Steve Janus
Nationals/Brewers Under 8.5
There's been a combined 8 runs scored in the first two games of this series and I expect another low-scoring game in the series finale. The Brewers Kyle Lohse has a 0.47 ERA and 0.947 WHIP over his last 3 starts. Washington's Taylor Jordan has also been rock solid with a 3.22 ERA over his last three starts. Both starters have an ERA under 3.00 in day games and it's worth noting that Lohse has gone UNDER the total in 17 of 22 starts this season. The UNDER is also 18-5 over his last 23 games following a start where he allowed 1 earned run or less.
Dave Price
Pittsburgh Pirates -180
The Rockies, losers of 5 of their last 6 overall, are a dismal 24-49 in their last 73 road games. They have dropped 8 of Nicasio's last 11 road starts versus teams with a winning record, and I expect their road struggles to continue against a Pittsburgh club that has won 24 of its last 32 as home chalk. Pittsburgh's Burnett has a 2.86 ERA on the season while Nicasio has a 4.92 ERA. Nicasio's road ERA elevates to 5.86 while Burnett's home ERA lowers to 2.62. Take the Pirates given the edge they have on the mound.
Jack Jones
Kansas City Royals -138
The Kansas City Royals are the hottest team in baseball. They have won 10 of their last 11 games overall to get right back into the thick of the AL Central race. With the edge they have on the mound, I'll gladly back them Sunday.
Ervin Santana has gone 7-6 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.060 WHIP in 21 starts this season for Kansas City. The right-hander has really turned it on of late, going 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 0.761 WHIP in his last three starts.
Zach Wheeler has gone 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.336 WHIP in eight starts this season for the Mets. He has been at his worst at home, going 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA and 1.499 WHIP in three home starts this year.
The Royals are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150. Kansas City is 5-1 in Santana's last 6 starts. The Mets are 17-42 in their last 59 games as a home underdog of +110 to +150. Bet the Royals Sunday.
Sports Experts 17
Cleveland Indians at Miami Marlins
Pick: Miami Marlins
A very complicated series for the Cleveland Indians, first game they lose 0-10, last night they were just a hit away to lose the game 5-4 but closer C. Perez got the final out with men in scoring position and won 4-3, today we have the third and final game of the series and things don't look very good for the Indians, starter Scott Kazmir just won 3 games out of his last 10 starts most of his games were ND, the most innings pitched by Kazmir in his last 10 games was against White Sox with 8 back in July 24th, most of all other games he was between 5 and 6 innings pitched, but the bad news for the Indians are that in his last game he last 5 innings and get 3 earn runs in just one inning, the Indians won 7-4 but he had a ND game. Scott Kazmir is not anymore the guy we knew from Tampa, for some reason he lose that magical way of pitching and now his numbers are regular. Meanwhile the Marlins got to upset for not getting that hit in the 9th inning last night to win the game, so we are going to see a poor start from Scott Kazmir and a revenge situation in the heart of Marlins players to win this series 2-1. O
Wunderdog Sports
Miami vs. Dallas
Pick: Miami -1
Canton Ohio will once again be the site of the curtain lifting for the 2013 NFL preseason. The Cowboys seem to show a perennial optimism toward a great season with a playoffs run. But for the Cowboys, it's more disappoint than elation in recent year. They had issues on the offensive line a year ago and continued to suffer inconsistent play at quarterback. They addressed part of that issue by using a first-round draft pick on center Travis Frederick. Coach Garrett pledges to run the ball more, and take some of the pressure off Tony Romo. The problem is that despite the fact that Demarco Murray is a quality back, there is no proven runner behind him, and he has had issues getting through a 16-game season. The primary reason I like Miami here is that the Cowboys have made it clear they just want to get out of this game quickly, and with no injuries. Tony Romo and Kyle Orton will see no action. Murray and the starting offensive line will get limited reps. And with a lot of holes to fill, the rest of the time for Dallas in this game should resemble a science experiment. The Dolphins went "all in" during the free agent signing period. They added quality at wide receiver, tight end, and at offensive tackle, as well as a pair of linebackers for an immediate upgrade. They also traded up to No. 3 in the draft to get help on the offensive line by adding Dion Jordan. If nothing else, they added better starters in vulnerable places, leaving them with better depth than we see from Dallas. In a game that is going to challenge quality of depth, as these early games always do, Miami gets the nod. Joe Philbin showed no desire to win in the preseason last season but that often has a see-saw effect. Teams that do poorly in the preseason the prior year facing a team that did well the year prior, are good bets in the preseason. Take Miami here.
Bob Balfe
Cowboys +2.5
Some teams come into training camp with a lot of question marks. The Dolphins have many of them. This shuffled offensive line is not at a quality NFL level. This game actually could get ugly for both offenses. I just don't see much point production from Miami. I don't feel right taking the Under because this could be a game with a couple defensive scores and its just tough to make cash banking on totals in football anymore with all of the penalties being called. I think Dallas is better as of today so we will ride with them as the small dog.
CHRIS JORDAN
My free play for Sunday afternoon is on the Los Angeles Dodgers, laying the price at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.
It's an interesting series finale, as the Cubs hand the ball to someone with a little more experience the Dodgers' starter, and yet Los Angeles' young gun in the right spot at the right time.
Dodgers' right-hander Stephen Fife was expected to be activated from the disabled list, and is expected to start in place of Zack Greinke, who is fine, but just needs some extra rest. The fact the Dodgers have been nearly unbeatable since late June, this is an ideal opponent to let Greinke miss.
Chicago is one of the worst offensive teams in the bigs, ranking 24th in the league with a .242 batting average and 25th with an on-base percentage.
The Dodgers have outscored Chicago over the first three games, 15-6, and have won the last six meetings dating back to last year. Look for the win streaks to continue for the men in blue!
2* LOS ANGELES
BRAD WILTON
Sunday free play winner is to go with the Braves and Phillies to head Over the total.
Atlanta won their 9th in a row last night, as they took a 5-4 decision in 12 innings of play in a game that pushed the closing totals number of 9.
The Braves are batting .303 with 62 runs scored during their 9 game winning streak, and they have gone 5-0-1 Over the total their last 6 games.
The Over is also 6-1-1 the last 8 times the teams have faced one another.
As for the Phillies, they are now 5-0-1 Over the total in their last 6 games.
Alex Wood and Cliff Lee will do the honors tonight, and each of Wood's last pair of starts have wound up playing Over the total, while Lee's ERA over his last 3 starts is up at 6.05.
Going to look for this one to make its way Over the total this Sunday night in the City of Brotherly Love.
2* ATLANTA-PHILADELPHIA OVER
CRAIG DAVIS
Free play of the day on the Brewers and Nats to go UNDER the posted total on Sunday afternoon.
Milwaukee starter Kyle Lohse has been hot over his last three starts and I'm expecting more of the same today against an offense that has been in "sputter mode", though they did score four runs Friday in a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Prior to that they scored just one run in back-to-back games vs. the Tigers and before that they held the Mets to one run in back-to-back games. Even before that the Nats offense was shut out.
Inconsistent... that's the best word I can use to describe the Nationals... but I do know that when they face an above average pitcher they tend to struggle offensively.
Lohse has allowed one earned run or less in each of his last three starts and lowered his ERA down to 3.22.
Taylor Jordan is coming off one of his best starts of the season for the Nationals, scattering five hits over six innings, allowing just one run in a 14-1 win over the New York Mets.
I expect pitching to dominate this game and the game to finish around 3-2... well under the posted total.
3* WASHINGTON-MILWAUKEE UNDER
BRETT ATKINS
Your complimentary winner for Sunday is on the Minnesota Twins, at home against the lowly Houston Astros, who have lost three in a row.
And with the worst record in baseball, it really is difficult to take the Astros seriously. Whether they're getting blown out, or losing close ones - they have 17 blown saves, including three in the first two games of this three-game series - I think Houston is destined for another 100-loss season.
The Astros, who lost 107 games last year, watched the Twins rally for their 27th comeback win yesterday, while dealing Houston its 18th loss when leading after six innings.
Minnesota will be a little extra hungry for this one, too, as it is looking for its first series sweep since taking three from the Chicago White Sox from June 18-20. Houston, meanwhile, has dropped 17 of its last 21 overall and has yet to won a series on the road since a four-game sweep of the Angels back between May 31 and June 3.
Don't worry about listing either pitchers, as the Twins can get it done on their own.
4* MINNESOTA
JEFF BENTON
Your Sunday freebie is the Angels over the Blue Jays.
I am 5-0-1 the past 6 days with your comp plays!
The Angels will get the brooms out this afternoon, as CJ Wilson bounces-back from his shortest outing of the season his last time out.
Mark Buehrle is working on a 20-inning scoreless stretch, so expect it to be a little tough today for the Halos to get out in front, but with 4 straight series wins and series wins in 7 of the past 9 overall meetings, going to look for the Angels series domination to make the difference.
Los Angeles has won 7 of Wilson's last 9 starts, while Toronto is just 2-7 their last 9 games when listed as the underdog.
Back the Angels to pull off the 4-game sweep today.
1* L.A. ANGELS
SCOTT DELANEY
My complimentary winner for Sunday is going to be on the Pittsburgh Pirates on the Run Line, as I like them to blast the Colorado Rockies. And though all run line plays in baseball automatically list the pitchers who are scheduled to start at the time of the wager, the only hurler I want you concerned with is A.J. Burnett. In the event
Juan Nicasio is scratched for the Colorado Rockies, your job is to re-wager the game as long as Burnett is throwing for the Bucs.
Pittsburgh's veteran right-hander continue to pitch well enough to win, despite the fact he is not winning as much as he'd like. The 36-year-old northpaw has won only two of his 10 home starts, the last coming on May 3. Yet his ERA is a career low 2.86, and he's had five ultra-quality starts (seven-plus innings, two runs or fewer) in which he did not get a win.
Though Burnett has faced the Rockies just once since 2004, he has posted a stellar ERA (2.97) against them over the past 10 years. Take the Bucs, and play them on the Run Line, while observing the favor we have with Burnett.
3* PITTSBURGH -1.5
John Ryan
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
The simulator shows a meaningful probability that the CWS will get a significant upset win today. Supporting this graded play is a proven system posting a 28-19 mark for 60% winners, and has made 32 units/unit wagered since 2007. Play on all favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 (DETROIT) on a good fielding streak, 10 straight games with one or less errors, after 3 straight games where the bullpen gave up no earned runs. Detroit is a money burning 36-40 (-27.8 Units) against the money line vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game over the last 2 seasons. is remarkable system has averaged a plus 185 DOG. CWS has lost nine straight games and 12 of 13 games. Losing streaks always end and in this case the line has become vastly inflated and presents a solid money making opportunity for us to exploit. Take the White Sox.
Freddy Wills
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
I see tremendous value in this play here today despite the Angels looking like they got on a role here winning the first three games of the series. The Jays will throw up a lefty and that means bad things for the Angels who have struggled all year vs. southpaws. Angels are scoring 1.45 runs less per 9 overall vs. LHP when compared with RHP and over their last 10 they are scoring just 2.73. Mark Buehrle has been on fire posting a 1.17 ERA over his last three and he has good numbers with a 3.57 ERA during hte day and a 3.12 ERA over his last 16 starts in the month of August. Toronto is also backed by a terrific bullpen that has nearly a 2 run advantage as they post a 2.36 ERA on the road while the Angels bullpen is just atrocious posting a 4.21 ERA at home and a 7.36 ERA over their last 10. Angels bullpen will play a critical role because C.J. Wilson is making his 4th start in 16 days while his last three starts averaged 117 pitches. He's got to be gassed in this spot and he faces a Blue Jays team that has a .960 OPS in 119 AB against him.
Jeffrey Brandes
Giants / Rays Under 8½
Pitchers:
SAN FRANCISCO: GUILLERMO MOSCOSO (R) ERA: 0.00 W/L: 0-0
TAMPA BAY: FAUSTO CARMONA (R) ERA: 4.71 W/L: 6-11
Key Trends:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Francisco's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home