09 September 2007
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox; Opening Line: Yankees -120, Total 10 Over (-115)
14/09/07 12:40 Filed in: MLB
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (Friday, 7:05 pm Eastern – ESPN)
Opening Line at SBG: Yankees -120, Total 10 Over (-115)
Current Line at SBG: Yankees -122, Total 10 Flat
The best rivalry in sports gets underway again this weekend as the Yankees and Red Sox begin their final series of the regular season. The way the year has gone the two teams may meet again in the playoffs. The Yankees still believe they have a chance to catch the Red Sox in the American League East but this weekend’s series will decide if that is still the case but the Yankees are still leading the Wild Card race. New York sends Andy Pettitte in the opener on Friday while Boston goes with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Early betting has the public taking the favored Yankees on the Road.
Dice K has not pitched well of late for Boston. He is 1-4 with a 9.57 ERA in his past four starts but the Red Sox are still confident when he pitches. "We're very excited to watch him pitch," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He's had a rough go of it, at times. There's a reason to get excited when all your guys pitch, and it's Daisuke's turn."
The Red Sox are trying to win their first American League East title since 1995 and break the Yankees’ run of nine straight titles. Depending upon what happened on Thursday night with the Yankees game in Toronto the Red Sox will lead by either 4.5 or 5.5 games. "All we have to do is play and try to win games and not worry about the situation that happened [last year]," said David Ortiz, "Right now, we're focused on winning as many games as we can against those guys."
The Red Sox have dropped seven of their last nine against the Yankees and are 7-8 in the season series. "I think that's a different scenario now," Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "You're coming into Fenway Park and playing on our turf and the last series of the season, and that's a big difference instead of us going there. Hopefully, we can get our home fans behind us and play with a little intensity in our home park."
The matchups in the series are great. Pettitte and Dice K go on Friday with Josh Beckett going against Chien-Ming Wang on Saturday and Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens set for Sunday. It all begins on Friday with Dice K who is 2-1 against New York this season but has an ERA of 6.98 against them. Dice K gave up six hits and eight runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start against Baltimore. Pettitte was great again in his last start as he allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings against Kansas City. Pettitte is 9-2 in 12 second-half starts and has allowed three earned runs or fewer 11 times. Pettitte is 2-1 with a 4.75 ERA in six games, five starts, against the Red Sox this season.
Here were the betting statistics heading into Thursday’s action. The Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 road games. The Yankees are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. The Yankees are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 19-7 in their last 26 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Yankees are 4-10 in their last 14 games as a road underdog. The Yankees are 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 road starts. The Yankees are 38-16 in Pettitte's last 54 starts vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 3-8 in Pettitte's last 11 starts as an underdog. The Yankees are 15-6 in Pettitte's last 21 starts vs. the Red Sox. The Yankees are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Boston between the two teams.
The Red Sox are 6-2 in their last 8 games as a home favorite. The Red Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. the American League East. The Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. The Red Sox are 8-3 in Matsuzaka's last 11 home starts. The Red Sox are 1-5 in Matsuzaka's last 6 starts overall. The Red Sox are 1-6 in Matsuzaka's last 7 starts vs. the American League East.
The Over is 21-6-3 in the Yankees last 30 games as an underdog. The Under is 6-2 in the Yankees last 8 vs. the American League East. The Under is 9-3 in the Yankees last 12 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 starts as a road underdog. The Under is 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 starts vs. the American League East. The Under is 7-2 in Pettitte's last 9 starts overall. The Under is 9-4 in Pettitte's last 13 road starts. The Over is 5-1 in Pettitte's last 6 starts vs. the Red Sox.
The Under is 5-0 in the Red Sox last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 7-3 in the Red Sox last 10 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 4-1 in Matsuzaka's last 5 starts as a favorite. The Under is 7-2 in Matsuzaka's last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 26-8 in the last 34 meetings in Boston between the two teams.
Opening Line at SBG: Yankees -120, Total 10 Over (-115)
Current Line at SBG: Yankees -122, Total 10 Flat
The best rivalry in sports gets underway again this weekend as the Yankees and Red Sox begin their final series of the regular season. The way the year has gone the two teams may meet again in the playoffs. The Yankees still believe they have a chance to catch the Red Sox in the American League East but this weekend’s series will decide if that is still the case but the Yankees are still leading the Wild Card race. New York sends Andy Pettitte in the opener on Friday while Boston goes with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Early betting has the public taking the favored Yankees on the Road.
Dice K has not pitched well of late for Boston. He is 1-4 with a 9.57 ERA in his past four starts but the Red Sox are still confident when he pitches. "We're very excited to watch him pitch," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He's had a rough go of it, at times. There's a reason to get excited when all your guys pitch, and it's Daisuke's turn."
The Red Sox are trying to win their first American League East title since 1995 and break the Yankees’ run of nine straight titles. Depending upon what happened on Thursday night with the Yankees game in Toronto the Red Sox will lead by either 4.5 or 5.5 games. "All we have to do is play and try to win games and not worry about the situation that happened [last year]," said David Ortiz, "Right now, we're focused on winning as many games as we can against those guys."
The Red Sox have dropped seven of their last nine against the Yankees and are 7-8 in the season series. "I think that's a different scenario now," Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "You're coming into Fenway Park and playing on our turf and the last series of the season, and that's a big difference instead of us going there. Hopefully, we can get our home fans behind us and play with a little intensity in our home park."
The matchups in the series are great. Pettitte and Dice K go on Friday with Josh Beckett going against Chien-Ming Wang on Saturday and Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens set for Sunday. It all begins on Friday with Dice K who is 2-1 against New York this season but has an ERA of 6.98 against them. Dice K gave up six hits and eight runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start against Baltimore. Pettitte was great again in his last start as he allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings against Kansas City. Pettitte is 9-2 in 12 second-half starts and has allowed three earned runs or fewer 11 times. Pettitte is 2-1 with a 4.75 ERA in six games, five starts, against the Red Sox this season.
Here were the betting statistics heading into Thursday’s action. The Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 road games. The Yankees are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. The Yankees are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 19-7 in their last 26 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Yankees are 4-10 in their last 14 games as a road underdog. The Yankees are 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 road starts. The Yankees are 38-16 in Pettitte's last 54 starts vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 3-8 in Pettitte's last 11 starts as an underdog. The Yankees are 15-6 in Pettitte's last 21 starts vs. the Red Sox. The Yankees are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Boston between the two teams.
The Red Sox are 6-2 in their last 8 games as a home favorite. The Red Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. the American League East. The Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. The Red Sox are 8-3 in Matsuzaka's last 11 home starts. The Red Sox are 1-5 in Matsuzaka's last 6 starts overall. The Red Sox are 1-6 in Matsuzaka's last 7 starts vs. the American League East.
The Over is 21-6-3 in the Yankees last 30 games as an underdog. The Under is 6-2 in the Yankees last 8 vs. the American League East. The Under is 9-3 in the Yankees last 12 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 starts as a road underdog. The Under is 4-0 in Pettitte's last 4 starts vs. the American League East. The Under is 7-2 in Pettitte's last 9 starts overall. The Under is 9-4 in Pettitte's last 13 road starts. The Over is 5-1 in Pettitte's last 6 starts vs. the Red Sox.
The Under is 5-0 in the Red Sox last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 7-3 in the Red Sox last 10 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 4-1 in Matsuzaka's last 5 starts as a favorite. The Under is 7-2 in Matsuzaka's last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 26-8 in the last 34 meetings in Boston between the two teams.
Women’s World Cup Update
13/09/07 16:35 Filed in: Soccer
Women’s World Cup Update
The #1 team in the world, the United States escaped with a draw in their opening game of the Women’s World Cup. They played North Korea to a 2-2 tie. United States forward Abby Wambach said that North Korea is a real threat in the tournament. "North Korea are one of the best teams in the tournament, and I'm not saying that because we tied, I'm saying that because there were times in that game where I felt we were getting outplayed," she said, "That happens very rarely, and that happens with teams that only train a lot and are prepared and organized, and are great athletes, physical and are willing to throw it out there. At this point North Korea are potentially one of the hardest teams I've played (against) in my career."
The U.S. now faces 2003 runner-up Sweden in Friday's match. All four teams in Group B have one point each, after Sweden played to a 1-1 draw with African champions Nigeria. North Korea takes on Nigeria in the other game in Group B on Friday. "All of the teams in our group know that we all have a point and we want to win the next game so that we can go up," Wambach said.
In other women’s World Cup soccer action, South American powerhouse Brazil routed New Zealand 5-0 and showed the world they are a real threat to win this year. Brazil is in Group D along with China, Denmark and New Zealand. The host Chinese beat Denmark in their opening game.
In Group A, Germany got the only win as they defeated Argentina in record-breaking fashion, winning 11-0. England and Japan played to a draw in the other Group A match. Group C had Australia and Norway getting victories while Canada and Ghana were the losers.
It is already apparent that the favorites in the tournament are Germany, the United States and Brazil with possible darkhorse contenders China, North Korea and possibly England. Each team in the Women’s World Cup will play three games in Group Stage action to determine which teams advance to the next round.
The #1 team in the world, the United States escaped with a draw in their opening game of the Women’s World Cup. They played North Korea to a 2-2 tie. United States forward Abby Wambach said that North Korea is a real threat in the tournament. "North Korea are one of the best teams in the tournament, and I'm not saying that because we tied, I'm saying that because there were times in that game where I felt we were getting outplayed," she said, "That happens very rarely, and that happens with teams that only train a lot and are prepared and organized, and are great athletes, physical and are willing to throw it out there. At this point North Korea are potentially one of the hardest teams I've played (against) in my career."
The U.S. now faces 2003 runner-up Sweden in Friday's match. All four teams in Group B have one point each, after Sweden played to a 1-1 draw with African champions Nigeria. North Korea takes on Nigeria in the other game in Group B on Friday. "All of the teams in our group know that we all have a point and we want to win the next game so that we can go up," Wambach said.
In other women’s World Cup soccer action, South American powerhouse Brazil routed New Zealand 5-0 and showed the world they are a real threat to win this year. Brazil is in Group D along with China, Denmark and New Zealand. The host Chinese beat Denmark in their opening game.
In Group A, Germany got the only win as they defeated Argentina in record-breaking fashion, winning 11-0. England and Japan played to a draw in the other Group A match. Group C had Australia and Norway getting victories while Canada and Ghana were the losers.
It is already apparent that the favorites in the tournament are Germany, the United States and Brazil with possible darkhorse contenders China, North Korea and possibly England. Each team in the Women’s World Cup will play three games in Group Stage action to determine which teams advance to the next round.
Euro 2008 Qualifiers
11/09/07 16:48 Filed in: Soccer
Euro 2008 Qualifying Update
Group B action in Euro 2008 qualifying had last year’s World Cup finalists Italy and France playing to a 0-0 tie in Milan over the weekend. It was a devastating tie for Italy that badly needed a victory. The Italians are now in third place with just four matches remaining. France leads Group B with 19 points. Scotland, which beat Lithuania 3-1, is next with 18 points, followed by Italy with 17. Only the top two teams in each of the seven groups qualify along with co-hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Croatia and Russia retained the top two places ahead of England in Group E. Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva scored two goals as Croatia defeated Estonia 2-0. The Croatians still lead the group with 20 points. Russia was a 3-0 winner against Macedonia and is still one point ahead of England with 18 points. The English got a 3-0 win over Israel at Wembley thanks to goals by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards. England is now in better shape and has a key game against Russia on Wednesday with the loser of that game in serious trouble. England has 17 points from eight games and Israel has 17 points from nine.
Miroslav Klose scored both goals for Germany in their 2-0 win at Wales.
Germany is five points ahead of the Czech Republic at the top of Group D.
"It was a wonderful experience to be captain, but the important thing was the three points," Klose said. "We have a comfortable lead and we should keep playing like this." The Czech Republic got goals from Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller in a 3-0 win over San Marino. The Czechs are still three points in front of Ireland who is in third place.
Romania leads Group G by three points over the Netherlands who is in second place in the group after a 2-0 win against Bulgaria. Romania got a 3-1 win against Belarus. Bulgaria is two points behind the Netherlands in the group.
Poland leads Group A with 20 points, two more than Finland, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia. Portugal is third with 16 points, one more than Serbia.
Sweden, which was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Denmark, leads Group F with 19 points, three more both than Northern Ireland and Spain.
Greece leads Group C with 18 points followed by Norway with 16 and Turkey with 14.
Group B action in Euro 2008 qualifying had last year’s World Cup finalists Italy and France playing to a 0-0 tie in Milan over the weekend. It was a devastating tie for Italy that badly needed a victory. The Italians are now in third place with just four matches remaining. France leads Group B with 19 points. Scotland, which beat Lithuania 3-1, is next with 18 points, followed by Italy with 17. Only the top two teams in each of the seven groups qualify along with co-hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Croatia and Russia retained the top two places ahead of England in Group E. Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva scored two goals as Croatia defeated Estonia 2-0. The Croatians still lead the group with 20 points. Russia was a 3-0 winner against Macedonia and is still one point ahead of England with 18 points. The English got a 3-0 win over Israel at Wembley thanks to goals by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards. England is now in better shape and has a key game against Russia on Wednesday with the loser of that game in serious trouble. England has 17 points from eight games and Israel has 17 points from nine.
Miroslav Klose scored both goals for Germany in their 2-0 win at Wales.
Germany is five points ahead of the Czech Republic at the top of Group D.
"It was a wonderful experience to be captain, but the important thing was the three points," Klose said. "We have a comfortable lead and we should keep playing like this." The Czech Republic got goals from Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller in a 3-0 win over San Marino. The Czechs are still three points in front of Ireland who is in third place.
Romania leads Group G by three points over the Netherlands who is in second place in the group after a 2-0 win against Bulgaria. Romania got a 3-1 win against Belarus. Bulgaria is two points behind the Netherlands in the group.
Poland leads Group A with 20 points, two more than Finland, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Serbia. Portugal is third with 16 points, one more than Serbia.
Sweden, which was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Denmark, leads Group F with 19 points, three more both than Northern Ireland and Spain.
Greece leads Group C with 18 points followed by Norway with 16 and Turkey with 14.
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers; Opening Line: Padres -150, Total 7 Over (-120)
11/09/07 15:43 Filed in: MLB
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers (Tuesday, 10:10 pm EST)
Opening Line at SBG: Padres -150, Total 7 Over (-120)
Current Line at SBG: Padres -150, Total 7 Over (-120)
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres open up a key series in the National League West on Tuesday with both teams fighting for the playoffs. San Diego goes with Major League Baseball ERA leader Jake Peavy while the Dodgers counter with Esteban Loiaza. Early betting has the public taking the favored Padres on the Road.
Peavy is 16-6 and has an ERA of 2.43 on the season. He is 8-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 17 career starts versus the Dodgers. San Diego is trailing Arizona in the National League West but leads the Wild Card race. The Dodgers are 2 1/2 games behind the Padres. This is the last series of the year between the two teams. Peavy is coming off his worst start of the season. He started on three days rest against Arizona and was shelled, giving up a career high-tying eight earned runs in just four innings of San Diego's 9-6 loss.
The Dodgers go with Loaiza who is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and has made quality starts for the Dodgers in each of his outings. "He didn't make very many mistakes in the middle of the plate," Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said. "I thought he did a great job, stayed aggressive throughout the whole game, and when we got the lead he was being even more aggressive and using his defense." Loaiza is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA in 11 career games, including eight starts, against the Padres.
The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. the National League West. The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 road games. The Padres are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a favorite. The Padres are 5-1 in Peavy's last 6 starts as a road favorite. The Padres are 10-2 in Peavy's last 12 starts vs. the National League West. The Padres are 4-0 in Peavy's last 4 starts vs. the Dodgers. The Padres are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings between the two teams.
The Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 home games. The Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Dodgers are 5-12 in their last 17 vs. the National League West. The Dodgers are 5-14 in their last 19 games as an underdog. The Dodgers are 1-6 in their last 7 games as a home underdog.
The Over is 5-1 in the Padres last 6 games as a road favorite. The Over is 8-2 in the Padres last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 12-3 in the Padres last 15 road games. The Over is 7-3 in the Padres last 10 vs. National League West. The Over is 7-3 in the Padres last 10 overall. The Over is 7-3 in Peavy's last 10 starts overall. The Over is 4-1 in Peavy's last 5 road starts vs. the Dodgers.
The Under is 4-1 in the Dodgers last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Over is 12-3-2 in the Dodgers last 17 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Dodgers last 9 home games. The Under is 13-6-1 in the Dodgers last 20 games as an underdog. The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.
Opening Line at SBG: Padres -150, Total 7 Over (-120)
Current Line at SBG: Padres -150, Total 7 Over (-120)
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres open up a key series in the National League West on Tuesday with both teams fighting for the playoffs. San Diego goes with Major League Baseball ERA leader Jake Peavy while the Dodgers counter with Esteban Loiaza. Early betting has the public taking the favored Padres on the Road.
Peavy is 16-6 and has an ERA of 2.43 on the season. He is 8-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 17 career starts versus the Dodgers. San Diego is trailing Arizona in the National League West but leads the Wild Card race. The Dodgers are 2 1/2 games behind the Padres. This is the last series of the year between the two teams. Peavy is coming off his worst start of the season. He started on three days rest against Arizona and was shelled, giving up a career high-tying eight earned runs in just four innings of San Diego's 9-6 loss.
The Dodgers go with Loaiza who is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and has made quality starts for the Dodgers in each of his outings. "He didn't make very many mistakes in the middle of the plate," Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said. "I thought he did a great job, stayed aggressive throughout the whole game, and when we got the lead he was being even more aggressive and using his defense." Loaiza is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA in 11 career games, including eight starts, against the Padres.
The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. the National League West. The Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 road games. The Padres are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a favorite. The Padres are 5-1 in Peavy's last 6 starts as a road favorite. The Padres are 10-2 in Peavy's last 12 starts vs. the National League West. The Padres are 4-0 in Peavy's last 4 starts vs. the Dodgers. The Padres are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings between the two teams.
The Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 home games. The Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Dodgers are 5-12 in their last 17 vs. the National League West. The Dodgers are 5-14 in their last 19 games as an underdog. The Dodgers are 1-6 in their last 7 games as a home underdog.
The Over is 5-1 in the Padres last 6 games as a road favorite. The Over is 8-2 in the Padres last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 12-3 in the Padres last 15 road games. The Over is 7-3 in the Padres last 10 vs. National League West. The Over is 7-3 in the Padres last 10 overall. The Over is 7-3 in Peavy's last 10 starts overall. The Over is 4-1 in Peavy's last 5 road starts vs. the Dodgers.
The Under is 4-1 in the Dodgers last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Over is 12-3-2 in the Dodgers last 17 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Dodgers last 9 home games. The Under is 13-6-1 in the Dodgers last 20 games as an underdog. The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets; Opening Line: Mets -160, Total 9.5 Under (-115)
11/09/07 15:40 Filed in: MLB
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (Tuesday, 7:10 pm EST)
Opening Line at SBG: Mets -160, Total 9.5 Under (-115)
Current Line at SBG: Mets -160, Total 9.5 Under (-115)
The Atlanta Braves will try and stay on life support in the National League playoff picture as they continue their series in New York against the Mets. Buddy Carlyle gets the start for Atlanta while New York counters with Orlando Hernandez. Early betting has the public taking the favored Mets at home.
Carlyle has not pitched that well for the Braves this season. He is 8-6 but his ERA is 5.21. He didn’t even make it out of the second inning in his last start giving up three runs on four hits and three walks. He did beat the Mets earlier this year holding them to three runs on six hits in five innings.
The Mets go with El Duque on Tuesday. He has had the last 10 days off with a ligament strain in his right foot. He is 9-4 with an ERA of 3.32 on the year. He has pitched twice against the Braves this season and has not gotten a decision but his ERA is 2.77.
Here were the betting statistics heading into Monday’s action. The Braves are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record. The Braves are 2-7 in their last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 1-4 in their last 5 games as an underdog. The Braves are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 1-4 in Carlyle's last 5 starts. The Braves are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.
The Mets are 8-1 in their last 9 overall. The Mets are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home favorite. The Mets are 4-0 in Hernandez's last 4 starts as a home favorite. The Mets are 4-1 in Hernandez's last 5 starts vs. the National League East.
The Under is 4-1 in the Braves last 5 games as an underdog. The Under is 6-2 in the Braves last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 5-2 in Carlyle's last 7 starts overall.
The Under is 5-1 in the Mets last 6 vs. the National League East. The Under is 5-1 in the Mets last 6 games as a home favorite. The Under is 11-4-1 in the Mets last 16 overall. The Under is 5-2 in the Mets last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 16-1 in Hernandez's last 17 home starts. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams but the Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York.
Betpool's Pick: Mets
Opening Line at SBG: Mets -160, Total 9.5 Under (-115)
Current Line at SBG: Mets -160, Total 9.5 Under (-115)
The Atlanta Braves will try and stay on life support in the National League playoff picture as they continue their series in New York against the Mets. Buddy Carlyle gets the start for Atlanta while New York counters with Orlando Hernandez. Early betting has the public taking the favored Mets at home.
Carlyle has not pitched that well for the Braves this season. He is 8-6 but his ERA is 5.21. He didn’t even make it out of the second inning in his last start giving up three runs on four hits and three walks. He did beat the Mets earlier this year holding them to three runs on six hits in five innings.
The Mets go with El Duque on Tuesday. He has had the last 10 days off with a ligament strain in his right foot. He is 9-4 with an ERA of 3.32 on the year. He has pitched twice against the Braves this season and has not gotten a decision but his ERA is 2.77.
Here were the betting statistics heading into Monday’s action. The Braves are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record. The Braves are 2-7 in their last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 1-4 in their last 5 games as an underdog. The Braves are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 1-4 in Carlyle's last 5 starts. The Braves are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.
The Mets are 8-1 in their last 9 overall. The Mets are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home favorite. The Mets are 4-0 in Hernandez's last 4 starts as a home favorite. The Mets are 4-1 in Hernandez's last 5 starts vs. the National League East.
The Under is 4-1 in the Braves last 5 games as an underdog. The Under is 6-2 in the Braves last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 5-2 in Carlyle's last 7 starts overall.
The Under is 5-1 in the Mets last 6 vs. the National League East. The Under is 5-1 in the Mets last 6 games as a home favorite. The Under is 11-4-1 in the Mets last 16 overall. The Under is 5-2 in the Mets last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 16-1 in Hernandez's last 17 home starts. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams but the Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York.
Betpool's Pick: Mets