The weekend may be over, but there is still plenty to bet on. The NBA season is kicking off, playoff baseball is still going strong, and the NHL is entering the second week of their season. Here are the best bets for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday:
Braves @ Dodgers (Game 3)
The Pick: LAD -1.5 (+125)
The Dodgers need to win this game, they let not one, but two games slip away in Atlanta. Now they are back in the safe confines of Dodger Stadium ready to fight like hell. Walker Buehler is on the mound, he has been excellent all year. Opposing Buehler is Charlie Morton who has also been very stingy. Buehler will work six or seven innings for the Dodgers and finally give the bullpen some rest. I usually don't like taking the run line, but in this case, I feel as though Los Angeles will score just enough to cover the spread. I'm willing to bet that Dave Roberts and Co. get the series to 2-1.
Astros @ Red Sox (Game 4)
The Pick: HOU +100
The Dodgers have to win their game and the Astros have to win this game. If Houston losses this game, they will be down 3-1 with a game still to play in Boston. The Red Sox offense needs to be stimied in order for momentum to swing back to Houston. Boston's hitters have run hog-wild over the Astros' starters and it will be Zach Grienke's job to try and quell the offense. I just don't believe that the Red Sox can keep up the barrage forever and eventually the Astros will breakthrough. In a must-have game, the Astros will find a way to get it done on the road.
Nets @ Bucks
The Pick: BKN +1
The first NBA game of the season should be a good one, as it is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Semifinals from last year. The Bucks will be raising their title banner and the crowd will be back at full force. However, the Nets are looking to play spoiler. Kyrie Irving may not be available, but the Nets still have two superstars in James Harden and Kevin Durant. The Nets are a force and can easily keep pace with Milwaukee. Brooklyn will prevail on the road against Giannis.
Warriors @ Lakers
The Pick: GS +3.5
A classic battle between California teams awaits Tuesday night. Both teams have title aspirations this season and both have many questions. Will age catch up with the Lakers? How will Westbrook, James, and Davis blend together? Can Golden State be competitive until Klay Thompson returns? But for one night we can forget about those questions and just enjoy what should be an entertaining game. The Lakers have more star power, but the Warriors have more depth. I like Golden State to spoil the season opener for Lebron James and the Lakers to start 0-1.
Panthers @ Lightning
The Pick: TB -125
The best of the Atlantic are set to square off for the first time this season. After an opening night shellacking at the hands of the Penguins, the Lightning have responded nicely by dispatching the Red Wings and Capitals in order. The Panthers on the other hand are undefeated with wins over Pittsburgh and the Islanders. Vasilevskiy will be starting in the net for Tampa, but Kucherov is once again injured. The Panthers will be starting their No. 2 goalie, Spencer Knight. Even without Kucherov, the Lightning will be able to put the Panthers down and win the first battle of the Florida teams
Avalanche @ Capitals
The Pick: COL +100
The reason that Colorado is an underdog in this game is that they are missing superstar Nathan MacKinnon, as well as Gabriel Landeskog. However, there is reason to believe in Colorado still. They have plenty of depth and one of the best defenses in the NHL. On the other hand, the Capitals cruised past the Rangers but then took an overtime loss at the hands of the Lightning. I don't know man, I got this feeling that the Avalanche band together while MacKinnon is out and pull an upset or two. That upset will come in Washington on Tuesday night.
Jets @ Wild
The Pick: MIN -150
According to the first NHL power rankings of the season, the Wild are #1 (Yeah!). Now Minnesota will face a tough division foe for their home opener. The Jets have not had a good start to the season though, Hellebuyck has allowed four goals in both games and the offense has not done much. Talbot has been excellent for the Wild through two starts with only three total goals allowed and a .950 save percentage. The line is a bit large on the game, but I like the WIld to move to 3-0.
Wednesday:
Coastal Carolina @ Appalachian State
The Pick: CCU -4
Wow, a college football game on Wednesday that is bettable. Coastal Carolina (6-0) is the 14th ranked team in the nation and is traveling to Appalachian State (4-2). Coastal Carolina has rolled through the competition this year. Appalachian State is likely receiving some credit for the fact that they hung tough with Miami on the road. However, since then Miami has been discovered to be a fraud of a team and App. St. just got crushed by Louisiana. Go with Coastal Carolina here.
Rockets @ Timberwolves
The Pick: MIN -5.5
The Timberwolves kick off the season against the lowly Rockets. For a team that needs to show some fight this year, the Timberwolves are in no position to lose this game. Minnesota will have its core intact and ready to go at home against Houston. Take Minnesota and pray they don't implode (Because you know it's possible).
Nuggets @ Suns
The Pick: DEN +6
The Suns swept the Nuggets out of the playoffs last year. The Suns were just too hot at the time and the Nuggets stood no chance, but it's a new season and a clean slate. Nobody knows which teams will start with momentum and which teams will struggle out of the gate. I believe Phoenix will suffer from a Finals hangover and Denver will come out of the gate with some fire, eager to avenge the embarrassing playoff sweep.
Bruins @ Flyers
The Pick: PHI +103
I picked the Flyers to return to playoff contenders this season and this is a great game for Philadelphia to show they are ready to compete again. Boston (1-0-0) is coming into this game with a win over the Stars, while the Flyers (1-0-1) just dismantled the Kraken a few days prior after an opening shootout loss to the Canucks. The Flyers will win this game at home and hand the Bruins their first loss of the season.
