Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:19 PM

MLB Betting: Cleveland Indians battle Colorado Rockies

The Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies continue their three-game interleague series Tuesday night with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 (PT) at Progressive Field.

Cleveland entered the week as Major League Baseball’s only undefeated team in interleague play, coming off a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at home. The Indians swept through the Cincinnati Reds last month and have outscored their National league foes by a 34-13 margin in six collective games.

The Indians have still been fighting an uphill battle of late, dropping 16 of 22 games which caused the club to make a change in the clubhouse. Hitting coach John Nunnally was replaced before Sunday’s 5-2 victory. It was a surprising move when considering the offense has scored five runs in three consecutive games.

“We felt like we needed a new voice,” said Indians manager Manny Acta. Over the first 45 games this season, Cleveland hit .265 as a team and averaged 5.1 runs. During the recent skid, the Tribe has hit .225 collectively and managed to score just three runs a contest.

Total players have acknowledged the team’s recent struggles at the plate, as the ‘under’ has cashed in six of seven games heading into Monday’s series opener versus the Rockies.

Indians starting pitcher Mitch Talbot (2-4, 5.02 ERA) has received just two runs of support over his last three outings, which has resulted in three consecutive losses. He suffered through a terrible outing last time out, giving up six runs and nine hits in just four innings of work in a 6-2 road loss to the Tigers.

Talbot’s recent misfortune is likely to continue due to tonight’s home assignment, bringing in a miserable 0-2 mark and 8.10 ERA in three starts at Progressive Field. He can only hope that his 2-0 record and 1.42 ERA in three nighttime appearances can turn the tide.

The right-hander will also need to pitch around Rockies infielder Ty Wigginton, who has blasted two solo home runs in three career at-bats against him.

Colorado finished its recently completed 10-game homestand with a 6-4 record and swept its current opponent in the most recent matchup from June 17-19, 2008, at Coors Field. The Rockies have not enjoyed much success on the road in the series, coming in with a 1-5 all-time mark.

The club will be taking to the road during interleague play for the first time, which will allow Jason Giambi to appear in the lineup as the designated hitter. He has six home runs and 15 RBIs in limited action.

Jhoulys Chacin (8-4, 2.91 ERA) will make his 15th start of the year and look to build upon his current three-game winning streak. The right-hander has allowed just two runs and 10 hits in 20 innings of work over that span.

Chacin has been solid on the road, posting a 4-1 mark and 3.18 ERA in five tries, but has also surrendered five home runs in 31 frames.

Weather forecasts suggest game-time highs in the mid-70s with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms throughout. Swirling winds of 5-10 mph are also expected.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:21 PM

Around the Horn - Tuesday

June 20, 2011

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia at St. Louis - 8:15 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Halladay (9-3, 2.56 ERA) 8-2 L10 3-6 L9 away off away loss
McClellan (6-3, 3.96 ERA) 2-7 L9 4-2 L6 home Game 1's

INTERLEAGUE

Seattle at Washington - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Fister (3-8, 3.53 ERA) 5-5 L10 2-4 L6 away Game 1's
Hernandez (4-8, 3.77 ERA) 8-1 L9 4-1 L5 home Game 1's

Baltimore at Pittsburgh - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Guthrie (2-8, 3.56 ERA) 3-6 L9 5-3 on Tuesdays
McDonald (5-4, 4.80 ERA) 0-4 L4 8-3 home Game 2's

Colorado at Cleveland - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Chacin (8-4, 2.81 ERA) 5-1 L6 UNDER 7-2 away Game 2's
Talbot (2-4, 5.02 ERA) 5-3 L8 5-2 L7 Tuesdays

San Diego at Boston - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Latos (4-8, 4.06 ERA) 1-9 L10 1-3 away on Tuesdays
Aceves (3-1, 3.30 ERA) 14-2 L16 OVER 16-4 home vs RHP

N.Y. Yankees at Cincinnati - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Gordon (0-0, 3.38 ERA) 8-2 L10 6-3 away vs LHP
Cueto (4-2, 1.68 ERA) 1-3 L4 OVER 8-3 home Game 2's

Toronto at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Stewart (0-0, 2.57 ERA) 4-2 L6 OVER 7-1 away vs LHP
Minor (0-2, 5.47 ERA) 3-5 L8 2-4 L6 home vs RHP

Los Angeles (A) at Florida - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Santana (3-7, 4.25 ERA) 4-2 L6 2-7 L9 away Game 2's
Vazquez (3-7, 6.85 ERA) 0-10 L10 UNDER 8-1 L9 home Game 2's

Oakland at N.Y. Mets - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Outman (2-1, 3.14 ERA) 5-0 L5 1-5 away on Tuesdays
Gee (7-0, 2.86 ERA) 5-5 L10 5-2 L7 home vs LHP

Houston at Texas - 8:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Lyles (0-2, 4.30 ERA) 3-8 L11 4-0 L4 away vs LHP
Wilson (7-3, 3.03 ERA) 3-6 L9 OVER 8-3 home Game 2's

Chicago (N) at Chicago (A) - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Garza (3-6, 4.14 ERA) 5-2 L7 3-5 away vs LHP
Buehrle (6-5, 3.75 ERA) 5-5 L10 8-3 L11 home vs RHP

Arizona at Kansas City - 8:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Saunders (3-7, 4.50 ERA) 2-4 L6 2-6 L8 away Game 1's
Hochevar (4-7, 4.87 ERA) 1-4 L5 4-2 home vs LHP

Tampa Bay at Milwaukee - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Hellickson (7-5, 3.09 ERA) 7-3 L10 5-1 L6 away vs RHP
Greinke (6-2, 5.23 ERA) 2-6 L8 10-1 home Game 2's

Detroit at Los Angeles (N) - 10:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Scherzer (9-2, 4.32 ERA) 5-5 L10 9-16 away vs RHP
Billingsley (5-6, 4.65 ERA) 1-5 L6 2-9 home Game 2's

Minnesota at San Francisco - 10:15 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Pavano (4-5, 4.20 ERA) 7-0 L7 5-2 L7 away vs LHP
Bumgarner (3-8, 3.21 ERA) 0-4 L4 5-2 L7 home Game 1's

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:23 PM

Diamond Trends - Tuesday

June 21, 2011

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Phillies are 10-0 since August 1, 2010 on the road vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $1080.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Red Sox are 9-0-1 OU since April 24, 2010 at home after a win in which their opponent left 18+ men on base and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $900 when playing the over.

STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:

The Angels are 0-11 since May 17, 2005 when Ervin Santana starts as a road favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1355 when playing against.

MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:

The Indians are 0-13 (-3.7 rpg) since 2009 when they are off a game in which they scored at least six runs, hit at least two home runs but lost nonetheless.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Dodgers are 0-7 since July 23, 2010 after shutting out their opponent and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $780 when playing against.

The Marlins are 0-7 since April 13, 2010 at home within 20 cents of pickem vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $720 when playing against.

The Royals are 0-5 since May 11, 2010 as a favorite after a loss and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $660 when playing against.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:25 PM

Sports Betting Notes

June 20, 2011

Despite Tiger Woods not participating, the Las Vegas Hilton Super Book reported record U.S. Open handle. The figures didn't match the monster proportions seen for the Masters, which has betting open on it all the way back to the previous year, but having a tournament stand alone on it's own with the public is quite impressive.

There was a lot of uncertainty around Las Vegas sports books that perhaps bettors wouldn't be as excited for the event without Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroy's blowout win won't show great ratings for television, which muddies the actual impact of having no Tiger, but the bet windows are a good barometer to show that the game moves on, with or without him, showing there is just as much appeal either way.

The Hilton posted their British Open odds on Monday with McIlroy the 6-to-1 favorite followed by Lee Westwood (10/1), Luke Donald (15/1) and Tiger Woods (15/1). The large opening odds on Woods are the highest he's ever been for any major. The Open will take place at Royal St. George's Golf Club beginning July 14.

Pick the Ponies

I just got my application in the mail for the Hilton's Pick the Ponies XLIII scheduled for August 25-27 featuring two of the summer's biggest stakes races, the Travers at Saratoga and the Pacific Classic from Del Mar. The entry fee $500, but if you sign up before August 22, the early bird fee is only $450 with the Hilton paying the $50 saved themselves into the overall prize pool. For more information, and to reserve a spot, call 1-888-457-3307.

VegasInsider.com Football Handicapping Seminar

On the same week as Pick the Ponies, VegasInsider.com will be offering a free football handicapping seminar August 27-28 to get everyone ready for the upcoming season. All the top handicappers, book managers and Vegas Insiders will be on hand at the beautiful Red Rock Resort to give a unique perspective on football betting from all angles. Best of all, the seminar is free.

I will be there and look forward to meeting new friends from all over the country.

Reservation are being taken now.

Leroy's Mobile Betting

I saw the Leroy's account wagering in action over the weekend for the first time and was quite impressed. A buddy of mine was making his bets all Saturday from his Android. Everything offered on the sports book board was clearly on display on his phone. For as little as a $100 bettable deposit, anyone can have this type convienence themselves.

College World Series Action

Most sports books in Las Vegas are offering daily odds for the CWS games in Omaha. Defending Champion South Carolina is the favorite to win again, but they had a scare on Sunday as Texas A&M tagged their star pitcher Michael Roth for four runs early. It would have been the fifth straight time the Gamecock's would have lost their opening World Series game, but they battled back to get the 5-4 walk-off win. South Carolina has now had the last three walk-off wins in the CWS dating back to last season.

Mariners Super Prospect

A day before the College World Series started, a former star of the series, Dustin Ackley, made his major league debut with the Mariners. Ackley hit in all three games against the Phillies and helped the Mariners take the three game series. On Saturday, Ackley hit his first career home-run in the Phillies only win.

Ackley is playing second base and will hit seventh in the lineup, at least for now. He's going to be a very good major league hitter and should find himself hitting second or third for quite a few years to come.

Interleague Play

After sweeping the Pirates over the weekend, the Indians now find themselves a perfect 6-0 this season against NL teams. On the same note, the Padres are now 0-6 in their games against the AL. Both are the only perfect teams in interleague play.

The Padres had the misfortune of playing the hottest team in baseball in Minnesota. The Twins are on a seven-game winning streak and are only eight games under .500. The starting pitching has been great and now Joe Mauer is back in the lineup which should keep them going strong for the next few weeks making them a good team to ride.

Attendance has always been up for the interleague games, but it doesn't neccesarily carry over to the Las Vegas bet windows. Bettors have been treating the games as if they were normal games and go about their daily routines of making wagers like they would any other day.

Working in a Vegas Sports Book Not as Glamorous as it Used to be

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

When the General Manager of a major property told his sports book manager of 10 years that he was being terminated on 'Black Friday' last week, the manager asked why. He hadn't been in any Human Resources issues, he hadn't violated any company policy and he had exceeded budget more than any other book in his chain. But when asked why he was being let go, the GM replied again with the most cold and unfreindliest of prepared statements: "At this time, your services are no longer needed."

The person that got terminated was a friend of mine and from personal knowledge had made his sports book one of the shining examples in the state of how a book should be run. He had his team run with great morale. made money and more importantly, followed Nevada's Gaming Control Board and Federal regulations by the the book.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

I'm not going to mention who the termed team member was or who the GM of the property was, but it's in a long line of something that has been a regular occurance in Nevada casinos over the last four years over a very tumultuous time. In recent months, the terms have been more about the salaries and tenures of individuals than actual job performance.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

I've had quite a few friends in all ares of the hotel/casino operation that have been let go in the last six months and all of their plights have been relatively similar. They had high salaries, had been with the companies over 10 years and hadn't moved up to higher positions. Although their status had been recognized as invaluable throughout their reign, they were let go as a cost-cutting measure by corporate Las Vegas.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

Granted, it's a business world and heads have to roll as others climb to the top, but something has changed in Las Vegas over the last decade for the worse. Companies are squeezing the front line like never before, but at the same time increasing their pie-chart readers in the finance departments into army-like proportions. These guys analyze everything the operation does and make reccomdenations on how things should be run, although many of these people are fresh out of college and have never even worked one day in a live operation.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

When I first got into the sports book world I admired bookmakers like Sid Diamond, Art Manteris, Jimmy Vaccaro, Scotty Schettler, Bert Osborne, John Avello and Richie Bachielerri. I wanted to do what they did, using my percieved knowledge on games in all sports to the benifit of a casino's monetary gain, and I did. But the corporate structure took on a whole other approach. It no longer was about being smarter than the bettor, it became about analyzing full-time employees and doing underhanded tactics to eliminate labor.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

In all the Nevada gaming corporations right now, the bottom line is beating last years month and quarter with a goal of winning the year. With that strategy, and the economy being in a slump, it no longer is about guest service, employee morale or complying with GCB rules. Those aspects can get anyone fired on the spot, but a precedent has been set recently that you can be fired for no cause at all.

There is something drastically wrong with that. Some people work very hard to achieve success in their field and attain their rightful wages over the long haul, but the new thing with corporate Vegas now is to chop the labor.

One of the cute tactics used by GM's all over town is to terminate employees with unprecidented charges to shave payroll for a few months. Human Resources, once thought of as a companies' neutral territory, has been ordered to go through with the terms.

A GM looks pretty smart by saving a few thousand dollars in labor while shuffling paperwork across desks for months to fill in the positions. Meanwhile, they still demand guest service with the depleted staff and also demand that salaried employees take part in company programs such as 'Diversity'.

When a manager is being ramrodded with a staff that is manipulated by the company to be less than needed to run an operation, the last thing they want to do is to take mandated two-hour weekly classes on how 'diverse' their company is.

"At this time, your services are no longer needed."

My hopes are that a company like Cantor Gaming or William Hill pick this ex-sports book manager up because no one operates a satellite operation with more tickets written than this gentleman. He handles high-end clientele, knows all the GCB and Federal rules to a tee and has a great demeanor about him that trenscends well for the property.

For all the other folks that have been affected by the clever tactics of the companies, keep on plugging away and hope that you find yourself working for a guy like Michael Gaughan, who if he terminates you, you really did something wrong.

In the meantime, I have a few ideas for the corporations to increase revenues without delpeting staff. Over the last few years the hotel division has been the most creative in gaining incremental income through lodgers. Things like resort fees, phone charges -- despite not using, and gym fees have increased revenues through the roof. But what have you done lately? Thise numbers were great last year, but 2011 is here.

I recently stayed at a Las Vegas Hotel and they gave me the option of using a free slow internet service service or paying for a high speed service for $14.99. I bought the service, as most people do, but it takes a lot of work for a hotel to set up a slow pace on the internet when they already have paid for the fast speed.

Even though you pay for the resort fees, apparently, the gym is isn't part of it. What kind of resort is that?

So how about parking? Every city in the world changes an arm and a leg for parking. I was in San Diego last week and paid $28 a night to park my car, which is about the going rate everywhere. Instead of sacking good managers, how about charging for valet and self parking.

Hotels could go even as far as charging for a change of sheets, or even maid service. That would really cut down the costs. A lot of lodgers don't even care if their room is made up or dressed down with chocalotes on their pillow. Eliminating that service could save a bundle without sacking a hign end salary.

How about making money at the bell desk? A mandatory company fee for bell service and storing bags could make a ton of cash for a hotel. To go even deeper, how about mandating a fee for every dollar a tipped person makes like the IRS does for all tipping categories?

Things like that wouldn't be popular with the employees, but this is what it has become.

My overall suggestion would be to deplete the staff of the pie-chart readers within the corporations anylyst departments who have no idea what happens on the front line. Just a short decade ago, it used to be that the GM and President of a company had the trust of their mangers and directors to run a pretty successful operation without feed back from some 23 year-old questioning P & L lines.

The pie-chart readers today just accentuate problems with numbers, yet, don't do any problem solving. But if they don't create chaos within, they become expendable too.

It would be nice to see some of these corporations do some old school Vegas and roll the dice and see how things come out without the payroll weight of analysts dragging them down. And just maybe we can see the day when one of the pie-chart readers are being told that, "At this time, 'his' services are no longer needed."

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:27 PM

MLB Series Outlook: Philadelphia at St. Louis

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (45-28, +7.2 Units)

at ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (40-33, +0.6 Units)

Sportsbook.com Series Line (posted Tuesday): Philadelphia -155, St. Louis +125

The Cards begin life without Albert Pujols as they host Philadelphia for a three-game set starting Tuesday night. Pujols fractured his forearm on Sunday and will be out approximately 6-to-8 weeks, leaving the Cards without their biggest bat just when it looked like they were turning things around. They snapped a seven-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over Kansas City last weekend. The Phillies are threatening to run away with the N.L. East, having won eight of 10.

The Phils not only have edge in the pitching matchups, but their lineup is also superior with Pujols sidelined. The FoxSheets have a trend working against St. Louis and pointing to PHILADELPHIA to win the series.

ST LOUIS is 36-44 (-27.2 Units) against the money line with a hot bullpen whose WHIP is under 1.250 the last 15 games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 4.3, OPPONENT 4.6 - (Rating = 2*)

Pitching Probables for Tuesday, June 21 - 8:15 ET
Tuesday line: Philadelphia -165, St. Louis +155, Total: 7.5
PHI: 12-3 (+7.80 Units) when Roy Halladay starts
STL: 8-3 (+4.90 Units) when Kyle McClellan starts
Halladay (9-3, 2.56 ERA) has won four straight decisions, and the Phils have won his past six starts. He hasn’t exactly been lights out though. He’s allowed four runs twice in his past four starts, and 10 or more baserunners in two of his past five. His command has been outstanding as usual, he’s yet to walk more than two batters in a game all year. He’s allowed just one run in each of his two career starts against the Cards.
McClellan (6-3, 3.96 ERA) returned from the disabled list last Wednesday to throw five shaky innings in Washington -- five runs (three earned) and seven hits allowed. He’s now given up 12 runs over nine innings in his past two starts. This will be his first career start against Philadelphia, against whom he has a 4.50 ERA over 10 relief innings.

Pitching Probables for Wednesday, June 22 - 8:15 ET
Wednesday line: TBD
PHI: 9-6 (+0.20 Units) when Cliff Lee starts
STL: 8-6 (+1.10 Units) when Kyle Lohse starts
Lee (7-5, 3.12 ERA) has been as good as ever lately, winning his past three starts while allowing just one run over 24 innings. All three of those wins were in Philadelphia, but Lee has been a little shakier on the road. He’s 1-4 with a 5.35 ERA over six road starts this season.
After two injury-plagued seasons, Lohse (7-3, 2.88 ERA) has been one of the surprises of 2011. He’s winless over his past three starts though, allowing four runs each time (over a total of 16.2 innings). He’s also lost his past three starts against the Phillies, failing to go more than 4.1 frames in any of those starts.

Pitching Probables for Thursday, June 23 - 8:15 ET
Thursday line: TBD
PHI: 5-7 (-4.50 Units) when Roy Oswalt starts
STL: 4-11 (-11.90 Units) when Chris Carpenter starts
Oswalt (4-5, 3.38 ERA) has one just one decision in his past eight starts. He’s allowed 11 runs over 19.1 innings in his past three starts. While he has a respectable 3.16 ERA over 33 career starts against St. Louis, he hasn’t won a decision in his past seven starts against them. He held them to one run over five innings in a no-decision on May 17.
Carpenter (1-7, 4.47 ERA) has been enduring a nightmare season. After a couple of solid starts against the Giants and Cubs, on May 31 and June 5, resulted in no-decisions, he dropped his past two starts at Milwaukee and home against the Royals, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) over 14 innings in those starts. He’s faced the Phils just once over the past five seasons, holding them to a run over eight innings in a victory last July.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:29 PM

MLB Series Outlook: Minnesota at San Francisco

MINNESOTA TWINS (31-39, -2.3 Units)

at SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (39-33, +3.2 Units)

Sportsbook.com Series Line (posted Tuesday): San Francisco -180, Minnesota +140

The Twins are on a roll and should be able to take advantage of the Giants recent struggles on offense. San Francisco has managed just seven runs while hitting .180 and going 0-for-26 with RISP over its current four-game slide. The Giants are running into Minnesota at the wrong time, as the Twins have allowed just 12 runs (1.71 ERA) and have a team WHIP of 0.89 during their seven-game win streak. Expect the Twins to take at least two of three with Carl Pavano and Nick Blackburn winning. And if Tim Lincecum doesn’t rebound from his current struggles (has allowed at least three runs in each of his past five starts), the Twins could sweep. The FoxSheets provides a pair of team trends favoring MINNESOTA to win the series.

MINNESOTA is 10-2 (83.3%, +9.1 Units) against the money line with a hot bullpen whose WHIP is under 1.250 the last 15 games this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 4.7, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 2*).

MINNESOTA is 20-10 (66.7%, +10.4 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams whose hitters draw 3 walks or less/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.7, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*).

The hottest team in the majors travels to San Francisco to take on the defending World Champions. The Twins have won seven straight and 14 of their past 16 as they continue to climb towards the top of the AL Central standings. After being 16½ games back entering June 2, the Twins have cut 7½ games off their deficit during this streak. Despite leading the NL West, the Giants have hit a bit of a cold stretch and enter this series losers of four straight after getting swept by the A’s over the weekend.

Pitching Probables for Tuesday, June 21 - 10:15 p.m. ET
Tuesday line: San Francisco -145, Minnesota +135, Total: 6.5
MIN: 6-8 (-0.3 Units) when Carl Pavano starts
SF: 4-10 (-6.6 Units) when Madison Bumgarner starts
After allowing four ER in each of his previous two starts, Pavano (4-5, 4.20 ERA) has been excellent since the calendar hit June. He is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and two complete in his three starts this month, with the Twins winning all three outings. Pavano has not started against the Giants since 2004 when he was a member of the Marlins and lost to them at AT&T Park allowing five runs on six hits and seven walks in 7.2 innings. That was his only career loss in four starts at AT&T Park where he is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA.
Bumgarner (3-8, 3.21 ERA) always seems to be pitching when the Giants are really struggling offensively. Despite allowing three runs or fewer in each of his past 10 starts (2.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP), he is just 3-5 over that span. The Giants are averaging just 2.8 runs of support per nine innings in his starts this season, the lowest on the staff. Bumgarner snapped a two-game losing streak last time out, allowing two runs over six innings in a win over the Diamondbacks.

Pitching Probables for Wednesday, June 22 - 10:15 p.m. ET
Wednesday line: TBD
MIN: 7-7 (+1.6 Units) when Nick Blackburn starts
SF: 7-3 (+4.6 Units) when Ryan Vogelsong starts
After going 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA in his first five starts this year, Blackburn (6-4, 3.16 ERA) is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.29 ERA in his past nine starts. He is coming off perhaps his best start of the season when he went eight shutout innings allowing seven hits and one walk in a win over the White Sox. This is his first start against the Giants, but he has not fared well in his past three road starts against NL teams, going 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA.
Vogelsong (4-1, 1.92 ERA) will be making his 11th start of the season after beginning the year in the bullpen. The right-hander has been fantastic for the Giants in 2011, allowing two runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts, including each of his past eight starts. After allowing five runs and giving up two HR in four innings against the Mets on May 3 at Citifield, Vogelsong has allowed just seven earned runs (1.23 ERA) and two homers total in his past eight starts (51.1 IP).

Pitching Probables for Thursday, June 23 – 3:45 p.m. ET
Thursday line: TBD
MIN: 6-7 (+0.5 Units) when Brian Duensing starts
SF: 9-6 (+0.7 Units) when Tim Lincecum starts
Duensing (4-6, 4.82 ERA) began the season 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in leading the Twins to victories in all four of his starts. But Duensing is just 2-6 with a 5.72 ERA in his past nine starts while the Twins have lost seven of those nine. This will be his first career start against the Giants.
After allowing just six ER over a five-start span, Lincecum (5-6, 3.39 ERA) has been rocked over his past four starts, going 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. Lincecum has struggled at home this season, winning just one of his six starts while posting an ERA of 4.54.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-21-2011, 06:53 PM

Tuesday, June 21

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Baltimore - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +108 500
Pittsburgh - Over 8 500

Colorado - 7:05 PM ET Cleveland +123 500
Cleveland - Under 8.5 500

Seattle - 7:05 PM ET Seattle +124 500
Washington - Over 8 500

San Diego - 7:10 PM ET Boston -178 500
Boston - Over 9 500

Toronto - 7:10 PM ET Toronto +116 500
Atlanta - Over 8.5 500

LA Angels - 7:10 PM ET LA Angels -131 500
Florida - Under 8 500

Oakland - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets -133 500
NY Mets - Over 7 500

Houston - 8:05 PM ET Houston +201 500
Texas - Over 9 500

Chi. Cubs - 8:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox -121 500
Chi. White Sox - Over 8.5 500

Tampa Bay - 8:10 PM ET Tampa Bay +126 500
Milwaukee - Over 7.5 500

Arizona - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -126 500
Kansas City - Under 9.5 500

Philadelphia - 8:15 PM ET St. Louis +157 500
St. Louis - Under 7.5 500

Detroit - 10:10 PM ET Detroit -113 500
LA Dodgers - Over 7 500

Minnesota - 10:15 PM ET Minnesota +136 500
San Francisco - Over 6.5 500

Announcement

The Bum's Tuesday's MLB Best Bets !

The Bum's Tuesday's MLB Best Bets !

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