August is normally still a quiet part of the NJ sports betting calendar but things start to pick up when NFL preseason action kicks in. This year, we’re not going to get that but we don’t really need it as the days and weeks are packed with games.
With the NHL and NBA running all hours of the day, NASCAR and UFC on tap each week, Mike Tyson making a comeback, and now our first golf major of the year, there is lots to look forward to.
Here’s a look at our best bets of the week:
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox
Date: Wednesday, August 5th
Odds: White Sox -1.5 at FanDuel
The Brewers and White Sox will clash on Wednesday when Adrian Houser and Dallas Keuchel go head-to-head on the mound. I’ll be looking for a low-scoring result in this interleague affair.
Keuchel has pitched well so far this season, going 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He’s mostly been on a pitch count as he only lasted 5.1 innings both times, throwing 73 pitches the first time and 92 the second. Hopefully, we can get six good innings out of him in this spot.
As for Houser, he’s only made one start on the season, which was a five-inning, one-hit gem. This is just his second year starting but the 27-year-old had a 3.72 ERA last year with a 1.24 WHIP, and has started the 2020 campaign confidently.
The White Sox are currently fifth in runs scored (50) but keep in mind that 30 of them came in three games. They’ve been somewhat muted otherwise. As for the Brewers, their offense has been cold so far as they are 25th in team batting average, 26th in runs scored and 28th in home runs. I’m looking for an under in this spot.
Pick: 8.5 Under (-104) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds: Maple Leafs -150 at FanDuel Sportsbook
The Maple Leafs were one of the biggest favorites in terms of the series prices but they stumbled in Game 1, losing 2-0 to the Blue Jackets. The Leafs have a recent history of struggling in the playoffs and that returned in Game 1.
After the game, the team’s top scorer, Auston Mathews, was taking shots at the media instead of putting the spotlight on himself and the rest of the offense, which was shut out.
I’m not sure if the Leafs will win Game 2 but I surely wouldn’t be on it. Instead, I’m looking for another under.
The Blue Jackets are a blue-collar, defensive team that is well-coached. They are a disciplined unit that is the sum of their parts and they have to win games by playing smart defensively and taking advantage of whatever chances they can get on offense. They finished in a tie for third in goals-per-game allowed this season at 2.61.
They’re not going to win shootouts with the Maple Leafs but they’ve shown they can keep them under wraps. I’m looking for another under in Game 2 as the two sides were only able to muster one goal (prior to the late empty-netter). Go under.
Pick: Under 6 At FanDuel Sportsbook
If you’re looking to bet on the 76ers, check this out…
Other Things To Watch This Week
2020 PGA Championship – It’s been over a year since we’ve seen a golf major but this week, we finally get a big one with the 2020 PGA Championship. Brooks Koepka has won back-to-back PGA Championships and is typically incredible in majors. He’s been an unreliable bet this season but is coming off a second-place result at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. He’s the current favorite for this event at +1000 while Justin Thomas is right behind at +1100.
UFC Fight Night 174 – We’ve got another big UFC card on the books this weekend with the headline bout of the next being a heavyweight showdown between Derrick Lewis and Aleksei Oleinik. Oleinik is ranked 10th in the division and is coming off back-to-back wins over Fabricio Werdum and Maurice Greene. Meanwhile, Lewis is ranked No. 4 in the division and is also coming off back-to-back wins over Ilir Latifi and Blagoy Ivanov.
NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 – After Brad Keselowski picked up the win in New Hampshire, the drivers now head to Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400. This week’s race takes place on Saturday at 4:00 PM ET. Kevin Harvick is the driver to beat on this track as he has won two of the last four races, finishing second and seventh in his two “misses”.
See you same time next week when we start off the week with our Best Bets Of The Week!
