Expert Sports Picks and Analysis from Al McMordie

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 03/23/2024

Saturday, Mar 23, 2024

The Saturday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. The New York Knicks host the Brooklyn Nets at 1:10 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite, with the total set at 204.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Orlando Magic play at home against the Sacramento Kings at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 216. The Atlanta Hawks are at home against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 9-point favorite with a total of 215.Four NBA games tip off at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Washington Wizards host the Toronto Raptors as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 231. The Boston Celtics travel to Chicago to play the Bulls as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 221.5. The Houston Rockets play at home against the Utah Jazz as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 226.5. The Phoenix Suns play in San Antonio to play the Spurs as a 9.5-point road favorite with a total of 229. The Denver Nuggets are in Portland to play the Trail Blazers as a 14-point road favorite with an over/under of 210.5. The National Hockey League has 11 games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 1:07 p.m. ET. The Winnipeg Jets visit New York to play the Islanders as a -130 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Boston Bruins play in Philadelphia against the Flyers as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Minnesota Wild are at home against the St. Louis Blues at 2:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Nashville Predators host the Detroit Red Wings at 5:07 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.Two NHL games start at 7:07 p.m. ET. The New Jersey Devils play at home against the Ottawa Senators as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers are in Toronto to play the Maple Leafs as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Florida Panthers travel to New York to play the Rangers on ABC at 8:07 p.m. ET, with both teams priced at -110 with a total of 6. The college basketball schedule has 15 games, with nine games on national television. Seton Hall is at home against North Texas on ESPN at 11:30 a.m. ET in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament. The Pirates are a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 135.5.The second round of the NCAA tournament begins with all eight games on national television. Arizona battles Dayton on CBS at 12:45 p.m. ET as a 9-point favorite with a total of 149.5. Gonzaga plays Kansas on CBS at 3:15 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151.5. North Carolina faces Michigan State on CBS at 5:30 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 140.5. Iowa State goes against Washington State on TNT as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 129. North Carolina State challenges Oakland University on TBS at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Tennessee faces Texas on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146. Illinois battles Duquesne on TNT at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 148. Creighton plays Oregon on TBS at 9:40 p.m. ET as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 146.

Ohtani “Has a Lot of ‘Splaining to Do.”

by AAA Sports

Friday, Mar 22, 2024

The old gambling joke goes like this:“Hey, you look awful. What’s going on?“I just lost $1,000 betting on basketball.”“Maybe you should bet on football instead.”“That’s even worse. I lost $2,000 on the NFL.”“How about hockey?”“Hockey???!!!??? I don’t know ANYTHING about hockey.”-So it goes with one Ippei Mizuhara, who in one fell swoop has just pissed away perhaps the best job in the world and may have made himself persona non grata in two countries because, as he says, “I’m not a very good gambler.”As the longtime interpreter, confidante, and apparent BFF of the No. 1 baseball player in the world, new Dodger Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara got to travel the world and hang with Ohtani. Just be a human English-to-Japanese dictionary (and vice versa) a few times a day, and cash team checks that amounted to a reported $500,000 a year.But what Mizuhara apparently did with a lot of that money, plus a substantial chunk of change that he didn’t have, is what reportedly dragged him into a pile of mud that is also getting Ohtani dirty. Details aren’t confirmed, but reports indicate that some $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account was withdrawn to cover Mizuhara’s financial obligations to an illegal (sports betting is not legal in California) gambling outfit.From there things get foggy. Ohtani’s lawyers say the cash was stolen but don’t say by whom or how. And it doesn’t help that both Ohtani and Mizuhara have changed their stories – first saying that Ohtani was aware of the huge gambling debt and then retracting those statements. This raises the question of why an illegal book would extend that much credit to someone like Mizuhara who was clearly not a whale – unless it had collateral. Did we mention that Ohtani’s new contract with the Dodgers will earn him $70 million a year through 2033?Then there’s this – Ohtani, a notoriously private person, picked this past week – just before the sh*t hit the fan regarding his interpreters’ gambling ineptness -- to announce that he has just gotten married. What the blushing bride’s connection to all of this is is uncertain, but one thing IS certain: Spouses cannot be compelled to testify against their husband or wife, so there’s that.As of now there is no evidence that Mizuhara placed bets on baseball, so the suits at MLB can breathe easy for the time being. But what will they do if he did wager on MLB games, and Ohtani’s hands are not that clean? Is Rob Manfred ready to play Bart Giamatti to Ohtani’s Pete Rose, and ban the superstar for life? And if not, why not? You have to wonder if DraftKings will place odds on THAT happening.So many questions, so many conflicting answers, most notably what was Ohtani’s involvement – if any – in his interpreter’s activities? Was Mizuhara a place-holder for Ohtani and now ready to take the fall for the player who was set to become the face of Major League Baseball? Will the Dodgers circle the wagons around their new superstar? How much do the feds care about an activity that may at some point in the not-too-distant future be legal in California? Did Mizuhara steal from Ohtani? How? Will Mizuhara and Ohtani change their story a second time, or stick with what they have?The boiling cauldron will no doubt heat up even more as the Dodger plane sets down in Los Angeles after the team’s two-game season-opening series in South Korea. As Ricky told Lucy, Ohtani “Has a lot of ‘splaining to do.”

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 03/22/2024

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Mar 22, 2024

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Boston Celtics travel to Detroit to play the Pistons as a 13-point road favorite, with the total set at 224 (all odds from DraftKings). The Oklahoma City Thunder play in Toronto against the Raptors as a 15-point road favorite with an over/under of 228. Three NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Miami Heat host the New Orleans Pelicans as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 204.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Minnesota to play the Timberwolves. The San Antonio Spurs play at home against the Memphis Grizzlies as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 218. Two NBA games begin at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Golden State Warriors are at home against the Indiana Pacers as a 5-point favorite with a total of 237.5. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Portland to play the Trail Blazers as a 12-point road favorite, with an over/under of 217.5. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers at 10:40 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 224.The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. The Carolina Hurricanes play in Washington against the Capitals at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -198 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -198 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche are at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -345 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Seattle Kraken are in Arizona against the Coyotes at 10:07 p.m. ET, with both teams priced at -110 with a total of 5.5.The college basketball schedule completes the first round of the NCAA tournament with 16 games on national television. Florida Atlantic plays Northwestern on CBS at 12:15 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 143. Baylor battles Colgate on truTV at 12:40 p.m. ET as a 14-point favorite, with a total of 138.5. San Diego State faces UAB on TNT at 1:45 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 139. Marquette goes against Western Kentucky on TBS at 2:00 p.m. ET as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 158. Connecticut challenges Stetson on CBS at 2:45 p.m. ET as a 27-point favorite with an over/under of 146. New Mexico faces Clemson on truTV at 3:10 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 152. Auburn battles Yale on TNT at 4:15 p.m. ET as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 140. Florida plays Colorado on TBS as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 158.5. Nebraska battles Texas A&M on TNT at 6:50 p.m. ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 147. Duke goes against Vermont on CBS at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 12-point favorite with a total of 132.5. Purdue plays Grambling State on TBS at 7:25 p.m. ET as a 26.5-point favorite with an over/under of 138.5. Alabama challenges Charleston on truTV at 7:35 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 173. Houston faces Longwood on TNT at 9:20 p.m. ET as a 24-point favorite with an over/under of 128. Wisconsin plays James Madison on CBS at 9:40 p.m. ET as a 5-point favorite with a total of 145. TCU goes against Utah State on TBS at 9:55 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 150.5. Saint Mary’s battles Grand Canyon on truTV at 10:05 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 131.

Look Toward the Pac-12 For Your Women's Futures Bet

by Vegas Writer

Thursday, Mar 21, 2024

Quick, without using Google, name five men's college basketball players off the top of your head.Now name five women.Something tells me you've seen names like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, JuJu Watkins, Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese regularly more than you have any other college basketball names.And don't think for a moment bettors haven't taken an interest, particularly with Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes, any prop they can find on the WNBA-bound sharpshooter - once the NCAA Women's basketball tournament is over - and futures on who will win what might be the most popular season in history."We've had bettors coming into our property asking for lines on women's games all season," said one manager of an off-Strip property. "The interest in women's basketball, especially in this town with the rise of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and the UNLV Lady Rebels, has been tremendous."Thus, I'm here to tell you that South Carolina, LSU and Iowa aside, there's good reason to invest in the overall best conference in women's basketball: the Pac-12.The league had its final conference tournament at the MGM Grand Garden, and now rests its hopes on one of seven teams to send the conference out in style, with a national championship before it's disbanded forever.No. 1 USC, No. 2 Stanford and No. 2 UCLA gives the league three teams seeded one or two, which is a Pac-12-era record.The Pac-12 leads all conferences with six ranked teams, including three in the top six of the latest Associated Press Top-25 poll: No. 3 USC, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 UCLA, No. 12 Oregon State, No. 17 Colorado and No. 21 Utah.So which team can win it all?It's hard to argue against Stanford and Tara VanDerveer, the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history. The Cardinal has the talent with Cameron Brink, Kiki Iriafen and Hannah Jump. You give me a team like this 15-1 odds, and I'm going to be holding a ticket with hopes I can get it in the Final Four and hedge back.Then there's USC at 40-1, which is ludicrous, considering this is a Top 5 team, a No. 1 seed, and is bolstered by arguably the best overall player in the game. Clark can fire at free will, and Brink is a defensive power, but Watkins is the future. And after seeing what she did in the Pac-12 Tournament (outside of the title game), she will be on a mission here. When she did have an off game, in the Pac-12 championship, a group of grad-transfers and upperclasswomen who have been there led the way. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb has the coaching smarts to get this team to the final weekend, and with a 40-1 ticket, I'm a buyer.I also wouldn't mind holding a ticket with UCLA at 40-1. The Bruins' seeding and final ranking before the tournament would have been higher had they not lost to the Trojans in the semifinals. They're still dangerous, with Lauren Betts, Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice. Coach Cori Close is an adjustment wizard and can get her girls to compete against any team in the nation.Take your pick among the other Pac-12 teams if you want longer odds: Oregon State (100-1), Utah (150-1), Colorado (250-1), Arizona (2000-1).Fact is, you'll have nothing but value in your hand with a futures ticket on Stanford, USC or UCLA - any of which can win the whole thing - and legitimate longshots with any of the other five, all of which give you presentable opportunities to hedge at some point.By the way, I'm betting you still haven't come up with five men's college basketball names.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and MLB Previews and Odds - 03/21/2024

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 21, 2024

The Thursday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association has seven games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Orlando to play the Magic as a 2-point road favorite, with the total set at 208.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Sacramento Kings play in Washington against the Wizards as an 11-point road favorite with an over/under of 237. Two more NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Houston Rockets host the Chicago Bulls as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 216. The Milwaukee Bucks play at home against the Brooklyn Nets as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 222.5. The Dallas Mavericks are at home against the Utah Jazz at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 238.5. The Denver Nuggets are at home against the New York Knicks at 9:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 209. The Phoenix Suns host the Atlanta Hawks at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 227.5. The National Hockey League has 11 games on its slate. Five NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the St. Louis Blues as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Boston Bruins are at home against the New York Rangers as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Philadelphia Flyers as a -238 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Detroit Red Wings play at home against the New York Islanders as a -112 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets are in New Jersey to play the Devils as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Florida Panthers are at home against the Nashville Predators at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -192 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers host the Buffalo Sabres at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more NHL games begin at 10:07 p.m. ET. The Anaheim Ducks play at home against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -122 money-line favorite with a total of 6. Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:37 p.m. ET. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home against the Seattle Kraken on ESPN as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Tampa Bay Lightning visit San Jose to play the Sharks as a -375 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has 16 games in the first round of the NCAA tournament on national television. Michigan State battles Mississippi State on CBS at 12:15 p.m. ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 130.5. BYU faces Duquesne on truTV at 12:40 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 142. Creighton plays Akron on TNT at 1:30 p.m. ET as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 141. Arizona goes against Long Beach State on TBS at 2:00 p.m. ET as a 20-point favorite with a total of 163.5. North Carolina challenges Wagner on CBS at 2:45 p.m. ET as a 25-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. Illinois plays Morehead State on truTV at 3:10 p.m. ET as an 11-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Oregon faces South Carolina on TNT at 4:00 p.m. ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. Nevada battles Dayton on TBS at 4:30 p.m. ET as a 1-point favorite with a total of 136.5. Texas battles Colorado State on TNT at 6:50 p.m. ET as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 133. Kentucky goes against Oakland University on CBS at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 161.5. Gonzaga plays McNeese State on TBS at 7:25 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5. Iowa State challenges South Dakota State on truTV at 7:35 p.m. ET as a 16-point favorite with a total of 135.5. Tennessee plays Saint Peter’s on TNT at 9:20 p.m. ET as a 21.5-point favorite with an over/under of 130.5. Texas Tech goes against North Carolina State on CBS at 9:40 p.m. ET as a 5-point favorite with a total of 145.5. Kansas faces Samford on TBS at 9:55 p.m. ET as a 7-point favorite with a total of 154. Drake battles Washington State on truTV at 10:05 p.m. ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 137.5.The Major League Baseball regular season continues with the final game of the Seoul Series in South Korea. The Los Angeles Dodgers play the San Diego Padres on ESPN at 6:05 a.m. ET. The Dodgers turn to Yoshinosu Yamamoto as their starting pitcher to face the Padres’ Joe Musgrove. Los Angeles is a -198 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5.

Betting Over/Unders in Round 1 of March Madness

by Wayne Root

Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024

BETTING THE UNDERSThere are rumors about betting unders in the first rounds of the March Madness tournament and I don’t necessarily disagree. I offer a few ideas one must consider: HUGE ARENAS The totals seem to fly over throughout the tournament due to expert marksmanship from the three point line. However, look at the difference from playing in your 8000-10,000 seat home areas to the monstrous domes they play their first games in. Can you imagine any team shooting their 3-point shots and connecting on 35 to 40 percent? They might get accustomed to the cannaverousdomes by the second halves. It’s doubtful that teams will have success right off the bat. NERVES BY THE PLAYERSSecondly, the nerves the players are presented with are real. Their touch is affected. Their aim and launch is unstable or unsure. They will be instructed to slow the game down until their nerves are settled. BETTING FIRST HALF UNDERSI love betting every game’s first half UNDER the posted total. It’s my understanding that by betting the unders in every game the past 42 years, you have only two losing years. My experience in the past decade is extremely positive so I continue. WILL ALABAMA CONTINUE TO SCOREAlabama boasts the highest-scoring attack in the nation but is far from a shut-down squad on the defensive end. The combination surely appeals to NCAA Tournament first-round opponent Charleston, which has won 12 consecutive games. The scoreboard figures to get a lot of work on Friday when the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide (21-11) face the No. 13 seed Cougars (27-7) in a West Region first-round game at Spokane, Wash.COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON Both teams love to hoist 3-point shots. Charleston ranks third nationally with an average of 30.6 attempts per game, with the Crimson Tide fourth at 30.3. The Cougars aren’t in the same locale as Alabama’s 90.8 points-per-game average but are tied for 34th at 80.5.THE BAMA TOTAL IS 173.5The total is set at 173.5. Simple math has both teams needing to score 87 points each. Bama might hold up their end so consider if Charleston will falter a bit. Additionally , College of Charleston is playing an elite SEC program. That in itself, will cause many shots to fall wayside. With all the ingame betting, I would use that as my barometer in deciding to bet the over. ODDSMAKERS ADJUSTED LINEThe game can definitely go over but remember that with the pregame hype and rumors to bet the over in this game, the oddsmakers have taken note and made more adjustments. Again, that needs to be added to the above list to consider. Good Luck,Wayne Allyn Root

Selection Committee Choice of Virginia Should Open Our Eyes in NIT

by Vegas Writer

Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024

Virginia's humiliating loss in the First Four was embarrassing to the ACC. It was also very embarrassing for the Selection Committee.You think about the end of the season, how Virginia played in those four games it didn't get to 50 points, and then the First Four game against a very good Colorado State team. I'm not taking anything away from the Rams, but that was an embarrassing loss for the Cavaliers.Only 14 points in the first half just does not make a league like the ACC look all that competitive. It also looks as if the Selection Committee dropped the ball.Anyone who says it's an indictment on Tony Bennett and the style of play he coaches, well, it is not. His style of play can still win by defending better and taking care of the basketball. Also, not giving up second shots, choosing the shots they want, not the shots your opponent wants you taking.And if you look at this roster, Virginia missed in recruiting. Some of the great Tony Bennett teams had really good players who bought in and executed at a ridiculously high level on offense and defense. This team was just not talented enough. And that is a reflection of some potential recruiting mistakes, and maybe even NIL issues.Tony Bennett hasn't forgotten how to coach, that system can work. But the game Tuesday night was definitely not a great reflection on both the Selection Committee and the ACC.Having said that, there are teams like Wake Forest, Indiana State, Oklahoma and St. John's - all of which were probably more deserving - look extremely attractive if still playing in the postseason. Two of them opted into the NIT, that being a very angry ACC-team in Wake Forest and Indiana State.Pay close attention, as the anger of both teams could be fueled by knowing they could have turned in a better showing than the Cavaliers.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and MLB Previews and Odds - 03/20/2024

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Miami Heat as a 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 202 (all odds from DraftKings). The Indiana Pacers travel to Detroit to play the Pistons as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 232.5. Two more NBA games start at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Boston Celtics play at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on ESPN as a 9-point favorite, with a total of 223. The Sacramento Kings play in Toronto against the Raptors as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 232. The Oklahoma City Thunder are at home against the Utah Jazz at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 15-point favorite with a total of 231.5. Three more games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Golden State Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies on ESPN as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 217. The Phoenix Suns play at home against the Philadelphia 76ers as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 220. The Los Angeles Clippers are in Portland to play the Trail Blazers as an 11-point road favorite, with an over/under of 215.5. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Toronto Maple Leafs visit Washington to play the Capitals on TNT at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Dallas Stars are at home against the Arizona Coyotes at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -285 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild on TNT at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The college basketball schedule has four tournament games on national television. Montana State battles Grambling on truTV at 6:40 p.m. ET in the first four round of the NCAA tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 135. Seton Hall plays at home against Saint Joseph’s on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 146.5.Villanova is at home against Virginia Commonwealth on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET in the first round of the NIT as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 131. Colorado challenges Boise State on truTV at 9:10 p.m. ET in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 140.5.The 2024 Major League Baseball regular season begins with the Seoul Series in South Korea. The Los Angeles Dodgers play the San Diego Chargers on ESPN at 6:05 a.m. ET. The Dodgers give the ball to Tyler Glasnow to pitch against the Padres’ Yu Darvish. Los Angeles is a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5.The final game of this two-game series starts at 6:05 a.m. ET on Thursday. The Dodgers turn to Yoshinosu Yamamoto as their starting pitcher to go against the Padres’ Joe Musgrove. Los Angeles is a -166 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5.

MLB Futures Wager: Atlanta Braves to Win the 2024 World Series

by Al McMordie

Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

With the Major League Baseball season starting tomorrow, in Seoul, South Korea, with a two-game series between the Dodgers and Padres, it's time for my annual MLB Futures prediction. This season, I'm going to go with the Atlanta Braves. In my opinion, the Braves were the most accomplished team in MLB last year. Obviously, they didn't win the World Series but they had an amazing campaign in 2023 that included a League-best 104 wins, an MLB all-time team record (tied with the 2019 Twins) 307 home runs, the best overall player in the game (Ronald Acuna), a first baseman that led MLB with 54 of those HRs, and an ace that had 281 strikeouts at a time when it's hard to reach 200 in a season. Not needing more than some tweaks in the off-season, the Braves added veteran LHP Chris Sale to their rotation and all indications are -- based on the Spring he's having -- that Sale is 100% and ready to contribute in a big way. It's hard to believe that despite winning 104 games, the Braves will not be the team that most people will have their eyes on as we begin the 2024 season. That distinction will belong to the Dodgers and it's not even close. Although there will be pressure on the Braves to go deeper into the post-season come October, it pales in comparison to the microscope that Freddy Freeman, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and new arrivals Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be under in Tinseltown. In the NL East division, the Phillies will once again keep the Braves honest over 162 regular season games. But at the end of September, almost everyone expects that Atlanta will be Division Champs once again. While the Dodgers and Padres should be formidable, there are so many questions to be answered with the changes both teams have undergone, it's hard to tell where they will end up. But it's steady as she goes for the Braves -- as long as they can stay healthy. Take Atlanta at +550 (at MGM Sportsbook) to win the 2024 MLB World Series. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 03/19/2024

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

The Tuesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets as a 13.5-point favorite with the total set at 203 (all odds from DraftKings). The Houston Rockets travel to Washington to play the Wizards as a 9-point road favorite with an over/under of 228.5. The New Orleans Pelicans play in Brooklyn against the Nets at 7:40 p.m. ET as an 8-point road favorite with a total of 216.5. The Dallas Mavericks are in San Antonio to play the Spurs at 8:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 231.5. The Denver Nuggets visit Minnesota to play the Timberwolves at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with a total of 212. The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. Five NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Boston Bruins play at home against the Ottawa Senators as a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Detroit Red Wings are at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -166 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The New Jersey Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Rangers play at home against the Winnipeg Jets as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs play in Philadelphia against the Flyers as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Carolina Hurricanes are in New York against the Islanders at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. Two more NHL games start at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Nashville Predators are at home against the San Jose Sharks as a -395 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Colorado Avalanche travel to St. Louis to play the Blues as a -205 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers host the Montreal Canadiens at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -380 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Four more games conclude the NHL card at 10:07 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Wild play in Anaheim against the Ducks as a -218 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Los Angeles Kings play in Chicago against the Blackhawks as a -375 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Vancouver Canucks are at home against the Buffalo Sabres as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights host the Tampa Bay Lightning as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has nine tournament games on national television. Howard University battles Wagner on truTV at 6:40 p.m. ET in the first four round of the NCAA tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, as a 3-point favorite with a total of 128. Three more games in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament begin at 7 p.m. ET. Providence plays at home against Boston College on ESPNU as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 138. Georgia is at home against Xavier on ESPN as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 152.5. Ohio State hosts Cornell on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 155. Two NCAAB games tip off at 9 p.m. ET. Virginia Tech plays at home against Richmond on ESPN2 as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 143.5. Butler is at home against Minnesota on ESPNU as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147.5. Iowa hosts Kansas State on ESPN as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 157. Colorado State challenges Virginia on truTV at 9:10 p.m. ET in the first four of the NCAA tournament as a 3-point favorite with an over/under 121. Utah plays at home against UC-Irvine on ESPN2 at 11 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 148.5.

MLB Betting Preview

by Oskeim Sports

Monday, Mar 18, 2024

MLB betting odds provide an effective means of measuring public sentiment towards specific games, which can help you decide if it makes more sense to fade the public or go with moneyline wagers. As part of their baseball handicapping strategies, experts must take several factors into account when handicapping games - weather and team histories are just two such considerations that need to be made when handicapping matches at Coors Field in Denver. Coors Field's unique physical surroundings also impact totals for each game played there. Futures wagers Futures bets offer an effective way of increasing your potential baseball betting payout. While they require greater patience and knowledge than other types of bets, futures wagers can reap big dividends when done properly. Always check odds before placing futures wagers as these odds change frequently depending on injuries, trades, and other variables that could influence play on any given day. Futures bets that are most frequently offered include league and division winners as well as team win totals. These types of bets tend to be easier for beginners to grasp than more intricate wagers and you can place them online or at your favorite sportsbook. Futures bets can take longer to settle than moneyline and run line bets, especially for season-long markets such as baseball. If you place a bet on the Houston Astros winning the World Series before its season begins, for example, your ticket could cash out months after first placing it; making them riskier. Runline bets Just like in football, run lines offer bettors another way of gambling on which team will win a game. Like point spreads but with larger margins of victory and higher odds. A standard MLB run line typically stands at 1.5 runs. Bets may be placed either on either team; however, bets on underdogs tend to yield greater returns due to good teams often facing weak opponents which produces more one-sided contests. However, standard MLB run lines can be adjusted depending on each matchup by one full or half run. Furthermore, sportsbooks may provide alternate run lines which are more volatile than standard lines, including ones based on how many points a team has scored which increases risk but results in larger rewards should you win. Parlay bets Parlay bets offer an effective way to increase winning wagers by adding multiple selections to a sports betting ticket at once. They can be placed on moneylines, run lines or total runs picks using complex baseball pick models which analyze team and player performance stats. Teaser bets use this same model to adjust point spreads and total line odds in your favor and are typically offered by reputable sportsbooks as an attractive offer to attract new customers or reward existing ones. Furthermore, parlays are easy to place and can make an excellent addition to your MLB betting preview. Just be careful when placing parlays involving multiple teams as any mistaken bet could mean your entire wager is lost - therefore you must conduct extensive research before placing any parlays and use disciplined straight betting practices when betting straight on multiple teams. Player props Player prop bets involve placing money on an individual player in a game. They tend to be more complex than side or total wagers and require research on past performances and injury reports of each team. One popular player prop bet involves betting on how many rushing yards a running back will amass in an individual game. This bet can usually be found at most US sportsbooks with odds of at least -120; when betting this way it's wise to consider team defense as this can have a considerable effect on game outcome. Other player props could include betting on how many strikeouts a starting pitcher will throw, or how many three-pointers a point guard will make in a game - these bets provide another way of adding excitement without risking your entire bankroll.

Thursday Round of 64 NCAA Tournament Location Advantages

by Nelly's Sports

Monday, Mar 18, 2024

Thursday Round of 64 NCAA Tournament Location Advantages The NCAA Tournament field is set and while the seeds and matchups are worthy of most of the attention, the locations can have an impact as well. Most of the brackets printed don’t even list the venues but it is worth paying attention to when and where teams are playing this week. Here is a look at a few location advantages for Thursday’s Round of 64 schedule. (6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne – Omaha, NE Provo is nearly 1,000 miles from Omaha as Pittsburgh is slightly closer to Omaha for Duquesne. The advantage for BYU comes by forcing Duquesne to play one of the first games of the tournament early on Thursday after making a long trip west, when the Dukes were one of the very last teams to finish their season winning the A-10 Championship on Sunday. A #6 seed in generous for a BYU squad that was only 10-8 in Big XII play and only had one top 50 win out of conference way back in early November and having a full week turnaround ahead of this game where the Cougars will be well-supported in Omaha sets up a favorable draw. (14) Akron vs. (3) Creighton – Pittsburgh, PA Akron won the MAC tournament title in dramatic fashion last week and will only have to travel just over 100 miles to Pittsburgh despite being a #14 seed. While Omaha was off the table for Creighton as its home site, preferable placements in Memphis or Indianapolis were available instead of an over 900 mile trip east to Pittsburgh, in a venue that could be dominated by Kentucky fans. (1) North Carolina vs. (16) First Four Winner – Charlotte, NC The Tar Heels didn’t have a slam dunk case to be a #1 seed after losing to NC State last weekend. In addition to that loss the Tar Heels have three other losses to teams that didn’t make the tournament. Not only did North Carolina earn the fourth #1 seed, they landed in a comfortable venue in Charlotte. North Carolina is in the West region with Arizona as the #2 seed plus with Saint Mary’s lurking as a potential Sweet 16 foe as the location edge may shift later in the tournament for the Tar Heels. Also in Charlotte, if (10) Virginia is able to win Tuesday’s First Four game with Colorado State, they would be in appealing location with an ACC crowd against (7) Texas. (5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese – Salt Lake City, UT Gonzaga doesn’t have the credentials of most of the Bulldogs teams of the past decade, but this year’s team wound up with a #5 seed and in the most appealing venue they could have hoped for given that the home site of Spokane was off the table. It is still 700 miles from Spokane to Salt Lake City, but it is a familiar trip for Gonzaga fans and the Bulldogs were also granted a night game. McNeese is a 30-win team but will make a long trip for a night game at altitude to perhaps quell some of the upset potential for the Cowboys. (10) Drake vs. (7) Washington State – Omaha, NE Despite being the lesser seed, Drake landed with one of the most preferable location edges of the entire field, playing just a two-hour drive on I-80 away from campus. Omaha would have been a decent venue for teams like Texas and Dayton on the #7 line, but Drake landed Washington State who certainly would have preferred to be in Spokane or Salt Lake City. A consolation for the Cougars is that the tip will be the last one of the entire schedule on Thursday, in a normal game time for Washington State and a very late start for the Bulldogs.

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