NFL Vegas odds for week 4, 2009 are out as are most of the NFL power ratings for week 4. On Monday Night football, the Dallas Cowboys win and cover against the Carolina Panthers in a contest that goes way under the total to close out week 3 NFL betting.
Perhaps the most interesting game of the week and one of the top this year is the Baltimore Ravens at the New England Patriots New England is laying just -2 at home.
Some notes from Week 3 and how they will affect Week 4 NFL picks.
Cleveland Browns
Browns head coach Eric Mangini said he will decide by Wednesday which of his struggling QBs gets the call this weekend. Starter Brady Quinn was pulled at halftime and former starter Derek Anderson was just as incompetent in their 34-3 trouncing at Baltimore.
Cleveland’s only offensive touchdown was a meaningless one in the final minute of a blowout loss to the Vikings against the proverbial prevent defense.
Oakland Raiders
Raiders head coach Tom Cable was given the expected bad news from dictator Al Davis—JaMarcus Russell, one of the worst starting QBs in NFL betting history.
The Raiders though got some decent news. WR ChazSchilens was projected as their No. 1 receiver but he’s been out since training camp. He did practice Monday and is expected to make his debut this week.
TampaBay Buccaneers
Statuesque QB Byron Leftwich has been demoted to the No. 3 spot. Second-year pro Josh Johnson takes over the Buccaneers starting signal caller.
Indianapolis Colts
Colts Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney will miss 2-3 weeks. Freeney has four sacks in three games and his loss is devastating says Bill Gould of Lines-Maker.com.
Green Bay Packers
The Cheeseheads beleaguered offensive line got much needed good news. LT Chad Clifton is probable for their highly anticipated Monday Night Football battle with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.
St. Louis Rams
Speaking of a beleaguered offensive line, battering Rams QB Marc Bulger is doubtful with an injured shoulder. Journeyman Kyle Boller will likely start in his place.
Most of the NFL Power rankings 2009 week 4 versions are out, such as the ESPN Power ratings. Compare them to the NFL point spread for week 4. It’s always National Coffee Day. Illy Coffee is the official java of OffshoreInsiders.com
The sportsbooks continue to cry me a Rivers—Matt Rivers that is. The winningest handicapper on a large network of websites is up 255,000 stars since coming to The Show at OffshoreInsiders.com
Tuesday, he has a complimentary winner on the Pittsburgh Pirates getting +220 at BetUs Sportsbook. Here is his sensational analysis:
If you want to give me a price back like this with a Pittsburgh team that continues to play hard and a motivated pitcher that was traded away from the Cubs a few months ago then I’m fine with it.
The Bucos just outplayed the Dodgers in that last series which was capped with the double digit matinee victory yesterday. Andy LaRoche was an amazing 5-for-5 with two homers, 6 RBI and 4 runs scored. That’s quite a day huh!?!?!?
Lou’s squad has been beyond underachieving this season and even with studs in Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee are just overall a collection of underachieving mediocrity this season. When the Cubbies are getting a solid price back they become a quality team to back because they do have talent but in a big favorite spot like this they are beyond untrustworthy.
Ryan Dempster and that sinker is always dangerous if on but when it’s not the guy can resort back to those sketchy closer days where you would just shake your head at how bad the guy could be. I’m sure Dempster will be alright today as the Bucos are still far from an offensive juggernaut but Andrew McCutcheon is a blossoming stud and a few others like LaRoche, Garret Jones and even LastingsMilledge (the underachieving former Met) can be alright.
Even if Dempster is on I have a decent feeling about Kevin Hart who will be more than ready to pitch today against the team that traded him about three months ago. Hart has been very good this season at times but seems to get no pub at all. When he filled in with the Cubs he hurled quality start after quality start and since being acquired by Pittsburgh has not been too bad either. Yes that last 8 earned run start was brutal but throw that out as one start does not make a pitcher and if anything will keep the righty even more focused today. With a ton of motivation today going up against his former mates there is no reason Hart won’t have a solid start and keep the semi surging Pirates in the game.
Plus 220ish? Why the heck not!
For more winners: Handicapper Matt Rivers is plus 255K since coming to The Show. Today, he unloads on two underdogs including the Dog of the Day. Check out his in-depth analysis. You will see that he puts unprecedented research into each bet. Get both night underdogs right now and today he’s price is discounted to $24.95.
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The Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Coors Field.
Chris Narveson will be the starting pitcher for the Brewers on this day. Lefthander Narveson is 1-0 this season with a 2.63 ERA.
The Rockies will counter Narveson with Jason Marquis. Righthander Marquis has a 3.98 ERA to go along with a 15-12 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Brewers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Mat Gamel hit a three-run blast for Milwaukee in its 6-5 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Philadelphia cashed as -135 road favorites, while the game played OVER the 9.5-run total set by sportsbooks.
The Rockies defeated St. Louis 4-3 as a -190 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Jorge De La Rosa allowed three runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in five innings for Colorado, while Carlos Gonzalez was 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.
Team records: Milwaukee: 77-79 SU Colorado: 88-68 SU
Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Colorado are 3-7 After playing Philadelphia are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
Colorado most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Milwaukee are 8-2 After playing St. Louis are 8-2 After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games on the road Milwaukee is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games at home
Next up: Colorado home to Milwaukee, Wednesday, September 30
The Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves will meet on the field at Turner Field on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals.
The Marlins will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander Josh Johnson in this game. Johnson has a 15-5 record and a 3.12 ERA this season.
The Braves will counter Johnson with Tim Hudson. Righthander Hudson has a 3.56 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jair Jurrjens tossed seven scoreless innings to get the victory, as the Braves shut out the Marlins 4-0 on Monday night.
Atlanta won as -175 home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 8-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Chipper Jones homered for the Braves, as Nate McLouth, Brian McCann, and Garret Anderson all drove in runs for Atlanta.
Chris Coghlan and John Baker were both 2-for-4 for Florida, while losing pitcher Anibal Sanchez gave up three runs over five innings for the Marlins.
Current streak: Florida has lost 2 straight games. Atlanta has won 7 straight games.
Team records: Florida: 83-74 SU Atlanta: 86-70 SU
Florida most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Atlanta are 5-5 After playing Atlanta are 6-4 After a loss are 7-3
Atlanta most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 3-7 Before playing Florida are 5-5 After playing Florida are 4-6 After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida’s last 7 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta Florida is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing at home against Florida Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Next up: Atlanta home to Florida, Wednesday, September 30
The Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Yankee Stadium.
Anthony Lerew will be the starting pitcher for the Royals on this day. Righthander Lerew is 0-1 this season with a 3.85 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be AJ Burnett who starts for the Yankees. Righthander Burnett is 12-9 with a 4.19 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 250-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Robinson Cano was 2-for-4 with a grand slam to lead the Yankees past the Royals 8-2 on Monday night.
New York cashed as -160 home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 10.5-run total posted by sportsbooks.
Ramiro Pena went 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs batted in for the Yankees, as Chad Gaudin allowed two runs over 6 2-3 innings to get the victory for New York.
Mark Teahen went yard for Kansas City, while Luke Hochevar took the loss after getting ripped for eight runs over six innings for the Royals.
Current streak: New York has won 6 straight games.
Team records: Kansas City: 64-93 SU New York: 101-56 SU
Kansas City most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing NY Yankees are 4-6 After playing NY Yankees are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
New York most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Kansas City are 7-3 After playing Kansas City are 6-4 After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Kansas City’s last 15 games when playing NY Yankees Kansas City is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games NY Yankees are 21-4 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Kansas City NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Next up: NY Yankees home to Kansas City, Wednesday, September 30
The Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at CitizensBankPark.
Righthander Wilton Lopez will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Lopez is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
The Phillies will counter Lopez with JA Happ. Lefthander Happ has a 2.83 ERA to go along with a 9-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 300-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Jeff Keppinger was 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, as the Astros handled the Phillies 8-2 on Monday night.
Houston won as +250 road underdogs, while the game played OVER the 8.5-run total set by sportsbooks.
Carlos Lee was 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Astros, as Yorman Bazardo gave up two runs over 5 2-3 innings to get the win for Houston.
Chase Utley knocked in a run for Philadelphia, while Cole Hamels was rocked for six runs over 6 2-3 innings to take the loss for the Phillies.
Current streak: Houston has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Houston: 73-83 SU Philadelphia: 90-66 SU
Houston most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Philadelphia are 8-2 After playing Philadelphia are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 4-6 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider: Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia Houston is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games at home Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Next up: Philadelphia home to Houston, Wednesday, September 30
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals meet at NationalsPark.
The Mets will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Michael Pelfrey in this game. Pelfrey has a 10-12 record and a 5.07 ERA this season.
It’ll be J.D. Martin toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. righthander Martin is 5-4 with a 4.71 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nationals listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Mike Morse went 3-for-4 with a solo homer to lead the Nationals over the Mets 2-1 on Monday night.
Washington cashed as a -110 home pick ’em, while the game played UNDER the 9.5-run total listed by sportsbooks.
Ross Detwiler allowed one run over six innings to earn the win for the Nationals, who got a run batted in from Ryan Zimmerman in the payday.
Fernando Tatis was 2-for-4 with a run batted in for New York, while Nelson Figueroa gave up two runs over six innings to take the defeat for the Mets.
Team records: New York: 67-90 SU Washington: 53-103 SU
New York most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Washington are 4-6 After playing Washington are 5-5 After a loss are 3-7
Washington most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing NY Mets are 3-7 After playing NY Mets are 3-7 After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Mets’s last 10 games when playing Washington NY Mets are 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Washington The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Washington’s last 10 games when playing NY Mets Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Next up: Washington home to NY Mets, Wednesday, September 30
The Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers will meet on the field at ComericaPark on Tuesday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader.
The Twins will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Nick Blackburn in this game. Blackburn has a 11-11 record and a 4.18 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it’ll be Rick Porcello who starts for the Tigers. Righthander Porcello is 14-9 with a 4.14 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Michael Cuddyer drove in the lone run for Minnesota in its 4-1 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.
Kansas City cashed as -175 home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 8-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Curtis Granderson went 3-for-4 with a big fly for the Tigers in their 8-4 loss to the White Sox on Sunday.
Chicago won as +130 home underdogs, while the teams played OVER the 8.5-run total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records: Minnesota: 81-74 SU Detroit: 83-72 SU
Minnesota most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Detroit are 7-3 After playing Kansas City are 7-3 After a loss are 7-3
Detroit most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Minnesota are 3-7 After playing Chi White Sox are 6-4 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: Minnesota is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 7 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Next up: Detroit home to Minnesota, Tuesday, September 29
If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Tuesday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field.
Righthander Kevin Hart will take the mound for the Pirates to start this game. Hart is 4-8 this season with a 5.68 ERA.
The Cubs will counter Hart with Ryan Dempster. Righthander Dempster has a 3.68 ERA to go along with a 10-8 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 255-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Zach Duke allowed one run over 8 2-3 innings to earn the win, as the Pirates slammed the Dodgers 11-1 on Monday.
Pittsburgh cashed as +140 home underdogs, while the game played OVER the 8.5-run total set by oddsmakers.
The Cubs lost to San Francisco 5-1 as a -130 favorite on Sunday. The six runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (7.5).
Bobby Scales drove in the Cubs lone run and Randy Wells allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings.
Current streak: Pittsburgh has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Pittsburgh: 59-96 SU Chicago: 81-74 SU
Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 2-8 Before playing Chi Cubs are 3-7 After playing LA Dodgers are 4-6 After a win are 3-7
Chicago most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5 After playing San Francisco are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 10 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games Chi Cubs are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
Next up: Chi Cubs home to Pittsburgh, Wednesday, September 30
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