Thursday 9-28-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bruce Marshall

Cubs at Cardinals
Pick: Cubs

There seems to be a belief that the Cubs gear it down tonight because they have sewn up the NL Central and Joe Maddon likely subs liberally. But the Cards are effectively out of the NL wild card picture themselves, and Thursday starter Lance Lynn has been awful in recent starts, allowing 14 runs and 17 hits plus 6 walks over just 9 2/3 IP in his last three starts. Meanwhile Kyle Hendricks is off of eight straight quality starts for the Cubs in his last tune-up before the playoffs next week.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Harry Bondi

IOWA STATE (+5) over Texas

Even when Texas was a power program, this has always been a close series. The Longhorns have won 11 of the last 13 meetings outright, but are just 7-6 ATS and we see another nail-biter tonight. Iowa State’s offense is rocking and rolling, averaging 41 points per game, including a 41-point effort against an Iowa defense that almost upset high-flying Penn State last week. The Cyclones are also 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games, including three covers in their last four tries as a single-digit home dog. Meanwhile, Texas is on a 3-8 ATS slide away from home, including a 1-4 ATS mark as a road chalk. Home dog!