Cappers Sports Picks - The Experts

4* Total Money UNDER Eagles/ Tampa

4* Total Money OVER BYU/ Colorado 

4* Total Money OVER Liberty/ Old Dom 

4* Total Money OVER Howard/ Richmond

4* Total Money OVER USC/ Illinois

Going OVER the total. This has ticked up a bit, but I still like it. I think we have a wild one here on Friday night. Cavs bring a little bit more balanced attack. Noles putting 58ppg behind their QB Castellanos. 66 Kent -- 77 vs East Texas. So, lets think 31 vs Alabama and 5-10 based on how Virginia has been playing. 35-31 NC State 55 vs William + Mary (in CBB we would have taken The Tribe!) and last weeks 48-20 beating of Stanford. We had the Over in that one. And Virginia catches our eye again Friday night. I won't be shocked to be in the mid-40s by half-time in this one. Also like Virginia and the points in this one. 4* Total Money OVER Florida State/ Virginia 

Going UNDER the total. Talk about playoff atmosphere. Tigers about to choke away their entire season with this freefall. Gavin Williams dealing right now. Last week vs Detroit 9Ks in 5 innings of work allowing 3 hits in a 4-0 Cleveland win. Skubal. Uh. Cost me a Strikeout +950 prop with 2 bad games his last 3 outings. But, vs the Tribe - oh, there will K's a plenty. CGSHO back in May 2 hits 13 Ks -- 7 innings of 3 hit 0 run 10 strikeout ball on July 6 in Cleveland. Last week 6 innings 7 hits 1 run (HR) 9 more Ks. 3-1 - 4-1 - 7-2 - 5-0. Those are the Skubal / Williams games this year - (7-2 was Skubal beating Williams) Series has gone 7-3 to the Under last 10 this season. Cleveland 1-8-1 to the Under their last 10. How about this - I was into with someone about Skenes not being Cy Young Winner this season. They said, oh Pirates can't hit. Well - hello. WORSE team average in all of MLB - Cleveland .226 (tied with Angels). Worse average at home. Cleveland! 2nd worse OBP .297 (.295 Rockies) 3rd worse slugging (Pitt/White Sox) 2nd worse OPS (Pitt). I don't think we see 5 runs tonight. 4* Total Money UNDER Tigers/ Guardians 

4* Total Money OVER Cowboys/ Bears 

4* Total Money OVER Steelers/ Patriots

4* Total Money OVER SE Louisiana/ LSU

4* Total Money OVER Stanford/ Virginia

4* Total Money UNDER Marshall/ Mid Tenn St

4* Total Money OVER Nevada/ Western Kentucky

4* Total Money OVER 54.5 Purdue/ Notre Dame

4* Total Money OVER Ball State/ Connecticut

4* Total Money OVER North Carolina/ UCF 

4* Total Money UNDER Rams/ Titans

4* Total Money OVER Jags/ Bengals

4* Total Money UNDER Florida/ LSU

4* Total Money OVER Texas A&M/ Notre Dame

4* Total Money OVER Oregon State/ Texas Tech 

4* Total Money UNDER Washington State/ North Texas

4* Total Money OVER Kansas State/ Arizona 

Going OVER the total. Both teams on short weeks. A tight game for NC State last Saturday. Wake had not one, but two weather delays (One in each half.) That is a long day. I think both defenses will give up some points tonight. Wake is home for their 3rd straight game and I do like them with the points. That being said, I see Wake 10-9 week 1 vs Kennesaw. How is the line this high? I'll tell you why - it ends 30-24. 4* Total Money OVER  NC State/ Wake Forest

4* Total Money OVER Twins/ Angels 

Going OVER the total. Yanks can hit. Mize hittable. Opened September with a good start, but August was bad - A 5.81 ERA. And July, even with 7 shutout innings in his first start that month, a 6.30 ERA! Now he has the hot Yankees to deal with while the Tigers have been in a bit of freefall or at least flat spell the last month or so.  I will also be on Yanks RL in this one. 4* Total Money OVER Tigers/ Yankees

Going UNDER the total tonight. Honestly. I would be happy going under 34.5. I like the Vikings staff. There is zero chance Williams does anything great tonight. Not happening. Now. Maybe I am biased because I wasn't high on him out of college. He has not changed my opinion of him with his QB play yet. On the other side of the ball. A rookie. JJ. Kid hasn't tossed a pass in a real NFL game yet. And he gets his first start in Chicago, on Monday night. I do like this kid. I mean - we saw this team with Sam Darnold win game after game last year. Coaching. All that being said, 2 young QBs. I have to think coaches play it a little close to vest not wanting their guy to force throws and risk turnovers. Play clock running down to 1, run plays, scripted plays. First one to 20 wins. 4* Total Money UNDER Vikings/ Bears

4* Total Money UNDER Steelers/ Jets

4* Total Money UNDER Vandy/ Virginia Tech 

4* Total Money UNDER Michigan/ Oklahoma 

4* Total Money UNDER Western Kentucky/ Toledo

Going OVER the total tonight. I think the Iggles can almost get to this themselves. TT Over 33.5 +200 .. Over 36.5 +330 .. Over 38.5 +500.. AJ Brown ATD +150 .. Barkley 2 TDs +265 .. Lamb ATD +135. We get points. Dak will be chucking and Dallas is good for 20+ garbage points. The defense was bad last year. It won't be better with a new regime in charge. Philly would love to beat up Dallas out of the gate. No problems scoring last year outscoring the Cowboys 75-13. 4* Total Money OVER Cowboys/ Eagles 

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Brewers 

Going UNDER the total. I know this will be a tough one to swallow for some. Both Manaea and Morton have ERAs over 5 on the season. Both have not been sharp the last month. And I would totally understand if you blindly jump on an over in this spot. Seems easy enough right? Mets on a 7-3 over run. Tigers hit at home,4th in all of MLB. #3 BA vs lefties. What could possibly go wrong? Well thanks for asking. 4 straight unders for Detroit and coming home after a 6 game road trip where they went 2-4, and have lost 5 of 7 overall. Struggling. But, with a 9 game lead, Tigers could very well be cruising into September and the playoffs. Now. For the 2nd straight year I d0 have a Detroit win ticket for Over 83.5 wins (sitting at 80). Mets had swept Philly and won 5 of 6 before a let down series in Miami. Nothing went right. This team has won with pitching all year long. I expect both starters to give up a couple, but the bullpens to close the door and keep this one in 6-8 run range. 4* Total Money UNDER Mets/ Tigers

Going UNDER the total. I like Freeman much better than Cristobal. Probably might get involved with a Irish side in this one at some point. But for now, the UNDER. As good as Miami was last year, I think that can be credited to Ward being able to move and make things happen. Beck is not that guy. He's a pocket guy. ND has a pretty good defense. I expect them to get after the former Georgia star. Again. We get a first start, on the road, in Miami. Conservative offense for sure out of the gate here for ND. Not that it matters but you will hear Irish 0-6 last 6 games here. 2017 and then, we go back to the 80s when the Canes were the premier team? Come on. Zero care about that.  4* Total Money UNDER Notre Dame/ Hurricanes

4* Total Money UNDER Utah/ UCLA 

4* Total Money UNDER LSU/ Clemson

4* Total Money UNDER Coastal Carolina/ Virginia 

4* Total Money OVER Holy Cross/ Northern Illinois 

Going UNDER the total. The total has dropped and I still think it is playable. If you look at my games, you see I post early. Best to get on a monthly, or at worse a weekly to get on the early numbers. We have seen some low scoring games to start the year, I think we see it again this afternoon. Look at the QBs. A whole lot of hype on Manning. And the other, well, this line has moved about 4 points so that is all you need to know about how the market feels about him behind center. Big transfer QB from Bama, but its his first ever start. We get the revenge Texas angle from the playoffs. Texas defense is solid. 24-20. 26-17. Something along those lines 4* Total Money UNDER Texas / Ohio State

4* Total Money OVER UNLV/ Sam Houston 

4* Total Money UNDER Georgia Tech / Colorado 

Going UNDER the total. A pair of New HCs. Anything has to be an improvement for Kennesaw who had the worse offense in the land last year. Shockingly, they have most experienced defense in the country! And Wake. Their new HC comes from Washington State. they were 8-1 at one point. The QB + OC went to Oklahoma. The HC is here, alone. Who made that 8-1 happen? The OC + QB or the HC? Guess we will find out as he brings in QB Robby Ashford (Oregon, Auburn, South Carolina) to lead the way. I can't see this game hitting 50.  4* Total Money UNDER Kennesaw/ Wake Forest

Going UNDER the total. The Redhawks of Miami have Zero 0 ZERO! starters back on offense. You think if Wisconsin was any good they would be laying more than 17.5. They aren't. And this total has dipped to 39 before coming to 41 range. If I lose this because Fickell's crew scores 30+. So be it. 4* Total Money UNDER Miami Ohio/ Wisconsin 

Going UNDER the total. We get new HC's at both schools. Scott Frost back to where he went 13-0 in 2017. Charles Kelly is a football lifer. Played at Auburn 1986-1989. HS assistant coach in 1990. Back at Auburn as GA in 1993. Jacksonville State RB Coach, DB Coach, OC, DC from 94-98. Lets say from 1990-2024 guy has 34 years under his belt and a moving company on speed dial. Rich Rod moved on after 9-2 (ASun) 9-4 (CUSA) seasons. Maybe some talent fled with him. The line has moved from +17 to +20 and the total now 53. 6 returning starters and the QB, top RB, top WR, top 7 tacklers all out the door will probably sting a bit. Kelly being a DC minded coach will keep the clock moving on offense with a poor passing QB (a Rutgers guy) and look to run, run and run some more. 4* Total Money UNDER Jacksonville State/ Central Florida 

4* Total Money OVER Nats/ Yanks

4* Total Money UNDER Royals/ White Sox

Going OVER the total here. Was thinking about taking Tampa Bay here. Liberatore has been a less than 5 inning guy the last 2 months. So, we are good for 3 runs in 4+ before the 1st pitch is thrown. What took me off the Rays was Pepiot lately. Total gas can. Now - Tampa on a 8-2 Over run their 10. Cards 7-2-1 themselves. So the bats and poor pitching has been on full display lately. Back to Pepiot's recent run. Yikes- Runs allowed since mid-July in his 7 starts - 4-5-2-7-3-4-4. So we get 4 runs in 6 innings from Pepiot. That is 9 innings just looking at the score card! After a day off yesterday, both pens might be rested. I don't think it matters. The bats are hot. Tampa's last 4 home games. 16-11-10-16 runs scored.  St Louis on this State of Florida road trip. Well you know 16-11 in Tampa - but 8-11-11 in Miami. 4* Total Money OVER Cards/ Rays

Going OVER the total. Now. I sorta wanted to take Holmes here. But I can't. I think the innings are catching up with him after being a reliever for so long. Thought about RL vs Cal Quantrill who shows up to the park and has already given up 4 runs in 3 innings. I don't like betting on guys after they hammered out 20 hits or whatever. But Mets do have bats, and can hit a gas can like Cal. Back to Holmes real fast though. 3 starts vs the Braves. In Atlanta back in June 4.2 innings 4 hits 3 Earned Runs 6 walks 5 strikeouts. Next start a 6 days later at home. 5 innings of 1 run ball. August 12th at home vs the Braves. 3.2 innings of work 6 hits 5 Earned Runs 5 walks 4 strikeouts. Since the start of July he seems to be rotating good and bad starts - Runs allowed -- 2-5-2-5-1-4-2-5-1. Also, on the road - a .283 BA Against and a 1.48 WHIP. Braves do have some hitters. I think we see a balanced attack of runs today. But - I will not be shocked if the Mets get double digits themselves. 4* Total Money OVER Mets/ Braves

4* Total Money UNDER Texans/ Lions

4* Total Money UNDER Rams/ Browns

Going OVER the total here. Might be a bit of a square play tonight. Alcantara not in Cy Young form all season long. More like Anthony Young for you older Mets fans out there. An ERA over 5 at home. An ERA of 6 here in August. July he gave up 5-6-4 runs before settling down in his last 2 starts. In 14 of his 24 starts, he has give up at least 4 runs. Cards have had no problems scoring runs the last 2 nights vs the Marlins. I don't think that changes here. Mr. Pallante enters tonight with an ERA of 7.60 his last 7 starts, 5.63 the last 15 and 5.04 on the year. I guess the road numbers of .262 BA Against, 1.37 WHIP and 4.73 ERA are slightly better than what he does at home. Some runs allowed his last 7 starts - 7-6-5-0-2-6-4 .. The Zero, vs this Miami Team!  I am not expecting a repeat performance of his 7-1 gem nor do I expect Alcantara to reprise his 5-0 win a night later. Much has changed since the end of those end of July games. Take the OVER and be a winner. 4* Total Money OVER Cards/ Marlins 

Going OVER the total. Now - Tampa has been an Under team most of the season (67-51) but have gone 6-3-1 to the Over their last 10. Yanks, 56-63 to the Under on the year themselves. End of July saw these 2 combines for 11-9-12 runs in their 3 game set. I see more of the same this evening. Rodon has put together another solid season. Yanks have to be happy at the returns on their contract here. Road numbers a bit worse, but going from a 2.84 to a 3.67 ERA or .150 BAA .86 WHIP to .218 BAA 1.26 WHIP are not all that drastic. We did see him struggle at Citi Field vs the  Mets giving up 6 runs in early July. He gave up 4 in Toronto. 3 more home vs Philly. Followed by 4 in 4+ innings of work in Miami. Last 2 starts vs Texas and Twins have been 12 innings 3 runs. Tampa though a feisty club. I think they get 4 off a, perhaps, tiring Rodon. As much as I like the youngster Baz, he isn't that young anymore. At 26, the former 1st rounder is struggling. Last 7, a 6.51 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. At home, a 6.54 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, along with a .274 BA Against. We do know the Yanks can hit - and bad pitching is just what the doctor ordered. Baz has given up 5-4-5-2-8-1-3-3 runs in his 8 starts since July. The guy has is about to double his pitch load from last year. A kid who has had Tommy John surgery already. This game should be going Over the Total around the 5th/6th inning tonight. 4* Total Money OVER Yanks/ Rays

Going OVER the total. Huge offensive outburst from both clubs yesterday with much better pitchers on the hill. I expect more of the same this afternoon. Will Warren a gas can on the road in his 12 starts. Just a 1-2 record but a robust 6.48 ERA. When opposing hitters are raking you at a .284 clip and a WHIP of 1.64, runs will be scored by the opposing team. 36 Year Old Miles Mikolas ERA continues to grow as the season goes on, and the weather gets hotter. 4.97 on the year (23 starts) 5.29 ERA last 15 starts -- 5.45 ERA last 7 starts. Are we seeing a trend? Although he does pitch better at home, a tough task at hand. The Yankees are a Top 7 hitting team on the road. They lead the league in HRs overall, tied for 4th (90 hrs) on the road. Should we add in that New York is tops in OPS away from the Bronx? 4* Money Maker OVER Yanks/ Cards

4* Total Money OVER Panthers/ Texans

4* Total Money UNDER Patriots/ Vikings

4* Total Money UNDER Titans/ Falcons

Going OVER the total. So, we saw 7-6 last night. I think we see more of the same tonight. Arrighetti was blitzed in his first start back going 3.2 innings giving up 11 hits and 5 runs. May a little bit better going 3.2 innings in his Boston debut while giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Astros just continue to be a team that knows how to win game. Line up starting to heat up a bit. Dangerous team down the road. But for tonight, we see runs o'plenty. 4* Total Money OVER Red Sox/ Astros 

Going UNDER the total. Not in love with the Sunday slate, but I really like this one. Glasnow looks pretty good since his return. This guy. I mean, go look at his minor league numbers. No clue how he was a 5th rounder. Well - maybe because he is frail and gets hurt every single year. Last year was a career high 123 innings. Most in Minors was 124! In 2023 he threw for 120 in Tampa. Again. When this guy is out there for 20 games, he is more than solid. The guy really has had 2 bad starts. His first, and 2 starts ago. Walks got him 5 in each. I'll take out that Cincy game. His other 4 starts since coming back. 4 starts 25 innings 12 hits 3 runs 30 strikeouts. Jays looked great whipping the Rockies. Good luck repeating those numbers vs the Dodgers. He will hold Toronto down. Eric Lauer is a former 1st round pick. Good things come to those who wait apparently. Hurt in 2023, out all of 24, he has upped his game from his numbers of 2021/22. He's given up 3 runs exactly twice in his 18 games (12 starts). As good as the Dodgers are, I just think this game has 4-1, 5-2 type of feel to it. 4* Total Money UNDER Blue Jays/ Dodgers  (If we get a Yamamoto start, we are still ON THE UNDER. Just another LA arm who is posting a .94 WHIP his last 7 starts.)

4* Total Money OVER Texans / Vikings

4* Total Money OVER Astros/ Yankees

4* Total Money OVER Rockies/ Diamondbacks

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Rangers

Going OVER the Total. Orioles Sugano is doing exactly what I thought a 35 year old who never pitched in the majors before would do. An ERA approaching 7 the last 2 month. A WHIP of 1.76. And I have an A's team that has teed off on bad pitching. And we can not discount the Orioles offense, who a week ago was dropping 16-11-8 runs on the Blue Jays before the Cubs/Phillies slowed them down a bit. 4* Total Money OVER A's/ O's 

4* Total Money UNDER Browns/ Panthers

Going UNDER the total. So - some days I like the card and we will fire 5-6 games, and today, I am not really in love with a lot of these games. We will hit this UNDER though. Gavin Williams his last 16 starts (all the way to back May 3rd) has been showing why he was a 1st round pick. A 5.14 ERA .275 BA Against in April -- down 4.27 and .255 in May -- down to 3.68 and .232 in June -- down to 3.51 and .224 in July.  -- Let's start August with 6 innings of 4 hit shutout ball. Nice - Mets counter with their own former 1st Rounder in David Peterson who has shown last years 21 start 10-3 2.90 ERA was no fluke. Now. Like his rotation mate Holmes, I do worry about Peterson's innings mounting. He is already past his career high. He had a couple poor starts end of June. I want to blame it on a CG and then a 7 inning affair. He rebounded nicely in July with a 1.05 ERA in 5 starts with 22 hits allowed in 25+ innings and had a decent 1st a start here in August. Cleveland with the 4th worse road BA in MLB and 9th worse vs lefties. In a get-away early afternoon window, I am expecting something in the 4-1 range and, at worse, a grand total of 7 runs to be scored. 4* Total Money UNDER Cleveland/ Mets 

4* Total Money OVER Chargers/ Lions

4* Total Money OVER Jays/ Orioles

4* Total Money OVER Braves/ Rangers

4* Total Money UNDER Marlins/ Brewers

4* Total Money UNDER Rays/ Reds

4* Total Money UNDER Mets/ Giants 

4* Total Money OVER Phillies/ Yankees

4* Total Money OVER Twins/ Dodgers

4* Total Money OVER Cards/ Arizona

4* Total Money UNDER Reds/ Mets

4* Total Money OVER Yanks/ Braves

4* Total Money UNDER Giants/ Jays

4* Total Money UNDER Dodgers/ Giants

4* Total Money UNDER Mets/ Royals

4* Total Money UNDER Marlins/ Orioles

Going OVER the total. Man oh man does this look like a way too easy bet to make on a Thursday night. Nats on a 10-1 Over run. Michael Soroka is following up his 0-10 season last year, by somehow being worse with a 3-6 record. A 5.40 ERA on the year. Pretty steady stuff. 5.67 at home, 5.20 on the road. He just cannot get any clutch outs. He actually had a decent month of June, only to get rocked by Boston in his last start with 9 hits and 7 runs in 4 innings of work. Cards aren't heavy hitters, but they will get to 5 between Soroka and the bullpen. And then we have our guy Mikolas who comes strutting in like a peacock with a 7.75 ERA his last 7 games where hitters raked 318 vs him in his 5 June starts. The woes continue on July 4th where he was his on firework lighting up the score board allowing 8 runs on 10 hits in 6 innings of work. I can't believe this is a 8.5 and not 9.5.. I will grab the low hanging fruit. 4* Total Money OVER Washington/ St Louis 

4* Total Money OVER Rays/ Sox

4* Total Money UNDER Pirates/ Royals

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Giants

4* Total Money UNDER Rangers/ Angels

4* Total Money UNDER Pirates/ Royals

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Giants

Going UNDER the total. We got a pair of aces tonight. Don't laugh. Kikuchi has been great at home. 8 home starts, 1.12 ERA 205 BA Against and 1.10 WHIP. Not too shabby. DeGrom is in his Cy Young form. The guy has a 2.40 ERA in 7 road starts. But a 170 BA Against and .82 WHIP. He is absolutely dealing. Rangers on the year 53-29 to the Under. Great pitching, poor hitting. Looks like we will see that from both sides tonight. Back in April Texas took all 3 and all 3 went under with scores of 5-3, 3-1 and 4-0. I'm expecting a 3-1 type of game here tonight. 4* Total Money UNDER Rangers/ Angels

Going OVER the total. I thought that after his post season last year, Buehler would head to the bullpen like John Smoltz and start a new career as a closer. I think I was right in that thinking because he has been brutal this season. Guy was on a HOF path. Terrible. I hate to see guys get hurt. We aren't going to over-think things. The guy has a 9.49 ERA in 7 road starts. Now. I don't always dwell on an ERA. Maybe he just gave up some untimely hits. Well - .341 BA Against 2.11  WHIP. You put 65 guys on base in 30 innings - rest assured some are coming around to score. Buehler ended his June with a 1-3 record in 5 starts, an 11.07 ERA allowing 27 runs on 28 hits in 20 innings. That is a .320 BA Against and 2.21 WHIP, and that is a horrible month. Nats have gone over in 7 straight. Mitchell Parker has better splits at home, but has struggled his last 12 starts. 3 runs in 10 of those 12 -- 4 or more in 6 of those 12. So giving up 3 runs isn't all that bad. It is bad when you are averaging a 4.1 innings of work. Then your bad bullpen comes into play. I think plays out to a 12 run game. Maybe the Nats drop their own double digits today. Either way, we go OVER the total. 4* Total Money OVER Boston/ Washington 

4* Total Money OVER Marlins/ Arizona

4* Total Money UNDER Rays/ Royals

4* Total Money OVER Arizona/ White Sox

4* Total Money OVER Yanks/ Reds

4* Total Money OVER Nats/ Dodgers

4* Total Money UNDER Rangers/ Pirates

4* Total Money UNDER Royals/ Rangers

4* Total Money OVER Padres/ Dodgers

4* Total Money UNDER Royals/ Rangers

4* Total Money UNDER Mets/ Braves