DUNKEL MLB
Florida at Arizona
The Diamondbacks look to take advantage of a Florida team that is 1-5 in Nate Robertson's last 6 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150. Arizona is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Diamondbacks favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135)
Game 901-902: Atlanta at NY Mets (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.376; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.813
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+100); Under
Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.068; LA Dodgers (Ely) 15.713
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-150); Over
Game 905-906: San Francisco at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.674; Washington (Stammen) 15.762
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under
Game 907-908: Cincinnati at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Wood) 16.218; Philadelphia (Halladay) 16.065
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-230); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+190); Over
Game 909-910: St. Louis at Houston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Suppan) 15.410; Houston (Myers) 16.208
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-120); Over
Game 911-912: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 13.815; Milwaukee (Bush) 13.383
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+170); Under
Game 913-914: San Diego at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (LeBlanc) 15.375; Colorado (Hammel) 15.833
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-155); Over
Game 915-916: Florida at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Robertson) 13.993; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.974
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-135); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135); Under
Game 917-918: Boston at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 14.480; Toronto (Morrow) 15.174
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Over
Game 919-920: Minnesota at Detroit (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 13.855; Detroit (Bonderman) 14.677
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-155); Over
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 16.829; White Sox (Floyd) 16.599
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+170); Under
Game 923-924: Cleveland at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 15.397; Tampa Bay (Garza) 15.023
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-250); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+210); Over
Game 925-926: Baltimore at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.962; Texas (Lee) 15.915
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-250); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-250); Under
Game 927-928: LA Angels at Oakland (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Kazmir) 14.514; Oakland (Sheets) 15.231
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Over
Game 929-930: NY Yankees at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Vazquez) 15.730; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.054
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-110); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-110); Over
Florida at Arizona
The Diamondbacks look to take advantage of a Florida team that is 1-5 in Nate Robertson's last 6 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150. Arizona is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Diamondbacks favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135)
Game 901-902: Atlanta at NY Mets (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.376; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.813
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+100); Under
Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.068; LA Dodgers (Ely) 15.713
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-150); Over
Game 905-906: San Francisco at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.674; Washington (Stammen) 15.762
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under
Game 907-908: Cincinnati at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Wood) 16.218; Philadelphia (Halladay) 16.065
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-230); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+190); Over
Game 909-910: St. Louis at Houston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Suppan) 15.410; Houston (Myers) 16.208
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-120); Over
Game 911-912: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 13.815; Milwaukee (Bush) 13.383
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+170); Under
Game 913-914: San Diego at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (LeBlanc) 15.375; Colorado (Hammel) 15.833
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-155); Over
Game 915-916: Florida at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Robertson) 13.993; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.974
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-135); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135); Under
Game 917-918: Boston at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 14.480; Toronto (Morrow) 15.174
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Over
Game 919-920: Minnesota at Detroit (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 13.855; Detroit (Bonderman) 14.677
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-155); Over
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 16.829; White Sox (Floyd) 16.599
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+170); Under
Game 923-924: Cleveland at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 15.397; Tampa Bay (Garza) 15.023
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-250); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+210); Over
Game 925-926: Baltimore at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.962; Texas (Lee) 15.915
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-250); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-250); Under
Game 927-928: LA Angels at Oakland (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Kazmir) 14.514; Oakland (Sheets) 15.231
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Over
Game 929-930: NY Yankees at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Vazquez) 15.730; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.054
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-110); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-110); Over
SPORTS WAGERS
COLORADO –1½ +1.35 over San Diego
The Padres bubble hasn’t completely burst yet but they’re starting to lose more games and with a bunch of guys on the rack, its chances of gaining some steam are not good. San Diego has lost three of its last four games, they’ve lost six of 11 with three of those wins coming against the Astros. Wade LeBlanc (32 BPV, 3-3-2-5-3 PQS) has an 81% strand-rate to thank for his 3.10 ERA (see the bottom of this page for an explanation of BPV and PQS). LeBlanc is one of those guys that has hugely benefitted from pitching at home but his road numbers tell a different story, In fact, his road ERA is 4.85, which is 2½-runs higher than his home ERA (2.36). His BAA on the road is .300 and now he’ll pitch in a park that always exposes average pitchers and that’s precisely what LeBlanc is. Jason Hammel (93 BPV, 5-3-0-4-4 PQS) has quality starts in six of his last seven starts (the lone exception being against the Red Sox). He is 5-1 with a 3.21 ERA at Coors Field this year, and has a 55/14 K/BB over his last ten starts. Hammel gets better as the game progresses and in fact, he’s been as close to unhittable after the fifth inning as any pitcher in the league. Hammel is an elite pitcher that has solidified himself as a groundball pitcher and in this park he has a huge advantage over LeBlanc. Play: Colorado –1½ +1.35 (Risking 2 units).
Cincinnati +2.13 over PHILADELPHIA
Roy Halliday needs no introduction. The guy has been the major’s toughest pitcher over the last decade and over that stretch he’s missed very few starts. This season he has barely missed a beat and ranks fifth in the NL with a 2.33 ERA, first in complete games with seven, eighth in strikeouts with 118 and first in innings pitched with 139. Thing is, those 139 IP might not be such a good thing. Halliday is coming of a complete game win in the scorching heat over Atlanta this past Monday. He’s also lost seven games this year and that ranks 12th in the NL. It should be noted that Halliday’s fly-ball rate is way up and that he’s given up eight homers in his last five starts after allowing three in his first 13. In a recent game vs the Yanks he allowed 14 fly-ball outs to just seven GB outs. He faced the Reds two starts ago in Cincinnati and allowed 13 hits in eight frames and he allowed 19 fly-outs to just eight GB outs. These are all signs of fatigue and for a guy pitching in a tough park that is 33 years old, has logged more innings than anyone in the game, not to mention close to 2200 career innings, this is a ton of lumber to lay against the NL’s top ranked offense. Travis Wood has very decent numbers and would have much-better numbers over his first two major league starts were it not for his bullpen, who have allowed multiple inherited runners to score in both starts. In those two starts Wood has a BAA of .186 although it did come vs the Mets at Citi Field and against the Cubbies at Wrigley. Still, Wood is a lefty and the Phillies have just two wins in nine attempts vs southpaws at home and they’ve ever faced Wood. Overlay. Play: Cincinnati +2.13 (Risking 2 units).
Uruguay +3.58 over Germany
Uruguay +2.07 (to finish 3rd) over Germany
Germany deviated from what was working for them in this World Cup and tried to revert back to good old German defending against Spain in their semifinal match. The whole world knew that Spain would control possession but the German counter-attack was non-existent. The Spaniards dominated shots on target 5-2 and overall shots 12-3. The Germans were literally playing with fire and it was no surprise when Carles Puyol netted a header off a corner-kick in the 73rd minute to propel "La Furia Roja" to a 1-0 victory. Many Deutschland supporters will always be left wondering if the outcome would have been any different if midfielder Thomas Mueller had have not been suspended for the match. Their stagnant attack certainly could have used his energetic runs and electrifying finishes. Uruguay had to play their semifinal match against Holland without two of its key components. Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez were both ineligible to play due to suspension. Diego Forlan tried to do it all himself, scoring a remarkable goal in the first half, but it was very evident that he was missing the speed and finish of Suarez. Uruguay was flawless in their defending during the group stage, sharing an auspicious honor with Portugal as the only two teams to keep clean sheets. However, their defending has not been as strong during the knockout stages as they have given up five goals in their last three matches. The Germans are the highest scoring team in the entire tournament with 13 goals and have been equally strong on defense, surrendering just three goals. The 3rd place game at the World Cup is notorious for being a wide-open affair, with most players losing interest after the devastation of being eliminated in the semifinals. Germany won this match in the 2006 tournament but that was on their home soil and there are serious doubts concerning their motivation for this particular contest. Lack of motivation might not be the only problem for the Germans in this match, as they also have to deal with both a key injury and a flu-bug. Miroslav Klose is just one goal away from tying Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. A goal would also give him a shot at the 'Golden Boot' award in this World Cup but he will be a game-time decision with a back injury that he suffered in the semifinal match against Spain. On Friday it was also announced that a flu-bug had fiercely hit the German squad. Defender Philipp Lahm and Striker Lukas Podolski are the two worst affected players and the loss of either or both would be a huge blow to German hopes for this match. The worst affected by the virus is actually Germany's bench boss Joachim Low and it has been stated his absence from the match is a strong possibility. Oliver Bierhoff has also hinted that many of the German substitutes might get the opportunity to play and this is probably why they have not released their starting 11 for the match. Uruguay has revealed their starters for the match and it certainly looks like they are taking it seriously. While Germany is already building in their excuses, the Uruguayans are acting and talking like they still have a lot to play for. Luis Suarez will surely be extra motivated for this match, after missing the semifinal, and he has stated that his team will play until the death to win this match. It's evident that winning this match would end the tournament on a high note for Uruguay, while it might just rub more salt in the wound for Germany. Uruguay was never supposed to go this deep in the tournament and a 3rd place finish certainly means more to them, their soccer program and their country. This looks like a perfect to spot to take massive value on what still appears to be a very hungry Uruguayan squad. If the flu and injury bugs in the German camp are half as bad as indicated, this match will still be a dog fight and it only makes sense to take over 3-1 on Uruguay. Play: Uruguay +3.58 (Risking 1 unit) Play Uruguay +2.07 to finish 3rd (Risking 1 unit).
HAMILTON –2 over Calgary
The stars have aligned nicely for this early season matchup as the Stampeders enter this one off a win while the Ti-Cats took their lumps in Winnipeg. That offers some great value on the home team as we expect a strong effort here against a suspect visitor. While Calgary moved the ball efficiently against the woeful Argonauts, they lacked the precision and effectiveness to come up with major scores. You can get away with that against Toronto's inept offense but a similar effort will not work here. The Tiger-Cats disposed of these Stamps on this field last year by a 24-17 count and that was before the Tabbies began to gel as a unit. A trip to Calgary two weeks later resulted in a 15-14 squeaker for the host. Calgary has a revenge-motivated home date with the Roughriders on deck, after Saskatchewan knocked the Stampeders off in Western Finals last year. A short price in an ideal situation has us comfortably backing the hosts here. Play: Hamilton –2 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
B.C. LIONS –2 over Saskatchewan
Tough game in that it’s difficult to play either one of these teams. The Roughriders are coming off that tremendously grueling and emotional win over the Alouettes and that’s makes this one a very tough act to follow. They may respond well or they may suffer a serious letdown. What is apparent, however, is that the Roughriders have the ability to score big points and that could pose a problem here for the Lions. As for the B.C., they’ll open up in a new stadium and it’s a crapshoot as to how they’ll respond. Furthermore, Casey Printers did not look that good in week one against a rather soft Eskimo defense. Having said that, the Lions defense did a terrific job against Ricky Ray and that’s significant. Really, what we have here is more question marks than answers. We simply can’t trust the Roughies to come out with the same intensity as they did against Montreal last week. It was only week one but they exerted a ton of energy in coming back from 21-down and celebrated like they won the Grey Cup. The Lions weren’t the greatest show last week but they were methodical, efficient and very good defensively and thus, we’ll go with that. Play: B.C. Lions –2 (No wagers).
COLORADO –1½ +1.35 over San Diego
The Padres bubble hasn’t completely burst yet but they’re starting to lose more games and with a bunch of guys on the rack, its chances of gaining some steam are not good. San Diego has lost three of its last four games, they’ve lost six of 11 with three of those wins coming against the Astros. Wade LeBlanc (32 BPV, 3-3-2-5-3 PQS) has an 81% strand-rate to thank for his 3.10 ERA (see the bottom of this page for an explanation of BPV and PQS). LeBlanc is one of those guys that has hugely benefitted from pitching at home but his road numbers tell a different story, In fact, his road ERA is 4.85, which is 2½-runs higher than his home ERA (2.36). His BAA on the road is .300 and now he’ll pitch in a park that always exposes average pitchers and that’s precisely what LeBlanc is. Jason Hammel (93 BPV, 5-3-0-4-4 PQS) has quality starts in six of his last seven starts (the lone exception being against the Red Sox). He is 5-1 with a 3.21 ERA at Coors Field this year, and has a 55/14 K/BB over his last ten starts. Hammel gets better as the game progresses and in fact, he’s been as close to unhittable after the fifth inning as any pitcher in the league. Hammel is an elite pitcher that has solidified himself as a groundball pitcher and in this park he has a huge advantage over LeBlanc. Play: Colorado –1½ +1.35 (Risking 2 units).
Cincinnati +2.13 over PHILADELPHIA
Roy Halliday needs no introduction. The guy has been the major’s toughest pitcher over the last decade and over that stretch he’s missed very few starts. This season he has barely missed a beat and ranks fifth in the NL with a 2.33 ERA, first in complete games with seven, eighth in strikeouts with 118 and first in innings pitched with 139. Thing is, those 139 IP might not be such a good thing. Halliday is coming of a complete game win in the scorching heat over Atlanta this past Monday. He’s also lost seven games this year and that ranks 12th in the NL. It should be noted that Halliday’s fly-ball rate is way up and that he’s given up eight homers in his last five starts after allowing three in his first 13. In a recent game vs the Yanks he allowed 14 fly-ball outs to just seven GB outs. He faced the Reds two starts ago in Cincinnati and allowed 13 hits in eight frames and he allowed 19 fly-outs to just eight GB outs. These are all signs of fatigue and for a guy pitching in a tough park that is 33 years old, has logged more innings than anyone in the game, not to mention close to 2200 career innings, this is a ton of lumber to lay against the NL’s top ranked offense. Travis Wood has very decent numbers and would have much-better numbers over his first two major league starts were it not for his bullpen, who have allowed multiple inherited runners to score in both starts. In those two starts Wood has a BAA of .186 although it did come vs the Mets at Citi Field and against the Cubbies at Wrigley. Still, Wood is a lefty and the Phillies have just two wins in nine attempts vs southpaws at home and they’ve ever faced Wood. Overlay. Play: Cincinnati +2.13 (Risking 2 units).
Uruguay +3.58 over Germany
Uruguay +2.07 (to finish 3rd) over Germany
Germany deviated from what was working for them in this World Cup and tried to revert back to good old German defending against Spain in their semifinal match. The whole world knew that Spain would control possession but the German counter-attack was non-existent. The Spaniards dominated shots on target 5-2 and overall shots 12-3. The Germans were literally playing with fire and it was no surprise when Carles Puyol netted a header off a corner-kick in the 73rd minute to propel "La Furia Roja" to a 1-0 victory. Many Deutschland supporters will always be left wondering if the outcome would have been any different if midfielder Thomas Mueller had have not been suspended for the match. Their stagnant attack certainly could have used his energetic runs and electrifying finishes. Uruguay had to play their semifinal match against Holland without two of its key components. Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez were both ineligible to play due to suspension. Diego Forlan tried to do it all himself, scoring a remarkable goal in the first half, but it was very evident that he was missing the speed and finish of Suarez. Uruguay was flawless in their defending during the group stage, sharing an auspicious honor with Portugal as the only two teams to keep clean sheets. However, their defending has not been as strong during the knockout stages as they have given up five goals in their last three matches. The Germans are the highest scoring team in the entire tournament with 13 goals and have been equally strong on defense, surrendering just three goals. The 3rd place game at the World Cup is notorious for being a wide-open affair, with most players losing interest after the devastation of being eliminated in the semifinals. Germany won this match in the 2006 tournament but that was on their home soil and there are serious doubts concerning their motivation for this particular contest. Lack of motivation might not be the only problem for the Germans in this match, as they also have to deal with both a key injury and a flu-bug. Miroslav Klose is just one goal away from tying Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. A goal would also give him a shot at the 'Golden Boot' award in this World Cup but he will be a game-time decision with a back injury that he suffered in the semifinal match against Spain. On Friday it was also announced that a flu-bug had fiercely hit the German squad. Defender Philipp Lahm and Striker Lukas Podolski are the two worst affected players and the loss of either or both would be a huge blow to German hopes for this match. The worst affected by the virus is actually Germany's bench boss Joachim Low and it has been stated his absence from the match is a strong possibility. Oliver Bierhoff has also hinted that many of the German substitutes might get the opportunity to play and this is probably why they have not released their starting 11 for the match. Uruguay has revealed their starters for the match and it certainly looks like they are taking it seriously. While Germany is already building in their excuses, the Uruguayans are acting and talking like they still have a lot to play for. Luis Suarez will surely be extra motivated for this match, after missing the semifinal, and he has stated that his team will play until the death to win this match. It's evident that winning this match would end the tournament on a high note for Uruguay, while it might just rub more salt in the wound for Germany. Uruguay was never supposed to go this deep in the tournament and a 3rd place finish certainly means more to them, their soccer program and their country. This looks like a perfect to spot to take massive value on what still appears to be a very hungry Uruguayan squad. If the flu and injury bugs in the German camp are half as bad as indicated, this match will still be a dog fight and it only makes sense to take over 3-1 on Uruguay. Play: Uruguay +3.58 (Risking 1 unit) Play Uruguay +2.07 to finish 3rd (Risking 1 unit).
HAMILTON –2 over Calgary
The stars have aligned nicely for this early season matchup as the Stampeders enter this one off a win while the Ti-Cats took their lumps in Winnipeg. That offers some great value on the home team as we expect a strong effort here against a suspect visitor. While Calgary moved the ball efficiently against the woeful Argonauts, they lacked the precision and effectiveness to come up with major scores. You can get away with that against Toronto's inept offense but a similar effort will not work here. The Tiger-Cats disposed of these Stamps on this field last year by a 24-17 count and that was before the Tabbies began to gel as a unit. A trip to Calgary two weeks later resulted in a 15-14 squeaker for the host. Calgary has a revenge-motivated home date with the Roughriders on deck, after Saskatchewan knocked the Stampeders off in Western Finals last year. A short price in an ideal situation has us comfortably backing the hosts here. Play: Hamilton –2 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
B.C. LIONS –2 over Saskatchewan
Tough game in that it’s difficult to play either one of these teams. The Roughriders are coming off that tremendously grueling and emotional win over the Alouettes and that’s makes this one a very tough act to follow. They may respond well or they may suffer a serious letdown. What is apparent, however, is that the Roughriders have the ability to score big points and that could pose a problem here for the Lions. As for the B.C., they’ll open up in a new stadium and it’s a crapshoot as to how they’ll respond. Furthermore, Casey Printers did not look that good in week one against a rather soft Eskimo defense. Having said that, the Lions defense did a terrific job against Ricky Ray and that’s significant. Really, what we have here is more question marks than answers. We simply can’t trust the Roughies to come out with the same intensity as they did against Montreal last week. It was only week one but they exerted a ton of energy in coming back from 21-down and celebrated like they won the Grey Cup. The Lions weren’t the greatest show last week but they were methodical, efficient and very good defensively and thus, we’ll go with that. Play: B.C. Lions –2 (No wagers).
jeff benton saturday
1-1 yesterday for PLUS 15 dimes or $190...overall, 73-87-3 minus 250 dimes.
current winning streak is 2.
Saturday's Action 30 DIME selection on the CHICAGO WHITE SOX on the run line (-1½ runs) over the Royals in the midale game of a series between A.L. Central rivals. Chicago is a slight underdog on the run line of about +105. As with all run-line releaeses, both starting pitchers are listed, so Gavin Floyd and Brian Bannister must start or this play is VOID!
10 DIME selection on the OAKLAND A’S over the Angels in the middle game of a series between A.L. West rivals. The A’s are a solid -125 favorite both here in Vegas and offshore. Note that you must list both Ben Sheets and Scott Kazmir as the staroing pitchers. If either does not start, this play is VOID!
White Sox (-1½ runs)
The numbers suggest Brian Bannister (7-6 record) has had a better season than Gavin Floyd (4-7). In this case, the numbers are lying.
Since getting lit up in a 9-5 loss to Texas on June 2 (six runs allowed in 2 2/3 innings), Floyd has pitched as well as anyone in baseball. In six subsaquent starts, he has given up just six earned runs and 27 hits in 42 2/3 innings (1.27 ERA). That includes three dominating performances at home (two runs allowed in 20 innings), plus a 4-3 win at Kansas City on June 29 (two earned runs allowed in 6 2/3 innings as he outpitched Bannister). And after going 3-10 in Floyd’s first 13 starts of the season, Chicago is 4-0 in his last four trips to the mound, including Monday’s 9-2 home rout of the Angels.
Then again, the White Sox have been crushing opponents no matter who is on the mound. With Friday’s 8-2 rout of Kansas City, they’ve won 23 of their last 28 overall, including the last six in a row, and they’re also 12-1 in their last 13 home games. And 16 of Chicago’s last 23 wins have been by more than one run.
As for Bannister, his 7-6 record is a big aberration. He’s got a 5.44 ERA overall, a 6.99 ERA on the road and a 7.45 ERA in night games. Over his last four starts, Bannister has given up 24 runs (22 earned) in 24 innings – and that includes a 1-0 road win at Washington on June 23! The only time Bannister has had consistent success this season is when he pitches in day games (4-0, 2.37 ERA). Well, this contest starts at 7 p.m. Central time.
Also, with the 4-3 home loss to Floyd last week, Bannister is now 4-6 with a 7.97 ERA in 15 career starts against the White Sox, including 1-2 with a 9.55 ERA in six games at U.S. Cellular Field. The Royals’ record the last two-plus seaseons when Bannister faces Chicago: 3-7, including 1-3 in the Windy City.
What’s more, Kansas City has now dropped 43 of its last 60 games at U.S. Cellular Field, with the last five defeats being by margins of 9-2, 5-1, 13-3, 4-2 and 8-2. In fact, eight of Chicago’s last 11 wins over the Royals (home and road) have covered the run line.
A’s
More than anything, this is a play against the Angels’ Scott Kazmir. Yes, Kazmir has great career numbers against the A’s, including two wins in two strong starts (one run, eight hits in 11 1/3 innings) since joining the Angels last year. However, the veteran left-hander is in a serious funk right now, losing three straight starts while posting an ugly 10.43 ERA (17 runs allowed in 14 2/3 innings). And after Monday’s 9-2 loss at the White Sox – he gave up seven runs in 6 1/3 innings – Kazmir is now 5-4 with a 5.31 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP on the road and 4-8 with a 6.86 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP in night games.
As for Oakland’s Ben Sheets, he’s pitched much better than his 3-8 record. He’s held 12 of 18 opponents to three earned runs and has given up more than four earned runs just twice all season (in back-to-back road starts against the Rays and Blue Jays). And he’s been a big-time workhorse, going at least six innings in 15 of his 18 starts, including the last 12 in a row. Sheets has also been very good at the Oakland Coliseum (3-3, 3.25 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) as opposed to on the road (0-5, 6.66 ERA, 1.68 WHIP).
The A’s blew last night’s series opener to the Angels and have now dropped four straight games (all at home). However, they’ve lost five in a row just once all season (and all five of those defeats were on the road. Besides, it’s not like the Angels are playing much better, as they’re 3-7 in their last 10 overall and 1-5 in their last six on the road.
1-1 yesterday for PLUS 15 dimes or $190...overall, 73-87-3 minus 250 dimes.
current winning streak is 2.
Saturday's Action 30 DIME selection on the CHICAGO WHITE SOX on the run line (-1½ runs) over the Royals in the midale game of a series between A.L. Central rivals. Chicago is a slight underdog on the run line of about +105. As with all run-line releaeses, both starting pitchers are listed, so Gavin Floyd and Brian Bannister must start or this play is VOID!
10 DIME selection on the OAKLAND A’S over the Angels in the middle game of a series between A.L. West rivals. The A’s are a solid -125 favorite both here in Vegas and offshore. Note that you must list both Ben Sheets and Scott Kazmir as the staroing pitchers. If either does not start, this play is VOID!
White Sox (-1½ runs)
The numbers suggest Brian Bannister (7-6 record) has had a better season than Gavin Floyd (4-7). In this case, the numbers are lying.
Since getting lit up in a 9-5 loss to Texas on June 2 (six runs allowed in 2 2/3 innings), Floyd has pitched as well as anyone in baseball. In six subsaquent starts, he has given up just six earned runs and 27 hits in 42 2/3 innings (1.27 ERA). That includes three dominating performances at home (two runs allowed in 20 innings), plus a 4-3 win at Kansas City on June 29 (two earned runs allowed in 6 2/3 innings as he outpitched Bannister). And after going 3-10 in Floyd’s first 13 starts of the season, Chicago is 4-0 in his last four trips to the mound, including Monday’s 9-2 home rout of the Angels.
Then again, the White Sox have been crushing opponents no matter who is on the mound. With Friday’s 8-2 rout of Kansas City, they’ve won 23 of their last 28 overall, including the last six in a row, and they’re also 12-1 in their last 13 home games. And 16 of Chicago’s last 23 wins have been by more than one run.
As for Bannister, his 7-6 record is a big aberration. He’s got a 5.44 ERA overall, a 6.99 ERA on the road and a 7.45 ERA in night games. Over his last four starts, Bannister has given up 24 runs (22 earned) in 24 innings – and that includes a 1-0 road win at Washington on June 23! The only time Bannister has had consistent success this season is when he pitches in day games (4-0, 2.37 ERA). Well, this contest starts at 7 p.m. Central time.
Also, with the 4-3 home loss to Floyd last week, Bannister is now 4-6 with a 7.97 ERA in 15 career starts against the White Sox, including 1-2 with a 9.55 ERA in six games at U.S. Cellular Field. The Royals’ record the last two-plus seaseons when Bannister faces Chicago: 3-7, including 1-3 in the Windy City.
What’s more, Kansas City has now dropped 43 of its last 60 games at U.S. Cellular Field, with the last five defeats being by margins of 9-2, 5-1, 13-3, 4-2 and 8-2. In fact, eight of Chicago’s last 11 wins over the Royals (home and road) have covered the run line.
A’s
More than anything, this is a play against the Angels’ Scott Kazmir. Yes, Kazmir has great career numbers against the A’s, including two wins in two strong starts (one run, eight hits in 11 1/3 innings) since joining the Angels last year. However, the veteran left-hander is in a serious funk right now, losing three straight starts while posting an ugly 10.43 ERA (17 runs allowed in 14 2/3 innings). And after Monday’s 9-2 loss at the White Sox – he gave up seven runs in 6 1/3 innings – Kazmir is now 5-4 with a 5.31 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP on the road and 4-8 with a 6.86 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP in night games.
As for Oakland’s Ben Sheets, he’s pitched much better than his 3-8 record. He’s held 12 of 18 opponents to three earned runs and has given up more than four earned runs just twice all season (in back-to-back road starts against the Rays and Blue Jays). And he’s been a big-time workhorse, going at least six innings in 15 of his 18 starts, including the last 12 in a row. Sheets has also been very good at the Oakland Coliseum (3-3, 3.25 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) as opposed to on the road (0-5, 6.66 ERA, 1.68 WHIP).
The A’s blew last night’s series opener to the Angels and have now dropped four straight games (all at home). However, they’ve lost five in a row just once all season (and all five of those defeats were on the road. Besides, it’s not like the Angels are playing much better, as they’re 3-7 in their last 10 overall and 1-5 in their last six on the road.
FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
Saturday Baseball
100* Chicago White Sox (-180) over Kansas City
Game starts at 7:00 PM EST
50* Toronto (-115) over Boston
Game starts at 1:10 PM EST
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50* Milwaukee (-180) over Pittsburgh
Game starts at 7:10 PM EST
Canadian Football
1000* Saskatchewan (+2) over British Columbia (GOY PLAY)
Game starts at 10:00 PM EST
Saturday Baseball
100* Chicago White Sox (-180) over Kansas City
Game starts at 7:00 PM EST
50* Toronto (-115) over Boston
Game starts at 1:10 PM EST
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50* Milwaukee (-180) over Pittsburgh
Game starts at 7:10 PM EST
Canadian Football
1000* Saskatchewan (+2) over British Columbia (GOY PLAY)
Game starts at 10:00 PM EST
CRAIG DAVIS
Saturday's Lineup
100 Dime TEXAS RANGERS -1 1/2 RUNS with Lee over the Orioles with Tillman.
You must specify both scheduled starters in this contest for their respective teams. Any type of pitching change would make this play null and void. As I release this selection at 9 AM Eastern, the Rangers are listed at -160 on the run line. Now I know that is a tad high - and truth be told it might even inch up higher - but considering the bankroll I've accumulated this year plus my record with 100 dime releases, I'm in the position to absorb a little more risk, as you should be as well if you've followed these 100 dime releases religiously.
Saturday's Lineup
100 Dime TEXAS RANGERS -1 1/2 RUNS with Lee over the Orioles with Tillman.
You must specify both scheduled starters in this contest for their respective teams. Any type of pitching change would make this play null and void. As I release this selection at 9 AM Eastern, the Rangers are listed at -160 on the run line. Now I know that is a tad high - and truth be told it might even inch up higher - but considering the bankroll I've accumulated this year plus my record with 100 dime releases, I'm in the position to absorb a little more risk, as you should be as well if you've followed these 100 dime releases religiously.
