Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more.
Monday, Sept. 30
Playoff Spots on the Line in Mets-Braves Twin Bill
The Mets ended a three-game losing streak on Sunday against the Brewers, while the Braves beat the Royals to end a five-game losing streak of their own. Both New York and Kansas City enter Monday at 88-72, mere percentage points ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The three teams are battling for the final two National League wild-card spots.
The two NL East rivals will meet in a Monday doubleheader to complete last week's postponed series. If the teams split the twin bill, both will head to the playoffs. If one team sweeps, the Diamondbacks will receive the final NL playoff slot.
The Braves will start Spencer Schwellenbach in Game 1 against Mets pitcher Tylor Megill. Last week, Schwellenbach scattered three hits over seven innings in a 5-1 win over the Mets. The Braves are -160 moneyline favorites at Caesars.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
MLB Wild Card Round Begins
It will be a short turnaround Tuesday for the Mets or Braves, or perhaps both. The second wild-card seed will face the Padres in San Diego, while the third seed will take on the Brewers in Milwaukee.
After returning from the All-Star break one game over .500, the red-hot Padres enter the playoffs with a record of 93-69. San Diego has odds of 12-1 at DraftKings to win the World Series.
The AL Wild Card round also begins on Tuesday with two games. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch will face his former team when the Tigers take on the Astros the Houston. The Royals, meanwhile, will meet the Orioles in Baltimore. The two AL Central teams are long shots to win the pennant. The Tigers are the highest choice on the board at +1100, while the Royals have odds of +1000.
Earlier today, Tim Kurkjian, the greatest repository of baseball knowledge I know, said this is the most wide-open postseason he can remember.
At ESPN+: Why every playoff team can win the World Series — and the team I think is going to actually do it. https://t.co/S652rgqLtS
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 30, 2024
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Liberty Eye 2-0 Series Lead Over Aces
Breanna Stewart scorched the Aces for 34 points on Sunday in leading the Liberty to an 87-77 win in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. The Aces, the two-time defending WNBA champions, defeated the Liberty last year to capture the league championship. The Liberty can send the Aces to the brink of elimination with a victory on Tuesday night.
Also on Tuesday, the Sun will face the Lynx in Minneapolis. Connecticut, which ended Caitlin Clark's season last week, holds a 1-0 lead in the Best-of-5 series. The Liberty have odds of -130 at FanDuel to win the WNBA title. The Sun are next at +380, followed by the Lynx and Aces at +500 and +550, respectively.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Bama Looks to Avoid Letdown Against Vandy
Alabama withstood a furious rally from Georgia on Saturday to outlast the Bulldogs 41-34. The Crimson Tide vaulted to No. 1 in the national polls with the victory over then-No. 2 Georgia. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also became the new favorite on the Heisman market, supplanting Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
The Crimson Tide will travel to face Vanderbilt on Saturday. Alabama opened as a 24-point favorite; the total is 55.5.
The only Top 25 matchup of the week occurs in the SEC, as No. 9 Missouri will face No. 25 Texas A&M in College Station. The Aggies are a 1-point home favorite. Finally, Miami will fly west to take on Cal. The Canes are favored by 12.5 at ESPN BET.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Vikings Seek 5-0 Start in London
Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns on Sunday in leading the Vikings to a 31-29 win over the Packers. With the victory, the Vikings opened a season 4-0 for the first time since 2016. Darnold, a career journeyman, now has odds of +1000 at BetMGM to win NFL MVP.
When the Jets selected Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, the quarterback envisioned a prosperous career in New York. But Darnold is already on his fourth team after brief stops in Carolina and San Francisco. Darnold will get a chance at revenge on Sunday against the Jets. The Jets opened as 1.5-point favorites at BetRivers; the total is 42.
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Sam Darnold became the first QB in #Vikings history to post a 100+ passer rating in each of the team’s first four games to start a season, tying the longest streak among all quarterbacks league wide since 1970. pic.twitter.com/5Q3aZSdkQW
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 29, 2024
The Chiefs and Seahawks also remain undefeated, while the Bills dropped their first game on Sunday in a blowout defeat to the Ravens. Buffalo travels to Houston to face the Texans, with Stefon Diggs facing his former teammates for the first time since a blockbuster trade in the offseason. The Texans are 1-point favorites at bet365.
As of Monday, only two NFL teams are winless — the Jaguars and the Titans. The Jags will host AFC South rival Indianapolis in Week 5. While the Colts defeated the Steelers in Week 4, both Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor suffered minor injuries. The Jags are 3-point favorites; the total is 46.5.
Have a good week, everyone!
