Brett Atkins
My free winner for tonight is on the Houston Astros at home for a third-straight night, against the struggling Toronto Blue Jays, who I told you would have problems in the Houston humidity with this series, after getting stymied in New York in a four-game set. Toronto is road weary and is still on the road.
Don't bother listing either starting pitcher -Toronto's Mark Buehrle or Houston's Dallas Keuchel - because this looks more like a momentum play and simply going against a travel-weary Toronto team that won't want to deal with the climate. Trust me - that's a big deal in baseball.
And Houston is no fun in the summer months, as it's far too humid.
Toronto's seven-game losing streak is extended tonight, as the Astros take Game 3.
4♦ HOUSTON
Chris Jordan
My free Sunday winner is on the Miami Marlins over the Colorado Rockies, and I want you listing both pitchers: Jacob Turner and Jorge De La Rosa.
I know that De La Rosa earned his third straight win Tuesday against the Phillies, in a solid show of perseverance, after he overcame a three-run third inning by retiring 11 straight hitters. And I know he's been one of Colorado's most consistent pitchers, but this is revenge.
Though command has steadily become an issue for Turner, and he has lost three straight decisions since he beat Atlanta on July 10, I like his chances to exact revenge on the Rockies and De La Rosa from a July 24 loss, in which he lasted six innings and allowed two earned runs while scattering six hits.
The value is there for us, and I'll take the Marlins while listing both.
4♦ MIAMI
Scott Delaney
And while I like the late game total, my free play for Sunday is the early game total, as I like the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans to go Over the posted number, which I see being 44 points.
Rule of thumb in the NFL Preseason, if you see any totals uncharacteristically high - above a traditional 37 - you play it Over. And truth be told, many preseason totals sit around 34. This one is 10 points higher than that, as the oddsmakers must see the Saints' high-octane offense pushing the game's tempo, despite Houston's physical defense at home.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees played most of the first half a week ago Friday when the Saints hosted the Raiders, and he looked solid, completing 14-of-18 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the past decade, and I think he will feel tested personally, and will want to respond.
For the Texans, the starters will likely play at least a half, if not longer. It will be the most we've seen of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, and I don't think this is a game that combo will want to flub their lines.
Remember, it's Sunday, and the Texans will hit the field Thursday in Dallas, so this is going to be a true final dress rehearsal and most accurate gauge for regular-season readiness we're going to see.
Look for this one to run high.
2♦ New Orleans/Houston Over
Big Kat Sports
Red Sox vs. Dodgers
Take: Under 7.5
Here are a few trends that have us leaning towards the Under tonight at Dodger Stadium.
Under is 9-1-1 in Red Sox last 11 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 15-5-1 in Red Sox last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-1-1 in Red Sox last 7 vs. National League West.
Under is 10-2-2 in Dodgers last 14 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 18-7-1 in Dodgers last 26 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2 in Dodgers last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pair those numbers with the fact that these two teams have gone under the posted total in 5 of their last 6 games and we’ll roll with that trend again, looking for another close game between these two at Dodger Stadium.