Expert Sports Picks and Analysis from Al McMordie

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/08/2022

Friday, Apr 08, 2022

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, MLB, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has nine games on the docket. Two games tip-off the card at 7:10 PM ET. Milwaukee visits Detroit as a 6-point road favorite with the total set at 228 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Washington plays at home against New York as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 221. Two more games start at 7:40 PM ET. Brooklyn hosts Cleveland as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 228.5. Toronto is at home against Houston as a 14.5-point favorite with an over/under of 228.5. Two games in the NBA begin at 8:10 PM ET. Miami plays at home against Atlanta as a 2.5-point favorite with a total Chicago is at home against Charlotte as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 227.5. Dallas hosts Portland at 8:40 PM ET as an 18-point favorite with a total of 221. Utah plays at home against Phoenix at 9:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 226. The Los Angeles Lakers are at home against Oklahoma City at 10:40 PM ET as an 8-point favorite with a total of 227.5. Five games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. The puck drops at 7:07 PM ET with Tampa Bay playing at home against Boston as a -155 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two games start at 7:08 PM ET. Florida hosts Buffalo as a -370 money line favorite with a total of 7. Carolina is at home against the New York Islanders as a -175 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two games conclude the NHL card at 8:07 PM ET. Minnesota travels to St. Louis with both teams priced as a -110 money line favorite with a total of 6. Colorado plays at Winnipeg as a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.The Major League Baseball schedule has 13 games on its card. The New York Yankees host Boston at 1:05 PM ET as a -165 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Detroit is at home against the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 PM ET as a -125 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Milwaukee visits Chicago to play the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -160 money line road favorite. Philadelphia plays at home against Oakland at 3:05 PM ET as a -185 money line favorite at PlayMGM with a total of 8. Two more MLB games throw the first pitch at 4:10 PM ET. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at Colorado as a -190 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11.5. Minnesota hosts Seattle as a -115 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. San Francisco is at home against Miami at 4:35 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The New York Mets play at Washington at 7:05 PM ET as a -160 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Toronto is at home against Texas as a -180 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Atlanta hosts Cincinnati at 7:20 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Houston travels to Los Angeles to play the Angels at 9:38 PM ET, with both teams priced as a -110 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.5. San Diego plays at Arizona at 9:40 PM ET as a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 9.Matchweek 32 in the English Premier League starts with one match on the USA Network at 3 PM ET. Newcastle United hosts Wolverhampton as a -0.5 goal line favorite at PlayMGM with an over/under of 2.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and MLB Previews and Odds - 04/07/2022

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022

The Thursday sports card features NBA, NHL, and MLB action.The National Basketball Association has seven games on the docket. Charlotte hosts Orlando at 7:10 PM ET as a 13.5-point favorite with the total set at 228 (all odds from DraftKings). Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Toronto plays at home against Philadelphia as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 217.5. Milwaukee is at home against Boston in the opening game of a doubleheader on TNT at 7:40 PM ET. The Bucks ended a two-game losing streak with their 127-106 victory at Chicago as a 6.5-point favorite on Tuesday. They improved their record to 49-30. The Celtics won their third game in a row last night with a 117-94 win at Chicago as a 7.5-point favorite. Boston has a 49-30 record. Milwaukee is a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 227. Two NBA games start at 8:10 PM ET. Minnesota hosts San Antonio as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 238.5. New Orleans is at home against Portland as a 16.5-point favorite with a total of 223. Denver plays at home against Memphis at 9:10 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 233.Golden State hosts the Los Angeles Lakers in the nightcap on TNT at 10 PM ET. The Warriors are on a two-game winning streak with their 109-90 victory at Sacramento as a 4.5-point favorite on Sunday. They raised their record to 50-29 with the win. The Lakers have lost seven straight after a 121-110 loss at Phoenix as a 12.5-point underdog on Tuesday. Los Angeles was eliminated from the Western Conference playoffs with that defeat that lowered their record to 31-48. Golden State is a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 221.5.There are ten games on the slate in the National Hockey Association. The puck drops for four games at 7:07 PM ET. Pittsburgh visits New York to play the Rangers as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Columbus hosts Philadelphia as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Nashville plays at Ottawa as a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. New Jersey is at home against Montreal as a -160 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Carolina hosts Buffalo at 7:37 PM ET as a -380 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Two more NHL games begin at 8:37 PM ET. Chicago plays at home against Seattle as a -160 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Toronto visits Dallas as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Vancouver travels to Arizona at 10:07 PM ET as a -195 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 10:37 PM ET. Edmonton plays at Los Angeles as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Calgary is at San Jose as a -240 money line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Opening Day in Major League Baseball has seven games on the schedule. Milwaukee visits Chicago to play the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 11. Cleveland plays at Kansas City at 4:10 PM ET as a -125 money line road favorite with a total of 8. St. Louis hosts Pittsburgh as a -200 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.The New York Mets play at Washington at 7:05 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Atlanta plays at home against Cincinnati on ESPN2 at 8:08 PM ET as a -210 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Los Angeles Angels are at home against Houston at 9:38 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. San Diego travels to Arizona at 9:40 PM ET as a -160 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.

MLB 2022: NL West Division Preview

by Scott Rickenbach

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022

NL West Division Preview for MLB 2022Arizona Diamondbacks – Better than last season in my opinion but that is not saying much either as the Diamondbacks lost 110 games last season. Still, Arizona should at least get to the mid-60s in wins this season. The issue for Arizona is their lineup just does not have the necessary pop. But they do have a new pitching coach that is highly respected and the rotation and bullpen certainly has some solid arms so that can help fuel a turnaround here for sure but again it will take time and 70 wins the likely ceiling for this team this season and that is if they get some decent hitting too. Colorado Rockies – This team is in line to lose somewhere close to 90 games just like last season and only the Diamondbacks and Pirates likely to be worse than the Rockies in the National League this season. Colorado has a decent rotation but they play in a hitter-friendly ballpark so they really need a more potent lineup to be successful. They just don’t have the hitters yet but the pitching is coming along. Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers just continue piling up wins every year and they should again win their division, but I do look for a bit of a drop-off here to a win total in the mid-90s. With the Giants and Padres proving tougher each year and even Arizona and Colorado likely to improve this season it could start to wear on the Dodgers. LA has it all of course but I will be more likely to look for the right spots to fade them as even a strong team like this could lose 65 to 70 games this year. San Diego Padres – This team could challenge Los Angeles for top spot in the division but I expect them to only land in the mid-80s for a win total this season. San Diego has too many injury question marks and that includes in the pitching rotation and they just don’t have reliable enough arms as starters. Additionally, the entire clubhouse was a bit disjointed last season and that could carry into this season as well. This team is close but just not quite there yet and I will watch this team for streakiness this season. San Francisco Giants – San Francisco is off a shocking season in which they got to 107 wins and we’ll see a major drop this season into the mid-80s for the Giants. Surprisingly, manager Gabe Kapler actually evolved into quite a manager after his struggles back east in Philly. He was great with the Giants last season and got more out of this team than many expected. They have some older guys and I see a big regression this season plus the bullpen and rotation just can’t be quite as good this season. The lineup will miss the bat of Buster Posey as he retired. This team could be over-valued early this season because of over-achieving last season so could be some good value going against them early this year!

MLB 2022: AL West Division Preview

by Scott Rickenbach

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022

AL West Division Preview for MLB 2022Houston Astros – Look for the Astros to finish in the upper 80s to the low 90s for a win total this season and that should be good enough for the top spot in this division. Just a solid team through and through but one thing that makes it tough on them is everyone always gunning for them. But Houston still has all the right pieces in place and barring major injury issues should win this division. Los Angeles Angels – These team should be right around .500 but this team a little tough to gauge in my opinion with some question marks. Their starting rotation just is not that strong and always has injury concerns. Their lineup has some big bats of course but is too top-heavy. The bullpen is good with this team but can the team even get games to them? That is the big question and I will likely be looking to fade this team more than play on them. Oakland Athletics – This team has really fallen and should have a win total only getting into the lower 70s. Bassitt now with the Mets and Manaea now with the Padres so the A’s rotation is a mess now and their lineup and bullpen not strong enough to make up for that. A team that won mid-80s last season will struggle to avoid 90 losses this season. All the rumors of a move to Vegas have not helped this team either for sure. Just a mess in Oakland truly. Seattle Mariners – This team has improved as they showed last year and should get to mid-80s in wins this season. Really like this lineup and then especially have to like the addition of Robbie Ray to this rotation. Cy Young Winner at the top and then other solid young arms in the rotation and a potent lineup and a respectable bullpen. The 90 wins last season were not a fluke and the Mariners will again be a team to watch this season as they could challenge Astros for the top spot. Texas Rangers – This team will battle with Oakland in trying to avoid the basement in this division this season. At least they do look improved as the addition of Jon Gray to the rotation certainly helped too. Look for a 90-loss season rather than the 102-loss season suffered last year. Just still not enough in the lineup. Top-heavy lineup but also too many strikeouts usually and the pitching is decent with this team but not great and the lineup not strong enough to carry the team for sure.

MLB 2022: NL Central Division Preview

by Scott Rickenbach

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022

NL Central Division Preview for MLB 2022Chicago Cubs – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. Chicago’s starting pitching allows too much contact and that can be a problem when half your games are at Wrigley Field which can certainly be very hitter-friendly at times. This team still has a chance to be competitive but lineup will be the key to the success of this team so watch for streaks with Chicago’s hitters. Cincinnati Reds – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. I know they had a winning record last season but some off-season attrition hurt this team and this club already had some clubhouse issues. Things are just a little disjointed in Cincinnati and this is a team I will be looking to fade more often than not. Milwaukee Brewers – This team should compete with the Cardinals for the top spot in the division. The key will be Christian Yelich though. This guy has to bounce back or the Brewers will struggle to get to their full potential. They have such solid pitching but need to get the sticks going to get to the next level. Pittsburgh Pirates – This could be the worst team in baseball this season and is likely to, at the very least, be the worst team in the National League. Pittsburgh has potential to again lose 100 games like they did last season. They have a decent lineup but only a few solid arms on the pitching staff and therein lies the problem with this team. They are pitching-thin and it catches up with this team as the season goes on. St Louis Cardinals – This team should challenge the Brewers for the top spot in the division. The Cardinals are such a solid organization. They don’t wow you with a lot of flash but just seemingly every season this team is right there when the dust settles. Once again, St Louis has a shot to challenge for the division title this season. Solid pitching, respectable lineup, and a swan song season for long-time Cardinal Albert Pujols as he re-signed with the team. It all adds up to what could be a magical season for St Louis and I do believe this team could prove to be a “play on” team quite often this year.

MLB 2022: AL Central Division Preview

by Scott Rickenbach

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022

AL Central Division Preview for MLB 2022Chicago White Sox – The White Sox projected to win about 90 games this season and once again this season that is hard to argue with. Playing in a division with a bunch of other teams unlikely to have anything better than a .500 season certainly helps their chances too. This team is stacked with a loaded lineup, solid pitching rotation, and strong bullpen. The team to beat for sure and so you can try and perhaps look for value in taking them when they are priced reasonably. Cleveland Guardians – Projected to reach a win total in the mid-70s this season and this is a team that had 8 consecutive winning seasons before falling two games below .500 last year. Lineup is decent but not spectacular. The starting pitching still strong but they lost their pitching coach and that can hurt teams quite often so keep an eye on that. Detroit Tigers – This team is improving and should play .500 ball this season. Solid lineup and good arms in the rotation and this team continues to make progress. The Tigers went 8-19 in April but then 69-66 the rest of the way so just keep in mind; this is not the Tigers team of old. That said, there could be some value on this team early as many bettors have a fresh memory of all the bad Detroit teams in recent seasons. Take advantage as they Tigers likely to offer some early season value in spots. Kansas City Royals – This team will battle with the Guardians to stay out of the cellar in the division as they are also likely to reach a win total in the mid-70s this season. Young arms in rotation just have not quite delivered as KC would have liked so far. But they have a respectable bullpen and the Royals also have a respectable lineup. The problem is that nothing really jumps off the page at you with any one area of this team. They will battle and have some hot streaks during the season but ultimately finish close to 90 losses again most likely. Minnesota Twins – This team should play .500 ball this season but they really disappointed last year. This could be an “over” team in terms of daily wagering as their starting rotation has a lot of question marks and their bullpen – beyond their closer – just is not very well put together. Minnesota has a respectable lineup and they will need it because they are going to have to outscore teams to win most games.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 04/06/2022

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and UEFA UCL action.The NBA has six games on the docket. Dallas visits Detroit at 7:10 PM ET as a 9-point road favorite with the total set at 220 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Brooklyn plays at New York in the opening game of a doubleheader on ESPN at 7:40 PM ET. The Nets have lost three of four after their 122-115 upset loss at Atlanta as a 3-point favorite on Saturday. Their record dropped to 40-38 with the loss. The Knicks have won five of their last seven games after a 118-99 win at Orlando as a 5.5-point road favorite on Sunday. New York improved to 35-44. Brooklyn is a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 232.Two NBA games tip-off at 8:10 PM ET. Atlanta plays at home against Washington as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 230.5. Boston travels to Chicago as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. Utah hosts Oklahoma City at 9:10 PM ET as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 224.5. Phoenix plays at Los Angeles against the Clippers in the nightcap on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET. The Suns have lost two in a row with their 117-96 upset loss as a 14-point favorite at Oklahoma City as a 14-point favorite on Sunday. They fell to 62-16 with the loss. The Clippers have won three of four with their 119-100 win against New Orleans as a 2-point favorite on Sunday. Los Angeles improved to 39-40 with the win. Phoenix is a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 230.Five games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Two games drop the puck at 7:35 PM ET. Winnipeg hosts Detroit as a -280 money line favorite with a total of 6. Tampa Bay travels to Washington in the opening game of a doubleheader on TNT at 7:35 PM ET. The Lightning have lost two in a row with their 6-2 loss to Toronto on Monday. The Capitals have lost two in a row with their 5-1 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Tampa Bay is a -140 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. St. Louis plays at home against Seattle at 8:05 PM ET as a -240 money line favorite with a total of 6. Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:05 PM ET. Vegas is at home against Vancouver as a -165 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Calgary visits Anaheim in the second game on TNT at 10:05 PM ET. The Flames ended a three-game losing streak with their 3-2 win in Los Angeles against the Kings on Monday. The Ducks have lost 12 of their last 13 games after their 6-1 loss to Edmonton on Sunday. Calgary is a -270 money line road favorite with a total of 6. The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League continue with the final two first leg matches at 3 PM ET. Chelsea hosts Real Madrid on CBS as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Bayern Munich visits Villarreal on Paramount+ and fuboTV as a -1 goal line road favorite with a total of 3.

NFL Draft Preview - Quarterbacks

by ASA, Inc.

Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022

For the first time in years we are heading into a NFL Draft and quarterbacks are taking a back seat to the rest of the field. The combination of a weak quarterback class mixed with the lack of need for some teams makes this a rare occasion where only two quarterbacks may be taken in the first round. There is, and always will be, teams that are just a quarterback away from making a serious run at a championship. With the league as competitive as it has ever been, teams got as aggressive as we have ever seen. The Broncos, Browns, and Colts all went out and mortgaged their futures in order to get the one piece that they think will boost them to a championship. The biggest take away is that the AFC is absolutely loaded now. Besides the Steelers, Jags, Jets, and Texans, anyone else in the AFC has a chance to win the conference. This QB shuffle has left some other teams in total rebuild mode, but unfortunately, the QB talent is just not deep from the draft. Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis are the only two that are definitely on the first round radar. There is speculation of teams trading up for them but what team could really utilize them to win now? QB needs:Pick 2. Lions Pick 3. Texans Pick 6. Panthers Pick 8. FalconsPick 9. Seahawks Pick 20. Steelers The Lions and Texans have glaring needs besides QB and are looking at the long term picture. Neither Pickett (+750 to go in the top 5) nor Willis (+250 to go in the top 5) are worthy to go this high with so many other skillful players waiting. However with the Lions and Texans inside the top 5, these 2 might be worth a look at plus money. Carolina has pick #6 which could absolutely be a QB. Matt Rhule has an argument for a first round QB in order to try and save his (possible) last season as the Panthers head coach. Kenny Pickett seems the most NFL ready and the Panthers just might be desperate to find the next chapter after playing QB roulette the past three seasons. Pickett is currently +125 to go in the top 10 which is also worth a look if Carolina is looking for a ready now QB. We still do not see Carolina as a playoff prospect with a new QB. Willis is still the favorite to be the first QB drafted (-200) but Pickett has some extra value at +175 and we feel it’s a toss up between those 2 signal callers. After that is drops all the way to +1500 for Ole Miss QB Matt Corral who is coming off a late season knee injury and UNC’s Sam Howell. As far as teams making a move up to grab a QB, the Seahawks and Steelers both fall into that category. Pete Carroll is not getting any younger and has no appetite for a full rebuild. The same goes for Mike Tomlin. If Pickett or Willis fall to them, both teams may be able to snag a wild card berth. Each team has loaded talent on offense allowing for a rookie QB to succeed right away. That is a best case scenario for 2022 with many teams already plotting to take C.J Stroud and Bryce Young for the 2023 draft class.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 04/05/2022

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022

The Tuesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and UEFA Champions League action.The NBA has 12 games on the docket. Two games tip-off at 7:05 PM ET. Philadelphia plays at Indiana as a 12-point road favorite with a total of 232. Cleveland visits Orlando as an 8.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 214.5. Three more games start at 7:35 PM ET. Brooklyn plays at home against Houston as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 242.5. Miami is at home against Charlotte as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 224.5. Toronto hosts Atlanta as a 4-point favorite with a total of 226.5.Three more NBA games begin at 8:05 PM ET. Minnesota is at home against Washington as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 234. Oklahoma City plays at home against Portland as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. Milwaukee visits Chicago on ESPN. The Bucks saw their record fall to 48-30 with their second-straight loss in a 118-112 upset loss at Dallas as a 6.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Bulls had their two-game losing streak end in a 127-109 loss to Miami as a 2-point underdog on Saturday. Chicago has a 45-33 record. Milwaukee is a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 228.5. Two games in the NBA tip-off at 9:05 PM ET. Denver hosts San Antonio as a 7-point favorite with a total of 234.5. Utah plays at home against Memphis as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 221. New Orleans travels to Sacramento at 10:05 PM ET as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 226. The Los Angeles Lakers play at Phoenix at 10:35 PM ET.Ten games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. The puck drops at 7:07 PM ET for six games. Carolina visits Buffalo as a -250 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Ottawa plays at Montreal as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Florida hosts Toronto as a -165 money line favorite with a total of 7. The New York Rangers play at New Jersey as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Philadelphia is at home against Columbus as a -125 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Pittsburgh plays at home as a -120 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Buffalo visits Detroit at 7:37 PM ET as a -190 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Minnesota plays at Nashville at 8:07 PM ET as a -125 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Dallas hosts the New York Islanders at 8:37 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Edmonton travels to San Jose at 10:37 PM ET as a -175 money line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League begin with two first leg matches at 3 PM ET. Manchester City hosts Atletico Madrid on CBS as a -1.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5.Liverpool plays at Benfica on Paramount+ and fuboTV as a -1.5 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.5.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/04/2022

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Apr 04, 2022

The Monday sports card features NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.Four games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Boston visits Columbus at 7:05 PM ET. The Bruins won their sixth game in their last seven with a 5-2 victory against the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Columbus has lost six games in a row with that setback. Boston is a -255 money line road favorite with a total of 6.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise).Tampa Bay hosts Toronto at 7:35 PM ET. The Lightning had their four-game winning streak end in a 5-4 loss to Montreal on Saturday. The Maple Leafs are on a four-game winning streak after a 6-3 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. Tampa Bay is a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.5.St. Louis plays at home against Arizona at 8:05 PM ET. The Blues won their third game in their last four with a 6-4 win at Calgary on Saturday. The Coyotes lost their seventh game in their last eight with a 5-0 loss to Anaheim on Friday. St. Louis is a -380 money line favorite with a total of 6.Calgary travels to Los Angeles at 10:35 PM ET. The Flames lost their third game in a row with their 6-4 loss to St. Louis on Saturday. The Kings are on a two-game winning streak after a 3-2 victory at Winnipeg. Calgary is a -175 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.The Monday college basketball card concludes the season with Kansas playing North Carolina in the National Championship game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Jayhawks won their tenth straight game with their 81-65 victory against Villanova as a 4-point favorite in the Final Four on Saturday. Kansas shot 54% from the field while making 13 of their 24 shots from 3-point land. They held the Wildcats to 39% shooting. David McCormack led the team with 25 points. The Tar Heels have won 11 of their last 12 games after beating Duke, 81-77, as a 4.5-point underdog in the Final Four on Saturday. They shot 42% but made 10 of their 26 shots from 3-point range. They held the Blue Devils to 42% shooting and a 5 of 22 mark from 3-point land. Caleb Love led North Carolina with 28 points.Kansas is a 4-point favorite with the total set at 152. Tip-off time is set for 9:20 PM ET on TBS.Matchweek 31 in the English Premier League continues with Arsenal playing at Crystal Palace on the USA Network at 3 PM ET. The Gunners have won six of their last seven games across all competitions with their 1-0 victory at Aston Villa in English Premier League action on March 19th. They are in a tie for fourth place with Tottenham with 54 in the EPL table with two matches in hand. The Eagles have three of their last four matches with a 4-0 victory against Everton in the FA Cup on March 20th. Crystal Palace is in 12th place in the EPL with 34 points. Arsenal is a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/03/2022

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Apr 04, 2022

The Sunday sports card features NBA, NHL, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has 12 games on its docket. Two games tip-off the card at 1:10 PM ET. Boston hosts Washington as a 13-point favorite with the total set at 222 (all odds from DraftKings). Milwaukee plays at home against Dallas in the first game of a doubleheader on ABC. The Bucks’ two-game winning streak ended on Friday with a 153-119 upset loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as a 3.5-point favorite. Their record dropped to 48-29. The Mavericks were on a three-game winning streak before a 135-103 upset loss at Washington as a 7.5-point favorite on Friday. Dallas’ record is 48-30. Milwaukee is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 227.Denver visits Los Angeles to play the Lakers in the second game on ABC at 3:40 PM ET. The Nuggets had their three-game winning streak end in a 136-130 upset loss to Minnesota as a 3-point favorite on Friday. Their record fell to 46-32. The Lakers are on a five-game losing streak after their 114-111 upset loss to New Orleans as a 1.5-point favorite on Friday. Los Angeles has a 31-46 record. Denver is a 6-point road favorite with a total of 230.5. Indiana plays Detroit at 5:10 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 232.5. Two more NBA games start at 6:10 PM ET. Philadelphia travels to Cleveland as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 224. New York is at Orlando as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 216. Four games in the NBA begin at 7:10 PM ET. Phoenix plays at Oklahoma City as a 14-point road favorite with a total of 221.5. San Antonio plays at home against Portland as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 231. Toronto hosts Miami as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 213. Minnesota visits Houston as a 13.5-point road favorite with a total of 244. Golden State plays at Sacramento at 9:10 PM ET as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 221.5. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against New Orleans at 9:40 PM ET as a 2-point favorite with a total of 222.5.Nine games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. The puck drops at 1:05 PM ET for two games. Florida travels to Buffalo as a -235 money line favorite with an over/under of 7. Ottawa hosts Detroit as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. The New York Islanders play at New Jersey on TNT at 4:05 PM ET. The Islanders won their third straight game with their 3-0 victory on the road against the New York Rangers on Friday. The Devils have lost two straight after a 7-6 loss at home to Florida yesterday. The New York Islanders are a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Four more games in the NHL start at 7:05 PM ET. Washington plays at home against Minnesota as a -140 money line favorite with a total of 6. Vancouver is at home against Vegas with both teams priced at -110 with an over/under of 6. The New York Rangers host Philadelphia as a -330 money line favorite with a total of 6. Chicago plays at home against Arizona as a -220 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Edmonton visits Anaheim at 8:05 PM ET as a -215 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Dallas plays at Seattle at 9:05 PM ET as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Matchweek 31 in the English Premier League continues with two matches on the USA Network. West Ham United hosts Everton at 9 AM ET. Tottenham plays at home against Newcastle United at 11:30 AM ET.

American League - Over/Under Preview

by AAA Sports

Sunday, Apr 03, 2022

A look at Over/Under win totals for each American League team (last year’s record in parentheses):AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTBALTIMORE (52-110) 2022 O/U – 62.5The endless rebuild continues in Baltimore, where the Orioles hope to improve a woeful pitching staff (5.84 ERA) by moving back the fences at Camden Yards.BOSTON (92-70)2022 O/U – 85.5The starting rotation is Scotch-taped together after losing ace Chris Sale to injury for the first part of the season. But the Red Sox always hit, and the lineup got a boost with the signing of free agent second baseman Trevor Story. Expect lots of 8-7 games.NEW YORK (92-70)2022 O/U – 91.5The Yankees were a streaky team last season as the lineup ran hot and cold, partly because of the lack of left-handed bats in the lineup. Hopefully Josh Donaldson, acquired from the Twins, helps provide some balance. Gerrit Cole (16-8 last year) leads a decent rotation.TAMPA BAY (100-62)2022 O/U – 89.5Two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber joins a starting staff that was already solid, fronting for a lineup that scored the second-most runs in the majors in 2021. Rays have won more games than any team in the A.L. over the past three seasons.TORONTO (91-72)2022 O/U – 92.5Losing Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and second baseman Marcus Semien was tough to swallow, but the Jays still have talent on hand. Expect lots of runs from a solid lineup led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose 48 homers last season tied for the ML lead.AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRALCHICAGO (93-69)2022 O/U – 91.5Two straight playoff appearances – and two straight first-round losses. The White Sox are hoping for more this season, behind a deep rotation that has no real ace and an excellent lineup led by Tim Anderson and Jose Abreau.CLEVELAND (80-82)2022 O/U – 76.5Low payroll and low expectations for the Guardians. Veteran manager Terry Francona will have his work cut out with this group. Injuries kept No. 1 Shane Bieber to 16 starts last season, and if he can’t stay on the field more this season, it won’t be pretty.DETROIT (77-85)2022 O/U – 77.5Five straight losing seasons were apparently enough for management, which bumped up the payroll and brought on starter Eduardo Rodriguez and several others. Tigers are hoping Miguel Cabrera can still drive in runs at age 39.KANSAS CITY (74-88)2022 O/U – 74.5Look who’s back! Zack Greinke, who won the Cy in KC in 2009. He’ll head a young staff that showed some promise last season. All eyes will be on shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., considered the top prospect in the majors.MINNESOTA (73-89)2022 O/U – 81.5The offense should not be a problem, especially with the arrival of premier shortstop Carlos Correia. The problem is the pitching staff, which will throw to former Yankee catcher Gary Sanchez. None of the projected starting staff had an ERA under 4 last season.AMERICAN LEAGUE WESTHOUSTON (95-67)2022 O/U – 91.5Correia is gone, but plenty of talent remains from last season’s World Series losers. Justin Verlander returns from Tommy John surgery, and if he’s 80 percent of what he was, the staff will be among the best. Scoring runs won’t be a problem.OAKLAND (86-76)2022 O/U – 70.5At least the A’s are consistent. Develop players, then trade them away before you have to pay them. The post-lockout exodus (Olsen, Chapman, Bassitt) was almost immediate. A move to Las Vegas seems inevitable; only the details remain.LOS ANGELES (77-85)2022 O/U – 83.5If, if, if the Angeles stay somewhat healthy (looking at you, Mike Trout and Tony Rendon), then they’ll have a puncher’s chance at ending their 7-year playoff drought. Noah Syndergaard should bolster the starting staff and Michael Lorenzen should boost the bullpen.SEATTLE (90-72)2022 O/U – 83.5Has it really been 20 years since the Mariners made the playoffs? Yikes. That streak is in serious danger this season as Seattle progresses. Cy Young winner Robbie Ray leads the staff, and if the offense is even a little above average, the Mariners could surprise.TEXAS (60-102)2022 O/U – 74.5The Rangers are another team trying to spend their way out of the dumpster. The middle of the infield will feature Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien. None of the projected starters – including free agent Jon Gray – had a winning record last year.

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