Announcement

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:02 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Friday, October 3

The American League's four postseason teams and the ranked BYU Cougars will play the most notable contests on the Friday schedule. Here's your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

How good are the Mountain West's BYU Cougars? Good enough to be undefeated and ranked No. 8 in the country. Brigham Young's defense has been rock solid over their last two games, which they won by a combined score of 103-0 over UCLA and Wyoming. That doesn't bode well for Utah State, who are 1-3 overall and pegged as 28-point home underdogs in this Friday night matchup. The total is sitting at 59.5 points.

The other game on the college gridiron on Friday is a Big East/Conference USA battle between Cincinnati and Marshall. The Bearcats are 3-1 on the year, beating Eastern Kentucky, Miami (OH), and Akron, and getting thumped 52-26 by Oklahoma. Marshall sits at 3-2, but they were also pounded by a ranked opponent (51-14, by Wisconsin). Cincinnati is listed as a 3.5-point road favorite in this game, with the total at 51.5 points.

Other Notable Events

The two National League playoff series are taking Friday off, so the baseball spotlight will be centered on the second games of the ChiSox/Rays and BoSox/Angels series.

In Tampa Bay it will be Scott Kazmir (12-8, 3.49 ERA) pitching at home against Mark Buehrle (15-12, 3.79 ERA). Kazmir is coming off a loss against the Tigers in which he gave up four earned runs over five innings of work. However, the Rays are 7-3 in the lefthander's last 10 trips to the mound. Buehrle picked up a clutch win vs. the Indians last time out, holding them to one earned run on nine hits over seven innings. The lefthander has surrendered three or fewer earned runs in each of his last six outings.

Out on the west coast it will be Los Angeles' Ervin Santana (16-7, 3.49 ERA) taking on Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 ERA). Santana will be looking to forget his last trip to the mound, in which he was knocked around for eight earned runs over just 5 2-3 innings of work. Still, the Angels have won five of the righthander's last seven outings. Dice-K has allowed more than three earned runs only once in his past 10 starts, which allowed him to drop his ERA under 3.00. Boston is 8-2 in his last 10 trips to the mound.

The Rest of the Schedule

The second game of the WNBA Finals goes on Friday night, with San Antonio once again hosting Detroit. The Shock cruised to a 77-69 win as a 5-point road underdog in Game 1 on Wednesday night, with Katie Smith picking up 25 points and nine rebounds. Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 24 points in the win, while Sophia Young poured in a team-high 21 points for the Silver Stars. Game 3 will be in Detroit on Sunday afternoon.

Also, it's B.C. (-10) at Toronto and Calgary (-3.5) at Saskatchewan in Friday CFL action.

News from the Wire

J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell both returned to the lineup for the Red Sox on Wednesday night . . . Titans QB Vince Young (knee) has returned to limited practice this week, but Kerry Collins still has a grip on the team's starting gig . . . Ravens RB Willis McGahee (ribs) has also been limited in practice this week, meaning LeRon McClain is likely to get a lot of work on Sunday . . . the Canucks designated G Roberto Luongo as captain.

A Peek at the Future

Oklahoma gets an outing as the top-ranked team in college football on Saturday afternoon when they play on the road against Baylor as 27-point favorites. Other Top 10 teams in action on Saturday include Kentucky at No. 2 Alabama (-16.5), No. 4 Missouri (-10.5) at Nebraska, No. 5 Texas (-13.5) at Colorado, No. 6 Penn State (-13) at Purdue, No. 7 Texas Tech (-7.5) at Kansas State, and also No. 23 Oregon at No. 9 USC (-16.5).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:03 AM

Six-pack for Friday

Some NFL knowledge with Week 5 around the corner.........

-- Ravens covered four of their last five home games.

-- Bears covered six of their last eight road games.

-- Dallas is 12-4-1 vs spread in game following a loss.

-- Broncos covered two of 11 at home against NFC teams.

-- Packers are 7-2-1 vs spread in last ten games as home favorite.

-- Arizona covered six of last seven against AFC teams.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:03 AM

Friday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but...........

13) High drama in Utah late Thursday night, as Utes trailed 28-20 in last 2:00 to upstart Oregon State (who beat USC last week); in last 2:00, Utes scored TD, got benefit of incredibly late pass interference flag on 2-point conversion, then tied game, got ball back after Oregon State punted, and kicked winning FG at gun to win, 31-28, keeping their chance of being a BCS-buster very much alive.

12) Tough break for Penn State, who crushed Oregon State in Happy Valley, but since Beavers beat USC; another win would have boosted OSU's profile, and the Nittany Lions' profile with it.

11) Red Sox have now won 11 postseason games in row against the Angels. is now the time drifting through the regular season, winning the lame AL West hurts the Halos? Competition makes you tough; the Angels didn't have any of that in second half of this season.

10) Oh, before I forget, Memphis kicked late FG to win at UAB by 33-30 score. College Sports TV has a C-USA Game of Week every Thursday, for some reason, and this week's was a good one. Pitt is a quiet 4-1 for Dave Wannstedt after their terrific win at South Florida.

9) Should the Dodgers eliminate the Cubs, I'll become last person on earth to acknowledge that Joe Torre should be in the Hall of Fame.

8) Odd coincidence this week; on same day Scott Linehan was fired as coach of the Rams, Tom Cable replaced Lane Kiffin as coach out in Oakland. The coincidence is that Cable blocked for Linehan when the two played football for the Idaho Vandals under Dennis Erickson.

7) Ohio Bobcats are 0-4 this season against D-I teams, but covered all four losses; you don't see that happen too much.

6) Sporting News, which has become a must-read, twice-monthly magazine, had a Brady Bunch/Hollywood Squares type cover this week, with a player from each of the eight playoff teams; well, that is, except that they put Jose Reyes on the cover instead of a Brewer.

5) Pet peeve: When sideline reporters do their halftime interviews in college games, they really need to interview the guy that has the lead first- -he is way less likely to be angry/annoyed. Interviewing a guy whose team is playing lousy is asking for trouble nobody wants.

4) Does TBS have any TV shows besides Frank Caliendo's show? Could they run commercials for the NBA on TNT or some reruns, just to provide variety? I mean, how many ads does one show need?

3) By the way, credit to TBS for assembling pretty good teams to announce this round of playoffs. Other than the awful Chip Caray out west for Red Sox-Angels, they have Don Orsillo (Red Sox) for Rays-White Sox, Dick Stockton for Phils-Brewers and some guy I don't know, but who is pretty good, doing the Cub-Dodger series.

2) Tony Gwynn is the baseball coach at San Diego State; think he's got a recruiting advantage, announcing playoff games? The Gwynn-Darling-Stockton team is a pretty darned good one.

1) I plan on enjoying this Sunday; when your favorite NFL team is not doing well, the bye week takes on a twisted sense of relief. Am looking forward to seeing what changes Jim Haslett puts in for next week, when the 0-4 Rams visit the Redskins. More blitzes, for one, I hope. Less turnovers and missed blocks, too.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:04 AM

Canadian Football League – Long Sheet

CFL
Long Sheet

Week 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 5) at TORONTO (4 - 9) - 10/3/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) in home games in weeks 10 through 15 since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in weeks 10 through 15 over the last 2 seasons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 44-27 ATS (+14.3 Units) when playing on a Friday since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-2 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALGARY (9 - 4) at SASKATCHEWAN (8 - 5) - 10/3/2008, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 53-32 ATS (+17.8 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 124-94 ATS (+20.6 Units) in all games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 124-94 ATS (+20.6 Units) in all lined games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 83-51 ATS (+26.9 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 113-84 ATS (+20.6 Units) in games played on turf since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 73-46 ATS (+22.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SASKATCHEWAN is 5-5 against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
SASKATCHEWAN is 6-4 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, October 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONTREAL (9 - 4) at HAMILTON (2 - 11) - 10/4/2008, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games in weeks 10 through 15 over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games versus division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
HAMILTON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
HAMILTON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
HAMILTON is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in home games versus division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
HAMILTON is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 4-4 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 8-0 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WINNIPEG (5 - 8) at EDMONTON (7 - 6) - 10/4/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 9 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 4-1 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 3-1 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:05 AM

Canadian Football League – Write up

CFL
Write-up

Week 15 CFL games

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 3

BCLions (8-5) @ Toronto (4-9)-- Lions won four games in row; they scored 32.5 ppg during win streak, are 3-3 on road, with wins by 18- 23-6 points. BC is 4-6 vs spread as favorite this season, 1-2 on road. Argos lost four in row, six of last seven games, getting outscored in last four games, 162-48. Toronto covered one of last six as dog, lost four of six at home, with losses by 19-18-30-28 points. Last five BC games stayed under the total.

Calgary (9-4) @ Saskatchewan (8-5)-- Two sides going in opposite directions; Stampeders won four games in row, scoring 39.3 ppg; the road team won both previous meetings, as Roughriders won 22-21 in Calgary in Week 6 (that made Riders 6-0), then lost 30-25 at home the next week, game that started Roders' current slide, and started Stamps' hot streak. Saskatchewan scored just 19.8 ppg in six games since their bye. Calgary allowed 33.3 ppg in last four games that weren't against the Argomauts, who they played and crushed the last two weeks.

Saturday, October 4

Montreal (9-4) @ Hamilton (2-11)-- Alouettes already beat Hamilton twice this season, 33-10 in road opener (+2.5), then 40-33 at home in Week 6 (-10). TiCats are winless except for two wins vs Toronto; last week, Hamilton had 95 passing yards, 94 penalty yards in a hideous 40-10 loss at British Columbia. TiCats lost last six games (1-5 vs the spread)- they haven't covered any of their five home losses. Five of last seven Montreal games stayed under the total.

Winnipeg (5-8) @ Edmonton (7-6)-- Eskimos lost 30-23 in Winnipeg last week (+3), their third loss in last four games; Edmonton is 5-1 at home, losing only to Calgary, with wins by 3-19-11-17-5 points. Last week was Bombers' third win in row; they're just 3-4 at home. Under is 6-2 in Winnipeg's last eight games. Bombers outrushed Eskimos by 156-35 last week, as Ray was 36-43/410 passing, but those numbers translated to just 23 Edmonton points.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:06 AM

Canadian Football League – Additional Trends

CFL

Trends Sheet

Week 15

Friday, October 3

7:00 PM BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. TORONTO
British Columbia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
British Columbia is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games
Toronto is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing British Columbia
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing British Columbia

10:00 PM CALGARY vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Calgary is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Calgary is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Saskatchewan is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
Saskatchewan is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Calgary

Saturday, October 4

4:00 PM MONTREAL vs. HAMILTON
Montreal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Hamilton
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Montreal's last 15 games when playing Hamilton
Hamilton is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Hamilton is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:00 PM WINNIPEG vs. EDMONTON
Winnipeg is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Winnipeg is 1-6-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Edmonton is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games at home

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:08 AM

Canadian Football League – Previews and Picks

CFL
Previews and Picks

CFL games – Week 15

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previews and Picks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 3

B.C. Lions (8-5) at Toronto Argonauts (4-9) (+9 ½)

Kerry Joseph will get another chance as starting QB for the Argonauts but he might be a long night against a Lions defence that sacked Hamilton’s Quinton Porter 10 times last week during British Columbia’s 40-10 win.

The Argos have lost six of their past seven games and are winless in three games under head coach Don Matthews. In those last three contests, the Argos scored a combined 29 points.

Buck Pierce threw three touchdown passes last week, enabling the Lions to slaughter the Tiger Cats and he should have another strong outing this Friday in Toronto as B.C. keeps challenging the Stampeders for first place in the West Division.

Pick: B.C.

Calgary Stampeders (9-4) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) (+4)

Injuries are taking their toll on the Saskatchewan Roughriders who have now lost three straight and five of their last six.

After an embarrassing loss in Montreal the Roughriders will attempt to take down the first-place Stampeders without wide receivers Matt Dominguez and Adarius Bowman, star linebacker Anton McKenzie and running back Wes Cates.

The Stampeders have won four games in a row and six of their last seven. Bettors should keep in mind the last time the Stampeders entered a game as a road favourite goes back to July 2002…and they lost that game straight up. Expect a very close game.

Pick: Saskatchewan

Saturday, October 4

Montreal Alouettes (9-4) at Hamilton Tiger Cats (2-11) (+10)

The Alouettes are riding a three-game win streak heading into Hamilton and are hoping to clinch the East Division title. Montreal won its last three in Hamilton and won the last eight contests against the Tiger Cats.

The Ti-Cats give up more sacks than any other team in the league and it was visibly painful watching their o-line trying to protect Quinton Porter last week. The unit promised to guard Porter better this week but it’s hard to imagine better results with the Alouettes’ Keron Williams and John Bowman rushing on every down.

Pick: Montreal

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-8) at Edmonton Eskimos (7-6) (-4)

There is bad blood between these two teams after last week’s game. Eskimos linebacker Agustin Barrenechea gave a violent helmet-to-helmet hit on Winnipeg QB Kevin Glenn in the final minutes. Winnipeg backers are irate that Barrenechea was only fined and not suspended for the hit.

The Bombers have won three in a row while the Eskimos are trying to stop a two-game losing streak.

Last week, the Blue Bombers claimed victory in Winnipeg against these Eskimos, 30-23. Kevin Glenn completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 268 yards while Edmonton’s QB, Ricky Ray, threw for 434 yards and two touchdowns. Once again expect an aerial showdown between these two, and lots of points on the board.

I think it comes down to the last possession.

Pick: Winnipeg

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:09 AM

Major League Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up

Friday, October 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tampa Rays are 12-2 at home when Kazmir starts; he has an 8.36 RA in his last three starts, is 1-0, 2.07 in two starts vs Chicago this season. Buehrle is 4-1, 2.29 in his last six starts; he allowed 13 runs in 19.2 IP vs Rays this year, in three starts. Chicago is 3-11 in his last 14 road starts.

Matsuzaka is 2-0, 2.12 in his last three starts, he gave up six runs in his five IP vs Angels in a 7-5 LA win July 28 at Fenway. Red Sox are 11-2 in his road starts this season. Santana has 5.81 RA in his last four starts Angels are just 8-7 in his home starts this season. Boston has now won ten postseason games in a row against the Angels.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**pm530** · 10-03-2008, 04:11 AM

Major League Baseball - Tips & Trends

MLB

Friday, October 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays [TBS | 6:05 PM ET]

White Sox: Mark Buehrle is one of the main reasons why the White Sox are still playing. Chicago is 7-3 in Buehrle’s last 10 starts but he’s struggled away from home. Buehrle is just 4-9 on the road this season with a lofty 5.05 ERA. He has had success against the Rays in his career, going 6-2 with a 4.24 ERA. The UNDER is 3-1 in Buehrle’s last four starts.

White Sox are 8-3 in Buehrle’s last 11 starts.
White Sox are 6-0 in their last 6 playoff road games.

Key Injuries - OF Carlos Quentin (wrist) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

Rays (-150, O/U 8.5): Scott Kazmir had a strong outing against Minnesota but sandwiched around that start were two poor performances against Detroit and Boston where he allowed 13 runs in just eight innings pitched. The numbers say that Kazmir will pitch well tonight. He’s 8-2 at home this season and 3-1 against the White Sox over his career with a 3.34 ERA. The OVER is 8-1-1 in Kazmir’s last 10 starts.

Rays are 4-0 in Kazmir’s last 4 Friday starts.
Rays are 5-1 in Kazmir’s last 6 starts vs. AL Central.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels [TBS | 9:35 PM ET]

Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka is coming off a tremendous regular season. He was arguably the most effective starting pitcher on the road this year, going 9-0 with a miniscule 2.37 ERA away from Fenway Park. Dice-K has only started one game against the Angels and it didn’t go well, as he gave up seven hits and six runs in just five innings of work.

Red Sox are 10-0 in the last 10 postseason meetings.
Red Sox are 8-2 in Matsuzaka’s last 10 starts vs. AL West.

Key Injuries - SS Julio Lugo (quad) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 2 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Angels (-130, O/U 8): Ervin Santana has been pitching pretty well overall but he got hammered in his last outing against Texas, allowing 10 hits and eight runs over 5.2 innings. Santana has been just average at home this season, going 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA. Santana has struggled against the Red Sox with a record of 1-2 record and 5.73 ERA. The UNDER is 7-1 in Santana’s last eight starts.

Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 Divisional Playoff games.
Angels are 0-5 in their last 5 playoff home games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Spark** · 10-03-2008, 08:12 AM

Thanks Guys ....

**Udog** · 10-03-2008, 08:14 AM

Good morning, Spark!

Here comes a little more.

**Udog** · 10-03-2008, 08:15 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Boston at LA Angels
The Red Sox look to follow up their Game One win behind starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was 9-0 with a 2.37 ERA and .178 opponent batting average on the road this season. Boston is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Sox favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+130). Here are all of today's games

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

Game 963-964: Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 15.253; Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 16.708
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-150); Over

Game 965-966: Boston at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Matsuzaka) 17.187; LA Angels (Santana) 15.382
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+130); Under

**Spark** · 10-03-2008, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by Udog

Good morning, Spark!

Here comes a little more.

Come on and bring it pal ...

**Udog** · 10-03-2008, 08:18 AM

MLB

Friday, October 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Sheet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6:00 PM CHI WHITE SOX vs. TAMPA BAY
Chi White Sox are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox

9:30 PM BOSTON vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Boston's last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Boston is 1-8 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 13-6 SU in their last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 7 games

Announcement

Friday Trends and Indexes 10/3 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

Friday Trends and Indexes 10/3 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment