Yankees-Mets Lines Preview

The New York Yankees will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the New York Mets at Citi Field.
The Yankees will give the ball to ace starter CC Sabathia in this one. Lefthander Sabathia is 6-4 this season with a 3.71 ERA.
It’ll be Michael Pelfrey toeing the rubber for the Mets in this contest. Righthander Pelfrey is 5-2 with a 4.74 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Yankees got out to a seven run lead en route to an 11-7 victory over the Braves on Thursday, as +100 underdogs. The game’s 18 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Johnny Damon led the way with four RBIs for the Yankees. Alfredo Aceves tossed just over two innings of relief to earn the win.
The Mets defeated St. Louis 3-2 as a +100 underdog on Thursday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (6.5).
Johan Santana allowed one earned run on seven hits over seven innings for the Mets and Nick Evans drove in a pair of runs in the win.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 40-32 SU
New York: 37-34 SU
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing NY Mets are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing NY Yankees are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Yankees’s last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 6 games when playing NY Mets
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Mets
NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets’s last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
NY Mets are 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
Next up:
NY Mets home to NY Yankees, Saturday, June 27

 

Phillies-Blue Jays Odds Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Ace Cole Hamels will be the starting pitcher for the Phillies on this day. Lefthander Hamels is 4-3 this season with a 4.24 ERA.
Hamels’s opponent in this one will be Ricky Romero. The Blue Jays lefthander has a 3.59 ERA to go along with a 4-3 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Phillies were defeated 10-4 by the Rays last time out, as +125 underdogs. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10).
Ryan Howard drove in two runs in a losing effort for the Phillies. Antonio Bastardo surrendered six runs over 3 2-3 innings.
The Blue Jays had their three-game win streak snapped in a 7-5 loss to the Reds last time out, as -135 favorites at home. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Vernon Wells went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. Shawn Camp gave up the winning run in relief to suffer the loss.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 37-33 SU
Toronto: 40-34 SU
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After playing Cincinnati are 4-4
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Toronto home to Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27

 

Royals-Pirates Lines Preview

The Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at PNC Park.
The Royals will trot ace Gil Meche out to the mound in this one. Righthander Meche has a 4-6 record and a 4.11 ERA this season.
The Pirates will counter Meche with Virgil Vasquez. Righthander Vasquez has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Royals lost to Houston 5-4 as a +100 underdog on Thursday. The nine runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (9).
Mark Teahen was 2-4 with two RBI for Kansas City and Brian Bannister allowed five runs on six hits in six innings.
Andrew McCutchen hit a walk-off single for his second RBI of the game, as the Pirates defeated the Indians 3-2 last time out. The Pirates won the game as +135 underdogs, while the five runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (8.5).
Freddy Sanchez drove in the other run, while Matt Capps pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the victory in relief.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City: 31-40 SU
Pittsburgh: 33-39 SU
Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas City are 3-7
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Kansas City’s last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Kansas City, Saturday, June 27

 

Nationals-Orioles Odds Preview

The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Camden Yards in an interleague contest.
The Nationals will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Ross Detwiler in this game. Detwiler has a 0-3 record and a 4.76 ERA this season.
The Orioles will counter Detwiler with Brad Bergesen. Righthander Bergesen has a 3.94 ERA to go along with a 4-2 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Nationals scored four runs in the first inning and went on to defeat the Red Sox 9-3 last time out, as +110 underdogs. The game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Willie Harris belted a two-run homer and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Jordan Zimmermann allowed just five hits and one run over seven innings for the win.
The Orioles were defeated 11-3 by the Marlins last time out, as +100 road underdogs. That game’s 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Nick Markakis was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with one RBI. Rich Hill gave up eight hits and six runs over 4 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Baltimore has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 21-49
SU
Baltimore
: 32-40 SU
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Boston are 3-7
After a win are 3-7

Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Florida are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 7 games on the road
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 7 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Washington’s last 13 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Baltimore’s last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
Baltimore is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Baltimore home to Washington, Saturday, June 27

 

Reds-Indians Odds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Progressive Field.
The Reds will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander Aaron Harang in this game. Harang has a 5-7 record and a 3.66 ERA this season.
The Indians will counter Harang with Jeremy Sowers. Lefthander Sowers has a 6.82 ERA to go along with a 0-5 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Reds ended the Blue Jays’ three-game win streak with a 7-5 victory in the rubber match on Thursday, as +115 underdogs. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Joey Votto went 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs, including a solo home run for the Reds. Johnny Cuteo improved to 7-4 with the win, and Francisco Cordero notched his 18th save.
The Indians were defeated 3-2 by the Pirates in Thursday’s rubber match, as -155 favorites. That game’s five runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (8.5).
Victor Martinez went 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run. Matt Herges gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss.
Current streak:
Cleveland has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cincinnati: 35-36
SU
Cleveland
: 30-44 SU
Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 4-4
After a win are 3-7

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Cincinnati are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 10 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 10 games when playing Cleveland
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 10 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Cleveland home to Cincinnati, Saturday, June 27

 

Cubs-White Sox Lines Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Cubs will give the ball to starter Randy Wells in this one. Righthander Wells is 1-3 this season with a 2.57 ERA.
Starting this game for the White Sox will be Jose Contreras. The righthander has a 5.23 ERA to go along with a 2-6 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Cubs lost to Detroit 6-5 as a -105 favorite on Thursday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Jake Fox homered and drove in three runs for the Cubs and Micah Hoffpauir delivered a solo shot.
The White Sox defeated the Dodgers 6-5 as a +140 underdog on Thursday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9).
A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run home run for Chicago and Paul Konerko added a solo blast in the win.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 4 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 34-35 SU
Chicago: 35-37 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After playing LA Dodgers are 9-1
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs’s last 19 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi Cubs’s last 11 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi Cubs are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi White Sox’s last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi White Sox’s last 11 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Next up:
Chi White Sox home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, June 27

 

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

It is now confirmed by several sources, Michael Jackson is dead.  As the paparazzi searched for a Maria Belen Shapur photo and 70s icon Farrah Fawcett poster star and actress passed, the stunning news of Jackson‘s death overshadowed them all.

Media reports coming out of Los Angeles, California have said the star, 50, was taken to the hospital after he was found not breathing following a suspected heart attack in his Bel Air home earlier today. Celebrity website TMZ.com said 911 operators received an emergency call about 12:12pm local time.

“We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back,” TMZ.com reported.

Once Jackson arrived at the hospital, staff again tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive.

Michael Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Bodog says: our condolences to the entire Jackson family. May he rest in peace.

Eccentric and flamboyant sports handicapper Oscar Dooley called himself “devastated.”  

Further news is ex-husband of Fawcett, Lee Majors called her “an angel forever.”

 

MLB Odds – Friday Baseball Picks

The bigger Wimbledon betting matchups are on the horizon but, before we get there, there are some great baseball games to bet on this weekend. Let’s have a look at some key Friday contests.

Friday, June 26, 4:05 p.m. ET
Cubs @ White Sox
Randy Wells (1-3, 2.57) vs Jose Contreras (2-6, 5.23)

The south side of Chicago hosts the north Friday afternoon in what should be among the most popular baseball lines picked. Since returning from a minor-league stint, Jose Contreras has pitched well, but things should change Friday. There’s a freight train headed his way named Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs slugger has slumped seemingly all season but loves facing Contreras; he hits .625 with three homers in just eight career at-bat versus Contreras, so that’s bad news for White Sox fans.

Don’t let Randy Wells’ 1-3 record fool you; he’s been rock-solid this season, especially on the road (2.10 ERA), and he does a great job keeping the ball in the park (two homers allowed in 49 innings). He’ll get the better of the White Sox.

MLB betting pick: Cubs

Friday, June 26, 8:05 p.m. ET
Giants @ Brewers
Matt Cain (9-1, 2.28) vs Yovani Gallardo (7-4, 3.00)

What a different a little run support makes! Matt Cain picks up the “W” almost every time he takes the mound in 2009 after years of hard-luck losing. Allowing one or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts, he’s as hot as pitchers get. He’s undefeated on the road this season but was bombed in his only career start at Milwaukee, so what should you do when you make your MLB predictions?

Looking at counterpart and fellow ace Yovani Gallardo with your sportsbook software may help. While he has a poor track record against the Giants, he’s a monster at home in his career (8-4, 2.63 ERA, 107 K in 102 IP). The Giants’ Achilles heel is their offense whereas the Brewers strength is their offense, and Cain is susceptible to the long ball, so I like the Brewers to edge San Fran.

MLB betting pick: Brewers

Last Minute NBA Draft Projections Versus the Vegas Draft Odds

Just as OffshoreInsiders.com is widely accepted as the top site for NBA betting picks, the top site for the NBA draft is NBAdraft.net

Though ESPN begins coverage at 7:30, the NBA draft time is 8:00 EST.

The only real shock would be if the LA Clippers draft anyone other than Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin with the No. 1 pick.

BetED has probably the best betting lines of any the recommended sportsbooks as NBA draftnicks can wager on how many players will be taken in the first round from the Big East, Pac 10, and ACC, not to mention the number of international players taken in the first round.

Who will draft Ricky Rubio? According to NBAdraft.net he’s going to Sacramento, so “any other team” besides Memphis at -310 may be a good bet.

Most projections see Hasheem Thabett going second, but if he’s leapfrogged by James Harden BetED will pay a hefty +255. 

Will Stephen Curry or Jonny Flynn be drafted first? Curry is -230.

In fact there are betting propositions on just about every player likely to get drafted in the first round: Tyler Hansbrough, Chase Budinger, Wayne Ellington, DuJuan Summers, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday and more.

The sportsbook actually has Ricky Rubio projected to get drafted third, so James Harden at +190 is a sensational bet according to the NBA draft projections.

Bodog is also expected to post similar odds by 6:00 EST.

NBA Draft Betting: Blake Griffin the Only Sure Thing

The NBA draft highlights Thursday night’s sports viewing and betting rundown.

After the one sure bet of Thursday’s NBA draft, Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin going to the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 1 pick, things continue to look unsettled.

As far as knowing which teams are going to take which players, it is one of the more screwy drafts in years.

Most years media and fans can at least nail down all but two or three of the lottery picks. Not this year.

The Memphis Grizzlies are still keeping it quiet whether they are going to take Connecticut giant Hasheem Thabeet or Spanish PG Ricky Rubio with the second pick.

Could it be that the Grizzlies are trying to dupe the media and actually want Arizona State shooting guard James Harden instead?

Once that is decided. It  will have a trickle-down effect through the remainder of the lottery.

The only thing you can expect is a lot of guessing from NBA teams in this very unpredictable draft.

Get your NBA Draft Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook!

But what may have an even bigger effect on the NBA odds this season is Shaquille O’Neal joining LeBron James in Cleveland.

n what is being called the making of yet another dynamic duo — think Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson and Kareem Addul-Jabbar Shaquille O’Neal has reportedly been traded to the Cleveland Caveliers, where he’ll partner up with MVP LeBron James. (Sources close to the deal confirmed this with theAssociated Press

.)

Will Shaq and LeBron finally give the Cavaliers the championship they so desperately want?

In his first season with the Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O’Neal did nothing to help his team get past the first round of the playoffs. In his second season with Phoenix, the Suns — with stars Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Grant Hill — didn’t even make the playoffs.

So what can O’Neal possibly be expected to achieve as a Cleveland Cavalier? Well, maybe the difference here is LeBron James.

Get tonight’s sports picks.

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