Monday’s Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather to watch
New York Yankees at Atlanta Braves – There’s a 60 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms. A 9-mph wind will be blowing out to center, with temperatures in the mid-70s.
Who’s hot
NHL: The under is 9-1-1 in the last 11 Devils-Kings games.
MLB: Boston is 8-3 in Josh Beckett’s last 11 starts vs. NL East teams.
Euro 2012: France is unbeaten in its last 21 matches.
Who’s not
NHL: The Kings are 0-8 in their last eight games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
MLB: Washington is 0-6 in Edwin Jackson’s last six road starts.
Euro 2012: England has lost its last three matches to France and are without a win in five all-time tries in competitions.
Key stat
10-1 – That’s the Devils’ record in Games 4-7 throughout these playoffs. New Jersey has rallied from a 3-0 deficit to trail 3-2 heading into Monday’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Los Angeles.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday missed his second straight Sunday with back spasms, with Allen Craig replacing him. Holliday, hitting .276 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs has a chance to return Tuesday when St. Louis hosts the White Sox.
Game of the day
New Jersey Devils at Los Angeles Kings (-165, 4.5)
Notable quotable
“Are you cheering for the Devils or for the Kings? So you’re cheering for the Devils. I’m going to say the pressure’s on them because they’re the home team and they had 100-some [102] points, OK?” – Kings coach Darryl Sutter, when asked where the pressure now resides in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Notes and tips
Finally, Devils forward Zach Parise has woken up. Before Saturday’s 2-1 win in New Jersey, he hadn’t scored since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Rangers. But Parise was the key to extending the Cup finals as he had a goal, three shots and a critical block. Game 6 is Monday night in Los Angeles.
Ukraine will have the homefield advantage when it plays Sweden in Kiev on Monday in a Group D opener at Euro 2012. But Sweden will be well represented, too. About 12,000 Swedish fans are expected to attend Monday’s match, and about 18,000 are expected for the England match on June 19. "I have always said that 50% of football is about the spectators and the atmosphere,'' Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic said. "How the fans react and chant, that's what gives you adrenaline and motivation. When things are hard on the pitch, the fans' support can lift you 10 to 20 percent.”
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz was not in the lineup Sunday due to a sore right Achilles, and is day-to-day. Cruz is hitting .258 with eight homers and 36 RBIs. The Rangers are off Monday before hosting Arizona starting Tuesday.
Angels ace Jered Weaver (back) will throw off a mound Monday and could pitch next weekend. This will be his first bullpen session since he was placed on the 15-day DL. Weaver is 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 11 starts.