Service Plays Thursday 10/10/13

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GL!

Thursday Night Football betting: Giants at Bears

New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-9.5, 47)

The wheels have completely come off for the New York Giants, who are off to a disastrous start and face a short turnaround when they visit the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. The Giants have dropped their first five games, the franchise's worst start in a non-strike season since 1979, and have shown little resistance while surrendering a league-worst 36.4 points per game. As bad as the Giants have been, they are only two games out of first place in the NFC East.

There is also plenty of concern in Chicago, which is coming off back-to-back losses following a 3-0 start to the season. A stout defense is normally a staple of the Bears, but they have been burned for an average of 28 points per game and have yet to hold an opponent under 21. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 358 yards in Sunday's 26-18 home loss to New Orleans, but Chicago's defense allowed Drew Brees and the Saints to control the ball for 36 minutes.

TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network.

LINE: Chicago opened as a 9.5-point home favorite and has moved as low as -7.5. The total opened at 45 and jumped to 47.5.

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: New York (+6.0) + Chicago (-1.5) + home field (-3.0) = Chicago -10.5

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low 60s with clear skies and winds blowing east at 7 mph.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (0-5, 0-5 ATS): While New York's defense has been abysmal, the running game is in shambles with second-year back David Wilson suffering a neck injury on Sunday and still dealing with tingling on Monday. That has forced Eli Manning to to carry a one-dimensional offense and the results have not been pretty - he's thrown a league-high 12 interceptions and been sacked 15 times. "He's certainly trying to do too much, he knows his team and he knows his responsibilities" Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He's an extremely accountable guy and he's going to do everything he possibly can."

ABOUT THE BEARS (3-2, 1-3-1 ATS): One of the few positives to come out of Sunday's loss was the immense performance of second-year wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey, who had 10 receptions for a franchise-record 218 yards. Of course, Jeffrey's monster day came at the expense of fellow wideout Brandon Marshall, who was limited to four catches for 30 yards and expressed his frustration after the game. "As a receiver, you always want the ball," Marshall said. "But, you know, coach (Marc) Trestman is an offensive guru. Jay's a good quarterback. We're going to do what's best for the team."

TRENDS:

* Road team is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last five Thursday games.
* Bears are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Giants' last five Thursday games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. New York has allowed at least 31 points in the first five games, matching a league record set by the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.

2. Bears RB Matt Forte has rushed for 375 yards and also had 27 receptions for 200 more.

3. The teams have not met since October 2010, when the Giants posted a 17-3 home win.

Today's NFL Picks

NY Giants at Chicago

The Giants look to bounce back from their 36-21 loss to Philadelphia last weekend and take advantage of a Chicago team that is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 home games. New York is the pick (+9) according to Dunkel, which has the Bears favored by only 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+9). Here are all of this week's picks.

NCAA Football Game Picks

Rutgers at Louisville

The Cardinals look to take advantage of a Rutgers team that is coming off a 55-52 win over SMU and is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games after scoring more than 40 points in the previous game. Louisville is the pick (-18) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 21 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-18). Here are all of this week's lined games.

Rutgers at Louisville: What bettors need to know

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Louisville Cardinals (-19, 54)

Close victories over Rutgers in each of the last two seasons allowed Louisville to earn a share of the Big East title. As members of the American Athletic Conference, little is expected to change Thursday when the eighth-ranked Cardinals host the Scarlet Knights in the first and perhaps the only game between the schools as rivals in the newly formed league. While Rutgers is set to become a member of the Big Ten in 2014, Louisville will leave for the ACC.

A two-point win in 2011 over the Scarlet Knights sparked a 5-1 finish for the Cardinals and helped them secure a three-way tie for the conference title, while a three-point victory in 2012 forged a four-way tie and led to a Sugar Bowl triumph. Louisville is 5-0 for the second time in as many seasons in 2013 and has outscored its opponents 222-34. Rutgers has won four straight, but may find it difficult to recover on short rest after Saturday’s 55-52 triple-overtime win at Southern Methodist.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Louisville opened at -16.5 and has been bet up as high as -19. The total opened at 55 and has come down to 54.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the mid 70s with clear skies and winds blowing NE at 2 mph.

ABOUT RUTGERS (4-1, 1-0 AAC, 2-3 ATS): The Scarlet Knights have scored 28 points or more in each of the first five games for the first time in school history. One of the major reasons for the offensive output has been the play of quarterback Gary Nova, who ranks second in the conference with 13 touchdown passes and has thrown only four interceptions. Two of Nova’s 16 interceptions last season came in a 20-17 loss to Louisville, including one near midfield late in the fourth quarter as Rutgers was driving for a potential game-tying field goal.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (5-0, 1-0, 3-2 ATS): While quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has looked every bit like the top NFL Draft pick he is expected to become (AAC-leading 16 touchdowns and 71.7 percent completion percentage), the Cardinals’ defense has been nearly as impressive. Louisville is allowing a Division I-best 6.8 points per game and has collected nine turnovers, which has helped lead to the nation’s sixth-best turnover margin (plus-1.4). Louisville coach Charlie Strong said wide receiver DeVante Parker is day-to-day after he injured his right shoulder in Saturday’s 30-7 victory at Temple.

TRENDS:

* Favorite is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Scarlet Knights are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games overall.
* Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Bridgewater has thrown a touchdown pass in 17 consecutive games, tied with Dave Ragone for the most in school history.

2. Rutgers ranks 22nd in the country in scoring offense (40 points per game) after finishing 98th a season ago.

3. The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 127-3 in the first half.

Arizona at USC: What bettors need to know

Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans (-6, 47.5)

The Lane Kiffin era has ended and it will be interim coach Ed Orgeron running the team when USC hosts Arizona in Thursday’s crucial Pac-12 contest. Athletic director Pat Haden fired Kiffin after the Trojans suffered a 62-41 loss to Arizona State on Sept. 28 and Orgeron is looking to overcome a 0-2 start in conference play. Arizona is coming off a loss to Washington and needs a victory over USC to remain a factor in the Pac-12 South race.

Orgeron went 10-25 as head coach of Mississippi from 2005-07 and has made it a major priority to change the mood of the team. “I want our guys to believe and have a little fun,” Orgeron said. “One of the things we can do as a staff is get really close to our players, circle the wagons, have fun, and let the chips fall where they may.” Trojans receiver Marqise Lee (knee) could miss the game, which won’t sadden Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez too much due to Lee catching 16 passes for a Pac-12 record 345 yards against the Wildcats last season. “We didn’t have any answer for him last year,” Rodriguez said. “He got open, got involved, and we just couldn’t catch up with him.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1.

LINE: Southern Cal opened as a 5-point favorite and moved to -6. The total opened at 48.5 and was bet down to 47.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures in low 60s with clear skies and winds blowing west at 5 mph.

ABOUT ARIZONA (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12 South, 2-2 ATS): Junior running back Ka’Deem Carey is looking for his eighth consecutive 100-yard outing and has scored at least one touchdown in 17 of his last 18 games. Senior quarterback B.J. Denker is only a 50 percent passer and tossed his first two interceptions of the campaign in the loss to Washington but excels as a rusher (280 yards, team-high six touchdowns). An opportunistic defense has intercepted seven passes with junior safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant recording three – returning two for touchdowns – while freshman outside linebacker Scooby Wright has recorded a team-leading 28 tackles.

ABOUT USC (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12 South, 1-4 ATS): Lee has modest season totals of 30 receptions for 385 yards and was termed questionable by Orgeron on Monday, as was senior outside linebacker Morgan Breslin (hip), who has a team-best 7.5 tackles for loss. Senior running back Silas Redd (knee) could see action for the first time but sophomore Tre Madden (583 yards) has a firm grip on the starting job after topping 100 yards in four of five games. The 62 points allowed against Arizona State matched for worst in school history and was a shocking development considering the presence of stars like Breslin, junior safety Dion Bailey (team-high 28 tackles, two interceptions), junior defensive end George Uko (four sacks) and sophomore defensive end Leonard Williams (seven tackles for loss).

TRENDS:

* Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in Southern California.
* Wildcats are 7-1 ATS in their last eight meetings.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Underdog is 8-0 ATS in their last eight meetings.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. USC leads the series 28-8, but Arizona posted a 39-36 home win in last season’s meeting.

2. The Wildcats are allowing 14.3 points per game, ninth-best nationally.

3. Trojans sophomore QB Cody Kessler is completing 63.5 percent of his passes with six touchdowns against four interceptions.

Tigers at Athletics: What bettors need to know

Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics (+109, 7)

The Detroit Tigers finally found their offensive form in Game 4 and used it to force a decisive Game 5 in the American League Division Series. The Tigers will head back on the road, where they managed a total of three runs in the first two games, and visit the Oakland Athletics for Game 5 on Thursday. Detroit still is not getting much from Miguel Cabrera but the supporting cast, led by Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta, is stepping up.

The Tigers had scored in only two innings in the first three games to fall behind 2-1 in the best-of-five series but overcame a pair of deficits in Tuesday’s 8-6 triumph. The Athletics finally showed some vulnerability in the bullpen, which had three relievers combine to allow five runs in the final two innings of Game 4. Detroit won a Game 5 in Oakland in last season’s ALDS behind a four-hit shutout from Justin Verlander, who is expected to get the nod on Thursday.

TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, TBS

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low 60s with clear skies and winds blowing WSW at 6 mph.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (0-1, 4.50)

Verlander struck out 11 and allowed four hits in Saturday’s Game 2 but did not factor in the decision when Oakland ended up claiming a 1-0 victory. The former Cy Young Award winner has now made three ALDS starts against the Athletics in the last two seasons and yielded a total of one run and 11 hits while striking out 33 in 23 innings. Verlander threw at least 117 pitches in each one of those starts.

Colon allowed three runs in the first inning of Game 1 but shut the Tigers down for the next five. The burly veteran still absorbed the loss while scattering 10 hits. Colon had not surrendered more than two earned runs in any of his last six regular-season starts, including a five-inning stint at Detroit on Aug. 29.

TRENDS:

* Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
* Under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings in Oakland.
* Tigers are 6-2 in Verlanders last eight starts vs. Athletics.
* Under is 10-4 in Verlanders last 14 starts vs. Athletics.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Cabrera is 4-for-16 with four singles and one RBI in the ALDS while fighting through abdominal and groin injuries.

2. Oakland CF Coco Crisp is 7-for-9 with four runs scored in the last two games.

3. Detroit RHP Max Scherzer came out of the bullpen in Game 4 and earned the win in relief. He should be available again in Game 5.

Chicago Syndicate

Top Play

Louisville/Rutgers Over 53.5

Giants seek first win of season Thursday in Chicago
by Brian Graham

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -7.5, Total: 41

The winless Giants try to turn their season around when they face the Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday night.

New York’s defense has allowed at least 31 points in all five losses (SU and ATS), its NFL-worst ground game has a dreadful 57 rushing YPG and QB Eli Manning has already committed 14 turnovers (12 INT, 2 fumbles lost). The Bears, losers of two straight games, also have turnover problems with QB Jay Cutler (6 INT, 3 fumbles lost) and a defense that has been shaky (28.0 PPG, T-26th in NFL). Neither Manning nor Cutler threw a TD pass when these teams last met in 2010, a Giants 17-3 win where Chicago finished with a pitiful 110 total yards. Before that game, the road team had won seven straight meetings (SU and ATS) in this series. New York is a whopping 16-5 ATS (76%) versus NFC North opponents since 1992, but under head coach Tom Coughlin, the team is only 10-19 ATS (35%) after allowing 400+ total yards in their previous game. Since 1992, the Bears are 16-5 ATS (76%) at home after two straight games with a turnover margin of -1 or worse, but they are just 6-17 ATS (26%) at home after gaining 6+ yards per play in their previous game.

Giants QB Eli Manning is having a miserable 2013 campaign with his lowest passer rating (65.8) and completion rate (54%) since 2005. A lot of these struggles can be attributed to an offensive line that has seen Manning absorb 15 sacks already, compared to the 19 sacks he took in a full season in 2012. A big reason teams have been able to key more on pressuring Manning is New York's lack of a running game. The G-Men have a horrible 3.3 yards per rush and top RB David Wilson (3.3 YPC) may not play in this game because of a neck injury. That would leave RB Brandon Jacobs (2.2 YPC) and newly re-signed RB Da'Rel Scott (3.5 YPC) as the main ball carriers. Whether or not Wilson is out, New York will likely be throwing early and often to try to win this game. Manning already has four receivers who have more than 200 receiving yards for the season -- WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle, and TE Brandon Myers. While Cruz struggled with just 48 receiving yards on 12 targets last week, he is still among the top five wideouts in the league in both targets (55) and receiving yards (473). Nicks bounced back from two subpar weeks to catch nine passes for 142 yards versus Philly, while Randle compiled 96 yards and both touchdown receptions in the loss. The Giants defense has been gashed all season, allowing an NFL-worst 36.4 PPG, which is a product of being on the field for a league-high 34:00. This alarming number isn't all the fault of the inept offense either, as New York opponents have converted 49% of their third downs, the third-worst defensive percentage in the league. The Giants, who have the second-fewest sacks in the league (five), also have several injury concerns as LB Mathias Kiwanuka (ribs) and CBs Aaron Ross (back), Jayron Hosley (hamstring) and Corey Webster (groin) are all questionable to suit up for this contest.

Bears QB Jay Cutler got great protection during his team's 3-0 start, as he hit the deck just three times total, but he has been sacked six times during the two defeats. The Saints made it a point to take away top WR Brandon Marshall, holding him to just four catches on five targets in Week 5. However, that allowed No. 2 WR Alshon Jeffery to explode for 218 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches. But the Bears have been forced to throw much more than they would like in the past two losses, carrying the football just 17.0 times per game. During the 3-0 start to the season, the team averaged 27.7 rushing attempts per game. Top RB Matt Forte has been the workhorse for Chicago with 375 rushing yards on 4.6 YPC and three touchdowns. The Bears defense has been effective in stopping the run (98 rushing YPG, 3.7 YPC allowed), but has been burned through the air. They are surrendering 8.0 yards per pass attempt (4th-most in NFL), which starts with weak pressure on opposing quarterbacks (eight sacks, 3rd-fewest in league). But the one thing that Chicago has done well is to force turnovers, ranking third in the NFL with 14 takeaways this season. This will be a huge key considering how generous Eli Manning has been to giving the ball away to opposing defenses this year. The Bears are pretty healthy, but S Anthony Walters (hamstring) and DTs Nate Collins (knee) and Stephen Paea (toe) and are all listed as questionable for Thursday night.

The Factsman

Thursday Video Pick

Rutgers+18.5

No. 8 Louisville favored big vs. Rutgers Thursday
by Freddy Wander

Kickoff: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Louisville -19, Total: 54

The 2012 Big East co-champions attempt to each go 2-0 in the new American Athletic conference when Rutgers visits unbeaten and eighth-ranked Louisville on Thursday night.

Last year, each of these teams was 5-2 in conference play with the Cardinals representing the Big East in the Sugar Bowl, where they defeated Florida 33-23. These two programs have played each other in each of the past eight seasons with Louisville coming out ahead, going 5-3 SU ATS, including 3-1 (SU and ATS) at home. Very close games have been a common trend between these teams. In 4-of-8 meetings, a field goal or less separated them, including a three-point Cardinals victory last year and a two-point victory for them in the last meeting at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in 2011. Rutgers is coming off a 55-52 triple OT victory over SMU in its AAC opener while Louisville hosted Temple and had an easy 30-7 victory. Although the Cardinals didn't cover that 33-point spread, they have still been dominant on the season, winning each of their games by at least 14 points and holding four of five opponents to seven points or less. This will be Louisville’s toughest offensive opponent on the season though, as it has not faced a scoring offense ranked better than 67th in the nation. Although the Cardinals are large favorites at home in this match-up, the Scarlet Knights will look to show they are still a top team in their division.

Rutgers is coming off a thrilling victory at home against SMU on Saturday where it gave up the lead late, being outscored 21-0 in the third quarter, but rallied in overtime to secure its first AAC win. QB Gary Nova has been a large part of the Knights' 4-1 season so far. Over the season, Nova has thrown for 1,171 yards (8.3 YPA) with 13 TD and only 4 INT. His ability to secure the ball and keep drives going has led the Rutgers passing attack to 243.2 YPG (59th in nation). While this team does not do anything spectacular, they bring a dual-threat offense with the 60th-ranked rushing attack (179.6 YPG). RB Paul James has led the team in 2013 with 573 yards on 78 attempts (7.3 YPC) with 6 TD, but is doubtful for the Thursday night game with a leg injury. RB Justin Goodwin came into the SMU game with only seven carries on the season, but sparked the offense with 222 total yards (149 rushing, 73 receiving) and three total touchdowns. Star WR Brandon Coleman (2nd team all-conference in 2012) will look to get back into the swing of things as he has only 126 receiving yards over the past four games after a 94-yard, two-touchdown performance in the season opener. Rutgers lost four first team All-Conference defensive players from the 2012 season, and its difficulties have been clear, allowing 380 YPG and 27.6 PPG.

The Cardinals are riding high, as they have won seven straight games (5-2 ATS) dating to last year and have a margin of victory of 37.6 PPG on the season. Heisman hopeful QB Teddy Bridgewater has been on fire this year with 1,562 passing yards (10.8 YPA), 16 touchdowns and only one interception on the season. Bridgewater has thrown 4+ TD in three of the Cardinals first five games and has been sacked only four times all year. Bridgewater will be missing 2012 1st team All-Conference WR DeVante Parker (375 rec. yds, 6 TD) who is battling a shoulder injury. Picking up the slack will be WR Eli Rogers who has 279 receiving yards (18.6 average) and two touchdowns on the season. Helping out Bridgewater and the passing game will be the 58th-ranked rushing attack (181.2 YPG) led by the trio of HBs Senorise Perry, Dominique Brown and Michael Dyer combining for 753 yards (5.8 YPC) and eight touchdowns. Louisville features the nation's top-ranked scoring defense (6.8 PPG), but has yet to face a difficult offense, going up against the 119th-ranked offense (Temple) and 124th-ranked offense (FIU) in their past two games.

Orgeron-coached USC hosts Arizona on Thursday
by Freddy Wander

Kickoff: Thursday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Line: USC -6, Total: 47.5

Arizona squares off with Pac-12 rival USC on Thursday night as both teams look for their first conference win of the year.

It seems as if both the Wildcats and Trojans are moving in the wrong direction. Arizona started the season 3-0 against non-conference opponents, but suffered a lopsided 31-13 loss at Washington, allowing 244 rushing yards in the process. USC is coming off of a 62-41 blowout loss at Arizona State which left head coach Lane Kiffin without a job, and Ed Orgeron filling his spot in the interim. He'll be tasked with leading the Trojans (0-2 in Pac-12 play) likely minus injured star WR Marqise Lee, who is doubtful to play because of a knee injury. The Trojans have done well in this matchup in the past, going 7-2 straight up against Arizona since 1992, but have had trouble covering the spread (3-6 ATS). In the most recent meeting between these two programs in 2012, the offenses combined for over 1,200 yards of offense, but five USC turnovers led to a 39-36 Arizona win at home. The Wildcats have struggled mightily on the road recently with a 3-12 SU record over their past 15 road games. Each team has an outstanding rushing offense (Arizona 291 YPG, USC 191 YPG), so both will be looking to pound the football on the ground on Thursday night.

Arizona has gone with its strengths and slowly changed its identity to a run-heavy offense. Top HB prospect Ka’Deem Carey has led the nation's 9th ranked rushing offense (292 YPG) with 431 yards (5.9 YPC) and five touchdowns on the season and also contributes to the pass game with 82 receiving yards. Joining Carey in the rush attack is QB B.J. Denker, who has run for 280 yards (5.5 YPC) and six touchdowns on the season. Denker has not been expected to do much this season throwing the ball and has only passed for 111 YPG and 4.9 YPA with two touchdowns and two interceptions on the year. His two interceptions both came in the last game against Washington, which also happens to be the team's first loss of the season. No Wildcats receiver has caught more than nine passes through the first four games of the season with WR Garic Wharton leading the team with 117 receiving yards (14.6 average). The Arizona defense has done well on the season, giving up only 335 total YPG and 14.3 points per game (9th in FBS), but when facing a top-35 offense in Washington, they gave up 409 yards and 31 points.

The Ed Orgeron era for USC begins on Thursday night after the school cut ties with former head coach Lane Kiffin after a 21-point loss to ASU on national television. An even bigger loss than Kiffin in that game was their star WR Marqise Lee, who sprained his left knee and is doubtful for this game. Lee's likely absence will be severe, as he has caught 30-of-76 completions (40%) thrown by the Trojans this year, and is coming off two straight seasons of at least 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. The man who will be searching for a new top target to throw to will be QB Cody Kessler who has thrown for 832 yards with 6 TD and 4 INT on the season. Kessler has been more involved in each of the past four games with his attempts rising from 13 to 17, to 26 and finally 29 times against the Sun Devils. USC features the 50th best rushing attack in college football (191 YPG), led by HB Tre Madden. In 110 attempts this year, Madden has 583 yards (5.3 YPC) and three touchdowns, one in each of the past three weeks. He has been very consistent so far this year rushing for over 90 yards in all five games on the season, including a season-high 151 yards against Washington State on Sept. 7. Trojans star LB Morgan Breslin (11 tackles, 4 sacks) is doubtful for this game with a hip injury, which could make it harder for the Trojans to slow down Arizona’s fierce rushing game. Despite allowing 261 yards on the ground in its last game, USC still has the nation's 13th-ranked rush defense (100 YPG).

NHL

Hot teams
-- Bruins won their first two games, 3-1/4-1. Colorado won its first three: 6-1/3-1/2-1.
-- Detroit won two of first three games, allowing seven goals.
-- Lightning won its last two games both 3-2; one in OT, one in SO.
-- Maple Leafs won three of their first four games.
-- Jets won two of first three games, scoring 12 goals.
-- Vancouver won its last three games, with last two wins in OT. Sharks won their first three games, scoring 17 goals.
-- Ducks won their last two games, both by a goal.

Cold teams
-- Sabres started season 0-4, outscored 10-4. Columbus split first two games, with road team winning both.
-- Carolina lost two of first three games, scoring two goals in all three games. Washington lost two of its first three games.
-- Phoenix was outscored 10-2 in losing its first two road games.
-- Florida lost its last two games, outscored 9-1.
-- Nashville lost two of first three games, scoring six goals.
-- Minnesota lost its first three games, all by one goal.
-- Edmonton lost two of first three games, allowing 15 goals. Canadiens lost two of first three games, with both losses by a goal.
-- Rangers lost two of first three games, allowing 14 goals.

Series records
-- Road team won last four Boston-Colorado games.
-- Sabres won three of last four games with Columbus.
-- Washington won four of last five games against the Hurricanes.
-- Coyotes lost their last six visits to Detroit.
-- Florida won last two games with Tampa Bay, after losing previous seven.
-- Home side won four of last six Toronto-Nashville games.
-- Jets won their last four games with Minnesota.
-- Oilers won three of last four games with Montreal.
-- Sharks won eight in row vs Vancouver, with three of eight in SO/OT.
-- Home team won last five Ranger-Anaheim games.

Totals
-- Three of last four Bruin-Avalanche games went over the total.
-- Last three Buffalo-Columbus games went over the total.
-- Under is 14-4 in last eighteen Carolina-Washington games.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Phoenix-Detroit games.
-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Florida-Tampa Bay games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Nashville games.
-- Eight of last ten Winnipeg games went over the total.
-- Last five Edmonton games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-1-2 in Sharks' last eight visits to Vancouver.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Anaheim games.

MLB

Tigers-A's
Verlander didn't allow a run (19 IP) in his last three starts, but didn't win any of the three; in his last three playoff starts vs Oakland, he allowed one run in 23 IP, winning two of three. He allowed six runs in 11 IP in two regular season starts against the A'as this season.

Rookie Gray is making 11th big league start; he is 3-0, 2.17 in last five starts, blanking Detroit on four hits over eight IP in Game 2 Saturday. He has a 1.66 ERA in 48.2 IP at home (3.86 on road).

Eight of Detroit's last ten games stayed under the total- -they scored eight runs Tuesday, after scoring total of six in first three series games. Eight of last ten Detroit games stayed under the total.

Oakland is 11-1 in game following their last 12 losses; they're 6-5 vs Tigers this year, with road team winning seven of 11 games. A's won 18 of last 25 games, 11 of their last 15 games went over the total. Oakland franchise is 1-11 in last 12 games that could win a series.

Today's MLB Picks

Detroit at Oakland

The Tigers look to close out the series and take advantage of an Oakland team that is 1-5 in its last 6 home games when the total is set at 6 1/2 runs or lower. Detroit is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Tigers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

Today's NHL Picks

NY Rangers at Anaheim

The Ducks look to take advantage of a Rangers team that is 1-5 in its last 6 road games. Anaheim is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Ducks favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-140). Here are all of today's picks.