Thursday’s Betting Tips
Covers.com
Weather to watch
Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants – 12 mph winds are expected to blow out to centerfield.
Who’s hot
MLB: Under is 20-8 in Yankees last 28 games as a home favorite.
MLB: Athletics are 10-4 in their last 14 overall.
WNBA: Silver Stars are 6-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
Who’s not
MLB: Padres are 5-23 in their last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
MLB: Rockies are 4-15 in their last 19 overall.
WNBA: Sparks are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
Key stat
2 – Candace Parker scored just two points in the Los Angeles Sparks’ loss to Tulsa Tuesday. The former MVP has scored only 20 points in two games since coming back from a knee injury as the Sparks get set to play their eighth game in 14 days Thursday against San Antonio.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
CC Sabathia, New York Yankees - Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left adductor muscle. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Sabathia is likely to return after the All-Star break and would miss only two starts. Sabathia (9-3, 3.55 ERA) felt pain in his groin area during his last start but didn't inform the team until Tuesday's bullpen session. Freddy Garcia will fill his spot in the rotation, making his first start Friday.
Game of the day
Germany -125 vs. Italy +330, Draw +225
Notable quotable
"I think the time has come to beat the next big opponent. We have already beaten Argentina, England, Netherlands and Brazil and I think Italy are next. We certainly have respect for them for what Italy have achieved here, especially with the football scandals back home. But we have no fear." Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger ahead of Thursday's match with Italy.
Notes and tips
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ star pitching prospect Trevor Bauer will make his MLB debut Thursday on the road against the Atlanta Braves. Bauer, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, was tearing it up in Triple-A Reno with a 4-0 record and a 2.82 earned-run average in eight starts. He had 116 strikeouts in 93 innings spanning 16 starts in Double-A and Triple-A. Arizona is set as a +115 underdog.
Two weeks ago, Bears coach Lovie Smith said he fully expected Brian Urlacher to be on the field when training camp begins in Bourbonnais on July 25. Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune he'll be back "for sure" after missing offseason workouts and minicamp recovering from a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee on Jan. 2 at Minnesota. "I could have participated in minicamp, but there was no reason to," Urlacher said. Urlacher, 34, likely won't practice more than three straight days and will be rested on days with dual practice.
Deron Williams, one of the top free agents in the NBA this summer, isn't expected to take a tour of cities of interested teams. He has narrowed his choices to his hometown Dallas Mavericks and re-signing with the Brooklyn Nets. If the past week is any indication, the Mavericks have ground to gain on the Nets. It's unlikely another suitor, such as the Houston Rockets, will gain traction in pursuit of Williams. Williams is keeping a regular workout scheduled at the Nets' facility in New Jersey and celebrated his birthday with a dinner in New York that included Nets' coach Avery Johnson.