6-21-11

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LADY LUCK

Tuesday's Best WNBA Bets

Phoenix Mercury at San Antonio Silver Stars (-3.5, 182.5)

Everything finally looked like it was coming together for the Mercury’s home opener against the Silver Stars last week. Phoenix jumped out to a 16-point lead early, but then halftime hit.

After that it was all Silver Stars as San Antonio stormed back for a 101-99 victory, helping the club’s supporters cash in as 7-point underdogs while the club improved to 5-0 straight up and against the spread.

Sophia Young scored 20 of her 26 points in the second half and Becky Hammon added 22 points and nine rebounds. San Antonio took full advantage of 14 Phoenix fouls in the third quarter.

The Mercury blew a 16-point first-half lead in their home opener Friday, a 101-99 loss to the San Antonio Silver Stars. The 14 fouls called in the third quarter also didn't help the running Mercury.

"You can't blame it on that," Mercury coach Corey Gaines said after Friday's game. "You still got to get stops. You got to move your feet more. You can't give fouls.

"We have to move our feet better and not play with our hands so much. You do that, and you won't get those fouls. First half, we had stops and (were able to run on offense). Second half, (we didn't)."

Can’t see the Mercury getting it done Tuesday.

PICK: San Antonio


Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream (-4.5, 159.5)

The Atlanta Dream get another shot at their first home win of the season Tuesday, but it’s not like they’ve given their home crowd much to cheer about.

The Dream is 5-16 against the spread in their last 21 home games and were absolutely terrible in Sunday’s 77-64 loss to the visiting Minnesota Lynx. Atlanta shot just 30 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 51-38.

"We've got to bounce back in a hurry," coach Marynell Meadors told reporters. "We've got to get some things worked out and put this game behind us."

That might be tough against Chicago’s solid defense and with Sancho Lyttle still away playing with the Spain's national team.

PICK: Chicago

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Tuesday's Betting Tips: A-Rod Kills Injury Rumors

Who's Hot

MLB: The over is 9-4 in Toronto’s last 13 interleague games.

MLB: Philadelphia has won eight of its last 10.

WNBA: New York has covered in 10 of its last 13 meetings with Los Angeles.

Who’s Not

MLB: The Cubs are 2-9 in their last 11 road games.

MLB: Arizona is 1-11 in Joe Saunders’ last 12 road starts.

WNBA: Atlanta is 5-16 ATS in its last 21 road games.

Key Stat

10.96 – Interim Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon has his work cut out for him with this club, but one of his first tasks ought to be helping the team defend its home field. The Marlins are 15-22 at home, costing Fish bettors 10.96 units to date.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals: The injury that St. Louis’ slugger suffered on Sunday is worse than originally thought as he’ll be out about six weeks with a broken bone in his left wrist. "He does have a fracture in his left wrist," general manger John Mozeliak told reporters on Monday afternoon. "In the terms of whether it's mild or extreme, it is mild in that regard. But it's still going to require probably six weeks of very little baseball activity. On a hopeful note, we hope to have him back by, say, beginning of August." Pujols is hitting .279 with 17 homers and 45 RBIs.

Game Of The Day

Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers (-130, 8)

Notable Quotable

"It's like almost too perfect, you know. There's no wind, obviously no sun, no sort of elements to contend with. It's different, different grass court tennis." – Andy Murray said about defeating Daniel Gimeno-Traver under the Centre Court roof at Wimbledon. The first day of the tournament was sidetracked by rotten weather that resulted in 29 matches being cancelled or suspended.

Tips And Notes

If you heard the rumors of A-Rod playing through a serious shoulder injury lately, forget it – at least that’s what the New York Yankees’ third baseman says. "That's the first I have heard of it. I don't know where that came from. It's nothing out of the ordinary, normal bumps and bruises," Rodriguez told reporters about the injury rumors. Rodriguez had three hits against the Cubs on Sunday and also scored three runs in the 10-4 win.

The Atlanta Dream are still without Sancho Lyttle, who is currently playing for Spain in the 2011 Eurobasket and so far, they haven’t been able to come close to replacing her. The All-Star forward was averaging 12.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in four games since leaving the team. She will miss the next two games, leaving Courtney Paris to fill in. Atlanta is just 1-5 against the spread heading into Tuesday’s home game with Chicago as a 4.5-point favorite.

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HOT LINES

Tuesday's Best MLB Bets

Los Angeles Angels at Florida Marlins (+120, 8)

So the solution to the Florida Marlins’ problems is … Jack McKeon?

Sure, the guy had his moments with the team, but isn’t it time to let go of the past and move forward so Jack can chill out with his cigars in a retirement home somewhere?

It seems like a pretty crazy move considering all the issues the Marlins have already. They have just five wins in their last 26 games overall and their offense is producing just 3.83 runs per game.

One thing is for sure with McKeon behind the bench – the old guy isn’t going to take any guff. Just one game into his interim assignment, McKeon benched the struggling Hanley Ramirez, who’s still hurting with a strained back.

“He expects everyone here to play even harder now. He knows we have a lot of talent in here,” Ramirez told reporters. “We just have to show it out there on the field. He's going to get on everybody here. If you don't play hard, you're not going to be here."

We’ll believe it when we see it.

PICK: Angels


Seattle Mariners at Washington Nationals (-120, 8)

It’s time to start taking the Seattle Mariners seriously.

The club still has a lot of problems putting runs on the board, but they are coming off a great series against the Philadelphia Phillies and are now just a half game out of first place in the AL West.

“We’ve created an environment, and you’d have to be dead not to feel it,” shortstop Brendan Ryan said. “We just took two of three from the best team in baseball. The crowds were great, the games were all close. If you’re a fan, what more would you be waiting for?

Well, a little more from the offense would be a start. Seattle averages just 3.53 runs per game, but the way they’re grinding it out, we like their chances to keep the hot streak going against Washington.

PICK: Mariners

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WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA: Mercury-Silver Stars
By Kate Hedlin

Phoenix Mercury at San Antonio Silver Stars (-3.5, 182.5)

The San Antonio Silver Stars have been idle since Friday’s win over the Phoenix improved them to a league-best 4-0. Phoenix, meanwhile, picked up its first victory of the season since the teams last met.

The Silver Stars look to extend the franchise’s best start as they host the Mercury on Tuesday night.

San Antonio (4-0) is the WNBA’s last unbeaten team, overcoming double-digit deficits in its last two victories. After rallying from 10 down to defeat Atlanta 86-74 on June 11, the Silver Stars came back from 14 down to beat Phoenix 101-99 on Friday.

Sophia Young recorded 20 of her 26 points in the second half while Becky Hammon added 22 points and nine assists.

Rookie Danielle Adams, the 20th overall pick in the draft, has been key to the comebacks. After scoring 32 points in just 20 minutes against Atlanta, she led the bench with 16 Friday, helping San Antonio’s reserves outscore its Phoenix counterparts 42-22.

“I think you have to look at the totality of our team,” coach Dan Hughes said. “I think we have been able to draw off our bench. It’s been a boost, at least the last two games in the standpoint of trailing and having to come back.”

San Antonio has also benefited from a light schedule that has seen them play the fewest games in the league and only one set of back-to-backs. However, the Silver Stars will play three games this week and expect another challenge from Phoenix.

“Anytime you play the same team back-to-back they’re going to make tweaks to the offense and defense,” Ruth Riley said Monday. “It’s going to be a challenge for both of us.”

While the Mercury (1-3) were unable to protect their lead against the Silver Stars, they felt positive about scoring the most points San Antonio has allowed this season. In their previous three games, the Silver Stars yielded 69.7 points per game.

That may have provided Phoenix some momentum the next night, when it defeated Indiana 93-89 in overtime. Diana Taurasi scored seven of her season-high 32 points in overtime, all on free throws.

“It felt like Game 5 of the finals, and that’s how we are going to have to treat every game,” Taurasi said. “I think we showed what time of team we can be, but the key is to build on it. It is no good if you only do it and pull away with a win one time.”

The Mercury will play their next four games on the road, including three this week.

Taurasi leads the WNBA in scoring at 23.0 points per game and has topped 30 twice.

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Tuesday’s Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

STREAKING

Jhoulys Chacin (8-4, 2.81 ERA), Colorado Rockies

Are we looking at Colorado’s new staff ace? Chacin was already enjoying superb sophomore season before he started pitching out of his mind. The 23-year-old Venezuelan is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP (walks + hits per inning) in the month of June.

"He's still a little bit new on the scene,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy told the Associated Press of his young hurler. “But I think those who have walked up there and faced him are well aware of his capability."

Dillon Gee (7-0, 2.86 ERA), New York Mets

The only thing that can stop this Mets super rookie is a rain delay. Gee was denied a chance to pick up his sixth straight win because of an interruption from Mother Nature.

Gee shutout the Braves for the four innings he was on the bump and lowered his ERA to 2.86 in the process.

"He was really good for four innings," Atlanta's Chipper Jones told reporters after the game. "I don't know who helped this guy with his transformation but he's really, really tough right now.”

The Mets are 8-0 (+7.74 units) in the kid’s last eight trips to the hill and Gee carries a 0.47 ERA over his last three appearances.

Carl Pavano (4-5, 4.20 ERA), Minnesota Twins

Never doubt the power of the mustache. Carl Pavano looked washed up for the first couple months of the season but the big righty is enjoying a nice three-start streak.

He’s 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA in June and he’s pitched at least seven innings in each of his last six appearances. The under is also 3-0 in his last three trips to the bump.


SLUMPING

Chad Billingsley (5-6, 4.65 ERA), Los Angeles Dodgers

Not much is going right for the Dodgers and Chad Billingsley isn’t excluded from the club’s recent woes. The veteran right-hander allowed seven and six runs in his last two starts, which swelled up his already bloated WHIP to 1.52.

At least he’s making total bettors happy. The over is 5-0 in his last five starts.

[timbob]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
NY Yankees Continue Set At Cincinnati Reds
By: Willie Bee

New York Yankees at Cincinnati Reds (-110, OFF)

A Yankees pitcher will make his major league debut as a hitter for the second game in a row when New York continues a 3-game set at the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

Brian Gordon will get the starting nod for the Yanks in the middle game of the set with Cincinnati sending Johnny Cueto to the hill. First pitch at Great American Ball Park is 4:10 p.m. (PT).

Monday’s series opener was still pending with Ivan Nova facing Reds lefty Travis Wood who was sporting the 110 favorites tag. It was Nova’s first interleague start in a National League park making for his first-ever MLB plate appearance.

Originally a 7th-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 1997, Gordon (1-1, 3.38) will be taking to a big league mound for just the fifth time in his career and just his second starting assignment. The right-hander is playing for his sixth MLB organization, his only big league work before five days ago being three relief appearances for the Texas Rangers in 2008.

Gordon’s start ironically came against the Rangers in New York this past week, lasting into the sixth inning and allowing two runs. He didn’t figure into the decision with the Yankees eventually taking a 3-2 win as small 105 home pups.

New York entered this series having won eight of 10 since being swept in the Bronx by the Red Sox. Already playing without team captain Derek Jeter who is one of 11 Yankees on the disabled list, reports are that third baseman Alex Rodriguez is bothered by pain in his left shoulder though the issue is not considered serious.

Gordon moved into the New York rotation when veteran righty Bartolo Colon went down with a strained hamstring.

Cueto (5-3, 1.68) was originally slated for Monday's game but was pushed back due to a stiff neck. He owns a career start against the Yanks in 2008 and came away a tough-luck loser. The Dominican allowed just a run in five innings, leaving the contest trailing 1-0 before New York tacked on a few more for a 4-1 win behind Andy Pettitte.

Just one unearned run has crossed the plate in Cueto's last two starts, each covering seven innings and both outings coming on the road at pitcher-friendly parks in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Reds are 1-2 in the righty's three home assignments despite Cueto owning a 2.29 ERA in those games and hitters only batting .188 against him at Great American Ball Park.

A 40 percent chance of rain, including some nasty thunderstorms, is in the forecast for Porkopolis on Tuesday. Both clubs have an open date on Thursday if either of the next two games is canceled.

Wednesday’s series finale is set for a battle of right-handers with Freddy Garcia in line for the Yankees and Mike Leake scheduled for the Reds.

[timbob]

Gamblers Data

Free Play Tuesday

Tigers -120

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Hondo


Tigers over LAD -- 10 units on Scherzer over Billingsley

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Indians Monday night.

Tuesday it's the Nationals.

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Arthur Ralph Sports

Comp play

661- 502 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one Tues: Brewers -140

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Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Giants -150 over Twins

Soccer Crusher
Play of the Day:

Bragantino + Guarani OVER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil

Sportsbook Investing
Play of the Day:

Giants -150 over Twins

[timbob]

WNBA Basketball Picks
Chicago at Atlanta

The Sky look to bounce back from their 83-68 loss to Connecticut and build on their 7-2-1 ATS record in their last 10 games following an ATS loss. Chicago is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by only 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Chicago at Atlanta (12:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 111.788; Atlanta 114.402
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 155
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 160 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2 1/2); Under

Game 653-654: Indiana at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 114.084; Washington 109.050
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 1; 146
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-1); Over

Game 655-656: Phoenix at San Antonio (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 108.187; San Antonio 116.070
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 8; 186
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 3 1/2; 182 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-3 1/2); Over

Game 657-658: Seattle at Tulsa (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 111.960; Tulsa 106.066
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 6; 151
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 8; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+8); Under

Game 659-660: New York at Los Angeles (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.573; Los Angeles 114.555
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 4; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (+8 1/2); Under

[timbob]

Today's MLB Picks
Seattle at Washington

The Mariners are coming off a 2-0 win over Philadelphia and look to build on their 11-1 record in their last 12 games after scoring 2 runs or less in the previous game. Seattle is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Mariners favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 901-902: Philadelphia at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Halladay) 15.488; St. Louis (McClellan) 14.282
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-165); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-165); Over

Game 903-904: Seattle at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Fister) 16.052; Washington (Hernandez) 15.228
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Washington (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100); Under

Game 905-906: Baltimore at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Guthrie) 14.479; Pittsburgh (McDonald) 14.971
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-105); Over

Game 907-908: Colorado at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Chacin) 16.372; Cleveland (Talbot) 15.425
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Colorado (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-130); Under

Game 909-910: San Diego at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Latos) 16.456; Boston (Aceves) 16.253
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-215); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+185); Under

Game 911-912: LA Angels at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.249; Florida (Vazquez) 13.419
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-130); Over

Game 913-914: NY Yankees at Cincinnati (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Gordon) 16.608; Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.182
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 915-916: Toronto at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Stewart) 16.209; Atlanta (Minor) 15.116
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Under

Game 917-918: Oakland at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Outman) 15.556; NY Mets (Gee) 15.122
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-140); 7
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+120); Over

Game 919-920: Houston at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Lyles) 14.245; Texas (Wilson) 15.448
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-220); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-220); Under

Game 921-922: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Garza) 15.428; White Sox (Buehrle) 16.418
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-135); Over

Game 923-924: Arizona at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Saunders) 14.326; Kansas City (Hochevar) 14.062
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+110); Under

Game 925-926: Tampa Bay at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Hellickson) 16.215; Milwaukee (Greinke) 14.715
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+110); Under

Game 927-928: Detroit at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Scherzer) 15.660; LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 14.544
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-120); Over

Game 929-930: Minnesota at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pavano) 15.560; San Francisco (Bumgarner) 15.699
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150); Over

[timbob]

Ultimate

LAD
Cincy
WSox