The Iowa State Cyclones and Northern Illinois Huskies hook up in Ames this Thursday night for a game that most people aren’t noticing. The Head Ball Coach and South Carolina open up on ESPN against Southern Miss, Pitt and Utah looks to be a great match-up, and USC travels to Hawaii in the late game. These games feature big-name schools and understandably hoard a lion’s share of the press. Although the Cyclones and Huskies are flying under-the-radar, expect this to be an entertaining game.
Continue reading “College Football Handicapping: Under the Radar Game of the Week”
Oakland sits 7 1/2 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West divisional race, as they head East for a three-game set in the Bronx. The Athletics still have a legitimate shot at catching them due to a starting rotation that owns a major league-best 3.36 ERA. The club will have dramatically improve against the Yankees due to dropping five of six against them this season and 16 of the last 19 meetings overall. In winning eight of their last 12 games overall, the team now sits a game over .500 for the season (65-64, +230), while remaining in second place in the division for seven consecutive days. Oakland has posted a 13-3 record in its last 16 day games, but it’s a different story at night, compiling a 35-51 mark at night (-1,680). The Athletics are an even 13-13 in August (-20) and the total is 6-19 O/U in those games.
New York finished off its current homestand with a 3-3 record and now embark on a 10-game trip, which will serve as the team’s longest this season. The Mets record has also not been more than one game above or below .500 since July 31, when they were 53-51. The starting staff has been doing its part, posting a 3.42 ERA since the All-Star break, the fourth-lowest mark in the majors during that span. Only Oakland (2.66), San Diego (3.36) and Atlanta (3.40) have a lower ERA. The club has a 23-29 record against divisional opponents this season (-850) and the total is 23-28 O/U in those contests. New York is winless in eight games this season as a road underdog of +150 to +175 (-800) and 5-12 in this situation the last three years (-390).
For a team with a lot of question marks going in, the Unites States has looked pretty convincing so far in the 2010 FIBA World Championships. After defeating Croatia 106-78, the U.S. beat Slovenia 99-77. But next up for the U.S. will be there toughest Group B opponent, Brazil. Brazil is also 2-0, beating Iran 81-65 and Tunisia 80-65. Let’s take a look at the game, odds according to Pinnacle and Bookmaker.
Florida fell 12-3 in the second game of this three-game set in Atlanta, falling 8 1/2 games back in the NL East race. The 12 runs allowed were a season-high by the Marlins and starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco managed to last just two innings. “I just stunk. I didn’t throw anything where I wanted to,” said Nolasco. The club still has seven meetings remaining in the season series which includes today’s series finale at Turner Field. The Fish expect rookie outfielder Mike Stanton to get the start in right field this afternoon after not starting in the previous two games. Also, third baseman Wes Helms is also expected to return after sitting out the first pair of games in this series. Florida still holds a solid 27-23 record against divisional opponents (+460) and the total is 26-21 O/U in those contests. The Marlins also possess a winning 17-15 mark in daytime games and are 64-58 under the sun the past three years (+1,060).
