6-18-14

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World Cup Game of the Day: Chile vs. Spain

Spain vs. Chile (-175, +500, Draw +350)

The defending champions from Spain find themselves in big trouble as they prepare to face rival Chile in the continuation of Group B action on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro. The Spaniards were flattened 5-1 by the Netherlands in their tournament opener and need to earn at least one point against the Chileans to have any chance of advancing to the elimination round. Chile had a strong start, holding on for a 3-1 victory over a game Australian side.

While it would hardly be precedent-setting for the defending champs to stumble through the tournament - 2006 winner Italy was held without a victory at the 2010 World Cup - that's of little consolation to a Spanish side that knows it faces a daunting task. "If we don't win we go home, and the consequences will be brutal," Spain star Cesc Fabregas told reporters. Chile rode early goals from Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia to a comfortable win over the Aussies.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

WORLD RANKINGS: Spain: No. 1; Chile: No. 14.

INJURY REPORT: Spain: GK David De Gea suffered a strained leg muscle in training and is expected to miss the next 10 days. Chile: None.

WHAT THE SHARPS SAY: "This is a must-win game for La Furia Roja and we may see the team return to a more familiar style of tactics against the Chileans. The Spanish opted for a more direct style of play against the Dutch and it hurt them. We're expecting a tight match Rio tomorrow night." Covers Expert Footy Tipster.

ABOUT SPAIN: The Spanish squad is surprisingly upbeat despite losing its opener - though it may have a good reason for that optimism. Spain lost its opening game 1-0 to Switzerland in 2010 before running the table en route to its first World Cup title. "We have strong faith in our football, in our ideas and we really believe we can overcome the situation," said forward Juan Mata. "This group is like a family since I arrived here. I think (our friendship) is vital, (these) familiar feelings which have made the Spain national team into a successful team."

ABOUT CHILE: The Chileans know they need to brace for an unrelenting Spanish attack, but midfielder Arturo Vidal says his team doesn't plan to change its approach. "We're going to push forward looking for the three points," said Vidal, who played nearly an hour against Australia as he works his way back from a knee injury. "We have our style and we'll keep to it ... we'll keep working in the same way and we're not going to change that." Sanchez has been the team's spark plug of late, assisting on six of its last eight goals and scoring one of his own.

TRENDS:

* Spain allowed just two goals in its run to the 2010 championship - a stretch that included a 2-1 win over Chile.
* Chile hasn't defeated Spain in 10 meetings between the teams, losing eight times and drawing twice.
* The Spanish side hasn't lost back-to-back international matches since October 2006.
* Chile has twice faced the defending champion at a World Cup and lost both times; each defeat came at the hands of Brazil.

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GC: MLB Play

Hump Day card has the Triple 100% Perfect N.L. Central Game Of The Month, an Afternoon 90% Dominator system and 2 World Cup plays one is a Rare 5* from a 15-1 World Cup Angle. Tuesday MLB Sweeps. Free Early MLB Play below.


On Wednesday the Free MLB System Play is on the Atlanta Braves. Game 952 at 12:10 eastern. The Braves are an Incredible 20-1 as a home favorite in this range if they are off a home favored loss at -140 or higher and scored 2 or less runs. Atlanta also qualifies in a nice 22-5 League Wide system from the MLB Database. We are playing on certain home favorites with a total of 8 or less off a -140 or higher home favored loss and scored 2 or less runs on 5+ hits, vs an opponent like the Phillies that are off a road dog win and scored 5 or more runs on 10+ hits while playing error free. The Phillies have been on the wrong side of Hump day, Ouch, going 2-8 on Wednesdays. They have R. Hernandez and his dismal 6.29 road era on the mound against the Braves A. Harange who has won 9 of 12 team starts vs the Phillies and has a solid 2.66 home era. Its the Land of the Braves today. On Hump day we are Bring the Bang with the N.L Central Game of the Month with a Huge system and 3 Perfect Angles. We also have a 90% Afternoon Dominator system and 2 World Cup plays, one is a top 5* Play with a World Cup Angle that has won 15 of 16 times. MLB Sweeps on Tuesday. Jump on now and Bang your book good. For the free Play take Atlanta. GC

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No Limit Sports

Australia +2 (+100)

Chile +1 (+100)

Draw (Cameroon vs Croatia) +255

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Wednesday's WCup Tips
By Toby Maxtone-Smith

Chile vs. Spain (ESPN, 6:00 p.m. ET)

Spain vs Chile is surely the biggest game of Wednesday’s trio of soccer matches. After an astonishing 5-1 humbling at the hands of the Netherlands on Friday night, Spain are in the last chance saloon if they are to prove to the world that their style of patient passing football, ‘tiki-taka’, is still competitive at the highest level. Chile, meanwhile, got past Australia 3-1. They started the game in rip-roaring fashion, going two nil up inside the first quarter of an hour, but struggled to deal with Australia’s crossing thereafter. They only sealed the game thanks to a last minute strike from Jean Beausejour.

Spain are the 61/100 favourites with Sportsbook.ag, but after their traumatic result of just a few days ago this seems far too short, and I find the 4/1 about a Chile win much more appetising. The Chileans have the same devastating pace on the counter-attack that the Netherlands do. Their defence is suspect, but the primary weakness there is height, however Spain don’t put in many crosses at all, so this disadvantage may not be preyed upon by Spain. Spain are not a team that takes any notice of the opposition; they play their way, whoever the opponent may be.

A draw is available at 13/4 - this would be a great result for Chile, and would all but see them through. These are two very bold teams, and the game could be high-scoring. Chile aren’t a ‘grinding out a draw’ kind of side, but the price isn’t bad.

The most interesting tactical question of the match is whether Spain persist with Diego Costa as a centre-forward. He has just had a blistering season at Atletico Madrid, but Spain simply do not play to his strengths. Do they try and adapt their game to him, or do they play Cesc Fabregas as a ‘false number 9’? Spain’s attack was very blunt against a relatively inexperienced Dutch defence. Someone like Pedro, a real winger with more penetration and directness than many in the team, would be a good addition from Del Bosque.

In the First Goalscorer market, Diego Costa leads the way at 9/2, but this price looks much too short with Costa’s lack of fitness and how he doesn’t fit into the Spanish system. A better bet for a Spain goalscorer would be 10/1 Xabi Alonso, who takes penalties. Chile’s defence is not the most careful, and it is easy to imagine them diving into rash challenges in the box.

The nicest bet here, however, is Alexis Sanchez of Chile to break the deadlock at 8/1. While he often becomes a secondary star at Barcelona, he is well and truly the main man for Chile. He broke the deadlock against Australia, and with 23 goals from 66 internationals, he looks well placed to plant a dagger into Spanish hearts with the first goal.

Top Bet: Alexis Sanchez to score first at 8/1


Netherlands vs. Australia (ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET)

The first game of the day sees Australia meet Netherlands in Porto Alegre. Australia are comfortably the weakest-looking team in the group. They are an inexperienced bunch but, apart from a nightmare first 15 minutes, gave much-fancied Chile a bit of a scare in their first game, despite going down to a 3-1 defeat. The Netherlands stunned Spain 5-1 and are now in pole-position to win the group. They are the 9/50 favourites, with Australia all the way out at 25/2 and the draw a 13/2 chance.

None of these make a huge amount of appeal, and there is more interest in the goalscorer markets. Apart from defenders from set-pieces, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are the only real Dutch goal threats. Of these, Robben at 4/1 looks the most attractive after his brace on Friday. Tim Cahill plays up front for Australia and is renowned as one of the best jumpers in world football. Cross it to him and there’s always a chance he’ll leap up onto the end of it. He’s a 10/1 shot.

Top Bet: Arjen Robben to score first at 4/1


Croatia vs. Cameroon (ESPN, 3:00 p.m. ET)

The last game of the day is from Group A and sees Cameroon meet Croatia in the Arena Amazônia in Manaus. Both teams lost their first game, but in very different ways. Croatia were hugely unfortunate to lose 3-1 to hosts Brazil in the tournament opener, having taken the lead; Cameroon, meanwhile, were extremely poor in a 1-0 (with two perfectly decent goals disallowed for offside) defeat to Mexico that left them with a huge uphill task to qualify.

Croatia are the 49/100 favourites. Cameroon are 5/1 and a draw is available at 7/2. Croatia are clearly better, but I’m happy to leave their price and instead look at prices opposing Cameroon goals. Alex Song, who often plays at centre-back for Barcelona, is the Indomitable Lions’ most creative midfielder, which says a lot. The team frequently looks lost in the final third.

Many people saw Croatia’s defence as a potential weakness, but they managed to keep out Brazil for much of their game in Sao Paulo, and 20/21 on Niko Kovac’s side keeping a clean sheet seems like a good bet.

Top Bet: Croatia to keep a clean sheet at 20/21

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Netherlands looks to stay hot Wednesday vs. Australia
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox

2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

AUSTRALIA vs. NETHERLANDS

Kickoff: Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Estadio Beira-Rio – Porto Allegre, Brazil

Line:
Netherlands -400, Australia +700, Tie +375
Over/Under: 3 Goals (Over -115, Under -105)

Fresh off a pounding of Spain, the Netherlands looks to improve to 2-0 in Group B with a win over Australia on Wednesday. Australia, on the other hand, is in dire need of a victory after losing its opening game to Chile.

Australia had one of their more winnable matches in Group B play to kick off the World Cup, but they squandered that opportunity and will now need to beat a Netherlands team that looked outstanding in their blowout victory over the defending champions.

Twelve minutes into their match against Chile, Australia found themselves trailing 1-0. Just two minutes later, they were down 2-0 after a goal by Jorge Valdivia of Chile. Australia had just six shots on goal in the game and tallied 18 fouls. They did not give themselves a chance to win, as they played extremely careless soccer and were unable to generate chances. Tim Cahill scored the only goal for Australia at the 35-minute mark. They will need to take much better care of the ball if they are going to keep the game close when they play a potent Netherlands squad.

There may not have been a more unexpected but exciting game than the Netherlands’ World Cup opener. Playing against defending champion Spain, the team came to play and shocked the world with a brilliant all-around effort resulting in a 5-1 victory.

The first game for Netherlands showed the world that they are here to compete and ready to play against the best. Despite having possession for only 43% of the game, Netherlands had 11 shots on goal in the game compared to Spain’s six. The team was capitalizing on their chances and getting some efficient and quick strikes. Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both netted two goals and the other came from Stefan de Vrij. Netherlands can really put a stamp on Group B with a victory over an Australia team that struggled against Chile.

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Cameroon, Croatia clash on Wednesday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox

2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

CAMEROON vs. CROATIA

Kickoff: Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Arena Amazonia – Manaus, Brazil

Line:
Croatia -120, Cameroon +300, Tie +220
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over -103, Under -117)

Two teams that are coming off losses in their opening Group A matches clash Wednesday evening when Cameroon takes on Croatia. This is a must-win game for both teams, as a loss will surely eliminate them from contention for a berth in the knockout phase of the tournament.

Cameroon hung in there for most of the game against a Mexico team that was superior to them, but despite the final score being close, they were outplayed for a majority of the contest.

Cameroon was tied with Mexico until the 61-minute mark when Oribe Peralta scored to give Mexico a 1-0 lead that would be the game’s final score. Mexico, however, had two goals that were disallowed due to offsides calls, and had possession for 58% of the game. Cameroon really struggled to get any sort of flow offensively. They had just four shots on goal and lacked toughness with just 12 tackles in the game. They will need to completely change their approach in order to come away with a victory against Croatia, who actually performed pretty well against Brazil.

Croatia lost a close game to Brazil by a final score of 3-1, but they were very competitive (42% possession), and the match could have gone either way had there not been a few questionable calls in Brazil’s favor.

Playing against Brazil in the opening game was a tough task for Croatia, and they really showed up and took it to the home team. Croatia scored on an own goal by Marcelo just 11 minutes in. Brazil, however, would end up winning the game 3-1 on two goals by Neymar and one by Oscar in extra time. A lot of the calls in the game, however, went against Croatia, who had 21 fouls compared to only five for the host nation. If they are able to show up and play the game they played versus Brazil against Cameroon, they should be in good shape heading into their third game.

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Spain tries to regroup Wednesday vs. Chile
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox

2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

SPAIN vs. CHILE

Kickoff: Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. EDT
Estadio Do Maracana – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Line:
Spain -181, Chile +400, Tie +240
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over -150, Under +130)

Coming off of a humiliating opening-match loss, defending champion Spain desperately needs a victory over Chile on Thursday in order to keep its hopes of making it to the knockout rounds alive. Chile, on the other hand, can really improve its chances of advancing by knocking off this next opponent.

The defending champs were considered one of the favorites to win the 2014 World Cup, but they got off to a rather terrible start in Group B play. Spain took on Netherlands in their opening game and the result left a lot of people wondering whether or not Spain has what it takes to win again this year.

Spain had a very rough time establishing their style that won them the World Cup in 2010. The team took a 1-0 lead on a penalty shot from Xabi Alonso 27 minutes into the game, but they did not score again. Despite having possession for 57% of the game, Spain was outshot 11-6 on goal and they would be dominated the rest of the game. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie scored two goals each as Netherlands crushed Spain 5-1.

Chile is a very powerful offensive team that has trouble defensively, but that was not an issue in its opening match in Group B play. Chile took on Australia and came away with a convincing victory.

It didn’t take Chile much time to establish its offensive dominance over Australia. Just 12 minutes into the game, Alexis Sanchez scored off of a headed pass from Eduardo Vargas to take a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, Jorge Valdivia scored off of a pass by Sanchez. Chile wound up winning the game 3-1 after a goal in extra time by Jean Beausejour. They were really never in danger of losing the game, having possession for 62% of the game and leading Australia in shots on goal 9-6. They didn't allow Australia's 18 fouls and three yellow cards deter them, but they will need to shore up their defense if they are going to defeat Spain in their second Group B match.

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Wednesday

Dodgers/Rockies over 6.5

Twins/BoSox under 8.5

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Arthur Ralph Sports

Free Play WED

Tigers -170

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MLB

Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees

The meeting between Toronto and New York Wednesday night is one that gives pause to Toronto backers. Mark Buehrle 10-3 with a 2.28 ERA over fourteen starts (11-3 TSR) is in a funk having suffered his third loss of the season last time out and second consecutive loss on the campaign. On the other bump, Yankees' Chase Whitley (2-0, 2.41 ERA) heads to the hill with back-2-back victories under his belt and is undefeated over six starts (5-1 TSR). What should really get the attention of Toronto backers is that the Bronx has been a bummer for Jays. After getting nipped 3-1 in the opener they'll hit the field on a 2-18 skid the past 20 trips into the Big Apple. If that were not enough to have Jay backers sitting this one out or fading their favorite team the numbers compiled by veteran Buehrle vs New York should. The left-hander has seen Jays lose all four of his starts vs New York since he joined the club last season and the hurler takes the ball sporting a dreadful 0-15 team start skid vs Yankees wearing a Jay/Pale Hose uniform.

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StatFox Super Situations

MLB | CHICAGO CUBS at MIAMI
Play On - Any team (MIAMI) with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 to 4.20 on the season (NL), starting a pitcher who walked <=1 hitters each of his last 2 outings
179-119 over the last 5 seasons. ( 60.1% | 62.4 units )
6-7 this year. ( 46.2% | -1.1 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | SAN FRANCISCO at CHI WHITE SOX
SAN FRANCISCO is 10-0 (+11.4 Units) against the money line against AL Central opponents over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: SAN FRANCISCO (4.6) , OPPONENT (1.5)

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Giants' Pagan remains out with back issue
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

CHICAGO -- Outfielder Angel Pagan remained sidelined with back stiffness as the San Francisco Giants opened a two-game inter-league

series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

Pagan missed his third straight game and recovery is going slower than hoped, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said prior to the game at U.S.

Cellular Field.

"Right now he's a day-to-day," Bochy said. "He's making a little progress but not as much as we'd have hoped."

The 32-year-old veteran was batting .307 through 63 games before sitting out the final two games of a series with Colorado.

"He did have an MRI and it showed some inflammation in there, but nothing structurally," Bochy said. "It's just a matter of getting it

calmed down."

There are no current plans to put Pagan on the disabled list.

The Giants had better news with catcher Buster Posey, in the lineup as designated hitter. He took a foul tip off his mask in the fourth inning

and left Sunday's game as a precaution.

Bochy said Posey was available to catch on Tuesday and it looked like a possibility when Hector Sanchez, behind the plate in Posey's

place, was clipped by Adam Dunn's bat in the fourth. Sanchez was okay and stayed in the game.



Pirates' Walker on pace to return soon
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

PITTSBURGH -- Neil Walker is itching to come off the disabled list.

The Pirates second baseman took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since undergoing an appendectomy June 9 and also fielding ground balls. Walker was given the go-ahead by doctors after being examined Tuesday morning.

"There is nothing that I could do -- swinging, torqueing, running -- that's going to bother it," Walker said.

Walker believes he will be ready to be activated June 24, the first day he is eligible. He had already been hitting the indoors cages and running before Tuesday's more strenuous workout.

"Nothing has mechanically changed my swing from any kind of standpoint," Walker said. "I'm imagining that's not going to be an issue. I'm imagining the issues are going to come from running and perhaps diving."

Until falling ill, the switch-hitter Walker seemed likely to be selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his six-year career. He is hitting .280 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 62 games.



Beleaguered Braves bullpen loses Carpenter to DL
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves' bullpen has taken a beating over the last four games thanks to a pair of bench-emptying 13-inning games. The ranks got a little thinner on Tuesday when right-hander David Carpenter was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Carpenter left the game Monday after facing the first batter in his second inning. He was diagnosed with a strained right biceps. Carpenter is 4-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 34 games.

"We don't think it's anything major," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "When he went out there for that second inning he said he felt a little tingle. He threw a couple of pitches and Roger (McDowell, pitching coach) said he wasn't right. I think we got him out early enough where there was no serious damage."

The Braves recalled right-hander Pedro Beato from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Carpenter's spot. Beato was picked up on waivers from Cincinnai on April 3. He made one appearance for Atlanta this year and allowed one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the New York Mets on April 8.

In 24 relief appearances for Gwinnett, Beato was 1-0 with a 3.49 ERA. He had 22 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.

"He's a guy who can give us two innings, possibly three if we need it," Gonzalez said.

Beato pitched 1 2/3 innings on Tuesday. He struck out two and walked three but did not allow a run.

The Braves used all their available relievers Saturday in a 13-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels. The only reliever who did not pitch Monday in a 13-inning loss to Philadelphia was closer Craig Kimbrel. Had the Braves needed another arm, they would have used Ervin Santana, Tuesday night's starter, in relief and made a roster move for an emergency starter.

"Everybody goes through stretches like this," Gonzalez said. "Whether it's playing extra-inning games or rain delays. That's the big-boy world. The bullpen is running on fumes, but you can't give up. You can't announce to the fans that you've run out of pitching so Ramiro Pena is going to pitch."

Gonzalez said the key is for the starters to go deeper in the games. Julio Teheran did that on Monday when he threw eight innings.

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Tigers plan to limit Verlander's innings
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

DETROIT -- Justin Verlander's workload might be reduced for the time being, even if it temporarily strains his relationship with manager Brad Ausmus.

The Tigers' struggling ace has given up seven runs in each of his last two starts and at least five runs in six of his last seven outings. Ausmus plans to limit Verlander's innings in his upcoming starts, beginning with his outing in Cleveland on Saturday night.

Ausmus knows Verlander might not agree with those tactics. Ausmus has given Verlander a long leash despite the torrent of base hits -- 111 in 97 2/3 innings -- and runs that Verlander has allowed. His 97-pitch outing against Kansas City on Monday was the first time this season he didn't reach triple digits in pitches.

"It's more difficult because of what he's done at the major-league level and the pride that he takes pitching deep into games," Ausmus said. "If he's (ticked) at me for a couple of outings because I took him out a little early, but they were good outings and got him on a roll, I'm all for having him (ticked) at me for a couple of outings."

Ausmus and pitching coach Jeff Jones met with Verlander at length on Tuesday afternoon, watching video and making sure Verlander's confidence level hadn't fallen off. Ausmus doesn't see a pitcher in decline but rather someone who has fallen into some bad habits that have made him more hittable.

Verlander pitched four scoreless innings against Kansas City on Monday before surrendering four runs in the fifth and three in the sixth. His ERA ballooned to 4.98.

"He's not down on himself, which is the important thing," Ausmus said. "We all feel it's extremely correctable. I don't think he has to reinvent himself. You're talking about a guy who still throws 96 (mph), and he's hit 98 at times. We're not talking about someone who's dropped from 100 to 91. This guy still has it in him. He's not at the point where he needs to reassess his approach to getting hitters out that drastically."

Ausmus wouldn't disclose the flaws that were detected when comparing Verlander's most recent outing to the dominant Verlander of two or three seasons ago. But Ausmus feels the core muscle surgery Verlander underwent last offseason might have played a role. He believes Verlander may have altered his mechanics while working his way back from the surgery.

"In recent starts, the big inning has been the issue," Ausmus said. "It's really just a bad pitch at the wrong time. The velocity he's throwing at is more than enough to get people out. It's not the velocity; it's the location."

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Hondo

Tanaka and the Yanks were money Tuesday night, but Hondo still managed to tumble deeper into the abyss when the Royals shelled Sure As Shootin’ Scherzer to put the deficit at 1,555 morgans.

Wednesday night: Mr. Aitch, surrendering to desperation, has selected a handful of possibly viable investment opportunities — 10 units apiece on the Reds, Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Mariners.