No debate here on NFL preseason betting
We were in a bit of a heated discussion at VSiN HQ in Circa.
The topic: Betting on preseason football.
One VSiN staffer even compared it to betting on the NBA Summer League.
Fortunately, VSiN.com managing editor Adam Burke agrees with me:
Don’t shy away from betting on preseason NFL. It will be the only three weeks of the season when coaches are honest and forthright, and that can lead to some strong betting opportunities if you are paying attention and thinking critically about the games.
>>Adam has more advice on how to bet on the exhibition season.
Steve Makinen, also a connoisseur of preseason NFL betting, examines the history of the Hall of Fame Game for insights into Thursday’s Lions-Chargers matchup:
>Last year’s upset win by the Bears over the Texans extended a strong run by underdogs in this game. Dating to 2013, they are on a 6-4 SU and 7-2-1 ATS surge.
>This is a game that is usually assumed to be an Under wager, despite the extremely low total. That said, Overs have been the winning totals wager in three straight years, following up a nine-game stretch in which Under was 7-2.
>>More from Steve, including a chart with HOF betting stats dating to 2020.
As for Thursday’s game, the Lions opened at -1 and the line moved to -2 at most books, probably because Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said he wouldn’t play veteran starters. (See Adam’s tip above, right?)
MLB deadline approaches
As we careen toward the MLB trading deadline at 6 p.m. ET Thursday, Greg Peterson has four plays for today.
Adam Burke, Steve Makinen and Josh Appelbaum will file their daily contributions later this morning.
Bonus material: Speaking of Greg, a long-awaited reunion with Matt Youmans co-hosting last night’s VSiN PrimeTime provided this exchange:
Greg: “When you give a woman flowers, you get the key to her heart.”
Matt: “Bad things happen.”
PGA playoffs at stake
Congrats to VSiN golf analyst Wes Reynolds for picking his seventh outright winner this year as Kurt Kitayama won the 3M Open at 40-1.
Next up: The Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, the last chance for players to qualify for the FedEx playoffs (top 70).
Wes joins Matt Brown and Kelley Bydlon on Long Shots, VSiN’s golf betting podcast, as the guys run through their models and the resulting picks.
>Watch.
>Listen.
Quick Hits
College Football: Handicapper Kyle Hunter offers early Best Bets on the VSiN College Football Betting Podcast with Tim Murray. >>Listen.
Tennis: Zach Cohen has picks for today’s action in Toronto and Montreal. VSiN Pro subscribers should check the tennis picks page for late additions from Zach and Gill.
Horse racing: “Mr. Ed” Sehon and 1/ST Bet’s Jeremy Plonk have picks for today’s Saratoga card.
Dave Ross Travelogue: Dave got his first look at his new home in Franklin, Ky. and shared a video. Starting in a few weeks, Dave will do VSiN By The Book from the new VSiN studio at the new Circa Sportsbook at The Mint Kentucky Downs.
Want in on Circa Million VII — for free? VSiN and Winners Circle Proxy are giving away 2 Grand Prize Packages: contest entry + full season proxy service + a VSiN studio tour. Enter here by Aug. 17.
