Jimmy BoydFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Detroit Tigers -160
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The Tigers get the call as our free play with ace Justin Verlander on the mound. The Tigers are on an incredible 40-11 run at home with the reigning AL MVP on the hill. They are even 22-5 in his last 27 starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
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Verlander has been lights out at home this season (1.70 ERA), and he has only allowed 1 run in 15 innings spanning his last 2 starts against Oakland. It really hasn't mattered who he has faced at home recently as the Tigers are a perfect 12-0 in his home starts against good teams with a winning percentage between 54-62% since the start of last season. Take the Tigers.
DAVID BANKS
Kent State / Buffalo Over 51.5
Wednesday night MAC action kicks off for 2012 this week when the Buffalo Bulls (1-1, 1-1 ATS) host the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-1, 1-1 ATS) at University of Buffalo Stadium in Buffalo, NY at 7:00 ET in a game televised nationally on ESPNU. Neither team has beaten an FBS team yet, although Buffalo did cover the spread in a 45-23 loss at Georgia before beating Morgan State out of the FCS 56-34 last week. Kent State opened with a win over Towson, but lost its first FBS test badly 47-14 last week at Kentucky.
The Golden Flashes did compile 409 total yards despite scoring only 14 points against the Wildcats and they actually made a game of it for a little more than a half, trailing only 17-14 after scoring the first points after halftime, only to get outscored by Kentucky 30-0 the rest of the way. Kent State committed only one turnover in the game, but the Flashes were done in by three failed fourth down conversions with two of those coming inside the Kentucky 10-yard line. Quarterback Spencer Keith completed 28-of-43 passes for 227 yards while Trayion Durham paced the running attack with 87 rushing yards on just 16 carries. Unfortunately the Kent defense permitted 539 yards, but the good news is that it is stepping down in class this week after taking on that SEC opponent. The bad news is that Kent State lost its starting cornerback Norman Wolfe for quite a while with a broken arm. The senior has eight interceptions in his career and his absence should make things easier for Buffalo quarterback Alex Zordich, who has completed 60 percent of his passes this season.
Zordich has completed 30-of-45 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns against just one interception in two games, and he had the Bulls within eight points of fifth ranked Georgia at halftime of the season opener. Buffalo apparently gained a lot from the game as it then ran up 571 yards vs. Morgan State, and although that was vs. an FCS school, the Kent State defense it is facing here is not much better, ranking 90th in the country in total defense while surrendering 427.5 yards per game including an even 300.0 passing yards, and much of that came before Wolfe was injured. The Bulls also rank 17th in the country in rushing offense with 252.5 yards per game on the ground, and Brandon Oliver was a monster last week while rushing for 237 yards in 25 carries (a whopping 9.5 YPC) with two touchdowns. While the Buffalo offense could give Kent fits, note that the Buffalo defense ranks just 88th in total defense, although that is deceptive considering the Bulls faced one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC on opening week and the 366 yards they allowed last week was mainly because they were playing with a big lead most of the game,
Kent State has not been a good road team, going 3-9 ATS in its last 12 road contests, but Buffalo has not been the best of favorites either, going just 3-8-1 ATS the last 12 games when giving points. The underdogs have gone 4-0-1 ATS in the last five head-to-head meetings.
Wunderdog
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs
Pick: Chicago Cubs +130
The Cincinnati Reds have put the wraps on the NL Central a long time ago. They are now playing out the string and getting their rotation in order for the playoffs. Mike Leake is 8-9 with a 4.69 ERA, and may not be in those plans unless he steps things up. He might be the odd man out as he has been the weakest link in the five-man Reds’ rotation. The Cubs have shined for brief periods during the season, and one of bright sports is occurring right now. Chicago has gone 6-1 in their last seven in the role of an underdog, while winning 7 of their last 11 games. They get a shot today vs. the Reds’ weak link in the rotation. Play on the Cubs.
Ross KingFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
Play: Los Angeles DodgersFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Both starters in this one have very good numbers versus eachothers opponent.Dodgers are 3-0 versus Washington this year and 10-5 the last 3 seasons.Take Dodgers in game #2 to take advantage of a team that is already busy selling postseason tickets for the first time.
Jeff AlexanderFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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San Francisco Giants -1.5 +101
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Cain has owned the Rockies. He's 14-7 with an ERA of 3.20 in 27 career starts against them. The Giants have won each of his last 4 starts against them by an average of 4.0 runs. They have also won 10 of his last 13 starts against Colorado with 9 of those wins coming by at least 2 runs. The Giants have also won each of Cain's last 5 home starts against the Rockies by an average of 3.4 runs. Take the Giants on the run line.
Dave PriceFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Baltimore Orioles +137
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The Mariners, who have dropped 5 straight at home, are being overvalued here even with ace Felix Hernandez on the hill. That's because Hernandez has been struggling. He's 0-3 with an ERA of 9.00 over his last 3 starts. He is also 0-3 in his last 3 starts against Baltimore and has allowed 4 runs in each of his last 2 starts against the O's. The Orioles have won 7 straight against Seattle, and they are in good hands with Saunders, who is 11-0 on the money line in his last 11 starts versus the Mariners. Bet Baltimore.
Dave PriceFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Baltimore Orioles +137
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The Mariners, who have dropped 5 straight at home, are being overvalued here even with ace Felix Hernandez on the hill. That's because Hernandez has been struggling. He's 0-3 with an ERA of 9.00 over his last 3 starts. He is also 0-3 in his last 3 starts against Baltimore and has allowed 4 runs in each of his last 2 starts against the O's. The Orioles have won 7 straight against Seattle, and they are in good hands with Saunders, who is 11-0 on the money line in his last 11 starts versus the Mariners. Bet Baltimore.