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CFL Week 13 predictions, picks and best bets: Back Tiger-Cats in Labour Day Classic vs. Argonauts

A trio of Labour Day Classic games headline the biggest weekend of the CFL’s regular season.

This week’s CFL narrative: First up is a Sunday nighter between two West Division stalwarts, as the first-place Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After that, the Toronto Argonauts are basically in must-win mode against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Check out the latest CFL Week 13 predictions for matchups beginning Sunday, Aug. 31.

CFL Week 13 predictions

Best bet: Blue Bombers +5.5 (-115)

If you thought the Blue Bombers were going to fade away this season, you thought wrong.

Winnipeg is rounding into form at the perfect time, going 3-1 in its last four games with a narrow one-point loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

The offence has been extremely consistent during this stretch, scoring 26-plus points in every game. Zach Collaros is back in form after missing time, putting together a 78.4% completion rate in the Bombers’ last two games (both wins).

Saskatchewan is a league-best 8-2, but Winnipeg has been to four straight Grey Cups for a reason.

These teams have yet to meet this year, and will play three times down the stretch, which is another interesting wrinkle.

The Bombers went 3-1 against the Riders last year. They won the final three and the most important one, blowing out Saskatchewan, 38-22, in the West Division final.

Key stat: Winnipeg is 4-1 in its last five games against Saskatchewan with a +58 point differential.

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Full CFL betting markets

CFL best bets

Tiger-Cats -5.5 (-110): This has always felt like a lost season for Toronto, which has been without starting quarterback Chad Kelly for the entire year.

The Boatmen are 3-8 in his absence, though most of their issues have been defensively. At this point, they basically need to win out to make the postseason.

Hamilton, leading the East Division at 6-4, should relish this opportunity to put Toronto’s season to bed.

The Tiger-Cats are coming off consecutive losses, but have had a bye week to regroup. Before that, they had won six straight games, including a 51-38 demolition of the Argonauts at BMO Field on July 4.

The Bo-Levi Mitchell offence tops the CFL in scoring (30.0 PPG) and the East in total offence (373.7 yards/game).

Toronto has given up a whopping 34.6 PPG since its loss to Hamilton, and 30-plus points in its last three games against the Ti-Cats (all losses).

CFL Week 12 predictions as of 3:08 p.m. on 08/29/2025.

Texas vs. Ohio State college football Week 1 SGP predictions: Bet on Jeremiah Smith and fade Arch Manning at +310

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns ring in the first full college football slate of the season on Saturday in Columbus.

The pregame narrative: Ohio State and Texas are the No. 1 and 2 favourites to win the national championship, so it’s only fitting that this is a pick’em. The reigning champion Buckeyes turn to a new quarterback, Julian Sayin, who’s tasked with out-duelling Arch Manning in his first season as a starter.

Check out my Texas vs. Ohio State same-game parlay predictions for Aug. 30, featuring Jeremiah Smith.

Texas vs. Ohio State predictions

Parlay: Ohio State +7.5 | Smith over 80.5 receiving yards | Manning under 27.5 rushing yards (+310)

Ohio State +7.5 (-360): Both teams have had massive turnover, with 14 Buckeyes and 12 Longhorns selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

And both have new starting QBs, even though we’ve seen a bit of Manning.

I’m sure Manning will be a great player, but I want to pump the brakes on him being the no-question better QB in this matchup.

Manning started a trio of games last year against teams with a combined 14-23 record, and only one played in a major conference (the 2-10 Mississippi State Bulldogs).

Sayin has a five-star ranking from the class of 2024 and will be slotted into one of the deadliest offences with the best receiver in college football.

Home-field advantage should matter a ton in this matchup. The Buckeyes have a 14-1 record at the Shoe over the last two seasons, only losing to Michigan in 2024.

OSU went 14-2 last year, losing those games by a combined four points. It also handed Texas a 14-point loss in the Cotton Bowl.

I feel comfortable banking a touchdown with the home team.

Full NCAAF betting markets

Longhorns vs. Buckeyes SGP picks

Smith over 80.5 receiving yards (-121): Let’s get the ugly out of the way: Smith caught just one pass for three yards in last year’s Cotton Bowl against Texas.

But you can throw that result out the window.

The true freshman rebounded with 88 yards and a touchdown in the national championship game. He would have been a consensus top-five pick if eligible for the 2025 draft.

Smith had the fourth-most receiving yards in Division I last season (1,315).

He went over this total in 10 of 16 games.

Smith averaged 17.3 yards/catch and 4.75 receptions per game.

The sure-handed 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver can run the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, making him a matchup nightmare for any opponent.

And with last year’s receptions leader Emeka Egbuka out of the door, I expect Sayin to feed Smith early and often.

Manning under 27.5 rushing yards (-118): Arch isn’t like his father, Eli, or uncle, Peyton. The kid can move, and I would lean toward the over on this line against most teams.

But Ohio State has a ravenous defence capable of bringing pressure, and sacks count for negative rushing yards in college.

The Buckeyes had the third-most sacks per game last year. They ranked first in pressure rate and yards per dropback allowed.

They did lose their top three sack leaders to the NFL. But Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is projected to be an immediate difference-maker in a deep EDGE position group.

After all, one of the reasons why OSU is a powerhouse is its ability to replenish the roster year after year.

In last year’s Cotton Bowl, Quinn Ewers was sacked four times and finished with -18 rushing yards. I expect Manning to be in the positive, but not by much.

Texas vs. Ohio State predictions made at 9:25 a.m. ET on 08/06/2025

Brewers vs. Blue Jays best bets Aug. 29: Back Springer, fade Bieber in pitchers’ duel

Friday night’s matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers at Rogers Centre is sure to have a playoff-like atmosphere.

The pregame narrative: Tonight’s game features the two best teams in MLB. Shane Bieber makes his home debut after a dominant first start as a Blue Jay. Milwaukee will counter with ace Freddy Peralta in what’s shaping up to be a pitchers’ duel. Toronto is a slight favourite and the 7.5 total is tied for the lowest of the evening.

Check out my Blue Jays best bets vs. the Brewers for Aug. 29, featuring a pick on George Springer.

Blue Jays best bets vs. Brewers

Best bet: Springer to score (+100)

Runs should be hard to come by in this game, but I can’t ignore this pricetag on Springer, who has been tearing it up since his return from the IL on Aug. 16.

391/.451/.804 slash line
15 runs in 11 games
6 HRs

The outfielder does his best damage against righties (.325/.425/.592) and at home (.324/.404/.564).

Peralta has been great, allowing just one run in 22.0 IP this month, lowering his season-long ERA to 2.68 (seventh-best in MLB).

But the righty still walks a ton of batters (28th percentile BB rate), and Toronto has the best wRC+ (136) since the all-star break.

Springer reached base in 66.7% of his plate appearances in Toronto’s recent three-game homestand against the Minnesota Twins, scoring seven times.

That type of production is unsustainable, but I’ll still bite.

Key stat: Springer’s 0.21 runs per at bat is third in MLB, behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

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Jays prop pick

Bieber under 17.5 outs (+135): Toronto and Milwaukee are the No. 1 and 2 teams by batting average and wRC+ since the break.

The Brewers also rank fourth in K rate and eighth in ISO, so shutting down their lineup is a challenge for any pitcher, and Bieber is no exception.

The righty dazzled in his Jays debut last Friday, giving up just two hits while fanning nine in six innings. But having the over on his 17.5 outs line set at -186 feels a bit rich.

After all, he’s making just his second MLB start in well over a year and Toronto will want to exercise some caution ahead of the playoffs.

Moreover, with an off day on Thursday, the Jays’ bullpen will be rested up and ready to go.

Milwaukee has held four of its last five opposing starters under this line.

Blue Jays best bets made at 9:05 a.m. ET on 08/28/2025.

Best EPL Week 3 prop picks: Bet on Cody Gakpo in Liverpool vs. Arsenal showdown

This week’s top EPL prop pick comes from the early matchup of the season: Liverpool vs. Arsenal.

The pregame narrative: Cody Gakpo’s season is off to a hot start, and the Dutch national should be involved in the Reds’ offensive attack on Sunday. Elsewhere, I’m looking for Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to find the net against West Ham.

Check out my favourite EPL prop picks for Week 3 of the Premier League season.

EPL prop picks

Best bet: Gakpo over 0.5 SOT (-130)

This fixture will be a must-see chess match, as Arne Slot’s electric offence looks to break down Mikel Arteta’s stout backline.

Liverpool led the league in goals per match (2.3), xG (83.5) and SOT per match (6.1) last season, while Arsenal was tops in goals conceded (0.9) and xG against (35.1).

So who will win out?

Last year, it was Liverpool’s offence, as the Reds scored two goals in all three matchups against Arsenal.

Gakpo made noise in his lone start against the Gunners, scoring a goal on two shot attempts in 66 minutes.

The Dutch winger has become a mainstay in Slot’s attack and has played at least 89 minutes in all three games this season. At home, I think he’s a good bet to fire one on net past Arsenal’s backline.

Key stat: Gakpo has a SOT in five of his last nine games for Liverpool dating back to last season.

EPL betting markets

Best Matchday 3 picks

Wood to score (+135): I don’t envy Graham Potter’s situation one bit. The West Ham manager took over a mess last January, and things haven’t gotten better since.

West Ham is 2-4-7 in EPL action since Potter took over.

The Hammers have lost all three fixtures (two EPL, one Carabao Cup) this season, while conceding a whopping 11 goals.

They’ve also conceded a league-high 12 SOTs across two matchdays.

It’s open season for any team going up against the London side, and I expect Nottingham to feast at its home venue, City Ground.

And who better to back than Wood, the late-blooming New Zealander who scored 20 goals as Nottingham’s No. 9 last year?

Wood has scored in both games for the Tricky Trees this season.

He also ranks in the 81st percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 compared to positional peers in Men’s Big 5 Leagues, UCL, and UEL over the last 365 days, per FBRef.

EPL prop picks made at 10:20 a.m. on 08/28/2025.

Best EPL Week 3 prop picks: Bet on Cody Gakpo in Liverpool vs. Arsenal showdown

This week’s top EPL prop pick comes from the early matchup of the season: Liverpool vs. Arsenal.

The pregame narrative: Cody Gakpo’s season is off to a hot start, and the Dutch national should be involved in the Reds’ offensive attack on Sunday. Elsewhere, I’m looking for Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to find the net against West Ham.

Check out my favourite EPL prop picks for Week 3 of the Premier League season.

EPL prop picks

Best bet: Gakpo over 0.5 SOT (-124)

This fixture will be a must-see chess match, as Arne Slot’s electric offence looks to break down Mikel Arteta’s stout backline.

Liverpool led the league in goals per match (2.3), xG (83.5) and SOT per match (6.1) last season, while Arsenal was tops in goals conceded (0.9) and xG against (35.1).

So who will win out?

Last year, it was Liverpool’s offence, as the Reds scored two goals in all three matchups against Arsenal.

Gakpo made noise in his lone start against the Gunners, scoring a goal on two shot attempts in 66 minutes.

The Dutch winger has become a mainstay in Slot’s attack and has played at least 89 minutes in all three games this season. At home, I think he’s a good bet to fire one on net past Arsenal’s backline.

Key stat: Gakpo has a SOT in five of his last nine games for Liverpool dating back to last season.

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EPL betting markets

Best Matchday 3 picks

Wood to score (+130): I don’t envy Graham Potter’s situation one bit. The West Ham manager took over a mess last January, and things haven’t gotten better since.

West Ham is 2-4-7 in EPL action since Potter took over.

The Hammers have lost all three fixtures (two EPL, one Carabao Cup) this season, while conceding a whopping 11 goals.

They’ve also conceded a league-high 12 SOTs across two matchdays.

It’s open season for any team going up against the London side, and I expect Nottingham to feast at its home venue, City Ground.

And who better to back than Wood, the late-blooming New Zealander who scored 20 goals as Nottingham’s No. 9 last year?

Wood has scored in both games for the Tricky Trees this season.

He also ranks in the 81st percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 compared to positional peers in Men’s Big 5 Leagues, UCL, and UEL over the last 365 days, per FBRef.

EPL prop picks made at 10:20 a.m. on 08/28/2025.

MLB home run picks Aug. 28: Back Trea Turner and Jazz Chisholm on Thursday

Trea Turner and Jazz Chisholm Jr. headline Thursday’s MLB home run picks.

Today’s MLB HR narrative: Atlanta’s Cal Quantrill is having a dreadful August, and Turner has gone deep off him twice before. The Philadelphia Phillies shortstop is in form and should keep hammering the struggling righty. Elsewhere, look for Chisholm to capitalize on a platoon advantage.

Check out the best MLB home run picks and analysis for Aug. 28.

MLB home run picks

Best bet: Turner to hit a home run (+375)

This is shaping up to be a dream matchup for Turner, who, while never a big home run hitter, has some pop left in his bat.

The veteran shortstop has belted 14 home runs this season, and three of those have come in August, a month where he’s slashing .330/.381/.514.

Quantrill, meanwhile, has gotten rocked over four starts this month to the tune of a 9.72 ERA:

Aug. 5 vs. Astros: 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 2 HR
Aug. 10 vs. Braves: 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 HR
Aug. 16 vs. Red Sox: 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 1 HR
Aug. 23 vs. Mets: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 HR

On the season, the righty ranks in the bottom 16th percentile in xERA, xBA, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, K rate and whiff rate. Basically, he does nothing well except limit walks.

His 7.1% BB rate ranks in the 71st percentile, which is good because Turner should get something to hit.

Key stat: Quantrill has a 1.9 HR/9 rate this season, which, if qualified, would be the worst in MLB.

Best HR predictions

Chisholm to hit a home run (+320): Chisholm isn’t the first person you’d think of on the Yankees when it comes to hitting bombs, but he’s actually been outperforming Aaron Judge against righties this year.

Chisholm: 23 HRs in 263 ABs (11.43 ABs per HR)
Judge: 30 HRs in 352 ABs (11.63 ABs per HR)

The left-handed hitting infielder will have a platoon advantage against Chicago White Sox righty Davis Martin.

Martin (3.93 ERA) is having a fine year on paper, but his xERA (5.36) and batted ball metrics tell a different story.

The righty ranks in the bottom 25th percentile for barrel rate, hard-hit rate, average exit velocity and K rate.

In August, Martin has given up five home runs in four appearances, while Chisholm has hit seven HRs.

MLB home run picks made at 8:55 a.m. ET on 08/28/2025.

MLB home run picks Aug. 28: Back Trea Turner and Jazz Chisholm on Thursday

Trea Turner and Jazz Chisholm Jr. headline Thursday’s MLB home run picks.

Today’s MLB HR narrative: Atlanta’s Cal Quantrill is having a dreadful August, and Turner has gone deep off him twice before. The Philadelphia Phillies shortstop is in form and should keep hammering the struggling righty. Elsewhere, look for Chisholm to capitalize on a platoon advantage.

Check out the best MLB home run picks and analysis for Aug. 28.

MLB home run picks

Best bet: Turner to hit a home run (+475)

This is shaping up to be a dream matchup for Turner, who, while never a big home run hitter, has some pop left in his bat.

The veteran shortstop has belted 14 home runs this season, and three of those have come in August, a month where he’s slashing .330/.381/.514.

Quantrill, meanwhile, has gotten rocked over four starts this month to the tune of a 9.72 ERA:

Aug. 5 vs. Astros: 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 2 HR
Aug. 10 vs. Braves: 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 HR
Aug. 16 vs. Red Sox: 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 1 HR
Aug. 23 vs. Mets: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 HR

On the season, the righty ranks in the bottom 16th percentile in xERA, xBA, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, K rate and whiff rate. Basically, he does nothing well except limit walks.

His 7.1% BB rate ranks in the 71st percentile, which is good because Turner should get something to hit.

Key stat: Quantrill has a 1.9 HR/9 rate this season, which, if qualified, would be the worst in MLB.

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Best HR predictions

Chisholm to hit a home run (+370): Chisholm isn’t the first person you’d think of on the Yankees when it comes to hitting bombs, but he’s actually been outperforming Aaron Judge against righties this year.

Chisholm: 23 HRs in 263 ABs (11.43 ABs per HR)
Judge: 30 HRs in 352 ABs (11.63 ABs per HR)

The left-handed hitting infielder will have a platoon advantage against Chicago White Sox righty Davis Martin.

Martin (3.93 ERA) is having a fine year on paper, but his xERA (5.36) and batted ball metrics tell a different story.

The righty ranks in the bottom 25th percentile for barrel rate, hard-hit rate, average exit velocity and K rate.

In August, Martin has given up five home runs in four appearances, while Chisholm has hit seven HRs.

MLB home run picks made at 8:55 a.m. ET on 08/28/2025.

Reds vs. Dodgers SGP predictions Aug. 26: Back Shohei Ohtani, Austin Hays at +340

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds continue to play out their three-game set on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: L.A. picked up a 7-0 win in Monday’s series opener to retake sole possession of the NL West lead. Fans should expect another one-sided battle in the Dodgers’ favour, with Clayton Kershaw pitching opposite Nick Martinez.

Check out my Reds vs. Dodgers SGP predictions for Aug. 26, also featuring Shohei Ohtani and Austin Hays.

Reds vs. Dodgers predictions

Parlay: Dodgers F5 moneyline | Ohtani over 1.5 bases | Hays over 0.5 hits (+340)

Dodgers F5 moneyline (-121): Kershaw is one of the greatest pitchers of this generation and has found a way to cobble together a 3.13 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his 18th season.

The 37-year-old’s xERA (3.96) far exceeds his regular one, and his .268 xBA ranks in the 23rd percentile, so it’s fair to wonder how long this will last.

But Kershaw is in solid form right now (1.90 ERA in August) and is facing a team that struggles against left-handed pitching. I think that makes this wager worthwhile.

Cincinnati ranks 29th in wRC+ and ISO against lefties this year and is dead last in ISO over the past 30 days.

On the other end is Martinez, who has a 4.59 ERA and a 17th-percentile K rate. L.A. has demolished right-handed pitching all season and should be able to build an early lead at home.

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MLB SGP legs

Ohtani over 1.5 bases (-148): I wouldn’t want to play this as a standalone given these odds. But it sure seems like a perfect wager for this SGP.

Ohtani has the NL MVP on lockdown with a month and change to play, and he’s putting up some ridiculous numbers in August:

.329/.465/.671 slash line
Seven home runs
2+ bases in 14 of 22 games

He’s slugging a ludicrous .640 against RHPs this year and should have something to hit against Martinez, who sports an elite 5.7% walk rate.

It’s worth noting that Ohtani is 0-for-7 against Martinez, but I can’t imagine a subpar pitcher having his number forever.

Hays over 0.5 hits (-210): Finally, I’ll turn to a guy who can get a knock off Kershaw.

Hays is one of the league’s most productive bats against LHPs, slashing .388/.417/.608 while ranking sixth in wRC+ (171).

The outfielder is also on a nice run right now, batting .351 over his last 10 games with five multi-hit appearances.

Kershaw has an xBA of over .300 on both his four-seamer (34.5% usage) and slider (39.8% usage) this year vs. RHHs.

Reds vs. Dodgers predictions made at 1:19 p.m. ET on 08/26/2025.

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Gabriel Diallo vs. Jaume Munar US Open best bet: Back the Canadian on Thursday

The U.S. Open second round begins on Wednesday with plenty of star power in action.

The latest: Novak Djokovic is on the hunt for a fifth title at Flushing Meadows, but a tough opening match has raised questions about the all-time great’s fitness. Wild-card entrant Zachary Svajda is tasked with pulling off a massive upset against the Serbian.

Check out my U.S. Open best bets for Aug. 27 below, featuring a pick on Gabriel Diallo and Jaume Munar.

US Open best bets: Aug. 27

Best bet: Diallo -2 games (-120)

Diallo’s first-round win was far from comfortable, as the Canadian needed four sets and a tiebreak to knock off Damir Dzumhur, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5.

But I was impressed by his grit and dialled-in serve, as Diallo smashed 17 aces versus just two double faults.

That serve is Diallo’s not-so-secret weapon. The 6-foot-8 rookie ranks 19th in service rating on the ATP Tour, and if he can stay hot, he could go on a run in this event.

Diallo isn’t in “top form” right now, going 5-5 across his last 10 matches. But four of those losses came against Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz (twice) and Jannik Sinner. That I can forgive. If we look at his matches against players outside of the top-20, the results are much prettier:

8-2 in his last 10
13-3 in his last 16
A win at the 2025 Libema Open

Munar, ranked ATP No. 44, has struggled on hard courts with a 50.67% career win rate. The Spaniard is also 0-2 against Diallo, failing to cover this spread in both matchups.

Key stat: Diallo beat Munar at the U.S. Open last year by four games.

Full US Open betting markets

Best bet: Djokovic vs. Svajda

Svajda +7.5 games (-134): Do I think Djokovic will lose this match? No, but I believe Svajda will put up a strong enough fight to cover this massive number.

In his first round battle against Learner Tien — and his first competitive match in six weeks — Djokovic laboured physically and had to receive treatment following the second set.

“Well, I started great,” Djokovic told reporters. “Then some long games in the second set … I was really surprised how bad I was feeling in the second physically … I don’t have an injury or anything. I just struggled to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”

Djokovic made 20 unforced errors in the second set alone but still got past his 19-year-old opponent, who seemed nervous in his own right.

Svajda cruised through qualifying without dropping a set and then won his opening-round match 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. The American is now 17-2 in his last 19 matches with a pair of Challenger Tour wins.

Obviously, Djokovic represents a monstrous step up in talent. But Svajda’s confidence should be sky-high, and I expect him to make the 24-time major champion work.

U.S. Open betting picks made at 10:33 a.m. on 08/26/2025.