Friday's Betting Tips
Covers.com
Weather watch
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday’s tilt between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. There is a 72 percent chance of rain for Turner Field.
Who’s hot?
San Antonio Silver Stars – The WNBA is back from the Olympic break and the Silver Stars are trying to pick up where they left off, winning nine in a row and posting an 8-1 ATS mark in that span. San Antonio is an 8-point road favorite in Tulsa Friday.
Who’s not?
Toronto Blue Jays – The Jays have lost three straight heading into Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Toronto was without top hitter Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) Thursday and is still missing the big bats of Jose Bautista, Adam Lind and Brett Lawrie.
Game of the day
Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels (-165, 7)
Injury that should not be ignored
Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox – Ellsbury is serving as Boston’s DH while he deals with a leg injury. Manager Bobby Valentine says the move is a precaution to protect the Red Sox center fielder. Ellsbury went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the leadoff spot against Baltimore Thursday. Scott Podsednik started in center, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Notable quotable
“I’m definitely excited. I don’t think we’re too far apart, Tom Brady and myself.” – Penn State QB Matt McGloin talking about head coach Bill O’Brien’s experience with the Patriots’ star pivot.
Betting news and notes
The Miami Dolphins will start rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill over Matt Moore in Friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Tannehill passed for 167 yards and one touchdown in Week 1 of the preseason.
Toronto has scored just 53 runs in losing 14 of its last 18 games. The Blue Jays are 9-9 over/under in that span and have a total of 9 runs versus Texas Friday.
Atlanta has won 15 of its past 20 games, sitting at a season-high 20 games above .500 and just four games behind NL East leader Washington.
Kansas City has jumped on its opponents early this month, scoring 16 first-inning runs while allowing only two. Most books offer 5-inning lines as well as first-inning props on whether a run will be scored.
The Diamondbacks are 55-15 when scoring four runs or more and improved to 4-44 when held to three or less with Thursday‘s triumph.
Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, Aug. 17
Atssportsline.com
Want to start your day off right? Looking for some action and the most interesting events of the day? There is a big schedule in football on Friday with six games and a full baseball schedule. Here is a brief look at the top four important matchups of the day along with a glance at future odds.
1)Detroit at Baltimore, NFL Preseason Week 2, M&T Bank Stadium
Detroit visits Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland on Friday at 8pmET. Detroit is coming off a 19-17 home loss to Cleveland, laying 3. Baltimore is coming off a 31-17 road win over Atlanta, getting 1. Detroit has injury issues at running back but their passing game is top-notch led by WR Calvin Johnson. Baltimore is expected to play the starters most of the half. Baltimore is 5-16 Under off an Over. Baltimore is a 2.5-point favorite and the total is 39.
2)Tennessee at Tampa Bay, Preseason Week 2, Raymond James Stadium
Tennessee takes on Tampa Bay at 7:30pmET from Raymond James Stadium on Friday night. The Titans are coming off losing at Seattle, 27-17, getting 3, while Tampa Bay defeated Miami on the road, 20-7 as a 3-point dog. These two teams met in the regular season last year, with Tennessee (-3/44) winning, 23-17. Jake Locker gets the start for the Titans. Tennessee is 13-0 Over away off a loss. Tampa Bay is a 3-point favorite and the total is 37.5.
3)Boston at NY Yankees, Franklin Morales (3-3, 3.29 ERA) vs. Phillip Hughes (11-10, 4.44 ERA)
The Yankees are trying to hold onto the lead in the AL East as Tampa Bay and Baltimore are surging. 2B Robinson Cano may not play due to a neck injury and 3B Alex Rodriguez is trying to get back from a broken hand. Boston is just trying to get to .500 and get through this season. But this is still Red/Sox Yankees. Boston is 12-4 last 16 in series. NY Yankees opened as a -130 favorite and the total is 9.5.
4)Tampa Bay at LA Angels, James Shields (10-7, 4.02 ERA) vs. Jered Weaver (15-2, 2.22 ERA)
Jered Weaver is having another incredible year. But even Weaver is not having the kind of run that Shields is having lately for Tampa Bay. Shields owns a 1.12 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP in the last three games. Considering how weak the Rays' bats were in Seattle, he may have to throw a shutout in this game to give Tampa Bay a chance. The Rays are 8-1 last 9 in this series. The Angels opened as a -170 favorite and the total opened at 7.5.
5)Odds to Win the Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference continues to evolve. Boise State is a huge favorite, though next year, they move to the Big East for football-only. They do have to replace QB Kellen Moore and RB Doug Martin, who are off to the NFL. Nevada, a former WAC member, is the second favorite.
Mountain West Champion
Boise State -300
Nevada +550
Fresno State +800
Wyoming +1500
Air Force +2000
San Diego State +2000
Colorado State +3500
Hawaii +5000
UNLV +7500
New Mexico +12500