8-7-14

[golden contender]

GC: MLB Play

Thursday card has the 21-2 NFLX Preseason power angle in the Seattle at Denver game and 2 Big MLB power system plays, one is early and from a 24-1 system. The other is the 100% Game of the Week from a system that dates to 2004. MLB Top play cashes easily. NFLX Sides on 31-14 run. SEASONAL Early Bird football pack up now. Free plays 23-10. MLB System play below.



On Thursday the free MLB System play is on the Philadelphia Phillies. Game 968 at 7:05 eastern. The Phillies smokes the Astros last night and have now beat them 7 straight times here. They are 5-1 at home off a home win by 5 or more runs. Houston is 1-8 on the road off a road loss by 5+ runs and 4-12 in the inter league play scoring just 2.8 runs in those games. The Phillies also fit a nice system here tonight that plays on home favorites with a total that is 8 or less off a home favored win by 5 or more runs with 10+ hits, vs an opponent off a road dog loss by 5 or more runs and scored 4 or less runs also with 10 or more hits. These home teams have won 13 of 17. Houston has McHugh on the mound and have lost 6 of his last 7 starts. Look for Hernandez and the Phillies to get the sweep here tonight. On Thursday we have the 21-2 power Angle play in the NFLX Game between Seattle and Denver. NFLX Sides are on a 31-14 runs after cashing the Giants on Sunday. In MLB The lead is the 5* Game of the Week from a 100% Database system that dates to 2004. There is also a 24-1 Afternoon system play. Jump on and Flatten your book big with the Most Powerful data and material in the industry. For the free which are on a 23-10 run. Take the Phillies. GC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

2Halves2Win MLB:

1* GAME - CHI @ COL: Rockies +1.5 RL - TBD

*** COMP ***

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

National League
Marlins-Pirates
Flynn is making first '14 start; he was 0-2, 8.50 in four starts LY.
Volquez is 0-1, 7.47 in his last three starts.

Miami lost five of its last seven games.
Pirates are 15-4 in their last 19 home games.

Six of last seven Pirate games went over the total.


Mets-Nationals
deGrom is 5-0, 1.04 in his last five starts.
Zimmerman is 1-0, 1.29 in his last couple starts.

Mets lost three of their last four games.
Washington is 5-6 in its last eleven home games.

Under is 6-2 in last eight deGrom starts.

Giants-Brewers
Peavy is 0-2, 5.54 in two starts for the Giants.
Peralta is 4-0, 2.05 in his last four starts.

Giants won five of their last seven games.
Milwaukee won seven of their last ten home games.

Under is 5-2-1 in last seven San Francisco road games.

Cubs-Rockies
Hendricks is 2-1, 1.33 in his last three starts.
Colorado is 0-5 when Flande starts (0-3, 6.07).

Cubs won six of their last nine games.
Colorado lost eight of its last ten games.

Last three games at Coors Field went over the total.

American League
Tigers-Bronx
Porcello is 2-0, 2.17 in his last four starts.
Greene is 0-1, 5.74 in his last three starts.

Detroiit lost five of its last six road games.
Bronx won 12 of its last 19 games.

Under is 10-2-1 in Detroit's last thirteen road games.

Orioles-Blue Jays
Gonzalez is 1-1, 2.86 in is last five starts.
Happ is 1-1, 1.96 in his last three starts.

Orioles won 11 of their last 16 games.
Toronto lost four of its last five games.

Four of last five Gonzalez starts stayed under the total.

White Sox-Mariners
Carroll is 0-1, 5.00 in his last three starts.
Elias is 1-1, 2.25 in his last three starts.

White Sox lost four of their last five games.
Mariners won three of their last four games.

Seven of last eight White Sox games went over the total.

Twins-A's
Pino is 0-1, 4.66 in his last three starts.
Lester is 3-1, 1.85 in his last six starts.

Minnesota is 8-4 in its last dozen road games.
A's are 18-6 in their last 24 home games.


Under is 14-7-1 in last 22 Oakland home games.


Interleague games
Astros-Phillies
McHugh is 1-6, 4.87 in his last seven starts.
Hernandez is 3-0, 2.20 in his last four starts.

Houston lost six of their last eight road games.
Phillies won five of their last six home games.

Over is 10-5 in Houston's last fifteen road games.

Indians-Reds
House is 2-1, 3.80 in his last four starts.
Bailey is 1-1, 1.88 in his last six starts, but Cincy bullpen lost his last four.

Cleveland lost seven of its last nine road games.
Reds won five of their last seven home games.

Five of last six Bailey starts stayed under the total.

Red Sox-Cardinals
Workman is 0-4, 7.83 in his last four starts.
Wainwright is 1-2, 6.88 in his last three starts.

Boston lost 11 of its last 14 games.
Cardinals won four of their last six games.

Five of last six Boston road games stayed under.

Royals-Diamondbacks
Guthrie is 2-3, 7.92 in his last five starts, but won his last two.
Arizona lost all five Nuno starts (0-2, 3.68).

Royals won six of their last seven games.
Arizona lost four of its last five games.

Five of last seven Arizona games went over the total.

Dodgers-Angels
Ryu is 3-0, 2.42 in his last four starts.
Wilson is 1-1, 14.00 in his last five starts.

Dodgers won nine of their last twelve games.
Angels are 29-9 in their last 38 home games.

Under is 14-7-1 in last twenty-two Angel games.

Teams' record when this starting pitcher starts:
-- deGrom 7-8; Zimmerman 13-9
-- Peavy 5-16; Peralta 13-8
-- Hendricks 3-1; Flande 0-5
-- Flynn 0-0; Volquez 12-9

-- Porcello 14-7; Greene 3-2
-- Gonzalez 9-9; Happ 10-6
-- Pino 5-3; Lester 13-8/1-0
-- Carroll 4-8; Elias 10-12

-- McHugh 6-10; Hernandez 8-11
-- House 6-4; Bailey 9-13
-- Workman 2-7; Wainwright 16-6
-- Guthrie 12-10; Nuno 6-8/0-5
-- Ryu 13-8; Wilson 10-10

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- deGrom 2-15; Zimmerman 1-22
-- Peavy 4-21; Peralta 4-22
-- Hendricks 3-4; Flande 0-5
-- Flynn 0-0; Volquez 6-21

-- Porcello 8-21; Greene 1-5
-- Gonzalez 4-18; Happ 2-16
-- Pino 0-8; Lester 6-22
-- Carroll 4-12; Elias 6-22

-- McHugh 9-16; Hernandez 9-20
-- House 3-10; Bailey 6-22
-- Workman 6-9; Wainwright 3-22
-- Guthrie 7-22; Nuno 7-19
-- Ryu 2-21; Wilson 5-20

Umpires
-- Mia-Pitt-- Six of last eight Fairchild games stayed under.
-- NY-Wsh-- Niine of last eleven Iassogna games stayed under.
-- SF-Mil-- Four of last five Porter games went over the total.
-- Chi-Col-- Last seven Guccione games stayed under total.

-- Det-NY-- Underdogs won 13 of last 15 Wegner games.
-- Balt-Tor-- Underdogs are 7-6 in last thirteen Reyburn games.

-- Hst-Phil-- Six of last seven Barry games stayed under.
-- Clev-Cin-- Eight of last eleven Little games stayed under.
-- Bos-StL-- Last five Cederstrom games went over total.
-- KC-Az-- Under is 9-2-1 in Randazzo games this year.
-- LA-LAA-- Road team won eight of last eleven Knight games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Showtime at the PGA
By Dan Daly

The only surprising news to me about Dustin Johnson being suspended for cocaine use was how many people were actually surprised by it. Honestly, I was under the assumption that was common knowledge? Clearly based on Twitter and emails I saw it wasn’t. My bad. I’ll just say this, this news ranked right up there with Lance Bass announcing he was gay on the shock value scale. Here’s another one for you…DJ and Paulina Gretzky probably do cocaine together. Yep, let that one sink in for a second. Crazy right?

I wrote about this in 2012 when Johnson played the Cadillac Championship at Doral in March and was perfectly healthy and then miraculously didn’t play again for 11 weeks. The PGA Tour is not required to announce any disciplinary actions against players who test positive for recreational drugs and never does. It wasn’t that difficult to put the two together.

As for the PGA Championship, it has always been the red-headed step child of the four majors. The British has the history, the US Open is our National Championship, The Masters is…well, the Masters and the poor PGA just always seems to be an afterthought. To me, the irony is that the PGA Championship year in and year out seems to almost always deliver one of the most exciting majors of the year. The last time it was played here at Valhalla for the 2000 PGA Championship the Sunday round between Tiger and Bob May ranks in the top 3 best Sunday finishes of any Major in the last 30 years…in my opinion.

In fact, the top 100 players in the World Golf Ranking had committed to play the PGA Championship; until Dustin Johnson went Pablo Escobar on us. It would have been the first time any major would have featured all of the top 100 since the world rankings began. Thanks Pablo. I broke down the PGA field this week in honor of DJ.

The Dazed and Confused Group (You have to be one or the other to take anyone in this group):

Ernie Els 115/1 – Winning is simply not an option this week for Ernie, I think his goal should simply be to try and not break anyone’s jaw when he tees off. Let’s just start there and see where it goes.

Patrick Reed 115/1 – Dear Patrick Reed, at 115/1 we are basically saying we still think you have zero chance of winning a major. Sincerely, Las Vegas.

Boo Weekley 215/1 – It’s the PGA Championship.

Vijay Singh and Davis Love III 265/1 – If they played a best ball for 72 holes these odds MIGHT be right. Even then I wouldn’t take them.

Colin Montgomerie 350/1 – For some reason they listed his weight instead of his odds? Weird?

John Daly 500/1 – So you’re telling me there’s a chance!

The Blow Group (Sorry, too easy):

Dustin Johnson 28/1 – So DJ has been locked in as my PGA Championship pick for months. In fact, I had already written the blurb for it comparing Paulina to Amanda Dufner last year…trust me, it was great. Then Dustin Johnson goes and gets busted for doing lines, probably off of Paulina Gretzky (I’m thinking Wolf of Wall Street type stuff) in which case I can’t overly blame him. Anyway, he is obviously out. On a side note…I know I hate when I order a Coke at a restaurant and the waitress says “Is Pepsi OK?” I can’t even imagine how pissed off DJ gets.

The “Breaking” Bad Group (If you like to bet on people with injuries these are your guys):

Tiger Woods 15/1 – I’m not sure if 15/1 are even good odds that he will play this week, much less win.

Jason Day 28/1 – This guy’s wrist is more on again off again than Ross and Rachel from "Friends". It’s hurt, it’s ok, it’s hurt, it’s ok. I give up. Let’s just say he will be “on a break” from winning this week. And yes, I continue to reference cheesy movies and cheesy TV shows each week and I’m okay with that.

Jason Dufner 35/1 – I would love nothing more than to see Amanda’s husband defend this week, but my man Dufner was diagnosed with two bulging discs in his neck last Wednesday after recently undergoing an MRI. I’m no Doogie Howser, M.D., but I can’t imagine him winning a major with two bulging discs in his neck.

Ian Poulter 65/1 – I couldn’t decide if those were his actual odds or the number of bitter tweets he will post over the course of the tournament. Either way, both are too low.

The Scarface Group (The payouts are great but greed gets you in the end):

Phil Mickelson 25/1 – I’m not sure if that’s 25/1 to win or to just make the top 10? Either way I’ll pass. The dude shot a frickin 62 on Sunday and still didn’t finish in the top 10.

Jordan Spieth 28/1 – Jordan Spieth will win a major in 2015…problem is, it’s still 2014.

Rickie Fowler 28/1 – If he wins this week that would mean Rickie will have gone T5, T2, T2, WIN in the four majors this year. That from a guy with one career PGA Tour win? Yeeeaaah, I don’t think so.

Martin Kaymer 28/1 – It was a nice run, Martin. Had to close out some day. Nobody wins them all.

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose 28/1 – Both have the talent to win, but neither one will win this week.

Matt Kuchar 28/1 - If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, if you're happy and you know it…bet on Kuchar. (Clap, Clap)

Bubba Watson 35/1 – Two majors in the same year? Next….

Jim Furyk 35/1 - He could hold the 18, 36, 54 or even 71-hole lead. It simply doesn’t matter. My wife and one-year-old would have a better chance of winning down the stretch than Furyk would at this point. #gritty #gutsy #grinder

Brandt Snedeker; Keegan Bradley; Charl Schwartzel; Zach Johnson (all 45/1) – No; No; please God no; no chance in hell.

Graeme McDowell 45/1 – Not the kind of tournament McDowell wins. Yep, that’s all I got.

Hunter Mahan 55/1 – Honestly, I just don’t like him at all. That’s not a reason he won’t win this week, but I just wanted to point that out. But he won’t win this week anyway.

Luke Donald 55/1 – If this course really is all about driving the ball long and straight Luke and I might as well have the same odds to win this week.

Jimmy Walker 55/1 – Seriously, how is he still leading in FedEx Cup points?

Angel Cabrera 85/1 and Miguel Angel Jimenez 115/1 – They say the first rule of gambling is to leave emotion at the door…so unfortunately for me these two are out.

The Wire Group (Definitely a solid option but someone has to be second):

In this case, two someone’s.

Rory McIlroy 8/1 – First of all those were his odds prior to his WGC win…good luck getting those now. It will probably be more like 5/1 by the time he tees off Thursday. I mean the guy is clearly the best player on the planet and Rory winning this week wouldn’t surprise me at all but at some point he has to lose…right? No one has won back-to-back majors since Padraig Harrington in 2008 (British and PGA Championship ironically enough) and only 12 have ever done it since World War I. That stat alone scares me away from taking Rory but I also have to believe at some point there is a hangover effect, and I’m not talking about the one from drinking Jägermeister out of the Claret Jug (which is awesome by the way).

Sergio Garcia 28/1 – To be really honest, I loved Sergio this week. Seriously. He’s always had the game to win a major, it was just that pesky little thing between his ears that has been his biggest problem. However, when he didn’t have a Sergio meltdown after leaving it in the bunker late Sunday of the British I dare say young Sergio has all grown up. Or so I thought. And then he started speaking at Firestone and I remembered why he is 0-for his lifetime in Majors. “I'm not going to lie to you,” Garcia said, “It's not my favorite golf course in the world.” Yep, same Sergio. Besides, the last time he played at Valhalla, six years ago, he lost to Anthony Kim (5 and 4) in a Sunday singles match at the 2008 Ryder Cup. Which reminds me, Anthony Kim was good enough to qualify for a Ryder Cup team once upon a time??? Throw in his blown lead at the WGC last Sunday and I’m pretty sure Sergio doesn’t even believe Sergio can win this week.

The Heisenberg Group (The Man):

Adam Scott 15/1 – I literally couldn’t come up with a single reason not to take him this week. Drives it long and straight (that’s what she said), great iron player, putts well on these type of greens, his caddy won the last PGA held here and he has finished inside the top 15 in 11 of the last 12 majors he has played in. So why not this week?

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 7
By David Schwab

The underdogs got the best of it both straight-up and against the spread in Week 6 of the CFL regular season with a 3-1 mark as the last team fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Winnipeg got things started last Thursday with a 27-26 victory on the road against Hamilton as a 4 ½-point underdog. The total went OVER the 50 ½-point closing line. Friday’s action got underway with another SU upset when Toronto stunned Montreal 31-5 as a two-point road underdog. The total in that contest stayed UNDER 50 ½ points.

British Columbia kept the upset train going with a 25-24 squeaker over previously unbeaten Calgary as a four-point road underdog. This total went OVER against a closing line of 46 ½ points. The expansion Ottawa RedBlacks ended the underdogs’ run this past Saturday in a 38-14 loss to Saskatchewan as six-point underdogs at home. The total in that contest also went OVER with the line set at 50 ½ points.

Thursday, August 7

Saskatchewan (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) at Winnipeg (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 53

Game Overview

Saskatchewan has overcome a slow start with back-to-back victories against Toronto and Ottawa by a combined score of 75-23, but it will have to take things up a notch this week against the league’s hottest team. The defending 2013 Grey Cup Champs got another strong effort from Darian Durant in Saturday’s win with 294 yards passing while completing 76 percent of his throws.

The Blue Bombers appear to be for real after a three-win season in 2013. They are the CFL’s leading scorer with an average of 28 points a game and Drew Willy continues to impress with 1,662 yards passing and an overall completion percentage of 65.5. Both Nick Moore and Clarence Denmark have been his primary targets with a combined 628 yards on 43 receptions.

Betting Trends

The home team is 6-2 SU in the last eight meetings with the total going OVER in five of those games. Saskatchewan is just 2-6 ATS in its last eight road games against Winnipeg and the total has stayed UNDER in six of the last eight meetings at Investors Group Field.

Friday, August 8

Edmonton (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) at Montreal (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS)
Point-spread: Edmonton -4
Total: 46 ½

Game Overview

Edmonton has been the other big surprise this year after posting just four victories last season. Mike Reilly has led the way for the Eskimos on offense with 1,142 yards through the air and slotback Adarius Bowman leads the CFL in receiving with 359 yards. Edmonton’s defense has done its part and it is ranked second in the league in points allowed (16.8).

The rebuilding process in Montreal took a huge step backwards with last week’s loss and overall this offense has only been able to score a total of 75 total in its first five games. Troy Smith has not been the answer at quarterback and Alex Brink did not fare any better in relief against Toronto.

Betting Trends

The Alouettes have owned this series in recent years with a 9-1 SU record in the last 10 meetings and an 8-2 mark ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of the last five games. Edmonton has failed to cover in six of its last seven trips to Montreal.

Hamilton (1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) at British Columbia (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -7
Total: 50

Game Overview

Hamilton has just one SU victory on the year, but a win against BC would put the Tiger-Cats into a tie with idle Toronto for the lead in the watered-down East Division standings. Quarterback Zach Collaros remains on the Six-Game IR list with a head injury, so the T-Cats have turned to Dan LeFevour as their starter.

The Lions are trying to get their quarterback Travis Lulay back on the field after missing the first six games with a shoulder injury. His absence has been fairly evident on an offense that has averaged just 21.2 points per game. BC has been able to hang tough behind a defense that is allowing just 19.3 PPG.

Betting Trends

This series has remained tight in the last 10 meetings with each team posting five SU wins, but Hamilton has gone a very profitable 8-2 ATS during this stretch. The total has also been a good bet by going OVER in six of the last nine meetings.

Saturday, August 9

Ottawa (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) at Calgary (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -12
Total: 45 ½

Game Overview

The RedBlacks have not played all that bad in their inaugural season in the CFL, but they did look like an expansion team last week against Saskatchewan. They fell behind by 24 points in the first quarter and it was pretty much over from there. While Ottawa could not climb back into that game, Thomas DeMarco did give the team a spark in relief for an ineffective Henry Burris by completing five of six passes for 84 yards and a score.

Calgary is coming off a tough loss to BC, but it remains the best balanced team in the CFL this season. The Stampeders’ offense led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is averaging 24.6 PPG, which are more than enough points when you have a defense that is holding teams to an average of 15.4 PPG.

Betting Trends

This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Stampeders are 23-11-2 ATS in their last 35 games against a team with a SU losing record and the total stayed UNDER in eight of their last nine games overall.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Week 7 Betting Preview and Trends
By Mike Pickett

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been the most lucrative team so far this season in the CFL at 5-1 ATS through six games, and they'll lead off the Week 7 slate on Thursday night as they play host to a Saskatchewan Roughriders team that has three ATS wins.

Saskatchewan at Winnipeg

Last 10 Meetings: Winnipeg 2-8 SU, 4-6 ATS | OU 5-5

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have only picked up one SU victory in their last six games against the Saskatchewan Roughriders as those teams meet in Week 7 action on Thursday night for the first time this season. Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, however, split their two meetings last season both SU and ATS, with the OVER/UNDER going 1-1 as well. The OVER is 4-1 in the last five games between the two teams.

Edmonton at Montreal

Last 10 Meetings: Montreal 9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS | OU 6-4

The Montreal Alouettes only have one SU victory so far this season, but they're on an 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS run against the Edmonton Eskimos as those teams meet for the first time this year on Friday night. Montreal went 2-0 both SU and ATS against Edmonton in their two meetings last season, with the OVER paying out for totals bettors in each of those games. The OVER is 4-1 in their last five meetings.

Hamilton at B.C

Last 10 Meetings: B.C. 5-5 SU, 2-8 ATS | OU 6-3-1

The B.C. Lions will be home favorites on the CFL Week 7 betting lines for Friday night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but they've only managed to pay off twice in the last 10 games between the two teams dating back to 2009. Last season B.C. went 1-1 SU but 0-2 ATS against Hamilton, with the OVER paying off for totals bettors at the sportsbooks in each of those two CFL odds matchups.

Ottawa at Calgary

Last 10 Meetings: Calgary 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS | OU 0-0

The Calgary Stampeders will be trying to pick up their fifth SU victory in six games so far this season on Saturday night as they play their first ever game against the Ottawa RedBlacks. Calgary fell to 4-1 on the season last week with a 25-24 home loss to the Lions, while the RedBlacks are coming off a 38-14 home loss to the Roughriders that dropped them to just 1-4 so far this year.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NFL

Broncos, Seahawks kick off preseasons with Super Bowl rematch
By: Mike Wilkening

Some may loosely bill Thursday's Seahawks-Broncos exhibition as a Super Bowl rematch.

And indeed, some experienced preseason handicappers might be watching this preseason opener closely to take stock of one of the teams.

But it's not necessary to assess whether Super Bowl loser Denver has improved after an offseason of free agent additions.

On the contrary, it's Seattle's exhibition form that bears watching.

Over the last two years, no team has been better in the preseason than the Seahawks. According to Covers.com data, the Seahawks have won and covered in their last nine exhibition games, including two routs of Denver. Seattle has outscored preseason opponents 252-83 in this span.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Broncos are 1.5-point home underdogs Thursday night vs. Seattle (9 p.m. ET). The total is 37.5.

So why have the Seahawks been so dominant in the summer?

For one, Seattle has built wonderful depth. Their QB play in the last two preseasons has been sparkling, with Russell Wilson starring in 2012 and Tarvaris Jackson posting a 131.4 QB rating in 2013. The Seahawks are again strong at the position entering 2014, with Terrelle Pryor -- the former Oakland starter -- a third-stringer.

The Seahawks have also dominated the turnover battle, forcing 20 takeaways against five giveaways. Of particular note: Seattle has forced 19 fumbles in the last two exhibition slates, recovering 10.

As for the Broncos: if past form holds, Peyton Manning will see limited work in the opener. He attempted just four passes in his exhibition debut last season. The Broncos are 4-4 straight-up and 3-5 against the number in preseason games in Manning's time with the club, with two of the spread defeats to Seattle.

Here's a quick look at Thursday's other preseason games. All lines are courtesy of the South Point, and all are preseason ATS statistics are from Covers.com:

Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets (-3, 37.5) (7 p.m. ET)

The Jets were 3-1 ATS last year in preseason play after a horrid 2012 exhibition slate (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS). If the Colts follow last season's blueprint, third-string quarterback Chandler Harnish could get a good deal of work.

New England at Washington (-1.5, 38.5) (7:30 p.m. ET)

Washington coach Jay Gruden has indicated the club's starters won't play more than 10 snaps or so. New England has won its last five preseason openers. The teams held joint practices leading up to the game.

San Francisco at Baltimore (-1.5, 35) (7:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network)

The 49ers are 1-2 straight-up in exhibition openers under Jim Harbaugh, while the Ravens are 5-1 in preseason debuts in John Harbaugh's tenure. Look for both clubs to give their reserve tailbacks plenty of work; the Niners have been hit by injuries at the position, while the Ravens' Ray Rice is suspended for the first two games.

Cincinnati at Kansas City (-2.5, 35.5) (8 p.m. ET)

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has indicated quarterback Andy Dalton will not play much in the opener. Also, recent history suggests Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith won't break much of a sweat, either. Andy Reid-coached teams have won four preseason openers in a row, while the Bengals have won their last two openers under Lewis.

Dallas at San Diego (-3, 37) (10 p.m. ET, NFL Network -- joined in progress)

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be held out of the preseason opener, leaving Brandon Weeden, Caleb Hanie and Dustin Vaughan to carry to the load. Here's an oddity: the Chargers have lost four straight Thursday preseason games. However, the Chargers appear deeper than they were a season ago.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NFL Betting News and Notes
By Tony George

Seattle @ Denver (Pick em) Total 37

Last years Super Bowl Blowout re-visited, Peyton Manning versus a defense that shred him to bits last year. The problem is he gets 1 series, maybe two to exact revenge with a fairly vanilla playbook for week 1. The story here is MOTIVATION on Denver’s part, no matter what unit is in, because they were embarrassed in the Super Bowl last year and there is no doubt a win here is a moral victory. This Denver at home should be a favorite but this is a pickem game which scares me as oddsmakers are not baiting you to lay 2 or 3 with Denver as you would think.. If you see Manning and company more than 2 series I would be in shock, and although it is going to be sloppy, as all week 1 games are, Denver's QB’s 3 deep have looked great in camp and no doubt Coach Carrol will be gunning for a win as always. Might be some scoring in this one in what should be a good match-up so the total of over 37 might be worth a small sniff. I would lean Denver.

49ers @ Ravens (Pick em) Total 35

The Super Bowl 2 years ago and the brothers Haurbaugh here. Talk about drama and two coaches who clearly want to beat each other, even in the preseason. That sets up for some scoring and the total of 35 going over looks a little tasty. Two things at play here in my mind, and the first one is the travel required for San Fran, which has an affect on a team this early. Also John Harbaugfh likes to win in the 1st week of the preseason, he has a 5-1 straight up record in week 1, while little brother Jim is 1-2 in week 1 in his 3 years. It should be noted Jim Hatbaugh has a 6-2 SU record in the preseason as a head coach in his last 2 preseasons. Lean again to the home team here.

Patriots @ Redskins (-1.5) Toatl 38

A veteran coach versus a new head coach. I prefer vetran head coaches in the NFL in the preseason to prevail in week 1. First year head coaches tend not to fare well in Week 1 , and we all know Bill Bilichick’s teams do very well out of the gate, he is 11-4 SU in week 1 of the preseason as a head coach. I think 3 deep Washington is better at QB, but with lack of depth on defense and an all new coaching staff, the value in this one lies with the visitor who is an underdog and their offensive scheme is more finely tuned at this point. Lean to New England

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL

StatFox Super Situations

CFL | SASKATCHEWAN at WINNIPEG
Play Against - Road teams where the line is +3 to -3 (SASKATCHEWAN) after 2 or more consecutive wins against the spread, with a winning record on the season
49-16 since 1997. ( 75.4% | 31.4 units )

CFL | SASKATCHEWAN at WINNIPEG
Play Against - Any team vs the money line (SASKATCHEWAN) an average offensive team (23 to 28 PPG) against a good offensive team (28-32 PPG), after allowing 14 points or less last game
33-7 since 1997. ( 82.5% | 0.0 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 0.0 units )

CFL | SASKATCHEWAN at WINNIPEG
Play On - Underdogs vs. the 1rst half line (WINNIPEG) in a game involving two average teams (within +/- 40 YPG of their opponents), after outgaining opp by 120 or more total yards in their previous game
25-5 since 1997. ( 83.3% | 19.5 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA Basketball Picks

Chicago at Minnesota

The Lynx host a Chicago team that is 1-11 ATS in its last 12 games versus Western Conference opponents. Minnesota is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Phoenix at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 120.452; San Antonio 108.508 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 12; 166 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 7; 159 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7); Over

Game 653-654: Chicago at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 110.376; Minnesota 120.603 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 10; 162 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 7 1/2;/156 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7 1/2); Over

Game 655-656: Atlanta at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 109.995; Seattle 108.777 Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 155 Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 5 1/2; 150 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+5 1/2); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Free play Thurs

Denver Broncos + 2 1/2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

R&R Totals

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers

FREE NFL-X Over-Under Total 36½ Over -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Braves on Wednesday and likes the Nationals on Thursday.

The deficit is 490 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hondo

Hondo, who had the good splitter working Tuesday night with the Mets and Dodgers, came right back Wednesday and hit a bomb with the Rangers as they smacked Sale to cut the debt to 1,245 boroses.

Thursday: Mr. Aitch again will side with deGrom Reaper — 10 units on the Metamucils to slay the Nats. Also, he will take a swing at the PGA with 10-unit investments on Rickie Fowler at 20-1 and Sergio Garcia at 16-1.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jordan Haimowitz

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals

Haimo's Thursday Early Afternoon MLB NL East Side Play

**2 Star Favorite Selection**

Play on Washington -143