Steven Psihogios

Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.

Athletics vs. Blue Jays prop picks May 31: Bet on Barger and Clement to stay hot

Blue Jays picks

The Toronto Blue Jays aim for a third consecutive win over the spiralling Athletics on Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s offence has exploded for 23 runs through two games in this series. A struggling Gunnar Hoglund takes the bump for the Athletics, and that could mean a huge night for a pair of streaking hitters in Addison Barger and Ernie Clement.

Check out my Blue Jays vs. Athletics prop picks on May 31.

Blue Jays picks vs. Athletics

Best Bet: Barger over 1.5 total bases (+128)

Barger has found his groove, and I’m looking for him to make noise against the reeling Athletics.

Toronto’s third baseman is putting his barrel to the ball at an impressive clip. He’s hitting .294 in May with a .494 SLG as the month comes to a close.

He’s not showing any signs of slowing down, either, as he’s batting .342 in 11 games since May 20 with a .526 SLG.

Barger’s production is no fluke, as his advanced numbers prove that he’s been among the best hitters in the bigs this year:

  • 86th-percentile xwOBA (.379)
  • 91st-percentile xBA (.300)
  • 87th-percentile xSLG (.526)
  • 99th-percentile average exit velocity (95.2 mph)

He is absolutely crushing the ball, making him a threat to top this prop in just one at-bat.

The one knock against Barger is that he’s typically hitting in the bottom half of Toronto’s lineup, but I expect everybody to get enough plate appearances against an unimpressive Hoglund.

Key stat: Barger has cashed this prop in four of his last five games.

Embed: #114318

Quick pick

Clement over 1.5 total bases (+138): Clement, like Barger, is also seeing his fair share of success at the dish.

The infielder is batting .298 with a .457 SLG in May, and is only heating up as the calendar nears June.

Clement has nine hits in his last four games and has topped this line in each of his last two outings.

Hitting for power will never be his game, but Clement should see some nice pitches to hit against a pitcher who is throwing plenty of those.

Hoglund enters Saturday’s game sporting a brutal 5.13 ERA and 5.40 FIP. A quick trip to his Baseball Savant page shows he’s earned every bit of his underwhelming 2025 campaign:

  • 9th-percentile xERA (5.45)
  • 14th-percentile xBA (.284)
  • 4th-percentile average exit velocity (92.2 mph)
  • 6th-percentile barrel rate (13.6%)

Although Clement doesn’t typically bring the boom, Hoglund’s propensity for ceding hard contact could allow him to swat one for extra bases in this contest.

Athletics vs. Blue Jays picks made at 10:35 a.m. ET on 05/31/2025.

French Open 2025 odds and betting favourites: Alcaraz, Sinner are men’s favourites

French Open odds

The Italian Open is over, which means now is the perfect time to check out the latest French Open odds.

The latest: Carlos Alcaraz’s win over Jannik Sinner in Rome makes him the one to beat at Roland Garros. There are several other contenders in the mix, including a veteran in Novak Djokovic, who could make this an unpredictable tournament.

Check out our latest French Open odds as of May 18.

French Open odds

We’ll first start with the men’s side, which features Alcaraz, Sinner and Alexander Zverev at the top.

PlayerOdds
Carlos Alcaraz+100
Jannik Sinner+162
Novak Djokovic+450
Alexander Zverev+750
Stefanos Tsitsipas+1,000
Casper Ruud+1,200
Jack Draper+1,600
Holger Rune+2,000
Joao Fonseca+2,200
Lorenzo Musetti+2,200
Daniil Medvedev+3,300
Andrey Rublev+3,300
Francisco Cerundolo+4,000

French Open odds as of 3:06 p.m. on 05/18/2025.

Men’s French Open odds notes

  • Alcaraz won the 2024 French Open, and the Spaniard is poised for another deep run at Roland Garros. Carlitos downed Sinner in straight sets at the Italian Open and is 15-1 on clay this year.
  • Sinner returned from a three-month ban and picked up where he left off. He cruised to the Italian Open final, losing just one set before meeting the Alcaraz buzzsaw. Sinner matched Alcaraz point-for-point in the first set, but lost the second set 6-1. It’s fair to wonder where his conditioning is.
  • It’s rare to see Djokovic carry odds greater than 10-to-1 for any event, but questions about father time finally arriving are looming. The Serbian superstar is 0-2 on clay this year. He is, however, a three-time French Open champion and has won four of his last five matches against Alcaraz.
  • Cerundolo isn’t a bad long-shot pick considering how well he’s played on clay. He’s a strong 19-7 on the surface, besting Zverev and pushing Alcaraz to three sets.
  • Felix Auger-Aliassime (+10,000) has the best odds of any Canadian in the draw. He has struggled mightily to make the transition to clay in 2025, dropping all four of his matches on the surface.

French Open 2025 odds and betting favourites: Alcaraz, Sinner are men’s favourites, Sabalenka tops women’s board

French Open odds

The Italian Open is over, which means now is the perfect time to check out the latest French Open odds.

The latest: Carlos Alcaraz’s win over Jannik Sinner in Rome makes him the one to beat at Roland Garros. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka marches into the French Open as the favourite, but there are several other top contenders lurking.

Check out our latest French Open odds as of May 18.

French Open odds

We’ll first start with the men’s side, which features Alcaraz, Sinner and Alexander Zverev at the top.

PlayerOdds
Carlos Alcaraz+150
Jannik Sinner+150
Alexander Zverev+900
Casper Ruud+1,400
Novak Djokovic+1,400
Jack Draper+2,000
Lorenzo Musetti+2,700
Holger Rune+3,000
Stefanos Tsitsipas+3,300
Arthur Fils+5,000
Alex De Minaur+5,000
Francisco Cerundolo+5,000
Joao Fonseca+5,000
Daniil Medvedev+6,600

French Open odds as of 3:06 p.m. on 05/18/2025.

Men’s French Open odds notes

  • Alcaraz won the 2024 French Open, and the Spaniard is poised for another deep run at Roland Garros. Carlitos downed Sinner in straight sets at the Italian Open and is 15-1 on clay this year.
  • Sinner returned from a three-month ban and picked up where he left off. He cruised to the Italian Open final, losing just one set before meeting the Alcaraz buzzsaw. Sinner matched Alcaraz point-for-point in the first set, but lost the second set 6-1. It’s fair to wonder where his conditioning is.
  • It’s rare to see Djokovic carry odds greater than 10-to-1 for any event, but questions about father time finally arriving are looming. The Serbian superstar is 0-2 on clay this year. He is, however, a three-time French Open champion and has won four of his last five matches against Alcaraz.
  • Felix Auger-Aliassime (+15,000) has the best odds of any Canadian in the draw. He has struggled mightily to make the transition to clay in 2025, dropping all four of his matches on the surface.

French Open odds: Women’s side

PlayerOdds
Aryna Sabalenka+225
Iga Swiatek+240
Coco Gauff+500
Mirra Andreeva+700
Qinwen Zheng+1,500
Jasmine Paolini+2,000
Elina Svitolina+3,300
Jelena Ostapenko+3,300
Madison Keys+3,300
Jessica Pegula+4,000
Diana Shnaider+4,500
Elena Rybakina+5,000
Marta Kostyuk+5,000
Naomi Osaka+5,000
Paula Badosa+5,000

French Open odds as of 3:06 p.m. on 05/18/2025.

Women’s French Open odds notes

  • No player is in better form than Sabalenka ahead of the French Open. The world No. 1 won the Madrid Open before bowing out in the quarterfinals at Rome. She’s still searching for her first-ever French Open title, but she enters this tournament with a sterling 11-2 clay record in 2025.
  • Swiatek has high standards that aren’t being met in 2025. She’s a strong yet unspectacular 27-9 overall this year, going 6-3 on clay. It’s hard to ignore Swiatek at Roland Garros, though, as the Polish superstar is searching for her fourth consecutive French Open title.
  • Gauff is close to finally breaking through and being at the top of the women’s division. She was the finalist at both the Madrid and Italian Open, and enters this tournament with a fantastic 11-3 clay-court record. Gauff is a former finalist at the French Open, this could be the year that she wins it.
  • Leylah Fernandez (+40,000) has the best odds of any Canadian woman. Fernandez is a true long shot and hasn’t had much success on clay this year. She’s 2-3 on the surface, losing each of her last two matches.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 anytime goal picks: Bet on Verhaeghe, McMann to shine

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks

Which players are going to rise to the occasion? That’s what I’m looking to answer with my Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: Florida and Toronto’s seasons are on the line, and everybody has a chance to be a hero in Game 7. Superstars are counted on to produce in an elimination game, but sometimes an unsung name emerges in a crucial moment.

Check out the best Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks for Game 7, featuring Carter Verhaeghe and Bobby McMann.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Verhaeghe to score (+235)

There are several reasons why Verhaeghe is a solid pick to score a goal in this contest.

Firstly, he has been one of Florida’s most consistent producers in this series. He has two goals and five points through six games, and the latter ties him with Brad Marchand for the team lead.

The advanced numbers go even further in illustrating how good he has been against the team that drafted him:

  • 2nd in expected goals (2.77)
  • 2nd in Corsi for (48)
  • 2nd in scoring chances (27)
  • T-2nd in high-danger chances (8)

Verhaeghe also has a knack for stepping up in series finales. He has scored a goal in six of Florida’s last 11 series-ending contests since 2022 (seven total).

Key stat: Verhaeghe is third among all Panthers players in shots (27).

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs prop prediction

McMann to score (+475): This pick is a little off the board, but you can’t be an unsung hero if everybody is singing your praises.

McMann has largely been ineffective for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs, but there are signs of him turning it around.

The Toronto winger notched an assist in Game 6, his first point since Game 1 of the team’s series against the Ottawa Senators.

It was a beautiful feed to Max Pacioretty that served as an insurance marker for his squad.

Although Game 5 was largely a night to forget for Toronto, McMann did record three shots in the losing effort, his first multi-shot outing since Game 1 against the Panthers.

His usage is also trending upwards. McMann logged 13:30 in ice time in Game 6, his highest total of the series and the most since Game 4 of the opening round.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks made at 1:56 p.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 anytime goal picks: Bet on Verhaeghe, McMann to shine

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks

Which players are going to rise to the occasion? That’s what I’m looking to answer with my Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: Florida and Toronto’s seasons are on the line, and everybody has a chance to be a hero in Game 7. Superstars are counted on to produce in an elimination game, but sometimes an unsung name emerges in a crucial moment.

Check out the best Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks for Game 7, featuring Carter Verhaeghe and Bobby McMann.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Verhaeghe to score (+245)

There are several reasons why Verhaeghe is a solid pick to score a goal in this contest.

Firstly, he has been one of Florida’s most consistent producers in this series. He has two goals and five points through six games, and the latter ties him with Brad Marchand for the team lead.

The advanced numbers go even further in illustrating how good he has been against the team that drafted him:

  • 2nd in expected goals (2.77)
  • 2nd in Corsi for (48)
  • 2nd in scoring chances (27)
  • T-2nd in high-danger chances (8)

Verhaeghe also has a knack for stepping up in series finales. He has scored a goal in six of Florida’s last 11 series-ending contests since 2022 (seven total).

Key stat: Verhaeghe is third among all Panthers players in shots (27).

Embed: #113921

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs prop prediction

McMann to score (+540): This pick is a little off the board, but you can’t be an unsung hero if everybody is singing your praises.

McMann has largely been ineffective for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs, but there are signs of him turning it around.

The Toronto winger notched an assist in Game 6, his first point since Game 1 of the team’s series against the Ottawa Senators.

It was a beautiful feed to Max Pacioretty that served as an insurance marker for his squad.

Although Game 5 was largely a night to forget for Toronto, McMann did record three shots in the losing effort, his first multi-shot outing since Game 1 against the Panthers.

His usage is also trending upwards. McMann logged 13:30 in ice time in Game 6, his highest total of the series and the most since Game 4 of the opening round.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs anytime goal picks made at 1:56 p.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Best MLB prop bet May 18: Back Cardinals’ Arenado in plus-money prop

MLB prop bets

A healthy dose of the Subway Series makes its way into my MLB prop bets for Saturday.

Today’s MLB props narrative: Nolan Arenado is having an uncharacteristically poor season, but he should be able to take advantage of a plus matchup.

Check out my MLB prop bets for May 18.

MLB prop bets

Best Bet: Arenado over 1.5 total bases (+125)

This isn’t the type of season people have come to expect from Arenado.

The Cardinals slugger’s .242 batting average and .379 OPS are the lowest marks of his career, and way below his career averages of .284 and .853, respectively.

If there’s anything that can get the third baseman going, though, it’s a date with Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha.

Wacha is enjoying a solid campaign, combining a 2.96 ERA with a 3.10 FIP. But he has struggled mightily in the past versus Arenado.

In 19 at-bats versus Wacha, Arenado is batting:

  • .474 AVG
  • 4 home runs

Those are undeniable numbers.

Key stat: No batter has more career home runs against the pitcher they’re facing today than Arenado.

MLB prop picks made at 12:04 p.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays SGP predictions May 18: Bet on Toronto in +175 ticket

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions

The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays settle their weekend series with Sunday’s rubber match.

The pregame narrative: The Blue Jays aim to keep pace in the AL East by scoring a series win over the best team in baseball. Detroit, meanwhile, has no choice but to continue its winning ways as the Minnesota Twins are surging behind them in the AL Central thanks to a 13-game winning streak.

A moneyline pick is featured in my +175 SGP Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions for May 18.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions

SGP: Blue Jays ML | Under 9.5 runs (+175)

Blue Jays ML (-125): Detroit has the best record in the major leagues, mainly because of its home domination.

The Tigers are an impressive 17-5 at Comerica Park, but a much less notable 13-11 as a visitor.

These struggles also extend to their starting pitcher today, Jackson Jobe. Jobe owns a 2.30 ERA at home this year, but that number balloons to 6.11 on the road.

His opposing hitter’s OPS also climbs significantly when his team is away. It’s a solid .647 at home, but it jumps to .835 on the road.

Jose Berrios, meanwhile, has been steady yet unspectacular. He combines a 4.33 ERA with a .788 opposing team OPS.

Bet on Toronto to close out this series with a win.

MLB SGP legs

Under 9.5 runs (-163): Berrios’ success against Tigers’ hitters is a big reason why this under should cash.

The former Twins hurler has accumulated 69 plate appearances against current Detroit batters, according to Baseball Savant. Berrios has held those batters to:

  • .212 AVG
  • .259 wOBA
  • .332 xSLG
  • .254 xwOBA

Although Jobe has struggled on the road, unfamiliarity should work in his favour on Sunday. No Blue Jays hitter has seen the young pitcher yet.

The Tigers can also feel confident that their bullpen can keep opposing bats at bay if needed. They are one of five MLB teams with a sub-3.00 bullpen ERA (2.98).

The under on this total cashed in the first two games of this series.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions made at 10:06 a.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Best MLB prop bets May 18: Back Mets’ Alonso, Soto to dominate Yankees

MLB prop bets

A healthy dose of the Subway Series makes its way into my MLB prop bets for Saturday.

Today’s MLB props narrative: Nolan Arenado is having an uncharacteristically poor season, but he should be able to take advantage of a plus matchup. Later on, I’m backing New York Mets sluggers Pete Alonso and Juan Soto to clear their total bases props.

Check out my MLB prop bets for May 18.

MLB prop bets

Best Bet: Arenado over 1.5 total bases (+130)

This isn’t the type of season people have come to expect from Arenado.

The Cardinals slugger’s .242 batting average and .379 OPS are the lowest marks of his career, and way below his career averages of .284 and .853, respectively.

If there’s anything that can get the third baseman going, though, it’s a date with Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha.

Wacha is enjoying a solid campaign, combining a 2.96 ERA with a 3.10 FIP. But he has struggled mightily in the past versus Arenado.

In 19 at-bats versus Wacha, Arenado is batting:

  • .474 AVG
  • 4 home runs

Those are undeniable numbers.

Key stat: No batter has more career home runs against the pitcher they’re facing today than Arenado.

Embed: #113913

Best MLB picks

Alonso over 1.5 total bases (+132): Here’s a hitter who’s not struggling at all this season.

Alonso is hitting for contact and power this year. He’s batting .308 with a .574 SLG, and the advanced numbers paint an even rosier picture:

  • 98th percentile xwOBA (.432)
  • 94th percentile xBA (.304)
  • 98th percentile xSLG (.616)

Alonso is hitting the cover off the ball and should be able to do damage against Max Fried.

Fried combines a 1.11 ERA with a 2.85 FIP, but he has not been able to figure out Alonso. Here’s how the Mets slugger has fared across 36 at-bats:

  • 10 hits
  • 2 home runs
  • .472 SLG

Alonso has cashed this wager in six of his last 14 games, including yesterday’s contest against the New York Yankees.

Soto over 1.5 total bases (+160): Soto didn’t have to move far, but there has been a bit of an adjustment period for the talented outfielder.

The superstar is slashing .252/.386/.454, which is well below his career averages across the board.

His play has been improving since the calendar flipped to May, as he’s batting .275 with two doubles and five home runs this month.

Like his teammate Alonso, Soto has done well for himself against Fried. Soto has a .333 batting average in 27 at-bats versus Fried.

The ex-Yankees star hits second for the Mets, too, which never hurts when backing someone in this market.

MLB prop picks made at 12:04 p.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays SGP predictions May 18: Bet on Barger, Toronto in +350 ticket

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions

The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays settle their weekend series with Sunday’s rubber match.

The pregame narrative: The Blue Jays aim to keep pace in the AL East by scoring a series win over the best team in baseball. Detroit, meanwhile, has no choice but to continue its winning ways as the Minnesota Twins are surging behind them in the AL Central thanks to a 13-game winning streak.

A moneyline pick and an Addison Barger prop are featured in my +350 SGP Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions for May 18.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions

SGP: Blue Jays ML | Under 9.5 runs | Barger 1+ hits (+350)

Blue Jays ML (-120): Detroit has the best record in the major leagues, mainly because of its home domination.

The Tigers are an impressive 17-5 at Comerica Park, but a much less notable 13-11 as a visitor.

These struggles also extend to their starting pitcher today, Jackson Jobe. Jobe owns a 2.30 ERA at home this year, but that number balloons to 6.11 on the road.

His opposing hitter’s OPS also climbs significantly when his team is away. It’s a solid .647 at home, but it jumps to .835 on the road.

Jose Berrios, meanwhile, has been steady yet unspectacular. He combines a 4.33 ERA with a .788 opposing team OPS.

Bet on Toronto to close out this series with a win.

Embed: #113907

MLB SGP legs

Under 9.5 runs (-162): Berrios’ success against Tigers’ hitters is a big reason why this under should cash.

The former Twins hurler has accumulated 69 plate appearances against current Detroit batters, according to Baseball Savant. Berrios has held those batters to:

  • .212 AVG
  • .259 wOBA
  • .332 xSLG
  • .254 xwOBA

Although Jobe has struggled on the road, unfamiliarity should work in his favour on Sunday. No Blue Jays hitter has seen the young pitcher yet.

The Tigers can also feel confident that their bullpen can keep opposing bats at bay if needed. They are one of five MLB teams with a sub-3.00 bullpen ERA (2.98).

The under on this total cashed in the first two games of this series.

Barger 1+ hits (-157): This is a very fair line for somebody producing like Barger.

The Blue Jays’ utility man has been one of the team’s best hitters.

Here’s how he’s performed across the last 10 games:

  • .353 AVG
  • .405 OBP
  • .647 SLG

All of this production is no fluke, either. He’s produced above-average numbers in:

  • xwOBA (.363)
  • xBA (.291)
  • xSLG (.495)

Barger has recorded a hit in seven of his last 10 games, totalling 12 knocks.

Tigers vs. Blue Jays predictions made at 10:06 a.m. ET on 05/18/2025.

Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz Italian Open final best bet and odds: Pick Spaniard to pull off upset

Sinner vs. Alcaraz best bet

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz meet in an Italian Open final that has match-of-the-year potential.

The pregame narrative: Tennis’s two brightest stars collide in Rome with a Masters 1000 title on the line. This is the 12th-ever meeting between these superstars, but the stakes have never been higher. Total Italian supremacy is on the line as Sinner can join Jasmine Paolini in the Italian Open winner’s circle.

Check out my Sinner vs. Alcaraz Italian Open final best bet and the odds for May 18.

Sinner vs. Alcaraz best bet

Go to full Sinner vs. Alcaraz betting markets.

Betting marketsOdds
Sinner to win-154
Alcaraz to win+115
Sinner -2.5 games-106
Alcaraz +2.5 games-125
Sinner to win in straight sets+160
Alcaraz to win in straight sets+280
Over 22.5 total games-120
Under 22.5 total games-112

Tennis odds as of 1:30 p.m. ET on 05/17/2025.

Best Bet: Alcaraz to win (+115)

This has already been a massive weekend for Italian tennis, but I think it’ll fall just short of being historic.

Paolini won the WTA title in Rome on Saturday, and a Sinner win would mark the first time there was an Italian men’s and women’s champion at the Italian Open in the same year.

But there is a certain Spaniard who I expect to rain on the parade.

Alcaraz is in fine form ahead of this matchup. He has lost just one set in Rome, as he was able to cruise by Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets in the quarters and semis, respectively.

Sinner’s semifinal victory over Tommy Paul saw the Italian play an uncharacteristically poor first set. He had two winners to 13 unforced errors en route to a 6-1 loss in the opening frame.

He bounced back in the second and third sets, winning 6-0, 6-3.

Was the first set a case of nerves for Sinner? If so, how will he handle the pressure in the final?

Alcaraz also boasts the more impressive track record on clay. The Spanish superstar is a dominant 155-36, while Sinner is a strong but not as impressive 90-38 on the surface.

Sinner’s elite shotmaking skills and Alcaraz’s undeniable court coverage will combine for a fantastic style clash. The hometown crowd can work as an advantage or disadvantage for tennis players. Sinner has won in pressure-filled moments, but competing for a title in your home country is a different scenario.

Key stat: Alcaraz is 7-4 lifetime vs. Sinner, winning three consecutive contests against the Italian.

Tennis picks made at 2:11 p.m. ET on 05/17/2025.