Announcement

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:02 PM

Bettors' best friend: Tuesday's wagering tips

Lines to watch

Troy at Middle Tennessee State (-3.5, no total posted) – expect a total for this game Tuesday morning.

Weather to watch

Troy at Middle Tennessee State – no precipitation expected but there may be 11 mph winds out of the northwest by kickoff.

Who’s hot

Troy has won and covered in each of its last four meetings with Middle Tennessee State.

Key stat

37-21-3 – NFL underdogs’ record leading up to Monday night’s game between New England and Miami.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Josh Hamilton (fractured ribs) Texas Rangers – Hamilton played three games last weekend but woke up feeling “very sore” on Monday morning. He picked up three hits over the weekend and there’s little doubt he’d miss Wednesday’s Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays, but it’s something to keep an eye on as the series progresses.

Game of the day

Troy at Middle Tennessee State (-3.5, no total posted)

Notable quotable

"I started believing when you could see the temperament of the club. They're so determined and have such a strong will. They knew what they needed to do to punch the clock. And this is doubly special because we needed to make a statement against these guys... We needed to win the division."- San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean on his team’s dramatic postseason berth.

Tips and notes

Middle Tennessee State senior quarterback Dwight Dasher returns to the Blue Raider lineup Tuesday after serving a four-game suspension for accepting a $1,500 loan to play poker. Last year Dasher became the fourth NCAA player to throw for more than 2,500 yards and rushed for more than 1000 in the same season.

Kevin Slowey has only worked out of the bullpen four times in 86 career MLB appearances, but that’s where he’ll be stationed for the Minnesota Twins’ Division Series against the New York Yankees. He landed a spot in the bullpen by firing a scoreless inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

Mike Cammalleri will miss the opening game of the NHL season when his Montreal Canadiens face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Cammalleri flipped his lid on Nino Niederreiter Thursday night after a big hit. The left winger drew a five-minute major and a game misconduct and found out about the league’s decision today. Cammalleri only played 65 regular season games last year and still finished with 25 goals, and then went on to lead the playoffs in scoring with 13 more markers.

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:04 PM

MLB
Dunkel

Texas at Tampa Bay
The Rangers look to take advantage of a Tampa Bay team that is 2-7 in its last 9 games following an off day. Texas is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Texas (+110). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at Philadelphia (5:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Volquez) 15.071; Philadelphia (Halladay) 15.659
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-205); 7
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-205); Over

Game 953-954: Texas at Tampa Bay (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Lee) 16.439; Tampa Bay (Price) 14.872
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+110); Under

Game 955-956: NY Yankees at Minnesota (8:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.769; Minnesota (Liriano) 16.830
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-140); 7
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+120); Over

MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, October 6

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CINCINNATI (91 - 71) at PHILADELPHIA (97 - 65) - 5:05 PM
EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R) vs. ROY HALLADAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 98-64 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 98-64 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 74-41 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 70-44 (+15.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-9 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-32 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-9 (+23.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CINCINNATI is 92-71 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 42-39 (+6.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CINCINNATI is 92-71 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 62-45 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CINCINNATI is 58-49 (+6.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 27-17 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
VOLQUEZ is 35-18 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 20-6 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 35-17 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 16-6 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 17-6 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-2 (+2.7 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.7 Units)

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 2-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 0.73 and a WHIP of 0.892.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.1 units)

ROY HALLADAY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
HALLADAY is 1-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.326.
His team's record is 2-2 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

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TEXAS (90 - 72) at TAMPA BAY (96 - 66) - 1:35 PM
CLIFF LEE (L) vs. DAVID PRICE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 19-25 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
TEXAS is 12-23 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 163-88 (+30.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 162-88 (+29.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played in a dome over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 162-88 (+29.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on artificial turf over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 36-19 (+10.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 89-44 (+31.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 20-6 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
PRICE is 23-8 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 15-3 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 17-11 (+7.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
TEXAS is 31-17 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
LEE is 12-3 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Wednesday since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-2 (+1.6 Units) against TEXAS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.8 Units)

CLIFF LEE vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
LEE is 6-5 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.87 and a WHIP of 1.017.
His team's record is 6-7 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-5. (+1.5 units)

DAVID PRICE vs. TEXAS since 1997
PRICE is 0-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 7.45 and a WHIP of 1.655.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.5 units)

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NY YANKEES (95 - 67) at MINNESOTA (94 - 68) - 8:35 PM
C.C. SABATHIA (L) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 96-67 (-4.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 59-45 (-7.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NY YANKEES are 39-41 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY YANKEES are 21-26 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 94-68 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 53-28 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 90-63 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 62-45 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 54-26 (+22.1 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 40-28 (+9.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 71-40 (+23.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 22-6 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 4-2 (+1.8 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SABATHIA is 14-8 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.99 and a WHIP of 1.225.
His team's record is 17-12 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 18-10. (+6.3 units)

FRANCISCO LIRIANO vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
LIRIANO is 0-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.33 and a WHIP of 1.562.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

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Thursday, October 7

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ATLANTA (91 - 71) at SAN FRANCISCO (92 - 70) - 9:35 PM
DEREK LOWE (R) vs. TIM LINCECUM (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 35-46 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ATLANTA is 1-6 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 35-46 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 92-71 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 101-61 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 91-69 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 63-45 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 68-51 (+12.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 22-10 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 64-44 (+7.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-3 (+0.5 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

DEREK LOWE vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
LOWE is 7-5 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.02 and a WHIP of 1.303.
His team's record is 9-8 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-6. (+1.3 units)

TIM LINCECUM vs. ATLANTA since 1997
LINCECUM is 6-2 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.151.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-6. (-4.3 units)

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MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, 10/6/2010

** NL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1
CINCINNATI at PHILADELPHIA, 5:05 PM ET TBS
VOLQUEZ: 7-1 TSR as an underdog
HALLADAY: PHI 13-3 Under off one run loss

** AL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1
TEXAS at TAMPA BAY, 1:35 PM ET TBS
LEE: TEX 0-3 at Tampa Bay
PRICE: 11-1 TSR as a favorite of -125 to -175

** AL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1
NY YANKEES at MINNESOTA, 8:35 PM ET TBS
SABATHIA: NYY 20-6 vs. Minnesota
LIRIANO: 12-4 Over 2nd half of season

Thursday, 10/7/2010

** NL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1
ATLANTA at SAN FRANCISCO, 9:35 PM ET TBS
LOWE: ATL 34-13 Under off 3+ division games
LINCECUM: SF 7-2 at home vs. Atlanta

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:05 PM

ALDS preview and pick: Rangers vs. Rays

It’s must-see television when Cliff Lee and David Price square off on Wednesday afternoon.

SERIES ODDS: Tampa Bay Rays (-139) vs. Texas Rangers (+128)

PITCHING

Wednesday’s tilt between Cliff Lee (12-9, 3.18) and David Price (19-6, 2.72) represents the best series-opening pitching matchup of the first round. Lee was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts last year, but is 0-3 against the Rays this season. Price is 9-2 with a 1.96 ERA at Tropicana Field in 2010.

The Rangers will start C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis in games two and three respectively, while the Rays will counter with Matt Garza and Wade Davis. It’s been a long season for Davis, but he has pitched well down the stretch. In his last five appearances, the 25-year-old right-hander has allowed just eight runs in 28 2-3 innings of work.

Both teams are strong in the bullpen. Rays relievers led the American League with a 3.33 ERA, while the Rangers were second at 3.38. Rafael Soriano has been brilliant at the back of the Rays’ bullpen, recording a league-leading 45 saves in 48 chances. Neftali Feliz has been almost as good for Texas, saving 40 games in 43 tries.Feliz hasn’t allowed a run in his last 16 appearances, a stretch over which he’s surrendered only six hits.

It’s a close call, but we think Lee’s recent postseason success gives them the advantage.

Slight Edge: Rangers

OFFENSE

Speed is the name of the game for the Rays, who rank third in the majors in runs scored despite being last in the American League in batting average (.247). In Carl Crawford and BJ Upton, Tampa Bay has two of the league’s most dangerous threats on the base paths. By themselves, Crawford and Upton combined for more steals (89) than twelve major league teams. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Carl Crawford could earn himself a boatload of money if his performance in the playoffs is as good as it was in the regular season.

The Rays hope that Evan Longoria’s health isn’t an issue when the playoffs get underway. Longoria hasn’t played since Sept. 23 because of a strained quad. Manager Joe Maddon says that Longoria’s absence was precautionary, but the situation bears watching. Longoria will be in the lineup Wednesday night, but the Rays will really miss his pop if he is limited.

The Rangers have injury worries of their own. AL batting champion Josh Hamilton missed most of September with two broken ribs. Hamilton played in all three games of last weekend’s series against Anaheim. He collected three hits, including his 32nd home run of the season, but admitted feeling some tightness and soreness. Hamilton means as much to the Rangers as Longoria does to the Rays, if not more. If Hamilton’s sore ribs diminish his power at the plate, the Rangers are in trouble.

Vladimir Guerrero was essentially left on the scrap heap in the offseason when Texas signed him to a modest one-year deal with a mutual option for 2011. Guerrero has responded with a huge season, batting .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBI.

Texas excels at putting the ball in play. The Rangers are batting a major league-leading .276 and have the fourth-fewest strikeouts in baseball (986).

We respect Texas’ efficiency up and down the lineup, but Tampa Bay’s speed at the top of its lineup is lethal, especially late in close games, which this series figures to have plenty of.

Slight Edge: Rays

INTANGIBLES

The Rays have more playoff experience, and home field advantage is key considering the Rangers are three games below .500 on the road. Tampa Bay has an advantage in the late innings because of its ability to manufacture runs and its strong bullpen. We think the Rays capitalize on that and win a close series.

Pick: Rays in five games.

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:06 PM

ALDS preview and pick: Yankees vs. Twins

The Yankees lead the majors in runs scored, but will shaky starting pitching derail their hopes of a repeat?

SERIES ODDS: New York Yankees (-184) vs. Minnesota Twins (+169)

PITCHING

It’s a safe bet that the Yankees will send C.C. Sabathia to the mound in Wednesday’s series opener. Outside of that, nobody knows exactly what Joe Girardi’s postseason rotation will look like. We suspect it will be a three-man rotation featuring Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, and Phil Hughes, in that order. If so, that’s a dangerous proposition for the defending champs.

After spending two months on the disabled list with a strained groin, Pettitte returned to go 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts down the stretch. He beat the Twins in last year’s ALDS and has a long history of postseason success, but has not looked like himself lately.

The Twins will go with a four-man rotation, headlined by Game 1 starter Francisco Liriano. Liriano has had a big season for Minnesota but is just 1-3 with a 6.98 ERA in his last four starts. He will be followed by Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing, and if a Game 4 is necessary, Nick Blackburn. You can bet Pavano’s reception at Yankee Stadium for Game 2 will be less than friendly. The man dubbed “American Idle” by the New York tabloids made just 26 starts in a four-year stint as a Yankee from 2005-2008.

The incomparable Mariano Rivera gives the Yankees a slight edge in the bullpen. Rivera has blown three saves in his last seven chances, but when the money’s on the line, we still trust him more than any closer in baseball.

The bottom line is that the lack of reliable depth in New York’s rotation should have Yankee backers more than a little nervous.

Edge: Twins

OFFENSE

The Twins’ title hopes took a blow on Monday when they announced that Justin Morneau would not return for the playoffs. Morneau, who has been out since early July with a concussion, had hoped to return in time for a potential ALCS matchup.

While we’d never suggest Minnesota is better off without Morneau, his teammates deserve credit for stepping up in his absence. The Twins averaged 4.7 runs per game with Morneau, but are scoring 5.0 runs per game since his injury. Since the All-Star break, Joe Mauer is batting a torrid .373 and Jim Thome is hitting .313 with 15 homers. Delmon Young’s 54 second-half RBIs are the third-most in the American League.

For the second straight season, the Yankees led the majors in runs per game (5.3). Their lineup is as devastating as it is deep, especially now that Alex Rodriguez has hit his stride. Since Sept. 1, A-Rod is batting .309 and leads the team with 26 RBIs.

This has been a breakout year for Robinson Cano. Cano is hitting .319 on the season and has piled up 29 homers and 109 RBIs, both career highs. He is batting a team-best .322 with runners in scoring position and has played Gold-Glove caliber defense at second base. We think this is the year that Cano, a lifetime .217 postseason hitter, makes his mark in October.

Edge: Yankees

INTANGIBLES

Make no mistake: the aura of the pinstripes can be intimidating. Gardenhire’s teams have played fundamentally sound baseball over the years, but they looked unfocused while being swept by the Yankees last October. In fact, the Yankees are 54-18 against Gardenhire’s Twins since 2002, a disparity we can’t overlook.

Minnesota had a better September than New York, but that doesn’t outweigh the Yankees’ postseason experience.

Edge: Yankees

Pick: Yankees in five games.

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:07 PM

NLDS preview and pick: Phillies vs. Reds

The Reds have been a feel-good story this season but will their no-name rotation cost them against the two-time defending National League champs and World Series favorites Phillies?

SERIES ODDS: Philadelphia Phillies (-270) vs. Cincinnati Reds (+245)

PITCHING

The Phillies did themselves a huge favor by putting up the National League’s best record. Not only will Philadelphia have home field throughout the playoffs, but its status as the top seed allowed the club to choose an eight-day schedule for its NLDS matchup. That means the Phillies can go with an intimidating three-man rotation of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels without having any of them pitch on short rest.

The Reds will go with Edinson Volquez in Game 1 followed by Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto. Volquez missed the first half of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and struggled on his return but has looked much better lately. He’s allowed just six runs over 27 2-3 innings while racking up 31 strikeouts over his last four starts.

The Reds and Phillies have both been very average in relief, but we give Philadelphia a slight edge because its group is fresher. Philadelphia relievers pitched an MLB-low 415 innings this season – a testament to the ability of its starters to work deep into games.

Brad Lidge has been nearly unhittable in the second half of the season. Since the All-Star break, Lidge has converted 21 of 23 save opportunities while holding opposing hitters to a .157 average.

Edge: Phillies

OFFENSE

Cincinnati’s lineup is one of the most potent in the National League in 2010. They lead the league in a host of offensive categories including batting average (.271), home runs (187) and runs per game (4.9). Joey Votto has had an MVP-caliber season batting .324 with 37 homers and 113 RBIs. Votto is hitting .393 against the Phillies in 28 at-bats. The Reds are batting an NL-best .278 with runners in scoring position.

The Phillies’ lineup is smoking hot, averaging 5.6 runs per game since the start of September. Over that same stretch, the Reds have averaged just 4.2 runs per game.

Jayson Werth had a big September belting eight homers and piling up 20 RBIs. Werth is Philadelphia’s most dangerous batter against righties, hitting a team-high 20 home runs off right-handed pitching. With Cincinnati using three right-handed starters to begin the series and Werth playing for a new contract, we think this could be his time to shine.

The Reds have had the more productive lineup over the course of the season, but you can’t ignore the fact that the Phillies are red hot at the right time and their lineup is full of players who’ve come up with big hits in October.

Slight Edge: Phillies

INTANGIBLES

The gritty, battle-tested Phillies have ample playoff experience while many of the Reds’ key players are playing in their first ever postseason. To make matters worse for Cincinnati, the Phillies have all the momentum. At 21-6, Philadelphia had the best record in baseball in September. The Reds have good talent, and we think there’s postseason success in Cincinnati’s future – but not this year.

Pick: Phillies in three games

**Udog** · 10-04-2010, 11:07 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** · 10-05-2010, 08:00 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: October 5

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Sun Belt conference offers up the only action, as Troy takes to the gridiron in Middle Tennessee for a clash against the Blue Raiders.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The lone college football matchup on the Tuesday schedule has Troy (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) at Middle Tennessee (2-2 SU, 1-2 ATS). The Trojans will be looking to build on their 35-28 home win over Arkansas State last time out, with QB Corey Robinson completing 18-of-38 pass attempts for 316 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in that contest. Chris Anderson rushed for 74 yards and a score on 15 carries in that win. The Blue Raiders are coming off a 34-14 road win over Louisiana-Lafayette, as QB Logan Kilgore went 21-of-36 for 207 yards with one TD and one INT. Phillip Tanner added 104 yards and a score on the ground for Middle Tennessee that day. The oddsmakers have made the Blue Raiders the slight favorite for Tuesday's game, as they're giving 3 points.

**Udog** · 10-05-2010, 08:05 AM

Tuesday's six-pack

Top 6 NBA players in +/- LY; margin while they are in game
6) Al Horford, Hawks, +447

5) Kobe Bryant, Lakers, +463

4) Vince Carter, Magic, +472

3) Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers, +511

2) Dwight Howard, Magic, +602

1) Lebron James, Cavaliers, +650

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

Tuesday's List of 13: Things I (re)learned this baseball season.

13) Pitching and defense keeps you in games; offense wins games. Don’t believe me? Ask the Padres and A’s, who stayed home for the playoffs despite quality pitching and defense. Why? They couldn’t hit.

12) TGFC, that’s the motto in Flushing. Thank God for the Clippers, or else the Mets would be the worst-run sports franchise in America. How does a team with this kind of payroll have this bad a team? They fired the GM and manager Monday, but sadly for their fans, the real problem (owner Jeff Wilpon) remains.

11) Tampa Bay Rays are where the A’s were nine years ago, when they had Giambi-Tejada-Chavez at their juiced-up best, and came damn close to sweeping the Bronx Bombers in the playoffs. They let it slip away, and haven’t been the same since. Rays are in the same boat now; they’re going to get crushed by free agency, so they better win this year.

10) Felix Hernandez didn’t get a decision in nine starts this year; Seattle scored total of 15 runs in those nine games.

9) Seattle was a fashionable choice to make the playoffs in March; instead, they lost 101 games, and had scouts saying their position players are way worse than what the doormat Pirates put on the field. That not good.

8) Of the 30 Opening Day managers in 2010, at least 13 of them won’t be in the same job on Opening Day 2011.

7) Of all the current active pitchers, Ryan Dempster (32) and Barry Zito (23) have walked the most batters with the bases loaded.

6) Reds making the playoffs will increase pressure on other midsize-market teams to get there, and soon. “If they can do it, why can’t we?”

5) Runs per game in major league: 2000: 10.26 2005: 9.18 2009: 9.25 2010: 8.75. Going to be hard to get rid of the DH at this pace.

4) Speaking of 2000, that year, the Phillies scored 708 runs, 23 less than any other major league team. 10 years later, Phillies are trying to become first NL team since WWII to get to the World Series three years in a row.

3) Twins’ Michael Cuddyer came to bat with 501 men on base this year, and knocked in 13.6% of them; Casey McGehee was next (492, 16.5%), then Mark Teixeira (486, 15.4%) and Matt Holliday (484, 15.5%). This was Holliday’s lowest percentage of his career; I’m sure if you asked him, he’d admit he didn’t have that great a season, yet he wound up as a .312 hitter with 28 HRs and 103 RBI. Go figure.

2) Carlos Gonzalez knocked in 22.1% of baserunners, top %age in big leagues; Alex Rodriguez was next (21.6%), followed by rookie Pedro Alvarez (20.1%) and Delmon Young (20%), the only four guys with 250+ AB to knock in 20% of runners on base in their AB’s.

1) The big winner financially this winter figures to be Carl Crawford and his agent; Red Sox/Angels said to be frontrunners for his services, but don’t rule the Astros. Crawford grew up in Houston, and that’s a super hitters’ ballpark. Plus they already have a good leadoff hitter (Michael Bourn). Crawford prefers batting second to leadoff.

**Udog** · 10-05-2010, 08:08 AM

MLB

Wednesday, October 6

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Trend Report
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1:37 PM
TEXAS vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Texas's last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home

5:07 PM
CINCINNATI vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Cincinnati is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 12 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati

8:37 PM
NY YANKEES vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games on the road
NY Yankees are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Minnesota is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games at home

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**Udog** · 10-05-2010, 08:44 PM

NLDS preview and pick: Braves vs. Giants

Can Bobby Cox take another step towards his second championship or will San Francisco’s starting pitching put them over the top?

SERIES ODDS: San Francisco Giants (-160) vs. Atlanta Braves (+147)

OFFENSE

Atlanta ranks fifth in the National League in runs per game (4.6) and leads the league in doubles and on-base percentage.

The Braves caught a bad break last week when they learned Martin Prado would miss the remainder of the season with a hip pointer and a torn oblique. Prado was batting .307 with 15 long balls for Atlanta, which ranks 11th in homers in the NL.

Jason Heyward and Brian McCann have been the two main power sources for the Braves, combining for 39 of Atlanta’s 139 home runs. Heyward, a favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year, has made a big splash in his first big league season, belting 18 homers and leading the Braves with an .849 OPS.

Not to be outdone, the Giants have a phenom of their own in Buster Posey. Posey has piled up 67 RBI in just 406 at-bats and is Heyward’s main competition for the Rookie of the Year award.

General Manager Brian Sabean made one of the shrewdest signings of the offseason when he inked Aubrey Huff to one-year deal worth $3 million. Huff leads the Giants in homers (26), RBI (86), on-base percentage (.385) and slugging percentage (.506).

The Braves will miss Prado, but are still better with the bats. The Giants rank ninth in the National League in runs scored and are batting just .197 in seven games against the Braves this season.

Edge: Braves

PITCHING

If the Giants make a World Series push, it will be their starting pitching depth that gets them there. San Francisco will go with an impressive four-man rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and rookie Madison Bumgarner. The Giants’ staff led the majors with a 3.36 ERA and was lights out down the stretch, posting an almost-unfathomable 1.78 ERA in the month of September.

Atlanta will send Derek Lowe to the mound in Game 1, followed by Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. Hudson (17-9, 2.83) had a solid season for the Braves but pitched poorly over his last seven starts, going 2-4 and allowing four or more runs on five occasions. The series may hinge on Hudson’s ability to bounce back from his lackluster finish.

Both the Giants (2.99) and Braves (3.11) finished in the top three in baseball in bullpen ERA. Brian Wilson has been a bulldog at the back of San Francisco’s pen, leading the majors with a career-high 48 saves. Billy Wagner blew seven saves this season for the Braves, but was strong down the stretch. The run Wagner gave up in Atlanta’s regular-season finale was the first he had allowed since August 11. Wagner’s 1.43 ERA was the third-lowest in baseball among qualified relievers.

The Braves’ staff is formidable but the Giants have as much rotational depth as any team in baseball. They get the nod.

Edge: Giants

INTANGIBLES

Both teams waited until the final day of the regular season to lock up a playoff berth, but the Giants played better baseball down the stretch. Since September 1, San Francisco is 19-10 while the Braves are just 14-16.

The Braves won four of seven meetings between the teams in 2010, averaging four runs per game to the Giants’ three.

Atlanta has rallied around Bobby Cox and wants desperately to send the legendary skipper out a winner. We think that extra bit of motivation, along with the offensive shortcomings of the Giants, is enough to get the Braves through to the next round.

Edge: Braves

Pick: Braves in five games.

**jt4545** · 10-06-2010, 02:37 PM

thanks and good luck dog

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