Minnesota at New Orleans – An Early-Season Football Betting Showdown

It’s a rematch of last season’s epic NFC Title Game as the Saints begin their title defense at home against the Minnesota Vikings tonight in a football betting showdown.

The Vikings will usher in yet another Brett Favre comeback effort while nursing a variety of nagging injuries.

Can Minnesota get revenge on the road?

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Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

8:30 pm ET

Football betting line: Saints favored at -5 ½.

The Saints seem to be built for another title run as they didn’t lose a whole lot from last year’s team, especially on offense. Their running back depth has taken some hits in recent weeks but Pierre Thomas is entrenched as the starter and gives them the powerful straight-ahead back that helps provide balance to Drew Brees and the world-class passing attack.

New Orleans will face a Vikings team that is battered in the secondary. Bad news when considering that New Orleans has about as many viable wide receiving targets as any team in the league along with the best QB in the league at the moment.

Minnesota will be missing Chris Cook at CB along with Cedric Griffin, losses that put a lot of pressure on the D-line to get sacks. The football betting odds have swung towards the Saints even more recently and for good reason as the lines have gone up.

While Favre still has what it takes and the support to have another Pro Bowl season, it’s tough to go from playing football in the mud throwing to wide open receivers in Wrangler jeans to facing one of the more underrated defenses in the NFL.

Go with the Saints in this one and jump on them quick before the football betting odds go up even more.

Football betting pick: New Orleans Saints (-5 ½).

NFL Free Picks – Rematch of NFC Final Should Offer Much of the Same

Two of the most hyped NFL betting teams meet in the first game of the season and everybody is chiming in with their NFL Free Picks.

A close analysis of this matchup suggests that the game should be another highly contested affair with the difference likely being mistakes by the losing team.

Thursday, September 9, 8:30 PM ET

Louisiana Superdome

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MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-0) vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-0)

New Orleans, LA

Broadcast: NBC

NFL Free Picks Lines:

Minnesota: +5 (-110)

New Orleans: -5 (110)

Moneyline: Minnesota +200: New Orleans -240

Total: 48 points: Over (110), Under (110)

The Minnesota Vikings have had almost eight months to digest their heartbreaking loss in the NFC Title Game last season and will be looking for a measure of revenge against the team that ended their Super Bowl dreams. A lot has changed for the Vikings, but a lot has remained the same.

The Minnesota Vikings dominated the New Orleans Saints last time they played but it was costly mistakes that determined their fate. When considering my NFL Free Pick, I had to ask myself if those same mistakes could cost the Vikings again.

Brett Favre is back in the fold for Minnesota, one season removed from a campaign in which he threw only seven interceptions. Yet it was his happy feet under pressure that resulted in some untimely, ill-advised NFL Free Picks of his own! After ankle surgery and a preseason that saw him take only a few snaps, rust, uncertainty and the effects of off season ankle surgery will certainly be on Favre`s mind.

Add in the fact that his favourite target Sidney Rice is injured, Percy Harvin is a health risk, Bernard Berrian is inconsistent and Greg Camarillo is unfamiliar with the Vikings system and there are certainly some question marks about this offense.

Adrian Peterson is a stud, no question, but his fumbling issues and inexperience catching the ball out of the backfield have me worried in this game. Peterson is going to have to be enormous against New Orleans and chances are that the Saints will key on him. The Saints won’t have Chester Taylor to bail them out on third down.

Defensively, the Vikings are still one of the most feared units in the NFL. They were second best against the run last season, sixth in total defense and allowed just under 20 points per game – pretty good indeed! You can bet that they have analysed a lot of game tape and will bring the pressure against Drew Brees.

The defending champion New Orleans Saints have the luxury of bringing back largely the same unit as they had last season. Unlike the Vikings, they are healthy and have no question marks. A 30.5 point per game average in the preseason is further proof that the offense is primed to dominate once again. Many NFL Free Picks have the Saints to once again be at the top of the league.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams begins his second year in New Orleans and will have some adversity right off the bat. Linebacker Scott Fujita is gone, his replacement is injured and his replacement is dealing with a high ankle sprain.

Darren Sharper is on the PUP list, and Tracy Porter and Jonathan Vilma are also dinged. Still, this unit has a knack for the turnover – a formula that appears to work against the Vikings.

NFL Free Pick Outlook:

Brett Favre`s inactivity in the preseason raises a few red flags. One team is already in med-season form while the other appears to be tinkering with the lineup. On the road in a hostile environment, on national television in the first game of the year, you`d have to think that the Saints will win the game.

Brees and the offense looked superb in the preseason and the Saints defensive strengths are a matchup nightmare for the Vikings. Brees and the boys won`t be denied on Thursday night!

NFL Free Pick: New Orleans Saints -5

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Cover the Lines on College Football As No. 23 Auburn Invades Mississippi State

NCAA football betting enthusiasts that are looking to cover the lines on college football will have what I believe is an easy opportunity to boost the betting bankroll on their hands when the 23rd-ranked Auburn Tigers hit the road to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs in an early-season SEC showdown that gets underway live from Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss on Thursday night at 7:30 PM ET.

No. 23 Auburn at Mississippi State
Thursday, Sep. 9 at 7:30 PM ET
Live From Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss.

TV: ESPN

NCAAF Betting Odds

Auburn Tigers -2½ -110
Mississippi State Bulldogs +2½ -110

Over 54 -110
Under 54 -110

Moneyline
Tigers -135
Bulldogs +115

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Auburn Tigers (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS, 1-0 O/U)

• Tigers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 conference games.
• Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
• Tigers are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 road games.

The Tigers cruised to a 52-26 win over Arkansas State in its regular season opener on Saturday but failed to cover the college football betting line in the BetOnline Football Sportsbook as a whopping 31.5-point home favorite.

Auburn is looking to build on it respectable 8-5 season under second-year head coach Gene Chizik in 2009 that included a dismal 3-5 record in SEC contests.
Junior quarterback Cameron Newton, a former backup at Florida who spent last season at a junior college, completed 9-of-14 passes for 186 yards with three touchdowns while rushing for another 171 yards on the ground and two additional scores in a jaw-dropping performance.
Freshman running back Michael Dyer rushed 14 times for 95 yards and a score for the Tigers.

View Live NCAAF Lines!

Mississippi State (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U)

• Bulldogs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
• Bulldogs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 conference games.
• Bulldogs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.

Mississippi State went 5-7 last season under second-year head coach Dan Mullen but laid a 49-7 smackdown on Memphis in its regular season opener last Saturday as gifted freshman quarterback Tyler Russell completed 13 of 16 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
Junior running back Vick Ballard added two rushing scores in the win.

Analysis: Auburn is 58-23-2 all-time against Mississippi State, including a 49-24 rout of the Bulldogs last season and I don’t expect them to run into much trouble in this matchup as they make a push to challenge the Big Boys in the SEC this year.
While both teams are in the second year of their respective new eras, the fact of the matter is that Auburn gets more quality players than the Bulldogs ever will – and these two teams aren’t really that evenly matched.
I like the Auburn Tigers to handle their business and take down the Bulldogs by keeping Tyler Russell in check and overpowering Mississippi State with its powerful rushing attack.
I know Mississippi State has gone 4-1 ATS in its last five games in the month of September and 5-2 in their last seven conference games overall, but the Tigers have gone 6-2 ATS in their last eight meetings against the Bulldogs and I believe they are a better team than the Bulldogs, even on the road in a hostile environment.
Play the Auburn Tigers to cover the line in this college football contest with just a bit of room to spare.

My Pick: Auburn -2½ Points

Sources: wagertracker.com, covers.com, thesportsnetwork.com

The Damon D Weekly Sportsbook Ass Kicking – Week 1 – Vikings vs Saints

Every Game. Every Team. Every Week. BetOnline.com BetCenter’s Damon D breaks down every NFL Match up all season long. Why go anywhere else when you can get the BetOnline resident loudmouth right up in your grill? That’s what we thought.

Thursday Sept 9 2010, 8:30pm PM EST – NBC
Minnesota Vikings +5 @ New Orleans Saints -5 O/U 48

Well. Well. Well. Uncle Brett is back in the saddle. Not a surprise really, I would have bet on him starting if he showed up at the stadium with a harpoon in his chest. But say what you want about the toughest quarterback to ever play the game…he gets annoying. This off-season has literally been the pinnacle of “Favre-y-ness.” I feel like I’m being held against my will by him and the media, like a Clockwork Orange re-education video room. Make. It. Stop.

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New Orleans:

This is a tough spot to be in for every team. New Orleans had flashes of brilliance last season, but even after they dispatched the Vikings in the NFC Championship game, it still felt like it was just a great heart-warming story that they were in the Super Bowl, and the Colts were going to systematically destroy them and send the entire fan base of New Orleans back to the sobering reality of being a Saints fan. Even though they DID end up defeating the Colts, it wasn’t a blowout, and the whole time it seemed like they were just one big pay away from Peyton Manning sealing their fate and ending the whole charade. But timely play calls, an opportunistic defense and a little it of luck…they’re defending champions. Now the jig is up. The target is on their backs and though they certainly have the potential, being on top of the mountain is an entirely different animal to deal with.

Minnesota:

The bread and butter of the Vikings climb to the NFC Championship game was carried on the backs of their offensive and defensive lines. For four seasons, teams couldn’t run on the Vikes, and with A.P. in the backfield, you couldn’t stop them. Ever wonder why Brett Favre had his greatest statistical season of his career? Yup. I don’t think this team has gone away, or is ready to. They may be five-point dogs, but this might be a bit of a rain on the banner-raising parade.

Final Word:

The dome will be poppin on Thursday, the banners will be raised, and it will be a tough spot for Minny to perform offensively in the passing game. Remember, what really sealed the fate of the Vikings in the NFC Championship game last season was their turnovers. If they had held onto the ball, we would have had a different Super Bowl Champion last season. This five to six point line just reeks of an upset, maybe not straight up, but certainly ATS. For me, I’m betting on the old, annoying guy…even though we’re not on speaking terms right now.

Money on the Wrangler jeans guy.

Damon Durante – Host of BetOnline.com Sports Radio and BetFlix Betcenter is a Sportsbetting senior analyst for BetOnline.com.

He’s been featured on hundreds of ESPN and Fox Sports Radio programs throughout the country and has been a guest analyst on dozens of some of the most authoritative sports and sportsbetting media outlets in the world.

You can follow Damon D on Twitter at Twitter.com/DamonD

NFL Betting Online – Saints, Vikings Open Season As NFC Championship Game Rematch

The New Orleans Saints will raise the first Super Bowl banner in their 43-year history Thursday night, before welcoming to town the team they beat in the NFC Championship game to get there.

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t forgotten the loss, and will aim to get their revenge and set the tone for the 2010-11 season.

Thursday September 9, 2010 – 8:30 PM ET

Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Broadcast: NBC Sports

NFL Betting Online Odds: Vikings +5, New Orleans -5

Total: 48

NFL Betting Online: What The Vikings Will Have To Do To Win

It seems as though the blame for the Vikings’ NFC Championship game loss to the Saints has been put squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Brett Favre. People seem to forget the offensive line that allowed New Orleans to batter and bruise him almost all the way in to retirement.

Or that earlier in that game running back Adrian Peterson fumbled three times.

Minnesota outgained the Saints big-time but still failed to win because they turned the ball over too many times, and their own defense didn’t force turnovers of their own.

If they are to start this season better than they ended the last one, Minnesota will need to find a way to get after Drew Brees and be a lot more physical as their vaunted run defense all but ensures that the Saints’ quarterback will be dropping back to pass a fair amount of the time. Turnovers will be the key.

NFL Online Betting: What The Saints Will Have To Do To Win

The Saints have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league returning entirely intact as this core group of receivers has worked with Brees almost exclusively during his tenure in New Orleans. The Saints will be forced to pass early and often against the Minnesota defense, but with injuries in the Vikings’ secondary Brees will have the chance to pick them apart.

Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis is healthy and will provide a huge boost to the Saints’ defense, as his presence alone makes a major impact against opposing running games. With so many injuries to the Vikings’ wide receivers, and the strength of the New Orleans secondary, the key to stopping Minnesota will be slowing Adrian Peterson and their talented rushing attack.

NFL Betting Online: Outlook & Pick

The Vikings did everything that they wanted when these teams met a year ago, but still failed to capitalize as turnovers hindered their chances late and the lost in overtime. Revenge on the team that spoiled their Super Bowl chances will be the theme, but lost in the hype over Favre’s return is that the Vikings could only have gotten worse in the offseason with the injuries the team suffered, particularly at wide receiver.

Minnesota still does not have an answer for the Saints’ pass offense, and that will be the difference in this game.

NFL Betting Online Pick: Saints

Football Betting Advice – Temple Wants Second Straight Bowl Appearance

Our football betting advice when it comes to the Temple Owls is to look for wide-open, high-scoring games, and this year Temple is going after its second straight bowl appearance. The Owls open up their league schedule on Thursday night when they play host to the Central Michigan Chippewas in a Mid-American Conference clash that is slated to take place at 7 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field (natural turf) in Philadelphia. In the football betting odds, the Owls are listed as a 7.5-point favorite, and our football betting advice will be based on those numbers.

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Temple Owls at Central Michigan Chippewas
Live at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Thursday, September 9 –  7 PM ET
TV: ESPNU

Football Betting Odds:
Temple -7.5
Central Michigan +7.5

Both of these teams had banner years in 2009. The difference, as far as we can see as we render our own football betting advice on this game, is that Temple, which lost to UCLA in the EagleBank Bowl, retained some of its big guns, while Central Michigan has some rebuilding to do. The Chippewas, who were MAC West Division champs last year, lost Dan LeFevour, and you simply can’t replace the guy who is #2 all-time in total offense in Division I football. LeFevour was accurate, experienced and could run, and there is going to be a step down no matter what. That affects the process by which we offer our football betting advice on this contest, for sure. The loss of Antonio Brown, who was on the receiving end of 110 of LeFevour’s throws last year, also hurts.

Temple won and covered its opener over defending FCS national champion Villanova, and did so in rather bizarre fashion. Trailing 24-22 with eight seconds to go, the Owls’ Brandon McManus kicked a field goal, then on the ensuing kickoff, Villanova fumbled, recovered, then fumbled again, at which point Justin Gildea picked it up and scampered into the end zone.

Here are some of the trends as they impact our football betting advice on this game:

• Central Michigan has won its last five games SU
• Central Michigan is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games
• Central Michigan has played five of its last eight games UNDER the total
• Central Michigan has won five of its last six road games SU
• Central Michigan has played its last five road games UNDER the total
• Temple has won ten of its last 12 games SU
• Temple has played its last nine games OVER the total
• Temple has won six of its last seven home games SU
• Temple has played five of its last six home games OVER the total

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Temple has brought back 16 starters off last season’s 9-4 team, the prominent of which is sophomore Bernard Pierce, who was the best back in a conference that has produced some pretty good running backs, running for 1361 yards last season, and may have been the best freshman runner in the country, although Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech and Dion Lewis of Pittsburgh certainly got more recognition. Quarterback Chester Stewart probably needs to improve his accuracy, however; he was just 40% last year and was 16 for 27 in the opener.

When you digest football betting advice, be "advised" that most games against FCS opponents shouldn’t be regarded as anything more than exhibitions. That’s why you don’t want to draw too many quick conclusions about what Central Michigan was able to do in its game against Hampton. Ryan Radcliffe has taken over as the quarterback in place of LeFevour, and he got a nice run over the track in the 33-0 win, completing 20 of 34 passes, and looks like he can spread the ball around a little to a number of capable receivers. 

Okay, want out football betting advice? CMU looks like a program that has enough good football players left over to make some noise in its division, though it’s not likely they’ll win it. The change in schemes, on both sides of the ball, may take some adjustment, and maybe that’s why a personnel turnover is healthy. Remember what we said about FCS teams? Villanova is an exception to that. They beat Temple last year, and the Owls had this intra-city game "circled" on the schedule. To come back from that emotional output just five days later and lay this many points in the football betting odds may be a tough nut for them to crack. We’re going to grab the points with CMU in this conference opener, That’s our football betting advice for Thursday.

JAY’S PLAY:  CENTRAL MICHIGAN +7.5 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

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NFL Betting Picks – NFL Season Begins With Saints-Vikings Rematch

The 2010 NFL betting season kicks off with a huge rematch between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings. Last year’s NFC Championship game was one of the best of the year, and ended auspiciously for the Vikings when Favre threw a costly pick. While Thursday night will be one of celebration for the Saints as they begin their Super Bowl title defense, it’s one filled with questions for the Vikings.

First and foremost is the health of Brett Favre, who has been plagued by an ankle injury all summer. Surgery did little to help it recover fully, and with Favre’s reduced mobility in the pocket, he could be another tackling dummy for the Saints again. While New Orleans failed to notch a sack on Favre in the NFC title game, they still registered 6 devastating hits on the quarterback.

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Which is why priority one for the Vikings should and will be deploying Adrian Peterson as much as possible. As good as New Orleans’ defense is on paper, they still gave up 122.2 rushing yards per game and the fact that Peterson rumbled for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground the last time they met should entice some of the Vikings’ betting backers.

The loss of Sidney Rice is devastating to Minnesota. His sure hands and leaping ability made him a prime target for Favre, but they still have a weapon that was used very little last year.

Bernard Berrian isn’t Sidney Rice, but he’s definitely a capable stand-in now that he’s overcome his hamstring injury from last year. Berrian, combined with the heavily targeted Visanthe Shiancoe and Percy Harvin will make life a living hell for the Saints if and when Peterson relieves Favre of the pressure.

Minnesota Vikings (0-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Thursday, September 9th — Louisiana Superdome — 8:30pm EST

NFL Betting Line: New Orleans -5.0 (48)

The New Orleans Saints deserve to be favorites in this game no matter how much you can talk yourself in to betting on the Vikings. They’re at home, and they’re zealous fans will be as drunk as ever when they celebrate last year’s Super Bowl victory.

However, there are certain weaknesses for the Saints that begin on defense.

Second-year corner Malcolm Jenkins is a starter-worthy talent but he’ll be replacing Darren Sharper who is on the PUP list this year after leading the league in interceptions. New Orleans allowed 235.6 passing yards against last year, and without Sharper that pass defense will take a definitive step back.

Which means that Drew Brees will have to be at his best yet again right out of the gate. Don’t underestimate Minnesota’s defense in this game, especially since they ranked 19th against the pass and 2nd against the run. Brees only managed to connect on 17-of-31 passes for 197 yards, though he scored 3 touchdowns.

We’re all selling the Vikings down the river in NFL betting for the season opener because they’re old, are troubled by injuries, while being matched up against the defending champions. But one of the biggest reasons they were effective last year on the betting line was their stout defense.

Jared Allen busted his way in to the hearts of fans and the MVP discussion with the way he played last year. Brees has a great offensive line, but the Vikings are out for blood and championship ceremonies before the game haven’t always gone well for the home team. I love the moneyline for the Vikings, but I’m not getting suckered in like I did last year. Take the points on Minnesota.

Just like last year, you won’t regret it. The Vikings are still an excellent football team with Favre’s ankle causing problems and Sidney Rice on the shelf. I think the Saints will garner some serious attention in NFL betting with a patty cake schedule, but their season kicks off with a rough start guaranteed.

Furious NFL Free Pick – Minnesota +5.0 (OVER)

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College Football Game Lines For #23 Auburn vs. Mississippi State

The rebuilding of Auburn’s once successful football program should continue on Thursday night according to the college football game lines in the sportsbook.

The NCAAF odds makers have set the line at Auburn -2 in their game against Mississippi State on Sept. 9th even though the Tiger travel to Starkville to take on the Bulldogs. Auburn is coming off of a lop-sided 52 to 26 victory over Arkansas State.

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High expectations are starting to build around Auburn although, after reading what I’ve written below, those expectations may not come from sports gamblers for Thursday night’s game. The Tigers still have plenty to prove and beating a tough SEC West rival on the road will not be easy to do.

#23 Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS

When: September 9th, 2010 at 7:45 pm EST

TV: ESPN, ESPN3.com

NCAAF Betting Lines

Auburn Tigers -2 -110

Mississippi State Tigers +2 -110

The college football games lines trends definitely favor the Bulldogs in this one.

• The Auburn Tigers are 1 and 8 ATS in their last 9 games on the road.
• The Auburn Tigers are 3 and 15 ATS in their last 18 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
• The Auburn Tigers are 1 and 5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing 280 yards passing in their previous game.
• The Mississippi State Bulldogs are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
• The Mississippi State Bulldogs are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

The trends say Mississippi State but so far the bettors do not. 70% of the betting public believes that Auburn will cover the spread in this game. That could change by Thursday.

It could especially change after a quick review of the stats from each team’s game last week. Auburn was exceptional on the ground when pounding out 367 yards. 171 of those yards came from quarterback Cameron Newton. The Tigers amassed a total of 608 yards against Arkansas State.

That’s all well and good but playing against Arkansas State’s D at home and against Mississippi State’s D on the road are two entirely different things. The Bulldogs beat Memphis 49 to 7 last Saturday and they looked great doing it. Mississippi State allowed Memphis to gain only 237 total yards, 196 through the air and 41 on the ground.

Yes, Auburn is probably going to gain over 300 yards of total offense in this game, but that might not matter because Auburn’s defense is, shall we say, far removed from the days of when they literally won games with their D. Auburn’s D allowed Arkansas State, that’s right, Arkansas State, to throw for 323 yards.

That’s Arkansas State. What is Mississippi State going to do to that horrible Auburn pass defense? They’re going to tear it apart. The Bulldogs threw for 372 total yards last Saturday. They ran for another 197.

It looks like this game is going to be a shoot-out and it probably will be, but there is a much safer bet to make on this game. The college football betting lines list Mississippi State as a 2-point home dog in this.

The fact that their defense is simply better than Auburn’s and that their offense is just as good means that the home team gets the nod.

NCAAF Betting Pick: Mississippi State Bulldogs +2 -110

Check out all of Week 2’s college football game lines in the sportsbook, click here.

MLB Betting Picks – Toronto To Even Series With Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers opened their 2010 regular season betting by beating the Toronto Blue Jays back in April. Since then, Toronto was able to best Texas in every single game until last night when the Rangers finally put a dent in their record against the Blue Jays. Both teams share an equal moneyline as Toronto tries to extend their 7-2 SU record against Texas this year.

Making life difficult for the Toronto betting backers is the fact they’re deploying home town hero Shawn Hill (a native of Toronto) to the mound in his first start of the season. The victim of two Tommy John surgeries, Hill hasn’t thrown a major league pitch since April 2009 when he was with the Padres.

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Texas Rangers (76-63) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (72-67)
Thursday, September 9th — Rogers Centre — 7:07pm EST
MLB Betting Lines:
TEX – Colby Lewis (R) -1.5 +140 / -110 / O 9.0 -115
TOR – Shawn Hill (R) +1.5 -160 / -110 / U 9.0 -105

Countering for the Rangers will be Colby Lewis, the 6-foot-4 righty from Bakersfield, California. In 27 starts, Lewis is just 9-12 SU with a 3.96 ERA. When the Rangers went through a rough patch in August, Lewis took the brunt of the pain. He went 0-4 SU in August over the course of 6 starts. Sadly, the Rangers have only won a single game when Lewis gets the start since July ended.

It’s certainly not encouraging that Toronto is sending a rusty ace to the mound tonight, but Lewis’s metrics have been horrific in MLB betting. In his last road start against Minnesota Lewis allowed 8 hits and 9 runs in just 3.2 innings. You can only blame so much of that on a lack of team defense.

Where To Watch: FSH, RSN

Toronto’s playoffs hopes are pretty much dead, but this team still loves to play at home. A 4-2 SU record in their past 6 home stands is proof of that, and the fact that Texas is just 1-5 SU in their last 6 road tests should be a warning sign on the MLB betting line. If Hill struggles early, he’ll be yanked and Toronto will use the depth of its bullpen to win this series.

Furious MLB Betting Pick – Toronto RL and ML (OVER)

In case that wasn’t enough for your baseball betting palette, we’re introducing a new feature right below! Along with your daily MLB free picks, I’m adding a parlay recommendation along with it. The following is not for the weak of heart. You’re getting two for the price of one now, might as well double up your pleasures in MLB betting too.

Warning: for tough guys only!

Tough Guy Parlay Pick – Toronto -110 ML and Philadelphia -115 ML

MLB Betting Lines:
St. Louis Cardinals – Adam Wainwright (R) -115 ML
Atlanta Braves – Jair Jurrjens (R) -105 ML

Game Time: Turner Field — 7:10pm EST

MLB Betting Trends:

• St. Louis is 4-11 SU in last 15 games
• St. Louis is 1-7 SU in last 8 games on the road
• St. Louis is 4-1 SU in last 5 games against Atlanta
• Atlanta is 2-5 SU in last 7 games
• Atlanta is 5-1 SU in last 6 games at home
• Atlanta is 2-6 SU in last 8 games against Philadelphia

Click “Show Props” on any MLB betting matchup for more options!

MLB Betting Breakdown – Make Money on Modest Slate of Thursday Night MLB Matchups

Just because there’s only a modest six-game MLB slate scheduled for tonight, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some solid chances to boost the MLB betting bankroll with some wise wagering moves.

That’s right BetOnline MLB betting buffs, this in-depth MLB betting breakdown of all four of tonight’s NL matchups and two AL contests, will put avid baseball bettors on the right path toward making some smart picks on tonight’s reserved docket of MLB contests.

With that said, let me get started with a look at some of my ‘Hot’ teams and MLB betting trends.

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We’re on Fire!
The Chicago White Sox have gone 7-2 in its last nine games and an even more impressive 7-1 in last eight road games as they try to catch the division-leading Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.

Unfortunately for the ChiSox, the Twins have gone 8-2 in its last 10 games to stay 5.5 games ahead of their closest pursuers.

Chicago hits the road to face Detroit today at 1:05 PM ET.

The Houston Astros have posted a fine 12-4 mark in its last 16 games overall. Too bad the ‘Stros are still 13 games behind the NL Central-leading Reds and seven games behind second place St. Louis heading into tonight’s 8:05 PM home date against the Dodgers.

The Colorado Rockies have gone 7-3 over its last 10 games heading into today’s 3:30 PM ET home date against Cincinnati and have won six straight games overall.

The San Diego Padres have won three straight games as they get set to host San Francisco tonight at 10:05 PM ET.

Uh-Oh!
The Cincinnati Reds have posted a miserable 6-21 mark in its last 27 road games against Colorado, but I suspect these aren’t those same Reds anymore MLB gamblers.

The Texas Rangers have gone 1-9 in Colby Lewis’ last 10 starts heading into tonight’s 7:05 PM ET road date against the Blue Jays.

The Cardinals look like they’re going to be left on the outside looking in when the postseason rolls around.  St. Louis has damaged its chances of winning the NL wild card by going 4-10 in its last 14 games overall. The Cards have dropped two straight heading into tonight.

The L.A. Dodgers have lost five straight games heading into tonight’s road matchup at Houston.

Check out tonight’s full slate of MLB action in the bettor-friendly BetOnline Baseball Sportsbook!

Sources: wagertracker.com, covers.com

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