That’s more of what we like to see: Monday produced three winners out of four, with one of them being a soccer play for double the stake in the Premier League. Any time you can hit a bet for a draw (thanks for the late gift, Brighton), it’s going to be a good day.
While Mondays are the days I tend to do my best work, Tuesdays have been the bane of my existence. Totals bets should be a little easier when we get into basketball and hockey season, but for now, we’ll keep plugging away on what’s available. Here are my picks for September 28.
FC PORTO-LIVERPOOL O2.5, -140
Liverpool really likes playing in Portugal. On their past two visits to Porto in European competition, the Reds have outscored the Dragons 9-1. Plus, Liverpool’s attack is firing on all cylinders right now, as the Reds have scored three goals in each of their past five matches. Porto has scored in seven of its past eight competitive matches and Liverpool just gave up three goals to Brentford, so goals shouldn’t be hard to come by here.
SHAKTAR DONETSK-INTER MILAN O2.5, -140
This is risky, because these teams met in last year’s Champions League and played out a pair of goalless draws. But the circumstances were different last year: Donetsk managed to upset Real Madrid twice and knew that a pair of draws against Inter was all that was necessary to secure passage to the Europa League’s knockout stage as a third-placed team. This time, both teams have to go for the win, so there should be plenty of chances at the net.
DIAMONDBACKS U2.5, -110
I’m a little skittish about the combined total in this game, because Luke Weaver has struggled against San Francisco and could easily get lit up here. But I feel really good about Logan Webb shutting down Arizona in a game that the Giants have to have. The total of eight should be too high for these teams, but I’ll play this a bit safer and just bet on Webb and not Weaver.
BRAVES U3.5, +105
Zach Wheeler has been pitching lights out for the Phillies, and Philadelphia is in a must-win situation. If the Phillies can sweep the Braves, they’ll go to the final weekend in control of their own fate, but if Atlanta wins even once, the Phillies will need help from the Mets to have a chance (and if the Braves win twice, the Phils are toast). Wheeler should help keep the Phillies alive.
BREWERS-CARDINALS U7.5, -110
Sixteen straight wins wasn’t enough for the Cardinals to come close to catching the Brewers, as Milwaukee has officially locked up the NL Central with a week to go. But all that’s done is made the job easier for St. Louis, which needs one win to seal up the wild card and set its rotation for the postseason. Adam Wainwright can allow the Cards to celebrate with their fans tonight, and the old master should have one more gem left in him. Throw in Brandon Woodruff on the slab for the Brewers, and the under is the play.
