JR TIPS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Braves at Astros
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
With the way the Atlanta Braves are hitting these days, the pitchers have had a heavy burden to shut down the opposition and the Brave's pitchers had been up to the task against the Houston Astros this week until the ninth inning of the second game of the series. Another low-scoring affair could be in order tonight veteran's Derek Lowe and Roy Oswalt match up in Houston as the Braves seek their first series win in more than two weeks. Atlanta has dropped it's last six of seven with its offense producing hardley nothing at the plate in the last six. The Braves have scored three runs or fewer in all six of those games while batting .153 and striking out 52 times. Houston ace Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.77 ERA) allowed two runs and four hits while striking out eight against Philadelphia Saturday but the Braves are the only NL opponent besides Houston that the right-hander has never beaten as he is 0-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts.Lowe (13-9, 4.36) is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA in eight starts against the Astros, including a 7-2 win at home May 1st when he yielded two runs over 6 2/3 innings. The right-handed sinkerballer limited Cincinnati to three runs over seven innings last Friday. Both of these teams have been inemic at the plate and facing these veteran pitchers won't help either team tonight.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
TAKE UNDER 7.5
Randall the Handle
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Tennessee +6 +1.02 over PITTSBURGH
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Titans had the NFL’s best record last season and subsequently lost in the playoffs to Baltimore in a very disappointing way. This is pretty much the exact same team with lots of weapons, a great defense, an outstanding coaching staff and a team that very seldom gets spanked. Yes, they lost all-pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and he is one of the best, bar none. However, it seems like that’s what people want to talk about when discussing the Titans but his loss won’t be as devastating as the media would have you believe because the Titans have enough great players on defense to compensate. It would be a different story if he was the defense on a bad team but that’s not the case. Then we have the “stomping of the Terrible Towel” incident last year after the Titans whacked the Steelers 31-14 and many believe that’s an motivational tool for the Steelers. Perhaps so but the Titans are all business and if anyone has extra motivation it’s the Titans, as they’re coming off a hugely dissatisfying playoff loss while the Steelers have nothing to prove. Furthermore, the line itself is a bit of an insult to the Titans and that, too, is very motivating. The Steelers will have trouble moving the ball, as they’re offense isn’t so great and in what should be a low-scoring game (the total is 35), these points are just so sweet. The Titans really never got the respect they deserved all of last year when they just kept covering and winning games. They’re starting out the same way again this season and I’m calling the Titans outright but as mentioned earlier the points are just too juicy to pass up on.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Tennessee +6 (Risking 2 units).
Tom Freese
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros
Prediction: Houston Astros
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Houston is 62-23 in the last 85 home starts made by Roy Oswalt and they are 5-1 their last 6 games vs. winning teams. Oswalt is 10-2 his last 12 starts and the Astros are 7-1 their last 8 games vs. NL East teams. Atlanta is 21-44 their last 65 road games vs. a team with a losing record and they are 0-5 in the last 5 road starts made by Derek Lowe vs. a team with a losing record. The Braves are 4-11 their last 15 games at Houston. PLAY ON HOUSTON
Jimmy Boyd
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Play: Georgia Tech -5
The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 SU and ATS versus Clemson over the last 2 seasons and I expect this trend to continue today. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a breezer in Week 1 against Jacksonville State, but head coach Paul Johnson was not pleased with the ball handling or the effort and let his team know about it. I expect a much better performance from Tech this week against a team it knows it can't take lightly. The key here is that I don't see Clemson being able to slow down Tech's explosive running attack. Georgia Tech is 16-5 ATS in the first two weeks of the season since 1992 and Clemson is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games vs. a team with a winning record. I'm laying the points.
Rocketman
Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros
Play: Houston Astros
It came down to the bottom of the 9th last night for the Astros to get the come from behind win. It shouldn't be that close tonight. Atlanta is 2-6 so far in September and 1-6 last 7. Houston has won 5 of their last 6 overall. Atlanta is scoring only 4 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Houston bullpen has a 3.55 ERA at home this year. Roy Oswalt has been solid again this year with a 3.77 ERA overall, 3.52 ERA at home and a 3.26 ERA his last 3 starts. Braves are 0-5 in Lowes last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Astros are 10-2 in Oswalts last 12 starts. Astros are 57-21 in Oswalts last 78 starts as a home favorite. Astros are 62-23 in Oswalts last 85 home starts. Braves are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings in Houston. We'll recommend a small play on Houston tonight!
Scott Rickenbach
Atlanta Braves @ Houston Astros
PICK: Under 8
After opening up at a 7.5 across the board, this total has now moved to a solid 8 and we feel this is adding even more value to what was already a great situation for a play on the under. With yesterday's 2-1 final, the Braves have stayed under the total in five straight games and eight of their last ten. As for the Astros, they've stayed under the total in nine of their last eleven games. Neither one of these "under streaks" is a fluke either. The Braves have been held to seven hits or less in six straight games! They've given up eight hits or less in eight of their last ten games.
The Astros have similar numbers. Houston has held opponents to eight hits or less in 10 of their last 13 games! The Astros themselves have been held to eight hits or less in eight of their last twelve games. As for the pitchers tonight, Oswalt has allowed three earned runs or less in ten of their last twelve games. As for the Braves starter, Lowe, he's allowed three earned runs or less in ten of his last eleven starters. Consider a small play on UNDER the total in Houston on Thursday night.
Jeff Saad
Braves at Astros
Atlanta has gone 3-1 over the totalo in the last 4 starts by righty Derek Lowe. Houston is a small park, excellent for offense and hitting home runs. Houston ace Roy Oswalt has dominanted many teams in his career, but not Atlanta: He is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 27 innings against them. This total is too low, Play the Braves/Astros Over the total.
Lenny Del Genio
PIT -6.5 vs TEN
We are a bit leery of this with the line moving in favor of the Steelers all week long, considering the last time Pittsburgh lost was to Tennessee, 31-14, last regular season. Still, there is no doubt in our minds that the defending Super Bowl Champs are the superior team here. Pittsburgh actually outgained Tennessee in that 17pt loss last year, but they were done in by a -4 turnover margin, which nullified a TOP advantage. We don't expect four Steelers turnovers here, nor do we expect Titans QB Kerry Collins to have the kind of year he did last season. What you can expect from Pittsburgh is defense as their 13.9 PA and 4.11 YPP were both league's best. Take Pittsburgh.
see any burns nfl