Monday's betting tips

Weather to watch

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Virginia Tech Hokies: Forecasts are calling for an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms throughout the evening hours at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field.

Who’s hot?

Oakland Athletics. There’s no team hotter than the Athletics right now. Oakland picked up its ninth straight victory with a 6-2 win over the Red Sox on Sunday and is closing in on Texas for the AL West lead. This is the club's longest winning streak since 10 in a row from June 8-18, 2006, the last year the A's reached the playoffs.

Who’s not?

Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have lost six straight to leave them a season-worst 11 games below .500 and on pace to drop 87 games, their highest total since 1992.

Key stat

Maurice Jones-Drew accounted for 47.7 percent of his team's offense in 2011, the highest percentage of any player in the last 10 years.

Game of the day

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (-7.5, 48.5)

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Rafael Nadal has a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least the next two months, including Spain's upcoming Davis Cup semifinal against the United States. Doctors originally told the Spaniard he had tendinitis and needed to rest only 15 days.

Notable quotable
“It’s worn on me. I was born a winner and going through something like this I never wish upon anyone… It’s tough to hear boos from your own fans. It’s tough to see your teammates — they’re going out there to battle every day — it’s been tough, it’s been stressful, but at the same time you’ve just got to come ready to work.” – Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero after taking his 12th consecutive loss Sunday.

Betting news and notes

-The Cubs have the second-worst road record in the majors at 17-48 and have lost four straight and 13 of their past 14 away from Wrigley Field.

-Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto may be activated from the disabled list Monday if he deems himself ready. Votto has been sidelined since July 16 with a knee injury that required surgery.

-Angels Left fielder Mark Trumbo struck out three times Sunday and is hitting .198 with three home runs since Aug. 1.

-The Padres activated right-hander Andrew Cashner from the disabled list Saturday, and are considering making him part of a six-man starting rotation down the stretch.

-The Jacksonville Jaguars will start running back Rashad Jennings in Week 1 against the Vikings even though Maurice Jones-Drew reported to the club Sunday, according to a report on NFL.com.