Friday's Betting Tips
Covers.com
Weather to watch
St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies: A 60 percent chance of thundershowers throughout the evening hours. Winds expected to blow out to left field at 12 mph.
Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles: Also a 60 percent of scattered thunderstorms. Winds expected to blow out to left field at 12 mph.
Who’s hot?
The Washington Nationals have won six straight games and eight of their last 10. The Nationals hold a 4.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves for top spot in the NL East and boast the best record in the bigs at 69-43.
Who’s not?
The season can’t end quickly enough for the Houston Astros. The Astros have dropped five straight contests and are just 1-9 in their last 10 games.
Key stat
4 – The number of wins the Houston Astros have since June 28.
Game of the day
Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers (-132, 10.5)
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
San Diego Chargers starting running back Ryan Mathews is expected to miss at least a month after breaking his collarbone on his first carry in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. He’s expected to have surgery Friday morning and coach Norv Turner believes Matthews could miss up to six weeks of action.
Notable quotable
"That was for all the doubters, there were a lot of people talking and doubting. That was just for them to say they can stop talking now. I'm a living legend." –Usain Bolt after winning the men’s 200-meter event at the London Games.
Betting news and notes
The surging Oakland Athletics are 23-9 in their last 32 games overall and have won 22 of their last 28 against right-handed starters.
Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (right thumb) could be activated for Friday's game. Plouffe, who was eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday, was to be re-evaluated after a second consecutive batting cage session Thursday. Plouffe is second on the team with 19 homers.
Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right hip Friday. Helton, Colorado's all-time leader in home runs (354) and RBIs (1,345), is expected to be ready for spring training. He has one year remaining on his contract.
The Seattle Seahawks may have violated the NFL's collective bargaining agreement by allowing wide receiver Terrell Owens to practice in shoulder pads during his first on-field workout.The CBA states players have a three-day acclimation period during the preseason and they can’t wear shoulder guards until the fourth day of training camp. The team could face discipline from the league for the violation.
Replacement officials were booed during the Bills-Redskins game Thursday after blowing a call on a touchback. Buffalo downed a punt at the Washington four-yard line, but back judge Craig Burd ruled it a touchback.
Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, Aug. 10
By ATSSportsline.com
5 Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your day off right? Looking for some action and the top events of the day? Ready for some football as Week One starts this week? Here is a brief look at the top four important matchups of the day along with a glance at future odds.
1)NY Jets at Cincinnati, NFL Preseason Week 1
The Jets are coming off a disappointing season and a lot of fingers were pointed at QB Mark Sanchez, who threw 18 picks and lost 8 fumbles. Tim Tebow has come in to relieve him and play some wildcat. They were getting old on the defensive side of the ball and added DE Quinton Coples from UNC and ILB Demario Davis from Arkansas State. WR Stephen Hill is a work-in-progress. Jets are 5-1 OVER last 6 preseason games. Cincinnati is a 1.5-point favorite and the total is 34.
2)Cleveland at Detroit, NFL Preseason Week 1
Brandon Weeden makes his first start for the Browns, who will not have rookie RB Trent Richardson (knee) available. Matthew Stafford leads a high-powered passing game but Detroit needs to find a running back. Kevin Smith and Stefan Logan are competing for the starting job with Mikel Leshoure waiting in the wings. Browns are 2-6 Under in Week 1 in preseason. Detroit is a 3-point favorite and the total is 36.
3)Minnesota at San Francisco, NFL Preseason Week 1
The Vikings are hoping to bounce back from a 3-13 season. It doesn't help that Adrian Peterson (knee) is out with a knee injury so they will rely more on Toby Gerhart. San Francisco was 13-3 last year and QB Alex Smith has two new receivers in Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. The San Francisco defense is as strong as ever. San Francisco is 11-3 ATS L14 in preseason. San Francisco is a 3-point favorite and the total is 34.5.
4)Washington at Arizona, Stephen Strasburg (12-5, 2.97 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill (9-9, 3.67ERA)
Stephen Strasburg is on a innings count or is he? That's the big question in Washington. They are just four games (before Thursday night result) ahead of Atlanta in the NL East. If they had that wrapped up, they can rest Strasburg for the playoffs. Arizona is 7.5 games out of the wild card and they need to make a run right now. Washington is 1-5-1 Under last 7 vs. Arizona. Washington is a -120 favorite and the total is 8.
5)Odds to win the BCS National Championship
The odds to win the BCS National Championship are out. College football practice has begun all over the country. USC is still a slight favorite over LSU in odds from 5dimes.
USC +450
LSU +550
Florida State +600
Alabama +650
Oklahoma +1000
Oregon +1400
Georgia +1600
Arkansas +2800
Virginia Tech +2800
Texas +3600
Michigan +4100
Michigan State +4500
South Carolina +4600
West Virginia +4800
Notre Dame +5000
Clemson +5500
Wisconsin +6000
Florida +7000
Nebraska +7000
Auburn +9500
TCU +10000
Oklahoma State +15000
Boise State +16000
Kansas State +16000
Missouri +17500
Tennessee +20000
Mississippi State +22500
Miami FL +25000
Stanford +27500
UCLA +30000
Iowa +35000
Texas A&M +35000
Washington +37500
California +40000
Virginia +40000
Louisville +40000
South Florida +45000
Utah +45000
Baylor +50000
BYU +50000
Cincinnati +50000
Georgia Tech +50000
NC State +50000
Texas Tech +50000
Arizona State +60000
Boston College +60000
Illinois +60000
Northwestern +60000
Purdue +60000
Arizona +70000
Pittsburgh +70000
Rutgers +70000
Vanderbilt +70000
Oregon State +75000
Wake Forest +75000
Iowa State +90000
Indiana +90000
Washington State +90000
Maryland +100000
Minnesota +100000
Kansas +100000
Colorado +100000
Duke +120000
Temple +120000
Syracuse +150000
Connecticut +150000
Mississippi +150000
Kentucky +150000
ATSSportsline.com has been providing winning sports picks since 1992. Want more from ATS Consultants? Click Free Picks to get daily winners delivered directly to your inbox with no obligation!