SPORTS WAGERS
Ghana +1.11 over Australia
It's shocking to see Ghana at over even money in this spot against the Australians. Ghana played a very solid game against Serbia, which saw them winning the match 1-0 on a penalty kick by Asamoah Gyan. The Aussies were completely destroyed by Germany 4-0, offering absolutely no resistance at all. Australia will also have to play this match without their best player Tim Cahill, who was sent off in that match with a red card. Ghana has an opportunity to seize total control of Group H with a victory here. If they fail to do so they will have to face Germany in a match filled with implications. Ghana certainly doesn't want their World Cup fate to rest solely on a match against that powerful and motivated squad. The "Black Stars" are more talented that the "Socceroos" in nearly all aspects of the game and you can expect them to put forth and inspiring effort to aid them in 2nd round advancement. Play: Ghana +111 (Risking 2 units).
DUNKEL INDEX
San Francisco at Toronto
The Giants look to build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games as an interleague favorite. San Francisco is the pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has the Giants favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150)
Game 951-952: Milwaukee at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Gallardo) 16.643; Colorado (Francis) 16.151
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+100); Under
Game 953-954: LA Angels at Chicago Cubs (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 16.347; Cubs (Lilly) 15.156
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-105); N/A
Game 955-956: San Francisco at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 16.473; Toronto (Litsch) 15.312
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150); Over
Game 957-958: NY Mets at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.728; NY Yankees (Hughes) 16.356
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-190); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-190); Under
Game 959-960: Minnesota at Philadelphia (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 14.965; Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.898
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-150); Over
Game 961-962: LA Dodgers at Boston (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Padilla) 16.566; Boston (Wakefield) 16.406
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+125); Over
Game 963-964: Arizona at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Jackson) 15.416; Detroit (Porcello) 15.349
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+120); Under
Game 965-966: Cleveland at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Huff) 13.656; Pittsburgh (Karstens) 13.982
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-115); Over
Game 967-968: Chicago White Sox at Washington (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Peavy) 14.172; Washington (Martin) 14.451
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-105); Under
Game 969-970: Texas at Houston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Lewis) 16.048; Houston (Moehler) 15.024
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Texas (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-175); Over
Game 971-972: Kansas City at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 16.364; Atlanta (Medlen) 15.258
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+120); Under
Game 973-974: Tampa Bay at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Niemann) 15.724; Florida (Volstad) 15.642
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-150); Under
Game 975-976: Oakland at St. Louis (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Sheets) 14.730; St. Louis (Wainwright) 16.160
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-230); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-230); Over
Game 977-978: Baltimore at San Diego (8:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Millwood) 13.560; San Diego (Richard) 15.108
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-180); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-180); Over
Game 979-980: Cincinnati at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (LeCure) 14.720; Seattle (Hernandez) 14.440
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-175); 7
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+155); Over
WNBA
Chicago at Washington
The Mystics look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Washington is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mystics favored by 11 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-5 1/2)
Game 651-652: Atlanta at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 110.424; Indiana 119.875
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 9 1/2; 156
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 4 1/2; 154
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-4 1/2); Over
Game 653-654: Chicago at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 106.981; Washington 118.250
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 11 1/2; 157
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 5 1/2; 150
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-5 1/2); Over
Game 655-656: Minnesota at Tulsa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 104.273; Tulsa 105.594
Dunkel Line & Total: Tulsa by 1 1/2; 167
Vegas Line & Total: Tulsa by 1; 173
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (-1); Under
Scott Spreitzer
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Los Angeles Angels at Chicago Cubs
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
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Both starting pitchers own strong season-long ERAs and WHIPs, but Chicago's Ted Lilly hasn't received much run support, which accounts for his 2-5 record. I believe he and the Cubs are in for another loss today. Jered Weaver owns the advantage of never having been seen by the Cubs. He's also pitching for one of the hotter teams in baseball. The Angels have not only won 17 of their last 23 overall, but like most Mike Scioscia-managed teams, they're tremendous on the road. It didn't start that way this season, but the Halos are as good as it gets on the road right now. The Halos are on an 8-1 run in road IL action against southpaws, and they're 21-6 in their last 27 on the road against the National League. Look for the Angels to continue their dominant ways at Wrigley on Saturday. I'm playing the Angels.
Tom Freese
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Royals at Braves
Play: Under
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Atlanta starter Kris Medlen has allowed 3 runs or less in 6 of his 7 starts this year. Medlen has a 12-1 strikeout to walk ratio in his last 3 starts. The Braves are 12-3-1 UNDER vs. AL Central teams. Atlanta is 7-3 UNDER their last 10 INTERLEAGUE Games. Kansas City Zack Greinke has 20 strikeouts and 4 walks in his last 3 starts. Greinke is 14-6 UNDER his last 20 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Royals are 11-5-1 UNDER their last 17 Interleague games as underdogs.
Steve Merril
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Indians vs. Pirates
Play: Under 9
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Pittsburgh lost their 12th straight game last night as they fell 4-3 to the Indians. The two teams continue their series on Saturday night. David Huff gets the start for Cleveland. Last year, he shut the Pirates out for eight innings giving up just four hits in that outing. Bobby Crosby (0-6), Andrew McCutchen (0-4), and Andy LaRoche (0-3) are all looking for their first hit against Huff. The Pirates are 9-10 against left-handed starters scoring just 3.7 runs per game against them. At home, the Pirates have gone Under in 17 of their 33 games while hitting just .236 at PNC Park. And their offense is not in good current form either. In their last 13 games, they've scored five runs or more just three times. Jeff Karstens has been solid for the Pirates. He's 1-2 with a 4.04 ERA in six starts. The righty is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two home starts this season for Pittsburgh. Only two Indians have faced him and they are Anderson Hernandez (3-5) and Luis Valbuena (0-1). Cleveland has gone Under in 17 of their 34 road games. They are also hitting .236 as a team against right-handed starters this season. Karstens is backed by a bullpen that has a 4.03 ERA at home. Neither offense can be trusted here which means we expect a low-scoring game and recommend playing the Under in this game tonight.
Marc Lawrence
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San Francisco Giants @ Toronto Blue Jays
PICK: San Francisco Giants
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When the Giants send Matt Cain to the hill in Toronto this afternoon they will do so knowing he is in commanding form with an eye-opening 0.44 ERA in his last five starts, with San Francisco winning each of his last four games in a row. With the Blue Jays just 7-13 in Jesse Litsch's last 20 starts, look for Frisco to improve to 8-2 in this series here today. We recommend a 1-unit play on San Francisco.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on San Francisco Giants -142
Cain takes the hill for the Giants this afternoon in Toronto, and he is carrying an ERA of just 1.90 on the road this season. The guy is extremely dialed in right now, winning his last 4 starts while only giving up a total of 2 runs in 33 innings of work. Meanwhile, Litsch still figures to have some kinks to work out. In his first start back from Tommy John surgery, he was tagged for 7 ER in just 2 1-3 innings. The Giants have won 7 of the last 9 in this series and 7 of their last 8 in interleague play as a favorite. With the white hot Cain hurling, they'll have an excellent opportunity to extend both of these trends.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Giants/Blue Jays UNDER 8.5
Cain has been dealing. He has an ERA of 1.90 on the road this season, and over his last 3 starts his ERA is just 0.75. The Giants have been Under this number in each of his last 7 starts. Litsch was roughed up badly in flighty Coors Field in his first start of the season, but I expect him to be much better at home tonight when you consider that the Under is 6-0 in the Blue Jays' last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. It is also worth noting that the Under is 13-3 in the Giants' last 16 interleague road games. We cashed in our free play on the Under in this matchup yesterday and we'll stick with it today.
John Ryan
New York Mets vs. New York Yankees
Play: New York Yankees
3* graded play on the Yankees as they take on the Mets set to start at 1:05. Loser of 3 straight now and with Boston just 1 behind them and the Rays will serve up some focus for this game today. Our proprietary sports handicapping model and simulator shows a high probability that the Yankees will win this game. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 72-19 making 37.5 units since 2004. Play against road dogs with a money line of +150 or more with a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 or better on the season and is a poor power team averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game on the season. Yankees are an amazing 23-3 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in home games vs. a mediocre bullpen whose WHIP is 1.450 to 1.550 over the last 2 seasons. Take the Yanks.
Jim Feist
Dodgers at Red Sox
Take: Over
A couple of powerhouse offensive teams meet on Saturday in Fenway, a hitter's park. And the starters are shaky. You can run on Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who has a 4.79 ERA his last three starts. The LA offense is No. 5 in the NL in runs scored, the Red Sox are No. 1 in the AL. Aging Vicente Padilla goes for the Dodgers with his bloated 6.65 ERA, plus he has a 4.84 ERA against Boston. Play the Dodgers/Red Sox Over the total.
Bobby Maxwell
Scored the FREE winner on Friday with the Padres as they rallied to beat the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth. The free play record sits at 111-93-3 and I'll add to that with a comp winner on the Giants today in Toronto.
Absolutely going with the red-hot Matt Cain in this start in Toronto as he has been untouchable in his last five outings, including an impressive four-game winning streak.
Cain (6-4, 2.05 ERA) has allowed all of two earned runs in his last five starts, covering 41 innings of work. He beat up the A’s on Sunday, allowing one run in seven innings of a 6-2 victory. His last road start came on June 8 in Cincinnati when he threw a complete-game shutout, winning 3-0. The guy has been unhittable lately and has held the opposition to two runs or less in nine of his last 10 outings.
Cain’s ERA is 1.90 in his six road starts this season and the groove the guy is in has just been amazing.
On the other side is Toronto’s Jesse Litsch who is making just his second start of the season after getting torched in Colorado on Sunday. Litsch gave up seven runs on nine hits in just 2.1 innings as the Rockies scored the easy 10-3 victory. He is 20-20 in his career with a 4.01 ERA but just 1-4 in six career June starts with a 6.62 ERA.
Not a coincidence that the Giants red-hot run has gone right along with Cain’s as this team now has three starters that are capable of winning every time out in Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and now Cain. San Francisco is in the thick of the N.L. West race along with the Padres and Dodgers and most believe the Giants have the pitching that can last the entire season.
They’ll definitely get the quality start tonight with Cain. Play San Francisco on the road in this one.
4♦ SAN FRANCISCO
Chris Jordan
Looking for my fourth complimentary win the last five nights after scoring with the Braves on the Run Line yesterday.
Today I'm playing the Giants with Matt Cain, as he should outshine Toronto's Jesse Litsch.
Though Cain might be 6-8 in 16 interleague starts, he has an impressive 2.80 ERA and is a very respectable 3-1 with a stingy 0.88 ERA in his last five. He comes in after allowing one run in seven innings of a 6-2 win over Oakland on Sunday and has given up two runs over 33 innings while winning his last four starts.
Red hot, I don't think Cain is ready to slow down, and will have his best stuff for the Jays tonight.
Litsch is 1-4 with a 7.76 ERA as a starter during interleague play and is in after allowing seven runs and nine hits in 2-1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at Colorado on Sunday.
Play Frisco and list both.
3♦ GIANTS
Karl Garrett
Saturday afternoon G-Man gonna hitch his wagon to the red-hot Chicago White Sox as they take on the sagging Washington Nationals in the middle game of their weekend set.
Last night Chicago prevailed 2-1 in extra-innings for their 4th straight win, and their 8th win in their last 9 games. The loss made it 4 in a row for the Nationals, and also their 6th loss in their last 7 games.
Clearly, a pair of teams heading in opposite directions.
Jake Peavy may not be the "ace" the White Sox thought they were getting this year, but his last 2 starts have been solid, and he is fresh off a win over the National League Cubs, holding them to 2 runs in 7 innings.
His counterpart J.D. Martin was just battered by the Indians, allowing 6 runs over 8 innings of work to drop to 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA for his limited duty in the starting rotation.
Things going too well right now for the White Sox, and the price is dirt cheap on the superior pitcher, that is for sure.
G-Man on the Pale Hose.
4♦ WHITE SOX
Chuck O'Brien
I won with the Blue Jays on Friday, so I’m 3-1 the last four days with my free plays. Saturday’s complimentary interleague selection is on the Cardinals and right-hander Adam Wainwright -1½ runs against the Oakland.
All Wainwright has done in six home games this year is go 6-0 with a 1.96 ERA, with the Cardinals winning those six contests by an average final score of 7-2. In fact, St. Louis covered the run line in each game, winning by scores of 5-0, 5-3, 4-2, 8-0 and 9-3.
Going back to last season, Wainwright has produced 21 consecutive quality starts at home, and for his career he’s got a 2.60 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and a .236 batting-average-against at Busch Stadium.
Wainwright’s counterpart today is Ben Sheets, who is 2-6 with a 4.93 ERA overall, 0-3 with a 5.00 ERA in his last three starts and 0-4 with a 7.28 ERA in seven road games (with Oakland losing six of those seven). Sheets is also very familiar with the Cardinals, as he spent the first nine years of his big-league career in Milwaukee. However, he hasn’t fared very well against the Redbirds, going 6-14 with a 4.05 ERA in 26 starts. One of the reasons Sheets has had so much trouble against St. Louis is Albert Pujols has pummeled him, going 26-for-70 (.371 average) with 4 homers and 11 RBIs.
Oakland has lost 12 of 17 overall and eight of 10 on the road, and it is just 12-23 as a visitor this season. The A’s have also dropped seven of their last eight games in N.L. ballparks. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are on surges of 22-11 at home this year, 7-2 against the A.L. West, 14-3 when facing right-handed starters in interleague play and 42-19 with Wainwright on the bump.
3♦ ST. LOUIS -1.5
BRETT ATKINS
Score a nice plus-money free winner on Saturday and go with the Twins as they are on the road for interleague action in Philadelphia.
I just can’t back the Philadelphia offense when they are facing a quality hurler like Minnesota’s Kevin Slowey, the Phillies are just too unreliable. Slowey is 3-1 on the road this season and his last roadie came June 2 when he shut down the Mariners, allowing one run in seven innings, but getting no support in the 1-0 loss.
In his last three roadies, Slowey has held the opposition to less than three runs each time and scored wins in Toronto and Cleveland.
Cole Hamels goes for the Phillies after a strong outing in Boston on Sunday, limiting the Red Sox to one run in seven innings of a 5-3 victory. That came after three shaky starts for Hamels as he tries to fight his way through another tough June, a month that he is 8-11 with a 3.91 ERA in his career.
I’ll go with the plus-money and the Twins in this one.
3♦ MINNESOTA