10-14-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL betting: Top 3 hot teams to start the season

With the NHL season settling in, we've seen some pleasant surprises across the league.

Here is a look at three teams that have been cashing in for bettors and surprising fans and pundits with their exceptional play out of the gate.

Colorado Avalanche (5-0-0)

The Avs took a gamble and gave head coaching duties to legendary goalie Patrick Roy. Needless to say, that decision is paying off right out of the gate.

Colorado is playing with an attitude that harkens back to the playing days of their fiery coach.

The top line of Ryan O'Reilly, Matt Duchesne and Steve Downie has been as good as it gets, while goalie Semyon Varlamov leads the league in GAA (1.00) and save percentage (.970).

Any $100 bettor would be up $580.15 if they had wagered the Avs in each of their five games.


Calgary Flames (3-0-2)

Nobody gave them a chance. The Flames, mired in a drastic rebuild for the past couple of seasons, still have yet to lose a game in regulation.

The offense is being paced by 19-year-old rookie Sean Monahan - who scored the game winner against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 11 and leads the squad with four goals.

The defense, however, leaves a lot to be desired and they still don't have a clear-cut number one goalie.

But for a team in a rebuild phase, this will do wonders for confidence.

Any $100 bettor would be up $189.15 if they had wagered the Flames in each of their five games.


San Jose Sharks (5-0-0)

Certainly less of a surprise than the above two teams, but a blistering start nonetheless.

The Sharks look like the best team in hockey and feature a rookie phenom that took YouTube by storm with a highlight reel goal.

Tomas Hertl - another 19-year-old rookie - leads the team with seven goals and eight points and has seemingly injected life into the club. His goal against the New York Rangers was a thing of beauty and he tallied his seventh Saturday night versus the Ottawa Senators.

The Sharks lead the league with 24 goals scored and have allowed just seven.

Any $100 bettor would be up $367.54 if they had wagered the Sharks in each of their five games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NFL Top 5: Key Week 6 injuries

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers (probable, concussion)

Mathews was knocked silly in last weekend's game against the Oakland Raiders but has progressed nicely throughout the week and was a full participant in Saturday's practice. He passed the final hurdle Saturday when he cleared his concussion protocol. Mathews will be installed as San Diego's feature back, though he's a distant third on the pecking order on passing downs to the red-hot Danny Woodhead and veteran Ronnie Brown.

The Chargers find themselves a one-point favorite for the Monday nighter against visiting Indianapolis. The over/under is set at 50.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LA Syndicate

Chargers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chad Matthews

3-Unit Play. #229 Indianapolis Colts -2.5 over the San Diego Chargers (Oct 14 @ 8:40pmET)
Quarterback Andrew Luck and the high octane Indianapolis Colts head to San Diego to play a very inconsistent Chargers team. The Colts I believe are the most improved team this year all around. Their defense is finally showing up and their offensive line is big enough to finally protect Andrew Luck. Everything is just clicking for the Colts who knocked off the Seattle Seahawks last weekend at home. The Colts have covered the spread three consecutive weeks in a row now and I see the trend continuing again on Monday as well. Take the Colts and lay that field goal at -2.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cardinals at Dodgers: What bettors need to know

St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers (+112, 6.5)

The Cardinals lead the series 2-0.

The St. Louis Cardinals withstood a Cy Young Award-winning 1-2 punch and can take a commanding lead when the National League Championship Series shifts to Los Angeles for Monday's Game 3 against the Dodgers. The Cardinals held serve at home behind young right-handers Joe Kelly and Michael Wacha and now have ace Adam Wainwright lined up for the first of three straight games - if necessary - in LA. Wainwright tied for the NL lead in wins and owns a 4-0 career postseason mark.

The Dodgers received a pair of gems from their top two pitchers, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, yet came away empty when they scored only two runs in Games 1 and 2. "With those two starts, you feel like you should walk out of there with no worse than a split," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. Los Angeles will send rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu out against Wainwright while hoping for good news on the medical front for shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who sat out Game 2 due to bruised ribs.

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from LF to RF at 6 mph.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-8, 3.00)

Ryu became the first Korean-born player to start a postseason game, but it was not a memorable outing when he lasted only three innings and allowed four runs on six hits against Atlanta in the NLDS. Ryu lost three of four starts in September, although he allowed a total of eight runs and received only five runs of support. He was outstanding in beating the Cardinals on Aug. 8. permitting one run on five hits and striking out seven in seven innings.

Wainwright continued to cement his legacy as the ultimate big-game pitcher by beating Pittsburgh twice in the NLDS, including a complete-game effort in a winner-take-all Game 5. He allowed one run on three hits over seven innings in the series opener versus Pittsburgh and is 6-0 over his last seven starts. Wainwright gave up three runs and seven hits at home to a loss to the Dodgers on Aug. 5 to fall to 4-4 with a 3.10 record in 13 appearances (10 starts) against them.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in Wainwright's last five road starts vs. Dodgers.
* Dodgers are 9-2 in their last 11 Monday games.
* Dodgers are 5-0 in Ryus last five starts vs. National League Central.
* Cardinals are 9-1 in their last 10 games following a win.

UMP TRENDS - Mike Everitt:

* Cardinals are 4-0 in their last four games with Everitt behind home plate.
* Home team is 6-1 in Everitts last seven games behind home plate.
* Home team is 21-5 in Everitts last 26 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS:

1, The last team to rebound from an 0-2 deficit in the NLCS was the 1985 Cardinals, who accomplished it against ... the Dodgers.

2. Los Angeles is scoreless in the last 19 innings and needs the bat of Ramirez, who batted .500 with one homer and six RBIs and an NLDS record-tying six extra-base hits versus Atlanta.

3. St. Louis has a team batting average of .134 in the NLCS, the lowest in major-league history for any team that won the first two games of a postseason series.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Blue Bombers at Alouettes: What bettors need to know

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes (-11, 50.5)

The Montreal Alouettes are making the most of their playoff push with victories in each of their last two games. The Alouettes will clinch the final playoff spot with a win over the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Monday. Montreal's offense came alive last week as it scored a season-high 47 points on the strength of four touchdown passes by quarterback Josh Neiswander, who is likely to start again against Winnipeg.

The Blue Bombers have turned their attention to next season. Winnipeg, mired in a four-game losing skid, has scored 279 points - 61 fewer than any other team - and faith in quarterback Max Hall (81-for-139 for 974 yards, four touchdowns, eight interceptions) is quickly diminishing. Running back Will Ford has emerged as a bright spot in the Blue Bombers attack after running for a career-high 156 yards last week, but without a quarterback, Winnipeg will be in tough to win a third game before the regular season ends.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, TSN

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (2-12): Winnipeg traded star defensive end and league sacks leader Alex Hall to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for non-import offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld and a draft pick. The move weakens the Blue Bombers already porous defense, which has allowed a league-worst 459 points. Linebacker Henoc Muamba is tied for second in the league with 86 tackles.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (6-8): Quarterback Anthony Calvillo said he will be healthy in time for the final game of the regular season. Montreal has struggled to find an identity on offense without the veteran pivot, who has not played since Week 8. Montreal’s defense, led by linebackers Chip Cox and Kyries Hebert, leads the league in interceptions with 22 and allows a league-low 82.6 rushing yards per game.

TRENDS:

* Blue Bombers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
* Alouettes are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.
* Under is 8-3-1 in Alouettes last 12 home games.
* Blue Bombers are 1-6 ATS in their last seveb games following a S.U. loss.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Cox - a potential candidate for most outstanding defensive player - leads the league with 90 tackles and has four interceptions and six sacks.

2. Ford has 1,168 total combined yards in his second CFL season.

3. Montreal and Winnipeg opened the season by splitting road victories in a home-and-home series.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's CFL Picks

Toronto at Hamilton

The Alouettes look to build on their 13-3 ATS record in their last 16 road games. Toronto is the pick (+1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Alouettes favored by 5. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+1 1/2). Here are all of this week's CFL picks.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST (10/10)

Game 295-296: Winnipeg at Montreal (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 98.064; Montreal 119.148 Dunkel Line: Montreal by 21; 48 Vegas Line: Montreal by 10 1/2; 50 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-10 1/2); Under

Game 297-298: Toronto at Hamilton (4:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 118.728; Hamilton 113.543 Dunkel Line: Toronto by 5; 58 Vegas Line: Hamilton by 1 1/2; 56 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+1 1/2); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL

Week 16

Winnipeg (2-12) @ Montreal (6-8)—Teams split meetings in Weeks 1-2; lot of coaches from those two games have been fired since; Bombers are 1-11 since upsetting Alouettes 19-11 (+7) in Week 2—they’re 1-7 vs spread in last eight games, losing last two weeks by combined score of 91-28- they failed to cover last four road games, losing by 23-23-18-27 points. Winnipeg was outscored 57-17 in second half of last three games; they’ve won three of last four games with Alouettes, with four of last five meetings played here staying under the total. Montreal won its last two games, outscoring foes 45-6 in first half; they’re 3-3 as favorites this year, 1-3 at home- they’re 3-4 SU at home, with wins by 5-1-5 points. Underdogs are 7-4 vs spread in last 11 series games. Last three Bomber games and four of last five Montreal home games went over the total.

Toronto (9-5) @ Hamilton (7-7)—TiCats (+3.5) upset Argos 33-19 in Rogers Centre last week, their first series win in last five tries; that snapped Toronto’s 4-game win streak. Argos lost four of last six visits here, with losses by 9-5-15-19 points; they’ve won/covered last six away games, despite being underdog in three of the six-- they trailed last seven games at halftime, getting outscored 37-7 in first half the last two weeks. Argos outscored last five opponents 115-50 in second half. Only team to beat Argos on road this were BC Lions, who won 24-16 (-7) over Toronto back in Week 2. Toronto (-3.5) won 39-34 at home in first meeting this year, in season opener. Hamilton is 6-3 in its last nine games overall after a 1-4 start; they’re 4-3 at home this year, 2-2 as home favorites, with home wins by 5-23-8-2 points. Five of last six series games went over total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Monday Night Football betting: Colts at Chargers

Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers (+1, 50)

Andrew Luck has had his way with West Coast teams this season and he hopes to continue that trend when the Indianapolis Colts visit the San Diego Chargers on Monday night. The Colts have surged to the top of the AFC South on the heels of a three-game winning streak, which includes victories over NFC powers San Francisco and Seattle. Luck added to his growing reputation last week with his ninth comeback win in the fourth quarter or overtime in 21 career games.

San Diego changed head coaches in the offseason, but the inconsistency that has been a hallmark of the franchise for the past decade continues to permeate the team. One week after ripping off 20 unanswered points to knock off the Dallas Cowboys, the Chargers fell into an early 17-point hole in a turnover-riddled defeat at Oakland. "We've shown the good and we've shown the bad," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "We have to eliminate all the bad and get back to where we were at the Dallas game."

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: This opened as a pick and now sits Colts -1. The total opened 49.5 and is now 50.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-60s with clear and sunny skies.

ABOUT THE COLTS (4-1): Indianapolis absorbed another blow when running back Ahmad Bradshaw was placed on injured reserve, making the acquisition of Trent Richardson from Cleveland that much more noteworthy. The Colts rank fourth in rushing at 142 yards per game, but Richardson has yet to make the expected impact with 151 yards on 51 carries in his three games with Indy. Luck's numbers are hardly off the charts - he averages under 230 yards per game - but he has an emerging target to go along with Reggie Wayne in second-year wideout T.Y. Hilton, who had a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns last week.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-3): Philip Rivers has appeared to regain his mojo after a two consecutive turnover-laden campaigns, but his third 400-yard game of the season was negated by three interceptions in the loss to Oakland. An already-suspect running game absorbed another blow when oft-injured Ryan Mathews suffered a concussion last week, putting the onus on Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Brown to carry the ground attack. The Chargers have lost both starting receivers Danario Alexander and Malcom Floyd to season-ending injuries, but Vincent Brown and rookie Keenan Allen each went over 100 yards last week.

TRENDS:

* Colts are 1-6 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.
* Colts are 8-1 ATS in their last nine Monday games.
* Chargers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games in October.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Wayne needs four catches to become the ninth receiver in league history with 1,000 receptions.

2. San Diego's Antonio Gates is second among tight ends with 438 yards receiving.

3. Colts coach Chuck Pagano will be facing his younger brother in Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NFL betting: Road teams 9-4 ATS in Week 6

Away teams stepped up in Week 6 posting a record of 9-4 ATS heading into the Sunday night matchup between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys.

In the first game of the week, the New York Giants fell to a record of 0-6, but managed to cover the spread as 9.5-point road dogs against the Chicago Bears.

That trend continued Sunday in the early set of games as road teams posted a stellar ATS record of 6-2.

The Redskins entered the final tilt of Sunday's action as 5.5-point road dogs in Dallas - where they are 6-0 ATS in their previous six meetings with the Cowboys.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's MLB Picks

St. Louis at LA Dodgers

The Cardinals look to build on their 13-3 record in Adam Wainwright's last 6 starts as a road favorite. St. Louis is the pick (-125) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-125). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 Time Posted: 6:00 a.m. EST

Game 909-910: St. Louis at LA Dodgers (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 16.972; LA Dodgers (Ryu) 15.600 Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: St. Louis (-125); 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-125); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

Minnesota at Buffalo

The Wild look to follow up on their 5-1 win over Dallas on Saturday and build on their 6-1 record in their last 7 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Minnesota is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Wild favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-130). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 Time Posted 6:00 a.m. EST

Game 51-52: Detroit at Boston (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.106; Boston 10.646 Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-150); 5 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+130); Over

Game 53-54: Edmonton at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.412; Washington 11.838 Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-160); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (-160); Under

Game 55-56: Minnesota at Buffalo (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 12.307; Buffalo 10.646 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-130); 5 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-130); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Dodgers-Cardinals
Wainwright is 5-0, 1.59 in his last six starts, with last three going over total-- Cardinals scored 21 runs in his last three starts. He lost 3-2 to LA August 5, allowing three runs in seven IP.

Ryu is 2-5, 3.86 in his last eight starts, with four of last five staying under the total; he allowed one unearned run in seven IP in a 5-1 win over the Cardinals August 8.

Dodgers are 4-5 against St Louis this year, with six of nine games staying under the total. LA is 3-3 in playoffs but 8-13 in last 21 games overall; four of their last six games went over the total, but they've scored two runs in 22 innings in this series so far. Ramirez/Kemp are hurt, Ethier is banged-up.

Cardinals won 13 of their last 16 games; they allowed two runs in first couple games of this series. St Louis won 11 of its last 12 home games- three of their last four games overall stayed under the total. St Louis is 20-24 vs lefties and the game they won vs Kershaw Saturday was 1-0.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Bruins won three of their first four games. Detroit is 3-2 in first five games (1-1 away).
-- Minnesota won its last two games, 5-1/2-1.

Cold teams
-- Sabres are 0-5 this season, outscored 14-5.
-- Washington lost four of its first five games, scoring 13 goals. Oilers lost four of their first five games, allowing 25 goals.

Series records
-- Boston's 4-1 win nine days ago was its first in last four games vs Detroit.
-- Sabres won their last two games with Minnesota, 3-2ot/3-1.
-- Oilers-Caps split last six meetings, with home side 4-2 in those games.

Totals
-- Five of last six Detroit-Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in Buffalo games this season.
-- Four of five Edmonton games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baseball Crusher
Los Angeles Dodgers +112 over St. Louis Cardinals
(System Record: 91-8, lost last 5 games)
Overall Record: 91-100-2

Football Crusher
Indianapolis Colts -120 over San Diego Chargers
(System Record: 24-1, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 24-18

Hockey Crusher
Minnesota Wild -126 over Buffalo Sabres
(System Record: 3-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 3-1

Soccer Crusher
Lanus + Godoy Cruz OVER 2
This match is happening in Argentina
(System Record: 469-16, lost last game)
Overall Record: 469-402-65