Monday's Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather watch
The battle of Ohio could be a soggy one as thunderstorms roll into Cleveland. The forecast at Progressive Field is calling for 27 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the mid 80s.
Who’s hot
MLB: New York Yankees – The Bronx Bombers needed extra innings to extend their winning streak to eight games Saturday, and picked up win No. 9 Sunday afternoon. New York welcomes Atlanta to Yankee Stadium Monday. It’s won its last five meetings with the Braves.
Euro: Spain – The defending world and Euro champs haven’t lost in seven matches, including a draw with Italy and a 4-0 win over Ireland in the first two games of the 2012 championship. Their last loss came to England, 1-0, in a friendly on Nov. 12, 2011.
Who’s not
MLB: Minnesota Twins - The Twins snapped a four-game losing skid against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday but have just two wins in their last seven outings. Minnesota hits the road for a three-game set in Pittsburgh starting Tuesday.
WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks - The Sparks have lost back-to-back road tilts heading into Monday’s home game with the Washington Mystics. Los Angeles, which opened the year 7-1 SU, is 6-4 ATS including a 2-2 ATS mark as hosts.
Key stat
61 – Since 1999, pitchers coming off perfect games/no-hitters have played over the total in their following start 61 percent of the time (19-11-1 over/under). San Francisco starter Matt Cain faces the Angels after pitching the 22nd perfect game in MLB history Wednesday.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies – Gonzalez was scratched from Sunday’s lineup due to a nagging hamstring injury. He’s listed as day-to-day. Gonzalez leads the Rockies in just about every offensive category, including average (.335) and home runs (17). Colorado travels to Philadelphia for a three-game set starting Tuesday.
Game of the day
Croatia (+700) vs. Spain (-138 - Draw +188)
Notable quotable
"I have in mind some players for Ireland's future, but you won't see them until August. If I were to change five or six men now for the match with Italy, I would draw suspicion. I've got to use the squad that brought Ireland back to the Euros after 24 years. They deserve to play." -- Former Italian head coach and current Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, dispelling rumors that he would play some bench players against Italy Monday.
Notes and Tips
The Cincinnati Reds are just getting over a stomach virus that made its way through the clubhouse this week. More than half a dozen players were ill, including starter Mike Leake which forced the Reds to shuffle the rotation. Cincinnati travels to Cleveland for a three-game state rivalry starting Tuesdsay.
There are rumors that Spain and Croatia have a pact to finish their Group C finale in a 2-2 draw in order to eliminate Italy from the tournament. Both sides have denied any such arrangement. The Azzurri are fighting for a spot in the knockout phase in the late game Monday.
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has been released from hospital and is expected to return to the lineup Monday after being admitted with an intestinal virus Friday. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to go when we get to San Diego,” Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters.