8-29-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Gold Sheet CKO


10 *CONNECTICUT over Byu
Late Score Forecast:
*CONNECTICUT 27 - Byu 31


Connecticut has been an extremely strong technical play getting points at home, covering 19 of last 23 in that role.
Don’t think oddsmakers have adequately compensated for BYU’s early-season offensive limitations. Star Cougar
RB Jamaal Williams (1233 YR, 5.7 ypc, 10 TDs LY) is suspended, and Bronco Mendenhall’s BYU side is without the
services of starting WRs Devon Blackmon (suspension) and Nick Kurtz (foot injury). We’ll give a vote of confidence
to Husky soph QB Casey Cochran, who made quite an impression in winning 3 of his 4 starts LY, completing 63%
of his passes and posting an 11-4 TD-interception ratio. With Cochran at the controls UConn scored 31 ppg, so
expect the Huskies to trade TDs with Cougs.


10 UTSA over *Houston
Late Score Forecast:
UTSA 31 - *Houston 32


UTSA has been a solid pointspread winner in its first few seasons on the Las Vegas line, boasting a 14-8 mark
against the number. On the surface of it, Houston blew out the Roadrunners last season at the Alamodome, but the
game was much closer than the 59-28 final, as UTSA outgained the Cougars slightly and the game was tied at half
and Houston held just a 31-28 edge after three quarters. However, the Cougars blocked a field goal and returned
it for a TD, intercepted 3 passes in the fourth quarter (one returned for a score) and tipped the scoreboard in a game
that might’ve gone very differently. Experienced Roadrunners have 20 returning starters (plus both kickers) and a
nation-leading 37 seniors, all of whom would love nothing more than to spoil the party as UH inaugurates its new
TCEDU Stadium. Cougars got much more than their share of breaks last season (+25 in TO count; led the country
with 43 takeaways), and if the ball bounces fairly, UTSA very capable of throwing a severe scare into Houston HC
Tony Levine (if not ruin his day entirely by pulling the upset).


NINE-RATED GAME: ARIZONA (-23½) vs. Unlv —U of A still unsettled at QB, but not for lack of talent; UNLV doesn’t have the defensive speed if Wildcat coach Rodriguez pushes the right buttons...

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Nelly's Green Sheet

RATING 5 NEBRASKA (-23) over Florida Atlantic
RATING 4 ARKANSAS (+20½) over Auburn
RATING 3 FLORIDA STATE (-17½) over Oklahoma State
RATING 2 TEXAS SAN ANTONIO (+11½) over Houston
RATING 2 TULSA (-5) over Tulane
RATING 1 TEMPLE (+14) over Vanderbilt
RATING 1 TROY (PK) over Uab

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Colorado State vs. Colorado

Colorado State Rams vs. Colorado Buffaloes (-3, 60)

Throughout the 121-year history of Colorado State football, only two quarterbacks have been able to beat Colorado twice. Garrett Grayson looks to become the third player to achieve the feat Friday when the schools meet in the 86th Rocky Mountain Showdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. The Rams are 21-62-2 all-time in the series, with Matt Newton (1999-2000) and Alexander Hutton (1915-16) the only signal-callers to lead Colorado State to multiple wins over the Buffaloes.

Grayson, who threw for a school-record 3,696 yards last season, will be relied on even more this season after Kapri Bibbs declared for the NFL Draft following a sophomore campaign that saw him become only the third running back in NCAA history to rush for 30 or more touchdowns. Colorado opened the Mike MacIntyre era last year with two wins – including a 41-27 victory over the Rams – before dropping six of its last eight to post the school’s eighth straight losing record. The Buffaloes have won eight of the last 11 meetings between the in-state rivals, with each of their last four victories coming by at least 14 points.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Buffaloes as 3-point faves. The total opened at 65 but has dropped to 59.

INJURY REPORT: Rams - RB Dee Hart (Questionable, ankle), TE Kivon Cartwright (Questionable, foot),

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Colorado improved in just about every statistical category under new head coach Mike MacIntyre in 2013, including wins (from one to four). Quarterback Sefo Liufau showed promise as a freshman and now has a year under his belt. Fellow sophomore Addison Gillam made 119 tackles at linebacker last season." Covers Expert Doc's Sports.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (2013: 8-6): Grayson will have plenty of familiar targets to throw to in his senior season as the Rams return their five most-used wide receivers and John Mackey Award candidate Kivon Cartwright. Four players will vie to fill the void left behind by Bibbs, including returnees Jasen Oden Jr. and Bryce Peters as well as transfers Dee Hart and Treyous Jarrells. Colorado State returns leading tackler Max Morgan, Butkus Award candidate Aaron Davis and four players with starting experience in the secondary, which should help overcome an inexperienced defensive line.

ABOUT COLORADO (2013: 4-8): MacIntyre has 13 underclassmen listed atop the depth chart, including two young team captains in quarterback Sefo Liufau and middle linebacker Addison Gillam. Liufau threw for 12 touchdowns after replacing Connor Wood midway through his freshman season, but will be hard-pressed to build upon his moderate success without Paul Richardson, who declared for the NFL Draft after a junior season in which he accounted for 10 of Colorado’s 21 receiving touchdowns. Gillam became the first freshman in school history to lead his team in tackles (a freshman-record 119).

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Rams are 2-5 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Rams are 5-0 ATS in their last five non-conference games.
* Over is 8-1 in Buffaloes last nine Friday games.

COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 56 percent of wagers are backing the Buffaloes.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL

Ottawa (1-7) @ Montreal (1-7) -- Expansion RedBlacks lost last five games, outscored 30-0 in the second half of last two games; Ottawa is 0-4 vs spread as road underdogs, losing by 8-16-11-21 points; in only one of those games did they trail by more than 3 points at the half. Montreal lost its last six games, scoring 13.8 ppg the last four weeks- they're 0-2 as favorites this year. Six of eight Alouette games stayed under total. Als were outscored 35-13 in second half of last couple games. Ottawa scored only 11.5 ppg in last four games.

Winnipeg (6-3) @ Saskatchewan (6-2) -- Roughriders (-3) won 23-17 in Winnipeg three weeks ago running ball for 186 yards, while forcing six Bomber turnovers (+6) in their 12th series win in last 14 meetings. Winnipeg lost its last ten visits here, last three by average score of 42-11- they're 4-2 as underdogs this year, 3-1 on road, with only road loss 38-21 (+3) at Toronto. Riders won five in a row (4-1 vs spread) since their bye, with +13 turnover ratio in those games- they're 2-2 as home favorites. Five of last six Roughrider games, four of last six Bomber games stayed under total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Week 10 Betting Preview and Trends
By Mike Pickett

East meets East and West meets West on the CFL betting schedule for Week 10, with the Ottawa RedBlacks and Montreal Alouettes opening up the week at Molson Stadium on Friday night and a pair of holiday Monday matchups rounding out the week's slate.

Find all of this week's CFL betting lines plus updated Grey Cup futures at Bovada.

Fri Aug 29 - Ottawa at Montreal

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

The Ottawa RedBlacks and the Montreal Alouettes will meet for the first time this season in CFL betting action on Friday night, with the Alouettes having managed to pick up just one ATS victory in their four home games so far this season - and Ottawa sitting at 0-4 ATS on the road. Overall Montreal is an ugly 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS heading into their Week 10 outing with the expansion RedBlacks.

Sun Aug 31 - Winnipeg at Saskatchewan

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

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers heading into their Sunday afternoon matchup in Week 10, with the Riders getting past the Blue Bombers 23-17 as a 3-point road favorite in the first meeting of the season between the two teams on August 7. That was the second straight UNDER result for totals bettors in games between the two teams.

Mon Sep 01 - Toronto at Hamilton

Last 10 Meetings: Hamilton 5-5 SU, 5-5 ATS | OU 6-4

The Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will renew their rivalry on Monday afternoon with their annual Labour Day matchup. The Tiger-Cats went 3-1 both SU and ATS against the Argonauts last season, with the OVER/UNDER splitting at 2-2 for totals bettors on the CFL odds at the sportsbooks in those contests.

Mon Sep 01 - Edmonton at Calgary

Last 10 Meetings: Calgary 9-1 SU, 7-3 ATS | OU 5-5

The Calgary Stampeders are riding an eight-game SU winning streak against the Edmonton Eskimos as those rivals also participate in a Labour Day CFL betting matchup on Monday. Calgary topped Edmonton by a score of 26-22 as a 2-point road favorite in their first meeting of the season on July 24, with the combined score an UNDER result for totals bettors. The UNDER is 3-0 in their last three meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations

CFL | OTTAWA at MONTREAL
Play On - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (OTTAWA) after allowing 450 or more total yards in their previous game
24-4 over the last 5 seasons. ( 85.7% | 19.6 units )

CFL | OTTAWA at MONTREAL
Play On - Any team vs the money line (MONTREAL) after 6 or more consecutive straight up losses, in weeks 10 through 15
18-8 since 1997. ( 69.2% | 0.0 units )

CFL | WINNIPEG at SASKATCHEWAN
Play Against - Road teams vs. the 1rst half line (WINNIPEG) after going under the total by 35 or more points total in their last five games, when playing on a Sunday
26-5 since 1997. ( 83.9% | 20.5 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Friday's Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards

**Brigham Young at Connecticut**

-- As of early Wednesday afternoon, most betting shops had BYU installed as a 16.5-point road favorite with a total of 51. Gamblers can take the Huskies to win outright for a +550 return (risk $100 to win $550).

-- BYU is coming off a season in which it went 8-5 straight up and 6-7 against the spread. The Cougars dropped a 31-16 decision to Washington at the Fight Hunger Bowl. BYU's other defeats came at Virginia (19-16), vs. Utah (20-13), at Wisconsin (27-17) and at Notre Dame (23-13). The highlight of the year was a 40-21 home win over Texas as a seven-point underdog. The Cougars also won 31-14 at Utah State and trashed Georgia Tech 38-20 as seven-point home 'chalk.'

-- Bronco Mendenhall's team returns eight starters on offense and six on defense. This is his 10th season as head coach. Junior QB Taysom Hill is the star of this squad and for those unfamiliar, he might remind you of Tim Tebow. Hill is a bruising runner who has speed but does some of his best work between the tackles. He rushed for a team-high 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Hill's passing numbers improved as the year went on, and he finished with 2,938 passing yards and a 19/14 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

-- BYU junior running back Jamaal Williams won't play Friday night due to a one-game suspension. Williams rushed for 1,233 yards and seven TDs last year, averaging 5.7 YPC. Also, WR Devon Blackmon and starting nose tackle Marques Johnson will serve one-game suspensions. Blackmon, a Juco transfer who initially signed with Oregon and played three games for the Ducks in 2012, was the prize recruit in the Cougars' 2014 class. Johnson made 31 tackles last season.

-- BYU senior LB Alani Fua is 'questionable' with a strained hip flexor. Fua was the Cougars' sixth-leading tackler in 2013 when he was in on 63 stops. He had three sacks, 10 passes broken up, two tackles for loss and a pair of QB hurries.

-- UConn went 3-9 SU and 5-7 ATS last season, prompting the school to send Paul Pasqualoni packing. On the bright side, the Huskies ended the year on a three-game winning streak. They return seven starters on offense and six on defense.

-- Bob Diaco takes over as the new head coach after spending the last five years (four at Notre Dame, one at Cincinnati) as Brian Kelly's defensive coordinator. Diaco, who is a first-time head coach, hired Mike Cummings as his offensive coordinator. Cummings held the same post at Central Michigan the last four years. The co-DCs are Anthony Poindexter (former DBs coach at Virginia) and former New England Patriot Vincent Brown, who was also on the UVA staff for the last four seasons.

-- UConn will go with sophomore Casey Cochran as its starting QB. Cochran started the last four games of 2013. He played eight games last year, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,293 yards with an 11/4 TD-INT ratio.

-- UConn has nearly all of its WRs back. Geremy Davis is one of the AAC's top wideouts and is coming off a year in which he hauled in 71 catches for 1,085 yards and three TDs.

-- UConn's Lyle McCombs rushed for a team-high 670 yards and five TDs while averaging 4.2 YPC in 2013. However, in a recent development, McCombs elected to transfer to Rhode Island.

-- Since 2005, UConn has posted an incredible 19-4 spread record in 23 games as a home underdog. Only four of those contests had the Huskies catching a double-digit number, and they went 3-1 in those spots.

-- BYU owns a 15-16 spread record as a road favorite during Mendenhall's tenure. The Cougars went 0-3 in such spots last year.

-- Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**UNLV at Arizona**

-- As of early Wednesday afternoon, most books were listing Arizona as a 24-point favorite with a total of 60. Most offshore shops opened UA at 23 or 23.5 and started the total at 57. When most of the Vegas books put up 60, the offshores instantly made the three-point adjustment. Bettors can back the Rebels on the money line for a +1350 payout at 5Dimes (risk $100 to win $1,350).

-- Arizona has gone 8-5 and won bowl games in back-to-back seasons since Rich Rodriguez took over as head coach. The Wildcats, who were 7-6 ATS last year, blasted Boston College 42-19 as seven-point 'chalk' at the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.

-- R-Rod's squad returns seven starters on offense and six on defense. UA has to replace its all-time leading rusher in Ka'Deem Carey, who had 1,885 rushing yards and 19 TDs in 2013. The Wildcats must also replace QB B.J. Denker, who rushed for 949 yards and 13 TDs last season. Denker also had 2,516 passing yards with a 16/7 TD-INT ratio.

-- Rodriguez is turning to a redshirt freshman, Anu Solomon, to take over for Denker as the starting QB. Solomon is a native of Las Vegas who attended prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School and was heavily recruited by UNLV. He will be the first Arizona freshman to start a season opener since Willie Tuitama in 2005. Rodriguez told the media, "I thought he deserved the right to start the first game. I don't know who the next guy is, but I told all four to be ready to play, because all four could play. He's playing the best of the four quarterbacks. He has a good feel for the game, and he did things better on a more consistent basis."

-- After winning only six games in the first three seasons of Bobby Hauck's tenure, UNLV won seven of its last 10 regular-season games to garner its first bowl bid since 2000. The Rebels, who finished 7-6 SU and 8-5 ATS, won outright as underdogs in their last two games to become eligible for the postseason. However, the year ended on a down note when they got spanked by a 36-14 count as 6.5-point 'dogs to North Texas at the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

-- UNLV returns seven starters on offense and six on defense, but it must replace its top two offensive weapons. Tim Cornett, the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,733 career rushing yards, is gone after rushing for 15 TDs in 2013. Also, QB Caleb Herring isn't around following a season in which he threw for 2,718 yards with a stellar 24/5 TD-INT ratio.

-- Blake Decker beat out Nick Sherry for UNLV's starting QB job. Decker, who grew up in the Tempe area as an Arizona State fan, has always thought of Arizona as the enemy. Decker, a 23-year-old junior who began his career at BYU and went on a two-year Mormon mission, was one of the nation's best QBs in the Juco ranks in 2013. He threw for 4,241 yards and 47 TDs for Scottsdale (Az.) Community College.

-- UNLV compiled an abysmal 1-11 spread record in its first 12 games as a road underdog on Hauck's watch. However, the Rebels have gone 3-1 ATS as road 'dogs in back-to-back seasons.

-- Arizona is 5-6 ATS as a home favorite on R-Rod's watch. The Wildcats are 5-4 ATS in nine games as double-digit favorites (whether at home or away).

-- Arizona has won 13 consecutive home openers by an average margin of 26 points per game. The Wildcats haven't lost a home opener going all the way back to 1987.

-- When these schools met at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas last year, Arizona raced out to a 45-6 halftime lead en route to a 58-13 win as a 10.5-point road 'chalk.'

--ESPN will have the broadcast at 10:30 p.m. Eastern.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations

CFB | BYU at CONNECTICUT
Play On - Favorites of 10.5 to 21 points (BYU) incredible offense from last season - averaged 450 or more total yards/game
46-18 over the last 10 seasons. ( 71.9% | 26.2 units )

CFB | TULANE at TULSA
Play Against - A road team vs. the money line (TULANE) good rushing defense from last season - allowed 125 or less rushing yards/game
62-36 over the last 5 seasons. ( 63.3% | 0.0 units )

CFB | PENN ST at UCF
Play Under - All teams where the first half total is 21.5 to 24.5 good team from last season - outscored opponents by 7 or more points/game, with an inexperienced QB as starter, in the first two weeks of the season
46-18 over the last 10 seasons. ( 71.9% | 26.2 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

National League

Reds-Pirates
Leake is 1-0, 2.63 in his last two starts.
Volquez is 3-0, 2.88 in his last four starts.

Cincinnati won four of its last five games.
Pirates won five of their last seven games.

Over is 8-3-1 in last twelve Cincinnati games.

Phillies-Mets
Buchanon is 0-2, 4.08 in his last three starts.
deGrom is 5-1, 2.31 in his last seven starts.

Phillies won six of their last seven games.
Mets lost seven of their last ten games.

Over is 5-2-1 in last eight New York games.

Marlins-Braves
Koehler is 2-0, 4.00 in his last four starts.
Santana is 6-1, 2.92 in his last eight starts.

Marlins lost four of their last five games.
Atlanta won four of its last five home games.

Over is 10-5 in last fifteen Koehler starts.

Cubs-Cardinals
Hendricks is 4-0, 2.01 in his last five starts.
Miller is 0-1, 6.35 in his last three starts.

Cubs are 7-4 in last eleven games, but lost last two.
St Louis lost three of its last four games.

Last four St Louis games stayed under the total.

Rockies-Diamondbacks
Bergman is 1-2, 6.75 in his last four starts.
Collmenter is 1-2, 5.83 in his last six starts.

Rockies lost last three games, scoring three runs.
Arizona lost nine of its last eleven games.

Five of last six Colorado games stayed under total.

Dodgers-Padres
Haren is 3-1, 3.86 in his last four starts.
Cashner is 0-1, 2.32 in his last five starts.

Dodgers won five of their last six games.
San Diego won three of its last four games.

Four of last five Dodger games went over total.

Brewers-Giants
Peralta is 1-2, 5.71 in his last three starts.
Vogelsong is 0-1, 3.86 in his last three starts.

Milwaukee lost five of its last seven games.
Giants won their last three games, allowing three runs.

Last four San Francisco games stayed under total.


American League

Twins-Orioles
May is 0-3, 9.00 in his three starts.
Gonzalez is 2-2, 2.67 in his last seven starts.

Minnesota lost eight of its last twelve games.
Orioles won five of their last six home games.

Nine of last thirteen Baltimore games stayed under.

Bronx-Blue Jays
Capuano is 0-1, 5.71 in his last three starts.
Buehrle is 0-1, 7.11 in his last four starts.

Bronx won six of its last eight games.
Blue Jays lost three of their last four games.

Nine of last thirteen Bronx games stayed under total.

Red Sox-Rays
Ranaudo is 2-0, 4.50 in his first two MLB starts.
Archer is 1-0, 2.81 in his last four starts.

Red Sox lost nine of their last eleven games.
Tampa Bay lost eight of its last twelve games.

Nine of last thirteen Tampa Bay games stayed under total.

Rangers-Astros
Baker is 1-3, 5.96 in five starts this season.
Oberholtzer is 0-2, 3.79 in his last three starts.

Texas is 6-5 in its last eleven road games.
Astros lost five of their last eight games.

Seven of last ten Houston games stayed under total.

Tigers-White Sox
Verlander is 2-3, 5.02 in his last five starts.
Carroll is 1-2, 7.99 in his last four starts.

Detroit won four of its last five games.
White Sox lost eight of their last nine games.

Six of last eight Chicago games stayed under total.

Indians-Royals
Salazar is 0-2, 5.40 in his last three starts
Vargas is 2-1, 1.64 in his last three starts.

Cleveland won 11 of its last 16 games.
Royals are 19-7 in last 26 games, 2-3 in last five.

12 of last 15 Cleveland games stayed under total.

A's-Angels
Lester is 3-1, 2.86 in his last five starts.
Weaver is 2-0, 4.00 in his last three starts.

Oakland lost nine of their last twelve road games.
Angels won 12 of their last 16 games.

Under is 11-4 in last fifteen Angel games.


Interleague games

Nationals-Mariners
Zimmerman is 3-0, 2.38 in his last six starts.
Hernandez is 2-1, 2.45 in his last four starts.

Nationals lost last three games, allowing 15 runs.
Seattle won nine of its last twelve home games.

Over is 4-1-1 in last six Washington games.

Teams' record when this starting pitcher starts:
-- Leake 11-16; Volquez 15-10
-- Buchanan 6-8; deGrom 7-10
-- Koehler 12-14; Santana 14-11
-- Hendricks 7-1; Miller 11-14
-- Bergman 2-2; Collmenter 14-10
-- Haren 13-13; Cashner 6-7
-- Peralta 16-10; Vogelsong 13-13

-- May 0-3; Gonzalez 10-10
-- Capuano 2-4; Buehrle 18-8
-- Ranaudo 2-0; Archer 14-12
-- Verlander 14-11; Carroll 5-10
-- Salazar 7-7; Vargas 13-11
-- Baker 1-4; Oberholtzer 8-11
-- Lester 13-8/4-1; Weaver 17-10

-- Zimmerman 17-9; Hernandez 18-9

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Leake 7-27; Volquez 7-27
-- Buchanan 2-14; deGrom 2-17
-- Koehler 4-26; Santana 7-25
-- Hendricks 4-8; Miller 5-25
-- Bergman 2-4; Collmenter 7-23
-- Haren 13-27; Cashner 4-13
-- Peralta 4-26; Vogelsong 6-26

-- May 1-3; Gonzalez 4-20
-- Capuano 3-6; Buehrle 6-26
-- Ranaudo 0-2; Archer 4-26
-- Verlander 8-25; Carroll 6-15
-- Salazar 1-14; Vargas 3-24
-- Baker 0-5; Oberholtzer 8-19
-- Lester 6-26; Weaver 6-27

-- Zimmerman 2-26; Hernandez 3-27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Veteran pitcher has career long dominance
Justin Hartling

The Oakland Athletics have never been able to decipher Jered Weaver. Weaver has started for the Los Angeles Angels at home against the A's 13 times and the over/under record is 0-12-1.

Weaver has allowed an astonishing 15 runs in those 13 starts and has only once surrendered more than two runs.
.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pitcher crushing opponent, total bettors be aware
Justin Hartling

Andrew Cashner has been totally dominant against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Cashner's last four starts against the Dodgers, the under has paid out all four times thanks to his performances.

Cashner has only allowed three runs in his four starts and has only once surrendered more than five hits.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Nationals (74-57) at Mariners (71-60)

Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 29, 2014 10:10 PM EDT


Felix Hernandez hasn't performed up to his lofty expectations recently, something the rest of the Seattle Mariners can relate to after a tough series against the worst team in baseball.

The Washington Nationals aren't exactly coming into this matchup on a positive note, either.

Hernandez and Jordan Zimmermann take the mound Friday night in Seattle as the top two pitching staffs in the majors meet in a three-game series.

The Mariners (72-60) are in a tight battle with Detroit for the AL's second wild card but just dropped two of three to Texas, falling 12-4 on Wednesday.

"We just have to flush it," left fielder Dustin Ackley said. "We know what our pitching is going to do the rest of the way out. (Wednesday) wasn't a reflection of what we've done all year on the mound, and I think Friday will be a different story."

Manager Lloyd McClendon, who will miss this game and Saturday's contest to attend his daughter's wedding, decided to push his rotation back one day by recalling Erasmo Ramirez. He gave up a career-worst 10 runs in three innings.

"It was the right thing to do," McClendon said. "That game is over with. We got our butts kicked. That happens. It hasn't happened very often to us this year. We've just been that good with our pitching."

Seattle leads the majors with a 2.99 ERA, with Washington (75-57) second at 3.13. Hernandez (13-4, 2.07 ERA) is a major reason for the Mariners' top mark, though he's struggled a bit over his last two outings.

Hernandez set a major league record by making 16 straight starts of at least seven innings and two or fewer runs allowed, then pitched five innings of two-run ball in a 4-2 loss to Detroit on Aug. 16.

The right-hander following that up by giving up three runs while throwing a season high-tying 116 pitches in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-3 win over Boston last Friday. He allowed a three-run homer to Yoenis Cespedes in the sixth and didn't get the decision.

McClendon, who will pass managing responsibilities to bench coach Trent Jewett in his absence, isn't worried about Hernandez.

"Felix is fine," McClendon said, before repeating it.

Hernandez will get his first look at the Nationals, who hold a comfortable lead over Atlanta atop the NL East despite being swept by last-place Philadelphia this week.

Washington had won 12 of 13 entering that series, which concluded with the Phillies' 8-4 win Wednesday. Denard Span homered and had three hits while Ian Desmond went 3 for 4 with an RBI.

The Nationals haven't lost four straight since June 12-15.

'We're still playing good baseball,' Desmond said. 'We just lost a couple games. We know who we are.'

Manager Matt Williams knows his club still is in good position in the playoff race and is putting the rough series behind him.

'We always have the same approach, win or lose,' Williams said. 'We look forward to the next one. We know if we do things correctly, we have a good chance to beat the other team.'

Having Zimmermann (9-5, 2.93) on the mound could help, too.

Zimmermann is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts this month after giving up two runs - both in the first - over eight innings of Saturday's 6-2 win over San Francisco. He's pitched into at least the seventh in each outing and has 27 strikeouts and three walks in that stretch.

The right-hander has never faced Seattle, which has lost all nine meetings since Washington relocated from Montreal in 2005. This will be the first matchup since 2011.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hondo

Hondo on a fishing trip

Hondo didn’t have a Niese night Thursday in the big City as he lost with the Metamucils to elevate his NRN (nasty red number) up to 1,650 alous.

Friday night: Mr. Aitch will go from the Metamucils to Koehler, whom he also expects to do a flush job on the Braves.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Big Jay Dotson

Big Jay's 1000* MLB Heavy Hitter

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays

New York Yankees +104

This game features the 69-63 Yankees versus the 67-66 Blue Jays. Those following me this week know that I've been backing the Yankees lately and it's the right play to back them again. Chris Capuano 1-3 4.37 ERA gets the start for the Yankees, while Mark Buehrle 11-8 3.41 ERA gets the start for the Blue Jays. Buehrle has had a good season, but he's struggled post all star with an ERA over six not too mention he's carrying an ERA over six verus the yanks this season. Capuano hasn't set the world on fire as a Yankee, but he is due for a win. Hit the Yankees on the Money Line for a 1000* Winner.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS
Play Against - Road teams (CHICAGO CUBS) poor hitting team (AVG <=.250) against an average starting pitcher (ERA=4.20 to 5.20) -NL, with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.150 or better on the season-NL
92-53 since 1997. ( 63.4% | 40.3 units )
10-8 this year. ( 55.6% | 1.3 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 22-9 (+14.6 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse in the second half of the season this season.
The average score was: BALTIMORE (4.3) , OPPONENT (2.8)