Free Picks: Service Plays for Monday, August

Hollywood Sports
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
Prediction: Tennessee Titans
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
After losing in Seattle by a 20-18 score, Jeff Fisher's club returns home looking get a win under their belts. Fisher did not play QB Kerry Collins to allow Chris Simms and rookie Rusty Smith to get plenty of snaps. Look for Collins to get action now which will keep their offense effective after starter Vince Young. Arizona enters this game after defeating Houston, 19-16. But the Cardinals need to replace five defensive starters from last year's squad who combined for a collective 64 starts (most notably LB Karlos Dansby). And with the injury to Larry Fitzgerald and with the free agent loss of Anquan Boldin (and the retirement of Kurt Warner), the Cards have plenty of roster holes to fill. While Arizona was 0-4 in the '09 preseason, Tennessee earned three wins. Lay the points with the Titans.

Marc Lawrence
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
St Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
When the Pirates send Ross Ohlendorf to the mound against Kyle Lohse and the Cardinals in Pittsburgh this evening they will do so knowing Ohlendorf owns a super sharp 0.67 ERA in his two career team starts at home in this series. On the flip side, Lohse enters tonight's contest 3-16 in his last 19 road team starts. Lohse is also 2-8 his last ten road team starts during the month of August, including 0-6 the last six away. Back the better arm here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Pittsburgh.

Rob Vinciletti
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
St Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: St Louis Cardinals
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Cardinals fit a nice system that plays on certain road favorites off a home favored win by 5 or more runs vs an opponent that is off a home dog win. St. Louis has taken 5 of the 6 games this season. On Monday nights the Cards have won 10 of 12 this season. The Pirates have lost 16 of 21 in August and are averaging just 2 runs per game the past week. Look for St. Louis to take game 1 of the series tonight.

BIG AL
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Cardinals @ Pirates
PICK: Under 8.5
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Cardinals would love nothing more than for righthanded starter Kyle Lohse to have a quality start tonight. After coming off the DL and pitching for the first time in almost three months, the veteran got rocked in his comeback start against the Cubs last Sunday and the team is certainly hoping that the three inning, seven run effort was nothing more than Lohse shaking the rust and cobwebs in preparation for the stretch drive. With the pesky Cincinnati Reds refusing to go away, the Cards will have to continue to win most of their games if they are to catch the surprising team that is leading them by about three games with barely more than a month to go. The situation couldn't be better for Lohse to have a serious bounce back tonight as he gets this start at Pittsburgh, not only a team that the Cards have dominated in recent meetings, but also one that Lohse has done extremely well against. In his career, the former American Leaguer is 4-0 with a 2.14 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). Of course, he's going to have to go up against the guy who is probably pitching the best right now for Pittsburgh, even if it hasn't been reflected in the won-loss column. Righthander Ross Ohlendorf has a 2.35 ERA over his last 10 starts, but poor run support has resulted in a record of just 1-4 during that time. Take the 'under.'

EZWINNERS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Washington Nationals -$162
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Washington's starting pitcher Livan Hernandez has been a plesant surprise this season. Hernandez is only 8-8 this season, but he has pitched very well having posted a 3.06 ERA so far this season. Over his last three starts, Hernandez is only 0-1 but his ERA has been even better at 2.66. Hernandez defeated the Cubs earlier this season going seven strong innings in which he allowed six hits and only one earned run and I look for him to have another solid performance against a struggling Cubs team. Cubs starting pitcher Casey Coleman isn't considered a big time prospect and had only so-so numbers in twenty starts for Triple-A Iowa this year where he posted a 10-7 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Coleman made his first career start Wednesday against the Padres but couldn't get through five innings in the loss as he allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and only one strikeout in 4 1/3 innings. I don't expect him to have much better success today. The Nationals are 4-0 in Hernandez's last four home starts against the Cubs and Washington is 10-1 in Hernandez's last eleven home starts against a team with a losing record. Play on the Nats.

Gill Alexander

TEN -4 (-105) vs ARI
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
I believe it's going to be a very long season in Arizona this year, and it looked like the Cardinals were set to blast into that mode with a horrific beginning to their preseason last week v the Texans as Matt Leinart couldn't get the Cardinals offense going. But eventually, w first tier players like Beanie Wells and backup QB Derek Anderson playing big minutes in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals came back for a cosmetic victory. To do so, along the way, they had to convert a couple of two-point conversions, as well.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Bottom line, they're not doing that at Tennessee where Jeff Fisher will be eager to give his team a winning feeling, especially after the Titans dropped their first tuneup game last week at Seattle. Remember, the Titans opened the 2009 season w 6 straight losses and Fisher wants to do everything to avoid anything resembling that start this season while trying to pick up where the Titans left off having won 6 of their last 8 regular season games in '09.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Titans weakness is in their secondary, but Leinart, who'll get a prolonged look in this one, certainly isn't scaring anyone, especially without Larry Fitzgerald (or Early Doucett, for that matter) on the field for this one. I love the Titans to cover.

FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
SFG (-135) vs CIN
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Volquez is coming off a 4.2IP, 5ER, 6H outing v Arz. He has a 5.69FIP and 4.61xFIP albeit w an "unlucky" .334BABIP. There's no getting around his 1.78WHIP and the fact that righties are raking him at a .352 clip. He has a lifetime 5.11ERA v SF. Cain has 6 quality outings in his last 7 starts. He has a 3.65FIP and 4.40xFIP w an "unlucky" .270BABIP. He has a 1.16WHIP and is holding opponents to a .230BA. Cain has a career 3.21ERA v Cincy, including a complete game shutout against the Reds earlier this season. No question Cincinnati's offense is on all cylinders once again of late, but as someone who lives in the Bay and successfully faded the Giants a couple of times during the early part of this past week at Philly, sensing a tailspin, I also believe the Giants show up tonight with a greater sense of urgency and down the Reds.

FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
ANA (+130) vs TAM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Shields has been very erratic this season, w a .281 opponents BA. In fact, here is a list of some batting averages of Angels hitters over the last 5 seasons v Shields: Kendrick (.583), Matsui (.421), Rivera (.417), Abreu (.364), and Hunter (.278). Interesting. Kazmir has a 6.40ERA in 2010, but has a 3.38ERA in his last 3 outings and reportedly was throwing 92-94 MPH in his last appearance v Bos w good bite and velocity on his slider, the pitch that honestly makes or breaks him as a pitcher. While TB has won 7 of 9, they have huge trouble at Anaheim, having lost 15 straight series there until winning one in May of 2010. This is a very generous price on LAA given that roll call of batting averages and Shields' inconsistency this season. The Angels don't consider themselves out of the AL West race yet by any stretch of the imagination. I look for them to get to Shields in this one and get the dog win for us.

JIM FEIST

RAYS / ANGELS
PLAY: OVER

Angels Stadium is usually a pretty good pitcher park, in fact one of the best ones in baseball. But with these two dogs on the mound tonight, not even the Stadium will be able to keep the ball from flying out. The Angels keep falling further and further back in the AL West and with Tampa holding a near lock on the Wild Card, the Angels had better hope they can close the divisional gap. James Shields will start for the Rays. Shields is coming off one of his best performances this year, allowing just one earned run over seven innings. however, the fact remains that he's struggled to a 11-11 record this year with a 4.82 ERA on one of the best teams in baseball. However, ex-teammate Scott Kazmir has been horrendous since moving over to LA. Kazmir is 8-10 on the season with a 6.40 ERA. You would normally think those number would improve at home, especially in such a pitcher friendly park. But no, Kazmir is 2-5 at home with a 6.56 ERA. Two bad pitchers equals lots of runs and that's the way I'm going here on Monday. Take the OVER.

BRETT ATKINS

I hope you've been cashing in lately because I just hit my sixth straight free play on Sunday night when the Niners got the win and cover at home against the Vikings. I'm staying on the gridiron for tonight's freebie as I go with the Titans at home to win and cover against the visiting Cardinals.

Tennessee’s first-team defense didn’t allow a point in the first quarter in Seattle a week ago and I don’t expect them to allow much tonight to the visiting Cardinals.

Arizona’s first-team offense looked horrible in its opener last week at home against the Texans and it will take a while for the Cardinals to find any rhythm after the loss of several key players from last year’s squad. Matt Leinart has been appointed the starting QB after Kurt Warner retired in the offseason, but he couldn’t do much with his short time in the game last week. Arizona scored all 19 points in the fourth quarter against Houston, well after any significant players were on the bench.

Tennessee has found some very good RBs to go along with Chris Johnson in Javon Ringer and LaGarrette Blount. Both did well last week in Seattle and I expect they’ll both do well here tonight. Lay the chalk and play Tennessee in this one.

3♦ TENNESSEE

Stephen Nover

I'm on a 58-39-1 run after nailing the Twins last night on national television.

Tonight I'm going to back Tampa Bay on the road, as I side against the Angels for a second-straight night.

Even though the Rays are the road club, they're in the better travel situation having already been in California following their series against Oakland that ended yesterday afternoon.

The Angels will be traveling late following last night's game in Minnesota,as this will be the Angels' first game back from a six-game road trip.

Tampa is playing well again, having won seven of its last nine. Carl Crawford, perhaps the Rays' key bat, has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games.

The Rays own the best road mark in baseball at 37-24, and come in getting to face former teammate Scott Kazmir, who was with the Rays for six years before coming to the Angels last season.

The Rays got rid of Kazmir because they knew he was on the way down. Kazmir's ERA last year was 5.92. It's even worse this year at 6.46. Pitching at home this season, Kazmir is 2-5 with a 6.56 ERA. The Angels have lost in six of Kazmir's last seven outings.

Tampa starter James Shields has been up-and-down, which is reflected in his 11-11 record and 4.82 ERA. Shields pitched very well, though, in his last start holding Texas to one earned run on seven hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk. Shields has held three of his past five opponents to two earned runs or less.

Shields is 4-3 lifetime versus the Angels with a 3.18 ERA in eight career starts.

3♦ TAMPA BAY

Bobby Maxwell

I have a FREE winner coming tonight on the Rockies as they host the Braves in the first of a three-game set in Colorado.

The Rockies are back home after a six-game road trip that wasn’t very kind to them. Tonight they’ll get the job done against an Atlanta team that has been shaky on the road all season.

I’m going with Colorado’s Jason Hammel (8-7, 4.36 ERA) to lead the Rockies to a win tonight and actually outpitch the Braves’ Tim Hudson (14-5, 2.15 ERA). Hammel is 6-1 at home this season and the Rockies have won his last three in front of the home crowd, It’s just unfortunate for him he hasn’t had more chances on the home turf. He’s only made one home start since June 10 while throwing six games on the highway.

Colorado has won three of Hammel’s last four outings, including Wednesday in Los Angeles when he gave up two runs in six innings of a 3-2 Colorado victory.

Hudson has been absolutely destroyed in two career starts in the Mile High City. In two career outings there, Hudson has allowed 13 runs on 19 hits in just nine innings of work and the Braves have droped both games.

Things are different for the Rockies at home, they are 80-38 in their last 118 at home, 37-15 against right-handers there, 18-6 when Hammel takes the hill at home and 7-3 when he faces a team with a winning record. For the Braves, they are just 2-6 when Hudson faces a winning team on the road.

Colorado is back in the thin air of Denver so let’s go with the Rockies to take Game 1 from the Braves. Play Colorado.

2♦ COLORADO

Chris Jordan

Now on a 7-1 run with MLB free plays, after nailing the Phillies on the Run Line yesterday, with a perfect analysis on Roy Oswalt!

Tonight I'm coming back with a game involving the Nationals, only tonight I am playing them, as I believe the Cubs ought to do the same thing as Lou Pinella and just call it a season.

Seriously, just close up shop, save expenses, close down Wrigley and start figuring out what to do for 2011.

Okay, so I am being far-fetched, but that's how bad it is on for the North Siders these days, as they've lost 20 of 25 games and tonight will take on a pitcher who has dominated them in the past.

Be sure Livan Hernandez is on your ticket, as he is 11-6 with a 3.84 ERA against Chicago. And even though he receives among the lowest run support on the senior circuit at 3.39 per game, he could be the recipient of double digits tonight.

Chicago hands the ball to Casey Coleman, who is 0-1 with a 7.82 ERA this season after four relief appearances. Tonight he makes his first major league start. I'm thinking he'll get shelled.

Not too often I say this, but lay the run line with the Nationals.

2♦ WASHINGTON -1.5

Tom Freese
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Houston at Philadelphia
Play: Houston
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Former Phillies starter Brett Myers pitches against his old team tonight. Myers is 14-10 in his 24 teams starts this year. The Astros are 8-3 their last 11 games after scoring 2 runs or less in their last game. Myers is 6-2 his last 8 starts overall. Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton is 10-10 in 20 starts this year. The Phillies are 1-4 their last 5 games vs. NL Central teams. The Phillies are 1-5 with Blanton his last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their last game.

Steve Janus

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants
PICK: San Francisco Giants
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
I am taking the Giants to beat the Reds straight up on Monday. Giants starter Matt Cain has been roughed up in his last three starts, but has been pretty darn good at home this season with a 6-3 record and a 2.62 ERA. The Giants will counter with Edinson Volquez, who has been roughed up on the road in three starts this season with a 6.00 ERA. Cain has a career ERA of 3.21 against the Reds and pitched a complete game shutup at Cincinnati earlier this season.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Another reason that I am all over the Giants on Monday, is the fact that they are heading back home after a six-game road trip, and are currently riding a two game losing streak. Rarely do the best teams in baseball lose more than two in a row before finding a way to win, and I beleive that is exactly what will happen tonight against the Reds.

Top Trends For Giants -133
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
*SAN FRANCISCO is 15-5 against the money line after getting shut out over the last 2 seasons.
*SAN FRANCISCO is 14-2 against the money line in home games after 5 or more consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.

Jimmy Boyd
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
1 Unit on Colorado Rockies +115
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Atlanta is a below .500 club on the road this season, and it has lost 5 of its last 8 games at Coors Field. Hudson has been dialed in, but he has given up 13 runs and 7 walks over 9 innings while losing both of his career starts at Coors. He'll have his work cut out for himself against a club hitting .298 and scoring 5.8 runs per game at home. Hammel has poor numbers against the Braves in 3 career starts, but Colorado won his only home start against Atlanta. Hammel has pitched well in flighty Coors all season, posting a 6-1 record with an ERA of 3.36. While Atlanta exploded for 16 runs in yesterday's win over the Cubs, we can't overlook the fact that it is 13-33 in road games after scoring 8 runs or more over the last 3 seasons. Colorado's bats struggled during their recent road trip, but we can't ignore the fact that the Rockies are 20-6 in home games after scoring 3 runs or less 4 straight games since 1997. Colorado is also 12-1 at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. Take the Rockies.