Opening weekend of the Premier Lacrosse League season continues with a rematch of the 2022 PLL Championship and a battle between last season’s top two regular season teams. To wrap up PLL Week 1, I have three best bets, including a bet on a spread, moneyline and player prop.
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Waterdogs LC (-2.5) vs. Chaos LC
| Waterdogs Odds | -225 |
| Chaos Odds | +180 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
Odds via bet365.
While teams rarely cover as 2.5-point favorites in the PLL, covering at just 31.25% of the time, this is a matchup that warrants a 2.5-point spread. With the exception of starting goaltender Dillon Ward—who is missing this week due to the National Lacrosse League Finals—the Waterdogs are returning nearly every starter from 2022 and added attackman Jake Carraway to replace the now retired Ryan Brown.
Meanwhile, Chaos will be without six key players, including four offensive starters and their starting faceoff specialist, due to the NLL Finals. While they’ve replaced a lot of those starters with some solid players, this offensive group had just a short week to build chemistry and will be facing one of the best defensive units on paper.
While both teams will be without their leading faceoff men, Zac Tucci will get the start for Waterdogs and he faced off well in relief of Jake Withers last season. He’ll face Nick Rowlett, who is a talented faceoff athlete, but will be experiencing his first-ever PLL action and could struggle to adjust to the rules early on.
I think the signs are pointing to a big win for the Waterdogs to start the season and at +100 on bet365, I think the price is right to back the defending champs to cover the 2.5-point spread in the title game rematch.
I also think Waterdogs midfielder Connor Kelly will have a big day and like betting him to go over his points prop of 2.5 points (+102 on FanDuel). The addition of Carraway on the right side should give Kelly a great opportunity to rack up some assists feeding Carraway or open Kelly up for some more two-man game opportunities where he can draw a short-stick defender and score.
He only surpassed 2.5-points in five of 13 games last season, but he had six points against the Chaos in their regular season matchup last season and his ability to score from the two-point arc—which he did twice against Chaos last year—makes me like him to go over 2.5 points even at this price.
Picks: Waterdogs -2.5, Connor Kelly Over 2.5 Points
Whipsnakes LC (-1.5) vs. Chrome LC
| Whipsnakes Odds | -135 |
| Chrome Odds | +115 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
The two best teams during the 2022 regular season meet in the final game of the weekend. The Whipsnakes enter as 1.5-point favorites, but I think it’s a great spot to back the Chrome as short underdogs.
I’ve discussed why I’m so high on this Chrome team heading into this season, and a lot of it has to do with their balance at every position.They’re the most complete team and managed to address their lack of offensive depth by drafting midfielder and top prospect Sam Handley, and Cross Ferrara, arguably the best offensive player in NCAA Division III lacrosse.
Their defense, which was one of the best last season, will see all of their key starters return, and with the Whipsnakes starting faceoff athlete Joe Nardella injured, Connor Farrell should have a favorable matchup against rookie Petey LaSalla on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Whipsnakes landed free agent Will Manny this offseason, which should help improve their efficiency on offense, but will be without both Brad Smith and Zed Williams. While the new shot clock rules should limit the faceoff’s impact a bit, Chrome should have a sizable possession advantage over the Whips on Sunday.
I think we’ll see a tight defensive battle from start to finish, but I think Chrome will be able to spread the field and use their size and physicality to score on this Whipsnakes defense. Bet Chrome to win this game outright at +115 on Caesars.
Pick: Chrome ML
