Saturday's Trends and Indexes - 8/23 (MLB, WNBA, CFL, Misc.)

[Udog]

MLB

Saturday, August 23


This club will be happy to see Wegner behind plate

When umpire Mark Wegner is tasked with calling balls and strikes in the previous six Chicago White Sox ball games, the Pale Hose have put up a perfect 6-0 record.

Wegner will be behind the dish at Yankee Stadium as the New York Yankees host the White Sox Saturday afternoon.

Oddsmakers have the Yanks as massive -210 home favorites with Hiroki Kuroda on the bump. The underdog Sox are scheduled to counter with Scott Carroll.

[Udog]

CFL

Week 9

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Game of the Day: Argonauts at Eskimos
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Toronto Argonauts at Edmonton Eskimos (-8, 49.5)

The Edmonton Eskimos return home for the first time since Week 5 to host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. Edmonton won both its road games to keep pace at the top of the West Division, while Toronto sits atop the East despite its 3-5 record. The Argonauts split their two Week 8 contests and Saturday’s game will be their third in 12 days, so fatigue could become a factor for the injury-depleted roster.

The Eskimos will be looking to shut down Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray by doing something similar to the BC Lions. Ray was held to less than 200 passing yards against the Lions after throwing for 297 on the previous Tuesday and Edmonton is likely to give him more headaches with 24 sacks and a league-leading 10 interceptions. Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly will be facing the best pass defense in the East as the Argonauts average 227.5 passing yards allowed.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TSN

LINE HISTORY: The majority of books opened the Eskimos as 7.5-point home faves, but that has moved to -8. The total opened 48.5 but is up to 49.

INJURY REPORT: Argonauts - SB Chad Owens (Questionable, foot), WR Jarred Fayson (Questionable, undisclosed). Eskimos - SB Fred Stamps (Questionable, lower body).

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-5): Slotback Jason Barnes returned to the lineup Sunday but fellow receivers Chad Owens, Andre Durie, Maurice Mann and John Chiles all remained out. Linebacker Antwaun Molden returned to the lineup and led the defense with nine tackles against the Lions. Molden, who also has two interceptions in 2014, and Tristan Okpalaugo are key parts of a defense that has 23 sacks and is growing stronger as the season progresses.

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (6-1): Slotback Adarius Bowman leads the league with 532 receiving yards. Edmonton has been very good at generating turnovers by the opposition, but committed three turnovers of its own in Week 8’s 10-8 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks, severely limiting the Eskimos’ effectiveness on offense. Reilly is second on the team in rushing with 320 yards - 14 behind John White - but Edmonton has only recorded two rushing touchdowns.

TRENDS:

* Argonauts are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 meetings in Edmonton.
* Under is 4-0 in Eskimos last four home games.
* Argonauts are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* Eskimos are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.

CONSENSUS: 54 percent of wagers on Consensus are backing the visiting Argonauts.


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[Udog]

NFLX

Saturday, August 23

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Saturday's Week 3 NFL preseason primer
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The bulk of the NFL's Week 3 preseason action takes place Saturday night, highlighted by a showdown of top-tier quarterbacks in Indianapolis and the defending AFC champions at home to last year's worst team. Here's a look at betting notes for Saturday's eight-game schedule:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills (-3, 41.5)

* The Buccaneers went with a predominantly no-huddle attack with the first-team offense last week in a loss to the Miami Dolphins and offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford is expected to do the same Saturday versus Buffalo. The defense has been tasked with learning a version of the Tampa 2 defense - one designed to create turnovers - but has forced just one so far and is expected to ratchet up the pressure Saturday.

* Buffalo's first-team offense has moved the ball remarkably well through the first two preseason games - four of the team's five drives went for at least nine plays - but the Bills are a woeful 0-for-5 in the red zone and will look to break the goose-egg against Tampa Bay. It's unclear whether Buffalo will have wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who is nursing a rib injury and may sit out as a precaution.

Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins (-3, 46.5)

* Unlike most teams, who comfortably play their starters into the third quarter of the third preseason game, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett plans to limit quarterback Tony Romo - making his return from offseason back surgery - to no more than two quarters against the Dolphins. Romo took 14 snaps in last week's game against Baltimore, his first action of the preseason, and Garrett predicts Romo may get around the same Saturday.

* The Miami running back situation should be a little clearer after Saturday's game, with Knowshon Moreno returning from a knee injury and expected to see significant action as he looks to usurp Lamar Miller as the team's feature back. A groin injury to Caleb Sturgis has opened the door for backup kicker John Potter, who nailed a pair of long field goals last week and is in position to challenge for the starting role.

Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 44)

* The starting running back job appears to be Shonn Greene's to lose - at least heading into Week 1 - as rookie Bishop Sankey continues to struggle with a fumbling problem that has plagued him since the beginning of training camp. Both should see plenty of action Saturday. A finger injury to backup QB Charlie Whitehurst will likely result in rookie Zach Mettenberger playing nearly the entire second half in relief of Jake Locker.

* Atlanta's first-team units will look to bounce back after a dreadful showing against the Houston Texans last week, one in which the starting offense ended each of its four drives with punts and the defense allowed a lengthy touchdown drive. Rookie Jake Matthews will make his debut as the starting left tackle and will be looking to hang onto the job after struggling for most of the preseason.

Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5, 43.5)

* The focus on offense will be on the performance of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has moved the ball effectively through the exhibition season but has struggled mightily in the red zone and is still working on not taking big hits when he carries it himself. Pass rusher Jason Hatcher will make his debut with Washington after being limited throughout the preseason in his recovery from knee surgery.

* The Ravens are expected to give running back Bernard Pierce an extended look Saturday in hopes of preparing him for the lead role he'll assume while regular starter Ray Rice serves a season-opening two-game suspension. With Baltimore's top three defensive backs out with injuries, Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks will be asked to step up against one of the more formidable receiving corps in football.

New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 47)

* It's unclear how the Saints plan to employ their three-headed rushing attack against Indianapolis as Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson are all expected to get a fair share of work as head coach Sean Payton figures out how to split the carries during the season. Drew Brees and the first-team offense played a whopping 37 snaps in the third preseason game in 2013, and will likely wind up with a similar total Saturday.

* Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to see his first action since suffering a season-ending neck injury last September, and has a golden chance to cut into Trent Richardson's hold on the starting role as the incumbent is averaging just 2.4 yards per carry in the preseason. The Indianapolis defense has forced six punts on nine possessions in games against the Jets and Giants, but will find the going a lot tougher against the powerhouse Saints.

St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns (-2.5, 43.5)

* Rams head coach Jeff Fisher is expected to play the majority of his starters on offense and defense, though linebacker James Laurinaitis remains a question mark with an ankle injury and may be rested as a precaution. Four other key players - defensive tackle Michael Brockers (ankle), left tackle Jake Long (knee), guard Roger Saffold (neck) and cornerback Janoris Jenkins (hamstring) - will make their preseason debuts against the Browns.

* Now that the quarterback pecking order is set, Cleveland fans know exactly what to expect Saturday night - anointed starter Brian Hoyer will likely play the entire first half and at least the opening series of the third quarter, while rookies Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw will likely handle the remainder of the snaps. Starting running back Ben Tate has looked solid in camp, and can create some separation atop the depth chart with a strong showing.

Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5, 45)

* It likely won't come as a surprise to anyone, but the Vikings will rest starting running back Adrian Peterson for the third straight preseason game; Peterson hasn't started an exhibition contest since 2011, and is virtually guaranteed to miss the preseason finale, as well. Four players for the Vikings will miss the game, including cornerback Jabari Price (arm) and linebacker Brandon Watts (lower leg).

* The Kansas City defense will look to return to a more disciplined style of play Saturday night after racking up 13 penalties for 131 yards against Carolina last weekend; the Chiefs had just four penalties for 32 yards in the opener against Carolina. Kansas City offensive tackle Donald Stephenson is expected to remain in the lineup, but he has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-7, 46)

* All eyes will be on second-year Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has improved dramatically in training camp and could see an increased workload alongside No. 1 wideout Andre Johnson. Reserve running back Jonathan Grimes began training camp well back on the depth chart, but has excelled to the point where he is now the unquestioned No. 2 behind Arian Foster and can strengthen his hold on the role Saturday.

* The Broncos are expected to get stronger on both sides of the ball Saturday, with a pair of key players making their preseason debuts against the Texans. Linebacker Von Miller will likely see significant action in his first appearance since suffering an ACL tear in his right knee against Houston last December, while running back Montee Ball makes his return after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month.


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[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet

Saturday, August 23

San Francisco at Washington, 4:05 ET
Lincecum: 21-8 TSR after a win
Zimmermann: 31-21 OVER as a home favorite

St Louis at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Wainwright: 72-32 TSR after a loss
Buchanan: PHILADELPHIA 26-46 after a win by 2 runs or less

Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, 7:10 ET
Volquez: 57-41 TSR when the money line is +125 to -125
Peralta: MILWAUKEE 17-23 after having won 5 or 6 of their last 7 games

Atlanta at Cincinnati, 7:10 ET
Santana: ATLANTA 19-8 against NL Central opponents
Leake: CINCINNATI 25-40 after scoring 3 runs or less 2 straight games

Miami at Colorado, 8:10 ET
Koehler: MIAMI 49-38 in night games
Lyles: COLORADO 8-20 after a loss by 4 runs or more

San Diego at Arizona, 8:10 ET
Cashner: 5-13 as a road favorite
Nuno: ARIZONA 33-21 after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7 games

NY Mets at LA Dodgers, 9:10 ET
Degrom: NY METS 49-74 when the total is 7 or less
Greinke: 45-12 TSR as a home favorite of -150 or more

Tampa Bay at Toronto, 1:05 ET
Hellickson: TAMPA BAY 21-12 in road games after a win
Buehrle: TORONTO 4-11 revenging a loss vs opponent as a home favorite

Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees, 1:05 ET
Carroll: CHI WHITE SOX 122-168 in all games
Kuroda: NY YANKEES 94-54 as a favorite

Detroit at Minnesota, 1:10 ET
Farmer: DETROIT 18-22 after having lost 2 of their last 3 games
Pino: MINNESOTA 17-7 UNDER after 5 or more consecutive home games

Detroit at Minnesota, 8:10 ET
Verlander: 25-31 TSR as a favorite
May: MINNESOTA 30-21 after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games

Seattle at Boston, 1:35 ET
Young: 15-9 TSR in all games
Boston: BOSTON 29-39 when the money line is +125 to -125

Houston at Cleveland, 7:05 ET
McHugh: CLEVELAND 43-18 as a home favorite of -125 to -175
Salazar: HOUSTON 37-26 OVER after 1 or more consecutive unders

Kansas City at Texas, 8:05 ET
Guthrie: 22-12 TSR when the money line is +125 to -125
Tepesch: TEXAS 14-33 as an underdog of +100 to +150

LA Angels at Oakland, 9:05 ET
Wilson: LA ANGELS 3-18 as a road underdog of +125 to +150
Lester: 22-6 TSR as a home favorite of -110 or higher

TSR = Team Start Record

[Udog]

MLB

Saturday, August 23


Padres red-hot when listed as faves

When the San Diego Padres have been listed as faves in recent games they've been producing for their backers in a big way. The Pads have won all eight of their last eight games as favorites, and they're currently -111 faves for their meeting with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field Saturday.

Andrew Cashner gets the nod for the Padres with Vidal Nuno countering on the mound for the D-Backs. The total for the NL matchup is presently at eight.


Under a hot bet with this umpire behind the plate

The Under has gotten red-hot with umpire Hunter Wendelstedt calling balls and strikes, posting a 5-0 record when he is working that role.

Wendelstedt will be behind the dish in Arlington as the Texas Rangers host the Kansas City Royals Saturday.

The Over/Under has a record of 7-12 in his games this season, and there is just 6.4 runs scored per game when he is working the plate.

Oddsmakers have tabbed the game with a total of nine as the Royals send Jeremy Guthrie and Rangers counter with Nick Tepesch.