MLB Betting Preview
Los Angeles Angels (43-30) at Philadelphia Phillies (42-32)
Friday, 7:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Phillies  - 120 ,  Total  9.5 Under -115

Two division leaders begin a three-game series on Friday as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Los Angeles Angels.  The Phillies lead the National League East but have dropped three straight series overall.  They were shut down in their last two games against the Boston Red Sox.  The Angels lead the American League West but they have lost their last two series.  They lost 5-4 in 10 innings on Wednesday as closer Francisco Rodriguez blew a save.  He had converted his last 25 straight chances before blowing the save on Wednesday. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Angels on the Road.

The Angels send Ervin Santana to the mound on Friday.  He is 8-3 with a 3.40 ERA t his season but did not pitch well in his last start, allowing six runs and nine hits.  He has never faced the Phillies in his career.

Philadelphia will be going with Adam Eaton on Friday.  He is 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA this season.  He has started four times in his career against the Angels and has a 2-1 record with a 6.52 ERA.  This is the beginning of a nine-game road trip for the Angels.  They have the best road record in baseball at 21-12.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Friday’s game.  The Angels are 5-1 in their last 6 road games. The Angels are 5-2 in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
The Angels are 20-9 in their last 29 Interleague games. The Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. the National League East. The Angels are 5-11 in Santana’s last 16 starts as a road underdog. The Angels are 2-5 in Santana’s last 7 starts.

SBG Global Current Line: Phillies  - 120 ,  Total  9.5 Under -115

The Phillies are 18-5 in their last 23 Friday games. The Phillies are 17-7 in their last 24 games as a home favorite. The Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 Interleague home games. The Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Phillies are 1-5 in their last 6 Interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Phillies are 4-0 in Eaton’s last 4 starts as a home favorite.

The Under is 7-1 in the Angels last 8 Friday games. The Under is 6-2-1 in the Angels last 9 games as an underdog. The Under is 14-5-2 in the Angels last 21 road games. The Over is 11-3-2 in Santana’s last 16 starts as a road underdog. The Under is 9-3-1 in Santana’s last 13 starts overall.

The Under is 6-0 in the Phillies last 6 vs. the American League West. The Over is 5-1 in the Phillies last 6 Interleague games as a favorite. The Under is 12-4 in the Phillies last 16 overall. The Under is 5-2 in the Phillies last 7 home games. The Under is 6-0 in Eaton’s last 6 starts as a home favorite.
The Under is 14-3-1 in Eaton’s last 18 starts overall.

Pick: Take the Phillies -120 3units

Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Betting Preview
Croatia vs. Turkey
Friday, 2:45 pm Eastern – ESPN

The two darkhorses in the Soccer Betting Euro 2008 quarterfinals will battle on Friday as Croatia faces Turkey. Croatia was one of only three teams that came through the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record. “We are the better team,” said coach Slaven Bilic. Croatia will have some lineup changes as Ivan Rakitic and Dario Srna are ready to go for Friday but defender Dario Knezevic and striker Igor Budan are out. “I do not have sleepless nights over them. I have plenty of options and have a good choice.” Bilic said. “We will do everything to beat Turkey. We have the strength and the quality to do it,” Billic added.

Croatia is -.5 (-120) with a total of 2 over (-140) at SBG Global.
Three-way line – Croatia -120, Turkey +335, Draw +235

The last time Croatia reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament was in the 1998 World Cup when they beat Germany and ended up finishing third.
They seem very confident for Friday’s matchup against Turkey. “The euphoria amongst fans and players is huge, but we have to concentrate on the game against Turkey,” said Mladen Petric.

Turkey has some definite problems heading into Friday’s game. They will be without suspended goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and Mehmet Aurelio. Demirel was suspended for two matches after getting a red card in injury time of Turkey’s win against the Czechs. Aurelio got his second card in that game as well and will miss Friday’s game. Turkey will also be without defender Emre Gungor who has a calf injury. Other key players like captain Emre Belozoglu, Tumer Metin and Servet Cetin are doubtful. Former number one goalkeeper Rustu Recber will be in goal and he will have to play very well if Turkey is to have a chance. “Our biggest advantage is that we never give up.” said coach Fatih Terim.

The two teams have met three times in history with Croatia winning one while the other two ended in draws. Croatia beat Turkey in 1996 by a score of 1-0 while the teams played to a 1-1 draw in 1997 and a 2-2 draw in 2004.

Pick: Croatia to win

MLB Betting Preview
Oakland Athletics at Arizona Diamondbacks
Thursday, 3:40 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Athletics  - 110 ,  Total  8.5 Over -120

The Arizona Diamondbacks will host the Oakland Athletics in the final game of a three-game set on Thursday.  Doug Davis takes the mound for the Diamondbacks while the A’s counter with Greg Smith.  Davis is 2-3 on the season with a 3.99 ERA while Smith is 4-5 with a 3.62 ERA.
SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Diamondbacks at Home.

Davis pitched well in his last start against Kansas City, giving up just six hits and four walks in 7 shutout innings but he did not get a decision.  He has not won since late May. Smith went five innings in his last start against the Giants, giving up one run on three hits.  He has never faced Arizona in his career but could have a little extra motivation as Arizona was the team that selected him in the 2005 Draft.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Thursday’s game.  The Athletics are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Athletics are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning record. The Athletics are 1-6 in their last 7 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Athletics are 5-2 in Smith’s last 7 starts as a favorite.

SBG Global Current Line: Athletics  - 112 ,  Total  8.5 Over -125

The Diamondbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 Interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. The Diamondbacks are 9-4 in their last 13 Thursday games. The Diamondbacks are 11-5 in their last 16 games as a home underdog. The Diamondbacks are 3-7 in their last 10 home games. The Diamondbacks are 4-10 in their last 14 vs. the American League West. The Diamondbacks are 2-5 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Diamondbacks are 17-5 in Davis’ last 22 home starts.

The Under is 5-0 in the Athletics last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Over is 5-1-1 in the Athletics last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 7-3-1 in the Athletics last 11 Thursday games. The Under is 45-22-3 in the Athletics last 70 vs. the National League West. The Under is 7-1-1 in Smith’s last 9 starts overall. The Under is 5-1 in Smith’s last 6 road starts.

The Over is 5-1-1 in the Diamondbacks last 7 overall. The Over is 9-3 in the Diamondbacks last 12 vs. the American League West. The Over is 11-4-1 in the Diamondbacks last 16 Interleague games. The Over is 22-10-2 in the Diamondbacks last 34 Interleague home games. The Over is 6-2 in Davis’ last 8 home starts. The Over is 11-4 in Davis’ last 15 starts overall. The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Arizona between the two teams.

Pick: DBacks under 8.5 3units

Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Betting Preview
Portugal vs. Germany
Thursday, 2:45 pm Eastern – ESPN

Two of the top teams remaining in Euro 2008 meet on Thursday in the quarterfinals as Portugal takes on Germany.  Portugal is a slight favorite in the game, mainly because they have the world’s top player in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal is a -155 favorite with a total of 2 at SBG Global.
Three-way line – Portugal +130, Germany +185, Draw +210

The Germans will not have coach Joachim Loew on the bench because he was suspended by the UEFA for his actions in Germany’s win over Austria.
“It really hurts him, because it’s a special game, the biggest game so far in his career,” team manager Oliver Bierhoff said, “He won’t be able to use his intuition on the bench.” The problem for Germany will be containing Ronaldo.  “We have a special plan to stop him, but I won’t tell you,” Bierhoff said. “He is the best player in the world; you can’t stop him for 90 minutes. And he is not alone. We have to stay solid as a group, confronting them one-on-one won’t be enough.”

Germany will be relying upon Michael Ballack who scored their only goal against Austria. “I am looking forward to this game,” Ballack said. “I know a few players; they have very strong individuals, not only Ronaldo. It promises to be a good match.” Germany’s leading scorer in Euro 2008 is Lukas Podolski but he has a left calf injury and is questionable. Midfielder Torsten Frings has a fractured rib and is also questionable.  The good news for Germany is that Bastian Schweinsteiger is likely to return from his one match suspension.

Ronaldo definitely has respect for Germany. “It’s going to be a very good game,” Ronaldo said. “Both teams are good, Portugal has more technique and Germany (plays) more physically, they have strong players. We have to respect Germany; it is a dangerous team, with very good players. But we are too, so let’s see.”

The teams have met twice at the Soccer Betting European Championship. They played to a scoreless draw in 1984 while Portugal routed Germany 3-0 in 2000.  Portugal had already secured a spot in 2000 and was resting players in that match.  Germany defeated Portugal 3-1 to take third place in the 2006 World Cup.