Baseball was mostly in focus yesterday and we have that broken down with an amazing highlight to view. The NBA got underway and if you thought the Los Angeles Lakers might come out with fire to start the season, you are poorer today.
This and several off-the-field NFL stories, numerous HOT college football trends and a peak at the biggest line moves so far. Almost forget an odd NHL occurrence.
To the surprise of nobody, the New York Yankees took out Cleveland and advanced to face Houston in the ALCS. The Yankees are the first team in MLB postseason history to win a best-of-5 (or longer) series despite not having more than six hits in any game. (Thanks OptaStats) New York is a +165 underdog against the Astros to win the series at Betonline.
Game 1 of the NLCS seems like a great pitching matchup and it was with Zack Wheeler besting Yu Darvish 2-0. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber both hit home runs but Schwarber’s was a BOMB!
Boston put the off-season turmoil behind them and defeated Philadelphia as three-point favorites behind Jayson Tatum’s 35 points.
Golden State received their championship rings and went out and routed the L.A. Lakers 123-109 as a touchdown favorite in a contest that was not that close, especially in the second half. The Lakers scored 38 points in the fourth quarter, but when the game mattered, they were shooting 35.2 percent through three quarters. A bad effort by L.A.
Scoring is up again in the NHL in the early going. Evidently, no lead is safe as five different teams came back from a multi-goal deficit to win (Blue Jackets, Devils, Flames, Flyers, Kings). That tied the previous record for a single day.
We start Week 7 Thursday with the Saints at the Cardinals. Moving forward we have Best Bets, one team on Upset Alert, along with other key games like the Chiefs at the 49ers.
The American League and National Leagues’ pennants are on the line and we will have every detail of each contest dissected for wagering purposes.
Wednesday is the first full day of NBA action with numerous games, review our various free plays across the board. Come back Thursday for the Bucks vs. 76ers and Clippers vs Lakers battles on TNT.
Hockey bettors, review our Wednesday NHL Player Props.
We have college football from the Sun Belt starting Wednesday, along with other contests on Thursday and Friday. For another great Saturday of gridiron action, we hone in on Miss. State vs. Alabama, UCLA vs. Oregon and Syracuse vs. Clemson. In addition, we have our Best Bets and a vast amount of other important matchups for Week 8.
Reportedly, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft had words about a new contract for Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Robbie Anderson got it to Sunday with his Carolina position coach. Next, he and interim head coach Steve Wilks had words and Wilks told him to take the rest of the day off during the game. On Monday, Anderson was traded to Arizona for two future late-round picks.
With the Cardinals losing Hollywood Brown for an extended period and now just getting DeAndre Hopkins back from suspension, the Anderson move made sense to kickstart their offense.
If you watched the Broncos/Chargers contest, not only did you see another bad game by Russell Wilson but L.A. kicker Dustin Hopkins pulled up lame and collapsed to one leg after each kick. Turns out Hopkins has a hamstring issue that will keep him out for two to four weeks.
Don’t look for a Big 12 team in the Final Four this season, unless TCU can keep their miraculous start going. Instead, watch for conference underdogs, who are 11-5-1 ATS this far in league play.
Thus far in college football, teams off exactly three straight spread losses are 8-16 ATS in their next contest if no bye is involved. (Playing four consecutive weeks)
NCAAF Biggest Line Moves:
NFL Biggest Line Moves:
If you happen to be going to London in the near future (and who might not be) and are a Formula One fan, you will want to check this out.
Phil Mickelson was beloved by adoring fans for taking chances on the golf course and his “aw shucks” everyman approach. It was always a wonder to many why so many PGA Tour players literally could not stand him.
Mickelson was a legendary sports bettor in many circles and for years, reportedly was rather successful in the NFL. As it turns out Mickelson later lost millions gambling and he was a key witness in professional gambler Billy Walters going to jail allegedly selling him out for insider trading.
You know Mickelson was the first to join LIV GOLF and after toning it down a bit, he’s had a lot to say lately, including lying. Sad to see for the fans that admired him but never knew this side of him.
The New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies get their seasons started tonight. The Grizzlies opened at -7.5 and have slid -4 at home against the Knicks with Dillon Brooks out. The betting tickets still favor the Grizz, running at 65 percent. However, the money is trailing the Knickerbockers at 70%. What side will you be on?
Let’s get some winners! See you back here Friday.