Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.
A Titans/Jaguar matchup hasn’t been this meaningful in years. Now that Peyton Manning is out indefinitely and the Colts are seriously weakened, the AFC South is up for grabs. The Titans and Jags have gone from also-rans to division contenders overnight.
Power rankings in September mean it’s really time for the men to separate themselves from the boys. Which teams made critical moves in their divisional races over the last week?
Even before Peyton Manning’s injury problems, many bettors and pundits billed 2011 as the year the Houston Texans finally pass the Colts and reach the playoffs. The Colts made few significant changes over the offseason and the Texans finally improved their woeful pass defense, so many of us believed that they’d gain ground.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ playoff dream ended long ago. But It’s nice to write about them for a change since they have two very important items on their agenda.
Though they’re comfortably in position for a playoff berth of some sort, the Boston Red Sox still need to be at their best every game in September if they want to retake the American League East from the New York Yankees.
Even with some key offseason departures to the NFL, the Virginia Tech Hokies started their 2011 season in style, routing hapless Appalachian State 66-13. The challenge will increase slightly against East Carolina this week.
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Venue: Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI
Broadcast: CSN, FSWI
Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line: OFF
Over/Under: 8
Philadelphia Phillies (90-48 through September 6)
Cole Hamels (13-7, 2.63)
There wasn’t much to say about the Phillies’ chances at the National League East when the season started; the team was so stacked that it was almost a foregone conclusion. Now, a week into September, nothing’s changed. Through Tuesday, the Phils had widened their lead over Atlanta to 9.5 games and gone 7-2 over their last nine.
Thursday will mark Cole Hamels’ second start since returning from the 15-day DL last week. Most people around the game agree that 2011 has been his finest season yet. He’s maintained his outstanding control and strikeout rate but has cut his homer rate in half. Last week, he did serve up two taters, however, so the Phillies only hope it was a blip on the radar.
Hamels is 4-2 against the Brewers in his career but he’s had some trouble at Miller Park, where the Brewers happen to be 50-19 this season. Hamels has a 5.00 ERA with six homers allowed over 27 innings there.
Milwaukee Brewers (85-58 through September 6)
Chris Narveson (10-6, 4.26)
The only other team in baseball with a division lead as comfortable as Philadelphia’s is Milwaukee. The Brewers are in cruise control. The Cardinals swept them last week but they bounced back to take three of four from lowly Houston.
Is Chris Narveson up to the task of stopping the Phillies? The innings eater has lost once in his last 10 starts. He’s 6-2 with a 3.76 ERA at home this season.
Though Narveson turned in a quality start his last time out against the Phillies (6 IP, 3 ER), they rocked him the time before that, so he’s somewhat of a wild card.
The pick:
Hamels is twice as talented as Narveson but his two homers allowed in his last start are troubling. The Brewers have a proven track record of power-hitting success against him. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have four homers in 39 combined at-bats versus Hamels. Narveson seems comfortable at home, just like the whole Brewer team, and the Phillies didn’t faze him the last time out.
Take the Brewers and you may even get home dog value because Hamels is pitching.
Phillies vs Brewers prediction: Brewers 6, Phillies 5
Even with some key offseason departures to the NFL, the Virginia Tech Hokies started their 2011 season in style, routing hapless Appalachian State 66-13. The challenge will increase slightly against East Carolina this week.
Expectations aren’t particularly high for Rutgers or North Carolina this season – especially for the transitioning Tar Heels – but both teams may have a glimmer of hope after winning their season openers.
The Atlanta Braves are firmly entrenched in the National League Wildcard spot. If they want any shot at the NL East crown, however, they need a strong showing at Philadelphia this week.
We already looked ahead and made some Week-1 NFL picks over the summer. But now we have a full preseason of education under our belts. Which picks have changed as a result? Here are three games to try.
Thanks to a recent five-game winning streak, the Chicago White Sox aren’t quite out of the hunt in the American League Central.
The Texas Rangers are fighting to hold off the Los Angeles Angels in for the American League West lead and got a little shot in the arm this week with Adrian Beltre’s return from the DL.
CFB Football Previews – Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs Maryland Terrapins
Pandemonium! Personally, I already thought Miami versus Maryland would be a deceptively close game. Now, with the NCAA scandal rocking Miami and eight players suspended, bettors really have to give Maryland a hard look at home.
The D-Backs can see the light! Six games up on the Giants and set to play them three straight times, they have a chance to essentially lock up the National League West with a good series this weekend.
OK, Florida State, time to justify that lofty perch in the NCAA preseason coaches’ poll. Even with Christian Ponder gone, it seems everyone expects E.J. Manuel to lead this team to major BCS contention. A blowout win over UL-Monroe would be the first step toward living up to the hype.
