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**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 12:05 PM

A Little MLB Trendy Talk

Because the sport of baseball is played on daily basis all teams have streaks, some are good and others are not. For this Hump Day, we’ll focus on four teams that couldn’t knockout their own shadow, let alone defeat the team in the other dugout the way they are playing. Is today the day these derided derelicts of the diamond stand up and fight over adversity, probably not.

Arizona at L.A. Dodgers 3:10 E

Anytime you are 0 for anything, chances are life isn’t going so well. The Arizona Diamondbacks (20-33, -12.9 units) left the unfriendly borders of home on May 24 and haven’t won a game since, losing the first eight encounters of the road trip and a total of nine overall. The D-Backs offense tends to run like a microwave, or or off, unfortunately manager A.J. Hench just can’t press a button for start. The Snakes have averaged 2.1 runs per game in this stretch which places them in tough spots and they have lost last three contests in opponents final at bat.

Arizona is 3-12 after three or more consecutive losses this season and 8-22 with an on-base percentage of .285 or worse over their last five games and today’s get-away game in Los Angeles (30-22, +2.2) has added meaning for D-Backs players. Arizona is a +134 underdog at Sportsbook.com against the Dodgers, who have taken the first two games of the series and are 13-32 in road tilts with double revenge. It will be Edwin Jackson (3-6, 6.03 ERA) for the Snakes against rookie Carlos Monasterios (2-0, 2.20) and L.A. is only 15-1 off three straight wins vs. division rivals over the last two seasons.

Chic. Cubs at Pittsburgh 7:05 E

In Chicago there has been a lot of talk about how lifeless the Cubs (24-29, -13 units) have played all season. This is a stunning development to Cubs fans who figured that Lou Piniella would throwing players out of the clubhouse and turning over tables and chewing on umpires’ ears on a daily basis with his team’s nonchalant attitude on the field. Instead, Piniella has acted like an older employee taken over by new ownership and just wants to keep quiet until his full pension kicks in.

It doesn’t help the middle of the Cubs lineup resembles the recent Guatemalan sinkhole, with Derek Lee batting .232 and Aramis Ramirez (.167) needs a three week hitting streak just to climb to Mendoza Line.

Forget all that and somebody explain why the Cubs 1-7 against Pittsburgh (22-31, +4.0) in 2010 and have lost 10 of 11 to the Pirates. With Pittsburgh a National League worst -128 in run differential, it would seem logical the Bucs are going to win a few one run games and get clobbered the rest of the time, however for the Cubs, it seems the worse a team is, the more awful they play. Chicago has these dubious angles riding, they are 2-11 vs. NL teams scoring 3.8 or less runs a game on the season and 2-8 in road contests if teams in their own league allows 5.3 or more runs per outing.

The Cubs turn to Carlos Zambrano of all people for the start and they are -135 favorites and oh by the way, are 1-7 revenging a loss vs. opponent as a road favorite this season. One other note, Pittsburgh is 10-2 at home after a one run victory.

Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees 7:05 E

It cannot be very fun to go to work every day as a Baltimore Orioles player. Your teams stinks with 15-37 record (-17.4) and the division you play in has four of the five teams with the best record in the American League as June starts moving forward.

Baltimore actually held the New York Yankees (32-20, +2.8) to three runs last night, but tallied just one themselves. The O’s are 3-19 after scoring two runs or less this year and alarming 1-17 in road games after scoring one or fewer runs in a loss to an AL East rival since 2008. Even when the Birds get a good pitched game, they are 6-27 as visitors after scoring and allowing three runs or less.

Its little wonder why Baltimore is a +260 underdog in the Bronx having to face Phil Hughes (6-1, 2.70), whose been New York’s best and most consistent pitcher this season. The Yankees are scoring 6.6 runs per game in the pinstripes and are 16-1 in home conflicts after allowing one run or less.

Cleveland at Detroit 7:05 E

The Tigers (26-25, +0.4) have lost eight of 10 with a balky offense not firing regularly. In Detroit’s previous defeats, they have scored 2.3 runs per game, compared to 4.4 in the season. Manager Jim Leyland has considered having the public address system at Comerica Park play Motley Crue’s “Kick start my heart” every time his team comes to bat (this might be a Twitter rumor) since all aspects of the pitching have been solid and fielding on good ground, yet they are only 12-19 after four straight games where they committed no errors.

Detroit managed only two runs against Jake Westbrook and Cleveland in 3-2 loss on Tuesday and gives the ball to Armando Galarraga (1-1, 4.50), who makes his third start of the season and first since May 22.

Though it’s nice to see Galarraga has worked hard to return to the big leagues after beginning the season in the minors, he still has a poor track record with 4-14 record in night games since last year. (Tigers Record) With Cleveland in the throes of a terrible season at 19-31, Detroit at -142 money line wager at online sports betting outlets sounds like a descent wager, yet they are 8-15 vs. teams outscored by one or more runs a contest on the season.

Will the Tigers be able to overcome 4-12 record with Galarraga as starting pitcher against losing team and instead move to 13-1 at Comerica off a loss to a division rival as a home favorite? Stay tuned

**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 12:06 PM

Is Philadelphia finished?

The Flyers gave a much better overall accounting of themselves in Game 2 and dominated the last 20 minutes, but they don’t hand out Stanley Cups for trying, you have to win four games to take home this trophy which is large dilemma in Philadelphia.

The Flyers outshot Chicago 15-4 in the last period and against 80 percent of the teams in the NHL they would have won the last stanza 3-0 or more, however not every team has a goalie like Antti Niemi between the pipes, who made a handful of incredible saves to keep Philly shooters out of the net but once.

Philadelphia has remorse for not playing with the same passion the entire contest.

"I thought we were way too conservative in the first two periods," Philadelphia forward Danny Briere said. "We didn't give them much, I understand that. But it's not really our type of hockey. We didn't forecheck. We didn't create much offensively. We didn't spend much time in their zone." This left the Flyers 6-18 against good passing teams averaging five or more assists per game this season.

What was particularly painful was letting down at the exact wrong moment. Ben Eager, a former Flyer, is a high energy enforcer who was moved from fourth line duty to the first line by coach Joel Quenneville with Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien, just seconds after Marian Hossa had broken scoreless tie.

Philadelphia had done exceptional work in keeping the Blackhawks top unit down and Quenneville wanted an individual to mix it up, especially after he had flatten a couple of Philly players earlier the game.

What could not have expected was Eager unleashing a blast just 28 seconds after Chicago had taken initial lead, that beat goalie Michael Leighton to the glove side. “It was awesome,” said Adam Burish, with whom Eager usually plays with on the fourth unit. “It was a beauty. It was almost like a practice drill; he comes flying down that wing and snaps one and he’s got a heavy shot when he lets it go.”

However, Chicago wouldn’t be 44-21 off a home win had it not been for netminder Niemi. The 26-year rookie has exceptional flexibility and he needed it throughout the third period with the Philly barrage. “We call him the octopus because he's got arms and legs going everywhere," Chicago forward Adam Burish said. "He was special tonight. Niemi was unbelievable in that third period. Some of the pucks, I don't know how he saw them."

Philadelphia might be dire straits (teams that sweep the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals are 31-2), however they are in familiar territory (think Boston series) and have leaders like Chris Pronger upon returning home where they are 22-7 the second half of the season.

"Yeah, I think we need to play with more desperation than we did, like the third period," Pronger said. "We need to play with that passion, energy, drive, determination, like we did in the third through the whole game. It needs to be 60 minutes."

The Flyers are 7-1 in the tournament at the Wachovia Center and 9-1 in last 10 since April 4. Sportsbook.com has Philadelphia as -130 money line play with total lowered to Ov5.5.

With the unbalanced schedule in place, this will be just Chicago’s 10th visit to the City of Brotherly Love in 14 years and they have one win in the time span. The Blackhawks are 20-5 after playing exactly two consecutive home games this season and 8-1 UNDER in road tilts with six-game or more win streak.

The Flyers have lived dangerously almost all season, with their margin for error thinner than a skate blade and are 6-14 revenging consecutive losses to opponent as a favorite. The Flyers are 8-1 UNDER off a road failure by one goal this season.

The first game in Philly has an 8:00 Eastern start on NBC, with Chicago having won seven straight on the playoff road.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 12:08 PM

Diamond Trends - Wednesday

Nationals at Astros – The Nationals are 8-0 since June 06, 2009 within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $860. The Nationals are 6-0 since July 11, 2009 as a road dog after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits for a net profit of $935. The Astros are 5-0 since June 21, 2009 when Wandy Rodriguez starts after he went less than 5 innings in his previous start for a net profit of $655.

Rays at Blue Jays – The Rays are 8-0 since May 01, 2009 as a dog after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $1035. The Blue Jays are 9-0 since September 15, 2009 as an favorite vs a team that has a better record for a net profit of $900.

Phillies at Braves – The Braves are 9-0 since April 11, 2009 as a home 140+ favorite after a win in which they drew 5+ walks and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $900. The Braves are 9-0 since June 09, 2009 when Derek Lowe starts as a favorite after the team won their last two games for a net profit of $900.

Reds at Cardinals – The Cardinals are 8-0 since July 05, 2009 as a 140+ favorite and it is the last game of a three game series when they split the first two for a net profit of $800. The Cardinals are 5-0 since July 17, 2009 when Chris Carpenter starts as a home favorite vs a team that has averaged 7+ strikeouts per game for a net profit of $500.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers – The Diamondbacks are 0-7 since September 13, 2009 and it is the last game of a three game series when they lost the first two for a net profit of $795 when playing against. The Dodgers are 0-5 since June 30, 2009 as a 140+ favorite after a win in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings for a net profit of $800 when playing against.

Rockies at Giants – The Twins are 0-5 since May 06, 2009 when Kevin Slowey starts on the road after winning as a home favorite in his last start for a net profit of $540 when playing against. The Giants are 0-5 since August 03, 2009 when Matt Cain starts as a favorite after he had a WHIP of less than one his last start and they won in his previous start for a net profit of $630 when playing against.

Twins at Mariners – The Mariners are 9-0 since July 18, 2009 as a favorite when they are off a win in which they never trailed and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $900.

Brewers at Marlins – The Brewers are 0-7 since June 21, 2009 when Yovani Gallardo starts on the road within 20 cents of pickem for a net profit of $710 when playing against. The Brewers are 6-0 since July 16, 2009 on the road within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $625.

Mets at Padres – The Mets are 0-8 since May 02, 2009 on the road within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a win in which they never trailed for a net profit of $810 when playing against. The Mets are 0-5 since June 02, 2009 when Johan Santana starts as a road favorite after a quality start for a net profit of $610 when playing against.

Cubs at Pirates – The Cubs are 0-8 since August 31, 2009 as a favorite after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings for a net profit of $1225 when playing against. The Cubs are 6-0 since April 17, 2009 when Carlos Zambrano starts vs a team that has won at least their last two games and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $645. The Pirates are 0-8 since April 19, 2009 when Zach Duke starts as a dog vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $800 when playing against.

Athletics at Red Sox - The Red Sox are 7-0 since April 19, 2009 at home after a win in which they had more than ten team-left-on-base for a net profit of $720. The Red Sox are 6-0 since June 02, 2009 when Daisuke Matsuzaka starts after his team lost the last time he started for a net profit of $640.

Angels at Royals – The Royals are 0-5 since May 16, 2009 when Kyle Davies starts at home within 20 cents of pickem after facing 25 or fewer hitters for a net profit of $510 when playing against.

Indians at Tigers – The Indians are 0-11 since August 30, 2009 on the road when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start for a net profit of $1100 when playing against. The Tigers are 0-6 since September 15, 2009 as a home favorite when they blew a lead in their starter's last start and lost for a net profit of $865 when playing against.

Rangers at White Sox – The Rangers are 7-0 since July 04, 2009 as a dog after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent as a dog for a net profit of $925. The Rangers are 0-7 since September 24, 2009 when Scott Feldman starts on the road for a net profit of $705 when playing against. The White Sox are 0-5 since September 18, 2009 as a home favorite after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $680 when playing against.

Orioles at Yankees – The Orioles are 0-8 since September 09, 2009 as a 170+ dog after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Yankees are 9-0 since May 15, 2009 at home after scoring 3 runs or less and winning for a net profit of $915.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 12:08 PM

Wednesday's Tip Sheet

The calendar has hit June, meaning the weather and pennant races are heating up quickly. On Tuesday night, the MLB card played out in exciting fashion with games galore going down to the final at-bat.

Cincinnati won a wild 9-8 decision at St. Louis to temporarily take over first place in the National League Central by one game over the second-place Cardinals. These teams meet again tonight at Busch Stadium.

The NL East has recently had the most dramatic shift in power, as the Braves have shockingly taken over first place and could extend their lead to 2 ½ games if they can beat the Phillies again today. Those division rivals will meet each other early in the afternoon.

Let’s take a look at that game and much more.

**Phillies at Braves**

--Atlanta (30-22, +460) has come from out of nowhere to win seven consecutive games and take sole possession of the top slot in the NL East. The Braves captured a 7-3 win over Philadelphia on Tuesday night as minus-125 favorites. They really hooked up run-line backers with a generous plus-165 payout (paid $165 on $100 wagers). Troy Glaus popped a three-run homer off Cole Hamels in the first inning before the game had a one-hour, five-minute rain delay. Charlie Manuel elected to yank Hamels following the delay, but Bobby Cox stuck with Tim Hudson, who improved to 6-1 thanks to another stellar performance.

--Philadelphia (28-23, -379) has a 15-13 road record to date. The scuffling squad has lost eight of its last 10 games. During this brutal 10-game slide, the Phillies have scored only 13 combined runs.

--Derek Lowe (7-4, 4.86 ERA) has been rocked for a pair of losses by the Phillies already this season. Nevertheless, Lowe owns a 6-3 record and 3.47 career ERA against Philadelphia.

--Lowe has a 4-2 record and 4.33 ERA in six starts this year. The veteran righty is coming off one of his best performances of the season, throwing seven strong innings in a 7-3 home win over Pittsburgh.

--Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 5.04) is 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA in seven lifetime starts against Atlanta. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in five road assignments this year.

--Glaus, who got off to a terrible start and was hearing about it from the Atlanta fans, hit .330 with 28 RBIs in June. If last night was any indicator, he won’t be hearing any boos at The Ted anytime soon.

--The ‘under’ is 26-24 overall for the Braves, but the ‘over’ is 12-11 in their home games. They own an MLB-best 18-6 home record at Turner Field.

--Most gambling shops have installed Atlanta as a minus-140 ‘chalk’ with a total of nine ‘over’ (minus-120). Gamblers can earn a plus-150 payout by backing the Braves to win by two runs or more.

--The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

**Rays at Blue Jays**

--Most books are listing Toronto (31-23, +1188) as a short minus-115 favorite with a total of eight ‘under’ (minus-115). Bettors can score a huge plus-180 payout by taking the Blue Jays on the run line (minus 1 ½ runs).

--Trailing 5-0 going into the seventh inning, Tampa Bay (35-18, +772) rallied for a 7-6 win at Toronto last night. Joe Maddon’s club won as a minus-150 road favorite thanks to four runs in the ninth inning. Sean Rodriguez hit a bases-clearing double with two outs and the bases loaded to propel the first-place Rays into the win column. Rafael Soriano worked the ninth for his 15th save.

--Tampa Bay LHP David Price (7-2, 2.57) is 3-0 with a 2.92 career ERA against Toronto. In five road outings this year, the left-hander from out of Vanderbilt owns a 4-1 record and 3.19 ERA.

--Shaun Marcum (5-1, 2.59) has been on fire lately, posting a 3-0 record and .200 ERA his last three times out. The righty has 18 strikeouts in 18 innings over that stretch. Marcum has a 2-0 record and 0.75 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay.

--B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford are both 1-for-8 (.125) in their careers against Marcum. Carlos Pena hasn’t fared much better with a .143 batting average in seven lifetime ABs.

--Toronto has lost six of its 10 games against left-handed starters this season.

--The Rays have watched the ‘under’ go 28-23 overall, 12-12 in their road outings. The ‘under’ is on a 20-9-2 run in the Rays’ last 30 games.

--Totals have been an overall wash (26-26) for Toronto, but the ‘under’ is 15-12 in its home games.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Gavin Floyd will get the ball Wednesday for the White Sox against the Rangers. As Marc Lawrence points out in his latest Pitchers Report, Floyd owns a 10-2 career record in the month of June.

--As of early this morning, New York veteran catcher Jorge Posada was expected to be activated from the disabled list and return to the lineup tonight vs. Baltimore. The Yankees won a 3-1 decision over the O’s last night thanks to a throwing error from Miguel Tejada that allowed two runs to score in the seventh inning.

--Neil Walker, the Pirates first-round choice in 2004, hit his first career homer last night to propel the Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Cubs. Pittsburgh has now beaten Chicago seven times this year. Walker, who grew up in the Steel City, hit a two-run blast off Ted Lilly with one out in the eighth and his team trailing 2-1.

--Oakland RHP Ben Sheets (2-3, 4.91) will be making his first career appearance at Fenway Park tonight when the A’s play at Boston. As of early this morning, most books had the Red Sox as minus-150 favorites with Dice-K set to toe the rubber.

--Chris Carpenter will try to pull St. Louis back into a first-place tie with the Reds tonight. The Cards are minus-240 favorites. Carpeter has a 9-3 record and 2.03 ERA in 15 career starts against Cincinnati.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 12:09 PM

Pitchers Report - June

If it’s June, school is out. And so too will be the NBA (we think). It’s also the time of the season when MLB pitchers look to ace exams in hopes of keeping their teams in the pennant chase. To get a better feel on what to expect, let’s examine their results from exams in the past.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team starts the last three seasons during the month of June. On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in June team starts, winning 33% percent or less of their efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each June over the last three years. I’ll be back next month with July’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, enjoy…

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Gavin Floyd - Chicago White Sox: 10-2
Dan Haren - Arizona Diamondbacks 13-4
Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners: 12-2
Scott Kazmir - L.A. Angels: 8-4
John Lackey - Boston Red Sox 11-4
Ricky Nolasco - Florida Marlins: 8-2
Andy Pettitte - N.Y. Yankees: 11-5
Tim Wakefield - Boston Red Sox: 11-5
Carlos Zambrano - Chicago Cubs: 14-3

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Bronson Arroyo - Cincinnati Reds: 4-13
Joe Blanton - Philadelphia Phillies: 5-12
Jon Garland - San Diego Padres: 5-11
Livan Hernandez - Washington Nationals: 6-12
Tim Hudson - Atlanta Braves: 4-8

**jt4545** · 06-02-2010, 12:57 PM

good luck

**bryce** · 06-02-2010, 02:14 PM

I just bet against Zambrano and Floyd!!
They are two pitchers on the "good month" list!!

Anyway good luck SDB!!

**StarDust Bum** · 06-02-2010, 11:45 PM

Probably would have gone 2 - 0 Had the Cubs not gotten rained out.....lol

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