Cnotes CFL 2019 News / Notes / Picks / Exhibition Football Schedule

[Cnotes53]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 2
David Schwab


Saturday, June 22

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) at Toronto Argonauts (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -2 ?
Total: 52

Game Overview

Expectations for the Tiger-Cats were running high heading in to Week 1 as favorites to win the East this season. Jeremiah Masoli threw for the second-most yards last year in the CFL and he started this season with 169 yards passing and one score while completing 17 of his 28 attempts in Thursday?s win.

Brandon Banks had a big game catching the ball with six receptions for 77 yards and a score. Hamilton gained just 63 yards on the ground while allowing 172 rushing yards on defense.

Saturday will be Corey Chamblin?s debut as Toronto?s new head coach. He was the defensive coordinator for the Argonauts in their run to the 2017 Grey Cup title. Following the team?s fall from grace to just four victories last season, there is definitely some work to be done to get back on track.

James Franklin will get the start at quarterback, but he could be on a short leash if things get out of hand early. One of his top targets should be wide receiver Derel Walker, who came to Toronto from Edmonton this past offseason.

Betting Trends

-- The Tiger-Cats have covered ATS in eight of their last 10 road games against the Argonauts and the total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in Toronto. Hamilton also has a 4-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last five meetings overall.


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CFL
Long Sheet

Week 2


Saturday, June 22

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HAMILTON (1 - 0) at TORONTO (0-0) - 6/22/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 22-45 ATS (-27.5 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 52 since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 4-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 4-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CFL

Week 2

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Trend Report
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Saturday, June 22

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Hamilton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Hamilton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Hamilton's last 12 games
Hamilton is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Hamilton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 5 games on the road
Hamilton is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Hamilton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Hamilton is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Hamilton is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto

Toronto Argonauts
Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games at home
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Hamilton
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Hamilton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Hamilton
Toronto is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Hamilton
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Hamilton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Hamilton

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CFL
Dunkel


Saturday, June 22

Hamilton @ Toronto

Game 693-694
June 22, 2019 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Hamilton
113.535
Toronto
101.050
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 12 1/2
54
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 2 1/2
52
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(-2 1/2); Over


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CFL Week 2 preview, odds, picks and predictions: Argonauts add more weapons
Rohit Ponnaiya

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Line: Hamilton -2.5, O/U 52
Time: Saturday, June 22, 4:00 p.m. ET

The Argonauts will play their first game of the season on Saturday. After winning the Grey Cup in 2017 they tied for the fewest wins in the league last year, going 4-14. All four of those wins came at home, but they took the L in both of their home tilts with the Ti-Cats, losing 36-25 in September and 34-20 in October.

Hamilton QB Jeremiah Masoli had a rough start to the season, completing 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards. But we predicted as much since he was going up against a tough Saskatchewan defense that shut him down in two games last season as well. This is still the same QB that threw for 5209 yards for the No. 1 rated offense in 2018 and Hamilton's offense has stayed more or less intact - which is a rare sight in a league with as much offseason turnover as the CFL.

The Argos allowed a league-worst 560 points last year and despite adding DB Kevin Fogg will likely not be much better. Masoli struggled against some of the better defenses in the league last year but absolutely tore up the Argos, averaging 343.3 yards through the air and tossing 12 TDs in three games.

On offense, Toronto should be improved from the unit that scored the second-fewest points in the league last year at 20.5 per game. They added WR Derel Walker (875 receving yards in just 11 games in 2018), RB Tyrell Sutton and former Florida Gator speedster Chris Rainey ( 452 rushing and receiving yards with an additional 2,112 yards on returns), along with first overall draft pick OL Shane Richards from Oklahoma State.

Argo running back James Wilder Jr, one of the top HS recruits in the U.S. class of 2011, is expected to play after leaving Toronto to deal with a family issue. Wilder has been on the verge of a breakout campaign for a couple seasons and missed five games with various ailments in 2018. Quarterback James Franklin also played with more consistency towards the end of last season. Take the Over.

PICK: Over 52

 

[Cnotes53]

SATURDAY, JUNE 22
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

HAM at TOR 04:00 PM

HAM -3.5

O 52.5

 

[Cnotes53]

GAME RECAP
TICATS SHINE BRIGHT IN DOMINANT ROAD WIN OVER ARGOS
CFL.CA STAFF

TORONTO ? The Hamilton Tiger-Cats continued their solid start to the season with a dominant 64-14 road win over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. The Ticats? offence put up 600 total yards and scored six touchdowns on the back of a solid performance from quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Six consecutive drives resulted in touchdowns for the Tabbies in their largest win ever against Toronto.

Masoli completed 23 of 31 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns in the win, giving him a 6-1 career record against the Argos. Masoli also added a one-yard rushing score.

Running back Sean Thomas-Erlington emerged with a standout performance for Hamilton, showing he could do it all by gaining 109 rushing yards on just 12 carries and adding three catches for 56 yards.

Receivers Brandon Banks and Bralon Addison both came through with big games for the Ticats as well. Addison found the end zone three times while racking up 107 yards on six catches, and Banks finished the game with seven catches for 105 yards. Banks also added a highlight reel special teams touchdown when he returned a missed field goal for a 113-yard touchdown.

James Franklin and the Argos? offence could not find room to maneuver against a strong defensive outing from Hamilton, as the starting quarterback finished the day with 211 passing yards on 16 completions.

The Ticats came out aggressive on offence with deep throws to stretch the field, but Argos defensive back Abdul Kanneh notched a turnover for his team early on by making a beautiful read and play on the ball to intercept Masoli. The Ticats managed to get it back moments later when offensive lineman Brandon Revenberg forced a fumble on Kanneh and recovered the ball for a fresh set of downs.

Masoli helped turn the second chance into points with a big 29-yard throw to Banks on a corner route that set up a 34-yard field goal from kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.

Franklin had some good moments in the early going, standing tall in the pocket while finding open receivers to move the chains. First down gains from receiver Armanti Edwards put Toronto in position to get on the board, and kicker Drew Brown made the 28-yard field goal to tie the game with under five minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Toronto?s defence did a good job containing Hamilton?s offensive attack to start out, but the Tabbies got on the board again when Hajrullahu showed off his formidable leg strength by knocking through a 56-yard field goal to give the Ticats a 6-3 lead in the second quarter.

Masoli attempted to get things going through the air once again, but the Argos added their second turnover of the game when linebacker Ian Wild dislodged the ball out of the hands of Banks after he made a catch. Defensive back Trumaine Washington recovered the ball to set things up for Franklin and the Argos? offence.

But possession and momentum quickly changed once again when linebacker Simoni Lawrence picked off Franklin over the middle of the field to give the ball right back to Hamilton. The interception was Lawrence?s second of the season.

A big 44-yard catch-and-run from receiver Marcus Tucker brought the Tabbies into scoring range, and Thomas-Erlington brought the ball to the doorstep of the end zone with a six-yard run. Masoli kept the ball on the next play and finished off the drive with a quarterback sneak touchdown, and a successful two-point convert pass to Tucker gave Hamilton a 14-3 lead.

Masoli kept things rolling after Hamilton?s defence quickly forced a punt off a big sack from defensive lineman Ted Laurent. The Ticats moved the ball effectively through the air and on the ground while driving down the field to extend the lead before half time. Rookie running back Maleek Irons made the most of his first two career carries by picking up 13 yards and following it up with a five-yard rushing touchdown. The ensuing two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Ticats with a 20-3 lead.

The Argos answered back after a big gain from running back James Wilder Jr. and a spectacular catch in traffic from S.J. Green put the team in field goal range with five seconds left to go in the half. Brown hit the 43-yard field goal to make it a two possession game heading into the third quarter.

A huge run from Thomas-Erlington kicked things off for the Ticats in the second half. The talented runner displayed vision and quickness to find daylight and gain 52 yards up the left side of the field before being knocked out of bounds. Addison reeled in a reception on the next play and turned it up the field, beating Kanneh to the right pylon for a 21-yard touchdown. Tucker secured his second two-point convert catch of the game on the next play to give Hamilton a 26-6 lead.

The Tabbies remained hot on both sides of the ball as the third quarter unfolded, and the Argos simply could not solve the Ticats? defensive pressure. Masoli got the ball back and extended his team?s lead once again on a brilliant throw that beat the Argos? blitz. Masoli kept his eyes down field as pressure came, and the athletic passer completed a pass to Nikola Kalinic for a 31-yard touchdown while falling backwards, the first score of Kalinic?s CFL career. Addison hauled in the two-point convert reception to make the score 34-6.

Toronto appeared to be on their way to a promising result after Franklin connected with new weapon Derel Walker for a 42-yard gain, but Lawrence sacked Franklin for a big loss two plays later to stall the drive and force a punt.

Upon getting the ball back, Thomas-Erlington showed that his versatile skill set goes beyond just rushing the ball. The running back looked more like a wide receiver as he stretched out to make a 37-yard finger tip grab over his shoulder. Banks then took a short reception and turned it into a 23-yard gain, setting up Masoli to find Addison with a 10-yard touchdown pass. Hajrullahu added the extra point to put the Black and Gold on top 41-6.

Things continued to get worse for Toronto when a missed field goal attempt ended up in the hands of Banks. The speedy return specialist caught the ball in the end zone and proceeded to take it the entire length of the field for a 113-yard touchdown. Hajrullahu added the extra point to put Hamilton up 48-6 in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson came in with 13 minutes remaining to take over under centre for Toronto, while Dane Evans came in to relieve Masoli.

Addison added his third touchdown catch of the game down the stretch to help put the Ticats up 55-6, accelerating up the field for a 44-yard catch-and-run touchdown that further silenced the home crowd.

Hajrullahu knocked through a 27-yard field goal to give Hamilton a 58-6 lead later on, but the Argos responded with their first touchdown of the game. Bethel-Thompson led a scoring drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass to Edwards. Bethel-Thompson then completed the two-point convert to Green to make the score 58-14 with under two minutes to play.

The final touchdown of the game came from Hamilton?s defence when defensive back Rico Murray intercepted Bethel-Thompson on the final play and returned it 37 yards to give the Ticats a 64-14 victory.

Week 3 will see the unbeaten Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, June 28, while the Toronto Argonauts will be on the road for their next battle when they face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, July 1.

 

[Cnotes53]

WEEK 3

Thursday, June 27, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
8:30 PM Edmonton Eskimos Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Friday, June 28, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:30 PM Montreal Alouettes Hamilton Tiger Cats

Saturday, June 29, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:00 PM British Columbia Lions Calgary Stampeders

Monday, July 1, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:00 PM Toronto Argonauts Saskatchewan Roughriders


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CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE BEST BETS AND OPINIONS

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

06/22/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
06/21/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
06/20/2019 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
06/15/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
06/13/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50

Totals...............7-5-0 58.33% +7.50


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BEST BETS:


DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTAL

06/22/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0...................+5.00.............+10.00
06/21/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0...................+5.00.............+10.00
06/20/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50..................0 - 1....................-5.50..............-11.00
06/15/2019.............1 - 1.....................-0.50..................1 - 1....................-0.50..............-1.00
06/13/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50..................1 - 0....................-0.50..............-0.50


Totals..................... 3 - 3....................-1.50.................4 - 2.....................+9.00..............+7.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Sunday?s 6-pack

Spreads for early season college games:

? Florida (-7.5) vs Miami

? Cincinnati (-3.5) vs UCLA

? Utah (-6) vs BYU

? Wake Forest (-3.5) vs Utah State

? Wisconsin (-11) vs South Florida

? Colorado (-11) vs Colorado State


Quote of the Day
?Trying to walk around the bases and get to the plate, and trying to get in the dugout and hold everything in. Man, that was hard. It?s gonna be up there for me ? for my career, for my family, my wife, Deidre, and my five kids and my friends and family that are here in town. It?s just a moment that I will treasure forever.?
Albert Pujols, on his reception in St Louis this weekend

Sunday?s quiz
In 2001, Albert Pujols? rookie season, which position did he play the most games at?

Saturday?s quiz
When the Buccaneers came into the NFL in 1976, Seattle Seahawks also joined the league that season.

Friday?s quiz
Steve Spurrier played QB for the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went 0-14 in their first season in the NFL.


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Sunday?s List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind??.

13) UConn is expected to leave the AAC and go back to the Big East for the 2020-21 season; not sure what this does to their football program, since the Big East isn?t a football league.

Huskies have made the NCAA basketball tournament only once in the last five years.

UConn leaving the AAC raises the question: who replaces the Huskies in the AAC?

12) NHL does their draft better than any other league; the whole league is under one roof, all the coaches/GM?s, and they move the draft around North America every year- they did that before the NFL started doing it.

Philadelphia Flyers drafted a kid who went to Florida on a golf scholarship, then thought better of it and transferred to Minnesota, where he walked on to the hockey team. Not a lot of guys in the NHL went to college on a golf scholarship.

11) San Francisco Giants are thinking about taking their bullpens off the field and putting them under the stands in right-center field, which would mean the fences in ?Triples Alley? would have to come in, making the dimensions much more hitter-friendly.

10) Twice in the last week, Cardinals? pitcher John Flaherty was used as a pinch-runner in the last inning; one time he was thrown out at the plate to end the game, Thursday he got picked off second to end the game. His pinch-running career might be over.

9) Former Angels? OF Tim Salmon has the most home runs (299) by anyone who never made an All-Star team.

8) Talked last week about the Angels DFA?ing OF Carlos Puello; he quickly found a home with the Miami Marlins, where he is now their rightfielder.

7) Baseball stuff:
? Indians put P Mike Clevinger (ankle) on IL.
? MLB suspended Texas 3B Asdrubel Cabrera for four games.
? MLB suspended Oakland P Frankie Montas for 80 games (PEDs)

6) New York Daily News was not invited to a Friday press conference for Knicks? draft picks RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis, but every other NYC outlet covering the team was. Owner James Dolan doesn?t like the paper?s coverage and has effectively banned them from covering the team.

Dolan is one of the worst owners in sports, if not the worst.

5) In his last three starts, Jacob deGrom threw 112-116-113 pitches, which is indicative of teams starting to stretch their better starting pitchers out a little more.

Stats show that with relievers pitching more and more innings, their ERA?s are going higher and higher, so this is the result of that.

4) Yu Darvish didn?t get a decision in any of his last ten starts, which ties a big league record that was last done in 1977 (Lerch, D?Acquisto), and has only been done four times ever.

3) Michigan-Vanderbilt will play a best-of-3 series for the College World Series title starting Monday.

2) Dodgers 5, Rockies 4? Alex Verdugo hit a walk-off homer for LA- they walked off Colorado Friday night, too.

1) If the baseball playoffs started today??.
NL: Atlanta-Chicago-Los Angeles. Wild Cards: Cardinals @ Brewers
AL: New York-Minnesota-Houston. Wild Cards: Bos/Clev @ Rays

 

[Cnotes53]

Betting Recap - Week 2
June 22, 2019
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com

League Betting Notes

This Week

-- Favorites went 3-0 SU in Week 2
-- Favorites went 2-1 ATS in Week 2
-- Home teams posted a 2-1 SU record in Week 2
-- Away teams posted a 2-1 ATS record in Week 2
-- The 'Over' went 3-0 in Week 2

Year To Date

-- Favorites are 5-2 SU overall
-- Underdogs are 4-3 ATS overall
-- Home teams are 4-3 SU overall
-- Away teams are 5-2 ATS overall
-- The 'Over' is 6-1 overall


Analysis

Ottawa (2-0) posted a 44-41 thrilling victory against Saskatchewan (0-2) in Canada's capital city, as the over continues to produce. That's 2-0 for the RedBlacks in terms of overs, although they're now 1-1 ATS so far after failing to cover the 4 1/2-point number. As far as the Roughriders are concerned, they earned their first cover of the young season, but they're allowed 33.5 points per game (PPG) through two outings, both losses.

Edmonton (2-0) kept up their good work to start, topping the BC Lions (0-2) to win for the second straight week while earning their first cover. They're now 5-1 in the past six seasons during Week 2. The over continues to cash in this series, going 5-0-1 in the past six battles, and the over is 5-1 in the past six battles in Northern Alberta, too.

The Esks have averaged 35.5 PPG through two games out of the gate while averaging 24.0 PPG in two outings. They'll look to keep it going in Winnipeg (1-0) in Week 3.

Hamilton (2-0) wailed on Toronto (0-1) in the regular-season opener for the Argonauts, an inauspicious season debut for Toronto. The Tiger-Cats pulled away in the third quarter with a 21-0 advantage as the 'over' (52.5) connected. The Ti-Cats have posted a 2-0 ATS mark through their first two games.

Team Betting Notes

-- The Blue Bombers picked up a win as a pick 'em in the first game in BC, and they're coming off a bye. Winnipeg lost a thriller to Edmonton in Week 1 last season, 33-30, covering as short 'dogs at home. Overall they were just 1-2 SU in the three regular-season meetings in 2018, but they finished 2-1 ATS against the Esks with the over hitting in two of three. Since July 26, 2012, the Blue Bombers are just 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in seven home meetings against the Eskimos.

-- The Esks play their first road game of the 2019 season. They were terrible on the road to close out 2018, losing six straight away from Commonwealth Stadium while going 2-4 ATS.

-- On Friday, the Tiger-Cats look to keep their record unblemished against Montreal (0-1). The Alouettes lost to Edmonton in Week 1, but covered in the 32-25 shootout.

-- The Als split two regular-season battles with the Ti-Cats last season, as the road team managed to go 2-0 SU/ATS in the two meetings in 2018 with 'over' results in both.

-- Calgary (0-1) was surprised at home in Week 1, a rare setback of any kind for the Stampeders. They'll look to take out two week's worth of pent up aggression on the winless Lions. The Stamps won two of three meetings with the Lions in 2018, but BC was 2-1 ATS in the three regular-season battles with the 'under' connecting in all three outings. The lone loss by Calgary also came on their home field on Oct. 13, a 26-21 setback as 10 1/2-point favorites.

-- The under has connected in six straight meetings between the Lions and Stamps dating back to the last over result on July 29, 2016, a game decided in overtime. The under is 8-1 in the past nine regular-season meetings between these two clubs.

-- Toronto will be licking their wounds after getting hammered by Hamilton in their Week 2 opener at home. They head to Saskatchewan in a battle of winless sides, although the Roughriders have at least been competitive.

-- In 2018, the Riders were 2-0 SU/1-1 ATS in the two regular-season meetings with the Argos, covering in their home opener last June 15. Saskatchewan has a five-game winning streak in the regular season during this series, and they're 4-1 ATS in that stretch, including 2-0 SU/ATS at home. The last time the Argos won in Regina was back on June 30, 2016.

 

[Cnotes53]

WEST DIVISION
RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
1 Edmonton 2 2 0 0 4 71 48 2-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0

2 Winnipeg 1 1 0 0 2 33 23 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0

3 Calgary 1 0 1 0 0 28 32 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0

4 Saskatchewan 2 0 2 0 0 58 67 0-0-0 0-2-0 0-0-0

5 BC 2 0 2 0 0 46 72 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-2-0


EAST DIVISION
RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
1 Hamilton 2 2 0 0 4 87 31 1-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0

2 Ottawa 2 2 0 0 4 76 69 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0

3 Montreal 1 0 1 0 0 25 32 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0

4 Toronto 1 0 1 0 0 14 64 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0

 

[Cnotes53]

Tuesday?s 6-pack

Caeser?s posted NFL player props for this season:

? Lamar Jackson over/under passing yards: 2,679.5

? Baker Mayfield passing yards: 4,331.5

? Ben Roethlisberger passing yards: 4,405.5

? Andy Dalton passing yards: 3,511.5

? Matthew Stafford passing TD?s: 25.5

? Kirk Cousins passing TD?s: 28.5

Quote of the Day
?I don?t want to overreact to the term because, as I said earlier, people end up twisting themselves into knots avoiding the use of the word ?owner?. But we moved away from that term years ago with the league. We call our team owners ?Governors? of the team and ?alternate Governors?. So I think it makes sense. As I said, I don?t want to overreact ? but I?m sensitive to it, and I think to the extent that teams are moving away from the term, we?ll stick with using Governor.?
NBA commish Adam Silver, taking political correctness to a new high

Tuesday?s quiz
Which major league franchise used to call Milwaukee, Boston home?

Monday?s quiz
Liam Neeson plays the police chief of a small Kansas town in the Steve Martin movie, Leap of Faith.

Sunday?s quiz
In 2001, Albert Pujols? rookie season, he played 55 games at third base, 42 at first base, 39 in left field, 39 in right.

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Tuesday?s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but??

13) Long time ago when I was in college, had a summer job for New York State; I worked in an office, had to dress like an adult? think I was 18. Six of us were hired for the summer.

One of the other guys played college hockey; at the end of the summer, we all had to write a letter of resignation that they put in the file- for some reason this guy didn?t do that, so in the last hour of the last day we?re there, someone tells him he has to write the letter- the rest of us had all handed in typed letters of resignation.

He takes a notebook, rips out a piece of paper, and with a magic marker writes ?I QUIT!!!!? on it and signs the bottom and hands it in to the boss and walks out, so to this day, somewhere in the archives, there is this letter.

Not sure what reminded me of that today, but it was funny as hell when it happened.

12) Former NBA star Stephon Marbury said Monday that he?s been named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters, a Chinese Basketball Association team. Marbury is 42 now; he retired as a player last year.

11) Mets had a news conference Monday afternoon where manager Mickey Callaway didn?t apologize for cursing out a Newsday reporter Sunday; couple hours later, they had another news conference, where Callaway apologized for not apologizing the first time. Not sure if he actually apologized for cursing out the writer, but he did apologize for something. What a mess.

10) Right now, the Lakers? over/under win total for next year is 53.5; how do you bet on this either way, without knowing who the hell is going to be playing for them? As the roster stands right now, they?re not a 54-win team.

9) Fantasy baseball tip: I?m in a Monday-Sunday head-head league; we get four pickups a month and I was down to my last pick-up this month, needing to find a shortstop for the next two weeks (Story/Seager are both on IL).

Was deciding between Brock Holt/Chris Taylor Friday night, but in a rare fit of wisdom, decided to wait until Sunday night to make the call. Good thing; Holt hurt his hamstring Saturday, which made it unnecessary to make the decision. Hope Taylor has a hot couple of weeks.

8) With Marlins? C Jorge Alfaro on the IL, 35-year old Wilkin Castillo was brought up from AAA and he had a big hit in Saturday?s 5-3 win in Philly.

Castillo hadn?t been in the major leagues since batting three times in four games for the ?09 Reds. Imagine what he must?ve felt like, being back in The Show for the first time in a decade?

7) Baseball stuff:
? Minnesota signed P Cody Allen to a free agent contract.
? Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks (torn UCL) is on the IL.
? Astros activated OF George Springer, P Collin McHugh from the IL.

6) Phoenix Suns declined Jimmer Fredette?s team option, Warriors say he?ll join them in summer league, so summer league just got a little more interesting. Summer league starts at the end of next week; if you like the NBA, do yourself a favor and go watch it in person some time.

Its in Las Vegas, so even if you wind up hating summer league, chances are you?ll find something to occupy your time, of that I am not uncertain.

5) Portland Traiblazers are trading Evan Turner to Atlanta for Kent Bazemore.

4) NBA fined the New York Knicks $50,000 for refusing to credential the New York Daily News for a press conference last week. Tough week for the media in the Big Apple.

3) Steven Matz?s first inning ERA this season is 10.93; in 15 starts, he?s allowed 10 first inning home runs. No bueno.

2) There have already been seven games this season where both sides hit 4+ homers; all of last season, there were only three games like that.

1) Mike Conley won both the 2018-19 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award and NBA Sportsmanship Award, right after he gets traded to Utah. Wonder what the fans in Memphis are thinking when such a good guy/popular player (12 years with Grizzlies) gets traded away?

 

[Cnotes53]

Betting Recap - Week 2
Joe Williams

League Betting Notes

This Week

-- Favorites went 3-0 SU in Week 2
-- Favorites went 2-1 ATS in Week 2
-- Home teams posted a 2-1 SU record in Week 2
-- Away teams posted a 2-1 ATS record in Week 2
-- The 'Over' went 3-0 in Week 2

Year To Date

-- Favorites are 5-2 SU overall
-- Underdogs are 4-3 ATS overall
-- Home teams are 4-3 SU overall
-- Away teams are 5-2 ATS overall
-- The 'Over' is 6-1 overall

Analysis

Ottawa (2-0) posted a 44-41 thrilling victory against Saskatchewan (0-2) in Canada's capital city, as the over continues to produce. That's 2-0 for the RedBlacks in terms of overs, although they're now 1-1 ATS so far after failing to cover the 4 1/2-point number. As far as the Roughriders are concerned, they earned their first cover of the young season, but they're allowed 33.5 points per game (PPG) through two outings, both losses.

Edmonton (2-0) kept up their good work to start, topping the BC Lions (0-2) to win for the second straight week while earning their first cover. They're now 5-1 in the past six seasons during Week 2. The over continues to cash in this series, going 5-0-1 in the past six battles, and the over is 5-1 in the past six battles in Northern Alberta, too.

The Esks have averaged 35.5 PPG through two games out of the gate while averaging 24.0 PPG in two outings. They'll look to keep it going in Winnipeg (1-0) in Week 3.

Hamilton (2-0) wailed on Toronto (0-1) in the regular-season opener for the Argonauts, an inauspicious season debut for Toronto. The Tiger-Cats pulled away in the third quarter with a 21-0 advantage as the 'over' (52.5) connected. The Ti-Cats have posted a 2-0 ATS mark through their first two games.

Team Betting Notes

-- The Blue Bombers picked up a win as a pick 'em in the first game in BC, and they're coming off a bye. Winnipeg lost a thriller to Edmonton in Week 1 last season, 33-30, covering as short 'dogs at home. Overall they were just 1-2 SU in the three regular-season meetings in 2018, but they finished 2-1 ATS against the Esks with the over hitting in two of three. Since July 26, 2012, the Blue Bombers are just 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in seven home meetings against the Eskimos.

-- The Esks play their first road game of the 2019 season. They were terrible on the road to close out 2018, losing six straight away from Commonwealth Stadium while going 2-4 ATS.

-- On Friday, the Tiger-Cats look to keep their record unblemished against Montreal (0-1). The Alouettes lost to Edmonton in Week 1, but covered in the 32-25 shootout.

-- The Als split two regular-season battles with the Ti-Cats last season, as the road team managed to go 2-0 SU/ATS in the two meetings in 2018 with 'over' results in both.

-- Calgary (0-1) was surprised at home in Week 1, a rare setback of any kind for the Stampeders. They'll look to take out two week's worth of pent up aggression on the winless Lions. The Stamps won two of three meetings with the Lions in 2018, but BC was 2-1 ATS in the three regular-season battles with the 'under' connecting in all three outings. The lone loss by Calgary also came on their home field on Oct. 13, a 26-21 setback as 10 1/2-point favorites.

-- The under has connected in six straight meetings between the Lions and Stamps dating back to the last over result on July 29, 2016, a game decided in overtime. The under is 8-1 in the past nine regular-season meetings between these two clubs.

-- Toronto will be licking their wounds after getting hammered by Hamilton in their Week 2 opener at home. They head to Saskatchewan in a battle of winless sides, although the Roughriders have at least been competitive.

-- In 2018, the Riders were 2-0 SU/1-1 ATS in the two regular-season meetings with the Argos, covering in their home opener last June 15. Saskatchewan has a five-game winning streak in the regular season during this series, and they're 4-1 ATS in that stretch, including 2-0 SU/ATS at home. The last time the Argos won in Regina was back on June 30, 2016.

 

[Cnotes53]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 3
David Schwab

Week 2 Betting Recap

This past weekend?s betting action in the CFL featured a trio of games starting with Ottawa?s thrilling 44-41 victory over Saskatchewan on Thursday night as a 4 ?-point home favorite. On Friday night, Edmonton stayed perfect on the year with a 39-23 win at home against British Columbia to easily cover the closing three-point spread.

Hamilton also moved to 2-0 straight-up with Saturday?s 64-14 romp over Toronto as a 4 ?-point road favorite. The Tiger-Cats are the only CFL team to also go 2-0 against the spread.

Thursday, June 27

Edmonton Eskimos (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
Point-spread: Winnipeg -3 ?
Total: 58

Game Overview

Edmonton is off to a fast start behind Trevor Harris at quarterback. He completed 25 of his 33 passing attempts against BC for 294 yards and three touchdown throws. Greg Ellington was his top target with nine receptions for 174 yards and two of the three scores through the air. CJ Gable anchored the running game with 111 yards rushing on 23 carries in what is shaping up to be one of the most potent offensive attacks in the CFL. The Eskimos? defense only allowed 202 yards of total offense in that latest win.

The Blue Bombers had the week off after beating BC 33-23 in Week 1 as slight one-point road favorites. Matt Nichols got the start at quarterback in that game and he went 21-for-33 for 184 yards passing and three touchdown throws. He completed at least one pass to six different players. Andrew Harris turned in an impressive performance running the ball with 148 yards rushing on 16 carries. Winnipeg?s defense allowed 324 yards passing, but it completely shut down the running game by allowing just four yards on four carries.

Betting Trends

-- Edmonton has won seven of its last eight road games against the Blue Bombers SU and the total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in Winnipeg.


Friday, June 28

Montreal Alouettes (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -14
Total: 57 ?

Game Overview

The prospect for success in Montreal is not all that high given its front-office issues off the field and its lack of deep talent on the field. The Alouettes were able to cover in a 32-25 loss to Edmonton in Week 1 as eight-point road underdogs. They are coming off a bye in Week 2, so the added rest could be a bonus as even heavier road dogs for this matchup. Question marks at the quarterback position continue. Antonio Pipkin was the starter in Week 1, but an injury paved the way for Vernon Adams Jr. to show what he can do with this offense. He was able to tie the game against the Eskimos in the final two minutes, but Montreal?s defense could not stop Edmonton in its final possession.

The Tiger-Cats demonstrated just how potent their offense can be by ranking up 64 points in Week 2 after scoring 23 points in a Week 1 win at home against Saskatchewan. Jeremiah Masoli completed 23-of-31 passing attempts for 338 yards and three scores in Saturday?s romp. He completed passes to seven different players while Hamilton was also able to gain another 161 yards running the ball on 25 rushing attempts.

Betting Trends

-- Montreal has the 4-1 edge ATS in the last five games played in Hamilton. However, the Tiger-Cats are 12-3 SU in their last 15 home games against their East Division rivals. The total has stayed UNDER in six of the last nine meetings in Hamilton.


Saturday, June 29

British Columbia Lions (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) at Calgary Stampeders (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -10 ?
Total: 53

Game Overview

The arrival of Mike Reilly as BC?s new starting quarterback drew the attention of the betting public when it came to the team?s CFL futures odds to win this season?s Grey Cup title. It has been a rocky start for Reilly through his first two games with 473 yards passing on a completion rate of 54.5 percent. He has thrown for two touchdowns against three interceptions. The Lions? leading rusher has been John White with 28 yards on 12 carries.

Week 3 will be a good test to see if Calgary?s 32-28 loss to Ottawa in Week 1 as a nine-point favorite was just a fluke. The Stampeders? lineup on both sides of ball is filled with quite a few new faces from last season?s championship run. Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 275 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception in the season opener. He completed 59.0 percent of his 39 passing attempts. Calgary?s defense gave up 276 yards through the air and another 125 yards on the ground against the RedBlacks.

Betting Trends

-- Calgary has won seven of its last eight games against the Lions SU and the total has stayed UNDER in the last five meetings. The total has also stayed UNDER in four of the last five meetings in Calgary.


Monday, July 1

Toronto Argonauts (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-2 SU, 1-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Saskatchewan -13
Total: 54

Game Overview

Toronto started this season pretty much the way it played last season with a bad loss. The 2017 Grey Cup Champions sunk to just four straight-up victories last year. The Argonauts? defense allowed a touchdown on six consecutive Hamilton drives in Saturday?s loss, in what was the team?s worst loss ever in this heated East Division battle. James Franklin got the call at quarterback and he threw for 211 yards and no scores against one interception. Mcleod Bethel-Thompson completed nine-of-16 passes for 99 yards and the team?s only touchdown throw.

The Roughriders hung tight against Ottawa last Thursday coming off a tough loss to Hamilton on the road in Week 1. With quarterback Zach Collaros once again sidelined with an injury, Cody Fajardo took over the reins and completed 27 of his 34 passing attempts against the RedBlacks for 360 yards and two touchdowns against zero interceptions. Saskatchewan?s defense allowed 354 yards and three scores through the air.

Betting Trends

-- Saskatchewan has a SU 5-1 record against Toronto in the last six meetings with a 4-2 edge ATS. However, the Argonauts are 8-4-1 ATS in their last 13 road games against the Roughriders.

 

[Cnotes53]

CFL

Dunkel

Week 3

Thursday, June 27

Edmonton @ Winnipeg

Game 681-682
June 27, 2019 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
114.601
Winnipeg
114.279
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Edmonton
Even
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Winnipeg
by 3 1/2
59
Dunkel Pick:
Edmonton
(+3 1/2); Under


Friday June 28

Montreal @ Hamilton

Game 683-684
June 28, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
107.362
Hamilton
118.419
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 11
63
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 14
56
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(+14); Over


Saturday, June 29

BC Lions @ Calgary

Game 685-686
June 29, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
BC Lions
105.246
Calgary
119.804
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 14 1/2
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary
by 10 1/2
52 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(-10 1/2); Under


Monday, July 1

Toronto @ Saskatchewan

Game 687-688
July 1, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
96.166
Saskatchewan
115.386
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Saskatchewan
by 19
60
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Saskatchewan
by 13 1/2
54
Dunkel Pick:
Saskatchewan
(-13 1/2); Over




CFL
Long Sheet

Week 3

Thursday, June 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDMONTON (2 - 0) at WINNIPEG (1 - 0) - 6/27/2019, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 21-42 ATS (-25.2 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 4-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
WINNIPEG is 3-3 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, June 28

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONTREAL (0 - 1) at HAMILTON (2 - 0) - 6/28/2019, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing on a Friday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 3-1 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 3-1 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, June 29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRITISH COLUMBIA (0 - 2) at CALGARY (0 - 1) - 6/29/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 52 over the last 3 seasons.
CALGARY is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in a home game where the total is between 52.5 and 56 over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-2 against the spread versus BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 4-1 straight up against BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, July 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (0 - 1) at SASKATCHEWAN (0 - 2) - 7/1/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) as an underdog of 10 or more points since 1996.
TORONTO is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) as a road underdog of 10.5 to 14 points since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 56-36 ATS (+16.4 Units) in July games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
SASKATCHEWAN is 4-1 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




CFL

Week 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, June 27

Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games
Edmonton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Edmonton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games on the road
Edmonton is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Winnipeg
Edmonton is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Edmonton is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Edmonton is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Winnipeg is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games
Winnipeg is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Winnipeg is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Winnipeg is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Edmonton
Winnipeg is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton


Friday, June 28

Montreal Alouettes
Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Montreal is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Montreal is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Montreal's last 12 games on the road
Montreal is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Hamilton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing Hamilton
Montreal is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Montreal is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 9 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games
Hamilton is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games at home
Hamilton is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing Montreal
Hamilton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Montreal
Hamilton is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Hamilton's last 9 games when playing at home against Montreal


Saturday, June 29

British Columbia Lions
British Columbia is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
British Columbia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 6 games
British Columbia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
British Columbia is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games on the road
British Columbia is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Calgary
British Columbia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of British Columbia's last 5 games when playing Calgary
British Columbia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of British Columbia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary Stampeders
Calgary is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games
Calgary is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 12 games at home
Calgary is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing British Columbia
Calgary is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia


Monday, July 1

Toronto Argonauts
Toronto is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Toronto is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games
Toronto is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Saskatchewan is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Saskatchewan is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Saskatchewan is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Saskatchewan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Saskatchewan is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Toronto

 

[Cnotes53]

This report will update asap....


CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, June 27

Edmonton (2-0) @ Winnipeg (1-0)? Teams split last six meetings; road team won six of last nine series games. Eskimos won three of last five visits to Manitoba; over is 5-3 in last eight series games. Edmonton won its first two games, scoring 32-39 points in home win over Lions, Alouettes; Eskimos outscored first two opponents this season 16-6 in third quarter. Winnipeg won its opener 33-23 in Vancouver LW, despite Reilly passing for 324 yards; Bombers had a +2 turnover ratio.

Season totals:
Home teams: 2-5
Favorites: 3-3
Over/under: 6-1

 

[Cnotes53]

CFL Week 3 preview, odds, picks and predictions: Riding the Roughriders offense
Rohit Ponnaiya

The Saskatchewan Roughriders exploded for 41 points in Week 2 and could be in for another big performance on Canada Day against the Toronto Argonauts.

It's Week 3 of the CFL and there are four games on the betting board, culminating in a Canada Day Clash on July 1 between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.

Week 2 had plenty of offensive fireworks with four out of six teams scoring 39 points or more. Seven games into the season and we're starting to notice some trends; home teams are having trouble covering the spread and Overs are turning a tidy profit.

We break down the football odds north of the border with our analysis, betting trends, picks and predictions.

Season Betting Trends

Favorites: 5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS
Home teams: 4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS
Over/Under: 6-1

Week 2 Picks: 1-2
Season to date: 3-4


EDMONTON ESKIMOS AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Line: Winnipeg -5, O/U 58
Time: Thursday, June 27, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Edmonton Eskimos look like legitimate contenders despite losing star quarterback Mike Reilly. Newly aquired field general Trevor Harris has completed 77 percent of his passes for 741 yards and six touchdowns through the first two games of the season, while former USC running back C.J. Gable has rushed for 265 yards on 6.2 yards per carry.

The Blue Bombers should be a big test for them though. Winnipeg limited the Lions to 328 yards of offense and 23 points (and seven of those points came on a kickoff return) on the road in Week 1. This will be the Bombers home opener as they come off a bye, while the Eskimos play their first contest on the road. The Esks will have only six days of rest, since their previous game was last Friday.

This is the toughest defense Edmonton has faced so far this year and Bombers star RB Andrew Harris (148 rushing yards in Week 1) should be able to take advantage of an Esks D that allowed 134 yards on the ground and 7.9 yards per carry against Montreal. The Bombers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games dating back to last season and I'm backing them to win and cover at home on Thursday.

PICK: Winnipeg -5


MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Line: Hamilton -13, O/U 58
Time: Friday, June 28, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hamilton is coming off a huge 64-14 win against Toronto last Saturday. Jeremiah Masoli threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns while running back Sean Thomas-Erlington gained 109 yards on the ground and another 56 through the air. The Ti-Cats offense struggled versus the Rough Riders in Week 1 but they also played poorly against Saskatchewan in 2018 and still had the most yards in the league by the end of the year.

Montreal lost by seven points against Edmonton in Week 1 but should consider themselves lucky that the game was so close. The Eskimos rolled up 608 yards of offense, while the Alouettes totaled just 325. Turnovers and penalties by Edmonton allowed Montreal to stay in the game. However, despite the Ti-Cats offensive explosion last week they had a pair of sloppy turnovers (and an additional fumble they managed to recover) and committed ten penalties.

Even against a squad as bad as the Alouettes, 13 points is a lot to lay with the home side. Keep in mind that Montreal has lost by more than seven points in only three of their last 12 games going back to last season. The Als are 8-1 ATS in their previous nine contests on the road and 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall. They're also 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Hamilton. Back them to cover again on Friday.

PICK: Montreal +13


BC LIONS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Line: Calgary -10.5, O/U 52.5
Time: Saturday, June 29, 7:00 p.m. ET

In Week 1 the Stampeders showed their vulnerabilty on defense by allowing the Redblacks to score 32 points against them at home. Calgary's strong defense last year was built around their terrific D-Line and the departure of three starters from that unit has hurt.

That should allow Mike Reilly to finally play like the QB that the Lions thought they had when they spent a boatload of money on him as a free agent. Reilly has been a disappointment through the first two games of the year but, at least on paper, the Lions still have a dangerous offense with Reilly airing the ball out to Bryan Burnham and Duron Carter (son of NFL Hall of Famer Chris Carter).

The Stamps should also be able to put up points thanks to one of the top quarterbacks in the game in Bo Levi Mitchell and a squad of talented weapons surrounding him. The Lions allowed 33 points to Winnipeg in Week 1 and 39 points to Edmonton last week. With this game having the lowest total of the week grab the Over.

PICK: Over 52.5


TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Line: Saskatchewan -11.5, 53.5
Time: Monday, July 1, 7:00 p.m. ET

I faded Riders replacement QB Cody Fajardo last week and paid the price. Fajardo completed 27 of 34 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns, and the Riders put up 41 points against the Redblacks in a three-point loss. Fajardo and dangerous running back William Powell should have a big game on Canada Day against an Argonauts defense that was gashed for 64 points by Hamilton last Saturday.

Toronto's offense wasn't much better with 14 points and 322 yards but has the talent to play much better with S.J. Green, Armanti Edwards and Derel Walker catching passes and James Wilder Jr. running the ball.

Saskatchewan's defense played very well in Week 1 against Hamilton before getting shredded for 447 yards and 44 points against Ottawa. With the O/U set at a very reasonable 53.5, back the Over.

PICK: Over 53.5

 

[Cnotes53]

PREVIEW
BEST OF THE WEST SET TO KICK OFF WEEK 3
CFL.CA STAFF

WINNIPEG ? The two top teams on the CFL Power Rankings are sets to duke it out, with the Edmonton Eskimos traveling to Investors Group Field in Winnipeg to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday Night Football.

The West Division?s two undefeated teams will look to continue their excellent starts to their respective seasons, but this Week 3 matchup will be their toughest test yet.

Neither the Bombers nor Eskimos have faced an opponent with a win this year ? both have defeated the 0-2 BC Lions, with Edmonton also beating the winless Montreal Alouettes to open the season.

Thursday night will feature two of the league?s most dangerous rushers. CJ Gable is leading the CFL in rushing yards, while Andrew Harris torched the BC Lions in Week 1.

Gable has accumulated 311 all-purpose yards through two games. He has also received more than 20 handoffs in each of those games, unquestionably contributing to his success.

Harris picked up 148 yards on 16 carries for the Bombers in the season opener, as he eyes his third straight 1,000-yard season. However, there will be another Harris on the field Thursday with an even more impressive stat line.

Trevor Harris has completed 77 per cent of his passes through his first two games in green and gold. The veteran pivot also linked up with trusty wideout Greg Ellingson for two scores in their Week 2 victory over the Lions, helping Ellingson earn the number one spot in the CFL Top Performers of the Week.

?They look like the No. 1 offence right now,? Bombers defensive back Brandon Alexander told BlueBombers.com. ?They can do everything ? deep ball, short ball, run the ball, everything. They?re definitely well-rounded.?

Harris?s 741 passing yards and six touchdowns also lead the league, and he has yet to throw an interception this year.

The quarterback deserves credit, but a hat-tip is also in order for the Edmonton offensive line. Harris has not been sacked through the first two games, while Gable has been the beneficiary of some exemplary run blocking.

Edmonton?s starting five on the O-line account for 25 seasons of service and played in 285 man games. Canadian guard Matt O?Donnell is responsible for more than 100 of those games, while tackle Colin Kelly and guard David Beard have each suited up in north of 50 contests themselves.

The Eskimos line may get even better, as two-time CFL all-star SirVincent Rogers is on the six-game injured list after picking up an injury in training camp. Jacob Ruby, who started the team?s first two games, is out for Week 3 but is being replaced by another veteran in Travis Bond.

?It starts with the O-line and the running backs being able to protect long enough for us to go through our progression,? Eskimos head coach Jason Maas told Esks.com. ?Our offence is made to go where the defence takes it. As long as our quarterback has enough time to sit back there and decipher it, he?s going to throw to the open guy.?

Winnipeg?s line isn?t shabby either, featuring reigning two-time CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Stanley Bryant and dependable tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.

It was sheer domination in the trenches for the Eskimos last week at BC Place. The offensive line was steady, and the defensive line was a force, recording seven sacks in the first visit from former quarterback Mike Reilly. Nick Usher and Mike Moore each notched multi-sack games.

?I?ve been here three years. I don?t remember when we came that hard, but that?s how we want to play every game,? Moore said of his team?s performance in the closing stages of their game last week.

Receiver Chris Matthews will make his first regular season appearance in blue and gold in more than five years on Thursday. The 2012 CFL Most Outstanding Rookie left the Bombers in 2013 to pursue NFL ambitions, and returned last season to help the Calgary Stampeders to a Grey Cup victory.

Matthews, who was out for Week 1, appeared unstoppable at times last year, and his 6-foot-5 frame and safe hands will be a test for the Eskimos secondary. Fellow receivers Drew Wolitarsky and Darvin Adams had touchdown receptions in Week 1, so quarterback Matt Nichols has plenty of weapons at his disposal.

Although the Bombers recorded a lone sack two weeks ago, one cannot expect a front seven that features the likes of Willie Jefferson, Jackson Jeffcoat and Adam Bighill to stay quiet for long in front of their home crowd.

?Home openers are a huge deal,? said Bighill. ?It?s a chance for us to start in front of our fans and really establish who we are this season and who we want to be and really get them involved in the game.?

BY THE NUMBERS

2,141 ? Days since Chris Matthews last played a down for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Aug. 16, 2013).

2 ? The number of times since 1992 the Eskimos have scored 30-plus points in their first two games (2016 and 2019).

28-10 ? The teams? combined record when scoring first since 2017.

0 ? The number of interceptions Trevor Harris and Matt Nichols have thrown this year.

Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on TSN, RDS and ESPN+, and followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker.

 

[Cnotes53]

THURSDAY, JUNE 27
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

EDM at WPG 08:30 PM

WPG -5.0

U 56.0

 

[Cnotes53]

GAME RECAP

QUICK-STRIKE BOMBERS HOLD OFF ESKS IN HOME-OPENER
CFL.CA STAFF

WINNIPEG ? Lucky Whitehead stated his CFL arrival on Thursday night, scoring twice to lead the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 28-21 win over the Edmonton Eskimos in their first home game of 2019.

The first-year receiver dazzled a crowd of 25,336 at IG Field in Winnipeg, scoring a 75-yard touchdown in the first half and eluding defenders for a highlight-reel 41-yard catch and run in the third quarter.

The Bombers, meanwhile, survived a late-game turnover on a fumble by Andrew Harris ? one of two fumbles on the night ? forcing three straight incompletions to hold off a late rally from the Eskimos and preserve the victory.

Whitehead finished with 155 yards on seven catches, while quarterback Matt Nichols guided the offence with 200 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 13-of-21 passing. Harris and Nic Demski also scored for the Bombers, who took a 14-3 lead in the first half and never gave it up, improving to 2-0 on the season to become the only undefeated team in the CFL West Division.

Sean Whyte connected on all seven field goals for the Eskimos, who failed to find the end zone for the first time this season after starting the year 2-0. Esks quarterback Trevor Harris threw for 345 yards on 35-of-54 passing, while C.J. Gable rushed for a game-high 82 yards. Kenny Stafford led the Eskimo offence with 108 yards on eight catches, followed closely by Ricky Collins? 107 yards.

The first scoring drive started in a seemingly harmless manner when Nichols was forced to scramble and throw the ball away on a second-and-20. However, Esks defensive end Nick Usher was flagged for roughing the passer, giving the Bombers new life on a fresh set of downs.

A pass interference penalty on Josh Johnson extended the drive yet again and Demski did the rest, breaking away for a 35-yard run before finishing the drive with a seven-yard scamper into the end zone. The seven-play, penalty-aided scoring drive put the Bombers ahead 7-0 midway through the opening quarter.

The Eskimos responded with a drive of their own, marching nine plays into Bombers territory before settling on a 30-yard field goal by Whyte. But Winnipeg needed just one play to answer right back, as Nichols hit a wide open Whitehead in stride, resulting in a 75-yard touchdown and a 14-3 Bomber lead.

Despite knocking on the door often throughout the first half, Trevor Harris and the Eskimos failed to find the end zone. A 20-yard field goal from Whyte, his second of the game, cut the deficit to 14-6, while Whyte would connect again immediately after an Andrew Harris fumble.

Momentum continued to shift in the Esks? direction late in the half, when a promising Bombers drive ended suddenly after Chris Matthews couldn?t handle a high pass from Nichols. The deflection landed in the outstretched arms of former Bomber Brian Walker, eventually setting up a 45-yard field goal from Whyte to close out the half.

While the Bombers led by two points through 30 minutes, the Eskimos controlled the pace of the game with 15 first downs compared to just eight for the Bombers. Trevor Harris, meanwhile, had attempted 26 passes already in the game, completing 20 of them for 219 yards. The Eskimos ran 37 plays in the first half alone.

The Bombers? quick-strike offence returned early in the third quarter, thanks largely to a pass interference call against Johnson on Darvin Adams. Nichols? deep pass to Adams fell incomplete, but Head Coach Mike O?Shea?s challenge revealed that Adams was interfered with on the play.

The infraction set the offence up at the five, and Nichols promptly found Andrew Harris for the short touchdown pass, extending Winnipeg?s lead to 21-12.

A slow start to the second half for the Eskimos? offence would cost them. After a two-and-out, a 30-yard return by Charles Nelson set the Bombers up at the Edmonton 41. One play was all Nichols would need thanks to the speed of Whitehead, who caught a pass at the line of scrimmage and burned the Esks? defence for the second time in the game, going untouched on the way to a 41-yard touchdown.

Whyte added his fifth and sixth field goals of the night in the fourth quarter, pulling the Eskimos to within 10 points with just under six minutes remaining. But the missed opportunities were stacking up against the Esks, who had still yet to find the end zone.

With just over two minutes remaining, Esks head coach Jason Maas made the decision to send Whyte out for a 33-yard field goal on first down. An unusual strategy, but it pulled the Eskimos within a touchdown with enough time to get a stop and the football back.

The defence did its part, hemming up Andrew Harris and then stopping Nichols on second down, while Martese Jackson returned the ensuing punt to the Winnipeg 51. But the Eskimos? drive stalled when a Tevaun Smith drop was followed by an Ellingson incompletion on third down.

Just when it seemed like the game was over, however, Andrew Harris put the ball on the turf with a minute left, turning it over and preserving life for the Eskimos. A defensive holding penalty extended the drive, but three straight incompletions ended the Eskimos? comeback hopes.

The Eskimos drop their first game of the 2019 season despite doubling the Bombers in first downs (29-14), running a season-high 77 offensive plays and racking up more than 36 minutes of possession. Penalties were an issue for the Eskimos however, as they incurred 15 infractions for 139 yards.

The Bombers look to remain perfect when they return to action on July 5 for a date with the REDBLACKS, while the Eskimos have some time to reflect with a Week 4 bye. They?re back on the field on July 11 when they travel to BC.

 

[Cnotes53]

WEEK 3

Friday, June 28, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:30 PM Montreal Alouettes Hamilton Tiger Cats

Saturday, June 29, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:00 PM British Columbia Lions Calgary Stampeders

Monday, July 1, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home
7:00 PM Toronto Argonauts Saskatchewan Roughriders


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CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE BEST BETS AND OPINIONS

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

06/27/2019 2-0-0 110.00% +10.00
06/22/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
06/21/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
06/20/2019 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
06/15/2019 2-2-0 50.00% -0.10
06/13/2019 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50



Totals...............9-5-0 64.28% +18.40


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BEST BETS:


DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTAL

06/27/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0...................+5.00.............+10.00
06/22/2019.............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0...................+5.00.............+10.00
06/21/2019.............1 - 0................... +5.00..................1 - 0...................+5.00.............+10.00
06/20/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50..................0 - 1....................-5.50..............-11.00
06/15/2019.............1 - 1.....................-0.50..................1 - 1....................-0.50..............-1.00
06/13/2019.............0 - 1.....................-5.50..................1 - 0....................-0.50..............-6.00


Totals..................... 4 - 3...................+3..50.................5 - 2...................+8.50..............+13.00

 

[Cnotes53]

Friday?s 6-pack

Outfield starters for the All-Star Game:

NL
Christian Yelich, Brewers (22.3%)
Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (21.0%)
Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves (15.0%)

AL
Mike Trout, Angels (25.5%)
George Springer, Astros (15.7%)
Michael Brantley, Astros (10.8%)

Quote of the Day
?Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you?ll be a mile away and you?ll have his shoes.?
Steve Martin

Friday?s quiz
Who threw the most passes in an NFL game?
(Useless hint: He did it against the Vikings)

Thursday?s quiz
Michael Jordan wore number 45 the year he played minor league baseball.

Wednesday?s quiz
Burgess Meredith played Rocky Balboa?s trainer Mick in the Rocky movies; Meredith played the Penguin on the old Batman TV series.

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Friday?s List of 13; Random stuff with weekend here??.

13) Over the last year, state of Nevada turned a $310M booking sports bets.

During that same time, they?ve made a $3.3B profit on penny slots. Thats billion, with a B.

12) Speaking of which, May 2019 was the first month ever where more money was legally bet on sports in New Jersey ($318.9M) than in Nevada ($317.4M).

11) Ralph Michaels posted some great knowledge on Twitter Thursday:

Since 2011 there have been 74 games with a line of -330 or higher; the favorite went 61-13 in those games. Of the 13 teams that lost (Red Sox were #13 Wednesday), those teams went 5-7 in their next game after the loss, with an average line of -$199.

Oddity here is that the Red Sox don?t play again until Saturday in London.

10) Rays 5, Twins 2 (18)
? 2nd time in ten days Minnesota played a 17+-inning game.
? Twins scored twice in first inning, never scored again.
? Ji-Man Choi is first major leaguer since 1992 (Daryl Boston) to enter a game in extra innings, then walk 3+ times in that game.
? 19 pitchers worked in this game.
? Five players went 0-7 in same game for first time since 1901.

9) Only other teams in the last 40 years that played a 17-inning game and a longer game within ten days of each other:

2013 BlueJays ? lost their next two before going on an 11-game winning streak.
1980 Padres ? went 4-7 and then went on a 7-game winning streak.

8) The out-of-business AAF spent $40M to develop its in-game betting app; MGM wound up paying $5,125,000 to acquire the app.

7) Baseball stuff:
? Twins put C Willians Astudillo (oblique) on IL.
? Cubs activated P Craig Kimbrel
? Detroit P Spencer Turnbull left after two innings Thursday
? White Sox DFA?d 1B Yonder Alonso, three days before his charity bowling event, which also benefits White Sox charities- awkward.
? Brewers optioned 3B Travis Shaw to AAA.

6) Phillies 6, Mets 3? Juan Segura hit a walk-off HR for Philly, which swept the Mets despite trailing by 2+ runs in all four games. Edwin Diaz gave up five runs in an ugly ninth inning.

Gambling is hard; total on this game was 9; Phillies led 1-0 after the 8th inning.

5) Last time the Phillies swept a 4-game series despite trailing in the 5th inning or later in every game was September 24-26, 1929. Nineteen. Twenty. Nine.

4) College basketball transfer portal:
? Quentin Grimes transfers from Kansas to Houston.

3) Cubs 9, Braves 7? Craig Kimbrel gets a save in his first appearance as a Cub.

2) Dodgers 12, Rockies 8? Colorado?s bullpen has allowed 25 runs in 27 IP vs LA this season- they?ve won 12 games in a row against the Rockies.

1) Lakers re-did the Anthony Davis trade and sent the Washington Wizards three scrubs and a 2nd-round draft pick to clear enough salary cap space to go after a max-contract-level free agent, or multiple lesser players.

Washington sent the Pelicans cash to complete what is now a 3-team trade.

 

[Cnotes53]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 3
David Schwab

Friday, June 28

Montreal Alouettes (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -14
Total: 57 ?

Game Overview

The prospect for success in Montreal is not all that high given its front-office issues off the field and its lack of deep talent on the field. The Alouettes were able to cover in a 32-25 loss to Edmonton in Week 1 as eight-point road underdogs. They are coming off a bye in Week 2, so the added rest could be a bonus as even heavier road dogs for this matchup. Question marks at the quarterback position continue. Antonio Pipkin was the starter in Week 1, but an injury paved the way for Vernon Adams Jr. to show what he can do with this offense. He was able to tie the game against the Eskimos in the final two minutes, but Montreal?s defense could not stop Edmonton in its final possession.

The Tiger-Cats demonstrated just how potent their offense can be by ranking up 64 points in Week 2 after scoring 23 points in a Week 1 win at home against Saskatchewan. Jeremiah Masoli completed 23-of-31 passing attempts for 338 yards and three scores in Saturday?s romp. He completed passes to seven different players while Hamilton was also able to gain another 161 yards running the ball on 25 rushing attempts.

Betting Trends

-- Montreal has the 4-1 edge ATS in the last five games played in Hamilton. However, the Tiger-Cats are 12-3 SU in their last 15 home games against their East Division rivals. The total has stayed UNDER in six of the last nine meetings in Hamilton.


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CFL

Dunkel

Week 3

Friday June 28

Montreal @ Hamilton

Game 683-684
June 28, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
107.362
Hamilton
118.419
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 11
63
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 14
56
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(+14); Over

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CFL
Long Sheet

Week 3


Friday, June 28

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MONTREAL (0 - 1) at HAMILTON (2 - 0) - 6/28/2019, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing on a Friday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 3-1 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 3-1 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CFL

Week 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, June 28

Montreal Alouettes

Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Montreal is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Montreal is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Montreal's last 12 games on the road
Montreal is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Hamilton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games when playing Hamilton
Montreal is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Montreal is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 9 games when playing on the road against Hamilton

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games
Hamilton is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games at home
Hamilton is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing Montreal
Hamilton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Montreal
Hamilton is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Hamilton's last 9 games when playing at home against Montreal


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CFL Week 3 preview, odds, picks and predictions: Riding the Roughriders offense
Rohit Ponnaiya

MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Line: Hamilton -13, O/U 58
Time: Friday, June 28, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hamilton is coming off a huge 64-14 win against Toronto last Saturday. Jeremiah Masoli threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns while running back Sean Thomas-Erlington gained 109 yards on the ground and another 56 through the air. The Ti-Cats offense struggled versus the Rough Riders in Week 1 but they also played poorly against Saskatchewan in 2018 and still had the most yards in the league by the end of the year.

Montreal lost by seven points against Edmonton in Week 1 but should consider themselves lucky that the game was so close. The Eskimos rolled up 608 yards of offense, while the Alouettes totaled just 325. Turnovers and penalties by Edmonton allowed Montreal to stay in the game. However, despite the Ti-Cats offensive explosion last week they had a pair of sloppy turnovers (and an additional fumble they managed to recover) and committed ten penalties.

Even against a squad as bad as the Alouettes, 13 points is a lot to lay with the home side. Keep in mind that Montreal has lost by more than seven points in only three of their last 12 games going back to last season. The Als are 8-1 ATS in their previous nine contests on the road and 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall. They're also 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Hamilton. Back them to cover again on Friday.

PICK: Montreal +13

 

[Cnotes53]

PREVIEW

ADAMS GETS THE CALL AS ALS, TICATS CLASH ON FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
CFL.CA STAFF

HAMILTON ? Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. will make his first start of the season against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday night at Tim Hortons Field.

The Ticats are coming off a 64-14 beatdown of the Toronto Argonauts, where they piled up more than 600 yards of total offence. Meanwhile, the Alouettes just had their first bye week and haven?t played since June 14 when they lost to Edmonton 32-25 and allowed over 600 yards of total offence themselves.

Adams Jr. first came on in relief of Antonio Pipkin who was injured in the season opener. Pipkin is now out for up to six weeks with a leg injury. A silver lining for the Pasadena, Calif. native: the best game of his Canadian Football League career came against Hamilton, when he threw three touchdowns for 257 yards during a Week 20 game in November 2016.

First-year head coach Khari Jones just wants his signal caller to be at ease under the Friday night lights.

?I want Vernon to be himself. I don?t want to take away his best assets,? Jones said.

The Tiger-Cats will counter with Jeremiah Masoli. Through two games, Masoli is third in the league in passing yards with 507 and has four touchdown passes with one lone interception. Against Toronto, Masoli threw for three touchdowns and 338 yards, averaging 10.9 yards a completion. He added a fourth touchdown on the ground.

But it was running back Sean Thomas-Erlington who earned Shaw Top Performer honours for Week 2 after his game against the Argonauts. The 26-year old Montreal native ran for 109 yards on 12 carries in the victory. Instead of basking in the glory by himself, he made sure to give praise to his team after receiving the honour.

?For this win, it was just a great team effort,? Thomas-Erlington said. ?I was just a big, or small, part of it.

As for the Tiger-Cats, they?re happy to be 2-0 with the victories they?ve got under their belt.

?Two wins is two wins. It?s four points,? Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer said. ?It?s not making light of it, we enjoyed it. Proud of the coaches, the players and their execution. Now we?ll see. We?ve got to go play this game and see how we respond after a big win like that.?

The Alouettes will also look to clean up on defence, despite missing linebacker Bo Lokombo and safety Taylor Loffler, after allowing 32 points in their season opening loss. Linebacker Glenn Love will take Lokombo?s place, while Ty Cranston will start in Loffler?s spot. The Alouettes will also have Greg Reid in the secondary in place of Marcus Cromartie, who?s now on the one-game injured list.

First year Alouettes defensive coordinator Bob Slowik admitted to the media this week that he was still adjusting to the Canadian game.

?The biggest adjustment for me as a coach is how quickly you go from one series to another,? Slowik said. ?You have to make your changes rapidly. That?s something that I will grow into.?

The Tiger-Cats will still have Simoni Lawrence on the field, despite being suspended by the league for two games after a dangerous hit on Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros in the 2019 season opener. Since Lawrence is appealing the suspension, and won?t have a hearing until July 9, he is eligible to play.

Hamilton, however, will be without receiver Luke Tasker Friday night as he?s still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in his team?s first game of the season. He missed the Week 2 contest against Toronto, opening the door for rookie receiver Jaelon Acklin. The import receiver says he?s been fitting in with his fellow receivers.

?It feels good,? Acklin said. ?It?s a little easier when I get to play with guys like Brandon Banks, Luke Tasker, Mike Jones, Bralon (Addison), all those guys. They took me under their wing and taught me what it takes to be a pro.?

Marcus Tucker will also get the start while rookie Josh Crockett has been moved to the injured list.

Canadian receiver and running back Anthony Coombs has been activated from the practice roster and is expected to make his Ticats debut.

BY THE NUMBERS

5 ? The number of touchdowns Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown in his four-year CFL career. Three of them came against the Tiger-Cats in that November 2016 game.

2 ? Friday night?s game will see Tiger-Cats wide receiver Jaelon Acklin make his second career start. The Western Illinois native made five catches for 59 yards in his pro debut against the Argonauts.

6 ? The number of 10-plus yard gains by Sean Thomas-Erlington this year. Only one running back, former Ticat CJ Gable, has more (10).

96 ? Alouettes receiver B.J. Cunningham had 96 yards receiving off seven catches in the 32-25 loss to the Esks in his team?s season opener two weeks ago.

Friday night?s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on TSN, RDS and ESPN2, and can also be followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker.