Announcement

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:41 PM

Bettors' best friend: Thursday's wagering tips

Lines to keep an eye on

Total for the Celtics-Lakers game opened at 195 and has dropped to as low as 191.5 on some books. The Lakers opened as 6-point favorites but are down to 5.5.

Total for the Silver Stars-Fever game opened at 145 and has fallen to 142.

Weather to watch

Indians-Tigers game calls for 20 percent chance of rain.

A's-Red Sox game has 20 percent chance of showers.

Brewers-Marlins game calls for 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Who's hot

Blackhawks have won 10 of their last 11.

Braves have won eight straight and 13 of their last 15.

Red Sox have won 11 of their last 14.

Who's not

Flyers are 3-14 in last 17 vs. Blackhawks.

Phillies have lost 10 of their last 14.

Orioles have lost six straight and 10 of their last 12.

Key stat

1 - Margin of victory for the Lakers and Celtics in their two regular-season meetings. The Lakers beat the Celtics 90-89 in Boston on Jan. 31 and the Celtics won 87-86 in L.A. on Feb. 18.

Injury that shouldn't be overlooked

Lakers center Andrew Bynum had 2 1/2 ounces of fluid drained from his knee Monday and said it didn't help much, and now the swelling has returned. He has played hurt throughout the playoffs with a torn meniscus in his right knee but has been limited to 9.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the postseason, well below his season averages, and that was before he ran into a physical bunch inside like the Celtics. The Lakers need him to help counteract Boston's post play.

Game of the day

Celtics at Lakers (-5.5, 192)

Notable quotable

"I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career."

Umpire Jim Joyce said after his blown call at first base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning prevented Detroit's Armando Galarraga from throwing a perfect game on Wednesday. It should have been the third perfect game in a one-month span. No other season in the modern era has seen more than one perfect game.

Tips and notes

The Lakers' coaching staff has added an extra incentive for charges, paying players $50 dollars for taking one for the team. That's chump change for NBA millionaires but the bragging rights are the real motivation since the cash comes from a pool of player fines accumulated throughout the season. Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic said the cash can "motivate us in a way to take charges and getting away with it." Look out for flops tonight, and how the refs and Celtics react to them. Fifty bucks could go a long way in this series.

Every MLB team goes on hot and cold streaks throughout the course of a 162-game season; the trick is predicting the temperature change. Well, the Braves are the hottest team in baseball right now, winning 13 games over the past two weeks, but the next fortnight could bring a cold point. After playing late Tuesday night due to a rain delay and turning around for a businessman's special on Wednesday, in which third baseman Chipper Jones injured his finger, the Braves fly across three time zones for 11 straight road games, then return home for a series against the best team in baseball, the Rays. Could be a chilly June for Hot-lanta.

The White Sox may be undergoing a shakeup in the bullpen after manager Ozzie Guillen opted not to use regular closer Bobby Jenks in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Rangers. Jenks, who has not pitched since straining his right calf Friday, is apparently healthy and ready to go, but his 1-1 record with a 6.35 ERA has Guillen considering sticking with Matt Thornton, who is 2-2 with a 1.59 ERA. The Sox's bullpen is stretched thin at the moment so both could see action against the Rangers tonight, but the order they enter could tell which way Guillen is leaning in the future.

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:42 PM

NBA
Dunkel

Boston at LA Lakers
The Celtics look to open up the series and build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog. Boston is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Lakers favored by only 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

Game 701-702: Boston at LA Lakers (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 127.183; LA Lakers 129.444
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2 1/2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 5 1/2; 192
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+5 1/2); Over

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:43 PM

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, June 3

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

BOSTON (62 - 37) at LA LAKERS (69 - 29) - 6/3/2010, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
BOSTON is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) in non-conference games this season.
LA LAKERS are 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-25 ATS (+13.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 84-63 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 43-53 ATS (-15.3 Units) in all games this season.
LA LAKERS are 34-42 ATS (-12.2 Units) as a favorite this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-5 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:44 PM

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, 6/03/2010

NBA Finals
Game One (Series Tied, 0-0)
BOSTON AT LA LAKERS, 9:05 PM ET ABC
BOSTON: 9-20 ATS vs. non-conference opponents
LA LAKERS: 15-5 ATS at home playing with 3+ days rest

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:45 PM

NBA

Thursday, June 3

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

9:00 PM
BOSTON vs. LA LAKERS
Boston is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
LA Lakers are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games when playing Boston
LA Lakers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Boston

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:46 PM

NBA

Thursday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers (-5.5, 192)

History shows that the Lakers and Celtics have won the most NBA championships with a total of 32. But one unit has won even more - defense.

The old adage "Defense wins championships" didn't become an old adage for nothing. For all the changes in the modern game, it has stood the test of time.

That's why it's hard to pass on the Celtics in this series based on what they've done to a pair of offensive superpowers so far in the playoffs.

Boston's defense held the Magic to 90.6 points per game in the postseason, 12.2 points fewer than their regular-season average, and that includes a 113-point outburst in Game 5. Drop it and the Magic's average falls to 86 ppg.

The Celtics' D was similarly tenacious against LeBron James and the Cavaliers, limiting them to 94.5 ppg, a full 7.4 points off their regular-season pace. That includes the Cleveland's 120-point performance in Game 5. Without it, the Cavs were held to 89.4 ppg.

The Heat also were cooled to the tune of 87.6 ppg, 8.9 points fewer than their regular-season average. The key to the Celtics' success is no secret - they physically take teams out of their offense, a style the Lakers have not faced in the playoffs.

"We don’t have a smackdown mentality,’’ said Lakers coach Phil Jackson before campaigning against the Celtics' football brand of basketball. " ...That’s not our kind of team. We don’t go out there to smack people around."

Too bad because that's exactly what it takes to be NBA crowned NBA champs. Kobe Bryant may get his 30 (although primary defender Tony Allen may have something to say about that) but the rest of the Lakers can't produce enough points to cover, perhaps not even enough to win outright.

Pick: Celtics

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:47 PM

NBA

Thursday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the day: Celtics at Lakers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers (-5.5, 192)

The numbers

The Lakers are -5.5 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The lone regular-season meeting in Los Angeles had the Lakers favored by just -2.5 points back in February, so this is a big jump from that. However, Kobe Bryant did not play in that 87-86 Celtics victory.

The total sits around 192 after opening between 194 and 195. Both regular-season meetings stayed well below the number.

Greatest pro rivalry ever?

This is the 12th meeting in the NBA Finals between the two most storied franchises in the NBA.

The series dates back to 1948, covering 272 meetings. But it really did not get going until 1959, the first of seven championship meetings in the next 11 years. The Celtics brought home the NBA title in all seven of those series with three of those going the seven-game distance.

The Lakers were able to get some of it back winning two of the three meetings in the Bird vs. Magic era in the 80’s. It was then 22 years before they finally got to meet again, this time in 2008 when the Celtics claimed their first NBA Championship since 1986.

After getting humiliated in the finals two years ago, including a 39-point shellacking in the deciding game, the Lakers were thrilled that the Celtics took out the Cavaliers and the Magic to get here, as they no doubt want some payback.

Better prepared

While the Lakers were beaten pretty badly in the 2008 finals, they can draw some positives from it. Los Angeles did not know what was coming at them two years ago but that won’t be the case this year.

“Well, you're just looking forward to the challenge of it,” Bryant told reporters. “The last time we played them, it was a great learning experience for us. It taught us what it takes to be a champion. The defensive intensity that they played with, the tenacity that they played with, we learned a great deal in that series.”

The Lakers used that series loss as a form of motivation and they were able to get it done last season against the Magic four games to one to bring home another NBA championship. It was the 15th in franchise history and a title this year will move it to within one of Boston’s 17 NBA crowns.

A win would also move it over .500 as Los Angeles is 15-15 in NBA Finals series. Boston meanwhile is an outstanding 17-4 in 21 trips to the Finals.

Same teams, different teams

The last NBA Finals meeting was just two years and while some things have stayed the same, a lot of things have changed. The core players for both sides are still in place and the styles of both teams have not changed but there are plenty of differences.

Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have grown and matured as players. Ron Artest has given the Lakers a more formidable perimeter defender than the last time they played, Andrew Bynum is healthier and Pau Gasol has added 15 pounds of muscle.

Even with these differences, the Celtics are not going to be changing their gameplan or style because they feel what worked then is going to work again and there is no reason to stray from that. The defense that was so tough then is playing with that same tenacity now.

“They play one way and we play a different way,” Ray Allen told reporters. “That's what's beautiful about the Finals because you get a contrast of the two styles. It's about who can take away that team's strengths and force that team to play the way you want them to play.”

More competitive please

The NBA Playoffs have always been extremely entertaining and have provided us with many amazing moments and extremely great games. This year, however, the playoffs have been a dud unless you like blowouts and runaways.

Through the first 14 series, there were more games decided by 20 points or more (13) than three points or less (10). Where is the supposed parity in that?

Two rounds back, the Celtics were blown out by the Cavaliers by 29 points only to return the favor by 32 points two games later. On the other side, the Lakers lost to Oklahoma City by 21 points in Game 4 only to win by 24 points in Game 5.

The NBA Finals last season had two overtime games, both won by the Lakers but it also had two blowouts by 25 and 13 points. Two years ago, the Lakers lost the final game against Boston by 39 points - the second double-digit loss in the finals by Los Angeles.

After seven long months of pro basketball, is it too much to ask for a series that is competitive throughout and one that will go the distance? I don’t think so.

Trends

Boston is 9-20-1 ATS against the Western Conference this season.

Los Angeles is 15-5 ATS at home when playing on three or more days rest over the last three seasons.

The Celtics are 10-4 to the under in their last 14 playoff games when underdogs between 5.0 and 10.5 points.

The Lakers are 9-2 to the under in their last 11 home games against teams with a road winning percentage of .600 or better.

The Celtics are 9-2-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:48 PM

MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, June 3

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

WASHINGTON (26 - 27) at HOUSTON (18 - 34) - 2:05 PM
J.D. MARTIN (R) vs. BRIAN MOEHLER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 33-54 (-26.6 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 4-22 (-17.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-27 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 13-10 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-27 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 38-50 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-1 (+0.5 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

J.D. MARTIN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

BRIAN MOEHLER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MOEHLER is 2-4 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 5.83 and a WHIP of 1.944.
His team's record is 3-6 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-5. (-1.6 units)

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

MILWAUKEE (21 - 31) at FLORIDA (27 - 26) - 7:10 PM
CHRIS CAPUANO (L) vs. JOSH JOHNSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 21-31 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 21-31 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 198-178 (+27.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 194-173 (+26.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 142-127 (+18.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 64-49 (+20.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
JOHNSON is 40-18 (+18.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 39-17 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

CHRIS CAPUANO vs. FLORIDA since 1997
CAPUANO is 3-1 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 2.85 and a WHIP of 0.976.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.4 units)

JOSH JOHNSON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
JOHNSON is 2-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.223.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.1 units)

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

ATLANTA (30 - 22) at LA DODGERS (30 - 22) - 10:10 PM
KRIS MEDLEN (R) vs. HIROKI KURODA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 26-8 (+14.9 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 94-62 (+19.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 45-43 (-19.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

KRIS MEDLEN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

HIROKI KURODA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
KURODA is 1-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 1.20 and a WHIP of 0.800.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)

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

BALTIMORE (15 - 37) at NY YANKEES (32 - 20) - 1:05 PM
KEVIN MILLWOOD (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 15-37 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 31-79 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 9-40 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 33-72 (-32.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 267-371 (-110.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 5-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY YANKEES are 79-38 (+23.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 70-26 (+25.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
SABATHIA is 13-22 (-17.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 6-1 (+4.2 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
MILLWOOD is 2-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.16 and a WHIP of 1.623.
His team's record is 5-6 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-6. (-3.7 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
SABATHIA is 11-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 2.52 and a WHIP of 1.067.
His team's record is 13-3 (+8.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-6. (+2.7 units)

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

CLEVELAND (19 - 31) at DETROIT (26 - 25) - 1:05 PM
DAVID HUFF (L) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 84-128 (-39.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 22-34 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 77-115 (-34.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 60-95 (-34.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 42-75 (-26.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 33-14 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 24-8 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HUFF is 12-6 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 75-89 (-33.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 49-53 (-17.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-2 (+1.2 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

DAVID HUFF vs. DETROIT since 1997
HUFF is 0-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

RICK PORCELLO vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
PORCELLO is 4-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 2.10 and a WHIP of 1.100.
His team's record is 5-0 (+5.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.1 units)

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

OAKLAND (28 - 25) at BOSTON (30 - 23) - 1:35 PM
BRETT ANDERSON (L) vs. TIM WAKEFIELD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 39-39 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 28-29 (+12.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 201-150 (+48.6 Units) against the money line in June games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 27-20 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 74-74 (+12.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WAKEFIELD is 29-39 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BRETT ANDERSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
ANDERSON is 2-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.05 and a WHIP of 0.864.
His team's record is 2-1 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 8-6 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.379.
His team's record is 15-8 (+6.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-11. (+0.3 units)

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

LA ANGELS (26 - 28) at KANSAS CITY (22 - 31) - 2:10 PM
JERED WEAVER (R) vs. ZACK GREINKE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 128-97 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 59-51 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 22-11 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 48-23 (+27.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 118-89 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 150-113 (+22.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 57-32 (+17.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 87-128 (-26.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 43-63 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 78-111 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 49-72 (-26.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 16-28 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
GREINKE is 2-9 (-9.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 1-8 (-9.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

JERED WEAVER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
WEAVER is 3-4 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.35 and a WHIP of 1.395.
His team's record is 3-4 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-1. (+5.0 units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GREINKE is 1-3 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.394.
His team's record is 1-4 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

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

TEXAS (27 - 24) at CHI WHITE SOX (22 - 29) - 8:10 PM
COLBY LEWIS (R) vs. FREDDY GARCIA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 21-8 (+14.3 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 114-99 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 111-90 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 83-67 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 76-63 (+12.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 20-9 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 18-25 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 12-21 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

COLBY LEWIS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
LEWIS is 1-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 10.26 and a WHIP of 2.100.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.2 units)

FREDDY GARCIA vs. TEXAS since 1997
GARCIA is 6-5 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 4.39 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 8-11 (-8.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 13-6. (+6.3 units)

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

MINNESOTA (31 - 21) at SEATTLE (20 - 31) - 10:10 PM
CARL PAVANO (R) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HERNANDEZ is 16-3 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in June games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 80-58 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-31 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PAVANO is 122-99 (+23.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 11-5 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 20-31 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 19-29 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CARL PAVANO vs. SEATTLE since 1997
PAVANO is 1-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.231.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 3-3 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.77 and a WHIP of 1.102.
His team's record is 5-4 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.7 units)

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:49 PM

MLB

Thursday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at Florida Marlins (-240, 8)

No, you did not slip through a wormhole in time: Chris Capuano really is taking the hill for the Brewers tonight for the first time since 2007.

That's when the lefty left for his second Tommy John surgery and he has been mired in the minors or extended spring training ever since. Capuano went 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA in seven minor-league starts but the Brewers didn't call him up just because they think he is ready.

The loss of Doug Davis to chest pains and an effort to prevent Capuano from opting out of his contract forced the Brewers' hand. The fact that they inserted him to face Florida ace Josh Johnson tells you something about their expectations.

"As an organization, we have put a lot of energy into getting him back," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "He's done the same thing on his side, probably more so from his side. I think it's worth everybody's while to go out and see how he does."

Not good, if history is any indication. Capuano left the Brewers three years ago with an 0-22 streak in games in which he pitched. He was 0-12 with a 6.08 ERA during that span.

Of course, the Brew Crew's track record isn't much better in Miami, where they are 6-22 in their last 28 games. Look for both of those dismal streaks to continue.

Pick: Marlins

Oakland A's at Boston Red Sox (-130, 9)

Tim Wakefield's knuckleball has been figured out by some AL East hitters who see him on a regular basis, but he spinless specials still baffle the Athletics.

In their last three meetings, Wakefield is 3-0 against the A's and has allowed just six earned runs in 22 1/3 innings, including a complete-game four-hitter last season.

The hard-luck loser in that game was Brett Anderson, who has otherwise enjoyed similar success against the Sox, going 2-1 against them last season.

Anderson allowed only five earned runs and struck out 22 Red Sox in his last 22 innings, including a complete-game shutout in which he limited Boston's batters to just two hits.

The A's have scored more than six runs just once in the past 14 games while the Red Sox have finally started to heat up, but it will take a lot of offense to top the total against these pitchers.

Pick: Under

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:50 PM

MLB

Thursday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Streaking

Josh Johnson (5-2, 2.19) Florida Marlins

If not for Ray Halladay's perfect game, Johnson would be near-flawless in his last three starts as well.

Johnson was outdueled 1-0 on Saturday night and the game's only run came on a three-base error. Otherwise the two aces might still be battling it out on the mound.

Johnson has been hot virtually all season, but he has not allowed an earned run in his past three starts - yes, a rare triple-goose egg ERA of 0.00 over his last 20 innings.

"(Halladay) was perfect," Johnson said. "I need to go out there and be perfect as well. To give my team a chance to win, that's what I needed to do."

With a current streak of 25 innings without allowing an earned run, Johnson is damn close to perfection.

Kris Medlen (2-1, 2.85) Atlanta Braves

Medlen appears to be adjusting well to his starting role after spending the first month of the season in the bullpen.

Medlen allowed only two earned runs or less in each of his first three starts of the season before picking up his first win of the season as a starter in his last outing against the Pirates.

"He really came on strong," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of Medlen. "He had more strikeouts than innings pitched, and less hits [than innings pitched] in his very first year. He's come a long ways. We like him."

The second-year righthander can only improve as he gains experience as a starter, and the Braves are suddenly providing plenty of run support.

Slumping

CC Sabathia (4-3, 4.16) New York Yankees

The Yankees' 19-game winner in 2009 has gone missing for the past month, going 0-2 in his last five starts after getting off to a 4-1 record to open the season.

Sabathia hasn't won since beating Baltimore on May 3, exactly a month from today's start against the Orioles. Maybe he has the Birds' number, but he hasn't had anyone else's lately.

The lefty allowed just eight earned runs over his first five starts but has given up 20 in his last five, boasting his ERA to 4.16. That's the highest he's had for a season since his second year in the majors - 4.37 in 2002.

Sabathia was shelled by the Indians and Mets in his last two outings, allowing 17 hit and 11 runs in just 11 innings of work and prompting manager Joe Girardi to vaguely say "It is what it is" after Sabathia was derailed in the Subway Series.

Take that curt comment for what it's worth, but "what it is" is a slump, something CC hasn't encountered for some time.

Hiroki Kuroda (5-3, 3.55) Los Angeles Dodgers

After getting off to a strong 5-1 start to the season, Kuroda has fallen on hard time in his last two outings, going 0-2 and allowing eight earned runs in just 10 innings of work.

Kuroda had a meltdown in his last start against the Rockies, lasting just four innings (his shortest of the season) after giving up 10 hits and five earned runs. That's what happens when a control pitcher is a little off his game.

"You just have to chalk it up and move on. You go out there every five or six days all year long and you're going to throw in some clunkers. That's what happened today," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said of Kuroda. "It was interesting. He was either just off the edges or right down the middle of the plate."

Kuroda fell to 0-3 with a lifetime 7.57 ERA vs. the Rockies. Maybe he'll have better luck against the Braves, against whom he threw a complete game shutout the last time they met.

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:50 PM

MLB

Thursday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Day in Baseball
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On June 3 in Baseball History...

1925 - White Sox manager Eddie Collins makes hit number 3,000 against Detroit.

1930 - Grover Alexander is released by the Phillies after posting an 0-3 record. He ends his career thinking he has the N.L. record for most wins at 373, one more than Christy Mathewson. In 1946, a win disallowed in 1902 is restored to Mathewson's record, to leave the two great pitchers at a tie.

1932 - Lou Gehrig hits four consecutive home runs and narrowly misses a fifth in a Yankees-Athletics slugfest won by New York 20-13. Tony Lazzeri hits for the cycle, and the teams set a still-standing record for extra bases on long hits in a single game (41).

1937 - Negro Leagues star Josh Gibson is credited with a drive that hits just two feet below the rim of Yankee Stadium, about 580 feet from home plate. It is estimated that the ball would have traveled nearly 700 feet if unimpeded.

1953 - Congress cites the research of New York City librarian Robert Henderson in proving that Alexander Cartwright founded baseball and not Abner Doubleday. His 1947 book Bat, Ball and Bishop documents Cartwright's contributions to the origins of the game of baseball.

1955 - Stan Musial hits the 300th home run of his career, a fifth-inning, three-run shot against Brooklyn's Johnny Podres. The Cards use an N.L.-record eight pitchers but still lose 12-5.

1958 - The Dodger referendum passes in Los Angeles by a slim margin of 24,293 votes. The proposition allows the city to sell 300 acres of Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers for their stadium. The N.L. president had stated that the Dodgers should vacate Los Angeles if the bill failed.

1971 - Cubs southpaw Ken Holtzman tosses the second no-hitter of his career, victimizing the Reds 1-0. Holtzman scores the only run, in the third inning.
1980 - The New York Mets select 18-year-old Darryl Strawberry from Los Angeles's Crenshaw High School with the first pick in the annual June free-agent draft. The Blue Jays then pick shortstop Garry Harris.

1985 - The Brewers select University of North Carolina catcher B.J. Surhoff with the first pick in what will prove to be an extremely fruitful free-agent draft. Surhoff was the catcher for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984, and fellow Olympians Will Clark (Mississippi State), Bobby Witt (University of Oklahoma), and Barry Larkin (University of Michigan) are drafted second, third, and fourth by the Giants, Rangers, and Reds, respectively.

1989 - Nolan Ryan pitches his second one-hitter this season and 11th overall, allowing only a first-inning single to Harold Reynolds in a 6-1 win over Seattle. Ryan also strikes out 11 to tie Don Sutton's major league record of 21 seasons with at least 100 strikeouts.

1991 - The Yankees make high-school pitcher Brien Taylor the number one pick of the amateur draft. The Braves take Arizona State outfielder Mike Kelly with the second pick.

1995 - Expos pitcher Pedro Martinez is perfect for nine innings in San Diego, but loses his no-hitter when Bip Roberts doubles to lead off the tenth inning. Montreal eventually comes away with a 1-0 win.

1997 - Albert Belle returns to Cleveland for the first time since signing a $55-million, five-year contract with the rival White Sox. Belle has three hits, including a three-run home run, and when the fans pelt him with debris he waves his glove and asks for more. After the last out of Chicago's 9-5 win, Belle gives a final obscene gesture to the Jacobs Field crowd before running off the field.

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:52 PM

WNBA
Long Sheet

If the top trends section updates, I'll add it.

Thursday, June 3

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

SAN ANTONIO (2 - 3) at INDIANA (2 - 3) - 6/3/2010, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:53 PM

WNBA

Thursday, June 3

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

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. INDIANA
San Antonio is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Indiana is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

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

**Udog** · 06-02-2010, 10:54 PM

WNBA

Thursday, June 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lady Luck: Today's WNBA best bets
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

San Antonio Silver Stars at Indiana Fever (-6, 142)

Only in the WNBA.

The Silver Stars will be without head coach Sandy Brondello after she gave birth to a baby girl earlier this week.

It was the second child for her and husband, associate head coach Olaf Lange, and will leave the team without Brondello for the next two games, including Thursday’s tilt with the Fever. Lange and GM Dan Hughes are taking over the coaching duties while Brondello recovers.

The Silver Stars are missing their coach at the wrong time following back-to-back losses. San Antonio’s most recent defeat was a lopsided 84-56 loss to the Seattle Storm this past weekend – the worst thrashing in franchise history.

“We didn’t come out and execute the way that we were supposed to, the way that we’re capable of,” reserve guard Roneeka Hodges, who scored 12 points in the loss, told the San Antonio Express. “I just think that whatever the problem is, we just need to get it solved right away. I think as time passes, we’ll be fine.”

The Silver Stars are still gelling after adding All-Star forward Chamique Holdsclaw two weeks ago. Holdsclaw scored just eight points in Sunday’s loss to Seattle while star guard Becky Hammond netted only five points.

Pick: Indiana

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

Announcement

Thursday's Trends and Indexes 6/3 (NBA, MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

Thursday's Trends and Indexes 6/3 (NBA, MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment