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Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets MLB Odds Preview

Life on the road hasn't been kind to the Milwaukee Brewers. Ron Roenicke hopes his club can turn that around a bit when the Brew Crew embarks on a 7-game trip that begins Friday at Citi Field against the New York Mets.

The starting pitching duel for Game 1 pits a pair of right-handers with Shaun Marcum (13-12, 3.50) taking his turn in Milwaukee's rotation against Mike Pelfrey (9-16, 4.58) of New York. It's the second time in 2011 for both hurlers to face the opposing lineups, and each pitched well enough to win only to have their bullpens thwart the previous efforts.

Overnight MLB betting numbers had Milwaukee -145 to take Game 1 with the scoreboard tally set at eight runs ('under' -115).

Marcum has helped Brewers backers cash five of his last six starts with Milwaukee winning each of his last three road assignments. His last two outings have required an extra inning to complete with Marcum recording no-decisions in the eventual Brewers victories.

The June meeting between the two clubs at Miller Park found the Mets taking two of three, one of those the series opener that Marcum started. He held a fragile 1-0 lead through six innings, but Brewers relievers let the game get away, 2-1. Milwaukee was listed at -175 on the MLB odds board for that one.

New York's only defeat in the June set came in Pelfrey's start. With the Mets 145 underdogs, Pelfrey worked six good frames while allowing just two runs. He left with a 2-1 deficit that New York turned into a 6-2 lead before coughing the advantage up in a 7-6 loss.

Pelfrey's last appearance on a mound came just a couple of days ago when he was summoned from the bullpen for the first time this season, and just the second time since 2007. That relief appearance followed a scary moment in his previous start (Aug. 13) when he took a liner off his right elbow at Chase Field, but X-rays showed no damage.

The Mets (60-63, +2.4 units) are returning home from a 6-game swing through the NL West where they were swept in Arizona before winning two of three in San Diego. New York enjoyed a day off Thursday and will be shuffling the bullpen around for the remainder of the schedule. The flame-throwing Bobby Parnell will be given a chance to win the closer's job as Terry Collins and his team begin to prepare for next season.

It's all about this season for Roenicke and Milwaukee (73-52, +17.1 units). The Brewers endured a tough 11-game road trip right after the all-star break that saw them go 5-6, but they have since been reeling off one win after another. They are 19-3 since that point after seeing a 6-game win streak snuffed Thursday against the Dodgers.

The majors' best home record (47-16) is offset by a 26-36 mark on the road. Milwaukee showed signs of getting out of the road funk earlier this month when the Brewers won five of six on a tour through Houston and St. Louis. The Mets and Pirates are no pushovers, but winning at least four of seven on this trip is expected from a club that is beginning to run away from the pack in the NL Central standings.

Friday's series opener gets underway at 4:10 p.m. (PT) with a 40 percent chance of rain in Queens. It should be in the upper-70s for the first pitch with a slight SSW breeze (blowing out to center). Saturday's forecast also calls for a chance of rain with Randy Wolf and Chris Capuano the expected pitching matchup.

Atlanta Braves Host Arizona In Key NL Series

Both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves will be in action on Thursday night, a day before they begin a three-game series in Turner Field. Arizona will be traveling from Philadelphia to Atlanta after their game with the Phillies, while the Braves will be waiting for them as they finish a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

Friday's game between the Braves and Diamondbacks is scheduled to start at 4:35 p.m. (PT).

Arizona is scheduled to send right-handed starter Daniel Hudson (12-8, 3.76) to the mound when they travel to Atlanta to face veteran 38-year-old starter Derek Lowe (7-11, 4.89).

Lowe has only pitched at home three times since the middle of June and he'll be looking for just his third victory at Turner Field with the Braves 6-4 in the previous 10. His ERA has ballooned thanks to a 6.30 mark the last 12 outings, and this start at home could be just the thing Lowe needs to bounce back.

He is 1-4 in his last five starts overall and really needs this home start to get back in a pitching groove before the crucial stretch run in September. Facing the hot Diamondbacks will be a great test for Lowe, who allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in his last start versus the Diamondbacks in 2010.

The issue with Hudson so far this year has been simply staying consistent from start to start. Hudson has made a habit of following really solid starts with very shaky outings, and if the Diamondbacks are going to hold on in the National League West against the San Francisco Giants, they are going to need Hudson to string together a few quality starts down the stretch.

Hudson has been a very good starter for the Diamondbacks when it comes to these road spots against a talented hitting team like the Braves. Hudson is 6-2 in his last eight starts versus a team with a winning record and I think that statistic shows exactly what Arizona would be looking for in Game 1 of this series.

Both the Braves (9-6) and Diamondbacks (10-5) have been on a tear since the month of August began and go into this extremely pivotal series fighting for playoff spots. The Diamondbacks go into this three-game series with Atlanta 2.5-games ahead of the Giants for first place in the division.

The Braves, on the other hand, are 8.5 games behind the Phillies for first place in the National League East. Atlanta currently leads the National League Wild Card race by five games over the Giants and six games over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The scheduled forecast for this game at Turner Field on Friday night is 93 degrees and partly cloudy and should be a great night for August baseball.

BC Lions Visit Edmonton For CFL Betting Battle

The British Columbia Lions will be looking to snap a three-game series losing streak and win for just the second time this season when they visit the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday. The Lions (1-6) have struggled defensively for most of the year and will be facing an Edmonton team that returns home after dropping two straight on the road by a combined 35 points.

Kick off from Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton is 6:00 p.m. (PT). The Don Best odds screen is listing the Eskimos as a 6-point home favorites with Saturday's total 50½.

The Eskimos (5-2) sputtered offensively in losing their last two at Montreal and Winnipeg, averaging just 10 points after scoring 24 or more in each of their first five games at home. The ‘under’ is 4-1 in their past five overall following a 27-4 loss to the Alouettes last Thursday, as kicker Damon Duval accounted for all of the team’s scoring with a field goal and single.

Edmonton has not only won three in a row against British Columbia straight up but also covered the CFL spread in each victory. The Eskimos had no problems scoring in those games, averaging nearly 31 points with the total going ‘over’ twice.

However, Edmonton has been bitten by the injury bug recently, losing slotback Jason Barnes to fractured ribs and receiver Marcus Henry to a concussion in the latest loss. The Eskimos are already without star slotback Fred Stamps due to an abdominal injury that is expected to keep him out another 3-5 weeks.

The Lions hope to take advantage of that situation and have seen the ‘under’ cash in their last three games along with four of five, including a 30-17 home loss to the Bluebombers on Saturday. They failed to cover as 1 ½-point favorites and were outscored in the second and third quarters, 27-3.

That was BC’s second loss to Winnipeg in three games with a 24-11 win over Saskatchewan sandwiched in between. The Lions got off to a much better start against the Roughriders, building a 20-10 halftime lead and then holding a 4-1 advantage in the final two quarters.

British Columbia was able to put the clamps on Edmonton in its last win in the series last July 4, pulling off a 25-10 upset on the road as a 4-point underdog. That game is one of only three meetings in the past 12 to go ‘under’ the total.

The Eskimos are just 10-26-1 ATS in their last 37 games against teams with a losing record and have been outscored by an average of more than 11 points in failing to cover their past three.

There is a 30 percent chance of showers in Edmonton on Friday with a projected high temperature of 68 degrees cooling down to 53 at night.

Diamond Trends - Friday

August 19, 2011


SU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Athletics are 14-0 since June 26, 2004 when Rich Harden starts as a favorite vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $1400.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Marlins are 0-14-1 OU since May 22, 2010 after a loss in which their opponent left fewer than 10 men on base and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1400 when playing the under.


STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:


The Nationals are 0-10 since July 28, 2010 when Livan Hernandez starts after a quality start on the road for a net profit of $1125 when playing against.


MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:


The Tigers are 13-1 OU since May 2009 as a home 125+ favorite when they won by one run in their starter’s last start.


TODAY’S TRENDS:


The Cardinals are 0-6 since April 11, 2010 as a road 140+ favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $860 when playing against.

The Athletics are 9-0-2 OU since April 25, 2010 as a home favorite after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings for a net profit of $900 when playing the over.

The Reds are 9-0 since May 18, 2010 when Homer Bailey starts after more strike outs than hits allowed for a net profit of $925.

MLB Series Outlook: Texas at Chicago White Sox

TEXAS RANGERS (72-53, +4.5 Units)

at CHICAGO WHITE SOX (61-62, -5.9 Units)


Sportsbook.com Series Line: Texas -140, Chicago +110

Despite losing in dramatic fashion (walk-off HR) to the second-place Angels Thursday night, the Rangers still hold a comfortable six-game lead in the AL West. The White Sox, on the other hand, sit one game below .500, but only four back of the Tigers who lead the AL Central. Chicago needs to start putting the pedal to the metal now though, entering this series on a two-game losing streak. And, despite their loss Thursday night, the Rangers have won nine of their past 11 games as they hit the home stretch.

Play on favored TEXAS to win as the hot team coming into this series, facing an opponent who has struggled at home this year with a 27-35 record there. With even pitching matchups throughout the series, the Rangers get the edge with their bats, which have hit .295 with 5.9 runs per game this month.

The FoxSheets show another reason to side with the Rangers.

TEXAS is 22-6 (78.6%, +12.8 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.2 or less runs/game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was TEXAS 6.5, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 2*).

Pitching Probables for Friday, August 19 - 8:10 EDT
Friday Line: Texas -120, Chicago +110, Total: 8.5
TEX: 14-9 (+4.25 Units) when Matt Harrison starts
CHW: 8-6 (+1.50 Units) when Jake Peavy starts
Harrison (10-8, 3.19 ERA) is in the midst of a very strong season, with his ERA dipping down to 2.94 at the end of July. He has a 4.91 ERA over his past three starts, allowing three walks in two of those outings. His expert control is crucial to his success because he isn’t a big strikeout guy at only 5.95 per 9 innings. But, to make up for that, he walks fewer than three per nine innings.
The elite talent Peavy (5-5, 4.69 ERA) has had his ups and downs this year, but is currently in the middle of one of those upswings. Over his past three outings he has a 2.91 ERA over 21.2 innings with 16 strikeouts and just two walks in that span. He hasn’t allowed a home run in seven consecutive starts (44 innings), and if he can keep the ball in play against the slugging Rangers, he should be in good shape.

Pitching Probables for Saturday, August 20 - 7:10 EDT
Saturday line: TBD
TEX: 15-8 (+4.60 Units) when Alexi Ogando starts
CHW: 8-12 (-5.90 Units) when John Danks starts
Ogando (12-5, 3.33 ERA) has been more than reliable for the Rangers this year, anchoring their staff for most of the season. The 27-year-old righty has been crushed in his past two outings however, surrendering 10 runs and 16 hits in nine innings with only two strikeouts. Still, he is the play here after the way he dominated the White Sox earlier in the season, tossing a five-hit shutout with six strikeouts.
Coming off a strong six-inning, two-run performance against the Royals, Danks (5-9, 3.95 ERA) is in the midst of another decent season. He’s winless in his past five starts against Texas (3.98 ERA, 1.42 WHIP), but he is an acceptable play here because of his strong home splits. While he’s 1-6 with a 4.95 ERA on the road, he is 4-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 11 starts as U.S. Cellular Field.

Pitching Probables for Sunday, August 21 - 2:10 EDT
Sunday line: TBD
TEX: 14-11 (+0.05 Units) when Derek Holland starts
CHW: 11-12 (-2.90 Units) when Gavin Floyd starts
Holland tossed a gem his last time out, almost going the distance, lasting 8.2 innings and allowing three runs. That’s good news because he had given up nine runs (6 ER) over 7.2 innings in his previous two starts, so it’s good to see he’s back on track. The White Sox scored four runs in four innings off him earlier in the season in May, but he’s still the play here with his 6-2 record and 3.39 road ERA.
Floyd (10-10, 4.66 ERA) is struggling right now, allowing 18 earned runs in 14.2 innings over his past three starts. Although he did have a strong outing against the Rangers earlier in the season (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER), that’s far from the norm. In four other lifetime starts against Texas, he had a 7.85 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, 12 walks and 12 strikeouts. Play against.

MLB Series Outlook: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (66-58, -3.7 Units)

at CHICAGO CUBS (54-70, -13.2 Units)


Sportsbook.com Series Line: St. Louis -115, Chicago -115

The Cards are trying to claw their way back into the postseason picture, while the Cubs look to keep a nice August going when the rivals meet for a three-game set at Wrigley Field starting Friday afternoon.

The Cards have lost two of their past three series and have fallen 6½ games back of the Brewers in the NL Central and the Braves in the Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Cubs are 11-5 in August, even after dropping two straight to the lowly Astros. St. Louis has won seven of nine against the Cubs this season, but the pitching matchups are even enough, given Chicago’s home-field advantage, to give the Cubs the edge here. The FoxSheets provide another trend siding with CHICAGO to win the series.

ST. LOUIS is 11-19 (36.7%, -18.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST. LOUIS 4.4, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 2*).

Pitching Probables for Friday, August 19 - 2:20 ET
Friday line: St. Louis -150, Chicago +140, Total: 9
STL: 15-10 (+1.9 Units) when Jaime Garcia starts
CHC: 6-9 (-1.7 Units) when Randy Wells starts
Garcia (10-6, 3.42 ERA) is coming off a surprisingly poor outing at home (five innings, five runs, six hits and four walks against Colorado last Saturday) and has pitched worse on the road all year: 2.06 ERA in St. Louis, 4.71 ERA on the road. He’s had his way with the Cubs though. In three career starts against Chicago, he’s 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA. Both those wins came this year, when he allowed just two runs over 15 innings against the Cubs, including seven innings of one-run ball at Wrigley in May.
Injuries have all but ruined his 2011, but Wells (4-4, 5.90 ERA) has pitched relatively well over the past month. In his past five starts, he’s allowed two runs or fewer three times while posting a 4.50 ERA. On Saturday, he held Atlanta to two runs over five innings in a victory, though he also allowed eight hits in that start. The Cards knocked him around for four runs in 5.2 innings when Wells faced them in June in St. Louis. In five career starts versus the Cardinals, Wells is 2-2 with a 4.56 ERA, but quality 1.19 WHIP.

Pitching Probables for Saturday, August 20 - 4:10 ET
Saturday line: TBD
STL/CHW: 10-13 (-4.2 Units) when Edwin Jackson starts
CHC: 9-14 (-6.2 Units) when Matt Garza starts
His numbers are skewed by one disastrous start in Milwaukee, but Jackson (9-8, 4.04 ERA) has been solid since joining the Cardinals at the trade deadline. Excluding a start against the Brewers in which he allowed 10 runs over seven innings, Jackson is 2-0 with a 2.46 ERA in his three other starts with St. Louis. All of them were at home. That included seven innings of one-run ball in a win over the Cubs on July 29. Though for his career, Jackson has a 6.21 ERA and .297 opponents’ BA in five starts against Chicago.
Garza (5-9, 3.80 ERA) has been up and down all year, and he’s gotten little offensive or defensive support along the way. His August is off to a good start—he has a 2.50 ERA over three starts, and has struck out 21 and walked five over 18 innings during those outings. He’s also been excellent at home all season (2.84 ERA, 87 K in 79.1 IP). The Cards did knock him around three weeks ago, as Garza allowed six runs and 10 base runners over 5.2 innings in St. Louis. He held the Cards to one run over five innings, striking out seven, in his only Wrigley start against them, back in May.

Pitching Probables for Sunday, August 21 - 8:05 ET
Sunday line: TBD
STL: 13-12 (+0.9 Units) when Jake Westbrook starts
CHC: 5-4 (+2.0 Units) when Rodrigo Lopez starts
Westbrook (9-7, 4.81 ERA) is coming off a very shaky start in Pittsburgh, allowing five runs (four earned) and nine hits (2 HR) in 5.2 innings. St. Louis has now dropped three of his past four starts. Westbrook has been better on the road (3.75 ERA) than at home (5.96), but Chicago has knocked him around twice this year, scoring nine runs in 8.1 innings off Westbrook.
After a surprisingly effective run in June and July, Lopez (4-3, 4.66 ERA) has come back down to earth. He’s posted a 6.98 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over his past four starts, but the Cubs somehow won three of those outings. The one loss was in St. Louis on July 30, when Lopez allowed six runs (all earned) and 11 base runners in 4.1 innings. Lopez has a career 6.44 ERA against the Cardinals and has lost his past three starts against them.

MLB Series Outlook: Cleveland at Detroit

CLEVELAND INDIANS (62-58, +10.6 Units)

at DETROIT TIGERS (65-58, -0.3 Units)


Sportsbook.com Series Line: Detroit -160, Cleveland +130

Control of the AL Central hangs in the balance when Cleveland visits Detroit for a three-game set starting Friday night. Detroit enters the weekend with a 1½-game lead over the Tribe, but the teams are tied in the loss column.

The Indians have won three series in a row, and are 6-3 against Detroit on the year. And with Justin Verlander not taking the mound during this set, the Indians can match up with Detroit’s arms (especially on Saturday and Sunday) making their potential +130 payout look very good. The FoxSheets provide a three-star trend siding with CLEVELAND to win the series.

CLEVELAND is 20-10 (66.7%, +17.2 Units) against the money line vs. terrible speed teams - averaging 0.35 or less SB's/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 4.7, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 3*).

Pitching Probables for Friday, August 19 - 7:05 ET
Friday line: Detroit -140, Cleveland +130, Total: 8.5
CLE: 14-10 (+4.7 Units) when Josh Tomlin starts
DET: 16-9 (+5.3 Units) when Max Scherzer starts
After a shaky start in Boston to start his August, Tomlin (12-5, 3.97 ERA) has been solid in back-to-back outings. He held the Rangers to two runs over seven innings in Texas, then pitched 6.1 innings of one-run ball in a victory over the Twins on Saturday. He’s been much shakier on the road all year though (4.88 ERA), where the Indians are 5-7 in Tomlin’s starts.
After getting into a groove in July, Scherzer (12-7, 4.37 ERA) is coming off back-to-back disappointing outings, allowing four runs each in Kansas City and Baltimore (he did strike out 10 over seven innings in a victory over the Orioles). He has been very good in Detroit this year, posting a 3.63 ERA while the Tigers have won nine of his 13 starts at Comerica Park. Those numbers would look even better if not for a disastrous outing against the Giants on July 2 (nine runs in two innings). Scherzer has won both of his career starts again Cleveland, holding them to four runs (three earned) over 12.2 innings.

Pitching Probables for Saturday, August 20 - 7:05 ET
Saturday line: TBD
CLE: 1-2 (-0.7 Units) when David Huff starts
DET/SEA: 6-18 (-11.4 Units) when Doug Fister starts
While he was middling in Triple-A, Huff (1-1, 0.51 ERA) has been outstanding with the big league club this year. He’s allowed just one earned run over 17.2 innings, posting a 15-to-4 K-to-BB ratio. He’s also allowed two unearned runs, contributing to two tough-luck losses for Cleveland. Detroit knocked Huff around twice last year, scoring nine runs (six earned) in nine innings in two games against Huff, both Tigers wins.
Fister (4-13, 3.59 ERA overall) has been middling in his three starts for Detroit (1-1, 6.14 ERA). He held Texas to two runs over seven innings in his Tigers debut on August 3, had his start in Cleveland cut short by rain on August 9, then got knocked around in Baltimore on Sunday (5.2 innings, 8 runs, 6 earned, 13 base runners allowed). He’s a control artist who’s susceptible to being hit hard, but he’s had success against the Indians. In four career starts against Cleveland (excluding the rain-shortened one two weeks ago), Fister has held the Tribe to two runs or less three times.

Pitching Probables for Sunday, August 21 - 1:05 ET
Sunday line: TBD
CLE/COL: 9-15 (-11.9 Units) when Ubaldo Jimenez starts
DET: 14-9 (+4.1 Units) when Rick Porcello starts
His disappointing season has carried over to the Indians, as Jimenez (7-9, 4.48 ERA overall) has allowed three or more runs in each of his starts with the Indians (1-0, 4.58 ERA). The White Sox chased him in the fifth inning on Tuesday, as Jimenez allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings. He did pitch well against Detroit on August 10 though, holding the Tigers to three runs (none earned) over eight innings, striking out six in a victory.
Porcello (11-8, 4.98 ERA) has been pounded in August, posting an 8.44 ERA while allowing 27 hits in 16 innings (a .375 opponents’ batting average). That included a disastrous outing in Cleveland on August 10, when Porcello allowed eight runs (all earned) and 11 hits in 3.2 innings. He has a 5.61 ERA at home this year, but he’s 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA at Comerica Park in three career starts against the Indians, all Tigers wins.

Edmonton tries to snap 2-game skid

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS (1-6)

at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (5-2)


Kickoff: Friday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Edmonton -5.5, Total: 50.5

After a 5-0 start, the Edmonton Eskimos have lost two in a row but look to regain their composure Friday night against the British Columbia Lions. The Lions are a dreadful 1-6 overall and winless (0-3) on the road.

Edmonton is 4-1 (SU and ATS) in the past five meetings with B.C., and 5-1 ATS in its past six games against the West division. The Lions are just 1-4 ATS against a team with a winning record and 2-5 ATS for the year. EDMONTON has outscored its opponents 29.0 PPG to 17.3 PPG at home this year and that trend should continue against the lesser Lions.

The FoxSheets show another reason to back the Eskimos.

BRITISH COLUMBIA is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) off 1 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BRITISH COLUMBIA 25.6, OPPONENT 30.9.

The Lions are coming off a 30-17 defeat to Winnipeg in a game they turned the ball over seven times. B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay was removed in the third quarter after completing 12-of-23 pass attempts for only 103 yards. The Lions mounted only 259 yards of net offense.

Edmonton received a good old-fashioned butt kicking last week in a 27-4 loss to Montreal. The Eskimos ran for minus-1 yard for the game and could get nothing going offensively. That was the first time Edmonton was held to negative rushing yards in a game in seven seasons. QB Ricky Ray was sacked five times in the first half alone and the Eskimos totaled only 89 yards in the whole first half. Edmonton is 3-0 at home for the first time since 2008 and would love to bounce back after that dreadful loss.

Friday’s betting tips: Chiefs own awful ATS trend

Weather to watch

Thunderstorms are expected in the Miami area around the time for kickoff when the Dolphins host the Panthers. Winds of about 13 mph are also predicted.

Who’s hot

NFL: Miami is 10-3 straight up and 8-4-1 against the spread in exhibition games under head coach Tony Sparano.

MLB: The Los Angeles Angels are 21-7 in their last 28 as a favorite.

CFL: Edmonton has covered the spread in each of its last three meetings B.C.

WNBA: Connecticut has covered in nine of its last 12 overall.

Who’s not

NFL: Kansas City head coach Todd Haley is 1-8 SU and 0-9 ATS in preseason games with the Chiefs.

MLB: Colorado is 2-7 in Jason Hammel’s last nine home starts.

CFL: The under is 3-9 in the last 12 meetings between Edmonton and British Columbia.

WNBA: The under is 1-4 in the last meetings between Connecticut and Atlanta.

Key stat

74 – Through the first week of NFL preseason play, 74 percent of kickoffs resulted in touchbacks thanks to the new rule that has teams booting from the 35-yard line.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox placed Youkilis on the 15-day DL with a back strain or sprain Thursday. The third baseman is hitting .266 with 17 homers and 77 RBIs this season. "His body was so beat up anyway, I think this was the last straw, kind of put him over the edge," manager Terry Francona told reporters. "But hopefully we can get him back to where he can be Youkilis. I think after the game yesterday, it was obvious we needed to get him checked out."

Game of the day

Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers (-6, 37.5)

Notable quotable

“We're going to have to refine our [offensive] package so that our guys are comfortable and the coaches are comfortable. We're not going to have our full playbook available to us this week. Sometimes that's good. When you become myopic in your play calling, you tend to be a lot more efficient.” – Edmonton Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed about his team’s situation with four wide receivers out of the lineup with injuries this week. Edmonton is set as a 5.5-point favorite Friday at home to B.C.

Notes and tips

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King was reporting from Indiana Colts camp Thursday and said that center Jeff Saturday told him Peyton Manning will start in Week 1 of the regular season. The team hasn’t made Manning available to the media throughout camp but word had it that he was working out on his own earlier this week. The Colts, who are 5.5-point underdogs in Friday’s exhibition game at home to Washington, are currently set as 3-point underdogs at Houston in Week 1 of the regular season.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (knee) finished his rehab assignment and met the team in Minnesota on Thursday. However, he was held out of the lineup and won’t play until Saturday at the earliest. The 35-year-old is hitting .295 with 13 homers and 52 RBIs.

Reggie Bush will make his Miami Dolphins debut Friday against the Carolina Panthers. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says his starters will play about a half and Bush should get some solid time in the backfield. The Dolphins are set as 5.5-point home favorites.

Friday's six-pack

-- Before anyone goes nuts about NFL exhibition scores, remember that the '08 Lions, who were 0-16, went 4-0 that preseason.

-- In nine of Tim Lincecum's 26 starts, the Giants hadn't scored when he left/finished the game.

-- Phillies have 14 fewer errors than any other National League team.

-- Mark Trumbo hit a walk-off homer as Angels beat Texas 2-1, taking the last game of a 4-game series, averting a Ranger Texas sweep.

-- USC lost PG Jio Fontan for next season with a knee injury suffered on their foreign trip. Tough blow for Kevin O'Neill.

-- Patriots were leading Tampa Bay 28-0 at halftime last night; betting line on second half was Bucs, -3. Game ended 31-14. Go Bucs.


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


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

13) Last eleven Super Bowl champs won their season opener the next year, going 7-2-2 against the spread.........since 1999, teams that lost the Super Bowl are 2-10 in their first game the next season, 0-12 against the spread. Last Super Bowl loser to cover the spread in their opener the next season was the '98 Packers, who beat Detroit 38-19.

12) Why is ESPN televising Duke’s basketball games from China? Don’t we see enough of them all winter? Georgetown is also over in China, by the way; one of the games ended in a brawl. Guessing John Thompson II is a proud papa tonight.

11) Fred Couples publicly challenged Eldrick Woods to play in more golf tournaments this fall, inferring that Wioods wouldn’t get named the President’s Cup squad unless he did (Couples is the captain this year). Hell, Woods lives in Orlando; playing in the Disney tournament would be simple for him, and Lord knows he loves Vegas, so that event seems like it would fit, too. Interesting to see how this plays out.

10) If I’m Terrelle Pryor’s agent, I look into possibility of the youngster playing a season of Arena Football next spring. Still think it is a tremendous developmental tool for young QB’s, forcing quick decision and stressing accurate passing. NFL teams should use the AFL to develop its young signal callers.

9) NFL’s supplemental draft is Monday; will be fascinating to see which NFL team takes Pryor. Most of what I’ve read about the young man is pessimistic about his chances of being a quality NFL quarterback. I think the Arena League would really help him.

8) Ohio State President Gordon Gee must be a smart guy to be a college president, right? How on God’s green earth did he not know the Little Sisters of the Poor were a group of real nuns? Or maybe he did, and just acted stupid so as not to offend them?

7) In their last six road series, Baltimore Orioles are 4-2 in the series openers, 0-14 in all the other games. O’s have also lost their last seven home series openers.

6) Carl Crawford makes $20M a year, but has an on-base percentage of .285. he was batting behind Darnell McDonald Wednesday. McDonald is hitting freakin’ .167. Ouch.

5) I’m against wagering on preseason football, but thought it was odd that favorites were 12-4 vs spread in meaningless NFL games last week.

4) The National Sports Collectibles Convention was in Chicago this summer; a silver medal from the 1980 Russian hockey team that lost the Miracle on Ice game to the US was selling for a mere $25,000.

3) Everyone has an ego; athletes, coaches, lawyers, writers. When you see writers congratulating each other on Twitter about the story written in Sports Illustrated about the Miami Hurricanes, it shows you one thing; even sportswriters are out to impress, to try and land the next big job, and they’re as competitive as a lot of athletes.

2) I have a Fantasy baseball team in a 16-team keeper league, and I am on Twitter, but never have I ever thought about Tweeting one of the players on my team, especially to rip them after a bad game.

Brandon McCarthy of the A’s was taking some grief Wednesday even though he won his start, allowing four runs in six IP. Hard to believe people are goofy enough to do something like this, but the longer you live, the more you realize some people are just plain wack. Seriously, how do they think it helps to rip a guy for a bad game?

1) Umpires screwed up when they gave the Royals’ Billy Butler a home run Wednesday night; the umpires messed up on the ground rule, but Joe Girardi didn’t press the issue. Had he protested the game at the time, he would've won the protest and the game would've had to be replayed from that point. I'm guessing the umpires will make it up to them.

CFL
Dunkel


Week 8


BC at Edmonton
The Lions look to take advantage of an Edmonton team that is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 August games. BC is the pick (+6) according to Dunkel, which has the Eskimos favored by only 3. Dunkel Pick: BC (+6). Here are all of this week's CFL picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Game 493-494: BC at Edmonton (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: BC 109.263; Edmonton 112.117
Dunkel Line: Edmonton by 3; 44
Vegas Line: Edmonton by 6; 50
Dunkel Pick: BC (+6); Under




CFL
Long Sheet


Week 8


Friday, August 19

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

BRITISH COLUMBIA (1 - 6) at EDMONTON (5 - 2) - 8/19/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 43-21 ATS (+19.9 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 71-49 ATS (+17.1 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 4-3 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 4-3 straight up against BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CFL
Write-Up


Week 8

BCLions (1-6) @ Edmonton (5-2)-- Eskimos scored 16-4 points losing on road last two weeks, after scoring 30.6 ppg during 5-0 start; they are 3-0 at home (2-1 as home favorite) winning by 18-1-16 points. Lions are 1-5 vs spread last six weeks, losing three road games by 4-16-5- back in Week 3, BC (+2.5) lost 33-17 here, giving up 142 rushing yards with -3 turnovermargin. Five of last six Edmonton games stayed under the total.




CFL


Week 8


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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9:00 PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. EDMONTON
British Columbia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
British Columbia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia


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CFL


Week 8


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian bacon: CFL Week 8 betting preview and picks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B.C. Lions at Edmonton Eskimos (-6, 50)

After a stunning 5-0 start, the Eskimos have lost two in a row against the best two teams in the East, the Alouettes and Blue Bombers. In both losses, this young team showed its weaknesses on the offensive line and in its depleted receiving corps.

Jason Barnes was the most reliable target for QB Ricky Ray during the absence of Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman, but will miss this game due to a rib injury. Bettors can also add WR Marcus Henry (concussion) to the injured list

Newcomers Dobson Collins and Preachae Rodriguez are capable of getting the job done and become nice alternatives for Ray, but they haven’t had much time to learn the Eskimos’ playbook.

Passing isn’t the only problem with Edmonton. Its running game was totally annihilated over the last two weeks. The Eskimos have only scored 20 points over their last two games and only six points in their last six quarters. Over that period, Ricky Ray has been sacked 10 times.

The Lions can’t afford to go 1-7 heading into next week’s bye. They’ll need to regroup and avenge a 33-17 loss to the Eskimos earlier this season. In fact, the Eskimos won six of their last 10 games against the Lions and three in a row heading into the weekend. These statistics don’t mean as much because of all the injuries suffered to key players on Edmonton's depth chart.

Travis Lulay will be back under center for B.C. after being pulled against Winnipeg last week. Lulay was just 12 for 23 and totaled 103 yards passing before being replaced by Jarious Jackson. He’ll get help from WR Geroy Simon, who is currently the third best receiver in the CFL, and should do enough to cover against the sliding Eskimos.

Pick: B.C.

WNBA
Dunkel


Connecticut at Atlanta
The Sun look to bounce back from last night's loss in New York. Connecticut is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by only 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Game 601-602: Connecticut at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 113.674; Atlanta 118.371
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 5 1/2; 164 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+5 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet


Friday, August 19


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

CONNECTICUT (16 - 8) at ATLANTA (12 - 12) - 8/19/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-4 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 6-3 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA


Friday, August 19

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

7:30 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. ATLANTA
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Connecticut is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Connecticut

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WNBA


Friday, August 19

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Lady luck: Friday's best WNBA bets
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Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream (-4, 163.5)

The Dream have won four of their last five games outright, covering three times over that span. And they weren’t beating up on lightweights either. They’ve beaten Seattle twice this month and are just coming off a tough 84-79 win at Los Angeles as a four-point underdog in Candace Parker’s first game back from injury.

The Dream outrebounded L.A. 35-30 and shot better than 51 percent from the floor with five players scoring in double figures. Angel McCoughtry paced the attack with another 23-point ho-hum effort and Erika de Souza chipped in 18 points to go along with 13 rebounds.

Atlanta has its work cut out for them on Friday though. The Sun have covered in three of their last four meetings with the Dream, including a 99-92 win at Connecticut as a 4.5-point favorite at the end of July.

McCoughtry was huge in that win too, putting up 36 points on 14-of-27 shooting, but de Souza was also deadly, dropping 18 points with nine boards.

The Sun will be playing the second half of a back-to-back here and it’ll be tough for them to keep up with the surging Dream.

Pick: Dream

MLB
Dunkel


Arizona at Atlanta
The Braves look to build on their 9-1 record in Derek Lowe's last 10 starts with 5 days rest. Atlanta is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Braves favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-120). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Game 901-902: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Garcia) 14.588; Cubs (Wells) 15.791
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-150); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+130); N/A

Game 903-904: Philadelphia at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Oswalt) 16.550; Washington (Hernandez) 15.235
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-145); Over

Game 905-906: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.791; Pittsburgh (Correia) 15.564
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+115); Under

Game 907-908: Milwaukee at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Marcum) 16.322; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.165
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-145); Over

Game 909-910: Arizona at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Hudson) 14.959; Atlanta (Lowe) 15.798
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-120); Under

Game 911-912: San Francisco at Houston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Vogelsong) 14.628; Houston (Rodriguez) 14.253
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-135); Over

Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.955; Colorado (Hammel) 14.868
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110); Under

Game 915-916: Florida at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 12.982; San Diego (LeBlanc) 14.872
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-130); Over

Game 917-918: Cleveland at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Tomlin) 15.155; Detroit (Scherzer) 15.410
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-135); Under

Game 919-920: Seattle at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.558; Tampa Bay (Davis) 15.130
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-120); Over

Game 921-922: NY Yankees at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 16.365; Minnesota (Slowey) 14.083
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-165);

Game 923-924: Boston at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Miller) 13.966; Kansas City (Francis) 15.705
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Over

Game 925-926: Texas at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harrison) 16.789; White Sox (Peavy) 14.950
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-115); Under

Game 927-928: Toronto at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Cecil) 15.326; Oakland (Harden) 15.625
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Over

Game 929-930: Baltimore at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Reyes) 14.662; LA Angels (Haren) 16.180
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-230); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-230); Over

MLB
Write-Up


Friday, August 19

Hot pitchers
-- Bailey is 2-0, 3.50 in his last three starts.
-- Brewers won four of last five Marcum starts (2-0, 4.11).
-- Vogelsong is 4-1, 3.22 in his last six starts.
-- Kuroda is 0-3, 1.71 in his last three starts; Dodgers scored one run in those three games.

-- Tomlin is 1-0, 2.03 in his last three starts.
-- Hernandez is 3-1, 2.86 in his last four starts.
-- Hughes is 2-1, 2.00 in his last three starts.
-- Haren is 2-0, 2.35 in his last five starts.

Cold pitchers
-- JGarcia is 0-2, 8.14 in his last four starts. Wells has a 6.03 RA in his last five home starts.
-- LHernandez is 2-3, 7.25 in his last seven starts. Oswalt is 1-3, 5.91 in his last four starts.
-- Correia is 1-4, 7.82 in his last five starts.
-- DHudson is 2-3, 6.03 in his last five starts. Lowe is 1-4, 7.62 in his last five outings.
-- Pelfrey is 0-0, 5,51 in his last three starts.
-- WRodriguez is 2-4, 5.44 in his last seven starts.
-- Hammel is 0-3, 11.85 in his last three home starts.
-- Volstad is 1-4, 8.25 in his last five starts. Leblanc is 1-2, 4.54 in his six starts this season.

-- Scherzer is 1-2, 4.88 in his last four starts.
-- Davis has a 6.53 RA in his last five starts.
-- Slowey allowed a run in two innings before getting rained out in his first '11 start- he is 39-21, 4.43 in 82 career starts.
-- Miller is 1-1, 9.00 in his last four starts. Francis is 0-2, 8.04 in his last three outings.
-- Peavy is 1-4, 4.91 in his last seven starts. Harrison is 1-1, 5.89 in his last three starts.
-- Harden is 1-1, 4.37 in his last four starts. Cecil is 0-1, 4.50 in his last three outings.
-- Reyes has an 8.39 RA in his last seven starts.

Totals
-- Under is 8-4 in last dozen games at Wrigley Field.
-- Seven of last nine Washington games stayed under total.
-- Over is 10-3 in last thirteen games at PNC Park.
-- Five of last six games at Citi Field went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Atlanta home games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven San Francisco road games stayed under total.
-- Eight of last nine Dodger road games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 12-4-1 in last seventeen games at Petco Park.

-- Over is 7-3-2 in Detroit's last twelve home games.
-- Five of last six Tampa Bay games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Bronx Bomber games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2 in Kansas City's last seven home games.
-- Over is 7-3 in Rangers' last ten games.
-- Seven of last nine Toronto games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3-1 in Angels' last eleven home games.

Hot Teams
-- Cubs won seven of their last nine home games. St Louis won five of its last seven road games.
-- Phillies won 15 of their last 18 games. Washington won six of its last eight home games.
-- Milwaukee won 19 of its last 21 games.
-- Braves won 10 of their last 14 games. Arizona won seven of nine.
-- Padres are 9-6 in their last fifteen games.

-- Indians won six of their last eight games.
-- Tampa Bay won seven of its last nine games.
-- Bronx won nine of its last twelve road games.
-- Red Sox won six of their last nine road games.
-- White Sox lost nine of their last twelve home games.
-- Rangers won six of their last seven games.
-- Blue Jays won five of their last six games.

Cold Teams
-- Mets lost six of their last eight games.
-- Pirates lost 11 of their last 14 home games. Cincinnati is 6-13 in its last 19 road games.
-- Astros are 1-11 in last twelve home series openers. Giants lost seven of their last ten road games.
-- Dodgers lost four of their last five road games. Colorado is 4-7 in its last eleven home games.
-- Marlins lost 12 of last 14 games, are 5-26 without Hanley Ramirez.

-- Tigers lost three of their last four games.
-- Seattle lost 17 of its last 20 games.
-- Minnesota lost nine of its last eleven home games.
-- Royals lost 11 of their last 14 games.
-- Oakland lost five of its last seven home games.
-- Baltimore lost 18 of its last 23 road games. Angels lost five of their last six games.

MLB


Friday, August 19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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2:20 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing St. Louis

7:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing Philadelphia

7:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Detroit's last 14 games when playing at home against Cleveland

7:05 PM
CINCINNATI vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Pittsburgh's last 19 games

7:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. TAMPA BAY
Seattle is 3-17 SU in its last 20 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

7:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. NY METS
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
NY Mets are 2-6 SU in its last 8 games

7:35 PM
ARIZONA vs. ATLANTA
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home

8:05 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 7 games on the road
San Francisco is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Houston is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing San Francisco

8:10 PM
TEXAS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas's last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games when playing Texas
Chi White Sox are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games at home

8:10 PM
BOSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 10 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games at home

8:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. MINNESOTA
NY Yankees are 20-3 SU in their last 23 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 3-20 SU in their last 23 games when playing NY Yankees
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home

8:40 PM
LA DODGERS vs. COLORADO
The total has gone OVER in 14 of LA Dodgers's last 19 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Colorado's last 19 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

10:05 PM
FLORIDA vs. SAN DIEGO
Florida is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games
Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games

10:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games on the road
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
LA Angels are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games when playing Baltimore

10:05 PM
TORONTO vs. OAKLAND
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Oakland's last 15 games at home
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

MLB


Friday, August 19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
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Streaking

Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers (8-14, 2.88 ERA)

In all honesty, Kuroda doesn’t really fit the “streaking” criteria, but with a lack of true streakers on Friday’s slate, the Dodgers’ Japanese import will do. He’s 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA over his last three outings, bookending a three-run, six-inning effort between two shutout performances. In his most recent start, Kuroda allowed only five hits over seven innings in a 7-0 blowout against the Astros.

Wade LeBlanc, San Diego Padres (1-2, 4.54 ERA)

LeBlanc is another quasi-streaker due to his 1-0 record in his last three starts. However, the Padres lefty has been respectable in that span, posting three straight quality starts and a 4.00 ERA. He picked up his first win of the season in his last trip to the mound, giving up three runs on two hits (one a home run) over six innings of work for a 7-3 road win over Cincinnati.


Slumping

Jaime Garcia, St. Louis Cardinals (10-6, 3.42 ERA)

Even slumping pitchers were hard to come by on such a “comme ci comme ça” Friday. Garcia hasn’t won a start since July 23 and is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in his last three outings. In his most recent appearance, the Cardinals lefty was knocked around for five earned runs on six hits over five innings of work in a 6-1 loss to the Rockies last weekend.

Kevin Correia, Pittsburgh Pirates (12-11, 4.62 ERA)

This is more like it. Correia and the Bucs are the definition of slumping. Pittsburgh’s right-hander has been terrible since early July and is currently riding a three-game losing skid in which he owns a chunky 8.16 ERA. In his most recent effort, Correia put up a fight. He allowed only one run on seven hits over 6 2-3 innings, but got nothing from the Bucs’ bats in a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee.

MLB


Friday, August 19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot lines: Friday’s best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at New York Mets (135, 8)

The Milwaukee Brewers made a big splash at the trade deadline by acquiring closer Francisco Rodriguez from the New York Mets. K-Rod returns to his old stomping ground with the NL-Central leading Brewers, but his role has changed dramatically.

Milwaukee has Rodriguez pitching out of the setup role so far while John Axford has been brilliant in the ninth inning. K-Rod says he doesn’t mind pitching in the eighth and has allowed only three runs over his first 14 appearances with the Brewers.

"It's been great," manager Ron Roenicke told MLB.com of Rodriguez's role. "Am I happy that we aren't getting him opportunities to save games? No. But I think since we've got him, that bullpen has changed. I've said all along that I liked our bullpen, but when he got here and he was OK with pitching the eighth inning, it made it a great bullpen."

Coming off Thursday’s loss, the Brewers will want to start a seven-game road swing.

Pick: Brewers


Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals (+130, 8.5)

Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino had his three-game suspension for his part in the club’s brawl with the San Francisco Giants reduced to just a pair of games. He sat out Thursday’s game and will also be out Friday.

Meanwhile, the Phillies already have a bunch of regulars banged up. Ryan Howard sat out Thursday with a sore hand and Carlos Ruiz was also held out with a – wait for it – testicle contusion. It’s unknown whether either will be able to go Friday, but with Placido Polanco already on the DL, the Phillies could be pretty shorthanded.

They’ll also face Livan Hernandez, who allowed just a single unearned run in a 4-2 victory at Philadelphia the last time he took the hill.

We’ll take a shot with the hometown Nats.

Pick: Nationals

MLB
Long Sheet


Friday, August 19

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

ST LOUIS (66 - 58) at CHICAGO CUBS (54 - 70) - 2:20 PM
JAIME GARCIA (L) vs. RANDY WELLS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 69-78 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 67-65 (-29.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 149-131 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 76-73 (-21.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 83-77 (-27.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 29-38 (-28.9 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.
ST LOUIS is 152-134 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GARCIA is 11-19 (-17.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARCIA is 2-7 (-10.3 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. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 60-75 (-22.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 54-70 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 120-152 (-52.0 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.
CHICAGO CUBS are 54-70 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 65-79 (-28.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 18-28 (-16.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 58-77 (-27.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-2 (+4.5 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.8 Units)

JAIME GARCIA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
GARCIA is 2-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.71 and a WHIP of 1.095.
His team's record is 2-1 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

RANDY WELLS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
WELLS is 2-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.55 and a WHIP of 1.193.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (80 - 42) at WASHINGTON (59 - 63) - 7:05 PM
ROY OSWALT (R) vs. LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 59-63 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 34-24 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 59-63 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 41-38 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 20-9 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
WASHINGTON is 28-25 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HERNANDEZ is 19-10 (+15.9 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 80-42 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 84-59 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 78-41 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 130-73 (+28.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 130-79 (+25.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 42-19 (+13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 7-4 (+0.2 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

ROY OSWALT vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
OSWALT is 6-4 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.032.
His team's record is 8-9 (-5.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-8. (-0.3 units)

LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 13-11 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.54 and a WHIP of 1.334.
His team's record is 15-16 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-17. (-6.0 units)

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CINCINNATI (60 - 64) at PITTSBURGH (58 - 64) - 7:05 PM
HOMER BAILEY (R) vs. KEVIN CORREIA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 60-64 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 26-30 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 58-63 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 37-42 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CINCINNATI is 45-49 (-11.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 26-30 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 58-64 (+5.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 44-34 (+17.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 27-24 (+7.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 56-63 (+4.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 431-412 (+49.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.
CORREIA is 29-22 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 18-9 (+13.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 46-36 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 49-38 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 26-16 (+16.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 555-641 (+46.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 80-56 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 20-13 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
CINCINNATI is 165-141 (+35.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
BAILEY is 20-5 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BAILEY is 13-1 (+11.9 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. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 77-130 (-28.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 84-137 (-41.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-41 (-19.8 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-2 (+8.0 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.4 Units)

HOMER BAILEY vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
BAILEY is 5-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.52 and a WHIP of 1.065.
His team's record is 6-0 (+6.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-5. (-4.6 units)

KEVIN CORREIA vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
CORREIA is 6-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.255.
His team's record is 7-2 (+6.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.7 units)

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MILWAUKEE (73 - 52) at NY METS (60 - 63) - 7:10 PM
SHAUN MARCUM (R) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 60-63 (+2.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 60-63 (+2.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 73-52 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 41-21 (+18.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 73-52 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 51-34 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 59-37 (+19.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 39-20 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 19-5 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
MARCUM is 32-23 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 16-24 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 25-32 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PELFREY is 1-12 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-1 (+2.3 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

SHAUN MARCUM vs. NY METS since 1997
MARCUM is 0-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
PELFREY is 1-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.12 and a WHIP of 1.231.
His team's record is 2-2 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

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ARIZONA (69 - 55) at ATLANTA (73 - 52) - 7:35 PM
DANIEL HUDSON (R) vs. DEREK LOWE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 73-52 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 95-53 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 73-52 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 118-80 (+16.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 69-56 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 33-29 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 69-56 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 52-39 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 51-38 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 30-24 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against ATLANTA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

DANIEL HUDSON vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

DEREK LOWE vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LOWE is 6-9 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.371.
His team's record is 9-10 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-8. (+0.5 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (67 - 58) at HOUSTON (40 - 84) - 8:05 PM
RYAN VOGELSONG (R) vs. WANDY RODRIGUEZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 170-133 (+23.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 83-58 (+15.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 81-74 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 169-131 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-35 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 26-10 (+17.3 Units) against the money line after getting shut out over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 120-86 (+29.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
VOGELSONG is 8-1 (+7.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 40-84 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 14-36 (-19.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 21-41 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 38-83 (-36.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 29-57 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 24-64 (-34.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 11-28 (-15.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
HOUSTON is 17-45 (-23.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

RYAN VOGELSONG vs. HOUSTON since 1997
VOGELSONG is 2-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.083.
His team's record is 2-0 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

WANDY RODRIGUEZ vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 1-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 5.17 and a WHIP of 1.978.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

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LA DODGERS (56 - 67) at COLORADO (58 - 67) - 8:40 PM
HIROKI KURODA (R) vs. JASON HAMMEL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 56-67 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 56-67 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 38-48 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 40-49 (-12.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KURODA is 6-13 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 58-67 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 30-32 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
COLORADO is 21-26 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 58-67 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 95-100 (-25.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 38-52 (-24.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 24-33 (-16.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
COLORADO is 60-67 (-30.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 6-6 (+0.6 Units) against COLORADO this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.9 Units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. COLORADO since 1997
KURODA is 0-5 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 5.81 and a WHIP of 1.595.
His team's record is 3-6 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-6. (-4.2 units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
HAMMEL is 2-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.77 and a WHIP of 1.566.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.8 units)

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FLORIDA (57 - 67) at SAN DIEGO (56 - 70) - 10:05 PM
CHRIS VOLSTAD (R) vs. WADE LEBLANC (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 57-67 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 27-39 (-13.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
VOLSTAD is 2-11 (-9.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
SAN DIEGO is 146-143 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 31-20 (+14.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 32-26 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
FLORIDA is 33-25 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 25-17 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
FLORIDA is 51-31 (+21.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 35-25 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 19-10 (+11.5 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 25-38 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 25-38 (-16.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN DIEGO is 25-38 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 29-52 (-22.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 15-31 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 21-34 (-12.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN DIEGO is 33-43 (-9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN DIEGO is 36-53 (-16.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 4-0 (+5.7 Units) against FLORIDA this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

CHRIS VOLSTAD vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
VOLSTAD is 2-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.678.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

WADE LEBLANC vs. FLORIDA since 1997
LEBLANC is 0-1 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 5.84 and a WHIP of 1.054.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

CLEVELAND (62 - 58) at DETROIT (65 - 58) - 7:05 PM
JOSH TOMLIN (R) vs. MAX SCHERZER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 63-58 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 60-55 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 50-38 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 46-40 (+10.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 64-65 (+6.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 37-33 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 14-25 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 235-254 (-62.4 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
SCHERZER is 15-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-3 (+3.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.5 Units)

JOSH TOMLIN vs. DETROIT since 1997
TOMLIN is 1-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 6.55 and a WHIP of 1.727.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SCHERZER is 2-3 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.50 and a WHIP of 1.631.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)

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SEATTLE (53 - 69) at TAMPA BAY (66 - 56) - 7:10 PM
FELIX HERNANDEZ (R) vs. WADE DAVIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 53-69 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 48-92 (-34.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 83-115 (-25.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 11-27 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
SEATTLE is 23-41 (-16.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SEATTLE is 7-22 (-12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
TAMPA BAY is 40-19 (+19.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DAVIS is 11-2 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 44-24 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 16-24 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 22-24 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 44-40 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 4-3 (+1.0 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 3-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.29 and a WHIP of 1.068.
His team's record is 7-1 (+5.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.2 units)

WADE DAVIS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
DAVIS is 0-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.82 and a WHIP of 1.178.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

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NY YANKEES (75 - 47) at MINNESOTA (54 - 69) - 8:10 PM
PHIL HUGHES (R) vs. KEVIN SLOWEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 42-39 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 142-130 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 75-47 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 69-41 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 3-1 (+0.9 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

PHIL HUGHES vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
HUGHES is 1-0 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)

KEVIN SLOWEY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SLOWEY is 1-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.235.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

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BOSTON (75 - 48) at KANSAS CITY (51 - 74) - 8:10 PM
ANDREW MILLER (L) vs. JEFF FRANCIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 50-24 (+13.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 51-74 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-53 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 42-80 (-33.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 2-3 (+1.9 Units) against BOSTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

ANDREW MILLER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MILLER is 0-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 11.56 and a WHIP of 2.784.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

JEFF FRANCIS vs. BOSTON since 1997
FRANCIS is 1-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 2.444.
His team's record is 1-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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TEXAS (72 - 53) at CHI WHITE SOX (61 - 62) - 8:10 PM
MATT HARRISON (L) vs. JAKE PEAVY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 29-35 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 27-35 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 14-20 (-12.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 27-35 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 17-25 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 11-18 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 3-2 (+0.9 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)

MATT HARRISON vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
HARRISON is 2-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.141.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.2 units)

JAKE PEAVY vs. TEXAS since 1997
PEAVY is 0-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 7.72 and a WHIP of 1.822.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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TORONTO (64 - 60) at OAKLAND (55 - 69) - 10:05 PM
BRETT CECIL (L) vs. RICH HARDEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 64-60 (+5.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 33-31 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TORONTO is 31-27 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TORONTO is 46-32 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 118-103 (+18.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CECIL is 24-17 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 55-69 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 50-65 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 32-45 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 (+0.2 Units) against OAKLAND this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

BRETT CECIL vs. OAKLAND since 1997
CECIL is 2-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.86 and a WHIP of 0.909.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

RICH HARDEN vs. TORONTO since 1997
HARDEN is 1-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.11 and a WHIP of 1.419.
His team's record is 2-7 (-9.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.7 units)

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

BALTIMORE (47 - 74) at LA ANGELS (66 - 59) - 10:05 PM
JO-JO REYES (L) vs. DAN HAREN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 47-75 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 18-39 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 40-70 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 31-55 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 25-47 (-18.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 17-47 (-28.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA ANGELS are 95-104 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 30-35 (-10.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
HAREN is 27-31 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 17-24 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 9-15 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

JO-JO REYES vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
REYES is 1-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.933.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

DAN HAREN vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
HAREN is 4-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.060.
His team's record is 5-3 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-3. (+0.6 units)

MLB
Short Sheet


Friday, August 19

National League

ST LOUIS at CHICAGO CUBS, 2:20 PM ET
GARCIA: STL 7-2 vs. Cubs
WELLS: CUBS 18-28 playing w/ day off

PHILADELPHIA at WASHINGTON, 7:05 PM ET
OSWALT: PHI 30-14 as road favorite
HERNANDEZ: 30-15 Under when the total is 7 to 8.5

CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH, 7:05 PM ET
BAILEY: CIN 6-14 as road favorite
CORREIA: 13-6 TSR as underdog

MILWAUKEE at NY METS, 7:10 PM ET MLB
MARCUM: MIL 11-2 revenging loss as home favorite
PELFREY: NYM 0-9 at home off BB road games

ARIZONA at ATLANTA, 7:35 PM ET
HUDSON: ARZ 5-1 Over at Atlanta
LOWE: 11-4 Over in night games

SAN FRANCISCO at HOUSTON, 8:05 PM ET
VOGELSONG: 8-1 TSR off a loss
RODRIGUEZ: HOU 24-64 vs. righties

LA DODGERS at COLORADO, 8:40 PM ET
KURODA: 6-13 TSR in night games
HAMMEL: COL 25-6 Under off game with 17+ comnbined runs

FLORIDA at SAN DIEGO, 10:05 PM ET
VOLSTAD: 2-11 TSR off team loss
LEBLANC: SD 4-0 vs. Florida this season

American League

CLEVELAND at DETROIT, 7:05 PM ET MLB
TOMLIN: CLE 10-0 off 6+ division games
SCHERZER: 15-23 TSR vs. division

SEATTLE at TAMPA BAY, 7:10 PM ET
HERNANDEZ: 8-16 TSR Away if total is 7.5 or less
DAVIS: 14-6 TSR when the money line is +125 to -125

NY YANKEES at MINNESOTA, 8:10 PM ET
HUGHES: NYY 43-17 as favorite of -150 or more
SLOWEY: MIN 3-20 vs. Yankees

BOSTON at KANSAS CITY, 8:10 PM ET
MILLER: BOS 50-24 off a win
FRANCIS: KC 37-71 off BB Unders

TEXAS at CHI WHITE SOX, 8:10 PM ET
HARRISON: TEX 20-9 Under off an Under
PEAVY: WHITE SOX 9-0 if bullpen threw 7+ innings last game

TORONTO at OAKLAND, 10:05 PM ET
CECIL: TOR 7-2 vs. Rich Harden
HARDEN: OAK 10-0 Over at home if shutout last game

BALTIMORE at LA ANGELS, 10:05 PM ET
REYES: BAL 0-9 Away if went Over L3 games
HAREN: LAA 11-1 Under as favorite of -150 or more

** (TC) Denotes Time Change