TEAM TIPS Bills: Buffalo should have plenty of support at neutral site Canton, Ohio for its Hall of Fame matchup. The Bills’ club owner, Ralph Wilson, and former star Buffalo pass rusher Bruce Smith are two of this year’s inductees into the Hall. The Bills have had five more practice days than the Titans. Terrell Owens is the big camp story. But Owens and Lee Evans, the Bills’ other star wide receiver, are not expected to play more than four or five plays. One of the keys for the Bills is their offensive line, which is being totally revamped this season. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Eric Wood, Andy Levitre, Langston Walker and Geoff Hangartner all saw extended playing time as the Bills try to develop cohesiveness in their refurbished offensive line. The Bills are 3-0 against the spread during their first preseason game under Dick Jauron.
PROJECTED SCORE: 14
The Titans should have an edge in rushing with Chris Johnson and LenDale White running behind a strong offensive line and at backup quarterback with Vince Young. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said his quarterback rotation is having starter Kerry Collins play a few series followed by Young, who should play into the third quarter. Then veteran Patrick Ramsey will take over with Alex Mortensen possibly getting mop up duty at the end. Fisher was quoted as saying, “We are going to … approach this to showcase our good players. We want to play them as long as possible. We want to play this game to win this game.” The Titans opened camp late and don’t need to impress their fan base having reached the playoffs last season. The Titans won’t have wide receiver Kenny Britt, their first-round pick. He’s nursing a hamstring injury.
PROJECTED SCORE: 16 (UNDER - Total of the Day)
TOP TRENDS
The Bills have covered during their first preseason game each of the past six years.
The Titans are 20-26-1 against the spread when favored in preseason.
TEAM TIPS Red Sox: After winning their first eight games this season against the Yankees, the Red Sox are in danger of being swept. The Red Sox haven’t scored in their last 24 innings and are 3-for-33 with runners in scoring position in losing the first three games of this series. Boston is 0-7 in its last seven games as a road ‘dog. The Red Sox are 1-11 during their past 12 games versus a team with a winning record. David Ortiz is batting just .171 since the July 30 report about his alleged drug use. Jon Lester (9-7, 3.79 ERA) is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA since the All-Star break. The southpaw is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 road outings this season. Lester is 3-0 lifetime versus the Yankees with a 3.43 ERA in six starts, including 1-0 this season with a 3.46 ERA in two starts.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
The Yankees have won six in a row and 20 of their last 30 games. They are 40-15 in their last 55 games at Yankee Stadium. Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.35 ERA) snapped a three-game losing streak in his last outing. He held Toronto to one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-3 victory last Tuesday. The veteran lefty struck out six, but did walk four batters while trying to refine control of his cut fastball. Pettitte has been better away from Yankee Stadium this season. He is 5-2 on the road with a 3.19 ERA compared to 4-4 at home with a 5.28 ERA. Pettitte did catch a break with the game being moved from day to night since his evening record is 8-2 with a 3.55 ERA compared to 1-4 with a 6.07 ERA in day games.
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)
TOP TRENDS
The Under is 12-3 in Boston’s last 15 games as an underdog.
The Under has cashed in 10 of Boston’s past 14 away contests.
The Yankees are 36-16 following a victory.
The Under is 9-2-1 in New York’s past 12 home games versus a team with a losing road record.
Smart - Money 8/9
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