Wednesday's Trends and Indexes - 8/8 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

[Udog]

Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 8/9 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

Trends and Indexes

Thursday, August 9

Good Luck on day #222 of 2012!

At this time, the sports menu in this thread consists of MLB, CFL and WNBA until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will be posted.

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.

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[Udog]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

CBSSports.com took a survey of 100+ college basketball coaches this July, as to who the most overrated coach in the country is. Here are their results……..

23%-- Roy Williams, UNC-- Has had two plum jobs, Carolina/Kansas.

17%-- Rick Barnes, Texas-- Production hasn't matched the talent.

11%-- Scott Drew, Baylor-- Myself, I think this is unfair, but so be it.

9%-- Steve Lavin, St John's-- Will miss departed tactician Dunlap.

6%-- Wright, Villanova-- Starting guards left early, weren't drafted.

6%-- Howland, UCLA-- People forget he won at Northern Arizona.

4%-- Boeheim, Syracuse-- Doesn't complicate things; has won for years.

4%-- Amaker, Harvard-- Didn't win at Michigan or Seton Hall.


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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.....

13) Mike Trout homered on his 21st birthday Tuesday, only fifth player ever to do so: Jason Heyward-Frank Robinson-Alex Rodriguez-Ted Williams are other four. Pretty good club to belong to.

12) Angels swung at 47 Bartolo Colon pitches Tuesday and missed only once, but they also got only four hits on 20 balls they put in play. Colon keeps hitters off balance extremely well.

11) Big series with the Halos/A’s in Oakland this week; attendance was disappointing: 13,341/15,458/21,150. Too bad; the A’s are a fun team to watch, and they have a shot at making the playoffs.

10) Penn State’s football uniforms will have players’ names on the back this year, just not all the names they wanted; nine players have transferred, five recruits for 2013 have de-committed.

9) Padres’ closer Huston Street hasn’t allowed a run since June 17. Good to see the Padres signed him to an extension rather than trade him at the trading deadline for prospects.

8) Out in Seattle, Oliver Perez has very quietly posted a 2.08 ERA as a lefty out of the Mariner bullpen. He’d be an interesting piece for a team (Angels?) struggling with their relief pitching.

7) Baltimore Orioles have now won their last twelve extra inning games; Bronx Bombers lost their last eight one-run games.

6) Arizona traded for 3B Chris Johnson; the former Astro has five homers in his first eight games with the Snakes. Not really sure why Houston traded him.

5) All of a sudden Carl Crawford played in nine straight games; guess the doctors’ advice about him sitting out now and then, which caused quite a stir last week, doesn’t hold anymore, if it ever existed in first place.

4) Former UCLA/Bucks’ star Marques Johnson came out before the quarterfinals and predicted the US Olympic team wouldn’t win the gold medal, citing less-than-stellar USA defense. Americans were a 33-point favorite over Australia, and won by 33, after Aussies had game as close as six early in the third quarter.

3) Its rained hard Wednesday at Kiawah Island, site of this weekend’s PGA Championship, as remnants of a tropical storm pummel coastal area; cynical pundits have already dubbed this weekend The Pour at the Shore.

2) Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but in fact, there are 11,842 lakes in Jesse Ventura’s home state.

1) Glad to see FOX hired Mike Martz as an analyst on NFL games; can’t wait to see how he does on TV. Some of those production meetings during the week with other coaches could be interesting.

[Udog]

What bettors need to know: Thursday's NFL preseason action

NFL betting got underway this past weekend with the Hall of Fame Game. Now, football bettors get their first night of preseason profits with six games on the go Thursday.

Here’s a quick look at each of those matchups and their odds and trends:

Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills (+2.5, 35)

The Redskins debut rookie QB Robert Griffin III, who will get between 12 and 20 snaps in Week 1. Washington head coach Mike Shanahan is notorious for putting weight into these tune-up tilts and owns a career 42-32-2 ATS mark in the preseason, including a 5-2 ATS record in his first two preseasons with the Skins.

Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey says his starters will only get a few series Thursday, turning things over to backup QB Vince Young. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick said the offense will be focused on improving the rushing game, which could eat up clock and favor the under 35 points.

New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots (-3, 38)

These teams held a joint practice this week, so expect both sides to have notes. Bill Belichick sat Tom Brady in Week 1 of the preseason last year and will limit his star QB Thursday. Not only does Belichick want a better look at backups Ryan Mallet and Brian Hoyer, but he’s working with scraps on the offensive line.

The Saints won the Hall of Fame Game and will likely give Drew Brees and the starters a longer leash in Week 1. Receiver Devery Henderson and RB Mark Ingram sat out the practice with the Pats but are expected to see more action Thursday.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (pick, 34)

Eagles head coach Andy Reid is expected to be on sidelines for Thursday's game following the funeral for his son this week. Philadelphia has dedicated this season to Garrett Reid and will likely come out strong for their coach Thursday.

Pittsburgh has been one of the better preseason bets under Mike Tomlin, posting a 16-5 SU and 13-8 ATS record in the exhibition schedule. The Steelers will give starts to two rookie offensive linemen Thursday, throwing David DeCastro and Mike Adams into the fire. Tomlin will play his starting units no more than two series.

Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (-1.5, 34)

The Ravens are one of the best under bets in Week 1 of the preseason, posting a 3-12 over/under count in the exhibition opener since 1995. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh will use his starters, namely QB Joe Flacco, sparingly and will not risk putting injured players into action.

The Falcons could give their starters a full quarter’s worth of work and more Thursday. Head coach Mike Smith hadn’t decided on a snap count or anything but told the media his starters could play into the second quarter versus the Ravens.

Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers (-1, 37.5)

The Packers will only let QB Aaron Rodgers roll out one series or less before turning the offense over to the backups. A big part of that decision is the uncertainty surrounding Herb Taylor at left tackle. Backups Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman could be in for a long night if Taylor fails on the line.

The Chargers are one of the better over plays during Week 1 of the preseason, boasting an 11-5 over/under count in Week 1 since 1995. The Bolts won’t have backup QB Charlie Whitehurst for Thursday, leaving the bulk of the passing duties behind Philip Rivers to Kevin O'Connell and undrafted rookie Jarrett Lee.

Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears (-3, 34.5)

Denver happens to be one of the best Week 1 preseason plays in the NFL, with a stellar 11-4-1 ATS mark in their exhibition openers since 1995. Peyton Manning makes his debut in Broncos blue and orange, but will only get 10-12 plays Thursday.

The Bears have depth at QB and RB with Jason Campbell an upgrade under center and Michael Bush a threat behind Matt Forte. Chicago will not have veteran LB Brian Urlacher, who is dealing with personal issues.

[Udog]

Best and worst NFL preseason Week 1 bets

The NFL preseason can make about as much sense as an episode of Lost. Things that should be never are. And players you’ve never heard of can quickly become your all-time faves.

Preseason trends are just as volatile. The tune-up rosters are different, not only year-to-year, but week-to-week as players are cut and added. However, there are some trends and records that jump out during Week 1 of the preseason and can’t be ignored.

Here’s a look at the best and worst teams against the spread in Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

Records from Week 1 of the preseason since 1995.

Best preseason Week 1 bets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6 SU, 11-5 ATS)

The Bucs are straight cash in their preseason opener, including covering in Week 1 of the preseason the past two summers. Tampa Bay opens the 2012 preseason slate at Miami as a 2.5-point underdog Friday.

Denver Broncos (9-7 SU, 11-4-1 ATS)

The Broncos are a much different beast than 2011, especially with Peyton Manning under center. Thursday’s game against the Bears (-3) is his first action since playing in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 30, 2011. Head coach John Fox says his starters will play the majority of the first quarter.

Tennessee Titans (10-6 SU, 10-6 ATS)

The Titans have a nice QB battle on their hands heading into Week 1 of the preseason with second-year arm Jake Locker fighting veteran Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job. That motivation should provide good value in Tennessee, which is 3-point underdog visiting Hasselbeck’s former team, the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday.

Worst preseason Week 1 bets

Dallas Cowboys (4-12 SU, 3-13 ATS)

It’s tough to find value in the Cowboys during the regular season, but damn near impossible during the exhibition slate. Dallas has been ravaged by injuries this offseason with 17 different players missing practice. America’s Team is a 1.5-point underdog visiting the Raiders Monday.

Detroit Lions (9-7 SU, 4-9-3 ATS)

For anyone who has loyally bet the NFL preseason, this one should catch you off guard. Detroit has provided preseason profits over the past four years, going a combined 12-3-1 ATS in the preseason since 2008. But getting the motor started in Week 1 is an issue. The Lions face the Browns as 3-point home faves Friday.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-10 SU, 4-10-1 ATS)

Eagles head coach Andy Reid never cared about the team’s preseason success in the past and understandably won’t be too concerned about it in 2012 after the death of his son last week. Reid returned to camp following the funeral and is expected to be on the sidelines when Philadelphia hosts the Steelers as a pick’em Thursday. "It will be therapy for Andy,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told reporters.