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**libertypl** · 07-11-2010, 11:07 AM

BOL today StarDust.

**jt4545** · 07-11-2010, 11:20 AM

Good luck today my friend and thanks

**StarDust Bum** · 07-11-2010, 11:27 AM

World Cup Final - Spain vs. Netherlands

The World Cup has come down to two of the all-time underachievers playing for their first title. Spain and the Netherlands, teams with long histories of wasting their biggest opportunities, meet Sunday at Soccer City at 2:30 PM ET to conclude the first World Cup held in Africa. Spain is the favorite, playing at even money according to Sportsbook.com. A win by the Netherlands would pay +265, while a correctly predicted tie after 90 minutes would reward the bettor +225. Let’s take a look at the contest, which in all likelihood, will be the most wagered event worldwide all year.

After all the bluster about Brazil and the awe inspired by Germany, what began as a celebration of this continent, then turned into a South American fiesta for two rounds, finishes off with one European country discarding its also-ran label.

Which one?

“I am sure the Spanish can win any game because they are dominant and it’s hard to contain their attack,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said after his team lost 1-0 in the semifinals. “They have shown they can beat anyone.”

Perhaps. But …

“The Dutch can create a goal from any situation,” coach Oscar Tabarez said after his Uruguay squad allowed three to the Netherlands, one more than it gave up in the rest of the tournament. “They play some beautiful football.”

How nice it would be if this final featured just that: well-played, open, creative soccer. That’s what both the Dutch and Spaniards do best. So if coaches Bert van Marwijk and Vicente del Bosque don’t turn conservative all of a sudden, Sunday’s showdown could turn into one entertaining shootout.

“I love attacking and beautiful football,” the Netherlands’ Van Marwijk said, “but you have to work together when the opponent has the ball and then you can go a long way.”

The Dutch have gone a long way in the World Cup before. They simply couldn’t finish it off in 1974 and 1978, losing in the final to host teams West Germany and Argentina. They carry one of the most impressive strings of success into the championship match that soccer has seen: 10 straight wins and 25 games without a loss. If they beat Spain, the Dutch will match Brazil’s 1970 accomplishment of sweeping all qualifying and World Cup games.

They have the tools. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been brilliant throughout the tournament and is tied with Spain striker David Villa for the scoring lead with five goals. The three-pronged unit up front of Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie matches up with any group anywhere.

“Holland is going to play its football,” Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets said. “That’s important, that everyone plays their own game and shows their cards.”

Obviously, turning the final into an offensive show makes sense for the Netherlands. Unfortunately for the Oranje, it might make even more sense for the Spaniards.

The European champions can match the Dutch in firepower with Villa, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente. They have the more experienced goalkeeper in Iker Casillas, making it more likely they would get the big saves when the Netherlands breaks through.

The Spanish don’t have the Netherlands’ winning streak, but they have lost only two games since November 2006—both did come in South Africa, one in this tournament—and controlled the pace of the game against Germany in the semifinal.

Spain couldn’t have been more efficient with its well-structured passing game against the Germans, who played cautiously—not at all their style—and thus played right into the Spaniards’ hands. If Spain remains as patient and precise with the ball against the Dutch as it was in the semifinals, can the Oranje defense hold firm?

Van Marwijk has seen how the Spanish respond when the Jabulani winds up on opposing feet: “When they lose the ball, they immediately join in (to get it back). Their big stars, too.”

Not that the Dutch coach is conceding anything in that area.

“It is something we also do well,” Van Marwijk said.

The final, then, could come down to the playmakers and the finishers. Sneijder has been superb at both jobs, the most versatile individual performer at South Africa 2010. But Xavi and Iniesta have improved throughout the tournament, and Villa has bursts of energy combined with creativity that make him just as dangerous.

Most of Soccer City’s orange seats figure to be filled with, well, Oranje fans. Sneijder virtually promised they will go home happy.

“We won every qualifying game, every game here. We are not going to allow Spain to beat us now,” he said.

The Spaniards might have something to say about that.

**StarDust Bum** · 07-11-2010, 11:28 AM

Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 7/9-7/11

SAN FRANCISCO at WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON is 38-82 (-25.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.1, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 1*)

CINCINNATI at PHILADELPHIA

CINCINNATI is 23-12 (+10.4 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse this season. The average score was CINCINNATI 5.1, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 1*)

ATLANTA at NY METS

NY METS are 10-2 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was NY METS 4.7, OPPONENT 2.4 - (Rating = 1*)

ST LOUIS at HOUSTON

ST LOUIS is 29-14 UNDER (+13.1 Units) vs. a poor bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 4.2, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

PITTSBURGH at MILWAUKEE

MILWAUKEE is 18-29 (-19.6 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .245 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 5.1, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 2*)

SAN DIEGO at COLORADO

SAN DIEGO is 20-9 (+15.1 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 4.7, OPPONENT 3.1 - (Rating = 3*)

FLORIDA at ARIZONA

ARIZONA is 15-34 (-21.1 Units) against the money line vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ARIZONA 4.7, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 2*)

CHICAGO CUBS at LA DODGERS

CHICAGO CUBS are 16-34 (-18.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 3.3, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 2*)

BOSTON at TORONTO

BOSTON is 3-13 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. good power teams - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 3.3, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 1*)

MINNESOTA at DETROIT

MINNESOTA is 7-22 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 3.3, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)

CLEVELAND at TAMPA BAY

TAMPA BAY is 18-5 (+10.3 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.2 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 5.7, OPPONENT 2.7 - (Rating = 0*)

BALTIMORE at TEXAS

BALTIMORE is 11-37 (-20.6 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was BALTIMORE 3.3, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 2*)

KANSAS CITY at CHI WHITE SOX

KANSAS CITY is 23-12 (+13.9 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was KANSAS CITY 4.8, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 1*)

LA ANGELS at OAKLAND

LA ANGELS are 16-6 (+10.0 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.2 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was LA ANGELS 5.0, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)

NY YANKEES at SEATTLE

NY YANKEES are 27-11 UNDER (+14.3 Units) in road games vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse over the last 3 seasons. The average score was NY YANKEES 4.3, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

**StarDust Bum** · 07-11-2010, 12:44 PM

Sunday Tips

The final day before the All-Star Break still has plenty of drama on the table with all six second-place teams sitting less than four games behind the leader of their respective division. Three of the top four teams in the NL West play late games on Sunday, as we'll start at Coors Field with the streaking Rockies battling the first-place Padres.

Padres at Rockies - 3:10 PM EST

The cardiac kids from Colorado look to wrap up the first half on a winning note, winning eight of nine games on this current homestand. The Rockies decided that leading a game from start to finish wasn't very fun, so Colorado has rallied for a victory in three of the last four wins. The Padres try to spoil the fun, while looking to avoid a sweep after dropping the first two games of this series.

Jeff Francis (2-3, 5.12 ERA) looks to bounce back following two shaky starts against the Cardinals and Padres, allowing 13 earned runs and 13 hits in just seven innings. Francis only received a loss at San Diego in a 13-3 setback, as the Rockies rallied from a seven-run deficit to shock St. Louis, 12-9. Colorado has managed to win each of Francis' last three home starts, with each game finishing 'over' the total.

The Padres counter with southpaw Clayton Richard (6-4, 3.00 ERA), who was on the winning end of that 13-3 blowout of the Rockies on June 30. Richard turned in his best start of the season in that victory, striking out 10 and scattering five hits in seven innings of work. The left-hander has actually pitched well on the road, compiling an ERA of 2.98 away from Petco Park, but his lack of run support has resulted in San Diego going 3-4 in his seven away starts.

The Rockies have claimed eight of the 11 meetings this season, including three of four at Coors Field. The 'over' has cashed in five of the last six matchups, with double-digit runs scored between the clubs in four of those contests.

Angels at Athletics - 4:10 PM EST

A pair of eight-game winners takes the mound in Oakland as the Halos try to close the 4 ½-game gap in the AL West behind division-leading Texas. The A's have hit the skids quickly after a respectable start, but Bob Geren's squad swung the bats well in a 15-1 thrashing of the Angels last night.

The Angels put a stop to a four-game slide in Friday's extra-inning win over the A's, as ace Jered Weaver (8-4, 2.82 ERA) tries to rebound from a subpar effort at Chicago. Weaver allowed four earned runs and two homers in a 4-1 setback to the White Sox, the first non-quality start for the righty since a 10-1 loss at Oakland on June 8. In that defeat to the A's, Weaver gave up a season-high six earned runs and 12 hits in six innings, while being listed as a $1.40 road favorite. The Angels are 9-3 since last June when Weaver lost as 'chalk' in his last start.

The surprising Trevor Cahill (8-3, 3.17 ERA) suffered his first loss since May 16 when the Yankees beat the righty on Tuesday, 6-1. Cahill allowed six earned runs on only four hits in six innings, halting a five-game winning streak for Oakland in his previous five outings. The defeat Cahill endured two months ago came in a 4-0 loss in Anaheim as a $1.45 underdog, despite putting together a quality start. Cahill has turned into a great 'under' play, cashing in 10 of 13 outings.

The Angels have won six of the last nine meetings after the A's claimed two of the first three in April. Los Angeles is 6-3 the previous nine games at the Oakland Coliseum, with six of those contests finishing 'under' the total.

Yankees at Mariners- 4:10 PM EST

Two teams that have been going in completely different directions all season meet at Safeco Field as the Bombers look to keep up their winning ways heading to the break. New York has been on fire on its current West Coast swing by grabbing the five of six games, but the Yanks couldn't claim the biggest prize by losing out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, with the former Cy Young Award winner getting dealt to Texas.

Lee's former teammate CC Sabathia (11-3, 3.19 ERA) has the accolades to win the top pitcher's award this season, grabbing seven straight victories. Sabathia has allowed three earned runs combined in his last four outings, including a 10-strikeout effort in his native Northern California as the Yanks stomped the A's, 6-1. The southpaw is 6-1 his previous seven starts in Seattle, as New York picked up two blowout wins at Safeco last season with Sabathia starting.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (1-8, 5.74 ERA) has turned in a pair of solid starts his last two times out, but the Mariners failed to give the left-hander substantial run support in losses to the Royals and Yankees. Rowland-Smith was a $3.20 road underdog against Sabathia and the Yankees on July 1, scattering five hits and two earned runs in six innings as Seattle fell, 4-2. The Aussie hasn't beaten the Yankees in three career starts, despite all three outings being quality ones.

The road team is 4-2 this season, while the Yanks are 6-4 the last 10 meetings at Safeco Field following Seattle's 4-1 victory on Saturday. Even though it's dangerous to lay at least $2.00 on the road, New York is 17-4 in Sabathia's last 21 starts in this price range.

Cubs at Dodgers - 8:05 PM EST

The final game on the card comes from Chavez Ravine as Los Angeles and Chicago close out the first half. The Cubs knocked off the Dodgers on Saturday afternoon, 7-3, but remain 9 ½ games back of Cincinnati in the NL Central. The Dodgers have claimed eight of 12 to stay within arms-length of the Padres in the NL West race.

Carlos Silva (9-2, 2.96 ERA) has turned into the ace of the Chicago staff, as the righty ended a four-start winless streak by winning at Arizona his last time out. Silva's road numbers are superb, putting together a 5-0 mark and ERA of 3.05 on the highway. Silva hasn't faced the Dodgers since 2006, while not pitching in Los Angeles since 2005 as a member of the Twins.

Veteran Vicente Padilla (3-2, 4.72 ERA) has pitched well off the disabled list, winning his last two starts against the Giants and Marlins. Padilla struck out 14 and walked only one in those victories, as each finished 'over' the total. The 'over' is now 6-2 in Padilla's eight starts this season, as the righty sees the Cubs for the first time in three seasons.

The Dodgers are 6-2 the last eight home meetings with the Cubs, with the 'under' going 5-2-1 in that span. Chicago is 5-2 to the 'over' the previous seven games on the road, while scoring at least six runs six times in this current stretch.

**Kaptain** · 07-11-2010, 03:26 PM

gl Buym....as always, thanks

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