Sunday 9-15-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Ryan Yarbrough (11-3, 3.51 ERA) vs. Angels LH Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 5.28)

Yarbrough has not lost since June 13, when he surrendered five runs and five hits in six innings against the Angels. The 27-year-old Floridian, who has gone 6-0 in seven starts and eight relief appearances since the setback, fell to 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in three career games (one start) versus Los Angeles. Yarbrough did not factor in the decision at Texas on Tuesday after permitting three runs and three hits in seven frames.

Sandoval remains in search of his first major-league victory as he makes his seventh overall start and fourth at home. The 22-year-old Californian suffered the loss against Cleveland on Monday after giving up three runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Sandoval, who will be facing Tampa Bay for the first time, has completed five frames only once in his first six starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. D'Arnaud went 4-for-9 with four RBIs over the first two games of the series and has driven in at least one run in five of his last six contests.

2. Los Angeles OF Brian Goodwin recorded two of his team's six hits Saturday after going 0-for-20 over his previous five games.

3. Tampa Bay recalled RHP Jose De Leon from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, tying the franchise mark for most players on the active roster of 37 set in 2013.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Angels 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Trevor Bauer (10-12, 4.55 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zac Gallen (3-5, 2.66)

Bauer's winless streak reached six starts Tuesday as he settled for a no-decision in Seattle despite allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Californian last won Aug. 9, when he registered 11 strikeouts while permitting one run and three hits in seven frames against the Chicago Cubs for his lone victory in eight turns since being acquired from Cleveland - and 10 outings overall. Bauer has made two career starts versus Arizona, going 0-1 while yielding six runs over 13 2/3 innings.

Gallen is coming off a road loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday in which he gave up three runs and five hits over six innings. The 24-year-old rookie from New Jersey has gone 2-0 in his last four turns at home, allowing a total of four runs in the outings and none over 12 frames in the victories. Gallen, who never has faced Cincinnati, has registered at least eight strikeouts in four of his last five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is two RBIs away from reaching the century mark for the second straight season.

2. Arizona OF Ketel Marte leads the team with a .326 batting average but has gone 1-for-9 over his last three games.

3. Cincinnati was officially eliminated from the NL Central race with Saturday's setback.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Diamondbacks 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Ivan Nova (10-12, 4.69 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Justus Sheffield (0-1, 4.43)

Nova allowed three runs and six hits - including a season high-tying three homers - with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of a victory over Kansas City on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Dominican yielded a total of 10 runs over 8 1/3 frames in losses at Atlanta and Cleveland in his previous two turns. Nova is 0-1 with a 6.87 ERA in four career starts versus Seattle after permitting seven runs in 2 1/3 innings of a setback on April 7.

Sheffield allowed one run, seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in six innings of Seattle's victory over Cincinnati on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Tennessean worked five scoreless frames in the Mariners' loss to the Cubs in Chicago on Sept. 2. Sheffield, who was selected 31st overall in the 2014 draft by Cleveland before being shipped to the New York Yankees in the trade involving Andrew Miller in 2016, yielded three runs over 2 2/3 innings in three relief appearances with New York in 2018 before being acquired in the offseason deal for James Paxton.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners rookie LF Shed Long has gone 6-for-14 while recording three straight multi-hit performances, matching the total from his first 26 contests.

2. Chicago C Zack Collins is 6-for-53 in his first 18 games after going 2-for-4 with an RBI double on Saturday.

3. Anderson is attempting to join Hall-of-Famers Frank Thomas (.347 in 1997) and Luke Appling (.388 in 1936; .328 in 1943) as the only members of the White Sox to win batting titles.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Mariners 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (13-3, 3.14 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (11-7, 4.21)

Buehler bounced back from a rough outing against Colorado on Sep. 2 by dominating at Baltimore on Tuesday, when he scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings and struck out 11. The 25-year-old did not allow a run in four of his last six starts and is up to a career-high 201 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings. Buehler was not at his best against the Mets on May 29, serving up five runs and seven hits in five innings without factoring in the decision.

Wheeler is expected to be one of the best pitchers available on the free agent market this winter and is improving his stock with a string of strong outings. The 29-year-old allowed one earned run for the third straight start when he dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks over seven innings on Tuesday, scattering seven hits and striking out seven to pick up the win. Wheeler is seeing the Dodgers for the first time this season and is 6-2 with a 4.20 ERA in 13 starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 1B Max Muncy is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in two games since returning from a fractured wrist.

2. Mets 1B Pete Alonso is 0-for-15 over the last five games.

3. New York RHP Seth Lugo struck out the side in a scoreless inning on Saturday to mark his ninth straight scoreless appearance - totaling 14 innings.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 2, Mets 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (1-0): Wilson was 14-of-20 for 196 yards and two scores in the opener while defensive end Quinton Jefferson, a Pittsburgh native, fueled the defense with a career-best two sacks. Star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney recorded two tackles and a sack during his team debut and is working on assimilating himself into the unit after recently being acquired from Houston. "He's been great attitude-wise," Carroll said at a press conference. "His mentality has been great. He's been upbeat, positive and he's been trying to stay out of the limelight. He's being very humble, that has been his approach. ... He's really happy about being here."

ABOUT THE STEELERS (0-1): Pittsburgh never got untracked against the Patriots and running back James Conner was a non-factor with 21 yards on 10 carries. Wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster is the new primary target with Brown gone, and he had six receptions for 78 yards while newcomer Donte Moncrief was a big disappointment with three catches for seven yards while being targeted a team-high 10 times. Rookie linebacker Devin Bush stood out with 11 tackles in his debut, but the unit recorded only one sack -- from linebacker Bud Dupree -- and didn't force a turnover.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Seahawks hold a 9-8 regular-season edge, but the Steelers have won two of the last three meetings.

2. Pittsburgh LB T.J. Watt (hip) was injured in the season opener and is questionable for Week 2.

3. Seattle CB Tre Flowers had a fumble recovery and a career-best 10 tackles in Week 1.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 27, Steelers 26

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-0): Dalvin Cook has received an unfortunate nickname for the scarcity of his appearances in his young NFL career, but the 24-year-old made a statement with his 21-carry, 111-yard, two-touchdown performance in Minnesota's 28-12 victory over Atlanta. "We need the 'White Tiger' to be there for 16 games, right? He's been special when he's had the football in his hands, and we've got to have him out there," quarterback Kirk Cousins said. The 31-year-old Cousins threw the ball a career-low 10 times against the Falcons and has been held to 215 or fewer passing yards in five of his past six games. Adam Thielen reeled in Cousins' lone touchdown pass in the season opener while fellow wideout Stefon Diggs has scored in each of his last five games against the Packers, with three trips to the end zone highlighting last year's season series.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (1-0): Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams was optimistic in his assessment of Green Bay's new-look offense under coach Matt LaFleur, with the team mustering 213 total yards and converting just two of its 12 third-down opportunities. "There's nowhere (to go) but up," said the 26-year-old Adams, who bids to record a touchdown in his fifth straight game against Minnesota after being limited to just four receptions for 36 yards versus the Bears. A sluggish ground game did the Packers no favors, as Aaron Jones and company rushed for 47 yards on 22 attempts for the second-lowest rushing average (2.1) in the league. Perhaps a return home can jump-start the 24-year-old Jones, as he has scored in three straight games at Lambeau Field and had 93 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in last meeting versus the Vikings.

EXTRA POINTS

1. All 28 of Minnesota's points in the season opener were scored off turnovers.

2. Packers LB Blake Martinez, who led the team with seven sacks last season, has averaged 10.8 tackles in his last four meetings with the Vikings.

3. Minnesota S Harrison Smith, who had a team co-leading nine tackles last week, has three interceptions and 1.5 sacks in his past four encounters with Green Bay.

PREDICTION: Packers 24, Vikings 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-0): San Francisco recorded three sacks in the opener - including one each from first-round pick Joey Bosa and trade acquisition Dee Ford - and the upgraded defensive unit is hyping up offense as well. "I mean watching (Nick) Bosa get sacks, and watching the Dee Ford strip and get fumbles, it gets the offense going," tight end George Kittle told the team's website. "When your defense is playing like that, and (Richard) Sherman gets a pick-six, and Akhello (Witherspoon) with the pick-six. It just gets you fired up. ... When your defense makes those big plays, it just gets everyone excited. It gets the offense moving, it’s just good vibes really, it just gets you going." Kittle's eight catches for 54 yards led the receiving corps as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (18-of-27, 166 yards, one TD, one INT) had an uneven season debut in his return from an ACL tear in his left knee.

ABOUT THE BENGALS (0-1): Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton threw the ball 51 times and finished with a career-best 418 yards to go with two touchdowns in his first game running Taylor's offense, and he feels good about where the offense is going. "We know what we're capable of, and then to go out and be productive in a game, especially our first one, it's big," Dalton told reporters. "It's big for confidence. What we're going to do here is going to work. Guys were pleased with the production; obviously we weren’t pleased with the result. With all the things we were able to do, I thought guys were happy with a lot of the stuff we did. It definitely gave us confidence." Wide receiver John Ross was Dalton's main target in Week 1 and established career bests of 158 yards and a pair of TDs on seven catches.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Bengals waived backup QB Jeff Driskel on Wednesday.

2. San Francisco RB Tevin Coleman (high ankle sprain) was ruled out for Sunday.

3. Cincinnati WR A.J. Green (ankle) is continuing his rehab from surgery and is not expected to play in Week 2.

PREDICTION: Bengals 31, 49ers 28

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BOBBY LIGS

Event: (607) Chicago Sky at (608) Las Vegas Aces
Sport/League: WNBA
Date/Time: September 15, 2019 5PM EDT
Play: Total Over 175.0 (-108)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DWAYNE BRYANT

Event: (269) New England Patriots at (270) Miami Dolphins
Sport/League: NFL
Date/Time: September 15, 2019 1PM EDT
Play: Miami Dolphins 19.0 (-110)

1% of bankroll on MIAMI.

A few sports betting sayings come to mind here. One, "pros bet numbers, not teams." And, "the bets that are the hardest to make are the ones that usually cash." Or, "The bets that are too easy to make usually lose." Then there's, "no team is as good or as bad as their last game." All of those sayings fit the bill here.

Everybody saw Miami get absolutely destroyed at home by the Ravens in Week 1, 59-10. And everybody saw the Patriots dismantle the Steelers on Sunday Night Football, 33-3. As a result, we have a major overreaction here, which provides us with value on the home dog. The look-ahead line for this game was only Patriots -11!

The Dolphins stink. No doubt about it. But, if there's one game all season that this team will get up to play, it's this one today. This game today is Miami's Super Bowl. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores was New England's defensive play caller last season, so you know he's had this game circled. He knows New England's personnel and tendencies very well.

No matter how dominant the Patriots have been in the past, they have struggled to win in Miami. Despite being an average favorite of -7, the Patriots are 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six trips to Miami.

And, if you insist on banking on last weekend's results and laying the points here, you should know that since 1991, favorites of more than -17 are 19-1 SU but only 5-15 ATS. The Patriots were involved in five of those 20 games, going 5-0 SU but 0-5 ATS.

Hold your nose and play MIAMI.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (0-1): Foles is out until at least Week 11 with a broken collarbone, but Jacksonville has confidence in Minshew, who completed his first 13 passes and finished 22-of-25 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his debut. Minshew benefits from a workhorse back in Leonard Fournette and a receiving corps that showed off its newfound depth against the Chiefs. Jacksonville’s defense was humbled by Kansas City’s high-powered attack, allowing 491 total yards, and will have to do a better job of pressuring the quarterback against another high-powered offense.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (0-1): Houston has a dynamic duo in the passing game with quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but the newly constructed backfield tandem also got the job done last week. Carlos Hyde rushed for 83 yards just nine days after being acquired from Kansas City and Duke Johnson recorded 90 yards from scrimmage in his debut for the Texans. The defense surrendered 510 total yards to the Saints and had a hard time getting pressure in the backfield, recording just one sack and no tackles for loss.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Hopkins has made seven or more catches in four straight home games against the Jaguars, including 12 grabs for 147 yards in the most recent meeting.

2. Jacksonville DE Calais Campbell has registered 7.5 sacks in his last four games against Houston.

3. Texans DE J.J. Watt has notched 16 sacks versus the Jagaurs, his second-highest total against any opponent.


PREDICTION: Texans 27, Jaguars 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (1-0): Brown, who forced an offseason trade from Pittsburgh to Oakland after six straight seasons with at least 101 catches, was ineligible to play in last week's opener but Brady looked fine with the cast at hand, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns passes. Starting running back Sony Michel, who rushed for 169 yards in two meetings versus Miami last season, managed only 14 on 15 carries last week, but backups Rex Burkhead and James White combined for 70 yards rushing while adding five receptions apiece. Julian Edelman had six catches for 83 yards and Phillip Dorsett hauled in a pair of scoring passes, while the defense limited the Steelers to 32 yards rushing.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-1): In the wake of the last week's humbling loss, in which Miami set franchise records for points and total yards (643) allowed, media reports swirled that multiple players spoke to their agents and expressed a desire to be traded. "It's never good to be embarrassed like that, especially at this level," said veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who finished 14 of 29 for 185 yards with a touchdown and interception in his Dolphins debut. "What we talked about: Nobody is going to feel sorry for you and your situation." Miami will try to establish its ground game behind Kenyan Drake, who ran the final 52 yards on a lateral in last season's stunning win over the Patriots.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady can tie George Blanda (209) for the second-most regular-season wins in NFL history, behind only Adam Vinatieri (215).

2. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard picked off Brady twice in the last meeting.

3. Edelman has 24 receptions and two TDs in his last three versus Miami.

PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Dolphins 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE COLTS (0-1): Jacoby Brissett made his first start since 2017 in last Sunday's loss to the Chargers and performed admirably, completing 21-of-27 passes for 190 yards and two TDs with no interceptions. "He made good decisions, he was accurate and he made those decisions quick," offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni told the media. "He had to because they had good edge rushers on the edge coming after him. So I can't say enough of how poised he was in those situations. He played like a veteran. He played like he had played for 10 years." T.Y. Hilton, who had 155 receiving yards and two TDs in the one of the meetings with the Titans in 2018, hauled in eight catches for 87 yards and two scores in Week 1.

ABOUT THE TITANS (1-0): Defensive end Cameron Wake had 2.5 sacks -- one for a safety -- at Cleveland and the 37-year-old was awarded AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, which included his 100th career sack. Rookie wideout A.J. Brown stood out on the offensive end with three catches for 100 yards, while running back Derrick Henry had a 75-yard TD catch and 84 yards and a score on the ground. Mariota sat out one meeting with the Colts last year and threw for a season-low 85 yards in the other encounter, a 38-10 loss at Indianapolis.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Titans will retire Steve McNair's No. 9 and Eddie George's No. 27 in a halftime ceremony Sunday.

2. Mack ran for 119 yards and a TD in the most recent game with Tennessee, a 33-17 victory in Nashville, Tenn.

3. Indianapolis has won 18 of the last 21 meetings.

PREDICTION: Titans 27, Colts 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (0-0-1): Arizona is young at quarterback and coach with first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury learning the NFL after a long stint in the college ranks but there is plenty of veteran help around with Larry Fitzgerald on offense and Terrel Suggs on defense. Suggs spent the first 16 seasons of his career in Baltimore before leaving in the offseason and recorded a pair of sacks in the opener to push his career total to 135 1/2. "I have no clue what’s going to happen on Sunday," Suggs told reporters. "I don’t know what kind of reception; I don't know how I'm going to feel. This is a very unique situation for me. This is something that in 17 years I've never experienced."

ABOUT THE RAVENS (1-0): Arizona won't be the only team with a rookie first-round pick from Oklahoma on the field Sunday as Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown takes the field for his second game. Brown made an immediate impact in his debut with a 47-yard touchdown grab on his first catch and an 83-yard TD reception on his second catch. "We knew it was there," offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley told reporters of the connection between Jackson and Brown. "Everybody was kind of, 'Wait till the game to really see that thing happen.' But we knew what those guys are capable of and the connection they had just being out in the locker room and stuff. It was good to see it translate to the field."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith will miss several weeks but is not expected to need surgery after suffering a knee sprain in Week 1.

2. The Cardinals placed RT Marcus Gilbert (knee) on injured reserve and signed OL Jordan Mills.

3. Arizona WR Michael Crabtree, who spent last season in Baltimore, is expected to make his team debut on Sunday after being inactive for Week 1.

PREDICTION: Ravens 35, Cardinals 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE BILLS (1-0): Rookie linebacker Tyrel Dodson will have to wait a while to make his NFL debut as he received a six-game suspension from the league for violating its personal conduct policy. The 21-year-old from Texas A&M, who pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Wednesday after facing three charges for an incident involving his girlfriend in May, was on the commissioner's exempt list for Week 1 and won't be eligible to return to the team until Oct. 28. Brown proved to be a big-play threat for Buffalo last week, making a 28-yard catch to go with his game-winning touchdown reception.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (0-1): New York's defense could be in for another difficult day, as Buffalo recorded six plays of 20 or more yards last week, but defensive coordinator James Bettcher has confidence in his players' ability to bounce back. "I love the character of this group because there is no crumbling at the knees," he told reporters. "There is no pointing fingers, there's a lot of ownership and there is a lot of accountability in this group." With wide receiver Sterling Shepard (six catches, 42 yards) in concussion protocol, more may be expected of tight end Evan Engram, who set career highs last week with 11 receptions and 116 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Giants recorded 470 total yards in their season opener but were just 2-for-11 on third down.

2. Buffalo has allowed fewer than 210 passing yards in nine consecutive games, its longest such streak since 2004 and the longest run in the NFL since Seattle's 13-game stretch from 2013-14.

3. New York placed LB Kareem Martin (knee) on injured reserve and signed WR TJ Jones, who was released on Aug. 31 after leading the team in receptions during the preseason.

PREDICTION: Bills 24, Giants 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (1-0): While Elliott (13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD last week) was the focus of much of the media attention during his contract holdout, Dak Prescott showed he can carry the offense by throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns to earn a perfect quarterback rating (158.3). Amari Cooper and newcomer Randall Cobb each hauled in scoring passes from Prescott while second-year wideout Michael Gallup had a monster game, setting career highs with seven receptions for 158 yards. Dallas did allow 151 yards rushing and 470 total yards to the Giants, but the defense recorded three sacks and three interceptions in the last meeting with Washington.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (0-1): Washington already has a serious injury concern as running back Derrius Guice, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, hurt his other knee in the opener and underwent surgery Thursday that could sideline him for up to two months. Veteran Adrian Peterson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season but was inactive in Week 1, will take over as the primary ball carrier behind Keenum, who was a bright spot in his Redskins debut by throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wideout Terry McLaurin had five catches for 125 yards, but the defense allowed Philadelphia to convert 11 of 17 on third down.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Prescott has 10 TD passes and zero interceptions in his last five NFC East road games.

2. Redskins TE Jordan Reed, who is in the concussion protocol but hopes to play, has 51 catches in 10 games versus Dallas.

3. Elliott was held to 33 yards rushing at Washington last season but had 121 yards and a TD in the rematch in Dallas.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Redskins 19