8-14-11

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MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Sunday Night Baseball: Rockies at Cardinals
By Doc Sports


Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals (-152, 8.5)

The St. Louis Cardinals return to ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball for the second time in three weeks when they host the Colorado Rockies in the finale of their three-game series.

CARDINAL RULE

The Cardinals have won three of their first four games against the Rockies this season, including taking two of three from the Rockies in Coors Field back in May. In game one of this series, St. Louis used a five-run sixth inning to defeat the Rockies 6-1. Dating back to last season, St. Louis has won seven of its last eight against Colorado, including five in a row in St. Louis.

ON HOLLIDAY

The Cardinals returned a big bat to the lineup Friday, getting outfielder Matt Holliday back from a lower back injury that kept him out for two games. Holliday went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in Friday’s win over the Rockies carried a six-game hitting streak into Saturday’s Game 2.

"He said when he came in he's good to go," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told reporters. "I said, 'I'll write you in and then we'll take the workout and finish hitting.' He said, 'Thumbs up.'"

Holliday, who played five seasons in Colorado, has a career .367 BA with three home runs in 15 games against his former club, heading into Saturday. He’s hitting .318 with 18 home runs on the season, and has been red hot in August, batting .382 with four home runs and 11 RBI.

MR. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD

Colorado’s starter Sunday night, Esmil Rogers, has been superb when he leaves Coors Field. The Rockies are 4-0 in his four road starts this season. In his last start, Rogers went six innings and allowed two earned run in a 3-2 win in Cincinnati Tuesday. He also owns wins at Wrigley Field, Citi Field and PNC Park.

ED “WIN” JACKSON

You can’t spell Edwin without “W-I-N”, but it has been tough to get wins out of Jackson when he’s pitching in the National League. Jackson has spent at least parts of five seasons in the National League during his nine-year career. His worst ERA’s have come from his days with the Dodgers (7.30 in 2004, 6.28 in 2005) and Arizona (5.16 in 2010). He has been a far more effective pitcher in the American League. Before being traded to the Cardinals, Jackson was 7-7 with a 3.92 ERA for the White Sox. In his first three starts with the Red Birds, Jackson is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA and he has already yielded five home runs.

BETTORS BEWARE

The Rockies have been the second-worst bet in all of baseball. If you wagered $100 on Colorado every game this season you would be down $2,251. Through Friday, Colorado is 55-65 and 11.5 games out of first place in the NL West.

And even though the Cardinals are 64-55 as of Friday and only four games back in the NL Central, St. Louis has not been a moneymaker at the pay window. The Cards are slightly below break-even, as $100 bettors would have lost $61 dollars on them this entire season.

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS

- Colorado pitchers have a 5.91 ERA against the Cardinals this season.
- St. Louis pitchers have a 5.40 ERA against the Rockies this season.
- Colorado is 2-9 in its last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
- St. Louis is 7-1 in its last eight games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Colorado is 6-13 in its last 19 road games vs. a right-handed starter.

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Sunday's Streaking And Slumping Starting Pitchers

STREAKING

Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels (12-6, 2.91 ERA)

Despite giving up four runs to the Yankees his last time out, Haren won for the sixth time in seven decisions. He allowed one run in each of his previous three starts. Opponents are batting .225 against him.

Charlie Morton, Pittsburgh Pirates (9-6, 3.56 ERA)

The 27-year-old right-hander has not been scored upon in his last two starts covering 15 innings. He struck out 11 and allowed 11 hits in those outings. Right-handed hitters are batting .194 against him.

SLUMPING

Jordan Lyles, Houston Astros (1-6, 4.88 ERA)

Batters are hitting a healthy .280 against Lyles after he was shellacked for seven earned runs and 12 hits in five innings vs. Arizona last week. Houston has lost 11 of his last 12 starts.

Jason Marquis, Arizona Diamondbacks (8-6, 4.48 ERA)

In two starts since being acquired from the Nationals, Marquis has given up 11 earned runs and 19 hits, including two homers, over eight innings. Batters are hitting .295 against Marquis, whose ERA is up nearly a run since June 23.

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HOT LINES

Sunday's Best MLB Bets

Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays (+120, 7.5)

The Angels will send out right-hander Dan Haren, who has a sick WHIP of 0.85 over his last three starts, to win Sunday’s rubber game in Toronto.

Los Angeles has won Haren’s last six Sunday starts, and eight of his last 10 overall.

The Blue Jays’ Brett Cecil also has pitched well lately, but the Angels are 6-1 in their last seven games against lefty starters. In three career starts against Los Angeles, Cecil has yielded four homers and 12 earned runs in 18 innings.

The Angels had won four straight in Toronto until Saturday’s 11-2 setback.

PICK: Angels


New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks (-138, 10)

Right about now Arizona might be wishing it had stuck with Micah Owings instead of trading for Jason Marquis. In two starts as a Diamondback, Marquis has allowed 11 earned runs and 19 hits in eight innings.

The Mets will counter with lefty Chris Capuano, who has a 6.23 ERA in his last three starts.

The two starters have posted a combined 26-18 O/U mark this season.

These teams had played over the total in five of seven meetings heading into Saturday night’s game.

PICK: Over

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WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA: Sky-Silver Stars Preview
By Associated Press

Chicago Sky at San Antonio Silver Stars (-5.5, 146)

The Chicago Sky hung tough against the WNBA's best team their last time out before suffering a fourth loss in five games.

Things aren't about to get any easier with a road matchup against another of the league's better clubs.

The Sky hope to avoid a season worst-tying third consecutive defeat as they visit the San Antonio Silver Stars, who look for their momentum to carry over from their most recent victory Sunday.

Chicago (10-14), which opened the season 3-1, has since lost 13 of 20 and once again finds itself on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Sky are seeking their first postseason appearance in team history.

Chicago, though, looked like a playoff-caliber team against Minnesota on Friday, but a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter proved to be too much to overcome. Despite her team's solid effort in the 79-76 defeat, coach Pokey Chatman didn't consider the result a moral victory.

"That is not an option," Chatman said. "They are professional players, they know where we are in the season, and they know a 'W' is what counts. I don't think I have to worry about that at all. I'm in that locker room I know and see the disappointment and that says enough right there."

The Sky now face another tough test against Becky Hammon and San Antonio (13-9), which enters Sunday on a high note after prevailing 72-59 at Connecticut on Thursday. Hammon scored 15 of her 18 points in the first half, helping the Silver Stars take a 40-24 lead into the break.

"Getting out to a good start was so important for us," coach Dan Hughes said. "I thought it set a tone. Defensively, it was one of those games."

The Silver Stars return home following a stretch of four of five on the road. San Antonio lost the first three of those road contests to defending champion Seattle, the Lynx, and Eastern Conference-leading Indiana.

"We've been on the road so much and this last swing, we've played good teams," Hughes said. "Our goal is to be a winning road team and we're 7-5. We've got a shot."

San Antonio has also succeeded at home, where it's taken three of four. The Silver Stars, though, have struggled on the glass - they rank last in the league with 37.4 rebounds allowed per game.

Slowing down surging Chicago center Sylvia Fowles will surely be a priority.

Fowles, who ranks in the WNBA's top five with 19.8 points per game, scored 28 on Friday and grabbed 13 rebounds for her third straight double-double. While Fowles continues to roll, she'd like to see the rest of her team pick up the pace.

"We need to have to have a sense of urgency," said Fowles, averaging 10.7 boards over seven games since making her third career All-Star appearance last month. "We're not that good just yet to relax and take plays off and play as individuals. We have to play as a team."

Chicago, which has lost eight of nine on the road, is averaging 60.4 points - 13.8 less than its season mark - in its last five away from home.

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LADY LUCK

Sunday's Best WNBA Bets

Chicago Sky at San Antonio Silver Stars (-5.5, 146)

Chicago is not what you’d call a good road team. The Sky are 2-9 SU and 3-8 ATS away from the Windy City.

With the exception of a July 28 win over woeful Tulsa, Chicago has lost its previous four road games by an average of 10.8 points.

The Silver Stars are coming off a huge win Thursday night at Connecticut. Becky Hammon scored 18 points and Sophia Young 15 in the 72-59 win.

In the only previous meeting this season, San Antonio beat the Sky 84-74 in Chicago as five players scored in double figures.

PICK: San Antonio


Tulsa Shock at Minnesota Lynx (-16.5, 151)

The WNBA’s best and worst get together on Sunday as the Lynx (17-5) host the Shock (1-21), whose only victory came June 18 against Washington.

In two previous meetings this year, Minnesota won 101-71 in Tulsa on June 30 and 75-65 at home on June 7.

While the Shock have almost no shot to win this one, they are playing better defense lately. They’ve allowed 77, 71 and 72 points the last three times out. The under is 8-0 in Tulsa’s last eight road games. Tulsa is also on a 9-2-1 under streak overall.

The Lynx aren’t quite pouring it on like they were earlier this season. Four of their last six games have gone under.

PICK: Under

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Sunday's Betting Tips: Maybe There Is A Sure Thing...

Weather To Watch

The forecast for the final round of the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club: 87 degrees and humid, with 9 mile-per-hour winds. Starting at 7 p.m. there’s a 10 percent chance of rain.

Who’s Hot

MLB: The Angels are 8-2 in Dan Haren’s last 10 starts.

MLB: Oakland is 39-16 in Rich Harden’s last 55 starts on grass.

WNBA: The Under is 12-3-1 in San Antonio’s last 16 games.

Who’s Not

MLB: The Marlins are 0-6 in Chris Volstad’s last six starts against winning teams.

MLB: The Over is 1-7 in John Danks’ last eight starts for the White Sox.

WNBA: Minnesota is 0-4 ATS in its last four games.

Key Stat

20 – The Giants set a MLB record with their 20th straight solo homer in Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Pablo Sandoval hit the record-breaking homer, then Jeff Keppinger hit the 21st straight solo shot on Saturday. The streak began July 6 when Nate Schierholtz beat the Padres with a 14th-inning solo shot. In the fourth inning of that 6-5 win, Schierholtz had belted a two-run homer.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

With Huston Street on the DL with a right triceps train, the Rockies will have turned to Rafael Betancourt as a temporary closer. It might be an upgrade. Street converted 29 of 32 chances, but was just 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA after allowing runs in three of his four August appearances. Betancourt got his first save last Tuesday at Cincinnati and has not allowed an earned run since July 7. Betancourt has a better ERA (3.61), WHIP (1.08 to Street’s 1.18) and strikeout ratio over nine innings (10.65 to 8.65).

Game Of The Day

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees (-130, 8.5)

Notable Quotable

"They questioned me last year and they're still kind of questioning me now. I've just got to go show them so they can stop questioning me." – Jets running back Joe McKnight, who will get plenty of touches in Monday’s preseason opener at Houston, to the New York Post. If McKnight has a good preseason, his role will increase at the expense of aging LaDainian Tomlinson. The Texans are favored by 2.5 points.

Tips And Notes

The Falcons made a point of showcasing rookie WR Julio Jones in their preseason opener. They sent a message to the rest of the league that if you want to double Roddy White, you’re going to pay. Jones, a 6-3, 220-pound stud out of Alabama, caught two balls for 43 yards and took a reverse for 12 more against Miami’s starting defense. It sure looked like Atlanta got the explosiveness it wanted when it traded a bunch of picks to grab Jones at No. 6 overall.

The slumping Pirates placed newly acquired first baseman Derrek Lee on the 15-day DL with a fractured bone in his left wrist. He was hit by a pitch on Aug. 3 and has been trying to play through the injury. It’s just the latest sad turn for Pittsburgh, which was buoyed by Lee’s two homers in his Aug. 1 debut. The Pirates recalled infielder Josh Harrison from Triple-A Indianapolis.

They say there’s no such thing as a sure thing. But how about the Brewers vs. the Pirates at Miller Park? Milwaukee has won 35 of its last 38 home games against Pittsburgh, including 11 straight. The Brewers also had a 22-game home win streak against Pittsburgh snapped last year. And it’s not like the Pirates are terrible on the road this year. They are 30-30 away from PNC Park.

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WNBA Basketball Picks
Chicago at San Antonio

The Sky look to bounce back from a 79-76 loss to Minnesota and build on their 6-2 ATS record in their last 8 games following a SU defeat. Chicago is the pick (+6) according to Dunkel, which has the Silver Stars favored by only 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+6). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Chicago at San Antonio (3:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 109.766; San Antonio 112.360
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 2 1/2; 149
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 147 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+6); Over

Game 653-654: Tulsa at Minnesota (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 97.374; Minnesota 120.865
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 23 1/2; 145
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 16 1/2; 153
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-16 1/2); Under

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Today's MLB Picks
Colorado at St. Louis

The Rockies look to build on their 4-0 record in Esmil Rogers' last 4 road starts. Colorado is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+140). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST

Game 951-952: San Diego at Cincinnati (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (LeBlanc) 14.745; Cincinnati (Willis) 16.045
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-145); Under

Game 953-954: San Francisco at Florida (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Vogelsong) 14.140; Florida (Volstad) 13.201
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Over

Game 955-956: Washington at Philadelphia (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Wang) 14.864; Philadelphia (Halladay) 16.229
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-300); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-300); Over

Game 957-958: Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Garza) 15.488; Atlanta (Beachy) 15.129
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-155); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+135); Under

Game 959-960: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Morton) 14.051; Milwaukee (Marcum) 16.393
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-185); Over

Game 961-962: Colorado at St. Louis (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Rogers) 16.427; St. Louis (Jackson) 15.417
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+140); Under

Game 963-964: Houston at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Lyles) 13.792; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.727
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-200); 7
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-200); Under

Game 965-966: NY Mets at Arizona (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Capuano) 15.535; Arizona (Marquis) 14.142
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+120); Over

Game 967-968: Minnesota at Cleveland (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 14.156; Cleveland (Huff) 15.713
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-150); Under

Game 969-970: LA Angels at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Haren) 15.937; Toronto (Cecil) 15.114
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-130); Over

Game 971-972: Detroit at Baltimore (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Fister) 15.109; Baltimore (Reyes) 14.160
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-140); Over

Game 973-974: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Francis) 14.200; White Sox (Danks) 15.806
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-160); Under

Game 975-976: Texas at Oakland (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harrison) 17.251; Oakland (Harden) 14.877
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-130); Under

Game 977-978: Boston at Seattle (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Wakefield) 15.503; Seattle (Furbush) 16.392
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+150); Over

Game 979-980: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 16.190; NY Yankees (Burnett) 17.395
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-130); Over

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Cappers Access

Red Sox(RL)
Braves(RL)

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Football Crusher
Play of the Day:

Jets +3 over Texan

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Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Indians -150 over Twins

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Sunday

Minn Lynx (WNBA) -16.5

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Hondo

The Angelic Good Weaver was as godawful as the Nats were last night, so Hondo endured yet another Saturday night wipeout that left him with a deficit of 2,115 lemongellos.

Today, Mr. Aitch's "don't ask Dontrelle" policy is in effect in Cincy -- 20 units on LeBlanc and the Pods. Also, he will give Morton, that old salt, one last chance to earn a stall in the Hondo stable -- 20 units on the Pirates.

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Arthur Ralph Sports

696- 520 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one Sun SF Giants -135