Friday's Trends and Indexes - 8/22 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

[Udog]

MLB

Friday, August 22


Solid outings by this team as big favorites

The Cleveland Indians have not found themselves favored by -180 or higher this season, but they have made sure to walk away with wins. The Indians are 3-1 as heavy -180 or higher favorites including winning three in a row.

The Indians have notched 24 runs in those four games and have scored seven in all three wins.

Cleveland is -193 faves when they host the Houston Astros Friday.

[Udog]

MLB

Friday, August 22


ChiSox, Danks racking up L's against AL East

Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks' struggles against the AL East have been well documented, evidenced by the Sox posting an ugly 5-16 record in the 29-year-old's last 21 outings against AL East competition.

That's a trend bettors need to be aware of as Danks will be on the mound when the South Siders visit the New York Yankees in the Bronx Friday. The Yankees are presently -182 faves with a total of 8.5.

[Udog]

MLB

Friday, August 22


Vital betting stat you need to know for PHI-STL

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick is a scorching-hot 8-1 on the Over in his last nine starts, and he'll be on the mound once again when his Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park Friday.

Ace Adam Wainwright will counter for the Cards. St. Louis is currently -162 faves on the moneyline with an O/U of 7.5.


Cleveland rocks, but not for this ball club

The Houston Astros have not enjoyed life at Progressive Field as of late, dropping all of their last six meetings against the Cleveland Indians in The Cleve.

The 'Stros will try to buck that trend when they renew acquaintances with the Tribe in Ohio Friday. Cleveland is presently heavy -190 faves with an Over/Under of 8.5.


Nats feasting on right-handed pitching

The Washington Nationals have been a fantastic bet against right-handed pitching lately, posting a spotless 8-0 record in their last eight games against righties.

Veteran right-hander Tim Hudson will be on the bump for the San Francisco Giants for their matchup against the Nats in D.C. Friday. Doug Fister counters for the Nationals.

Washington is currently -146 favorites with a total of seven for the NL matchup.


Over bettors profiting when Jays/Rays meet in Canada

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays have had no problem putting plenty of runs on the board at Rogers Centre. Five out of the last six meetings have gone over the total when they've met faced off north of the border, and they'll meet again in Toronto Friday.

The Jays are currently -127 favorites on the moneyline with a total of eight.


Reds clubbing lefties at home, face southpaw Friday

When the Cincinnati Reds have faced left-handed pitching at home lately, their backers have been laughing all the way to the bank. In Cincy's last 10 games against southpaws at Great American Ball Park, the Reds are a sizzling 9-1.

They'll face off against another lefty - Mike Minor - and the rest of the Atlanta Braves in Ohio Friday. The Reds are presently -108 faves with a total of 7.5.


Mariners cashing in for bettors in bounce back games

The Seattle Mariners are on quit the tear in the AL playoff race, and a main reason for that is their efficiency to bounce back after a loss. In their last eight games when losing in their previous outing, the M's are a lights out 8-0.

After losing 4-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, the Mariners will try and continue that trend when they begin a three game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park Friday. King Felix Hernandez gets the ball for Seattle, while Joe Kelly counters for the BoSox.

The Mariners are currently -178 faves with a total of seven.

[Udog]

NFLX
Dunkel

Week 3

Oakland at Green Bay
The Packers split their first two preseason contests on the road, losing at Tennessee (20-16) in the opener and winning at St. Louis (21-7) last week.. Tonight, Green Bay returns home to Lambeau Field to host the Oakland Raiders. Green Bay is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Packers favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-7). Here are all of this week's NFL preseason picks

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

Game 253-254: Jacksonville at Detroit (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 119.913; Detroit 119.628
Dunkel Line: Even; 40
Vegas Line: Detroit by 3; 44 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (+3); Under

Game 255-256: Carolina at New England (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 120.647; New England 127.834
Dunkel Line: New England by 7; 41
Vegas Line: New England by 5 1/2; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New England (-5 1/2); Under

Game 257-258: NY Giants at NY Jets (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 123.112; NY Jets 120.310
Dunkel Line: NY Giants by 3; 38
Vegas Line: Pick; 42 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants; Under

Game 259-260: Oakland at Green Bay (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 117.593; Green Bay 127.752
Dunkel Line: Green Bay by 10; 39
Vegas Line: Green Bay by 7; 43 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-7); Under

Game 261-262: Chicago at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 123.063; Seattle 114.292
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 4; 49
Vegas Line: Seattle by 7; 45
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+7); Over


SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

Game 263-264: Tampa Bay at Buffalo (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 117.388; Buffalo 117.265
Dunkel Line: Even; 37
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 3; 41 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+3); Under

Game 265-266: Dallas at Miami (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 116.629; Miami 122.375
Dunkel Line: Miami by 5 1/2; 42
Vegas Line: Miami by 3; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-3); Under

Game 267-268: Tennessee at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 117.683; Atlanta 123.237
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 5 1/2; 40
Vegas Line: Atlanta by 3; 44
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-3). Under

Game 269-270: Washington at Baltimore (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 129.374; Baltimore 128.615
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 48
Vegas Line: Baltimore by 3; 43 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3); Over

Game 271-272: New Orleans at Indianapolis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 124.133; Indianapolis 120.404
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 3 1/2; 52
Vegas Line: Indianapolis by 2 1/2; 47
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+2 1/2); Over

Game 273-274: Minnesota at Kansas City (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 119.372; Kansas City 123.744
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 4 1/2; 48
Vegas Line: Kansas City by 3; 45
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-3); Over

Game 275-276: St. Louis at Cleveland (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 120.388; Cleveland 119.025
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 39
Vegas Line: Cleveland by 3; 42 1/2;
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+3); Under

Game 277-278: Houston at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.281; Denver 133.029
Dunkel Line: Denver by 10; 50
Vegas Line: Denver by 7; 46
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-7); Over


SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

Game 279-280: San Diego at San Francisco (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 115.806; San Francisco 124.394
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 8 1/2; 37
Vegas Line: San Francisco by 6; 42
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-6 1/2); Under

Game 281-282: Cincinnati at Arizona (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 121.517; Arizona 120.477
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 40
Vegas Line: Arizona by 2; 43
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+2); Under




NFLX

Friday, August 22

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Friday's Week 3 NFL preseason primer
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With the NFL preseason officially past the halfway mark, many teams will be giving their first-team offenses one final practice run before using the final game to evaluate existing positional battles. Here's a look at Friday's slate of games:

Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (-5.5, 44.5)

* Expect to see Panthers quarterback Cam Newton look for Kelvin Benjamin plenty against the Patriots, after the rookie wide receiver had two catches for 41 yards last week against Kansas City and nearly hauled in a long pass for a touchdown. Head coach Ron Rivera is reportedly expected to play the starters less than he did against the Chiefs.

* Patriots head coach Bill Belichick doesn't share Rivera's view on playing time heading into the third game of the preseaon; he's expected to give Tom Brady and the rest of the starters at least one half of action, and likely more. Keep an eye on running back Steven Ridley, who fumbled last week and is on a short leash due to problems hanging on to the ball last season.

New York Giants at New York Jets (EVEN, 42.5)

* The Giants are a mess at left tackle going into the game, with starter Will Beatty expected to see just 20 snaps in his recovery from a broken leg and backups Charles Brown and James Brewer both expected to miss the game. It's just the latest in a series of concerns for the Giants' fledgling first-team offense, which has looked dreadful through the first three exhibition games.

* Word out of New York is that the quarterback competition between incumbent Geno Smith and newcomer Michael Vick remains close, meaning either player could make a convincing case for the starting job with a strong showing Friday. The Jets own a 24-20-1 advantage in the all-time preseason series between the teams, including a 24-21 overtime triumph a year ago.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions (-3, 44.5)

* The quarterback situation in Jacksonville remains up in the air; rookie Blake Bortles has only had to face opponents' second- and third-team defenses but will finally see some first-team action in Detroit. The center position remains a major concern for the team, with Mike Brewster struggling and no one on the roster stepping up amid his stumbles.

* Superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson will finally make his preseason debut for the Lions after completing his recovery from offseason knee and finger surgeries. Detroit will also welcome back defensive end Ziggy Ansah, whose return from a shoulder injury should bolster a defensive line that has managed just one sack through the first two games.

Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packers (-7, 43.5)

* Friday's game marks the return to Green Bay of big-play receiver James Jones, who joined the Raiders in the offseason following seven seasons with the Packers. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson anticipates Matt Schaub and the rest of the first-team offense getting extensive work in Green Bay, playing at least the entire first half and likely a good portion of the third quarter.

* Green Bay's first-team offense has been sensational through the first two preseason games, gaining 230 yards and 12 first downs while scoring 17 points in just 32 plays. Aaron Rodgers and Co. should feast on Oakland's suspect first-team defense, which has allowed opposing quarterbacks to go 14-for-16 for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games.

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (-7, 45)

* The Bears are expected to show off new wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who signed with the team last weekend; it isn't clear whether he'll line up with the first-team offense or get his reps in the second half. Chris Williams will return to kick return duties after missing last week's game against Jacksonville; a good showing Friday could land him the starting role for Week 1.

* The Seahawks are hoping to get a more extensive look at wide receiver Percy Harvin, who played just one snap in the first preseason game but had four catches on five targets for 31 yards against San Diego last week. Safety Kam Chancellor is still recovering from offseason hip surgery, but is said to be close to 100 percent and may see action Friday.


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