Chris Jordan 3 picks for today....
Chris Jordan Sunday Night Trifecta ...
100♦ BUFFALO BILLS - I’m falling for the hype, I will not lie. While Terrell Owens has made the statement that tonight’s preseason opener is just another game, I know better. Hell, he knows better.
There’s no such thing when he’s involved in anything. His reality show, that made-for-TV athletic competition … anything he’s involved in – there is no such thing as just another game. So while most of the league and rest of the world will celebrate this year’s inductees, let’s not miss the big points here: the Bills, the city of Buffalo and everyone in the front office are ready to unveil the new-look offense that will try to challenge the rest of the AFC East.
And hey, though it’s all about T.O., it’s not necessarily just about T.O. This is also about quite possibly a much-improved offense, including a retooled offensive line - minus one starter (injured right tackle Brad Butler) - and a pair of highly drafted rookies – Eric Wood and Andy Levitre. Quite frankly, the Bills believe this is a much more competitive front five – a lot more nastier to be precise - than they’ve had in years. You talk about a mission, the entire offense will, at some point just before kickoff, realize this is much more than just another game.
Perhaps it will be when it sinks in that tonight caps a Bills-themed weekend after team owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. and legendary defensive end Bruce Smith were enshrined in the Hall of Fame last night. This also marks the beginning of the NFL's season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the AFL, which Wilson helped found.
Head coach Dick Jauron doesn’t think it’s just another game, as he’s stated the starters will get at least a couple of series, while playing time will depend on how the game goes. Take that for what it’s worth, but you better believe that means he’s willing to play the starting trenches a little longer.
And what about quarterback Trent Edwards? He doesn’t think it’s just another game: "I think if you look at our first preseason game last year versus this year, they are entirely different. We have some new players in here, we are on a national stage, we are the only people playing and we have our owner and a great defensive end going into the Hall of Fame that played for the Bills. I think guys will be ready. I think guys will be a little more anxious and excited about it. I know I will be."
I’m taking the points with the Bills to start the preseason campaign, as Buffalo embraces a lot in front of a nationally televised offense.
100♦ YANKEES (Action) and 100♦ UNDER (WITH Pettitte and Lester) - The dagger is deep in Boston’s season, and I honestly don’t believe the Red Sox will survive after this trip to the Bronx. Not after manager Terry Francona made a terrible mistake in letting John Smoltz take the mound against a red-hot Yankees team that was on a 14-5 run heading into this series; not after Alex Rodriguez launched his team’s motivation to another level with his 15th-inning blast; not after C.C. Sabathia’s dominating performance, in which he took no-hitter deep into the game and overlooked pitching plunks to his teammates to stifle the Red Sox with sheer power.
The season might be over.
That all being said, let’s get to tonight’s clash, which you have to believe ends with a sweep for the Bombers in a low-scoring nationally televised affair. I highly doubt two experienced veterans with precision around the plate will get into a plunking war of their own when there is more important tasks at hand.
The Yankees now own the best record in baseball and would love nothing more than to extend their lead in the American League East, while further burying their arch-rivals in the division. On the flipside, the Red Sox must find a way to stop this losing madness, and getting into a bean-ball war and potential blench-clearing brawl in the Bronx won’t help. Not when you consider who could be suspended, and the fact if it’s Jon Lester throwing at a Yankee, he could receive a suspension if a fight ensued.
So, Andy Pettitte’s newfound control of his cutter will keep his outing stabilized, while neutralizing the Red Sox lineup tonight. The veteran southpaw held the Blue Jays to one run over 6-2/3 innings his last time out. And though he did reveal control issues in that outing, Pettitte struck out six batters by using his cut fastball to work ahead in counts. The win snapped a three-game skid for Pettitte.
The competition is stiff, no doubt about it, as Lester has been one of the bright spots for the Sox. The power-throwing southpaw comes in after giving up three hits and one run over six-plus (not quite a third) innings in Tampa Bay against the defending American League-champion Rays. He’s 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in four starts since the season-intermission, while he is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 road starts.
That last note is why I lean toward the Yanks for the sweep. But it’s the fact he has pitched twice against the Yankees this season and is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA that has me convinced he’ll be at his best and this one will stay under. Not to mention the fact Lester is 3-0 with at 3.43 ERA in six career starts against the Empire.
Play the Pinstripes and Under tonight, and be sure these are the two pitchers listed when your under is posted.
Paid by and confirmed by me..Good Luck!! :toast:
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