08:30 PM NFL [290] CHI BEARS -3-115
07:10 PM MLB [954] New York Mets -265 ( A Blair - R / N Syndergaard - R )
08:40 PM MLB [958] TOTAL u11-105 (Saint Louis Cardinals vrs Colorado Rockies) (Martinez /Anderson)
10:10 PM MLB [959] Arizona Diamondbacks +110 ( B Shipley - R / C Richard - L )
10:10 PM MLB [962] Los Angeles Dodgers -185 ( M Bumgarner - L / C Kershaw - L )
07:05 PM MLB [965] Boston Red Sox -124 ( R Porcello - R / D Bundy - R )
10:10 PM MLB [972] Seattle Mariners -105 ( M Estrada - R / T Walker - R )
08:00 PM NHL World Cup of Hockey - Toronto, Canada [12] North America -119
1 unit bet pays 104 ....betdsi line
MLB parlays: 16-160, -31.49 units (risk 1 unit each pick)... winner #1 posted here......winner #2 posted here....winner #3 and nice winner #4... and small reduced winner #5, winner #6 paid 5.07 units...winner #7...and here is winner #8...and then winner #9....after long dry spell, hit four teamer on July 4th.....and another long dry spell, hit five teamer on July 23rd....yet another long dry spell, hit four teamer on Aug 17...hit nice daytime five teamer on Aug 18....won small daytime three teamer on Aug 24.....won daytime and evening parlays on Sept 7...
Goood luck everyone!! :firing: :toast:
:0074
ripped, cut and pasted, otherwise written by others, from across the internets:
Over is 35-16-1 in ATL last 52 overall.
NYM are 20-7 in their last 27 overall.
Under is 13-3-1 in MIA last 17 home games.
Over is 35-14-3 in ARI last 52 overall.
Red Sox/Orioles Under 9
The books have set the total too high for tonight's AL East showdown between the Red Sox and Orioles. Both of these teams are known for their offenses, but this one has a pitchers duel written all over it. Boston will send out Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello, who is 20-4 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.002 WHIP in 30 starts. Porcello comes into this one in great form, having posted a 2.05 ERA and 0.682 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Baltimore will counter with talented youngster Dylan Bundy, who has been lights out at home this season. Bundy has a 2.67 ERA and 1.010 WHIP in 6 starts at Camden Yards this season. UNDER is 11-2 in the Orioles last 13 against a team with a winning record, 23-5-1 in their last 29 home games and 5-1 in Bundy's last 6 home starts.
Boston vs. Baltimore
Pick: Boston
The Baltimore Orioles welcome the Boston Red Sox to Camden yards on Monday for a four-game series which will help shape the AL East race, as well as the wild card chase. Baltimore has hit more HRs (236) than any team in MLB, which has helped them to a ?healthy? 47-27 home record (the Orioles own MLB?s second-best home moneyline mark of plus-$1557). The Red Sox come to town off a four-game sweep of the hated-Yankees, the team's first sweep of a series of four or more games since June of 1990. The Orioles were only able to earn a split of their four-game home series against the last-place Rays and the weekend results leave Boston three games upon the 2nd-place Orioles in the division, with Baltimore owning a one-game advantage over Toronto for the the No. 1 wild card spot.
Boston?s Rick Porcello (20-4, 3.12 ERA) takes the mound Monday night searching for win No. 21, opposed by Baltimore rookie Dylan Bundy (9-5, 3.88 ERA). Bundy opened the season with 22 relief appearances but tonight?s start will be his 13th consecutive start. His first 2016 start came back on July 17 and he?s earned a decision in all but one of those starts, going 7-4 (team is 7-5). He?ll take the mound tonight, having won six of his last eight decisions, with FOUR of the victories coming against division leaders. Porcello had his six-game winning streak snapped by the Orioles last Wednesday at Fenway 1-0, losing despite allowing just four hits over eight innings (the ?killer? was a solo HR by Trumbo).
One could be troubled by Porcello's career record against Baltimore which is 3-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 14 starts (teams are 5-9) but Porcello has made a believer of me in 2016. He?s 13-2 in 17 starts since June 18 (Red Sox are 14-3) and he pitches for a team which leads all of MLB in runs scored (5.57 per), BA (.286) and OPS (.821). The Red Sox all but ended the Yankees' postseason hopes this past weekend and now can separate themselves from the Orioles these next four days in Baltimore. First things first. Porcello and Boston win tonight.
Atlanta vs. New York
Pick: Under
By any measure, Noah Syndergaard's first full season in the Majors has been a resounding success. There were some injury concerns with the young RH ace mid-way through the season, but Syndergaard has shrugged those off and continues to be a workhorse for his team in the thick of a playoff race. Syndergaard has logged 13 wins, a sparkling 2.43 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, and has reached 200 strikeouts. Earlier concerns about fatigue have been laid to rest, which is very important right now in light of the starting pitching injuries hampering this team (the latest being ace Jacob deGrom). Syndergaard is a deserving huge favorite tonight, but that doesn't mean he's going to win in a rout. The Mets offense hasn't been firing lately as they managed to plate just five runs in their three-games series against the Nats and just nine in their three weekend games vs. the lowly Twins. In fact, the Mets and Braves are exactly tied for 14th place in the NL in run production this season at 582 runs (only the Phillies are worse). The under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Washington vs. Miami
Pick: Washington
Back in April & May, the Nationals & Marlins met a total of 13 times (Wash went 7-6. Under 9-3-1). Interestingly, the division rivals haven't met since. What we've seen is the respective seasons pretty much go "according to script" w/ the Nats pacing the NL East & Miami hanging on the fringes of playoff contention.
I'd say to go w/ the Nats here. Yes, they did just drop a pair of games in Atlanta. But Miami lost two of three over the weekend as well, to the other division also-ran, Philadelphia. While a 6-2 loss, it should be pointed out that the Nats' game on Sunday was rain-shortened to seven innings. Something else that should be noted is Washington has the third best road record in baseball at 42-33. Miami is 4-12 as a home dog this year when priced between +100 and +125 on the ML.
For a sixth time, A.J. Cole will be called into starting duty for the Nats. He's faced the other three NL East teams, but not Miami. In two road starts, Cole has a 0.923 WHIP, which is very good. Going into yday, Washington had allowed an average of just 2.3 rpg its L7 games. Two things that are key factors here, and both will assist Cole, is that the Nats are #1 in baseball in both fielding percentage and bullpen ERA.
Miami pitching had been hit hard prior to Sunday. They'd given up 5.6 rpg over the last week w/ an opp batting average of .281. Wei-Yin Chen has not been a great addition to the staff w/ his 5.51 ERA and 1.421 WHIP at home. Washington is 18-13 in games this year vs. LH starters. They've also won 23 of 37 games vs. teams w/ a losing record.
Given that we hear about a change in mechanics only when the results are positive, Taijuan Walker has been working with Seattle Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre for a couple weeks and adjusting his delivery, and it appeared to pay off his latest time out, with Walker's first complete-game shutout of his career. That was against the Angels in Anaheim, and the follow-up will be taking on the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field.
Marco Estrada has struggled of late and has terrible numbers vs the Mariners in his career. The Mariners should be able to take advantage of that. Walker is 0-2 in his career vs Toronto, but with a decent 3.66 ERA and he should be able to keep a good Blue Jays offense under wraps. Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, but this one means a bot more to Seattle and they should get the win here.
SEATTLE +102 over Toronto
The Blue Jays went into Anaheim this past weekend and lost the final two games to an Angels? team that had previously lost 12 of 13 games, which included getting swept in a four-game set by Toronto?s opponent tonight, the Mariners. The Jays took the first two games in Anaheim against two very weak starters in Jered Weaver and rookie Daniel Wright (7.62 ERA) but could not carry that momentum into Saturday and Sunday. In fact, it was so bad that Toronto scored one lousy run combined against two more weak starters, Ricky Nolasco (4.78) and Alex Meyer (5.62 ERA). Facing perhaps the worst four starters in succession that is possible at this level, not to mention a horrible bullpen, the Jays did nothing to help their playoff chances and will now take a huge step up in class when facing Seattle and Taijuan Walker. That Toronto is favored here is insane.
Walker was sent down to Triple-A in early August due to maturity issues. It's a fact that will give him some nice profit potential in 2017 and down the stretch this year, especially given the skills he posted in the first half. Walker has filthy stuff. He has outstanding control with a BB/K split of 26/103 in 118 innings. His outstanding command has come against both LH and RH bats, which is rare for most. It's all here; stuff, skills, size, and pedigree so the next step is using this late-season demotion as a motivational tool. This kid can pitch.
We?re not even going to go over Marco Estrada here. You all know our position on him and it has not changed. Estrada has been a big fade target of ours since last season and this year it has paid off in spades. If he wins here, so be it but he?s a #5 starter (at best) that is priced like he?s as good as Marcus Stroman when he?s worse than James Shields.
OAKLAND +111 over Houston
Brad Peacock is another starting pitcher that cannot be favored on the road, especially when he pitches for a team that is under .500 on the road. Peacock is 28-years old. He wasn't even on the Astros depth chart when this season began but several injuries to the Astros combined with poor results from their other promoted starters has resulted in Peacock getting a chance. Peacock has mostly pitched in the minors for the past six years. He suffered a left intercostal strain in April of last year, which effectively ended his season. The outlook wasn't promising prior, though, given all those fly balls and little control of his offerings, which is a risky combo. Once a promising farmhand with strikeout rate upside (a long time ago) Peacock?s 5.06 career xERA assures us that an investment is not warranted anymore.
The A?s are one of the hottest teams in the majors. They have won six of their past seven games with only loss over that span occurring on Friday in a game they led 6-0. Oakland won six of those seven against Kansas City and Texas. The A?s have scored five runs or more in seven straight and own the league?s best BA and OPS over that span. Another order of business for the A?s would be to crush the Astros hopes of making the playoffs.
Jharel Cotton has made just two starts with one being of the pure quality variety. Cotton was obtained via trade from the Dodgers at the trade deadline and has a knack for production on the hill. After showing sublime peripherals (9.8 K?s/9, 1.16 WHIP) in the High-A California League two seasons ago, the 5-foot-11 right-hander snowballed his momentum into a 2015 campaign in which he compiled 11.1 K?s/9 and a 2.19 ERA across four levels of the minors. Cotton remains far from a finished product on the mound, but with a tailing mid-90s fastball and a plus, whiff-inducing changeup to his credit, he has excelled at every level and is very worthy of backing as a dog here. We get the better pitcher, we get the home team, we get the team in better form that is seeing beach balls at the plate and we also get a price. Pencil us in for that.
Philadelphia @ Chicago
Pick: Chicago -3
The last time the Chicago Bears faced the Philadelphia Eagles things did not turn out so well. In December of 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Eagles, under then head coach Chip Kelly, got a nearly flawless performance from quarterback Nick Foles and 133 rushing yards from LeSean McCoy in a 54-11 destruction of the Bears. Kelly, Foles, and McCoy have all moved on from Philadelphia and it will be new head coach Doug Pederson and his rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, heading to Soldier Field on Monday night.
The Bears would like to relive the last meeting between the two teams at Soldier Field, a Chicago victory in 2010, but will have to make significant strides in order to put a W in the win column. The Bears led Houston in Week 1 14-10 at the half, but gave up 13 unanswered points in the second in a 23-14 defeat.
It was a crucial Jay Cutler interception that proved to be too much for the Bears to overcome. Deep in their own territory in the third quarter, Cutler, who completed 16-of-29 passes for 216 yards on the day, looked for Chicago wide receiver Kevin White.
The second-year player, who missed all of last season with a stress fracture, stopped his route short, but Cutler thought he should have continued. Cutler appeared to throw to no one in particular, though Texans defensive back Andre Hal happened to be in the right place at the right time for the costly interception.
Houston would eventually score on a Nick Novak 28-yard field goal to give the Texans a 14-13 lead, one that they would not relinquish.
Wentz, who was the Eagles No. 3 QB just a few short weeks ago, became the starter when Philadelphia decided to trade Sam Bradford to Minnesota. The former North Dakota State star performed admirably in his NFL debut, a 29-10 victory over Cleveland, completing 22-of-37 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly for Pederson and his staff, the young rookie committed zero turnovers. He handled the Browns pressure very well and even led a touchdown drive on his first NFL possession.
The Bears will have to find a way to protect Cutler ? the Texans sacked him five times ? and a way to run the football. Chicago managed just 73 yards on the ground last week. For the Eagles, another big performance from their rookie quarterback could leave them at 2-0 heading into a huge Week 3 showdown with in-state rival, Pittsburgh.
CHICAGO -3 over Philadelphia
The Eagles and their new rookie QB played a solid 60 minutes of football in their season opener against Cleveland. The Eagles were a small 3?-point choice over the Earthtones and covered easily in a 29-10 victory. Well, if there is one thing we learned from yesterday and something we mentioned several times in our Week 2 analysis is that one should never put a lot of emphasis on one game, especially the first one of the year. In other words, if last week never happened and Philadelphia was opening in Chicago, the Bears would likely be a-6 point choice this week instead of the current price of -3. That provides us with an opportunity.
What we know for sure is that the Eagles defeated a dumpster fire team that blew a 20-2 lead yesterday and that didn?t even bother showing up against Philly in Week 1. In the process of that 29-10 victory last week, the market got a good look at Carson Wentz and liked what they saw. While Wentz may turn out to be solid, one game does not make a career and now in his first road start, he and the Eagles are getting the pity-three that a home team gets awarded in a ?toss up? game. That is not right at all.
While the Eagles were beating up on the Brownies, the Bears were 9-point losers in Houston but there was a lot to like about Chicago. First, they only took four penalties the entire game, which shows a dedication to discipline. Second, they had 146 yards in kick return yardage, which could help set them up in some very good field position here. On the road, Chicago was in that game the entire way and even took a 14-10 lead into the break. Houston?s defense has proven through the first two weeks to be tough as shoe leather so we have to trust that the Eagles defense will be much more to Jay Cutler?s liking.
Bears Coach, John Fox has now brought in enough new guys on defense to start getting it together. The Bears also have one game under their belt and it was actually a good one, as they allowed just 23 points and just 215 yards through the air. It cannot be stressed enough that Fox has built a run-stuffing pass-rushing front seven in an effort to swallow the Vikings, minimize Eddie Lacy?s efforts and force Rodgers to make every drive count. The linebackers should be much better and the secondary has the potential to be better too. Overall, the Bears defense looks like it will be much better in 2016 as it evolves and they are putting a lot of emphasis on this game because a loss to Philly means a step backward. After Philadelphia won in Week 1, they now become an attractive fade in Week 2. Chicago is figuring things out at the positions that cost them big last year. The Bears have far better unity than last season's squad, though, and, despite unimpressive early returns, they have the coaching and QB to make some noise in the ?Black and Blue? Division. Jay Cutler is everyone?s favorite whipping boy but selling him short here would likely be a mistake.
North America -? +134 over Russia
Regulation only. The first game of this event for the Russians highlighted a lot of the problems they seem to have in international competition. For nearly three periods, the Russians looked uninspired and were unable to capitalize on a late goaltending change for the Swedes that saw Jacob Markstrom replace Henrik Lundqvist. The Russians trailed 2-0 heading into the final minute before Alex Ovechkin scored on a wrist shot with 33-seconds to go. Ovi thought he had tied it with 8-seconds left but that goal was overturned because he batted the puck with his hand. That's become the story of the game for Russia but it's overshadowing an otherwise poor performance. In the end, it is the same ?ol same ?ol for Russia with that being a collection of really strong talent that lacks the intangibles it takes to beat the other powers that be. Excuses for Alex Ovechkin?s teams? in big games are becoming redundant too.
There has never been a team ?North America? so perhaps that is why they are not getting the credit they deserve. This is without question the greatest collection of young talent ever assembled. Having never played together before, the North Americans looked near unbeatable against Finland last night. The final score was 4-1 but it might as well have read 10-1 because that?s how dominant these kids were. Creating a multiple of quality scoring chances and applying the pressure for 60 minutes, this was one of the greatest displays of how hockey was meant to be played. There is an old adage in hockey that says there is no defense for speed and in that regard, the North Americans have an abundance of it and that, too, was on full display last night. Lastly, with several Canadians on the squad, including Auston Matthews, David McConnor, Jack Eichel and others, this crowd in Toronto is rooting for the North Americans as much as they are for the Canadians. The joint was electric last night and these kids responded with a focused, determined and near flawless effort last night. An even better perfromance is likely tonight now that they know how much fun this is going to be.
07:10 PM MLB [954] New York Mets -265 ( A Blair - R / N Syndergaard - R )
08:40 PM MLB [958] TOTAL u11-105 (Saint Louis Cardinals vrs Colorado Rockies) (Martinez /Anderson)
10:10 PM MLB [959] Arizona Diamondbacks +110 ( B Shipley - R / C Richard - L )
10:10 PM MLB [962] Los Angeles Dodgers -185 ( M Bumgarner - L / C Kershaw - L )
07:05 PM MLB [965] Boston Red Sox -124 ( R Porcello - R / D Bundy - R )
10:10 PM MLB [972] Seattle Mariners -105 ( M Estrada - R / T Walker - R )
08:00 PM NHL World Cup of Hockey - Toronto, Canada [12] North America -119
1 unit bet pays 104 ....betdsi line
MLB parlays: 16-160, -31.49 units (risk 1 unit each pick)... winner #1 posted here......winner #2 posted here....winner #3 and nice winner #4... and small reduced winner #5, winner #6 paid 5.07 units...winner #7...and here is winner #8...and then winner #9....after long dry spell, hit four teamer on July 4th.....and another long dry spell, hit five teamer on July 23rd....yet another long dry spell, hit four teamer on Aug 17...hit nice daytime five teamer on Aug 18....won small daytime three teamer on Aug 24.....won daytime and evening parlays on Sept 7...
Goood luck everyone!! :firing: :toast:
ripped, cut and pasted, otherwise written by others, from across the internets:
Over is 35-16-1 in ATL last 52 overall.
NYM are 20-7 in their last 27 overall.
Under is 13-3-1 in MIA last 17 home games.
Over is 35-14-3 in ARI last 52 overall.
Red Sox/Orioles Under 9
The books have set the total too high for tonight's AL East showdown between the Red Sox and Orioles. Both of these teams are known for their offenses, but this one has a pitchers duel written all over it. Boston will send out Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello, who is 20-4 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.002 WHIP in 30 starts. Porcello comes into this one in great form, having posted a 2.05 ERA and 0.682 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Baltimore will counter with talented youngster Dylan Bundy, who has been lights out at home this season. Bundy has a 2.67 ERA and 1.010 WHIP in 6 starts at Camden Yards this season. UNDER is 11-2 in the Orioles last 13 against a team with a winning record, 23-5-1 in their last 29 home games and 5-1 in Bundy's last 6 home starts.
Boston vs. Baltimore
Pick: Boston
The Baltimore Orioles welcome the Boston Red Sox to Camden yards on Monday for a four-game series which will help shape the AL East race, as well as the wild card chase. Baltimore has hit more HRs (236) than any team in MLB, which has helped them to a ?healthy? 47-27 home record (the Orioles own MLB?s second-best home moneyline mark of plus-$1557). The Red Sox come to town off a four-game sweep of the hated-Yankees, the team's first sweep of a series of four or more games since June of 1990. The Orioles were only able to earn a split of their four-game home series against the last-place Rays and the weekend results leave Boston three games upon the 2nd-place Orioles in the division, with Baltimore owning a one-game advantage over Toronto for the the No. 1 wild card spot.
Boston?s Rick Porcello (20-4, 3.12 ERA) takes the mound Monday night searching for win No. 21, opposed by Baltimore rookie Dylan Bundy (9-5, 3.88 ERA). Bundy opened the season with 22 relief appearances but tonight?s start will be his 13th consecutive start. His first 2016 start came back on July 17 and he?s earned a decision in all but one of those starts, going 7-4 (team is 7-5). He?ll take the mound tonight, having won six of his last eight decisions, with FOUR of the victories coming against division leaders. Porcello had his six-game winning streak snapped by the Orioles last Wednesday at Fenway 1-0, losing despite allowing just four hits over eight innings (the ?killer? was a solo HR by Trumbo).
One could be troubled by Porcello's career record against Baltimore which is 3-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 14 starts (teams are 5-9) but Porcello has made a believer of me in 2016. He?s 13-2 in 17 starts since June 18 (Red Sox are 14-3) and he pitches for a team which leads all of MLB in runs scored (5.57 per), BA (.286) and OPS (.821). The Red Sox all but ended the Yankees' postseason hopes this past weekend and now can separate themselves from the Orioles these next four days in Baltimore. First things first. Porcello and Boston win tonight.
Atlanta vs. New York
Pick: Under
By any measure, Noah Syndergaard's first full season in the Majors has been a resounding success. There were some injury concerns with the young RH ace mid-way through the season, but Syndergaard has shrugged those off and continues to be a workhorse for his team in the thick of a playoff race. Syndergaard has logged 13 wins, a sparkling 2.43 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, and has reached 200 strikeouts. Earlier concerns about fatigue have been laid to rest, which is very important right now in light of the starting pitching injuries hampering this team (the latest being ace Jacob deGrom). Syndergaard is a deserving huge favorite tonight, but that doesn't mean he's going to win in a rout. The Mets offense hasn't been firing lately as they managed to plate just five runs in their three-games series against the Nats and just nine in their three weekend games vs. the lowly Twins. In fact, the Mets and Braves are exactly tied for 14th place in the NL in run production this season at 582 runs (only the Phillies are worse). The under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Washington vs. Miami
Pick: Washington
Back in April & May, the Nationals & Marlins met a total of 13 times (Wash went 7-6. Under 9-3-1). Interestingly, the division rivals haven't met since. What we've seen is the respective seasons pretty much go "according to script" w/ the Nats pacing the NL East & Miami hanging on the fringes of playoff contention.
I'd say to go w/ the Nats here. Yes, they did just drop a pair of games in Atlanta. But Miami lost two of three over the weekend as well, to the other division also-ran, Philadelphia. While a 6-2 loss, it should be pointed out that the Nats' game on Sunday was rain-shortened to seven innings. Something else that should be noted is Washington has the third best road record in baseball at 42-33. Miami is 4-12 as a home dog this year when priced between +100 and +125 on the ML.
For a sixth time, A.J. Cole will be called into starting duty for the Nats. He's faced the other three NL East teams, but not Miami. In two road starts, Cole has a 0.923 WHIP, which is very good. Going into yday, Washington had allowed an average of just 2.3 rpg its L7 games. Two things that are key factors here, and both will assist Cole, is that the Nats are #1 in baseball in both fielding percentage and bullpen ERA.
Miami pitching had been hit hard prior to Sunday. They'd given up 5.6 rpg over the last week w/ an opp batting average of .281. Wei-Yin Chen has not been a great addition to the staff w/ his 5.51 ERA and 1.421 WHIP at home. Washington is 18-13 in games this year vs. LH starters. They've also won 23 of 37 games vs. teams w/ a losing record.
Given that we hear about a change in mechanics only when the results are positive, Taijuan Walker has been working with Seattle Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre for a couple weeks and adjusting his delivery, and it appeared to pay off his latest time out, with Walker's first complete-game shutout of his career. That was against the Angels in Anaheim, and the follow-up will be taking on the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field.
Marco Estrada has struggled of late and has terrible numbers vs the Mariners in his career. The Mariners should be able to take advantage of that. Walker is 0-2 in his career vs Toronto, but with a decent 3.66 ERA and he should be able to keep a good Blue Jays offense under wraps. Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, but this one means a bot more to Seattle and they should get the win here.
SEATTLE +102 over Toronto
The Blue Jays went into Anaheim this past weekend and lost the final two games to an Angels? team that had previously lost 12 of 13 games, which included getting swept in a four-game set by Toronto?s opponent tonight, the Mariners. The Jays took the first two games in Anaheim against two very weak starters in Jered Weaver and rookie Daniel Wright (7.62 ERA) but could not carry that momentum into Saturday and Sunday. In fact, it was so bad that Toronto scored one lousy run combined against two more weak starters, Ricky Nolasco (4.78) and Alex Meyer (5.62 ERA). Facing perhaps the worst four starters in succession that is possible at this level, not to mention a horrible bullpen, the Jays did nothing to help their playoff chances and will now take a huge step up in class when facing Seattle and Taijuan Walker. That Toronto is favored here is insane.
Walker was sent down to Triple-A in early August due to maturity issues. It's a fact that will give him some nice profit potential in 2017 and down the stretch this year, especially given the skills he posted in the first half. Walker has filthy stuff. He has outstanding control with a BB/K split of 26/103 in 118 innings. His outstanding command has come against both LH and RH bats, which is rare for most. It's all here; stuff, skills, size, and pedigree so the next step is using this late-season demotion as a motivational tool. This kid can pitch.
We?re not even going to go over Marco Estrada here. You all know our position on him and it has not changed. Estrada has been a big fade target of ours since last season and this year it has paid off in spades. If he wins here, so be it but he?s a #5 starter (at best) that is priced like he?s as good as Marcus Stroman when he?s worse than James Shields.
OAKLAND +111 over Houston
Brad Peacock is another starting pitcher that cannot be favored on the road, especially when he pitches for a team that is under .500 on the road. Peacock is 28-years old. He wasn't even on the Astros depth chart when this season began but several injuries to the Astros combined with poor results from their other promoted starters has resulted in Peacock getting a chance. Peacock has mostly pitched in the minors for the past six years. He suffered a left intercostal strain in April of last year, which effectively ended his season. The outlook wasn't promising prior, though, given all those fly balls and little control of his offerings, which is a risky combo. Once a promising farmhand with strikeout rate upside (a long time ago) Peacock?s 5.06 career xERA assures us that an investment is not warranted anymore.
The A?s are one of the hottest teams in the majors. They have won six of their past seven games with only loss over that span occurring on Friday in a game they led 6-0. Oakland won six of those seven against Kansas City and Texas. The A?s have scored five runs or more in seven straight and own the league?s best BA and OPS over that span. Another order of business for the A?s would be to crush the Astros hopes of making the playoffs.
Jharel Cotton has made just two starts with one being of the pure quality variety. Cotton was obtained via trade from the Dodgers at the trade deadline and has a knack for production on the hill. After showing sublime peripherals (9.8 K?s/9, 1.16 WHIP) in the High-A California League two seasons ago, the 5-foot-11 right-hander snowballed his momentum into a 2015 campaign in which he compiled 11.1 K?s/9 and a 2.19 ERA across four levels of the minors. Cotton remains far from a finished product on the mound, but with a tailing mid-90s fastball and a plus, whiff-inducing changeup to his credit, he has excelled at every level and is very worthy of backing as a dog here. We get the better pitcher, we get the home team, we get the team in better form that is seeing beach balls at the plate and we also get a price. Pencil us in for that.
Philadelphia @ Chicago
Pick: Chicago -3
The last time the Chicago Bears faced the Philadelphia Eagles things did not turn out so well. In December of 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Eagles, under then head coach Chip Kelly, got a nearly flawless performance from quarterback Nick Foles and 133 rushing yards from LeSean McCoy in a 54-11 destruction of the Bears. Kelly, Foles, and McCoy have all moved on from Philadelphia and it will be new head coach Doug Pederson and his rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, heading to Soldier Field on Monday night.
The Bears would like to relive the last meeting between the two teams at Soldier Field, a Chicago victory in 2010, but will have to make significant strides in order to put a W in the win column. The Bears led Houston in Week 1 14-10 at the half, but gave up 13 unanswered points in the second in a 23-14 defeat.
It was a crucial Jay Cutler interception that proved to be too much for the Bears to overcome. Deep in their own territory in the third quarter, Cutler, who completed 16-of-29 passes for 216 yards on the day, looked for Chicago wide receiver Kevin White.
The second-year player, who missed all of last season with a stress fracture, stopped his route short, but Cutler thought he should have continued. Cutler appeared to throw to no one in particular, though Texans defensive back Andre Hal happened to be in the right place at the right time for the costly interception.
Houston would eventually score on a Nick Novak 28-yard field goal to give the Texans a 14-13 lead, one that they would not relinquish.
Wentz, who was the Eagles No. 3 QB just a few short weeks ago, became the starter when Philadelphia decided to trade Sam Bradford to Minnesota. The former North Dakota State star performed admirably in his NFL debut, a 29-10 victory over Cleveland, completing 22-of-37 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly for Pederson and his staff, the young rookie committed zero turnovers. He handled the Browns pressure very well and even led a touchdown drive on his first NFL possession.
The Bears will have to find a way to protect Cutler ? the Texans sacked him five times ? and a way to run the football. Chicago managed just 73 yards on the ground last week. For the Eagles, another big performance from their rookie quarterback could leave them at 2-0 heading into a huge Week 3 showdown with in-state rival, Pittsburgh.
CHICAGO -3 over Philadelphia
The Eagles and their new rookie QB played a solid 60 minutes of football in their season opener against Cleveland. The Eagles were a small 3?-point choice over the Earthtones and covered easily in a 29-10 victory. Well, if there is one thing we learned from yesterday and something we mentioned several times in our Week 2 analysis is that one should never put a lot of emphasis on one game, especially the first one of the year. In other words, if last week never happened and Philadelphia was opening in Chicago, the Bears would likely be a-6 point choice this week instead of the current price of -3. That provides us with an opportunity.
What we know for sure is that the Eagles defeated a dumpster fire team that blew a 20-2 lead yesterday and that didn?t even bother showing up against Philly in Week 1. In the process of that 29-10 victory last week, the market got a good look at Carson Wentz and liked what they saw. While Wentz may turn out to be solid, one game does not make a career and now in his first road start, he and the Eagles are getting the pity-three that a home team gets awarded in a ?toss up? game. That is not right at all.
While the Eagles were beating up on the Brownies, the Bears were 9-point losers in Houston but there was a lot to like about Chicago. First, they only took four penalties the entire game, which shows a dedication to discipline. Second, they had 146 yards in kick return yardage, which could help set them up in some very good field position here. On the road, Chicago was in that game the entire way and even took a 14-10 lead into the break. Houston?s defense has proven through the first two weeks to be tough as shoe leather so we have to trust that the Eagles defense will be much more to Jay Cutler?s liking.
Bears Coach, John Fox has now brought in enough new guys on defense to start getting it together. The Bears also have one game under their belt and it was actually a good one, as they allowed just 23 points and just 215 yards through the air. It cannot be stressed enough that Fox has built a run-stuffing pass-rushing front seven in an effort to swallow the Vikings, minimize Eddie Lacy?s efforts and force Rodgers to make every drive count. The linebackers should be much better and the secondary has the potential to be better too. Overall, the Bears defense looks like it will be much better in 2016 as it evolves and they are putting a lot of emphasis on this game because a loss to Philly means a step backward. After Philadelphia won in Week 1, they now become an attractive fade in Week 2. Chicago is figuring things out at the positions that cost them big last year. The Bears have far better unity than last season's squad, though, and, despite unimpressive early returns, they have the coaching and QB to make some noise in the ?Black and Blue? Division. Jay Cutler is everyone?s favorite whipping boy but selling him short here would likely be a mistake.
North America -? +134 over Russia
Regulation only. The first game of this event for the Russians highlighted a lot of the problems they seem to have in international competition. For nearly three periods, the Russians looked uninspired and were unable to capitalize on a late goaltending change for the Swedes that saw Jacob Markstrom replace Henrik Lundqvist. The Russians trailed 2-0 heading into the final minute before Alex Ovechkin scored on a wrist shot with 33-seconds to go. Ovi thought he had tied it with 8-seconds left but that goal was overturned because he batted the puck with his hand. That's become the story of the game for Russia but it's overshadowing an otherwise poor performance. In the end, it is the same ?ol same ?ol for Russia with that being a collection of really strong talent that lacks the intangibles it takes to beat the other powers that be. Excuses for Alex Ovechkin?s teams? in big games are becoming redundant too.
There has never been a team ?North America? so perhaps that is why they are not getting the credit they deserve. This is without question the greatest collection of young talent ever assembled. Having never played together before, the North Americans looked near unbeatable against Finland last night. The final score was 4-1 but it might as well have read 10-1 because that?s how dominant these kids were. Creating a multiple of quality scoring chances and applying the pressure for 60 minutes, this was one of the greatest displays of how hockey was meant to be played. There is an old adage in hockey that says there is no defense for speed and in that regard, the North Americans have an abundance of it and that, too, was on full display last night. Lastly, with several Canadians on the squad, including Auston Matthews, David McConnor, Jack Eichel and others, this crowd in Toronto is rooting for the North Americans as much as they are for the Canadians. The joint was electric last night and these kids responded with a focused, determined and near flawless effort last night. An even better perfromance is likely tonight now that they know how much fun this is going to be.
