07/24/2008 - Chicago, IL (Baseball Betting) - Aramis Ramirez keyed a four-run fifth inning with a two-run double and Carlos Zambrano tossed seven strong innings, as the Chicago Cubs downed the Florida Marlins, 6-3, in the opener of a four-game series at Wrigley Field.
Zambrano (11-4) allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts for the Cubs, who continued their strong play at home. It was a welcomed change for the club, which returned home after a 2-4 road trip and now owns the best home record in the majors at 38-12. Ronny Cedeno and Henry Blanco both added solo home runs in the win.
Hanley Ramirez belted a two-run homer for the Marlins, who have lost two straight and five of their last eight games overall.
Scott Olsen (6-5), a native of the Chicago metropolitan area, started on the hill for the Marlins and allowed all six runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Earlier Thursday, the Cubs placed pitcher Kerry Wood on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his right index finger. The move is retroactive to July 14. The club will make a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game.
The Cubs trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth but scored four times for a 6-2 advantage.
Mark DeRosa led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Blanco. Zambrano helped his own cause with a one-out double to left that scored DeRosa and Alfonso Soriano was intentionally walked to load the bases.
With two outs, Derrek Lee drew a walk and Zambrano trotted home. Ramirez then stepped to the plate and ripped a double to right field. Two runners scored, and although Lee was cut down at the plate to end the inning, the Cubs moved into the sixth with a 5-2 lead.
Blanco's two-out solo blast in the sixth gave Chicago a four-run edge.
The Marlins drew within 6-3 in the top of the eighth courtesy of a sacrifice fly off the bat of Luis Gonzalez.
Carlos Marmol issued consecutive walks to John Baker and Dan Uggla to put the first two runners on base in the top of the ninth. Marmol then got two straight outs but issued his third walk of the inning to Jorge Cantu to load the bases, but Wes Helms struck out to end the game.
Marmol earned his fourth save of the campaign.
Ramirez gave the visitors the lead with a two-run homer in the top of the third that also brought home Olsen, who had singled to center with one out. The Cubs cut their deficit in half in the bottom of the frame when Cedeno led off with his second home run of 2008.
Game Notes
Zambrano improved to 6-0 in 11 home starts this season and is now 4-1 in eight career starts versus Florida...The Cubs snapped a 10-game skid against the Marlins...Both teams produced eight hits...Zambrano's 2008 earned run average is 2.96...It was the 24th homer of the year for Ramirez...Prior to the game, the Marlins activated relief pitcher Justin Miller from the 15-day disabled list. He had been sidelined since July 5 with right elbow inflammation. To make room on the roster, the club optioned pitcher Ryan Tucker to Double-A Carolina.
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sweep i
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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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