Indians-Pirates Odds Preview

The Cleveland Indians and the Pittsburgh Pirates will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at PNC Park in an interleague contest.
The Indians will trot ace Cliff Lee out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Lee has a 4-6 record and a 2.94 ERA this season.
It’ll be Ross Ohlendorf toeing the rubber for the Pirates in this contest. Righthander Ohlendorf is 6-6 with a 4.94 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Pirates gave up five runs in the ninth inning, but still managed a 10-6 victory over the Indians on Wednesday. The Pirates won the game as -125 favorites, while the 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
Adam LaRoche hit a solo home run and drove in three runs to lead the Pirates. Zach Duke scattered just five hits and one run over six innings in the win.
Kelly Shoppach belted a two-run dinger and finished with three RBIs for the Indians, who were +105 underdogs. Carl Pavano surrendered 11 hits and eight runs in the loss.
Team records:
Cleveland: 30-43 SU
Pittsburgh: 32-39 SU
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Cincinnati are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

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

A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Cleveland is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Cleveland home to Cincinnati, Friday, June 26
Pittsburgh home to Kansas City, Friday, June 26

 

Padres-Mariners Lines Preview

The San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Safeco Field in an interleague contest.
Walter Silva will be the starting pitcher for the Padres on this day. Righthander Silva is 0-0 this season with a 6.00 ERA.
It’ll be Jarrod Washburn toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. Lefthander Washburn is 3-5 with a 3.24 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Franklin Gutierrez smacked a game-winning home run in the eighth inning as the Mariners snuck past the Padres 4-3 on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Russell Branyan led the Mariners with a three-run blast. Sean White earned the win in relief, and David Aardsma collected his 15th save.
Kevin Kouzmanoff went deep for a two-run dinger for the Padres, who were +130 underdogs. Edward Mujica surrendered the winning run and was saddled with the loss.
Team records:
San Diego: 31-39
SU
Seattle
: 36-35 SU
San Diego most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Texas are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing LA Dodgers are 5-5
After playing San Diego are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
San Diego is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Seattle
San Diego is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
San Diego is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Seattle
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Diego
Seattle is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against San Diego
Next up:
San Diego at Texas, Friday, June 26
Seattle at LA Dodgers, Friday, June 26

 

Twins-Brewers Odds Preview

The Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Miller Park.
Righthander Scott Baker will take the mound for the Twins to start this game. Baker is 4-6 this season with a 5.22 ERA.
It’ll be Mike Burns toeing the rubber for the Brewers in this contest. Righthander Burns is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Twins listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Brewers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Brewers evened their three-game series with a 4-3 victory over the Twins on Wednesday, as +100 underdogs. The seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Jason Kendall went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in two runs to lead the Brewers. Todd Coffey earned the win in relief, and Trevor Hoffman notched his 17th save of the season.
Jason Kubel homered for the Twins, who were -120 favorites in that contest. Nick Blackburn gave up 11 hits and four runs in a complete-game loss.
Team records:
Minnesota: 36-37 SU
Milwaukee: 38-33 SU
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 4-5
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing San Francisco are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Minnesota is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Minnesota is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at St. Louis, Friday, June 26
Milwaukee home to San Francisco, Friday, June 26

 

Dodgers-White Sox Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at U.S. Cellular Field in an interleague contest.
Ace Chad Billingsley will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers on this day. Righthander Billingsley is 9-3 this season with a 2.83 ERA.
The White Sox will counter Billingsley with Clayton Richard. Lefthander Richard has a 3.92 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The White Sox got out to a seven-run lead and held on for a 10-7 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday, as -115 favorites. The game’s 17 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Josh Fields smacked two home runs and drove in three runs to in lead the White Sox. Gavin Floyd improved to 5-5 with the win, and Bobby Jenks closed out the game with his 18th save.
Matt Kemp went deep for a two-run homer in the loss for the Dodgers, who were +105 underdogs. Randy Wolf allowed seven hits and five runs over 3 1-3 innings.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 47-25
SU
Chicago
: 34-37 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Seattle are 4-6
After playing Chi White Sox are 3-7
After a loss are 8-2

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
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:
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
LA Dodgers are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Chi White Sox are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing LA Dodgers
Chi White Sox are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
Chi White Sox are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games at home
Next up:
LA Dodgers home to Seattle, Friday, June 26
Chi White Sox home to Chi Cubs, Friday, June 26

 

Royals-Astros Lines Preview

The Houston Astros will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park.
Righthander Brian Bannister will take the mound for the Royals to start this game. Bannister is 5-4 this season with a 3.77 ERA.
Starting this game for the Astros will be Brian Moehler. The righthander has a 6.43 ERA to go along with a 4-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Miguel Olivo hit a solo home run to give the Royals a 4-3 victory over the Astros in 11 innings on Wednesday, as +155 underdogs. The game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Darin Erstad hit a two-run homer to lift the Royals. Joakim Soria earned the win, and John Bale tossed a scoreless 11th to earn the save.
David DeJesus had three hits and drove in one run to lead the Astros. Jeff Fulchino gave up the winning run and suffered the loss on the mound.
Current streak:
Kansas City has won 2 straight games.
Houston has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City: 31-39
SU
Houston
: 32-37 SU
Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a win are 4-6

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 6-3
After playing Kansas City are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Kansas City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Kansas City is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Next up:
Kansas City at Pittsburgh, Friday, June 26
Houston home to Detroit, Friday, June 26

 

Cardinals-Mets Odds Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Citi Field.
Righthander Chris Carpenter will take the mound for the Cardinals to start this game. Carpenter is 5-1 this season with a 1.53 ERA.
Starting this game for the Mets will be ace Johan Santana. The lefthander has a 3.22 ERA to go along with a 8-5 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mets belted out 16 hits as they blanked the Cardinals 11-0 last time out, as +105 underdogs. The game’s 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Ryan Church went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs for the Mets. Fernando Nieve tossed a three-hit shutout over six innings for the victory.
Brad Thompson allowed eight hits and five runs over five innings in the loss. Oddsmakers had the Cardinals as -115 favorites in the contest.
Team records:
St. Louis: 40-33 SU
New York: 36-34 SU
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Minnesota are 6-3
After playing NY Mets are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
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:
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
NY Mets are 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Next up:
St. Louis home to Minnesota, Friday, June 26
NY Mets home to NY Yankees, Friday, June 26

 

Cubs-Tigers Odds Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Comerica Park.
Ted Lilly will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs on this day. Lefthander Lilly is 7-4 this season with a 3.04 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Armando Galarraga who starts for the Tigers. Righthander Galarraga is 3-7 with a 5.62 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 128-moneyline favorites versus the Tigers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Despite getting out-hit the Tigers managed a 5-3 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday, as -115 favorites. That game’s eight runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run and drove in two tuns. Zach Miner tossed the win, and Fernando Rodney closed out the game with his 15th save.
Geovany Soto had two hits, including a solo home run for the Cubs. Rich Harden gave up fourhits and four runs over 5 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 3 straight games.
Detroit has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 34-34 SU
Detroit: 40-31 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 4-5
After playing Chi Cubs are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Chi Cubs are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Detroit
Chi Cubs are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Chi Cubs at Chi White Sox, Friday, June 26
Detroit at Houston, Friday, June 26

 

MLB Betting – Thursday Baseball Picks

The Wimbledon finals odds aren’t quite here yet, so the focus remains on the hot MLB matchups this week. What do the boys of summer offer us tomorrow? Let’s make some picks.

Thursday, June 25, 1:10 p.m. ET
Cardinals @ Mets
Chris Carpenter (5-1, 1.53) vs Johan Santana (8-5, 3.22)
MLB betting lines: Cardinals -110, Mets -110

It’s tempting to say that Chris Carpenter’s sample size is too small and Johan Santana is the pre-eminent ace in baseball today, but the times are a’ changin‘. Santana’s velocity is down, his walk rate is climbing, and he continues to allow homers at an alarming rate. Anyone making baseball betting picks has to wonder if his surgically repaired knee is barking at him. Meanwhile, Chris Carpenter continues to dominate this season. While his road ERA isn’t as tiny as his home ERA—it’s “only” 2.15 — he clearly flourishes no matter where he pitches these days. Let’s see—guy with a 0.40 day-game ERA, pitching a matinee, against a team minus three of its top four hitters, against which Joel Pineiro tossed a complete-game shutout on Tuesday? Seems like a no-brainer to pick the Cards.

Daily sports pick: Cardinals -110

Thursday June 25, 7:08 p.m. ET
Phillies @ Rays
Antonio Bastardo (2-2, 5.21) vs Andy Sonnanstine (5-7, 6.60)
MLB betting lines: Phillies +120, Rays -140

All the Andy Sonnanstine detractors—myself included—feel vindicated this season seeing him exposed for the mediocre pitcher he really is. He simply can’t keep the ball in the park, allowing one or more long balls in eight straight starts for a total of 14 during that time. I can’t see how the NL’s best power-hitting team will remedy his problem. Meanwhile, Phillies starter Antonio Bastardo has crashed back to Earth after a hot start, but good sportsbook software will tell you he’s still spotless on the road (2-0, 2.45 ERA). I think he’ll handle the Rays—and you know he’ll have the run support he needs.

Daily sports pick: Phillies +120

Updated Wimbledon Betting Line Preview

There have already been some upsets against the Wimbledon betting line, though the favorites remain. Serena Williams and Venus Williams are the favorites on the distaff side and Roger Federer and Andy Murray on the men’s.

Super sportsbook Bodog takes a betting preview.

Looking at this year’s Wimbledon tournament on the women’s side, it seems like a very safe bet to say a Williams sister is going to win.

Serena is the favorite at +175, but Venus is not that far behind at +250 and how can you bet against the 29-year-old who has reached seven Wimbledon finals in the last decade?

The strongest challenge to Venus’ dominance is likely to come from across the breakfast table at her Wimbledon base in the leafy south-west London village.

It has been six years since Serena last won Wimbledon but the world number two still has the potential to beat any of her peers, including Venus.

So far, so good this year for the sisters.

Venus recovered from an early stumble on the slick grass Tuesday and defeated Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2.

Don’t start counting down the days until preseason NFL spreads come out. You are just wishing your lives away as sharp bettors and making money on the MLB odds not to mention golf and tennis betting tips.

With Rafael Nadal dropping out of this year’s Wimbledon tournament you would think that Roger Federer would have a cakewalk to another title.

Well that may be true on paper, but there are still other players out there who could give Federer a run for his money.

Federer, who is listed at a staggering -175 to win, could find Andy Murray (+275) in his path at some point.

These two players are clearly getting most of the attention as the tourney begins, but it will be Murray that will need to step up his game if he is to upset Federer.

Federer opened his Wimbledon with a routine 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Yen-hsun Lu.

Murray launched his assault on a maiden grand slam title with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 victory on Centre Court over Robert Kendrick.

More odds at Bodog.

College World Series Odds Overshadowed by Ed Thomas Murder

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: American mourns the senseless and cowardly murder of legendary Parkersburg, Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas. The Waterloo Courier is reporting that one of his former players Mark Becker has been charged.

Maria Sharapova has been upset in the Wimbledon betting, while Roger Federer advanced.

The Rockies continue their series in Los Angeles, the Diamondbacks host the Rangers, and the Phillies take on the Rays.

The College World Series odds has the Championship Game 3 LSU-Texas has LSU -150 in the rubber match at Rosenblatt Stadium

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Jason Marquis (9-4, 3.71 ERA) will be gunning for his 10th win of the season on Wednesday night when his Rockies play on the road against the Angels and Joe Saunders (7-4, 3.80 ERA). Colorado has a 6-1 record in Marquis’ last seven trips to the mound, and the righthander held the Pirates to three earned runs over 8 2-3 innings of work in his last start. Lefthander Saunders took a no-decision against the Dodgers in his last outing, giving up four earned runs in 6 1-3 innings pitched.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks’ Dan Haren (6-4, 2.23 ERA) will get the ball at home on Wednesday against the Rangers and Vicente Padilla (5-3, 4.79 ERA). Righthander Haren has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in each of his past five outings, giving up just 22 hits in 38 innings of work. Righthander Padilla was stuck with a no-decision in his last outing against the Astros, allowing three earned runs over his six innings. The Rangers are 7-3 in Padilla’s last 10 outings.

 

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Back east, the Phillies will send Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.28 ERA) to the mound in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night against the Rays and Matt Garza (4-5, 3.83 ERA). Righthander Blanton has surrendered only seven earned runs over his last three starts, but Philadelphia went 0-3 in those three contests. Righthander Garza hasn’t picked up a victory since beating the Indians back on May 16, with his team going 2-4 in his last six starts. Garza lost to the Rockies in his last start.

Elsewhere on the diamond on Wednesday it’ll be St. Louis at the Mets, the Cubs at Detroit, Cleveland at Pittsburgh, Boston at Washington, Cincinnati at Toronto, Baltimore at Florida, the Yankees at Atlanta, Minnesota at Milwaukee, the Dodgers at the White Sox, San Francisco at Oakland, and San Diego at Seattle. As well, the Royals will continue their three-game set in Houston, with KC’s Luke Hochevar (2-3, 6.61 ERA) set to take on Astros ace Roy Oswalt (3-4, 4.48 ERA).

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