Service Plays Thursday 8/23/18

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sean Michaels

MLB Line Error Lock
100 DIME Max Wager Release

Oakland A’s -1.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

VIP Sports Lock Club

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles +3.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miller locks

8:00 pm est nfl
philadelphia eagles vs. Cleveland browns

pick: Cleveland browns -3 (-115)

risk: 11 units

8:05 pm est mlb
cincinnati reds vs. Chicago cubs

pick: Chicago cubs -1.5 (-105)

risk: 11 units

8:10 pm est mlb
oakland athletics vs. Minnesota twins

pick: Oakland athletics -1.5 (-123)

risk: 11 units

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben Burns

2* TAM / KAN Over 7

[BONTRAGER]

VERNON CROY WNBA THURSDAY

6-Unit Play. Take #312 Connecticut -4 over Phoenix (Thursday, August 23rd at 8:30 PM ET)
Take Connecticut ATS as my 6-Unit WNBA Smash for Thursday night. This pick falls into one of my top WNBA systems and the Sun are the superior team here at home tonight. The Sun have outscored opponents by an average of 10 ppg at home this season while averaging 90.8 ppg. The Sun are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against a Western Conference opponent and 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games when playing with 3 or more days of rest. The Sun are finally healthy and I expect them to start quick tonight after trailing at the half in each of their 3 games against the Mercury this season. The Sun are also a red-hot team coming into this game having won 9 of their last 10 games overall and they are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after a win. Play Connecticut ATS as we move to 7-3 my last 10 WNBA plays.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Robert Ferringo's Picks For Football (NFL and NCAA)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
2-Unit Play. Take #291 Wyoming (-3.5) over New Mexico State (10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25)
I am going chalk in the first game of the year. I know that this is a really, really square play. But this one is more about my feeling that this Wyoming team is actually a little better this season than last. Last year they had to deal with all the talk about how great Josh Allen was. And then he went out and sucked. I think Wyoming is going to welcome not having all that attention on one guy rather than the team. And the Cowboys have a legit, legit defense that should control this game. Wyoming was No. 10 in the country in points allowed last year, No. 13 against the pass, and No. 23 overall. They have nine starters back from that defense. I think that Craig Bohl is a good coach that will have this team motivated. As for NMSU, these guys are kind of a mess. They are in a letdown season after breaking a 50+ year bowl drought last December. But their starting quarterback, No. 1 running back (who was also the second-leading receiver) and their top wideout are all gone. There is just not anything here to work with. NMSU has moved down (again) and is no longer affiliated with any conference. I think that will lead to a change in motivation for this team, which could barely compete in the Sun Belt. I will go with the more experienced team here.

NFL PRESEASON SELECTIONS
I really like the Browns, Colts and Bucs, but I cut them from my card. It is a long season. Let's keep it a little tighter this week and save our arrows for when the "real" games start next week!
In case you are wondering, I don't think the Eagles care about the preseason at all (whereas the Browns clearly do) and they are likely to again sit their two starting quarterbacks. I think the Bucs are just further along than the Lions, who are breaking in new systems on both sides of the ball. Detroit has actually looked really bad so far this preseason and I think the Bucs are really focused. I also think the Colts are just kind of due after a fluke loss (like the Browns) last week.

1-Unit Play. Take #254 N.Y. Jets (-2.5) over N.Y. Giants (7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24)
I think the Jets are just a bit further along than the Giants. New York is learning different systems on both sides of the ball. They are massively overhauling their offense and defense. Whereas the Jets are stable in what they are trying to do. I don't think the Giants will use Eli Manning and Odell Beckham all that much. Same goes for Saquon Barkley. And there is a steep drop-off from the Giants starters to their backups. The Jets are still having a quarterback competition. And I would take any of their guys over Davis Webb and Kyle Lauletta. The Jets lost this one last year after a failed two-point conversion in the final minutes after a wild second half comeback. They outscored the Giants 28-3 in the second half last year. 28-3! Only to lose 32-31. That's how bad they wanted to come back and win that game though. The Giants had three defensive touchdowns in that one. I don't see it happening again and I think the Jets will get a touch of ?revenge?.

1-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 45.0 Tennessee at Pittsburgh (4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25)
I think that people think just because Big Ben and Antonio Brown are going to suit up that the Steelers are going to throw the ball around and score a bunch of points this week. I will be surprised to see the Steelers stars play much at all this week. And instead I like the value on the 'under' in this game because I think the focus will be on the Steelers defense. I know the Steelers quarterbacks threw two pick-sixes. But Pittsburgh still gave up 51 points last week. The coaching staff will definitely use that as motivation. And after ringing up 31 and 34 points in two games I can see the Steelers offense coming off the throttle. Tennessee hasn't been scaring any one with their offense this preseason. And their defense has allowed 30 points per game also. They too are going to be motivated as hell to have a showing. I think this is going to be a boring game. I see both teams putting the focus on where they need

3-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 43.5 San Francisco at Indianapolis (4:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25)
Note: This is my NFL Preseason Game of the Year.
I think that this is a great spot and we should see both teams get over 20 points. For San Francisco, they have been the No. 1 offense in the NFL this preseason. They are averaging 421.5 yards per game, but they've only turned that into 37 points. I expect them to be much more efficient in this outing. Coach Kyle Shanahan is like his father. His dad was one of the best coaches to bet in the preseason because he saw the utility of it and he really wanted to win. I am sure Kyle is the same way, judging on what I've seen to this point. Shanahan was also a bit critical of his starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppollo, after their last game down in Houston. I think that will lead to a bit better focus out of Garoppollo and his starting offense. And I absolutely expect to see him for the first half against the Colts. Not just because Shanahan wants him to get the work. But also because second string quarterback C.J. Beathard is out with a foot sprain. It will like be Garappollo and then Nick Mullens, who has been outstanding this preseason, will mop up the second half. For the Colts, this too is a dress rehearsal. They want to get Andrew Luck some reps to get him sharp before the season starts. The guy has missed almost two years of football; he needs the work. Also, the Colts were really, really unlucky in their Monday Night Football game against the Ravens. They lost 20-19 (39 total points) despite the fact that the Colts had two turnovers inside the Baltimore 10-yard line to go with other turnovers and general screw-ups. I don't think that will be the case here. And I can see the Colts being a bit more efficient on offense as well. And when Luck ducks out then Jacoby Brissett is more than capable of moving the ball and putting up points against the 49ers backup defense.
Finally, here is an amazing stat: dating back to last year the Colts have gone 'under' in 10 straight games! That's unreal. You don't see streaks like that in the NFL and that statistical anomaly is due to correct itself.
All of this should lead to a game where both teams play in the 20's and that should help this game get 'over'.

1-Unit Play. Take #276 Miami (Pk) over Baltimore (7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25)
The Ravens were extremely lucky to beat the Colts on Monday Night Football. Now they have to turn around, go back on the road, on a short week, and play off surface in the heat and humidity of Miami. No thanks. This is also Baltimore's fourth preseason game because they played in the HOF game. These guys are done. They are ready for the ?real? season to begin. Baltimore has also won 11 straight NFL preseason games and I don't think that streak is going to continue because it is a bit of an anomaly. Miami has lost both of its preseason games. This is a team feeling some heat. Like the Ravens, the Dolphins coach and quarterback are both playing for their jobs. I think that is going to lead to some increased urgency from this group. The public is just pouring money into the Ravens in this one. About 80 percent of the bets in this game are down on Baltimore, one of the more lopsided of the games on the board. I will go with the other way and look for Miami to get their first win. They need it more.

1-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 43.5 New Orleans at L.A. Chargers (8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25)
Drew Brees is yet to suit up for a preseason game this year. But I think that is going to change this week. Last year these two teams met up and practiced against one another before a Week 2 meeting. Then Brees and Phil Rivers both sat the game out and they played a 13-7 snoozer. But this is Week 3 this year. This is the dress rehearsal. And I expect both guys to log some time. That should lead to points and I can see both teams gearing up in this one.

2-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 40.5 Arizona at Dallas (8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26)
I know that this line is freaking out because Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott aren't going to play. And the Cowboys have some issues on their offensive line. But they are still going to actually play a game. And I think that the ?pickup game? mentality that the Cowboys are bringing this one will lead to more scoring, not less. Arizona is going to throw the ball. They want to get Josh Rosen reps. And not handing off. And if Mike Glennon gets some action for the Cards he is capable of carving up some third- and fourth-stringers. Dallas wants to win this game. They are 0-2 so far in the preseason. And their skill players, other than the ?stars? have some things to prove. I think they will be slinging it around a bit. Arizona's defense has not been very good this preseason. These guys were beyond lucky last week, as the Saints just continued to turn the ball over to kill drives. I don't think this one will go 'over' by a little bit; I think it will go way 'over'. And this was almost my top play of the week.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB(Bob Balfe)
8:10 PM EST
Rotation #917-918
A’s/Twins Over 9.5 runs
Cahill/Stewart

[Can'tPickAWinner]

11th Hour

11th: MLB 8u: 908 MIA+163 1st 5. MIA+168g. MIA O 4.5 & O 8.5. 915 KC+152 1st 5. KC+157g. KC O 3.5 & O 7.

11th: MLB 8u: 909 CIN+185 1st 5. CIN+190g. CIN O 4.5 & O 9.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Virgobbi Sports

NFLX week 3, 8/23:

PHI-CLE u42.5 (-110)
PHI +3 (EV)