With the recent completion of the NBA playoffs along with the official start of summer and the upcoming 4th of July holiday, I'm taking a break and 'shutting it down' (blogs) for the next few months until the start of football season. I may ‘chip-in’ a periodic blog and update, but I will be taking some personal time the next 6+ weeks and my blogging will go back in the ‘bag’ for now. I’ll continue my daily MLB handicapping and also provide our profitable PGA golf selections over the next two months. We’ll ‘shoot’ for more ‘green’ and try to keep swinging a ‘big stick’, as our winning ways and ‘birdie barrage’ in June produced a 26-15 record in MLB with over 13 units of profit and over 15 units of profit for the month in all sports following another ‘tap-in’ 20* Big Drive winner at the Buick Open.

For the past three years, I've provided blog entries and posted them at Sportsmemo at least 15 times each and every month. I enjoy writing and providing my thoughts, analysis and insight for those interested. Along with everyday handicapping, research and analysis, I find ‘blogging’ to be a bit of a ‘relief’. It’s time consuming, but I enjoy ‘chipping-in’ my thoughts and insight to Fairway's Faithful Followers and other interested bettors and sports enthusiasts. Along with my radio appearances on the Sportsmemo Radio Show, the time commitment and delivery of information is really quite a responsibility when you factor in written game analysis along with my thoughts, insight, articles and blog entries. Add in all the additional research along with team, player and match-up analysis, and the commitment to provide a quality handicapping service that delivers winning information and results is immense.

Fortunately, I love sports handicapping and take great pride in providing winning results with insightful information. The risk/reward is great as you compete to beat the game. As a bettor, I owe it to myself to be my best both physically and mentally. As a professional handicapper that earns a ‘reward’ and income for providing winning information and results, I take it personally if I’m not committed and trying to be focused and fit. Football and basketball season (9 months) encompass the busiest time of the year. With that in mind, I’m going to ‘recharge’ my batteries and get my mind and body ready for the upcoming season while doing extensive research and preparation in July and August for the upcoming football and basketball seasons.

Only a small percentage of handicappers and sports services have attained Fairway Jay’s winning results and level of success in selecting pointspread winners the past five years combined in the NFL and college basketball. I expect those results to continue and look forward to ‘kicking off’ the upcoming college and pro football campaign with more ‘birdies’ and ‘green’ this season.

I’ll be back with more regular blog updates by September. Until then, stay on ‘course’…!  

The end of June also brings to a close the ‘intrigue’ of interleague play. The American League’s dominance left little to get excited about, however Fairway’s Followers were thrilled with the results in Interleague play and the ‘birdies’ and ‘green’ accumulated over the entire month of June. We finished off a 4-1 week in MLB action with our fourth ‘tap-in’ winner when the San Francisco Giants ‘whacked’ the Oakland A’s 11-1 Sunday as a nice +125 underdog. And for good measure, we ‘chipped-in’ a 20* Big Drive winner in PGA match-up action by ‘fading’ Brian Bateman, who simply missed the cut by 9 shots. Hope you ‘fired away’ after reading the injury information provided in my PGA blog last week, as we took advantage of a rare opportunity with Bateman listed in the match-up wagering to ‘bomb’ the bookmaker and cash more ‘green’. Our 20* ‘Big Bertha’ bombers are now 5-1 this year in PGA play, and we’re back to over 60% winners in match-up action and up nearly 10 units of profit this golf season. With a 5-1 week overall and plus +5.15 units of profit, we finished off a solid month of June with a 26-14 mark in MLB action and +14.60 units of profit. Add in the PGA plays and we ‘chipped-in’ over 16 units of profit for June.

Back to the Interleague numbers and they are ‘ugly’ if you’re a National League fan and supporter. In fact, over the past 2+ weeks of interleague play, the top two teams in each division of the National League (NL) all had losing records against their American League (AL) counterparts. The Phillies (3-9) and Marlins (6-9) from the NL East combined to go 9-18 versus the AL. The Diamondbacks (5-10) and Dodgers (4-8) from the West were equally poor while also burning their betting backers with a combined 9-18 mark. The NL best Cubs (6-9) and Cardinals (5-7) from the Central were also in the ‘rough’ with an 11-16 record versus the American League.

For the 2008 season, the American League ‘whacked’ the National League again with a 149-102 record. That’s dominating, and this is not a 1-year trend. In 2007, the AL went 137-115 versus the NL. In 2006, AL 154-98 over NL. And in 2005, the American League ‘hit’ the National League again with 136-116 record. Also, recent history shows that the American League has won 11 of the past 16 World Series, while winning 62 of the 103 World Series since 1903. And lets not forget that the American League has won 10-straight All Star games (2002 - tie) and 16 of the past 19 overall.

Here is a Sports Illustrated article and a writer’s thoughts with 10 reasons why the American League dominates the National League. I’ve always followed the American League more closely having grown up in Minneapolis as a Twins fan for many years before moving to Las Vegas and becoming a more accomplished bettor and professional sports handicapper. I much prefer the designated hitter (DH), and while there is more strategy and manager moves in the National League, I don’t enjoy watching pitchers ‘try’ to hit. National League pitchers have a combined batting average of .145…ugh. If a pitcher can hit a bit, then let him ‘pinch hit’. If not, let us enjoy the skills and talents of professional hitters that can swing a good bat. Plenty of past pros were able to extend their careers and showcase their hitting skills thanks to the DH. And without the DH, we may not be able to enjoy the hitting skills of David Ortiz, Jim Thome, Frank Thomas and others on a consistent basis. It’s bad enough we suffer through some of the mediocre pitching in both leagues, but it’s somewhat ‘painful’ to watch pitchers try to hit IMO. This is the Major Leagues. I want to see the best players perform, pitch and hit. Other sports have players in ‘specialist’ roles. And so does MLB…they are called ‘closers’ ‘set-up’ men and ‘designated hitters’! The National League may be the ‘senior circuit’ and the pure form of baseball, but they need a ‘designated hitter’ to catch up to their American League opponents and get back in the ‘game’.

Speaking of ‘chippin-in’ and pinch hitting, I haven’t provided any photos in awhile.  Some friends from Minneapolis sent me a few ‘beauties’ from the Women’s U.S. Open this past weekend at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota – just a ‘driver’ away from hometown. Las Vegas’ own Natalie Gulbis didn’t quite ‘hack’-it this week by missing the cut, but she still has a big fan following for obvious reasons.  I 'chipped-in' an extra pic from her home course at Lake Las Vegas.  Ah, my favorite color ‘green’!  Enjoy.

Not too early to be thinking about college basketball, and I thought I would ‘shoot’ you the updated list of head coaching changes. Mississippi Valley State filled their coaching vacancy this week and today Ohio University named John Groce as their new head coach. Groce was an assistant coach at Ohio State and replaces Tim O’Shea to conclude a busy few months following the completion of the 2008 basketball season. At this point, every Division 1 CBB head coaching job is filled with 44 changes heading into the 2008-09 season. The previous season saw a total of 61 coaching changes in college basketball.

As you note the player changes, signings and others returning to school or heading to the NBA (see recent draft), be sure to follow the new head coaches and their assistant hirings so you can be ‘ahead of the game’ when the college basketball season ‘tips off’ in November.

For those looking to get the ‘green’ and also make a ‘value bet’, contact the Sportsmemo office (1-800-575-3069) and take advantage of the best available rates and ‘early bird’ specials for FairwayJay’s college basketball service. After all, over the past four college basketball season’s combined, Fairway’s Followers have ‘netted’ over 75 units of profit as FairwayJay has hit the ‘green’ with over a 57% success rate on nearly 500 selections during the regular season. And when the college basketball postseason tips off (CCT’s, NIT and NCAA Tournament), FairwayJay rises to the occasion again to also hit over 57% of his selections (170+) while ‘bombing’ away with his biggest plays, going 24-8 on his top-rated 20* Big Drive selections. Of course, all of FairwayJay’s ‘scores’ and records are independently monitored and documented at the Sports Monitor of Oklahoma City. Compare those profits to ‘your man’ and consider joining ‘Fairways Foursome’ and get on his ‘bag’ early as he ‘shoots’ his way to more ‘green’ in college basketball.

Located in Southeastern Michigan 80 miles North of Detroit, Warwick Hills is an old traditional golf course with stately hardwoods and a beautifully manicured landscape. While the fairways are tree-lined and can present problems to wayward drives, the landing areas are fairly generous and the greens are oversized with subtle slopes. Many birdies await, as the winning score the past four years is minus (-15), -24, -24 and 23-UNDER par. Since 1990, the average score of the winner at the Buick Open is 19-under par. Since the 2000 event, 94% of the players that completed 72 holes have finished ‘under’ par. Length has its advantages at Warwick Hills, but shotmakers and players that can make ‘birdies in bunches’ and continue to be aggressive will contend. Brian Bateman, ranked 408^th in the world, pulled a surprise victory last year when he birdied the final hole Sunday to finish 15-under par. However, Bateman has been way ‘off course’ this year while missing the cut in nine of 16 starts.

Warwick Hills is a 7,127-yard par 72 layout that features many straightaway holes with reachable par 5’s and some short par 4’s. The 2007 tournament yielded 1,786 birdies, which was the second highest tournament total on Tour. In fact, no lead is safe on this golf course, as over the past five years, Warwick Hills has ranked in the top-4 in birdies allowed for the week among all PGA Tour courses. The par-5 13th hole yielded 18 eagles during the 2007 tournament to rank as the easiest stroke average hole while the par-4 15th is annually the most difficult hole on the course.

Jim Furyk’s dominating performances at Warwick Hills would seem to justify accuracy over power. His last six appearances read 2, T6, T6, Win, T10, T2. He’s finished at least 16-under par in five of those tournaments, and has a streak of 37-consecutive rounds under par at Warwick Hills. However, power usually takes precedence for most players in this event who want to go really low. Following a week of rain in the area and a forecast of scattered showers (30-50%), the course should play ‘soft’ again and scoring should be plentiful.

Buick became the first corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour in 1958, and to this day remains the largest and longest standing corporate sponsor as they celebrate a 50-year partnership with the PGA Tour. However, without lead spokesman Tiger Woods and other top-ranked pros in the field, another first-time winner will have a greater ‘shot’ at breaking through.  Just one top-10 player and only two of the top-25 in the world rankings tee-it-up this week at the Buick Open, but 11 total past champions will take their ‘shot’ for another title including Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Woody Austin, Kenny Perry, Scott Verplank, Rocco Mediate and Billy Mayfair. See the player performance table below to ‘chart’ some of your strategy this week, and get on my ‘bag’ as we continue to ‘shoot’ for more profits in head-to-head match-up wagering.

Here is the latest update on defending champion Brian Bateman. During his visit to the interview room at the Buick Open media center, Bateman disclosed that he has been playing all season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that is eventually going to require surgery — probably sooner rather than later for the 35-year-old Louisiana native. "It hurts on every shot," Bateman said Tuesday afternoon. "It's caused me to shorten my swing, which has taken me out of my natural swing. My mechanics have changed. Because of that, my ball-striking has not been very good. I thought in the last few weeks that it was time to just have the surgery and then call it a year. But I really wanted to play here and really wanted to try and defend. You don't have many opportunities to defend out here and I thought I owed it to the Buick and to the people here at Warwick. As far as surgery, it might be in the next few weeks. I may try to play through a couple of the majors and maybe the FedEx Cup and take the fall off."

Fairway's Followers won't be taking any weeks off.  We'll 'fire' away again this week with a 20* Big Drive play (4-1 this year) and 'shoot' for more profits and 'green'.  Player performance at the Buick Open and Warwick Hills below. 

I recently played in a 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) event and ‘sliced’ my way into the money after being in the deep ‘rough’ nearly halfway through the day. After having some single table satellite success, I ‘parlayed’ some of the winnings into a small ‘cash’ finish in Event 27 which drew a field of over 2700 entries and paid 270 spots. The $1,500 No-Limit Hold 'em tournament is a 3-day event and lasts 10 levels the opening day with each level lasting one hour. I made it into level 10 before getting knocked out with a small pocket pair while low on chips to cash nearly $2800.

During level 4, I was in the ‘deep rough’ with just 500 remaining and the blinds at 100/200 with a 25 ante. I had been grinding and playing a low stack for some time, and then was ‘all-in’ on the button with pocket 3’s after the cutoff player raised to 950. When the loose, aggressive chip leader called in the ‘big blind’, it looked like ‘Fairway Jay’ was going to be ‘busted’ and sent to the rail. However, a board of A-2-5-2-9 missed both players, and my pair of 3’s held up to get me up to 1,850. I then went on a ‘birdie binge’ and was able to rally and ‘push’ my way to more chips; building just over an average chip stack of nearly 23,000 with approx. 400 players remaining. I then took a ‘hit’ with pocket Jacks to knock me below 16,000. From there, I went cold with the cards, and as the blinds went to 500/1000 with a 100 ante, I watched my stack dwindle with each orbit and only managed to pick up the blinds and antes one time while not playing any other hands and pots of interest. As we got down to under 315 players, I went into what I consider ‘proper poker strategy’ in tournament play as you near the money with a short stack. It cost 2500 per round/orbit to play, and I fell below 11,000 in chips. Players were busting out at over 1 player per minute, and I was not ready to play ‘panic poker’ after grinding early and late for over 9 hours of play.

As the blinds went to 600/1200 with a 100 ante, we were under 290 players and very near the money. I had a chance to make a move at the blinds/antes when everyone folded to me on the button, and I was dealt the K-Q of hearts. The very loose, aggressive player and chip leader at our table was in the big blind. When chips were in the pot, he was usually active in playing. He had approx. 60,000, and the other big chip stack at our table was in the small blind with over 45,000 (average 27k). That was the case for nearly four hours of play, as I dealt with the two chip leaders to my immediate left. With approx. 7500 left in chips, I had enough to make them fold a moderate hand. A raise or ‘all-in’ move may have been in order had I just made the money and was ‘shooting’ for a bigger prize and more chips to get back in the game. Some may say Fairway Jay has no ‘balls’, but I folded. If I just call, I know the big blind will likely move ‘all-in’. If I raise, he’ll call. And if I move ‘all-in’ myself, I risk going broke with no post flop play if either player has a good hand or better holding. I was quite certain that the BB would call my ‘all-in’ with almost any hand based on his loose play and large chip stack.

Turns out I made the right ‘read’ and move to save myself from busting out, as either player would have called my ‘all-in’ or raise and knocked me out of the tournament. After I folded, the small blind (SB) called and the big blind (BB) checked. The flop showed A-Q-J, and the small blind bet out 2000. The big blind re-raised to 6500. The small blind thought for a bit and called. He was a pretty tight player, but if you saw how the big blind player moved chips and his aggressive style, you might understand the SB call here and on the turn. Certainly the SB had an ace in his hand. The turn brought a 4. Small blind checked and big blind bet 14,000. The small blind called again. The river was a 3. Small blind checked and big blind moved ‘all-in’ for nearly 38,000. When the small blind folded, the big blind showed J-Q for two pair. I can only assume the small blind player had an Ace with perhaps a 9 or 10 kicker.

From there we got down to 275 players, and I saw there were enough stacks below my low stack and the tables were playing ‘hand-for-hand’ per the tournament directors announcement. I just folded my way to the money while not getting any premium hands. Immediately after I made the money, I picked up pocket 3’s again and moved ‘all-in’ from early position for my last 4,000 but ran into pocket jacks from the chip leader. When the flop showed A-2-5, I picked up additional ‘outs’ with a straight draw, but no ‘Fairway Fortune’ followed and I was on my way to the cashier to collect a little profit for the long day.

Perhaps next time we’ll make a few more ‘birdies’ and avoid the ‘rough’ on our way to more ‘green’. If you’re playing in the WSOP and want to say ‘hello’, just ‘shoot’ me an email at the office and we’ll try to coordinate a time to meet at the Rio. Until next time…keep it in the 'fairway' and stay on ‘course’!  

We cashed a ‘tap in’ over the total winner yesterday at the ‘Cell’ and continue to ‘swing’ a hot bat in June with a 20-10 record and over 11 units of profit in MLB. The White Sox (41-31) also continued their torrid hitting in pounding the Pirates 13-8 to complete a 3-game sweep. The game was ‘over’ early, as each team pounded out six runs in the second inning. The ‘Southsiders’ are ‘swinging’ a big stick in June, as White Sox batters are hitting over .316 with 33 home runs and 115 runs scored (6.8/game). The Sox have collected 11 hits or more in 13 of the 17 games in June. Chicago also owns the AL's best run-differential (+82). Should make for an entertaining series against the cross town Cubs (45-28), who return home to Wrigley Field following a series ‘sweep’ at the hands of Tampa Bay and the Cubs first 3-game losing streak this season. The Cubs lead the majors with a .309 batting average, .388 on base percentage and .496 slugging percentage at Wrigley Field. The Cubs also own the National League's best home record while currently having won 11 straight games at home. Chicago’s 29-8 start at home is their best start at Wrigley Field since the club began playing there in 1916.

The all-time interleague series between the White Sox and Cubs is tied at 30-30, with each team going 16-14 at home. Ironically, both teams have scored 291 runs in the series, but the Cubs had the upper hand in 2007 while going 5-1 against the White Sox. Following the 3-game series at Wrigley Field, the teams will meet again next weekend at U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox stand 24-11 at home.

Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly (7-5, 4.76 ERA) takes the hill for a daytime start Friday, and we cashed a winner his last time out as he went six innings and allowed just 1 hit in the 7-4 win at Toronto. He struggled with his command in that contest however, and Lilly can be prone to the long ball (14 HR’s allowed, 11 by right handers). The Cubs starting staff leads the National League with a 3.78 ERA. However, Lilly sports an ERA just over 5.00 pitching at Wrigley, and the White Sox can load the lineup with eight right-handed bats.

Meanwhile, the White Sox pitching staff leads the majors with a 3.32 ERA. The starting staff leads the major leagues with 45 quality starts and ranks second with a 3.60 ERA. Young John Danks (4-4) is a key contributor, and the left-hander will open the series against the Cubs after throwing six shutout innings last time out in a 2-0 loss versus Colorado. Danks’ pitching profile is very solid with less than one hit per inning and a 2.90 ERA (4^th in AL), 61-24 K/BB ratio in 80 IP and a .248 BAA. He’s been superb pitching on the road with a 1.72 ERA (best in the AL), 1.09 WHIP and .209 BAA. His last four road starts feature just one victory, but solid numbers again with 23 IP and just 6 ER with a 21-7 K/BB ratio. Overall, Danks has allowed 2 runs or less in 11 of his 14 starts, but has received the fifth lowest run support in the American League (3.46/game). Behind Danks is the AL’s top bullpen, as the White Sox relievers feature a 2.62 ERA, .225 BAA and nearly a strikeout per inning (8.74/9). The bullpen has been especially impressive recently with a 0.84 ERA the past ten games and 1.33 ERA in the last 28 contests. The White Sox relievers have also thrown the fewest innings (188) in the American League. You may recall that last year the White Sox bullpen provided little ‘relief’ with an ERA of 5.74 into late June. Closer Bobby Jenks has 16 saves and a 1.91 ERA. Scott Linebrink is second in AL ‘holds’ and features a sparkling 1.24 ERA. Since the 2005 season, Linebrink has 99 holds, good for second in MLB behind the Angels' Scot Shields. Incidentally, the Cubs Bob Howry is no. 3 on the ‘holds’ list with 83 since 2005. Lefty Boone Logan is holding left-handed hitters to a .216 average and recently had a string of 14 scoreless IP. Octavio Dotel leads the AL relievers in strikeouts (48) in just 33 innings pitched. Lefty Matt Thornton has a 0.86 WHIP and .149 BAA (3^rd in AL) and has been dominating his last 13 games (0.82 ERA). Nick Masset has pitched much better on the road (1.76 ERA) while striking out 26 in 30 IP overall and Adam Russell made his major-league debut this week after posting solid numbers at AAA Charlotte.

The Cubs have moved rookie right fielder Kosuke Fukudome into the leadoff spot while Alfonso Soriano recovers from a broken wrist. Manager Lou Pinella sited left-handed hitting Fukudome’s .403 on base percentage and .295 batting average as a reason for the move and does not anticipate any shuffling at that spot. However, Pinella had to shuffle the Cubs outfield yesterday with Fukudome playing center field. The lefty/righty platoon in center field with Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson is ‘hurting’ right now with Edmonds suffering from turf toe and Johnson has a stiff back after crashing into the Ray’s first baseman Tuesday. He has not played since the collision.

I’m ready to get in the batters box and ‘swing away’ in this Chicago series, and the fanatic fans should be in full force at Wrigley Field. ESPN will feature the Cubs and White Sox game on Sunday night baseball.

As its name implies, the TPC at River Highlands sits atop a ridge overlooking the Connecticut River, just 14 miles South of Hartford and 90 minutes from Boston. The par 70 layout features fairway’s that meander through the gorgeous rolling estate with the signature TPC mounding and natural amphitheaters providing unobstructed views. Holes number 15-17 play around a four-acre lake, known as the ‘Golden Triangle’. Banked by large hills, the closing stretch of holes offer great fan viewing options for the exciting finish.  The 296-yard 15th is a fun, driveable risk/reward par 4 followed by hole 16, a dramatic par 3 over water. Holes No. 4 and 17 ranked as two of the top 50 toughest holes on Tour last year, and the closing two holes are two of the strongest par 4s that require accurate drives with water running along the entire right side of the signature hole No. 17.

TPC River Highlands is the third shortest golf course on Tour at 6,820 yards. Yet the past seven winners have all ranked in the top-15 in driving distance, allowing them to attack the pins with short irons and strong wedge play getting them in position for shorter birdie putts. The past three winners have shot 15, 14 and 14-under par, so shooting for birdies should be a welcome relief for those players that competed in the U.S. Open last week.

While the argument can be made that players that competed at the U.S. Open may not be as sharp mentally to compete the following week, some pretty strong results show that solid play at the U.S. Open often carries over the week following the Major Championship. Since 2000, the winners of the event following the U.S. Open have five top-25 finishes at the U.S. Open. The following players are listed in match-up betting this week and come off a solid performance at the U.S. Open. Check out their course results below and consider them in your match-up wagering this week.

Hunter Mahan – Defending Travelers champ finished T18 at the U.S. Open and is an excellent driver of the golf ball. He currently ranks fourth on Tour in Greens-in-Regulation (GIR – 68%), but putting problems (69th of 79 at U.S. Open) have led to sub-par results by his standards this season. His win last year at the TPC River Highlands was part of a solid stretch of nine-straight top-25 finishes, and the less severe and sloped greens should be to his liking again this week.

DJ Trahan – Finished fourth at the U.S. Open and also fourth in all-around stats at the U.S. Open. No top-20 finishes at TPC River Highlands however, but a solid ball striker and ranks 10th on Tour in driving. Short iron play holding him back from better results, and prefer one of his opponents in a pair of listed match-ups. Still, confidence soaring after his high U.S. Open finish which also earned him a trip to next year’s Masters.

Stewart Cink – Another solid finish for Cink at the U.S. Open (T14), and he’s now finished top-25 ten times in fourteen events this season including six top-10s (tied for first on Tour with Tiger). His game is sharp and overall stats place him near the top in many categories as he’s enjoying his best year on Tour. Only a victory is lacking, and Cink won at TPC River Highlands in 1997 and has four top-10s in ten starts at the Travelers Championship.

Carl Pettersson – Fresh off a T6 at the U.S. Open and a final round 68, the Swede often excels on shot-maker courses. Additional top-10s at Byron Nelson and Memorial and T33 at Colonial has big Carl in good form and feeling confident knowing he’s qualified for next year’s U.S. Open while also earning an invitation to the Master’s with his top-8 finish last week.

Jerry Kelly – The University of Hartford graduate is short off the tee but accurate, and he’s found River Highlands to his liking with four top-15 finishes. Jerry has been very inconsistent this year while missing the cut in eight of 17 events including last week’s U.S. Open. Possible 'bounce back’ this week, but prefer his opponent in the match-up, as Woody Austin is a solid ball striker and iron player with a past victory here and three top-10s. Woody’s woes continue to be putting and scoring however.

With the Boston Celtics having just won the NBA Title, the area fans should again be wild and supportive for the largest sporting event in New England with nearly 300,000 fans in attendance.

Here are the recent past performance profiles for the players competing at the TPC River Highlands.