Drew Gordon
St. Louis -120 at HOUSTON
2-0 Sweep my Freebies Saturday, as you got Utah outright over Michigan 25-23 on the college Gridiron AND Marlins over the Mets 4-3 on the Diamond!
I've told you before in this spot, that the days of Wandy Rodriguez being a lock at Minute Maid Park are over. True, he dominated the Reds in his last start, but let's not get carried away with locking down a below average Cincy team that's already thrown in the towel. Instead, focus on the fact that Rodriguez got reached for 10 runs in just 7 innings in the two home starts prior to that one(Cincinnati and Arizona respectively)! Note, Rodriguez is 1-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 9 career games (8 starts) against St. Louis.
Not only that, but he's being opposed by one of the Cards better pitchers on the road in Todd Wellemeyer, who's 4-0 with a 3.01 ERA away this season! Look for Wellemeyer to be highly focused in this one, as he's coming off an ugly/critical loss to the rival Brewers, and I expect he'll more than make up for it in this one. He's also 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA in 8 career games (2 starts) against Houston.
Finally and most importantly, the Cardinals know damn well they cannot afford to keep losing games with the Brewers surging (and now tied with the Phillies for 2nd in the NL wild card). Larussa has publicly admitted this game is critical to stop the bleeding, and I expect the Cardinals to respond accordingly this afternoon. Also of note, St. Louis is 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss! Redbirds roll today at Minute Maid!
Take St. Louis behind Wellemeyer over Houston and Rodriguez in this MLB match up.
3♦ ST. LOUIS
DUNKEL
Texas at LA Angels
The Rangers look to avoid the sweep today and take advantage of LA's 0-3 record as a home favorite from -200 to -225. Texas is the underdog pick (+190) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Texas (+190). Here are all of today's games.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
Game 901-902: San Francisco at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 14.555; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 15.303
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-135); Over
Game 903-904: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Martinez) 16.624; Florida (Olsen) 15.222
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-135); Under
Game 905-906: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 13.785; Washington (Balester) 14.771
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+125); Over
Game 907-908: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sabathia) 15.384; Pittsburgh (Karstens) 15.455
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-255); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+235); Over
Game 909-910: St. Louis at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 14.564; Houston (Rodriguez) 15.622
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+125); Under
Game 911-912: Colorado at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Francis) 15.100; San Diego (Peavy) 16.464
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Over
Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Lowe) 14.314; Arizona (Webb) 13.725
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+165); Over
Game 915-916: Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.883; Cubs (Zambrano) 15.657
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-200); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+185); N/A
Game 917-918: Seattle at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Rowland-Smith) 16.280; Cleveland (Jackson) 15.566
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+145); Under
Game 919-920: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Meche) 14.110; Detroit (Galarraga) 13.128
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+185); Over
Game 921-922: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.212; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 15.825
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+105); Under
Game 923-924: Chicago White Sox at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 14.923; Boston (Wakefield) 17.468
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-155); Over
Game 925-926: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Burres) 15.206; Tampa Bay (Shields) 17.763
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-250); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-250); Over
Game 927-928: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 15.737; LA Angels (Lackey) 14.835
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-205); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+190); Under
Game 929-930: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 15.507; Oakland (Smith) 14.806
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-165); Over
NCAAF
Game 207-208: Kentucky at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Kentucky 95.453; Louisville 95.285
Dunkel Line: Even; 64
Vegas Line: Louisville by 3 1/2; 58
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (+3 1/2); Over
Game 209-210: Colorado vs. Colorado State (N)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 91.074; Colorado State 82.933
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 8; 63
Vegas Line: Colorado by 11 1/2; 59
Dunkel Pick: Colorado State (+11 1/2); Over
WILD BILL
Reds-Giants Under 8½ (5 units)
Nationals +125 (5 units)
Phils +185 (5 units)
Royals +185 (5 units)
White Sox +145 (5 units)
Jays +105 (5 units)
Orioles +230 (5 units)
Rangers-Angels Under 9 (5 units)
Twins -150 (5 units)
Kentucky-Louisville Under 55½ (5 units)
CSU-Colorado Over 56½ (5 units)
JB's Computer Picks
Toronto Blue Jays -105
Milwaukee Brewers -250
Tampa Bay Rays -260 * * *
Arizona Diamondbacks -175
Best Bet ***
Gina
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates
Milwaukee has won seven of their last eight games overall ,including Saturday's 11-2 win over the Pirates and have won the last seven contests against Pittsburgh, four of the last five in Pittsburgh.
Go with the Brewers with southpaw CC Sabathia on the hill to continue their superiority over the struggling Pirates, who have lost nine straight. Sabathia is 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates and Milwaukee has won the left-hander’s last 4 road starts.
Milwaukee Brewers -250
Vegas Experts
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
Roy Halladay sure likes to make the oddsmakers pay for their mistakes. Following a win in his last outing at Tampa Bay, Toronto is 5 for 5 when Halladay is an underdog. Two of those wins came over his last three starts. The other start over that span was a 14-3 massacre of the Yankees. Needless to say, this is a very attractive price on a pitcher that is 3-0 vs. the Yankees since June.
Play on: Toronto
PlusLineSports
Milwaukee vs Pittsburg
Milwaukee -1.5
Ben Burns
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
After a poor start, Meche has pitched well during the summer. That being said, he got absolutely rocked last time out, giving up a career-high 14 hits along with five runs. While Meche has a respectable 4.13 ERA, Galarraga has been even better. In 24 starts, he's 12-4 with a stellar 3.20 ERA. A closer look shows that the Tigers rookie has been mediocre (7-4, 4.09 ERA) at night but that he's been outstanding during the afternoon. In fact, he's a perfect 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a mere .181 batting average. One of those daytime starts came in his lone appearance vs. the Royals, back on 7/23. Galarraga was dominant in that outing, allowing just three hits and one run through seven complete innings. That's a 1.29 ERA and 0.571 WHIP! Of course, the Tigers are also a much better hitting team than the Royals. With the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 ET, we should be able to expect another strong effort from Galarraga. Consider laying the price with DETROIT
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Chicago Cubs -181
The Cubs are a perfect 7-0 in their last 7 games following a loss so I like them to bounce back big today behind the Big Z. The Cubs are 50-17 in their last 67 home games and 6-0 in their last 6 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. The Cubs are a perfect 8-0 in Zambrano's last 8 starts during game 4 of a series and 5-0 in Zambrano's last 5 starts vs. National League East. The Phillies are only 3-7 in their last 10 road games. Take the Cubbies at home behind their ace.
Jake Timlin
Sunday selection is the Colorado Rockies.
Despite not being able to gain any ground on in their division last night I still like the Rockies today plus a great return of cash. After all it is the Rockies who are still playing very well having won 10 of their last 14 games as they now face a familiar foe in Peavy and one Colorado has found great success against. You see for the Rockies they have won all three games against San Diego when Peavy starts this season and the last four games when dating back to last year. Well thanks to the Rockies Francis pitching today and looking good going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA over his last three starts its Colorado who I see having a great shot at the money today.
All Colorado!
Tony Weston
We're switching gears here and going to the diamond in Detroit as we're taking the Royals over the Tigers today.Sure, both teams have been equally horrible lately, but the Royals have been pretty strong against the Tigers this season. The teams have played each other 14 times this season with the Royals holding an 8-6 advantage.After winning six straight against the Tigers, the Royals lost five consecutive matchups to their AL Central rival. However, over their last three meetings Kansas City is 2-1 against Detroit.Most importantly, however, is what the Royals have done in MoTown. In five games in Detroit, the Royals are 4-1, including a 13-3 beat down last night.Kansas City will continue its winning ways in Detroit and get over on the Tigers. Go with the Royals on the road today.
3♦ ROYALS
Jack Reynolds
Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
The Toronto Blue Jays dealt the Yankees a severe Blow on Saturday with a 7-6 defeat. The Yankees need a win in every game they play if they have any hopes of Post Season Play. Roy Halliday ( 16-9 2.69 ) will start for the Blue Jays inn the finale of this 3 game series. Andy Pettitte ( 13-10 4.37 ) will take the mound for the Yankees. This is an Encore of a game played in Toronto 2 weeks ago, with Halliday winning and defeating Pettitte and the Yankees. Halliday still in the running for the Cy Young Award will repeat his encore performance with a another Victory over the Yankees.
Take Toronto over New York this afternoon in the House that Ruth built.
New York Mets @ Florida Marlins
Florida is an excellent pitcher's park. Notice the Marlins average over 5 runs per game on the road, but 4 runs per game at home. A pair of decent pitchers go here. Pedro Martinez still has workable stuff, and in his last three starts he's fanned 18 in 19 innings with only 4 walks. Florida is on a 6-2-2 run under the total with an up and down offense. Florida starter Scott Olsen certainly loves this park: He has an ERA of 5.7 on the road, but 2.98 at home, where opponents hit just .238 off him. The last loss dropped the Marlins six games behind the Mets, so this is a key game. "We've got to play and win our games," said Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez. "There's no other way to put it. Whether the word is urgency, a must, or a need. Whatever you call it, we've got to win some games." Oddsmakers have made this total too high.
Play the Mets/Marlins under the total.
Jack Clayton
Marlins
The Sports Scholar
Kentucky +3.5
JIM'S HOT PICKS
Louisville -3
JerseySteveWins
Colorado State +11
Templer's Sports Picks
Detroit
Vegas Vet
Detroit
Computer Sports
Padres
Huddle Up Sports
DBacks
Greg Roberts
Kentucky +3.5
VIP Lock Club
Colorado
yourwinningpicks
Colorado State +11
Norm Hitzges
Colorado -11
#1 Sports
PADRES - 135
Hawkeye Sports
Tampa Bay/Baltimore over 9
Huddle Up Sports
Arizona -170
Totals 4u
DODGERS/DIAMONDBACKS UNDER
Razor Sharp Sports
ATLANTA -130
Mike Wynn
Milwaukee -240
Vegas Steamline
BOSTON -150
Kingmaker
Kentucky
Cappers Access
DBacks-1.5
Kentucky
Glen Mcgrew
Col/Col St Under
Tv Hotline
Brewers
Tony Mathews
Mariners
Bob Donahue
Red Sox
John Fina
Cardinals -120
Dime Players Club
COLORADO STATE +11
PERRY'S PREMIER PICKS
Kentucky Wildcats +3.5
James Patrick Sports
Cleveland Indians
USA Sports Consulting
Seattle +133
JH-SPORTSLINE
Dodgers/D-Backs Under 7.5
lasvegassportsadvisors
Louisville -3
ELPsports
Colorado State +11
Gregg Price
Kentucky
PLATINUM PLAYS
Kentucky/Louisville Cardinals Over 55.5
RAZOR SHARP
ATLANTA -130
Insider Sports Report
N.Y. Mets -125
JOE WIZ
Giants
Cardinals
LPW SPORTS FORECAST
Colorado -11
SOUTHSIDE SPORTS
NY METS
PlayByPlay Inc.
CUBS -160
ARMVIN SPORTS
COLORADO/COLORADO STATE Under 60
Arthur Ralph
Indians
Online Sports Winners
LA Angels
BIG TIME SPORTS
DODGERS/DIAMONDBACKS UNDER 7.5
COMPUTER SPORTS
PADRES-145
SCOUT
Toronto
HUDDLE UP
Arizona -170
TRACE ADAMS
Boston Red Sox
SCOTT DELANEY
BREWERS -1.5
DR VEGAS
Boston -145
Doug Bartlett
Louisville -3.5
Vegas Dog House
Colorado -11
Paul Leiner
25* Colorado St +11
10* Cardinals -120
Beat YOUR Bookie
MLB
100 Tampa Bay
50 Cubs
50 Arz.
NCAA
100 Col. St.
20 Kentucky