Ok, Bo Nichal is the next coming of the top UFC fighters and his price at -2800 pretty much shows that, but what is Val Woodburn at 7-0? Chop liver? Bo Nichal is a world class wrestler from Penn State who has three NCAA championships. He doesn’t sit there and stand with his opponent all day risking himself a KO. Now this aspect actually extends fights longer past the first round more often than not. This is Nichal’s 2nd actual UFC fight and 5th MMA fight overall. Has he went to the second round yet? No, but I expect that there is a chance of it with some nice plus money here for this fight to end in the second or the third round with Nichal on top. If we decide to play Nichal ending it in these two rounds, the blended odds on it are +438. I think that it is worth a shot here being that Bo is so green in the UFC as well as that Woodburn has went past the first round in four of his last five fights.
Bo Nichel to win 2nd round +650 – .5 stars Bo Nichel to win 3rd round +1100 – .5 stars
Rocco’s SPORTS Mission: Season 1, Podcast 6 is available for your listening pleasure.
I will discuss my under the radar juggernaut NFC selection. Then, we dive into an MLB series I’m eyeing for this weekend. As always, end it with “Reflect with Rocco” regarding bankroll management.
Would you like all my Premium Plays? Head over to theoddsbreakers.com and look at all my available packages. My monthly one gives you access to every sport’s premium plays. If you’re looking for action and content all the time, that’s personally my favorite. It gives you every sport for a very small amount daily. I’ve done very well with football in the last few years. If you followed me on Twitter @TrustRocco the last few seasons, you have seen the damage I can do. We had some unbelievable weeks! I just finished the NBA season up over 17 units, all plays documented on Twitter and BetStamp. I also finished the NCAAB season up 16 units as well.
We have a quick show for you today! Kiev O’Neil goes solo to go over some college and NFL sports betting websites that he likes to use during the football season. At the end of the show, Kiev @OBKiev gives you a FREE NFL EARLY PLAY for the 2023 season. There is no UFC 290 discussion, but Kiev’s plays will be released at TheOddsBreakers.com.Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
USE PROMO CODE SUMMERWIN TO GET $100 OFF EVERY FOOTBALL PACKAGE AND $50 OFF EVERY MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FOR THE FIRST MONTH! Click here: https://theoddsbreakers.com/premium-plays/ Offer expires August 1st, 2023
If you want to subscribe to support us and get some very frequent winners please Click Here to become a member of The OddsBreakers and gain access to premium plays BEFORE the line moves! Or, you can visit theoddsbreakers.com and click shop and pick one of our great handicappers including Kiev O’Neil @OBKiev at only $84 per month on a 1 year subscription! You could also support us at Patreon.com for only $10 a month to help us out and thank us for some free plays as well as get some extra benefits and merchandise.
If you want to take ownership of your health, try AG1 and get a FREE 1-yearsupply of Vitamin D AND 5 Free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase. Go todrinkAG1.com/oddsbreakers
Rickie Fowler wins the Rocket Mortgage Classic at 14-1! He had been trending towards a win this season so it was great to see him finally break through and capture his first victory in four years.
Let’s get into this week’s storylines…
The John Deere Classic has been moved up on the PGA Tour schedule. While it’s played annually in July, it’s previously been the event before the Open Championship. It was the final chance for a player not already exempt, to earn entry into the Open if he finishes in the top five. Since 2008, the John Deere Classic had sponsored a charter flight that leaves the Quad Cities post-tournament and lands in Britain the following day. However this year, most players will already be overseas as the Genesis Scottish Open is now the event before the Open Championship.
This year’s event has a particularly weak field this year given its new position on the PGA Tour schedule. Only one of the world’s top-thirty players are in the field.
J.T. Poston will look to successfully defend his title this week. He captured his second career PGA Tour victory at TPC Deere Run last year having previously won the 2019 Wyndham Championship. Poston has been struggling as of late missing the cut in five of his last seven starts on the PGA Tour. His best finish the season was tied for sixth at The American Express.
The John Deere Classic, then known as the Quad Cities Open began in 1971 as a “satellite event” for the PGA Tour. A year later, it became an official PGA Tour event.
From 1971 to 1974, the event was played at Crow Valley Country Club. Following that, it moved to Oakwood Country Club where it was held until 1999. At the turn of the century, TPC Deere Run became the host site.
History was made here back in 2013 when nineteen-year-old Jordan Spieth became the first teenager to win on the PGA Tour since 1931.
In 2021, Lucas Glover birdied five of his last seven holes to win the John Deere Classic. Before that, his last win on the PGA Tour was at the Wells Fargo Championship back in 2011. Glover became just the seventh player to win in the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.
After the John Deere Classic wrapped up in 2021, the course underwent a major renovation. The 1.8 million dollar project involved new tee boxes (No. 1), the reconfiguration of numerous bunkers and, provided the course with a better drainage system.
Something else to note is that five of the last eleven winners of the John Deere Classic were first-time TOUR winners.
72-Hole Record:
257, Michael Kim (2018)
18-Hole Record:
59, Paul Goydos (1st Round, 2010)
Course Guide/ Scorecard:
TPC Deere is one of the easier courses players will face on Tour this season. Three of the past four winners have finished with a score of -21 or less. Each of the past four editions of this event has had a scoring average below par. In 2022, only six holes had a scoring average over par which included three of the four Par 3’s.
In terms of length, Detroit Golf Club is average measuring 7,289 yards. It ranks 23rd out of 46 courses in length. The fairways are on the wider side, ranking 9th of 46, with the average fairway width being 37.0 yards. The average green size is roughly 5,550 square feet which is on the larger side when compared to the other courses on the PGA Tour. There are 76 bunkers which ranks as the 22nd most out of 46 courses.
The four Par 3’s, No. 3, No. 7, No. 12, & No. 16, range between 158 yards and 226 yards. At the 2022 John Deere Classic, only one of the Par 3’s had a scoring average below Par (No. 16).
No. 3 ‘Stone House’, 186 yards, Par 3: “This uphill Par 3 will play much longer than it reads on the scorecard. A set of bunkers guard the right side, while a bent grass collection area is ready to grab the shots that go long and left. The green runs from front to back, making
club selection crucial to hitting the green in regulation.” 2022 Scoring Average: 3.00.
No. 7 ‘Timber Ridge’, 226 yards, Par 3: “This is the longest of the 3 pars on the course, and the most picturesque. Into the normal prevailing wind, this hole will test the accuracy of even the best players. Carry it to the green or carry the bunker on the right and let the ball feed down to the green. You choose your plan of attack.” 2022 Scoring Average: 3.125.
No. 12 ‘Master Stroke’, 215 yards, Par 3: “A long par 3 through a tree-lined fairway to a well-bunkered green. This is one of the bigger greens on the course… but don’t miss it, there is trouble all around it.” 2022 Scoring Average: 3.029.
No. 16 ‘Mother Earth’, 158 yards, Par 3: “Most likely, the “Signature Hole.” This picturesque, short par 3 sits on a bluff 40 feet above the Rock River. It is guarded in front
by a deep ravine and to the right by a large bunker. To the left is the Rock River and all
the perils it commands. It may be short, but it is dangerous.” 2022 Scoring Average: 2.993.
Five of the eleven Par 4’s range between 450 – 500 yards. No. 14 is the shortest listed at 361 yards with the longest being No. 9, playing 503 yards.
No. 9 ‘Howitzer’, 503 yards, Par 4: “The longest par 4 and one of the most testing holes on the course. A level landing area for your drive will leave you with a shot through the trees to a long green that has bunkers on both sides.” 2022 Scoring Average: 4.208.
No. 14 ‘Deere Run’, 361 yards, Par 4: “This is the ultimate risk/reward hole. It is drivable but the perils are many. Go for it and miss left and you are in the “valley of sin.” A tightly-mowed area that will leave you with a blind shot to a small, well-protected green. Go long and you will be lost down a 60-foot bluff.” 2022 Scoring Average: 3.743.
No. 18 ‘Conquistador’, 476 yards, Par 4: “A great finishing hole that will put a premium on driving accuracy. Hit it long and straight to avoid the fairway bunker on the left, but you must keep it on the left side of the fairway. From there, it is a long shot to a deep and narrow green that is guarded on the right by two large bunkers and on the left by a long and narrow pond.” 2022 Scoring Average: 4.208.
The three Par 5’s are No. 2, No. 10, & No. 17. In 2022, all of these holes had a scoring average under par.
No. 2 ‘Colonel Davenport’, 561 yards, Par 5: “A downhill tee shot to a fairway some 50 feet below makes this hole play shorter than its listed length. A good drive and it should be reachable in two. The entrance to the green is tight and is guarded by wetland bunkers
and a stand of trees. The smallish green was designed to make pinpoint accuracy a must.” 2022 Scoring Average: 4.533.
No. 10 ‘Cor-Ten’, 596 yards, Par 5: “Not real tight on your first and second shots, but they better be long. The green is very small for a par 5 and there is no room for error on your third shot. Bunkers protect the left side while a pond protects the right.” 2022 Scoring Average: 4.813.
No. 17 ‘Stadium’, 569 yards, Par 5: “Probably reachable in two for the longest hitters, but they will have to have a perfectly-placed tee shot to do it. The fairway is tight and tree-lined, and the green is guarded in front by bunkers. The green is elevated slightly with bent grass collection areas all around. Miss the green, and you will have a tough chip to the hole.” 2022 Scoring Average: 4.615.
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 16
For a hole-by-hole overview of the course, you can click the following link.
Key Statistics:
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green
Strokes Gained: Approach
Birdies or Better
Bogey Avoidance
Scrambling
Par 3 Scoring: 200 – 225 (x2)
Par 4 Scoring: 450 – 500 (x5)
Par 5 Scoring: 550 – 600 (x3)
Proximity: 100 – 125, 125 – 150 Yards
Comparable Courses and Event History
The Field/ Odds:
There will be 156 players competing in this year’s John Deere Classic. Only one of the world’s top-thirty players are in the field. Here are the current favorites in this week’s event:
Denny McCarthy (+1400) will make his fifth appearance in the John Deere Classic this week. He had his best finish last year at this event finishing tied for sixth. McCarthy has yet to win this season but comes into this event in great form finishing 2/ T20/ T7 in his last three starts on the PGA Tour.
Russell Henley (+1600) has finished inside the top 20 in eight of his last nine starts on the PGA Tour. He also won earlier this season at the World Wide Technology Championship. In his last two appearances at TPC Deere Run, Henley has finished 2nd and tied for 11th.
Cameron Young (+1600) will make his debut at the John Deere Classic this week. He started off the season strong with a couple of runner-up finishes but has been in poor form as of late. In his last seven starts on the PGA Tour, he has missed the cut twice and has not finished better than T32. His last finish inside the top 10 was back at the Masters in April.
Ludvig Alberg (+2200) has finished T25/ T24/ T40 through his first three weeks as a PGA TOUR member. At both the RBC Canadian Open (his first start as a pro) and the Travelers Championship, Aberg finished inside the top 25. Through 36 holes at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, he was just a shot back of the lead.
Adam Hadwin (+2200) missed the cut at the John Deere Classic last year but finished T8 in 2016 and T18 in 2015. He’s coming off a runner-up finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Previous Winners in the Field:
J.T. Poston (’22), Lucas Glover (’21), Dylan Frittelli (’19), Michael Kim (’18), Ryan Moore (’16), Zach Johnson (’12), Jonathan Byrd (’07), Sean O’Hair (’05)
Notable Withdraws:
Webb Simpson, Charley Hoffman, Vincent Norman, C.T. Pan, Brandon Wu
To see the most up-to-date odds, you can click the following link.
To see the full field for this event and how they qualified, you can click the following link.
Horses for Courses:
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Russell Henley
T11
2
Patton Kizzire
T16
T11
T30
T25
Adam Svensson
T24
T18
Seamus Power
T8
T61
T16
T25
Donkeys for Courses:
“Horses for Courses” is a phrase that is widely used and describes the best course/tournament fits. These are the players that have had success at the particular course/event. “Donkeys for Courses” is something I came up with that highlights the players who have struggled at a specific course/tournament.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
David Lingmerth
MC
MC
MC
T72
Ryan Armour
MC
MC
MC
MC
T60
Joseph Bramlett
MC
MC
Ryan Brehm
MC
MC
MC
Martin Trainer
T63
MC
MC
D.A. Points
MC
MC
MC
MC
MC
MC
MC
Harry Higgs
MC
MC
Jonas Blixt
MC
MC
T62
Previous Winners Scores & Prices:
2022: J.T. Poston (-21)
Price: 50-1
2021: Lucas Glover (-19)
Price: 55-1
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Price: N/A
2019: Dylan Frittelli (-21)
Price: 90-1
2018: Michael Kim (-27)
Price: 300-1
2017: Bryson Dechambeau (-18)
Price: 55-1
Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts on PGA Tour):
2022: J.T. Poston
T2 – Travelers Championship
MC – RBC Canadian Open
T37 – the Memorial Tournament
MC – Charles Schwab Challenge
T9 – Wells Fargo Championship
2021: Lucas Glover
T41 – Rocket Mortgage Classic
MC – Palmetto Championship
T37 – the Memorial Tournament
T8 – Charles Schwab Challenge
MC – Wells Fargo Championship
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Price: N/A
2019: Dylan Frittelli
T46 – 3M Open
T46 – Rocket Mortgage Classic
MC – Travelers Championship
59 – RBC Canadian Open
MC – PGA Championship
2018: Michael Kim
MC – A Military Tribute
MC – Quicken Loans National
MC – Travelers Championship
T18 – FedEx St Jude Championship
MC – AT&T Byron Nelson
2017: Bryson Dechambeau
T14 – The Greenbrier Classic
T17 – Quicken Loans National
T26 – Travelers Championship
MC – U.S. Open
MC – FedEx St Jude Championship
Picks (Outrights):
Denny McCarthy (+1600) – FanDuel
Risk 0.50 to win 8.00 Units
Adam Schenk (+3100) – FanDuel
Risk 0.26 to win 8.06 Units
Doug Ghim (+6000) – FanDuel
Risk 0.14 to win 8.40 Units
Chez Reavie (+6500) – FanDuel
Risk 0.13 to win 8.45 Units
Total Risk on Outrights: 0.93 Units
Picks (Top 20):
Emiliano Grillo (+120) – BetMGM
Risk 1.00 to win 1.20 Units
Eric Cole (+138) – BetMGM
Risk 1.00 to win 1.38 Units
Stephan Jaegar (+150) – BetMGM
Risk 1.00 to win 1.50 Units
Total Risk on Top 20: 3.00 Units
Picks (Top 40):
Callum Tarren (+120) – BetMGM
Risk 1.00 to win 1.20 Units
Total Risk on Top 40: 1.00 Units
Total Risk on the John Deere Classic: 4.93 Units
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative, is always encouraged.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 18, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Angels vs Padres -135 O/U 7.5
This will be a quick cap. This one isn’t hard to figure out. Shohei Ohtani is a beast boasting a FIP of 3.78 and a WHIP of 1.04. Musgrove is having a decent year at a 3.8 FIP but he is facing a team that is number four in weighted runs created. The Dads are number 19 in that department. Both bullpens are pretty equal in ERA and FIP. Take the MVP. Happy independence day!
AFC West – The AFC West was supposed to be the best in football before the 2022 season got started, but shorty after, we found that the Broncos, as we predicted, had a ton of problems. The Raiders…. were still the Raiders. I guess some things never change. One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is the top of this division with the Mahomes to Kelce connection. This could go down in the legendary books someday with Montana to Rice. The Chargers should be a good team if somehow they could get out of their own way. Denver’s expectations should be more realistic, and the Raiders will have the pressure of following the Las Vegas Knights path to a championship. The AFC West plays the NFC North which I would call pretty fortunate, and the AFC East which should be rough. Let’s see how it’s looking for the boys out west!
Schedule: Hard – at large @ Jacksonville, vs Philadelphia, vs Cincinnati
Schedule Last Year: Medium Hard
Key losses: T Orlando Brown, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, T Andrew Wylie, S Juan Thornhill, DE Charles Omenihu, DT Khalen Saunders, DE Frank Clark, WR Mecole Hardman, DE Carlos Dunlap
Key additions: RT Jawaan Taylor, LT Donavan Smith, LB Drue Tranquill, S Mike Edwards, G Nick Allegretti, QB Blain Gabbert
Key draft picks: Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, WR Rashee Rice, T Wanya Morris
Summary: When you are a super bowl champion and you pay your quarterback, you lose a lot of players to free agency. Now is that a bad thing for the Chiefs? Maybe somewhat, but I can certainly attest that you can put a bunch of mediocre guys on the Chiefs with only Mahomes and Kelce, and this team will be one of the best in the league. it looks like a lot of teams decided to pay some former Chiefs players this year in free agency. Whether teams should flock to guys on super bowl rosters is very debatable for another time, but now let’s see what’s going on for 2023. The skill positions really shouldn’t miss a beat with guys like Kadarius Tony and MVS at the receiver positions. The offensive line will be reworked which could be a bit rough in the beginning of the season, similar to what we saw last year with the Bengals. The defensive front looks pretty healthy with Chris Jones stuffing up the middle to allow LB Nick Bolton freed up to make some tackles. The Chiefs defense was just very average last year and were one of the worst in the Red Zone. Now average actually means below average when your offense is so great due to the fact that the primary formation on defense was expecting pass and the double-wide prevent. It would be interesting to see how this defense really performs if the Chiefs are not putting up some points. Now this is a very very big if because the Chiefs didn’t lose a game by more than four points all last season. I think that this team should be the tops of the division, but I also think they would be fine to just make the playoffs if all goes bad being that this is a honeymoon type of year.
My Number: 9.51
Action Under 11.5 wins
Kansas City Chiefs Power rating: 4.75
2. Los Angeles Chargers –
Vegas win total: 9.5
2022 Wins: 10
Pythagorean Wins: 8.42
Schedule: Hard – at large @ Tennessee, vs Dallas, vs Baltimore
Schedule Last Year: Medium Easy
Key losses – G Matt Feiler, LB Troy Reeder, ILB Kyle Van Noy, CB Bryce Callahan
Key additions: OC Kellen Moore, ILB Eric Kendricks, DT Nick Williams,
Key draft picks: WR Quentin Johnson, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu, LB Daiyan Henley, WR Derius Davis, QB Max Duggan
Summary: This Chargers team is very hard to figure out. If you remember back in 2021, head coach Brandon Staley was very aggressive and it was sometimes too much at the wrong times. For 2022 season, Staley wasn’t aggressive enough and it showed during that playoff 2nd half debacle against the Jaguars. The Bolts have a ton of talent, yet also make bunch of boneheaded mistakes, and I am not even sure new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will make much of a better impact being that Moore has also made some strange play-calling mistakes back in Dallas. I also wonder why this team drafted a bunch of TCU wide receivers when instead their biggest weakness was against the run. The Bolts also grabbed Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan late in the draft. Maybe they are closet Frog fans, but I guess they could have done worse. On offense, this team should still be solid as long as Austin Ekeler doesn’t pull any more contract shenanigans. The defense is what really worries me ranking 27th in opponent rushing yards and 29th in opponent rush EPA. Going with wide receivers rather than three techniques and linebackers in the draft is a for sure head scratcher. This team over-achieved greatly last year, and I think that they could regress due to bone headed coaching and I am not too optimistic on this team, but let’s see if Brandon Staley has learned from his huge game managing mistakes. For the time being, I am taking the under in their win totals.
My Number: 8.21 wins
Action – Play the under
Las Angeles Chargers Power Rating: 1.25
3.Denver Broncos –
Vegas win total: 8.5
2022 Wins: 5
Pythagorean Wins: 6.63
Schedule: Medium Hard – at large vs Washington, vs Cleveland, @Houston
Schedule Last Year: Medium
Key losses: Coach Nathanial Hackett, DT Dre’Mont Jones, T Calvin Anderson, LB Jake Martin, RB Mike Boone, DE DeShawn Williams, CB Ronald Darby, G Tom Compton
Key additions: Coach Sean Payton, OC Joe Lombardi, DC Vance Joseph, RT Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, DE Zach Allen, QB Jared Stidham, RB Samaje Perine, TE Chris Manhertz, CB Temon Smith, DE Frank Clark and a ton of dudes
Key draft picks: WR Marvin Mims, LB Drew Sanders, CB Riley Moss, C Alex Forsyth
Summary: The 2022 Denver Broncos may have then the most disappointing and over-hyped football team from last year with apologies to the Colts. They only scored over 20 points five different times last season. Sean Payton moves in to take over an already amazing defense with a lot of work to do on offense. Former Saints offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi comes in with some work to do, but the big question is if he can revive team leader and diva Russell Wilson. The good news is that he has a lot of talent to work with. I imagine that this offense will go back to it’s Sean Payton type roots of pounding the football with guys like Javante Williams when he comes back fully healthy. Javante may not start right away and will have to be eased back into the starting lineup, while newly acquired Samaje Perine who can be a bruiser when needed. We should see plenty of check downs as well to the running back, and let’s hope Wilson is able to get the ball past those massive defensive ends with their hands up in the air. I also hope that quarterback coach Davis Webb is able to re-instill some confidence in Wilson utilizing his old scrambling abilities. The defense shouldn’t miss a beat this year and they might even get better with defensive coordinator and former Broncos Coach Vance Joseph back in the Mile high city. Denver’s defense was a little weak last year against the run, but they are betting that newly acquired defensive ends Frank Clark and Zach Allen can come into help stop some of that. Denver was the most injured team of 2022, so I expect some positive regression in that department.
My number: 8.68
Action – Lean over
Denver Broncos Power Rating: -2
4. Las Vegas Raiders –
Vegas win total: 6.5 juiced to the over -120
2022 Wins: 6
Pythagorean Wins: 8.32
Schedule: Hard – at large vs Pittsburgh, vs New York Giants, @ Indianapolis
Schedule Last Year: Medium
Key losses: QB Derek Carr, TE Darrin Waller, TE Forster Moreau, QB Jarrett Stidham, CB Rock Ya-sin, DT Andrew Billings, ILB Denzel Perryman, DE Clelin Ferrell, CB Anthony Averett
Key additions: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Jacobi Meyers, S Marcus Epps, LB Robert Spillane, CB Brandon Facyson, QB Brian Hoyer, TE Austin Hooper and a bunch of second rate dudes.
Key draft picks: Edge Tyree Wilson, TE Michael Mayer, DL Bryon Young, WR Tre Tucker, QB Aidan O’Connell
Summary: The Las Vegas Raiders went from the second most over-achieving team of 2021 to the most under-achieving team for 2022. Their Pythagorean win total is 8.32 compared to their six actual wins. Being in the Chiefs division certainly doesn’t help, but now the pressure should be on Josh McDaniels to get this team to the playoffs. Let’s talk about the offense. There is no more of an example of robbing Peter to pay Paul than getting rid of Derek Carr and bringing on Jimmy G. Both quarterbacks have similar skills, but I also have to wonder if Jimmy G just benefitted from being in great systems over the years, more than he is a good quarterback. If Kyle Shanahan doesn’t want him, then something seems wrong. Earlier this year, the Raiders traded stud TE Darren Waller just to draft another stud in Michael Mayer. They picked up former Patriot Jacoby Meyers to compliment Devonte Adams while keeping Hunter Renfrow in the slot. The Raiders offensive line ranks number twelve in Lineups. Can Josh McDaniels put it all together this year? I tend to think not. He is a good play caller, but not a great coach. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders were brutal against the pass ranking 31st in opponent drop-back EPA. They drafter Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech to try and speed up that pass rush that ranked 30th in sacks. That was a good move at least. They also signed guys like Marcus Epps and Brandon Facyson to help the secondary. Their defensive line should be average at best while their linebacking crew remains very untested. I am not sure if I trust DC Patrick Graham all that much this year, and I also think that there will be a lot of wait and see for this Raiders team. I have the Raiders a little below average until they can prove me wrong. Their hard schedule could be their undoing for the 2023 season.
My Number: 6.66 wins
Action – No Play
Las Vegas Raiders Power Rating: -1.5
*Blue means not signed or picked up by an NFL team
I have been waiting for this spot to bet against Zac Gallen and the day has arrived! His home/away splits are drastically different, his opponent’s BA compared to his xBA is a drastic jump as well. His ERA in 2023 is 3.02 overall, but 5.08 on the road with a WHIP of 1.38. Anthony Rendon made his way back into the lineup this past Friday, while only going 1/7 from the plate he did smash a home run last night. Gallen has never faced Ohtani or Trout, so I believe that will be a challenge within itself. Zac’s xSLG% is .404 which is a career high for him.
The Halos counter with Reid Detmers who was electric in the month of June and looks to carry this form into the All-Star break. In his last 4 starts of June he squared off versus the Cubs, Dodgers, White Sox and Rangers lineups, no slouches in there. Giving up a total of 3 ER’s, 2 via the long ball, while pitching into the 6th or further in all 4 and struck out 8 or more batters in all 4. Also take note the D’backs are hitting .191 vs lefties in their last 10. Let’s back the Angels today with a nice unit upgrade to end the week!
Season 1, Podcast 5 of Rocco’s SPORTS Mission is available for your listening pleasure.
I will go over future bet #2 for the upcoming NFL season, then we will dive into an MLB series I’m eyeing for this weekend. As always, end it with “Reflect with Rocco.”
If you would like all my Premium Plays for just baseball, or every sport? Head over to theoddsbreakers.com and look at all my available packages. My monthly one gives you access to every sport’s premium plays. If you’re looking for action and content all the time, that’s personally my favorite. It gives you every sport for a very small amount daily. I’ve done very well with football in the last few years. If you followed me on Twitter @TrustRocco the last few seasons, you have seen the damage I can do. We had some unbelievable weeks! I just finished the NBA season up over 17 units, all plays documented on Twitter and BetStamp. I also finished the NCAAB season up 16 units as well.
The Yankees just got off their series with the A’s and that is not exactly a team who can test anybody. Luis Severino takes the helm with a 5.25 ERA and a 5.8 FIP for the Bronx Bombers. Not exactly a good situation. The Cardinals are fighting to get back in the hunt with Matthew Liberatore pitching who has a 5.6 ERA and 4.78 FIP. Close to a wash maybe, but we can’t forget that Rizzo just got hurt with the Yankees and Aaron Judge is still injured on the shelf. Saint Louis’s bullpen isn’t bad ranking 12th in the league. The Cardinals rank 9th in wRC+ while the Yankees rank 21st. I will take Saint Louis here at the low price.