Wednesday Trends and Indexes 5/5 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet


Wednesday, May 5

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

BOSTON (45-32-0-13, 103 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (45-37-0-7, 97 pts.) - 5/5/2010, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-44 ATS (+95.2 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-24 ATS (+46.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-5 (+3.1 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-5-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.9 Units)

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

CHICAGO (57-25-0-8, 122 pts.) at VANCOUVER (54-30-0-6, 114 pts.) - 5/5/2010, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 28-13 ATS (+7.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
VANCOUVER is 17-6 ATS (+9.0 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
VANCOUVER is 17-4 ATS (+11.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
VANCOUVER is 20-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 53-26 ATS (+17.8 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 80-60 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 151-153 ATS (-85.0 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 10-10-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.4 Units)

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

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 5/5/2010

Western Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Two (Phoenix Leads, 1-0)
SAN ANTONIO AT PHOENIX, 9:05 PM ET TNT
SAN ANTONIO: 11-24 ATS revenging a road loss
PHOENIX: 27-12 ATS off an Over

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 5/5/2010

Eastern Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Three (Boston Leads, 2-0)
BOSTON at PHILADELPHIA, 7:05 PM ET VERSUS
BOSTON: 40-16 SU after winning 3 of their last 4 games
PHILADELPHIA: 8-19 SU playing with same-season revenge

Western Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Three (Series Tied, 1-1)
CHICAGO at VANCOUVER, 9:35 PM ET VERSUS
CHICAGO: 16-3 SU off a home win scoring 4+ goals
VANCOUVER: 4-14 SU after winning 4 of their last 5 games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Wednesday, May 5

Spurs lost three of their four road playoff games, losing by 6-22-9; Hill was -22 in Game 1, meaning San Antonio was +13 in 15:11 he was off floor. Parker scored 26 off bench for Spurs. Suns won last three home games by 29-19-9 points; Nash had 33 points, 10 assists; Richardson had 27, Stoudemire 20 in Game 1, as Phoenix shot 52% from the floor. Spurs were +5 in turnovers, took more foul shots, still lost opener.

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Wednesday, May 5

Bruins won five of last six games in this building; they've beaten Flyers four games in row, winning first two series games at home, despite being just 1-8 on pwer play in series (14:31). Flyers are 10-38 on power play in postseason after going 0-4 with man advantage in Game 2; they have been outshot 36-22 in third period and OT in this series. Down 2-0, this is critical game for Flyers if they're going to make series competitive.

Vancouver, Blackhawks both won four of last five games; Canucks were outscored 4-0 in third period of first two series games, getting outshot by 26-9 margin. Chicago won three of last four games in this building, splitting pair here this season. Vancouver killed 16 of last 18 penalties in playoffs- Chicago is 1-8 (13:30) on power play in this series, Canucks 2-10 (16:00). Expect hosts to come out flying early at home.

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Wednesday, May 5

Hot pitchers
-- Niese is 2-0, 1.50 in his last three starts.
-- Penny is 3-1, 1.82 in five starts this season.
-- Hanson is 2-1, 2.28 in his last four starts. Atilano is 2-0, 2.25 in his two starts this season.
-- Zito is 4-0, 1.53 in five starts this season.
-- Richard is 1-0, 2.04 in his last three starts.
-- Billingsley has a 2.25 RA in his last couple starts.

-- Carmona is 3-1, 4.05 in five starts this season. Morrow is 2-1, 2.37 in his last three starts.
-- Bronx is 5-0 when Pettitte starts this season (3-0, 2.12).
-- Lewis is 3-0, 2.76 in five starts this season.
-- Bannister is 1-0, 2.03 in his last couple starts.
-- Garza is 4-1, 2.31 in five starts this season. Lee shut Texas out for seven innings in his Mariner debut.

Cold pitchers
-- Cueto is 1-1, 5.33 in five starts this year.
-- Pirates were outscored 37-7 in Morton's five starts (0-5, 14.43). Lilly is 1-1, 4.91 in two starts this season.
-- Kendrick is 0-1, 8.10 in his last two starts.
-- Robertson is 0-2, 11.25 in his last two starts.
-- Lopez is 0-1, 7.13 in his last four starts. Myers is 1-2, 4.36 in his five starts this season.
-- Cook is 0-3, 9.42 in three road starts this year.
-- Davis is 0-3, 8.74 in his five starts this year.

-- Porcello is 1-2, 11.19 in his last three starts. Slowey is 2-2, 4.24 in his last four starts.
-- Cahill allowed eight runs in five IP in his first '10 start, at Toronto.
-- Hendrickson is 56-68, 5.01 in 165 career starts; he's pitched 10.2 IP in nine games this year, all in relief.
-- Pineiro allowed 16 runs in 9.1 IP in his last two starts. Lackey is 1-1, 7.27 in his last three starts.
-- Garcia is 0-2, 5.87 in four starts this season.

Totals
-- Under is 8-3 in Atlanta's last eleven games.
-- Last five Cub games went over the total.
-- All five Penny starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-1-2 in last ten Cincinnati games.
-- Over is 10-4 in Florida home games this season.
-- Seven of last eight Arizona road games went over the total.
-- Last six Colorado road games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last six Dodger home games stayed under the total.

-- Four of last six Cleveland home games went over the total.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Baltimore games.
-- Three of last four Pineiro starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in Detroit's last seven road games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven White Sox games.
-- Seven of last nine Oakland games went over the total.
-- Under is 10-3 in games at Safeco Field this season.

Hot teams
-- Cardinals won eight of their last eleven games. Phillies won three of their last four.
-- Washington is 11-7 in its last 18 games.
-- Cubs won seven of their last eleven games.
-- Reds won six of their last nine games.
-- Arizona is 6-4 in its last ten games.
-- San Diego won 14 of its last 18 games.
-- Dodgers won six of their last nine home games.

-- Bronx Bombers won nine of eleven home games.
-- Toronto won five of its last six games.
-- White Sox won six of their last nine home games.
-- Minnesota won seven of its last nine home games. Tigers won six of their last nine games overall.
-- Rangers won four of their last five games.
-- Tampa Bay won seven of its last nine games.

Cold teams
-- Mets lost three of their last four games.
-- Pirates lost ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Giants lost five of their last seven road games. Marlins are 5-8 in last thirteen games overall.
-- Braves lost their last eight road games.
-- Astros lost their last eight games, outscored 47-13.
-- Colorado is 3-5 in its last eight games.
-- Brewers lost eight of last eleven games (shut out in 3 of last 5 games).

-- Orioles lost 12 of their 15 road games this season.
-- Indians lost five of their last six games.
-- Angels lost six of their last seven games. Red Sox are 6-8 in their last fourteen home games, but won last two.
-- Royals are 7-11 in their last eighteen games.
-- A's lost six of their last eight games.
-- Mariners lost their last four games, scoring six runs.

Umpires
-- NY-Cin-- Both Holbrook games this season went over the total.
-- Chi-Pitt-- Favorites won last four Meals games.
-- StL-Phil-- Home team won three of last four McClelland games.
-- Atl-Wsh-- Home team won five of six Cooper games this year.
-- SF-Fla-- Home side won all five Cederstrom games, with three of last four staying under the total.
-- Az-Hst-- Favorites won all five Layne games, with over 3-1-1.
-- Colo-SD-- Four of five Nelson games stayed under the total.
-- Mil-LA-- Home team won all five Marquez games.

-- Tor-Clev-- Home team won last five Kulpa games, with three of last four staying under the total.
-- Det-Min-- Three of last four Cousins games stayed under the total.
-- Tex-A's-- Visiting team won last three Drake games.
-- Blt-NY-- Under is 4-0-1 in Emmel games this season.
-- LAA-Bos-- Under is 2-0-1 in Bell's last three games behind plate.
-- KC-Chi-- Three of last four Barrett games stayed under the total.
-- TB-Sea-- Last four Bucknor games stayed under the total.

[Udog]

NBA


Wednesday, May 5

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

9:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. ORLANDO
Atlanta is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta


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

[Udog]

NHL


Wednesday, May 5

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

7:00 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing Boston

9:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. VANCOUVER
Chicago is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games
Vancouver is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games at home


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

[Udog]

MLB


Wednesday, May 5

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

12:05 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto

12:35 PM
NY METS vs. CINCINNATI
NY Mets are 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cincinnati
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games

1:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 2-13 SU in their last 15 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of NY Yankees's last 21 games at home
NY Yankees are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games at home

1:10 PM
DETROIT vs. MINNESOTA
Detroit is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit

3:35 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Oakland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games

7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of St. Louis's last 13 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia's last 17 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis

7:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 14 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 5-15 SU in their last 20 games when playing Chi Cubs

7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta

7:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of San Francisco's last 14 games
San Francisco is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games when playing San Francisco
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. BOSTON
LA Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of LA Angels's last 22 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Boston is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels

8:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games at home

8:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games

10:05 PM
COLORADO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado

10:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Milwaukee's last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 16 of LA Dodgers's last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games at home

10:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games at home


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

[Udog]

NBA


Wednesday, May 5

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

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns [TNT | 9:00 PM ET]

Spurs: San Antonio really struggled in Game 1 keeping the Suns from running, as the fast tempo was clearly what Phoenix was looking for. The Spurs allowed more than 100 PTS for only the 2nd time in their past 8 games. Since the Spurs couldn't control the tempo of Game 1, they were forced to play a style that doesn't ultimately fit them. To no surprise, San Antonio was playing from behind for the entire game. G Manu Ginobli played a complete game scoring a team high 27 PTS, along with a total of 14 rebounds, assists, and steals. Point guard Tony Parker scored 26 PTS while coming off the bench for the Spurs. Steady F Tim Duncan had 20 PTS and 11 rebounds to also assist the Spurs. Besides their own big three, no other player scored more than 9 PTS for the Spurs. Besides Parker, San Antonio only had 9 other points from their bench. San Antonio is 54-35 SU and 47-40-2 overall this season. The Spurs are 22-23 SU and 20-24-1 ATS on the road this year. The Spurs are 11-12 ATS as the listed underdog this season.

Spurs are 1-7 ATS last 8 playoff games as an underdog.
Under is 4-0 last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 97

Suns (-2.5, O/U 205.5): Phoenix came out firing against their playoff rival, the San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix scored 31 PTS in the first quarter, and ultimately lead by 10 PTS at the half. The Suns won 3 of the 4 quarters in Game 1, losing only the 4th quarter by a single point. Phoenix scored more than 25 PTS in each quarter in beating the Spurs. Guards Steve Nash and Jason Richardson combined for 60 PTS, as they were very efficient making 23 of their 39 shot attempts. F Amar'e Stoudemire had 23 PTS and 13 rebounds in Game 1, continuing his overall dominance of the Spurs. Besides the big three, no other Suns player scored more than 7 PTS. The Suns 111 PTS was the first time in 5 games Phoenix scored 110 PTS or more. Phoenix is 59-30 SU and 53-35-1 ATS overall this season. The Suns are 35-10 SU and 27-16-2 ATS in home games this season. The Suns are 3-2 ATS as a favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this season. The Suns are 15-4 ATS against teams from the Southwest division.

Suns are 19-7 ATS last 26 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 last 5 games as a home favorite.

Key Injuries - C Robin Lopez (back) is doubtful.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (UNDER - Total of the Day)


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

[Udog]

MLB


Wednesday, May 5

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

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies [7:05 PM ET]

Cardinals (-119, O/U 10): St. Louis is enjoying a great start to their season, as they are currently 18-9 on the season. The Cardinals are expected to win the National League pennant, and to participate in this years World Series. The Cardinals have won 8 of their past 10 games, with six of those wins coming by multiple runs. St. Louis has a dynamic pitching staff, with many thanks to pitching coach Dave Duncan. P Brad Penny can thank Duncan for resurrecting his career, considering he's 3-1 with an ERA of 1.56 this season. Penny has joined the likes of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright as dominant starting pitchers for the Cardinals this season. The Cardinals are 7-2 ATS in their last 8 games as the listed favorite. The Cardinals are 16-5 in their last 21 games against a right handed starter.

Cardinals are 8-2 last 10 overall.
Under is 7-0 last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record.

Key Injuries - 2B Felipe Lopez (elbow) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Phillies: Philadelphia has had a rather shaky start to their season, and they are hoping an extended home-stand will rid them of their problems. The Phillies are currently 15-11 on the season. Philadelphia is currently 6-5 at home this season, and as a title contender they know they must improve on that record. The Phillies have been rather inconsistent offensively of late, scoring 3 runs or fewer in 6 of their past 10 games. The Phillies are 8-1 in their last 9 home games against a right-handed starter, so they are excited to face the rejuvinated Brad Penny. Philaedelphia is 12-1 in their last 13 games as a home underdog of +110 to +150. P Kyle Kendrick will get the start for the Phillies, and he needs a quality start in the worst way. Kendricks is currently 0-1 with an ERA of 7.61. The Phillies are 0-5 in Kendrick's last 5 starts as the listed underdog.

Phillies are 14-3 last 17 Wednesday games.
Over is 13-3 last 16 during game 3 of a series.

Key Injuries - SS Jimmy Rollins (calf) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)


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

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 5/5/2010

NY METS at CINCINNATI, 12:35 PM ET
NIESE: Mets 34-12 Over on Wednesdays
CUETO: Cincinnati 22-8 SU at home in May

CHICAGO CUBS at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
LILLY: Cubs 7-17 SU away in May
MORTON: Pittsburgh 16-7 SU at home off a win by 1 run

ST LOUIS at PHILADELPHIA, 7:05 PM ET ESPN
PENNY: St. Louis 11-2 SU away revenging a one-run loss
KENDRICK: 20-4 Over pitching off a team win

ATLANTA at WASHINGTON, 7:05 PM ET
HANSON: Atlanta 3-10 SU off an Under
ATILANO: Washington 8-1 SU after losing 2 of their last 3 games

SAN FRANCISCO at FLORIDA, 7:10 PM ET
ZITO: 24-16 TSR pitching off a team win
ROBERTSON: 8-27 TSR at home with a line of +125 to -125

ARIZONA at HOUSTON, 8:05 PM ET
LOPEZ: 23-13 TSR after allowing 2+ home runs last start
MYERS: Houston 1-12 SU off BB losses

COLORADO at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
COOK: Colroado 18-50 SU away off a one-run division loss
RICHARD: 15-5 TSR in night games

MILWAUKEE at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
DAVIS: Milwaukee 22-11 SU away after losing 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
BILLINGSLEY: 5-11 TSR off BB starts allowing 2 ER's or less

TORONTO at CLEVELAND, 12:05 PM ET
MORROW: Toronto 7-1 SU on grass fields
CARMONA: Cleveland 19-35 SU on Wednesdays

DETROIT at MINNESOTA, 1:10 PM ET
PORCELLO: Detroit 8-27 SU as a road underdog of +125 to +150
SLOWEY: Minnesota 8-3 SU in home games this season

TEXAS at OAKLAND, 3:35 PM ET
LEWIS: 12-5 TSR vs. division opponents
CAHILL: Oakland 19-29 SU at home off an Over

(TC) BALTIMORE at NY YANKEES, 1:05 PM ET (TC)
HENDRICKSON: Baltimore 7-27 SU away after scoring 2 runs or less
PETTITTE: Yankees 15-0 SU at home after allowing 1 or 0 runs

LA ANGELS at BOSTON, 7:10 PM ET
PINEIRO: Angels 42-19 SU playing with double-revenge
LACKEY: 13-20 TSR as a home favorite of -150 to -175

KANSAS CITY at CHI WHITE SOX, 8:10 PM ET
BANNISTER: 9-27 TSR in night games
GARCIA: White Sox 23-9 Under revenging a loss as a home favorite

TAMPA BAY at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
GARZA: Tampa Bay 8-1 SU away off a win
LEE: 5-13 TSR in the first half of the season

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

Wednesday's six-pack

SI.com came up with their college football Top 25 for this fall. Never too early to start thinking about the upcoming football season......

6) TCU-- Will Horned Frogs join Big 12 if Nebraska/Missouri bolt for the Big 12? TCU/Houston would be logical replacements.

5) Iowa-- Going to have to see vast improvement from QB Stanzi if the Hawkeyes are going to live up to this ranking. Vast improvement.

4) Texas-- No pressure on young QB Gilbert, whose dad played in the NFL. Just replace Colt McCoy, and win a national title.

3) Ohio State-- Best team in Big 11, which in college football is kind of like being the heaviest guy in Somalia.

2) Boise State-- Did a doubletake when I saw this ranking, but if they go undefeated this season, they'll finally get to play for national title.

1) Alabama-- Eight starters back on offense, only two on defense; QB McElroy returns. SEC West won't be an easy gauntlet to run.


************************************************** *******


Wednesday's List of 13: Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone........

13) Bud Selig likes to brag how baseball has never been healthier; does he know there are 30 big league teams? Monday night in Oakland, A's back from a road trip, playing Texas where the winner would be in first place in AL West, and 8,874 fans showed up. Its not healthy everywhere.

12) Scouts are saying that Johan Santana's fastball has lost velocity, and that makes his changeup less effective; three of the four HRs he gave up Sunday night came when he was ahead in the count, a red flag.

11) Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated had a terrific article today, where he talked about how 28% of all at-bats in April baseball ended in either a walk or a strikeout. 10 years ago, that figure was 26%; 20 years ago, 24% and 30 years ago, 21%. Solution: umps have to enlarge the strike zone, so hitters swing the bat more.

10) NC State fired their AD Lee Fowler Tuesday; OK, they announced he "resigned" but his contract will be paid in full. People who quit don't get paid in full. Its also bad news for basketball coach Sidney Lowe, who will be on the way out the door too, unless he makes NCAAs next winter.

9) Old story I read about during the NFL Draft: in 1979, Dallas Cowboys were on the clock in the third round; highest-rated player left on the board was a QB, but Dallas had Staubach-White and a 3rd stringer named Glenn Carano, so Tom Landry didn't think the QB could make the team. They drafted another player instead of some guy named Joe Montana.

8) Am reminded that AJ Burnett threw a no-hitter nine years ago out in San Diego, but he walked six of the first 15 batters that night, and walked nine batters overall. One of the strangest no-hitters ever.

7) Why are there three days between Games 2-3 of Celtic-Cavalier series? Does it take three days to get from Cleveland to Boston?

6) Whatever happened to artificial turf in baseball? Toronto/Tampa Bay are only two turf fields left in major leagues. At one time or another, the major leagues had as many as 14 artificial turf fields. Now every outdoor stadium has a grass playing field.

5) Actor Paul Gleason turned 71 Tuesday; to me, he is most memorable as the teacher in The Breakfast Club, but he has been in a ton of things, and is definitely only person ever to be all four of these shows/movies: Banacek-The Green Hornet-Magnum PI and The Great Santini.

4) When it comes to fans running on the field, I've got zero sympathy for anyone who trespasses on the field during a game; whatever happens to you, you deserve. Stay in the stands and nothing will happen to you.

3) Former White Sox centerfielder Brian Anderson is trying to become a pitcher in the Royals' organization; he's going to make his pitching debut later this week. When you hit like a pitcher, you become a pitcher or you find another line of work.

2) I'd like to see baseball experiment in the minor leagues with walks being three balls and strikeouts two strikes, just to see what it would be like.

1) Ernie Harwell, longtime broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers, beloved throughout baseball, passed away Tuesday at age 92. I can remember him and Paul Carey broadcasting Tiger games on WJR in Detroit when I put a radio under my pillow to listen to latenight games as a kid. What a voice he had. He wasn't a homer, but you knew he wanted the Tigers to win. A true professional, a Hall of Famer.

[Udog]

Len's Top 5

Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for Cinco de Mayo, 2010 from Len Berman.

1. Quick Hits

The great Hall of Fame Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell is dead at the age of 92.
The Phoenix Suns will wear "Los Suns" on their jerseys this Cinco de Mayo "to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona and our nation." Another shot fired at Arizona's controversial immigration law.
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to lead the league in arrests. Wide receiver Maurice Purify was collared in Newport for disorderly conduct after a bar fight. He is well prepared for what lies ahead. In college, he majored in criminal justice.
And word is the Bengals will sign the troubled Pacman Jones. How did they ever beat out the Raiders?


2. Ernie Harwell
1918-2010

For a living, my dad published a magazine for songwriters. Ernie Harwell was one of his long time subscribers. So in 1970, I called Ernie to see if I could observe him in the broadcast booth? Of course he said yes, and he treated this kid broadcaster as if he were a seasoned pro. But Ernie treated everyone that way. When I had my Sports Fantasy show on NBC in the 80's a Dodger fan wanted to "strike out" Bobby Thompson. So we re-created that 1951 homer. We needed an announcer. Turns out Ernie called the historic home run on TV that day in the Polo Grounds. He again said yes to me, without blinking an eye. And so on Sports Fantasy, thanks to Ernie, "the Giants lose the pennant, the Giants lose the pennant." Great announcer, better person. I join millions of other fans in missing one of the last of the great ones, Ernie Harwell.

3. Buyer Beware

I own a baseball signed by the 1975 American League champion Boston Red Sox. One slight problem, it looks like all the signatures are forged by the same person. So it comes as no surprise that the golf clubs being offered on eBay may also have a problem. The seller is asking $250-thousand for the clubs used when Tiger Woods won 4 straight majors in 2000-1. It even comes with a "certificate of authenticity." Woods said yesterday that the actual clubs he used to win those tournaments are in his garage. I'm guessing that "certificate of authenticity" was signed by the same guy who signed my Red Sox ball.

4. Fan Fare

OK, I had a little fun with the moron who ran on the field in Philadelphia the other night. He was felled by a Taser gun. I mused, what, they didn't have a crossbow available? Talk about monkey see, monkey do, another fan ran on the field last night in Philly, they were able to stop him minus the Taser. Top 5 subscribers have little sympathy for these idiots. One subscriber asked "where was Mike Curtis when we needed him?" He was the Baltimore Colt who tackled a fan who ran onto the field. Curtis fended off criticism by saying "he shouldn't have been there." There's also been some flak over the treatment of the "poor fan" in Philly. Tough.

5. Deer Gone Wild

The Milwaukee Bucks rally cry this year was "Fear the Deer." It became real at a Menomonie, Wisconsin restaurant during Game 7 of the Bucks series against Atlanta. Two deer smashed into the eatery while patrons were watching the game and they had to be wrestled to the floor. The Bucks lost Game 7 to Atlanta. No wonder the deer got upset, they probably bet a lot of doe on the game.

Happy Birthday: Former Islander, King and Penguin Ziggy Palffy (I just love saying the name Ziggy.) 38.
Bonus Birthday: Mr. NBC Nightly News, Brian Williams. 51.

Today in Sports: The great Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby in a record time of 1:59:40. 1973.
Bonus Event: It seems that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the U.S. than Mexico. It commemorates an unlikely Mexican victory over France which coincidentally took place on the 5th of May. 1862.