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**bryce** · 08-16-2010, 03:18 PM

Good luck SDB!

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:30 PM

Ace lefties square off in potential playoff preview

Two of the best teams in the American League start a three game series on Monday night, and you couldn’t ask for a better pitching matchup for the opener, as Texas’ Cliff Lee will square off against Tampa Bay’s David Price. Oddsmakers at Bookmaker.com initially gave Lee the edge, installing him as a -115 favorite, despite his team being on the road. However, since bettors have moved the line to -105 and may even turn it further over to Tampa Bay’s favor over the course of the day. Let’s take a closer look at this stellar contest.

The Rangers and Rays could well be headed for an October showdown, and Monday’s pitching matchup between Lee and Price will certainly be enough to give the game a postseason feel. The teams hold the biggest current leads in baseball's playoff races, with Texas (67-49) up 8 1/2 games on the Angels in the AL West and Tampa Bay holding a five-game edge over Boston for the wild card. The Rays are also within one game of New York for the East lead.

The current standings would match the Rangers against the Rays (71-46) in an AL division series. It’s a good bet that tonight’s pitching matchup would be the same as a potential Game 1 in that series. Lee comes in with a 10-5 record and 2.57 ERA. He has quickly become the ace of the Texas staff since arriving on July 9th. Price has a better won-lost mark at 15-5, but his ERA is a slightly more elevated 2.84. He can become the first AL starter to 16 victories with a win tonight.

Price and Lee have never faced one another. In three career starts, Price is 0-2 when starting against Texas with an ERA of 9.45 and a WHIP of 1.650. Lee lost twice to Tampa Bay while with Seattle this season, but is 6-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 12 lifetime starts versus the Rays.

Since each of these pitchers ranks among the best in his craft, one of the handicapping factors you’ll want to give full consideration to tonight is each team’s performance against left-handed starters. That edge goes to the Rays, who are 25-13 against southpaws in 2010, scoring 5.4 runs per game, a full half run per game better than against righties. The Rangers are just 20-16, and scoring 4.6 runs per contest. That is a half run worse per game than against right-handed starters. In fact, take a look at this distinctive trend from FoxSheets:

WASHINGTON is 33-61 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters as the manager of TEXAS. The average score was TEXAS 4.1, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)

Tampa Bay has done some solid work this season against the league’s best pitchers, going 13-3 (+9.7 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.20 or better this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 6.1, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 1*)

Perhaps with two fabulous pitchers and the total set at 7 runs, the best wagering option could be on the under. Take

TEXAS is 22-12 UNDER (+8.7 Units) against left-handed starters this season. The average score was TEXAS 4.6, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 0*)

The top ******* System also favors that side of the total:

Play Under - All teams where the total is 7 to 8.5 (TAMPA BAY) - poor AL hitting team (AVG <=.260) against a team with a very good bullpen (ERA <=3.33), playing on Monday. (42-17 since 1997.) (71.2%, +22.6 units. Rating = 2*)

Keep in mind that the Rays have won their last four home series against Texas. First pitch for tonight’s contest is set for 7:10 PM ET from Tampa.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:31 PM

Tigers open four-game set in the Bronx

Detroit Tigers (57-60) at New York Yankees (72-45) 7:05 p.m. EDT Sports.com Line: NYY -177, Detroit +167 Total: 9
After taking two of three from the White Sox, Max Scherzer (7-9, 4.03 ERA) and the Tigers hope to build on that momentum as they travel to the Bronx to open a four-game set with the Yankees. New York will counter with right-hander Javier Vazquez (9-8, 4.90 ERA) who is coming off a shaky outing, lasting only 4.1 innings while giving up six runs in Texas on August 11. In five starts since the All-Star break Vazquez is 2-1 with a 6.43 ERA and opponents are hitting him at a .310 clip.
Scherzer hasn’t fared much better as of late, with only one win in his last five starts. The Tigers have dropped his last four games. However, the stats are a little misleading as Scherzer has pitched well, allowing no more than three earned runs in any of those previous five starts and has been the victim of poor run support at times. Since a rocky start to the year he has lowered his ERA a full three runs since May.

Despite Scherzer’s recent run, the FoxSheets lean toward the Yankees in this one:

Play Against - Road teams (DETROIT) - with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts against opponent with a cold starting pitcher- ERA >= 7.00 over his last 3 starts. (409-338 since 1997.) (54.8%, +117.9 units. Rating = 2*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:31 PM

Dodgers and Braves send young aces to the hill

Los Angeles Dodgers (60-58) at Atlanta Braves (68-49) 7:10 EDT Sports.com Line: Atlanta -145, Los Angeles +135 Total: 7
The Dodgers will be happy to say good-bye to the East Coast as they wrap up a four-game series in Atlanta Monday night. In 27 games played in the Eastern Time zone this year Los Angeles is a dismal 8-19. Chad Billingsley (9-7, 3.78 ERA) will get the nod for the Dodgers as they try to gain a split of the series. Tommy Hanson (8-8, 3.51 ERA) toes the rubber for Atlanta.
Billingsley has been sensational lately, giving up only five runs over his last five starts combined. Unfortunately for him, the Dodgers have only scored five runs themselves over that span. Last time out, Billingsley took the tough-luck loss after tossing six innings and giving up two runs in a 2-0 loss. Much of the same can be said for Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson. Like Billingsley, Hanson has surrendered only five earned runs over his last five outings and despite going at least six innings in each of those starts he is winless since July 3.

In this battle of evenly-matched starters these FoxSheets stats point to an Atlanta win:

Play On - Home teams (ATLANTA) - cold hitting team - batting .240 or worse over their last 10 games against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts. (215-141 over the last 5 seasons.) (60.4%, +81.8 units. Rating = 3*)

Play On - Home teams (ATLANTA) - after a win by 8 runs or more against opponent after scoring 4 runs or less 3 straight games. (98-42 over the last 5 seasons.) (70%, +44 units. Rating = 3*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:32 PM

Padres visit Chicago for latest stop on current 10-game road trip

San Diego Padres (69-47) at Chicago Cubs (50-68) 8:05 EDT Sports.com Line: San Diego -110, Chicago -110 Total: N/A
The Padres continue their 10-game road trip with a stop on the North Side of Chicago to open a four-game series with the Cubs. San Diego comes in 3.5 games up in the West after taking two of three from division rival San Francisco. They’ll hope to increase that lead with Kevin Correia (9-7, 4.86 ERA) on the hill tonight, while the Cubs send Tom Gorzelanny (6-6, 3.65 ERA) to the mound.
It’s been a bit of an up and down ride for Correia this season, but he has been strong recently, winning four of his last five starts. In his last outing he gave up four runs on four hits while striking out seven in an 8-5 win over Pittsburgh.

Gorzelanny has done just about everything the Cubs have asked of him this year, including a stint in the bullpen in June. Since returning to the rotation the southpaw is 4-1 but is winless is his last three starts. He’s coming off a no decision vs. San Francisco that saw him give up four earned over six innings.

This FoxSheets trend gives the advantage to the Cubs:CHICAGO CUBS are 21-2 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in home games vs. a very good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.250 or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 5.8, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 4*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:33 PM

Jays head west to open three-game series in Oakland

Toronto Blue Jays (62-55) at Oakland Athletics (57-59) 10:05 EDT Sports.com Line:Oakland -130, Toronto +120 Total: 7
The Blue Jays continue their West Coast swing when they open a three-game series in Oakland on Monday night. Shaun Marcum gets the call for Toronto while the A’s counters with left-hander Brett Anderson.
Marcum struggled through his last two appearances against two of the best offenses in the league. He was tagged for five runs over six innings against the Yankees in the Bronx and followed that performance with a loss against Boston where he lasted only four innings and was charged with eight runs. Meanwhile, it’s been an injury-plagued season for Brett Anderson, who makes his fourth start since returning from the disabled list. Left elbow tendonitis has cost the 22-year-old a good chunk of his season. His last two starts have been encouraging with a win over Kansas City and a solid performance in Seattle where he was on the wrong side of a 2-0 score.

This FoxSheets trend gives the edge to the underdog Jays:Play Against - All favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 (OAKLAND) - cold hitting team - batting .240 or worse over their last 15 games against opponent starting a pitcher who was rocked for 7 or more runs last outing. (53-34 since 1997.) (60.9%, +39.4 units. Rating = 3*)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 03:34 PM

Giants and Jets open new Meadowlands on MNF

New York Giants (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0), Monday, 8:05 p.m. EDT, Sports.com Line: New York Jets -1.5 Total: 33
The first game ever at the new Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will feature the two teams that will share the stadium in years to come.
Big things are expected of the Jets and second-year QB Mark Sanchez, as they try to build on last season’s unexpected run to the AFC Championship Game.

The Giants and Eli Manning won the Super Bowl just three years ago, and have shown flashes of being the best team in the sport at times over the last two seasons. But they fell apart in the second half of 2009, losing eight of their final 11 games after starting 5-0.

The Jets will be without CB Darrelle Revis who is in the midst of what could turn out to be an extensive holdout, but newcomers to the Jets in 2010, cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson, have been standouts at camp so far.

Sanchez should only play one or two series, while backups Mark Brunell and Kellen Clemens will see the majority of the action for the Jets. Jim Sorgi and Rhett Bomar should play the majority of the game for the Giants after Eli Manning departs.

These two teams have played every preseason since 1969 with the Jets taking the last three meetings. We expect the streak to continue with the Jets superior talent at backup QB (Brunell and Clemens are both former starters).

FoxSheetspoints out: The NY JETS are 13-3 against the spread versus NY GIANTS since 1993.

**jt4545** · 08-16-2010, 04:40 PM

thanks and good LUCK

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 07:43 PM

Diamond Trends - Monday

Mets at Astros – The Astros are 7-0 since June 02, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $755. The Astros are 7-0 since April 28, 2009 when Wandy Rodriguez starts within 20 cents of pickem when he is off a start in which he needed more than 4 pitches per batter for a net profit of $745

Blue Jays at Athletics – The Blue Jays are 0-6 since June 01, 2010 as a dog after a win in which they left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $600 when playing against. The Athletics are 8-0 since April 06, 2010 as a favorite after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $800. The Athletics are 6-0 since June 25, 2010 as a favorite when they are off a loss in which they never led for a net profit of $600.

Dodgers at Braves – The Dodgers are 0-7 since April 28, 2010 after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $750 when playing against. The Braves are 7-0 since May 28, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $700.

Padres at Cubs – The Padres are 7-0 since July 18, 2009 when Kevin Correia starts after his team scored a total of seven or more runs in his last start for a net profit of $775. The Padres are 0-6 since April 25, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $610 when playing against. The Cubs are 0-10 since May 28, 2010 after a win and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $1155 when playing against.

Mariners at Orioles – The Mariners are 0-9 since April 09, 2010 as a road dog vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $900 when playing against. The Orioles are 6-0 since May 07, 2009 when Bradley Bergesen starts at home after a quality start on the road for a net profit of $655 The Orioles are 5-0 since July 29, 2010 and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $690.

Marlins at Pirates – The Pirates are 6-0 since May 31, 2010 at home within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $660.

Rangers at Rays – The Rangers are 0-8 since May 04, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a win in which they never trailed for a net profit of $830 when playing against. The Rays are 9-0 since July 05, 2010 at home when they are off a win in which they never trailed for a net profit of $900. The Rays are 7-0 since July 09, 2009 when David Price starts after walking at least 4 for a net profit of $710.

Tigers at Yankees – The Tigers are 0-8 since April 19, 2010 on the road after a win in which they left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $825 when playing against. The Tigers are 0-8 since April 23, 2010 when Max Scherzer starts as a dog for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Tigers are 0-7 since April 07, 2010 on the road after a win in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $745 when playing against.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 07:44 PM

Monday's Tip Sheet

**Dodgers at Braves**

--As of late Sunday afternoon, most betting shops were listing Atlanta (68-49, +1010) as a minus-150 favorite with a total of seven ‘over’ (minus-120). Gamblers can take the Braves on the run line to win by two or more for a plus-145 return (risk $100 to win $145).

--Bobby Cox’s club has been dynamite at Turner Field all year, improving to 41-16 with Sunday’s 13-1 home win over the Dodgers. The Braves went ahead of the second-place Phillies by 2 ½ games in the National League East, pending Philadelphia’s result late Sunday against the Mets. Troy Glaus had a monster performance, popping a three-run homer for his 16th of the year along with an RBI single. Jair Jurrjens was extremely sharp in seven strong innings, upping his home record to 5-0 with a 1.83 ERA.

--Los Angeles (60-58, -850) had better get busy fast if it wants to have any shot at the postseason. The Dodgers went into Sunday’s action 6 ½ games back of the Giants in the NL wild-card race. They were nine behind the NL-West-leading Padres.

--Tommy Hanson (8-8, 3.51) has posted a 4-4 record and 4.04 ERA in 12 home assignments this season. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in a pair of career starts against the Dodgers. Hanson has been extremely sharp in his last thee outings, but he had had tough luck with a loss and a pair of no-decisions despite a 0.84 ERA.

--Joe Torre will give the starting nod to Chad Billingsley (9-7, 3.78) in this spot. Billingsley has thrived on the road, compiling a 5-3 record and 2.96 ERA in 12 starts. The righty is 1-3 with a 3.82 ERA in five lifetime starts against Atlanta.

--L.A. owns an abysmal 24-34 road ledger.

--The ‘under’ is 60-53 overall for the Braves, 29-25 in its home games.

--The ‘over’ is 61-55 overall for the Dodgers, but the ‘under’ has cashed at a 30-27 clip in their road games.

--The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Eastern.

**Tigers at Yankees**

--Most books are listing New York (72-45, +252) as an expensive minus-180 home ‘chalk.’ The total is nine flat (minus-110 either way). Bettors can dodge the risky straight price and back Joe Girardi’s squad on the run line at even-money.

--Detroit (57-60, -455) has been abysmal on the road this season, limping to a 19-36 record to date. On the flip side, the Yankees are 37-20 at home in the Bronx.

--The Yankees saw their AL-East lead slip to one game over the Rays, who beat the O's 3-2 Sunday while New York lost a 1-0 decision at Kansas City. The Royals cashed huge underdog tickets in the plus-190 range (risk $100 to win $190).

--Javier Vasquez (9-8, 4.90) will toe the rubber for the team in pinstripes here. The veteran right-hander hasn’t won since July 26 and his velocity has been absent in recent weeks, as his heater has only been clocking in the upper-80s.

--Vasquez has been extremely inconsistent all season long in his second tour of duty with the Yankees. He is 4-4 with a 4.89 ERA in nine home appearances (eight starts) this year. Vasquez went 3-0 in July, but he’s 0-1 with a 8.38 ERA in a pair of starts this month.

--Vasquez is 6-8 with a 4.36 lifetime ERA against Detroit. He worked seven innings and gave up just a pair of earned runs in his only start against the Tigers this season. However, he was saddled with the loss nonetheless.

--Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera is enjoying a banner campaign after getting sober and dropping a bunch of weight. Going into Sunday’s play, Cabrera was batting .338 with 26 homers and 94 RBIs. He is 10-for-26 for a .385 average with three career homers off Vasquez. Detroit OF Johnny Damon has feasted on Vasquez with a .333 average in 24 career at-bats. Damon has four doubles and a pair of homers off the right-hander.

--Max Scherzer (7-9, 4.03) will be facing the Yankees for the first time in his career Monday night. The righty has been terrific at home with a 6-3 record, but Scherzer has struggled mightily on the road, going 1-6 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 starts.

--The ‘under’ is 56-53 overall for the Tigers, but they have watched the ‘over’ go 27-24 in their road outings.

--The ‘under’ is 59-56 overall for the Yankees, but they have seen the ‘over’ hit at a 30-25 rate in their home games at Yankee Stadium.

--This game is scheduled to come off the board at 7:05 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Bettors have a great pitching matchup to dissect at The Trop in St. Pete on Monday night. Two of MLB’s premier lefties, Texas’ Cliff Lee and Tampa Bay’s David Price, will square off against one another when the Rays host the Rangers. Lee has a 6-4 record and 2.51 ERA in 12 career starts against Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Price is an atrocious 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA in 13 1/3 lifetime innings against Texas.

--Tampa Bay has thrived against southpaws, posting a lucrative 25-13 record. Texas has a 20-16 record against left-handed pitching.

--The 'under' has hit in seven consecutive games for the A's.

--The 'over' has cashed at an MLB-best 77-44 overall clip for the Diamondbacks.

**wayne1218** · 08-16-2010, 08:03 PM

I moved your Vegas contest thread once and just deleted the 2nd one. Members picks are for just that, members picks. I moved it to the Sportsbook forum.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-16-2010, 08:03 PM

Brian Westbrook signs with 49ers

Santa Clara, CA (Sports Network) - Veteran running back Brian Westbrook, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason, has signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Westbrook, 30, had spent his first eight professional seasons with the Eagles. He suffered through multiple concussions in 2009, playing in just eight games and posting 274 rushing yards, 181 receiving yards and two total touchdowns -- all career-lows since his rookie season. He is the Eagles' franchise all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,785) and touches (1,734).

By joining the 49ers, Westbrook will team up with Frank Gore to form, at least on paper, one of the most prolific running back tandems in the NFL. The duo has combined for 14,438 yards from scrimmage (10,411 yards rushing, 4,027 yards receiving) since 2005.

Since being selected in the third round of the 2002 draft out of Villanova, Westbrook has totaled 5,995 rushing yards -- second in Eagles history -- 3,790 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns. He also ranks third in team history in career receptions with 426 and holds the single-season marks for most yards from scrimmage (2,104) and receptions (90).

**Sirporkie** · 08-16-2010, 08:59 PM

GL Star

**Kaptain** · 08-16-2010, 09:38 PM

Thanks SDB..gl my man

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