Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 4/5 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 5

National League

Atlanta at NY Mets, 1:10 ET
Hanson: 9-1 TSR away with a total of 7 runs or less
Santana: Mets 18-8 Over in April

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 1:35 ET
Halladay: 33-10 TSR with a total of 7 runs or less
Bedard: 3-9 TSR as an underdog of +150 or higher

Washington at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET WGN
Strasburg: 5-0 TSR as a road favorite
Demptser: 7-3 Over in April

Miami at Cincinnati, 4:05 ET ESPN2
Buehrle: 24-12 TSR pitching off a team loss
Cueto: 12-3 Over as a favorite

LA Dodgers at San Diego, 7:05 ET
Kershaw: 24-7 TSR vs. division opponents
Volquez: 22-10 Over in home games

American League

Boston at Detroit, 1:05 ET ESPN2
Lester: 5-11 TSR vs. AL Central opponents
Verlander: 21-5 TSR in day games

Toronto at Cleveland, 3:05 ET
Romero: 21-7 TSR as a favorite of -125 to -175
Masterson: Cleveland 1-10 SU with a total of 7 runs or less

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 5

New York at Orlando, 7:05 ET TNT
New York: 27-11 Under playing their 8+ game in 14 days
Orlando: 19-37 ATS revenging a loss as a favorite

Washington at Detroit, 7:35 ET
Washington: 13-31 ATS off BB home games
Detroit: 31-15 ATS vs. Southeast Division opponents

Boston at Chicago, 9:35 ET TNT
Boston: 10-22 ATS off 3+ games allowing 90 points or less
Chicago: 7-0 ATS off BB ATS losses

LA Clippers at Sacramento, 10:05 ET
LA Clippers: 0-7 ATS off a home divison loss
Sacramento: 12-4 Over as a home underdog

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 5

Winnipeg at NY Islanders, 7:05 ET
Winnipeg: 19-9 Under off a combined score of 7+ goals
NY Islanders: 7-20 SU off a road loss by 2+ goals

Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7:05 ET
Tampa Bay: 8-1 SU playing with triple-revenge
Toronto: 0-7 SU off 3+ games with a combined score of 7+ goals

Florida at Washington, 7:05 ET
Florida: 5-0 Over away off a home loss
Washington: 2-8 SU off a division loss by 2+ goals

Buffalo at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Buffalo: 4-18 SU off a home division win
Philadelphia: 25-7 SU off a loss

Montreal at Carolina, 7:05 ET
Montreal: 20-11 SU after losing 6 or 7 of their last 8 games
Carolina: 8-17 SU after allowing 1 or 0 goals

NY Rangers at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
NY Rangers: 0-5 SU away revenging a loss by 3+ goals
Pittsburgh: 27-12 SU off a road game

New Jersey at Detroit, 7:35 ET
New Jersey: 8-1 Under away off 4+ wins
Detroit: 10-0 SU at home off win by 1 goal

Boston at Ottawa, 7:35 ET
Boston: 17-4 SU vs. division opponents
Ottawa: 5-18 SU at home vs. division opponents

Dallas at Nashville, 8:05 ET
Dallas: 14-6 SU off BB division games
Nashville: 14-4 Over after allowing 1 or 0 goals

Chicago at Minnesota, 8:05 ET
Chicago: 7-1 SU away off a home game scoring and allowing 3+ goals
Minnesota: 14-30 SU off a loss

Columbus at Colorado, 9:05 ET
Columbus: 0-11 SU in April
Colorado: 10-2 Under off BB games allowing 1 or 0 goals

Vancouver at Calgary, 9:05 ET
Vancouver: 35-11 SU vs. division opponents
Calgary: 2-10 SU off a division loss by 1 goal

Anaheim at Edmonton, 9:35 ET
Anaheim: 2-9 SU after allowing 5+ goals
Edmonton: 7-2 SU off 3+ Unders

San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:35 ET
San Jose: 16-4 SU off a road win by 2+ goals
Los Angeles: 8-1 Under at home off a shutout home win

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB

Thursday, April 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLB Opening Day betting cheat sheet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It doesn’t matter if teams already threw their first pitches in Tokyo or opened a new stadium with a lone night game – you know when Opening Day is.

While the line may be fuzzy on the official start of the MLB season, your betting perspective shouldn't be. Check out our quick-hitting notes for all seven games to start the 2012 baseball season:

Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers (-146, 7)

The Detroit Tigers are the only team in baseball that can count themselves as overwhelming favorites to win the division based on preseason prognostications. The Boston Red Sox have lesser expectations after disappointing in 2011 and going through some front office upheaval over the winter. After running away with the American League Central in 2011, the Tigers improved themselves in the offseason by signing Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract. The Red Sox were the best team in baseball from the middle of April through Sept. 1 last season before suffering through one of the biggest collapses in baseball history and missing the playoffs.

The Fielder signing pushes Miguel Cabrera back across the infield to third base, weakening the defense behind a rotation that is strong at the top but without a lot of depth. Boston left the core of the roster intact from last season and should once again have one of the most prolific offenses in the league behind MVP candidates Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez. The pitching staff, which is breaking in two new rotation members and is without closer Andrew Bailey following thumb surgery, is a big question mark.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSD (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (2011: 15-9, 3.47 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (2011: 24-5, 2.40 ERA)



Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (-102, 7)

Atlanta is trying to put a disastrous September in the rearview mirror, finishing the 2011 season on a 9-18 skid. Star outfielder Jason Heyward needs to overcome his sophomore slump, after hitting just .227 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs last season. He hit matched that batting average in spring ball along with four home runs. Second baseman Dan Uggla and first baseman Freddie Freeman had the big bats in Grapefruit League action, hitting seven home runs each.

New York celebrates its 50th anniversary this season hoping to give Mets faithful more to cheer about than last year’s 77-85 record, including a 34-47 mark in Citi Field. New York didn’t get much time to gel as a unit, with an injury-plagued spring session. However, all the pieces are getting healthy, including third baseman David Wright. He managed six RBIs in seven Grapefruit League games – four from a Grand Slam - after recovering from an abdominal strain this offseason. Wright was limited by a stress fracture in his lower back last season.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), SPSO (Braves)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (2011: 11-7, 3.60 ERA) vs. Mets LH Johan Santana (2010: 11-9, 2.98 ERA)



Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates (+153, 7)

The Phillies led the major leagues with 102 wins last season, but the pain of a first-round playoff exit has been compounded by injuries to 1B Ryan Howard and 2B Chase Utley that will have both on the disabled list to start the year. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, was a surprise contender in the National League Central before a late-season skid dropped the young team well off the pace. The Pirates were just 21-46 from July 20 on, following a solid 51-44 start.

Philadelphia's already outstanding pitching staff was bolstered by the addition of closer Jonathan Papelbon, while Pittsburgh brought in veteran starters Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett in an attempt to shore up its starting rotation. Bedard takes the mound against Phillies ace Roy Halladay Thursday, while Burnett begins the season on the disabled list.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, PHL 17 (Philadelphia), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Halladay (2011: 19-6, ERA 2.35) vs. Pirates LH Erik Bedard (2011: 5-9, ERA 3.62)



Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs (+141)

Washington was among the worst hitting teams in baseball a year ago, but the team hopes that an upgraded pitching staff will propel it into National League playoff contention. The Nationals will be hoping for a fresh start against a Cubs team that was undone by porous defense (an MLB-worst 134 errors) and lackluster starting pitching. Both teams made significant changes in the offseason: Washington acquired pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson, while Chicago brought in new general manager Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum. The Nationals' 23-year-old phenom Stephen Strasburg, who has been slowed by injuries in his first two seasons, takes the ball for the first April start of his career as well as his first-ever matchup with the Cubs.

Washington closed the 2011 season with a 14-4 flurry that included a four-game road sweep of NL East champion Philadelphia. Chicago, meanwhile, had just four winning streaks of more than two games last year, but all four came after the All-Star break.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MASN, WDCW DC-50 (Washington), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2011: 1-1, ERA 1.50) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (2011: 10-14, ERA 4.80)



Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians (+116, 7)

Hopes are high in Toronto after a promising 24-7 record in Grapefruit League play. The Blue Jays topped all major league teams in wins during Spring Training and, despite being known for their bats in recent years, posted a league-low 3.05 ERA. The heart and soul of Toronto remains home-run king Jose Bautista, who has hit 77 round-trippers the past two seasons. The Jays are hoping to protect their big swinger with promising sluggers Adam Lind (26 HRs, 87 RBIs in 2011) and Brett Lawrie (.524 BA in spring training).

Cleveland begins the 2012 campaign with its starting rotation in shambles. Ace Fausto Carmona, 28, was revealed to really be Roberto Hernandez, 31, and was arrested for identity theft, leaving last year’s opening day starter on the restricted list. Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez was suspended for five games for hitting former Colorado teammate Troy Tulowitzki this past week. The Tribe didn’t put up much of fight in Grapefruit League play, finishing an MLB-worst 7-22.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), WKYC 3 (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (2011: 15-11, 2.92 ERA) vs. Indians RH (2011: 12-10, 3.21 ERA)



Miami Marlins at Cincinnati Reds (-142, 7.5)

Looking to return to the playoffs in 2012, it’s clear Cincinnati views its time as now. The Reds fell to 79 victories after winning the NL Central in 2010, but hope offseason acquisitions of pitchers Mat Latos and Sean Marshall, and outfielder Ryan Ludwick will push the Reds back into October. Miami also was active in the offseason, signing shortstop Jose Reyes and landing veteran left-hander Mark Buehrle, who will make his NL debut against the Reds.

Cincinnati made more big news the past two weeks, signing 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto to a 10-year, $225-million contract extension but losing new closer Ryan Madson for the season to a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. Marshall slides into the closer’s role. The Marlins were no-hit for six innings in their season opener Wednesday against St. Louis. Reyes finished 2-for-4 in his Miami debut.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Fox Sports Florida, Sun Sports (Florida), Fox Sports Ohio, simulcast on WKRC (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Mark Buehrle (2011: 13-9, ERA 3.59) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (2011: 9-5, ERA 2.31)



Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (+138, 6)

Clayton Kershaw makes his second consecutive opening day start when the Dodgers visit the Padres, who had a busy offseason after finishing last in the National League West a year ago. The Dodgers were 13-5 against San Diego last season, including 6-3 at Petco Park.

Los Angeles, which finished third in the division last season with 82 wins, has reason for optimism after being sold to a group headed by Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten. The Dodgers will continue to build around Kershaw and Matt Kemp, who led the National League in runs, home runs, and RBIs last season. San Diego’s offense ranked among the league’s worst last year, prompting new general manager Josh Byrnes to make seven trades and sign two free agents during the offseason.

Both teams are without their No. 2 starters for the opening series, with the Dodgers’ Ted Lilly (neck) expected to make a minor league rehab start before making his season debut on April 14. San Diego’s Tim Stauffer (strained right triceps) could make his first start April 10.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Fox Sports San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2011: 21-5, 2.28 ERA) at Padres RH Edinson Volquez (2011: 5-7, 5.71 ERA)


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