MLB Divisional Series Roundtable

As the first playoff game begins, Hopps, Sinickal and myself all knock off work a bit early to have a quick roundtable discussion on the MLB divisional series. For our collective thoughts and picks, let's begin with the first game, Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers. Hopps?

Hopps: Screw you!

Pepster: My bad - I probably shouldn't have started with the Red Sox fan on this one. Sinickal, your thoughts?

Sinickal: I am going with Tampa. I think they will have a short hangover, but ultimately an easy series. They are a really good team from the best division. Four games.

Pepster: I have to disagree. I think that the Rangers just have too much for the Rays. The Rays are supposed to have pitching and defense, but they are starting Matt Moore in only his second MLB start in Game 1. Texas's lineup is stacked now that everyone is healthy, and it is about time people realize that Elvis Andrus is going to be really, really good. Also in four games.

Hopps: Damn. Now no matter who I select I have to agree with one of you. I am going to say Texas, as the Rays just won their World Series.

Pepster: Now to the marquee American League matchup, Detroit and New York Yankees. I think that nobody has really been talking about Detroit all year outside of Verlander, but that lineup is good and deep. The Yankees lineup is deep too, but guys like Miguel Cabrera are just too dumb to realize they are supposed to lose to the Yankees. Plus, I don't think Verlander will even have to pitch two games in this series. Tigers in 4.

Sinickal: Verlander gets to pitch games 1 and 5. That means that the Yankees have to win 3 straight in the middle. I don't seem them getting that done.

Hopps: Detroit - Verlander. That's all.

We all agree on that one. Let's go to another series where we should all agree, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Hopps?

Hopps: St. Louis. They are playing good baseball. This is the upset of the playoffs.

Pepster: They do have Pujols, but there is no way that I can pick them. It's Philly. There offense has not been the typical Philly offense all year, but they still have Victorino, Rollins, Utley, Howard, et. al. And they have pitching! Philadelphia in 4.

Sinickal: Best team in baseball with great pitching in a short series. This might be a sweep.

And for the last series - Milwaukee or Arizona?

Sinickal: Arizona plays in the equivalent of the NFC West. Good team and bad division v. Great team. I'll pick Milwaukee.

Hopps: I will also take Milwaukee. They win at home; best home winning percentage in the majors.

Pepster: I will make it 3 for 3, even though Justin Upton could be the best player in baseball that nobody talks about. Sneaky good pitching, and Braun/Fielder is a helluva one-two punch, especially with Hart and McGehee showing some power as well. Brewers in 4.

That wraps up our divisional roundtable. But what would this conversation be without mentioning our Patron Saint, Adam Jones, helping to eliminate the Red Sox from the playoffs.

Hopps: That isn't the same Adam Jones. I hate you.

Pepster: Oh, my bad, maybe I just wanted to mention that the Sox collapsed. See you back here for the League Championship Series roundtable.

Picks of the Week

It is time for the "picks of the week". A quick refresher: Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will pretend that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. On to the picks.

New England Patriots -7 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills and Fitzpatrick are a great story to date, and it is possible that they put up a bunch of points against the Patriots. But it is also probable that they give up a lot more.

Carolina Panthers -3 v. Jacksonville Jaguars
Blaine Gabbert is making his first start. Cam Newton is practically a veteran comparatively.

Cincinnati Bengals -2 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is still searching for their quarterback. Cincinnati may have found theirs.

Miami Dolphins +1 1/2 at Cleveland Browns
I really don't know what to make of this game. In that situation, I'll take points and just hope.

Detroit Lions -3 at Minnesota Vikings
The Lions juggernaut continues. Minnesota looked much better in Week 2 than in their opening game, but they are a long way away from competing with Detroit.

New Orleans Saints -3 1/2 v. Houston Texans
New Orleans looks like one of the best 2 or 3 teams in the league right now. Houston is trying to get to that level. They are not quite there ... yet.

New York Giants +8 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles
Vick is likely going to play, but how effective is he going to be. Philly is stronger, but I don't think they are 8 1/2 points stronger.

Tennessee Titans -7 v. Denver Broncos
Tennessee rolled the Ravens last week without Chris Johnson doing what Chris Johnson does. I don't know if Johnson will start to heat up, but the Titans look to have more than the Fighting Tebows do.

Green Bay Packers -4 1/2 at Chicago Bears
The Bears could put up a lot of offensive yards against the Packers if they can keep Cutler upright. That is a big IF.

San Diego Chargers -14 v. Kansas City Chiefs
That's a big spread, but Kansas City is without its best offensive (Jamal Charles) and defensive (Eric Berry) players for the season. San Diego is hurting, but most of their questionables should at least give it a go.

Oakland Raiders +3 v. New York Jets
Oakland has played two very close games to start the season. The Jets have not given me any reason to think that this will not be a close one as well.

Atlanta + 1 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta is a much stronger team than the Bucs. They are only getting points because they are on the road. I'll take 'em.

Arizona Cardinals -3 at Seattle Seahawks
Once again - Tarvaris Jackson.

Pittsburgh Steelers -10 1/2 at Indianapolis Colts
Without Peyton Manning, this is a much different team.

Washington Redskins No Line at Dallas Cowboys
Thanks to Romo, there is no official line in this game. But since it is my blog, I am going to count it as a pick 'em. It is still too soon for Rex Grossman to implode.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Baltimore Ravens -5 at St. Louis Rams
The Ravens need a big bounce back after last week's loss to the Titans. They get it here.

Previous Week's Record: 8-7-1
Year to Date: 18-13-1
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 2-0
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: $180
Winnings (Losses) Year-To-Date: $670

Picks of the Week

It is time for the "picks of the week". As you know, I like to keep track of what I would have earned had I actually bet on all of the games (since gambling is illegal). Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I will keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will pretend that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. On to the picks.

New Orleans Saints -5 v. Chicago Bears
I would love for my Bears to pull this off, but with the funeral of Brian Urlacher's mom being held yesterday, and several players and stafff flying back to New Orleans just yesterday, they will likely be a bit tired. Also, the adrenaline that will carry them through the first quarter would likley fade quickly as the game goes on.

Buffalo Bills -4 v. Oakland Raiders
Although I think that the Raiders are the better team, west coast teams flying east to play the early game just are not very successful. A big congratulations to my body Sebastian Janikowski for his record-tying 63 yard field goal on Monday night.

Washington Redskins -4 v. Arizona Cardinals
Again with the west coast teams going east. Plus, we are still a few weeks from the inevitable Rex Grossman implosion.

Baltimore Ravens -5 1/2 at Tennessee Titans
The only explanation for last week for the Ravens is "WOW"!

Jacksonville Jaguars +9 at New York Jets
The Jets offense was not impressive last week against the Cowboys. At least not 9 point spread impressive. Jacksonville still has to prove themselves, and this is their chance.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 1 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were absolutely horrible last week. McNabb might just be done.

Green Bay Packers -10 1/2 at Carolina Panthers
What would the point spread have been if the Packers were at home?!

Detroit Lions -7 1/2 v. Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit seems to be this year's "it" team, while Kansas City was simply awful last week.

Cleveland Browns -2 at Indianapolis Colts
No Peyton Manning.

Dallas Cowboys -3 at San Francisco 49ers
Dallas should have won that game against the Jets, but they didn't. Doesn't matter because the 49ers are nowhere near the same level of the Jets.

New England Patriots -7 v. San Diego Chargers
This could be another PAtriots barnburner with tons and tons of yards and points. Exciting game to watch for sure.

Denver Broncos -3 v. Cincinnati Bengals
I really have no reason to support this pick other than the fact that Tim Tebow prayed extra hard this week.

Houston Texans -3 at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were valiant on offense against the Patriots, but virtually nonexistent on defense. that is not the side of the ball to be weak against the Texans.

Philadelphia Eagles -2 1/2 at Atlanta Falcons
Both sides have weaknesses, but I think the Falcons might be bruising from the beating the Bears gave them last week.

St. Louis Rams -6 1/2 v. New York Giants
Is Hakeen Nicks going to play? Even if so, are the Giants that much of an offensive threat to win this game by 7? I don't think so.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Pittsburgh Steelers -13 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Tarvaris Jackson! Plus, the Steelers should be angry after the beat down last week at the hands of the Ravens.

Previous Week's Record: 10-6
Year to Date: 10-6
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 1-0
Winnings (Losses): $490

Picks of the Week

Welcome back to this year's "picks of the week" segment that will occur weekly at We Make It Rain. As a refresher, I like to keep track of what I would have earned had I actually bet on all of the games (since gambling is illegal). Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I will keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will pretend that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. On to the picks.

Green Bay Packers - 4 1/2 v. New Orleans Saints
See my entry from Thursday.

Atlanta Falcons -1 1/2 at Chicago Bears
The Falcons are loaded for Bear this year, and the addition of Julio Jones can only mean some easier catches for Roddy White - who makes them all look easy already. I am afraid that this could be the start of a long season for the Bears.

Detroit Lions + 1 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had a very impressive season last year, and Josh Freeman looks to be very good, but as long as Matt Stafford is healthy, the Lions will move the ball against anyone. Plus, if you believe the old adage that everything start up front, the Lions have a head start in Ndamukong Suh.

St. Louis Rams + 3 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles
Until the Eagles offensive line shows me that they can actually block, I will be happy taking points from this "Dream Team". The Rams are legitimate playoff contenders this year.

Buffalo Bills + 4 1/2 at Kansas City Chiefs
I can't help but think that last year was an aberration for the Chiefs. If I am correct that means both of these teams are bad. In that case, take the points. Oh yeah, and GO HARVARD!

Tenneessee Titans pick 'em at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Johnson over Maurice Jones-Drew. OK, both of them are good. Matt Hasselbeck over David Garr ... strike that, Luke McCown, of Josh McCown, or Cade McNown. Whichever. Yep, that makes more sense.

Houston Texans -9 v. Indianapolis Colts
The point spread seems too high, but I have a feeling the Texans want to make a strong early statement. I don't think any of us can guess the effect of Manning's latest neck surgery, placing him most likely out for the whole season, will have on this team.

Cleveland Browns -6 1/2 v. Cincinnati Browns
Peyton Hillis cannot have the same year he had last year, but this might be the year Colt McCoy steps up in stature. Either way, I have Cincinnati as one of the worst 3 or 4 teams in the league. I'll take the Browns at home.

Pittsburgh Steelers v. Baltimore Ravens
These games are always close, something like 10 points difference total in the last 7 or 8 games. Given this fact, and that both teams rely on defense and the rushing games, I'll take the points.

Washington Redskins +3 v. New York Giants
Just a hunch. Plus, Rex Grossman always starts strong to give his team's fans some hope before he rips their hearts out with a 4 int, 3 fumble game.

San Francisco 49ers -5 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Tarvaris Jackson.

Arizona Cardinals -6 1/2 v. Carolina Panthers
Rookie QB, so I cannot take Carolina. Although Newton will have a couple of plays in which we will all say, "Wow". Unfotunately for Carolina, Fitzgerald will have more.

Minnesota Vikings + 8 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
I expect the Chargers to win the AFC West, but giving 8 1/2 points to a team with Donovan McNabb and Adrian Peterson seems a bit high. I would not be shocked if the Chargers won by a touchdown.

Dallas Cowboys +6 at New York Jets
The Jets have a great defense, but the Cowboys have lots of weapons. They had the number 1 offense since Garrett took over the head coaching position. I think the Cowboys are going to surprise a lot of people this year with Romo back.

Miami Dolphins +7 v. New England Patriots
Chad Henne gets way too much blame for the Dolphins woes. Now he has Marshall, Bess and Reggie Bush to play with. Look for the Dolphins to be a much harder out than people expect.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Oakland Raiders +3 at Denver Broncos
I feel weird putting my big bet status on Oakland, but they ran their division last year, and the Broncos are in disarray, with most of their fans cheering for their co-second string (read: thrid string) quarterback. Orton will put up numbers, but the Raiders will put up more points. Watch out for Von Miller as potential NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Previous Week's Record: N/A
Year to Date: N/A
Winnings (Losses): N/A

For Future Use

Green Bay Packers -4 1/2 v. New Orleans Saints