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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 09/23/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Sep 23, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and the WNBA.Week 3 of the NFL regular kicks off with Carolina visiting Houston on the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Panthers improved to 2-0 with their 26-7 upset victory against New Orleans as a 3-point home underdog on Sunday. The Texans dropped to 1-1 after a 31-21 loss at Cleveland as a 13.5-point underdog last week. Carolina is an 8-point road favorite with the total set at 43 (all odds from DraftKings). The fourth week of the college football season begins with Appalachian State hosting Marshall on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Mountaineers improved their record to 2-1 with a 44-18 victory against Elon University as a 35.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Thundering Herd got upset last week, 42-38, at home against East Carolina as an 11.5-point favorite. Appalachian State is a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 59.5.Twelve games are on the MLB docket. Six games begin in the afternoon. The Chicago White Sox play at Cleveland at 1:10 PM ET in the first game of their seven-inning doubleheader after their game on Wednesday got postponed because of rain. The White Sox pitch Reynaldo Lopez against the Indians’ Aaron Civale. Milwaukee plays at home against St. Louis at 2:10 in the fourth game of their four-game series. Adrian Houser pitches for the Brewers against Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals. Milwaukee is a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at Colorado at 3:10 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The Dodgers pitch Max Scherzer against the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland. Los Angeles is a -255 money line road favorite with a total of 10.5. Oakland hosts Seattle at 3:37 PM ET in Game 4 of their four-game series. Chris Bassitt pitches for the A’s against Yusei Kikuchi of the Mariners. Oakland is a -150 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Atlanta plays at Arizona at 3:40 PM ET in the fourth game of their four-game series. The Braves pitch Charlie Morton against the Diamondbacks’ Madison Bumgarner. Atlanta is a -190 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. San Diego is at home against San Francisco at 4:10 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. Yu Darvish for the Padres pitches against Logan Webb for the Giants. San Diego is a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.The White Sox play the Indians in the second game of their doubleheader at 6:10 PM ET. Zach Plesac pitches for Cleveland against a starting pitcher yet to be determined for Chicago. The White Sox are a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Cincinnati plays at home against Washington at 6:40 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. The Reds pitch Luis Castillo against the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin. Cincinnati is a -195 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Two games start at 7:05 PM ET. Philadelphia hosts Pittsburgh in the opener of their four-game weekend series. Aaron Nola pitches for the Phillies against Connor Overton of the Pirates. Philadelphia is a -250 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Baltimore plays at home against Texas in Game 1 of their four-game series. Zac Lowther pitches for the Orioles against the Rangers’ Glenn Otto. Baltimore is a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Toronto travels to Minnesota at 7:40 PM ET in the first game of their four-game series. The Blue Jays pitch Steven Matz against the Twins’ Michael Pineda. Toronto is a -150 money line road favorite with a total of 9.5. Houston plays at Los Angeles against the Angels at 9:38 PM ET in the fourth game of their four-game series. Lance McCullers pitches for the Astros against Alex Cobb of the Angels. Houston is a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5.The WNBA playoffs begin with two single-elimination games on ESPN2. Dallas plays at Chicago at 8 PM ET. New York travels to Phoenix at 10 PM ET. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and CFL Previews and Odds - 09/22/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in MLB and the CFL.Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. Three games take place in the afternoon. Pittsburgh plays at Cincinnati at 12:35 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. Connor Overton pitches for the Pirates against Luis Castillo of the Reds. The Chicago White Sox are at Detroit at 1:10 PM ET in the third game of their three-game series. The White Sox pitch Reynaldo Lopez against the Tigers’ Casey Mize. Chicago is a -170 money line road favorite with the total set at 9 (all odds from DraftKings). Tampa Bay hosts Toronto at 3:10 PM ET in Game 3 of their three-game series. Luis Patino pitches for the Rays against a starting pitcher yet to be determined for the Blue Jays. Tampa Bay is a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.Kansas City plays at Cleveland at 6:10 PM ET in the fourth game of their four-game series. The Royals pitch Carlos Hernandez against the Indians’ Logan Allen. Both teams are -110 money line favorites with a total of 9. Miami plays at home against Washington at 6:40 PM ET in the final game of their three-game series. Elieser Hernandez pitches for the Marling against Josiah Gray of the Nationals. Miami is a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Two games begin at 7:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees host Texas in the third game of their three-game series. The Yankees pitch Corey Kluber against the Rangers’ Taylor Hearn. New York is a -290 money line favorite with a total of 9. Philadelphia plays at home against Baltimore in Game 3 of their three-game series. Zach Wheeler pitches for the Phillies against Keegan Akin of the Orioles. Philadelphia is a -320 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Mets are at Boston on ESPN at 7:10 PM ET in the second game of their two-game series. The Mets pitch Taijuan Walker against the Red Sox’s Chris Sale. Two games start at 7:40 PM ET. Milwaukee is at home against St. Louis in the third game of their four-game series. Brett Anderson pitches for the Brewers against Miles Mikolas of the Cardinals. Milwaukee is a -120 money line favorite. Minnesota plays at Chicago against the Cubs in the final game of their two-game series. The Twins pitch Joe Ryan against the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks. Minnesota is a -115 money line road favorite. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at Colorado at 8:40 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. Walker Buehler pitches for the Dodgers against German Marquez of the Rockies. Los Angeles is a -220 money line road favorite with a total of 11. Houston plays at Los Angeles against the Angels at 9:38 PM ET in the third game of their four-game series. The Astros pitch Luis Garcia against the Angels’ Janson Junk. Houston is a -200 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Two games start at 9:40 PM ET. Atlanta is at Arizona in Game 3 of their four-game series. Ian Anderson pitches for the Braves against the Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly. Atlanta is a -195 money line road favorite with a total of 9.5. Oakland plays at home against Seattle in the third game of their four-game series. The A’s pitch Cole Irvin against the Mariners’ Chris Flexen. Oakland is a -145 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. San Francisco plays at San Diego on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET in the second game of their three-game series. Scott Kazmir pitches for the Giants against Vince Velasquez of the Padres. Week 8 of the Canadian Football League kicks off with Hamilton visiting Ottawa on ESPN+ at 7:30 PM ET. The Tiger-Cats improved their record to 3-3 after a 23-17 win against Calgary as a 2-point favorite last Friday. The Redblacks fell to 1-4 on the season after a 45-13 loss at British Columbia as an 8.5-point underdog on September 11th. 

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NFL Week 3 Break Down

by Will Rogers

Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021

BEST GAME – Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Rams (-2)Just two weeks into the season, and this is the only game on the board between undefeated teams. Will Tom Brady lose even a smidgeon of the laser-type focus in this game with a trip to New England on the docket in Week 4? Don’t bet on it. TB12 would dearly love to toss a 3-0 record in Belichick’s puss when he plays might well be his final game ever in Gillette, in Week 4. As for the Rams, they’re lovin’ life again with new QB Matthew Stafford, and look like they’ll be in the mix in the unexpectedly tough NFC West. This game opened at -2 and so far has shown no signs of moving either way.WORST GAME – Atlanta at New York Giants (-3)The Falcons were able to hang with the Buccaneers until things went haywire in the late going, and you wonder how long Matt Ryan will be able to stay upright, engaged and competitive. Atlanta has not come close to either a win or a cover this season, and only the Giants’ own early-season ineptitude is keeping this line at a field goal. The Giants have been able to move the ball on offense, but the inability to finish off drives has led to a slew of field goals. This line has bounced around from 1.5 to 3.5, so you might be able to hold off and then hit this one when the number goes your way.LARGEST SPREAD – New York Jets at Denver (-11)The Broncos might be the worst possible opponent right now for shaken Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson, who threw four picks in his first home game and heard a few boos in this past Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. Oddsmakers don’t much like Wilson’s chances of picking himself off the mat; hence the heavy line. Denver has benefitted from a pillow-soft schedule (wins and covers against the Giants and Jaguars), and have their third straight kitten this coming Sunday. They’ll need to make hay while the sun shines, though, as they don’t have another easy game until they catch the Lions in mid-December. The line has already dropped from 11.5 and may fall another half-point when New York bettors check in.SMALLEST SPREAD – Seattle at Minnesota (+1)Seattle would no doubt be favored in this one were it not for its complete fourth-quarter/OT collapse and loss to the Titans in a game that was in the bank and drawing interest before Tennessee turned things around. The Seahawks now have to put that one in the rear view mirror and deal with a decent Vikings (0-2) team that has lost two games by a total of four points. The loser of this one might be ready of therapy. Most of the early money is backing Seattle.LARGEST TOTAL – Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City (55)The Chiefs playing at home? Against the Chargers? Len Dawson and Abner Haynes against John Hadl and Lance Alworth? This one has a 1960s AFL feel to it already. Fifty-five could be an appetizing number for Over bettors, even though both LA games this season have gone under. For the record, the highest O/U total in NFL history is believed to be 64 – a 2018 game in Mexico City between the 9-1 Rams and the 9-1 Chiefs. That number could be challenged this season.LOWEST TOTAL – New York Jets at Denver (41.5)Back to Mile High for this one, where fans can look for the Jets to reel in Wilson after letting him throw the ball all over the field early on against the Patriots – and paying a price for doing so. Denver’s game plan is simple – score in the low 20s and let its opponent figure out a way to get more than field goals against one of the best defenses in the league.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB Previews and Odds - 09/21/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features 15 games in MLB.The Chicago White Sox plays at Detroit at 1:10 PM ET. Dallas Keuchel pitches for the White Sox against Tyler Alexander of the Tigers. Chicago is a -165 money line road favorite with the total set at 9.5. Cleveland hosts Kansas City at 6:10 PM ET. The Indians pitch Cal Quantrill against the Royals’ Daniel Lynch. Cleveland is a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Two games start at 6:40 PM ET. Miami plays at home against Washington in the second game of their three-game series. Trevor Rogers pitches for the Marlins against the Nationals’ Josh Rogers. Miami is a -135 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Cincinnati is at home against Pittsburgh in Game 2 of their three-game series. The Reds pitch Tyler Mahle against the Pirates’ Mitch Keller. Cincinnati is a -195 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Two games begin at 7:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees play at home against Texas in the second game of their series. Jordan Montgomery pitches for the Yankees against Dane Dunning of the Rangers. New York is a -275 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Philadelphia hosts Baltimore in Game 2 of their series. The Orioles pitch Chris Ellis against a starting pitcher yet to be determined. Philadelphia is a -200 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. Two games start at 7:10 PM ET. Tampa Bay hosts Toronto on ESPN in the second game of their series. Drew Rasmussen pitches for the Rays against Alex Manoah of the Blue Jays. Tampa Bay is a -120 money line favorite with a total of 8. Boston plays at home against the New York Mets in the opener of their series. Eduardo Rodriguez pitches for the Red Sox against Marcus Stroman of the Mets. Boston is a -150 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Two games begin at 7:40 PM ET. Milwaukee is at home against St. Louis in the second game of their four-game series. Brandon Woodruff pitches for the Brewers against Jake Woodford of the Cardinals. Milwaukee is a -210 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Chicago Cubs play at home against Minnesota in the opening game of their series. The Cubs pitch Alec Mills against the Twins’ Griffin Jax. Chicago is a -115 money line favorite. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at Colorado at 8:40 PM ET in the opener of their three-game series. Julio Urias pitches for the Dodgers against Antonio Senzatela of the Rockies. Los Angeles is a -210 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11. Houston visits Los Angeles to play the Angels at 9:38 PM ET in Game 2 of their series. The Astros pitch Jose Urquidy against the Angels’ Packy Naughton. Houston is a -180 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Two games start at 9:40 PM ET. Atlanta plays at Arizona in the second game of their series. Luke Weaver pitches for the Diamondbacks against a starting pitcher yet to be named for the Braves. Atlanta is a -160 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Oakland hosts Seattle in Game 2 of their series. The A’s pitch Paul Blackburn against the Mariners Marco Gonzales. Oakland is a -135 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. San Diego is at home against San Francisco on FS1 at 10:10 PM ET in the first game of their NL West series. Joe Musgrove of the Padres pitches against Kevin Gausman of the Giants. San Diego is a -125 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. 

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NFL Stock Rising and Falling: Week 3

by Sean Murphy

Monday, Sep 20, 2021

The NFL season is off and running following two entertaining weeks of action. Here’s a quick look at two teams on the rise and two on their way down in our first 2021 installment of 'NFL Stock Rising and Falling'. Stock risingDallas CowboysSo the Cowboys didn't get off to the start they had hoped for, suffering a close loss at the hands of the defending champion Bucs in Tampa back in Week 1. Undeterred, they bounced back with a gutsy road win over the Chargers on Sunday. That was a truly impressive victory when you consider Dallas was playing a second straight road game to open the season, not to mention traveling across the country to do so. Now the Cowboys have a path to 4-1 ahead of them with three consecutive home games on deck and you have to figure they'll be favored in all three as they host the Eagles, Panthers and Giants. They do have consecutive road games (with a bye week in between) in New England and Minnesota coming up in Weeks 6-8 but the schedule doesn't really get all that tough until a trip to Kansas City in Week 11. I may be getting ahead of myself but I do like what I've seen from the Cowboys so far and while their defense will almost certainly trip them up at points, I believe the offense can more than make up for it. For now, Dallas is a team to watch.Los Angeles RamsThe Rams 2-0 start isn't unexpected but there's no denying they've looked awfully strong on both sides of the football in wins over the Bears and Colts. Could QB Matt Stafford be the piece they were missing? It certainly looks that way as head coach Sean McVay finally has the engine needed to really get the offense humming. On the other side, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey may be the two best defensive players in all of football right now. Donald has been a one-man wrecking crew through two games while Ramsey has played a role all over the field, and sealed Sunday's game with a key late fourth quarter interception that spoiled the Colts comeback chances. Now things get interesting as the Rams host Tom Brady and the red hot Buccaneers in Week 3 before opening division play with a home game against the Cardinals in Week 4. Stock fallingAtlanta FalconsThe 2021 season could get away from the Falcons in a hurry if they can't pick up a win against the hapless Giants in New Jersey on Sunday. Off to an 0-2 start and looking like a mess on both sides of the football, it's been a disastrous start for Arthur Smith's tenure in Atlanta. While a trip to Tampa was never going to be easy, the Falcons simply weren't competitive in a 23-point rout. Without any semblance of a running game, teams are simply going to drop back in coverage and erase the likes of Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts. Ridley did catch a touchdown pass against the Bucs but has just 114 receiving yards through two games. Most alarming is the fact that through two games, Atlanta's longest pass completion has gone for just 24 yards. If the Falcons can't figure out a way to stretch the field on offense, they're just not going to have much success as their defense is not capable of winning games all on its own. Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings desperately needed a strong bounce-back performance after a brutal overtime loss in Cincinnati in Week 1. While they did play better, they ultimately fell just short, missing a last-second field goal that would have given them their first win of the season in Arizona. With injuries piling up on the defensive side of the football, Minnesota might have to score 30+ every week to have a shot at winning, especially when you consider its upcoming schedule. The Vikes will host Seattle this week before the Browns come to town in Week 4. After a bye in Week 7 the schedule gets downright nightmarish with consecutive games against the Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers, Packers and 49ers, with three of those five contests on the road. Consider Sunday's showdown with the Seahawks a must-win game. 

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Ness Notes: MLB 2021: 2-Week Sprint to the Finish

by Larry Ness

Monday, Sep 20, 2021

The San Francisco Giants won THREE World Series titles in a five-year span from 2010 through 2014 (2010, 2012 and 2014) but entering the current season, the Giants hadn't played in the postseason since 2016. Meanwhile, their hated rivals (LA Dodgers) began the current season having captured EIGHT consecutive NL West titles, capping that run with the team's first World Series win in 2020 since 1988. The Dodgers finished 40 games ahead of the Giants in 2017, 18.5 ahead in 2018, 29 games ahead in 2019 and even in last year's pandemic-shortened season of 2020 (60 games), the Dodgers were 14 games better than the Giants. What a difference ONE year can make!As we wake on the morning of September 20, the Giants are 97-73 and the owners of MLB's best record. The Giants were the first team to clinch a playoff spot last Monday, while the 96-74 Dodgers clinched their ninth straight postseason appearance the very next day. As one can see, the Dodgers are just ONE game behind the Giants and with each team having 12 games remaining, LA is surely capable of capturing a NINTH straight NL West title. However, let me point out that the Giants currently own a rare 'daily double' in 2021. That is, they own MLB's best overall record, as well as its best moneyline record. The Giants check in at plus-$3,217 (at $100/game), $352 more than MLB's second-best moneyline team, the Seattle Mariners. Just so you know, while the Dodgers are just ONE game behind the Giants in the standings, they have actually lost money on the season at minus-$288. Don't tell me that the moneyline (or the pointspread in BKB and FB) are NOT the "great equalizers!" That said, don't ignore that LA owns MLB's top run-differential mark at plus-274 runs!I referred to the Giants daily double above as being rare and let me point out that in the previous 15 MLB seasons (2006-2020) the ONLY other team to finish a season No. 1 atop the MLB standings as well as being that season's leading moneyline team has been the 2008 Angels. That team went 100-62 and was plus-$2,671 against the moneyline. Unfortunately for Angels fans (are there really any?), that year's team lost 3-1 in the ALDS to the Boston Red Sox. Before moving on to the rest of the league, one might ask just how good is San Francisco's current moneyline mark? Going back over that same 15-year span, the Giants mark of +$3,217 ranks second-best to only that of the 2012 Baltimore Orioles, Yes, the same Baltimore franchise that currently owns a 47-102 record in 2021 and is minus-$2,525 against the moneyline, went 93-69 in 2012 and finished with a moneyline record of plus-$3,649 (that's the best figure of any team since 2006). The Giants went 29-31 in 2020 but are not the only 29-31 team from 2020 that's made some real 'noise' in 2021. Both the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros were 29-31 last season (incredibly, both made the expanded 2020 playoff field) but here in 2021, The 91-58 Brewers lead the NL Central by 11.5 games and joined the Giants and Dodgers by clinching a playoff berth on Saturday. As for the 88-61 Astros, they lead the A's by SIX games in the AL West and their run-differential mark of plus-201 runs is second to only that of the Dodgers. Many will likely remember that despite its 29-231 record in 2020, Houston was not eliminated in last year's postseason until Game 7 of the ALCS.I noted earlier, what a difference a year makes! Let me expand on that statement, here. If the season had ended yesterday (instead of Oct 3), only two 2020 division winners would have repeated in 2021. The Tampa Rays won the AL East last season at 40-20 (.667) and the 92-58 (.613) Rays are currently 6.5 games clear of the second-place Red Sox. The other 2020 division winner that currently sits atop of its division through Sep 19 is the 77-70 (.524) Atlanta Braves. The Braves won their third straight NL East title in 2020 (35-24, .593) but only lead the 76-73 Phillies by TWO games (note: Philadelphia has missed the postseason in each of the last NINE seasons). As previously noted, the Dodgers have won EIGHT straight NL West titles and are just ONE game back of the Giants, so they could surely be 2021's third "repeat" division winner. The same can't be said of 2020's three other division winners. The Minnesota Twins won the AL Central with a 36-24 record in 2020 but are an awful 65-85 in 2021, 20.5 games back of the 85-64 White Sox, who are poised to win their first division title since 2008 (Chicago owns an 1.5-game lead on the 2nd-place Indians). The Oakland A's won the AL West with a 36-24 record in 2020 but enter the final two weeks of the current season SIX games back of Houston. The A's are still in the hunt for one of two AL wild card spots but so are FOUR other teams. The A's are currently TWO games out of the No. 2 wild card spot. Over in the NL Central, the Cubs won the division in 2020 at 34-26 but like the Twins, have followed with an 'UGLY' season (67-83, 24.5 games back of division-leading Milwaukee.There are basically two division titles "up for grabs" in 2021's final two weeks, the NL East (Atl/Phi) and the NL West West (SF/LA). The real interest with be the battle for TWO wild card spots in the AL between 86-65 Boston, 84-65 Toronto, 83-67 New York, 82-67 Oakland and 80-29 Seattle (note: The Mariners haven't made the postseason since they won 116 games back in the 2001 season!). Either the Giants or the Dodgers are 'locked into' the No. 1 wild card spot in the NL, leaving ONE spot available for either 79-69 St Louis, 77-73 Cincinnati or Philadelphia and San Diego (both are 76-73).See you in October.Good luck...Larry

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB and NFL Previews and Odds - 09/20/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Sep 20, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in the NFL and MLB.Week 2 concludes in the NFL with Green Bay hosting Detroit on ESPN and ESPN2 (the Manning’s simulcast) at 8:15 PM ET. The Packers come off a 38-3 upset loss at New Orleans as a 4-point underdog last week. The Lions rallied to make the final score respectable in a 41-33 home defeat against San Francisco as a 9.5-point underdog last Sunday. Green Bay is a 12-point favorite, with the total set at 49 (all odds from DraftKings). Twelve games are on the MLB docket. Cleveland hosts Kansas City at 4:10 PM ET in the opener of their seven-inning doubleheader. Triston McKenzie pitches for the Indians against Brady Singer of the Royals. Cleveland is a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 7. Three games start at 6:40 PM ET. The Chicago White Sox visit Detroit in the opener of their three-game series. The White Sox pitch Carlos Rodon against the Tigers’ Matt Manning. Chicago is a -240 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Washington visits Miami in the opener of their three-game series. Erick Fedde pitches for the Nationals against Jesus Luzardo of the Marlins. Both teams are priced at -110 with an over/under of 8.5. Two MLB games begin at 7:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees are at home against Texas in Game 1 of their three-game series. Nelson Cortes, Jr. pitches for the Yankees against A.J. Alex of the Rangers. New York is a -290 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Philadelphia hosts Baltimore in the opener of their three-game series. The Phillies pitch Ranger Suarez against the Orioles’ John Means. Philadelphia is a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Two games start at 7:10 PM ET. Toronto plays at Tampa Bay in the first game of their three-game series. Robbie Ray pitches for the Blue Jays against Shane bay of the Rays. Toronto is a -140 money line road favorite with a total of 8. Cleveland hosts Kansas City in the second game of their seven-inning doubleheader. Milwaukee hosts St. Louis at 7:40 PM ET in the first game of their four-game series. The Brewers pitch Freddy Peralta against the Cardinals’ Jake Woodford. Milwaukee is a -225 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Houston visits Los Angeles to play the Angels at 9:38 PM ET. Framber Valdez pitches for the Astros against Jaime Barria of the Angels. Houston is a -225 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Two games conclude the card at 9:40 PM ET. Oakland plays at home against Seattle in Game 1 of their four-game series. The A’s pitch Sean Manaea against the Mariners’ Tyler Anderson. Oakland is a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Atlanta visits Arizona in Game 1 of their four-game series. Huascar Ynoa of the Braves pitches against Humberto Mejia of the Diamondbacks. Atlanta is a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 9.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, WNBA, MLB and EPL Previews and Odds - 09/19/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Sep 19, 2021

The Sunday sports card features action in the NFL, MLB, WNBA, and the EPL.Week 2 in the NFL continues with 14 games. Nine games kick off at 1 PM ET. New England visits New York to play the Jets as a 6-point road favorite with the total set at 43 (all odds from DraftKings). Denver travels to Jacksonville as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 45.5. Buffalo plays at Miami as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 48. San Francisco is at Philadelphia as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 49. The Los Angeles Rams visit Indianapolis as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 48. Pittsburgh hosts Las Vegas as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 46. Chicago plays at home against Cincinnati as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 44.5. Cleveland is at home against Houston as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 48. New Orleans travels to Carolina as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 44.5. Four NFL games take place in the second window. Two games start at 4:05 PM ET. Arizona plays at home against Minnesota as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 50.5. Tampa Bay hosts Atlanta as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 51.5. Two games begin at 4:25 PM ET. Seattle plays at home against Tennessee as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54. The Los Angeles Chargers are at home against Dallas on the national broadcast on CBS as a 3-point favorite with a total of 54.5. Kansas City visits Baltimore on NBC for Sunday Night Football at 8:20 PM ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 53.5. Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. Two games start the schedule at 1:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees play at home against Cleveland as a -320 money line favorite with a total of 9. Washington is at home against Colorado as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Toronto hosts Minnesota at 1:07 PM ET as a -210 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Four games begin at 1:10 PM ET. Tampa Bay plays at home against Detroit as a -335 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at Cincinnati on TBS as a -195 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Boston is at home against Baltimore as a -335 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. Miami plays at home against Pittsburgh as a -145 money line favorite with a total of 6.5.Three MLB games begin at 2:10 PM ET. Milwaukee hosts the Chicago Cubs as a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston is at home against Arizona as a -260 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Seattle is at Kansas City as a -140 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. St. Louis plays at home against San Diego at 2:15 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with a total of 9. Texas is at home against the Chicago White Sox at 2:35 PM ET as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. San Francisco plays at home against Atlanta at 4:05 PM ET as a -120 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Los Angeles Angels are at home against Oakland at 4:07 PM ET in a game where both teams are priced at -110 with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Mets host Philadelphia on ESPN at 7:08 PM ET for Sunday Night Baseball as a -125 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Five games take place in the WNBA. Atlanta visits Connecticut at 1 PM ET. Las Vegas travels to Phoenix on ABC at 3 PM ET. Minnesota plays at Washington at 3 PM ET. Los Angeles is at Dallas at 5 PM ET. Chicago hosts Indiana on the CBS Sports Network at 6 PM ET. Three matches conclude match week 5 in the English Premier League. Two games start at 9 AM ET. Brighton and Hove Albion plays at home against Leicester City where both teams are a pick ‘em with the goal line with an over/under of 2.25. Manchester United visits West Ham United on the NBC Sports Network as a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.75. Chelsea travels to Tottenham at 11:30 AM ET as a -0.75 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, MLB, CFL and EPL Previews and Odds - 09/18/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Sep 18, 2021

The Saturday sports card features action in NCAAF, MLB, CFL, and the EPL.Week 3 in college football concludes with 49 games between FBS opponents on the docket. Thirteen games begin the card in the opening window from noon to 2:30 PM ET. Seven games are on national television at noon. Miami (FL) hosts Michigan State on ABC as a 6.5-point favorite with the total set at 57.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Cincinnati travels to Indiana on ESPN as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 50. Oklahoma is at home against Nebraska on Fox as a 22.5-point favorite with a total of 62.5. West Virginia plays at home against Virginia Tech on FS1 as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 50. Boston College visits Temple as a 14.5-point road favorite with a total of 56. Army is at home against Connecticut on the CBS Sports Network as a -34.5 point favorite with an over/under of 48. Coastal Carolina plays at Buffalo on ESPN2 as a 14-point road favorite with a total of 58. Notre Dame hosts Purdue on NBC at 2:30 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 59.Eighteen college football games between FBS opponents kick from 3:30 PM ET to 6:30 PM ET. Six games are on national television at 3:30 PM ET. Alabama visits Florida on CBS as a 14.5-point road favorite with a total of 60. Clemson plays at home against Georgia Tech on ABC as a 28-point favorite with an over/under of 52. Wake Forest hosts Florida State on ESPN as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 62.5. USC travels to Washington State on Fox as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 62.5. SMU plays at Louisiana Tech on the CBS Sports Network as a 10.5-point road favorite with a total of 65.5. Ohio State is at home against Tulsa as a 34.5-point favorite with an over/under of 62. Two games are on national television at 4 PM ET. Mississippi State visits Memphis on ESPN2 as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 64. Toledo hosts Colorado State on ESPNU as a 14.5-point favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Fourteen college football games between FBS opponents start between 7 PM ET and 9 PM ET. Two games are on national television at 7 PM ET. Georgia hosts South Carolina on ESPN as a 31-point favorite with a total of 47. Utah travels to San Diego State on the CBS Sports Network as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 43. Two more games are on national television at 7:30 PM ET. Penn State plays at home against Auburn on ABC as a 5-point favorite with a total of 52.5. Air Force is at home against Utah State on FS2 as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. Two games are on national television starting at 8 PM ET. Stanford travels to Vanderbilt on ESPNU as a 12-point road favorite with a total of 48.5. Mississippi is at home against Tulane on ESPN2 as a 14-point favorite with an over/under of 76. Boise State hosts Oklahoma State on FS1 at 9 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 57.5. Four games conclude the college football card. Arizona State visits BYU on ESPN at 10:15 PM ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 50.5. Iowa State travels to UNLV on the CBS Sports Network at 10:30 PM ET as a 32.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 52.5. San Jose State plays at Hawaii on FS1 at 12:30 AM ET as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 61.5. Fifteen games are on the MLB slate. Six games start in the afternoon. The New York Yankees host Cleveland at 1:05 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Boston is at home against Baltimore at 1:10 PM ET as a -265 money line favorite with a total of 10.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at Cincinnati at 2:10 PM ET as a -190 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Toronto is at home against Minnesota at 3:07 PM ET as a -170 money line favorite with a total of 9.5. Washington plays at home against Colorado at 4:05 PM ET as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Tampa Bay hosts Detroit at 4:10 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 8. Miami is at home against Pittsburgh at 6:10 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Chicago White Sox play at Texas at 7:05 PM ET as a -225 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Two games start at 7:10 PM ET. Seattle is at Kansas City as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston hosts Arizona as a -275 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Three games begin at 7:15 PM ET. St. Louis is at home against San Diego as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The Fox broadcast has two games for regional coverage. Milwaukee is at home against the Chicago Cubs as a -300 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Philadelphia plays at New York against the Mets as a -120 money line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. San Francisco is at home against Atlanta at 9:05 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Oakland travels to Los Angeles to play the Angels at 9:07 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Two games take place in the Canadian Football League on ESPN+. Montreal hosts British Columbia at 7 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 47.5. Winnipeg visits Edmonton at 9:45 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 43.5.Six matches take place in the English Premier League. Wolverhampton plays at home against Brentford on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 AM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2. Four games begin at 10 AM ET. Arsenal visits Burnley on the NBC Sports Network as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Liverpool is at home against Crystal Palace as a -2 goal line favorite with a total of 3.25. Manchester City hosts Southampton on the USA Network as a -2.25 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Norwich City plays at home against Watford as a -0.25 goal line favorite with a total of 2.25. Aston Villa is at home against Everton on NBC at 12:30 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. 

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College Football's Game 3 Non-Conference Superdog

by Tom Stryker

Friday, Sep 17, 2021

In last week’s System of the Week, we found some success with Vanderbilt (+6’) over Colorado State (WON OUTRIGHT 24-21) and we’ve got another nice underdog situation on tap for Saturday. With the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.   The unique system you will find below is no different.  It backs a team that has busted out of the gate impressively and now finds itself in the role of an underdog.  There is also a special parameter that can be added that makes it even more profitable.  Take a look at what I like to call, “College Football’s Game 3 Non-Conference Superdog.” Since 1980, PLAY ON any game three non-conference underdog priced at +28 or less provided they check in off back-to-back blowout victories of 20 points or more and neither team is rested.  41-Year ATS Record = 39-16-2 ATS for 70.9 percent  This Week’s Play = AUBURN  The War Eagle (+6) heads to Happy Valley off a pair of season-opening wins over Akron by the final of 60-10 and Alabama State by the margin of 62-0.  On the other side of Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions take the turf off their 44-13 blowout home win over the Ball State Cardinals.  Neither team is rested and that means AU fits this general system perfectly. There is one additional tightener that can be added that really make this system pop.  If our “play on” pup carried a team won/loss percentage less than .725 a year ago, then this Game 3 Non-Conference Super Dog system jumps to a highly profitable 35-6-1 ATS for 85.7 percent.  Last year, the Tigers posted a 6-5 SU overall record for a win percentage of .545 and they qualify for this special tightener. Good luck with the War Eagle on Saturday.  

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, MLB, WNBA, EPL and CFL Previews and Odds - 09/17/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Sep 17, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in NCAAF, MLB, WNBA, CFL, and the EPL.Two games continue Week 3 in college football. Central Florida travels to Louisville on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Knights improved to 2-0 with a 63-14 victory against Bethune Cookman as a 45.5-point favorite last Saturday. Louisville evened their record at 1-1 with their 30-3 win against Eastern Kentucky as a 30-point favorite last Saturday. Central Florida is a 6.5-point road favorite with the total set at 67.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Maryland visits Illinois on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Terrapins opened 2-0 this season after a 62-0 victory against Howard as a 47-point favorite last Saturday. The Fighting Illini fell to 1-2 on the season with their 42-14 loss at Virginia as a 10.5-point underdog last Saturday. Maryland is a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Fifteen games are on the MLB docket. Two games begin the card at 7:05 PM ET. The New York Yankees play Cleveland as a -195 money line favorite with a total of 9. Colorado visits Washington. Toronto is at home against Minnesota as a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Five games start at 7:10 PM ET. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at Cincinnati as a -165 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. Boston is at home against Baltimore as a -380 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. Philadelphia visits New York to play the Mets as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Detroit travels to Tampa Bay. Miami is at home against Pittsburgh as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Chicago White Sox visits Texas at 8:05 PM ET as a -210 money line road favorite with an over/under 8.5. Three games begin at 8:10 PM ET. Milwaukee is at home against the Chicago Cubs as a -240 money line favorite with a total of 9. Seattle plays at Kansas City as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston plays at home as a -235 money line favorite with a total of 9. St. Louis is at home against San Diego at 8:15 PM ET as a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home against Oakland at 9:38 PM ET as a -120 money line favorite with a total of 8. San Francisco hosts Atlanta at 9:45 PM ET as a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.Four games are on the WNBA slate. Minnesota visits Indiana on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET. Washington plays at New York at 7 PM ET. Las Vegas travels to Chicago at 8 PM ET. Phoenix is at Seattle at 10 PM ET. Two games take place in the Canadian Football League. Hamilton plays at home against Calgary on ESPN+ at 7 PM ET. The Tiger-Cats are a 2-point favorite with a total of 43. Saskatchewan hosts Toronto on ESPN News at 9:45 PM ET. The Roughriders are a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 44.5. The fifth match week in the English Premier League begins with Leeds United visiting Newcastle United on the NBC Sports Network at 3 PM ET. The Peacocks are a -0.25 goal line road favorite with a total of 3.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB, WNBA and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 09/16/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and the WNBA. The NFL kicks off Week 2 of the regular season with Washington hosting the New York Giants on the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Football Team was upset on Sunday by the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-16, as a 2-point favorite. The Giants got beat, 27-13, at home against Denver as a 3-point underdog. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick joined wide receiver Curtis Samuel on Injured Reserve this week after injuring his hip Sunday. Ron Rivera has named Taylor Heinicke his starting quarterback. Running back Antonio Gibson is probable despite a shoulder injury. New York will again be without tight end Evan Engram, who missed the Broncos game with a knee injury. Running back Saquon Barkley is probable despite his lingering knee issues. Washington is a 3-point favorite with the total set at 41 (all odds from DraftKings). One game begins Week 3 in college football. Louisiana-Lafayette plays at home against Ohio on ESPN at 8 PM ET. The Ragin’ Cajuns evened their record at 1-1 with a 27-24 victory at home against Nicholls State as a 26-point favorite on Saturday. The Bobcats fell to 0-2 on the season after getting upset for the second straight week in a 28-26 loss at home to Duquesne as a 28.5-point favorite on Saturday. Louisiana is a 21-point favorite with an over/under of 57. Nine games are on the MLB docket. Six games start in the afternoon. Atlanta hosts Colorado at 12:20 PM ET as a -170 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Braves pitch Ian Anderson against the Rockies' German Marquez. Cincinnati plays at Pittsburgh at 12:35 PM ET as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Tyler Mahle pitches for the Reds against Connor Overton of the Pirates. Two games being at 2:10 PM ET. The Chicago White Sox are at home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -180 money line favorite with a total of 8. The White Sox pitch Reynaldo Lopez against the Angels'  Alex Cobb. Oakland plays at Kansas City as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. Paul Blackburn pitches for the A's against Daniel Lynch of the Royals. San Francisco is at home against San Diego at 3:45 PM ET as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Giants pitch Kevin Gausman against a Padres starting pitcher yet to be determined. The New York Yankees are at Baltimore at 5:05 PM ET as a -250 money line road favorite with an over/under of 10. Jordan Montgomery pitches for the Yankees against Chris Ellis of the Orioles.Philadelphia is at home against the Chicago Cubs at 6:05 PM ET as a -220 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Cubs pitch Kyle Hendricks against a Phillies starting pitcher yet to be named. Tampa Bay plays at home against Detroit as a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Dietrich Enns pitches for the Rays against Tyler Alexander of the Tigers. Houston plays at Texas at 8:05 PM ET as a -235 money line road favorite with a total of 9. The Astros pitch Framber Valdez against the Rangers' Glenn Otto.One game is on the WNBA slate. Los Angeles travels to Atlanta at 7 PM ET.

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