Sports Betting Preview — October 4, 2013

Familiar foes pair up in big games this weekend: the AL East’s Yankees and Rays square off today, the Big 10’s OSU-Northwestern on Saturday and the NFC North’s Packers-Lions on Sunday.

Sports Betting Preview for October 4

Top Stories in Sports Today

Football: Browns beat Bills with back-up QB

Brian Hoyer left due to injury, but Brandon Weeden stepped up to lead the Browns to a 37-24 win. Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel was also injured during the game.

Football: Tampa Bay cuts quarterback Josh Freeman

The Buccaneers released former starting quarterback, who was benched after leading Tampa Bay to an 0-4 start to the season.

Baseball: Cardinals, Dodgers win NLDS Game 1’s

St. Louis tagged AJ Burnett for 7 runs in the 3rd inning to cruise past the Pirates, 9-1, while Clayton Kershaw gave up only one run with 12 strikeouts in seven innings as the Dodgers eased past the Braves, 6-1.

Top games to bet on

MLB

Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox (Today, 3:07 PM ET)

Pitching Match-up: Matt Moore (17-4, 3.29 ERA) vs Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75 ERA)

After safely surviving two consecutive elimination games, the Wild Card Rays’ reward will be to face the No. 1-seeded Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Odds: Tampa Bay Rays (+132) vs Boston Red Sox (-142); O/U: 7.5

The Rays, who are 10-2 in their last 12 games overall, received great performances from their starters against the Rangers and Indians; Matt Moore will need to continue that trend against the league’s best offense.

Boston returns to postseason action after three years away. With almost a week’s rest, the Red Sox are eager to return to their winning ways.  Jon Lester will take the ball for the Red Sox, who are 11-2 in his last 13 home starts.

NCAA

Ohio State vs Northwestern (October 5, 8:00 PM ET)

Quarterback Braxton Miller hardly showed any signs of rust on his return last week as he led the Buckeyes to a 31-24 win over their closest division rivals, Wisconsin. Victory against Northwestern will go a long way in securing their place in the Big 10 Championship game. Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 road games.

Odds: Ohio State (-7) vs. Northwestern (+7), O/U: 60.5

They will face one of their stiffest remaining tests in Northwestern. Despite owning only one win in 10 games all-time vs Ohio State, this year’s Wildcats are a different animal; they’re currently 5-0 and ranked 16th in the nation. Northwestern is also 5-0 SU in its last 5 home games.

NFL

Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers (October 6, 1:00 PM ET)

The 1-2 Packers have been slow out of the gate this season, but they can get back to .500 with a win against NFC North rivals Detroit. Green Bay has had the Lions’ number in recent years. They’re 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit.

Odds: Detroit Lions (+7) vs. Green Bay Packers (-7), O/U: 53.5

However, the Packers will have to prepare for Lions running back Reggie Bush. Bush was instrumental in his return last week to total 139 yards in 18 carries. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games against Green Bay.

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For the most comprehensive list of NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and NHL game odds and betting lines, visit Top Bet Sportsbook.

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