MLB Daily Market Trends: A Couple of Interesting Games

Moving Today's Market

A six pack of afternoon games leaves fewer options for tonight's action, but that doesn't mean there aren't interesting games to talk about. A couple of big market teams in the playoff hunt are drawing the most action at this point. Boston and starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-2, 2.90 ERA) are they overwhelming favorites against Texas and fill-in starter Tommy Hunter (0-1, 10.61). The surprising fact isn't that the Red Sox are receiving 73% of the moneyline bets. The fact that the Sox have moved from an opening of -270 at Pinnacle to their current line of -263 is a little more intriguing (hint: the Rangers have received multiple Smart Money triggers from Sports Insights.) Our second game of note features two southpaws and involves the team with the NL's best record. The Cubs and Ted Lilly (11-6, 4.26) hope to follow up yesterday's double header sweep of Atlanta by completing the series sweep against the Braves and Tom Glavine (2-3, 4.85). Chicago is receiving 85% of the moneyline bets, and the line has followed with a move of Chicago to -142 from an opening of -124 at Pinnacle. This has led to the Braves receiving Smart Money and Steam Move triggers from Sports Insights.

Key Injury Updates

Player	Team	Injury	Status	Comments
Josh Hamilton	Rangers	Personal	Out Thursday	He will miss Thursday versus the Red Sox to attend the birth of his third child.
Aaron Cook	Rockies	Back	Probable Sunday	He threw a bullpen session Thursday and said afterward that he hopes to start as soon as Sunday against the Nationals.
Hideki Matsui	Yankees	Knee	Rehab Assignment	Hideki Matsui (knee) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday at Single-A.
Shane Victorino	Phillies	Back	Probable Thursday	He is dealing with a stiff lower back, but stated that he plans to return to the lineup Thursday versus the Dodgers.

Today's Best Bets

Check out today’s Best Bets! 

Tomorrow's Market Movers

Current Cy Young favorites in both leagues take the mound. Brandon Webb faces off against Houston, while Cliff Lee looks to improve on his 16-2 record against the AL West leading Angels. Paul Byrd has a tough task in his first Boston start, as he squares off against Toronto ace Roy Halladay.