Ben Burns

I'm playing on NY (8* ANNIHILATOR). As you are surely aware, de Grom is doing some very special things this season. Not only does he have a 1.78 ERA overall but his 22 straight quality starts is tied with Bob Gibson and Chris Carpenter for the all-time high in a season. He's now allowed three or fewer runs in 27 straight starts, a Major League record. Ross, meanwhile, is still working his way back into game shape after numerous injuries and surgery. Off last night's victory in 12 innings, the Mets come in with some momentum. The Mets know that getting de Grom, who is somehow just 8-9, a couple more wins in his final two starts would be huge for his case for Cy Young. Expect them to finally provide him with enough support to get one.

I'm playing on ST. LOUIS (8* PERS FAV). The Giants average just 3.5 runs per game on the road, hitting .236. They'll take on a St. Louis team which is averaging 5.2 runs per game vs. southpaw starters. Gant delivered a quality start (2 runs, 6 innings) against the Giants back in the summer but didn't get any support. He should get considerably more this evening. After not seeing them for a couple of years, Bumgarner has faced the Cards once this season and once last season. In those two starts, he gave up nine combined earned runs through 11 1/3 innings, the Cards taking him deep four times. Overall, he's just 5-6 with a 4.50 ERA for his career against St. Louis. This season, Bumgarner has an ERA above five on the road, the Giants winning just three of his 10 road starts. While both teams lost Wednesday, the Cards have been the better team at bouncing back all season long. The game, obviously, means much more to them. Expect the fans to go home happy. 

I'm playing on WINNIPEG (10* GAME OF WEEK). The Als had a little spark but the Lions snuffed that out last week. Now, they turn to Manziel. However, he's in the wrong place, at the wrong time. The Bombers are going to be in a foul mood and the Als are the perfect opponent to take it out on. Manziel may come with a big name but he's just 27 of 46 with FOUR interceptions in two CFL starts so far. Expect things to get worse for the former college star, before they get better. Bombers roll. 

I'm playing on FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10* BEST BET). The Knights, who come in with a top 20 ranking, are fairly heavily favored. However, I don't feel that the gap between the teams is nearly as wide as the pointspread suggests. Yes, the Owls got beat up by Oklahoma in their first game. No big deal, that was expected. They've responded by winning each of their next two games. Lets not forget that the Owls brought back 10 on the defensive side alone, from a team which went 11-3 and won its bowl game by a 50-3 score. With the competition dropping, naturally, the offense has improved each week. Still, thats going to give them that confidence to know that they can trade punches in this nationally televised showdown. While the Owls got a taste of big time football (Oklahoma) the Knights have yet to face a quality opponent. Note that their final three games last season, if including their bowl, were all decided by seven or less. I expect another close one and am grabbing the points.