Contributing Writer

Bills vs. Ravens Week 4 best bets and odds: Expect Allen to continue to shine on Sunday Night Football

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens close out an action-packed Sunday in the NFL.

The pregame narrative: The Bills are undefeated and their offence looks polished. Baltimore’s offence has improved each week and I’m expecting a high point total this Sunday. Josh Allen’s passing yards prop has value, too.

Check out my Bills vs. Ravens best bets for the Week 4 Sunday Night Football matchup on Sept. 29.

Bills vs. Ravens best bets

Go to full NFL betting markets

Best Bet: Over 46.5 points (-110)

Buffalo looks like the most organized team in the league through three weeks to the surprise of many. The offence lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but Allen can clearly manage with the resources he has.

The Bills have scored an average of 37.3 points per game, and in my view, Baltimore’s defence doesn’t pose much of a threat.

As usual, the Ravens’ run defence is phenomenal, allowing the fewest yards per game (50.0). But that doesn’t mean very much when the team is also allowing the most passing yards per game (291.7).

That has led to Baltimore conceding 25-plus points in each week en route to a 1-2-0 start.

On the other side of the ball, Lamar Jackson and Co. lead the NFL in total offence (437.3 yards/game). Primetime unders are usually where I’m putting my money, but the over here is way too good to pass up.

Key stat: Both teams have gone over this total in all of their games this season.

Quick Pick

Allen over 232.5 passing yards (-125): I’ve already said this, but the Ravens’ pass defence sucks.

Well, at least to this point of the season. And things aren’t looking any brighter on the horizon with a hungry Allen marching into town.

The Buffalo quarterback has cleared this line in two of three games and the miss was against the Miami Dolphins in a game where the Bills held a comfortable lead throughout (i.e., it was a terrible game script for Allen to be pass-heavy).

All three of Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Gardner Minshew surpassed this yardage total with ease against the Ravens.

The first two are perfectly understandable, but Minshew joining the club has me feeling like it’s more of a Baltimore issue.

The Ravens’ offence is good enough to stay in this game, which means Allen should be throwing all the way through.

Picks made at 1:35 p.m. ET 09/27/2024.

Bills vs. Ravens Week 4 best bets and odds: Expect Allen to continue to shine on Sunday Night Football

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens close out an action-packed Sunday in the NFL.

The pregame narrative: The Bills are undefeated and their offence looks polished. Baltimore’s offence has improved each week and I’m expecting a high point total this Sunday. Josh Allen’s passing yards prop has value, too.

Check out my Bills vs. Ravens best bets for the Week 4 Sunday Night Football matchup on Sept. 29.

Bills vs. Ravens best bets

Embed: #95837

Go to full NFL betting markets

Best Bet: Over 46.5 points (-110)

Embed: #95838

Buffalo looks like the most organized team in the league through three weeks to the surprise of many. The offence lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but Allen can clearly manage with the resources he has.

The Bills have scored an average of 37.3 points per game, and in my view, Baltimore’s defence doesn’t pose much of a threat.

As usual, the Ravens’ run defence is phenomenal, allowing the fewest yards per game (50.0). But that doesn’t mean very much when the team is also allowing the most passing yards per game (291.7).

That has led to Baltimore conceding 25-plus points in each week en route to a 1-2-0 start.

On the other side of the ball, Lamar Jackson and Co. lead the NFL in total offence (437.3 yards/game). Primetime unders are usually where I’m putting my money, but the over here is way too good to pass up.

Key stat: Both teams have gone over this total in all of their games this season.

Quick Pick

Allen over 229.5 passing yards (-113): I’ve already said this, but the Ravens’ pass defence sucks.

Embed: #95839

Well, at least to this point of the season. And things aren’t looking any brighter on the horizon with a hungry Allen marching into town.

The Buffalo quarterback has cleared this line in two of three games and the miss was against the Miami Dolphins in a game where the Bills held a comfortable lead throughout (i.e., it was a terrible game script for Allen to be pass-heavy).

All three of Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Gardner Minshew surpassed this yardage total with ease against the Ravens.

The first two are perfectly understandable, but Minshew joining the club has me feeling like it’s more of a Baltimore issue.

The Ravens’ offence is good enough to stay in this game, which means Allen should be throwing all the way through.

Picks made at 12:35 p.m. ET 09/27/2024.

Blue Jays picks vs. Marlins Sept. 27: Bet on Berrios to limit Marlins’ offence

The Toronto Blue Jays begin the season’s final series against the Miami Marlins.

The pregame narrative: There’s nothing to play for but I still expect Jose Berrios to have a strong final outing of the season. I also have eyes on the under as the Jays’ offence has burned out.

Check out the best Blue Jays picks vs. the Marlins on Sept. 27.

Blue Jays picks vs. Marlins

MLB markets: Click Here | MLB stats: Click Here

Best Bet: Under 8.5 runs (-120)

Embed: #95792

Toronto’s offensive production has fallen off a cliff.

Over the past eight games, seven have stayed under this total behind either strong pitching, poor hitting or more often than not, both.

As you will find out with my quick pick, I am not worried about the Marlins’ offence either, but I want to focus on Toronto’s struggles in this section.

The Jays are 2-6 in their past eight games and are hitting .226 over that span. Offence runs through Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on most nights and there’s reason to suspect he may have a rare off night.

Although a very small sample size, Guerrero has two strikeouts in as many career meetings against Miami’s starter Adam Oller.

Overall, Toronto’s current lineup has one hit in nine plate appearances with three Ks vs. Oller.

Key stat: The under is 15-6 in Blue Jays games in September.

Quick pick

Berrios over 5.5 strikeouts (-127): Toronto’s most consistent starter has been eating innings recently, resulting in more opportunities to punch out the opposition.

Embed: #95793

Berrios has gone six-plus innings in eight straight starts, reaching the seven-inning mark five times. He’s given up a measly nine runs in that span.

The Marlins’ offence hasn’t fared well against Berrios in the past, recording seven hits and striking out 10 times in 27 plate appearances.

Berrios is usually good for a minimum of five Ks, doing so in nine of his last 10 starts. The issue is he finished with five in half of those outings.

History suggests that the Jays’ starter has the matchup to beat the hook, so I’m not concerned.

Picks made at 9:30 a.m. on 09/27/24.

CFL Week 17 picks and predictions: Trust Nathan Rourke and the BC Lions to bounce back

The CFL season is winding down and I have picks on two favourites this weekend.

The pregame narrative: The BC Lions lost 33-17 last time out but I think they have an edge this weekend and can rebound with a sizeable win. On Friday, I’ve got action on the red-hot Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Check out the best CFL Week 17 picks below.

CFL Week 17 picks

Full CFL Week 17 betting markets

Best Bet: Lions -7 (-115)

Some may call me crazy with how the Lions looked against the Toronto Argonauts two weeks ago but that game was their seventh in as many weeks and the much-needed bye in Week 16 should do them wonders.

BC was just finding its groove before the game with Toronto and again, I think fatigue was the largest factor in that loss.

In the three games before that, Nathan Rourke threw for 863 total yards but struggled with chemistry, throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions.

An extra week of rest and practice could be all the quarterback and his offence needed to reach peak form.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have won three straight but were in Toronto last weekend and now play across the country.

This is a letdown spot for the Ti-Cats in my eyes.

Key stat: BC has a +11.3 point differential in Rourke’s 14 career starts.

Quick pick

Blue Bombers -5.5 (-110): The Bombers are rolling right now, winning six straight and covering this spread in three.

The team has seemingly found its groove behind its strong defence. The Bombers have allowed the fewest points in the league (288) and are 5-2 at home.

Just last week, they beat the Edmonton Elks by 27-14 on the road where Winnipeg is a much less impressive 3-4. Edmonton is not good on defence (369 points against).

Against the lesser teams, the offence fills it up but struggles when it’s time to face the better defensive units.

Quarterback Mcleod Bethel-Thompson lit up the Calgary Stampeders defence earlier in September (705 yards across back-to-back games) but could only complete five passes for 48 yards against the Blue Bombers’ defence last week.

Picks made at 3:14 p.m. ET on 09/25/24.

CFL Week 17 picks and predictions: Trust Nathan Rourke and the BC Lions to bounce back

The CFL season is winding down and I have picks on two favourites this weekend.

The pregame narrative: The BC Lions lost 33-17 last time out but I think they have an edge this weekend and can rebound with a sizeable win. On Friday, I’ve got action on the red-hot Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Check out the best CFL Week 17 picks below.

CFL Week 17 picks

Full CFL Week 17 betting markets

Best Bet: Lions -6.5 (-115)

Embed: #95606

Some may call me crazy with how the Lions looked against the Toronto Argonauts two weeks ago but that game was their seventh in as many weeks and the much-needed bye in Week 16 should do them wonders.

BC was just finding its groove before the game with Toronto and again, I think fatigue was the largest factor in that loss.

In the three games before that, Nathan Rourke threw for 863 total yards but struggled with chemistry, throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions.

An extra week of rest and practice could be all the quarterback and his offence needed to reach peak form.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have won three straight but were in Toronto last weekend and now play across the country.

This is a letdown spot for the Ti-Cats in my eyes.

Key stat: BC has a +11.3 point differential in Rourke’s 14 career starts.

Quick pick

Blue Bombers -4.5 (-124): The Bombers are rolling right now, winning six straight and covering this spread in four.

Embed: #95605

The team has seemingly found its groove behind its strong defence. The Bombers have allowed the fewest points in the league (288) and are 5-2 at home.

Just last week, they beat the Edmonton Elks by 27-14 on the road where Winnipeg is a much less impressive 3-4. Edmonton is not good on defence (369 points against).

Against the lesser teams, the offence fills it up but struggles when it’s time to face the better defensive units.

Quarterback Mcleod Bethel-Thompson lit up the Calgary Stampeders defence earlier in September (705 yards across back-to-back games) but could only complete five passes for 48 yards against the Blue Bombers’ defence last week.

Picks made at 2:14 p.m. ET on 09/25/24.

Padres vs. Dodgers prop picks Sept. 25: Target Ohtani, Tatis and Profar in important NL West contest

A pivotal NL West matchup headlines Wednesday’s MLB slate.

The pregame narrative: The San Diego Padres took the first of three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the division battle gets that much closer. In this one, I’m exploring player prop markets for Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis and Jurickson Profar.

Check out my Padres vs. Dodgers prop picks for Sept. 25.

Padres vs. Dodgers prop picks

MLB markets: Click Here | MLB stats: Click Here

Best Bet: Ohtani over 0.5 runs (-125)

Embed: #95567

I almost vowed for a plus-money bases prop but then I noticed Ohtani’s recent success in this market.

In the past nine games, he’s scored 13 total runs and cashed this wager eight times.

It’s been quite the legendary run for the soon-to-be NL MVP but he does see Dylan Cease on the mound tonight and the Padres’ ace has a good career record against Ohtani.

Cease has held the slugger to 3-for-13 hitting but that does include two home runs. In their first meeting this season, Ohtani went hitless but that was in the middle of his coldest spell of the season.

Right now, he may be the hottest he’s been all year so I expect a different result.

Since August 17, the Dodgers’ star is hitting .338 with 16 HRs, 37 RBI and just 38 Ks over the 157 plate appearances.

Key stat: Ohtani has scored 38 runs in those 34 games.

Quick picks

Tatis over 1.5 total bases (+118): I want to target a few Padres so let’s start here.

Embed: #95568

Tatis has cleared this line in four of six games and has a good chance to add to his success tonight.

In six at-bats against Jack Flaherty, San Diego’s slugger has three hits — two of which were doubles.

Before going hitless yesterday, Tatis had at least a base knock in 11 straight games prior. He’s on fire at the plate and has gotten on Flaherty before.

Profar over 0.5 runs (+148): Here’s another guy who’s been a major part of San Diego’s offence.

Embed: #95569

Profar has 20 hits over his last 16 games and has scored 12 runs. He’s scored in four straight games and has a good past against Flaherty.

In eight at-bats, Profar has four hits which have all gone for extra bases (two doubles, two homers). That equals out to a 1.500 SLG.

Another aspect working in our favour is who hits behind the Padres’ outfielder. Profar bats third when everyone is in the lineup, in front of the trio of Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts.

The three combined for 235 RBI this season so I’m predicting strong aid if Profar gets on base.

Picks made at 11:01 a.m. ET 09/25/2024.

Looking to get started? Sign up here.

Caitlin Clark Game 2 WNBA playoff props: Betting odds and predictions for Fever guard vs. the Sun

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever look to bounce back in Game 2 vs. the Connecticut Sun.

The pregame narrative: Clark had a remarkable rookie season but the Sun are one of the WNBA’s tougher defensive teams. That was apparent in Game 1, as the Fever’s star point guard scored just 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

Check out our Caitlin Clark props, odds and best bet for Game 2 against the Sun.

Caitlin Clark props

Go to full WNBA playoff betting markets

Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.

Clark prop markets	Odds
Over 20.5 points	+104
Under 20.5 points	-137
Over 8.5 assists	+120
Under 8.5 assists	-159
Over 5.5 rebounds	+120
Under 5.5 rebounds	-159
Over 34.5 points/rebounds/assists	+102
Under 34.5 points/rebounds/assists	-136
Over 3.5 threes	+140
Under 3.5 threes	-190
Top point scorer	+200

In the second half of the season, Clark went off.

The rookie finished with averages of 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Recently, she broke the rookie scoring record in a 35-point performance against the Dallas Wings.

That’s the third record for Clark, joining her single-game (19) and season-long (337) assist records.

Clark is quickly becoming one of the WNBA’s best players but the playoffs are where true superstars are made — and the Fever are currently one game down to the Sun.

Best Clark prop bet

Best Bet: Clark over 8.5 assists (+120)

Clark averaged right around this number during the season (8.4) and I think it’s time to buy low after a disappointing first game.

In saying that, the guard fell one shy of this mark in Game 1, finishing with eight assists.

The Sun boasts the best defensive rating in the league (96.4) showing why it was so hard for Clark to get going in the first game.

Indiana finished the game with 69 points after averaging 85 per game during the season. If the Fever’s offence can get back up to standard, there should be one more helper on the table for Clark.

Additionally, she’s cleared this line in five of the past nine games where she logged over 20 minutes of playing time.

For Game 1, this prop was juiced at -132 and now bettors are getting it at +120 for Game 2. That price change has absolutely added value to taking a prop which Clark was so close to clearing last time.

Pick & odds as of 10:01 a.m. ET on 09/25/2024.

Best MLB prop bets Sept. 23: Target Rodriguez, Altuve and Turner on Monday

Three all-star hitters are featured in Monday’s MLB prop bets.

The pregame narrative: Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners take on Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros. I’m backing both players to make noise at the plate. Elsewhere, I expect Trea Turner to have a big game.

Check out the best MLB prop bets for Sept. 23.

MLB prop bets

MLB Markets: Click Here | MLB Stats: Click Here

Best bet: Rodriguez over 1.5 bases (+123)

Embed: #95440

Over the last 10 games, Rodriguez has 20 hits in 47 at-bats (.420 average) with six home runs. His 1.238 OPS over that span is higher than Aaron Judge’s MLB-leading 1.153 OPS for the season.

In other words, the Mariners’ outfielder is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now.

Additionally, Rodriguez has a pretty good history against Astros starter Hunter Brown, going 4-for-12 (.333) with two extra-base hits.

Whenever I can get a nice plus-money price on a streaking hitter in a good matchup, I don’t hesitate to jump on board.

Key stat: Rodriguez tallied 17 total bases in his most recent three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Quick picks

Altuve over 0.5 runs (+115): Swinging over to the Astros’ side, Altuve has scored 92 times this season, good for 17th in the majors for runs.

Embed: #95441

Houston’s star second baseman has a favourable matchup against Seattle’s Bryce Miller, too. In 11 meetings, Altuve has four hits (.364) with just one strikeout.

There’s enough firepower around him (Alex Bregman, Yainer Diaz, etc.) to aid Altuve if he gets on base, and his history with Miller gives me confidence in him doing so.

Turner over 0.5 runs (-114): If we’re talking streaking sluggers, Turner’s name has to be mentioned.

Embed: #95442

The Phillies’ shortstop has crossed home plate 14 times in 20 games this month. He has an .817 OPS in that span.

Turner has hits in seven of his last eight games, which means he’s routinely putting himself in position to score.

The Chicago Cubs are set for a bullpen day, starting with reliever Nate Pearson. The ex-Blue Jay carries a 4.71 ERA into this matchup.

After Pearson will be a bullpen that carries a middle-of-the-pack 3.80 ERA. The Phillies’ big bats should have opportunities to do damage.

Picks made at 1:55 p.m. ET on 09/23/2024.

Giants vs. Diamondbacks props Sept. 23: Expect Chapman, Marte to produce at the plate

The San Francisco Giants start a new series on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The pregame narrative: Ketel Marte, who’s been hot at the dish, is the main target of my prop bets. For San Francisco, Matt Chapman’s total bases prop caught my interest, while I’m fading Mark Canha in what should be a tough matchup for him.

Check out my Giants vs. Diamondbacks props for Sept. 23.

Giants vs. Diamondbacks props

MLB markets: Click Here | MLB stats: Click Here

Best Bet: Chapman over 1.5 bases (+108): The Giants’ slugger has a good history against D-backs starter Eduardo Rodriguez.

Embed: #95418

Chapman has six hits in 14 at-bats and four of those were doubles. That equates to a .429 BA and a .714 SLG.

Since Aug. 27, the former Toronto Blue Jay is batting .286 with 11 extra-base hits in 19 games.

Backing Chapman alone is the way to go here as the rest of the Giants’ lineup is just 3-for-28 against Rodriguez.

Quick picks

Canha under 0.5 hits (+155): In 18 plate appearances against Rodriguez, Canha is hitless. That’s quite a large pitcher-versus-hitter sample size.

Embed: #95406

If Canha is in the lineup tonight, this bet has good value. His .212 xBA ranks in the sixth percentile. If he’s out of the lineup, this bet will simply void and there’s no harm done.

Although he’s been cashing the over on this prop lately, doing so in three of his last four starts, I’m comfortable taking a risk based on his history against Rodriguez.

Marte over 0.5 runs (-107):

Editor’s note: Marte isn’t in tonight’s starting lineup.

Marte has home runs in three consecutive games, scoring five runs along the way.

The second baseman is streaking again and continues to have a great season. Marte is hitting .295 with 35 HRs, 93 RBI and 90 runs in 130 games.

San Fran’s starter, Hayden Birdsong, isn’t the worst pitcher in the majors but his 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP are concerning against Arizona’s offence.

Another stat that stands out for Birdsong is his 13.9% walk rate, which is one of the highest in the league and well above MLB’s 8.2% average. Marte has an 11.1% walk rate and has earned six free passes in the past five games.

Marte should get on base tonight and then it’s up to the middle of Arizona’s order to drive him home. But I don’t see that being an issue.

Key stat: The Dbacks lead the league in runs per game (5.5).

Picks made at 11:32 a.m. ET 09/23/2024.

Looking to get started? Sign up here.

Josh Allen Week 3 Monday Night Football props: Odds and best bet for Bills’ QB vs. Jaguars

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first of two Monday Night Football games tonight.

The pregame narrative: Buffalo will have to fend off a desperate Jags squad if it wants to stay undefeated and like usual, Allen is expected to be a big part of his team’s success. The Bills’ star quarterback has five total touchdowns on the season and has yet to throw an interception.

Check out our Josh Allen props, odds and best bet for Week 3 of Monday Night Football.

Josh Allen props

Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.

Allen prop markets	Betting odds
Over 230.5 pass yards	-115
Under 230.5 pass yards	-113
Over 30.5 rushing yards	-112
Under 30.5 rushing yards	–117
Over 264.5. passing/rushing yards	–113
Under 264.5 passing/rushing yards	-115
Over 1.5 passing TDs	+102
Under 1.5 passing TDs	-134
Anytime TD scorer	-148
Over 0.5 interceptions	-103
Under 0.5 interceptions	-127

NFL odds as of 9:30 a.m. ET on 09/23/2024.

Allen didn’t have to do much in Week 2 but was still efficient when needed. He ended up completing 13-of-19 passes leading to 139 yards and a touchdown.

There’s also no interceptions on his record to this point but that market continues to show close to even odds.

Embed: #95379

Allen has fumbled the ball in both games so far, however, so there is a blemish on his otherwise amazing start.

Jacksonville’s defence looks potent, allowing just 19.0 points per game. But Allen has a chance to show why he is a tier above most QBs.

Best Allen prop bet

Best Bet: Allen over 230.5 passing yards (-115)

Embed: #95380

Although the Jaguars are a good defensive team in terms of points allowed, I do see some holes for Allen to exploit.

Jacksonville concedes the third most passing yards per game (245.5) but is doing a good job holding teams out of the end zone (one passing TD against).

Embed: #95383

So if you’re in the mindset of fading Allen, taking the under on his passing TDs prop may be the way to go.

But I view Allen as being a step above Tua Tagovailoa and Deshaun Watson — the QBs who’ve faced Jacksonville so far — so I’d rather find a market to take the over on.

And I think this passing yards prop is the way to go. After all, Allen did slice up the Jaguars’ defence for 356 yards in their most recent meeting last October.

Pick made at 9:35 a.m. ET on 09/23/2024.