6-29-10

[spook]

NEW GUYS! LURKERS!

Dont be afraid to post services if you come across them. Your posts will be appreciated for sure.

Just put them in the appropriate section (regular go here).

good luck!!( lets make some money)

post'em if you got'em gl!

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

BASEBALL CRUSHER
PLAY OF THE DAY

Boston Red Sox (-125) over TB Rays

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

JIM FEIST COMP
(973) TAMPA BAY RAYS
(974) BOSTON RED SOX
Take "Under"
Boston returns to Fenway after a long trip out West. The Red Sox lost two key offensive players on the trip, losing 2008 MVP second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a broken foot and catcher Victo Martinez to a broken thumb on Sunday. That will help Tampa Bay starter James Shields, who has a hard sinker and has a 3.68 ERA against Boston this season. Red Sox righty John Lackey is finally throwing better, with a 2-0 record and a 4.58 ERA his last two starts, walking 2 in 19 innings with 15 Ks. Both teams are exceptional defensively, too. Play the Rays/Red Sox Under the total.

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

LADY LUCK

Tuesday's Best WNBA Bets

San Antonio Silver Stars at Seattle Storm (-9, 149)

The Seattle Storm tightened their grip on the Western Conference with a win over the Tulsa Shock Sunday but may have lost a big piece of their season’s success in the process.

Star point guard Sue Bird left just two minutes into the game with lower back pain. Bird was also nursing a knee injury suffered last week. She’s averaging 11.5 points and almost six assists per game this season, helping lead Seattle to a 13-2 record – tops in the WNBA.

"We missed Sue today," backup forward Svetlana Abrosimova, who scored 21 points in Sunday’s win, told reporters. "When things were chaotic was when we needed her to help us calm down and play our game."

Bird was evaluated following the game and her status for Tuesday’s is questionable. She has been playing with a bulging disc in her back all season after suffering the injury in RusSIA over the winter.

Without her, the Storm will have a tough time locking down Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon, who is scoring almost 15 points and dishing out six assists per game. Hammon has been limited in her last two head-to-head meetings with Bird.

Pick: San Antonio Silver Stars


Connecticut Sun at Tulsa Shock (+7.5, 164)

It’s been a rough run for the Shock in their first season in Tulsa. After moving the franchise from Detroit, the Shock have gone 3-11 on the season, including losing eight straight games heading into Tuesday’s home stand against the Sun.

Tulsa nearly shocked the WNBA’s No. 1 team Sunday night. It held a 62-57 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but scored just 10 points while giving up 26-fourth quarter points to the Storm.

"To be 10 points ahead at halftime against this team was remarkable," coach Nolan Richardson told the Tulsa World. "We're moving in the right direction. This is a game we can build on. We're extremely close; we just have to keep getting better. The goal got big for them in the fourth period. They shot with a lot of confidence."

Shock backers are hoping that turnaround comes sooner than later. The team has managed to salvage only one ATS victory during this skid but does welcome the Connecticut Sun, who have struggled to cover inside opposing gyms.

Connecticut is just 1-4-1 ATS on the road this season and is just 1-5 against the spread in its last six games. The Sun are coming off a 77-68 loss to the New York Liberty Sunday, failing to cover as 1-point road underdogs.

Pick: Tulsa Shock

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
2010 WNBA Power Rankings After 6/25
By Frank Della Femina


TEAM (last week) W / L NOTES

1
Seattle (1) 11-2 The Storm is coming off a week where they posted a 2-1 record. Perhaps that's expected when you consider the talent and depth of the team. But here's where it gets interesting: Seattle played Indiana on the road last Thursday (lost 72-65), flew into New York for a game the following night against the Liberty (won 92-84), flew back to Seattle on Saturday to prepare for a home game against the Silver Stars on Sunday (won 82-61). The good news for Seattle is that they came out of that tough stretch with first place still in hand. The better news came earlier the following week when it was revealed Sue Bird did not seriously injure her knee in the last game against San Antonio.
Next Three Games: 6/25 vs. Indiana, 6/27 at Tulsa, 6/29 vs. San Antonio

2
Indiana (3) 8-4 In case you haven't noticed, Indiana is streaking. Not only is that a good sign for the Fever (and fans), but Indy is also topping some big-time teams in the process. Take for instance the last three games against Connecticut, Seattle and Atlanta. If we're talking strictly in terms of standings, then Indy beat a team tied with them for second, the first place team in the West and the first place team in the East. Should they continue to piece together wins at this rate over teams of this caliber, then they will be at the top of the Conference in no time. Remember, this is a team that posted an 11-game win streak last season. Not much has changed this time around, as nine of the 11 players currently on the roster were with the Fever for the championship run in 2009. Of course, adding a player like Shavonte Zellous doesn't hurt either. The next three games on the road are going to be big.
Next Three Games: 6/25 at Seattle, 6/27 at Chicago, 6/29 at Washington

3
Atlanta (2) 10-4 It's hard to pinpoint which player on the Dream stands out the most. This, in case you were wondering, is a good thing for Atlanta. Whether it's Angel McCoughtry, Erika de Souza, Iziane Castro Marques or Sancho Lyttle, the Dream is taking care of business. What's more impressive, other than the fact that they're currently in first place in the East, is that of all the teams in the league, Atlanta holds the best interconference record (5-1). This is obviously a nice boost to their regular season W/L count, but should they get to the Finals, they may even look to rely on these gameplans that worked during the regular season. P.S. - The only team to beat Atlanta so far this season in interconference play? Seattle.
Next Three Games: 6/27 vs. Los Angeles, 6/29 vs. Phoenix, 7/1 vs. Minnesota

4
Washington (4) 8-4 It was obviously a huge blow to the Mystics when they announced they'd be without Alana Beard for the 2010 run before the regular season even tipped off. While obviously upset about losing Beard, head coach Julie Plank was confident as ever in stating that the Mystics would look to "win by committee" in WNBA.com's Mystics season preview. So far, it's working. Monique Currie and Crystal Langhorne are just two members of the committee who stand out on Washington as big performers in both scoring and rebounding, but guards Lindsey Harding and Katie Smith are also posing as reliable contributors. Washington may be ranked 10th overall in points per game (75.83), but it is also ranked first overall in points allowed (71.08). In other words, they've created a bubble of comfort for themselves that leaves other teams with two options: Get trapped in our style of play, or work twice as hard to burst out of it. So far, in four straight games, the other team has failed to burst out.
Next Three Games: 6/25 at Chicago, 6/27 vs. Phoenix, 6/29 vs. Indiana

5
Connecticut (5) 8-4 Winning on the road had been an issue for the Connecticut Sun all season long, as they remained a winless 0-3 heading into this past week's action. Meanwhile, at home, the Sun was a perfect 6-0. Of course you wouldn't know that based on this past week's worth of play, as that trend flipped completely. Friday at Los Angeles, Connecticut snagged its first road win of the season thanks in part to Tina Charles' 26 points and 19 rebounds. Two nights later in Phoenix, the Sun did it again in yet another close game as they just hung on to beat the Mercury 96-94. Coming home for Sunday's game should've been a bit of a relief, right? Not exactly, as the Chicago Sky snapped its own four-game losing streak in a 86-77 Connecticut loss. Either way, winning on the road is big, especially come playoff time. Connecticut can at least rest easy knowing they got that monkey off their back.
Next Three Games: 6/25 vs. Phoenix, 6/27 at New York, 6/29 at Tulsa

6
Phoenix (6) 5-7 The Mercury hits the road for three straight games this week as part of an east coast swing. Playing on the road has not been Phoenix's strong suit this year, as they currently hold a 1-3 away record. The timing of this trip couldn't be any worse from a Mercury point of view either. Just this past week, Phoenix dropped two straight on their home court to San Antonio and Connecticut. Heading out on the road now will require an extreme effort to keep it together and at least walk out of the trip with a 2-1 record. However, sometimes road trips can really bring a team together. Who knows? Maybe this could be a blessing in disguise.
Next Three Games: 6/25 at Connecticut, 6/27 at Washington, 6/29 at Atlanta

7
Minnesota (12) 5-9 Three consecutive wins gets the Minnesota Lynx out of the basement, but now's the time for them to really make a push in the West. With Seimone Augustus back in the lineup, the Lynx have gone 3-2. To truly measure the impact of her return, you have to consider they were 2-8 before she came back. Makes you really wonder what's in store for Minnesota as we edge closer to the halfway point of the season. While this remains one of the positive things to come out of Minnesota recently, the downside is certainly embedded in the fact that Candice Wiggins will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing her Achilles tendon on Tuesday against the Liberty. The experienced Lindsay Whalen would seem like the obvious choice to handle some of Wiggins' minutes, but she's already logging close to 30 minutes per game. This likely means that it will be an opportunity for the rookie Monica Wright to step up big and help support this team. Keep an eye on this team over the next three games.
Next Three Games: 6/26 at San Antonio, 7/1 at Atlanta, 7/8 vs. San Antonio

8
New York (7) 4-7 It will be interesting to see how New York matches up with Tulsa's end-to-end style of play when they head to the BOK Center for a match against the Shock Friday night. They may be currently battling for a playoff spot, but as a team the Liberty is shooting .452, good enough for third in the league. And if teams out there are thinking about beating the Liberty at the free throw line, think again. New York is shooting a league-best .831 from the stripe. But the area that's really hurting the Libs right now is rebounding. Acquiring Plenette Pierson from the Tulsa Shock gives them a good presence inside that should, in theory, improve their RPG average of 30.27 (11th in the league).
Next Three Games: 6/25 at Tulsa, 6/27 vs. Connecticut, 6/29 at Los Angeles

9
Chicago (9) 5-8 Scott Stanchak said it best last week: "Four has been an interesting number for the Sky so far this season." Four losses, four wins, four losses and now a win to put them back in the right direction. Can we expect three more? You never know. And perhaps that's the one thing keeping the Sky in the bottom of the team rankings. You just never know how they're going to play on any given night. Sylvia Fowles is just about as consistent a player as you could want in the paint. For a rookie, Epiphanny Prince is putting up some significant points, but that too is hard to predict game in and game out. Similar to the Lynx in the West, the hole is not too deep for the Sky. But if they want to make a run in the East, they'll have to start with improving on that 2-8 conference record.
Next Three Games: 6/25 vs. Washington, 6/27 vs. Indiana, 7/1 vs. Connecticut

10
San Antonio (10) 4-7 It's so hard to predict which San Antonio team is going to come out and compete on game-by-game basis. Will it be the staff of players who dropped 108 points on Phoenix to hang on to a three-point win? Or will it be the team that's struggling to crack 70 or 80 points in losses to Seattle, Connecticut or Atlanta? Three of San Antonio's four wins came against teams at the bottom of the West: Tulsa (twice) and Los Angeles. The big win over Phoenix looked like it may have been San Antonio's chance to really break out and rip through the schedule, but they followed that performance up with an 82-61 loss to Seattle two nights later. Even still, if the playoffs started this weekend, the Stars would be in.
Next Three Games: 6/26 vs. Minnesota, 6/29 at Seattle, 7/1 at Los Angeles

11
Los Angeles (11) 3-9 If losing at the start of the season wasn't bad enough, losing Candace Parker for the season definitely isn't going to improve Los Angeles' chances at dominating this season. Mind you, this doesn't mean they're out of playoff contention by any means, but it's going to take a complete, well-rounded team effort to make a push. Injuries still remain the issue of concern though. Outside of Parker, the Sparks will also be without Betty Lennox for four-to-six weeks due to knee surgery. So even if L.A. was looking to rely on the 2004 WNBA Finals MVP for a little more production, that option is now crossed off the list. Tina Thompson's workload will increase significantly, but a one-woman show isn't going to get it done. The wins are spotty, but when they come they have the potential to do so against bigger teams, such as Washington, Phoenix and Minnesota. Of course, the win against Phoenix came thanks in part to Parker's last-second heroics in the paint and the win over Minnesota was Seimone Augustus' second game back. Once the Sparks scratch Sunday's road game against Atlanta off the schedule, they have a four-game home stand to rely on that may potentially help them climb out of the basement.
Next Three Games: 6/27 at Atlanta, 6/29 vs. New York, 7/1 vs. San Antonio

12
Tulsa (8) 3-9 Things are just not clicking for Tulsa as of late. Not only have they dropped six straight games, but they are also trying to get by the next few without the team's second place scorer Shanna Crossley. But in the Shock's defense, they have more or less spent the past three weeks on the road. Five of the last six games for Tulsa have come on the road, with the only home match being the second half of a home-and-away series with the Lynx on back-to-back nights. Brutal. Tulsa held their own Wednesday afternoon against the Dream, but in the end Atlanta edged it out 96-90. New York, a team hungry to turn things around, will be the first team to come to town starting Friday night, followed by the West's best Seattle Storm and the top contender in the East, the Connecticut Sun. If ever there was a time to make a statement on their home court, now would be the time.
Next Three Games: 6/25 vs. New York, 6/27 vs. Seattle, 6/29 vs Connecticut

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

PICKS FOR KICKS

Tuesday's Best World Cup Bets

Paraguay (-107) vs. Japan (+231, 2.5)

These two nations are treading in unfamiliar waters Tuesday when they face each other for a shot at the Round of 8.

Paraguay and Japan have never advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals. The team that does move on will likely be the one that breaks out of its conservative mold. The teams have combined for only 66 shot attempts in their six games, totaling seven goals through group play.

"We are now playing with a really positive attitude. In terms of tactics, we have changed a bit too, so the team are going in the right direction,” Japanese midfielder Yasuhito Endo told reporters.

"We have put in a great deal of effort in training, so we are able to move forward very strongly when the ball is passed. Set-pieces are also an important weapon for us.”

Paraguay is aware of their opponent’s tactics but will be beefed up in the backfield with the return of defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Jonathan Santana. They allowed just one goal in their Group F matchups, in a 1-1 draw with Italy in the opener. Japan has given up only two goals during Group E play.

Pick: Under 2.5


Portugal (+266) vs. Spain (-114, 2.5)

These European neighbors have no love lost between them, especially when it comes to advancing to the final eight of the 2010 World Cup.

Spain has edged Portugal in the overall series, taking 15 wins to Portugal’s five in their 32 all-time international meetings. But while Spain is one of the favorites to hoist the golden trophy in South Africa, it has yet to play like a World Cup champion.

The Spaniards slept through group play, losing 1-0 to the Swiss and taking close wins over Honduras and Chile. Some of the blame has fallen on injuries, most notably to star striker Fernando Torres, who has not yet scored in the World Cup while still recovering following knee surgery.

"The most important thing is that he's played three games and he's better," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters. "Though he hasn't brought goals, he's a player who has helped us because he draws the defense, as he's such a threat to our opponents. With space, he's always a dangerous player."

Bettors should expect another tightly-contested match with neither side wanting to make a fatal mistake. Twelve of the teams’ 32 meetings have played to a draw, and Tuesday’s game should be similar with the match going into extra time and eventually a shootout.

Pick: Draw/Shootout +184

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Tuesday’s Streaking And Slumping Starting Pitchers
By Covers Staff

Streaking

Cliff Lee (6-3, 2.39), Seattle Mariners

Complete game winning efforts in three of your last four starts will always land you on this list. Lee has been dominant of late and contending teams are salivating over trade possibilities.

Seattle’s southpaw most recently silenced NL opponent Chicago in a complete game shutout. Lee positioned himself with an 0-2 count to 19 Cubs during the game.

“You just don’t see that,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “Pretty special.”
Lee is 6-1 over his last seven starts and is 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his last four at Yankee Stadium.

Brandon Morrow (5-5, 4.50), Toronto Blue Jays

Morrow had a rough start to the 2010 campaign, which eventually led him to a minor-league assignment, but the hard-throwing righty has righted the ship recently.

Morrow is only 2-1 in his last five starts but didn’t yield more than two runs in any of them and went at least 6.0 innings in each. He allowed a total of five runs during that stretch (34.0 innings, 1.32 ERA) with no homers while recording 25 strikeouts.

"This kid is just going to get better all the time," manager Cito Gaston said. "We're talking No. 1 or 2 starter one of these days as far as rotation. He's got that kind of stuff."

Slumping

Dontrelle Willis (2-2, 4.90), Arizona Diamondbacks

Willis went to Arizona looking for a fresh start for his career but things have remained the same. The lefty only lasted 2.1 innings in his most recent outing after walking seven hitters.

"I can't try to be too fine," Willis said. "I just have to hit the target. Everybody's been asking, but I just have to do it. I have to be aggressive. I have to hit the target."

Willis’ control problems have equated to 18 walks in his last 21.1 innings on the mound. Neither he nor the team has won a game (0-3) since his first start with the Diamondbacks on June 5. Willis is 1-3 in five career starts versus St. Louis with a hefty 5.53 ERA.

Matt Cain (6-6, 2.72), San Francisco Giants

San Fran’s No. 2 starter is usually in the “Streaking” segment of this article but Cain has struggled over his last two starts. The right-hander was knocked out of a game last Thursday after giving up seven earned runs to the Astros in only 2.2 innings of work.

Houston touched Cain up for nine hits and two bombs in that 7-5 loss. Cain has lost both of his last starts and combined for only five strikeouts in those two games.

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Re: 6-29-10

GREEK SPORTS PICKS

MLB
Philadelphia Phillies/Cincinnati Reds over 9.5

SOCCER
Spain +112

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

papayagang pick of the day 6/29

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75* New York Yankees ML -155 5dimes
75* Boston Red SOX ML -123 5dimes
20* LA angles ML -127 5Dimes

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

Greek Sports Picks Plays for 6/29

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Hit both yesterday (check out yesterdays post)...

Here's tomorrow's plays:

Philly/Cincy over 9.5

Spain +112

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 6-29-10

KIKI SPORTS

Tuesday June 29th

3 units New York/Florida OVER 9.5
1 unit Cincy -130
1 unit Oakland -115

WORLD CUP :

1 unit Paraguay/Japan DRAW +220
Paraguay is the better team, but look for a scrappy Japan team to take this one to OT, and maybe even our 1st PK session of the Cup

2 units Spain/Portugal UNDER 2.5
(Covers regulation and extra time..NOT OT and PKs...Should be a great possession game with Portugal's D continuing to excel and Spain's offense continuing to struggle to finish(

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 6-29-10

ST BERNADINES SPORTS
ANDREW BUCCIARELLI
2* NY Mets -125
2* Cincinnati Reds -120
2* LA Angels -125

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 6-29-10

BOB BALFE

Japan +280

Japan has a unique style of play that is very quick and can catch teams off guard. Paraguay is having a great World Cup, but I do not see them advancing. This game would be an upset on paper, but the Japan team is very capable of pulling it off. Look for a quick paced game with Japan coming out on top.


Portugal DRAW

Draws in this round mean that, after 90 minutes of play, the game is tied and teams go to extra time. It does not matter what happens after that. Both teams strengths and weaknesses are well documented and I expect somewhat of a chess match today. Look for a low-scoring game being won in extra time or maybe even a shootout. Take the Draw (+225).


Florida Marlins +113

Both pitchers are evenly matched with the home field advantage being with the Marlins. Last night, Florida cruised to a big win against a NY Met team who should start fading in the NL East. Expect similar results this evening. Take the Marlins at home.

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

shut em down sports

20* New York yankees -156 5dimes
20* Boston -120 5 Dimes
20* Baltimore under 8 1/2 (-120) 5dimes

lean 10* New York yankees under 7 1/2 (-125) 5dimes

[spook]

Re: 6-29-10

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Nationals Monday night.

Tuesday it's the White Sox. The deficit is 995 sirignanos.
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