Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros meet at Minute Maid Park.

The Pirates will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Ross Ohlendorf in this game. Ohlendorf has a 1-6 record and a 4.39 ERA this season.

The Astros will counter Ohlendorf with ace Roy Oswalt. Righthander Oswalt has a 3.32 ERA to go along with a 5-10 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 210-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Carlos Lee went deep for a two-run shot Wednesday, as the Astros doubled the Pirates 6-3. The Astros won that game as -130 favorites, while the nine runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks.

Casey Daigle collected the win in relief for the Astros, and Matt Lindstrom closed out the game for his 20^th save.

Daniel McCutchen allowed four hits and four runs over five innings in the loss.

Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Houston has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 30-54 SU
Houston: 34-51 SU

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After playing Houston are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Pittsburgh is 2-20 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Next up:
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, Friday, July 9
Houston home to St. Louis, Friday, July 9

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Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

The Chicago White Sox will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Angels will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Ervin Santana in this game. Santana has a 8-6 record and a 3.95 ERA this season.

Santana’s opponent in this one will be John Danks. The White Sox lefthander has a 3.58 ERA to go along with a 7-7 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Paul Konerko drove in a pair of runs and the White Sox defeated the Angels 5-2 on Wednesday, as -125 favorites. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5) set by sportsbooks.

Freddy Garcia allowed five hits and one run over six innings for the win, while Bobby Jenks collected his 19^th save.

Joe Saunders gave up 10 hits and five runs over 5 2-3 innings in the Angels loss.

Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 3 straight games.
Chicago has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 46-41 SU
Chicago: 45-38 SU

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Oakland are 6-4
After playing Chi White Sox are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Kansas City are 4-6
After playing LA Angels are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games on the road
LA Angels are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
LA Angels are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games at home
Chi White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against LA Angels

Next up:
LA Angels at Oakland, Friday, July 9
Chi White Sox home to Kansas City, Friday, July 9

For winning point spread picks, Joe Duffy has his picks part of GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com A long-time veteran of the sports betting industry, Duffy got his start at Dial Sports 976 Dial It service and eventually became the most decorated scorephone handicapper in history.

One of the top sportsbooks says that LeBron James will remain in Cleveland, though media reports say he will sign with the Miami Heat. Grandmaster Sports Handicapper still believes the Knicks are the frontrunner.

But first a free baseball scores pick from Matt Rivers:

The winner from OffshoreInsiders.com Senior Handicapper Matt Rivers on Thursday is on the Angels.

John Danks is a quality lefthander who can dazzle against anybody at anytime but the Angels are certainly a top tier club in baseball and to get a solid price back with Ervin Santana is enough to give it a go.

Santana is a little feast or famine at times and can get hit here at a total hitter’s park in US Cellular. Ozzie Guillens’ surging Sox are back in the race and playing very well but this game truly isn’t that far away from being 50-50 so I can’t help by grab the number with the Halos.

Aybar, Kendrick, Hunter, Abreu and Matsui are very good hitters that can never be getting too much money when they have at least a solid hurler on the mound which they do today. If Santana is on, with that electric stuff which he does have at times, then I would not be shocked to see the visitors win comfortably. Sure it’s asking a lot against a very good pitcher in Danks but the southpaw is not exactly a stud ace just yet and can allow a few runs.

Mike Scioscia’s club is a good one, not a great one at all as they did lose a lot of quality pieces in the last off-season and have not looked good thus far in this series but they are still quite competent and always worth a shot at a price like this.

The key to baseball is finding winnable games and getting quality takebacks in the process. You won’t win all of those games but if you can hit about half with the dog then you are good to go and that is the case here.

Not the lock of my life but a good value and a must play, even if small.

The pick: Anaheim +120 at Bodog

For more information: Still great numbers overall, 8 of 12 winning days, but I’m not at all happy with the last few days as they have just flat out been poor. It’s going to happen in any walk of life and there is no exception here but that still doesn’t make me feel at all better even if I am well ahead of the game. Back in the win column for sure today and in a major major way!

300,000* Cardinals-Rockies as Ubaldo either gets his stuff back together or gets bested by Carpenter along with a bonus 200,000* Pirates-Astros as Houston goes for the easy sweep. I’m excited and I’m ready to go today. Click now to purchase

Here are the odds to land LeBron James according to SportsBetting.com

Cleveland Cavaliers	2/5
Miami Heat	2/3
New York Knicks	1/1
Chicago Bulls	3/2

Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

The San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Miller Park.

The Giants will give the ball to starter Barry Zito in this one. Lefthander Zito is 7-4 this season with a 3.75 ERA.

The Brewers will counter Zito with Manny Parra. Lefthander Parra has a 4.87 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Brewers listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Buster Posey went 4-for-4 with a pair of homers and six runs batted in on Wednesday, and the Giants roared past the Brewers 15-2. The Giants won the game as -132 favorites, while the 17 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks.

Tim Lincecum improved to 9-4 with the win, while striking out 10 batters over his seven innings.

Chris Narveson gave up 10 runs off nine hits over 3 1-3 innings in the Brewers loss.

Current streak:
San Francisco has won 3 straight games.
Milwaukee has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
San Francisco: 44-40 SU
Milwaukee: 37-48 SU

San Francisco most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing San Francisco are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Milwaukee is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Francisco

Next up:
San Francisco at Washington, Friday, July 9
Milwaukee home to Pittsburgh, Friday, July 9

Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy former General Manager of the Freescoreboard scorephone network and CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com the premier hub of world-class handicappers.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

The St. Louis Cardinals will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

The Cardinals will trot ace Chris Carpenter out to the mound in this one. Righthander Carpenter has a 9-2 record and a 3.16 ERA this season.

The Rockies will counter Carpenter with ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Righthander Jimenez has a 2.27 ERA to go along with a 14-1 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 147-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Dexter Fowler launched a three-run homer and the Rockies beat the Cardinals 8-7 on Wednesday, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

Huston Street closed out the game with a scoreless ninth, picking up his first win of the season.

Evan MacLane surrendered the winning run and was tagged with the Cardinals loss.

Current streak:
St. Louis has lost 2 straight games.
Colorado has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
St. Louis: 45-39 SU
Colorado: 46-38 SU

St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Houston are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 1-9
After a loss are 7-3

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing San Diego are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 9-1
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
St. Louis is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing St. Louis
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Colorado is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Colorado is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

Next up:
St. Louis at Houston, Friday, July 9
Colorado home to San Diego, Friday, July 9

The OffshoreInsiders.com Network includes Texas Holdem tips, the biggest sports service plays for MLB baseball betting and NBA betting.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

The Philadelphia Phillies will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

The Reds will give the ball to starter Johnny Cueto in this one. Righthander Cueto is 8-2 this season with a 3.56 ERA.

Meanwhile, it’ll be Kyle Kendrick who starts for the Phillies. Righthander Kendrick is 5-3 with a 4.80 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Brandon Phillips homered and drove in a pair of runs to lead the Reds to a 3-1 victory over the Mets on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. That game’s four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

Bronson Arroyo scattered seven hits and one run over eight innings, improving to 9-4 overall. Francisco Cordero closed out the ninth for his 24^th save.

The Phillies were defeated 7-5 by the Braves last time out, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks.

Jamie Moyer was tagged with the loss, giving up seven hits and seven runs over his 5 1-3 innings for the Phillies.

Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Cincinnati: 49-37 SU
Philadelphia: 43-40 SU

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing NY Mets are 3-7
After a win are 6-4

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Cincinnati is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cincinnati’s last 15 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Cincinnati

Next up:
Philadelphia home to Cincinnati, Friday, July 9

Stevie Vincent is literally 20-25 years ahead of the oddsmakers and they will be the first to admit. His forensic sports handicapping is groundbreaking and there is nothing the books have been able to do to stop him.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com:

The San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Nationals Park.

The Padres will give the ball to starter Mat Latos in this one. Righthander Latos is 9-4 this season with a 2.62 ERA.

Starting this game for the Nationals will be Luis Atilano. The righthander has a 4.72 ERA to go along with a 6-5 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Padres listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Adam Dunn belted three home runs with five RBIs on Wednesday, leading the Nationals in a 7-6 win over the Padres. The Nationals won that game as +105 underdogs, while the 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

J.D. Martin allowed six hits and two runs over 5 2-3 innings for the win, while Matt Capps tossed the ninth for his 23^rd save.

Jon Garland surrendered eight hits and six runs over six innings in the loss.

Current streak:
San Diego has lost 2 straight games.
Washington has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
San Diego: 49-35 SU
Washington: 38-47 SU

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 5-5
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3

Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing San Francisco are 3-7
After playing San Diego are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
San Diego is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Washington
San Diego is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Diego
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Washington is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games

Next up:
San Diego at Colorado, Friday, July 9
Washington home to San Francisco, Friday, July 9

The founder of forensic sports handicapping, Stevie Vincent has been a professional gambler since 2002. His plays are now public and a must for totals bettors as mastering over/under is his specialty.

The entertainment odds will certainly soon post odds based on the Emmy Awards nominations. Now the sportsbooks have the LeBron James sweepstakes odds with Cleveland and Miami the co-favorites at 2/5. The NY Knicks are even money—this is who Grandmaster Sports Handicapper Joe Duffy says will land the King.

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Golfers hit the links at TPC Deere Run and Loch Lomond, while the Yankees meet the Mariners, and the Cardinals take on the Rockies.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The American League schedule for Thursday has the Angels at the White Sox, Minnesota at Toronto, Cleveland at Tampa Bay, Baltimore at Texas, and the Yankees at Seattle. Andy Pettitte (10-2, 2.82 ERA) is slated to take on Jason Vargas (6-4, 3.22 ERA) in that Yankees/Mariners matchup. Lefthander Pettitte beat the Blue Jays in his last trip to the mound, holding them to three runs on five hits over his six innings of work. Lefthander Vargas was knocked around by the Tigers in his most recent outing, surrendering six runs on eight hits over just 4 1-3 innings of work for Seattle that game.

Over in the Nationals League on Thursday it’s then Pittsburgh at Houston, San Francisco at Milwaukee, Cincinnati at Philadelphia, San Diego at Washington, Florida at Arizona, the Cubs at the Dodgers, and St. Louis at Colorado. Chris Carpenter (9-3, 3.16 ERA) will match up against Ubaldo Jimenez (14-1, 2.27 ERA) in that last contest. Righthander Carpenter will be looking to bounce back from a loss to the Brewers in which he allowed seven earned runs on nine hits in three innings of work. Righthander Jimenez also lost his last start, giving up seven runs on five hits over six innings of work against the Giants. The Rockies hadn’t lost a Jimenez outing since way back on May 9.

Top expert picks on today’s card…

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Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The PGA Tour will begin the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois on Thursday, with Steve Stricker set as the 14/1 Vegas favorite to repeat as the tournament champion. Tim Clark (15/1), Zach Johnson (16/1), and K.J. Choi (18/1) follow Stricker on that odds list, with Jeff Overton rounding out the top five at 22/1.  Overseas, Phil Mickelson is the 9/1 favorite to win the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, followed by Ernie Els at 11/1, Martin Kaymer at 16/1, Graeme McDowell at 20/1, and Retief Goosen at 22/1. Robert Allenby and Charl Schwartzel are listed at 28/1.

Finally, there are two games on the WNBA’s schedule for Thursday, with San Antonio at Minnesota and Tulsa at Indiana. The Shock (3-13 SU, 4-12 ATS) have lost 10 straight games, falling 69-54 at home to Washington in their last contest; Scholanda Robinson tossed in 16 points for Tulsa in that defeat. The Fever (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) are coming off a 58-51 win over Chicago, with Tamika Catchings scoring 16 points in that road game.

Despite media reports saying that LeBron James is going to Miami, Grandmaster Sports Handicapper Joe Duffy, CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com says that his sources insist he will sign with the New York Knicks. “His endorsement money will go up 15 percent minimum when he plays in New York,” says the top sports betting expert ever.

“I stand by my sources, it’s not Miami.”

2010 World Cup Final props are in, and it should be one of the more exciting finals in years. So, when Spain and the Netherlands hook up on Sunday, what will be the correct score at the end of the day?

Spain has been spectacular defensively, allowing just two goals throughout the entire tournament. Offense has been much harder to come by, though, as the Spaniards have managed only one goal.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, have scored at least two goals in all but one of their games so far. They have a variety of weapons and will be tough to corral.

If Spain continues its fantastic run, a 1-0 victory (5/1 odds) is most likely; that’s been the score of their last three wins. If the Netherlands come out on top, a 2-1 win (12/1) will probably do it—the Dutch can score, but they’ll make a few mistakes as well.

Bet on the World Cup Final in the Bodog Sportsbook!

This has gone too far.

While Chris Bosh used proper news outlets to drop that he’ll be joining Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat, LeBron James has taken the narcissistic approach. He’ll be hijacking the ESPN airwaves on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET for one hour, using the time to — we guess — talk about how great he is then eventually choose the city that will be graced with his godliness. There is no news on where the LeBron James Variety Show will take place.

Although it’s wonderful that proceeds from the King James special will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, we cringe at the thought of James filling an entire self-gratifying hour before dropping the bombshell. Maybe he’ll do sketch comedy or something.

Rumors on where he’s headed are swirling. But it appears that it could be the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, or the Miami Heat to form a triple threat. It appears that the Chicago Bulls are out in the cold.

James better deliver a championship quick after all this hoopla.

Get your NBA Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook