Nationals-Astros Lines Preview

The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Minute Maid Park.
The Nationals will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander John Lannan in this game. Lannan has a 6-5 record and a 3.45 ERA this season.
The Astros will counter Lannan with Russ Ortiz. Righthander Ortiz has a 4.84 ERA to go along with a 2-3 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Nationals were swept away by the Rockies in a three-game series by falling 10-4 in the series finale on Wednesday, as +160 underdogs. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Anderson Hernandez drove in two runs in a losing effort. Ross Detwiler allowed eight hits and six runs over four innings.
The Astros shut down the Pirates 5-0 in Wednesday’s rubber match, as -170 favorites. The game’s five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Lance Berkman went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in leading the way. Wandy Rodriguez tossed a five-hit complete-game with 11 strikeouts.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 24-58
SU
Houston
: 41-42 SU
Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Houston are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Washington’s last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games at home
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Houston home to Washington, Friday, July 10

 

Royals-Red Sox Odds Preview

The Kansas City Royals will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Righthander Luke Hochevar will take the mound for the Royals to start this game. Hochevar is 4-3 this season with a 5.08 ERA.
Hochevar’s opponent in this one will be Brad Penny. The Red Sox righthander has a 4.67 ERA to go along with a 6-3 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Royals dropped the series rubber match 3-1 to the Tigers last time out, as -135 favorites on the road. That game’s four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Alberto Collaspo hit a solo home run, while Zack Greinke gave up three runs in the loss.
David Ortiz belted a three-run homer and J.D. Drew also went deep as the Red Sox defeated the A’s 5-4 on Wednesday, as -180 favorites. That game’s nine runs went UNDER the game’s posted over/under (9.5).
Tim Wakefield allowed 10 hits and three runs over six innings as he earned the win. Jonathan Papelbon closed out the game for his 22nd save.
Current streak:
Kansas City has lost 2 straight games.
Boston has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City: 36-48 SU
Boston: 51-33 SU
Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas City are 7-3
After playing Oakland are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Kansas City’s last 13 games
Kansas City is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Kansas City is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games at home
Next up:
Boston home to Kansas City, Friday, July 10

 

Dodgers-Mets Lines Preview

The fans at Citi Field will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets when they take their seats on Thursday.
Lefthander Randy Wolf will take the mound for the Dodgers to start this game. Wolf is 3-3 this season with a 3.49 ERA.
The Mets will counter Wolf with Livan Hernandez. Righthander Hernandez has a 4.56 ERA to go along with a 5-4 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Mets gave up one run in the ninth inning and managed to fend off a late rally for a 5-4 win the over the Dodgers on Wednesday, as +125 underdogs. The game’s nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Jeremy Reed went 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run scored. Oliver Perez pitched five innings to earn the win, and Francisco Rodriguez notched his 22nd save.
Rafael Furcal had two hits and drove in two runs for the Dodgers, who were -145 favorites. Hiroki Kuroda gave up all five runs in the loss on the mound.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 53-31 SU
New York: 40-43 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After playing NY Mets are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3
After playing LA Dodgers are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Dodgers’s last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 7 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 5 games
NY Mets are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets’s last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of NY Mets’s last 10 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Next up:
LA Dodgers at Milwaukee, Friday, July 10
NY Mets home to Cincinnati, Friday, July 10

 

Reds-Phillies Odds Preview

The fans at Citizens Bank Park will be treated to a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies when they take their seats on Thursday.
Micah Owings will be the starting pitcher for the Reds on this day. Righthander Owings is 6-7 this season with a 4.68 ERA.
It’ll be Jamie Moyer toeing the rubber for the Phillies in this contest. Lefthander Moyer is 7-6 with a 5.72 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Shane Victorino hit a walk-off single to lift the Phillies to a 3-2 win over the Reds on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. The game’s five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (10).
Jayson Werth homered for the Phillies, while Ryan Madson tossed two scoreless innings for the victory.
Laynce Nix and Ramon Hernandez drove in the runs for the Reds, who were +135 underdogs. David Weathers surrendered the inning run in relief as he took the loss.
Team records:
Cincinnati: 41-42 SU
Philadelphia: 44-38 SU
Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing NY Mets are 4-6
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After playing Cincinnati are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati’s last 11 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games on the road
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Cincinnati at NY Mets, Friday, July 10
Philadelphia home to Pittsburgh, Friday, July 10

 

Indians-White Sox Lines Preview

The Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Indians will give the ball to starter David Huff in this one. Lefthander Huff is 4-3 this season with a 6.06 ERA.
Starting this game for the White Sox will be Clayton Richard. The lefthander has a 4.88 ERA to go along with a 3-2 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The White Sox won their second straight of a three-game series with the Indians in a 5-1 win on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. The six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Jermaine Dye went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs for the White Sox. Contreras allowed just one run off six hits and had nine strikeouts in the win.
Jhonny Peralta went deep for the Indians, while Aaron Laffey gave up suffered the loss after giving up seven hits and four runs over six innings.
Current streak:
Cleveland has lost 3 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 33-52
SU
Chicago
: 44-40 SU
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Cleveland is 4-11 SU in their last 15 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Chi White Sox are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
Chi White Sox are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Chi White Sox’s last 23 games at home
Next up:
Cleveland at Detroit, Friday, July 10
Chi White Sox at Minnesota, Friday, July 10

 

Cardinals-Brewers Lines Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers meet at Miller Park.
Righthander Joel Pineiro will take the mound for the Cardinals to start this game. Pineiro is 6-9 this season with a 3.39 ERA.
The Brewers will counter Pineiro with Manny Parra. Lefthander Parra has a 7.52 ERA to go along with a 3-8 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Prince Fielder drove in the winning run to help the Brewers defeat the Cardinals 5-4 on Wednesday, as -115 favorites. That game’s nine runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Mat Gamel belted a two-run homer to lead the way for the Brewers. Todd Coffey tossed two innings for the win, and Trevor Hoffman closed out the game with his 19th save.
Yadier Molina had two hits with one RBI and one run scored for the Cardinals, who were +105 underdogs. Jason Motte gave up the winning run and was tagged with the loss.
Team records:
St. Louis: 46-40 SU
Milwaukee: 44-40 SU
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Chi Cubs are 7-3
After playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing LA Dodgers are 6-4
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis’s last 7 games
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Milwaukee is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games at home
Next up:
St. Louis at Chi Cubs, Friday, July 10
Milwaukee home to LA Dodgers, Friday, July 10

 

Yankees-Twins Lines Preview

A winning streak will be on the line for the New York Yankees on Thursday when they battle the Minnesota Twins at The Metrodome.
Righthander Alfredo Aceves will take the mound for the Yankees to start this game. Aceves is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
The Twins will counter Aceves with ace Francisco Liriano. Lefthander Liriano has a 5.49 ERA to go along with a 4-8 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Yankees scored three runs in the second inning en route to a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Twins on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. That game’s seven runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Brett Gardner led the Yankees with two RBIs, and Derek Jeter had two hits with one RBI. A.J. Burnett allowed two runs off seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, while Mariano Rivera collected his 22nd save.
Joe Mauer went 3-for-5 at the plate with a two-run homer for the Twins, who were +135 underdogs. Anthony Swarzak gave up eight hits and four runs over 4 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 50-34 SU
Minnesota: 43-42 SU
New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing LA Angels are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After playing NY Yankees are 2-8
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Minnesota
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
NY Yankees are 12-2 SU in their last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota’s last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Next up:
NY Yankees at LA Angels, Friday, July 10
Minnesota home to Chi White Sox, Friday, July 10

 

Blue Jays-Rays Lines Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays will meet on the field at Tropicana Field on Thursday in a battle of division rivals.
The Blue Jays will trot ace Roy Halladay out to the mound in this one. Righthander Halladay has a 10-2 record and a 2.79 ERA this season.
The Rays will counter Halladay with David Price. Lefthander Price has a 5.21 ERA to go along with a 2-3 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Ben Zobrist drove in the winning run with a walk-off single and collected four RBIs as the Rays snuck past the Blue Jays 10-9 on Wednesday. The Rays won the game as -170 favorites, and the 19 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Gabe Kapler went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and one run scored. J.P. Howell improved to 5-2 with one scoreless inning of relief on the mound.
Alex Rios and Marco Scutaro both drove in a pair of runs for the Blue Jays, who were +150 underdogs. Jason Frasor gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss.
Current streak:
Toronto has lost 2 straight games.
Tampa Bay has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 43-43 SU
Tampa Bay: 46-39 SU
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Toronto’s last 17 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Tampa Bay’s last 10 games
Next up:
Toronto at Baltimore, Friday, July 10
Tampa Bay home to Oakland, Friday, July 10

 

MMA Betting – UFC 100 Rapidly Approaching

Thiago Alves vs George St. Pierre
UFC 100 odds: St. Pierre -320

George St. Pierre is set to face what might be one of the toughest battles of his career. Thiago Alves, known as the Pitbull, is probably the hardest hitter that GSP has faced and it could provide some trouble for him.

There was some trepidation earlier in the week that Alves might not make weight for the fight, which would remove the title off the table but it now looks like Alves might be on schedule to make the cut.

GSP isn’t offering great value on this fight mostly because he’s a big public favorite and everyone bets on him regardless, which inflates the betting line. He is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC and he’s the first ever to get a sponsorship from Gatorade.

It’s unlikely that he loses this bout but there is a chance it happens. Most sports picks will stick with GSP, though.

Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar
UFC 100 Fight Card: Lesnar -220

Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir are going to highlight the UFC 100 fight card as the two heavyweights will be the final fight of the night.

Lesnar is hungry to exact some revenge on Mir after Mir handed him his first and only loss in the UFC so far.

When you look back at how quickly Lesnar has grown since that fight, it has been fairly impressive. Just a few years ago, Lesnar was at the top of the WWE – fake fighting. Even so, that was fairly impressive for a former real wrestling champ (NCAA).

Now Lesnar is the next big thing in the UFC and he would be at the top of the food chain with a win over Mir.

Lesnar was dominating the first fight against Mir when Mir caught him making a rookie mistake. Lesnar left his leg out while he was on top and Mir grabbed it and submitted him.

But Lesnar has grown since that fight and he’s developed his defense significantly.

When Lesnar fought Mir, he was a raw and inexperienced MMA fighter. Even so, he still dominated the fight until he made a mistake. Expect more of the same in this fight but don’t expect any more mistakes from Lesnar, who knows what to do to exact his revenge this time.

The price per head for Lesnar and GSP is expensive since they are the popular fighters but they are worth it as both should win at UFC 100.

UFC 100 Betting – Secondary Fights

Is it football betting season? There’s so much sportsbook buzz that you’d think so, but the truth is that the current betting rush revolves around UFC 100. The title fights are getting the press, but the secondary fights deserve attention too. Here are a few picks you may not find elsewhere.

Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1) vs Alan Belcher (13-4)

Yoshihiro Akiyama is a relative unknown, as he’s making his UFC debut. However, he may very well be the next big thing in the middleweight division. He’s ranked by MMA Weekly as the No. 10 middleweight in the world. He’s a versatile fighter, capable of knocking out opponents with his hands or feet, and he uses his Judo to take opponents down and set up submissions.

Alan Belcher is somewhat of a stepping stone in in UFC betting. He’s a well-rounded fighter who never goes quietly—in other words, he’s an ideal guy for semi-accomplished fighters to debut against, as he likely won’t beat them but he’ll certainly make them work hard. Expect Belcher to battle Akiyama but fail in the end. However, anything can happen, as fighters who arrive from overseas don’t always take their success with them.

Daily sports pick: Akiyama

Jon Jones (8-0) vs Jake O’Brien (11-2)

Many fight fans—not to mention sportsbook software—project Jon Jones as a future star in MMA. He’s tall and lanky, with a long reach, and a great natural athlete. He wowed the crowd in his last fight when he showed off some creative throws and spinning elbows in his victory over Stephan Bonnar. “Bones” is a next-generation mixed martial artist who should improve with every fight.

He has a solid challenge in Jake O’Brien, who was 10-0 (and beat Heath Herring) before running into star fighters like Andrei Arlovski and Cain Velazquez, both of whom knocked him out. he’s more experienced than Jones and will test him with his knockout power. Remember, O’Brien is a former heavyweight dropping down, so he’ll pack more punch than your average light heavyweight.

In the end, this fight is still more of a showcase for Jones than anything else. He should pull a few new exciting tricks out of his bag and win, setting himself up for a much better opponent next time.
Daily sports pick: Jones

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