If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Anthony Calvillo and the Montreal Alouettes have represented the power in this league for years. When teams are building or preparing for the upcoming year, the goal has been to put together a team that can defeat the Als. The Argos did it last season and so did a few others, as the league has now caught up to them. Some are calling it an off-year, (Als went 11-7 last year) and expect them to rebound strong this season but we’re not so sure. Calvillo is 40-years old and Father Time forgives nobody. Additionally, the Als have an entire new coaching staff with no CFL experience and that’s a huge obstacle to overcome. Montreal also has a slew of new personnel and most of them are veterans or castoffs that have worn out their welcome elsewhere. This is an old team in a young man’s game and although the Als have plenty of experience, they have not played together and it would be of no surprise if they were a step slower than the other teams and a bit out of sync as well. The Alouettes defense is another area of concern, where they were torched constantly last season by every efficient offense in the CFL and it may be the same story this year.
The Blue Bombers were torched in their two preseason games by a combined score of 76-6 and that has many believing this edition of the Bombers is no better off and maybe worse than a year ago. Don’t believe it. Winnipeg showed nothing in the preseason. They played mostly backups and had no desire to do anything but evaluate players on the bubble. Tim Burke took over the coaching duties eight games into the season a year ago and lost the first three but then Winnipeg closed with a 4-3 record under Burke. Burke’s track record as a defensive coordinator prior to the interim gig last year suggests he’s ready for the full-time challenge as well. The veteran coach overlooked Winnipeg’s vaunted “Swaggerville” defense in 2011 after three years as defensive coordinator in Montreal, helping the Alouettes to three straight Grey Cup appearances and two wins. This guy knows the CFL and he knows how to win. Winnipeg is much better than last season and if QB Buck Pierce remains healthy, they will be a tough out every single week. Winnipeg has a nice balance of offense and defense and they’re extremely well-coached (Burke brought back Casey Creehan as defensive coordinator and Creehan was in charge of Winnipeg’s defensive line during their impressive 2011 season). Opening up at home with a clean slate in their new stadium in front of a packed house, the Bombers offer up tremendous value here. Keep the points. Bombers outright.
Stephen Nover MLB Money Line Thu, 06/27/13 - 10:10 PM
dime bet - 956 LOS (-185) vs 955 PHI
This line is far higher than I normally like to play so it's a small play and part of a two-team parlay with the underdog Royals.
But I really like the Dodgers in this spot. For the first time this season, the Dodgers are showing a pulse. Sparked by rookie sensation Yasiel Puig and the hot hitting of Hanley Ramirez, the Dodgers have won a season-high five games in a row. Now Matt Kemp is back from injury and slated to start.
The Phillies are physically and emotionally drained. They are not a strong offensive team anymore ranking 25th in runs and have to face Zack Greinke, who is off his best start of the year.
Philadelphia managed to get by the Padres, 7-5, in 13 innings last night. That game went late into the evening. This is the Phillies' 16th game in 17 days. They had no off day on Monday after getting shut out at home by the Mets this past Sunday. Instead they had to fly cross country to the West Coast and play a three-game series with the Padres.
The Phillies' bullpen is spent. There's a weak bridge to closer Jonathan Papelbon with setup man Mike Adams probably lost for the season. The Phillies need starter Jonathan Pettibone to come in with a strong game. That hasn't happened with the youngster when he has been on the road where he's 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA during his past four away outings.
Pettibone is another one of these young pitchers who started out well, but has suffered the second time through the league. He is 0-3 with a 4.70 ERA in his last seven starts. He also had to leave his last start prematurely following back stiffness.
Greinke has been the nuts at Dodger Stadium going 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA there. The Dodgers have won all five of his home starts. The Dodgers also own a 9-2 record the last 11 times facing an opponent with a losing road mark.
Comment