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NL MVP odds and 2025 betting favourites: Duel threat Ohtani the odds-on favourite

NL MVP odds

Coming off a historically great season, Shohei Ohtani is on track to win back-to-back MVP honours.

The latest: Ohtani authored MLB’s first 50-50 season last year, bashing 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. Now in his second year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani has begun to pitch as well. He’s the odds-on favourite, with a couple of others creeping up the odds table.

Let’s take a look at the current NL MVP odds as of July 19.

NL MVP odds

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The favourite: Shohei Ohtani (-1,430)

Ohtani carried +125 preseason odds, and betting him at that price might have seemed ridiculous.

Now? It would be a steal.

The three-time MVP is leading the NL in home runs (32) while batting .273 with a .978 OPS. That’s nothing new — check out Ohtani’s resume over the past four seasons:

  • .984 OPS
  • 169 OPS+
  • 2.84 ERA
  • 151 ERA+
  • 37.7 bWAR

As a two-way superstar, Ohtani can accrue value at the plate and on the mound in incomparable ways.

That wasn’t the case in 2024, though, as Ohtani was unable to pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

But now, he’s back on the bump with some innings under his belt. Ohtani has repeatedly touched 100 mph with his fastball and has given up just one run through nine innings pitched with 10 Ks.

The only thing that could undo Ohtani is the unpredictability of injuries.

If he gets through the season with relatively few games missed at the plate while building up on the mound, it’ll be exceptionally difficult for anyone to outdo him.

MVP betting notes

  • No one expected Pete-Crow Armstrong (+650) to be this good, this quickly. The 23-year-old ranks inside MLB’s top 10 in home runs (25) and RBI (71) and is fourth in stolen bases (27) entering play on July 13. A 40-40 sophomore season could be in the cards, and that would warrant MVP votes.
  • Juan Soto (+2,200) had a less-than-stellar start with the New York Mets, but he entered the all-star break on fire. Over the past 35 games, Soto is batting .322 with 13 home runs and a spectacular 1.115 OPS. If he can continue this power surge, he may get some MVP consideration by season’s end.

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WNBA Finals odds and 2025 betting favourites: Liberty and Lynx are co-favourites, Fever right behind

WNBA Finals odds

The WNBA season has reached the all-star break, and there’s a familiar name leading the charge as the championship favourite.

The latest: The New York Liberty won the title in 2024 and are off to a good start, holding the best record in the Eastern Conference. But the best team has been out west, as the Minnesota Lynx hold a 20-4 record through the first half of the season.

Check out the latest WNBA Finals odds as of June 29.

WNBA Finals odds

TeamOdds to win
New York Liberty+175
Minnesota Lynx+175
Phoenix Mercury+550
Indiana Fever+700
Atlanta Dream+1,600
Las Vegas Aces+2,000
Seattle Storm+2,000
Golden State Valkyries+6,000

WNBA odds as of 12:45 p.m. on 07/19/2025.

Best odds to win

The favourite: New York Liberty (+175), Minnesota Lynx (+175)

New York won its first WNBA title in 2024, beating Minnesota in five games. And now, it looks like we could be in for a rematch.

In 2025, the Liberty (15-6) have jumped out to a thin lead in the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever.

Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu continue to be elite, each averaging over 18 points per game, while Jonquel Jones ranks second in rebounding.

New York leads the WNBA in points per game (86.9). It is second in net rating (+9.7) to Minnesota (+12.4).

Napheesa Collier is leading the way for the Lynx — and is also pacing the league — with 23.2 PPG. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams are providing the depth scoring, but Minnesota’s defence is what separates it from the rest.

The Lynx’s 94.8 defensive rating is the best in the WNBA.

WNBA Finals notes

  • The Fever and Mercury are the only other teams with odds shorter than 10-to-1. Caitlin Clark is averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per game but has missed 10 games due to injury. When she’s on the court with Indiana’s revitalized roster, the Fever are 8-5.
  • Phoenix is a deep team, with five players averaging double-digit points. Satou Sabally leads the way with 19.1 PPG.
  • The Dallas Wings (+50,000) probably won’t win the title this season, but the future is bright with Paige Bueckers. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick is averaging 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Her fantastic start rivals any in WNBA history, and she could quickly break some of the many records set by Clark last year.

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Blue Jays 2025 MLB playoff odds: Toronto a heavy favourite to reach postseason

Blue Jays playoff odds

As MLB’s hottest team entering the all-star break, the Toronto Blue Jays are ready to compete for a playoff spot in the second half.

The latest: The Jays went 12-3 in their final 15 games before the Midsummer Classic, moving into sole possession of first place in the AL East as a result. Toronto is far exceeding its preseason expectations and is now a -500 favourite to make the playoffs.

Check out the latest Blue Jays playoff odds and win total projection for 2025.

Blue Jays playoff odds

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A lot has changed for the Blue Jays since Opening Day.

Shortly before the season began, Toronto had +220 odds to make the playoffs, which equated to an implied probability of 31.25%.

Now, at -500 odds, the Jays’ implied playoff probability is 83.3%.

Here’s how that compares with the Blue Jays’ playoff odds — entering July 18 — as projected by some notable sites:

  • FanGraphs: 83.5%
  • Baseball Prospectus: 89.9%
  • Baseball Reference: 72.1%

Baseball Reference has been the lowest on the Jays from the start, but even it has a fairly strong projection in Toronto’s favour.

The other two sites are actually more bullish on the Blue Jays than the odds indicate.

If you want reasons for skepticism, they’re easy to find:

  • The AL East is the deepest division in baseball. Four of five teams have 50+ wins and are either in a playoff spot or within 1.5 games of one.
  • Toronto leads the division now, but the team is only 5.5 games out of sinking to fourth place.
  • The Jays’ +17 run differential is tiny for a team that’s 14 games over .500. There are seven AL teams with a better run differential than that.

Still, Toronto has banked enough wins that it would take a pretty thorough collapse for the postseason to slip away. And the good news is that we haven’t seen the best version of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. yet.

Vladdy has an .818 OPS entering the second half, which is identical to where he was at last year’s stoppage.

Then, in the second half of 2024, he posted a 1.128 OPS after the break. Don’t count out a similar second-half surge from the five-time all-star.

2025 win total odds

Embed: #115903

As you’d expect, the Blue Jays’ strong showing this year has moved the goalposts for their win total projection.

Prior to Opening Day, Toronto’s over/under was set at 80.5 wins. Now it’s eight wins north of that.

FanGraphs projects 88.2 wins for the Jays, while Baseball Prospectus has them slated for 89.7 wins.

According to Tankathon, Toronto has the 10th-toughest strength of schedule remaining.

Among its tougher matchups are road series vs. the MLB-leading Detroit Tigers (four games) and the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers (three games).

Toronto also plays six more games vs. the Yankees.

To finish with 89 wins, the Blue Jays need to go 34-32 (.515) down the stretch. Based on their current record, they’re playing at a 92-win pace.

Wimbledon 2025 tennis odds and betting favourites: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz meet in Sunday’s final

Wimbledon odds

For the second time in as many Grand Slam tournaments, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will go toe-to-toe in the final.

The latest: Alcaraz outlasted Sinner in one of the most epic French Open finals you’ll ever see in June. Now, the world’s top two players will duke it out for Wimbledon glory at the All England Club on Sunday morning.

Check out our latest 2025 Wimbledon odds as of July 11.

Wimbledon odds

Embed: #115774

Full Wimbledon betting markets

Men’s Wimbledon odds notes

  • Sinner started the year on an incredible run. He won 18 of his first 20 matches, but those two losses came against Alcaraz. The Italian is 16-2 on grass since the start of 2024. He was down two sets to Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16, but the Bulgarian had to retire with an injury. That unfortunate break has given Sinner new life and a chance to capture his second Grand Slam title of the season.
  • Alcaraz was down to triple championship point before mounting a historic comeback against Sinner to defend his French Open title and secure a fifth grand slam … at the age of 22. He’s 31-1 on grass since 2023 and is looking for a third straight Wimbledon title.
  • Alcaraz is 8-4 vs. Sinner, winning all five of their matches since the start of last season. But in their lone meeting on grass, at Wimbledon in 2022, Sinner came away with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 victory.
  • After needing a fifth set to advance in the first round at this tournament, Alcaraz has dropped just three sets in five matches since. Sinner has five straight-set victories so far in London, as well as the third-set walkover vs. Dimitrov.

Amazing Link Zeus Review – How to Play, tips and more

Amazing Link Zeus slots is a shining star in the online casino world. These tips and strategies can help you maximize your entertainment.

The casino world is ever-expanding, and this Amazing Link Zeus review focuses on this shining slot star.

This Greek mythology-themed slot brings the might of Zeus to the reels, offering players an electrifying mix of stunning visuals, rewarding features, and engaging gameplay.

Here’s an in-depth review and some tips to maximize your entertainment and enjoyment with Amazing Link Zeus.

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Amazing Link Zeus Review: Overview

Reels: 5 | Paylines 20
Volatility: Medium-High

Amazing Link Zeus is a five-reel, three-row slot with 20 pay lines. The game immerses you in the grandeur of Mount Olympus, featuring vibrant graphics and a powerful soundtrack. Symbols include classic Greek artifacts like harps, vases, and Pegasus, alongside card values from A to 10.

The highlight, of course, is Zeus himself, who serves as the Wild symbol, substituting for other symbols to form winning combinations.

The Amazing Link Feature is the game’s main attraction. Land six or more Amazing symbols (represented by golden coins) to trigger a Hold and Spin bonus. During this feature, coins lock into place, and you’re awarded three respins. Each new coin resets the respin count, and if you fill all 15 positions, you win the Grand Jackpot.

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Another standout feature is the Zeus Pick Bonus. Triggered randomly during gameplay, this mini-game lets you pick from face-down coins to match three and win one of four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand.

The game also boasts a Bonus Round Feature, activated by landing three temple scatter symbols. You’ll receive 10 bonus rounds, with additional Amazing symbols appearing on the reels to enhance your chances of triggering the Amazing Link Feature.

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Gameplay Tips

  1. Understand the Paytable: Before spinning, take a moment to review the paytable. Understanding the value of each symbol and how features work will help you make informed decisions during gameplay.

  2. Play Responsibly: Amazing Link Zeus offers a wide betting range, catering to both casual players and high rollers. Set limits for yourself and enjoy the game’s captivating theme and features.

  3. Aim for the Amazing Link Feature The Amazing Link Feature is your gateway to the biggest wins. Focus on collecting golden coins, as triggering this feature gives you the chance to win the coveted Grand Jackpot.

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FAQ:

Can I play Amazing Link Zeus in Ontario?

Yes, you can play Amazing Link Zeus legally in Ontario at licensed online casinos such as NorthStar Bets. The game is approved by iGaming Ontario and meets all provincial regulations.

Can I play Amazing Link Zeus in Ontario?

Yes, you can play Amazing Link Zeus legally in Ontario at licensed online casinos such as NorthStar Bets. The game is approved by iGaming Ontario and meets all provincial regulations.

Can I play Amazing Link Zeus on mobile?

Yes. Amazing Link Zeus is fully optimized for mobile play. It works seamlessly on both iOS and Android devices without any need for a download or app.

Where can I play Amazing Link Zeus with a welcome bonus?

You can play Amazing Link Zeus at NorthStar Bets, a fully licensed Ontario casino operator. New players can sign up and claim a welcome bonus to use on eligible slots, including Amazing Link Zeus.

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July’s Hot New Casino Games: 9 fresh options to keep you entertained this summer

Hot New Casino Games

Looking for the latest hot, new casino game releases at NorthStar Bets? 

This past month’s lineup is packed with thrilling options that promise big entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of high-volatility action or prefer a more strategic gaming experience, there’s something for every type of player.

Here’s a quick guide with links to the latest new titles. So get ready to spin, bet, and entertain yourself with the best new games at NorthStar Bets!

NorthStar Bets Casino: CLICK HERE

Hot New Casino Game Releases

1. Huff N More Puff
Volatility: High
Number of Reels: 5 x 3 | Paylines: 243
Description: Bring a classic fairytale to life with a modern casino twist. Based on the story of The Three Little Pigs, players join the carpenter pig brothers in their quest to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf. With its whimsical theme and a 7,500x payout potential, Huff N’ More Puff promises a thrilling and entertaining adventure for slot fans.

2. Big Wolf Bonus Booster
Volatility: High
Number of Reels: 6 x 4 | Paylines: 50
Description: Big Wolf Bonus Booster is perfect for fans of animal-themed slots, with untamed entertainment and a chance at howling wins with every spin. The Bonus Booster feature allows players to enhance their rewards through multipliers, wilds, or bonus triggers. 

3. Big Bass Boxing Bonus Round
Volatility: Very High
Number of Reels: 5 x 3 | Paylines: 10
Description: Step into the ring in Big Bass Boxing Bonus Round. Hitting three, four, or five scatters triggers a bonus game in which up to 25 bonus spins are awarded. The bonus rounds pack a punch, with cumulative wilds leading to progressive multipliers.

NorthStar Bets Casino: CLICK HERE

New Casino Game Releases: July

4. Vegas Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live
Description: Turn up the heat at the roulette table with a special Vegas version of Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live. Every round, Fire Numbers are selected at random, and if a player hits one of those numbers — even if it’s not a straight bet — they’re eligible for a bonus round that can net up to a 10,000x multiplier.

5. Vegas Live Blackjack 1
Description: Looking for the classic Vegas casino aesthetic from right here in Ontario? In a first-of-its-kind online gaming experience, players can stream real-time action from the heart of the MGM Grand Casino floor. Hit, stand, split, or double down with a live Vegas casino as the backdrop.

6. Gold Blitz Fortunes
Volatility: Medium
Number of Reels: 3 x 3 | Paylines: 27
Description: If you’re the kind of player who likes feeling like every spin could lead to a mini treasure hunt, this game is for you. The latest iteration of the Gold Blitz series is loaded with flashy features, including Blitz Bonus, random cash multiplier, bonus scatter respins, collect feature, and more.

NorthStar Bets Casino: CLICK HERE

New Casino Game Releases: July

7. Dragon Diamond
Volatility: Medium-Low
Number of Reels: 3 x 3 | Paylines: 9
Description: Who’s up for an exclusive game featuring wild symbols, wild multipliers and four jackpot tiers? Higher bet levels significantly increase the odds of landing the required wilds for the top jackpot, creating an engaging and rewarding gameplay experience.

8. Hula Balua
Volatility: High
Number of Reels: 6 x 6 | Paylines: 6
Description: Elmo the Sloth lives a fruitful life in the jungle, mastering his craft of mask making and growing enormous tropical fruits! Hula Balua comes with big symbols, multipliers, redrops, random wilds, a bonus game, and a super bonus game — all packed into the potential of a 25,000x bet.

9. Immortal Romance Vein of Gold
Volatility: Very High
Number of Reels: 6 x 4 | Paylines: 4,096
Description: The combination of spooky visuals, mysterious music and endless bonus possibilities makes each player feel like they’re starring in a supernatural saga. Between the cash collect combos, free spins with wild multipliers, and the electrifying Vein of Gold bonus, players are constantly one spin away from feeling like an immortal jackpot hunter.

NorthStar Bets Casino: CLICK HERE

Take The Ultimate The Tragically Hip Quiz!

Tragically Hip quiz

Think you know The Tragically Hip? Put your fandom to the test with this 10-question, multiple-choice ultimate The Tragically Hip quiz!

The quiz was authored by jD, host of the popular podcast: The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown. NorthStar Bets is now the title sponsor of The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown and the Oct. 4 Live Event: A Celebration of The Hip for ALS.

When you’re done, don’t forget to share and compare your results with friends. Have fun and good luck!

Embed: #115133

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Canada Day Playlist

Gord Downie

Hey, jD here, host of The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown podcast.

As a special treat, I’ve put together 12 essential tracks by The Hip for Canada Day, with assistance from our title sponsor and pals at NorthStar Bets!

So whether you’re lakeside, poolside, roadside, or couchside—this playlist is your July 1 soundtrack. Crank it. Sing loud. Be proud.

And hey, click here for new episodes that drop every Monday!

Embed: #115194

Canada Day Playlist Tracks:


1. Little Bones
You can feel the sweat dripping from Gord’s brow on this classic Hip track.

2. Speed River
My Summertime mantra; “Speed river take me away.”

3. Yawning or Snarling
Texas heat, sweaty, loud gig crowd, beer flying, Gord in full flow. What could go wrong?

4. Now For Plan A:
The Summer glow is warm and beautiful on this one.

5. Lake Fever:
A Summertime rendezvous with a (for now) unrequited love. Can I tell you a story to stall?

6. Wheat Kings:
I’ll take, “song most sung around the campfire” for $100, Alex.

7. Another Midnight
The valley spans miles in this gorgeous, upbeat standout from their
debut LP.

8. All Tore Up
A tour de force that pulsates, sweats, and makes you want to jump up and
down.

9. Heart of the Melt
Pure electricity and propulsion, plus sharks!

10. At the Hundredth Meridian
Driving through an endless summer-scorched landscape, counting the mile markers and making our way to a line of longitude.

11. Gift Shop
Summer from a certain perspective, “High up above.”

12. Eldorado
An evening drive, with the windows down.

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Canada Day Playlist

Gord Downie

Hey, jD here, host of The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown podcast.

As a special treat, I’ve put together 12 essential tracks by The Hip for Canada Day, with assistance from our title sponsor and pals at NorthStar Bets!

So whether you’re lakeside, poolside, roadside or couchside—this playlist is your July 1st soundtrack. Crank it. Sing loud. Be proud.

And hey, click here for new episodes that drop every Monday!

Embed: #115194

Canada Day Playlist Tracks:


1. Little Bones
You can feel the sweat dripping from Gords brow on this classic Hip track.

2. Speed River
My Summertime mantra; “Speed river take me away.”

3. Yawning or Snarling
Texas heat, sweaty loud gig crowd, beer flying, Gord in full flow. What could go wrong?

4. Now For Plan A:
The Summer glow is warm and beautiful on this one.

5. Lake Fever:
A Summertime rendezvous with a (for now) unrequited love. Can I tell you a story to stall?

6. Wheat Kings:
I’ll take, “song most sung around the campfire” for $100, Alex.

7. Another Midnight
The valley spans miles in this gorgeous, upbeat standout from their
debut LP.

8. All Tore Up
A tour de force that pulsates, sweats, and makes you want to jump up and
down.

9. Heart of the Melt
Pure electricity and propulsion. plus sharks!

10. At the Hundredth Meridian
Driving through an endless summer-scorched landscape, counting the mile markers and making our way to a line of longitude.

11. Gift Shop
Summer from a certain perspective, “High up above.”

12. Eldorado
An evening drive, with the windows down.

Canadian Heat Index: Celebrating our top athletes and performances

Canadian Heat Index

From international team showdowns to professional and amateur settings, Canadian athletes have never had a larger, more successful presence on the global sporting stage.

As Canadians, we understand the challenge is trying to stay on top of it all.

Enter NorthStar Bets’ inaugural Canadian Heat Index. Each month, we’ll track, share, and celebrate the performances that fill us with pride and deserve a Mountie-esque salute.

Canadian Heat Index: Top 5

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
Sport/League: Basketball, NBA
At the time of writing, Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from putting a bow on a historic season. The Canadian is the main cog in their well-oiled machine and is torching the NBA Finals (32.4 PPG). He would become the first Canadian to win the NBA MVP and an NBA championship.

2. Summer McIntosh
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
Sport/League: Swimming
Our brightest Olympic star just put on a clinic at the Canadian swimming trials for the upcoming World Championships. McIntosh set three world records — in the 400M freestyle, 200M individual medley, and 400M individual medley — becoming the first swimmer to do so in one meet since Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics.

3. Sam Bennett
Hometown: East Gwillimbury, Ont.
Sport/League: Hockey, NHL
The Florida Panthers’ decision regarding Bennett’s upcoming free agency should be simple: Pay the man. Bennett set the NHL record for the most road goals (13) in a single postseason, and was a menace to play against anytime he touched the ice. The Conn Smythe winner scored five goals to help sink the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.

4. Brad Marchand
Hometown: Halifax, N.S.
Sport/League: Hockey, NHL
Marchand just cemented himself as one of the greatest deadline acquisitions of all time. The 37-year-old was runner-up to Bennett in Conn Smythe voting, had the fourth-most playoff goals (10), and became the second player in the last 50 years to score five goals in multiple Cup finals. The other? Mario Lemieux.

5. Gabriel Diallo
Hometown: Montreal, Que.
Sport/League: Tennis, ATP
Canadian tennis fans should get familiar with Diallo’s name, because you’re going to see him a lot. The 23-year-old picked up his first ATP singles title at the Libema Open after an impressive run to the quarterfinals in the Madrid Open a month earlier.

Canadian Heat Index: 6-9

6. Connor McDavid
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.
Sport/League: Hockey, NHL
McDavid led the playoffs in scoring (33 points) for a second consecutive season but again fell short of winning the ultimate prize, dropping four spots in our list. Still, hockey is a team sport, so we can’t be too harsh on the three-time Hart Trophy winner.

7. Josh Naylor
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
Sport/League: Baseball, MLB
Naylor has moved up one spot after sustaining his strong start to the season. Entering play on June 19, the Arizona Diamondbacks slugger is batting .305/.358/.474 with 49 RBI. He’s been on a particularly hot streak right now, batting .459 amid an eight-game hitting streak.

8. Tajon Buchanan
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
Sport/League: Soccer, La Liga/CANMNT
The Canadian men’s national team currently sits at an all-time best 30th in FIFA’s rankings, and Buchanan is the first of two players worthy of a shout-out. He scored for Les Rouges in a 4-2 win over Ukraine on June 7 and added a brace against Honduras just over a week later.

9. Sophie Jaques
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
Sport/League: Hockey, PWHL
Two years in the PWHL, two championships for Jaques and the Minnesota Frost. The 24-year-old led all defencemen in points in the regular season (22) and backed that up with a strong playoffs. Her seven postseason points ranked second among all skaters.

10. Promise David
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
Sport/League: Soccer, La Liga/CANMNT
The CANMNT is learning that it can never have too many goalscorers named David. Promise made waves in the Belgian pro league this year, scoring 24 goals in 41 appearances for Union SG. After getting approved by FIFA to switch allegiance to Canada in February, he scored a goal in each of his first two caps for Les Rouges.

Highlights:

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1934052882573140244
https://twitter.com/CBCOlympics/status/1932431386197062117
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1931207142490386878
https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1934261566410559504