Cheers to the weekend. Let's get to betting.
The headliner Friday is a pivotal Game 2 in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals between the Lightning and Rangers. Elsewhere, the MLB slate's packed with a 15-game slate running all day, and the public's already loading up, peppering Red Sox vs. A's, Tigers vs. Yankees and others.
Using Action Network's public data trackers, these five Friday matchups are attracting the most action.
Friday's 5 Most Bet Games
*Odds and public betting trends data as of Friday afternoon. Find real-time odds here.
1. Lightning vs. Rangers
8 p.m. ET
Tampa-New York Game 2's the most popular matchup of the day, with more than 15,000 wagers and counting.
The Lightning trail 1-0 in the series, but they've been legendary in bouncing back. The club's a perfect 17-0 in the playoffs after a loss across the last three seasons.
Naturally, three-fourths of bettors are backing the Bolts at a consensus price of -125, while 80% of the puck-line bets also support Tampa -1.5.
2. Tigers vs. Yankees
7:05 p.m. ET
The Yankees own the best record in baseball entering the weekend at 36-15.
Despite being priced north of -300 behind ace Gerrit Cole, New York's still catching a whopping 84% of the moneyline wagers against the Tigers.
3. Red Sox vs. A's
9:40 p.m. ET
The Yankees aren't the only AL East team the public loves Friday.
In fact, 87% of the tickets on Boston marks the most lopsided moneyline split of any game on the board.
4. Giants vs. Marlins
6:40 p.m. ET
Bettors expect a better effort out of the Giants after getting blanked on the road vs. the Marlins in Thursday's series opener.
Across more than 12,000 tickets, San Francisco's catching 75% of the moneyline bets and nearly six out of every 10 run-line (-1.5) wagers.
5. Astros vs. Royals
8:10 p.m. ET
How about some more road chalk to close out the evening?
Bettors are taking the Astros at a consensus price of -135 against the Royals, who sit dead-last in the AL Central. We've logged 78% of the moneyline tickets and 80% of the run-line bets on Houston, which trots out Jose Urquidy.
