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Tony Weston
Today's Complimentary Selection
Of course I came through with the Under on the Dodgers-Diamondbacks. I’m making it 4 in a row tonight as I’m taking the Over on the Titans-Steelers NFL kickoff game.
Sure, when people think of the Titans and Steelers they think of defense. But defense has been scarce when these two get together.
In 10 meetings this decade the Over has gone 8-2 as these two have totaled, on average 48.9 points per game. The Total for tonight is set at about 35 points.
When these two met last December the Total was set at 34 points. The teams combined for 45 points.
Consider, too, when playing in Pittsburgh, the Over has come in 7 of their last 8 meetings.
It’s going to come in again tonight as these two breeze well Over the Total.
3♦ TITANS-STEELERS OVER (on a 1♦ - 5♦ Scale)
Today's Complimentary Selection
Of course I came through with the Under on the Dodgers-Diamondbacks. I’m making it 4 in a row tonight as I’m taking the Over on the Titans-Steelers NFL kickoff game.
Sure, when people think of the Titans and Steelers they think of defense. But defense has been scarce when these two get together.
In 10 meetings this decade the Over has gone 8-2 as these two have totaled, on average 48.9 points per game. The Total for tonight is set at about 35 points.
When these two met last December the Total was set at 34 points. The teams combined for 45 points.
Consider, too, when playing in Pittsburgh, the Over has come in 7 of their last 8 meetings.
It’s going to come in again tonight as these two breeze well Over the Total.
3♦ TITANS-STEELERS OVER (on a 1♦ - 5♦ Scale)
Scott Delaney
Today's Complimentary Selection
Play the Under in the Houston/Atlanta game tonight ...
It shouldn't be any surprise the Astros have stayed under in 17 of their last 22 games, as the offense is straggling with Lance Berkman mired in a slump. It doesn't get any easier with Derek Lowe toeing the slab for the Braves.
Lowe will challenge Houston ace Roy Oswalt, who only got one inning of work in against the Braves in his last start against them. Nonetheless, he did strike out two of the four batters he faced.
Three of the last four meetings have stayed low between these two, while the under is on a 10-4 when these two get together. And in Houston, the Under is on a 7-1 run when the Braves are in town.
Individually, both teams have stayed under in their last four games.
Make it five straight with this one, as the under is an easy grab.
3♦ UNDER Astros/Braves (WITH Lowe/Oswalt)
Today's Complimentary Selection
Play the Under in the Houston/Atlanta game tonight ...
It shouldn't be any surprise the Astros have stayed under in 17 of their last 22 games, as the offense is straggling with Lance Berkman mired in a slump. It doesn't get any easier with Derek Lowe toeing the slab for the Braves.
Lowe will challenge Houston ace Roy Oswalt, who only got one inning of work in against the Braves in his last start against them. Nonetheless, he did strike out two of the four batters he faced.
Three of the last four meetings have stayed low between these two, while the under is on a 10-4 when these two get together. And in Houston, the Under is on a 7-1 run when the Braves are in town.
Individually, both teams have stayed under in their last four games.
Make it five straight with this one, as the under is an easy grab.
3♦ UNDER Astros/Braves (WITH Lowe/Oswalt)
Michael Cannon
A nice free winner on the Marlins last night!
Football is here folks! I love this time of year and I know you do too!
Take the Steelers as the home chalk tonight over the Titans.
Pittsburgh begins its title defense against the only team to defeat them over the last 10 games of the year. Tennessee left a sour taste in the Steelers’ mouths after the 31-14 blowout by disrespecting the Terrible Towel.
Now it’s payback time for the champs and you’re going to see it firsthand on national TV.
This number looks a little high at first glance but I really don’t see Tennessee doing anything offensively tonight. The Steelers return the No.1-ranked defense and they should be able to keep the Titans offense in check.
Pittsburgh has the weapons on offense to get on top in this game and once they do it will force Tennessee to become one-dimensional, which is the kiss of death against the Steelers defense.
Lay the points with the Steelers as they open their title defense with a win and cover.
3♦ PITTSBURGH
A nice free winner on the Marlins last night!
Football is here folks! I love this time of year and I know you do too!
Take the Steelers as the home chalk tonight over the Titans.
Pittsburgh begins its title defense against the only team to defeat them over the last 10 games of the year. Tennessee left a sour taste in the Steelers’ mouths after the 31-14 blowout by disrespecting the Terrible Towel.
Now it’s payback time for the champs and you’re going to see it firsthand on national TV.
This number looks a little high at first glance but I really don’t see Tennessee doing anything offensively tonight. The Steelers return the No.1-ranked defense and they should be able to keep the Titans offense in check.
Pittsburgh has the weapons on offense to get on top in this game and once they do it will force Tennessee to become one-dimensional, which is the kiss of death against the Steelers defense.
Lay the points with the Steelers as they open their title defense with a win and cover.
3♦ PITTSBURGH
Scott Rickenbach
GAME: Atlanta Braves @ Houston Astros
PICK: under 8
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Rickenbach's Free Pick Opinion Play for MLB Thursday: UNDER the total in Houston vs Atlanta @ 8:05 PM ET - Oswalt vs Lowe - After opening up at a 7.5 across the board, this total has now moved to a solid 8 and we feel this is adding even more value to what was already a great situation for a play on the under. With yesterday's 2-1 final, the Braves have stayed under the total in five straight games and eight of their last ten. As for the Astros, they've stayed under the total in nine of their last eleven games. Neither one of these "under streaks" is a fluke either. The Braves have been held to seven hits or less in six straight games! They've given up eight hits or less in eight of their last ten games.
The Astros have similar numbers. Houston has held opponents to eight hits or less in 10 of their last 13 games! The Astros themselves have been held to eight hits or less in eight of their last twelve games. As for the pitchers tonight, Oswalt has allowed three earned runs or less in ten of their last twelve games. As for the Braves starter, Lowe, he's allowed three earned runs or less in ten of his last eleven starters. Consider a small play on UNDER the total in Houston on Thursday night. Thanks for checking in here and best of luck always from Scott Rickenbach.
GAME: Atlanta Braves @ Houston Astros
PICK: under 8
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Rickenbach's Free Pick Opinion Play for MLB Thursday: UNDER the total in Houston vs Atlanta @ 8:05 PM ET - Oswalt vs Lowe - After opening up at a 7.5 across the board, this total has now moved to a solid 8 and we feel this is adding even more value to what was already a great situation for a play on the under. With yesterday's 2-1 final, the Braves have stayed under the total in five straight games and eight of their last ten. As for the Astros, they've stayed under the total in nine of their last eleven games. Neither one of these "under streaks" is a fluke either. The Braves have been held to seven hits or less in six straight games! They've given up eight hits or less in eight of their last ten games.
The Astros have similar numbers. Houston has held opponents to eight hits or less in 10 of their last 13 games! The Astros themselves have been held to eight hits or less in eight of their last twelve games. As for the pitchers tonight, Oswalt has allowed three earned runs or less in ten of their last twelve games. As for the Braves starter, Lowe, he's allowed three earned runs or less in ten of his last eleven starters. Consider a small play on UNDER the total in Houston on Thursday night. Thanks for checking in here and best of luck always from Scott Rickenbach.
Hunter Price
Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans +6½-103
ESPN is the sports authority for just about every sport on the planet but one thing they are terrible at is predicting the outcome of games. How many times have you watched the pregame show and seen every personality they put up their pick a big favorite to win the game at home on national TV only to end up losing both by the spread and in some cases the game outright. Well get ready for just that case tonight as ESPN has been talking about this terrible towel incident all week in preparation for tonight's Titans / Steelers NFL kickoff. I mean come on, Do you think the Steelers care one bit about some stupid towel? They won the super bowl last year, why would they care about some porky RB from Nashville stepping on a towel? THE ANSWER IS THEY WOULDN'T!!!!! But ESPN needs something to talk about and as a result have been talking over and over about it.....to the point that many of the actual Steelers players have gotten fed up with the topic. That's right the players have shown they don't care. Now that we have dispelled this towel nonsense lets go back to another fact that will come into play tonight and that is regarding the Steelers as the defending champions. The Titans thought they were going to be the ones to represent the AFC in the big game but faded at the end of their divisional round game to the Ravens and as a result had to watch a team they thought they were better than (and still think) win it all. Tonight they will get their first real chance to show they are going to be the team to beat again this year. They also want to show they still have a rock solid defense even without the likes of Haynesworth. So at the end of tonight and the dust settles don't be surprised when the Titans not only cover this 6.5 spread but have a chance to win this one outright!
Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans +6½-103
ESPN is the sports authority for just about every sport on the planet but one thing they are terrible at is predicting the outcome of games. How many times have you watched the pregame show and seen every personality they put up their pick a big favorite to win the game at home on national TV only to end up losing both by the spread and in some cases the game outright. Well get ready for just that case tonight as ESPN has been talking about this terrible towel incident all week in preparation for tonight's Titans / Steelers NFL kickoff. I mean come on, Do you think the Steelers care one bit about some stupid towel? They won the super bowl last year, why would they care about some porky RB from Nashville stepping on a towel? THE ANSWER IS THEY WOULDN'T!!!!! But ESPN needs something to talk about and as a result have been talking over and over about it.....to the point that many of the actual Steelers players have gotten fed up with the topic. That's right the players have shown they don't care. Now that we have dispelled this towel nonsense lets go back to another fact that will come into play tonight and that is regarding the Steelers as the defending champions. The Titans thought they were going to be the ones to represent the AFC in the big game but faded at the end of their divisional round game to the Ravens and as a result had to watch a team they thought they were better than (and still think) win it all. Tonight they will get their first real chance to show they are going to be the team to beat again this year. They also want to show they still have a rock solid defense even without the likes of Haynesworth. So at the end of tonight and the dust settles don't be surprised when the Titans not only cover this 6.5 spread but have a chance to win this one outright!
Jimmy Boyd
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech -5-110
1 Unit on Georgia Tech -5
The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 SU and ATS versus Clemson over the last 2 seasons and I expect this trend to continue today. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a breezer in Week 1 against Jacksonville State, but head coach Paul Johnson was not pleased with the ball handling or the effort and let his team know about it. I expect a much better performance from Tech this week against a team it knows it can't take lightly. The key here is that I don't see Clemson being able to slow down Tech's explosive running attack. Georgia Tech is 16-5 ATS in the first two weeks of the season since 1992 and Clemson is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games vs. a team with a winning record. I'm laying the points.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech -5-110
1 Unit on Georgia Tech -5
The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 SU and ATS versus Clemson over the last 2 seasons and I expect this trend to continue today. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a breezer in Week 1 against Jacksonville State, but head coach Paul Johnson was not pleased with the ball handling or the effort and let his team know about it. I expect a much better performance from Tech this week against a team it knows it can't take lightly. The key here is that I don't see Clemson being able to slow down Tech's explosive running attack. Georgia Tech is 16-5 ATS in the first two weeks of the season since 1992 and Clemson is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games vs. a team with a winning record. I'm laying the points.
Chris Jordan
Let's take the home team Royals in this one, as they go for win number four in a row.
Though they're the owners of the second-worst record in the majors, Kansas City will be gung-ho to complete the sweep tonight, as it hasn't swept a series of at least three games against an AL opponent since sweeping, SURPRISE, the Tigers last year at this time.
I know I'm staring at Lenny DiNardo for this one, as he's been recalled from Triple-A Omaha, he'll be raring to go as he gives ace hurler and Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke an extra day of rest.
DiNardo was 10-5 with a 3.32 ERA in 29 games for Omaha - 23 starts - and I'm much more confident with the southpaw than I am with Jarrod Washburn, who is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts since arriving from Seattle.
1♦ ROYALS (LIST DiNardo and Washburn)
Let's take the home team Royals in this one, as they go for win number four in a row.
Though they're the owners of the second-worst record in the majors, Kansas City will be gung-ho to complete the sweep tonight, as it hasn't swept a series of at least three games against an AL opponent since sweeping, SURPRISE, the Tigers last year at this time.
I know I'm staring at Lenny DiNardo for this one, as he's been recalled from Triple-A Omaha, he'll be raring to go as he gives ace hurler and Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke an extra day of rest.
DiNardo was 10-5 with a 3.32 ERA in 29 games for Omaha - 23 starts - and I'm much more confident with the southpaw than I am with Jarrod Washburn, who is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts since arriving from Seattle.
1♦ ROYALS (LIST DiNardo and Washburn)
Rocketman Sports
Atlanta @ Houston 8:05 PM EST
Play On: Houston (Lowe/Oswalt) Listed
It came down to the bottom of the 9th last night for the Astros to get the come from behind win. It shouldn't be that close tonight. Atlanta is 2-6 so far in September and 1-6 last 7. Houston has won 5 of their last 6 overall. Atlanta is scoring only 4 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Houston bullpen has a 3.55 ERA at home this year. Roy Oswalt has been solid again this year with a 3.77 ERA overall, 3.52 ERA at home and a 3.26 ERA his last 3 starts. Braves are 0-5 in Lowes last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Astros are 10-2 in Oswalts last 12 starts. Astros are 57-21 in Oswalts last 78 starts as a home favorite. Astros are 62-23 in Oswalts last 85 home starts. Braves are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings in Houston. We'll recommend a small play on Houston tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
Atlanta @ Houston 8:05 PM EST
Play On: Houston (Lowe/Oswalt) Listed
It came down to the bottom of the 9th last night for the Astros to get the come from behind win. It shouldn't be that close tonight. Atlanta is 2-6 so far in September and 1-6 last 7. Houston has won 5 of their last 6 overall. Atlanta is scoring only 4 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Houston bullpen has a 3.55 ERA at home this year. Roy Oswalt has been solid again this year with a 3.77 ERA overall, 3.52 ERA at home and a 3.26 ERA his last 3 starts. Braves are 0-5 in Lowes last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Astros are 10-2 in Oswalts last 12 starts. Astros are 57-21 in Oswalts last 78 starts as a home favorite. Astros are 62-23 in Oswalts last 85 home starts. Braves are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings in Houston. We'll recommend a small play on Houston tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
Lenny Del Genio
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6.5 (-110) vs TENNESSEE TITANS
Play on Pittsburgh at 8:30 ET. We are a bit leery of this with the line moving in favor of the Steelers all week long, considering the last time Pittsburgh lost was to Tennessee, 31-14, last regular season. Still, there is no doubt in our minds that the defending Super Bowl Champs are the superior team here. Pittsburgh actually out gained Tennessee in that 17pt loss last year, but they were done in by a -4 turnover margin, which nullified a TOP advantage. We don't expect four Steelers turnovers here, nor do we expect Titans QB Kerry Collins to have the kind of year he did last season. What you can expect from Pittsburgh is defense as their 13.9 PA and 4.11 YPP were both league's best. Take Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6.5 (-110) vs TENNESSEE TITANS
Play on Pittsburgh at 8:30 ET. We are a bit leery of this with the line moving in favor of the Steelers all week long, considering the last time Pittsburgh lost was to Tennessee, 31-14, last regular season. Still, there is no doubt in our minds that the defending Super Bowl Champs are the superior team here. Pittsburgh actually out gained Tennessee in that 17pt loss last year, but they were done in by a -4 turnover margin, which nullified a TOP advantage. We don't expect four Steelers turnovers here, nor do we expect Titans QB Kerry Collins to have the kind of year he did last season. What you can expect from Pittsburgh is defense as their 13.9 PA and 4.11 YPP were both league's best. Take Pittsburgh.
Stephen Nover
Cincinnati at Colorado
Normally I wouldn't favor an under with this type of starting pitcher matchup. But these two teams are on under rolls and Kip Wells and Jose Contreras are below the radar screen right now.
The Reds are 13-3-1 to the under in their last 17 road games. They have gone under in all but eight of their last 31 games.
Wells is enjoying his finest stretch of the season going 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his last three starts. He one-hit the Braves in his last start at Atlanta on Sunday going six innings. Wells knows the Rockies having been with them at the start of last season.
The Rockies still may be missing their two top home run hitters, Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart. They've combined for 47 homers and 139 RBIs this season. Both have missed the last couple of games because of sore backs.
Colorado has gone under in four of its last five games. Jose Contreras was impressive in his Rockies debut on Saturday giving up one run on eight hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings versus Arizona. Contreras was struggling with the White Sox. But he's in a new league now and he's had great sessions with Colorado pitching coach Bob Apoduca, who apparently has fixed some of Contreras' mechanical flaws.
The under has cashed in six of the past seven meetings between the Reds and Rockies.
3♦ UNDER (Reds/Rockies)
Based on 1♦ to 5 ♦
Cincinnati at Colorado
Normally I wouldn't favor an under with this type of starting pitcher matchup. But these two teams are on under rolls and Kip Wells and Jose Contreras are below the radar screen right now.
The Reds are 13-3-1 to the under in their last 17 road games. They have gone under in all but eight of their last 31 games.
Wells is enjoying his finest stretch of the season going 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his last three starts. He one-hit the Braves in his last start at Atlanta on Sunday going six innings. Wells knows the Rockies having been with them at the start of last season.
The Rockies still may be missing their two top home run hitters, Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart. They've combined for 47 homers and 139 RBIs this season. Both have missed the last couple of games because of sore backs.
Colorado has gone under in four of its last five games. Jose Contreras was impressive in his Rockies debut on Saturday giving up one run on eight hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings versus Arizona. Contreras was struggling with the White Sox. But he's in a new league now and he's had great sessions with Colorado pitching coach Bob Apoduca, who apparently has fixed some of Contreras' mechanical flaws.
The under has cashed in six of the past seven meetings between the Reds and Rockies.
3♦ UNDER (Reds/Rockies)
Based on 1♦ to 5 ♦
Craig Davis
Now that's what I call getting back on the winning track!! Two rather big plays in the last two days (a 30-dime and 40-dime winner on the diamond) have pushed my season baseball dime total to near 300... just what I expected. But tonight I'm taking a break from the bases to give you a solid NFL opener between Pittsburgh and Tennessee. I've been handicapping this game for over a week now and I know I have the right side... do you want to play this game guessing or do you want a proven NFL winner on your side?
Tonight's Bonus Play winner is in college football on the Clemson Tigers. Just like last night's 4? Bonus Play winner on the Cardinals, I believe I have the right side of tonight's NCAA football game and I'm going to run my Bonus Play record to 38-12 in my last 50 Bonus Plays. Clemson's public perception is that they lost too much to graduation to compete this season. The funny thing about college football is the pre-season hype... it's rarely right. Remember last year? Clemson was a pre-season top 10 team, only to get clubbed by Alabama in Week 1 and they would never recover. This season, Clemson is laughed at when talked about in terms of the top 25, but I believe the offensive line is better, CJ Spiller is more experienced, and the defense returns more than half of last year's starters. Though I don't expect them to win the ACC, I do expect them to compete and finish better than the critics say they will. Georgia Tech was less-than-impressive in the first half last week in a 37-17 win over Jacksonville State. Not necessarily for the score, but for the turnovers they gave away and failed to get... the penalties, and the lack of offensive toughness. Tell me this... why is Georgia Tech ranked 15th in the country, playing at home facing an unranked team, and only favored by 5 points? Something's not right, and I'm calling for a potential upset. If Clemson doesn't win this game outright, they keep it within a field goal and we get a win.
2? CLEMSON on a 1? to 5 Scale
Now that's what I call getting back on the winning track!! Two rather big plays in the last two days (a 30-dime and 40-dime winner on the diamond) have pushed my season baseball dime total to near 300... just what I expected. But tonight I'm taking a break from the bases to give you a solid NFL opener between Pittsburgh and Tennessee. I've been handicapping this game for over a week now and I know I have the right side... do you want to play this game guessing or do you want a proven NFL winner on your side?
Tonight's Bonus Play winner is in college football on the Clemson Tigers. Just like last night's 4? Bonus Play winner on the Cardinals, I believe I have the right side of tonight's NCAA football game and I'm going to run my Bonus Play record to 38-12 in my last 50 Bonus Plays. Clemson's public perception is that they lost too much to graduation to compete this season. The funny thing about college football is the pre-season hype... it's rarely right. Remember last year? Clemson was a pre-season top 10 team, only to get clubbed by Alabama in Week 1 and they would never recover. This season, Clemson is laughed at when talked about in terms of the top 25, but I believe the offensive line is better, CJ Spiller is more experienced, and the defense returns more than half of last year's starters. Though I don't expect them to win the ACC, I do expect them to compete and finish better than the critics say they will. Georgia Tech was less-than-impressive in the first half last week in a 37-17 win over Jacksonville State. Not necessarily for the score, but for the turnovers they gave away and failed to get... the penalties, and the lack of offensive toughness. Tell me this... why is Georgia Tech ranked 15th in the country, playing at home facing an unranked team, and only favored by 5 points? Something's not right, and I'm calling for a potential upset. If Clemson doesn't win this game outright, they keep it within a field goal and we get a win.
2? CLEMSON on a 1? to 5 Scale
Big Al McMordie
Tonight's series finale in Anaheim betwee the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels will be a scoring bonanza. Play the M's and Halos on the high side of this total.
Our Thursday night MLB selection is on the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels going over the total in Anaheim.
Most people take it for granted that when they look at the AL standings they will see the Los Angeles Angels at the top of the West Division. And that may be where they are today, but folks may forget that it took them about three months to get there as they were not in first place until the beginning of July. Now that they're where most people are used to seeing them, they will have to fight hard to keep it that way for another month as Texas simply refuses to go away, sitting only four games behind right now with less than a month to go.
All the more reason for veterans like John Lackey to step up in games like this as Seattle would love to play the part of spoiler and lefthander Ryan Rowland-Smith would like nothing better than to prove that he belongs in the Mariners rotation heading into next season.
It seems that the Mariners bats usually come out for Smith, especially when he's pitching on the road. In his four road starts this season, the Mariners have averaged exactly six runs and they've needed to do that because the Australian's road ERA in those four starts is over two runs higher than his home ERA (5.23 vs. 3.21). And in those four road starts, the total runs have been 44 or an average of 11 runs per game. Take the Over.
Free Pick: Mariners-Angels Over 8 (-110)
Tonight's series finale in Anaheim betwee the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels will be a scoring bonanza. Play the M's and Halos on the high side of this total.
Our Thursday night MLB selection is on the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels going over the total in Anaheim.
Most people take it for granted that when they look at the AL standings they will see the Los Angeles Angels at the top of the West Division. And that may be where they are today, but folks may forget that it took them about three months to get there as they were not in first place until the beginning of July. Now that they're where most people are used to seeing them, they will have to fight hard to keep it that way for another month as Texas simply refuses to go away, sitting only four games behind right now with less than a month to go.
All the more reason for veterans like John Lackey to step up in games like this as Seattle would love to play the part of spoiler and lefthander Ryan Rowland-Smith would like nothing better than to prove that he belongs in the Mariners rotation heading into next season.
It seems that the Mariners bats usually come out for Smith, especially when he's pitching on the road. In his four road starts this season, the Mariners have averaged exactly six runs and they've needed to do that because the Australian's road ERA in those four starts is over two runs higher than his home ERA (5.23 vs. 3.21). And in those four road starts, the total runs have been 44 or an average of 11 runs per game. Take the Over.
Free Pick: Mariners-Angels Over 8 (-110)
Jimmy the Moose
Minnesota made up ground on the Tigers in the AL Central with a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, and now have Scott Baker on the mound for the series finale.
The Minnesota Twins are 70-69 on the season and currently sit six games behind the Tigers for the top spot in the AL Central. The Twins bats have kept them in the race this season, their arms have failed them. This afternoon they send Scott Baker to the mound and he's been alright this season.
Baker is 13-7 on the season with an ERA of 4.34. He comes into this game with an ERA of 2.25 over his last three starts, all Minnesota wins. The Twins are 5-0 in his last five starts and 6-0 in his last six starts as a road favorite. In his last 26 starts as a favorite the Twins are 19-7. Minnesota is 7-3 in their last 10 games as a favorite.
Early in the season – I mean very early – the Blue Jays were on fire and people were talking about them battling the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East. A look at the standings today show the Jays with a 62-77 record and 28 games behind the Yankees in the division.
The Jays are 7-18 in their last 25 games overall and in their last 60 games as an underdog they are 19-41. Toronto is 2-6 in their last eight games as a home dog, The Blue Jays send Brett Cecil to the mound and he's struggled this season. His ERA on the year is 5.46, but over his last three starts it's 10.66. The Jays have lost five of his last seven home starts and are 2-6 in his last eight as a dog.
The Twins have struggled when facing the Blue Jays going 2-8 in their last 10 trips to Toronto. Minnesota has more to play for in this one and they'll take it in Toronto.
Free Pick: Twins -135
Minnesota made up ground on the Tigers in the AL Central with a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, and now have Scott Baker on the mound for the series finale.
The Minnesota Twins are 70-69 on the season and currently sit six games behind the Tigers for the top spot in the AL Central. The Twins bats have kept them in the race this season, their arms have failed them. This afternoon they send Scott Baker to the mound and he's been alright this season.
Baker is 13-7 on the season with an ERA of 4.34. He comes into this game with an ERA of 2.25 over his last three starts, all Minnesota wins. The Twins are 5-0 in his last five starts and 6-0 in his last six starts as a road favorite. In his last 26 starts as a favorite the Twins are 19-7. Minnesota is 7-3 in their last 10 games as a favorite.
Early in the season – I mean very early – the Blue Jays were on fire and people were talking about them battling the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East. A look at the standings today show the Jays with a 62-77 record and 28 games behind the Yankees in the division.
The Jays are 7-18 in their last 25 games overall and in their last 60 games as an underdog they are 19-41. Toronto is 2-6 in their last eight games as a home dog, The Blue Jays send Brett Cecil to the mound and he's struggled this season. His ERA on the year is 5.46, but over his last three starts it's 10.66. The Jays have lost five of his last seven home starts and are 2-6 in his last eight as a dog.
The Twins have struggled when facing the Blue Jays going 2-8 in their last 10 trips to Toronto. Minnesota has more to play for in this one and they'll take it in Toronto.
Free Pick: Twins -135
EZWINNERS
EZ'S FREE SELECTION
Game: Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
(903) Philadelphia Phillies -1.5
(Listing Blanton and Hernandez)
The Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton has now had eleven straight quality starts. Blanton is opposed by the National's Livian Hernandez who only has two quality starts in his last six outings. The Phillies have already roughed up Hernandez once this season to the tune of ten hits and seven earned runs in only three innings pitched and I see no reason why they won't do the same in this match up. The Phillies are now 17-5 in their last 22 games at Washington. Play Philadelphia on the runline.
2009 Free Selections Record 130-111 (53.9)
EZ'S FREE SELECTION
Game: Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
(903) Philadelphia Phillies -1.5
(Listing Blanton and Hernandez)
The Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton has now had eleven straight quality starts. Blanton is opposed by the National's Livian Hernandez who only has two quality starts in his last six outings. The Phillies have already roughed up Hernandez once this season to the tune of ten hits and seven earned runs in only three innings pitched and I see no reason why they won't do the same in this match up. The Phillies are now 17-5 in their last 22 games at Washington. Play Philadelphia on the runline.
2009 Free Selections Record 130-111 (53.9)
John Ryan
Game: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Atlanta as they face Houston set to start at 8:05 EST. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 122-77 making 58.5 units with the average play a +111 DOG. Play against any team that is a bad offensive team scoring <=4.1 runs/game facing an average NL starting pitcher sporting an ERA=4.20 to 5.20 and a WHIP of 1.250 or better on the season. Oswalt starts for Houston tonight and he is having a decent season, but has been suffering from a lower back ailment for at least the last month. He throws FB, curve, and slider. Specifically, he throws FB 68% and 78% when behind in the count. Batters are hitting 274 on the FB. He is certainly one of the very rare RH pitchers that will challenge LH hitters with a curve ball. He throws that curve 22% of the time to LH hitters and only 14% to RH. He does throw a below average change to LH hitters as well. The Braves have the type of hitters that can work the counts in their favor and get favorable hitting opportunities. Take the Braves.
Game: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Atlanta as they face Houston set to start at 8:05 EST. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 122-77 making 58.5 units with the average play a +111 DOG. Play against any team that is a bad offensive team scoring <=4.1 runs/game facing an average NL starting pitcher sporting an ERA=4.20 to 5.20 and a WHIP of 1.250 or better on the season. Oswalt starts for Houston tonight and he is having a decent season, but has been suffering from a lower back ailment for at least the last month. He throws FB, curve, and slider. Specifically, he throws FB 68% and 78% when behind in the count. Batters are hitting 274 on the FB. He is certainly one of the very rare RH pitchers that will challenge LH hitters with a curve ball. He throws that curve 22% of the time to LH hitters and only 14% to RH. He does throw a below average change to LH hitters as well. The Braves have the type of hitters that can work the counts in their favor and get favorable hitting opportunities. Take the Braves.
Ben Burns
Game: Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
The final meeting in the season series between the Mariners and Angels is expected to pit Seattle southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith against LA right-hander John Lackey. I expect that matchup to favor the Angles.
Lackey got off to a slow start this season. In fact, his ERA was above six in mid-June and was still a lofty 5.18 in the first week of July. However, it's been steadily coming down ever since. He enters this game with a 9-7 record and a respectable 3.74 ERA. Keep in mind that this guy was 58-30 the past four years (incl. 19-9 in 2007) with his ERA never above 3.75. In other words, he knows how to pitch! That's certainly been the case lately. In fact, in his last two starts, Lackey has allowed just a single run through 17 complete innings. That's a 0.53 ERA.
With all due respect to Smith, who has been solid for the Mariners, he's not currently pitching quite as well as Lackey. Other than his first start (when he allowed two unearned runs in 3.1 innings) Smith has allowed two earned runs or more in all of his starts this season. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that - it's just difficult when the opposing pitcher is allowing 0 or 1 runs. Making things even more difficult for Smith, who has a poor 5.23 ERA on the road, the Angels have a much better hitting lineup than the Mariners - and they're playing in front of their home fans. Consider laying the wood with LA
Game: Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
The final meeting in the season series between the Mariners and Angels is expected to pit Seattle southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith against LA right-hander John Lackey. I expect that matchup to favor the Angles.
Lackey got off to a slow start this season. In fact, his ERA was above six in mid-June and was still a lofty 5.18 in the first week of July. However, it's been steadily coming down ever since. He enters this game with a 9-7 record and a respectable 3.74 ERA. Keep in mind that this guy was 58-30 the past four years (incl. 19-9 in 2007) with his ERA never above 3.75. In other words, he knows how to pitch! That's certainly been the case lately. In fact, in his last two starts, Lackey has allowed just a single run through 17 complete innings. That's a 0.53 ERA.
With all due respect to Smith, who has been solid for the Mariners, he's not currently pitching quite as well as Lackey. Other than his first start (when he allowed two unearned runs in 3.1 innings) Smith has allowed two earned runs or more in all of his starts this season. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that - it's just difficult when the opposing pitcher is allowing 0 or 1 runs. Making things even more difficult for Smith, who has a poor 5.23 ERA on the road, the Angels have a much better hitting lineup than the Mariners - and they're playing in front of their home fans. Consider laying the wood with LA
JR TIPS
Braves at Astros
With the way the Atlanta Braves are hitting these days, the pitchers have had a heavy burden to shut down the opposition and the Brave's pitchers had been up to the task against the Houston Astros this week until the ninth inning of the second game of the series. Another low-scoring affair could be in order tonight veteran's Derek Lowe and Roy Oswalt match up in Houston as the Braves seek their first series win in more than two weeks. Atlanta has dropped it's last six of seven with its offense producing hardley nothing at the plate in the last six. The Braves have scored three runs or fewer in all six of those games while batting .153 and striking out 52 times. Houston ace Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.77 ERA) allowed two runs and four hits while striking out eight against Philadelphia Saturday but the Braves are the only NL opponent besides Houston that the right-hander has never beaten as he is 0-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts.Lowe (13-9, 4.36) is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA in eight starts against the Astros, including a 7-2 win at home May 1st when he yielded two runs over 6 2/3 innings. The right-handed sinkerballer limited Cincinnati to three runs over seven innings last Friday. Both of these teams have been inemic at the plate and facing these veteran pitchers won't help either team tonight.
TAKE UNDER 7.5
Braves at Astros
With the way the Atlanta Braves are hitting these days, the pitchers have had a heavy burden to shut down the opposition and the Brave's pitchers had been up to the task against the Houston Astros this week until the ninth inning of the second game of the series. Another low-scoring affair could be in order tonight veteran's Derek Lowe and Roy Oswalt match up in Houston as the Braves seek their first series win in more than two weeks. Atlanta has dropped it's last six of seven with its offense producing hardley nothing at the plate in the last six. The Braves have scored three runs or fewer in all six of those games while batting .153 and striking out 52 times. Houston ace Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.77 ERA) allowed two runs and four hits while striking out eight against Philadelphia Saturday but the Braves are the only NL opponent besides Houston that the right-hander has never beaten as he is 0-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts.Lowe (13-9, 4.36) is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA in eight starts against the Astros, including a 7-2 win at home May 1st when he yielded two runs over 6 2/3 innings. The right-handed sinkerballer limited Cincinnati to three runs over seven innings last Friday. Both of these teams have been inemic at the plate and facing these veteran pitchers won't help either team tonight.
TAKE UNDER 7.5
