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**Udog** · 10-11-2010, 10:46 PM

Bettors' best friend: Tuesday's wagering tips

Lines to watch

Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays – Tampa Bay opened at -115, but is now listed at -120 at some betting shops.

Who’s hot

Detroit Red Wings are 19-7 in their last 26 meetings with the Colorado Avalanche.

Who’s not

Texas Rangers are 5-13 in their last 18 games at Tropicana Field against the Rays.
Atlanta Thrashers are 6-20 in their last 26 home games.

Key stat

1.52 – Cliff Lee’s playoff ERA through six career postseason starts. That ERA puts him fifth all-time in MLB history among pitchers who have made at least five playoff starts. Three of the four pitchers ahead of him in that category are now in the Hall of Fame.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Ondrej Pavelec (concussion), Atlanta Thrashers – Pavelec was released from hospital after he collapsed during Friday’s 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Pavelec underwent tests for three days at the hospital, where it was learned he suffered a concussion when he fell, but doctors still don’t know what caused him to crumple to the ice. In an Monday update, the team says Pavelec will be out of the lineup for at least this week as he undergoes more tests, which means Chris Mason will likely start again on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Last year Pavelec was 14-8-7 with a 3.29 GAA for the Thrashers.

Game of the day

Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays (-115, 6.5)

Notable quotable

"David was not happy with himself the first game of the series. Nobody could be more critical of David than David can be, and he's going to definitely come into this game tomorrow with the right mindset. He's going to be charged up, amped up, and not overly so. I really believe he's going to be in control of his emotions." – Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon on starter David Price, who will face off against the Texas Rangers in Game 5 on Tuesday after losing Game 1’s start. Price was visibly upset on the mound in Game 1 as he allowed runs in four consecutive innings in a 5-1 loss.

Notes and tips

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has his backup plan already set if Cliff Lee struggles in Tuesday’s Game 5 – C.J. Wilson. Washington said he would rather not bring Wilson in because he’s in line to make the start in Game 1 of the ALCS if they can get by the Rays, but that Wilson was his first option out of the pen “early or late” on Tuesday. Lee and Wilson held Tampa Bay to just one run and seven hits over 13 1/3 innings in Games 1 and 2 for the Rangers.

The Detroit Red Wings inked coach Mike Babcock to a four-year contract extension on Tuesday. Babcock has led the team to a pair of Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning it all in 2008, and has a 259-101-52 record behind the Wings’ bench. Detroit hosts its longtime rival the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Dallas Stars center Mike Ribeiro was arrested late Sunday evening on a public intoxication charge after an altercation at a Dallas sushi restaurant. Ribeiro and his wife along with another couple were taken into custody after some sort of dispute with other patrons at the restaurant. Ribeiro and the rest of the group posted bail and were released at 4:45 Monday morning. Ribeiro has three assists in his first two games for the Stars.

**Udog** · 10-11-2010, 10:52 PM

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 12

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TEXAS (92 - 74) at TAMPA BAY (98 - 68) - 8:05 PM
CLIFF LEE (L) vs. DAVID PRICE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 89-46 (+29.2 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 149-157 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
TEXAS is 179-149 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 19-11 (+10.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
TEXAS is 135-102 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LEE is 37-24 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-4 (+1.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.6 Units)

CLIFF LEE vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
LEE is 7-5 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 0.997.
His team's record is 7-7 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-8. (-3.5 units)

DAVID PRICE vs. TEXAS since 1997
PRICE is 0-3 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 6.92 and a WHIP of 1.577.
His team's record is 2-3 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

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MLB
Short Sheet

Tuesday, 10/12/2010

**AL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 5 - SERIES TIED 2-2
TEXAS at TAMPA BAY, 8:05 PM ET TBS
LEE: TEX 0-5 revenging BB losses as home favorite
PRICE: 13-4 Under in home starts

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

MLB

Tuesday, October 12

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Payoff Pitch: Today's best Mound Matchup
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Cliff Lee, Texas Rangers vs. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

Cliff Lee (13-9, 3.12)

Cliff Lee takes the ball in the fifth and deciding game between his Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s the kind of matchup Lee lives for.

“This is why we got him, for this type of game,” Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters. “And I certainly feel great about what's about to happen when we get to Tampa. And we couldn't have a better guy on the mound.”

Lee went seven innings when knocked off the Rays 5-1 in Game 1, allowing a single run on five hits while striking out 10 and walking none. The 32-year-old lefty has a sparkling postseason track record, going 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in six career playoff starts.

Lee has pitched just one postseason elimination game before Tuesday, getting the better of the New York Yankees in Game 5 of 2009 World Series. He gave up five runs in seven innings, but hung on long enough to pick up the win.

Before Game 1’s win, Lee was 0-3 against the Rays during the regular season, giving up 24 hits in 23 2/3 innings.

David Price (19-6, 2.72 ERA)

After a terrible outing in his first playoff start in Game 1, all David Price wanted was another crack at the Texas Rangers. He has that shot Tuesday in Game 5.

Price gave up four earned runs and a pair of home runs over 6 2/3 innings in last Wednesday’s loss. It was his worst start since he allowed seven runs to the New York Yankees on July 18 and Price wasn’t happy, stomping around the mound while giving up runs in four consecutive innings against the Rangers.

"It was pretty rough," Price said of his last start after learning that he would get another shot at the Rangers following Sunday’s win. "It stung a little bit. I definitely wanted to give us a better chance to win. I wanted to throw better for myself. I wasn't able to do that. And they got the ball back in my hand and I appreciate that."

Price is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in six career playoff appearances, striking out 16 while walking four in 12 1-3 innings of work and is in contention for the AL Cy Young Award after posting 19 wins with a 2.72 ERA during the regular season.

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Tips and Trends
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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays [TBS | 8:07 PM ET]

RANGERS: Texas will be playing their 3rd consecutive game with the opportunity of advancing to the ALCS. The Rangers starting rotation cost them victory in their past 2 games, but that shouldn't be the case tonight. Ace Cliff Lee just might be the best pitcher in all of baseball, and would easily rank as one of the top 3 pitchers you'd want on the mound in an elimination game. Lee is 13-9 SU this year, with an ERA of 3.12 and a WHIP of 0.99. Texas is 92-74 SU this season, including 41-42 SU on the road. Texas is -1.33 and -21.58 units both SU and on the RL this year. The Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 road games overall. Texas is 5-0 in their last 5 games against a left-handed starter. The Rangers are 7-2 in their last 9 games against the American League East. Texas is 4-1 in Lee's last 5 starts overall. The Rangers are 2-5 in Lee's last 7 starts against the American League East.

Rangers are 6-0 last 6 games as a road underdog.
Under is 6-1 last 7 road games against a team with a winning record.

Key Injuries - None Reported.

Projected Score: 2

RAYS: (-115, O/U 6.5) If nothing else, Tampa has shown some major heart. The Rays were left for dead after falling behind 0-2 SU in their best of 5 series against Texas. Instead, the whole world gets to watch a deciding Game 5. Ace David Price is looking to revenge his loss in Game 1 of this series against the Rangers. Price is 19-7 SU this year, with an ERA of 2.80 and a WHIP of 1.20 this season. The Rays are +2.38 and -6.02 units both SU and on the RL this year. Tampa has scored 11 runs in their past 2 games, thanks to an aggressive approach offensively. Back at home, that is style of play is likely to continue in this elimination game. The Rays are 21-8 in their last 29 home games against a team with a winning record. Tampa is 2-5 in their last 7 playoff games overall. The Rays are 0-5 in their last 5 games against a left-handed starter. Tampa is 6-1 in Price's last 7 starts against the American League West. The Rays are 4-1 in Price's last 5 starts as a home favorite. Tampa is 7-3 in Price's last 10 starts with 5 days of rest.

Rays are 3-8 last 11 games following an off day.
Under is 6-0 last 6 games against a left-handed starter.

Key Injuries - None Reported.

Projected Score: 4 (SIDE of the Day)

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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays (-115, 6.5)

Is it a home-field advantage or disadvantage? Road teams are 9-4 in the playoffs so far and the away side is a perfect 4-0 in the Rangers-Rays series.

Tampa Bay is trying to become only the second team to win an ALDS after dropping the first two games of the series at home. The Rays starting and relief pitching came through at Texas like it hadn’t in Games 1 and 2, and the sleeping bats of big boppers Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford.

The same Rays who scored just one run on eight hits in the first two games of the series, touched home 11 times in Texas on 23 hits.

"When we got that win (Saturday) it seemed like everything changed then," Crawford told the Tampa Tribune. "You give us a seam we'll try to get through it. They had a chance to put us away (Saturday) and they didn't. We might have a chance to win it now."

Something tells us the hit parade for Tampa will come to a quick end with ace Cliff Lee on the hill on Tuesday.

Pick: Rangers

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This Day in Baseball
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On October 12 in Baseball History...

1907 - Three Finger Brown shuts down the Tigers, 2-0, to win the World Series. The Cubs steal four bases for a total of 18 in the five-game series (the Cubs won four games, the other ending in a tie).

1913 - John McGraw hosts a reunion for Hugh Jennings and the old Orioles. After a night of heavy drinking, he blames his longtime friend, business partner, and teammate Wilbert Robinson for too many coaching mistakes in the recently concluded World Series. They exchange insults and McGraw fires him. They won't speak to each other for 17 years. Six days later Robbie will begin a legendary 18-year career as Brooklyn manager.1916 - The Boston Red Sox won the World Series in five games with a 4-1 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ernie Shore pitched a three-hitter for Boston.

1920 - Cleveland's Stan Coveleski won his third game in the World Series as the Indians beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 3-0 and won the championship, five games to two.

1929 - The Philadelphia Athletics, trailing the Chicago Cubs 8-0 in the fourth game of the World Series, scored 10 runs in the seventh inning to win 10-8.

1963 - In the first (and last) Hispanic-American major league all-star game, the NL team beats the AL 5-2 at the Polo Grounds.

1967 - The Cardinals earn their second World Championship of the decade with a 7-2 victory over Boston. Bob Gibson notches his third World Series win with a three-hitter, 10 strikeouts, and a fifth-inning home run. Lou Brock records seven stolen bases in the Series.

1969 - New York's Jerry Koosman and Ron Taylor combine on a two-hitter in Game Two against Baltimore. Al Weis's ninth-inning single off loser Dave McNally gives the Mets a 2-1 win to even the World Series.

1972 - Oakland takes the AL pennant with a 2-1 win in Game Five of the ALCS over Baltimore. The A's Reggie Jackson steals home, but pulls a hamstring in the process, sidelining him for the World Series.

1974 - Oakland slugging star Reggie Jackson connects for a homer off Andy Messersmith, and pitcher Ken Holtzman scores the second run in the fifth inning on a suicide squeeze. The A's win the World Series opener 3-2 as the Dodgers strand 12 baserunners.

1975 - Down 2-1 in the ninth inning, the Reds rally to beat the Red Sox in Game Two of the World Series 3-2.

1976 - The Reds score seven times in the final three innings to secure a 7-6 win and complete a sweep of the Phillies in the NLCS.

1977 - The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 6-1 to even the World Series after two games. Catfish Hunter, who had not pitched in over a month, started the game for the Yankees. Ron Cey, Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith all homered and knocked out Hunter in the third inning.

1979 - Kiko Garcia drives in four runs to lead the Orioles to an 8-4 triumph over Pittsburgh in Game Three of the World Series.

1980 - The Phillies capture their first NL title since 1950 with a 10-inning, 8-7 win over the Astros in the fifth and final game of the NLCS. Each of the last four games was decided in extra innings.

1982 - Paul Molitor of Milwaukee had five hits, a World Series record, in the 10-0 opener over the Cardinals in St. Louis. Mike Caldwell tossed the shutout for the Brewers.

1984 - San Diego pitchers tie a World Series record by issuing 11 walks in a 5-2 loss to the Tigers in Game Three. Detroit takes a 2-1 Series lead.

1985 - In Game Four of the ALCS, Al Oliver's two-run pinch double in the ninth inning gives Toronto a 3-1 win over Kansas City and a 3-1 lead in the series. Until this year's best-of-seven format was adopted, the three wins would have sent the Blue Jays to the World Series. The Royals will take advantage of the format change.

1986 - The California Angels were one pitch away from their first pennant when they let the Boston Red Sox back into the American League playoffs with an 11-inning 7-6 victory in Game 5.

1987 - Minnesota beats Detroit 9-5 in Game Five of the ALCS to wrap up its first AL championship since 1965. Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti is named MVP.

1988 - NLCS MVP Orel Hershiser shuts out the Mets to win Game Seven. The 6-0 win puts the Dodgers into the World Series for the first time since 1981.

1990 - Danny Jackson, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers combine on a one-hitter as Cincinnati beats the Pirates 2-1 to win the NLCS in six games.
1991 - The Blue Jays chase Twins starter Kevin Tapani for the second time in the ALCS, but Minnesota's bullpen and bats lead to six unanswered runs in Game Five as the Twins win their third pennant.

1993 - The Toronto Blue Jays, behind the strong pitching of Dave Stewart, beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 to win the American League pennant in six games.
1997 - Marlins rookie Livan Hernandez matches Mike Mussina's one-day old LCS record with 15 strikeouts in a three-hit, 2-1 win in Game Five of the NLCS. Hernandez, who would not have started if not for an injury to Alex Fernandez, wins his second game of the series and will earn MVP honors.

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**Udog** · 10-11-2010, 10:53 PM

NHL

Tuesday, October 12

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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
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Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings (-215, 5.5)

The Detroit Red Wings have vowed to be harder to play against this season and through two games, you have to believe them.

They bounced the feisty Ducks 4-0 on Friday night as Pavel Datsyuk, the four-time Lady Byng winner, squared off with Corey Perry and earned a Gordie Howe hat trick. On Saturday, they left the gloves on but their second line of Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi earned a ton of praise for the gritty work they did in a 3-2 win over the reigning Cup winners, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Filppula scored twice including the game-winner and his line was a handful for Chicago all night. The trio that makes up Detroit’s so-called second line are the club’s top three scorers after two games.

"Mule, Bert and Fil were fantastic," coach Mike Babcock told reporters after Saturday's victory. "We're going to have a battle as to who our best line is."

Pick: Over

Atlanta Thrashers at Los Angeles Kings (-200, 6)

The Los Angeles Kings played back-to-back contests in Vancouver and Calgary over the weekend earning a split while managing just a pair of goals in regulation. That’s not good enough for a team with this kind of firepower.

As a result, coach Terry Murray dropped veteran Ryan Smyth from the No. 1 line and put rookie Andrei Loktionov in his place with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown during Monday’s practice. Loktionov was a healthy scratch in the club's first two games but put up 24 points in 29 games with Manchester of the American Hockey League last year.

“That’s probably what I will go with tomorrow,” Murray told reporters. “It’s a young guy who has come through the training camp and played well for us. It’s not about Ryan Smyth. It’s all about this young guy getting an opportunity to play with one of our best players, maybe our best player, in Kopitar.”

Kopitar took a stick to the face Friday against the Canucks, losing a couple of teeth and needing about 15 stitches. He came back to score the game-winning goal in the shootout.

Pick: Kings

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**Udog** · 10-11-2010, 10:54 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** · 10-12-2010, 08:08 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: October 12

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Red Wings play host to the Avs, the Kings get a visit from the Thrashers, and a couple of lefthanders meet up in Game 5 of their ALDS.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

It's the fifth and deciding game of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, with Cliff Lee (1-0, 1.29 ERA in the playoffs) taking on David Price (0-1, 5.40 ERA in the playoffs). Lefthander Lee dominated Tampa Bay in the opening game of the series, holding them to one run on five hits over seven innings of work while fanning 10 batters. Lefthander Price was tagged with the loss in that contest, surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits in his 6 2-3 innings of work while striking out eight. Oddsmakers have the Rays set as -114 home favorites for Tuesday's game, with the Rangers +104 underdogs. The total for Game 5 has been pegged at 6.5.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

As well, there are a pair of games on the National Hockey League schedule for Tuesday night, with Colorado at Detroit and Atlanta at Los Angeles. The Thrashers were tagged with their first loss of the season last time out, falling 5-3 in Tampa Bay. Tobias Enstrom, Ben Eager, and Chris Thorburn scored for Atlanta in that defeat, while Chris Mason stopped just 31 of 36 shots. The Kings are coming off a 3-1 loss in Calgary on Sunday, with Dustin Brown providing the team's only marker. Jonathan Bernier stopped 29 shots.

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:12 AM

Tuesday's six-pack

-- If I owned the Minnesota Vikings, I'd be mad as hell right now, as this is clearly a ship run amuck. Starting a game with a WR throwing a pass in the rain to a 41-year old QB? A play a 10-year old would call.

-- Mrs Brad Childress should start gathering boxes for packing and contacting real estate agents to sell their house. He's going to get fired.

-- So Randy Moss pouted his way off the Patriots onto a 1-3 team? Absolutely brilliant. 1-3 Dallas vs 1-3 Minnesota this Sunday.

-- If I was Brett Favre, I'd be a hell of a lot more worried about what my wife thinks than what Roger Goodell does. Women as attractive as Deanna Favre tend to have pretty volatile tempers.

-- As for Ms Jennifer Sterger, the receiver of the lewd text messages, she is a regular on The Daily Line on the Versus Channel. My guess is she'll get paid off handsomely to keep quiet. Money cures everything.

-- Maybe if Favre had gone to training camp and spring practices, his team's offense would be more cohesive. Am I alone in thinking this?

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

Tuesday's List of 13: Random thoughts after a long weekend......

13) Greedy bastards who own Exxon-Mobil were at it again, raising gas prices 12-14 cents a gallon for the long weekend. I'm guessing the prices will go back down this week. If there is such a thing as karma, the creeps who are ripping us off like this will all have very painful deaths.

12) In these baseball playoff series, players get 60% of gate receipts for first three games in best-of-5 series (first four games in best of 7). Umps get 5% for every game, teams get everything else, dividing 95% of gate receipts for all the "if necessary" games.

11) Rangers lost Game 3 vs Tampa Bay, using closer Feliz in 8th-9th in a tie game; it was only fifth time all year Feliz got more than three outs in a game. Why use your closer like that? Texas has never won a playoff series-- lot of pressure on them Tuesday in St Pete.

10) Sunday was October 10, 2010 (10-10-10); three starting QBs in the NFL wear #10. All of them won Sunday, two were underdogs.

9) Something weird about Carl Weathers (played Apollo Creed in Rocky movies) doing those Bud Light commercials. His career didn't exactly go on a tear after playing Creed, did it?

8) They sell fried Snickers bars at the Texas State Fair.

7) Enough with movies about racehorses. Even if they have Diane Lane in them. Find a better subject to make a movie about, something about human beings. Diane Lane should never be a co-star to a freakin' horse.

6) Speaking of which, the day Secretariat won the Triple Crown was the day of my 8th grade field trip. Only time I've ever ridden a horse. Very scary, for both me and the horse. Horse's name was Jumper. My pulse rate has never been higher. Thought I was going to die at age 13.

5) Undercover Boss is a superior idea for a TV show. Well done.

4) They had more rain delays in San Diego than Minnesota this year.

3) Hey there's a church around here that is having a service at Saratoga Performing Arts Center pretty soon; pastor's name is Buddy Creamons. Maybe I've seen too many movies, but when I hear Pastor Buddy, I'm not exactly feeling religious. Maybe its just me.

2) I was in Las Vegas for Week 3 of the 1998 football season; Colts had a rookie QB starting in their second road game of the season. They got pounded that day 44-3 by the Jets, but the kid turned out pretty well. You may have heard of him-- Peyton Manning.

1) Rams started a rookie QB in their second road game Sunday and lost 44-6 in Detroit. It happens. Part of the growing process. I'm not saying Sam Bradford will be as good as Peyton Manning, but I'm guaranteeing you that every bigtime QB had cruddy days before he became a star.

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:19 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Texas at Tampa Bay
The Rangers look to build on their 6-0 record in their last 6 games as a road underdog. Texas is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

Game 985-986: Texas at Tampa Bay (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Lee) 16.306; Tampa Bay (Price) 15.109
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Under

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:20 AM

MLB
Write-Up

Tuesday, October 12

Road team is 4-0 in Texas-Tampa Bay series; lot of pressure on Ranger franchise that has never won playoff series to advance after going ahead 2-0 here last week. Lee beat Price 5-1 in Game 1; Price is 1-1, 4.97 in his two starts vs Texas this year- he is 4-1, 2.49 in last seven starts overall. Lee is 1-3, 4.11 in four starts against the Rays this season; he is 3-1 in his last five starts overall, with a 2.06 RA.

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:22 AM

MLB

Tuesday, October 12

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Trend Report
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8:07 PM
TEXAS vs. TAMPA BAY
Texas is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 8 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games

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**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:23 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Atlanta at Los Angeles
The Thrashers look to take advantage of a Los Angeles team that is 0-4 in its last 4 games as a home favorite from -150 to -200. Atlanta is the pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Thrashers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+170). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

Game 51-52: Colorado at Detroit (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 10.920; Detroit 13.277
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-220); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-220); Over

Game 53-54: Atlanta at Los Angeles (10:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 10.927; Los Angeles 10.259
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-200); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+170); Under

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:24 AM

NHL
Write-Up

Tuesday, October 12

We'll start posting daily information for Wednesday's games, after the teams get a couple games under their belt.

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 08:27 AM

NHL

Tuesday, October 12

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
COLORADO vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado's last 12 games when playing Detroit
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 12 games when playing Colorado

10:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Atlanta

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**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 10:42 AM

NHL
Short Sheet

Tuesday, 10/12/2010

COLORADO at DETROIT, 7:35 PM ET
COLORADO: 25-42 Away when the total is 5.5
DETROIT: 18-2 at home off a division win

ATLANTA at LOS ANGELES, 10:30 PM ET
ATLANTA: 19-10 OVER after scoring 3 goals or more in 2 straight games
LOS ANGELES: 2-6 as a home favorite of -200 or higher

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 10-12-2010, 04:46 PM

NFL opening line report: Week 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been eagerly awaiting Ben Roethlisberger’s return from his suspension all year, but Steelers bettors may not feel the same way when they get a look at Pittsburgh’s odds this week.

The Steelers opened as 12.5-point favorites at home to the Cleveland Browns but that line is already up to -14 and could go higher.

“It’s not like we forgot he’s over his suspension but the money kept on coming in on him,” says Jay Kornegay, Las Vegas Hilton Sportsbook Director. “I can’t see a lot of money coming back on the Browns unless some of the sharps try to middle this thing come Sunday. I do expect Roethlisberger to come back strong as reports say he’s been very focused during his suspension. However, that doesn’t mean they can cover 14 points.”

Chuck Esposito, casino operations manager at Tropicana Las Vegas, figures Roethlisberger is worth about three points on this week’s line.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are also coming off a bye, playing their first game since trading Randy Moss to the Vikings. However, oddsmakers don’t see much of a difference between the Pats team that had the superstar wideout in the lineup and the club they’re fielding now.

“New England opened as a 3-point favorite over the Ravens and the betting public quickly took that,” says Esposito. “The Pats are now down to -2.5.”

Kornegay doesn’t figure losing Moss will be much of a factor to Patriots bettors moving forward either.

“The Patriots have been doing it with a bunch of no-names and we’ll see how long that lasts,” Kornegay says. “The rushing offense is still non-existent and that will create problems against tough competition. The Patriots’ defense is the big question mark. They are young and are having problems getting offenses off the field.”

Biggest spread of the week: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-14, 37.5)

We’ve already touched on this one, but Esposito also added this about Roethlisberger’s return:

“The Steelers played extremely well without Ben but did have some trouble scoring. Their defense and running attack really carried them. Having Roethlisberger back will add another dimension to their offense. I suspect the betting public will continue to back them with Ben back in the fold.”

Smallest spread of the week: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5, 45.5)

This line isn’t posted at every shop out there, but Minnesota -2.5 is the number Esposito cited on Monday, though he added it could change quickly depending on the outcome of Week 5’s Monday Nighter between Minnesota and the New York Jets.

Esposito also expects the action on this one to resemble a playoff game, so keep on top of this one for any line moves.

Biggest total of the week: San Diego Chargers at St. Louis Rams (-9, 45)

This total is all about the San Diego Chargers’ No. 1-ranked offense and the fact that the Rams just gave up 44 points to the Detroit Lions in Week 5. San Diego has played over in four of its five games so far this year while piling up 461.8 yards per game.

Esposito expects this total to go up before Sunday.

Lowest total of the week: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-14, 37.5)

Odd situation here with this matchup featuring the biggest spread and the lowest total on the board, but bettors can’t get enough of Pittsburgh’s defense – with or without Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh has played under in three of its four games this year.

“I know Roethlisberger is back but the Steelers bread and butter is defense and running the ball, which both spell a low-scoring game,” says Esposito.

Trickiest lines of the week: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers

Two for your money here. Neither of these lines are out yet, and for good reason – both matchups have serious starting quarterback questions.

With the Falcons-Eagles, Esposito expects Philadelphia to be set as a 1.5 or 2-point favorite if Kevin Kolb starts and the game to be around a pick ‘em if Mike Vick is taking the snaps.

“That is not necessary how the Nevada bookmakers see the line but more how we feel the betting public will react if Vick is back and getting points at home,” Esposito reasons.

Meanwhile, if Rodgers (concussion) is OK to go, Green Bay will likely check in around -6.5 but if they need to go to backup Matt Flynn that line will be around -3.

Other early odds for Week 6:

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-7, N/A)
Detroit Lions at New York Giants (-10, 44.5)
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5, 44)
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans (-5, 44)
Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers (-6.5, 40.5)
Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (3, 43.5)

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Tuesday's Trends and Indexes 10/12 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

Tuesday's Trends and Indexes 10/12 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

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