Wednesday's Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather watch
Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates – Thunderstorms are in the forecast for PNC Park. The forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain for Wednesday’s game.
Who’s hot?
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh – The American beach volleyball duo go for their third straight Olympic gold medal versus countrymen April Ross and Jennifer Kessy. May-Treanor and Walsh are 34 and 35 years old respectively and battled China’s Xi Zhang and Chen Xue for a spot in the final Tuesday. They are -400 faves against Ross and Kessy (+275)
Who’s not?
Cleveland Indians – The Tribe have been the regulars in this spot, extending their losing streak to 11 games. Cleveland has sucked Indians backers dry but have provided solid value for fans of the over, going 8-3 over/under during this slide.
Key stat
197.4 – The USA men’s basketball team’s games have posted an average of 197.4 total points. The 2012 version of the “Dream Team” has played over in all five of its group stage contests and takes on Australia in the elimination round with a total of 188.5 set for Wednesday.
Game of the day
New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers (+132, 8.5)
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Jose Reyes, SS Miami Marlins – Reyes is nursing a sore right hand and is expected to sit out a game versus his former club, the New York Mets, this week. Reyes is hitting .287 BA with seven home runs and 30 RBIs.
Notable quotable
"…Numerous errors in field mechanics, game administration and even the coin toss negatively impacted the quality of the game." -- NFLRA counsel Michael Arnold, criticizing the NFL replacement officials used in last weekend’s Hall of Fame Game.
Betting news and notes
FIFA has delayed suspensions for Canadian soccer players Christine Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi after the two blasted the officials following Canada’s controversial 4-3 loss to the United States in the women’s Olympic semfinal. Canada is a +300 underdog versus France (+100) in the bronze medal match Wednesday.
Through the first week of August, the Braves rank second in the majors in team ERA (2.00). The Phillies are tied for third (2.72). The total for Wednesday NL East showdown is set at eight runs.
New York is 0-8 in its last eight games decided by one run, the longest streak in franchise history since a nine-game stretch in 1944. The Yankees are 56-53 versus the runline for +8.17 units this season.
The current Rays' roster is hitting a blistering .411 against Toronto SP Carlos Villanueva, with SS Ben Zobrist (3-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI) the biggest threat. Tampa has won seven of nine meetings between the teams so far in 2012.