9-4-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Thursday Night Football: Packers at Seahawks

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks (-6, 47)

The reigning Super Bowl champions certainly don't need a built-in edge, but the league's best home-field advantage is just one obstacle the Green Bay Packers have to conquer when they visit the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night to kick off the NFL season. Seattle rode a suffocating defense to its first Super Bowl title in February, culminating its run by manhandling Peyton Manning and Denver's record-setting offense. The Seahawks are 15-1 over the past two seasons at CenturyLink Field.

Green Bay is touted as one of the top contenders to dethrone Seattle and the reason is a healthy Aaron Rodgers, who missed seven games last season due to a fractured collarbone. Rodgers returned for the regular-season finale and authored a last-minute comeback that clinched the third straight NFC North title for the Packers. The last meeting between the teams in 2012 featured one of the more memorable endings - infamously dubbed the "Fail Mary" - in league history, when Seattle's Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass on the final play of the game that appeared to be an interception.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

LINE HISTORY: The LV Superbook opened the Seahawks as 5.5-point home faves, but that has moved to -6. The total opened at 45, but has risen to 47.

INJURY REPORT: Packers - DT B.J. Raji (IR, bicep). Seahawks - S Kam Chancellor (probably, hip), LB Bruce Irvin (questionable, hip).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Packers (-4) + Seahawks (-7) + home field (-3) = Seahawks -6

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "We opened at Seattle -6 and we have not seen any sharp money yet. We are almost split down the middle on the game with 54 percent of bets taking the Seahawks -6. The total, which has jumped two points since opening, has 77 percent of backers on the over 47." - Mike Perry of Sportsbook.ag

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "First meeting between these teams since the replacement ref faux pas contest in 2012 figures to bring the Packers in with added incentive. Problem is Seahawks' 12th man in home games where they are 17-1 SU the past two seasons. Seattle is also 10-1 ATS in season openers at home. Coupled with the success of defending Super Bowl champions in Thursday games, 12-0 SU and 8-2-2 ATS at home, it appears a tough row to hoe for Green Bay in this lid-lifter." Covers Expert Marc Lawrence.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (2013: 8-7-1, 1st NFC North): Rodgers is not the sole reason for the optimism in Green Bay - dangerous wideout Randall Cobb is back after missing 10 weeks due to injury last season while running back Eddie Lacy looks to build upon a season in which he rumbled for 1,178 yards and 11 TDs and was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. On the other side of the ball, the Packers expect a major upgrade in the pass rush after the offseason signing of veteran defensive end Julius Peppers (118.5 career sacks) along with a return to health by linebacker Clay Matthews, who has 50 career sacks in five seasons but was hindered by a broken thumb for much of 2013. Plugging the void left by a season-ending injury to behemoth nose tackle B.J. Raji will be an issue against the Seahawks' smash-mouth ground game.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2013: 13-3, 1ST NFC West): Seattle led the NFL in fewest points (14.4) and yards (273.3) permitted while also ranking No. 1 with 28 interceptions - eight by bombastic cornerback Richard Sherman, the leader of a secondary known as the Legion of Boom. Aside from a post-Super Bowl hangover, the Seahawks must cope with the loss of defensive linemen Chris Clemons, Red Bryant and Clinton McDonald while playing in the fiercest division in football. Dual-threat Wilson has posted a passer rating of at least 100.0 in each of his first two seasons and gets back a big weapon in multi-talented wideout Percy Harvin - who missed nearly the entire 2013 campaign due to injury. That will augment a ground game powered by Marshawn Lynch, who has rushed for 4,051 yards and 35 TDs the past three seasons.

TRENDS:

* Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games in September.
* Under is 7-0 in Seahawks last seven vs. NFC.
* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
* Seahawks are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 vs. NFC.

COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 54.15 percent of wagers are supporting the Packers.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Arizona at Texas-San Antonio

Arizona Wildcats at Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (+7, 56)

Arizona put on a dynamic offensive display in its season opener, but the Wildcats' second contest appears as if it will be anything but a cake walk. The Wildcats hit the road for the first time Thursday when they take on Texas-San Antonio, which is also coming off an impressive win in Week 1. Arizona rolled to a 58-13 victory over UNLV on Friday behind a school-record 787 yards of total offense, including 425 passing yards by Anu Solomon.

“Our guys competed well and kept their poise,” Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez told reporters. “It was a good win and we’ll learn from it. We will get a quick turnaround and get ready for the next one.” Arizona, which registered two 100-yard rushers and two 100-yard receivers Friday, is trying to start 2-0 for the sixth time in the last seven years. Meanwhile, UTSA's football program has only been in existence since 2011 but the Roadrunners are coming off one of the biggest wins in school history.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1.

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Wildcats at 7-point road favorites and the total at 56.

INJURY REPORT: Arizona - DL Reggie Gilbert (questionable, foot). UTSA - T Josh Walker (questionable, undisclosed).

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "We opened the Wildcats at -7.5 before moving them down a half point to -7. Despite the fact that the Roadrunners defeated Houston last week by 20 in a game they were a 7.5 point underdog, USTA is only getting 22 percent of the cash. Despite moving the total up a point and a half to 56.5 we are still seeing a huge decision on the total. 91 percent of the bets are taking the over." - Mike Perry ofSportsbook.ag

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Tricky contest given UTSA’s modicum of success under head coach Larry Coker and Arizona’s revitalization behind Rich Rodriguez. The Roadrunners win at Houston last week was not a fluke as they feature a roster loaded with 38 seniors. On the other hand the Wildcats pummeled UNLV, laying 787 yards of offense on the Rebels in their season opener on Saturday. With only five days to prepare for both squads, this game could well feature a well-lit scoreboard." Covers Expert Marc Lawrence.

ABOUT ARIZONA (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U): Solomon, a redshirt freshman, also ran for 50 yards last week as part of a 353-yard rushing attack for the Wildcats, who were led by Terris Jones-Grigsby (124 yards) and Nick Wilson (104). With Austin Hill (110 yards) and Samajie Grant (101) going over the century mark through the air, it marked the first time in school history that Arizona had two 100-yard rushers and a pair of 100-yard receivers in the same game. “We have the ability to be a good offense this year. We just need to carry the confidence like we do," said Hill, who had a 92-yard TD catch-and-run in his first game in 20 months following knee surgery.

ABOUT TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U): The Roadrunners opened their season with a resounding 27-7 road victory against Houston, holding the Cougars scoreless until 1:04 remained. David Glasco II ran for a pair of touchdowns and the UTSA defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions. One negative for the Roadrunners is they committed 14 penalties for 115 yards - a stat they surely will need to clean up if they are going to upset the Wildcats.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-0 in Roadrunners last five games overall.
* Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games.
* Roadrunners are 8-1 ATS in their last nine non-conference games.
* Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last five road games.

COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 78 percent of wagers are backing the Arizona Wildcats.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

King Creole


2 * Packers over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Teddy Covers
Over 45.5

Stephen Nover
Over 45.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Stevewins

Arizona -6 (Buy the point)
5*****

Seattle -5 (Buy the hook)
5*****

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona at Texas-San Antonio
By Joe Nelson

College football is back as this week’s Thursday night matchup is much more intriguing after the Week 1 results than it was when the schedule was released. Arizona will face its first road game in a rematch of one last season’s non-conference games while Texas-San Antonio will look for another major upset after a big win last Friday in Houston. Here is a look at both teams playing Thursday night in college football.

Match-up: Arizona Wildcats at Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners
Venue: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas (field turf)
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014
Time/TV: 8:00 PM ET – FOX Sports 1
Line: Arizona -7
Last Meeting: 2013, Arizona (-24½) 38-13

Texas-San Antonio has played just one season as a full FBS member and this 2014 season will be the first year that the Roadrunners will be bowl eligible as they were not eligible in last season’s 7-5 campaign. Expect Texas-San Antonio to be in the postseason this year and while Marshall is getting a lot of press as the team to beat in Conference USA, the Roadrunners could be the top team in the West side of the conference. The Roadrunners made a big opening statement with a 27-7 win at Houston last Friday, spoiling the opening of the new stadium for the Cougars and grabbing perhaps the biggest win in the history of the program.

That win avenged a 59-28 loss from last season for Texas-San Antonio and less than a week later the Roadrunners will get another shot in a revenge game, hosting an Arizona team that beat them 38-13 last season. This is a veteran Roadrunners team that returned nearly every important player from last season’s very competitive squad and is coached by Larry Coker, who led Miami to a national championship in 2001. Last season, the Roadrunners hosted Oklahoma State in a big non-conference home date, this year they will hope for better results in the marquee home game of the season at the Alamodome.

Last season, Arizona only had a small yardage edge against Texas-San Antonio, but while Arizona capitalized on its opportunities, the Roadrunners left Arizona territory empty on a few possessions to fall behind 24-6 at the half. Arizona had a modest yardage total of only 422 yards in the game, well below the season average for the Wildcats. Even with a lot of new personnel, the Wildcats posted nearly 800 yards last week to crush UNLV and it will be a difficult task for the Roadrunners defensively this week.

Arizona hosted UNLV last Friday night and it was a dominant result with a 58-13 win. Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon threw for four touchdowns in a mild surprise as the starter this season ahead of senior Jesse Scroggins. The Wildcats ran for 7.4 yards per carry as replacing Ka’Deem Carey was not a problem in game 1. UNLV actually had solid production with decent drives in the first half of the game as an Arizona defense that allowed over 400 yards per game last season still looks vulnerable and the competition will get tougher moving forward. This is an extremely athletic Wildcats team that may be the most talented that Rich Rodriguez has had in three years in Tucson, though the team has limited game experience overall.

Texas-San Antonio certainly had some great fortune in the upset on Friday night as a game that most expected would be an offensive showcase featured ugly results for both offenses. The Roadrunners punted on six of their first seven drives with a total of 22 net yards gained as they failed to pull away despite getting four first half turnovers from Houston. Texas-San Antonio managed to score a touchdown in the final minute of the first half in what was a huge score that changed the complexion of the game. Houston was held to negative rushing yards but six turnovers were clearly pivotal as Houston sophomore quarterback John O’Korn had four interceptions and a nightmare game overall leading the Cougars on offense. Houston had to abandon the running game early after falling behind so the Texas-San Antonio run defense may not be as stout as it looked in the box score.

Senior quarterback Tucker Carter did not have to do a lot leading the Texas-San Antonio offense as he passed for just 121 yards with very few downfield throws, averaging just over five yards per pass attempt. The Roadrunners only rushed for just 2.9 yards per carry as once the team built a lead it took a very conservative approach. This was not a great passing team last season and it will be interesting to see if they are able to keep up with an Arizona offense that will likely put up a much better offensive showing. The Texas-San Antonio defense will get a much tougher test this week unless they can create more turnovers against a young quarterback in his first road game.

This will be a big test for Texas-San Antonio to see if they can handle some success and some national attention as this Thursday night game should have a bit more national intrigue after last week’s results. The spread obviously has changed dramatically as the Roadrunners are not nearly the underdog they were last season. Texas-San Antonio narrowly missed covering against Arizona last season but there is an over 17-point adjustment this season with the venue shift. While Arizona is a more prominent program than Houston, this matchup might not bring the same focus for a roster filled with mainly Texas kids, going against a bigger in-state school last week. This also might have been a better upset opportunity for Texas-San Antonio had they lost last week as now Arizona will be well aware of what the Roadrunners can do.

For both teams this is a big opportunity to get a quality non-conference win over a team that will likely be in the postseason. Arizona is just 4-6 S/U in road games under Rodriguez although Texas-San Antonio was just 3-3 S/U in the dome last season. While the NFL matchup will certainly get more viewers by a mile Thursday night, this is a better matchup than it might sound to the casual college football fan and this game will be worth turning to during the breaks.

Line Movement: The early line opened at -8 before dipping to just -7 early this week.

Last Meeting: This game occurred in the third week of last season and it was a tough follow-up game for Texas-San Antonio coming off hosting Oklahoma State in one of the biggest home dates in the history of the program. Arizona led 38-6 in the fourth quarter before Texas-San Antonio got a late score to make the final score more respectable. Arizona had just a 422-379 yardage edge, posting 264 yards on the ground playing with a lead. Texas-San Antonio passed for 277 yards playing from behind most of the game to boost the yardage numbers.

Series History: This is just the second meeting, with Arizona winning and covering last season 38-13 at home.

Arizona Historical Trends: The Wildcats have not posted strong historical numbers in the road favorite role, going just 23-34 ATS as a road favorite since 1980, including going 4-10 ATS as a road favorite since 2008. Should this line climb, Arizona is just 8-19 ATS as road favorite of 10 or more points since 1982. Arizona is just 4-6 S/U & ATS in road games under Rodriguez, going just 2-4 ATS last season. Arizona is also just 17-28 ATS as a favorite of seven or more since 1999.

Texas-San Antonio Historical Trends: The Roadrunners only have ATS numbers for the past two seasons vs. FBS competition. Texas-San Antonio is 4-5 ATS at home and 2-3 ATS as a home underdog since 2012 as the road ATS numbers have been much more promising for the Roadrunners. Texas-San Antonio is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 games as an underdog including last week’s win.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAA Football Game Picks

Arizona at TX-San Antonio

The Wildcats head to Texas-San Antonio on Thursday night and come into the contest with a 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 non-conference games. Arizona is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-7). Here are all of this week's games.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Time Posted: 8:00 p.m. EST (9/3)

Game 301-302: Arizona at TX-San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 94.434; TX-San Antonio 84.304 Dunkel Line: Arizona by 10; 60 Vegas Line: Arizona by 7; 54 Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-7); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seahawks vs. Packers Betting Preview and Pick
By: Larry Hartstein

The Seahawks begin their Super Bowl defense Thursday by entertaining fellow championship contender Green Bay in a standalone showcase (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC). Seattle has been a consistently dominant home team in the Pete Carroll era, covering 24 of 35 games (68.6 percent) at raucous CenturyLink Field. Seattle has covered in those games, including losses, by an average of 5.9 points.

The Line: Seahawks -6, Total: 46

Line movement: The LVH opened this game Seattle -5 back in April, and while the number bounced between 5 and 5.5 through August, it crept up to 6 at a few Las Vegas venues two days before the game.

This total opened at 44.5 or 45 across Vegas and shot up to 46 or 46.5. It could be a reaction to the preseason, when refs strictly enforced illegal contact and defensive holding – exactly the kind of calls that make Seattle’s Legion of Boom less effective. For updated Las Vegas lines, see our live odds page .

Trends that matter: The UNDER is 5-0 in Seattle’s last five home games and 7-0 in Seattle’s last seven games vs. NFC foes … Green Bay is 59-36-1 ATS (62.1 percent) alltime with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

Rookie under the gun: Corey Linsley, a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State, will start at center for Green Bay due to JC Tretter’s injury. He’ll be responsible for setting up protections – a tall order with the 12th Man in full roar. If Linsley doesn’t bark out calls quickly enough, the Packers’ no-huddle offense won’t work.

Seahawks to manhandle Packers? Jordy Nelson says he expects the refs to ease up on the ticky-tack penalties; how this game is called will have a dramatic effect. If the refs let Richard Sherman and Co. mug Green Bay’s receivers, Rodgers won’t be able to overcome it. The Packers need to get a few calls to give them room to operate.

Eddie Lacy the X-factor: Coach Pete Carroll is concerned about what Lacy brings to Green Bay, with good reason. Lacy provides a hammer the Packers long have lacked.

“He will not go down easily,” Carroll told reporters. “They also have him in on third down and they don’t mind throwing it to him. He’s an obvious element now. He’s a big deal."

The Seahawks have a quick defense that's not overly big. Lacy could wear them down if Green Bay sticks with it.

Injuries that matter: Packers TE Brandon Bostick (leg) isn’t expected to play. It’s a small ding to Green Bay’s passing game.

Weather: It will be 74 and clear at gametime, with winds at 7 mph. See wunderground.com for the latest forecast.

The Linemakers’ lean: While it takes some gumption to bet against Seattle at home, Green Bay has been a fine play on the road under McCarthy, with a 25-20-1 ATS mark since 2009, and 41-27-1 since his tenure began in 2006. Sure, that doesn't match the Seahawks' 25-10 cash rate at home under Pete Carroll, but value trumps trends in our book, and we see value in the Packers +6.

We're also looking at the OVER, as we have the league's best QB on one side of the field, and the sixth-best (Russell Wilson) up against the 27th-ranked defense, according to The Linemakers' Kenny White.

Packers +6, OVER 46 are our plays.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seahawks begin title defense Thursday vs. Packers
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox

GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-0) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-0)

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Seattle -6, Total: 46.5

The Green Bay Packers head to Seattle Thursday night to take on the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks in the opening game of the 2014 NFL season.

The season kicks off with a matchup between two NFC powerhouses. Last season, the Packers dealt with numerous injuries but still won the NFC North Division with an 8-7-1 SU record (6-9-1 ATS). They are healthy now and are looking to start their season off with a big road win, going 4-4 SU (3-4-1 ATS) on the road last year. The Seahawks, however, are coming off of a blowout win over the Broncos in the Super Bowl to cap off an amazing 16-3 SU record (13-6 ATS), which included a 9-1 SU mark (6-4 ATS) at home. The Packers were road favorites the last time they went to Seattle in September of 2012, but they lost the game 14-12. That win for Seattle, however, is their only ATS victory over Green Bay since 2004. The Seahawks are 2-6 SU in their past eight meetings with the Packers and 1-3-2 ATS in the past six matchups. Three of the last five games between these teams have gone Over the total. Both teams have positive coaching trends here, as Green Bay is 60-43 ATS (58%) versus NFC foes under head coach Mike McCarthy, while Seattle is a perfect 8-0 ATS at home in the first month of the season under Carroll, who is also 12-2 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since taking the job as the Seahawks head coach. Both teams enter relatively healthy, but the Packers will miss TE Brandon Bostick (leg) and DT B.J. Raji, who is on IR with a torn right biceps. For the Seahawks, RB Christine Michael (hamstring) is doubtful to suit up, while DE Bruce Irvin (hip) is questionable.

The Packers started off the season 5-2, but QB Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in Week 9, which sent the team into a 2-5-1 spiral until he returned in Week 17 to win at Chicago and secure a playoff berth. Green Bay was also without starting WR Randall Cobb for 10 weeks of the season after he broke his leg in Week 6. But he too was able to return for that regular-season finale, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the game's final minute to send the Packers to the postseason. He is 100 percent healthy heading into 2014, and will be counted on to produce numbers like he did in 2012 when he caught 80 passes for 954 yards and 8 TD. But the injuries to Rodgers and Cobb forced the team to run the football more last year, and rookie RB Eddie Lacy delivered with 1,178 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and 11 touchdowns in his rookie season, earning the trust of the players and coaches around him. With the Seahawks defense leading the NFL in passing defense last year (172 YPG), Lacy will get plenty of action on Thursday night. If the Packers are going to go anywhere this season, however, they must improve defensively. Last season, the team allowed 247.3 passing yards per game (24th in NFL) and 125.0 rushing yards per game (25th in NFL). The healthy return of OLB Clay Matthews (50 career sacks), who missed five games including the playoffs, and the addition of DE Julius Peppers (118.5 career sacks) will put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and help out a subpar secondary that picked off only 11 passes last year (T-26th in NFL). This is an offensive juggernaut when healthy, but the defense must do a good job of keeping Aaron Rodgers and company on the field.

Seattle ended the season on top of the football world, blowing out the Broncos by a final score of 43-8 in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks, however, still have more to prove, as they want to establish themselves as a dynasty before they fade away. QB Russell Wilson will have a much bigger opportunity to run this team in the 2014 season. Wilson threw for 3,357 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, but the team may rely on the pass way more often. Top RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, but he’s 28 years old and a very physical runner. The Seattle coaches will likely look to reduce his workload going forward. Having a healthy top WR Percy Harvin will do wonders for this offense. Harvin couldn’t stay on the field all of last season due to a hip injury and a concussion, but he is a playmaker who can help his team in a number of different ways. In the Super Bowl, Harvin scored on a kick return to open the second half and also ran for 45 yards on just two carries. The Seahawks, however, win their games on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, they led the NFL in scoring defense (14.4 PPG), total defense (274 YPG), yards per play (4.42) and interceptions (28). While the "Legion of Boom" gets the most recognition on this defense with CB Richard Sherman and FS Earl Thomas, the front four is also stacked with talent like DEs Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, who combined for 16.5 sacks last season. This is a well-balanced team and they are very deep with guys who can come in and contribute.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Red Sox offense non-existant for Workman
Justin Hartling

Brandon Workman has had little to no help from the Boston Red Sox offense. In Workman's last eight starts, the Red Sox are 0-8.

However, this should not be put on Workman who has held opponents to six hits and under four runs per game. During those eight starts, the Red Sox have scored an average of 3.2 runs per game and only broke the four run mark once.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Peralta has been lights-out against Cardinals
Justin Hartling

Wily Peralta has been money against the St. Louis Cardinals in his career. In Peralta's last four starts against the Cardinals, his Milwaukee Brewers are 4-0 thanks in large part to him.

Peralta has given up a paltry 19 hits and six runs over those four stars.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland like a second home to Scherzer
Justin Hartling

If there is one stadium Max Scherzer likes travelling to it is Progressive Field. Scherzer and his Detroit Tigers are 5-1 in his last six starts in Cleveland against the Indians.

Scherzer has given up 15 runs, but 48 percent of those runs came in one game allowing no more than two in his other five starts.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Must read line update for Seahawks-Packers
Andrew Caley

We are now just hours away from the kickoff of the 2014 NFL season in Seattle where the Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers and the line continues to move back-and-forth between the NFC contenders.

The line has now moved back to the opening number of Seahawks -5.5 after the number sat at Seattle -6 for the last few days.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Royals set for crucial road trip
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The upcoming road trip could determine the outcome of the Kansas City Royals' season.

First is a weekend visit to New York to face the Yankees, who remain in the hunt for a wild-card spot. Next, Kansas City travels to play the Detroit Tigers, who are in a dogfight with the Royals for the American League Central championship.

While the Yankees and Tigers have recent playoff experience, the Royals have not sniffed the playoffs since winning the 1985 World Series. Will Kansas City feel the pressure?

"There's always going to be pressing," Royals manager Ned Yost said Wednesday before the Royals completed a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 4-1 win. "These guys want to do good. They want to win a championship. There's going to be a period where they are going to try too hard. It's just natural.

"You (must) stay focused on your task at hand today because if you don't, it kinda runs away from you, especially when you are in a tight race like we are. ...

"If you start thinking down the road if we don't win today and we don't win tomorrow and Detroit wins and the next thing you know we're four games (out). It's a lot of baggage you don't need to carry. Focus on winning this game today. That's all matters. Don't think about tomorrow. Don't think about the next day. Just think about what can we do to win this ballgame today, and it makes it easier."

Following the trip to New York and Detroit, the Royals return home for a 10-game homestand with the first seven games against the Boston Red Sox, a last-place club, and the Chicago White Sox, who are 12 games below .500, giving Kansas City a chance to make up ground if needed. The homestand ends with three games against Detroit.

"It's going to be exciting," Yost said. "It's going to be a tough road trip."

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Cardinals (75-63) at Brewers (72-66)


Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 04, 2014 8:10 PM EDT


Having gained an edge in the NL Central in the first few days of September, the St. Louis Cardinals now have a chance to expand it against the reeling Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cardinals will try to earn a season-high sixth consecutive win Thursday night in the first of four games at Miller Park, where the Brewers hope to have Ryan Braun back.

St. Louis (76-63) was tied for the division lead Sunday but heads to Milwaukee with a three-game cushion on the Brewers (73-66), who have lost a season-high eight straight.

Peter Bourjos hit a walk-off single Wednesday to keep the Cardinals' streak going with a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh.

"We played good baseball (in Pittsburgh), but we have to keep going," catcher Yadier Molina told MLB's official website. "Milwaukee, I know they're not playing well right now, but they are a dangerous team. We have to be ready for them. They're hungry."

Milwaukee endured a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night and was outscored 17-5 in the three-game sweep to the Central's last-place club. The Brewers have hit .211 and been outscored 55-16 during their longest skid since a nine-game dip May 10-19, 2010.

"I don't understand it," manager Ron Roenicke said. "We haven't pitched well. We haven't played good defense. We haven't been swinging the bat well, either."

Milwaukee played without Carlos Gomez, who could be out until the middle of this month with a sprained left wrist, while Braun was back home awaiting the birth of his first child. Braun's wife was reportedly in labor after Wednesday's loss, but Roenicke was unsure of the slugger's status for Thursday's opener to a season-high, 11-game homestand.

"(Labor) can last a while," Roenicke told MLB's official website. "So we'll see."

The Brewers will play seven games against the Cardinals over the next two weeks and visit St. Louis from Sept. 16-18.

The Cardinals have won seven of 12 meetings this season and took two of three Aug. 1-3 at Busch Stadium. They've also won 12 of their last 16 in Milwaukee and will try to earn another win while adding to Wily Peralta's woes.

The right-hander has given up a combined 14 runs in eight innings in back-to-back defeats after going 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA over the previous seven starts. He was charged with six runs in three innings, his shortest outing this season, in a 13-2 drubbing at San Francisco on Friday.

Peralta (15-9, 3.82 ERA), however, is 4-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last four starts against St. Louis and has gone 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his three matchups this season. He gave up two runs in 6 2-3 innings in his most recent meeting, a 7-4 victory Aug. 1.

Michael Wacha (5-5, 2.79) is expected to return from the disabled list in the start to an eight-game trip. The right-hander hasn't pitched for the Cardinals since a 5-2 win over the New York Mets on June 17 because of a stress reaction in his throwing shoulder.

Wacha did not get a decision in his only start against the Brewers, a 5-3 loss April 28. He gave up three runs in 6 1-3 innings and struck out nine. He's gone winless in his last nine road starts and has dropped five consecutive decisions there since earning a win in relief in an 8-5 victory against Milwaukee on Aug. 19, 2013.

The Cardinals, losers in 10 of 15 on the road, haven't won six in a row overall since the end of last season.