James Patrick Sports

Eagles vs. Patriots

Philadelphia gave the Patriots one of their toughest battles last season before dropping a three point decision to the Pats. We look for the Boys from the City of Brotherly Love to give it another tough battle on Friday Night in Foxboro. Our selection in Friday Night NFL Preseason action is the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jimmy The Moose

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles
Prediction: Over

The over is 6-2 in the Yankees last 8 games vs. Division opponents. The over is 13-6 in their last 19 games played on grass. The Yankees have played over the total in 4 of Mussina's last 5 starts. The over is 45-18-4 in Baltimore's last 67 games. The over is 22-8-3 in their last 33 games vs. a team with a winning record. The over is 15-7-3 in their last 25 home games. The team's have played the over in 4 of the last 5 meetings. The over is 5-0 in Mussina's last 5 starts vs. Baltimore. Play the over.

SCOTT FERRALL

BASEBALL LOCKS FOR FRIDAY

CUBS -275 and Marquis over the Nationals at Wrigley--easy money here baby ! Washington loses every game they play

Phillies -135 and Kendrick over Greg Maddux in his Dodger debut, and it won't go well at Citizens

Santana -200 and the Mets over the Astros and Roy Oswalt at Shea

Bush -240 and the Brewers over the Bucs at Miller Park and Zach Duke

Oakland -105 at Seattle--Gonzalez on the road over the M's and Feierabend

Saunders -165 and the Halos over the Twins in Anaheim

Danks and the ChiSox -160 over the Rays and Edwin Jackson in the Windy City

Detroit -180 with Verlander topping Bannister in Kansas City

Texas and Harrison -120 over the Indians and Carmona in Arlington

BASEBALL OVER-UNDERS FOR FRIDAY

OAK-SEATT OVER 9

MINN-LA ANGELS UNDER 8.5

TB-CHISOX OVER 9

DET-KC OVER 9.5

CLEVE-TEX OVER 11.5

BOST-TOR UNDER 9.5

NY-BALT UNDER 10.5

SD-SF OVER 7

FLA-ARIZ UNDER 9

CINCY-COLO OVER 9.5

ATL-ST.LOU OVER 9

PITT-MILW OVER 9

HOUS-NY METS UNDER 7.5

LA-PHILLY OVER 9.5

BASEBALL FREE B's FOR FRIDAY

Marcum and Toronto -110 over the Red Sox and Paul Byrd at Rogers Center

Mussina -160 at Camden as Moose goes back to Baltimore and tops the Orioles and Liz--Yanks get it done here

Lincecum -220 and San Fran at home over the Padres and Baek--because the Padres don't score runs and won't here either

Arizona -200 and Randy Johnson over the Marlins and Sanchez in the desert..Unit has looked good lately and is closing in on #300

Cook and the Rockies -240 at Coors over the Reds and Harang

Cardinals -190 and Wainwright over Morton and the hapless Braves, who looked dead in New York this week. It won't get any better for them in St.Louis

NFL Pre-Season Week 3 (Friday games)

New England -1.5 to Philly--The Pats have to at least show up for one game don't they ? OVER 36.5

Atlanta -3 to Tennessee at the Georgiadome--Matt Ryan looks good against the Titans and gets the Falcons fans excited---UNDER 35

DALLAS -5 to Texans--the game is in Big D, so you know what's going to happen--all Cowboys--all night--OVER 41.5 as Romo and company light it up

Denver -3 to Green Bay--more trouble for Rodgers on the road and Cutler has looked great for the Broncos in the pre-season--OVER 38

John Fina

Selection: Cincinnati/Colorado Over 9.5

Today we see a high-scoring game as the Cincinnati Reds do battle with the Colorado Rockies. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams will be sending to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitcher (Aaron Harang) has a 16.97 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Aaron Cook) has a 6.61 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, both these teams will be sending to the mound struggling starting pitchers. The bottom line, we should see many runs scored today! Take the Cincinnati Reds/Colorado Rockies Over 9.5

SPORTS ADVISORS

NFL PRESEASON

Philadelphia (1-1 SU and ATS) at New England (0-2 SU and ATS)

The Patriots, who could again be without injured QB Tom Brady, look for their first win of the preseason when they take on the Eagles at Gillette Stadium

The Patriots went to Tampa Bay on Sunday night and, minus Brady for the second straight week, they got crushed 27-10 as a three-point road underdog. New England mustered just 174 yards and had three turnovers, while Tampa had 295 yards and no turnovers. New England, which has finished 2-2 SU the last three preseasons, needs to win the next two weeks to extend that streak.

Philadelphia scored 24 fourth-quarter points to erase a 10-0 deficit and beat Carolina 24-13 as a 3½-point home favorite last week. Backup QB Kevin Kolb led the rally and finished 14 of 27 for 155 yards passing, with one TD and one INT, and the Eagles outgained the Panthers 386-212. Still, the Eagles are just 9-14 (11-12 ATS) in August dating to 2005, including 2-4 SU and ATS going back to last year.

Brady was in pads for Wednesday’s practice, but his playing status remains uncertain. If he doesn’t go, Matt Cassel would likely get the start, followed by Matt Gutierrez and rookie Kevin O’Connell, all three of whom are battling for the No. 2 job.

There are no such QB issues for the Eagles, who will have Donovan McNabb and the starters go for three quarters, according to coach Andy Reid. In last week’s outing, McNabb was 11 of 24 for 98 yards, with no TDS or INTs. A.J. Feeley and Kolb will finish out the game.

While coach Bill Belichick hasn’t put any real emphasis on home exhibition contests (4-4 SU and ATS the past four years), New England has come to play in Week 3, going 5-1 SU and ATS the last six years, including 3-0 SU and ATS the last three. In fact, the Pats have won those last three Week 3 contests by a combined score of 92-10.

The over is 5-1 in the Eagles’ last six preseason games overall, 3-1 in their last four on the road and 3-1 in New England’s last four August contests in Foxboro.

ATS ADVANTAGE:OVER

Tennessee (2-0, 1-1 ATS) at Atlanta (0-2, 1-1 ATS)

The Titans look to keep their perfect preseason going when they travel to the Georgia Dome to take on the Falcons.

After blowing out the Rams 34-13 in its exhibition opener, Tennessee eked out a 17-16 victory over Oakland a week ago, coming up short as a 3½-point home choice. Titans QB Vince Young (4-for-13, 37 yards) struggled, and the Titans defense allowed 195 rushing yards. Now Tennessee heads out on the road, where it is 12-3-1 ATS over the last eight years of preseason play. The Titans are also 10-1 ATS in their last 11 as an exhibition underdog.

Atlanta took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter on Saturday against Indianapolis, but couldn’t hold it, losing 16-9 as a 3½-point home favorite. The Falcons committed five turnovers (3 INTs) while forcing only one. Still, the Falcons are 9-5-1 ATS since the start of the 2005 preseason, including 6-3 (5-3-1 ATS) at home. On the flip side, they’re just 1-3-1 ATS as a chalk during this stretch.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said QB Vince Young and the rest of the starters are expected to go the entire first half and perhaps longer. Young has led seven drives in the first two preseason games but come up with only one score (a field goal). He will be relieved in the second half by veteran Kerry Collins, with Ingle Martin and Paul Thompson perhaps getting some mop-up time, as well.

Rookie QB Matt Ryan (8 of 16, 62 yards, 1 INT last week) will start and could play into the third quarter for the Falcons, likely followed by Joey Harrington, Chris Redman and possibly D.J. Shockley.

The Falcons are 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in Week 3 of the preseason the last four years, including a 20-6 rout at Tennessee in 2006.

The over is 4-2 in Atlanta’s last six summer contests at the Georgia Dome, and the Titans are on over streaks of 4-1 overall and 4-0 on the road.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ATLANTA

Houston (2-0, 1-0-1 ATS) at Dallas (0-2 SU and ATS)

The Texans make the short road trip to Texas Stadium for a bragging-rights matchup against the instate rival Cowboys, who will be at home for the first time this preseason.

Houston churned out 405 total yards in last week’s 31-27 upset win over the Saints as a three-point road underdog. The Texans are 7-3 (6-2-2 ATS) in the preseason under third-year coach Gary Kubiak after going 2-10 SU and ATS the previous three summers. Also, with Kubiak at the helm, Houston is 4-1 on the road in August (3-1-1 ATS) and 5-1 ATS as an underdog.

The Cowboys opened the exhibition campaign with a pair of SU and ATS road losses at San Diego (31-17) and Denver (23-13). However, now they return to Texas Stadium, where they are 9-0-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in exhibition action since 2003, including 2-0 SU and ATS last year in coach Wade Phillips’ first summer with the team.

Houston topped the Cowboys 28-16 as a 2½-point home underdog in Week 3 last year and is 2-0 ATS in Week 3 under Kubiak. However, the last time these teams met in Dallas in the preseason was in 2005, and the Cowboys rolled 21-9 as a three-point chalk.

QB Matt Schaub, who was extremely sharp last week in going 14 of 16 for 187 yards and two TDs, should go the whole first half and perhaps beyond for the Texans. Sage Rosenfels will relieve Schaub, with rookie Alex Brink and Shane Boyd in mop-up duty.

Phillips indicated he might go the first three quarters with QB Tony Romo and the rest of his starting offense. Romo, who went 6-for-9 for 33 yards in just two possessions last week in Denver, will be relieved by veteran Brad Johnson, with Richard Bartel possibly coming on late.

Houston has topped the total in six straight preseason games going back to last year, and the over is 5-1 in the team’s last six August road affairs. Also, the over is 4-1 in Dallas’ last five overall in the summer.

ATS ADVANTAGE:DALLAS and OVER

Green Bay (0-2 SU and ATS) at Denver (1-1, 1-0-1 ATS)

The Packers, off to a bumpy preseason start in the Aaron Rodgers era, travel to Invesco Field at Mile High for a meeting with the Broncos.

Green Bay looked terrible in Saturday’s 34-6 loss at San Francisco, getting outgained 355-182 while losing three fumbles. The Packers are now 1-4 SU and ATS on the road and 1-5 ATS as an underdog in August under coach Mike McCarthy. They’ve also lost five straight preseason games in Week 3, going 1-4 ATS. In fact, in the last three years, Green Bay has been outscored 96-33 in Week 3.

Denver got a strong outing from QB Jay Cutler (16 of 26, 178 yards, one TD) en route to Saturday’s 23-13 rout of Dallas as a two-point home favorite. The Broncos are now 21-10-2 ATS the last eight-plus preseasons under coach Mike Shanahan, including 6-1 (4-3 ATS) at home since 2005. Also, Denver is 3-1 (2-2 ATS) the last four years in Week 3.

McCarthy said Rodgers and the rest of the offensive starters will play the entire first half against the Broncos, and possibly into the third quarter. Rodgers was 9 of 16 for 58 yards last week, but he was sacked four times, and the first unit mustered just 46 total yards and four first downs on 25 snaps against the 49ers. Rodgers is expected to give way to rookie Brian Brohm, followed by fellow rookie Matt Flynn.

Cutler, who went the entire first half last week, should do the same this week and might go into the third quarter with the rest of the starters, though Shanahan hasn’t divulged specifics of his QB rotation. Patrick Ramsey would likely relieve in the second half, followed by Darrell Hackney.

The under is 4-0 in Denver’s last four summer games at Invesco Field. However, the over is 7-3 in Green Bay’s last 10 exhibition contests, including 3-1 on the road.

ATS ADVANTAGE:DENVER

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Minnesota (73-54) at L.A. Angels (77-49)

Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.14 ERA) toes the slab for the Angels in the second game of a four-game set against the Twins, who will counter with Glen Perkins (10-3, 4.17) in a battle of southpaws.

In Thursday night’s series opener, an extended pitchers’ duel broke out as the Twins earned a 2-1 win in 12 innings, with Denard Span’s RBI single plating the winning run. The Angels, in an uncharacteristic rut, have now lost six of their last eight games. However, they are still on a 5-2 run at home and are on additional streaks of 23-8 with Saunders starting at home, 23-9 against winning teams and 23-9 in their last 32 games against left-handed starters.

The Twins are on impressive hot streaks of 7-1 against the A.L. West, 17-4 against lefties, 39-18 overall and 9-3 in Perkins’ last 12 starts. However, Minnesota has still dropped seven of its last nine against the Angels and 19 of its last 27 in Anaheim.

Los Angeles had won five straight behind Saunders before Sunday’s 4-3 loss at Cleveland. In that outing, he allowed three runs on eight hits in five innings and got his fourth no-decision in his last six starts. On the positive end, the Angels are 5-0 in Saunders’ last five home starts.

Minnesota has prevailed in six of Perkins’ last eight starts, including his last two outings. On Sunday against Seattle, he allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings of an 11-8 home victory, the ninth straight game that he’s pitched at least six innings.

Saunders is 6-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 12 home starts this season, and he’s 2-0 with a minuscule 1.20 ERA in two career outings against Minnesota. Perkins, meanwhile, is 3-1 with a 4.60 ERA in seven road starts this year, and this will be the 25-year-old’s first career appearance against Los Angeles.

In this rivalry, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven matchups and 18-8-3 in the last 28 meetings in L.A. Also, the under is 24-9-3 in the Halos’ last 36 games against lefties. For the Twins, though, the over has cashed in five of their last seven roadies and 17 of their last 23 games against A.L. West opponents.

ATS ADVANTAGE:L.A. ANGELS

Jeff Scott Sports

2 UNIT PLAY

Florida/ Arizona Under 9

The Under is 5-0 in Sanchezs last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record and 5-1 in the Marlins last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter, while the Under is 22-5-1 in Johnsons last 28 starts with 4 days of rest and 13-4 in Johnsons last 17 starts during game 1 of a series. This series has been very low scoring this year as just 5.3 rpg have been scored in the 6 games played, with not one of those games scoring more than 8 runs and the Under going 5-0-1. Randy Johnson has been on fire of last as he has allowed 3 ER or less in each his last 6 starts, while posting an ERA of 1.56 in those starts. Randy has also been super in his career vs the Fish as he owns a 1.82 ERA in 12 starts vs them. Randy does have a 5.26 ERA at home, but in his last 3 home starts he has an ERA of 1.36. Randy's starts have averaged 8 rpg overall, including 7.6 rpg at night and 4.2 rpg in his last 6 starts. Anibel Sanchez has mad just 4 starts on the year and he has a 3.52 ERA in them, with his starts overall averaging just 7 rpg, while his last 3 starts have averaged just 4.7 rpg. The Arizona offense has been hot of late, but they only hit .251 and score 4.6 rpg vs righty starters and they are facing Sanchez, who had a no-hitter in his only appearance (2006) vs the D-Backs. The Florida offese has not been hot of late as they are averaging just 3.3 rpg in their last 10 games overall and they score just 4.2 rpg vs lefty starters, plus they have scored just 3.2 rpg in their last 7 meeting in the desert. I smell a classic pitchers duel in this one, while the final score won't go past 6.

K & B Sports

The Texans are 2-0 SU and 1-0-1 ATS in preseason 2008 and scored 31 points in their last game. The Cowboys are 0-2 SU and ATS. In those two games this team was outscored by an average of 12 points per game. Look for a solid performance on offense from the Texans and a subpar performance on defense from the Cowboys. PLAY: HOUSTON TEXANS

Jim Feist

CLE Indians and TEX Rangers
Take CLE Indians

You need to keep the ball down low in a hitter's park like Texas. Fortunately, the Indians have Fausto Carmona going, with his excellent fastball and hard, biting sinker. Cleveland is also a hot team, winning 10 of 12. They are finally playing like they did a year ago when they went to the ALCS. The same can't be said of Texas and their awful pitching. The Rangers have lost 11 of 13 games. Lefty Matt Harrison has a winning record, but a 5.77 ERA, giving up 68 base runners in 43 innings. A good spot for the red hot road dog. Play the Indians.
Reply With Quote

Pointwise NFLX Phones

4* New England
3* Tennessee
3* Green Bay

JEFFERSONSPORTS

MLB EARLY RELEASE
CHICAGO CUBS -1.5 -120
CHICAGO WHITE SOX -155
LA DODGERS +124
ST LOUIS -185

NFL EARLY RELEASE
GREEN BAY +3.5

LT Profits

Tennessee Titans @ Atlanta Falcons Over 35.5

The Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans have not put up many points this preseason, but we expect that to change on Friday night.

Rookie Matt Ryan has been the most effective quarterback for the Falcons this preseason, and he is expected to play into the third quarter this week along with the Atlanta regulars. This will give him ample opportunity to showcase his skills, and he is already considered the favorite to win the starting job right out of Boston College. It certainly helps to have the support of running back Michael Turner for at least a half, as he has escaped from the shadow of LT in San Diego to already rush for 135 yards this preseason.

The Titans did not look crisp offensively in a 17-16 win over the Raiders last week, and the 34 points they scored in their preseason opener is deceptive as the starting offense only scored one touchdown. Still, Tennessee is better than they have shown, and a shaky Atlanta defense should be just what the Titans need to break out of their offensive doldrums.

Yes, it is preseason, but with the starters for both teams expected to see more action than in any other exhibition game this year, look for some more scoring than usual.

Pick: Titans, Atlanta Falcons Over 35.5

Marc Lawrence

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles
Prediction: New York Yankees

The Pinstripes send Mike Mussina to the hill against Radhames Liz and the Orioles in Baltimore tonight. Mussina has been in commanding KW form with 5 walks and 43 strikeouts in his last 8 starts while Liz counters with 14 walks and 11 strikeouts in his last 4 efforts. Enough said. Look for Mussina to make it 5-0 this month in August here tonight.

Ross Benjamin

Cincinnati @ Colorado
Pick: Over 9.5

In spite of both of these teams entering this series playing below .500 baseball they have the ability offensively to expose a struggling starting pitcher. In this particular spot we have 2 starters that are struggling. The Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang enters in horrible form off of his last 3 starts posting a 16.97 ERA, a 2.74 WHIP, and allowed 8 home runs in just 11.1 innings. The Colorado starter Aaron Cook enters the game in bad form off of his last 3 starts posting a 6.61 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. Play Over.

Golden Contender

Boston at Toronto
Pick: TORONTO

The Red Sox are 1-12 this year on art-turf.There starting pitcher P.Byrd is 4-10 in team road starts with a 5.56 era.Byrd did pitch well here 2 weeks ago going for a complete game win allowing just 2 runs.However it will be difficult to duplicate that performance on the road.Going for the jays is righty S.Marcum, he has been fantastic in his team starts against the Redsox going 5-0 with a 2.61 era.While the jays are just 5-6 in his home team starts,his era is a solid 2.62 in those starts.Toronto has handled Boston this year winning 6 of the 8 games played.Look for the Jays to once again handle the Bosox.