Five Things You Need to Know for Thurs., Sept. 27
Atssportsline.com
Five Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your sports day off right? Looking for some action along with the most exciting matchups of the day? There is an NFL game, a college game, some day baseball action and the WNBA Playoffs tip-off. Here is a brief look at the top four important matchups of the day along with future odds.
1)Cleveland at Baltimore (NFL), M&T Bank Stadium
The Browns (0-3) face the Ravens (2-1) at M&T Bank Stadium at 8:20pmET from Baltimore (NFL Network). The Browns fell at home to Buffalo last week, 24-14, while Baltimore came back to defeat New England at home on Sunday night, 31-30. Last year, Baltimore won both games including at home on a Saturday, 20-14. Baltimore is 9-1 ATS in home games after a win by 3 or less. The Ravens are a 12-point favorite with a total of 44.
2)Stanford at Washington, CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
Both teams had byes last week though Stanford is coming off a huge win over USC at home. Last year, Stanford (-20) routed Washington, 65-21 at home. Stanford has one of the best defensive lines in the nation, which has led to their 3-0 start and upset win over USC. Stanford has the running game led by Stepfan Taylor and an emerging quarterback in Josh Nunes. Washington will need a huge game from QB Keith Price. Stanford is 4-0 ATS L4 in series. Stanford is a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 48.
3)Washington at Philadelphia, Gio Gonzalez (20-8, 2.84 ERA) vs. Tyler Cloyd (2-1, 3.86 ERA)
This is the final game of a three-game series. Gio Gonzalez takes the mound for the Nationals against Tyler Cloud for the Phillies. Washington was just four games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East before Wednesday's results. But they have their ace on the mound in Gonzalez, who owns a 1.50 ERA in his last three starts. The Phils are barely alive for the final wild card spot but really are playing the spoiler's role. Nationals are 6-0 last 6 Thursday games. The Nats opened as a -130 favorite with a total of 7.5.
4)WNBA Playoffs Begin on ESPN2 (NY Liberty at Connecticut, 8pmET; San Antonio at LA Sparks
After a few days off and a season that included a month off due to the Olympic Break, the WNBA finally starts their postseason. The NY Liberty (15-19) are a big underdog against Connecticut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal. The Sun (25-9) are 10-point fave with a total of 154.5. While San Antonio (21-13) is at the LA Sparks (24-10) in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal at 10pmET. The Sparks are a 7-point favorite and the total is 164.
5)Odds to win the 2012-2013 Men's Basketball National Championship
We are now a little more than two weeks away from the tip-off of Midnight Madness (Oct. 12), so now is the time to take a look at the latest NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Odds from 5dimes. Defending champ Kentucky is the slight favorite followed by Indiana and Louisville.
Men's Basketball National Champion 2012/13
Kentucky +600
Indiana +750
Louisville +850
North Carolina +1000
UCLA +1200
Ohio State +1750
Kansas +2000
Syracuse +2000
Duke +2000
Arizona +2000
Florida +2500
Michigan +2500
North Carolina State +2500
Florida State +2500
Michigan State +2800
Stanford +3000
Memphis +4000
Missouri +4300
UNLV +4500
Georgetown +6000
Cincinnati +6000
Texas +6000
Gonzaga +6500
Pittsburgh +6500
Saint John's +7000
Baylor +7000
Creighton +7000
Minnesota +7000
San Diego State +8000
Wisconsin +8000
Notre Dame +8000
Tennessee +8000
Alabama +8000
Texas A&M +8000
Butler +10000
Iowa State +10000
West Virginia +10000
Virginia +10000
California +10000
Wichita State +10000
Saint Joseph's +10000
Ohio +10000
Drexel +10000
Virginia Commonwealth +10000
Providence +10000
St Louis +10000
Davidson +10000
Marquette +10000
Illinois +11000
Washington +11000
Villanova +11000
Vanderbilt +12000
Seton Hall +12000
BYU +12000
Kansas State +12500
Arkansas +12500
Miami Florida +12500
Iowa +15000
Oregon +15000
Oklahoma +15000
Clemson +15000
Maryland +15000
Xavier +16000
Murray State +20000
New Mexico +20000
Oregon State +20000
Mississippi State +20000
Northern Iowa +20000
South Florida +20000
Southern Mississippi +20000
Temple +20000
St Marys +20000
Oklahoma State +20000
Colorado +20000
Purdue +22000
Long Beach State +30000
Utah State +30000
Marshall +30000
LaSalle +30000
LSU +30000
USC +30000
Central Florida +30000
Dayton +30000
Georgia Tech +30000
Northwestern +30000
DePaul +30000
Colorado State +30000
Virginia Tech +30000
Georgia +30000
Richmond +30000
Nevada +30000
George Mason +30000
Belmont +35000
Rutgers +45000
South Carolina +50000
Harvard +50000
St Bonaventure +50000