Big Al McMordie Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Philadelphia Phillies over the San Diego Padres.  It doesn't get more dramatic than what took place here at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night.  Down by five runs entering the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies came back with six runs -- highlighted by a Bryce Harper walk-off grand slam -- to beat the Cubs.  Perhaps that will help motivate this team which, despite being five games over .500, still seems to be struggling to find its groove.  The Phillies picked up a veteran LHP in Jason Vargas from the Mets at the trade deadline and, although he's given them some quality innings in his three starts since coming over, the 36-year-old is still looking for his first win in a Phillies uniform.  That could come today against a mostly over-matched Padres club which is starting to look towards next season at this point.  Vargas has a winning record vs. San Diego, going 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA in six career starts vs. the Padres.  In fact, the last one came just two starts before he was shipped off from the Mets, as Vargas threw six one-hit, shutout innings on July 23 in a 5-2 NYM win over SD.  Take the Phillies.  MLB High Roller Winner.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 1:05 pm, our selection is on the Cleveland Indians over the New York Yankees.  LHP CC Sabathia has been nursing a sore knee since the end of July, which was his third trip to the IL this season.  The Yankees' rotation depth -- or lack thereof -- means that Sabathia is still a regular member of the starting five when he's healthy, despite a very sub-par campaign so far (5-6 with a 4.78 ERA).  The 39-year-old will get his 18th start of the season this afternoon and it will be against an Indians lineup that's capable of putting up a ton of runs (e.g., 19 in the case of Thursday's game).  The Tribe will turn to one of its most reliable starters of late as RHP Mike Clevinger goes to the hill for his 13th start.  Like Sabathia, Clevinger has spent some considerable time on the IL this season.  But unlike him, he has been on fire since returning the last time on June 28.  Particularly impressive is what Clevinger has done in his four road starts since coming back, allowing six earned runs on 20 hits in 27 innings (a 2.00 ERA).  Clevinger's only other start at Yankee Stadium was also a good one -- two runs on one hit in 7 1/3 innings last May.  Take the Tribe.  MLB Elite Info Winner. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 4 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the New Orleans Saints + the points over the Los Angeles Chargers.  This is a rematch of last year's Preseason contest which was won, in convincing fashion, 36-7, by New Orleans.  We used the Saints in last year's game as our #1 Play of last year's Preseason, and we will take the Saints once again.  It's true that the Saints opened the Preseason with a 34-25 home loss to the Vikings.  But the Vikings have put an emphasis on Week 1 Preseason games under coach Mike Zimmer, as they're 6-0 SU/ATS since he became head coach, so there's no great shame in losing last week to Minnesota.  The Chargers, in contrast, have not fared well in the Preseason under coach Anthony Lynn, as they're 3-6 SU/ATS, including a 17-13 defeat at Arizona last week.  Since 1985, road underdogs have cashed 61% off a loss in which they gave up more than 31 points.  That bodes well for New Orleans.  As does the fact that the Saints are a fantastic 44-20-2 ATS on the road in the Preseason.  Take New Orleans + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.