Saturday's Trends and Indexes - 3/8 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA

Saturday, March 8


Spurs open as big faves versus Orlando

With injury concerns in the Orlando Magic lineup (Jameer Nelson, Victor Oladipo), lines were held off the board overnight. Books have posted the San Antonio Spurs as 14-point home faves for Saturday's matchup.

Both Nelson and Oladipo have joined the Magic for their mini two game road trip which takes them to Milwaukee after Saturday's game.

The total for this matchup is currently 203 at most shops.


Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors - Prob Sun

Golden State Warriors SG Klay Thompson left Friday's game with a back injury and did not return. He is expected to return for Sunday's game against the Suns.

[Udog]

NHL

Saturday, March 8


Halak to make debut for Capitals Saturday

According to Sky Kerstein of 106.7 The Fan, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates confirms that newly-acquired Jaroslav Halak will make his debut between the pipes as the Caps host the Phoenix Coyotes Saturday.

Halak has started twice versus the 'Yotes this season, winning one and losing one in overtime, but owns a 1.98 GAA and .900 save percentage versus Phoenix this season.

The Capitals are currently -118 home faves for the Saturday evening game.


Blue Jackets have been terrible in Music City

The Blue Jackets must get distracted by all the sights in Nashville because they don't show up on the ice. In the past 35 games between the Blue Jackets and Predators at the Bridgestone Arena, Columbus is 5-29-1.

When these two teams met earlier this season, in Columbus, the Blue Jackets got bounced 4-0. Columbus is currently 9th in the East and only two point behind idle Detroit for the final playoff spot.

The Blue Jackets (+104) will visit the Preds (-113) Saturday.


NHL salary cap could plummet next season

Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi has said the NHL salary cap could drop drastically next season, according to the LA Times.

NHL front offices were told "the cap was going to be $71 [million] and now with the Canadian dollar having tanked, that the cap could be as low as $68 [million]. That's a huge swing," Lombardi said.

Obviously a $3 million dollar drop in salary cap could greatly affect free agents in this upcoming offseason.

[Udog]

MLB

Saturday, March 8


Santana reportedly signs with Blue Jays

According to Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN, the Blue Jays have agreed to terms with Ervin Santana. Sources say that the contract is a one-year, $14 million dollars. However, according to Hardballtalk, Santana has said he is waiting until 5 p.m. ET to see if another team will offer him a better contract.

Santana was looking for a lengthier contract all off-season, but recently eased up on his demands with no teams biting. Assuming the Jays do land Santana he will join a rotation that already includes R.A. Dickey, Brandon Morrow and Mark Buehrle. Santana was 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA last season with the Kansas City Royals.

The Blue Jays O/U win total for the season is currently 77.


Carpenter signs $52 million extension with Cards

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter signed a six-year, $52 million contract extension Saturday.

Carpenter, 28, batted .318 with 11 home runs and 78 RBIs in 2013. He led the major leagues with 126 runs scored in an All-Star season.

The Cardinals' leadoff hitter is shifting from second base to third this year to make room for rookie prospect Kolten Wong.

Carpenter is batting .306 with 17 home runs and 124 RBIs in 278 major-league games over three seasons.


Mets ace Harvey hopes to take mound in 2014

New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, who took the league and Mets fans by storm in 2013, announced on Twitter that he anticipates a return this season.

The phenom went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP before having Tommy John surgery on Oct. 22.

Forecasts look like a 2015 return is more plausible, but Harvey has started throwing and, according to Hardball Talk, is in the midst of upping his workload.

The Mets win total is currently set at 71.5 for the 2014 season.

[Udog]

O-ops sorry to bother you--I just found them --duh........

Don't feel alone, RS! I can't find stuff I know I put in here all the time!

I guess that's just what can happen when these sources take so long getting the stuff out that it makes it hard to keep the info organized.