BONES BEST BET
NATIONALS -1 -113 *5* BEST BET
We were hoping for a slightly smaller line here but this is definately still a play-on for us and a play-on with the most confidence. Strasburg is simply too good at home to avoid and he has been since his rookie year. He is 8-2 at home, has a 2.30 ERA, and a 1.01 WHIP. Over 94 innings pitched he has struck out 116 batters. The Nats have won 11 of their last 12 games overall + Stras on the hill = big bet for us here today!
RAYS TEAM TOTAL – OVER 4 -105 *3*
The Rays have scored 12 runs in their first 2 games in Toronto for this 3 game series and now face Drew Hutchison today who owns a 6.46 ERA at the Rogers Centre and a 7.02 ERA in day games. We could be cashing this ticket by the 4th inning this aft.
WHITE SOX @ YANKEES -UNDER 7 -105 *3*
The issue lately for the White Sox has been their offense that has been held to three or less runs in 14 of their last 16 games. Offensively they have been a joke, pair that with their ace on the hill today Chris Sale and we think this under can hit. Sale is 10-3 with a 2.12 ERA and has 158 strikeouts in 136 innings. Sale is 3-0 with a 0.85 ERA in seven career games against the Yankees. The Yankees pitching staff has allowed just six runs in its last three games and three or less runs in five of their last seven. Chris Capuano takes the hill and is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in three career games against the White Sox.
BRAVES @ REDS – UNDER 8 -115 *3*
This total is half a point high. 8 has a lot of value today. These teams are a combine 110-135 o/u this year. They have went under in 4 of their last 5 meetings and the other game pushed. Also in 4 of those 5 games the total was set at less than 8. Harang hasn’t been great lately but that shouldn’t be an issue because the Reds can’t hit. They have scored a total of 2 runs in the first 3 games of the series. Simon has a solid 1.20 WHIP on the year and has been solid during day games with a 0.95 WHIP. We wouldn’t be surprised if neither team puts up 4 runs today.
NATIONALS -1 -113 *5* BEST BET
We were hoping for a slightly smaller line here but this is definately still a play-on for us and a play-on with the most confidence. Strasburg is simply too good at home to avoid and he has been since his rookie year. He is 8-2 at home, has a 2.30 ERA, and a 1.01 WHIP. Over 94 innings pitched he has struck out 116 batters. The Nats have won 11 of their last 12 games overall + Stras on the hill = big bet for us here today!
RAYS TEAM TOTAL – OVER 4 -105 *3*
The Rays have scored 12 runs in their first 2 games in Toronto for this 3 game series and now face Drew Hutchison today who owns a 6.46 ERA at the Rogers Centre and a 7.02 ERA in day games. We could be cashing this ticket by the 4th inning this aft.
WHITE SOX @ YANKEES -UNDER 7 -105 *3*
The issue lately for the White Sox has been their offense that has been held to three or less runs in 14 of their last 16 games. Offensively they have been a joke, pair that with their ace on the hill today Chris Sale and we think this under can hit. Sale is 10-3 with a 2.12 ERA and has 158 strikeouts in 136 innings. Sale is 3-0 with a 0.85 ERA in seven career games against the Yankees. The Yankees pitching staff has allowed just six runs in its last three games and three or less runs in five of their last seven. Chris Capuano takes the hill and is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in three career games against the White Sox.
BRAVES @ REDS – UNDER 8 -115 *3*
This total is half a point high. 8 has a lot of value today. These teams are a combine 110-135 o/u this year. They have went under in 4 of their last 5 meetings and the other game pushed. Also in 4 of those 5 games the total was set at less than 8. Harang hasn’t been great lately but that shouldn’t be an issue because the Reds can’t hit. They have scored a total of 2 runs in the first 3 games of the series. Simon has a solid 1.20 WHIP on the year and has been solid during day games with a 0.95 WHIP. We wouldn’t be surprised if neither team puts up 4 runs today.
BOB BALFE
NFLX SELECTION
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS +6
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS/SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – OVER 42
The 49ers have not looked sharp in the preseason and its time to get their starters involved in this week 3 preseason game. On Defense they have lost Dorsey for the year and a lot of the key guys up front just are not going to play until the regular season. Without the key guys in their this is not a dominate defense. The Chargers have a very good offense and I believe can win this game outright tonight. The 49ers need to give their fans a nice showing here in their new stadium where they were man handled last week. Look for the Niners Offense to show up today. Take the Chargers and the Over (no parlay)
ARIZONA CARDINALS/CINCINNATI BENGALS – OVER 43
Both teams have opportunistic defenses with players capable of scoop and scores and pick 6′s. I like both quarterbacks to start this game and really Carson Palmer is having a great camp. This guy could take this team far if he cuts down the turnovers. The backup QB’s have also looked decent. Even the Cardinals 4th stringer has look solid. Look for a lot of scoring and maybe some defensive and special teams scores in the dome. Take the Over
NFLX SELECTION
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS +6
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS/SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – OVER 42
The 49ers have not looked sharp in the preseason and its time to get their starters involved in this week 3 preseason game. On Defense they have lost Dorsey for the year and a lot of the key guys up front just are not going to play until the regular season. Without the key guys in their this is not a dominate defense. The Chargers have a very good offense and I believe can win this game outright tonight. The 49ers need to give their fans a nice showing here in their new stadium where they were man handled last week. Look for the Niners Offense to show up today. Take the Chargers and the Over (no parlay)
ARIZONA CARDINALS/CINCINNATI BENGALS – OVER 43
Both teams have opportunistic defenses with players capable of scoop and scores and pick 6′s. I like both quarterbacks to start this game and really Carson Palmer is having a great camp. This guy could take this team far if he cuts down the turnovers. The backup QB’s have also looked decent. Even the Cardinals 4th stringer has look solid. Look for a lot of scoring and maybe some defensive and special teams scores in the dome. Take the Over
Wunderdog Sports Bonus Play
Game: Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians
Time: Sunday 08/24 1:05 PM Eastern
Pick: Cleveland -142 (moneyline) at WagerWeb
A brutal situational spot for Houston, the end of a 10-game road trip. They've lost two of the last three games, scoring zero and two runs in the losses. This offense is 22nd in baseball in on-base percentage and 27th in team batting average. The Astros are 26-77 on the road against a team with a winning record and have southpaw Brett Oberholtzer (4-8, 4.01 ERA) on the hill. Opponents hit .284 off him, and the Astros are 3-7 in Oberholtzer's last 10 road starts. Cleveland has a strong offense, eighth in runs scored, 11th in OBP, and 10th in slugging. The Indians are 22-5 in their last 27 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Cleveland's Trevor Bauer throws best at home (3.36 ERA), and Cleveland has owned this series, winning seven of the last eight. Plus, the Astros are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in Cleveland. Play Cleveland.
Game: Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians
Time: Sunday 08/24 1:05 PM Eastern
Pick: Cleveland -142 (moneyline) at WagerWeb
A brutal situational spot for Houston, the end of a 10-game road trip. They've lost two of the last three games, scoring zero and two runs in the losses. This offense is 22nd in baseball in on-base percentage and 27th in team batting average. The Astros are 26-77 on the road against a team with a winning record and have southpaw Brett Oberholtzer (4-8, 4.01 ERA) on the hill. Opponents hit .284 off him, and the Astros are 3-7 in Oberholtzer's last 10 road starts. Cleveland has a strong offense, eighth in runs scored, 11th in OBP, and 10th in slugging. The Indians are 22-5 in their last 27 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Cleveland's Trevor Bauer throws best at home (3.36 ERA), and Cleveland has owned this series, winning seven of the last eight. Plus, the Astros are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in Cleveland. Play Cleveland.
Line Catchers
Tampa Bay Rays – 121
Sunday sees the Rays and Blue Jays face off in game 3 of their 3 game set in Toronto having split the first two games on Friday and Saturday.
The Rays will send righty Chris Archer to the mound this afternoon to face a Toronto team which he has had success against in the past. Archer sports an 8-6 record with a 3.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 starts this season and has pitched even better on the road this campaign. He is 4-3 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.30 WHIP and has held opponents to a .243 BA. In 7 ‘Day’ trips to the hill, Archer has hurled 41 innings and has pitched to a stingy 2.43 ERA. The Rays are a perfect 5-0 in their last 5 road games with Archer toeing the rubber.
Drew Hutchinson gets the nod for the Blue Jays and comes into tonight’s game having given up 13 ER in his last 2 starts. Hutchinson is 8-11 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 starts this year and has been as inconsistent as any pitcher in the AL. Hutchinson has been rocked in 8 ‘Day’ outings in 2014, he is 2-6 with a 7.02 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. The righty has struggled to find his command at the Rogers Centre which has resulted in the Jays dropping 6 of his 9 starts at home.
In todays rubber game, I believe the Rays are showing good value as a small favourite. Its worth noting that Archer has a 3.24 ERA in 6 career starts against Toronto compared to a Drew Hutchinson who has pitched to a lofty 7.78 ERA in 4 career outings against the Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays – 121
Sunday sees the Rays and Blue Jays face off in game 3 of their 3 game set in Toronto having split the first two games on Friday and Saturday.
The Rays will send righty Chris Archer to the mound this afternoon to face a Toronto team which he has had success against in the past. Archer sports an 8-6 record with a 3.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 starts this season and has pitched even better on the road this campaign. He is 4-3 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.30 WHIP and has held opponents to a .243 BA. In 7 ‘Day’ trips to the hill, Archer has hurled 41 innings and has pitched to a stingy 2.43 ERA. The Rays are a perfect 5-0 in their last 5 road games with Archer toeing the rubber.
Drew Hutchinson gets the nod for the Blue Jays and comes into tonight’s game having given up 13 ER in his last 2 starts. Hutchinson is 8-11 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 starts this year and has been as inconsistent as any pitcher in the AL. Hutchinson has been rocked in 8 ‘Day’ outings in 2014, he is 2-6 with a 7.02 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. The righty has struggled to find his command at the Rogers Centre which has resulted in the Jays dropping 6 of his 9 starts at home.
In todays rubber game, I believe the Rays are showing good value as a small favourite. Its worth noting that Archer has a 3.24 ERA in 6 career starts against Toronto compared to a Drew Hutchinson who has pitched to a lofty 7.78 ERA in 4 career outings against the Rays.
Game of the Day: Angels at A's
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland A's (-134, 7.5)
The Oakland Athletics needed to sweep a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in order to take back the lead in the American League West. The Athletics will attempt to do just that when they host the Angels in the finale on Sunday. Oakland drew even atop the AL West with a 2-1 victory on Saturday as Coco Crisp raced across with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.
Los Angeles won eight of nine before arriving in Oakland to grab a two-game lead in the division but had a ninth-run rally fall short in Friday’s 5-3 setback before narrowly falling Saturday. The Angels, who host the Athletics in a four-game series next weekend, are winless in five games at Oakland this season and will visit the Athletics again in the final week of the regular season. Oakland is pulling out of a slump with three wins in their last four games.
LINE HISTORY: Online sportsbook Pinnacle Sports opened the A's as -146 home faves, but they now sit -134. The total opened at seven and is up to 7.5.
INJURY REPORT: A's - Jed Lowrie (15-day DL, hamstring).
POWER RANKINGS: Angels (-204), A's (-202)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (13-7, 3.70 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Scott Kazmir (14-5, 2.73)
Weaver is being leaned on to step up in the absence of Garrett Richards and needs to work deeper into games. The veteran has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in any of his last five starts and allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings at Boston on Tuesday. Weaver is making his third start of 2014 against Oakland after dropping the first two while yielding a total of 10 runs - nine earned - and 17 hits in 11 1/3 total innings.
Kazmir traded wins and losses in his last five starts and is coming off a win over the New York Mets in which he surrendered one run and four hits in six innings. That win gave the 30-year-old a career high of 14, besting the 13-9 mark he put up with Tampa Bay in 2007. Kazmir is facing his former franchise for the first time this season and was reached for five runs in three innings by Los Angeles on Aug. 9, 2013
TRENDS:
* Under is 20-3-3 in Weaver's last 26 starts vs. Athletics.
* Under is 8-2 in Angels last 10 overall.
* Road team is 4-0 in umpire Mike Everittss last four games behind home plate.
* Athletics are 5-1 in Kazmir's last six home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
CONSENSUS: 56 percent of wagers on Consensus are behind the A's
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland A's (-134, 7.5)
The Oakland Athletics needed to sweep a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in order to take back the lead in the American League West. The Athletics will attempt to do just that when they host the Angels in the finale on Sunday. Oakland drew even atop the AL West with a 2-1 victory on Saturday as Coco Crisp raced across with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.
Los Angeles won eight of nine before arriving in Oakland to grab a two-game lead in the division but had a ninth-run rally fall short in Friday’s 5-3 setback before narrowly falling Saturday. The Angels, who host the Athletics in a four-game series next weekend, are winless in five games at Oakland this season and will visit the Athletics again in the final week of the regular season. Oakland is pulling out of a slump with three wins in their last four games.
LINE HISTORY: Online sportsbook Pinnacle Sports opened the A's as -146 home faves, but they now sit -134. The total opened at seven and is up to 7.5.
INJURY REPORT: A's - Jed Lowrie (15-day DL, hamstring).
POWER RANKINGS: Angels (-204), A's (-202)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (13-7, 3.70 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Scott Kazmir (14-5, 2.73)
Weaver is being leaned on to step up in the absence of Garrett Richards and needs to work deeper into games. The veteran has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in any of his last five starts and allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings at Boston on Tuesday. Weaver is making his third start of 2014 against Oakland after dropping the first two while yielding a total of 10 runs - nine earned - and 17 hits in 11 1/3 total innings.
Kazmir traded wins and losses in his last five starts and is coming off a win over the New York Mets in which he surrendered one run and four hits in six innings. That win gave the 30-year-old a career high of 14, besting the 13-9 mark he put up with Tampa Bay in 2007. Kazmir is facing his former franchise for the first time this season and was reached for five runs in three innings by Los Angeles on Aug. 9, 2013
TRENDS:
* Under is 20-3-3 in Weaver's last 26 starts vs. Athletics.
* Under is 8-2 in Angels last 10 overall.
* Road team is 4-0 in umpire Mike Everittss last four games behind home plate.
* Athletics are 5-1 in Kazmir's last six home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
CONSENSUS: 56 percent of wagers on Consensus are behind the A's
Diamond Dog Sports
MLB
#912: Rockies: +105 (2.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Hand/Bergman
#915: Astros +150 (2.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Oberholtzer/Bauer
#907/908: Pirates/Brewers: Under 8.0 (+100) (4*)
Listed Pitchers: Worley/Fiers
#917/918: Rays/Blue Jays: Over 8.5 (+100) (3.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Archers/Hutchison
MLB
#912: Rockies: +105 (2.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Hand/Bergman
#915: Astros +150 (2.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Oberholtzer/Bauer
#907/908: Pirates/Brewers: Under 8.0 (+100) (4*)
Listed Pitchers: Worley/Fiers
#917/918: Rays/Blue Jays: Over 8.5 (+100) (3.5*)
Listed Pitchers: Archers/Hutchison
