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NFL preseason primer: Sunday game betting breakdown
By BRYAN POWER
Here's a quick look at what to expect in Sunday's two NFL preseason tilts.
New Orleans at Houston (-2.5, 43.5)
Both teams here a 2-0 SU/ATS. The Saints have played both of their games so far at home and only managed to squeak by both the Chiefs and Raiders, two teams that combined for only six wins last season. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Drew Brees and the first team offense looked great last week, racing out to a 23-0 lead vs. Oakland. Brees completed 14 of 18 passes for over 200 yards and wound up leading five different scoring drives. He had some praise for the play of his wide receivers. Only some sloppy second half play from the Saints resulted in the game being close. The defense had seven sacks.
We still have not seen Arian Foster yet this preseason for the Texans. He was taken off the PUP list Wednesday and practiced with the team for the first time. However, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the team’s 1st round draft choice back in April, left last week’s game with a concussion. He will not play here. He had looked good so far in camp as the team desperately tries to develop a No. 2 WR next to Andre Johnson. On defense Brian Cushing returned last week and played 10 snaps. These teams have met in the preseason each of the last two seasons with the home team winning and covering each time. Last year’s game in New Orleans was also the “Dress Rehearsal” game.
Minnesota at San Francisco (-3, 39)
Neither of these playoff teams from last year has looked very good so far, especially the 0-2 Vikings, who lost last week in Buffalo 20-16. The game wasn’t even really that close as Minnesota scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. In the first half, the offense gained only 74 yards total offense and four first downs. Quarterback play remains a concern with Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel not exactly setting the world on fire. Ponder played five series last week and completed only 5 of 12 passes for 53 yards.
San Francisco has also struggled offensively, only scoring 21 total points in two games. After four turnovers cost them in the opener against Denver, they did bounce back to defeat Kansas City 15-13 last week on the road. QB Colin Kaepernick has seen very little time thus far. The defense has been impressive however. Last week alone, they registered seven sacks, eight hurries and nine tackles for loss. Newly-signed kicker Phil Dawson has been impressive so far, connecting on five of six attempts, including a pair of 55-yarders against Kansas City. -
English Breakfast: Premier League betting cheat sheet
The second week of the Barclay's Premier League schedule continues with a pair of matches Sunday.
We talked to Aron Black at Bet365 to get some input about the betting action for a few of Saturday's matches.
Cardiff v Manchester City (+750, +375, -225)
Why bet Cardiff: Despite losing 2-0 to West Ham in their season opener, the Bluebirds can take a lot from their performance. They led possession in the match keeping the ball at a rate of 56 percent and managed 12 attempts at goal, though only one tested Hammers keeper Jussi Jääskeläinen. Cardiff will aim to stay up in the Premier League, and a string of steady performances to kick the season off will certainly help them in the long run.
Key players out/doubtful: Andreas Cornelius
Why bet Manchester City: The Citizens demolished an incredibly poor Newcastle United side 4-0 and looked like pure class in doing so. Coach Manuel Pellegrini will probably field the same XI in Sunday's tilt with one exception. Defender Vincent Kompany hobbled off the field in the second half against Newcastle and will likely be replaced by Javi GarcÃa, who came on for the Belgian last week.
Key players out/doubtful: Vincent Kompany, Stevan Jovetic, Matija Nastasic, Micah Richards
2012-13 fixture result: N/A
Key betting note: City were victorious in just one of their three away matches to newly promoted sides last season. The won at Reading 2-0, but lost at Southampton 3-1 and drew at West Ham 0-0.
Where the action is: "Only one way action on this one: Cit-ay, Cit-ay, Cit-ay. Its not an easy start for the Welsh outfit, on road at West Ham and then home to Man City. New playing style under Manuel Pellegrini should suit the talent at their disposal, and Edin Dzeko looks like a new player under the style being put forth. It would appear that there is just too much depth in quality for Cardiff, even though they have spent handsomely this summer. City look too strong going into it."
Tottenham v Swansea (-163, +300, +550)
Why bet Tottenham: Spurs did just enough to take home the three points from Crystal Palace a week ago, but they were tested late on in the match. With a lot of new players in the XI, it will take time for AVB's vision to gel, but Thursday's 5-0 win in Europa League qualifying versus Dinamo Tblisi was a great step. Spurs tallied five goals and were dominant from wire to wire in Georgia. The Gareth Bale saga looks to end sooner rather than later and the North London club can begin its new era without the Welsh Wizard.
Key players out/doubtful: Gareth Bale, Lewis Holtby
Why bet Swansea: The Swans were defeated handily by Manchester United a week ago but, much like Spurs, looked much, much better midweek in Europa League qualifying. The Swans posted a 5-1 victory over Petrolul Ploiesti and were able to revert to their brand of free-flowing football which should bode well for the side moving forward in the Premier League.
Key players out/doubtful: Nathan Dyer, Jonathan De Guzman, Pablo Hernandez
2012-13 fixture result: Tottenham 1, Swansea 0
Key betting note: Swansea have just one point in their four matches against Tottenham over the previous two seasons.
Where the action is: "This is the main game seeing over action. Over 2.5 -125 is the only action we see, under 2.5 -110 is friendless. Given that Swansea like to play a bit, this looks like it may possibly be the most entertaining game of this weekend."Comment
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Sunday's American League betting cheat sheet
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Sunday's American League games:
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (-175, 8.5)
Hot pitching stat: Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir has registered quality starts in all three meetings with Minnesota in 2013, allowing three earned runs over 19 innings in that span.
Cold batting stat: Twins 1B Justin Morneau is hitting .217 in 23 career-at bats against Kazmir, but does have a pair of home runs.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Minnesota has won eight of its last 11 home games with umpire James Hoye behind home plate.
Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles (-122, 9)
Cold pitching stat: Orioles right-hander Scott Feldman is 4-6 with a 6.37 ERA in 12 career starts and nine relief appearances against the Athletics.
Cold batting stat: Athletics 2B Alberto Callaspo has one hit in 15 at-bats against Feldman.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 5 mph.
Key betting note: The Athletics are 7-1 in their last eight Sunday games.
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (-143, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Rays RH Alex Cobb is 3-1 with a 2.21 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees, highlighted by 8 1/3 sensational innings in an 8-3 win on May 26.
Cold batting stat: Tampa Bay OF Matt Joyce is 3-for-23 with eight strikeouts lifetime against Yankees starter Ivan Nova.
Weather: Dome.
Key betting note: The under is 7-1 in Nova's last eight starts against the Rays.
Toronto Blue Jays at Houston Astros (+125, 8.5)
Hot pitching stat: Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle spun a two-hit shutout against the Astros in their previous encounter July 25.
Cold batting stat: Members of the Astros roster are a combined 6-for-45 with zero home runs and zero RBIs against Buehrle.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with a 50 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from right to left field at 11 mph.
Key betting note: The under is 12-3-1 in Buehrle's last 16 starts on four days' rest.
Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox (+142, 7.5)
Cold pitching stat: Texas right-hander Matt Garza has allowed six home runs in six starts since joining the Rangers in a trade with the Cubs.
Hot batting stat: Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler has dominated Chicago starter John Danks, hitting .393 with four home runs in 28 at-bats against him.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 8 mph.
Key betting note: The White Sox are 0-6 in Danks' last six starts on four days' rest.
Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners (+117, 7.5)
Cold pitching stat: Angels right-hander Jered Weaver has been pounded in consecutive losses to the Yankees and Indians, coughing up 13 runs on 17 hits in 11 innings over that stretch.
Hot batting stat: Angels OFs Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout are a combined 11-for-19 with two homers and six RBIs against Seattle starter Aaron Harang.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s under mostly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 5 mph.
Key betting note: The under is 8-1-2 in Weaver's last 11 starts versus the Mariners.
Interleague
Washington Nationals at Kansas City Royals (-120, 8)
Hot pitching stat: Nationals right-hander Dan Haren is 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his last five starts.
Cold batting stat: Royals OF Alex Gordon is 2-for-13 lifetime against Haren.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s under sunny skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 11 mph.
Key betting note: The under is 5-1-1 in Royals right-hander Ervin Santana's last seven home starts.
** Odds, probable starters and weather forecast as of 8:35 p.m. ET Saturday.Comment
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Sunday's National League betting cheat sheet
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Sunday's National League games:
Colorado Rockies at Miami Marlins (-102, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa has won three consecutive starts, surrendering five runs in 18 1/3 innings over that stretch.
Cold batting stat: Members of the Rockies roster are a collective 5-for-21 with zero home runs against Miami starter Jacob Turner.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with a 50 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms, so the roof at Marlins Park may be closed. Wind will blow from right to left field at 9 mph.
Key betting note: The Marlins have won seven of their last eight games with umpire Rob Drake behind home plate.
Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds (-195, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Reds left-hander Tony Cingrani has allowed more than three runs just once in 16 starts and five relief appearances this season.
Hot batting stat: Cincinnati OF Jay Bruce, who enjoyed Saturday off after making 90 straight starts, is 6-for-14 with four homers and eight RBIs lifetime against Milwaukee starter Marco Estrada.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 4 mph.
Key betting note: Milwaukee is 12-2 in Estrada's last 14 starts against the NL Central.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies (+131, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run, four-hit ball in his previous outing against Philadelphia back on May 9.
Cold batting stat: Eric Chavez and Cody Ross are the only members of the Arizona roster with hits off Phillies starter Tyler Cloyd.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow ut to center field at 5 mph.
Key betting note: Arizona is 22-4 in Corbin's last 26 starts.
Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals (-133, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Braves left-hander Mike Minor is 6-2 with a 2.51 ERA and just five home runs allowed in 11 road starts.
Hot batting stat: Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran is 4-for-10 with a homer against Minor.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: The over is 6-1 in Minor's last seven road starts against a team with a winning record.
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants (+120, 7.5)
Cold pitching stat: Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates.
Hot batting stat: Pirates 2B Neil Walker has had Vogelsong's number, going 7-for-13 with four doubles against him.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to left-center field at 12 mph.
Key betting note: The under is 8-0 in Pittsburgh's last eight Sunday games.
Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres (-152, 7)
Cold pitching stat: Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in one start and two relief appearances against the Cubs.
Hot batting stat: Members of the Cubs roster have a .304/.448/.609 slash line in 23-at bats versus Cashner.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left to right field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: The Cubs have lost the third game of a series seven straight times.
Interleague
Detroit Tigers at New York Mets (+126, 7.5)
Cold pitching stat: Detroit right-hander Rick Porcello's only career start against the Mets was a forgettable one, as he was torched for seven runs on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings.
Hot batting stat: Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera is on his way to becoming the first player in league history to win two of the three Triple Crown categories the year after leading in all three. Cabrera sits first in average and RBIs and ranks second to Chris Davis in home runs.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: The under is 10-3 in umpire Jim Wolf's last 13 games behind home plate.
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers (+100, 7.5)
Hot pitching stat: Red Sox right-hander Jake Peavy has victimized the Dodgers in his career, sporting a 13-2 mark with a 2.27 ERA in 24 starts.
Cold batting stat: Dodgers OF Andre Ethier is 5-for-33 with 10 strikeouts against Peavy.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 5 mph.
Key betting note: The Dodgers are 7-0 in lefty Chris Capuano's last seven starts.
** Odds, probable starters and weather forecast as of 8:34 p.m. ET Saturday.Comment
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Top 3: Sunday pitchers facing former division foes
Starting pitchers never forget a former division rival - even after moving on to another team. Some have gone on to fare well against their one-time foes, while others have struggled.
Here are three Sunday pitchers who have had varying degrees of success against their ex-nemeses:
Scott Feldman, Baltimore Orioles (10-9, 3.94 ERA)
Feldman broke into the majors with the Texas Rangers - making him all-too-familiar with Sunday's opponent, the Oakland Athletics. The towering right-hander would probably rather face a different club; he's just 4-6 with a 6.37 ERA in 12 starts and nine relief appearances against the A's.
The Orioles and Athletics wrap up a three-game series at Camden Yards Sunday.
Matt Garza, Texas Rangers (9-2, 3.59 ERA)
Garza spent his first two big-league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, and will face a former rival in the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Garza is 3-3 with a 4.17 ERA in eight career starts against the White Sox, but limited them to two runs on five hits over seven innings in their last encounter July 8.
The Rangers and White Sox conclude a three-game set in Chicago on Sunday.
Jake Peavy, Boston Red Sox (9-5, 4.25 ERA)
Peavy was one of the top pitchers in the National League with the San Diego Padres a few years back - a fact that isn't lost on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 32-year-old right-hander has crushed the Dodgers over his career, going 13-2 with a 2.27 ERA in 24 starts.
The Red Sox and Dodgers finish their three-game interleague series Sunday night in Los Angeles.Comment
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Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox at Dodgers
A potential World Series preview will be on display when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Boston Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball.
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers (+100, 7.5)
PEAVY PITCHING FOR BOSTON
Jake Peavy is making his fifth start for the Red Sox on Sunday night. Three of those five starts have been on the road with the righty giving up 9 runs and 20 hits to the Giants, Blue Jays, and Royals. Peavy is making his eighth start against the National League this season despite playing for two different American League squads. He has allowed 4 earned runs or more in five of his last eight starts and he only has eight strikeouts in his last three outings. Peavy has not made it past the 7th inning in eight straight starts.
CAPUANO CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE
Chris Capuano is 4-6 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this season for the Dodgers. He has allowed 13 runs and 26 hits in his last three starts against the Marlins, Mets, and Rays. He is making his fifth start against the American League this season. Capuano got rocked by the Blue Jays, Angels, and Rays in two of those outings while beating the Yankees in New York. The southpaw is on an incredibly odd run of either giving up 3 runs or more or allowing zero runs in 11 straight starts.
INJURY REPORT
The Dodgers are a pretty healthy team, however they are without Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley for the rest of the season. Beckett is dealing with a neck issue, while Billingsley had Tommy John surgery. Matt Kemp will likely rejoin the team sometime in September due to a left ankle sprain.
Boston’s injury list is a lot longer with Matt Thornton, Clay Buchholz, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, and Joel Hanrahan all missing right now. Buchholz is expected back next month, while Thornton is out with a right oblique strain and currently on the 15-day disabled list.
TRENDS
Red Sox are 6-2 their last 8 in Game 3 of a series
Red Sox are 6-2 Under in their last 8 Sunday games
Dodgers are 7-0 in Capuano’s last 7 starts
Dodgers are 7-2 Under in their last 9 Sunday games
HITTERS TO WATCH
Andre Ethier 5-for-33 vs. Peavy
Hanley Ramirez 1-for-13 vs. Peavy
Shane Victorino 3-for-8 vs. Capuano
Jonny Gomes 2-for-9 vs. CapuanoComment
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Today's NFL Picks
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
Time Posted: 7:00 p.m. EST (8/21)Game 279-280: New Orleans at Houston (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 123.677; Houston 123.405
Dunkel Line: Even; 48
Vegas Line: Houston by 2 1/2; 44
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+2 1/2); OverGame 281-282: Minnesota at San Francisco (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 119.095; San Francisco 126.930
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 8; 36
Vegas Line: San Francisco by 4 1/2; 40
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-4 1/2); UnderComment
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Jimmy Boyd
3* (NFL) New Orleans Saints +2.5Comment
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BEST Football - Sunday, Aug. 25
10* #279/280 'OVER 44' New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans 3:00 PM CTComment
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ANDRE GOMES
English Premier League
Swansea City @ Tottenham Hotspur
(4:00PM BST - 11:00AM EST)
I believe Tottenham is a bit overrated in today's game. Pinnacle has them with a 60% chance of winning, but they had a road game midweek in Georgia for Europa League and they had just lost Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. There is some uncertainty in the team right now and so, their players' mindset isn't 100% locked in right now. They will host Swansea City today and I believe this game has everything to be a high-scoring affair.
Swansea has an offensive mindset and they like to search for the goal no matter the level of their opponent. They faced Manchester United in Round 1 and they still attempted 17 shots, with 14 of them coming from build up plays! They will create chances in this game because they are very good offensively. The problem is that they give a lot of space to their opponents on defense and that's easily attacked by teams with skilled players. Manchester United used Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck to take advantage of that, while Tottenham will use their quick players (Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho) to create a lot of dangerous situations in fast counter moves. Tottenham scored just one goal at Crystal Palace in Round 1, but they had plenty of chances to score. I believe that with both teams having an offensive mindset for today's game and especially good offensive skills, this game will turn into a goals fest and so, I'll be taking the Over in here.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on Over 2.5 @ -120
Manchester City @ Cardiff City
(4:00PM BST - 11:00AM EST)
Manchester City was the team that showed the best offensive fluidity on Round 1. They crushed Newcastle on everything: 64% ball possession, 91% pass success rate, 11 shots on target. Their ability to play deep on the wings with Jesus Navas and David Silva is amazing and they're to my the #1 contender to win the EPL this season. For today's game, Vincent Kompany won't play and he will join Stevan Jovetic, Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic on the sidelines. However, Javi Garcia will replace him in today's game by partnering with Joleon Lescott at centre back and he is a fine replacement. Besides that, Cardiff City was extremely poor at West Ham on Round 1 and so, I don't expect them to cause problems to City's defense today.
Cardiff City was unable to create scoring chances against West Ham, with just a couple of decent plays on the second half, even though they ended the game with 56% ball possession. Of course Cardiff won't have such a high percentage of ball possession, while their defense will lack the proper discipline to handle the offensive waves from Manchester City during the whole game. West Ham was able to create 15 build up offensive plays against them, so Manchester City should be able to absolutely crush them with continuous offensive plays throughout the whole match.
I believe Cardiff City will also show some nerves on their home debut today, while Manchester City will want to make a statement in their first road game of the season, after being just the 5th best road team in the league last season, the main reason why they couldn't revalidate their title. Therefore, I'll be taking Manchester City today for an easy win.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on Manchester City (-1) @ -131Comment
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Cappers Access
Saints +2.5
Vikings +3.5
Reds(RL) -1.5(+100)Comment
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Arthur Ralph's
Super Pk Rockies -120
Blue Ribbon Angels w/ Weaver Free play Saints + 3Comment
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Baseball Crusher
Boston Red Sox -109 over LA Dodgers
(System Record: 70-7, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 70-71-2Comment
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Football Crusher
New Orleans Saints +2.5 over Houston Texans
(System Record: 4-0, lost last game)
Overall Record: 4-4Comment
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