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**StarDust Bum** · 06-26-2010, 10:33 AM

Last Interleague Weekend Top Trends 6/24-6/26

This weekend offers the last of the interleague matchups for the season as the National League and American League teams won’t square off again until the Fall Classic, that is of course, if you don’t count the All-Star Game in a couple weeks. Unless the N.L. enjoys a huge weekend, it looks like another year where the A.L. gets the edge, as they go in with a 110-96 advantage. The best chances the Senior Circuit has to gain ground over the next few days figure to come in Philadelphia, where strangely, the Phillies VISIT the Jays, in Cincinnati, where the Reds host the Ohio battle with Cleveland, and in Kansas City, where the Cardinals visit the Royals in the heartland series. Let’s take a look at all the top action going on and reveal this weekend’s list of Top ******* Power Trends to consider in your wagering.

The Windy City rivalry resumes on Friday with the White Sox hosting the Cubs on the South side. Ozzie Guillen’s team has gotten the best of its N.L. counterparts of late at U.S. Cellular Field, taking five of the last six games. They also took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley a couple weeks back, holding the Cubs to just seven runs. The Sox figure to have the edge here too, as they have gotten red-hot and come into the series on a 9-game winning streak.

Still, that streak by Chicago is not even the longest winning surge in baseball right now. That belongs to the Rangers, who have taken 11 in a row to grab control of the A.L. West Division, 4-1/2 games on top of the Angels. Texas figures to be a sizeable favorite in its first two games of the weekend series with the lowly Astros, who make up three games of the 11 won in a row after last weekend’s sweep. Overall, the Rangers are on a healthy 11-4 run versus Houston over the last three years.

The strangest series of all over the weekend will be in Philadelphia, where the Jays host the Phillies. No, you didn’t read that in error. Because of a conflict with Rogers Centre this weekend, the Jays-Phils series had to be moved and Philadelphia was the decided location. That means while the Phillies will sleep in their own beds over the next few nights, the Jays will dawn the home white uniforms and bat last. Oddsmakers haven’t fallen for MLB’s trick, as they have the Phillies and Roy Halladay as huge favorites in the series opener. Toronto though, has won six of the L9 games vs. Philadelphia. Something else to note, Toronto is 8-1 OVER the total on the “road” in interleague play this season.

Now, getting to the actual playoff contenders at this point, there is a series of hot and not in New York this weekend between the Mets and Twins. Minnesota comes off a 3-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers, who they have historically had their way with, while New York has used the last month of interleague play to thrive, going 11-4 for the N.L.’s best mark. That series matches the #1 team in the A.L. Central vs. the #2 team in the N.L. East. The shoes are reversed in Atlanta, where the leaders of the N.L. East, the Braves, take on the team closest to the Twins, the Tigers. Both divisions show ½ game margins at the top so all four teams will be keeping an eye on the scoreboard.

Finally, the rest of the quality action is out west, where the Rockies visit the Angels, the Dodgers host the Yankees, and the Giants welcome Boston to town. The LA-Colorado series is particularly interesting, since these are two of the better interleague clubs in baseball over the last few years. In fact, the Angels boast a 19-5 record in their L24 games vs. N.L. West foes. The Yankees-Dodgers matchup is sure to strike up feelings of past World Series’ and perhaps even days further of yesteryear when the teams used to be neighbors in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Speaking of teams strong in interleague play, the Red Sox have been outstanding in such games under manager Terry Francona, going 90-41 in his tenure.

Now, here’s a look at those Top ******* Power Trends certain to affect your wagering this weekend…

SAN DIEGO at FLORIDA

FLORIDA is 21-10 OVER (+10.9 Units) in home games vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 5.4, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 1*)

CHICAGO CUBS at CHI WHITE SOX

CHI WHITE SOX are 12-4 (+9.3 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 5.1, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 1*)

PHILADELPHIA vs. TORONTO

TORONTO is 9-0 OVER (+9.1 Units) vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 5.1, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 2*)

WASHINGTON at BALTIMORE

WASHINGTON is 19-6 UNDER (+12.2 Units) vs. a poor bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.0, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 2*)

MINNESOTA at NY METS

NY METS are 17-9 (+11.3 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better this season. The average score was NY METS 4.0, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 2*)

CLEVELAND at CINCINNATI

CLEVELAND is 11-29 (-12.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was CLEVELAND 4.0, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 0*)

ARIZONA at TAMPA BAY

ARIZONA is 11-32 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was ARIZONA 3.8, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 0*)

DETROIT at ATLANTA

ATLANTA is 22-6 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game this season. The average score was ATLANTA 5.3, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 2*)

HOUSTON at TEXAS

TEXAS is 12-1 (+10.8 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters draw 3 walks or less/game this season. The average score was TEXAS 6.5, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

ST LOUIS at KANSAS CITY

KANSAS CITY is 15-5 OVER (+9.9 Units) vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was KANSAS CITY 4.9, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 2*)

SEATTLE at MILWAUKEE

SEATTLE is 1-12 (-11.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +150 this season. The average score was SEATTLE 3.0, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 2*)

PITTSBURGH at OAKLAND

PITTSBURGH is 1-13 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game this season. The average score was PITTSBURGH 2.8, OPPONENT 5.9 - (Rating = 1*)

COLORADO at LA ANGELS

COLORADO is 11-1 (+10.7 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .330 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was COLORADO 5.7, OPPONENT 3.5 - (Rating = 1*)

NY YANKEES at LA DODGERS

LA DODGERS are 40-22 (+15.4 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA DODGERS 4.5, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

BOSTON at SAN FRANCISCO

BOSTON is 7-21 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. a good bullpen that converts on 75%+ of their save opportunities over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 3.3, OPPONENT 5.1 - (Rating = 2*)

**StarDust Bum** · 06-26-2010, 10:34 AM

World Cup Betting Preview - Team USA vs. Ghana

The United States soccer team has grown a habit of saving its best for the last 20 minutes of a given game. In its win 1-0 win over Algeria to clinch a spot in the knockout round, Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal saved the day. Now, for a berth in the World Cup quarterfinals, the Americans will meet Ghana on Saturday at 2:30 PM ET. Team USA is the favorite according to Sportsbook.com, at +145 to win, with Ghana priced at +185. A winning draw wager would pay +210.

Donovan's goal against Algeria was the most dramatic of what has become a consistent trend of late heroics for Team USA. So if the Americans are so effective at the end of games, why can't they start off the same way? It puzzles the players as much as anyone.

"For whatever reason we seem to grow in strength and confidence as the game goes on," Goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "The danger in that is the vulnerability at the beginning. But at the same time the longer we can go and keep at a zero - 20 minutes, 30 minutes, get to halftime - our chests start to come out, and so that's a good thing. Now I've just got to figure out and make sure we don't concede early."

The U.S. has never won a World Cup match in which it trailed, and there are no more draws now that the Americans are heading to the knockout stage.

When the Americans were eliminated by Ghana in their 2006 first-round finale at Nuremberg, Germany, they fell behind twice. They couldn't come back both times.

One big difference in Saturday's game at Rustenburg will be the absence of Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien, sidelined by a knee injury.

Only once since the first World Cup in 1930 has the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals. The Americans beat Mexico 2-0 in the second round eight years ago, then were eliminated with a 1-0 defeat to Germany.

Jozy Altidore said this U.S. team doesn't get flustered if it falls behind.

"The mentality is we're never out of the game," he said. "Even in the 91st minute, Landon is clapping, getting guys together. Carlos (Bocanegra) is barking out directions."

Against Algeria, an earlier blown call -- a Clint Dempsey first-half goal wrongly disallowed for offside that had threatened to send the U.S. out of the World Cup on a sour note of repeated refereeing injustice, was instantly forgotten. Instead the U.S. moves on after having played its best soccer of the tournament during the latter stages of the game.

Suddenly what looked like turning into a winless World Cup for the U.S. has the team undefeated and winners of Group C, ahead of England. If the Americans had finished second in the group, as most people had predicted, they would have been up against Germany in the second round.

This being a World Cup full of twists and turns, however, the U.S. will now line up against what is likely to be the only remaining team from Africa, Ghana, which scraped through despite a 1-0 loss to Germany thanks to Australia's win over favored Serbia.

A U.S. win against Ghana would see the Americans face either Uruguay or South Korea in a quarterfinal.

First the U.S. will have to get past a Ghanaian team that has established itself as Africa's hope with an entertaining style of soccer built on quick and short passing.

This will be a re-match from four years ago.Then, it was Ghana that eliminated the U.S. the Vup by beating the Americans 2-1. The Africans went on to the second round in their first-ever World Cup, where they were beaten by Brazil 3-0.

Anchored by the smooth Anthony Annan, the young midfield has impressed so far in the Cup and doesn't seem to be missing injured superstar Michael Essien, the Chelsea midfielder.

But like other African teams in this tournament, Ghana has had a horrid time in front of goal, with only two goals scored and both of them on penalties by lone striker Asamoah Gyan.

Against Germany, Ghana wasted five or six golden opportunities to score against a surprisingly shaky German defense.

The U.S., meanwhile, has its own problems up front. It's clear that midfielder Donovan is as close to a match winner as the U.S. has. So far, none of the U.S. goals have come from the team's strikers.

The team's greatest asset, however, continues to be its great fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. "We're not done yet," said Donovan, who fought to keep tears back in a post-game interview.

Momentum seems to be on the side of the Americans. Whether or not they can capitalize on Saturday is the question. If so, a winning wager would pay a handsome +145 at Sportsbook.com. If you prefer to play the total, a winning OVER 2.5 goals wager would pay +130, while a winning UNDER 2.5 would cost -181. Of course with neither team getting too many scoring chances, the high price on the under is justified.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-26-2010, 10:35 AM

Saturday's FOX Tips

**Yankees at Dodgers**

--Most books are listing the side as a pick ‘em with a total of nine 'under' (minus-120). Gamblers can back the Dodgers on the run line (minus 1 1/2 runs) for a plus-165 return (risk $100 to win $165).

--New York (45-27, +372) went into Friday’s play with a two-game lead over the Rays and Red Sox in the American League East.

--Los Angeles (39-33, -79) went into Friday’s action trailing the NL-West-leading Padres by three games. The Dodgers are in third place in the division, also behind the Giants by one-half game.

--New York RHP A.J. Burnett (6-6, 4.83) will take the ball in this spot. The hard-throwing veteran righty is mired in an awful slump, as evidenced by his 0-3 record and 10.93 ERA his last three times out. For the season, Burnett is 3-4 with a 5.85 ERA in nine road assignments. He is 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers.

--Joe Torre’s club will counter with Hiroki Kuroda, who is 6-5 with a 3.06 ERA this season. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA in seven home starts. The 35-year-old Kuroda will be facing the Yankees for the first time in his big-league career.

--L.A. slugger Manny Ramirez has only faced Burnett three times, going 1-for-3 with the lone hit being a home run.

--Joe Girardi’s team had a 20-17 road record going into Friday’s series opener at Chavez Ravine. Meanwhile, the Dodgers had a 23-13 home ledger.

--The ‘under’ is 38-37 overall for the Yankees, 20-19 in their road assignments.

--The Dodgers have watched the ‘over’ go 39-32 overall, 22-13 in their home games.

--Fox will have regional television coverage of the first pitch at 7:10 p.m. Eastern.

**Cubs at White Sox**

--Most spots have installed the White Sox as minus-120 favorites for the middle game of this series between the Windy City rivals. The total is nine ‘under’ (minus-115). Betors can take Ozzie Guillen’s club on the run line for a plus-165 return (risk $100 to win $165).

--The White Sox have won 10 in a row and 14 of their last 15, including a three-game sweep of the Braves this week. They beat the Cubs by a 6-0 count in Friday’s series opener, shelling Carlos Zambrano for four runs in the first inning. Jake Peavy worked seven shutout innings, fanning nine batters for the winners. Carlos Quentin providing all the offense the White Sox would need, belting a three-run homer off of Zambrano in the opening frame.

--Pending Minnesota’s result Friday night, Chicago (38-34, +172) had moved to within two games of the AL-Central leaders. On the flip side, the NL’s version of Chicago (32-41, -1822) was laboring in fourth place in the NL Central, 8 ½ games behind the loop-leading St. Louis Cardinals.

--Carlos Silva (8-2, 3.01) has emerged as the Cubs’ surprising ace this year. The veteran righty is no stranger to the White Sox from his days with division-rival Minnesota. Silva hasn’t fared too well against the White Sox, either, posting a 4-11 record and 5.33 lifetime ERA.

--Silva is 4-0 with a 3.07 ERA in five road assignments this season.

--The White Sox will give the starting nod to Freddy An. Garcia (8-3, 4.85), who is 4-0 with a 1.25 ERA in five career starts against the Cubs.

--The White Sox are just 20-26 in night games.

--The Cubs have seen the ‘under’ go 39-27 overall, 21-11 in their road outings.

--The ‘over’ is 36-32 overall for the White Sox, 17-16 in their home games. However, the ‘under’ is on a 6-1 run in their last six outings.

--Fox will have the regional telecast at 7:10 p.m. Eastern.

**Red Sox at Giants**

--Most books are listing Boston (44-30, +460) as a minus-150 road favorite with a total of 8 ½ flat (minus-110 either way). Gamblers can take the Red Sox on the run line for a plus-113 payout (risk $100 to win $113).

--Terry Francona’s squad is 18-15 in its road games, 38-18 in its games played at night under the lights.

--San Francisco (39-32, +152) has thrived at home with a 24-12 record. The Giants have won six of their last seven at home, but they went into Friday’s series opener after back-to-back losses at Houston.

--Clay Bucholz (10-4, 2.47) will toe the rubber for Boston on Saturday. The right-hander has been especially effective in six road outings, going 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA. Bucholz is facing San Francisco for the first time in his career.

--Joe Martinez (0-1, 4.91) will get the ball for the Giants for his third start of the season. The right-hander is making his career debut against the Red Sox.

--The ‘over’ is 37-33 overall for Boston, 15-15 in its road games.

--The ‘over’ is 36-33 overall for the Giants, but the ‘under’ is 19-16 in their road games.

**Kaptain** · 06-26-2010, 11:14 AM

Get em bum

**StarDust Bum** · 06-26-2010, 07:05 PM

Evening games:

Boston - 7:10 PM ET San Francisco +140 500 *****
San Francisco - Under 8.5 500

Chi. Cubs - 7:10 PM ET Chi. Cubs +113 500
Chi. White Sox - Under 9 500 *****

Cleveland - 7:10 PM ET Cincinnati -134 500
Cincinnati - Over 9.5 500

NY Yankees - 7:10 PM ET NY Yankees +102 500 *****
LA Dodgers - Under 8.5 500 *****

San Diego - 7:10 PM ET San Diego +178 500 *****
Florida - Over 7 500

Colorado - 10:05 PM ET LA Angels -130 500
LA Angels - Under 9.5 500

Pittsburgh - 10:05 PM ET Oakland -201 500
Oakland - Over 8 500 *****

**StarDust Bum** · 06-26-2010, 07:10 PM

Saturday, June 26Game Score Status Pick Amount

Minnesota - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota +6.5 500 *****
San Antonio - Over 159.5 500 *****

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