Five Things You Need to Know for Fri., Sept. 14
Atssportsline.com
Five Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your day off right? Looking for the most interesting events of the day and a few games to lay action on? There is a college football game, along with a full schedule in baseball, which includes a day game. Here is a brief look at the top four important matchups of the day along with a glance at future odds.
1)Washington State at UNLV, at Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
UNLV lost to Northern Arizona by 3 and Minnesota by 3 in three overtimes. Both teams are trying to find an identity. Washington State is 1-1 under new coach Mike Leach (after barely beating Eastern Washington 24-20 at home). Freshman Nick Sherry threw for nearly 240 yards last week for the Rebels. Washington State could be without QB Jeff Tuel, who has an injured knee. Cougars are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games in September. Washington State is an 8-point favorite with a total of 55.
2)San Francisco at Arizona, Matt Cain (13-5, 2.96 ERA) vs. Tyler Skaggs (1-1, 4.43 ERA)
This is the first game of a three-game series. Matt Cain is one of the best pitchers in the game with a shot at the Cy Young Award. The Giants are trying to put away the NL West, amazingly without the help of Melky Cabrera, who might win the NL batting title despite being suspended. Skaggs has pitched well this year, but has struggled lately, posting a 5.27 ERA in his last three starts. Giants are 19-7 in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a losing record. The Giants opened as as -135 favorite with a total of 8.
3)Tampa Bay at NY Yankees, David Price (17-5, 2.54 ERA) vs. C.C. Sabathia (13-5, 3.56 ERA)
This is a battle of elite left-handers, though Price was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday due to a shoulder issue. The Yankees are trying to keep pace with the red-hot Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, who just swept the Rays. Tampa Bay has won 5 of the last 7 in this series so they aren't intimidated by the Bronx Bombers. What they could use is an occasional key hit. The Rays are 9-3 last 12 as a dog. The Yankees opened as a -125 favorite with a total of 8.
4)Washington at Atlanta, Ross Detwiler (9-6, 3.23 ERA) vs. Kris Medlen (8-1, 1.64 ERA)
This is a huge series, especially for the Braves, who are 8.5 behind the Nats in the NL East. Washington improved to 89-54 after sweeping the Mets on the road, while the Braves were swept by Milwaukee on the road. Things are going so well that even Stephen Strasburg's replacement in the rotation, John Lannan, pitched into the sixth inning of Wednesday's 2-0 victory. The magic number is 11 for clinching the division and even lower for a playoff berth. Washington is 6-2-1 Over last 9 overall. Atlanta opened as a -175 favorite with a total of 7.
5)Odds to Win the 2012 Sprint Cup Championship
Jimmie Johnson is the favorite to claim another Sprint Cup title. He has been given +265 odds to win from 5dimes. Other short odds to win are Denny Hamlin (+400) and Brad Keselowski (+700). Johnson had won the last five Sprint Cup titles. He finished sixth last year, 99 points outside of first place. Johnson enters the Chase in a tie for second place, 3 points behind Hamlin for the lead. Johnson had three wins this year with 12 top 5’s and 17 top 10’s.
2012 Sprint Cup Championship
Jimmie Johnson +265
Denny Hamlin +400
Brad Keselowski +700
Dale Earnhardt Jr +750
Jeff Gordon +850
Kasey Kahne +950
Tony Stewart +1200
Greg Biffle +1250
Matt Kenseth +1300
Kevin Harvick +2200
Clint Bowyer +2300
Martin Truex Jr +2400