Tony Matthews
CHICAGO CUBS -1½ RL
We will side with the Chicago Cubs -1½ Runs as they face-off against the Philadelphia Phillies in Friday's MLB contest. The Philadelphia Phillies will use starting pitcher Joe Blanton. Joe Blanton has struggled as of late. In fact, Joe Blanton has a 5.06 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Joe Blanton pitching another bad game today. The Chicago Cubs will use starting pitcher Rich Harden. Rich Harden has been pitching great as of late. In fact, Rich Harden has a 0.47 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Rich Harden pitching another great game today. The bottom line, the Chicago Cubs should be able to get a blowout win today. Take the Chicago Cubs -1½ Runs!
John Fina
MILWAUKEE BREWERS -1½ RL
Today the Milwaukee Brewers will be on the road as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. We will side with the Milwaukee Brewers -1½ Runs! One reason why we will side with the Milwaukee Brewers is because they will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher. This says it all... The Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher (David Bush) has a 2.66 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher (Tom Gorzelanny) has a 8.80 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, the Milwaukee Brewers will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher. The Milwaukee Brewers are 15-6 in their last 21 road games, while the Pittsburgh Pirates are 1-7 in their last 8 home games. The Milwaukee Brewers are 19-7 in their last 26 meetings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and should be able to get another blowout win tonight! Take the Milwaukee Brewers -1½ Runs!
Jeff Benton
SMU / RICE
This is first game SMU is playing under new coach June Jones, formerly of Hawaii, and while I don’t doubt that he’ll get the Mustangs program turned around, it’s not going to happen overnight, especially given Jones’ complex offensive system. It’s the kind of system that requires certain kinds of recruits, which Jones doesn’t have right now. In fact, he doesn’t even have his starting quarterback tonight, who has been suspended for this contest. As for the Owls, they’re in the second season under coach David Bailiff, meaning his returning players – including multidimensional QB Chase Clement (3,377 passing yards, team-leading 535 rushing yards, 37 total TDs last year) – should be a lot more comfortable with the offensive and defensive schemes than they were a year ago. Finally, Rice has been a very solid home bet over the last decade (29-15-2 ATS), and this in-state rivalry has belonged to the home team (9-2-1 ATS last 12 meetings) in recent years. Lay the small price with Rice.
3♦ RICE
Tony Weston
SMU / RICE
Rice comes into this game set to take on an SMU team that’s coming off a 1-11 season SU and 4-8 season ATS. One of those losses came against Rice as SMU lost 43-42 as a 6 1/2-point favorite. Including that game SMU is 1-5 SU and ATS against Rice over their last six meetings. Over the last decade Rice holds a strong 7-3 record SU and ATS against SMU. June Jones, new SMU head coach, was also only 7-12 ATS as a dog at since the 2003 season. Jones has also decided to go with freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to lead this team. Also, despite only going 3-9 SU last season, Rice was pretty solid ATS, going 5-6 ATS. However, after starting the season 0-3 ATS, the Owls went 5-3 ATS to finish the year. It’ll be tight early, but Rice will pull away. Go with the Owls at home tonight.
3♦ RICE
Chip Chirimbes
BOSTON RED SOX
Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-2, 2.98 ERA) will try to pick up the slack Friday, pitching on a full four days' rest thanks to Monday's off day. David Pauley, a callup from Triple-A Pawtucket, is set to start Saturday. Matsuzaka will take his second shot at his 16th victory, surpassing the total from his 2007 rookie season. The Red Sox are 19-4 when the Japanese right-hander pitches this year.One of those wins came on Sunday, though Matsuzaka didn't receive a decision after giving up five runs in six innings of Boston's 6-5, 11-inning victory over Toronto.That was part of a 6-3 road trip for the Red Sox, who won all three series to maintain a slim lead over Minnesota in the wild-card standings. They now play 20 of their final 29 games at Fenway Park, where they are 43-18.The White Sox (76-57) are also jockeying for position with the Twins in the Central, and this weekend's series takes on extra weight knowing that Boston and Chicago could end up in a race for the wild card - or could meet in the postseason.
Greg Daraban
METS / MARLINS UNDER
907 New York 74-60 at 908 Florida 68-65. Perez 9-7 ERA 4.00 vs Volstad 3-3 ERA 3.56. Opening game of a very important series at Miami. The Metropolitans and the Fish both had the night off to get ready for the series. Perez has found his best stuff of late. Volstad is one of the best rookie pitchers in the bigs. Take NY/Fla Under.
Bobby Maxwell
Temple -7 at ARMY
Tonight we've got another in Temple as the Owls travel to West Point to take on Army.
Temple is a much-improved team and showed it is on the right path by finishing the year winning four of seven games (5-2 ATS) and going 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Owls are making strides under third-year coach Al Golden and they've got a defense that can hang with any team in the country.
Temple's defense was the top-ranked squad in the red zone and ranked No. 14 in third-down situations. Even though Army beat Temple a year ago, Owls' DT Terrance Knighton was a monster in the game, making six tackles, recovering two fumbles and blocking a 54-yard FG attempt.
On offense the Owls have QB Adam DiMichele returning after suffering a broken leg in the eighth game last year. he completed 61.9 percent of his throws and picked Army apart for a season-high 314 yards.
Army was pathetic a year ago, averaging just 87.5 yards per game. Things are changing at West Point as they got to an option-based attack but it's going to take a while for it to sink in. The Knights have lost 11 straight season openers and is just 7-16 ATS in its last 23 overall.
Temple is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games and 6-2 ATS in its last eight against independents. Play the Owls to score a rare road win with ease tonight.
4♦ TEMPLE
DUNKEL
Atlanta at Washington
The Braves took two out of three from Florida at home, but hit the road today against a Washington team that comes off a sweep of the Dodgers. The Nats are the underdog pick (+165) according to Dunkel, which has Washington favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+165). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
Game 901-902: Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Blanton) 15.170; Cubs (Harden) 17.370
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-265); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-265); N/A
Game 903-904: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Bush) 15.973; Pittsburgh (Gorzelanny) 13.479
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-180); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-180); Over
Game 905-906: San Francisco at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 15.140; Cincinnati (Volquez) 14.719
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+150); Over
Game 907-908: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Perez) 15.841; Florida (Volstad) 15.005
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-135); Under
Game 909-910: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Campillo) 14.289; Washington (Perez) 15.267
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+165); Over
Game 911-912: St. Louis at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.859; Houston (Wolf) 14.326
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-145); Under
Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 13.084; Arizona (Davis) 14.355
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+115); Under
Game 915-916: Colorado at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 14.395; San Diego (Hayhurst) 15.169
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+160); Under
Game 917-918: Seattle at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.735; Cleveland (Sowers) 15.270
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+105); Over
Game 919-920: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Burnett) 16.431; NY Yankees (Pavano) 15.673
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-125); Over
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Davies) 14.352; Detroit (Miner) 13.386
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-190); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+180); Over
Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Vazquez) 15.613; Boston (Matsuzaka) 16.778
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 11
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 925-926: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Guthrie) 15.550; Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 16.419
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-175); Under
Game 927-928: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 14.324; Oakland (Meyer) 14.989
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+165); Under
Game 929-930: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Nippert) 14.834; LA Angels (Santana) 16.738
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-255); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-255); Under
SPORTS ADVISORS
Temple at Army
Army tees it up against one of the three teams it was able to beat last season when the Owls come calling at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y.
Army went just 3-9 SU (4-6-1 ATS) last season but scored a 37-21 win over Temple in late September, covering as a six-point home chalk. These two have only met four times in the last 21 years with the Black Knights holding a 3-1 SU and ATS advantage.
Temple (4-8, 7-5 ATS in 2007) is in its third year under coach Al Golden and is coming off an inspired 4-4 Mid-American Conference campaign a year ago, going 4-3 SU (5-2 ATS) to end the season. The Owls’ offense improved from No. 117 in the nation in 2006 to No. 44 last year. Meanwhile their defense was ranked No. 1 in the country in the red zone and No. 14 in third-down situations.
Returning for Temple on defense is tackle Terrance Knighton, who was a third-team all-MAC selection a year ago and was a beast against Army, making six tackles, recovering two fumbles and blocking a 54-yard field-goal attempt. Offensively, the Owls return QB Adam DiMichele, who completed 61.9 percent of his throws and torched Army for a season-high 314 yards before suffering a broken leg in the eighth game last year
Army coach Stan Brock is installing an option-based offense after last season’s disaster that saw the Knights average just 87.5 yards per game. Brock is giving junior QB Carson Williams (1,770 yards passing last year) the responsibility to pitch or run with the new offense, and leading the way at RB is the duo of Tony Dace (330 rushing yards in 2007) and sophomore Patrick Mealy (302 rushing yards).
Army has lost 11 straight season-openers is just 7-16 ATS in its last 23 games overall. Meanwhile Temple has lost 29 of its last 31 road games and hasn’t been a road favorite since 2002 at Rutgers. The Owls are 5-8-1 ATS on the highway since Golden took over in 2006, including 3-3 ATS last year, but they’re 6-2 ATS in their last eight against independents.
For Temple, the under is on runs of 7-0 overall, 5-2 on the road and 4-1 in non-conference games. On the flip side, the over is 5-2 in Army’s last seven home games and 8-2 in its last 10 on turf.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
SMU at Rice
The June Jones era begins at Southern Methodist University as the Mustangs travel to Rice Stadium in Houston to take on the Owls in a Conference USA opener.
Rice won a 43-42 shootout over SMU last season when the Owls hit a 31-yard field goal with no time left to get the home win as 7½-point underdogs. Rice has won seven of the last 10 series meetings (7-3 ATS) and six in a row SU and ATS at home. The straight-up winner is 10-0 ATS in those 10 clashes, and the home team is on a 10-2 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
Jones brings his run-and shoot offense with him from Hawaii to SMU, which went 1-11 last year (4-8 ATS), including 10 straight losses to finish the season. Jones has stirred up his troops by sending returning QB Justin Willis to the third team. Willis is the school’s all-time leader with 51 TD passes and was an honorable mention all-Conference USA selection last year with 3,643 yards and 25 TDs.
Getting the nod at QB tonight in place of Willis is freshman Bo Levi Mitchell who led his high school team to the Texas Class 5A championship last year. His top target with the Mustangs will be junior WR Emmanuel Sanders who has 18 career TDs and finished on a high note last season by catching 13 balls for 118 yards and three TDs in the season finale against Memphis. On the other side of the ball, the Mustangs look to fix a group that ranked 116th in total defense and 117th in scoring defense in 2007.
Rice (3-9, 5-6 ATS) opened last year with four straight losses (0-3 ATS), including an embarrassing 16-14 setback to Division I-AA Nicholls State in an unlined contest to open the season. The Owls finished the year losing five of eight, but they went 8-5 ATS.
David Bailiff enters his second year at Rice and is hoping to improve a defense that ranked last in the nation in passing yards allowed (312.4 per game) and second to last in points allowed (42.9 per game). Offensively, the Owls have a dynamic duo in QB Chase Clement and WR Jarett Dillard, who have combined for 32 TD passes, six shy of an NCAA record.
Clement is the first player in NCAA history to throw for more than 300 yards and rush for more than 100 in back-to-back games, accomplishing the task in the win over SMU when he threw for 364 yards and two TDs and rushed for 124 yards and two more scores. Dillard is the active NCAA leader in catches, receiving yardage and TDs, and he’s scored at least one TD in 17 of his last 18 conference games.
Rice is 0-3 ATS in its last three in the rare role of favorite, but the Owls are 29-15-2 ATS at home since 1998 and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 conference matchups. Meanwhile, SMU is 9-5 ATS on the highway since 2005, including 4-2 ATS in its last six as a road pup, but overall the Mustangs are just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 overall.
The over is 21-4 in Rice’s last 25 Conference USA games, 21-5 in the Owls’ last 26 in front of the home fans and 40-11 in their last 51 games overall. Also, four of the last five head-to-head clashes between these in-state rivals have flown over the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NFL Preseason
San Diego (2-1 SU and ATS) at San Francisco (2-1 SU and ATS)
The Chargers wrap up preseason play by trekking up the Pacific coast to Monster Park to take on the 49ers in a game that, like most in the final week of exhibition play, won’t have starters seeing much action.
San Diego put up a late TD and a two-point conversion to top Seattle 18-17 on Monday, but failed to cover as a 5½-point home chalk. The Chargers have been a middling preseason team since 2003, with a 12-11 ATS mark (13-10 SU), going 2-2 ATS each year from 2003-2007. The Chargers have also gone just 2-4 ATS in their last six preseason road games (1-0 ATS this year).
San Francisco held off Chicago 37-30 last week as a 3½-point road underdog for its second straight win and cover. Under fourth-year coach Mike Nolan, the 49ers are 6-1 SU and ATS at Monster Park in preseason play, and they are 8-3 SU and ATS at home in August since 2003.
Second-year Chargers coach Norv Turner said no starters will play more than a few series, and QB Philip Rivers, who sat out Week 2, once again likely won’t play at all. While Turner didn’t divulge who would start at QB, backup Billy Volek figures to get the nod, followed by Charlie Whitehurst and possibly Casey Bramlet. Volek relieved Rivers late in the third quarter last week and went just 3 of 9 for 33 yards.
Nolan has already named J.T. O’Sullivan the starting quarterback for the 49ers’ regular-season opener, but it’s unlikely that O’Sullivan will play against the Chargers. Former first-round draft pick Alex Smith should see plenty of action, followed by Shaun Hill. Smith went 6 of 17 for 83 yards and a TD last week, and Hill was 6 of 7 for 60 yards.
These teams meet every summer, with San Diego having the upper hand of late, going 4-1 dating to 2003 (3-2 ATS). Last year in Week 4, the Chargers won 16-13, barely cashing as a 2½-point home favorite.
The over has cashed in four of San Francisco’s last six preaseason outings and is 6-3 in San Diego’s last nine August contests. In addition, the over is 3-1 in the past four preseason clashes between these instate rivals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO and OVER
Denver (1-2, 1-1-1 ATS) at Arizona (2-1 SU and ATS)
The Cardinals, who still haven’t resolved their quarterback controversy, finish the exhibition season by taking on the Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Arizona pounded Oakland 24-0 last week, winning and covering as a 3½-point road pup. However, the Cardinals are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in their last four home preseason games, and they’re 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three preseason finales – all against Denver.
The Broncos fell to Green Bay 27-24 last week laying three points at home. Mike Shanahan’s troops are 15-9 SU in preseason play dating to 2003, with a 7-3-1 SU and ATS mark on the highway. In addition, the Broncos are on a 6-1 ATS tear in their last seven preseason finales, and they’re 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine as an underdog in August.
Second-year Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t officially named his regular-season starting QB, but he did say Kurt Warner will start tonight. Last week, Warner played a couple of possessions late in the first half and early in the second half, going 2 of 4 for 40 yards and leading a TD drive. Meanwhile, former first-round pick Matt Leinart had nearly as many INTs as completions against Oakland, going 4 of 12 for 24 yards with three picks.
Whisenhunt said Leinart, who started in Weeks 1 and 3, might not play against the Broncos. If not, look for Brian St. Pierre to relieve Warner, followed by rookie Anthony Morelli.
The Broncos have no such QB issues, with third-year pro Jay Cutler entrenched as the starter – meaning he likely won’t see a down of action in the preseason finale. Patrick Ramsey is expected to get the start, followed by Darrell Hackney.
Denver hammered the Cardinals 21-3 as a 3 ½-point home favorite in last year’s finale, and the Broncos are 6-1 SU and ATS against Arizona in August since 1999.
The over has cashed in five of the last seven preseason meetings between these squads.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers (65-69) at Arizona (68-65)
Two teams that have struggled lately square off at Chase Field as the host Diamondbacks hand the ball to southpaw Doug Davis (5-8, 4.53 ERA) to open a key three-game series against the Dodgers, who will send Hiroki Kuroda (7-9, 3.87) to the hill.
Arizona, trying to hold off L.A. atop the N.L. West, comes in flat, having lost four straight games before taking Thursday off. On Wednesday at San Diego, the D-Backs built a 4-0 lead, only to lose 5-4 as the Padres swept the three-game series. Arizona is on further slides of 1-5 overall, 2-8 with Davis on the bump and 3-7 in Friday games.
Los Angeles has fared even worse lately, dropping seven straight games, all on the road. On Wednesday night in Washington, the Dodgers got hammered 11-2 as the lowly Nationals completed a three-game sweep. The Dodgers are in a 1-9 funk overall and are 2-13 in their last 15 road games.
Arizona has won seven of 12 clashes in this rivalry this season, including four of six meetings at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks have lost in four of Davis’ last five starts, including Sunday’s 5-2 home setback against Florida as Davis allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings. The veteran is just 3-5 with a 4.85 ERA in 11 home starts this year, and he’s 4-3 with a 2.98 ERA in eight career starts versus Los Angeles. However, Davis has gotten shelled in his last two starts against the Dodgers – at home July 18 and on the road Aug. 3 – allowing a combined 10 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits in just 4 2/3 innings, for an eye-popping 17.36 ERA.
L.A. wasted a solid effort by Kuroda on Sunday at Philadelphia, as he allowed just one run on two hits in six innings, but got a no-decision in a 5-2 loss. The Dodgers are just 2-5 in Kuroda’s last seven outings, losing the last two in a row. The rookie right-hander is 2-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 13 road starts this season, and he’s 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA in three outings against Arizona.
The under is on a 10-2 roll in Kuroda’s last 12 road starts and is 9-3 in the Dodgers’ last 12 division games. Conversely, the over has cashed in Davis’ last four starts against L.A.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on S.F. Giants +169
The Reds have already cashed this season in while the Giants have shown some fight. The Reds are just 8-23 in their last 31 overall, 1-8 in their last 9 home games, and 0-7 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing record. The Giants have won 6 of their last 8 and are 9-4 in their last 13 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. The Giants are 6-0 in Zito's last 6 starts vs. a team with a losing record and 4-0 in Zito's last 4 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. He's been earning his contract of late and we'll back him here. Take the Giants.
BIG AL
100% (15-0 ATS) COLLEGE FOOTBALL CRUSHER
Temple
Rocketman Sports
4* Best Temple -7.0
Tommy Rider
Rice / SMU Over 69.0
The key to winning overs is that both teams need to score. If that's the case, this may be the easiest over you play all year. Both of these offenses are light years ahead of the defenses. As some of you may know, I'm a huge SMU fan and I talk to some boosters down there. They tell me that this freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is the real deal. Plus, the Ponies have two stud receivers to wreak havoc on an undermanned Rice secondary. The other misconception out there is that the Run 'n' Shoot takes a long time to learn. That's totally untrue. The routes are mostly digs and outs. It's actually an easy offense to pick up compared to something like the spread. On the other side of the ball, SMU is terrible. June Jones will need to outscore people for a couple of seasons until he gets some decent recruits on defense and he knows it. Chase Clement and Jarett Dillard will do anything they want against the Ponies defense. This line has dropped and I guess people thought it was too high. I disagree. I think this is one of the few totals with some value in Week 1. I had the total set at 73, so I'll be more than happy to take it at 69. Both of these teams should easily score in the 30's in what will be an offensive track meet from start to finish.
COMP
Army +7
Some teams just shouldn't be a touchdown favorite on the road and Temple is at the top of that list. I keep hearing all this hype about the Owls but I'll believe it when I see it. How about this stat: Temple is 2-29 SU in its last 31 road games. I'm sorry but I'm not excited about them all of a sudden covering a touchdown, even if they are playing Army. The Black Knights have gone back to the wishbone and that's a nightmare for a team like Temple to open up against. Throw in the fact that Army Head Coach Stan Brock is recovering from cancer and I think you will have a motivated team here. Hey, Temple may win the game but getting seven points with Army at home is just too good to pass up.
LT Profits
San Francisco 49ers -3.0
As we have oftentimes said, preseason is all about finding situations where one teams want to win and the other could not care less, and such is the case when the San Francisco 49ers host the San Diego Chargers Friday night.
Not much is expected from the 49ers this season, so they better get their wins when they can. They have actually looked good since and opening loss to the Oakland Raiders, first crushing the 34-6 here and then going on the road and beating the Chicago Bears 37-30. A 3-1 preseason finish would certainly boost the confidence of this club, so look for them to accomplish just that.
On the other hand, the Chargers have held out LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates the entire preseason and will do so again, while how long Shawne Merriman will be out is a total guess at this point. As if that is not enough, San Diego is playing with just three days rest after narrowly edging the Seattle Seahawks 18-17 at home Monday night, so this game will be filled with third and fourth stingers as the Chargers could ill afford more injuries to key players.
San Diego nipped the Niners 16-13 during preseason last year, but look for San Francisco to return the favor by a safer margin this time around.
Pick: 49ers -3
Great Lakes Sports
Seattle at Cleveland
Play on: Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are the hottest team in all of baseball winning ten games in a row, and they are 4-2 vs the Seattle Mariners this year. The Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Sowers is a perfect 2-0 with a nice 1.80era in his career vs the Seattle Mariners, and the Indians is a very solid 18-7 record in August this year. We look for the Cleveland Indians to keep rolling as they will grab the home win tonight.