Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 3/17 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL


Thursday, March 17

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. COLUMBUS
Detroit is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games at home
Columbus is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games

7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. ATLANTA
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games at home
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia

7:30 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
New Jersey is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Ottawa's last 9 games when playing New Jersey

7:30 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. MONTREAL
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal's last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay
Montreal is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

7:30 PM
TORONTO vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Florida
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Florida is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games at home

8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. NASHVILLE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Nashville
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston

8:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 9 games
Dallas is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago

9:00 PM
COLORADO vs. CALGARY
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado

9:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. EDMONTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 5-14-2 SU in its last 21 games ,when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Edmonton's last 9 games

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 9 games when playing Minnesota

10:30 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LOS ANGELES
St. Louis is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games at home


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[Udog]

NHL


Thursday, March 17

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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
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New Jersey Devils at Ottawa Senators (+150, 5)

New Jersey continued its incredible run with a win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday night to move above .500 for the first time this season. However, sharp Devils supporters saw another streak end in the process.

New Jersey had not played over a total in 16 games before Tuesday’s 4-2 final cashed in for over bettors – if there were any. The Devils played under 10 times during that stretch, even though the books regularly threw 5-goal totals at them.

You know Jacques Lemaire wasn’t happy his club gave up a pair of first-period goals against Atlanta by the way the Devils clamped down after that. Amazingly, the Devils are now right in the thick of the playoff race and sit just one point back of eighth spot in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday’s action.

With Martin Brodeur playing the way he has (seven wins in eight starts since returning from injury) there’s no reason to think they won’t get back on a nice under run that could carry them through to the postseason.

Pick: Under


Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens (-125, 5.5)

Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier always get up for games in their home province of Quebec and this is a contest the Lightning need to stay ahead of the pack battling for the last couple of playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Lecavalier scored and St. Louis set up a pair of goals for Tampa Bay in a 6-2 beatdown of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, which was just the team’s second win in eight games. The offensive outburst was just what the team needed after it had failed to bury more than two goals in a game since Feb. 23 and this time, coach Guy Boucher finally got a bit of secondary scoring he has been looking for.

"We were looking for specific things and we got exactly what we were looking for … the message was we can't wait for St. Louis and Stamkos and Lecavalier to score goals while you defend well. That's not the way it goes," Boucher told reporters.

Expect the Lightning to bring it in a big way against the Habs.

Pick: Lightning


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[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Tampa Bay at Montreal
The Canadiens are coming off a 4-2 win over Washington and look to build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. Montreal is the pick (-125) according to Dunkel, which has the Canadiens favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-125). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Game 51-52: Detroit at Columbus (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.979; Columbus 10.699
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.078; Atlanta 11.886
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+130); Over

Game 55-56: New Jersey at Ottawa (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.964; Ottawa 10.631
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-165); Under

Game 57-58: Toronto at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.003; Florida 11.598
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-120); Over

Game 59-60: Tampa Bay at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.934; Montreal 12.848
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-125); Under

Game 61-62: Boston at Nashville (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 12.062; Nashville 10.362
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-125); Over

Game 63-64: Chicago at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.064; Dallas 10.756
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-130); Under

Game 65-66: Colorado at Calgary (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 9.477; Calgary 11.568
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-260); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-260); Over

Game 67-68: Phoenix at Edmonton (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.385; Edmonton 9.937
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-175); Over

Game 69-70: Minnesota at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.567; San Jose 11.031
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-210); 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+175); Under

Game 71-72: St. Louis at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.059; Los Angeles 12.240
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-200); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


Cleveland at Portland
The Blazers are coming off a 104-101 win over Dallas and look to build on their 7-2 ATS record in their last 9 games following an ATS win. Portland is the pick (-14) according to Dunkel, which has the Blazers favored by 16. Dunkel Pick: Portland (-14). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Game 701-702: Chicago at New Jersey (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 125.829; New Jersey 116.740
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 9; 205
Vegas Line & Total:
Dunkel Pick:

Game 703-704: Memphis at New York (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 121.920; New York 118.492
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 3 1/2; 217
Vegas Line & Total:
Dunkel Pick:

Game 705-706: Cleveland at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 108.487; Portland 124.628
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 16; 188
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 14; 195
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-14); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Thursday, 3/17/2011

CHICAGO at NEW JERSEY, 7:00 PM ET WGN
CHICAGO: 23-9 ATS off home game
NEW JERSEY: 10-3 Under off BB home games

MEMPHIS at NEW YORK, 7:30 PM ET
MEMPHIS: 24-11 ATS playing with revenge
NEW YORK: 5-1 Under off SU loss as road favorite

CLEVELAND at PORTLAND, 10:00 PM ET NBA TV
CLEVELAND: 0-8 ATS vs. Northwest Division
PORTLAND: 3-0 ATS as favorite of 10 or more

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet


Thursday, March 17

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DETROIT (42-20-0-8, 92 pts.) at COLUMBUS (32-27-0-10, 74 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 15-6 (+4.8 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 15-6-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
13 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.4 Units)

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PHILADELPHIA (43-19-0-7, 93 pts.) at ATLANTA (29-29-0-12, 70 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-4 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-5 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-5-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.6 Units)

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NEW JERSEY (33-32-0-4, 70 pts.) at OTTAWA (25-36-0-9, 59 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 12-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 25-45 ATS (-39.7 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 8-19 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 8-3 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 8-3-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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TORONTO (31-30-0-10, 72 pts.) at FLORIDA (28-33-0-9, 65 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 61-92 ATS (+171.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-20 ATS (+31.5 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 31-46 ATS (+77.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 122-142 ATS (+282.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
FLORIDA is 9-20 ATS (+32.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
FLORIDA is 3-12 ATS (+15.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 7-4 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 7-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.3 Units)

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TAMPA BAY (39-22-0-9, 87 pts.) at MONTREAL (38-25-0-7, 83 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 76-155 ATS (+283.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
MONTREAL is 86-85 ATS (+221.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MONTREAL is 23-22 ATS (+51.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 19-14 ATS (+34.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-5 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 6-5-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.2 Units)

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BOSTON (39-21-0-9, 87 pts.) at NASHVILLE (35-25-0-10, 80 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 83-74 ATS (-17.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 3-11 ATS (+15.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 1-1-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

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CHICAGO (38-24-0-8, 84 pts.) at DALLAS (37-25-0-8, 82 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 37-33 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 33-21 ATS (+11.3 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 156-98 ATS (+18.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
CHICAGO is 61-32 ATS (+18.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-4 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-4-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+8.9 Units)

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COLORADO (26-35-0-8, 60 pts.) at CALGARY (36-27-0-9, 81 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 26-43 ATS (+71.9 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 8-28 ATS (+45.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 5-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 7-18 ATS (+25.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 12-28 ATS (+41.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
COLORADO is 27-50 ATS (+81.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
COLORADO is 25-20 ATS (+49.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 9-7-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.8 Units)

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PHOENIX (37-23-0-11, 85 pts.) at EDMONTON (23-38-0-9, 55 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 90-70 ATS (+165.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 15-10 ATS (+27.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
PHOENIX is 39-29 ATS (+71.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 28-20 ATS (+49.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 10-3 ATS (+6.6 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
PHOENIX is 19-12 ATS (+33.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-1 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 49-101 ATS (-67.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 10-22 ATS (+42.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
EDMONTON is 1-11 ATS (-10.2 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 8-24 ATS (+46.1 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
EDMONTON is 6-21 ATS (+36.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
EDMONTON is 8-31 ATS (+50.3 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 1-11 ATS (+18.1 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games this season.
EDMONTON is 21-58 ATS (+103.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-5 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-5-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.2 Units)

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MINNESOTA (35-28-0-7, 77 pts.) at SAN JOSE (40-23-0-8, 88 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 35-35 ATS (+74.2 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-6 ATS (+20.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 87-71 ATS (+159.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 20-17 ATS (+40.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 37-33 ATS (+79.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 103-101 ATS (-68.8 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 7-4-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)

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ST LOUIS (31-30-0-9, 71 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (40-25-0-5, 85 pts.) - 3/17/2011, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 31-39 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 7-19 ATS (+30.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
LOS ANGELES is 121-138 ATS (+264.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 14-20 ATS (-13.7 Units) in home games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-4 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 7-4-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Thursday, March 17

DETROIT at COLUMBUS, 7:00 PM ET
DETROIT: N/A
COLUMBUS: N/A

PHILADELPHIA at ATLANTA, 7:00 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA: 22-12 SU in road games
ATLANTA: 9-20 SU after having lost 2 of their last 3 games

NEW JERSEY at OTTAWA, 7:30 PM ET
NEW JERSEY: 16-6 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 2 straight game
OTTAWA: 3-12 SU as a home underdo

TORONTO at FLORIDA, 7:30 PM ET
TORONTO: 11-7 SU in road games after a game where they covered the spread
FLORIDA: 14-22 SU in home games

TAMPA BAY at MONTREAL, 7:30 PM ET
TAMPA BAY: 6-14 SU after a blowout win by 3 goals or more
MONTREAL: 7-0 SU in home games off a home loss

BOSTON at NASHVILLE, 8:00 PM ET
BOSTON: 22-13 SU in road games
NASHVILLE: 3-11 SU after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game

CHICAGO at DALLAS, 8:30 PM ET
CHICAGO: 29-7 SU off an home win scoring 4 or more goals
DALLAS: 6-16 SU after a home game where both teams score 3 or more goals

COLORADO at CALGARY, 9:00 PM ET
COLORADO: 1-15 SU after allowing 3 goals or more 5 straight games
CALGARY: 4-13 SU off a close home loss by 1 goal

PHOENIX at EDMONTON, 9:00 PM ET
PHOENIX: 10-3 SU after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games
EDMONTON: 1-11 SU after playing 3 consecutive road games

MINNESOTA at SAN JOSE, 10:30 PM ET
MINNESOTA: 10-5 SU after scoring 2 goals or less in 2 straight games
SAN JOSE: 0-4 SU in home games after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games

ST LOUIS at LOS ANGELES, 10:30 PM ET
ST LOUIS: 4-15 SU after a close loss by 1 goal in their previous game
LOS ANGELES: 18-6 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 2 straight games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

American League East: Season win total and picks

The Boston Red Sox were not satisfied sitting on the sidelines watching the postseason on television last fall, so general manager Theo Epstein acquired a couple All-Stars bats to bolster the offense.

The New York Yankees were overwhelmed by Texas in the playoffs and their starting pitching places them no better than a wild card team. Tampa Bay cannot draw fans even being one of the top teams in baseball over the past few years and had to cut its payroll (talent).

Toronto and Baltimore have positives attributes; unfortunately they each play 54 games against the top three teams in their division which makes it difficult to move up.

Baltimore Orioles

Last season record: 66-96
Projected season win total: 76.5
Odds to win: +2000

Biggest loss: IN Ty Wigginton
Biggest additions: 3B Mark Reynolds, DH Vladimir Guerrero

Orioles Outlook: After a 2-16 start last season and four months of blunders, Baltimore turned to Buck Showalter as a mid-season managerial replacement. Showalter is known for micro-managing, but that was exactly what Orioles needed and they excelled with 34-23 record to finish the 2010 campaign.

The Baltimore front office blew up last year’s non-productive infield and replaced three of the parts. The left side of the infield will feature sluggers Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy and when the duo takes the field for defense, they will be throwing to 1B Derrick Lee. Second baseman Brian Roberts is still the elixir to the O’s offense even at 35 years old.

The outfield has talent with CF Adam Jones and RF Nick Markakis, and, combined with Felix Pie in leftfield, this should be one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.

Showalter has Jeremy Guthrie as the staff ace and Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta are both highly regarded by baseball scouts. It will be the days this trio doesn’t pitch, coupled with substandard bullpen, which will create difficulties for the Orioles.

Season win total pick: Under



Boston Red Sox

Last season record: 89-73
Projected season win total: 95.5
Odds to win: -152

Biggest losses: 3B Adrian Beltre, C Victor Martinez
Biggest additions: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, OF Carl Crawford

Red Sox Outlook: For most major league teams, winning 89 games is heady stuff. However in the AL East, that sent you home after the regular season last year. Normally, Boston doesn’t look to make a big splash, instead staying the course of building their farm system and compensating the talent on hand. This past off-season Boston went for the jugular, signing Crawford and Gonzalez and last year’s second best offense in the junior circuit appears unstoppable. With Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury paired with their new impressive teammates; opposing pitching coaches won’t get much sleep before a series against Boston.

The starting pitching is part awesome and part ordinary. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are young studs that should have no problems matching last year’s numbers. How good Boston can ultimately become will depend on if Josh Beckett and John Lackey adjust when not having their A-game stuff and can still retire hitters with regularity. Daisuke Matsuzaka remains more unpredictable than Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball.

Jonathan Paplebon showed signs of no longer being a dominant closer and the Red Sox retooled their bullpen accordingly.

Season win total pick: Over



New York Yankees

Last season record: 95-67
Projected season win total: 91.5
Odds to win: +180

Biggest loss: SP Andy Pettitte
Biggest additions: RP Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin

Yankees Outlook: The Bronx Bombers led all of baseball averaging 5.3 runs per game a season ago and may have to match or beat that figure to stay as an AL East contender this year. After C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes, the drop-off in starting pitching is like going from Scarlett Johansson to Roseanne Barr; it’s not pretty. New pitching coach Larry Rothschild is in charge of fixing A.J. Burnett both mechanically and psychologically. New York brought in a carload of older free agent pitchers trying to fill the rest of the rotation.

The Yankees have acquired Rafael Soriano as a set-up man for Mariano Rivera, but it would help the entire staff if Joba Chamberlain could return as effective starter.

New York has a number of star players past their prime, yet the collection of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriquez and Jorge Posada is still better than what most AL teams fill out a lineup card with daily. Robinson Cano would hit third for more than half the teams in baseball, but not with the Yankees, which tells you scoring runs won’t be an issue. Manager Joe Garardi will have greater expectations for Mark Teixeira than a .256 batting average, suffering his lowest on-base percentage (.365) since his rookie year in 2003.

Season win total pick: Over



Tampa Bay Rays

Last season record: 96-66
Projected season win total: 84.5
Odds to win: +800

Biggest losses: SP Matt Garza, OF Carl Crawford
Biggest additions: OF Johnny Damon, DH Manny Ramirez

Rays Outlook: Tampa Bay will raise its second American League East division championship flag to start the season, but in the off-season waved the white flag in a concession that expenses were outweighing profits. The Rays moved seven important pieces from last year’s 96-win club and will refill those positions with less talented replacements. Tampa Bay is not about to return to the days of 60+ wins this season, but will be a shell of its former selves.

Tampa Bay is trying to keep pace with its core players and retool with youngsters. Evan Longoria, enigmatic B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist are now the gritty veterans and they will be surrounded by newcomers like LF Desmond Jennings, SS Reid Brignac and 1B Dan Johnson. Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez will try and maintain the AL’s third-rated offense from last year (4.95 runs per contest).

The Rays felt comfortable enough in trading Garza because pitchers David Price and Wade Davis are stars in the making and the rest of the rotation is sound. The two seasons Tampa Bay won the AL East it had a domineering bullpen, which might be a stretch in 2011.

Season win total pick: Under



Toronto Blue Jays

Last season record: 85-77
Projected season win total: 76.5
Odds to win: +1600

Biggest loss: SP Shawn Marcum, RP Kevin Gregg
Biggest addition: RP Octavio Dotel

Jays Outlook: Toronto has won 85 or more games in three of the last five seasons, which in most divisions has a team playing serious baseball late into September. The Jays are in the unenviable position of being matched with three of the best clubs not only in the American League, but in their division. Last year Toronto decided to come out swinging, literally, leading the big leagues in home runs with 257, which was 46 more than the next closest competitor the Red Sox. (Largest difference in 42 years) If you factor in the Blue Jays pitching staff was fifth in homers allowed at 150, Toronto’s differential between home runs hit and allowed was the widest margin since the fabled 1927 Yankees.

Slugger Jose Bautista takes his 54 home runs over to third base full time. Nobody expects him to match that figure, but the hope is Adam Lind returns to 2009 form, which would make up for the shortfall. Jays’ hitters do not get cheated at the dish.

Shaun Marcum was traded away in the belief that Kyle Drabek is ready to begin long and fruitful career as starter. Toronto is satisfied with the rest of its staff, however having Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch return from their injuries would be a huge plus.

Season win total pick: Over