LABOUR DAY WEEKEND CFL PICKS 2018

Photo: Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL AT OTTAWA, Friday

At Ottawa, Antonio Pipkin will likely make a third straight start for Montreal (2-8) after passing for 303 yards and scoring two rushing TDs against Toronto. The Redblacks come off the bye having won two straight and quarterback Trevor Harris has thrown for over 300 yards in his last three starts. Over that span, Harris has completed 100-of-128 passes (78.1 per cent) and threw for 342 yards in a 28-18 win over the Als in July.

Prediction: Ottawa.
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WINNIPEG AT SASKATCHEWAN, Sunday

At Regina, the Riders (5-4) chase a third straight victory having won 12 of their last 13 Labour Day home games against Winnipeg (5-5). Saskatchewan’s defence was stellar in last week’s 24-21 win over B.C., allowing just a second-half field goal. The Bombers have lost two straight, including a 39-26 decision last week to Calgary. The Stampeders held CFL rushing leader Andrew Harris to just 13 yards on seven carries.

Prediction: Saskatchewan.
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EDMONTON AT CALGARY, Monday

At Calgary, the Eskimos (6-4) look to do something no other team has this season – win at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders (8-1) are 5-0 at home and have won six straight and 10 of their last 12 Labour Day home games versus their provincial rivals. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who threw for 452 yards and three TDs against Winnipeg, is 4-0 on Labour Day while Edmonton’s Mike Reilly, the CFL passing leader, is 0-3.

Prediction: Calgary.
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TORONTO AT HAMILTON, Monday

It’s crunch time for McLeod Bethel-Thompson and the Toronto Argonauts.

Bethel-Thompson leads Toronto (3-5) into Hamilton (4-5) on Monday night to open an important home-and-home Labour Day series between the long-time rivals. The Argos will host the Tiger-Cats at BMO Field on Sept. 8.

The Argos are third in the East Division. A sweep would not only move them into second but clinch the season series with the Ticats in the event of a season-ending tie.

A split would leave Toronto behind Hamilton in the East with the teams scheduled to meet a third time Oct. 13 at BMO Field. But the Ticats can effectively take control of second spot with a sweep while still having two games remaining against the first-place Ottawa Redblacks (6-3).

Toronto hasn’t enjoyed much Labour Day success in Steeltown. Hamilton leads the series 33-13-1 and is 4-0 at Tim Hortons Field.

The Argos’ last Labour Day win in Hamilton was a 33-30 decision Sept. 3, 2012 at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Prediction: Hamilton.
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Last week: 2-2

Overall: 26-16.

(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)