Thursday Trends and Indexes 7/31

[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Long Sheet

MLB
Long Sheet


Thursday, July 31

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CHICAGO CUBS (64 - 44) at MILWAUKEE (60 - 48) - 2:05 PM
RICH HARDEN (R) vs. DAVE BUSH (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 442-480 (-118.6 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
MILWAUKEE is 51-26 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
BUSH is 28-12 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BUSH is 8-1 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BUSH is 28-12 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 64-44 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 62-40 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BUSH is 13-27 (-17.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 5-4 (+0.3 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.1 Units)

RICH HARDEN vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

DAVE BUSH vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
BUSH is 1-6 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.88 and a WHIP of 1.186.
His team's record is 1-8 (-8.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

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COLORADO (49 - 60) at FLORIDA (57 - 51) - 7:10 PM
JORGE DE LA ROSA (L) vs. ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 48-60 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 17-37 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
COLORADO is 48-60 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 31-47 (-17.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
FLORIDA is 57-51 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 39-24 (+21.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
FLORIDA is 31-24 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
FLORIDA is 24-15 (+10.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
FLORIDA is 56-49 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 41-40 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
FLORIDA is 32-28 (+6.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
COLORADO is 32-18 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 106-95 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 81-63 (+21.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 79-66 (+25.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 47-27 (+26.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-1 (+1.2 Units) against FLORIDA this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.1 Units)

JORGE DE LA ROSA vs. FLORIDA since 1997
DE LA ROSA is 1-2 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 8.59 and a WHIP of 2.113.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.7 units)

ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.

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ST LOUIS (61 - 49) at ATLANTA (49 - 58) - 7:10 PM
JOEL PINEIRO (R) vs. MIKE HAMPTON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 21-31 (-18.1 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
HAMPTON is 45-21 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 22-16 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ST LOUIS is 12-3 (+8.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
ST LOUIS is 61-49 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-24 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ST LOUIS is 61-49 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 40-33 (+6.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ATLANTA is 26-31 (-10.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ATLANTA is 47-58 (-22.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 49-58 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 3-9 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in home games in July games this season.
ATLANTA is 48-56 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 32-41 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-0 (+3.2 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

JOEL PINEIRO vs. ATLANTA since 1997
PINEIRO is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.250.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

MIKE HAMPTON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
HAMPTON is 7-6 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.89 and a WHIP of 1.339.
His team's record is 11-7 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-8. (+0.4 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (58 - 49) at WASHINGTON (38 - 69) - 7:10 PM
KYLE KENDRICK (R) vs. JOHN LANNAN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-23 (-14.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-24 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-14 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
KENDRICK is 9-2 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
KENDRICK is 14-4 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
KENDRICK is 9-2 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 24-44 (-15.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
WASHINGTON is 38-69 (-22.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-63 (-31.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 10-34 (-22.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 38-66 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-50 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-5 (+0.1 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

KYLE KENDRICK vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
KENDRICK is 0-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.269.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

JOHN LANNAN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
LANNAN is 0-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 8.31 and a WHIP of 1.848.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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ARIZONA (55 - 52) at LA DODGERS (54 - 53) - 10:10 PM
BRANDON WEBB (R) vs. DEREK LOWE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 25-29 (-9.0 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 16-28 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ARIZONA is 34-37 (-9.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 148-128 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 8-0 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
ARIZONA is 27-13 (+10.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
ARIZONA is 148-125 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 107-87 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WEBB is 11-2 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 59-71 (-19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 33-51 (-22.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 2-9 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 5-3 (+1.9 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.9 Units)

BRANDON WEBB vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WEBB is 9-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.65 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 10-5 (+5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-9. (-4.0 units)

DEREK LOWE vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LOWE is 4-6 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.466.
His team's record is 7-7 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-6. (+0.9 units)

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DETROIT (55 - 52) at CLEVELAND (46 - 60) - 12:05 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. FAUSTO CARMONA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 20-27 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
DETROIT is 34-44 (-17.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
VERLANDER is 9-13 (-8.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
VERLANDER is 3-9 (-10.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 22-12 (+12.3 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 16-3 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
VERLANDER is 32-12 (+17.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 24-35 (-18.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CLEVELAND is 15-24 (-11.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CLEVELAND is 46-60 (-26.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 9-24 (-21.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 6-14 (-14.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 31-44 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 15-28 (-18.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-20 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CLEVELAND is 45-55 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 35-44 (-16.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 7-4 (+3.0 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.1 Units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
VERLANDER is 4-7 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 6.27 and a WHIP of 1.436.
His team's record is 4-8 (-5.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-8. (-5.6 units)

FAUSTO CARMONA vs. DETROIT since 1997
CARMONA is 4-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.81 and a WHIP of 1.080.
His team's record is 5-1 (+3.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)

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LA ANGELS (67 - 40) at NY YANKEES (59 - 48) - 7:05 PM
JON GARLAND (R) vs. ANDY PETTITTE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
GARLAND is 9-18 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 38-20 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 40-26 (+9.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA ANGELS are 33-17 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA ANGELS are 12-4 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
LA ANGELS are 67-40 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 29-11 (+15.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 36-19 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA ANGELS are 15-3 (+12.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 18-6 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
LA ANGELS are 62-35 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 47-33 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 19-7 (+11.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 154-119 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 23-28 (-20.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 136-103 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

JON GARLAND vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
GARLAND is 3-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.439.
His team's record is 4-5 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.7 units)

ANDY PETTITTE vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
PETTITTE is 8-5 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.53 and a WHIP of 1.450.
His team's record is 11-7 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-11. (-5.8 units)

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SEATTLE (40 - 67) at TEXAS (56 - 52) - 8:05 PM
R.A. DICKEY (R) vs. MATT HARRISON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 25-41 (-16.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SEATTLE is 40-67 (-28.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 64-93 (-36.2 Units) against the money line in road games in July games since 1997.
SEATTLE is 35-63 (-30.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 27-46 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 10-21 (-11.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
DICKEY is 3-17 (-13.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 56-52 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 74-56 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 20-14 (+11.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
TEXAS is 50-46 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 42-34 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 45-30 (+24.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 8-5 (+5.2 Units) against SEATTLE this season
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.3 Units)

R.A. DICKEY vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT HARRISON vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHI WHITE SOX (60 - 46) at MINNESOTA (59 - 48) - 8:10 PM
JOHN DANKS (L) vs. SCOTT BAKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 59-48 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 19-12 (+8.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MINNESOTA is 36-20 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 28-9 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 31-19 (+15.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 36-20 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome this season.
MINNESOTA is 43-30 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 36-20 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-4 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 27-22 (+6.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 60-46 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 20-11 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 30-17 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 750-638 (+77.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 39-21 (+16.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 206-226 (+35.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 20-35 (-16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 8-6 (+1.3 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.7 Units)

JOHN DANKS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
DANKS is 2-3 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 7.06 and a WHIP of 1.841.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+2.0 units)

SCOTT BAKER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BAKER is 2-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 8.44 and a WHIP of 1.875.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-1. (+4.0 units)

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB


Updated

Thursday, July 31

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Tips and Trends
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Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers [WGN | 2:05 PM ET]

Cubs (-145, O/U 7): In three starts with the Cubs, Rich Harden has been brilliant, allowing just two runs in 17.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately for Harden, he's 0-1 with two no-decisions in those three starts thanks to the Cubs giving him just two runs of support in his last two appearances. Harden is just 2-2 on the road this season, although he has a strong 2.94 ERA in six starts away from home. The UNDER is 2-1 in Harden's three starts with the Cubbies.

Cubs are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
The OVER is 7-2 in Chicago's last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - Closer Kerry Wood (24 saves; finger) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Brewers: Dave Bush has been pitching much better of late, allowing just one run in four of his last six starts. The Brewers have taken advantage of Bush's strong pitching recently, going 5-1 in those six games. Bush's hot streak could end tonight. He's just 1-6 with a 4.88 ERA in nine career starts versus the Cubs. The OVER is 5-2 in Bush's last seven starts. .

Brewers are 4-9 in their last 13 home games.
The OVER is 9-3 in Milwaukee's last 12 home games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 3



Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees [YES | 7:05 ET]

Angels: Jon Garland takes the hill tonight for the Angels in hopes that he pitches much better than he has in his three most recent starts. In his last 14.2 innings of work, Garland has allowed 23 hits and 25 runs but the Angels are 2-1 over that span thanks to their red-hot hitting. Garland is 6-2 on the road this season, although his ERA is a less than impressive 4.58. The OVER has cashed in two of Garland's last three starts.

Angels are 13-3 in their last 16 games as an underdog.
Angels are 9-2 in their last 11 games following a win.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)

Yankees (-160, O/U 9.5): Andy Pettitte has arguably been the Yankees most consistent pitcher this season, going 7-2 with one no-decision in his last 10 starts. Pettitte has actually been more effective on the road than at home this season. He's just 5-4 with an ERA of 4.00 in 11 starts at Yankee Stadium. The UNDER has been a wise play with Pettitte on the hill. The UNDER is a strong 8-2 in his last 10 starts.

Yankees are 9-3 in their last 12 games overall.
The OVER is 5-0 in New York's last 5 games overall.

Key Injuries - C Jorge Posada (.268; shoulder) is OUT for the season.

PROJECTED SCORE: 7



Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins [8:10 PM ET]

White Sox: John Danks takes to the hill tonight with an impressive streak of not recording a loss since May 24. However, while he's 2-0 with one no-decision over his last three starts, Danks has been roughed up pretty good. In 17.2 innings of work, Danks has allowed an alarming 15 runs. Danks has been hammered in six career starts versus the Twins, going 2-3 with a lofty 7.06 ERA.

White Sox are 2-11 in their last 12 games in field turf.
The UNDER is 17-7 in Chicago's last 24 games on field turf.

Key Injuries - 3B Joe Crede (.255; back) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 3

Twins (-130, O/U 8): Scott Baker has been stellar over his most recent 10-game stretch, allowing three runs or less nine times. Unfortunately for the Twins, they don't like to give Baker much run support so they are only 5-5 over that span. Baker has been worn out by the White Sox, sporting a 8.44 ERA. Not surprisingly, the UNDER has been a strong play with Baker on the mound, going 6-3-1 in his last 10 outings.

Twins are 20-6 in their last 26 home games.
Twins are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings at Minnesota.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side Play of the Day)

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[pm530]

Canadian Football League – Preview and Predictions

CFL
Preview and Predictions


CFL games – Week 6

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Preview and Predictions
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Thursday, July 31

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-4) at Montreal Alouettes (2-3) (-10, O/U 52 1/2)

The Alouettes will host the Tiger-Cats with lots of concerns defensively with some injuries to Matthieu Proulx and Mark Estelle that will force coach Marc Trestman to rely on at least two rookies.

Paul Woldu will replace Estelle as a cornerback while Chris Smith will make his CFL debut as a safety. Good news for the Alouettes - the Tiger-Cats don’t have much of a passing game and they haven’t won against the Alouettes since November 2005.

It’s even worse when they play in Montreal, where their last win goes back to October 2002. That being said, it will be a showdown between two totally different styles of offenses.

Hamilton runs the ball a ton with running back Jesse Lumsden, who is the second best rusher in the CFL with 416 yard rushing behind Wes Cates of Saskatchewan. Cates has played one more game than Lumsden, though.

Bottom line, the Ti-Cats have the best running game in the league while the Als rely heavily on QB Anthony Calvillo’s passing game. The Alouettes should win this game especially at home, but don’t be shocked if this one is closer than the odds suggest.

Pick: Montreal -10



B.C. Lions (3-2) at Edmonton Eskimos (3-2) (+2, O/U 54)

Both teams show similar 3-2 records that tell a totally different story.

The Lions struggled and were a disappointment in their first two games while the Eskimos are a nice surprise so far this season. After losing to Calgary and Saskatchewan, the Lions bounced back over the poor Winnipeg Blue Bombers, whom they beat twice before winning a very close one against Montreal.

The Eskimos started the season with a whipping in Saskatchewan before winning at home against Calgary and Toronto. They lost at Toronto in Week 5, then won in Hamilton.

If you just take a look at the stats, these teams seem very close. But let’s not forget that B.C. did win their last five games against Edmonton and this time shouldn’t be any different.

QB Jarious Jackson should be able to take advantage of Edmonton’s soft defense but with Ricky Ray calling the shots on offense for the Eskimos, it could be quite an exciting game. Still, B.C. looks like a better bet for this matchup.

Pick: B.C.




Friday, August 1

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4) at Toronto Argonauts (2-3) (-3 ½, O/U 53 1/2)

Injuries have prevented both teams from being in first place in the East Division.

Center Dominic Picard, DL Jon Oosterhuis and LG Matt Sheridan are out indefinitely for Winnipeg, while CB Robert Bean will miss Week 6. Wide receiver Milt Stegall is listed as doubtful and LB Ike Charlton is listed as probable. Both have knee injuries.

Toronto will be without WRs David Boston (out indefinitely with a foot injury) and Bethel Johnson (ankle). They will also be without LB Kevin Eiben this week.

The Argonauts are the favorite but QB Ryan Dinwiddie led the Bombers last week to a 32-28 win against Calgary in which he threw for 450 yards, completing 24 of 39 pass attempts with one TD. Should he show so much poise against the Argonauts, the Bombers could have another upset win. And you could make a case that Kerry Joseph still seems to struggle in Toronto’s offensive schemes.

The Argos are at home but you have to like Winnipeg’s chances in this one.

Pick: Winnipeg




Saturday, August 2

Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-0) at Calgary Stampeders (3-2) (-6, O/U 54 1/2)

They are the defending Grey Cup champs but the question remains: Are the Roughriders that good? This game at McMahon Stadium could prove to be a reality check for Saskatchewan.

The two teams have split their last 10 showdowns. Starting QB Marcus Crandell is listed as probable and will be back as a starter after missing three weeks of action with a hamstring injury. This is great news for the Roughriders who will be without Darian Durant for the next three or four weeks with ribs fractured.

Durant has been brilliant in relief of Crandell who will now try to keep the Riders’ winning streak alive. His timing may be off at the start of the game and Saskatchewan will need its defence to stop Henry Burris, who threw three touchdown strikes last week while completing 31 of 44 pass attempts for 386 yards in a 32-28 loss to Winnipeg.

Calgary is at home and should win this one.

Pick: Calgary

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