Ben Burns Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

I'm playing on OAKLAND 10* PERS FAV. The A's have taken five of six meetings as a host vs. the Rangers this season. I believe they're offering us excellent value in tonight's opener. Both teams are hot. Each swept their last series. While the Rangers played and won last night, the A's had the day off. Graveman checks in with a 4-0 record to go along with a stellar 2.98 ERA in nine home starts. Last time here, up against Keuchel, he held Houston to one run through six complete. The A's won 10-2. Graveman's last start was shortened due to rain, but he was cruising (2 shutout innings, 1 hit) before that happened. Martinez, on the other hand, is 3-6 with a 5.47 ERA in 16 starts on the season. That includes a 2-5 mark with a 5.70 ERA on the road. Last time out, he gave up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Graveman already beat Martinez here last month, allowing one run through seven innings. He's got a 2.61 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in three starts against them on the season. All things considered, the A's could be a larger favorite.

On Friday, north of the border, Ottawa will visit Winnipeg. The Redblacks are off an impressive 29-11 road win on Sunday. However, keep in mind that victory came against a Montreal squad which has really been struggling of late. Also, lets not forget that the Redblacks are still a sub-500 team. Now, they play on an extra short week against a very well-rested Winnipeg team. The Bombers, who won by three at Ottawa back in August, were last in action way back on 9/9. They destroyed Saskatchewan by a 48-28 margin in that one. With the schedule in their favor, provided that the line doesn't climb above a touchdown, consider laying the points, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

I'm playing on ARIZONA (10* MAIN EVENT). Both teams are off impressive wins. The Utes dropped 54 points on SJ State on Saturday night, improving to 3-0 SU/ATS on the season. Averaging 36.7 points, they've allowed 16 or less in all three games. The Wildcats, who were off a tough loss vs. Houston the previous week, were every bit as dominant as the Utes. They bounced back and destroyed UTEP by a 63-16 margin.

One difference is that Arizona's win came on Friday, as opposed to Utah's Saturday night victory. That means Arizona will be playing on a "normal" week while Utah will play on a "short" one. A day doesn't sound like much but it can indeed be significant.

While Utah (barely) won and covered at BYU, the Utes are still 9-15 ATS the last 24 times that they were listed as road favorites in the -3.5 to -7 range. 

The Wildcats are an improved team from the one which lost at Utah last season. They upset the Utes here in 2015, as 5-point underdogs, and I expect them to give them all they can handle once again.