FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
Thursday Baseball
100* Play Tampa Bay (+125) over NY Yankees
Game starts at 7:00 PM EST
David Price has won 18 of the last 22 games vs. division opponents and he has also won 8 of the last 10 games when playing in the month of September. David Price has won 20 of the last 27 games when the total posted is between 7 and 8.5 runs and he is 1-0 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 1.71.
50* Play Toronto (+125) over Seattle
Game starts at 12:30 PM EST
Seattle has lost 12 of the last 14 games when playing on a Thursday and they have also lost 29 of the last 38 road games when playing in the month of September. Felix Hernandez has lost 9 of the last 11 road games when the total posted is 7.5 runs or less and he has also lost 3 of the last 4 games when pitching on a Thursday this season.
Thursday Baseball
100* Play Tampa Bay (+125) over NY Yankees
Game starts at 7:00 PM EST
David Price has won 18 of the last 22 games vs. division opponents and he has also won 8 of the last 10 games when playing in the month of September. David Price has won 20 of the last 27 games when the total posted is between 7 and 8.5 runs and he is 1-0 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 1.71.
50* Play Toronto (+125) over Seattle
Game starts at 12:30 PM EST
Seattle has lost 12 of the last 14 games when playing on a Thursday and they have also lost 29 of the last 38 road games when playing in the month of September. Felix Hernandez has lost 9 of the last 11 road games when the total posted is 7.5 runs or less and he has also lost 3 of the last 4 games when pitching on a Thursday this season.
GOLD SHEET
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
*Miami-Florida 27 - PITTSBURGH 19—Biggest advantage in this matchup belongs to
Hurricanes and game-tested jr. QB Jacory Harris, who has substantially more
experience than Pitt rookie soph signal-caller Tino Sunseri. Plus, Miami's
cache of complementary RBs capable of keeping up with Panther star Lewis (1799
YR in 2009), while deep Cane DL also now rates substantial edge after Pitt's
front wall already suffered key injury (see Special Ticker). TV—ESPN
(DNP...SR: Miami 21-9-1)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
*Miami-Florida 27 - PITTSBURGH 19—Biggest advantage in this matchup belongs to
Hurricanes and game-tested jr. QB Jacory Harris, who has substantially more
experience than Pitt rookie soph signal-caller Tino Sunseri. Plus, Miami's
cache of complementary RBs capable of keeping up with Panther star Lewis (1799
YR in 2009), while deep Cane DL also now rates substantial edge after Pitt's
front wall already suffered key injury (see Special Ticker). TV—ESPN
(DNP...SR: Miami 21-9-1)
SPORTS WAGERS
Miami –3½ over PITTSBURGH
The Hurricanes are ranked while the Panthers are not and anyone that has followed this section over the years knows we’re not big supporters of laying road points in this sport and particularly when it’s ranked vs unranked. However, we’ll make an exception here because the Canes are an undervalued team and by season’s end they could be ranked in the top five. Miami went into #2 Ohio St. in its last game and although they lost 36-24, that score is very deceiving. They turned the ball over five times, the Buckeyes had great field position all game and Miami held OSU QB Terrelle Pryor to just 128 yards through the air on 12-28 passing. In fact, one could argue that the Canes were the better team and had they not turned it over so many times they would’ve won that game. The Canes are loaded on both sides of the ball and both its offensive and defensive lines are among the best in the nation. The Panthers are home but so what. They’re really not that good. Its star RB from a year ago, Dion Lewis looks horrible this season. Against FCS opponent New Hampshire last week, Lewis ran for 27 yards on 10 carries and now has 102 yards in two games combined. They beat New Hampshire 38-16 but pay more attention to the 16 allowed than the 38 scored and that contest was played in Pittsburgh. The Canes are superior in all the key skilled positions and there’s no comparing the two defenses. Don’t expect a mistake-filled game from the Canes like they had against the Buckeyes. If all things are equal here, the Canes will bury this Dave Wannstedt coached team. Play: Miami –3½ (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
ARIZONA –1.06 over Colorado
The Rockies surge is over and if nothing else the D-Backs can take solace in the fact that they’re solely responsible for stopping it and essentially preventing Colorado from reaching the post-season. They can put the proverbial nail in its coffin here. Last night’s loss was especially devastating after the Rox scored four runs in the top of the first and didn’t get another sniff the rest of the way en route to an 8-4 loss. Jeff Francis will be on a strict pitch count of about 80 or thereabouts and has made only three starts since the beginning of August. He’s 0-2 in that stretch with an ERA of 5.52 and he’s never had success at this park. In fact, Francis has an ERA of 8.10 and a .352 BAA in three starts at Chase Field over the last three seasons and current D-Backs have hit a robust .396 against him in a combined 91 AB’s. Meanwhile, Ian Kennedy has been one of the majors top three pitchers in September. Kennedy has lowered his walks, he’s raised his grounders and he’s lowered his WHIP to 1.16. His September ERA is 0.45. Lastly, the D-Backs are playing damn good ball. Last night’s rally from four down was impressive and so is the demeanor and desire of this squad. Momentum counts for something and the Rockies momentum has completely died. Play: Arizona –1.06 (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
San Diego –1.01 over LOS ANGELES
Some suggest that Mat Latos is suffering from fatigue because he’s allowed 13 ER over his last two starts covering just 5.1 frames. Perhaps he is, but if he were in that much trouble the Padres would push him back a day or two at this crucial time so don’t buy into it. We’re just used to seeing this guy bring it every game and absolutely dominate line-ups. So he’s been whacked in two straight. Big deal. It happens. Now he’ll face a completely lifeless Dodger team that is only interested in crossing off the calendar dates until the season ends. From top to bottom they do not care and neither does the brass at this point. If ever there was a team just going through the motions, the Dodgers are it. They got a very fluky run last night and lost 3-1. In five September games against these Padres, the Dodgers have scored four runs. They lost 6-0 on Tuesday and should’ve lost 3-0 last night. The effort and mind-set of this host is one that cannot be wagered on and it really does not matter who’s pitching. The Padres are a million times more determined and the fact tat we only have to lay a penny here is a true gift. Play: San Diego –1.01 (Risking 3.03 units to win 3).
Miami –3½ over PITTSBURGH
The Hurricanes are ranked while the Panthers are not and anyone that has followed this section over the years knows we’re not big supporters of laying road points in this sport and particularly when it’s ranked vs unranked. However, we’ll make an exception here because the Canes are an undervalued team and by season’s end they could be ranked in the top five. Miami went into #2 Ohio St. in its last game and although they lost 36-24, that score is very deceiving. They turned the ball over five times, the Buckeyes had great field position all game and Miami held OSU QB Terrelle Pryor to just 128 yards through the air on 12-28 passing. In fact, one could argue that the Canes were the better team and had they not turned it over so many times they would’ve won that game. The Canes are loaded on both sides of the ball and both its offensive and defensive lines are among the best in the nation. The Panthers are home but so what. They’re really not that good. Its star RB from a year ago, Dion Lewis looks horrible this season. Against FCS opponent New Hampshire last week, Lewis ran for 27 yards on 10 carries and now has 102 yards in two games combined. They beat New Hampshire 38-16 but pay more attention to the 16 allowed than the 38 scored and that contest was played in Pittsburgh. The Canes are superior in all the key skilled positions and there’s no comparing the two defenses. Don’t expect a mistake-filled game from the Canes like they had against the Buckeyes. If all things are equal here, the Canes will bury this Dave Wannstedt coached team. Play: Miami –3½ (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
ARIZONA –1.06 over Colorado
The Rockies surge is over and if nothing else the D-Backs can take solace in the fact that they’re solely responsible for stopping it and essentially preventing Colorado from reaching the post-season. They can put the proverbial nail in its coffin here. Last night’s loss was especially devastating after the Rox scored four runs in the top of the first and didn’t get another sniff the rest of the way en route to an 8-4 loss. Jeff Francis will be on a strict pitch count of about 80 or thereabouts and has made only three starts since the beginning of August. He’s 0-2 in that stretch with an ERA of 5.52 and he’s never had success at this park. In fact, Francis has an ERA of 8.10 and a .352 BAA in three starts at Chase Field over the last three seasons and current D-Backs have hit a robust .396 against him in a combined 91 AB’s. Meanwhile, Ian Kennedy has been one of the majors top three pitchers in September. Kennedy has lowered his walks, he’s raised his grounders and he’s lowered his WHIP to 1.16. His September ERA is 0.45. Lastly, the D-Backs are playing damn good ball. Last night’s rally from four down was impressive and so is the demeanor and desire of this squad. Momentum counts for something and the Rockies momentum has completely died. Play: Arizona –1.06 (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
San Diego –1.01 over LOS ANGELES
Some suggest that Mat Latos is suffering from fatigue because he’s allowed 13 ER over his last two starts covering just 5.1 frames. Perhaps he is, but if he were in that much trouble the Padres would push him back a day or two at this crucial time so don’t buy into it. We’re just used to seeing this guy bring it every game and absolutely dominate line-ups. So he’s been whacked in two straight. Big deal. It happens. Now he’ll face a completely lifeless Dodger team that is only interested in crossing off the calendar dates until the season ends. From top to bottom they do not care and neither does the brass at this point. If ever there was a team just going through the motions, the Dodgers are it. They got a very fluky run last night and lost 3-1. In five September games against these Padres, the Dodgers have scored four runs. They lost 6-0 on Tuesday and should’ve lost 3-0 last night. The effort and mind-set of this host is one that cannot be wagered on and it really does not matter who’s pitching. The Padres are a million times more determined and the fact tat we only have to lay a penny here is a true gift. Play: San Diego –1.01 (Risking 3.03 units to win 3).
Bobby Maxwell
Thursday winner...
300-Unit College FB Money Maker - PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Miami hasn’t been on the field since that ugly Sept. 11 visit to Columbus when the Buckeyes scored a 36-24 win over the Hurricanes with young Miami QB Jacory Harris tossing four INTs in the loss. Now they have to get back on the road and take themselves to Pittsburgh to take on a Pitt squad that has had plenty of controversy this season. Even with the off-field problems, I’m still going to take the Panthers in this one.
The Panthers have had three players arrested and suspended indefinitely and they looked only averaging in their 38-16 win over New Hampshire on Sept. 11. This team came into the season ranked No. 15, then they went to Utah for the opener and lost 27-24 in OT.
Key for Pitt this season, and especially tonight, is sophomore RB Dion Lewis who had 1,799 yards last season, but he’s only run for 102 yards in 35 carries through two games.
Pitt QB Tino Sunseri has 459 yards passing this season with a completion percentage of 64.5. He has the ability to lead this offense, but he’d like to see some help from the running game and he’s like to see the defense step up and have a game.
These two teams haven’t played since they were both in the Big East in 2003. Miami has won six of the last seven meetings, but Pitt has cashed in two of the last three.
Miami is on ATS skids of 3-13 after a bye week, 2-5 against Big East teams and 2-5 after a straight-up loss. Pitt is on surges too, including 7-3 at home, 6-1 after an ATS loss and 12-4 on grass.
At home tonight, look for Pitt to come out strong from the opening gun and deliver a motivated performance. I like the Panthers in front of the home crowd. Play Pitt!
Thursday winner...
300-Unit College FB Money Maker - PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Miami hasn’t been on the field since that ugly Sept. 11 visit to Columbus when the Buckeyes scored a 36-24 win over the Hurricanes with young Miami QB Jacory Harris tossing four INTs in the loss. Now they have to get back on the road and take themselves to Pittsburgh to take on a Pitt squad that has had plenty of controversy this season. Even with the off-field problems, I’m still going to take the Panthers in this one.
The Panthers have had three players arrested and suspended indefinitely and they looked only averaging in their 38-16 win over New Hampshire on Sept. 11. This team came into the season ranked No. 15, then they went to Utah for the opener and lost 27-24 in OT.
Key for Pitt this season, and especially tonight, is sophomore RB Dion Lewis who had 1,799 yards last season, but he’s only run for 102 yards in 35 carries through two games.
Pitt QB Tino Sunseri has 459 yards passing this season with a completion percentage of 64.5. He has the ability to lead this offense, but he’d like to see some help from the running game and he’s like to see the defense step up and have a game.
These two teams haven’t played since they were both in the Big East in 2003. Miami has won six of the last seven meetings, but Pitt has cashed in two of the last three.
Miami is on ATS skids of 3-13 after a bye week, 2-5 against Big East teams and 2-5 after a straight-up loss. Pitt is on surges too, including 7-3 at home, 6-1 after an ATS loss and 12-4 on grass.
At home tonight, look for Pitt to come out strong from the opening gun and deliver a motivated performance. I like the Panthers in front of the home crowd. Play Pitt!
Mitch Andrews
$3300/$3000
301 Miami (FL) -3
The Canes were pretty much flawless in their season opener then responded with a "nightmare performance" against Ohio State throwing four interceptions and committing eight big penalties. After Coach Randy Shannon got on them this week I have no doubt they will come out and play great ball. Pittsburgh has had a lot of off the field problems with key players getting arrested and bigger on the field problems with star DE Greg Romeus (2009 Big East's co-defensive player of the year) out for the season and star RB Dion Lewis struggling, rushing for just 102 yards this season (2.9 Avg.). Part of his struggles are because defenses are zeroing in on him and I expect Miami to do the same and force Pitt to pass against Miami's 21st ranked pass defense. The public will love the home dog in this one but the away team will walk away with the W. I'm not a trends guy, but I like that Pitt is 1-10 against ranked non-conference opponents since 1996.
P/C
$3300/$3000
301 Miami (FL) -3
The Canes were pretty much flawless in their season opener then responded with a "nightmare performance" against Ohio State throwing four interceptions and committing eight big penalties. After Coach Randy Shannon got on them this week I have no doubt they will come out and play great ball. Pittsburgh has had a lot of off the field problems with key players getting arrested and bigger on the field problems with star DE Greg Romeus (2009 Big East's co-defensive player of the year) out for the season and star RB Dion Lewis struggling, rushing for just 102 yards this season (2.9 Avg.). Part of his struggles are because defenses are zeroing in on him and I expect Miami to do the same and force Pitt to pass against Miami's 21st ranked pass defense. The public will love the home dog in this one but the away team will walk away with the W. I'm not a trends guy, but I like that Pitt is 1-10 against ranked non-conference opponents since 1996.
P/C
Thursday, September 23
Hot pitchers
-- Pirates won last three Burres starts (1-0, 2.25). Suppan is 1-1, 2.94 in his last three starts.
-- Dempster is 2-0, 0.00 in his last two starts (14 IP). Bumgarner has a 1.38 RA in his last four starts.
-- Gallardo is 2-0, 1.29 in his last three starts.
-- Kennedy is 2-0, 1.32 in his last five starts.
-- Price is 2-0, 1.86 in his last four starts. Sabathia is 7-1, 3.00 in his last nine starts.
-- Hernandez is 4-1, 2.01 in his last six starts.
-- Lee is 2-0, 1.13 in his last couple starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Figueroa is 1-1, 7.71 in his last three starts. Detwiler is 0-2, 9.00 in his three starts this season.
-- Sanchez is 1-2, 6.48 in his last three starts.
-- Francis is 0-2, 5.52 in his last three starts.
-- Latos allowed 13 runs in 5.1 IP in his last two starts. Kuroda is 0-2, 4.05 in his last three starts.
-- Hill is 0-2, 5.73 in two starts this season.
-- Talbot is 1-2, 8.20 in his last six starts. O'Sullivan is 0-2, 9.72 in his last four starts.
-- Braden is 0-4, 6.23 in his last four starts.
Totals
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Suppan starts.
-- Last three Figueoroa starts all went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2 in last ten Bumgarner starts. Over is 11-4-1 in last sixteen Dempster starts.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in lst ten Gallardo starts.
-- Over is 9-3 in last dozen Francis starts.
-- Under is 9-4 in last thirteen Kuroda starts.
-- Under is 11-3 in last fourteen Hernandez starts.
-- Three of last four Sabathia starts stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Talbot starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-3 in last nine Braden starts.
Hot Teams
-- Pirates won last five games, scoring 33 runs.
-- Marlins won their last three games, scoring 16 runs.
-- Astros are 14-8 in their last twenty-two games.
-- Cubs won seven of their last eight games. Giants are 8-3 in their last eleven away games.
-- Padres won three of their last four games.
-- Bronx won four of its last six games.
-- Oakland is 8-4 in its last twelve home games. Rangers won nine of their last 13 games. .
Cold Teams
-- Brewers lost three of their last four games.
-- Nationals lost 10 of their last 13 games.
-- Cardinals lost 20 of their last 29 games.
-- Arizona lost eight of its last twelve games. Rockies lost their last three games, giving up 18 runs.
-- Dodgers lost 13 of their last 17 games.
-- Mariners lost nine of their last twelve games. Toronto is 5-8 in its last thirteen games.
-- Tampa Bay lost four of its last six games.
-- Indians lost last four games, allowing 26 runs. Royals are 6-13 in their last 19 games.
Hot pitchers
-- Pirates won last three Burres starts (1-0, 2.25). Suppan is 1-1, 2.94 in his last three starts.
-- Dempster is 2-0, 0.00 in his last two starts (14 IP). Bumgarner has a 1.38 RA in his last four starts.
-- Gallardo is 2-0, 1.29 in his last three starts.
-- Kennedy is 2-0, 1.32 in his last five starts.
-- Price is 2-0, 1.86 in his last four starts. Sabathia is 7-1, 3.00 in his last nine starts.
-- Hernandez is 4-1, 2.01 in his last six starts.
-- Lee is 2-0, 1.13 in his last couple starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Figueroa is 1-1, 7.71 in his last three starts. Detwiler is 0-2, 9.00 in his three starts this season.
-- Sanchez is 1-2, 6.48 in his last three starts.
-- Francis is 0-2, 5.52 in his last three starts.
-- Latos allowed 13 runs in 5.1 IP in his last two starts. Kuroda is 0-2, 4.05 in his last three starts.
-- Hill is 0-2, 5.73 in two starts this season.
-- Talbot is 1-2, 8.20 in his last six starts. O'Sullivan is 0-2, 9.72 in his last four starts.
-- Braden is 0-4, 6.23 in his last four starts.
Totals
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Suppan starts.
-- Last three Figueoroa starts all went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2 in last ten Bumgarner starts. Over is 11-4-1 in last sixteen Dempster starts.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in lst ten Gallardo starts.
-- Over is 9-3 in last dozen Francis starts.
-- Under is 9-4 in last thirteen Kuroda starts.
-- Under is 11-3 in last fourteen Hernandez starts.
-- Three of last four Sabathia starts stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Talbot starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-3 in last nine Braden starts.
Hot Teams
-- Pirates won last five games, scoring 33 runs.
-- Marlins won their last three games, scoring 16 runs.
-- Astros are 14-8 in their last twenty-two games.
-- Cubs won seven of their last eight games. Giants are 8-3 in their last eleven away games.
-- Padres won three of their last four games.
-- Bronx won four of its last six games.
-- Oakland is 8-4 in its last twelve home games. Rangers won nine of their last 13 games. .
Cold Teams
-- Brewers lost three of their last four games.
-- Nationals lost 10 of their last 13 games.
-- Cardinals lost 20 of their last 29 games.
-- Arizona lost eight of its last twelve games. Rockies lost their last three games, giving up 18 runs.
-- Dodgers lost 13 of their last 17 games.
-- Mariners lost nine of their last twelve games. Toronto is 5-8 in its last thirteen games.
-- Tampa Bay lost four of its last six games.
-- Indians lost last four games, allowing 26 runs. Royals are 6-13 in their last 19 games.
