8-23-11

[timbob]

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[Mr. IWS]

MLB NEWS AND NOTES
MLB: Betting Preview: Red Sox-Rangers
By SportsIllustrated


Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers (-150, 10)

What might determine if the Boston Red Sox can climb into first place in their division and if the Texas Rangers hang onto a lead in theirs is how well the teams perform against each other.

In a potential playoff preview, the Red Sox and Rangers will play seven times over the next two weeks, beginning with Monday night's game in Arlington.

Since sharing first place in the AL East with New York on Aug. 15, Boston (77-49) has stayed a half-game behind the Yankees each of the past six days despite recovering nicely from a difficult stretch. After losing five of seven, the Red Sox opened their road trip by winning three of four against Kansas City.

Boston batted .302 in the series despite injuries to Kevin Youkilis (back), David Ortiz (heel) and J.D. Drew (shoulder). Jacoby Ellsbury has also missed two games with a bruised back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

Ellsbury's replacement, Darnell McDonald , homered and had three hits in a 6-1 victory Sunday.

"It's nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job," pitcher Jon Lester said. "That's big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job."

Ellsbury and Ortiz might return during this series, but Boston could be more concerned about its pitching during the matchup between two of the best hitting teams in the majors.

The Rangers (73-55) outscored the Red Sox 26-11 and hit 11 homers during a three-game sweep in Arlington to open this season. That got Texas rolling toward a 9-1 start while Boston dropped its first six games.

Texas has won nine of 11 in the series and 10 of 12 at home against the Red Sox. To add to that dominance, however, the Rangers might need to re-ignite their offense.

They scored 10 runs and batted .194 while dropping three of four to end a 10-game road trip, a stretch that cut their AL West lead over Los Angeles from seven games to four. Texas was shut out for the sixth time this season and first time in nearly a month Sunday, managing four hits in a 10-0 defeat to Chicago.

The Rangers had batted .325 and outscored opponents 42-18 while winning the first six games of their trek, including three victories against the Angels.

"It's not going to knock us down just because they beat us 10-0," manager Ron Washington told the team's website. "You've got to show back up. And good teams do. We're a good team, we'll show up on (Monday)."

Washington is probably hoping the same C.J. Wilson from the road trip will show up as well. The left-hander was 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his two starts, allowing two runs - one earned - over seven innings in a 4-3 win over Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Wilson (12-5, 3.20 ERA) is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four career starts against Boston. He gave up four runs - two earned - and six hits over 5 2-3 innings on opening day and did not get a decision in a 9-5 win.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, will try to help Erik Bedard (4-8, 3.44) to his first win in seven starts since June 15 and first in four outings since being acquired from Seattle. The left-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his three starts for Boston, striking out 17 and walking just four.

He suffered his only loss over that span Tuesday, giving up three runs - one earned - over six innings of a 6-2 defeat to Tampa Bay.

Bedard is winless in his last seven starts against Texas, and he suffered the loss in his last visit to Arlington, a 6-4 defeat for the Mariners on April 4.

[Mr. IWS]

Tuesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

STREAKING

Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians (10-7, 2.71 ERA)

Cleveland has won each of Masterson’s last five starts and Masterson has lost just once over the last two months. The 6-foot-6 righty hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in more than a month and is set as a big -250 favorite Tuesday at home to Seattle.

Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals (8-5, 4.17 ERA)

Chen isn’t an overpowering force on the mound by any stretch of the imagination, but he has been a bright spot for the Royals lately, winning three straight starts and allowing only six earned runs over that stretch. He beat the Yankees for just the second time in his career last week, even though he walked three and gave up a pair of homers in six innings.

Kansas City is pegged as an early +170 underdog Tuesday at Toronto.


SLUMPING

Brian Duensing, Minnesota Twins (8-12, 4.75 ERA)

If Duensing wants to hold onto his spot in the rotation, he’d better pull it together in a hurry. After he was drilled for 10 hits and six earned runs against the Yankees in his last start, manager Ron Gardenhire indicated Duensing could be heading to the bullpen next season.

He is working on a 6.26 ERA during seven starts since the All-Star break.

Casey Coleman, Chicago Cubs (2-5, 7.43 ERA)

The Cubs are looking to Coleman to fill in for Carlos Zambrano, but so far the youngster hasn’t fared very well. He gave up four runs on 10 hits and three homers in 3 2/3 innings against Houston in his fourth stint with the big club this season and knows he’s pitching for a rotation spot next year.

‘‘I need to show people that I can go out there and compete,’’ Coleman told reporters. ‘‘Last year was a little different story. The league sees you a little bit, and they’re going to make adjustments. So now I’ll try to make some adjustments.’’

[Mr. IWS]

HOT LINES

Tuesday's Best MLB Bets

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers (-150, 10)

The last time Boston visited Arlington for a series with the Rangers, they left with Red Sox Nation in a mad panic just three games into the season. Texas swept the Sox, outscoring them 27-12 while drilling 11 home runs.

The Red Sox say it’s different this time around.

"It's more on a personal level,” Boston’s Daniel Bard told MLB.com. “Starters went out there and got beat and they're going to have something to prove to these guys. Me personally, they kicked my butt the first day of the year and I feel like I have something to prove. It's fun. It makes it more competitive.”

Boston could be in tough again this time around in Texas with David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis banged up but Tuesday’s game hardly looks like a dynamic pitching matchup with John Lackey and Colby Lewis sharing the hill.

With Texas playing over in seven of its last eight as a favorite, we’ll take a shot with the over here too.

PICK: Over


Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates (125, 8.5)

A of fill-in starters go head-to-head Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are expected to activate Ross Ohlendorf from the 60-day DL to start in place of the injured Paul Maholm. Meanwhile, Marco Estrada will get another turn in the rotation with Chris Narveson still out with a cut on his left thumb.

Estrada was solid in his last outing, giving up just a single run over five innings of work in a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, but wasn’t satisfied.

"I had the pitch count to go deep into the game, and I just threw too many balls. Fell behind too many times," Estrada told reporters. "I only gave the team five (innings), when I should have gone at least six or seven. I know they only got one run, but still, five innings isn't good enough."

Estrada walked two and gave up a homer, but his control is usually fantastic. He’ll come out firing in what may be his last start for a while.

PICK: Brewers

[Mr. IWS]

WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA: Sparks - Mystics Preview
By Associated Press


Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics (2.5, 149)

The Los Angeles Sparks found themselves in a bit of trouble before battling back to defeat the WNBA's worst team their last time out.

Despite another favorable matchup, a similar lackluster effort likely isn't going to cut it if Los Angeles hopes to make a fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

Seeking back-to-back road wins for just the second time this season, the Sparks cap a three-game trip against the Washington Mystics, who hope to avoid a season-worst sixth consecutive loss Tuesday night.

Fifth-place Los Angeles (11-15), which is 2 1/2 games behind San Antonio for the Western Conference's fourth and final playoff spot, overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to hand Tulsa a league-record 18th consecutive loss, 73-67 on Sunday.

"We needed this one,'' Tina Thompson said. ''We haven't won too many on the road. I don't concern myself with that, but we needed this one to get going if we want to make the playoffs."

Candace Parker, averaging a team-best 18.0 points, scored 16 of her game-high 23 points after halftime as the Sparks outscored the Shock 41-22 over the final two quarters.

"We weren't happy with the way we played in the first half," said Parker, who also had nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. "I won't say it was jet lag, because we played with more energy in the second half. We just didn't play well. We need to come out with defensive intensity to match our intensity on offense."

Los Angeles, 2-2 since Parker returned from a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee last Tuesday, is surely glad to have the 2008 league MVP around for this matchup. In her only appearance against Washington over the last two seasons, Parker totaled 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in an 81-75 win May 28, 2010.

With Parker sidelined, Los Angeles has dropped the two most recent meetings in this series - including an 89-85 overtime loss to the Mystics (5-20) on July 17.

Washington has dropped 10 of 12 since that victory, including five straight for the second time this season. The Mystics shot just 35.2 percent and committed 19 turnovers en route to suffering their most lopsided defeat of the season, 83-51 at Indiana on Sunday.

"They totally outplayed us," said Crystal Langhorne, who had 11 points. "We have lost games, but this one was bad. We need to play harder and not turn the ball over. Things weren't pretty."

Langhorne, whose 18.1 points per game rank fourth in the league, has averaged just 13.3 points while committing 4.3 turnovers per game in her last three contests. The All-Star forward, however, could get back on track against the Sparks.

Langhorne is averaging 25.5 points and 14.0 rebounds during Washington's modest two-game run versus Los Angeles.

The Mystics have lost 10 of 13 at home while the Sparks, who last won two straight on the road July 12-15, have dropped 10 of 14 as the visiting team.

[Mr. IWS]

LADY LUCK

Tuesday's Best WNBA Bets

San Antonio Silver Stars at Seattle Storm (-7, 142)

When the Storm saw Lauren Jackson go down to injury early this season, many thought it was the last anyone would see of her on the court this year.

However, Jackson made her return to the lineup Saturday and didn’t look like she missed a beat, putting up 20 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action to help the Storm to a 63-62 win over New York.

"She got a lot out of her minutes, didn't she?" coach Brian Agler said of Jackson after the win. "She played well. We're a different team, obviously. You've got to give everybody credit for keeping us competitive without her. But we can be much better with her."

She should get a warm welcome at home after sitting out more than two months and Seattle is 7-0-1 against the spread in its last eight meetings with the Silver Stars.

We’re looking for another big game from Jackson.

PICK: Seattle


Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics (2.5, 149)

The Sparks barely got out of Tulsa – of all places – with a win on Sunday and they have to be worried about their playoff chances unless they turn it around quickly.

Los Angeles crawled back from a second-half 15-point deficit to down the Shock 73-67 as 8.5-point favorites, pulling within 2 ½ games of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"We weren't happy with the way we played in the first half," Candace Parker told reporters. "I won't say it was jet lag, because we played with more energy in the second half. We just didn't play well. We need to come out with defensive intensity to match our intensity on offense."

That just sounds like the same old story from the Sparks, who have covered in just four of their last 15. Still, we figured you’d see the Sparks favored by more in this spot and you have to think they get it done against the Mystics. L.A. needs this one.

PICK: Los Angeles

[Mr. IWS]

Tuesday’s Betting Tips: Cain Can’t Solve Padres

Who’s Hot

MLB: The over was 11-4 in Arizona’s last 15 road games heading into Monday’s action.

MLB: Cincinnati has won seven of its last nine as a favorite.

WNBA: The under is 11-2-1 in Tulsa’s last 14 games.

Who’s Not

MLB: Seattle is 6-21 in its last 27 home games.

MLB: The New York Mets are 3-9 in their last 12 meetings with Philadelphia.

WNBA: Atlanta is 8-17-2 against the spread in its last 27 overall.

Key Stat

18 – The Tulsa Shock have lost 18 straight games, which is a WNBA record. They have covered the spread in just six of those games and are set as a 12-point home underdog Tuesday against the Minnesota Ly*x.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies – Rollins suffered a Grade 2 groin strain in Sunday’s game and has been placed on the 15-day DL. The shortstop is batting .268 with 14 homers, 58 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases.

Game Of The Day

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers (-155, 10)

Notable Quotable

"I thought today was our best practice. We were going on all cylinders. We were throwing the ball downfield and we were making some good catches. Hopefully, it'll come together. When Thursday comes around, we'll be able to display that in a lot of plays." – Carolina Panthers wideout Steve Smith on the progress the offense is making under rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Smith also says he will make his preseason debut Thursday after sitting out with a hand injury. The Panthers are set as 2.5-point underdogs at Cincinnati.

Tips And Notes

San Francisco Giants starter Matt Cain has had a terrible time against the light-hitting San Diego Padres in his career. Heading into Tuesday’s matchup San Francisco is 5-15 in its last 20 games against San Diego with Cain on the hill and 2-8 in his last 10 home starts against the Padres. The good news for Giants bettors is that Cain was solid in a 4-3 win over San Diego last month, but didn’t factor in the decision. The Giants are set as a -155 favorite for Tuesday’s game.

St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan has taken an indefinite leave of absence to care for his wife as she recovers from surgery. The team said Duncan's wife, Jeanine, underwent major surgery Saturday. Duncan left the team that day in Chicago. Duncan is the longest-tenured pitching coach in the major leagues, having served in that capacity under Cardinals manager Tony La Russa for 32 seasons.

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels put an end to their preseason quarterback competition when head coach Bobby Hauck named sophomore Caleb Herring the team’s starter. “Caleb just played better,” Hauck said. “He has a better grasp of what is going on and a great handle on the offense. He has done a nice job in camp so far.” The Rebels open the season as huge 35-point underdogs at Wisconsin on Thursday, Sept. 1.

[Mr. IWS]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Tigers Monday night.

Tuesday it's the Rays. The deficit is 2521 sirignanos.

[Mr. IWS]

Hondo

Ice-cold Hondo absorbed a double-beating last night with the Rays and Twins, which caused the deficit to evolve to 2,275 darwins.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch expects Lewis' strong arm (not to be confused with Louis Armstrong) to get the job done against Lackey and the Sawx -- 10 units on the Rangers.

[Mr. IWS]

Gamblers Data

Free Play TUESDAY

San Antonio Silver Stars (WNBA) +7

[Mr. IWS]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

701- 524 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one TUES Cinci Reds -145

[Mr. IWS]

Cappers Access

Rockies(RL) -1.5
W.Sox +150

[Mr. IWS]

Today's MLB Picks

Cincinnati at Florida

The Reds look to take advantage of a Florida team that is 2-10 in Ricky Nolasco's last 12 home starts. Cincinnati is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-135). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 901-902: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Estrada) 16.587; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.916 Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-140); Over

Game 903-904: Arizona at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Kennedy) 14.067; Washington (Zimmermann) 15.603 Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: Washington (-110); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (-110); Under

Game 905-906: NY Mets at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Niese) 14.203; Philadelphia (Worley) 16.680 Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 2 1/2; 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-190); 8 Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-190); Under

Game 907-908: Cincinnati at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.822; Florida (Nolasco) 12.901 Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 2; 8 1/2 Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-135); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-135); Over

Game 909-910: Atlanta at Chicago Cubs (8:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Minor) 14.752; Cubs (Coleman) 15.467 Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 10 1/2 Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); No Run Total Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+120); N/A

Game 911-912: LA Dodgers at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.755; St. Louis (Lohse) 15.485 Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 7 Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-125); Under

Game 913-914: Houston at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Norris) 14.327; Colorado (White) 15.592 Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Colorado (-150); 9 Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-150); Over

Game 915-916: San Diego at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Latos) 14.954; San Francisco (Cain) 14.213 Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 5 1/2 Vegas Line: San Francisco (-145); 6 Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125); Under

Game 917-918: Kansas City at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Chen) 14.010; Toronto (Morrow) 15.733 Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Toronto (-185); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-185);

Game 919-920: Seattle at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Vasquez) 14.951; Cleveland (McAllister) 14.437 Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 9 1/2 Vegas Line: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 921-922: Oakland at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (McCarthy) 15.618; NY Yankees (Colon) 16.152 Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-200); Over

Game 923-924: Detroit at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Penny) 16.388; Tampa Bay (Price) 16.009 Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-200); 8 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+170); Under

Game 925-926: Boston at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 15.278; Texas (Lewis) 16.212 Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9 Vegas Line: Texas (-150); 10 Dunkel Pick: Texas (-150); Under

Game 927-928: Baltimore at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Simon) 14.459; Minnesota (Duensing) 13.729 Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Minnesota (-150); 9 Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+130); Over

Game 929-930: Chicago White Sox at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 15.910; LA Angels (Santana) 16.950 Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 6 Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 7 Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-150); Under

Game 931-932: Seattle at Cleveland (1:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Beavan) 15.741; Cleveland (Masterson) 14.615 Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 8 1/2 Vegas Line: Cleveland (-220); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+190); Over

[Mr. IWS]

WNBA Basketball Picks

Los Angeles at Washington

The Mystics look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 home games. Washington is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mystics favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+2 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Los Angeles at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 106.816; Washington 108.785 Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 2; 142 Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2 1/2; 149 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (+2 1/2); Under

Game 653-654: Atlanta at Chicago (8:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 113.467; Chicago 115.464 Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2; 162 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 157 Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+2 1/2); Over

Game 655-656: Minnesota at Tulsa (8:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 117.060; Tulsa 101.000 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 16; 144 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 12; 150 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-12); Under

Game 657-658: New York at Phoenix (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.352; Phoenix 115.982 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 180 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6 1/2; 177 Dunkel Pick: New York (+6 1/2); Over

Game 659-660: San Antonio at Seattle (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.871; Seattle 109.716 Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 139 Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 7; 143 Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+7); Under

[Mr. IWS]

Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Rockies -155 over Astros