Dominic Fazzini

Thursday's plays

15 Dime -- Angels (Lackey) -1 1/2 runs over INDIANS (Masterson)

5 Dime -- Eagles (minus the points over COLTS)


ANGELS
NOTE: List only Lackey as Los Angeles' starting pitcher

John Lackey has reassumed his place as the ace of the surging Angels.

The veteran right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA in his last seven starts. He allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings Saturday in Los Angeles' 5-1 victory at Baltimore.

Lackey is 6-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 13 outings against Cleveland, but has won his last three starts vs. the Tribe. He gave up one run and three hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts on July 29 in a 9-3 win over the Indians.

Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (3-4, 4.70) has been ineffective since coming over from Boston as part of the Victor Martinez trade. The right-hander is 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA in two starts with the Indians. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings Friday in Cleveland's 11-0 loss at Minnesota.

Masterson made two starts against the Angels while with the Red Sox and went 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA. He has allowed five runs and nine hits in seven innings vs. Los Angeles in two appearances (one start) this year.

The Angels have won their last five games, all on the road, and are 22-6 in their last 28 games away from Anaheim. They are also 24-8 overall since the All-Star break. With Lackey on top of his game and L.A.'s offense leading the majors in runs scored and batting average, this one could get ugly, especially since Masterson hasn't been able to pitch deep into games, which will mean lots of work for Cleveland's dreadful bullpen. Take the Angels on the run line.


EAGLES

Yes, I know Michael Vick is not going to be suiting up in today's game. But there's plenty of other reasons to like Philly in this one.

One big reason is Indianapolis' quarterback situation. While Peyton Manning and the Colts' first-team offense is expected to play about 20 snaps, there is a significant dropoff after that. Backup QB Jim Sorgi is still injured, so rookies Curtis Painter and Chris Crane will get the majority of playing time tonight.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb and Philadelphia's first-team offense is expected to play the entire first half. After that the offense will be in the capable hands of veteran backup A.J. Feeley, who was 18 of 24 for 211 yards and a touchdown pass in Philly's 27-25 loss to New England in the teams' preseason opener.

While the Eagles are just 4-6 against the spread and 2-8 straight-up in exhibition road games the last five years, Indy is even worse during the preseason. The Colts are 3-16 SU and 5-14 ATS in preseason games since 2005, and have lost eight of nine home games SU and ATS.

I don't see Indy generating much offense after Manning & Co. come out of today's game. Take the Eagles to cover as a road favorite.