NFL Tipping Sheet: Week Five Previews and Moneyline Picks

Product reviews and advice for best reference

MLB Tipping Sheet: Lay LA! Lay LA!

"LA's new arrivals from Boston haven’t managed to switch their mind-set from underachievers to title challengers just yet and the whole team is struggling."

Lay LA Dodgers @ 1.855/6

That's the message from Federico Farcomeni as he once again previews three eye-catching fixtures from the MLB schedule

Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
The Yankees are still without Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez and, as seen in yesterday's 2-1 victory, much will be again expected from CC Sabathia. One wouldn't notice he was starting for the first time since August 8 as he only conceded one run, four hits and struck out nine. Sabathia has an impressive record against Toronto as he is 8-0 with a 2.48 ERA in nine starts against them since 2007. The Yankees will need similar performances from their pitching staff if their depleted offense doesn't improve. Manager Joe Girardi said: "We struggled in Chicago and Cleveland to score runs. But you go through those offensively, and our pitchers picked us up. If you're going to make it to the playoffs and make any noise, you have to have pitching." No need to say that the stress will again be on defence tonight.

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres
This season's head-to-head offers a huge clue to tonight's match-up. In all six games between the two, we have seen less than 7.5 runs scored. Petco Park has even proved to be less prolific, with only five runs being scored in the two games played there this week. Considering Tommy Hanson's pitching record against the Padres and Eric Stults' recent form, this last game of the season between the two doesn't promise to be more entertaining than the previous ones.

LA Dodgers at Colorado Rockies
We have often mistakenly backed the Dodgers in this column. They might return to winning ways tonight and the price for their victory at 1.824/5 certainly seems tempting. The point is we just can't see it coming. Matt Kemp, one of their best players, crashed into the outfield fence while trying to catch a ball in the first inning last night. He was forced to abandon the game with a knee contusion and manager Don Mattingly already said that Kemp will be out of the line-up for this game. Worse still, while laying on the ground, every team-mate simply stood where they were, without even worrying to go and check on Kemp's condition. And this just underlines lack of team spirit. The new arrivals from Boston haven't managed to switch their mind-set from underachievers to title challengers just yet and the whole team is struggling.

In contrast Colorado are in real shape, having won 11 of their last 15 games since August 13. They have managed to beat the Dodgers in their last two games with six rookies in the starting line-up and with a 69.7 million dollars differential in their respective combined salaries. Additions such as Josh Rutledge (23 extra-base hits in 39 starts) are benefiting the team, while starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz has been effective in his last two starts against the Dodgers.

Recommended Bets
Back Under 8.5 runs @ 2.0621/20 in Toronto at NY Yankees
Back Under 7.5 runs @ 1.834/5 in Atlanta at San Diego
Lay LA Dodgers @ 1.855/6

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Flying Phillies to keep good run going

"A win over New York would be Philadelphia's fifth in a row, and I have a sneaky suspicion that they might become a serious contender through October."

Back Philadelphia @ 1.728/11

The MLB season keeps on trucking so Federico Farcomeni previews another three matches ahead of tonight's action

New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies could miss the post-season for the first time in six years, but they have been on a hot streak of late. A win here would be their fifth in a row, and I have a sneaky suspicion that they might become a serious contender through October. The momentum is there - they have won seven out of their last nine, including a sweep of the Nationals who sit 16.5 games above them, over the weekend. As Cliff Lee put it: "Stranger things have happened. We've only recently started to play the way we should have. It's not a surprise to us." On the other side, the Mets have just beaten baseball's worst, Houston, and have possibly lowered their game before this important match-up.

San Francisco Giants @ Houston Astros
With all the attention concentrating on LA Dodgers, the Giants have responded well. The last week of the regular season, when they come face-to-face with their rivals, will be decisive. But for now the 2010 World Champions should just make the most of their six games series on the road against baseball's worst (Houston and Cubs). Matt Cain (13-5, 2.83 ERA) might have gone 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in three starts at Minute Maid Park, but he's 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA in two outings against the Astros in 2012, including a perfect game in June in which he struck out a career-high 14 in a 10-0 win. Sweet memories and the gap in skill and motivation should provide the Giants with that extra boost they need to overshadow the Dodgers in the NL West. On the other side, the Astros seem incapable of scoring against such strong opposition, having touched the home plate just 34 times during a 2-11 stretch.

Cincinnati Reds @ Arizona Diamondbacks
It's Johnny Cueto (16-6, 2.47 ERA) versus Wade Miley (14-8, 2.80) at Chase Field. Two of the best pitchers in baseball go head-to-head in what is expected to be a dramatic encounter. The pitching statistics here are just too good to believe this game can provide the audience with more than 8.5 runs.

Recommended Bets
Back Philadelphia @ 1.728/11
Back San Francisco to overcome the 1.5 run handicap @ 1.794/5
Back Under 8.5 runs @ 1.68/13 in Cincinnati at Arizona

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Yankees to compound Red Sox woes

Recommended Bets
Back Toronto
Back New York Yankees @ 1.824/5
Back Tampa Bay

It's getting near crunch time in the MLB so will the true play-off contenders please stand up? Richard Fletcher selects the Saturday night ball bets...

Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays, 18:07 BST

It's that time of the season where the wheat should finally begin to separate itself from the chaff. Or it should be. The 68-50 Rangers lost last night's series opener 3-2 after the 56-63 Jays established a bold 2-0 first innings lead.

Roy Oswalt (4-2 ERA 6.53) steps up again for the Rangers after being recalled from the Minor Leagues in June. Although he started off well, winning his first two games, he still has a tendency to get smashed around the ballpark if he is not bang-on-form. For Toronto, the righty Carlos Villanueva (6-2, ERA 3.12) has been much more consistent this year (he's allowed three runs or more in just one game this year), and was on fire against the White Sox last time, where he struck-out a career-high eight batters in seven tightly-constructed innings. Whilst the Rangers are undoubtedly the best hitters in the business, last night's performance and the superiority of Villanueva, persuades me to back Toronto tonight.

Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees, 21:05 BST, 0-0/3

The Red Sox are now drinking in the last chance saloon when it comes to play-off contention, and its closing time. In a so-far disappointing 58-62 season, the Red Sox are now 3-7 (including last night's 6-4 reversal) against the Yankees, and are losing ground in the American League East. Starting on the mound is Jon Lester (6-10, ERA 5.20), who was mightily impressive last time out versus Cleveland, where he struck out 12 batters in six superb innings, whilst conceding just one run. However, one word of caution is that Lester is 0-1 with an ERA of nearly 7.00 in two starts versus the Yankees this year. For the 71-48 Yankees, David Phelps (3-3, ERA 2.53) starts again since his recall from Triple-A ball, and on his last appearance against Texas he conceded just two earned runs in five innings to earn the win. Back the all-round superior Yankees again tonight at 1.84/5.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Los Angeles Angels, 02:05, BST 1-0/4

Both the 65-54 Rays and the 62-58 Angels are involved in a mighty scrap to stay in American League playoff contention. And last night's thumping 12-3 victory for the Rays is perhaps a harbinger of how the regular season could now pan-out. Righty Alex Cobb (7-8, ERA 4.08) is 1-1 with an ERA of 4.80 career-wise against the Angels, and has racked up three consecutive wins during August and has four consecutive quality starts. Conversely, the Angels' C J Wilson (9-9, ERA 3.32) has been unfortunate to have gone nine consecutive games without picking up a win. In his last outing against the Indians he went well, only allowing three runs in nearly seven innings pitched, but in a 6-2 reversal he didn't get any offensive help in a strangely blunt hitting performance by the Halos. Bite the bullet and back the 2.35 Rays.

Recommended Bets
Back Toronto
Back New York Yankees @ 1.824/5
Back Tampa Bay

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Yankees can turn tide against Tigers

Recommended Bets
Back New York Yankees @ 1.84/5
Back Washington -1.5 runs @ 1.774/5
Back San Francisco @ 2.13n/a

Richard Fletcher selects a trio of Wednesday night bets and backs the Yankees to overcome the Tigers...

New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers - 00:05 BST

Having lost the first two games of this series - including a 6-5 defeat last night, in which the Tigers' long at-bats grinded the Yankees into submission - the 63-46 Yankees start with their in-form pitcher CC Sabathia (11-3 ERA 3.53). Sabathia pitched a complete game last time versus the Mariners, where he struck-out ten whilst allowing only three runs. He is also 2-0 against the Tigers this year. Anibal Sanchez (6-8, ERA 3.99) is the man for the 60-50 Tigers, who, after a dodgy debut, rebounded with a strong performance against Cleveland, pitching for six innings and allowing just two runs. However, Sanchez lacks experience against the Yankees' big hitters, so the 1.84/5 Sabathia-inspired Yankees make the most appeal here.

Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros - 01:05 BST

Washington, having not dominated their 36-75 opponents in the first few games of this series like a 67-43 team should (they won 3-2 yesterday), they have on the mound this evening arguably one of the most underrated pitchers in the league. Gio Gonzalez (13-6, ERA 3.34) admirably pitched for eight innings last week against Miami whilst striking-out ten, in a defeat where one bad innings pitching cost him the win. New recruit Armando Galarraga (0-1, ERA 5.23), was decidedly average against Atlanta in a 4-1 reversal last time, though he did show an aptitude not to crumble in the face of adversity. However, expect Washington to cut-loose tonight, and Washington -1.5 runs is the recommendation here.

San Francisco Giants @ St Louis Cardinals - 01:15 BST

Two equally matched teams are now tying at one-apiece in a four game series, with the Giants evening things up last night with a 4-2 victory. Both teams now have a 60-50 record, and a win here could make all the difference come the end of the season. Ryan Vogelsong (9-5, ERA 2.38) leads from the front, and went 16 consecutive games this year in which he conceded three runs or fewer, and the Giants have won 13 of his last 16 starts. Young-gun righty Joe Kelly (2-4, ERA 3.14), like many rookies, lacks the consistency of his more experienced rivals, but he got his first win since June versus the Brewers last time in a gritty performance. But the Giants at 2.13n/a is just too tempting to let pass.

Recommended Bets
Back New York Yankees @ 1.84/5
Back Washington -1.5 runs @ 1.774/5
Back San Francisco @ 2.13n/a

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Home run heroes can fire Yankees to victory

"Eleven of the 17 home runs given up by Alvarez this season have been off the fastball. MLB's top 50 in home runs off fastballs contains five Yankee's regulars."

Back NY Yankees

Phil Dolan takes over from Richard Fletcher with today's baseball tips and he fancies New York to stretch their lead at the top of the AL East

Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins
This is the final fixture in a four-game NL East series. Washington have a 2-1 lead in the series after their 4-0 victory on Sunday. Carlos Zambrano (4-7, 4.20 ERA), who has not won since June 3, starts for the Marlins this evening. Edwin Jackson has pitched well in his first season with the Nationals (5-4, 3.73 ERA) and with a little support I expect Washington to extend their lead over the Braves at the top of the NL East.

Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
The Bronx Bombers host the Blue Jays in the opening game of this AL East series. This is a tough matchup for Toronto's starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (5-7, 4.36 ERA) against #2 in the Yankees rotation Phil Hughes (9-7, 4.33 ERA). According to ESPN Stats and Information, 11 of the 17 homeruns given up by Alvarez this season have been off the fastball. MLB's top 50 in homeruns off fastballs contains five Yankee's regulars. Even at 1.58n/a I'm backing the Yankees!

Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers
Live on ESPN America
The Dodgers open this three game series against the Phillies with Chris Capuano (9-4, 2.41 ERA) on the mound. Capuano lost his last start, however he has been one of the biggest surprises of the Dodgers season, solidifying their rotation. Joe Blanton (7-8, 4.98 ERA) starts for the Phillies. Blanton has lost his last two starts and the Phillies lost 10 of their last 11 before the All-Star Break. I expect a Dodgers victory.

Recommended Bets
Back Washington Nationals
Back NY Yankees
Back LA Dodgers

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Jered to Weaver his magic for the Angels

"Stepping onto the mound this evening for them is All-Star pitching sensation Jered Weaver. 10-1 for the year with a jaw-dropping ERA of 1.96, Weaver has now gone 28 innings whilst only conceding one earned since coming back from injury."

Richard Fletcher talks us through the best betting opportunities in the MLB ahead of tonight's action.

LA Angels @NY Yankees 18:05BST Live on ESPN America

Jered Weaver and the 48-40 LA Angels head into tonight's three-game series' finale at Yankee Stadium trailing 0-2 and desperately searching for a win in a highly competitive American League. Stepping onto the mound this evening for them is All-Star pitching sensation Jered Weaver. 10-1 for the year with a jaw-dropping ERA of 1.96, Weaver has now gone 28 innings whilst only conceding one earned since coming back from injury. The league-leading Yankees 54-33, have Ivan Nova (ERA 3.92) starting, and he boasts a good record against the Angels. Nova was on the mound when Angels beat the Yankees on May 30, but conceded five runs on eight hits in six 2/3 innings pitched. Nova is now 3-1 career-wise against the men from Anaheim. But with a premier pitching talent coming into the game fresh, back Weaver and the Angels at 1.97n/a to clinch victory tonight.

San Diego @ LA Dodgers 21:10 BST Live on ESPN America

The struggling 35-54 San Diego Padres go back into Dodgers' Stadium tying their three match series with the 48-41 Dodgers, in a match featuring two pitchers who are both desperately trying to find some form. The Padres will no doubt be buoyed by last night's comeback 7-6 victory (having only lost 2-1 the day before). However, pitching is Jason Marquis, who, it is fair to say, has started to struggle this year with a 3-9 record and an ERA of 5.79. Marquis has looked jaded as the Padres' management continue to run him into the ground. Marquis pitched last Sunday after only three days' rest and goes again tonight after the All Star break. Whilst the Dodgers' management haven't quite given up on Chad Billingsley just yet, his Dodgers career is starting to resemble that of Amir Khan's, and it's not pretty. He's now on a five game losing strike and his ERA has now risen to a less-than-impressive 4.30. With the inconsistent Billingsley fighting for his life, I expect the superior 1.63 Dodgers to take the series in a close one.

St Louis @ Cincinnati 01:00BST Live on ESPN America

The increasingly impressive Cincinnati Reds 49-38 host the St Louis Cardinals in the finale of a three game series leading 2-0. Last night's thrilling 10th inning 3-2 victory puts the Reds on a five game win streak, and they are now tied first place in the race for the National League Central pennant. Jake Westbrook takes to the mound this evening for the 46-42 visitors, no doubt eager to stay in the divisional race in order for them to retain their World Series title. Westbrook (ERA 3.75) has now won three out of his last four starts, after going through somewhat of a mid-season slump. Coming in for the injured Johnny Cueto for the Reds this evening, is the 7-6 Horner Bailey. Bailey is bang-in-form, having already won both of his starts this month and he looks destined to continue the trend this evening. Back Bailey and the Reds tonight to sweep the series 3-0.

SELECTIONS

Back LA Angels @ 1.95n/a
Back LA Dodgers @ 1.63n/a
Back Cincinnati @ 1.9n/a

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Cheltenham 2012: Win a share of £1,000 in our daily tipping competition!

Latest News / Andrew French / 14 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can you pick a Cheltenham winner? Enter our daily competition to win a share of £1,000

To mark the biggest week in the jump racing calendar, Betfair Community is offering budding tipsters a share of £1,000 for picking Festival winners in a daily competition...

The Betfair Horse Racing forum is running a daily competition during Cheltenham, where entrants will be asked to select one horse in each race.

Points will be scored for each winner picked, based upon their Betfair SP. The winner will be the person who scores the most points, with a tie-breaker coming into play if there is a draw.

The prize for the daily competitions will be: Day Two - £200; Day Three - £300; Day 4 - £400.

As a bonus, any entrant who manages to find all the winners on a given day will win an extra £500 - and be invited to write a tipping column for betting.betfair.com, ahead of the Grand National meeting next month.

More than 300 people entered on Day One - fancy your chances today? Details of today's competition are now live on the Forum.

- Prizes will only be paid into winners' Betfair accounts directly
- Therefore, you must have a funded Betfair account to be able to claim any prizes
- Prizes will not be paid until week commencing March 19

Racecourse: Cheltenham First Race Time: 13:30 Going: Good, good to soft in places (watered) Other Information: Dry overnight. Dry day forecast....

Timeform look back on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, providing provisional ratings for the winners.......

Rock On Ruby ran out a most impressive winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham under Noel Fehily......

Amazon Watches Center