Jim Feist
Comp MLB Pick for Friday, August 30, 2014: 10:10 PM EST
(961) LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS (962) SAN DIEGO PADRES
Take: (961) LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Reason: Your free pick for Friday, August 29th, 2014, comes in baseball as the LA Dodgers and the Padres meet at Petco Park in San Diego. Dan Haren (11-10) is a veteran who throws strikes, a fly ball pitcher who is perfect for a huge park like Petco. Haren (11-10) picked up the win as he pitched seven fantastic innings Friday against the Mets, allowing only one run on three hits while striking out six hitters and walking none. Since hitting a rough patch of awful starts, Haren has performed well of late with three wins and three quality starts over his last four games. The Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 road games, 40-15 on the road against a team with a losing record. They face the worst offense in baseball in San Diego, a team that is 0-5 following an off day. The Padres are 3-8 in Andrew Cashners last 11 starts vs. the National League West and no stopped, 3-9 in his last 12 starts following a team loss in their previous game. The Dodgers are 16-5 in the last 21 meetings, including 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Diego. Play the LA Dodgers!
Comp MLB Pick for Friday, August 30, 2014: 10:10 PM EST
(961) LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS (962) SAN DIEGO PADRES
Take: (961) LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Reason: Your free pick for Friday, August 29th, 2014, comes in baseball as the LA Dodgers and the Padres meet at Petco Park in San Diego. Dan Haren (11-10) is a veteran who throws strikes, a fly ball pitcher who is perfect for a huge park like Petco. Haren (11-10) picked up the win as he pitched seven fantastic innings Friday against the Mets, allowing only one run on three hits while striking out six hitters and walking none. Since hitting a rough patch of awful starts, Haren has performed well of late with three wins and three quality starts over his last four games. The Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 road games, 40-15 on the road against a team with a losing record. They face the worst offense in baseball in San Diego, a team that is 0-5 following an off day. The Padres are 3-8 in Andrew Cashners last 11 starts vs. the National League West and no stopped, 3-9 in his last 12 starts following a team loss in their previous game. The Dodgers are 16-5 in the last 21 meetings, including 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Diego. Play the LA Dodgers!
Art Aronson
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
1* Bonus Play on the LA Dodgers
The visiting Dodgers will send Dan Haren (11-10, 4.44 ERA) to the mound; Haren is looking for his fourth win in five starts and has begun to turn things around after a few rough outings. Haren began the month by losing a fifth straight start, but he's since gone 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA while posting a very respectable .200 opponents' batting average in the process (and note that Haren is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two outings at Petco Park this season). The home side counters with Andrew Cashner (2-6, 2.43 ERA) who is making his second start since a lengthy DL stint. The right-hander surrendered two runs and seven hits in five innings and didn't get a decision in Saturday's 5-2 loss in Arizona. Cashner has been very good in four career starts against the Dodgers, but I think runs into a buzzsaw today, LA is the better team and is coming in hot having won six of eight; also note that LA has won four of the last six games between these teams. I respect the Padres strong home record (32-26) but I think the Dodgers road mark is even more impressive at 42-26. Los Angeles has won the last six series with San Diego and the rotation has been exceptional during that stretch with a 1.64 ERA. Consider taking the Dodgers as a slight dog on the road.
AAA Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
1* Bonus Play on the LA Dodgers
The visiting Dodgers will send Dan Haren (11-10, 4.44 ERA) to the mound; Haren is looking for his fourth win in five starts and has begun to turn things around after a few rough outings. Haren began the month by losing a fifth straight start, but he's since gone 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA while posting a very respectable .200 opponents' batting average in the process (and note that Haren is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two outings at Petco Park this season). The home side counters with Andrew Cashner (2-6, 2.43 ERA) who is making his second start since a lengthy DL stint. The right-hander surrendered two runs and seven hits in five innings and didn't get a decision in Saturday's 5-2 loss in Arizona. Cashner has been very good in four career starts against the Dodgers, but I think runs into a buzzsaw today, LA is the better team and is coming in hot having won six of eight; also note that LA has won four of the last six games between these teams. I respect the Padres strong home record (32-26) but I think the Dodgers road mark is even more impressive at 42-26. Los Angeles has won the last six series with San Diego and the rotation has been exceptional during that stretch with a 1.64 ERA. Consider taking the Dodgers as a slight dog on the road.
AAA Sports
Brandon Shively
BYU vs. Connecticut
Bonus Play #145/146 BYU/Connecticut UNDER the TOTAL
I like this game Friday Night to stay UNDER the posted Total of 50.5 . UConn brings in a new HC by the name of Bob Diaco. Diaco was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame that led the Irish's defense in 2012 when they only allowed 13 ppg. He inherits a defense that gave up 30 ppg in 2013 and will be looking to tighten the ship.
UConn returns 6 starters on defense and I am expecting for the secondary to be improved and to be able to contain BYU in this game tonight. Diaco held BYU to 14 ppg in his last two games vs. them when he was the DC for Notre Dame. Obviously, he has a good grasp on this BYU rushing attack and understands how to slow them down. Diaco has had all summer to get his guys prepared for this game and I look for the Huskies to hold BYU to 27-30 points on Friday night. UCONN will be switching to a 3-4 defense and they have a big defensive line (smallest guy 290 lb.), so they should be able to contain the run.
The Uconn offense only put up 20.6 ppg in 2013 and I am not looking for much improvement as the offensive line only returns 33 starts while losing their top player and the 2.6 yards they gained on the ground last year, looks to remain about the same. I look for the BYU defense to get after the QB and force some turnovers and stalled drives.
It should be noted that starting BYU RB Jamaal Williams is suspended for this game and he was the #1 running back for BYU in 2013. Also, there are two wide receivers that are not expected to play tonight, Devon Blackman and Nick Kurtz. BYU lost their Top 2 WR's from 2013 and were expecting both of these guys to make an impact. Blackmon is an Oregon transfer while Kurtz is a JC transfer with a big 6'6" frame. Needless to say, the BYU receiving core is now inexperienced and lacks talent. I also feel it will take time for QB Taysom Hill to get in sync with these new receivers and in turn we should see some miscommunication and bad timing on passing routes.
Both teams have new kickers coming into this season, and I will count on a couple missed field goals in this game that can also help keep this game UNDER the Total. There are also a couple key trends to note in this game as the UNDER is 4-0 in BYU's last 4 road games dating back to last season, and the UNDE is 14-2-1 in their last 17 Friday games. The UNDER went 4-1 in UConn's last 5 home games to conclude the season and I see this game with a final score in the 30-13 range for an EASY UNDER.
BYU vs. Connecticut
Bonus Play #145/146 BYU/Connecticut UNDER the TOTAL
I like this game Friday Night to stay UNDER the posted Total of 50.5 . UConn brings in a new HC by the name of Bob Diaco. Diaco was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame that led the Irish's defense in 2012 when they only allowed 13 ppg. He inherits a defense that gave up 30 ppg in 2013 and will be looking to tighten the ship.
UConn returns 6 starters on defense and I am expecting for the secondary to be improved and to be able to contain BYU in this game tonight. Diaco held BYU to 14 ppg in his last two games vs. them when he was the DC for Notre Dame. Obviously, he has a good grasp on this BYU rushing attack and understands how to slow them down. Diaco has had all summer to get his guys prepared for this game and I look for the Huskies to hold BYU to 27-30 points on Friday night. UCONN will be switching to a 3-4 defense and they have a big defensive line (smallest guy 290 lb.), so they should be able to contain the run.
The Uconn offense only put up 20.6 ppg in 2013 and I am not looking for much improvement as the offensive line only returns 33 starts while losing their top player and the 2.6 yards they gained on the ground last year, looks to remain about the same. I look for the BYU defense to get after the QB and force some turnovers and stalled drives.
It should be noted that starting BYU RB Jamaal Williams is suspended for this game and he was the #1 running back for BYU in 2013. Also, there are two wide receivers that are not expected to play tonight, Devon Blackman and Nick Kurtz. BYU lost their Top 2 WR's from 2013 and were expecting both of these guys to make an impact. Blackmon is an Oregon transfer while Kurtz is a JC transfer with a big 6'6" frame. Needless to say, the BYU receiving core is now inexperienced and lacks talent. I also feel it will take time for QB Taysom Hill to get in sync with these new receivers and in turn we should see some miscommunication and bad timing on passing routes.
Both teams have new kickers coming into this season, and I will count on a couple missed field goals in this game that can also help keep this game UNDER the Total. There are also a couple key trends to note in this game as the UNDER is 4-0 in BYU's last 4 road games dating back to last season, and the UNDE is 14-2-1 in their last 17 Friday games. The UNDER went 4-1 in UConn's last 5 home games to conclude the season and I see this game with a final score in the 30-13 range for an EASY UNDER.
Jonathan Jorcin
Bowling Green vs. Western Kentucky
Bonus Play Bowling Green
Bowling Green came banging on the MAC title game last year, and this year should be no different. They lose another Coach, which is no new thing for this program, as they frequently have their coaches leave the program for more high profile jobs. That means this year they get 29 year assistant coach in Dino Babers at the helm. Dino Babers does inherit a team poised to make another run, and with Matt Johnson under center they should be confident. The 6 foot 215 pound junior started last year as a backup. Matt Schilz was the starter, and he started for 2 years, but his production seemed to dip in the next couple of years. After two possessions on offense last year, Head Coach Dave Clawson at the time gave Johnson a try, and he stuck with him for the rest of the year. He has the ability to move the pocket, and can scramble if need be.
This year they lose the best production from the backfield in Hopgood, but get a unit that is more experienced behind JR Travis Greene who was 1st Team MAC last year. Offensively Bowling Green is better and will produce a lot of yards and points, but their strong point is their defense. Behind a healthy DJ Lynch, this is the best linebacker core in the division. The big question mark are the DB’s who ose 3 starters, but they do get back a healthy cornerback in Junior Darrell Hunter.
While Bowling Green seems to have gotten better, WKU takes a step back even though they did win 8 games last year. Offensively, they have a more experienced QB unit, but lose major production in the backfield. Defensively, they allowed 340 YPG last year, but with only 4 defensive returns, and losing much of their linebacker and defensive back core, they will allow more yards per game. Take the road favorites, to win by at least a touchdown.
Bowling Green vs. Western Kentucky
Bonus Play Bowling Green
Bowling Green came banging on the MAC title game last year, and this year should be no different. They lose another Coach, which is no new thing for this program, as they frequently have their coaches leave the program for more high profile jobs. That means this year they get 29 year assistant coach in Dino Babers at the helm. Dino Babers does inherit a team poised to make another run, and with Matt Johnson under center they should be confident. The 6 foot 215 pound junior started last year as a backup. Matt Schilz was the starter, and he started for 2 years, but his production seemed to dip in the next couple of years. After two possessions on offense last year, Head Coach Dave Clawson at the time gave Johnson a try, and he stuck with him for the rest of the year. He has the ability to move the pocket, and can scramble if need be.
This year they lose the best production from the backfield in Hopgood, but get a unit that is more experienced behind JR Travis Greene who was 1st Team MAC last year. Offensively Bowling Green is better and will produce a lot of yards and points, but their strong point is their defense. Behind a healthy DJ Lynch, this is the best linebacker core in the division. The big question mark are the DB’s who ose 3 starters, but they do get back a healthy cornerback in Junior Darrell Hunter.
While Bowling Green seems to have gotten better, WKU takes a step back even though they did win 8 games last year. Offensively, they have a more experienced QB unit, but lose major production in the backfield. Defensively, they allowed 340 YPG last year, but with only 4 defensive returns, and losing much of their linebacker and defensive back core, they will allow more yards per game. Take the road favorites, to win by at least a touchdown.
Red Dog Sports
BYU vs. Connecticut
Bonus Play Connecticut +16.5
Connecticut is 19-4 ATS as a home underdog in their last 23. BYU has to travel cross country for this east coast game. The Cougars lost at Virginia 19-16 to open last year. BYU has a tough QB in Taysom Hill but will be without RB Jamaal Williams. UConn's coach was with Notre Dame in recent years and will be familiar with the BYU players and system. All we need is for the home team to stay within 14 points.
Bonus Play on UConn +16.5
BYU vs. Connecticut
Bonus Play Connecticut +16.5
Connecticut is 19-4 ATS as a home underdog in their last 23. BYU has to travel cross country for this east coast game. The Cougars lost at Virginia 19-16 to open last year. BYU has a tough QB in Taysom Hill but will be without RB Jamaal Williams. UConn's coach was with Notre Dame in recent years and will be familiar with the BYU players and system. All we need is for the home team to stay within 14 points.
Bonus Play on UConn +16.5
Bryan Leonard
Bowling Green vs. Western Kentucky
Bonus Play Bowling Green
New Head Coach Dino Babers from Eastern Illinois is looking to run 100 plays or more per game. He was the Wide Receivers coach at Baylor Dave Clawson moved on to Wake Forest The offense is loaded with an experienced quarterback in Matt Johnson The running game returns everyone from last season that averaged 4.7 ypc The Falcons were 6-0 ATS the past two seasons as road favorites Bowling Green does have 32 point revenge with Indiana coming up in two weeks, but only VMI on deck next week
The Hilltoppers have posted a winning record in three straight years Jeff Brohm takes over for Bobby Petrino who returned to Louisville He was the offensive coordinator last year So this is the third head coach in three years Western Kentucky is moving from the Sun Belt to Conference USA Next week the Hilltoppers travel to Illinois Despite returning eight offensive starters the team will be without 1700 yard rusher Antonio Andrews He led the nation in all purpose yards the past two seasons On defense 6 of the back 7 need to be replaced PLAY BOWLING GREEN.
Bowling Green vs. Western Kentucky
Bonus Play Bowling Green
New Head Coach Dino Babers from Eastern Illinois is looking to run 100 plays or more per game. He was the Wide Receivers coach at Baylor Dave Clawson moved on to Wake Forest The offense is loaded with an experienced quarterback in Matt Johnson The running game returns everyone from last season that averaged 4.7 ypc The Falcons were 6-0 ATS the past two seasons as road favorites Bowling Green does have 32 point revenge with Indiana coming up in two weeks, but only VMI on deck next week
The Hilltoppers have posted a winning record in three straight years Jeff Brohm takes over for Bobby Petrino who returned to Louisville He was the offensive coordinator last year So this is the third head coach in three years Western Kentucky is moving from the Sun Belt to Conference USA Next week the Hilltoppers travel to Illinois Despite returning eight offensive starters the team will be without 1700 yard rusher Antonio Andrews He led the nation in all purpose yards the past two seasons On defense 6 of the back 7 need to be replaced PLAY BOWLING GREEN.
'Seminoles face first test'
The marquis game of the weekend kicks off at 08:00 EST Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with defending Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and the National Champion Seminoles meeting Oklahoma State Cowboys. The defending champs returning 13 starters in addition to Winston are the clear favorite in this game (-17.5) against 'Pokes' decimated by graduation bringing back just four starters on each side of the the ball. Won't be a walk-in-the-park for Seminoles, the 'Pokes' lead by QB J.W. Walsh (7.0 YPA) with a pair of solid receivers in Seales, Sheperd will challenge FSU's secondary. But, in the end 'Pokes' simply lack the overall experience to keep up. Seminoles 11-3 vs the betting line last season have a penchant to rise to the occasion in neutral-site games as they're 12-3-1 ATS the past 16 situations. Mike Gundy's troops 6-12 ATS as underdogs consider sticking with the Champs in this one. Best of luck this season but above all enjoy the games.
The marquis game of the weekend kicks off at 08:00 EST Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with defending Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and the National Champion Seminoles meeting Oklahoma State Cowboys. The defending champs returning 13 starters in addition to Winston are the clear favorite in this game (-17.5) against 'Pokes' decimated by graduation bringing back just four starters on each side of the the ball. Won't be a walk-in-the-park for Seminoles, the 'Pokes' lead by QB J.W. Walsh (7.0 YPA) with a pair of solid receivers in Seales, Sheperd will challenge FSU's secondary. But, in the end 'Pokes' simply lack the overall experience to keep up. Seminoles 11-3 vs the betting line last season have a penchant to rise to the occasion in neutral-site games as they're 12-3-1 ATS the past 16 situations. Mike Gundy's troops 6-12 ATS as underdogs consider sticking with the Champs in this one. Best of luck this season but above all enjoy the games.
Ray Monohan
LSU vs. Wisconsin
5* FREE NCAAF Play Wisconsin Badgers +5
This is going to be a humdinger of a ball game that should feature two very good running games...and very inexperienced quarterbacks. Assuming that both of those factors kind of cancel it makes a lot of sense to grab Wisconsin and those 5 big points. This opened smaller but 5 seems like a great spot to get down because I am not sure how much more this number is going to move.
I am super intrigued by the elusiveness of newly names Badgers QB Tanner McEvoy who will add some elusiveness we don’t usually see from the Great White North.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
LSU vs. Wisconsin
5* FREE NCAAF Play Wisconsin Badgers +5
This is going to be a humdinger of a ball game that should feature two very good running games...and very inexperienced quarterbacks. Assuming that both of those factors kind of cancel it makes a lot of sense to grab Wisconsin and those 5 big points. This opened smaller but 5 seems like a great spot to get down because I am not sure how much more this number is going to move.
I am super intrigued by the elusiveness of newly names Badgers QB Tanner McEvoy who will add some elusiveness we don’t usually see from the Great White North.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
Sam Martin
Tex San Antonio at Houston Cougars 9:00PM
5* Tex San Antonio
Reason: 5* Play on UTSA. Larry Coker's Texas San -Antonio team returns a whopping ten starters on each side of the ball, and we love that type of experience in an opening game for a double-digit road underdog. No hesitation taking the points with UTSA on Friday night and as an added bonus (to big underdogs, anyway), we find ourselves backing a solid, experienced team that features a rush-heavy offense, which tends to slow the game down and eat the clock away.
This is similar to when we back triple-option teams as big underdogs, as the favorite simply doesn't have enough time or possessions to run up the score. Texas San Antonio went 4-2 straight up and 5-1 against the spread on the road last year. They also were a perfect 6-0 Under the total in those games - lending more credence to our theory about running out the clock. Houston's defense is nothing special and is susceptible to a rushing offense that had a very nice 4.9 ypc average last season. Not enough time for Houston to pull away! 5* Play on UTSA.
Tex San Antonio at Houston Cougars 9:00PM
5* Tex San Antonio
Reason: 5* Play on UTSA. Larry Coker's Texas San -Antonio team returns a whopping ten starters on each side of the ball, and we love that type of experience in an opening game for a double-digit road underdog. No hesitation taking the points with UTSA on Friday night and as an added bonus (to big underdogs, anyway), we find ourselves backing a solid, experienced team that features a rush-heavy offense, which tends to slow the game down and eat the clock away.
This is similar to when we back triple-option teams as big underdogs, as the favorite simply doesn't have enough time or possessions to run up the score. Texas San Antonio went 4-2 straight up and 5-1 against the spread on the road last year. They also were a perfect 6-0 Under the total in those games - lending more credence to our theory about running out the clock. Houston's defense is nothing special and is susceptible to a rushing offense that had a very nice 4.9 ypc average last season. Not enough time for Houston to pull away! 5* Play on UTSA.
Marc Lawrence
MLB
Washington Nationals at Seattle Mariners 10:10PM
Play - Washington-Seattle UNDER with Zimmerman vs Hernandez.
Edges - Nationals: Zimmerman 5-0 with 2.09 ERA last five team starts.? Hernandez 1.96 ERA home and 1.93 AERS last seven overall starts.? With Zimmerman in strong KW form with 50 strikeouts and 5 walks his last nine starts, and Hernandez the same with 41 strikeouts and 6 walks his last six efforts, we recommend a 1-unit play on the UNDER.? Thank you and good luck as always.
MLB
Washington Nationals at Seattle Mariners 10:10PM
Play - Washington-Seattle UNDER with Zimmerman vs Hernandez.
Edges - Nationals: Zimmerman 5-0 with 2.09 ERA last five team starts.? Hernandez 1.96 ERA home and 1.93 AERS last seven overall starts.? With Zimmerman in strong KW form with 50 strikeouts and 5 walks his last nine starts, and Hernandez the same with 41 strikeouts and 6 walks his last six efforts, we recommend a 1-unit play on the UNDER.? Thank you and good luck as always.
