Expert Sports Picks and Analysis from Al McMordie

Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB and CFL Previews and Odds - 08/07/2025

Thursday, Aug 07, 2025

The Thursday sports card features NFLX, MLB, and CFL action.The 2025 NFL preseason kicks off Week 1 with three games. The Indianapolis Colts travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens on the NFL Network at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Colts are a 6-point road favorite with the total set at 36.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The Cincinnati Bengals play in Philadelphia against the Eagles at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bengals are a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 37.5.The Las Vegas Raiders are in Seattle to take on the Seahawks on the NFL Network at 10:00 p.m. ET. The Raiders are a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 37.5. Major League Baseball has four games scheduled. The Athletics visit Washington at 12:05 p.m. ET. They have won two games in a row after their 2-1 victory against the Nationals on Wednesday. They are in last place in the AL West with a 50-66 record. Washington’s 45-68 record has them in last place in the NL East. The Athletics send out Jacob Lopez to pitch against the Nationals’ Mitchell Parker. The Athletics are a -132 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9.The Seattle Mariners host the Chicago White Sox at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Mariners have won three games in a row after an 8-6 victory against the White Sox yesterday. Their 62-53 record puts them in second place in the AL West. Chicago is in last place in the AL Central with a 42-72 record. Logan Gilbert takes the ball for the Mariners to face Shane Smith for the White Sox. Seattle is a -283 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5.The Pittsburgh Pirates play at home against the Cincinnati Reds at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Pirates are on a two-game losing streak after their 4-2 loss against San Francisco on Wednesday. Their 49-66 record puts them in last place in the NL Central. The Reds had won two games in a row before a 6-1 loss on the road against the Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati has a 60-55 record, which leaves them in third place in the NL Central. Pittsburgh turns to Paul Skenes to battle against the Reds’ Brady Singer. The Pirates are a -182 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.The Miami Marlins play in Atlanta against the Braves at 7:15 p.m. ET. The Marlins won for the sixth time in their last eight games after a 6-4 victory against Houston on Wednesday. They are in third place in the NL East with a 56-57 record. The Braves are on a three-game losing streak after a 5-4 loss against Milwaukee yesterday. Atlanta’s 47-66 record puts them in fourth place in the NL East. Miami taps Eury Perez to face Atlanta’s Carlos Carrasco. The Marlins are a -118 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Week 10 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with one game. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are home against the British Columbia Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Tiger-Cats are on a six-game winning streak after a 28-24 victory at Edmonton as a 4.5-point favorite last Friday. They are in first place in the East Division, up a 1/2 game on Montreal. The Lions have lost two games in a row after a 37-33 upset loss at home against Hamilton as a 2-point favorite back on July 27th. Hamilton is in fourth place in the West Division, trailing 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Saskatchewan Roughriders. Hamilton is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 55.5 total.

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 08/06/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features MLB action. Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled.Two MLB games throw out the first pitch at 12:35 p.m. ET. San Francisco travels to Pittsburgh with the Giants sending out Robbie Ray to pitch against the Pirates’ Andrew Heaney. The Giants are a -149 money-line road favorite with the total set at 7.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Philadelphia hosts Baltimore with Ranger Suarez getting the ball for the Phillies to face Trevor Rogers for the Orioles. The Phillies are a -157 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Two MLB games start at 1:10 p.m. ET. New York plays at home against Cleveland with the Mets tapping David Peterson to take on the Guardians’ Gavin Williams. The Mets are a -176 money-line favorite with a total of 8. Detroit is home against Minnesota with Jack Flaherty taking the hill for the Tigers to go against a starting pitcher yet to be named for the Twins. The Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds at 2:20 p.m. ET. The Cubs turn to Cade Horton to duel against the Reds’ Andrew Abbott. Chicago is a -144 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The New York Yankees play in Texas against the Rangers at 2:35 p.m. ET. Carlos Rodon gets the ball for the Yankees to face Jack Leiter for the Rangers. New York is a -136 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.The Toronto Blue Jays are in Colorado to battle the Rockies at 3:10 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays tap Shane Baz to take on the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland. Toronto is a -120 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 11.5. The Tampa Bay Rays visit Los Angeles to take on the Angels at 4:07 3 p.m. ET. Shane Baz takes the hill for the Rays to pitch against Tyler Anderson for the Angels. Tampa Bay is a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 9. The Los Angeles Dodgers host the St. Louis Cardinals at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers send out Shohei Ohtani to face the Cardinals’ Matthew Liberatore. Los Angeles is a -219 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Houston Astros play in Miami against the Marlins at 4:40 p.m. ET. Spencer Arrighetti gets the ball first for the Astros to take on Janson Junk for the Marlins. Houston is a -113 money-line favorite with a total of 8.The Athletics are on the road against Washington at 6:45 p.m. ET. The Athletics tap Jeffrey Springs to face the Nationals' Cade Cavalli. The Athletics are a -132 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9. The Boston Red Sox play at home against the Kansas City Royals at 7:10 p.m. ET. The recently acquired Dustin May takes the hill for the Red Sox to challenge the Royals’ Michael Wacha. Boston is a -150 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Atlanta Braves are home against the Milwaukee Brewers on FS1 at 7:15 p.m. ET. The Braves send out Spencer Strider to battle the Brewers' Jose Quintana. Atlanta is a -138 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. Two games conclude the MLB card at 9:40 p.m. ET. San Diego travels to Arizona with Nestor Cortes getting the ball for the Padres to take on Anthony DeSclafani for the Diamondbacks. The Padres are a -139 money-line road favorite with a total of 9.5.Seattle hosts Chicago with the Mariners tapping George Kirby to take the hill to take on the White Sox’s Jonathan Cannon for the White Sox. The Mariners are a -261 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5.

NFC West Preview: 2025 NFL Season

by Wayne Root

Tuesday, Aug 05, 2025

The NFC West has been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, featuring a mix of storied franchises and rising teams. This article delves into the key aspects of each team, including coaching staff, strengths on offense and defense, offensive line play, new additions, and insights from oddsmakers. Coaches and Coordinators1. San Francisco 49ers Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Slowik Defensive Coordinator: Steve WilksShanahan's innovative offensive schemes continue to be a hallmark of the 49ers' success. The addition of Slowik aims to further enhance the passing game, while Wilks brings a fresh perspective to a talented defense. 2. Seattle Seahawks Head Coach: Pete Carroll Offensive Coordinator: Shane Waldron Defensive Coordinator: Clint HurttCarroll’s experience and defensive acumen remain vital. Waldron is expected to build on last season's offensive successes, while Hurtt focuses on improving a defense that struggled in key moments. 3. Los Angeles Rams Head Coach: Sean McVay Offensive Coordinator: Mike LaFleur Defensive Coordinator: Raheem MorrisMcVay's high-octane offense is complemented by LaFleur’s fresh ideas. Morris aims to strengthen a defense that has seen its share of injuries, hoping to return to its top form. 4. Arizona Cardinals Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing Defensive Coordinator: Nick RallisGannon is entering his second year, focusing on building a cohesive unit. Petzing’s offense will need to adapt to the team's evolving personnel, while Rallis aims to improve defensive consistency. Strength of Offense and DefenseSan Francisco 49ers Offense: Strong running game supported by versatile playmakers like Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. Defense: One of the league's best, anchored by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, adept at pressuring quarterbacks and closing out games. Seattle Seahawks Offense: Led by quarterback Geno Smith, the Seahawks boast a formidable receiving corps, including DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Defense: An average unit that needs to enhance its pass rush and secondary coverage to compete effectively. Los Angeles Rams Offense: Matthew Stafford's leadership, paired with a deep receiving group, makes them a threat, but health is a concern. Defense: A solid defensive line, but the secondary has been inconsistent, requiring significant improvement. Arizona Cardinals Offense: Young and developing, with Kyler Murray's mobility and arm strength. The offense needs to find more consistency. Defense: Rebuilding phase, focused on improving against both the pass and run, with a young core of players. Offensive LineSan Francisco 49ersConsidered one of the best in the league, with versatile players who excel in both pass protection and run blocking.Seattle SeahawksAn average line with potential; they need to improve communication and cohesion to protect Smith effectively.Los Angeles RamsInjury-plagued last season, but with some key returns, they hope to regain their strength and protect Stafford.Arizona CardinalsA developing offensive line that needs to gel quickly, especially to support Murray's dynamic play style.New Additions to TeamsSan Francisco 49ers Key Addition: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (trade), expected to bolster the secondary.Seattle Seahawks Key Addition: Running back Zach Charbonnet, bringing depth and versatility to the backfield.Los Angeles Rams Key Addition: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (return), looking to provide dynamic playmaking ability.Arizona Cardinals Key Addition: Rookie offensive tackle Paris Johnson, expected to solidify the line.Oddsmakers Predictions San Francisco 49ers: Favored to win the division, with strong playoff odds due to their solid roster and coaching. Seattle Seahawks: Considered a wild card contender, with a moderate chance of making a playoff run. Los Angeles Rams: Viewed as a dark horse, with odds reflecting uncertainty about health and performance. Arizona Cardinals: Predicted to struggle, with lower odds reflecting a rebuilding phase. Hidden Gems San Francisco 49ers: Watch for rookie tight end Cameron Latu, who could emerge as a reliable target in Shanahan's system. Seattle Seahawks: Look out for wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge; he has the potential to break out with increased opportunities. Los Angeles Rams: Defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains a key player; his performance will be crucial for the defense's success. Arizona Cardinals: Keep an eye on linebacker Zaven Collins. His development could be pivotal for the defense. The NFC West remains a division full of potential and intrigue. Each team has its strengths, weaknesses, and key players to watch. As the season unfolds, these dynamics will play a crucial role in shaping the playoff landscape. Whether through coaching strategies or emerging talents, the NFC West is poised to deliver excitement and surprises. Odds LA Rams +145 San Francisco +155 Arizona +400 Seattle +475 NFC West Division, Oddsmakers predictions for the 2025 season can be compared to last season's results to gauge team performance and expectations. 2024 Season Overview San Francisco 49ers: Predicted to win the division last season, they delivered on those expectations, finishing at the top with a strong playoff run. Seattle Seahawks: Considered a playoff contender, they managed to secure a wild card spot, aligning with oddsmakers' forecasts. Los Angeles Rams: Viewed as a dark horse, they struggled with injuries and finished below expectations, missing the playoffs. Arizona Cardinals: Predicted to be at the bottom of the division, they indeed had a challenging season, confirming the oddsmakers' pessimism. Comparison to 2025 Predictions San Francisco 49ers: Again favored to lead the division, their consistency and roster strength support this prediction. Seattle Seahawks: Maintained status as a wild card contender, reflecting their recent performance. Los Angeles Rams: Still seen as a dark horse, but expectations are tempered due to last season's struggles. Arizona Cardinals: Continued low expectations, indicating a long-term rebuilding phase. Conclusion Overall, oddsmakers' predictions for the 2025 season align closely with the outcomes of the 2024 season, particularly for the 49ers and Seahawks. The Rams and Cardinals, however, reflect more uncertainty and ongoing challenges. This trend suggests that while some teams have solidified their positions, others are still in flux, making the upcoming season critical for proving or reshaping expectations.

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 08/05/2025

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Aug 05, 2025

The Tuesday 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. San Francisco travels to Pittsburgh with the Giants sending out Logan Webb to pitch against the Pirates’ Mike Burrows. The Giants are a -158 money-line road favorite with the total set at 7.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Detroit hosts Minnesota with Chris Paddock taking the ball for the Tigers to take on Zebby Matthews for the Twins. The Tigers are a -164 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Houston plays at Miami with the Astros tapping a starting pitcher yet to be named to throw against the Marlins’ Cal Quantrill. Both teams are priced as a -110 money-line favorites with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games start at 6:45 p.m. ET. Philadelphia plays at home against Baltimore with Taijuan Walker taking the hill for the Phillies to face Dean Kremer for the Orioles. The Phillies are a -145 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Washington is home against the Athletics, with the Nationals turning to MacKenzie Gore to duel against the Athletics’ Luis Severino. The Nationals are a -143 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games begin at 7:10 p.m. ET. New York hosts Cleveland with Clay Holmes taking the ball for the Mets to challenge Logan Allen for the Guardians. The Mets are a -200 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. Boston plays at home against Kansas City with the Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet getting the starting pitcher assignment to go against the Royals’ Ryan Bergert. The Red Sox are a -244 money-line favorite with a total of 8.The Milwaukee Brewers are in Atlanta to play the Braves at 7:15 p.m. ET. Freddy Peralta takes the hill for the Brewers to battle Joey Wentz for the Braves. Milwaukee is a -150 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. Two MLB games start at 8:05 p.m. ET. Chicago is home against Cincinnati on TBS with the Cubs sending out Shota Imanaga to face the Reds’ newly acquired Zack Littell. The Cubs are a -191 money-line favorite. Texas hosts New York with Nathan Eovaldi getting the ball for the Rangers to take on Will Warren for the Yankees. The Rangers are a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Toronto Blue Jays visit Colorado to battle the Rockies at 8:40 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays send out Jose Berrios to pitch against the Rockies’ Anthony Molina. Toronto is a -227 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 11.5. The Los Angeles Angels play at home against the Tampa Bay Rays at 9:38 p.m. ET. Jose Soriano takes the mound for the Angels to challenge Ryan Pepiot for the Rays. Los Angeles is a -126 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games begin at 9:40 p.m. ET. San Diego plays in Arizona with the Padres tapping Yu Darvish to take on the Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson. The Padres are a -137 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Seattle plays at home against Chicago with Bryan Woo getting the ball for the Mariners to face the White Sox’s Davis Martin. The Mariners are a -250 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the St. Louis Cardinals at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers tap Emmett Sheehan to pitch against the Cardinals’ Miles Mikolas. Los Angeles is a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.

Football is Just Weeks Away: This is Your Checklist for Betting on Football

by Wayne Root

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

No one needs to slog through a lengthy, dull book to grasp what I'm about to share. This isn’t medical school or law prep; it's about making your betting experience smarter and more profitable. If you don’t bet wisely, you might just find yourself back in grad school, racking up debt to "pay the man."Here’s a MUST-READ CHECKLIST for you. It’s concise and straightforward. No secrets here—just a few paragraphs to help you evaluate your betting habits. Are you a PRO or a JOE?1) Sports Betting vs. Sports InvestingThere's a vast difference between simply betting on sports and treating it as an investment. Many players throw a $100 bill into a game, hoping for the best. Few take a step back to see that successful betting is a week-to-week process. Like a one-hit wonder, many customers hit a lucky streak and then disappear, never to hit again.2) Money ManagementWhen you place that $100 bet, remember, it will lose approximately 50% of the time. This isn’t the moment to chase losses blindly; that’s how many players end up in trouble. Do you find yourself guessing to get back on track? If so, you’re not alone. It’s an ego thing for many. As Confucius might have put it (if he were a sports bettor):“To guess is cheap.To guess wrong is very expensive.”3) The Pros vs. JoesThe average bettor, or "Joe," is often unsophisticated, relying on hunches, favorite teams, and media manipulation. They might feel like pros after a few drinks, but they’re just playing the odds.In contrast, the "Pro" relies on data and analysis. They study point spreads, line changes, and team statistics. They follow the money and eliminate guesswork from their equation. If they’re on a losing streak, they’re not afraid to consult a Vegas handicapper for guidance.4) Insights from the OddsmakersOddsmakers are well aware of what you’ve seen on TV and adjust their point spreads accordingly. They know the narratives pushed by sports media and leverage this information to set their lines. They recognize that the public tends to undervalue favorites and overvalue underdogs, adjusting their strategies to exploit this.5) The Professional Sports HandicapperThis isn’t a game of luck; it’s a serious business. A professional understands that math is crucial for analyzing betting numbers. They focus on money management and will encourage you to find the best odds available, avoiding progressive betting systems that lead to chasing losses.6) What a Great Sports Service Will Not DoA reputable service will NOT:Claim that a game is a "lock."Suggest doubling up to recover losses.Promote parlays.Guarantee a 75% winning rate; while you might experience a winning run, that’s not sustainable.7) Professional Handicappers vs. TV Pregame PanelsTV Hosts:They can name players and coaches and discuss strategies but lack understanding of sports gambling and its nuances. Their insights can mislead viewers, as they rarely track the critical factors that influence betting.Professional Handicappers: They understand the Vegas line and know that the average bettor does not win long-term. They track trends, poll gamblers, and assess how injuries might impact betting lines. The pro is invested in their craft; unlike TV personalities, they don’t just sport sharp suits and bling—they live and breathe sports betting.MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AND ALL MY CUSTOMERSHONESTY—INTEGRITYDEDICATED and DEVOTED

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 08/04/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Aug 04, 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. San Francisco travels to Pittsburgh with the Giants sending out Justin Verlander to pitch against the Pirates’ Johan Oviedo. The Giants are a -137 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Detroit hosts Minnesota with Casey Mize taking the ball for the Tigers to face a starting pitcher for the Twins who has yet to be named. The Tigers are a -164 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Miami plays at home against Houston with the Marlins turning to Sandy Alcantara to take on the Astros’ Jason Alexander. The Astros are a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Philadelphia Phillies are home against the Baltimore Orioles at 6:45 p.m. ET. Jesus Luzardo takes the mound for the Phillies to challenge Cade Povich for the Orioles. Philadelphia is a -208 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. Three MLB games start at 7:10 p.m. ET. New York hosts Cleveland with the Mets turning to Sean Manaea to duel against the Guardians' Slade Cecconi. The Mets are a -181 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5.Boston plays at home against Kansas City with Brayan Bello getting the ball for the Red Sox to battle Bailey Falter for the Royals. The Red Sox are a -163 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Milwaukee plays in Atlanta with the Brewers sending out Quinn Priester to go against the Braves’ Erick Fedde. The Brewers are a -148 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games begin at 8:05 p.m. ET. Chicago is home against Cincinnati with the recently acquired Michael Soroka taking the ball for the Cubs to take on Nick Lodolo for the Reds. The Cubs are a -138 money-line favorite.New York is in Texas, with the Yankees turning to Max Fried to pitch against the Rangers’ Patrick Corbin. The Yankees are a -157 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The Toronto Blue Jays visit Colorado to face the Rockies at 8:40 p.m. ET. Eric Lauer gets the ball for the Blue Jays to duel against Tanner Gordon for the Rockies. Toronto is a -200 money-line road favorite with a total of 11.5. The Los Angeles Angels host the Tampa Bay Rays at 9:38 p.m. ET. The Angels turn to Yusei Kikuchi to challenge the Rays’ Adrian Houser. Los Angeles is a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The San Diego Padres play in Arizona against the Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. ET. J.P. Sears makes his first start for the Padres to battle Brandon Pfaadt for the Diamondbacks. San Diego is a -144 money-line road favorite with a total of 9.5.The Los Angeles Dodgers play at home against the St. Louis Cardinals at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers send out Tyler Glasnow to face the Cardinals’ Sonny Gray. Los Angeles is a -187 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.

UFC 319: Middleweight Title Fight Preview And Pick

by Will Rogers

Sunday, Aug 03, 2025

UFC 319 - Saturday, August 16th @ United Center - Chicago, ILFight fans are in for a treat when Dricus Du Plessis defends his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, at UFC 319. The "war" won't happen until August 16th, at the United Center, but I'm already getting excited about it. The champion is off 11 straight victories, the last nine of those in the Octagon. His most recent loss was seven years ago. Yet, the undefeated challenger is the fairly heavy favorite. That shows how dominant and respected Chimaev is. Let's take a closer look at what promises to be an epic battle. (Skip to the bottom for my prediction.) The ChampionDricus Du Plessis, known as "Stillknocks," is a versatile, dynamic and arguably underrated fighter. (See more on that below.) The South African blends striking and grappling with an unorthodox, high-pressure fighting style. With a background in judo, wrestling, and K-1 kickboxing—where he went 33-0 as an amateur with 30 knockouts— "DDP" combines powerful, heavy-handed strikes with solid submission skills, evidenced by his 9 KO's and 11 submissions. DDP seems to get stronger every time out. His adaptability allows him to adjust to opponents' movements, making him unpredictable and dangerous. Du Plessis's resilience, honed from his rugby-playing days complements his raw knockout power and grappling prowess, enabling him to dominate fights with relentless pace and versatility. DDP has previous title defenses against top tiger fighters like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. The ChallengerKhamzat Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz" (The Wolf), is known for his aggressive, high-pressure fighting style that blends elite-level wrestling with devastating striking. A three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion, Chimaev dominates opponents with suffocating grappling. His first-round submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 demonstrated his dominance. While he's most known for his grappling, Chimaev's has knockout power, as seen in his 17-second KO of Gerald Meerschaert. With a 14-0 record, including 6 knockouts and 6 submissions, Chimaev’s ability to seamlessly transition between grappling and striking, combined with his ferocious pace and mental toughness, has made him an unstoppable force. Five of his last seven victories have come in the first round. No RespectDu Plessis finally got some respect in his last fight as he was a -220 favorite versus Sean Strickland. Prior to that, he opened as an underdog vs. Israel Adesanya. The line for that fight closed in the pick'em range. Before that, in his first fight vs Strickland, DDP opened as an underdog. That fight also closed in the pick'em range. Before that? DDP was a massive +270 underdog vs Robert Whittaker. Opposite Personalities and Bad BloodDu Plessis is generally viewed as a gentleman due to his respectful behavior and positive attitude. He tends to display class and sportsmanship, showing respect to his opponents. Conversely, Chimaev has a mean streak and likes to "talk trash." Nobody calls him classy. In trying to get inside the head of his opponents, Chimaev likes to fight dirty. He's been known to send direct messages to his opponent's wives. Not surprisingly, Chimaev initiated verbal sparring by posting a photo of Du Plessis with his coaches after UFC 297, mocking their size with donut emojis. Tensions have since escalated through social media exchanges and public comments. Du Plessis hit back by calling out Chimaev with an "inbred" jab. Additionally, Chimaev’s comments about preparing for "murder" in response to Du Plessis’s grappling-focused training were met with Du Plessis laughing off the threats. DDP has dismissed Chimaev's "boogeyman" aura and has questioned his stamina. Chimaev’s camp has downplayed Du Plessis’s abilities. The Odds (Courtesy of BetOnline as of August 3rd)Chimaev -185Du Plessis +160Tale of the tapeDu Plessis | Chimaev 23-2 | Record | 14-0 31 | Age | 311.85 m | Height | 1.88 m83.9 kg | Weight | 83.9 kg193 cm | Reach | 190.5 cmPredictionWhile defeating Chimaev won't be easy, Du Plessis does have a path to victory. Chimaev has never gone past the third round and there are some questions about his cardio. He's only been past the second round twice. Ever improving and adapting, Du Plessis is used to being doubted. Unlike some of Chimaev's other opponents, he won't be intimated or baited into losing his temper. The key will be to survive the initial storm of Chimaev’s aggressive grappling and striking in the first round. Du Plessis can then leverage his unorthodox striking and elite cardio to exploit Chimaev’s potential weaknesses in the later rounds. Look for DDP to take Chimaev to a place he's never gone, ultimately scoring the upset as a substantial underdog. Play on Dricus Du Plessis (+160)

What's Wrong with the Once-Powerful Las Vegas Aces?

by Vegas Writer

Sunday, Aug 03, 2025

As someone who has frequented Las Vegas Aces games - more as a season-ticket holder than a media member - I can tell you right now there is much more to what we're seeing on the surface with this team.After seeing the Minnesota Lynx pummel the Aces by 53 on Saturday, it's becoming clearer this problem is more at the top than in the locker room.From president Nikki Fargas to coach Becky Hammon - both sharing their roles with being co-general managers - the continuity this team once had is long gone.A'ja Wilson looks frustrated, Jackie Young looks confused, Chelsea Gray looks exhausted and Jewell Loyd, well, she has to be wondering why she agreed to come to Las Vegas.Nothing is working under Hammon any longer because the rest of the league has her figured out, and has surpassed everything she brought to the franchise four years ago.I'm astonished the Aces are laying -8 points to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, considering these teams have split the first two meetings, including a two-point thriller the last time they met in Las Vegas.Fact is, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase has done a better job with her troops than Hammon has done with the Aces.The trade deadline is nearing, and since the Aces don't have a general manager, either Hammon or Fargas better do what they can to bring someone like Marina Mabrey in now that Dijonai Carrington has been traded to Minnesota, cause if there's one thing the Aces are missing, it's a defensive stalwart who isn't afraid to get in someone's face.I'm already skeptical about what this roster will look like after this season, but if it doesn't make the playoffs, nobody after Wilson and Young should be safe.Fold your cards, Becky. These Aces won't hold up.

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 08/03/2025

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Aug 03, 2025

The Sunday sports card features MLB action. Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled.The Houston Astros travel to Boston to play the Red Sox on Roku at 11:35 a.m. ET. The Astros send out Framber Valdez to pitch against the Red Sox’s Lucas Giolito. Houston is a -125 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8 (all odds from DraftKings). The Los Angeles Dodgers play in Tampa Bay to take on the Rays at 12:10 p.m. ET. Yoshinobu Yamamoto grabs the ball for the Dodgers to face Joe Boyle for the Rays. Los Angeles is a -207 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Milwaukee Brewers are in Washington to challenge the Nationals at 1:35 p.m. ET. The Brewers tap Jacob Misiorowski to go against the Nationals’ Brad Lord. Milwaukee is a -187 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. The Toronto Blue Jays host the Kansas City Royals at 1:37 p.m. ET. Chris Bassitt takes the mound for the Blue Jays to take on Seth Lugo for the Royals. Toronto is a -149 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. Three MLB games throw out the first pitch at 1:40 p.m. ET. Cleveland plays at home against Minnesota with the Guardians turning to Joey Cantillo to battle the Twins’ Jose Urena. The Guardians are a -172 money-line favorite with a total of 8. New York is at home against San Francisco with Frankie Montas getting the starting assignment for the Mets to duel against Carson Whisenhunt for the Giants. The Mets are a -158 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. New York visits Miami with the Yankees tapping Luis Gill to challenge the Marlins’ Edward Cabrera. The Yankees are a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 8. The Chicago Cubs host the Baltimore Orioles at 2:20 p.m. ET. Colin Rea grabs the ball for the Cubs to face Brandon Young for the Orioles. The Cubs are a -189 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Pittsburgh Pirates play in Colorado against the Rockies at 3:10 p.m. ET. The Pirates turn to Mitch Keller to pitch against the Rockies’ Bradley Blalock. Pittsburgh is a -163 money-line road favorite with a total of 11.5. The Arizona Diamondbacks are on the road against the Athletics at 4:05 p.m. ET. Eduardo Rodriguez takes the hill for the Diamondbacks to go against Jack Perkins for the Athletics. Both teams are priced as -110 money-line favorites with an over/under of 10.The Los Angeles Angels play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 4:07 p.m. ET. The Angels send out Jack Kochianowicz to go against the White Sox’s Sean Burke. Los Angeles is a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Two MLB games start at 4:10 p.m. ET. San Diego is home against St. Louis with Dylan Cease getting the ball for the Padres to battle Andre Pallante for the Cardinals. The Padres are a -187 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. Texas travels to Seattle with the Rangers turning to Jacob deGrom to face the Mariners’ Logan Evans. The Rangers are a -145 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN features the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m. ET. Cristopher Sanchez gets the assignment for the Phillies to take on the recently acquired Charlie Morton for the Tigers. Philadelphia is a -194 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.

NFL Contenders to Consider When Betting Futures

by Vegas Writer

Saturday, Aug 02, 2025

If you're looking to play some NFL futures, it's time to separate the pretenders and contenders, right?Let's look at five teams to consider, other than the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the always-contending Kansas City Chiefs. No reason to list them, as we know both of them are in the mix, so I am removing them from the list.Last month, I told you to be wary of five pretenders, so now I'm giving you five NFL contenders to be on the lookout for, in no particular order:GREEN BAY PACKERSAre the Packers the sleeper of all NFC contenders?While the defense lost cornerback Jaire Alexander to the Baltimore Ravens, they added scrappy Nate Hobbs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders. I honestly don't believe the defense to take a step back. The biggest question is at the quarterback spot with Jordan Love's consistency. Can he stay healthy and show us for a full season what we saw at the end of the 2023 campaign? He's got a young offensive core, the Packers added receiver Matthew Golden to be a No. 1 guy, they won 11 games last year with Love being injured and the team not being as great as we expected them to be. Also, the Packers have gone over their win total in five of the past six seasons. Add in a big season from Josh Jacobs and this offense could lead the Packers to challenging for the NFC North, and if they do that, I could see them making a run at the Super Bowl.LAS VEGAS RAIDERSYeah, I'm saying it and putting the onus on Pete Carroll. Listen, when you have Tom Brady walking around the practice-facility fields, watching Geno Smith throw dimes to Jakobi Meyers, and Maxx Crosby leading a fired-up defensive line, there is a lot of promise to what we're seeing in Henderson, Nevada. Music has been blaring, the public has been welcome, and this is unlike anything we've seen this the team arrived from Oakland years ago. The biggest hitch with this team is rookie Ashton Jeanty, whose maturity takes a lot off Smith's shoulders, and makes this team dangerous. If the Raiders can contend for the AFC West title, and can sneak into the postseason, watch out.DETROIT LIONSI know they lost their offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, to the Chicago Bears, and yes, they lost their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, to the New York Jets. But I have always believed in what Dan Campbell has built in Detroit, and think the Lions are going to be right back in the mix after a 15-2 season. My analysis is backed by Aiden Hutchinson being healthy this season. He posted 7.5 sacks in five games before he suffered a leg injury that cut his year short with a season-ending injury. Detroit is back-to-back NFC North champs and I expect it to contend for a Super Bowl berth, and title.BUFFALO BILLSLet's face it, then Bills have been knocking on the door for a while. They fell short yet again to the cheese in the AFC Championship game. But this year could be different. Why? Josh Allen finally found the formula last season, and he now has an MVP under his belt. With confidence in his back pocket, knowing how to win games, he should be able to lead the Bills to another AFC East title. On the other side of the ball, they addressed the defense this offseason. With the luxury of continuity, thanks to returning players in certain units - including the offensive line and both coordinators - and a healthy Joey Bosa, I am convinced the Bills' best shot at winning the AFC.BALTIMORE RAVENSLamar Jackson might be the best overall athlete in the NFL. It's his time to shine. The Ravens are looking to become the first team to win three straight AFC North titles, and I don't see the other three teams getting in their way. It's time to get to, and win, a Super Bowl when it comes to the Ravens, who had the NFL's number one offense last season, anchored by the two-time MVP in Jackson, and accompanied by running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore also improved its defense in the offseason. It's go time for the Ravens.

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and CFL Previews and Odds - 08/02/2025

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Aug 02, 2025

The Saturday sports card features MLB and CFL action.Major League Baseball has 15 games scheduled. The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Tampa Bay to play the Rays at 1:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers send out Blake Snell to pitch against the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen. Los Angeles is a -136 money-line road favorite with the total set at 8.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Chicago Cubs host the Baltimore Orioles on FS1 at 2:20 p.m. ET. Matthew Boyd gets the ball for the Cubs to take on Tomoyuki Sugano for the Orioles. Chicago is a -207 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Toronto Blue Jays play at home against the Kansas City Royals at 3:07 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays turn to Max Scherzer to face the Royals’ Noah Cameron. Toronto is a -157 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Pittsburgh Pirates play in Colorado against the Rockies at 3:10 p.m. ET. Paul Skenes takes the mound for the Pirates to challenge Austin Gomber for the Rockies. Pittsburgh is a -208 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 10. Two MLB games throw out the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. ET. Detroit is in Philadelphia with the Tigers tapping Tarik Skubal to go against the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler. The Tigers are a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5.Milwaukee visits Washington with Brandon Woodruff taking the ball for the Brewers to battle Jake Irvin for the Nationals. The Brewers are a -187 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Five MLB games start at 4:10 p.m. ET. Cleveland is home against Minnesota with Tanner Bibee getting the ball for the Guardians to face a Twins starting pitcher yet to be named. Boston hosts Houston with the Red Sox turning to Walker Buehler to duel against the Astros’ Colton Gordon. The Red Sox are a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 9.5. New York plays at home against San Francisco with Kodai Senga taking the hill for the Mets to pitch against the Giants’ Kai-Wei Teng. New York is at Miami with Cam Schlittler getting the starting assignment for the Yankees to take on Eury Perez for the Marlins. The Yankees are a -121 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. Seattle is home against Texas with the Mariners turning to Luis Castillo to challenge the Rangers’ newly acquired Merrill Kelly. The Mariners are a -124 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Atlanta Braves are in Cincinnati to play the Reds on Fox at the Bristol Motor Speedway at 7:15 p.m. ET. Spencer Strider gets the start for the Braves to battle Chase Burns for the Reds. Atlanta is a -123 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5.The Athletics host the Arizona Diamondbacks at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Athletics send out J.T. Ginn to go against the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen. The Athletics are a -115 money-line favorite with an over/under of 10.5. The Los Angeles Angels play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 10:07 p.m. ET. Kyle Hendricks takes the hill for the Angels to challenge Aaron Civil for the White Sox. Los Angeles is a -157 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The San Diego Padres are home against the St. Louis Cardinals at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Padres tap Randy Vasquez to duel against the Cardinals’ Michael McGreevy. San Diego is a -143 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Week 9 in the Canadian Football League concludes with two games. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit Edmonton to play the Elks at 3:00 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 55.5.The Saskatchewan Roughriders play in Montreal against the Alouettes on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 50.5.

News, Notes and Divisional Futures

by Will Rogers

Friday, Aug 01, 2025

With the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the baseball picture is beginning to become more clear. Some teams are all but assured of a spot in the postseason. Others have recently joined the "playing out the string" club. Some teams went "all in" at the deadline while others simply waved the white flag. Let's get caught up with some news and notes from around the league.Trade Deadline WinnersTime will tell how it all works out and whether or not their deals were prudent. For the time being, five teams which improved at the deadline include the Mets, Padres, Phillies, Mariners and Astros. It looks like the Mets and Phillies are going to battle each other tooth and nail the whole way, for supremacy in the NL East. I think the same will be true of the Astros and Mariners, another pair of teams which each improved at the deadline. Keep reading for more about Seattle's future odds. Trade Deadline LosersThe Twins weren't totally eliminated from contention but elected to trade away nearly their entire starting lineup. We'll see how it works out for them over the next couple of years. For now, the fans aren't happy. Other teams which were arguably losers at the deadline include the: Giants, Red Sox and Brewers. Boston still has (had?) a realistic chance of making the playoffs (See below) but elected not to "go for it." The Brewers are having an amazing season but refused to pull the trigger on a player that could put them over the top. The same could arguably said of the Cubs. AwardsEach of the major awards has a clear front-runner, particularly the AL Rookie Of the Year and the NL MVP categories. However, there's still quite a long way to go. Here are the current odds from Draft Kings. AL Cy Young Skubal -450Crochet +300 deGrom +2200NL Cy YoungSkenes -175Wheeler +130Sanchez +4000AL MVPJudge -185Raleigh +150Skubal +7000NL MVPOhtani -2000Crow-Armstrong +1100Schwarber +2000AL Rookie Of The YearKurtz -8000NL Rookie Of The YearBaldwin -190Misiorowski +250Collins +600Playoff PictureWhen betting on baseball at this time of the year, it's important to know who still has something to play for. No teams have officially wrapped up a spot but many have a very strong chance of doing so. Eleven teams are quite likely to make the playoffs, 12 if you count the Red Sox, who are better than 60%. Nearly half the teams (14 of 16) have no realistic chance, as they are currently listed at less than 10% to make the playoffs. The percentages I've included are from FanGraphs.com and are current, as of August 1st.Very Likely In (75% and up)Dodgers (99.4%)Tigers (98.5%)Cubs (97%)Blue Jays (96.8%)Phillies (96.7%)Brewers (96.2%)Mets (95.5%)Yankees (93.6%)Astros (92.4%)Padres (87.8%)Mariners (76.4%)Maybe (35% to 75%)Red Sox (61.9%)Rangers (39.9%)Unlikely (10% to 35%)Royals (12%)Guardians (11.7%)Reds (10.9%)Out (10% or less)Rays (9.1%)Cardinals (7.4%)Giants (7.3%)Angels (3.7%)Twins (3.3%)Diamondbacks (1%)Marlins (0.6%)Orioles (0.5%)Braves (0.2%)Rockies, Nationals, White Sox, Athletics, Pirates (0%)Divisional Winners (Courtesy of Draft Kings)Here are the current odds to win each of the divisions. The Tigers and Dodgers are considered to be pretty much sure things but the other four divisions remain competitive. I've highlighted the Mariners as I feel that they offer value, as +240 underdogs. They've got the pitching and they improved their hitting greatly at the trade deadline. The Astros also improved but they've still got some issues and their lead is far from insurmountable. At the moment, Houston has a 4.5 game lead; the teams will play each other three times in late September. AL EastTOR Blue Jays −155NY Yankees +165BOS Red Sox +800TB Rays +10000 BAL Orioles +50000AL CentralDET Tigers −4000CLE Guardians +3000KC Royals +4500MIN Twins +7000AL WestHOU Astros −205SEA Mariners +240TEX Rangers +800LA Angels +13000NL EastNY Mets −125PHI Phillies −105ATL Braves +100000NL CentralCHI Cubs −130MIL Brewers +105CIN Reds +4000STL Cardinals +10000NL WestLA Dodgers −1100SD Padres +750SF Giants +8000ARI Diamondbacks +40000

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