Monday Service Plays

Dwayne Bryant

Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers
Play: Detroit Tigers -153

Things look about even when you compare Marcum's road numbers to Verlander's home numbers. Neither has pitched well in their last three starts, although I do like Verlander's over 3/1 K/BB ratio. Marcum is coming off a home win over Oakland in which he went 7 innings and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits. Now he has to go on the road against a team that can hit well. The last time Marcum faced a good hitting team, Texas ripped him for 6 runs on 7 hits in just 4 1/3 innings. In fact, Marcum has allowed 12 runs on 15 hits in 9 innings in his 2 road starts since coming off the DL. The hitters on Detroit's active roster are batting a respectable .281 against Marcum (9-for-32) with a nice .594 slugging percentage.

Verlander has been roughed up in his last three starts, one on the road against the Indians and two against the White Sox (1 home, 1 away). Prior to this slump, Verlander had allowed 2 earned runs or less in 11 of 13 starts. He also had Quality Starts in 6 of his last 7 home starts, allowing 2 earned runs or less in 6 of those 7 outings (allowed 3 runs in the other outing). The icing on the cake: the batters on Toronto's active roster are hitting just .143 against Verlander (5-for-35).

The Jays have averaged just 3.25 runs per game against righties over their last 5 games. Detroit has averaged 5.11 runs per game against righties over their last 5 games. On the road this season, Toronto is batting .255 and scoring 4.49 runs per game against righties. At home this season, Detroit is batting .298 and scoring 6.16 runs per game against righties.

Take Detroit

Sports Gambling Hotline

San Francisco at HOUSTON -135

Hard to argue with the results the Astros have been getting the last few days, as Houston pulled off the sweep at Cincinnati this weekend, and have now won 4 straight, and 8 of their last 10.

Sure, the loss of Carlos Lee is going to hurt the 'Stros, but right now we will not make a case against them, as they take on a San Fran team that is just 26-30 on the road this year.

Houston has taken 3 of 4 this season from San Francisco, and those games were played in the City by the Bay. Now Houston gets a crack at the Giants at home where the 'Stros took 2 of 3 from the Giants a season ago, and Houston does own an above .500 record in their home park this year.

A win tonight puts the Astros at the break-even mark for the year, and we don't think Brandon Backe can pitch much worse than he did his last start when the Cubs tattoed him.

Sanchez will oppose, and it has been a while since he has seen the win column, as the southpaw has dropped his last 3 starts, allowing 13 runs in just 12 innings of work.

Play on Houston to continue their winning ways.

4♦ HOUSTON

Nelly

Toronto + over Detroit

The Tigers have lost three consecutive games that Justin Verlander has started as he has posted terrible numbers, allowing 18 runs in just over 17 innings pitched. It has been a very disappointing season for Verlander with 12 losses on the year and he does not have significantly better numbers in his home starts. Shaun Marcum came up with a great effort in his last start, allowing just three hits over seven innings and opposing batters are hitting just .210 against him. The Tigers are just 3-7 in the last ten games and there appears little fight in this team despite still being within striking distance of a playoff spot. Toronto continues to play at a solid clip with outstanding pitching and the disparity between these two bullpens is more than enough to make up for an offensive edge for the Tigers.

Marc Lawrence

Play On: Boston

Boston and Chicago conclude their four-game series Monday night in this battle of the Sox when Josh Beckett takes on John Danks in a battle of right handers in the Windy City. Hurling during the month of August has not been Danks' forte as evidenced by his 1-6 career mark with a 6.50 ERA. To compound matters, Danks' ERA at home is more than a full run higher than on the road this season. Conversely, Beckett's 3.38 road ERA is more than a run-and-a-half better than his 5.03 home ERA this season. With that look for Beckett to improve to 5-0 lifetime in his MLB career against the Pale Hose here this evening.

Jimmy The Moose

San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros
Prediction: San Francisco Giants

The Giants have won 3 of their last 4 games while the Astros have won 4 in a row. The Giants have two things going for them in this one, one they have been very good vs. the Astros in recent games and two Sanchez has been good on the mound on the road. The Giants are 6-2 in his last 8 road starts and 4-0 in his last 4 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Sanchez has struggled over his last 6 but expect a good game from him tonight in Houston. The Astros are 2-5 in Backe's last 7 starts. In his last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record the Astros are 1-7. The Giants are 22-7 in their last 29 trips to Houston. The Astros are 19-41 in the last 60 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Giants +.

Scott Ferrall

BASEBALL LOCKS FOR MONDAY

St.Louis +105 at Florida--Piniero over Sanchez--I saw Sanchez get roughed up in Philly and the Cards looked good at Wrigley. The Marlins won Sunday but lost 2 of 3 in Shea

Philly +120 at LA--Kendrick with a huge road win for the Phillies in Lipstick City over Derek Lowe

Toronto +145 at Detroit--Marcum needs to step up and take it seriously on the road at Comerica even though the Jays aren't going anywhere--neither are the Tigers and Verlander

Baltimore +125 at Cleveland--Sarfate upsets Carmona at the Jake

Yankees +110 over Twins--New York gets a solid outing from Sid Ponson as he returns to the Homerdome to say "remember me" to the team tha dumped him

ChiSox +120 over Boston in the Windy City--Danks takes out Beckett because he's definitely capable of pulling it off

BASEBALL OVER-UNDERS FOR MONDAY

YANKS-TWINS OVER 9.5 RUNS

BOST-CHISOX UNDER 9 RUNS

TOR-DET UNDER 9 RUNS

BALT-CLEV OVER 9.5 RUNS

PHILLY-LA UNDER 8 RUNS

SF-HOUS OVER 9.5 RUNS

CARDS-MARLINS UNDER 9.5 RUNS

WASH-MILW OVER 8 RUNS

PITTS-NY OVER 9 RUNS

BASEBALL FREE B's FOR MONDAY

San Francisco +115 at Houston--Backe got lit up his last time out, so I'm rolling the dice with Dirty Sanchez and the Giants at Minute Maid

Milwaukee -200 and Bush over the Nationals--you got to pay to play baby--I still think the Brewers will win it

Pirates +175 at Shea over Pedro and the Mets--Zach Duke gets help from the Bucs bats as they jump on Martinez, who usually gives up some runs and homers these days--he hasn't pitched rotten, but he hasn't been getting decisions either. Pirates catch the Mets off guard in the rainout makeup in Queens

You've got to take some chances if you want to make some extra coin

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL for week 1 pre-season

Bengals +3 from Packers--Rodgers doesn't play much but the Green still screw it up and the Bengals actually look good for a change

DUNKEL

NY Yankees at Minnesota
The Yankees look to bounce back after getting swept in Anaheim and build on their 9-5 record as a road underdog between +100 and +125. New York is the underdog pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+115). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11

Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 15.493; NY Mets (Martinez) 14.348
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-190); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+180); Under

Game 903-904: Washington at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Mock) 14.534; Milwaukee (Bush) 15.679
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-205); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-205); Over

Game 905-906: St. Louis at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 16.746; Florida (Sanchez) 15.790
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Florida (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+135); Over

Game 907-908: San Francisco at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 14.357; Houston (Backe) 16.241
Dunkel Line: Houston by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-135); Under

Game 909-910: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Kendrick) 16.360; LA Dodgers (Lowe) 15.516
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+130); Over

Game 911-912: Baltimore at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Sarfate) 15.185; Cleveland (Carmona) 16.972
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-145); Under

Game 913-914: Toronto at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Marcum) 14.188; Detroit (Verlander) 16.164
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-165); Under

Game 915-916: Boston at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 15.096; White Sox (Danks) 15.945
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+120); Under

Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Ponson) 16.257; Minnesota (Perkins) 15.135
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+115); Over

TONY STEVENS

NEW YORK METS -1.5

MILWAUKEE BREWERS -1.5

SPORTS ADVISORS

NFL Preseason

Cincinnati at Green Bay

With the Brett Favre soap opera finally behind them, the Packers and new No. 1 quarterback Aaron Rodgers take the field at Lambeau Field tonight for a preseason contest against the Bengals.

Rodgers, who served as Favre’s backup each of the last three years, is expected to play the entire first quarter for Green Bay before giving way to rookie Brian Brohm, who will lead the team in the middle two quarters with fellow rookie Matt Flynn slated to see fourth-quarter action.

Mike McCarthy’s squad is thin on the defensive line tonight with four defensive tackles and two defensive ends sitting this one out.

The Bengals will play starting QB Carson Palmer and the first-string offense for about 15 plays before Palmer gives way to Ryan Fitzpatrick for the rest of the half. Jeff Rowe will likely play the third quarter and expect to see Palmer’s brother, Jordan Palmer, get some mop-up action late in the game. Cincinnati will be without its top two WRs, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Cincinnati is a mediocre 10-10 SU and 11-9 ATS in preseason action since Marvin Lewis took over as coach in 2003, including 3-7 on the road (5-5 ATS). Last August, the Bengals lost three of their four summer contests, going 0-2 on the highway (1-1 ATS).

The Packers are 3-5 SU and ATS under McCarthy the last two preseasons, including 2-2 SU and ATS at home. However, Green Bay has cashed in each of its two games as a favorite the past two Augusts.

These two met in the 2006 preseason in Cincinnati with the Bengals demolishing the Packers 48-17 as five-point favorites.

The over is 5-2 in Green Bay’s last seven preseason games overall, 3-1 in its last four at Lambeau and 5-1 in Cincinnati’s last six August road games dating to 2005.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia (64-53) at L.A. Dodgers (58-59)

The N.L. East-leading Phillies head west to Dodger Stadium, where they’ll send Kyle Kendrick (10-5, 4.37 ERA) to the mound to face veteran Derek Lowe (8-10, 4.10) in the first matchup of the season between these squads.

Philadelphia leads New York by two games in the race for the N.L. East crown while the Dodgers sit 1½ games behind Arizona in the N.L. West. The Phillies beat Pittsburgh 6-3 on Sunday to wrap up a brief six-game homestand at 3-3. Meanwhile Los Angeles went 2-4 on its just-completed road trip, including excruciating walk-off losses to the rival Giants on Saturday (3-2 in 10 innings) and Sunday (5-4).

The Phillies have won five of their last six against N.L. West opponents and five of their last six on the road. They’re also on impressive streaks of 40-19 in series openers, 15-5 when Kendrick starts and 13-3 when Kendrick works on the road. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 8-3 in its last 11 home games and 5-1 in Lowe’s last six versus the N.L. East.

Kendrick is 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA in his last three outings, and he’s gone 6-2 on the road this year. He blanked the Marlins on four hits over six innings in Wednesday’s 5-0 home victory. Kendrick faced the Dodgers twice last season and gave up a combined nine runs on 14 hits in 12 innings, splitting a pair of games that ended with identical 5-4 final scores.

Lowe had his worst outing of the season on Wednesday when he gave up eight runs on 13 hits in just 3 1/3 innings of a 9-6 loss in St. Louis. He’s just 6-5 at home despite a solid 2.72 ERA. For his career, he’s 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA and two saves in 10 appearances against the Phillies.

The over is 7-1 in Kendrick’s last eight starts against N.L. West teams and 4-1 in his last five road starts. Also, in this series, the over is on runs of 7-2-1 overall, 6-0-1 in Los Angeles and 4-1 when Lowe pitches. However, as a team, the Phillies have stayed under the total in five straight, while the Dodgers are on under streaks of 12-5 overall, 30-12 as a favorite, 27-11 at home, 7-3 with Lowe on the mound overall and 5-0 in Lowe’s last five at home.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Boston (67-51) at Chicago White Sox (65-51)

The White Sox try to make it three of four against the Red Sox when they give the ball to lefty John Danks (9-4, 3.21) opposite Boston ace Josh Beckett (10-8, 4.08) at U.S. Cellular Field.

The teams have alternated wins and losses in the first three games of this four-game set, with Chicago holding on for a 6-5 victory on Sunday. The White Sox are 39-18 at home this year, and they’re 22-10 in their last 32 games against right-handed starters and 6-2 in Danks’ last eight starts.

Boston has won six of its last nine, but the Red Sox are still on a 17-38 slide on the road against winning teams. This is the first series of the year between these two teams, but Boston is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings going back to 2007, including 5-2 in Chicago.

Beckett is just 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in his last three starts, and the Red Sox have lost five of his last eight outings. On Tuesday, he held the Royals to two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-2 victory in Kansas City. He’s 3-0 with a 4.64 ERA in four career starts (21 1/3 innings) against Chicago.

Danks is 2-0 with a 4.34 ERA in his last three starts and was superb against the Tigers on Wednesday, allowing just one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-1 victory. He’s only seen Boston twice in his career, both last season, and gave up nine runs in 9 1/3 innings in a pair of defeats.

Boston is on runs of 19-8 with Beckett pitching on the road, 34-16 when he takes the hill as a favorite and 5-0 when he faces A.L. Central teams. Meanwhile, the White Sox are 8-3 in Danks’ last 11 as an underdog and 5-2 in his last seven in Chicago, but just 2-5 in his last seven versus A.L. East squads.

The over is 17-6-1 in Chicago’s last 24 overall, 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two overall and 7-2 in the past nine clashes in Chicago.

ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and OVER

Alex Smart

Detroit Tigers -150

The Detroit Tigers(58-59) started their 2008 campaign, as one of the publics favorite choices for an American League championship. After starting their season with 7 straight losses, the Tigers have never completely rebounded and remain 1 game under .500 . Motown s streaky play has seen them win 3 of their L/4 after a 6 game slide, heading into a three game series against a Toronto Blue Jays(59-59) squad that is off getting swept by the Cleveland Indians this past weekend.

With that said, I think the Tigers have the edge , and getting the much needed victory , as they send their most talented hurler , Justin Verlander (8-12, 4.56 ERA) to the hill. I know the southpaws numbers do not instill confidence for his betting backers , but this kid can be dominating when he gets in a groove, as was the case in his last outing when he mowed down 12 batters in a row and 21 of 24 overall, despite of suffering a loss. This is going to be his first ever start against the Jays, which will give him an edge over an offense that scored only 4 runs in their last 27 innings of play.

Meanwhile, his Toronto pitching opponent, Shaun Marcum( 6-5, 3.44 ERA) is making his 5th start ,since coming off the DL, with an elbow strain. In my opinion he looked a lot stronger and had more zip on his pitches before the layoff. I know he pitched well last time out, in a 5-1 win over the light hitting As, but against Detroit Tigers team that is hitting .303 at home this season while averaging 5.7 RPG , I think a much different ending will unfold.

Final notes & Key Trends: Tigers are 7-1 in Verlanders last 8 starts vs. American League East..Detroit has won 4 of 5 Verlanders L/5 home starts . Detroit has faired well at home against top tier bullpens , with a 3.00 ERA or better winning 10 of 11 games.

Play on the Detroit Tigers

Big Al Mcmordie

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

At 10:10pm our member selection is on the Philadelphia Phillies over the Los Angeles Dodgers. So what's the verdict so far on the trade that brought Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles in exchange for some prospects in the hopes of boosting the Dodgers' sagging offense? Well right now you'd have to say that the jury is still out. Sure, Ramirez has been on fire since coming to the west coast with 15 hits in 37 at bats, four homers and eleven RBI. So what's the problem? Unfortunately, since arriving at the end of July, the Dodgers have only gone 4-5. Regardless of his individual achievements, if Manny can't help the Dodgers win the division, then the deadline deal has to be considered a bust. One of the problems, of course, is that the hitters around him in the lineup in Los Angeles are a far cry from those in Boston. This will be a big series for LA, as it faces NL East-leading Philadelphia. Philly starter Kyle Kendrick must have heard all of the so-called experts talking about his team needing another starter prior to the trade deadline. Those sentiments could be heard loud and clear since the middle of July, and Kendrick must have taken it personally, because in his three starts since July 19, he has gone 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA and is now in double-digit wins for the season at a very surprising 10-5. LA's righthanded veteran Derek Lowe seems to want to defend his title as baseball's "Most Inconsistent Starter" as one never knows which Lowe will show up when he takes the mound, but lately it hasn't been the good one. Take the Phillies.

STEPHEN NOVER

Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
PICK: Pittsburgh Pirates

Considering their bullpen woes, injuries and Pedro Martinez on the mound, the Mets shouldn't be this big of a favorite.

The line is this high, in part, because the Mets are home and the pitching matchup is Zach Duke against Martinez. Duke hasn't been good this season, but his ERA (5.13) still is lower than Martinez's ERA (5.79).

Duke is off one of his best performances of the season. Pitching on the road against Arizona last Tuesday, Duke held the Diamondbacks to two earned runs in seven innings. He matched his season-high in strikeouts with six, while walking just one.

Duke is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in three career starts versus the Mets.

Martinez has won once since June 15. He's 1-3 with a 6.06 ERA during his past seven starts. Martinez has yet to pitch into the eighth inning this season. He's averaged 5 2/3 innings in his past seven starts.

The Mets lack a true closer with Billy Wagner on the DL. Their middle relief has been terrible.

This is a one-game makeup matchup. The Mets are off a tough division series against Florida. They go on the road after this game. So they may not have their full concentration for the non-division Pirates, a team that generates little respect.

Jack Clayton

Pirates at Mets
Pick: Pirates

Pittsburgh lefty Zach Duke is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA against the Mets, while Pedro martinez is looking old and washed up with a 5.79 ERA. Play the Pirates.

LAS VEGAS SPORTS ADVISORS

5* Cinncy +3 Play of the Day

4* Philadelphia/Kyle Kendrick +121

4* Milwaukee/David Bush -1.5
FREE PICK