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Larry Ness' Fabulous Friday Total-MLB (24-12 with MLB totals in '07!)
My Fabulous Friday Total is on SF/SD Over at 10:05 ET. Barry Zito has had a poor overall season, entering this game 9-12 with a 4.46 ERA. However, he's pitched well lately, allowing three ERs or less in SEVEN of his last eight outings. However, the Padres have done well vs the Giants this year, winning nine of the 12 meetings. San Diego has also hit left-handed starters at home in '07, especially in night games, going 10-4 while averaging 4.8 RPG. Chris Young is 9-7 with a 2.72 ERA this year and still owns a home ERA of 1.24. However, he's NOT been the same pitcher since he returned from a 15-day stint on the disabled list for a strained left side muscle. He's made six starts since August 9, going 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA (team is 0-6). He's allowed four ERs or more in FOUR of those six starts. The posted total reflects Young at "full strength," which he CLEARLY is not! Fabulous Friday Total on SF/SD Over.

Good Luck...Larry

Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider-MLB (5-0 MLB sweep on Weds and Thurs!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on the Sea Mariners at 10:05 ET. When either Kazmir or Shields starts for Tampa Bay, the Devil Rays have gone 34-27 (.557) this year (plus-$784). With ANY other starting pitcher on the mound, the team is 27-59 (.314) and minus-$1,823. So with James Shields on the mound tonight looking to win his fourth straight decision (he's 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA in his last five starts, all Tampa wins), I'm taking the Devil Rays, right? NO! Tampa Bay (61-86) received a strong performance from another young starter in Thursday's series opener as Jason Hammel allowed one run in six innings. However, the bullpen, which owns a MLB-high 6.30 ERA, gave up two runs in the seventh and five more in the eighth as Seattle rallied for an 8-7 victory. The Devil Rays have now squandered leads of 8-1, 4-0 and 7-1 in losing three straight games. Tampa owns the worst record in MLB and at 26-46, the worst road record in the AL. Seattle's win was only the fourth in 19 games for the Mariners (77-68), who are third in the wild-card race, 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees with 17 games remaining. However, it was the team's second straight win (both of the comeback variety) and I look for this team to finish strong! Felix Hernandez (12-7, 4.17 ERA) has not been a "shut-down" pitcher this year but the Mariners are 18-8 (plus-$877) in his starts, which ranks him 8th among all starters this year. Hernandez has surrendered at least four runs in five of his last eight outings but has also pitched six innings or more in 13 consecutive starts! Despite the team's recent collapse, Seattle is still No.2 in the moneyline standings at plus-$1,389, with $1,165 of that profit coming at home, where the team is 43-29! Las Vegas Insider on the Sea Mariners.

Good Luck...Larry

Chad Jordan
MILLION DOLLAR LOCK
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS -10

Frank Patron

Oklahoma State at Troy

Prediction: Under 62 Points

MIKE ROSE

Ok St/Troy Over 2*

Scott Spritzer

K.O. - Chicago Cubs
T.K.O. - LA Angels

Greg Shaker

COL (-135) vs FLA

Analysis: COLORADO ROCKIES -135 (Willis/Fogg) The only thing not making this a premium play is the line itself, as it is just a bit too pricey for me. We do have a lot of good reasons to play this game though and not the least of which is the fact that Marlins are going through the motions and getting this disapointing season over as quickly as possible. That is especially true when they are playing on the road, as they have won just 6 of their last 26. That is not too sporty, and perhaps it will get worse as they play a Colorado Team that is the #1 Moneymaking Home Team in the Big League's over the last 10 years, and winning money for us once again this year. They are 43-28 here at Coors, and they achieved the 4th best Home Money this year, only being outranked by Arizona, Texas and Seattle. The pitching matchup is in our favor as well with Fogg throwing very well of late and allowing just 4 runs over 17 innings. Willis has been pretty much like the team he plays for with most of his last 10 efforts being sub-par by any standard and the Marlins winning just once in those games. That was a 14-5 win over AZ and not a stellar effort by Dontelle. There is no doubt that Colorado hits lefties well and especially at this Park. Whether the Rockies have any chance of playing Post Season Ball is not as important as the fact that they are just 2.5 games behind from doing so. This is a good situation tonight for the Home Boys and I do expect as nice showing. Therefore, I will have a strong lean on Colorado...

Northcoast Friday Night Marquee play

Okla St/Troy OVER 62.5

Shawn Torrey line error

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Panthers -6.5 over Texans
Reason:Last season the Panthers were many people's preseason pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, however a slow start, combined with a four-game skid down the stretch ended all hope. That was then and this is now, and with many of the same pieces in place it appears as if Carolina is serious about making those predictions come true; even if it is a year later.

Jake Delhomme was very impressive in the season-opening road win at St. Louis, and the two-headed rush attack of Foster and Williams combined for 156 on the ground. A win here over the Texans could very well have the Panthers looking at a 4-0 start considering that a trip to Atlanta, followed by a home game against the Bucs is to follow. You might remember that last week I cashed a Free Play winner on this same Houston team, however as improved as I believe they are, winning at home and winning on the road are two entirely different things in this league. Especially when the home win came against a KC team that appears to be in shambles right now, and the road trip takes you to Carolina.

This line will surely hit a full TD later in the week so I suggest you jump now. Play on Carolina.

Triple Crown GOY 5* NYY
4* Atl over 9
3* Stl under 8.5
3* Col (Fogg)

Calf Sports
3* Clev -1.5
3* Anaheim
3* Tex/Oakland over 9.5

The Sports Firm

$3750 Club

MLB: Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Seattle Mariners - Seattle -140
Handicapper: Baseball Clubs