 |
|
|
|
|
|
ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NFL |
 |
|
9/23/2018 |
|
FOUND
14
GAMES |
|
|
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+130
|
+3 (-121)
|
Over 44 (-115)
|
|
|
-150
|
-3 (+101)
|
Under 44 (-105)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Cincinnati Bengals are off to a fast start but will hit the road for the next two games, beginning with a visit to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Bengals (2-0) have been among the early-season surprises in the NFL, winning their first two games by identical 34-23 scores following a 2017 season in which they started slow en route to a 7-9 record. With consecutive away games at Carolina and Atlanta, Cincinnati has a chance to stamp itself as a legitimate contender, but the team is dealing with some critical injuries as it seeks its first 3-0 start since winning eight in a row to open the 2015 season. The Bengals will have to overcome the absence of second-year running back Joe Mixon, who is expected to be sidelined two to four weeks after undergoing a surgical procedure following a knee injury in a 34-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13. Mixon finished with 84 yards rushing on 21 carries in the win over Baltimore. He ran for 95 yards on 17 carries in a season-opening victory over Indianapolis. Giovani Bernard will be thrust into the starter's role in Mixon's absence. Although Bernard has rushed for only 25 yards on seven carries in the first two games, he has been a reliable two-way threat throughout his tenure with Cincinnati. A second-round in the 2013 draft, Bernard rushed for at least 680 yards in each of his first three seasons. He had 458 yards and two rushing touchdowns in 2017. Bernard was limited in Wednesday's practice, but was a full participant on Thursday. "Gio is such a smart player," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton told reporters of Bernard. "He understands every aspect of the position. He knows what we are doing in the run game, pass game, protections and all of it. I definitely have a comfort level with him back there. " A revamped offensive line has been integral in the fast start, although it could be without rookie starting center Billy Price (foot). Cincinnati did not yield a sack for the first time in 22 games in its last win and yielded only two sacks in the opener. "Says a lot about us as a unit," Bengals right tackle Bobby Hart said after beating the Ravens. "Our coaching, our preparation, how far we can go. The ceiling we have going forward everybody doing the things they are coached to do, believing in each other. The sky is the limit. " Carolina (1-1) will be attempting to rebound from a 31-24 loss at Atlanta in which quarterback Cam Newton was forced to air it out 45 times. The Panthers will be trying to find some consistency on offense while plugging a defense that surrendered 442 yards to the Falcons, including 170 on the ground. "The things that served us well in the past . . . stopping the run, getting after the quarterback, did not serve us well," Carolina defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. "We have to play ahead of the play. " The Panthers, who pitched a shutout for nearly 3 1/2 quarters in a season-opening 16-8 win over Dallas, again will be reliant on the multiple talents of Newton, who has thrown for 496 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 100 yards rushing. "He's made a lot of good decisions these first two games," Carolina coach Ron Rivera told reporters. Newton lost one of his favorite targets, veteran tight end Greg Olsen, to injury in Week 1 and the Panthers need to find another option in the passing game. Running back Christian McCaffrey has 20 receptions through the first two games, including a franchise record-tying 14 against Atlanta. Rookie wide receiver D. J. Moore, the Panthers' first-round pick out of Maryland, has only one reception through the first two games but it went for a 51-yard touchdown against Atlanta. It was the longest touchdown play for Carolina since 2006. Carolina had a streak of 21 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher snapped against the Falcons, but its defensive focus will have to be on Bengals wideout A. J. Green, who already has 11 catches for 161 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers have won six in a row at home, matching Minnesota and New England for the longest active streak in the NFL. "We've just got to keep feeding the energy," Newton said of the atmosphere. "It's just like anything else, it's a living creature. Our fans are alive and when you do certain things to get them hyped, they can be a huge asset for us and that's what we're going to expect throughout this whole year. "
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 CHARLOTTE, N. C. Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others, Christian McCaffrey racked up a career-high 184 yards rushing and the Carolina Panthers handed the Cincinnati Bengals their first loss of the season 31-21 on Sunday. Newton completed 15 of 24 passes for 150 yards and ran for 36 yards as the Panthers (2-1) won their seventh straight home game going back to last season. McCaffrey, who tied a franchise record with 14 receptions last week against Atlanta, did his damage on the ground this time with 28 carries. He surpassed his previous career high of 66 yards rushing and became the first Carolina player in franchise history to post a 100-yard receiving game and a 100-yard rushing game in back-to-back weeks. Carolina had 230 yards rushing. Andy Dalton was 29 of 46 with two touchdowns, but was intercepted four times, including twice by rookie cornerback Donte Jackson. Carolina's defense, which allowed 432 yards and 31 points to the Falcons last week, held the Bengals (2-1) to 66 yards rushing without Joe Mixon in the lineup. Bengals wide receiver A. J. Green, who had three touchdowns last week against the Ravens, left the game on the third play in the third quarter with a groin injury and did not return. OBADA TIMEEfe Obada, the first player to make a 53-man roster from the recently formed NFL International Pathways Program turned in a huge game in his first NFL appearance, recording an interception, a key fourth-quarter sack and two quarterback pressures on Dalton. One of his pressures was initially ruled sack-fumble in the second quarter, but later overturned by instant replay to an incomplete pass. ONE CAROLINAThe Bengals joined the support of relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Florence, which has devastated the Carolinas. The Bengals, like the Panthers, will wear stickers that read ''One Carolina'' on the back of their helmets. BOYD STEPS UPTyler Boyd had a big game for the Bengals with six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. Gio Bernard had 61 yards rushing on 12 carries and a touchdown and five catches for 25 yards filling in for the injured Mixon. INJURIES:Bengals: Aside from Green, nose tackle Ryan Glasgow was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a lower right leg injury and did not return. Panthers: Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly left the game midway through the fourth quarter after getting dehydrated and received an IV in the locker room. Kuechly returned and ended the game with an interception. UP NEXT:Bengals: Visit the Falcons on Sunday. Panthers: Have a bye next week, then host the Giants on Oct. 7. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+127
|
+3 (-119)
|
Over 46.5 (-109)
|
|
|
-147
|
-3 (-101)
|
Under 46.5 (-111)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Oakland Raiders visit the Miami Dolphins Sunday in the Wannabe Bowl at 1 p. m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. The Raiders (0-2) wannabe winners, especially to add some joy to the Gruden II era for Jon Gruden, whose last victory as a head coach in the NFL was Nov. 30, 2008. That is when he coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 23-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs lost their last four games and he was fired. For those keeping track, going into Sunday's game the time since his last victory would be 3,584 days -- or nine years, nine months and 24 days. Gruden could not have known what a big deal that win was in November 2008. From then until this season Gruden was undefeated, first as a volunteer assistant offensive line coach at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa Bay, then as founder of the Fired Football Coaches Association and, finally, as a color analyst for ESPN. But, ever the competitor, Gruden had to give it another try. Raiders owner Mark Davis added encouragement with a contract for $100 million over 10 years. But as Gruden enters only his third game, that head coaching seat is getting pretty damned warm. Trading away edge rusher Khalil Mack (to the Chicago Bears) didn't endear Gruden to Oakland fans wanting to see good things before the team vacates its original home for Las Vegas. And during his Wednesday press conference, Gruden didn't help himself when asked about pass rushers. "It's hard to find a great one," he said. "It's hard to find a good one. It's hard to find one. College football now, they're not really dropping back to pass and throwing footballs anymore. They're throwing laterals and they're throwing bubble screens and they're throwing read options. So you've got to train these guys. It takes a little time to learn how to rush the passer. We've got some guys that are in that process right now. " Hey, Jon, that's all great information from a TV analyst, but as the coach who just traded "a great one," maybe you should keep all that great intel on the downlow. Just sayin'. This does bring up a focal point for Sunday's game, the Raiders' wannabe a team that can pressure on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was sacked five times and hit in the pocket nine times in two games. Conversely, the Mack-less Raiders made only two sacks in two games. They shuffled personnel this week and hope defensive ends Bruce Irvin and Arden Key can hit like a Mack, uh, truck. There are other wannabe circumstances in this game. The Dolphins wannabe taken for real at 2-0 and so does their wannabe franchise quarterback Tannehill, a former first-round draftee (No. 8 in 2012), whose upper echelon status is still questioned at 30 years old, playing in his sixth season. A win against the Raiders would be his 10th in 11 games and might quiet the persistent naysayers. And even at 2-0, Tannehill has detractors who point to facts like in Miami's game against Tennessee, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was sidelined with an arm injury. Also, the win over the Jets was against quarterback Sam Darnold, talented but still a rookie. But this Sunday Miami faces Oakland's Derek Carr, a surefire franchise quarterback, right? Well, Carr had that title thrust upon him as a rookie when he outplayed his draft ranking as a second-round pick (36th overall) in 2014. His role was amplified in June 2017, when Carr signed a five-year contract worth up to $125 million with $70. 2 million guaranteed. That was after throwing for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2016 -- and before having a ho-hum season in 2017 and then stinking out the house with three interceptions in the 2018 season opener. But even in a 20-19 defeat at Denver last week, Carr appeared back on track, completing 29 of 32 throws for 288 yards and one 20-yard laser-beam touchdown to Seth Roberts that squeezed through a window barely wider than the football itself. It was an impressive, strong-armed response to critics that his passing motion that had become too casual. Carr's passing targets were based on mismatches, with tight end Jared Cook gaining a franchise record 180 yards on nine catches against the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener. Last week in Denver, Carr targeted wide receiver Amari Cooper 10 times for 10 completions. But wide receiver Jordy Nelson, a 33-year-old free agent acquisition who starred as Aaron Rodgers' favorite target in Green Bay, has only five total catches for 53 yards. At Denver last week he subbed for injured punt returner Dwayne Harris (foot). Nelson had two fair catches and a seven-yard return. "We expect to see more and more of Jordy as the weeks go on," Gruden said, adding that he hopes the veteran receiver has a big game this week. That would certainly help Carr continue his success passing. Last week was the first time the Raiders scored more than 17 points in five consecutive regular-season games. Like Tannehill, Carr could use another good performance, and probably a win, to convince critics that he is as good as advertised. So, on balance, this is a game where some big names don't wannabe a loser.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Receiver Albert Wilson threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to put the Miami Dolphins ahead midway through the fourth quarter, and then turned a short reception into a 74-yard score that sealed a 28-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Miami coach Adam Gase used creative play-calling to overcome a wave of injuries and penalties, and a 17-minute deficit in time of possession. The Dolphins scored on a pair of shovel passes by Ryan Tannehill that each traveled less than a yard - one on the flip to Wilson, and an earlier similar pass that Jakeem Grant caught before turning the corner for an 18-yard score. Thanks to all the flashy plays, the Dolphins are 3-0 for only the third time since 1998. The Raiders, led by first-year coach Jon Gruden, are 0-3 for the first time since 2014, when they started 0-10. Oakland outgained the Dolphins, and Derek Carr threw for 345 yards. But Xavien Howard intercepted him twice deep in Miami territory, and the Dolphins mounted a first-half goal line stand to stay in the game. Trickery gave the Dolphins their first lead in the fourth quarter. Tannehill handed off to Frank Gore, who tossed the ball to Wilson on an end-around. Wilson - a quarterback in high school - then lobbed the first pass of his career to a wide-open Grant, who outmaneuvered two Raiders to the end zone. Following Howard's second interception, Wilson scooted around the end after taking Tannehill's short pitch and scored the clincher. Wilson and Grant ran side by side in the clear for the final 30 yards and exchanged a gleeful high five approaching the end zone. Oakland's ball-control approach took a toll on a Miami front four that lost three players. Akeem Spence was ejected, and William Hayes and Andre Branch suffered knee injuries. The Raiders' Jordy Nelson had 139 yards receiving in the first seven minutes, and finished with 173 on six catches. Tannehill went 17 for 23 for 289 yards and three scores with no turnovers. JARRINGMiami's Kenny Stills took a big hit when he made a 34-yard touchdown reception in stride in the back of the end zone and slammed into the cushioned retaining wall. NELSON'S STARTMiami missed injured safety Reshad Jones at the start, with rookie replacement Minkah Fitzpatrick burned on the second play when Nelson turned a short pass over the middle into a 61-yard gain. That set up Nelson's 12-yard touchdown catch, again over the middle. On the Raiders' next possession, Nelson beat Bobby McCain deep for a 66-yard gain - his longest since 2014 - before Miami made a goal-line stand. COSTLY FLAGSSpence was ejected in the second quarter for ripping off guard Kelechi Osemele's helmet. Spence was penalized for unnecessary roughness, which negated a third-down sack by teammate Cameron Wake and led to an Oakland field goal. INJURY REPORTDolphins: Hayes (right knee) was hurt when he sacked Carr and missed the second half. . . . Branch hurt his knee in the second half. . . . TE A. J. Derby (foot) also sat out the second half. . . . McCain was shaken up in the final minutes. . . . LB Chase Allen suffered a foot injury in the first half. . . . S Reshad Jones was inactive because of a shoulder injury. Raiders: T Donald Penn (concussion) and S Karl Joseph (lower leg) sat out the second half. . . . WR Seth Roberts was among Oakland's inactives. ANTHEMStills and Wilson kneeled during the national anthem, and defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist. All three Dolphins have staged similar protests before their team's other games this season. UP NEXTDolphins: Play next Sunday at New England, where they've lost nine games in a row. Raiders: Return home to play Cleveland next Sunday. ---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter. com/Steve-Wine---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-142
|
-2.5 (-115)
|
Over 46.5 (-110)
|
|
|
+122
|
+2.5 (-105)
|
Under 46.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 All eyes continue to be on Aaron Rodgers' injured left knee as the Green Bay Packers prepare to face the Washington Redskins on Sunday in Landover, Md. The injury affects Rodgers' mobility and thus the Packers' offensive game plan. "He's got to know what's up -- meaning, what plays are up," Rodgers said of coach Mike McCarthy. "Can we do some (play-) action? Or can we not? And that just depends on how my knee feels. "I don't think you can say because I did some of those things in the game (on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings) that automatically I'll be able to do that and more on Sunday. It depends on how I'm feeling. " Rodgers acknowledged that he has thought about how the knee will hold up and whether it might get worse as he continues to play on it. The Packers continue to hold him out of practices to give the knee time to rest. He's listed as probable on this week's injury report. "Yeah, obviously that's a concern," Rodgers said. "Hopefully, it goes the other way though. " Rodgers was pressured, knocked down often and sacked four times in last week's 29-29 tie with the Vikings, but the knee held up. He completed 30 of 42 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown with no interceptionsRedskins coach Jay Gruden believes the key to controlling Rodgers is to bring pressure. "The most important thing is that you've got to make him uncomfortable in the pocket," Gruden said. "If you give him time to move around and buy time, and find a second, third option, or fifth or sixth option because he's scrambling around, he's going to dice you up. "The team's that have had success, which aren't very many, they pressure him, and that's the key. " Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is preparing for a fast-paced tempo from the Packers that doesn't allow for many substitutions. "Definitely, I mean, he's one of the best in the league, you know, going to the ball quick if you sub," Manusky said. "We've made sure that we get in our situations where (if) we hadve a chance to sub, we will. There are other chances you might get caught, so we're going to be playing with the guys that we have out on the field if he's there and he does that. " The Redskins will be trying to bounce back from a 21-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week. "I think we understand that when you are playing an Aaron Rodgers-led football team, Clay Matthews, Coach (Mike) McCarthy, they are going to make some plays," Gruden said. "How we handle some type of adversity, hopefully we handle a little bit better on Sunday than what we did against the Colts. I think the guys have practiced hard, learned from their mistakes, and are ready to move on. " Offensively, the Redskins would like to get veteran running back Adrian Peterson more involved. He has rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries in two games. "I think he's adjusting fairly well," Gruden said. "He's still new to the system and some of these shotgun runs; he's very good at behind the center, behind the quarterback. "We are trying to feature runs that he's good at but also practice some of the runs he hasn't really done in his career. I think he's doing a good job though. "It's getting his eyes right. It's all about his eyes as his landmark and doing what he does; making a quick slash or cut, being decisive and going. Sometimes he gets a little impatient. He has been a little impatient to make that quick cut but he's going to be fine. He's a Hall of Fame back and the more he sees, the better he will get. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 LANDOVER, Md. Adrian Peterson ran for 120 yards and a pair of 2-yard scores, Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes - all in the first half Sunday - and the Washington Redskins held on for a 31-17 victory over a gimpy Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, who again had complaints about a roughing-the-passer penalty on Clay Matthews. On a rainy afternoon, the Redskins (2-1) moved out to leads of 14-0 and, at halftime, 28-10, by putting together TD drives of 74, 75, 79 and 98 yards. Smith connected for TDs of 46 yards to Paul Richardson on the game's fourth play and of 9 to Jamison Crowder in the second quarter. Peterson, who ran 19 times Sunday, raised his career total to 102 rushing touchdowns, breaking a tie at 100 with Marshall Faulk and Shaun Alexander and moving him alone into seventh place in NFL history behind Emmitt Smith's record of 164. This was Peterson's 52nd game with at least 100 yards on the ground, and first since Nov. 5, 2017, for Arizona against San Francisco. Playing with a bulky brace on his left knee, which he hurt in Week 1, Rodgers hobbled and limped around, and couldn't do enough to get the Packers (1-1-1) back into the game. He finished 27 for 44 for 265 yards with two TDs - of 64 yards to Geronimo Allison and 2 yards to Davante Adams - and was sacked four times. But Green Bay's receivers had problems with drops, plus Randall Cobb was stripped of the ball by Fabian Moreau - Josh Norman recovered the fumble - after a completion with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. In the third, Packers linebacker Matthews was flagged for roughing Smith - and there are sure to be more questions about what constitutes a penalty on such plays. Matthews broke in alone on Smith, wrapped him and brought him down. Matthews immediately put his arms up and slapped himself in the helmet as the flag was thrown. Packers coach Mike McCarthy threw down a play-calling sheet and argued with two officials about the call, even chasing one along the sideline as he backpedaled away. In Green Bay's 29-all tie against the Minnesota Vikings last week, a potentially win-sealing interception for the Packers was wiped out by a roughing call on Matthews when he hit Kirk Cousins. On Sunday, Smith went 12 for 20 for 220 yards. He also had his streak of 156 consecutive passes without an interception, the longest active run in the NFL, end in the second quarter. Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix made the pick when tight end Jordan Reed went one way and Smith threw another. That was one of many times when loud cheers of ''Go, Pack, go! '' rang through the Redskins' stadium. Last week, Washington's home sellout streak ended and there were plenty of boos heard during a 21-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. INJURIESPackers: DL Muhammad Wilkerson was carted off in the second quarter with an ankle injury. . . . RT Bryan Bulaga left with a back injury. Jason Spriggs replaced him. Redskins: RT Morgan Moses exited in the first quarter with a concussion. He was replaced by Ty Nsekhe. MAGNUM P. I. Green Bay contributed three pass-interference calls on a single TD drive for the Redskins: on first-round draft pick Jaire Alexander, defending Richardson; on Tramon Williams on the very next play, defending Josh Doctson; on Davon House, also defending Doctson. UP NEXTPackers: Host the Buffalo Bills. Redskins: Bye week. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+948
|
+16.5 (-115)
|
Over 41 (-111)
|
|
|
OFF
|
-16.5 (-105)
|
Under 41 (-109)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The biggest obstacle facing the Minnesota Vikings this week may be mental. The Vikings have to shake off the effect of a tie that felt like a loss after kicker Daniel Carlson missed a pair of field goals in overtime in the 29-29 stalemate against bitter rival Green Bay. Minnesota also has to avoid the temptation of looking past the visiting Buffalo Bills, who arrive in the Twin Cities off lopsided losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers in which they were barely competitive. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was steadfast in saying his team will not take the Bills lightly, even though they are the lowest-scoring team in the AFC with 23 points and look light years removed from last season's postseason squad. "I see a very talented defense. I believe the results in the first two weeks were more predicated on them starting with lousy field position and had nothing to do with their defense," said Cousins. "More than the actual outcome had to do with their defensive front holding up. I think they have a very good front and I think they showed that last year having been a playoff team and taking the (Jacksonville) Jaguars all the way to the final play in the playoffs. "So, we have great respect for them and we know we're going to have to be at our absolute best to have a chance because it is a really good front and they're a very attacking and aggressive defense. " This is not the same Buffalo team as a year ago. Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was traded in the offseason and his replacement, Nathan Peterman, was yanked in the season opener, losing the job to rookie Josh Allen. Things went from bad to worse for the Bills in last week's 31-20 drubbing by the Chargers. Veteran cornerback Vontae Davis quit the team at halftime, changing out of his uniform and leaving the stadium before later announcing his retirement via Twitter. "Never have seen it. Pop Warner, high school, college, pros, never heard of it, never seen it," said Buffalo linebacker Lorenzo Alexander of the bizarre sequence. "Completely disrespectful to his teammates. He didn't say nothing to nobody. You know as much as I know. I found out going out for the second half of the game. They said he's not coming out, he retired. That's it. " Davis' retirement could have a major impact on Sunday's matchup against the Vikings. The Bills are already thin at the position with cornerbacks Phillip Gaines and Taron Johnson practicing on a limited basis for the second straight day on Thursday. That doesn't bode well for a Minnesota offense that finally found its stride in the fourth quarter by erasing a 13-point deficit against the Packers. Cousins, the marquee free-agent acquisition of the Vikings in the offseason, threw three of his four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and finished with 425 yards on 35-of-48 passing. Adam Thielen had 13 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown while fellow wideout Stefon Diggs had nine catches for 128 yards and two fourth-quarter scores, including a 75-yard strike. There's also tight end Kyle Rudolph, who had seven catches for 72 yards. "Offensively they've got some weapons in Thielen, Diggs and Rudolph," said Buffalo free safety Jordon Poyer. "It's going to be a task. With the second half going the way it did last week, it's something we want to build off. " Minnesota could be without starting running back Dalvin Cook, who did not practice again Thursday due to a hamstring injury. Latavius Murray would get the nod if Cook is unable to go. The Bills also could be without their top running back and best offensive weapon. Sean McCoy has been limited by a rib injury in practice, another setback for a punchless offense that ranks 31st in yards per game (223. 0) and passing yards per game (139. 5). Allen, the No. 7 overall pick out of Wyoming, was 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his first career start. He added 32 yards rushing on eight carries. "Big arm. Really athletic, moving in the pocket, scrambling," said Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. "I think he looks to throw when he's scrambling. He moves well in the pocket, but will definitely pull it down in the run. " Former Dallas kicker Dan Bailey will make his Vikings debut after he was signed to replace Carlson, who was released on Monday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 MINNEOLIS Josh Allen played with the poise of a well-seasoned quarterback for the Buffalo Bills by accounting for three touchdowns in his first road start in the NFL. Allen made Minnesota's Kirk Cousins look like the raw rookie in a stunning 27-6 upset of the Vikings on Sunday afternoon. Cousins had three turnovers, including a lost fumble on a third-down sack inside Minnesota's 20-yard line, on each of the first two possessions. Buffalo turned those recoveries into 10 points and was on cruise control by midway through the second quarter as the crowd at U. S. Bank Stadium cranked up the boos. The Vikings (1-1-1) were 16 1/2-point favorites when the game began, allowing the Bills (1-2) to become only the sixth such underdog in the NFL's last 81 point spreads that big. After being outscored 75-9 over their first six quarters of the season, the Bills have enjoyed a 41-9 advantage over the last six periods. Allen, the seventh overall pick in the draft out of Wyoming who took the job earlier than expected in relief of a struggling Nathan Peterman in the opener, completed 15 of 22 passes for 196 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide-open tight end Jason Croom. Though Allen took three sacks and fumbled three times, the Bills were able to recover all of them. He settled almost exclusively for safe underneath or sideline throws, but took advantage of several broken coverages by the Vikings for chain-moving gains. Where Allen did the most damage was on the ground, putting together a mini-highlight film with his feet while injured running back LeSean McCoy watched in team-colored sweats - with a big smile - from the sideline. Allen dived to finish a 10-yard run by beating Anthony Barr to the edge of the end zone and scraping the pylon with the ball to finish the game's first drive. At the end of the first quarter on third-and-9, Allen sprinted straight up the middle out of a collapsed pocket and hurdled Barr 2 yards short of the marker to get the first down. He capped that possession with a 1-yard touchdown sneak on fourth down for a 24-0 lead in the second quarter. Allen became the first Bills rookie to run and pass for at least one score each in his first career road start. With running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) inactive and the score so lopsided, the Vikings set a franchise record for fewest rushing attempts with six. Cousins took four sacks. That's because Buffalo's front seven, with former Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier serving as defensive coordinator, overwhelmed Minnesota's offensive line. Left tackle Riley Reiff was beaten regularly by Jerry Hughes, who had one of the sacks that caused a fumble. Linebacker Matt Milano had a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. Defensive end Trent Murphy took credit for the other strip sack. The Bills, including their playoff game, went the final eight games of last season without recovering a fumble. Cousins finished 40 for 55 for 296 yards and a late touchdown to Kyle Rudolph. GOING GREENThe Vikings inducted the late Dennis Green, who's second behind Bud Grant in winning percentage as a head coach, into their Ring of Honor. Green, who guided the Vikings to the playoffs in eight of his 10 seasons, became the 24th member. The Vikings beat the Bills in all three meetings under Green. INJURY REPORTBills: Beyond McCoy (rib) and Gaines (elbow), backup DE Shaq Lawson (hamstring) was inactive. . . . C Russell Bodine, who started in place of Ryan Groy, limped off with leg cramps in the third quarter. Groy, who had moved to LG when Vlad Ducasse left with an injury, shifted back to the middle as Ducasse re-entered. . . . Lewis left with an injury in the fourth quarter, as did Murphy (ankle). Vikings: In addition to Cook and DE Everson Griffen (knee), backup TE David Morgan (knee) and PR Marcus Sherels (ribs) were held out. . . . CB Trae Waynes (ankle) left the game in the first quarter and did not return. . . . RT Rashod Hill (ankle) limped off in the second quarter and was replaced by rookie Brian O'Neill. UP NEXTBills: Play at Green Bay next Sunday. Vikings: Play the Rams in Los Angeles on Thursday night. ---More NFL coverage: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+230
|
+6 (-110)
|
Over 53 (-112)
|
|
|
-280
|
-6 (-110)
|
Under 53 (-108)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been the talk of the league after the first two games, and he will try to keep it going on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in the Chiefs' first home game of the season. The Chiefs are one of seven teams that are 2-0, but Kansas City is the only 2-0 team that played its first two games on the road. Mahomes was outstanding in both, being named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after each of the Chiefs' first two games. Mahomes has thrown 10 touchdown passes, an NFL record for touchdown passes after two games, and he has yet to throw an interception. His passer rating of 143. 3 leads the NFL by a sizable margin.The Chiefs lead the NFL in scoring (40. 0 point per game) in large part because of Mahomes' excellence. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid notes Mahomes has not been perfect, however. "Everything has not been roses up to this point," Reid said. "It looks like it, but that has not been the case. He has a ton of things to work on. " Mahomes, in his first full season as a starter, agrees. "There's always places you can get better on this offense and this team," Mahomes said. Nonetheless, it appears Reid knew what he was doing when he traded away last year's starting quarterback, Alex Smith, and handed the team over to Mahomes in his second season as a pro. Reid is still concerned about how Mahomes will react when he faces a little adversity. "As defensive coordinators study and see these things, they will throw different wrinkles at you and you have to rise up every week," Reid said. "That's not a simple part of this. In this business it's not so much about what you did the week before, it's about what you do today. We have to keep answering these different challenges. " The 49ers (1-1) will be the next team to try to slow down Mahomes, but they will need to improve on defense to do it. They rank 23rd in the league in total defense after a 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the opener and a 30-27 victory over the Detroit Lions last week. However, the 49ers add an important ingredient this week as linebacker Reuben Foster is back after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policies on personal conduct and substance abuse. "Everyone knows how good of a tackler he is," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "But he's also good in coverage. He can blitz the quarterback. He can do a lot of things. Just having his presence out there, just from a leadership standpoint, guys gravitate to him. We really enjoy having him around. " The 49ers also are hoping to get another starting linebacker, Malcolm Smith, back this week after he missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Rookie Fred Warner, who has manned the middle the last two weeks, leads the team with 19 tackles, so Shanahan was unsure at midweek what his linebacking alignment would look like on Sunday. "Reuben hasn't been here in two weeks (and Wednesday was) going to be Malcolm's first day of full practice," Shanahan said Wednesday. "So we want to see how all of those guys do and it'll be a tough decision at the end of the week, but a tough decision I'm going to be happy to have to make. " The 49ers have a big defensive line, led by 6-7, 300-pound defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. He currently ranks second in the league with 3 1/2 sacks on the season. Offensively, the 49ers are looking for Jimmy Garoppolo to be the sensation he was last season, when he was 5-0 as a starter. He had a rough start against the Vikings, throwing three interceptions in his first NFL loss as a starter. He was solid last week, completing 18 of 26 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. But Garoppolo was sacked six times in that game. Pass-rushing has not been a strong suit for the Chiefs so far this season, as they have just two sacks. The surprise for the 49ers last week was running back Matt Breida, who had 138 rushing yards against the Lions and leads the NFL in rushing yardage after two games with 184. His impressive 8. 4 yards per carry also lead the league. Kansas City has allowed opposing team to average 4. 5 yards per rushing attempt, which ranks 23rd in the NFL, and the Chiefs will need to shore up that department against Breida and the 49ers. The Chiefs have a major running threat of their own in Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,327 yards. He is not off to a great start this season, however, averaging just 3. 6 yards per carry. He was limited to 48 yards in last week's 48-38 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has not been a disappointment, though. He has 259 receiving yards, which ranks third in the NFL, and he has done it on just 12 receptions, giving him an average of 21. 6 yards per catch. At times, he figures to be matched up against 49ers four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes is just as efficient at home as he is on the road. He gets the same results, too. After winning his first three starts, all away from Arrowhead Stadium, the second-year pro finally made his regular-season home debut Sunday. Mahomes responded by torching San Francisco's banged-up pass defense for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-27 victory over the 49ers. Mahomes now has 13 touchdown passes without an interception, breaking the NFL record for TD passes in the first three weeks of a season. Peyton Manning threw 12 to start the 2013 campaign. Mahomes' touchdown passes to Chris Conley, Demetrius Harris and Sammy Watkins , along with a pair of TD runs by Kareem Hunt, helped Kansas City (3-0) race to a 35-7 lead late in the first half. Few leads are safe against the Chiefs' porous defense, though. The 49ers (1-2) rallied behind running backs Matt Breida and Alfred Morris, who kept gouging the Chiefs' defensive front, and Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw for 251 yards and two scores . It was Garoppolo's 11-yard pass to Marquis Goodwin early in the third quarter that started the comeback, and Morris scored on a short touchdown run later in the quarter to make it 35-24. After the Chiefs tacked on a field goal early in the fourth to extend their lead, the 49ers came back with a grinding, 17-play drive that wiped out more than half the period. But it ended in a strange sequence that began with Garoppolo taking a hard hit from Steven Nelson along the sideline. Garoppolo easily could have stepped out of bounds, but instead he was crushed on his throwing shoulder and had to leave. C. J. Beathard came in and threw what appeared to be a fourth-down touchdown pass to George Kittle, but it was wiped out by offensive pass interference. There was only 5:17 left, but rather than go for it on fourth-and-goal at the Kansas City 25, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan elected to kick a field goal - keeping it a two-possession game. San Francisco proceeded to kick it deep rather than try an onside kick. The Chiefs picked up a first down on a penalty, and Hunt churned his way for two more first downs to put the game away. The 49ers have not won in Arrowhead Stadium since Dec. 26, 1982. FOSTER'S FRUSTRATION49ers LB Reuben Foster had a rough return from a two-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policy. Foster was hit with a personal foul for hitting Mahomes as the QB was sliding in the first half, Kelce beat him in pass defense, and the young linebacker left early in the fourth quarter when he was shaken up on a tackle. INJURIES49ers: The defensive backfield was in tatters by the fourth quarter. CB Richard Sherman left with a calf injury, FS Adrian Colbert hurt his ankle and backup CB Tarvarius Moore left with a wrist injury. SS Jaquiski Taylor was already inactive with a shoulder injury. Chiefs: LB Dee Ford left with a groin injury in the fourth quarter. . . . Conley briefly left with a right ankle injury, though he returned to make his TD catch. . . . SS Eric Berry (heel) remained inactive for the third straight week. He has not practiced since early in camp. UP NEXT49ers: Play the Chargers in Los Angeles next Sunday. Chiefs: Visit the AFC West-rival Broncos next Monday night. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+199
|
+5.5 (-110)
|
Over 46.5 (-103)
|
|
|
-240
|
-5.5 (-110)
|
Under 46.5 (-118)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Denver Broncos have squeezed out a pair of narrow victories but hit the road for the first time this season when they visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Denver (2-0) needed to rally for the second straight week, scoring the final 13 points and defeating the Oakland Raiders 20-19 on a last-second field goal by Brandon McManus. Given that the Broncos have outscored their first two opponents by a combined four points, complacency should not be an issue. A bigger concern is reversing an ugly history of East Coast road games from 2017. Denver went 0-4 in visits to Buffalo, Philadelphia, Miami and Washington last season, getting outscored by an average of 20 points. The team typically departed the Mile High City on Friday a year ago for East Coast games, but the Broncos will not fly to Baltimore until Saturday. "It's all about mindset. We're not going to worry about how far we're traveling, what time the game starts -- we don't care," Denver coach Vance Joseph said. "It's going to probably rain on Sunday. We don't care. I think pushing it back and just going on Saturday is all about our mindset and not worrying about going east, who we're playing or where we're playing. " Travel plans aside, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. offered another way to change the team's fortunes away from home as they prepare to face quarterback Joe Flacco and a rejuvenated Baltimore passing attack. "When you play on the road, you have to pack your defense," said Harris. "We've got to outplay their defense. That's how it is on the road. Defense, you've got to ball on the road. You always plan on the offense to struggle a little bit on the road, so we have to try and give them a little help. " Denver's defense blanked the Raiders in the second half last week but Oakland quarterback Derek Carr became the first player in NFL history with a completion rate of better than 90 percent in a game when attempting 30 or more passes. The Broncos also allowed six plays of 20 or more yards. "Baltimore is a tough place to play," said Broncos nose tackle Domata Peko Sr. , who spent 11 seasons in Cincinnati. "I've played there 11 years in a row in the AFC North and it's a tough division. . . . And you definitely have to get pressure on Flacco because he can sit back there and he can throw the deep ball like the best of them. " Flacco threw three first-half scoring passes in a 47-3 drubbing of Buffalo in Week 1, connecting with each of his new receivers, John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead IV. In last week's 34-23 loss at Cincinnati, Flacco rallied Baltimore from a pair of 21-point deficits in a belated comeback attempt, throwing for 356 yards with two scoring passes and two interceptions. "It was a tough game, and we have to play better," Flacco said. "We did a lot of good things after that start, and I think it shows a lot about our team the fact that we were able to get back into that game. "It shows a lot about what we were capable of doing. We executed a lot better after the first couple series. So, we just have to keep that in mind moving forward. We don't have to try to do too much. We just have to be out there each doing our own individual job -- not trying to do too much and just doing what we're asked to do. I think everything will take care of itself. " Flacco and Co. will have to be wary of Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who has an NFL-high 4. 0 sacks through two games. Getting the running game going would help to that end. Alex Collins has rushed for only 48 yards. "We just have to get the running game going," Harbaugh said. "We need to pop some runs. That's the biggest issue. When you hit some long runs, that average goes to where you want it to be. We've had some steadiness with it. I don't think we've been hit in the backfield too many times, but we've had a few pretty solid runs. " Denver received some good news Thursday when quarterback Case Keenum returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday due to a sore knee. Keenum struggled against the Raiders but his favorite has been Emmanuel Sanders, who has 14 receptions. The biggest surprise for the Broncos has been rookie running back Phillip Lindsay, who went over 100 yards against Oakland and has rushed for 178 yards in two games.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 BALTIMORE Joe Flacco picked apart Denver's depleted defense for 277 yards and a touchdown, and the Baltimore Ravens defeated the previously unbeaten Broncos 27-14 Sunday. Connecting with eight receivers, Flacco went 25 for 40 without an interception on a rainy afternoon. He threw 28 passes in the first half alone, when Baltimore (2-1) took control. The Ravens turned to their defense in the fourth quarter, twice stopping drives inside their own 15. ''It was one of those games that you want to put away a little bit earlier, but we just didn't,'' Flacco said. Flacco's success came against a Denver backfield that began the day without injured cornerback Adam Jones (thigh) and lost cornerback Tramaine Brock (groin) in the first quarter. As a result, rookie Isaac Yiadom saw significant playing time at right corner. Javorious Allen caught a 12-yard touchdown pass and ran for a score for the Ravens. Denver was coming off two home wins, both by virtue of fourth-quarter comebacks. This time, the Broncos could not rally after Allen's 1-yard TD run made it 27-14 midway through the third quarter. Denver was inside the Baltimore 5 with 9 minutes left before Case Keenum was intercepted by Patrick Onwuasor, whose 89-yard return for a touchdown was wiped out by a block in the back. The Ravens took consolation in preventing Denver from getting within a touchdown. ''That was a huge stop,'' said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who celebrated his 56th birthday in style. The Broncos' next drive ended at the Baltimore 11, and the Ravens ran out the clock over the final three minutes. Keenum completed 22 of 34 passes for 192 yards. Denver got a touchdown after blocking a punt and also swatted away a field goal try. Chris Harris took the second blocked kick 58 yards for a touchdown, but an illegal block nullified the second-quarter score. ''We probably cost ourselves 20 points today on penalties,'' coach Vance Joseph said. On the ensuing series, Broncos rookie running back Phillip Lindsay was ejected for throwing a punch during the scramble for a fumble by Keenum. A wild first half ended with Baltimore up 20-14. After Denver's Joseph Jones blocked a punt to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Royce Freeman, Alex Collins ran in from the 6 for Baltimore. Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders made it 14-7 with a 35-yard end around, his first career rushing touchdown. Justin Tucker sandwiched a pair of 52-yard field goals around a 12-yard touchdown throw by Flacco. Tucker now has six career games with multiple field goals of 50 yards or more, an NFL record. He has also connected on his last eight attempts from at least 50 yards. LEWIS RETURNSThe Ravens welcomed back linebacker Ray Lewis, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August following a 17-year career with Baltimore. After the players were introduced, the song ''Hot in Herre'' by Nelly boomed over the PA. Lewis emerged from the tunnel wearing his yellow Hall of Fame jacket and performed his trademark dance while the soggy crowd cheered. Lewis was presented with his Hall of Fame ring during a ceremony at halftime. He was joined by Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens' other HOF member. INJURIESBroncos: S Darian Stewart left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury but returned. Ravens: MLB C. J. Mosley was inactive with a bruised knee. UP NEXTBroncos host Kansas City in an AFC West showdown Monday night. Ravens travel to Pittsburgh for a Sunday night matchup between AFC North teams. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+111
|
+1.5 (-105)
|
Over 54 (-110)
|
|
|
-131
|
-1.5 (-115)
|
Under 54 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The New Orleans Saints improved from Week 1 to Week 2 and that enabled them to follow a season-opening loss with a win. But they admit they still have a long way to go as they prepare to face the Falcons in an NFC South showdown Sunday in Atlanta. After giving up 48 points in a seven-point loss to Tampa Bay to start the season, the Saints contained the Cleveland Browns offense much better in a 21-18 victory last week. The offense, though, wasn't nearly as effective against the Browns (275 yards) as it was against the Buccaneers (475). Of those 750 yards, only 105 have come from the rushing attack. "In the first game, obviously we were doing a lot of good things in the passing game so it's not like we couldn't run the ball," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "But we kind of got in a situation where we had to score quickly and score a lot. "This last game, I would say it was not one of our better run running games efficiency wise, but we did have a couple of good ones at the end of the game. " The Falcons got more bad news on the injury front this week and it could not have come at a worse time. Atlanta is already without safety Keanu Neal for the season because of a knee injury. It will also be without middle linebacker Deion Jones for at least another six weeks while he's on the injured reserve list after foot surgery. Now the Falcons will be without starting left guard Andy Levitre, who was lost for the season because of a triceps injury and placed on injured reserve. "After receiving the test results on Andy's injury from Sunday's game, it has been determined that he will miss the remainder of the season with a triceps injury," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. The move means Wes Schweitzer, who started at right guard last season, will move into the lineup. Schweitzer took Levitre's place when he was injured Sunday. Schweitzer battled with Brando Fusco for the starting job at right guard, with Fusco, a free-agent signee formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, winning the position. Quinn said he club is confident moving forward with Schweitzer as the starter. "When Wes stepped in for Andy, we certainly knew what to expect for a guy who has really put the time in," Quinn said. "This summer the battle that he had in him with Brandon to get going, we knew if he was going to go in the game he would be ready. " The Falcons are awaiting word on the status of defensive end Takk McKinley (groin) and Derrick Shelby (groin). They were both injured last week against Carolina. "We're going to give these guys as much time as they need to get ready," Quinn said. "When they can start doing things that they do, we'll adjust accordingly. " If either or both can't go, the Falcons will probably use Steven Means in their rotation. Means signed with Atlanta last week and he was inactive for the Carolina game. "I'd be comfortable (with Means) and the reason why is during his time here, he's really put the work in," Quinn said. "We'll just take it as it goes. " Running back Devonta Freeman is expected to miss his second straight game with a right knee contusion. For the Saints, defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, who missed last week's game because of a foot injury suffered in the season opener, did not practice Wednesday. Wide receiver Tommylee Lewis, who injured his left knee in Sunday's game and did not return, was held out of practice and walked through the locker room with difficulty while wearing a brace on the knee. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. That means receiver Cameron Meredith, who has been a healthy inactive each of the first two weeks, could play Sunday. He was signed as a veteran free agent with the expectation that he would be the No. 3 receiver behind Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. even though he was recovering from a serious knee surgery. Meredith was limited in training camp and the preseason, but is healthy enough to play. Sunday's game will be the 98th regular-season meeting. The Falcons lead series, 51-46, including a 27-22 edge in Atlanta. The home team won both encounters last season. Atlanta has won three of the last four meetings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 ATLANTA Drew Brees' 1-yard run capped an 80-yard touchdown drive to open overtime that lifted the New Orleans Saints to a 43-37 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Brees' score came after his apparent 3-yard TD pass to Alvin Kamara was overturned on a review that determined Kamara's knee was down before the goal line. Brees scored on a keeper on the following play, giving the Saints (2-1) the win on the day the 39-year-old quarterback set the NFL record for career completions. Brees passed for 396 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two scores. Kamara had 15 catches for 124 yards and ran for 66 yards. Brees' biggest play before the winner might have been his improbable 7-yard scoring run with 1:15 remaining that forced overtime. He ran to his left and then spun to avoid tackle attempts by Brian Poole and Robert Alford. Atlanta's Matt Ryan had his first career game with five scoring passes, including three to rookie Calvin Ridley. That wasn't enough for the Falcons (1-2) against Brees and the high-scoring Saints, who gained 534 yards. Ryan passed for 374 yards, including 146 to Ridley, who became the first Falcons rookie with three scoring catches. Ridley, who had seven receptions, including a 75-yard TD, had his first game with more than one touchdown reception in his first game with at least 100 yards receiving. Ridley's third scoring catch against the Saints was a 9-yarder early in the third quarter that held up following a review. Ryan's five touchdown passes tied the team record set by Wade Wilson on Dec. 13, 1992, at Tampa Bay. The fifth went to Mohamed Sanu - followed by Ryan's 2-point conversion pass to Sanu - gave the Falcons a 37-30 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The scoring pass came after Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata was called for unnecessary roughness when Atlanta's Matt Bryant kicked a 29-yard field goal that would have given the Falcons a 32-30 lead. With the penalty, the Falcons' offense came back on the field. Ridley beat P. J. Williams on his first two scoring catches, an 18-yarder in the first quarter and the 75-yarder in the second quarter. The Saints made a defensive switch, moving Ken Crawley into coverage on Ridley. Crawley was called for pass interference on a deep incompletion to Ridley early in the third quarter that gave Atlanta a first down at the New Orleans 5. On second down from the 9, Ridley's third scoring catch gave the Falcons a 21-16 lead. Williams' troubles continued when he was called for pass interference when trying to cover Sanu, and that flag set up another first down at the 5. Ryan's fourth scoring pass, to Tevin Coleman, made it 29-23. With his 14th completed pass, Brees broke the record of 6,300 career completions set by Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Brees closed in on the mark early, completing his first four passes, including a 19-yard scoring pass to Ted Ginn Jr. , on the Saints' opening drive. The Falcons pulled even on Ryan's 18-yard touchdown pass to Ridley later in the opening quarter. Brees set the career completions record with a 17-yard completion to Michael Thomas in the second quarter, giving him 6,301. With a little more help from Ginn, Brees might have had a bigger first half. Ginn dropped a sideline pass on a drive that ended with a 49-yard field goal by Will Lutz bouncing off the left upright and over the cross bar. Later in the second quarter, Ginn juggled a pass for an incompletion as he ran out of bounds on the Atlanta sideline. Ryan's 75-yard scoring pass to Ridley was his 34th career TD pass against the Saints, the most by any quarterback. He surpassed Joe Montana's 33 TD passes against New Orleans. INJURY REPORTSaints reserve cornerback Patrick Robinson was carted from the field early in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. He did not return. Falcons safety Ricardo Allen left early in overtime with a left calf injury. He was helped to the sideline and then driven on a cart to the locker room. . . . Reserve cornerback Justin Bethel suffered a knee injury in the third quarter. . . . Atlanta rookie linebacker Foyesade Oluokun left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. UP NEXTSaints: at New York Giants next Sunday. Falcons: Play their third straight home game against the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday. ---For more NFL coverage: https://apnews. com/tag/NFLfootball and www. twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+230
|
+6.5 (-111)
|
Over 44.5 (-108)
|
|
|
-280
|
-6.5 (-109)
|
Under 44.5 (-112)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The return from injury of star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and addition of prize rookie running back Saquon Barkley provided plenty of optimism for the New York Giants entering the season. A similar mindset was held by the Houston Texans, who had lofty expectations of their own with second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson and standout defensive end J. J. Watt back to full health. Yet when the Giants conclude a two-game Texas road trip with a visit to Houston on Sunday, the biggest common denominator among the teams will be the desperation of avoiding a dispiriting 3-0 start to the season. With the memory of last season's 3-13 debacle fresh in their collective minds, New York players are trying not to overreact to the team's fifth 0-2 start in the past six years. "Everybody's learning, every week we're going to learn and get better and make improvements," Giants quarterback Eli Manning said in the wake of a lackluster 20-13 loss in Dallas. "That's what we have to do. When you have a new offense, new players, new guys coming in, there is a learning curve to it, so we've just got to keep grinding and keep preparing and don't get down. "Have the desire to get better -- if we all want that, we all have that, and we've got to make the improvements that the coaches are giving us, and that will give us a better opportunity to win games. " The Texans were forced to play their opening two games on the road, following up a 27-20 loss at New England with a narrow 20-17 defeat at the Tennessee Titans last week. Watson, whose rookie season came to an end after seven games due to a torn ACL, labored through a rough outing in Week 1, completing 50 percent of his passes for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception. However, the 2017 first-round draft pick threw for 310 yards and a pair of scoring strikes against the Titans, flashing some of the big-play ability that helped Houston average 40. 5 points during a four-game stretch before his season-ending injury in 2017. "Every week is a new test, always focused on improvement," said Watson. "We can't compare ourselves to last year. We're really close to being where we want to be offensively. " The Giants can't say the same about their offense after managing only 255 yards against Dallas. Barkley, taken No. 2 overall in this year's draft, was limited to 28 yards on 11 carries after eclipsing 100 yards in his NFL debut against Jacksonville. Barkley did, however, amass 14 receptions for 80 yards against Dallas and certainly has the full attention of Houston's defense. "He's a very good player," said Watt. "Obviously, he had an incredible college career and some of things he's been able to do. He can break it at any time. "He's very tough to bring down on the first tackle. I think you'll notice that rarely does he get taken down by the first guy to hit him, which is impressive. So, we know he has big-play capabilities, just like Odell does on the outside. They have weapons. " Beckham's 2017 season lasted only four games after he suffered a fractured ankle. He made a triumphant return in Week 1 with 11 receptions for 111 yards, but was muted by the Cowboys and held to four catches for 51 yards. Both teams have concerns about their respective defenses. New York must contend not only with wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, who each had a touchdown and went over 100 yards last week, but also a running game fueled by Lamar Miller and dual-threat Watson. "Certainly they're a good rushing team," said Giants head coach Pat Shurmur. "Any time you have a quarterback that can attack the perimeter like they have, that puts a little bit more pressure on the rest of the run game, and they've got a very good runner. They actually have a couple good runners, and those guys do a good job of running it. There's no doubt that's going to be a challenge for us to stop their run. " Houston is trying to focus on getting its pass rush attack, especially after Manning was sacked six times by the Cowboys. Jadeveon Clowney could return after sitting out last week's loss and Watt said he's "starting to play the way I want to play" after appearing in only eight games the past two seasons. "We know he's probably going to hold the ball long enough," Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus said of Manning. "We've got to get pressure on him. Even if we don't get there, we have to get him to feel uncomfortable in that pocket. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 HOUSTON Eli Manning threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns and rookie Saquon Barkley added a score as the New York Giants got their first win with a 27-22 victory over the struggling Houston Texans on Sunday. The Giants (1-2) were up by 14 at halftime but had trouble moving the ball in the second half and the Texans (0-3) had cut the lead to five before Manning threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard with about two minutes left. Deshaun Watson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Lamar Miller with 1 second left to cut the lead to 27-22, but New York recovered the onside kick. Watson threw for 385 yards and two scores, but his interception was one of two second-half turnovers by the Texans, off to their worst start since dropping their first four games of 2008. Odell Beckham Jr. , had nine receptions for 109 yards and Barkley finished with 82 yards rushing as the Giants came one point shy of matching their points total from their first two games combined. A 54-yard field goal got Houston within 20-9 in the third quarter. The Texans forced a punt and were driving again when Miller caught a short pass and fumbled after a hit by Donte Deayon. The Giants recovered but couldn't move the ball and had to punt after a drive that featured a sack by J. J. Watt. The defensive end, who played just eight games in the 2016-17 seasons because of injuries, finished with three sacks, three tackles for losses, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble. But the Texans turned over the ball again, this time when Watson was intercepted in the end zone by Alec Ogletree. Houston cut the lead to 20-15 when Will Fuller grabbed a 6-yard pass from Watson with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining, but the 2-point conversion failed. After leading the NFL in yards rushing through the first three games, the Texans couldn't get anything going on the ground. They finished with 59 yards rushing, and Miller managed just 10 yards on as many carries. The Texans led 3-0 after a 23-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn on their first drive. The Giants took their first lead this season when Barkley shed multiple tackles on a 15-yard run that made it 7-3. New York added two field goals before Manning connected with Rhett Ellison on a 16-yard touchdown to push the advantage to 20-3 late in the second quarter. Watt had a strip sack on third down to make the Giants settle for the second field goal. Watt hadn't had a sack since Sept. 18, 2016 before taking Manning down on that play. Houston cut the lead to 20-6 at halftime after a 28-yard field goal. INJURY UPDATENew York tight end Evan Engram (knee) left in the second quarter. . . . Giants CB Antonio Hamilton injured his groin in the first quarter and didn't return. . . . Houston WR Bruce Ellington injured his hamstring in the first quarter and didn't return. . . . Texans G Senio Kelemete (knee) left in the second quarter. UP NEXTGiants: Host New Orleans next Sunday. Texans: Visit the Colts next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+247
|
+6.5 (-111)
|
Over 45 (-112)
|
|
|
-302
|
-6.5 (-109)
|
Under 45 (-108)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Philadelphia Eagles will welcome the return of a familiar face in franchise quarterback Carson Wentz on Sunday when they encounter another one in Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts. Wentz admitted that he'll likely be emotional when he heads out of the tunnel at Lincoln Financial Field. The 25-year-old, who finished second in touchdown passes (33) last season, will be playing in his first game since tearing his ACL and LCL in a Dec. 10 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. "I just want to pick up where we left off last year," Wentz said. "We had a lot of big plays last year when we were in situational football. Third down, red zone, things we really excelled in last year. Those are things we want to keep building on. . . . At the end of the day, I, and really this whole offense and this whole organization, always have high expectations. We expect to start fast, play fast, be clicking. " The Eagles (1-1) weren't clicking on offense with Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Nick Foles under center, as the team has scored a combined 39 points this season after dropping a 27-21 decision against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Foles has thrown for just 451 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the first two games. Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson knows that Wentz will be amped heading into Sunday's contest. "It's a home game, his first start, there's going to be emotions regardless," Pederson said. "I can talk to him until Sunday, kickoff, and there's always going to be that high emotion and anticipation taking the field. You kind of want him to experience that and what that feels like. It's kind of like his first start again a couple years ago. It'll be a good feeling. It'll be good for our city, it'll be good for our team, obviously. " Emotions could also be high for Reich, who returns to the city where he helped deliver the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Reich, who was the Eagles' offensive coordinator for the past two years, is now Andrew Luck's head coach in Indianapolis. "(Wentz and Luck) are both incredibly dynamic players, physically dominant at their position, elite in their leadership ability, elite intelligence, it's just rare for a guy to have all those attributes and I think they both do," Reich said. "When Carson came out, that was the one guy -- Andrew was the one guy -- that there were some parallels there. It's just interesting now in their journeys that they have both had to overcome serious injury and that I think makes great players better. It stinks going through it but in the long run it makes them better. " Luck has rebounded from sitting out the entire 2017 season due to an injured shoulder to throw two touchdown passes in both games this season. The quarterback, however, was limited to just 179 yards and had two interceptions on Sunday, although the Colts (1-1) posted a 21-9 victory over the Washington Redskins. Luck will look to exploit Philadelphia's 28th-ranked pass defense that was torched by Tampa Bay's Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver T. Y. Hilton and tight end Eric Ebron have each reeled in touchdown passes in both contests this season. The Colts' rushing game, however, will face the Eagles' top-ranked defense against the run. Jordan Wilkins had 61 yards rushing against the Redskins on Sunday while fellow rookie Nyheim Hines had his first career rushing touchdown. Speaking of backfields, Philadelphia's running back situation is clouded as Jay Ajayi (league high-tying three rushing touchdowns) was limited in Week 2 with a back injury and is considered day-to-day by Pederson. Darren Sproles could be in jeopardy of missing his second straight game with an ailing hamstring, forcing the team to promote fellow running back Josh Adams from the practice squad. Corey Clement could see the bulk of the work in the backfield against the Colts after recording 85 scrimmage yards and a touchdown last week. Clement and company could see an awful lot of Indianapolis linebacker Darius Leonard, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 18 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass breakup on Sunday. "I say we are like on a roller coaster coming down hill, it's kind of hard to stop," Leonard said. "So I think the defense just kind of wants that snowball effect, just wants to keep stacking up everything and just want to match their effort from last week. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 PHILADELPHIA Carson Wentz threw a touchdown pass on his first drive in nine months, Wendell Smallwood ran in from the 4 for the go-ahead score and the Philadelphia Eagles held on for a 20-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Adam Vinatieri tied Morten Andersen's career record of 565 field goals by connecting on all three tries, but the Colts (1-2) couldn't take advantage of two turnovers by Wentz inside the 20 in the second half. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (2-1) needed two defensive stops against Andrew Luck in the final 90 seconds. Indy had a first down at the Eagles 11 and two cracks from the 4, but Luck's pass to T. Y. Hilton sailed over his shoulder in the left corner of the end zone on third down and Derek Barnett sacked Luck on fourth down. The Colts got the ball again at their 11 with 39 seconds remaining but couldn't reach midfield. Jacoby Brissett threw a desperation pass on the final play that fell incomplete. Playing his first game since he tore two ligaments in his left knee last Dec. 10, Wentz engineered the winning drive with precise passes and nifty moves. Wentz eluded a sack and threw a 10-yard pass to Nelson Agholor, who hurdled for a first down on third-and-9 to extend the drive at the Colts 26. Four plays later, Smallwood scored to make it 20-16. Fans welcomed back Wentz with a standing ovation when he ran through the tunnel during introductions. On a wet, soggy field, Wentz showed no rust at the start. He misfired on his first pass, then connected over the middle to Zach Ertz and kept going. Running a no-huddle offense, Wentz drove the Eagles 79 yards in 12 plays and capped it with a 13-yard TD pass to Dallas Goedert for a 7-0 lead. But the offense couldn't get much going until the fourth quarter. Wentz nearly gave the Colts the game. First, he stared down Ertz and floated a pass that was picked by Anthony Walker and returned to the Eagles 16. But the Colts only managed a 31-yarder by Vinatieri that gave them a 13-10 lead. After Jake Elliott answered with a 24-yarder on the following drive, Margus Hunt knocked the ball out of Wentz's hands and recovered the fumble at the Eagles 13. Philadelphia's defense again held and Vinatieri made a 28-yard field goal to give Indianapolis a 16-13 lead. Luck threw a 5-yard TD pass to Ryan Grant to tie it 7-7 after Elliott missed a 55-yard field goal wide left. SPOILED RETURNColts coach Frank Reich was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator the previous two seasons. DECORATED BACKUPWentz's return sent Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles back to the sideline. Foles replaced Wentz in Week 14 and led the Eagles to their first NFL title since 1960. NFL DEBUTUndrafted rookie Josh Adams, the fifth-leading rusher in Notre Dame history, had 30 yards rushing on six carries for the Eagles. He was promoted from the practice squad earlier in the week. BACK SCRAMBLIN'Wentz avoided a sack, ran toward the sideline and dove out of bounds for a first down on third-and-6 on the final drive of the first half. . . . Luck outran Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long for a 33-yard gain in the second quarter. INJURIESColts: RT Joe Haeg left with an ankle injury. . . . LT Anthony Castonzo (hamstring) was out again and RB Marlon Mack (hamstring, foot) also sat. Eagles: S Rodney McLeod left with a right knee injury after colliding with teammate Mills in the third quarter. . . . RBs Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) were out and WR Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) missed his third straight game. UP NEXTColts: Host the Houston Texans next Sunday. Eagles: Visit the Tennessee Titans next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFLfootball and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+390
|
+10 (-110)
|
Over 39 (-110)
|
|
|
-510
|
-10 (-110)
|
Under 39 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Jacksonville Jaguars gained a measure of revenge in Week 2 by toppling the team that beat them in the AFC Championship Game in January. Bidding for their first 3-0 start since 2004, the Jaguars are out to avenge last year's season sweep at the hands of the Tennessee Titans (1-1) on Sunday when the AFC South rivals meet at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. "Losing to a team twice, at their house and here, that wasn't cool," linebacker Myles Jack said of the Titans. "We're not too happy about that. That's obviously being talked about this week. The New England game (a 31-20 win by Jacksonville) was one thing, but this is a team that literally beat us twice in one year. We've got to fix that. " Blake Bortles has flashed the tools that could aid the Jaguars in accomplishing that goal, as he threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-20 win over the Patriots on Sunday. An impressive performance to be certain, but Bortles isn't getting ahead of himself despite throwing for 1,280 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception in his last four regular-season games at home. "It's definitely a totally new year. We are a new team and this is a new season," Bortles said. "We won the division last year and got beat twice by (the Titans). It is the first divisional game and it's the divisional home opener, so it will definitely be an exciting one. "Our goal and what we always talk about is winning the AFC South. This is obviously the first opportunity to start that, by beating Tennessee. We have our work cut out for us. It's a good defense. Offensively, we are going to have to be on point and have a good plan and execute it. We have a couple more days left of getting good preparation and getting ready to go on Sunday. " Second-year wide receiver Keelan Cole recorded a highlight-reel catch among his seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown versus New England. Cole also delivered the final key block that enabled fellow wide receiver Dede Westbrook to a complete a 61-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Cole and Westbrook were effective on the crossing routes over the middle to accumulate a combined 199 yards against the Patriots. The Jaguars hope to have Leonard Fournette in the backfield after the second-year running back sat out last week's win with a hamstring injury. The Titans have some questions themselves as quarterback Marcus Mariota remains at the mercy of a nerve injury that is causing weakness and numbness in his throwing hand. "The way they explained it to me, is when you strum a guitar string. When that string settles down, that's kind of similar to the way my nerve is. My nerve has kind of been strummed and it's going to take a while to settle it down," Mariota told reporters. Mariota sustained the injury in the season-opening loss to Miami. He was held out of last week's 20-17 win against the Houston Texans, giving way to backup Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert, who was selected 10th overall in the 2011 draft by Jacksonville, completed 13-of-20 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown versus the Texans. The Titans' passing attack is ranked 25th in the NFL with an average of 201. 5 yards per game. Tennessee would be wise to lean on rugged running back Derrick Henry, who recorded 117 scrimmage yards -- including a 66-yard touchdown reception -- in the last meeting with the Jaguars. Wide receiver Corey Davis has a team-leading 11 receptions this season heading into an encounter with outspoken cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Davis only had one reception for four yards on five targets against Jacksonville during an injury-plagued rookie last season. "He's a great corner," Davis said of the Pro Bowl selection Ramsey. "He's consistent. To me, he's one of the best easily. He's long, he's fast. He can do it all. He plays the slot. He's versatile. " Dane Cruikshank receive AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors on Wednesday after reeling in a 66-yard touchdown pass from safety Kevin Byard. Byard had a pair of interceptions in the last meeting with the Jaguars.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Marcus Mariota came off the bench and directed three scoring drives, including one in the fourth quarter, and Tennessee beat Jacksonville 9-6 Sunday for their third straight victory in the series. Mariota replaced Blaine Gabbert in the first quarter after Gabbert was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Mariota sat out last week's victory against Houston because of an elbow injury sustained in the season opener. Mariota had been experiencing arm weakness along with numbness and tingling in two fingers. The injury affects the velocity and spin he gets on the football. Mariota wore a glove on his injured right hand and was able to do just enough to beat the Jaguars (2-1) for the third straight time and fifth time in the past six meetings. Mariota completed 12 of 18 passes for 100 yards and ran for 51 more, including a 15-yard gain on a third-and-1 play late. The Titans (2-1) milked the clock from there and ended up celebrating an early lead in the AFC South. Blake Bortles had one final chance to rally Jacksonville, but did little to get into field-goal range with 19 seconds remaining. The Titans talked openly about feeling as if they should have been division champs after sweeping Jacksonville last year. The Jags won the division and ended up advancing to the AFC title game. Jacksonville welcomed a chance to make a statement about the division, but flopped on the field. Bortles was mediocre at best, and the Jaguars mounted little on the ground. Bortles completed 21 of 34 passes for 155 yards. Josh Lambo's 38-yard field goal tied the game with 10:48 remaining. It was Lambo's 16th consecutive made field goal, the third-best streak in franchise history. But Jacksonville's vaunted defense couldn't hold down the stretch, allowing a 65-yard drive with the game on the line. NO FOURNETTEJaguars running back Leonard Fournette missed his second straight game because of a strained right hamstring. Jacksonville ran for 87 yards without him. It didn't help that the team was down two offensive line starters - left tackle Cam Robinson and right guard A. J. Cann. KEY INJURIESTitans punt returner Adoree Jackson joined Gabbert in the locker room in the second quarter and was later ruled out with a concussion. . . . Titans LB Jayon Brown got hurt late in the game but jogged off the field. Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell left the game in the fourth quarter with a right ankle injury. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus left briefly in the second half with a shoulder injury. UP NEXTTitans return home to take on defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Jaguars complete a three-game homestand against the New York Jets. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 This year's battle of Los Angeles is set for Sunday afternoon when the Chargers take on the Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Rams enter the matchup with a 2-0 record after whipping the Arizona Cardinals last week. Chargers second-year coach Anthony Lynn expects the Rams to be a handful. In particular, he's concerned about facing their defense, led up front by Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers. The Rams' defense has shut out opposing offenses in sixth consecutive quarters. "Well, I think their defensive line -- they're very good, maybe one of the better defensive lines in the National Football League with Donald, Suh, 'Brock,' " Lynn said. "Then, in the secondary, you've got two of the top corners in the league in man coverage and in the back end at safeties -- those guys are quality players as well. I think they're stacked in every position on every level. " Asked about a budding rivalry between two LA teams, Lynn shrugged. "Yeah, it's the next on the schedule. It's a big game because it's the next game," Lynn said. "I love playing in the Coliseum as well -- that place, I have a lot of fond memories of that place and it's a great place to play a football game. Should be a lot of fun. " Chargers veteran quarterback Philip Rivers will be charged with finding a way to move the ball against the Rams. Rivers has connected on 73. 1 percent of his passes (57 of 78) for 680 yards and six touchdowns with one interception in the first two games of the season. He ranks third in the NFL in touchdowns, fourth in total yards, completion percentage and passer rating (119. 6) and sixth in completions. In three previous regular-season meetings with the Rams, Rivers has passed for 746 yards and three touchdowns. He was 29 of 35 for 291 yards and a touchdown the last time the teams played. Rams cornerback Marcus Peters enjoys playing against Rivers. He has four career interceptions against the seven-time Pro Bowler. "I love Philip Rivers," Peters said, explaining that he enjoys the competitive spirit that Rivers brings to every game. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has contributed 92 yards rushing on 24 carries and one touchdown along with a team-best 15 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow back Austin Ekeler leads the Chargers in rushing wtih 116 yards on 16 carries. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has added a team-high 175 receiving yards on 14 catches. "When you look at the Chargers in all three phases, they present a challenge," Rams coach Sean McVey said. The Chargers' defense, without injured defensive end Joey Bosa (foot) but still with a formidable pass rush led by Melvin Ingram and rookie safety Derwin James, will have its hands full with a Rams offense directed by second-year quarterback Jared Goff. Goff is completing 64. 6 percent of his passes (42 of 65) for 587 yards, three touchdowns and one interception with a passer rating of 102. 5. "To see how Jared has taken off this year and to see him make the transition from me playing against him in college . . . to see how hungry he is to go out there and prove he is one of the top quarterbacks in this league, it helps us," Peters said. Brandin Cooks leads Rams receivers with 12 catches for 246 yards, followed by Cooper Kupp with 11 for 115 yards and a touchdown, and Robert Woods with nine for 118 yards. "He's been awesome for me as a guy to grow with and a guy who want to hit those deep passes down the field with, like you saw last week," Goff said of Cooks. The bell cow for the Rams, though, is running back Todd Gurley, who has carried the ball a league-high 39 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns in two games. He also has six receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers (1-1) realize they'll have to devote significant defensive energy to slowing down Gurley. "Like I told my team, we're about to play some really good football and it's going to be a heck of a challenge for them, but that's why you play the game," Lynn said. "That is why you play it because you like these challenges and it's fun and exciting. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The Arizona Cardinals have scored just six points while losing their first two games of the season and face a defense on Sunday that could prove more of a challenge. The Chicago Bears (1-1), led by outside linebacker Khalil Mack, head to the desert to face the Cardinals (0-2). Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford and the offense will be tasked with figuring out a way to muster some yards. They plan to simplify things in an attempt to move the ball more effectively. "Just really feel like we own the plays that are in the game plan that week as opposed to having so many calls on the sheet that maybe we know them," Bradford said, "but we're not owning them the way that we should. "The thought is just to allow everyone to go out there and play faster, simplify everything a little bit, and hopefully, it shows up in the speed in which we play. " For whatever reason, most of Bradford's completions have resulted in fewer than 10 yards in the opening two weeks. His lack of patience in the the pocket is reflected in three wide receivers -- Chad Williams, J. J. Nelson and Trent Sherfield -- having no catches so far. "I've been saying it from day one, we've got to create more separation down the field," Cardinals coach Steve Wilks said. "Sam does a great job of throwing guys open as I've mentioned before, but we've got to create separation, coming back for the ball, and we've got to create separation down the field. "We need to take some shots, loosen the defense up a little bit, those kind of things. We're working on that. I think those guys have done a great job at the line of scrimmage trying to fight and get off the press (coverage). "Again, it's not just one thing. We're all in this together and we've got to find ways to make sure we get this offense going in the right direction. " In the opening two games, the Cardinals have been outscored 58-6. Bradford was sacked just three times in those two games, but the Arizona offensive line now faces a Bears defense that accumulated 10 sacks and five forced fumbles in two games. Mack obviously will be a person of concern for the Cardinals' offensive line. "We've just got to get on him," Cardinals right tackle John Wetzel said. "You've got to have some good sets for him because he can turn and go power inside moves on you and he can rush you from the outside, so you've got to get your hands on him, be inside-out, and just react. " A loss would leave the Cardinals at 0-3 for the first time since the 2005 season. But as the offense struggles, Wilks isn't ready to replace Bradford with rookie first-round draft pick Josh Rosen. "Sam, right now, is the quarterback," Wilks said, diplomatically. "As I've said before, I don't think it's just the quarterback position. I think we have some issues across the board in all three phases and we're working on those issues. " The Bears' defense could become even tougher once rookie linebacker Roquan Smith gets acclimated after missing 29 days of training camp in a contract holdout. He played nearly 90 percent of the snaps last week against the Seattle Seahawks. "He had a couple missed tackles we didn't like," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "And it goes back to another thing. He missed basically all of training camp. . . . But I really liked the way he played. He had some really nice plays. Good tackler. Obviously he can run, and we're thrilled to have him. " The Bears would be excited to see their offense get going against the Cardinals. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has connected on 69. 6 percent of his throws but is averaging only 5. 4 yards per completion. Wide receiver Allen Robinson has emerged as one of Trubisky's favorite targets. In the win over the Seahawks, Robinson finished with 10 receptions for 83 yards. "We had a couple of route-depth things we'll clean up," Bears offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "They were simple things that he watches on film and goes, 'Oh, yeah. ' Knucklehead-type stuff. "I think he's confident now. You never know with that kind of an injury how a guy is mentally approaching things, and that's a huge, huge hurdle to get over, (to say), 'Hey, I'm good. ' And that's big. " Helfrich expects the Cardinals to try to confuse Trubisky with different defensive looks. "They bring it," Helfrich said. "It's impressive how well they cover out of it. You know they're bringing it and the fans know they're bringing it, and they get it done. So, again, it's an all-hands-on-deck type of deal. You have to protect. You have to play in rhythm. You have to throw in time. The routes have to be crisp and urgent. And play cleanly. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 Still licking their wounds from two disheartening road losses to open the 2018 season, the Seattle Seahawks believe some much-needed home cooking can steer the team in the right direction against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. Following a 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, Seattle dropped to 0-2 for the first time since 2015. While many have disregarded the Seahawks' playoff chances, coach Pete Carroll said he thinks returning to CenturyLink Field can be a turning point after what has been a dreadful start. "This is really special to come home. It feels like we haven't been home for a long time and to be playing in front of the 12s and all that is a big deal to us," Carroll told reporters Wednesday. "It's obvious we need to get kick-started and this is the best place in the world to do that, so we're going to try to make the most of this opportunity. " Historically, the Seahawks have been dominant at home, but the team managed to lose four out of their final five games at CenturyLink last season, including a 42-7 obliteration at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15 as part of a late-season swoon. They'll be looking to restore their winning ways in front of a raucous hometown crowd against a talented Cowboys squad that grinded out a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants last week. Still, the home team hasn't fared well in this series of late. Dallas won in Seattle in 2014, then the Seahawks posted back-to-back victories at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in 2015 and 2017. When Dallas rolls into Seattle, the Cowboys will have one of the architects of the Seahawks' Legion of Boom defense on their sideline. Dallas's new defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Kris Richard drew the media's attention for his intense approach during OTAs and training camp. Richard was the Seahawks' defensive coordinator for the last three seasons (2015-17) and coached the defensive secondary for five seasons before that. The Cowboys' defense has started this season with a more aggressive tone, which many in the media and the stands are crediting to Richard's presence. Dallas sacked Eli Manning six times and shut down the Giants for long enough for the Cowboys to control the first three and a half quarters on the way to victory. Dallas also sacked Carolina's Cam Newton three times in the season opener and held the Panthers to 16 points. All of that, plus the Seahawks' sputtering offense so far this season bodes well for the Cowboys' defense. Also, Dallas has already seen a dual-threat quarterback this season in Newton, which will help when facing Seattle's Russell Wilson. Wilson (5 feet 11, 215 pounds), doesn't have the same kind of intimidating physical presence as Newton (6-5, 245), but is still plenty accomplished using his arm and feet to make plays. "(Wilson) certainly challenges you a lot of different ways," Garrett said. "He is a dual threat. He can beat you with his feet. He can beat you on designed runs, when plays break down, when he gets out of the pocket he extends plays. He can stand in there and throw it too. " Newton passed for 161 yards and ran for 58 in the Panthers' 16-8 victory over the Cowboys in the season opener. Dallas faces a challenge in Seattle tight end Will Dissly. After setting an NFL-record for rookie tight ends with 105 receiving yards in his debut against Denver, the fourth-round pick out of Washington followed up with another steady performance in Chicago, catching three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown while also contributing a few key blocks against Khalil Mack late in the game. The Cowboys had some trouble covering Giants tight end Evan Engram last week, surrendering six catches for 73 yards and a score. Dissly isn't the same athlete as Engram, but at 270 pounds, he's a load to bring down in the open field and he's fleet-footed for his size. Of course, Dallas has been inconsistent on offense through two games as well. The Cowboys found their rhythm at times against the Giants with Dak Prescott making key plays. They'll try to keep it up against a remodeled Seattle defense. In the fair-trade category, Ken Norton Jr. , a member of two Cowboys Super Bowl champions, is the Seahawks' new defensive coordinator. "I see a really good defense," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "They've got a lot of new faces, but they still play the same way they've played for a long time. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:20 PM EST |
|
9/23/2018 8:20 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-320
|
-6.5 (-114)
|
Over 55 (-110)
|
|
|
+260
|
+6.5 (-106)
|
Under 55 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Sep 20, 2018 The New England Patriots will have a new face on the sideline Sunday night when they encounter a familiar one in Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Patriots (1-1) have seen a revolving door at wide receiver over the last few months, with numerous players coming and going as the team looks to open up the offense for Tom Brady. Josh Gordon is the latest wideout to join coach Bill Belichick's crew, with the former Pro Bowl wideout boasting incredible upside to go along with a checkered past that has led to suspensions from the NFL. The Patriots acquired the 27-year-old Gordon and a 2019 conditional seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns on Monday in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round selection. Brady can benefit from the presence of the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Gordon after being limited to 234 yards and two touchdowns in New England's 31-20 setback to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The three-time NFL Most Valuable Player will look to feast on a Detroit secondary that could be without Darius Slay, who has yet to practice this week and could miss Sunday's game with a concussion. The Lions (0-2) added depth to the secondary by re-signing fellow cornerback DeShawn Shead, who was one of the last cuts coming out of training camp. Brady and company will see a familiar face on the opposite sideline in Patricia, who spent 14 seasons with the Patriots and routinely had his charges challenge the decorated quarterback in practice when he served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2012-17. When asked on Wednesday about his "secret" to containing Brady in practice, Patricia showed his quick wit. "Probably the fact that it was practice," the 44-year-old Patricia said in a conference call. Jokes aside, Patricia knows that execution will be key as he faces his mentor (Belichick) and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the first time as a head coach. "I think in the end, it really comes back to just having a good game plan and good execution, hopefully coaching well enough to give the players the opportunity to come out and do it the right way," Patricia said. "I don't think it's anything really more than that. It's really about the players and the game itself more so than I would say it is about anything else. " Patricia hasn't been laughing much since being hired by the Lions on Feb. 5, one day after the Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. He has seen his Lions yield 78 points and an NFL-worst 359 rushing yards. It's not all gloom and doom in Detroit, however. Patricia's stamp on the defense has been evident, notably with the club recording eight sacks already this season. Devon Kennard and Jarrad Davis each registered two sacks and fellow linebackers Christian Jones and Eli Harold had one in last Sunday's 30-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "When we need to, we've got to make the quarterback uncomfortable, we've got to try to be disruptive," defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni said. "And (our linebackers) work, fundamentally and technique-wise, they're working as hard at that as they are stopping runs. So, they understand it and they're excited about it and they're a hell of a group to work with. " Belichick is very much aware of what the Lions' aggressive defense brings to the table. "They have very good coverage players, they have good pass rushers and they have multiple variations in their scheme that make it hard for quarterbacks to find open receivers," Belichick said. "They do a good job disguising and mixing up their coverages and the looks and the leverage that they play on different patterns and receivers. So, all those lead to problems in the passing game. " Running back James White could serve as a quick outlet for Brady, a decision that would keep the Lions' aggressive defense at bay. White led the Patriots with seven catches for 73 yards in Week 2. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford rebounded from a four-interception performance in a 48-17 season-opening setback versus the New York Jets to throw for 347 yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers. Kenny Golladay has taken a big step up in his second season with 13 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown while fellow wideout Golden Tate has 14 catches for 188 yards and a score.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCAAF |
|
|
9/23/2018 |
|
FOUND
1
GAME |
|
|
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 12:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
OFF
|
+41 (-125)
|
OFF
|
|
|
OFF
|
-41 (-106)
|
OFF
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
GAME RECAP
Sep 23, 2018 HONOLULU Cole McDonald threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers and Hawaii limited Duquesne to just 166 total yards as the Rainbow Warriors beat the Dukes 42-21 on Saturday night. McDonald was 24-of-40 passing for 273 yards with one interception. Junior Dayton Furuta, who came in with 75 career rushing yards, had 12 carries for 114 yards for Hawaii (4-1). Duquesne's Daniel Parr threw touchdown passes 56 seconds apart to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter, but McDonald capped drives of eight, nine and 11 plays with scoring strikes to give the Rainbow Warriors a seven-point lead going into the break. Hawaii's Zach Wilson intercepted a pass on the first possession of the second half to set up a 2-yard TD run by Fred Holly III and McDonald's 1-yard touchdown pass to Dakota Torres with 7:48 to play made it 35-14. The Dukes (3-2) had their three-game win streak snapped. John Ursua finished with five catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, Cedric Byrd added seven receptions for 55 yards and a score and JoJo Ward had 89 yards receiving and one TD on six catches for Hawaii.
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MLB |
|
|
9/23/2018 |
|
FOUND
15
GAMES |
|
|
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+268
|
+1.5 (+121)
|
Over 8.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-305
|
-1.5 (-140)
|
Under 8.5 (-115)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Yankees ride Happ in series finale with Orioles 1h ago 3 min read NEW YORK -- For the New York Yankees, the question is do they start J. A. Happ in the wild-card game or hold off on using him until a possible division series matchup with the Boston Red Sox.Based on the fact Happ is lined up to pitch Sunday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles and it is 10 days from the wild-card game, it appears the reliable left-hander might be the one designated to start the one-game playoff.It actually took until after Friday's 10-8 victory for the Yankees to announce Happ as the starter, but they said the date of the wild-card game is not related to how their rotation lines up."We just feel like we want Happ going tomorrow," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who considered going with a bullpen day. We feel like it's important for him to go. Hopefully, that gives us the best chance to get a victory." Happ is 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts since becoming a Yankee in a trade from Toronto on July 26. He has gone at least six innings in seven starts with the Yankees, including Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Red Sox.Happ is 3-0 with a 0.50 ERA in his last three starts and that includes a 5-1 victory over Oakland on Sept. 4. He also said he is not cognizant of the timing of his next start lining him up to possibly start the one-game elimination game."You might not believe me, but it's not my focus,'' Happ said. "I'm trying to finish the season strong, give us a good position (for the playoffs). I think we're good with whatever option, we're comfortable with whoever it is." Happ is 7-6 with a 3.03 ERA in 19 games against the Orioles.Happ will be pitching after the Yankees (95-59) celebrated clinching a wild-card spot Saturday thanks to a game-winning double by Aaron Hicks in the 11th inning of a 3-2 victory.The Yankees are 1 1/2 games ahead of Oakland for the right to host the wild-card game. New York is 53-27 at Yankee Stadium."We know what's in front of us," New York's Neil Walker said. "This is a big accomplishment for this team, but don't get it wrong, we know what we got to do to get to where we want to go. We feel like we're capable of doing that." The Orioles will try to avoid making dubious history for at least one day. After leaving the bases loaded in the 10th, stranding 12 and going 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position Saturday, the Orioles (44-110) are one shy of the franchise record for losses, set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns."It's a good experience for us," Baltimore rookie left fielder DJ Stewart said. "They're trying to get into the playoffs and just to face a lineup like that and see how they're fighting every single out, so are we. We're not in the playoff hunt, but it gives you a little experience of what the atmosphere is like." Baltimore will start Alex Cobb (5-15, 4.90 ERA), who has not pitched since Sept. 11 because of a blister. Cobb is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his last eight starts and opponents are hitting .232 against him since the All-Star break.Cobb's run of positive results began Aug. 1, when he allowed one run and seven hits in six innings of a 7-5 victory over the Yankees in New York.He exited his last start against Oakland with a blister after two scoreless innings but is hoping to finish his first season in Baltimore on a pleasant note after feeling better during a bullpen session on Friday."It's feeling a lot better," Cobb said. "Definitely feel like I'd be able to pitch again this year with it." Cobb is 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 16 starts against the Yankees.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Bad day in the Bronx: Didi hurt, Yankees lose to lowly O's8m ago 3 min read NEW YORK The Yankees' Didi Gregorius tore cartilage in his right wrist while scoring the run that clinched a wild card berth for New York, manager Aaron Boone said after his team wasted a three-run lead in a 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.Boone said Gregorius was hurt when he slid into home plate head-first to score from first on Aaron Hicks' 11th-inning double Saturday. The shortstop sat out Sunday. Boone said he was unsure if Gregorius, who has 27 homers and 86 RBIs, would be able to return in time for the postseason.Tim Beckham homered twice for the lowly Orioles, who trailed 3-0.J. A. Happ needed 107 pitches to get through five innings in a possible tuneup for the AL wild-card game. Happ allowed only one run, but A. J. Cole (3-1) quickly coughed up a two-run lead as the Yankees rested their best relievers one day after clinching a trip to the postseason.New York began the day leading Oakland by 1 1/2 games for home-field advantage in the wild-card game, and Boone said it's important to the Yankees to get that game in the Bronx. They sure didn't play that way, though.The Athletics hosted Minnesota in a later game.Baltimore (45-110) remained one loss shy of matching the franchise record for defeats set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns, who went 43-111.Alex Cobb lasted only four pitches in an abbreviated start for the Orioles, apparently leaving with another blister problem. The right-hander exited his previous outing Sept. 11 after two innings because of a blister on his middle finger.The Yankees took advantage by scoring three times in the first, but then their bats went silent against a parade of Orioles relievers. Mike Wright Jr. replaced Cobb and walked three straight batters, but settled in to throw four innings.Ryan Meisinger (2-0) pitched two perfect innings, Tanner Scott and Cody Carroll each tossed a scoreless inning, and Mychal Givens worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save.Renato Nunez also homered for Baltimore, and DJ Stewart drove in two runs off the bench. Joey Rickard had three hits.Miguel Andujar and slumping Gary Sanchez each had an RBI single for the Yankees in the first. Gleyber Torres delivered a sacrifice fly.Cole entered with a 3-1 lead in the sixth, but immediately gave up a double to Trey Mancini and a two-run homer by Beckham. Nunez followed with his seventh home run, chasing Cole.Stewart added a sacrifice fly as a pinch-hitter later in the inning, then doubled home a run in the eighth.Beckham's third career multihomer game included a solo shot off Happ in the second.TRAINER'S ROOMOrioles: 2B Breyvic Valera exited in the fifth with a broken left index finger after getting tagged out on a headfirst dive into home plate. He was replaced by Steve Wilkerson. Valera was acquired from the Dodgers in July as part of the trade for Manny Machado. ... RHP Andrew Cashner has been bothered by pain in his left knee and manager Buck Showalter said it will be ''kind of his call'' whether he pitches again this season. ... Showalter said RHP Evan Phillips probably won't pitch again this season as the Orioles limit his innings.Yankees: CF Aaron Hicks walked in the seventh as a pinch-hitter and stayed in the game. Hicks fouled a ball off his ankle Saturday just before hitting a game-ending double. ''He'll be all right,'' Boone said. ... RF Aaron Judge also entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and remained in the game.UP NEXTOrioles: Before this miserable season finally comes to an end, the Orioles still have seven games left against Boston and Houston - the top two teams in the majors. Both have already clinched playoff spots. RHP Dylan Bundy (8-15, 5.37 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday night at Fenway Park against RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-7, 3.98).Yankees: Keeping its options open with an eye on planning for the wild-card game, New York had not announced a starting pitcher for the opener of a four-game series Monday night at Tampa Bay. RHP Luis Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA) is on turn.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:07 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-185
|
-1.5 (-129)
|
Over 7.5 (-120)
|
|
|
+166
|
+1.5 (+109)
|
Under 7.5 (+100)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Rays' Snell continues Cy Young bid versus Blue Jays 3h ago 3 min read TORONTO -- Blake Snell tied a Tampa Bay Rays record when he reached 20 wins Tuesday against the Texas Rangers.The left-hander will try for No. 21 on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Rays will be going for a split in the series after losing 5-2 on Saturday. They lead the season set 10-5.Snell allowed one hit in five innings against the Rangers in tying David Price's club record for wins and becoming the first 20-game winner in the majors since 2016. Price won No. 20 in his final start of the season in 2012 and took the American League Cy Young Award. Obviously, Snell is one of the top contenders for the award this season.Snell (20-5, 1.97 ERA) will face Blue Jays left-hander Ryan Borucki (4-4, 3.86).Snell helped the Rays (86-68) enter contention for a wild-card spot in the American League. Two losses in three games to the Blue Jays, however, has been a big setback for the Rays, who are on the verge of elimination."We've had to play very well for the last couple of months and the wild card wasn't in the discussion outside the clubhouse until recently," Rays infielder Joey Wendle said after the game Saturday. "We played our tails off to get into contention and we'll continue to do that and see what happens." Snell has won eight consecutive decisions, tied for the second longest streak in franchise history behind Matt Moore's nine from Sept. 29, 2012 to May 19, 2013. He has won a club-record eight straight starts (without a no-decision in between), the only pitcher to do that in the majors this season.The 25-year-old is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six career starts against the Blue Jays and is 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA in four starts at the Rogers Centre. He has faced the Blue Jays once this season and was removed after five perfect innings on Aug. 10 at Toronto, his second start back from the disabled list. He threw only 47 pitches (33 strikes) in the outing."It's cool," Snell said after winning No. 20. "It means we've been playing good team baseball when I pitch. Guys have been helping me -- swinging it, playing defense, the bullpen has been coming in clutch. And I've been doing well as well. There's a lot. I haven't thought about it honestly." Snell also emerged from his start against the Rangers with five strikeouts to reach 200 for the season."Pretty special that he got his 20th win and 200th strikeout on the same day," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He deserves all the credit that he's getting right now. People are noticing for good reason. To go and get the wins he has against some really, really strong teams and what he's done recently has to put him in strong consideration (for the Cy Young Award)," Cash said.Snell has defeated the Boston Red Sox three times, the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians twice, and the Oakland A's and New York Yankees once apiece.In Borucki, the Blue Jays have a promising young pitcher of their own. He is 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA in three starts in September. The rookie allowed two runs in six innings of a 4-0 loss on Sept. 4 in his only appearance against the Rays. He will be making the 16th start of his major league career Sunday.The Blue Jays are getting good play from some September callups such as Rowdy Tellez, who had three hits, including a two-run homer and three RBIs on Saturday.And left-hander Thomas Pannone improved his record to 4-1 with a 3.58 ERA after holding the Rays to two runs in 6 2/3 innings Saturday in his fifth major league start. It was the third straight quality start for the 24-year-old -- all against good teams in the Indians, Yankees and Rays."It definitely gives me the confidence that I know my stuff can play here facing good lineups, good hitters, and I'm turning them over pretty well," Pannone said. "I just want to continue doing that." The Blue Jays (71-84) have won six of their past eight games.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Snell wins 21st, 9th in row, as Rays beat Blue Jays 5-27m ago 2 min read TORONTO Blake Snell won his ninth straight start to increasing his major league-leading victories total to 21, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Sunday to stave off elimination.Tampa Bay began the day 7 1/2 games behind Oakland for the AL's second wild card and would be eliminated with one more loss or win by the Athletics, who hosted Minnesota later in the day.Snell (21-5) struck out 11 in 6 2/3 shutout innings, broke the Rays season record for wins set by David Price in 2012 and lowered his ERA to 1.90, the best in the AL. He has not lost since July 12 and is 9-0 with a 1.03 ERA starting with a win at Toronto on Aug. 10. He matched the Tampa Bay record for consecutive winning decisions set by Matt Moore from Sept. 29, 2012, to May 19, 2013.C. J. Cron and Brandon Lowe homered for the Rays, who are 16-5 in September and a major league-best 25-7 since Aug. 19.Tommy Pham reached base three times and scored twice as the Rays improved to 11-5 against Toronto thus year. He walked in the first, singled and scored on Joey Wendle's two-out double in the fourth, then walked and scored on Cron's two-out double in the sixth.Cron connected off Joe Biagini in the eighth, his 28th. Jose Fernandez walked Wendle, and Lowe followed with a two-run drive.Snell allowed three hits and walked two. Four relievers followed, including Sergio Romo, who pitched around a pair of singles in the ninth for his 23rd save in 31 chances.Blue Jays rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki (4-5) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings.TRAINER'S ROOMRays: CF Kevin Kiermaier stayed in the game after crashing hard into the scoreboard making a leaping catch on Randal Grichuk to end the fourth, but was replaced by Austin Meadows in the eighth. Kiermaier did not play Saturday because manager Kevin Cash said the two-time Gold Glove winner was banged up. Kiermaier also made a great catch on Jonathan Davis' sinking line drive for the final out of the third, stranding a runner at first.UP NEXTRays: Tampa Bay has not announced a starter for Monday's home series opener against the New York Yankees.Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (7-13, 5.57) starts the opener of the three game series against visiting Houston. Estrada is 0-4 with a 9.43 ERA in his past five starts. LHP Dallas Keuchel (11-11, 3.71) starts for the Astros.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-121
|
-1.5 (+131)
|
Over 7.5 (-119)
|
|
|
+110
|
+1.5 (-151)
|
Under 7.5 (-101)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Tickets available as Marlins host Reds 4h ago 2 min read MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins, dead last in the major leagues in attendance, conclude their 2018 home schedule Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.The Marlins, who are averaging just over 9,000 fans per game, trail the next-worst team, the Tampa Bay Rays, by more than 200,000 in total attendance.Miami's 2018 attendance is the worst by a major league team since the Expos' final season in Montreal in 2004.Sunday's home finale likely won't draw big numbers either as the Marlins (61-93) have the worst win-loss record in the National League, and the Reds (66-90) are also a last-place team.In addition, the Marlins will have to compete with the NFL as the Miami Dolphins -- off to a promising start at 2-0 -- will host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The Marlins and the Dolphins are set to start at 1 p.m. ET.Meanwhile, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has indicated that manager Don Mattingly will be allowed to return in 2019 to fulfill the final season of his four-year contract."Is he going to be back in 2019?" Jeter said when asked. "He's under contract, so yeah." Jeter, who was used to winning or at least competing for World Series titles during his days as a New York Yankees shortstop, is having to preach patience with this Marlins team."Where we are starting from, the only way to go is up," Jeter said. "This is a transitional year for us to learn as much as possible about the organization." In Sunday's game, Miami will start rookie right-hander Trevor Richards (3-9, 4.95 ERA). Cincinnati gives the ball to right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-1, 3.03).Richards, who has struck 113 batters in 112 2/3 innings, is known for his changeup, which often gets swings and misses down in the zone.However, he has not won a game since he beat the Philadelphia Phillies on July 14.In three starts this month, he is 0-2 with an 11.12 ERA.Meanwhile, Lorenzen broke into the majors in 2015, pitching in 27 games (21 starts) and posting a 4-9 record with a 5.40 ERA.But Lorenzen was strictly a reliever in 2016, when he posted a 2-1 record and a 2.88 ERA, and again last year (8-4, 4.45 ERA).This year, Lorenzen was again a reliever for his first 42 appearances, but in his only start, he allowed one hit, one walk and one run (unearned) in four innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.It was his first start after having made 151 consecutive relief appearances."I've been saying, 'Give me a chance! Give me a chance!'" Lorenzen said after his Reds beat the Brewers 3-1. "They gave me a chance against a good lineup, and I was excited. It was like, 'Man, I better step up'." Lorenzen, 26, did just that, striking out three batters, inducing weak contact and getting Brewers batters to expand the zone.Lorenzen, a native of Anaheim, Calif., was the 38th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, selected by the Reds out of Cal State Fullerton.At 6 feet 3, 215 pounds, Lorenzen can muscle up his fastball, which averages an impressive 95 mph.He has a 2.63 ERA this month overall and a 2.62 ERA on the road for the season -- two trends that could bode well for him Sunday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Jeter's Marlins finish as poorest home draw since 2004 Expos8m ago 1 min read MIAMI The Marlins became the first major league team to draw fewer than 1 million fans at home since the 2004 Montreal Expos, beating the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 Sunday before 13,595 to complete the Miami portion of their schedule in Derek Jeter's first season as chief executive officer.After trading star slugger Giancarlo Stanton to Jeter's former team, the New York Yankees, during an offseason payroll purge, the Marlins went 38-43 at home and drew 811,104 for an average of 10,014. They are last in the NL East at 62-93 overall, their eighth consecutive losing season. The Marlins have not reached the playoffs since beating the Yankees in the 2003 World Series.Miami's attendance is the lowest for a big league team since the Expos drew 749,550 in 2004, their last season before moving to Washington and becoming the Nationals.The only other team under 1.4 million at home this year is cross-state rival Tampa Bay, which has drawn 1,091,863 with a week of home games remaining.Rookie Chad Wallach hit his first big league home run, a three-run drive in a four-run third off Michael Lorenzen (3-2), who allowed nine hits in four innings. Wallach and Brian Anderson each had three hits.Trevor Richards (4-9) gave up three hits in seven innings, struck out nine and walked one. Tyler Kinley and Drew Rucinski finished a four-hitter.Cincinnati finished the road portion of its schedule at 30-51, its fourth straight season of 50 or more losses away from home. The Reds are 36-40 at home.UP NEXTReds: RHP Matt Harvey (7-9, 4.92 ERA) is to start Tuesday's opener of a two-game home series against Kansas City.Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.35) is slated for Monday's first game of a three-game series at Washington.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+110
|
+1.5 (-200)
|
Over 8 (-110)
|
|
|
-120
|
-1.5 (+170)
|
Under 8 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Winless Norris faces Royals in Tigers' home finale 3h ago 2 min read Daniel Norris was as effective as he has been all year in his last start. The next step for the Detroit Tigers left-hander is to get a win before the season ends.Norris will have two more shots at that, including the finale of a four-game series against Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. The game will also serve as Detroit's home finale.Norris (0-5, 5.71 ERA) held Minnesota scoreless for five innings Tuesday before coming out in the sixth after allowing two runs. He spent much of the season on the disabled list after undergoing groin surgery."I felt I located my fastball. I changed speeds, and I was spinning my curveball pretty well," Norris told the Detroit News afterward. "I got a little tired there in the sixth, leaving the ball up. But I didn't want to come out." The Tigers hope that Norris can get a little boost of confidence heading into the offseason and claim a rotation spot next spring. He was regarded as one of the majors' top pitching prospects when he was acquired in 2015 during a trade deadline swap with Toronto.Injuries have prevented Norris from fulfilling that potential and he's still trying to regain his fastball velocity. He has been throwing fastballs in the low 90s after reaching the mid-90s earlier in his career.His outing Sunday will be his fifth start since being activated."I like the way he competes. I like his stuff," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB.com. "He's missed a lot of baseball, so he's about where you normally are in the first few weeks out of spring training as a pitcher. He's been working very hard to get back, and he's got good stuff."He's got all the pitches that you need to get people out in this league. I like the way he competes. I'm excited about this kid." Norris is 1-2 with a 3.89 ERA in eight career starts against Kansas City.He'll be opposed by rookie right-hander Brad Keller (8-6, 3.17 ERA), who has won four of his last five decisions. He wound up with a no-decision Monday after surrendering four runs and 10 hits in six innings at Pittsburgh, though he also struck out seven."I obviously didn't have my best command today, especially early on," Keller told MLB.com afterward. "But the changeup started to come on late, so I tried to roll with that. I felt like I had a few more innings, and then that seventh inning -- base hit up the middle and then kind of a cheap hit right there got me out of that game. But definitely a grind one." The Tigers haven't seen him since he was moved into the rotation in late May. He made four relief appearances against them in the spring, going 0-1 while allowing one run in a combined three innings.Detroit designated hitter Victor Martinez closed out his career with an infield single in the Tigers' 5-4 win Saturday. Martinez, 39, announced Friday that Saturday's game would be his last.Tigers second baseman Niko Goodrum returned to the lineup after being sidelined since Sept. 12 with a quad contusion. He had three hits, a run scored and two RBIs.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Gallagher, Keller leads Royals to series split with Tigers9m ago 2 min read DETROIT Rookie Brad Keller pitched seven strong innings, Cam Gallagher broke a sixth-inning tie with a two-run single and the Kansas City Royals held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Sunday.The teams split the four-game series that finished Detroit's home season. The Royals won the season series 11-8.The Royals led 3-1 in the ninth. Niko Goodrum led off the inning with a bunt single off Wily Peralta. Ronny Rodriguez added a one-out base hit, and Grayson Greiner walked to load the bases.Victor Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to pull the Tigers within 3-2 before Peralta struck out Jim Adduci to earn his 13th save.Keller (9-6) allowed one run on three hits, walking three and striking out two. He improved to 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last eight starts.Daniel Norris needed 98 pitches to complete five innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks. He struck out three.The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the first on Adalberto Mondesi's 12th home run and could have added to the margin in the third. Kansas City loaded the bases with one out, but Hunter Dozier grounded into an inning-ending double play.Kansas City stranded two more batters in the fourth but had pushed Norris' pitch count to 84.Jeimer Candelario led off the fourth with a single - Detroit's first hit - and Christin Stewart moved him to third with a hit-and-run single before Nicholas Castellanos tied the game with a sacrifice fly.The Royals regained the lead with two runs in the sixth off Drew VerHagen (3-3). With two out, Alcides Escobar and Rosell Herrera singled before Herrera stole second. Gallagher blooped a ball to shallow left, and Stewart couldn't make a sliding catch.GET IN THEREHarold Castro made his major league debut, entering as a pinch-runner for Greiner in the ninth.TRAINER'S ROOMTigers: CF JaCoby Jones missed the game after aggravating a shoulder injury while attempting a diving catch on Saturday.UP NEXTRoyals: Start a two-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Eric Skoglund (1-5, 5.60 ERA) starts the opener against Matt Harvey (7-9, 4.92).Tigers: Begin a three-game series in Minnesota on Tuesday, with Spencer Turnbull (0-1, 10.80) taking the mound.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Pirates hope to keep playing spoiler vs. Brewers 3h ago 2 min read Perhaps the good news for the Milwaukee Brewers is that they have only one game left this year against the spoiler Pittsburgh Pirates.The teams play Sunday at PNC Park in the finale of a weekend series and the season set. The Pirates are 12-6 against the Brewers.Milwaukee lost ground Saturday, thanks to a 3-0 loss. The Brewers (88-67), who had a two-game winning streak halted, fell 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. The St. Louis Cardinals gained a game on the Brewers, who hold the top NL wild-card spot. Milwaukee is two games ahead of St. Louis and 3 1/2 of Colorado, which is third in the wild-card standings.Brewers manager Craig Counsell insists his club isn't obsessing about the standings."We're trying to take care of our own business, and if you take care of that, something good's probably going to happen," Counsell said.The Pirates (78-75), who need four victories to finish with a winning record, can continue to affect the division outcome with four games against the Cubs starting Monday. The Brewers' next series is against St. Louis.Milwaukee center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who has not started the last three games because of an intercostal injury, grounded out as a pinch hitter Saturday, something Counsell called "a good thing, for sure." Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle did not have an update on catcher Francisco Cervelli (gastrointestinal discomfort) or promising reliever Edgar Santana (right forearm and elbow discomfort). Both players left in the sixth inning Friday. Neither played Saturday.Brewers left-hander Wade Miley (5-2, 2.08 ERA) is scheduled to face Pirates right-hander Nick Kingham (5-6, 4.69) in the series finale.For Pittsburgh, that's a change that was not announced until during Saturday's game. Right-hander Joe Musgrove had been set to start, but the club said he is being shut down for the season because of right abdominal discomfort.Musgrove pretty obviously felt he had something to prove in what would have been two more starts in his first season with the Pirates."I'd like to go into the offseason feeling consistent and feeling in complete control of what I'm doing," Musgrove said last week. "I'm not going out there trying to work on certain things; I'm trying to compete and I'm going to try to put up 14 zeroes for my next two outings and try to finish on a really strong note." The Pirates said they believe he will be able to participate in his normal offseason training and be ready for spring training."It's frustrating, but it's life, man," Hurdle said.Kingham, a rookie, hasn't pitched since Sept. 8, when he appeared in two relief innings against Miami, giving up one run and two hits. His most recent start came Sept. 2 against Atlanta. He gave up one run and four hits in five innings, with four strikeouts and no walks in a no-decision.Miley, meanwhile, has been cruising. He has won three straight starts with a 1.69 ERA in that stretch. Monday against Cincinnati, he pitched five scoreless innings and allowed five hits in an 8-0 win.This will be his third start against Pittsburgh this season, going 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA. Overall, Miley is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA in nine career starts against the Pirates.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
IN
PROGRESS
8
|
|
9/23/2018 1:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+114
|
+1.5 (-192)
|
Over 8.5 (-113)
|
|
|
-126
|
-1.5 (+164)
|
Under 8.5 (-107)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Nationals, fresh off elimination, host Mets 5h ago 2 min read WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals will try to earn a split of their four-game series with the New York Mets on Sunday, one day after they were officially eliminated from postseason contention.Shortly after Saturday's game got underway, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants to dash the Nationals' wild-card hopes. Their bid for a third straight National League East crown ended Friday night when the Atlanta Braves won and they lost."It stings," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said of being eliminated. "But we've still got seven more games ... these guys don't quit." The Nationals in fact turned in a stellar effort Saturday. Rookie Austin Voth and four relievers combined on a one-hitter, and Matt Wieters and Trea Turner homered in their 6-0 victory over the Mets.Voth allowed one infield hit in five innings while striking out five and walking two in his second major league start."He kept us off balance," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "He had a good curveball, I thought. He was able to throw it for strikes ... and then he got it down when he needed to, and his fastball command was pretty good." The Mets lead the season series 10-8 with one game remaining.Washington, favored to win a third straight division title, slid into third place on June 22 and remained there."You want to come out and win every year and have a chance to go into the playoffs, but it happens," Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said of falling short. "That's why it's sports and that's why sports are one of the greatest things in the world, because you never know what's going to happen." Mets left-hander Steven Matz (5-11, 4.03 ERA) opposes right-hander Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.02) on Sunday.Matz took his fourth straight no-decision Sept. 18 at Philadelphia. He pitched five shutout innings, giving up two hits and five walks. In his last six starts, he has a 2.29 ERA."He weathered the storm a bit and came back and started getting in a groove again, and hopefully he can continue to finish strong," Callaway said. "I think it's important to finish on a good note and come into next year ready to go." He also homered for the second consecutive start, becoming the third Mets pitcher (Tom Seaver, 1972; Ron Darling, 1989) to do so. The solo shot came off Cy Young contender Aaron Nola, thereby helping teammate Jacob deGrom."I told (deGrom), 'That was for my friend there,'" Matz told the New York Post after raising Nola's ERA.The left-hander is making his sixth start against the Nationals this season after going 0-3 with a 5.48 in the first five outings. He took the loss the last time he faced them, Aug. 26 at Citi Field, despite pitching seven innings of one-run ball.Matz is 1-5 with a 3.63 ERA versus Washington in his career, including 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA at Nationals Park.Fedde, 25, will be making his 10th start of the season. Last time out he allowed two runs, two hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus the Marlins. He left after throwing 93 pitches and was unable to fix what was causing the walks."That's something I need to be better at," Fedde told the Washington Post. "Whether you say it's tough or not, it needs to be done." He has yet to face the Mets this season and is 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA in one career start against them.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 1:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-155
|
-1.5 (-101)
|
Over 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
+140
|
+1.5 (-119)
|
Under 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Phillies' Nola faces Braves, turns attention to Cy Young 12h ago 3 min read ATLANTA -- Aaron Nola's pitching has taken a downturn this month, mirroring the struggles of the Philadelphia Phillies.Nola, though, still has at least a chance to earn some National League Cy Young Award votes while his team plays out the string.The Atlanta Braves clinched the NL East title Saturday with a third straight victory over Philadelphia at SunTrust Park, this time 5-3, and Nola won't get a chance to keep the Phillies alive when he takes the mound in Sunday's series finale.The Braves (87-68) took advantage of the 6-14 swoon in September by the Phillies (78-76) to clinch with more than a week left in the regular season after losing at least 90 games each of the past three seasons during the rebuild."It's been a grind, but this makes it all worth it," Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said of the team's first division title since 2013. "We put it all together this season and it is fantastic."We all knew we had this in us. We just needed to see the young guys come through and they did. I came up and we were winning. To go through the last four years, you cherish these moments. It's been a long time for us to get back." The Braves prevailed thanks to a 46-23 record against other teams in the NL East, including 10-5 against the Phillies with four games still to play.Philadelphia rearranged its rotation so that Nola (16-5, 2.44 ERA) would start the finale of the series in Atlanta and the first game in Philadelphia next weekend. Now the 25-year-old right-hander just has Cy Young votes to pitch for and it may be too late there as well.Nola entered September with a 2.10 ERA and near-equal billing with Washington's Max Scherzer and the New York Mets' Jacob deGrom.After going 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five August starts, however, Nola is 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four September outings and the eight homers he has allowed match the total from his first 27 starts.Manager Gabe Kapler is still in Nola's corner, though."I would just blindly vote for Nola," he said before the Braves series. "I care so much about Nola and his candidacy that I won't even go into expressing how I would evaluate. I think he's been the best pitcher in the National League." Nola, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft out of LSU, has 210 strikeouts in 199 1/3 innings and could join some famous Phillies pitchers this season.In the past 50 years, only Steve Carlton (twice), Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee have had at least 200 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.40 or better in a season among club annals.Nola has had plenty of success against Atlanta. He is 6-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves, including 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his three starts this season.Veteran right-hander Anibal Sanchez (6-6, 3.01 ERA) will pitch the series finale for the Braves and try to snap an eight-start winless streak. He has three losses and five no-decisions despite a 3.24 ERA during the stretch.Sanchez hasn't faced Philadelphia this year but is 4-9 with a 4.91 ERA in career starts against the Phillies.Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana has the most career at-bats against Sanchez from their time together in the American League, hitting .250 in 32 at-bats with three extra-base hits and six walks.Freeman has a .318 average and a homer in 22 at-bats against Nola, and right fielder Nick Markakis had two homers in 25 at-bats and a .250 average in 25 at-bats.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Reserves lead Braves to 5th straight win, eliminate Phillies5m ago 2 min read ATLANTA Lane Adams homered and drove in two runs, Anibal Sanchez won for the first time in nine starts and the Atlanta Braves used a lineup of reserves to win their fifth straight game, 2-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.The loss dropped Philadelphia from postseason contention. Atlanta, the first NL team to qualify for the playoffs, eliminated the Phillies from the NL East race on Saturday. The Braves have the second-best record in the NL at 88-68 and could earn home-field advantage in the NL Division Series during the final week of the season.The Braves mostly rested their regulars against ace Aaron Nola (16-6). Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis each had one at-bat before walking off the field to standing ovations before the start of the second. Ozzie Albies grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the fifth and Ronald Acuna Jr. flew out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.Adams, filling in for center fielder Ender Inciarte, had an RBI double in the second and hit his second homer in the fifth.Sanchez (7-6) further secured his role as Atlanta's No. 3 starter for the division series behind Mike Foltynewicz and Kevin Gausman, allowing four hits, one run and one walk in five innings. Sanchez won for the first time since Aug. 3 and has a 3.09 ERA over that span.Scott Kingery's eighth homer for Philadelphia tied it at 1-all in the third. The Phillies were swept in a four-game series in Atlanta for the first time since 1997.Nola gave up four hits, two runs and one walk with six strikeouts in six innings. He has surrendered nine homers in five starts this month and is 1-3 with a 4.55 ERA over that span.Reliever Max Fried allowed three baseunners in the sixth and seventh for Atlanta. Sam Freeman faced the minimum in the eighth.Shane Carle pitched a shaky ninth to earn his first career save in two chances. He walked two batters and hit Kingery with a pitch before Wilson Ramos grounded out to end it.SOLID YEARNola has fallen off in September, but he's still having a career-best season. He avoided injuries to surpass 200 innings for the first time and ranks second in the NL with a 2.45 ERA.BENCH QUESTIONSAtlanta has been waiting for Adam Duvall, who went 1-for-3 Sunday, to seize the role as the team's primary source of right-handed power off the bench. But he's been a bust, hitting .104 with no RBIs in 31 games, a span 48 at-bats, since coming over in a trade with Cincinnati.DROUGHT ENDSSanchez got his first hit since April 9, 2014, a span of 54 at-bats, with a single in the third. He crossed first base with his arms in the air as the Braves' dugout celebrated.ATTENDANCEThe Braves, playing their last regular-season home game, announced 2,555,782 tickets sold. Their home average of 31,519 fans ranks 12th in the majors in just the second season at SunTrust Park. The Braves have been better on the road (45-30) than at home (43-38).UP NEXTPhillies RHP Zach Eflin (11-7, 4.09 ERA) will try to win his third straight start as Philadelphia opens a four-game series Monday at Colorado. Braves manager Brian Snitker has yet to say who will start Tuesday when Atlanta begins a three-game series at the New York Mets.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Morton hopes to pitch Astros to sweep of Angels 45m ago 2 min read HOUSTON -- For most of the season, Houston Astros manager A. J. Hinch has worked the line between managing the workload of his starters while letting his veteran pitchers do what they've always done, which is take pride in their ability to make their turn in the rotation on schedule.As a result of optimal health, the Astros (97-57) feature three pitchers ranked in the top 10 in the majors in innings: right-hander Justin Verlander, who worked six strong in a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday to run his season total to 208 innings; left-hander Dallas Keuchel (196 2/3 innings), and right-hander Gerrit Cole (194 1/3). Only four pitchers besides Verlander have worked 200 innings this season. The Astros could finish with three."There's something compelling for the starters to get to 200 innings," Hinch said. "So while it seems like that's fatigue there's also a great accomplishment that comes with that. There's great pride in those guys so they're as strong as they've been the entire season."Certainly, I'd like to have that time off if we win the division quickly and be able to set it up properly, but I don't have a lot of concern with those guys. Everybody else is pretty fine when it comes to inning totals, but I think everybody's sightline has changed over the last five to 10 years to where there are so few guys that can last deep into games or that are allowed to last in games to get to the 200-inning mark. They look a little more like a unique pitcher than the norm." Right-hander Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.15 ERA) will start the regular-season home finale for the Astros on Sunday. He is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA across two starts this month following a stint on the 10-day disabled list. Morton is five strikeouts shy of his first 200-strikeout season and nine innings from eclipsing his previous high of 171 2/3 pitched in 2011 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With his 29th start, Morton will match the number he achieved with Pittsburgh seven years ago.Morton did not factor into the decision in his lone start against the Angels this season, allowing four runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings of an 8-7 home loss on April 24. He is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA against the Angels in six career starts.Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (8-8, 3.69 ERA) will start seeking to help the Angels snap their four-game skid. He is 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA in nine career starts against the Astros, including 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts in 2018. Skaggs' four wins are his most against any opponent.Rookie designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit cleanup for a fourth consecutive game, the 11th time this month and 18th time overall this season for the Angels (75-80).Ohtani entered Saturday with an .860 OPS batting fourth behind MVP candidate Mike Trout and, after going 1-for-4, is hitting .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs occupying that spot in the order."Right now, we're going with him behind Mike and he's fine," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mike is getting pitched to and that's important. And Shohei adjusted and hopefully we're going to see guys on base or whatever Mike can create and that will help us to be productive."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Cubs look to inch closer to division title 22m ago 2 min read The Chicago Cubs will try to move closer to locking up another National League Central title when they visit the Chicago White Sox to wrap up a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.The Cubs (90-64) have a 2 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers with eight games remaining in the regular season after Javy Baez homered in Saturday's 8-3 victory. Chicago is seeking its third straight division title under manager Joe Maddon, who is 382-257 since taking over in 2015.But a division title is not enough for Cubs fans who once suffered through a 108-year title drought but now are hungry for their second World Series championship in the past three seasons."What happened is we've done well the last couple of years, but the one run we had in '16 set this impossible standard," Maddon said to the Chicago Tribune. "Everybody believes you're going to run away and win 100-something games on an annual basis, and if you don't, it's going to be somewhat of a failure."That's the impression I see. I think we're appreciated, absolutely. The thing that happens sometimes is when you get there a couple of times, 90 wins is not enough. You have to win 100, 105. For us, it's just about winning the last game of the season. That's all we're trying to do." The White Sox (61-93) would love to put the Cubs in a sour mood in the rubber match of the series and the final meeting of the season between the crosstown rivals, whose stadiums sit 8 miles from one another on the north and south sides of the city.The Cubs have a 3-2 edge in the season series entering Sunday's finale.Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks (12-11, 3.58 ERA) will make his 32nd start of the season. The 28-year-old has 50 career wins with the Cubs to go along with a 3.10 ERA. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2016.In five starts against the White Sox, Hendricks is 0-2 with a 4.10 ERA. He has walked five and fanned 25 in 26 1/3 innings.The White Sox will send out ace left-hander Carlos Rodon (6-6, 3.22 ERA), who will make his 19th start. He has a career record of 26-27 with a 3.78 ERA since entering the big leagues in 2015.In two starts against the Cubs, Rodon is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA. He has walked nine and struck out 17 in 10 innings.White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada leads the majors with 209 strikeouts. He is 14 shy of Mark Reynolds' record of 223 with eight games to go, meaning it is unlikely -- but possible -- that he could take the dubious record."I never thought about that," Moncada said through a team interpreter to MLB.com. "I just tried to play my game, enjoy the game, do the things I can do to help us win games. I don't like to strike out, but I never thought about that record." Neither does White Sox manager Rick Renteria."The only talk about it is when you guys ask me about it," Renteria said. "I don't talk to him about it. I talk to him more about his approaches. (Hitting coach Todd Steverson) talks to him about his approaches, how he's attacking a particular pitcher, and then reinforce (the positive) when he does have good at-bats, even though the outcome might not be a good outcome."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Cardinals' Mikolas continues magical season vs. Giants 2h ago 2 min read Few starters in baseball have needed as little cushion this year as St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Monday night's 11-6 victory in Atlanta upped his record to 16-0 when receiving two or more runs of support.Mikolas gets the call Sunday when St. Louis tries to bolster its National League wild-card playoff hopes with a series sweep of the San Francisco Giants in Busch Stadium.St. Louis leads Colorado by 1 1/2 games for the final wild-card spot. The Cardinals also edged within two games of Milwaukee for the first wild-card and are 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central lead.Mikolas (16-4, 3.01 ERA) has been perhaps the best value signing of the offseason. Skepticism abounded when the Cardinals (86-69) inked him to a two-year, $15.5 million deal after three successful seasons in Japan. After all, Mikolas looked like bottom of the staff material while posting a 6.44 ERA in10 starts in 2014 with Texas.But Mikolas has surprised the skeptics, averaging just over six innings a start and making every turn in the rotation. He has fewer walks (29) than starts (30) and could lead the NL in wins if he winds up on the upside of his last two starts."I've been fortunate than when I pitch, we have great offense and we've put up runs and we play great defense and everything has come together," Mikolas said to mlb.com after his victory in Atlanta. "It's been a great season for me." Mikolas will make his fifth career appearance against San Francisco, although it will be his first as a starter. He has no record and a 1.69 ERA in 5 1/3 innings.St. Louis pulled out a dramatic 5-4, 10-inning victory Saturday over San Francisco to move one step closer to its first playoff spot since 2015. Yadier Molina's two-run homer in the seventh inning erased a 4-2 deficit and Tyler O'Neill's tape-measure blast with two outs in the 10th supplied the Cardinals their 11th walk-off win of the year.San Francisco (72-83) has nothing left on its plate beside contractual obligation and statistical incentives. The Giants have battled the Cardinals hard in the series' first two games, but their bullpen has let them down, as has often been the case this year.Rookie left-hander Andrew Suarez (7-11, 4.24 ERA) takes the ball for San Francisco, looking to build on two straight quality starts. Suarez picked up a 4-2 win on Monday night in San Diego, working 7 2/3 innings and allowing two runs and four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. This will be his first career outing against the Cardinals.St. Louis second baseman Kolten Wong, who left Friday night's game after seven innings after he suffered cramps in both hamstrings, could be available for Sunday's game.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
IN
PROGRESS
8
|
|
9/23/2018 3:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-129
|
-1.5 (+115)
|
Over 10 (-118)
|
|
|
+117
|
+1.5 (-135)
|
Under 10 (-102)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Rangers' Perez pitches for a job against Mariners 1h ago 2 min read Texas left-hander Martin Perez will have two more chances to help the Rangers decide his future with the team, beginning Sunday when he starts against the Seattle Mariners in the final game of the season at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.Seattle will send left-hander Wade LeBlanc (8-4, 3.49 ERA) to the mound in search of the series win to counter Perez (2-6, 6.33 ERA).The Mariners rolled to a 13-0 win over the Rangers on Saturday behind home runs from Robinson Cano, Mike Zunino and Dee Gordon and six innings of one-hit pitching from Marco Gonzales.Perez, who has made his past six appearances out of the bullpen, will also start next Saturday in Seattle. His most recent start was Aug. 25 against the San Francisco Giants.After that start, Texas told Perez that it was unlikely to pick up his option for next season. But with a manager change in Arlington and the Rangers' acknowledged dearth of starting pitching, Perez will be given a puncher's chance to change the team's mind."I can't think about that," Perez said. "Just go out there and do my job, let everybody know I am healthy. Throw strikes, pitch like a reliever, how I threw the last three or four outings. Attack, that's the key." Perez has a 2.45 ERA since moving to the bullpen at the end of August."Just because I've had a bad year doesn't mean I can't be a starter," Perez said. "It means they still believe in me. I think they know what I can do. I know what I can do." Perez has been a starter for most of his career and is still determined to fill that role, whether the Rangers pick up his option or he moves on to another organization.Meanwhile, Seattle left-hander James Paxton worked through the rain on Friday afternoon to finish a 40-pitch bullpen session that helped him show he was ready to return to the rotation after suffering a case of pneumonia.Paxton is set to start Monday in Seattle against Oakland as the Mariners open their season-ending seven-game homestand."He got through it," Servais told MLB.com about Paxton's bullpen session. "He did say he got a little fatigued toward the end of it, but he's pushing through it. He wants to make that start when we get back home." LeBlanc is set to make his 26th start of the season on Sunday against Texas. He had a no-decision in his last start, a 4-1 Mariners win at Houston on Monday in which he allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings.That run was the first he surrendered in 24 1/3 innings after going 19 innings between Aug. 25 and Sept. 12 without giving up a run, the longest scoreless innings streak among Mariners starters this season.Sunday's start will be LeBlanc's fourth career appearance and third start against Texas. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Rangers. Seattle is 16-9 in LeBlanc's starts this year.Perez has made 13 starts this season. He has gone 2-6 with a 6.95 ERA in those starts but is 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in last eight.Perez is 7-4 with a 3.30 ERA in 19 games, 17 of them starts, in his career versus Seattle, marking his highest win percentage against any AL West opponent.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
IN
PROGRESS
5
|
|
9/23/2018 4:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+166
|
+1.5 (-125)
|
Over 8.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-185
|
-1.5 (+105)
|
Under 8.5 (-115)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
A's hone in on securing playoff spot against Twins 39m ago 2 min read OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics can clinch their first playoff spot since 2014 when they complete a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon.The A's (94-61) have consecutive walk-off wins over the Twins to open the series and lowered their magic number to be assured of at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs to one.Either an A's win on Sunday or a loss by the Tampa Bay Rays (86-68) earlier in the day would give Oakland fans reason to celebrate in the club's home finale.Oakland has won the first two games of the series with polar-opposite walk-offs, getting a home run from Khris Davis in a 7-6, 10-inning victory on Friday before benefiting from a Trevor Hildenberger wild pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory on Saturday.The two wins allowed the A's to clinch a series win, which ran their run of non-losing series (13 wins, two ties) to 15.The A's will send right-hander Trevor Cahill (6-3, 3.77) in search of the team's fifth consecutive win on Sunday. Oakland has gone 4-1 on its six-game homestand.The 30-year-old hasn't pitched since Sept. 9, when he experienced soreness in the rhomboid muscle in his back in a 7-3 win over Texas. He couldn't finish the third inning, having already walked six, given up two hits and allowed three runs.Cahill was the losing pitcher when the A's suffered a 6-4 loss at Minnesota last month. He was roughed up for five runs and eight hits in five innings.It lowered his lifetime record against the Twins to 1-2 with a 4.98 ERA in seven games, including five starts.Right-hander Kyle Gibson (8-13, 3.78) will take the mound for the Twins in his effort to avoid becoming the first pitcher since Corey Kluber in 2015 to finish a season with 15 or more losses while retaining an ERA under 4.00.Gibson is scheduled to make one more start next week.The 30-year-old has never won in Oakland, suffering 6-5 defeat in 2014 in his only start. He's 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in three lifetime starts against the A's.The Twins (71-83) have lost the first two games of the series despite out-hitting the A's 16-15. Catcher Willians Astudillo has gone 4-for-8 with a double and an RBI in the losses.A's closer Blake Treinen (9-2) has improved upon his AL Cy Young Award credentials with wins in each of the first two games of the series. He threw two hitless innings Friday before allowing a bloop single to Astudillo in a scoreless top of the ninth Saturday.The hit snapped Treinen's string of 14 consecutive hitless innings, which tied an A's franchise record.Treinen enters the final eight days of the season with the second-most wins among AL relievers with nine, trailing only Tampa Bay's Ryan Yarbrough (13-3).He ranks third in the AL in saves with 37, and leads all AL relievers in ERA at 0.83.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
IN
PROGRESS
4
|
|
9/23/2018 4:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+205
|
+1.5 (-101)
|
Over 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-230
|
-1.5 (-119)
|
Under 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Dodgers cling to lead, rely on Ryu against Padres 1h ago 2 min read Hyun-Jin Ryu has experienced more success against the San Diego Padres than any other major league team, and the Los Angeles Dodgers hope the left-hander continues that trend Sunday in the series finale at Dodger Stadium.The Dodgers (86-69) have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Colorado Rockies for first place in the National League West.After the Dodgers conclude the series with the Padres (62-93), they'll play their final six games on the road.Colorado (84-70) wraps up a nine-game road trip at the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday and plays its final seven games at home.Ryu is 6-1 in nine career starts against San Diego with a 2.52 ERA. He won both outings against the Padres this season, mainly because of his pitching, but he also benefited from better-than-average offensive support in those wins.Ryu (5-3, 2.18 ERA) allowed two runs and three hits in six innings and struck out a season-high nine batters on April 16 in a 10-3 win in San Diego.After a groin injury in May sidelined Ryu until August, he faced the Padres again Aug. 26 at Dodger Stadium and allowed two runs (one earned) and scattered 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings of the 7-3 win.Ryu went 0-2 in his next three starts with the losses coming against the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds, two teams far out of playoff contention.He bounced back to throw seven shutout innings against Colorado on Monday in an 8-2 win that moved the Dodgers ahead of the Rockies for first place."To start the year, (Ryu) was throwing the ball really well and he just has that ability to control the heartbeat and make pitches," manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the win over Colorado. "You have a guy who can get lefties and righties out, can really throw a strike when he needs to. There's a lot of trust there, and Hyun-Jin's earned it." Padres third baseman Wil Myers is 4-for-9 in his career against Ryu with a home run.The Padres will send left-hander Joey Lucchesi to the mound for the 25th start of his rookie season.Lucchesi (8-8, 3.74) lost his two starts against the Dodgers in 2018, both in San Diego.He gave up three runs and five hits in five innings on May 4, but four Los Angeles pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in the 4-0 victory.Lucchesi allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits in four innings of a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers on July 11.Lucchesi will be looking to win back-to-back decisions for the first time since April, when he went 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA."I'm a competitor, man," Lucchesi told MLB.com after the win. "I always go out there just to give my team the best chance to win. That's always how I've been as a character and a human being. I always try to fight for my boys."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
IN
PROGRESS
4
|
|
9/23/2018 4:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-103
|
+1.5 (-215)
|
Over 8 (-115)
|
|
|
-107
|
-1.5 (+180)
|
Under 8 (-105)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
GAME PREVIEW
Rockies hope to ride strong pitching to sweep of D-backs 1h ago 4 min read PHOENIX -- The Colorado Rockies used another strong pitching performance to stay on track Saturday.Right-hander Antonio Senzatela gave up three hits in seven innings in a 5-1 victory over Arizona, following German Marquez's dominant outing Friday as the Rockies took the first two games of a three-game series.The Rockies trail the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild-card spot. Each deficit is 1 1/2 games. The Diamondbacks, who led the division Sept. 1, is one loss away from elimination."We need to get it done, no matter how we get it," said Colorado catcher Chris Iannetta, whose two-out, two-run single triggered a decisive four-run third inning."We just need to get wins. We don't have many games left. We need some help from teams in front of us to lose some games, and we have to win a bunch. It's going to be difficult, but we'll just try to win one each day and see what happens." Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland (15-7, 2.95) is to face Arizona righty Zack Godley (14-10, 4.79) in Sunday's series finale. Freeland has made nine consecutive quality starts.If home field means anything, Colorado might have a bit of an edge as it looks to make up the necessary ground in the final week of the season.The Rockies, who have played one fewer game than the Dodgers, will play their final seven games at Coors Field against NL East teams Philadelphia and Washington. Both have been eliminated from the playoffs.The Rockies set a franchise record with 43 road wins after taking the first two games of the Arizona series Saturday and also are 41-33 at home.The Dodgers will play their final game this season against San Diego on Sunday. They have road series remaining against Arizona and the Padres. St. Louis has a three-game home series against contending Milwaukee beginning Monday before closing the season with a three-game set against the NL Central-leading Cubs at Wrigley Field."I think most teams feel comfortable and confident at home," Colorado manager Bud Black said. "I think we do. We're much better at home the second half of the season. We play the schedule." Arizona has lost 11 of 14 with the troubles coming because of a sluggish offense compounded by a suddenly leaky bullpen."I go back to Jim Carrey 'you're saying there a chance'," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "I've going to live until I can take no more breaths, and I feel like the whole clubhouse will do the same." Freeland, a native of Denver who was the Rockies' first round pick in the 2014 draft, has developed into a star in his second season in the rotation, and with right-hander Marquez appears to give the Rockies a dominant 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation for years to come. Freeland is 25. Marquez 23.Freeland is fifth in the NL in ERA and victories and fourth in WAR, and has only gotten sharper as the season has moved along. He is 9-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 18 starts, and has given up more than three runs only once in that stretch. The Rockies have won 14 of his 18 starts during that span."He's doing what successful pitchers do," Black said. "He's throwing a lot of strikes in good spots within his repertoire, and his repertoire is solid major league stuff across the board. He pitches with a great deal of aggressiveness and confidence. He's been able to make a pitch when he needs to, to get out of an inning and get out of a jam." The Rockies have won three of Freeland's previous four starts against the Diamondbacks, although he is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA against them this season and 2-2 against them in his career. He gave up four runs in five innings in his only start at Chase Field."Changing speeds very well, much better than he did a year ago," Black said. "The consistency of his slider is much improved from last year. Fastball command much improved. The strikeout/walk ratio are in order for his type of stuff. He's fielding his position. He's holding runners well. All the things that make his successful." Godley was pushed back until Sunday to give Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin the first two cracks the Rockies in this series, a maneuver designed to give Arizona the best chance to win this series and in the final week of the season.Like Freeland, Godley has set career highs in virtually every statistical category in his first full season in the rotation, although he has battled consistency at times. He leads the NL with 12 hit batters and 16 wild pitches, and his 1.45 WHIP ranks 30th of the 31 NL qualifiers.Godley has not been at his best since mid-August, going 1-4 with a 7.42 ERA in his last six starts. Included in that was a 13-2 loss at Colorado on Sept. 10, the first contest of a four-game series in which the Rockies won three.He is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA in three starts against the Rockies this season and is 4-1, 3.99 in eight career outings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
|
9/23/2018 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-114
|
-1.5 (+140)
|
Over 9.5 (+100)
|
|
|
+104
|
+1.5 (-160)
|
Under 9.5 (-120)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Red Sox, Indians to decide season series 1h ago 2 min read CLEVELAND -- The American League Central champion Cleveland Indians will host the AL East champion Boston Red Sox on Sunday night in the finale of a three-game series between clubs that could meet in the AL Championship Series.Cleveland will likely play Houston in the Division Series, and the Red Sox will play the winner of the wild-card game in the other Division Series. The Indians and Red Sox have split their first six games this season.Sunday's game will feature starting pitchers who are not in either team's rotation, but are making spot starts.Cleveland sends out Adam Plutko, who has only started 11 games this year. Boston's starter will be Hector Velazquez, who will make his eighth start of the year.Plutko (4-5, 5.27 ERA), is 4-5 with a 5.37 ERA in his 11 starts. In four relief appearances, he has a 4.50 ERA and no record.His last start was a no-decision on Sept. 8 against Toronto, a game the Indians won 9-8. Plutko pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and nine hits, with four strikeouts and no walks.Plutko's last appearance was as a reliever Sept. 16 against Detroit in which he pitched one scoreless inning on two hits, with one strikeout and no walks.Plutko has one career appearance against the Red Sox. It came Aug. 23, a 7-0 loss in Boston. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up five runs, five hits and five walks with four strikeouts. He hasn't won a game since June 24. In nine appearances (six starts) since, he is 0-4 with a 5.77 ERA.When Indians manager Terry Francona has to go to his bullpen Sunday, he'll call on a unit that was a disaster in the first two months of the season, but has been much better of late. The turnaround started when veteran left-hander Oliver Perez was signed as a free agent after the Yankees released him June 1.Perez made his debut with the Indians on June 2. In 49 appearances, he is 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA. In 31 innings, he has allowed 14 hits, with 41 strikeouts and six walks while holding opposing hitters to a .136 batting average. Left-handed hitters are hitting .180 against him, right-handers .071. He has allowed only 7.3 percent of his inherited runners to score (3 of 41), the best mark in the American League."He's been so good, he's changed our bullpen," Francona said. "He's pitching with a ton of confidence." Francona appreciates the stability that Perez has brought to the bullpen."Bullpens are so volatile. Guys get on runs. You see it every year. It's so up and down," he said.Velazquez is 7-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 44 appearances (seven starts). As a starter, he is 2-2 with a 4.00 ERA. In 37 relief appearances he is 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA.Velazquez's last start came Sept. 5 when he had no decision in a 9-8 Boston victory over Atlanta. In that game, he pitched four innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with two strikeouts and three walks.Velazquez's last appearance came in the first game of this series Friday night, when he pitched one-third of an inning, allowing no runs and one hit. That is Velazquez's only career appearances against Cleveland.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NHL |
|
|
9/23/2018 |
|
FOUND
3
GAMES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
8:08 PM EST |
|
9/23/2018 8:08 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+169
|
OFF
|
Over 6 (-105)
|
|
|
-199
|
OFF
|
Under 6 (-115)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SOCCER |
|
|
9/23/2018 |
|
FOUND
31
MATCHES |
|
|
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 6:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+102
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (-148)
|
|
|
+262
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (+133)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 6:15 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+716
|
+1 (+145)
|
Over 3 (-135)
|
|
|
-252
|
-1 (-160)
|
Under 3 (+120)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 6:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-109
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (+106)
|
|
|
+344
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (-121)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 8:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-190
|
-1 (-119)
|
Over 3 (+105)
|
|
|
+568
|
+1 (+104)
|
Under 3 (-120)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 8:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+174
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (-140)
|
|
|
+154
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (+125)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 8:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+140
|
OFF
|
Over 3 (+127)
|
|
|
+194
|
OFF
|
Under 3 (-142)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 8:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+101
|
OFF
|
Over 3 (+101)
|
|
|
+254
|
OFF
|
Under 3 (-116)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 9:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-145
|
-1 (+123)
|
Over 2.5 (-123)
|
|
|
+493
|
+1 (-138)
|
Under 2.5 (+108)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 9:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+186
|
OFF
|
Over 2 (-122)
|
|
|
+184
|
OFF
|
Under 2 (+107)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 9:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+686
|
+1 (+123)
|
Over 2.5 (-144)
|
|
|
-213
|
-1 (-138)
|
Under 2.5 (+129)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 9:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-293
|
-1.5 (-110)
|
Over 3 (-122)
|
|
|
+809
|
+1.5 (-105)
|
Under 3 (+107)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 9:30 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+490
|
+1 (-112)
|
Over 3 (-117)
|
|
|
-165
|
-1 (-103)
|
Under 3 (+102)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 10:15 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+254
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (-101)
|
|
|
+123
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (-114)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 10:45 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+154
|
OFF
|
Over 3 (-127)
|
|
|
+163
|
OFF
|
Under 3 (+112)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 11:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+689
|
+1.5 (-118)
|
Over 3.5 (+107)
|
|
|
-243
|
-1.5 (+103)
|
Under 3.5 (-122)
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIEW ALL PICKS |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 11:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+184
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (+114)
|
|
|
+174
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (-129)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/23/2018 11:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
| | | | | | | |
Why
Use CapperTek to Buy Sports Picks?
View
Only Sports Handicapping Services
with Picks Available
(202)
