour. But against the Tigers he struck out six and his fastball reached 94. The southpaw is 6-1 lifetime against Seattle with a 3.61 ERA. Los Angels is 25-12 in Saunders’ last 37 road outings. The over is 16-5 in Saunders’ last 21 overall starts.

The Over is 37-16-2 in the Angels’ last 55 games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)

Mariners: The Mariners are missing three of their offensive weapons – Adrian Beltre, Russell Branyan and Ichiro Suzuki. Beltre is on the DL with a groin injury. Branyan also is on the DL and could be out for the season with a herniated disk in his back. Suzuki, though, is expected to play. He has missed the last seven games due to a strained left calf. The Mariners are 16-17 since July 23, and have struck out the second-most times in the American League during that span. Lucas French (4-3, 3.92 ERA) beat Oakland in his last outing. The rookie lefty gave up three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He is 3-1 with Seattle since coming to the Mariners from the Tigers in a July 31 trade. French walked only one Oakland batter after giving up a combined 12 bases on balls during his previous three starts.

The Under is 17-5 in the Mariners’ last 22 games versus American League West competition.
Seattle is 20-41 in its last 61 games against the Angels.

Key Injuries - Adrian Beltre (groin) and Russell Branyan (back) are on the DL

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Note: There is also a “Tips and Trends” selection for the NFL in the thread “NFL Trends and Indexes – Preseason Week 3 … “

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

**pm530** · 08-31-2009, 12:45 PM

Len’s Top Five

Monday, August 31

Len's Top 5

Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 31, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

The U.S. Open begins its two week run today in Flushing Meadows.

Heath Slocum wins the Barclays golf in Jersey City at 9-under par. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker finish one shot back.

Chula Vista California wins the Little League World Series beating Taiwan 6-3.

Minor league baseball players will wear safer helmets next season, able to withstand 100 mph fastballs. Some major leaguers think the helmet is too bulky.

Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is announcing his retirement today. The 3-time Super Bowl Champion overcame a stroke to return to football.

2. Bern Baby Bern

The shadow of Bernie Madoff will continue to be long and arduous. Fred Wilpon went public this weekend to deny assertions in a new book that he'll have to sell the Mets because of the Madoff mess. His denials over the "Madoff effect" have been loud and consistent. Of course fans, being fans, and the media being the media, will read Madoff into every Mets financial move. The cliched truth is, only time will tell. But given Fred Wilpon's reputation we should take him at face value until he proves otherwise.

3. Andre the Giant

They say "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." Not true. Andre Agassi burst on the scene with his vapid "image is everything campaign." Years later, he's a serious family man devoted to "giving back." It's fitting he'll be honored tonight at the U.S. Open. He once told me he regrets the whole "image thing." I'm sure he does. Few people in the public eye get mulligans. But if I can mix metaphors, he took his mulligan and hit it out of the park.

4. Grouching Tiger

Tiger Woods snubbed the media two days in a row at the Barclays. In any other sport he'd be "punished." Remember LeBron James? Not in golf. Tiger runs the show. The inmate runs the asylum. Message to Tiger: You are not stiffing the media, you are stiffing your fans. Although keep up the petulance and you'll have fewer of them by the day.

5. Live From New York

Andrew Giuliani, Rudy's kid, turned pro this year in golf. The other day he won his first tournament, the Met Open Championship at Ridgewood Country Club. People still think of Andrew as that precocious kid mimicked by the late Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live. I played golf with Andrew a couple of years back. Great golfer, obviously. More important, a really nice young man. Good going kid.

Happy Birthday: Some Giants coaches. Current Giants coach Tom Coughlin. 63. And the man he replaced, Jim Fassel. 60.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Richard Gere. 60.

Today in Sports: Undefeated Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano dies in an airplane crash. 40 years ago today. 1969.
Bonus Event: Another tragedy. The passing of Princess Diana. 1997.

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

Announcement

Monday Trends and Indexes 8/31 (MLB, Misc.)

Monday Trends and Indexes 8/31 (MLB, Misc.)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment