7-15-11

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Friday’s betting tips: Jays lose Bautista to injury

Who’s hot

MLB: The L.A. Dodgers have won 13 of their last 16 meetings with Arizona.

MLB: Florida has played over the total in eight of its last 11.

WNBA: New York is 7-0-1 against the spread in its last eight.

Who’s not

MLB: Washington has won only three of the last 13 starts Livan Hernandez has made.

CFL: Toronto is 2-9 in its last 11 meetings with Montreal.

WNBA: Los Angeles is 2-6 against the spread in its last eight road games.

Key stat

0 – The 2-9 Washington Mystics, who have covered just three spreads all season, were held without a second-chance point in Tuesday’s 79-71 loss to Seattle, their eighth straight up loss in nine games. The Mystics are the fifth-best rebounding team in the league with a 1.73 rebounding margin, but average just 72.5 points per game, 11th in the WNBA.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays: The big league’s home run leader is considered day-to-day with a twisted right ankle and may miss a few games. Bautista jammed the ankle while making a catch at the All-Star game and aggravated it Thursday against the Yankees. He’s hitting .334 with 31 homers and 61 RBIs.

Game of the day

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays (-145, 8)

Notable quotable

“If I get around any of their receivers, especially them two, my plan is to pick them up, turn them over and dump them on their head. If you want to cheap shot me and act like you’re a big man, because you knocked me down when I didn’t see you coming, then fine. I’m going to let you see me coming and I’m going to be a man and I’m going to dump you on your head.” – Toronto Argonauts defensive tackle Kevin Huntley about avenging a perceived cheap shot he took from Montreal wideout Jamel Richardson. The Argos are set as big 10.5-point underdogs at Montreal on Friday.

Notes and tips

Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg were suspended four games apiece by MLB on Thursday. It is thought that Oritiz will appeal the decision, meaning he should be in the lineup at least through the weekend. It’s unclear if Gregg will appeal.

Both the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are making changes in their bullpen totem poles. Jays manager John Farrell told reporters that Jon Rauch will handle the saves moving forward instead of Frank Francisco. Rauch has a 4.34 ERA through 37 1/3 innings this season. Meanwhile, with K-Rod out of the picture, the Mets will split save opportunities between Bobby Parnell, Jason Isringhausen and Pedro Beato.

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Friday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

Streaking

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves (8-6, 3.57 ERA)

The Braves veteran ace is rounding into form after an up-and-down first half of the schedule. Hudson is 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his last four starts, and coming off 7 1-3 innings versus the Rockies, in which he allowed three runs on five hits. He’s been dominant against the Nationals during his career, boasting an impressive 11-3 record and 2.00 ERA over 20 starts versus Washington.

Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels (10-5, 2.61 ERA)

Haren is another pitcher making up for a slow start to the season. He’s won four straight outings, including two shutout efforts, and has helped the Halos hang tough in the AL West. The right hander is giving bettors their money’s worth whenever he takes the bump, going into the ninth in his last two appearances and posting quality starts in 16 of his 19 trips to the bump.

Slumping

Brett Myers, Houston Astros (3-9, 4.88 ERA)

Myers has shown up on the bottom half of “streaking and slumping” more than once this year. His current slide has the Astros righty once again among the slumpers Friday. Myers is 0-3 and lugs a 6.23 ERA in his last three appearances, including a rough showing versus the Marlins last Saturday. He gave up five earned runs on four hits and walked four batters before getting the hook in the fifth inning. Myers is 6-5 with a career 3.14 ERA against the Pirates.

Dustin Moseley, San Diego Padres (2-8, 3.21 ERA)

Comparing Moseley’s record to his ERA should tell the story of the Padres right hander. He hasn’t been terrible, despite picking up just two wins this year, but is starting to come undone at the midway mark. Moseley is 0-2 in his last five starts, posting a 3.72 ERA in that span and pitching past the sixth inning in just two of those outings. A lack of run support has spoiled what could have been a breakout year for Moseley, who has received only 3.92 runs per game as backup – the lowest amount among qualified starting pitchers – and has been on the mound in five of San Diego’s 13 shutout losses this season.

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Hot lines: Friday’s best MLB bets


St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (-155, 8.5)

Before the All-Star break, it looked as though Albert Pujols was getting set to go on one of his crazy hot streaks.

St. Louis’ slugger struggled to get going after coming back early from his wrist injury, but then had five hits, including his 18th homer of the season over a two-game stretch before the break.

"Obviously, I'm glad it's not taking a while to find that approach," Pujols told reporters. "I feel good, I'm seeing the ball good. When you feel good at the plate, believe it or not, you don't think about where your hands are or your legs. You just see the ball and hit it."

That’s great news for Cardinals bettors. St. Louis is averaging 4.71 runs per game as it is, but a hot Pujols will really get the middle of the order humming.

Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto has been tough lately, though you never know what to expect from his spotty control. We think the Cards will get to him and hope Jake Westbrook bounces back from his last disaster on the hill.

Pick: Cardinals

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (+100, 7.5)

These have to be tough days in the New York Mets clubhouse.

First closer Francisco Rodriguez was shipped out of town and now the Carlos Beltran rumors are really heating up.

“This doesn’t signify a change in direction from our continuing attempt to win games this season,” Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson told reporters about the deal. “We’re obviously in a delicate part of the season where wins and losses might dictate what we do, but I certainly wouldn’t draw any conclusions from this transaction.”

The Mets are trying their best to keep a positive spin on the whole situation, but this could get messy.

They have a tough test Friday against the red-hot youngster Vance Worley. At this price, you have to like the Phillies to add to New York’s issues.

Pick: Phillies

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Lady luck: Friday's best WNBA bets


Minnesota Ly*x at Indiana Fever (-4, 153.5)

After a slow start, the Minnesota Ly*x had the Phoenix Mercury right where they wanted them down the stretch. Then they fell apart again.

The Ly*x owned an 11-point lead with just over six minutes to play, but ended up dropping a 112-105 decision as 6.5-point underdogs.

"We knew from the moment we walked off the court that it was a missed opportunity," Ly*x center Taj McWilliams-Franklin told reporters. "Once we sleep on it and everyone can evaluate individually, we can move forward. Everyone knows what a bad loss feels like, so that's not a new concept. It's how you respond that's important. You want to stop the bleeding."

That’ll be a tall order against the Fever, who have won and covered each of their last seven games. In the long haul, Minnesota is going to be a contending team, but this is a bad spot for them considering Indiana’s hot streak.

We also like the fact that this line has come down from -5.5 at the open.

Pick: Fever

Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury (-11.5, 176.5)

Sure, the Mystics have covered just three pointspreads all season, but they’re improving.

They were in it until the end but dropped a 79-71 decision to Seattle as a 10.5-point underdog and actually had the deficit to five points with a little over two minutes left in the fourth. Of course, then they missed their last five shots down the stretch, but it’s baby steps for this team.

"This team (Washington) is dangerous," Seattle’s Swim Cash told reporters after the game. "I wouldn't be surprised (if) at the end of the season they're right in the mix for the playoffs. I'm glad we're done with them, actually, so now we'll focus back on the West Coast."

Washington’s leading scorer Crystal Langhorne wasn’t herself in her first game back from a back injury, but she’ll be better Friday.

Looks like too many points to us.

Pick: Mystics

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Canadian Bacon: CFL Week 3 odds and picks

Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes (-10.5, 53.5)

Anthony Calvillo is about to become the all-time leader for TD passes in the CFL which will likely occur this week at home against the Argos. Last week in Regina, he tied Damon Allen with five touchdown passes. The Alouettes are unbeaten and their offense is rolling.

The defense it making stops when it matters, apart from some miscues in third quarters. However, special teams are still a problem for the Alouettes and that could give room for the explosive Chad Owens to make his presence felt. Nonetheless, we can’t see how the Argos led by the erratic Cleo Lemon, can really manage to slow down Montreal - especially not at Percival-Molson Stadium.

As usual, the Toronto defense will probably hold on in the first half before surrendering out of exhaustion in the last thirty minutes. Calvillo has way too many tools available to be shut down.

Pick: Alouettes

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Hamilton Tiger Cats (-2.5, 51.5)

Here are two teams with high hopes but found ways to lose their first two games of 2011. In the case of the Riders we must keep in mind that both losses were in front of their die-hard fans at Mosaic Field in Regina. Of course these Roughriders lost a few key players, namely Andy Fantusz, but they have had the Tiger Cats' number recently, winning both of last year's meetings comfortably.

In fact, Saskatchewan has won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams, covering eight times. Meanwhile, the over has hit in nine of their last 12 encounters and that is probably the safest bet for this one even if we will dare to predict that Saskatchewan will leave Hamilton with its first win of the year.

Pick: Saskatchewan

B.C. Lions at Edmonton Eskimos (-2.5, 54)

The Edmonton Eskimos have won their first two games of the year despite having 21 new players on the 42-man roster. Last year, Edmonton dropped B.C. in two of their three matchups. Lions DB Stanley Franks was injured last week and that will weaken the defense.

For the Eskimos, WR Fred Stamps has been really hot with yards in only 10 catches. The Eskimos defense gave up only 10 points last week against the Tiger Cats after forcing four turnovers in beating the Riders in Regina before that. Like the Stampeders, the Lions lost their first two games of the year and are already in a must-win situation.

Fortunately for Wally Buono’s men, the Eskimos are depleted by injuries on offense and defense. Running back Arkee Whitlock is out this week again and so are LB Rod Davis and DT Etienne Legare.

Pick: Lions

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Arthur Ralph Sports

676- 509 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one FRI SF Giants -145

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Indians Thursday night.

Friday it's the Cubs. The deficit is 2,354 sirignanos.

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Friday

Angels -130

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Fenimore the Great

8 Units Fla +109
9 Units Clev +108
3 Units Phil -106
5 Units Pitt -102
6 Units LAD -123
5 Units Tor -106
4 Units Minn -123
8 Units LAA -118
14 Units Texas -116
9 Units San Fran -130

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Today's MLB Picks
Pittsburgh at Houston

The Pirates look to take advantage of a Houston team that is 3-13 in its last 16 games as a home favorite. Pittsburgh is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Pirates favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-105). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, JULY 15
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 951-952: Florida at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 15.822; Cubs (Dempster) 14.377
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); N/A

Game 953-954: Philadelphia at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Worley) 16.207; NY Mets (Dickey) 15.712
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-115); Over

Game 955-956: St. Louis at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Westbrook) 14.000; Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.508
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-160); Under

Game 957-958: Washington at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Hernandez) 15.580; Atlanta (Hudson) 14.334
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+160); Over

Game 959-960: Pittsburgh at Houston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 15.623; Houston (Myers) 13.693
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-105); Under

Game 961-962: Milwaukee at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Narveson) 13.934; Colorado (Nicasio) 14.862
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-125); Over

Game 963-964: LA Dodgers at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.510; Arizona (Saunders) 15.537
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+110); Under

Game 965-966: San Francisco at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.824; San Diego (Moseley) 14.800
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-145); 6
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-145); Over

Game 967-968: Cleveland at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Tomlin) 15.217; Baltimore (Arrieta) 12.522
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-105); Under

Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 14.034; Detroit (Verlander) 15.371
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 7
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-200); Over

Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Garcia) 16.013; Toronto (Morrow) 17.082
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-115); Under

Game 973-974: Boston at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Miller) 17.004; Tampa Bay (Price) 15.624
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+125); Over

Game 975-976: Kansas City at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.968; Minnesota (Blackburn) 14.822
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Over

Game 977-978: LA Angels at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Haren) 16.497; Oakland (McCarthy) 14.298
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-125); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-125); Under

Game 979-980: Texas at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Lewis) 16.294; Seattle (Fister) 14.114
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2; 6
Vegas Line: Texas (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-125); Under

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Today's CFL Picks

FRIDAY, JULY 15
Time Posted: 7:30 p.m. EST (7/12)

Game 493-494: Toronto at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 110.967; Montreal 119.386
Dunkel Line: Montreal by 8 1/2; 56
Vegas Line: Montreal by 10 1/2; 53 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+10 1/2); Over

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WNBA Basketball Picks
Connecticut at New York

The Liberty look to build on their 9-1 ATS record in their last 10 Friday games. New York is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Liberty favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: New York (-4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, JULY 15
Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Minnesota at Indiana (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 116.704; Indiana 116.719
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 157
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 4 1/2; 151 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+4 1/2); Over

Game 653-654: Connecticut at New York (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 109.835; New York 118.107
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 8 1/2; 153
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 4 1/2; 157 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-4 1/2); Under

Game 655-656: Los Angeles at Tulsa (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 105.829; Tulsa 104.111
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1 1/2; 151
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+7 1/2); Under

Game 657-658: Washington at Phoenix (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 104.804; Phoenix 121.701
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 17; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 11 1/2; 177
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-11 1/2); Over

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Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Reds -155 over Cardinals

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Sportsbook Investing
Play of the Day:

Reds -155 over Cardinals