Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Wednesday
A wash on the Reds F5 Tuesday Bonus Play. The Reds probably should have gotten a fourth-inning run but there was some apparent miscommunication between Joey Votto and his third base coach, and he got nailed by a wide margin at home plate. Weird play as a base hit had gotten by the Texas RF, which would have allowed to Votto to score. But either the coach flashed the sign too late or Votto missed it. So he slowed to almost a stop at third base and then decided to go, and let’s just say it wasn’t close. But I can live with the push. Here’s one for the weekend in the NFL.
279 CARDINALS at 280 TEXANS (Sunday) 4:00 PM
Take: CARDINALS +1
It’s “dress rehearsal” week in the NFL with most teams expected to have their regulars on the field for a good amount of time. That also means more actual game planning than in the other exhibition games for the majority of NFL teams. But that really doesn’t mean a great deal to me from an analytical standpoint, as the games still don’t count and they really aren’t played as though they do.
That said, I love seeing information that gives me a clue as to a team’s mindset for its upcoming game. The games I’ve done best with this pre-season have been those where there were revealing quotes involved. Here’s one that is as plain as day for this week. This one is from Arizona GM Steve Keim.
“We can’t just go out there when the season starts and turn the switch on.”
The Cardinals first team offense has been really dull in the first two games. It sure sounds like there’s a sense of urgency here, and that’s coming from the top of the food chain as far as team management is concerned. It might only be a pre-season game that doesn’t count. But the last game this team played that did count was brutal and the comments here indicate that there’s a feeling that the team needs to get something positive accomplished this week. That might not be so easy against a tough looking Houston defense. But if Arizona is treating this game with what at least sounds like close to regular season focus, then I am definitely willing to back the Cardinals this weekend.
Bonus Play Wednesday
A wash on the Reds F5 Tuesday Bonus Play. The Reds probably should have gotten a fourth-inning run but there was some apparent miscommunication between Joey Votto and his third base coach, and he got nailed by a wide margin at home plate. Weird play as a base hit had gotten by the Texas RF, which would have allowed to Votto to score. But either the coach flashed the sign too late or Votto missed it. So he slowed to almost a stop at third base and then decided to go, and let’s just say it wasn’t close. But I can live with the push. Here’s one for the weekend in the NFL.
279 CARDINALS at 280 TEXANS (Sunday) 4:00 PM
Take: CARDINALS +1
It’s “dress rehearsal” week in the NFL with most teams expected to have their regulars on the field for a good amount of time. That also means more actual game planning than in the other exhibition games for the majority of NFL teams. But that really doesn’t mean a great deal to me from an analytical standpoint, as the games still don’t count and they really aren’t played as though they do.
That said, I love seeing information that gives me a clue as to a team’s mindset for its upcoming game. The games I’ve done best with this pre-season have been those where there were revealing quotes involved. Here’s one that is as plain as day for this week. This one is from Arizona GM Steve Keim.
“We can’t just go out there when the season starts and turn the switch on.”
The Cardinals first team offense has been really dull in the first two games. It sure sounds like there’s a sense of urgency here, and that’s coming from the top of the food chain as far as team management is concerned. It might only be a pre-season game that doesn’t count. But the last game this team played that did count was brutal and the comments here indicate that there’s a feeling that the team needs to get something positive accomplished this week. That might not be so easy against a tough looking Houston defense. But if Arizona is treating this game with what at least sounds like close to regular season focus, then I am definitely willing to back the Cardinals this weekend.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Wednesday, August 24, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the Kansas City Royals and the Marlins from Miami. This is a big park, great for pitchers, and a pair of struggling offenses meet. Kansas City ranks #25 in runs scored in baseball. The Under is 18-7-1 when the Royals face a team with a winning record, plus a 15-5-2 run under the total overall. Miami ranks #21 in runs scored and goes with ace Jose Fernandez (12-7, 3.05 ERA). He has a 9-2 record and a 2.07 ERA at home and the Under is 8-2 in his last 10 starts with 5 days of rest.
Play Kansas City/Miami Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Wednesday, August 24, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the Kansas City Royals and the Marlins from Miami. This is a big park, great for pitchers, and a pair of struggling offenses meet. Kansas City ranks #25 in runs scored in baseball. The Under is 18-7-1 when the Royals face a team with a winning record, plus a 15-5-2 run under the total overall. Miami ranks #21 in runs scored and goes with ace Jose Fernandez (12-7, 3.05 ERA). He has a 9-2 record and a 2.07 ERA at home and the Under is 8-2 in his last 10 starts with 5 days of rest.
Play Kansas City/Miami Under the total.
Art Aronson
TEX vs CIN
1* Bonus Play UNDER Rangers/Reds.
Setting the scene: The Reds pulled off the 3-0 victory on Tuesday, as Dan Straily would go on to continue his surprisingly strong season, getting the better of Rangers’ veteran Derek Holland. We think runs will be at a premium tonight as well.
Yu Darvish: He’s 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA. He comes in off a gem vs. Oakland on Wednesday, holding the A’s to two runs and a walk while going on to strike out nine. In his last six starts he’s given up four walks compared to 48 strikeouts.
Tim Adleman: He’s 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA. He most recently held the Dodgers scoreless over five frames on Friday. The rookie has been pretty good in his limited time to this point, note that he’s now 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA at home.
The bottom line: Recent performance suggests that these two hurlers will battle it out into the latter frames, making the UNDER a very legitimate investment option.
AAA Sports
TEX vs CIN
1* Bonus Play UNDER Rangers/Reds.
Setting the scene: The Reds pulled off the 3-0 victory on Tuesday, as Dan Straily would go on to continue his surprisingly strong season, getting the better of Rangers’ veteran Derek Holland. We think runs will be at a premium tonight as well.
Yu Darvish: He’s 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA. He comes in off a gem vs. Oakland on Wednesday, holding the A’s to two runs and a walk while going on to strike out nine. In his last six starts he’s given up four walks compared to 48 strikeouts.
Tim Adleman: He’s 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA. He most recently held the Dodgers scoreless over five frames on Friday. The rookie has been pretty good in his limited time to this point, note that he’s now 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA at home.
The bottom line: Recent performance suggests that these two hurlers will battle it out into the latter frames, making the UNDER a very legitimate investment option.
AAA Sports
Marc Lawrence
Orioles vs Nationals
Play - Washington Nationals w/Roark vs Miley
Edges - Nationals: Tanner Roark 14-5 as a favorite this season; and 6-1 with 2.51 ERA and 1.07 WHIP last 7 starts. Orioles: Wade Miley 2-6 with 5.95 ERA last eight team starts. With Roark sporting a 2.44 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP at home this season, we recommend a 1* play on Washington. Thanks and good luck as always.
Orioles vs Nationals
Play - Washington Nationals w/Roark vs Miley
Edges - Nationals: Tanner Roark 14-5 as a favorite this season; and 6-1 with 2.51 ERA and 1.07 WHIP last 7 starts. Orioles: Wade Miley 2-6 with 5.95 ERA last eight team starts. With Roark sporting a 2.44 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP at home this season, we recommend a 1* play on Washington. Thanks and good luck as always.
