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Stephen Nover |
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I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
MLB | Sep 27, 2023 Yankees vs Blue Jays |
Yankees +107 at Ace |
Won $107 |
Play Type: Free | ||
Never mind that the Yankees aren't going to make the playoffs. Maybe they play better now that the pressure is off. They beat Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays on Tuesday and they certainly can defeat Toronto again today with Gerrit Cole on the mound. Cole gets one final chance to state his Cy Young Award credentials here. He's 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Cole is 33, but he's had a strong September with a 1.59 ERA. He also has an excellent history versus Toronto with a 7-2 record and 3.04 ERA. Cole is 1-0 with a 0.46 ERA in three starts against the Blue Jays this year. The Blue Jays remain in wild-card contention. They aren't playing that well, though, going 2-3 in their last five games. I wouldn't trust Jose Berrios. He's pitched better than last season, but he's a mediocre 11-11 with a 3.58 ERA. His September ERA is 4.30. Berrios has bad lifetime numbers against the Yankees, too, at 3-6 with a 5.14 ERA. The Yankees have faced Berrios twice this season - beating him both times. Berrios surrendered seven runs in 12 1/3 innings in those games. Just because the Blue Jays are in must-win mode doesn't mean it will happen, especially when up against Cole. (Editor's note: Stephen Nover is 28-11-1 on his last 40 premium baseball plays for 72 percent. Stephen has three premium plays in addition to this free selection headed by his Underdog Game of the Month. Don't miss any of Stephen's winning plays during his sustained hot streak.) |
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
MLB | Sep 27, 2023 Rays vs Red Sox |
Rays -120 at linepros |
Won $100 |
Play Type: Premium | ||
This is a cheap price to get the Rays, who have won 20 more games than the 76-81 Red Sox. Tampa Bay is averaging seven runs in its last three games and draws Brayan Bello, a promising pitcher who has hit the wall with a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts. Bello is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Bello was shelled by the Rangers in his past start last Wednesday giving up eight runs in three innings. The Rays hold a big edge on the mound starting Tyler Glasnow, who is 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA in 10 career starts versus Boston. He faced the Red Sox earlier this month and struck out 14 in six innings allowing just one run. Tampa Bay has owned Boston this season winning 10 of the 12 meetings. |
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
MLB | Sep 27, 2023 Cardinals vs Brewers |
Cardinals +124 at circa |
Lost $100.0 |
Play Type: Premium | ||
The Brewers have dropped three consecutive games. But they still were able to clinch the National League Central Division title on Tuesday when the Cubs lost to the Braves. Milwaukee isn't playing that well, doesn't have much incentive after clinching last night and is facing lefty, Zack Thompson. He's mediocre at best, but the Brewers don't hit lefties very well. They rank in the bottom-12 in the major categories versus southpaws. Milwaukee is 20-25 against lefties. The Cardinals are looking to close a very disappointing season on a strong note. They draw veteran journeyman Wade Miley. At this plus price, I'll fade Milwaukee given the circumstances. |
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
MLB | Sep 27, 2023 Pirates vs Phillies |
Pirates +120 at linepros |
Lost $100.0 |
Play Type: Top Premium | ||
Unlike other sports, baseball doesn't lend itself to situational handicapping except for a few rare times. This is one of those rare times. The Phillies clinched the top wild-card spot by nipping the Pirates, 3-2, in 10 innings on Tuesday. They celebrated with champagne in the clubhouse. I don't see the Phillies being motivated for this game since they already have clinched a postseason berth and will be hosting playoff games. The Pirates are closing the season in respectable fashion winning eight of their last 13 games. Pittsburgh is pitching John Oviedo, who has given up only one run during his last two starts spanning 11 innings against the Cubs and Yankees. Ranger Suarez gets the start for Philadelphia. He's pitched much worse at home where he's 1-3 with a 4.99 ERA compared to being 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA on the road. |
SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |