Triple Zeros: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Triple Zeros: The Tacko Bol
No Count Outs: Mumbo Jumbo
Triple Zeros: Super-Sized Nuggets
Life on the Lines: MLB 7/24/20
We are finally here! One quarantine, and a lifetime later we have arrived at the official opening day of the MLB season. If you are new around here, we like to make money. We have a couple of writers that love to live their life on the lines. Yes, we gamble responsibly around here so if you are not in a good position to do this please refrain. But if you want to make some extra cash this season. This is a prime opportunity for you to join me in that process. We will be tracking my bets throughout the season and we will see how much I make you.
Listed below will be my picks for the day. If you are interested in some long term plays. I advise you to check out Tony Guzman’s article on his MLB Preview. If you are new to sports betting, I will be using the term units a lot. A unit is a measurement of money in which one gambles (increments of $10 or $100 dollars).
So let’s pretend we have a $100 bankroll (yes I know that is small) and let’s see how much we can make you this year.
Life on the Lines
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
First game of the day is the Braves visiting the Mets. On the mound, we have Mike Soroka vs Jacob deGrom. Degrom is the reigning two-time CY Young Winner, and Soroka will be the youngest Brave to start and opening day. In these types of matchups, I try to avoid the run line. Which in this game is has the Mets at -1.5, But i am not going to throw an obnoxious set of numbers you to convince you. The play here is the Under 8 line. It is going to be an absolute pitchers duel in the Flushings. Soroka led the league in road ERA last season at 1.55 so all signs point to it being a 3-2 kind of game.
Take the under 8 total runs at -120
(Bet 12 dollars to win 10 dollars)
Detroit Tigers @ Cincinnati Reds
In the second matchup, we have the Detroit Tigers visiting the newly revamped Cincinnati Reds. Lefty Matthew Boyd enters into a hitters paradise in Cinci. Not only that he is running into one of the best lineups in the league. The Reds have added Nicholas Castellanos who mashed left-handed pitching last season. If you look at Castellanos stats from Detroit they do not impress many people. Once you add him to Wrigley, however, his average jumps nearly 50 points. The Reds have done a lot of reforming this offseason while the Tigers have only added Jonathan Schoop and drafted Spencer Torkelson. The play here is to take the Reds at -1.5 (+105). Cincinnati is going to want to make a statement and on opening day they get the perfect opportunity to do so.
Reds -1.5 (+105)
(Bet 10 to make 10.50)
Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays
This next pick may seem a little about hype instead of numbers. Although I do love the numbers sometimes you just have a gut instinct about a team. Well, the Toronto Blue Jays are that team for me. Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays are a legitimate playoff team with a better line up and maybe better overall pitching staff. But if it is for one game? I am going to take the Blue Jays. I love this young core. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio are all legitimate threats to explode onto the scene this year. I expect them to show out on opening day especially with their big free-agent acquisition on the hill, Hyun-Jin Riu. I am taking the Blue Jays Money Line on this pick.
Blue Jays ML +118
(Bet 10$ to win 11.80$)
Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs
Next, we head to beautiful Wrigley Field. Where the Cubs play host to the Brewers. Both teams in the offseason were pretty stagnant in terms of adding talent to each club. The Brewers lost Moustakas (to the Reds) but get their MVP back from a gruesome knee injury. In his debut against the potent White Sox. Kyle Hendricks was in prime form and tossed four shutout innings before being taken out for rest reasons. I expect nothing less from him in his opening day debut. I like the Cubs here at -1.5. Especially at a great value of +170. The ball will be flying and it will be for the boys in Cubbie blue.
Cubs -1.5 (+170)
(10$ to make 17$)
Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox
And for the final pick, we are traveling to the Southside of Chicago. Where the White Sox play host to the Minnesota Twins. I am expecting a fireworks show and have the Twins beating the rising Sox by more than three runs, but be on the lookout for this White Sox team in the future. They will have the matchup advantage in a lot of games because play in the woeful central division. They will get chances against the Tigers and Royals throughout the season. But on this opening day. The team that smacked 307 Homers last season is the Twins at -1.5 (+140).
Twins -1.5 (+140)
(10$ to make 14$)
Life on the Lines
Those are my five picks and these are odds are according to Bovada. If you do not have a Bovada account. Click the link below and get an introductory match of up to 250 dollars on your initial deposit. Let me know how your picks go.
Make sure you follow me on Twitter @illiniryan7 and go follow me on Instagram @illiniryan_7 for exclusive giveaways.
Hope this helps you make some money this season. Use the link below for Bovada:
https://www.bovada.lv/welcome/P48DCC04/join?extcmpid=rafcopy
Best of luck!
A Piece (Mostly) About Actual Live Basketball
There are actual, real-life NBA games taking place today. They’re scrimmages but, at this point, who even cares? When the NBA scrimmages begin, it will mark the first NBA-sanctioned on-court action since March 11; more than four months ago. While these games are just the ramp-up to the ones that count, their significance is no less important.
Actual Live Basketball is Returning
The Morale of the Story
A return of sports in America has been pushed by a great number of people and for many different reasons. Some of those reasons are valid and just while others, not so much. The only thing that has been consistent is the inconsistency. But no one argues against the impact sports have on the overall morale of the country.
In fact, that has been an argument against re-starting for some. They fear sports will serve as a distraction from what they say ails the country. If people can escape into yelling at their favorite sportsball team, they won’t concern themselves with the plight of others. Conversely, the argument has been made (and flexed by several NBA players) that both can be accomplished.
We have already seen the likes of Jerami Grant, Tobias Harris, CJ McCollum, and Josh Hart use their media availability to seek justice for Breonna Taylor and Pamela Turner. The latter was what Hart desired to put on his jersey but can’t due to the NBA creating a list of approved messages.
The imminent return of the NBA has even put that PR flub in the rearview. No one is even talking about how players, including LeBron James, aired their frustrations with the list and the lack of inclusion in the process to come up with it. Instead, aided by the aforementioned players taking it upon themselves, the focus has been on the court and who will or won’t be playing when things tip-off.
For those keeping track, Marvin Bagley won’t, Victor Oladipo might. Regardless, starting with Wednesday’s four-game slate, all of the focus will be on the NBA. Major League Baseball has already begun their season, but the NBA is already the bigger spectacle under normal circumstances. The bubble just puts them that much further out in terms of intrigue.
From The Cheap Seats
The one (MAJOR) negative to all the leagues returning to business? None have plans for the foreseeable future to have fans. The New York Jets and Giants of the NFL sent out a joint statement following notification from the governor of New Jersey about capacity limits. Likewise, social media was rife with screenshots from fans about game cancellations from their favorite teams.
Baseball has pumped in crowd noise and utilized cardboard cutouts of actual fans. They will have to figure out what to do with the Toronto Blue Jays, though. The NBA, being in the bubble, will obviously also be without fans. That means we all get to enjoy our favorite sporting events from the cheap seats of our living rooms.
There is another connotation of that, and it has been swept under the rug. No fans is insurmountable for vendors and hourly employees at stadiums. Most organizations have agreed to pay their hourly employees, even while slashing the earnings of those in executive roles and requesting players to help alleviate some of the financial burdens.
Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, recently spoke of facing losses in the nine-figure range (more on the baseball side) with expenses for stadiums and no income. Owners, players, and media alike have also pondered the impact this will all have on future seasons. All of them agree tough times are likely ahead.
The subject of the quality of testing available to athletes while the rest of the country lags is also a reasonable gripe. In other words, like in many aspects of life, the concern is centered around a select few at the upper end. Meanwhile, those on the other end are left to figure things out once the initial plans run their course.
Two Sides, One Coin
There is plenty to pick apart with all of this. The fact remains that when the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers tip at 3 p.m. EST, all eyes will be on the NBA. We will once again have real-life, NBA basketball to dissect. For all of the flaws with the process, this will be a welcomed thing. Especially if players keep the energy they have brought to social justice early on.
2020 MLB Season Betting Preview
Baseball is back! Not the way everyone expected but it’s back nonetheless. A 60-game sprint to the playoffs in the Major League Baseball season is anything but ordinary and offers some intriguing opportunities from the betting perspective. Of course, there’s the chalk World Series matchup that MLB is hoping for in the New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Dodgers; with both teams being the favorite to win their respective leagues. There is just no value in betting those two teams.
Plus, that’s just boring no one likes betting the favorites right? It also makes sense that the two best teams would have favorites in individual awards such as Gerrit Cole at the top to win the AL Cy Young Award and Mookie Betts to win the NL MVP award. If there was ever a season to bet against the favorites who added new powerhouses to their rosters, this is it.
Betting Preview: 2020 MLB Season
Over/Under Best Bet The Chicago Cubs O/U 32.5 -108
The Chicago Cubs are going to be in a dog fight in the NL Central as there are three other teams vying for the top spot with the Milwaukee Brewers, rival St. Louis Cardinals, and emerging Cincinnati Reds. There are so many question marks going into this season for the Northsiders beginning with their starting pitching.
Kyle Hendricks was just handed the opening day starter duties by newly appointed manager David Ross who is entering his first season managing the team. He is the only bright spot in the rotation. Yu Darvish who has electric stuff has been as inconsistent as it gets in his Cubs tenure. Jose Quintana lacerated his thumb doing the dishes. Jon Lester who is on the back end of his career and Tyler Chatwood who wouldn’t be a starter on any other ball club.
They haven’t fixed their bullpen issues which have always been an issue in the Theo Epstein era and the glue who holds everything together, Anthony Rizzo has a lingering back issue. FiveThirtyEight came out with their predictions on this upcoming season and have the Cubs right at 32. How accurate is FiveThirtyEight? Last year they had them pegged for 84 wins. How many wins did the Cubs have in 2019? 84.
Bet- Under 32.5 wins at -108
American League Cy Young Award Winner Best Bet Shohei Ohtani 50-1
Shohei Ohtani wasn’t slated to start pitching until May since he is coming off of Tommy John surgery. Now that its late July he’s ready to be the two-way player the Angels had hoped for since signing him back in 2018.
Ohtani is an intriguing pick as he hasn’t pitched in the majors in over two years so there isn’t a lot of film on him which puts him at an advantage to opposing hitters. With the odds at 50-1 according to BetRivers.com, it’s just too hard to pass up as this future screams value.
Bet- Shohei Ohtani AL Cy Young Award Winner 50-1
National League Cy Young Award Winner Stephen Strasburg 12-1
The last time we saw Stephen Strasburg he was dominating the Houston Asterisks in Game 6 of the 2019 World Series. Shockingly enough Strasburg does not have a Cy Young award on his mantle. Last season, Strasburg lead the National League in wins (18) and was second in strikeouts (251) to the reigning NL Cy Young winner, Jacob deGrom.
Unlike deGrom, he won a World Series and was the World Series MVP. Strasburg has had at least 10 strikeouts per nine innings in each of his last six seasons; a model of consistency. With the Nationals contending for back to back rings in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, if Strasburg is his dominant self this could be the year he earns that Cy Young Award.
Bet- Stephen Strasburg NL Cy Young Award Winner 12-1
National League MVP Award Winner Juan Soto 10-1
At this point, you’re starting to sense a theme here as to where this article is going in the National League. Juan Soto is just so far beyond his years as disciplined at the plate as the fire that exudes through his body. With Anthony Rendon signing a big free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels, there is no doubt that this is Soto’s team now from an offensive perspective. With an on-base percentage over .400 last year, not only does he hit bombs but is patient at the plate as he takes his walks. Soto is primed for a monster year, even if it’s only 60 games.
Bet- Juan Soto NL MVP Award Winner 10-1
American League MVP Award Winner Bo Bichette 100-1
The Toronto Blue Jays are in the news because they can’t find a ballpark to call home for this 60 game season since the Canadian government did not approve the use of the Rogers Centre in Toronto. There have been talks about maybe PNC Park as a temporary home for them this season which would benefit their young hitters greatly. But, no one is talking about this young core!
It’s mind-boggling that Vladimir Gurrerro Jr., Cavan Biggio, and Bo Bichette aren’t getting the respect they deserve. Vlad Jr. is at 50-1 to win the MVP which is insane value for the caliber of player he is. BetRivers.com doesn’t even have Biggio listed as an option (which is a shame) and Bo Bichette at 100-1! Bichette played in only 46 games last year and had a slash line of .311/.358/.571 with an OPS of .930 and 18 extra-base hits. It’s a long shot but you can’t help but take a stab at it.
Bet- Bo Bichette AL MVP Award Winner 100-1
World Series Champion Washington Nationals 19-1
That’s right, the Washington Nationals. When was the last time a National League team won back to back World Series? Not since the Big Red Machine, the Cincinnati Reds, in 1975-1976. In fact, there hasn’t been a back to back World Series winner since the Yankees won three in a row from ’98-’00. The Nats have the firepower in their starting pitching and the experience now that they have been to a World Series just last season. Juan Soto is a potential MVP who is just easy to root for when you watch him play as a natural leader who wears his heart on his sleeve. This is already an odd season and it hasn’t even started yet. So, prepare for unexpected outcomes.
Bet- Washington Nationals World Series Champions 19-1
*All odds according to il.betrivers.com
Triple Zeros: No Fan Zone
4 Pay-Per-Views, One Jam-Packed Podcast
This week on Matt and Tyler talked about WWE’s Extreme Rules, NJPW’s Dominion, AEW’s Fight For the Fallen, and Impact’s Slammiversary. Moxley retained over Brian Cage. Impact had a slew of debuts and returning stars, including the Motor City Machine Guns, and the Good Brothers: Gallows and Anderson. Extreme Rules’ Horror Show lived up to its name. Finally, the hosts finally cover dominion and the emotional betrayal of EVIL over Naito that eventually led to the former capturing both the Junior Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles all in the same weekend.
