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Stephen Nover |
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I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
| MLB | May 31, 2023 Nationals vs. Dodgers |
Nationals +1½ +105 at MIRAGE |
in 55m |
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I need plus 1 1/2 runs, but I'll back Patrick Corbin and the Nationals against the Dodgers today. Corbin actually has been underrated this season. But the big reason is to fade Noah Syndergaard. I feel bad for ''Thor.'' Injuries have robbed him of his dominant fastball. Even though the Dodgers are down multiple starting pitchers, I can't see LA sticking with Syndergaard too much longer in their rotation. He's just not any good. The numbers prove this. Syndergaard is 1-4 with a 6.27 ERA in 10 starts. Opponents are batting .294 against him. Washington, believe it or not, leads the National League in batting average and also has the fifth-highest on-base percentage in the league. This is what Syndergaard said after losing, 9-3, to the Rays during his last start this past Friday after giving up six runs on eight hits in six innings: "There's not a lot of positive emotion right now when I think about pitching in particular. Just hard going out there with the weapons you used to have kind of being taken away from you. Just continue to work in between starts to snap out of this.'' Corbin faders have feasted for three years going against Corbin, who entered this season 17-42 from 2020-2222. However, Corbin has turned things around. He did get hit hard by the Royals in his last start - allowing six runs in 6 1/3 innings - but Corbin hadn't given up more than two earned during four starts previous to that while working six, six, six and seven innings. |
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| YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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MLB | May 30, 2023 Phillies vs Mets |
OVER 8½ -120 |
Lost $120.0 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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Given the starting pitching matchup and both teams having below average bullpens, I can see the Phillies and Mets each producing at least four runs apiece. The Phillies have reached at least four runs in four of their last five games. The Mets are averaging eight runs in their last four games. Both starters, lefty Ranger Suarez and Kodai Senga, put up a lot of baserunners. Suarez not only has a 9.82 ERA, but a 2.00 WHIP. The wind is blowing out to left field at 7-8 mph, which isn't going to aid Suarez. Senga has a 3.94 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. The Phillies are above average in batting average and OPS. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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MLB | May 30, 2023 Braves vs A's |
Braves -1½ -130 at YouWager |
Lost $130.0 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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The A's were 0-21 this season as an underdog plus $1.95 or higher - until Monday. The A's ended that streak and halted their 11-game losing skid with a 7-2 home victory against the Braves. Can the A's now defeat the Braves for a second straight day? Heck no. The Braves are going with Bryce Elder, who has become their ace with a 3-0 record and 2.01 ERA, third-best in baseball. The A's rank second-from-the-bottom in runs, batting average and OPS. The A's are starting JP Sears. He has a 4.70 ERA, but has been pitching better recently. However, Sears is a lefty. Atlanta is 10-4 versus lefty starters. They lead the league in batting average against southpaws at .312 and also rank first in on-base percentage and second in slugging percentage against lefties. Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy each have an OPS above 1.000 against lefthanders. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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WNBA | May 30, 2023 Sky vs Dream |
Sky +2½ -110 at Ace |
Lost $110.0 |
| Play Type: Top Premium | ||
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Chicago has proven to be underrated this season. The Sky are the only unbeaten spread team left in the WNBA at 4-0 ATS. They are road 'dogs to Atlanta. I don't believe the Dream should be favored. The Dream just lost at home straight-up to Indiana, the worst team in the WNBA, as a seven-point favorite. The Fever had lost 20 straight games dating back to last season. Chicago is the No. 3 defensive team in the league giving up 73.5 points. Atlanta ranks eighth defensively surrendering 84 points. Chicago has injuries to rotation players Morgan Bertsch and Rebekah Gardner. However, the Sky have a deep roster and are well coached by James Wade. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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MLB | May 31, 2023 Rays vs Cubs |
Rays -130 at circa |
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| Play Type: Premium | ||
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Can the Cubs actually sweep the Rays? Nope. Tampa Bay hasn't been swept in a series all season and I don't see it happening here in a pitching matchup of Zack Eflin versus lefty Justin Steele. |
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SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |
