Free Handicapping Plays - Sports Picks from Premium Cappers

After posting shutout wins in three of four games for the first time since May of 1986, the Phils faltered last night and saw their recent uptick stopped by the Nats in extra innings. Though Thursday starter Christopher Sanchez is very capable of contributing to another shutout, we doubt the Phils will need that sort of effort Thursday night.

Why? Philly ought to bring plenty of smoke at CBP vs. Nats starter Miles Mikolas, who looks a very dubious choice to slow the Phils’ big bats after allowing six homers across just 13 2/3 IP in his last three starts. He’s allowed eight homers across 17 2/3 IP since the starts of July, a span in which he’s also posted a 6.46 ERA, and opponents are batting nearly .300 against him this season. Washington's bullpen will have to plug many leaks in the dam tonight. Play Nationals-Phillies “Over”

Ricky's play on BOS.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. Here in this game the recent history of these two teams is particularly significant.

- The Red Sox are 7-0 in their last 7 games.

- The White Sox are 1-3 in their last 4 games.

- The Red Sox are 9-1 in the last 10 head to head meetings.

Verdict: The value is on the home favorite.

Basic stats ahead of tonight's game: White Sox average 4.76 runs per game & Red Sox average 4.36 runs per game. Luis Castillo (White Sox starter) has a 5.06 ERA & Ranger Suarez (Red Sox starter) has a 3.15 ERA.

Pick: Both lineups have been great recently, suggesting a high-scoring game in this one. However, Luis Castillo looks to impress in his first start with the White Sox while the Red Sox have one of their better pitchers on the mound. So, look for this game to be a low-scoring one from the first pitch.

The Angels are fully balanced. They can't hit and they don't have good pitchers.

Rookie Ryan Johnson, the Angels' worst starter, gets the call here against the Orioles.

I will take a plus price on Baltimore by laying 1 1/2 runs on the run line.

Why not? Johnson has a 7.63 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. The Angels are 2-6 in his starts. Each of those losses have been by multiple runs.

The Angels are averaging 2.5 runs in their last 17 games since the All-Star break. That would easily rank last in the majors if computed over the entire season. As it is, the Angels are well below average in every key offensive category.

Orioles starting pitcher Brandon Young has been respectable with a 3.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He is 2-1 with a 2.85 when pitching at home.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover is 19-5-1 on his last 25 baseball premium plays, including going 12-3-1 on his past 16, enjoying another winning MLB season.) 

The WNBA Comp play for Thursday is on Toronto plus the points at 10 eastern. Toronto is off a pair of road dog losses to a solid Golden St but should be tough here with home favored loss revenge on Portland. Rob notes that WNBA Home favorites of 10 or less with 3+ days rest that are off a home loss and are taking on a team off a road loss that has home loss revenge are 0-3 straight up the past 15 seasons. Portland has failed to cover both times this season as a home favorite with 2+ days rest. The Tempo have covered 2 of 3 on the road with home loss revenge and we will back them here tonight. GL Rob V-