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2025 NFL: Early MVP Longshot Bets

by Sean Murphy

Saturday, May 17, 2025

With the 2025 NFL season approaching, it's an opportune time to explore some longshot candidates for the MVP award. While quarterbacks generally dominate this accolade, identifying under-the-radar players can potentially yield significant returns. Here are five quarterbacks with longer odds, in no particular order, who could make a surprising run for the MVP title this season.Odds courtesy Draft Kings. 1. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) +3500 Bo Nix enters his second NFL season after a promising rookie year with the Denver Broncos. He led the team to a 10-win season and a playoff berth, setting multiple franchise records along the way. Nix's familiarity with head coach Sean Payton's system and the potential for an improved supporting cast could position him as a dark horse MVP candidate. The Broncos have made strategic offseason moves to bolster their offense, aiming to support Nix's development. The addition of tight end Evan Engram provides a versatile weapon in the passing game, while there's speed-to-burn with returning receivers like Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele. Denver used second round draft capital on running back RJ Harvey and he represents an upgrade in the backfield, perhaps relieving some of the pressure on Nix. With these enhancements, Denver's offense is poised to be more dynamic, potentially elevating Nix's performance and MVP prospects. 2. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) +3500 Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford aims to recapture the form that led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in the 2021 season. With one of the league's strongest receiving corps and a rock-solid offensive line, Stafford has the tools to orchestrate a high-powered offense. A resurgence in performance could position him as a dark horse in the MVP race, even as he enters the twilight of his career. The Rams have focused on strengthening their offensive line to protect Stafford, re-signing guards Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson. Additionally, the acquisition of wide receiver DaVante Adams and tight end Terrance Ferguson will compliment Puka Nacua in the passing game, enhancing the Rams' offensive versatility and likely boosting Stafford's numbers. 3. Drake Maye (New England Patriots) +4500 Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, showed flashes of potential during his rookie season with the New England Patriots. After taking over as the starting quarterback, Maye demonstrated his ability to lead the offense and by all accounts is ready to make the jump to 'household name' status in 2025. The Patriots have made significant offseason moves to support Maye's development. The acquisition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs provides a proven playmaker, while the additions of offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury aim to bolster pass protection. With these enhancements and the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Maye is well-positioned to take a significant step forward in his second season. 4. Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders) +15000 The biggest longshot on our list, Geno Smith's move to the Las Vegas Raiders presents a fresh start for the seasoned quarterback. After a commendable stint with the Seattle Seahawks, Smith brings experience and poise to the Raiders' offense. The Raiders have undergone significant changes, hiring Pete Carroll as head coach and Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator while also adding game-breaking running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft. These changes, along with the addition of offensive lineman Alex Cappa and wide receiver Jack Bech, aim to revitalize the Raiders' offense. If Smith can effectively integrate into this new system and lead the team to success, he could emerge as a surprising MVP contender. 5. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) +3000 Brock Purdy enters the 2025 season looking to rebound after a challenging 2024 campaign. With a year of experience under his belt and a favorable schedule ahead, Purdy has the opportunity to lead the 49ers back to playoff contention. The 49ers have the easiest strength of schedule in the league, with opponents having a combined .415 winning percentage in 2024. This favorable schedule, coupled with a healthy roster and a strong supporting cast, positions Purdy to potentially elevate his performance and re-enter the MVP conversation.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL and MLB Previews and Odds - 05/17/2025

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, May 17, 2025

The Saturday sports card features NHL and MLB action. The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes headlines the sporting events of the day. The second leg of the Triple Crown is the 13th race at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, with a start time of 7:01 p.m. ET. The National Hockey League playoffs continue with one game on ABC on its slate. The Dallas Stars host the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal series at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Jets evened this best-of-seven series at 3-3 with their 4-0 victory at home against the Stars on Thursday. Dallas is a -155 money-line favorite with the total set at 5.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Major League Baseball has 15 games on its schedule. The New York Yankees play at home against the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m. ET. The Yankees send out Clarke Schmidt to pitch against the Mets’ Griffin Canning. The Yankees are a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The Chicago Cubs are home against the Chicago White Sox at 2:20 p.m. ET. Matthew Boyd takes the ball for the Cubs to take on Sean Burke for the White Sox. The Cubs are a -278 money-line favorite. The Detroit Tigers travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays at 3:07 p.m. ET. The Tigers tap Reece Olson to battle against a Blue Jays’ starting pitcher yet to be named. The Baltimore Orioles host the Washington Nationals on FS1 at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Orioles send out Kyle Gibson to challenge the Nationals’ Jake Irvin. Baltimore is a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 10. The Tampa Bay Rays travel to Miami to take on the Marlins at 4:05 p.m. ET. Drew Rasmussen takes the ball for the Rays to challenge Sandy Alcantara for the Marlins. Tampa Bay is a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The Philadelphia Phillies play at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:05 p.m. ET. The Phillies send out Zack Wheeler to pitch against the Pirates’ Carmen Mlodzinski. Philadelphia is a -290 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Cleveland Guardians play in Cincinnati against the Reds at 6:40 p.m. ET. Slade Cecconi takes the mound for the Guardians to take on Brent Suter for the Reds. Cleveland is a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 10.  The Texas Rangers are home against the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Rangers turn to Tyler Mahle to pitch against the Astros’ Ronel Blanco. Texas is a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Kansas City Royals host the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:10 p.m. ET. Noah Cameron gets the assignment for the Royals to go against Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals. Kansas City is a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Two MLB games are featured on Fox’s regional television coverage at 7:15 p.m. ET. Boston plays at home against Atlanta with the Red Sox tapping Lucas Giolito to pitch against the Braves’ Grant Holmes. The Red Sox are a -122 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Minnesota is in Milwaukee with Pablo Lopez taking the mound for the Twins to battle Tobias Myers for the Brewers. The Twins are a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5.The Arizona Diamondbacks are home against the Colorado Rockies at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Diamondbacks turn to Zac Gallen to face the Rockies’ German Marquez. Arizona is a -340 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The San Diego Padres host the Seattle Mariners at 8:40 p.m. ET. Nick Pivetta gets the ball for the Padres to challenge Emerson Hancock for the Mariners. San Diego is a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The San Francisco Giants play at home against the Athletics at 9:05 p.m. ET. The Giants turn to Landen Roupp to battle the Athletics’ Luis Severino. San Francisco is a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Los Angeles Angels at 9:10 p.m. ET. Clayton Kershaw pitches for the Dodgers against Tyler Anderson for the Angels. The Dodgers are a -245 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and EPL Previews and Odds - 05/16/2025

by Big Al Staff

Friday, May 16, 2025

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, MLB, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association continues its playoff season with one game on ESPN. The New York Knicks host the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Knicks are a 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 210 (all odds from DraftKings).The National Hockey League playoffs continue with one game on TNT/truTV/Max on its slate. The Florida Panthers play at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Panthers are a -245 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Major League Baseball has 15 games on its schedule. The Chicago Cubs are home against the Chicago White Sox at 2:20 p.m. ET as a -230 money-line favorite. The Cleveland Guardians travel to Cincinnati to play the Reds at 6:40 p.m. ET as a -122 money-line road favorite with a total of 9. The Philadelphia Phillies host the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:45 p.m. ET as a -230 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Two MLB games throw out the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. ET. The New York Yankees play at home against the New York Mets as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Baltimore Orioles are home against the Washington Nationals as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Detroit Tigers play in Toronto against the Blue Jays at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -130 money-line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Two MLB games start at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Boston Red Sox host the Atlanta Braves as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Tampa Bay Rays are in Miami to face the Marlins. The Kansas City Royals play at home against the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Texas Rangers are home against the Houston Astros on Apple TV+ at 8:05 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Minnesota Twins visit the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Two more MLB games begin at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Colorado Rockies as a -395 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The San Diego Padres play at home against the Seattle Mariners on Apple TV+ as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Los Angeles Angels at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -298 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The San Francisco Giants host the Athletics at 10:15 p.m. ET as a -180 money-line favorite with a total of 7.Matchweek 37 in the English Premier League begins with two matches. Aston Villa plays at home against Tottenham on the USA Network at 2:30 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Chelsea is home against Manchester United at 3:15 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. 

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2025 NFL Schedules - 5 Most Difficult

by ASA, Inc.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Our NFL Strength of Schedule rankings take a number of factors into account with the most prevalent being opponents’ projected 2025 win totals per the oddsmakers.  We also consider opponents’ 2024 record, travel, schedule situations, among many other factors.  You’ll see a common theme and that is the NFC North schedules are all very tough.  Green Bay is the only team in the division that doesn’t land in our top 5 for SOS, but they are in the top 10.  Below is a quick overview of the 5 teams we feel have the most difficult schedules for the upcoming season.   1. New York GiantsThe Giants face the NFL’s toughest schedule according to our projections which is surprising for a team that won only 3 games last season.  Normally we’d expect an easy slate the following year for a team like the NYG but that’s not the case.  Their opponents had nearly a 58% winning percentage from last season and 12 of their 17 opponents this season are projected to win more than 8 games.  They face 4 teams that are favored to win their respective divisions including Kansas City, San Francisco, Detroit, and Philadelphia (twice).  It’s going to be tough for the Giants to get off to a good start this season with five of their first eight games on the road and their home games during that stretch are vs KC, Philadelphia, and the LA Chargers.  The Giants win total is set at 5.5 which is the lowest in the NFL along with Cleveland, Tennessee and the NY Jets.    2. Chicago BearsThe average win total for Chicago’s opponents this year is nearly 9 (8.8 to be exact).  Those teams had a win percentage of 57% in 2024.  The NFC North projects to be very difficult which adds to the over SOS for the Bears.  In fact, all 4 teams in the division are projected to win more than 8 games.  The Bears better win their home games this season because their road slate is brutal.  Every team they play on the road this season but one (Las Vegas Raiders) has their win total set at 8.5 or higher with 4 of those opponents projected to have double digit wins (Lions, 49ers, Eagles, and Ravens).  They only have 1 home game between September 28th and November 2nd with 4 road tilts during that stretch.  They do have a bye in that tough 5 game run which will help.   3. Detroit LionsThe Lions start on the road in 4 of the first 6 weeks of the season and those games are all very tough @ Green Bay, @ Baltimore, @ Cincinnati, and @ KC.  They also close out the season with 3 of their final 4 games on the road.  Detroit had the benefit of 9 home games last season but this year they will play 9 on the road.  Similar to the Bears, Detroit’s road slate is extremely challenging as every opponent had a winning record last year with the exception of Chicago.  The overall 2024 record for Detroit’s road opponents this year was 102-51.  They also play 3 Thursday games add to the difficulty of their 2025 schedule.     4. Philadelphia EaglesThe Super Bowl Champs were rewarded with a very tough schedule in 2025.  11 of their 17 opponents are projected to win more than 8 games and the 2024 winning percentage of their opponents this year was 56%.  This team will have a target on their backs this season and they face 11 games vs teams that made the playoffs last year.  The Eagles bye isn’t ideal in our opinion as it comes very late in the season (week 14).  They only make 1 trip to the west coast (@ LA Chargers) which is good but they play 6 “non-Sunday” games which can be challenging.  Their toughest stretch is late in the season spanning the month of December when they are @ Chargers, @ Commanders, and @ Bills sandwiched around a home game vs the Raiders.     5. Minnesota VikingsSurprise, surprise!  Another NFC North team with a very difficult SOS.  Again, much of the difficulty can be attributed to the division where every team is projected to win more than 8 games.  The Vikes bye week comes early as well and following their week off they’ll have to play 12 consecutive weeks.  Every team in the division has 9 road games (only 8 home games) which also adds to the demanding schedules for the NFC North.  12 of their 17 opponents are projected to win 8+ games.  From late November through late December, Minnesota has one of the tougher “situational” schedule stretch with 4 road games in 5 weeks with their lone home game during that run vs Washington, which is no piece of cake.

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2025 NFL Schedule: Favorable and Unfavorable

by Sean Murphy

Thursday, May 15, 2025

The 2025 NFL schedule has been finalized and here are three teams that have drawn favorable and unfavorable slates over the course of the upcoming 17-game season.Favorable matchups 1. New England Patriots Under the leadership of new head coach Mike Vrabel and with an offense guided by star-in-the-making quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots are by all accounts poised for a promising season. They benefit from the NFL's third-easiest strength of schedule, with opponents holding a combined .429 win percentage from the 2024 campaign. Additionally, 12 of their 17 games are slated for the 1:00 p.m. ET slot, allowing for consistent routines and minimal disruptions.  The Patriots' schedule also includes only three primetime games, reducing the strain of late night travel and preparation. A late season bye provides a beneficial rest period before a challenging final stretch, potentially bolstering their playoff aspirations should things break right in Foxborough during the Fall.2. New Orleans Saints While not expected to make a lot of noise this season, the Saints enter the campaign with the league's second-easiest schedule, facing only three teams that made the playoffs in 2024. This favorable lineup of opponents offers a solid foundation for a successful campaign, even in the face of talent deficiencies on the field. While they do have some long distance road games, including trips to Los Angeles and Seattle, the overall light strength of schedule and limited exposure to cold weather games enhance their prospects. Scheduling of these potentially challenging games earlier in the season could further mitigate difficulties with health not as big of a concern.3. San Francisco 49ers Despite a disappointing 6-11 finish last season, the 49ers are set to appear in five primetime games in 2025. Notably, four of these matchups are against teams from the Eastern or Central time zones, potentially giving the West Coast-based 49ers somewhat of an advantage during late kickoffs.  Avoiding international games this season allows the team to maintain a reasonably consistent travel schedule, which could contribute to improved performance and recovery times throughout the season. If any team could use a break on the injury-front, it's the Niners.Unfavorable Matchups 1. Kansas City Chiefs The high-profile Chiefs face a demanding schedule, highlighted by their participation in both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day games, making them the first team since 2016 to do so. They also open the season in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Los Angeles Chargers, introducing significant travel and potential acclimatization challenges right out of the gate. These marquee games, while showcasing the team's prominence, could lead to increased fatigue and limited recovery time, potentially impacting performance as the season progresses.2. New York Giants The Giants' season begins with consecutive road games against NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys. Historically, the Giants have struggled in these matchups, including an eight-game losing streak at AT&T Stadium. Following these challenging openers, the Giants host the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, both formidable opponents. This grueling start could set a difficult tone for the remainder of the season for a team that already has its share of challenges.3. Los Angeles Chargers The Chargers' schedule is front-loaded with challenges, including an opening game in Brazil against the Chiefs. They face a potentially brutal December stretch with games against the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans, and Broncos, all of whom are playoff contenders. Additionally, the Chargers have a Week 12 bye, meaning they must navigate 11 consecutive games before receiving a rest week. This extended period without a break could lead to increased fatigue and a higher risk of injuries over the course of the season.

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13 Things To Watch As The WNBA Prepares For Opening Tip

by Vegas Writer

Thursday, May 15, 2025

The WNBA season begins Friday night, and the 2025 campaign will surely bring compelling storylines across the league.Nearly every team has made significant changes during free agency, there is another exciting rookie class, and the first of three expansion teams joining the league will debut as the Golden State Valkyries open play on opening night.I'm excited to defend my own WNBA title, as I finished No. 1 last season with a 51-37-1 mark for $10,380 net profit. Now's the time for you to get on board for a long-term subscription so you don't miss one play.With a lot to consider with all 13 teams, here's a playoff prediction for each team before the season begins:ATLANTA DreamFirst-year coach Karl Smesko may have shocked plenty by waiving Haley Jones, but those who know what he did at Florida Gulf Coast understand he likes to run high-paced games laced with 3-point shooters. The addition of Brittney Griner will help in the paint with offensive boards, but this season goes as Allisha Gray goes. Gray could challenge for the MVP award this season.CHICAGO SkyThe additions of veterans Courtney Vandersloot and Kia Nurse will be the reasons Tyler Marsh will have a productive campaign. Their calming presence and voice in the locker room will help keep Angel Reese grounded. But the player who could have an All-Star campaign is Kamilla Cardoso. With many eyes on Reese this season, and opposing teams hoping to stop her on the offensive boards, Cardoso will take advantage of the diversion and benefit in the paint.CONNECTICUT SunThe heart and soul of a team that made it to the WNBA Finals three years ago is gone. Courtney Williams and Jonquel Jones have been gone, but now the team has lost Alyssa Thomas to Phoenix, and DeWanna Bonner and coach Stephanie White to Indiana. How this team responds remains to be seen, but it could find itself out of the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The player to watch is the offseason acquisition is Jacy Sheldon, who will emerge as the Sun's star.DALLAS WingsI'm convinced the Wings will have a better season than last year since they battled injuries throughout 2024. Adding No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers didn't hurt, and having Arike Ogunbowale means this offense will be dangerous. The problem might be having a defensive wizard in Chris Koclanes as coach. I'm curious if this season turns into a bust while he tries to figure out how to blend all this talent at both ends of the court.GOLDEN STATE ValkyriesCoach Natalie Nakase's name is being dragged through the mud with her preseason cuts, many wondering if she knows what she's doing. Coming from the Becky Hammon coaching tree, though, Nakase's assessment of talent is better than people think. There will be an adjustment period, no doubt, but don't expect this team to do much tanking, as it will hang around long enough to put a scare into the final playoff spot.INDIANA FeverThe pressure is on in Indianapolis, now that White is in charge of a team that made the offseason investments to surround Caitlin Clark with enforcers who will stand up to anyone who tries to push her around. Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson were brought in, and many believe a legendary campaign is upon us. But will it be a championship-worthy season? Don't blow your money on any future championship bets just yet.LAS VEGAS AcesA'ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray are determined to bring a championship to Las Vegas for a third time in four years. The talk out of camp is that the mindset is much different than last year, when everyone was loose and distracted by success. Now, it's back to business with the Aces feeling the sting of being eliminated from the 2024 playoffs - and dethroned - on their homecourt to eventual champion New York. The Aces appear ready for a return to the Finals.LOS ANGELES SparksThe biggest question is who will have the biggest impact on this season for the Sparks. Cameron Brink is healthy, Rae Burrell is coming off an impressive offseason, Dearica Hamby is always resilient and Rickea Jackson is poised for greatness. But it was the offseason acquisition of Kelsey Plum that will prove to be the moneymaker. Out of Wilson's shadow in Vegas, look for Plum to lead L.A. to the postseason.MINNESOTA LynxThis year's Lynx is last year's Liberty, who were hungry after losing in the WNBA Finals the previous year. But a bigger chip on Minnesota's shoulder is how the Liberty beat them in overtime of Game 5. Breanna Stewart's phantom foul call - rather than a travel call - helped the Liberty top the Lynx, and the sting remains. Minnesota's gritty lineup also remembers commissioner Cathy Engelbert's Statue of Liberty-themed Game 5 fit. The Lynx will be a threat once again.NEW YORK LibertyUntil this team is dethroned, it's the favorite to win the WNBA title. With all the Aces, Fever and Lynx are bringing into the season, the Liberty are still the best choice to win this year with most of last year's team intact, outside of Vandersloot's departure. Natasha Cloud joins the team, bringing the Liberty a defensive stalwart. The Liberty has endured a few injuries, but this is one of the best teams in franchise history.PHOENIX MercuryI'm not buying into much with this team, and actually feel bad for Alyssa Thomas, who is now in town. There is a promising roster in place with Thomas and Satou Sabally joining Kahleah Copper, but from there, I don't know if coach Nate Tibbetts has a playoff-caliber supporting cast. It will take a relatively injury-free season for the Mercury to get to the postseason.SEATTLE StormThe Storm is the team to watch this season. Coach Noelle Quinn survived bullying allegations and might have gotten rid of the toxic components that plagued last year's team. It's a new look with the biggest names from the championship years now gone. Veterans Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins are back and are joined by fellow veteran Alysha Clark. Strong guard additions of Lexie Brown and Erica Wheeler will bolster the offense, while Gabby Williams will strengthen the defense. Expect the Storm to reign this season.WASHINGTON MysticsAs much as I'd like to think good things into reality for the Mystics, I'm afraid this will be another long season. Preseason injuries have already taken this team out of contention before the season has tipped off. The Mystics might win a few games here and there, the problem is their chemistry, or lack thereof, will plague them against the better and improved teams, which there are more of this season.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 05/15/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, May 15, 2025

The Thursday sports card features NBA, NHL, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association continues its playoff season with one game on ESPN. The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Denver to play the Nuggets in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series at 8:40 p.m. ET. The Thunder took a 3-2 series lead with a 112-105 victory at home against the Nuggets as a 10-point favorite on Tuesday. Oklahoma City is a 5-point road favorite with the total set at 216.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The National Hockey League playoffs continue with two games on TNT/truTV/Max on its slate. The Carolina Hurricanes play in Washington against the Capitals in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes took a 3-1 series lead with a 5-2 victory at home against the Capitals on Tuesday. Carolina is a -175 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The Winnipeg Jets host the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Stars took a 3-1 series lead with a 3-1 victory at home against the Jets on Tuesday. Winnipeg is a -118 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Major League Baseball has six games on its schedule. The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals at 12:15 p.m. ET. The Nationals ended a seven-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory on the road against the Braves on Wednesday. Atlanta had won two games in a row before that loss. The Braves send out A.J. Smith-Shawver to pitch against the Nationals’ Trevor Williams. Atlanta is a -218 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Baltimore Orioles play at home against the Minnesota Twins at 12:35 p.m. ET. The Twins continued their 11-game winning streak with an 8-6 victory on the road against the Orioles yesterday. Baltimore has lost three games in a row. Tomoyuki Sugano takes the ball for the Orioles to face Chris Paddack for Minnesota. Baltimore is a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.The Cincinnati Reds are home against the Chicago White Sox at 12:40 p.m. ET. The White Sox have won four games in a row after a 4-2 victory on the road against the Reds on Wednesday. Cincinnati has lost four games in a row. The Reds tap Nick Martinez to battle against the White Sox’s Bryse Wilson. Cincinnati is a -218 money-line favorite with a total of 9.5. The Toronto Blue Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays at 3:07 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays won for the sixth time in their last seven games with a 3-1 victory at home against the Rays yesterday. Tampa Bay has lost three of their last four games. Kevin Gausman takes the mound for Toronto to challenge Zack Littell for the Rays. The Blue Jays are a -166 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Texas Rangers play at home against the Houston Astros at 8:05 p.m. ET. The Rangers are on a six-game winning streak after an 8-3 victory against Colorado on Wednesday. The Astros won for the fourth time in their last five games with a 4-3 victory against Kansas City yesterday. Texas turns to Jacob deGrom to face Houston’s Hunter Brown. The Rangers are a -122 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Athletics at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers won for the second time in their last three games with a 9-3 victory in the second game of this series last night. The Athletics have lost five of their last seven games. Ben Casparius gets the ball for Los Angeles to take on Osvaldo Bido for the Athletics. The Dodgers are a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NHL and NBA Previews and Odds - 05/14/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association continues its playoff season with two games on TNT/truTV/Max. The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Celtics are a 4.5-point favorite with the total set at 207.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Minnesota Timberwolves play at home against the Golden State Warriors in the fifth game of their Western Conference semifinal series at 9:35 p.m. ET. The Timberwolves are an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 203.5.The National Hockey League playoffs continue with two games on ESPN on its slate. The Florida Panthers travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Panthers are a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home against the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth game of their Western Conference semifinal series at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Golden Knights are a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Major League Baseball has 17 games on its schedule. The Baltimore Orioles host the Minnesota Twins in the opening game of their doubleheader at 12:05 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Philadelphia Phillies play at home against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of their doubleheader at 1:05 p.m. ET as a -175 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Cleveland Guardians are home against the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:10 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Twins are on the road against the Orioles in the second game of their doubleheader at 3:35 p.m. ET with both teams priced as a -110 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Arizona Diamondbacks play in San Francisco against the Giants at 3:45 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 8. The New York Yankees are in Seattle to take on the Mariners at 4:10 p.m. ET as a -115 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8. The Phillies host the Cardinals in the second game of their doubleheader at 6:15 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Detroit Tigers play at home against the Boston Red Sox at 6:40 p.m. ET as a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Toronto Blue Jays are home against the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The New York Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -265 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Cincinnati Reds play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 7:14 p.m. ET as a -225 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Atlanta Braves are home against the Washington Nationals at 7:15 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Chicago Cubs host the Miami Marlins at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -225 money-line favorite. The Texas Rangers play at home against the Colorado Rockies at 8:05 p.m. ET as a -258 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Houston Astros are home against the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The San Diego Padres host the Los Angeles Angels at 9:40 p.m. ET as a -192 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at home against the Athletics at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -270 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5.  

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2025 Preakness Stakes Preview

by Al McMordie

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

As seems to be the pattern recently, there will be no Triple Crown winner this year because the Derby winner (Sovereignty) will be skipping the second jewel and pointing towards the Belmont Stakes in three weeks.  This latest defection has once again fueled the debate over whether the spacing of the three races (two weeks between Derby and Preakness, followed by three weeks after that for the Belmont) should be changed.  It's likely nothing will happen but it seems everyone has an opinion when the Derby winner sits this one out.    The other thing notable about this year's Preakness is that it's the 150th running and the last one which will be held at the current structure we call Pimlico.  The State of Maryland approved the demolition of the facility to make way for an entirely new structure, so in 2026 (and potentially 2027), the Preakness will be held at Laurel Race Track about 25 miles to the south.  All that being said, the race drew nine entrants and we will preview five of the major players, here. #2 Journalism (8-5 morning line) - The Mike McCarthy-trained son of Curlin will be a deserving favorite in the starting gate come Saturday.  He really did nothing wrong in besting 17 other horses while finishing 2nd to Sovereignty in the Derby.  The winner decided to skip this second leg of the Crown.  But McCarthy — who has as much success shipping horses from California as any trainer — deemed Journalism ready to go.  Regular rider Umberto Rispoli will be aboard and his odds will likely be no better than 7-5.  But Journalism could make that price look like easy money.   #1 Goal Oriented (6-1) - “New shooters”, as they’re often referred to, are horses who come into the Preakness not having run in the Derby.  And these types have a very good record in the second leg of the Triple Crown.  In fact, the last 5 winners have all been new shooters.  But Goal Oriented has one main problem and that problem is fair odds.  Trained by anyone other than Bob Baffert (who has a record 8 Preakness wins) this son of Not This Time would be at least 10-1 coming off of just a maiden win followed by a first allowance victory in the mud on the Derby undercard.  But because Baffert is his trainer (and Flavien Prat is his jockey), you’ll be lucky to get 5-1 and this is a much tougher test than anything he's tried previously.   #7 Sandman (4-1): As one of three Derby horses entered in the race (Journalism and American Promise being the other two) this Mark Casse-trained son of Tapit offers a better-priced alternative to the favorite.  But he ran a clunker in the run for the roses, finishing 7th, and has only had the two weeks to recover.   One has to wonder how much his entry here is due to the ownership group -- which includes popular partnership West Point Thoroughbreds and a major TikTok influencer -- forcing Casse’s hand.  There's enough early speed in the race to favor Sandman's late running style, but the jockey switch from Jose Ortiz to John Velazquez is not a good sign if you're rooting for this one.   #3 American Promise (15-1): "The Coach” D. Wayne Lukas is arguably the greatest thoroughbred trainer in history and he’s still going strong at age 89.  Just about everyone involved in the sport was thrilled when Lukas won last year’s Preakness with lightly-regarded Seize the Grey.  That win put Lukas one Preakness victory behind Baffert for the all-time record.  Can he reach the pinnacle with this son of (Triple Crown Winner) Justify?  Seize the Grey had a ton of early speed which was a perfect setup for him a year ago.  That’s not the case with American Promise and this year’s mountain would appear much harder to climb, especially given Lukas’ horse just ran two weeks ago in the Derby.  But bet against the Coach at your own risk.   #8 Clever Again (5-1): Another new shooter, but this one comes from the barn of the all-time leading trainer (in terms of wins) in North America.  Steven Asmussen might be something like 0-37 in the Derby, but he's won this race twice (2007 and 2009), and this year he has a son of Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who has turned a lot of heads in his two victories.  Like Goal Oriented, he's very lightly raced.  But unlike Baffert's horse, after Clever Again broke his maiden, he won a stakes race at Oaklawn in his next start, and did it impressively.  Jockey Jose Ortiz chose this one over his Derby mount Sandman so that's saying something.Good luck, as always...Al McMordie

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and MLB Previews and Odds - 05/13/2025

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

The Tuesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association continues its playoff season with two games on TNT/truTV/Max. The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Trailing in the series by a 3-1 margin, the Cavaliers are a 7.5-point favorite with the total set at 229 (all odds from DraftKings). The Oklahoma City Thunder play at home against the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series tied at 2-2. The Thunder are a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 221.The National Hockey League playoffs continue with one game. The Dallas Stars are home against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinals series on ESPN at 8:10 p.m. ET. With a 2-1 series lead, the Stars are a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5.Major League Baseball has 15 games on its schedule. The Cleveland Guardians host the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:10 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Baltimore Orioles play at home against the Minnesota Twins at 6:35 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 9. Two more MLB games throw out the first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Boston Red Sox travel to Detroit to face the Tigers on TBS. The Cincinnati Reds are home against the Chicago White Sox as a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. The Philadelphia Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals at 6:45 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Toronto Blue Jays play at home against the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Mets are home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -250 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals at 7:15 p.m. ET as a -230 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Chicago Cubs play at home against the Miami Marlins at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -250 money-line favorite. The Texas Rangers are home against the Colorado Rockies at 8:05 p.m. ET as a -230 money-line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Two MLB games start at 9:40 p.m. ET. The New York Yankees travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 7. The San Diego Padres play at home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The Arizona Diamondbacks play in San Francisco against the Giants at 9:45 p.m. ET as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Athletics at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -201 money-line favorite at BetOnline with an over/under of 9.5. 

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PGA Championship Preview and Best Bets

by Matt Fargo

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Sepp Straka held off Shane Lowry and Justin Thomas as the latter two had late collapses allowing Straka to capture the Truist Championship, his second PGA Tour title of the season. The sixth signature event is in the books and we move on to the second major of the season with the PGA Championship coming from Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. We normally would have seen Quail Hollow last week playing host to the Truist Championship but we now get it one week later under more difficult conditions and higher stakes. It last hosted the PGA Championship in 2017 but that was when it was annually contested in August. Quail Hollow is a par 71 that is being stretched to 7,626 yards this week and will reward the long hitters with Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, and Max Homa being recent winners of the then Wells Fargo Championship. The time change is significant because of the turf as the Bermuda layout will be overseeded with Poa on the greens and Ryegrass on the fairways and rough and this is only the second PGA Championship to be held on overseeded turf. Fairways are narrow so accuracy is also important making Strokes Gained: Off-The-Tee an important statistical category. The course features the toughest three-hole closing stretch in the normal rotation known as The Green Mile. The winning score here in 2017 was -8 from Justin Thomas but again, that was in August with much firmer conditions. We are going to see much softer conditions based on the late spring climate and the course is getting crushed with rain on Monday and into Tuesday. We have seen an average score of just around -14 over the last 10 years and with the course likely being slightly tricked up, we should see a winning score slightly lower than that. In addition to the narrow fairways, there are 61 bunkers throughout that offer protection while seven holes have water in play including those final three. The greens are above average in size but are ranked sixth in GIR and will be extremely fast. Xander Schauffele looks to defend his championship after winning wire-to-wire but needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to avoid a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau to capture his first major and his first of two last year. It was not a typical major with the winning score -21 but it brought every ounce of excitement as eight players were within three strokes entering Sunday and we will see a much tougher test this week. Only seven players have hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy in back-to-back years so history is not on his side but Schauffele has finished runner-up here twice which came in 2023 and 2024. The field of 156 is the strongest and deepest we have seen in 2025 with 99 of the top 100 in the OWGR teeing it up. Top 70 and ties make the cut which is slightly above the normal top 65 and ties at most events. The increase is even more beneficial to players considering 20 of the 156 are club professionals and they very rarely make the cut so the percentage of making the cut this week is +/- 50 percent compared to the typical +/- 41 percent. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite at +425 followed closely by Rory McIlroy at +500 while the remaining chalk under +3000 are Bryson Dechambeau (+950), Jon Rahm (+1800), Schauffele (+2200), Justin Thomas (+2200), Colin Morikawa (+2500) and Ludvig Aberg (+2800). Top four key categories this week in order: Driving DistanceStrokes Gained: Off-The-TeeStrokes Gained: ApproachProximity Gained 200+ Yards Each bet is Win/Top Five/Top Ten. The typical recommendation is 50%/25%/25% with odds, payouts and results based on a $1000 unit (easy round number for bookkeeping) on each of the following players. The payouts are listed right below the odds which are all from DraftKings: Justin ThomasOdds: Win 2,200 ~ Top Five 360 ~ Top Ten 170Payout: Win 11,000.00 ~ Top Five 900.00 ~ Top Ten 425.00 Thomas is trending at the right time. In his last two starts, he has a win at the RBC Heritage and a T2 in at the Truist Championship last week and these come after a pair of runner-ups and another pair of top tens in his first eight starts. He is ranked ninth in SG: Tee-To-Green and seventh in SG: Approach and right now his issue is with the driver and even that is not too bad. The main reason for his success this season is on the greens as he has gained strokes putting in nine of 11 starts and is ranked No. 23 in SG: Putting after coming in at No. 124 last season. And of course he won his first major here in 2017 and has a pair of top 20s at Quail Hollow since then. Ludvig AbergOdds: Win 2,800 ~ Top Five 400 ~ Top Ten 200Payout: Win 14,000.00 ~ Top Five 1,000.00 ~ Top Ten 500.00 Two things of concern for Aberg is that first, he has not played well of late with a pair of missed cuts and a T54 and T60 over his last five starts and second, he has never played Quail Hollow. In regards to his recent form, the outlier is a T7 at The Masters so that is a big plus and as far as not playing here, his driver is good enough to not even make it a concern. He is ranked No. 10 in SG: Off-The-Tee and the only time he was in the negative was at Pebble Beach when he had to WD because of the flu. The putter has been the other concern but he has a win and another pair of top sevens when he was barely in the positive in strokes gained so if the flat stick gets going, he will be right there Sunday. Wyndham ClarkOdds: Win 9,000 ~ Top Five 1,400 ~ Top Ten 600Payout: Win 45,000.00 ~ Top Five 3,500.00 ~ Top Ten 1,500.00 The recent results are not there for Clark but they have not been horrible and his game is ideal for this venue. His approach game has let him down the most this season but he is ranked ninth over the last two years in GIR on long courses and the long iron play will be important here. He is one of the longest drivers on tour so he can tame a course like this and we have seen it once already as he won at Quail Hollow in 2023. Clark is a major winner so he knows what it takes and when his putter gets hot, he sometimes looks unbeatable and his best finish this season, a T5 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he was +1.06 in SG: Putting as the rest of his game was already in place. Taylor PendrithOdds: Win 15,000 ~ Top Five 2,000 ~ Top Ten 850Payout: Win 75,000.00 ~ Top Five 5,000.00 ~ Top Ten 2,125.00 Pendrith has the game to compete here with his length off the tee and he proved that last year with a T10 at the Wells Fargo, the week right after his first PGA Tour win at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. He is ranked fifth in SG: Off-The-Tee so he will let it fly and put himself in position with an above average approach game where he has gained strokes in nine of 13 starts. It will come down to putting and there is good news in that regard. He has gained strokes putting in three of his last six starts which may not be saying much but he did so only once in his first seven starts and that one positive was a miniscule +0.14. Niklas NorgaardOdds: Win 25,000 ~ Top Five 3,000 ~ Top Ten 1,200Payout: Win 125,000.00 ~ Top Five 7,500.00 ~ Top Ten 3,000.00 Norgaard is the massive longshot we are backing as he is being overlooked and for good reason as after a decent run in February and March, he missed four straight cuts but has responded with a T33 at the Byron Nelson and then a T5 last week at the Myrtle Beach Classic. His short game and putting have made the difference of late and couple that with being the second longest driver of the ball on tour, he could be a big surprise to hang around. He possesses a win on the DP World Tour in a strong field at the Betfred British Masters and while a win here is unlikely, we love the form and odds where anything can happen and can still sneak onto the first page. Results through The Truist Championship (13 Tournaments): Win: -11,000Top Five: -125Top Ten: -825Top 20 Masters: -90

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and MLB Previews and Odds - 05/12/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, May 12, 2025

The Monday sports card features NBA, NHL, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association continues its playoff season with two games on ESPN. The Boston Celtics travel to New York to take on the Knicks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 7:35 p.m. ET. The Celtics are a 6.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 208.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise).The Minnesota Timberwolves play at Golden State against the Warriors in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series at 10:05 p.m. ET. The Timberwolves are a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 199.5.The National Hockey League playoffs continue with a doubleheader on TNT/truTV/Max on its slate. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes are a -238 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers play at home against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Oilers are a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Major League Baseball has 11 games on its schedule. The Milwaukee Brewers are in Cleveland to face the Guardians at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Brewers tap Freddy Peralta to pitch against the Guardians’ Ben Lively. Milwaukee is a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 8. The Detroit Tigers are home against the Boston Red Sox at 6:40 p.m. ET. Jackson Jobe takes the ball for the Tigers to go against Tanner Houck for the Red Sox. Detroit is a -115 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Philadelphia Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals at 6:45 p.m. ET. The Phillies send out a starting pitcher yet to be named to battle the Cardinals’ Matthew Liberatore. Philadelphia is a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The New York Mets play at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:10 p.m. ET. David Peterson takes the mound for the Mets to challenge Paul Skenes for the Pirates. New York is a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Atlanta Braves are home against the Washington Nationals at 7:15 p.m. ET. The Braves turn to Grant Holmes to pitch against the Nationals’ Jake Irvin. Atlanta is a -175 money-line favorite with a total of 9. The Chicago Cubs host the Miami Marlins at 7:40 p.m. ET. Colin Rea gets the ball for the Cubs to take on Cal Quantrill for the Marlins. Chicago is a -245 money-line favorite. The Texas Rangers play at home against the Colorado Rockies at 8:05 p.m. ET. The Rangers send out Tyler Mahle to face the Rockies’ Chase Hollander. Texas is a -285 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Houston Astros are home against the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Astros have yet to name their starting pitcher who will challenge Michael Wacha for the Royals. Houston is a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 8.Two MLB games throw out the first pitch at 9:40 p.m. ET. San Diego hosts Los Angeles, with the Padres tapping Michael King to pitch against the Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi. The Padres are a -225 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. New York visits Seattle with the Yankees yet to determine their starting pitcher to take on Emerson Hancock for the Mariners. The Yankees are a -135 money-line road favorite at BetMGM with a total of 8.5. The San Francisco Giants play at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks on FS1 at 9:45 p.m. ET. The Giants turn to Justin Verlander to pitch against the Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly. San Francisco is a -115 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.

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