Ask the Bookie Free Underdog 'Pick of the Week'

The NBA is in the spotlight on Christmas Day with five featured matchups on ESPN and ABC starting at 12 p.m. As part of my NBA betting coverage for Ask the Bookie, I have been looking for the best value on the board when it comes to betting underdogs. In three previous picks, I have been able to cash a pair of winners. Each team won the game straight-up; one as a road underdog and one as a slight underdog at home.

One of my biggest parameters is looking for underdogs at home, but occasionally I will go with a road underdog if the spread is fairly tight. When the spread is three-points or less, I will strongly consider betting that game on the moneyline depending on the actual odds. Going through the NBA slate for Christmas, I have found a slight 1.5-point road underdog that could easily win this game SU.

Please click through the link below for this week's top underdog pick at Ask the Bookie using betting lines from BetAnySports online sportsbook.



LINK: Dog Ready to Bite the Books: Thunder at Rockets

Ask the Bookie Free Underdog 'Pick of the Week'

As part of a new weekly series I started in December for the sports betting website www.AsktheBookie.com, my job is to find the best betting value on the board for an underdog in any major sport at BetAnySports online sportbook. My first two selections were in the NBA for a pair of road underdogs. I went on to split those picks 1-1.

Heading into this week's games, I spotted a home underdog getting 3.5 points on the early betting line at BetAnySports for another Tuesday night matchup in the NBA. I like this pick so much it could be a solid play straight-up with very favorable moneyline odds.

Please click through the link below at Ask the Bookie for my complete betting preview and free betting play.


LINK: Los Angeles Lakers at Brooklyn Nets

Remington Springboard Mile Free Trifecta Pick

The horse racing season for up and coming juveniles looking to jump on the 2019 Kentucky Derby Trail is rapidly coming to a close with every two-year old thoroughbred celebrating a birthday on New Year's Day ahead of their three-year old campaign.

This Sunday at Remington Park in Oklahoma, that day's card features one last chance for 11 colts to make one last mark on their juvenile resume in the $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile. The field is set and the talent runs deep headlined by trainer Steve Asmussen's five entries in this race. However, I have my eye on trainer Kelly Breen's lone entry as the morning line favorite to win.

As part of my weekly horse betting coverage for the highly popular sports betting website, www.scoresandstats.com, the link below details the three colts that form my official trifecta pick for this Sunday's featured event at Remington Park.

LINK: 2018 Remington Springboard Mile Free Trifecta Pick

Rams and Bears Clash in Prime Time on Sunday Night Football

The 11-1 Rams have already clinched their second-straight NFC West Division title, so they have turned their attention to locking up the top playoff spot in the conference. Heading into Sunday's action in Week 14, Los Angeles has a one-game lead over 10-2 New Orleans for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but the Saints still hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after handing the Rams their only loss of the season.

Chicago slipped to 8-4 with last Sunday's stunning overtime loss to the New York Giants. However, with Minnesota falling to 6-5-1 after losing to New England, the Bears still have a game and a half lead in the NFC North Division race. Chicago also has the early edge in the season series with a 25-20 victory over the Vikings on Nov. 18. This Sunday night's game in Chicago could easily be a preview of the upcoming Divisional Round of the playoffs or possibly even the NFC Championship.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for the sports betting website, Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete game preview of Sunday night's contest along with my free betting pick. BetAnySports has the Rams listed as three-point road favorites with the total set at 51 points.

LINK: LOS ANGELES RAMS AT CHICAGO BEARS PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

Added Note: Mitch Trubisky has been upgraded to probable for Sunday night adding some solid betting value to the OVER 51 in this game. He also increases Chicago's chances to cover with the three points.

Betting Underdogs at BetAnySports

In a new weekly feature I just started for Ask the Bookie, I am on the prowl for underdogs ready to bark loud against the books. For this week's top underdog bet, I have zeroed in on Tuesday night's NBA matchup between the Orlando Magic as 2.5-point road underdogs with BetAnySports against the Miami. For my complete analysis on why this game is a great play on the underdog, please click through the link below to Ask the Bookie.


LINK: Dogs Ready to Bite The Books

Chargers at Steelers Highlights Sunday Night

Week 13 of the NFL regular season may not have any blockbuster showdowns on Sunday's slate, but it does save the best for last with the 8-3 Los Angeles Chargers on the road against the 7-3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers. Each of these playoff contenders may be seen as second-tier teams in the AFC behind Kansas City at 9-2 and the 8-3 New England Patriots. However, when they are playing to form they can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the NFL.

The Chargers need a win to keep pace with Kansas City in the AFC West title race and Pittsburgh needs a win to maintain its lead over Baltimore in the AFC North. The big subplot in Sunday night's matchup is two of the most prolific passers in the NFL (Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger) trying to make enough big plays to get their team that much-needed victory.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete game preview of Sunday night's AFC clash along with my free betting pick based on betting lines from BetAnySports.

LINK: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

Clemson Takes Aim at a Fourth-Straight ACC Football Title

Going back to the early 2000's, the Clemson Tigers were considered to be one of the top teams in the ACC, but often times they lived in the shadow of the Florida State Seminoles as the only real national power in that Power 5 conference. The tide started to shift in 2008 when Dabo Swinney took over the reins as Clemson's head coach.

Heading into this Saturday's conference championship game against Pittsburgh, the Tigers are one win away from their fourth-straight ACC title as well as their fourth appearance in the College Football Playoff in as many years. Ranked No. 2 in the latest CFP Top 25, they are also heavy 27.5-point favorites at BetAnySports online sportsbook to accomplish both of these impressive feats.

The biggest thing in the Tigers' way for the slated 8 p.m. kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte this Saturday night is looking past the resurgent Panthers. In Clemson's run to the 2016 national title with a stunning upset over Alabama, its only loss that season was a 43-42 upset at home as a 21.5-point favorite against Pitt. This was the only previous meeting between the two conference foes heading into this game.

It is unlikely that the Tigers will fall prey to a false sense of security against the Panthers this time around, but from a betting standpoint, they are 1-5 against the spread this season when closing as a 21-point favorites or higher. As part of my coverage of the ACC this season for Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete preview of this year's ACC Championship Game along with my free betting pick.

LINK: ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME CLEMSON TIGERS VS. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS PICK - BETTING ODDS

Packers at Vikings Closes Out Sunday's NFL Slate

The Green Bay Packers have posted a shaky 4-5-1 record in their first 10 games this season to add quite a bit of importance to Sunday night's NFC North battle against the 5-4-1 Minnesota Vikings. Both of these teams were considered to be solid playoff contenders before the season got underway, but they are now each chasing the surprising 8-3 Chicago Bears in the division standings.

These two bitter rivals already battled their way to a 29-29 tie in the first meeting this season with Minnesota closing as a slight road favorite in the Week 1 tilt. The other big storyline in this game is Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers going up against the Vikings' Kirk Cousins in a matchup between two of the most prolific passers in the NFL this season. Rodgers has the slight edge in total passing yards (3,073) over Cousins (2,947) and they have each thrown 19 touchdown passes in their first 10 games.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, the link below is to my complete game preview and free betting pick for Sunday night's matchup with betting lines provided by BetAnySports online sportsbook.


LINK- GREEN BAY PACKERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

Vikings and Bears Highlight Sunday's NFL Slate

Sunday Night Football in Week 11 offers a classic NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears with the winner gaining a key edge in the division title race. The Vikings come in at 5-3-1 and they are a half game behind the 6-3 Bears. BetAnySports online sportsbook has Chicago listed as a slight 2.5-point home favorite with the total line set at 44 points. This will be the first meeting this season followed by a rematch in Minnesota in the final week of the regular season.

The Bears have won 14 of their last 17 home games against Minnesota straight-up with an 8-2 edge against the spread in the last 10 matchups at Soldier Field. The total has stayed UNDER in five of the last six meetings in Chicago.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for the betting site, Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete preview of this game along with my free betting pick.

LINK: MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS PICK - ODDS AND AGAINST THE SPREAD PREDICTIONS

NBA Weekend Betting Tip Sheet

As part of my weekly coverage of the NBA for Scores and Stats' sports betting website (www.scoresandstats.com), I put together a betting power ranking early in the week and a betting tip sheet heading into the weekend's games. Early action in the NBA has already revealed a few good teams to go with like the Portland Trail Blazers (9-3 both straight-up and against the spread) and a few to go against like the Los Angeles Lakers (5-8 SU and 3-8 ATS). You can also factor in a few telling league trends to get a good feel on how to bet the games.

The link below is to this weekend's NBA betting tip sheet as previously posted on Scores and Stats.


LINK: NBA Betting Tip Sheet: The Trail Blazers at the Top

Bulls and Bearcats Battle it Out in an AAC Week 11 Tilt

The AAC has been one of the most competitive Mid-Major conferences in college football this season led by the undefeated No. 12 Central Florida Knights. At one point earlier this year, both the South Florida Bulls and the Cincinnati Bearcats were also in the national rankings. The Knights are the only AAC team currently listed in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, but Cincinnati is holding the No. 25 spot in the most recent AP Top 25.

A quick look at the current conference standings have South Florida at 3-2 in the AAC's East Division heading into Saturday night's clash against the 4-1 Bearcats. UCF is at the top of the list at 5-0 followed by Temple at 4-1. Over in the West Division, Houston (4-1) has a one game lead on SMU (3-2).

Cincinnati has been listed as a 12-point home favorite at BetAnySports online sportsbook for the 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPNU with the betting line for the total set at 55 points. Each if these teams have shown the ability to light things up on offense with the Bearcats holding the clear edge in this matchup on the other side of the ball. As part of my weekly coverage of AAC football for Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete game preview and free betting pick for this divisional tilt.

LINK- SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS AT CINCINNATI BEARCATS PICK - ODDS AND AGAINST THE SPREAD PREDICTIONS

Undefeated South Florida Faces a Big Test in Houston

The AAC's No. 21 South Florida Bulls have started the season with seven-straight victories, but they head to TDECU Stadium for Saturday's showdown against the Houston Cougars as seven-point underdogs on BetAnySports college football betting board. The Cougars are 6-1 straight-up in their first seven games with a 4-3 record against the spread. The Bulls are chasing undefeated Central Florida for the top spot in the AAC's East Division standings while Houston holds the one-game lead over SMU for the division lead in the West.

As part of my weekly coverage of AAC football for SportsBettingStats, this 3:30 p.m. start on ABC is my free bet of the week. Both teams have the ability to light things up on the scoreboard in what should remain a tight battle to the final gun. For my complete game preview and free betting pick, please click through the link below.

LINK: SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS AT HOUSTON COUGARS PICK ATS - ODDS AND BETTING PREDICTIONS

ACC Saturday Features a Showdown in the Atlantic Division

The No. 3 Clemson Tigers are clearly the class of the ACC this season considering that only one other team in that conference is ranked in the current AP Top 25. That team just so happens to be playing the Tigers this Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The No. 16 North Carolina State Wolfpack are off to a perfect 5-0 start straight-up with a 3-2 record against the spread. Their first big test of the season never materialized with Week 3's matchup against West Virginia postponed due to Hurricane Florence.

If the Wolfpack somehow find a way to pass Saturday's test as 16.5-point road underdogs with BetAnySports, they would most likely be a Top 10 team and firmly in the driver seat to win the ACC this season. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, that is a very big 'if'. NC State is a good team behind a passing offense that is sixth in the nation in yards per game and its defense has held opposing teams to 16.8 points per game. Everything is going to have to go its way against Clemson, but the Tigers have been a tough bet all season long at 2-4 ATS, so covering in this game is far from automatic.

As part of my weekly ACC football betting report for Scores & Stats, please click through the link below for my free betting pick for this game.

LINK: ACC Football Week 8 Betting Report

Fighting Irish Face ACC Foe Pittsburgh

Notre Dame football has a long-standing tradition of playing as an Independent. However, given that the Fighting Irish are members of the ACC for their other sports programs, their football schedule is littered with teams from this conference. So far this season, they have beaten Wake Forest and Virginia Tech on the road by a combined 51 points to easily cover against the spread in each game.

This Saturday, they will play host to the Pittsburgh Panthers as 26-point favorites on BetAnySports' college football betting board. The betting consensus likes Notre Dame's chances to cover, but there is still a chance of a slight letdown coming off back-to-back victories against a ranked opponent. As part of my coverage of ACC football for SportsBettingStats.com, this matchup was my 'best bet' pick of the week. Please click through the link below for my complete game preview and free betting pick for this Panthers vs. Irish tilt.

LINK: PITTSBURGH PANTHERS AT NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH PICK - ODDS AND BETTING PREDICTIONS

NC State Looks to Remain Perfect against Boston College

When it comes to the ACC, Clemson garners most of the attention as the No. 4-ranked team in the nation. The Miami Hurricanes are making some noise at No. 17 after bouncing back from their loss to LSU in the season opener. Even Virginia Tech is back in the AP Top 25 at No. 24 after enduring one of the most embarrassing loses in recent memory.

This week in my ACC coverage for Sports Betting Stats, I have turned my attention to the North Carolina State Wolfpack. They have very quietly gotten off to a 4-0 start heading into this Saturday's home game against Boston College. Since their first real test against West Virginia was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence, I am not all that sure what to make of this fast start. NC State has caught the eye of AP voters with the current ranking at No. 23, but the Wolfpack's stay could be just as short as BC's earlier in the year with a loss to the Eagles. BetAnySports has NC State listed as a 4.5-point home favorite for this conference clash.

The link below to SportsBettingStats.com take you to my complete game preview and free betting pick for this game.

LINK: BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

Central Florida Going for 17 Straight Against Pitt

The longest winning streak in Division IA football is looking to go one game longer this Saturday with the AAC's No. 13 Central Florida Knights playing host the ACC's Pittsburgh Panthers as 13.5-point home favorites. Game time from Spectrum Stadium in Orlando is set for 3:30 p.m. with ESPNU broadcasting the game nationally.

The Knights declared themselves the unofficial national champions last season with a perfect straight-up 13-0 run through their 2017 campaign. They have been able to keep that winning streak intact with a perfect 3-0 start this year. Sitting at No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25, it is easy to see why UCF as a Mid-Major program is a double-digit favorite on BetAnySports' board against a team from a major conference. Pitt is 2-2 on the year, including a lopsided loss to Penn State in that in-state tilt and a victory over Georgia Tech in its ACC opener.

As part of my weekly coverage for both of these conferences for Sports Betting Stats, the link below is to my complete game preview and free betting pick for this matchup.


LINK: PITTSBURGH PANTHERS AT CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS PICK ATS - ODDS AND BETTING PREVIEW

2018 Pennsylvania Derby Free Trifecta Pick

Philadelphia Park is the place to be this Saturday afternoon for the running of the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby. This Grade 1 stakes race over 1 1/8 miles on the dirt is open to three-year old thoroughbreds and this year's field in one of the deepest in recent memory.

As part of my weekly coverage of horse racing's biggest events for Scores and Stats, I have broken down the field for Saturday's main event at Philadelphia Park to come up with my trifecta bet for the top three horses in the win-place-show position. Please click through the link below for my free betting pick.

LINK: 2018 Pennsylvania Derby Free Trifecta Pick

Ottawa RedBlacks are a Hot Bet as CFL Home Underdogs

Every US sports bettor knows that the NFL is king when it comes to the amount of money that is bet on the weekly games at online sportsbooks such as BetAnySports. What you may not know is that this league also has the sharpest betting lines in the online sports betting industry. That does not me you cannot beat the books from time to time, but those sharp lines make it far more difficult to beat the bookmakers over the course of an entire season.

Football is football whether its the featured game on Saturday afternoon in the college ranks or the top showdown in the NFL on Monday Night Football. In between the two lies football 'north of the boarder' in the CFL. I have been covering the CFL for years on sports betting information sites such as SBR Picks, Sports Betting Stats and Vegas Insider. My main takeaway from this experience is the value that you can find betting on the games.

The CFL is made up nine teams that play each other quite often over the course of an 18-game regular season schedule. This level of familiarity leads to a much higher level of predictability when it comes to betting on the outcome of any game. Each week of the season, I put together my top CFL pick for the good folks at SBR Picks. The link below takes you to my latest pick for a key Week 15 inter-division tilt between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Ottawa RedBlacks.

LINK: RedBlacks Riding Momentum in CFL Tilt vs. Inconsistent Eskimos

ACC Week 3 Betting Report

The Clemson Tigers are clearly the cream of the crop in the ACC as the No. 2 team in the nation. However, No. 13 Virginia Tech has been able to quickly position itself as the leading contender in this conference with the Hokies' Week 1 upset over Florida State. Heading into this Saturday's schedule weather could be a factor in a few of the games in the ACC with Hurricane Florence pounding the southeastern seaboard. Virginia Tech's home game against East Carolina has been cancelled along with home games for North Carolina and NC State.

When it comes to the ACC games still on for Saturday, my top pick of the day at BetAnySports online sportsbook is Louisville (-22) at home against Western Kentucky. As part of my weekly coverage of college football betting for Scores and Stats, please click through the link below for my complete Week 3 ACC football betting report along with my top ACC betting play.

LINK: ACC Football Week 3 Betting Report

Calgary Looks to Bounce Back Against Tiger-Cats

The Calgary Stampeders have been the class of the CFL all season long and, at 9-2 straight-up through their first 11 games, they are still in control of their own destination in the quest to win the 2018 Grey Cup title. That being said, there are some cracks in the foundation with road losses to West Division rivals Saskatchewan and Edmonton in their last four games. CFL bettors riding the Stampeders have taken a beating over their last six games with a 1-5 record against the spread.

This Saturday in a 4 p.m. start at Tim Hortons Field, Calgary will be on the road against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This Week 14 inter-division tilt has been bet down to a PICK at BetAnySports online sportsbook after the Stampeders opened as 1.5-point favorites and the total for this game has been set at 52.

Hamilton has won its last three games SU while going 2-1 ATS to move into a tie with Ottawa atop the East Division at 6-5. It is 5-5-1 ATS and the total has gone OVER in three of its last five games. The Tiger-Cats are 2-3 ATS in five previous home games this season with the total staying UNDER BetAnySports' closing line in three of those five games.

As part of my weekly CFL coverage for SBR Picks, the link below is to my complete game preview along with my free betting pick.

LINK: Calgary Will Make a Point and Get Best of Resurgent Hamilton

NFL Week 1 Top Player Prop Bet Picks

Football is back in the NFL with a number of great matchups on the Week 1 slate. Philadelphia got things started on Thursday night with an 18-12 home victory against Atlanta in its defense of last year's Super Bowl run. Heading into this Sunday's games, BetAnySports online sportsbook has you covered with a full set of betting spreads, total lines and moneylines on the board. It also has a full set of betting props that give avid sports bettors more ways to play and more ways to win.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for the sports betting site www.scoresandstats.com, the link below is to my top three player prop picks for Week 1 when it comes to most passing yards, most receiving yards and most rushing yards.


LINK: NFL Week 1 Special Player Betting Props

Friday Night College Football Texas Style

There is only one college football betting matchup on the board at BetAnySports this Friday night and it happens to be Texas tilt between the Big 12's TCU Horned Frogs and the AAC's SMU Mustangs. TCU comes in as a heavy 21-point road favorite with the betting line for the total set at 58.5 points.

The Horned Frogs rolled over Southern University 55-7 in their season opener, but they could not cover the monster 50-point spread at home. SMU had its hands full with North Texas last Saturday in a 46-23 loss after closing as a 3.5-point road underdog. Game time for Friday night's contest on ESPN2 is set for 8 p.m. The current betting consensus for this matchup favors Texas Christian to cover at a hefty 71 percent while also favoring the OVER at a rate of 69 percent. While these numbers paint the typical scenario of betting the favorites and the OVER on the total line, but the betting public may be on to something given the rather wide gap between these two Texas teams.

As part as my season-long coverage of AAC football for SportsBettingStats, the link below is to my complete game preview and free betting pick for Friday night's Texas tilt.

LINK: TCU HORNED FROGS AT SMU MUSTANGS PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

Falcons Fly Into Philly for NFL Season Opener

Over the past several years, the NFL has made a habit of rewarding the previous season's Super Bowl Champions with a Thursday night home game to kick off the new season. In the 2017 playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles began their improbable run to a Super Bowl title with a tight 15-10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons as 2.5-point home underdogs in a game that was decided on the final play.

The Eagles had to make that three-game run with backup quarterback Nick Foles under center for the injured Carson Wentz, who was well on his way to MVP honors before tearing up his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. Philly closed as an underdog in all three of last year's postseason contests and each time Foles and this rabid pack of dogs found a way to get it done.

Flash forward to tonight's NFL season opener between the Falcons and the Eagles in a scheduled 8:20 p.m. start at Lincoln Financial Field. It is like de ja vu all over again with Foles getting the start while Wentz continues to rehab his knee. This time around, the home team is favored by 2.5 points on BetAnySports big board in what should be another tight battle to the final gun.

As part of my coverage of NFL's Thursday Night Football betting matchups for SportsBettingStats, the link below is to my complete preview and 'best bet' pick for this Thursday's matchup between the Falcons and the Eagles.

LINK: ATLANTA FALCONS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES PICK - ODDS 09/06/2018

September's Major Stakes Schedule Opens with the Woodward

It has been a sizzling summer for major graded stakes races at some of the biggest horse racing venues in the nation. Near or at the top of the list is Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. After playing host to last Saturday's $1.25 million Travers Stakes in which Catholic Boy pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year, that same track will be the site of this Saturday's $750,000 Woodward Stakes.

The Woodward is a 1 1/8-mile run on the dirt for some of the top three-year old and up thoroughbreds in the nation. The field for this Saturday's main event at Saratoga is set and, as part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below takes you to my complete preview and free trifecta pick for this race.

LINK: 2018 Woodward Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

Toronto Looks to Bounce Back Against Hamilton in CFL Week 12

The NFL closed the doors on the 2018 preseason schedule on Thursday night the same time that the new college football season kicked things off in Week 1 of its regular season. Football 'north of the border' in the CFL has been going strong since the start of summer and heading into the Labor Day weekend, the race to the 2018 Grey Cup Playoffs is starting to really heat up.

I have been covering the CFL for SBR Picks all season long with my free betting pick of the week. Looking at the Week 12 slate, the first game of an East Division home-and-home series has caught my eye for my next betting pick.

The Toronto Argonauts stunned the CFL faithful last season with its unexpected upset against Calgary to hoist the 2017 Grey Cup. Hangovers from a championship run have a way of hanging around a bit too long. In Toronto's case, it has led to a very disappointing 3-6 straight-up start with a 4-5 record against the spread. To make matters worse, the Argonauts are coming off a Week 11 loss to Montreal as five-point road favorites against a team that had won just one SU game prior to last week's mathcup.

This Monday night, they will stay on the road to play the division rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats as eight-point underdogs with BetAnySports. Hamilton is just one game better in the East at 4-5 SU (3-5-1 ATS) with both teams trailing Ottawa (6-3 SU) as the division leader. The Tiger-Cats have won seven of the last 10 meetings against Toronto SU, but covering eight points against the Argonauts will still be tough task given their issues on both sides of the ball this season.

Please click through the link below to SBR Picks for my complete preview and free betting pick for this Monday's Toronto at Hamilton CFL showdown.

LINK: CFL Betting Pick of the Week: Toronto at Hamilton

UCF Knights at Connecticut Huskies Free Betting Pick

The UCF Knights went a perfect 13-0 last season to earn the unofficial title of 2017 National Champions from their legion of fans. They will look to keep things rolling on Thursday night against the Connecticut Huskies in this Week 1 college football clash in the AAC.

BetAnySports has opened Central Florida as a heavy 24-point road favorite to keep its current winning streak alive. However, the betting consensus is leaning towards the Huskies covering against the spread. Thursday night's kickoff on FOX Sports is set for 7 p.m. and the total line has been set at an inflated 73 points.

It is a new season of college football at SportsBettingStats.com and I am once again covering the AAC with my game of the week 'Free Betting Pick'. Please click through the link below for my complete game preview and 'best bet' pick for the Knights at Huskies tilt.

LINK: CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS AT CONNECTICUT HUSKIES NCAAF PICK - ODDS AND ATS PREDICTIONS

2018 Travers Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

The Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course is one of the last major graded stakes races leading up to this November's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. In fact, the winner of this Saturday's main event at that fabled racing venue in upstate New York will automatically qualify for the Classic as the featured event in the two days of racing at Churchill on Nov. 2nd and 3rd.

The field for this year's Travers is headlined by Good Magic, who finished second to Justify in this year's Kentucky Derby. Also in the field is a three-year old filly named Wonder Gadot and she is primed to give all the colts in this race a run for their money. As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below is to my preview and free trifecta pick for the 2018 Travers Stakes.

LINK: 2018 Travers Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

CFL Week 11 Free Pick of the Week

The second half of this year's CFL regular season gets underway this weekend and one of the top matchups on the betting board at BetAnySports is a West Division clash between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the British Columbia Lions. Each team is looking to move up the ranks in the hotly contested playoff race in the division to add even more excitement to this Saturday's showdown at BC Place.

The Roughriders are flying high coming off last week's stunning upset over Calgary that knocked the Stampeders from the ranks of the unbeaten. The 40-27 romp as a 6.5-point home underdog moved Saskatchewan to an even 4-4 record on the year both straight-up and against the spread. The Lions fell to 3-5 SU with a 5-3 record ATS when they came up just short in a 24-23 loss to Toronto in Week 10 as three-point road favorites. BC has been opened as a slight 2.5-point favorite at home against the Roughriders with BetAnySports setting the total line at 51 points.

As part of my weekly CFL coverage for SBR Picks, please click through the link below for my complete game preview and free betting pick for this Saturday's late 10 p.m. start at BC Place.

LINK: Lions To Bring Roughriders Back to Earth in Key CFL Matchup

2018 Pacific Classic Free Trifecta Pick

The Pacific Classic is one of the biggest graded stakes races of the summer season. The main event this Saturday at Del Mar Racecourse is an automatic qualifier for November's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs and has a $1 million prize purse that will be up for grabs among the eight entries in this year's deep and talented field. Run on the dirt at a distance of 1 1/4 miles, all the top trainers and jockeys in the sport of horse racing have a vested interest in the eventual outcome this race.

As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below is to my complete preview and free trifecta bet for the 2018 Pacific Classic.


LINK: 2018 Pacific Classic Free Trifecta Pick

CFL Week 10 Free Pick of the Week

The NFL is back to work in the preseason, but if you are looking to bet on a football game were the starters play all 60 minutes and the result counts in the standings, then the CFL north of the border is still the only game in town. BetAnySports online sportsbook is one of the top sites in the sports betting industry for US players and they have you covered with a full set of betting lines for all the games.

After breaking down the four CFL games on the Week 10 slate, I have come up with my free pick of the week as part of my CFL coverage for SBR Picks. Please click through the link below for my complete preview and winning play for this Sunday's West Division tilt between the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a 7 p.m. start at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

LINK: Mitchell To Keep Stampeders Rolling in CFL Tilt vs. Roughriders

Arlington Million Field Led by Oscar Performance as Favorite

One of the bigger races in this summer's major graded stakes schedule is today's Arlington Million at Arlington Park outside of Chicago. This 1 1/4 mile race will feature some of the top turf horses in the nation at three-years old and up. At the top of the list is trainer Brian Lynch's Oscar Performance at 3/1 odds on the morning line. He will break from the No. 11 post with jockey Jose Ortiz on board. Another horse to watch in this race is Robert Bruce breaking from the No. 10 post with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. getting the ride. He is listed as a 9/2 second-favorite on the morning line.

As part of mt trifecta pick for this race as posted on ScoresandStats.com, I had Divisidero as my show horse, but a late scratch took him out of the running. In his place, I would go with Money Multiplier at 6/1 odds. Ridden by jockey John Velazquez, he will break from the No. 8 post on the turf at Arlington.

For my complete preview of this year's Arlington Million along with my official trifecta pick for ScoresandStats.com, please click through the link below.


LINK: 2018 Arlington Million Free Trifecta Pick

Rams Favored to Repeat in NFC West

Until last years unexpected run to an 11-5 record and a NFC West Division title, the last time the Rams won more than eight games was back in 2003. With Jared Goff at quarterback and a defense that was ranked fifth in the NFL in takeaways last season, the expectation level for a repeat performance in 2018 is running high.

BetAnySports online sportsbook has listed the Rams as heavy -140 favorites to win the NFC West followed by San Francisco as a +250 second-favorite. The Seattle Seahawks have fallen from the ranks of the NFC elite at +500 betting odds to win their division and Arizona is the longshot in the NFC West at +1200.

The Rams are the logical pick. However, the 49ers are the sexy pick with Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback. He led San Francisco to five-straight victories to close out the 2017 regular season at 6-10. Mass defections from a once dominant Seattle defense has the Seahawks heading in the wrong direction and the Josh Rosen era in Arizona could take some time to get the Cardinals flying high again.

As part of my NFL preseason coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, click through the link below for my complete betting preview for the NFC West.

LINK: 2018 NFC WEST TITLE ODDS - PICKS & PREVIEW

Winning Bets on 2018 NFL Win Totals

BetAnySports online sportsbook has recently updated its betting odds for all 32 NFL teams when it comes to the OVER and UNDER for their projected win total in upcoming regular season. The one constant in the NFL is that nothing stays the same from one year to the next. New England and Pittsburgh are perennial powers in the AFC, but the balance of power in the NFL has shifted to the NFC, which is the early -130 favorite when it comes to which conference will field the team that eventually wins Super Bowl LIII.

Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were listed as the third-best team to win the NFC East behind Dallas and New York in the futures odds after going 7-9 in 2016. Things gelled much quicker than expected with head coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz in their second year with the team on the way to an unexpected Super Bowl title run. Dallas missed the playoffs at 9-7 and the Giants slid to 3-13 to earn the second overall pick in the draft.

All told, there were eight brand new playoff teams in 2017 in a field of 12. Five of those new teams won their division with a complete turnover of division champs in the NFC. This all adds up to a high level of unpredictability when it comes to betting on the OVER/UNDER for any team's projected win total from one season to the next. None the less, there is some solid betting value to be found on BetAnySports' NFL betting board for this highly popular team prop if you know where and how to look.

As part of my preseason NFL coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, I took a closer look at the betting odds tied to each team's projected wins to come up with my top bet on the OVER and UNDER betting line. Please click through the link below for both free betting picks.

LINK: TOP BETS FOR 2018 NFL WIN TOTAL BETTING ODDS

Whitney Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

The summer horse racing season at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York is in full swing heading into Saturday's race card. One of the biggest events of the season at this storied venue is the $1.2 million Whitney Stakes for three-year old thoroughbreds and up. The field for this year's Whitney is highlighted by Mind Your Biscuits as a 2/1 favorite on the morning line. Also in the mix is Diversify at 7/5 odds as well as Backyard Heaven as a 9/2 third-favorite in the field of eight contenders.

As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for Scores and Stats, I broke down the entire field for the main event at Saratoga to come up with a winning trifecta pick. I am going out on a limb a bit for this race with a winner at longer odds than the top three favorites. Please click through the link below for my complete preview and free betting picks for the 2018 Whitney Stakes at ScoresandStats.com

LINK: Whitney Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

Mississippi is Ready for Some Football (Betting)

The state of Nevada cornered the market for legal sports betting in the United States for the past several decades. In fact, it was the only market for sports betting due to a federal law that prohibited any of the other 49 states from running a legal sportsbook business. That all changed in early May of this year when the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey and against the federal government in a court case involving several of the top professional sports leagues in the country such as the NFL as well as the NCAA for college sports.

The Garden State wasted little time getting in the game with the opening of sportsbooks at Monmouth Park and Borgata Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. Delaware quickly followed suit by opening sportsbooks in its casinos at Dover Downs and Delaware Park. Just this week, the state of Mississippi joined the party with MGM Resorts International taking the first legal sports bets at Gold Strike Casino in Tunica and at Beau Ridge Casino in Biloxi.

The Magnolia State is firmly in the middle of SEC country and we all know just how popular football is in this power conference. While you cannot bet on a Rutgers' football game in New Jersey or on a Delaware Blue Hens' game in the First Sate, betting on in-state college teams did get the green light in Mississippi. That means that diehard fans of Ole Miss or Mississippi State can back up their allegiance to their team with a wager on Saturday's football games in the fall and basketball in the winter.

Haskell Invitational Free Trifecta Pick

The first big graded-stakes race for three-year old thoroughbreds of the summer takes place this Sunday at Monmouth Park in New Jersey with the running of the $1 million Haskell Invitational. While Triple Crown winner Justify is sitting this one out, the Grade 1 event is headlined by Kentucky Derby runner up Good Magic. This Kentucky-bred colt will break from the No. 6 post in the seven-horse field as a 6/5 favorite on the morning line. Trained by Chad Brown, he will have jockey Jose Ortiz along for the ride.

Also in the field for this year's Haskell is Bavazo as a 3/1 second-favorite breaking from the No. 5 post. This three-year old Kentucky-bred colt is trained by D. Wayne Lucas and jockey Luis Saez is slated to be on board. As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below is to my complete preview and free trifecta pick for Sunday's main event at Monmouth Park.

LINK: 2018 Haskell Invitational Free Trifecta Pick

CFL Free Betting Pick of the Week

The CFL rolled into Week 7 of the 2018 regular season on Thursday night with the Edmonton Eskimos rolling over the Montreal Alouettes 44-23 as 10-point road favorites on BetAnySports' closing betting line. Quarterback Johnny Manziel was traded to Montreal from Hamilton last Sunday, but he did not get the start in that game.

As part of my weekly CFL coverage for SBR Picks, I have focused most of my attention to Saturday's West Division tilt between the undefeated Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders as my 'Free Pick of the Week'. Please click through the link below for my complete game preview and 'best bet' pick.

LINK: CFL Pick of the Week: Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders

Pressure Mounts on Pittsburgh in AFC North

It was not that long ago that the AFC North was one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. If you go back to the 2014 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were divisions champs at 11-5 and both Cincinnati (10-5-1) and Baltimore (10-6) qualified for the playoffs as wild card teams. The Steelers went on to post double-digit victories in the next three seasons while winning the AFC North the previous two years. The Bengals and Ravens went in the other direction to create a fairly wide gap between the best and the rest in the division title race.

The updated NFL futures odds at BetAnySports online sportsbook to win the AFC North this season reflect this gap with Pittsburgh a heavy -250 favorite to win the division title for the third-straight season. It would be hard to bet against the Steelers winning the AFC North this year, but they know that they have much bigger fish to fry to try. The main goal is to close the gap with New England in order to get back to the Super Bowl as conference champs. The window of opportunity is still open, but the clock is ticking as the pressure continues to mount on a team that would have to be considered underachievers given the overall talent on its roster.

As part of my NFL coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, please click through the link below for my complete preview of the 2018 AFC North betting futures at BetAnySports.

LINK: 2018 AFC NORTH TITLE BETTING ODDS - ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS

Accelerate Leads the Field in the San Diego Handicap

The horse racing season is really heating up towards the end of July. This Saturday, Saratoga Race Course opens its summer meet in upstate New York on the East Coast and out on the West Coast in Southern California, Del Mar offers a race card with a few major graded events including the $200,000 San Diego Handicap. This is a key prep race for three-year old thoroughbreds and older looking to lock-up a spot in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 18.

The field of 10 is set for this Saturday's main event at Del Mar and as part of my horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I have broken down the list of contenders to come up with my free trifecta pick for this race. Please click through the link below for my free betting pick for the 2018 San Diego Handicap.


LINK: 2018 San Diego Handicap Free Trifecta Pick

2018 Alabama Football Betting Report

As part of my ongoing series for ScoresandStats.com covering the top college football teams in the nation, my latest installment goes right to the top of the list. The Alabama Crimson Tide have been the Gold Standard in college football since 2009 when they won their first of five national titles under the guidance of head coach Nick Saban.

BetAnySports online sportsbook opened the Tide as clear favorites to win the 2018 College Football Playoff Championship not long after they pulled off a dramatic 26-23 overtime victory against SEC rival Georgia in last year's title game as three-point favorites. Sports bettors are a little more than a month away from the start of another football season in the NCAA and Alabama remains at the top of the updated National Championship futures list to successfully defend that title.

All the pieces remain in place for another deep run and you cannot help but get the feeling that a sixth national title in 10 seasons is Alabama's to lose. Please click through the link below to Scores and Stats for my complete betting preview for the top team in the nation.

LINK: 2018 Alabama Football Betting Preview

Jacksonville Favored to Win AFC South

The Jacksonville Jaguars endured nine-straight losing seasons before breaking through last year with a 10-6 record and an AFC South Division title. They went on to stun Pittsburgh on the road in the Divisional Round of the playoffs before losing to New England in the 2017 AFC Championship. BetAnySports' online sportsbook has listed the Jaguars as slight favorites to win the AFC South again in 2018 in what could be one of the most competitive division title races in the NFL.

My big question mark with Jacksonville is how it will handle its new-found success as the frontrunner in this race after so many seasons of being an afterthought. The talent is there to repeat and so is the desire after going as far as the Jaguars went last season. Bettors need to decide if the value in their odds to win is worth the risk.

As part of my weekly NFL coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, I delve deeper into BetAnySports AFC South futures odds to uncover which of the four teams in this division actually has the best betting value in their odds to win. Please click through the link below for my analysis and top-valued play.

LINK: 2018 ODDS TO WIN THE AFC SOUTH - PICKS AND ANALYSIS

College Football Betting- 2018 Heisman Trophy Futures

The Heisman Trophy in college football is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in the nation for the regular season. Going back over the last 12 winners, 10 of those players were quarterbacks. The only exceptions were a pair of Alabama running backs with Mark Ingram taking home the hardware in 2009 followed by Derrick Henry's run to the Heisman in 2015.

Interestingly enough, the top two players on BetAnySports' futures odds list to win this year's Heisman Trophy just so happen to be ball carriers and very good ones given their stats from last season. As part of my preseason college football coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I took a deeper look at the betting odds for all the top players in the nation to come up the best value in the betting odds. Please click through the link below to Scores and Stats for my complete 2018 Heisman Trophy preview and betting picks.

LINK: Running Backs Lead the Way in 2018 Heisman Trophy Betting Odds

Betting on the 2018 NFL Most Valuable Player

Successfully betting on NFL futures would be a whole lot easier if you had a crystal ball, but it would be next to impossible to find a sportsbook to take that bet if you did.

Since no one knows exactly what will happen with any futures bet, it all comes down to making an educated guess. It also comes down to finding the best value when you are backing up that guess with a real money wager. The betting odds that sportsbooks do release for any futures bet are designed to minimize the value in the favorites. The risk/return on certain futures can make an actual bet prohibitive. For example, the New England Patriots are -500 favorites to win the AFC East this season. Just because they have won their division 14 times in the last 15 seasons does not guarantee they will win the AFC East again in 2018.

The educated guess for this futures bet points clearly towards the Patriots, but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to risk losing $500 to win $100. Tom Brady could go down for the season in Week 1, Miami could play way over its head as a +800 second favorite. You always have to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a "lock" when it comes to betting on sports.

The NFL futures odds to win this season's MVP honors offers solid value all over the board. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the favorite at +600 betting odds. If you want to bet that Brady does go on to lead his team to that 15th division title while winning another MVP trophy, the return on that $100 bet would yield $800.

In a recent NFL futures article for SportsBettingStats.com, I took a closer look at the MVP betting odds at BetAnySports to find the best value in the numbers. Please click through the link below for my MVP preview and picks.


LINK: 2018 NFL PROP BET ODDS- MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Betting On LeBron James and the Lakers

The NBA's West has been the power conference in the league over the past several years and that balance of power against the East as shifted radically in its favor with the recent deflection of LeBron James from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Lakers.

This move also had a major impact on the betting futures at BetAnySports to win next season's NBA Championship. The reining champions are the Golden State Warriors and they are still heavy favorites to win their fourth NBA title in five seasons. The Lakers have quickly ascended to second-favorites with the addition of King James even though they only won 35 games last season. The odds drop off from there with the 'best of rest' scrambling to make the necessary additions in personnel to close their current gap with the Warriors.

In a recent betting article posted on ScoresandStats.com, I dug a bit deeper into the updated betting odds to win next season's NBA title to find where the best value in the numbers now lies. Please check out the link below at Scores and Stats for my complete analysis.

LINK: Updated Betting Odds to Win the 2019 NBA Championship

Coke Zero Sugar 400 Top Betting Picks

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this Saturday night for the running of the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Austin Dillon stunned the field back in February in the 2018 Daytona 500, but this season has been dominated by Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and defending Cup Series Champion Martin Truex Jr. with a combined 13 victories in the first 17 point races on the schedule. Saturday night's main event will mark the halfway point on the 36-race slate and it promises to be a good one in true wide-open restrictor-plate racing style.

I have been covering NASCAR's Cup Series for SBR Picks for the past several years and the link below is to my complete preview and top-value betting picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 based on posted odds at BetAnySports.


LINK: NASCAR Back at Daytona for Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400

2018 Georgia Football Betting Report

The Georgia Bulldogs made a run all the way to the College Football Playoff Championship Game last season where they lost to SEC rival Alabama in overtime. To come that close to winning their first national title since 1980 and walk away empty-handed could work for or against the Bulldogs in this year's campaign as one of the top favorites to go all the way. I am betting that Georgia uses that devastating loss as motivation to make a return trip to the four-team playoff at the very least. It also helps to have a boat load of talent on both sides of the ball to help get it there.

As part of an ongoing series for Scores and Stats, I am taking a closer look at all the top college football teams in the nation in preparation for the new season getting underway in less than two months. The link below is to my complete betting preview for Georgia as recently posted on the ScoresandStats.com website.


LINK: 2018 Georgia Football Betting Preview

Eagles Open Title Defense as NFC Favorites

It is fairly common for the previous season's Super Bowl Champion to open as favorites to at least win its conference title the following season when it comes to the NFL futures odds at online sportsbooks. The Philadelphia Eagles' dramatic run to the 2017 Super Bowl title has them listed as +500 favorites to win the NFC in 2018. The Eagles are +800 second-favorites behind New England (+625) to successfully defend that title in 2018 with a victory in Super Bowl LII and they are expected to be the top team in the NFC East as -160 odds-on favorites to once again win their division.

While Philadelphia may be the front runner in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings at +600 betting odds and the Los Angeles Rams at +650 are expected to be the top contenders to take its place in this year's Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints should also be in the NFC-title mix at +800 odds to win.

BetAnySports continues to update these betting odds in light of the action coming in, but the top five teams in the NFC remain the same. In a recent post for SportsBettingStats.com as part of my early NFL coverage, I have come up with my top favorite, top contender and top longshot to win the NFC title this season based on the value in their betting odds. Please click through the link below for my complete preview and free betting picks.

LINK: 2018 NFC ODDS TO WIN - PICKS AND ANALYSIS

Betting 2018 NFL Players Props- Most Passing Yards

The only game in town right now when it comes to betting on the NFL is in the form of futures odds and special props. Some of the most popular player props on the board at BetAnySports are the betting odds for which player will throw for, run for or catch the most yards in the upcoming regular season. While it can be pretty hard to look that far into the future to try and cash in on a preseason prop, there is definitely some solid value in the betting odds if you know where and how to look.

As part of my NFL coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I will be taking a closer look at all three of these popular player props starting with which quarterback will throw for the most yards this season. The link below is to a previous post on Scores and Stats with my free betting pick for this prop.

LINK: 2018 NFL Player Props - Most Passing Yards

2018 Clemson Football Betting Preview

As part of my college football coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I have been putting together a 2018 betting preview for the top teams in the nation. Each preview is a detailed look at their chance to win a national title as well as their individual conference and the OVER/UNDER on a projected win total based on betting odds from BetAnySports.

The link below to ScoresandStats.com will take you to this week's preview for the Clemson Tigers. The ACC power will be going for its fourth-straight trip to the College Football Playoff and second national championship in three seasons. Under the guidance of Dabo Swinney as head coach, Clemson has gone from being a very good ACC team to national power in a relatively short amount of time. The bar has been raised about as high as it can go as the clear second-favorite to win this season's CFP Championship Game and it appears that the 2018 Clemson roster is ready to meet the challenge.

LINK: 2018 Clemson Football Betting Preview

Winnipeg at Hamilton CFL 'Pick of the Week'

NFL training camps will start to open later in July in preparation for the 2018 regular season getting underway early in September. Until then, football north of the border remains the only game in town for sports bettors looking for some action at BetAnySports.

I have been covering the CFL for SBRPicks for the last several years. As different twist on this season's coverage, I have been tasked to come up with my top 'pick of the week'. After coming up short going against Calgary with my top play in Week 1, I evened my record to 1-1 on the year with the Stampeders' romp over Toronto in Week 2 as a 3.5-point road favorite.

This week for my top play, I have turned my attention to the total line for Friday's inter-division matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. For my complete game preview and free CFL betting pick, please check out the link below at SBRPicks.

LINK: CFL Free Pick of the Week

NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 Betting Preview

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series returns to action this Sunday following a week off with the running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on the road course at Sonoma Raceway. This is one of two races on the Cup Series schedule that is contested on a road course layout as opposed to a traditional oval. Sunday's event is set to get underway at 3 p.m. (ET) with FOX Sports 1 carrying the broadcast nationally.

It does not matter where Kevin Harvick or Kyle Busch are racing their cars lately when it comes to taking the checkered flag. These two drivers have combined to win nine of the Cup Series' first 15 point-race events. Defending champion Martin Truex Jr. and veteran NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer have each won a pair of races as part of a select group that have made their way to Victory Lane this season. Also on the list is Austin Dillon after stunning the field in the season-opening Daytona 500 and Joey Logano, who crossed the finish line first at Talladega.

When it comes to betting on the odds to win this Sunday's race, you probably cannot go wrong putting your money on one of the six drivers mentioned above. As part of my weekly NASCAR coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, I have come up with my top-valued pick to win at Sonoma based on the betting odds at BetAnySports . Please click through the link below for complete preview for Sunday's race.

LINK: MONSTER ENERGY SERIES TOYOTA/SAVE MART 350 FREE PICK - RACE ODDS

2018 NHL Draft Top Prop Bet Picks

This weekend's NHL Draft starting on Friday night and running through Saturday might play second fiddle to the recent NBA DRaft on Thursday night when it comes to media attention. However, true hockey fans are sure to be tuning in to see which players their favorite team add to the roster in pursuit of next season's Stanley Cup title.

When it came to the NBA Draft, just about every major online sportsbook offered a full set of betting props for anyone looking to make some money on the proceedings. Finding some prop bet odds for the 2018 NHL Draft may take a bit more of search, but that does not mean that they are not out there. I found some at BetAnySports and in a special betting article this week for ScoresandStats.com, I cover a pair of betting props that offer the best value in the posted odds.

For my free NHL Draft prop bet picks, please check out the link below to my recent post on Scores and Stats.

LINK: 2018 NHL Draft Betting Props ‘Best Bet’ Picks

2018 Ohio State Football Betting Preview

The 2018 college football schedule gets underway on Labor Day weekend and today is just the first day of summer, but sports bettors are already gearing up for the new season at BetAnySports. As the top online sportsbook for betting on the games, it has recently released several betting odds for NCAA football futures and props. You can bet on everything from the futures odds to win the 2018 national title to the prop bet odds to claim this season's Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college football player.

In the first of a series of betting previews for the top teams in the college ranks as part of my college football coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I took a closer look at some of the key betting odds posted for the Ohio State Buckeyes. They won their last national title in 2014 and all indications point towards another serious run at a championship this time around. Please check out the link below for my complete Ohio State betting preview as originally posted on Scores and Stats.

LINK: 2018 Ohio State Football Betting Preview

Betting on the 2018 NBA Draft

The NBA's annual draft of the top college and foreign players in the world consists of just two rounds by 30 teams. When you do the math, that means that there are only 60 picks coming off the board. You would think that would make betting on the NBA draft rather easy, but that could not be farther from the truth. Late trades can jumble the draft order and even when you know which team is on the clock it is hard to guess what it will do. This is especially true once you get past the first four or five picks when the level of talent really starts to balance out.

As part of my 2018 NBA Draft coverage for some of the sports betting sites I write for, I put together a pair of picks for a prop bet piece that was posted earlier in the week on ScoresandStats.com. Please check out the link below to that piece for my two free top-valued prop bet picks based on the posted betting odds at BetAnySports online sportsbook for this upcoming Thursday night's proceedings.

LINK: Top Prop Bet Picks for the 2018 NBA Draft

Free Betting Props Picks for 2018 US Open

The 2018 US Open gets underway on Thursday with the first of four rounds at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Dustin Johnson has been listed as a +900 betting favorite to win and Tiger Woods' odds to lay claim to his fourth-career US Open title have been set at +1400. The last time Woods won a Major was the 2008 US Open.

US sports bettors can turn to BetAnySports online sportsbook for a full board of US Open betting options including any number of prop bet opportunities. As part of my coverage of golf's second Major of the season for ScoresandStats.com, the link below takes you to my top prop bet picks for the 2018 US Open.

LINK- 2018 US Open ‘Top Prop Picks’

Belmont Stakes Top Prop Bet Picks

One way or the other history will be made in this Saturday's Belmont Stakes as the third and final jewel in this year's Triple Crown racing season for the top three-year old thoroughbreds. Trainer Bob Baffert along with veteran jockey Mike Smith have helped Justify capture the first two legs of this racing series with victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. This three-year old Kentucky-bred colt will now attempt to capture one of the most elusive titles in all of sports as a 4/5 favorite to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes as part of Saturday's race card at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

If this son of Scat Daddy is successful, he will become just the third Triple Crown winner in the past 40 years. Affirmed accomplished this feat in 1978 and, in 2015, American Pharoah ended the drought with victories in all three races. If Justify comes up short, he will join the list of the other 12 horses after Affirmed to win the first two jewels only to slip up in the grueling final test over the extended 1 1/2 miles of dirt at Belmont Park.

As part of my horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below is to my top prop picks for Saturday's main event based on BetAnySports' betting odds. In an earlier betting piece for the site before the Preakness Stakes, I had Justify winning that race, but coming up short in the Belmont. With a big payday on the line for this race, there is quite a bit riding on Baffert's prized three-year old against the rest of the nine competitors in Saturday's field.

LINK- Top Prop Bet Picks for the 2018 Belmont Stakes

Capitals vs. Golden Knights Game 5 Free Pick

The NHL's Stanley Cup Finals resume this Thursday night with Game 5 of the best-of-seven showdown between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights. Game time from T-Mobile Arena is set for 8 p.m. on NBC with Vegas listed as a -140 home favorite. The total line for this game at BetAnySports set at 5.5 goals.

The Golden Knights started this series as clear favorites to win a NHL title in their first season in the league as an expansion team. Four games later, the Capitals are in the driver seat with a 3-1 series lead and in position to lay claim to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Washington actually lost the series opener 6-4 as a -135 underdog on the road before reeling off three-straight victories by a combined score of 12-5. I had the Golden Knights winning this series in seven games and while that could still be the case, all the momentum is riding on a Capitals' team that has played its best hockey this postseason on the road.

As part of my NHL coverage for SportsBettingStats.com, the link below is to my complete preview for Game 5 along with my free 'best bet' pick.


LINK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS AT VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FREE GAME 5 PICK - ODDS AND NHL PREDICTIONS

Tiger Wood's Betting Odds to Win a 2018 Major

Tiger Woods is back, or at least back to playing some respectable golf. He has finished inside the Top 10 in two tournaments this season and he is currently tied for 24th in this week's Memorial Tournament heading into the weekend's final two rounds. The big question for Woods moving forward is will his game come around enough to win one the next three Majors on this year's schedule?

He will get his first chance to end a drought that goes back to the 2008 US Open with a trip to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for this year's US Open from June 14 to June 17. The Open Championship is next in July followed by the PGA Championship in August. BetAnySports has already released a full set of futures betting odds for all three events.

As part of my coverage of professional golf for ScoresandStats.com, I took a closer look at Woods' odds to win a Major to come up with a betting strategy moving forward. The link below to the site details how I would bet on Tiger's chance to win one of these three events.

LINK: Betting on Tiger Woods’ Chances to Win a 2018 Major

NASCAR Pocono 400 Race Preview & Free Betting Picks

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series returns to Long Pond, Pennsylvania this week for the first race of the season at Pocono Raceway. Sunday's Pocono 400 is slated to get underway at 2 p.m. with FOX Sports 1 carrying the race nationally.

Kevin Harvick has already won five point-race events this season along with the 2018 All-Star Race at Charlotte. An early wreck ended his night at Charlotte last Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600. Filling the void with his fourth victory this season was Kyle Busch. These two drivers have now combined to win nine of the first 13 races on the schedule and neither is showing any signs of slowing down as the top two favorites at BetAnySports to win this Sunday's main event at Pocono.

While going chalk this season with the favorites has made NASCAR bettors a small fortune so far, I think the value in the odds for this race is a bit further down the betting board. As part of my weekly NASCAR coverage for SBR Picks, the link below is to my complete Pocono 400 preview as well as my top-value picks to win.

LINK: NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 Preview and Picks

Santa Anita Gold Cup Trifecta Betting

While horse bettors patiently wait for next month's Belmont Stakes to see if Justify can complete an historic Triple Crown run, there is plenty of other horse racing action this Saturday starting with this year's Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Park. The field is just seven deep in entries, but still deep in talent.

The Gold Cup is run on dirt over 1 1/4 miles and it is open to three-year old thoroughbreds and older. The total prize purse for this Saturday's main event at Santa Anita is $500,000. As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com ,I have broken down the field to come up with a winning trifecta pick. Please check out the link below for my complete preview and betting pick.


LINK: 2018 Gold Cup Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

Washington vs. Vegas Stanley Cup Finals Betting Report

The stage is set for this season's NHL Stanley Cup Finals with storylines all over the board. Game 1 of this best-of-seven clash between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights is set for Monday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Game time is 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Washington earned the reputation of being an 'easy out' in the postseason after failing to get past the second round nine times in the past 10 seasons. In 2014, the Capitals did not even qualify of the playoffs. The Golden Knights' playoff experience is limited to the three series they just played as an expansion team.

Another big storyline is each team's goalie. Washington's Braden Holtby comes into the NHL Finals red-hot after pitching a pair of shutouts to help his team closeout Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury came to the team via an expansion draft after being cast aside by the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The veteran netminder has delivered in this postseason with a stellar goals-against average of 1.68.

When it comes to betting on this series, BetAnySports has opened Vegas as a -138 favorite on the series price odds with the moneyline on Washington set at +118 to win the 2018 Stanley Cup title. The betting odds for Monday's Game 1 also favors Vegas at -140. The Capitals come in as +120 road underdogs with the total set at 5.5 goals.

As part of my NHL coverage for ScoresandStats.com, my complete series preview and official betting pick can be found at the link below.


LINK: NHL Stanley Cup Finals Free Betting Pick

Johnny Football Goes North of the Border

I have been covering the CFL for SBR Picks over the last several seasons from the preseason futures odds all the way to the Grey Cup Championship. This season's coverage gets underway with a review of BetAnySports' CFL futures odds to win this year's title with an added twist.

With former Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL first round pick Johnny 'Football' Manziel signing a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, I added a few prop pick odds to the mix for what we can expect from his performance in the CFL this season. Anytime a former player from the NFL takes their talents to the Canadian game it makes news, but not since Doug Flutie lit things up at quarterback to become one of the best CFL players ever has the buzz been so loud for football north of the border.

Please check out the link below at SBR Picks for my 2018 CFL betting preview.

LINK: Johnny Football Takes His Game North of the Border

Preakness Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

Saturday afternoon's 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore should be the next step in Justify's bid to become just the third three-year old thoroughbred in the past 40 years to win an elusive Triple Crown title. He was opened as a heavy 1/2 favorite on the morning line in a small field of eight contenders with his biggest competition coming from Good Magic at 3/1 odds.

These two Kentucky-bred colts finished 1-2 at Churchill Downs two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby. This Saturday's rematch in the second jewel of the Triple Crown racing series adds even more drama to this $1.5 million Grade 1 major stakes event. The rest of the field appears to be racing for the Show position, but Quip at 12/1 and Diamond King at 30/1 odds to win may have something to say about that. As part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I came up with my trifecta pick for the 2018 Preakness Stakes. Please click though the link below to see which three colts I have finishing in the money at Pimlico late Saturday afternoon.

LINK: 2018 Preakness Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

NASCAR's All-Star Race Top-Valued Betting Odds

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series takes a break this week from its point race schedule to run its annual All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway this Saturday night. This will be the first weekend a racing in Charlotte ahead of next Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600.

The green flag for this Saturday night's main event is set to wave at 8 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. As part of my weekly coverage of NASCAR for SBR Picks, I have broken down the odds to win this year's All-Star Race at BetAnySports to come up with three top-valued ways to cash a winning ticket based on the risk/reward in the numbers.

You probably cannot go wrong with a bet on either Kevin Harvick or Kyle Busch considering that the two hottest Cup Series drivers have combined to win eight of the first 12 point events on the 2018 schedule. However, the All-Star Race is limited 70-lap exhibition that spreads value in the betting odds much deeper into the field. To get my free picks to win this race, please click through the link below to my NASCAR preview at SBRPicks.com.

LINK: Kyle Busch Gets Nod over Hot Harvick in All-Star Race

Preakness Stakes Top Prop Picks

The Kentucky Derby may be the crown jewel of the Triple Crown racing series for the top three-year old thoroughbreds in the nation, but this Saturday's Preakness Stakes builds the excitement for a possible Triple Crown run as the most elusive title in all sports.

Justify was the class of the 20-horse field in this year's Kentucky Derby with an impressive 1 1/4 mile run on a very sloppy track at Churchill Downs. This Kentucky-bred pedigree of Scat Daddy may be running in the slop again this Saturday at Pimlico Race Track as a prohibitive 1/2 favorite to win the Preakness. If he is successful in his bid to win the second leg of the Triple Crown against a much smaller field of eight contenders, he will try and join American Pharoah as the second Triple Crown Champion in the past 40 years with one final victory in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

Winning the Preakness as a Kentucky Derby Champion is one thing. Adding a Belmont Stakes title to the list is a whole other ball game. Before American Pharoah broke through with his championship run in 2015, there were 12 other three-year olds that captured the first two legs of the Triple Crown since Affirmed completed the unlikely trifecta in 1978. All 12 horses met their match in that final leg.

In light of the past results in this historic racing series, I have come up with a trio of prop picks ahead of Saturday's Preakness as part of my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com. Please click through the link below for all of my free Preakness prop bet picks.

LINK: Top Prop Bet Picks for the 2018 Preakness Stakes

Golden State vs. Houston NBA Series Props

The NBA Western Conference Finals get underway this Monday night with Game 1 of the dream matchup between the No. 2 Golden State Warriors and the No. 1 Houston Rockets. This was the series that most sports bettors expected to see in the West when the 2017/2018 regular season first got underway and both teams lived up to their lofty expectations through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

It is anyone's guess what happens next over the course of this best-of-seven showdown between the two best teams in the NBA. Golden State is the defending champion and it has all the pieces in place for another title run. The Rockets had the best record in the league this season with the addition of Chris Paul and most NBA experts would agree that the current gap between these two powers has been significantly narrowed. When it comes to betting on how this series will play out, BetAnySports has released a full set of series props that cover every aspect of this matchup from total games played to the exact series standing after the first four games.

As part of my NBA coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I broke down the betting odds for this list of series props to come up with a pair of "best bet" picks that offer the best value in the numbers. For my complete preview and free Golden State vs. Houston series betting picks, please click through the link below to this recent post.

LINK: Golden State vs. Houston NBA Series Betting Props

Winnipeg at Nashville Game 7 Free Betting Pick

There is nothing better than a Game 7 showdown in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, especially when it comes to a division battle between bitter rivals. The Western Conference Semifinal series between the Winnipeg Jets and the Nashville Predators has gone the distance with a deciding Game 7 on tap this Thursday night in an 8 p.m. start at Bridgestone Arena. The winner will advance to the conference finals to face the upstart Vegas Golden Knights for a spot in the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.

Nashville comes into this winner-take-all tilt as a -147 home favorite with the moneyline betting odds on Winnipeg set at +135. The total line for this game at BetAnySports has been set at 5.5. Each team has come up with some big wins in this series, but one glaring stat heading into Game 7 is the Jets' 17-7 scoring advantage in the three games that they won. The Predators get the edge in experience after making their way to last year's NHL Finals against Pittsburgh.

As part of my continuing coverage of the NHL for SportsBettingStats.com, I have added the link below to my complete preview of this game along with my free betting picks.

LINK: WINNIPEG JETS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS GAME 7 PICK - BETTING LINES

Top Prop Bet Picks for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

The 144th running of the Kentucky Derby is on tap for late Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs. One of the best ways to try and win some money on one of the biggest betting events of this season is by betting on any number of the props that have been released for the annual "Run for the Roses".

As part of my race coverage for ScoresandStats.com this past week, I broke down a few of the most popular prop bet options at BetAnySports for this year's Kentucky Derby to come up with a few bets that offer the best value in the posted odds. Please click through the link below for all my top prop bet picks for Derby Day at Churchill Downs.

LINK: Top Prop Bet Picks for the Kentucky Derby

Justify Headlines a Deep Field in the 2018 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest race of the year for the top three-year old thoroughbreds in the nation. This year's 20-horse field for Saturday's 144th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs could be the closest "Run for the Roses" in recent memory. In the absence of a dominant three-year old at the top of the list, most horse racing handicapping experts would agree that there are as many as five or six horses with a legitimate shot to win.

I have been covering this season's Kentucky Derby Trail for ScoresandStats.com since last summer when these colts were competing as juveniles. Good Magic was the frontrunner heading into 2018 after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but Justify moved to the top of the list as a 3/1 favorite to win this race for what he was able to accomplish as a three-year old. In between, you have solid contenders in Mendelssohn at 5/1 odds and Magnum Moon at 6/1. Throw in Bolt d'Oro and Audible at 8/1 odds on the morning line and this year's Kentucky Derby is as wide open as it can get.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby offers any number of options at BetAnySports, as one of the top online racebooks for US players. Whether you choose to keep things simple with a few Win, Place and Show bets or take advantage of the horse racing betting value in the odds posted for head-to-head matchups between the top contenders in this year's field, there are some great betting options to get in on all the action that Derby Day at Churchill Downs brings to the table.

Please checkout the link below at ScoresandStats.com for my complete preview and free trifecta pick for the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

LINK: 2018 Kentucky Derby Free Trifecta Pick

Talladega Superspeedway Host's Sunday's Geico 500

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series makes its first stop if the season at famed Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday afternoon for the running of the 2018 Geico 500. This is the 10th point race of the season in pursuit of this year's racing title. The green flag is set to wave at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon with FOX carrying the race nationally.

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch have defined the concept of dominating a sport this season with a combined six checkered flags in the first nine Cup Series events. Making this run even more impressive is the fact that each driver won their races in consecutive weeks. Busch won last Saturday night's race at Richmond as part of his current winning streak.

I cover the Cup Series races each week for SportsBettingStats.com I was tempted to go with the No. 18 Toyota again this week after cashing in three winning tickets in a row during Busch's impressive run. His betting odds at BetAnySports were longer for this race at +1200 to sweeten the pot, but Talladega is known for its wide-open racing. This, in turn, puts quite a few drivers in position to win this race. For my full preview and top-valued pick to win Sunday's race, please check out the link below.

To bet on this race, you can turn to BetAnySports as the top online sportsbook for US players. As one of the best online gambling outlets in the game today, it also features a racebook for horse racing and an online casino for real money gambling. With events such as the Kentucky Derby, NBA and NHL Stanley Cup Finals and professional golf's next Major, the US Open on the horizon, now is the time to open your online betting account.

LINK: MONSTER ENERGY SERIES GEICO 500 FREE RACE PICK - BETTING LINES

How Many Quarterbacks will be Drafted in the First Round?

The opening round of the 2018 NFL Draft is less than a week away and the hot topic surrounding this year's proceedings is one of the deepest crop of quarterbacks in recent memory. As many as four QB's could come off the board in the first half of the first round and the over/under for the total number taken in the first 32 picks has been set at 5.5.

The betting odds at BetAnySports favor the UNDER at -200 with the moneyline for the OVER set at +150. In one of my betting posts for ScoresandStats.com this past week, I took a closer look at this particular NFL Draft prop to come up with my 'best bet' pick. Please check out the link below to that piece.

LINK: Betting on the 2018 NFL Draft - First Round Quarterbacks

2018 NBA Championship Betting Odds

This season's NBA playoffs tip-off on Saturday with the first four games of the best-of-seven opening round. Golden State and Cleveland have met in the last three best-of-seven tilts in the NBA Finals with the Warriors laying claim to two of those world titles. Both teams are slight favorites to meet again this year for a fourth-straight time, but the gap between these two elite franchises and a few of the other top contenders in this year's field is as slim as it has ever been.

BetAnySports' online sportsbook is taking action on games and it has released the betting odds to win it all for each of the 16 teams in this year's field. As part of my NBA coverage for ScoresandStats.com, the link below is to my complete breakdown of the betting odds with some insight into the teams offering the best betting value in the numbers.

LINK: Betting Odds to Win the 2018 NBA Championship

2018 Santa Anita Derby Free Trifecta Pick

This Saturday marks the final big weekend of horse racing on the 2018 Kentucky Derby Trail. One of the biggest races on the card is the $1 million Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park.

The field for Saturday's main event at this famed Southern California race track is limited to seven three-year old's including a head-to-head showdown between two of the top Kentucky Derby contenders. Trainer Bob Baffert's Justified has been opened as a 4/5 morning line favorite. He will break from the No. 6 post with jockey Mike Smith getting the ride. Trained by Mick Ruis, Bolt d'Oro is listed as a 6/5 second-favorite with jockey Javier Castellano aboard and he will start from the No. 3 post.

Please check out the link below at ScoresandStats.com for my complete preview of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby along with my free trifecta pick.

LINK:2018 Santa Anita Derby Free Trifecta Pick

NCAAB Final Four Betting Parlay

Saturday night's Final Four matchups in this year's NCAA Tournament will set the stage for the national title game on Monday night. The Big East's Villanova Wildcats will be gunning for their second college basketball championship in three seasons as odds-on -110 favorites on BetAnySports' NCAAB futures board.

The Big Ten's Michigan Wolverines have been listed as +260 second-favorites to extend their current winning streak to 15 games with two more victories and the Big 12's Kansas Jaykawks are listed at +400 odds to cut down the net on Monday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The biggest story in this year's Big Dance has been the Missouri Valley's Loyola-Chicago Ramblers, who won the South Region of this tournament as a No. 11 seed. The odds that this Cinderella story ends with a national championship have been set at +1000.

One of the biggest betting props for the Final Four and championship game is the Most Outstanding Player award. It traditionally goes to the best player over the final two games on the winning team. The favorite to win this year's MOP honors is Villanova's Jalen Brunson at +250.

One of my betting pieces for ScoresandStats.com this week covered the best value in the odds for parlay pick combining the winning team and the MOP. Please check out my picks at the link below.

LINK: NCAA Tournament Championship Team & MOP Betting Parlay

2018 Louisiana Derby Free Trifecta Pick

The 2018 Kentucky Derby Trail rolls into Fair Grounds Race Course this Saturday for the running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby. This Grade 2 major stakes event is a key stop on the road to this year's Kentucky Derby with a deep field of some of the top three-year old thoroughbreds in the nation.

My Boy Jack has been opened as a 5/2 morning line favorite breaking from the No. 9 post in the 10-horse field. Bravazo and Noble Indy will break from the first two post and each of these Kentucky-bred colts are listed as close 7/2 second-favorites. Throw in Snapper Sinclair from the No. 7 post at 9/2 odds and you have the right ingredients for one of the tightest contested races in the Kentucky Derby prep season.

In my weekly horse racing coverage for ScoresandStats.com, I have broken down the entire field for Saturday's Louisiana Derby to come up with my top trifecta play. Please check out the link below for my complete race preview.

LINK: 2018 Louisiana Derby Free Trifecta Pick

2018 Rebel Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

When bettors think of March Madness, the current NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament takes center stage. However, March is also known in horse racing circles as one of the best months for betting ponies on the Kentucky Derby Trail. The main event on this Saturday's race card at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas is the $900,000 Rebel Stakes.

This 1 1/16 miles trip around the dirt track at Oaklawn has some heavy hitters in the field that could easily factor into the final results for this year's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5. As part as my weekly horse racing picks for ScoresandStats.com, I have broken down this year's field for the Rebel to come up with my top trifecta play.

Please check out the link below for my complete race preview and picks:

LINK: 2018 Rebel Stakes Free Trifecta Pick

NBA TV Friday Night Betting Tip Sheet

Tonight's doubleheader of betting action on NBA TV at BetAnySports features a pair of matchups between four teams looking to improve their position in the upcoming playoffs. With less than a month to go in the regular season, wins (and losses) take on a higher level of importance in the conference standings.

In an 8 p.m. tip in the Big Easy, the Washington Wizards will try and string together a pair of victories against a New Orleans' team that has won its last 10 games. Later on Friday out on the West Coast, Cleveland brings a modest two-game winning streak into Staples Arena to face the Los Angeles Clippers, who are currently tied with three teams for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

The link below to ScoresandStats.com contains my betting tip sheet for each of these matchups.

LINK: NBA Friday Betting Tip Sheet - March 9

NASCAR Pennzoil 400 Preview & Free Betting Pick

NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series heads to the gambling capital of the world this week for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This Sunday's race is slated to get underway at 3:30 p.m. (ET) with FOX carrying the national broadcast.

Austin Dillon stunned the field at Daytona and Kevin Harvick took the checkered flag last Sunday in Atlanta. Martin Truex Jr.'s run to the 2017 Cup Series racing title began in Las Vegas with the first of his eight victories that season.

In the first of three races this season on this West Coast swing, I have broken down the field for this week's race to take a closer look at my top favorite, contender and longshot to win based on their betting odds from BetAnySports.

I cover every NASCAR race for a few sport betting websites and the link below is to my race preview and betting picks at SBR Picks.


LINK: NASCAR Heads to Sin City for Pennzoil 400

NBA Playoff Futures 'Best Bet' Picks

The second half of the NBA regular season got underway on Thursday night to mark the start of the official push towards the postseason. It is pretty much a given that Toronto and Boston in the East and Golden State and Houston in the West will be in this year's playoffs, but there are any number of bubble teams that will need to play their way into the eight-team field in each conference over the final seven weeks of the regular season.

Coming off last week's All-Star break, BetAnySports updated its NBA futures odds for the playoffs and in a recent piece I wrote for ScoresandStats.com (link below) I have come up with a few 'best bet' picks that offer the best value in the betting odds.

LINK: NBA Playoffs Updated Betting Odds