Fantasy Sports Gametime
100* Play Minnesota (-160) over Cleveland
Minnesota has won 29 of the last 40 games as a favorite of -125 to -175 and they have also won 29 of the last 43 games when playing on a Friday. Francisco Liriano has won 7 of the last 8 games after not allowing an earned run in his last outing and he is 3-0 over the last 3 starts with an ERA 0.00.
50* Play Chicago White Sox (-160) over Baltimore
Baltimore has lost 76 of the last 102 games as an underdog of +150 or higher and they have also lost 25 of the last 35 games vs. left-handed starting pitchers. Bradley Bergesen has lost 20 of the last 24 games as an underdog of +100 or higher and he is 0-2 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 7.79.
50* Play Texas (-160) over Oakland
Texas pitcher, Cliff Lee has won 6 of the last 7 games as a favorite of -150 or higher and he has also won 9 of the last 11 games when playing in the month of August. Cliff Lee is 4-2 vs. Oakland over his career with an ERA of 2.33 and he has an ERA of 2.51 in all starts this season.
100* Play Montreal (-7) over Saskatchewan
Montreal has won 13 of the last 15 games vs. Saskatchewan at home and they have also won 11 of the last 13 games coming off an UNDER the total. Montreal has won 14 of the last 16 games coming off a win by 20 points or more and they are only allowing an average of 12 points a game on defense this season.
BIG AL
Reds / Cubs Under
ASA
9* Cincinnati
Dave Cokin
Baltimore Orioles
Philadelphia Phillies
Teddy Covers
Astros / Brewers Over 8.5
Kevin Rogers
Astros at Brewers
Pick: Astros
The easy pick here would be to side with the Brewers, returning home to avenge a three-game sweep at Houston last weekend. That isn't the smart way to go, as the Astros have been fantastic over the last eight games, winning seven times. Coincidentally, six of those wins have come since the trades of Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, as the losses of those veterans have clearly not affected the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez has been terrific since the end of June, as Houston has won six of his last seven starts, including two over the Brewers. Dave Bush has been on the losing end of those two defeats to Rodriguez and the Astros, while Milwaukee is 2-5 his previous seven outings. I'll take the hotter pitcher at plus money and side with the Astros.
KIKI SPORTS
2 Units Tampa Bay -120
1 Unit Colorado -136
1 Unit Texas -155
Craig Davis
30 Dime Reds
Sometimes it's not about what the starting pitching looks like on paper... it's about one team playing well vs. another team that's struggling. We have a classic case of that right here. The Reds lead the NL Central and have had no trouble winning series lately, but they still lack that one huge winning streak that would give them some distance between the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. Manage Dusty Baker said he feels like this team is on the verge of doing just that with this weekend series against the Cubs.
The Reds are looking to beat the Cubs for the sixth time in the last seven games tonight and are hoping to win their 11th series in 13 attempts. Yep, they're 10-1-1 in their last 12 series, and considering they have a tough three-game set with the Cardinals coming up, they need to take care of business tonight and the rest of the weekend. The funny thing about the Reds is, they haven't had a winning streak longer than 5 games all season yet they are 61-48 on the year.
The Reds lead the NL with 536 runs scored and a .438 slugging percentage and have done plenty of damage against the Cubs this year... 15 homers, 20 doubles and a .381 batting average winning 7 of their 10 meetings. They'll have to contend with lefty Tom Gorzelanny (6-5, 3.48 ERA) who is not pitching his best right now. He allowed 5 earned runs in just over five innings of work in Colorado in his last outing and has allowed 8 ERs in his last two starts.
Cincy counters with Bronson Arroyo (11-6, 4.01 ERA) who didn't surrender an earned run in his last start vs. the Cubs and is 8-6 lifetime vs. the Northsiders with an ERA under 3.00. His last start saw him allow two unearned runs and four hits in seven innings of a 5-2 win over the Braves on Sunday. He's 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA in his last five starts vs. the Cubs with a 0.69 ERA in his last two starts at Wrigley.
This game has Reds rout written all over it... and that's why they're my one-and-only play of the day.
Hot Shots
5* Colorado Over (TOM)
3* San Fran Under
3* S Diego
MTi Sports
5* GOY Florida
Rocketman
4* Boston +140
3* Colorado -140
3* Houston +110
3* San Diego+100
ACCU Picks
3'* San Diego
Tony George
St. Louis -145
The Cards are 23-8 on Friday openers their last 31 series. They get out of the gate fast. I know Nolasco has been hot and at home he is solid, but have a feeling Wainwright gets it done with a hotter team right now. The Marlins have dropped 4 straight and St Louis is a better team. Although the bullpen has been weak as of late for the Cards, Wainwright is a 5 or 7 inning pitcher and I like their chances with him against a team who are back on their heels tonight. Trap line for Florida, stats say you should take them, but stats are not playing, Cards a better team. Play 1 Unit on St. Louis.
JR O'Donnell
3* St Louis - 140
60- 48 St Louis and 15-6 over all hurler The rock Adam Wainwright gets our call & he comes into the ball game tonight on fire as he is 3-1 lifetime vs. the Marlins and a smooth 2.61 era as of late.The Fish will send out a poor R. Nolasco who is a terrible 0-3 in 24 + innings and close to a 6 ERA. The Cards are the sharp side here as R Nolasco is actually better on the road than @ home. The Cards have put up close to 5 runs a game since the break and are a smooth 13-7 since the All-Star break. The Cards are the Power play side here as they are a 3+ run difference tonight
Power Play Wins
Milwaukee