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Whittaker vs. De Ridder: Odds, Picks and Preview

by Will Rogers

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025

UFC Fight Night - Whittaker vs. De RidderSaturday, July 26thEtihad Arena - Abu Dhabi, UAE The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Notable fighters include: Sharabutdin Magomedov, Petr Yan, Bryce Mitchell, Said Nurmagomedov, Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker. I've taken a look at the main event and provided the odds for the various fights. I've also included a complimentary selection.  Main EventThe Main Event features a five-round clash between two tough 34-year old middleweights, Robert Whittaker (26-8) and Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, is coming off a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his last fight. Meanwhile, de Ridder (20-2) is coming off an upset win over Bo Nickal, his fourth straight victory. The victory over Nickal opened a lot of eyes and established "the Dutch Knight" as a serious contender in the UFC middleweight division. Some of you may recall that we had a win with the under in de Ridder's previous fight, a 1st round victory over Kevin Holland. Whittaker is still a -140 favorite but some money has come in on de Ridder. The O/U line is 2.5 suggesting we have a pretty good chance at seeing a stoppage. This should be a good fight. I lean to Whittaker. He's been here before and his big fight experience will prove significant. Co-Main Event Cancelled The co-Main Event was originally supposed to feature Movsar Evloev taking on Aaron Pico at featherweight, also a 5-round fight. However, Evloev pulled out. Despite having lost its co-main event, the UFC Abu Dhabi card is still strong for a Fight Night. Shara Magomedov returns to action to take on Marc-Andre Barriault. Also, former bantamweight champion Petr Yan squares off against surging Marcus McGhee.The PickBryce Mitchell: Nurmagomedov has a scary sounding last name. He's no Khabib though. He's dropped 2 of his last 3 fights. The same can be said for "Thug Nasty," as Mitchell has also lost 2 of his last 3 fights. Mitchell is favored fo good reason, his superior grappling and relentless wrestling, which align well against Nurmagomedov’s weaknesses, give him the advatange. While Bet Online is at -140, Mitchell is available at -128 at Pinnacle and -130 at Heritage. Circa is at -135. Get the best line you can and Play on Mitchell.  UFC Abu Dhabi Odds Here are the current odds, as of Wednesday afternoon. In cases where the line has moved, I've included a note about which way its been going.Robert Whittaker -140 *This line has come down. Whittaker was previously a larger favorite. Reinier de Ridder +120Petr Yan -375 *This line has come down. Yan was previously a larger favorite.Marcus McGhee +300Bryce Mitchell -140 Said Nurmagomedov +120Sharabutdin Magomedov -650 *This line has risen. Magomedov is now a larger favorite than he previously was.Marc-Andre Barriault +475Nikita Krylov -200 *This line has risen. Krylov is now a larger favorite than he previously was.Bogdan Guskov +170Amanda Ribas -190 *This line has risen. Ribas is now a larger favorite than she previously was.Tabatha Ricci +165Asu Almabaev -115Jose Ochoa -105Carlos Leal -500 *This line has risen. Leal is now a larger favorite than he previously was.Muslim Salikhov +375Da’Mon Blackshear -330Davey Grant +275 Marcus Buchecha -300Martin Buday +250Ibo Aslan -255Billy Elekana +215Steven Nguyen -350Mohammad Yahya -286

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AFC West Analysis for 2025

by Wayne Root

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025

CAN DENVER UPSET KANSAS CITY AND WIN THE DIVISION?1. Kansas City Chiefs Offensive StrugglesThe Kansas City Chiefs were a high-flying offense, averaging over 30 points per game in 2022. However, their performance in 2023 and 2024 has seen a significant decline, with only four games exceeding 30 points in 41 contests. Several factors contributed to this drop-off:Injuries: Key players, including Mahomes and Kelce, may have faced injuries affecting their performance and availability.Defensive Adjustments: Opposing teams have likely adjusted their defenses to better contain Mahomes, focusing on limiting explosive plays and forcing the offense to be more methodical.Offensive Line Issues: If the offensive line has struggled, it could lead to less time for Mahomes to make plays, contributing to lower scoring.Running Game Dependence: A shift towards a more balanced offensive approach may have reduced their scoring output.Age and Performance of Mahomes and Kelce:As for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, while both are still elite players, questions about their longevity arise:Mahomes: Though he is still in his prime, the physical toll of playing quarterback can accumulate. If injuries or performance dips occur, it may impact the team’s scoring ability.Kelce: Tight ends typically see a decline in performance as they age due to the physical nature of their position. If Kelce starts to slow down, it could affect the Chiefs' offensive efficiency.2. Los Angeles Chargers' Run-First StrategyThe Chargers' decision to adopt a run-first offense in a pass-heavy division is intriguing:Balancing Act: The move aims to diversify their offensive game plan, taking pressure off quarterback Justin Herbert and potentially protecting the defense by controlling the clock.Division Challenges: In a division known for potent passing attacks, this strategy could be risky. The Chargers may need to adapt quickly to remain competitive against high-scoring teams.3. Las Vegas Raiders: Spoilers or Disappointments? The Raiders are in a challenging position:Inconsistent Performance:Historically, they have had a tumultuous roster and coaching situation. This inconsistency can lead to disappointing seasons.Potential Spoilers: Despite their struggles, they can play spoiler against division rivals, especially if they capitalize on defensive strengths or capitalize on opponents' weaknesses.4. Denver Broncos:Predicting that the Denver Broncos will win the division in a close race with the Chiefs is plausible, especially given their strengths and the 3/1 odds:Solid Defense: The Broncos possess a strong defense that can compete with any offense.Bo Nix's Development: If Nix continues to improve, he could lead a more effective offense, allowing the team to compete closely with Kansas City.Today’s odds:Kansas City Chiefs (-120): Still the favorite, but the odds reflect a more cautious outlook due to their recent performance.Denver Broncos (+300): Offers good value, especially if they can leverage their defense and Nix's growth.Los Angeles Chargers (+310): A risky bet given their shift in strategy but could pay off if they successfully adapt.Las Vegas Raiders (+2000): A long shot, but their potential to spoil could make them an interesting bet in specific matchups.In summary, the NFL West is shaping up to be a competitive division, with the Chiefs and Broncos leading the charge. The Chargers’ strategy and the Raiders’ unpredictability add further intrigue to the race.My Case for Denver Broncos To Win the AFC WEST The Denver Broncos have several factors that can bolster their chances of winning the division beyond Bo Nix's development:1. Strong DefenseElite Defensive Line: A formidable pass rush can disrupt opposing quarterbacks, leading to turnovers and short offensive drives for the competition.Secondary Talent: A skilled secondary can effectively cover top receivers, allowing the defense to be aggressive and create more turnovers.2. Coaching StabilityExperienced Coaching Staff: If the coaching staff has stability and experience, it can lead to better player development and game management.Strategic Game Plans: A well-prepared coaching staff can devise schemes that exploit opponents' weaknesses effectively.3. Running GameEffective Rushing Attack: A strong running game can control the clock and keep the defense fresh, allowing the Broncos to maintain leads in games.Offensive Line Improvement: If the offensive line performs well, it will enhance both the running and passing games, leading to a more balanced offense.4. Home Field AdvantageMile High Atmosphere: Playing at home in Denver's altitude can be a significant advantage, especially late in the season when opponents may struggle with endurance.5. Depth and HealthPlayer Depth: Having depth at key positions can help mitigate injuries throughout the season, maintaining performance levels.Injury Management: If the team can keep key players healthy, it will significantly boost their chances of consistent success.6. Strong Special TeamsField Position Advantage: A reliable special teams unit can improve field position, making it easier for the offense to score and putting pressure on opposing offenses.7. Rivalry DynamicsCompetitive Edge: Rivalry games can often bring out the best in teams. If the Broncos can perform well in these matchups, they could gain crucial wins.8. Emerging Young TalentRookie Contributions: Contributions from rookies and younger players can provide fresh energy and playmaking ability, enhancing overall team performance.By leveraging these factors alongside Bo Nix’s development, the Broncos can position themselves strongly in the competitive AFC West. I love the 3/1 odds. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/23/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features MLB action and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled. The Cincinnati Reds travel to Washington to play against the Nationals at 12:05 p.m. ET. The Reds send out Nick Lodolo to pitch against the Nationals’ Michael Soroka. Cincinnati is a -143 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The San Diego Padres play in Miami against the Marlins at 12:10 p.m. ET. Dylan Cease takes the ball for the Padres to take on Sandy Alcantara for the Marlins. San Diego is a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The Atlanta Braves host the San Francisco Giants at 12:15 p.m. ET. The Braves turn to Spencer Strider to face the Giants’ Justin Verlander. Atlanta is a -180 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Detroit Tigers are in Pittsburgh to play the Pirates at 12:35 p.m. ET. Troy Melton gets the ball for the Tigers to challenge Bailey Falter for the Pirates. Detroit is a -158 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Mets play at home against the Los Angeles Angels at 1:10 p.m. ET. The Mets tap Sean Manaea to go against the Angels’ Brock Burke. New York is a -187 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5.  The Chicago Cubs play at home against the Kansas City Royals at 2:20 p.m. ET. Colin Rea takes the hill for the Cubs to battle against Seth Lugo for the Royals. Chicago is a -150 money-line favorite with an over/under of 10.5. The St. Louis Cardinals visit Colorado to take on the Rockies at 3:10 p.m. ET. The Cardinals turn to Andre Pallante to face a Rockies’ starting pitcher yet to be named. St. Louis is a -194 money-line road favorite with a total of 11. Two MLB games throw out the first pitch at 3:40 p.m. ET. Arizona is home against Houston, with Brandon Pfaadt taking the mound for the Diamondbacks and taking on Brandon Walter for the Astros. The Diamondbacks are a -121 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Seattle hosts Milwaukee with the Mariners sending out Luis Castillo to pitch against the Brewers’ Quinn Priester. The Mariners are a -136 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at home against the Minnesota Twins at 4:10 p.m. ET. Tyler Glasnow takes the ball for the Dodgers to challenge Chris Paddock for the Twins. Los Angeles is a -246 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Cleveland Guardians are home against the Baltimore Orioles at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Guardians send out Slade Cecconi to face the Orioles’ Zach Eflin. Cleveland is a -132 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Philadelphia Phillies host the Boston Red Sox on ESPN at 7:05 p.m. ET. Jesus Luzardo gets the ball for the Phillies to battle Lucas Giolito for the Red Sox. Philadelphia is a -156 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Yankees play in Toronto against the Blue Jays at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Yankees tap Max Fried to go against the Blue Jays’ Chris Bassitt. New York is a -137 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Tampa Bay Rays play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 7:35 p.m. ET. Taj Bradley takes the mound for the Rays to pitch against Jonathan Cannon for the White Sox. Tampa Bay is a -208 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Texas Rangers are home against the Athletics at 8:05 p.m. ET. The Rangers tap Patrick Corbin to face the Athletics’ J.P. Sears. Texas is a -150 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland with its second semifinal match in the knockout stage. Spain challenges Germany on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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NFL Coach of the Year Projections

by ASA, Inc.

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025

ASA NFL Coach of the Year Analysis A few prerequisites before we dive into a few of our projections for NFL Coach of the Year.  First of all, they have to lead their team to the playoffs.  Every NFL Coach of the Year in the last 30 seasons have pushed their teams into the postseason.  Secondly, they better exceed their win projections (obvious) and by a decent margin.  Of the last 30 NFL Coach of the Year winners, they have won an average of +4.5 games above their predicted season win total.  Finding a team/coach that has a lower team total that you think is in line for a big turnaround is the way to go rather than a team that is already projected to be very good.  In fact, only 1 coach has won this award with a win total set at 10 or more in the last 30 years (Bill Belichick) and the average win total (prior to the season) of the last 30 winners was 7.5.  Another thing to consider is a rookie head coach has won 4 of the last 8 NFL Coach of the Year awards and 8 of the last 20 (40%).  With those things in mind, here are a few of our recommendations, one from the AFC and one from the NFC. Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars) at +1400 Coen is a 1st year head man who worked as the offensive coordinator under Sean McVay (LA Rams) in 2022 and last year revitalized the Tampa Bay offense.  He took a poor Bucs offense from 2023 and pushed them into the top 5 in the NFL in scoring, YPG, and YPP last season.  He helped a previously middling QB Baker Mayfield to set career highs in most key categories and we would expect the same with former first overall pick Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence, who was injured much of last season.  Lawrence will have a solid WR unit with Thomas and rookie Travis Hunter who won the Heisman at Colorado.  The Jags play in a weak division with Houston the only team in the AFC South projected to win 8+ games and they might be overvalued with a +0 (dead even) point differential last year despite their 10-7 record.  Jacksonville faces the 6th easiest schedule overall based on oddmakers projected win totals.  They were just 4-13 last season and if they can get to 9 or more wins and sneak into the playoffs, Coen will have a solid shot at this award. Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers) at +1600 Canales is in his 2nd year with the Panthers and we look for some big improvement in 2025.  Carolina was actually playing quite well down the stretch winning 4 of their final 9 games with tight losses to playoff teams during that final run.  They lost by 3 vs KC (Super Bowl team), by 3 in OT vs Tampa Bay (playoff team) and by 6 vs Philadelphia (Super Bowl Winner).  After benching starting QB Bryce Young early last season, he came back to re-take the job in late October and played the best ball of his career from that point on with 20 TD’s over his final 10 games.  His offensive line was quietly one of the best in the NFL (top 10) and the defense added some key veterans up front.  The Panthers play the 7th easiest schedule based on oddmakers projected win totals and their division is shaky at best.  Atlanta (7.5 wins) and New Orleans (5.5 wins) have low expectations with Tampa leading the way.  If Carolina can finish 2nd in the NFC South (that’s where the oddsmakers have them projected to finish) they could sneak into the Playoffs as a wildcard and after winning only 7 total games the last 2 seasons and not making the playoffs since 2017, that would put Canales as a frontrunner for Coach of the Year.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/22/2025

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025

The Tuesday sports card features MLB action and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled. Three MLB games throw out the first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET. Detroit travels to Pittsburgh with the Tigers sending out Casey Mize to pitch against the Pirates’ Mitch Keller. The Tigers are a -149 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8 (all odds from DraftKings). Cleveland hosts Baltimore with Joey Cantillo getting the ball for the Guardians to face Brandon Young for the Orioles. The Guardians are a -143 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. San Diego plays in Miami with the Padres, tapping Stephen Kolek to take on the Marlins’ Edward Cabrera. Two MLB games start at 6:45 p.m. ET. Philadelphia plays at home against Boston on TBS/truTV/Max with Cristopher Sanchez taking the mound for the Phillies to battle Richard Fitts for the Red Sox. The Phillies are a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. Cincinnati is in Washington, with the Reds turning to Chase Burns to go against the Nationals’ Brad Lord. The Reds are a -136 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9. The Toronto Blue Jays are home against the New York Yankees at 7:07 p.m. ET. Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Blue Jays to challenge Cam Schittler for the Yankees. Toronto is a -131 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The New York Mets host the Los Angeles Angels at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Mets turn to Frankie Montas to pitch against the Angels’ Kyle Hendricks. New York is a -176 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The Atlanta Braves play at home against the San Francisco Giants at 7:15 p.m. ET. Davis Daniel takes the mound for the Braves to face Landen Roupp for the Giants. Atlanta is a -112 money-line favorite with a total of 9.5. The Tampa Bay Rays are home against the Chicago White Sox at 7:35 p.m. ET. The Rays tap Drew Rasmussen to battle the White Sox’s Davis Martin. Two MLB games begin at 8:05 p.m. ET. Chicago hosts Kansas City with Matthew Boyd getting the ball for the Cubs to take on Rich Hill for the Royals. Texas plays at home against the Athletics, with the Rangers sending out Jacob deGrom to challenge the Athletics’ J.T. Ginn. The St. Louis Cardinals visit Colorado to take on the Rockies at 8:40 p.m. ET. Erick Fedde gets the starting assignment for the Cardinals to face Bradley Blalock for the Rockies. St. Louis is a -157 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 12. Two MLB games start at 9:40 p.m. ET. Houston plays in Arizona, with the Astros tapping Framber Valdez to pitch against the Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Rodriguez. The Astros are a -126 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Seattle is home against Milwaukee with Logan Gilbert taking the ball for the Mariners to go against Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers. The Mariners are a -1267 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Minnesota Twins at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers tap Yoshinobu Yamamoto to take on the Twins’ Simeon Woods Richardson. Los Angeles is a -225 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland with its first semifinal match in the knockout stage. England battles Italy on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 07/21/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Jul 21, 2025

The Monday sports card features MLB action. Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled.Three MLB games throw out the first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET. Cleveland hosts Baltimore with the Guardians sending out Tanner Bibee to pitch against the Orioles’ Tomoyuki Sugano. The Guardians are a -138 money-line favorite with the total set at 8.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Pittsburgh plays at home against Detroit with Paul Skenes taking the ball for the Pirates to face Jack Flaherty for the Tigers. The Pirates are a -126 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. Miami is at home against San Diego with the Marlins tapping Eury Perez to take on the Padres’ Randy Vasquez. The Marlins are a -136 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games start at 6:45 p.m. ET. Philadelphia hosts Boston with Zack Wheeler taking the hill for the Phillies to challenge Walker Buehler for the Red Sox. The Phillies are a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Cincinnati travels to Washington with the Reds turning to Brady Singer to pitch against the Nationals’ Jake Irvin. The Reds are a -137 money-line road favorite with a total of 9. The New York Yankees play in Toronto against the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:07 p.m. ET. Carlos Rodon grabs the ball for the Yankees to battle against Kevin Gausman for the Blue Jays. New York is a -119 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Mets play at home against the Los Angeles Angels at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Mets turn to Kodai Senga to go against the Angels’ Tyler Anderson. New York is a -197 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Atlanta Braves are home against the San Francisco Giants at 7:15 p.m. ET. Bryce Elder takes the hill for the Braves to face Hayden Birdsong for the Giants. Atlanta is a -131 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Tampa Bay Rays host the Chicago White Sox at 7:35 p.m. ET. The Rays send out Shane Baz to challenge the White Sox’s Sean Burke. Tampa Bay is a -225 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Two MLB games begin at 8:05 p.m. ET. Texas plays at home against the Athletics with Jack Leiter getting the starting pitcher assignment against Jacob Lopez for the Athletics. The Rangers are a -145 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Chicago is home against Kansas City, with Ryan Brasier getting the ball for the Cubs to take on Noah Cameron for the Royals. The Cubs are a -144 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The St. Louis Cardinals are on the road against the Colorado Rockies at 8:40 p.m. ET. The Cardinals tap Michael McGreevy to battle against the Rockies' Austin Gomber. St. Louis is a -149 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 11.5. Two MLB games start at 9:40 p.m. ET. Arizona hosts Houston with Zac Gallen taking the mound for the Diamondbacks to pitch against Colton Gordon for the Astros. The Diamondbacks are a -157 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Seattle plays at home against Milwaukee with the Mariners tapping George Kirby to face the Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff. The Mariners are a -126 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Minnesota Twins at 10:10 p.m. ET. Shohei Ohtani takes his turn in the Dodgers' starting rotation to challenge David Festa for the Twins. Los Angeles is a -207 money-line favorite with a total of 9.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and CFL Previews and Odds - 07/20/2025

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jul 20, 2025

The Sunday sports card features MLB and CFL action.Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled. The Toronto Blue Jays host the San Francisco Giants on Roku at 12:05 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays send out Jose Berrios to take the mound to pitch against the Giants’ Robbie Ray. Toronto is a -115 money-line favorite with the total set at 8 (all odds from DraftKings). The Tampa Bay Rays play at home against the Baltimore Orioles at 12:10 p.m. ET as a -127 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Four more MLB games throw out the first pitch at 1:35 p.m. ET. The Pittsburgh Pirates are home against the Chicago White Sox as a -145 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Philadelphia Phillies host the Los Angeles Angels as a -187 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Atlanta Braves play at home against the New York Yankees as a -132 money-line favorite with a total of 9.5. The San Diego Padres travel to Washington to take on the Nationals as a -117 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. Three MLB games start at 1:40 p.m. ET. The New York Mets are home against the Cincinnati Reds as a -156 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Cleveland Guardians host the Athletics as a -139 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Kansas City Royals play in Miami against the Marlins as a -127 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5. The Boston Red Sox are in Chicago to face the Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET as a -137 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7. The Minnesota Twins visit Colorado to take on the Rockies as a -257 money-line road favorite with a total of 10.5. Three MLB games begin at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Arizona Diamondbacks play at home against the St. Louis Cardinals as a -144 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Milwaukee Brewers as a -157 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Seattle Mariners host the Houston Astros as a -119 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5.Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN features the Detroit Tigers playing in Texas against the Rangers at 7:10 p.m. ET. Tarik Skubal takes the ball for the Tigers to face Jacob Latz for the Rangers. Detroit is a -194 money-line road favorite with a total of 7. Week 7 in the Canadian Football League continues with one game. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are on the road against the Ottawa Redblacks at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Tiger-Cats are on a three-game winning streak after their 23-20 victory at home against the Redblacks as a 5-point favorite last Saturday. They are in second place in the East Division with a 3-2 record, trailing the 4-2 Montreal Alouettes by a half game. Ottawa is on a three-game losing streak, and they are tied in last place with Toronto in the East Division with a 1-5 record. Hamilton is a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 54.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, CFL, and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/19/2025

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jul 19, 2025

The Saturday sports card features MLB, CFL, and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled. The San Francisco Giants travel to Toronto to play the Blue Jays at 3:07 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8 (all odds from DraftKings). Two more MLB games throw out the first pitch at 4:10 p.m. ET. The New York Mets host the Cincinnati Reds as a -181 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Kansas City Royals play in Miami against the Marlins as a -121 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5.The Philadelphia Phillies play at home against the Los Angeles Angels at 6:05 p.m. ET as a -137 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The Pittsburgh Pirates are home against the Chicago White Sox at 6:40 p.m. ET as a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The San Diego Padres are in Washington against the Nationals at 6:45 p.m. ET as a -145 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Two MLB games start at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Rays are home against the Baltimore Orioles as a -121 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Cleveland Guardians play at home against the Athletics at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Three MLB games begin at 7:15 p.m. ET. The New York Yankees visit Atlanta to take on the Braves as a -126 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Two more MLB games are featured on Fox’s regional coverage. St. Louis plays in Arizona with the Cardinals sending out Sonny Gray to pitch against the Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson. The Cardinals are a -119 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Chicago is home against Boston with Shota Imanaga taking the ball for the Cubs to face Bryan Bello for the Red Sox. The Cubs are a -151 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Minnesota Twins are in Colorado to take on the Rockies at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -187 money-line road favorite with a total of 11.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers at 9:10 p.m. ET as a -136 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Seattle Mariners play at home against the Houston Astros at 9:40 p.m. ET as a -123 money-line favorite with a total of 8. Week 7 in the Canadian Football League continues with one game. The British Columbia Lions are home against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 52.5. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland with its final quarterfinal match in the knockout stage. France challenges Germany at the St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET. Les Bleus are a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, CFL, and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/18/2025

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jul 18, 2025

The Friday sports card features MLB, CFL, and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.Major League Baseball returns from the All-Star break with 15 games scheduled. The Chicago Cubs host the Boston Red Sox at 2:20 p.m. ET as a -136 money-line favorite with the total set at 8.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Pittsburgh Pirates play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 6:40 p.m. ET as a -163 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Two more MLB games throw out the first pitch at 6:45 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia Phillies are home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The San Diego Padres travel to Washington to face the Nationals as a -157 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Toronto Blue Jays host the San Francisco Giants at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. Three more MLB games start at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Cleveland Guardians play at home against the Athletics as a -137 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Mets are home against the Cincinnati Reds as a -164 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Kansas City Royals play in Miami against the Marlins as a -126 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Yankees are in Atlanta to take on the Braves at 7:15 p.m. ET, with both teams priced as -110 money-line favorites. The Tampa Bay Rays host the Baltimore Orioles at 7:35 p.m. ET as a -124 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Detroit Tigers visit Texas to challenge the Rangers at 8:05 p.m. ET as a -121 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Minnesota Twins play in Colorado against the Rockies at 8:40 p.m. ET as a -172 money-line road favorite with a total of 10.5. The Arizona Diamondbacks play at home against the St. Louis Cardinals at 9:40 p.m. ET as a -132 money-line favorite. Two more games conclude the MLB card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Seattle Mariners are home against the Houston Astros as a -144 money-line favorite. The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers as a -194 money-line favorite. Week 7 in the Canadian Football League continues with one game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers play at home against the Calgary Stampeders on the CBS Sports Network at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Blue Bombers had won three games in a row before their 37-16 upset loss on the road against the Stampeders as a 5-point favorite on July 3rd. Calgary won for the fourth time in their last five games in a 24-10 upset victory at Saskatchewan as a 5.5-point underdog on Saturday. Winnipeg is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 50.5.The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland with its quarterfinal match in the knockout stage. Spain plays Switzerland on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: CFL and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/17/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

The Thursday sports card features CFL and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.Week 7 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with one game. The Montreal Alouettes host the Toronto Argonauts on the CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Alouettes are on a two-game losing streak after their 21-10 upset loss at home against British Columbia as a 2.5-point favorite last Saturday. They are tied with Hamilton in first place in the East Division with a 3-2 record. The Argonauts lost for the fourth time in their five games this season in a 51-38 loss at home against Hamilton as a 4-point underdog last Friday. Their 1-4 puts them in third place in the East Division.Montreal is a 10-point favorite with the total set at 50.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland with its second knockout stage in the Round of 16 on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET. England takes on Sweden at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. The Lionesses come off a 6-1 victory against Wales on Sunday in their final group stage match. They finished in second place in Group D with a second victory against the Netherlands following their opening 2-1 loss against France. They scored 11 times and conceded only three goals. The Blues and Yellows won all three of their matches in the group stage after a 4-1 victory against Germany on Saturday. They also beat Poland and Denmark to win first place in Group C. They have scored eight times and allowed just one goal. England is a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: WNBA and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Previews and Odds - 07/16/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features WNBA and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 action.The WNBA has five games on its slate. The Atlanta Dream travels to Chicago to play the Sky at noon ET. The Dream have lost two games in a row with five losses in their last seven games after a 79-72 loss at New York against the Liberty as a 6-point underdog on Sunday. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 12-9 record. The Sky had won two games in a row before a 91-78 loss against Minnesota as an 11.5-point underdog on Monday. Chicago is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 7-14 record. Atlanta is an 8-point road favorite with the total set at 158.5.The Minnesota Lynx hosts the Phoenix Mercury at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Lynx have won two of their last three games and five of their last seven contests after their win against the Sky on Monday. They have the best record in the WNBA with a 19-4 mark. The Mercury are on a three-game winning streak with nine victories in their last 11 games after a 78-77 upset victory at Golden State as a 1.5-point underdog on Monday. Phoenix is in second place in the Western Conference with a 15-6 record, trailing the Lynx by three games. Minnesota is a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 158.5.The Seattle Storm play at home against the Golden State Valkyries at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Storm lost for the second time in their last three games with a 74-69 upset loss against Washington as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. They are in third place in the Western Conference with a 13-9 record. The Valkyries have lost two games in a row and four of their last five games after their loss at home to the Mercury on Monday. Golden State is in a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference with a 10-11 record. Seattle is a 5-point favorite with a total of 157.5. The New York Liberty are home against the Indiana Fever at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Liberty won for the third time in their last four games with their victory against the Dream on Sunday. Their 14-6 record puts them in first place in the Eastern Conference. The Fever are on a two-game winning streak with five wins in their last seven games after a 102-83 victory against Dallas a 9.5-point favorite on Sunday. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 12-10 record. New York is a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 164.5. The Las Vegas Aces play in Dallas against the Wings at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Aces ended a two-game losing streak with a 104-102 victory against Golden State as a 2.5-point favorite on Saturday. Their 10-11 record leaves them in fifth place in the Western Conference. The Wings are on a three-game losing streak after their loss on the road against the Fever on Sunday. They are in last place in the Western Conference with a 6-16 record. Las Vegas is a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 171.5. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 continues in Switzerland by beginning its knockout stage with one match in the Round of 16 on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET. Italy takes on Norway at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5.

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2025 Haskell Stakes Preview

by Al McMordie

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025

The majority of American Sports fans only care about three horse races in any given calendar year, and those are the three that make up the Triple Crown.  These dirt races for three-year-old horses make up the great majority of the year's TV audience and sports wagering dollars when it comes to the "Sport of Kings".  But there are Derbies -- races for 3YOs -- that continue throughout the summer long after the Belmont Stakes is over.  And some of these can be very compelling and exciting as well as great wagering opportunities.  The biggest one of these is clearly the Travers Stakes held at Saratoga Race Course and dubbed the "Mid-Summer Derby" (even though it occurs usually on Labor Day weekend).  But right behind it -- and possibly a more appropriate use of the term "Mid-Summer" -- is the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park race track in Oceanport, New Jersey.   This year, we've seen more front-page stories in the often-forgotten sport of horse racing than usual.  From the Kentucky Derby return of Bob Baffert to the passing of perhaps the greatest of all trainers in "The Coach" -- D. Wayne Lukas -- 2025 has already seen more thoroughbred headlines than any year in recent memory.  We also have perhaps the most compelling head-to-head rivalry of two three-year-olds than perhaps the days of Affirmed and Alydar.  Bill Mott's Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont while Michael McCarthy's Journalism took the Preakness and finished second to Sovereignty in each of the other two.  This sets up a potentially exciting showdown in a couple of months at the Travers.  We won't see that showdown this weekend in the Haskell as Sovereignty is skipping this race to focus on the Saratoga route (likely the Jim Dandy, then Travers) but Journalism will be here and he is the strong favorite (4-5 morning line odds) to add Haskell hardware to his collection.     But despite the absence of his chief rival, the field this Saturday that is set to go at 5:45 pm ET for the $1 million purse is still loaded with some very good horses.  Here is a look at some of the contenders:   #1 Bracket Buster is an improving colt by red-hot sire Vekoma.  He is trained by the capable Victoria Oliver and will be ridden by veteran jockey John Velazquez who is no stranger to victories in million dollar races.  A longshot on the board at what will likely be odds of 10-1 or higher, Bracket Buster has the added attraction of having won a stakes race at this track as he took the Pegasus Stakes here in his last race defeating five other horses, including two who are in this field.  He is a live longshot and, if nothing else, should be considered in the exotic wagers.   #4 Burnham Square is the only other horse in this field besides the favorite that ran in the Kentucky Derby.  The Ian Wilkes-trained son of Liam's Map has had one race since his solid 6th-place finish on the first Saturday in May.  In the Grade 3 Matt Winn stakes on June 8 (also at Churchill Downs), Burnham Square finished a hard-charging second to winner East Avenue.  That performance would seem to set him up perfectly for what his connections are hoping will be a top comeback effort this Saturday at odds of what should be 5-1 or higher.  He should be an attractive alternative for those who don't think Journalism will fire.  Regular rider Brian J. Hernandez Jr. will be aboard.   #6 Gosger is the horse who looked like a winner down the stretch in the Preakness before Journalism pulled off his incredible come-from-behind finish.  The lightly-raced son of 2016 Kentucky Derby Winner Nyquist has been patiently handled by trainer Brendan Walsh who had Gosger on the Kentucky Derby trail until his plans changed.  If you believe that the Triple Crown races have taken too much out of Journalism (who is the only horse to have run in all three) then Gosger might be the horse you want to get behind as they were only separated by a half-length at the finish of the Preakness.  Luis Saez will once again be the jockey here, and Gosger could be sitting on a huge effort.   #8 Goal Oriented is trained by Bob Baffert who has won this race a record nine times, beginning in 2001 with the great Point Given.  This son of Not This Time was beaten by both Journalism and Gosger in the Preakness in his last start (he finished fourth).  But he was bumped and had to check at the top of the stretch and many have pointed to those problems as a legitimate excuse in that race.  On the other side however is the fact that Goal Oriented has only won his first race as a maiden followed by his first allowance condition and so he simply has never proven himself at the Stakes Level, let alone in one of the biggest Graded Stakes on the calendar.  But Goal Oriented shows a series of very fast workouts at Santa Anita in preparation for the Haskell so those who believe this race will be won on the front end may want to take a shot with him on Saturday at odds likely around 4-1 come post time.  Top rider Flavien Prat adds to his appeal.Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

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