ALL STAR GAME SERVICE PLAYS !! 7/15

[the duke]

Sammy Jankus

The Reverse Barometer!
Always play the OTHER SIDE of my game writeup.

National League vs American League 8:20 PM ET
Play (941) NATIONAL LEAGUE (+132)
First of all, let me say that I'm NOT GOING TO WATCH tonight's game because I'm boycotting the broadcast. Why? Because the MLB hierarchy has decided that the winner of this game gets home field advantage in the World Series. What an ABSOLUTE BUNCH OF GARBAGE! The team with the BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORD should be awarded HFA for the championship of ANY SPORT ? it's as simple as that! If you're going to pursue some other hare-brained notion about how to decide HFA, why not give it to the circuit that came out on top in the year's INTERLEAGUE PLAY? That decision would go to the American League, who took no prisoners when facing off with its NL opponents, rolling to an impressive 130-76 record! But to base such a valuable commodity on the outcome of a single game ? especially one that isn't much more than a fan popularity contest ? is LUDICROUS! Okay, that's enough ranting for now... I'm siding with the American League because of their TOTAL DOMINANCE in 2008 Interleague competition ? so that means your play is on THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.

 

[the duke]

Robert Ferringo



1-Unit Play. Take #941 American League (-140) over National League (8 p.m., Tuesday, July 15)
Don't play this game at more than -145. The A.L. has dominated Interleague Play, dominated the World Series, and, recently, dominated the All-Star Game. I don't see any weaknesses in this lineup that would make me think that they would stop tonight. I definitely like the N.L. roster much better, as far as position players go. But there are definitely more youngsters and first-timers on the N.L. who may not be able to focus as well in this environment. The crowd will be behind the A.L., which is no small matter in New York, and I think that the American's bullpen is tighter. Guys like Aaron Cook, Brian Wilson, Carlos Marmol, and Brad Lidge can be shaky. That's where I think we get this one.

 

[the duke]

Brandon Lang

5 DIME - American League

 

[the duke]

Dave Cokin comp

Over All Star Game

 

[the duke]

VIC MONTE

ALL STAR PACKAGE

30* Home Run Derby Winner - (Chase Utley +475)- LOSS
20* Home Run Derby Winner - (Justin Morneau +450)-WIN
30* All Star Game Side Selection - (American League)
20* All Star Game Total Selection - (UNDER 10)
30* All Star Game Prop - Derek Jeter to Win MVP +800
20* All Star Game Prop - Manny Ramirez to Win MVP +800

 

[the duke]

Vegas Insider Capping

2* National League +140

 

[the duke]

Matty Oshea

2008 MLB All-Star Game Pick

It's simply hard to ignore the American League's dominance in the Mid-Summer Classic over the last 11 years. Outside of the ridiculous tie in 2002, the AL has won 10 times in 10 years, seven of which have been decided by two runs or more. It's also worth noting that two of the three one-run games came in National League ballparks. There are really no other handicapping factors to consider here besides looking at these historical trends and breaking down the rosters to figure out which team you think has the better chance.

In my opinion, the AL is a no-brainer. We all know by now that this is the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, and there always seem to be storybook endings written in these types of scenarios. In fact, three similar scenarios have played out during the AL's current 10-game winning streak, starting with former Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. winning MVP honors in a 3-1 victory at Jacobs Field. Former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez followed that up by outdueling Curt Schilling two years later at Fenway Park and then Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. played one inning at shortstop in 2001 and hit a homer in his very last All-Star Game to win MVP. All three of those games were decided by two runs or more.

You see where I'm going with this? I'm betting the AL on the runline here (+140 at BetUS) and also see some value in betting New York's Derek Jeter (8/1 at Sportsbetting.com) or Alex Rodriguez (6/1) to win MVP. As much as I ripped on A-Rod in my blog on Monday, I could see him coming through tonight with a big-time performance. He's certainly more than overdue to do something positive in his career. I am also putting some money on the field at 11/2 because it includes over 40 other players who could steal the spotlight, including Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

On another note, I still really don't like that the winner of this game gets home-field advantage in the World Series. I think MLB needs to give these teams a week off and let the All-Star Game become a best-of-three series if that is the reward. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[the duke]

Vegas-Runner

MLB Total Double-Dime Bet
942 AL / 941 NL Over 10 SportBet
Analysis:
** 2* MLB ALL-STAR GAME TOTAL ** (OVER -105)




"HEAVY HITTERS" WNBA for TUESDAY

SAN ANTONIO +4 (-120) (1*)...

This Number should get to 4 on its own in this one, but at this time the concensus is still using 3.5 and in that case, we would go ahead and buy the 1/2 Pt...

CONNECTICUT -1 & SAN ANTONIO +9 (1*)..."TEASER PLAY of the DAY"...Now 44-21 and on a 36-14 run since March...

 

[the duke]

Kelso Sturgeon

5 units American League
3 units under
1 unit props on no score first inning
1 unit American League having more extra base hits
1 unit American League to hit first Homerun

 

[the duke]

Rob Veno

National League

I like the National League tonight +1.35. The difference in rest for the pitching staffs is huge. It begins with the starters where Ben Sheets is working on a full five days of rest as opposed to Cliff Lee who has just three. In all, the NL has three starters (Sheets, Dan Haren, Carlos Zambrano) who have at least four full days of rest while the AL has only Joe Saunders. Like Lee, Roy Halladay threw on Friday. Here's a look at how the starters look for tonight:


NL - Sheets 5 days rest / Zambrano 5 /Haren 4 / Cook 3
AL - Lee 3 days rest / Halladay 3 / Saunders 6

The deal with Saunders is his wife had their first baby on Saturday night and he basically stayed awake around the clock and couldn't start for the Angels on Sunday. Then a cross country flight with west to east time change that generally works against body clocks. New baby & fatigue definitely are ? marks about his effectiveness tonight.

AL Unrested - Duchscherer (98 pitches Sunday), Kazmir (104) have one day of rest while Santana (111) has two

NL Unrested - Lincecum (116), Webb (108), Dempster 118 all have just one day of rest while Volquez (114) has two.

AL has 6 closers on the roster but we know they have a distinct mentality of needing to be in with the game on the line in the 9th. These guys may begin entering in the 5th. The effectiveness of Frankie Rodriguez (102 pitches last week) & Joakim Soria off his worst week of the season (1 blown save and 2 losses last week) could be a concern here.

AL Available & Rested - Papelbon, Nathan, Sherill & Rivera

NL has 5 relievers on their roster and only Carlos Marmol who's been very shaky the past three weeks is of concern.

NL Available & Rested - Wood, Lidge, Wagner, Wilson

The starting lineups seem to give a huge edge in quick strike potency to the NL. Power from top to bottom and .300+ hitters galore finally give an "on paper" edge to the NL which has been scarce the last dozen years. The benches are very equal offensively in my estimation as there are legitimate power sources and solid hitters on each side.

In the end, I'll take the +1.35 with the NL's deeper and more rested starting staff and their superior starting lineup. I figure the NL relief corps is strong enough to handle the late innings and the fact that Manager Clint Hurdle is taking a very serious approach to winning this game helps too. Recommendation: National League

 

[the duke]

LT's Lock

Current streak: 4 wins

Todays play: The NL +140

 

[the duke]

O.C. Dooley

"1 UNIT" Proposition: Total number of pitchers used OVER 16'