SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Pittsburgh (5-1, 3-2 ATS) at Rutgers (4-1, 1-2 ATS)
The Panthers will try to snap a four-game losing streak to Rutgers when they head to New Jersey for a Big East matchup against the Scarlet Knights.
Pitt rallied from a 21-6 third-quarter deficit at home against UConn on Saturday, winning 24-21 when Dan Hutchins connected on an 18-yard field goal as time expired. However, the Panthers came up short as a 6½-point favorite, dropping the Panthers to 6-13 ATS in their last 19 as a chalk.
Rutgers won its fourth straight game Saturday with a 42-0 blowout of Championship Subdivision squad Texas Southern in an unlined contest. After opening with a 47-15 home loss to Big East rival Cincinnati, the Scarlet Knights have scored at least 23 points in each of the ensuing four, with the defense surrendering a total of 35 points during this stretch.
Rutgers went to Pittsburgh last year and embarrassed the Panthers 54-34, cashing as a 9½-point underdog. The Scarlet Knights have taken the last four meetings in this rivalry (3-1 ATS) and cashed in five of the last seven. However, the road team holds an 8-3 ATS advantage in the last 11 years, with the underdog 5-2 ATS in the last seven.
Despite its recent struggles as a favorite, Pitt remains on ATS runs of 12-4 in October, 9-4 on the road, 4-0 on Fridays and 4-0 following an ATS loss. Rutgers is just 1-3-1 ATS in its last five home games, but otherwise is on pointspread runs of 6-2-1 overall, 25-10-1 as an underdog, 3-1 in October and 7-1-1 after a SU win.
Pitt has topped the total in five of six as a road favorite, but aside from that, it is on “under” streaks of 6-2 overall, 4-0 in Big East action and 5-2 in October. The Scarlet Knights are on “over” runs of 9-4 as a home ‘dog, 10-3-1 against teams with winning records and 5-0 in Big East games, but they have stayed below the total in three of four overall and 11 of 15 in October.
In this rivalry, the over has been the play in four of the last six years.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NLCS
Philadelphia (4-1) at L.A. Dodgers (3-1)
Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63 ERA) will attempt to give the Phillies a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-7 National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium when he makes his first postseason start since 2004, while the Dodgers are set to hand the ball to red-hot Vicente Padilla (12-6, 4.46).
Philadelphia got three-run home runs from Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez in Game 1 on Thursday, and closer Brad Lidge got through a shaky ninth inning to save an 8-6 victory, the team’s third in a row in this postseason. The Phillies are 7-1 in their last eight playoff contests dating to last year’s run to the World Series title, and they’re on additional surges of 6-1 in road playoff games, 10-2 as an underdog, 11-2 against the N.L. West, 4-1 against right-handed starters and 11-4 on the road against teams with a winning overall record.
Los Angeles saw its five-game winning streak (4-0 at home) halted with the Game 1 defeat. The Dodgers, who had the best record in the National League this season, have four straight against right-handed starters and seven of eight at home against righties. However, they’ve lost five of their last six on Friday.
The Phillies ousted Los Angeles in five games in last year’s NLCS and are now 5-1 versus the Dodgers in the playoffs. Going back to last August, Philadelphia has won 12 of 17 against L.A. (5-3 at Dodger Stadium). In addition to last year, the Phillies knocked the Dodgers out of the playoffs in 1983 after getting eliminated by Los Angeles in the 1977 and 1978 NLCS.
Martinez was slated to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Colorado on Saturday, but when that contest was postponed due to weather, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel pulled Martinez back. That means the veteran right-hander has been on the mound just once since Sept. 19, and that was on Sept. 30 when he allowed three runs on six hits in four innings, helping the Phillies to a 10-3 home victory over Houston.
Martinez didn’t sign with the Phillies until early July and didn’t make his first start for the team until Aug. 12. The former Cy Young winner was especially strong in September, going 3-1 with a 3.14 ERA in five starts, including the no-decision against the Astros. Philadelphia went 8-1 in Martinez’s nine trips to the mound, including 3-1 on the road, where the 37-year-old won three of those four games despite a 5.66 ERA.
Martinez, who made his big-league debut with Los Angeles in 1992, is 3-5 with a 4.02 ERA in nine career starts against his former team, and he’s 7-7 with a 2.93 ERA in 38 career appearances (seven starts) at Dodger Stadium. He last faced L.A. on June 6, 2006, while with the Mets, allowing seven runs (six earned) in five innings of an 8-5 road loss. Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 13 lifetime playoff appearances (11 starts), all with Boston from 1998-2004.
Padilla was brilliant in the Dodgers’ series-clinching 5-1 victory at St. Louis on Saturday, scattering four hits and one walk while striking out four in seven scoreless innings. Padilla, who beat the Rockies 5-3 in the regular-season finale Oct. 4, has allowed one run on eight hits with a 14-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 innings in his last two starts. Since being acquired from the Rangers in August, Padilla is 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA in nine games (eight starts), with the Dodgers going 7-1 in those eight starts.
Including the Oct. 4 win over Colorado, Padilla is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in three starts at Dodger Stadium covering 15 1/3 innings. The right-hander, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-2005, has just one career start against his former team, and he got rocked, allowing seven runs on seven hits (two home runs) over six innings of an 8-6 interleague home loss with Texas in June 2008.
As a team, the Phillies carry nothing but “over” streaks, including 13-3-2 overall, 13-2 on the road, 6-0 against right-handed starters and 5-1 following a victory, but the under is 15-5-2 in its last 22 on Friday. For the Dodgers, the over is on runs of 6-2-1 at home, 4-0-1 against the N.L. East, 9-3-1 versus winning teams, 7-3-1 against right-handed starters and 4-1-1 with Padilla on the mound.
Over the last two postseasons, the over is 4-2 in this rivalry (3-1 at Dodger Stadium).
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and OVER
ALCS
L.A. Angels (3-0) at N.Y. Yankees (3-0)
After sweeping through their respective first-round playoff series, the Angels and Yankees are set open their best-of-7 American League Championship Series at new Yankee Stadium. New York will go with ace CC Sabathia (20-8, 3.31 ERA) in Game 1, while Los Angeles counters with veteran John Lackey (12-8, 3.68) in what is expected to be cold and wet conditions.
The Angels bounced longtime playoff nemesis Boston in three games in the first round, cruising 5-0 and 4-1 at home before rallying from a 5-2, eighth-inning deficit in Game 3 on Sunday for a series-clinching 7-6 victory. It’s the first time since beating the Yankees in 2005 that Los Angeles has advanced past the opening round in the postseason. The Angels are making their sixth appearance in the ALCS, having lost four of the first five.
Going back to the end of the regular season, the Halos have won six in a row and 10 of 11, and they’ve won five straight road games. They’re on additional tears of 10-3 after an off day, 5-2 against the A.L. East, 36-15 against left-handed starters, 5-1 in the opening game of a series, 19-7 as an underdog, 49-21 after a victory and 4-1 in the playoffs. However, they’ve dropped 11 of their last 14 as a playoff underdog.
New York had little trouble with the Twins last week, winning all three games by scores of 7-3, 4-3 and 4-1 to finally advance to the ALCS after getting bounced in the first round in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Joe Girardi’s club, which had a 13-year streak of playoff appearances snapped last season, is on impressive runs of 44-17 overall, 40-12 at home (all as a favorite), 49-18 after a victory, 44-16 against right-handed starters, 20-8 on Friday, 23-11 in series openers and 5-2 in home playoff games. However, the last time the Yankees were in the ALCS, they blew a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox in 2004, and they haven’t advanced to the World Series since 2003.
These teams have met just twice in postseason play, both in the best-of-5 divisional round, and the Angels won both times in 2002 and 2005. This year, the teams split their 10 meetings, with New York going 3-1 at home. In fact, the host is 14-4 in the last 18 clashes (7-3 this season) going back to the beginning of last August.
Lackey was outstanding in Game 1 against Boston nine days ago, scattering four hits and a walk over 7 1/3 shutout innings en route to a 5-0 victory. Not including a meaningless tune-up start against Texas in his regular-season finale on Oct. 1, Lackey has allowed two earned runs or fewer and pitched at least seven innings in five of his last seven outings, with the Angels going 5-2. However, Los Angeles is just 1-4 in Lackey’s last five starts as an underdog (0-4 as a road underdog).
Lackey, who missed the first six weeks of the season while recovering from a shoulder injury, went 5-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 road starts this season. He faced New York once this season, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings of a 5-4 home win, making the Angels 5-2 in his last seven starts versus the Yankees. For his career, Lackey is 5-7 with a 4.66 ERA in 16 regular-season starts against the Bronx Bombers (3-3, 3.76 ERA in eight outings at old Yankee Stadium). He’s also made three playoff appearances against New York (two starts) failing to get a decision while posting a 1.88 ERA.
Sabathia dominated the Twins 10 days ago at home, yielding two runs (one earned) on eight hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, picking up a 7-2 Game 1 victory. Eliminate an awful regular-season finale against Tampa Bay (nine runs, five earned, in 2 2/3 innings of a 13-4 loss), and Sabathia has delivered 11 consecutive quality starts. Even with the bad outing at Tampa Bay, New York is 12-1 in Sabathia’s last 13 trips the hill, all multiple-run victories. Additionally, with the hefty lefty starting, the Yankees are on runs of 8-0 at home, 4-0 against the A.L. West, 8-1 against winning clubs and 8-1 in series openers.
Including the performance against Minnesota last week, Sabathia is 8-2 with a 3.06 ERA in his first season pitching in Yankee Stadium and he’s 15-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 21 night games (5-3, 3.90 ERA in the daytime). However, Sabathia is just 5-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 14 career starts against the Angels, including 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in two outings this season (one home, one road), giving up 10 runs (nine earned) in 13 1/3 innings. L.A. batted .321 against Sabathia in those two wins.
Although they topped the total in Game 3 at Boston on Sunday, the Angels are on nothing but “under” streaks, including 25-8-1 overall, 13-3 on the road, 9-1 in series openers, 5-2 against the A.L. East, 5-2 as an underdog, 15-6-1 versus winning teams, 4-0 against lefty-handed starters, 5-0 on Friday, 5-2-1 when Lackey starts on the road, 4-1 when Lackey faces the A.L. East and 9-4 when Lackey works as an underdog. Also, in postseason play, L.A. is on “under” runs of 3-1-1 overall, 5-1-2 as a visitor and 7-3 in the ALCS (4-0 on the road in the ALCS).
New York carries “under” trends of 8-2-1 overall, 6-0-1 at home, 7-1-1 versus righty starters, 6-2 against the A.L. West, 3-0-1 in the playoffs and 6-1-1 with Sabathia working at home.
In this rivalry, the over is 17-7 in the last 24 meetings overall, 5-1 in the last six clashes in New York and 4-0 in Lackey’s last four outings against the Yankees. However, five of Lackey’s final six starts at old Yankee Stadium stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
DUNKEL INDEX
NCAA
Pittsburgh at Rutgers
The Panthers look to build on their 9-4 ATS record in their last 13 road games. Pittsburgh is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-3)
Game 107-108: Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 96.302; Rutgers 88.302
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 8; 44
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 3; 50
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-3); Under
MLB
LA Angels at NY Yankees
The Yankees open the ALCS looking to build on their 8-0 record in C.C. Sabathia's last 8 home starts. New York is the pick (-175) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-175)
Game 953-954: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 16.610; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 17.831
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-170); Under
Game 955-956: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Martinez) 16.070; LA Dodgers (Padilla) 15.677
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+130); Under
NHL
Boston at Dallas
The Bruins look to take advantage of a Dallas team that is 4-11 in its last 15 home games. Boston is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Bruins favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+115)
Game 1-2: Atlanta at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 11.746; New Jersey 11.395
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-170); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+160); Under
Game 3-4: NY Islanders at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 11.087; Buffalo 13.338
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-210); Under
Game 5-6: Philadelphia at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.631; Florida 11.300
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-135); Over
Game 7-8: Boston at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.895; Dallas 11.685
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+115); Under
Game 9-10: Minnesota at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.902; Edmonton 12.022
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-145); Over
Game 11-12: Vancouver at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.473; Calgary 11.504
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-140); Over
CFL
Edmonton at Toronto
The Argonauts look to take advantage of an Edmonton team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games overall. Toronto is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Edmonton favored by only 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+4 1/2)
Game 251-252: Edmonton at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 107.038; Toronto 105.632
Dunkel Line: Edmonton by 1 1/2; 47
Vegas Line: Edmonton by 4 1/2; 51 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+4 1/2); Under
Frank Jordan
Pittsburgh U vs. Rutgers
Play: Rutgers +3.5
Pittsburgh is off to a good start this year with wins in 5 of their first 6 games that only loss was to NC State by 7. Since that loss they have won a pair of Big East games and will look to make it three in a row at Rutgers on Friday. Rutgers is 4-1 on the year and have won 4 in a row since losing their opening game to Cincinnati. In this one look for the Scarlet Knights to get their first Big East win of the year with an impressive 21-17 win over Pittsburgh in a bad weather game. Play Rutgers
EZWINNERS
Los Angeles Angels @ New York Yankees
Play: New York Yankees -$171
The Angels starting pitcher John Lackey was 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA at the old Yankee Stadium and this will be his first start in the new park which is much more conducive to home runs. Lackey gave up 23 long balls in his 32 starts this season and I like the hot hitting Yankees to get to him in this game. CC Sabathia will be on the mound for New York and Sabathia has been pitching lights out. I look for that to continue as the Yankees take game one of this series. Play on New York.
JIM FEIST
BOSTON BRUINS / DALLAS STARS
TAKE: OVER
Boston has gotten off to a weak start because of defense, giving up 4 goals per game. They take on a hot (and unbeaten) Dallas team that is averaging 4 per game. The Dallas Stars talked about getting off to a fast start at their morning skate. Then they put that plan into action. Brenden Morrow scored twice in the opening 9 minutes of Dallas' four-goal first period, and Marty Turco stopped 29 shots for his 37th career shutout in the Stars' 6-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night. Brad Richards added a goal and two assists. This looks like an offensive show, play the Bruins/Stars Over the total.
Sports Gambling Hotline
LA Angels at NY Yankees
On a 45-34-4 comp play run the last 83 days.
We are well aware of the fact these teams went 6-3-1 OVER the total in their 10 regular season games, but this is October, and the pitching tends to tighten up the hitters a little bit at this time of the year.
That being the case, we will play Game One of the ALCS to go UNDER the posted total.
The Angels have played 5 of their last 6 UNDER the total dating back to the regular season, while the Yankees played all 3 in the opening round against the Twins UNDER the price, and are on a 2-7-1 UNDER run their last 10 games overall.
John Lackey worked 7 scoreless in his LDS start against Boston, while CC Sabathia worked 7 frames of 1 earned run ball in his lone playoff start against Minnesota.
With the weather expected to be a bit nippy, we will look for the pitchers to do their thing, and for the UNDER to be the way to go.
Play the LOW.
2♦ UNDER
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Angels +160 at N.Y. YANKEES
On a 6-1 run with my last seven FREE selections and tonight's comp winner comes to you from the diamond as I'm taking the plus-money Angels on the road in New York for Game 1 of the ALCS.
It's just too much plus-money to pass up. The Angels have gotten to Yankees' starter C.C. Sabathia twice this season and a loaded lineup can certainly get to him tonight.
Sabathia (20-8, 3.31 ERA including postseason) gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in 13.1 innings of work this season against the Angels, losing 8-4 at home and 5-4 in Los Angeles. Teams Sabathia has been with since 2002 - either Cleveland or New York - are just 4-6 in his last 10 outings against Los Angeles.
For the Angels, it's ace John Lackey (12-8, 3.68) on the mound tonight. He was magnificent in his first-round postseason start against the Red Sox, throwing 7.1 shutout innings, allowing just four hits in the 5-0 Angels' win. Against the Yankees, he made a July 12 start and allowed two runs in seven innings of a 5-4 victory. The Angels are 5-2 in his last seven starts against the Bronx Bombers.
Los Angeles has won six in a row after sweeping the Red Sox out of the playoffs. The Angels have won 10 of their last 11 and they've won five straight on the road. They are on additional runs of 10-3 after an off-day, 5-2 against the A.L. East, 36-15 against southpaws, 19-7 as an underdog and 49-21 after a victory.
The Yankees were knocked out of the playoffs in 2002 and 2005 by the Angels and there is certainly some confidence among the Angels as this series gets under way.
Go ahead and get the plus-money with the Angels tonight.
4♦ L.A. ANGELS
Stephen Nover
Pittsburgh at RUTGERS +5'
I had a free pick winner on my last football selection, taking the underdog Cleveland Browns against the Bills last Sunday. The Browns won, 6-3.
Now I'm following that up with another underdog - Rutgers. The line has moved up from Pittsburgh opening a three-point favorite giving the home 'dog nice value, especially when there's a chance of rain and strong winds.
Pittsburgh is 6-13 against the spread in its last 19 games as a favorite. I'm not a fan of Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt. Rutgers has covered 10 of its lasts 14 in the role of a home 'dog.
Rutgers has won four in a row since losing its season-opener to Cincinnati. That loss doesn't seem as brutal now considering how well Cincinnati has played.
The Scarlet Knights have held their past three opponents to an average of 65.2 yards per game with their aggressive, blitzing schemes. Rutgers has a strong defense, something needed to beat Pittsburgh especially if the weather elements are bad.
Rutgers running backs Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks have combined to average 5.1 yards per rush attempt. The Scarlet Knights have defeated Pittsburgh the past four times. Rutgers beat the Panthers by 20 points last season.
The Panthers are off back-to-back Big East Conference games against Louisville and Connecticut. Now they are traveling on a short week. Rutgers has just played once during the past two weeks and that was an easy game against Division I-AA foe Texas Southern, a team they beat 42-0 last week.
3♦ RUTGERS
Jeff Benton
Pitt at RUTGERS +5'
For Friday’s free play, I’ll take Rutgers plus the points at home against Pittsburgh.
I know the Scarlet Knights have faced a bunch of stiffs in their last four games – crushing Howard, Florida International, Maryland and Texas Southern by a combined score of 144-35. And I know the one legitimate foe that Rutgers has faced so far (Cincinnati) came to New Jersey in the first week of the season and rolled 47-15 as a 4 ½-point underdog, outgaining Rutgers 564-293.
But it’s not like Pitt has been playing a bunch of Top 20 opponents every week. The Panthers’ four wins came against Buffalo, Navy, Louisville and UConn, with the latter victory coming Saturday at home when Pitt got a field goal at the gun to win 24-21 at home after falling behind 21-6 through three quarters. And let’s not forget the last time Pitt faced a quality opponent on the road (and no, I don’t count Louisville as a quality opponent). On Sept. 26, the Panthers lost 38-31 at N.C. State.
N.C. State dominated that game on the stat sheet with 530 total yards, 208 rushing yards and 27 first downs compared to Pitt’s 300 total yards, 94 rushing yards and 11 first downs. (And that was the same N.C. State offense that had three points and 133 total yards three weeks earlier in a season-opening home loss to South Carolina.)
Also, to say that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has owned Pitt’s Dave Wannstedt is a massive understatement. The Scarlet Knights have won the last four meetings (3-1 ATS), including a 54-34 beat-down in Pitt’s house last year as a 9 ½-point road underdog!
Rutgers has found a QB in freshman Tom Savage, who has passed 693 yards with four TDs and no picks in four games. Also, the Scarlet Knights’ run defense has been tremendous (65.2 rushing ypg allowed, 2.3 yards per carry), and that’s important because this game will likely be played in frigid and rainy conditions.
Throw in the fact that Rutgers is on ATS runs of 25-10-1 as an underdog, 10-4 as a road underdog and 15-5-1 when getting 3 ½ to 10 points, while Pitt is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 as a favorite after last week’s non-cover against UConn, and I’m all over the home ‘dog in this one – in fact, I smell an outright upset win for the Knights, who will finally expose Pitt as a fraud.
5♦ RUTGERS
Dominic Fazzini
Pittsburgh at RUTGERS +5'
I delivered a winner with my complimentary selection Thursday, picking Cincinnati to cover as a road favorite against South Florida. That gives me six victories in my last nine free plays, and I'm going to stay on the gridiron tonight to continue my hot streak.
Rutgers has won four straight against Big East rival Pittsburgh, and now they're getting no respect from the oddsmakers and the betting public.
The line on this game opened at Pitt -3 and has been bet up to six points in some places. And that's definitely going to work in my favorite.
First, the Scarlet Knights are better at running the ball than the Panthers are. Rutgers averages 183 yards on the ground, while Pitt allows 109.5. And while the Panthers average a solid 166.5 yards per game, led by freshman Dion Jones, who is gaining 123 per game by himself, Rutgers is fifth in the nation in rushing defense, giving up just 65.2 yards per game.
This is going to be especially important tonight, as it is supposed to be cold, windy and rainy in Piscataway, N.J., tonight, making it hard to throw the ball downfield.
The Panthers are also coming off consecutive games against conference foes Louisville and Connecticut, while the Knights' only game this month was a 42-0 home victory over I-AA school Texas Southern, so Rutgers should be much fresher for tonight's game, especially being boosted by its home crowd on national television.
Pitt failed to cover last week in its 24-21 home victory over UConn, making it 6-13 ATS as a favorite. Rutgers is just 1-3-1 in its last five home games, but is 25-10-1 as an underdog. And the 'dog has cashed in this series five of the last seven games. The 'dog will hunt again in tonight's game. Take the Scarlet Knights to cover.
3♦ RUTGERS
Karl Garrett
Pittsburgh at RUTGERS
I am no weather man, but the forecast that I saw for game time tonight is not a pretty one, unless you are a duck!
There is a 70% chance of rain, there is a chance of gusty winds, and there is a game time temperature expected to be in the 30's.
That ALL adds up to plenty of running plays, plenty of chunks of time coming off the clock, and an UNDER between Pittsburgh and Rutgers tonight in New Jersey.
Last year's meeting between the teams was a shootout, but the previous 2 meetings were both low-scoring.
There really is no need to elaborate any further, as the weather is the main reason for this total play on the LOW.
G-Man just doesn't see the points adding up to get this Big East battle OVER the total this Friday night.
Take the UNDER.
4♦ UNDER
Tom Freese
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
Prediction: Over
Vancouver is 6-1 OVER their last 7 games and they are 5-1 OVER vs. Western Conference teams. The Canucks are 5-1 OVER vs. an opponent that allowed 2 or less goals in their last game and they are 7-2-1 OVER their last 10 meetings with the Flames. Calgary is 4-0 OVER with 2 days of rest and they are 6-1 OVER their last 7 games overall. The Flames are 5-1 OVER their last 6 home games and they are 4-1 OVER their last 5 games vs. Northwest Division teams. PLAY ON 'OVER'
Dave Price
1 Unit on NY Yankees -170
I normally don't like to pay this much juice, but the Yankees are worth it tonight at home with Sabathia on the mound for a small wager. First off, the Yankees are 8-0 in Sabathia's last 8 home starts, 8-1 in his last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record, and 8-1 in his last 9 starts during game 1 of a series. Secondly, the Yankees are completely dominant in their home park to the tune of 40-12 their last 52 home games. Lastly, the Angels are only 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in New York, 4-11 in their last 15 playoff games as an underdog, and 3-7 in Lackey's last 10 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. Yankees take Game 1.
LT Profits
Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Now the Pittsburgh Panthers may be 5-1 this season while the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 4-1, but that is where the similarity between these two teams ends.
Rutgers was blown out at home by Cincinnati on opening week, and to this second, the Brarcats remain the only quality opponent that Rutgers has faced. Yes, they have won four straight games since them, but two of those wins came vs. sub-division teams (Howard, Texas Southern), one came vs. an added game Sun Belt team (Florida International) and the other was vs. a lower echelon ACC team (Maryland).
Conversely, Pittsburgh already has two wins inside the Big East, and they shit down the powerful Navy running game in another victory. In fact, the Panthers are allowing a miniscule 2.9 yards per rush this season, and Rutgers is a team that runs first to set up the pass. The Knights have averaged 4.4 yards per carry vs. their cream puff schedule, but they appear to be in for a rude awakening tonight.
Finally, there is also a matter of revenge, as Rutgers has won this matchup each of the last four years. The thing is, Rutgers was the much better team over this time, and now the roles are reversed and it is Pittsburgh that has stood up vs. much stiffer competition.
Look for the Panthers to get their quadruple revenge in emphatic fashion tonight.
Pick: Pittsburgh -5.5
Randle The Handle
BUFFALO -½ -1.07 over NY Islanders
The Sabres are another team out of the gate quickly with three wins and no regulation losses. Four games does not make a season but its hot start is not an aberration. Here’s a team that’s getting tremendous play from its defense and goaltending and they broke out offensively last game with a 6-2 pounding over the Red Wings. In fact, the Sabres have allowed just four goals against in its four games this year. Ryan Miller looks like the Ryan Miller of three years ago when he was considered to be among the elite. His play teetered off somewhat in the last couple of years but he really appears to be fully back on dialed in. Not only have the Sabres won its four games but they’ve dominated the play each and every game including its OT loss to the Habs. Chris Butler and Tyler Myers are two outstanding young defensemen and it was only a matter of time before the offense got going. With Vanek out tonight, you’ll see this team did down even deeper, as they can’t wait to take the ice. The Islanders are an improved outfit despite being winless. They’ll be plenty of opportunities to play them at a decent price but this is an extremely tough assignment, as the Sabres are feeling it right now and are just skating circles around everyone. Play: Buffalo -½ -1.07 (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
Atlanta +1.66 over NEW JERSEY
The Devils are 0-2 at home and they have just one regulation win thus far, a 3-2 victory in Florida in a game they scored with under five minutes left in the third. They did play a solid game in Florida and followed that up with another outstanding effort against Washington but this is a big tag on them when they’re not going so good. The Devils return home from a short three-game trip where they were outscored 8-4 in its two losses. Furthermore, and perhaps more important is that the Devils has Carolina in here tomorrow night and that was the team that knocked them out of the first round of the playoffs last season. The Thrashers have 18 goals in four games and the offense remains a dangerous one. Ilya Kovalchuk looks very comfortable playing with Nik Andropov and the second line of Slava Kozlov, Todd White, and Maxim Afinogenov can do some serious damage as well. The price and situation here appears to be a good one for this visitor, as they’re a dangerous team to begin with and they could easily catch the Devils looking ahead to tomorrow or even pressing a bit at home, where they have not performed well. Play: Atlanta +1.66 (Risking 2 units).