Saturday, January 2, 2010

SFTC Elite 2010: Morning Edition

Hello Fellow Elite, I don't know if any of you realized it, but yes The Thoroughbred has his own blog. I used to have it and then lost time and interest in it. My goal is to as much as humanly possible, while still maintaining a high level in all other areas I pursue is to have this blog up for your viewing. I thought that I owe it to Ben Young and the whole SFTC Elite Group. In this blogspot, I will provide summarized analysis on games that are posted on SFTC. I would be greatly honored, if each and everyone of you would view it. Zombidwee a fellow blogger and myself had a "Battle of the Blogs" over this past June and July to see whom had the better analysis, I won by 1 game, as it came down to the last prop. I claimed the victory, and my blog was posted on most ESPN threads during that time... May I also encourage yourselves to get a blog as well. My perogitive on it is, that if we each and everyone had a blog, then we would be able to spread better knowledge and give better detail. Now thank you for reading this, now onto Sunday January 3, 2010.

Sunday, January 3, 2010 is a very upbeat day of "Football Galore" as positioning and final playoff spots are still up in the air... We also have Spanish League Soccer, in which a highly favored win, We'll see if its a trap... Also some tough hockey matches, you all will get the stats and backed prediction...

Xerez Win or Draw @ Almeria Win- I think this is a crucial case of a team with pride on the line, Almeria has been mortified in 9 of its last 12 matches having lost them, with the new coach at hand and his attitude, this is what new coach Juan Manuel Lillo had to say as far as his team needing to pick up the points,"If we take 3 points, we take a big step up the table, , and then things would be seen in a different light and we would have much more confidence and security. This is what we have to focus on."

Prediction: 3-0 Almeria Win

Philadelphia Flyers @ Ottawa Senators- Very tough hockey pick here indeed, both clubs with very similar records, and a very unsimilar circumstances. Ottawa has been dominant on the home ice, they have went 10-3 in the past 13 home matches, Philadelphia just coming off a heartbreaking defeat will look to rebound, after a previous 4 game winning streak was snapped by the Boston Bruins. The Flyers used a roadtrip to break a 3-13 skid from becoming worse. The Goalies have been favorable towards the Flyers as well... Goalies Pascal LeClaire didn't fare to well against the Flyers as he allowed a 5-1 defeat at his hands. With Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson being out the Senators have rose, but I don't see it happening with a determine Flyers team.

Prediction: 4-3 Flyers

Thursday, July 16, 2009

SFTC: Thursday, July 16th

Last day of "Battle of the Blogs", and I forgot all about it. I went into today with a 3 game lead finishing yesterday 6-4 while Zom finished a solid 5-5. It would take a near fatal collapse for me to lose but we will see. I ain't seen the Zoms picks but hope he does not have a "career day". Otherwises it looks like I might beat the Zom and his great blog at: www.bleaklookatcash.blogspot.com. A great blog for insite and info. I will just list my picks for today and tomorrow morning/afternoon.

Tiger Woods Win vs. Lee Westwood/Ryo Ishikawa-Win/Tie- Tiger Woods
Tony Martin vs. Bradley Wiggins-Tony Martin
Jim Furyk Win/Tie vs. Paddy Harrington Win-Jim Furyk Win/Tie
Hammarby vs. BK Hacken-BK Hacken
159 points or fewer vs. 160 points or more- 159 or fewer
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals- Chicago Cubs
4 hits or fewer vs. 5 hits or more- 5 hits or more
David Beckham Win/Tie vs. Landon Donovan Win-David Beckham Win/Tie
53 points or fewer vs. 54 points or more- 53 points or fewer
Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics- LAA
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres- Colorado Rockies

Angel Cabrera Win/Tie vs. Paul Casey Win- PGA.
You may read this on the comment board too.
I really think that Casey takes this. I would be reluctant to go against a win/tie but lets face it it does not happen very much in PGA. Paul Casey is -2 under and Angel Cabrera is -1 under. So in essence on paper this looks like a dead heat. Not quite Paul Casey finished a respectable 7th whereas Cabrera did not even make the cut last year. The only thing that is going in Cabrera's favor is his play over the last few tournaments. Casey has either struggled or not made the cut, and Cabrera has made the cut and finished decent. I am taking Casey, and I would recommend you do so too.

Vegas Odds:
Casey 1/1 (Even)
Cabrera 2/3 (slightly favored)

SM's reason for the prop: Win/Tie looks tempting, but he realizes that these are more Casey's kind of course and that Cabrera may be the better golfer, just not on these courses.

Alberto Contador vs. Lance Armstrong- Cycling
I would go Contador. Armstrong is winning 85% of the vote due to name recognition. This is the best value as far as a morning pick. Although I will not pick it because I want to get both golf in I think that the Vegas odds say enough. 3/10 Contador vs. Armstrong 11/5. That means for those who do not know that if you bet $10 dollars and Contador wins you only get $3 back giving you $13. Whereas if you bet $5 on Armstrong you could win $11 and could end up getting $16 back. This means that Contador is favored heavily. A very favored pick. and if you are looking for one underlying reason to take Armstrong, he has been more consistent. But Contador when he has had it on he has had it on. Very iffy though at times. I still with all that said like Contador and the lower % to take the W.

Vegas odds:
Contador: 3/10 (huge favorite)
Armstrong: 11/5 ( huge underdog)

Sm's reason for this prop: Name Recognition 110%. If people didn't pick based on names then this in my opinion is a 75/25 in favor of Contador.

What will Tiger Woods shoot?
68 or lower?
69 or higher?
I would go Contador. Armstrong is winning 85% of the vote due to name recognition. This is the best value as far as a morning pick. Although I will not pick it because I want to get both golf in I think that the Vegas odds say enough. 3/10 Contador vs. Armstrong 11/5. That means for those who do not know that if you bet $10 dollars and Contador wins you only get $3 back giving you $13. Whereas if you bet $5 on Armstrong you could win $11 and could end up getting $16 back. This means that Contador is favored heavily. A very favored pick. and if you are looking for one underlying reason to take Armstrong, he has been more consistent. But Contador when he has had it on he has had it on. Very iffy though at times. I still with all that said like Contador and the lower % to take the W.

SM's reason for this prop: He realizes people will think since he had a bad day on Thursday, he will be "due" for a good day. Not True! It will be raining sideways and the last time he was here he finished a 74 second round.

FC Karnten Win or Draw vs. FC Magna Wr. Neustadt Win- Soccer
There is not a lot you can go off of since this is the first game of the season, but if those odds are true what Philz82961 put up that is pretty convincing. But even with that Vegas is on average right in my opinion about 66-75% of the time. So going with the odds all morning I am going against them here. This typically happens on here. You get a really good 3rd World country team against a really sucky or average team and the sucky/average team finds some unknown way to muster a draw. Besides the draw has won 4 of the last 5 matches on SFTC and the last to win with just the W was today and they got lucky and God only knows how they did it but they scored 2 goals in injury time. I had a 17W last segment and made my living off of these win/draw teams, and most of the time when the w/d is hot. They usually stay that way for a while. I don't know my mind might change but I still give the edge to the FC Karnten. They to are considered the best team in the Austrian Bundesliga. So with the draw in their favor I like them. But the SM must see something in this game to make him want to put it up and think that he can lure people in. Idk but the w/d is what I think.

Vegas Odds:
FC Karnten: +330
FC Magna: -133
Draw: +230

Sm's reason for prop: This is the first game of the season for either of the two of these two teams. So I think that it could go either way but draw in my opinion best option.

Happy Streaking and God Bless!!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

SFTC-July 15th edition

Hello streakers, well myself and Zom are competing hard and are nearly at a dead lock right now. I still hold a two game lead over him, but am not in the most comfortable postition right now. We both finished 7-4-2 yesterday putting me at a 39-29-3, and Zom at 37-31-3. So as we roll through the next 2 days I hope today to lengthen my lead over Zom. A four game lead after today would be a very comfortable place to be.

Argentina vs. Britain-Womens Field Hockey.
I have heard that Argentina is undefeated and are at like -600 on odds. Whereas Britain is +145. So I'll take my chances with Argentina.

Sm's reason for prop: I believe since ESPN 360 is covering it he is wanting to get a little bit of exposure to it.

Will Mark Cavendish finish in the top three in stage 11-cycling.
I will say yes but not with nearly the comfort that I would like to. Cavendish is not a real good climber of mountains and is more of a sprinter and enjoys the level ground. So yes but would not be suprised to see this one go the other way.

Sm's reason for the prop: Cavendish is well known on SFTC and since he is as good as he is he wants people to think that he will run away with it.

Staebak W vs. Kf Tiran W/D-Soccer.
I think that after the win or draws success lately I will take it. I believe that it will be like a 1-1 game, and also vegas has Tiran favored which if you have played SFTC alot you would realize that the W/D is usually not favored.

Sm's reason for this prop: He is thinking that this will be an upset by the Staebak team, taking Tiran on the draw.

Jodie Meeks vs. Joe Alexander- NBA
I don't know the message board is split on this one, but I will take Meeks. Although they both have played against Sacremento and averaged over 20 ppg. Alexander scored 24 and Meeks 20. So I'll take Meeks but I don't think that it will be nearly as spread out as the Tyreke Evans/Brandon Jennings prop was. This one will be close.

Sm's reason for the prop: Meeks is more well known. He had 54 pts against the Vols and Joe Alexander was just a consistent player throughout his collegiate career. But in the end Meeks wins.

How many points will DeMar DeRozan have?
15 or fewer?
16 or more?
I think that this one is about the easiest one on here I think except Argentina. DeRozan averages 15 ppg. He has had 20,15,10 in his 3 games. And he is playing against the Suns. They don't play defense they haven't played defense since the days of Charles Barkley and even then it was not a necceassity to play in Phoenix. Phoenix D+ a good young player= 16 or more points.

Sm's reason for prop: Its like I usually say name recognition is everything on these props. People think that since they never heard of DeRozan in college that he must not be good. Well not the case he just played at a football school at USC. He will probably have 20 pts.

2009 Triple A allstar game who wins?:
International League
Pacific Coast League

I will go with the International League in the past they have owned the PCL about like the way that AL has owned the NL. So I think that IL gets it done once again.

SM's reason for prop: It is being televised on ESPN and they are wanting to get some more viewers for it so this is the way to do it.

Estudiantes de la Plata vs. Cruzeiro MG how many goals will be scored?
2 goals or fewer.
3 or more.
I heard that these two teams tied 0-0 there 1st game and I really don't see these two teams going off.

Sm's reason for this prop: Most people think that 3 goals is an easy task to accomplish in a game its not.

Who will have the higher total?
Jered Bayless: Pts. + Stl.
Joey Dorsey: Pts. + Rebs.
Although contrare to popular belief Dorsey is averaging 10-14 a game. Whereas Bayless is averaging 22-1. So with Rockets being a good at defense I think that they keep him to about 17. And dorsey gets a Double-Double.

Sm's reason for prop: Joey Dorsey is a better all around player. So I will go with the Rockets defense to do good with Bayless and Dorsey to get his 10-15.

Happy Streaking and God Bless!!!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

SFTC- Tuesday July 14th edition

Well people I am pumped. Mark Cavendish just won in a thriller. Cycling is probably the most fun sport to watch come down to the end. Welll as far as "The Battle of the Blogs". I went 3-4 and Zombidwee went 3-4 also. Putting him at a record of 30-27-1 and me winning at a record of 32-25-1.

I will just post my picks seeing as how most of them are not on vegas and are tossups.

Mark Cavendish vs. Any other Cyclist-Mark Cavendish
Alla Kudryavtseva vs. Nicole Vaidisova- Nicole Vaidisova
Nuria Llagostera Vives vs. Masa Zec Peskiric- Nuria Llagostera Vives
Young Boys W/D vs. FC Zurich W- Young Boys W/D
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Connecticut Sun- Connecticut Sun
69 or fewer vs. 70 or more- 69 or fewer
With team will score first- AL
Who will win- NL
How many runs will be scored in the 3rd- 1 or more runs
Which team will have more runs in the 5th- AL W/T
Who will allow fewer hits- Mariono Rivera
What will the final out of the game be?- FB or GB.

Happy Streaking and God Bless!!!

Monday, July 13, 2009

SFTC Monday-July 13th edition

Well I have taken a another game up on the Zom as we are at the halfway point of the "Battle of the Blogs". I am 29-21-1. While Zom finished yesterday 6-6 and is 27-23-1. So I take a 2 game lead into Monday.

Heres a rundown.

Victor Crivio vs. Denis Istomin-Tennis
I really didn't do any research on this one but I stupidly took Denis Istomin. I really felt as though he could take it but lost.

Orebo SK vs. Trelleborgs FF-Soccer
This was a game that I was going to go with the Orebo but went the losing end again.

Home Run Derby-Albert Pujols/Ryan Howard vs. Any other contestant.
I really feel as though AP will take this. There is to much in his favor. Besides the fact that this is his park and he is used to hitting homers out, he to leads the league in homers. So with AP and Ryan Howard on the board I am going to be hard pressed to go against them two.

Sm's reason for the prop: He feels as though there will be a dark horse that will take it home, like the Carlos Pena, Brandon Inge players, I do not feel as though so.

How many homers will be hit in a single round?
15 or fewer
16 or more
I will say 15 or fewer. Yeah you can bring up the Bobby Abreus' and Josh Hamiltons, but in reality I really don't see it happening. If you go past the first round I really don't see it happening. There arms will be fatigued after one round. And although Busch Stadium is not exactly a hitters park it is not like Dolphin Stadium either. So I'll take 11,12, but not 15,16. Just don't see it.

SM's reason for prop: The SM wants you to remember the BA and JH slugfest of the past. I don't see it happening though.

How many points will Blake Griffin score?
14 or fewer.
15 or more.
I think that if Adam Morrison can average 23 ppg that Griffin is atleast good for 15. He seems to be the kind of player that could fit in the NBA quickly. This is your easiest pick of the day.

SM's reason for prop: He doesn't think that since Griffin is playing against the Lakers (NBA Champs) and is just starting out that he will not have as much an impact.

How many homers will be hit in the final round?-HR Derby
5 or fewer
6 or more
I will go with 5 or fewer. Guys tend to have arm fatigue and only hit 4-5 homers. I also heard that the winner the past 6 years has only hit 6 or more once. So its pretty safe to say that whoever it is will probably on hit 3-5.

SM's reason for prop: 6 homers does not seem like alot in a hr. derby. But numbers can be deceiveing.

Who will have the higher total?
Tyreke Evans: Pts. + Ast.
Brandon Jennings: Pts. + Ast.
I think that Evans is a safe pick here. He has averaged 23 combined whereas Jennings has averaged 21 which makes it close. I still think that not playing in the D-1 level hurt him. So even though on paper it is close I think that Evans pulls it out.

Sm's reason for prop: Not alot of people have heard of Brandon Jennings since he went to the European leagues to play instead of college. But he puts up decent numbers just not as good as Tyreke Evans.

Happy Streaking and God Bless!!!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

SFTC Sunday July 12th

Well I have taken the lead over Zombidwee. Zom went into yesterday with a 13-9-1 record and I had a 12-10-1. I went 10-6 he went 8-8. So he is 21-17-1 and I am 22-16-1. Today I will just give my picks since I am to busy to make the full blog.

Steve Stricker vs. Darren Stiles- Darren Stiles.
Marin Cilic vs. James Blake- James Blake.
Danica Patrick vs. Dan Wheldon- Dan Wheldon.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs (Game 1)- Chicago Cubs.
Cincinatti Reds vs. New York Mets- Cincinatti Reds.
Cristie Kerr vs. Rest of field-Cristie Kerr
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers-Los Angeles Dodgers
Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins-Minnesota
Cork vs. Sligo- Cork
Aletico vs. Cruzeiro- Aletico
Minnesota vs. San Antonio- San Antonio
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs (Game 2)-St. Louis.

Happy Streaking and God Bless!!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Streak for the Cash: July 11th Edition

I will go straight to my soccer pick since yesterday I already gave you my golf pick.I gained a game on him finishing the day a subpar 5-5-1. Whereas he finished 4-6-1. So for the battle thus far my record is 12-10-1 and Zom is 13-9-1.

Grasshoppers W vs. FC Aarau- Soccer.
Well this game as far as Vegas is concerned is a tossup and if it is a tossup I will always and forever go with the draw. Those guys go and tend to draw more than most teams.

Vegas Odds:
Grasshoppers: +155
FC Aarau: +190
Draw: +241

SM's reason for the prop: This is the first game of the year anything can happen especially with these odds.

Paula Creamer W/D vs. Cristie Kerr- Golf
Yesterday Paula Creamer shocked 92% of us with her magnificent 2nd round. Cristie Kerr on the other hand has faired well having a -3 going into round 3. Paula Creamers pick looks good because of the draw option.

SM's reason for the prop: Kerr has been consistent and Creamer went off yesterday and a really good round so, do you take whose hot or consistent? I'll take the hot.

Houston vs. Seattle-Soccer.
Seattle draws about every other game so the draw is really looking good at the moment. I don't know how good the Dynamo are on the road but they draw a decent amount too.

Vegas Odds:
Houston:+135
Seattle:+175
Draw:+225

SM's reason for the prop: Typically Seattle holds there own at home and Houston not so much on the road so I like the draw the SM thinks Seattle.

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels-MLB
I really think that the Yanks had that one under control last night until Joba let that 3 run jack go and it cost them momentum. With Jared Weaver on the mound with a 9-3 3.15 ERA. I like the Angels to pull out another game. Andy Pettite is shown signs of aging even with his respectable 8-4 4.53 ERA I really like him but just not against Jared Weaver at home.

Accurscore:
NYY:42%
LAA:58%

Vegas Odds:
NYY:-114
LAA: -106

Sheridans odds: NYY 11:10

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystic-WNBA
I understand that last night both road teams won pretty heavily i like the Mystic. I don't understand all the hoopla about Candace Parker. She is coming back after maternity leave. I mean that is why 90% of people are taking them. Take the Mystic.

Sheridan Odds:
Wash.: -3
LA:+3

Sm's reason for the prop: He realizes the masses will take the Sparks because of Candace Parker's name recognition. I like th odds.

Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins-MLB
This is one you don't see to often. Two pitchers who pitched there last game against the same team. Gavin Floyd pitched against the Royals and lost going 5.1 and giving up 5 ER. Whereas Glen Perkins pitched 7 innings of 1 run baseball. So with that said the Twins hit better and seem to have the better pitcher although the stats say its a pretty even pitching matchup.

Accurscore:
MIN: 60%
CHW:40%

Vegas Odds:
MIN:-120
CHW:Even

Sheridans Odds: MIN 6:5

SM's reason for prop: Two evenly matched pitchers and two decent hitting teams.

Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty-WNBA
I really like the Liberty here. They already beat the Dream once this season. They are at home and although score the fewest points in the WNBA, they have had success scoring against the Dream averaging 83 ppg.

Sheridans Odds:
NY: -4
ATL: +4

Sm's reason for the prop: He is expecting the Dream to get revenge. I just don't see it happening.

Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty: MMA
Love this stuff. I really don't like this matchup. Although percentages have Gugerty at a heavily favored odds I still think that Grice could pull it off. From what I have read this is a complete deadlock as far as Vegas Odds. I still think that Gugerty pulls it out but not comfortable enough to pick it. Besides that it has the 90% curse and Rambo will probably jack this up.

Vegas Odds: The lines have moved but I still like it to be close
MG: +125
SG:-155

Sm's reason for the prop: He likes everybody to jump on SG's bandwagon and watch it collapse. I would not at all doubt it happening.

Kyle Busch vs. Tony Stewart- NASCAR
I will take Stewart on this one. Kyle Busch won this event last year and all but Tony Stewart has 6 straight top ten finishes. I really like the idea of his getting a seventh the only question is where will Busch get?

SM's reason for prop: Busch runs traditionally better at this track but Stewart is on a tear.

Columbus W/D vs. Chicago W-MLS
I like the Crew to W/D in this one. With the draw it gives more of an advantage.

Vegas Odds:
Columbus W/D:-192
Chicago:+110

SM's reason for prop: Expecting an upset by the Fire.

Atlanta Braves vs. Colorado Rockies-MLB
Although Jurrgens has a lower ERA I still like the Rockies with Marquis to win it. I have heard of "Mile High Magic" which is why they have a decent home record. I really like there bats also so I'll take the Rockies.

Accuscore:
ATL:40%
COL60%

Vegas Odds:
ATL:+107
COL:-117

SM's reason for prop: Jurrgens has a low ERA and thinks he can hold the Rocks bats down and thinks that Marquis may get fits from the Braves.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Sacremento Monarchs-WNBA
This is alot tighter than %'s show. These two teams have split the season series thus far and I still even with the lopsided %'s like the Mercury to pull it out. PHO has played better lately and the Monarchs uh not so much. I like the Mercury to pull this one out.

Sheridans Odds: Sacremento -1
Phoenix: +1

Sm's reason for prop: Looking at records tells the tale of the lopsided %'s. He likes the Monarchs i don't.

Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners-MLB
I like the Rangers in this. Although we have two decent pitchers they both have had there rough streches this year and currently Kevin Millwood is on his. I think the Mariners choke like usual on SFTC and Rangers get the W.

Vegas Odds:
TEX:EVEN
SEA: -110

SM's reason for prop: Everybody most likely will jump on the Rangers bandwagon and he thinks that Washburn pitches well enough to get the W.

Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping- MMA
Everything that I have read shows that Henderson is the clear favorite. That scares me because everything on here is no gimme. But Henderson is favored and I like the idea of him winning.

Vegas Odds:
DH:-260
MB:+200

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir-MMA
This is the fight that I really want to see. Lesnar is favored the other day according to Danny Sheridan by a 2:1 favor. Pretty heavily favored by him especially. I think Lesnar handles business well and gets the W.

Vegas Odds:
BL:-255
FM:+195

Happy Streaking and I hope all enjoy the MMA bouts they are exciting. God Bless!!!