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Normally we only preview the PGA Tour events here at BangTheBook, but this week’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open has a star-studded field and is the final official tune-up for The Open Championship, so we’ll go across the pond to Gullane Golf Club to break this one down.

One spot remains for the PGA Tour players that are not in next week’s major and they’ll fight for that in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. A lot of players that are playing at Carnoustie are at Gullane to get acclimated to the conditions and also avoid the jet lag that would come with a same-week trip.

This isn’t a new thing, as the Scottish Open has preceded The Open Championship every year since 1987. This year’s event is at Gullane, which last hosted the Scottish Open in 2015. The Scottish Open was actually held at Carnoustie in 1995 and 1996. Last year’s tournament was at Dundonald Links and the 2016 version was at Castle Stuart. In terms of course form data, we have the 2015 Scottish Open. The city of Gullane held the 2013 Open Championship, but that was at Muirfield.

There are 13 Americans in the field and a whole bunch of European Tour regulars that are either looking to secure a spot at The Open Championship or just play well in a very tough field. A lot of PGA Tour regulars are on hand as well, as this is probably the absolute strongest field we’ll see in a European Tour event thanks to the major that is on deck. Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar, and Phil Mickelson are the four biggest names from the US that will tee it up at Gullane.

One of the big stories so far this week in Scotland is that Henrik Stenson has withdrawn with an injury. Stenson expects to play at Carnoustie, but that can’t be a good sign for his chances. Tommy Fleetwood is bypassing this week to rest for The Open. Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, and Justin Thomas are among those sitting this one out.

The favorite this week per <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/5dimes"><strong>5Dimes Sportsbook</strong></a> is Justin Rose at +900. Rose started out well with a couple of 66s back in 2015, but then he shot 72-76 to finish his weekend at even par. That was a 74th-place finish. Rose is playing very well right now. He was 10th at the US Open at Shinnecock after finishing sixth at Muirfield Village and first in Fort Worth at Colonial. His start in 2015 has to be promising for those looking at the lowest price on the board.

Rickie Fowler, who won this event back in 2015, is the second favorite at +1000. Fowler went 66-68-66-68 for the win, one shot ahead of Matt Kuchar and Raphael Jacquelin. Only six players were at least 10-under in that 2015 event and Fowler was the one that managed to come out on top. He finished 30th the following weekend at St. Andrews. Since missing the cut at The PLAYERS Championship, Fowler has four top-20 finishes, so he’s in decent form.

Masters champ Patrick Reed is at +1800 along with Tyrrell Hatton. Reed did not play here in 2015. It has been a mixed bag for Reed since that win at Augusta. He had back-to-back top-10 finishes at the Zurich Classic team event and the Wells Fargo Championship. Then he finished outside to top 40 at TPC Sawgrass and 29th at The Memorial. He was fourth at Shinnecock in the US Open and then missed the cut at the Travelers. It’s hard to pinpoint what he might do this week. Hatton tied for 22nd in 2015 at the Scottish Open, sliding up the board with a final-round 66 on a day when scoring was tricky. Hatton is 24th in scoring average on the European Tour this season across 28 rounds. He’s played very well on par 4s, which is a big deal this week with only two par 5s and some lengthy par 4s.

Hideki Matsuyama is also making an appearance this week. He’s +2000. We haven’t really seen or heard much from Matsuyama this season. Matt Kuchar, who was one of the runners-up in 2015, is at +2200 along with Andy Sullivan, a name that isn’t very well known to PGA Tour fans. Sullivan is fourth on the European Tour in scoring average across his 56 rounds. The only downside for Sullivan is that he tends to make up a lot of ground on par 5s, but he’s still at a decent price this week. He’s also been one of the better putters among regular European Tour players and is ninth in strokes gained off the tee.

Russell Knox is another interesting player at +2200. Knox is fifth in strokes gained tee to green over his 11 rounds. He also just won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at around +2800. Usually we see players lower than that following a win, but Knox is in a field with some very good players this week, which improves his price.

Those looking for a longer shot dart to throw at the board should check out Eddie Pepperell at +10000. Pepperell, the winner of the Qatar Masters earlier this year, tied for fourth here back in 2015 at 10-under with a 70-66-65-69.

Golf Channel will have coverage of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open throughout the week.

Odds as of July 9, 2 p.m. ET

Justin Rose +900

Rickie Fowler +1000

Patrick Reed +1800

Tyrrell Hatton +1800

Hideki Matsuyama +2000

Matt Kuchar +2200

Andy Sullivan +2200

Russell Knox +2200

Phil Mickelson +2500

Rafa Cabrera-Bello +2500

Louis Oosthuizen +2500

Ian Poulter +2500

Chris Wood +4000

Alexander Bjork +5000

Matthew Fitzpatrick +5000

Ryan Fox +5000

Thomas Pieters +5000

Peter Uihlein +5500

Paul Dunne +5500

Martin Kaymer +5500

Jorge Campillo +5500

Charley Hoffman +6000

Ross Fisher +6000

Julian Suri +6600

Haotong Li +6600

Lee Westwood +6600

Dylan Frittelli +6600

Kiradech Aphibarnrat +7000

Graeme McDowell +8000

Kevin Chappell +9000

Lucas Bjerregaard +10000

Matt Wallace +10000

Matthew Southgate +10000

Mike Lorenzo-Vera +10000

Eddie Pepperell +10000

Erik Van Rooyen +10000

Danny Willett +10000

Cameron Smith +10000

Alexander Levy +10000

Adrian Otaegui +10000

Thomas Detry +11000

Soren Kjeldsen +12500

Andrew Johnston +12500

George Coetzee +12500

Nicolas Colsaerts +12500

Martin Laird +12500

Luke List +12500

Jordan Smith +12500

Joakim Lagergren +15000

Mikko Ilonen +15000

Padraig Harrington +15000

Fabrizio Zanotti +15000

Dean Burmester +15000

Ashley Chesters +15000

Aaron Rai +15000

Benjamin Hebert +15000

Sam Horsfield +16000

Robert Rock +16000

Shubhankar Sharma +16000

Richie Ramsay +17500

Raphael Jacquelin +17500

Pablo Larrazabal +17500

Nacho Elvira +17500

Matthieu Pavon +17500

Marc Warren +20000

Chris Paisley +20000

David Horsey +20000

Gonzalo Fdez-Castano +20000

Hideto Tanihara +20000

Jeunghun Wang +20000

Bradley Dredge +20000

Callum Shinkwin +20000

Richard Sterne +20000

Scott Hend +20000

Wade Ormsby +20000

Yusaku Miyazato +20000

Christiaan Bezuidenhout +22500

Austin Connelly +25000

Andrea Pavan +25000

Jacques Kruyswijk +25000

David Drysdale +25000

David Lipsky +25000

Lorenzo Gagli +25000

Julien Guerrier +25000

Maximilian Kieffer +25000

Matteo Manassero +25000

Lee Slattery +25000

Oliver Fisher +25000

Thomas Aiken +25000

Thongchai Jaidee +25000

Stephen Gallacher +25000

Zander Lombard +27500

Nino Bertasio +27500

Justin Walters +30000

James Morrison +30000

Jamie Donaldson +30000

Adrien Saddier +30000

Scott Jamieson +30000

Romain Wattel +30000

Ricardo Gouveia +35000

Paul Waring +35000

Pedro Oriol +35000

Peter Hanson +35000

Jason Scrivener +35000

Haydn Porteous +35000

Gregory Bourdy +35000

Jens Dantorp +40000

Darren Fichardt +40000

Edoardo Molinari +40000

Ernie Els +40000

Andrew Dodt +40000

Ashun Wu +40000

Connor Syme +40000

Brandon Stone +40000

Brett Rumford +40000

Richard Bland +40000

Renato Paratore +40000

Steven Brown +40000

Alvaro Quiros +45000

Duncan Stewart +45000

Gavin Green +50000

David Howell +50000

Jinho Choi +50000

Gregory Havret +50000

Lasse Jensen +50000

Marcel Siem +50000

Adam Bland +50000

Andres Romero +50000

Bradley Neil +50000

Charlie Ford +50000

Daniel Brooks +50000

Chris Hanson +50000

Sebastien Gros +50000

Scott Fernandez +50000

Ryan Evans +50000

Phachara Khongwatmai +50000

Robert Karlsson +50000

Sam Brazel +50000

Soomin Lee +60000

Tapio Pulkkanen +60000

Oliver Farr +60000

Jamie McLeary +60000

Thomas Bjorn +62500

Peter Whiteford +75000

Jason Norris +75000

Clement Sordet +75000

Chase Koepka +75000

Carlos Pigem +100000

Daniel Im +100000

Conor O'Neil +100000

Darren Clarke +100000

Rak Hyun Cho +100000

S.S.P. Chawrasia +100000

Trevor Immelman +100000

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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>-END OF 2018 PREVIEW-</strong></span>

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The tragic and terrible flooding in West Virginia has left us with only one golf event this week. It’s across the pond at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Scotland. This is the last chance for European Tour players to gain entry into The Open Championship, which will be played at Royal Troon next week. The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is a great appetizer for next week’s main course and there are a lot of top-notch players in attendance this week.

As mentioned, awful floods washed out the Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, so this is the only event that golf fans will have to follow this week. That’s certainly not a bad thing because it is a loaded event. Rory McIlroy and the Big Three from the PGA Tour are not there, but a handful of very familiar Americans, including a past champion, are on hand to tee it up this weekend.

This is the fourth time that Castle Stuart Golf Links has held the Scottish Open. The first time was when the tournament was under the sponsorship of Barclays and Luke Donald was victorious in the weather-shortened event. Only 54 holes were played and Donald was 19-under. This is a course that can see some very good scores. Jeev Miikha Singh won in 2012 at 17-under by topping Francesco Molinari in a playoff. Phil Mickelson had the same winning score after topping Branden Grace in a playoff.

Castle Stuart is your typical course in that region of the world. Wind and rain can play a factor on the par 72, 7200-yard track. There are a lot of undulating greens and plenty of sand traps. There are a lot of long, straight holes that require accuracy off the tee and on the approach. There isn’t a lot of margin for error because areas of rough are basically unplayable, so anything outside the first cut can lead to doubles and triples. As seen by the winning scores posted here in the past Scottish Open events, it can be a good course for birdies or better with clean swings and good putting. The cut was 1-under in both 2013 and 2012 here at Castle Stuart.

The name at the top of the odds board at <strong>5Dimes Sportsbook</strong> is Henrik Stenson. Stenson (+805) hasn’t played this event since 2013, the last time it was at Castle Stuart Golf Links. He played extremely well that week and finished tied for third at 15-under, but he certainly could have done better. Stenson’s 70-64-66 had him in the catbird’s seat for a while, but he fired a 73 on Sunday and wound up losing by two shots to Phil Mickelson and Branden Grace. Mickelson ended up victorious in a playoff, but Stenson was on his game. He also tied for eighth in 2012 at this same course. Stenson withdrew from the US Open a couple weeks ago and has missed two straight cuts, so he’s not in the greatest form.

Speaking of Branden Grace, he’s the second favorite at +1100. Grace was the runner-up here in 2013 when he lost to Phil Mickelson in a playoff. He narrowly made the cut in 2012, but finished tied for 68th at 3-under. He did not play here in 2011. Grace has been in really solid form recently. He was 57th at the PLAYERS Championship, but he was 10th at Firestone last week and fifth at Oakmont three weeks ago. He won the RBC Heritage in April. He hasn’t played a European Tour event since he won the Qatar Masters back in January. He’s been in the top five of his last three European Tour starts.

Martin Kaymer is the third favorite at 5Dimes at +1400. Kaymer hasn’t played this event since 2012, when he finished 29th at Castle Stuart. He shot 67-68-69, but then finished with a final-round 74 that cost him a lot of money and some points in the standings. Kaymer doesn’t have much of a track record in this event over the last five years, but he won at Loch Lomond in 2009. He’s played well in European Tour events, with three straight top-seven finishes, but he hasn’t cracked the top 35 in a PGA Tour event since the Dell Match Play.

Phil Mickelson has one win in a European Tour exclusive event. It was this one in 2013 when he topped Branden Grace in a playoff on this very course. His other European Tour wins are in majors or WGC events. Because this event often falls right before The Open Championship, it’s almost an annual staple on Lefty’s calendar. He was 31st last year at Gullane and 11th at Royal Aberdeen in 2014. His win in 2013 really stands out and he also was 12-under here in 2012, though it wasn’t the prettiest of events. He shot an opening-round 73, but then went 64-65, before finishing with a 74. Mickelson is at +1600 here this week and could be knocking on the door of a win.

Shane Lowry will get a lot of consideration at +1800. In the three previous Scottish Opens at Castle Stuart, Lowry has finished 31st (7-under), 11th (13-under), and 14th (12-under). Lowry was second at the U.S. Open. He struggled at Firestone, but got better as the weekend went on, so he does carry a little bit of momentum into this event.

This has been a good course for Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts. Colsaerts checks in at +4500 this week. He finished tied for eighth in 2013, four shots back of the pace set by Mickelson and Grace. In 2012, Colsaerts played well, but 8-under was only good enough for 36th. In 2011, Colsaerts was 14-under through 54 holes before weather caused the tournament to end at that point. He was third to start June at the Nordea Masters and was 22nd last week on a tough track at Le Golf National.

Those looking for a Hail Mary can give Simon Dyson a shot. Dyson is +50000 this week. He was 12th in 2013 at 10-under, shooting a consistent 70-69-69-70 over the course of the weekend. He was 10-under in 2012 as well, as a final-round 74 pushed him down the board. Dyson was 11-under through 54 holes in 2011, as the soft conditions allowed for a lot of low scores. He plays really well here, so top five or top 10 props could be in the works for him.

Golf Channel will have all the coverage you need of this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

2018 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open Betting Odds & Picks

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<p>From T-Mobile Park in Seattle, we have an AL matchup between the White Sox and Mariners. The game is set for 9:40 PM ET, and NBCS is carrying it on TV. The money line odds have the Mariners at -239 compared to the White Sox at +198. The over/under line is currently at 7 runs.</p>

<p>Chicago comes in with a record of 17-50 and they are 5th in the AL Central. The Mariners are 1st in the AL West with an overall record of 38-30. Drew Thorpe is slated to start for the White Sox, while the Mariners are going with Bryan Woo.</p><h3>CHICAGO WHITE SOX VS SEATTLE MARINERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Chicago White Sox Moneyline +198</p><p>This game will be played at T-Mobile Park at 9:40 ET on Tuesday, June 11th.</p><h3>HOW TO BET THE WHITE SOX VS MARINERS:</h3><ul><li>We have the White Sox winning by a score of 6 to 4</li><li>If you're looking for a run line pick, we also like the White Sox to cover</li><li>As for an over/under pick, we have this game finishing with 10 runs and like the over</li></ul><p>Seattle picked up an 8-4 win over the White Sox in the most recent game of this series. The Mariners had a huge 8th inning, scoring four of their eight runs. As for the White Sox, they scored their only four runs in the 9th. Heading into the game, the Mariners were favored at -210 on the money line.</p>

<p>Logan Gilbert started for the Mariners and picked up the win, going 6 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs. He finished the game with eight strikeouts but issued five walks. On the other side, Erick Fedde got the start for the White Sox and took the loss, giving up one earned run in seven innings of work.</p>

<p>At the plate, the Mariners were led by Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone, who each homered and drove in four runs. Mitch Haniger also had a two-hit game and scored two runs. For the White Sox, Luis Robert Jr. hit the game's only other home run and drove in two runs.</p><h3>White Sox Records & Stats</h3><p>With an overall record of 17-50, the White Sox are 5th in the AL Central and trail the Guardians by 26.5 games for the division lead. So far, they have really struggled against other AL Central teams, going 5-19 this year. The White Sox will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak today, and they are just 2-8 over their last 10 games.</p>

<p>At home, the White Sox are 12-23 this year, and they have gone just 5-27 on the road. This season, the White Sox have been the underdog in all but three of their games, and they are 3-0 as the favorite. Chicago is 6-23 in day games and 11-27 in night games this year. As for their overall series record, the White Sox are 4-15-2 this year.</p><p>Chicago is 11-21 against the run line on the road, with an average scoring margin of -2.8 runs per game. The White Sox are 3-0 against the run line as the favorite, but 25-39 as the underdog. They have a run line losing streak of two games when favored, and their average run margin in losses is -3.9 runs per game.</p><p>Chicago White Sox games have gone over the total in 33 of their 64 games this season, and their games have averaged 8.4 runs per game. When the over/under line is set at 7 runs, their games have gone over the total in two games, under in three games, and pushed in one game. Their games have had an average over/under line of 8 runs per game this season. Their games have had an over/under line of 7 runs in just six games this season, and the over has gone 2-3-1 in those games.</p><p>The White Sox will be sending Drew Thorpe to the mound today against the Mariners. He's eager to kick off his season with a solid performance, marking his debut for the year.</p><p>Chicago's offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, as they are last in the MLB in both team batting average and on-base percentage. As a team, they are averaging just 3.1 runs per game, which is the worst mark in the league. The White Sox are hoping that Andrew Vaughn and Paul DeJong can keep their hot streaks going, as Vaughn has gone 11/29 in his last seven games, and DeJong has four homers in his last eight games.</p>

<p>DeJong's four homers in his last eight games have helped him take over the team lead in homers, and his 27 RBIs are the 2nd most on the team. Gavin Sheets is batting .242 for the season and is 15th in the league with seven homers. His 28 RBIs are the most on the team.</p><h3>Mariners Records & Stats</h3><p>Seattle is hosting the White Sox today with an overall record of 38-30, which has them leading the AL West by 5.5 games over the Rangers. The Mariners have won two straight games, and they are 14-5 against other teams in the AL West this year.</p>

<p>At home, the Mariners are 22-11 this year and have won four straight at home. On the road, Seattle is just under .500 at 16-19. As for how they have fared as the favorite, the Mariners are 23-17 and 15-13 as the underdog. Seattle's overall series record is 11-8-2.</p><p>Seattle is 19-14 against the run line at home this season, and they have covered the run line in each of their last three games at home. Their average run margin at home is +0.8, and their overall run line record is 34-34. They are 18-22 against the run line as the favorite and 16-12 as the underdog.</p><p>Seattle's games have averaged 7.6 runs per game this season, and their over/under record is 27-38. The over has hit in 73.5% of their games with an average line of 8 runs, but their over/under record is 7-7-2 in games with a line of 7 runs. The over has hit in four straight games for the Mariners.</p><p>Seattle starter Bryan Woo has made six appearances this season and has a record of 3-0. His ERA is an impressive 1.07, along with a WHIP of 0.54. Woo has turned in four quality starts this season and is coming off a game in which he didn't allow a run. In that outing against the Athletics, he went six innings and gave up just two hits. Looking at his overall numbers, Woo has allowed just one homer this season and is averaging 6.42 strikeouts per nine innings. So far, he has been much better on the road, with an ERA of 1.5 compared to 0.56 at home.</p><p>Cal Raleigh has been one of the league's top power hitters so far this season, as his 12 home runs are 10th in the MLB. However, he is batting just .206 for the season. Ty France and Mitch Garver are also near the top of the Mariners' home run leaderboard, with 7 and 7, respectively. France is batting .251 for the season, and Garver is hitting just .176.</p>

<p>Julio Rodriguez comes into the game on a four-game hitting streak and is batting .271 for the season. He has gone deep five times and is 4th on the team with 25 RBIs. Over his last seven games, Garver is 6/21 with two homers and eight RBIs. J.P. Crawford has two homers in his last eight games but is batting just .235 over that stretch.</p>

Chicago White Sox vs Seattle Mariners Betting Pick & Prediction 6/11/24

<p>Looking to win big? The Bobcats and Horned Frogs face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Horned Frogs are hosting the game at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, TX. The odds for this non-conference game currently have TCU as the -15 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 137.5 points.</p><h3>TEXAS STATE BOBCATS VS TCU HORNED FROGS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Texas State Bobcats +15</p><p>This game will be played at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE TEXAS STATE BOBCATS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Horned Frogs.</li><li>Even though we have TCU winning straight-up, we like Texas State at +15.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 137.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Is an Upset Waiting to Happen on the Road?</h3><p>Texas State opened their season with a 64-44 win over Eastern Michigan on Monday. Playing at home, the Bobcats entered as -8.5 favorites and covered the spread with the 20-point victory.</p> <p>Texas State led 35-22 at halftime and maintained their defensive intensity in the 2nd half, allowing just 22 points while scoring 29. The game’s total points of 108 fell well short of the 135.5 O/U line.</p><p>In their last game, the Bobcats put up 64 points, with Christian Henry leading the way, scoring 17 points and hitting 3 of 7 from deep. Kaden Gumbs added 15 points, knocking down 5 of 9 shots and hitting his only three-point attempt.</p> <p>Tylan Pope contributed 12 points, going 2 for 2 from beyond the arc, while Tyrel Morgan added 11 points, connecting on 5 of 11 shots and 1 of 2 from three-point range.</p><p>Texas State's defense held strong, giving up just 44 points while allowing the opponent to shoot 41% from the field on 20 of 48 attempts. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team hitting only 13 of 33 shots for 39%.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Texas State's opponent connected on 7 of 15 threes, shooting 46%. The Bobcats also sent them to the line 21 times, where they made 17 free throws, an 81% success rate. Texas State allowed 9 offensive rebounds in the game.</p><h3>Will the Horned Frogs Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?</h3><p>TCU opened their season with a 67-51 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday. The Horned Frogs were heavy favorites at -17.5 but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points came in at 118, well below the O/U line of 148.</p> <p>TCU led 30-29 at halftime but clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 22 points while scoring 37 themselves to pull away for the win.</p><p>In their last game, TCU put up 67 points, shooting 45.5% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.9%, with a strong 57.6% shooting on two-pointers, but they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 27.3% on 6-of-22 attempts.</p> <p>At the free-throw line, the Horned Frogs connected on 78.6%, going 11-for-14. They grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists. Keeshawn Kellman led the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 81.8% on 9-of-11 from the field. Vasean Allette added 14 points, though he shot just 35.7% overall and 20.0% from three.</p><p>TCU's defense held their opponent to 51 points despite allowing them to shoot 45% from the field. The Horned Frogs gave up 19 two-point baskets on 33 attempts, a 57% success rate for their opponent.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, TCU limited their opponent to 6 made threes on 22 attempts, a 27% shooting performance. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 11 shots for 78%.</p>

Texas State Bobcats vs TCU Horned Frogs NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

<p>At 10:00 ET, the Golden State Warriors (-142) will host the Dallas Mavericks (+119) in a Western Conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is 232.</p>

<p>Golden State (-2.5) is 8-2 on the season and will be looking to extend their winning streak to 5 games. Dallas is 5-5 and will be looking to bounce back from a 1-point loss to the Suns in their last game.</p><h3>DALLAS MAVERICKS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Dallas Mavericks +2.5</p><p>This game will be played at Chase Center at 10:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE DALLAS MAVERICKS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 141-131 in favor of the Mavericks.</li><li>Our projections have Luka Doncic finishing with Luka Doncic points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Mavericks finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 17 threes.</li></ul><h3>Do the Mavericks Have a Shot at a Win at San Francisco?</h3><p>The Mavericks fell to 5-5 on the season after a 122-120 road loss to the Nuggets on Sunday. Dallas entered the game as +2 point underdogs, and the final score resulted in a push. The total points for the game were 242, surpassing the over/under line of 233 by 9 points.</p> <p>Dallas took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Denver 34-25, but the Nuggets responded with a 37-31 edge in the 3rd. The Mavericks entered the 4th quarter trailing 97-94 and narrowly outscored Denver 26-25 in the final period but couldn’t complete the comeback.</p><p>Kyrie Irving's 43-point performance on 77.3% shooting wasn't enough for the Mavericks in their 122-120 loss to the Nuggets. Irving hit 6 threes at a 75% clip, while the rest of the team struggled, making just 4 more threes at 30.3%.</p> <p>As a team, Dallas shot 53.3% from the field. Luka Doncic added 24 points and 9 assists, and Daniel Gafford contributed 16 points on 77.8% shooting. Irving scored 16 points in the 4th quarter.</p><p>The Mavericks gave up 122 points to the Nuggets, who shot 50% from the field. Dallas struggled defensively in the 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing 35 and 37 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 25 points in each.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Mavericks allowed Denver to make 14 threes on 48% shooting. Dallas sent the Nuggets to the line 26 times, where they made 18 free throws. The Mavericks finished with 7 steals and 5 blocks.</p><h3>Will the Warriors Live Up to Expectations at Home?</h3><p>Golden State improved to 8-2 on the season with a 127-116 road win over the Thunder on Sunday. The Warriors, who were +6.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The total points for the game were 243, exceeding the O/U line of 227.5 by 15.5 points.</p> <p>After falling behind 33-26 in the 1st quarter, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run, turning a 65-58 deficit into a 68-65 lead. They dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring the Thunder 81-46, before the Thunder made a late push in the 4th, outscoring Golden State 37-20.</p><p>The Warriors connected on 21 threes at a 48.8% clip in their win over the Thunder, shooting 50.6% from the field overall. Stephen Curry led the way with 36 points, hitting 7 threes at 53.8% efficiency and adding 7 assists.</p> <p>Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points, with 12 coming in the 2nd quarter, while De'Anthony Melton added 19 points and 10 rebounds, knocking down 5 threes at 62.5%. Curry had a big 3rd quarter, scoring 17 of his points in that period.</p><p>Despite a rough 4th quarter where they allowed 37 points, the Warriors' defense held the Thunder to 116 points on 44% shooting overall. Their best defensive efforts came in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, where they gave up just 25 and 21 points, respectively.</p> <p>Golden State did a solid job defending the three-point line, limiting Oklahoma City to 11 made threes on 33% shooting. The Warriors also recorded 8 steals and 3 blocks in the game.</p>

Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

<p>Betting on today's Jaguars and Rebels game? Catch the action at C. M. Tad Smith Coliseum in Oxford, MS, as the Rebels hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on SEC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 148 points, and Ole Miss is favored by -17.5 at home against South Alabama.</p><h3>SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS VS OLE MISS REBELS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: South Alabama Jaguars +17.5</p><p>This game will be played at C. M. Tad Smith Coliseum at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Rebels.</li><li>Even though we have Ole Miss winning straight-up, we like South Alabama at +17.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 148 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Does South Alabama Have A Chance at C. M. Tad Smith Coliseum?</h3><h3>South Alabama Jaguars Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>South Alabama opened their season with a 70-64 road win over Nicholls on Friday, November 8th. The Jaguars were +5.5 point underdogs going into the game, but they not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.</p> 

<p>After leading 30-24 at halftime, South Alabama scored 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 40 points to Nicholls. The game’s total points of 134 fell short of the 151.5 over/under line.</p><p>South Alabama's offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 33.3% overall and 30% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.1%, but they made up for it by hitting 23 of 30 free throws, good for 76.7%.</p> <p>Judah Brown and Brian Myles were bright spots, with Brown hitting 5 of 8 threes and Myles going 3 for 4 from deep. Both players also grabbed 6 rebounds. Ike Cornish and Myles Corey each contributed 18 points, with Corey adding 8 assists.</p><p>South Alabama's defense held strong, allowing just 64 points while limiting their opponent to 34% shooting from the field. The Jaguars were particularly effective inside, where they gave up only 10 two-point baskets on 27 attempts, a 37% shooting performance.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, South Alabama's defense allowed 12 threes on 36 attempts, a 33% shooting clip. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 8 shots, shooting 61%. The Jaguars gave up 11 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Will the Rebels Come Through as Home Favorites?</h3><h3>Ole Miss Rebels Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Ole Miss narrowly escaped with a 66-64 win over Grambling State on Friday, November 8th. The Rebels, who were heavy favorites at -23, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 130 fell short of the 143-point over/under line.</p> 

<p>After trailing 33-25 at halftime, Ole Miss turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Grambling State 41-31 to secure the win.</p><p>Ole Miss struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 35.4% from the field and 23.1% from beyond the arc, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 40%. They did connect on 77.8% of their free throws, going 14-for-18 from the line.</p> <p>Mikale Stevenson led the Rebels with 16 points and 4 assists, while Kintavious Dozier added 15 points, hitting 40% of his threes. Ernest Ross contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds, and James Flippin knocked down all 4 of his three-point attempts, finishing with 12 points.</p><p>Ole Miss put the clamps on defensively, holding their opponent to just 64 points on 35% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective at defending the three-point line, where they allowed only 6 made threes on 26 attempts, a 23% success rate.</p> <p>Inside the arc, Ole Miss gave up 17 two-point baskets on 39 attempts, good for 43% shooting. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 14 of those attempts, shooting 77% from the stripe. Ole Miss allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.</p>

South Alabama Jaguars vs Ole Miss Rebels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

The spotlight race on Friday May 3 at Churchill Downs is the Kentucky Oaks. The signature three-year-old filly race is the day before the Kentucky Derby and one of the best showcases for female horses in all of racing. A full field of 14 horses are entered and there are two alternates ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Much like we discussed in our Kentucky Derby preview, wet conditions are expected for the week leading up to this weekend, so we could be looking at a muddy and sloppy track. Track conditions have to be factored in to every horse handicap.

The 1 1/8 miles required for the horses in this race is longer than all of the lead-up races other than the Demoiselle and the Gazelle Stakes, so this is a lot like the Triple Crown races in that regard.

You’ll want to remember that as we break down the field for the Lillies for the Fillies in the 2019 Kentucky Oaks.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="43">Post</td>
<td width="164">Horse</td>
<td width="164">Trainer</td>
<td width="164">Jockey</td>
<td width="55">Odds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">1</td>
<td width="164">Out For A Spin</td>
<td width="164">D. Stewart</td>
<td width="164">I. Ortiz Jr.</td>
<td width="55">15/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">2</td>
<td width="164">Chocolate Kisses</td>
<td width="164">M. Casse</td>
<td width="164">T. Gaffalione</td>
<td width="55">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">3</td>
<td width="164">Lady Apple</td>
<td width="164">S. Asmussen</td>
<td width="164">R. Santana Jr.</td>
<td width="55">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">4</td>
<td width="164">Bellafina</td>
<td width="164">S. Callaghan</td>
<td width="164">F. Prat</td>
<td width="55">2/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">5</td>
<td width="164">Flor de La Mar</td>
<td width="164">B. Baffert</td>
<td width="164">J. Rosario</td>
<td width="55">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">6</td>
<td width="164">Positive Spirit</td>
<td width="164">R. Brisset</td>
<td width="164">M. Franco</td>
<td width="55">30/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">7</td>
<td width="164">Jaywalk</td>
<td width="164">J. Servis</td>
<td width="164">J. Castellano</td>
<td width="55">8/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">8</td>
<td width="164">Motion Emotion</td>
<td width="164">T. Van Berg</td>
<td width="164">M. Smith</td>
<td width="55">15/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">9</td>
<td width="164">Liora</td>
<td width="164">W. Catalano</td>
<td width="164">C. Hill</td>
<td width="55">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">10</td>
<td width="164">Champagne Anyone</td>
<td width="164">I. Wilkes</td>
<td width="164">C. Landeros</td>
<td width="55">6/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">11</td>
<td width="164">Jeltrin</td>
<td width="164">A. Delgado</td>
<td width="164">L. Saez</td>
<td width="55">15/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">12</td>
<td width="164">Street Band</td>
<td width="164">L. Jones</td>
<td width="164">S. Doyle</td>
<td width="55">15/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">13</td>
<td width="164">Serengeti Empress</td>
<td width="164">T. Amoss</td>
<td width="164">J. Graham</td>
<td width="55">8/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">14</td>
<td width="164">Restless Rider</td>
<td width="164">K. McPeek</td>
<td width="164">B. Hernandez Jr.</td>
<td width="55">6/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">Alt1</td>
<td width="164">Dunbar Road</td>
<td width="164">C. Brown</td>
<td width="164">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="55">5/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">Alt2</td>
<td width="164">Point of Honor</td>
<td width="164">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="164">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="55">30/1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

<strong>Bellafina</strong>

When you talk about dominant in filly races, you talk about Bellafina. The 2/1 favorite rolled through the Road to the Kentucky Oaks circuit with wins at the Santa Ynez, Las Virgenes, and the Santa Anita Oaks, as she outlasted Flor de La Mar for the win. That Santa Anita Oaks featured only four horses and the conditions were picture perfect for racing, so it’s fair to be less than impressed with that performance. Bellafina was the 1/5 favorite.

Bellafina was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenille Fillies last year at Churchill, but she was in heat, so racing wasn’t the only thing on her mind. She finished behind Jaywalk, Restless Rider, and Vibrance, who did not run well in other lead-ups and will skip this race.

The odds suggest that it’s Bellafina’s race to lose, but distance hasn’t been kind to her and it will likely be wet and sloppy. She only ran against four horses in the Santa Anita and five in the Las Virgenes. While a deserving favorite, this is a much larger field and it can make horses uncomfortable.

&nbsp;

<strong>Champagne Anyone</strong>

Champagne Anyone gave a strong effort in traffic in the Forward Gal Stakes back in February with a third-place finish. She moved deftly along the rail on the backstretch to get into contention and then gave a strong final push to finish third behind favorite Feedback and Bye Bye J. That was only a seven-furlong race and Champagne Anyone would have caught the two leaders had it gone any longer. That’s relevant here because this is a 1 1/8 mile race.

Champagne Anyone had a strong win in the Gulfstream Oaks over Dunbar Road, who is an alternate here, but would be among the favorites as you can see on the board above. She’s had some good practice times and put on blinkers that could be a big help in traffic here in this race. It doesn’t hurt that she comes from Street Sense, the winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby and second-place finisher to Curlin in the Preakness that same year.

&nbsp;

<strong>Restless Rider</strong>

Restless Rider was second to Jaywalk in that Juvenile Fillies race at Churchill last November. She was also second to Liora in the Golden Rod Stakes and then second to Out For A Spin in the Ashland Stakes. She’s a Kentucky horse through and through with a lot of runs at Churchill and Keeneland. She’ll be on the board here. Whether or not she’ll win will depend on how she closes the last eighth of a mile. She’s been right there at the end of most of her second-place finishes.

&nbsp;

<strong>Serengeti Empress</strong>

Serengeti Empress is a great horse with a great name, but sometimes timing is everything. She’s slated to run in this race, but she suffered a very scary incident at the Fair Grounds Oaks with some respiratory bleeding. That was about five weeks ago. She’s stepping up in class and doing so at less than 100%. That’s a pass.

&nbsp;

<strong>Jaywalk</strong>

Realistically, there are four horses that can win this thing. Bellafina, Champagne Anyone, Restless Rider, and Jaywalk. This filly has the very experienced Javier Castellano in the irons. He won on Cathryn Sophia back in 2016 for John Servis and the two are back together here.

The concern about Jaywalk here is that she’s trending downward. A third in the Ashland and a fourth in the Davona Dale were not good showcases heading into the Kentucky Oaks. On the other hand, she was the best in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on this same track last November. That was the team of Servis and Rosario in that one, but Jaywalk went basically wire to wire and got stronger at the finish by opening up a six-length win.

John, much like his brother Jason, doesn’t push his horses too hard in lead-ups to major races. I can’t help but wonder if he was holding Jaywalk back a bit after that big win, with this spot all but set in stone for the Kentucky Oaks.

&nbsp;

<strong>Picks</strong>

I’m actually going to stay away from the favorite in Bellafina here. She’s a deserving favorite, but I think the other contenders are just as strong, if not stronger. Jaywalk and Champagne Anyone are my top two for this race and I’d put them in an exacta box.

Restless Rider should also hit the board. A trifecta box of Jaywalk, Champagne Anyone, Restless Rider, and Bellafina makes a lot of sense here, as those are the top four contenders and I’d be surprised to see any other horses sneak into the top three. Hope for Bellafina to hit the board third for the best payout.

So, my picks as of now:

Exacta: Box 7 &amp; 10

Trifecta: Box 4, 7, 10, &amp; 14

Would use 7 &amp; 10 in Pick 3s and Pick 4s as well

2019 Kentucky Oaks Predictions, Picks, and Odds

<p>Looking to win big? The Trojans and Red Wolves face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Red Wolves are hosting the game at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, AR. The over/under for this game is set at 157.5 points, and Arkansas State is favored by -14.5 against Little Rock in a non-conference matchup.</p><h3>LITTLE ROCK TROJANS VS ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Little Rock Trojans +14.5</p><p>This game will be played at First National Bank Arena at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE LITTLE ROCK TROJANS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Red Wolves.</li><li>Even though we have Arkansas State winning straight-up, we like Little Rock at +14.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 157.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.</li></ul><h3>Does Little Rock Have a Shot at a Road Win?</h3><h3>Little Rock Trojans Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Little Rock’s season opener didn’t go as planned, as they fell 82-67 to Winthrop on Saturday. The Trojans were +11 underdogs going into the game and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 149, falling short of the 158 O/U line.</p> 

<p>After trailing 32-28 at halftime, Little Rock allowed 50 points in the 2nd half while scoring 39 of their own. They’ll need to tighten up defensively moving forward.</p><p>Little Rock struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 34.4% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.6%, and they managed 10 assists as a team.</p> <p>Johnathan Lawson led the way with 27 points, hitting 5 of 10 threes, while K.J. Doucet added 17 points, shooting 60% from deep. Tommy Kamarad was 3 for 4 from three, finishing with 13 points in 13 minutes.</p><p>Despite Little Rock's defensive efforts, they allowed 82 points in their previous game. The Trojans gave up 23 field goals on 41% shooting, including 14 two-pointers at a 50% clip.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Little Rock's defense saw their opponent hit 9 threes on 27 attempts, good for 33%. They also sent them to the line 42 times, where they made 27 free throws (64%). Little Rock allowed 21 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Can the Red Wolves Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?</h3><h3>Arkansas State Red Wolves Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>In their season opener, the Red Wolves fell 88-79 to Alabama on Friday. Despite being +25 point underdogs, Arkansas State kept the game closer than expected. The total points for the game reached 167, just under the O/U line of 171.5.</p> 

<p>Arkansas State trailed 43-40 at halftime and were outscored 45-39 in the 2nd half. While they didn’t pull off the upset, the Red Wolves covered the spread and showed promise against a strong Alabama team.</p><p>In their latest game, Arkansas State put up 79 points, shooting 40.3% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 28 threes for 21.4%, while their two-point shooting was a solid 55.9% (19/34). At the free-throw line, they connected on 63.9% of their attempts, going 23 for 36.</p> <p>Kobe Julien led the way with 20 points, despite shooting 30.8% overall and 25% from three. Mark Sears added 19 points, missing all 5 of his three-point attempts. Clifford Omoruyi and Rashaud Marshall were efficient inside, both shooting 83.3% (5/6) from the field.</p><p>Despite giving up 88 points, Arkansas State's defense held their opponent to 40% shooting from the field, with 27 made baskets on 66 attempts. They allowed 21 two-point field goals on 35 attempts, a 60% conversion rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Red Wolves limited their opponent to just 6 made threes on 31 attempts, a 19% shooting performance. However, they sent their opponent to the free-throw line 44 times, where they made 28 free throws, shooting 63%. Arkansas State also gave up 14 offensive rebounds.</p>

Little Rock Trojans vs Arkansas State Red Wolves NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

<p>The 49ers are heavily favored at -293 on the money line as they get set to host the Seahawks at 4:05 ET on Sunday, November 17th at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The 49ers are -6.5 point favorites on the point spread. This week 11 NFC West matchup is being televised on FOX, with the over/under line set at 49.5 points.</p><h3>SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Seattle Seahawks +6.5</p><p>This game will be played at Levi's Stadium at 4:05 ET on Sunday, November 17th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Seahawks winning this one by a score of 26 to 22</li><li>Not only do we have the Seahawks winning straight-up, we have them covering the spread at +6.5</li><li>We see this game finishing below the line of 49.5 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Seahawks Pull Off An Upset As Road Underdogs</h3><p>Heading into week 11, the Seahawks are on a two-game losing streak, including a 26-20 home loss to the Rams in week 9. This dropped Seattle to 4-5, leaving them 4th in the NFC West. They have a 2-1 road record but are just 2-4 at home. Our power rankings have the Seahawks 22nd, and they have a 6.3% chance of making the playoffs.</p> <p>Seattle is 2-6-1 against the spread, with a -1.2 scoring margin. Their O/U record is 5-4, with the under hitting in their last three games. Seattle and the Rams combined for 46 points in week 9, falling short of the 48.5-point line.</p><p>Seattle ranks 20th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 11. They lead the NFL in passing yards per game (268.2) and rank 2nd in pass attempts per game (38.1). Geno Smith threw for 363 yards (21/34) and 3 touchdowns in week 9, but also had 3 interceptions and was sacked 7 times. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a big game, with 7 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p> <p>On the ground, the Seahawks rank 27th in rushing yards per game, with 91.2, and 25th in attempts. Kenneth Walker III had 83 yards on 25 carries in week 9. Seattle ranks 23rd in 3rd-down conversions, with a 35.2% success rate, and they scored 7 points in the 4th quarter against the Rams after being shut out in the 1st and 3rd quarters.</p><p>In their 26-20 overtime loss to the Rams, the Seahawks' defense allowed 298 passing yards and 68 rushing yards on 24 attempts. They gave up two passing touchdowns but did manage to intercept one pass, holding the Rams to a 23.1% third-down conversion rate. Seattle's defense limited the Rams to a 56.8% completion percentage but struggled to generate pressure, as they didn't record any sacks and lost the QB hit and tackles for loss differentials.<p></p>The Seahawks' defense forced the Rams to settle for 26 points despite allowing 366 total yards in the game.</p><h3>Are The 49ers Going To Defend Home Field Advantage?</h3><p>After a week 7 loss to the Chiefs, the 49ers have bounced back with two straight wins, including a 30-24 victory over the Cowboys in week 8 and a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in week 10. San Francisco was favored by 6.5 points against Tampa Bay but couldn’t cover the spread, bringing their ATS record to 4-5. The 49ers have been favored in all of their games this season. Their O/U record stands at 5-4, with their games averaging 48.3 points compared to an average line of 46.6.</p> <p>Heading into week 11, the 49ers rank 6th in our NFL power rankings and have a 49.6% chance of making the playoffs and a 35.7% chance of winning the NFC West. They currently sit 2nd in the division with a 5-4 record, including a 3-2 mark at home and 2-2 on the road. In division play, the 49ers are 1-2.</p><p>Heading into week 11, the 49ers are 6th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 25.9 points per game. They rank 2nd in passing yards per game (262.8) despite being 19th in passing attempts. Brock Purdy threw for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 10, posting a passer rating of 119. Jauan Jennings led the team with 7 catches for 93 yards against the Buccaneers.</p> <p>San Francisco is 5th in rushing yards per game, averaging 149.7 yards on 30 attempts per game. Christian McCaffrey had 39 yards on 13 carries in week 10. The 49ers are 7th in 3rd-down conversions, with a 43.5% success rate, and they rank 22nd in red zone conversion percentage.</p><p>In their 23-20 win over the Buccaneers, the 49ers' defense held Tampa Bay to 105 passing yards on just 18 completions. The 49ers' defense also limited the Buccaneers to 110 rushing yards on 27 attempts. Despite this, the 49ers allowed one passing touchdown and a 62.1% completion percentage to Tampa Bay. San Francisco's defense was effective on third downs, allowing just a 35.7% conversion rate, and they also recorded two sacks in the game.<p></p>

Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers Betting Pick & Prediction 11/17/24

<p>The Falcons and Broncos will face off at 4:05 ET on Sunday, November 17th at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Broncos are the favorite with a point spread of -2.5 and a money line of -134. This non-conference matchup is being televised on FOX, and the Falcons' money line odds are +112. The over/under line is set at 44 points.</p><h3>ATLANTA FALCONS VS DENVER BRONCOS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Atlanta Falcons +2.5</p><p>This game will be played at Empower Field at Mile High at 4:05 ET on Sunday, November 17th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE ATLANTA FALCONS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Broncos winning this one by a score of 21 to 19</li><li>Even though we like the Broncos to win, our ATS pick is to take the Falcons at +2.5</li><li>We see this game finishing below the line of 44 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Falcons Pick Up A Win On The Road?</h3><p>Atlanta heads into week 11 with a 6-4 record, which has them sitting atop the NFC South at 4-1 in division play. Our projections give the Falcons an 85.5% chance of winning the division and an 86.9% chance of making the playoffs. They rank 14th in our power rankings. So far, Atlanta has gone 3-3 at home and 3-1 on the road.</p> <p>Against the spread, the Falcons are 5-5, with a +0.2 scoring margin. They are 4-4 as favorites and 1-1 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 4-6, with the under hitting in their last two games. Their matchups have averaged 47.4 points, compared to an average line of 46.6.</p><p>Atlanta's offense ranks 11th in our power rankings, averaging 23.8 points per game, which is also 11th in the NFL. They are 5th in passing yards per game, with 250.4, on 33.5 attempts per game. On the ground, they rank 12th in rushing yards per game, with 124.7, on 26.9 attempts per game. They are 17th in the league in 3rd-down conversions, with a rate of 38.1%, and their red zone conversion rate is 29%, which is also 17th in the NFL.</p> <p>Kirk Cousins threw for 306 yards in week 10, going 23/38, with one interception and no touchdowns. Bijan Robinson rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice, and Drake London led the team with 8 catches for 97 yards. The Falcons scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter against the Saints but were shut out in the 1st and 4th quarters.</p><p>Despite the loss, the Falcons' defense held the Saints to 269 passing yards on just 16 completions in their most recent game. New Orleans won a close one, 20-17, with Atlanta giving up two passing touchdowns. The Falcons' defense struggled to generate pressure, as they didn't record any sacks and had a -8 differential in quarterback hits.</p><p></p><p>Atlanta gave up 365 total yards, with 96 coming on 27 rushing attempts. The Falcons also allowed an average of 10.8 yards per pass attempt in the game.</p><h3>Will The Broncos Win At Home Over The Falcons?</h3><p>After a week 8 win over the Panthers, the Broncos have now dropped two straight games, bringing their record to 5-5. This includes a 41-10 loss to the Ravens in week 9 and a 16-14 loss to the Chiefs in week 10. Despite the loss to Kansas City, Denver managed to cover the spread as 7-point underdogs. They are 7-3 against the spread this season, with a +2 scoring margin.</p> <p>Heading into week 11, the Broncos rank 25th in our power rankings and have a 34.5% chance of making the playoffs. They are 3rd in the AFC West with a 1-2 division record and are 2-4 in conference games. Denver is 2-2 at home and 3-3 on the road.</p><p>Heading into week 11, the Broncos rank 27th in our offensive power rankings. They are 19th in the NFL in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game, and they rank 24th in total offense with 303.7 yards per game. Denver is 27th in passing yards per game (186.6) despite ranking 12th in pass attempts. On the ground, they average 117.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks 20th in the league.</p> <p>Bo Nix posted a passer rating of 115 in week 10, throwing for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns on 22/30 passing. Courtland Sutton led the team with 6 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Denver scored all 14 of their points in the 2nd quarter against the Chiefs, after being shut out in the 1st quarter for the 3rd consecutive game.</p><p>In their 16-14 loss to the Chiefs, the Broncos' defense allowed 243 passing yards and held Kansas City to 57 yards rushing on 19 attempts. They recorded four sacks and limited the Chiefs to a 43.8% third-down conversion rate. Despite this, the Broncos gave up one passing touchdown and allowed Kansas City to finish with 300 total yards.<p></p>The Broncos' defense was effective in generating pressure, as they had four sacks and won the quarterback hit battle with a +4 differential. However, they struggled to contain the Chiefs' passing game, as Kansas City completed 66.7% of their passes and averaged 5.8 yards per attempt. This tough defeat saw the Broncos' record drop to 0-2.</p>

Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos Betting Pick & Prediction 11/17/24

As expected, it was a crazy opening to the Xfinity Series season with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300. Fortunately, the NASCAR Racing Experience is a lot more than just plate races. This week, the drivers get back to standard conditions on the 1.54-mile loop at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

We’ve already taken a look at the <a href="http://bangthebook.com/folds-of-honor-quiktrip-500-betting-odds-picks/"><strong>Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500</strong></a> and are now focusing our energies on the Rinnai 250, which is the second race of the Xfinity Series season. This is the circuit’s one and only stop in Hampton, Georgia and the last time east of the Mississippi until early April at Bristol.

Odds come from <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/betonline"><strong>BetOnline Sportsbook</strong></a> this week and can be seen on the right-hand side for desktop viewers and below the comment box for mobile viewers. Let’s take a look at the Rinnai 250.
<h5><strong>Standings Update</strong></h5>
Michael Annett has punched a ticket to the Xfinity Series playoffs with his win at Daytona in the season opener. He also led the most laps, but the 32-year-old, who secured his first ever NASCAR win, is still third in the standings because he managed only two stage points. Brandon Jones finished third and was second in stage points with 15, so he is first in the overall standings with 49. Ross Chastain, who finished 13th, but won the second stage, is second with 42. After Annett, Austin Cindric and Justin Allgaier are fourth and fifth.

Surprisingly, there are no Cup Series guys in the race this week. Last week, Chase Elliott finished 10th and Brad Keselowski finished 37th, as both guys squandered one of their seven Xfinity Series starts.
<h5><strong>Opportunity</strong><strong> Presents Itself</strong></h5>
Dating back to 2009, the winners in the Rinnai 250 are Kevin Harvick (5), Kyle Busch (2), Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Carl Edwards, and Jamie McMurray. With no Cup Series drivers in this year’s event, this is a monumental opportunity for the Xfinity Series guys to make something special happen.

NASCAR does seem to be in a bit of a strange place with the Xfinity Series. Attendance figures are subpar, so the idea of limiting Cup Series participants won’t help put butts in seats. On the other hand, the drivers in the sport’s top “minor league”, so to speak, really deserve a fair shake. It is a very fine line to walk and the sport’s governing body has tried things like the Dash 4 Cash events and other restrictions for Cup Series guys.

In any event, that’s a conversation for another day, but a lack of Cup driver participation means that the race is wide open.
<h5><strong>For Whom The Bell Tolls</strong></h5>
In a traditional race without Cup Series drivers, it will be Christopher Bell’s race to lose via the oddsmakers. Bell is +275 this week. Bell owns eight career Xfinity Series wins, seven of which came last season. He was third in this race. Overall last year, Bell actually finished fourth in points because of the trouble he ran into at Kansas and Texas late in the year, but he was consistently the best points-eligible driver.

Veteran Justin Allgaier is second on the board at +400. Cole Custer and Ryan Preece are both +500. This is about what we can expect going forward. The Xfinity Series odds can be pretty boilerplate when Cup guys aren’t in the field.

Bell was third, Custer was 39th, Allgaier was sixth, and Preece was not in this race last year. Last year’s race, however, featured winner Kevin Harvick and fellow Cup drivers Joey Logano and Ty Dillon. Logano finished second.

Back in 2017, Elliott Sadler, who retired prior to this season, was the only points-eligible driver to finish in the top five. He joined Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick.
<h5><strong>Other Hopefuls</strong></h5>
John Hunter Nemechek had a strong run here last year and finished fourth. It was one of six top-five finishes for JHN. He won at Kansas during the Xfinity Series playoffs, which he did not qualify for as a part-time racer. Nemechek is a guy that you may want to bet early. If he gets a win or two now that he’s a full-time driver, he’ll be dropped into that 4/1 or 5/1 range shortly after that first trip to the winner’s circle.

With some new drivers in races that feature a limited number of Cup drivers, you want to take some shots like this because those guys will see rapid price adjustments. Ironically, we’ve already seen the one for Preece, who won at Bristol last year and had seven top-five finishes in his starts. We’ve also seen it already for Noah Gragson, who had two top-five finishes last season.

Nemechek hasn’t gotten that adjustment yet, which means that the gettin’ is still good.
<h5><strong>Picks</strong></h5>
With that in mind, Nemechek is the top pick for this weekend. Sophomore Austin Cindric is also a good bet at +2000. Cindric was seventh here last year and finished with four top-fives in his last six races last year. He really got it going and got a lot more confidence on ovals with those finishes to end the season.

2019 Xfinity Series Rinnai 250 Betting Odds & Picks

<p>Looking to win big? The Bearkats and Bears face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bears are hosting the game at Foster Pavilion in Waco, TX. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 148 points, and Baylor is favored by -15 vs. Sam Houston.</p><h3>SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS VS BAYLOR BEARS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Sam Houston Bearkats +15</p><p>This game will be played at Foster Pavilion at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Bears.</li><li>Even though we have Baylor winning straight-up, we like Sam Houston at +15.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 148 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Bearkats Defense Show Up on the Road?</h3><h3>Sam Houston Bearkats Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Sam Houston picked up a decisive 91-62 win over Tarleton State on Saturday, November 9th. The Bearkats, who were -5.5 favorites, covered the spread with ease. The game’s total points hit 153, surpassing the O/U line of 144.5.</p> 

<p>Sam Houston led 47-34 at halftime and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, scoring 44 points while holding Tarleton State to 28 points.</p><p>Sam Houston's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 91 points with a field goal percentage of 48.4%. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 59.7%, thanks largely to their 53.8% shooting from beyond the arc, where they hit 14 of 26 attempts.</p> <p>The Bearkats also dominated the offensive glass, pulling down 19 offensive rebounds and dishing out 20 assists. Bubu Benjamin led the way with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Dorian Finister and Lamar Wilkerson each added 15 points, with Wilkerson hitting 3 of 4 from deep.</p><p>Sam Houston's defense held their opponent to 62 points, allowing them to shoot 43% from the field on 25 of 57 attempts. Inside the arc, the opposing team managed to hit 21 of 45 shots, good for 46% shooting.</p> <p>From three-point range, the Bearkats limited their opponent to just 4 made threes on 12 attempts, a 33% shooting performance. Sam Houston also sent them to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 8 of those attempts, shooting 42%.</p><h3>Is A Home Victory Likely for Favored Baylor?</h3><h3>Baylor Bears Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Bears picked up a 72-67 win over the Razorbacks on Saturday, November 9th. Baylor, who were -4 favorites, covered the spread with the victory.</p> 

<p>Baylor led 42-33 at halftime but were outscored 34-30 in the 2nd half. The total points for the game were 139, falling under the O/U line of 155.</p><p>Adou Thiero led the way for Baylor with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, and added 6 rebounds in their latest game. Boogie Fland contributed 17 points and 7 assists, hitting 3-of-5 from deep, while Jayden Nunn added 16 points, connecting on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.</p> <p>Baylor shot 46.6% from the field, with a 51.7% effective field goal percentage. They hit 58.8% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from three, shooting just 29.2% (7-of-24). The Bears also made 11-of-17 free throws (64.7%) and grabbed 9 offensive rebounds, finishing with 12 assists as a team.</p><p>Despite Baylor's defensive struggles, they managed to hold the opposing team to 67 points. The Bears allowed their opponents to shoot 46% from the field, including 58% from two-point range, where they hit 20 of 34 attempts.</p> <p>Baylor's defense did a better job on the perimeter, limiting the opposing team to 29% shooting from three-point range, with just 7 made threes on 24 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 17 times, where they converted 11 free throws for 64%.</p>

Sam Houston Bearkats vs Baylor Bears NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

<p>Looking to win big? The Broncs and Midshipmen face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Midshipmen are hosting the game at Alumni Hall (Navy) in Annapolis, MD. The over/under for this game is set at 138 points, and Navy is favored by -4.5 against Rider in a non-conference matchup.</p><h3>RIDER BRONCS VS NAVY MIDSHIPMEN BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Rider Broncs +4.5</p><p>This game will be played at Alumni Hall (Navy) at 7:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE RIDER BRONCS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-72 in favor of the Midshipmen.</li><li>Even though we have Navy winning straight-up, we like Rider at +4.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 138 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Can Rider Pull Off A Win at Alumni Hall (Navy)?</h3><p>Rider improved to 2-0 on the season with a 64-53 win over Coppin State on Saturday. The Broncs, who were -9.5 favorites, covered the spread with the victory.</p> <p>Rider led 31-27 at halftime and outscored Coppin State 33-26 in the second half. The game’s total points of 117 fell short of the O/U line of 135.5.</p><p>In their last game, Rider put up 64 points, shooting 44.7% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 2 of 14 attempts for a 14.3% three-point shooting percentage, contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 46.8%.</p> <p>Inside the arc, the Broncs connected on 57.6% of their two-point attempts, and they went 20 for 29 from the free-throw line, shooting 69%. Derrius Ward and Toby Nnadozie each scored 18 points, with Nnadozie hitting 4 of 8 threes, while Tariq Ingraham added 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting.</p><p>Rider's defense was impressive, holding their opponent to just 53 points on 34% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team making only 16 of 38 attempts, a 42% success rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Rider's defense was even more effective, as they allowed just 5 three-pointers on 23 attempts, a 21% shooting performance. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 11 times, where they converted 6 shots, shooting 54%.</p><h3>Do the Midshipmen Have a Shot at a Home Win?</h3><p>Navy opened their season with an 85-80 win over Harvard on Friday, November 8th. Playing at home, the Midshipmen were favored by 2 points and covered the spread.</p> <p>Navy led 40-34 at halftime and scored 45 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 46. The game’s total points of 165 exceeded the O/U line of 137.</p><p>Navy's offense put up 85 points in their last game, with a field goal percentage of 42.4% and an effective field goal percentage of 48.5%. They connected on 50% of their two-point attempts (21/42) and hit 29.2% from beyond the arc (7/24). At the free-throw line, the Midshipmen were impressive, shooting 84.6% (22/26), and they grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, dishing out 18 assists as a team.</p> <p>Austin Benigni led the way with 34 points and 7 assists, shooting 40% from the field and 33.3% from three. Robert Hinton added 26 points, shooting 57.9% overall and 40% from deep. Thomas Batties II and Chandler Pigge both shot 66.7%, with Pigge hitting 75% of his threes (3/4) and Batties connecting on 5/7 from downtown. Aidan Kehoe also shot 71.4% from the field, contributing 11 points and 8 rebounds.</p><p>Despite Navy's defensive efforts, they gave up 80 points in this game. The opposing team shot 42% from the field, connecting on 28 of 66 attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Navy held the other team to 29% shooting, with 7 made threes on 24 attempts. However, the other team capitalized at the free-throw line, hitting 22 of 26 for 84%.</p>

Rider Broncs vs Navy Midshipmen NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/12/24

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is at Santa Anita this year on November 2 and we have a terrific field of 11 horses to handicap for this 1 1/4-mile race in California. Many of these names are going to be very familiar, given that just about all of these horses have run in some of the sport’s premier events.

Unlike the Triple Crown races, the Breeders’ Cup Classic moves around. We know that the Kentucky Derby is at Churchill Downs, the Preakness Stakes is at Pimlico, and the Belmont Stakes is at Belmont Park. Even the Race to the Kentucky Derby circuit remains the same year in and year out. The Breeders’ Cup Classic was at Churchill last year and at Del Mar the year before. Santa Anita is a popular place for this enormous race weekend, having last year the Breeders’ Cup festivities in 2016. It was also the site from 2012-14.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic field is comprised of eight “win and you’re in” races and then some wild card berths. Those races are the February Stakes in Tokyo, the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill, the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga, the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, the International Stakes at York in England, the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont.

Great opportunities are available throughout the weekend, including juvenile races and turf events, but our focus will be solely on the Classic here. Keep in mind that the Classic is 1 1/4 miles. In a lot of ways, this is the premier event of the horse racing season among purists. The Triple Crown races get all of the buzz and fanfare, probably because of the timing over the summer months, but this is the fourth leg of the Grand Slam and usually one of the best races of the season.

Here are the horses, trainers, jockeys, and odds for the 36th running of the Breeders’ Cup Classic:
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="43">Post</td>
<td width="166">Horse</td>
<td width="166">Trainer</td>
<td width="166">Jockey</td>
<td width="48">Odds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">1</td>
<td width="166">Math Wizard</td>
<td width="166">S. Joseph Jr.</td>
<td width="166">R. Santana Jr.</td>
<td width="48">30/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">2</td>
<td width="166">Seeking The Soul</td>
<td width="166">D. Stewart</td>
<td width="166">B. Hernandez Jr.</td>
<td width="48">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">3</td>
<td width="166">Owendale</td>
<td width="166">B. Cox</td>
<td width="166">J. Castellano</td>
<td width="48">15/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">4</td>
<td width="166">War of Will</td>
<td width="166">M. Casse</td>
<td width="166">T. Gaffalione</td>
<td width="48">20/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">5</td>
<td width="166">Yoshida</td>
<td width="166">B. Mott</td>
<td width="166">M. Smith</td>
<td width="48">8/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">6</td>
<td width="166">Elate</td>
<td width="166">B. Mott</td>
<td width="166">J. Ortiz</td>
<td width="48">6/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">7</td>
<td width="166">Higher Power</td>
<td width="166">J. Sadler</td>
<td width="166">F. Prat</td>
<td width="48">6/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">8</td>
<td width="166">McKinzie</td>
<td width="166">B. Baffert</td>
<td width="166">J. Rosario</td>
<td width="48">3/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">9</td>
<td width="166">Mongolian Groom</td>
<td width="166">E. Ganbat</td>
<td width="166">A. Cedillo</td>
<td width="48">12/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">10</td>
<td width="166">Vino Rosso</td>
<td width="166">T. Pletcher</td>
<td width="166">I. Ortiz Jr.</td>
<td width="48">4/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="43">11</td>
<td width="166">Code of Honor</td>
<td width="166">C. McGaughey</td>
<td width="166">J. Velazquez</td>
<td width="48">4/1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
What a terrific field of horses. This is the main event of the Breeders’ Cup weekend with a 5:44 p.m. PT local post time. That makes it a late race for the East Coast crowd, but it could be a really good way to finish out Saturday.

<strong>McKinzie</strong>, the offspring of Street Sense, was installed as the morning line favorite. McKinzie was 12th in this race last season, as Accelerate, Gunnevera, and Thunder Snow came in win-place-show. McKniznie did not run in any of the Triple Crown races as a three-year old. Now as a four-year-old, McKinzie comes in off a second in the Awesome Again Stakes and a win in the Whitney Stakes, holding off Yoshida and Vino Rosso.

For the most part, McKinzie has been a West Coast horse running at Santa Anita, including a second in the San Felipe Stakes in 2018 to Bolt d’Oro and the same in the Santa Anita Handicap to Gift Box. The horse has traveled well this year with a win at Churchill in the Alysheba and a second in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont.

Still, there seems to be a growing sentiment in going against McKinzie, who is winless in two races at 1 1/4 miles.

If that is the case, which horses stand out? Many like the Pletcher/Ortiz combo with <strong>Vino Rosso </strong>at 4/1. How could you not? The son of Curlin won the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and had a strong second-place run behind Code of Honor back in September at the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Everybody remembers Vino Rosso for disappointing finishes in the 2018 Triple Crown races, with a ninth in the Kentucky Derby and a fourth in the Belmont, but two wins this year and a couple other finishes on the board have given this horse some helium.

For all of Pletcher’s huge wins over the course of his career, this race has evaded him. He has never won it. Neither has Ortiz, who is one of the top jockeys in the sport. This could be the one, but Vino Rosso only has that one appearance at Santa Anita in that Gold Cup race. That did come back in May, but most of his racing has been at Tampa Bay Downs or in New York State. Arrogate, the 2016 winner, had limited experience at Santa Anita, but was a California horse based at Del Mar. Vino Rosso did win at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita earlier this year.

<strong>Code of Honor</strong> just might be the colt to beat. After a runner-up finish at the Kentucky Derby, the decision was made to get the horse ready for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It turned out to be a good decision. Wins at the Dwyer, Travers Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup have the Claude McGaughey thoroughbred in tip-top shape. The concern with Code of Honor is how he will take to the surface at an unfamiliar track like Santa Anita, but he was a very popular bet on the day of the Kentucky Derby. He came up just a tad short with what was a challenging trip in the slop.

John Velazquez is one of many jockeys with a lot of signature wins, but this is one lacking from his trophy case. The 4/1 price here sure seems justified, but the Kentucky Derby price was a lot more attractive given the field and the situation. It would be a mistake to leave Code of Honor out of your exotics and boxes and it could very well be a mistake to not put in a win ticket given how well he’s been running. A bigger price would be nice, but the body of work speaks for itself. Two wins at 1 1/4 miles leaves us little doubt about Code of Honor’s ability to handle the distance.

Let’s see what kind of support shows up for <strong>Elate</strong>. It has been 10 years since a mare has beaten the boys and that was Zenyatta right here at Santa Anita. Elate comes from the bloodline of Medaglia d’Oro, who is one of the best fillies ever in the sport. Maybe Elate can do what her mother failed to do and win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Megdalia d’Oro finished second in 2003 at Santa Anita. She was also second at Arlington Park in the Classic in 2002. In her last race in 2004, she valiantly finished second in the Dubai World Cup.

Fillies are kind of a stay away in big races for most bettors, but Elate’s history sure is intriguing. The five-year-old filly is one of those wild cards in the field. She won two races this year, but they were both Grade 2 events. Can she run with the big boys in this extremely talented field? Will she be pressured too much drawing a post position in the middle of the pack? Can she avoid getting caught up by the bigger horses? There are a lot of questions here, but there could be a storybook ending at Santa Anita on Saturday if she can win.

Trainer Bill Mott has done a brilliant job with fillies in his career and she is 3-for-3 at 1 1/4 miles. That is a length that not many horses have won at in their careers.

Mott’s other horse is a Japanese import in <strong>Yoshida</strong>. It is extremely interesting that Mike Smith will be in the irons. That’s not to say that Jose Ortiz is a bad call on Elate, but Smith, who has three career wins in this race, including one with Mott on Drosselmeyer in 2011, is riding Yoshida. The five-year-old colt was fourth last year in the Classic at Churchill Downs. Yoshida did not win the automatic entry races, but makes the field as a wild card. He has five wins in his career, but none of them have come this year. Perhaps he is peaking at the right time, hitting the board in back-to-back races at Saratoga, but the short price and the steam on this horse is eye-catching.

The overall body of work lacks substance. It could just be Smith’s decision, when he probably had his pick of the litter with this field. After all, it was Joel Rosario in the Woodward and the Whitney on Yoshida. Rosario is riding McKinzie for Baffert, which opened Smith up for Yoshida, who was 8/1 early in the week.

<strong>War of Will</strong> is one of the youngest horses in this race, but the three-year-old Mark Casse colt had a brilliant showing in the Triple Crown. He was most affected by Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby and finished seventh. Even with the quick turnaround and the hair-raising experience at Churchill, War of Will went on to win the Preakness Stakes.

Since then, a ninth at Belmont, a fifth at the Jim Dandy at Saratoga, and a third at the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park have soured the opinions on this colt. It is worth mentioning that he did win the shortest of the Triple Crown races. Many will romanticize that Crown showing, but his long shot price makes sense here.

This race has a chalky feel to it, but it does seem extremely competitive with the short prices. There are reasons to fade McKinzie, even though the Baffert and Rosario team looks like a powerhouse. Baffert won this race three years in a row from 2014-16 with Bayern, American Pharoah, and Arrogate. The first and third of those races were at Santa Anita and American Pharoah simply may be the best racehorse ever. Rosario won last year for John Sadler on Accelerate.

The post draw for McKinzie isn’t bad at all, but many like Vino Rosso and Code of Honor because they can sit on the outside and bide their time. We have no worries about the distance with these two. They’ve both proven that they can win at this length.

I’ll be among the crowd fading McKinzie as well. My play here will be a box trifecta of Vino Rosso, Code of Honor, and Elate. Elate has run at this distance and was bred for this distance thanks to her mother. I’ll also be looking at win tickets for the three with some combinations of exactas.

The inside horses should just get bodied off throughout the race, as the outside is just so much stronger. It’s even possible that a horse like Mongolian Groom can ride the tail wind to the inside and block off the interior colts. That would provide even more help for the outside speedsters.

<strong>Box Trifecta: 6/10/11</strong>

<strong>Exacta combos of the three</strong>

<strong>Win: 10/11</strong>

<strong>WPS: 6</strong>

2019 Breeders' Cup Classic Betting Odds and Picks

<p>The Pioneers and Golden Eagles are set to face off at 8:00 ET on Summ. The Golden Eagles will host the game at Mabee Center in Tulsa, OK. The over/under for this game is set at 160 points, and Oral Roberts is favored by -4 vs. Denver in a Summit conference matchup.</p><h3>DENVER PIONEERS VS ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Oral Roberts Golden Eagles -4</p><p>This game will be played at Mabee Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, February 3rd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Golden Eagles.</li><li>Not only will Oral Roberts pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -4.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 160 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Do the Pioneers Have What it Takes to Win as Road Underdogs?</h3><p>Denver comes into this game with a 13-10 record, including a 4-4 mark in Summit League play. They have lost two straight games and are 5-8 on the road this season. As the underdog, the Pioneers have gone 4-8.</p>

<p>Last time out, Denver fell to Kansas City by a score of 85-71. Over their last 10 road games, the Pioneers have gone 4-6, and their average scoring margin on the road this year is -2.7 points per game.</p><p>As the underdog this season, Denver has gone 6-5-1 vs. the spread. On the road, their ATS mark is 6-6-1, and over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Pioneers are 5-4-1.</p><p>Denver's over/under record for the season sits at 15-4 and the average scoring total in their games is 166.8 points. So far, 13 of their games have finished with more points than today's line of 160. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 179 points and their over/under record during this stretch is 3-0.</p><p>Coming off their recent game, the Denver offense tallied 71 points in a matchup against Kansas City. Their field goal percentage for the game was 40%, and they made 5 threes. One area that the Denver offense has been good this season is getting to the line. Currently, they are 9th in free-throw attempts per contest. Overall, they have a field goal percentage of 45%.</p><p>As they prepare for the upcoming game, Denver is focused on shoring up their defense, as they are currently allowing an average of 80.9 points per game (312nd). In today's game vs. Oral Roberts, the Denver defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Denver made 23 free-throws vs. the Pioneers.</p><h3>Will the Golden Eagles Make it Happen at Home?</h3><p>Oral Roberts enters tonight's game with a 10-11 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Summit League play. The Golden Eagles have won two straight games, including an 87-82 victory over South Dakota State in their most recent contest.</p>

<p>At home this season, Oral Roberts is 5-2, and they have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games at home. For the year, the Golden Eagles' average scoring margin at home is +3.6 points per game.</p><p>Oral Roberts has an ATS record of 9-9 this season. At home, their ATS mark is 4-3. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Golden Eagles have gone 4-6 vs. the spread.</p><p>Oral Roberts' over/under record for the season sits at 10-8 and today's line of 160 is higher than the average OU line in their games (149). So far, 18 of their games have had a lower over/under line than today's OU line. In their last three games, the average scoring total is 149 points and their OU record over their last 10 games is 6-4.</p><p>Oral Roberts' offense is coming off a good game, putting up 87 points vs. South Dakota State. Overall, they hit 45.2% of their shots from the field and went 17/20 from the free-throw line. Offensively, the Golden Eagles have a season long field goal percentage of 44%, which is 200th in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 40th in percentage and 29th in three-pointers made.</p><p>At this time, the Golden Eagles' defense is positioned 233rd in the country, permitting 75.2 points per game. In their previous game vs. South Dakota State, the Jackrabbits finished with a field goal percentage of 45% and a total of 82 points vs. Oral Roberts.</p>

Denver Pioneers vs Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Betting Pick & Prediction 2/3/24

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