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As Sportsbook.com members wait until the NFL betting season officially begins, they’ll have a full slate of College Football betting in addition to plenty of key MLB match-ups.
Cincinnati at St. Louis
The Cardinals have their top three pitchers going in a series that marks their last hope to gain serious ground in the NL Central. Cincinnati enters Friday with an 8-game lead on St. Louis, having gained four games in four days. The Reds are 14-4 in their last 18 games, while the Cards are coming off a dreadful 2-8 road trip against some of the worst teams in the NL -- Pittsburgh, Washington and Houston.
Oddsmakers will expect the Cards to sweep and get back in the Central race with their big three of Jaime Garcia, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. This trio has a combined 43-20 record and will all be heavily favored against the Reds’ trio of Bronson Arroyo, Travis Wood and Homer Bailey.
One staggering betting trend gives the Reds value Friday night. Play Against - Home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (ST LOUIS) - after being swept on the road in a 3 game series by a division rival, with a winning percentage of between 45-55% on the season. (32-14 since 1997.) (69.6%, +24.1 units. Rating = 3*).
This stat gives enough reason to pick the Reds for the entire weekend. Play On - All underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (CINCINNATI) - with a winning record on the season, in September games. (265-237 over the last 5 seasons.) (52.8%, +100.2 units. Rating = 3*).
Colorado at San Diego
The Padres have the pitching matchup advantage this weekend to distance themselves from the never-say-die Rockies. San Diego has lost seven straight games, but still leads the West by three games over San Francisco and 7.5 games over Colorado.
On Friday, the Padres send Cory Luebke to the mound for his major-league debut. Despite his lack of major-league experience, oddsmakers set the line at -149 for the 6-foot-4 southpaw. Luebke finished his stint at Triple-A Portland with a 14-inning scoreless streak and posted a 2.97 ERA, 44 K and 17 BB in nine starts with Portland. The line is also indicative of Luebke’s opponent Aaron Cook (4-8, 5.34 ERA) and his 13.98 ERA and 3.00 WHIP in his last three starts.
FoxSheets, found at Sportsbook.com, shows two reasons to take San Diego on Friday.
Play Against - Road teams (COLORADO) - after a game where the bullpen was rocked for 6 or more earned runs against opponent with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 15 games. (70-23 over the last 5 seasons.) (75.3%, +43.8 units. Rating = 4*).
Play Against - Road underdogs with a money line of +100 to +150 (COLORADO) - with a bad bullpen that blows 38% or more of their save opportunities, with a cold starting pitcher- WHIP >= 2.250 over his last 3 starts. (37-8 over the last 5 seasons.) (82.2%, +26.9 units. Rating = 4*).
