9-3-13

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See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities
By JASON LOGAN

Spot bets are a classic handicapping practice that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.

Lookahead spot

The New York Yankees aren’t making the playoffs, trailing the Boston Red Sox by nine games in the American League East entering the week. That doesn’t mean the Bronx Bombers are going to lay down the red carpet for the BoSox, though. New York has a four-game home set with Boston, starting Thursday, and would love nothing more than to throw a wrench into the Red Sox’s run.

But before that heated divisional rivalry, the Yankees welcome the lowly Chicago White Sox to Yankee Stadium for three games, kicking off Monday. New York has shown a tendency to look ahead to the Red Sox, losing all three games that preceded a series with Boston this season. The Yanks send struggling ace C.C. Sabathia to the mound in the series finale with Chicago Wednesday, giving the ChiSox some serious moneyline value.

Letdown spot

Auburn got a huge monkey of its back this weekend, taking down Washington State 31-24. The Tigers, who are coming off a 3-9 2012 record and working under new head coach Gus Malzahn, didn’t cover as 14-point favorites but were more than happy to get the “W” over the Cougars. The victory wasn’t pretty. Auburn struggled to pass and defend the pass, was whistled for careless penalties, and fumbled three times.

War Eagle is in a rare spot heading into Week 2’s date with Arkansas State, primed for a letdown after a win. The Red Wolves stretched their legs and boosted their confidence with a 62-11 thumping of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Week 1. They’ve ruled the roost in the Sun Belt the past two seasons and have shown that they can run with the BCS boys in past years. Oddsmakers aren’t taking ASU lightly, keeping the spread under two touchdowns at -13.

Schedule spot

Labor Day in Canada guarantees three things: 1. The alarm is off. 2. The beer is cold. 3. The Eskimos and Stampeders are butting heads. The CFL’s annual “Labor Day Classic” matchup pits Alberta’s two franchises against each other each September, with Edmonton coming to Calgary as a 7.5-point underdog Monday.

These teams turn around and do it all again Friday, with only three full days rest in between games. Calgary makes the trip north to Commonwealth Stadium in Week 11 and has dominated Round 2 of this provincial rematch in recent years. The Stamps and Eskies have split the last six Labor Day Classic games 3-3 ATS but Calgary is a perfect 6-0 versus Edmonton in the second stop of the home-and-home set.

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Today's CFL Picks

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Time Posted: 10:00 a.m. EST (9/1) Game 237-238: Montreal at Toronto (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 111.083; Toronto 114.237
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 3; 55
Vegas Line: Toronto by 5; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+5); Over

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CFL

Week 10

Montreal (3-5) @ Toronto (5-3)—Alouettes won wild 39-38 game over BC last week behind backup QB Marsh despite being -6 in turnovers in game they trailed 21-7 at half; Als (+2) lost 38-13 at home to Toronto three weeks ago, as Argos recovered five fumbles, were +6 in turnovers as they sprinted out to 31-3 halftime lead. Als are -11 in turnovers last three games, after being +6 in first five games- they’re 2-2 as an underdog this year, losing road games by 11-3 points, with win at Winnipeg. Argos are 2-3 as home favorites, losing to pair of western rivals at home; they’re 3-0 vs spread in division games, 1-4 in non-divisional games. Toronto is 3-2 in last five series games, with road team winning five of last seven meetings and five of last six staying under total, but over is 4-1 in last five Montreal games, 5-1 in last six Toronto tilts.

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Does high-scoring NFL preseason give value to Week 1 Overs?
By JASON LOGAN

If the high-scoring preseason storm clouds are any indication, NFL teams will be raining down points during the 2013 regular season.

The NFL’s exhibition schedule has produced an unusual amount of high-scoring games in August, helping fans of the Over cash in at a near 60 percent rate (60.32%) during the preseason. That flood of “overs” has caught the eye of one NFL handicapper, who is bracing for a surplus of scoring this season.

“First impression from the preseason is that with a plethora of scoring, a new standard will likely be set on NFL totals this season,” Covers Expert Marc Lawrence says. “In a pass-happy league, the oddsmakers were forced to raise the bar last season. With other teams now toying with the pistol, the roof could be blown open this season.”

Scoring has steadily climbed the past few seasons, from teams averaging 21.5 points per game in 2009, 22.0 in 2010, 22.2 in 2011, and 22.8 in 2012. More NFL teams are turning to up-tempo, pass-heavy attacks, leaving only three teams that ran more than passed last year. Eleven teams threw the ball on more than 60 percent of their plays, compared to just three the previous season.

Oddsmakers are making the necessary adjustments to the 2013 totals. The average over/under on the 2012 Week 1 board was just below 44 points, with teams posting a 9-7 over/under count in the opening slate. This season, the average Week 1 total is almost 45.5 points.

“Totals have gone up quite a bit overall,” Mike Perry of Sportsbook.com tells Covers. “This is the first season that I can remember that every game has a total of at least 40 points. Main reason behind this is that more and more teams are pass-first type offenses.”

Perry says the eye-opening Over trend in the preseason doesn’t have any impact on the regular season totals, stating that these results are coming with third and fourth-string players on the field. He also notes the common belief that Week 1 totals are usually lower compared to the rest of season, due to the fact that many offenses are still working out their timing in the opening weeks of the schedule.

“We do consider that some teams are still fine tuning their offense, so we may not have the total as high as you may think,” he says, pointing to the New York Jets’ QB troubles.

New York hosts Tampa Bay in Week 1 with a total between 39.5 and 40 points on the board – the lowest Week 1 number. The highest over/under goes to the NFC South showdown between Atlanta and New Orleans, which has garnered a total of 54 points.

According to Michael Stewart, an oddsmaker with CarbonSports.ag, there hasn’t been a significant lean toward the Over when it comes to the early Week 1 action. Of the 16 games on the board, only seven have taken more money on the Over than the Under with one game split down the middle.

The New England Patriots were the top Over bet in the NFL last year, posting an 11-5 over/under mark. The Patriots passed the ball on 57 percent of their offensive plays and ran a league-high 74.3 plays per game with their no-huddle offense. The total is set at 49 for their opening game against the Buffalo Bills, despite the Bills QB issues this summer.

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NFL line watch: Tampa Bay fans should bet Bucs now
By ART ARONSON

Each week during the pro football season, Covers Expert Art Aronson looks at the NFL odds and tells you which spread to bet now, which one to bet later, and which total to watch as the week plays out.

Spread To Bet Now

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5) at New York Jets

If you're a Tampa Bay fan, you may want to jump on this line now as I believe it could climb a bit higher (note that it did open at 2.5), as the public backs the Bucs due to the QB issues surrounding the Jets.

New York's starting QB Mark Sanchez suffered a deep right shoulder bruise and has been deemed unlikely to play in the opener. That of course means that rookie Geno Smith is going to get his shot. So if Sanchez is in fact sitting, the Jets offense will be a scaled-back version with Smith under center.

With the public backing the veteran pivot, this line climbs a bit higher come gameday.

Spread To Wait On

Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars

If you're a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, I'd recommend waiting a bit closer to game time to wager as I expect this line to climb a bit with the public jumping on the new look Chiefs (note this line opened at 3 and has since climbed to 4).

The Jags won 20-16 in Atlanta in their final warm up, coming into the regular season with some confidence and a tiny bit of momentum. Jacksonville was just 2-14 last year and needs a quick start with two "winnable" games to open the season. That said, WR Justin Blackmon will sit the first four games and the first team offense and line have yet to play together at the same time this preseason.

New Kansas City QB Alex Smith looks pretty enticing to bettors in this matchup; expect this line to creep a bit higher.

Total Watch

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (48.5)

These division opponents actually played three times in 2012. New York won 31-14 on January 1 (total stayed "under" 48). Dallas won 24-17 on October 5th (total stayed "under" 45.5). New York won 29-24 on November 28th (total went "over" 47.5). The Giants were 1-3 in the preseason, scoring 71 total points, while the Cowboys were 2-3, mustering just 78.

This line is currently higher than any set in 2012. With each team's offense struggling coming into the 2013 campaign, and with a recent history of playing to tighter, lower-scoring affairs, this number is likely to drop a bit. Get down now if you like the "under", or wait if you're going to play the "over".

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Alouettes at Argonauts: What bettors need to know

Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts

The Montreal Alouettes found a reason for hope after rookie quarterback Tanner Marsh engineered a miraculous comeback last week to give the Alouettes their first victory since firing coach Dan Hawkins. Veteran starter Anthony Calvillo is still sidelined with concussion symptoms, so Montreal will likely turn to Marsh again when it visits the rival Toronto Argonauts on Tuesday. Marsh, 23, threw for 329 yards - including a 57-yard completion with 15 seconds left - and ran for 71, but also tossed four interceptions in a 39-38 victory over the BC Lions on Aug. 22, and must be more accurate if he wants to build on his first CFL victory.

The East Division-leading Argonauts are also without their starting quarterback after they announced Ricky Ray would miss 4-to-8 weeks with a shoulder injury, meaning backup Zach Collaros will start Tuesday. Collaros has looked strong at times replacing Ray, completing 51-of-72 passes for 675 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and adding 120 rushing yards. Toronto has lacked a consistent running game since running back Chad Kackert was injured, something Collaros might be able to change with his explosive quickness.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (3-5): Calvillo, 41, is having trouble with his focus and vision as well as other concussion-related issues, leading to speculation that professional football’s all-time passing yards leader might have taken his last snap. Calvillo, though, said he plans on returning once the concussion symptoms subside. Linebacker Kyries Hebert, who leads the team with seven sacks, missed last week’s game, but Montreal’s defense still managed five sacks without him. Linebacker Chip Cox leads the league with 62 tackles.

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (5-3): Running back Curtis Steele has been limited to nine carries for 61 yards over the last two games while he battles minor injuries. Slotback Chad Owens has a league-leading 1,587 total combined yards - on pace to reach 3,000 again after setting a CFL record in 2012. Linebacker Rich McCune is second in the league (behind Cox) with 53 tackles, while linebacker Shane Horton and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell each have three sacks for Toronto’s defense, which has given up 68 points in the two games since the Argonauts won 38-13 at Montreal in Week 7.

TRENDS:

* Alouettes are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games in Week 10.
* Argonauts are 5-0 ATS in their last five versus the East.
* The under is 6-0 in the last six meetings.
* The under is 6-1 in Alouettes last seven versus the East.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Argonauts will visit Montreal next week to close out their home-and-home series. The teams will face each other once more in Toronto on the final week of the regular season.

2. The New England Patriots of the NFL released QB Tim Tebow on Saturday. Montreal holds Tebow’s CFL rights, but the 26-year-old has said in the past he has no interest in joining the league.

3. Collaros was limited to 44 passing yards and 31 rushing yards in almost three quarters of action against the Alouettes during Toronto's Week 7 victory.

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MLB Top 4: Hitters who sizzle in September

With the calendar flipped to September and pennant races in full swing, the focus shifts to hitters who excel in the final month of the regular season. September sluggers often make the difference between their team playing for the title and missing the postseason altogether.

Here are four hitters who heat up when the temperatures start cooling down:

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

The perennial All-Star second baseman tends to hit well all year-round, but he saves his best work for the end of the season. Cano is a .323 career hitter with 30 home runs in 215 September games - and if you include regular-season games played in October, his average rises to .332.

The Yankees continue a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox Tuesday.

Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals

The veteran outfielder boasts a career-best .295 average in September, while his on-base percentage (.373) and OPS (.889) are also their highest over the season's final month. One bizarre note: 23 of Beltran's 74 career triples have come in September.

The Cardinals visit the Cincinnati Reds for a pivotal four-game series continuing Tuesday.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox

Ellsbury's September surges have helped contribute to the Red Sox being annual playoff contenders. The 29-year-old is a .330 career hitter for the month, with career bests in OBP (.376), slugging (.512), OPS (.888) and home runs (17); he has also been strong in October, batting .333 in 21 at-bats.

The Red Sox continue a three-game series versus the Detroit Tigers Tuesday.

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles

Already enjoying a career-best season, good things may continue for Davis into the final four weeks of the season. The 27-year-old has a .308 career average in September - 20 points higher than any other month, and 40 points higher than his career mark - and is hitting .357 with three homers and eight RBIs in seven career October regular-season games.

The Orioles will resume a three-game set against the host Cleveland Indians Tuesday.

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College football line watch: Act now on UAB +35
By BRUCE MARSHALL

Each week during the college football season, renowned Las Vegas wiseguy and Covers Expert Bruce Marshall looks at the NCAAF odds and tells you which spread to bet now, which one to bet later, and which total to watch as the week plays out.

Spread to bet now

UAB Blazers (+35) at LSU Tigers

Now that this number has tickled five full TDs, grab the price value with the Blazers while you can. SEC pedigree or not for LSU, that minimally-key number of 35 should nonetheless provide a nice point of resistance, as we doubt there is going to be overwhelming appetite in the marketplace to continue buying on Les Miles’ team that has flashed indifferent spread form not only as a high-priced home favorite, but also against non-conference opposition in Baton Rouge.

UAB is no powerhouse but is hardly helpless, with a competent offense and a new potential homerun wideout in Jamarcus Nelson. Closer inspection of the Tigers’ win over TCU also uncovered some surprising defensive deficiencies, which should scare away any serious LSU money as the week progresses. In turn, no surprise if market pressure eventually pushes the number downward. Blazer backers should rush to secure any available 35s ASAP.

Spread to wait on

New Mexico Lobos (+6.5) at UTEP Miners

Safe to say that there is not going to be any rush of New Mexico money to the windows of the Las Vegas sports books. Especially after the Lobos managed to blow a 13-0 lead at home to Texas...San Antonio in the opening week. Which has helped push the early price of this week’s game at UTEP to nearly a full TD. Now word is filtering from Albuquerque that HC Bob Davie has already seen enough of soph Cole Gautsche and will make the switch to juco Clayton Mitchem at QB on Saturday at the Sun Bowl, hardly the sort of news to trigger a wave of Lobo support.

The anti-New Mexico money alone could push the price above the key number of 7 sometime this week. So, if you like the Lobos to bounce back, or simply don’t trust the host Miners, you might as well wait until this price crashes past that key number.

Total to watch

San Jose State Spartans at Stanford Cardinal

With scoring totals rising as more “video football” takes hold across the country, we’ll be curious to see if any totals in fact drop during the week, especially in games highlighting featured teams. A good litmus test might come in the San Jose State-Stanford “Battle for Silicon Valley” on Saturday night in Palo Alto. Unlike several other games featuring ranked (and non-ranked) teams this week, there was not much immediate buy pressure on the over when this total was posted at 53.

Given the fact both sides play good defense (yes, even San Jose, which pitched a shutout vs. capable FCS Sac State in its opener), were involved in a taut 20-17 scoreline last season, and the Spartans’ new pro-style offense under first-year HC Ron Caragher that figures to slow the pace of their games significantly, we’d normally expect some downward “total” pressure. But if the total doesn’t drop before kickoff in this game, when can we expect any totals to drop?

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Tuesday's MLB American League betting cheat sheet

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

Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians (-104, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez has recorded four consecutive quality starts while racking up 28 strikeouts over his last three outings.

Cold batting stat: Orioles OF Nate McLouth has struggled mightily versus Jimenez, going just 3-for-25 with nine strikeouts against him.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 9 mph.

Key betting note: Baltimore is 12-2 in starter Chris Tillman's last 14 outings as a road underdog.


Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees (-139, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda has been abysmal of late, surrendering 19 runs in 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts.

Cold batting stat: New York OF Ichiro Suzuki is 2-for-11 with four strikeouts lifetime against White Sox lefty Chris Sale.

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

Key betting note: The Yankees are 8-0 in Kuroda's last eight home starts against teams with losing records.


Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox (-108, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer is 2-3 with a 7.90 ERA and seven home runs allowed in 35 1/3 career innings against Boston.

Hot batting stat: Boston OF Daniel Nava went 3-for-3 in Monday's series-opening 3-0 loss, pushing his average to .300 for the first time since June 11.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with a 60 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow out to right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The Red Sox are 10-1 in their last 11 Tuesday games.


Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals (-159, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Royals left-hander Bruce Chen is 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA in nine career starts and four relief appearances against Seattle.

Cold batting stat: Mariners OF Raul Ibanez has just two hits in 12 career at-bats against Chen.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: Kansas City is 9-1 in Chen's last 10 starts as a favorite.


Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros (+150, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Astros right-hander Jarred Cosart has allowed one or fewer runs in six of his first eight major-league starts.

Hot batting stat: Twins rookie OF/1B Chris Colabello recorded his first two-homer game and had a career-best five RBIs in Monday's 10-6 win.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow out to left field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: Houston is 0-5 in Cosart's last five outings following a quality start in his previous appearance.


Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels (+120, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Rays left-hander Matt Moore allowed five runs over five innings in his previous start before going on the 15-day DL with elbow soreness.

Cold batting stat: Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria is just 3-for-15 in his career against Angels starter Jason Vargas.

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

Key betting note: Tampa Bay is 10-2 in Moore's last 12 road games.


Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (-140, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Athletics right-hander Bartolo Colon is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA over his last four starts.

Hot batting stat: Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre has had Colon's number, hitting .302 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 63 at-bats against him.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with clear skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 11 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 9-2 in Colon's last 11 starts against the American League West.


** Odds courtesy of BetOnline.com

** Odds, probable starters, stats and weather forecast as of 7:25 p.m. ET Monday.

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Tuesday's MLB National League betting cheat sheet

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

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies (+131, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez was at his best in his previous outing, holding Miami to three hits over seven shutout innings while fanning eight in a 9-0 victory.

Hot batting stat: Philadelphia 1B Darin Ruf is 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs all-time against Gonzalez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with clear skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 8 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 7-0 in Gonzalez's last seven starts as a road favorite.


St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (-148, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Reds right-hander Homer Bailey dominated the last meeting six days ago, tossing 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 10-0 win.

Hot batting stat: Cardinals OF Matt Holliday is 12-for-32 with three doubles, two homers and seven RBIs lifetime against Bailey.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from left to right field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 8-1 in the last nine meetings.


New York Mets at Atlanta Braves (-199, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Braves right-hander Kris Medlen is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in eight starts and 10 relief appearances against the Mets.

Hot batting stat: Braves 1B Freddie Freeman homered and drove in five runs to pace Atlanta's 13-5 victory in Monday's series opener.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left to right field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: Atlanta is 24-4 in Medlen's last 28 starts against teams with losing records.


Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs (-148, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson is 0-3 with a 5.96 ERA and four home runs allowed over his last five starts.

Hot batting stat: Marlins rookie OF Christian Yelich has four multi-hit outings over his last six games.

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

Key betting note: The under is 5-0 in Jackson's last five home starts.


Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers (+110, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole has dropped consecutive starts, allowing 20 hits over 13 1/3 innings in that span.

Cold batting stat: Pittsburgh 3B Pedro Alvarez and SS Clint Barmes are a combined 2-for-37 with 14 strikeouts against Brewers righty Yovani Gallardo.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-60s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from right to left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The Brewers are 15-3 in Gallardo's last 18 starts against the Pirates.


Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (+111, 9)

Hot pitching stat: Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin tamed the Dodgers in their last encounter, allowing a run on six hits over six innings of a 3-1 win.

Hot batting stat: Colorado OF Michael Cuddyer is 6-for-10 with two homers and six RBIs lifetime against Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will be calm.

Key betting note: The under is 7-0 in umpire Manny Gonzalez's last seven games behind home plate.


San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres (+131, 7)

Cold pitching stat: Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is 0-3 over his last five starts, walking 13 in 29 1/3 innings over that stretch.

Cold batting stat: Padres OF Will Venable went 0-for-3 with a walk in Monday's series opener and has just two hits over his last 15 at-bats.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: San Francisco is 0-8 in Bumgarner's last eight starts with a total of 6.5 or lower.


Interleague

Toronto Blue Jays at Arizona Diamondbacks (-159, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Blue Jays right-hander Todd Redmond is 0-2 with a 7.06 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances away from Toronto.

Hot batting stat: Toronto 1B Edwin Encarnacion hit his 35th home run in Monday's 4-1 series-opening win, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history with back-to-back 35-homer seasons.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-90s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 6-1-2 in Arizona starter Wade Miley's last nine outings.


** Odds courtesy of BetOnline.com

** Odds, probable starters, stats and weather forecast as of 7:36 p.m. ET Monday.

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MLB Umpire Under Streakers - Currently 76-25-8 (75%)

Miller 12-3 L15 (LAA/TB)

Barrett 16-4 L20 (CLE/BAL)

Gonzalez 7-0 L7 (COL/LAD)

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Soccer Crusher
Goias + Gremio UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil
(System Record: 448-15, lost last game)
Overall Record: 448-389-59

Baseball Crusher
Baltimore Orioles -110 over Cleveland
(System Record: 73-7, lost last game)
Overall Record: 73-77-2

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bookiemonsters

141-91 run

17-8-1 run last 26 plays

pod angels under 7.5

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MLB

Hot pitchers
-- Bailey is 4-0, 3.02 in his last six starts.
-- Medlen is 5-1, 3.00 in his last six starts.
-- Gallardo is 2-0, 1.40 in his last three starts.
-- Chacin is 10-4, 2.28 in his last 15 starts. Nolasco is 5-0, 2.35 in his last six.

-- Miley is 3-1, 2.39 in his last seven starts.

-- Orioles won 14 of last 18 Tillman starts (1-1, 2.57 in last five).
-- Sale is 4-1, 3.52 in his last five starts.
-- Scherzer is 6-0, 2.52 in his last eight starts. Lester is 2-1, 1.66 in his last three.
-- Seattle won six of last seven Ramirez starts (5-1, 4.75).
-- Cosart is 1-1, 1.76 in his eight starts (Astro bullpen 2-4).
-- Vargas is 2-0, 1.93 in his last three starts.
-- Perez is 5-0, 3.06 in his last five starts.


Cold pitchers
-- Gonzalez is 0-2, 12.51 in his last three road starts. Martin is 1-2, 6.19 in his last four starts.
-- Wacha has a 4.37 RA in four starts, last of which was August 10.
-- Torres is 2-1, 4.79 in four starts for the Mets.
-- Jackson is 0-3, 7.53 in his last five starts. Koehler is 0-3, 5.86 in his last five.
-- Cole is 1-4, 4.42 in his last six starts.
-- Erlin is 2-2, 6.41 in five starts this season. Bumgarner is 0-3, 4.91 in his last five starts.

-- Redmond is 0-1, 7.94 in his four road starts.

-- Jimenez is 1-4, 4.30 in his last five starts.
-- Kuroda is 0-3, 10.26 in his last three starts.
-- Chen is 1-2, 8.59 in his last three starts.
-- Hernandez has a 7.77 RA in his last five starts, last of which was June 23.
-- Oakland lost last four Colon starts (0-2, 6.62).
-- Moore is making first start since July 28; he was 6-0, 2.30 in his last seven starts, before going on the DL.


Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Gonzalez 8-27; Martin 1-6
-- Wacha 1-4; Bailey 3-27 (0 of last 9)
-- Torres 1-4; Medlen 8-26 (0 of last 7)
-- Koehler 6-18; Jackson 10-27 (4 of last 8)
-- Cole 4-14; Gallardo 5-26 (1 of last 7)
-- Nolasco 7-27 (0 of last 5); Chacin 2-26 (0 of last 21)
-- Bumgarner 3-27 (0 of last 7); Erlin 2-5

-- Redmond 2-9; Miley 9-27 (3 of last 4)

-- Tillman 6-27; Jimenez 5-26 (1 of last 11)
-- Sale 8-26; Kuroda 7-27 (1 of last 10)
-- Scherzer 5-27 (1 of last 12); Lester 8-28
-- Ramirez 4-8; Chen 2-9
-- PHernandez 2-7; Cosart 3-8
-- Moore 7-21; Vargas 2-18
-- Perez 6-14; Colon 6-25

Totals
-- Nine of last twelve Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven St Louis road games went over the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Milwaukee games.
-- Seven of last nine Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine San Diego games stayed under total.
-- Last four games at Coors Field went over the total.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in last twelve Washington games.

-- 16 of last 21 Toronto games stayed under the total.

-- Four of last five Bronx games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Seattle games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Minnesota games, seven of last nine Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Cleveland games stayed under total.
-- Last four Texas games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-4-1 in last thirteen Angel games.

Hot teams
-- Atlanta won seven of its last eight games.
-- Dodgers won 10 of their last 13 games. Colorado is 10-4 in its last 14 games at Coors Field.
-- Phillies won five of their last six home games.
-- Pirates won three of their last four games.

-- Toronto won six of its last eight games.

-- Bronx won ten of its last fifteen games.
-- Red Sox won seven of their last nine games; Detroit won four of last five.
-- Royals won seven of their last nine games.
-- A's won eight of their last ten games.
-- Angels won eight of their last ten games.


Cold teams
-- Nationals lost three of their last four games.
-- St Louis lost four of its last five games. Reds are 3-5 in their last eight.
-- Mets lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Milwaukee lost seven of its last eight home games.
-- Marlins lost ten of their last 13 games. Cubs lost nine of last 13.
-- San Diego lost five of its last seven games. Giants are 6-9 in their last 15.

-- Arizona lost four of its last five games.

-- White Sox lost their last four games.
-- Mariners lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Twins lost six of their last eight games. Houston lost seven of last nine.
-- Indians lost six of their last seven games. Orioles lost seven of their last ten away games.
-- Rangers lost three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost eight of its last nine games.

Umpires
-- Wsh-Phil-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Emmel games.
-- StL-Cin-- Four of last five Blaser games stayed under total.
-- NY-Atl-- Underdogs won five of last six Foster games.
-- Mia-Chi-- 11 of last 14 Wolf games stayed under the total.
-- Pitt-Mil-- Four of last five Hoye games stayed under total.
-- LA-Col-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Gonzalez games.
-- SF-SD-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Culbreth games; underdogs won five of his last seven games.

-- Tor-Az-- Favorites won nine of last eleven Gibson games.

-- Balt-Clev-- Under is 13-5-1 in last nineteen TBarrett games.
-- Chi-NY-- Nine of last twelve Bellino games went over total.
-- Det-Bos-- Underdogs are 8-7 in last fifteen Schrieber games.
-- Sea-KC-- Home team won ten of last twelve Barksdale games.
-- Minn-Hst-- Four of last five Holbrook games stayed under.
-- TB-LA-- 17 of last 22 Miller games stayed under the total.
-- Tex-A's-- Last four Guccione games stayed under the total.