The Premier Lacrosse League heads to the Mile High City for the Denver Outlaws homecoming weekend. Denver faces the Maryland Whipsnakes on Friday night in a potential preview of a first-round playoff matchup. Maryland is a slight favorite and the total is currently 25.5 across sportsbooks.
Let's dive into my Outlaws vs. Whipsnakes predictions for this Friday.
Denver Outlaws vs. Maryland Whipsnakes
| Denver (+1.5) Odds | Moneyline: +100 |
| Maryland (-1.5) Odds | Moneyline: -122 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Friday · 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
On paper, these teams are fairly evenly matched and both have exceeded preseason expectations thanks to contributions from rookies and second-year players. Instead of betting a side, we’re targeting the total of 25.5.
This total is fairly high already, but I don’t think it’s high enough given what we’ve seen from these two teams so far this season. Six of Maryland’s nine games have gone over this mark with an average total of 25.9 in their games. Meanwhile, half of Denver’s first six games went over this number and last week’s game likely would have as well if the eventual 18-5 finish wasn’t called due to inclement weather with nearly 10 minutes left in the game.
Yet, this matchup and these teams’ tendencies are why I like this game to be high-scoring.
Both teams have enjoyed generating offense in transition this season and neither has been very good at defending transition either. Both faceoff specialists Joe Nardella and Luke Wierman are also two of the best at creating offense off the faceoff so I expect we could see a lot of fast breaks on Friday night. As for settled offense, Maryland has shown that they can score from a variety of spots on the field and Denver’s defense will still be without its leader on defense in Jesse Bernhardt.
On the other side of the field, Denver’s offense has been getting a lot of production from Brennan O’Neill on the high wing and a bunch of different midfielders. Maryland’s biggest weakness is still at short-stick defensive midfield and Denver has the physical dodgers to exploit this. Both teams also boast the best shooting percentages from beyond the two-point arc and Denver has the second-most two-point goals per game.
Ultimately, I expect a fast-paced game with a lot of scoring in transition and recommend betting over 25.5 at -113 on BetRivers.
I’m also targeting the points props for two players.
Maryland’s third-round draft pick TJ Malone has been playing like a first-rounder and is currently second in the rookie of the year odds market. Malone has been the catalyst for a lot of Maryland’s success and leads his team in touches and also points as a result. He’s had four or more points in five of nine games this season and with Denver’s defense banged up, I expect him to have another big game, whether that’s as a passer or goal scorer. Bet Malone to go over 3.5 points at +115 on BetMGM.
I’m also betting Denver midfielder Sam Handley to go over his points props. Handley has been boom or bust this season, but this matchup with a weaker Maryland defensive midfield should be a great opportunity for Handley to rack up some points. Handley has the range to go over 1.5 points with just one two-point shot, but I also expect him to have plenty of chances as a feeder too if Maryland chooses to slide early to the 6’5” middie. Bet a unit on Handley to go over 1.5 points at -125 on BetMGM and a half unit on him to surpass 2.5 points at +152 on FanDuel.
Picks: Over 25.5, TJ Malone Over 3.5 Points, Sam Handley Over 1.5 Points, Sam Handley Over 2.5 Points (0.5 unit)
