Jack Jones
Boston Red Sox -120
The Boston Red Sox are showing solid value Friday as just a small road favorite over the lowly Kansas City Royals. Boston owns an AL-best 75-48 record heading into this one, while Kansas City sits at 51-74 on the year. The Royals have dropped nine of their last 11 overall. Kansas City sends ice-cold starter Jeff Francis to the mound in this one. Francis is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA and 1.723 WHIP in his last three starts, allowing 14 earned runs and 25 hits in 15 2/3 innings. He is in trouble against the best line-up in baseball tonight.
Andrew Miller's numbers aren't great, but Boston has been successful with him on the mound. The Red Sox are 7-1 in Miller's eight starts in 2011. Boston is a perfect 6-0 in Miller's six starts as a favorite this year. The Royals are 2-8 in Francis' last 10 starts as an underdog. Kansas City is 26-57 in their last 83 games as an underdog. The Red Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings in Kansas City. Boston is 23-7 in their last 30 games vs. a left-handed starter. Take the Red Sox Friday.
Bob Wingerter
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Cincinnati Reds
With the crowd at 58 percent regular season capacity for such a big game it's obvious the Pirates fan base have given up on their team and for good reason with Pittsburgh flopping 19 of 24 times from July 20-Aug. 14. After winning back-to-back games against Cincinnati 2-0 and 1-0 the Pirates have been sinking in the National League standings. Pittsburgh dropped a series finale to the Reds 3-1 and like the problem has been all season it's been hitting. The Pirates are a mediocre 27th in Runs, 26th in Batting Average, 26th in On Base Percentage and 28th in Slugging Percentage so no wonder the fans aren't expecting Pittsburgh to turn around their disappointing start to the second-half.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Cincinnati Reds -131
Pittsburgh scheduled starter Kevin Correia is really struggling. He's 0-3 with an ERA of 8.16 over his last 3 starts. Plus, he's been rotten at home all season, going 2-8 with an ERA of 7.87 in 11 starts. Cincy's Homer Bailey has been considerably better of late. He checks into tonight's matchup at 2-0 with an ERA of 3.50 over his last 3 starts. Plus, his 4.14 road ERA is considerably better than the mark Correia has posted at home. Bailey has been unbelievable against the Bucs in his career. He's 5-0 (6-0 on the ML) against them with an ERA of 1.52. We'll bet the Reds.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Phillies -130
The Phillies are worth a small wager at this price, considering they are 45-16 in the last 61 meetings with Washington. They are also a perfect 7-0 in their last 7 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150, and the Nationals are just 2-6 in Hernandez's last 8 starts. Take Philly on the moneyline.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Boston Red Sox -123
The Red Sox are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Kansas City, and I expect them to get the job done again tonight. The Sox are 7-1 in Miller's last 8 starts and 6-0 in his last 6 starts as a favorite. The Royals are 3-8 in Francis' last 11 starts and 2-8 in his last 10 starts as an underdog. A Boston club that is 23-7 in its last 30 games vs. a left-handed starter will gladly welcome the southpaw to the mound. Bet Bean Town.
Jack Clayton
Falcons at Jaguars
Pick: Jaguars
Chris Redman is elated about playing extensively against the Jaguars. He’s set to come on in relief of starting quarterback Matt Ryan. Redman likely will be followed by Adam Froman. John Parker Wilson, the team’s No. 3 quarterback, has a concussion and likely won’t play. Fiery Del Rio is still 21-12 SU, 21-11-1 ATS in August. Play the Jaguars!