Daily tips for August 1

Golf for August 1

World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone Country Club (South), Akron, OH, August 1-4

Such is the strength of the golf calendar these days that barely two weeks have passed since Phil Mickelson was crowned Champion Golfer of the Year but the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone has already rolled around. It’s a superb event at a top-class venue whose practice facilities have been labelled the best in the world more than once, and it’s one limited to an elite bunch of golfers who’ve qualified by various means over the last year. The South Course at Firestone is a layout which has also received glowing reports over the years and rightly so.

Monstrously long despite containing just two par-fives, it’s a course that typically ranks inside the top-20 most difficult layouts on tour and one which definitely lends an advantage to long, straight driving. That’s what I see in the past three champions. Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley all currently rank inside the top-15 in the PGA Tour’s total driving statistic and if asked to list the main strengths of all three, I’d put driving at the top each time. Indeed, both Mahan and Scott ended the season of their wins inside the top-five while Bradley was 11th. What’s also interesting about this trio is that each dropped a big hint the year prior to their win. Mahan had been fourth in 2009, Scott ninth in 2010 and Bradley 15th in 2011 having led at halfway.

• First on my list is a man who ticks all the aforementioned boxes, defending champion Keegan Bradley. Since starring for his nation in last year’s Ryder Cup, Bradley hasn't quite hit the heights we’ve come to expect of the second-youngest ever WGC winner and one of just a handful to have won their first ever major, two indicators of just how good he is. However, there have been some encouraging signs of late and a share of 15th in the Open Championship last time bodes really well for his return to what’s an ideal course. Bradley has gone close to winning both the titles he landed in 2011 again since. He was third as defending PGA champion and returned to the Byron Nelson earlier this year for a solo second behind Sang-moon Bae.

• Likeable veteran Steve Stricker, like Bradley, a former WGC winner and in these big events it often pays to focus on the truly elite players. His total driving ranking will never be good because he's not long enough off the tee, but at eighth in driving accuracy he's hitting fairways with a regularity rarely before seen in his career and that formula so nearly worked for Furyk a year ago. Stricker’s irons are dialled-in – nobody has a higher greens in regulation percentage than him this season – and at 13th in strokes gained putting he’s holing out close to as well as he has for the best part of two decades. A case can be made for Stricker targeting this event and not the following week's PGA Championship, which will be firmly on the mind of some of the younger players.

• He hasn't been at his best for some time, but 33/1 is a price you wouldn't dare lay about Rory McIlroy – least of all here. He’s won six times in the US over the past three years, including four times in 2012, and at his best he would be a clear second-favourite and perhaps even challenging Tiger at the head of the betting. McIlroy was eighth at Doral earlier this year, right after he'd walked off the course at perhaps his lowest ebb in the Honda Classic. It’s a demonstration that he can rediscover his form quickly given the right course and the right event. McIlroy is actually on a very similar run to Stricker in WGC events. Whether in good or bad form, he keeps turning up in these and is after a 10th consecutive top-10 finish in strokeplay WGCs, a run nobody on the planet can match.

• It goes against the grain to back two former winners of the event but Adam Scott’s share of 45th last year is easily excused given the fact that it came fast on the heels of his infamous capitulation in the Open Championship. Since then he’s not only won the Masters but has finished third in the Open Championship and the WGC-Cadillac at Doral, yet further proof that he's among the very best in the world when it comes to producing when it matters most. And given that Scott ranks 13th in total driving and 20th in greens in regulation, he arrives with every chance of adding to his top-level performances, which have coincided with his link-up with Steve Williams, who was alongside Tiger in his glory days here.

Suggested bets

Adam Scott (outright/each-way top 5) 0.5 units @ $15

Rory McIlroy (outright/each-way top 5) 0.5 units @ $26

Steve Stricker (top 10) one unit @ $2.75

Keegan Bradley (top 10) one unit @ $3.50

Cricket for August 1

Third Test: England v Australia, Old Trafford, Manchester, England, August 1-5 (play starts 7.30pm AEST)

Having collected in the opening two rubbers, I’m putting loyalty aside once again as the bookies have served up another gift for the Third Test starting at Old Trafford tonight. England are far from a perfect Test team, but they are vastly superior to Australia, as evidenced by the 2-0 lead they took in the series with a 347-run demolition job at Lord's. The hosts now head to the ground that perhaps above all others suits their spin-and-reverse-swing-based game plan: Old Trafford. While it’s not particularly recent history, and the square has since been rotated, England have won six of their last seven Tests in Manchester. Two of those wins have been by an innings, one by 10 wickets, one by seven wickets and another by six wickets. England's batsmen play spin and swing better than Australia's, and their bowlers are better exponents of the arts. This really shouldn’t be close. The remarkable thing is the scope for improvement England have in this series: they lead 2-0 without a major contribution from Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott or Kevin Pietersen.

Australia, in contrast, are struggling horribly despite their players performing for the most part as well as can be expected. Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris have both been excellent, but it's been to no avail. England can reasonably expect more from Cook, Trott and Pietersen; Australia are hoping for more from their batting line-up. The only player they can expect more from is Michael Clarke. James Pattinson has been a huge disappointment, and he's out of the series through injury. Australia will rely on full-time controversy and part-time batsman Dave Warner (Test average 39) to be their returning hero – not ideal. Even the weather forecast isn’t helping Australia, with the outlook improving and only scattered showers now expected. And it’s not like England need a full five days to beat this Australia side anyway. The first Test would’ve been done and dusted in four had Ashton Agar been given out stumped six runs into his 98; the Second Test was wrapped up in four and could’ve been sealed sooner had England felt it necessary.

Suggested bet: England WIN (three units @ $1.74)

Other tips (from July 10)

Series Correct Score – England (3-1) 0.5 units @ $7.50 (now $6.00)

Series Correct Score – England (4-1) 0.5 units @ $8 (now $6.50)

Racing for August 1

Horse racing: Sale (Vic), Coffs Harbour (NSW), Rockhampton (Qld), Gawler (SA), Pinjarra (WA), Gosford (NSW). Harness racing: Gold Coast (Qld), Geelong (Vic), Kilmore (Vic), Northam (WA), Penrith (NSW), Tamworth (NSW). Greyhound racing: Albion Park (Qld), Angle Park (SA), Dapto (NSW), Grafton (NSW), Hobart (Tas), Maitland (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Sandown Park (Vic), Shepparton (Vic), Warragul (Vic), Warrnambool (Vic)

It’s an overcast day with the track rated a heavy (8) for the opening of the 2013-14 racing season and the running of the $80,000 Carlton Mid Coffs Harbour Gold Cup over 1600m. A good quality field has been assembled with runners from as far a field as Sydney and Brisbane. Bede Murray’s #3 World Wide looks well placed here but I’m going with the locally owned #6 Hour of Peril. Trained on the Gold Coast by John Nikolic and ridden by Larry Cassidy, the 6yo gelding was a last start winner of the Maclean Cup at Grafton on July 14 with the jockey change paying handsome dividends. He’s down 5kg on that run and will have plenty of time to find a good spot in the run from barrier 13.

Suggested bet: Coffs Harbour R7 #6 Hour of Peril E/W (two units) LOSE (U/P)

Other tips

Sale R2 #2 Bally Tambo (E/W) 2nd ($3.50)

Sale R7 #12 Pemba Nepali (E/W) 2nd ($3.00)

Sale R8 #12 Roxanne of Sydney (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Gosford R3 #6 One Step Beyond (win) 1st ($1.90)

Gosford R5 #2 Master Gaze (win) LOSE (4th)

Gosford R8 #5 My Question To You (win) LOSE (U/P)

Coffs Harbour R2 #9 Slick Cookie (E/W) 1st ($10.00/$3.00)

Coffs Harbour R6 #3 Dinky Mink (win) 1st ($3.60)

Rockhampton R4 #3 Princely (win) LOSE (U/P)

Rockhampton R5 #4 Motorised (win) 1st ($2.00)

Harness racing tip: Kilmore R7 #3 Artoc (win) 1st ($1.80)
Greyhound racing tip: Dapto R6 #2 Sweet Melon (win) LOSE (4th)

MLB for August 1

Los Angeles Angels (48-57, 21-29 away) @ Texas Rangers (58-49, 31-24 home), Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX, Thursday, August 1, 10.10am

After breaking out of their slump against one of baseball’s hottest pitchers, the Texas Rangers appear poised to continue their turnaround when they face one of the coldest. The Rangers look for another big performance at the plate and a three-game sweep against struggling Jerome Williams and the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Following a two-run, ninth-inning rally to win the opener, Texas (58-49) had another thrilling win Tuesday by tying the game in the ninth and winning it 14-11 on a walk-off, three-run homer by Leonys Martin in the 10th. The Rangers broke through with six runs and 11 hits in four innings off Angels starter C.J. Wilson, who had won seven of his previous eight starts. The Rangers will try to continue that production against Williams (5-7, 4.85 ERA), whose 8.90 ERA since June 22 is the highest in the majors for any pitcher with at least five starts.

The right-hander dropped to 0-5 during a seven-start winless stretch after yielding four runs and six hits over five innings in a 6-4 loss at Oakland on Friday. Williams pitched seven innings and allowed two runs in a 4-2 home win over the Rangers on June 1, 2012. He hasn’t yielded a hit against them over five scoreless innings of relief this season. Texas left-hander Martin Perez (3-3, 4.37) will try to help send Los Angeles (48-57) to its first six-game losing streak since June 4-10, 2011. Perez was tagged for a career-high seven runs (six earned) and eight hits over three-plus innings in an 11-8, 11-inning loss at Cleveland on Friday. He’s 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in his last three outings. This will be the first start against the Angels for Perez, who allowed two hits in one scoreless inning of relief against them in a 6-2 loss July 31, 2012.

Suggested bet: Rangers WIN (3.5 units @ $1.66) WIN, game total +10.5 (1.5 units @ $1.94) LOSE (1-2)

Other tips

IL: Nationals @ Tigers -1.5 $2.60 WIN (1-11)

IL: Diamondbacks @ Rays WIN $1.56 LOSE (7-0)

IL: Yankees @ Dodgers -6 $1.82 WIN (3-0)

AL: Blue Jays @ Athletics WIN $1.65 LOSE (5-2)

AL: Astros @ Orioles -8.5 $1.98 LOSE (11-0)

AL: White Sox @ Indians WIN $1.64 WIN (5-6)

AL: Mariners @ Red Sox WIN $1.65 WIN (4-5)

AL: Royals WIN $1.88 WIN @ Twins +8.5 $1.97 LOSE (4-3)

NL: Reds @ Padres -7 $1.80 WIN (4-1)

NL: Cardinals @ Pirates WIN $1.95 WIN -7 $1.87 LOSE (4-5)

NL: Giants @ Phillies -8.5 $1.95 LOSE (9-2)

NL: Rockies WIN $2.61 @ Braves LOSE (0-9)

NL: Mets @ Marlins -7 $2.10 WIN (2-3)

NL: Brewers @ Cubs WIN $1.79 WIN (1-6)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.

Daily tips for July 31

UK Racing for July 31

Glorious Goodwood Day 2, Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester, West Sussex, UK

The last time a race was billed as a “Duel on the Downs”, Frankel showed Canford Cliffs a clean pair of hooves to win the Sussex Stakes. Two years later, the most thrilling race of Royal Ascot week gets a sequel when Dawn Approach and Toronado meet again in the Group 1 Qipco Sussex Stakes over a mile on day two of Glorious Goodwood. Nor is this a two-horse race, since Declaration Of War, who won a different Group One at Ascot that same day, also lines up. Dawn Approach held off Toronado by a short-head in the St James's Palace Stakes and there is a school of thought that the runner-up was unlucky. Richard Hughes planned to make his challenge widest of all in order to avoid trouble but was carried sideways for a stride or two by the winner, who had himself been bumped.

Both lost momentum in the incident and it looked as if it was Dawn Approach, closer to the source of interference, who suffered more. In the seconds that followed it seemed a matter of time before Toronado's challenge would carry him past but the Jim Bolger-trained chestnut rallied so bravely that he never gave up the lead. He is starting to look a horse of the highest quality, having won eight of nine, four of those wins at Group 1 level. His Derby meltdown remains the only low point and one unlikely to be repeated so long as he is kept to strongly run races over no more than a mile. He looks a good bet at even money, especially as yesterday’s rain is less likely to be a problem for him than Toronado.

Suggested bet: Goodwood R3 #5 Dawn Approach WIN (two units @ $2) LOSE (2nd)

Other tips

Goodwood R1 #5 Beyond (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Goodwood R2 #3 Excess Knowledge (win) LOSE (2nd)

Goodwood R4 #7 Toormore (win) 1st ($2.25)

Racing for July 31

Horse racing: Warwick Farm (NSW), Ballarat (Vic), Doomben (Qld), Murray Bridge (SA), Belmont (WA), Coffs Harbour (NSW), Darwin (NT). Harness racing: Horsham (Vic), Bathurst (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Shepparton (Vic). Greyhound racing: The Meadows (Vic), Angle Park (SA), Richmond (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic), Rockhampton (Qld), Ballarat (Vic), Bulli (NSW), Cannington (WA).

Sometimes it takes hours of research to find a winner, but in today’s case, it took a single phone call – I say no more! It’s Cabcharge Sportsmans Race Day at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club, marking the first day of the two-day Carlton MID Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Carnival. Race 5 on today’s card is the Horsepower Class 1 Handicap over 1200m, which will be contested by a maximum field of 14. A last start winner by two lengths on a bog track at Ballina, today’s heavy (8) will suit #6 Kit ‘Em Up just nicely. The 2yo gelding is having the fourth start in his first campaign and looks well placed for Ballina trainer John Everson and jockey Dallas Auckram.

Suggested bet: Coffs Harbour R5 #6 Kit ‘Em Up E/W (two units) LOSE (U/P)

Other tips

Ballarat R1 #5 Mister Ceriani (E/W) 3rd ($2.50)

Ballarat R2 #3 Frogsplash (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Ballarat R4 #7 Tom’s Recognition (win) LOSE (2nd)

Ballarat R7 #8 Nou Camp (E/W) 3rd ($2.30)

Ballarat R8 #4 Heat Blast (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Warwick Farm R1 #2 Danas Best (win) SCRATCHED
Warwick Farm R3 #2 Complacent (win) LOSE (2nd)
Warwick Farm R7 #2 Sir Berus (E/W) 1st ($4.00/$1.90)

Murray Bridge R5 #2 Puzzleman (win) LOSE (2nd)

Coffs Harbour R4 #2 Count The Chimes (win) 1st ($1.90)

Harness racing tip: Shepparton R2 #10 Mcrita (E/W) 3rd ($1.90)

Greyhound racing tip: Bulli R3 #2 Crack of Dawn (win) 1st ($1.70)

CFL (week 5) for July 31

British Columbia Lions (3-1) @ Toronto Argonauts (2-2), Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON, Wednesday, July 31, 9.40am

Despite being reigning Grey Cup champions, the Toronto Argonauts are home underdogs when they host the BC Lions in a rare Tuesday night CFL clash. Toronto, which dropped a 24-16 decision at BC in week 2, lost CFL leading passer Ricky Ray and running back Chad Kackert to knee injuries last week in a road win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kackert, the leading rusher for the Argonauts, will miss at least a month while Ray is listed as day-to-day for the top team in the East Division. Toronto signed running back Chris Jennings to replace the injured Kackert. Jennings was released by the Montreal Alouettes last week after rushing for 29 yards on eight carries in one game.

Following a home-and-home sweep of Edmonton, the Lions have won three straight and have allowed just 40 points in that span after yielding 44 in their Week 1 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Running back Andrew Harris is driving the offense with 296 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to go with 129 receiving yards and one touchdown reception. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay is enjoying a strong start to the season - with 974 passing yards, seven touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Lulay, who has 173 rushing yards on 19 carries, is on pace to surpass last year’s career high of 477 yards. I have to lean to the Lions here, with the “over” trend (6-0 in Argos’ past six at home) to continue.

Suggested bet: Lions -6.5 (2.5 units @ $1.83) LOSE, game total +49 (1.5 units @ $1.91) WIN (12-38)

MLB for July 31

Washington Nationals (52-54, 21-29 away) @ Detroit Tigers (59-45, 32-19 home), Comerica Park, Detroit, MI, Wednesday, July 31, 9.10am

Stephen Strasburg made a huge impression in his first appearance in a big-league uniform in spring training three years ago by striking out Miguel Cabrera. The Washington Nationals starter has never faced Cabrera or the Detroit Tigers in the regular season heading into the opener of this two-game set at Comerica Park. Strasburg (5-8, 2.85 ERA) will pitch to the reigning AL MVP for the first time in interleague play. He is 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA in eight career outings against the AL. Both Strasburg and Cabrera endured frustrating efforts in their last games. The Nationals right-hander was charged with last Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh despite yielding one run and two hits in eight innings with a season-high 12 strikeouts. Washington (52-54) responded with a 4-1 stretch, winning 14-1 over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Cabrera, meanwhile, was ejected by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild for arguing a strike call in the third inning of Sunday’s 12-4 win over Philadelphia! Detroit (59-45) outscored the Phillies 24-5 in a three-game sweep to improve to 6-2 against the NL East, but both defeats came at Washington on May 8 and 9. The Tigers have won seven straight and 12 of 14 at home versus the NL East. Washington looks to defeat Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 2.68) for the second time after he allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-1 loss May 8. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 2.19 ERA in seven home starts. The Tigers bolstered their bullpen Monday by acquiring right-hander Jose Veras from Houston for minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez and a player to be named. With respect to the Nationals’ recent form, this is a great price on the tigers at home and can’t be ignored.

Suggested bet: Tigers WIN (three units @ $1.78) WIN (1-5)

Other tips

IL: Diamondbacks @ Rays $1.62 WIN WIN (2-5)

AL: Astros @ Orioles -1.5 $1.80 LOSE (3-4)

AL: White Sox @ Indians WIN $1.55 WIN (4-7)

AL: Mariners @ Red Sox -1.5 $2.10 WIN (2-8)

AL: Angels @ Rangers -8.5 $2.00 LOSE (11-14)

AL: Royals WIN $1.80 WIN @ Twins +7.5 $1.83 WIN (7-2)

AL: Blue Jays @ Athletics WIN $1.68 LOSE (5-0)

NL: Brewers WIN $2.05 @ Cubs (1) WIN (6-5)

NL: Cardinals @ Pirates (1) -7 $1.91 WIN (1-2)

NL: Giants WIN $2.09 LOSE @ Phillies -9 $1.87 LOSE (3-7)

NL: Mets WIN $2.11 @ Marlins WIN (4-2)

NL: Yankees @ Dodgers WIN $1.61 WIN (2-3)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.

Daily tips for July 30

UK Racing for July 30

Run at what is billed as “the world’s most beautiful racecourse”, Glorious Goodwood kicks-off tonight with the first of five racedays comprising the premier carnival of the English summer. The feature race on the opening day is the bet365 Group 2 Lennox Stakes, with a spanner set to be thrown into the works with heavy rain expected to sweep across the Sussex Downs at some point in the afternoon. Queen Anne Stakes runner-up #1 Aljamaaheer will jump favourite after also landing the Summer Mile Stakes earlier in the month, but he’s dropped in trip and tasked with giving weight to #9 Producer, a concession that may prove too much. The booking of Richard Hughes is also telling as he had the choice of taking the mount on stablemate #12 Professor. Richard Hannon’s charge is unpenalised for his last-time-out Group 3 victory in the Criterion Stakes.

Suggested bet: Goodwood R3 #9 Producer E/W (two units) LOSE (U/P)

Other tips

Goodwood R1 #4 Blue Surf (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Goodwood R7 #20 Valmina (E/W) SCRATCHED

Racing for July 30

Horse racing: Mornington (Vic), Wyong (NSW), Mackay (Qld), Canberra (ACT). Harness racing: Menangle (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Ballarat (Vic), Bunbury (WA). Greyhound racing: Bendigo (Vic), Devonport (Tas), Gawler (SA), Gosford (NSW), Horsham (Vic), Ipswich (Qld), Lismore (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Townsville (Qld), Warragul (Vic).

My home track in terms of proximity is Mornington, about an hour’s drive south of Melbourne. It’s a tricky track, with only a slight turn into the home stretch meaning jockeys need to time their run carefully. A heavy (10) is regular fare for this time of year, and today’s meeting is mighty tough with highweight and 2yo affairs kicking off the card. My best of the day comes up in race 7, the Melbourne Horse Transport Handicap over 1000m for 0-68 raters. Trained at Mornington by Wez Hunter, #10 Nelson’s Victory will carry the minimum 54kg. The 5yo mare placed here six weeks ago in a slightly tougher race with Patrick Moloney, the rider that day, returning here.

Suggested bet: Mornington R7 #10 Nelson’s Victory E/W 1x4 (two units) LOSE (4th)

Other tips

Mornington R8 #11 Winter Solace (E/W) 1st ($19.60/$4.60)

Mornington R9 #6 Montoya Heights (win) 1st ($4.20)

Canberra R1 #3 Game of Chance (win) LOSE (2nd)

Canberra R5 #5 Another Grand (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Canberra R6 #8 Party Policy (E/W 1x4) LOSE (U/P)

Wyong R2 #2 Shravan (win) LOSE (2nd)

Wyong R5 #8 Frankiefourfingers (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($2.10)

Wyong R8 #5 Star Thriller (E/W 1x4) LOSE (U/P)

Mackay R5 #3 Craiglea Vance (E/W) LOSE (2nd)

MLB for July 30

Milwaukee Brewers (43-61, 17-32 away) @ Chicago Cubs (48-55, 22-26 home), Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, Tuesday, July 30, 10.10am

Just a small slate of nine games for consideration today, with my best of the day featuring two sides well below .500 heading into the second half of the regular season.  Looking for a fourth consecutive victory, the Cubs return home for the first time since the All-Star break to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Since losing eight of 10 to open June, Chicago (48-55) is 23-17 and coming off a 6-4 trip that concluded with a three-game sweep of San Francisco. That road run came while the club continued its rebuilding process by dealing Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano.

Jeff Samardzija (6-9, 3.94 ERA) hopes to avoid another subpar outing when he takes the ball Monday. The right-hander was staked to a 6-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings Wednesday, but allowed four runs and matched a season high with five walks in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-6, 12-inning win at Arizona. Samardzija, who is 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA and walked 15 in four July starts, will also be out to improve on a 2-4 record and 5.46 ERA in 10 starts this season at Wrigley Field. He is 4-5 in 11 road starts but has a 2.72 ERA. Milwaukee is 5-3 against the Cubs this season, but lost the final two of a three-game home set last month.

The Brewers lost for the fifth time in seven games, 6-5 at Colorado on Sunday. All-Star Carlos Gomex had two hits, and is 12 for 20 in the last five contests after he went 3 for 42 in his previous 12. Looking for a third straight winning start, teammate Kyle Lohse (7-7, 3.37) has allowed one run in 13 innings of his last two outings. That run came in seven frames of a 3-1 victory over San Diego on Wednesday. The right-hander has a 3.15 ERA while winning three straight starts against the Cubs. He gave up a three-run homer to Nate Schierholtz in seven innings of a 9-3 home win over Chicago on June 25.

Suggested bet: Brewers WIN (1.5 units @ $2.08) WIN, game total +7 (2.5 units @ $1.80) LOSE (5-0)

Other tips

AL: Rays WIN $1.92 WIN @ Red Sox +8 $1.87 LOSE (2-1)

AL: Angels WIN $2.29 @ Rangers LOSE (3-4)

AL: White Sox @ Indians WIN $1.63 WIN (2-3)

AL: Blue Jays @ Athletics WIN $1.61 WIN +7.5 $1.97 WIN (4-9)

NL: Cardinals @ Pirates WIN $1.67 WIN -7 $2.05 LOSE (2-9)

NL: Rockies @ Braves WIN $1.72 WIN -7.5 $1.89 LOSE (8-9)

NL: Mets @ Marlins WIN $1.79 LOSE (6-5)

NL: Reds WIN $1.68 @ Padres LOSE (1-2)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.

Daily tips for July 28

AFL (R18) for July 28

Port Adelaide (9-7) v Brisbane (7-9), AAMI Stadium, Sunday, July 28, 1.10pm AEST

Perception puts the Power well ahead of the Lions in the 2013 pecking order but just two wins separate these sides on the ladder and Michael Voss will fancy his side’s chances of closing the gap even further here. Four years have passed since the Power last defeated Brisbane at AAMI Stadium – their only win over the Lions in eight years at home. That said, they’ve generally been close and hard fought affairs between these sides. Kane Cornes, Dom Cassisi and Matt Thomas have been named to an extended Power bench while Jonathan Brown and Brent Moloney could be back for the Lions. Like Melbourne, the Darwin factor is a major cross against Brisbane here, especially heading into the final weeks of the season. With so much at stake, the Power should take the points but I only have a slight lean to the home side at the line.

Suggested bet: Port Adelaide -19.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (71-62)

Footscray (4-12) v West Coast (7-9), Etihad Stadium, Sunday, July 28, 3.20pm AEST

When the Bulldogs have been competitive this year, it’s mostly been on the back of the work of vastly improved ruckman Will Minson. However, the big man is going to have his work cut out against the tall timber of the West Coast Eagles in Melbourne on Sunday. The Eagles have dominated the Dogs in recent meetings, with four of the past five decided by more than eight goals. Footscray last beat West Coast in Perth four years ago. Credit Brendan McCarthy for scratching four wins out of the competition’s worst list but they won’t improve to five here. For all their intensity and, at times, ability to move the ball quickly, the Bulldogs rarely exert enough scoreboard pressure on their opponents. Even without Nic Natanui, the Eagles’ tall options in attack and around the ground (especially under the roof at Etihad) should be enough for West Coast to salute.

Suggested bet: Game total -194.5 (two units @ $1.91)

Sydney (12-3) v Richmond (11-5), SCG, Sunday, July 28, 4.40pm AEST

It’s been feast or famine for the Tigers against the Swans in recent years. Richmond was the only side to defeat last year’s grand finalists Sydney and Hawthorn in 2012 and have won three of their past four against the Swans. However, it’s been almost a decade since the Tigers have taken the four premiership points at the SCG. Both sides bring tasty form to the table here – the Swans were clinical against West Coast in Perth last Sunday, while Richmond claimed its first major scalp of 2013 with a 27-point victory over Fremantle. The Tigers will miss the intensity of Jake King but regain workhorse Shane Tuck while John Longmire was happy that his side’s long injury list didn’t grow last week. The line of 25.5 looks within reach for the Tigers, and on a firm track, the ‘over’ game total also appeals.

Suggested bet: Richmond +22.5 (2.5 units @ $1.91), game total +182.5 (1.5 units @ $1.91)

Racing for July 28

Horse racing: Sportingbet Park Sandown Lakeside (Vic), Narrandera (NSW), Beaudesert (Qld), Wodonga (NSW), Quirindi (NSW), Kalgoorlie (WA), Devonport (Tas). Harness racing: Goulburn (NSW), Hobart (Tas), Geelong (Vic). Greyhound racing: Healesville (Vic), Mt Gambier (SA), Sandown Park (Vic), Canberra (ACT), Sale (Vic), Strathalbyn (SA), Wagga (NSW), Albion Park (Qld).

It’s all eyes on Sandown today for the running of the richest race anywhere in the country this weekend – the time-honoured $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase. #1 Bashboy will have to carry 7.5kg more than any other runner, but is still rated a $1.50 chance! My best comes up in race 5, the BMW Handicap (BM78) over 1200 metres, which is down to seven runners after three scratchings. There’s some impressive horse flesh going around here but I think #6 Skawboard Pressure will mow down the lot. The 3yo gelding has won one of four and finished runner-up at his past three starts. Jake Duffy claims 2kg, which takes him with 1kg of the minimum and down 4kg on his first run this campaign. I also suggested a small saver on the roughie #9 Hannaford, which hasn’t sighted a heavy track sine his debut win.

Suggested bet: Sandown R5 #6 Skawboard Pressure WIN (two units) LOSE (U/P)

Other tips

Sandown R3 #7 Stand to Gain (E/W) 3rd ($1.40)

Sandown R4 #1 Bashboy (win) 1st ($1.60)

Wodonga R5 #3 Red Five (win) LOSE (2nd)

Narrandera R2 #1 Calke Abbey (win) 1st ($2.00)

Narrandera R4 #2 Reka Outlaw (E/W) 2nd ($1.70)

Quirindi R4 #4 Ima Secret (E/W) 3rd ($1.90)

Quirindi R5 #7 Forest Way (win) LOSE (2nd)

Beaudesert R1 #6 Luxton Deeping (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Beaudesert R4 #5 Sir Cavallaro (win) LOSE (U/P)

Harness racing tip: Goulburn R7 #11 Ultimate Art (win) 1st ($1.60)
Greyhound racing tip: Sandown Park R4 #1 Rocky Bale (win) 1st ($1.50)

Note: no MLB tips will be posted today or tomorrow (July 27-28 games) but will return for Tuesday's card.

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.

Daily tips for July 27

NRL (R20) for July 27

St George Illawarra Dragons (6-11) v Canberra Raiders (9-8), WIN Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 5.30pm

The Dragons managed to maintain a pulse in terms of their chances of making the finals when they scored a shock win over the Rabbitohs on Monday night. Victory looked a forlorn hope when the Dragons trailed 18-6 approaching the final 10 minutes of normal time, but two converted tries later they were in golden point extra time, during which time winger Brett Morris scored to clinch a 22-18 win. The Dragons, who are playing on a short turnaround here, may need to win each of their remaining seven games to make the finals. They could possibly afford one loss. But they will be trying not to think any further ahead than this game, and the Raiders are their bogy team. This is a fitting game for Rivalry Round, because whenever these two teams come together there is massive interest in whether the Raiders can continue their amazing domination of the Dragons. The Raiders have won nine of the past 10 clashes including the past eight in a row.

Before beating the Rabbitohs, the Dragons had lost three in a row, against the Cowboys (22-16), Panthers (25-10) and Roosters (36-0). They are in 14th place on 16 competition points, with six wins and 11 losses. The Raiders, having won two in a row against the Cowboys (26-18) and Eels (14-0), are in eighth place on 22 points, with nine wins and eight losses. They have been up and down all season, and have never at any stage won or lost more than two games in a row. Adding spice to the rivalry, this will be the first time the Raiders have played against Josh Dugan since their former fullback was sacked by the club because of off-field disciplinary issues after Round 1. Senior Raiders players were unhappy with Dugan's behaviour. Dugan took a while to find a new club, but did so at the Dragons. Injuries to Jarryd Hayne and Brett Stewart also opened the way for Dugan to make it back into the NSW side for State of Origins II and III. (Preview with thanks to NRL.com)

Suggested bet: Game total -38 (3.5 units @ $1.90) LOSE (18-22)

AFL (R18) for July 27

Gold Coast (6-10) v Carlton (8-8), Metricon Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 1.45pm

Logic would suggest that if Gold Coast dispatched of Collingwood last week then they shouldn’t be overly troubled by Carlton. Not so simple – for a start, Mick Malthouse is unlikely to allow Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett jnr the freedom to rattle up another 49 possessions, while the Blues’ loss to the Suns last year, which cost them a spot in the finals, will be foremost in the minds of the players. The Suns’ key numbers looked to be tapering off after the mid-season break but they bounced back emphatically last week while Carlton fell over the line against a disappointing North Melbourne last week. Carlton has the most at stake and can be expected to play accordingly but I have little faith in their spluttering forward line while the Suns should win their fair share of the footy out of the centre to keep the score close enough to cover the generous line on offer.

Suggested bet: Gold Coast +13.5 (three units @ $1.91) LOSE (77-120)

Melbourne (2-14) v Nth Melbourne (6-10), Etihad Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 2.10pm

Another chapter in the Kangaroos’ sorry 2013 tale was written last Friday night when Brad Scott’s side fell one point short against the Blues, marking their fifth loss of fewer than six points for the year. Although finals are now well out of reach, the Roos will be more than happy to beat up on a Melbourne side coming off another honourable loss last week. However, the Demons’ loss to Brisbane in Darwin ticks a major play for me as sides traditionally struggle the week after playing in the tropical heat of the Top End. Additionally, North has enjoyed an extra day’s rest. The Roos are 6-0 against the Demons at Etihad Stadium, average more than 35 points per game and 11 inside 50s more than their opponents and have won the past 10 editions of this fixture. The line looks comfortably within North’s reach but only a small play here.

Suggested bet: North Melbourne -62.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (150-28)

Collingwood (10-6) v Greater Western Sydney (0-16), MCG, Saturday, July 27, 4.40pm

As my dear old Dad would say, the Pies have had more ups and downs than the Scenic Railway this year and they marked another low with a shock defeat on the Gold Coast last week. That loss casts serious doubt over the Magpies’ premiership credentials and they’ll even need a percentage-boosting win here to stay in touch with the sixth-placed Tigers. I’ve regularly raised the division among Collingwood’s defenders as a key to the side’s inconsistency with key agitator Harry O’Brien back to make things prickly again this week. Nathan Brown and Jarryd Blair are more positive inclusions. The Giants have been equally unpredictable and, based on recent history, this will be a ‘down’ week for Kevin Sheedy’s young guns. Prefer to watch this one, Giants to cover if you must have a bet.

Suggested bet: GWS Giants +86.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (106-66)

Geelong (13-3) v St Kilda (3-13), Simonds Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 7.40pm

Despite the space between these sides on the ladder, recent meetings between the Cats and Saints have been surprisingly close (stretching back to some memorable finals contests only a handful of years back) although Geelong cruised home by seven goals last time out at Etihad Stadium. This is St Kilda’s first trip down the Princes Freeway since 2004 and only Lenny Hayes was on the Saints’ list when they last won here in 1999. Credit to Scott Watters for keeping the level of enthusiasm in his camp high enough for the young Saints to push Port Adelaide to the wire last week. Geelong will be eager to atone for their shock loss to Adelaide last week, regaining Steve Johnson and Taylor Hunt among others while Jimmy Bartel (suspension) and Josh Hunt (injury) will miss. I have a slight lean to the Saints at the line, but the game total looks a safer bet.

Suggested bet: Game total -185.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN (137-36)

Fremantle (11-4) v Adelaide (7-9), Patersons Stadium, Saturday, July 27, 7.40pm

Credit to Brenton Sanderson and his beat-up Adelaide side for one of the grittiest wins of the season over Geelong last week. They have the chance to claim another top eight scalp with a trip west to take on the Dockers under lights in Perth. The Crows will fancy their chances having won three of their past five at Patersons Stadium and three of their last four against Fremantle. The Dockers will receive a boost with the likely return of Aaron Sandilands and Nick Suban, while the Crows have brought in Shaun McKernan for the injured Ben Rutten. The midfield battle will be a key on the wide expanses of Subiaco. Adelaide won both the clearances and the contested possession count against the Cats while the Dockers were smashed in both categories by the Tigers last Sunday. I can see no reason why the Crows can’t cover a four-goal line against the spluttering Dockers.

Suggested bet: Adelaide WIN (0.5 units @ $4.00) LOSE, Adelaide +24.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN, game total -160.5 (best of the round, three units @ $1.91) WIN (75-53)

Racing for July 27

Horse racing: Caulfield (Vic), Randwick (NSW), Doomben (Qld), Morphettville (SA), Belmont (WA), Gold Coast (Qld), Newcastle (NSW), Donald (Vic), Lismore (NSW), Townsville (Qld), Darwin (NT), Roebourne (WA), Sunshine Coast (Qld). Harness racing: Newcastle (NSW), Gloucester Park (WA), Albion Park (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic), Globe Derby (SA), Menangle (NSW). Greyhound racing: Wentworth Park (NSW), The Gardens (NSW), Cannington (WA), Richmond (NSW), The Meadows (NSW), Traralgon (Vic).

When you’re on a good thing … I’m sticking with Morphettville for the best of the day, which comes up in the Toll Express Handicap (race 6 at 3.09pm) over 1600m. #10 Mumbeilly has been ploughing through heavy tracks at Sandown at its past four starts without much luck but gets a dead (5) and a gun run from barrier 2 while Dom Tourneur will carry the minimum weight of 54kg. This 4yo mare, trained at Caulfield by Peter Moody, has won two of 15 and has everything in her favour to make it three career wins here.

Suggested bet: Morphettville R6 #10 Mumbeilly E/W 1x4 (two units) 3rd ($1.70)

Other tips

Caulfield R1 #12 Monkstone (win) 1st ($2.05)
Caulfield R2 #2 Dayita (E/W) 3rd ($2.45)

Caulfield R5 #9 Octavia (win) 1st ($1.80)

Caulfield R6 #2 Launay (E/W) 3rd ($2.00)

Randwick R1 #2 Watabout (win) 1st ($1.75)

Randwick R2 #1 Arabian Gold (E/W 1x4) 1st ($3.20/$1.60)

Randwick R3 #9 Pinocchio (place) LOSE (4th)

Randwick R4 #2 Mount Nebo (E/W) 1st ($4.50/$2.00)

Randwick R5 #5 Total Attraction (E/W) 3rd ($1.50)

Randwick R6 #6 Griffon (E/W) 3rd ($2.40)

Randwick R8 #4 Eigelstein (E/W) 1st ($3.80/$2.00)

Doomben R2 #9 Little Bit Ditsy (win) LOSE (3rd)

Doomben R3 #1 Carmine King (win) LOSE (U/P)

Doomben R6 #1 Flying Home (E/W) 2nd ($2.00)

Doomben R8 #2 Discreet (win) 1st ($3.20)

Morphettville R3 #1 Dee Bee Nine (E/W) LOSE (NTD)

Morphettville R5 #2 Charmed Harmony (E/W 1x4) 2nd ($1.60)

Morphettville R7 #6-5-13 (boxed trifecta) LOSE

Morphettville R8 #11 Reel Way (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Belmont R2 #1 Mr Utopia (win) 1st ($1.80)

Newcastle R2 #7 Plenty Special (win) 1st ($2.70)

MLB for July 27

Milwaukee Brewers (42-59, 16-30 away) @ Colorado Rockies (49-54, 29-25 home), Saturday, July 27, 10.40am

Wily Peralta may have been one of baseball’s best pitchers this month – a welcome departure from his struggles for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this season, which began with a mediocre performance against the Colorado Rockies. Now, Peralta gets a second chance against the Rockies as he takes the mound at Coors Field on Friday night. Peralta (7-9, 4.30 ERA) posted a 5.58 ERA through his first 17 starts, including a 7-3 loss to Colorado on April 3 in which he gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings. But the right-hander has reversed his fortunes of late and has given up one earned run in 29 1/3 innings over four July starts for a major league-best 0.31 ERA. The Brewers (42-59) fell to 1-3 since Ryan Braun’s doping suspension, losing 10-8 to San Diego on Thursday.

Scheduled starter for the Rockies, Tyler Chatwood (6-3, 2.48), has been solid after one of the roughest outings of his career. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in three starts since allowing six runs and 11 hits over five innings of a 10-8 loss to the Dodgers on July 3. Wilin Rosario has hit safely in all eight of his games versus Milwaukee, going 12 for 28 (.429) with three homers and seven RBIs. Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .200 with 12 strikeouts in 10 games since returning from a fractured rib, but is batting .395 in 32 career contests against the Brewers with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. The Rockies have won eight of the last 10 meetings after taking two of three in Milwaukee during the teams’ season-opening series.

Suggested bet: Rockies WIN (2.5 units @ $1.72) WIN, game total -9.5 (1.5 units @ $1.83) LOSE (3-8)

Other tips

AL: Red Sox WIN $1.93 LOSE @ Orioles -9 $1.92 WIN (0-6)

AL: Rangers @ Indians WIN $1.83 WIN -8 $1.92 LOSE (8-11)

AL: Rays WIN $1.95 @ Yankees WIN (10-6)

AL: Astros @ Blue Jays -1.5 $1.91 WIN +9 $1.95 WIN (6-12)

AL: Royals WIN $1.82 @ White Sox WIN (5-1)

AL: Angels @ Athletics -1.5 $2.30 WIN (4-6)

AL: Twins @ Mariners -1.5 $1.95 LOSE +7 $1.95 LOSE (3-2)

NL: Mets WIN $1.80 LOSE @ Nationals (2) -8 $1.96 WIN (1-2)

NL: Pirates WIN $1.60 LOSE @ Marlins -7.5 $1.83 WIN (0-2)

NL: Cardinals @ Braves -7 $2.00 WIN (1-4)

NL: Padres @ Diamondbacks WIN $1.74 WIN (0-10)

NL: Reds @ Dodgers +6.5 $2.05 LOSE (1-2)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.