8-18-13

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Today's NFL Picks

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST (8/14)

Game 429-430: Indianapolis at NY Giants (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indianapolis 110.056; NY Giants 125.882 Dunkel Line: NY Giants by 16; 37 Vegas Line: NY Giants by 1 1/2; 40 Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (-1 1/2); Under

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Today's CFL Picks

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST (8/13)

Game 127-128: Edmonton at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 108.305; Toronto 114.540 Dunkel Line: Toronto by 6; 58 Vegas Line: Toronto by 8; 54 Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+8); Over

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CFL

Week 8

Edmonton (1-5) @ Toronto (4-2)— Eskimos’ star LB JC Skerritt (thumb) is out here, hurting Eskimo defense that gave up 30+ points last three weeks- they were down 20-6/17-6 at half of last two games, rallied to lose close games both times. Edmonton (+7.5) won its road opener in rain at Hamilton, then lost by 10 in Vancouver, 5 at Montreal- they’re 1-2 as road dogs, with five of their six games going over total. Toronto won/covered its last three games, scoring 35-38-38 points; they’re 2-1 at home, scoring 35 ppg there. Five of six Argo games went over total, including all three at home. Argos’ 42-26 win over Edmonton in LY’s playoffs was just their second win in last nine series games; Eskimos won four of last five visits here, with wins by 3-18-7-9 points. Four of last five series games went over the total.

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English Breakfast: Premier League betting cheat sheet

The opening week of the Barclay's Premier League continues with a pair of matches Sunday.

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (+400, +275, -125)

Why bet Tottenham: Spurs have arguably done the best business in the summer window adding top-quality talent like Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Etienne Capoue. Wantaway Gareth Bale, the hero of the 2012-13 campaign, will miss out due to a foot injury and probably be replaced with young Belgian Chadli wide left. Spurs have a history of starting the season slowly, but must register a full three points against the Premier League newbies.

Key players doubtful: Gareth Bale, Jan Vertonghen, Lewis Holtby, Emmanuel Adebayor, Benoit Assou-Ekotto

Why bet Crystal Palace: It will be an exciting home match for Palace as the club returns to top-flight football for the first time in eight years. The Eagles first team contains players with plenty of Premier League experience (Marouane Chamakh, Daniel Gabbidon to name a couple) but the two players to watch will be Dwight Gayle (who joins from Peterborough) and Jose Campana (who joins from Sevilla). Selhurst Park should be electric come Sunday and the supporters will do everything they can to help the Premier League newcomers get a result.

Key players doubtful: Glenn Murray, Jerome Thomas

Key betting note: Tottenham scored at least two goals in their final six away matches to close the 2012-13 season.

2012-13 fixture result: N/A


Chelsea v Hull (-500, +600, +1800)

Why bet Chelsea: Chelsea will start the season at home at Stamford Bridge and new manager José Mourinho will look to start with three easy points against the newly promoted Hull Tigers. The Blues could start striker Romelu Lukaku who returns to the club after a season-long loan to West Brom where the Belgian netted 17 goals. Chelsea's attack should be able to fire on all cylinders, even though Juan Mata could miss out due to injury. Chelsea's depth and sheer quality will no-doubt be the difference maker.

Key players doubtful: David Luiz, Juan Mata

Why bet Hull: Hull comes in fairly healthy with just midfielder Stephen Quinn sidelined for the opener. The Tigers have added talented players all over the pitch with Tom Huddlestone, Danny Graham, Curtis Davies, Maynor Figeuroa and Allan McGregor all in for the club.

Key players doubtful: Stephen Quinn

Key betting note: Chelsea leads the head-to-head battle between the two sides with 19 wins while Hull has four.

2012-13 fixture result: N/A

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Eskimos at Argos: What bettors need to know

Edmonton Eskimos at Toronto Argonauts (-8, 52)

Injuries have not slowed the Toronto Argonauts, who are on a dominating three-game winning streak. The Argonauts will try to win four contests in a row for the first time since 2007 when they host the struggling Edmonton Eskimos on Sunday. Toronto running back Chad Kackert is out with a knee injury and starting quarterback Ricky Ray has missed most of the last two games, but the Argonauts defense - led by linebacker Robert McCune and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell - allowed just 25 total points in the last two wins, giving backup quarterback Zach Collaros a chance to win.

The Eskimos must feel a little snake-bitten after losing each of their last two games on the final play - a failed one-yard run against the Montreal Alouettes and a missed 50-yard field goal against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Edmonton entered its bye week mired in a four-game losing streak and will be without linebacker JC Sherritt, who suffered a broken thumb against Hamilton. Sherritt, who set a CFL record for tackles last year with 130, anchors the Eskimos’ defense, and his absence puts even more pressure on quarterback Mike Reilly, who helms the league’s worst offense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (1-5): Sherritt could be out anywhere from two to six weeks, leaving Edmonton’s defense in the hands of linebacker Damaso Munoz, who leads the team with 41 tackles. The Eskimos’ defensive line has combined for 12 of the unit’s 14 sacks. Reilly has connected with slotback Fred Stamps for 401 yards, but only four Edmonton players have more than 100 receiving yards thus far. Reilly has also ran for 208 yards, second to running back Hugh Charles, who has 294.

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (4-2): Ray (knee) should be ready for Sunday and is on a career-best pace when healthy, completing 113-of-148 passes for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Curtis Steele has done a good job replacing Kackert, recording 116 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, who has been battling injuries all season, might be cleared to play on Sunday. Inman has eight catches for 118 yards and one touchdown in his second season.

TRENDS:

* Eskimos are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Argonauts are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
* The over is 10-2-1 in the Eskimos last 13 games overall.
* Eskimos are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings in Toronto.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Argonauts won seven straight games to finish the 2007 season atop the East Division, but lost 19-9 at home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the division final.

2. Eskimos CB Aaron Grymes, who recorded an interception against Hamilton, is out indefinitely after being hurt in a collision during practice.

3. Toronto SB Chad Owens has 1,154 total combined yards after returning a field goal 118 yards for a touchdown last week against Montreal.

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The hottest bet of the summer you've been missing

Road favorites in the CFL continue to be one of the hottest bets of the summer after the Hamilton Tiger-Cats downed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday 37-18.

The Tabbies easily covered the 3.5-point spread and road chalk improves to 8-1 straight up and against the spread in the CFL this season.

This was the only matchup which featured a road fave this week so bettors won't have another opportunity to bet this spot in Week 8. The Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions are both home favorites Saturday, while the Toronto Argonauts are home faves Sunday.

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NASCAR betting: Pure Michigan 400 preview

Michigan International Speedway hosts the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday and the track ran fast as can be in qualifying.

The two mile oval track saw 25 drivers top 200 mph in the qualifying session.

Here is our betting preview:

Favorite: Jimmie Johnson (3-1)

The points leader had a run-in with the wall at a Saturday practice session and will be racing his backup car Sunday. Johnson qualified third Friday, but due to the wreck, he'll start at the rear. He has never won at Michigan International Speedway.

Live dog: Greg Biffle (9-1)

If you're talking Michigan International Speedway, you have to talk Greg Biffle. Biffle turned in some great performances at the Michigan Speedway throughout his career. He has four wins and 10 top-5 finishes in his resume and won the Quicken Loans 400 at the track in June. Oh, he's also the 2012 Pure Michigan 400 winner as well.

Long shot: Clint Bowyer (39-2)

Bowyer has some decent races and finishes at Michigan over the past five seasons. In the nine races over that span, Bowyer has seven top-10 finishes and an average finish of 10. He finished seventh a year ago and finished seventh in the Quicken Loans 400 at the track in June.

Weather watch: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-80s with sunny and clear skies.

Key stat: 52 of the 88 races at Michigan International Speedway have been won from a top-5 starting position, good enough for 59 percent.

Notable quotable: “It’s been a great place for me and a great track for Roush-Fenway as a whole. It’s a fun track, a two-to-three-wide downforce type of track with a lot of opportunities to run up and down.” - Greg Biffle on racing at Michigan International.

Odds to win the Pure Michigan 400 courtesy of 5dimes:

Jimmie Johnson 3-1
Kasey Kahne 17-2
Greg Biffle 9-1
Matt Kenseth 10-1
Kyle Busch 21-2
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 23-2
Joey Logano 13-1
Kurt Busch 27-2
Carl Edwards 27-2
Brad Keselowski 27-2
Kevin Harvick 33-2
Denny Hamlin 17-1
Clint Bowyer 39-2
Jeff Gordon 20-1
Martin Truex Jr. 45-2
Ryan Newman 33-1
Mark Martin 33-1
Jeff Burton 44-1
Austin Dillon 44-1
Jamie McMurray 66-1

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Sunday's American League betting cheat sheet

Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Sunday's American League games:

Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers (-177, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer tossed seven innings of two-run ball in his last encounter with Kansas City back on June 11, and has beaten the Royals twice in two meetings this season.

Hot batting stat: Royals 1B Eric Hosmer has 46 multi-hit games in 2013, second in the American League to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (47).

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from center field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The Tigers are 22-4 in 26 Scherzer outings following a quality start in his previous game.


Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays (-156, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Rays right-hander Chris Archer is winless in his last three appearances, surrendering 10 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings in that span.

Hot batting stat: Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista is hitting .336 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in 30 games played indoors this season.

Weather: Dome.

Key betting note: The Blue Jays are 2-8 in their last 10 outings in the third game of a series.


Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins (-128, 8)

Cold pitching stat: White Sox lefty Hector Santiago is winless in nine appearances since June 21, despite recording four quality starts over that stretch.

Hot batting stat: Chicago 1B/DH Adam Dunn is hitting .313 in 96 at-bats since the All-Star break, 100 points higher than his first-half average.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 13 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 9-1-1 in Chicago's last 11 games against a team with a losing record.


Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (-280, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish has surrendered just five earned runs over his last five starts, going 4-1 with 50 strikeouts over that span.

Cold batting stat: Texas 2B Ian Kinsler is hitting .226 with one home run in 106 at-bats since the break. Kinsler batted .281 with nine homers in the first half.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow in fro left field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 8-2-2 in the Mariners' last 12 games against a right-handed starter.


Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels (-170, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Angels right-hander Jason Vargas is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 2/3 career innings against the Astros.

Cold batting stat: Houston is hitting .236 as a team, good for second-last in the majors.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out toward center field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The Angels have won just three of their last 17 games against divisional opponents.


Cleveland Indians at Oakland Athletics (OFF, OFF)

Cold pitching stat: Athletics left-hander Tommy Milone struggled his last time out, surrendering six runs over just 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Texas Rangers on August 2.

Hot batting stat: Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, with three home runs and six RBIs over that stretch.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 8-1 in the Indians' last nine road games against a team with a winning record.


New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-133, 9.5)

Cold pitching stat: Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia was tagged for seven runs on nine hits over five grueling innings in his last encounter with the Red Sox back on July 21.

Hot batting stat: New York OF Alfonso Soriano tied a major-league record this week by racking up 18 RBIs in a four-game span.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 6-0 in Sabathia's last six starts.


Interleague

Colorado Rockies at Baltimore Orioles (-145, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin has allowed three runs or fewer in seven straight starts, surrendering just two home runs in that span.

Cold batting stat: Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .214 with one home run and six RBIs in August.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with a 60 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow in from right-center field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: Colorado is 6-21 in its last 27 interleague games against a right-handed starter.


* Stats prior to Saturday's action.

** Odds, probable starters and weather forecast as of 7:50 p.m. ET Saturday.

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Sunday's National League betting cheat sheet

Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Sunday's National League games:

San Francisco Giants at Miami Marlins (+150, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Giants right-hander Madison Bumgarner reeled off 10 consecutive quality starts before lasting just four innings in his previous rain-delayed outing, lowering his ERA nearly a full point over that stretch.

Cold batting stat: Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is hitting just .209 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 91 at-bats since the All-Star break.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with a 20 percent chance of rain or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from right to left field at 14 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 11-2 in the Marlins' last 13 games against a team with a losing record.


Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates (-125, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Arizona right-hander Wade Miley has won five of his last six decisions and has allowed more than three runs in a game just once since the beginning of June.

Hot batting stat: Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .298 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in 58 road games so far in 2013.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Pittsburgh is 9-25 in starter Charlie Morton's last 34 starts on four days' rest.


Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies (-107, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Dodgers right-hander Ricky Nolasco is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in five starts since joining Los Angeles in a July trade with the Miami Marlins.

Cold batting stat: Phillies 3B Michael Young is batting a paltry .196 with zero home runs and two RBIs in August.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with a 35 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow in from right-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The Dodgers are 23-3 in their last 26 road games.


Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves (-140, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez has had trouble with Atlanta in his career, going 2-5 with a 5.24 ERA in eight starts.

Cold batting stat: After belting nine home runs in April, Washington OF Bryce Harper has gone deep just eight times since.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with a 70 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from right to left field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 6-0 in Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran's six starts on five days' rest.


Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers (+128, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Brewers RH Wily Peralta had his best start of the season in his last outing against the Reds, going the distance on a three-hit shutout back on July 9.

Hot batting stat: Milwaukee SS Jean Segura is a .322 career hitter in 59 at-bats against the Reds.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow in from right-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 9-2 in Milwaukee's last 11 games against a division foe.


St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs (+154, OFF)

Cold pitching stat: Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright is 6-6 with a 4.57 ERA in 29 career appearances versus the Cubs.

Cold batting stat: None of Chicago's qualified hitters has a batting average above .250; Starlin Castro is the highest at .244.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 8-2 in Wainwright's last 10 road starts.



New York Mets at San Diego Padres (+120, 6)

Hot pitching stat: Mets right-hander Matt Harvey has allowed one or fewer earned runs in five of his last nine starts.

Hot batting stat: Padres 1B Yonder Alonso is .317 hitter in the familiar confines of Petco Park this season. Four of his six homers have also come at home.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: San Diego is 1-10 in its last 11 games against a National League East team.


* Stats prior to Saturday's action.

** Odds, probable starters and weather forecast as of 8:10 p.m. ET Saturday.

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Sunday Night Baseball: Yankees at Red Sox
By STEVE MERRIL

It’s an AL East rivalry as the Red Sox host the Yankees on Sunday Night Baseball.

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-133, 9.5)

C.C. SEE YA LOW ERA

CC Sabathia is 10-10 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.33 WHIP for the Yankees. The lefty has allowed 3 runs or more in seven straight games, including contests against light-hitting San Diego, Chicago, and Minnesota. He is coming off a victory against the Angels where he walked six batters which equaled the total he put up in his previous three starts. Sabathia was rocked in his last outing in Fenway back on July 21st giving up 7 runs and nine hits in five innings in an 8-7 Boston win. He did mix in a solid outing against the Red Sox back on May 31st where he struck out 10 in 7 1/3 innings of work.

RYAN LOOKING FOR RE-DEMP-TION

Ryan Dempster is 6-8 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.45 WHIP for the Red Sox. He has picked up no-decisions in seven of his last eight starts, including one against the Yankees at home on July 21st. He has struggled to get past the seventh inning; the righty has not done so in ten straight starts which puts pressure on the Boston bullpen. Dempster put forth a good effort in Toronto his last time out after allowing 12 runs and 16 hits against the Astros and Mariners in his previous two starts. Dempster’s only other start this season against New York came back on April 4th when he allowed 3 runs and five hits in five innings of work.

INJURY REPORT

The names on these injury reports would cripple a lot of teams. New York is still without Derek Jeter who is dealing with a calf injury. The shortstop is eligible to return on Sunday, but he will not play. New York is also without Travis Hafner, Francisco Cervelli, Kevin Youkilis, and Mark Teixeira. Youkilis hopes to return from his back injury before the season ends.

Boston has their injuries on the pitching staff. Clay Buchholz is on a rehab assignment and he could return in September. Matt Thornton, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, and Joel Hanrahan are all out from the bullpen. Only Thornton is expected back from that group this season.

TRENDS

Yankees are 11-5 in Sabathia’s last 16 Sunday starts
Yankees are 22-6-1 Over in Sabathia’s last 29 Sunday starts

Red Sox are 6-0 in Dempster’s last 6 starts
Red Sox are 5-2 Over in Dempster’s last 7 home starts

HITTERS TO WATCH

Robinson Cano 2-for-8 vs. Dempster
Ichiro 2-for-9 vs. Dempster

Jonny Gomes 7-for-32 vs. Sabathia
David Ortiz 12-for-55 vs. Sabathia

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NFL preseason primer: Sunday game betting breakdown
By BRYAN POWER

A look from the bettor's perspective of Sunday's NFL preseason game.

Indianapolis at NY Giants (-1.5, 40.5)

The Colts are a team a lot of people are calling for to "regress" this season and they definitely got off to an auspicious start to the preseason, losing last week at home to Buffalo 44-20. The poor performance caused owner Jim Irsay to take to Twitter to "rip" the team. Their starters didn't play much, with QB Andrew Luck in for only two series. Reportedly, the first team offense will be in for a significantly longer amount of time here. Special teams coverage was a major issue last week, most notably allowing a 107-yd kick return for a TD.

The Giants won a pretty ugly game last week, 18-13 in Pittsburgh. The highlight was a 57-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Victor Cruz. Head coach Tom Coughlin is 7-3 ATS as a home favorite as the coach of the Giants in the preseason.

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Yankees on Saturday and likes the Dodgers on Sunday.

The deficit is 1510 sirignanos.

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Chicago Syndicate Top Plays

Pirates
Braves
Mets
Tigers
Yankees

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LA Syndicate Top Plays

Giants
Pirates
Mets
A's
Orioles

XNFL - Giants/Colts Over 40