JEFF BENTON
Your Saturday freebie is the Under in the Vikings-Broncos game from Denver.
The totals trend early this season has been tilted to the Over, as excluding the Hall-of-Fame Game, the Over has cashed 10 of the 14 games contested heading into this Saturday night card.
Wait for it...wait for it...here comes the Under!
Minnesota and Denver are two of the better defensive units in the league, and I highly suspect we will not be seeing as much offense as we have seen this week in games contested.
The Vikings let Case Keenum go in favor of Kirk Cousins, and Minnesota also picked up former Denver signal-caller Trevor Siemian who will plenty of action against his old team. I am sure the Broncos will do him no favors - even in this "meaningless" contest. Minny will also give a good look to Kyle Sloter who they are very high on, and Peter Pujals, while Keenum should not see all that much live action yielding instead to Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly who will vie for the back-up spot this season for the rebuilding Broncos.
Yes, Minny has weapons on offense, and Dalvin Cook is now healthy, but if you think Mike Zimmer is going to keep his starters out there very long, you have another think coming. This game will be all about watching both defenses flex their muscle and impose their will.
Vikings and Broncos land Under the total this Saturday night.
3* MINNESOTA-DENVER UNDER
Your Saturday freebie is the Under in the Vikings-Broncos game from Denver.
The totals trend early this season has been tilted to the Over, as excluding the Hall-of-Fame Game, the Over has cashed 10 of the 14 games contested heading into this Saturday night card.
Wait for it...wait for it...here comes the Under!
Minnesota and Denver are two of the better defensive units in the league, and I highly suspect we will not be seeing as much offense as we have seen this week in games contested.
The Vikings let Case Keenum go in favor of Kirk Cousins, and Minnesota also picked up former Denver signal-caller Trevor Siemian who will plenty of action against his old team. I am sure the Broncos will do him no favors - even in this "meaningless" contest. Minny will also give a good look to Kyle Sloter who they are very high on, and Peter Pujals, while Keenum should not see all that much live action yielding instead to Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly who will vie for the back-up spot this season for the rebuilding Broncos.
Yes, Minny has weapons on offense, and Dalvin Cook is now healthy, but if you think Mike Zimmer is going to keep his starters out there very long, you have another think coming. This game will be all about watching both defenses flex their muscle and impose their will.
Vikings and Broncos land Under the total this Saturday night.
3* MINNESOTA-DENVER UNDER
TOMMY BRUNSON
Comp play for Saturday is the runs to continue to pile up at Yankee Stadium between the Rangers and the Yankees.
Last night Texas was able to plate a dozen runs, while New York mustered a robust 7. That Over puts the season series between the clubs at 5-0 Over the total, and the Over is also on an 8-1 run the last 9 times the clubs have faced one another!
The Rangers have played 7 of their last 9 games in the Over column, while the Yankees have played each of their last 3 Over the posted price.
It doesn't matter if Nolan Ryan and Ron Guidry are on the hill right now, as the hitters gonna hit, hit, hit!
Rangers-Yankees Over.
5* TEXAS-N.Y. YANKEE OVER
Comp play for Saturday is the runs to continue to pile up at Yankee Stadium between the Rangers and the Yankees.
Last night Texas was able to plate a dozen runs, while New York mustered a robust 7. That Over puts the season series between the clubs at 5-0 Over the total, and the Over is also on an 8-1 run the last 9 times the clubs have faced one another!
The Rangers have played 7 of their last 9 games in the Over column, while the Yankees have played each of their last 3 Over the posted price.
It doesn't matter if Nolan Ryan and Ron Guidry are on the hill right now, as the hitters gonna hit, hit, hit!
Rangers-Yankees Over.
5* TEXAS-N.Y. YANKEE OVER
JACK JONES
Jack’s Free Pick Saturday: Miami Marlins -107
The Miami Marlins should be able to handle the New York Mets tonight. While the Marlins are just 1-9 in their last 10 games overall, they are favored for a reason today. They have a big advantage on the mound over the Mets in this one.
Dan Straily has held his own this season at 4-5 with a 4.35 ERA through 18 starts. Straily certainly enjoys facing the Mets, going 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.218 WHIP in six career starts against the Mets.
Corey Oswalt is 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA in six starts for the Mets this season, including 0-1 with a 10.79 ERA in two road starts. One of those came at Miami on June 29th in his only career start against the Marlins. He gave up 6 earned runs and 8 base runners in 2 2/3 innings for a 20.22 ERA in a 2-8 loss.
The Mets are 10-27 in their last 37 games following a win. New York is 6-24 in its last 30 during Game 1 of a series. Miami is 7-1 in Straily’s last eight starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or fewer in their previous game. Bet the Marlins Saturday.
Jack’s Free Pick Saturday: Miami Marlins -107
The Miami Marlins should be able to handle the New York Mets tonight. While the Marlins are just 1-9 in their last 10 games overall, they are favored for a reason today. They have a big advantage on the mound over the Mets in this one.
Dan Straily has held his own this season at 4-5 with a 4.35 ERA through 18 starts. Straily certainly enjoys facing the Mets, going 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.218 WHIP in six career starts against the Mets.
Corey Oswalt is 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA in six starts for the Mets this season, including 0-1 with a 10.79 ERA in two road starts. One of those came at Miami on June 29th in his only career start against the Marlins. He gave up 6 earned runs and 8 base runners in 2 2/3 innings for a 20.22 ERA in a 2-8 loss.
The Mets are 10-27 in their last 37 games following a win. New York is 6-24 in its last 30 during Game 1 of a series. Miami is 7-1 in Straily’s last eight starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or fewer in their previous game. Bet the Marlins Saturday.
DOUG UPSTONE
NFLX | Aug 11, 2018
Vikings vs. Broncos
OVER 35½
Minnesota players get to face the quarterback that took them to the NFC title game in Case Keenum, who signed with Denver. The wagering action is on the total, which was bumped up from 34.5 to 35.5 and some sportsbooks are now at 36. My Game Estimator, which had a Bonus Play winner here on Thursday, is on the OVER and that works for me.
NFLX | Aug 11, 2018
Vikings vs. Broncos
OVER 35½
Minnesota players get to face the quarterback that took them to the NFC title game in Case Keenum, who signed with Denver. The wagering action is on the total, which was bumped up from 34.5 to 35.5 and some sportsbooks are now at 36. My Game Estimator, which had a Bonus Play winner here on Thursday, is on the OVER and that works for me.
ROB VINCILETTI
WNBA | Aug 11, 2018
Fever vs. Aces
Aces-9½
On Saturday the WNBA Comp Play is on Las Vegas at 10:35 eastern. Las Vegas has covered in 11 of their last 12 wins This year and have covered the spread in 7 of 8 against Indiana. The Aces are 5-2 ats vs losing teams and have won both meetings this year. The Fever have failed to cover in their last 12 losses and 10 of 13 vs teams who allow 77 or more points per game. Indians has revenge but has lost 19 of 23 when trying to even the score. They have failed to cover 4 of the last 5 vs losing teams. Look for Las Vegas to get the win and cover.
WNBA | Aug 11, 2018
Fever vs. Aces
Aces-9½
On Saturday the WNBA Comp Play is on Las Vegas at 10:35 eastern. Las Vegas has covered in 11 of their last 12 wins This year and have covered the spread in 7 of 8 against Indiana. The Aces are 5-2 ats vs losing teams and have won both meetings this year. The Fever have failed to cover in their last 12 losses and 10 of 13 vs teams who allow 77 or more points per game. Indians has revenge but has lost 19 of 23 when trying to even the score. They have failed to cover 4 of the last 5 vs losing teams. Look for Las Vegas to get the win and cover.
Doc’s Sports
Take #279 Minnesota Vikings (PK) over Denver Broncos (9p.m. Saturday, August 11)
Both head coaches have outstanding records in the exhibition season but we will side with Mike Zimmer and his 13-4 record (12-5 ATS). The Vikings are 2-0 in Week 1 the last two years and have a solid rotation of quarterbacks. That is more than what can be said about the Broncos, as after Case Keenum there is a major drop-off in talent. Paxton Lynch appears to be a first round bust and Chad Kelly has not shown much either. Denver went 4-0 last year in preseason play and their coach was lucky to keep his job once the regular season completed. They need a different approach this year and expect that to be the case tonight in the Mile-High City.
Take #279 Minnesota Vikings (PK) over Denver Broncos (9p.m. Saturday, August 11)
Both head coaches have outstanding records in the exhibition season but we will side with Mike Zimmer and his 13-4 record (12-5 ATS). The Vikings are 2-0 in Week 1 the last two years and have a solid rotation of quarterbacks. That is more than what can be said about the Broncos, as after Case Keenum there is a major drop-off in talent. Paxton Lynch appears to be a first round bust and Chad Kelly has not shown much either. Denver went 4-0 last year in preseason play and their coach was lucky to keep his job once the regular season completed. They need a different approach this year and expect that to be the case tonight in the Mile-High City.
MIKE LUNDIN
MLB | Aug 11, 2018
Diamondbacks vs. Reds
Diamondbacks-138
The Arizona Diamondbacks had won eight of 12 heading into Friday, but they failed to get their bats going in a 3-0 setback in the opener of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds last night.
Good spot for revenge here with road warrior Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.92 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has posted a 2.57 ERA in seven road starts this season, and he has allowed a total of just three runs in his last three starts away from home.
The Reds counter with right-hander Matt Harvey (5-7, 5.37 ERA) who has been roughed up in two of his last three starts, including a 6-2 loss to the Washington Nationals last Saturday in which he gave up five runs in four frames. Harvey has surrendered 27 runs in 44 1/3 frames home at Great American Ball Park for a 5.48 ERA.
Diamondbacks are 10-2 in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a losing record and 10-2 in Ray's last 12 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Reds are 8-20 in their last 28 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Free pick on Arizona Diamondbacks ML.
MLB | Aug 11, 2018
Diamondbacks vs. Reds
Diamondbacks-138
The Arizona Diamondbacks had won eight of 12 heading into Friday, but they failed to get their bats going in a 3-0 setback in the opener of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds last night.
Good spot for revenge here with road warrior Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.92 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has posted a 2.57 ERA in seven road starts this season, and he has allowed a total of just three runs in his last three starts away from home.
The Reds counter with right-hander Matt Harvey (5-7, 5.37 ERA) who has been roughed up in two of his last three starts, including a 6-2 loss to the Washington Nationals last Saturday in which he gave up five runs in four frames. Harvey has surrendered 27 runs in 44 1/3 frames home at Great American Ball Park for a 5.48 ERA.
Diamondbacks are 10-2 in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a losing record and 10-2 in Ray's last 12 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Reds are 8-20 in their last 28 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Free pick on Arizona Diamondbacks ML.
JOHN MARTIN
1 Unit Bonus Play on Colorado Rockies +130
The Colorado Rockies should not be underdogs to the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight. Kyle Freeland is 10-7 with a. 3.04 ERA in 23 starts, including 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA in 10 home starts. Posting that kind of ERA at Coors Field is Cy Young worthy. Walker Buehler hasn’t been very good on the road this season. He is 2-1 with a 5.26 ERA in five starts on the highway. Buehler gave up 4 earned runs and 10 base runners in 5 innings in his only previous start at Coors Field back on June 2nd. The Rockies are 14-5 in their last 19 home games. Colorado is 6-1 in Freeland’s last seven starts. The Rockies are 5-0 in Freeland’s last five home starts. Give me the Rockies.
1 Unit Bonus Play on Colorado Rockies +130
The Colorado Rockies should not be underdogs to the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight. Kyle Freeland is 10-7 with a. 3.04 ERA in 23 starts, including 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA in 10 home starts. Posting that kind of ERA at Coors Field is Cy Young worthy. Walker Buehler hasn’t been very good on the road this season. He is 2-1 with a 5.26 ERA in five starts on the highway. Buehler gave up 4 earned runs and 10 base runners in 5 innings in his only previous start at Coors Field back on June 2nd. The Rockies are 14-5 in their last 19 home games. Colorado is 6-1 in Freeland’s last seven starts. The Rockies are 5-0 in Freeland’s last five home starts. Give me the Rockies.
JACK BRAYMAN
My Bonus Play for a second straight night is on the San Diego Padres over the Philadelphia Phillies. It was an easy winner last night, as I told you Jacob Nix was going to dominate in his MLB debut. Tonight, the value is on Walker Lockett over Aaron Nola, so be sure to list them both.
Feeding off of Nix's impressive debut, I like the chances with Lockett, who comes in hungry to prove he is better than we saw of him last Saturday, when he was ravaged by one rough inning in Chicago. He was tagged for five runs in the second, but held the Cubs scoreless otherwise over five innings of work.
So, here's the deal, with a temporary six-man staff, Lockett is likely pitching to keep his spot in the rotation, which makes this game even more important for him.
From the other dugout comes Nola, the Phillies’ ace who is looking to bolster his Cy Young credentials, but is also still looking for his first win since the All-Star break. He has posted a 2.88 ERA in four starts since he was the Phillies’ lone representative at the All-Star Game, but he can't seem to get a win.
The Phillies have been outscored over their last 10 games by nine runs, and the Padres come in with a .277 batting average over their last 10. That's trouble when San Diego's offense has been futile all season. Now it is unassuming and we don't know what to expect.
That's why you would never - ever - lay the number with a struggling team on the road against a team just looking to make the home crowd happy and a pitcher looking to save his job in the rotation.
Instead, play the dog small and hope for the best. The real play is my 50 Dime NFL total, so do not miss that game.
2* PADRES (List Lockett over Nola)
My Bonus Play for a second straight night is on the San Diego Padres over the Philadelphia Phillies. It was an easy winner last night, as I told you Jacob Nix was going to dominate in his MLB debut. Tonight, the value is on Walker Lockett over Aaron Nola, so be sure to list them both.
Feeding off of Nix's impressive debut, I like the chances with Lockett, who comes in hungry to prove he is better than we saw of him last Saturday, when he was ravaged by one rough inning in Chicago. He was tagged for five runs in the second, but held the Cubs scoreless otherwise over five innings of work.
So, here's the deal, with a temporary six-man staff, Lockett is likely pitching to keep his spot in the rotation, which makes this game even more important for him.
From the other dugout comes Nola, the Phillies’ ace who is looking to bolster his Cy Young credentials, but is also still looking for his first win since the All-Star break. He has posted a 2.88 ERA in four starts since he was the Phillies’ lone representative at the All-Star Game, but he can't seem to get a win.
The Phillies have been outscored over their last 10 games by nine runs, and the Padres come in with a .277 batting average over their last 10. That's trouble when San Diego's offense has been futile all season. Now it is unassuming and we don't know what to expect.
That's why you would never - ever - lay the number with a struggling team on the road against a team just looking to make the home crowd happy and a pitcher looking to save his job in the rotation.
Instead, play the dog small and hope for the best. The real play is my 50 Dime NFL total, so do not miss that game.
2* PADRES (List Lockett over Nola)
