DUNKEL
Chicago Cubs at NY Mets
The Mets look to build on their 8-1 record in Michael Pelfrey's last 9 starts against the NL Central. New York is the pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has the Mets favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+150).
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Game 901-902: Chicago Cubs at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wells) 14.536; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.702
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+150); Under
Game 903-904: Cincinnati at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.815; Atlanta (Hudson) 15.423
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-185); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-185); Under
Game 905-906: St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 14.467; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.604
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+170); Under
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Game 907-908: Florida at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Sanchez) 14.129; Washington (Martin) 14.306
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 12
Vegas Line: Florida (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+135); Over
Game 909-910: Philadelphia at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 14.404; Houston (Norris) 14.827
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+170); Under
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Game 911-912: San Francisco at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Sanchez) 15.857; Milwaukee (Looper) 15.137
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+105); Over
Game 913-914: Arizona at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Petit) 15.319; Colorado (De La Rosa) 16.339
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Colorado (-230); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-230); Over
Game 915-916: San Diego at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Stauffer) 15.532; LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 17.144
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-210); Under
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Game 917-918: Minnesota at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 14.316; Cleveland (Huff) 15.616
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+110); Under
Game 919-920: NY Yankees at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Mitre) 17.168; Toronto (Tallet) 14.880
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 2 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-155); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-155); Under
Game 921-922: Detroit at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 14.646; Tampa Bay (Davis) 15.973
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+115); Over
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Game 923-924: Texas at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Holland) 15.849; Baltimore (Guthrie) 15.187
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Under
Game 925-926: Boston at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.050; White Sox (Danks) 15.612
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-135); Over
Game 927-928: LA Angels at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Saunders) 14.150; Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.166
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-175); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+165); Over
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Game 929-930: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Fister) 15.444; Oakland (Gonzalez) 16.435
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+110); Under
CFL
Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
The Bluebombers look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 road games. Winnipeg is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has Saskatchewan favored by only 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+7).
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Game 403-404: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 108.150; Saskatchewan 112.885
Dunkel Line: Saskatchewan by 4 1/2; 54 1/2
Vegas Line: Saskatchewan by 7; 51 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+7); Over
WNBA
Chicago at Detroit
The Shock look to take advantage of a Chicago team that is just 5-12 ATS in its last 17 road games. Detroit is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Shock favored by 9.Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-5 1/2).
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Game 651-652: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 107.391; Indiana 115.139
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 7 1/2; 159 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 5 1/2; 151 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-5 1/2); Over
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Game 653-654: Chicago at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 107.926; Detroit 116.787
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 9; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 5 1/2; 152
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-5 1/2); Over
Drew Gordon
Minnesota -120 at CLEVELAND
Now on a 53-39 roll with the plays I'm giving away! For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the Minnesota/Cleveland State match up.
To say the Twins Nick Blackburn has struggled since the All-Star Break is an understatement, but with two quality efforts in his L3 starts, I'm looking for the Twins righty to continue his turnaround tonight at Progressive Field. Not only was he solid against the White Sox in his last one (allowing just 1 run over 7 innings), but he was also damn good at the Royals in his last roadie (allowing 3 runs over 7 innings). Point being, Blackburn is looking a lot more like the pitcher we remember pre-All Star Break, and that's bad news for the Tribe in this one.
Opposing Blackburn is the Indians rookie southpaw David Huff, who's starting to show some real fatigue of late, with only 1 quality effort in his last 9 starts! True, that effort came in his last start, but before you go betting the farm on the Indians lefty, consider that he's posted a disgusting 10.38 ERA over his last 3 home starts! Not only that, but included in those home starts was a absolute stinker against this Twins team, allowing 7 runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings August 4th... More of the same this afternoon!
Finally, although the Twins have not been swinging the bats well of late, a match up against a fatiguing rookie is just what the doctor ordered! Twins have hit lefties well overall this season, and when you couple that with an Indians bullpen that's below average at best, you've got all the makings of a solid road win here for the Twins. With the Twins still vying for the AL Central, look for them (and especially Blackburn) to step up today on the road.
Take Minnesota behind Blackburn over Cleveland and Huff in this MLB match up.
2♦ MINNESOTA
Michael Cannon
Detroit -115 at TAMPA BAY
Take the Tigers for the road win over the Rays.
Detroit is going for its first road sweep of Tampa. The Rays have lost seven of 10 and can pretty much cancel their postseason reservations.
Edwin Jackson will start for the Tigers and although he hasn’t been particularly sharp lately he has still managed to win four of his last six starts. The right-hander, who pitched for the Rays last year, is 11-6 overall with a 3.09 ERA on the year.
Tampa will counter with Wade Davis, the team’s third-round draft pick in 2004 who is making his major league debut.
I know Detroit doesn’t have much of a book on Davis but with the way the Tigers have been swinging the bats lately it shouldn’t matter.
Take Detroit as they grab the road win and the series sweep.
3♦ DETROIT
Stephen Nover
Florida at Washington
Does the name Andy Fletcher ring a bell? It should if you play baseball over/unders. Fletcher is a notorious pitcher-friendly umpire.
During the past three seasons, the under is 48-23 (67 percent) when Fletcher has been behind the plate, including 18 unders in 26 games this season.
Anibal Sanchez goes for the Marlins. Talent never has been the issue with Sanchez. Health is and Sanchez is healthy now after being on the 60-day DL in June and July with a shoulder injury.
Sanchez dominated minor league competition and he's been getting back on track at the major league level. He's fanned 17 in his last 18 2/3 innings, while not surrendering a home run.
Washington starter J.D. Martin is off a quality start. The Nationals' best reliever, closer Mike MacDougal, is rested.
Keep in mind, too, that most teams rest some of their regular players on Sunday.
2♦ UNDER Marlins/Nationals
Scott Delaney
The Bombers will earn their ninth win in 10 games, as they continue to dominate the Jays, having won 11 of 15 meetings against their American League East rivals.
Sergio Mitre toes the slab for the Yankees, who are 5-2 when he does so. Mitre, who is 3-1 in 2009, looked good his last time out, against the White Sox and allowing just one hit over 6-1/3 innings. This is a revenge game of sorts for him, as Toronto is the only team to beat the right-hander this year.
The Yankees have 26 games left this season, and need to go 50-50 the rest of the year to hit 100-win plateau. With this team on runs of 49-17 overall and 41-19 on Sundays, I don’t think there’s going to be an issue of it getting win No. 88 today.
2♦ YANKEES
Tony Weston
Bad call with the Over on the BYU-Oklahoma game. Hey, that’ll happen. I’ve still won 5 of my last 6 Comp Plays and I’m making it 6 of 7 today.
I’m switching gears and headed to the diamond where I’m taking the Texas Rangers on the road at the Baltimore Orioles.
Despite yesterday’s loss, the Rangers have taken 5 of their last 7 meetings against the Orioles and have gone 5-2 their last 7 in Baltimore, going back to last season.
Consider, too, the Rangers have won 4 of their last 5 games overall, while the Orioles are just 1-4 their last 5 games and are just 3-9 their last 12 games at home.
Making things worse for Baltimore is that scheduled starter Jeremy Guthrie has won just two of his last eight starts and the Orioles are 0-4 his last four home starts.
It’ll be another losing day for Baltimore as the Rangers get over once again on the Orioles.
3♦ RANGERS
Craig Davis
Today's free play is a bit of a risk, but I'm on such a CRAZY WINNING STREAK with free plays that I couldn't pass it up. With yesterday's win on BYU over Oklahoma, it runs my winning streak to 35 of my last 45. Let me say it again... 35 of my last 45 have been winners. So, let's chalk up another winner on Pittsburgh over St. Louis. I think the Cardinals might rest some of its key players today after an extra innings 2-1 win last night. And why shouldn't they? They are running away with the Central Division and their only real concern right now is to stay healthy and set up their pitching for the stretch run. One other thing... St. Louis doesn't really hit lefties all that well, and Paul Maholm might be just what the Doctor ordered in Pittsburgh. He's got good enough stuff to keep the Cardinals guessing and, quite frankly, I'm not sure which hitters he'll be facing in the first place. We're getting some great value with the Pirates at home and I'll be glad to take my chances with them at that price.
2♦ PITTSBURGH
EZWINNERS
Philadelphia Phillies @ Houston Astros
Play: Philadelphia Phillies -176
The Astros have taken the first two games of this four game series, but I like the Phillies to get back on track here. The Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels seems to be putting it together. He pitched a complete game shutout in his last outing and has an ERA of only 1.64 in his last three starts. Hamels has five career starts against the Astros and Philadelphia is 5-0 in those games. The Astros send the struggling Bud Norris to the mound. This is a great opportunity for the Philadelphia bats to get going. Norris has been really bad posting an 0-3 record with a 13.11 ERA in his last three starts. The Phillies are 12-3 in Hamels' last 15 road starts against a team with a losing record. Play on Philadelphia.
HENTAI SPORTS
Florida Marlins at Washington Nationals
Prediction : Florida Marlins
The Marlins are the superior overall team here Sunday afternoon and they are 5-1 in Anibal Sanchez’s (2-6, 5.01 ERA) last 6 starts against the Nationals. Sanchez pitched well in his last three starts off of the disabled list and I look for him to have another good start against this Nationals line-up. The Marlins were 11-4 in their last 15 games played in Washington before Saturday’s outcome and the Nationals are just 0-7 in their last 7 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
JR TIPS
Mariners at Athletics
Ichiro Suzuki looks to become the second-fastest player in history to record 2,000 hits and move closer to another hitting record Sunday when the Seattle Mariners visit the Oakland Athletics.Suzuki had three hits in Seattle's 9-5 loss to Oakland on Saturday.He is 10 for 22 (.455) in five games since his return, and has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games overall. The nine-time All-Star is also batting .442 in nine games against the A's this season and is 2 for 5 lifetime against scheduled starter Gio Gonzalez (4-5, 6.07 ERA).Seattle has won nine of 13 despite Saturday's loss andis 11-4 versus Oakland this season.Mariners rookie Doug Fister (2-1, 2.94) looks for a second straight impressive outing when he makes his sixth career start.Fister limited the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels who have one of the majors' top offenses to one run and five hits in a career-high 7 1/3 innings of a 2-1 win. This will be Fister's first career outing against the A's, who have lost 11 of 18.Gonzalez is 0-3 with a 7.29 ERA in his last four starts after going 3-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his previous four. Walks have been the biggest problem for the rookie left-hander, who has issued 17 base on balls in 21 innings over his last four outings.Against Kansas City on Monday, Gonzalez permitted five runs, six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings and did not receive a decision in Oakland's 8-5 victory. Gonzalez lost at Seattle on Aug. 26, when he gave up four runs, seven hits and three walks in five innings of a 5-3 defeat. Seattle will take advantage of his control problems as they have had success against him all season. The Athelics have never faced Seattle starter and will have trouble picking up on his stuff. Seattle should have no problem getting back on their winning today.
TAKE SEATTLE -115
Sammy Jankus
NOTE: Sammy is 'The Reverse Barometer' so always play the OTHER SIDE of who he likes!
Boston at Chicago
Play: Chicago
Alright, enough of this nonsense. The Red Sox have been held to just 3 total runs in back-to-back embarrassments against the inferior Pale Hose. With Lester on the mound for Boston today, I think there’s NOW WAY they’re going to lose a third straight game to the Chisox here – which means your play is on CHICAGO.
BIG AL
San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers will try and prevent an embarrassing series sweep at the hands of the Giants this afternoon as San Francisco has taken the first two games of this three game set. It will be up to righthander Braden Looper to try and salvage this series and despite an ERA approaching five, Looper has been able to win the majority of his starts, going 11-6, while his opposing starter in this game, Jonathan O. Sanchez has the exact opposite record at 6-11. Looper is not a strikeout pitcher, so it's important that he keep his walks down, which he seems to be doing more lately. In six July starts, Looper walked 17 batters, but in six starts since then, he's only issued 11 free passes. Sanchez on the other hand definitely is a strikeout pitcher, but his problem has been consistency away from home. In 11 home appearances (ten starts), Sanchez is 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA, but in 15 outings on the road (13 starts) the lefthanded power pitcher is just 2-9 with a 4.54 ERA. Adding to these road woes is the fact that the Giants are 5-16 in Sanchez' last 21 road starts.
Play on: Milwaukee
VEGAS EXPERTS
Florida Marlins at Washington Nationals
Might as well back the Fish as they go for the sweep in the Nation's Capital and at a relatively affordable price no less! The Nationals have just been horrible in division play this year, losing 36 of 49 NL East games overall and they are a miserable 3-11 vs. Florida. The Marlins, meanwhile, are 17-9 on the division road this year and have scored nine runs in each of the first two games of this series. Let's just "throw in the fact" that Washington has lost its last eight games.
Play on: Florida
LT Profits
Nick Blackburn of the Minnesota Twins is in good form and has had success vs. the Cleveland Indians here in Ohio, while David Huff has been erratic for the Tribe.
Blackburn has now allowed three earned runs or less in three straight starts, evening his record for the season to 9-9 in the process. More importantly, he has simply loved pitching in Cleveland since being called p by the Twins last year. Blackburn is a perfect four for four in Quality Starts in this stadium in his brief career, never allowing more than two runs in any of those starts! It also helps that he is facing an Indians lineup that has packed it in for the season.
Huff meanwhile is 8-7, but with a dreadful 6.57 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. Furthermore, he has allowed 22 hits and seven walks in just 14.1 innings over his last three outings, translating into a hideous 2.02 WHIP. Also, the last time he faced the Twins here at home, Huff was lit up for seven earned runs and11 hits while lasting only 4.2 innings. He has found very little salvation when pitching at home this year, where he has a 6.69 ERA.
Look for the Minnesota bats to pound Huff en route to an easy victory.
Pick: Twins -125
Tom Freese
Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
Seattle is 10-3 their last 13 games as road favorites and they are 7-3 vs. a starter with a WHIP of over 1.30. The Mariners are 7-1 when their opponent scored 5 or more runs in their last game and they are 26-10 their last 36 games as favorites. Oakland is 14-37 their last 51 games vs. a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15 and they are 9-25 off a win. The Athletics are 3-7 their last 10 games vs. teams with a wiining record and they are 1-4 with Gio Gonzalez vs. a winning team. PLAY ON SEATTLE -