Bruce Marshall
Titans / Raiders Under 42.5
After laying the proverbial egg last week at Green Bay, expect a better effort from the Raiders tonight. Oakland's first-string offense could gain only 55 yards at Lambeau Field, and QB Derek Carr is hellbent to throw a preseason TD pass for the first time since his rookie season of 2014. Tennessee's new ground and pound offense was slowed down last week by Carolina, and the Raiders have been playing respectable defense in August. With these teams also facing off in a few weeks in mid-September, do not expect any overly-creative game plans tonight.
Wunderdog
Chicago @ Los Angeles
Pick: Chicago +110
The best team in baseball is a dog? Chicago is on a 23-5 run after another win last night - a 6-4 comeback victory. MVP candidate Kris Bryant (35 homers) had two homers, the winner in the tenth, to put the Cubs at 19-4 for the month and 82-45 overall. Chicago is third in baseball in runs scored, second in on-base percentage and eighth in slugging, while the pitching is number one (3.14 ERA). Cubs righty Jason Hammel (13-6, 3.07 ERA) is having a strong campaign and the Cubs are 33-16 against a left-handed starter. They are also 79-31 vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30 and face young Dodgers lefty Julio Urias (4-2, 3.95 ERA). Opponents are hitting .285 off him and he was shelled by the Cubs earlier this year, serving up three homers along with six runs and eight hits in five innings. The L.A. offense has taken a step back from last season, ranked #15 in runs, #16 in slugging, and the Cubbies have won five of the last six meetings.
Jeff Benton
Your Saturday freebie is the Reds and Diamondbacks to head Over the total.
Let's stick with the tried-and-true and play another start by Zack Godley Over the total. Godley has made a total of 8 starts this season for the Diamondbacks, and 6 of those 8 have played Over the posted price. In fact, each of his last 5 starting assignments have landed Over the total, and he is fresh off a 7 run allowance to the Atlanta Braves in just 5 innings of work.
Godley's counterpart Anthony DeSclafani is starting to surrender some runs as well, as his ERA is up to 4.50 for his last 3 starts this season.
Cincinnati is 10-4 Over the total their last 14 games, while Arizona continues to be a money Over play at Chase Field with a 21-6 Over mark their last 27 played in front of the home crowd.
Bats were a tad quiet last night, but tonight they resume booming in the desert.
Play the Reds and the Snakes Over the posted total.
4* CINCINNATI-ARIZONA OVER
Chris Jordan
Let's take the better team in this American League game tonight, as the Detroit Tigers have plenty to play for, still, and will be looking to score a win in their series-opener with the Angels, who are in from Anaheim for the weekend.
Now, that being said, I will make mention about the pitchers who are on the hill tonight because they will be on the ticket no matter what.
Michael Fulmer is up for the Tigers, and will be starting on seven days’ rest thanks to the Tigers’ plan to push him back around off-days and conserve innings. He steps to the hill with confidence for this assignment, as he held the Angels to two hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings back on June 1, when he took a no-hit bid into the seventh frame. Look for him to dominate on his mound.
Meanwhile, Brett Oberholtzer makes his first start for the Angels since they claimed him off waivers. Terrible spot for him to make this start, as Detroit is playing for a purpose and will be swinging the bat hard tonight.
Take the Tigers in a rout here.
5* TIGERS -1.5