Sunday, May 15, 2011

NASCAR FedEx 400 Preview

The drivers of the Sprint Cup Series will return to action on Sunday afternoon in the FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway.

Regan Smith picked up his first career Cup victory in the Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway last time out, holding off Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski for the victory.

Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the Top 10 drivers at the Showtime Southern 500.

Edwards extended his lead in the driver standings to 23 points on Jimmie Johnson with his result at Darlington, while Kyle Busch is 39 points back of the leader in third place. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick remain fourth and fifth in the points race.

Busch won the spring race at Dover last season, while Johnson has taken the checkered flag in three of the past four Cup events at the track. Johnson has three other Dover victories on his resume, and Busch also won this race back in 2008.

Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin have both visited Victory Lane in Cup races at Dover four times in their careers, Newman has done it three times, and Stewart and Biffle have done it twice each. Edwards, Truex Jr., Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, and Earnhardt Jr. all have one career Cup win at Dover.

After racing at Dover the drivers of the Sprint Cup Series will go to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the All-Star Race on May 21. The season then resumes on May 29 at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600.

NASCAR FedEx 400 Preview

MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

The Boston Red Sox will be trying to extend a winning streak on Sunday when they take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

The Red Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Jon Lester in this game. Lester has a 4-1 record and a 2.96 ERA this season.

Meanwhile, it'll be Freddy Garcia who starts for the Yankees. Righthander Garcia is 2-2 with a 2.40 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Yankees, while the game's total is sitting at 8½.

In their last action, Boston was a 6-0 winner on the road against the Yankees. Bettors on Boston at +131 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (6) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Current streak: Boston has won 2 straight games. New York has lost 4 straight games.

Team records: Boston: 19-20 SU New York: 20-17 SU

Boston most recently: When playing on Sunday are 3-7 Before playing Baltimore are 4-6 After playing NY Yankees are 7-3 After a win are 6-4

New York most recently: When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5 After playing Boston are 4-6 After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider: Boston is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Yankees Boston is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Boston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games

Next up: Boston home to Baltimore, Monday, May 16 NY Yankees at Tampa Bay, Monday, May 16

MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

MLB Civil Rights Game Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Turner Field.

The Phillies will trot Roy Halladay out to the mound in this one. Righthander Halladay has a 5-2 record and a 2.05 ERA this season.

The Braves will counter Halladay with Tim Hudson. Righthander Hudson has a 3.09 ERA to go along with a 4-3 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 117-moneyline favorites versus the Braves, while the game's total is sitting at 6½.

Philadelphia lost its last outing, a 5-3 result against the Braves on May 14. Bettors who backed the Braves at -160 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (8) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team records: Philadelphia: 25-13 SU Atlanta: 22-19 SU

Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Sunday are 5-5 Before playing St. Louis are 4-6 After playing Atlanta are 6-4 After a loss are 8-2

Atlanta most recently: When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider: Philadelphia is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games on the road Philadelphia is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home Atlanta is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games

Next up: Philadelphia at St. Louis, Monday, May 16 Atlanta home to Houston, Monday, May 16

MLB Civil Rights Game Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Sunday when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds meet at Great American Ball Park.

The Cardinals will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Chris Carpenter in this game. Carpenter has a 1-2 record and a 4.32 ERA this season.

Carpenter's opponent in this one will be Travis Wood. The Reds lefthander has a 5.28 ERA to go along with a 2-3 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 111-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game's total is sitting at 8½.

The Cardinals were a 7-3 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Reds. That made winners of bettors who got Cincinnati at -118 on the moneyline, while the total score (10) was good news for OVER bettors.

Current streak: St. Louis has lost 2 straight games. Cincinnati has won 2 straight games.

Team records: St. Louis: 22-18 SU Cincinnati: 22-17 SU

St. Louis most recently: When playing on Sunday are 5-5 Before playing Philadelphia are 7-3 After playing Cincinnati are 6-4 After a loss are 7-3

Cincinnati most recently: When playing on Sunday are 4-6 Before playing Chi Cubs are 7-3 After playing St. Louis are 5-5 After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati St. Louis is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Cincinnati Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Next up: St. Louis home to Philadelphia, Monday, May 16 Cincinnati home to Chi Cubs, Monday, May 16

MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

NBA Playoff Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Ford Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Thunder listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Grizzlies, while the game's total is sitting at 191.

The Thunder were a 95-83 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Grizzlies. They failed to cover the 1.5?point spread as underdogs, while the total score (178) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Memphis: Team record: 46-36 SU, 52-29-1 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 8 of last 9 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 8 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 8 of last 11 games when playing Oklahoma City is 18-6-1 ATS in its last 25 games

When playing on Sunday are 6-4 After playing Oklahoma City are 5-5 After a win are 4-6

Oklahoma City: Team record: 55-27 SU, 43-38-1 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 8 of last 9 games when playing at home against Memphis is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home The total has gone OVER in 8 of last 11 games when playing Memphis is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Memphis

When playing on Sunday are 4-6 After playing are 7-3 After a loss are 8-2

NBA Playoff Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at United Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 2-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game's total is sitting at 180.

Miami won its last outing, a 97-87 result against the Celtics on May 11. The Heat managed to cover in that game as a 7.5-point favorite, while the 184 combined points took the game OVER the total.

The Bulls were a 93-73 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Hawks. They covered the 3.5?point spread as favorites, while the total score (166) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Miami: Team record: 58-24 SU, 39-42-1 ATS

is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road

When playing on Sunday are 6-4 Before playing Chicago are 4-6 After playing Boston are 8-2 After a win are 8-2

Chicago: Team record: 62-20 SU, 50-31-1 ATS

is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing at home against Miami is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Miami

When playing on Sunday are 7-3 Before playing are 6-4 After playing Atlanta are 8-2 After a win are 7-3

Next up: Miami at Chicago, Wednesday, May 18 Chicago home to Miami, Wednesday, May 18

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

NHL Western Conference Finals Preview: San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks

The San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Rogers Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Canucks listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Sharks, while the game's total is sitting at 5½.

Last time out for San Jose, they were a 3-2 winner as they battled the Red Wings at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Sharks at -128 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Vancouver was a 2-1 winner in its last match on the road against the Predators. They won as -138 favorites, while the total score of 3 made winners of UNDER bettors.

Vancouver: Team record: 54-19-9 SU, ATS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games when playing San Jose The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 11 games at home is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 16 of last 23 games

When playing on Sunday are 7-3 Before playing are 6-4 After playing Nashville are 8-2 After a win are 6-4

San Jose: Team record: 48-25-9 SU, ATS

The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 8 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games when playing Vancouver is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing Vancouver is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games

When playing on Sunday are 5-5 Before playing Toronto are 4-6 After playing Detroit are 6-4 After a win are 6-4

Next up: Vancouver home to San Jose, Wednesday, May 18

NHL Western Conference Finals Preview: San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians

The Tampa Bay Rays will be trying to extend a winning streak on Tuesday when they take on the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

The Rays will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Andy Sonnanstine in this game. Sonnanstine has a 0-0 record and a 0.00 ERA this season.

Sonnanstine's opponent in this one will be Josh Tomlin. The Indians righthander has a 2.43 ERA to go along with a 4-1 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 133-moneyline favorites versus the Rays, while the game's total is sitting at 8.

The Rays were a 5-3 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Orioles. That made winners of bettors who got Tampa Bay at -123 on the moneyline, while the total score (8) was good news for UNDER bettors.

The Indians were a 6-5 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Angels. That made winners of bettors who got Los Angeles at -148 on the moneyline, while the total score (11) was good news for OVER bettors.

Current streak: Tampa Bay has won 4 straight games.

Team records: Tampa Bay: 20-14 SU Cleveland: 22-11 SU

Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Cleveland are 7-3 After playing Baltimore are 3-7 After a win are 7-3

Cleveland most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 3-7 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After playing LA Angels are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider: Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games when playing Cleveland Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Cleveland is 18-2 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home Cleveland is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games

Next up: Cleveland home to Tampa Bay, Wednesday, May 11

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians

MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Florida Marlins

The fans at Sun Life Stadium will be treated to a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins when they take their seats on Tuesday.

The Phillies will trot Roy Halladay out to the mound in this one. Righthander Halladay has a 5-1 record and a 2.19 ERA this season.

The Marlins will counter Halladay with Josh Johnson. Righthander Johnson has a 1.68 ERA to go along with a 3-1 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 106-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game's total is sitting at 6.

Last time out for Philadelphia, they were a 6-4 winner as they battled the Marlins on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Phillies at +100 were rewarded, while the 10 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team records: Philadelphia: 23-11 SU Florida: 20-14 SU

Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Florida are 6-4 After playing Florida are 9-1 After a win are 6-4

Florida most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4 After playing Philadelphia are 2-8 After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider: Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Florida The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Florida Philadelphia is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

Next up: Florida home to Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 11

MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Florida Marlins

NBA Playoff Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls

The fans at United Center will be treated to a game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls when they take their seats on Tuesday.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total is sitting at 181.

In their last action, Chicago was a 100-88 loser on the road against the Hawks. They failed to cover the 3.5?point spread as favorites, while the combined score (188) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Atlanta: Team record: 44-38 SU, 37-45 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Chicago The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago The total has gone UNDER in 14 of last 20 games

When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Chicago are 6-4 After playing Chicago are 6-4 After a win are 5-5

Chicago: Team record: 62-20 SU, 50-31-1 ATS

is 22-2 SU in its last 24 games at home is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Atlanta

When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing are 7-3 After playing are 7-3 After a loss are 9-1

Next up: Atlanta home to Chicago, Thursday, May 12 Chicago at Atlanta, Thursday, May 12

NBA Playoff Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls