Bob Balfe
NFL Preseason Football
Titans/Raiders Under 35
Both teams have great opening preseason weeks. Both teams really ran the football well. Oakland who was last in the league last year against the run will get a stiff test today against a good Titans run game. The Raiders usually have a good pass defense which will allow them to focus on stopping the run which is an area they need to improve in. When it comes to the Raiders offense well lets be honest it just stinks. Even when Oakland does put together a good drive someone gets a personal foul to take them out of it. Both teams will run the ball a lot tonight chewing up the clock. As a side not the Titans kicker will not play tonight. Nothing better than a 8 minute drive with a missed FG by a backup to help your total play. Let's take the Under.
Major League Baseball
Nationals +105 over Rockies
Redding/De La Rosa
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O.C. Dooley
“2 UNIT” FOOTBALL INTANGIBLE
Raiders +4
The “intangibles” actually go against a Tennessee team that on the scoreboard routed the Rams in week one (34-14 final score). But my research indicates that there are several reasons why the Titans looked so good a week ago, which has caused them to be overpriced this evening. I found out that Tennessee players were upset after being told that the Rams manhandled them in 2 days of “joint practice” sessions which gave the Titans some extra added energy. In addition last week marked the return of long-time Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse to an organization where he ended up making 3 different trips to the Pro Bowl. Kearse was actually the last player introduced and received a long ovation from the Tennessee fans who remember him at the peak of his career. It remains to be seen as to whether Kearse can regain his former glory as he was recently cut from the Philadelphia roster. As we saw last night in Philadelphia, the “scrubs” who frequent the second-half of these early preseason contests have a big say to the eventual outcome. Even though the Titans won big on the scoreboard last week against a St. Louis team attempting to shake off a disastrous 3-13 campaign, it must be noted that there are still huge question marks about how this team can gain yards in the air. During the late stages of last week’s contest, Tennessee’s reserve wideouts not only failed to distinguish themselves in what is a muddled situation, they kept DROPPING PASSES at an alarming rate. That brings me to the subject of Tennessee INJURIES as starting wide receiver Justin McCareins continues to be slowed by a hamstring injury. Meanwhile another wideout Roydell Williams is still trying to shake off the effects of offseason knee suregery, while tight end Dwayne Blakley (groin) is also not 100%. I personally question the “lack” of depth that the Titans have with their receivers and tonight they have ot deal with a Raiders defense that allowed only SIX points in week one. Not only did Oakland’s defense pitch a gem in week one, they did it against a San Francisco offense that right now has a three-way race going on for the starting quarterback position. Getting back to Tennessee’s offense for a moment, they ranked dead LAST a year ago in the entire NFL in “red zone” efficiency as this team constantly had to settle for field goals. Last weekend the Tennessee first-unit led by starting quarterback Vince Young ended up being STALLED in a drive that went down to the opponent’s FIVE yard line. That is potentially bad news for the Titans tonight as the oddmsakers are asking them to lay more than a field goal. Another of the many reasons why I am not going to overeact to Tennessee’s 34-14 home romp last week is because they were facing a Rams team that was without star running back Steven Jackson who is currently a contract holdout. I was personally very impressed with Oakland’s opening week victory where the defense held an opponent to LESS than a touchdown. What really caught my attention was the Raiders DEPTH at running back as the team ended up rambling for 248 yards on the ground. As mentioned earlier in this analysis segment, what the “scrubs” do in the late stages of preseason games has a lot to do with the outcome. I was very impressed by Michael Bush who ran for an Oakland touchdown in his initial appearance after more than 23 months of rehabilitation for a major knee injury. This is the same Micheal Bush who led the NCAA back in 2005 with 23 touchdowns as a member of Louisville. Due to that knee injury, he fell all the way to round #4 of the NFL dtaft. Basically Bush knows that the only way he is going to make a professional roster is by doing the little things correctly. Last week Bush successfully CONVERTED 4 of 5 short yardage attempts for first-downs Not only did Bush run for 27 yards on the ground, he had 29 yards RECEIVING which tells me that Oakland has a late-game offensive threat that can help them cover the spread. Of course the big news in Oakland is #1 round draft pick Darren McFadden who in his debut ran for 48 yards on 12 carries. If Oakland can somehow generate an effective ground attack, that will take the pressure on another #1 round draft pick in JaMarcus Russell who a year ago at this time was holding out for a big contract. In his rookie season Russell played in only 4 games, so I do not mind Oakland’s INTENSE head coach Lane Kiffin being a bit conservative in play calling for this kid. Last week I was impressed by reserve quarterback Andrew Walter who completed 10-of-12 pass attempts and also threw for a touchdown. To make a long story short, Walter is in the final year of his contract and needs to be impressive in what many call these meaningless preseason affairs. Another factor that caught my attention last week for Oakland was undrafted free-agent Louis Rankin who ripped off a 72 YARD touchdown run and led all rushers The bottom line is that the underdog Raiders have enough capable “late game” performers that can help cover tonight’s spread.
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“2 UNIT” FOOTBALL INTANGIBLE
Raiders +4
The “intangibles” actually go against a Tennessee team that on the scoreboard routed the Rams in week one (34-14 final score). But my research indicates that there are several reasons why the Titans looked so good a week ago, which has caused them to be overpriced this evening. I found out that Tennessee players were upset after being told that the Rams manhandled them in 2 days of “joint practice” sessions which gave the Titans some extra added energy. In addition last week marked the return of long-time Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse to an organization where he ended up making 3 different trips to the Pro Bowl. Kearse was actually the last player introduced and received a long ovation from the Tennessee fans who remember him at the peak of his career. It remains to be seen as to whether Kearse can regain his former glory as he was recently cut from the Philadelphia roster. As we saw last night in Philadelphia, the “scrubs” who frequent the second-half of these early preseason contests have a big say to the eventual outcome. Even though the Titans won big on the scoreboard last week against a St. Louis team attempting to shake off a disastrous 3-13 campaign, it must be noted that there are still huge question marks about how this team can gain yards in the air. During the late stages of last week’s contest, Tennessee’s reserve wideouts not only failed to distinguish themselves in what is a muddled situation, they kept DROPPING PASSES at an alarming rate. That brings me to the subject of Tennessee INJURIES as starting wide receiver Justin McCareins continues to be slowed by a hamstring injury. Meanwhile another wideout Roydell Williams is still trying to shake off the effects of offseason knee suregery, while tight end Dwayne Blakley (groin) is also not 100%. I personally question the “lack” of depth that the Titans have with their receivers and tonight they have ot deal with a Raiders defense that allowed only SIX points in week one. Not only did Oakland’s defense pitch a gem in week one, they did it against a San Francisco offense that right now has a three-way race going on for the starting quarterback position. Getting back to Tennessee’s offense for a moment, they ranked dead LAST a year ago in the entire NFL in “red zone” efficiency as this team constantly had to settle for field goals. Last weekend the Tennessee first-unit led by starting quarterback Vince Young ended up being STALLED in a drive that went down to the opponent’s FIVE yard line. That is potentially bad news for the Titans tonight as the oddmsakers are asking them to lay more than a field goal. Another of the many reasons why I am not going to overeact to Tennessee’s 34-14 home romp last week is because they were facing a Rams team that was without star running back Steven Jackson who is currently a contract holdout. I was personally very impressed with Oakland’s opening week victory where the defense held an opponent to LESS than a touchdown. What really caught my attention was the Raiders DEPTH at running back as the team ended up rambling for 248 yards on the ground. As mentioned earlier in this analysis segment, what the “scrubs” do in the late stages of preseason games has a lot to do with the outcome. I was very impressed by Michael Bush who ran for an Oakland touchdown in his initial appearance after more than 23 months of rehabilitation for a major knee injury. This is the same Micheal Bush who led the NCAA back in 2005 with 23 touchdowns as a member of Louisville. Due to that knee injury, he fell all the way to round #4 of the NFL dtaft. Basically Bush knows that the only way he is going to make a professional roster is by doing the little things correctly. Last week Bush successfully CONVERTED 4 of 5 short yardage attempts for first-downs Not only did Bush run for 27 yards on the ground, he had 29 yards RECEIVING which tells me that Oakland has a late-game offensive threat that can help them cover the spread. Of course the big news in Oakland is #1 round draft pick Darren McFadden who in his debut ran for 48 yards on 12 carries. If Oakland can somehow generate an effective ground attack, that will take the pressure on another #1 round draft pick in JaMarcus Russell who a year ago at this time was holding out for a big contract. In his rookie season Russell played in only 4 games, so I do not mind Oakland’s INTENSE head coach Lane Kiffin being a bit conservative in play calling for this kid. Last week I was impressed by reserve quarterback Andrew Walter who completed 10-of-12 pass attempts and also threw for a touchdown. To make a long story short, Walter is in the final year of his contract and needs to be impressive in what many call these meaningless preseason affairs. Another factor that caught my attention last week for Oakland was undrafted free-agent Louis Rankin who ripped off a 72 YARD touchdown run and led all rushers The bottom line is that the underdog Raiders have enough capable “late game” performers that can help cover tonight’s spread.
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DAVE MALINSKY
GAME: Colorado Rockies @ Washington Nationals Aug 15, 2008 7:35PM
SPORT: Major League Baseball Picks
PICK: over
REASON FOR PICK: 4* COLORADO/WASHINGTON Over
Now that we have word that Garret Atkins will be returning to the lineup for Colorado tonight it is time to step in here, while being particularly thankful for the early marketplace in the creation of a 9 as a ?win? result for the play.
Part of the formula here is rather simple - it is most rare to find the likes of Jorge de la Rosa and Tim Redding priced at 8.5. The only way to lose the play is for one of the teams to be held to three runs or less (and even then we can still win with the other side breaking the game open), and that is asking an awful lot for these two - particularly on a quick second-look situation for each offense.
De la Rosa has worked to a 1-5/7.83 on the road this season, despite the fact that none of those appearances came against a team that had previously seen him. Now not only do the Nationals get a return look after facing him at Coors Field 10 days ago, but they also see left-handed fast-balls for the second night in a row, after taking on Oliver Perez last night. No, this is not a good offensive team, but the market has more than compensated for that in this line range, and they can be successful under these circumstances.
So can the Rockies against Redding. They got to him for four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings 11 days ago, and that was par for the course for the Washington right-hander since the All Star break, where he has toiled to a 1-4/7.96 , allowing 36 hits and 12 walks in just 26 innings. Three times in those five games he has thrown more than 20.0 Pitches-Per-Inning, something he had only done twice in 20 starts before the break, and a guy that needs help from his defense now has to cope with the weak glove and limited range of Ronnie Belliard at shortstop.
With neither starter bringing dominating form, nor the ability to eat many innings, and a couple of mediocre middle relief corps, getting the runs to cash this ticket is not asking much at all
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GAME: Colorado Rockies @ Washington Nationals Aug 15, 2008 7:35PM
SPORT: Major League Baseball Picks
PICK: over
REASON FOR PICK: 4* COLORADO/WASHINGTON Over
Now that we have word that Garret Atkins will be returning to the lineup for Colorado tonight it is time to step in here, while being particularly thankful for the early marketplace in the creation of a 9 as a ?win? result for the play.
Part of the formula here is rather simple - it is most rare to find the likes of Jorge de la Rosa and Tim Redding priced at 8.5. The only way to lose the play is for one of the teams to be held to three runs or less (and even then we can still win with the other side breaking the game open), and that is asking an awful lot for these two - particularly on a quick second-look situation for each offense.
De la Rosa has worked to a 1-5/7.83 on the road this season, despite the fact that none of those appearances came against a team that had previously seen him. Now not only do the Nationals get a return look after facing him at Coors Field 10 days ago, but they also see left-handed fast-balls for the second night in a row, after taking on Oliver Perez last night. No, this is not a good offensive team, but the market has more than compensated for that in this line range, and they can be successful under these circumstances.
So can the Rockies against Redding. They got to him for four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings 11 days ago, and that was par for the course for the Washington right-hander since the All Star break, where he has toiled to a 1-4/7.96 , allowing 36 hits and 12 walks in just 26 innings. Three times in those five games he has thrown more than 20.0 Pitches-Per-Inning, something he had only done twice in 20 starts before the break, and a guy that needs help from his defense now has to cope with the weak glove and limited range of Ronnie Belliard at shortstop.
With neither starter bringing dominating form, nor the ability to eat many innings, and a couple of mediocre middle relief corps, getting the runs to cash this ticket is not asking much at all
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this is the FIRST ONE so we dont repeat.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#dddddd><TD vAlign=top>The Hitman</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>Guaranteed Selections</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Date: Friday, August 15, 2008
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Atlanta w/Jurrjens -148 7:35 EST</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Anthony Capone (Tony C)
Four Kings Sports
D'Backs / Astros
Play: 2 * D'Backs -135 (Webb)
As hot as the Astros have been I just can't see going against the D'Backs
and Brandon Webb in this spot . Wandy Rodriguez takes the Hill for
the Astros to see if he can extend the streak.He certainly has pitched well this season for them
in general going (7-4) with an ERA just under 4 .Lately though he has hit some tough
times with the Stros losing his last 2 out of 3 starts as his ERA has balooned to close to 8 .
Webb on the other hand has been lights out lately for the D'Backs , in his last 3 especially going (3-0)
with a 1.17 ERA .Oh yeah his season Marks haven't been too shabby either with 17 Wins against only 4
defeats with 9 of those coming on the road .Tonight I am solidly on the D'Backs and Webb to get
the Win .At this price there is no other option .
Four Kings Sports
D'Backs / Astros
Play: 2 * D'Backs -135 (Webb)
As hot as the Astros have been I just can't see going against the D'Backs
and Brandon Webb in this spot . Wandy Rodriguez takes the Hill for
the Astros to see if he can extend the streak.He certainly has pitched well this season for them
in general going (7-4) with an ERA just under 4 .Lately though he has hit some tough
times with the Stros losing his last 2 out of 3 starts as his ERA has balooned to close to 8 .
Webb on the other hand has been lights out lately for the D'Backs , in his last 3 especially going (3-0)
with a 1.17 ERA .Oh yeah his season Marks haven't been too shabby either with 17 Wins against only 4
defeats with 9 of those coming on the road .Tonight I am solidly on the D'Backs and Webb to get
the Win .At this price there is no other option .
Bob Harvey Sports
6-1 last seven all sports. 2-0 in the NFL last night.
MLB: *4-Unit Play Arizona (Webb) vs. Houston
Twins and Yankees RL -1.5
NFL-X: Raiders/Titans OVER 35. Both teams showed they could run last week. Tonight they work on the passing game.
Congratulations to me on my 100th RX post.:lol:
6-1 last seven all sports. 2-0 in the NFL last night.
MLB: *4-Unit Play Arizona (Webb) vs. Houston
Twins and Yankees RL -1.5
NFL-X: Raiders/Titans OVER 35. Both teams showed they could run last week. Tonight they work on the passing game.
Congratulations to me on my 100th RX post.:lol:
