Must Win Sports
5 Units TCU
Larry Ness
9* Perfect Storm - Tigers
Ben Burns
10* GOM Tigers
Paul Leiner
25* Rangers -110
Northcoast
Marquee - TCU -17.5
Lenny Del Genio
Boston +170
Whoever would have thought that playing the hated Red Sox would be a potential letdown spot for the Yankees? However, that's the reality of the matter tonight as the Bronx Bombers are off BB losses to the Rays, cutting their lead in the AL East down to just one-half game. This is a phenomenal price of Boston starter Josh Beckett, who has only been a dog of this magnitude one other time this season, on May 18th when Boston beat the Yanks 7-6 here in New York. Note that the Red Sox are 50-16 when coming off five or more straight home games. Boston is averaging a healthy 5.2 runs per game vs. lefties this year and this is just the second time Andy Pettitte faces them all season. This is just the veteran lefty's second start since coming back from a groin injury. Boston has shown a profit in road night games while the Yankees have lost money here at home in night games. Take Boston.
Colorado -125
Tough to go against Tim Lincecum in any setting, but considering he's lost six of nine starts, maybe that notion is changing. He faces a Rockies lineup that is averaging an incredible six runs per game at home this year and pitching for Colorado tonight will be the wildly underrated Jhoulys Chacin, who has not lost a start in over a month and boasts a 1.00 ERA in his last three outings. He's also beaten the Giants twice this season. This is a critical series for the home team as they enter tonight 3.5 games back of the first place Giants after getting swept on the road by last place Arizona in shocking fashion. This team is 20-8 when playing with double revenge (lost to SF on 8.31 and 9.1) and is a perfect 8-0 after a game where its bullpen allowed five or more runs. They are 17-1 in their home park when the total is either 8 or 8.5. Take Colorado.
Jack Clayton Guaranteed Selections
5* Tigers
The Twins have already wrapped up the division and head out on the road. They face a Detroit team that has been great at home all season and has their ace going. Justin Verlander (17-8) allowed three runs on six hits in a complete-game victory over the White Sox on Saturday. He struck out eight and walked one. The win was his 17th of the year, putting him in a tie for second in the American League. The Tigers are 5-1 in his last 6 starts. he has a 2.65 ERA against the Twins this season, while Francisco Liriano is 1-2 with an ERA over 5 against Detroit. Play the Tigers.
5 Star Sports
3* TCU / SMU Under 55
3* Atlanta / Washington Over 7.5
3* San Francisco + 116
3* Cincinnati + 110
Wizard of Odds Guaranteed Selections
TOP RATED LATE STEAM FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TOTALS WINNER
TCU / SMU OVER 54
Andrew Powers Guaranteed Selections
FRIDAY NIGHT WINNER
TCU -17.5
BASEBALL POWER PLAY KILLER CHALK EATER
Tampa Bay w/Niemann -190
Seabass
50* SMU +18.5
Steam On-Line Guaranteed Selections
INSIDE LATE STEAM MLB BONUS WINNER
Detroit w/Verlander -128
INSIDE LATE STEAM MLB INFO WINNER
Philadelphia w/Blanton -157
The Duke's Sports
TCU (-17) for 1.5 Units
TCU 3-0 dispatched the two quality teams Oregon State and Baylor on their schedule and has put much focus on SMU this week; after all, Texas is arguably the best recruiting state in the nation and the Horned Frogs want to establish their dominance in front of a nationally televised audience to take control of the in-state recruiting. It's hard to find a weakness on TCU so well disciplined in all areas of football. Defensively, TCU remains one of the top defensive teams in the nation. Yet, as brilliant as June Jones is in dissecting defenses, his Mustangs are an athlete short of putting a dent in the Horned Frogs' defense. On the other hand, TCU's offense is arguably the best its ever had with an experienced offensive line, a dangerous return man and receiver in Kerley, a shifty and explosive RB in Wesley, and a field general in Dalton that can burn you on the ground and through the air. SMU, which has gotten through 2 of 3 relative lightweights UAB and Washington State steps up to a major upgrade but on a short week not enough time to stop them. TCU has covered their last 4 as a double digit road favorite and should deliver again tonight.
Bob Balfe
TCU / SMU Over 55
For the past few years, TCU has been overlooked in the state of Texas. When people think Texas football, they think of University of Texas and Texas Tech. Now SMU (which is another Texas school) is wanting their piece of the pie. TCU has a huge chip on their shoulder and wants to put their mark on the state and demolish Texas football. For the first time in many years, they now have the talent on both sides of the ball and the pieces are there to compete for a national title. TCU will be going against a SMU defense that was very poor last year and were even worse in kickoff coverage. There are a ton of playmakers on the TCU offense, but none more impacting than wide receiver and return man Jeremy Kerley. Look for Kerley to be a huge factor in this game tonight.
The problem for SMU is that they do not have enough guys to cover the amount of skilled TCU receivers. Andy Dalton is a great QB and will find someone open the entire night. To make makers worse, the Mustangs best cover corner, Sterling Moore, is coming off an injury and will not be at 100 percent. When SMU is on offense, they have the luxury of having a solid and experienced offensive line to protect QB Kyle Padron. TCU is stacked on offense and defense, but their one weakness is the lack of experience at the corner position and it just so happens they will be without their starting strong safety tonight!
SMU loves to attack via the air and, based on these factors, should have success tonight. June Jones is a great offensive mind and will have some tricks up his sleeve for tonight's game. This is the main reason I am not taking just TCU - 18 points. I think the Horned Frogs should win this game with ease, but the OVER is even more appealing because both teams have an advantage in the passing game. Each team will want to make a statement and really pound the other. If you like offense, tonight should be a real treat. Take the Over.
San Francisco Giants +114
The Rockies did not help their playoff chances when they got crushed by the basement of the division, Arizona Diamondbacks. San Francisco has the better pitcher on the mound and I look for the Rockies to come back home feeling down about how they ended their road trip. The Giants still need a big win to stay on top of the division and who better than Lincecum to be on the mound! Take San Francisco.
Evan Altemus
3 Units TCU -17.5
Situationally this game is fine for TCU because they are coming off of an easy win last week against Baylor and do not have a tough game next week. The Horned Frogs know that they must win with style points in order to stay highly ranked in the polls. Should a few of the top teams falter, then TCU would be in a position to play for the national title if they are undefeated. However, they must win with style unlike other teams in the top ten. This game is a great chance for them to dominate on a national stage since it’s the only game on Friday night. This game is technically a road game for TCU, but it’s only a short drive away from their campus. SMU doesn’t have a strong home field advantage either. There are two games that make TCU a selection for me. First, the Horned Frogs completely dominated Oregon State statistically in the season opener, even though the final score didn’t indicate that. In addition, Texas Tech really destroyed SMU in their season opener, but the Mustangs were able to get some late scores for a backdoor cover. TCU knows they have to win with style, and they will be able to over power SMU. The Mustangs defense gave up 35 points to Texas Tech with several minutes still left in the 3rd quarter. TCU has a dominating defense, which will make it much easier for them to hold off a late cover by SMU. Look for the Horned Frogs to win this game with around a final score of 45-20.