11-1 Top Rated NBA Run Continues Sunday

TOP RATED 10* THURSDAY NIGHT MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Oakland Raiders have opened the year with wins over Arizona and LA Rams, but I think they'll come up short here when taking on the Green Bay Packers at IG Field in Winnipeg, Canada, Thursday night. 

While it's just a preseason game, I expect the Packers to want to bounce back from last week's 26-13 loss at unofficial preseason champions Baltimore Ravens (what is it, 15 straight preseason wins now???). 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was a late scratch for that contest. He has yet to take the field this preseason, and while Rodgers usually don't care much for exhibition games, this year might be different with a different system to get used to under new head coach Matt LaFleur. Either way, DeShone Kizer is a capable backup and can get the job done. 

As for the Raiders, the Antonio Brown saga must be at least somewhat distracting and the motivation might be low after winning twice already. 

Packers are 9-3-1 against the spread in their past 13 August games and 6-1 straight up versus Oakland over their last seven meetings. 

10* play on Green Bay Packers. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB TOTAL PLAY OF THE DAY

The Washington Nationals put an 11-0 beating on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. While I think runs will be hard to come by for the Bucs for a second straight night, don't expect the visitors to light up the board either.

Pittsburgh left-hander Steven Brault (3-2, 4.06 ERA) fanned eight while limiting the Cubs to one run on two hits over seven innings in a 2-0 setback last time out. Brault has been rock solid lately, allowing a total of 16 runs over his past 10 starts and the under is 4-1 in the Nationals last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Nats counter with right-hander Max Scherzer (9-5, 2.41 ERA). He has not made an appearance since July 25 after a couple of turns on the IL with back and shoulder injuries, but the reeling Pirates could be just the perfect opponent for his comeback. Note that Pittsburgh has scored a total of only six runs over its last five games, getting blanked twice and that Scherzer owns a 2.81 ERA in previous meetings with the team. 

Under is 6-2-1 in Scherzer's last 9 starts overall.

10* play on UNDER. 

THURSDAY NIGHT PANTHERS @ PATRIOTS BOOKIE BLASTER

Historically, the third preseason game is usually treated as the dress rehearsal and more starters play, which I think will give the New England Patriots a massive edge here. 

New England QB Tom Brady hasn’t played in the preseason yet but has been quoted looking to get in the action. "I hope so," Brady said on his weekly radio appearance on WEEI. "Again, we had practice yesterday and we have practice today and then we will see what the coach decides. I hope to be out there. We'll see what happens". 

Whenever coach Bill Belichick decides that's enough, Brady's, backups Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham are ready to take over and the duo has looked sharp in the first couple of games.

As for the Carolina Panthers, they'll have to be careful with starting QB Cam Newton who will make his first appearance following a season-ending shoulder injury. 

The Panthers beat the Patriots 25-14 last year in the third preseason week, but I think the roles will be reversed tonight. 

8* play on New England Patriots. 

THURSDAY NIGHT MLB TOTAL

The Houston Astros closed as a -490 favorite on Wednesday, but that did not deter the Detroit Tigers who walked away as a 2-1 winner! The Astros look like they'll close in the same range again, and while I don't see value on either side I do like the score to stay under the total.

Note that since 2004, five teams have closed as a -450 favorite or more with all those games going under the total. 

Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.87 ERA) owns a 2.65 ERA in six career starts against the Tigers, and while Detroit righty Jordan Zimmermann (1-8, 6.66 ERA) is having an awful season, note his 3.51 ERA in eight career starts against Houston.

Under is 6-1-1 in Tigers last 8 overall. Under is 9-4-1 in Astros last 14 home games.

8* play on UNDER.