MLB Gambling Tools: Official 2012 Umpire Crews

04.10.2012 06:32 AM Printer Friendly

Here is the official list of this year's MLB umpire crews. Also, see below for explanations on some of the roster moves, etc. Thanks to stevetheump.com.

2012 MLB Umpire Crews

Crew	Crew Chief	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew A	12 Gerry Davis	10 Phil Cuzzi	1 Bruce Dreckman*	53 Greg Gibson
Crew B	32 Dana DeMuth	44 Kerwin Danley	88 Doug Eddings	39 Paul Nauert
Crew C	36 Tim McClelland	65 Ted Barrett	18 Brian Runge	51 Marvin Hudson
Crew D	66 Jim Joyce**	77 Jim Reynolds	16 Mike DiMuro	92 James Hoye
Crew E	3 Tim Welke	63 Laz Diaz	57 Mike Everitt	43 Paul Schrieber
Crew F	5 Dale Scott	14 Bill Miller	58 Dan Iassogna	54 C. B. Bucknor
Crew G	22 Joe West	49 Sam Holbrook	30 Andy Fletcher	34 Rob Drake
Crew H	37 Gary Darling	41 Jerry Meals	50 Paul Emmel	87 Scott Barry
Crew I	4 Tim Tschida	52 Jeff Nelson	45 Bill Welke	68 Chris Guccione
Crew J	13 Derryl Cousins	46 Ron Kulpa	28 Jim Wolf	AAA Fill-in
Crew K	38 Gary Cederstrom	25 Fieldin Culbreth	80 Lance Barksdale	23 Adrian Johnson
Crew L	24 Jerry Layne	61 Bob Davidson	21 Hunter Wendlestedt	2 Dan Bellino
Crew M	9 Brian Gorman	27 Larry Vanover	11 Tony Randazzo	97 Todd Tichenor
Crew N	8 Jeff Kellogg	56 Eric Cooper	60 Marty Foster	95 Tim Timmons
Crew O	20 Tom Hallion	72 Brian O'Nora	7 Alfonso Márquez	75 Chad Fairchild
Crew P	33 Mike Winters	47 Wally Bell	35 Mark Wegner	91 Brian Knight
Crew Q	19 Ed Rapuano	55 Angel Hernandez	6 Mark Carlson	15 Ed Hickox

Among the most notable features of the 2012 MLB Umpire Crew list are:

The separation of Joe West (22; Crew Chief) and Angel Hernandez (55; Crew Chief: Ed Rapuano [19])

The absence of John Hirschbeck (MLB 17; DL) and Bruce Dreckman (MLB 1; Medical)

Vic Carapazza is expected to replace Dreckman until his return no sooner than May

MLB number changes: Dan Bellino (93-to-2), Mark Carlson (48-to-6), Bob Davidson (6-to-61)

AAA number change: David Rackley (76-to-86)

The promotion of Jim Joyce (66) to Interim Crew Chief necessitated by Hirschbeck's movement to the DL

Joyce's Crew: Mike DiMuro (16), Jim Reynolds (77), James Hoye (92)

The dissolution of the opening series umpires sent to Tokyo, Japan: Crew Chief Tom Hallion (20), Jeff Nelson (45), Marvin Hudson (51), Dan Bellino (2)

Tags: MLB

NBA Handicapping: Knicks and Bulls tangle against after Sunday's OT thriller

04.10.2012 06:24 AM Printer Friendly

New York at Chicago -8.5 O/U 186.5

Short turnaround for Chicago and New York as the Knicks got the best of the Bulls, 100-99 in overtime on Sunday in Madison Square Garden. Derrick Rose scored 29 points (8-of-26 FGs) in his first game back from injury. Both teams shot under 40% from the floor. The Bulls are two games ahead of Miami for the no. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference while New York is currently tied with Philadelphia for the eighth spot. Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau is concerned about his team's slow starts (they missed 11 of their first 12 shots on Sunday). New York head coach Mike Woodson was extremely pleased with Iman Shumpert's defensive performance against Rose on Sunday.

Tags: NBA Chicago Bulls New York Knicks

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Series Betting Prices

04.10.2012 05:52 AM Sammy P Sports Printer Friendly

Submitted by Sammy P Sports

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Prices courtesy of Pinnacle. Action starts on Wednesday. Higher seed on bottom.

Philadelphia +185
Pittsburgh -206

Detroit +101
Nashville -111

Los Angeles +189
Vancouver -211

Ottawa +193
NY Rangers -216

Washington +191
Boston -213

San Jose +138
St. Louis -153

Chicago -126
Phoenix +114

New Jersey -186
Florida +167

Tags: NHL Sammy P

April

National League Betting News and Notes

04.09.2012 01:11 PM Teddy Covers Printer Friendly

Submitted by Teddy Covers

Last week, I wrote a brief overview of all fourteen American League teams. This week, I’ll turn my attention to the National League, with 16 team capsules previewing the upcoming campaign.

The Philadelphia Phillies won 102 games last year, best in the majors by five games over the Yankees and by six games over the Brewers. Despite that tremendous season, the Phillies weren’t a monster moneymaker for their supporters in 2011, and ¾ of their profits came on the road. Their 52 home wins barely netted three units of profit. In a betting marketplace dominated by starting pitching, the Phillies staff of aces left them routinely overpriced; a continuing problem heading into the new campaign. With a weaker than average everyday lineup as long as Chase Utley and Ryan Howard remain hurt, taking +1.5 on the run line betting against the Phillies cashed in all three games in their season opening series against the Pirates, a potential harbinger of profits to come.

The Atlanta Braves had an 8.5 game lead in the Wild Card race with 23 games remaining last September, prior to their complete late Read more

Tags: MLB Teddy Covers

MLB Handicapping: Scouts call out dismal performance by Josh Beckett

04.09.2012 12:42 PM Printer Friendly

Josh Beckett's stat line (4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 HRs, 7 ER) from Saturday's loss at Detroit is one he'd rather forget but could be an indication that something isn't right. A few scouts noticed that he all but abandoned his four-seam fastball. Beckett is slated to throw next Friday at home against Tampa Bay.

"He topped out at 92,'' the scout said. " And he must have thrown 15 center cuts -- you can't do that.'' Center cut is jargon for cut fastballs that ended up over the middle of the plate.

Three different scouts wondered why Beckett relied so heavily on his cutter. "What's wrong with fastball, curve?'' said one scout, recalling the days when Beckett was a power pitcher who relied on a 95-97 m.p.h. fastball and a terrific 12-to-6 curveball.

Tags: MLB Boston Red Sox

The Charlotte Bobcats are a betting favorite (you read that right)

04.09.2012 10:36 AM Printer Friendly

Washington at Charlotte -1.5 O/U 197

Just in case you were wondering, the Charlotte Bobcats are favored over an NBA team. The previous two times that occurred didn’t work out so well…

1/16: Charlotte -2 vs. Cleveland - LOSS 102-94
1/13: Charlotte -3 vs. Detroit - LOSS 98-81

Tags: NBA Charlotte Bobcats Washington Wizards

NBA Betting Alert: San Antonio's Duncan, Parker and Parker could sit vs. Jazz

04.09.2012 10:26 AM Printer Friendly

San Antonio at Utah -1.5 O/U 208.5

According to Sports Options, San Antonio's Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli are questionable for tonight's game at Utah. The Spurs beat the Jazz at home last night 114-104. San Antonio opened tonight's game as a 3.5-point favorite. Back in February, the Spurs were in the midst of an 11-game winning streak but in a back-to-back spot at Portland, Gregg Popovich sat Duncan and Parker (Ginobli was already hurt). The Spurs lost 137-97.

Tags: NBA San Antonio Spurs Utah Jazz

NBA Betting Free Play: Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers

04.09.2012 10:15 AM Teddy Covers Printer Friendly

Submitted by Teddy Covers

Toronto at Indiana -10 O/U 188
Recommendation: Under

The Raptors have been a dead nuts UNDER team in recent weeks. This is no surprise for anyone who has closely followed Toronto this year. The Raptors have emphasized defense from Day 1 under Dwane Casey this year after years of defensive ineptitude, and it’s really starting to pay off. The numbers don’t lie. Toronto has gone UNDER the total in each of their last five ballgames, allowing 92 points or less each time on a combined 41.4% shooting. For the season, they’ve held foes well under 44% from the floor. Casey: “I’m looking for a foundation, a defensive foundation of toughness.” He’s finding that toughness on a nightly basis these days.

Both previous meetings between these two teams this year have been low scoring, defensive minded affairs: 95-90 and 90-85 Pacers victories. Now that Toronto has lost their best scorer, forward Andrei Read more

Tags: NBA Toronto Raptors Indiana Pacers Teddy Covers

MLB Gambling News: Red Sox and Yankees both start 0-3

04.09.2012 10:11 AM Printer Friendly

Submitted by

A great weekend of baseball to start the 2012 season and certainly some surprises for many that follow. At the top of the list of slow starters are the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The two American League favorites both started 0-3 after being swept by the Tigers and Rays respectively. The Red Sox continue their opening six-game road trip at Toronto while the Yankees travel to Baltimore to conclude their opening six-game road trip. The AL East is loaded again with the Blue Jays and Rays both capable of knocking off the two favorites for the AL East crown.

From a betting perspective, the Red Sox and Yankees are going to be inflated favorites often, and playing in the toughest division in baseball should provide rewards for taking back a tag on the underdogs.

Three other teams have started the season 0-3: Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves. The Giants lost each of their opening three games by one run to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco is one of the preseason contenders for post season play.

Despite a long season of 162 games, the opening three games of the season can tell us a bit about future playoff Read more

Tags: MLB New York Yankees Boston Red Sox __

MLB Handicapper Free Pick: Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers

04.09.2012 10:07 AM Printer Friendly

Submitted by

Seattle (Noesi) +215 at Texas (Darvish) O/U 9
Recommendation: Seattle

The latest hyped Japanese player makes his MLB debut tonight in Texas, as Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish takes the mound for Texas (2-1). Having yet to throw a pitch in the Majors, the 25-year-old Japanese legend is being paid over $5 million this season after posting an ERA under 1.50 in 232 innings last year in Japan. But pitching in Japan is a far cry from the task of tossing against MLB hitters. Seattle (3-1) is an afterthought in the AL West this season, but the Mariners will be motivated against the hyped Darvish and Rangers. And with another fairly unknown commodity taking the hill for Seattle in right-hander Hector Noesi, we see plenty of value taking this huge underdog tonight. Noesi is on the other end of the pay scale, making less than $500K this season after coming over in a trade that sent pitcher Michael Pineda to the Bronx. Noesi had decent success pitching for the Yankees last season with 56 innings Read more

Tags: MLB Seattle Mariners Texas Rangers __

Sports Betting Podcast 4-9-2012 with Rob Veno and Erin Rynning

04.09.2012 09:59 AM Printer Friendly

Monday's Sportsmemo Podcast featured handicappers Rob Veno and Erin Rynning. Rob broke down today's MLB games while Erin took care of the NBA card from a betting perspective.

Today's segments
Rob Veno - MLB Every Game on the Board

Erin Rynning - NBA Every Game on the Board

To listen to past shows, be sure to visit our Sportsmemo Podcast Homepage.

ITunes users can subscribe to the show by searching "Sportsmemo" in the podcast directory.

Tags: MLB NBA Rob Veno Erin Rynning

NBA Betting Notes: Anthony helps spark defensive turnaround for New York Knicks

04.09.2012 08:16 AM Printer Friendly

Amazing what happens to a team when their superstar becomes more motivated. Carmelo Anthony's committment on the defensive end has sparked a dramtic turnaround with the Knicks. Sunday's overtime win over Chicago upped their current run to 11-3. The Knicks have held 10 of their last 12 opponents under 100 points. They've also gone under the total (in regulation) in nine of their last 12.

Since then, the most important change has been Anthony's commitment to the defensive end. The difference is evident throughout Anthony's stat line. He's recording more steals and blocks and has been far more effective on the defensive glass, pulling down 17.2 percent of all opponent misses, an excellent mark for a small forward. That mark is both a cause and effect of a strategic change Woodson has been able to make that was on full display down the stretch Sunday: Using Anthony at power forward in the absence of injured Amar'e Stoudemire. Since the coaching change, Anthony has played nearly as much of the four spot as his natural small forward, with positive results. According to lineup Read more

Tags: NBA New York Knicks

NBA Handicapping: Bryant questionable, New Orleans eager for revenge

04.09.2012 08:07 AM Printer Friendly

LA Lakers -3.45 at New Orleans O/U 186

Kobe Bryant is listed as questionable for tonight's game at New Orleans. Bryant missed Saturday's game against Phoenix with a shin injury. Regardless if he plays or not, New Orleans seems bent on a little bit of revenge after losing in LA on a late three from Bryant, 88-85, back on March 31.

“He’s Kobe, but the last time we played them we should have won,” New Orleans point guard Greivis Vasquez said. “But we’re not afraid of nobody. We can outplay people just by playing hard defense.”

“I do think we play hard every night, and the guys know what we want to do because we try to keep the same system in place every day,” Hornets Coach Monty Williams said. “I think the league is a bit down offensively because of all the games, but I think because we have some guys Read more

Tags: NBA Los Angeles Lakers New Orleans Hornets

Maryland residents allowed to gamble on fantasy sports

04.09.2012 07:15 AM Printer Friendly

Maryland lawmakers passed a bill that will allow state residents to gamble on fantasy sports legally.

"As a joke, a couple of us were saying we should have made it an emergency bill to get it through before the start of the baseball season," said Del. John Olszewski Jr., D-Baltimore County, the bill's sponsor. "But I'm quite happy. It's a straightforward fix that allows Marylanders to join most of the rest of the country."

Las Vegas' gaming industry starting to see positives

04.09.2012 07:05 AM Printer Friendly

According to some, Las Vegas' gaming industry is slowly starting to bounce back.

“Gaming remains the primary engine that runs our local economy. When the gaming industry begins to show improvement, it can provide confidence to the business community at large. A healthy Las Vegas gaming industry can spark job creation in many sectors of our economy,” commercial real estate broker and hotel expert Mike Mixer said.

“Hotel/gaming investors will respond positively as improved profits are reported. This will attract additional investment and investors, which will drive hotel and gaming industry revenue. This, in turn, allows the industry to ramp up investment in capital and labor,” he said.

Tags: Las Vegas

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs - First Round TV Schedule

04.09.2012 06:45 AM Sammy P Sports Printer Friendly

Submitted by Sammy P Sports

2012 NHL Playoffs - First Round TV Schedule

SERIES A	TIME (ET)	#1 NY Rangers VS. #8 Ottawa	NETWORKS
APRIL 12	7 P.M.	Ottawa @ NY Rangers	NHL , CBC
APRIL 14	7 P.M.	Ottawa @ NY Rangers	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 16	7:30 P.M.	NY Rangers @ Ottawa	CBC, CNBC
APRIL 18	7:30 P.M.	NY Rangers @ Ottawa	CBC, CNBC
APRIL 21	7 P.M.	Ottawa @ NY Rangers	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 23	TBD	NY Rangers @ Ottawa	TBD
APRIL 26	TBD	Ottawa @ NY Rangers	TBD
SERIES B	TIME (ET)	#2 Boston VS. #7 Washington	NETWORKS
APRIL 12	7:30 P.M.	Washington @ Boston	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 14	3 P.M.	Washington @ Boston	NBC, CBC
APRIL 16	7:30 P.M.	Boston @ Washington	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 19	7:30 P.M.	Boston @ Washington	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 21	3 P.M.	Washington @ Boston	NBC, CBC
APRIL 22	TBD	Boston @ Washington	TBD
APRIL 25	TBD	Washington @ Boston	TBD
SERIES C	TIME (ET)	#3 Florida VS. #6 New Jersey	NETWORKS
APRIL 13	7 P.M.	NEW JERSEY @ FLORIDA	NHL , TSN
APRIL 15	7:30 P.M.	NEW JERSEY @ FLORIDA	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 17	7 P.M.	FLORIDA @ NEW JERSEY	NHL , TSN
APRIL 19	7 P.M.	FLORIDA @ NEW JERSEY	NHL , TSN
APRIL 21	6:30 P.M.	NEW JERSEY @ FLORIDA	NHL , TSN
APRIL 24	TBD	FLORIDA @ NEW JERSEY	TBD
APRIL 26	TBD	NEW JERSEY @ FLORIDA	TBD
SERIES D	TIME (ET)	#4 Pittsburgh VS. #5 Philadelphia	NETWORKS
APRIL 11	7:30 P.M.	Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 13	7:30 P.M.	Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 15	3 P.M.	Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia	NBC, TSN
APRIL 18	7:30 P.M.	Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 20	7:30 P.M.	Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 22	TBD	Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia	TBD
APRIL 24	TBD	Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh	TBD
SERIES E	TIME (ET)	#1 Vancouver VS. #8 Los Angeles	NETWORKS
APRIL 11	10:30 P.M.	Los Angeles @ Vancouver	CBC, NBC SPORTS
APRIL 13	10 P.M.	Los Angeles @ Vancouver	CBC, NBC SPORTS
APRIL 15	10:30 P.M.	Vancouver @ Los Angeles	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 18	10 P.M.	Vancouver @ Los Angeles	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 22	TBD	Los Angeles @ Vancouver	TBD
APRIL 24	TBD	Vancouver @ Los Angeles	TBD
APRIL 26	TBD	Los Angeles @ Vancouver	TBD
SERIES F	TIME (ET)	#2 St. Louis VS. #7 San Jose	NETWORKS
APRIL 12	7:30 P.M.	San Jose @ St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
APRIL 14	7:30 P.M.	San Jose @ St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
APRIL 16	10 P.M.	St. Louis @ San Jose	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 19	10:30 P.M.	St. Louis @ San Jose	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 21	7:30 P.M.	San Jose @ St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
APRIL 23	TBD	St. Louis @ San Jose	TBD
APRIL 25	TBD	San Jose @ St. Louis	TBD
SERIES G	TIME (ET)	#3 Phoenix VS. #6 Chicago	NETWORKS
APRIL 12	10 P.M.	Chicago @ Phoenix	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 14	10 P.M.	Chicago @ Phoenix	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 17	9 P.M.	Phoenix @ Chicago	CNBC, TSN
APRIL 19	8 P.M.	Phoenix @ Chicago	CNBC, TSN
APRIL 21	10 P.M.	Chicago @ Phoenix	NBC SPORTS , TSN
APRIL 23	TBD	Phoenix @ Chicago	TBD
APRIL 25	TBD	Chicago @ Phoenix	TBD
SERIES H	TIME (ET)	#4 Nashville VS. #5 Detroit	NETWORKS
APRIL 11	8 P.M.	Detroit @ Nashville	CNBC, CBC
APRIL 13	7:30 P.M.	Detroit @ Nashville	CNBC, CBC
APRIL 15	NOON	Nashville @ Detroit	NBC, CBC
APRIL 17	7:30 P.M.	Nashville @ Detroit	NBC SPORTS , CBC
APRIL 20	8 P.M.	Detroit @ Nashville	CNBC, CBC
APRIL 22	TBD	Nashville @ Detroit	TBD
APRIL 24	TBD	Detroit @ Nashville	TBD

Tags: NHL Sammy P