SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Colorado (1-2 SU and ATS) at West Virginia (2-1, 1-1 ATS)
Colorado looks to notch its second straight win when it travels to Morgantown, W.Va., for a non-conference clash with the Mountaineers, who will try to avenge last year’s disappointing loss in Boulder.
After suffering consecutive embarrassing losses to start the season – 23-17 to Colorado State at home; 54-38 at Toledo – the Buffaloes finally got in the win column with a 24-0 rout of Wyoming as a seven-point home chalk on Sept. 19. Colorado managed just 326 yards in the win, but it held Wyoming to 230 as it snapped a four-game SU losing skid that dated to last season.
On the same day Colorado ended its slide, West Virginia had its four-game winning streak halted in a 41-30 loss at Auburn as a seven-point underdog. The Mountaineers had a whopping 509-400 edge in total offense, but they committed six turnovers, including five interceptions (four of which were thrown by starting QB Jarrett Brown). West Virginia has committed 10 turnovers in its last two games.
The Buffaloes stole a 17-14 overtime victory over West Virginia last year on a Thursday night, cashing as a 2½-point home underdog. The Mountaineers rushed for 311 yards, but QB Pat White passed for just 43 yards (10-for-14) and West Virginia’s offense went a combined 3-for-15 on third and fourth downs. Colorado RB Rodney Stewart rushed for 166 yards in the victory, but he has just 165 yards on 38 carries (2 TDs) this season.
Colorado’s pedestrian offense is managing just 26.3 points and 342.7 yards per game (91.7 rushing ypg), with QB Cody Hawkins – son of coach Dan Hawkins – connecting on a meager 53 percent of his passes for 753 yards with five TDs offset by four INTs. Meanwhile the defense is yielding 25.7 points but 410 yards per outing (183 rushing ypg). Prior to the win over Wyoming, the Buffs had been outgained by more than 115 yards in four straight contests (all losses).
The Mountaineers, who have scored between 30-35 points in four straight games going back to a bowl victory over North Carolina last December, are averaging 32.7 points and 485.3 yards this season (192.3 rushing ypg, 5.2 yards per carry). The multidimensional Brown has thrown as many picks (five) as touchdowns, but he’s completing 68.5 percent of his throws for 789 yards, and he also has 208 rushing yards (5.5 ypc) and one TD on the ground. Defensively, West Virginia is yielding 27 points and 312 yards per outing, including just 83.7 rushing ypg (2.7 ypc).
Despite easily cashing against Wyoming, Colorado is still on a slew of ATS slides, including 3-9 overall, 1-5 on the road, 8-20 as a ‘dog, 2-11 as a road underdog, 0-4 in October and 2-6 against winning teams. West Virginia has failed to cover in four of five overall, nine of 13 against teams with a losing record and five of seven when laying double digits.
The Buffaloes are on “under” runs of 12-4 in non-conference play, 4-1 as an underdog, 5-1 in October and 5-2 when playing on artificial turf. The under is also 4-1 in West Virginia’s last five October contests, but otherwise the Mountaineers are on “over” streaks of 7-2 overall, 6-2 as a favorite, 7-2 after a bye week and 6-2 on Thursday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WEST VIRGINIA
Southern Miss (3-1, 1-2 ATS) at UAB (1-3 SU and ATS)
Five days after seeing its eight-game winning streak end with a loss at Kansas, Southern Miss hits the road again, this time traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for a Conference USA clash with UAB.
The Golden Eagles played 20th-ranked Kansas tough all day long Saturday, but still came up short 35-28, covering as a 13-point road underdog. Southern Miss gave up the winning touchdown 45 seconds into the fourth quarter and couldn’t find the end zone thereafter. The Eagles put up 28 points and 395 yards (331 passing) despite having the ball for less than 24 minutes.
Southern Miss will be without two key offensive components, as RB Damion Fletcher and WR DeAndre Brown won’t play because of injury.
Since routing Rice 44-24 as a six-point home favorite in its season opener on Sept. 5, UAB has dropped three in a row SU and ATS. The Blazers’ worst performance during the slump came Saturday at Texas A&M, where they got pummeled 56-19 as a 14-point road underdog, getting outgained 544-303.
These teams have met every year this decade, and the Golden Eagles are a perfect 9-0 SU and 5-4 ATS, cashing in five of the last six meetings. Last year, Southern Miss crushed the Blazers 70-7 as a 7½-point home favorite, and they’ve won the last two meetings by the combined score of 107-21, outgaining UAB by 599 combined yards.
QB Austin Davis (28-for-42, 331 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT at Kansas) has eight TD passes against just the one interception, and he leads an explosive Southern Miss offense that nets 35.8 points and 444.8 total yards per game (236.8 passing, 208 rushing). The Eagles have scored at least 26 points in six straight games. However, the defense, after yielding a total of 19 points in the first two contests, has surrendered 34 and 35 points in the last two outings.
UAB is averaging 27.5 points and 388 yards per game, but almost all of the production has come on the ground (230.5 rushing ypg, 6.4 ypc). QB Joe Webb is completing just 54.7 percent of his passes for an average of 155.3 yards per game with five TDs and five INTs. The Blazers’ defense has been awful, allowing 35.5 points and 480.8 yards per effort (327.2 passing ypg).
Southern Miss is on ATS rolls of 6-2 overall, 9-2 on the road, 9-2 as a road favorite and 4-1 in Conference USA action, but the Eagles have come up short against the number in five straight October contests and five of seven on Thursday. UAB is 3-9-2 ATS in its last 14 October contests, but otherwise is on ATS runs of 4-1 in conference action and 5-2 versus teams with a winning record.
The over is 4-0 in the Eagles’ last four on Thursday, 4-1 in their last five after an outright loss and 5-2-1 in UAB’s last eight on artificial turf. However, the under is on runs of 4-0 for Southern Miss in Conference USA games and 7-1 for UAB in October. Finally, three of the last four in this series have topped the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SOUTHERN MISS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota (82-75) at Detroit (85-73)
Scott Baker (14-9, 4.48 ERA) will try to keep the Twins’ playoff hopes alive when he opposes Tigers lefty Nate Robertson (2-2, 5.56) in the finale of a four-game series at Comerica Park.
These teams split a doubleheader Tuesday, then Detroit came back Wednesday and rolled to a 7-2 victory to push its A.L. Central lead to three games over Minnesota. Detroit can wrap up the division crown with a victory today.
The Twins have used a 12-4 surge to climb back into the playoff race, and they’re on additional runs of 6-3 on the road, 6-1 against left-handed starters and 17-7 in A.L. Central games. On the downside, Ron Gardenhire’s club has lost six straight games on Thursday and seven of eight in the fourth game of a series, and it is 16-38 in its last 54 road contests versus southpaw starters.
Detroit has followed a 3-9 slump by winning seven of its last 10 to keep the Twins at arm’s length. Jim Leyland’s squad is 35-16 in its last 51 home games.
Despite losing the last two games, the Twins remain 10-7 against Detroit this season, with the host taking 12 of the 17 meetings.
Baker has surrendered four runs in each of his last two starts over a total of 11 innings (6.55 ERA), losing 6-2 to the Tigers at home followed by Saturday’s 11-6 win at Kansas City. The good news is the right-hander hasn’t allowed more than four runs in any of his last nine starts, with the Twins going 7-2. Additionally, with Baker hurling, Minnesota is on runs of 7-3 on the road, 6-2 on Thursday, 9-2 against the A.L. Central and 9-4 versus teams with a winning record.
Baker is 8-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 15 road starts this year, 4-4 with a 5.65 ERA in day games and he’s 4-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 15 career starts against Detroit. However, in three games this year against the Tigers, Baker is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (15 runs allowed in 15 innings), with Minnesota losing the last two (8-7 on the road; 6-2 at home).
Robertson has pitched just 43 2/3 innings in 27 appearances this year, including only five starts, all since Aug. 29. In those five starts, the veteran southpaw is 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA. On Saturday, he squandered five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings at the White Sox, but the Tigers cruised to a 12-5 victory. Prior to that, he beat Baker in Minnesota 6-2, allowing two runs in five innings, yet he’s still just 9-10 with a 4.21 ERA in 25 career appearances (23 starts) versus the Twins.
The Tigers are on a slew of negative runs behind Robertson, including 1-5 at home, 12-26 when he pitches on four days’ rest, 15-41 when he faces an opponent with a winning record and 3-6 against Minnesota. This year at Comerica, Robertson is 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in 12 appearances (three starts).
The under is 5-1-2 in Baker’s last seven starts overall, but the over is 16-6-1 in his last 23 divisional starts, including 5-1 in his last six starts against the Tigers. Also, the over is 9-2 in Robertson’s last 11 against A.L. Central rivals, 4-1 in his last five outings versus Minnesota and 7-2-2 in his last 11 home outings against the Twins.
As a team, Minnesota is on “under” runs of 20-7-5 overall and 6-1-2 versus winning teams, though the Twins are 5-2-1 “over” in their last eight on the road (all within the division). Meanwhile, the Tigers are on “over” runs of 5-2-1 overall (all against the A.L. Central), 7-2-1 at home, 4-1 on Thursday and 7-3-2 against right-handed starters.
Finally, the under is 3-1-2 in the last six meetings overall, but the over is 4-1-1 in the last six series clashes at Comerica Park.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
DUNKEL INDEX
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
The Pirates look to build on their 7-2 record in Paul Maholm's last 9 starts against the Cubs. Pittsburgh is the pick (+135) according to Dunkel, which has the Pirates favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135)
Game 951-952: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 16.308; Cincinnati (Wells) 15.804
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-175); Under
Game 953-954: Milwaukee at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 14.716; Colorado (Cook) 15.664
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-170); Over
Game 955-956: Arizona at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 15.531; San Francisco (Lincecum) 14.955
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-150); 7
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+140); Over
Game 957-958: Houston at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Paulino) 14.870; Philadelphia (Lee) 14.393
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 959-960: Washington at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Mock) 14.575; Atlanta (Hanson) 15.456
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-275); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-275); Under
Game 961-962: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Maholm) 15.756; Cubs (Samardzjia) 14.612
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-145); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135); N/A
Game 963-964: Minnesota at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 15.254; Detroit (Robertson) 16.124
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+120); Under
Game 965-966: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 16.445; LA Angels (Lackey) 15.708
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+155); Over
Game 967-968: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Waters) 12.829; Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.874
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-265); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-265); Under
Game 969-970: Cleveland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carrasco) 14.353; Boston (Lester) 15.918
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-240); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-240); Under
Game 971-972: Oakland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Anderson) 15.250; Seattle (Fister) 16.150
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+110); Over
NCAA
Colorado at West Virginia
The Mountaineers look to take advantage of a Colorado team that is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games as a road underdog. West Virginia is the pick (-17) according to Dunkel, which has the Mountaineers favored by 20 1/2. Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-17)
Game 103-104: Colorado at West Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 75.403; West Virginia 95.749
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 20 1/2; 58
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 17; 54
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-17); Over
Game 105-106: Southern Mississippi at UAB
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Mississippi 87.226; UAB 71.039
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 16; 59 1/2
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 9 1/2; 60
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-9 1/2); Under
NHL
Washington at Boston
The Caps open the regular season in Boston where they look to build on their 4-1 record in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Washington is the pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has the Capitals favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+125)
Game 1-2: Montreal at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.502; Toronto 11.513
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-130); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-130); Over
Game 3-4: Washington at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.527; Boston 12.318
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-135); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+125); Over
Game 5-6: San Jose at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 10.413; Colorado 11.197
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+160); Under
Game 7-8: Vancouver at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.649; Calgary 11.764
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-140); Under
WNBA
Indiana at Phoenix
The Mercury look to take advantage of an Indiana team that is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing with 1 day of rest. Phoenix is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-4)
Game 603-604: Indiana at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 111.275; Phoenix 119.251
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 8; 181
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 4; 180
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-4); Over
Rob Vinciletti
Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
Play: Under 8
This game fits a nice under system that cashes nearly 70% of the time, so long as the total stays at 8 or higher. In the pitching match up the Athletics have left hander B.Anderson going tonight. In his starts vs Seattle he has been real good going 18 innings and allowing 5 runs this year. Over his last three outings he has a solid 1.43 era. Seattle counters with D.Fister tonight. He has one start vs Oakland this year and pitched real well allowing just 1 run over 5 + innings. Based on the system and the pitching efforts of both starters,take the under tonight.
MTi Sports
Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
The Indians are 0-11 as a dog when they lost the last two games their starter started, 0-10 as a dog when they lost the last time they faced their opponent?s starting pitcher and 0-10 as a dog when they are off a loss in which they never led. The Red Sox are 8-0 as a 140+ favorite after a loss in which they had six or fewer hits and 11-0 when Jon Lester starts at home when his team lost the last time he started. Finally, the Red Sox are 16-1 in franchise history with Jon Lester as a 200+ favorite, with their only loss by a 2-1 margin in a five-inning rain-shortened game. Can?t see the Indians competing here.
DAVE COKIN
MINNESOTA TWINS / DETROIT TIGERS
TAKE MINNESOTA TWINS
The Twins are now on fumes after getting lit up in the crucial Wednesday loss to the Tigers. But I just don't see this squad mailing it in and calling it a day, and I definitely give the Twins a nice edge on the mound with Scott Baker opposing Nate Robertson. I'll take the Twins to stay alive with the win in the series finale.
JIM FEIST
TEXAS RANGERS / LOS ANGELES ANGELS
TAKE UNDER
Texas is without its top offensive player, shutting Josh Hamilton down for the season. The offense looked terrible in the first two games of this series, totaling 2 runs. Ace Kevin Millwood (12-10) takes the hill and has been solid all year, with a 2-1 record and a 3.57 ERA his last three starts. Los Angeles has clinched their third straight AL West title and rested two-thirds of its usual starting lineup the game after. Ace John Lackey goes here, with excellent stuff. Can't see much scoring, play the Rangers/Angels under the total.
Tony Mathews
Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
Selection: Oakland Athletics -125
The Oakland Athletics will use starting pitcher Brett Anderson. Brett Anderson has been pitching great as of late. In fact, Brett Anderson has a 1.45 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Brett Anderson pitching another great game today.
The Seattle Mariners will use starting pitcher Doug Fister. Doug Fister has had huge pitching problems as of late. In fact, Doug Fister has a 8.80 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Doug Fister pitching another bad game today.
While the Seattle Mariners have the overall better record, there is no doubt that the Oakland Athletics have the better overall offense and defense.
Take the Oakland Athletics
JR TIPS
Athletics at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners won't be going to the playoffs, but their season should still be considered a successful one coming back from one of the worst seasons in franchise history last year.The Mariners who went an AL-worst 61-101 in 2008, have secured a winning record this season during a remarkable turnaround that's been aided by a 45-32 mark at Safeco Field.The Mariners go for a third straight victory and series sweep of the visiting Oakland Athletics tonight as Ken Griffey Jr. hit a three-run homer in Seattle's 7-0 win over Oakland last night. Adrian Beltre and Ichiro Suzuki each had two hits Wednesday for the Mariners, who improved to 13-5 against the A's this season, including 7-1 at home where they've won six in a row versus Oakland.Suzuki's batting .351, and .418 this season versus the A's but will have to go against the A's hot rookie Brett Anderson (11-10, 4.12 ERA), who will try to end a solid rookie season by winning his fifth straight start. He allowed one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of a 12-3 victory over Texas last Thursday. The 21-year-old left-hander is 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA since losing at Los Angeles on Aug. 30th. Anderson has 142 strikeouts, the most by an rookie in Oakland A's history. Anderson is 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA in four starts against the Mariners, who will counter with Doug Fister. Fister (2-4, 4.50) looks to avoid losing his fourth straight start after giving up four runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-0 defeat at Toronto on Friday. The right-hander, who's 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts since beating Los Angeles on Sept. 1st, allowed one run in five innings, but did not receive a decision in a 5-2 loss in his only appearance against Oakland on Sept. 6th. Rajai Davis, who's 2 for 3 with a double against Fister, had one of the two hits Wednesday for Oakland, which has lost three straight after winning 16 of 20. The a's starting rookie pitxcher has been pitching lights out baseball as Doug Fister is coming back to form after a strong last outing. This is a pitchers matchup tonight as runs will be hard to come by for both teams.
TAKE UNDER 8
Jeff Benton
Southern Miss -9' at UAB
For Thursday’s free play, I’ll back Southern Miss as a hefty road favorite at UAB.
I know the Golden Eagles are coming off a hard-fought loss at Kansas (35-28) and go right back on the road for this Conference USA game. I also know that they’ll be without two of their big offensive weapons in RB Damion Fletcher and WR DeAndre Brown. Still, it’s impossible to forget what happened the last two years when these teams met.
Back in 2007, Southern Miss whipped the Blazers 37-7 as an 11½-point road favorite, rolling up 456 yards (338 rushing) and allowing just 244 (65 rushing). Then last year, UAB went to Hattisburg, Miss., as a 7½-point road underdog … and got destroyed 70-14. In that win, the Eagles had 610 yards (463 rushing!) to UAB’s 223 yards (96 rushing), and QB Austin Davis went ballistic, completing 6 of 7 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown while rushing 10 times for 81 yards and five – FIVE! – TDs.
Davis is back under center at Southern Miss this year, and he’s been fantastic so far, completing two-thirds of his passes for 937 yards with eight TDs and just one INT (he’s also got 83 rushing yards and two scores). Davis guides a balanced attack that’s putting up nearly as many yards on the ground (208 per game) as through the air (237), and while Fletcher and Brown have contributed, they haven’t done it alone, as Southern Miss has a plethora of weapons. Tonight, those weapons face a UAB defense that’s a mess, giving up 35.5 points and 481 yards per game. That includes 544 yards and eight TDs allowed in last week’s 56-19 loss at Texas A&M as a 14-point underdog.
Yes, Southern Miss had an eight-game winning streak snapped at Kansas, but the Eagles are still 6-2 ATS in their last eight lined games. They’ve also cashed in nine of 11 on the road and nine of 11 when laying chalk on the road. Meanwhile, UAB has dropped three in a row SU and ATS, and even though the Blazers will be motivated to atone for last year’s 70-14 loss at Southern Miss, reality is, they don’t have the athletes to follow through. Throw in the fact that the Eagles have won all nine meetings in this rivalry this decade, going 5-1 ATS in the last six, and the only way to look in this one is to the favorite.
6♦ SOUTHERN MISS
Bobby Maxwell
S. Mississippi at UAB +9'
I've got a FREE winner on the college gridiron tonight as I grab the points and play Alabama-Birmingham in this Conference USA matchup with S. Mississippi.
This is your classic look-ahead game for Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles are certainly the better team in this matchup, but this road game in Alabama-Birmingham is sandwiched in between roadies to Kansas and Louisville. Three straight road games with this being the lightest opponent of the three. Absolutely Southern Mississippis is overlooking UAB.
At Texas A&M on Saturday, the Blazers got destroyed 56-19 as a 14-point road underdog. They crushed Rice in the season opener by 20 as a six-point home chalk. The Blazers have a decent running attack, netting 6.4 yards per carry and 230.5 yards per game on the ground. And that will come in handy against the Eagles' pourous offense that has given up 34.5 points a game in the last two outings.
Plus you know UAB has that 70-7 score plastered all over the locker room so they remember what they're playing for this year. Southern Miss crushed them last year and it's time for UAB to rise up and be noticed in Conference-USA, even if it is short-lived.
Two key injuries for Southern Mississippi in RB Damion Fletcher and WR DeAndre Brown. Two key components to the Eagles' offense.
UAB hasn't won in the last nine tries against the Eagles, and while I don't think they break that streak this year, they will get within the number. Play the Blazers.
4♦ UAB
Karl Garrett
Houston at PHILADELPHIA
Comp play winner last night on Louisiana Tech over Hawaii.
For Thursday, the Phillies were able to sew up the NL East division title with the win last night, and while there may be a few regulars sitting on the bench, I don't think that is going to prevent the Phillies and Astros from playing another OVER.
Last night's game made it 3 in a row, and 7 of 9 in the OVER column for the Astros, while it put the Phillies OVER tear at 8 straight.
In this year's season series, ALL 3 played at the Bank have found their way into the HIGH column, and tonight's will as well.
Felipe Paulino has allowed 12 runs over his last 11 innings of work, and at 2-11 overall for the year with a 6.51 ERA, chances of him getting out the Phillie Phanatic look pretty slim this evening to the G-Man.
Cliff Lee is not likely to go very long, but will get some work in before the playoffs start, but keep in mind, Lee just got shelled for 7 runs in 6 innings against Milwaukee, and was lit by Houston in early September for 6 runs in 3 innings of work.
Have to believe the scoreboard will feature some more crooked digits tonight.
Take the OVER.
3♦ OVER
Dominic Fazzini
Cleveland at BOSTON
I lost my complimentary selection Wednesday on the Twins to beat Detroit, but that will not prevent me for dishing out a winner today!
The Red Sox are backing into the playoffs, as they are on a six-game losing streak, and that's not the way they want to begin October.
Boston starter Jon Lester (14-8, 3.52 ERA) also wants to get back to his winning ways after taking a line drive off his right leg Friday against the Yankees. The left-hander's leg wasn't the only thing that was battered, as he gave up five runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Before that outing, however, Lester was 11-2 with a 2.13 ERA over 20 starts, and he is 6-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 outings at Fenway Park this season.
Lester is 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA in five career outings against Cleveland, and the Red Sox are 5-0 in those games.
Indians starter Carlos Carrasco (0-3, 9.00) has had a rough beginning to his big-league career. Cleveland has lost all four of the rookie's outings, and he allowed four runs and six hits in five innings Saturday against Detroit.
The Indians went 7-21 in September, and manager Eric Wedge is on his way out the door. With a struggling rookie on the mound vs. a Boston team that wants to get back to winning quickly, things don't look good for Cleveland today. Take the Red Sox on the run line.
5♦ BOSTON -1.5
Sports Gambling Hotline
Cleveland at BOSTON
Our free play run stands at 41-25-4.
For Thursday night, it is about time the Red Sox get not only a win, but a ringing win!
Boston got beat again on Wednesday, as they have now lost their last 6 games. We expect Jon Lester to rebound from a poor outing against the Yankees his last time out, and come through with some solid innings tonight. Lester has been much better at Fenway Park this season than on the road, as his 6-3 record with a 3.07 ERA can attest.
Carlos Carrasco will counter for the Indians, and all this kid has done is allow 19 runs in his 19 big league innings this season!
You get the feeling that Boston can take this game OVER the total themselves?
We sure do.
With last night's OVER, the Red Sox have now played 9 of their last 12 games OVER the posted price, and in this series, 8 of the last 11 games played in Beantown have eclipsed the posted total.
In fact, 4 of the 5 meetings overall this season between the Tribe and the Sox have played HIGH.
Have to stick with the trends, and play tonight's series opener to go OVER the total.
5♦ OVER
Jeff Scott Sports
2 UNIT PLAY
Colorado +17 over WEST VIRGINIA
The 'Neers defense has not been that great this year as they have allowed 27 ppg so far, giving up 6 TD's through the air with only 3 INT's. Colorado is off to a slow start but they will be the more desperate team here as they keep this one to under 14 points.
Hentai Sports
Texas Rangers at Anaheim Angels
Prediction : Under 9
Texas is without its top offensive player, shutting Josh Hamilton down for the season. The offense looked terrible in the first two games of this series, totaling 2 runs. Ace Kevin Millwood (12-10) takes the hill and has been solid all year, with a 2-1 record and a 3.57 ERA his last three starts. Los Angeles has clinched their third straight AL West title and rested two-thirds of its usual starting lineup the game after. Ace John Lackey goes here, with excellent stuff. Can’t see much scoring.