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**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:18 PM

Eagles set to begin post-Donovan McNabb era

Jacksonville (0-0) at Philadelphia (0-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT, Wager7.com Line: Philadelphia -3 Total: 33.5
 The Eagles prepare for the first season of the post-Donovan McNabb era and will be putting their trust in the arm of Kevin Kolb, who filled in admirably for the injured McNabb last year. Kolb inherits an array of young targets in wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson and tight end Brent Celek. Maclin (knee) and Jackson (back) have both missed practice time this preseason.
  The Jaguars may have finished in last place in the highly competitive AFC South last season, but at 7-9 they were not far from making the playoffs. The Jags will have to improve upon a defense that ranked near the bottom in defending the pass. Offensively, David Garrard will try to build on the connection he established with wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker a year ago, while still relying heavily on the powerful legs of running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

  The Jaguars have been successful on natural surfaces away from home. Consider this stat from the FoxSheets: JACKSONVILLE is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field since 1993. The average score was JACKSONVILLE 21.6, OPPONENT 18.1 - (Rating = 1*).

Also, PHILADELPHIA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in the first two weeks of the pre-season since 1993. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 15.5, OPPONENT 20.5.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:18 PM

Rookie C.J. Spiller makes his debut for Bills in Washington

Buffalo (0-0) at Washington (0-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT, Sports.com Line: Washington -3 Total: 32.5
 The Redskins camp, their first under two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan, has been one of the more intriguing ones so far. The saga of Albert Haynesworth, who finally passed his conditioning test, and the addition of Donovan McNabb to replace Jason Campbell, who is now in Oakland, has been fun to watch.
  New Buffalo coach Chan Gailey is looking to Trent Edwards to lead his offense this season. Edwards will face competition from both Brian Brohm and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Whoever ends up as quarterback will be happy that the Bills finally came to terms with first round draft pick C.J. Spiller out of Clemson. The all-purpose back could have an immediate impact on the Bills, who have a long way to go to catch up to their division rivals in New England, New York and Miami. On the defensive side, it remains unclear whether the Bills will have the services of Aaron Schobel, who can’t seem to make up his mind about whether and where he wants to play.

  The depth of competition at quarterback for Buffalo could result in some inspired offensive play throughout the game, keeping things close. The FoxSheets show that previous matchups between these two teams have been closer than expected, but the favorite has ended up winning the game: BUFFALO is 2-0 against the spread at WASHINGTON since 1993.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:19 PM

Beckett faces stiff test against Rangers and Tommy Hunter

Boston (66-50) at Texas (65-48), Friday, 8:05 p.m. EDT, Sports.com Line: Texas –135, Boston +115 Total: 9.5
The Red Sox hope to continue their playoff push as they head to Arlington to open a three-game set with the West-leading Rangers. Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.21 ERA) gets the call for the Sox and he’ll be opposed by right-hander Tommy Hunter (9-1, 3.01 ERA). Texas comes into the series with a commanding 7.5-game lead in the division, while Boston sits four games out in the wild card standings after taking two of three from Toronto north of the border.
It’s been a roller coaster ride for Beckett this season. He was tagged for seven runs in 4.2 innings in the Bronx his last time out after winning his previous two starts. Conversely, Hunter has been a model of consistency for the Rangers, with just one loss in 12 starts this season. Hunter has thrown at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts.

Hunter also has some FoxSheets trends going for him, including:

TEXAS is 22-8 (+14.6 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.  The average score was TEXAS 6.1, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 2*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:20 PM

Bronx Bombers look to continue dominance over Royals

New York Yankees (71-43) at Kansas City (47-68) 8:10 p.m. EDT Sports.com Line : New York -178, Kansas City +158 Total: 10
The Yankees look to continue their dominance over the Royals as the two teams meet in the second game of a four-game series tonight at Kaufman Stadium. New York has taken four of the first five games in the season series including a 4-3 win last night. Dustin Moseley (2-1, 3.86 ERA) will start for New York while Kyle Davies (5-7, 5.21 ERA) gets the ball for Kansas City.
Moseley is coming off a strong outing against Boston, allowing two runs in 6.1 innings and picking up the win. Davies, on the other hand, has only one win in his last 12 starts. That came against the Yankees in New York on July 24, a game that saw Moseley throw 4.2 innings of scoreless relief for the Yanks.

Despite Davies owning a victory over New York, the Yankees are the class of the American League while Kansas City finds itself in the cellar yet again. One FoxSheets stat jumps off the page:

Play Against - Home underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 (KANSAS CITY) - poor AL offensive team (<=4.5 runs/game) against a team with a good bullpen (ERA<=3.75), in August games. (58-16 since 1997.) (78.4%, +33.8 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:20 PM

Falcons open pre-season at home against Chiefs

Kansas City (0-0) at Atlanta (0-0), Friday, 8:00 p.m. EDT, Sports.com Line: Atlanta -3 Total: 34.5
 The Chiefs have gone to the Patriot well once again, adding coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel, who were instrumental in bringing three Lombardi trophies to New England under Bill Belichick. Weis will be designing plays for Matt Cassel, whose numbers dipped last season, his first with the Chiefs, after enjoying remarkable success in 2008 filling in for the injured Tom Brady.
  The Falcons missed the playoffs a year ago, but did post a respectable 9-7 record with second-year starter Matt Ryan under center. Atlanta’s porous pass defense will have to improve in order for them to compete for the division title with the defending Super Bowl champion Saints.

  Ryan and the Falcons are out to prove that they are more like the team that made the playoffs two seasons ago than the one that played inconsistently in 2009, and that winning attitude could very well show itself in the preseason.

  FoxSheets illustrate the road struggles of the Chiefs: KANSAS CITY is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less since 1993. The average score was KANSAS CITY 13.6, OPPONENT 21.8 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:21 PM

Cards look to keep momentum going against rookie Cubs hurler

Chicago Cubs (48-67) at St. Louis (64-49) 8:15 p.m. EDT Sports.com Line: St. Louis -230, Chicago Cubs +190 Total: 9
NL Central rivals clash as the Cubs travel to St. Louis to take on the first-place Cardinals. Chicago sends rookie Thomas Diamond (0-2, 8.00 ERA) to the hill while the Cardinals counter with newly acquired Jake Westbrook (6-7, 4.54 ERA). St. Louis is coming off an impressive sweep in Cincinnati and the Cards will look to keep the momentum going against Diamond, who is making only the third start of his big league career. Moreover, the Cubs are reeling, having lost 13 of their last 15.
Westbrook’s numbers have improved since coming over from Cleveland. He’s in search of his first win as a member of the Cards, but totes a solid 3.46 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP in two starts for St. Louis. He also has this FoxSheets stat in his corner tonight:

Play Against - Road teams (CHICAGO CUBS) - where team's hitters strike out 7 or more times/game on the season against opponent starting a pitcher who did not walk a hitter last outing. (336-185 over the last 5 seasons.) (64.5%, +94.1 units. Rating = 2*).

Also, keep an eye on the UNDER…

ST LOUIS is 14-2 UNDER (+11.8 Units) at home when the total is 8.5 to 10 this season.  The average score was ST LOUIS 4.6, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:22 PM

Reds and Marlins start three-game set in Cincy

Florida (57-56) at Cincinnati (64-51) 7:10 p.m. EDT Sports.com Line: Florida –135, Cincinnati +115 Total: 7.5
The Marlins and Reds start a three-game series tonight at Cincinnati. The Marlins have lost 10 of their last 12 games there.
Josh Johnson (10-4, 1.97 ERA) takes on Edinson Volquez (2-1, 4.94 ERA). Volquez is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his three career starts vs. Florida. After dominating the NL through his first 20 starts this season (10-3, 1.61 ERA), Johnson has shown signs of being human in his last three starts, going 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA.

The Marlins are riding a four-game win streak after losing their previous five games. The Reds have lost 10 of 16 games against opponents with a winning record in the second half of the season so far.

VOLQUEZ is 16-5 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record) The average score was VOLQUEZ 5.3, OPPONENT 3.1 - (Rating = 0*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:23 PM

Padres and Giants begin NL West showdown in San Fran

San Diego (67-46) at San Francisco (66-50) 10:15 p.m. EDT Sports.com Line: San Francisco -130, San Diego +110 Total: 7.5
The Padres travel to San Francisco to start a three-game series with the Giants tonight.San Diego leads the Giants by 2.5 games entering play, while the Giants enter tonight one game ahead of the Phillies in the NL Wild Card. The Padres have won seven of eight from the Giants this season.
Clayton Richard (9-5, 3.83) will get the start for the Padres, who have won five straight at AT&T Park after losing 10 of their previous 11 games there. Richard, despite being roughed up over his last seven starts (6.69 ERA over span), is 3-1 in that span.

For the Giants, Jonathan Sanchez (8-7, 3.55 ERA) will get the start. Although he is 1-4 in his last seven starts vs. the Padres, he has a 2.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP vs. division opponents this season (eight starts).

San Francisco has played very well at home this season (.632 win pct) and FoxSheets give another reason to side with the host Giants tonight.

SAN FRANCISCO is 25-6 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games vs. a good bullpen that converts on 75%+ of their save opportunities over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.5, OPPONENT 2.7 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:24 PM

Friday Tips

Despite the NFL creeping into the forefront of the gamblers' minds, there are still plenty of things to figure out around Major League Baseball. The Red Sox look to continue their hot play in Arlington against the Rangers, while the Dodgers travel to Atlanta to battle the Braves. We'll start in Cincinnati with the Reds trying to get back on track against one of the top pitchers in the National League.

Marlins at Reds - 7:10 PM EST

Cincinnati has been one the biggest surprises in baseball this season, but following a sweep by St. Louis at home this week, the Reds are outsiders in the playoff race. Florida, meanwhile, has played well away from home recently, winning six of its last seven on the highway.

Josh Johnson (10-4, 1.97 ERA) hasn't won since July 17 as the Marlins are 2-2 in his last four starts. The Florida ace is coming off a no-decision in an extra-innings victory over the Cardinals, tossing eight innings of five-hit ball. Johnson has been tested in each of his previous four road starts, facing the Padres, Giants, Dodgers, and Braves. Florida is just 1-3 in those contests, but his two worst performances on the road since mid-April came at San Francisco (3 ER) and San Diego (5 ER). Johnson has shut down the Reds in two career starts, striking out 16 and allowing three runs in a pair of Marlins' victories.

The Reds send out Edinson Volquez (2-1, 4.94 ERA), who is making his sixth start of the season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Volquez rebounded from two bad starts against the Brewers and Nationals by giving up two earned runs the last two times out in wins over the Braves and Cubs. The righty has solid career numbers against Florida, allowing four earned runs in three victories.

Cincinnati is 2-6 the last eight games at the Great American Ballpark, while splitting a four-game set with Florida back in April. This series has been extremely even recently, with each squad going 7-7 since June 2008. The Marlins have finished 'over' the total in eight of their previous nine games.

Dodgers at Braves - 7:35 PM EST

Atlanta will begin life without franchise stalwart Chipper Jones on Friday as the third baseman is out for the season with a torn ACL. Despite that void, the Braves will try to win their seventh game in nine tries, hosting the Dodgers. Los Angeles is running out of time, sitting nine games out in the NL West race after blowing an 8-2 lead in Thursday's 10-9 loss at Philadelphia.

Tim Hudson (13-5, 2.24 ERA) has been rock-solid recently for the Braves, giving up two earned runs in his last four starts (4-0). The veteran is coming off a three-hit gem against the Giants, tossing eight innings, while throwing over 110 pitches for the first time in eight starts. Hudson picked up a no-decision in his last visit to Chavez Ravine, holding the Dodgers to four runs in seven innings, but Los Angeles rallied for a 5-4 victory.

The Dodgers won seven of Hiroki Kuroda's (8-10, 3.64 ERA) first eight starts of the season, but have taken a step back over the last two months with a 5-9 team record in his last 14 trips to the mound. Playing the underdog role hasn't benefited Kuroda, as Los Angeles is 1-5 in his six starts at plus-money this season. Kuroda has put together a pair of quality starts in his previous two road outings, losses to the Cardinals and Padres.

Atlanta and Los Angeles split a four-game set at Dodger Stadium in June, with three of the contests finishing 'over' the total. The Braves have lost only one home series all season, dropping two of three to the Phillies at Turner Field from April 20-22.

Red Sox at Rangers - 8:05 PM EST

It's interesting to note that Boston has won one more game than Texas, but the Red Sox are not in the playoffs if it started today, as opposed to the AL West-leading Rangers. The Sox missed out on a sweep in Toronto, blowing a late 5-1 lead in a 6-5 setback on Thursday afternoon. The Rangers also look to bounce back after squandering a five-run lead in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.21 ERA) was racked in his last outing, allowing seven earned runs and 11 hits in 4.2 innings of a 7-2 setback at New York. Boston won Beckett's first three starts since getting activated off the disabled list in late July prior to the loss at New York, which wasn't even his worst outing of the season. Beckett returns to his home state of Texas looking to silence a Rangers' lineup that scored seven runs off the righty in an 8-7 Red Sox win on April 21.

The Rangers send out Tommy Hunter (9-1, 3.01 ERA), who has basically been an automatic win for the AL West division leaders. Hunter is a perfect 6-0 at Ameriquest Field, delivering a quality start in all seven trips to the home mound. The Texas offense has provided Hunter with plenty of run support, plating 6.75 runs/game in his 12 starts. Hunter shut down the Sox at Fenway Park right after the All-Star Break, holding Boston to five hits and two earned runs in 6.2 innings of a 7-2 victory.

Texas owns a 4-3 record against Boston this season, with the Sox making their first trip to Arlington since last August. The Rangers beat the Sox five of six times last season in the Lone Star State, as five games finished 'under' the total.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-13-2010, 08:25 PM

Diamond Trends - Friday

Blue Jays at Angels – The Blue Jays are 0-7 since May 22, 2010 as a road dog when they blew a lead in their starter's last start and lost for a net profit of $700 when playing against.

Pirates at Astros – The Pirates are 0-11 since April 30, 2010 on the road when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $1100 when playing against. The Pirates are 0-9 since August 05, 2009 when Ross Ohlendorf starts after facing 25 or fewer hitters for a net profit of $920 when playing against.

Dodgers at Braves – The Dodgers are 0-6 since October 18, 2009 when Hiroki Kuroda starts as a road dog for a net profit of $600 when playing against. The Braves are 6-0 since May 28, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $600.

Cubs at Cardinals – The Cubs are 0-7 since July 28, 2010 after allowing 6+ runs loss for a net profit of $735 when playing against. The Cardinals are 5-0 since July 15, 2010 when they are off a win in which they scored in at most two separate innings for a net profit of $555.

Padres at Giants – The Padres are 5-0 since August 21, 2009 when Clayton Richard starts after facing 25 or fewer hitters and they lost in his previous start for a net profit of $630. The Giants are 7-0 since May 04, 2010 vs a team that has won at least their last two games and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $745.

Mariners at Indians – The Mariners are 0-5 since May 07, 2010 after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walks and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $540 when playing against. The Indians are 4-0 since June 29, 2010 when Fausto Carmona starts vs a team that has averaged 7+ strikeouts per game for a net profit of $595.

Phillies at Mets – The Phillies are 0-5 since August 02, 2009 when Cole Hamels starts as a road favorite after he had a WHIP of less than one his last start for a net profit of $745 when playing against. The Mets are 0-10 since May 28, 2010 after shutting out their opponent for a net profit of $1080 when playing against. The Mets are 0-7 since May 01, 2010 as a dog after a win in which they allowed 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $700 when playing against.

Diamondbacks at Nationals – The Nationals are 0-6 since April 17, 2009 when John Lannan starts within 20 cents of pickem in the first game of a series for a net profit of $610 when playing against. The Nationals are 5-0 since April 23, 2010 at home within 20 cents of pickem after a loss and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $530.

Red Sox at Rangers – The Red Sox are 8-0 since April 26, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they held the lead and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $815. The Red Sox are 6-0 since April 26, 2010 after a one run loss and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $600.

Orioles at Rays – The Orioles are 0-11 since April 17, 2010 on the road after a loss in which they drew 1 or fewer walks for a net profit of $1100 when playing against. The Orioles are 0-7 since September 13, 2009 when Jeremy Guthrie starts on the road after a quality start for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Rays are 8-0 since May 02, 2010 as a 140+ favorite after a loss in which they left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $800.

Marlins at Reds – The Reds are 6-0 since April 13, 2009 when Edinson Volquez starts as a dog for a net profit of $730. The Reds are 5-0 since April 20, 2010 at home when they are off a loss in which they never led and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $520.

Brewers at Rockies – The Brewers are 7-0 since September 20, 2009 when Yovani Gallardo starts as a favorite after his team scored a total of seven or more runs in his last start for a net profit of $700.

Yankees at Royals – The Royals are 0-6 since June 02, 2010 when Kyle Davies starts after facing 25 or fewer hitters for a net profit of $625 when playing against.

Athletics at Twins – The Athletics are 0-9 since July 30, 2009 when Gio Gonzalez starts on the road after throwing more than 100 pitches for a net profit of $900 when playing against. The Twins are 7-0 since May 29, 2010 when Carl Pavano starts when he is off a start in which he needed fewer than 3.5 pitches per batter for a net profit of $790. The Twins are 6-0 since May 30, 2010 as a 140+ favorite after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $600.

Tigers at White Sox – The Tigers are 0-6 since April 19, 2010 as a dog when they are off a win in which they scored in at most two separate innings for a net profit of $600 when playing against. The White Sox are 7-0 since June 06, 2010 at home when they won the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $705.

**Kaptain** · 08-13-2010, 08:56 PM

as always.....thanks BUM....g to ya

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