Announcement

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 07:33 AM

Friday’s getting tips: Ole Miss suspends four players

Weather to watch

Meteorologists are predicting 11 mph winds blowing out to right field for Friday’s Game 5 in St. Louis between the Brewers and Cardinals.

Who’s hot

MLB: Milwaukee is 23-6 in Zack Greinke’s last 29 starts overall.

NCAAF: Hawaii is 12-4 against the spread in its last 16 games overall.

NHL: Buffalo is 7-2 in its last nine home games.

NHL: Anaheim has won seven of its last 10 home games.

Who’s not

MLB: The under is 6-14-1 in Jaime Garcia’s last 21 starts for St. Louis.

NCAAF: San Jose State is 3-9 against the spread in its last 12 home games.

NHL: Carolina is 3-8 in its last 11 trips to Buffalo.

NHL: San Jose has dropped each of its last five road games.

Key stat

28-5-4 – The Carolina Hurricanes were 28-5-4 last season when scoring the first goal of the game. They have scored first in three of their first four games this season but are 1-1-1 in those contests after beating the reigning Cup champion Boston Bruins on Wednesday. The Hurricanes are +155 underdogs Friday at Buffalo.

Injury that shouldn’t be over looked

Brandon Rutley, San Jose State – The status of San Jose State’s top running back remains in question as Rutley is dealing with an ankle injury. If he can’t go, freshman Tyler Ervin could see more work after picking up 40 yards in his first nine carries of the season last week against BYU.

Game of the day

Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals (N/A)

Notable quotable

"This recovery from Europe isn't just a one-day or a two-day event when you travel the number of hours we did and the difference in time change. There's some nights now where they're ... having trouble getting to sleep." – Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle about his team’s preparation ahead of Friday’s home opener against San Jose. The Ducks are set as early +100 underdogs.

Notes and tips

Mississippi will be shorthanded when it faces the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend. Ole Miss has suspended four players for breaking team rules earlier this week. Sitting out will be starting running back Brandon Bolden, standout center A.J. Hawkins, special teams star Philander Moore and offensive guard Alex Washington. Mississippi coach Houston Nutt wouldn't elaborate on what the players did to earn the one-game ban. Bolden will be the biggest loss of all, sitting second on the team with 105 rushing yards while scoring a pair of touchdowns. Ole Miss is currently set as a 26.5-point underdog.

College football bettors are all over Hawaii in the Warriors’ Friday night matchup at San Jose State. As of Thursday evening, better than 74 percent of *********** Consensus bettors were supporting Hawaii. San Jose State has won just two of its last five games overall, but is 4-1 against the spread during that span.

Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai expects to be miss Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a strained hamstring. Addai said he is a "long shot" to suit up after he was injured late in the opening quarter of last week's game against Kansas City. He was unsure when he'd be healthy to return. Backups Delone Carter and Donald Brown are expected to share the carries in Addai's absence. Addai has rushed for 249 yards and a touchdown this season. Indy is set as a 7-point road underdog.

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 07:36 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Penn State is 7-2-1 vs spread in last ten games vs Purdue.

-- Ball State covered 13 of last 21 as a double digit underdog.

-- Texas Longhorns are 5-15-1 vs spread in last 21 home games.

-- Georgia Tech is 7-2-1 in last ten games as a road favorite.

-- Pitt Panthers covered eight of last 22 as a home favorite.

-- Tulane covered four of its last 19 home games.

*********************

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I'm looking for this weekend.....

13) If you’re in the Albany area Saturday, Magic Johnson is speaking at SEFCU Arena at 7:00; a crowd of 5,000+ is expected.

12) Can The Eagles snap out of their funk against a rested Washington team? Philly won here 59-28 LY, so they’ll have Redskins’ full attention.

11) Oklahoma State snapped a 12-game skid vs Texas LY, now they’re 7.5-point favorites in Austin; can the Longhorns bounce back from getting crushed by Oklahoma last week?

10) Kansas State-Texas Tech is a good under-the-radar game; Tech has killed them the last three years, but Bill Snyder is working his magic this year, upsetting Miami/Baylor/Missouri in his last three games.

9) Who thought that 49ers-Lions would be the NFL’s feature game this week? Teams are combined 9-1, but Detroit is coming off first Monday night home game in a decade. Bucs got throttled last week coming off their first MNF game in a while, also against the 49ers.

8) Big game in Conference USA Saturday, with SMU-Central Florida a great contrast in styles. UCF coach O’Leary is an old school/smashmouth kind of coach, while June Jones is the guru of Run ‘n Shoot. Not sure if TCU’s jumping to the Big X helps or hurts the Mustangs’ chances of joining that league, since they’ll probably wind up at 12 teams, so they still need to add two more. Being in Dallas obviously helps SMU.

7) Can Arizona State and its 6-foot-8 quarterback go to Eugene and hang with a Duck squad that covered 25 of its last 33 as a home favorite?

6) Times have changed quickly in the Big Dozen, where 3-3 Ohio State is a 4-point dog at 6-0 Illinois. Huh? 6-0 Illinois? This is a very big game for the Illini. Buckeyes are 3-3 with unbeaten Wisconsin up next.

5) Carolina Panthers are 1-4, but covered the spread in three of four losses; their only win came in the rain, but they’ll be dry in the Georgia Dome this week, playing an underachieving Falcon squad that is just 2-3.

4) Texas Rangers are definitely a better team than the Tigers right now, as Detroit's hitters are ravaged by injuries, but can Texas put Detroit away?

3) Brewers-Cardinals have split 22 games this year, heading into Game 5 in St Louis Friday night; Cardinals' starting pitcher failed to finish the fifth inning in the last three games. Hard to win that way.

2) Matt Moore gets his first Dolphin start on Monday night in Swamp, against a Jet squad coming off an 0-3 road trip, while the Fish are off a bye. If Miami can stay close early, the natives could turn on Jet offense.

1) Can Buffalo keep forcing turnovers and send the Giants into their bye week 3-3? Bills have had positive turnover ratio in all five 2011 games. I’m just asking here, but do you think every pro football announcer knows that Swamp Stadium isn’t actually in New York? Or that New Jersey isn’t part of New York? Why do they say they're in New York?

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 07:40 AM

CFL
Dunkel

Week 16

Calgary at Toronto
The Argonauts look to take advantage of a Calgary team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games in Toronto. Toronto is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Stampeders favored by only 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+6 1/2). Here are all of this week's CFL picks.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Game 291-292: Calgary at Toronto (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 113.071; Toronto 107.325
Dunkel Line: Calgary by 5 1/2; 57
Vegas Line: Calgary by 6 1/2; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+6 1/2); Over

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

Game 293-294: Winnipeg at Edmonton (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 114.453; Edmonton 115.615
Dunkel Line: Edmonton by 1; 46
Vegas Line: Edmonton by 2 1/2; 49
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+2 1/2); Under

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

Game 295-296: Hamilton at Montreal (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 107.335; Montreal 118.728
Dunkel Line: Montreal by 11 1/2; 59
Vegas Line: Montreal by 6 1/2; 56
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-6 1/2); Over

Game 297-298: BC at Saskatchewan (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: BC 120.075; Saskatchewan 107.646
Dunkel Line: BC by 12 1/2; 44
Vegas Line: BC by 8; 48
Dunkel Pick: BC (-8); Under

CFL
Long Sheet

Week 16

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

Friday, October 14

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

CALGARY (8 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 10) - 10/14/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.
CALGARY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 3-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

Saturday, October 15

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

WINNIPEG (9 - 5) at EDMONTON (7 - 6) - 10/15/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
WINNIPEG is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
EDMONTON is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
EDMONTON is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 5-0 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 3-2 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

Sunday, October 16

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

HAMILTON (7 - 7) at MONTREAL (8 - 5) - 10/16/2011, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 45-66 ATS (-27.6 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 5-4 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 6-3 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

BRITISH COLUMBIA (8 - 6) at SASKATCHEWAN (4 - 9) - 10/16/2011, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 67-93 ATS (-35.3 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 43-64 ATS (-27.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 61-37 ATS (+20.3 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 102-65 ATS (+30.5 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 52-32 ATS (+16.8 Units) when playing on a Sunday since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 88-58 ATS (+24.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 52-29 ATS (+20.1 Units) in road games off a division game since 1996.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 32-15 ATS (+15.5 Units) in road games off a win over a division rival since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.
SASKATCHEWAN is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) versus division opponents this season.
SASKATCHEWAN is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 7-3 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
SASKATCHEWAN is 5-5 straight up against BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Week 16

Calgary (8-6) @ Toronto (3-11)—Argos started season by upsetting Stamps 23-21 (+7.5) in Alberta, but its been all downhill since; they’ve lost five of last six games, are 2-4 at home, 1-2 as home dog, with home losses by 9-13-13-15 points. Stamps lost three of last four games; they’ve allowed 31+ points in four of last six games. Calgary is 5-2 on road, but allowed 88 points in losing last two- they’re 6-5 as favorites, 3-1 on road. Six of last seven Toronto games stayed under the total; six of last nine Calgary games went over, including three of last four on road.

Winnipeg (9-5) @ Edmonton (8-6)— Bombers are 2-4 since starting season 6-1; they’re 8-0 vs spread as underdogs this season, 5-0 on road, with only road losses 27-7 in Regina, 25-24 in Toronto (the two worst teams in CFL). Eskimos (-1) were 5-0 when they went to Manitoba and lost 28-16 in Week 6, starting them on current 3-6 slide; they’ve lost three of last four home games, and are 3-3 as favorites this year, 3-2 at home. Under is 5-2 in both Winnipeg road games and Eskimo home games this season. Edmonton is 2-4 if they score 24 or less points, 6-0 if they score more.

Hamilton (8-6) @ Montreal (9-5)—Home side won all three series meetings this year; TiCats won 34-26 (+3.5) in Week 5, 44-21 (+2.5) six weeks later, then lost 43-13 (+5) a week later. Hamilton is 3-4 on road, 3-3 as road dog, losing away games by 18-12-3-30 points. Montreal scored 34-32-29 points in winning last three games; they’re 3-4 as home favorites (5-2 SU), with home wins by 4-23-23-30-10 points. Alouettes covered just two of their last seven games overall. Over is 8-3 in last 11 Hamilton games, 0-5 in Montreal’s last five games at home.

BCLions (8-6) @ Saskatchewan (4-10)—Red-hot Lions won last seven games after 1-6 start, winning last four road games, all by 13+ points; they’re 4-4 as favorites this season, 1-0 on road. Roughriders (+3) lost 24-11 at BC in Week 6, then 42-5 (-1.5) here three weeks ago, game that started Riders on skid where they’ve been outscored 99-9 the last three weeks. Saskatchewan is 2-5 at home, with four losses by 10+ points; they’re 3-8 as underdogs this season, 1-3 as home dogs. Under is 10-2 in last dozen Roughrider games, 7-3 in Lions’ last ten (1-3 in last four).

CFL

Week 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 14

7:30 PM
CALGARY vs. TORONTO
Calgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Calgary

Saturday, October 15

7:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. EDMONTON
Winnipeg is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Winnipeg is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Edmonton9-1-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 13 games when playing at home against Winnipeg

Sunday, October 16

1:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. MONTREAL
Hamilton is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing at home against Hamilton
Montreal is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Hamilton

4:00 PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. SASKATCHEWAN
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of British Columbia's last 10 games
British Columbia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Saskatchewan's last 7 games
Saskatchewan is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games

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

CFL

Week 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian Bacon: CFL Week 16 odds and picks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calgary Stampeders at Toronto Argonauts (+6, 52.5)

The Argos are now officially out of the playoff picture, so from now on it’s every man for himself in Toronto’s dressing room with each player having to prove he belongs on the team.

The acquisition of receiver Maurice Mann from the Tiger-Cats can only benefit QB Steven Jyles, who couldn’t rely on his wideouts since taking over Cleo Lemon’s job. Mann and Jyles know each other well having played with one another in Edmonton, but the Argonauts need a lot before becoming anything close to a respectable team.

Also keep in mind that they will host the Stampeders only four days after losing in Montreal. The Stampeders are going to Toronto needing a win to stay in contention for first place in the west where they are in the thick of a three way-tie. Calgary is 5-2 on the road and should leave Toronto with another road win.

Pick: Calgary

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Eskimos (-2.5, 49)

The Blue Bombers need a win here to secure at least a home game in the playoffs, while Edmonton is battling for first place in its division. The Bombers will benefit from two extra days of rest and preparation with Edmonton coming off a short week. It could make a difference.

Winnipeg’s running game is coming around with the emergence of running back Chris Garrett, who picked up 131 yards in last week’s victory against Hamilton.
However, the Bombers will probably have play the Eskimos without DE Kenny Mainor following a death in his family. Fernand Kashama and Jason Vega will be taking turns replacing him.

Edmonton’s Jerome Messam picked up Canadian Player of the Week honors with 118 rushing yards and a touchdown against Saskatchewan on Monday but that didn’t stop the Eskimos from trading for RB Hugh Charles. The club hopes Charles will be a perfect complement to what Messam and Calvin McCarthy bring to the table.

Pick: Edmonton

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes (-7.5, 56)

The Alouettes are in first place tie with the Blue Bombers, and a win would secure at least a playoff home game in Montreal.

The secondary of the Tiger Cats is once again depleted by injuries. Jason Shivers, Milt Collins and Carlos Thomas are all doubtful for this game. That means newly-acquired CB Dee Webb might have to move to the half-back position on the short side, where he will have the mission to contain SB Jamal Richardson. That is far from an ideal scenario for Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator Corey Chamblin.

On offense, Hamilton goes as well or as bad as Kevin Glenn goes. Glenn’s QB rating has been of 118.3 in his seven wins but is only 69.2 in seven losses. So it’s not surprising to hear head coach Marcel Bellefeuille warn that while Glenn is still his number one QB, we’ll see more of Quinton Porter in the upcoming weeks.

Pick: Montreal

B.C. Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders (+8.5, 48)

Darian Durant is dinged up and we saw last week that neither Ryan Dinwiddie nor Cole Berquist has the right stuff to replace him anytime soon. Despite a broken bone on his left foot, Durant vows he will be starting this week and through the remainder of this season.

The Roughriders have not scored an offensive touchdown in more than three games and the club’s offensive line has to take a lot of the blame. Saskatchewan’s quarterbacks have been sacked twice and picked off three times in the last two games.

The Lions’ offense is hitting on all cylinders with Travis Lulay improving each week while the defense remains solid. The only concern comes with special teams. That unit conceded 299 yards to Calgary last week.

Last time the Lions and the Riders squared off, B.C. easily won 42-5. Besides the support of the loudest fans in the league, the Riders might face another humbling outcome this time around.

Pick: B.C.

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

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 07:52 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Carolina at Buffalo
The Hurricanes look to build on their 5-2 record in their last 7 road games. Carolina is the pick (+155) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+155). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Game 1-2: Carolina at Buffalo (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.478; Buffalo 10.991
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+155); Over

Game 3-4: San Jose at Anaheim (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.323; Anaheim 12.265
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (+100); Under

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, October 14

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

CAROLINA (1-2-0-1, 3 pts.) at BUFFALO (2-0-0-0, 4 pts.) - 10/14/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 27-53 ATS (+89.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 1-7 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 4-10 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 4-4 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 4-4-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.2 Units)

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

SAN JOSE (1-0-0-0, 2 pts.) at ANAHEIM (1-1-0-0, 2 pts.) - 10/14/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 50-40 ATS (+4.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 13-3 ATS (+9.0 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 150-123 ATS (+22.4 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 8-4 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 8-4-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.0 Units)

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

NHL

Friday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. BUFFALO
Carolina is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games at home
Buffalo is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home

10:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Jose's last 16 games on the road
San Jose is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Anaheim's last 9 games at home
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

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

NHL

Friday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice picks: Friday's best NHL bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres (-175, 5.5)

It’s back to reality for the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres were one of four teams that began the regular season in Europe last week and were the most successful club that made the trek by picking up four points in two games.

However, starting your season across the pond can really throw teams for a loop. Brad Richards of the Rangers admitted as much late last week and many teams have a tough time to get back in the swing of things on home soil.

But Buffalo couldn’t get enough of the European experience.

"Now that we've won two games, we think it's great, fantastic and we'd like to do it every year," Sabres President Ted Black told reporters, a statement that was echoed by a number of different players. "Seriously, it's really been a wonderful experience.”

Even though the Sabres haven’t played in a week, they shouldn’t have any problem keeping the momentum going as long as Ryan Miller does his thing. His save percentage is north of .950 through two starts.

Pick: Under

San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (+100, 5.5)

The Ducks are another club trying to find its legs after coming back from Europe, but they have a tough test here in their home opener.

While Anaheim did pick up a win in Europe, the club looked sloppy in its own end at times and had a terrible time on the power play. Despite a unit loaded with top-end talent, the Ducks couldn’t score on 11 chances with the man advantage.

"Our power play right now is the one thing that's not clicking the way it should," defenseman Cam Fowler told reporters. "I think it's just getting that chemistry back to where we left off last season. If all five guys aren't on the same page, that's when things can get a little rough out there."

San Jose’s power play already looks like it’s in midseason form, converting three of its six chances in a 6-3 win over Phoenix in the club’s season opener.

Pick: San Jose

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

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 08:01 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Milwaukee at St. Louis
The Cardinals look to build on their 10-1 record in Jaime Garcia's last 11 home starts against a team with a winning record. St. Louis is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Game 919-920: Milwaukee at St. Louis (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Greinke) 15.316; St. Louis (Garcia) 16.438
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120); Over

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 14

Milwaukee-St Louis are now 11-11 against each other this year; Brewers lost five of last seven road games, including three of four playoff games. Home team won seven of nine Brewer playoff games. Cardinals are 2-2 at home in playoffs. Milwaukee is 14-1 in last 15 Greinke outings; he is 3-1, 4.50 against the Cardinals this year, but has a 6.55 RA in his last four starts. Garcia is 1-2, 6.75 in his last four starts, 1-1, 6.50 in three starts against Milwaukee this year.

MLB

Friday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games at home
St. Louis is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home

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

MLB

Friday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot lines: Friday’s best MLB bet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals (-115, 7.5)

Zack Greinke raised some eyebrows with some interesting comments earlier this week, most notably that St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter was “phony.”

He wasn’t quite as outspoken when he met with the media Thursday, but did give his take on postseason umpiring.

"This is one thing I've been meaning to talk about. I think the home-plate umpires have been amazing so far,” Greinke said. “It's the best zones - better than it is during the regular season. Even the guys I've had, they're not perfect, but in the postseason, the two games I've thrown, I thought, were perfect zones. There have been some mistakes on the field. But calling balls and strikes, I think, is as good as I've ever seen."

Friday’s scheduled umpire is Bill Miller. Unlike a number of umps working games over the last few days, there isn’t much about Miller’s numbers that jump out at baseball handicappers.

But the numbers of Thursday’s starters speak for themselves. Greinke allowed six runs over six innings in his last trip to the hill and St. Louis has dropped each of Jaime Garcia’s last three starts as he’s working on a 7.80 ERA over that span.

"After you make a start where things don't go your way, you get a little anxious," Garcia told reporters about giving up six runs in Game 1 of the NLCS. "But it's part of it. It's part of the game. You've got to have that feeling.”

With these two guys sharing the mound again Friday, we have a pretty good feeling about the over.

Pick: Over

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

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 12:23 PM

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, October 14

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

MILWAUKEE (101 - 70) at ST LOUIS (95 - 76) - 8:05 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. JAIME GARCIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
GREINKE is 9-20 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 5-16 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 6-16 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 6-18 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 35-17 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 71-47 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 76-55 (+8.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 45-31 (+9.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ST LOUIS is 45-22 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 25-15 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
GARCIA is 17-6 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 102-70 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 54-31 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MILWAUKEE is 102-70 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
GREINKE is 23-7 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 23-7 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 181-153 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 85-77 (-28.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 178-150 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 11-11 (+0.1 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
11 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
GREINKE is 5-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.41 and a WHIP of 1.235.
His team's record is 5-3 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.4 units)

JAIME GARCIA vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
GARCIA is 3-3 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.64 and a WHIP of 1.298.
His team's record is 4-4 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.3 units)

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

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 12:25 PM

MLB
Short Sheet

Friday, October 14

NL Championship Series - Best of 7 - Game 5 - Tied 2-2
MILWAUKEE at ST LOUIS, 8:05 PM ET TBS
GRIENKE: 5-16 TSR in road night games
GARCIA: STL 10-0 Under if playoff series is tied

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 12:26 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, October 14

CAROLINA at BUFFALO, 7:30 PM ET
CAROLINA: 16-4 Over off home win
BUFFALO: 7-13 SU at home off win

SAN JOSE at ANAHEIM, 10:00 PM ET
SAN JOSE: 16-7 Over off win by 3+ goals
ANAHEIM: 19-10 SU off 1 goal win

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 10-14-2011, 05:13 PM

MLB

Friday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brewers at Cardinals - Game 5: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals (-122)

Series tied 2-2

THE STORY: The Milwaukee Brewers spent a lot in prospects over the winter to bring in Zack Greinke. A strong regular season seemed to validate that investment, but Greinke has had a little trouble in his first taste of the postseason. The former Cy Young Award winner will get a chance to turn that around when he takes the mound in Game 5 on Friday at Busch Stadium. Milwaukee picked up the franchise’s first postseason road victory since 1982 on Thursday to even the series at two games apiece. The St. Louis Cardinals have one more home game to regain control of the series.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zack Greinke (1-0, 8.18 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (0-2, 7.36 ERA).

Greinke backed into a win in Game 1, getting bailed out by the offense after surrendering six runs in as many innings. The righthander has been touched for 16 hits and 10 runs in 11 innings during the postseason. Greinke went 5-6 with a 4.70 ERA on the road this season, including a loss at Busch Stadium on Sept. 7.

Garcia allowed six runs of his own in Game 1, lasting just four innings to absorb the loss. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder each homered off the lefthander in the contest. He has been considerably better at home, posting a 9-4 mark with a 2.55 ERA in 15 starts.

ABOUT THE BREWERS: Randy Wolf led all active pitchers with 342 starts without a postseason victory until Thursday, when he turned in Milwaukee’s first quality start of the series with seven strong innings. Wolf, who allowed a pair of solo home runs in the 4-2 triumph, got some help from a familiar source when Braun drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the fifth. The Brewers ensured that the series would return to Miller Park for a Game 6 on Sunday.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS: St. Louis has been getting tremendous work from its bullpen lately but has also been asking a lot of the relievers. After four innings in Game 4, the bullpen was forced to cover 4 2/3 on Thursday when Kyle Lohse was knocked out in the fifth. The Cardinals dropped Matt Holliday to fifth in the order and inserted Allen Craig in right field on Thursday, getting home runs from each.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in Garcias last four home starts vs. Brewers.
* Under is 16-6-4 in the last 26 meetings in St. Louis.
* Brewers are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
* Over is 10-2 in Bill Miller's last 12 games behind home plate.

FINAL PITCH: St. Louis is 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position since the first inning of Game 3

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

Announcement

Friday's Trends and Indexes - 10/14 (MLB, WNBA, NHL, CFL, Misc.)

Friday's Trends and Indexes - 10/14 (MLB, WNBA, NHL, CFL, Misc.)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment