Giants-Diamondbacks Lines Preview

The San Francisco Giants will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Giants will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Jonathan Sanchez in this game. Sanchez has a 2-5 record and a 5.29 ERA this season.
It’ll be Max Scherzer toeing the rubber for the Diamondbacks in this contest. Righthander Scherzer is 2-4 with a 4.14 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Diamondbacks listed as 163-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Bengie Molina drove in three runs to help the Giants down the Diamondbacks 6-4 on Wednesday, as +125 underdogs. The 10 runs made it OVER the game’s posted over/under (9).
Molina smacked a two-run homer in the win, and singled for his third RBI in the contest. Barry Zito tossed five innings to pick up the victory, while Brian Wilson earned his 16th save.
Stephen Drew knocked in three runs in a losing cause for the Diamondbacks, who were -145 favorites in that game. Doug Davis scattered six hits and five runs over four innings.
Current streak:
San Francisco has won 2 straight games.
Arizona has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Francisco: 31-27 SU
Arizona: 25-35 SU
San Francisco most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Oakland are 3-7
After playing Arizona are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

Arizona most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Houston are 8-2
After playing San Francisco are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
San Francisco is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
San Francisco is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arizona’s last 13 games when playing San Francisco
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
San Francisco home to Oakland, Friday, June 12
Arizona home to Houston, Friday, June 12

 

Twins-Athletics Lines Preview

The Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Twins will give the ball to starter Nick Blackburn in this one. Righthander Blackburn is 5-2 this season with a 3.30 ERA.
The Athletics will counter Blackburn with Trevor Cahill. Righthander Cahill has a 4.21 ERA to go along with a 3-5 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Athletics listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Twins scored three runs in the ninth inning and came away with a 6-3 victory over the A’s on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. The nine runs made it OVER the night’s posted over/under (8.5).
Jason Kubel went deep for the Twins, while Matt Guerrier got the win in relief. Joe Nathan whiffed two batters and closed out the ninth for his 13th save.
Andrew Bailey suffered his first loss of the season, giving up three hits and three runs.
Current streak:
Minnesota has won 2 straight games.
Oakland has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 30-31 SU
Oakland: 26-32 SU
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

Oakland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing San Francisco are 7-3
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota’s last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing Oakland
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Oakland’s last 18 games
Oakland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games at home
Next up:
Minnesota at Chi Cubs, Friday, June 12
Oakland at San Francisco, Friday, June 12

 

Tigers-White Sox Odds Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox meet at U.S. Cellular Field.
Edwin Jackson will be the starting pitcher for the Tigers on this day. Righthander Jackson is 6-3 this season with a 2.16 ERA.
Jackson‘s opponent in this one will be Gavin Floyd. The White Sox righthander has a 5.35 ERA to go along with a 4-5 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Magglio Ordonez scored the winning run off a bases-loaded walk on Wednesday, as the Tigers slipped past the White Sox 2-1. The Tigers won the game as -140 favorites, while the team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Adam Everett went deep for the other Tigers run. Justin Verlander threw a complete-game with nine strikeouts in the win.
Jim Thome belted a solo home run for the White Sox, who were +120 underdogs. John Danks gave up five hits and two runs over 7 1-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 33-26
SU
Chicago
: 27-33 SU
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 1-9
Before playing Milwaukee are 7-2
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chi White Sox’s last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox’s last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Pittsburgh, Friday, June 12
Chi White Sox at Milwaukee, Friday, June 12

 

Rockies-Brewers Odds Preview

A winning streak will be on the line for the Colorado Rockies on Thursday when they battle the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
The Rockies will give the ball to ace starter Aaron Cook in this one. Righthander Cook is 4-3 this season with a 4.50 ERA.
It’ll be ace Yovani Gallardo toeing the rubber for the Brewers in this contest. Righthander Gallardo is 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Brewers listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Rockies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rockies got down by two runs before coming away with a 4-2 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday, as +125 underdogs. The six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Brad Hawpe went 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run and two RBIs. Jorge De La Rosa went six innings for the win, and Huston Street collected his 11th save.
Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun drove in the runs for the Brewers, who were -145 favorites. Dave Bush allowed five hits and three runs in five innings of work.
Current streak:
Colorado has won 7 straight games.
Milwaukee has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Colorado: 27-32 SU
Milwaukee: 33-26 SU
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Seattle are 3-7
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Chi White Sox are 2-7
After playing Colorado are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Milwaukee
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games at home
Milwaukee is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home
Milwaukee is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Colorado
Next up:
Colorado home to Seattle, Friday, June 12
Milwaukee home to Chi White Sox, Friday, June 12

 

Cubs-Astros Lines Preview

 The division rival Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are set to renew hostilities on Thursday when they meet at Minute Maid Park.

The Cubs will give the ball to starter Ryan Dempster in this one. Righthander Dempster is 4-3 this season with a 4.12 ERA.

It’ll be Russ Ortiz toeing the rubber for the Astros in this contest. Righthander Ortiz is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 147-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Geoff Blum drove in both runs to help the Astros defeat the Cubs 2-1 on Wednesday, as +100 underdogs. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).

Chris Sampson improved to 3-0 with the win, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings.

Geovany Soto homered for the Cubs, who had been -120 favorites. Angel Guzman gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss.

Team records:
Chicago: 29-27 SU
Houston: 26-31 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Arizona are 2-8
After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs’s last 18 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston’s last 18 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games
Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

Next up:
Chi Cubs home to Minnesota, Friday, June 12
Houston at Arizona, Friday, June 12

Pirates-Braves Lines Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Turner Field.
The Pirates will give the ball to ace starter Paul Maholm in this one. Lefthander Maholm is 4-2 this season with a 3.94 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Javier Vazquez who starts for the Braves. Righthander Vazquez is 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Pirates snapped a three-game losing skid with a 3-2 victory over the Braves on Wednesday, as +200 underdogs. The game’s five runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (8.5).
Adam LaRoche led the Pirates with two runs batted in, John Grabow collected the win in relief, and Matt Capps closed out the game with his 14th save.
Brian McCann went 2-for-4 at the plate with the Braves, who had been -220 favorites. Jair Jurrjens allowed four hits and two runs over six innings in the loss.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 27-32 SU
Atlanta: 29-29 SU
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Baltimore are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games
Atlanta is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Detroit, Friday, June 12
Atlanta at Baltimore, Friday, June 12

 

Cardinals-Marlins Odds Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at LandShark Stadium.
Righthander Todd Wellemeyer will take the mound for the Cardinals to start this game. Wellemeyer is 5-6 this season with a 5.32 ERA.
Wellemeyer’s opponent in this one will be Andrew Miller. The Marlins lefthander has a 4.34 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Marlins listed as 116-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals scored seven times over the final two innings as they crushed the Marlins 13-4 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick’em. The game’s 17 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8).
Rick Ankiel went 3-for-4 at the plate a two-run homer for the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright improved to 6-4 with the win, allowing 11 hits and four runs over seven innings.
Jeremy Hermida homered and drove in two runs for the Marlins. Chris Volstad surrendered 10 hits and six runs over 5 2-3 innings in the loss.
Team records:
St. Louis: 32-28 SU
Florida: 29-32 SU
St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 2-7
After playing Florida are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Florida most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 8-2
After playing St. Louis are 2-8
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Florida
St. Louis is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis’s last 16 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Florida’s last 16 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida’s last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Florida is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing St. Louis
Florida is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Next up:
St. Louis at Cleveland, Friday, June 12
Florida at Toronto, Friday, June 12

 

Lakers-Magic Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Amway Arena in the fourth game of the NBA Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 2-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game’s total is sitting at 201.
Dwight Howard went for 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Magic fought off the Lakers to win Game 3 108-104 on Tuesday night.
The game resulted in a push with Orlando as 4-point home favorites, and played OVER the 199-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Rashard Lewis also netted 21 points for the Magic, who now trail the Lakers 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles with 31 points and eight assists, while Pau Gasol scored 23 points for the Lakers.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Orlando are 3-7
After playing Orlando are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Next up:
LA Lakers at Orlando, Sunday, June 14
Orlando home to LA Lakers, Sunday, June 14

 

Golf betting – St. Jude Classic odds

Stanley Cup betting culminates in a doozie Game 7 this Friday, and that’ll leave us with one less sport to bet on this summer. Don’t worry—the U.S. Open is almost here and we can get a golf betting warmup by making picks for the St. Jude odds this week, which feature a better field than you’d expect.

THE CONTENDERS – Phil Mickelson (+900), David Toms (+1300)

Of this pair, one of them earns his offshore sportsbook favorite status on merit, while the other does so on name. Can you guess which is which? Mickelson is a favorite because of his talent and long list of golf betting accomplishments, but he’s a risky play this week, especially for a “favorite.” After taking time off to be with his ailing wife, he may be rusty and/or distracted this week. He’s also played just once at TPC Southwind , host of the ST. Jude Classic, and he missed the cut. David Toms, on the other hand, is a rock-solid pick. He has two career St. Jude victories, he leads the tour in driving accuracy, and he also cracks the top 10 in scoring average and proximity to hole. His peripherals set him up beautifully for Southwind, as it punishes the inaccurate (56 per cent of fairways hit, 53 of approaches on in regulation in 2008).

WORTH CONSIDERING – Justin Leonard (+1400), Sergio Garcia (+1600)

Leonard is the poor man’s David Toms in that he’s worth picking for similar reasons, but isn’t quite as good as Toms at this tourney. Leonard is the defending champ and he’s very accurate this season too, so he’s worth consideration at slightly better value than Toms. Those who bet sports have avoided Sergio like the plague lately, and for good reason; he’s been terrible on North American soil in 2009. He did tie for fourth in last year’s St. Jude odds and his approaches have been respectable (averaging less than 30 feet from the pin), so he has a shot at redemption this week.

LONG SHOTS – Retief Goosen (+2500), Padraig Harrington (+3300)

It’s strange to call these accomplished golfers long shots, but they simply aren’t set up well for success this week. Goosen has played decently in 2009 but he struggles at the St. Jude Classic (missed cut in 2008, 30th in 2007). Harrington is an enigma in 2008 golf betting. It seems some hacker is occupying the body of the 2008 Player of the Year, as Harrington has no top-10s in 11 starts this season. He tied Sergio for fourth at this tourney last year, so he could be worth a flier with that nice +3300 value.

Offshore sportsbook pick: David Toms +1300

UFC 99 Betting Line and Vegas Odds Picks

Dana White knows how to get UFC betting fans on their feet. A month before the UFC 100 blowout, he sets up a card in Germany full of aggressive, exciting fighters. Let’s make some UFC 99 betting picks.

Rich Franklin (26-4) vs Wanderlei Silva (32-9-1)
UFC odds: Franklin -140, Silva +110

Don’t take a bathroom break during this main UFC betting event, as both Franklin and Silva love to finish fights. With his recent losses to Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson, Franklin has become underrated. He’s still a powerful, exciting fighter with an better ground game than many fight fans realize. He faces one of the most intimidating fighters ever to grace the octagon in Wanderlei Silva, the vicious Muay Thai striker. Silva may have had the edge a few years ago, but he has lots of mileage on his body and seems to have lost a step (YouTube his UFC 92 fight against Rampage Jackson and you’ll see what I mean). Franklin is fresher and a bit more versatile, so he should win this one, though it will be a war.

Sports wagering pick: Franklin -140

Cain Velasquez (5-0) vs Cheick Kongo (24-4-1)
UFC odds: Velasquez -200, Kongo +160

Is Velasquez ready for superstardom? The deadly kickboxing/wrestling double threat has wowed those who bet on sports early in his career, opening with five straight knockouts. His previous opponents pale in comparison to powerful Cheick Kongo, a kickboxer with a strong chin and brutal ground-and-pound skills. Velasquez is certainly the better long term bet, but I’m not sure he’s ready for this challenge. Kongo offers good value and may pull off the upset.

Sports wagering pick: Kongo +160

Marcus Davis (21-5) vs Dan Hardy (21-6)
UFC odds: Davis -220, Hardy +180

Here’s my candidate for fight of the night. Davis, the Irish-American boxer, clashes with Hardy, the English boxer. There’s been plenty of trash talk entering this one, and you can expect a brawl here. Both fighters like to stand up and trade blows but, contrary to what many UFC odds fans believe, Davis is capable on the ground. He’s fought tougher competition than Hardy in his career and should teach the brash Englishman a lesson. Both fighters have major knockout power, though, so anything can happen. Don’t expect this one to go the distance!

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