8-7-11

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WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA: Storm-Dream Preview
By Associated Press


Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream (-3, 155)

The Seattle Storm swept the Atlanta Dream in last season's WNBA finals, but each game went down to the wire. It is entirely possible that without the efforts of finals MVP Lauren Jackson, the Dream could have been the ones lifting the championship trophy last September.

Atlanta will now get the opportunity to see how it fares against the Storm without the seven-time All-Star patrolling the paint Sunday in the first meeting between these teams since last year's finals.

Seattle (12-8) won its second title last season by winning the three finals games over the Dream by a combined eight points. Jackson carried the Storm over Atlanta, averaging 22.3 points and 8.0 rebounds to become the fourth player in WNBA history to win both the finals MVP and regular-season MVP in the same year.

Even with the 6-foot-5 Jackson in the post, the Dream still outrebounded Seattle in two of the games. Atlanta is near the top of the league in rebounding this year at 36.7 per game, and hopes to take advantage of a Storm team ranked close to the bottom of the league in rebounding at 32.0.

One of the big reasons Seattle is struggling to control the glass is Jackson has been sidelined since June 21 with a hip injury. The team is hopeful she'll be healthy enough for another championship run.

Sue Bird is leading the Storm during Jackson's absence, and she hit a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift Seattle to an 81-79 win over Connecticut on Friday. Bird finished with 20 points - her seventh 20-point game of the season - to help the Storm win a season-best third straight game and fifth in six overall.

"I've seen her make that shot a number of times,'' Swin Cash said. "In Sue Bird we trust. She's proven herself over and over again. When she puts that shot up, it's going in.''

Like Seattle, Atlanta has also dealt with an injury to its best player.

The Dream (8-11) got off to a sluggish start to the season, losing seven of their first nine games, as Angel McCoughtry was slowed by a left knee injury suffered in training camp.

McCoughtry seems to have overcome that injury, but coach Marynell Meadors has decided to have her come off the bench in Atlanta's last two games - both losses. The Dream had won their previous five.

McCoughtry, who was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for July, had a team-high 24 points in Tuesday's 85-75 loss to New York, and is averaging 29.8 points in her last four contests.

Despite McCoughtry's strong offensive showing, the Dream were outrebounded by the Liberty 36-29.

"If we rebound, it fits right into our game so we can push it and run,'' Meadors said

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LADY LUCK

Sunday's Best WNBA Bets

Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream (-3, 155)

A bit of payback is in store in Sunday’s WNBA action, as the Atlanta Dream face the Seattle Storm for the first time since losing to their Western Conference foes in last summer’s WNBA Finals.

Seattle edged Atlanta, sweeping the Dream in three straight games by an average margin of less than three points. However, both teams look different than their 2010 incarnations, with injuries plaguing their rosters.

The Storm are without MVP center Lauren Jackson, who averaged over 22 points and eight rebounds against Atlanta in the postseason. The Dream are battling to get back to .500, with point guard Shalee Lehning out for the year and standout Angel McCoughtry still playing on a tender knee that bothered her to start the year.

"They're still always going to be a good team, with their veteran leadership," McCoughtry told ESPN about Seattle. "Right now, we're just trying to string together enough wins to make the playoffs. We're not worrying about what happens then; we just have to secure that playoff spot and go from there."

The Storm have been on a role lately, winning three straight games and five of their last six – posting a 4-2 mark ATS. Atlanta has dropped back-to-back contests after stringing together five wins in a row in July.

"Right now, I think we're still good, even in the position we're in. We still have the potential to improve,” said McCoughtry. “Anybody can get hurt any time; that's sports. You have to enjoy every opportunity and don't take it for granted. I know Shalee wants to be playing right now, but she can't. So let me go out and give it my all."

PICK: Atlanta


Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks (+6, 158)

The Minnesota Lynx continue to put space between them and the rest of the Western Conference. They’ve won eight games in a row, boasting a 6-2 ATS record in that stretch.

Next on the list for the Lynx are the Los Angeles Sparks, who were dropped by Minnesota 85-72 back on July 26. The Lynx managed to cover as 9-point home favorites in that contest, holding L.A. to just 30 points in the first half.

“We haven’t done anything yet. We’ve won some games but we haven’t accomplished anything. Nobody is going to give us a trophy for being first in the middle of the season,” forward Rebekkah Brunson told reporters. “We have to keep going and continue to win and get better and put us into the best position going into the playoffs. We haven’t done anything yet. We still have a lot to do and a lot of areas where we can get better.”

Minnesota used to get dominated by the Sparks, going 0-8 until winning both meetings this season. That one-sided record will keep the top team in the league focused against a Sparks squad that's on a 1-6 skid.

PICK: Minnesota

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Sunday's Betting Tips: Minor In, Jurrjens Out

Weather To Watch

The forecast for Sunday’s final round of the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, calls for temperatures in the low 80s, with a 20 percent chance of rain and 11-mph westerly winds.

Who’s Hot

MLB: The Royals are 8-2 in Bruce Chen’s last 10 home starts.

MLB: The Under is 10-1-2 in the White Sox’s last 13 games vs. a lefty starter.

WNBA: Connecticut is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games.

Who’s Not

MLB: The Over is 5-12 in umpire D.J. Reyburn’s last 17 games behind the plate. He’s calling Cleveland-Texas on Sunday.

MLB: The Orioles are 3-12 in their last 15 games with a total set between 7.0 and 8.5.

WNBA: Chicago is 0-5 ATS in its last five games against the Eastern Conference.

Key Stat

8 – That’s how many 1,000-yard receiving seasons Derrick Mason has posted. The 15-year vet joined the Jets on Saturday, joining a wideout corps that already includes Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez (.243, 10 HR, 45 RBIs) missed his third straight game Saturday with a sprained shoulder he suffered while diving for a pop fly on Tuesday. He has a chance to play Sunday, so check the lineups.

Game Of The Day

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-165, 9)

Notable Quotable

“Actually, I’m a little surprised [about] how I performed out there.” – Nineteen-year-old Ryo Ishikawa, after shooting a 6-under-64 to pull within one shot of leader Adam Scott at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Tips And Notes

Adam Scott (+250) is a slight favorite over Jason Day (+300) to capture the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday, according to betonline.com. Scott (-12) leads Day (-11) and Ryo Ishikawa (-11) by one stroke. Ishikawa, just 19 years old, is set at +700, along with Martin Laird (-12) and Luke Donald (-9). Ten golfers are within five shots of Scott.

Braves ace Jair Jurrjens went on the DL Saturday with a right knee strain after struggling in four starts since the All-Star break. The team called up Mike Minor to start Sunday against the Mets, and said Jurrjens likely will miss only two starts. Jurrjens, who had the same knee surgically repaired last October. went into the All-Star break leading the NL with a 1.87 ERA. Since then he’s posted a 6.26 ERA.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is day to day after spraining his ankle in an outfield collision Saturday. Phillips is hitting .287 with 10 homers, 62 RBIs, 26 doubles and 62 runs scored, and slumping Cincy desperately needs him to get back in the NL Central race.

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Gamblers Data

Free Play SUNDAY

Tigers -138

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Hondo

Hondo endured his customary Saturday night wipeout last night, crashing with the Yankees and Twins to move the nasty number on the big red tote board back up to 2,205 ruffings.

Tonight, heady Freddy looks steady and ready to do a number on the Bosawx -- 20 units on the Bronx Bombers.

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HOT LINES

Sunday's Best MLB Bets

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (-101, NA)

The Cubs, yes the Cubs, have won seven straight after Saturday’s 11-4 victory. They haven’t done that since August 2008.

Starlin Castro drove in four runs Saturday and has an NL-best 148 hits. Alfonso Soriano was on base four times, and Reed Johnson singled, doubled and scored three runs. It only took the Cubs falling 23 games under .500 for them to wake up.

Chicago goes for the sweep behind Randy Wells, who’s 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA over his last three starts.

The reeling Reds send out Bronson Arroyo. Opponents are hitting .294 against Arroyo, and only once in his last seven starts has he allowed less than four earned runs. He has two quality starts since June 8.

PICK: Cubs


Philadelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants (-137, 6.5)

The red-hot Phillies have won a season-high nine in a row following Saturday’s 2-1 win at AT&T Park.

But everything has to end sometime, and Sunday’s matchup favors the Giants in a big way.

Philly’s Roy Oswalt (lower back inflammation) is coming off the DL and making his first major-league appearance since June 24.

Meanwhile, San Fran ace Tim Lincecum has given up a total of five runs in his last five starts. Batters are hitting .216 against him, and he’s struck out 160 in 149 1/3 innings.

In eight career starts against the Phils, Lincecum is 3-1 with a 2.82 ERA. Look for the Giants to salvage one game in this heated series.

PICK: Giants

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Sunday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

STREAKING

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (13-4, 2.68 ERA)

Kershaw has won five straight starts and has only one loss in his past 17 trips to the mound, dating way back to the beginning of May. He’s given up only two earned runs during this recent winning streak, with 39 strikeouts and nine walks.

Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels (7-8, 3.32 ERA)

Something about the L.A. sunshine makes for great pitching. Santana has won three straight games, including his no-hitter against the Indians at the end of July. During this span, the lefthander has posted a 0.70 ERA, 18 strikeouts and just four base-on-balls.


SLUMPING

Kevin Correia, Pittsburgh Pirates (12-9, 4.71 ERA)

He has been shellacked in two of his last three starts. In that span he's given up 16 earned runs in 13 innings, including six homers. Correia has been terrible since he started the season 5-2.

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays (9-10, 3.77 ERA)

The price isn’t right for the Rays' southpaw starter. Price is 0-3 with a 4.05 ERA over his last three outings. He hasn’t pitched too poorly in that span, and has received only one run of support over those appearances. He’s been a tough bet at home too, going 4-6 with a 3.35 ERA inside Tropicana Field.

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MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees MLB Betting Preview
By: Willie Bee


New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-165, 9)

It's a familiar sight for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball viewers when the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees close out a 3-game set. First pitch from Fenway Park is slated for a little past 5:00 p.m. (PT).

New York opened the series with a 3-2 win Friday night as the underdog on the MLB betting charts. Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher played key roles in the Yankees' 3-run, 6th-inning outburst against Boston's Jon Lester while New York relievers silenced the Red Sox lineup over the final 4 1/3 innings.

The victory pushed the Yankees a game ahead of the Sox in the AL East standings and swelled New York's win streak to eight games. Saturday's matinee was still in progress with CC Sabathia and the Yanks carrying a -150 price with a scoreboard total at nine runs.

Sunday's starting pitching battle has New York's Freddy Garcia (11-8, 3.22) facing Josh Beckett (15-6, 2.20) of the Red Sox. The game will mark Garcia's third start vs. the Red Sox this season, along with one relief appearance. Beckett is battling the Yankees lineup for a fourth time in '11.

All three of Beckett's 2011 assignments against New York have been opposite Sabathia and resulted in Boston victories. The right-hander has whittled his career ERA down vs. the Yanks with 21 innings of work and only two earned runs crossing the plate in building his personal record to 13-7 against them.

Beckett has been particularly stingy at home with a 1.99 ERA in 10 Fenway starts. The Red Sox have won eight of those 10 contests.

Garcia is shooting for his fourth consecutive win and has posted eight quality starts in his last nine outings. His overall numbers away from the Bronx are also of the quality variety with a 2.85 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in eight starts and his lone relief outing of the season which came here at Fenway in April.

Neither of Garcia's two starts vs. the Red Sox have been quality outings, however. He lasted less than two frames at home on June 7 when Boston scored four times against the righty in a 6-4 victory with Garcia +115. He was a 125 home 'dog to Lester again on May 15 when the Sox plated five in Garcia's 5 1/3 frames en route to a 7-5 triumph.

Now in his 12th full season at the major league level, Tim Timmons is in line to call the balls and strikes for this one. 'Under' bettors have cleaned up when Timmons works the plate this season to the tune of 15-6-1 this season and 33-17-4 the past two years.

Boston's weather forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the day and evening. Look for the thermometer to sit in the low-70s at game time with a southeast wind around 10 mph (1B across to 3B).

New York will enjoy Monday off before opening a homestand Tuesday with the first of three vs. the Los Angeles Angels. The Red Sox hit the road for six games beginning Monday at the Minnesota Twins.

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Baseball Crusher

Play of the Day:
Sunday - Yankees + RedSox OVER 9

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Arthur Ralph Sports

691- 518 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one Sun: Texas -170

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Today's MLB Picks
LA Dodgers at Arizona

The Dodgers look to take advantage of an Arizona team that is 1-7 in Ian Kennedy's last 8 Sunday starts. LA is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Dodgers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 901-902: Atlanta at NY Mets (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Minor) 14.455; NY Mets (Gee) 15.012
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+105); Over

Game 903-904: St. Louis at Florida (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Garcia) 15.176; Florida (Vazquez) 14.499
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-135); Under

Game 905-906: San Diego at Pittsburgh (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Latos) 15.684; Pittsburgh (Correia) 13.071
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-110); Over

Game 907-908: Milwaukee at Houston (2:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Greinke) 14.408; Houston (Norris) 15.186
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-170); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Under

Game 909-910: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 15.805; Cubs (Wells) 14.843
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115); N/A

Game 911-912: Washington at Colorado (3:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.194; Colorado (Cook) 15.180
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-120); Under

Game 913-914: Philadelphia at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Oswalt) 14.845; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.427
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-140); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-140); Over

Game 915-916: LA Dodgers at Arizona (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.766; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.771
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110); Under

Game 917-918: Toronto at Baltimore (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 14.790; Baltimore (Simon) 15.623
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+120); Under

Game 919-920: Oakland at Tampa Bay (1:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Cahill) 16.378; Tampa Bay (Price) 14.759
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+155); Over

Game 921-922: Detroit at Kansas City (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Scherzer) 15.353; Kansas City (Chen) 16.133
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Under

Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Peavy) 15.105; Minnesota (Duensing) 13.648
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-115); Over

Game 925-926: Seattle at LA Angels (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.110; LA Angels (Santana) 16.099
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-125); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-125); Under

Game 927-928: Cleveland at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Tomlin) 15.954; Texas (Lewis) 15.413
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-180); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+160); Over

Game 929-930: NY Yankees at Boston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Garcia) 16.461; Boston (Beckett) 16.122
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+145); Under

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WNBA Basketball Picks
Connecticut at Phoenix

The Sun look to take advantage of a Phoenix team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games against a team with a winning SU record. Connecticut is the pick (+6) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+6). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST

Game 601-602: Seattle at Atlanta (3:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 114.803; Atlanta 113.944
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 1; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+4 1/2); Over

Game 603-604: Connecticut at Phoenix (6:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 112.845; Phoenix 116.227
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 3 1/2; 178
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6; 184
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+6); Under

Game 605-606: Indiana at Chicago (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 116.554; Chicago 110.737
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 6; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2 1/2; 143 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-2 1/2); Over

Game 607-608: Minnesota at Los Angeles (8:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 119.946; Los Angeles 107.940
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 12; 154
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 157 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7); Under

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JOHN HARRISON

Dodgers/Arizona UNDER 7.5

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tntsportspicks

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