Cnotes Saturday's MLB Best Bets !

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

Tampa Bay Rays Meet Rival Red Sox

Many experts believed the Boston Red Sox would be a runaway division champion this season due to their free agent acquisitions, but that hasn’t been the case thus far. Instead a three-team race has presented itself in the American League East, with two of those teams scheduled to face off at 1:10 p.m. (PT) Saturday on FOX.

Tampa Bay entered the series six games back in the division and must turn things around at Tropicana Field to stay in contention. The Rays compiled a major league-leading 28 road wins before the all-star break, but have posted an even 21-21 mark at home.

The club is in the midst of an important stretch that will likely decided its seasonal fate, playing the fourth game of 10 consecutive contests versus the Red Sox and Yankees this afternoon. Tampa Bay has fared historically well against AL East foes, registering a 98-76 record over the past three years.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria will also need to turn things around at the plate in order for the squad to be in the race in September. The former Long Beach State star is batting .182 in July after posting a .306 average in June.

All-Star hurler James Shields (8-7, 2.33 ERA) gets the starting nod in the middle game of this weekend set and will be focused on breaking a three-game losing streak. The right-hander has allowed eight runs (six earned) and 17 hits over that span, but has been given just five runs of support offensively.

Shields has had his troubles against the Red Sox in the past, posting a losing 6-9 mark and 4.71 ERA in 17 career starts, but that wasn’t the case the last time he faced them. He registered a 4-0 complete game shutout at home on June 14, scattering just five hits while striking out five.

The 30-year-old has fared quite well against Boston All-Star third baseman Kevin Youkilis, holding him to just three hits in 35 career at-bats against him.

Boston headed into the All-Star break on a six-game win streak and took over the division’s top spot. The Red Sox have lost three of the previous five meetings versus the Rays this season, but picked up both wins at Tropicana Field.

Offense has been the name of the game in Beantown, as the team leads the majors with a .278 batting average, but the ‘over’ is surprisingly just 43-39-8 thus far during the 2011 campaign.

Right-handed starter John Lackey (6-8, 6.84 ERA) will likely need that offense to provide support tonight, coming in with a lackluster 2-4 record and 5.92 ERA in six road outings. Those numbers are quite close to his 3-3 career mark and 6.16 ERA in six lifetime starts at today’s venue, as he’s allowed the Rays to hit for a .310 average in those outings.

Lackey has done a nice job of limiting Longoria and outfielder B.J. Upton, holding them to eight combined hits in 39 plate appearances.

The ‘over’ is 5-1 in Lackey’s last six starts versus divisional opponents, but that is trumped by the two teams going under the number in the last six meetings in Tampa Bay.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

Phillies At New York Mets MLB Betting Preview

National League East rivals lock horns in the Big Apple this weekend for a crucial series, as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets. Saturday's clash will be the middle game of this set at Citi Field, and we have all of the MLB betting festivities covered.

This battle will get started at 1:10 p.m. (PT), and there will be regional television coverage on FOX.

The Mets are already looking like sellers as we near the trading deadline, as they shipped out closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers during th all-star break. The good news is that three of the club's top infielders – Jose Reyes, Ike Davis and David Wright – could all be coming back from injuries and be in lineup by Saturday.

New York enters Friday 11 games behind the Phils for the top spot in the NL East standings, and the distance to catch the Atlanta Braves for the NL Wild Card slot is 7 ½ games. That makes this series a "must sweep" for the Mets if they have any real shot for the postseason.

Jon Niese is going to get the call to head to the mound on Saturday afternoon. He pitched well in his last outing against the Phils, allowing just one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings in a 9-5 win here in the Big Apple. The southpaw has done relatively well for the season, going 8-7 with a 3.88 ERA.

Niese has only had one start since May 12 in which he allowed more than three earned runs, and he is definitely one of the main reasons why New York has stayed right around the .500 mark. One of his worst starts was also against these Phillies, though, when he allowed six runs in four frames and got the 'L' in an 11-0 defeat in April.

It wasn't all that long ago that Cole Hamels was thought of as the ace of the Philadelphia staff. Obviously with Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay in town, the southpaw can relax just a bit. However, 2011 is a year in which he is gunning for the best stats of his career.

Hamels is 11-4 with a 2.32 ERA. He is only four wins short of his career high from 2007, and his ERA is 0.66 lower than it was last year when he posted a career high 3.06. This is the first time that his WHIP is below 1.00 in his career, and his .207 batting average against is 20 points better than he has ever seen.

The Mets have always been a tough matchup for Hamels, though. He is just 3-9 with a 4.22 ERA in his 15 starts against New York, but he did pick up the 'W' in a May 28 game at Citi Field.

Over the course of his last two starts, the Phils have given Hamels a total of 28 runs of support. Those two games mark the fourth time since May 23 in which the lefty has gotten at least nine runs of help from his lineup.

Philly enters this series having won 20 of its last 28 games. The Phils also lead the season series 6-3, including taking two out of three in Flushing in May.

Expect a hot one with minimal chance of inclement weather in the Empire State on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be in the high-80s with relatively light winds out of the west at less than 10 mph.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

San Diego Padres Battle Giants at Petco Park

The San Francisco Giants have gotten an unexpected boost from their top-paid player who contributed very little to them winning the World Series championship a year ago.

Barry Zito will be going for his fourth straight win since coming off the disabled list for the Giants as they visit the San Diego Padres on Saturday in the third game of a four-game series. Game time is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PT).

Zito (3-1, 3.18 ERA) was not even on San Francisco’s postseason roster last season even though he makes a team-high $18.5 million per year. Much of that has to do with the fact that he simply did not perform well with a 9-14 record and 4.15 ERA in 2010. He has not finished with a winning record or had an ERA lower than 4.03 in any of his previous four seasons with the Giants.

That could obviously all change this year for the former American League Cy Young Award winner who enjoyed most of his success early on across the Bay in Oakland. Zito has allowed just three earned runs combined in three starts since he came off the DL after suffering from a sprained right foot.

The veteran southpaw has been used as a spot starter and could still be dealt at the trade deadline for hitting help.

One of Zito’s three wins came at home against San Diego last Thursday as a small 110 favorite, as he gave up one run and four hits in eight strong innings with no walks and a season-high seven strikeouts. He retired 14 of the last 16 batters he faced before leaving the game, beating the Padres for the first time in three years to improve to 4-8 lifetime against them with a 4.13 ERA. The ‘under’ is 3-1-1 in his past five outings.

Like Zito, San Diego’s Cory Luebke (2-3, 2.57) is also a lefty but has far less experience in only his second season. Luebke was on the losing end of the 2-1 setback against Zito and the Giants last time out, surrendering both runs and five hits in six innings with one walk and a season-high eight strikeouts.

He is a converted reliever who will be making his fourth straight start and has been an underdog in each of his previous three.

The Padres are just 11-21 in games Luebke has appeared in this year, dropping seven of the past 10. However, they are 2-1 in his first three starts while outscoring their opponents, 6-3. The ‘under’ has cashed in all three of those games, two of which had 6-run totals posted.

San Francisco's extra-inning victory in Thursday's series opener gave the Giants a 4-3 edge vs. the Padres in meetings this season. Friday's second game was still pending with San Fran -130 on the money line and 5½-runs for the total after opening at six runs.

Brian Runge is in line to call the plate and brings a strong 12-6 lean to the 'under' into the game. Home favorites are 6-7 in his 2011 contests.

Saturday’s forecast in San Diego calls for party sunny skies and a high temperature of 70 degrees.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

Around the Horn - Saturday

July 15, 2011

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Florida at Chicago - 1:05 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Vazquez (5-8, 5.23 ERA) 8-2 L10 4-2 away on Saturdays
Zambrano (6-4, 4.34 ERA) 3-8 L11 4-9 home Game 3's

Marlins beat Cubs, 6-3 on Thursday
Cubs beat Marlins, 2-1 on Friday

Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets - 4:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Hamels (11-4, 2.32 ERA) 7-3 L10 2-5 L7 away vs LHP
Niese (8-7, 3.88 ERA) 1-5 L6 UNDER 7-1 L8 home Game 2's

Phillies beat Mets, 7-2 on Friday

Pittsburgh at Houston - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Maholm (6-9, 2.96 ERA) 6-2 L8 5-2 L7 away Game 2's
Norris (5-6, 3.46 ERA) 2-7 L9 OVER 6-3 L9 home vs LHP

Pirates beat Astros, 4-0 on Friday

St. Louis at Cincinnati - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Carpenter (4-7, 3.85 ERA) 5-5 L10 1-5 L6 away Game 2's
Arroyo (7-7, 5.58 ERA) 4-7 L11 3-5 L8 on Saturdays

Reds beat Cardinals, 6-5 on Friday

Washington at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Lannan (5-6, 3.64 ERA) 5-5 L10 2-5 away on Saturdays
Hanson (10-4, 2.44 ERA) 6-2 L8 6-3 L9 home Game 2's

Braves beat Nationals, 11-1 on Friday

Milwaukee at Colorado - 8:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Greinke (7-3, 5.45 ERA) 4-3 L7 3-8 away Game 3's
Chacin (8-7, 3.16 ERA) 4-6 L10 OVER 9-1 home Game 3's

Rockies beat Brewers, 12-3 at Thursday
Rockies beat Brewers, 4-0 on Friday

Los Angeles at Arizona - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Kuroda (6-10, 3.06 ERA) 5-0 L5 OVER 5-1 L6 away on Saturdays
Kennedy (9-3, 3.44 ERA) 2-4 L6 UNDER 5-1 home on Saturdays

Dodgers beat Diamondbacks, 6-4 on Friday

San Francisco at San Diego - 8:35 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Zito (3-1, 3.18 ERA) 6-1 L7 2-9 away Game 3's
Luebke (2-3, 2.57 ERA) 2-8 L10 1-6 home on Saturdays

Giants beat Padres, 6-2 on Thursday
Giants beat Padres, 6-1 on Friday

AMERICAN LEAGUE

N.Y. Yankees at Toronto - 1:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Sabathia (13-4, 2.72 ERA) 2-4 L6 5-2 away on Saturdays
Romero (7-8, 3.09 ERA) 7-3 L10 2-9 home Game 3's

Blue Jays beat Yankees, 16-7 on Thursday
Blue Jays beat Yankees, 7-1 on Friday

Boston at Tampa Bay - 4:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Lackey (6-8, 6.84 ERA) 10-2 L12 7-2 L9 away Game 2's
Shields (8-7, 2.33 ERA) 5-5 L10 3-5 L8 home during day

Rays beat Red Sox, 9-6 on Friday

Chicago at Detroit - 4:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Jackson (5-7, 4.30 ERA) 3-6 L9 5-2 L7 away during day
Scherzer (10-4, 4.69 ERA) 4-2 L6 11-4 L15 home during day

White Sox beat Tigers, 8-2 on Friday

Los Angeles at Oakland - 4:10 PM EST (Game 2/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Weaver (11-4, 1.86 ERA) 8-2 L10 11-5 L16 away during day
Cahill (8-7, 3.12 ERA) 2-6 L8 UNDER 4-0 L4 home Game 2's

Athletics beat Angels, 5-3 on Friday

Cleveland at Baltimore - 7:05 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Carrasco (8-6, 4.28 ERA) 4-4 L8 2-6 L8 away Game 3's
Simon (1-2, 4.85 ERA) 0-9 L9 OVER 5-1 L6 home Game 3's

Indians beat Orioles, 8-4 on Thursday
Indians beat Orioles, 6-5 on Friday

Kansas City at Minnesota - 7:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Francis (3-10, 4.60 ERA) 5-7 L12 1-5 away on Saturdays
Pavano (6-6, 4.10 ERA) 8-4 L12 5-1 L6 home Game 3's

Twins beat Royals, 8-4 on Thursday
Royals beat Twins, 2-1 on Friday

Los Angeles at Oakland - 7:30 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Santana (4-8, 3.89 ERA) 8-2 L10 2-4 L6 away Game 3's
Harden (1-1, 5.73 ERA) 2-6 L8 8-4 home Game 3's

Athletics beat Angels, 5-3 on Friday

Texas at Seattle - 10:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know
Wilson (9-3, 3.20 ERA) 8-0 L8 UNDER 7-1 L8 away Game 3's
Hernandez (8-7, 3.19 ERA) 0-6 L6 1-6 home on Saturdays

Rangers beat Mariners, 5-0 on Thursday
Rangers beat Mariners, 4-0 on Friday

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB
Write-Up

Saturday, July 16

Hot pitchers
-- Hamels is 7-2, 1.68 in his last eleven starts.
-- Vazquez is 2-1, 1.78 in his last four starts. Zambrano is 1-0, 3.38 in his last three starts, but left his last outing with back issues.
-- Hanson is 5-0, 1.85 in his last six starts.
-- Norris is 2-2, 2.54 in his last six starts. Maholm is 3-1, 3.38 in his last four outings.
-- Carpenter is 3-0, 2.15 in his last four starts.
-- Kuroda has a 2.16 RA in his last four starts.
-- Zito is 3-0, 1.29 since coming off the DL. Luebke is 1-1, 1.06 in his first three starts.

-- Sabathia is 4-0, 0.28 in his last four starts; he hasn't allowed a run in his last 23 innings pitched.
-- Santana is 1-0, 2.38 in his last three starts. Cahill has a 2.86 RA in his last five starts.
-- Shields is 3-3, 1.88 in his last six starts, but lost his last three, as Rays scored five runs in the three games.
-- Pavano is 4-1, 2.85 in his last seven starts.
-- FHernandez is 0-0, 1.80 in his last couple starts. Wilson is 2-0, 3.38 in his last three outings.

Cold pitchers
-- Niese is 2-2, 5.17 in his last four starts.
-- Arroyo has a 9.35 RA in his last three starts.
-- Lannan is 0-1, 5.06 in his last three starts.
-- Chacin is 0-3, 5.82 in his last three starts. Greinke is 0-1, 10.20 in his last three outings.
-- Kennedy is 1-1, 6.41 in his last three starts.

-- Romero is 0-1, 8.44 in his last couple starts.
-- Lackey is 2-4, 5.92 in his six road starts.
-- Jackson is 1-2, 4.05 in his last four starts. Scherzer is 1-2, 7.06 in his last four starts.
-- Carrasco is 1-3, 6.95 in his last four starts. Simon allowed three runs in 4.2 IP in losing his first '11 start.
-- Francis is 0-4, 5.60 in his last five starts.

Totals
-- Five of last six Florida road games went over the total.
-- Seven of Philly's last eight road games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in Pittsburgh's last seven road games.
-- Five of last seven St Louis games went over the total.
-- Last four Atlanta home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Arizona games went over the total.
-- San Francisco's last four road games went over the total.

-- Over is 8-3-1 in last twelve Toronto games.
-- Three of last four Oakland games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-4-1 in last thirteen Tampa Bay games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in Detroit's last seven home games.
-- Four of last five Cleveland road games went over the total.
-- Over is 8-4 in Minnesota's last dozen home games.
-- Last four Texas road games stayed under the total.

Hot Teams
-- Marlins won six of their last seven games.
-- Phillies won 10 of their last 14 games.
-- Braves won 11 of their last 14 games.
-- Pirates won six of their last eight games.
-- Colorado won four of its last five games.
-- Dodgers won their last five games, allowing five runs.
-- Giants won six of their last seven games.

-- Indians won five of their last six road games.
-- Detroit won four of its last six games.
-- Toronto won its last five games, scoring 46 runs.
-- Red Sox won 10 of their last 12 games.
-- Twins won ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Angels won 14 of their last 18 games.
-- Rangers won their last nine games, scoring 62 runs.

Cold Teams
-- Cubs lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Reds lost seven of their last eleven games. St Louis lost its last three road games, allowing 19 runs.
-- Mets lost four of their last five games.
-- Nationals lost four of their last five games.
-- Astros lost 16 of their last 18 games.
-- Brewers lost three of their last four games.
-- Arizona lost five of its last six home games.
-- Padres lost their last seven games, scoring five runs in their last six.

-- Orioles lost nine in row, 14 of last 15 games.
-- White Sox lost five of their last seven games.
-- Bronx Bombers are 3-6 in their last nine games.
-- Tampa Bay is just 5-6 in its last eleven games.
-- Royals lost 11 of their last 16 road games.
-- Oakland lost six of its last eight games.
-- Mariners lost their last seven games, scoring nine runs- they've been blanked in each of their last two games.

Umpires
-- Fla-Chi-- Four of last five Hallion games stayed under the total.
-- Phil-NY-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Gorman games.
-- Pitt-Hst-- Nine of last eleven Timmons games stayed under total.
-- StL-Cin-- Home team won last five Winters games, with three of last foir going over the total.
-- Wsh-Atl-- Six of last nine Danley games went over the total.
-- Mil-Col-- Favorites won last eight Blaser games.
-- LA-Az-- Road team won nine of last eleven Diaz games.
-- SF-SD-- Underdogs won seven of last ten Runge games.

-- NY-Tor-- Six of last eight Tichenor games stayed under the total.
-- LA-A's-- Five of last seven Scott games went over the total.
-- Bos-TB-- Underdogs are 6-5 in last eleven Reynolds games.
-- Chi-Det-- 10 of 13 Porter games stayed under the total.
-- Clev-Balt-- Last three Knight games stayed under the total.
-- KC-Minn-- Five of last six Campos games stayed under the total.
-- Tex-Sea-- Last three Cederstrom games stayed under the total.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB

Saturday, July 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:05 PM
FLORIDA vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Florida's last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 11 games when playing Florida

1:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home

4:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. OAKLAND
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Oakland
Oakland is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games at home

4:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
Chi White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 11 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

4:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY METS
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Mets's last 12 games
NY Mets are 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Philadelphia

4:10 PM
BOSTON vs. TAMPA BAY
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 14 games at home
Tampa Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home

7:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BALTIMORE
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Cleveland

7:05 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Houston is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games at home

7:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone OVER in 7 of St. Louis's last 8 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing St. Louis

7:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Washington

7:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Minnesota is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Kansas City

7:35 PM
LA ANGELS vs. OAKLAND
LA Angels14-4-1 SU in their last 19 games
LA Angels are 1-7-1 SU in their last 9 games ,when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland7-1-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Oakland6-2-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels

8:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
LA Dodgers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games
Arizona is 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing LA Dodgers
Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. COLORADO
Milwaukee is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 12 games
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games at home

8:35 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 7 games when playing San Diego
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

10:10 PM
TEXAS vs. SEATTLE
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Seattle's last 12 games

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB

Saturday, July 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Streaking

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (13-4, 2.72 ERA)

The Yankees’ hefty lefty has thrust himself to the front of the AL Cy Young race with his recent performances. Sabathia is 9-1 in his last 10 and carries a six-game winning streak into the weekend. Even more impressive is the southpaw’s scoreless streak, which has lasted 23 2-2 innings. In his most recent start, Sabathia gave up only four hits while striking out nine batters in a complete-game shutout of the Rays.

Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels (11-4, 1.86 ERA)

Perhaps Sabathia’s closest competition for the AL Cy Young is the Halos’ red-hot righty. Weaver got the starting nod for the American League in this week’s All-Star Game and is unbeaten in his last nine appearances, going 5-0 with a 1.27 ERA. Before the break, he limited the Mariners to just one run on six hits while sitting down six batters over nine innings of work.

Slumping

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians (8-6, 4.28 ERA)

Carrasco fell on his face to end the first half of the season, giving up 11 earned runs in just seven totals innings over his past two starts. This skid comes on the heels of a solid June, in which the righthander went 4-2 with a 1.90 ERA. But to be fair to the native of Venezuela, he was up against the Blue Jays and Yankees in those losses – two of the biggest-swinging teams in the bigs.

Jeff Francis, Kansas City Royals (3-10, 4.60 ERA)

The switch to the American League continues to haunt Francis, who is tied for the third most losses in the majors heading into the weekend. The lefthander hasn’t picked up a win since June 10 but can blame his surroundings for that more than anything. Francis isn’t pitching poorly, going 0-2 with a 3.71 ERA in his last three starts. However, Kansas City’s bats have provided just 4.92 runs of support for Francis this year, which ranks 12th lowest among AL pitchers.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB

Saturday, July 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball's easiest and toughest second-half schedules
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Major League Baseball second half is off and running and it’s time to analyze who has the easiest and toughest schedules the rest of the way:

EASIEST:

San Francisco Giants

If Bruce Bochy’s club doesn’t get a chance to defend its World Series title, it will have no one to blame but itself.

The Giants have some tough series ahead (three games in Philadelphia later this month, four more versus the Phillies at home next month) but you can’t ignore the fact that the Dodgers, Rockies and Padres are bad teams right now, and the Giants face that NL West trifecta a total of 28 times the rest of the way.

That stretch started with a Thursday night date in San Diego. And if the Diamondbacks are still truly threatening the Giants in September, know this: San Francisco has 19 games that month against teams that are currently below the .500 mark.

Cleveland Indians

There were two great stories at the beginning of the year in the AL Central: The Indians and the Royals. Well, there’s only one left now, as the Royals limped into the break 18 games below .500. The Indians are still hanging around, and though they have a season-defining stretch to open August, things are rather light everywhere else.

Cleveland has only one series left this month against a team that is over .500 (Angels). And after a 10-gamer to open next month versus the Red Sox, Rangers and Tigers, the Indians close August with 10 games against the Mariners, Royals and Athletics. And the Tribe are one of few AL teams that don’t have to play the Yankees the rest of the way.

Milwaukee Brewers

This was a toss-up between the Cardinals and the Brewers, depending on who you think is the more powerful team in the NL Central. We’ll lean on the Brewers, who have more pop and perhaps more incentive to win the division.

The Cubs and Astros are the dregs of that division, and Milwaukee will be fortunate enough to play that parlay 18 more times. In August, there’s also a four-gamer versus the dreadful Dodgers, and also have four days off that month. That will be key as the Brewers can reset their rotation and rest some of their big bats as the race with St. Louis tightens.

TOUGHEST:

New York Mets

The dominoes began to fall over the All- Star break, when the Mets shipped out closer Francisco Rodriguez. More players will be sold and more losses will mount. Give credit to Terry Collins’ crew for hanging around, and showing some fight this season.

But with his troops dwindling, Collins and Co. will simply not be able to hang in the NL East, especially when they have to play the first-place Phillies and second-place Braves a total of 18 times. Plus, New York will close July on a 10-game road trip, and they just returned from a pre-break West Coast trip, as well. The tread is going to show on those tires before too long.

Tampa Bay Rays

Like the Mets, Tampa Bay has hung around and surprised some in its first season without Carl Crawford. Then, Manny Ramirez up and retired. But the Rays have gotten off the mat nicely. That said, they are not as strong as the Red Sox or Yankees, and they have to play those two AL East rivals a total of 25 times before season’s end.

There are also six games against the red-hot Rangers, who are in first place in the AL West. They will end July with a stretch against the Royals, Athletics and Mariners, but Tampa Bay doesn’t have another day off until August 15, and only has four days off the rest of the season. That’s a lot of baseball against some pretty good teams.

Oakland Athletics

When you’re one of the worst teams in baseball, every game, every series is tough. But this second half is truly going to test this tired bunch, as Oakland only has just one series left in July against a team below the .500 mark (Minnesota). But wait, it gets worse.

The Athletics must still play six games versus the Rays, six more versus the Yankees, four versus the Indians and three against the Red Sox. Strangely enough, they have two days off next week, but then begin a stretch of 13 games in 13 days into August. If you thought they were fade material now, just wait until next month rolls around.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB

Saturday, July 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot lines: Saturday's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles Angels (-106, 7) at Oakland Athletics, Game 2

Angels starter Ervin Santana has dominated the A’s throughout his career, going 13-3 with a tiny 1.97 ERA. Oakland starter Rich Harden has been money at the Coliseum, as the A’s are 29-9 in his last 38 home starts. So a pitcher’s duel would seem to be in store; hence, the relatively low total.

However, a stiff 13 mph wind is forecast to be blowing out to the power alley in right-center field. The Over is 5-0 in Harden’s last five starts vs. Angels and 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings between the Angels and A’s in Oakland.

We’re going to play Over 7 here and keep an eye on Game 1 of the doubleheader. If either team has to use its bullpen extensively in the first game of the doubleheader, this could be a big play for us.

Pick: Over 7

Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves (-169, 7)

The Braves head into the second half of the season as one of the hottest team in the majors. With Tommy Hanson on the mound, there’s no reason to believe this won’t continue.

Atlanta notched its 10,000th win Friday and are in position to pick up 10,001 when Hanson faces John Lannan today at Turner Field, where the Braves have won 11 of 12 games.

For whatever reason, the Nats really stink on Saturdays. They’ve 65 of their last 95 Saturday affairs.

Now, they’ve got to face Hanson, who is emerging as one of the top power pitchers in the entire National League.

The Braves have won all six of Hanson’s last starts and should be in good shape against up-and-down John Lannan.

Pick: Braves

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB
Dunkel

San Francisco at San Diego
The Giants look to follow up their 6-1 win last night and build on their 7-2 record in their last 9 games after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game. San Francisco is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Giants favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+110). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Game 901-902: Florida at Chicago Cubs (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Vazquez) 15.496; Cubs (Zambrano) 14.703
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); N/A

Game 902-904: Philadelphia at NY Mets (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 16.707; NY Mets (Niese) 15.211
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-145); 7
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-145); Under

Game 905-906: Pittsburgh at Houston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 15.853; Houston (Norris) 13.463
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 2 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Houston (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+100); Under

Game 907-908: St. Louis at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 15.801; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.707
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120); Over

Game 909-910: Washington at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.156; Atlanta (Hanson) 15.759
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-180); 7
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-180); Under

Game 911-912: Milwaukee at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Greinke) 14.626; Colorado (Chacin) 14.169
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+100); Over

Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 14.624; Arizona (Kennedy) 15.423
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-130); Under

Game 915-916: San Francisco at San Diego (8:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 16.266; San Diego (Luebke) 14.358
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 2; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-130); 6
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+110); Over

Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.620; Toronto (Romero) 17.475
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 7
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+130); Under

Game 919-920: LA Angels at Oakland (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.937; Oakland (Cahill) 14.858
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-120); 6
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-120); Over

Game 921-922: LA Angels at Oakland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.841; Oakland (Harden) 14.762
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 7
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-110); Under

Game 923-924: Boston at Tampa Bay (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 15.766; Tampa Bay (Shields) 16.862
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140); Over

Game 925-926: Chicago White Sox at Detroit (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Jackson) 15.873; Detroit (Scherzer) 15.531
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+135); Over

Game 927-928: Cleveland at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carrasco) 15.047; Baltimore (Simon) 12.692
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-115); Under

Game 929-930: Kansas City at Minnesota (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Francis) 15.277; Minnesota (Pavano) 16.513
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-135); Over

Game 931-932: Texas at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Wilson) 16.496; Seattle (Hernandez) 13.912
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2 1/2; 5
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 6
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-105); Under

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, July 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA (44 - 49) at CHICAGO CUBS (38 - 56) - 1:05 PM
JAVIER VAZQUEZ (R) vs. CARLOS ZAMBRANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 77-103 (-26.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 27-16 (+13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 105-100 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 23-20 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 49-35 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 28-14 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VAZQUEZ is 13-4 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 38-56 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-21 (-11.9 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 57-73 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 53-68 (-22.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 38-56 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 77-99 (-21.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-29 (-20.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 51-64 (-28.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 169-144 (-42.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ZAMBRANO is 72-66 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 72-66 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 3-1 (+2.8 Units) against FLORIDA this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JAVIER VAZQUEZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
VAZQUEZ is 5-4 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.60 and a WHIP of 1.384.
His team's record is 10-8 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-7. (+4.4 units)

CARLOS ZAMBRANO vs. FLORIDA since 1997
ZAMBRANO is 5-2 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.397.
His team's record is 9-4 (+6.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-3. (+5.9 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (58 - 34) at NY METS (46 - 46) - 4:10 PM
COLE HAMELS (L) vs. JON NIESE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-18 (-12.8 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 46-46 (+4.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 46-46 (+4.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 65-60 (+9.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 29-22 (+15.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 161-102 (+22.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 124-92 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 243-242 (-65.5 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 7-3 (+2.4 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

COLE HAMELS vs. NY METS since 1997
HAMELS is 3-9 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.22 and a WHIP of 1.528.
His team's record is 5-10 (-9.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-7. (-2.1 units)

JON NIESE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
NIESE is 2-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.328.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH (48 - 43) at HOUSTON (30 - 63) - 7:05 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. BUD NORRIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 46-108 (-37.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 33-76 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 3-21 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 59-58 (+12.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 40-33 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NORRIS is 8-3 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 48-43 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 25-21 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 21-12 (+14.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 46-42 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 32-27 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MAHOLM is 23-15 (+15.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 30-63 (-27.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 1-9 (-8.7 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
HOUSTON is 14-34 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 28-62 (-29.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 21-43 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 13-33 (-17.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 8-2 (+6.1 Units) against HOUSTON this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

PAUL MAHOLM vs. HOUSTON since 1997
MAHOLM is 11-6 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.37 and a WHIP of 1.297.
His team's record is 12-7 (+5.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-9. (-1.7 units)

BUD NORRIS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
NORRIS is 3-4 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.384.
His team's record is 3-4 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (49 - 44) at CINCINNATI (46 - 47) - 7:10 PM
CHRIS CARPENTER (R) vs. BRONSON ARROYO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 135-120 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 59-70 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 57-54 (-24.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 132-117 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 72-69 (-26.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 18-30 (-28.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 76-49 (+20.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 17-28 (-15.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARROYO is 3-10 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 6-4 (+2.7 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.7 Units)

CHRIS CARPENTER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
CARPENTER is 13-4 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 2.29 and a WHIP of 0.871.
His team's record is 15-6 (+5.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-13. (-6.0 units)

BRONSON ARROYO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
ARROYO is 7-11 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.60 and a WHIP of 1.372.
His team's record is 11-16 (-4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-15. (-5.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (46 - 47) at ATLANTA (55 - 38) - 7:10 PM
JOHN LANNAN (L) vs. TOMMY HANSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 55-38 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 86-46 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-38 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HANSON is 13-2 (+11.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 46-47 (+5.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 46-47 (+5.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 30-28 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LANNAN is 25-19 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LANNAN is 25-19 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LANNAN is 12-8 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-4 (+1.0 Units) against ATLANTA this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.2 Units)

JOHN LANNAN vs. ATLANTA since 1997
LANNAN is 6-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 3.25 and a WHIP of 1.556.
His team's record is 7-5 (+6.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-7. (-2.1 units)

TOMMY HANSON vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
HANSON is 2-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.94 and a WHIP of 1.102.
His team's record is 3-5 (-5.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE (49 - 45) at COLORADO (45 - 48) - 8:10 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. JHOULYS CHACIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 33-48 (-18.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 11-26 (-13.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 16-31 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 11-29 (-17.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 16-31 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 6-14 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
GREINKE is 5-17 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 4-16 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 3-13 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 43-21 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 45-48 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 43-44 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 45-48 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 82-88 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 28-37 (-19.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 62-65 (-20.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-2 (+1.2 Units) against COLORADO this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. COLORADO since 1997
GREINKE is 1-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 8.22 and a WHIP of 1.696.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.7 units)

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS (42 - 51) at ARIZONA (49 - 44) - 8:10 PM
HIROKI KURODA (R) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 42-51 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 66-70 (-25.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 42-51 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 28-36 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 63-76 (-17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 26-41 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 49-45 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 49-45 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 37-30 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 594-522 (-72.1 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
ARIZONA is 38-56 (-20.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-2 (+0.3 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. ARIZONA since 1997
KURODA is 2-4 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.413.
His team's record is 4-5 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.7 units)

IAN KENNEDY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
KENNEDY is 1-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.10 and a WHIP of 1.355.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO (54 - 40) at SAN DIEGO (40 - 54) - 8:35 PM
BARRY ZITO (L) vs. CORY LUEBKE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 54-40 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 73-46 (+19.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 75-65 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 24-13 (+9.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 54-40 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 40-21 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 18-6 (+11.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 89-67 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 114-74 (+24.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-4 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 28-41 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN DIEGO is 19-29 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 19-29 (-11.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN DIEGO is 19-29 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 20-40 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 5-3 (+0.5 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.8 Units)

BARRY ZITO vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
ZITO is 4-8 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 4.17 and a WHIP of 1.439.
His team's record is 8-10 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-11. (-6.0 units)

CORY LUEBKE vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
LUEBKE is 0-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY YANKEES (53 - 37) at TORONTO (47 - 47) - 1:07 PM
C.C. SABATHIA (L) vs. RICKY ROMERO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 54-49 (-12.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 132-125 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 59-52 (+28.0 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997.
TORONTO is 71-69 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 35-29 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 26-5 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-5 (+1.3 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. TORONTO since 1997
SABATHIA is 10-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.19 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 10-3 (+6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-4. (+4.3 units)

RICKY ROMERO vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
ROMERO is 3-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.74 and a WHIP of 1.378.
His team's record is 4-4 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (50 - 43) at OAKLAND (40 - 53) - 4:05 PM
JERED WEAVER (R) vs. TREVOR CAHILL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 52-38 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CAHILL is 30-19 (+14.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 34-18 (+13.6 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 110-102 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 81-48 (+34.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 500-488 (+68.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 46-40 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 598-513 (+70.1 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 61-41 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 40-53 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 39-51 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 26-39 (-16.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 6-4 (+3.2 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

JERED WEAVER vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WEAVER is 4-6 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.02 and a WHIP of 1.174.
His team's record is 7-10 (-7.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-4. (+7.2 units)

TREVOR CAHILL vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
CAHILL is 4-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.13 and a WHIP of 1.342.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (50 - 43) at OAKLAND (40 - 53) - 7:05 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. RICH HARDEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 34-18 (+13.6 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 110-102 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 500-488 (+68.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 46-40 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 61-41 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 40-53 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 39-51 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 23-35 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 26-39 (-16.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 6-4 (+3.2 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. OAKLAND since 1997
SANTANA is 13-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.01 and a WHIP of 1.176.
His team's record is 15-5 (+9.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-14. (-9.3 units)

RICH HARDEN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
HARDEN is 6-3 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.84 and a WHIP of 1.281.
His team's record is 9-5 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-4. (+5.4 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (55 - 36) at TAMPA BAY (50 - 41) - 4:10 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LACKEY is 1-6 (-8.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 410-515 (+17.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 264-284 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 152-159 (+23.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
BOSTON is 29-11 (+15.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 39-36 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-2 (+2.9 Units) against BOSTON this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
LACKEY is 11-4 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.278.
His team's record is 12-4 (+7.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-7. (+1.3 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. BOSTON since 1997
SHIELDS is 6-11 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.57 and a WHIP of 1.329.
His team's record is 6-13 (-7.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-6. (+4.9 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHI WHITE SOX (45 - 48) at DETROIT (49 - 44) - 4:10 PM
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. MAX SCHERZER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 19-28 (-14.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 9-16 (-10.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
JACKSON is 7-16 (-12.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 23-12 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 67-61 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 22-17 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 56-47 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 14-8 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 233-251 (-60.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-2 (+2.4 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

EDWIN JACKSON vs. DETROIT since 1997
JACKSON is 2-2 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.610.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.9 units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SCHERZER is 2-1 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 2.63 and a WHIP of 1.009.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND (49 - 42) at BALTIMORE (36 - 54) - 7:05 PM
CARLOS CARRASCO (R) vs. ALFREDO SIMON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 50-42 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 16-8 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 47-39 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 38-27 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 38-28 (+13.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 28-20 (+9.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BALTIMORE is 36-55 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 30-52 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 22-41 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 16-37 (-20.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 158-291 (-115.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 10-36 (-25.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

CARLOS CARRASCO vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.

ALFREDO SIMON vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY (38 - 55) at MINNESOTA (42 - 49) - 7:30 PM
JEFF FRANCIS (L) vs. CARL PAVANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 112-172 (-40.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
FRANCIS is 0-14 (-16.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 136-120 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 31-6 (+23.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 64-37 (+21.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 130-110 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PAVANO is 143-119 (+26.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 72-43 (+30.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-5 (+1.3 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

JEFF FRANCIS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
FRANCIS is 1-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.66 and a WHIP of 1.230.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.4 units)

CARL PAVANO vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PAVANO is 8-6 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.91 and a WHIP of 1.441.
His team's record is 8-6 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-3. (+6.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS (53 - 41) at SEATTLE (43 - 50) - 10:10 PM
C.J. WILSON (L) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 14-24 (-13.6 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 42-22 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WILSON is 37-19 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WILSON is 36-18 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 105-150 (-42.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 28-56 (-27.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 102-144 (-41.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 20-51 (-30.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 56-94 (-35.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 5-12 (-8.5 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 6-2 (+3.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

C.J. WILSON vs. SEATTLE since 1997
WILSON is 3-2 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.13 and a WHIP of 1.354.
His team's record is 6-2 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-2. (+3.8 units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 10-13 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.84 and a WHIP of 1.241.
His team's record is 12-17 (-11.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 17-10. (+6.1 units)

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

Saturday's betting tips: Kaymer now favored at British Open

Weather watch

After two days of relatively tame conditions, more traditional British Open weather is expected to move into Sandwich, England today. An 80 percent chance of rain with winds gusting to 30 mph is forecast throughout today’s third round and unquestionably will play havoc on the field.

Who’s hot

MLB: Opponents are hitting just .196 off Angels’ Game 1 starter Jered Weaver since June 8. Weaver has a miniscule 1.32 ERA during that stretch.

MLB: Angels Game 2 starter Ervin Santana is 13-3 with a 1.97 ERA against the A’s.

CFL: BC Lions are 4-0 in their last four games in Week 3.

Who’s not

CFL: Hamilton Tiger-Cats are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games against Saskatchewan.

MLB: Red Sox starter John Lackey has an 8.66 ERA since May, but did throw six shutout innings in his last start, albeit against the Orioles.

WNBA: The Dream are 1-10-1 ATS this season.

Quote to Note

“One of the things I'm looking forward to is actually the bad weather. I hope it comes in." – Phil Mickelson, who is 1-under, three off the lead.

Injury to note

Carlos Zambrano comes off the disabled list and is scheduled to start today against the Marlins. Before going on the DL with a back strain, Zambrano had surrendered five runs in his last 15 innings. He is 5-1 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 career games (11 starts) against the Marlins.

Game of the Day

St. Louis Cardinals (-121) at Cincinnati Reds

Betting Tips

Lucas Glover and Darren Clarke share the lead at the Open Championship at 4-under-par. But oddmakers expect Glover and Clarke to fail.

Martin Kaymer heads into today’s third round as the betting favorite. Kaymer (-650), the reigning PGA Championship champion, is at 3-under, one shot off the lead. Rory McIlroy, the pre-tournament favorite, is four shots back but is the second favorite at +800.

Saskatchewan has a tendency to get involved in low scoring games on the road. The under is 56-26-1 in the Roughriders’ last 83 road games.

The Cardinals have dominated the Reds with Chris Carpenter on the mound. St. Louis is 11-2 in its last 13 games against the Reds with Carpenter on the hill.

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

Saturday's six-pack

Odds to win the Super Bowl

4-1 Patriots-- I have no idea what to expect this season; its unchartered territory, with no offseason team workouts.

9-2 Packers-- Defending champs in an improved division.

5-1 Steelers-- Question is how healthy is Big Ben's foot?

7-1 Colts-- Not too fond of Jim Caldwell as a head coach.

7-1 Jets-- If only they played as well as they talk......

7-1 Cowboys-- Most overrated organization in all of sports?

************************

Saturday's List of 13: Thoughts from vacation in the desert

13) What a fool I am; all along, I thought Elin Nordegren, the former wife of Eldrick Woods, was in it for love instead of money. How stupid of me.

Seems that Ms Nordegren is now dating investor Jamie Dingman, whose dad just happens to be a billionaire. Really?!?!?! No kidding.....all along I thought she might start dating box boys at Costco, but apparently not.

12) Sandy Koufax once intentionally walked Bob Uecker. Seriously.

11) Big boost for the Braves, getting Martin Prado back from his illness. Atlanta is rolling, and appear headed for a Wild Card ticket.

10) Vladimir Guerrero has a small crack in a bone in his hand; not sure if he going on the DL or not. Injury is probably a product of the brushback wars last week between the Orioles and Boston in Fenway.

9) Tom Watson shot his 15th career hole-in-one on the 6th hole Friday, then made the cut by two shots, so the ace relieved a lot of his stress.

8) ESPN's John Clayton said on the air Friday that last year's Texans had the worst NFL secondary of any team in the last decade. That takes up a lot of sorry teams. Wade Phillips runs their defense now, so they'll show improvement this year, and probably pretty big improvement.

7) Jim Riggelman, who quit as Nationals' manager while the team was on an 11-1 roll, has surfaced as a special assignment scout for the Giants. I doubt that job pays him the $300,000 he gave up in Washington, but at least he's back in the game.

6) Brandon Phillips sent the Cincinnati fans home happy Friday with a very dramatic walk-off homer in 9th inning, as the Reds beat St Louis, an inning after Pujols had homered to put the Redbirds ahead. .

5) Not only are the Rangers red-hot, they blanked Seattle the last couple nights at Safeco Field. Texas has now won eight games in a row.

4) Apparently the Mets want a real prospect for Carlos Beltran, but they have no leverage, since they get nothing if he walks after the season, so to get anything for him, they have to trade him in the next couple weeks.

3) Brad Zeigler saved the A's bacon Friday, getting Aybar to ground into a 4-6-3 double play with bags loaded, ending an Angel uprising that was the work of arsonist Michael Wuertz, who walked all three batters he faced. Oakland hung on to beat the Angels 5-3, who are 14-4 in their last 18.

2) Friday night was the ninth time in 18 starts the Padres scored zero or one run in one of Dustin Moseley's starts. Not good.

1) If it wasn't for the British Open being on TV, I would have zero idea what day it is; that said, golf came on TV last two nights at 1am in Vegas, so its still not always 100% clear whether I'm coming or going........

CNOTES · Jul 16, 2011

MLB

Saturday, July 16

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Florida - 1:05 PM ET Florida +111 500
Chi. Cubs -

NY Yankees - 1:07 PM ET NY Yankees -147 500
Toronto - Over 7.5 500

LA Angels - 4:05 PM ET LA Angels -122 500
Oakland - Under 6 500

Boston - 4:10 PM ET Tampa Bay -138 500
Tampa Bay - Over 8.5 500

Chi. White Sox - 4:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox +142 500
Detroit - Over 8.5 500

Philadelphia - 4:10 PM ET Philadelphia -134 500
NY Mets - Over 7 500

Cleveland - 7:05 PM ET Cleveland -113 500
Baltimore - Under 9.5 500

Pittsburgh - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +113 500
Houston - Over 7.5 500

LA Angels - 7:05 PM ET LA Angels +100 500
Oakland - Under 7 500

Washington - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -181 500
Atlanta - Under 7 500

Kansas City - 7:10 PM ET Minnesota -127 500
Minnesota - Over 8.5 500

St. Louis - 7:10 PM ET St. Louis -123 500
Cincinnati - Over 8.5 500

Milwaukee - 8:10 PM ET Colorado -117 500
Colorado - Under 9 500

LA Dodgers - 8:10 PM ET LA Dodgers +124 500
Arizona - Under 8 500

San Francisco - 8:35 PM ET San Francisco +126 500
San Diego - Under 6 500

Texas - 10:10 PM ET Seattle +100 500
Seattle - Under 6 500

-----------------------------------------------------------
( CFL This week 4 - 0 )

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
07/15/11 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
07/14/11 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
07/09/11 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/08/11 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail
07/03/11 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
07/01/11 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
Totals 12-*6-*0 66.67% +2700

CFL

Saturday, July 16

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Saskatchewan - 4:00 PM ET Saskatchewan +2 500
Hamilton - Over 51.5 500

BC Lions - 7:00 PM ET Edmonton -2.5 500
Edmonton - Under 54.5 500

-----------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM ETChicago at Atlanta
Teams ROT Record Consensus Odds
CHI 601 7-7 (1-5 V) - 160 UNDER
ATL 602 3-9 (2-5 H) - -6.5 CHI + 6.5

Stats: Matchup | Preview | Trends | Line Moves My Scores
Opinion: Consensus | Team Experts 8:00 PM ETSeattle at Minnesota
Teams ROT Record Consensus Odds
SEA 603 7-5 (2-4 V) - 149 UNDER
MIN 604 8-4 (4-2 H) - -4 SEATTLE + 4

Stats: Matchup | Preview | Trends | Line Moves My Scores

Cnotes Saturday's MLB Best Bets !

Search

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

CNOTES

Active member

Forum statistics

Share this page