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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:33 AM

Monday’s betting tips: Kobe questionable vs. Hornets

Weather to watch

Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins: As of Sunday evening, 21 mph winds were expected to be blowing out to center field.

Who’s hot

NBA: Golden State has covered in five straight.

NBA: New Orleans is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven overall.

MLB: The over is 12-3 in Kansas City’s last 15.

MLB: The Chicago White Sox are 10-3 in their last 13 games in Cleveland.

Who’s not

NBA: Minnesota has dropped seven straight against the spread.

NBA: Denver is 6-16 against the spread in its last 22 games as a favorite.

MLB: Atlanta is 8-20 in its last 28 dating back to last year and has lost each of Brandon Beachy’s last five starts.

MLB: San Francisco is 0-3 this season and is 2-10 dating back to last year.

Key stat

1966 – The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have started the year 0-3. The last time both teams were winless three games into a season was way back in 1966. New York visits Baltimore Monday while the BoSox are in Toronto for a date with the Jays.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers - Bryant sat out Saturday’s loss to Phoenix with a shin injury and remains questionable for Monday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets. Bryant is averaging 28.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Game of the day

Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-4, 186)

Notable quotable

“It’s been like this for a month. We’ll beat Chicago, then lose to Toronto. Beat Orlando, and then we lose to New Orleans. We just need to have more focus. It’s getting ridiculous at this point. We’re losing to teams we shouldn’t lose to, especially with the magnitude of what’s going on in the season with the playoff run. We can’t be losing these games.” – Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson on his team’s inconsistent play. The Nuggets host Golden State as 9-point favorites Monday.

Notes and tips

Chelsea hopes to have some of its walking wounded back in the lineup for Monday’s Premier League match against Fulham. John Terry (ribs), Ashley Cole (ankle), Frank Lampard (thigh), and Ramires (illness) all missed Saturday’s win over Wigan and will be reassessed before Monday’s game. Chelsea opened as a +110 favorite with the draw at +225 and a Fulham victory also at +225.

Daniel Bard could be out of the Boston Red Sox's starting rotation before he makes his first start. After watching closer Alfredo Aceves blow his second save and set-up man Mark Melancon serve up a game-winning home run Sunday, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said changes could be coming. The Red Sox fell to 0-3 Sunday after Aceves surrendered a game-tying three-run homer in the ninth and Melancon was tagged for a two-run shot in the 11th in a 13-12 defeat. Bard, who was the set-up man for longtime closer Jonathan Papelbon, was told in the offseason to prepare as a starter. The 26-year-old righthander, whose fastball regularly reaches the high-nineties, has blown 15 of 20 saves opportunities in his career.

The Florida Panthers may give backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen the starting nod for their playoff opener against the New Jersey Devils. A rocky finish to the season by starter Jose Theodore, combined with a strong effort by Clemmensen, has left Panthers coach Kevin Dineen with a "very tough decision" in naming the Game 1 starter. Clemmensen went 3-0-1 and allowed five goals in his last four starts, including a 34-save performance in the regular-season finale against Carolina. The 34-year-old Clemmensen, who had his best season with the Devils in 2008-09, is also 4-0 lifetime against his former team. Theodore, meanwhile, failed to win in his last seven starts (0-3-4) and is 8-14-3 in his career against New Jersey.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:34 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

-- Rory McElroy was +9 this week, just on holes 1 and 11; he was -4 on the other 64 holes he played in the tournament.

-- Tampa Bay Rays are 43-15 in their last 58 home games where crowd was 30,000+.

-- Now that the NHL playoffs are here, New York Rangers raised ticket prices 73%, just for the first round. Legalized extortion.

-- Mississippi State's Rodney Hood is transferring, meaning new coach Rick Ray has a totally bare cupboard to work with in Starkville.

-- There will be 200 Japanese media in Arlington, TX Monday, for the Rangers' debut of free agent pitcher Yu Darvish.

-- Not sure why, but 15,000 people showed up Sunday at an outdoor religious service in Georgetown, TX to hear Tim Tebow preach. Why?

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Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend.......

13) Louis Oosthuizen got the first double eagle on the 2nd hole at Augusta National; he tossed the ball in the crowd, where a 59-year old guy caught it. Powers that be at Augusta wound up getting the ball back from the guy, but I hope he cleaned up. No one was talking about what they gave him.

12) Bronx Bombers and Red Sox are both 0-3 in same season for first time since 1966; Boston had a horrendous loss Sunday, blowing a 3-run lead in the 9th inning and a 2-run lead in the 11th. Not good.

11) Alfredo Aceves' career as Boston's closer may already be over; so far he has thrown 14 pitches, given up four hits, gotten no one out. That means it could be Daniel Bard's turn to try and close until Andrew Bailey's thumb is healed. Rough start for Bobby Valentine's tenure in Boston.

10) Surprised to see Jeremy Hellickson on mound for 118 pitches Sunday, in his first start of the season; guess Joe Maddon felt it was important to sweep the Bronx Bombers. I'm willing to bet that Hellickson won't throw 118 pitches in any other start this season.

9) Giants had a 6-0 lead in Arizona with Matt Cain on the mound and lost; what are the odds of that? Diamondbacks swept the weekend series.

8) Interesting tidbit from Terry Francona on Sunday Night Baseball; when he managed Diasuke Matsuzaka, the pitcher often complained about length of plane flights in this country, saying he was too tired to pitch after cross country flights. In Japan, most of the travel is done by train.

7) Francona, by the way, is very good on TV, a natural. He is just what you want, a guy who sounds like a buddy you hang out with to watch games.

6) Saturday night, Evan Longoria hit a homer that was caught by a fan out in rightfield, a guy wearing a Bronx Bomber jersey; it was close whether the guy reached over the fence or not, but he was rooting for the Bombers, so it was shocking when the hideous Joe West overturned the home run and took two Tampa Bay runs off the scoreboard, because a fan of the other team interfered with the ball.

No one cares about this but me, because the two guys wound up scoring later on, but fact is, those two RBI Longoria lost cost me my fantasy game for the week. My team lost RBI by one. Thanks for nothing, Joe West.

5) Orioles and Mets are both 3-0. Niot sure if this says more about them or more about the Twins and Braves, the teams they swept.

4) "I'm not good enough ... I don't have the thing I need to have. In 13 years I've come to the conclusion that I need to play for second or third place." That was Sergio Garcia talking about his chances of ever winning a major. Guess he never met Norman Vincent Peale.

3) Still cracks me up how CBS uses the same graphics for The Masters that they used 25 years ago; the white males that run Augusta National must be thrilled to death that someone named Bubba is their new champ.

2) First round matchups in the Stanley Cup playoffs:
East: Ottawa-Rangers; Caps-Boston; Devils-Florida; Philly-Penguins
West: Canucks-Kings; Sharks-Blues; Chicago-Phoenix; Detroit-Nashville.

1) The AD at Arkansas doesn't want to fire Bobby Petrino because Petrino wins games and fans love his offense, so the AD sits there and does nothing, probably hoping some other disaster happens so the Petrino situation gets buried in the headlines. The way this world is now, that might just happen.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:34 AM

NHL Stanley Cup odds: Penguins favorites to hoist the Cup

The Stanley Cup playoffs are set to start this week. Check out the latest NHL futures odds before the postseason begins:

Pittsburgh Penguins +400
Vancouver Canucks +600
New York Rangers +650
Boston Bruins +800
St Louis Blues +1100
Detroit Red Wings +1200
Philadelphia Flyers +1300
Nashville Predators +1400
Chicago Blackhawks +1600
Los Angeles Kings +2500
New Jersey Devils +2200
San Jose Sharks +2500
Washington Capitals +4000
Florida Panthers +3300
Ottawa Senators +4000
Phoenix Coyotes +6000

Odds courtesy of Sportsbook.com.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:35 AM

NHL Western Conference playoff betting cheat sheet

Here are a few tips as you get ready for the puck to drop on the Western Conference playoffs later this week.

Hottest goalie

Jonathan Quick is the best goaltender in the Western Conference but nobody was hotter down the stretch than Phoenix netminder Mike Smith. Smith almost single-handily carried the Coyotes to the postseason with his play over the last two weeks of the season.

Smith had recorded three consecutive shutouts prior to allowing just one goal in a big 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues Friday night.

Critics say Smith’s play is nothing more than a product of Dave Tippett’s system in the desert, but Smith actually faced close to 31 shots per game this season.

Best 5-on-5 team

I don’t have anything against special teams but, as we saw late in the regular season, most referees put the whistle away in critical games. That means successful teams must have the ability to score at even strength.

No team in the league does that better than the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings score 1.44 more goals at even strength per game than their opponents. The only teams that are even close to Detroit in even-strength dominance are the Bruins and Blues.

Top hockey pool pick

When you look at the NHL’s list of scoring leaders, you don’t see many names from the Western Conference. In fact, Henrik Sedin is the only player from the West to crack the Top 10 in scoring this season.

Henrik would be a nice addition to your playoff pool roster for a couple of reasons: The Canucks are once again poised to make a long playoff run and Sedin stepped his game up down the stretch with his brother out of the lineup.

He hasn’t scored a goal since February 19 but his game isn’t about putting pucks in the net - it’s about setting up others. And there aren’t many in the league better at it than him.

Best under bet

The addition of head coach Ken Hitchcock early this season was great news for the Blues and fans of the under. St. Louis played over the total just 21 times all season and the crease combination of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott has combined for 15 shutouts.

The Blues have already said that Halak will be the No. 1 guy in goal for the playoffs, but if he struggles they certainly won’t hesitate to go to Elliott.

Sleeper pick to win the West

If the Los Angeles Kings can find a way to score goals in the playoffs, they will be a tough team to finish off.

Quick is a lock to be nominated for the Vezina Trophy but he should probably get some consideration for the Hart Trophy as well. Quick lost 33 games this season with the Kings scoring only 44 goals in those contests.

Darryl Sutter’s squad is second in the league in goals against, fourth in shots against and have the fourth-best penalty kill in the NHL. Over their last 10 games, the Kings have averaged 2.8 goals - up from their season average of 2.3.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:35 AM

NHL Eastern Conference playoff betting cheat sheet

It took every game on the schedule, but the seeds in the Eastern Conference are finally set. Before the playoffs begin, check out these notes for navigating the postseason:

Best sleeper pick to win the East

The Philadelphia Flyers finished with 103 points. They have plenty of offense. They have more experience than the surface shows. And, when they take the ice next week, the Flyers will be participating in their 11th playoff series since 2008.

There’s a lot to like about Philadelphia, though we fully understand it’s hit or miss. Having won the season series versus Pittsburgh, 4-2, Philly knows how to contain Sidney Crosby and Co. And, though the Flyers will open on the road, they do have the horses to upset the Penguins in Round 1.

The Penguins, with all of their firepower, could turn out the lights on Philadelphia in a hurry. But for the price - 7-1 to win the East, 12-1 to win the Stanley Cup - you can do a lot worse than putting forwards Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell on your side.

Top hockey pool pick

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist gets the headlines in the Big Apple and sharpshooter Marian Gaborik leads the goal parade, but Brad Richards is the most complete Ranger out there. And he’s done it all before, unlike the aforementioned.

His season numbers weren’t what most fans would’ve expected from the summer’s marquee free agent, but he reached 25 goals and finished second on the team in points (66). Plus, Ottawa, which lost its last three regular-season games, isn’t exactly rolling into Round 1.

Goalie who could steal a series

There are younger, hotter, even flashier goaltenders in the Eastern Conference. But no one has more experience, more hardware and more incentive to win than the man known as “Marty.” Martin Brodeur’s career is coming to a close and, after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996 last season, he and the Devils are on a mission to gain back some respect. New Jersey started that process by winning six in a row to close the regular season.

Florida will throw everything they can at Brodeur. And pound for pound, especially if given four home games, the Panthers might be a better bet overall in this matchup. But that’s exactly why we like Brodeur. In a series where the odds - and his age - may be against him, we think the man who has more Stanley Cup titles (three) than all of the other goaltenders in the East playoffs combined can steal the show.

Potential first-round upset

Hockey fans watched in amazement last postseason, as Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas made save after save. He still has the talent to do it all over again, but Washington is not a normal No. 7 seed. The Capitals have offense that journeys beyond Alex Ovechkin (38 goals) and, though this core group has frustrated Washington fans beyond belief, they are playing their best hockey of the season.

Boston has played with a Stanley Cup hangover, at times, and Bruins fans can’t be all that psyched about heading into a postseason in which they have the No. 2 seed strictly because they won an inferior division.

Series with the most potential overs

It took time for Philadelphia's prized free-agent acquisition, Ilya Bryzgalov to find a groove this season. It’s hard to believe the netminder didn't even start the Winter Classic. But he rallied and is surging into the postseason. That said, NHL bettors aren’t sure that any one goalie can stop these two offensive trains over the long haul.

Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury has been tremendous this season as well, but this series will feature nine players with 20 or more goals (five Penguins, four Flyers), and Sidney Crosby - limited to 22 games - is not one of them.

In the regular-season series between these state rivals, the over went 3-2-1. And after the Penguins’ 4-2 win over the Flyers Saturday, which pushed with the 6-goal total, Pittsburgh finished 44-31-8 over/under while Philadelphia checked in at 43-37-2 over/under.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:39 AM

MLB
Dunkel

San Francisco at Colorado
The Giants look to take advantage of a Colorado team that is 3-13 in Jhoulys Chacin's last 16 starts. San Francisco is the pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has the Giants favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+150). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, APRIL 9

Game 901-902: Miami at Philadelphia (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Sanchez) 15.341; Philadelphia (Hamels) 13.840
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-160); 7
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+140); Over

Game 903-904: San Francisco at Colorado (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 14.866; Colorado (Chacin) 13.738
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+150); Over

Game 905-906: St. Louis at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Westbrook) 16.647; Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.046
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+115); Over

Game 907-908: Washington at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Jackson) 15.784; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 14.845
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 7
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-110); Under

Game 909-910: Atlanta at Houston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Beachy) 13.671; Houston (Happ) 14.831
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over

Game 911-912: Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Marcum) 16.123; Cubs (Volstad) 15.295
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); No Total
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-130); N/A

Game 913-914: LA Angels at Minnesota (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Wilson) 14.493; Minnesota (Blackburn) 13.892
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-165); Over

Game 915-916: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Sale) 15.086; Cleveland (Tomlin) 14.442
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+100); Over

Game 917-918: Boston at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Doubront) 15.698; Toronto (Alvarez) 14.720
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+105); Over

Game 919-920: NY Yankees at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Nova) 15.958; Baltimore (Matusz) 14.895
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-160); Under

Game 921-922: Seattle at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Noesi) 16.698; Texas (Darvish) 16.206
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-230); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+190); Under

Game 923-924: Kansas City at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Mendoza) 15.589; Oakland (Milone) 14.796
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-105); Under

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:41 AM

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 9

Not a lot of relevant info to give out this early in the season, but we'll do what we can for the first week or so, until some trends develop.

National League
ASanchez was 1-3, 3.21 in his last seven starts LY; he has a 1.71 RA in his last three road starts, and was 0-1, 5.06 in his last three starts against Philly. Hamels is 1-0, 1.69 in his last three starts, but 0-3, 4.12 in last three home starts, Marlins lost three of their first four games; Phillies lost two of first three games in Pittsburgh.

Zito was 0-3, 10.91 in his last three starts last July before getting taken out of the rotation; no idea why he's back in it. Giants opened season getting swept in Arizona; Colorado lost two of three games in Houston. Chacin had some blister issues this spring; he was 0-4, 5.25 in his last four starts LY-- Rockies scored eight runs in the four games.

Westbrook was 1-2, 5.09 in five starts last September; he was 1-0, 5.28 in his three starts vs Cincinnati LY. Reds won Bailey's last four starts LY (2-0, 3.86); he is 1-1, 5.23 in two starts against St Louis. Cardinals won three of its first four games, winning two of three in Miller Park; Reds won two of first three games, vs Florida.

EJackson was 1-1, 5.60 in four postseason starts LY; he allowed five runs in five IP in his only start LY against the Mets. Washington won two of its first three games, at Wrigley. Pelfrey was 0-3, 5.88 in his last six starts LY; he was 0-5, 5.80 in eight home starts after All-Star break. Mets are a surprising 3-0 to start the season.

Braves are off to an 0-3 start on heels of their September collapse LY. Beachy was 0-1, 5.76 in five starts last September- he didn't start any games against Houston LY. Happ was 2-0, 2.61 in his last five starts LY; he didn't start against the Braves LY. Astros won two of three vs Colorado to start their season.

Marcum was 0-3, 16.95 in his last four starts LY; word is he has a sore shoulder- his last win was here in Wrigley LY. Marcum was 2-0, 1.93 in couple starts against Cubs LY. Volstad had a 2.32 RA in his last five starts for Florida-- he was 0-2, 2.57 against the Brewers LY, but did well in both games. Both teams lost two of three games at home to start the season.

American League
Wilson makes Angel debut here, after going 0-3, 7.09 in five postseason starts for the Rangers; he had a 7.36 RA in two starts against the Twins LY. Angels lost two of three at home to the Royals to start the season; Minnesota got swept by the Orioles in Baltimore. Blackburn was 0-4, 9.36 in his last six starts last season.

Sale threw 71 innings in 58 appearances LY, all in relief; this is his first MLB start. Tomlin was 1-3, 4.84 in his last seven starts LY, 4-2, 3.60 in his last seven home starts. White Sox lost two of three in Texas to start season; Cleveland lost two of three at home to Toronto, with losses in 16-12 innings. Closer Perez has already logged a lot of work.

Red Sox got swept in Detroit this weekend, losing twice on walkoffs- their bullpen is messed up, blowing 3-run lead in 9th, 2-run lead in 11th Sunday. Doubrant was 1-2, 6.46 in three starts in 2010-- this is his first start since then. Alvarez was 1-3, 3.68 in ten starts LY, with last five all decided by one run. He blanked Boston for six innings Sept 5.

Weird that Bronx Bombers come into second series of year three games behind Baltimore, which swept Twins this weekend. Nova was 1-1, 2.70 in his last four starts LY; he was 2-0, 3.72 in three starts vs Baltimore in 2011. Matusz was 0-9, 12.93 in his last 10 starts LY, and got knocked out in second inning by Bronx, in the one game he didn't lose.

Noesi came over from Bronx in the Montero/Pineda trade; he allowed five runs in a combined 4.2 IP in the two starts he made LY, both vs the Rays. Darvish is making first US start and has 200 media members from Japan following his every move. So no pressure or anything. Seattle won three of first four games; Rangers won two of first three.

Washington scored 32 runs in winning all five of Milone's starts LY; he got dealt to Oakland in the Gio Gonzalez trade. Mendoza was 2-0, 1.84 in two starts LY; he made 14 starts for Texas in 2007-08. Royals started season by taking two of three from Angels in Anaheim. Oakland had yesterday off after losing three of first four games.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:47 AM

MLB

Monday, April 9

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
MIAMI vs. PHILADELPHIA
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Miami is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Miami

4:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. COLORADO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 9 games when playing on the road against Colorado
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Francisco
Colorado is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games

4:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA
LA Angels are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games at home

7:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. CLEVELAND
Chi White Sox are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 3-10 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cleveland's last 9 games at home

7:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. CHI CUBS
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Milwaukee is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Chi Cubs are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games when playing Milwaukee

7:05 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BALTIMORE
NY Yankees are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games on the road
Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Baltimore's last 15 games

7:07 PM
BOSTON vs. TORONTO
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Toronto is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston

7:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
Washington is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games on the road
NY Mets are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington

7:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 12 games when playing Cincinnati
St. Louis is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cincinnati's last 12 games when playing St. Louis
Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. HOUSTON
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games at home

8:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle

10:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Oakland's last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:48 AM

MLB

Monday, April 9

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Fantastic Fours: The best fourth starters in baseball
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Every baseball team has one or two aces to lean on, but the difference between watching the postseason and playing in it, come October, is how your pitching staff holds up when you get three, four and even five men into the rotation.

With the backend of the pitching corps coming around following opening week, we go scouting for the best fourth starters in the major leagues:

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

The backbone of the Phillies is their stacked pitching staff. Hamels is the No. 4 man in the rotation, after Vance Worley’s breakout 2011, and out-classes about 99 percent of the opposing pitchers he’ll duel this season. Hamels extended his stay in Philly for one more season but the motivation of a potential monster deal next winter could give the former World Series MVP an extra boost on the mound.

C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels

The Angles’ other big offseason signing makes his Los Angeles debut Monday. Wilson was a huge part of the Texas Rangers’ back-to-back American League pennants. The southpaw won a combined 31 games the last two seasons and looked sharp in spring ball for the Halos. It’s sick to think he’ll have even more support in L.A. than he did in big-hitting Texas.

Ivan Nova, New York Yankees

Baseball bettors in the Bronx are waiting for the other shoe to drop when it comes to Nova. He surprised last season with a 16-4 mark, going undefeated from June to September. Despite the always present “Yankee Tax”, the righty still finished 12th in the money, earning 7.84 units. Nova got smacked around this spring, with an ERA north of 8.00 in just over 22 innings.

Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee Brewers

Take the DeLorean back to last spring and Marcum was a dark horse to win the National League Cy Young. He went 6-2 with a 2.82 ERA through April and May and even looked like an ace heading into the All-Star break, with a 7-3 record and 3.39 ERA, before slowing down in the summer heat. The righty was bothered by shoulder soreness this spring but appeared ready in his final tuneup start.

Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers

Darvish gets the nod on potential alone. I mean, $111.7 million can’t be wrong, right? (That’s what it took to not only sign Darvish, but talk to him) By all accounts, the Japanese sensation should be the Rangers’ opening day starter next season, if there’s any truth conducting the hype train. The right-hander went 93-38 with a 1.99 ERA during his career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:49 AM

MLB

Monday, April 9

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Hot lines: Monday's best MLB bets
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St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (-125, 9)

Thanks to a pair of longballs from Jay Bruce and a late infield RBI single by Scott Rolen, the Cincinnati Reds won the rubber match in their season-opening series with the Miami Marlins.

Rolen’s hit in the ninth capped a two-run ninth inning, giving reliever Aroldis Chapman his first win of the season. Chapman struck out two in three scoreless innings.

The Reds may need some more offensive production to give Monday’s starter, Homer Bailey, a fighting chance.

Bailey owned a 7.98 ERA in five Cactus League starts this spring and was handed the last spot in the rotation when manager Dusty Baker decided to keep Chapman in the bullpen for now.

"I haven't really thought about it like that, but I guess it sounds pretty cool," Bailey told MLB.com about facing the defending champs. "It's just the first game of the season, though. It's a team that we know the hitters quite a bit so that brings some comfort."

That comfort hasn’t served Bailey well lately. St. Louis is 2-7 in his last nine starts against the Cards.

Pick: Cardinals

Washington Nationals at New York Mets (-105, 8)

Jon Niese and Ruban Tejada stole the show Sunday for the Mets as they completed a series sweep of the Atlanta Braves.

Niese took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Tejada hit a pair of homers and had four hits as the Mets downed Atlanta 7-5.

Now Mike Pelfrey takes the hill looking to keep New York’s hot start going. Pelfrey struggled through most of the preseason but allowed only two runs over his last 10 1/3 innings of spring training action.

“I had to get it going a little earlier, and I’m glad I did, because I feel like I ended on a good note,” Pelfrey said. “The whole thing is I feel good. I feel strong, the ball is coming out and I have an idea of where it’s going. That means I’m going to be able to locate my fastball, which is all I need.”

Manager Terry Collins read Pelfrey the riot act and the big righty has responded.

Pick: Mets

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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:54 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 9

Hot Teams
-- Raptors are 11-6 vs spread in last 17 games as a road dog.
-- Pistons are 5-3 vs spread in last eight games as a road dog.
-- Hornets won three of their last four at home (4-0 vs spread).
-- Memphis won seven of its last nine games. Clippers won eight of their last nine games (7-2 vs spread).
-- Bucks won last four games, but covered two of last seven at home.
-- Warriors covered eight of their last ten games, five in row on road.
-- Suns won/covered four of their last five games.
-- Spurs won their last eleven games (7-2-2 vs spread).
-- Portland won five of its last seven home games. Rockets won/covered four of their last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Pacers covered once in last seven games as a favorite.
-- Orlando lost five of its last six games.
-- Charlotte lost its last six home games (1-5 vs spread). Wizards lost 10 of last 11 games and five in row on road.
-- Lakers lost last two games, are 1-9 vs spread in last ten.
-- Thunder lost three of their last four games.
-- Nuggets are 4-10-1 vs spread in their last 15 games.
-- Minnesota lost four of its last five home games.
-- Jazz lost six of its last seven games (0-6-1 vs spread).

Wear-and-Tear
-- Raptors: 5th game/7 nites. Pacers: 9th game/13 nites.
-- Pistons: 4th game/5 nites. Magic: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Wizards: Last two nites off. Bobcats: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Lakers: 7th game/10 nites. Hornets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Clippers: 4th game/6 nites. Grizzlies: 6th game/8 nites.
-- Thunder: 6th game/9 nites. Bucks: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Warriors: 5th game/7 nites. Nuggets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Suns: 5th game/7 nites. Wolves: 2nd game/5 nites.
-- Spurs: 5th game/7 nites. Jazz: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites. Blazers: 8th game/12 nites.

Totals
-- Last four Toronto games stayed under the total. Five of Pacers' last six games went over.
-- Five of last six Detroit road games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Washington games went over the total.
-- Last eight Laker road games went over the total.
-- Over is 8-3 in Clippers' last 11 games.
-- Under is 8-3 in Thunder's last 11 road games.
-- Five of last six Warrior road games stayed under total.
-- Over is 8-4 in last dozen Phoenix road games.
-- Six of Spurs' last seven games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Portland games went over the total.

Back-to-Back
-- Toronto is 4-2 vs spread on road if they lost the night before.
-- Detroit is 6-8-1 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Thunder is 0-4 vs spread on road if they played at home nite before.
-- Spurs are 2-7-2 vs spread on road if they played the nite before. Utah is 5-6 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Houston is 3-8 vs spread on road if they played night before.

**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:57 AM

NBA

Monday, April 9

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. ORLANDO
Detroit is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Detroit is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing Detroit

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHARLOTTE
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games at home

8:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MILWAUKEE
Oklahoma City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Oklahoma City is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 19 of Milwaukee's last 25 games at home
Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City

8:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

8:00 PM
LA LAKERS vs. NEW ORLEANS
LA Lakers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games on the road
New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
New Orleans is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games at home

9:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. DENVER
Golden State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Golden State
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. UTAH
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games at home
Utah is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home

9:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Minnesota is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games at home

10:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. PORTLAND
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games at home
Portland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 07:58 AM

NBA

Monday, April 9

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Pick 'n' roll: Monday's best NBA bets
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Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-4, 186)

Two of the Western Conference’s hottest teams square off when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

Memphis has won seven of nine games since losing to the Clippers on March 24 after downing the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Rudy Gay dropped 25 points and Gilbert Arenas added 14 points in 17 minutes. The controversial veteran who didn’t have a NBA job until signing with the Grizzlies last month is averaging 11.0 points over the last four games while knocking down 10 of 15 3-point shots.

“It has been great because these guys have accepted me,” Arenas said. “I realized how much I really missed the game while I was gone.”

The Grizz have covered in six of their last nine and will be looking to avenge the beating the Clippers gave them late last month.

Pick: Grizzlies

Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves (2, 209.5)

Spirits are high in the Phoenix locker room after the Suns downed the Lakers Saturday, marking their fourth win in the last five games.

"Tonight was great, to get a win and bounce back, mentally more than anything, to fight back," Michael Redd told reporters after scoring 23 points in the 125-105 win over the Kobe-less Lakers. "We played well this week, so we've got another tough week in front of us and hopefully we can do the same thing."

They should be able to keep it going against a Minnesota club that’s sinking despite Kevin Love’s stellar play. The Timberwolves have dropped seven straight against the number and six of those games outright.

Love put up another 29 points and 12 rebounds Saturday in New Orleans but Minnesota still fell 99-90 as a 3-point road favorite.

Phoenix will be riding high after the big win over L.A.

Pick: Suns

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**Udog** · 04-09-2012, 08:31 AM

NBA
Dunkel

LA Clippers at Memphis
The Clippers look to take advantage of a Memphis team that is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games as a favorite. LA is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Grizzlies favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

MONDAY, APRIL 9

Game 501-502: Toronto at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 115.694; Indiana 126.771
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 11; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 9 1/2; 189 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-9 1/2); Over

Game 503-504: Detroit at Orlando (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 113.064; Orlando 123.106
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 10; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; No Total
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-8 1/2); N/A

Game 505-506: Washington at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 112.082; Charlotte 109.394
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 2 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 1; No Total
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+1); N/A

Game 507-508: LA Lakers at New Orleans (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 116.286; New Orleans 117.249
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 185
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 4 1/2; No Total
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+4 1/2); N/A

Game 509-510: LA Clippers at Memphis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 121.703; Memphis 123.822
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 4 1/2; 186
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+4 1/2); Under

Game 511-512: Oklahoma City at Milwaukee (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 125.320; Milwaukee 120.826
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 4 1/2; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3; 210
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-3); Over

Game 513-514: Golden State at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 114.617; Denver 118.292
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3 1/2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 8 1/2; 211
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+8 1/2); Under

Game 515-516: Phoenix at Minnesota (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 118.598; Minnesota 117.156
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 3; 210
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+3); Under

Game 517-518: San Antonio at Utah (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 127.821; Utah 122.408
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 5 1/2; 203
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 2 1/2; 209 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-2 1/2); Under

Game 519-520: Houston at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.481; Portland 122.503
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 5; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 3 1/2; 196
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-3 1/2); Under

Announcement

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 4/9 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 4/9 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

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