The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.
I have long been a fan of Nevada and that hasn’t changed with their move to the Mountain West Conference. With their old pals the Boise State Broncos also in the fold I don’t see a championship in their immediate future but they definitely won’t embarrass themselves.
Washington is going to be in a tough spot heading into the 2012 NFL season. With the arrival of quarterback Robert Griffin optimism is higher than it has been in a while but this is still a last place team in the tough NFC East, and probably by a wide margin when you look at the competition.
I am not sure why but I actually feel sorry for Boise State coming into this season. Odds are this is their worst team in a while; the Mountain West Conference isn’t what it used to be so not much to play for there; and the University was acting like it was getting cold feet about moving to the Big East next season.
The Tigers are playing well but just can’t seem to catch and pass the White Sox like everyone expects they will (eventually they will run out of season).
For a team that has won a couple of recent Super Bowls nobody gives the New York Giants much respect. I don’t know if it s because their coach isn’t that likable, their QB isn’t as good as his older brother, or what, but it seems like the world is convinced that the Giants are going to drop to third fiddle in their division watching Philadelphia and Dallas overtake them.
The Miami Dolphins might have been the biggest losers in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes this offseason. Last year they were an undermanned squad on offense that wouldn’t quit on D.
The New England Patriots have probably been the quietest team in their division this offseason…but that doesn’t mean they are not still the favourites to win the AFC East.
There is lots of excitement in Buffalo heading into this season. They scooped up some serious defensive talent through free agency and are looking to make the AFC East a three team race (or at the very least finish a season).
You gotta give the New York Jets one thing…they are never boring. The jury is out on whether this team is better or worse heading into 2012, but with the addition of Tim Tebow, now the most famous backup quarterback in league history, the Jets certainly grabbed some headlines away from their stadiummates the Giants.
2012 Toronto vs Seattle Betting Predictions
Trade deadline day is always an interesting one, especially for a team like the Jays which is hard to read. Mathematically they are in the hunt but will they mortgage even a hint of their bright future, especially given how injury stricken this team has been.
Did you know that if the season ended Monday that both Wild Card teams would have come out of the AL West? That is because the Oakland A’s are doing it again, stunning the league with surprising performances.
The Padres are assuredly out of the race and will be using the second half to season some youngsters and make some decisions for next year.
Milwaukee Brewers (38-44) vs Houston Astros (32-50)
Friday July 6
Minute Maid Park – Houston, TX
8:05PM
Probable Starters:
MIL: Yovani Gallardo
HOU: J.A. Happ
Moneyline: Milwaukee -140, Houston +130
O/U: 9
Milwaukee
The Brew Crew have lost their last two games heading into Houston to square off against the team just below them in the NL Central standings. The difference is that when the season started Milwaukee thought they would be a challenger…now they are just waiting to see who will give them the best offer for free agent to be Zack Greinke. This team is amassing an impressive injured list with Shaun Marcum now on the DL.
If (or when) Greinke is dealt the mantle of ace will fall to Yovani Gallardo. He certainly has the stuff and can dominate, but if things continue as they have been he will finish with his highest ERA since joining the league. He has been much sharper of late with a 2.33 ERA over his last three starts. Against Houston he has been a sparkling 10-2 over his career which is the reason why the Brewers are the medium favourites in the opener.
Houston
Houston is coming home absolutely desperate for a win. They had lost 7 in a row heading into Thursday night’s contest with Pittsburgh (which they were losing 2-0 as this is being written). It is no secret why – just combine very bad pitching with poor hitting. The hitting might be getting worse too with the recent deal of outfielder Carlos Lee to the Marlins. If any team needs the All-Star break it is these guys.
Starter J.A. Happ is a real conundrum. In some areas he has improved over last year – like strikeouts and command – but at the same time he is giving up a higher BAA. He is wildly inconsistent no matter what kind of situation you put him in. There is just no way you can back him in this contest when you see that the Brewers have walloped him in the past to the tune of an ERA close to 6.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Milwaukee 4 – Houston 0
The Rays were in a bad way but may be turning the corner with a series win against the Yankees.
As this is being written the Rangers are getting hammered down 7-0 in the 5th as these two division leaders square off.
The Rangers were on a nice roll but couldn’t close out the sweep against Oakland over the weekend. Still they have won 7 of their last 10 and are one of the best road teams in the Majors with a 23-15 record.
