Carlo Campanella
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Washington vs. NY Jets
Play: NY Jets -5
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Both teams enter this game with a 1-1 Preseason record, but are heading in opposite directions as they approach Friday's game. The Jets host Washington after defeating Carolina 9-3 last week. The Jets defense picked up right where they left off last season, where they were ranked number #1 in Points Allowed (14.7 PPG) and 1st in Passing Yards Allowed (153 YPG) as they, not only held Carolina to 3 points, but also forced Panther QBs Clausen and Moore to toss 2 interceptions, while only allowing them to complete 15 of 39 (38%) passes. This will be Washington's first road game of the exhibition season and they will have to do it without new starting QB McNabb (OUT), knowing that they are just 1-9 ATS as preseason dogs of 3 points or more against an opponent who won and covered the spread in their previous game.
DUNKEL INDEX
Atlanta at Miami
The Dolphins look to build on their 6-2 ATS record in their last 8 August games. Miami is the pick (Pick) according to Dunkel, which has the Dolphins favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Miami.
Game 255-256: Atlanta at Miami (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 118.844; Miami 127.341
Dunkel Line: Miami by 8 1/2; 40
Vegas Line: Pick; 37 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami; Over
Game 257-258: Washington at NY Jets (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 117.236; NY Jets 121.853
Dunkel Line: NY Jets by 4 1/2;
Vegas Line: NY Jets by 3 1/2; 34 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (-3 1/2); Under
Game 259-260: Philadelphia at Kansas City (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 116.071; Kansas City 117.738
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 34
Vegas Line: Pick; 37
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City; Under
Game 261-262: San Diego at New Orleans (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 126.148; New Orleans 129.972
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 4; 45
Vegas Line: New Orleans by 3; 42 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-3); Over
MLB
LA Dodgers at Colorado
The Rockies look to take advantage of an LA team that is 3-12 in Clayton Kershaw's last 15 starts during Game 1 of a series. Colorado is the pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-150)
Game 951-952: St. Louis at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Garcia) 13.328; Washington (Olsen) 14.821
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+150); Over
Game 953-954: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Gorzelanny) 15.305; Cincinnati (Cueto) 16.097
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-175); Under
Game 955-956: Houston at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Figueroa) 14.471; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.338
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-150); Over
Game 957-958: Florida at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 15.631; Atlanta (Hanson) 14.564
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+170); Under
Game 959-960: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (McDonald) 14.980; Milwaukee (Narveson) 13.548
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+130); Over
Game 961-962: LA Dodgers at Colorado (9:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.224; Colorado (Jimenez) 16.166
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-150); Under
Game 963-964: Philadelphia at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Oswalt) 14.329; San Diego (Latos) 16.217
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-135); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-135); Under
Game 965-966: Arizona at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Enright) 15.464; San Francisco (Lincecum) 14.112
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+160); Over
Game 967-968: Detroit at Toronto (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 16.177; Toronto (Marcum) 14.881
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+105); Over
Game 969-970: Kansas City at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bullington) 13.305; Cleveland (Tomlin) 14.662
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-140); Under
Game 971-972: Boston at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 15.367; Tampa Bay (Price) 16.286
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-125); Over
Game 973-974: Oakland at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Anderson) 15.990; Texas (Hunter) 15.497
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+115); Under
Game 975-976: NY Yankees at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 15.997; White Sox (Garcia) 15.357
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-135); Under
Game 977-978: Baltimore at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bergesen) 15.325; LA Angels (Bell) 14.494
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+130); Over
Game 979-980: Minnesota at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 14.749; Seattle (Vargas) 16.470
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+115); Under
WNBA
Washington at Atlanta
The Mystics look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 home games. Washington is the pick (+3) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by only 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3)
Game 609-610: Washington at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.884; Atlanta 116.430
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 158
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 3; 161
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3); Under
Marc Lawrence
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Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
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With the Cubs out of the N. L. Central race and Sweet Lou Piniella now cheering from the sidelines, it would be no surprise to find Chicago play the spoiler from here on out. When they send veteran left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to the mound against Johnny Cueto and the Reds in Cincinnati this evening they will do so knowing Gorzelanny's road numbers (3.38 ERA and 1.354 WHIP) are superior to those he's posted at home (4.18 ERA and 1.523 WHIP) this campaign. On the flip side, Cueto's home stats (4.12 ERA and 1.360 WHIP) pale in comparison to his road record (3.17 ERA and 1.226 WHIP). With Cueto sporting a 7.03 ERA in his last four starts, it's time to hop on the Cubbies here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on the Cubs.
Cajun Sports
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
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San Diego and Philadelphia open a three-game set on Friday at Petco Park that has playoff implications for more than just they do at this time. Philadelphia is coming off a four-game sweep to Houston, and in the process fell three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. The Phillies are just one-half game back of San Francisco in the race for the wild card. The Phillies will send starter Roy Oswalt to the bump for the opener as he looks to continue his dominance with his new squad. After taking a loss and a no-decision following the trade from Houston, Oswalt has three straight wins, going seven innings in each start. He has allowed just three runs in 21 innings of work. Oswalt has owned the Padres over his career; in seventeen games, fifteen of which were starts he has a record of 10-2 with an ERA of 2.56. With Philly coming off an embarrassing series against Houston they will look to rebound here and get a big win on the West Coast versus the first place Padres. Philadelphia is 7-2 their last 9 overall versus San Diego and 21-8 their last 29 on the left coast.
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PROJECTED FORECAST: 2* Philadelphia Phillies 3 San Diego Padres 2
Rob Vinciletti
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Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
Play: Atlanta Falcons +1
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The Falcons fit 2 solid preseason systems in this one. Taking a look at one, we want to play on certain road teams off back to back home wins. Both teams are 2-0 thus far in preseason games. However Atlanta has been the better team on both sides of the ball. They have allowed just 20 points thus far and have moved the ball well on offense. Miami has won both games by 4 points and still have some thins to work out on defense. Look for Atlanta to win this one.
BIG AL
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Baltimore Orioles @ Los Angeles Angels
PICK: Los Angeles Angels
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The magic that new Manager Buck Showalter seemed to bring to this Orioles team immediately upon taking over the reigns from Juan Samuel on August 3 seems to be waning a bit. Ironically, it was a three-game sweep against this Angels squad that started Showalter's career in Baltimore orange and black, however with their loss at the hands of the White Sox on Thursday night, the O's are now just 3-6 in their last nine games and now they travel to the West coast to face the team from Anaheim for the second series of the season, and first at the Angels ball park. Last season, the Angels started young righthander Trevor Bell in their rotation in August where he appeared for four starts before switching to the bullpen for four more appearances and the result was a mostly forgettable rookie campaign. This season, after appearing 15 times out of the bullpen, with mixed results, Los Angeles put Bell back into the rotation, where he's found a little bit more success. The one thing he doesn't have so far in 2010 is a start at home, but that should change tonight with Bell scheduled to get his fifth start of the season in front of the Anaheim faithful. Brad Bergesen will start for the Orioles, and with their 8-0 shutout at the hands of the White Sox, the O's have only managed to score 23 runs in their last eight road games. Take the Angels.
Scott Spreitzer
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Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers
PICK: Oakland Athletics
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The A's are catching the Rangers off a huge series with the Twins. They're also catching a pitcher who has looked a bit shaky lately. Tommy Hunter pitched pretty well last time out, but has lasted just three innings in three of his last five starts. Even with his most recent start, Hunter has still allowed 11 earned runs and 17 hits in his last three starts, spanning just 14 innings of action. And while he does own a 2-0 mark in three career starts against Oakland, his ERA is a hefty, 6.00 in those games. The A's will counter with red-hot Brett Anderson. The southpaw owns strong marks away from home this season and he's been on the mark in his last four starts. Anderson has held his last four opponents to seven earned runs and 29 base runners in 27 innings, for a 2.33 ERA & 1.07 WHIP. I believe he'll enjoy more success tonight against a Rangers' lineup that's lost five of their last six against lefthanded starters. There's value on the underdog tonight and I'll grab a piece of the A's on Friday.
Dennis Macklin
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Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Boston Red Sox
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The Red Sox have picked Tampa Bay as the place to make their "Last Stand". Jon Lester steps in for DiceK to face Ray ace David Price as Beantown looks to sweep this key three game set. Lester rocks nasty 1.88 ERA in his last six roadies. Price is 4-0 in his L6 but has been the beneficiary of strong support based on ho-hum 3.68 ERA. BoSox are 10-5 on turf and 11-5 L16 as a road dog at this price. More coincidence than trend, the Rays an awful 3-16 in L19 Friday games. Put up or shut up for Boston, take the Red Sox.
Jim Feist
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Play: Arizona Diamondbacks
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Arizona is not a bad offensive team, 8th in the NL in runs scored. It's the pitching that has been awful, although for this game they have a reliable starter in Barry Enright. He doesn't walk anyone and has allowed 50 hits in 59 innings this season, plus is a decent strikeout pitcher. The Diamondbacks have been a .500 team in August despite being underdogs most of the time. Tim Lincecum has been struggling, with an 0-3 record and an ERA over 10 his last three starts. Play the Diamondbacks.
EZWINNERS
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St. Louis Cardinals -163
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The Cardinals have not been playing their best baseball as they had dropped seven out of their last ten games before last night's win over the Pirates, but I like them to get another victory here. The Cardinals are 13-3 in the last sixteen meetings between these teams and the Nationals send a struggling Scott Olson to the mound for this start against the Red Birds. Olson recently came off of the disabled list, but does not appear to be 100% healthy as his velocity is down and his control has been eratic. Olsen has lost four straight starts and has allowed nineteen earned runs over a span of 18 1/3 innings in that stretch. Olson also has terrible numbers against St. Louis posting a 1-4 career record with a 6.10 ERA against St. Louis in five career starts. The Cardinal's starting pitcher Jaime Garcia is having a great rookie season. Garcia leads all National League rookies in wins and hasn't allowed an earned run his last two starts. I look for his solid pitching to continue as the Cardinals pick up the win. Play on St. Louis.
Gill Alexander
WAS +5.5 vs NYJ
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Love this line for the 'Skins. From a sheer mechanical standpoint, any team that is a 5.5 point dog w an associated total of 34 is worth a look. And in this case, there's more than enough to pull the trigger.
There's a lot of justified hype on the Jets' D, what with their fabulous run in the playoffs last season and the continuing fuel of their starring role on Hard Knocks this offseason. And with the Redskins coming off a 23-3 drubbing at the hands of the Ravens last week and no Donovan McNabb in this game, the average bettor will look at the Jets giving 5.5 and think nothing of it.
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But the reality is, the Redskins first string defense, a perennial Top 10 NFL outfit even before the arrival of Jim Haslett's 3-4 this season, hasn't really given up a TD yet this offseason either (The only TD against the Jets first unit was set up by a Mark Sanchez pick that was taken back to the 1 yd line; the only TD against the 'Skins first unit was set up by a fake punt that was taken down to the 1 yd line).
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Both Mike Shanahan and Rex Ryan will leave their first team offenses in this game until each is satisfied with their progress. But those first string defenses will come out much earlier with much less to prove. With the Jets' second string and third string defensive units struggling this offseason, I believe this sets up for the 'Skins to get the cover.
Dan Bebe
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TOR (-115) vs DET
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* Justin Verlander has an ERA near 20 at the Rogers Centre.
* He actually pitched well against Toronto earlier this year, but that was at home. His road ERA is in the high 4's, almost 2 full runs higher than his home ERA.
* Shaun Marcum has put together a couple of strong starts, and I believe he has pushed through the mid-season arm fatigue.
* Toronto got spanked last night by Max Scherzer, but almost no one in the League is pitching better than Scherzer, right now. Believe it or not, Verlander is a step down.
* Toronto is an excellent fastball-hitting team, and we all know Verlander is predominantly a fastball pitcher.
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COL (-145) vs LOS
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* Clayton Kershaw is 3-2 in Coors Field, but has been rather lucky, as his ERA there is 6.39.
* Ubaldo Jimenez has, rather quietly, might I add, rattled off 5 straight quality starts after encounting a mid-season speed bump.
* Colorado is coming off an unreal come-from-behind victory, and they just win at home. They have one of the best home records in the NL.
* The Dodgers are coming off a sweep in Milwaukee, and the Manny Ramirez waiver process has been delayed just slightly. Adding extra pressure to them to win has worked so far, but going to Coors always exposes bullpen issues, and the Dodgers definitely have a few.
* It's a bit chalky, but with the Rockies home record and bullpen edge, I like them.
Tom Freese
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Yankees at White Sox
Prediction: Over
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New York starter A.J. Burnett has allowed 18 runs in his last 26.2 innings of work. The Yankees are 13-3-2 OVER off a day off. The Bombers are 6-2-1 OVER their last 9 games. New York is 4-1 OVER vs. a starter with a WHIP of over 1.30 and they are 7-1 OVER their last 8 games in Chicago. The White Sox starter Freddie Garcia has allowed 15 runs in his last 14 innings of work. The White Sox are 7-3 OVER their last 10 games and they are 7-0 OVER in the last 7 starts made by Garcia. The Pale Hose are 7-2 OVER their last 9 home games vs. righty starters.
Rocketman
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New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox
Play: Chicago White Sox
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Chicago White Sox come in 3 1/2 games behind the Twins in the AL Central race. This is an important home series against the NY Yankees, who are tied with Tampa Bay with the best record in the Major League this year. NY Yankees are 11-24 last 3 years on the road when the total is 10 to 10 1/2. Chicago White Sox are 26-9 the past 3 years and 7-2 this year as a home underdog of +100 to +125. The White Sox don't do bad at home scoring almost 5 runs per game this year. AJ Burnett is 9-11 with a 4.80 ERA overall this year, 5-6 with a 4.95 ERA on the road and 0-2 his last 3 starts. Freddy Garcia has a 10-5 overall record on the season and he is 5-3 at home this year. We'll recommend a small play on the Chicago White Sox tonight!
Tom Stryker
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Texas Rangers
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Off a 6-4 home loss to Minnesota, it won't take much to motivate Texas on Friday night. If the blemish to the Twins wasn't enough, the simple fact that division rival Oakland is in town will do the trick. The A's are trying to catch the Rangers in the AL West and currently rest 8.5-games back in second place. Texas would like to increase its lead and pick up some breathing room with a victory.
On the bump for the home team will be Indianapolis, Indiana product Tommy Hunter. One thing you don't want to do is fade Mr. Hunter inside Rangers Ballpark. At home, No. 35 has been scratched for only 17 earned runs and 49 hits in 49.1 frames. That shakes down to a stellar 6-0 record and a fantastic 3.10 ERA. Overall this season, Hunter has been touched for just 35 earned runs and 84 hits in 85.2 frames en route to a 10-2 mark and a superb 3.68 ERA!
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Knocking off Oakland's Brett Anderson won't exactly be an easy task. The A's lefty has pitched well in his last four games against Tampa Bay, Toronto, Seattle and Kansas City allowing seven earned runs and 23 hits in 27.0 innings of work. That breaks down to a 1-2 record but a decent 2.33 ERA. Unfortunately for Oakland, the A's have struggled a touch on foreign soil dropping 36 of 61 and their bullpen has failed them on numerous occasions.
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There are a couple of strong team situations that support this investment too. The Athletics have dropped 68 of their last 98 as a guest matched up against an opponent that owns a won/loss percentage greater than .500 and nine of their last 10 priced as an underdog. On the flip side, the Rangers have ripped off wins in 36 of their last 52 as home chalk and 12 of their last 17 coming off a straight up loss.
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Bragging rights in the AL West will be on the line tonight in Arlington and the home team will easily extend their lead at the top of the division. Take Texas with listed pitcher Hunter.