Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday August, 24

Lenny Del Genio

Chicago vs. N.Y. Giants
Pick: N.Y. Giants

Any reports of a Super Bowl hangover for the Giants appear to be greatly exaggerated as the G-Men have put up a couple of impressive performances so far this preseason, including a 26-3 shellacking of the rival Jets last week. In that game, the Giants defense held the Jets offense to just 147 total yards offense, which may also speak to just how inept the Flyboys offense truly is right now. We cashed the Under right here for you on that matchup, but with a Bears team that just put up 33 points last week, we’re switching courses and looking at the side this week. No doubt the Giants will want to get after Bears QB Jay Cutler, which may lead to his time getting cut short during “Dress Rehearsal” Week. Meanwhile, it’s a Chicago defense that’s allowed 31 points in BB weeks that could be cause for concern for HC Lovie Smith. They’ve also allowed 23 first downs in each of the first two games and last week the Redskins got them for a whopping 416 total yards with much of the damage coming from backup Kirk Cousins. No telling then what Eli Manning and the New York 1st team offense can pull off here. Don’t put much stock in the G-Men’s loss to Jacksonville in the preseason opener. They led that game 24-7 and that was with Manning essentially making a cameo. Meanwhile, in their own exhibition opener, Da Bears managed only 132 yards total offense. Home team wins big here. Play on NY Giants.

Sean Higgs

Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Play: Seattle Seahawks -1

I did a radio show the other night and was actually going to use this as a Best Bet for Friday. That is how much I like Seattle here. Can't complain at all about how rookie Russell Wilson has looked in the preseason. The only person probably complaining about the QB play is free agent, big money signee Matt Flynn. But I expect that chip on his shoulder to generate some offense for us in the 2nd half. Flynn is talented and should exploit whatever defense backs that KC throws out there late. Seattle is 12-3-1 ATS their last 16 week 3 preseason games, while on the flip side, Kansas City 3-12-1 ATS their last 16.

Jim Feist

Rockies vs Cubs
Pick: Over

Colorado brings a strong offense into Wrigley Field, sixth in baseball in runs scored and on-base percentage, plus third in slugging. It's the pitching staff that has let the last place Rockies down all year. Young Drew Pomeranz (1-7, 4.87 ERA) struggles with control, walking 31 in 64+ innings. Pomeranz has been a bit inconsistent as of late and has allowed eight runs in his last 16 innings of work over his last four outings. The over is 17-8 in the Rockies last 25 games against a team with a winning percentage below .400 and the over is 8-2 in the Cubs last 10 games. Look for an offensive show in tiny Wrigley; Play the Rockies/Cubs Over the total.

Marc Lawrence

St Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds

When the Reds sent Mat Latos to the mound against Lance Lynn and the Cardinals in the opener of this three-game set in the Queen CIty, Cincinnati will do so knowing they've captured nine of the last 12 games in this park in this series. With the reds 11-3 at home behind Latos this season, for Latos to improve to 3-0 at home in his career team starts against the Red Birds here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Cincinnati.

Scott Spreitzer

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: Washington Nationals

The righthander has thrown 15 innings of scoreless baseball in his last two starts. But both starts came away from home. Kendrick has not fared well at Citizens Bank and he has not enjoyed his 16 career outings against the Nationals. Washington heads to Philly for the weekend series, sporting a ridiculous, 41-23 record on the road. The Nats will send Edwin Jackson to the hill tonight. Jackson has been a true road warrior this season, posting a 3.94 ERA & 1.25 WHIP in 13 road starts. Jackson has been on fire for most of his last six starts, overall, sporting a 3.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a strong, 10.50 K's per 9 IP mark, striking out 44 batters in his last 37 2/3 innings of work. Great road team and a solid road starter on the mound to go along with solid line value. I'm backing the Nationals on Friday.

Frank Jordan

Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants
Play: San Francisco Giants

In the playoffs started today these would be the two teams would be in the playoffs, with one slight wrinkle Atlanta would be in the one game playoff to stay alive. Atlanta is looking to make the playoffs and erase the bad taste of last years collapse out of their mouth. San Francisco is looking to get back there after an injury plagued 2011 that saw their title defense fall short in the end. In this one the Giants are sending 10 game winner Ryan Vogelsong to the hill against Ben Sheets for Atlanta. Just last month about five weeks ago Vogelsong faced the Braves in Atlanta with the Giants winning. He pitched well going six innings allowing just a single run on four hits and struck out seven. Ben Sheets is 4-3 with an era just over three, but since his hot start of winning his first three and four of five he has dropped a pair allowing 10 runs total in those two starts after allowing just five through the first five. Look for a great pitchers duel with the Giants and Vogelsong staying hot and Sheet's woes to continue. Play San Francisco

Rob Vinciletti

St.Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play: Cincinnati Reds

The Reds fit a nice system here that has cashed nine of the last ten times and plays on home favorites off a road loss, vs an opponent like the Cardinals that are off a home favored win at -140 or higher and scored 10 or more runs. These road teams have turned up flat off the big offensive output. The Cardinals are 10 games under .500 vs winning teams. The Reds have won 5 of the last 6 vs winning teams and will be much tougher for St. Louis than Houston was. The Reds are averaging over 5 runs per game the past week and are hitting over .300 in that time span. The Reds have won 13 of 19 on Friday. They have M. Latos making the start and he is 11-3 with a 3.14 home era. Over his last 3 starts he has a fine 1.23 era. In his home August starts the last 2 years he has won all 3 and has allowed just 2 earned runs in 22 innings. Lynn goes for the Cardinals and he has hit a wall of late with a 6.46 era in his last 3 starts. Look for the Reds to take the opener.

Tom Freese

Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers
Play: Detroit Tigers

The 67-57 Tigers are at Home in Detroit for game 1 of their 3 Game Weekend set with the 65-60 Angels on Friday. Detroit gives the rock to 9-8 Porcello while 10-5 Greinke gets the nod for Los Angeles. Porcello starts his day with a 4.67 ERA Overall giving up 73 earned runs in 140.7 innings pitched allowing 32 BB and recording 83 K's. On the other side of the grass, Greinke begins the day with a 4.01 ERA giving up 69 earned runs in 155 innings pitched allowing 41 BB and recording 150 K's. The Tigers are 8-1 in Their last 9 Home games against Right Handed Starters and 4-1 in Porcello's last 5 Home Starts against teams with Winning Records. Also, 4-1 in his last 5 Overall Home Starts. The Angels are 0-6 in their last 6 against teams with winning records and 1-4 in Greinke's last 5 Overall Starts. Solid Play On Detroit with Porcello.

Brad Diamond

Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Washington Nationals

No doubt Kyle Kendrick has been on fire of late throwing shutout ball over the last 15 innings of work with wins over Milwaukee and Miami! Still, can’t help backing the talented Nationals who have defeated the Phillies with Kendrick in 4 straight. Adding to the mix, Washington has defeated Philadelphia in 6 of the last 7 games at Citizens Bank Park.

Dave Cokin

New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This might be the dress rehearsal game for the Patriots, but the result still doesn't matter and Belichick doesn't like to tip his hand. With the number this high, I'm compelled to take the Bucs.

JR O'Donnell

SF Giants -130

Tonight at 10:15 PM EST the Atlanta Braves (71-53 & 35-24 road) visit the San Francisco Giants (69-55 & 35-26 road) at 10:15 PM EST on the west coast. This is an interesting game as both teams seem to be headed to the playoffs, as the G-Men lead the NL West, and Atlanta is in 2nd in the NL East. Still they send out two pitchers who had been going great guns, and just have been struggling in their last two outings. Braves with Ben Sheets who roared out to 4-1, and in his last "2" starts has really struggled, and registered two losses, and it appears now the Braves will monitor his pitch count at "100" after 1.5 seasons on the DL. SFG has righty Ryan Vogelsong who was cruising till the last two starts which have been rocky at best, and has only one quality outing in his last three. Still we like the Giants at home to find a way, and Vogelsong to snap back to a quality outing.

David Banks

Bears / Giants Under 41

The Chicago Bears (1-1, 1-1 ATS) unveiled their brand new offense last week and it was certainly impressive, while the New York Giants (1-1, 2-0 ATS) looked to be in mid-season form on the defensive side, setting up an interesting matchup on Friday night. That is especially true with the starters for both teams to play nearly three quarters in this third preseason game, and you can catch all of the action from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ at 8:00 ET over the air on CBS.

The Bears are a chic pick to challenge the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, and it is quite possible that division now holds the two best teams in the entire NFC! The Bears have their best offense in a generation on paper, and that was evident on the field in a 33-31 win over the Redskins last week in a game that was not nearly that close, as Chicago led 30-10 after three quarters before Washington came back vs. a bunch of third and fourth string Bears' defenders. Chicago amassed 309 passing yards in the first game for most of the Bears' regular starters in a brand new offense, and many starters did not play at all in a Week 1 blowout loss to the Broncos. The Bears have gone to a more conventional offense this year after letting go of offensive coordinator Mike Martz and his quirky schemes, as they brought in two new receiving targets for Jay Cutler, who can now relax with the days of Martz's eight-step drops behind him. Chicago traded for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who re-unites with Cutler after that passing connection has several prolific years in Denver, and they brought in rookie wide-out Alshon Jeffery via the second round of the draft. Jeffery was the leading receiver last week with 62 yards with Marshall just one yard behind at 61, while the top two quarterbacks Cutler and Jason Campbell combined for 263 passing yards on 28 attempts for a bloated 9.4 yards per attempt!

The Super Bowl Champion Giants dominated their co-inhabitants the New York Jets 26-3 last Saturday, but their domination came on the defensive side. The G-Men limited Gang Green to only 148 total yards, 83 through the air on 25 attempts (an amazing 3.3 YPA) and 65 on the ground in 24 rushes (2.7 YPC). They also scored a touchdown on defense when Jayron Hosley returned an interception 77 yards to the house, and they recorded seven sacks for good measure. The Giant offense was not nearly as effective producing only 230 yards, and the running game struggled while notching only 58 yards on 32 attempts for a paltry 1.8 yards per carry. The New York quarterbacks produced 172 passing yards, but it was a drab offensive performance with the only offensive touchdown coming with the back-ups in the game in the fourth quarter, when Ryan Perrilloux connected with Joe Martinek for a 14-yard scoring strike.

These teams meet often in preseason with the Bears holding a 15-7 edge all-time in these exhibition games, but it was the Giants that delivered a 41-13 drubbing last year. Giants' coach is a disappointing 2-6 straight up in Week 3 dress rehearsals though, while Chicago's Lovie Smith is no great shakes either at 3-5.

GoodFella

SF Giants -118

Atlanta gives the ball to veteran Ben Sheets, who was great in his first 3 starts for the Braves, who had not pitched the last year and a half until his comeback this season. However, Sheets has started to regress, as he has been knocked around in 3 of his L/4 starts, allowing at least 4 runs in 3 of those 4 starts, and not getting past the 6th inning in 3 of 4 as well. SF starter Vogelsong has struggled recently as well, but 3 of those starts were on the road & not at HOME where he has really been dominant this year & last season (28 starts with a 2.20 ERA). I like SF & Vogelsong in this spot tonight, they are really playing well right now & defeated these Braves (5-2) last night & I look for Vogelsong to out pitch Sheets & hand the ball over to that solid SF bullpen & I am all over the SF GIANTS tonight.

SPORTS WAGERS

BALTIMORE -108 over Toronto

‎Despite losing two of three in Texas, the Orioles are still very much in this race. Prior to playing in Texas, they took two of four in Detroit and two of three in Boston. The O’s still aren’t being taken seriously. Baltimore is less than a 10 cent favorite, playing a reeling Blue Jays team that resembles a minor league club and that has lost five in a row and eight of nine.

In terms of the pitching matchup, give the edge to Toronto with Carlos Villanueva over Zach Britton. We’re not concerned. Manager Buck Showalter has this team playing winning baseball. They come to play each night, expecting to win. The demoralized and bashed up Blue Jays come to the park expecting to lose. Toronto’s pitching of late has been abysmal with a 4.96 ERA in August and the offense has also sputtered with a league worst .605 OPS in August.

Losing is highly contagious and we’ll look to take advantage of that with this short price on a highly motivated home team.