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

[Udog]

NOTE:
For the initial posting of trends and indexes, we have provided information available up to the time of posting.
Additional updates for today’s games will be posted ASAP.

[Udog]

Daily Sports Roundup: June 3

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Tiger Woods returns to the links at the Memorial tournament, and the Celtics and Lakers get the NBA Finals underway in Los Angeles.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday, with Boston at the Lakers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. The Celtics finished off the Magic at home in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning 96-84 in Game 6. Paul Pierce led Boston's attack with 31 points in that contest, while Ray Allen was good for 20 points, and Rajon Rondo picked up 14 points. Los Angeles needed six games to topple Phoenix in the Western Conference Final, winning 111-103 on the road on Saturday to put an end to that series. Kobe Bryant poured in 37 points in that contest. The oddsmakers have the Lakers set as the 5.5-point home favorites for Thursday's game, with the total for the night at 192 points.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

There are just nine games on the MLB schedule for Thursday, with Washington at Houston, Milwaukee at Florida, Atlanta at the Dodgers, Cleveland at Detroit, Baltimore at the Yankees, Oakland at Boston, Texas at the White Sox, Minnesota at Seattle, and the Angels at Kansas City. Jered Weaver (4-2, 3.01 ERA) is expected to get the ball for Los Angeles on Thursday, with Zack Greinke (1-6, 3.39 ERA) taking the mound for the Royals. Righthander Weaver took a no-decision against the M's last time out despite giving up just one unearned run on three hits over seven innings. Righthander Greinke was a hard-luck loser against Boston last game, giving up one run over his six innings.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The PGA Tour hits the links at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio on Thursday morning for the start of the Memorial Tournament. Defending champion Tiger Woods has been pegged as the 6/1 Vegas favorite for this week's event as he tries to shake off the neck injury that has been keeping him out of action. Phil Mickelson is next on that oddsmakers' list at 8/1, with Ernie Els and Jim Furyk both at 18/1 odds to grab the trophy this week. Rory McIlroy rounds out the Memorial's top five at 20/1 odds, with Steve Stricker and Adam Scott among a group of golfers pegged at 25/1 to get the win.

Finally, there's one game on the WNBA schedule for Thursday, with San Antonio at Indiana. The Silver Stars (2-3 straight-up, 2-3 against-the-spread) were throttled 84-56 by Seattle in their last outing; Roneeka Hodges tossed in a team-high 12 points off the bench for San Antonio in that defeat. The Fever (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) were beaten 79-74 by Tulsa last time out, with Tamika Catchings scoring 15 points for Indiana that game.

[Udog]

Thursday's six-pack

Six things I know nothing about..........Of the millions of things I know nothing about, here are six I thought of today.........

-- I have no idea how physically demanding it must be for guys in the NFL; the speed/violence of the game, how they must feel the day after a game. TV makes pro football look a lot slower than it really is.

-- I have no idea how mentally demanding it must be to play poker at a very high level for 10-12 hours at a time. Its not hard to sit there and screw around with buddies, but when its your livelihood, its different.

-- I have no idea how PSLs are legal, or why anyone would pay for one. Its legalized extortion; give us $10,000, then we'll let you give us even more money to buy tickets. Why isn't that illegal?

-- I have no idea why hair grows inside my ears, but not on top of my head. The person who solves the riddle of baldness will be very rich.

-- I have no idea why Jerry Tarkanian isn't in Basketball's Hall of Fame. Did you know his son Danny is running for US Senator from Nevada?

-- I have no idea why people smoke. Tell me one good thing about it.


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Thursday's List of 13: Wrapping up a wild Wednesday.......


13) Get ready for instant replay becoming more of a factor in baseball, as a result of the happenings in Detroit Wednesday night. Its inevitable.

12) Detroit got rid of Dontrelle Willis this week and promoted Armando Galarraga to take his place in the rotation; he responds with an 88-pitch one-hitter that would have been a perfect game had the umpire called the play at first base correctly. But he didn't. It happens. Get over it.

11) Thought Tigers showed no class at end of game, going after the ump when they had just won the game; did the guy intentionally miss a call? Hell no, he feels worse than anyone-- he'll be famous for this, when he is one of the best umpires in baseball (been in big leagues for 24 years).

10) The ump in question has the plate for tomorrow's game, by the way. Day game after a night game, and doubt the ump gets much sleep tonight. I watch hours and hours of baseball-- never see this ump in arguments, so he is respected. Picked a bad time to make a bad call, but not like he cost anyone a game in the standings. Media should lighten up on the guy.

9) Austin Jackson made a Willie Mays-like catch for first out of the 9th inning, which is forgotten because there was no perfect game. Tremendous catch on full sprint in very deep left-center field. Jackson's a keeper.

8) So baseball has two problems: the umps are losing respect and scoring is way down. In the last week, two of baseball's highest-scoring teams went an entire series without scoring a run. We came very close to third perfect game in 25 days. So much for getting rid of the DH.

7) Arizona has now lost its last four games on walkoffs, which ties major league record. 0-9 road trips ain't any fun. Not scoring in 33 innings isn't any better. They'll be glad to get home, but would expect them to dump salary fairly soon, with Adam LaRoche rumored heading to Anaheim.

If you care about such things, the '89 Tigers were the last team to lose on a walk-off four games in a row; they finished 59-103. Uh-oh.

6) Francisco Rodriguez threw 30 pitches in saving Mets' win Tuesday, then threw 46 more in blowing a save Wednesday. Why start K-Rod in 10th inning when he had pitched so much in last 24 hours, and already had blown the save in this game? It made very little sense.

5) Padres scored 18 runs Monday, then in their next 20 innings, scored a total of three runs, before Adrian Gonzalez hit a walk-off grand slam to end the Mets' road trip on a sour note.

4) How would you like to pay major money to watch a Baltimore-Bronx game? Its like watching the Globetrotters plays the Washington Generals, but at least then, they let the Generals lead for a while, before inevitable result is reached. Can't be much fun rooting for the Orioles.

3) In last two nights, Tampa Bay Rays scored 10 runs in 9th inning in a couple of come-from-behind wins at Toronto. Four runs on Tuesday, six Wednesday. What a blast Carl Crawford hit for grand slam Wednesday.

2) Flyers scored in OT to beat Chicago and get within 2-1 in Stanley Cup Finals. Why didn't NBC show this game? NHL is stupid for not being on ESPN. Hockey is a great game, it deserves better exposure.

1) While all this was going on, Ken Griffey Jr, one of the greatest players ever, retired quietly, on the 75th anniversary of Babe Ruth's retirement.

A wild Wednesday night ended with Seattle winning its first extra inning game of the year when a runner scored from second after, of all things, a missed call on a potential inning-ending force play at second base. All in all, umpires are having a tough season. Instant replay is on its way.

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Thursday, June 3

NBA Finals

Lakers/Celtics split pair of one-point decisions this year, with road club winning both; LA (even) won 90-89 in Beantown Jan 31, then lost 87-86 Feb 18 at Staples (-2.5). Boston is 5-3 on road in playoffs, Lakers 5-3 as home favorite (8-0 straight up at home in playoffs). Both teams have lot of rest, both sides are whining about injuries. Lakers are 12-4 so far in the playoffs, with all four losses in Games 3-4 of series when they had already led 2-0 (Thunder/Suns). Third series in row Celtics are starting on the road. Lakers are defending champs, after losing finals to Boston a year before that.

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Thursday, June 3

Hot pitchers
-- JJohnson is 2-1, 0.60 in his last four starts.
-- Medlen is 1-0, 3.22 in four starts this season.

-- Porcello is 3-1, 2.73 in his last four starts.
-- Anderson is 2-1, 2.20 in five starts this season.
-- Lewis has 3.18 RA in his last six starts. Garcia is 4-1, 4.99 in his last five starts, with one clunker mixed in with four solid efforts.
-- FHernandez has 2.57 RA in his last four starts, but doesn't have any wins in his last seven outings.

Cold pitchers
-- Moehler allowed eight runs in 2.2 IP in his first '10 start. Martin allowed four runs in six IP in losing his first '10 start, 4-2.
-- Capuano has been injured, is making first start since 2007; he is 42-48 in 116 career starts, with a 4.39 ERA.
-- Kuroda is 2-2, 6.59 in his last five starts.

-- Orioles are 0-6 in Millwood road starts (0-4, 4.93). Sabathia is 0-2, 6.83 in his last five starts.
-- Huff is 1-5, 8.29 in his last eight starts.
-- Wakefield is 1-3, 6.38 in his last six starts.
-- Greinke is 1-4, 3.68 in his last eight starts. Weaver is 1-1, 5.56 in his last four road starts.
-- Pavano is 2-4, 4.07 in his last six starts.

Totals
-- Eight of last eleven Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Atlanta games.

-- Five of last six Baltimore road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 11-3 in last fourteen games at Comerica Park. Over is 9-2-1 in last twelve Cleveland games.
-- Under is 9-4-1 in last fourteen Oakland games.
-- Over is 7-4 in last eleven Angel games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten White Sox home games.
-- Four of last five Minnesota games went over the total.

Hot teams
-- Astros won three of their last four games.
-- Marlins won three of their last four games.
-- Dodgers won 11 of their last 14 home games. Braves won 18 of their last 22 games.

-- Bronx won seven of its last nine games.
-- Red Sox won nine of their last eleven contests.
-- Angels won four of their last five games.
-- Rangers won last two games, scoring nine runs in both games.
-- Twins won five of their last seven games.

Cold teams
-- Brewers lost seven of their last ten road games.
-- Nationals lost 11 of their last 14 road games.

-- Orioles lost their last seven games, outscored 41-11.
-- Oakland lost three of its last four games.
-- Indians lost six of their last eight road games. Tigers lost eight of their last eleven games overall.
-- Royals lost four of their last five games.
-- White Sox lost eight of their last eleven home games.
-- Mariners are 7-12 in their last nineteen home games.

[Udog]

MLB


Thursday, June 3

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT
Cleveland is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games
Cleveland is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

1:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore

1:35 PM
OAKLAND vs. BOSTON
Oakland is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Oakland is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oakland
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

2:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. HOUSTON
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Houston is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games at home

2:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY
LA Angels are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing Kansas City
LA Angels are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 2-11 SU in their last 13 games when playing LA Angels
Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. FLORIDA
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Florida
Milwaukee is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Florida is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

8:10 PM
TEXAS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Texas is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games at home
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Texas

10:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. LA DODGERS
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta's last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
LA Dodgers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Atlanta

10:10 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SEATTLE
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota


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[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Texas at Chicago White Sox
The White Sox look to salvage a game in the series and take advantage of a Texas team that is 1-10 in Colby Lewis' last 11 road starts with the total set from 9 to 10 1/2 runs. Chicago is the pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the White Sox favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+105). Here are all of today's picks..

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

Game 951-952: Washington at Houston (2:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Martin) 14.980; Houston (Moehler) 14.617
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Washington (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-120); Over

Game 953-954: Milwaukee at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Capuano) 14.502; Florida (Johnson) 15.371
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-240); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-240); Under

Game 955-956: Atlanta at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 15.811; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 16.515
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-135); Under

Game 957-958: Baltimore at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Millwood) 12.845; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.531
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-320); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-320); Under

Game 959-960: Cleveland at Detroit (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Huff) 14.816; Detroit (Porcello) 14.765
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+170); Over

Game 961-962: Oakland at Boston (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Anderson) 15.474; Boston (Wakefield) 17.535
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-130); Over

Game 963-964: LA Angels at Kansas City (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.593; Kansas City (Greinke) 15.959
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-120); Under

Game 965-966: Texas at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Lewis) 14.483; White Sox (Garcia) 15.438
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+105); Over

Game 967-968: Minnesota at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pavano) 16.455; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.064
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Under

[Udog]

WNBA
Dunkel


San Antonio at Indiana
The Silver Stars look to bounce back from an 84-56 blowout loss to Seattle and build on their 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 games following an ATS loss. San Antonio is the pick (+6) according to Dunkel, which has the Fever favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+6). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

Game 651-652: San Antonio at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 111.065; Indiana 113.171
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 6; 143
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+6); Over

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Thursday, 6/3/2010

WASHINGTON at HOUSTON, 2:05 PM ET
MARTIN: 10-4 TSR when the total is 8.5 to 10
MOEHLER: HOUSTON 3-18 as an underdog of +100 to +150

MILWAUKEE at FLORIDA, 7:10 PM ET
CAPUANO: 7-2 as an underdog of +175 to +250
JOHNSON: FLORIDA 2-9 in home games after 2 or more consecutive overs

ATLANTA at LA DODGERS, 10:10 PM ET
MEDLEN: ATLANTA 41-63 in road games in the first half of the season
KURODA: LA DODGERS 11-1 off 4 straight wins against division rivals

BALTIMORE at NY YANKEES, 1:05 PM ET
MILLWOOD: BALTIMORE 3-20 after scoring 2 runs or less
SABATHIA: NY YANKEES 17-1 in home games after allowing 1 run or less

CLEVELAND at DETROIT, 1:05 PM ET
HUFF: 14-8 TSR after a loss
PORCELLO: 1-5 TSR when the total is 9 to 9.5

OAKLAND at BOSTON, 1:35 PM ET
ANDERSON: OAKLAND 28-47 on the road when the money line is +125 to -125
WAKEFIELD: BOSTON 37-9 after 5 or more consecutive home games

LA ANGELS at KANSAS CITY, 2:10 PM ET
WEAVER: LA ANGELS 23-11 on the road when the total is 7 to 8.5
GREINKE: 2-9 TSR in the first half of the season

TEXAS at CHI WHITE SOX, 8:10 PM ET
LEWIS: TEXAS 4-14 with an on base percentage of .393 or better over their last 3 games
GARCIA: CHI WHITE SOX 21-8 as a home underdog of +100 to +125

MINNESOTA at SEATTLE, 10:10 PM ET
PAVANO: 12-5 TSR as an underdog of +100 to +150
HERNANDEZ: SEATTLE 6-14 after scoring 2 runs or less

** (TC) Denotes Time Change