Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday, August 23

DUNKEL INDEX

MLB

Oakland at Baltimore
The A's look to take advantage of a Baltimore team that is 1-7 in its last 8 games versus a team with a winning record. Oakland is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the A's favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+110)

Game 901-902: Arizona at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Miley) 14.596; Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.853
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-120); Under

Game 903-904: Colorado at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Chacin) 14.112; Miami (Koehler) 15.158
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Colorado (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+130); Over

Game 905-906: Milwaukee at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Gallardo) 14.809; Cincinnati (Bailey) 16.249
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-185); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-185); Under

Game 907-908: Atlanta at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 16.100; St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.032
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-175); 7
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+155); Over

Game 909-910: Chicago Cubs at San Diego (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Jackson) 14.297; San Diego (Volquez) 13.207
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+105); Over

Game 911-912: Pittsburgh at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Morton) 14.571; San Francisco (Bumgarner) 15.919
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-150); Under

Game 913-914: Minnesota at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Deduno) 14.210; Cleveland (Jimenez) 15.629
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-165); Under

Game 915-916: Oakland at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Straily) 15.804; Baltimore (Norris) 14.980
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+110); Over

Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Kuroda) 15.478; Tampa Bay (Archer) 16.805
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-120); Under

Game 919-920: Toronto at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Redmond) 14.336; Houston (Lyles) 15.264
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Toronto (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+125); Over

Game 921-922: Texas at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Perez) 16.705; White Sox (Sale) 15.648
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over

Game 923-924: LA Angels at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Richards) 13.675; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.147
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Seattle (-180); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-180); Under

Game 925-926: Detroit at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Fister) 16.706; NY Mets (Matsuzaka) 15.401
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-160); Under

Game 927-928: Washington at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Gonzalez) 16.279; Kansas City (Chen) 15.422
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-115); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-105); Over

Game 929-930: Boston at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 16.850; LA Dodgers (Nolasco) 15.784
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+100); Over

Jason SharpeFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Green Bay (+2) over SeattleFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The up/down theory works very well in the NFL Preseason, and for the most part I like to back a team off an ugly performance in their last game. Going to turn the tables in this one and go against a team playing who is playing very well.
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There is just way too much hype surrounding this Seattle Seahawks squad right now. The Seahawks beat up on a Denver Broncos team who showed very little interest in their last game. None of that should surprise anyone, as it's always been a fact that Peyton Manning-led teams care very little about their preseason games. They will usually just get in and get there work done and get out as quickly as they can, so whatever happens after Manning (who went 11-16 and threw for 163 yards) leaves the game was pointless to the Broncos. Seattle took full advantage of this last week and ripped apart Denver as the Seahawks played at a very high level emotionally in front of their always-rabid fans.
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The Green Bay Packers are another team who usually doesn't show much interest in the preseason, but it's my belief they will do so here in this one. The Packers did get a win last week, but once again the first team offense didn't score a touchdown, which led quarterback Aaron Rodgers to say he wants a TD here in this game this week. So look for an all-out effort from the Packers here in this one, especially so with their first unit.
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Things are entirely different in the NFL Preseason for teams on the road. The Seahawks played last week like it was their coming-out party, and they put on a show against a Super Bowl contender at home. There is no way they come close to matching that same type of intensity in this one. In fact, look for the Packers to be the team fired up for this game, especially now that the whole world has anointed the Seattle Seahawks as the team to beat. Take Green Bay here in this game. I am 5-2 lifetime in NFL Preseason 2-Unit selections and will posting up my eighth such play this week. It's going to be a great play, as I really love how this game sets up. I am expecting a decent sized card overall also, and keep in mind I am 19-8 overall in all my preseason NFL plays. Join me and let's build up our bankrolls before the regular season gets underway.

Jeff Scott SportsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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3 UNIT PLAYFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Seattle/ Green Bay Under 43: As Marco said on first preview "Week 3 doesn't always mean more points". I agree. Last year in the regular season these teams played and the OU line was at 45 and just 26 points were scored and it really should have been just 19 points. Tonight's game has an OU line of 43. Why? Green Bay can't score. Their offense is very vanilla right now, because of all the injuries they have suffered on that side of the ball. Yes eventually this offense will wake up, but I don't expect it to happen in the preseason. They have to come out of it healthy. I feel that the reason why Vegas brought the line out so high is that they are counting on the fact that the Green Bay offense will wake up in this dress rehearsal game. I just don't see it, especially vs a tough Seattle defense that has allowed just 10 points in each of their 2 preseason games. Seattle has put up 71 points in their first 2 games but they were set up by some short fields in the SD game and then last week they scored 14 points on a fumble return and a kick return. I don't expect them t get the same breaks in this one. Offensively Seattle looked god so far, but they also put a ton of energy into that first half last week vs Denver and may be a bit flat here, plus Green Bay has been playing good defense in the preseason holding teams to just 290 ypg of total offense and 12 ppg. I see both defenses stepping up in this one as we get no more than 35 points scored.

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Chicago/ Oakland Under 38.5: Last week the bears had just 185 yards of offense, yet put up 33 points, thanks to Bolts miscues. That wont happen here. Neither offense is good and i see a bit more running in this game. Should be played in the low 30's.

Wunderdog

Seattle at Green Bay
Pick: Green Bay +3

The NFL preseason has reached Week 3, often referred to as the dress rehearsal as starters get a lot more minutes. The Packers were robbed last year during the regular season in their game with the Seahawks. How much that plays into this game is not certain, but you know it has to be part of what the Packers bring to the table for this one. Aaron Rogers has not seen a lot of action this preseason, but when he has, he has been as crisp as ever completing 13 of 17 passes for 196 yards, and stretching the field at 11.53 yards per attempt. Seattle is off a pair of blowout wins (31-10 and 40-1) which is why they are laying points on the road. But, teams that are 2-0 in these games often feel a bit satisfied and don't bring as much as they can in week 3. Green Bay has allowed just 26 total points in their two games, so the depth behind the starters has been more than sufficient. Seattle has been the beneficiary of a pair of 100+ non-offensive scores, which have made their results look a bit better than they are. On top of that they are +6 in turnovers in the first two games and when that starts to even out, so will the results. I think Green Bay has some scores to settle here and will come to play, especially as a home dog. Play on Green Bay.

Marc Lawrence

Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles
Prediction: Oakland Athletics

When the A's open a three-game series with the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore Friday evening, Oakland will take on recently acquired Bud Norris knowing he is winless, 0-4, in his team starts against the AL West this season. Worse, Norris enters off a phony 'inside-out' win in his last start in which he lasted 5.2 innings while surrendering 9 hits, 4 runs and 3 walks in an 8-4 win here last Saturday over Colorado. With that, look for the A's to improve to 5-1 against the American League behind Daniel Straily here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Oakland.

Jimmy Boyd

Cubs/Padres Under 7½

Neither of these teams is scoring a lot of runs this year. Over their past seven games, the Padres have scored an average of 2.7 runs per game. The Cubs are batting .230 on the road and scoring a mere 3.6 runs per game. This matchup will feature two right-handed starting pitchers and both of these teams share a .241 batting average against righties.

Edwin Jackson will get the start for Chicago today. He is coming off an excellent performance against St Louis and I expect that success to carry over today against the Padres. In his last start Jackson went six innings and gave up one earned run. Edinson Volquez is also coming off a solid performance, allowing just two earned runs in his last start.

With both teams struggling to get hits, let alone score runs, this game should have no problem staying under the 7.5 run total. I like the fact that both starting pitchers are coming off solid performances, too. Neither team presents any danger at the plate so expect to see Jackson and Volquez in a pitchers dual today.

Jeffrey Brandes

Braves vs. Cardinals
Play: Over 7

Kris Medlen worked three innings in Saturday's loss to the Nationals, throwing 47 pitches and giving up the decisive home run to Adam LaRoche in the 15th inning. He was bumped back in the rotation after the emergency relief appearance.

After four winless starts, Wainwright became the second NL pitcher to reach 14 wins with a victory his last time out against the Cubs. He threw seven innings for the 21st time in his 26 starts and struck out 11 for the second time this year.

Art Aronson

Pirates vs. Giants
Play: Under 6½

Charlie Morton (4-3, 3.67 ERA) gets the call for the visitors; Morton was unfortunate to get saddled with a no-decision vs. the Diamondbacks on Sunday, a victim of poor run support after giving up two runs off seven hits with three walks while striking out six over seven frames. Morton has allowed just two earned runs in three straight starts and brings his respectable, 3-1, 3.89 ERA road record into San Francisco to throw opposite Madison Bumgarner (11-7, 2.82 ERA) who is coming off an outing to forget vs. the Fish on Sunday, allowing four runs off five hits to go along with an uncharacteristic four walks. So is it time to hit the panic button if you're a Bumgarner fan? Obviously not. The big southpaw has been as effective and efficient as you could possibly hope for this year and he'll now look to improve upon his excellent 4-3, 2.40 ERA home record. These teams played a three-game set in Pittsburgh back in June and all three sailed above the posted number; however, with these two quality starters facing off in the opener of this four-game series, all signs point to a lower-scoring pitchers duel. Consider a second look at the "under" in this one.

Jim Feist

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Philadelphia Phillies

The Diamondbacks are 9-19 in their last 28 road games and 7-18 in their last 25 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. They are a long way from home and face red hot Cole Hamels, who has a 1.96 ERA his last three starts walking 1 and fanning 20! The Phillies are 15-6 in Hamels' last 21 starts vs. National League West and 6-2 in hi' last 8 starts vs. the Diamondbacks. And the Diamondbacks are 2-11 in the last 13 meetings in Philadelphia.

Rocketman

Pittsburgh @ San Francisco
Play: San Francisco -143

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants on Friday night. Pittsburgh is 51-68 last 3 years when playing against a team with a losing record in the 2nd half of the season Pittsburgh historically does not finish well going 28-49 last 3 years in August. Pittsburgh is scoring only 3.9 runs per game overall this year where they have a team batting average of only .244. Madison Bumgarner gets the start for San Francisco where he is 11-7 with a 2.87 ERA overall this year and 4-3 with a 2.40 ERA at home this season. Bumgarner is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA in his two starts vs Pittsburgh in his career. We'll recommend a small play on San Francisco tonight!

Rob Vinciletti

Red Sox vs. Dodgers
Play: Over 7½

This game plays to the over 90% of the time. Boston Averages 5 runs per game vs rightys, in the last 7 games and on the road. They average 6 runs vs NL Teams. The Dodgers average 5.5 runs vs AL Teams. Lackey goes for Boston and he has an average 4.12 road era. Nolasco is on the mound for the Dodgers. Nolasco has a 4.41 home era and a 8.16 era vs Boston. With all these indicators and the System this total is too low. Take the Over.

Brad Diamond

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Mets
Play: Detroit Tigers

RHP D. Matsuzaka takes the hill for the Mets in his initial test with the New Yorkers. DM spent his recent time (Cleveland) in AAA with Columbus (5-8, 3.92). On the other hand, the Tigers counter with RHP Doug Fister (10-6, 3.63) who has recently put together a solid 46 1/3 innings of work allowing just 13 earned runs. Detroit travels to New York with a 74-53 record with a 5 game lead in the Central of the AL. They have the #1 hitting attack in the majors with a .281 BA with the Mets almost last hitting .240 as a team. Obviously a huge edge with offensive weapons for the Tigers. Detroit hits field tonight with an amazing IL record of 77-37 as a chalk. Take the Tigers!

Bruce Marshall

Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres
Pick: Chicago Cubs

If we're ever going to back the Cubs, it's going to be on the road, where they play much better than at Wrigley Field (not hard, considering their 16 losses in their last 19 as host). Although Friday starter Edwin Jackson's efforts have been erratic, he has made quality starts in seven of his last nine outings. But the real motivation for this pick is a chance to go against San Diego as a favorite, especially considering the Padres' stalled offense that scored just four runs in the just-completed three-game set vs. Pittsburgh. Can't trust Edinson Volquez (5.72 ERA) to deliver a top effort these days, either.

Ken Thomson

Baltimore -130

Bud Norris has won 4 of 5 with the Orioles. Norris gave up four runs last game but had a big cushion. This is a must win Series for the O's in the wild card race with the A's. The Orioles line up has better hitters top to bottom. Straily has lost his last five decisions. Orioles should get the job done over the A's who just dropped the last two to Seattle at home. Chris Davis and Adam Jones are the best hitting duo in the Big Leagues.