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**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 09:57 PM

Bettors' best friend: Saturday's wagering tips

Lines to keep an eye on

Rangers at Athletics– This game opened with a total of 7.5 runs, but it has since risen to 8 with many different books.

Reds at Cubs – The home team opened as a -120 favorite, however the line has fallen to -115 in many markets.

Nationals at Dodgers – LA started as -180 chalk but that money line has moved to as low as -175 with some books.

Weather report
(Forecasts are extracted from Weather.com the night before the game.)

Rangers at Athletics – There is a 13 mph wind blowing from behind home plate toward right center field.

Angels at Tigers – A 10 mph wind is expected to blow across the diamond from behind home plate toward left center field.

Cardinals at Marlins– There is a 30 percent chance of rain with a 7 mph blowing across the diamond from first toward third.

Who’s hot

The Houston Astros are on an absolute run since the All-Star break, winning eight of their past 10 and giving up four or fewer runs in eight of those games.

The Phillies are a fantastic 8-2 over the past 10 games because of a strong offense – the team has hit the over in eight of its past 10.

The Chicago Sky have been on a phenomenal run ATS, posting a record of 11-5-1 over its past 17.

Who’s not

The Braves are struggling to find rhythm in their offense, hitting the under in eight of their past 10 games and averaging just 3.2 runs per game over that span.

Even when the Seattle Storm struggles it still manages to play defense, seeing five of its past six overall fall short of the total.

No team sucks right now more than Seattle, going 1-9 over its past 10 and four of its past five have ended up below the total.

Key stat

37 – Consecutive games without consecutive wins for the Mets, the only team in the Majors that has failed to win at least two straight games since June 23. The team’s record is 64 straight games without consecutive wins, set in 1993.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Rays first baseman Carlos Pena is on the disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Pena has been out since Saturday when he aggravated the injury against the Yankees, but now will be forced to miss more than two weeks of action. Pena is a key piece of a Rays’ lineup that has been no-hit twice this season. He is hitting .212, but has 23 home runs and 68 as the main source of power in the batting order. “I felt confident I would be able to [recover] within a short amount of time, within a couple of days. I thought maybe tomorrow I would be able to play,” Pena told MLB.com. “But after talking to the doctors and to [manager Joe Maddon and the medical staff], we looked at it in a different way. Would I rather play eight weeks at 75 percent or seven weeks at 100 percent? For me, it's a no-brainer -- I'd rather play seven at 100."

Game of the day

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

Notable quotable

"I've always said that if there's a GM position that should ever open that I would be interested in going back to the NBA as a GM for the right spot and the right opportunity.” – Isiah Thomas to ESPN.com on returning to a front office position with the Knicks.

Tips and notes

- To find good value, you can sometimes spot a mediocre team that should dominate a bad team. That’s just the case when last-place D.C. United (3-12-3) travel up I-95 to face the New England Revolution (4-9-3) on Saturday. The Revolution took the team’s only meeting this season, 2-0, and boast a 2-0 road win over Los Angeles and a 1-1 draw with the Union in the team’s two most recent matches. Meantime, D.C. United is an MLS-worst 1-6-2 on the road this year and lost its past three games by an aggregate score of 6-1.

- The Red Sox may have a secret weapon. His name? Carlos Delgado. The 38-year-old slugger is rehabbing a hip injury and is just two seasons removed from 38 home runs and 115 RBI. He is in talks to meet with the Red Sox in New York this weekend for a try-out. Boston needs all the help it can for a suddenly anemic lineup, with Mike Lowell taking over for the injured Kevin Youkilis at first base. Boston has quality pitching and now very little hitting – the team has an over/under record of 55-49-5 this season, but is just 3-3 over its past six. Pay close attention to Boston as a sharp under lean the next few weeks.

- Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez will go on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion. Gomez has an on-base percentage below .300, but is very solid defensively and one of the fastest players in a lineup reliant on extra-base hits. Milwaukee is eighth in the Majors with 513 runs scored and is hitting .261 as a team, but now must start another rookie, Lorenzo Cain, who will take Gomez’s place in center field. Look for the team’s streaky lineup to take a step back. In 22 games in AAA-Nashville, Cain was hitting .299 with just 13 runs and nine RBI.

**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 09:58 PM

MLB

Saturday, August 7

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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (-185, 8.5)

The Red Sox entered their four-game series against the Yankees looking to gain some ground in the AL East. They may present a similar opportunity for bettors looking to do the same on their books.

Boston's 1-8 record in their last nine at Yankee Stadium and a DL littered with stars have made them heavy underdogs in the first two meetings and likely will all weekend.

Despite playing without first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, things aren't as bad in Beantown as they may appear. Mike Lowell and Jacoby Ellsberry returned from the DL just in time to add some depth and the Red Sox are still loaded with stating pitching.

"Despite what we're missing, what we have is good enough to get really hot. That says a lot about the depth on this roster, the quality of this team," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "Setting aside health for a second, we throw a really good starting pitcher on the mound every night, I believe, and I believe we have a deep lineup. The injuries don't prevent us from getting as hot as we're going to need to get to do some damage here."

Righty John Lackey takes on lefty CC Sabathia, who has just one win over his last four starts with a 3.67 ERA. Lackey also has just one victory to show for his last four outings but has a 3.26 ERA over that span, so the pitching could be a push.

The Red Sox are batting .284 against lefties in their last 10 while the Yankees are hitting just .248 against righties during that span. Despite the lopsided odds, this one looks close enough to go for some value.

Pick: Red Sox

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (-120, Off)

Are the Cubs really favored to beat the Reds? If so, on what grounds? The pitching matchup alone?

Granted, Cincy righthander Edinson Volquez has had a couple of bad outings since returning from the DL, but the Reds are 17-4 in his last 21 road starts.

Counterpart Randy Wells isn't exactly lighting it up either. He is 0-2 in his last two starts, when the Cubs allowed a total of 26 runs.

And as for hitting, the Reds have been hammering righties to the tune of .304 over their last 10 compared to just .251 for the Cubs.

The Reds have owned the Cubbies recently, winning six of the last seven meetings. Cincy has outscored Chicago by an incredible 52-10 during that span, posting 14 runs twice and 12 in another.

Plus the Reds are in a pennent race while the Cubs are cleaning house and already talking about next season for the 102nd consecutive year. Call us crazy but we're riding with the Reds.

Pick: Reds

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking

Matt Cain (9-8, 2.98 ERA), San Francisco Giants

This flame-throwing righty is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP (walks + hits per inning) over his last four starts. Oddsmakers have made him a favorite in three of those for outings but only once was he priced above -150.

Bookies are also keeping his totals low. The over/under line has been 7.5 or lower in six of his last eight trips to the bump.

Livan Hernandez (8-7, 3.12 ERA), Washington Nationals

The ageless, soft-tossing righty has produced masterful starts in two of his last three outings and the under is 5-0 in his last five trips to the bump. The Nats have won just two of his last five appearances but Hernandez still owns a shiny 2.03 ERA in his last four starts.

Slumping

Clayton Richard (9-5, 3.60 ERA) San Diego Padres

Richard’s record would look a lot worse if it weren’t for the run support his teammates were giving him. The 26-year-old lefty has tossed just two quality starts in his last six appearances and yet the resilient Padres are 4-2 over the six-game stretch.

The over is 8-0 in his last eight trips to the bump and oddsmakers set 6.5 totals in each of his last two outings.

Josh Johnson (10-4, 1.96 ERA), Florida Marlins

Johnson’s pitched so well this season that any slightest falter gets him thrown into the slumping pit. The Marlin ace allowed seven hits, four walks and five runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last start.

"I just didn't make my pitches," Johnson said after the game. "My slider was more middle than toward the outside corner. When you have that, you have to make a perfect pitch every time."

He also gave up eight hits, three walks and three runs in a seven-inning outing in his start before last. Again, not incriminating stuff, but considering the guy’s been carrying an ERA under 2.00, it can’t go unnoticed.

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This Day in Baseball
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On August 7 in Baseball History...

1888 - At a stormy meeting in Philadelphia, American Association owners finally vote to allow 25 cent admission again. They drop the percentage system of paying visitors and replace it with a $130-per-game guarantee.

1893 - Facing a left-handed Brooklyn pitcher, New York first baseman Roger Connor bats right-handed for the first time in his career and slugs out two homers and a single in a 10-3 win.

1907 - Walter Johnson pitched the first of his 416 victories as he led the Washington Senators over the Cleveland Indians 7-2.

1915 - As Brooklyn's rookie pitcher Ed Appleton steps to the mound, St. Louis manager Miller Huggins, coaching at third base, calls for the ball. The rookie tosses the ball to him, Huggins steps aside, and the Cardinal runner scores. A change in the rules will prevent such trickery in the future.

1922 - Ken Williams of the St. Louis Browns hit two home runs in the sixth inning of 16-1 victory over the Washington Senators.

1923 - Cleveland's Frank Bowerman went 6-for-6 with a double and five singles as the Indians routed the Washington Senators 22-2.

1950 - White players Lou Chirban, Stan Mierko, and Frank Dyle of the Chicago American Giants are barred by police from playing in the Negro American League against the Birmingham Black Barons.

1956 - The largest crowd in minor league history, 57,000, saw 51-year-old Satchel Paige of Miami beat Columbus in an International League game played in the Orange Bowl.

1968 - Joe Keough of the Oakland A's pinch hit a home run in his first major league at-bat in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees and the A's won 4-3 in 10 innings.

1971 - The New York Mets bombarded the Braves at Atlanta Stadium, 20-6. Ken Boswell led the Mets with four hits and five RBIs including a grand slam off Mike McQueen.

1978 - Eddie Mathews, Addie Joss, and Larry MacPhail are inducted at Cooperstown.

1985 - Commissioner Peter Ueberroth announced a tentative agreement ending a two-day strike. The season resumed Aug. 8.

1992 - The Giants announce that the team has been sold to Tampa Bay investors for a reported $110 million and will move to St. Petersburg for the 1993 season. Other owners will block the move in November, but one benefit is that the 1992 season finale becomes the first sellout at Candlestick since the 1989 World Series.

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**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:01 PM

WNBA

Saturday, August 7

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Trend Report
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I'll add the Tulsa/Seattle info asap.

3:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHICAGO
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Chicago is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota

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Lady Luck: Today's WNBA best bets
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Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky (-6.5, 156.5)

Neither team has had much to cheer about this year, but the Sky have an ace in the hole that the Lynx would kill for: Sylvia Fowles.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound, third-year pro out of Louisiana Tech is averaging 18.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She has dominated the painted area in the league this season and is a huge reason the Sky are fourth in the league in points allowed (75.1) and defensive rebounding (32.7). This post dominance has allowed Chicago to stay in every game this year and is a huge reason the team is 16-11-1 ATS this year – the best mark in the WNBA.

In the team’s first meeting this year, the Sky dominated the post action by recording nine blocks. Fowles had 18 points in that meeting to lead all scorers.

"I hate sitting on the bench, and then my competitive side kicked in," Fowles, who picked up two early fouls in the team’s first meeting, said. "My teammates needed me and I needed to step up. I went out there and did what I was capable of doing."

The Lynx have dropped five of their past seven and are allowing more than 84 points per game.

Pick: Chicago

Tulsa Shock at Seattle Storm (-14.5, 159.5)

Seattle may have the best regular season record – by far – in the WNBA, but its 23-4 SU mark hides its ATS record. The Storm are just 14-11-2 ATS this season – the fourth-best mark in the league – and a poor 3-6-1 ATS in its past 10.

A big reason for the poor ATS mark is that books have caught up with Seattle and made them at least a 5.5-point favorite in all but one of their games over that terrible span. The team also has to work on its motivation: it suffered its worst loss of the season last week in an 84-75 loss to the Shock in which the squad was a 12.5-point favorite.

And it was a wretched loss. The Shock are a WNBA-worst 5-22 SU and 8-19 ATS this year.

So how did they manage to upset the best team in the league? Forcing turnovers and making three-pointers.

''I think Tulsa played very well. They played aggressive,'' Seattle coach Brian Agler told the Associated Press. ''The thing I have found out about this league, being in this league for a long time, is usually the hungrier teams win. We had a long stretch of being hungry and for whatever reason we lost that. Tulsa has played hungry all year long. They work hard, they play hard, they try to make things happen, and tonight they did and took advantage of the opportunities.”

The Shock, in their first season since moving from Detroit, forced 24 turnovers and banged 9-of-18 three-pointers to come away with the victory. Guards Scholanda Robinson and Ivory Latta and forward Amber Holt each had two triples while Robinson finished with a game-high 21 points and four assists.

Pick: Tulsa

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**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:02 PM

CFL
Dunkel

I'll add Dunkel's POD asap.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Game 445-446: Winnipeg at Hamilton (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 107.618; Hamilton 111.915
Dunkel Line: Hamilton by 4 1/2; 58
Vegas Line: Hamilton by 2 1/2; 53 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (-2 1/2); Over

Game 447-448: Calgary at BC (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 111.824; BC 110.581
Dunkel Line: Calgary by 1; 45
Vegas Line: Calgary by 3; 48 1/2
Dunkel Pick: BC (+3); Under

**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:03 PM

CFL
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 7

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WINNIPEG (2 - 3) at HAMILTON (1 - 4) - 8/7/2010, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 78-55 ATS (+17.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 5-3 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 5-3 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CALGARY (4 - 1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (1 - 4) - 8/7/2010, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in August games since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 39-22 ATS (+14.8 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in a home game where the total is between 45.5 and 49 since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 26-43 ATS (-21.3 Units) in home games versus division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-1 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 7-0 straight up against BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:04 PM

CFL
Write-Up

Week 6 CFL games

Winnipeg (2-3) @ Hamilton (1-4)-- Teams already split two meetings in '10; Bombers (+3) won first meeting 49-29, running ball for 211 yards, then lost rematch 28-7 (+3.5) in game they trailed 14-0 at half. TiCats are allowing 41.3 ppg on road, 15 ppg at home. Winnipeg scored 49-47 points in its two wins, 34-7-20 in losses. Three of last four Hamilton games stayed under the total.

Calgary (4-1) @ BC Lions (1-4)-- Lions lost last four games, last three by 4-4-3 points; BC scored only 15 ppg in losing both its home games. Stampeders allowed 22 or less points in its wins, 27 in loss at Toronto. Three of last four Calgary games were decided by three or less points. Stamps split pair of road games, winning 23-22 at Hamilton, losing next week at Toronto 27-24. Under is 3-1-1 in BC games this season.

**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:05 PM

CFL

Saturday, August 7

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. HAMILTON
Winnipeg is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Hamilton is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 6 games when playing Winnipeg

10:00 PM
CALGARY vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
Calgary is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
British Columbia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of British Columbia's last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary

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Canadian Bacon: Week 6 Analysis and predictions
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-3, 54)

Many thought these were the two teams that’d be fighting for second place in the East. But here we are heading into Week 6 and both the two sides are on the wrong side of .500.

Hamilton is capable of much better as long as its key players stop shooting themselves in the foot. Its receivers’ drops are turning into interceptions and the team can’t cash in on its own turnover chances.

Steven Jyles will likely get another start for the Bombers in the absence of Buck Pierce, who’s still nagged by a knee injury. Jyles isn’t bad but he’s doesn’t have Piece’s tools.

Meanwhile, Kevin Glenn has been on fire lately and he seems to know how to get the best of another former Bomber, Arland Bruce III, who caught 16 passes for 272 yards last week.

Pick: Hamilton

Calgary Stampeders at British Columbia Lions (+2.5, 48.5)

The psychological warfare started this week on Twitter between these two teams when Stamps wideout Nik Lewis suggested that Lion defenders hit too often below the knees. He also nagged slotback Geroy Simon saying that Simon will probably need make-up to cover up his anxieties.

Lions DB Korey Banks didn’t need the new technologies to react in front of the media: “Nik Lewis is an idiot. I ain’t afraid of saying it.”

Kid stuff, no doubt about it, but we’ll see what this brings on the field.

The Lions defense can create havoc. Davis Sanchez, a former Alouette, is probably playing the best football of his career. Kerone Williams, another former Montreal player, is also picking back from his glory days.

Offensively, the Lions’ attack has been without timid Casey Printers. Last week, B.C. produced nine points and generated only six plays of 10 yards or more.

Pick: Calgary

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**Udog** · 08-06-2010, 10:06 PM

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** · 08-07-2010, 08:10 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: August 7

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Red Sox and Yankees meet in the Bronx, the Mets look for a win in Philadelphia, and the CFL finishes off the sixth week of its season.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The American League schedule for Saturday has Tampa Bay at Toronto, Texas at Oakland, the White Sox at Baltimore, the Angels at Detroit, Minnesota at Cleveland, Kansas City at Seattle, and Boston at the Yankees. John Lackey (10-6, 4.48 ERA) is expected to take on CC Sabathia (13-5, 3.19 ERA) in that Red Sox/Yankees matchup. Righthander Lackey was tagged with a loss by the Indians last time out, surrendering six runs on nine hits over his 5 1-3 innings of work. Lefthander Sabathia fell to the Rays in his most recent trip to the mound, giving up three runs on eight hits over 6 2-3 innings of work. Sabathia has lost two straight games, but New York is 8-2 in his last 10 outings.

Over in the National League on Saturday it'll be Cincinnati at the Cubs, Colorado at Pittsburgh, San Francisco at Atlanta, Houston at Milwaukee, St. Louis at Florida, San Diego at Arizona, Washington at the Dodgers, and the Mets at Philadelphia. Johan Santana (8-6, 3.20 ERA) is slated to pitch for New York in that last contest, while the Phillies hand the ball to Cole Hamels (7-7, 3.56 ERA). Lefthander Santana took a loss against the Braves in his most recent trip to the mound, giving up four runs on nine hits over seven innings of work. Lefthander Hamels picked up his fourth straight no-decision last time out against the Nationals, allowing four runs on six hits over his seven innings.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The Canadian Football League wraps up its sixth week on Saturday with Winnipeg at Hamilton and Calgary at British Columbia. The Blue Bombers (2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS) fell 23-20 in Calgary last time out, while the Tiger-Cats (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) are coming off a 37-24 loss to Saskatchewan. Hamilton is listed as a slight 2.5-point home favorite for Saturday, with the total pegged at 53.5 points. The Stampeders (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) will be looking to pick up their third straight win on Saturday, while the Lions (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) are coming off a 28-25 road loss to Edmonton – their fourth in a row. Oddsmakers have Calgary set as the 3-point road favorite for Saturday, with the total pegged at 48.5.

As well, there are two games on the WNBA's schedule for Saturday, with Minnesota at Chicago and Tulsa at Seattle. The Shock and Storm just met on Tuesday night, with Tulsa pulling out an 84-75 home upset victory. Scholanda Robinson led the way for the Shock with 21 points in that contest, while Ivory Latta provided Tulsa with 15 points and seven assists. Sue Bird was good for a team-high 19 points for the Storm in that defeat.

**Udog** · 08-07-2010, 08:11 AM

Saturday's six-pack

-- Phillies beat the Mets 7-5 with their three best players on the DL; newly-acquired Mike Sweeney started the winning rally with a hit.

-- Adam Dunn has six RBI in LA Friday, in the first three innings; he hit couple three-run dingers off of tough lefty Kershaw.

-- Giants tied game vs closer Wagner in 9th inning, then won it on a sac fly by Burrell in extra innings, closing to within a game of the Padres in a terrific NL West race.

-- Orioles are now 4-0 under Buck Showalter. Baltimore pitching has been terrific the last four games. Coincidence? Stay tuned........

-- Cliff Lee beat the A's again; he's had 65 pitches called strikes in the two wins over Oakland, with 26 swinging strikes, 12 hits allowed on 39 BIP (.308). Why has this guy been traded four times?

-- It bears mentioning that Lee was once traded from Expos to Indians, with Brandon Phillips/Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon. That hideous trade was made by what Montreal GM? Mets' GM Omar Minaya.

************************************************** ***********

Saturday's List of 13: Ranking the top 13 big league teams........

13) Rockies-- Melvin Mora ranks 2nd in major leagues in percentage of runners driven home from 3rd base (10 of 15). For some reason, Rockies are using Rogers (23 runs in 29.2 IP) to start Sunday instead of 22-year old Chacin (70 hits allowed in 82.1 IP). And yes, Chacin is on my fantasy league team, which is why I am bitter about this. .

12) Cardinals-- Top four positions in majors by slugging percentage:
NL 1B: .467.....AL 1B: .452......NL RF: .449..........AL RF: .444.

11) Twins-- Michael Cuddyer has come to bat with 350 men on base this year, 11 more than any other player; he's driven in only 11.4% of those runners, worst percentage of anyone ranked in the top 13.

10) Red Legs-- Toronto's Jose Bautista has driven in 20% of runners from first base this year, best %age in majors; next highest is Joey Votto of the Reds (12.9%). Thats a huge gap!!!! Newcomers Michael Stanton of the Marlins and Chris Johnson of Houston are tied for third in this stat.

9) Phillies-- Watching Philly beat the Mets Friday night, one phrase was sticking in my head. "Expectation of winning." Phillies go out and do stuff that helps their team win-- they trade for Halladay-Lee-Oswalt, they go get Mike Sweeney, all of which makes their players believe thay they've got the best chance to win. What has the Mets' front office done to help fortify their team this summer? Ummmm....nothing.

8) Red Sox-- AL DHs are hitting .247 this year, with on-base percentage of .325, slugging percentage of just .421.

David Ortiz is hitting .259, with OB% of .370, slugging %age of .533. He's a huge reason of why the Red Sox are still in the pennat race.

7) White Sox-- Edwin Jackson is still only 26 years old, but has a 45-49 record in 132 major league starts-- he's already on his fifth team, fourth in last three years. Why does a guy like this get traded so often? In Detroit last year, he was 13-9 but they shipped him off to Arizona-- why?

6) Padres-- San Diego stole Ryan Ludwick from St Louis because Cards had to dump salary in anticipation of giving Albert Pujols huge money in the near future. In 2008-09, Ludwick hit a combined 59 HRs, knocked in 210 runs-- he should give Adrian Gonzalez great lineup protection.

5) Giants-- Bruce Bochy is an underrated manager, having won four NL West titles in his first 15 years as a skipper. You know a guy is good if he has five losing seasons in row (SD '99-'03) and that team doesn't fire him.

4) Rangers-- Seattle's Felix Hernandez (same birthday as Catfish Hunter) is still just 24 years old, but he's already made 162 career starts for a total of 16,701 pitches, or 103.1 pitches per start. That awful lot of mileage for such a young guy, but he could be another CC Sabathia, someone whose large frame makes him more durable than most.

3) Braves-- A's farmhand Jeff Larish (.238 in 188 career AB in Detroit) knocked in 10 runs in a doubleheader for AAA Sacramento Friday, in his third day as a member of the Oakland organization.

2) Rays-- New big thing for high school football are these 7-on-7 events that are pretty much flag football games for QBs/WRs, that mirror AAU basketball tournaments. They allow high school teams to work together to hone their skills in the summer months-- its only a recent thing, having started in the late 90's.

Coaches that use a run-based offense during the high school season aren't fond of 7-on-7, since it doesn't incorporate any of the components of a running attack, just passing. As for me, I much prefer passing.

1) Bronx-- Chris Greisen of the Milwaukee Iron led the Arena Football League this season with 5,146 passing yards; he tossed 107 TDs, with 11 INTs. Arena Football is highly entertaining, and a good training ground to help QBs get adjusted to making fast decisions at game speed.

**Udog** · 08-07-2010, 08:19 AM

WNBA

Saturday, August 7

Update

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Trend Report
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10:00 PM
TULSA vs. SEATTLE
Tulsa is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Tulsa
Seattle is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Tulsa

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**Udog** · 08-07-2010, 08:22 AM

WNBA
Dunkel

Minnesota at Chicago
The Sky look to bounce back from their 82-77 loss at Los Angeles and build on their 4-0-1 ATS record in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. Chicago is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sky favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Game 601-602: Minnesota at Chicago (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 106.577; Chicago 114.991
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 8 1/2; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 6 1/2; 155 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-6 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Tulsa at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 100.812; Seattle 116.328
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 15 1/2; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 14 1/2; 159
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-14 1/2); Over

**Udog** · 08-07-2010, 08:24 AM

CFL
Dunkel - POD

Winnipeg at Hamilton
The Tiger-Cats look to bounce back from their 37-24 loss at Saskatchewan and build on their 8-3 ATS record in their last 11 games following an ATS loss. Hamilton is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Tiger-Cats favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (-2 1/2).

**Udog** · 08-07-2010, 08:27 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Tampa Bay at Toronto
The Rays look to bounce back from yesterday's loss and build on their 8-2 record in their last 10 games following a loss. Tampa Bay is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Rays favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-145). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Volquez) 15.767; Cubs (Wells) 13.513
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-105); N/A

Game 953-954: San Francisco at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 15.299; Atlanta (Hudson) 16.098
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-145); 7
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-145); Under

Game 955-956: Colorado at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (De La Rosa) 14.462; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 13.484
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Colorado (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over

Game 957-958: NY Mets at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 13.849; Philadelphia (Hamels) 16.452
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-125); Over

Game 959-960: Houston at Milwaukee (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Myers) 15.814; Milwaukee (Wolf) 13.923
Dunkel Line: Houston by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+115); Over

Game 961-962: St. Louis at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Westbrook) 14.830; Florida (Johnson) 15.477
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Florida (-180); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-180); Under

Game 963-964: San Diego at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Richard) 16.649; Arizona (Lopez) 15.636
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-125); Under

Game 965-966: Washington at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Hernandez) 14.335; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 14.990
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-175); Over

Game 967-968: Tampa Bay at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 16.753; Toronto (Mills) 16.420
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-145); Under

Game 969-970: Boston at NY Yankees (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 15.781; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.278
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+170); Over

Game 971-972: Minnesota at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pavano) 16.080; Cleveland (Carmona) 16.613
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+125); Under

Game 973-974: Chicago White Sox at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 15.885; Baltimore (Millwood) 14.626
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-165); Over

Game 975-976: LA Angels at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Kazmir) 15.334; Detroit (Bonderman) 14.327
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-130); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+110); N/A

Game 977-978: Texas at Oakland (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harden) 15.814; Oakland (Gonzalez) 14.859
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Under

Game 979-980: Kansas City at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Chen) 14.794; Seattle (Pauley) 13.994
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+100); Over

Announcement

Saturday's Trends and Indexes 8/7 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

Saturday's Trends and Indexes 8/7 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

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