The Bum's Wednesday's MLB Best Bets !

[StarDust Bum]

Marlins, Nationals Continue Series In Miami

Expectations were high for the Miami Marlins after a spending spree last winter put them in position to challenge for the NL East title. What was not expected is that challenge would be presented to the New York Mets and Washington Nationals at this stage of the 2012 campaign.

That is where we stand, however, eight weeks into the schedule with the Nationals on top of the division and holding a 2.5-game advantage over the Mets and Marlins in a deadlock for second.

Miami cut into that lead with a 5-3 triumph Monday as 115 chalk vs. Washington, and the two squads were set to play Game 2 of the series on Tuesday when the Fish were $1.35 home favorites. Anibal Sanchez was slated to pitch for the Marlins against the Nats' Edwin Jackson with a 7½-run total.

The division foes will draw their series to a close Wednesday night (7:10 ET). Chien-Ming Wang is in line to make his first start of the season for Washington while Josh Johnson takes his turn in Ozzie Guillen's rotation.

Wang has made one 3-inning relief stint since returning from the DL, picking up the win and allowing a solo homer for the only damage while he was on the mound last Friday in Atlanta. He made 11 starts for the Nats in the second half of 2011, facing the Fish in one of those. At Nationals Park, Wang worked 6-2/3 and allowed three runs – all on home runs to Gaby Sanchez and Brett Hayes – in grabbing the win.

Johnson was nicked up in his last outing (5 IP, 3 ER), but the Marlins still got the 7-6 home win over Tim Lincecum and the Giants to reward those laying $1.50 in the contest. It was the fifth straight Miami win with Johnson on the hill as the big right-hander has been showing signs of finally getting back to form following his shoulder injury.

The series opener on Monday was the 301st game between the two clubs, and Miami's victory left the Marlins with a 170-131 record in the series (90-57 since 2004 when the Expos left Quebec for DC). Four of the last five contests have gone 'under' the total.

Snakes & G-Men Collide In NL West Battle
While all five clubs in the NL East were over .500 and packed within four games of each other entering play on Tuesday, the NL West standings couldn't be more different. The Los Angeles Dodgers were holding a 6.5-game lead over second-place San Francisco, and 10.5 ahead of third-place Arizona.

It was the Giants and Diamondbacks who were supposed to battle for the division flag this year, and their ongoing series in San Francisco could very well determine which team is going to present any challenge to the Dodgers in 2012. They will complete the 3-game set Wednesday (10:15 p.m. ET) with a mound duel between a couple of struggling pitchers who were expected to serve as staff aces. Ian Kennedy gets the call for Kirk Gibson's D-Backs and Tim Lincecum is on the bump for Bruce Bochy's Giants.

San Francisco drew first blood with a 4-2 win Monday as a +110 underdog, the Giants' third straight victory over the Diamondbacks this season after dropping the first four clashes. The middle game of the series found the Giants 125 favorites behind Ryan Vogelsong; Joe Saunders was scheduled for Arizona and the match carried a 7-run total.

Kennedy takes the hill Wednesday on a personal 5-game losing skid, while the Snakes have dropped his last six starts. The former USC standout has been bitten by the long ball bug with seven drives leaving the yard during his last four assignments (23 IP). He beat the Giants in his season debut, working into the seventh at home while allowing three runs in a 5-4 win, and Arizona was 4-1 vs. San Fran with Kennedy on the mound last year (1.22 ERA).

That win for Kennedy against the Giants back in April came at Lincecum's expense, and it has been a struggle for the wee right-hander ever since. The 2-time Cy Young winner checks in with a 6.41 ERA which is more than three runs higher than his career mark. The Giants are 1-4 in his five outings at AT&T Park where he has a bloated 4.80 ERA this season

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Wednesday

May 30, 2012



SU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Reds are 0-11 since May 11, 2011 on the road after a win in which they had 12+ hits in a night game for a net profit of $1130 when playing against.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Twins are 10-0-1 OU since May 06, 2011 after scoring 3 runs or less and winning for a net profit of $1000 when playing the over.


STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:


The Red Sox are 12-0 since June 27, 2006 when Jon Lester starts as a favorite when their team used 6+ pitchers yesterday for a net profit of $1200.


MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:


The Mariners are 0-23 (-4.5 rpg) since 2010 as +185 or greater dog.


TODAY’S TRENDS:


The Cardinals are 9-0 since April 10, 2011 as a road dog when they blew a lead in their starter’s last start and lost after playing in a night game for a net profit of $1146.

The Twins are 0-9 since July 28, 2006 when Francisco Liriano starts as a favorite when he is off a start in which he needed more than 4 pitches per batter for a net profit of $1372 when playing against.

[StarDust Bum]

Hot and Not

May 29, 2012

The 2012 MLB season is just about to enter the month of June, allowing baseball bettors to compile a ton of data on each team up to this point. A couple of teams produced some healthy returns for their backers last week, while others simply torched their supporter’s bankrolls. Here’s a look at some of the hottest and coldest teams in the league post Memorial Day.


Money-Makers

Los Angeles Angels (7-1, $619): The team most everyone expected to take the field at the start of the 2012 season looks to have finally found its groove, as manager Mike Scioscia’s squad checks in at 17-10 ($400) in the month of May. After winning Monday night’s slugfest with the Yankees at home, Anaheim has gotten back to the .500 mark. The addition of rookie Mike Trout into the everyday starting line-up has sparked the offense in a big way, and it’s also helped that Albert Pujols has finally rediscovered his slugging ways. As it is, LA sits 6.5-games in back of the 1st place Texas Rangers, but there’s still plenty of season remaining for this club to get back into the playoff picture.

On The Docket: The Halos got two more with the Evil Empire before hosting the Rangers in the division rivals second series of the season; LA dropped two of three when it paid a visit to Arlington a couple weeks back.

Chicago White Sox (6-1, $461): The Palehose got the job done with their pitching last week to reach the top of this list, but Manager Robin Ventura’s troops busted out the bats this past week en route to securing five wins in six tries against the division rival Twins and Indians. They racked up a total of 54 runs in those games and went yard 12 times before Chris Sale picked up his sixth win of the season after striking out 15 Rays in Tampa Monday afternoon. In doing so, the White Sox now sit just a half-game in back of the Tribe for the top spot in the AL Central.

On The Docket: Paul Konerko and his mates have two games remaining with Tampa Bay before returning home to face the Seattle Mariners for three. They’ve profited $786 as visitors but are $301 in the red as hosts.

Philadelphia Phillies (5-3, $234): Don’t look now, but the Phillies are making a charge within the highly competitive NL East even though their two big boppers – Chase Utley and Ryan Howard - continue to rehab in an attempt to get healthy for a late season run. After dropping two of three at home to the division leading Nationals, manager Charlie Manuel’s troops went into St. Louis and took three of four from the Redbirds and then went into New York and took the series opener from the Mets. Recent injuries to Carlos Ruiz and Roy Halladay are concerning, but this club has been getting unexpected contributions all season long.

On The Docket: The Phillies got two more with the Mets at Citi Field before returning home to face the Marlins through the weekend; Philly’s been at its worst at home where it’s 11-13 and -$893 for its betting backers.

Money-Burners

Atlanta Braves (0-8, -$907): Every team endures a prolonged losing stretch throughout the regular season, so it’s best to get it out of the way early as opposed to late when contending teams are all fighting for playoff spots. The Braves are currently in the midst of theirs, and it’s cost them the lead atop the NL East. That said; manager Fredi Gonzalez has been forced to deal with a myriad of injuries. The list includes Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Freddie Freeman – all of the team’s main RBI guys. The losing streak reached eight in a row on Memorial Day after Lance Lynn dominated them en route to securing his eighth win of the season.

On The Docket: Atlanta has two remaining with the Redbirds at home before hitting the road to battle the 1st place Nats through the weekend; they’re 16-13 ($311) as visitors to date.

Oakland A’s (1-6, -$496): The losing streak increased to six in a row for manager Bob Melvin’s Athletics who got swept at home by the New York Yankees before dropping the series opener with the Minnesota Twins Monday afternoon. It’s been painful to watch this team attempt to score all season long (#28 at 3.31 runs per game), but some added punch could be right around the corner with Yeonis Cespedes and Manny Ramirez both expected to return to the team over the course of the next week.

On The Docket: The A’s will close out the week on the road at Minnesota and Kansas City before returning home to host the Texas Rangers for four. They’ve dropped 10 of their 25 games played at home (-$515) but stand 12-12 as visitors ($613).

Seattle Mariners (2-6, -$383): After sweeping the Rockies at Coors in Interleague play and following it up by taking two of three from the AL West leading Rangers at home, it looked as if manager Eric Wedge’s Mariners were onto something. Then they dropped all four of their home clashes with the Angels and that idea was quickly scrapped from the drawing board. This team’s offense is frustratingly inconsistent, and while the pitching staff has churned out 28 quality starts (#12), the M’s sit nine-games under .500 because of it.

On The Docket: The Mariners got two more in Arlington before heading to Chicago to battle the red hot White Sox at “The Cell.” If their batting lineup continues to struggle in that venue, there’s simply no hope for this team offensively!

[StarDust Bum]

Public opinion: Wednesday's top consensus plays

Consensus percentages and odds current as of 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday.

NBA:

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-7.5, 177)

The Boston Celtics looked like they were ready to battle with the Heat through the first half of Game 1, but it was downhill for the most part after that. Boston hit just two of its first 12 attempts in the third quarter and never recovered. Coach Doc Rivers said his club would be better prepared for Game 2 and it looks like most bettors believe him.

Consensus: Celtics 55.9 percent

NHL:

Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils (100, 4.5)

Even though goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Jonathan Quick are in the running for the Conn Smythe trophy, early bettors are taking a long look at the over with this 4.5-goal total on the board. Just one of New Jersey’s game against the Rangers played over, but the Kings’ offense has come alive, averaging 2.93 goals per contest in the postseason.

Consensus: Over 57.8 percent

MLB:

San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs (-133, N/A)

Oddsmakers traditionally love the loveable losers, but maybe bettors are actually realizing how terrible this year’s Cubs team really is. Ryan Dempster, one of the club’s mainstays in the rotation for years, helped Chicago to just three wins in his last 17 starts.

Consensus: Padres 65.3 percent


WNBA:

Chicago Sky at San Antonio Silver Stars (-5, 150)

San Antonio has had a light schedule so far with just two games on record. The Silver Stars split the pair straight up, but have covered in both. They dropped an 83-79 decision to Connecticut last Friday, covering as 7-point underdog. This will be San Antonio’s home opener, while Chicago heads into the matchup riding a 4-10 skid against the spread on the road.

Consensus: Silver Stars 64 percent

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 30

Hot pitchers
-- Burnett is 2-0, 2.00 in his last four starts.
-- JJohnson is 2-0, 2.77 in his last four starts.
-- THudson is 2-2, 3.18 in his last four starts.
-- Gee is 2-0, 2.63 in his last couple starts.
-- Kershaw is 2-2, 1.45 in his last four starts. Gallardo is 2-1, 2.49 in his last four starts.
-- Dempster is 0-3, 2.47 in his eight starts this season.

-- Gomez is 1-1, 3.32 in his last three starts.
-- Hammel is 3-0, 4.30 in his last four starts.
-- Quintana beat Cleveland in his first start (two runs in six IP). Cobb is 2-0, 3.00 in his two starts this season.
-- ESantana is 2-0, 2.77 in his last four starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Cueto is 1-2, 7.47 in his last three starts.
-- Wang is making his first '12 start; he was 4-3, 4.04 in 11 starts LY; he's made 115 starts in his big league career, mostly with Bronx.
-- Lohse is 0-0, 5.30 in his last three starts.
-- Lee is winless in seven starts this season (0-1, 3.54 in last four).
-- Friedrich has a 5.48 RA in his first four starts. Harrell has a 7.14 RA in his last seven starts.
-- Lincecum is 0-3, 7.09 in his last five starts. Kennedy is 0-5, 6.30 in his last five starts.
-- Bass is 1-2, 5.81 in his last five starts.

-- BChen is 1-2, 8.78 in his last three road starts.
-- Ross is 1-5, 8.29 in his last six starts. Liriano is 0-5, 8.53 in six starts, last of which was May 7.
-- Morrow is 1-2, 7.36 in his last three starts.
-- Smyly has a 7.36 RA in his last three starts. Lester is 2-2, 6.00 in his last four starts.
-- Holland is 2-3, 5.59 in his last six starts. Beavan is 1-2, 5.18 in his last five starts.
-- Nova is 1-1, 6.38 in his last three starts.

Hot teams
-- Washington won six of its last nine games. Marlins are 9-4 in their last thirteen home games.
-- Mets won six of their last eight home games. Phillies won five of their last seven games.
-- Reds won nine of their last eleven games. Pittsburgh won seven of its last ten home games.
-- San Francisco won eight of its last eleven home games.
-- Dodgers won 14 of their last 19 home games, but lost last two.

-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine home games.
-- White Sox won their last seven games, scoring 61 runs.
-- Royals won eight of their last twelve road games.
-- Texas won four of its last five games.
-- Angels won their last eight games, allowing 19 runs. Bronx won five of its last seven games, but lost their last two.

Cold teams
-- Braves lost eight of their last nine games. St Louis lost four of its last six games.
-- Cubs lost 12 of their last 14 games, but won last two. Padres lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Rockies lost eight of their last 12 games, even after two wins Monday. Houston lost eight of their last nine road games.
-- Arizona is 5-9 in its last fourteen road games.
-- Brewers lost nine of their last fourteen road games, but won last two.

-- Tigers are 5-8 in their last thirteen road games.
-- Twins lost five of their last seven games, but won last two. Oakland lost its last seven games, scoring a total of 14 runs.
-- Tampa Bay lost three of its last four games.
-- Indians lost four of their last five games.
-- Toronto lost five of its last seven games. Orioles lost five of their last six games.
-- Mariners lost five of their last seven games.

Totals
-- Over is 13-3 in Miami's last sixteen home games.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine games at Citi Field.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta home games went over total.
-- Under is 12-4 in last sixteen Pirate home games. Four of last five Cincinnati games went over the total.
-- Over is 4-2-1 in San Diego's last seven road games.
-- Over is 12-4-1 in last seventeen games at Coors Field. Seven of last ten Houston road games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Arizona games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee games stayed under total.

-- Three of four Lester home starts went over the total.
-- Over is 8-3 in Minnesota's last eleven games.
-- Six of last eight White Sox games went over total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Gomez starts.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Toronto games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Texas home games.
-- Eight of last eleven Angel games stayed under the total.

Umpires
-- SD-Chi-- Four of last five Holbrook games stayed under.
-- Cin-Pitt-- Road team won five of last six Johnson games.
-- StL-Atl-- Favorites won four of five Gonzales games.
-- Wsh-Mia-- Seven of ten Hoye games stayed under total.
-- Phil-NY-- Favorites won last five Rapuano games.
-- Hst-Col-- Home side won six of last eight Foster games.
-- Mil-LA-- Four of last five Porter games went over total.
-- Az-SF-- Seven of nine O'Nora games went over the total.

-- KC-Clev-- Eight of ten Bellino games stayed under total.
-- Balt-Tor-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Demuth games.
-- Chi-TB-- Six of last eight Wegner games stayed under.
-- Det-Bos-- Home side won last five Guccione games, with three of last four going over the total.
-- Sea-Tex-- Six of nine Wolf games went over the total.
-- A's-Min-- Last four TBarrett games went over the total.
-- NY-LA-- Favorites won six of last seven Diaz games.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, May 30

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Kansas City - 12:05 PM ET Kansas City +114 500
Cleveland - Over 8.5 500

Chi. White Sox - 1:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox +133 500
Tampa Bay - Under 7.5 500

Oakland - 1:10 PM ET Oakland +110 500
Minnesota - Under 9 500

San Diego - 2:20 PM ET Chi. Cubs -128 500
Chi. Cubs - Under 6.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, May 30

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Cincinnati - 7:05 PM ET Cincinnati -116 500
Pittsburgh - Over 7 500

Baltimore - 7:07 PM ET Baltimore +129 500
Toronto - Under 8.5 500

Detroit - 7:10 PM ET Detroit +116 500
Boston - Over 9.5 500

St. Louis - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -117 500
Atlanta - Under 8.5 500

Washington - 7:10 PM ET Washington +146 500
Miami - Over 8 500

Philadelphia - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets +136 500
NY Mets - Over 7 500

Seattle - 8:05 PM ET Seattle +200 500
Texas - Over 10 500

Houston - 8:40 PM ET Houston +155 500
Colorado - Under 10 500

NY Yankees - 10:05 PM ET NY Yankees +101 500
LA Angels - Under 8 500

Milwaukee - 10:10 PM ET Milwaukee +145 500
LA Dodgers - Under 6 500

Arizona - 10:15 PM ET San Francisco -108 500
San Francisco - Over 7 500