Saturday’s Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather to watch
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for multiple MLB games Saturday, including Seattle at New York, Miami at Washington and Arizona at Philadelphia.
Who’s hot?
Arizona Diamondbacks – The D-backs have won four in a row heading into Saturday’s game against the Phillies. Arizona swept the Dodgers in three games and took the opener in Philadelphia Friday night.
Who’s not?
Cleveland Indians – The Tribe are mired in a seven-game skid, losing their opener with the Tigers Friday night. Cleveland has been outscored 58-19 in that span and has played over the total in five of those games. The Indians haven't dropped eight straight games since stringing together 11 losses in a row from Sept. 13-24, 2009.
Key stat
8-2 – Serena Williams owns an 8-2 head-to-head record versus Maria Sharapova, who she faces in the women’s tennis singles final Saturday. Williams opened as a -500 favorite over the Russian (+333).
Game of the day
Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds (-133, 9)
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics – The A’s could be without their standout center fielder after Cespedes left Friday’s game against Toronto with a sprained wrist. He’s listed as day-to-day but it is unknown how long he’ll be out of action. He’s hitting .310 BA with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Notable quotable
”Of course. I think there’s just something about getting into chlorine water that you just automatically go. (I didn't) during the races, but I sure did in warm-up.” -- USA swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte admitting he peed in the Olympic pool.
Betting news and notes
The Blue Jays, losers of six in a row, haven't lost seven consecutive games since dropping nine in a row from May 19-27, 2009.
The Rangers used Alexi Ogando as closer on Friday with Joe Nathan unavailable after throwing over 30 pitches two straight nights. Texas will likely give Nathan a second straight day off Saturday.
MMA fighter Mike Swick makes his return to the UFC Saturday after a two-year hiatus due to an esophageal condition that made it difficult to train and fight. Swick is a -240 favorite over DaMarques Johnson (+185), who told the media he doesn’t game plan for any of his fights.
Clemson standout WR Sammy Watkins is expected to be suspended for the first two games of the season following his offseason drug arrest. The No. 14 Tigers are 3-point road favorite against the No. 25 Auburn Tigers on September 1. Watkins was second in receiving yards (1,225) in the ACC and caught 12 touchdown passes last season.