Trend sheet 7/12

[cisco]

Trend Report

1:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games at home

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

1:35 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. BOSTON
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kansas City's last 16 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Boston's last 23 games when playing at home against Kansas City

1:35 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. PHILADELPHIA
Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Pittsburgh's last 16 games
Philadelphia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

1:35 PM
TORONTO vs. BALTIMORE
Toronto is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Baltimore
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Baltimore is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Toronto

1:38 PM
OAKLAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Oakland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oakland's last 13 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 13 games

2:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. HOUSTON
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against Washington

2:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games

2:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MINNESOTA
Chi White Sox are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox

3:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Colorado's last 13 games

3:35 PM
NY YANKEES vs. LA ANGELS
NY Yankees are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games at home

4:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego's last 10 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games

4:10 PM
FLORIDA vs. ARIZONA
Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Florida is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Florida
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida

4:10 PM
TEXAS vs. SEATTLE
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Seattle's last 23 games at home

8:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 4-1-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi Cubs are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games at home

 

[cisco]

Today?s best MLB bets


Kansas City at Boston (-300, 9)

Pitcher Jon Lester keeps things in a pretty simple perspective for the Red Sox.

"You still have to go out and execute pitches, regardless if you are facing a high school team, or you're facing the Yankees, or you're facing the Royals," he told the Associated Press. "It doesn't matter."

And look for Sunday?s starter Josh Beckett to execute plenty of perfect pitches against the Royals on Sunday. Beckett (10-3, 3.62 ERA) should have little trouble stifling an offense that is hitting just .237 BA on the road and has crossed home plate an MLB-low 135 times in opponents' parks.

The Royals' over/under record on the road also is 13-25-2.

And while the Red Sox have one of the league? Top-5 offenses (5.16 rpg), they have an over/under mark of just 16-23-4 at Fenway.

Pick: Under 9


Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies (-142, 10)

The Rockies just keep scoring runs at home ? but not the way you?d think. Colorado, known for bashing home runs at Coors Field, has used a balance assault to score 225 runs at home this season, the eighth-most in the majors.

The Rockies have hit 85 doubles and 13 triples to go with 46 home runs. The team also is batting .276 BA in its own back yard. Atlanta does have one of the better team ERA?s on the road (4.07 ERA), but is letting opponents hit better than .260 BA against.
And prior to Atlanta coming to Denver, the Rockies had swept three of their previous five home series.

"[Manager Jim] Tracy talked to us and told us what he wanted out of us," Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis told the Associated Press. "He told guys to be held more accountable for their actions, positive and negative, and guys responded to that real well. We're playing baseball the way it should be played and we're having fun. Tracy's definitely had an effect on a lot of these young guys."

Pick: Rockies -142

 

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers

Streaking

Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)

The 2006 American League Rookie of the Year appears to finally be pitching like the ace of a staff with World Series aspirations. Verlander (9-4, 3.59 ERA) allowed three earned runs over six innings in an 8-5 win over the Royals last week, but most importantly he struck out 11 and walked none, proving his control is getting better.

The right-hander also is first in the AL with 141 total punchouts.

All that adds up to bad news for the Indians. In two starts against the Tribe earlier this year, Verlander combined to strike out 22 and allow only one run on four hits in 16 innings.

?This is certainly the best I've felt in a while," Verlander told the Associated Press. "This is why I worked so hard in the spring to get back to my natural arm angle. It wasn't easy - I felt like I was throwing sidearm for a week when I had only moved it an inch - but it is paying off."

Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The wild success of the 21 year old is one of the best kept secrets around the Dodgers organization.

Kershaw (6-5, 3.27 ERA) has been much better the past several weeks than his numbers would suggest. The left-hander has allowed only two runs in the past 29 2-3 innings as he has been dominant for Los Angeles. Kershaw, however, has been kept on tight inning and pitch counts and hasn?t lasted past the seventh inning this season.

If Kershaw learns how to keep down his walks ? he has issued 54 free passes, second-most in the National League ? he likely will be able to go deeper in games and be even more dominant. Last week in his most recent start, Kershaw gave up just three hits in six shutout innings against the Mets.

Slumping

Dustin Nippert (Texas Rangers)

Nippert barley made it through more innings (3 2-3) than earned runs he allowed (3) in his first start this season after being activated from the DL.

Texas had hoped the 28-year-old right-hander would bolster its staff, but instead Nippert will likely be pitching to keep the No. 5 spot in the team?s rotation against the Mariners. His nagging injury has been a strained right shoulder.

Nippert once was a young prospect for the Diamondbacks, but after failing to make an impact in Arizona, he tried to find a spot on the pitching-poor Rangers. If Nippert, who began the season with just 11 career starts, can?t keep a spot in the rotation, he will need to find a new place to call home.

Bruce Chen (Kansas City Royals)

Chen almost had us fooled. After allowing four runs in 6 1-3 innings against Pittsburgh in his season debut last month, the 10-year veteran appeared a little rusty, but solid. Then, he followed that performance by giving up just two earned runs in six innings against the White Sox.

But last week, Bruce was back to being the Bruce Chen we all know: seven earned runs, five walks and three home runs allowed in just 4 2-3 innings as the Tigers smoked the Royals, 8-5.

Good luck against the Red Sox, Bruce.

"That's five homers in three starts he?s allowed," Royals manager Trey Hillman said of Chen to the Associated Press. "And, four of them have been on the same pitch -- a changeup that he leaves up. When you keep making the same mistakes on the same pitch, you need to make some kind of adjustment.?

 

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Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals at Cubs

The second half of a rare day-night doubleheader finds the Cubs hosting the Cardinals in the final game before the All-Star break Sunday.

Central division leading St. Louis will send Adam Wainwright (9-5 3.09 ERA) to the mound against Chicago?s Randy Wells (4-3 2.48 ERA) in a matchup of right-handers.

What a difference a year makes

Last year at this time, the Cubs lead the National League Central and were rewarded with eight players earning spots on the All-Star roster.

Thanks to an impotent lineup, only pitcher Ted Lilly is an All Star this season.

"There's nothing else to say," an aggravated Lou Piniella told Chicago reporters this week of an offense that ranks second last in the NL in runs scored. ?There really isn't. ... I get asked the same questions every day. Every day. And I think what you need to do is go ask the players why they're not hitting instead of asking me. Or go talk to the hitting coach."

The third-place Cubs entered the weekend with a .247 team batting average. The first-place Cardinals were hitting .256 BA on the season.

Injury bugged

To make matters worse, the Cubs lost starting catcher Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Piniella said Soto could be out for a month.

After showing up overweight this spring, Soto was hitting just .230 BA, 55 points below last year's average. His power is way down (eight homers after belting 23 last year) and he tested positive for marijuana while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster (an All Star last year) went on the DL Tuesday with a fractured right toe, a dugout injury he got celebrating a win on Sunday.

In Dempster?s absence, the Cubs called Jeff Stevens up from Iowa. Stevens is one of three pitchers the Cubs obtained in the offseason trade for Mark DeRosa. Stevens' presence gives the Cubs seven relievers for this four-game series. Stevens has not pitched in the major leagues.

Cardinal IF/OF DeRosa (strained left wrist tendon) joined SS Khalil Greene (social anxiety disorder) on the 15-day disabled list June 29. Meanwhile, 3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder surgery in January 2009) was batting in Jupiter, Florida last week but he was still having trouble throwing.

Strong arm tactics

Wells has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs this season. He rebounded off a sluggish 1-4 team start effort and has now won each of his last four team starts in a row with a 2.46 ERA along the way.

The rookie right-hander is 3-2 in his five home starts with a 3.07 ERA. Wells brings an excellent 1.09 WHIP into tonight?s contest.

Despite not being named to this year?s All-Star squad, Wainwright has put big numbers for the Cardinals this season. St. Louis is 12-6 in his team starts, including 7-1 away from home.

The 6-foot-7 Wainwright enjoys pitching this time of the season, as evidenced by a 6-1 career team start mark during July. He is also 5-0 his last five team starts against the Cubs, including 3-0 this season.

The envelope, please

To quote Piniella, ?These games are probably more important to us than to St. Louis.?

The Cubs would like nothing better than to head to the All-Star break with a victory over the division leading Cardinals.

Given Zambrano?s sterling 17- team start mark in his last twenty efforts in July and his 10-2 mark in his last 12 starts in this series, look for the Cubbies to improve to 18-4 at home on Sundays.

 

[cisco]

Sunday Southpaws
By Judd Hall

Baseball?s final day before the All-Star break is loaded with plenty of action. And bettors can take advantage of plays for or against southpaws for the day. After all, we?ve got nine games with a lefty starting for his respective team. Let?s take a look at a trio of those contests.

Athletics at Rays ? 1:35 p.m. EDT

It has to be really tough to be an A?s fan right about now. You figured your club would be a darkhorse for the American League West after picking up Matt Holiday from Colorado. Instead, Oakland is languishing in last place and Holliday has just eight homers to his credit.

Oakland has dropped three straight games and six of its last nine fixtures. Offense has been at a premium for the Athletics during this slump as they?ve scored more than three runs in just four of those games. While that has killed the A?s chances, bettors have taken advantage of the ?under? going 8-1 during this skid.

The Athletics are going to try to turn the ship around with southpaw starter Brett Anderson (5-7, 4.86 ERA). Oakland has won his last three starts, including a two-hit, complete game shutout at Fenway on July 6. Anderson also picked up a victory at Tropicana Field on May 20 in a 7-6 decision against the Rays.

Tampa Bay is 15-17 against left-handed pitching this season. The Rays are seventh in Major League Baseball with a .277 batting average versus lefties. And they have crossed the plate 161 times during 2009?the most of any club in the big leagues. The most important stat to know is that Joe Maddon?s club is 5-1 when taking on a southpaw at home during the day this year.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants have tabbed the Rays as heavy $1.80 home favorites (risk $180 to win $100) with a total of 8 ?.

White Sox at Twins ? 2:10 p.m. EDT

The race to catch the Tigers is on in this series closing contest. If you were to just go off of recent trends, then the White Sox are sucking the hind teat, dropping four of their last six games. That number includes a 6-4 setback in the series opener on Friday night.

Things do look like they could pick up for the extended break for the Pale Hose here with Mark Buehrle (9-2, 3.14 ERA) getting the starting nod. Chicago has come on top in Buehrle?s last five starts, scoring an average of 6.2 runs per game. And the White Sox?s starter is 2-0 with a 1.35 earned run average in two starts versus Minnesota.

The betting shops have listed Minnesota as a $1.25 home ?chalk? with a total of 8 ? for this match.

The Twins have fared well against left-handed pitching at home this year with a 10-6 record. They?re in the Top 10 in hitting (.273) and runs scored (128). As strong as you might want to think Minnesota is in this spot, keep in mind that they?re only 1-3 against southpaws during the day at the Metrodome.

Yankees at Angels ? 3:35 p.m. EDT

The plus side for Yankee fans is that their team has won 13 of its last 16 games this season. But you have to lean towards those wins weren?t all that impressive. Unless you count beating third places teams from across the landscape as ?impressive.?

New York?s first true test against a legitimate playoff club came up lacking on Friday night. The Yanks saw the Halos go yard twice after coughing up a 5-1 lead to lose 10-6.

The Bronx Bombers will send out their ace, C.C. Sabathia (8-5, 3.70 ERA), to close out the series on Sunday. Sabathia has been productive for the Yanks recently, pitching at least seven innings in four of his last six starts. However, he has alternated wins and losses over these last seven outings.

Los Angeles will be without two of its best sluggers in Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter. Guerrero didn?t have the best numbers against New York?s starter (.200, 1 HR, 2 RBI). Hunter, on the other hand, has fared well against Sabathia with a .294 average, three round-trippers and 17 runs batted in.

LVSC has listed the Yankees as $1.30 road favorites with the total coming in at nine.

That line doesn?t jive with recent history for me.

The Angels have gone 6-1 in the last seven games they?ve played at home against New York. Also, they?re 15-9 against the AL East this season. And if that doesn?t give you enough of a reason to take LA as a $1.30 home pup, consider that they?re 3-0 during the daytime against southpaws at home.

 

[cisco]

Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals at Cubs
By Marc Lawrence

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

The second half of a rare day-night doubleheader finds the Cubs hosting the Cardinals in the final game before the All-Star break Sunday.

Central division leading St. Louis will send Adam Wainwright (9-5 3.09 ERA) to the mound against Chicago?s Randy Wells (4-3 2.48 ERA) in a matchup of right-handers.

What a difference a year makes

Last year at this time, the Cubs lead the National League Central and were rewarded with eight players earning spots on the All-Star roster.

Thanks to an impotent lineup, only pitcher Ted Lilly is an All Star this season.

"There's nothing else to say," an aggravated Lou Piniella told Chicago reporters this week of an offense that ranks second last in the NL in runs scored. ?There really isn't. ... I get asked the same questions every day. Every day. And I think what you need to do is go ask the players why they're not hitting instead of asking me. Or go talk to the hitting coach."

The third-place Cubs entered the weekend with a .247 team batting average. The first-place Cardinals were hitting .256 BA on the season.

Injury bugged

To make matters worse, the Cubs lost starting catcher Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Piniella said Soto could be out for a month.

After showing up overweight this spring, Soto was hitting just .230 BA, 55 points below last year's average. His power is way down (eight homers after belting 23 last year) and he tested positive for marijuana while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster (an All Star last year) went on the DL Tuesday with a fractured right toe, a dugout injury he got celebrating a win on Sunday.

In Dempster?s absence, the Cubs called Jeff Stevens up from Iowa. Stevens is one of three pitchers the Cubs obtained in the offseason trade for Mark DeRosa. Stevens' presence gives the Cubs seven relievers for this four-game series. Stevens has not pitched in the major leagues.

Cardinal IF/OF DeRosa (strained left wrist tendon) joined SS Khalil Greene (social anxiety disorder) on the 15-day disabled list June 29. Meanwhile, 3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder surgery in January 2009) was batting in Jupiter, Florida last week but he was still having trouble throwing.

Strong arm tactics

Wells has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs this season. He rebounded off a sluggish 1-4 team start effort and has now won each of his last four team starts in a row with a 2.46 ERA along the way.

The rookie right-hander is 3-2 in his five home starts with a 3.07 ERA. Wells brings an excellent 1.09 WHIP into tonight?s contest.

Despite not being named to this year?s All-Star squad, Wainwright has put big numbers for the Cardinals this season. St. Louis is 12-6 in his team starts, including 7-1 away from home.

The 6-foot-7 Wainwright enjoys pitching this time of the season, as evidenced by a 6-1 career team start mark during July. He is also 5-0 his last five team starts against the Cubs, including 3-0 this season.

The envelope, please

To quote Piniella, ?These games are probably more important to us than to St. Louis.?

The Cubs would like nothing better than to head to the All-Star break with a victory over the division leading Cardinals.

Given Zambrano?s sterling 17- team start mark in his last twenty efforts in July and his 10-2 mark in his last 12 starts in this series, look for the Cubbies to improve to 18-4 at home on Sundays.

 

[cisco]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

L.A. Dodgers (55-32) at Milwaukee (45-42)

The Brewers snapped out of their funk Saturday and now give the ball to ace Yovani Gallardo (8-6, 2.95 ERA) in the rubber match of a three-game series at Miller Park against the Dodgers, who are set to counter with red-hot lefty Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 3.27).

Milwaukee bounced back from Friday?s 12-8, 10-inning loss to the Dodgers with Saturday?s 6-3 victory. Still, the Brewers have dropped seven of their last 10, scoring two runs or fewer in five of the seven defeats, and they?re also in ruts of 2-4 at home, 0-5 on Sunday and 3-5 against the N.L. West. They?ve also struggled with L.A. of late, losing 36 of the last 54 meetings, including four of the last six at Miller Park.

Despite Saturday?s setback, Los Angeles has won five out of six and six of its last nine, including going 5-3 on its nine-game road trip that ends today. The Dodgers, who continue to sport baseball?s best record, are on additional positive runs of 6-2 against right-handed starters 11-6 against the N.L. Central.

Kershaw has been brilliant in his last three starts, going 3-0 with a 0.61 ERA, allowing just two runs and 17 hits while striking out 33 in 29 2/3 innings. The Dodgers won all five of those starts and are 5-1 in both his last six starts on Sunday and his last six against the N.L. Central.

Kershaw went 0-3 with a 9.47 ERA in his first four road starts, but is 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his last four roadies, and he comes into this contest having tossed 15 straight scoreless innings in his last two outings on the highway. The 22-year-old?s lone start against the Brewers came at home last year, and he gave up a run on eight hits while fanning six in six innings, but he got a no-decision in L.A.?s 7-5 victory.

Gallardo is coming off a rare poor start, as he got touched up for four runs on six hits and five walks in five innings of Tuesday?s 5-0 home loss to St. Louis. The right-hander had surrendered just 11 runs (10 earned) in his previous eight starts covering 53 innings (1.70 ERA). Gallardo is now just 4-4 in nine home starts despite a solid 2.89 ERA, and tonight marks his first-ever outing against Los Angeles.

The under is 5-2 in Kershaw?s last seven starts, and with Gallardo on the hill, the ?under? is on streaks of 19-7 overall, 5-1 at home, 10-1 against teams with a winning record and 4-1 on Sunday.

Milwaukee carries ?under? streaks of 4-2 at home, 8-4 against the N.L. West and 11-5-1 on Sunday, but the over is 10-1-1 in its last 12 games versus southpaw starters. Also, the Dodgers are on ?over? runs of 6-2 overall, 8-2 on the road, and 9-3 on Sunday. The over is also 5-2 in the last seven Brewers-Dodgers clashes and 4-2 in the last six clashes in Milwaukee.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER


AMERICAN LEAGUE

N.Y. Yankees (51-36) at L.A. Angels (48-37)

The Angels go for a three-game sweep of the Yankees when they send John Lackey (3-4, 5.18) to the mound against New York ace CC Sabathia (8-5, 3.70).

Los Angeles rallied from an early deficit for the second straight day Saturday, pounding out a 14-8 victory over the Yankees on the heels of Friday?s 10-6 rout. The Angels are on positive streaks of 19-8 overall, 8-3 at home, 5-1 against southpaw starters, 5-1 versus the A.L. East and 21-8 on Sunday.

New York?s back-to-back losses to the Angels follow a three-game overall and eight-game road winning streak. Still, the Yankees 13-4 in their last 17 games and are on additional runs of 36-19 overall, 9-1 against right-handed starters, 12-4 against winning teams and 35-17 on Sunday.

The host has now won 11 of the last 13 meetings in this rivalry, including four of five this season. Additionally, the Angels are 7-1 in the last eight series clashes in Anaheim and they?ve won eight of 11 against New York overall.

Sabathia dominated the Twins in Tuesday?s 10-2 win in the Metrodome, scattering a run on three hits and a walk in seven innings as he bounced back from an ugly 8-4 home loss to Seattle in which he surrendered six runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. New York has now triumphed in five of Sabathia?s last seven starts on the highway, and for the season, the hefty lefty is 6-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 road efforts.

Sabathia suffered an 8-4 home loss to the Angels back on May 2 in the Bronx, yielding five runs (four earned) in 6 2/3 innings. He?s now 5-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 13 career starts against the Halos.

Lackey followed up consecutive quality starts against the Orioles and Diamondbacks (two earned runs allowed in 15 innings) with Wednesday?s poor outing against the Rangers, as he got lit up for six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, suffering an 8-5 home loss. Lackey is now 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA in four home starts, and going back to September of last season, the Angels have lost six of Lackey?s last seven home contests and eight of his last 10 against winning teams,

On the bright side, Lackey has a 2.86 ERA in four day games this year, and L.A. is 18-8 in his last 26 Sunday affairs and 6-1 in the right-hander?s last seven home starts against New York. For his career, Lackey is 4-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 15 regular-season starts versus the Bronx Bombers.

The over is 4-0 in Sabathia?s last four starts overall and 4-1 in his last five on the road, but the under is 4-1 in Lackey?s last five home outings and 5-1 in his last six on Sunday.

For Los Angeles, the ?over? is on runs of 6-1 overall (all at home), 6-1-1 against the A.L. East and 6-2-1 versus lefty starters, while New York has hurdled the total in seven of its last eight overall and five of its last six against A.L. West foes. Finally, in this rivalry, the ?over? is on stretches of 15-4 overall and 12-3 in Anaheim.

ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS and OVER

 

[cisco]

Cubs, Cardinals finish series
By AllStar.com

St. Louis Cardinals (48-41) At Chicago Cubs (42-42)

Date: Sunday July 12th
Time: 08:05 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Line: Cubs -118 / Cards +108
Total: No Overnight total
Cards Road Record: 24-21
Cubs Home Record: 26-17
Cards last 10: 7-3
Cubs last 10: 6-4
Cards Runs Scored: 394
Cards Runs Against: 361
Cubs Runs Scored: 341
Cubs Runs Against: 344
Pitchers:
Adam Wainwright (STL) 9-5 / 3.09 ERA / 110 K?s / 1.30 WHIP
Carlos Zambrano (CHI) 4-4 / 3.47 ERA / 75 K?s / 1.31 WHIP

The first of half of the MLB season ends with a great four game series between the winners of seven of the past nine N.L. Central Division titles the Cubs and Cards. Following an impressive win in the opener of a key four-game series at Wrigley Field, first-place St. Louis seeks its eighth victory in 10 games Saturday against the slumping Cubs.

The Cardinals finished 11 ? games in back of Chicago in 2008, but are quickly creating some distance in the Central during a season-high 10-game swing. The Cardinals look like they're ready to put an end to the Cubs' brief run as N.L. Central Champs.

St. Louis was percentage points behind Milwaukee when this trip started in Cincinnati on July 3. After taking four of six from the Reds and Brewers, the Cardinals defeated the Cubs 8-3 on Friday.

The Cubs (41-42), meanwhile, has lost three in a row to drop 4 ? games back of St. Louis. The Cubs' offense has struggled during the skid, plating only five runs while going 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position.

Albert Pujols has certainly earned the reputation of being the most feared hitter in baseball now. Pujols is probably the best hitter in baseball because he is a very intelligent hitter with two strikes; he always puts the ball in play. Pujols is batting .332 with 32 HR?s and 85 RBI with three games remaining in the first half. Pujols accomplished this with no real protection this season due to injuries to Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel. Both Ludwick and Ankiel have been in terrible slumps with both spending time on the DL. Ludwick who had a terrible June, is currently on fire in has last ten games with 12 RBI, 3 HR and he is hitting the ball hard all over the field. Rick Ankiel was not in Wednesday or Thursday?s starting lineup after striking out four times, with an 0-for-five Tuesday, and could be buried in Larussa?s dog house. Ankiel is six for 51 since his five-game hitting streak ended June 22. His overall average dropped from .248 to .222 in that span. He did play Friday with another 0-4...Ankiel needs the All Star Break. Colby Rasmus has hit home runs in four of his past six games and he is having a nice rookie campaign hitting .281, with 11HR?s and 34 RBI?s.

Derrek Lee now has a Cub leading 17 homers to go along with 56 RBI, also best on the Cubs. He has his slugging percentage up to .513, and he has six homers in his last nine games. Aramis Ramirez is back from a 2 month stay on the DL and he has hit safely in his last four games including a home run in Saturday games. Alfonso Soriano (14Hr/32Rbi) has never struggled this long. His .198 June was his worst full month in the big leagues. Soriano is hitting .231, with an OBP of .294, terrible for a lead off hitter; he has 80 strike outs year to date. Kosuke Fukudome is 6-for-17 (.353) since replacing Soriano in the leadoff spot last Saturday. Fukudome hit his seventh homer Wednesday; he had 10 last year. RF Milton Bradley was 0-for-4 Wednesday, and his average fell to .236. Bradley is 27-for-143 (.189) batting left-handed, and hitting .350 right-handed. Koyie Hill takes over as the Cubs' No. 1 catcher for now that Giovanni Soto is back on the DL with an Oblique strain. Hill is hitting .226 with 2 Hr?s and 8 RBI?s in a limited role. The Cubs may need to acquire a Catcher over the break.

Breaking Down the Starting Pitchers:

Carlos Zambrano had a quality start on Tuesday, holding the Braves to two runs in six innings but he was left with a tough luck loss. This was typical Zambrano as he had three walks and six strikeouts. Zambrano continues to have trouble finding the win column as he has not won since June 5. Zambrano is 4-4 with a 3.47era, with 75 K?s in 90 innings and he has given up 85 hits.

Adam Wainwright threw 8.1 shutout innings in Tuesday's win over the Brewers, striking out nine in the process. Wainwright still hasn't thrown a complete game shutout yet, but is getting closer. He's consistently working deep into games, going at least six innings in each of his last 16 starts. Wainwright is 9-5 with a 3.09era with 110K?s in 122 innings.

Betting Trends:

Cardinals are 4-1 in their last five road games
Cardinals are 8-1 in Adam Wainwright?s last nine road starts
The OVER is 10-1-1 in Adam Wainwright?s last 12 road starts
Cubs are 11-4 in their last 15 games as a HOME FAVORITE
Cubs are 9-3 in Carlos Zambrano?s last 12 starts as a FAVORITE
Cubs are 7-2 in Carlos Zambrano?s last nine starts

 

[cisco]

Unfriendly-Confines!!
By SportsPic

The Metrodome has not been a pleasant place for the Chicago White Sox. Suffering a defeat in the opener followed by a victory Saturday Pale Hose are 2-10 the last twelve trips into Minneapolis. However, Ozzie Guillen's troops should pick up another win when they close the set with their lone All-Star representative, Marc Buehrle (9-2, 3.14 ERA). The crafty southpaw putting up great numbers of late (1.08 WHIP, 9.79 ABRA/9, 16.0 BOR/9) has guided White Sox to five straight victories stuffing +$541 into betting accounts. Having already defeated Twinkies twice this season moving his team start record to 24-13 the past thirty-seven appearances Buehrle gets the job done. Starters who get guys out (Batter-Out-Rating >15) naturally leads to less men on base (Avg-Base-Runners-Allowed) making it tougher for the opposition to score runs. There-in lies the angle, 'Play-On' road teams with a starter sporting a high BOR (>15) and low ABRA (<12), they win at a 65.8% clip (275-143) outscoring the host teams 4.5 to 2.6. Keep in mind, despite recent set backs White Sox have been doing a number away from U.S. Cellular Field winning 16-of-23 (+$1369) outscoring teams 5.8 to 3.5. Put them in the dog roll they're 13-6 (+$1181) outscoring teams 6.1 to 3.6.

 

[cisco]

Sunday, July 12

CINCINNATI (42 - 43) at NY METS (40 - 45) - 1:10 PM
AARON HARANG (R) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 82-103 (-29.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
HARANG is 5-16 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 471-546 (+45.4 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 409-491 (+30.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 344-401 (+30.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
NY METS are 129-118 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 129-118 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 85-87 (-17.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

AARON HARANG vs. NY METS since 1997
HARANG is 2-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.04 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
PELFREY is 2-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.88 and a WHIP of 1.458.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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PITTSBURGH (38 - 48) at PHILADELPHIA (46 - 38) - 1:35 PM
VIRGIL VASQUEZ (R) vs. J.A. HAPP (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 31-76 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 12-41 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 46-23 (+20.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 149-111 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-23 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-17 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.

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)

VIRGIL VASQUEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

J.A. HAPP vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.

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LA DODGERS (55 - 31) at MILWAUKEE (44 - 42) - 2:05 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 9-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 this season.
LA DODGERS are 27-18 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 55-31 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 38-21 (+14.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 55-31 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 8-14 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 6-13 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
KERSHAW is 0-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

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WASHINGTON (25 - 60) at HOUSTON (43 - 43) - 2:05 PM
JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R) vs. BRIAN MOEHLER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 9-34 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 8-26 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-57 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 19-43 (-20.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 25-60 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 129-118 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 64-53 (+18.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 26-13 (+18.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 39-32 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 125-116 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 94-88 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 24-14 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MOEHLER is 24-16 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MOEHLER is 23-16 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 103-105 (+28.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against HOUSTON this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.1 Units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

BRIAN MOEHLER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MOEHLER is 1-4 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 6.88 and a WHIP of 2.037.
His team's record is 2-6 (-3.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.6 units)

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ATLANTA (42 - 44) at COLORADO (46 - 40) - 3:10 PM
KRIS MEDLEN (R) vs. JASON HAMMEL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 42-44 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 25-31 (-11.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 42-44 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 50-75 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 25-8 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 33-26 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 35-17 (+18.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-3 (+0.7 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

KRIS MEDLEN vs. COLORADO since 1997
MEDLEN is 0-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 15.00 and a WHIP of 2.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. ATLANTA since 1997
HAMMEL is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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SAN DIEGO (35 - 51) at SAN FRANCISCO (48 - 38) - 4:05 PM
KEVIN CORREIA (R) vs. BARRY ZITO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 98-149 (-47.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 9-30 (-18.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 12-31 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 10-25 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 5-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
SAN DIEGO is 12-31 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 37-69 (-27.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-38 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-14 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-14 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-38 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-30 (+6.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 25-16 (+9.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ZITO is 75-43 (+30.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 8-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 6-4 (+1.9 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

KEVIN CORREIA vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
CORREIA is 0-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 0.948.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

BARRY ZITO vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
ZITO is 3-4 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.373.
His team's record is 6-6 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.6 units)

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FLORIDA (45 - 43) at ARIZONA (37 - 50) - 4:10 PM
JOSH JOHNSON (R) vs. DOUG DAVIS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DAVIS is 33-28 (+15.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 129-120 (+22.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 398-366 (+44.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
FLORIDA is 59-63 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 39-32 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 125-115 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 20-11 (+10.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
JOHNSON is 24-8 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 11-3 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 23-7 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 37-50 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 37-43 (-13.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 19-29 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ARIZONA is 14-24 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 37-50 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 13-21 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 36-56 (-24.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DAVIS is 16-28 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DAVIS is 16-28 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 4-2 (+2.6 Units) against FLORIDA this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

JOSH JOHNSON vs. ARIZONA since 1997
JOHNSON is 1-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 0.825.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

DOUG DAVIS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
DAVIS is 2-3 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 5.27 and a WHIP of 1.488.
His team's record is 2-5 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)

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ST LOUIS (48 - 40) at CHICAGO CUBS (41 - 42) - 8:05 PM
ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R) vs. RANDY WELLS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-3 (+4.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 3-3 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.94 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 6-3 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.3 units)

RANDY WELLS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

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CLEVELAND (34 - 53) at DETROIT (47 - 38) - 1:05 PM
TOMO OHKA (R) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 34-53 (-23.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 37-57 (-27.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 15-22 (-9.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 30-49 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 31-47 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-42 (-19.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 17-28 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OHKA is 6-19 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 26-12 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
DETROIT is 20-10 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
DETROIT is 45-30 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OHKA is 16-8 (+12.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 121-126 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 45-59 (-24.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 77-94 (-31.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
VERLANDER is 16-24 (-16.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-1 (+5.0 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.6 Units)

TOMO OHKA vs. DETROIT since 1997
OHKA is 0-2 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 9.28 and a WHIP of 1.969.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
VERLANDER is 6-10 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.73 and a WHIP of 1.343.
His team's record is 6-11 (-7.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-10. (-4.8 units)

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KANSAS CITY (37 - 49) at BOSTON (52 - 34) - 1:35 PM
BRUCE CHEN (L) vs. JOSH BECKETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 64-111 (-33.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 87-42 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-1 (+9.3 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
BOSTON is 141-81 (+32.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 68-36 (+21.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BECKETT is 30-8 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-1 (+0.9 Units) against BOSTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

BRUCE CHEN vs. BOSTON since 1997
CHEN is 2-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 5.01 and a WHIP of 1.608.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

JOSH BECKETT vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
BECKETT is 3-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.41 and a WHIP of 0.950.
His team's record is 3-2 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

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OAKLAND (35 - 49) at TAMPA BAY (48 - 39) - 1:38 PM
BRETT ANDERSON (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 20-40 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 4-16 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 10-28 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 12-31 (-18.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 153-112 (+30.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 92-40 (+39.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 76-71 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 34-9 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 93-43 (+36.8 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 99-49 (+37.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 22-20 (+20.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 4-4 (+1.5 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

BRETT ANDERSON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
ANDERSON is 1-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. OAKLAND since 1997
SHIELDS is 3-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.83 and a WHIP of 1.155.
His team's record is 5-2 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.6 units)

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TORONTO (44 - 44) at BALTIMORE (38 - 48) - 1:35 PM
MARC RZEPCYNSKI (L) vs. BRADLEY BERGESEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-12 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 39-30 (+13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 52-37 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 7-31 (-24.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 33-69 (-26.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 19-50 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 490-531 (-108.2 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 490-531 (-108.2 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 (+0.4 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.5 Units)

MARC RZEPCYNSKI vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.
BRADLEY BERGESEN vs. TORONTO since 1997
BERGESEN is 0-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (44 - 42) at MINNESOTA (44 - 43) - 2:10 PM
MARK BUEHRLE (L) vs. SCOTT BAKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 7-24 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 24-11 (+11.5 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 80-47 (+21.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-6 (+16.2 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 59-41 (+13.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 83-51 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 83-54 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 29-10 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-19 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 65-47 (+16.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 13-4 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 4-3 (+0.6 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

MARK BUEHRLE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
BUEHRLE is 23-13 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.315.
His team's record is 24-13 (+8.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 18-19. (-2.8 units)

SCOTT BAKER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BAKER is 3-3 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 6.85 and a WHIP of 1.634.
His team's record is 5-4 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-2. (+5.0 units)