Lincecum goes after third straight complete game against Astros

Baseball Betting Lines

07/04/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum hopes for the same type of run support San Francisco provided Ryan Sadowski in the opener of this set when the Giants play the middle test of their three-game series with the Houston Astros at AT&T Park.

Although, considering the way Lincecum has been pitching of late, he may not need it.

The NL's reigning Cy Young Award winner, who was just named the NL's Pitcher of the Month for June, won for the fourth time in his last five starts and for the eighth time in his last nine decisions on Monday in St. Louis, as he tossed a two-hit shutout to improve to 8-2, while lowering his earned run average to 2.37. He also struck out eight and has fanned at least that many in his last four starts, while leading the league in that category with 132.

"It was one of his best games. His fastball was moving, he had command of all his pitches. He was just locked in out there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of his ace.

It was his second consecutive complete game and his third in four starts, two of which have been shutouts.

"He wants to be the guy to complete a game," Bochy added. "That's the mentality you want your starters to have."

Lincecum, who has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight outings, is 1-0 in four starts against the Astros with a 2.13 ERA.

San Francisco's offense exploded early on Friday, as it scored a season-high 13 runs over the first three innings in a 13-0 win.

Sadowski (2-0) followed up six shutout innings in his big league debut on Sunday with seven more scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and a walk while fanning four for San Francisco, which was coming off a 5-5 road trip.

Nate Schierholtz and Edgar Renteria each contributed three hits to the onslaught, Pablo Sandoval added two more, including a homer and three RBI, and Travis Ishikawa belted a three-run homer for the victors.

"We don't do that very often, but the offense was there," said Bochy. "(Sadowski) was good. He was outstanding. We had it all going tonight: offense, pitching. It was good to see the guys bounce back."

Houston starter Felipe Paulino (2-5) lasted just two innings, getting tattooed for nine runs -- eight earned -- on nine hits for the Astros, who lost the opener of this three-game set after taking three of four from San Diego.

"He just didn't have good location," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said of his starter. "[His] curveball wasn't as good as it was before. Probably got too many pitches in the zone. He didn't hit his spots very well and seemed like they knew what was coming the way they were swinging."

Houston will turn to veteran righty Russ Ortiz, who is 3-3 with a 3.36 ERA. Ortiz, who started his career with the Giants, did not get a decision on Sunday against Detroit, despite giving up just two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 4-3 loss.

Ortiz has faced his former team seven times and is 0-3 in those outings with a 7.46 ERA.

Drafted by San Francisco in 1995, Ortiz went 67-44 from 1998 through 2002 with the Giants before leaving via trade in 2002. After stops in Arizona and Baltimore, Ortiz returned to San Francisco in 2007 and appeared in 12 games before undergoing an operation on his throwing elbow that cost him the 2008 season.

Houston and San Francisco are meeting for the first time since the Astros took seven of the eight meetings a year ago. Houston went 3-1 at AT&T Park in 2008.

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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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