MLB LONG SHEET
Saturday, July 28
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WASHINGTON (44 - 58) at NY METS (57 - 45) - 12:10 PM
TIM REDDING (R) vs. ORLANDO HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 6-24 (-12.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
REDDING is 21-35 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 158-113 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 118-78 (+22.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 160-114 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 30-15 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 192-221 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 44-58 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 29-28 (+15.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 5-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-3 (+2.6 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.0 Units)
TIM REDDING vs. NY METS since 1997
REDDING is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.30 and a WHIP of 1.213.
His team's record is 1-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)
ORLANDO HERNANDEZ vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 2-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.72 and a WHIP of 1.034.
His team's record is 2-2 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)
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WASHINGTON (44 - 58) at NY METS (57 - 45) - 7:10 PM
JOEL HANRAHAN (R) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 160-114 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 35-18 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
NY METS are 30-15 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 158-113 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 118-78 (+22.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 44-58 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 31-26 (+18.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 192-221 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 5-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
PELFREY is 1-7 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PELFREY is 1-7 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-3 (+2.6 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.0 Units)
JOEL HANRAHAN vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.
MIKE PELFREY vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
PELFREY is 0-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.17 and a WHIP of 1.764.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
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MILWAUKEE (57 - 46) at ST LOUIS (46 - 53) - 1:10 PM
MANNY PARRA (R) vs. BRAD THOMPSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 46-79 (-29.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 36-62 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 17-38 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 63-77 (-25.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 25-44 (-26.3 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.
MILWAUKEE is 17-34 (-15.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 48-83 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 7-18 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 30-22 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
THOMPSON is 9-2 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 140-136 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 140-136 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 14-20 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-1 (+4.2 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)
MANNY PARRA vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.
BRAD THOMPSON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.
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MILWAUKEE (57 - 46) at ST LOUIS (46 - 53) - 8:10 PM
CHRIS CAPUANO (L) vs. ANTHONY REYES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 48-83 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 7-18 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 46-79 (-29.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 36-62 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 63-77 (-25.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 25-44 (-26.3 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.
CAPUANO is 7-19 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAPUANO is 1-10 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAPUANO is 7-18 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAPUANO is 10-16 (-10.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 140-136 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 140-136 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 14-20 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 4-10 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.
REYES is 1-11 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
REYES is 2-9 (-10.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
REYES is 4-10 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
REYES is 1-11 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
REYES is 0-8 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-1 (+4.2 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)
CHRIS CAPUANO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
CAPUANO is 4-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 7-3 (+6.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-6. (-2.8 units)
ANTHONY REYES vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
REYES is 2-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.243.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-0. (+5.0 units)
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ATLANTA (54 - 50) at ARIZONA (57 - 48) - 3:55 PM
JOHN SMOLTZ (R) vs. DOUG DAVIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 131-129 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 38-48 (-15.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 133-133 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 59-72 (-25.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 57-48 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 25-14 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 35-21 (+13.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 15-7 (+8.0 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
ARIZONA is 57-48 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 32-20 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ARIZONA is 14-4 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
DAVIS is 20-8 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 20-8 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 19-6 (+17.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 7-0 (+8.7 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. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 68-32 (+29.3 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
ATLANTA is 90-50 (+26.6 Units) against the money line in road games in July games since 1997.
SMOLTZ is 30-13 (+15.3 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
ARIZONA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against ATLANTA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
JOHN SMOLTZ vs. ARIZONA since 1997
SMOLTZ is 2-2 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.218.
His team's record is 3-2 (-0.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.4 units)
DOUG DAVIS vs. ATLANTA since 1997
DAVIS is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)
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SAN DIEGO (55 - 47) at HOUSTON (45 - 58) - 3:55 PM
GREG MADDUX (R) vs. ROY OSWALT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 30-45 (-24.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
OSWALT is 18-3 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
OSWALT is 17-3 (+13.8 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)
SAN DIEGO is 29-15 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 71-59 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 57-39 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 45-32 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 73-60 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 10-20 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
HOUSTON is 45-58 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 30-42 (-13.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 25-32 (-10.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
HOUSTON is 45-58 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 48-54 (-16.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)
GREG MADDUX vs. HOUSTON since 1997
MADDUX is 10-8 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.78 and a WHIP of 1.340.
His team's record is 11-10 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-8. (+2.0 units)
ROY OSWALT vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
OSWALT is 6-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.59 and a WHIP of 1.151.
His team's record is 6-1 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.4 units)
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PITTSBURGH (42 - 59) at PHILADELPHIA (53 - 49) - 7:05 PM
SHANE YOUMAN (L) vs. J.D. DURBIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 43-87 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 26-60 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 18-49 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 43-87 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-63 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-31 (-13.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 102-98 (-37.3 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.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-63 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
SHANE YOUMAN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.
J.D. DURBIN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.
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CHICAGO CUBS (53 - 48) at CINCINNATI (45 - 59) - 7:10 PM
SEAN MARSHALL (L) vs. AARON HARANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 59-68 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 120-144 (-32.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-55 (-19.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 120-174 (-54.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 120-141 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 11-4 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
HARANG is 17-5 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 17-5 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 23-12 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 15-6 (+10.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARANG is 9-1 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
MARSHALL is 16-6 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 45-59 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CINCINNATI is 186-228 (-68.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 38-53 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 45-59 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 26-37 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 14-28 (-15.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 5-2 (+4.0 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.9 Units)
SEAN MARSHALL vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.
AARON HARANG vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
HARANG is 6-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.313.
His team's record is 8-3 (+9.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-4. (+2.8 units)
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LA DODGERS (57 - 46) at COLORADO (51 - 51) - 8:05 PM
BRETT TOMKO (R) vs. JEFF FRANCIS (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-2 (+1.7 Units) against COLORADO this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.8 Units)
BRETT TOMKO vs. COLORADO since 1997
TOMKO is 5-8 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.16 and a WHIP of 1.287.
His team's record is 9-9 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-8. (+1.7 units)
JEFF FRANCIS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
FRANCIS is 2-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.447.
His team's record is 4-2 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.3 units)
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FLORIDA (48 - 56) at SAN FRANCISCO (44 - 57) - 9:05 PM
DONTRELLE WILLIS (L) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 592-474 (+86.0 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 138-70 (+48.1 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-57 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 47-62 (-24.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 20-28 (-12.5 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.
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-57 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CAIN is 3-17 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 1-9 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 3-17 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 0-13 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against FLORIDA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
DONTRELLE WILLIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
WILLIS is 1-3 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 6.27 and a WHIP of 1.447.
His team's record is 2-5 (-5.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-6. (-5.8 units)
MATT CAIN vs. FLORIDA since 1997
No recent starts.
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DETROIT (60 - 42) at LA ANGELS (59 - 42) - 3:55 PM
ANDREW MILLER (L) vs. JOE SAUNDERS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 236-169 (+28.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 58-44 (+14.3 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.
LA ANGELS are 28-14 (+13.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
SAUNDERS is 15-4 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 14-4 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 26-16 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 22-8 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 26-13 (+11.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
DETROIT is 10-3 (+8.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 60-42 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 34-21 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA ANGELS are 77-84 (-35.4 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-3 (+0.4 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+6.1 Units)
ANDREW MILLER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.
JOE SAUNDERS vs. DETROIT since 1997
SAUNDERS is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.682.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)
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OAKLAND (49 - 54) at SEATTLE (55 - 46) - 4:05 PM
CHAD GAUDIN (R) vs. HORACIO RAMIREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 49-54 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 19-29 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 52-43 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 31-23 (+9.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 55-46 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 27-19 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 32-19 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 19-7 (+12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 25-16 (+11.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 60-42 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 60-52 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 65-61 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 108-109 (+27.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
OAKLAND is 70-66 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 42-31 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
GAUDIN is 14-7 (+7.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GAUDIN is 14-6 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 24-40 (-19.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 35-54 (-18.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 8-3 (+7.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.5 Units)
CHAD GAUDIN vs. SEATTLE since 1997
GAUDIN is 2-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.647.
His team's record is 3-0 (+4.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)
HORACIO RAMIREZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
RAMIREZ is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 7.59 and a WHIP of 1.874.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)
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NY YANKEES (55 - 48) at BALTIMORE (48 - 54) - 7:05 PM
ROGER CLEMENS (R) vs. BRIAN BURRES (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 18-21 (-15.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 49-42 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY YANKEES are 11-16 (-12.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 25-25 (-10.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY YANKEES are 55-48 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 5-11 (-12.4 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -150 to -175 this season.
NY YANKEES are 124-85 (-54.5 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -175 or more since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 23-28 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CLEMENS is 29-34 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 20-21 (-22.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -175 or more since 1997. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 11-18 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 29-33 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEMENS is 20-25 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 18-12 (+8.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
BALTIMORE is 27-21 (+6.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BALTIMORE is 49-92 (-32.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 36-77 (-33.1 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.
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 5-2 (+5.4 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.7 Units)
ROGER CLEMENS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
CLEMENS is 9-5 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.27 and a WHIP of 1.396.
His team's record is 11-12 (-12.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-9. (+4.0 units)
BRIAN BURRES vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.
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TORONTO (51 - 51) at CHI WHITE SOX (47 - 56) - 7:05 PM
ROY HALLADAY (R) vs. MARK BUEHRLE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 43-66 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 44-61 (-38.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 182-116 (+48.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 149-99 (+29.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 75-44 (+21.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 75-50 (+23.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HALLADAY is 50-20 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HALLADAY is 26-5 (+19.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HALLADAY is 34-10 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 137-128 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 3-12 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO 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=+3.0 Units)
ROY HALLADAY vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
HALLADAY is 2-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.08 and a WHIP of 1.248.
His team's record is 2-5 (-4.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-3. (+0.8 units)
MARK BUEHRLE vs. TORONTO since 1997
BUEHRLE is 2-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.72 and a WHIP of 1.155.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.8 units)
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MINNESOTA (51 - 51) at CLEVELAND (60 - 43) - 7:05 PM
JOHAN SANTANA (L) vs. JAKE WESTBROOK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 100-77 (+12.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 115-48 (+41.5 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 78-26 (+36.3 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 67-69 (-19.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-25 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 92-94 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-0 (+7.4 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)
JOHAN SANTANA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SANTANA is 6-4 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.02 and a WHIP of 0.950.
His team's record is 10-6 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-7. (+0.4 units)
JAKE WESTBROOK vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
WESTBROOK is 4-7 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.334.
His team's record is 4-10 (-5.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-10. (-6.8 units)
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BOSTON (63 - 40) at TAMPA BAY (38 - 64) - 7:10 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 11-18 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-32 (-19.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 14-20 (-16.1 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 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 35-31 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 36-34 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-4 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
BOSTON is 47-26 (+12.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-44 (-22.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 38-64 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
JON LESTER vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.
JAMES SHIELDS vs. BOSTON since 1997
SHIELDS is 0-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.10 and a WHIP of 1.355.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)
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TEXAS (46 - 57) at KANSAS CITY (45 - 57) - 7:10 PM
KEVIN MILLWOOD (R) vs. ODALIS PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 47-57 (+17.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 107-158 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 40-33 (+25.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 98-143 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 83-108 (+27.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 82-103 (+32.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 7-25 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MILLWOOD is 3-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.453.
His team's record is 3-2 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.2 units)
ODALIS PEREZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.
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MLB SHORT SHEET
Saturday, July 28th
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National League
Washington at NY Mets, 12:10 ET Game One
Tim Redding (R) vs. Orlando Hernandez (R)
Redding: Washington 6-24 SU when the total is 8 to 8.5
Hernandez: Mets 23-5 Under as a favorite of -150 or more
Washington at NY Mets, 7:10 ET Game Two
Billy Traber (L) vs. Mike Pelfrey (R)
Traber:
Pelfrey: 1-7 TSR in all starts
Milwaukee at St. Louis, 1:10 ET Game One
Manny Parra (L) vs. Brad Thompson (R)
Parra: Mil 17-34 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +125
Thompson: 9-2 TSR in night games
Milwaukee at St. Louis, 8:10 ET Game Two
Chris Capuano (L) vs. Anthony Reyes (R)
Capuano: 21-9 Under as a favorite of -110 or higher
Reyes: 0-8 TSR in night games
Atlanta at Arizona, 3:55 ET FOX
John Smoltz (R) vs. Doug Davis (L)
Smoltz: Atlanta 35-11 Over in July
Davis: 20-8 TSR in home starts
San Diego at Houston, 3:55 ET FOX
Greg Maddux (R) vs. Roy Oswalt (R)
Maddux: San Diego 1-6 SU vs. Oswalt
Oswalt: Houston 9-2 Over at home in day games
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Shane Youman (L) vs. JD Durbin (R)
Youman: Pittsburgh 20-54 SU as a road underdog +150 or less
Durbin: Philadelphia 15-4 Over in June
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, 7:10 ET
Sean Marshall (L) vs. Aaron Harang (R)
Marshall: Cubs 5-1 Under vs. Reds
Harang: 17-5 TSR in all starts
LA Dodgers at Colorado, 8:05 ET
Chad Billingsley (R) vs. Jeff Francis (L)
Billingsley: 3-0 TSR, 2.70 L3 starts
Francis: 11-2 Under when the total is 8.5 to 10
Florida at San Francisco, 9:05 ET
Dontrelle Willis (L) vs. Matt Cain (R)
Willis: 13-4 Under as a road underdog
Cain: 0-13 TSR in night games
American League
Detroit at LA Angels, 3:55 EST FOX
Andrew Miller (L) vs. Joe Saunders (L)
Miller: Detroit 22-8 SU vs. lefties
Saunders: Angels 23-10 Under in day games
Oakland at Seattle, 4:05 EST
Chad Gaudin (R) vs. Horacio Ramirez (L)
Gaudin: Oakland 20-7 Under in day games
Ramirez: 5-0 TSR, 2.27 ERA in home starts
NY Yankees at Baltimore, 7:05 EST
Roger Clemens (R) vs. Brian Burres (L)
Clemens: Yankees 4-11 SU as a road favorite of -150 to -175
Burres: Baltimore 5-1 SU vs. Yankees this season
Toronto at Chicago White Sox, 7:05 EST WGN
Roy Halladay (R) vs. Mark Buehrle (L)
Halladay: 26-5 TSR when the total is 8 to 8.5
Buehrle: 3-12 TSR in July
Minnesota at Cleveland, 7:05 EST
Johan Santana (L) vs. Jake Westbrook (R)
Santana: 101-38 TSR as a favorite of -110 or higher
Westbrook: 16-6 Under in home starts
Boston at Tampa Bay, 7:10 EST
Jon Lester (L) vs. James Shields (R)
Lester: Boston 33-16 Under in road games
Shields: 9-2 TSR at home when the money line is +125 to -125
Texas at Kansas City, 7:10 EST
Kevin Millwood (R) vs. Odalis Perez (L)
Millwood: 0-3 TSR vs. AL Central
Perez: 12-2 Over when the money line is +125 to -125
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MLB WRITE-UP
Hot Pitchers
-- Mets won five of last six Hernandez starts. Redding is 2-1, 2.29 in his last three starts.
-- Capuano is 1-0, 1.98 in his last couple of starts. Cardinals are
9-3 in Thompson starts this season.
-- Arizona won last three davis starts, scoring seventeen runs. Smoltz is 2-1, 1.80 in his last four starts.
-- Astros won six of last eight Oswalt starts.
-- Durbin is 2-0, 0.60 in his last couple starts.
-- Marshall is 0-1, 2.60 in his last three starts. Cincinnati won Harang's last nine starts; he went 10 innings in last outing.
-- Colorado is 12-3 in last fifteen Francis starts.
-- Tigers won six of nine Miller starts this season. Angels won last five Saunders starts, scoring 31 runs.
-- Clemens is 2-1, 2.62 in his last five starts.
-- Halladay has an 0.56 RA in his last couple starts.
-- Santana is 4-1, 3.00 in his last five road starts.
-- Lester beat Cleveland 6-2 in first '07 start, allowing two runs in six IP, in his first start since coming back from cancer.
Cold Pitchers
-- Pelfrey is 0-7, 6.81 in his last seven starts. Hanrahan is making first '07 start for Nationals.
-- Parra is making first major league start; he was 4-1 in AAA, is considered big prospect. Cardinals are 1-11 in Reyes' 07 starts.
-- Youman is 0-2, 4.15 in his last couple starts.
-- Padres lost seven of last ten Maddux starts.
-- Tomko has a 7.81 RA in his last eight starts.
-- Willis is 0-2, 10.89 in his last four starts. Giants are 2-14 in last sixteen Cain starts.
-- Gaudin is 0-2, 9.88 in his last three starts. Ramirez has an 8.57 RA in his last three starts.
-- Orioles lost five of last six Burres starts.
-- Buehrle is 2-1, 3.18 in his last four starts.
-- Westbrook is 0-4, 4.97 in his last six starts.
-- Devil Rays lost six of last eight Shields starts.
-- Royals lost four of last five Perez starts. Rangers lost four of last five Millwood road starts.
Totals
-- Under is 3-0-1 in Redding starts this season.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Capuano starts, 5-0-1 in the last six Thompson starts. .
-- Four of last five Davis starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Oswalt starts.
-- All four Youman starts stayed under; all three Durbin starts went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Marshall games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Francis starts went over the total.
-- Over is 14-8 in Willis starts this season.
-- Under is 4-1 in Miller's last five road starts.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven Gaudin starts.
-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Clemens starts.
-- Six of last eight Buehrle starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Westbrook starts.
-- Over is 7-2 in last nine Shields starts.
-- Last four Perez starts all went over the total.
Hot Teams
-- Mets won ten of their last fourteen home games, but lost the last two.
-- Phillies won six of their last seven games.
-- Astros won four of their last six games.
-- Cubs won nine of their last fourteen games. Reds won four of their last five games.
-- Rockies are 16-5 in their last twenty-one home games. Dodgers won eight of last eleven on the road.
-- Arizona won seven of its last eight home games. Braves won six of their last ten road games.
-- Giants won last three games, scoring 18 runs.
-- Red Sox won seven of their last eight games.
-- Orioles won ten of their last fourteen home games. Bronx won six of their last eight games, scoring 71 runs.
-- White Sox won six of last eight home games. Toronto is 5-1 in its last six games.
-- Tigers are 7-5 in their last twelve road games.
-- Rangers won four of their last five games.
-- Oakland is 4-0 in game after their last four losses.
Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost eleven of thirteen since the All-Star break.
-- Brewers are 5-11 in their last sixteen road games.
-- Nationals lost eleven of their last sixteen road games.
-- Cardinals lost three of their last four games.
-- Padres lost six of their last eight games.
-- Marlins lost eight of their last nine road games.
-- Indians lost five of their last eight home games. Twins lost last five games by combined score of 43-11.
-- Devil Rays lost last seven games, allowing 71 runs.
-- Royals are 2-6 in second game of home series, if they won the first game.
-- Angels lost seven of their last eleven games.
-- Seattle lost seven of their last eight games.
Umpires
-- Wsh-NY-- Favorite is 8-1 in last nine Hallion games.
Four of last five Hoye games went over the total.
-- Mil-StL-- Five of last six Randazzo games went over the total.
Underdog is 5-4 in last nine Vanover games.
-- Atl-Az-- Underdog is 5-2 in last seven Nauert games.
-- SD-Hst-- Four of last five Reynolds games stayed under.
-- Pitt-Phil-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Timmons games.
-- Cubs-Cin-- Visiting team won last five West games.
-- LA-Col-- Don't know who umpires are in this game.
-- Fla-SF-- Under is 8-2 in last ten Kellogg games.
-- Det-LA-- Underdog won last four Hudson games.
-- A's-Sea-- Underdog is 5-3 in last eight Barrett games.
-- NY-Balt-- Over is 14-6 in last twenty Davidson games.
-- Tor-Chi-- Underdog is 11-7 in last eighteen Darling games.
-- Min-Clev-- Favorite won last ten Diaz games.
-- Bos-TB-- Home side won four of last five Wegner games.
-- Tex-KC-- Six of last eight Tschida games went over total.
MLB ADDITIONAL
Saturday, July 28
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Tips and Trends
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Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels (FOX | 3:55 PM ET)
Detroit’s Andrew Miller is an even 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA in five road starts this season and this will be his fourth start in a row away from Comerica Park. The Tigers have won his last two road starts, but he’s lasted just 9 2/3 innings in those outings.
SLIGHT EDGE: TIGERS
Miller has posted a miserable 7.84 ERA during his two daytime starts compared to a fantastic 2.72 ERA in seven outings under the lights.
EDGE: ANGELS
Los Angeles left-hander Joe Saunders is a perfect 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA in four home starts this season. He’s allowed just one home run in 23 2/3 innings of work at Angels Stadium.
EDGE: ANGELS
The Angels have won five straight games with Saunders on the hill, outscoring opponents 31-15 in the process.
EDGE: ANGELS
The UNDER is 4-1 in Miller’s last five road starts.
San Diego Padres at Houston Astros (FOX | 3:55 PM ET)
San Diego starter Greg Maddux has an impressive 26-13 record and 2.75 ERA in 47 career starts against Houston. He struggled against the Astros in 2006, posting a 0-2 record and 5.14 ERA in two starts.
SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Maddux has posted a 2-1 record and 3.96 ERA in four daytime starts this season. He’s allowed just one home run in 25 innings of work over that span.
SLIGHT EDGE: PADRES
Houston’s Roy Oswalt is a dominant 6-1 with a 2.44 ERA in nine career games versus San Diego. The talented right-hander has surrendered just two home runs in 51 2/3 innings against them.
BIG EDGE: ASTROS
Oswalt is one of the better home pitchers in baseball, posting a 6-1 record and 2.48 ERA in 13 starts at Minute Maid Park.
BIG EDGE: ASTROS
The Astros are 1-4 in Oswalt’s last five starts versus the NL West.
Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks (FOX | 3:55 PM ET)
Atlanta’s starter John Smoltz is an even 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 12 career outings against Arizona. He picked up a loss in his lone starts versus the Diamondbacks last season, allowing four earned runs and eight hits over seven innings of work.
SLIGHT EDGE: D-BACKS
Smoltz has produced two great starts since the All-Star break, giving up just one earned run and 12 hits over 14 innings of work. The veteran right-hander was 10-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 16 starts after the break in 2006.
BIG EDGE: BRAVES
Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis is 5-2 with a 4.66 ERA in 10 home starts this season. Arizona has won Davis’ last four home starts with the offense providing 30 runs of support.
EDGE: D-BACKS
Davis has just two career starts against Atlanta, allowing three earned runs and 10 this over 12 innings of work.
SLIGHT EDGE: D-BACKS
The OVER is 4-1 in Davis’ last five home starts.
Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners (4:05 PM ET)
Oakland right-hander Chad Gaudin is a perfect 2-0 with a 4.85 ERA in 10 career appearances against Seattle. He allowed two runs and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings versus the Mariners in 3-2 victory on July 5.
SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
Gaudin has posted a miserable 0-2 record and 9.88 ERA in three starts since the All-Star break. He’s struggled mightily with his control over this span, issuing 17 free passes in 13 2/3 innings.
EDGE: MARINERS
Seattle’s Horacio Ramirez simply loves pitching at Safeco Field, going 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts this season. The left-hander as surrendered just two home runs in 31 2/3 innings at home.
BIG EDGE: MARINERS
Ramirez enters off a disappointing effort against Texas, allowing a season-high eight earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
SLIGHT EDGE: A’S
The Athletics are 11-4 in Gaudin’s last 15 starts.
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (7:05 PM ET)
Minnesota ace Johan Santana is 7-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 26 career outings versus Cleveland. He picked up a 2-0 loss on May 17 against the Indians at Jacobs Field, as he allowed just two runs and four hits over seven innings.
EDGE: TWINS
Santana has enjoyed great success away from the Metrodome this season, going 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 11 road starts. He’s allowed just 51 hits in 73 innings.
EDGE: TWINS
Indians starter Jake Westbrook is 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 20 career outings versus the Twins. He’s surrendered just six home runs in 106 career innings against them.
SLIGHT EDGE: INDIANS
Westbrook has lost two straight starts at Jacobs Field, allowing nine runs and 17 hits over 12 innings. He’s 1-3 with a 4.42 ERA in seven overall starts at home.
SLIGHT EDGE: TWINS
The Twins are 0-4 in their last four games as a favorite.
Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox (7:05 PM ET)
Toronto’s Roy Halladay is an even 2-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 10 career outings against Chicago. He threw seven shutout innings in a 2-0 victory on May 31, as he allowed just six hits while striking out seven and walking none.
EDGE: BLUE JAYS
Halladay tossed a complete game shutout against the Seattle Mariners in his last start, but the Blue Jays have lost his last three road starts.
SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle is an even 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in nine career outings against the Blue Jays. He picked up a 2-0 loss versus Toronto on May 31, even though allowed just two runs and two hits over eight quality innings.
SLIGHT EDGE: WHITE SOX
Chicago has alternated wins and losses in Buehrle’s last eight starts with the White Sox coming off a 9-6 home defeat in his last outing.
EDGE: WHITE SOX
The Blue Jays are 6-0 in Halladay’s last six starts following a quality appearance.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (8:05 PM ET)
Los Angeles starter Chad Billingsley has allowed eight earned runs and 14 hits in nine career innings against Colorado. He’s also issued 10 walks and fanned just six over that span.
EDGE: ROCKIES
The Dodgers have picked up victories in six of Billingsley’s last seven starts, outscoring their opponents 48-22 over that span.
EDGE: DODGERS
Colorado’s Jeff Francis is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in six career starts versus Los Angeles. He’s allowed just one home run in 37 1/3 innings against them.
EDGE: ROCKIES
The Rockies have picked up five straight victories with Francis on the mound at Coors Field, but he’s allowed 11 earned runs in his last 11 innings of work at home.
SLIGHT EDGE: ROCKIES
The Dodgers are 8-2 in Billingsley’s last 10 starts versus the NL West.
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MLB Betting Notes
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Saturday’s MLB betting notes
Arizona back in the hunt
A week ago it seemed that the Arizona Diamondbacks were out of the chase for the NL West title after falling 4 ½ games behind the Dodgers. But a run of five straight wins through Thursday has put them right back in the hunt.
They lost three of four in Milwaukee and dropped the first game of three against the Cubs last week, before their offense exploded and their pitching improved drastically. Over the past seven days Arizona hitters have a .277 average, while the pitchers have a 3.25 ERA.
"A complete 180," pitcher Brandon Webb told MLB.com when asked about the turnaround. "Anytime you're winning, it makes it that much more fun to come to the park. We've been up and down. It's been very uneven and hopefully we can even that out and not be so erratic."
The Diamondbacks can make up even more ground on the Dodgers as they continue a three-game series against Atlanta on Saturday. Arizona sends Doug Davis (7-10, 4.13) to the mound to face John Smoltz (10-5, 2.78) and is a +129 underdog with the total set at 9.
Padre’s clubhouse unhappy at trade
The Padres trade of reliever Scott Linebrink not only left them without one of the best setup men in the NL, but it may also have an adverse effect in the clubhouse. As the San Diego Union-Tribune reports today, some of the clubs star players are not happy.
"Incomprehensible," was reliever Trevor Hoffman's reaction according to the Union-Tribune. "Four other teams in the National League West are awfully excited. I probably need to take a day before I say something about this because I'm going to say something stupid."
Starter Jake Peavy added: "You have to trust your front office when you are in the middle of a playoff run. But, man, to trade away your setup man, what kind of a message are we sending here?"
And veteran David Wells also questioned the wisdom of the move, "Scott Linebrink is a pitcher of magnitude. He's also one of the best people you'd ever want to know. A great friend and a teammate. To take a hit like this, they must have different reasons we can't see."
Without their setup man of nearly four years, the Padres take on Houston in Game 2 of a three-game series on Saturday. Greg Maddux (7-7, 4.19) will test his stuff against Roy Oswalt (9-6, 3.80) and San Diego is a +136 underdog.
Yankees offense on fire
On the day of the All-Star game, the Yankees were 10 games behind Boston in the AL East and 8 ½ off the Wild Card. Just 16 games later they are 7 ½ behind the Red Sox and just 4 ½ off the Wild Card.
The Yankees lead the American League in almost every offensive category since the break. Since then the Yanks lead the AL in runs (115), hits (183), average (.318), on-base percentage (.387) and homers (25).
The Yankees take their hot bats to Baltimore on Saturday and the Orioles send Brian Burres (4-4, 4.33) to the mound looking to tame them. New York counters with Roger Clemens (3-4, 3.72) and is a -163 favorite with the total set at 10.
Jones injury not serious
Atlanta Braves veteran Chipper Jones should be in the lineup on Saturday, despite tweaking his groin in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to the Giants.
The third basemen has already missed several games this season with the same injury, but was quick to downplay its significance after sitting out Thursday’s series finale with the Giants.
"It's not serious," Jones told MLB.com. "I just don't want it to get any worse."
Jones is batting a National League-best .346 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs this season and will square up to Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis on his expected return on Saturday.
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Gameday
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Saturday MLB Gameday
Both young guns and older studs will take to the mound on Saturday, with everyone looking to increase their victory totals by one. Here is your Saturday MLB Gameday . . .
Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels, 3:55pm ET
Andrew Miller (5-3, 3.78 ERA) vs. Joe Saunders (4-0, 2.89 ERA)
Miller is coming off a rough outing against the White Sox, in which he gave up five earned runs on 10 hits over just 4 2-3 innings of work. The young lefthander also walked five batters in that game, while striking out seven. Miller had allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his previous three outings, and his ERA is still under 4.00.
Saunders has pitched well in his limited time with the Angels so far this season. The lefthander is 4-0 with two no-decisions in his six outings of 2007, and he only allowed four or more earned runs in one of those starts (against the Pirates on June 22). Against the Twins last weekend Saunders gave up just two earned runs over his seven innings.
Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks, 3:55pm ET
John Smoltz (10-5, 2.78 ERA) vs. Doug Davis (7-10, 4.13 ERA)
Smoltz has turned in two strong performances since coming off the disabled list last week. On July 18 against the Reds the veteran righthander tossed seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and fanning 11 in a no-decision. On July 23 versus the Giants Smoltz got the win after surrendering a single earned run on seven hits in seven innings.
Davis is 2-0 with a no-decision over his past three starts, but he's still three games below the .500 mark on the season. The lefthander, though, has not allowed more than three earned runs in any outing since June 30. Last time out, against the Marlins, Davis surrendered three earned runs on five hits over 6 2-3 innings to pick up his seventh win.
Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox, 7:05pm ET
Roy Halladay (11-4, 4.15 ERA) vs. Mark Buehrle (7-6, 3.23 ERA)
Halladay has the win-loss record of a Cy Young candidate, but not the ERA - at least not yet. The righthander, though, has allowed just a single earned run over his past two outings (16 innings total), giving up eight hits and fanning nine over that stretch. Against the Mariners last time out Halladay tossed a complete-game shutout for his 11th victory.
Buehrle has the ERA of a Cy Young candidate, but not the win-loss record - thanks in large part to the overall poor play of the White Sox. The lefthander, though, was pounded for seven runs on 14 hits over 6 1-3 innings last time out versus the Tigers; that marked the first time Buehrle had allowed more than two earned runs since June 5.
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians, 7:05pm ET
Johan Santana (11-8. 2.94 ERA) vs. Jake Westbrook (1-6, 6.20 ERA)
Santana saw his ERA creep closer to 3.00 last time out, as he was knocked around for six earned runs on seven hits in just five innings of work versus the Blue Jays. The lefthander has now lost two straight starts, after winning five in a row between June 19 and July 13. With 144 strikeouts Santana remains a top contender for the AL Cy Young.
Westbrook hasn't picked up a win since April 27, when he beat the Orioles. With injuries taking their toll the righthander has only managed to make 12 starts this season, and he's either lost or picked up a no-decision in 11 of those outings. Last time out, against the BoSox, Westbrook surrendered five earned runs on 10 hits over six innings pitched.
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Baseball Today - July 28
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SCOREBOARD
Saturday, July 28
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EDT).
Aaron Harang allowed one run and struck out 10 over 10 innings in his last appearance, a no-decision against Milwaukee.
STARS
Friday
-Johnny Peralta, Indians, drove in five runs with a pair of homers in a 10-4 win over Minnesota.
-Tony Clark, Diamondbacks, homered to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning, and Arizona beat Atlanta 8-7.
-Jermaine Dye, White Sox, had three hits, including a home run, to help Chicago beat Toronto 4-3.
-Corey Hart, Brewers, homered, doubled and singled in Milwaukee's 12-2 rout of St. Louis.
-Gary Matthews Jr., Angels, went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in an 11-6 win over Detroit.
-Pat Burrell, Phillies, homered and had three RBIs in a rain-shortened, seven-inning 8-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
RIGHT BEHIND HANK
Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run - one shy of Hank Aaron's record - in San Francisco's 12-10 win over Florida on Friday night. Bonds sent a 2-1 pitch from rookie Rick Vanden Hurk over the wall in left-center in the first inning for his 20th homer of the season. He walked in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth innings.
DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Mike Maroth surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in St. Louis' 12-2 loss to Milwaukee on Friday night, exiting after facing one batter in the fifth. Maroth (0-4) has a 9.20 ERA in six starts with the Cardinals, and in his last three has been awful, allowing 23 earned runs and 31 hits in only 14 innings.
LOFTON IN LEFT
Kenny Lofton began his third go-round with Cleveland on Friday night, getting three hits and playing left field for the first time in a 10-4 victory over Minnesota. Lofton, acquired earlier in the day from Texas, last played for the Indians when they were eliminated in the 2001 playoffs.
SPECIAL K
Jake Peavy recorded his first win since June 19 with San Diego's 9-4 win over Houston on Friday night. Peavy (10-5), who was 0-4 in his previous five starts, allowed one run and four hits and struck out eight in seven innings for the Padres. His 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings leads the NL.
STREAKS AND SKIDS
Baltimore won its fifth straight with a 4-2 win over the Yankees on Friday night. Earlier, New York defeated the Orioles 8-7 in the completion of a game suspended on June 28 by rain. That game officially occurred last month, so after it was over, Baltimore could resume its quest to win a seventh straight at home. ... Tampa Bay dropped its seventh in a row with a 7-1 loss to Boston. The Devil Rays, who have been outscored 71-21 during the skid, are 5-24 since June 25. ... Tony Clark's 11th-inning homer helped Arizona beat Atlanta 8-7 and win its seven straight to move within one game of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The Braves have lost three straight and remain four games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.
SPEAKING
''I felt like I was pitching to Barry Bonds.'' - Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie, on pitching to Alex Rodriguez in Baltimore's 4-2 win over the Yankees on Friday night. Flashbulbs popped from within the crowd every time Rodriguez, looking for his 500th career homer, stepped to the plate.
SEASONS
July 28
1931 - Bob Fothergill of Chicago hit a home run and a triple in an 11-run eighth inning. The White Sox set an American League record by recording 12 hits in the inning and beat the New York Yankees 14-12.
1940 - King Kong Keller hit three homers to give the New York Yankees a 10-9 win over Chicago in the first game of a doubleheader split.
1951 - Clyde Vollmer of Boston hit a grand slam in the 16th inning, the latest ever hit in a major league game. The Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians, 8-4, in 16.
1958 - For the sixth time in his career, Mickey Mantle hit home runs from both sides of the plate. New York beat the Athletics 14-7.
1971 - Sixteen-time Gold Glove winner Brooks Robinson committed three errors in the sixth inning against the Oakland A's. Frank Robinson's three-run homer in the ninth won the game for the Orioles.
1976 - John Odom (five innings) and Francisco Barrios (four innings) combined on a no-hitter as the Chicago White Sox beat Oakland 2-1.
1979 - Dave Kingman of the Chicago Cubs hit three home runs in a game for the second time in the season and became the sixth player in major league history to accomplish the feat. Kingman's homers weren't enough as the Cubs lost to the New York Mets 6-4.
1983 - AL president Lee McPhail ruled that George Brett's ''pine tar'' home run against New York on July 24 should count. The umpires had disallowed the homer because the pine tar on Brett's bat exceeded the 18-inch limit. The rest of the game was played Aug. 18 with the Kansas City Royals beating the Yankees, 5-4.
1990 - Shawon Dunston tied a major league record with three triples and led the Chicago Cubs to a 10-7 win over the Montreal Expos.
1991 - Dennis Martinez pitched a perfect game as the Montreal Expos beat Los Angeles 2-0 at Dodger Stadium.
1993 - Ken Griffey Jr. tied a major league record by homering in his eighth consecutive game, but it wasn't enough for the Seattle Mariners in a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
1994 - On the night the baseball players set an Aug. 12 strike date, Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers pitched a perfect game for a 4-0 victory over California.
1999 - For the first in 12 years, the U.S. baseball team beat the world champion Cubans, scoring five runs in the ninth inning for a 10-5 victory at the Pan American Games. Marcus Jensen's three-run homer broke a 5-5 tie.
2001 - Vinny Castilla hit three homers and drove in five runs, but Houston still lost 9-8 to Pittsburgh. Down 8-2 with two outs in the ninth inning, the Pirates scored seven runs, including Brian Giles' game-winning grand slam.
2004 - Troy Percival recorded his 300th save after John Lackey allowed three hits over 8 1-3 innings to help Anaheim beat Texas 2-0.
2006 - Houston rookie Luke Scott hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, but the Astros lost to Arizona 8-7.
Today's birthday: Wilson Betemit 27.
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WINNING POINTS JULY 27,28,29 SERIES
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Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Phillies are scoring runs in bunches (7.5 per game last 10 days) but it’s going to be difficult getting into the post-season with the worst team ERA in the NL (4.95). The Pirates are struggling (only 1-8, -$740 last 10 days) but we might be able to steal a win at Citizen’s Bank this weekend. The Phillies have not had much success against lefthanders this year (13-19, -$610 so far) and the Pittsburgh rotation is loaded with southpaws, at least one or two of whom should see action this weekend.
BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Phillies.
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Reds got the best of the Cubs in their earlier head to head meetings (4-2, +$280) but Chicago has been on fire (7-3, +$235 with 5.6 runs per game and a 2.64 ERA among starters last 10 days) and they are a huge moneymaker on the road against righthanders so far (20-12, +$865). They’ll see plenty of them vs. this mostly righthanded rotation and they don’t need to be too concerned with the last place host, a team that is losing money in all settings this year (-$1675 so far).
BEST BET: Cubs vs. righthanders.
Washington at N.Y. Mets (4) 27th, 28th (DH), 29th
The Mets survived their recent trip to the west coast in reasonably good shape (7-4, +$300 last 10 days) and it appears as though some of their underachieving stars may finally be coming out of their season long slumps. But this is a dangerous series for New York. They’ve not had much success money-wise here at Shea Stadium this year (-$455) and the Nationals, despite all their woes, have been profitable on the road (+$665) and against lefthanders (+$910). They’ll catch nice prices throughout the series, so jump on board when the situation permits.
BEST BET: Nationals vs. lefthanders.
Milwaukee at St. Louis (4) 27th, 28th (DH), 29th
The Brewers statistics are average (.263 team BA, 4.14 ERA) but they’ve been in first place in the NL Central all season long, and they’ve already taken 4 out of 5 from the floundering Cardinals in head to head play (+$305). Unfortunately, they are facing a strong challenge from the Cubs right now, and their mediocre road record is a cause for some concern (only19-26, -$755). St. Louis is having a miserable year, and they’ve been big losers here at Busch Stadium so far (-$670), so it’s hard to find a spot where we can use them. We’ll stay away from this one for now.
BEST BET: None.
Atlanta at Arizona (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Braves look very tempting right now, as they close the gap with the Mets in the NL East (5.9 runs per game with a 1.98 ERA among starters last 10 days). But Arizona is a formidable opponent vs. righthanders here at Chase Field (23-14, +$600) and Chuck James, Atlanta’s only quality southpaw, is not slated to see action. Doug Davis checks in with a respectable (4.13 ERA in 20 starts), and looks like a decent value vs. a Braves team that is only 20-24 (-$705) vs. lefthanders in 2007.
BEST BET: D. Davis.
Florida at San Francisco (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
These clubs have underachieved in 2007, but the Marlins are 25-22 on the road, so they’ve been very profitable for their backers when in the role of visitors (+$970). The Giants have had a miserable season in every way (41-55, -$1455), so whatever excitement their may be surrounding Barry Bonds won’t alter the fact that this is an aging ballclub that is unlikely to contend anytime soon. Look for a weak finish in SF this year.
BEST BET: Marlins in all games.
N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Yankees are 9-3 since the All-Star break (+$270) and their run production in recent days has been tremendous, including scoring 49 times in last weekend’s series with Tampa Bay. They’ll be finished a suspended game before the start of Friday’s game, so they’re in a position to close the gap with the AL’s other playoff contenders if they can continue their winning ways. They are 16-9 on the road vs. righties at night (+$475) and they won’t be facing hot Eric Bedard this weekend. The O’s have lost money here at Camden Yards (-$440).
BEST BET: Yankees vs. righthanders in night games.
Minnesota at Cleveland (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Indians are a perfect 5-0 vs. the Twins this year (+$650) but their lack of pitching depth may be catching up with them (4.52 team ERA, 5th worst in the AL). The Twins have looked sharp since the 2nd half got underway (6-4, with a 3.19 ERA among starters), and they’ve posted a modest profit outside of the Metrodome (+$340). So we like the visitor’s chances, but it’s tough to go against the Tribe here at Jacobs Field.
BEST BET: None.
Boston at Tampa Bay (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Devil Rays have been just awful again this year (38-60, -$1485 so far), with an 0-3 (-$300) mark against the Red Sox already. Boston checks in with a healthy 21-10 record on the road against righties (+$1265), so we’ll jump in against the beleaguered Tampa Bay pitching staff (5.82 team ERA, by far the worst in MLB). But the Sox are only 4-10 (-$905) vs. lefties away from Fenway, so take a shot on staff ace Scott Kazmir (+$305) when he takes his turn.
BEST BET: Kazmir/Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Toronto at Chicago W. Sox (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The White Sox are having a truly disastrous 2007 campaign (only 43-54, -$1060) with the weakest offense in the league (.243 team BA) and the 3rd worst team ERA (4.73). The Blue Jays have had their own problems, and their road numbers are not particularly encouraging. But they’ve managed to go 17-11 against lefthanders (+$650 with 5.5 runs per game) so they’re worth a shot as underdogs when Mark Buehrle is on the hill.
BEST BET: Blue Jays vs. Buehrle.
Texas at Kansas City (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
Dreary matchup between to last place clubs with little to recommend them. The only pitcher who appeals to us from either team is Gil Meche (+$765) but he’s not slated to take a turn. The Royals have lost money here at Kaufman Stadium (-$445) but the Rangers are not a profitable choice (-$440) and they don’t have a single pitcher who appeals to us. We’ll steer clear of this mess, and perhaps take another look on game day.
BEST BET: None.
Detroit at L.A. Angels (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Tigers continue to excel, and don’t be surprised if they start to put some distance between themselves and the Indians in the AL Central. They check in here with a 32-17 record in road games (+$1685) and they are poised for a big weekend vs. the Angels, a club that is faltering as July winds down (4-5, -$255 with only 4.1 runs per game last 10 days). LA has lost money against southpaws in 2007 (-$210) and Detroit has a trio of quality southpaws, at least two of whom should see action.
BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Angels.
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Prime numbers: MLB stats that matter
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Baseball is a game of numbers and handicapping the game can make bettors feel like they’re stuck in advanced calculus all over again. Outside of the usual ERA, batting average, WHIP and RBI, there are hundreds of categories to prove or disprove just about any betting theory.
In order to separate the numerical forest from the statistical trees, we talked to some of today’s top handicappers to see what stats they bank on when making their plays.
Batting average versus left-handed pitchers
Books will always give a left-handed pitcher a couple extra cents on the moneyline, but countering the southpaw with a team that pounds lefties is a great way to build your bankroll.
“How a team hits against left-handers; that’s my go-to stat,” says Robert Ferringo of Doc’s Sports.
Clubs like the Detroit Tigers (.305 BA vs. LHP), Toronto Blue Jays (.294), Seattle Mariners (.290) and Los Angeles Dodgers (.289) are the best in the big at hitting lefties.
Detroit’s Magglio Ordonez has punished lefties this season, leading the league with a .435 average against southpaws. The Florida Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez (.426) and Miguel Cabrera (.410) as well as Seattle’s Jose Guillen are among the leaders in batting average against left-handed pitchers.
Strikeout-to-walk ratio
Keeping the bases empty is the main focus of any pitcher. A guy that is struggling with location is bound to walk a lot of batters or get hit, and probably get hit hard.
The top strikeout-to-walk pitchers in the majors are also among the most profitable arms in the game. Cleveland Indians pitchers C.C. Sabathia (6.38 K/BB) and Paul Byrd (5.36) top the list and have combined for 9.04 units this season (if you wagered $100 on all of Sabathia’s and Byrd’s starts you would be up $904).
All-Stars Josh Beckett (4.40) and Jeremy Bonderman (4.35) are also among the best pitchers in this category. Both hurlers have double-figure wins this season and have earned 5.89 units and 4.70 for their respective team’s backers.
“I like to look for guys who are struggling with their walks versus strikeout ratio,” says Scott Rickenbach of Covers Experts. “This can be a key red flag for some pitchers. Of course base runners and contact leads to runs so walking guys and the inability to strike guys out can both be huge factors in a pitcher's success.”
The teams giving up the most walks this season, the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Marlins are all at least nine games behind their division leaders. The only exception is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have walked 72 batters this season while striking out 96.
Quality Starts
Getting six solid innings of work out of a team’s starter should be enough for most sports bettors to make a profit – unless you’re betting on the Giants.
Looking at a pitcher’s number of quality starts can tell a bettor a lot about how they must approach the game. A guy who has lot of them will get at least six or seven innings, while a pitcher who has few quality starts will rely more on his bullpen to finish the game.
“People don't always look at quality starts but they are important in giving you an inside edge behind the ERA,” says professional handicapper David Jones. “Being aware of that is helpful because it ties in to bullpen. You can miss that if you look just at ERA, you miss some of the value in a starter.”
American League ERA leader Danny Haren leads the majors in quality starts with 19 this season. Los Angeles ace Brad Penny has 17 quality starts and sits second in the money standings with 10.91 units. San Diego Padres star pitcher Jake Peavy and Atlanta Braves hurler Tim Hudson are tied for fourth with 17 apiece.
Fellow Brave, John Smoltz, is also among the leaders in quality starts with 15 this year. Hudson’s and Smoltz’s efforts could be saving bettors from suffering at the hands of Atlanta’s bullpen which has shot down paydays in recent games.
One-run games
Looking at how teams perform in nail-bitters is a tool used by many handicappers.
“With one-run games, if a team's is doing well or doing poorly in the first half of the season, it will usually balance out as the season plays out,” says Ferringo.
Clubs like the D-Backs (21-15 in one-run games), Dodgers (20-11), New York Mets (14-5) and Detroit (20-13) have steped up when the going gets tough. The New York Yankees (8-15), Orioles (9-20) and Philadelphia Phillies (6-15) crumble in crunch time.
Keeping an eye on these games is also helpful for bettors playing the runline. With a spread of 1 ½ runs you'll have to watch out for teams that tend to play in close games.
BA with RISP and two outs
When bettors have their backs to the wall, it’s nice to know you can depend on a team that comes through in a similar situation.
Detroit leads the major leagues hitting .305 with runners in scoring position with two outs. Philadelphia (.285), Minnesota (.280), Atlanta (.273) and the New York Yankees (.270) are also among the best clutch teams.
It also works both ways for bettors, who can play against teams that struggle to perform with runners on and two away. The Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers both bat a measly .212 with RISP and two outs. The St. Louis Cardinals (.215) and the Marlins (.216) have also left plenty of runners stranded this season.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is still “Captain Clutch” when it comes to hitting with RISP and two outs. He leads the bigs with an impressive .476 average in this situation. Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa (.452) and Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui (.448) join Jeter at the top of this category.
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Points of Interest
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03:16 AM Injuries
MLB
Saturday: Mets CF Carlos Beltran (.263; abdominal) is questionable; Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche (.244; illness) is questionable.
07/28/07
03:15 AM Injuries
MLB
Saturday: Blue Jays 1B Lyle Overbay (.258; sick) is questionable; Dodgers C Russell Martin (.297; back) is questionable.
07/28/07
03:13 AM Injuries
MLB
Saturday: Angels C Mike Napoli (.254; hamstring) is questionable; A's 3B Eric Chavez (.240; back) is doubtful.
07/28/07
03:02 AM Injury Alert
MLB
The D-Backs confirmed that Randy Johnson will have surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and will miss the rest of the season.
07/28/07
03:01 AM Lineups
MLB
Padres Chris Young (strained oblique) won't make his scheduled start Sunday.
07/28/07
03:00 AM Info Alert
MLB
Friday's game between the Dodgers and Rockies was postponed due to rain and will be made up in September.
07/28/07
02:58 AM Injuries
MLB
Angels Mike Napoli left Friday's game in the first inning with an apparent right leg injury.
07/28/07
02:53 AM Injuries
MLB
A's 3B Eric Chavez didn't play Friday and may not play at all this weekend because of his sore back.
07/28/07
02:51 AM Lineup Alert
MLB
Dodgers Brett Tomko will start Saturday after his outing Friday was rained out.
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Streaking Pitchers
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Hot
Joe Saunders (Los Angeles Angels) - Saunders will continue his quest to lock up a permanent spot in the Angels rotation today against the Detroit Tigers. Every time the team has called on him for an emergency start he has responded. On Sunday Saunders held the Twins to two runs and that was the fifth time in six starts the lefty has held an opponent to three or fewer runs. Saunders' performance in the majors this season is surprising given his 4-7 record and 5.11 ERA in 14 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake City.
Jeff Francis (Colorado Rockies) - Rockies backers must like their chances tonight when Francis takes the mound against the Dodgers. The left-hander is 10-5 on the year with a 4.22 ERA and Colorado has won 12 of his last 15 starts. During this hot streak Francis is 9-1 with a 3.49 ERA. The Rockies starter is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers.
Orlando Hernandez (New York Mets) - A 6-4 record does not usually grab headlines but Hernandez has been pitching well lately. The Mets right-hander seeks his third straight win in the first game of a doubleheader against the Nationals. Hernandez has been very good at home, going 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA in six starts allowing four runs in his last 33 innings at Shea Stadium. Hernandez is 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in four career starts versus Washington.
Cold
Dontrelle Willis (Florida Marlins) - The way Dontrelle has been pitching this could be the night Barry Bonds becomes the home run king. Willis is 7-10 on the year and has lost a career-worst seven straight decisions. The left-hander has been tinkering with his form but hasn't found his touch yet. Willis is 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in six career starts against the Giants in his career and has yet to surrender a long ball to Barry Bonds. Bonds is 1-for-3 with a single, four walks and a strikeout all-time against the Marlins pitcher.
Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants) - Going against the Marlins will be another cold pitcher, the Giants' Matt Cain. Many feel he should have a much better record than 3-12 because his 4.02 ERA is not that bad but the Giants just don't provide the run support he needs. Since the All-Star break the right-hander is 0-3 with a 8.10 ERA and only lasted four innings in his last start. Cain is making his first-ever appearance against the Marlins.
Anthony Reyes (St. Loius Cardinals) - If you remove the innings he pitched in last season's World Series, it has been a long time since Anthony Reyes has won a game. The Cards will recall Reyes from Triple -A Memphis for tonight's game against the Brewers. The young right-hander is 0-10 this season and has dropped 12 straight regular-season decisions dating back to last year. Reyes is 2-2 with a 4.94 ERA in six career appearances against Milwaukee.
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Hot Lines
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Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks (+127, 9)
The Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to seven games with last night’s extra-innings win over the Braves. Arizona can do no wrong, it seems, blowing a seven-run lead before Tony Clark rescued the effort with an 11th-inning home run.
The drama overshadowed another solid performance from D-Backs relievers. Brandon Lyon and Edgar Gonzalez each pitched two shutout innings and allowed only one baserunner between them. Arizona’s bullpen has a 2.31 ERA since the All-Star break, mopping up messes consistently left by the rotation.
Southpaw Doug Davis starts this afternoon, however, and likely won’t leave much of a mess to be cleaned up. Davis has begun the second half with a trio of quality starts in as many trips to the mound.
Arizona is 7-1 at Chase Field in the second half, raising its home record for 2007 to 32-20 and +8.75 units (i.e. betting $100 on the D-backs for all of their home games this year would have resulted in $875 of profit). Arizona is also 7-1 against Atlanta over the last two seasons, netting backers +7.44 units in those eight head-to-head meetings.
Pick: Diamondbacks +127
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (+129, 9)
Speaking of head-to-head domination, the Indians are 6-0 against the Twins in 2007 following last night’s win at Jacobs Field. They’re now sitting at 36-18 and +9.47 units at home.
Cleveland is a home underdog tonight simply because Johan Santana is taking the hill for the Twins. The Indians, however, have beaten Minnesota in both of Santana’s starts against them and the Twinkies are showing their poorest form of the season.
“A terrible game from our side," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire told the Associated Press after Friday’s 10-4 loss. "We didn't catch the ball or make plays and that's not good enough. It's getting embarrassing and that's what I told them.”
The Twins are just 2-8 since opening the second half with a four-game sweep over the Oakland A’s and have a five-game losing streak on the go with an average score of 8.6-2.2. Santana contributed to the losing skid in his last start, coughing up four homers in five innings to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pick: Indians +129
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (+107, 10)
Keeping up with the head-to-head domination theme, Boston is 4-0 against Tampa Bay this year and has won the quartet of games by a combined score of 33-11.
With that in mind, it’s difficult to understand how the Sox, MLB’s top team, are only -115 for tonight’s game at Tropicana against the Rays. Tampa has lost seven straight games by an average score of 10-3.
We’ll chalk the line up to public bettors’ overreliance on starters, with James Shields’ season stats looking far more dependable than Jon Lester’s solo MLB start in 2007. Shields has been knocked around more often than not in recent starts, however, and he might be showing wear in his arm after already eclipsing his career-high in innings pitched.
Further, bettors should never have the D-Rays’ disastrous bullpen far from their minds when betting their games. Tampa Bay’s relief corps has an ERA of 10.22 since the All-Star break, not a good sign against any opponent, let alone one of MLB’s top lineups. The bullpen allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings last night after leading the game after five innings.
Pick: Red Sox -115
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CFL LONG SHEET
Saturday, July 28
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EDMONTON (2 - 1 - 1) at SASKATCHEWAN (2 - 2) - 7/28/2007, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) in July games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 68-43 ATS (+20.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SASKATCHEWAN is 4-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 5-1 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BRITISH COLUMBIA (4 - 0) at CALGARY (2 - 2) - 7/28/2007, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) when playing with 8 days rest since 1996.
CALGARY is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in home games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 34-14 ATS (+18.6 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-1 against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-1 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CFL WRITE-UP
Saturday, July 28
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Edmonton (2-1-1) @ Saskatchewan (2-2) -- Roughriders led 20-1 at Edmonton last week, but blew game 21-20, losing game they had a 146-28 rushing edge in, and +1 turnover ratio. Riders lost last two games now, are 1-1 at home, losing 42-12 at home to BC, after they beat Calgary 49-8. Eskimos won last two games by combined total of five points; they're only loss was 29-9 at Vancouver in Week 2. Revenge on order for Saskatchewan?
BCLions (4-0) @ Calgary (2-2) -- Undefeated defending champs led just 9-6 at half vs hapless Hamilton last week, won by 22-18 margin; they're 2-2 vs spread this season, with wins by 2,20,30 and 4 points. Stampeders are 2-0 at home, beating Hamilton by 28, Toronto by 23, then losing 49-8 in Regina, 48-15 in Toronto, so they haven't played a close game yet. Lions allowed 191 yds on ground on 18 Hamilton rushes last week, not very good.
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CFL ADDITIONAL
Saturday, July 28
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CFL Betting Trends
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EDMONTON ESKIMOS @ SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
2-1-1 July 28, 3:30 PM | Turf of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field 2-2
EDMONTON
Edmonton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Edmonton is 4-1-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games
Edmonton is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Edmonton is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Edmonton's last 10 games on the road
Edmonton is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Saskatchewan
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing Saskatchewan
Edmonton is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
Edmonton is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Saskatchewan is 15-7-1 ATS in its last 23 games at home
Saskatchewan is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Saskatchewan's last 7 games at home
Saskatchewan is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Edmonton
Saskatchewan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 5 games when playing Edmonton
Saskatchewan is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton
Saskatchewan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton
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BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS @ CALGARY STAMPEDERS
4-0 July 28, 7:00 PM | Turf of McMahon Stadium 2-2
BRITISH COLUMBIA
British Columbia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
British Columbia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of British Columbia's last 5 games
British Columbia is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
British Columbia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of British Columbia's last 12 games on the road
British Columbia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
British Columbia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of British Columbia's last 16 games when playing Calgary
British Columbia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of British Columbia's last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
CALGARY
Calgary is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Calgary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Calgary is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Calgary is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Calgary is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing British Columbia
Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing British Columbia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Calgary's last 16 games when playing British Columbia
Calgary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing at home against British Columbia
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WNBA LONG SHEET
Saturday, July 28
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DETROIT (18 - 6) at WASHINGTON (10 - 13) - 7/28/2007, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.
DETROIT is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 142-181 ATS (-57.1 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 84-112 ATS (-39.2 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 22-38 ATS (-19.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-3 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-5 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WNBA LONG SHEET
Saturday, July 28
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DETROIT (18 - 6) at WASHINGTON (10 - 13) - 7/28/2007, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.
DETROIT is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 142-181 ATS (-57.1 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 84-112 ATS (-39.2 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 22-38 ATS (-19.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-3 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-5 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WNBA ADDITIONAL
Saturday, July 28
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Betting Trends
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Trends - Detroit at Washington
ATS Trends
Detroit
Shock are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a road favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Shock are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games following a S.U. loss.
Shock are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Shock are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Shock are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Shock are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Shock are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
Shock are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite.
Washington
Mystics are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Mystics are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Mystics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Mystics are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Mystics are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Mystics are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Mystics are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 Saturday games.
Mystics are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Mystics are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games as a home underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Mystics are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games as a home underdog.
OU Trends
Detroit
Over is 4-0 in Shock last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-1 in Shock last 8 overall.
Over is 7-1 in Shock last 8 road games.
Over is 6-1 in Shock last 7 games as a favorite.
Over is 6-1 in Shock last 7 games as a road favorite.
Over is 6-1 in Shock last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 5-1 in Shock last 6 games as a road favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Over is 5-1 in Shock last 6 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Under is 8-3 in Shock last 11 vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
Over is 5-2-1 in Shock last 8 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 7-3 in Shock last 10 Saturday games.
Washington
Under is 4-0 in Mystics last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Mystics last 5 games as a home underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Under is 4-1 in Mystics last 5 games as a home underdog.
Over is 11-4 in Mystics last 15 Saturday games.
Over is 15-7 in Mystics last 22 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Head to Head
Shock are 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Shock are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Washington.
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