Carlo Campanella
Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers
Play: Cleveland Browns +3
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Former Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini was 3-1 SU during last year's exhibition season with New York. He's now in his first year in Cleveland and has brought most of his staff with him. You can be sure that he wants Browns ownership and fans to know that he can make this team a winner and that he was the right man for the job. A win here would increase everyone’s confidence following the Browns disappointing 4-12 finish to the 2008 season.
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While Browns Quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Andersen will never be confused with the Joe Montana and Steve Young controversy years ago in San Francisco, they are both capable of being starters in the NFL- Andersen played in the Pro Bowl a few years back and Quinn lead Notre Dame to several winning seasons and Bowl games. That was the past and they must now impress the new coaching staff that they can produce in the new offensive system as they battle for the starting position. Not only will this starting battle insure that both of these guys are going to be playing their best, but that they will be splitting a lot of playing time during the Preseason.
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After a disappointing 6-10 finish last season, Green Bay hired Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers to install his 3-4 defensive system. While starting positions are up for grabs, changing from the 4-3 to the 3-4 will take some learning and may allow Cleveland’s battling QBs to mae some big plays in this preseason contest.
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7* Play On Cleveland
LARRY NESS
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Cleveland Browns @ Green Bay Packers
PICK: Cleveland Browns +3
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Eric Mangini takes over as the head coach of the Browns and he was 8-4 SU in preseason games with the Jets. The Browns have a real QB 'battle' in the preseason, as Derek Anderson will try and hold off Brady Quinn. Anderson was terrific in 2007 (3, 787 passing yards with 29 TDs and 19 INTs / 82.5 rating) but his numbers fell way off in 2008, as he fought injuries (1, 615 yards with 9 TDs and 8 INTs / 66.5 rating). I'm not completely sold on Quinn but expect both QBs to "work hard" while they are on the field. Aaron Rodgers did an admirable job replacing Brett Favre last year (63.6 percent for 4, 038 yards with 28 TDs and 13 INTs / 93.8 rating) but the fact remains that the Packers went from 13-3 to 6-10. After a 4-3 start, the Packers lost SEVEN of their final nine games (six losses came by 3, 3, 1, 4, 3 and 4 points!). I believe the Packers have an excellent chance at winning the North Division this year but in Week 1 of the preseason, I don't expect much of an effort. I surely don't expect to see much of Rodgers and after him, the Packers have no one. I'm taking the points with Mangini in his Cleveland debut.
Marc Lawrence
Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Washington Nationals
Johnny Cueto and the Reds host the Nats at All American Ballpark in Cincinnati Saturday night in a matchup of two teams going nowhere this post-season. Cueto enters tonight game 1-6 with a 9.57 ERA in his last seven team starts, including 4 losses in a row. He is also 1-6 in his career team starts in August. Thanks to Cueto, the Reds are the worst team in the majors on Saturdays at 4-14 this season, as he's come up a loser in all 4 of his Saturday starts. The bottom line is with Cueto unraveling with each and every start, Cincinnati simply doesn't warrant laying this kind of price. Grab the Nats here tonight.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Giants/Mets UNDER 7
The Giants and the Mets combined for only 3 runs Friday with Zito and Parnell on the hill so I'll certainly give this matchup a go on the under again Saturday with Santana and Cain facing off. Cain comes in at 12-4 with an ERA of 2.44 and Santana enters at 13-8 with an ERA of 3.00. Plus, Santana has been nearly unhittable at home, going 8-2 with an ERA of 2.07 and Cain has been better than good on the road, going 6-2 with an ERA of 2.51. With these aces going, I expect another low scoring affair.
Jim Feist
Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers
Play: Under 8½
Comerica Park is a large place, friendly for pitchers and partly explains the Tigers' offense struggles in 2009. Kansas City comes to town with a weak offense and a live young arm in Luke Hochevar, who has 18 Ks his last 18 innings. Detroit goes with Edwin Jackson (2.79 ERA), who has been sharp most of the year. Don't look for many runs in this one, play the Royals/Tigers Under the total.
SPORTS ADVISORS
Atlanta at Detroit
The top two quarterbacks taken in the past two NFL drafts meet at Ford Field, with Lions rookie Matthew Stafford seeing his first pro action against the Falcons and reigning Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan.
Ryan, whose first NFL throw in regular-season action last year was a touchdown pass against Detroit, will start tonight and may play the entire first quarter. Coach Mike Smith said his other three passers – Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley and rookie John Parker Wilson – will also play one quarter.
Stafford will have to wait a bit to make his NFL debut, as new Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that veteran Daunte Culpepper will start under center and play into the second quarter before giving way to Stafford. Third-string QB Drew Stanton will finish up.
The Falcons covered in three of four preseason contests in Smith’s first season at the helm last year (2-2 SU), including going 2-0 ATS on the road. Atlanta hasn’t had a losing preseason in any of the last four summers, going 11-6 SU and 11-5-1 ATS. Also, the Falcons have been a very profitable ‘dog during this stretch, going 8-2 ATS.
The Lions’ 2008 preseason was as successful as their regular season was not, as they preceded their record 0-16 campaign with a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS mark in exhibition play. Detroit started off by winning its third consecutive preseason opener – 13-10 over the Giants as a 2½-point home chalk – and finished with three convincing victories over the Bengals (27-10), Browns (26-6) and Bills (14-6). Then the Lions began their winless regular season with a 34-21 loss at Atlanta as a 3½-point road favorite.
Prior to cashing in both games as a favorite last summer, the Lions had failed to cover in five straight August contests as a chalk.
The under is 5-2 in the Falcons’ last seven preseason contests, 4-1 in Detroit’s last five in the summer and 6-3 in the last nine overall meetings between these clubs (1-1 in the preseason).
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Chicago at Buffalo (0-1, 0-0-1 ATS)
The Jay Cutler era commences for the Bears, who travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium to battle the Bills.
Cutler, who was traded from Denver in the offseason, will start tonight but is only expected to participate for about 15 snaps, while the rest of the first-stringers on both sides of the ball are slated to play into the second quarter. Behind Cutler are inexperienced passers Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez.
Trent Edwards, who went 3-for-4 for 13 yards and an INT in Sunday’s 21-18 loss to the Titans in the Hall of Fame Game, is expected to play about as much as last week and maybe “a few more plays” coach Dick Jauron said. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the No. 2 quarterback, followed by Matt Baker and Gibran Hamdan. Newly acquired WR Terrell Owens (injury) will sit out.
The Bears are 11-10 SU and 9-11-1 ATS in five preseasons for coach Lovie Smith, including 1-3 SU and ATS last year. However, Chicago has won and covered three of its last four exhibition roadies and is 6-3 ATS as a preseason pup under Smith.
The Bills, who fell behind 21-3 to Tennessee on Sunday, got a miracle spread-push as a three-point underdog when the Titans took an intentional safety on the final play of the game. Since Jauron took over as coach in 2005, Buffalo is 0-5 SU and ATS in preseason home games, all as a favorite. In fact, the Bills are 1-7 ATS as a favorite since 2005.
Although the Hall of Fame Game flew over the total, the under is still 7-3 in Buffalo’s last 10 preseason contests. Conversely, Chicago has topped the posted total in its first three exhibition games each of the last two years.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Tampa Bay at Tennessee (1-0, 0-0-1 ATS)
The Bucs and new coach Raheem Morris travel north to LP Field for their preseason opener against the Titans.
Tampa Bay remains unsettled at the quarterback position, but Morris has tabbed veteran Luke McCown as the starter tonight. McCown will be on the field for 12-15 plays, and Morris said the plan is the same for newcomer Byron Leftwich, who will follow McCown. Rookie Josh Freeman will start the second half with second-year pro Josh Johnson also playing down the stretch.
Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said QB Kerry Collins, who led Tennessee to two touchdown drives in last week’s 21-18 victory over Buffalo in the Hall of Fame Game, and the rest of the starters will likely play one more series than they did against the Bills. Vince Young, who was shaky in Sunday’s contest, will once again replace Collins and play through the third quarter with the second-string. Veteran Patrick Ramsey will be the third quarterback off the bench, with rookie Alex Mortensen possibly finishing the contest.
The Buccaneers went 3-1 SU and ATS in each of the past two preseasons under former coach Jon Gruden. Last year, Tampa Bay scored upsets in each of its two exhibition road games, and it has won seven consecutive preseason openers, going 7-0 ATS.
The Titans are now on a 7-2 roll in preseason play since 2007, but just 4-4-1 ATS. Tennessee swept its two preseason home contests in 2008, but is just 2-6 ATS at LP Field in August dating to 2005 and 2-7-1 ATS as an exhibition chalk during this stretch.
The over is 5-2 in Tampa’s last seven exhibition games and 6-2 in Tennessee’s last eight.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TAMPA BAY
Houston at Kansas City
The Texans will try to open the preseason with a victory for the third time in the last four years when they trek to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the new-look Chiefs.
Houston coach Gary Kubiak announced that his starters, including QB Matt Schaub, will be on the field for 12-15 snaps in the first quarter. The second-string, led by veteran QB Dan Orlovsky, will play through the third quarter, with former Bears starting quarterback Rex Grossman guiding the third-team for the duration of the game.
New chiefs coach Todd Haley suggested that his starters, including new No. 1 quarterback Matt Cassel, could play 1½ quarters. Brodie Croyle is battling with Tyler Thigpen for the No. 2 spot, while Matt Gutierrez is fourth on the depth chart.
The Texans went 2-2 SU each of the last two summers (4-3-1 ATS) and they’re 7-5 SU and 7-3-2 ATS since Kubiak took over in 2006, going 5-1 ATS on the road, all as an underdog. They’re also 2-1 SU (1-1-1 ATS) in Week 1 under Kubiak.
The Chiefs split their four preseason contests last year (1-3 ATS), but have otherwise had little success in August in recent years, going 5-15 SU and 4-16 ATS since 2004. During this five-year stretch, Kansas City is 3-7 ATS at home, 2-7 ATS as a chalk and 1-4 ATS in preseason openers.
Kansas City topped the total in three of four summer games last year, and the over is 3-0 in its last three preseason home games. Also, the over is 7-1 for Houston over the last two exhibition campaigns.
ATS ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON and OVER
Cleveland at Green Bay
New coach Eric Mangini takes the field with the Browns for the first time as they invade Lambeau Field for a clash with the Packers.
Mangini this week listed Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn as co-starting quarterbacks, meaning he’s not close to deciding whom he’ll put under center when the regular season begins. And while he told both passers on Friday who would start and how long each would play, he did not make that information public. Both figure to see significant action, with third-stringer Brett Ratliff moping up.
Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t forthcoming on his plans for this contest, but expect Aaron Rodgers, beginning his second season in charge of the Packers’ offense, to start and play a handful of series Rodgers is backed up by second-year pros Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm.
The Browns went winless in the preseason last year (0-4 SU and ATS) after going 11-5 SU and 12-4 ATS the previous four summers, including 6-2 SU and ATS on the road and 8-2 ATS as an underdog. On the bright side, Mangini won eight of his 12 preseason contests as coach of the Jets from 2006-08, going 4-1 ATS on the road.
The Packers haven’t had a winning August since 2002, and they’re 4-8 (5-7 ATS) in three years under McCarthy. Last year, Green Bay lost both of its preseason home games and it has split the cash in its two Lambeau contests each of the last five preseasons.
The over is 9-3 for Green Bay in the preseason under McCarthy (5-1 at home). However, the under is 6-3 in Cleveland’s last nine August outings (3-1 on the road).
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND
Seattle at San Diego
The Jim Mora era commences at Qualcomm Stadium as the coach guides the Seahawks against the Chargers.
Mora wasn’t specific about playing time for this contest, but did hint that veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck would only be on the field for a series or two. Veteran backup Seneca Wallace will take over for Hasselbeck and see time with the first-team offensive line. Jeff Rowe and rookie Mike Teel, who are battling for the No. 3 spot, will likely split time in the second half.
San Diego coach Norv Turner refused to specify exactly how much action his starters will get against Seattle, but did say he informed his players to be prepared to play a full half. If past history is any indication, No. 1 quarterback Philip Rivers will start and play two to three series before giving way to veteran backup Billy Volek for the rest of the half, followed by third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst. One potentially big change for San Diego: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who hasn’t made a preseason appearance since 2005, said he’s “95 percent” certain he’ll be on the field – if only briefly – tonight.
Mora takes over for legendary coach Mike Holmgren, who finished his tenure in Seattle with two strong preseasons, going 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS, including six consecutive spread-covers going back to Week 3 in 2007. Since 2004, the Seahawks are 13-7 SU and ATS overall in August, 7-3 (8-2 ATS) as a visitor, 7-2 ATS when catching points and 5-1 SU and ATS in Week 1.
The Chargers went 3-1 SU in Turner’s first two preseasons, and last year they cashed in three of four exhibition contests after going 2-2 ATS each of the previous five years. San Diego has also won seven of its last eight preseason home games (5-3 ATS).
These teams have met in August each of the last three years, with the Chargers winning twice and Seattle going 2-1 ATS. In fact, since 2002, the Seahawks are on a 6-1 roll versus San Diego, including two regular-season games.
The over is 9-2 in Seattle’s last 11 preseason contests and 13-5 in the last 18. The over is also 7-3 for San Diego in preseason action since 2006.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
MLB
Boston (66-49) at Texas (64-50)
After a huge ninth-inning on Friday, the Red Sox send veteran right-hander Brad Penny (7-6, 5.16 ERA) to the hill at the Ballpark at Arlington looking for a second straight victory over the Rangers, who send lefty Derek Holland (5-7, 5.04) to the mound.
Boston scored six runs in the ninth inning, rallying for an 8-4 victory on Friday night and breaking a four-game losing streak to the Rangers, including three straight in Texas. The Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 Saturday contests, but otherwise they are still on slides of 1-6 on the road, 4-10 against teams with winning records, 4-7 overall and 2-10 on the road against teams with winning records. Meanwhile, the Rangers remain on runs of 9-3 at home, 11-4 against winning teams, 9-2 as a favorite, 7-0 as a home chalk and 7-1 against the A.L. East.
Penny has not been sharp lately, going 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in his last three games. On Monday at home, Penny allowed three runs in six innings, but his offense did the job in a 6-5 win over the Tigers. The Red Sox are just 2-6 in his last eight overall and 0-4 in his last four versus A.L. West competition.
Boston has lost Penny’s last three road starts (1-4 in his last five). His last roadie was Aug. 5 when the Rays got to him for five runs on six hits in six innings and beat the Sox 6-4. Also, Penny suffered a 5-1 to Texas in June, allowing all five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Holland is 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA in his last three starts. He threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout at the Angels on Sunday, winning 7-0. He was stellar in his last home outing as well, allowing one run on two hits in 8 2/3 innings of a 7-1 win over the Mariners, striking out 10 and walking just one.
Holland faced the Red Sox on June 6 at Fenway Park and gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-1 loss. Texas has won four straight when he faces winning teams, but it is just 1-4 when he pitches on Saturday.
Boston is riding “under” streaks of 11-5 on the road, 8-3 against southpaws, 11-3 as a road ‘dog, 6-1-1 on Saturdays and 7-3 on the road against winning teams. It’s all been “unders” for the Rangers lately, including 43-16-2 overall, 37-15-2 at home, 36-15-2 against right-handed starters, 22-4-1 as a home favorite, 4-0-1 when Holland starts and 4-1 in Holland’s last five home outings.
Finally, seven of the last eight Red Sox-Rangers clashes, including four of the last five in Texas, have stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS and UNDER
Craig Trapp
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San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets
Play: New York Mets
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Very good pitching matchup with Santana for the NYM trying to keep up his win streak. He has 4 of his last 5 games and has been almost unhittable. At home Santana has been awesome going 8-2 with a 2.07 ERA in 12 starts, including a 3-0 mark and 1.86 ERA in his last four. Santana is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12 innings of his last two starts against San Francisco. On the other hand Cain has been struggling losing his last two outings going 15 innings allowing 15 hits and 9 runs. Cain is 3-3 with a 4.38 ERA in six starts against the Mets, but threw a three-hitter in a 2-0 victory May 17 in his most recent outing. SFG just can't hit there way out of a wet paper bag and even a banged up NYM team is much better at the plate. Easy win today NYM is the play. SCORE NYM 5 - SFG 1
Ben Burns
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San Francisco Giants at New York Mets
Prediction: New York Mets
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The Mets have dominated the Giants and they won again yesterday. With Santana on the mound and in top current form, (2-0, 2.35 ERA his last three starts) they should be able to continue that series success this afternoon. Consider New York
ALEX SMART
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Minnesota Lynx @ Chicago Sky
PICK: Over 161.5
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The Minnesota Lynx take on the Chicago Sky in a contest I have pegged for being a high scoring affair that easily eclipses the number.The Chicago Sky play their best basketball at home, where they have garnered a 8-2 record , and will be well prepared to run the floor tonight against a up-tempo take no prisoners style of basketball the Minnesota Lynx implement. The Lynx have averaged 83.4 PPG on offense in road games this season, while allowing 83.2 PPG. Needless to say a majority of their tilts have been run and gun affairs and I expect nothing to change in this spot. It must be noted that the Sky defense has allowed opponents an average of 78.8 PPG this season , so they are obviously susceptible to break downs, especially when under pressure.Minnesota is 8-0 OVER in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season, with the average combined score of those tilts ringing in at 171.4 PPG. Minnesota is 11-2 OVER after playing a home game this season, which just happened, with the average combined score of those games, at 169.1 PPG.
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Play OVER
Rob Vinciletti
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona D-Backs
Play: Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Dodgers come into this one off back to back losses,a role in which they are 10-3 this year.La.is 27-8 this year when the total is 9 to 9.5 and still a solid 32-14 in division play.Arizona is 4-9 as a home dog in this range this year.The D-backs are averaging just 4 runs per game on .240 hitting vs divisional opponents and have lost 6 of 9 to the Dodgers this year.In the pitching matchup the Dodgers have Kuroda going against Arizona lefty Davis.La. has cashed 5 of 7 on the road when Kuroda pitches.Arizona has cashed just 5 of 13 in Davis home starts.I look for the Dodgers to get this series even here on Saturday.
DAVE COKIN
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ATLANTA FALCONS / DETROIT LIONS
Take DETROIT LIONS
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New coaches often want to play well in their first game, especially at home. A year ago, new Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith impressed with a 3-1 ATS mark (2-2 SU). However, after making the playoffs and acquiring veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, it's difficult to see the Falcons getting up to play hard for this preseason opener, especially on the road. Their QB rotation will be Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley and rookie John Parker Wilson. The Falcons, suddenly desperate for wide receivers, have signed veteran Marty Booker. WR Harry Douglas, who was projected to be one of Atlanta.5?s top three receivers, was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and leading receiver Roddy White just signed after holding out. If there's any motivation to look at for this game, it has to be with the Lions -- with a new coaching staff and off an embarrassing 0-16 season. New coach Jim Schwartz spent 10 years in the Tennessee Titans organization (last 8 as defensive coordinator) under a terrific coach in Jeff Fisher. The QB rotation is Daunte Culpepper, rookie Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton. Culpepper will start, Stafford will play in 2nd quarter. All three quarterbacks -- Culpepper, Stafford and Drew Stanton -- are expected to get an equal share of playing time. WR depth is a problem: Calvin Johnson sat out of practice Monday with a cast around the sore right thumb he jammed trying to catch a pass; WR Bryant Johnson hasn't even played a snap in training camp. He still is suffering from open wounds he received from a golf cart accident in July. Dennis Northcutt has a sore thumb that continues to hamper him. There are a lot of hungry young newcomers for the home team as they rebuild. As bad as Detroit was last season, they went 4-0 SU/ATS in preseason -- and they are probably MUCH hungrier for a win now.
Jeff Benton
Chicago at BUFFALO -3
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Scored my fourth straight free-play winner Friday, as the Broncos snuck in the backdoor for the spread-cover against San Francisco. For Saturday's freebie, I’ll stay with NFL preseason action and play the Bills minus the points against the Bears.
This play comes down to three names: Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. One of those three names you surely recognize. The other two? Well, you’re a big-time football junkie if you’ve heard of them. What’s significant about these guys? They comprise the Bears quarterback depth chart. Now, if this were a regular-season game and we knew Cutler (barring injury) would be on the field for 60 minutes, that wouldn’t be a terrible thing. But this is the preseason, and we know (according to Chicago coach Lovie Smith) that Cutler will be on the field for no more than 15 snaps.
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If Lovie is true to his word, that means we’re going to get three-plus quarters of Hanie and Basenez leading Chicago’s not-exactly-potent offense. Now I know what you’re thinking: It’s not like the Bills have Montana, Bradshaw and Favre on their roster. True. But starting QB Trent Edwards can certainly hold his own. Meanwhile, reserves Ryan Fitzpatrick and Gibran Hamdan – while not exactly household names – didn’t embarrass themselves at all in Sunday’s Hall of Fame game against Tennessee, combining to complete 70 percent of their passes for 150 yards.
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Yes, I know that Bills WR Terrell Owens won’t play in this game due to injury, but T.O. wasn’t going to play much anyway. And the fact we’re getting about three-quarters of the game with Hanie and Basanez playing on the road, well, that’s good enough for me! Lay the small price with Buffalo.
3♦ BUFFALO
Chris Jordan
Houston +2 at KANSAS CITY
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I might be taking a break from the preseason with my premium selections, but that doesn’t mean I’m not keeping my eyes on things. And trust me, this is the most intriguing go-against football game of the night. I would assume the Chiefs are laying points because they’re at home, but the fact is, Kansas City has no shot in my eyes.
Where shall I start …
How about the fact Kansas City’s new coach Todd Haley hasn’t even been to Arrowhead Stadium since taking the job, saying he wanted to wait for the first home game. What are we in high school, with superstitions? Okay, so that’s not really a big deal.
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How about the fact the Chiefs not only have a new face running the show, but they have a new staff, new offensive and defensive systems and 37 of their 80 players will play in Kansas City for the first time. That’s big, right?
Okay, brass tacks, Haley is not going to do anything complicated because he’s one of the newbies in this bunch, and he won’t want his troops – or himself – to be overwhelmed or look bad right off the bat. As he was quoted the other day: “We’re not going to be real complicated, so I would say the most important thing is does everybody know what to do and then how well are we doing it … and, like I said, start to look a football team.”
Tells me the Chiefs aren’t looking like much of anything early on.
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I know tonight is the Chiefs debut for quarterback Matt Cassel, who was acquired in a trade with New England, but how long is Haley going to be dumb enough to keep him in. He’s an offensive guy, so he knows better.
And though he indicated Cassel and the rest of the offensive starters could play into the second quarter tonight, I need only point you in the direction of Cassel’s numbers last year in the preseason. How’s 19-for-34 for 165 yards with no touchdowns and an interception grab ya? He was sacked four times for a loss of 23 yards, and produced a 56.6 passer rating.
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Cassel, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen reportedly played very unevenly at camp, a sign of the new schemes, and somewhat understandable; but from everything I’ve read, there’s no consistency or cohesiveness right now. Plus, Cassel’s turnovers have been a concern.
And get this, Haley is going to let Chan Gailey call the plays, but he’s made it clear he has no problem taking over when the offense sputters. Sounds like a lot of confidence there, right?
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Take the dog here, the Chiefs could be walking into a disaster.
3♦ TEXANS
Sports Gambling Hotline
NY Yankees at SEATTLE
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Our comp play run stands at 17-6-1 the last 24 days.
The starting pitching took over at Safeco Field last night, but we have a feeling the bats will come to life tonight with Sergio Mitre and Lucas French on the mound.
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3 of the 5 season series meetings between the teams have landed in the OVER column, and the Mariners on an 8-3 OVER run their last 11 games.
The Yankees have their weak link in the rotation on the mound tonight.
Sergio Mitre has accumulated an ERA of 7.04 in his 5 starts for the Yankees this summer, and we feel he has a few more runs left to give out in his right arm tonight.
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Lucas French will counter, and the southpaw has allowed 13 runs over his last 15 innings of work. This will be New York's second look at the former Tiger hurler, and while he worked 5 innings of 1 run ball in a no decision back on July 17th, we have a strong inclination the southpaw is going to get rocked in this start at home.
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Play on the OVER between the Yankees and Mariners tonight.
3♦ OVER
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Dodgers -125 at ARIZONA
I'm back on the diamond with a FREE play today coming from Arizona as I love the Dodgers in this matchup with the D'Backs.
I'm laying the chalk with the Dodgers in this one even though they fell in Arizona on Friday night. I expect tonight's starter, Hiroki Kuroda (5-5, 4.21 ERA) is going to round into nice form by the time the Dodgers are ready to set their playoff rotation.
Remember, Kuroda started opening day for this team, so they've got great confidence in him. He is 2-0 in his last three starts with a 2.95 ERA and Los Angeles has won his last five starts as he hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of those five. Monday in San Francisco he held the Giants to one run in 6.1 innings of a 4-2 victory.
In his lone start against the D'Backs this season, Kuroda held them to two runs on three hits in five innings, but the offense couldn't back him up and the Dodgers lost 3-2.
Lefty Doug Davis (7-10, 3.49) is on the mound for Arizona and he's just 4-6 in front of the home crowd this season. He faced the Dodgers back on May 4 and allowed four runs on five hits in 4.1 innings of a 7-2 loss. Arizona has lost five of his last eight starts against Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are 13-4 in the last 17 meetings with Arizona and 48-21 in their last 69 against N.L. West opponents. Meanwhile, Arizona is just 9-21 in its last 30 as an underdog and 2-7 in its last nine as a home pup. Los Angeles has won four of its last six visits to Arizona and I expect Kuroda will add to that run tonight. Play the Dodgers.
4♦ L.A. DODGERS