Streak for the Cash Blog – Picks for August 5

A general view of the entrance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the 2012 enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Sunday’s another full day of streaking in ESPN’s Streak for the Cash mini-game. There are 15 matchups on the board as we begin the day with the Olympics, PGA Tour, Russian Premier League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and our first NFL game featured on the board. It’s the annual Hall of Fame Game which has little meaning as an actual game (it’s just an exhibition) but has importance as the signal of the start of the NFL season being just around the corner.

Yesterday, my picks were solid going 2-1 but unfortunately my loss was late with the Rays so I start today in the red. Here’s how I’m planning on turning it around.

Picks for Sunday, 8/5

Bob Donnan-US Presswire

9:00- Roger Federer: It seems to be a familiar storyline. Federer rolling through the tournament to meet Andy Murry the home-country hero in the finals. This isn’t Wimbledon although it is being played there; this is the Olympics finals. Federer beat him here a month ago and I don’t see him losing this time unless Murray plays his best game ever and Fed is off. Don’t think so. As I did at Wimbledon, I have to make the smart pick and go with the multiple-major winner over the local favorite even though part of me wishes Murray could pull it off. I won’t be disappointed if Murray wins only because the fans there will go absolutely nuts and he did react well after losing at Wimbledon. Confidence Meter: 7 (out of 10)

10:00- American: This prop is the nationality of the winner of the PGA Tour’s Bridgestone Invitational. The leader headed into the final round is American Jim Furyk. He has a one stroke lead over South African Louis Oosthuizen who is joined in the non-American category by Rory McIlroy who’s five shots back. The two other players within five shots are Keegan Bradley and Steve Stricker who both have played well this week and have a shot if things go their way on Sunday. The most likely outcome is Oosty or Furyk since they’re three shots clear or third place. I’ll go Furyk to take it for the Americans. Confidence Meter: 5

2:10 - Los Angeles Angels: It’s the rubber game of the three-game set between the Angels and the White Sox. The White Sox took game one Friday in walk-off fashion, but the Angels came back behind Mike Trout’s phenomenal catch (again). The Angels face Francisco Liriano for the fourth time this year and they’ve knocked him around his first three starts dealing him an 0-2 record and a 7.63 ERA. Liriano will be opposed by Dan Haren who has looked good when his back has let him actually pitch. The Trout-Trumbo-Pujols lineup of the Angels is fun to watch and dangerously potent so I’ll go with LA to take this one despite their recent bullpen adventures. Confidence Meter: 4

4:07- 0 or 1 Medal: The prop here is for the women’s 400 meters the number of medals the US takes. American Sanya Richards-Ross is the heavy favorite here but there isn’t another American runner in the top 5 favorites. The next in line is Dee Dee Trotter who is the sixth favorite to win. It is possible but unlikely the US gets two here. Confidence Meter: 7

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

4:48- Usain Bolt: Bolt is the favorite but not a lock to repeat in the 100m. His teammate Yohan Blake is the world champion and he beat Bolt in the Olympic trials, but I think Bolt’s the man to beat here. Confidence Meter: 2

8:05- New Orleans Saints: It’s the preseason, so picking a winner is kind of a joke. Hey, it’s just good to see NFL football back on the Streak-board and on the field. Confidence Meter: 1 1/2

8:05- St. Louis Cardinals win by 2 or more: I hate baseball props where you have to give runs but the Brewers are a mess and the Cardinals are playing well. Kyle Lohse has been incredible at 11-2 with a 2.91 ERA on the year. The props I’d take are 4 or more, yes, and no. Go Cards. Confidence Meter: 6

Results for August

Overall Record: 11-8

Confident Picks (5+): 4-3

Personal Streak: W3