08/23/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pat Burrell had three hits, including a three-run homer, and matched his career-high with five runs batted in, as the Philadelphia Phillies thumped the Los Angeles Dodgers, 9-2, in the second of a four-game set from Citizens Bank Park.
Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino each knocked in two runs for the Phillies, who have won five of their last six contests. Chase Utley finished 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored.
Cole Hamels (11-8) tossed seven solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits to pick up his second straight victory following a career-long, seven-game winless streak. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Russell Martin clubbed a two-run homer for Los Angeles, which has dropped four of its last five games.
Clayton Kershaw (2-4), the youngest player in the majors, was saddled with the loss after he gave up six runs on seven hits in four-plus innings of work. The 20-year-old left-hander struck out five and walked two.
The Phillies raced out to a 3-0 lead before an out had been recorded in the first. Jimmy Rollins was hit by a pitch and Utley followed with a single before Burrell drilled an offering from Kershaw off the left field foul pole for his 30th home run. Los Angeles, though, came back with two runs in the third on Martin's 12th homer.
Philadelphia created some separation with a three-spot in the fifth. Rollins singled and Utley walked to begin the inning. Burrell then lofted a seemingly harmless fly ball to center, but Matt Kemp lost it in the sun and Burrell was credited with an RBI double. Howard continued the barrage with a two-run double to the gap in right-center for a 6-2 Phillies lead.
The Phillies added three more runs in the sixth. Jason Johnson, who relieved Kershaw in the previous inning, hit Hamels to open the frame. One out later, Utley and Burrell stroked consecutive singles to score Hamels. Joe Beimel was then summoned from the bullpen and walked Howard to load the bases for Victorino, whose broken-bat blooper gave the Phillies a 9-2 advantage.
Game Notes
Howard (34), Utley (31) and Burrell (30) became the third trio in Phillies history to hit at least 30 homers in one season. Last year, Howard (47), Burrell (30) and Rollins (30) accomplished the feat and, in 1929, it was done by Chuck Klein (43), Lefty O'Doul (32) and Don Hurst (31)...The Phillies have recorded an extra-base hit in 54 straight games...Before the game, the Phillies placed outfielder Geoff Jenkins on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip flexor strain and purchased the contract of infielder Andy Tracy from Triple-A Lehigh Valley...Los Angeles' Hiroki Kuroda (7-9) and Philadelphia's Joe Blanton (1-0) are scheduled to start on Sunday.
<< Giants edge Padres
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rich Aurilia drove in the go-ahead run in
the eighth inning with a two-out triple, leading the Giants to a 4-3 victory
over the San Diego Padres in the second of three games.
Barry Zito (8-15) got his
<< Colonel John claims Travers in photo-finish
Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John
survived a stretch long duel with Mambo in Seattle to win Saturday's $1
million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, The "Mid-Summer Derby"
attract
<< Royals' Gordon goes to DL
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas City Royals third baseman Alex
Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a torn muscle in
his right leg.
Gordon left Thursday's 10-3 loss against the Cleveland Indians
<< Rangers recall pitcher McCarthy from minors
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers recalled pitcher Brandon
McCarthy from Triple-A Oklahoma in time to start Saturday's game against the
Cleveland Indians.
The 25-year old McCarthy will make his season debut as he spe
Coe two clear in Ontario >>
Mississauga, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Coe fired his second straight five-
under 65 Saturday to grab a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Jane
Rogers Championship of Mississauga.
Coe completed 54 holes at 13-under-par 197. Th
Lions take advantage of injury-depleted Browns >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Orlovsky hit on 13-of-20 passes for 167
yards, with a touchdown and an interception, while Jon Kitna was 9-of-11
passing for 98 yards to help lead the Detroit Lions in a rout of the injury-
laden C
Texans WR Williams to have surgery >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Texans wide receiver Harry Williams
will undergo surgery Sunday to repair a fractured vertebra sustained in
Friday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The procedure will be performe
Pena, Rays rally past ChiSox >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Pena drove in two with a single as part
of a four-run eighth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays came back to defeat the
Chicago White Sox, 5-3, in the second of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular
Field.
Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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