Friday 9-15-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - San Diego at Colorado

W/L Trends
San Diego

Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. National League West.
Padres are 32-67 in their last 99 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Padres are 8-17 in their last 25 games following an off day.
Padres are 29-62 in their last 91 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Padres are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Padres are 2-5 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Padres are 2-6 in their last 8 road games.
Padres are 2-7 in their last 9 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Padres are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Padres are 1-5 in their last 6 during game 1 of a series.
Padres are 4-0 in Richards last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Padres are 5-1 in Richards last 6 starts.
Padres are 5-1 in Richards last 6 starts on grass.
Padres are 4-1 in Richards last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Padres are 7-2 in Richards last 9 Friday starts.
Padres are 3-7 in Richards last 10 road starts.
Padres are 2-5 in Richards last 7 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Padres are 1-4 in Richards last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

Colorado

Rockies are 10-1 in their last 11 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Rockies are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rockies are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. National League West.
Rockies are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
Rockies are 6-2 in their last 8 games on grass.
Rockies are 17-7 in their last 24 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rockies are 16-7 in their last 23 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Rockies are 5-12 in their last 17 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 3-8 in their last 11 home games.
Rockies are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 12-2 in Chatwoods last 14 Friday starts.
Rockies are 4-1 in Chatwoods last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 2-5 in Chatwoods last 7 starts.
Rockies are 2-5 in Chatwoods last 7 starts on grass.
Rockies are 2-5 in Chatwoods last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rockies are 0-4 in Chatwoods last 4 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.

OU Trends
San Diego

Over is 4-1 in Padres last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Padres last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 14-5-1 in Padres last 20 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 18-8-2 in Padres last 28 road games.
Over is 15-7-1 in Padres last 23 games following an off day.
Over is 33-16-2 in Padres last 51 vs. National League West.
Over is 4-0 in Richards last 4 starts with 7 or more days of rest.
Over is 6-1 in Richards last 7 starts vs. National League West.
Over is 7-3 in Richards last 10 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

Colorado

Over is 4-0 in Rockies last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 5-0 in Rockies last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Over is 7-2-1 in Rockies last 10 overall.
Over is 7-2-1 in Rockies last 10 on grass.
Over is 7-2-1 in Rockies last 10 vs. National League West.
Under is 17-5 in Rockies last 22 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 10-3-1 in Rockies last 14 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 9-3 in Rockies last 12 home games.
Under is 25-9-1 in Rockies last 35 games following a loss.
Under is 5-2 in Rockies last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 5-2 in Rockies last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-2 in Rockies last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 13-6-1 in Rockies last 20 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Chatwoods last 4 starts on grass.
Under is 2-0-2 in Chatwoods last 4 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Chatwoods last 4 starts overall.
Under is 3-1-1 in Chatwoods last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 6-2-3 in Chatwoods last 11 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 3-1-2 in Chatwoods last 6 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.

Head to Head

Over is 4-0 in Richards last 4 starts vs. Rockies.
Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 5-1 in Richards last 6 road starts vs. Rockies.
Rockies are 5-2 in Chatwoods last 7 starts vs. Padres.
Padres are 3-7 in Richards last 10 starts vs. Rockies.
Padres are 1-4 in Richards last 5 road starts vs. Rockies.
Padres are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings in Colorado.
Padres are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Texas at LA Angels

W/L Trends
Texas

Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Rangers are 9-2 in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 7-3 in their last 10 Friday games.
Rangers are 16-7 in their last 23 vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
Rangers are 6-2 in Martinezs last 8 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 6-13 in Martinezs last 19 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 2-5 in Martinezs last 7 Friday starts.
Rangers are 2-6 in Martinezs last 8 starts vs. American League West.
Rangers are 4-14 in Martinezs last 18 road starts.
Rangers are 3-11 in Martinezs last 14 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 2-8 in Martinezs last 10 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Rangers are 1-5 in Martinezs last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
Rangers are 0-4 in Martinezs last 4 starts.

LA Angels

Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss.
Angels are 8-3 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Angels are 5-2 in their last 7 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Angels are 16-7 in their last 23 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Angels are 16-35 in their last 51 Friday games.
Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. American League West.
Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 games on grass.
Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Angels are 2-7 in their last 9 during game 1 of a series.
Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
Texas

Over is 8-1-2 in Rangers last 11 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 5-1-2 in Rangers last 8 road games.
Over is 9-2 in Rangers last 11 games following a loss.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-1-1 in Rangers last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 10-3-2 in Rangers last 15 on grass.
Under is 12-4-2 in Rangers last 18 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Rangers last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 3-1-1 in Rangers last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 11-4-3 in Rangers last 18 overall.
Under is 17-7-1 in Rangers last 25 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 14-6-2 in Rangers last 22 Friday games.
Over is 7-3-2 in Rangers last 12 vs. American League West.
Over is 7-3-2 in Rangers last 12 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 20-9-4 in Rangers last 33 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Martinezs last 4 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 4-0 in Martinezs last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in Martinezs last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Martinezs last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Martinezs last 5 Friday starts.
Under is 6-2 in Martinezs last 8 road starts.
Over is 7-3 in Martinezs last 10 starts following a team loss in their previous game.

LA Angels

Under is 4-0 in Angels last 4 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Angels last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Under is 4-1 in Angels last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 7-2 in Angels last 9 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 on grass.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 vs. American League West.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 17-8-3 in Angels last 28 games following a loss.

Head to Head

Rangers are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles.
Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Rangers are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 4-1 in Martinezs last 5 starts vs. Angels.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
Rangers are 2-5 in Martinezs last 7 starts vs. Angels.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Arizona at San Francisco

W/L Trends
Arizona

Diamondbacks are 7-0 in their last 7 road games.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 8-0 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 10-1 in their last 11 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 10-2 in their last 12 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 14-3 in their last 17 games following a win.
Diamondbacks are 15-4 in their last 19 vs. National League West.
Diamondbacks are 11-3 in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Diamondbacks are 18-5 in their last 23 overall.
Diamondbacks are 18-5 in their last 23 games on grass.
Diamondbacks are 9-3 in their last 12 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in their last 7 during game 1 of a series.
Diamondbacks are 7-0 in Rays last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in Rays last 4 starts.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in Rays last 4 starts on grass.
Diamondbacks are 12-2 in Rays last 14 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Diamondbacks are 6-1 in Rays last 7 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Diamondbacks are 8-2 in Rays last 10 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Rays last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
Diamondbacks are 11-3 in Rays last 14 starts vs. National League West.
Diamondbacks are 7-2 in Rays last 9 road starts.
Diamondbacks are 6-2 in Rays last 8 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 0-4 in Rays last 4 Friday starts.

San Francisco

Giants are 9-4 in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Giants are 3-7 in their last 10 games following a loss.
Giants are 5-12 in their last 17 during game 1 of a series.
Giants are 4-10 in their last 14 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Giants are 2-5 in their last 7 Friday games.
Giants are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
Giants are 6-18 in their last 24 vs. National League West.
Giants are 3-9 in their last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
Giants are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass.
Giants are 0-6 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Giants are 4-0 in Samardzijas last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Giants are 6-1 in Samardzijas last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.
Giants are 4-1 in Samardzijas last 5 home starts.
Giants are 8-17 in Samardzijas last 25 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Giants are 0-4 in Samardzijas last 4 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.

OU Trends
Arizona

Under is 4-0 in Diamondbacks last 4 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-0 in Diamondbacks last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-0-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 Friday games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 overall.
Under is 3-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 games following a win.
Under is 3-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 vs. National League West.
Under is 5-2 in Diamondbacks last 7 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-0-1 in Rays last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 5-1-1 in Rays last 7 starts vs. National League West.
Over is 4-1-1 in Rays last 6 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 12-3-1 in Rays last 16 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rays last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Rays last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.

San Francisco

Over is 3-0-1 in Giants last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-0-1 in Giants last 4 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-1-1 in Giants last 8 overall.
Over is 6-1-1 in Giants last 8 on grass.
Over is 6-1 in Giants last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Giants last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Giants last 5 vs. National League West.
Over is 4-1 in Giants last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Giants last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 9-3 in Giants last 12 games following an off day.
Over is 9-3 in Giants last 12 Friday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Giants last 5 games following a loss.
Under is 5-2 in Giants last 7 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 6-1 in Samardzijas last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Samardzijas last 6 starts vs. National League West.
Over is 7-2 in Samardzijas last 9 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 10-4-1 in Samardzijas last 15 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.

Head to Head

Over is 4-1 in Samardzijas last 5 starts vs. Diamondbacks.
Under is 17-5-1 in the last 23 meetings in San Francisco.
Diamondbacks are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in San Francisco.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baltimore at NY Yankees
Umpire Trends - Paul Emmel

Over is 4-0 in Emmels last 4 Friday games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-0 in Emmels last 5 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Over is 3-0-1 in Emmels last 4 Friday games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Over is 22-4 in Emmels last 26 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Orioles are 11-3 in their last 14 games with Emmel behind home plate.
Under is 7-2 in Emmels last 9 games behind home plate.
Home team is 21-6 in Emmels last 27 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Road team is 5-2 in Emmels last 7 Friday games behind home plate.
Yankees are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Emmel behind home plate.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kansas City at Cleveland
Umpire Trends - Lance Barksdale

Home team is 4-1 in Barksdales last 5 Friday games behind home plate.
Home team is 17-5 in Barksdales last 22 games behind home plate.
Home team is 14-5 in Barksdales last 19 games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Under is 33-13-5 in Barksdales last 51 games behind home plate.
Home team is 17-7 in Barksdales last 24 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Barksdale behind home plate.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chi. White Sox at Detroit
Umpire Trends - Chris Segal

Home team is 5-0 in Segals last 5 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Under is 8-1 in Segals last 9 games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-2 in Segals last 7 games behind home plate.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto at Minnesota
Umpire Trends - Ryan Blakney

Home team is 4-1 in Blakneys last 5 Friday games behind home plate.
Under is 5-2 in Blakneys last 7 Friday games behind home plate.
Under is 34-16-4 in Blakneys last 54 games behind home plate.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Friday HP Umpire Assignments
Umps listed with their 2017 and 2016 records for home-team win-loss and o/u in bold, then additional ump trends in italics.

Lines from 5dimes

Day games

901 St. Louis Cardinals +105
902 Chicago Cubs -115
Umpire information not available.

Night games

903 Los Angeles Dodgers -150 Over 9½ -110
904 Washington Nationals +140 Under 9½ -110
Umpire information not available.

915 Baltimore Orioles +230 Over 9 -105
916 New York Yankees -250 Under 9 -115
Paul Emmel 2017: 13-12, 11-12 o/u (2016: 16-13, 14-13 o/u)
Under is 7-2 in Emmels last 9 games behind home plate.
Over is 22-4 in Emmels last 26 Yankees games behind home plate.
Orioles are 11-3 in their last 14 games with Emmel behind home plate.
Yankees are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Emmel behind home plate.

929 Oakland Athletics +108 Over 9½ -110
930 Philadelphia Phillies -118 Under 9½ -110
Umpire information not available.

905 Pittsburgh Pirates +103 Over 9½ +100
906 Cincinnati Reds -113 Under 9½ -120
Umpire information not available.

917 Boston Red Sox -189 Over 7½ +100
918 Tampa Bay Rays +179 Under 7½ -120
Umpire information not available.

919 Chicago White Sox -102 Over 9½ -125
920 Detroit Tigers -108 Under 9½ +105
Chris Segal 2017: 14-12, 12-14 o/u (2016: 2-4, 3-3 o/u)
Under is 8-1 in Segals last 9 games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-2 in Segals last 7 games behind home plate.

921 Kansas City Royals +193 Over 9 -115
922 Cleveland Indians -213 Under 9 -105
Lance Barksdale 2017: 18-10, 7-18 o/u (2016: 17-15, 11-19 o/u)
Under is 33-13-5 in Barksdales last 51 games behind home plate.
Home team is 17-5 in Barksdales last 22 games behind home plate.
Home team is 17-7 in Barksdales last 24 Indians games behind home plate.
Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Barksdale behind home plate.

909 New York Mets +134 Over 9½ -105
910 Atlanta Braves -144 Under 9½ -115
Umpire information not available.

907 Milwaukee Brewers
908 Miami Marlins
Umpire information not available.

923 Seattle Mariners +104 Over 9 -115
924 Houston Astros -114 Under 9 -105
Umpire information not available.

925 Toronto Blue Jays -109 Over 9½ -125
926 Minnesota Twins -101 Under 9½ +105
Ryan Blakney 2017: 11-15, 7-16 o/u (2016: 15-22, 15-21 o/u)
Under is 34-16-4 in Blakneys last 54 games behind home plate.

927 Texas Rangers
928 Los Angeles Angels
Umpire information not available.

911 San Diego Padres +154 Over 12 -110
912 Colorado Rockies -164 Under 12 -110
Umpire information not available.

913 Arizona Diamondbacks -153 Over 7½ -110
914 San Francisco Giants +143 Under 7½ -110
Umpire information not available.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sal Michaels
Sep 15 '17, 8:40 PM
MLB | Padres vs Rockies
Play on: Rockies -1½ +115 at 5Dimes

Free Play on Rockies -1½ +115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indian Cowboy

South Florida (-18) over Illinois

Yes, this is a lot to lay here but we want to lay this on South Florida as we think it is a good time for them to get up to face a decent opponent, and with the nation watching this team we think they will perform in a big way. Keep in mind that Charlie Strong's team is 2-0 and ranked 21st in the nation but they are hardly impressive this year. This team just beat Stony Brook 31-17 as 35-point favorites, which is not very impressive. Plus, this team beat San Jose State in their Season Opener 42-22 as 21-point favorites (failing to cover once again) - and they were down a couple scores in that game early on as well. This is an opportunity for this team to face a competitor they will get up for and also look good doing it and to quell some fears. Illinois is a team that has exceeded expectations thus far for Lovie Smith as they were 6-point underdogs to Western Kentucky and won outright. The defense has given up just 28 points this year to their credit, which is Smith's strength. Having said that, to win this game, this team needs to score and score a lot as South Florida has a prolific offense and an improving defense under Strong. That should be the difference here in that South Florida's defense should hold against an average Illinois defense and South Florida's offense should still be able to move the ball with all the talent they have.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Buster Sports

UMass vs. Temple
Play: UMass +15

We believe the Owls are just giving up too many points tonight to what we understand is not a very good UMass club. Temple does not even resemble the team they were from last year. Last week they were lucky to beat FCS member Villanova and they were actually out yarded by Villanova and that is not a very good sign for the Owls at all. HC Geoff Collins is in his first year at Temple and with only nine returning starters, it looks like it’s going to take a while to get this team on track. UMass has 17 returning starters from a club that went 2-10 last year but it looks like they are getting better each game. UMass is actually 26th in passing offense this year and after Villanova put up 382 yards with no rushing offense whatsoever, we believe this is what will keep UMass close today. We are getting 15 points with UMass at the time of this writing and as we said earlier that is just way too many points.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Will Rogers

Oakland vs. Philadelphia
Pick: Philadelphia -118

The set-up: The Philadelphia Phillies have owned MLB's worst record for much of the season but Thursday's 10-0 victory gave them a three-game sweep of the Marlins (outscored Miami by a 27-9 margin) and allowed them to move to 57-91. Philadelphia has now moved ahead of the 57-91 Giants, as the team continues its 10-game homestand by welcoming American League West cellar-dwelling Oakland A's (64-82) to town for a three-game IL series. The A's come to town as owners of MLB's worst road record (22-49).

The pitching matchup: Daniel Mengden (0-1 & 7.07 ERA) will get the start for Oakland, opposed by Philadelphia's Mark Leiter Jr. (3-5 & 4.84 ERA). Mengden was impressive in his first big-league start since June 3, allowing two earned runs on five hits over six innings of a no-decision versus Houston this past Saturday (A's won 11-4). However, in 14 starts last season, Mengden went 2-9 with a 6.50 ERA. This marks his fourth start of 2017 and along with a 7.07 ERA, he's got a 1.64 WHIP and has allowed opposing batters to hit .316. He's never started against the Phillies and owns a 1-3 mark with a 4.60 ERA in five career starts against National League teams. Leiter has struggled mightily in his last two starts, splitting the decisions despite surrendering 13 runs on 15 hits in 9 1/3 innings. Leiter is 3-4 with a 5.08 ERA his first eight career starts and 2-33 with a 6.11 ERA over the five starts since his last relief outing. This marks his first time vs. Oakland.

The pick: Neither starter should be trusted but led by Rhys Hoskins' impressive power display (he's batting .343 with a .467 on-base percentage and all 18 of his HRs over these past 31 games), the Phillies look like a team having some fun. That sure can't be said about the A's. Phillies win again.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Harry Bondi

ILLINOIS (+16.5) over South Florida

We will take the generous points here against South Florida. Not only have the Bulls looked unimpressive in their first two games, going 0-2 ATS and actually trailing Stony Brook 10-7 at halftime, but the Hurricane Irma wrecked havoc for everyone involved with this team over the last seven days and that has to be a huge distraction. Illinois, meanwhile, comes in feeling good about itself with a 2-0 record. Too much pedigree here for an AAC team to be laying over two TDs to a Big 10 team, especially with the situational advantages for the Illini.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

Nailed the Philadelphia Phillies the last two nights - for my 400♦ winner on Wednesday and my free pick last night - and tonight I'm playing them against the Oakland Athletics as my complimentary release.

It's this time of the season teams like Philadelphia become value plays, because they have nothing to lose, and they just go out and have fun. They're not thinking about the playoffs, and they just want to end the season winning.

So even though the Phils have one of the worst records in baseball, they've won three in a row after last night's 10-0 win over the Miami Marlins.

Oakland, which is in the cellar of the American League West, is a bleak 22-49 on the road after last night's 6-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. This is the second leg of this road trip, and the fourth road game in as many days.

The A's just enjoyed a five-gaame win streak, but they're also mired in a 6-10 slide since Aug. 28.

I like Philadelphia tonight, minus the cheap number.

4* PHILLIES

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS

Saskatchewan -4 over HAMILTON

We’re back in the CFL business tonight because we see an opportunity that we’re not about to miss. Just because we haven’t been posting CFL plays the past couple of weeks doesn’t mean we’re not paying attention. We are. The Tiger-Cats are now 2-0 under new head coach June Jones, which is pretty on paper but no game has even been played on paper before and we know better. Hamilton was gifted its first win on Labour Day after a three-hour lighting delay in front of the 25 fans that bothered to stick around through the storm. What looked like a fumble by quarterback Jason Masoli would have handed the ‘Cats another loss but it was ruled an incomplete pass. Jones then took a shot and threw the flag after an incomplete pass in the end zone and interference was called on the defense. Just like that the Tigercats were in the end zone. It was a horrible call and a desperate attempt by the new coach that worked out. It was a bizarre win in a game that Hamilton was outgained in by 128 yards.

Last week, Hamilton literally hung on to beat Ottawa 26-22. The ‘Cats were outscored in the second half by a count of 15-3 and the reason they won is because they didn’t turn the ball over once. Incidentally, last week, Ottawa’s #1 QB, Trevor Harris was injured and forced to leave in favor of Drew Tate. In summarizing, Hamilton’s two lucky victories since replacing Ken Austin came against Toronto and Ottawa, two East teams in what could be summarized as the worst East Division in the history of the CFL. Put no weight in Hamilton’s two victories. Put lots of weight on the ‘Cats being outgained by 258, 201, 134, 161, 221 and 118 yards in six of its last seven games. The last time the ‘Cats played Saskatchewan back in early July, they were outgained by 258 yards. Now the Roughriders are a much improved team while the Tiger-Cats are not. QB Jason Masoli is not an upgrade over Zach Collaros and is in fact a big downgrade. The Tiger-Cats have not turned a corner. They are the CFL’s worst team by far but two wins have changed the market mindset on them.

Saskatchewan is a tough, physical team that has swag again for the first time in over two years. Only twice this entire season have they been noticeably outplayed and those losses occurred to B.C. and Calgary. For the most part, the Roughies have been racking up big yardage and playing solid defense. They are also coming off back-to-back games against a very difficult Winnipeg team in which they outgained Winnipeg both games but split the home and home series. The only way Saskatchewan loses here is if they are flat after two big games versus Winnipeg. The good news is that they lost the last one and teams’ are usually flat after a win, not a loss. We have not seen the Roughriders appear flat too often this year, instead, we have seen an intensely focused team that is on a mission to not only make some noise but also to get back the great respect they had for years. If that team shows up here, this one won’t be close and that’s what we’re betting on.