Free Picks: Service Plays for Monday September, 10

Scott SpreitzerFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
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Oakland has won 12 of their last 15 games with all three of the losses coming against the Angels. In fact, Oakland has beaten up on a lot of weak opposition, but they've won just 2 of their last 7 against teams with a winning record. Jarrod Parker has looked like the young pitcher that he is more often than not of late. Parker has allowed 27 earned runs and 72 base runners in his last eight starts, spanning 48 1/3 IP. That's a 5.03 ERA & 1.49 WHIP. The Halos counter with the suddenly hot Dan Haren. The veteran righty has posted a 1.44 ERA & 1.02 WHIP in his last three starts, including a 7-1 win over Oakland on September 5. Haren owns a 1.10 WHIP in nine lifetime starts against the A's. His team enters on a 6-0 run and they're 12-1 in their last 13, overall. The Angels have won four straight at home against the A's. I'm backing the Angels on Monday night.

Art AronsonFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Cleveland vs. Minnesota
Pick: Minnesota
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Twins starter Deduno has had great success this year when pitching against the Indians, having beaten them twice already. Deduno's last home start against Cleveland was on July 28 when he had one of his best starts of the year, tossing 7 innings and allowing just 1 run. He’s also coming off a quality outing against the White Sox, going 6 innings and allowing just 2 runs. Also remember that the Twins record is 4-0 at home this year when Deduno starts.
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On the flip side, Tribe’s starter Justin Masterson has had a roller coaster of a season. His lowest point was definitely against the Twins, allowing 10 runs 8 of those earned in just 5 and 1/3 innings back in July. Masterson was matched up against Deduno in that start as well. Including that debacle, he's 1-2 with a 6.27 ERA against Minnesota this season.
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Cleveland has been dreadful on the road in the second half of the season going just 15-37 in their last 52 games. Admittedly, The Twins have been awful at home this year, but like I said, with Deduno on the mound they have been really successful. Yesterday's 9th ninth inning win gives them momentum.
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Take the strong pitching match-up for the Twins at home in Target field that is historically unfriendly for hitters.

Steve MerrilFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oakland vs. LA Angels
Pick: OverFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Angels will try to pass the Athletics as they start a 4-game series on Monday night. Dan Haren is 10-10 with a 4.46 ERA in 25 starts for the Angels. He has scuffled a bit at home going 4-7 with a 4.94 ERA. Haren has faced the Athletics three times this season giving up 6 runs and 14 hits in just over 18 innings. Coco Crisp (7-26), Josh Reddick (3-8) and Seth Smith (10-35) hit Haren well. The A’s just scored 16 runs in three games against the Mariners, and they’ve gone Over the total in 8 of their last 11 games. The Angels’ bullpen has 18 losses and 18 blown saves this season.
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Jarrod Parker gets another look at the Angels although this will be the first start for him on the road against them. Parker is 5-3 with a 5.37 ERA in 11 starts away from Oakland. He is 0-2 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts against Los Angeles this season allowing 7 runs and 22 hits in those games. The Angels are hitting over .280 as a team in their last eight games. They have scored 6 runs or more in four of their last six games. We recommend playing the Over between the A’s and Angels on Monday night.

Matt FargoFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Washington vs. NY Mets
Pick: WashingtonFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Nationals are coming off a rare series loss against Miami over the weekend and its lead has against dropped to 5.5 games in the National League East. It is still a comfortable lead but it is one the Nationals cannot just sit on. Washington was shutout yesterday and it has been shutout only six other times this season and it followed those games up by going 4-2 in its next game. The Nationals are 17-7 in their last 24 games following a loss while going 21-8 in their last 29 games as road favorite between -110 and -150. They send Gio Gonzalez to the hill and he has been a great pickup from the offseason. He has a 2.98 ERA with Washington going 21-7 in his 24 start on the year and while he has been better at home, his road numbers are pretty solid still. He has a 3.34 ERA in 15 starts with the Nationals winning 12 of those games. He has been awesome under the lights, going 13-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 17 nighttime starts. The Nationals are 12-3 in his last 15 starts against teams with a losing record. The Mets got swept at home over the weekend against the Braves and playing at home has been no advantage as New York is 4-19 in its last 23 home games. The offense has been non-existent of late as the Mets have scored three runs or less in 10 straight home games and on the season they are hitting just .242. The Mets are 1-10 in their last 11 games as home underdogs between +110 to +150 and they hope to get another strong performance from Collin McHugh. He allowed no runs on two hits in seven innings in his first ever Major League start but New York lost as it didn't give him a single run. The got hit hard last time out against the Cardinals and will be facing another strong offense. The Nationals are 40-17 in their last 57 road games against right-handed starters.

Kyle HunterFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets
Play: Washington NationalsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Washington Nationals had a tough series against the Marlins this weekend, but I think this is a good bounce back spot for them against the Mets. Gio Gonzalez has been rock solid all year. He is 18-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 2012. The Mets are 1-10 in their last 11 games as a home underdog. The Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 at New York. Take Washington.

Rob VincilettiFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Tigers vs. White Sox
Play: Over 9½FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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This game fits a solid totals system that plays to the over for road teams off a 1 runs road dog loss at +140 or higher, like the Tigers, that scored 2 or less runs, vs an opponent like the Whitesox that arrive off a home favored loss and had no errors. Quintan for the Sox has an elevated 12.65 era in his last 3 starts and Porcello for the Tigers has a 4.65 road era and has flown over the total in 5 straight September road starts. Detroit has gone over in 7 of 11 on Monday and Chicago averages 5.4 runs per game at home. Look for this game to go over the total tonight.

Nick ParsonsFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Chargers at Raiders
Pick: OverFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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In a re-match of last year's last game of the season for both teams, this game features a total four points lower than what we have today. That game was a 38-26 shootout win by the Chargers, a game in which both teams racked up 980 yards of offence. With everyone healthy and in the same venue we will take the over, which has cashed in the each of the last five times these teams have played in Oakland. The Chargers, with a bigtime passing game led by Philip Rivers, and an OK defence, have the elements of an 'over' team. Looking at the facts, the over is 12-4 in the Chargers last 16 games in September and 32-15-4 in Chargers last 51 road games. This total is the second lowest in the last four Chargers regular season games and we will back the final score to roll over that total on Monday night. The Raiders are always a better offence with Darren McFadden in the lineup, a luxury Carson Palmer did not have when he joined the silver and black well into the season. The D has lost defensive standouts and is in a rebuilding phase, and gave up over 300 yards passing to SD in the last match-up. We are not confident either D will be anywhere close to midseason form after SD allowed 345 and OAK 259 yards per game in the pre-season. Over has cashed in on the Raiders last five season opening games and in each of their last four home games AND last four games in September. Watch the trend continue and make a play on the OVER.

Jim FeistFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oakland Athletics vs Los Angeles Angels
Pick: Los Angeles AngelsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Big games here for these clubs as the A's have overtaken the Angels for 2nd place in the AL West and currently hold one of the Wild Card spots. The Angels only trail Oakland by 2 1/2 games so this series is very big for the LA. And LA has been hot, winning six straight and nine of the last 10 games. Oakland has also been hot, winning three straight and seven of the last 10. The Angels right now trail in the wild card race by one game along with the Rays who both are chasing Oakland and Baltimore. Jarrod Parker will take to the hill for the A's. Parker is 9-8 this season with a 3.66 ERA. He hasn't been as solid his last three outings, allowing 10 earned runs over 18 innings. Dan Haren has been an underachiever for the Angels all season, but he can make up for it tonight. Haren is 10-10 on the season bu has been very good his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs over 18 1/3 innings. I like the Angels here in game one. LA knows these are huge games and they are the hottest team in the division.

Dave CokinFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders
Pick: Oakland Raiders
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It's September, which means it's a bad time to rely on Norv Turner and the Chargers. When Darren McFadden is healthy, the Raiders can do some damage, and I like the Oakland side to win an exciting game tonight.

SPORTS WAGERS

Cincinnati +7 over BALTIMORE

Will be interesting to see if Cincinnati’s unexpected success from last year was legit or not. This is a good test as the Ravens are division champs and 2012 contenders. The Ravens came within three points of advancing to the Super Bowl last year so there is not a lot wrong with this team other than the defense is a year older. Let’s face it, with the speed of today’s NFL, this is younger man’s game.

When the Bengals and Ravens play, there are rarely many points scored. Until last season, they had two straight years where neither team scored more than 20 points in any of their matchups. Chances are good we are in for another low scorer, as Bengals own an unheralded defensive line. With a low posted total of 41 and this being a divisional game, it seems prudent to accept generous points being dangled but too many questions mark surrounding the Bengals has us backing off a wager.

OAKLAND -1 -107 over San Diego

Pick your poison. Neither side can be trusted but given the choice, we’ll lean to a Raiders team that has renewed hope under new head man Dennis Allen. The Raiders open their first season without Big Al calling down to the sidelines. Last year was a bitter pill to swallow, getting knocked out of the playoffs by these Chargers. The Raiders brought in Carson Palmer in Week 7 and the results were decent with 2753 yards and 13 touchdowns over 10 games. Then there’s Darren McFadden. When healthy, he’s a weapon as good as any RB in the league. McFadden looked in mid-season form in the preseason.

The Chargers have underachieved for years. Already suffering many injuries, including multiple absentees on the all-important offensive line, expect the Chargers to do what they always do, underachieve under Norv Turner. A renewed and potentially dangerous Raiders team gets the call.

Detroit -104 over CHICAGO

This series could very well go a long way in determining who will win the AL Central. The White Sox hold a slim two-game lead over the Tigers but the Sox are not in very good form right now with just three wins in their past 10 after losing a home series to the Royals this past weekend. They’ve also lost seven straight to these Tigers.

Rich Porcello has taken the loss in each of his last five starts but much of it was bad luck, as Porcello deserved much better. On the surface (4.58 ERA), Porcello appears to be an ineffective hurler but there's more to like here than you may realize. His base skills feature elite command and a continued groundball tilt that is up to 54% on the year. In August, Porcello’s groundball rate was an effective 58%. Porcello’s uncovered talents put him on the list of the most undervalued pitchers in the game.

José Quintana has a 7.01 ERA over his last five starts but unlike Porcello, he’s deserving of it. Quintana’s xERA over that span is 5.72. He has plus control but he relies heavily on his defense because he does not strike out enough batters. Quintana's upside remains as a back of the rotation/middle relief type in the long run and it’s doubtful he’ll be the one to snap the South Side’s ugly losing streak against this rival.

Jack JonesFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Washington Nationals -144
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I'll side with the Washington Nationals tonight over the New York Mets. Washington (86-54) is trying to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while New York (65-75) has nothing to play for the rest of the way.
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The Mets have been playing like it of late, going 1-5 in their last six games overall. They scored a combined five runs while getting swept in three games by the Atlanta Braves over the weekend.FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Gio Gonzalez looks to continue his already impressive season for the Nationals. The left-hander is 18-7 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.118 WHIP in 28 starts this season, including 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in his last two starts, not allowing a single earned run over 16 innings. Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in his last two starts against New York, yielding one earned run over 12 2/3 innings.FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Nationals are 10-2 in Gonzalez's last 12 road starts. Washington is 12-3 in Gonzalez's last 15 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Nationals are 21-7 in Gonzalez's last 28 starts overall. The Mets are 1-10 in their last 11 games as a home underdog. Bet the Nationals Monday.

Teddy Covers

Washington vs. NY Mets
Pick: Washington

The modest favorite’s price here is very reasonable considering the starting pitching matchup and the current forms of these two ballclubs. The Mets are falling apart. They just got swept at home by the Braves over the weekend, outscored 17-5 in the process. Since the All Star break, in all games NOT against the worst team in baseball (Houston), New York is a woeful 2-17 here at Citi Field, a legitimate home field disadvantage! They’ve been dominated by the Nationals all year, losing all five previous series against Washington while going 3-11 in the last 14 meetings. Don’t expect that track record to improve today!

The Nationals are trending in the opposite direction, 9-3 in their last dozen games. Their lineup has been on fire for weeks, pounding out seven runs or more nine times during that dozen game span. The Mets are just 19-31 against opposing southpaw starters like Gio Gonzalez this year, and Gonzalez is in stellar current form, throwing 16 innings of shutout ball in his last two trips to the hill. He’s held the Mets to a single run or less in three of his four previous career starts against them, and if this game comes down to a battle of the bullpens, the Nationals enjoy a clear edge in that department as well. Take the Nationals.

Jimmy Boyd

Cincinnati Reds -164

The Pirates are fading fast. They have lost 7 of 9 overall and 6 straight on the road. And, they were just swept by the lowly Cubs.

The Reds went down Sunday but are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss. Plus, you gotta like their chances at home with Latos on the mound. The Reds are 10-2 in his last 12 home starts and 5-0 in his last 5 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200. Latos is 4-0 (5-0 on the money line) with an ERA of 1.67 in 5 career starts against the Pirates.

The Pirates are 33-71 in their last 104 games as a road underdog of +151 to +200. Bet the Reds.

Dave Price

Houston Astros -114

Astros just took 2 of 3 in Cincinnati, and they have the edge tonight at home with the Cubs sending Volstad to the hill. Chicago has lost each of Volstad's 7 road starts this season, during which he has posted an ERA of 6.69. Cubs have lost 5 straight in Houston. Astros are 12-4 in their last 16 games as a home favorite. Take the Stros.