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I Called It mobile game -- MGM RESORTS
The New York Jets recently announced they have joined with MGM Resorts International in a first-of-its-kind partnership making MGM Resorts the official gaming partner of the New York Jets.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Majestic Star Casino Could Soon Relocate One of Two Licenses Further than Expected
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Majestic Star Casino Could Soon Relocate One of Two Licenses Further than Expected
The Majestic Star Casino relocation elsewhere in the city could prove crucial for the positive further development of Gary, Indiana and this Tuesday brought Indiana Legislative Committee’s nod. Shortly after the decision was made public, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. also announced his position in response stating that the license for operation should be relocated […]
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Evolution Gaming Group AB inks New Jersey supply agreement
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Evolution Gaming Group AB inks New Jersey supply agreement
Missouri’s Amendment 4 Boosting Bingo Games Might Be Just What the Doctor Ordered
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Missouri’s Amendment 4 Boosting Bingo Games Might Be Just What the Doctor Ordered
Missouri is rapidly approaching the ballot taking place at the beginning of November which has the potential to implement several crucial changes to its gamin field. Residents of the state will have the chance to voice their opinion on 6th November stating whether or not they support the idea of a Constitutional Amendment which aims […]
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Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Upset Picks for Bettors to Target This Week – Picks for 10/30 to 11/4
GamblingSites.com
Upset Picks for Bettors to Target This Week – Picks for 10/30 to 11/4
Last week was not a great one for NFL bettors. At least, not if you bet hard on the Los Angeles Rams to cover a rich -9.5 point spread at home against the Green Bay Packers.
I personally never loved that spread. Betting that hard against Aaron Rodgers felt like a mistake, and I even saw an upset brewing. That was one of my underdog picks of a week ago, and while it missed (thanks, Ty Montgomery!), it was awfully close.
In the process, Todd Gurley made an enemy out of quite a few sports bettors, as well as fantasy football players. The stud rusher opted not to score an easy walk-in touchdown, instead deciding to stay in bounds to ice the game.
That gave the Rams a two-point win instead of what was likely to be a 9-point win. Fantasy owners lost out on another Gurley score, and bettors missed LA covering by just a few yards.
It’s hard to blame Gurley’s team-first logic, though. In fact, you should be applauding it.
Instead of being selfish in his pursuit for LaDainian Tomlinson’s touchdown record (just one of many NFL player prop bets worth targeting right now), Gurley took one for the team to help ensure a victory.
Had Gurley punched in that score and the Rams somehow missed the extra point, Green Bay would have had about a minute left to still tie the game and force overtime. By just taking the knee, so to speak, Gurley locked up a win and kept the Rams perfect at 8-0.
That was a bummer for sports bettors, but anyone who bet on Green Bay to beat the spread (or didn’t roster Gurley in fantasy leagues) was probably pretty pleased.
It was a fun week for sports betting, but not so much for picking underdogs. Let’s recap the week and look ahead to some upset picks worth chasing this week.
All odds referenced for this week’s picks were available online on 10/29/2018. They may have changed since the time of writing.
Week in Review
Let’s just start with the elephant in the room; I loved the Packers to go into LA and get the win, and for about 99% of this game, they looked like they’d do it.
The Packers jumped out to a 10-0 lead early and were up 13-8 in the third quarter. Even when the Rams fired back and took a 23-13 lead, the Packers refused to give up, scoring two straight times to go up 27-26.
Green Bay was much too conservative on offense early in the game and blew some opportunities, but it’s hard not to point to Ty Montgomery’s inexcusable kick return fumble with two minutes to go.
Seriously, why would you even exit the end zone at that moment? It was a mind-boggling gaffe and one that robbed me and perhaps you of a sweet +340 underdog. Well, it at least robbed us of the chance at converting that bet.
Here’s a quick rundown of how last week’s underdog picks fared.
Los Angeles Dodgers over Boston Red Sox+130
Sacramento Kings over Denver Nuggets+535
Green Bay Packers over Los Angeles Rams+340
Carolina Panthers over Baltimore Ravens+110 
The Kings were never a very safe play, but their price was amazing, and they’d been playing surprisingly well. They were worth a roll of the dice.
I had two bets concerning LA-based teams. One was with the Dodgers taking game two to even up the series. They didn’t do it (and went on to lose the entire World Series on Sunday), but they were a solid bet at that price.
The Rams were at home and were 7-0, but that was too good of a line to pass up when it comes to Aaron Rodgers. I stand by that pick, and if Montgomery hadn’t taken that ball out of the end zone, you may have thanked me for it.
While it was another down week with my upset calls, I did score a win with the Panthers beating the Ravens at home. It was always a great play, as you need to consider home dogs anytime you can get them, and Carolina has been playing well.
I don’t love the 1-3 record (44-68-2 on the year), but it was dangerously close to 2-2 with a massive upset. Let’s try to get in the winning column again this week with a slew of my favorite underdog plays at GTbets.eu and other betting sites.
Oakland Raiders (+146) over San Francisco 49ers (-165)
Betting in favor of a Jon Gruden team gives me nausea right now, but the Raiders are actually in a great spot. The 49ers are battered by injuries, and both of these teams are hurting on a short week.
The only real edge the Niners have is the fact that they’re playing at home. Oakland doesn’t have to travel very far for this one, while the 49ers have to come to grips with the reality that they’re the type of team that gets swept by the Arizona Cardinals.
Considering those are the only two wins Arizona has in 2018, that’s pretty damaging.
San Francisco is operating offensively with a slew of backups, and they just don’t have much of an identity right now.
I know the Raiders are having a fire sale with their players, but unless some ridiculous third trade comes out of this roster, I’m going to take the money and run.
The Raiders still have some offensive talent, and as bad as they’ve been, they showed fight last week. They’re finally running into a team that they actually (gulp) might be better than. At a +146 price, I don’t mind taking on some risk to find out for sure.
PICKOakland Raiders+146
Pittsburgh Steelers (+135) over Baltimore Ravens (-154)
Baltimore comes into week nine as a home favorite against a Steelers team they already beat pretty easily earlier this year. That game was at Heinz Field, so if you want to argue that the Ravens have the mental edge, I’ll give you a second to plead your case.
The problem here is that the Steelers are starting to hit their stride, and the Ravens are regressing before our very eyes.
Baltimore does have the home field edge (2-1), but they are reeling right now with losses in three of their last four games. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is clicking during a nice three-game winning streak.
I note the Ravens are favored and are at home, but nothing else would get me to bet on them. Their once-proud defense just gave up 36 points to Carolina, and I’m not sure they can stifle the Steelers twice in one season.
History has this matchup swinging Pittsburgh’s way as well. Pittsburgh has been on a nice three-game tear in the series and should look to get back in the win column.
PICKPittsburgh Steelers+135
Houston Texans (+120) over Denver Broncos (-141)
One other interesting NFL game in week nine is this showdown in Denver between the Broncos and Texans. Houston comes in on fire with five straight wins behind them, while the Broncos limp in with five losses over their last six games.
Again, the only thing to hang your hat on if you’re the Broncos is that Vegas likes you, and you’re at home. The Broncos should otherwise be on tilt, as they just lost a tight game in Kansas City.
Houston, meanwhile, is down a burner in Will Fuller but has unleashed Deshaun Watson (5 touchdowns last week!) and looks primed to take over the AFC South for good.
This would be a huge win for the Texans and would get people to take them seriously about a potential title run.
Not because they’re beating the Broncos, of course, but because they keep winning and don’t let themselves get tripped up on the road here.
I like Houston in all facets right now, and I can’t say the same of Denver. Give me the +120 price and run with it.
PICKHouston Texans+120
Philadelphia Flyers (+114) over Anaheim Ducks (-126)
I don’t suggest NHL picks too often, but this one looks like a good case of “ride the wave.” Anaheim has not been in a good way lately, as they’ve dropped five straight and will host the Flyers tonight.
The Ducks got off to a hot start and are a respectable 2-1-2 at home, but they are in quite the slide. It’s not just their last five losses that are alarming, either, as they’ve looked pretty rough since a 2-0 start.
On the other side are the Flyers, who are in a slide of their own with three straight losses.
They’ve stolen two road wins already in the young season, however, and in a “something has to give” streak-buster, I’ll take the team offering better value.
PICKPhiladelphia Flyers+114
Washington Wizards (+1) @ Memphis Grizzlies (-1)
I only have the point spread to work with on this game right now. The game goes down tonight, though, so the moneyline will come out before long.
When it does, the Wizards will probably be offering a +100 or +105 bet, and I’m all for it.
The Wizards may have been really bad to start the year, but they can score with anyone and just need to buckle down and close games better.
Despite the Wizards’ lack of form, John Wall and Bradley Beal are still tough to take out on a nightly basis. And it’s not like the Grizzlies are world-beaters.
Memphis is a surprising 3-2 through five games and is 2-0 on their home floor, but this is a case of talent and urgency trumping home court.
Washington is 1-5 and has dropped three in a row. Road game or not, they need a win, and I think they get it here.
PICKWashington WizardsN/A
Summary
Last week wasn’t good for converting upset picks, but it was pretty close to panning out beautifully.
I don’t see nearly as many high-upside underdog plays this week, but I do like three NFL upset picks, and dabbling in the NHL isn’t a terrible idea.
NBA lines are always slow to get out, but for tonight, I really like Washington to return some mild value. They’ve had difficulty closing games out and just got housed by the Clippers, but they have too much talent to keep losing.
Overall, this gives you five new upset picks to consider mixing into your weekly betting schedule. Good luck with your wagers this week, and enjoy the games!
The post Upset Picks for Bettors to Target This Week – Picks for 10/30 to 11/4 appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
This Week in Gambling: NHL and MGM reach sports betting deal
Casino City Times
This Week in Gambling: NHL and MGM reach sports betting deal
The National Hockey League now joins the National Basketball Association in working with MGM and embracing betting on sports.
WSOP Europe €10,350 Main Event Draws 534 Entries over Registration Window
CasinoGamesPro.com
WSOP Europe €10,350 Main Event Draws 534 Entries over Registration Window
The World Series of Poker Europe slowly but surely approaches its final days as the Main Event progressed ahead with only 165 participants who managed to make it to this phase of the tournament. It is time for Day 3 of the culminating tournament which is going to grant its big winner with the tenth […]
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Come Next January Singapore Pools Gains Control over Kranji Horse Wagering, iTote
CasinoGamesPro.com
Come Next January Singapore Pools Gains Control over Kranji Horse Wagering, iTote
Singapore is well on its way to major changes in its sports betting field, as it has been recently announced that the very first days of 2019 will bring more power to Singapore Pools. Come 7th January the non-profit organization is set to obtain the management role when it comes to horse betting at Singapore […]
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Monday, October 29, 2018
Week 9 NFL Betting Lines – Early Analysis and Free Picks
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Week 9 NFL Betting Lines – Early Analysis and Free Picks
Week eight in the NFL was fairly anticlimactic. That’s not very true when it comes to the afternoon games (Rams vs. Packers was fun as heck), but the schedule as a whole delivered disappointing results.
I will give that Rams/Packers game props, though. And even though Green Bay didn’t give Aaron Rodgers the chance he deserved, the Packers at least tossed it back in Vegas’ face, easily beating a thick +9.5 point spread.
Not to pat myself on the back, but I actually saw that coming. I strolled into week eight’s NFL betting scene with a healthy 56-47-3 record and tacked on a nice 11-2 record (not counting week 8 MNF), and that included nailing the Packers as +9.5 underdogs.
It was a great week, and if you rolled with me, you should have done all right. Whether it was just week eight or as a whole (67-49-3 on the year), it’s been a solid run throughout 2018.
Let’s get ahead of everyone else and try to keep it going as we break down the early NFL betting lines for week nine.
All odds that are referenced in this post were taken from SportsBetting.ag on 10/28/2018. These odds may have changed since the time of this writing.
Oakland Raiders (+3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) Total: 47
The Raiders put up a valiant effort but fell yet again in week eight in a crazy shootout with the Colts. That drops them to 1-6 on the year, and at this point, they are awfully tough to get behind.
Jon Gruden is dismantling this team with each passing week, but as bad as the Raiders have been, this might be a week to target them.
The 49ers are without much reliable talent these days. I know they’re at home, but they’re just as bad at 1-7 and just got swept by the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s not easy to mutter these words, but give me the value with Oakland to at least keep it interesting.
PICKOakland Raiders (+3.5)-123
Detroit Lions (+6.5) @ Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) Total: N/A
The NFC North will start deciding things in week nine, as the Lions and Vikings – both fresh off of tough home losses – will send someone in this matchup closer to the bottom of the division.
Detroit is admittedly closer to that fate, but you at least have to give them a look. They have some solid wins on the year and have been competitive at nearly every turn.
I love the Vikings to win here, but this is a divisional clash, and the Lions will be desperate. Minnesota is the straight-up call, but the Lions should be able to stay within a touchdown.
PICKDetroit Lions (+6.5)-110
Kansas City Chiefs (-8) @ Cleveland Browns (+8) Total: 52
Aaron Rodgers and co. go into LA as +9.5 underdogs, and the 7-1 Chiefs are barely favored to win by a touchdown? That’s rich.
Cleveland has largely been competitive this year, but they’re no match for the Chiefs. The Browns were supposed to be strong defensively, too, and in recent weeks, they’ve gotten blasted for 45, 38, and 33 points.
Patrick Mahomes will probably go nuts in Ohio, and I highly doubt the Chiefs have a difficult time covering this palatable spread.
PICKKansas City Chiefs (-8)-110
Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) @ Baltimore Ravens (-3) Total: 47.5
Baltimore took care of business at Heinz Field earlier this year, and in week nine, they will go for the sweep of the Steelers. Vegas likes them here, as they’re on their own turf and badly need a win after dropping three of their last four.
The Ravens are dangerously close to falling out of the playoff picture, so I do acknowledge the value associated with them. Not only are they at home against a rival, but they already beat Pittsburgh.
The problem here is that the Steelers are the better overall team, and they’re running hot at the moment (three straight wins). I appreciate where Baltimore is and the importance of this game, but these are two teams headed in very different directions.
Pittsburgh feels like a fun straight-up road dog, but I’ll just bank on this one at least being a tight game.
PICKPittsburgh Steelers (+3)-125
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins Total: N/A
This is the only game for week nine that does not currently have any odds. That’s because Miami isn’t quite sure what they’ll be doing at quarterback or wide receiver.
The Dolphins have been surprisingly competitive all year and will be at home, so even though they are kind of in limbo right now, I feel like they’ll be a solid bet.
Fortunately, Vegas may not back them too hard due to their current issues. I just don’t love the idea of rolling with a rookie quarterback on the road against a rival.
Sam Darnold can be great, but he turns the ball over quite a bit and really doesn’t have many weapons to work with at the moment. Miami could be a sneaky play this week.
PICKMiami Dolphins to WinN/A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6) @ Carolina Panthers (-6) Total: N/A
The Bucs are back to square one, as they benched Jameis Winston after a four-pick effort and nearly beat the Bengals with Ryan Fitzpatrick.
For at least one day, #Fitzmagic was a trending narrative on Twitter again, and the Bucs had some hope. Truly, they were toast in a 34-16 beatdown on the road, yet Fitzpatrick led them to an 18-0 run and nearly forced overtime.
That didn’t happen, though, and now Tampa probably has a locker room divided. The Bucs are going nowhere, and I doubt a change under center rescues them from a tough spot in Carolina.
PICKCarolina Panthers (-6)-115
Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) @ Washington Redskins (-2.5) Total: 48
The Falcons are a very weird team, as they got off to an extremely slow start but are immensely talented and have been in just about every game this year.
Their schedule started easing up two weeks ago, and since then, they have won two straight and can make it three in DC this week. It’s impossible to ignore what is happening with the 5-2 Redskins, but just how long can bettors actually trust Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson?
Washington has the framework of a playoff contender, and they’ve been good (3-1) at home, but Atlanta is easily the more talented team. With their season hanging in the balance, I have to think the Falcons stay hot and get back to .500.
Atlanta ATS is a fine play, but let’s aim higher and go for the nice road upset.
PICKAtlanta Falcons to WinN/A
Houston Texans (+2.5) @ Denver Broncos (-2.5) Total: 47
Denver is merely a favorite in name this week. The Broncos did put up a heck of a fight against the mighty Chiefs in Kansas City, but that loss has to take the air out of this team.
Now 3-5, Denver is going nowhere in a hurry, and now they have to tackle the red-hot Texans (5 straight wins!). Houston could falter here, but I’m not ready to bet against Deshaun Watson right now.
Houston is also figuring out how to run the ball and defend. Case Keenum has an argument for the revenge narrative here, but I’ll pass.
PICKHouston Texans (+2.5)-105
Los Angeles Chargers (+1.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (-1.5) Total: 48
The Bolts have historically been the bane of my NFL betting existence, but they’ve actually surprised with a sweet 5-2 record. Los Angeles has done that without the help of star pass rusher Joey Bosa, too.
I like the Bolts as they stand, but going on the road and taking down the Seahawks is a tall order. Seattle just scored a big road win over the Lions and at 4-3 looks like a potential playoff threat again.
LA is more talented and needs to hang tight if they want to take down the Chiefs in the AFC West, but this could be a trap game for them.
PICKSeattle Seahawks ATS (-1.5)-110
Los Angeles Rams (-1) @ New Orleans Saints (+1) Total: N/A
I felt the first loss could potentially come for the Rams last week. It didn’t, but I’m ready to bite down on a big upset in week nine.
LA is stacked and probably one of the best Super Bowl 53 bets out there, but going on the road and taking down the red-hot Saints is just asking a lot.
Green Bay exposed some flaws in the Rams, and they’ve honestly had several close games already in 2018. They’re undefeated and obviously ablaze, but they’re facing a New Orleans team that is usually deadly at home and is looking pretty unstoppable themselves with six consecutive wins behind them.
If the Saints defend their home turf here, they get a signature win and suddenly look like the new favorite in the NFC. Even if the latter doesn’t last, I do love the value associated with New Orleans as a home dog this week.
PICKNew Orleans Saints to WinN/A
Green Bay Packers (+6) @ New England Patriots (-6) Total: N/A
The Packers did a terrific job beating a gaudy +9.5 point spread last week. Their defense showed real potential, and had it not been for some painfully conservative play-calling and a brutal fumble, perhaps we’d be talking about an amazing upset.
That didn’t happen, and now I have to think Green Bay is on full tilt. That was a potentially season-changing road win, and they have to turn right back around and go face Tom Brady on the road?
I’m not digging that at all, so while I would normally jump at Aaron Rodgers as an underdog, this is more about the Packers (and the Pats) as a whole.
PICKNew England Patriots (-6)-115
Tennessee Titans (+4.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) Total: N/A
The last game of the week goes down in Jerry World, where the Cowboys will lick their wounds stemming from last week’s loss to the Redskins.
Dallas doesn’t have much time to reflect on the past, though, as they need to try to regain their footing in the NFC East. I’m rarely into doubting Dallas at home, and I haven’t trusted the Titans much at all in 2018.
Dak Prescott gets to play with new toy Amari Cooper, and I’m guessing any amount of success down the field works wonders for Ezekiel Elliott and the ground game. That being said, I don’t trust Dallas to win by five. The price isn’t amazing, but give me Dallas to simply win this one.
PICKDallas Cowboys to WinN/A
Summary
This sets up as a very fun week. I think it’s very important to take this early look at NFL lines, and that’s going to be the case whether you actually act on those odds right away or not.
For week nine, there is plenty to get excited about. My favorite play of the entire week might be the Saints being loudly doubted at home against the Rams.
Is Los Angeles for sure the superior team? I’m not even sure. They arguably have more talent, but Sean Payton has a terrific system, and I tend to trust the veteran Drew Brees over Jared Goff.
I’m positive it’ll be a terrific showdown, and in all, this shapes up as a fantastic week. Whether you roll with my week nine NFL picks or not, hopefully I shed some light on a few of these games and set you up for success.
Either way, good luck this week, and enjoy the games!
The post Week 9 NFL Betting Lines – Early Analysis and Free Picks appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
Evolution Gaming Group AB premieres Live Infinite Blackjack
World Casino News
Evolution Gaming Group AB premieres Live Infinite Blackjack
APCW Perspectives: Disturbing headlines
Casino City Times
APCW Perspectives: Disturbing headlines
After a week away, there is some disturbing news stories out of Costa Rica, as well as a potentially dangerous decision for our industry from the U.S.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Realistic Games announces new Shuffle Bots slot game
World Casino News
Realistic Games announces new Shuffle Bots slot game
6 Reasons Why the Milwaukee Brewers Could Win the 2019 World Series
GamblingSites.com
6 Reasons Why the Milwaukee Brewers Could Win the 2019 World Series
The Milwaukee Brewers were one of the best stories in baseball in 2018. Sure, the Oakland Athletics were fun, and for a second there, the Colorado Rockies were interesting. But nobody leaned on analytics and in-game adjustments more to maximize their talent.
All of the Craig Counsell jokes aside, Milwaukee’s skipper made a lot of bold calls and relied on numbers and trends to inch the Brewers along. It’s hard to doubt him at this point, too, seeing as the Brewers won the NL Central and got within a game of a trip to the 2018 World Series.
Milwaukee is one of the smallest market teams in the majors, and they stretched out their talent and took it as far as it would take them.
The in-season moves to improve on the fly weren’t non-existent, either. They did trade for guys like Mike Moustakas, Jonathan Schoop, and Gio Gonzalez. However, the Brew Crew largely picked up where they left off in 2017 and simply kept getting better.
It led to an unlikely #1 seed in the NL playoffs as well as a trip to the NLCS. It was pretty shocking even in a down year for the National League, so it’s fair to wonder if this was just over-achievement at its finest or a classic example of “lightning in a bottle.”
Either could have easily been the case, but baseball bettors also need to wonder if the Brewers are simply just this good.
Milwaukee isn’t exactly in a cakewalk division, though, so assuming they’ll come crashing back down to earth in 2019 isn’t some crazy notion. The Chicago Cubs will be back to try to take back the NL Central crown, while you probably can’t write off the St. Louis Cardinals, either.
Heck, even the Pittsburgh Pirates were making some noise for a second there in 2018.
All of the doubt has crept in already, and it’s bled into the online sports betting sites. Most sites are not favoring Milwaukee to make it to the final four of the MLB playoffs, let alone the final series.
Their odds rest at 14/1 at the moment, which rings in as the eighth best 2019 World Series odds. Depending on what injuries or moves come between now and spring training, they could drop even further.
Still, the Brewers had a certain mentality to them, and there’s no denying their offensive firepower. If they make the right moves and things break just right, they could actually take the next big step and win the franchise’s first World Series title.
I don’t think it will be easy, and I’m not necessarily guaranteeing it, but this is a team worth rooting for.
Here’s how the Brewers could make it happen.
They Still Have All of the Power
That aforementioned power is what made the Brew Crew so dangerous the past two years and a huge reason why they may still contend for their first-ever title in 2019.
MVP candidate Christian Yelich bombed away to a career-high 36 homers, while Milwaukee ranked 4th in home runs, 11th in hits, 12th in runs, 12th in batting average, and 12th in RBI.
The Brewers were only truly ELITE when it came to their power on offense, but they were still above average in every other meaningful statistical category.
The main problem for Milwaukee’s offense has always been strikeouts and a lack of production outside of home runs. It’s easy to see that with one glance at the Brew Crew’s walk rate (15th) and whiffs.
If they can get a little more efficient at the plate (7th most strikeouts last year), they could be even more deadly in 2019.
They also can dong the ball as well as anyone, and their aggressiveness on the bases (4th in steals) shouldn’t go unnoticed.
The pop is there, and this is for sure going to be a team that can hang runs on you.
But if they can find a way to get more efficient while not losing that long ball upside, Milwaukee just might morph into the best team in the majors.
Their Bullpen Is Still Nasty
If you’re not talking about Milwaukee’s power, you have to give a nod to their bullpen.
Their amazing pitching rotation beyond their starters is a massive reason why they won more games in the NL than anyone else and also a key to their playoff success.
Nobody loves the idea of “bullpenning” their way to a championship, but it’s become an increasingly more acceptable MLB strategy. It’s also pretty much responsible for Milwaukee almost reaching this year’s World Series.
I still think Brewers aces like Jhoulys Chacin, Gio Gonzalez, and Wade Miley deserve credit for pitching above their heads all year, even if they’re not what you’d call true aces.
They survived plenty of games and were spot-on with management, but it’s fairly safe to say this team would have been lost without a lights-out bullpen.
As a whole, this was the fifth best bullpen (3.47 collective ERA) during the regular season, and Josh Hader gives them one of the best closing options in baseball. Add the likes of Jeremy Jeffress, Corey Knebel, and others, and Milwaukee looks very strong to close out games.
I was not a fan of the team repeatedly going back to a struggling Jeffress, but this remains a strong unit and should again be one of the best in the big leagues next year.
Jimmy Nelson Will Be Back
One thing people seem to forget is that the Brewers weren’t even at full strength in 2018. Top ace Jimmy Nelson isn’t Clayton Kershaw, but he enjoyed a career year before suffering a shoulder injury in 2017.
After sitting out all of 2018, Nelson should be back at full strength in 2019, and barring some big moves to beef up their starting rotation, he could head an underrated, albeit less than flashy unit.
Nelson has not historically always been dominant, but he does offer strikeout upside, and he seemed to be really turning a corner in his most recent season of work.
Should Nelson pick up where he left off, the Brewers may really have a better starting unit than some suggest.
I also would hate to miss an opportunity to point out the potential rise of youngster Freddy Peralta.
Command has not been Peralta’s strong suit, but he’s immensely talented and could develop into a key arm for the Brew Crew as quickly as 2019. He flashed with 13 whiffs in his pro debut in Colorado, which is not an easy accomplishment.
He was inconsistent as a rookie, but the talent and upside are clear to see.
There are no guarantees, but if Nelson and Peralta come back and give the Brewers two rock-solid starters, this defense could improve by quite a bit without even digging into their pockets.
Milwaukee Isn’t Done Adding Talent
Due to free agency and possible movement on the trade block, the Brewers could look a bit different in 2019 than they did when the season ended.
That’s certainly true on the mound, as Chase Anderson is a trade chip at this point, and guys like Gio Gonzalez and Wade Miley need to come to agreements to stay in town.
Offensively, Milwaukee needs to decide if keeping around aging outfielder Ryan Braun is helping more than it’s hurting.
Eric Thames is another guy the Brewers need to make a decision on, while Mike Moustakas appears ready to enter free agency.
Milwaukee could easily opt to move on from the likes of Braun, Thames, and Anderson, while Moose could go to a team deemed more likely to contend.
All of this could free things up a bit for the Brewers to make a splash, and at this point, it makes more sense for them to chase down a true ace.
Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, David Price, and a few others will be available, while the Brewers could also try to swing some moves via trades.
I don’t know how realistic landing any big-name arms really is, but it’s certainly something Milwaukee will have to look into.
Beyond pitching, the Brewers could be in for an upgrade at catcher. Not every team has a legit catching option behind home plate, but Milwaukee has been dealing with a rotation ever since losing Jonathan Lucroy.
A reunion with Lucroy (who is a free agent) isn’t completely out of the question, while viable upgrades like Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos will also hit the open market.
Elsewhere, mashers like Steve Pearce, Matt Adams, Jed Lowrie, Asdrubal Cabrera, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado, A.J. Pollock, and Bryce Harper (among others) will be available to the highest bidder.
Milwaukee isn’t stacked with cash like the Dodgers, Yankees, and other big market teams, though, so who they can bring in might be a little more limited than some would care to admit.
That being said, there is room for some improvement, and there will be a lot of options for the Brewers to pursue.
Depending on who they bring in, Milwaukee can still add to an already talented roster and get even better in 2019.
The NL Central Isn’t Exactly Elite
You can debate how Milwaukee’s roster will look once the new MLB season rolls around, but what you can’t ignore is that the NL Central isn’t as scary as it once was.
I said it’s not exactly a cakewalk division, and it’s not. But it’s also not an ELITE division.
Milwaukee finished the year with the best record in the NL, but they still had to take out the Cubs in a one-off game to decide the division.
It was a down year for the NL as a whole, but the Brewers still fended off the Cubs and have been very close to them for the past couple of years now.
Chicago has a talented offense, but they were erratic in 2018, and they do not have consistently fearful pitching. The Cardinals are rather similar, and nobody else in this division is a realistic threat to rise to the top.
This isn’t a bad division by any means, and the Brewers did happen to benefit from a down year in the NL, but the clear path back to postseason play comes through winning the division again.
While it won’t be easy, the Brewers absolutely will be in the mix to repeat, and taking the crown for the second year in a row would at least put them in position to go on another deep playoff run.
Teams Don’t Reach the NLCS by Accident
One last thing to consider is the fact that the Brewers got to the NLCS because they’re good, not because they’re lucky.
Milwaukee beat the Cubs in Chicago in a game that decided the NL Central division. Prior to that, they had the best record in the NL and earned every bit of that division crown on the heels of it.
They also earned home field advantage and promptly swept a pretty good Rockies team in the first round of the playoffs.
Once in the NLCS, Milwaukee did not waver, as they took a 1-0 series lead and even went up 2-1 before ultimately forcing a game seven.
The Brewers ran out of gas in the end, but it was on merit and talent that they enjoyed this dream season.
Recent history suggests that the Brewers could well build on last season’s performance and turn that into another amazing run.
Those Dodgers that just edged out the Brewers by four runs in a decisive game seven? This was their third consecutive NLCS appearance. Winning that game pushed them into their second straight World Series as well.
LA isn’t the only team to be successful once cracking their first NLCS, either.
Chicago had appeared in three straight NLCS’s of their own before this season, while the St. Louis Cardinals played in (and won two) NLCS’s from 2011 to 2014.
The San Francisco Giants also reached the NLCS three times between 2010 and 2014, while the Philadelphia Phillies got here in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
None of this guarantees Milwaukee will be back in the NLCS in 2019, and it doesn’t mean they’ll for sure advance to the World Series (let alone win) if they do.
It does show, however, that teams that reach the NLCS tend to make it there for a reason and that a club like the Brewers could come back into 2019 with a big goal in mind.
Some forget that the Brewers reached the NLCS as recently as 2011. It will be very interesting to see if this is yet another “one and done” Brewers team or if they’ll follow suit like other teams and be back for more.
Will the Brewers Win the 2019 World Series?
Are the Brewers locks to end 2019 with the best record in the National League again? I highly doubt it.
However, they’re in a division where they can easily finish the season in first place again, and if they don’t, they should be pushing for second and give themselves a chance as a wild card team.
Needless to say, the Brewers shouldn’t experience some drastic fall-off, and if they can actually enhance their roster, they have the power on offense and arms in the bullpen to piece together another magical run.
It does feel a bit like the 2018 season was a special one that got away from them, but MLB teams tend to answer the call after pushing hard like this.
Milwaukee has a lot of fantastic pieces in place, and it will absolutely take some big moves to keep them in contention, but I see the foundation of a special team.
More importantly, I don’t see anyone in the NL that is for SURE better than them.
The Dodgers beat them and had more money, but their paid-for talent couldn’t provide some crazy gap. The names and cash make the Dodgers look better, but Milwaukee really wasn’t far behind at all.
Atlanta will be better, and they’ll have the Phillies right behind them in the NL East. The Cubs and Cards will be there, but they’re not automatically ahead of the Brewers by any means.
The NL West has more than just the Dodgers, too, but looking over the NL, it is not a reach to suggest Milwaukee still has a clear path to the playoffs and possibly much more.
That still may involve getting past the Cubs and finishing off Los Angeles, but an improved Brewers team can potentially do that.
Conclusion
As things stand, the top betting sites don’t think the Brewers will win it all, and I hate to say I have to agree with them.
That being said, the Brewers are a fun underdog story, and they are fully equipped to defy logic again in 2019. Besides, away from the top in the World Series odds department is precisely how these Brewers like it.
Baseball bettors can keep doubting them, but not placing any money on Milwaukee in 2019 may prove to be a big mistake.
The post 6 Reasons Why the Milwaukee Brewers Could Win the 2019 World Series appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
ProgressPlay selects Groove Gaming Limited
World Casino News
ProgressPlay selects Groove Gaming Limited
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Dark Vortex online slot -- YGGDRASIL
eGaming
Dark Vortex online slot -- YGGDRASIL
Yggdrasil's new slot, Dark Vortex, delivers unique features and launches just in time for operators’ Halloween campaigns.
Tiger vs. Phil Go Head-to-Head – Get Your Popcorn Ready for the Golf Match of the Year
GamblingSites.com
Tiger vs. Phil Go Head-to-Head – Get Your Popcorn Ready for the Golf Match of the Year
I’m not one who likes to toot my own horn, but I’ve got to say, I’ve pretty much called Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson just right so far.
When the rumblings initially came out that these two golfing giants would square off in a mano a mano showdown, there was a lot of speculation as to when and where the match would take place and if the match would even go down at all.
Well, take a peek at the Tiger vs. Phil blog I wrote back in July, and you’ll see that my premonitions proved to be correct. Well, just about.
Technically, I suspected it would happen in October instead of November, but I was spot on about it taking place at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
The most private venue in all of Sin City represents the ideal setting for such a highly-anticipated match. I can say that, as I’m in the lucky boat of people who have had the privilege of teeing it up at the stunning Tom Fazio design in North Las Vegas.
It has already been stated that no tickets will be publicly sold for those interested in attending this event, as the only way to check this thing out will be via television. WarnerMedia owns the broadcasting rights and will be offering the telecast via pay-per-view, so get your popcorn ready.
Because despite being older and perhaps not in their primes, this is THE matchup that the people still want to see.
There will be some who will pout and be upset that they can’t watch it for free and are not permitted to spectate in person.
But here’s what else I know.
This is Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson playing a round of golf with 9 million bucks on the line. I expect a whole bunch of back-and-forth banter, meaning I expect this to be must-see television.
So when push comes to shove, are you going to be caught asking your friends later that night who won the match and if it lived up to the hype? Or are you going to suck it up and do whatever you can to make sure you don’t miss out?
What to Expect
What we know is that the match is going down at Shadow Creek Golf Course on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
But other than the date of the match and the venue, a lot is still up in the air.
We still don’t know the actual format for this duel, despite what you may have heard.
Because while you can bet on the spread of the match being less than or greater than 1.5 strokes, Phil has actually gone on record stating that the format will be match play.
Mickelson went as far as telling GolfChannel.com that the match will also feature “mid-round” competitions that will be brought on by “spur of the moment” dilemmas.
For example, a player could challenge the other in a closest-to-the-hole or long drive challenge, but nothing is set in stone just yet.
What looks to be certain is that both Phil and Tiger, along with their caddies, will be “mic’d up.” This will serve as a direct way for the viewers to hear all the discussions, both the good and the bad. This is what Phil had to say about that.
“It allows us to be a little more real, if you will. We think there will be some pretty good interest, but we’re trying to present it in a way that you don’t get to see with normal TV.”
Golf is a gentleman’s game, and I understand it is meant to be played with proper etiquette displayed at all times.
But this isn’t your typical round of golf, as simple math tells us each hole is worth the unfathomable amount of $500,000!
And remember when I said that no tickets were being sold?
Well, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any individuals following the action inside the ropes.
In fact, I’m expecting there to be a crowd of people that somewhat resembles a Mike Tyson fight from the ’90s on the Las Vegas Strip.
You and I might not be able to get a ticket, but you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be more than a couple familiar faces in attendance. Perhaps well-known athletes and/or musicians will be on hand, but this will undoubtedly be an “invite-only” festivity.
Some More Exciting News Brewing
While the anticipation is eagerly building for Black Friday to arrive, it’s looking like this will only be the start of these high-stakes golf battles between the world’s best players.
I learned from a Golf Digest article that Tiger and Phil are hoping to organize more of these “non-traditional golf events” in the future, perhaps even having two-man teams compete against one another.
We all loved watching Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth take on Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter in a foursomes session in Paris last month.
Imagine if they got in the ring again, this time with $9 million on the line, and perhaps during primetime?
My guess is that WarnerMedia won’t have many problems selling packages.
We Have Been Down This Road Before
Do you remember when Tiger was pitted against David Duval at the Showdown at Sherwood in 1999?
I ask because that started out as just being a “one-time thing.” But the fans ate it up and begged for more, so then came the Battle at Bighorn in 2000.
That was a heads-up match between Tiger and Sergio, which made sense after the two battled anxiously down the stretch in the final major of the 1999 season.
Garcia won 1 up and collected $1.1 million for his efforts, but you shouldn’t feel too sorry for “Eldrick,” as he walked away with a cool 400 grand himself.
And there was more. Much more.
We saw Woods and Duval pair up with the LPGA’s two biggest stars (Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb) in 2001 in an alternate shot format in which Tiger and Annika outlasted David and Karrie in 19 holes.
The exciting turnout, which also took place at Bighorn Golf Club, was again a hit, and the winning duo split the $1.2 million check that was awarded to the victorious team.
In 2002, Tiger and Sergio returned to Bighorn, this time in a fourball match that included legends Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino.
Woods and the Golden Bear fended off “El Niño” and “The Merry Mex,” in part due to the remarkable 9 birdies that Tiger poured in over the 16 holes that were played.
The series moved to an upscale area of San Diego called Rancho Santa Fe in 2003, as the “Battle at the Bridges” ensued with a new four-man combination.
Woods and Garcia were again the central figures, but this time Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson hopped aboard to see what these “Monday Night Matches” were all about.
Sergio (partnered with Mickelson) eagled the 16th hole to earn him and Phil the 3&1 victory over Tiger and Ernie, and again, a $1.2 million check was split between the two winners. Don’t worry, Phil and Ernie got to split a smaller check worth half a million dollars, so nobody went home hungry.
The 2004 edition of the Battle of the Bridges decided to change up the pace, and a severe dip in the Nielsen ratings proved it wasn’t necessarily the best idea. Long bombers John Daly and Hank Kuehne were added to the fray, as Tiger and Hank took on Lefty and Big John in a better-ball format.
Woods and Kuehne emerged in 17 holes, but the drop in interest level amongst the general public was notable.
That’s why the 2005 Battle at the Bridges was the final one to be played, although Vijay Singh refused to take part in what was supposed to be a battle of the top-4 ranked players in the world (Els later withdrew as well).
Instead, it ended up being Tiger and John Daly locking horns with Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen.
Phil and Retief won uneventfully, and Tiger officially bowed out of competing in any more “showdowns” for the foreseeable future.
I’d like to note that Tiger did square off against Rory McIlroy seven years later in an 18-hole stroke play match deemed the “2012 Duel at Lake Jinsha.”
This was appropriate given that Rory and Tiger were ranked #1 and #2 in the world respectively and were the two biggest names in the sport at the time. After ESPN and ABC had shared the rights during the previous high-stakes matches, this one was made available via pay-per-view only.
Tiger played well and posted a 4-under-par 68, although he was narrowly edged out by Rory’s 67.
Why Things Will Be Better This Time Around
Out of the previous 7 Monday Night Matches that were nationally broadcasted, the 2000 Battle at Bighorn featuring Tiger and Sergio head-to-head received the highest ratings (7.6) of all.
That’s no shocker to me when you realize how big the developing “Tiger-Sergio rivalry” was at the time.
So while Tiger and Phil might no longer be rivals per se, they are still undeniably the two men that move the needle the most.
As some golfers and analysts say, Tiger doesn’t move the needle. Tiger IS the needle.
Throw in the facts that Tiger and Phil will be jawing back and forth and that the purse has been more than quadrupled since the matches of the early 2000s, and as I’ve said above – get your popcorn ready.
There is going to be drama. There are going to be highlights. And nobody is going to be disappointed they watched this play out.
And once Black Friday passes us by and this match is in the books, look for Tiger and Phil to start conversing about when the next duel will take place, and more importantly, who will be featured.
But until this Tiger vs. Phil match is over, this is the only one worth talking about.
I want to shift gears into the betting aspect of this match, so let’s take a quick glance at each player before I give you my advice.
Tiger Woods
If I need to introduce Tiger Woods and tell you about his accomplishments, then perhaps you clicked on the wrong page.
Tiger won the 2018 TOUR Championship in September, marking his 80th victory on the PGA Tour. Given the status of Tiger Woods’ golf game from 2014-2017, some think his most recent triumph at East Lake Club was as remarkable as any.
And while I was uber-impressed with Tiger’s performance at the season-ending event, I saw this coming from a mile away.
And you should have as well.
It wasn’t like Woods came out of nowhere in Atlanta and caught the 30-man field by surprise. In fact, he was one of the tournament favorites leading in!
What is remarkable is the journey Tiger endured to get back to playing at this elite level.
Remember, folks, this time last year, Tiger was ranked 656th in the world and had no clear goals in sight. He wasn’t even sure if and when he would be playing competitively again, or even playing at all!
If someone would have told you he would contend in majors and be a fixture to win the FedEx Cup title in September, you would have called them crazy.
Look, I’m not trying to pretend that Tiger is back to being invincible and will win 25+% of his starts in 2019. But the truth is, he actually looks happy and more content playing now than he ever has.
This “new version of Tiger” is not only great for the game of golf, but it’s great for his continued development as a human being.
Once Tiger is happy and in a groove with his golf game, the rest of the PGA Tour has no choice but to take notice.
Phil Mickelson
Fans of Phil Mickelson surely would like me to spend my time speaking on his illustrious career, or perhaps even how “Lefty” began the 2018 campaign.
Because if we talk about Phil’s results in the middle and latter part of the 2018 season, you won’t find anything worth noting.
Mickelson logged six top-10s during the 2017/2018 FedEx Cup schedule. The only problem is that the most recent one was at the Wells Fargo Championship way back during the first week in May!
To help put that in perspective, here are a few things that have happened in the world since Phil last recorded a top-10 finish.
“The Royal Wedding” – Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at the Windsor Castle The Vegas Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup The Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the NBA FinalsAnd remember the TOUR Championship that Tiger won last month?
Well, Mickelson finished dead last and essentially embarrassed himself the following week in Paris. Phil was so out of sorts at the Ryder Cup that Captain Furyk had to leave Mickelson on the sidelines for the entirety of Saturday’s play.
Just ask Phil what the 17th and 18th holes at Le Golf National’s Albatros Course were like.
He’d be hard-pressed to tell you considering that Phil got closed out well before he reached the 17th tee in both matches he played!
Believe it or not, I’m not here to poke fun at Mickelson or to laugh at the way he has been playing. I love Phil as a golfer, but it’s my job to point out the facts.
And the fact of the matter is that right now, Phil isn’t playing very well.
Of course, this is golf, and things can change at the drop of a hat.
And once you put an eye-popping amount of cash on the table, something tells me that Phil will kick it into gear.
My Betting Advice
If you want to bet on Phil, the time is now. I can’t imagine the public perception of Phil will get any lower than it is right now, as his horrendous late-season performances (chiefly at the Ryder Cup) are fresh in the general public’s mind.
And I’ll tell you where your best option to do that is below.
Take a look at the current pricing of who will win the match at three of the top betting sites out there.
| Tiger Woods -200 | Tiger Woods -220 | Tiger Woods -250 |
| Phil Mickelson +170 | Phil Mickelson +180 | Phil Mickelson +175 |
The +180 price attached to Phil over at Sportsbook.ag is rather appetizing, considering this is still just one round of golf where a lot can happen.
If you are in the camp that thinks Tiger will demolish Phil at Shadow Creek, you’ll want to place your wager at BetOnline.ag. You can see that the -200 price is currently the most favorable line for those wanting to bet on Woods.
But for those of you who have patience, I suggest waiting this out a bit more until more information is released. Neither player will be competing on the PGA Tour in the interim, so it’s unlikely that the lines for who wins the match will dramatically shift.
But once more details are finalized about the format of this match, expect the floodgates to open.
I’m talking about a bevy of prop bets that are sure to be released as we approach the November 23rd date.
You can already bet on the spread of the match and what color shirt each man will be sporting. I imagine a litany of additional props will be coming out, perhaps ones that even involve the players’ caddies.
If you want to ensure you don’t miss out, you can bookmark our blog homepage so that you stay completely in the loop.
When the time does come for me to create another post concentrated on how to attack betting this match, I promise I won’t leave you hanging!
Get Ready for Black Friday!
I can’t stress this enough, but you aren’t going to want to miss this one. The chances of you ever seeing Tiger and Phil play head-to-head in Sin City for $9 million again are slim to none.
While additional duels will likely be in play in the future, it’s unlikely that we’ll see Woods and Mickelson in the heat of the action again.
Avid golf fans like myself have been waiting and hoping for a long, long time that something like this would take place.
And now, we no longer have to wonder, and we no longer have to wait.
Friday, November 23rd, is a day when most will be digesting their turkey and figuring out which mall to go to.
And while they’re doing that, I’ll be tuned in to a golf match that will be unlike any we’ve ever seen before!
The post Tiger vs. Phil Go Head-to-Head – Get Your Popcorn Ready for the Golf Match of the Year appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
Macau’s Gambling Field is at Capacity with Six Concessions, Former SJM Holdings Exec
CasinoGamesPro.com
Macau’s Gambling Field is at Capacity with Six Concessions, Former SJM Holdings Exec
Macau faces a period of changes in the foreseeable future as all six of its casino developers will have to renew their casino licensing in 2020 and 2022, inevitably causing uncertainty within the field. Following expressed interest by foreign casino developers hoping hey could find a way to enter the field, Former SJM Holdings Executive […]
The post Macau’s Gambling Field is at Capacity with Six Concessions, Former SJM Holdings Exec appeared first on CasinoGamesPro.com.
Steven Wright returns to Treasure Island
Casino City Times
Steven Wright returns to Treasure Island
The deadpan comic will headline the Treasure Island Theatre in Las Vegas on 30 November.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Week 8 NFL Betting – Top Picks for this Weekend’s Games
GamblingSites.com
Week 8 NFL Betting – Top Picks for this Weekend’s Games
Are you ready for Sunday’s slate of games?
The NFL’s Week 8 schedule has some interesting matchups on the table, and I’ve been scouring the betting sheets at the top sites looking for the most favorable prices.
As long as you are all caught up with what happened last week, it’s time to start keying in on the games to bet this weekend.
What you do with your money and which games you end up wagering will be up to you. I’m just here to offer my perspective on what I think will happen.
We’ve been cruising along so far in 2018 at 16-11-1 against the spread (ATS), so let’s try and continue being on the right side of profitability.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Simply put, the Kansas City Chiefs are tormenting the Las Vegas sportsbooks in 2018. Andy Reid’s squad is a perfect 7-0 ATS this season and will look to make it 8-0 this Sunday against the Denver Broncos at home.
Back on October 1st, the Chiefs defeated the Broncos in Denver during an epic Monday Night Football game in which Patrick Mahomes took over late in the game.
But after looking closely at the Week 8 matchup, something tells me that the Chiefs aren’t going to need any late-game heroics from their quarterback to get by in this one.
Because this Chiefs offense is flying so high right now, they’re likely to put up 35+ points without hardly breaking a sweat.
I’m not really concerned about some daunting pass rush from Von Miller and company, as I’ve already witnessed Mahomes torch this defense for 300+ yards at Mile High Stadium.
Now Patrick gets to play at Arrowhead Stadium in front of the Chiefs’ rambunctious fan base.
This thing is going to get wild, and there is no version of Denver shutting KC’s offense down.
While Kansas City’s defense has been pretty dreadful in their own right, they were able to gain some momentum last week when they held the Bengals to just 239 yards and allowed just 10 total points.
Anyone who thinks Case Keenum and the Denver offense is going to be able to keep pace with the Chiefs just must not be paying close enough attention. Or they are just die-hard Bronco fans who refuse to see the writing on the wall.
Because the truth is, the “Orange Crush” already had an opportunity to slow down Mahomes and pick up a victory against Kansas City back in Week 4, but they let that one squander away.
So you can think that Sunday’s game in KC will be anything other than a convincing win, and you can hope the Chiefs finally fail to cover.
Or you can realize that the oddsmakers still aren’t respecting this team enough.
PICKChiefs (-10)-101
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders
These are the spots I look for.
Oakland has been in the news after trading away Amari Cooper, and word on the street is that Raiders players are not happy with how Jon Gruden handled the situation. The Silver and Black are 1-5 and looked atrocious their last time out against Seattle when they got pummeled 27-3.
Losing Marshawn Lynch to a severe groin injury isn’t going to help, nor is having to fill the void of Cooper’s absence.
Because stockpiling another first-round draft pick does absolutely nothing positive for this team in 2018.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts are fresh off their most complete performance of the season after they drubbed the Bills at home 37-5.
So obviously, the Raiders have no chance to win this game, right?
Hold up.
This Colts team that everyone is suddenly excited about is just 2 weeks removed from giving up 42 points to the Jets. Before that, they gave up 38 to New England and 37 to Houston.
Beating the Derek Anderson-led Bills in your own building is nothing to write home about, and running back Marlon Mack is unlikely to be at full strength on Sunday – if he plays at all.
Although Mack rushed for a career-high 126 yards last weekend, he sustained an ankle injury that may prohibit him from continuing his breakout in Indy for now.
While I have been ultra-disappointed in the product that Jon Gruden and his team has displayed thus far, I can’t just throw in the towel on this franchise yet.
They project to be going absolutely nowhere in 2018, but here’s a fact about this particular game.
Oakland is coming off their bye week, meaning Gruden and his staff has had plenty of time to reflect and strategize for the Colts.
The Raiders will be playing at home, and with as restless as Raider Nation is likely feeling, this is a really big spot for Derek Carr and his brotherhood.
After watching the Colts play through 7 weeks, I just can’t get on board with them being a 3-point road favorite against a team coming off their bye.
I know Oakland has also struggled, but this is a game that I think allows them to get back on track.
And if they don’t win, at least we have a little insurance with the 3-point cushion.
PICKRaiders (+3)+100
Washington Redskins at New York Giants
This has a funny-looking line when you first glance at it on paper.
Because on one hand, we have a team that is 4-2 and leading their division. On the other hand, we have the team in last place in that same division at 1-6, not to mention that they’re losers of 4 straight.
So why were the last-place Giants favored by 1 on some of the sites?
Right now, the game is a “pick’em” on BetOnline.ag, but that’s actually not the bet I’m targeting in this one.
Because after doing some homework and digging through the numbers, I’m not sure I see the total reaching the 42.5 number that most sites have this game set at.
Take a look.
If you are wondering why the Redskins are 4-2 and leading the NFC East Division, look no further than their defense.
Greg Manusky’s unit currently ranks 5th in the NFL in yards allowed/game, anchored by a stout run D that limits the opposition to just 87.3 ground yards per contest.
Linebackers Mason Foster and Zach Brown lead a defense that has already forced 11 fumbles, 7 of which they have recovered (2nd in the NFL).
I watched Eli Manning struggle to score 20 points against a putrid Falcons defense while playing on fast turf on Monday Night Football.
Now you want me to believe that Pat Shurmur has suddenly solved his head coaching deficiencies and that this offense is going to light Washington up on the road?
I’m not buying into that theory.
Last year, when these two teams played on Thanksgiving, only 30 points were scored in a Redskins 20-10 victory. Then on New Year’s Eve for their Week 17 matchup, just 28 points were put up in a Giants 18-10 win.
I’m not going to try and predict exactly what the final score will be on Sunday afternoon, but 42 and a half points just seems like a bit of stretch.
PICKUnder 42.5-105
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals
I agree that the Cincinnati Bengals looked horrendous last week in Kansas City. Not only did they get blown out 45-10, but they hardly looked competitive.
And earlier in the day in Tampa, Chandler Catanzaro ripped a 59-yard field goal in OT to cap off a victory over the Browns.
So can the Bucs keep it rolling and pick up a road victory in Cincy?
I mean, theoretically, of course they can.
But after doing some research, I feel this game should be closer to a 6-7 point spread in favor of the Bengals.
The fact that the line is down at 4 makes me think the oddsmakers are a bit concerned about the recency bias from the general public.
Being that the Bengals were on Sunday Night Football during primetime and completely laid an egg, bettors are justifiably a bit nervous on backing Marvin Lewis’s club.
So rather than have the Bengals favored by about 6 and a half for a home game against Tampa Bay, they’re instead only favored by 4.
So I see this as an opportunity to pounce on Andy Dalton!
“The Red Rifle” has already tossed 15 touchdown passes through his team’s first 7 games, and he should have a chance to throw at least a couple more tonight. Because if you haven’t seen how the Buccaneers defense has been performing so far in 2018, allow me to bring you up to speed.
| 327.5 (32nd) | 32.7 (32nd) | 1 (t-31st) |
So after seeing this, can you get on board with the Bucs defense being abominable so far?
Would you agree that a road test against an angry and motivated Cincy squad isn’t exactly the best recipe for getting back on track?
I see the Bengals scoring a bunch of points, and I’m more than wary of the Buccaneers not being able to keep up.
PICKBengals (-4)-110
The Review
Boy, am I excited for Sunday morning to get here.
To me, few things are better than watching NFL action.
This weekend promises to be exhilarating no matter what happens, as excitement tends to follow closely behind any time I place a wager on a game.
I let you in on the 4 matchups I’ll be keeping a close eye on and even provided a multitude of reasons why.
All that’s left to do is for you to set up your account at BetOnline.ag and start firing away!
Enjoy the action and keep checking our blog, because I’ll be back on Monday with a deep look into the Patriots-Bills AFC East clash on MNF!
The post Week 8 NFL Betting – Top Picks for this Weekend’s Games appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
Pragmatic Play announces new Ancient Egypt Classic slot game
World Casino News
Pragmatic Play announces new Ancient Egypt Classic slot game
Controversial Prairie Flower Casino Rushes to Blossom Despite Decade-Long Litigation
CasinoGamesPro.com
Controversial Prairie Flower Casino Rushes to Blossom Despite Decade-Long Litigation
Native American gambling in the state of Iowa is well on its way to witness yet another premium location launch as Prairie Flower Casino is set to be fully operational by 1st November. The gambling venue overseen by Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is amid a legal battle challenging its location, but despite this, it has […]
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Thursday, October 25, 2018
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How Could the Askren and Johnson Swap Affect the Future of UFC and ONE Championship?
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How Could the Askren and Johnson Swap Affect the Future of UFC and ONE Championship?
The past couple of months have been quite exciting for the MMA world, and this trend is obviously bound to continue.
There are strong rumors that the UFC and the ONE Championship are working on a swap deal that will see Ben Askren and Demetrious Johnson switch organizations. And the MMA community has gone mad about this one.
Although it’s not yet confirmed, I can’t help but share my opinion on how this potential deal would completely change the landscape of these organizations.
Some might like it, some might hate it, but both fighters are immensely talented, and this could be the best way forward for both of them.
Let’s waste no more time and dive deep into the details about this one.
The Fighters
There are four sides in this one: the two organizations and the two fighters. They all have a lot to gain or lose from a potential deal like this, so I will try to separately explain how this would work.
I decided to start with the fighters first.
Ben Askren
For years, Ben Askren has been considered as one of the best, if not the best, fighters that haven’t been a part of the UFC. The man has been a dominant champion, with a record of 18 wins and one no contest during his career.
That’s right – Ben Askren is one of the few unbeaten fighters in the MMA world.
Askren’s long list of achievements includes the welterweight title in both Bellator and ONE Championship, as well as wins against the best fighters outside the UFC.
His dominant style and wrestling background make him a lethal finisher, as he has both a bunch of knockouts and submissions during his career. Askren’s style is considered a bit unorthodox, as he’s been able to successfully take down his opponents in various ways.
After completely crushing every semi-decent fighter that’s not in the UFC, Askren seems to have retired recently and explained that the lack of competition is the main reason behind his decision.
A potential bout with the legendary Georges St-Pierre was one of the reasons he might’ve returned, but that looks unlikely.
Well, it seems that Askren is now motivated to extend his legacy by joining the UFC, and I salute him for this decision. The man is only 34 and hasn’t taken that much punishment during his career, so I feel he is still in his prime, although towards the end of it.
A couple of big wins in the UFC will cement Askren’s achievements, and there’s one potential bout that could even catapult him to the GOAT conversation.
It’s time for me to finally address the elephant in the room and mention a certain Russian fighter that’s also unbeaten and an extremely talented grappler.
That’s right – I’m talking about Khabib Nurmagomedov here.
I honestly feel that he has to fight Ferguson first, as Tony deserves his shot, but Askren must be the next in line.
This fight could be epic, and Khabib has fought in the welterweight division before. In fact, he always struggles to cut weight comfortably for the lightweight division, so one could argue that the upper class is more natural for his body.
The way I see it, Khabib should fight Tony Ferguson, and Askren should take on another solid UFC fighter to get back in shape. If they both win, they can then face each other in an epic fight. Honestly, I can’t wait for this one!
Just take a look at this tweet by Askren and tell me you are not hyped for that bout!
Anyone know another Russian that needs humbled the old country way? pic.twitter.com/tEdSoUSX45
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) 25 October 2018
Demetrious Johnson
Many people disregard the achievements of Demetrious Johnson because of the rather unbalanced flyweight UFC division, but the man is the most dominant champion in the history of the organization.
Before losing his title against Henry Cejudo recently, the Mighty Mouse managed to defend it an astonishing eleven times.
He certainly is one of the greatest champions in MMA history and a man that deserves complete and utter respect. I think he didn’t get that in the UFC, which is the main reason behind his motivation to move to the ONE Championship.
We don’t know any details yet, but I feel that Johnson will be treated like a superstar in the new organization. He will be one of the main faces there, so I expect that he is switching his employer in order to receive the fame and money he earned during his time in the UFC.
Simply put, the Mighty Mouse can’t do much more within the UFC at this point.
Johnson has beaten everyone he can, most of the time in a spectacular fashion. We’ve seen all kinds of finishes by Demetrious Johnson, including some crazy knockouts and submissions.
I will certainly feel sad and miss him a bit, but I think that the man has earned the right to do what he thinks is best for him and his family. His legacy as a fighter is undisputed, so it’s time to take care of the future.
I wish Demetrious Johnson all the best, and I will certainly watch him demolish the competition in ONE Championship the way he’s been doing for years in the UFC.
The Organizations
As we saw, the move would make perfect sense for both fighters, but what about the organizations involved? I would say that they are taking all the risks here, so let’s take a deeper look.
UFC
I will start with the bigger organization because I feel that this is a high risk/high reward move for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
It’s well known that Ben Askren doesn’t like Dana White and has even called him “a scumbag” in the past.
This is among the reasons why such a great champion didn’t end up in the UFC, even though the organization is known as the home of the best fighters in the world.
But despite the harsh words by Askren, Dana White has stated multiple times in the past that he would be looking to sign him.
I don’t think this would’ve been possible unless the UFC could offer Askren a truly epic fight that could elevate his legacy. We all thought that GSP would’ve been the man to face him, but I feel that the recent hype around Khabib Nurmagomedov is another big reason for Askren joining the UFC.
Make no mistake, it probably won’t happen immediately, but this is White’s plan for this move. He will build the hype around those two by giving Askren an exciting first fight, and if he wins, the super fight against Khabib is imminent.
The good news for the UFC is that Askren is a well-known trash talker with an unbeaten record. Some of the more casual fans might not know him yet, but the organization certainly has a lot to work with.
When the time comes, a potential fight between Askren and Nurmagomedov could be huge.
There is one big problem, though. As I said, I don’t think that the UFC will be looking to match those two instantly. Askren has already called out Colby Covington, while Khabib is currently suspended and most likely to fight Tony Ferguson next.
If one of the two loses, this could ruin the plans of the organization. And they will pay for it by losing one of their greatest former champs in Demetrious Johnson and sacrificing the flyweight division that was thin even with Mighty Mouse in it.
I think that’s a reasonable risk for the UFC, however, as neither the division nor Johnson himself was a big draw for PPVs.
ONE Championship
On the surface, the biggest loser of a potential swap would be the ONE Championship. The organization will have to split ways with arguably its greatest and most attractive fighter.
However, many forget the fact that Askren actually retired and had no motivation to fight anyone in the ONE Championship.
What’s the point of having an asset like him if you can’t take advantage?
This is the reason the move seems really smart for the organization. It will get a well-known face like Demetrious Johnson and a fighter that has a long list of explosive moves.
On top of that, the Mighty Mouse will be fully motivated to earn a lot of cash and prove to the UFC that he can draw the attention of the crowds.
Even if it doesn’t work as well as the ONE Championship is hoping for, I feel that they have nothing to lose.
It’s a rather safe move that will certainly bring some fans and a true warrior in Demetrious Johnson.
Final Words
I’m sure that plenty of people will share a negative opinion about the potential swap between Askren and Johnson, but I feel it makes sense for everyone involved.
This deal will probably boost the popularity of both fighters, brings some positives to the organizations, and the fans might enjoy a truly legendary fight between Askren and Khabib.
What do you think about the potential deal between the UFC and the ONE Championship? Do you like it or hate it?
Let me know in the comments below.
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