The New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals have each made significant announcements of interest to NFL preseason best handicappers concerning injuries, QB rotations, and scratches.

Two starting CBs, Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson are out for the Saints. Fourth round draft pick, WR Nick Toon is out for the Saints, while third rounder DT Akiem Hicks is a game-time decision. 

This is significant as New Orleans “Big 3” receivers are set with Colston, Henderson, and Moore, but they are not deep at that position.  Conversely, New Orleans is deep at the RB position.

New Orleans may be a bit more inspired by the fact they hit the field after the tumultuous “bountygate” offseason. They return almost all of their starters from last year’s explosive offense.  QB Drew Brees has looked very sharp in training camp says Bob Warner of Lines-Maker.com, despite the fact Brees missed some workout time because of a contract dispute.

Many professional sports gamblers focus on teams with quarterback battles and Arizona has just that. Kevin Kolb will start behind center, but potential opening day starter John Skelton will take over.

Both have looked sharp in camp. Rookie Ryan Lindley will see mop up duty as the No. 3 QB. Arizona is thinned at RB with Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams both out.  The NFL betting Twitter feed will include updates.

A free baseball pick for Friday comes from the Canadian Crew.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds (-153) Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET

Wandy Rodriguez will take the mound for Pittsburgh.  Rodriquez will be making his second career start for the Pirates after getting shipped over from Houston last week.  The veteran lefty has been rock-solid this season, going 7-9 with a 3.82 ERA.  He was solid in his Pirates debut last week, holding his former teammates to three runs in six innings of work.  Rodriguez rarely dominates, but he’s consistently good enough to keep his squad in the game.  It’s usually a different story against the Reds, though, as Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three starts against them this season.  He’s 8-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 26 lifetime starts against Cincinnati.

Matt Latos is slated to start for the Reds.  The young right-hander has enjoyed a fine first season with Cincinnati, going 9-3 with a 4.17 ERA.  He’s enjoying a very good stretch right now; Latos has allowed two runs or less in six of his past seven starts, including last week’s win over Colorado.  Latos held the Rockies to a pair or runs through eight innings, while adding eight Ks.  Latos owned Pittsburgh earlier this year, tossing six shutout innings and striking out 11 batters.  He’s 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates.

Rodriguez is the more consistent of the two pitchers, but Latos is locked in right now.  He’s starting to realize his great potential, and it’d be foolish to go against him especially given his great history against the Priates.

Pick:  Cincinnati

It’s ready to get underway, but note Michael Phelps is heavily favorite to win his final Olympic swim as an individual, the 100m butterfly.

Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake is high on the list of anticipated Olympic showdowns. Can Blake top Lighting Bolt in the 100 meters or 200 meters dash? Oddsmakers make Bolt the overwhelming favorite with Blake the only person with much of a chance to unseat him.

Here are the latest odds fro the marquee races: