Chris Jordans 3 small picks for today
9-14-1 recently...
100♦ OVER Vikings/Texans - Something tells me we’re in store for a barn burner tonight in Houston, where Brett Favre will make his second start as the Vikings’ quarterback and the Texans will be looking to avenge a terrible showing last week against the Saints. And knowing how competitive Favre is, he’ll be looking to avenge that 1-for-4 performance in his team debut.
Knowing Favre has had some time to adjust to the Vikings’ system, I think he’ll be putting the pressure on the Texans to perform offensively, especially on their own field. And let’s not forget backup Sage Rosenfels was traded to the Vikings this offseason with hopes he’d become the team’s. Rosenfels spent three years as Houston's backup and is now competing with Tarvaris Jackson for the No. 2 spot. If he gets in for substantial time, he’ll have reason to drive the Vikes into the end zone.
As for Houston’s Matt Schaub, let’s not forget it was this same Vikings team that knocked him from the game thanks to Jared Allen. Don’t think for a second the offensive linemen haven’t forgotten that incident. He’ll get plenty of protection tonight, and he’ll be looking for all-everything receiver Andre Johnson. His number will be called a couple times tonight.
High-scoring game here, mid-40s, maybe even close to 50.
100♦ RANGERS RUN LINE - The Rangers will be looking to avenge a weekend set in Minnesota with what could turn out to be a four-game rout of the Blue Jays. Texas lost two of three in Minnesota, but will enjoy the comforts of home, where it has won 13 of its last 18. The Rangers are 41-24 at home this season and should be just fine with Derek Holland heading to the rubber. Prior to getting knocked around by the red-hot Yankees, he was 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his previous three starts.
Tonight he gets a Blue Jays team that is struggling terribly at the plate right now. Toronto has scored three or fewer runs nine times in its last 14 games, and the team has gone 3-11 during that span. The Jays are also struggling from the mound, including tonight’s starter Brett Cecil, who has allowed 12 runs – nine of them earned – over 7-2/3 innings of work in his last two starts.
I know the Jays have won four of six against Texas this season, but they’re mired in losing skids of 17-35 on the road and 11-23 in Texas. On the other hand, the Rangers are on a 14-5 run as the installed chalk.
Laying the run line in this one, as the Rangers should smoke this team with ease.
100♦ TWINS - Minnesota surged past the Chicago in the American League Central and will further the White Sox’s demise by opening this series with an easy win over a very weary team. The South Siders, who are 2-13 in their last 15 in Minnesota, will be playing their eighth straight road game in as many days and 11th straight overall.
Chicago comes in after being outscored 23-5 in a three-game sweep by the Yankees, in the Bronx. The Pale Hose are also on losing streaks of 1-7 overall, 7-19 on the highway and 1-6 overall in this series.
Minnesota is coming in off a solid showing against Texas, winning two of three. The Twins’ starters produced three straight quality starts against the hard-hitting Rangers, so what do you think is going to take place against a tired team like Chicago?
This is easy value chalk, as the Twins steamroll their visiting rivals.
