In tonight’s major sports action, a pair of moneyline bets in the North caught my eye. In the MLB, an American League divisional matchup seems primed to go UNDER again. After looking through all the matchups, I picked out a few of my favorites this Thursday.
Here’s my best bets of the day, with all odds referenced from BetMGM:
CALGARY FLAMES VS MINNESOTA WILD
Name a team hotter than the Calgary Flames right now. You can’t. Winners of three straight and boasting a 8-1-1 record in their last ten, the Flames are peaking at the right time. Calgary sits atop the Pacific Division with only two games left in the regular season, soon to be one after a date with the Minnesota Wild tonight.
Calgary’s high octane offense, which averages 3.60 goals and 35.53 shots per game (6th and 3rd in the NHL respectively), is humming during their past ten games. The Flames scored four or more goals in eight of their last ten, including nine on Arizona and six on Vancouver.
The Flames own the Wild this season. In their back-to-back meetings at the end of February, Calgary won both games, out-scoring Minnesota 12-4. The Wild are favored tonight, at home, at -120.
I like Calgary to take the win in Minnesota. Along with the Flames dominant record against them, the Wild may be without key contributors Mats Zuccarello (24 goals, 79 points) and Jared Spurgeon (39 points). Take the favorable moneyline for Calgary tonight.
PICK: CALGARY FLAMES (+105)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES VS NEW YORK YANKEES
Bruce Zimmerman returns to the mound for the Baltimore Orioles tonight in an effort to stave off a sweep from the New York Yankees. Zimmerman blanked the Yankees in a 5-0 win earlier this month. The lefty allowed only four hits and struck out six in a five-inning effort.
Expect another low scoring matchup in New York tonight. The Orioles and Yankees sport two of the best records against the OVER in the MLB. Baltimore hit the UNDER in 12 of their 17 games, while New York managed it in 11 of 17. The UNDER is 4-1 in all of the NYY-BAL games this season.
Jameson Taillon draws the start from the Yankees’ 2.85 ERA (3rd in the MLB) bullpen. The UNDER hit in Taillon’s last start against the Orioles and he’s 3-0 against the OVER this season.
New York’s 12-8 win two days ago is a blooper among a consistent history. Zimmerman and Taillon should keep both offenses in check tonight.
PICK: UNDER 8 RUNS (-110)
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors flipped the script on the 76ers, who seemed destined to finish the first round series in four games. Heading back to Toronto, the Raptors appear to have solved the Sixers defensively, as they look to tie up the series tonight.
After a 131 point explosion in Game 1, the Raptors limited the Sixers to less points every game. Their 103-88 win in Game 5 was not only the lowest total for Philadelphia offensively, but the largest point margin for Toronto this series.
Affecting the 76ers shooting has paid dividends for the Raptors. Philadelphia shot over 50% from the field and from three in Game 1. In Game 5? 38.3% from the floor and 27% from beyond the arc. Increased minutes for Thaddeus Young off the bench (four steals in the last two games) played a part in Toronto dominating the turnover battle. After committing only three in Game 1, the 76ers have 14 or more TOs in Games 2-5.
With Matisse Thybulle unable to travel to Canada for Game 6, I expect Toronto to force a Game 7 in Philadelphia. With a favorable moneyline at home, betting on the Raptors is an easy decision.
Wolveridge Langan 