7-2-11

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MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Windy City Series Continues At Wrigley Field
By: Jeff Grant



Chicago White Sox (-110) at Chicago Cubs

The Windy City rivalry continues Saturday afternoon with the White Sox and Cubs facing off for the fifth time this season on FOX. Fans will have plenty of time to enjoy the Wrigleyville surroundings before the first pitch is thrown at 1:10 (PT).

The Chicago White Sox captured two of the three meetings last month at U.S. Cellular Field and the season series marches on at historic Wrigley Field. The South Siders entered Friday’s contest with an 18-21 all-time mark at the venue.

Interleague action has treated manager Ozzlie Guillen's squad well over the past few years, winning 18 of their last 19 series against the American League, including nine straight on the road.

The White Sox have also been an incredible bet as a series progresses against NL opponents, registering a 5-0 mark in the second game and 4-1 record in finales. Bettors will also take notice that the Cubs are 1-10 in their last 11 when playing the second game of a series.

Rookie starter Philip Humber (7-3, 2.90) will make his first career appearance in the rivalry and comes in off his first defeat since April 30 last time out. The right-hander enjoyed a solid June, tallying a 3-1 mark and 2.48 ERA, as opponents hit just .184 against him.

Humber has been especially difficult for right-handed batters to face, holding them to a .161 batting average, the third-lowest mark in the AL. The ‘under’ is 11-5 in his 16 starts this season and the series has fallen below the number in six of the last eight meetings heading into the opener.

The Chicago Cubs just came away with back-to-back walk-off victories for the second time this season in winning two of three against the San Francisco Giants. Now that the heroics are over against a National League opponent, the club will try to lift its 4-8 interleague record.

The Cubs have gone 2-4 against the White Sox each of the last two seasons and haven’t had a winning series against them since 2007.

Matt Garza (4-6, 4.07 ERA) aims for his third consecutive victory after finishing June with a 2-2 record and 4.76 ERA. The right-hander is coming off a quality start at home against the Rockies, allowing three runs and five hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 7-3 win.

Garza will be toeing the rubber for a sixth time versus the White Sox, posting a 1-2 record and 6.17 ERA. He received a no-decision in his last opportunity against them on June 21 on the road, surrendering two runs and four hits in a rain-shortened five frames.

The former first-round selection will need to pitch carefully to White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who is 5-for-8 against him, including two home runs and five RBIs.

Weather forecasts suggest unpleasant highs in the upper-90s in the Chicago area and a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms throughout. Swirling winds of 10-15 mph will also persist over the course of the game.

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Saturday’s Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

It’s an all-National League edition of streaking and slumping pitchers. We didn’t plan it out that way. It’s just what the numbers were telling us. Here’s a peek at the hottest and coldest starting taking the bump on Saturday:


STREAKING

Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.40 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies

Roy the Boy makes his return to T-town in a matinee against the Blue Jays. Halladay of course spent his entire major league career with Toronto before being dealt to the Phillies in the winter of 2009.

Blue Jay fans still love Halladay and he should receive a hero’s welcome in his return. The Canadian crowd will see an in-form Cy Young winner. The Phillies are 8-0 in Roy’s last eight trips to the bump and the big right hander carries a 2.00 ERA over his last five appearances.

"It's always fun to watch him pitch," Philadelphia 1B Ryan Howard told reporters after Halladay’s last start.

What better way to celebrate the Canada Day weekend.

Clayton Kershaw (8-3, 2.93 ERA), Los Angeles Dodgers

This lefty ace is turning up the heat on opposing batters. Kershaw has struck out 22 batters in his last two appearances, both of which were complete games. It was only the third time a Dodger hurler pitched two straight complete games with 10 or more strikeouts.

Total bettors know all about Kershaw’s skills. The under is 3-0 in his last three outings.



SLUMPING

J.A. Happ (3-9, 5.54 ERA), Houston Astros

Things aren’t going well for this former Phillies prospect. Happ hasn’t had a quality start since June 3 and the over is 4-0 over the four-start slump. Even worse, the Astros are 0-8 in Happ’s last eight appearances.

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HOT LINES

Saturday's Best MLB Bets

Chicago White Sox (-110) at Chicago Cubs

There’s money to be made betting against the Cubs, and we’re going to jump on today’s opportunity.

The White Sox and emerging ace Phil Humber visit Wrigley Field as tiny favorites against Matt Garza and the Cubs.

Humber was a hard-luck loser in his last outing, a 2-1 defeat to the Nationals, but has been rock-steady this season. He boasts a miniscule 0.97 WHIP, which is bad news for the Cubbies. The Cubs are a pathetic 22-50 in their last 72 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.

It doesn’t take much to go against the Cubs this season, especially when they’re facing a pitcher like Humber that doesn’t give up cheap runs.

PICK: White Sox


Philadelphia Phillies (-145) at Toronto Blue Jays

Roy Halladay makes his return to Toronto for the first time today since being traded to the Phillies nearly two years ago. Most expect a warm greeting from Blue Jays fans, which could act as extra incentive for Halladay.

The homecoming, however, also could act as a little bit of distraction for Halladay, who may be due for a loss after winning his last six starts.

We're going to back Toronto starter Carlos Villanueva in this spot, with the belief that the extra emotions my affect Halladay more than he may let on. Villanueva has a 1.26 ERA in 11 relief outings against the Phillies.

Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is hot and hit his 25th home run Friday. He's batting .367 with four homers and eight RBIs in his last eight games.

Keep an eye on Blue Jay shortstop Yunel Escobar's stats. Escobar was hit on the left half by a pitch in Friday's game and is questionable for today's game.

PICK: Blue Jays

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Saturday's Betting Tips: Windy At Wrigley, Coors

Weather To Watch

Some moderate winds are forecast to be blowing out at Wrigley Field and Coors Field on Saturday.

A 13-mph breeze will be pushing balls out toward right field at Wrigley, where the Cubs host the White Sox.

In Colorado, a 12-mph SSE wind is expected to be blowing out to left field, when the Rockies host the Royals.

Who’s Hot

MLB: Dodger starter Clayton Kershaw is rolling. He’s 6-0 with a 2.64 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .199 off Kershaw, who will be on the hill today against the Angels.

MLB: Braves stater Tim Hudson is 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA against Baltimore, today's opponent.

PGA: K.J. Choi shot a 6-under 64 in Friday's second round of the AT&T National at Aronimink, tying the tournament record.

Who’s Not

MLB: The Indians are 1-7 in Fausto Carmona’s last eight starts.

MLB: Royals starter Kyle Davies is 0-3 against the Rockies with an 8.00 ERA.

Tennis: Maria Sharapova reached the Wimbledon women's final despite double-faulting 13 times in her semifinal win over Sabine Lisicki.

Quote To Note

"I feel like it's any other start. It's been long enough for me where that's not really something that's in the forefront. I've been out of there for a while, I just feel like it's a regular road start. Obviously it's the first time back, but I don't really anticipate anything different than any other road start." – Roy Halladay on MLB.com regarding his return to Toronto.

Injury Not To Overlook

Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar, who is 10 for his last 20, was hit in the left hand by a pitch Friday and is questionable for today's game against the Phillies.

Event Of The Day

UFC 132 Main Event: Dominick Cruz (-130 vs. Urijah Faber)

Betting Tips

--Rafael Nadal opened as a moderate -145 favorite over Novak Djokovic for Sunday’s men’s final at Wimbledon.
Djokovic is 47-1 this year and, win or lose Sunday, will become the No. 1-ranked player in the world. He has never reached the Wimbledon final.

--Sharapova is -190 favorite against Petra Kvitova in today's Wimbledon final, which gets going at 9 a.m. ET. Sharapova last reached the final seven years ago, marking the longest stretch between finals appearance in tournament history.

--The Mets are in tune with umpire Hunter Wendelstedt's strike zone. With Wendelstedt behind home plate, the Mets are 13-3. Wendelstedt is scheduled to call today's Yankees-Mets contest.

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Saturday

Brewers -120

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Arthur Ralph Sports

668- 505 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one Sat: Cinci Reds -158

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Hondo

The Yankees flushed the Metamucils in the big Citi last night, causing Hondo's deficit to go down to 1,470 belangers.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch will put some bucks on Show alter and the Birds -- 10 units on Arrieta to muzzle Los Bravos.

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Baseball Crusher

Play of the Day:

RedSox -145 over Astros

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Sportsbook Investing

Play of the Day:

RedSox -145 over Astros

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JOE WIZ SPORTS

DAILY FREE PICK
Under 7.5 runs bet. Oakland and Arizona

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CAPPERS ACCESS

Chicago Cubs ML
LA Dodgers ML
Seattle Mariners RL

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TMB SPORTS PICKS

5 UNIT* MLB* Minnesota Twins +105 ML
5 UNIT* MLB* St. Louis Cardinals +120 ML
5 UNIT* MLB* LA Angels -125 ML

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THE NATURAL HANDICAPPER

10 UNIT* MLB* Philadelphia Phillies -150 ML
15 UNIT* MLB* Tampa Bay Rays -130 ML
10 UNIT* MLB* Milwaukee Brewers -120 ML

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MLB Write Up

Hot pitchers
-- Washington won last three Hernandez starts (2-0, 2.75). McDonald is 2-0, 4.03 in his last four starts. Lannan is 3-0, 1.81 in last seven starts.
-- Former Blue Jay Halladay os 3-0, 2.00 in his last five starts. Toronto is 6-1 when Villanueva starts (1-1, 2.77 in last two).
-- Colon is 3-0, 1.29 in his last three starts, last of which was June 11. Mets are 11-1 this season when Gee starts (3-1, 2.48 in last five).
-- Humber is 3-1, 2.48 in his last four starts.
-- Red Sox won both Miller starts (1-0, 3.86).
-- Detroit won last four Scherzer home starts (2-0, 2.29 in last three).
-- THudson is 2-1, 1.88 in his last four starts, throwing 14 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two. Arrieta is 3-1, 3.28 in his last four.
-- Pavano is 3-1, 2.54 in his last five starts. Narveson is 3-1, 3.38 in his last four starts.
-- Outman is 2-1, 2.37 in his last three starts. Saunders is 1-1, 2.57 in his last three starts.
-- Kershaw is 2-0, 1.08 in his last three starts. Weaver is 3-0, 1.34 in his last seven starts.
-- Fister is 0-0, 1.13 in his last two starts. Luebke threw five shutout innings in his first '11 start, vs Atlanta.

Cold pitchers
-- Lincoln is 6-7, 4.14 in 14 AAA starts this season; he was 1-4, 6.66 in nine major league starts next year.
-- Garza is 2-2, 5.08 in his last five starts.
-- Happ is 0-5, 7.02 in his last eight starts.
-- Zito is 1-1, 4.95 in four starts this season.
-- Niemann is 2-4, 6.25 in eight starts this season. Cardinals lost last four McClellan starts (0-3, 7.59).
-- Carmona is 1-7, 9.42 in his last eight starts.
-- Bailey is 0-2, 6.19 in his last three starts.
-- Holland is 1-2, 7.01 in his last four starts. Marlins were outscored 11-2 in Hand's three starts (0-3, 4.60).
-- Davies is 0-5, 8.14 in his last five starts, last of which was May 16. Reynolds is making first start since April 14; he is 1-0, 3.27 in his two starts this season.

Totals
-- Six of Pirates' last seven road games stayed under the total.
-- Six of Phillies' last seven games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Garza starts went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1-2 in last ten San Francisco road games.
-- Six of last eight Cincinnati home games stayed under total.
-- Four of Mets' last six games went over the total.
-- Over is 4-2-1 in Cardinals' last seven road games.
-- Last five Atlanta home games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Boston road games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Florida road games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 11-6 in last seventeen games at Coors field.
-- Nine of last thirteen Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Four of last six Oakland home games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Dodger road games went over the total. Eight of last nine Weaver starts stayed under.
-- Over is 4-2-1 in San Diego's last seven road games.

Hot Teams
-- Pittsburgh won six of its last nine games.
-- Phillies won seven of their last ten games.
-- White Sox won five of their last six road games.
-- Indians won three of their last four games.
-- Giants won eight of their last ten games.
-- Bronx won its last six games, scoring 41 runs. Mets won six of their last nine games.
-- Cardinals won their last four games, scoring 25 runs.
-- Rangers won three of last four games, scoring 25 runs.
-- Braves won nine of their last eleven games.
-- Minnesota won ten of its last eleven home games.
-- Angels won six of their last eight games.
-- Padres won four of their last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Washington lost three of its last four games, scoring ten runs.
-- Toronto lost four of its last five games.
-- Cubs lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Detroit lost three of its last four games.
-- Cincinnati lost six of its last eight home games.
-- Orioles lost 13 of their last 17 road games.
-- Astros lost nine of their last ten home games. Red Sox lost six of their last nine games overall.
-- Tampa Bay lost three of its last four games.
-- Brewers lost nine of their last eleven road games.
-- Marlins lost 12 of their last 15 road games.
-- Colorado lost five of its last seven games. Royals lost eight of their last nine road games.
-- Dodgers are 3-5 in their last eight games.
-- Arizona lost five of its last six games. Oakland lost six of its last nine.
-- Mariners lost seven of their last ten games.

Umpires
-- Pitt-Wsh-- Home side won 11 of last 15 Culbreth games.
-- Phil-Tor-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Marquez games.
-- NY-NY-- Seven of last eight Knight games went over the total.
-- Chi-Chi-- 10 of last 12 Darling games stayed under the total.
-- Bos-Hst-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight Blaser games, with favorites winning his last five games behind the dish.
-- SF-Det-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Vanover games.
-- StL-TB-- Last six Eddings games stayed under the total.
-- Balt-Atl-- Over is 12-3-1 in McClelland games this season.
-- Mil-Min-- Visiting team won last five Foster games.
-- Clev-Cin-- Home side won last four Cousins games.
-- Fla-Tex-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine West games.
-- KC-Colo-- Visiting team won five of last six TWelke games.
-- Az-A's-- Over is 6-0-1 in last seven Kellogg games.
-- LA-LA-- Home team won last four Bucknor games.
-- SD-Sea-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Cuzzi games.

AL teams are 114-108 vs NL teams so far in interleague play.
Over is 48-50-9 with a DH, 46-63-7 without one, 94-113-15 overall.