Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 12:18 AM

Baseball Betting Beat

The Houston Astros are not the worst team in baseball or the poorest wager, however do not worry, they have time to still get there. Houston is 13-26, -8.7 units, both good (and bad enough) to rank in the bottom five of Major League baseball.

The Astros could likely be the best play against team at the moment, but somehow they swept the Cardinals near The Arch in St. Louis starting back on May 11 and picked up +6.35 units.

Why is Houston so bad? This is a franchise full of neglect with owner Drayton McLane calling the shots. McLane would not have his millions if he ran his other businesses in the same manner as his baseball franchise.

McLane has always liked to overpay for his own stars, with B to C level talent he thought would help fill seats and maybe help his team win. Free agents like Carlos Lee, Jeff Kent, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens (he of the part-time duty in his days in southeast Texas) all received big contracts, but never produced the type of numbers over the expanse of their deals.

Lance Berkman might be 34, but his deterioration has been in full view for a couple of years for those betting baseball.

The numbers tell the story about the ‘Stros. In the National League they are last in runs scored (2.9), batting average (.228), doubles (51), home runs (20), total bases (408) and on-base percentage (.273).

To understand their ineptitude, compare those numbers to league averages, please understand not the best, just what the average NL team profile looks like. (Thru May 18)

Runs scored (4.5)
Batting average (.256)
Doubles (70)
Home runs (36)
Total bases (536)
On-base percentage (.329)

These are mind-boggling numbers for sports betting aficionados. At the aforementioned date with these number compiled, Houston did not have above average player at ONE field position (excluding pitcher) when it came to adding up these shown figures in the senior circuit, not one.

The Astros play the old-school way like a Kirby Puckett, who went to the dish hacking. One problem they don’t have a player of his talent on the roster and rank 15th in pitches taken and dead last in walks with 75. (The Giants are 15th at 118 base on balls by comparison, a 36.5 percent differential)

About the only thing Houston batters don’t do a lot of is strikeout (lowest in the NL), but they have so little patience at the plate, they don’t give opposing pitchers a chance to send them back to the bench and instead flail away at whatever is pitched.

With the poorest farm system in the big leagues according to Baseball America, one top notch pitcher in Roy Oswalt and two average to slightly above hurlers in Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers, prospects are not good this season will improve. Take away a 9-6 record at present against NL Central partners and the 2010 Astros are 4-20 (-16.6) against the record of the league.

The best way to sum up Houston is compare them to baseball’s best team, Tampa Bay, in one category. The Rays are 15-3 in games determined by four or more runs and the Astros are 2-13. You would think Rachel Phelps was running the team. (The Cleveland Indians owner in the movie - Major League)

I wouldn’t read too much into the Pittsburgh Pirates hovering just below .500 thus far in 2010. The Bucs have been good underdog wager at 16-21, +6.5 units; however their run differential is -102. That number is higher than last place teams Kansas City and Baltimore combined (-99) and even if Pittsburgh was like a bank and could write off it’s bad debt, they would still be the worst in baseball tossing away 20-0 meltdown to Milwaukee.

I just love the so-called experts who have fallen in love with saying starting pitching doesn’t mean what it used to. They site pitch counts, the lack of complete games and greater dependence on bullpens.
While those points are mildly valid, their reference point is like that of politician selectively choosing quasi-numbers and facts to make a point.

The Los Angeles Dodgers started the year with one of the best offenses in the National League, yet on the morning of May 9 were 13-17 and being written off for their lack of pitching.

Joe Torre’s starting pitchers finally found a groove and in harmony with those in the bullpen, put together a streak in which they conceded 2.0 runs per game and the Dodgers won nine in a row, while a bit over average in runs scored at 5.5 compared to 5.2 for the season.

What changed was the starters began throwing strikes, which led to more innings of success with lower pitch counts. This helped setup the pen with pitchers in their normal roles of coming in the game in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings, which is their comfort zone and once success was achieved, the confidence swelled among the entire staff.

The days of complete games and high pitch counts are gone; nevertheless if the starting pitcher can take a tie game or lead into the final three innings, most baseball bettors are positioned to earn a victory.

Always check the latest numbers at Bookmaker.com.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 12:29 AM

Thursday Day Tips

Prior to the start of interleague this weekend, the Thursday baseball card features a handful of solid afternoon matchups. Three contests inside the National League showcase NL East versus NL Central showdowns, including red-hot Cincinnati battling Atlanta.

Reds at Braves - 1:05 PM EST

Cincinnati is turning the corner inside the NL Central by winning nine of eleven to take the lead inside the division. The Reds send out prized rookie Mike Leake to the mound, while the Braves counter with fireballer Tommy Hanson.

Leake (4-0, 3.09) has been fantastic through his first seven starts of the season, compiling quality outings on seven occasions. The Reds are 6-1 when Leake takes the mound, including victories over the Cardinals and Cubs his last two outings. The ex-Arizona State righty has made just two starts on the road, but Leake went seven innings in each game at Houston and Pittsburgh.

The run support for Hanson (3-3, 2.88 ERA) is hit-or-miss with the Braves scoring one run or less in three of his starts, but tallying at least six runs in three other outings. Hanson's numbers are better on the road than at home, as the righty has compiled just one quality outings in four starts at Turner Field. Hanson managed to strike out 10 in seven innings of an 11-1 loss to Arizona, while allowing a season-high five earned runs. In his only career start against the Reds, Hanson scattered three hits in six scoreless innings of a 7-0 shutout at the Great American Ballpark last June.

The Reds are 6-1 the last six games against right-handed starting pitchers, while going 6-3 to the 'under' the previous nine road contests. The Braves have won five of their last six Game 2's, dating back to the start of May.

Cubs at Phillies - 1:05 PM EST

Philadelphia continues a seven-game homestand as the Phillies wrap up their series with the Cubs. Charlie Manuel's team is 8-4 the last 12 games at Citizens Bank Park, while Chicago is goes for its fifth straight win following Wednesday's 4-1 victory.

Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.49 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season, but the righty has allowed 12 earned runs and 21 hits so far. Blanton is coming off a victory over the Brewers in his last outing, giving up six hits and five earned runs in seven innings of work. The former Oakland A's hurler shut down the Cubs last season at home, 4-1, by delivering seven innings of five-hit ball, while striking out five.

Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.49 ERA) continues to go deep into his starts, but the Cubs are 1-5 in his last six trips to the mound. Four of those losses came as a favorite of at least $1.50 against the Pirates twice, Nationals, Astros. However, the Cubs lost each of those games by one run apiece as Dempster delivered a quality start in all four defeats. Dempster's career numbers against the Phillies are not very solid, allowing ten earned runs in his last two outings versus Philadelphia dating back to 2008.

The Cubs are 2-8 in Dempster's last ten starts as a road underdog, while five of his six starts this season have finished 'under' the total. Each team is riding nice 'under' runs with the Phillies going on an 9-2 'under' run at home and the Cubs cashing the 'under' in seven of the last nine overall.

Marlins at Cardinals - 1:40 PM EST

The Fish are trying to put the Hanley Ramirez situation behind them as the reigning NL batting champion played in Wednesday's game at St. Louis. The Cardinals send out their second ace to the mound with Adam Wainwright listed as a substantial favorite over Nate Robertson.

Wainwright (5-2, 2.48 ERA) is making his first home start since April 29, as the Cards have dropped two of his last three outings. The righty failed to turn in a quality start for the first time in eight outings this season in a 4-3 setback at Cincinnati his last time out. Wainwright allowed seven hits and four earned runs in six innings, while extending his streak to 38 consecutive starts in which he has struck out more batters than walked. The Cardinals are 3-1 in his four career starts against the Marlins, with the lone loss coming as a $2.15 home favorite last September in a 2-1 defeat.

Robertson (4-3, 4.35 ERA) has become a viable addition to the back end of the Marlins' rotation after getting acquired right before the season. The southpaw is coming off consecutive wins over the Cubs and Mets, while allowing two earned runs in each of his last three outings. The Marlins have won two of Robertson's three road starts despite Florida scoring just seven runs. Robertson has made only one start at Busch Stadium, but that came in the 2006 World Series as a member of the Tigers. The lefty was on the wrong side of a 5-0 defeat, lasting only five innings and allowing two earned runs, giving the Cards a 2-1 series advantage on their way to the title.

St. Louis owns a 25-6 record since 2007 when Wainwright starts following a loss in his last outing. Florida has sailed 'over' the total in eight of 12 games when facing a right-handed starter after a left-hander, as the Marlins are coming off a 5-1 win over rookie lefty Jamie Garcia in the series opener.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 12:30 AM

LHP - Good and Bad

The baseball season is moving right along with the first round of interleague series starting on Friday. There are many teams that are developing certain traits against particular types of pitching, and this week we'll focus on six clubs that have skewed positively or negatively against left-handed starting pitchers. One of the three best teams versus southpaw starters is a surprise on this list that sits atop their division out west.

Good:

San Diego Padres (7-2)

The Padres have turned many heads this season with their impressive start, while leading the competitive NL West. San Diego has done much of its damage against southpaws, racking up a 4-2 mark as an underdog. Bud Black's squad isn't afraid of facing lefties on the road, either, with a 4-1 ledger.

San Diego has beaten Jonathan Sanchez twice and Barry Zito, as the Padres are 6-0 this season against the Giants. The Padres were shut down by Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on Saturday, 4-1 as short home underdogs. The most interesting part behind San Diego's success in this category is the Padres are hitting just .226 as a team, including a .235 average from Adrian Gonzalez and a .186 average from Chase Headley.

The Padres will get to face their fair share of left-handers this week, beginning with Sanchez and the Giants on Tuesday. San Diego gets a rematch with Kershaw at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, followed by a pair of lefties this weekend. The Padres head to Seattle for the start of interleague against Cliff Lee on Friday and Ryan Rowland-Smith on Saturday, which will no doubt be two 'under' opportunities.

Minnesota Twins (8-3)

The Twins jumped out of the gate and have been slowed down when they face their arch-nemesis, the Yankees. Minnesota has performed well against southpaws, going 4-1 as a favorite and profiting as an underdog at 4-2.

As opposed to the Padres, two of Minnesota's top hitters excel against left-handed pitching. Joe Mauer is hitting at a .378 clip, while Justin Morneau is batting .365 versus southpaw pitching. Four other regulars in the lineup are hitting above .260 against lefties (Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, and Orlando Hudson), which has helped these team be successful in this spot.

Minnesota faces three southpaws this week in three different cities. The Twins will see Dana Eveland in Toronto on Monday, followed by Red Sox' southpaw Jon Lester on Friday. The first interleague opponent for the Twins is Milwaukee, who invades Target Field this weekend. Minnesota takes on the struggling Doug Davis on Friday night, who owns an ERA of 7.56 in seven starts.

Detroit Tigers (6-3)

This lineup may not impress many past Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez, but the Tigers keep finding ways to win thanks to young players stepping up. Detroit has beaten three quality left-handers over the last two weeks by knocking off Lester, CC Sabathia, and Scott Kazmir all at Comerica Park.

Cabrera is torching left-handed pitching this season with a .393 average, while Johnny Damon is hitting .333 against southpaws. The Tigers have won four of five at home versus lefty starters, while going 3-1 as an underdog in this spot.

Detroit will see only two southpaws this week, facing a pair of difficult left-handers. The Tigers host the White Sox for two games starting Monday, and will try to beat John Danks on Tuesday. The Tigers head out west on Wednesday to battle Oakland, as Dallas Braden takes the mound to try and slow down this Tigers offense.

Bad:

Los Angeles Dodgers (4-7)

The Dodgers are one of the hottest teams in baseball by winning seven straight games following a slow start. However, if you have bet on the Dodgers against left-handed starting pitchers, you would be digging out of a deep hole. Los Angeles is down 6.9 units, including home losses to Doug Davis, Chris Narveson, and Brian Burres as substantial 'chalk.'

Many of the Dodgers position players aren't necessarily struggling against left-handers, but Los Angeles played nine straight games versus right-handed starters, which has resulted in an 8-1 mark prior to Sunday's 1-0 win at San Diego. Andre Ethier (.378), Matt Kemp (.278), and James Loney (.275) have paced the Dodgers in this category, but the power outage against lefties is interesting to note. Los Angeles has hit 31 homers against right-handed pitching, but just three long balls versus southpaws.

The Dodgers face only one left-hander this week, taking on Wandy Rodriguez and the Astros at Chavez Ravine. Los Angeles will be a huge favorite in that game, but if the Dodgers are listed as reasonable 'chalk' the rest of the week against right-handed pitchers, Joe Torre's team is definitely worth a look.

Milwaukee Brewers (4-7)

Not much is going right for Ken Macha's team, who owns the worst home record in baseball. Facing left-handed starters is another hurdle for this team to jump, even though the Brew Crew is batting .260 against southpaws.

The Brewers are 3-5 as a home favorite in this situation, including three losses as $1.40 or higher 'chalk.' Ryan Braun is hitting a solid .378 against lefties, but Prince Fielder is batting just .213 with 15 strikeouts. The 'over' is cashing a nice rate recently in five of the last six versus southpaw starters.

Milwaukee will see just two left-handers this week, both at PNC Park against the Pirates. The Brewers face Brian Burres on Wednesday followed by Paul Maholm on Thursday. The Pirates beat the Brewers when Maholm started back on April 28 in extra-innings, as Pittsburgh cashed as $1.40 underdogs.

Chicago Cubs (4-8)

The Cubs have certainly been an enigma this season with the demotion of Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen, while Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez have struggled mightily at the plate. Chicago hasn't fared much better against southpaws, dropping a pair of home games as 'chalk' of nearly $2.00 in the weekend series against Pittsburgh lefties.

Lee (.179) and Ramirez (.175) are not contributing in a positive way in the middle of the Chicago lineup, but Marlon Byrd (.467) and Alfonso Soriano (.368) have pulled their collective weight against southpaw pitching. The Cubs have lost four games this season as a favorite of at least $1.80 versus lefties, so that's something to keep an eye out for as the season continues.

Chicago will face ex-Cub Jamie Moyer on Wednesday when it faces Philadelphia, followed by a matchup against young lefty Derek Holland and the Rangers on Friday.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 05:23 PM

Evening Games:

Tampa Bay - 7:05 PM ET Tampa Bay +134 500 *****
NY Yankees - Over 9 500

Milwaukee - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +107 500 *****
Pittsburgh - Under 9.5 500

NY Mets - 7:05 PM ET Washington -114 500
Washington - Over 9 500

Minnesota - 7:10 PM ET Boston -132 500
Boston - Under 9 500 *****

Baltimore - 8:05 PM ET Texas -138 500
Texas - Over 9.5 500 *****

Colorado - 8:05 PM ET Houston +131 500 *****
Houston - Under 6.5 500

LA Angels - 8:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox -117 500
Chi. White Sox - Over 9 500

San Francisco - 9:40 PM ET San Francisco -168 500
Arizona - Under 7.5 500 *****

San Diego - 10:10 PM ET San Diego +150 500 *****
LA Dodgers - Under 7 500

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

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
05/18/10 0-4-0 0.00% -2290 Detail
05/16/10 3-1-0 75.00% +1025 Detail
05/14/10 0-2-0 0.00% -1140 Detail
05/12/10 3-1-0 75.00% +1610 Detail
05/11/10 0-1-1 0.00% -625 Detail
05/10/10 3-1-0 75.00% +1065 Detail
05/09/10 2-0-0 100.00% +1315 Detail
05/08/10 1-3-0 25.00% -1100 Detail
05/07/10 3-1-0 75.00% +1080 Detail
05/06/10 1-3-0 25.00% -1415 Detail
05/05/10 1-2-1 33.33% -500 Detail
05/04/10 2-2-0 50.00% +180 Detail
05/03/10 3-0-1 100.00% +1500 Detail
05/02/10 3-1-0 75.00% +1720 Detail
05/01/10 2-2-0 50.00% +170 Detail
Totals 27-24-3 52.94% +2595

Thursday, May 20Game Score Status Pick Amount

Philadelphia - 7:00 PM ET Montreal -122 500 *****
Montreal - Over 5 500 *****

Good Luck !

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 05:24 PM

Montreal finally favored in Stanley Cup Playoffs

MONTREAL (AP)—The NHL’s goalie of the moment, and maybe the player most responsible for the Philadelphia Flyers unexpected run toward a Stanley Cup, arrived in Montreal with one simple wish for his 29th birthday. “Just some rest,” Michael Leighton said Wednesday with a big laugh. OK, but not much. As busy as Leighton has been in registering consecutive shutouts by stopping all 58 shots Montreal has fired at him in the first two games of the Eastern Conference final, the Canadiens are vowing to make it even tougher on him.

A day after a 3-0 loss at Philadelphia, Canadiens coach Jacques Martin spent much of a 45-minute meeting attempting to erase 120 minutes of futility by stressing to his players the importance of getting more traffic in front of Leighton as the best-of-seven series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Thursday.

Defenseman Josh Gorges is buying in because at this point, scoring a goal— just one—has become the Canadiens primary objective, no matter how it comes. “Even if it’s one of those ugly ones, off someone’s behind or deflecting in off of one of their guys, we’ll take it,” Gorges said. “First of all, I think that would give us a boost, a little confidence to know that he’s not invincible.”

The Canadiens have been resilient this postseason. Seeded eighth, they’ve already rallied from series deficits to knock off both top-seeded Washington and defending champion Pittsburgh in seven games each, however, is 12-21 in home games playing with double revenge.

The seventh-seeded Flyers pulled off maybe the greatest comeback in NHL history just to get here, coming from three games down against Boston and three goals down in Game 7 to beat the Bruins and they are 20-9 off a home win.

The latter part of this journey is doing it with a journeyman goalie. Claimed by the Flyers off of waivers in December, Leighton has grabbed the spotlight since taking over the starting job after Brian Boucher hurt his knee in Game 5 against Boston. Leighton has now won four straight, and has been invincible this series.

Leighton became the first goalie to register two consecutive shutouts in the NHL playoffs since Detroit’s Chris Osgood did it against Pittsburgh in the 2008 Stanley Cup final. His shutout streak of 165:50 is second among Flyers goalies, behind only Boucher, who went 184:45 without allowing a goal in the 2000 playoffs.

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette initially balked at answering a question about who the star of his team might be, saying “we’re not a one-guy team.” Laviolette then made an exception regarding Leighton’s performance on Monday. It was a game in which the Flyers led 1-0 after 20 minutes despite being outshot 16-6.

“Michael Leighton gave it to us last night and kept us in that game,” Laviolette said. “So there’s your answer.” This all gave the Flyers their sixth consecutive win.

With a shutout on Thursday, Leighton would become only the seventh player to do it in three straight games, and first since Anaheim’s Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s triple-blanking in the 2003 Western Conference finals against Minnesota. “Well, obviously, I’m trying to enjoy it. But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” Leighton said. “I haven’t really accomplished too much yet.”

The Flyers are 16-0 in their history when leading a series 2-0, and are now two wins from their first trip to the Stanley Cup final since 1997. They are 5-1 on the road and 5-0 playing with a day between games.

Given how topsy-turvy the East playoffs have been the Flyers aren’t taking anything for granted. “That would be the worst mistake we can make,” center Danny Briere said. “This is far from over. … I’m hoping we’re not going to fall into that trap.”

The Canadiens, meanwhile, are looking forward to playing their first game at home in 10 days. The trouble for Montreal is its offense has been far too one-dimensional, even before it hit the Leighton Wall. Of the 39 goals Montreal has scored this postseason, 19 have come from two players: Mike Cammalleri has 12 and Brian Gionta seven.

Center Tomas Plekanec, who had a team-leading 70 points in the regular season, has managed just four assists in his past 10 games. Play-making forward Scott Gomez has a goal and 10 assists this postseason, but hasn’t scored a goal in his past 15. The Habs are 10-4 on home ice if they have been away for a week or more.

Martin was confident in his team. “We’ve earned the right to be here. We know it’s not going to be easy,” Martin said, before noting how the Canadiens rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against Washington. “A lot of people here, after Game 4 against Washington, weren’t too optimistic. And this group proved them wrong.”

Bookmaker.com placed Montreal in a very unusual situation; they are favored for the first time in 17 games in the playoffs at -125 on the money line with total of OV5. The Canadiens are 10-5 after losing by three or more goals and 5-0 UNDER after falling to same opponent twice by two or more goals in each contest.

Philadelphia will seek a commanding 3-0 lead but is 1-7 after allowing one goal or less in consecutive outings and is 10-3 OVER when playing in the conference finals.

The VERSUS Network and CBC have the Game 3 action starting at 7:00 Eastern.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 05:27 PM

NL West skirmish has one-sided system

The Los Angeles Dodgers had their nine-game win streak snapped at an inopportune time, losing last night to division leading San Diego 10-5. The Padres were the first team in ten games to rip thru the Dodgers pitching, who had allowed 18 total runs during their scorching streak.

Los Angeles (22-18, -1.7 units) will attempt to begin another charge at first place and split the quick two game series against San Diego.

The Dodgers defense has been a source of concern all year, ranking 11th in the National League. However they have tightened up all aspects of their game and have gone six contests without an error.

Manager Joe Torre will hand the horse-hide over to Clayton Kershaw (3-2, 3.55 ERA, 1.358 WHIP), which should put smile on everyone face (along with video below) preferring the home team for sports betting purposes. Kershaw has allowed one run in his last two starts, permitting five hits over 15 innings, striking out 16 opposing batters. Equally as important for him the left-hander is giving up just five walks.

L.A. is 29-8 in home games after a loss and will face Kevin Correia (4-3, 4.35, 1.220) who Kershaw and the Dodgers downed 4-1 last Saturday in San Diego. Correia allowed the four runs over 5 1/3 innings in the defeat while attempting to overcome the emotional scars of losing his younger brother, Trevor, who died after falling from a 60-foot cliff while hiking on Santa Cruz Island.

Bookmaker.com has Los Angeles as -158 money line favorites, despite having Andre Either out the lineup and possibly Manny Ramirez, who injured his left foot before yesterday’s contest and was scratched from the starting nine and later was used as pinch-hitter. Nevertheless, the situation is quite favorable for the home team in this I-5 conflict.

Play On favorites with a money line of -125 to -175, after three straight games where they committed no errors, starting a pitcher who gave up one or fewer earned runs in his last two outings.

This baseball system is 62-16, 79.5 percent since Daniel Powter’s No. 1 Billboard hit “Bad Day” (2006) and the margin of victory has been decisive, with the favored club winning by 2.4 runs per contest.

Everything points to a Dodgers triumph with L.A. 33-13 in May games since last year.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 05:28 PM

NL West skirmish has one-sided system

The Los Angeles Dodgers had their nine-game win streak snapped at an inopportune time, losing last night to division leading San Diego 10-5. The Padres were the first team in ten games to rip thru the Dodgers pitching, who had allowed 18 total runs during their scorching streak.

Los Angeles (22-18, -1.7 units) will attempt to begin another charge at first place and split the quick two game series against San Diego.

The Dodgers defense has been a source of concern all year, ranking 11th in the National League. However they have tightened up all aspects of their game and have gone six contests without an error.

Manager Joe Torre will hand the horse-hide over to Clayton Kershaw (3-2, 3.55 ERA, 1.358 WHIP), which should put smile on everyone face (along with video below) preferring the home team for sports betting purposes. Kershaw has allowed one run in his last two starts, permitting five hits over 15 innings, striking out 16 opposing batters. Equally as important for him the left-hander is giving up just five walks.

L.A. is 29-8 in home games after a loss and will face Kevin Correia (4-3, 4.35, 1.220) who Kershaw and the Dodgers downed 4-1 last Saturday in San Diego. Correia allowed the four runs over 5 1/3 innings in the defeat while attempting to overcome the emotional scars of losing his younger brother, Trevor, who died after falling from a 60-foot cliff while hiking on Santa Cruz Island.

Bookmaker.com has Los Angeles as -158 money line favorites, despite having Andre Either out the lineup and possibly Manny Ramirez, who injured his left foot before yesterday’s contest and was scratched from the starting nine and later was used as pinch-hitter. Nevertheless, the situation is quite favorable for the home team in this I-5 conflict.

Play On favorites with a money line of -125 to -175, after three straight games where they committed no errors, starting a pitcher who gave up one or fewer earned runs in his last two outings.

This baseball system is 62-16, 79.5 percent since Daniel Powter’s No. 1 Billboard hit “Bad Day” (2006) and the margin of victory has been decisive, with the favored club winning by 2.4 runs per contest.

Everything points to a Dodgers triumph with L.A. 33-13 in May games since last year.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 05:29 PM

Today’s Betting Information

In afternoon baseball action, Detroit has moved from a -135 road favorite to -115 or less at most sports books as they go for the sweep of Oakland. Both clubs have a sharp daytime record with the Tigers 14-6 and the Athletics 10-5. However, those betting on sports should be aware, off Oakland’s 5-1 loss last night; they are 7-0 at home after scoring two runs or less this season.

A tremendous pitching matchup in Houston this evening with Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado facing Roy Oswalt. The Rockies started as -170 betting choice but has since moved to -150 or below. In trying to determine why, we find Jimenez and Colorado 4-15 trying to break a two or more game losing streak and Oswalt 7-1 with exquisite 1.78 ERA against the Rocks.

Another quality pitching matchup is in Boston with Jon Lester facing off against the Twins and Francisco Liriano. Oddmakers put out a total of nine and the wagering public has taken it down to eight at this juncture. Lester and the Red Sox are 23-5 in night home games with average score of 7.8 runs per contest and the BoSox are 30-12 UNDER vs. a starting pitcher who throws more than 6.5 innings per start.

Hockey Betting Nuggets

The Montreal Canadiens are 8-40 when they score two or less goals this season.

MLB Betting Nuggets

Play Under on teams likes the Angels when the total is 9 to 9.5, ice cold batting average of .225 or worse over their last 15 games, against opponent starting a pitcher who walked one or less hitters each of his last two outings. (63-27, L13Y)

The Florida Marlins are 7-0 (+12.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 over the last two seasons.

The Dodgers skipper Joe Torre is 5-14 after his team has allowed 10 or more runs since moving to L.A.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-20-2010, 06:35 PM

Must-win for Montreal

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been hotly contested in the first two rounds. The Eastern Conference Final, however, has left a lot to be desired. The Flyers and Canadiens both went the full seven games in their respective second round matchups. Yet Philadelphia comes into Game 3 of this series with a 2-0 lead.

If there is one good thing for Montreal, it’s that they come home for its must-win contest, with the puck dropping at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Versus. The Bell Centre has easily been the most raucous venue in this tournament. Yet the Habs are only 3-3 in six home tests during the playoffs.

Perhaps a bit of home cooking is just what the Canadiens need right now after two disastrous outings in Philly. The Flyers have taken them to task, outscoring them 9-0 in just two games. Now it isn’t just in the final score that the Broad Street Bullies are leading; they are dominating every facet of the game right now.

Philadelphia is using an extremely physical brand of defense that has seen them outhit the Habs 54-41. And even though Montreal has outshot the Flyers 58-48 in the series, most of the shots have been easy to snag for Michael Leighton. Plus, they are keeping guys like Mike Cammalleri away from making big shots. Montreal’s top scorer in the playoffs (12 goals, 6 assists) had been averaging almost seven shots on goal per game in the tournament. Cammalleri has just fired five SOG in the Eastern Conference Final.

Leighton is just the latest in a long line of netminders for the Flyers this year (9 have dressed during the 2009-10 campaign). And all he has done in five games of work is go 4-0 with an ungodly goals against average of 0.87 and a .969 save percentage. Now he gets to head into the Bell Centre, where he has logged a 1-0 mark with a .923 save percentage to go along with a 2.06 GAA.

The white-out of Montreal will no doubt be a welcome sight for Jaroslav Halak. The Canadiens’ backstop has been making the most out of his postseason spotlight in a contract year (He’s a restricted free agent for the 2010-11 season), stopping 92 percent of the shots fired his way with a GAA of 2.66.

As great as his numbers have been in the tournament, we have yet to really see the Halak that posted those great numbers. He did bounce back with a good outing on Tuesday night (20-23 SOG), but it was still the first time in the entire postseason that Halak had surrendered at least three goals on back-to-back games.

If anything, Halak and his teammates need to find a way to put the clamps down on Danny Briere. The former Sabre is seeing the net as if it were Aretha Franklin’s backside, logging a goal in four straight games and in five of his last six appearances.

Despite the ownership demonstrated by the Flyers, Montreal has been installed as a $1.30 home favorite (risk $130 to win $100) for Game 3 with a total of five coming in at most betting shops.

It’s been a while since the Habs were listed as home faves (April 4 vs. Toronto, to be exact). And they haven’t responded all that well in this spot, going 12-10 during the season, covering the puck line (-1 ½-goals) in seven of those fixtures.

Montreal has won both of its games as a home “chalk” against clubs from the Atlantic Division this year. Of course, those were both against the Islanders.

Philadelphia has won its last two games against Northeast Division foes as a road pup, which both came in the previous series with the Bruins.

What gamblers don’t know is that the Flyers have been road ‘dogs four times this season after a pitching a shutout in their last game. They are 1-3 in those games, much to the chagrin of Philly fans everywhere. The gamblers taking them to cover the puck line (+1 ½-goals) have seen them go 4-0. Now all those fun loving risk takers need to decide is if it is worth taking Philly to cover at minus-275 (risk $275 to win $100) or just hope for the outright win and a plus-110 return (risk $100 to win $110).

Announcement

The Bum's Thursday's Best Bets !

The Bum's Thursday's Best Bets !

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment