Announcement

**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:22 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Sunday, October 18

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Vikings host the Ravens, the Saints get a visit from the Giants, and the Dodgers and Phillies play Game 3 of the NLCS.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The Saints and Giants will each be trying to knock the other out of the ranks of the unbeaten on Sunday afternoon when they take the field in New Orleans. The Saints (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS) had a bye last week; they last played two weeks ago, when they got past the Jets 24-10. The Giants (5-0 SU, 4-0-1 ATS) bounced the Raiders 44-7 last Sunday. The oddsmakers have made New Orleans a small 3-point favorite at home for this matchup, with the game's total listed at 47 points.

Other 1:00pm ET games for Sunday: Houston at Cincinnati (-5), Detroit at Green Bay (-13.5), St. Louis at Jacksonville (-9.5), Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-14), Carolina (-3) at Tampa Bay, Kansas City at Washington (-6.5), and Baltimore at Minnesota (-3). The Vikings (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) will be trying to run their Favre-led winning streak to six games on Sunday; they beat the Rams 38-10 last time out.

The late-afternoon games on Sunday are Philadelphia (-14) at Oakland, Arizona at Seattle (-3), Buffalo at the Jets (-9.5), and Tennessee at New England (-9), with the primetime matchup featuring Chicago at Atlanta (-3). The Bears (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) had no trouble with the lowly Lions in their last contest, cruising to a 48-24 home win. The Falcons (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) romped to a 45-10 road win over the Niners last week; Matt Ryan threw for 329 yards and two scores in that game.

As well, there are two Canadian Football League games on the Sunday slate, with Hamilton at Montreal (-12.5), and then British Columbia at Winnipeg (-1.5).

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Dodgers and Phillies will play Game 3 of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia on Sunday, with Hiroki Kuroda taking on Cliff Lee in the mound matchup. Righthander Kuroda will be making his 2009 postseason debut in this contest; he last pitched on September 28, giving up seven runs in four innings vs. the Pirates. Lefthander Lee pitched twice against the Rockies in the NLDS, surrendering four runs over 16 1-3 innings in those two victories for Philly.

Roaring around the track . . .

Finally, the drivers of the Formula 1 series race for the second-last time this season when they hit the track in the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. Jenson Button holds a 14-point lead on Brawn-Mercedes teammate Rubens Barrichello in the drivers championship heading into Brazil, while RBR-Renault's Sebastian Vettel is 16 points back in third place. Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix last time out, and Felipe Massa took the checkered flag in this race last year.

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:22 AM

Bettor's best friend: Today's helpful tips

Sunday, October 18

Forget the Titans

Tennessee got more bad news when it learned on Saturday that starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan will miss the team’s game against New England after missing three straight days of practice. The Titans are already missing their other starting cornerback, Nick Harper, who broke his arm last week. Rookie Jason McCourty likely will get the start. Tennessee is listed at -9 with an over/under of 40.5.

Samba style

Rubens Barrichello will start at the front of the field for his hometown Brazilian GP on Sunday. Barrichello is the only Formula One contender to start in the top 10 of the race, and with the Brazilian having failed to claim a checkered flag this year and the weather conditions calling for rain, he figures to be a solid play at +140 to win on the at the 2.6-mile Interlagos track.

Left turn

Someone may want to take out an insurance policy on Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. Left tackle Brandon Albert will miss Sunday’s game against Washington, leaving the starting spot to guard Wade Smith. Good luck with that. The Chiefs are listed at +6 points with the total sitting at 36.5.

Style points

When Winnipeg hosts the B.C. Lions on Sunday, expect some scoring – just not much of it. Both teams have cracked double figures in each of their past six meetings, however, the under has hit in seven of their past eight games overall, including a 37-10 Winnipeg win earlier this season. Combined, 15 of the team’s 25 games this season have failed to top the number. Winnipeg is listed at -1.5 with an over/under of 51.5.

Hammered Hamiliton

Well, at least the Tiger-Cats are consistent. Hamilton has scored eight points in each meeting with Montreal this season. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t nearly enough to top the Alouettes, who scored 21 and 42 points respectively. Montreal has won nine of the past 10 meetings SU and is 2-1 ATS in the past three. The Alouettes are listed at -14 with an over/under of 48.

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:27 AM

CFL
Dunkel Index

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Game 255-256: Hamilton at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 107.740; Montreal 124.825
Dunkel Line: Montreal by 17; 50
Vegas Line: Montreal by 12 1/2; 48
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-12 1/2); Over

Game 257-258: BC at Winnipeg
Dunkel Ratings: BC 108.233; Winnipeg 113.167
Dunkel Line: Winnipeg by 5; 47
Vegas Line: Winnipeg by 1; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-1); Under

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:28 AM

CFL
Long Sheet

Week 16

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Sunday, October 18
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HAMILTON (6 - 8) at MONTREAL (12 - 2) - 10/18/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 5-4 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 8-1 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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BRITISH COLUMBIA (7 - 7) at WINNIPEG (6 - 8) - 10/18/2009, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 45-26 ATS (+16.4 Units) in road games off a division game since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) in road games off a win over a division rival since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:29 AM

CFL
Write-up

Week 16 CFL games

Sunday, October 18

Hamilton (7-7) @ Montreal (12-2)-- Alouettes beat Hamilton twice this year, 21-8 here in Week 4 (-14), 42-8 (-3.5) three weeks ago in Hamilton, holding TiCats to 63 passing yards in rematch. Als won last five games, covered last four; they're 7-0 at home, 4-3 as home favorite, winning its home games by 34-13-25-9-4-19-21 points. Hamilton is 5-1 vs spread on road, 4-0 as underdog, losing its away games by 1-1-13-10 points.

BC Lions (7-7) @ Winnipeg (6-8)-- Bombers were 2-5 when they went west and upset Lions 37-10 in Week 8 (+8), running ball 42 times for an astounding 393 yards, with a +4 turnover ratio. BC is 3-4 on road, with dogs 5-2 vs spread in those games. Six of Lions' last seven games stayed under the total. Winnipeg won its last three games, scoring 31.3 ppg- in their eight losses, they have -16 TO ratio- in their wins, TO ratio is +15.

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:29 AM

CFL

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Trend Report
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Sunday, October 18

2:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. MONTREAL
Hamilton is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Hamilton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Hamilton
Montreal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Hamilton

5:00 PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. WINNIPEG
British Columbia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
British Columbia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia
Winnipeg is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:30 AM

CFL

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Canadian Bacon
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Sunday, October 18

Hamilton Tiger Cats vs Montreal Alouettes (-13, 48)

The digestion of the Thanksgiving turkey must have not been easy for the Tiger Cats players after that brutal loss to the Blue Bombers. Of course, the Tiger Cats did attempt a valiant comeback but still, the screening of the game film was undoubtedly unpleasant for many Hamilton players. The Tiger Cats have lost five of their last six games. End result: Kevin Glenn is now the number one QB ahead of Quinton Porter, whose two fumbles on Monday took away whatever patience was left in head coach Marcel Bellefeuille. Porter, by himself, was responsible of nine turnovers in the last four games.

Everything is peachy with the Alouettes and the perspective of a 16-2 season is now a topic of conversation in Montreal. Only the 1989 Eskimos managed to have such a regular season record. Some observers fear a letdown, especially since the Alouettes, with a guaranteed home game in the East Final on November 22, will play their last four regular season games against teams with loosing records. But in the Als dressing room, players vow it won’t be the case and they intend not only to win all four games but all six games, including of course the Grey Cup final.

Pick: Montreal -13

B.C. Lions vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-1.5, 50.5)

Here are two teams that have been through a chaotic journey since the start of the season but that have seemingly got back on track. The Lions defence is once again threatening to opposing quarterbacks while Bombers QB Michael Bishop has found his timing, leading is team to three straight victories. The only other team in the CFL that can boast winning at least three in a row at this point are the Montreal Alouettes.

With a QB on the top of his game, the Blue Bombers have regained their status of a very menacing team. Let’s not forget that their cornerback and punt/kickoff returner Jovon Johnson as well as receiver Adarius Bowman both have been among the CFL stars of the week. Plus, running back Fred Reid is now leading again the CFL with 1135 yards rushing, eight more than his counterpart for the Lions, Martel Mallett. The last time these two teams clashed, the Bombers won convincingly by the score of 37-10 at B.C. Place.

Pick: Winnipeg -1.5

(Last Week 3-1, season 32-24)

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:31 AM

MLB
Dunkel Index

NLCS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Game 959-960: LA Dodgers at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.862; Philadelphia (Lee) 16.884
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-175); Over

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:32 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

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NLCS

Sunday, October 18

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LA DODGERS (99 - 68) at PHILADELPHIA (97 - 71) - 8:05 PM
HIROKI KURODA (R) vs. CLIFF LEE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 33-33 (-16.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-5 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 60-38 (+13.0 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.
PHILADELPHIA is 200-144 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-11 (+13.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-6 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday this season.
LEE is 27-11 (+13.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 99-68 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 46-33 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 99-68 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-37 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-27 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-30 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-20 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 3-8 (-11.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-37 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
LEE is 2-7 (-10.8 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LEE is 16-18 (-8.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
LEE is 9-12 (-8.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-4 (+0.9 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
KURODA is 2-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 1.44 and a WHIP of 0.680.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.0 units)

CLIFF LEE vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LEE is 0-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.955.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:33 AM

MLB
Short Sheet

Sunday, October 18

National League Championship Series
Best of Seven
Game Three
Series Tied, 1-1
TV: TBS
Philadelphia at LA Dodgers, 8:05 ET
Hiroki Kuroda (R) vs. Cliff Lee (L)

Kuroda:
LAD 13-3 as a road underdog of +125 to +175
LAD 13-4 as an underdog of +125 to +175

Lee:
2-7 TSR as a home favorite of -175 to -200
PHI 3-8 as a home favorite of -175 to -200

TSR = Team Start Record
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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:35 AM

MLB

Sunday, October 18

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Payoff pitch: Today’s best mound matchup
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Hiroki Kuroda (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs. Cliff Lee (Philadelphia Phillies)

Hiroki Kuroda (8-7, 3.76 ERA)

Hiroki Kuroda missed the NLDS nursing a neck strain and kept himself sharp with a simulated game in Arizona earlier this week. But it doesn’t take much to warm up the 34-year-old. He's used to a light workload and has lasted past six innings only twice in 20 starts. That’s a big reason the team was just 12-8 in his starts this season, forcing the bullpen to close out nearly all of his games.

And Kuroda usually gets pulled for getting himself into trouble – he’s topped the 100-pitch mark only twice this year.

This will be Kuroda’s first real start since Sept. 28, when he was pounded for seven runs – three earned –- on eight hits, including two home runs, over just four innings. In his past five starts overall, he is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA and allowed just nine earned runs over 29 innings.

The right-hander is allowing left-handers to hit just .233 against him this season, but righties are swatting a respectable .253. Opponents are also hitting .257 against him at Chavez Ravine, 25 points higher than on the road.

In his only start against Philly this season, he gave up only two hits over six shutout innings of a 3-2 win in June. Last October, he beat the Phillies in the NLDS, 7-2, allowing just two earned runs on five hits over six innings.

Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22 ERA)

Cliff Lee has been the catalyst of the Phillies pitching staff since being acquired from the Indians on July 29, pitching three complete games and dominating the National League.

Lee has 181 strikeouts against only 43 walks over a staggering 231 2-3 innings this season. When opponents put the ball in play, however, it usually drops. He has given up 245 hits, including 17 home runs.

The left-hander has been at his best this postseason, giving up just two earned runs on 11 hits over 16 1-3 innings while striking out 10 against three walks. With the recent woes of the team’s bullpen, he will look to finish with his eighth complete overall this season.

Lee has been incredibly consistent this season. Opponents are hitting .272 against him both at home and on the road this year. Left-handers are hitting just .241 against him while right-handers are smacking his pitches at a .283 clip.

The 2008 AL Cy Young winner has never faced the Dodgers, but has struggled against Manny Ramirez. The former Red Sox slugger is 6-for-14 in his career against Lee with two home runs and six walks.

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**pm530** · 10-18-2009, 04:42 AM

MLB
This Day in Baseball

On October 18 in Baseball History...

1910 - The Philadelphia Athletics pounded the Chicago Cubs 9-3 for a 2-0 lead in the World Series. Eddie Collins had three hits, including two doubles, and two stolen bases.

1950 - Connie Mack, at age 87, retired as manager of the Philadelphia Athletics after 50 years, and Jimmy Dykes was named to replace him. Mack, together with Ben Shibe, founded the Athletics in 1901.

1960 - Instituting a mandatory retirement age of 65, New York Yankee co-owners Dan Topping and Del Webb relieve Casey Stengel (1,149-696) as manager.
1967 - The AL approves the Athletics' shift to Oakland. Kansas City is promised a new team by 1971. When Senator Stuart Symington and Kansas City Mayor Ilus Davis threaten action against the move, AL President Joe Cronin reopens talks, and the expansion deadline is moved forward to 1969.

1972 - With runners at second and third and a 3-2 count, the A's fake an intentional walk and strike out Johnny Bench looking in Game Three. Blue Moon Odom fans 11, but Cincinnati's Jack Billingham is the 1-0 winner as the Reds win their first game of the World Series.

1973 - The Mets' Jerry Koosman and Tug McGraw combined to three-hit the Oakland A's and take 3-2 lead in the World Series.

1977 - Reggie Jackson hit three consecutive home runs to lead New York to an 8-4 victory over the Los Angles Dodgers and give the Yankees the World Series title in six games. Jackson drove in five runs, and all three shots came on the first pitch.

1988 - Mark McGwire's home run off Jay Howell in the bottom of the ninth gives Oakland a 2-1 win in Game Three of the World Series.

1992 - Ed Sprague's two-run home run in the ninth inning off Jeff Reardon in Game Two gives Toronto a 5-4 win over Atlanta and evens the World Series.

1997 - The first World Series game ever played in Florida belongs to the Marlins. Moises Alou and Charles Johnson smack back-to-back home runs against Cleveland's Orel Hershiser to make a 7-4 winner of Livan Hernandez in Game One.

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**Udog** · 10-18-2009, 09:53 AM

MLB

Sunday, October 18

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Trend Report
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8:07 PM
LA DODGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA
LA Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 12-6 SU in their last 18 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers

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**Udog** · 10-18-2009, 09:57 AM

MLB

Sunday, October 18

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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies (-174, 8)

The Dodgers have to feel lucky to leave Los Angeles with a split in their series. LA put together another late-inning rally to notch a come-from-behind victory in Game 2 of the NLCS.

“We’ve been doing it all year, it seems like. We’re relentless. We never give up,” catcher Russell Martin told reporters. “We go out there and compete, play through 27 outs, and whatever happens, happens. But we never keep our heads down.”

The Phillies bullpen was the sore spot in Friday’s contest. Pedro Martinez left after pitching seven shutout innings only to see his lead evaporate in the eighth. The 37-year-old former Cy Young award winner was lifted despite throwing just 87 pitches.

Phils manager Charlie Manuel won’t be as tempted to take his starter out as early on Sunday. Lefty Cliff Lee is enjoying a tremendous postseason. His live arm should guide him into at least the seventh inning. Don’t forget he’s already pitched a complete game this postseason.

The Dodgers would like to get more production out of Manny Ramirez. The future Hall of Famer is batting .227 in the playoffs, but he has had good success against Lee in his career (6 for 14 with two long balls).

Pick: Over

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Announcement

Sunday Trends and Indexes 10/18 (MLB, CFL, Misc.)

Sunday Trends and Indexes 10/18 (MLB, CFL, Misc.)

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