Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Saturday
Easy winner on the Bonus Play as the A’s demolished James Shields and rolled to a lopsided win against the White Sox. I’m going with a first half play on one of today’s football games for the Saturday comp.
419 PANTHERS at 420 TITANS 3:00 PM
Take: PANTHERS 1H
I’ll have to wait till the morning to play this selection, but with the full game at pick ’em between Carolina and Tennessee, I’m anticipating the Panthers being very small chalk for the opening half.
Coach quote tells me I should play Carolina early here. Ron Rivera had this to say about the approach for this game. “I want to see us put the ball in the end zone. We kicked four FG’s in the opener. When you get down to the red zone, you’ve got to score touchdowns if you want to win. I’d love to see three good drives (from the starters). I’d love to see consistency, see all three drives go seven, eight, nine plays.”
Based on those comments, two conclusions. One is that the first unit offense will be on the field for at least three series. That means into the second quarter. Whether they get to the end zone or not is something I can’t guarantee, but I like the idea that we will get Newton and company on the field for more than a cameo, and the coach definitely wants to see some production.
As for the Titans, their offense looked good against the Chargers. The first string defense was not good at all. The final score and stats were misleading as the Titans won the battle of the backups in a big way, but that wasn’t the case when Rivers and the SD first stringers were on the field.
I think the focus here needs to be on the first half. In fact, if it goes the way i think it might, I will possibly consider betting the Titans in the second half. But first things first, and the play here will be Panthers 1H.
Bonus Play Saturday
Easy winner on the Bonus Play as the A’s demolished James Shields and rolled to a lopsided win against the White Sox. I’m going with a first half play on one of today’s football games for the Saturday comp.
419 PANTHERS at 420 TITANS 3:00 PM
Take: PANTHERS 1H
I’ll have to wait till the morning to play this selection, but with the full game at pick ’em between Carolina and Tennessee, I’m anticipating the Panthers being very small chalk for the opening half.
Coach quote tells me I should play Carolina early here. Ron Rivera had this to say about the approach for this game. “I want to see us put the ball in the end zone. We kicked four FG’s in the opener. When you get down to the red zone, you’ve got to score touchdowns if you want to win. I’d love to see three good drives (from the starters). I’d love to see consistency, see all three drives go seven, eight, nine plays.”
Based on those comments, two conclusions. One is that the first unit offense will be on the field for at least three series. That means into the second quarter. Whether they get to the end zone or not is something I can’t guarantee, but I like the idea that we will get Newton and company on the field for more than a cameo, and the coach definitely wants to see some production.
As for the Titans, their offense looked good against the Chargers. The first string defense was not good at all. The final score and stats were misleading as the Titans won the battle of the backups in a big way, but that wasn’t the case when Rivers and the SD first stringers were on the field.
I think the focus here needs to be on the first half. In fact, if it goes the way i think it might, I will possibly consider betting the Titans in the second half. But first things first, and the play here will be Panthers 1H.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Saturday, August 20, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Saturday, August 20, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the New York Yankees and the Angels from Anaheim. Anaheim is a good offensive park and the Over is 11-4-1 when the Yankees have a righty starter on the road. NY starter Luis Cessa (5.33 ERA) comes off a 12-3 loss to Tampa Bay, allowing 5 runs in three innings. They face a struggling LA pitching staff with Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 5.13 ERA) going. Nolasco has been predictably mediocre since he was dealt to the Angels. Nolasco has now allowed a 5.19 EERA and 1.38 WHIP over 17.1 innings. The Over is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 home games and this shapes up as an offensive show.
Play the NY Yankees/LA Angels Over the total.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Saturday, August 20, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Saturday, August 20, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the New York Yankees and the Angels from Anaheim. Anaheim is a good offensive park and the Over is 11-4-1 when the Yankees have a righty starter on the road. NY starter Luis Cessa (5.33 ERA) comes off a 12-3 loss to Tampa Bay, allowing 5 runs in three innings. They face a struggling LA pitching staff with Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 5.13 ERA) going. Nolasco has been predictably mediocre since he was dealt to the Angels. Nolasco has now allowed a 5.19 EERA and 1.38 WHIP over 17.1 innings. The Over is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 home games and this shapes up as an offensive show.
Play the NY Yankees/LA Angels Over the total.
Brandon Lee
TOR vs CLE
10* Free MLB Pick (UNDER 8.5)
The books have set the bar too high for Saturday's showdown between the Blue Jays and Indians. Toronto will send out Aaron Sanchez, who is 12-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 23 starts. Sanchez has been absolutely light's out on the road, where he's 7-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.113 WHIP in 12 starts. Cleveland counters with Josh Tomlin, who bounced back from a couple of bad outings to hold a potent Red Sox offense to just 3 runs in 7 innings during his last start. Tomlin was dominant in his lone outing against the Blue Jays this season, limiting them to just 1 run in 6 innings at Toronto. UNDER is 13-2 in Sanchez's last 15 starts during night games and 21-9 in the Blue Jays last 30 road games with a total of 7 to 8.5 runs. Give me the UNDER 8.5!
TOR vs CLE
10* Free MLB Pick (UNDER 8.5)
The books have set the bar too high for Saturday's showdown between the Blue Jays and Indians. Toronto will send out Aaron Sanchez, who is 12-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 23 starts. Sanchez has been absolutely light's out on the road, where he's 7-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.113 WHIP in 12 starts. Cleveland counters with Josh Tomlin, who bounced back from a couple of bad outings to hold a potent Red Sox offense to just 3 runs in 7 innings during his last start. Tomlin was dominant in his lone outing against the Blue Jays this season, limiting them to just 1 run in 6 innings at Toronto. UNDER is 13-2 in Sanchez's last 15 starts during night games and 21-9 in the Blue Jays last 30 road games with a total of 7 to 8.5 runs. Give me the UNDER 8.5!
Martin Griffiths
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur
Bonus Play Tottenham Hotspur -1½ +125
Tottenham are a very good side and when they get it right they can beat any team in the Premier League and beat them well, especially when they are playing at home.
Crystal Palace are a very average side, they may be slightly better than some of the teams expected to be fighting relegation this season, but it would be no surprise if they were actually one of the sides relegated.
There is a huge gulf in talent and class between these two sides and while shocks do happen, it is hard to see it happening today.
I am not saying that Spurs will thrash Palace, but I do expect them to win by at least two goals, they may be sluggish with so many players returning from a summer of competitions, but they came back well against Everton last week and were unlucky to come away from Goodison Park with just a draw.
Palace lost at home in their opening game and there was nothing to suggest that they will fare any better away from home against one of the best teams in England.
Tottenham really should win this game and win it comfortably, they may be without their keeper Lloris and there is of course no Dembele, but their replacements, Vorm and Wanayama are more than capable of filling the holes without any issues.
Palace have lost two of their best players in the summer transfer window and it showed last week and until replacements are brought in they will continue o expose their significant vulnerabilities.
All things considered I fully expect Tottenham to cover the spread and win by at least two goals.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur
Bonus Play Tottenham Hotspur -1½ +125
Tottenham are a very good side and when they get it right they can beat any team in the Premier League and beat them well, especially when they are playing at home.
Crystal Palace are a very average side, they may be slightly better than some of the teams expected to be fighting relegation this season, but it would be no surprise if they were actually one of the sides relegated.
There is a huge gulf in talent and class between these two sides and while shocks do happen, it is hard to see it happening today.
I am not saying that Spurs will thrash Palace, but I do expect them to win by at least two goals, they may be sluggish with so many players returning from a summer of competitions, but they came back well against Everton last week and were unlucky to come away from Goodison Park with just a draw.
Palace lost at home in their opening game and there was nothing to suggest that they will fare any better away from home against one of the best teams in England.
Tottenham really should win this game and win it comfortably, they may be without their keeper Lloris and there is of course no Dembele, but their replacements, Vorm and Wanayama are more than capable of filling the holes without any issues.
Palace have lost two of their best players in the summer transfer window and it showed last week and until replacements are brought in they will continue o expose their significant vulnerabilities.
All things considered I fully expect Tottenham to cover the spread and win by at least two goals.
Dave Price
Yankees vs Angels
Dave's Saturday Bonus Play: 1* on New York Yankees +123
The Key: Getting the Yankees as underdog is a gift from oddsmakers tonight. The Los Angeles Angeles are 2-13 in their last 15 games overall. They have nothing to play for, while the Yankees still believe they have a shot to make the playoffs. The biggest factor here is that we're fading the Angels and starter Ricky Nolasco, who is 4-10 with a 5.13 ERA and 1.352 WHIP in 24 starts this season. Nolasco is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.800 WHIP in three career starts against the Yankees as well. The Yankees are 6-0 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. New York is 13-3 in its last 16 vs. AL West opponents. Take New York.
Yankees vs Angels
Dave's Saturday Bonus Play: 1* on New York Yankees +123
The Key: Getting the Yankees as underdog is a gift from oddsmakers tonight. The Los Angeles Angeles are 2-13 in their last 15 games overall. They have nothing to play for, while the Yankees still believe they have a shot to make the playoffs. The biggest factor here is that we're fading the Angels and starter Ricky Nolasco, who is 4-10 with a 5.13 ERA and 1.352 WHIP in 24 starts this season. Nolasco is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.800 WHIP in three career starts against the Yankees as well. The Yankees are 6-0 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. New York is 13-3 in its last 16 vs. AL West opponents. Take New York.
Jimmy Boyd
Cardinals vs Phillies
Free Pick on Cardinals -
St Louis is showing great value here as a small road favorite against the Phillies on Saturday. The Cardinals come in having won 4 straight and are riding a huge wave of momentum after last night's 4-3 win in extra innings. St Louis is also one of baseball's best road teams, as they are now 37-23 away from home on the season.
The Cardinals will send out youngster Luke Weaver for his second career big league start. Weaver debuted last week on the road against the Cubs. He got into some trouble early, but ended up allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 4 innings of work. He gets a much easier opponent this time around in the Phillies and I look for a strong outing here.
Philadelphia counters with Jeremy Hellickson, who has put up respectable numbers in his 24 starts. However, Hellickson was hit hard in his lone outing against the Cardinals this season, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5 1/3 innings of an ugly 3-10 loss. Take St Louis!
Cardinals vs Phillies
Free Pick on Cardinals -
St Louis is showing great value here as a small road favorite against the Phillies on Saturday. The Cardinals come in having won 4 straight and are riding a huge wave of momentum after last night's 4-3 win in extra innings. St Louis is also one of baseball's best road teams, as they are now 37-23 away from home on the season.
The Cardinals will send out youngster Luke Weaver for his second career big league start. Weaver debuted last week on the road against the Cubs. He got into some trouble early, but ended up allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 4 innings of work. He gets a much easier opponent this time around in the Phillies and I look for a strong outing here.
Philadelphia counters with Jeremy Hellickson, who has put up respectable numbers in his 24 starts. However, Hellickson was hit hard in his lone outing against the Cardinals this season, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5 1/3 innings of an ugly 3-10 loss. Take St Louis!
