Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Pick: Jazz +2.5 (-110)
Jazz ML (+125)*** 1/2 unit
The NBA kicked off (resumed) with a great game between the Jazz and the Pelicans. This line opened even and then over the course of two weeks we say it go all the way up to Jazz +3. Day of the event however, the line came back down to +2 and eventually settled at +2.5. If I was less confident in the Jazz, I would have been inclined to leave this one alone. However, I was happy to take all the points I could get, as well as *sprinkle* on the moneyline. Check out the highlights from this game. Mitchell was unreal in the second half and his relationship with Gobert looked fine after their COVID-19 fiasco.
Final: 106-104 Jazz
πΉ| Back in the swing of things and notching a W on a historic night.
β utahjazz (@utahjazz) July 31, 2020
πππππππππ§π¦ ‡οΈ#TakeNote | #WholeNewGame pic.twitter.com/kSIyQDveNO
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Pick: Royals ML (-132)
Brady Singer was able to keep the good momentum going from his first major league start in 2020. He hasnβt gotten much run support so he is still seeking his first win. This was a sharp peay all the way, with the Royals bats and bullpen doing just enough to capitalize. The Tigers felt like a trendy dog because of their hot start. Look to hit the Royals in spots like this every time.
Final: 5-3 Royals
Tampa Bay Rays at. Atlanta Braves
Pick: Braves ML (-147)
Here we had another βfade the trendy dogβ spot. The Rays got a lot of love from public bettors but the money was on Atlanta and you even had some sharp movement pushing this total to close closer to -155. Max Fried is a great young pitcher who, perhaps, has just as much talent as anyone on this Braves staff.
.@MaxFried32 was π₯π₯π₯ tonight.#CarryTheFreight pic.twitter.com/fVwlN6USq4
β Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 31, 2020
The Rays threw Ryan Yarborough, who was extremely effective, but didnβt get any run support. Tampa Bay is still without outfielder Austin Meadows. Aside from being their best overall hitter, Meadows brings a lot of balance to this lineup and takes pressure of some of the guys that are forced to cycle through it. The Rays put a lot of pressure on their guys, constantly shifting them around the diamond, up and down the lineup, and implementing multiple platoons. Getting a steady player like Meadows back will be big going forward.
Los Angeles Dodgers at. Arizona Diamondbacks
Pick: Under 9.5
With the Dodgers coming back from a tough series in Houston and playing in extra innings last night there was some movement towards the D-Backs. After a long, gruelling game you have a depleted bullpen, which is good for the over, but you also have tired bats, which is good for the under. Because Arizona has been struggling tremendously on offense, I thought the best course of action was taking the under, behind stud pitcher Robbie Ray.
As it turns out, there was some sharp money on the over in this one, which might have been the correct side. Ray struggled in this one and we were sitting at 9 in the sixth inning. Thankfully, we had 3 straight scoreless innings to hold onto that Under 9.5. Something tells me luck was involved with this one. But hey, a winβs a win as long as you can admit to getting lucky!
Final: 6-3 Dodgers
Final Thoughts:
Who doesn’t love a sweep!?! Basketball coming back was exciting. I’m happy we got a win and although my analysis of the Lakers/Clippers game was correct, I’m happy showing restraint. We are +3.27 Units so far this week. Be extra cautious coming into the weekend. It’s public bettors galore, especially with the return of the NBA and NHL.
