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Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, WNBA, MLB and NFL Previews and Odds - 09/12/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Sep 12, 2021

The Sunday sports card features action in the NFL, MLB, WNBA, and the EPL.Fourteen games in the NFL take place on the first Sunday of the regular season. Nine games begin the card at 1 PM ET. The national game on Fox has Atlanta hosting Philadelphia as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 49 (all odds from DraftKings). Jacksonville visits Houston as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 46. Buffalo plays at home against Pittsburgh as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 48.5. Carolina is at home against the New York Jets as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 45. Tennessee hosts Arizona as a 3-point favorite with a total of 53.5. Washington plays at home against the Los Angeles Chargers as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 45. Minnesota visits Cincinnati as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 47. San Francisco travels to Detroit as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 46. Seattle plays at Indianapolis as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 49.Four NFL games start at 4:25 PM ET. The national game on CBS has Kansas City hosting Cleveland as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. New England plays at home against Miami as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 43.5. Green Bay plays New Orleans for the national game on Fox. The game is being played at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville after being relocated from New Orleans because of Hurricane Ida. The Packers are a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 49.5. Denver plays in New York against the Giants as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 42. The Los Angeles Rams play at home against Chicago on NBC at 8;20 PM ET for Sunday Night Football. The Rams are an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. Fifteen games take place in MLB. Tampa Bay plays at Detroit at 12:10 PM ET as a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 9.5. Three games begin at 1:05 PM ET. Philadelphia is at home against Colorado as a -300 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Washington is at Pittsburgh as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Toronto plays at Baltimore as a -225 money line road favorite with an over/under of 10.5. Milwaukee is at Cleveland at 1:10 PM ET as a -180 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Atlanta hosts Miami at 1:20 PM ET as a -300 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Three games start at 2:10 PM ET. The Chicago White Sox are at home against Boston on TBS as a -160 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Minnesota plays at home against Kansas City as a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston is at home against Los Angeles against the Angels as a -260 money line favorite with a total of 9. Cincinnati is at St. Louis at 2:15 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. San Francisco plays at Chicago against the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -220 money line road favorite. Oakland hosts Texas at 4:07 PM ET as a -210 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Two games begin at 4:10 PM ET. Seattle plays at home against Arizona as a -180 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home against San Diego as a -170 money lien favorite with a total of 7.5.The New York Yankees are the visitors at Citi Field against the New York Mets on ESPN at 8:08 PM ET for Sunday Night Baseball. The Yankees are a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8. Three games are on the WNBA docket. Washington plays at Chicago on ABC at 3 PM ET. Indiana visits Minnesota at 7 PM ET. Seattle travels to Los Angeles at 9 PM ET. One game takes place in the English Premier League. Liverpool plays at Leeds United on the NBC Sports Network at 11:30 AM ET. The Reds are a -0.75 goal line road favorite with a total of 3.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, MLB, WNBA, CFL and NCAA Football Previews and Odds - 09/11/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Sep 11, 2021

The Saturday sports card features action in NCAAF, MLB, WNBA, CFL, and the EPL.Forty-three college football games between FBS opponents are on the docket. Virginia hosts Illinois at 11 AM ET as a 10.5-point favorite, with the total set at 56.6 (all odds from DraftKings). Army plays at home on the CBS Sports Network at 11:30 AM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 52. Nine games kick off from noon to 2:30 PM ET. Fives games on national television start at noon. Ohio State is at home against Oregon on Fox as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 63.5. Oklahoma State plays at home against Tulsa on FS1 as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 51.5. South Carolina travels to East Carolina on ESPN2 as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 56.5. Minnesota is at home against Miami (OH) on ESPNU as a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54. Florida travels to South Florida on ABC at 1 PM ET as a 28-point road favorite with a total of 58.5. Pittsburgh plays at Tennessee on ESPN as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 56.5. Twelve college football games begin in the 3 PM ET to 4:30 PM ET window. Purdue visits Connecticut on the CBS Sports Network at 3 PM ET as a 34.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 57.5. Five games kick off on national television at 3:30 PM ET. Air Force travels to Navy on CBS as a 6-point road favorite with a total of 39.5. Texas A&M plays at Colorado on Fox as a 17-point road favorite with an over/under of 50. Georgia is at home against UAB on ESPN2 as a 22.5-point favorite with a total of 44. Penn State plays at home against Ball State on FS1 as a 22-point favorite with an over/under of 58. TCU hosts California on ESPNU as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 46. Iowa State hosts Iowa on ABC at 4:30 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. Thirteen college football games start between 6:30 PM ET and 8 PM ET. Houston travels to Rice on the CBS Sports Network at 6:30 PM ET as an 8-point road favorite with a total of 53.5. Four games are on national television beginning at 7 PM ET. Texas visits Arkansas on ESPN as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 56.5. North Carolina State plays at Mississippi State on ESPN2 as a 1-point road favorite with a total of 55.5. Wisconsin plays at home against Eastern Michigan on FS1 as a 26-point favorite with an over/under of 52. Miami (FL) hosts Appalachian State on ESPNU as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 54. Michigan plays at home against Washington on ABC at 8 PM ET as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Six games conclude the college football card starting at 10 PM ET. Colorado State is at home against Vanderbilt on the CBS Sports Network at 10 PM ET as a 7-point favorite with a total of 51. Utah visits BYU on ESPN at 10:15 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 49. USC hosts Stanford on Fox at 10:30 PM ET as a 17-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. Arizona State plays at home against UNLV on ESPN2 at 10:30 PM ET as a 34.5-point favorite with a total of 54.5. Oregon State is at home against Hawaii on FS1 at 11 PM ET as an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 65.Sixteen games are on the MLB schedule. Three games start in the afternoon. San Francisco plays at Chicago against the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -195 money line road favorite. Oakland plays at home against Texas at 4:07 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Toronto plays at Baltimore in the opening game of their seven-inning doubleheader at 4:35 PM ET. The Blue Jays are a -235 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Philadelphia hosts Colorado at 6:05 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Two games start at 6:10 PM ET. Tampa Bay plays at Detroit as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Milwaukee plays at Cleveland as a -190 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Washington plays at Pittsburgh at 6:35 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Three games begin at 7:10 PM ET. Minnesota hosts Kansas City as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Houston plays at home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -250 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Chicago White Sox are at home against Boston as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 9. Cincinnati plays at St. Louis at 7:15 PM ET as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Atlanta plays at home against Miami at 7:20 PM ET as a -240 money line favorite with a total of 8. The second game of the Blue Jays/Orioles doubleheader is set for 7:35 PM ET. Toronto is a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Yankees play in New York against the Mets on Fox at 7:40 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 8. Seattle hosts Arizona at 9:10 PM ET as a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5.Two games are on the WNBA slate. New York visits Dallas at 8 PM ET. Connecticut plays at Phoenix at 10 PM ET. Three games are on the Canadian Football League schedule televised on ESPN+. Winnipeg plays at home against Saskatchewan at 4 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with a total of 45.5. Edmonton hosts Calgary at 7 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 45.5. British Columbia is at home against Ottawa at 10 PM ET as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 46. Eight matches are on tap in the English Premier League. Tottenham travels to Crystal Palace on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 AM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.25. Six matches begin at 10 AM ET. Arsenal plays at home against Norwich City as a -1.25 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3.25. Brighton and Hove Albion visit Brentwood in a pick ‘em match with the total at 2. Manchester City plays at Leicester City as a -1 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.75. Manchester United plays at home against Newcastle United on the USA Network as a -2 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3.25. West Ham United plays at Southampton on the NBC Sports Network as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.75. Wolverhampton is at Watford as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Chelsea hosts Aston Villa on NBC at 12:30 PM ET as a 1.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.75.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NCAAF, WNBA and CFL Previews and Odds - 09/10/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Sep 10, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in NCAAF, MLB, WNBA, and the CFL.Two games kick off Week 2 in college football. Coastal Carolina hosts Kansas on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET. The Chanticleers come off a 52-14 victory against Citadel as a 32-point favorite last Friday. The Jayhawks defeated South Dakota, 17-14, as an 11-point favorite last Saturday. Coastal Carolina is a 26.5-point favorite with the total set at 52 (all odds from DraftKings). Boise State plays at home against UTEP on FS1 at 9:30 PM ET. The Broncos lost at Central Florida, 36-31, as a 5.5-point underdog last Friday. The Miners defeated Bethune Cookman, 38-28, as a 20.5-point favorite last Sunday. Boise State is a 26-point favorite with an over/under of 56.Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. San Francisco visits Chicago to play the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -150 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Pittsburgh is at home against Washington as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.Two MLB games begin at 7:05 PM ET. Philadelphia hosts Colorado as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 9. Toronto visits Baltimore as a -310 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Three games start at 7:10 PM ET. The New York Yankees play across town against the New York Mets as a -125 money line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Tampa Bay visits Detroit as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Milwaukee travels to Cleveland as a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Atlanta plays at home against Miami at 7:20 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Three MLB games start at 8:10 PM ET. Minnesota is at home against Kansas City as a -130 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. The Chicago White Sox are at home against Boston as a -155 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Houston hosts the Los Angeles Angels as a -195 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Cincinnati visits St. Louis at 8:15 PM ET as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8. Oakland hosts Texas at 9:40 PM ET as a -180 money line favorite with a total of 8. Two games conclude the card at 10:10 PM ET. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home against San Diego as a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Seattle plays at home against Arizona as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 8.Two games are on the WNBA slate. Washington plays at home against Atlanta at 7 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 158. Minnesota hosts Indiana at 8 PM ET as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 158.The Canadian Football League kicks off Week 6 with one game. Toronto plays at home against Hamilton on ESPN+ at 7:30 PM ET. The Argonauts attempt to avenge a 32-19 loss at Hamilton on Monday in a game where the Tiger-Cats were a 2.5-point favorite. Toronto is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.

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College Football's Game Two Powerful Pooch

by Tom Stryker

Friday, Sep 10, 2021

As a professional handicapper, it takes two or three games before you truly get a feel for how good (or bad) a team might be in any given year.  That’s why the Team Stryker College Football Database has been our hero early in the season.   One thing we are able to do with our elite computer program is isolate specific game numbers.  This particular system takes a look at a couple of college teams that check in off their season opener.  Over the years, we have discovered that the second game of the year can be one of the most profitable.  Depending on how well a team gets out of the gate, or stutters, can really have an effect on how they perform in week two.  Take a look at this money-maker that we like to call “College Football’s Game Two Powerful Pooch.” Since 1980, PLAY ON any game two competitive road underdog priced at +13.5 or less that is not off a blowout win of 10 points or more provided they are matched up against a game two opponent that arrives without steam off a double-digit straight up loss.  41-Year ATS Record = 39-13 ATS for 75.0 percent  This Week’s Play = VANDERBILT  The Commodores enter this non-conference battle off a shocking 23-3 home loss to East Tennessee State in their season opener and they’ll be looking to bounce back against a Colorado State squad that arrives off a stunning 42-23 home loss of its own to South Dakota State.  There is one way to make this technical situation even more profitable.  If our “play against” side is not off a crushing defeat of 24 points or more (so off a blemish between 10 and 23 points), this system cruises to a jaw-dropping 26-3 ATS for 89.6 percent and is quietly on a sensational 20-0 ATS run in that tightener over the past 24 years. Coming off perhaps their worst loss in program history, ‘Dores new head coach Clark Lea will use the strength of this Game Two Powerful Pooch system to give the Rams a game on Saturday.  Good luck with Vandy this week.  TS

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 09/09/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Sep 09, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, MLB, and the WNBA.The NFL regular season begins with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys on NBC at 8:20 PM ET. The Buccaneers won their final eight games last year in defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, 31-23. The Cowboys last played in the Super Bowl 26 years ago, in 1995. They have won only four playoff games since that triumph. Dallas finished 6-10 last season after quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending fractured right ankle in Week 5. Buccaneers starting strong safety Jordan Whitehead got ruled out for this game with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Chris Godwin is dealing with a quad injury but was a full participant in practice on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s final workout before the game. The Cowboys’ starting right guard, Zach Martin, remains on the reserve/COVID list. Testing negative on game day could clear Martin to play. Starting right tackle La’el Collins was a full participant in the last Dallas practice on Tuesday despite a neck injury. Dallas is an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 51 (all odds from DraftKings).Eight games are on the MLB docket. Two games take place in the afternoon. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at St. Louis at 1:15 PM ET in the fourth game of their four-game series. Tony Gonsolin pitches for the Dodgers against Jake Woodford of the Cardinals. Los Angeles is a -190 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Oakland is at home against the Chicago White Sox at 3:37 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The A’s pitch Sean Manaea against the White Sox’s Reynaldo Lopez. Oakland is a -145 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Cleveland hosts Minnesota at 6:10 PM ET in the fourth game of their four-game series. Cal Quantrill pitches for the Indians against Randy Dobnak of the Twins. Cleveland is a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The New York Mets play at Miami at 6:40 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The Mets pitch Marcus Stroman against the Marlins’ Jesus Luzardo. New York is a -170 money line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Three games begin at 7:05 PM ET. Baltimore plays at home against Kansas City in the fourth game of their four-game series. John Means pitches for the Orioles against Carlos Hernandez of the Royals. Baltimore is a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The New York Yankees are at home against Toronto in Game 4 of their four-game series. The Yankees pitch Nelson Cortes, Jr. against Jose Berrios. New York is a -115 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Philadelphia hosts Colorado in the opening game of their three-game series. Ranger Suarez pitches for the Phillies against Antonio Senzatela of the Rockies. Philadelphia is a -200 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Atlanta plays at home against Washington at 7:20 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The Braves pitch Huascar Ynoa against the Nationals’ Erick Fedde. Atlanta is a -235 money line favorite with a total of 9.5.One game takes place in the WNBA. Connecticut visits Los Angeles at 10:30 PM ET. 

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NFL Super Bowl Futures: Teams to Avoid

by ASA, Inc.

Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021

The best weekend of the year is finally upon us, and from now until February 7th we will have NFL games three days out of the week. This may be the most loaded that the league has ever been in terms of pure talent and the number of competitive teams. Because of this, the margin of error between the good vs the great teams will be extremely small.  NFL SB ODDS:+450 KC Chiefs +700 TB Buccaneers +1100 BUF Bills+1200 LA Rams+1400 BAL Ravens +1400 GB Packers.+1400 SF 49ers TEAMS TO AVOID WHEN LOOKING FOR SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS BillsJosh Allen carried Buffalo last season and was a true MVP candidate. Unfortunately, he may have to have an even better performance this season. The Bills defense ranked 16th in points allowed last year and are not expected to be drastically improved. The run game is an even more worrisome aspect after finishing 20th in yards per game, while leaning heavily on Allen in the red zone. The AFC East will be no cakewalk either with Bill Belichick and Brian Flores looking to play defense and run the rock. A couple of close divisional losses could bump the Bills back to the wild card ranks.  RamsWith Matthew Stafford anointed the saviors of the Ram’s offense they seem to be in the clear. That is until you look at the rest of the NFC West. San Francisco may be a more physical team on both sides of the ball. Seattle has the weapons to score with anyone and hopes to feed Chris Carson all he can handle. Lastly, the Cardinals offense finished 6th in total yards in 2020 and is a beast of a 4th place team for a division. If Stafford struggles in year one with Sean McVay, or if they become one dimensional without Cam Ackers, it is easy to see the Rams in 3rd in the NFC West.   Ravens Injuries are already pilling up for Baltimore. J.K. Dobbins is a huge loss in the run game, Rashod Bateman is banged up, and the other weapons of Hollywood Brown and Sammy Watkins are the epitome of injury prone. Lamar Jackson has handled a massive workload for a QB over the past 2 seasons but has remained healthy, for now. Another concern is again, the division they play in. A one dimension offense is not what you want when competing with the Steelers and Browns. Cleveland’s odds have been on the rise this offseason, and they may enter 2021 the best team in the AFC North. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 09/08/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in MLB and the WNBA.Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. Three games begin in the afternoon. Houston hosts Seattle at 2:10 PM ET in the third game of their three-game series. Jose Urquidy pitches for the Astros against Tyler Anderson of the Mariners. Houston is a -210 money line favorite with the total set at 9. San Francisco plays at Colorado at 3:10 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The Giants pitch Anthony DeSclafani against the Rockies’ Jon Gray. San Francisco is a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11. Arizona is at home against Texas at 3:40 PM ET in the second game of their two-game series. Luke Weaver pitches for the Diamondbacks against the Rangers’ Kohei Arihara. Arizona is a -155 money line favorite with a total of 8.5.Cleveland plays at home against Minnesota at 6:10 PM ET in the third game of their four-game series. The Indians pitch Triston McKenzie against the Twins’ Joe Ryan. Cleveland is a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Pittsburgh is at home against Detroit at 6:35 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. Mitch Keller pitches for the Pirates against Matt Manning of the Tigers. Pittsburgh is a -120 money line favorite with a total of 9. The New York Mets are at Miami at 6:40 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. The Mets pitch Rich Hill against the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara. New York is a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5.Two games begin at 7:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees are at home against Toronto in the third game of their four-game series. Luis Gil pitches for the Yankees against Alek Manoah of the Blue Jays. New York is a -125 money line favorite, with the total at 9.5. Kansas City is at Baltimore in the third game of their four-game series. The Royals pitch Mike Minor against the Orioles’ Matt Harvey. Kansas City is a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Boston hosts Tampa Bay at 7:10 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. Nathan Eovaldi pitches for the Red Sox against Shane McClanahan of the Rays. Both teams are priced at -110 with a total of 9.5. Atlanta is at home against Washington at 7:20 PM ET in Game 2 of their three-game series. The Braves pitch Touki Toussaint against the Nationals’ Sean Nolin. Atlanta is a -240 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. Two games start at 7:40 PM ET. Milwaukee plays at home against Philadelphia in the final game of their three-game series. Freddy Peralta pitches for the Brewers against Kyle Gibson of the Phillies. Milwaukee is a -170 money line favorite with a total of 8. Cincinnati is at Chicago against the Cubs in the third game of their three-game series. The Reds pitch Vladimir Gutierrez against the Cubs’ Alec Mills. Cincinnati is a -140 money line road favorite. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at St. Louis at 7:45 PM ET in the third game of their four-game series. Mitch White pitches for the Dodgers against Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals. Los Angeles is a -120 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8. San Diego hosts the Los Angeles Angels at 8:10 PM ET in Game 2 of their two-game series. The Padres pitch Yu Darvish against a Dodgers pitcher that has yet to be officially named. San Diego is a -180 money line favorite with a total of 7. Oakland plays at home against the Chicago White Sox at 9:40 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. Frankie Montas pitches for the A’s against Dallas Kuechel of the White Sox. Oakland is a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5.Two games are on the WNBA slate. Phoenix visits Atlanta at 7 PM ET. Minnesota travels to Las Vegas on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET.

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NFL Football Futures Bet: Baltimore Ravens to Win 2022 Super Bowl

by Al McMordie

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2021

With apologies to The Amazing Kreskin, I don't think anyone could have had the success I have had over the last several years with Futures predictions.  So, let's go to work again, and pull out our crystal ball to select a team to win this year's Super Bowl.  As I mentioned, my success the last several years with Futures wagers is likely unparalleled.  Here's a quick review for newcomers.  In Basketball this past season, we cashed both the Milwaukee Bucks (at 13-2 odds) and the Baylor Bears (at 12-1 odds).  And that was the 2nd straight NCAA season we picked the winner in the preseason, as we cashed Virginia as our Futures wager (at 22-1 odds) to win the 2019 Title.  Also in 2019, we cashed our Futures wager on the Washington Nationals in Baseball, at 18-1 odds, and followed up the Nationals with our Preseason Futures pick on the Dodgers in 2020, at 4-1 odds.  And that made it three winning MLB Futures in four seasons, as we had Houston, at 10-1 odds, in 2017.  In hockey, we delivered with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020, at 7-1 odds.  And we cashed the Spurs (14-1, 2014), Warriors (-125, 2017), and Warriors again (-160, 2018) in the NBA.  Unfortunately, our current 2021 World Series pick on the Minnesota Twins (at 22-1 odds) never had a shot.  Let's move into our discussion of this season's football Futures wager.  I generally don't release college football, and only release an NFL selection.  This year, I will go out a little bit on a limb and select the Baltimore Ravens, who are currently listed at 16-1 odds at BetOnline.  The reason I say "out on a limb" isn't a reflection of Baltimore's overall talent, which is great, but is more a nod to its backfield's current injury-riddled state.  The Ravens have lost two of their top four running backs, as J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill have each been lost for the season.  Thus, Gus Edwards and Ty'Son Williams are the only healthy running backs, which has necessitated a search for depth at the position.  Currently, the Ravens are working out such fallen stars as Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman.  But clearly, there's little room for error (i.e., further injury) at this position the rest of the season.So, why Baltimore?  Certainly, the Ravens have underachieved in the post-season.  Last year, they carried a six-game win streak into Buffalo, but were held to just three points by the Bills, in a 17-3 defeat.  The previous season, John Harbaugh's troops had won their final 12 regular season games (and were 14-2, overall) before being stunned by Tennessee, 28-12.  The Ravens were a 10-point favorite in that game, and had the NFL's #1 record.  And, then, in 2018, the Ravens won the AFC North, but were upset in their first playoff game by the Los Angeles Chargers, 23-17.  But it is exactly because Baltimore has had this string of playoff disappointment that I like it this season.  Indeed, the Ravens' situation is not unlike that of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, who I took (at 13-2 odds) this past NBA season.  Milwaukee had owned the NBA's #1 record each of the previous two seasons, only to flame out badly in the post-season (including an ignominious bounce out of the second round of the Playoffs by the Miami Heat in 2020).  Yet, Mike Budenholzer's men used that as fuel this past season, and wound up hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.The key in the post-season will be the play of the Ravens' defense.  And of all the AFC contenders, none in my opinion has a better defense than does Baltimore.  Last season, the Ravens ranked 9th in DVOA and 2nd in points allowed.  They boast Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams up front, Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison up the middle, and have Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young in the secondary.And, for all the negatives thrown the way of Lamar Jackson, let's not forget that just two seasons ago, in 2019, he passed for 3,127 yards, and ran for 1,206, and had 36 touchdown passes, and seven rushing TDs.  Most incredibly, he threw for a touchdown on 9% of his pass attempts, the highest rate in the NFL that season, and 2nd only to Peyton Manning's 9.9% rate in 2004.  It was to be expected that his numbers would decline somewhat last season, and they did.  But that doesn't mean that Jackson -- at just age 24 -- won't continue to take major steps forward in his career, which is still in its very early stage.Take the Ravens at 16-1 odds to win Super Bowl 56.Good luck, as always...Al McMordie

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 09/07/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in MLB and the WNBA.Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. Cleveland hosts Minnesota at 6:10 PM ET in the second game of their four-game series. Aaron Civil pitches for the Indians against John Gant of the Twins. Cleveland is a -150 money line favorite with the total set at 9.5. Pittsburgh plays at home against Detroit at 6:35 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. The Tigers pitch Wily Peralta against a starting pitcher yet to be named by the Pirates. Pittsburgh is a -125 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Mets travel to Miami to play the Marlins on FS1 at 6:40 PM ET. Carlos Carrasco pitches for the Mets against Miami’s Edward Cabrera. New York is a -160 money line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Two games begin at 7:05 PM ET. Baltimore is at home against Kansas City in Game 2 of their four-game series. The Orioles pitch Alexander Wells against the Royals’ Jackson Kowar. Baltimore is a -120 money line favorite with a total of 10.5. The New York Yankees host Toronto in the second game of their four-game series. Gerrit Cole pitches for the Yankees against the Blue Jays’ Steven Matz. New York is a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Boston is at home against Tampa Bay at 7:10 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. The Red Sox pitch Eduardo Rodriguez against the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen. Boston is a -115 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Atlanta plays at home against Washington at 7:20 PM ET in the opener of their three-game series. Max Fried pitches for Atlanta against Paolo Espino of the Nationals. Atlanta is a -250 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Two games start at 7:40 PM ET. Philadelphia visits Milwaukee in the second game of their three-game series. The Phillies start Aaron Nola against the Brewers’ Eric Lauer. Both teams are a -110 money line favorite with the total at 8. Cincinnati plays at Chicago against the Cubs in Game 2 of their three-game series. Wade Miley pitches for the Reds against Adrian Sampson of the Cubs. Cincinnati is a -160 money line road favorite. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at St. Louis at 7:45 PM ET in the second game of their four-game series. The Cardinals pitch J.A. Happ against a starting pitcher yet to be named for the Dodgers. Los Angeles is a -170 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston plays at home against Seattle at 8:10 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. Jake Odorizzi pitches for the Astros against the Mariners’ Logan Gilbert. Houston is a -180 money line favorite with a total of 9. San Francisco is at Colorado for Game 2 of their three-game series. The Giants pitch Logan Webb against the Rockies’ Chi Chi Gonzalez. San Francisco is a -195 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11.5. Two games begin at 9:40 PM ET. Arizona hosts Texas in the opener of their two-game series. Zac Gallen pitches for the Diamondbacks against Spencer Howard of the Rangers. Oakland is at home against the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their three-game series. The A’s pitch James Kaprielian against the White Sox’s Jimmy Lambert. Oakland is a -120 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. San Diego is at home against the Los Angeles Angels at 10:10 PM ET in the opener of their two-game series. Blake Snell pitches for the Padres against Packy Naughton of the Angels. San Diego is a -380 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Two games are on the WNBA slate. Connecticut visits Dallas at 8 PM ET. Washington plays at Seattle on the CBS Sports Network at 10 PM ET.

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2021 NFL: NFC East Division Preview

by Sean Murphy

Monday, Sep 06, 2021

The Dallas Cowboys are favored to win the NFC East Division but there's plenty to be decided in a division that has struggled to produce winning football teams in recent years. Here's a quick look at what to expect from all four squads entering the 2021 campaign.Odds to win (courtesy of BetOnline)Dallas Cowboys +160Washington Football Team +185New York Giants +325Philadelphia Eagles +625Dallas CowboysAll indications are that QB Dak Prescott is healthy and ready to start the season under center for the Cowboys. The sky is the limit for the Dallas offense with WR CeeDee Lamb well-positioned to ascend to superstar status this season. Of course, Lamb is only a part of an offense that is loaded at all of the skill positions but will have to deal with absences on the offensively line right out of the gate (due to injury and Covid protocols). The hope is that first round draft pick Micah Parsons can solidify a defense that has been porous at best in recent seasons. Dallas' schedule is ranked by most as the second-weakest in the entire NFL. The Cowboys will appear in at least five primetime games, including the Week 1 opener against the defending champion Bucs in Tampa. Washington Football TeamIs journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to answer for an offense that has plodded along for years now? That's the hope and there's reason to believe he can lift this offense that includes a couple of big-time playmakers in RB Antonio Gibson and WR Terry McLaurin but not much else. If TE Logan Thomas can stay healthy there's reason to believe he can be Fitzpatrick's security blanket, but that's a big if. Defensively, Washington should once again be tough with Chase Young ready to terrorize opposing quarterbacks in his sophomore season. Washington's schedule includes games against six playoff teams from last season. WFT does draw a favorable start to the campaign with consecutive (winnable) home games against the Chargers and Giants to open things up.New York GiantsThe Giants hopes ride on the legs of RB Saquon Barkley as he attempts to make it back to full strength after a devastating season-ending injury early in 2020. The offensive line remains a question mark. If they can give QB Daniel Jones enough time in the pocket, this offense could turn out to be a dynamic unit. If Jones is running for his life and Barkley struggles to find holes to run through, it could be another long season in New Jersey. The defense is mediocre at best and will have a hard time containing some of the league's better offenses. The good news is, the Giants draw the Broncos and Washington Football Team in the first two weeks of the season, giving the defense an opportunity to settle in before facing an explosive Falcons offense in Week 3. Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles probably have the widest range of possible outcomes of any team in the NFC East. Is Jalen Hurts the answer at quarterback? Can he even hold onto the starting job with Gardner Minshew being brought in via trade in August? There are so many promising pieces in the Eagles offense but not a lot of proven talent. Philadelphia's defense just hasn't been good enough in recent years and downright awful in the secondary at times. Injuries have certainly played a factor but that's part of football and something Philadelphia needs to figure out a way to overcome. The Eagles did little in the offseason to rectify their defensive weaknesses which means it could be another long year in Philly. Both the offense and defense will need to ramp up in a hurry with a sneaky-tough season-opening matchup against the Falcons on tap in Week 1. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, MLB, WNBA and CFL Previews and Odds - 09/06/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Sep 06, 2021

The Monday sports card features action NCAAF, MLB, WNBA, and CFL.A final game completes Week 1 of the college football season with Louisville playing Mississippi on ESPN at 8 PM ET. The game takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Rebels are a 9.5-point favorite with the total set at 75.Twelve games are on the MLB Labor Day card. Nine games start in the afternoon. Three games begin at 1:05 PM ET. The New York Mets play at Washington in the fifth game of their five-game series. Trevor Williams pitches for the Mets against the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin. New York is a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The New York Yankees host Toronto in Game 1 of their four-game series. The Yankees pitch James Taillon against the Blue Jays’ Hyun Jin Ryu. New York is a -135 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Baltimore plays at home against Kansas City in the opener of their four-game series. Zac Lowther pitches for the Orioles against the Royals’ Kris Bubic. Baltimore is a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. Boston hosts Tampa Bay on ESPN at 1:10 PM ET in the first game of their three-game series. The Red Sox pitch Chris Sale against the Rays’ Ryan Yarbrough. Boston is a -180 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Detroit visits Pittsburgh at 1:35 PM ET in the opener of their three-game series. Tarik Skubal pitches for the Tigers against Bryse Wilson of the Pirates. Detroit is a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Milwaukee plays at home against Philadelphia at 2:10 PM ET in the opener of their three-game series. The Brewers pitch Brandon Woodruff against the Phillies’ Zach Wheeler. Milwaukee is a -140 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Cincinnati travels to Chicago against the Cubs in the first game of their three-game series. Sonny Gray pitches for the Reds against Justin Steele for Chicago. Cincinnati is a -155 money line road favorite. San Francisco visits Colorado on ESPN at 4:10 PM ET in the first game of their three-game series. The Giants pitch Kevin Gausman against the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland. San Francisco is a -165 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at St. Louis at 4:15 PM ET. Max Scherzer pitches for the Dodgers against Milos Mikolas of the Cardinals in Game 1 of their four-game series. Los Angeles is a -220 money line road favorite with a total of 8. Minnesota travels to Cleveland at 6:10 PM ET in the opening game of their four-game series. The Twins pitch Bailey Ober against the Indians’ Logan Allen. Minnesota is a -130 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Houston hosts Seattle at 7:10 PM ET in the first game of their three-game series. Lance McCullers pitches for the Astros against the Yusei Kikuchi of the Mariners. Houston is a -220 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Angels play against Texas at 9:07 PM ET in the final game of their four-game series. The Angels pitch Jaime Barria against the Rangers’ A.J. Alexy. Los Angeles is a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. One game takes place in the WNBA. Phoenix visits Indiana at 7 PM ET. Two games take place on the traditional Labour Day card in the Canadian n Football League. Hamilton hosts Toronto on ESPN+ at 1 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with a total of 45.5. Calgary hosts Edmonton on ESPN News at 4:30 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 43. 

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NFL Week 1 Breakdown

by Will Rogers

Sunday, Sep 05, 2021

Week 1BEST GAME – Pittsburgh at BuffaloA battle between one team hoping to take the Next Step and another desperate to bleed one more year out of its veteran quarterback. As if emerging QB Josh Allen wasn’t already one of the best in the league, his job got easier with the emergence of RB Devin Singletary as a potent weapon. Meanwhile, the Steelers will be relying on their defense this season and praying that Ben Roethlisberger’s 39-year-old battered body will grind its way through 17 games and one last decent playoff run. This game opened at Bills -6.5, and that number has held steady with early money pretty much evenly divided.WORST GAME – Jacksonville at HoustonAnyone and everyone who follows the NFL seems ready to toss dirt on both teams, and this could be the first time in league history that the No. 1 draft pick is determined on Opening Day. Houston, which still hasn’t figured out what to do with accused miscreant QB Deshaun Watson, is in full 76ers-type tank mode. Meanwhile, new Jags coach Urban Meyer has more than his share of problems repairing a team which lost its last 15 games last season, by an average margin of nearly 13 a game. Still, SOMEONE has to win, and the books like Jacksonville as a 3-point road favorite.LARGEST SPREAD – San Francisco at Detroit (+7.5)It’s always about the future for the Lions, and this season is no different. Sending out Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff is an obvious downgrade, and the receivers are hardly household names. Detroit really needs its O-Line to improve so it can make defenses at least somewhat respect the running game. If that’s not too encouraging, the Lions drew a short straw with SF in the opener. The Niners are a much better team than the injury ravaged 6-10 club of a year ago, and if they sort out the Garoppolo/Lance quarterback situation it could own the NFC West. Simply put, there is a huge talent gap here and the 49ers would have to turn over the ball several times to make this a game.SMALLEST SPREAD – Los Angeles Chargers at Washington (+1)This one opened as a PK until some early Charger cash pushed it to 1. LA has its 10-year franchise quarterback, which is always the most expensive and difficult part of a rebuilding franchise. Now the Chargers just have to build on Justin Herbert’s foundation. HC Brandon Staley figures to make the defense better and avoid last year’s maddening string of close losses. The WFT most likely won’t be able to win the NFC East with 7 or 8 wins this year, but playing in the worst division does have its perks. Can a good draft and athletes all around cover for aging (he turns 39 the day before Thanksgiving) QB Ryan Fitzpatrick? This one opened as a PK until some early Charger cash pushed it to Washinton +1.LARGEST TOTAL – Cleveland at Kansas City (53.5)Tough opener for the Browns, who are coming off an 11-win season and want to keep the momentum flowing this season. There will be immediate pressure on a Cleveland secondary which was awful last season and rebuilt over the summer. The good news is that the Browns figure to be able to move the ball against a mediocre Chiefs defense. Over players figure to hit this one hard despite the large number.LOWEST TOTAL – Denver at New York Giants (42.5)Wasn’t that long ago that the average betting total in an NFL game was 41. This week no game is that low, and six games opened at 50 or above (although Seattle-Indianapolis was quickly bet down to 48.5). Bettors are looking at a Giants QB, Daniel Jones, who was just ok in the pre-season, and a Denver defense that will carry the Broncos this year. Hardly a recipe for a lot of points.

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