Hondo
Hondo, who flopped with the Fish Monday night, came back with another loser yesterday when Wild Geese took the silver medal in the seventh at Philly Park, which elevated the number on the big red defi cit toteboard to 2,730 doyles. Meanwhile, in a victory of sorts, Mr. Aitch avoided a loss in the fifth when Queenameina scratched.
Today, His Aitchness will try to subtract from the debt by adding in some Division investments. Ten units on Texas to mess with Tampa Bay, and 10 on the Twins to break through against the unarmed Yankees. As for today, 10 on Lee to shut down the Rays in the opener. Also, he'll take a stab in the Citi zen's Bank Park dark with Volquez over Halladay -- 10 on the Reds.
Hondo, who flopped with the Fish Monday night, came back with another loser yesterday when Wild Geese took the silver medal in the seventh at Philly Park, which elevated the number on the big red defi cit toteboard to 2,730 doyles. Meanwhile, in a victory of sorts, Mr. Aitch avoided a loss in the fifth when Queenameina scratched.
Today, His Aitchness will try to subtract from the debt by adding in some Division investments. Ten units on Texas to mess with Tampa Bay, and 10 on the Twins to break through against the unarmed Yankees. As for today, 10 on Lee to shut down the Rays in the opener. Also, he'll take a stab in the Citi zen's Bank Park dark with Volquez over Halladay -- 10 on the Reds.
jeff benton wednesday
1-0 yesterday plus 5 dimes plus $50..overall, 133-157-7 MINUS 535
WEDNESDAY'S ACTION
15 DIME MLB playoff selection on the Rays over the Rangers in Game 1 of the A.L. Divisional Series. Tampa Bay is a solid home favoaite ranging from -125 to -130, so make sure you shop around and get the best of the number. Note that you must list David Price as Tampa Bay’s starting pitciher. If Price does not start, this play is VOID!
5 DIME college football selection on UAB as a road undlrdog at Central Florida in a Conference USA clash. UAB is catching between 12½ and 13 points, so make sure you shop around and get the best of the number.
RAYS
Anyone who watched the 2009 playoffs knows that Cliff Lee was an absolute beast for the Phillies, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts, including hurling two complete games. But anyone who watched Cliff Lee work over the final six weeks of this season or watched him in three games against the Rays in 2010 knows he was – at best – mediocre.
Although Lee finished with three quality stats (total of two earned runs allowed in 23 innings) in his last four trips to the mound, he still went just 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA in his final nine starts (with Texas going 3-6). Five of those nine starts came on the road, with Lee allowing 26 runs (23 earned) in 32 innings (a 6.45 ERA) and the Rangers going 1-4.
Lee’s road struagles began with a 6-4 loss in Tampa Bay on Aug. 16, with the southpaw allowing six runs on nine hits in 7 2/3 innings. He also faced the Rays twice in the span of 11 days when he was with Seattle in May, allowing a combined seven runs (six earned) on 15 hits over 16 innings, and he lost those two games as well. Add it all up and despite a 25-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Lee was 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 23 2/3 innings against the Rays this season (0-2, 4.60 ERA in two games at Tropicana Field).
Now, could Lee step up today and throw a complete-game gem? Of course he could – his stuff is that good. But here’s the thing: He probably will have to be nearly perfect because his mound counterpart is David Price. Price turned in a Cy Young-caliber performance this season, going 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA, including 9-2 with a ridiiculous 1.96 ERA in 16 home starts. Tampa Bay went 12-4 in those 16 home games and it won 23 of his 31 starts, including the last six in a row and nine of the last 10.
Take away one poor outing at Yankee Stadium in his first post-All-Star break start (he allowed seven runs in five innings), and Price went 7-1 with 2.55 ERA over the second half of the season. The Rays went 11-2 in back of Price down the stretch, with the lefty giving up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of those 13 starts (and two runs or fewer eight times).
Price outdueled Lee in that Aug. 16 contests in Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks in six innings. In fact, the Rays swept that three-game series, outscoring Texas 24-11, and since the start of last season, the home team is on a 12-3 roll when these teams hook up. What’s more, the Rangers are 5-17 in their last 22 visits to the Trop (1-5 in the last six).
Texas has also lost 23 of 32 games on artificial turf (Tampa Bay and Toronto) and 13 of 18 as an underdog. Meanwhile, the Rays closed the season on a 29-13 roll at home; they’re 33-16 in their last 49 games against left-handed starters; and with Price on the hill, Tampa is on impressive hot streaks of 37-16 overall, 21-7 at home, 22-6 as a favorite, 6-0 against A.L. West opponents and 10-2 when he starts a series.
Dirt cheap price to lay with the home team here, even if it is against a pitcher the caliber of Cliff Lee.
UAB
Way too many points for Central Florida to be laying, especially since the Golden Knights are so one-dimensional offensively – and that one dimension does not match up with UAB’s big weakness. See, UCF is averaging 184 rushing yards per game (as opposed to just 169 passing ypg), and while UAB’s defense is getting torched for 31 points and 405 yards per contest, the Blazers’ problem has been defending the pass, as they’re allowing 272.2 ypg through the air. Against than the run, UAB has been respeltable (133 ypg).
Three of UAB’s four games this season have been decided by a total of five points (including a 32-29 overtime loss at Tennessee on Sept. 25 – the same Tennessee that should’ve won at LSU this past Saturday). And if you take away a 28-7 loss at SMU on Sept. 11, the Blazers have been averaging 33.4 points in their last eight games dating to Halloween of last year (and they scored 27 or more in seven of those eight games).
Bottom line: There’s just no way a run-first team whose quarterbacks have combined for 676 passing yards, two TDs and four INTs through four games should be laying nearly two touchdowns against a conference rival that fields a balanced offense that nets 260 passing ypg and 182 rushing ypg (5.2 yards per carry).
One parting thought: UAB has cashed in two of the last three meetings with Central Florida, and the ‘dog is on a 4-2 ATS roll.
1-0 yesterday plus 5 dimes plus $50..overall, 133-157-7 MINUS 535
WEDNESDAY'S ACTION
15 DIME MLB playoff selection on the Rays over the Rangers in Game 1 of the A.L. Divisional Series. Tampa Bay is a solid home favoaite ranging from -125 to -130, so make sure you shop around and get the best of the number. Note that you must list David Price as Tampa Bay’s starting pitciher. If Price does not start, this play is VOID!
5 DIME college football selection on UAB as a road undlrdog at Central Florida in a Conference USA clash. UAB is catching between 12½ and 13 points, so make sure you shop around and get the best of the number.
RAYS
Anyone who watched the 2009 playoffs knows that Cliff Lee was an absolute beast for the Phillies, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts, including hurling two complete games. But anyone who watched Cliff Lee work over the final six weeks of this season or watched him in three games against the Rays in 2010 knows he was – at best – mediocre.
Although Lee finished with three quality stats (total of two earned runs allowed in 23 innings) in his last four trips to the mound, he still went just 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA in his final nine starts (with Texas going 3-6). Five of those nine starts came on the road, with Lee allowing 26 runs (23 earned) in 32 innings (a 6.45 ERA) and the Rangers going 1-4.
Lee’s road struagles began with a 6-4 loss in Tampa Bay on Aug. 16, with the southpaw allowing six runs on nine hits in 7 2/3 innings. He also faced the Rays twice in the span of 11 days when he was with Seattle in May, allowing a combined seven runs (six earned) on 15 hits over 16 innings, and he lost those two games as well. Add it all up and despite a 25-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Lee was 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 23 2/3 innings against the Rays this season (0-2, 4.60 ERA in two games at Tropicana Field).
Now, could Lee step up today and throw a complete-game gem? Of course he could – his stuff is that good. But here’s the thing: He probably will have to be nearly perfect because his mound counterpart is David Price. Price turned in a Cy Young-caliber performance this season, going 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA, including 9-2 with a ridiiculous 1.96 ERA in 16 home starts. Tampa Bay went 12-4 in those 16 home games and it won 23 of his 31 starts, including the last six in a row and nine of the last 10.
Take away one poor outing at Yankee Stadium in his first post-All-Star break start (he allowed seven runs in five innings), and Price went 7-1 with 2.55 ERA over the second half of the season. The Rays went 11-2 in back of Price down the stretch, with the lefty giving up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of those 13 starts (and two runs or fewer eight times).
Price outdueled Lee in that Aug. 16 contests in Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks in six innings. In fact, the Rays swept that three-game series, outscoring Texas 24-11, and since the start of last season, the home team is on a 12-3 roll when these teams hook up. What’s more, the Rangers are 5-17 in their last 22 visits to the Trop (1-5 in the last six).
Texas has also lost 23 of 32 games on artificial turf (Tampa Bay and Toronto) and 13 of 18 as an underdog. Meanwhile, the Rays closed the season on a 29-13 roll at home; they’re 33-16 in their last 49 games against left-handed starters; and with Price on the hill, Tampa is on impressive hot streaks of 37-16 overall, 21-7 at home, 22-6 as a favorite, 6-0 against A.L. West opponents and 10-2 when he starts a series.
Dirt cheap price to lay with the home team here, even if it is against a pitcher the caliber of Cliff Lee.
UAB
Way too many points for Central Florida to be laying, especially since the Golden Knights are so one-dimensional offensively – and that one dimension does not match up with UAB’s big weakness. See, UCF is averaging 184 rushing yards per game (as opposed to just 169 passing ypg), and while UAB’s defense is getting torched for 31 points and 405 yards per contest, the Blazers’ problem has been defending the pass, as they’re allowing 272.2 ypg through the air. Against than the run, UAB has been respeltable (133 ypg).
Three of UAB’s four games this season have been decided by a total of five points (including a 32-29 overtime loss at Tennessee on Sept. 25 – the same Tennessee that should’ve won at LSU this past Saturday). And if you take away a 28-7 loss at SMU on Sept. 11, the Blazers have been averaging 33.4 points in their last eight games dating to Halloween of last year (and they scored 27 or more in seven of those eight games).
Bottom line: There’s just no way a run-first team whose quarterbacks have combined for 676 passing yards, two TDs and four INTs through four games should be laying nearly two touchdowns against a conference rival that fields a balanced offense that nets 260 passing ypg and 182 rushing ypg (5.2 yards per carry).
One parting thought: UAB has cashed in two of the last three meetings with Central Florida, and the ‘dog is on a 4-2 ATS roll.
GINA
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
(1) Rays (96-66) vs. (3) Rangers (90-72) Tampa Bay in 5 Series Tied 0-0
(2) Twins (94-68) vs. (4) Yankees (95-67) New York in 4 Series Tied 0-0
1) Phillies (97-65) vs. (3) Reds (91-71) Philadelphia in 5 Series Tied 0-0
(2) Giants (92-70) vs. (4) Braves (91-71) San Francisco in 5 Series Tied 0-0
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
(1) Rays (96-66) vs. (3) Rangers (90-72) Tampa Bay in 5 Series Tied 0-0
(2) Twins (94-68) vs. (4) Yankees (95-67) New York in 4 Series Tied 0-0
1) Phillies (97-65) vs. (3) Reds (91-71) Philadelphia in 5 Series Tied 0-0
(2) Giants (92-70) vs. (4) Braves (91-71) San Francisco in 5 Series Tied 0-0
GAMBLERS WORLD
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: MLB
Game: 8:37PM New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
Play On: Minnesota (+130)
Current Line: New York (-146)
Over/Under: 7
Preview: The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Target Field in Game 1 of their ALDS.
The Yankees will give the ball to ace starter CC Sabathia in this one. Lefthander Sabathia is 21-7 this season with a 3.18 ERA.
The Twins will counter Sabathia with Francisco Liriano. Lefthander Liriano has a 3.62 ERA to go along with a 14-10 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 146-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game's total is sitting at 7.
The Yankees lost to Boston 8-4 as a +110 underdog in their regular-season finale on Sunday. The 12 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Nick Swisher hit a solo home run for New York that day, and Dustin Moseley gave up four runs on five hits in five innings.
The Twins lost to Toronto 2-1 as a -125 favorite in their regular-season finale on Sunday. The three runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Trevor Plouffe drove in Minnesota's lone run that day, and Nick Blackburn allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: MLB
Game: 8:37PM New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
Play On: Minnesota (+130)
Current Line: New York (-146)
Over/Under: 7
Preview: The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Target Field in Game 1 of their ALDS.
The Yankees will give the ball to ace starter CC Sabathia in this one. Lefthander Sabathia is 21-7 this season with a 3.18 ERA.
The Twins will counter Sabathia with Francisco Liriano. Lefthander Liriano has a 3.62 ERA to go along with a 14-10 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 146-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game's total is sitting at 7.
The Yankees lost to Boston 8-4 as a +110 underdog in their regular-season finale on Sunday. The 12 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Nick Swisher hit a solo home run for New York that day, and Dustin Moseley gave up four runs on five hits in five innings.
The Twins lost to Toronto 2-1 as a -125 favorite in their regular-season finale on Sunday. The three runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Trevor Plouffe drove in Minnesota's lone run that day, and Nick Blackburn allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings
SPORTS WAGERS - RANDALL THE HANDLE
Cincinnati +1.92 over PHILADELPHIA Pinnacle
There is no doubt that the Phillies are overpriced both in game one and in the series and therefore it’s either the Reds or nothing. Edinson Volquez gets the Game One nod on the heels of a smoking September: 1.95 ERA in 28 IP. Also of note is his 54% GB% this season, a welcome feature for anyone pitching in Citizens Bank Park. Volquez did not face the Phillies this season, but in his career has allowed only one run in 12 career IP against Philadelphia. Halladay, on the other hand, "struggled" a bit down the stretch--if that's what you call a 3.44 September ERA--but still finished with 21 wins overall. About the only concern coming in is Halladay's high IP count (251), but Halladay hasn't pitched since the Phils clinched the division on September 27, and relishes his first chance to pitch in the postseason. He faced the Reds twice this year, losing 4-3 on June 30 (when he allowed a season-high 13 hits in 8 IP) and winning a complete-game 1-0 shutout on July 10. Only three Reds have had more than 20 plate appearances against Halladay, and the most successful has been Ramon Hernandez (.351/.368/.405 in 38 career AB.). Both Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, however, have one home run against Halladay in 12 AB. Bruce has been on fire over the last 31 days with 7 HR and a 1.183 OPS. No Phillies player has faced Volquez more than 10 times; in his two career starts, they have only slugged .310 against him. No one doubts the Phillies' edge here, as Halladay, Roy Oswalt or Cole Hamels could serve as the ace of most staffs. However, Volquez has the ability to dominate and we saw a few stretches this season in which the Phillies struggled miserably at the plate. The Reds are being sold short. They have a damn good chance to win game one and at this price they’re very worthy of a look. Overlay. Play: Cincinnati +1.92 (Risking 2 units
Cincinnati +1.92 over PHILADELPHIA Pinnacle
There is no doubt that the Phillies are overpriced both in game one and in the series and therefore it’s either the Reds or nothing. Edinson Volquez gets the Game One nod on the heels of a smoking September: 1.95 ERA in 28 IP. Also of note is his 54% GB% this season, a welcome feature for anyone pitching in Citizens Bank Park. Volquez did not face the Phillies this season, but in his career has allowed only one run in 12 career IP against Philadelphia. Halladay, on the other hand, "struggled" a bit down the stretch--if that's what you call a 3.44 September ERA--but still finished with 21 wins overall. About the only concern coming in is Halladay's high IP count (251), but Halladay hasn't pitched since the Phils clinched the division on September 27, and relishes his first chance to pitch in the postseason. He faced the Reds twice this year, losing 4-3 on June 30 (when he allowed a season-high 13 hits in 8 IP) and winning a complete-game 1-0 shutout on July 10. Only three Reds have had more than 20 plate appearances against Halladay, and the most successful has been Ramon Hernandez (.351/.368/.405 in 38 career AB.). Both Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, however, have one home run against Halladay in 12 AB. Bruce has been on fire over the last 31 days with 7 HR and a 1.183 OPS. No Phillies player has faced Volquez more than 10 times; in his two career starts, they have only slugged .310 against him. No one doubts the Phillies' edge here, as Halladay, Roy Oswalt or Cole Hamels could serve as the ace of most staffs. However, Volquez has the ability to dominate and we saw a few stretches this season in which the Phillies struggled miserably at the plate. The Reds are being sold short. They have a damn good chance to win game one and at this price they’re very worthy of a look. Overlay. Play: Cincinnati +1.92 (Risking 2 units
Hammer The Book
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYS
ROTATION 303/304: 3-UNITS: UAB BLAZERS @ CENTRAL FLORIDA (UAB +12 1/2 PLAY @ BET JAMAICA, BET PHOENIX, BOOKMAKER, CRIS, LEGENDZ, YOUWAGER, BETUS, WAGERWEB, JUSTBET, BETMANIA, EASY STREET, JAZZ & SBG)
ROTATION 303/304: 3-UNITS: UAB BLAZERS @ CENTRAL FLORIDA (OVER 48 1/2 @ CANBET, LEGENDZ, PINNANCLE, BETED, CARIB & JUSTBET)
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYS
ROTATION 951/952: 3-UNITS: CINCINNATI REDS @ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (OVER 7-RUNS @ MOST ALL BOOKS)
ROTATION 953/954: 4-UNITS: TEXAS RANGERS @ TAMPA BAY RAYS (TB RAYS ML -128 @ BET MANIA & SBG)
ROTATION 955/956: 3-UNITS: NEW YORK YANKEES @ MINNESOTA TWINS (TWINS ML +138 @ BODOG)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYS
ROTATION 303/304: 3-UNITS: UAB BLAZERS @ CENTRAL FLORIDA (UAB +12 1/2 PLAY @ BET JAMAICA, BET PHOENIX, BOOKMAKER, CRIS, LEGENDZ, YOUWAGER, BETUS, WAGERWEB, JUSTBET, BETMANIA, EASY STREET, JAZZ & SBG)
ROTATION 303/304: 3-UNITS: UAB BLAZERS @ CENTRAL FLORIDA (OVER 48 1/2 @ CANBET, LEGENDZ, PINNANCLE, BETED, CARIB & JUSTBET)
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYS
ROTATION 951/952: 3-UNITS: CINCINNATI REDS @ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (OVER 7-RUNS @ MOST ALL BOOKS)
ROTATION 953/954: 4-UNITS: TEXAS RANGERS @ TAMPA BAY RAYS (TB RAYS ML -128 @ BET MANIA & SBG)
ROTATION 955/956: 3-UNITS: NEW YORK YANKEES @ MINNESOTA TWINS (TWINS ML +138 @ BODOG)
FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
100* Play Texas (+120) over Tampa Bay
Game starts at 1:30 PM EST
Cliff Lee has won 5 consecutive playoff games and he has also won 6 of the last 7 games when pitching in the month of October. Cliff Lee has won 12 of the last 15 road games when pitching on a Wednesday and he has an ERA of 2.87 vs. Tampa Bay over his career.
50* Play Cincinnati (+185) over Philadelphia
Game starts at 5:00 PM EST
Edinson Volquez has won 16 of the last 20 games as an underdog of +100 or higher and he has also won 20 of the last 26 road games. Edinson Volquez has won 14 of the last 18 road games when the total posted is between 7 and 8.5 runs and he is 2-0 vs. Philadelphia over his career with an ERA of 0.73.
100* Play Texas (+120) over Tampa Bay
Game starts at 1:30 PM EST
Cliff Lee has won 5 consecutive playoff games and he has also won 6 of the last 7 games when pitching in the month of October. Cliff Lee has won 12 of the last 15 road games when pitching on a Wednesday and he has an ERA of 2.87 vs. Tampa Bay over his career.
50* Play Cincinnati (+185) over Philadelphia
Game starts at 5:00 PM EST
Edinson Volquez has won 16 of the last 20 games as an underdog of +100 or higher and he has also won 20 of the last 26 road games. Edinson Volquez has won 14 of the last 18 road games when the total posted is between 7 and 8.5 runs and he is 2-0 vs. Philadelphia over his career with an ERA of 0.73.
