Friday Trends and Indexes 5/7 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Friday, 5/7/2010

Eastern Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Three (Series Tied, 1-1)
CLEVELAND at BOSTON, 7:05 PM ET ESPN
CLEVELAND: 26-15 ATS off a loss
BOSTON: 3-11 ATS at home off an Under

Western Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Three (Phoenix Leads, 2-0)
PHOENIX at SAN ANTONIO, 9:35 PM ET ESPN
PHOENIX: 14-6 ATS off BB Overs
SAN ANTONIO: 11-25 ATS revenging a road loss

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Friday, 5/7/2010

Eastern Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Four (Boston Leads, 3-0)
BOSTON at PHILADELPHIA, 7:05 PM ET VERSUS
BOSTON: 30-9 SU after winning 8+ of their last 10 games
PHILADELPHIA: 5-15 SU revenging a home loss

Western Conference Playoffs
Second Round, Game Four (Chicago Leads, 2-1)
CHICAGO at VANCOUVER, 9:35 PM ET VERSUS
CHICAGO: 11-4 Over off a road win by 2+ goals
VANCOUVER: 11-1 SU at home after allowing 4+ goals

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Friday, 5/7/2010

ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA, 7:05 PM ET
LOWE: Atlanta 4-12 SU in road games
MOYER: 46-20 TSR on Fridays

FLORIDA at WASHINGTON, 7:05 PM ET
VOLSTAD: Florida 10-3 SU away after losing 3 of their last 4 games
STAMMEN: 1-10 SU at home after blowing a save

ST LOUIS at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
CARPENTER: 13-1 TSR with a total of 8 to 8.5 runs
DUKE: 6-21 TSR on Fridays

SAN FRANCISCO at NY METS, 7:10 PM ET
SANCHEZ: 0-10 TSR away pitching off a team win
PELFREY: 16-6 TSR at home with a total of 7 to 8.5 runs

CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI, 7:10 PM ET
SILVA: Cubs 3-11 SU away in May
BAILEY: Cincinnati 23-8 SU at home in May

SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON, 8:05 PM ET
LATOS: San Diego 11-4 SU off 7+ home games
NORRIS: Houston 28-51 SU off an Over

MILWAUKEE at ARIZONA, 9:40 PM ET
GALLARDO: Milwaukee 3-9 SU as a favorite of -150 or less
JACKSON: Arizona 11-3 Over after winning 2 of their last 3 games

COLORADO at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
ROGERS: Colorado 4-15 SU off a one-run division win
KURODA: Dodgers 14-4 Over vs. right-handed starters

DETROIT at CLEVELAND, 7:05 PM ET
BONDERMAN: 27-9 Under away with a line of 9 to 9.5 runs
HUFF: 10-2 TSR with a line of +125 to -125

NY YANKEES at BOSTON, 7:10 PM ET
HUGHES: Yankees 12-4 Over with a total of 9 to 9.5 runs
BECKETT: Boston 42-9 SU off 4+ home games

KANSAS CITY at TEXAS, 8:05 PM ET
GREINKE: Kansas City 2-10 SU with a line of +125 to -125
WILSON: Texas 26-11 SU after allowing 8+ runs

BALTIMORE at MINNESOTA, 8:10 PM ET
MILLWOOD: Baltimore 5-26 SU away after scoring and allowing 3 runs or less
LIRIANO: Minnesota 13-4 SU in night games

TORONTO at CHI WHITE SOX, 8:10 PM ET
MARCUM: Toronto 8-1 SU away off a win
BUEHRLE: White Sox 3-10 SU off an Under

TAMPA BAY at OAKLAND, 10:05 PM ET
PRICE: Tampa Bay 12-1 SU in road games
GONZALEZ: Oakland 9-19 SU at home after winning 2 of their last 3 games

LA ANGELS at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
WEAVER: Angels 39-18 SU off a combined score of 15+ runs
HERNANDEZ: Seattle 3-14 SU off a loss by 8+ runs

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Friday, May 7

Cavaliers won four of last five home games, but they're 1-1 in this series and they were down 11 at the half in game they won. Williams was 1-9 from floor in Game 2, after being +23 in Game 1. Garnett has still taken just two FTs in series despite taking 41 shots from floor. Rondo had 19 assists in Game 2 and also scored 13 points and Wallace was 7-8 off the bench, a surprisingly strong effort. Starting Gs and Shaq combined to go 7-26 for Cavaliers. Lebron needs some help, or else.........

Spurs lost lost first two series games by 9-8 points, with Suns scoring 111 points in both games. Hill was -34 in first two games, meaning San Antonio is +17 in 32:25 he was off floor. Parker scored 46 off bench for Spurs in two games. San Antonio is 3-0 at home in playoffs, winning by 4-3-10 points, allowing just 88.7 ppg. Suns won two of three games in Portland in their first round series.

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Friday, May 7

Bruins won six of last seven games in this building; they've beaten Flyers five games in row, despite being 2-10 on power play in series (18:11). Boston has some injury issues, with Sturm, Krejci, McQuaid on shelf. Flyers are 10-42 on power play in postseason after going 0-8 with man advantage in last two games. Flyers trying to avert sweep here; Bruins playing for sweep, some rest. Boston scored four goals on just 20 shots in Game 3 win here.

Chicago won five of last six games; they've outscored Vancouver 6-0 in third period in this series, outshooting Canucks 39-17. Blackhawks won four of last five games in this building. Chicago was 2-6 on power play in Game 3, after being 1-8 in first two games; Vancouver is just 2-14 on power play in series. Over is 2-0-1 in this series. Canucks have only two goals in last five periods.

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Friday, May 7

Hot pitchers
-- Cardinals won last four Carpenter starts (2-0, 2.00).
-- Pelfrey is 4-1, 2.48 in five starts this season. JSanchez has a 1.82 RA in his last four starts.
-- Cubs won last four Silva starts, scoring 27 runs.
-- Gallardo is 3-0, 1.50 in his last three starts.
-- Kuroda has a 1.93 RA in his last couple starts.

-- Hughes is 3-0, 1.44 in four starts this season.
-- Greinke has a 1.23 RA in his last three starts, but is still winless in his six starts this season.
-- Liriano is 4-0, 0.90 in his last four starts.
-- Texas won last three Wilson starts (2-0, 1.37).
-- Marcum is 1-0, 2.21 in his last three starts.
-- Price is 3-1, 2.34 in five starts this season. GGonzalez is 2-0, 1.32 in his last couple starts.
-- Weaver is 2-1, 2.93 in his last five starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Lowe is 1-2, 6.32 in his last three starts. Moyer has a 6.30 RA in his five starts this season.
-- Stammen has a 7.08 RA in his last four starts. Volstad is 2-2, 4.73 in five starts this season.
-- Duke is 0-3, 11.40 in his last three starts.
-- Bailey is 0-1, 6.56 in his last four starts.
-- Norris is 0-2, 9.82 in his last three starts. Latos is 0-2, 9.35 in his last couple starts.
-- EJackson is 0-2, 13.82 in his last three starts.
-- Rogers allowed five runs in four IP in his first '10 start.

-- Huff is 0-3, 7.16 in his last three starts. Bonderman is 0-1, 7.89 in his last four starts.
-- Beckett is 0-0, 9.00 in his last three starts.
-- Millwood has a 2.70 RA in his last two starts.
-- Buehrle is 0-4, 8.46 in his last four starts.
-- Hernandez is 0-2, 6.35 in his last two starts.

Totals
-- Three of last four Atlanta road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Florida games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven San Francisco road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Cub games went over the total. Under is 5-0-2 in last seven Cincinnati games.
-- Three of last four San Diego games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Arizona home games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Colorado road games stayed under total. Last four Dodger home games went over the total.

-- Five of last seven Indian home games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Bronx games.
-- Six of last seven Texas home games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Baltimore road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five White Sox home games.
-- Six of last nine Oakland games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3-1 in last eleven games at Safeco Field.

Hot teams
-- Phillies won last three games, allowing three runs.
-- Nationals won three of last four home games.
-- Pirates won last three games, allowing five runs.
-- Giants won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Reds won seven of their last ten games.
-- Padres won 11 of their last 16 games.
-- Arizona won three of its last four games.
-- Rockies won three of their last four games.

-- Bronx won seven of its last eight games. Red Sox won their last four games, scoring 36 runs.
-- Twins won four of their last five games.
-- Rangers won six of their last nine home games.
-- Toronto won its last five games, scoring 29 runs. White Sox won five of their last seven home games.
-- Tampa Bay is 12-1 on the road this season. A's won five of their last seven home games.

Cold teams
-- Braves lost nine of their last ten road games.
-- Marlins lost five of their last seven games.
-- Cardinals lost five of their last seven road games.
-- Mets lost four of last five games, but won last seven home games.
-- Cubs lost last three games, outscored 18-5.
-- Astros lost nine of their last ten games.
-- Dodgers are 4-7 in their last eleven games.
-- Brewers lost nine of their last thirteen games.

-- Indians lost five of their last six games. Tigers lost four of their last five games on foreign soil.
-- Royals lost four of their last five road games.
-- Orioles lost 13 of their 17 road games.
-- Angels are 0-7 on this road trip, allowing 54 runs. Mariners lost their last six games, scoring nine runs.

[Udog]

NBA


Friday, May 7

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

7:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
Cleveland is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

9:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
Phoenix is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games on the road
Phoenix is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
San Antonio is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix


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

[Udog]

NHL


Friday, May 7

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

7:00 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

9:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. VANCOUVER
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Vancouver's last 7 games
Vancouver is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games at home


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

[Udog]

MLB


Friday, May 7

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

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

7:05 PM
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis

7:05 PM
FLORIDA vs. WASHINGTON
Florida is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Florida
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Florida

7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Boston is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Yankees

7:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. NY METS
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 9 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CINCINNATI
Chi Cubs are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing Cincinnati
Chi Cubs are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 10 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Cincinnati is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

8:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TEXAS
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Texas
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. HOUSTON
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing San Diego

8:10 PM
TORONTO vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 4-17 SU in their last 21 games when playing Toronto
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home

8:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. MINNESOTA
Baltimore is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Baltimore is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing Baltimore

9:40 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. ARIZONA
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games at home

10:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oakland's last 10 games

10:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 6-12 SU in their last 18 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

10:10 PM
COLORADO vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Colorado's last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado
LA Dodgers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Colorado


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

[Udog]

NBA


Friday, May 7

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

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics [ESPN | 7:00 PM ET]

Cavaliers (-1, O/U 191): For the first time in a long time, there is serious worries that Cleveland might not make it to the Finals this year. Cleveland has lost home court advantage against Boston after working so hard all year to have the best overall record in the NBA. F LeBron James has a banged up elbow, and they are playing their bitter rival who is very experienced. The Cavaliers are going to have to fight and play with more passion to win not only tonight, but the entire series. PG Mo Williams is coming off a poor performance in Game 2, where he only scored 4 PTS on 1 of 9 shooting. Besides James and F Antawn Jamison, no one else showed up offensively for Cleveland. Making matters worse, the Cavaliers were outrebounded by double digits in Game 2. Cleveland is 66-23 SU and 41-47-1 ATS overall this season. The Cavaliers are 27-16 SU and 23-19 ATS in road contests this season. Cleveland is 1-1 ATS as a road favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this season. The Cavaliers are 22-17 ATS this season when playing against a team with a winning SU record.

Cavs are 7-3 ATS last 10 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 4-0 last 4 games as a road favorite.

Key Injuries - F LeBron James (elbow) is probable.
C Anderson Varejao (back) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 92

Celtics: Boston stole home court advantage away from Cleveland, and will look to take the series lead with a SU win tonight. The Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 31-12 in the decisive 3rd Quarter. Boston had great scoring balance in Game 2, as 6 different players scored double figures. The Celtics shot 51% from the field while limiting Cleveland to only 40%. PG Rajon Rondo continues to mature right before our eeys, as he's having a breakout post-season. Rondo had 13 PTS and 19 assists in Game 2. Rondo is averaging 16.3 PPG and nearly 12 APG during the playoffs this year. G Ray Allen is leading the Celtics in scoring this post-season, averaging 19 PPG while making nearly 50% of his 3 point attempts. F Kevin Garnett is also playing well, averaging 16.5 PPG and nearly 10 RPG during the playoffs. Boston is 55-34 SU and 38-49-2 ATS overall this season. Boston is 27-17 SU and 15-28-1 ATS in home games this season. The Celtics are 2-6 ATS after a SU win as the listed underdog.

Celtics are 8-2-1 ATS last 11 games as a home underdog.
Over is 5-1 last 6 games as a home underdog.

Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (foot) is probable.
C Kendrick Perkins (knee) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side of the Day)



Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs [ESPN | 9:30 PM ET]

Suns: It was perceived that San Antonio was playing the best basketball of the teams entering the 2nd Round. Phoenix has proved that statement to be a resounding false, as the Suns are up 2-0 on the Spurs. Phoenix has scored 110 and 11 PTS against the Spurs so far in this playoff series. Phoenix is dominating the Spurs at the 3 point line and with their vaunted pick and roll. PG Steve Nash and F Amar'e Stoudemire are the main reasons the Suns pick and roll is so good. The duo combined for 42 PTS in Game 2, after an impressive 56 PTS in Game 1. Besides the dynamic duo, Phoenix has had an enormous offensive contribution from G Jason Richardson. Richardson is averaging 23.4 PPG during the playoffs, and is shooting better than 50% from the 3 point line this post-season. C Channing Frye and F Jared Dudley have contributed 26 three pointers so far in the playoffs. Phoenix is 60-30 SU and 54-35-1 ATS overall this season. The Suns are 24-20 SU and 25-19 ATS in road games this season. The Suns are a profitable 8-2 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 PTS this season. Phoenix is now 16-4 ATS against Southwest Division opponents this year.

Suns are 9-3 ATS last 12 games as a road underdog.
Over is 12-4 last 16 Conference Semifinals games.

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

PROJECTED SCORE: 96

Spurs (-6.5, O/U 205.5): San Antonio is a bit perplexed, as they aren't facing the Phoenix Suns of old. The Spurs are used to dominating the Suns in the playoffs, but the Suns are tougher mentally than they've been in the past. San Antonio was up by 9 PTS after the 1st Quarter, but that was the only bright spot for them. The Spurs are demoralized a bit, because they shot better than 50% from the field in Game 2 and still lost. San Antonio allowed too many 3 pointers and too many free throws by the Suns. Phoenix shot 37 free throws to the Spurs 22. 5 different Spurs players scored in double figures in Game 2, led by F Tim Duncan and his 29 PTS. F Richard Jefferson also had a big game, scoring 18 PTS and grabbing 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Spurs only had 4 bench PTS besides PG Tony Parker. San Antonio is 54-36 SU and 47-41-2 ATS overall this season. The Spurs are 32-12 SU and 26-16-2 ATS in home games this season. San Antonio is only 6-7 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this season.

Spurs are 8-3 ATS last 11 games following a SU loss.
Over is 5-0 last 5 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (UNDER - Total of the Day)


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

[Udog]

Friday's six-pack

-- JaMarcus Russell earned $36M in three years with the Raiders, or if you want to be mean about it, $5.2M per win (7-18).

-- Last time USC/Notre Dame both entered a season with new football coaches was way back in 1941.

-- Former Duke hooper/Syracuse QB Greg Paulus is getting a tryout in New Orleans with the Saints.

-- In Jose Reyes' career, Mets win 70.8% of the time when he scores at least one run. Not sure why they would ever not bat him leadoff.

-- Robert Burke is new hoop coach at Mount St Mary's; man earned his stripes as an assistant coach, will do a good job there.

-- Best news of the day: Bob Uecker was released from the hospital after his heart operation. Get well soon, Harry Doyle.......


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


Friday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind......

13) Tim Tebow's #15 Broncos jersey was best seller on NFL.com in the month of April; Donovan McNabb's Redskin jersey was #2.

12) Cardinal starting pitchers had 20 quality starts in their first 27 games, the most of any team in their first 27 games since the '72 Dodgers.

11) Cardinal hitters scored total of 11 runs in Brad Penny's six starts.

10) Texas Rangers led 8-0 in third inning, but needed back-to-back HRs from Hamilton/Guerrero in bottom of 8th inning to hold off the Royals 13-12 in a wild but not necessarily well-played game Thursday night.

9) Reliever Tyler Clippard is 4-0, 0.42 for the Nationals, who are really improved. Its hard to believe, but they could be contenders this year.

8) Word of the day: Kerfuffle-- a disorderly outburst or tumult, as in, he caused quite a kerfuffle.

7) Cleveland Indians are last in major leagues in attendance, averaging just 14,153 fans per game, down 8,339 a game from last year's average. Thats what happens when you have back-to-back Cy Young winners, and you trade both of them. People lose interest.

6) Other teams whose attendance is way down so far: Mets down 7,695 a game, Blue Jays 7,955, White Sox 5,187. Reason for concern.

5) Minnesota's attendance is up 9,193 fans a game, a product of their new stadium, which is just about sold out for the season.

4) Canadiens beat Pittsburgh Thursday; series is 2-2, If Montreal upset the Penguins and Bruins advanced, it would set up quite a conference final in the east. Two old rivals, with a berth in the Cup finals at stake.

3) 20-year old Mike Stanton hit a 500-foot HR over the centerfield fence and scoreboard in Montgomery Thursday, his 14th tater of the season, which leads minor leagues. Stanton is hitting .343; his performance begs for a promotion to the Marlins' AAA team in New Orleans.

2) Scott Kazmir had a 4-0 lead before he took the mound Thursday night in Boston, but he never got out of the 5th inning, as Boston ripped him for seven runs in an 11-6 win. Maybe Kazmir is a reliever? He just burns out the bullpen as a starter, rarely finishing the sixth inning.

1) Orlando Magic is 6-0 in playoffs, with one win by less than 8 points.

[Udog]

Len's Top 5

TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 7, 2010 from Len Berman.

1. Quick Hits

Giants great Lawrence Taylor is arrested for the rape of a 16-year old prostitute in Rockland County, New York.
The Oakland Raiders release quarterback bust JaMarcus Russell. A waste of a number one pick and $39-million.
Robert Allenby and J.B. Holmes lead the Players Championship after one round at 6-under-par. Tiger Woods is 4 back.
Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts, who led the Phillies Whiz Kids to the 1950 National League pennant, is dead at the age of 83.
Here we go again. A long day's journey into night, otherwise known as Yankees/Red Sox tonight at Fenway.
Celtics G.M. Danny Ainge was fined $25-thousand for tossing a towel in an effort to distract a Cleveland free throw shooter.

2. L.T.

The news of rape allegations against Lawrence Taylor is sad, but not surprising. Taylor has always lived on the edge, playing fast and loose with drugs, money and the law. It's basically how he played on the field, but it was legal there. I co-hosted a TV show with Taylor at the end of his career. It wasn't half bad. OK, we had entertainers on the show as well as sports stars, and we did end one episode with Bruce Hornsby singing "My Girl." Sadly. No we did not win an Emmy. The show originated from a N.J. restaurant called "L.T's." The eatery went belly up, soon after the show ended. Again, not a surprise.

3. Subscriber Larry K. Gives Us The Laugh Of The Week Courtesy Of The Satirical Newspaper The Onion.

PITTSBURGH—PNC Park boasted a rare sellout crowd Tuesday when more than 38,000 eager Pirates fans showed up for "Fan Euthanasia Night," during which each attendee was guaranteed "the sweet release of a quick and painless death" courtesy of sponsor PepsiCo. "For a diehard Pirates fan who has been following this team for nearly 20 consecutive losing seasons, or really just anyone who watched them get beat 20-0 by the Brewers last week, this is certainly a well-deserved treat," said 46-year-old Jim Martin, walking through the turnstile to receive his souvenir program and his lethal dose of sodium thiopental. "I haven't seen so many people so relaxed and generally happy to be at a Pirates game in a long time." An estimated 200,000 Pirates fans who were unable to get tickets to the game reportedly listened to its radio broadcast while idling their cars inside closed garages.

I'm pretty sure this was a joke. We're in the process of checking.

4. Friday eMailbag

This past week featured lots of "criminals" in the sports world. Subscriber John R. writes that former Chief Justice Earl Warren wouldn't recognize the sports pages anymore. Warren once famously said, "I always turn to the sports page first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures."
Editor's Note: Now, man pretty much fails everywhere in the newspaper.

In response to a subscriber saying that young people find baseball boring, P.S. writes, "Baseball, in my opinion, has a much more intricate strategy than basketball or football, whose players run around in miniskirts (basketball) and male ballet outfits (football). Basketball and football are for those with short attention spans...not baseball."
Editor's Note: You're a regular sports fashionista, P.S.

When I mentioned a Rodney Dangerfield joke, subscriber Ahvi came up with this Rodney gem, ""My wife was such a bad cook, the flies conspired to fix the screens!"

5. Spanning the World

Here's this week's great video. Thanks to Top 5 intern Jesse F. for finding it.
Now when you go to the ballpark, you need to bring your glove and a video camera to catch a ball!

Happy Birthday: The great Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas was born on this date in 1973.
Bonus Birthday: In another 24 years he can wish himself a happy 100th. Weatherman Willard Scott. 76.

Today in Sports: 40 years ago tomorrow, in a galaxy far far away. Willis Reed limps out for game 7 and the Knicks win the NBA Championship over the Lakers. 1970.
Bonus Event: I happened to be listening on the radio when the great Cleveland pitcher Herb Score was hit in the eye by a line drive off the bat of Yankee shortstop Gil McDougald. 1957.