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**BettorsChat** · 06-04-2010, 03:04 PM

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**StarDust Bum** · 06-04-2010, 03:17 PM

MLB Top ******* Weekend Power Trends 6/4-6/6

There’s no interleague action on this weekend’s baseball schedule but that certainly doesn’t mean there isn’t any intriguing matchups to watch for. In fact, in anything, this might be one of the best weekend slates we’ve seen this season. Several compelling matchups are on tap, including a continuing set between the league’s hottest teams, the Braves and Dodgers. Also in the Senior Circuit, the surprising Padres will take the trek cross country to the East coast for a 7-game road trip starting in Philadelphia vs. Roy Halladay. There’s also a great A.L. East series between New York and Toronto, as well as matchups between leaders of that and the Central Division with the co-leaders of the A.L. West. Let’s take a look at those series’ and reveal this weekend’s list of Top ******* Power Trends to consider.

As mentioned just earlier, the league’s two hottest clubs, the Braves and Dodgers, are getting together for a four-game set out in Los Angeles. Clearly the Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals’ series isn’t the only game in town. After winning the series opener on Thursday night, the Braves have won nine straight games. Since April 30th, they are 24-8. The Dodgers haven’t been a whole lot worse, going just a game worse, at 23-9. Atlanta leads the N.L. East by 3-games over Philadelphia while Los Angeles remains 1-1/2-games back of San Diego in the West. Of course, the Braves are just 13-16 on the road, and should be tested the next three days by L.A.’s 18-9 home mark. Elsewhere in the National League, the two teams closest to the Dodgers and Braves meet, when San Diego visits Philadelphia. The Phillies’ offensive struggles have been well documented, as they have scored just 14 runs, including getting shutout five times, in their current 2-9 swoon. It won’t get much easier vs. the Padres, who are allowing just 3.3 runs per game and a .230 opponent batting average this season.

In the American League, Toronto has a chance to gain ground on the wildcard spot when it hosts the Yankees. The Jays have stayed in the hunt by clubbing home runs at a record pace. They have hit 91 in 55 games, putting them on a season-long pace for 268. By comparison, the Yankees, more well known for the big bats in their lineup, have hit just 61. Still, Toronto trails New York by 3-1/2-games right now and needs a series win to close the gap. In Texas, another intriguing series is set, as the Rays visit. As you’ll see from the powerful trend below, the Rangers may be in a good spot to beat up on Tampa’s incredible pitching staff this weekend. Texas is currently tied atop the West with Oakland, who happens to be hosting the Central-leading Twins over the next three days. Minnesota has lost three straight games for the third time in the last 17 days, mustering just three total runs during the skid in Seattle. The A’s haven’t done anything remarkably well, yet are on a 9-4 surge that has got them back to even in the standings with the Rangers.

Again, this looks to be a very exciting weekend on the diamond, as if this past few days weren’t noteworthy enough. Let’s take a look at a Top ******* Power Trend from each series that you might want to account for in your wagering.

SAN DIEGO at PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA is 77-46 (+28.3 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 5.1, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

CINCINNATI at WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON is 14-50 (-29.4 Units) against the money line vs. good power teams - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 3.8, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 2*)

SAN FRANCISCO at PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH is 40-24 UNDER (+13.1 Units) vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 2.9, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 1*)

FLORIDA at NY METS

GONZALEZ is 63-53 (+27.7 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents as the manager of FLORIDA. The average score was FLORIDA 5.2, OPPONENT 4.6 - (Rating = 2*)

CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

CHICAGO CUBS are 4-17 (-20.7 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 2.8, OPPONENT 4.6 - (Rating = 6*)

MILWAUKEE at ST LOUIS

MILWAUKEE is 26-11 OVER (+14.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 5.4, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 2*)

COLORADO at ARIZONA

ARIZONA is 17-3 OVER (+13.9 Units) vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was ARIZONA 5.9, OPPONENT 6.9 - (Rating = 4*)

ATLANTA at LA DODGERS

LA DODGERS are 37-19 UNDER (+14.8 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was LA DODGERS 3.3, OPPONENT 3.5 - (Rating = 1*)

NY YANKEES at TORONTO

GASTON is 45-33 (+12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 as the manager of TORONTO. The average score was TORONTO 4.9, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 0*)

BOSTON at BALTIMORE

BOSTON is 3-10 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams scoring 4.2 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 4.5, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 2*)

TAMPA BAY at TEXAS

TEXAS is 14-3 (+13.9 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 3.7 or less runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was TEXAS 6.2, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 3*)

CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

CHI WHITE SOX are 30-10 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in home games vs. terrible power teams - averaging 0.75 or less HR's/game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 5.5, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)

DETROIT at KANSAS CITY

KANSAS CITY is 16-3 OVER (+12.9 Units) vs. a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was KANSAS CITY 5.9, OPPONENT 6.3 - (Rating = 3*)

MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

OAKLAND is 16-5 UNDER (+10.1 Units) in home games vs. an AL team with an on base percentage of .345 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was OAKLAND 2.8, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

LA ANGELS at SEATTLE

LA ANGELS are 15-5 (+10.1 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse this season. The average score was LA ANGELS 4.7, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)

**StarDust Bum** · 06-04-2010, 03:17 PM

MLB Series Betting- Tampa Bay at Texas

In American League action, it’s a battle of two division leaders this upcoming weekend for a three-game series. Before the season began, you probably could have made some cash saying on the first weekend of June, you predict the Tampa Bay and Texas would be in first place in their respective divisions, yet that is exactly what has happened. Though the season still has four months left, this is meaning confrontation in the pecking order of the American League.

Neither club enters this series playing their best baseball of the season. Tampa Bay (36-18, +7.9 units) is 4-6 in last 10 games, with the pitching sputtering in allowing 4.9 runs per contest. Manager Joe Maddon has gotten the scouting reports and knows the Rangers are for real.

“They got better,” Maddon told MLB.com. “They’ve really pitched well against us. I think they’re pitching substantially better. And you’ve got Vladimir (Guerrero) playing like he did a couple of years ago right now. And that’s definitely going to make them a better ballclub.”

Texas (28-25, -1) has fallen off their saddle seven of the last 10 outings and seen their lead over Oakland dwindle to zilch; leading the A’s by one percentage point in the AL West standings. What has caused the slide for the Rangers is an inconsistent offense, totaling 26 runs in the three victories and 20 runs in the seven defeats.

In trying to figure out what to expect, both teams are playing from a position of strength. The Rays are marvelous 21-6 on the road and Texas is 18-9 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Tampa Bay won 7-3 at Toronto on Wednesday and is 16-3 in road games after a win this season and will start Wade Davis (5-4, 4.04 ERA) who has permitted more than three runs only three times in his 10 starts. The 24-year old has needed relief help, pitching more than six innings just twice.

Sportsbook.com has Texas as -130 money line favorites behind left-hander C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.48). After an impressive beginning, Wilson is 0-2 with a 9.56 ERA in his past three starts and will have to do his part for his club to improve on 14-3 record vs. AL teams allowing 3.7 or less runs per contest. The converted reliever has posted a 1.35 ERA against Tampa Bay in 13 appearances out of the bullpen, however the Rays are 17-6 vs. lefty’s this year.

Game 1 Edge: Tampa Bay

Saturday’s matchup is a FOX regional afternoon telecast. Tampa was 3-6 and just 1-5 at Arlington last season and will look for quick reversal of fortune. The Rays starting pitchers didn’t handle the smallish dimensions of the Rangers ball-yard, allowing better than a run per inning in the 28 they threw in 2009. James Shields (5-3, 3.62) will seek to change this direction for his team. The right-hander has almost a 5-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio, however, working the plate as well as he does leaves him to susceptible to the long ball and he has given up 11 (third most in AL) home runs.

Tommy Hunter was supposed to be part of the Texas rotation from opening day after last year’s 9-6 campaign with a 4.10 ERA. Hunter strained a muscle in his left ribcage in Arizona in March and has made six starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being recalled (1-2, 4.05). The Rangers won six of his eight home starts a year ago, but are only 7-19 on Saturday’s.

Watch the line carefully on this contest with the Rays 9-1 coming into the series when the money line is +125 to -125. Shields has not pitched since last Saturday and is 5-0 with five days rest.

Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

Rich Harden (3-1) will pitch the finale for Texas and he’s brought his club luck, as they have won eight of his 11 starts in spite of 5.33 ERA. Normally when the right-hander has problems, its loss of command and walks too many batters, with low hit totals. That has not been the case in Rangers uniform, as Harden has been wild enough to concede 37 base on balls in 54 innings, but also has been touched for 55 hits.

Watching Matt Garza (5-4, 3.08) pitch, the feeling is something is missing. You witness the mid-90’s fastball that can saw off a bat like beaver and has curve and slider that can freeze hitters. Despite the obvious ability, he is 24-25 in a Rays’ uniform for his career, not always having the right mental makeup when he doesn’t have his A-Game. Against Texas, Garza is 3-3, however is 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA at Arlington.

Game 3 Edge: Texas

Both teams have started to swing the bats better the last few contests, which could lead to totals plays on the Over in the series. The Rays are the better overall team and they can negate the Texas home field edge with how outstanding they have played on the road. This is not a walkover by any means and I’ll throw support to Tampa Bay, but only by the slimmest of margins.

Sportsbook.com series odds: Tampa Bay -145, Texas +115

**StarDust Bum** · 06-04-2010, 03:18 PM

Philadelphia back home with Mr. Perfect

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Roy Halladay threw a perfect game in his last outing. The Philadelphia Phillies have needed that kind of pitching effort to get a win of late. With Halladay taking the mound for the first time since his historic effort, the slumping Phillies look to get back on track when they host the NL West-leading San Diego Padres on Friday night.

The Phillies’ powerful lineup rolled along for the first 41 games, averaging 5.5 runs, but the club has struggled badly at the plate since. Philadelphia (28-24, -5.2 units) has scored 14 runs while losing nine of the last 11. The Phillies, who have fallen into second place in the NL East, have been shut out five times during that span. They were held without a run seven times in 2009 and are 13-22 (-14.8 Units) against the money line after scoring one run or less.

“I see a whole lot of cockiness and big-headedness and complacency,” manager Charlie Manuel said of his two-time defending NL champions. “Just because we did something last year doesn’t mean we’re going to do it this year.”

The Phillies’ 3-4-5 hitters have been at the heart of the team’s offensive problems. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth have totaled five RBIs in the last 11 games, with Werth’s .152 average since May 22 the best between the three during that stretch.

“There are a lot of ways you can spin it, but we’ve been through this before,” Utley told the Phillies’ official website. “We’re going to come out of it. We’ve just got to keep working.” Philadelphia is 9-0 in home games after batting .240 or worse over a 15-game span.

That’s never been a problem for Halladay. Less than 12 hours after throwing the 20th perfect game in major league history in a 1-0 win at Florida on Saturday, the former Cy Young winner was back at the ballpark getting ready for his next start.

While Halladay (7-3, 1.99 ERA, 0.988 WHIP) was untouchable in his last outing, that wasn’t the case in his last two games at Citizens Bank Park. He allowed 17 hits and posted a 4.91 ERA in losing both starts and is only 13-17 (-14.0 Units) against the ML after giving up one or less earned runs last outing over the last three seasons. (Team's Record)

The Padres are the only NL team Halladay has never faced, and he’ll be taking on a club that has won eight of 11 - occasionally in dramatic fashion. San Diego (32-21, +13.2) opens a seven-game trip after posting three extra-inning, walk-off wins during a 6-3 homestand.

“We just want to keep plugging away,” center fielder Tony Gwynn told the Padres’ official website Wednesday after Adrian Gonzalez hit a walk-off grand slam in a 5-1, 11-inning victory over the New York Mets.

“We’re doing a fantastic job with our pitching and our timely hitting, and we’re playing good defense. When you have those three as a recipe, it’s usually going to lead to some victories.” San Diego will start the road trip 13-5 (+11.2 Units) vs. the ML after seven or more consecutive home encounters since last season.

Mat Latos (5-3, 3.08, 1.011) gets the ball in the series opener, looking to win his career-best fifth straight decision. The 22-year-old right-hander has given up two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts. Latos has never faced the Phillies.

Gonzalez hit .316 with four homers and six RBIs versus Philadelphia last year, but San Diego dropped five of seven in season series. Padres second baseman David Eckstein is 11 for 27 (.407) with a homer against Halladay.

Sportsbook.com has Philadelphia as -220 ML favorites with total Un7.5. The Phillies are 77-46 vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs a game and are 23-6 UNDER after three or more consecutive losses. The Padres will look to build on their astonishing start to 2010 and are 15-5 vs. teams outscoring opponents by 0.5 or more runs a contest and 25-13 OVER as a road underdog of +150 or more.

This ballgame has a 7:05 Eastern start and for those online sports betting patrons who like Halladay and want some relief, the Phillies are +100 on the run line and 7-0 against the RL in home games with an on-base percentage of .310 or worse over their last 20 games, winning by five runs per contest.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-04-2010, 03:19 PM

Desperation fuels Philadelphia Flyers

When you were a child, did you have one of those plastic punch-down toys? They usually had a clown face on it and when you would hit it, the toy falls over but had a base where it always would come right back up to be punched again. If you think about, the Philadelphia Flyers are a lot like this toy, you can smash it, bash it and kick it, but they get right back up looking for more.

Forget about all the other remarkable aspects the Flyers have done just to be in the Stanley Cup Finals, what they had to overcome emotionally in Game 3 was plenty.

Down 2-0 in the finals, Philadelphia needed video replay to take a 2-1 lead in the second period. Chicago roared back to take a 3-2 lead in the third period before stunned Philly fans, yet 20 seconds later Ville Leino tied the score at 3-all.

Off they went to overtime knowing any fluky Chicago goal would for all intents and purposes end their season. The Flyers Claude Giroux redirected Matt Carle’s pass past Antti Niemi for the game winner at the 5:59 mark, but only after having video replay confirm an early goal the Flyers crowd had thought had ended the contest at that juncture.

This is how everything is done hockey-wise in Philadelphia these days.

“Like I said this morning (Wednesday), 2-0 for us is comfortable,” coach Flyers Peter Laviolette said. “We’re OK with that. We know how to battle through it.” Philadelphia is up to 13-7 in the postseason after the victory.

This story takes on made-for-TV-movie quality with the tale Giroux had after the best contest of the series. While Giroux was having his pregame nap, he said he received a text message from a friend.

"He doesn't usually text me a lot," Giroux explained. "He said, 'I have a feeling you're going to score the overtime winner tonight.' I texted back and said, 'You're crazy.' I'm going to call him now. It's obviously a big goal. It's probably my biggest goal in my career." This gives him nine in the playoffs, compared to 16 during the regular season.

Chicago has been fantastic in stopping the Flyers top scoring unit led by Mike Richards, who have all but invisible. The Hawks should start turning attention to Leino, Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell line, who are doing most of the damage for Philadelphia.

The Blackhawks seven game road winning streak was snapped and though beaten, they are hardly down, knowing they could have just as easily been up 3-0 in the series.

“Right now it looks like they have the momentum in the series,” Patrick Kane said. “But if we take Game 4, then we put ourselves in a great position to go back and play in front of our home crowd and hopefully win it there.” Chicago is 8-1 on the road if the opponent has won 60 percent or more of their home games.

Sportsbook.com has Philadelphia as -115 money line favorites to even the series, with total once again Ov5.5. The Flyers are 11-1 in last dozen favorite roles and 7-1 UNDER after a home game where both teams scored three or more goals this season. Chicago enters next contest as treacherous road underdog with 11-1 mark and 20-9 UNDER off a loss.

The Flyers continue to thrive when faced with dire circumstances and that is fine with defenseman Chris Pronger who has been a force.

“We've had an awful lot of adversity this year. We have had to learn on the fly," Pronger told reporters. "I don't think anybody has ever questioned [ourselves] in the locker room, anyway. I'm sure some of you clowns have, but we haven't questioned ourselves or questioned exactly what it is we're trying to do. We've struggled at times and been able to turn the corner and figure it out."

Philadelphia has defeated Chicago nine consecutive times in the City of Brotherly Love and is 7-0 after winning previous game in overtime.

The VERSUS Network will have Game 4 at 8:00 Eastern.

**The Orange Chef** · 06-04-2010, 03:22 PM

Stardust, i only bet 1 or 2 games max a night so its easy for me to keep up with the status

Just curious do you follow all of these plays as they are in progress or do you just put in the action and check the results at the end of the night...

**bryce** · 06-04-2010, 04:49 PM

Good luck SDB!!

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