Sports Handicapper Frank Sawyer's Picks & Predictions

FRANK’S CUTTING ROOM FLOOR FOR MONDAY, 10/18:

My “Cutting Room Floor” plays are the situations I considered the closest to being worthy of investment but did not make the “final cut” for my official plays today for subscribers. The last play I cut for Monday was on the Boston Red Sox with the money-line versus the Houston Astros listing both starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jose Urquidy. Boston (97-72) evened this series at 1-1 with their 9-5 win on the road at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. The Red Sox have won 11 of their last 15 games after a win. Boston has also won 6 straight playoff games at home in Fenway Park. Houston (99-69) has lost 6 of their last 7 games on the road against teams with a winning record. The Astros have also lost 4 straight games as a money-line underdog. Take Boston with the money-line listing Rodriguez and Urquidy. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports lost their 25* MLB Run-Line play on the LA Dodgers last night — but they maintain a 14 of 20 (70%) MLB Playoff mark this postseason! Frank is on a 43 of 65 (66%) MLB run — and he is also on a 12 of 16 (75%) MLB TOTALS TEAR! Now Frank furthers his 27 of 39 (69%) MLB Game of the Month/Year run which includes an 8 of 9 (89%) MLB Playoff Game of the Year streak with his 25* MLB Monday TV Total of the Year for the Houston-Boston O/U winner on FS1-TV at 8:07 PM ET! DON’T MISS OUT!

Frank owns a 95 of 161 (59%) mark since August 1st after a 3-4/2-4-1 Sunday in All-Sports (depending on one’s Seattle-Pittsburgh O/U number)! Frank is on a 5 of 7 (71%) NFL run this week to continue his 54 of 85 (62%) NFL winning streak — and now he has tonight’s Buffalo-Tennessee ATS winner on ESPN at 8:15 PM ET! CA$H-IN Frank’s Monday Night Discounted Deal — IT’S A STEAL!

Note to subscribers: due to a clerical mistake on my end, I cannot load my 25* NFL Monday Night Football Total of the Month report. The Reasons to Take Over the Total for Buffalo-Tennesse are provided after the Titans Report (and it is a bonus for those purchasing this package). I apologize for the confusion (and my clerical mistake that is not easily rectified) -- Frank.

At 8:15 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing the Tennessee Titans (276) plus the points versus the Buffalo Bills (275). THE SITUATION: Tennessee (3-2) has won three of their last four games after their 37-19 win at Jacksonville as a 4-point favorite last week. Buffalo (4-1) has won four in a row with their 38-20 upset win at Kansas City as a 2.5-point favorite last Sunday night.

REASONS TO TAKE THE TITANS PLUS THE POINTS: Tennessee should build off their momentum as they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a double-digit win against an AFC South rival. The Titans did allow 256 passing yards to the Jaguars — but they have covered the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after allowing at least 250 passing yards in their last game. Tennessee has seen at least 51 combined points in two straight games — and they have covered the point spread in 9 of their last 14 games after playing two straight games where at least 50 combined points were scored. Both of those games were on the road — now the Titans return home for just the third time this season. Tennessee has not been a home underdog often in the last few seasons — and they have covered the point spread in 6 of their last 9 games as an underdog getting 3.5 to 9.5 points. Buffalo comes off their triumphant victory against a Chiefs team that beat them in the playoffs last season — but they may be due for an emotional letdown playing their second straight game on the road. The Bills have failed to cover the point spread in 19 of their last 27 games after winning at least four games in a row. The Buffalo defense has been lauded for its two shutouts this season — yet they were both against backup quarterbacks. The Bills are only allowing 12.8 PPG — but they have played backup quarterbacks in Jacoby Brissett (for the majority of their game with the Dolphins), Taylor Heinecke, and Davis Mills. While I expected the Buffalo defense to be improved this season under head coach Sean McDermott with their influx of rookies on the defensive line and the return of Star Lotulelei and Matt Milano who did not play much (or at all) last season, this was still a middling defense that ranked 16th and 14th in the NFL by allowing 23.4 PPG and 352.5 YPG. The Bills have benefited from a bunch of giveaways during their winning streak. Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions last week with Buffalo enjoying a +4 net turnover margin in that game. The Bills had at least three giveaways in four straight games for a +12 net turnover margin over that span. Not coincidentally, Buffalo lost the turnover battle in their opening game against Pittsburgh in their line loss of the season. They now play a Titans team that has not committed a turnover in two straight games. The Bills have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after winning the turnover battle in four straight games.

FINAL TAKE: Tennessee has covered the point spread in 7 of their last 9 appearances on Monday Night Football. 10* NFL Monday Night Discounted Deal with the Tennessee Titans (276) plus the points versus the Buffalo Bills (275). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Hollywood Sports’ 25* NFL MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TOTAL OF THE MONTH

At 8:15 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Over the Total in the game between the Buffalo Bills (275) and the Tennessee Titans (276). THE SITUATION: Buffalo (4-1) has won four in a row with their 38-20 upset win at Kansas City as a 2.5-point favorite last Sunday night. Tennessee (3-2) has won three of their last four games after their 37-19 win at Jacksonville as a 4-point favorite last week.

REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: The Bills generated 436 yards of offense against the Chiefs despite only being on offense for 27:35 minutes in that game. Buffalo has played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after a win by 14 or more points. The Over is also 14-5-1 in their last 20 games after a straight-up win — and they have played 5 of their last 7 games Over the Total after a point spread win. Additionally, the Bills have played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after scoring at least 30 points in their last game — and they have played 5 straight Overs after generating at least 350 yards in their last game. But Buffalo also gave up 392 yards in that game — and they have played 7 of their last 10 games Over the Total after allowing at least 350 yards in their last game. The Bills’ defense has been lauded for its two shutouts this season — yet they were both against backup quarterbacks. Buffalo is only allowing 12.8 PPG — but they have played backup quarterbacks in Jacoby Brissett (for the majority of their game with the Dolphins), Taylor Heinecke, and Davis Mills. While I expected the Bills’ defense to be improved this season under head coach Sean McDermott with their influx of rookies on the defensive line and the return of Star Lotulelei and Matt Milano who did not play much (or at all) last season, this was still a middling defense that ranked 16th and 14th in the NFL by allowing 23.4 PPG and 352.5 YPG. Now this team stays on the road where they have scored 37 PPG in their last six games going back to last season. Buffalo has played 5 of their last 7 road games Over the Total. Tennessee has played 5 straight games Over the Total after a win by at least 14 points — and the Over is 8-1-1 in their last 10 games after a point spread win. Led by Derrick Henry, the Titans rushed for 184 yards last week — and they have then played 5 of their last 6 games Over the Total after rushing for at least 150 yards in their last game. Tennessee gained 368 yards last week against the Jaguars — and they have played 6 of their last 7 games Over the Total after gaining at least 350 yards in their last game. But the Titans gave up a whopping 4554 yards to Jacksonville in that game — and they have then played 4 straight Overs after allowing at least 350 yards in their last game. Tennessee is allowing 26.0 PPG and 377.4 total YPG. They return home where they have played 11 of their last 16 home games Over the Total — and the Over is 6-2-1 in their last 9 home games against teams with a winning record on the road.

FINAL TAKE: The Titans have played 5 of their last 6 home games Over the Total when an underdog. These are two high scoring teams whose explosive offenses outshine their middling defenses. Expect both teams to score both score in the high-20s (at least). 25* NFL Monday Night Football Total of the Month with Over the Total in the game between the Buffalo Bills (275) and the Tennessee Titans (276). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Frank Sawyer owns a 95 of 161 (59%) mark since August 1st after a 3-4/2-4-1 Sunday in All-Sports (depending on one’s Seattle-Pittsburgh O/U number)! Frank is on a 5 of 7 (71%) NFL run this week to continue his 54 of 85 (62%) NFL winning streak — and now he has tonight’s Buffalo-Tennessee ATS winner on ESPN at 8:15 PM ET! CA$H-IN Frank’s Monday Night Discounted Deal — IT’S A STEAL!

At 8:07 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Over the Total in the game between the Houston Astros (909) and the Boston Red Sox (910) listing both starting pitchers Jose Urquidy and Eduardo Rodriguez. THE SITUATION: Houston (99-69) had their two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with their 9-5 loss at home to the Red Sox. Boston (97-72) has won four of their last five games to even this ALCS at 1-1.

REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: The Over is 19-5-2 in the Astros’ last 26 games after scoring at least five runs in their last game. Additionally, the Over is 8-3-2 in Houston’s last 14 games on the road — and they have played 14 of their last 19 road games Over the Total as a money-line underdog. The Astros have played 5 of their last 7 games Over the Total with the number set in the 9-10.5 range. They give the ball to Urquidy who has an 8-3 record with a 3.62 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 20 starts. The right-hander has been more effective at home where he owns a 3.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .206 — but those numbers rise to a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .229 in ten starts. In his last five starts, Urquidy has a 4.44 ERA. There is a reason he has not pitched since October 3rd with manager Dusty Baker looking elsewhere for his starting pitching and bullpen options. He faces a Red Sox team that is scoring 6.4 Runs-Per-Game in their last seven games with a .318 Batting Average, .371 On-Base Percentage, and an OPS of .924. Boston has played 5 straight Overs against starting pitchers with a WHIP of 1.15 or lower — and the Over is 13-2-1 in their last 16 games at home against right-handed starting pitchers. The Red Sox have played 5 of their last 6 games Over the Total after a win. They have played 5 of their last 6 games Over the Total after scoring at least five runs in their last game — and they have played 5 straight Overs after allowing at least five runs in their last game They return home to Fenway Park where the Over is 16-5-1 in their last 22 home games — and the Over is 21-8-4 in their last 33 home games in the playoffs. Boston has also played 32 of their last 48 home games Over the Total with the Total set in the 9-10.5 range. They counter with Rodriguez who has a 13-8 record with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in 32 games (31 starts). The left-hander has not been as effective at home where he owns a 5.95 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .282 in 13 starts as opposed to his 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and .273 opponent’s batting average on the road. In his last eight starts, Rodriguez has a 4.55 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

FINAL TAKE: The Astros are scoring 6.9 Runs-Per-Game in their last seven games with a .293 Batting Average, .360 On-Base Percentage, and an OPS of .851. Houston has played 4 straight Overs against left-handed starting pitchers — and the Over is 6-2-1 in their last 9 games against starting pitchers with a WHIP of 1.30 or higher. 25* MLB Monday TV Total of the Year with Over the Total in the game between the Houston Astros (909) and the Boston Red Sox (910) listing both starting pitchers Jose Urquidy and Eduardo Rodriguez. Best of luck for us — Frank.