Friday’s Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Who’s hot
MLB: Over is 16-7 in the New York Yankees' last 23 games in Boston.
MLB: Athletics are 20-8 in their last 28 games as a home favorite.
CFL: Blue Bombers are 21-8-2 ATS in their last 31 games as an underdog.
WNBA: Connecticut Sun are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
Who’s not
MLB: Houston is 3-11 in its last 14 games against Milwaukee.
MLB: Mariners are 23-51 in their last 74 games as a road underdog.
CFL: Alouettes are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite.
WNBA: Liberty are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.
Key stat
90 – The Washington Mystics scored 90 points for the first time this season in a win over Phoenix that snapped a five-game losing streak both straight up and against the spread. The Mystics now face the San Antonio, which has scored at least 90 points in four of its last six.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Buck Pierce, Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Winnipeg’s quarterback was forced to leave last week’s blowout loss to the B.C. Lions with a knee injury. He says he’s “confident” he’ll be able to start Friday against Montreal, but has been spotted limping around for most of this week.
Game of the day
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-115, 9.5)
Notable quotable
“Subconsciously, I’m probably pretty stressed out right now but I try not to show it. Obviously, the pressure is there, if I thought too much about it, it would become too much, but if you shield yourself and listen only to those around you, you can manage. And they give you the confidence you need.” – Andy Murray about playing in front of the British crowd at Wimbledon. He’s trying to become the first British man to make the tournament’s final since 1938 and is a -227 favorite over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Friday’s semifinal.
Notes and tips
Kevin Youkilis hit what turned out to be the game-winning homer for the Chicago White Sox in a 2-1 win over Texas on Thursday. That win moved the club to 7-3 since it acquired Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox. "He has an energy he brings -- the competitiveness he has. It's infectious, and it's a good thing for our guys to see in a guy who has been a winner," White Sox manager Robin Ventura told reporters.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have faced each other 26 times, but Friday will be the first time they will square off on grass. Djokovic is 12-14 in those meetings and is a -250 favorite against Federer +180.
The Toronto Raptors acquired point guard Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a future lottery pick and Gary Forbes. Meanwhile, ESPN reports that veteran point guard Jason Kidd will sign a three-year $9 million-deal with the Knicks instead of inking with the Dallas Mavericks again.
It's possible Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard could rejoin the team this weekend, although it is by no means a certainty. "I guess it's possible," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday afternoon. "But we'll see how he feels the next day or so." Howard, who had left Achilles surgery last fall, has played six games in rehab assignments with Class A Lakewood and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is hitting a combined .471 (8-for-17) with two doubles, one home run, nine RBIs, three walks and three strikeouts.