NFL Futures Betting – Bet on Favre, Rodgers and Much More

Looking to cash in on some exciting football action before the season starts? Look no further than NFL futures betting, available in the BetOnline.com sports book.

Today let’s look at some exciting head-to-head quarterback matchups, as we break down which will throw for more touchdown passes this season.

Who’ll have more Touchdown Passes:

Aaron Rodgers -3 TD Passes (-110) or Brett Favre +3 TD Passes (-120)

The first NFL Futures bet comes with former Green Bay Packers teammates Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Will Rodgers get three more touchdown passes than his former mentor?

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Things sure appear that way. Rodgers comes into the season happy and healthy, after throwing for 30 touchdowns last season. He’ll have all his primary receivers back in Green Bay, including Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and tight end Jermichael Finley, who combined for 15 touchdown grabs last year.

The same cannot be said for Favre in Minnesota. We all know about his bum ankle, one that has been bothering him since last year’s NFC Championship Game, and doesn’t seem to be any better with an off-seasons worth of rest. Add to that, his top receiver from a year ago- Sidney Rice- will be out for the first several weeks of the season with a knee injury.

In this NFL Futures bet the only smart play to make is on Rodgers. Get your wager in now!

Brett Favre +1 TD Passes (-120) or Jay Cutler -1 TD Passes (-110)
Staying with Favre, and staying in the top heavy NFC North, let’s take a look at how the Vikings quarterback matches up with his counterpart in Chicago, Jay Cutler.

We’ve already mentioned Favre that will be down his best receiver, and he himself is hardly 100 percent. But don’t forget, the guy did still throw for 33 touchdowns last year.

As for Cutler, he’s coming off a highly disappointing first year in Chicago, where he did manage 27 touchdowns, but also threw a staggering 26 picks. His offense should be improved, with Johnny Knox back after catching five touchdowns last year, and Greg Olson, who should once again be the one of the elite tight ends in the league. The addition of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz- widely considered one of the brightest minds in the game- can only help.

Still, the play here is Favre. Despite a putrid 2009 campaign, Cutler seems to have done little to better himself coming into this year. His erratic ways continued in his last preseason start, throwing two more interceptions without a touchdown.

Joe Flacco -1 ½ TD Passes (EV) or Matt Ryan +1 ½ TD Passes (-130)
These two third year signal-callers will always be lumped together, thanks to both being first round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Flacco is coming off a year where he got the Ravens to the playoffs, throwing for over 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Ravens passing game should be that much improved this season, with the addition of Anquan Boldin, who came over from Arizona, after catching 84 balls last year for the Cardinals.

As for Ryan, well he definitely took a bit of a step back in 2009, throwing for more touchdowns than in his rookie year (22), but also more interceptions and completing fewer passes. He’ll once again be throwing to the highly underrated Roddy White, in addition to future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

We’re going to go with a bit of a surprise and take Ryan here.

There seems to be a bounce back year lurking for the Atlanta signal-caller, as he’s seemingly flying under the radar.

Take Ryan in your final NFL Futures Bet of the preseason!

Undefeated Malibu Prayer Gets Tested For Class

The undefeated and highly regarded Malibu Prayer will get tested for class while battling likely horse racing favorite Switch in the Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar this Sunday, September 5th.

Malibu Prayer was green in her last race, an $80,000 optional claimer on the turf at a mile, but found a way to win by ¾ lengths after running the first quarter in :22 and 1.  The fact that she hung on makes her a serious player to win the Torrey Pines on Sunday.

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Of course, because I believe her odds are going to be extremely low based on her actual chances to win, I’m going to have to pass on betting Malibu Prayer to enter the winner’s circle in the Torrey Pines on Sunday.  Instead, I’m going to put my faith in a different horse.

Del Mar Racetrack - Sunday

Where:  Del Mar Racetrack – Race 8
When:  September 5th, 2010 at 6:30 pm EST
TV:  TVG

Torrey Pines Stakes

Purse $100,000. For Fillies, Three-Year-Olds.

1 mile over all-weather Polytrack

pp.8-Washington Bridge – - 7/2 fair betting odds

There should be enough speed in this race to set things up for tracker Washington Bridge.  The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee finished second to Emmy Darling in her last race, a 1-mile jaunt over the Poly, in August.  Jockey Mike Smith stays aboard and Hollendorfer must be feeling pretty good about Washington Bridge’s terrific work on August 27th where she busted 4 furlongs in :48.  It was the 7th fastest work out of 53 at the distance that day.  Washington Bridge could definitely be the upsetter to the horse racing favorite’s quest for glory on Sunday.

pp.6-Switch – - 4/1 fair betting odds

Graded stakes winner Switch might just win this race based on the fact that she won’t have to face Evening Jewel or Blind Luck in this.  Switch actually beat Blind Luck, one of the top-rated female runners in the United States, at Hollywood Park in June in the Grade II Hollywood Oaks.  Granted, Blind Luck is more of a dirt horse than a plastic loving animal, but Switch still did something that very few horses have done.  Switch showed nothing when facing Evening Jewel in her last but that race was over the turf and a return to the plastic might help Switch return to the winner’s circle.

pp.2-Malibu Pier – - 5/1 fair betting odds

Carl Gaines switches the daughter of Malibu Moon from the turf to the all-weather. She definitely has a shot to win this, but the Bob Baffert trained Ellafitz is going to test her on the front-end and Malibu Prayer might need more experience before tackling a field like this.  Then again, she showed incredible heart in her last race and heart can go a long way on the plastic at Del Mar.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Washington Bridge should offer overlaid odds to beat Switch and Malibu Prayer on Sunday.  I will bet on Washington Bridge to win and place.

I will also bet an exacta keying Washington Bridge over Switch and Malibu Prayer.  I will reverse for less.  I will use Washington Bridge and likely horse racing favorite Switch in the first slot in the trifecta over a box made up of Washington Bridge, Switch, Malibu Prayer and 1-Ellaftiz.

Good luck!

Check out more horse racing free picks in the racebook.

Sources:  brisnet.com, equibase.com

Todd Pletcher Saddles the Thoroughbred Betting Faves

Trainer Todd Pletcher has a plethora of two-year-old fillies in his stable.  A freakin’ plethora.  How many does he have?  Pletcher has so many that when horseplayers check out Race 10 at Saratoga on Sunday to look for thoroughbred betting options, they will find the name Todd Pletcher next to 50% of those options.

3 of the 4 horses that Pletcher saddles in the Grade I Spinaway Stakes on Sunday will most likely go off as the 3 betting favorites.  The other horse might go off as the 5th choice in the 8-horse field.

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Will Pletcher win the Grade I Spinaway on Sunday?  The odds say that he will.  Ah, but which Pletcher horse will it be the one that gets its picture taken?  

Saratoga Racecourse  - Sunday

Where:  Saratoga Racecourse – Race 10

When:  September 5th, 2010 at 5:56 pm EST

TV:  HRTV and TVG

Spinaway Stakes (Grade I)

Purse $250,000. For Fillies Two-Years-Old.

7 furlongs over dirt

pp.5-Valiant Passion – - 3/1 fair betting odds

There is a ton of speed in this race, most of it provided by Pletcher horses, which is why Valiant Passion, another Todd Toddler, is my pick to win the Grade I Spinaway on Sunday.  Valiant Passion changes barns from Ralph Nicks to Todd Pletcher after breaking her maiden at 30/1 odds at first asking in August over the Saratoga track.  The daughter of Lion Heart is bred to be any kind and the fact she’s already proven capable of tracking front-runners before bursting to the finish line makes her a serious threat to win this race.  She won’t win this by 9 ½ lengths like she won her maiden, but she could still win it and Valiant Passion should be considered a possible thoroughbred betting option for all of your exotics.

pp.8-R Heat Lightning – - 4/1 fair betting odds

Jockey Garrett Gomez jumps aboard this daughter of Trippi that has been training lights out at Saratoga since finishing second in a $100,000 stakes race at Monmouth Park.  R Heat Lightning is another Todd Pletcher gal that, with some improvement, could win this race because although she’s very fast, she doesn’t necessarily need the lead.  The ability to track could be the key to winning or losing the Grade I Spinaway on Sunday and R Heat Lightning has that ability.

pp.1-Abide – - 5/1 fair betting odds

Trainer Steve Asmussen, still reeling after Rachel Alexandra’s loss and the career-ending injury to his top-rated two-year-old colt Kantharos, saddles this first out maiden winning daughter of Tiznow.  I respect all Tiznow progeny and Abide is no different.  She will need to improve big time in order to win this, but Asmussen must feel she can or else he wouldn’t have entered her into such a tough race.  She too can stalk or close into the expected wickedly fast pace.  

Horse Wagering Strategy

Valiant Passion no doubt is going to go off at overlaid odds again.  I will bet on her to win and place.  I will also bet an exacta with Valiant Passion over Abide and R Heat Lightning.  I will reverse the exacta for less.

Good luck!

Great thoroughbred betting action is only a click away!

Sources:  brisnet.com, equibase.com

Tulsa One of the Better College Football Picks to Cover

Is the Tulsa Golden Hurricane one of the better college football picks to cover the spread this Sunday, Sept. 5th? Tulsa is a big 8 ½ point road fave to put a beat down on East Carolina.

The sports betting line makes sense since the Golden Hurricane will be facing a revamped defense and an East Carolina team with a new coach. Skip Holtz skipped town leaving the Pirates to turn to first year head man Ruff McNeill. Speaking in the third person, McNeill, a graduate of East Carolina in 1980, stated that, “This is not a stepping stone hop for Ruff.” Ruff McNeill feels that coaching East Carolina is a dream job.

Of course, those feelings won’t help East Carolina against Tulsa.

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Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. East Carolina Pirates

Where: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
When: September 5th, 2010 at 2:00 pm EST
TV: ESPN 2, ESPN3.com

NCAAF Betting Lines

Tulsa Golden Hurricane -8 ½ -110 -330 O 59 -110
East Carolina +8 ½ -110 +270 U 59 -110

According to the trends, East Carolina is one of the better NCAAF football online picks this Sunday.

• The East Carolina Pirates are 5 and 1 ATS in their last 6 conference games.
• The East Carolina Pirates are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• The Tulsa Golden Hurricane is 0-3-1 ATS in its last 4 games on the road.
• The Tulsa Golden Hurricane is 5 and 1 ATS in its last 6 games in September.

So, Ruff believes that coaching East Carolina is a “dream job”? It might turn out to be but it won’t be this Sunday or even this season.

Good old Skip Holtz has left Ruff with a lot of work to do. Holtz coached the Pirates to two straight 9 win seasons, but this season, Ruff will be lucky to get 5 or 6 victories out this group. There’s a reason that the Golden Hurricane is one of the more, shall we say, expressive football handicapping picks to cover this weekend.

Many football handicappers are already stating that Tulsa is the best bet of the entire weekend. East Carolina returns only 2 starters from the #1 ranked scoring D in Conference USA in 2009. Neither one of those starters played in the front 7 meaning that East Carolina faces Tulsa this week with a brand new, very young, defense.

Tulsa’s offense, which had averaged around 40 points per game and was #1 in the nation before 2009, was stymied for most of last season. The offense should be much better this season because it returns 9 starters including quarterback and Tulsa leading rusher G.J. Kinne.

East Carolina’s offense will be using the spread formation for the first time. Although Boston college transfer Dominique Davis takes over at quarterback and the Pirates have a bevy of experienced wide receivers and 3 starters returning on their offensive line, it might take a few games before they really get the spread formation offense going.

That should help Tulsa’s somewhat suspect defense in this game. The Golden Hurricane isn’t very good at stopping a lot of teams from scoring. They might be able to create some turnovers on Sunday, though, because Davis and the rest of the Pirates’ offense is inexperienced in the spread.

I just don’t see how Tulsa doesn’t cover in this game. East Carolina, by instituting the spread, are pretty much saying that they’re going to play Tulsa-type football, that is, put it in the air and throw it down the field.

To me, that’s anathema to them winning this game. East Carolina is going to end up giving Tulsa plenty of chances on offense because their own offense might produce more than a few three and outs.

To me, Tulsa is one of the better college football online picks in the sportsbook. The Golden Hurricane will move the ball and they will score. East Carolina’s offense and defense are very different than it was in 2009. Don’t expect the Pirates to put another 44 to 17 butt whuppin’ onto Tulsa again.

In fact, that score might be reverse with the Golden Hurricane doing the butt whuppin’.

NCAAF Betting Pick: Tulsa Golden Hurricane -8 ½ -110

Check out more free college football picks in the sportsbook.

Sources: espn.com, usatoday.com

NCAA Football Game Spread – SMU vs Texas Tech

The NCAAF Spread is set between the SMU Mustangs and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, with the home team favored by two touchdowns. It will be the start of a new era on Sunday Tommy Tuberville takes the sidelines for the first time as the boss of the Red Raiders.

Tuberville isn’t the only new piece to the puzzle as former Alabama linebackers coach James Willis takes over the defence for Texas Tech, bringing with him a new 3-4 defence.  Neal Brown will be the new offensive coordinator, coming over from Troy where he ran the offense. Game one is sure to bring with it some challenges with so many new pieces, and this NCAAF Spread preview will break down if Texas Tech will have enough to cover the ncaaf betting line.

SMU Mustangs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

(Jones AT&T Stadium – Lubbock, TX)
Sunday September 5th at 3:30 PM ET – TV: ESPN

NCAAF Spread:

SMU – PS +14 (-110) ML +400
Texas Tech – PS -14 (-110) ML -500
Total – 57 

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Tuberville returns to the coaching game after sitting out the 2009 season. Waiting was a smart move as he was given the keys to a very good program that has posted 15-straight winning seasons. The Red Raiders have also made 16 straight bowl games, which is a conference record, and we’re a profitable betting team against the NCAAF Spread last year. But this is a totally different team with new systems on both sides of the ball, so it will be interesting to see if they’re able to make a seamless transition.

Jamie Willis, the first year defensive coordinator, will have his hands full slowing down the spread attack that is run by a very talented quarterback in Kyle Pardon. He’s not the type of guy that is going to kill you with long balls, but he has great touch and is very accurate, so if you give him time, he can pick you apart.

If Tech wants to slow Padron down, they’re going to need to get after him. That job is going to fall on their outside linebackers who are expected to blitz and bring pressure on a regular basis. Their leading tackler from a season ago, Brian Duncan, has made the switch from inside linebacker in last year’s 4-3 defense to outside linebacker in Willis’ 3-4. He will get to show off his athletic ability a little more in that position, and that only ups his value when NFL scouts are looking at him.

As for SMU, they are coming off an impressive season that saw them make their first Bowl Game since 1984. June Jones is a big part of that, and is entering his third year as the bench boss, coming over after rebuilding the Hawaii football program. His first season was very trying, to say the least, as the Mustangs only managed a 1-11 mark, but his team bought in and they saw the results in 2009 with an eight win season.

I think they only get better this year, and that starts with a very competitive game with Texas Tech. I actually have them upsetting the Red Raiders in this one. They have a very good spread offense and a QB that can pick a defence apart. Look for the Mustangs to shock some people on Sunday.

NCAAF Game Spread Prediction: SMU (+400)

Baseball Betting Lines – Cincinnati vs St Louis

If the Cincinnati Reds can somehow win the first two games of their weekend series in St. Louis, the Cardinals season will all but come to an end Sunday.

Can St. Louis stave off the first place Reds and fight for the top spot in the NL Central?

We’ll find out as we look at this weekend’s baseball betting lines.

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Cincinnati Reds (78-55 SU, 75-58 R/L, 65-59-9 O/U)

St. Louis Cardinals (69-62 SU, 57-74 R/L, 55-70-6 O/U)

Sunday, September 05: 2:15 p.m. Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

MLB Betting Odds:

Cincinnati: (Homer Bailey-R)

St. Louis: (Chris Carpenter-R)

To put it simply, it’s do or die time in St. Louis, as the Cardinals have no margin for error this weekend against Cincinnati. But if they are to fight back against the Reds, is there a better pitcher to have on the bump than Sunday’s starter Chris Carpenter?

Carpenter enters this series pitching pretty darn well, as he’s got a 14-5 record, and sub .300 ERA. Of course there is cause for concern, as Chris Carpenter has been good, but not great in his last few starts. The most recent came earlier this week against the Astros, where the 35-year-old righty was effective, pitching seven innings, and allowing just two earned runs.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as the St. Louis offense left him out to dry, in a 3-0 loss.

For Carpenter to get the win this weekend, things hinge on his offense stepping up, something that surprisingly they haven’t done lately. St. Louis enters this game in a major funk, having scored just a combined four runs in their last four games. Not good for a team trying to make a playoff push.

The key of course has been superstar first baseman Albert Pujols. Like any player of his stature, he gets credit when things are going good, and the blame when they’re not. Well in their last four games, Pujols has been abysmal, getting just one hit in 14 at bats. He’s got just one extra base hit in his last five.

If there’s one advantage St. Louis has heading into this weekend’s action though, it’s going against erratic starter Homer Bailey.

When looking at the baseball betting lines, Bailey does give cause for concern. After being recalled from the minors earlier in August, the former highly touted prospect seemed to have turned things around, but after his last two starts, NL hitters seem to be catching up to him.

Homer Bailey has allowed 17 hits and nine earned runs in his last two trips to the bump, yet luckily his offense has bailed him out each time. With Carpenter opposing the Reds this weekend, Bailey will be lucky if his teammates can do the same against St. Louis.

And it’s because of the inconsistent Bailey that the team to take in the Sunday baseball betting lines is the Cardinals.

This team may be down but not out, and the one thing this struggling offense needs is a good outing from their starter, which is exactly what they’ll get Sunday. Expect Carpenter to pitch deep into this game, and for St. Louis to eek out a tight win.

When looking at this weekend’s baseball betting lines, the only team to take is the Cardinals to beat the Reds Sunday.

Aaron’s Pick: St. Louis Money Line

College Football Spread – SMU vs. Texas Tech

The Texas Tech Red Raiders encore a 2009 football spread season in which they finished third in the BIG 12 South after winning three consecutive games to finish the year.

SMU Mustangs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Live from Jones AT&T Stadium in Texas

Kickoff: Sunday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 PM EST

TV: ESPN

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College Football Spread:

SMU Mustangs +14

Texas Tech Raiders -14

Total 60.5

The Red Raiders culminated an average season in 2009 by defeating the Michigan State Spartans in the Alamo Bowl 41-31.

After starting their football spread campaign with two victories at home, Texas Tech traveled to their in-state rivals, the Texas Longhorns for a conference showdown in Week 3.

Unranked Texas Tech pushed the number two ranked Longhorns all the way into the fourth quarter, staying within a touchdown.

Texas however, would prevail in the end by a margin of 34-24. This sour defeat, seemed to linger in the mouths of the Red Raider players and carried over to their next game against another Texas state rival, 17 th ranked Houston.

Houston recorded their first ever win over a Big 12 opponent 29-28, much to the dismay of the Red Raiders and their supporters.

With the hopes of improving upon their 11-2 season in 2008 when they reached the Cotton Bowl, Texas Tech was now at 2-2 and swiftly becoming worrisome about retaining bowl eligibility.

Fortunately, the Red Raiders were able to right the ship, going on two separate three-game winning streaks, finishing the season a respectable 9-4.

2010 marks a new era for Texas Tech football with the hiring of head coach Tommy Tuberville. The former Auburn general takes over for ex-Red Raiders head coach Mike Leach.

Marshall Mention: Texas Tech is 10-0 all-time against SMU.

An improving Texas Tech defense will try and make it difficult for the SMU Mustangs offense to get on track.

After a strong showing in the Hawaii Bowl last year, defeating Nevada 45-10 easily covering their football game spread, the Mustangs proved they could put up their share of points.

Football Prediction: Over 60.5

For more college football spreads and lines, click here!

Furious NCAAF Football Lines – East Carolina Pirates Host Tulsa In Opener

The days of the East Carolina Pirates serving as an upstart college football line eater seem to over. With head coach Ruffin McNeil still undecided on who his starting quarterback is, the oddsmakers have gone ahead and made Tulsa a reasonably heavy -7.5 favorite with a bloated 58.5 TOTAL to bet on this Sunday. Can Tulsa make good on the oddsmakers foresight, or will East Carolina start their season with an upset?

Both Dominique Davis and Brad Wornick continue to thrive in healthy competition for the Pirates. Neither has been able to create a gap for themselves during the off-season preparation, and while Davis is a more natural leader, Wornick is proving that he maybe be a better in-game producer. Physically there isn’t that much of a difference between both players, though Davis has looked to be a sharper weapon when scrambling with the ball.

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East Carolina played well enough to earn a bowl game against the Arkansas Razorbacks last year and went 4-1 SU with a 17-20 loss. The Pirates are a solid 9-2 SU in their last 11 games at home and have a strong 3-2 SU and ATS record in their last 5 games against Tulsa, a team they’ve played regularly over the past few college football seasons.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (0-0) vs. East Carolina Pirates (0-0)

Sunday, September 5th — Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium — 2:00pm EST

NCAAF Betting Lines: Tulsa -7.5 (58.5)

What makes Tulsa such a dangerous team on the college football lines is Charles Clay, a 6-foot-3 and 232 pound freak of nature who can play every skill position on offense and is useful in certain situations as a defensive-end. In 2009, Clay ran for 236 yards on 63 attempts while scoring 7 touchdowns and also had 39 receptions for 530 yards and 5 scores.

Quarterback G.J. Kinne returns for his junior year after a completing 210-for-345 attempts that resulted in 2,732 yards and 22 touchdowns with just 10 picks. With the C.J. Spiller-like versatility of Clay on the field, the East Carolina Pirates will have a lot to scheme against defensively.

The reason this college football line is so high against the Pirates is because their quarterback situation is up in the air right now. I wouldn’t bet against a creative offense from Tulsa, which will be a crafty team to bet on with a guy like Clay on the field providing a matchup nightmare for the oddsmakers and opponents.

Furious NCAAF Free Pick: Tulsa -7.5 (OVER)

Bet on Conference Champions in NCAA Football [ here ] !

NASCAR Betting Value to Finish in the Top 3 at Emory Healthcare 500

What drivers are offering the most NASCAR betting value to finish in the Top 3 in this Sunday’s Emory Healthcare 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway?

Both Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are going off at +150 and +180 respectively to finish in the Top 3.  Are they offering value?  Or, are there other drivers out there offering the type of value that sports handicappers have grown accustomed to looking for?

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Let’s take a look at the best drivers to back to finish in the Top 3 at this Sunday’s Emory Healthcare 500.

NASCAR:  Emory Healthcare 500

Where:  Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA

When:  September 5th, 2010 at 7:30 pm EST

Track:  Quad-Oval, 1.54 miles

TV:  ESPN

Radio:  PRN

Top 3

Best Bet:  Jeff Gordon +300

My man Gordo has fourteen Top 5 finishes at Atlanta.  He blew it in the spring race earlier this year when finishing 18th, but that was an anomaly, not the norm.  He finished 2nd in the spring race in 2009 at Atlanta and 8th in the fall race.  I believe he comes out guns blazing in this race, maybe even taking the lead for a few laps, and settles in to a Top 3 finish.  At the NASCAR betting odds, Jeff is definitely one to consider playing in the Top 3 category.

Second Best Bet:  Kasey Kahne +250

All Kasey’s done at Atlanta lately is prove that he loves the racetrack.  In 2009, he finished 7th and 1st.  Earlier in 2010, he finished 4th.  Kasey’s a tough guy to look past in the Top 3 category this Sunday because he has 2 victories and six Top 5 finishes at Atlanta, and has been driving well finishing 5th at Brisol two weeks ago.

Best Underdog Wager:  Mark Martin +800

It’s tough to find a true underdog in the Top 3 category because the NASCAR betting odds are on the low side for almost everybody.  I’ve settled on making Martin my top underdog pick for a non-obvious reason. The obvious reason not to like Mark Martin in this category is because he’s finished 22nd, 22nd, 5th, 31st and 33rd in the last five Sprint Cup races at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.  The reason to like Martin in this category is because he’s 101 points behind Clint Bowyer for the 12th and final spot in this year’s Chase.  Maybe, he steps his game up on Sunday and gets into the Top 3.
 

Others to Consider

Juan Pablo Montoya +300 – - The odds aren’t bad but Juan Pablo has a pattern at Atlanta where he finishes well in the spring race and then, in the fall race, finishes poorly.

Kurt Busch +180 – - I’m not a fan of the odds but Kurt’s owned Atlanta recently with 2 victories out of the last three Sprint Cup races.  Of course, he finished 38th in the race that he didn’t win. 

Jimmie Johnson +150 – - JJ hasn’t finished in the Top 3 at Atlanta since a 2nd in the fall race in 2008, but the champ does have 9 total Top 5 finishes and 3 victories over the track making him a must consider in this category.

Matt Kenseth +400 – - The NASCAR betting odds on Kenseth aren’t bad considering he finished 2nd in the spring race earlier this year.  Maybe, he continues his great racing at Atlanta in the fall race.

Log onto the sportsbook for more NASCAR info and free picks.

Source:  nascar.com

Great Value on the Jays in Sunday’s MLB Betting Affair

American League East rivals will collide at the storied Yankee Stadium in a crucial MLB betting battle on Sunday, as the New York Yankees play host to the Toronto Blue Jays.

This has been a great year for the Jays, as they are still five games above .500 to start the weekend. In any other division, they would still be considered in contention for a playoff berth, but because they are in the AL East, they are 14.5 games out and are fairly well entrenched in fourth place in the division.

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As for the Yankees, it just seems to be business as usual. They have the best record in baseball at 84-50 and are well on their way to another 100 win season. There is still a question about the AL East crown though, as the Tampa Bay Rays are only 1.5 games behind entering Friday night.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees

Game Date/Time: Sunday, September 4th, 1:05 ET

Game Location: Yankees Stadium, Bronx, NY

TV/Radio Broadcast: RSN, YES, XM

LHP Brett Cecil is very quietly having a great year for the Blue Jays. A supplemental draft choice just three years ago, this southpaw has rounded into great form in just about a year and a half in the majors. Cecil is 11-7 with a 3.74 ERA.

Manager Cito Gaston would love to see Cecil up his strikeouts just a tad. His K/9 is a solid 6.44, but Gaston and the rest of the of this franchise know that he has the stuff to strikeout significantly more than the 105 men that he has set down this year.

Cecil has five starts against the Yankees out of his 41 in his career, and he has done quite well, going 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA.

Something is wrong with RHP Phil Hughes right now. New York’s top right-hander is 16-6 with a 4.10 ERA for the year, but he hasn’t pitched deeper than the sixth inning since July 9th. The bullpen could find itself taxed quite a bit once again on Sunday, and depending upon how the first two games in this series go, that could be awful, awful news for the men in pinstripes.

Hughes has had a problem with the long ball this year as well, allowing 19 in 25 starts, which is also terrible considering how hot Toronto’s bats can get with the big flies.

Hughes is 2-2 with a 4.35 career ERA against the Blue Jays, but allowed five runs in just 3.2 innings of work against them in his last outing on August 25th at Rogers Centre.

MLB Insider Tip: Toronto has already won three of the six clashes coming into this series at Yankee Stadium and have won as underdogs of +171, +142, and +168.

Odds have it, we’re going to get a fantastic price on the Jays in this one. With Cecil on the mound, this is probably going to be the best chance for Toronto to win one of these games. We expect them to do so.

There should be fantastic value on the Jays for Sunday’s MLB betting affair.

My MLB Predictions: Toronto Blue Jays (Cecil)

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