Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:03 PM

Slipping Dodgers Face Dickey & Mets On Friday

Several top-notch pitching matchups take place Friday, perhaps none bigger than Justin Verlander battling David Price as the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays continue their series at Tropicana Field.

Detroit has floundered all season after being the chalkiest of picks to win a division with a -650 price in the AL Central in early April. The Tigers began this series three games under .500 (36-39), but well within striking distance of the Chicago White Sox with only a 4-game deficit in the standings.

Tampa Bay has been in a bit of a funk as well and trailed the New York Yankees by 6.5 games in the AL East after leading the division less than three weeks ago. The Rays have dropped 10 of their last 15 since June 10 when they held a slim half-game advantage in the AL East.

The Rays and Tigers opened the 4-game series on Thursday night in a game that was still pending and listed Tampa Bay as a 120 home favorite with a 7½-run total. Max Scherzer was scheduled to start for Detroit opposite Tampa's James Shields.

Friday's second game will get underway at 7:10 p.m. (ET), and the early bird lines priced Verlander at -115 with a 7-run total leaning 25 cents to the 'under.'

Verlander has pitched the Tigers into the winner's circle each of his last four assignments, including a complete-game victory at Pittsburgh last Sunday. He was vying for a complete-game shutout when he faced the Rays in Detroit on April 11, but couldn't pull it off as Tampa Bay rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth after Verlander took a 2-0 lead into the final frame.

The Tigers were $1.65 favorites in that contest, and have been favored in each of Verlander's 16 starts. If the opening number for Friday holds, it will be the shortest price Detroit backers have been asked to lay in a Verlander outing.

Price picked up his 10th win of the campaign last Sunday in Philadelphia, getting some help from his bullpen in a 3-2 Tampa Bay triumph as a slight underdog. The southpaw out of Vanderbilt has notched the dubya in four of his last five starts and is 3-1 in four career efforts vs. Detroit with a 2.36 ERA.

In the April series at Comerica Park, the Tigers won two of the three games with the 'under' cashing twice to go with one 'push.' Detroit won three of the four played in St. Pete a season ago, the 'under' a winner three times along with a 'push' on a 7-run total in a game that Verlander started and won.

Dickey Takes Crack At Offensively-Challenged Dodgers
Another key 4-game set cranks up Thursday when the New York Mets continue their weeklong trip with a stop in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers. Chris Young was in line to take the bump for the Metropolitans opposite LA's Chris Capuano, and the Dodgers were 125 favorites on the Don Best odds screen that also listed a 7-run total priced to the 'under.'

The Mets arrived in Tinseltown off a 17-1 laugher at the Chicago Cubs' expense on Wednesday. The victory stopped a 4-game skid for New York and left the club third in the NL East, 4.5-games south of the front-running Washington Nationals.

The Dodgers were beginning this series on a 1-8 slide and in the throes of a 4-game losing streak after being swept by the Giants. Los Angeles couldn't muster a single run in the broom job at San Francisco who now shares the NL West lead with the struggling Dodgers.

Friday's second game will begin at 10:10 p.m. (ET) and features an initial mound duel between New York's RA Dickey and LA's Aaron Harang. The Mets opened as 115 favorites and the scoreboard hurdle was set at 6½.

Dickey had been the hottest arm in the game before running into the Yankees last Sunday. The knuckleballer allowed five runs in six frames, but didn't factor into the decision that went to the Yanks by a 6-5 count. The Mets had won his previous nine starts, and are 5-2 behind Dickey on the road thus far in 2012.

This will only be Harang's sixth appearance at Chavez Ravine with 10 of his 15 starts to date coming on the road. The Dodgers are 3-2 at home with Harang on the bump, and his ERA is more than two runs lower in LA (2.51) than away from home (4.58).

The teams are meeting for the first time in 2012 after New York won five of the seven clashes last season. The Mets were 3-1 in LA, the only Dodgers win coming when Clayton Kershaw took on New York's Dillon Gee. Those two hurlers are currently scheduled to meet Sunday night in the series finale.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:06 PM

Diamond Trends - Thursday

June 28, 2012

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The White Sox are 0-12 since August 02, 2011 when playing a night game vs a team that has won at least their last four games for a net profit of $1212 when playing against.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Mets are 16-0-1 OU since June 28, 2011 when playing a night game as a road dog after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $1600 when playing the over.

STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:

The Phillies are 0-7 OU since June 09, 2011 when Kyle Kendrick starts at home after facing 25 or fewer hitters for a net profit of $700 when playing the under.

MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:

Brett Cecil has produced a team record of 9-0 (4.7 rpg) since August 2009 as a dog in the first game of a series if he worked less than eight innings last start.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Angels are 0-6 since May 19, 2011 when Dan Haren starts as a road favorite after his team won the last time he started for a net profit of $775 when playing against.

The Blue Jays are 0-8 OU since April 08, 2011 when playing a night game as a dog after a loss in which they had fewer than five team-left-on-base for a net profit of $800 when playing the under.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:09 PM

Around the Horn - Thursday

June 27, 2012

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - 1:05 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Burnett (8-2, 3.24 ERA) 39-35 7-2 L9 away during day
Kendrick (2-7, 5.24 ERA) 36-41 OVER 4-0 L4 Game 4's

Phillies beat Pirates, 8-3 on Monday
Phillies beat Pirates, 5-4 on Tuesday
Pirates beat Phillies, 11-7 on Wednesday

Washington at Colorado - 3:10 PM EST (Game 4/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Jackson (4-4, 2.91 ERA) 43-30 6-1 L7 away vs LHP
Outman (0-3, 8.64 ERA) 28-46 2-9 L11 home

Rockies beat Nationals, 4-2 on Monday
Nationals beat Rockies, 12-5 on Tuesday
Nationals beat Rockies, 11-5 on Wednesday

Arizona at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Bauer (NR) 37-37 7-3 L10 away Game 3's
Jurrjens (1-2, 6.75 ERA) 40-34 1-5 L6 home Game 3's

Braves beat Diamondbacks, 8-1 on Tuesday
Braves beat Diamondbacks, 6-4 on Wednesday

San Diego at Houston - 8:10 PM EST (Game 4/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Cashner (3-3, 3.81 ERA) 27-49 1-10 L11 away vs LHP
Keuchel (1-0, 1.29 ERA) 32-43 UNDER 6-2-1 L9 home vs RHP

Padres beat Astros, 8-7 on Monday
Astros beat Padres, 5-3 on Tuesday
Astros beat Padres, 1-0 on Wednesday

N.Y. Mets at Los Angeles - 10:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Young (1-1, 3.42 ERA) 40-36 4-9 L13 away vs LHP
Capuano (9-2, 2.60 ERA) 43-33 1-6 L7 home vs RHP

Mets beat Cubs, 17-1 on Wednesday
Dodgers lost to Giants, 3-0 on Wednesday

Cincinnati at San Francisco - 10:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Cueto (9-3, 2.21 ERA) 41-33 7-3 L10 away Game 1's
Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10 ERA) 43-33 5-1 L6 home Game 1's

Reds lost to Brewers, 8-4 on Wednesday
Giants beat Dodgers, 3-0 on Wednesday

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cleveland at Baltimore - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
McAllister (1-1, 3.96 ERA) 37-37 3-6 L9 away vs LHP
Chen (7-3, 3.38 ERA) 41-33 OVER 6-1 L7 home Game 1's

Indians lost to Yankees, 5-4 on Wednesday
Orioles lost to Angels, 13-1 on Wednesday

Chicago at N.Y. Yankees - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Axelrod (0-1, 4.85 ERA) 40-35 UNDER 8-4 L12 away Game 1's
Nova (9-2, 4.25 ERA) 46-28 UNDER 16-4 L20 home vs RHP

White Sox beat Twins, 12-5 on Wednesday
Yankees beat Indians, 5-4 on Wednesday

L.A. Angels at Toronto - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/2)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Haren (5-7, 4.24 ERA) 42-33 5-0 L5 away vs LHP
Cecil (1-0, 2.45 ERA) 38-37 UNDER 5-0 L5 on Thursdays

Angels beat Orioles, 13-1 on Wednesday
Blue Jays lost to Red Sox, 10-4 on Wednesday

Detroit at Tampa Bay - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Scherzer (6-5, 5.12 ERA) 36-39 4-9 L13 away Game 1's
Shields (7-4, 3.99 ERA) 41-34 16-9 L25 home vs RHP

Tigers lost to Rangers, 13-9 on Wednesday
Rays lost to Royals, 5-4 on Wednesday

Oakland at Texas - 8:05 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Ross (2-7, 6.02 ERA) 37-39 6-1 L7 on Thursdays
Feldman (1-6, 6.00 ERA) 47-29 6-1 L7 home Game 1's

Athletics beat Mariners, 2-1 on Wednesday
Rangers beat Tigers, 13-9 on Wednesday

Boston at Seattle - 10:15 PM EST (Game 1/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Morales (1-1, 3.12 ERA) 40-35 12-5 L17 away vs RHP
Hernandez (5-5, 3.36 ERA) 32-45 4-7 L11 home vs LHP

Red Sox beat Blue Jays, 10-4 on Wednesday
Mariners lost to Athletics, 2-1 on Wednesday

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:11 PM

Giants seek 4th straight shutout win Thursday

CINCINNATI REDS (41-33)

at SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (43-33)

First pitch: Thursday, 10:15 p.m. EDT
Line: San Francisco -115, Cincinnati +105, Total: 6½

Two red-hot pitchers, Johnny Cueto and Madison Bumgarner, collide when Cincinnati opens a four-game set in San Francisco on Thursday night.

The Giants pitching was unbelievable in their just-completed, three-game sweep of the Dodgers, posting three straight shutouts, 8-0, 2-0 and 3-0. That gives them five wins in the past six games, and this pitching dominance doesn’t bode well for the Reds, who are just 3-6 in their past three series, surpassing four runs just twice in this span. However, Cueto doesn’t need a whole lot of run support by the way he’s dominated in his past three outings (25 IP, 2 ER, 24 K, 2 BB). Bumgarner is coming off a poor outing in Oakland (6 IP, 11 H, 4 ER), but he’s been money at AT&T Park this season (2.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP), fanning 39 and walking just three in these 43.2 home innings. With two excellent arms and suspect offenses, the best play here is the UNDER which is 24-12 in San Francisco this year, as the Giants have scored just 3.4 runs per game while visitors have a paltry 2.7 runs per game.

This three-star FoxSheets trend also favors the Under:

SAN FRANCISCO is 34-12 UNDER (73.9%, +19.9 Units) at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 2.6, OPPONENT 2.9 - (Rating = 3*).

Cueto (9-3, 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) absolutely owned the Giants last season, throwing 16 shutout innings over two starts, giving up just seven hits and three walks, while fanning 14 batters. He’s helped the Reds post a 10-7 record in the past three years against Thursday’s foe. Cueto has also been one of the best road warriors in baseball in 2012, going 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Cincinnati is 11-4 in his 15 starts this season with some of the credit going to the strong bullpen that has a 2.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234 K in 206.2 IP. Reds relievers have been even more productive on the road (2.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 104 K in 90 IP). One player that won’t likely be able to help Cueto is 2B Brandon Phillips who was hit in the head by a forearm while covering second base on Wednesday. He was tested for a concussion and will probably sit on Thursday as a precaution. Phillips has a .359 BA, 4 HR and 15 RBI in his past 16 games.

Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) has had mixed results in his three lifetime outings versus Cincinnati. In 2010, the Reds lit him up for eight runs (7 ER) and three homers in just 2.2 innings. But last season, he limited them to just one run in seven innings at home before pitching poorly in Cincinnati seven weeks later (4 IP, 7 R, 5 ER). The Giants are 10-5 when Bumgarner takes the mound this year, including a 5-1 record at home. He has won four straight decisions, and that streak has been aided by a bullpen that has a strong 3.48 ERA, saving 30-of-36 chances. These numbers are even more phenomenal at AT&T Park: 2.29 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 17 saves, one blown save.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:22 PM

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, June 28

Hot pitchers
-- Burnett is 7-0, 2.09 in his last seven starts.
-- Jackson is 3-1, 2.63 in his last four starts.
-- Jurrjens allowed one run in 7.2 IP at Fenway in his first start back from the minors (103 PT).
-- Keuchel is 1-0, 1.29 in his first two MLB starts.
-- Ex-Met Capuano is 1-0, 1.80 in his last three starts.
-- Cueto is 4-0, 1.47 in his last four starts. Bumgarner is 4-0, 3.28 in his last five starts.

-- Cecil is 1-0, 2.45 in his first two starts this season.
-- WChen is 3-1, 2.84 in his last four starts.
-- Nova is 3-0, 1.59 in his last four starts.
-- Scherzer is 1-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.
-- FHernandez is 1-0, 1.29 in his last couple starts. Boston won both Morales starts (1-0, 4.09), scoring 15 runs.

Cold pitchers
-- Kendrick is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts.
-- Outman is 0-2, 10.06 in his last four starts.
-- Prospect Bauer is making MLB debut; he was 11-1, 2.23 in his 16 starts in minor leagues this season.
-- Padres sent Cashner to AA to become a starter; this is his third start in MLB (2.35 RA in first two). He threw 95 pitches in his last AA start.
-- Young is 1-1, 4.18 in four starts this season.

-- Haren has a 7.56 RA in his last three starts.
-- Axelrod is 0-1, 6.52 in two starts this season.
-- McAllister is 0-1, 4.74 in his last three starts.
-- Shields is 1-2, 6.60 in his last five starts.
-- Ross is 0-4, 6.41 in his last five starts. Feldman is 1-6, 8.23 in his eight starts this season.

Hot Teams
-- Washington won its last two games, scoring 23 runs.
-- Astros won four of their last five games.
-- Giants won four of last five home games, with last four home wins all by shutout- they haven't allowed a run in three games.

-- Angels won eight of their last ten games.
-- Bronx Bombers won 15 of their last 18 games. White Sox won four of their last five.
-- A's won 11 of their last 15 games. Rangers won ten of their last twelve.
-- Red Sox won 11 of their last 14 games.

Cold Teams
-- Phillies are 5-10 in last 15 home games. Pirates lost three of their last four games overall.
-- Colorado lost 16 of its last 20 games.
-- Arizona lost its last four road games, outscored 18-5. Atlanta lost six of its last eight home games, but won last two.
-- Padres lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Mets lost four of their last five games. Dodgers lost nine of last 11.
-- Reds lost six of their last nine games.

-- Blue Jays lost three of their last four games.
-- Indians lost eight of their last nine road games. Baltimore lost three of its last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight games. Tigers lost four of six.
-- Mariners lost 12 of their last 17 games.

Totals
-- Over is 24-8 in Philly's last 32 games.
-- Six of last eight games at Coors Field went over the total.
-- Under is 10-4-1 in last fifteen Arizona road games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Houston home games.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in Dodgers' last ten games.
-- Seven of last eight Cincinnati games stayed under total.

-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Angel games.
-- Six of last eight White Sox games stayed under total.
-- Under is 9-2-1 in last twelve Cleveland road games.
-- Six of last eight Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Oakland games.
-- Last five Seattle games stayed under the total.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:26 PM

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, June 28

National League

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 1:05 ET
Burnett: 10-2 TSR in games played on a grass field
Kendrick: Philadelphia 9-16 SU in June games

Washington at Colorado, 3:10 ET
Jackson: Washington 31-19 SU in June games
Outman: Colorado 1-12 SU after allowing 9 runs or more

Arizona at Atlanta, 7:10 ET MLB
Bauer: Arizona 22-29 SU in night games
Jurrjens: Atlanta 18-9 SU after having won 2 of their last 3

San Diego at Houston, 8:05 ET
Cashner: San Diego 9-22 SU after a game where the BP gave up no runs
Norris: Houston 17-12 SU when the total is 8 to 8.5

NY Mets at LA Dodgers, 10:10 ET
Young: NY Mets 17-8 SU after allowing 2 runs or less
Capuano: LA Dodgers 33-58 SU after scoring 2 runs or less

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
Cueto: 16-4 TSR after a loss
Bumgarner: San Francisco 1-8 SU after allowing 3 runs or less 3 straight games

American League

LA Angels at Toronto, 7:05 ET
Haren: 5-10 TSR as a favorite of -110 or higher
Cecil: 14-5 TSR after 2 or more consecutive losses

Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees, 7:05 ET
Axelrod: CHI White Sox 7-0 SU on the road when the total is 10 or higher
Nova: NY Yankees 28-30 SU when the total is 10 or higher

Cleveland at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
McAllister: Cleveland 5-16 SU against left-handed starters
Chen: Baltimore 12-6 SU after 2 or more consecutive overs

Detroit at Tampa Bay, 7:10 ET MLB
Scherzer: Detroit 7-15 SU when the total is 8 to 8.5
Shields: Tampa Bay 12-1 SU after having lost 6 or 7 of their last 8

Oakland at Texas, 8:05 ET
Ross: Oakland 7-2 SU as a road underdog of +150 to +200
Feldman: Texas 9-15 SU after allowing 9 runs or more

Boston at Seattle, 10:10 ET
Morales: 8-0 TSR after a win
Hernandez: Seattle 9-30 SU when playing on Thursday

**StarDust Bum** · 06-28-2012, 05:30 PM

MLB

Thursday, June 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington 5 Top 4 Colorado +125 500
Colorado 7 Over 11 500

Cleveland - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore -135 500
Baltimore - Under 9 500

Chi. White Sox - 7:05 PM ET Chi. White Sox +172 500
NY Yankees - Under 10 500

LA Angels - 7:07 PM ET Toronto +106 500
Toronto - Over 9.5 500

Detroit - 7:10 PM ET Tampa Bay -130 500
Tampa Bay - Over 8 500

Arizona - 7:10 PM ET Arizona +116 500
Atlanta - Under 8.5 500

San Diego - 8:05 PM ET San Diego +109 500
Houston - Over 8.5 500

Oakland - 8:05 PM ET Oakland +207 500
Texas - Under 11 500

Boston - 10:10 PM ET Seattle -106 500
Seattle - Under 7 500

NY Mets - 10:10 PM ET NY Mets +121 500
LA Dodgers - Under 7 500

Cincinnati - 10:15 PM ET San Francisco -104
San Francisco - Over 6.5 500

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