Month: September 2020

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Washington Nationals (12-20) and Philadelphia Phillies (15-15) play the second contest of a four-game series Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Nationals-Phillies MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Nationals at Phillies: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Patrick Corbin vs. RHP Aaron Nola 

Corbin owns a 3.82 ERA through 6 starts.

  • The veteran lefty is facing Philadelphia for a second straight start. He allowed 2 runs over 6 innings last Wednesday. He has logged a sub-3.00 ERA against the Phillies over the last two years and current Philly bats own a lackluster .666 OPS against 

Nola has carded an even 3.00 ERA through 6 starts.

  • The right-hander pitched against Corbin in that Aug. 26 game and earned a 3-2 victory. Nola’s pitch count in that game hit a season-high 113.
  • Nola has thus far fanned 12 batters per nine innings on the strength of a 12.9% swing-and-miss rate. Both figures are would-be career highs.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Nationals at Phillies: Key injuries

(Get the latest injury news here.)

Nationals

  • 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out

Phillies 

  • RP Jose Alvarez (groin) out
  • 2B Scott Kingery (back) out

Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

Nationals at Phillies: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML)

The market has these odds well-bracketed, but the NATIONALS (+140) are a lean despite losing six of their last seven games. The Nats are not the second-half Nats of a year ago, but they are undervalued by their .375 win percentage.

The Nationals’ offense has cranked out a league-best .903 OPS on the road. Throw that in against a high-quality Nola but a Nola coming off a high pitch count, and add in the shaky Philly pen — you don’t get Washington as a 47-or-48% proposition, but you do get a value at +140.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 moneyline wager on the Nationals returns a profit of $14.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE RUN LINE — Nationals +1.5 (-154)/Phillies -1.5 (+125).

A shift toward +130 on the Philadelphia side brings a bracket move into play — taking the Nationals on the moneyline and the Phillies on the run line. Those prices would mitigate a loss on the one-run Philadelphia win.

Over/Under (O/U)

Tag the OVER 8.5 (-110) with a lean on this one. The second-division bullpens and Philadelphia’s proficiency against southpaws (.864 OPS) make for a solid play in a hitters’ yard. The starters are solid, but if the game goes a bit sideways there are several factors pointing to a double-digit total.

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Rookie OL Josh Jones not in the mix for starting RT job

O-line coach Sean Kugler praised Jones for his progress and maturity, but the RT job will either be Kelvin Beachum or Justin Murray.

When the Arizona Cardinals selected offensive lineman Josh Jones in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many believed he couple potentially be their Week 1 starter at right tackle even though he played only left tackle in college at Houston.

That will not be the case and appears it was never the case for his rookie season.

The team re-signed  Marcus Gilbert, who would have been the starter if he had not opted out of the 2020 season.

While that could have potentially opened the door for Jones, he is not in the mix for the starting job. Two others are — veteran Kelvin Beachum and Justin Murray, last year’s starter for most of the season.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler spoke to reporters after Monday’s practice and said Beachum, who has played left tackle for most of his career, “has responded very well and he’s been competing with Justin Murray at that position and the competition has brought out the best in both of them.”

Based on comments by Kugler, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim, it would appear that Murray is likely going to be coming off the bench, as they have talked about his versatility to play both tackle and guard. Beachum appears to be the leader to start at right tackle.

What about Jones?

“Josh Jones has really done a nice job for us,” Kugler said. “I think this kid is going to have an outstanding future for the Arizona Cardinals.”

Kugler didn’t mention how he would make an impact now. The team is pleased with what he has done.

“He’s very athletic,” Kugler added. “He’s a profession already. He’s very mature for a rookie as rfa as work ethic and retaining information, and putting in the work and studying. He has some things to work on in his game like everyone does, but he’s taken the right step as a rookie. I’ve been very pleased with him.”

Jones probably won’t see much action as a rookie unless there are injuries.

It might be disappointing to some that he isn’t slated to start as a rookie, but it sounds like he is right where the team would like him to be.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

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and

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Lions waive WR Geremy Davis

Davis couldn’t climb up the Lions deep roster at WR

The Detroit Lions have begun the painful process of whittling down the roster in advance of Saturday’s deadline. Head coach Matt Patricia confirmed in his pre-practice Zoom session with reporters that the team has released wide receiver Geremy Davis.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press first reported the news.

Davis joined the Lions this offseason after four seasons with the Chargers. His size and experience on special teams gave him a chance to make it, but the Lions depth at wide receiver made it a foreboding challenge. He can now try to latch on with another team prior to the season.

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Matt LaFleur on potential Packers starter Lane Taylor: ‘Somebody we know we can count on’

The Packers are confident in what they have in potential starting right guard Lane Taylor.

The last 12 or so months have certainly been interesting for Green Bay Packers guard Lane Taylor.

He won a training camp competition at left guard last August, but just barely. He got hurt during practice after just two games and missed the rest of the season. He took a paycut to return to Green Bay, knowing four of last year’s five starters along the offensive line returned, including both guards. And now he might be on the verge of winning another starting job for Matt LaFleur, this time at right guard.

“I think Lane is a pro. He goes out every day and competes to the best of his ability. He has a lot of experience. He’s somebody we know we can count on,” LaFleur said Monday.

Taylor has 49 career starts, including 45 – primarily at left guard – between 2016 and 2018. Although Elgton Jenkins is locked in as the starting left guard, Taylor is in a position to win the job at right guard to start 2020, even though Billy Turner – who played all 16 games there last season – returned. Turner is also competing with Rick Wagner to start at right tackle.

Keeping Taylor out of the starting five might be difficult.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Taylor finished a perfect 14-0 in one-on-one pass-blocking drills during training camp. The one-on-one position drills are just one piece of the evaluation puzzle, but Taylor’s impressive individual record does highlight how effective he’s been after returning from last year’s season-ending biceps injury.

At the very least, Taylor’s work this summer has provided the Packers with options. His ability to handle right guard without issue has allowed for a true competition between Turner and Wagner at right tackle,

The Packers must now decide in the next 12 days which five players will start along the offensive line. LaFleur said he’ll continue to work the various combinations, including one with Taylor as the starting right guard, as the Packers prepare to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.

“I think that’s still very much in play right now. We’re still working through those combinations. Until we feel we have the right five, we’re going to continue it that way,” LaFleur said.

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Cam Newton returns to Patriots practice after an absence

Good news at QB. Bad news on the offensive line.

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton returned to practice at the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday after an excused absence on Monday. It was the first training camp session Newton had missed since joining the team this offseason. He’ll continue his competition with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the starting quarterback job.

Left tackle Isaiah Wynn, cornerbacks JC Jackson and Mike Jackson, running back Damien Harris, center David Andrews, and defensive tackles Michael Barnett, Nick Thurman and Beau Allen were absent. Wynn, who has a lengthy injury history, missed his second consecutive practice.

New England will cut down to a 53-man roster on Saturday before compiling its 16-man expanded practice squad on Saturday.

3 Colts make ESPN’s Top 100 players for 2020

Quenton Nelson leads the way at No. 44.

ESPN is rolling out their predictions for which players will be in the top 100 for the 2020 season, and the Indianapolis Colts had three players featured on the list.

While that’s a solid number to have, there certainly is some disrespect when it comes to the ranking of some of these Colts. The three players to make it are guard Quenton Nelson (No. 44), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (No. 51) and linebacker Darius Leonard (No. 53).

The biggest shock is Nelson all the way down at No. 44. Although ESPN seemingly doesn’t hold offensive linemen in high regard as the top player at that position came in at No. 34.

Here’s what they said about each Colts player on the list:

44. Quenton Nelson
G | Colts
Age: 24
2019 rank: 52

The Colts have had a completely different offensive line since they selected Nelson with the No. 6 pick in the 2018 draft. His desire to play until he hears a whistle and be the ultimate teammate has trickled across the entire line. The Colts gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2018 (18) and were No. 7 in the league in rushing with Nelson anchoring the line. — Mike Wells

Signature stat: Nelson is the only drafted offensive lineman to be named First-Team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons since the 1970 merger, per the Elias Sports Bureau. Nelson ranks ninth among qualifying guards since 2018 in ability to sustain blocks for 2.5 seconds, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

What they are saying: “I mean, he is the best in the business. I mean, I think that is known across the league. He is the best in the game at the position, so to have the chance to learn from him is something that I’m really looking forward to.” — Danny Pinter, Colts guard

Then came the shiny new defensive toy for the Colts in Buckner.

51. DeForest Buckner
DT | Colts
Age: 26
2019 rank: NR

The Colts gave up the No. 13 pick in last spring’s draft for a player who has top-10 talent in Buckner. His addition in the middle should allow more opportunities for the defensive ends to get to the quarterback and open lanes up the middle for the linebackers. Buckner may not top the 7.5 sacks he had last season in San Francisco, but his presence will be felt on all layers of the defense for the Colts. — Mike Wells

Signature stat: Buckner is one of 10 defensive linemen with at least 30 QB pressures and 30 defensive stops in each of the past three seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

What they are saying: “He wreaks havoc. He can run, rush the passer and stop the run. When you have a big guy that can do it all, that helps the defense out a lot and that frees up your linebackers. When you have someone like that up the middle, that just changes the whole defense’s game.” — Justin Houston, Colts defensive end

2020 projection: 62 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

The Maniac came in at No. 53, which seems a bit low given the production he’s had in his first two seasons.

53. Darius Leonard
ILB | Colts
Age: 25
2019 rank: 44

Sure, Leonard has been perhaps too consumed with outside opinion, drawing motivation from Madden ratings. But he’s still an up-and-coming superstar. He is only two seasons removed from leading the NFL in tackles as a rookie. — Mike Wells

Signature stat: In 2019, Leonard joined Lavonte David (2013) and Brian Urlacher (2007) as the only players in the past 15 seasons to record 100-plus tackles, 5-plus sacks and 5-plus interceptions in a single season.

What they are saying: “He leads by example with the juice he has. We talk about it all the time. He emanates, it just flows out of him. It’s authentic, it’s genuine, and everybody knows that about Darius. He’s not just talking it and chattering about it. It’s coming out in how fast and how hard he plays. I just continue to be amazed at just watching him, his instinctiveness as a player.” — Frank Reich, Colts coach

2020 projection: 148 tackles, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs

The Colts are hoping that they will get more out of their players than this in the 2020 season and are just over a week from beginning what will be a unique campaign.

Lakers will start 2nd round series on Friday after OKC forces Game 7

The Los Angeles Lakers will officially start their second-round series on Friday after Chris Paul helped force a Game 7.

The Los Angeles Lakers were blessed with another day of rest inside the NBA bubble as Chris Paul and the Oklahoma City Thunder had an epic 4th quarter on Monday night to force a Game 7 in their series against the Houston Rockets. And with the knowledge that there was a Game 7, the NBA has officially set the schedules for the Lakers and their next series.

Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against either the Thunder or the Rockets will be played on Friday night at 6 p.m. Pacific time and will be aired on ESPN. After the first round, all playoff games will be televised nationally and no longer available on local networks.  You can find the full schedule for the Lakers second round series below.

#1 L.A. Lakers vs. #4 HOU / #5 OKC
DAY DATE ET GM AWAY HOME VENUE TV / R
Fri 9/4 9:00 PM 1 HOU/OKC L.A. Lakers AHA ESPN
Sun 9/6 8:30 PM 2 HOU/OKC L.A. Lakers AHA ABC
Tue 9/8 9:00 PM 3 L.A. Lakers HOU/OKC AHA TNT
Thu 9/10 TBD 4 L.A. Lakers HOU/OKC TBD TNT
Sat 9/12 TBD 5* HOU/OKC L.A. Lakers TBD ESPN
Mon 9/14 TBD 6* L.A. Lakers HOU/OKC TBD TNT
Wed 9/16 TBD 7* HOU/OKC L.A. Lakers TBD TNT

The Lakers have reportedly called off practice on Tuesday.

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Giants’ Wayne Gallman appreciates Joe Judge calling him out

New York Giants RB Wayne Gallman has reemerged after several lost seasons and he thanks head coach Joe Judge for the necessary push.

Once upon a time, Wayne Gallman appeared to be in position to take over as the New York Giants’ starting running back. However, multiple coaching changes led to him falling out of favor and essentially vanishing under Pat Shurmur.

Of course, the Giants drafted superstar Saquon Barkley during that same span, which certainly didn’t help Gallman’s standing.

Yet as the Giants usher in yet another new head coach and yet another new era, Gallman has somehow managed to hang on. And despite his previous adversity, he finds himself excelling.

Part of the reason for that, Gallman says, was being called out by first-time head coach Joe Judge.

“I really appreciate Coach Judge calling me out, challenging me. Now I’m going to accept it,” Gallman said. “I view it just as an opportunity that I just need to take for myself personally. Just to come out really focused and finding something to get better at every day. That’s basically all I took from it.”

Gallman could have sulked and he could have quit, but he didn’t. He realized you can only hang your head for so long before you’ve got to pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and continue pressing forward.

It just so happens that Judge appreciates and respects that sort of attitude, which turned what was an ugly situation in 2018 and 2019 into nothing more than a learning experience.

“That’s in the past now. But looking at that, I can honestly say it got me way more mentally prepared for this challenge, for this season, and just any challenges ahead. It made me better as a person. It made me better mentally,” Gallman said.

With a fresh start ahead of him, Gallman attacked this offseason with veracity and prepared as if he was coming in to start.

“First impression is everything. If there’s a new coaching staff, of course you want to make sure you’re on your Ps and Qs, make sure that you’re doing the right things, and also just being focused. Just coming to work every day with the mindset of just being great,” Gallman said. “I really took it to myself this offseason, as every other offseason, to just prepare as a starter. I always go into it, no matter if I’m at the bottom of the depth chart or the top, I always am focused to come in prepared and just be the best Wayne Gallman I can be.”

Gallman has done so well for himself this offseason that he not only appears to be a lock to make the roster, but could end up playing a significant role on offense.

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3-star tight end Jalen Shead commits to LSU

LSU landed the commitment of Jalen Shead this week.

The LSU Tigers added yet another important member to their 2021 recruiting class over the weekend when three-star tight end Jalen Shead picked the defending champions.

Shead, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound prospect from Olive Branch High in Olive Branch, Miss., chose the Tigers over Alabama and Ole Miss.

Despite LSU signing Arik Gilbert and Kole Taylor in the 2020 class, the tight end positions remains a priority in 2021. Shead was one of head coach Ed Orgeron’s top targets at the position.

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Shead is another example of a player whose ranking is probably lower than it should be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person recruiting, camps and all visits have been shut down for months, giving some players less exposure.

The pass-catcher listed 20 offers, and will certainly gain more in the coming months.

Regardless of if or when more offers come, Shead appears set on his college decision.

With Shead’s commitment, the Tigers now have 18 commitments in the 2021 class and rank No. 3 in 247Sports team rankings.

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Sixers, Flyers team up to use Wells Fargo Center as voting spot for election

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers are teaming up to turn Wells Fargo Center into a voting spot for the upcoming election.

Currently, NBA arenas are not being used as the world is adapting to the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also an important time in the world as the general election is coming up fast in November and organizations are beginning to use these arenas as safe voting spots for that election.

The Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, who both occupy the Wells Fargo Center, have teamed up to use the arena as a spot for election activities related to the general election to be held in November.

“We thank our great partner, Comcast Spectacor, and the Philadelphia Flyers for their efforts in ensuring that the Wells Fargo Center is available to serve as a place where the Philadelphia community can safely exercise their right to vote,” said Sixers president Chris Heck via a press release. “The 76ers will continue to advocate for increased access to voting and use our platform to do good in our communities.”

This is a time where the world is looking for chance as social justice issues rise to the forefront of America. This is an important time for everybody to vote and let their voice be heard for the future of the country.

“In the face of the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, both our organization and the 76ers are pleased to be able to support the City of Philadelphia in its efforts to ensure full, fair, safe, and secure voter participation in this fall’s election,” added  Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations of the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. “We applaud the NBA and the 76ers for their advocacy around this issue and are pleased to be able to make our facility available consistent with the City’s needs.” [lawrence-related id=37321,37318,37315]