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**jt4545** · 08-15-2010, 11:11 AM

Thanks and good luck

**Sirporkie** · 08-15-2010, 12:22 PM

**StarDust Bum** · 08-15-2010, 12:25 PM

49ers and Colts make their preseason debuts Sunday

San Francisco (0-0) at Indianapolis (0-0), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Sports.com Line: San Francisco -3 Total: 34
The 49ers and Colts will both make their preseason debuts Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. This is the first time in both teams’ histories that they will square off in the preseason.
These two teams last faced each other during the regular season in Week 8 last season in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the 49ers 18-14, rallying from a 14-9 halftime deficit. Joseph Addai hit Reggie Wayne with a 22-yd TD pass in the fourth quarter to give the Colts the lead for good. Peyton Manning threw for 347 yards, but it was the only full game in 2009 in which Manning failed to toss a TD pass.

Both teams are anticipating successful seasons in 2010. The Colts (14-2 in 2009) are hoping that they can continue a trend that has seen them win 12 or more games for seven straight seasons, while the 49ers (8-8 in 2009) are looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2002.

As usual in the first preseason game for each team, the starters will likely get one or two series before the backups come in. Curtis Painter, who completed less than 30 percent (8-28) of his passes his rookie season, and second-year QB Tom Brandstater will get the majority of the time under center for the Colts. Free-agent acquisition David Carr and Nate Davis will get the majority of the snaps for the 49ers after Alex Smith departs.

Since 2005, the Colts are an awful 4-18 in the preseason due primarily to the fact that Manning hardly plays. This is reason enough to take San Francisco giving the points.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-15-2010, 12:27 PM

Sunday's Tip Sheet

As we enter the final quarter of the pro baseball season, five of the six divisional races are still up for grabs, with the lone exception being Texas’ dominance in the American League West. All of the remaining groups are separated by 3 1/2 games or less, which should create an interesting end to the season. Sunday’s slate is stacked so let’s take a closer look at a few key contests, but not before pointing out some quick hitters.
Diamond Notes

Two AL clubs go for sweeps today – Seattle against Cleveland and Minnesota against Oakland. It’s not surprising that the Twins are bullying up the Athletics but the Mariners haven’t swept anybody on the road all season, plus they haven’t busted out the broom since taking three in a row against the Reds during interleague play in June. Before running to the counter and backing the Tribe, make a note that they’ve been swept three times at home this season, so it can happen.

The National League also has two teams looking to break out the broom today as well, with Cincinnati hosting Florida and Houston taking on Pittsburgh. Say what you want about the Reds, but Dusty Baker and company have shown some character. After sweeping the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Cincinnati lost three in a row at home to the Cardinals, getting outscored 21-8 in the process. A win today versus the Marlins seems fitting but their starting pitcher Homer Bailey will be making his first appearance since May 23. Fading the Pirates has been the right choice in their last six games, but laying wood (-150) with Houston for the sweep doesn’t seem like a sound investment.

The Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg (-185) will look to bounce back from his worst career outing against Arizona, but the price is high. And Washington’s current form (1-6) is nothing to feel great about either.

Total players looking at the due factor can focus on the Twins and A’s today. Minnesota (6-0) and Oakland (4-0) are both on solid ‘under’ runs. The number is sitting at 8 ½ runs for the finale.

‘Chalk’ eaters laying minus-200 or more in the past three days have gone 6-2 (+140). Those looking to be square again today can do so with three teams – Yankees, Rays and Rockies. The best play here could be passes, but an upset look could be Baltimore. The club has gone 9-3 since Buck Showalter was hired as manager and they get a chance to crack promising rookie Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 1.29 ERA), who’s looked great against the Twins (4-2) and Tigers (8-0).

Boston at Texas

Even though the Red Sox have been decimated by injuries this season, the third-place club in the AL East is still proving its toughness. After losing to Texas 10-9 in extra innings on Friday, Boston bounced back behind pitcher Jon Lester for a 3-1 win yesterday. The rubber match and last meeting of the season between the pair goes today and the Rangers have been installed as favorites (-150) at most books.

C.J. Wilson (10-5, 3.30 ERA) will take the hill for Texas today and the club has won all five of his starts in the second-half of the season but the lefthander hasn’t lasted past six innings in his previous three appearances. He's faced Boston twice this year and the Rangers won both meetings (3-0, 4-2) at Fenway Park.

Boston will counter with Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-3, 4.09 ERA) and he’s been a tough match for opponents lately. Dice-K has helped the team go 4-1 in his five starts after the All-Star break and he’s gone at least six innings in four of the appearances. The Japanese product has gone 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in his four career starts against Texas.

Five of the first nine encounters between these two clubs have gone ‘under’ the number, yet Sunday’s total is listed at 9 ½ runs. Texas was known for its fireworks at home in the past, but the ‘under’ owns a 31-28 edge on the season.

San Diego at San Francisco

The Giants needed extra innings but they finally got off the snide on Saturday with a 3-2 win over the Padres. San Francisco now sits 2 ½ games behind San Diego for the lead in the NL West and that’s with the Padres taking eight of the first 10 head-to-head meetings this season. And if you break down the previous games played, you’ll notice that every contest has been decided by three runs or less and eight margins were exactly by one run. We mention that because San Francisco starts Tim Lincecum (11-6, 3.41 ERA) today and the ace is listed as a $1.80 favorite at most betting shops. San Diego backers can catch a nice return (+170), but the smarter play could be taking the run-line (+1.5, -135) on the visitor.

Also, it should be noted that Lincecum has dropped two straight starts plus he’s coming off an 8-6 loss at home to the Cubs on Tuesday, giving up eight hits and six earned runs in the setback. He’s never lost three games in a row, so a setback here today would be surprising. Against the Padres, Lincecum has gone 4-2 with a 1.67 ERA over 11 starts and his team has come out on top eight times during this span.

Wade LeBlanc (6-10, 3.51 ERA) has the chance to play the spoiler today and the southpaw has gone 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his three career starts against the Giants. San Diego has won all three of those appearances, plus the ‘under’ has cashed in each game as well.

The books have put out a total of seven runs on today’s contest, which is the lowest on the board. Even though you have no room for error, the ‘under’ has gone 8-1-1 in the first 10 meetings between the two.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets

ESPN’s weekly installment heads to Citi Field this Sunday for a battle between the Mets and Phillies. This year’s series has been all about the home team, who has notched victories in eight of the first 11 meetings. Even more impressive were the first five installments played in Flushing, which have all been shutouts. Prior to their 4-0 win over New York on Saturday, the Phillies were blanked by the Mets in their four previous battles at Citi Field, getting outscored 17-0. Will we see another zero posted on the scoreboard tonight?

It’s hard to believe considering Philadelphia will close the series with Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 4.60 ERA), who’s been hit or miss all season. In his last start on Tuesday against the Dodgers, he was missing and missing badly. Kendrick lasted 3 1/3 innings and gave up eight hits and five earned runs in the 15-9 blowout loss. Prior to that setback at home, the Phillies won three straight behind the hurler and he didn’t allow more than two earned runs in any of the contests.

The Mets’ Mike Pelfrey (11-6, 3.95 ERA) can tell you all about streaks and he just busted out of a funk at home on Tuesday. The six-foot-seven pitcher tossed a four-hitter over seven innings as New York notched a 1-0 win over Colorado and its 17-game winner Ubaldo Jimenez. Prior to this gem, the Mets had dropped six in a row with Pelfrey on the hill. Despite being up and down, the right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four home starts against the Phillies, plus the team has gone 9-4 in his 13 starts at Citi Field this season.

**Kaptain** · 08-15-2010, 01:14 PM

Kick ASS BUM....bring those winners home

**tech fan** · 08-15-2010, 01:59 PM

gl buddy

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