Bettors' best friend: Thursday's wagering tips
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Lines
to keep an eye on
Lakers opened as 6.5-point favorites over
the Suns and the spread has climbed to 7.5. The total launched at 219
but has fallen to 217.5.
Weather to watch
Nationals-Giants
forecast calls for 50 percent chance of showers.
Braves-Marlins
game faces 40 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Who's hot
Lakers
are 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS at home in playoffs.
Red Sox are 8-1 in
their last nine.
Who's not
Astros are 2-9 in their
last 11.
Orioles are 3-8 in their last 11.
Key stat
50
- Hitting streak Florida International's Garrett Wittels will be going
for today in an elimination game of the Sun Belt tournament. The streak,
already the second-longest in NCAA history behind former White Sox
great Robin Ventura's 58, could end with a loss today if the sophomore
opts to go pro.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Streaky
Yankees starter Javier Vasquez suffered a bruised index finger on this
throwing hand last Friday against the New York Mets and was questionable
to make today's start against the Twins. He threw a bullpen session
Tuesday and reported no problems, but he's not the kind of pitcher who
likes to give up the ball, even when he's struggling. If there is the
slightest sign of a problem with the finger he will be on a short leash.
Game
of the day
Suns at Lakers (-7.5, 217.5)
Notable
quotable
"I can't dance tonight due to injury, trying to
squat 420 without a warm(up) was dumb of me."
Cincinnati Bengals
wide receiver Chad Ochocinco tweeted about why he did not take part in
Tuesday night's season finale of "Dancing With The Stars."
Tips
and notes
A logistical delay has literally made Jose Lima
late for his own funeral, and could cause travel problems for some
current players as well. Lima's body was delayed on its trip from L.A.
to N.Y., moving the date from Thursday to Friday, a travel day for
players who had hoped to attend. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had been
given permission from the team to take the day off to go the funeral and
Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis, Placido
Polanco, Antonio Bastardo and Alex Cora also wanted to attend before the
Phillies played the Mets at Citi Field. No immediate word on their
backup plans.
A power outage at Wrigley Field during Wednesday
night's game made a long night even longer for the Dodgers, who made a
rare Midwest road trip for just three games before heading back West.
The series finale comes at 2 p.m. today, just 14 hours after the
conclusion of Wednesday's late game. The Cubs are used to playing quick
turnaround games at the Friendly Confines, and it could catch up to the
Dodgers in Colorado this weekend.
Whoever said lightning never
strikes the same place twice must not be at Roland Garros, where Robin
Soderling is off to another surprisingly strong start in the French
Open. Soderling's lightning-fast win on Wednesday lasted 71 minutes,
three minutes shy of the 40-year-old record, and his first-round match
was similarly impressive for a guy who came into the major after losing
three straight matches in Rome. Granted it's only the third round, but
he should be rested enough to make another run to the finals.