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  • Tuesday's Trends and Indexes - 5/17 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

    Trends and Indexes

    Tuesday, May 17

    Good Luck on day #137 of 2011!

    At this time, the sports menu in this thread consists of NBA, NHL and MLB until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will be posted.

    NOTE:
    As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
    Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
    Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Matchup Links

    NBA Hot and Not

    NBA Injuries

    NBA Referees

    NHL Matchups

    NHL Injuries

    NHL Hot and Not

    MLB Matchups

    MLB Previews

    MLB Hot or Not

    MLB Umpires

    MLB Trends

    MLB Weather

    NASCAR Schedules

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  • #2
    Tuesday’s betting notes: Mavs’ ATS run on the line

    Who’s hot

    NBA: Dallas has won six straight games and is 9-0-1 against the spread in the postseason.

    NHL: Tampa Bay has won eight straight games.

    MLB: The over has cashed in on 23 of St. Louis’ last 32 games overall.

    Who’s not

    NHL: The under is 1-5 in Boston’s last six games.

    MLB: The Minnesota Twins rank last in MLB’s money standings, dropping more than 13 units for Twins supporters so far.

    MLB: Detroit may have one of the top starting pitching staffs in the majors but their bullpen ranks dead last in the bigs with a 5.35 ERA.

    Key stat

    32 vs. 23 – There’s no getting around it – it’s experience versus youth when the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday. Each of Dallas’ top five playoff scorers are 32 or older while five of Oklahoma City’s top six postseason scorers are 23 years old or younger.

    Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

    Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins: The Bruins are staying tight-lipped about Bergeron’s status for Game 2 as he recovers from a concussion, but he has skated in each of the team’s last three practices. Word is he's still doubtful for Tuesday, though his status should become clearer closer to game time. The young center is the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs with 12 points and its top face-off man.

    Game of the day

    Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks (-6, 193)

    Notable quotable

    “Bummed that my left leg has me on the sidelines, but I want, and expect, to be at the US Open. Will do all I can to get there.” – Tiger Woods via Twitter on Monday, talking about the injury that forced him out of last week’s TPC in the first round. Tiger is currently priced at +1000 for the US Open, second favorite to Phil Mickelson (+900)

    Notes and tips

    Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward is targeting Tuesday’s game against Houston to return to the lineup. He received a couple of cortisone injections in his right shoulder and then was able to take about 30-40 swings off a tee on Sunday. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is hitting only .220 this season but does have seven home runs.

    The only major Maria Sharapova hasn’t won is the French Open, but she looks set to make a good run in the tournament starting this weekend. She cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Sam Stosur in the Italian Open final last weekend – her first of the season - and is now set at +700 to win the French Open. Caroline Wozniacki (whom Sharapova upset in the Italian Open) and Victoria Azarenka are pegged as co-favorites at +500.

    The Florida Marlins moved Hanley Ramirez to the No. 2 spot for the first time this season Monday against the New York Mets. Ramierez, who normally bats third for the Fish, is off to the worst start of his career, struggling with a .213 batting average, two home runs and 14 RBIs.

    Comment


    • #3
      NBA
      Long Sheet


      Tuesday, May 17


      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      OKLAHOMA CITY (63 - 31) at DALLAS (65 - 27) - 5/17/2011, 9:00 PM
      Top Trends for this game.
      DALLAS is 54-36 ATS (+14.4 Units) in all games this season.
      DALLAS is 35-26 ATS (+6.4 Units) as a favorite this season.
      DALLAS is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all playoff games this season.
      DALLAS is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
      DALLAS is 28-10 ATS (+17.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
      DALLAS is 34-16 ATS (+16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      DALLAS is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
      DALLAS is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
      DALLAS is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
      OKLAHOMA CITY is 100-79 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      OKLAHOMA CITY is 77-54 ATS (+17.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
      OKLAHOMA CITY is 52-37 ATS (+11.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
      OKLAHOMA CITY is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
      DALLAS is 36-50 ATS (-19.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
      DALLAS is 6-4 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
      5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Comment


      • #4
        NBA
        Short Sheet


        Tuesday, May 17


        Eastern Conference Finals - Game 2 - TB Leads 1-0
        TAMPA BAY at BOSTON, 8:05 PM ET
        TAMPA BAY: 22-14 SU as road underdog
        BOSTON: 1-6 SU at home after allowing 2+ goals 3rd period last game

        ** (TC) Denotes Time Change

        Comment


        • #5
          NBA


          Tuesday, May 17


          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Mavericks-Thunder: Series odds, preview and pick
          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

          Series price: Mavericks -220, Thunder +170

          OFFENSE
          : Both of these teams know how to score, but the Thunder’s fast-paced tempo makes them a more explosive attack. OKC finished fourth in scoring during the regular season at 108.6 points per game, just ahead of the eighth-best Mavericks.

          Dallas possesses multiple threats from beyond the arc but the club doesn’t get to the charity stripe with the same consistency as the Thunder. Of course, they have the NBA’s leading scorer to thank for that.

          Kevin Durant topped the regular-season chart with 27.7 points per outing and now he leads the way with 28.9 points per contest in the playoffs. With a talented supporting cast headlined by Russell Westbrook and James Harden, Durant and Company are tough to stop.
          Edge: Thunder

          DEFENSE: The Mavericks have changed their identity from the run ‘n’ gun days with Don Nelson at the helm. Coach Rick Carlisle runs a much more structured offense and preaches commitment at the defensive end of the floor. Sure, Dirk Nowitzki is never going to be a defensive stopper but there are enough above average defenders on this team to make things difficult on opponents.

          Dallas allowed 96.0 points per game during the regular season, 10th best in the league and fourth in the West. In the playoffs, Carlisle’s club is limiting opponents to 88.2 per contest, third best overall and second among the four remaining teams.
          Edge: Mavericks

          BENCH: It does not get much better than Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood, Jose Barea and Peja Stojakovic. Terry tied an NBA record with nine three-balls in a Game 4 rout of the Lakers. He and Stojakovic combined to go 15 of 16 from beyond the arc in the series-clincher, while Barea frustrated L.A. to the point that Andrew Bynum decided to go MMA on him instead of even attempting to play defense.

          For the Thunder, Harden, Nick Collison, Daequan Cook, and Eric Maynor are a formidable force. Still, they are not as explosive nor are they as reliable as Dallas’ reserves. Cook is a streaky sharpshooter (four three-pointers in a Game 5 blowout of Memphis), but at times he and Maynor will disappear and provide next to nothing.
          Edge: Mavericks

          SEASON SERIES: Interestingly, the road team won all three regular-season meetings between the two teams (Dallas 2-1, 2-1 ATS). The Mavericks won 111-103 in November and 103-93 in December, but they lost 99-95 at home on January 5. However, Nowitzki played only 12 minutes in the second game before sustaining a knee injury that also kept him out of the setback against Oklahoma City one week later. With two wins and Dirk-less loss, the Mavs have to feel good about how they performed against the Thunder.
          Edge: Mavericks

          PICK: Mavericks in seven games.


          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Comment


          • #6
            NBA


            Tuesday, May 17


            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Pick 'n' roll: Tuesday's best NBA bets
            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks (-6, 193)

            It may be No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, but that’s not what we have out in the wild West. The last two teams left standing are Dallas and Oklahoma City, seeds three and four, respectively.

            “We're ready to get this going again,” Mavericks’ star forward Dirk Nowitzki told the Dallas Morning News.

            That’s quite an understatement, to be sure. The Mavs were absolutely dominant in an upset of the Lakers - maybe too dominant. Rick Carlisle’s squad has not played since May 8 after the sweep. That may be a bit of good news for the oldest of the four remaining teams, but there will undoubtedly be some rust.

            The Thunder, on the other hand, are flying high after trouncing Memphis in Game 7 on Sunday. Kevin Durant—the leading scorer in both the regular season and so far in the playoffs—followed up his worst postseason game by going 13 of 25 from the floor for 39 points to go along with nine rebounds.

            Dallas, one of the best defensive teams in the league, is going to have its hands full with athletes like Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Mavericks are tough to score on in the paint, but OKC can light it up from anywhere, especially at the perimeter.

            “(The Thunder) are firing major athletes at you,” Carlisle told the Dallas Morning News. “Great speed and quickness at three or four positions. The transition defense has got to be a mindset, just like rebounding. It goes without saying, but if we turn the ball over in this next series, we'll lose. It's as simple as that.”

            The Mavs shouldn't lose at home in Game 1, but after a long layoff, covering six points could be too much to ask.

            Pick: Thunder


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            Comment


            • #7
              NHL
              Long Sheet


              Tuesday, May 17


              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              TAMPA BAY (55-27-0-12, 122 pts.) at BOSTON (54-29-0-11, 119 pts.) - 5/17/2011, 8:05 PM
              Top Trends for this game.
              TAMPA BAY is 55-39 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all games this season.
              TAMPA BAY is 13-7 ATS (+20.2 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
              TAMPA BAY is 30-19 ATS (+50.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
              TAMPA BAY is 11-7 ATS (+23.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
              BOSTON is 1-6 ATS (-8.4 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.

              Head-to-Head Series History
              BOSTON is 8-5-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
              7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)

              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Comment


              • #8
                NBA
                Short Sheet


                Tuesday, May 17


                Western Conference Finals - Game 1
                OKLAHOMA CITY at DALLAS, 9:00 PM ET ESPN
                OKLAHOMA CITY: 15-5 Under as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points
                DALLAS: 10-0 ATS in playoffs

                ** (TC) Denotes Time Change

                Comment


                • #9
                  NHL


                  Tuesday, May 17


                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Trend Report
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  8:00 PM
                  TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
                  The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing Boston
                  Tampa Bay is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Boston
                  The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
                  Boston is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Tampa Bay


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                  Comment


                  • #10
                    NHL


                    Tuesday, May 17


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Lightning-Bruins Game 2: What bettors need to know
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins (-148, 5.5)

                    THE STORY
                    : The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't show any rust as a result of their lengthy layoff between playoff rounds. As for the Boston Bruins, well ... they better liberally apply some WD-40 prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday. On Saturday, the Lightning scored three times in an 85-second span in the first period and Dwayne Roloson turned aside 31 shots en route to a 5-2 road triumph in Game 1. Fifth-seeded Tampa Bay didn't resemble a team that hadn't played in nine days, while the third-seeded Bruins very much looked like they were still on the golf course. For his part, the 41-year-old Roloson matched Jacques Plante with his eighth consecutive victory for a goaltender over the age of 40.

                    TV: 8 ET, VERSUS, TSN, RDS

                    ABOUT THE BRUINS: Tim Thomas saw his five-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday. The Vezina Trophy finalist allowed a soft goal to defenseman Brett Clark just 19 seconds after Sean Bergenheim opened the scoring. The remainder of the contest didn't get any better for Thomas, who finished with 29 saves. Patrice Bergeron, who leads the team with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists), resumed skating over the weekend - but coach Claude Julien isn't commenting on his availability for both Tuesday's contest as well as the remainder of the series. Second overall pick Tyler Seguin made his playoff debut and filled in admirably for Bergeron. The 19-year-old Seguin collected a goal - his first since March 17 - and an assist in Game 1.

                    ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Remember when Tampa Bay was on the brink of elimination? That's right, the fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins held a commanding 3-1 lead over the Lightning in the conference quarterfinals. Tampa Bay has tied a franchise record with eight consecutive victories since then. The Lightning also won eight straight in 2004. Teddy Purcell extended his scoring streak to five games, albeit with a grand assist from Tomas Kaberle. The Bruins veteran defenseman gift-wrapped Tampa Bay's third tally of the game after he lost control of the puck as he attempted to skate in front of the net. Purcell alertly tapped the loose puck just inside the near post. Purcell now has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in the playoffs.

                    WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Bergenheim has scored four goals in his last three games. All told, he has a league-leading eight tallies in 12 postseason contests. That's quite the offensive contribution for the 27-year-old Finn, who only scored 14 goals in 80 games in the regular season. Boston struggled mightily on faceoffs in Game 1. Without Bergeron in their lineup, the Bruins won only 26 of 67 faceoffs. Defenseman Johnny Boychuk extended his points streak to three games by netting his second goal in as many contests.

                    SPECIAL TEAMS: Boston's woeful power play continued on its course by managing just four shots on four fruitless efforts in Game 1. The Bruins are now 2-for-41 with the man advantage in the postseason. For its part, Tampa Bay went 1-for-3 on the power play on Saturday and is now 13-for-48 in the playoffs. The Lightning have also killed off 55 of 58 shorthanded situations.

                    LAST WORD: "You saw him skate and that's basically where he's at right now. And that's the only update I can give you," Julien said of Bergeron, who suffered a concussion during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers.


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      NHL


                      Tuesday, May 17


                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Ice picks: Tuesday's best NHL bets
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins (-148, 5.5)

                      Sure, the Tampa Bay Lightning are on fire. They have won eight consecutive games since trailing Pittsburgh 3-1 in the first round of the NHL playoffs and they destroyed Boston 5-2 on Saturday.

                      Still, it’s hard to imagine the Bruins losing twice in row, especially at home. They, too, had been playing incredible hockey, having won eight of their last nine prior to the Game 1 setback.

                      Boston goalie Tim Thomas got no help from the guys in front of him in the opener, but he should get back to his old winning ways. Thomas was 8-3 with a 2.03 GAA in his first 11 postseason starts before Saturday’s blemish.

                      “I think if we can up our game the way we know we can, that will certainly make a difference, and there’s no reason why not to be optimistic,” Bruins’ head coach Claude Julien told the Providence Journal. “We’re this far because we’re good enough to be this far. And we just got to make sure we bring our ‘A’ game next game.”

                      Patrice Bergeron, Boston’s leading scorer in the playoffs, sustained a concussion in the conference semifinals against Philadelphia, missed the Game 1 loss to Tampa Bay, and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday.

                      Still, the Bruins should be able to pick up the slack. Forwards Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton all five goals during the postseason and center Tyler Seguin scored the Bruins’ first goal on Saturday in his first appearance of these playoffs. Seguin will see more time if Bergeron cannot go.

                      Pick: Bruins


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                      Comment


                      • #12
                        MLB


                        Tuesday, May 17


                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Rounding the bases: This week's MLB betting trends
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Every week, we update you on who's hot, who's not and situational betting spots in Major League Baseball.

                        HOT TEAM: Detroit Tigers.

                        THIS SEASON: 22-18.
                        LAST WEEK: 5-0.
                        THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE: Home to the Blue Jays for two, at the Red Sox for two, at the Pirates for three.

                        THE SKINNY: The Tigers put a seven-game winning streak on display headed into Monday’s action and they did it with pitching. In five of those wins, they allowed two or fewer runs and had a pair of shutouts along the way. Obviously, Justin Verlander, with a 2.91 ERA and 62 strikeouts in eight starts, has led the way, but don’t forget about Max Scherzer. With six wins, he hasn’t been bad, either. Offensively - surprise, surprise - Miguel Cabrera has been a force. He took Cabrera-esque statistics into Monday: .309 average, seven home runs and 27 RBIs. It’ll be interesting to see how the Tigers hit in an unfamiliar stadium this weekend when they head to PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

                        COLD TEAM: New York Yankees.

                        THIS SEASON: 20-18.
                        LAST WEEK: 1-5.
                        THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE: At the Rays for two, at the Orioles for two, home to the Mets for three.

                        THE SKINNY
                        : Listen, we know they’re the Yankees and usually things break right for them. But, honestly, how long did you think it was going to last with Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia? This is 2011, not 2001. Not that these guys have been all that bad, but the other shoe will eventually drop and with a struggling lineup, that could spell doom in a division in which Tampa Bay and Boston are rolling. At the plate, Curtis Granderson has been outstanding with a .281 average, 13 home runs, and 28 RBIs but in that power-packed lineup, is he really supposed to be the team leader in all of those categories? Perhaps a weekend set with the rival Mets will get this lineup going a little - provided they all settle down after the Jorge Posada situation last weekend.

                        OVER TEAM: St. Louis Cardinals.

                        O/U THIS SEASON: 26-14-1.
                        O/U LAST WEEK: 6-0.
                        THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE: Home to the Phillies for two, home to the Astros for two, at the Royals for three.

                        THE SKINNY: The bats have come alive, as the Cardinals have finally shaken their early-season woes. In last week’s six games, St. Louis scored four or more runs in five of them, even though they only won two of them on the scoreboard. Of course, team wins and losses don’t mean much to the totals player and when you’re hitting overs at that kind of rate, you command attention. Anyone who thought Lance Berkman was done - like the Yankees, who didn't re-sign him - might want to rethink that stance. Berkman enters the week with a .347 average to go along with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. Think the Yankees could use those kind of statistics right about now?

                        UNDER TEAM: Arizona Diamondbacks.

                        O/U THIS SEASON: 17-20-2.
                        O/U LAST WEEK: 1-5.
                        THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE: Home to the Padres for two, home to the Braves for two, home to the Twins for three.

                        THE SKINNY: The Diamondbacks ran into some hot San Francisco and Los Angeles pitching last week, as they scored fewer than four runs in five of their six games. The schedule doesn’t give them much of a reprieve this week, although they at least get to stay at home. The bats, or lack thereof, should keep the Diamondbacks on your under radar moving forward, no matter who they play. All you need to do is check the averages among regulars. The top three - Stephen Drew (.286), Miguel Montero (.258), and Justin Upton (.247) - are nowhere near .300 and when they face the National League West's elite starters on a consistent basis, you might have some trouble over the long haul.


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                        Comment


                        • #13
                          MLB


                          Tuesday, May 17


                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Hot lines: Tuesday's best MLB bets
                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Florida Marlins at New York Mets (+110, 7.5)

                          The New York Mets had a tough start to the season, winning just four of their first 15 games, but lately they’ve been a lot better. They have won two out of three in each of their last three series and have now managed to creep up to around the .500-mark.

                          However, now they are going to have to fill a huge hole in their lineup with third baseman David Wright sidelined with a stress fracture in his lower back. Wright is expected to sit out for about 10 days in hopes that he won’t have to go on the disabled list.

                          "I was shocked by it," manager Terry Collins said about the diagnosis. "... He is without a question the face of this team. His presence in this lineup is something we need. We're going to ask other guys to pick it up as of today. But I was shocked and unhappy."

                          Losing Wright will be a challenge for the Mets, but considering their pitching, they’ll probably continue to be a solid over bet – especially as they send Jon Niese and his 5.03 ERA on the hill on Tuesday.

                          Pick: Over


                          Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox (-130, 9)


                          The Chicago White Sox are another team that looks to be rounding into form after a tough start. Chicago has won six of its last eight during the team’s recent road swing.

                          Now the club is hoping some of that momentum will carry through to their play at U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox had lost nine of their last 10 heading into Monday night’s action.

                          "This game was huge because we end the road trip on a good note," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after his team took the rubber match in Oakland on Sunday before heading home to face the Rangers. "We need to go home and play better for our fans. They deserve it. We owe them one."

                          Whether they deserve it or not, you’ll have to be pretty brave to back the Pale Hose on Tuesday with John Danks on the hill. Chicago is 0-8 in his starts this season and he just gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings in his latest start.

                          His control has been off all season and Texas produces 4.70 runs per game – sixth in the majors.

                          Pick: Rangers


                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            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.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Tuesday's six-pack

                              -- Orioles led 6-0 in sixth inning, lost 8-7 in Boston, a kick-in-gut loss for Baltimore. Adrian Gonzalez has been huge for the Red Sox.

                              -- Padres have been blanked nine times this year, but scored 51 runs in their last six games, a credit to hitting coach Randy Ready.

                              -- Former Braves' star Dale Murphy's son Scott is an OL on Denver Broncos' roster.

                              -- Arizona guard MoMo Jones is transferring, supposedly to be closer to his Bronx home. St John's could have the inside track with him.

                              -- David Wright has a stress fracture in his back, needs rest. Mets will move Turner to third base, bring Tejada up to play second.

                              -- Florida Marlins are now 12-4 in one-run games.


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


                              Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

                              Tomorrow’s den is all about baseball payroll$/$alarie$; some of the info in it is amazing, some funny, some a little sad. Make sure you log on tomorrow for some Moneyball talk.

                              13) Frank McCourt bought the Dodgers in 2004 for $371M; according to Forbes Magazine, they’re now worth $800M, so when MLB forces McCourt to sell , he’s going to get a pretty penny to walk away, or get pushed away.

                              12) McCourt’s Dodgers are paying Manny Ramirez $8.3M a year this season and the next two years; Tampa Bay paid Manny $87,912 this season, for his one hit in 16 AB contribution.

                              11) Pirates got over .500 last week, then promptly lost six games in a row, including three at Miller Park, where they’re 3-31 in last 34 games.

                              10) Speaking of the Buccos, they were sold in 1996 for $95M, and are worth roughly $304M right now, despite not having a winning season during that time. Pirates have a payroll of $42M+ this year, have $10M committed towards next and absolutely nothing, as in $0.00 in salary committed after 2012.

                              9) By way of contrast the Red Sox already have $94,364,000 in salaries committed……..for 2014!!!!

                              8) Minnesota Twins lost their last nine games, outscored 53-23.

                              7) Tampa Bay Rays moved starting time of their weeknight home games up to 6:40 in April-May (until school gets out), so people will be more likely to bring their kids to the games.

                              6) It bears noting that the Mets are above .500 (11-10) on the road.

                              5) Read today where Apple Jacks are one of the healthiest cereals to eat. Never had Apple Jacks; I was more of a Corn Pops/Frosted Flakes guy.

                              4) Michigan State is playing North Carolina and Duke within a few days of each other in November; they’re playing the Tar Heels on a battleship in San Diego, playing Duke in NYC. Tough schedule.

                              3) In case you’re wondering, Vermont/Murray State are the two D-I basketball jobs still open. Don’t laugh, both of those schools are usually one of the favorites in their league to win it and get into the Field of 68, especially Murray State.

                              2) Have I mentioned yet today that Jorge Posada makes over $84,000 a game? He’s a DH who can’t hit anymore who makes $13M a year, and then complains because he bats ninth, and sits vs lefties (0-24 vs lefties this year). So my point is that Posada basically refused to play Saturday night and still got his $84,000+. That doesn’t seem right.

                              1) Don’t like it when I hear a person referred to as “a winner” as if they are pre-ordained to have success in anything they do. First of all, it takes hard work to succeed at anything (talent is obviously a great head start) and second, if some people are “winners” that makes other people “losers” and I adamantly refute the idea that there are people on this planet who are just destined to fail. With a good plan and hard work, all things are possible. By anyone.

                              Comment

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