Daily Market Trends: The Return of the Starter

Moving Today's Market

It's been a slow start to the betting weekend, with only a handful of afternoon games scheduled. A group of staff aces take the mound, while a trio of pitchers make returns. The Cubs send new ace Rich Harden (5-2, 2.12 ERA) to face the Marlins and rookie Chris Volstad (2-1, 2.16). The Cubs are around -240 favorites at most books that Sports Insights monitors. Other aces taking the mound include Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (8-5, 2.80), Detroit's Justin Verlander (8-9, 3.95), Oakland's Justin Duchsherer (10-6, 1.87), and Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.11). There's also a match up of aces as Arizona sends Brandon Webb (13-4, 3.11) to face San Francisco's Tim Lincecum (11-3, 2.79). This game isn't seeing much action, but 77% of early bets are on Webb and the D-Backs. Cleveland gets last year's 19-game winner Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.10) back on the mound against Minnesota after two months on the DL with a hip injury. Atlanta's Mike Hampton (0-0. 0.00) will attempt to make his return for the third time this season. Hampton doesn't get any favors in his return, pitching in Philadelphia's hitter-friendly ballpark against Phillies ace Cole Hamels. Most bettors, 73%, are favoring Philly even with odds around -250 at most books. Hampton's return is only topped by Mets starter Brandon Knight (0-0, 0.00). Knight hasn't pitched in the majors since 2001 and almost retired last off-season, but has pitched well in the minors this season.

Key Injury Updates

Player	Team	Injury	Status	Comments
Mike Hampton	ATL (SP)	Pectoral/Hamstring	Probable	Hampton is scheduled to make his first major league start in 3 years on Saturday.
Fausto Carmona	CLE (SP)	Hip	Probable	Carmona will be activated from the DL to pitch against the Twins on Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
Manny Ramirez	BOS (OF)	Knee	Questionable	Ramirez underwent an MRI on his knee, and results are pending. He has missed the last two games due to soreness in his right knee.
Jim Edmonds	CHC (OF)	Knee	Probable	Lou Piniella said he expected Edmonds to be available without restrictions over the weekend, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Key Market Moves

Not many teams have received multiple alerts at this point due to the slow start to the betting day. The Marlins have received a Steam Move and Smart Money alert going against the Cubs and Rich Harden, while the Phillies have received two Steam Moves behind ace Cole Hamels.

Today's Best Bets

Check out today’s Best Bets! 

Tomorrow's Market Movers

The finales of the weekend's baseball series and a CFL game are on the schedule. Defending champ San Jose battles Philadelphia in the 2008 Arena Bowl at 3 p.m.