Hollywood Sports
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Saskatchewan at Calgary
Prediction: Over
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Calgary (2-1) was the '08 Grey Cup Champions and that is what Saskatchewan (3-0) hopes to achieve this season after their runner-up status last season to Montreal. The Roughriders avenged that Grey Cup loss to the Alouettes in a dramatic 55-51 win to open the season and we expect a similar barn-burner here. Behind QB Darian Durant, Saskatechewan's offense has been spectacular this season as they are averaging 38.3 PPG while totaling 523 yards per game. This high-powered offense should not be a surprise from this team showed considerable improvement throughout the '09 campaign while finishing 2nd in scoring with their 28.4 PPG average. But if there is a weakness to this club, it is their defense that is allowing 29.7 PPG while allowing 430.7 YPG. This vulnerability should produce a scoring fest against the Stampeders' offense led by veteran QB Henry Burris. Calgary was 3rd in the CFL with their 27.8 PPG average last season. This season, they are scoring 25.7 PPG -- but this will be only their second game at home so expect fireworks from Burris and company as they try to send a message to the Roughriders that Montreal will not be their only competition in earning the Grey Cup trophy. This will be a wild, high-scoring contest. Take the Over.
DUNKEL
Minnesota at Baltimore
The Twins look to bounce back from yesterday's loss to the Orioles and build on their 9-2 record in Scott Baker's last 11 starts as a road favorite. Minnesota is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-135)
Game 951-952: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Hawksworth) 16.650; Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.765
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-135); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+115); N/A
Game 953-954: Colorado at Philadelphia (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.021; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 14.351
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-155); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-155); Under
Game 955-956: NY Mets at LA Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 14.027; LA Dodgers (Monasterios) 15.308
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-130); Over
Game 957-958: San Diego at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Latos) 15.072; Pittsburgh (Karstens) 14.499
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-175); Under
Game 959-960: Cincinnati at Houston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 13.575; Houston (Oswalt) 15.265
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 7
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-105); Over
Game 961-962: Washington at Milwaukee (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Martin) 14.265; Milwaukee (Parra) 14.575
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-130); Over
Game 963-964: Atlanta at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 15.580; Florida (Sanchez) 15.181
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-100); Under
Game 965-966: San Francisco at Arizona (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Bumgarner) 15.192; Arizona (Kennedy) 15.270
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over
Game 967-968: Kansas City at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Davies) 15.251; NY Yankees (Mitre) 15.092
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-210); 11
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+175); Over
Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Oakland (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Garcia) 15.830; Oakland (Mazzaro) 16.296
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-120); Under
Game 971-972: Minnesota at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 15.979; Baltimore (Matusz0 14.647
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-135); Over
Game 973-974: Tampa Bay at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 16.794; Cleveland (Talbot) 15.271
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-180); Under
Game 975-976: Toronto at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Marcum) 15.850; Detroit (Porcello) 14.864
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Over
Game 977-978: LA Angels at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.876; Texas (Feldman) 14.167
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+110); Under
Game 979-980: Boston at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 14.687; Seattle (Pauley) 14.250
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-200); Over
WNBA
Phoenix at Minnesota
The Mercury look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games when playing with 1 day of rest. Phoenix is the pick (Pick) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix
Game 601-602: Indiana at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 115.961; Washington 116.339
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 138
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 140 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+1 1/2); Under
Game 603-604: Los Angeles at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 104.080; Connecticut 114.117
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 10; 155
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 9; 156
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-9); Under
Game 605-606: Phoenix at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 113.869; Minnesota 111.158
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 183 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix; Over
Game 607-608: Chicago at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 112.598; San Antonio 109.727
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 3; 143
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 3; 148
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+3); Under
CFL
Edmonton at Winnipeg
The Eskimos look to take advantage of a Winnipeg team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games in July. Edmonton is the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Eskimos favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+2)
Game 405-406: Edmonton at Winnipeg (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 109.117; Winnipeg 107.825
Dunkel Line: Edmonton by 1 1/2; 58
Vegas Line: Winnipeg by 2; 55
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+2); Over
Game 407-408: Saskatchewan at Calgary (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Saskatchewan 117.942; Calgary 112.799
Dunkel Line: Saskatchewan by 5; 51
Vegas Line: Calgary by 2 1/2; 54 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Saskatchewan (+2 1/2); Under
Marc Lawrence
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies will look to get Ubaldo Jimenez back on track when they meet Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon. Jimenenz enters with a sparkling 16-3 team start mark this season while Kendrick is 1-2 with a 7.08 ERA at home in his career team starts. With that, look for Colorado to get the cash here today. We recommend a 1-unit play on Colorado.
Frank Jordan
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Braves vs. Marlins
Play: Under 8.5
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These two teams can score but they can also pitch and as the old adage goes good pitching beats good hitting. The two starting pitchers for this game have era's under 3.75 Melden for the Braves is at 3.31 and Sanchez for Florida is 3.62. Look for this game to be a 4-3 contest decided late once again. Play the Under
BIG AL
Braves @ Marlins
PICK: Over 8.5
There have been plenty of pleasant surprises for the first-place Atlanta Braves this season, and certainly Kris Medlen would have to be right up at the top of the list. The righthander who converted from reliever to starter for the second season in a row is 6-2 with a very strong 3.31 ERA so far. The Braves, figuring they will probably need Medlen for a stretch run in September have put him back in the bullpen for his last four games in an effort to preserve his arm and the results seem to be mixed as he lost his last outing, coming into a game against the Padres in relief and taking the loss when he gave up two earned runs. The Braves are obviously hoping to get the same results they got with Medlen as a starter during the month of June when he made five starts and Atlanta went 5-0 in those games and they gave him plenty of run support in the process, scoring 26 times. Speaking of run support, the Marlins gave righthander Anibal Sanchez plenty of it in his last start at home on Monday against the Rockies, scoring nine runs and winning the game 9-8, although it was a no-decision for Sanchez. After winning four starts in a row to close out the month of May, Sanchez has only won two of his next eight. Eight of the last ten meetings in Florida have gone over the total, and in only two of those eight games was a total of less than 10 runs scored. Take the 'over.'
Rob Vinciletti
Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Texas Rangers
Texas qualifies in a solid system that plays on home favorites with a total of 1 or more that are playing off a 1 run home favored win, if they scored 2 or less runs with 10+ hits. These homers have won 12 of the last 15 times. The Rangers are 7-1 as a home favorite in this range. The Angels are 1-6 in the second half and have lost all 4 times here in Texas this season. In the pitching Matchup the Rangers have S. Feldman and the Angles have E. Santana. Texas looks to have too much talent for the LA. Angels this season and has performed very well against them this seasom. Look for the Rangers to get the win.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
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Play Houston over Cincinnati
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Despite trade talks veteran RHP Roy Oswalt (6-11, 3.12) gets the call on Saturday in a battle with hated Cincinnati. Fortunately, for his backers Oswalt is 23-2 life time against Cincinnati with a 2.62 ERA. Although Oswalt threw a poor outing against Pittsburgh last time out, we must note in his prior two encounters Oswalt managed 16 innings of work, allowing no earned runs and just 4 hits. Opposing hurler Cueto of Cincinnati is 1-6 last seven times out versus Houston. I’ll play the home standing Astros to pull out a low scoring affair.
Tom Freese
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San Francisco at Arizona
Play: San Francisco
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San Francisco starter Madison Bumgarner has allowed 3 runs total in his last 3 starts all of which were wins. The Giants are 28-11 their last 39 games vs. a team with a win percentage of less than 40%. San Francisco is 13-3 their last 16 games overall and they are 5-0 their last 5 meetings with the Diamondbacks. Arizona starter Ian Kennedy has lost 3 of his last 5 starts. The Diamondbacks are 17-42 vs. NL West teams and they are 18-40 after losing the first two games of a series. The Snakes are 17-44 their last 61 games vs. a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15 and they are 2-9 vs. lefty starters.
Steve Janus
Chicago vs. Oakland
Pick: Oakland
I am taking the A's with my free pick on Saturday over the White Sox. The A's send Vin Mazzaro to the mound, where he has been solid of late with a 2.05 ERA in his last three starts. The A's are an impressive 22-10 against the money line in day games this season, and a solid 37-24 against the money line against AL Central opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Ross Benjamin
San Diego @ Pittsburgh
Play: San Diego -1.5
The San Diego starter Latos has been invincible in his last 4 starts posting a microscopic 0.33 ERA. The Padres are a perfect 6-0 in Latos last 6-starts. The Pirates are 1-6 in their last 7 as an underdog with Karstens as their starter. Karstens has posted a lofty 6.35 ERA in his last 3-starts while allowing 5 home runs in the process. Play on this game to go over the total as my free selection of the night.
Jimmy Boyd
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1 Unit on LA Angels +116
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The Halos are showing good value in the underdog role tonight considering the edge they have on the mound with Santana, who is carrying an ERA of just 2.79 on the road this season. He has been a strong underdog bet, winning 10 of his last 13 when valued as a pup. The Rangers send Feldman and his 4.78 home ERA to the rubber. The Rangers are 1-4 in Feldman's last 5 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150, 1-6 in his last 7 starts vs. the American League West and 1-7 in his last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Angels are an impressive 21-6 in their last 27 games after losing the first 2 games of a series and the Rangers are just 1-5 in their last 6 game 3's of a series. Take the Halos tonight.
JIM FEIST
METS / DODGERS
TAKE: OVER
It's tough playing these two teams over considering how badly the offenses have played on these clubs since the all star break. Both the Dodgers and Mets are losing badly since the break, and with key injuries on both sides, the offenses have done little. However, I'm going to take a chance here on the OVER Saturday. I like this pitching matchup and feel they will both give up their share of hits and runs. Mike Pelfrey has a nice record at 10-5, however his ERA is 4.01 and his WHIP is a lofty 1.50. Pelfrey has really struggle of late, losing three straight starts, allowing 17 earned runs in just 10 innings, walking nine and striking out just four. Carlos Monasterios will start for the Dodgers. Monasterios is taking the spot of James McDonald who failed to show anything in his chances on the hill. Monasterios has a decent ERA out of the pen at 3.61, but he has control issues as he's walked 18 and struck out just 24 on the season. I don't see this 24-year old from Venezuela being much more than a spot starter until the Dodgers make a trade or find someone better. Which brings me to today's game. Pelfrey is pitching terribly, Monasterios is making a spot start. I don't see either pitcher being particularly effective here on Saturday. Take the OVER and if these clubs can't hit these pitchers, then there's no hope for them. Take OVER.
Chuck O'Brien
Absolutely brutal free-play loser on the Mets-Dodgers UNDER on Friday. No matter, once again we’ll head to Dodger Stadium for Saturday’s complimentary selection, as I’ll play the Dodgers as a small home favorite against New York.
How horrible has Mets starter Mike Pelfrey been over the past 3½ weeks? Since June 30, the right-hander has made four trips to the mound and given up 21 runs in just 14 2/3 innings. His worst out of the season came Monday at Arizona, as he lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing six runs and seven hits in a 13-2 loss.
Going back to a June 19 interleague game at Yankee Stadium, Pelfrey has registered a 9.11 ERA in six starts, and New York is 2-4. And while it’s true that the Dodgers offense he’s facing today hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire since the All-Star break, it’s also true that L.A. beat the crap out of Pelfrey last year, getting him for five runs, eight hits and three walks in just three innings en route to an 8-0 win in Queens.
Speaking of teams not hitting, that’s the Mets. The entered last night’s game with a ridiculous .204 team batting average over the previous 10 games, and even with Friday’s six-run output, they’ve scored just 30 runs in 14 games. They’ve also been shutout in three of their last nine games, and that’s all occurred on the road.
Furthermore, New York has dropped nine of 12 overall, including seven of nine on this current road trip. And considering the home team’s dominance when the Mets and Dodgers meet – the host is 15-6 in the last 21 (including 4-1 this season) – to get L.A. at this cheap of a price is a steal.
3♦ L.A. DODGERS
Stephen Nover
I am 43-25-1 on my last 69 complementary selections. There's a game I absolutely love on the big Saturday card. It's only my second 100 Dime play of the year.
For my Saturday free pick, though, I'm going to take 1 1/2 runs with the Pirates at home against the Padres.
This is a good spot for the Pirates to hang in against a San Diego team that doesn't possess an overwhelming offense ranking 24th in home runs and 25th in batting average.
The Padres do own the best road mark in the National League, but they are 4-6 in their last 10 away contests.
The Pirates are bad as usual, on their way to a record 18th consecutive losing season. However, the Pirates are semi-respectable at home where they have won nine of their last 14. On the season, the Pirates are 23-24 at PNC park.
The pitching matchup is Mat Latos versus Jeff Karstens, which goes a long ways, too, in explaining why San Diego is such a strong road favorite.
Latos is a rising star, who has been mighty impressive going 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. But he's only 22 and has been on the DL with a strained left oblique. This will be his first start since July 8. So there may be some rust.
Karstens is a bottom-of-the-rotation type pitcher. But he can be very effective when he's on. He had a perfect game through four innings in his last start against Milwaukee. Karstens ended up allowing three runs in six innings on three hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. He threw 66 pitches before leaving of which 53 were strikes.
Karstens' strength is he doesn't usually walk many batters. If you discount an uncharacteristic six walks two starts ago, Karstens has issued only three bases on balls during his past seven starts spanning 35 2/3 innings.
Because he's often in the strike zone, Karstens has been hurt by the long ball. He's surrendered seven homers in his last four starts. Aside from Adrian Gonzalez, though, the Padres lack the long ball punch to hurt Karstens.
2♦ PIRATES RL
Karl Garrett
G-Man coming through last night for free with the San Francisco Giants gettings the job done.
For Saturday, play the over between Washington and Milwaukee.
Last night the teams combined for a dozen runs as the series opener sailed over the posted total, and with Martin and Parra on the hill this game will definitely see plenty of crooked digits being hung on the Miller Park scoreboard.
Martin is fresh off 6 runs allowed in just 5 innings of work against Cincinnati, while Parra just surrendered 10 runs in his 5 innings of work against Atlanta.
In Martin's last pair of starts against Milwaukee, he has allowed 9 runs to cross in just 13 innings of work, while Parra's last 2 starts against the Nationals has seen 10 runs score in 9 innings of work.
Bombs away boys!
Play the over.
3♦ OVER