Bruce Marshall
Braves at Reds
Pick: Over
It was a tough loss for the Braves on Wednesday after rolling off five straight wins, but now they get to face a Cincinnati team that looks in free-fall and can't even count upon ace Johnny Cueto, who was roughed up in last night's 7-3 loss at St. Louis. That's now 10 losses in 12 games for the Reds, whose only wins in that stretch came when Cueto was on the mound. The offense has suffered minus injured Joey Votto, and now manager Bryan Price rolls the dice with minor league call-up David Holmberg (with a 16.88 ERA in limited work earlier this season) to take the place in the rotation of the injured Homer Bailey.
OC Dooley
Padres / Dodgers Over 5.5
This is obviously the lowest posted total possible in baseball which has not only created market “value” but also is actually a “law of averages” wager. For those not aware there were three different early afternoon games in baseball on this Thursday where only a combined NINE runs crossed the plate in the 3 contests. As of this typing the lone late afternoon affair in Washington saw a scoreless tie in the sixth inning which in a sense makes this as just mentioned a law-of-averages special for the totals player. I am aware that baseball’s best pitcher Clayton Kershaw is on the mound tonight for the Dodgers but he actually was MOVED UP a day so the team could protect #2 rotation option Zack Greinke who has complained of shoulder soreness. I am aware that San Diego’s Tyson Ross has been a workhorse (6+ innings pitched in 20 of 24 starts) but the fact of the matter is that the Padres offense has exploded since the All Star Break. The franchise was putting up historically bad numbers going into mid-July but the Padres have averaged more than FOUR runs per game since (near the top in all National League offensive production during that span)
Anthony Michael
Pittsburgh / Philadelphia Under 50
Yes, I know the Eagles have been a scoring machine in the pre-season so far but this game will be a different story. This game is against cross state rival Pittsburgh and with this being the 3rd pre-season game there will be a regular season feel for about a half. Look for the Steelers defense to be ready here since they have only given up 36 points in total so far in 2 games. Pittsburgh is 20-11 to the under in the pre-season under coach Tomlin. Look for this one to go under as well.
Wunderdog
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia
Pick: Pittsburgh +3.5
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has been good in August and has a deep, talented team for 2014. The no-huddle offense that worked so well in the second half of the 2013 season picked up where it left off with an impressive display Saturday in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger operated the no-huddle in all three series he played. The first two drives produced touchdowns. On the Steelers' second play, Roethlisberger connected with wide receiver Antonio Brown for a 76-yard touchdown. The Steelers were three for four on third downs in the no-huddle. Roethlisberger was eight for 11 for 128 yards. They also want balance on offense this season, and they catch a big break in playing the super-soft and small Philadelphia Eagles defense. Philly was dead last at defending the pass last season, and they are 0-2 this preseason, surrendering 76 points - the most of any team this preseason. That's 21 and 22 points more than the Bills and Giants have allowed, and they've played an extra game. Last week they faced a balanced Patriots offense that gouged them for 42 points through three quarters and 476 yards total (250 rushing). Pittsburgh will have no trouble rolling over this Eagles defense, and the Steelers have the far superior D with excellent speed and depth. Pittsburgh is allowing 18 points per game, and the Eagles have allowed 38 points per game. And the Philadelphia offense hasn't been in gear, turning it over four times in each of their two games. This being the week the starters play more, the visitors hold all the cards in a game they don't leave their own state to play.