Thursday's Trends and Indexes - 4/25 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 25

First Round, Miami Leads (2-0)
Miami at Milwaukee, 7:05 ET TNT
Miami: 14-6 ATS away after winning 15+ of their last 20 games
Milwaukee: 16-30 ATS playing with same-season revenge

First Round, Series Tied (1-1)
Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:35 ET NBATV
Brooklyn: 10-1 ATS away playing their second game in five days
Chicago: 1-8 ATS at home after playing BB games as an underdog

First Round, Los Angeles Leads (2-0)
LA Clippers at Memphis, 9:35 ET TNT
LA Clippers: 23-11 ATS off 4+ home games
Memphis: 9-19 ATS at home off ATS wins in 2 of their last 3 games

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 25

National League

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 1:05 ET
McDonald: Pittsburgh 8-2 SU after winning 2 of their last 3 games
Lee: 5-12 TSR in the first half of the season

LA Dodgers at NY Mets, 1:10 ET
Ryu: Dodgers 13-5 SU away vs. NL East opponents
Hefner: Mets 24-43 SU vs. left-handed starters

Cincinnati at Washington, 7:05 ET MLB
Arroyo: Cincinnati 11-2 Under away off a win by 1 run
Gonzalez: 11-1 TSR vs. NL Central opponents

Chicago Cubs at Miami, 7:10 ET
Jackson: 16-6 Under as a road favorite of -125 or less
Slowey: Miami 15-34 SU as a home underdog of +125 or less

Colorado at Arizona, 9:40 ET
De La Rosa: Colorado 7-0 SU off BB Overs
Cahill: 14-4 Under vs. division opponents


American League

Kansas City at Detroit, 1:05 ET
Shields: Kansas City 4-20 SU after the bullpen allowed 0 runs in BB games
Verlander: 33-8 TSR at home with a total of 7.5 runs or less

Houston at Boston, 6:35 ET
Humber: Houston 13-49 SU as a road underdog of +150 or less
Buchholz: 15-3 TSR as a favorite

Toronto at NY Yankess, 7:05 ET MLB
Buehrle: 18-6 Under away on Thursdays
Kuroda: Yankees 33-13 SU off 4+ road games

Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 ET
Hellickson: Tampa Bay 1-6 SU as a road underdog
Sale: 12-4 TSR in home games

Texas at Minnesota, 8:10 ET
Tepesch: Texas 31-12 SU in April
Worley: Minnesota 36-68 SU at home off a loss

Baltimore at Oakland, 10:05 ET
Hammel: 8-1 TSR with a total of 8 to 8.5 runs
Parker: Oakland 8-1 Over off BB road games

LA Angels at Seattle, 10:10 ET
Richards: Angels 3-10 SU in night games
Maurer: Seattle 25-8 SU after losing 6 or 7 of their last 8 games

[Udog]

NHL

Thursday, April 25

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Around the rink: Thursday's NHL betting notes
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New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers (-116, 6)

Probable starting goaltenders: Kevin Poulin (NYI), Ilya Bryzgalov (PHI)

The Islanders are 8-0-3 in April and have lost only once in regulation in their last 15 games (11-1-3) to move within one point of fifth-place Toronto. The Flyers have already been eliminated from playoff contention but appear intent on finishing strong, winning four of their last five games and scoring 21 goals in the four victories. The over is 4-0 in the Islanders’ last four overall.

Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals (-118, 5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Craig Anderson (OTT), Michal Neuvirth (WSH)

Washington has won its last six contests at the Verizon Center, including a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday to clinch its fifth division title in six seasons and ensure home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Washington is 10-1-0 in April and 14-2-1 since March 21. Ottawa has been held to two goals or fewer in all of its losses in April and has not scored more than three since March 23. The Senators can clinch a playoff spot with a win and will get a boost from the return of reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson (Achilles). The under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes (+142, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist (NYR), Dan Ellis (CAR)

The eighth-place Rangers, who hold a one-point lead over Winnipeg, are vying for a season sweep of the Hurricanes. New York has won seven straight over Carolina - including a 2-1 home triumph on March 18 and a 4-1 road victory on April 6. The Rangers can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a regulation loss by Winnipeg.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils (+111, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT), Johan Hedberg (NJ)

New Jersey posted a pair of 3-1 victories to claim a home-and-home set from the Pittsburgh on Feb. 9-10. Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to play in the team's final two games before the playoffs. Fleury is just 15-19-4 lifetime versus New Jersey. The Devils are 12-3 in their last 15 Thursday games.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (+140, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Ben Scrivens (TOR), Jacob Markstrom (FLA)

The Maple Leafs may have clinched their first playoff berth since 2004 in a victory last Saturday, but that is the only win in their last four games. Toronto owns a 3-0 road victory over Florida on Feb. 18. The Maple Leafs, who also defeated Florida 3-2 at home on March 26, look for their first sweep of the Panthers since the 2005-06 season. The Maple Leafs are 1-5 in the last six meetings in Florida.

Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings (-215, 5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Chris Mason (NSH), Jimmy Howard (DET)

The Predators had playoff aspirations a few weeks ago but have gone 1-7-1 over the last nine games to fall off the pace. Detroit is trying to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990 and has picked up back-to-back wins to move one point above Columbus for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The under is 7-0-2 in Detroit's last nine games.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins (-222, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Anders Lindback (TB), Tuukka Rask (BOS)

Boston has managed only 12 goals the last six games, losing to three teams that will not be in the playoffs. The Bruins, who have a game in hand, are even in points with Montreal for first place in the Northeast Division. The under is 3-0-1 in Boston’s last four home games.

Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets (+104, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Carey Price (MTL), Ondrej Pavelec (WPG)

The Jets sit one point behind a pair of teams for a playoff spot heading into Thursday's pivotal game against the visiting Montreal Canadiens. While Montreal has punched its ticket to the playoffs, it certainly hasn't resembled a top-tier team lately. The Canadiens dropped a 3-2 decision to New Jersey on Tuesday for their fifth loss in six games. Montreal remains even in points with Original Six-rival Boston atop the Northeast Division, but the Bruins have a game in hand. The Habs have taken the last four meetings.

Calgary Flames at St. Louis Blues (-210, 5.5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Joey MacDonald (CGY), Brian Elliott (STL)

The Blues, who enter Thursday's home matchup with the Calgary Flames in sixth place in the Western Conference, trail Los Angeles and San Jose by one point with a game in hand. St. Louis posted a 3-1 triumph over Colorado on Tuesday to improve to 10-3-0 in April. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Dallas Stars (-125, 5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ), Kari Lehtonen (DAL)

Columbus has won six of seven and nine of 12, led by Vezina Trophy candidate Sergei Bobrovsky and an opportunistic offense. The Blue Jackets stand one point behind eighth-place Detroit in the Western Conference. A victory by Columbus would knock Dallas out of playoff contention. After winning five straight, the Stars have gone 1-3-1 - including a 3-2 defeat at San Jose on Tuesday. The road team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.

Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks (-150, 5)

Probable starting goaltenders: Jonas Hiller (ANA), Roberto Luongo (VAN)

The Ducks and Canucks have not met since splitting two games in January during the first week of the lockout-shortened season. Roberto Luongo will make his 17th start of the season for Vancouver and first since posting a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on April 15. Both teams have locked up their respective divisions and the over is 5-1 in the last six meetings. Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf (rest) and RW Bobby Ryan (illness) won't play.


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[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, April 25

NY Rangers at Carolina, 7:05 ET
NY Rangers: 21-5 SU off a loss by 1 goal
Carolina: 16-33 SU off a home win

Ottawa at Washington, 7:05 ET TSN
Ottawa: 0-7 SU off 6+ Unders
Washington: 8-0 SU after winning 6 or 7 of their last 8 games

NY Islanders at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
NY Islanders: 9-4 SU away off a road game
Philadelphia: 4-9 SU at home off a home win by 3+ goals

Toronto at Florida, 7:35 ET
Toronto: 9-3 SU away off a loss by 3+ goals
Florida: 3-12 SU at home with a total of 5.5 goals

Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7:35 ET NBCSN
Pittsburgh: 9-0 SU away revenging a loss as a favorite
New Jersey: 6-14 SU off an Over

Nashville at Detroit, 7:35 ET
Nashville: 7-0 SU off 4+ games allowing 3+ goals
Detroit: 2-9 SU off BB home games

Montreal at Winnipeg, 8:05 ET RDS
Montreal: 16-6 SU off a road loss by 1 goal
Winnipeg: 3-12 SU after winning 5 or 6 of their last 7 games

Calgary at St. Louis, 8:05 ET
Calgary: 0-10 SU away off a road game scoring and allowing 3+ goals
St. Louis: 18-3 SU at home off a home win

Columbus at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Columbus: 6-2 SU away after winning 2 of their last 3 games
Dallas: 4-13 SU at home off a loss by 1 goal

Anaheim at Vancouver, 10:05 ET NHL
Anaheim: 8-20 SU away with a total of 5 runs or less
Vancouver: 11-1 SU at home off an Under


Write-In Game:

Tampa Bay at Boston, 7:35 ET
Tampa Bay: 1-10 SU away playing with same-season revenge
Boston: 31-9 SU after losing 4 or 5 of their last 6 games

[Udog]

MLB

Thursday, April 25

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Left-handed pitching sapping these MLB power bats
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Left-handed pitching is always tough to trump, especially if you’re one of the four teams listed below.

These clubs have plenty of power in their lineups but lose that pop when facing southpaws this season. Some have been solid fades against lefties while others are providing added value on the under when stepping into the box against left-handers.

New York Yankees (.119 BA vs. LHP – 27th)

The Bronx Bombers have simply bombed against left-handers early in the season. New York ranks ninth in offense and hits an MLB-best .289 off righties, heading into Thursday’s game against Toronto (and LHP Mark Buehrle).

The Yankees are 4-3 vs. LH starters, winning +1.02 units, while posting a 1-5-1 over/under record in those games. The issues versus southpaws have Yankees bettors begging for the return of Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira, who hit left-handers especially well.

Arizona Diamondbacks (.119 BA vs. LHP – 28th)

Arizona is in the mix in the National League West thanks to great two-way baseball. The Diamondbacks rank eighth in team ERA (3.43) and 10th in runs per game, averaging 4.62 runs on .251 hitting. The offensive production takes a serious dip versus lefties.

The D-backs have totaled just 20 of their overall 97 runs off left-handed hurlers (20.6 percent) which has led to a dismal 3-8 record against LH starters, costing Arizona bettors -2.51 units. It’s also proved profitable for under bettors, with the club going 2-6 over/under when taking on a southpaw starter.

Boston Red Sox (.215 BA vs. LHP – 24th)

The Red Sox have been a pleasant surprise for Beantown bettors this April, leading the American League East and pulling in +5.85 units heading into Thursday. Boston is seventh in offense, knocking in 4.76 runs per game, and hits .267 off right-handed pitchers. That’s help build a 12-9 over/under mark on the year.

Despite their woes versus LHP, the BoSox haven’t taken that much of a step back against southpaw starters. They’re 4-2 against lefties and have won 1.37 units in those games. Perhaps the biggest difference has been the over/under count. Boston is 2-4 over/under when facing a LH starter.

Philadelphia Phillies (.210 BA vs. LHP – 26th)

For all the potential power in the lineup, the Phillies have flopped no matter which hand the pitch is coming from. Philadelphia is averaging only 3.45 runs per game on .250 hitting, which has the club dragging its feet for a 9-13 record out of the gate.

Philly backers are more than six units in the hole heading into Thursday’s schedule and nearly half of those losses have come against left-handed starters. The Phillies are just 1-3 versus LH starters, blowing -2.56 units in the process. Funny enough, the over has been the better wager in those games, going 3-1 over/under.

Note: These four clubs have a combined 8-16-1 over/under record vs. left-handed starting pitchers heading into Thursday.


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