Friday's betting tips

Weather watch

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Kauffman Stadium, where the Royals host the Twins Friday. There is a 92 percent chance of rain and wins blowing ENE at 11 mph.

Who’s hot?

Oakland Athletics – The A’s keep trucking toward the postseason, winning six straight to grab the lead in the AL Wildcard standings. Oakland is a -180 favorite over Boston at home Friday.

Who’s not?

Cleveland Indians – The Tribe have set up shop in the “Who’s not?” section of our daily betting tips during the second half of the season. Cleveland has dropped five in a row and is a +146 home underdog hosting Texas Friday.

Key stat

0-47 – The Yankees are the only team in baseball to have yet to win a game when trailing after eight innings. They are 0-47 in such circumstances.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Rafael Furcal, St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals may lose their starting shortstop after Furcal suffered an elbow injury Thursday night. He’s flying back to St. Louis for further tests but it is suspected he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Game of the day

Boise State Broncos at Michigan State Spartans (-6.5, 46)

Notable quotable

"He already told you what happened. There you go.” -- Philadelphia Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins on manager Charlie Manuel’s decision to bench him for not hustling for the second time this season. Rollins failed to run out a pop-up that was dropped by the pitcher Thursday night. 

Betting news and notes

-- Tennessee won its first two games at the Georgia Dome, but has lost six straight. The Vols are 3-point favorites versus North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome Friday.

-- The B.C. Lions have dominated the Montreal Alouettes in recent years – at least from a betting standpoint. British Columbia is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 trips to Montreal and boasts a 21-6 ATS mark in their last 27 head-to-head meetings. The Lions are 2-point road favorites Friday.

-- Stanford has won the last four meetings since suffering a humbling 35-34 loss to the Spartans in 2006. The Cardinal lead the series 50-14-1 and are 25.5-point favorites Friday.

-- The Giants have won 17 of 22 on the road and eight of 10 overall. Their 37-29 road mark is fourth-best in the majors. San Francisco has earned 11.72 units on the road and is a -178 favorite at Wrigley Field Friday.

-- The Pirates are 3-3 in a stretch that has them scheduled to play 28 consecutive games against teams from the NL Central. Pittsburgh is 33-23 versus divisional foes this season.