Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Articles

UEFA Conference League Futures (2026/27 Season)

by Amedeus Mastrangelo

Saturday, Oct 10, 2026

The Conference League qualifiers have concluded and the League Phase is set to start on Thursday, October 15. The competition has only existed for 5 years so there has only been 5 different winners, but the competition has also been dominated by teams from the bigger leagues in Europe, the Premier League specifically. Roma won the 1st ever edition of this competition and Crystal Palace is the champion from last year, but an English club has won this competition 3 of the last 4 years with Olympiacos being the only team outside the big 5 leagues in Europe to win it all. It is not possible for there to be a repeat champion due to the winner getting promoted to Europa League, so there will be a new champion this season. With the League Phase set to start soon, it is time to see who has the best chance at lifting the trophy this season.  To Win Outright Brighton & Hove Albion +290: Brighton is coming into this competition as the team with the best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Brighton has the best squad of all the teams in this competition and they very well could go all the way this year. They have had a good start to the Premier League season and they have a very potent attack that has been finding the net a lot. Their defense has also been great though, not allowing many goals, and that is going to carry them deep into this competition. The only thing that could hold them back is this being the lesser tournament of the 3 UEFA competitions, but Brighton is also not a team that qualifies for European competitions a lot, so there is certainly going to be a focus on winning this trophy. A large majority of this competition is made up of clubs from much smaller and weaker leagues across Europe as well, so Brighton is always going to be one of the better teams in this tournament and they should be able to dominate every team they face. Brighton should cruise through the League Phase playing against weaker opponents. They have the quality to be one of the better teams in the Premier League this season as well and they have been in great form, they are a big threat to win this competition and this is a very fair price for what might be the best team in the competition. Brighton has some value at this price to lift the trophy this season.  Atalanta +550: Atalanta is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Atalanta is one of the better teams in this competition due to playing in a much stronger league and there will be plenty of opponents that they dominate due to having a lot more quality than some of these smaller clubs, but Atalanta does not have a great team this season and they are not going to match up well when they have to face stronger opponents. They had a good start to their season, but they were very shaky in a lot of their wins and that has caught up with them now as they went into the international break playing in awful form. They have lost a lot of quality from last season and they have been a club in decline over the last 3 years, certainly not being the same dominant club they were just a few years ago. They are going to struggle to be one of the better teams in Italy this season and this is even a year which Serie A is lacking in quality as a whole, being one of the weaker leagues of the big 5. They might not be fully focused on this competition either, considering their success in qualifying for Champions League in recent years, and they will also struggle the deeper they get if they are fighting to get into the top 5 in Italy. They have had big problem on defense the last few seasons that they have not fixed either and their attack has also been struggling a lot this season which was their biggest strength, but now they have lost a lot of that attacking quality. Atalanta is a lot better than a lot of the opponents they will face in this competition, but they do not have a great team this season and they will eventually run into someone better in the competition. There is no real value in Atalanta at this price as they are not a strong threat to lift the trophy this season.  AS Monaco +700: Monaco is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. In the 5 years of this competition, there has never been a French club that has won it and no French club has even made the Final. Monaco has improved a lot this season though and they could be the French team that finally breaks through here as they certainly have one of the better teams in this competition. They have been in great form to start the season, currently sitting at the top of Ligue 1, and they have hired a new manager this season that knows how to win after managing Flamengo to one of the better seasons in all of South America last year. Monaco has a lot of quality in their squad this year with some very good attackers, but their defense has been their biggest strength and that is going to carry them deep into this competition. Monaco has the quality to make a very deep run in this competition and win it all with a very good manager leading the way. There is a lot of value in Monaco at this price as they are one of the better teams in this competition by far.  SC Freiburg +700: Freiburg is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Freiburg has been in very good form to start their season and they are currently sitting near the top of the table, but they have not been a consistent team in the league. The Bundesliga is not a very strong league either and German teams have not had a lot of success in this competition. No German team has ever won the Conference League and no German team has even appeared in the Final. They do not have the quality to sustain a deep run either. Their attack has been very good to start the season as well as their defense, but they do lack quality on both ends and will struggle to score goals against stronger defenses the deeper they go in this competition. They are still one of the better teams in this competition and will run into a lot of weaker opponents from lesser leagues, but they do not have the quality to compete with some of the stronger teams at the top. There is not a lot of value in Freiburg at this price as they will eventually run into a stronger team.  Braga +1000: Braga is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Braga has been a very good team in Portugal for years and they made a very deep run in Europa League last season. They have also lost some quality from last season though and they are not as good this year. They have struggled to start the season in their own domestic league as well and they do not play in a big league. The Portuguese League is still very good and one of the better leagues out of all the smaller ones, but they still have a lot of weaker competition and Braga does not usually dominate the league either. They are going to be one of the better teams in this competition when it comes to clubs from smaller leagues, but they do not have the quality to compete with some of the bigger clubs. Their defense has been good to start the season, but they do not have a great defense that will be able to carry them through this competition. They also have a weaker attack that has struggled to score goals this season and that will be a big problem as they go deeper and have to play against better defenses. Braga is not a bad option considering their success going deep in these competitions, but this is not a great Braga team and they do not have the quality to win the big matches. There is no real value in Braga at this price as they are not a true contender in this competition.  Ajax +1000: Ajax is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Ajax has been one of the most dominant clubs in the Netherlands for years, but recently they have been struggling more than usual. They are still one of the better teams in their domestic league, but they have not dominated the league over the last few seasons. It has been very difficult for these clubs from weaker leagues to win this competition as well. The Netherlands has had a club appear in the Final as Feyenoord made the 1st ever edition of this competition, but they also lost in the Final to Roma and no team from the Netherlands has ever made it back. Ajax has also had a shaky start to their own season and they do not have the quality to make them the dominant team in their own league this year. They are still going to be much better than a lot of the clubs in this competition, but they will struggle to compete with the clubs at the top. They have a very potent attack that can score goals, but they also play against much weaker competition in their own league and they have still struggled to keep the ball out of their net which will be a bigger problem as they go deeper and play against stronger attacks. Ajax is not a true contender to win this competition this season, so there is not a lot of value in them at this price.  RecommendationThere is a very big field to start this competition, but there are only a handful of contenders that can actually win it. The competition was created to encourage the dominant clubs in these smaller European leagues, but it has still been the clubs from the big 5 that have dominated this competition and this year will be no different. English clubs have really dominated this competition as well, winning in 3 of the last 4 seasons, and Brighton who is the favorite this year truly does have the best squad and the best chance to win. Monaco is also a very good team that has been on the rise in France this year and they have the best shot at challenging Brighton for the trophy. Brighton at +290 is the best option to win this competition, but Monaco at +700 has a lot of value as a dark horse. 

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NHL, CFL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/10/26

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Oct 10, 2026

The Saturday sports card features MLB, NCAAF, MLB, NHL, CFL, and EPL action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football concludes with 46 games between FBS opponents. Seven NCAAF games on major national television kick off at noon ET. Wake Forest travels to North Carolina State on the CW as a 3.5-point road favorite with the total set at 58.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Arizona plays at West Virginia on TNT/truTV/HBO Max as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Oklahoma State hosts Central Florida on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 53.5. Pittsburgh plays at home against North Carolina on ESPN as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Missouri is at home to take on Texas A&M on ABC as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 49.5. Indiana is on the road at Nebraska on Fox as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Seven NCAAF games on major national television start at 3:30 p.m. ET. Texas battles Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 39.5. Oregon hosts UCLA on CBS as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Illinois visits Michigan State on FS1 as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 48.5. Kansas State plays at home against Houston as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 55.5. Notre Dame is at home to challenge Stanford on NBC as a 39.5-point favorite with a total of 54.5. Duke plays at Georgia Tech on ESPN2 as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 44.5. Mississippi is on the road to face Vanderbilt on ESPN as a 9.5-point road favorite with a total of 54.5. Two NCAAF games on major national television begin at 7:00 p.m.  ET. Memphis hosts UAB on ESPN2 as a 14.5-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. North Dakota State travels to UNLV on the CW as a 20.5-point road favorite with a total of 47.5. Nevada plays at UTEP on FS1 as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 49.5. LSU is on the road to play Kentucky on ESPN as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. Two NCAA-F games begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Penn State plays at home against USC on NBC as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. Alabama is at home to take on Georgia on ABC as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 51.5. Utah hosts Kansas on ESPN at 10:15 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 51.5. Two more games conclude the NCAA-F schedule between FBS opponents at 10:30 p.m. ET. Arizona State plays at home against Hawaii on FS1 as a 21-point favorite with a total of 50.5. Boise State visits Fresno State on the CW as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with one game in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians are at home against the Chicago White Sox in the decisive final game of their best-of-five series on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Guardians tap Gavin Williams to pitch against the White Sox’s Sean Burke. Cleveland is a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The National Hockey League has 14 games on its slate. The Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers at 1:10 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils play at home against the Vancouver Canucks at 3:10 p.m. ET as a -285 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers play at San Jose against the Sharks at 4:10 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Florida Panthers are at home to take on the Minnesota Wild at 6:10 p.m.  ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Seven NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Montreal Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes are on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -245 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche are at home to play the Toronto Maple Leafs as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Buffalo Sabres host the Utah Mammoth as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Dallas Stars travel to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the Nashville Predators as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning play in New York against the Islanders at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Anaheim Ducks are on the road in Calgary to face the Flames as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home against the Los Angeles Kings as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. Week 19 in the Canadian Football League continues with one game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Matchweek 6 in the English Premier League begins with six matches. Arsenal plays at home against Leeds United on the USA Network at 7:30 a.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Four EPL matches continue at 10:00 a.m. ET. Brentford travel to Aston Villa on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Chelsea is at home against Bournemouth as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Fulham plays at Ipswich Town as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Brighton and Hove Albion are on the road against Sunderland as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Manchester United hosts Tottenham on NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. 

Read more

Big Al's Breeders Cup Classic Preview

by Al McMordie

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Breeders Cup returns to iconic Keeneland Racecourse in 2026, where it's been held on three previous occasions (2015, 2020, and 2022).  This year's races will be contested on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, with the weekend culminating in the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday as the last of the nine Championship races, scheduled for 6:16 pm ET.  It's not often that we get to see the winners of the last two Kentucky Derbies face each other in this Championship race.  In fact, it's only happened on one other occasion -- 1987 with Ferdinand (winner of the Derby in 1986) faced Alysheba (1987 winner) in a thrilling Classic that was won by Ferdinand by a nose.  As of this writing, we will be seeing a Kentucky Derby showdown for the second time in the Breeders Cup history, as Sovereignty (winner in 2025) is set to race, as well as Golden Tempo, who was victorious for Cherie DeVaux this past May.     Ferdinand and Alysheba met again in the 1988 Breeders Cup, making it the first and only time that two Derby winners AND the winner of the previous year's Classic met in the Classic race, but that's about to change.  Last year's winner of the Classic, Japanese Superhorse Forever Young, will be back to defend his title in what will likely be his last race.  So this year we potentially have the first meeting of three Champion runners: the winners of each of the last two Derbies, plus the winner of last year's Breeders Cup Classic. But as historic as a meeting of these three would be, there are other runners worth mentioning who appear ready to try the 1 1/4 mile BC Classic with its $7 Million purse:   Magnitude:  After his wins in this year's Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster, this son of Not This Time was thought to be the best older horse in training in the U.S.  But a disappointing 6th place finish in the Whitney at Saratoga has put a question mark on him going into the Classic.  If he can return to his earlier form, Magnitude is a major player in here, and you'll get a very nice price to find out.   Napoleon Solo:  A 3-year-old like Golden Tempo, Napoleon Solo has done little wrong this year.  After winning the Preakness, he finished a close second in both of the other biggest non-Triple Crown races of the summer, the Haskell and the Travers, beating the Kentucky Derby winner in the latter.  These horses are often still improving in the fall of their three-year-old season, so if this son of Liam's Map can take a step forward, he could definitely contend in this race, especially given the tactical speed he possesses.   Skippylongstocking:  A fan favorite, this seven-year-old horse is a 12-time Graded Stakes winner who has danced every dance and run in the biggest races at virtually every major track in the country.  He had a three-race win streak between December 2025 and March 2026, but has lost his last three, with two third-place finishes and a second, indicating that he might finally be tailing off a bit.  He will be a huge longshot in this race, and that's often when he comes up with his biggest performances.   The Puma:  This 3-year-old son of Essential Quality was set to be one of the favorites in this year's Kentucky Derby before having to scratch the day of the race.  He finally made his comeback in the Haskell and Travers, finishing fourth both times.  But then he broke through in his last race -- the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on September 19 in impressive fashion.  Could he be peaking at just the right time?    Knightsbridge:  Here is perhaps the most intriguing horse of the bunch.  This five-year-old son of Nyquist can only be described as a freak -- in the same way the term applied to Flightline, the undefeated superhorse who won the Classic the last time it was contested here in 2022.  Knightsbridge possesses the kind of speed that makes your jaw drop to the floor, and in his last race -- the Pacific Classic -- he appeared to answer the stamina question, blowing away a quality field in a 1 1/4 Grade 1 Stakes race that was never in doubt.  Still, his ownership group is considering the BC Dirt Mile rather than the Classic.  If he does go here, he adds a ton of intrigue to an already historically great field.Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

Read more

NBA Eastern Conference Win Totals: Top Three Predictions for 2026-27

by Vegas Writer

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Eastern Conference enters the 2026-27 season with more star power, deeper competition and fewer comfortable paths to the playoffs. New York wears the championship crown, but Detroit’s young core and Cleveland’s established talent remain substantial threats.Philadelphia has raised its ceiling with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, while Miami’s acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo further complicates the hierarchy. Boston regroups around Jayson Tatum, and Indiana welcomes back Tyrese Haliburton.For win-total bettors, those changes demand a distinction between headline appeal and dependable production. My strongest opportunities involve two proven teams facing lower expectations and another with major availability concerns.Odds Courtesy DraftKings1. Detroit Pistons: Over 49.5 Wins (-115)Detroit’s postseason disappointment should not erase the foundation of a team that finished 60-22 and led the Eastern Conference. The Pistons ranked second in defensive rating, providing a dependable identity that can survive uneven shooting nights.Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, while Jalen Duren contributed 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. That combination gives Detroit established production with room for further development rather than relying on aging stars to maintain their previous standards.Isaiah Joe’s arrival improves perimeter spacing, and John Collins adds another scoring option around Cunningham. Ausar Thompson remains central to the defensive pressure that fuels transition opportunities.Losing Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris creates legitimate questions about interior depth and secondary creation. The East also offers stronger resistance.Still, the market allows substantial regression from last season’s performance. Detroit’s defense, youthful core and improved shooting make this my strongest Eastern Conference Over entering the season.2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Over 47.5 Wins (-120)Cleveland’s regular-season outlook looks stronger than its conference finals sweep might suggest. The Cavaliers finished 52-30 despite a changing rotation, then survived Detroit in seven games to reach the East finals.James Harden arrived in February, leaving limited time to establish chemistry with Donovan Mitchell and the frontcourt. A full training camp should help Kenny Atkinson organize their responsibilities, stagger his creators and generate more consistent offense throughout games.Cleveland ranked sixth in offensive efficiency last season. Its most-used regular-season lineup logged only 89 minutes together, illustrating how little continuity supported a productive team.Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen provide an established interior partnership, while Mitchell supplies the scoring needed to navigate difficult stretches.Harden’s age and Cleveland’s mediocre defensive ranking are meaningful concerns. However, this wager allows for a modest decline from last season. Better familiarity gives the Cavaliers a credible path to another profitable regular season for bettors.3. Philadelphia 76ers: Under 50’ Wins (+110)Philadelphia’s additions build a championship case, but keeping that lineup together for an entire regular season presents a different challenge. The Sixers finished 45-37 last season before adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.Joel Embiid has played only 96 regular-season games over the past three years. James appeared in 60 games last season and turns 42 in December. Those availability concerns matter when evaluating how consistently Philadelphia can field its best combinations.The team also needs an adjustment period. Brown, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey all command substantial offensive involvement, requiring Nick Nurse to establish roles, distribute touches and construct effective combinations when starters rest.James’ passing should help, and Brown gives Philadelphia another dependable scoring option. Their talent makes this a competitive team even with occasional absences.However, the improved East reduces easy opportunities to absorb growing pains. I favor the Under because health and chemistry demand more cautious expectations.

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, NCAAF, WNBA and CFL Previews and Odds - 10/09/26

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Friday sports card features NCAAF, NHL action, WNBA, and CFL action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with five games between FBS opponents. Louisville hosts Florida State on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Cardinals have lost two games in a row after their 31-28 upset loss at North Carolina State as a 5.5-point favorite last Saturday. The Seminoles have won two games in a row after their 38-7 upset victory as a 1.5-point underdog on Saturday. Louisville is a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 59.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Three NCAAF games kick off at 9:00 p.m. ET. San Jose State plays at home against Wyoming on the CBS Sports Network. The Spartans have won three of their last four games after their 20-16 upset win at Hawaii as a 2.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Cowboys have lost two of their last three games after a 28-0 loss at North Dakota State as a 17.5-point underdog last Friday night. San Jose State is a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 42.5. Utah State is at home to take on Washington State on the CW. The Aggies lost for the fourth time in their first five games this year with a 37-18 loss at Boise State as a 19.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Cougars lost for the fourth time in their first five games with a 26-6 upset loss at home against Fresno State as a 2.5-point favorite last Saturday. Utah State is a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 43.5. Washington hosts Iowa on Fox. The Huskies have lost two games in a row after a 25-21 loss at USC as a 7.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Hawkeyes had won four games in a row before their 31-14 loss at home against Ohio State as a 14.5-point underdog on Saturday. Washington is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 41.5. BYU plays at home against Iowa State on ESPN at 10:15 p.m. ET. The Cougars have won their first four games this season after their 17-10 win at TCU as a 5.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Cyclones have won two of their previous three games after their 45-42 win against West Virginia as a 2.5-point favorite last Saturday. BYU is a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Three NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Detroit Red Wings are at home against the Seattle Kraken as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -122 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets are at home to face the Anaheim Ducks at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The WNBA continues its postseason with two games in the semifinals of the playoffs in its best-of-five series using a 2-2-1 home-court format. The New York Liberty host the Atlanta Dream on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Dream have won nine games in a row after their 101-98 victory against the Liberty as a 2.5-point favorite on Wednesday. The Liberty are down 0-2 in this series yet are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 172.5. The Las Vegas Aces play at home against the Golden State Valkyries on Peacock/NBC Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Aces are down 0-2 in this series after their 83-81 loss on the road as a 1.5-point underdog on Wednesday. The Valkyries have won five of their previous six games. Las Vegas is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 156.5. Week 19 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with two games. The Edmonton Elks travel to Hamilton to battle the Tiger-Cats at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 61.5. The British Columbia Lions are at home against the Ottawa Redblacks at 10:00 p.m. ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 63.5. 

Read more

NBA Western Conference Win Totals: Top Three Predictions for 2026-27

by Vegas Writer

Thursday, Oct 08, 2026

The Western Conference enters the 2026-27 season with a clear divide between championship expectations and the uncertainty of who will meet them.Oklahoma City and San Antonio set the standard, combining elite defense with young stars still expanding their games. Denver remains dangerous behind Nikola Jokic, while Houston brings an intriguing blend of veteran scoring, defensive versatility and returning reinforcements. The Lakers begin a new chapter around Luka Doncic after LeBron James’ departure. For bettors, the opportunity lies in separating postseason reputation from regular-season reliability.These three win totals offer the strongest combination of proven production, roster context and attainable expectations.Odds courtesy DraftKings1. Houston Rockets Over 47.5 Wins (-105)Houston needs 48 victories to cash this ticket after winning 52 games in consecutive seasons. That cushion looks more appealing given last season’s obstacles: Fred VanVleet missed the entire campaign, and the Rockets struggled with turnovers and late-game execution.VanVleet’s expected return gives Ime Udoka a proven organizer, allowing Amen Thompson to attack more naturally while easing the creation burden on Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Marcus Smart supplies another experienced defender and ballhandler.Sengun averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists last season, providing an established offensive foundation. Reed Sheppard’s development adds another avenue for improvement, particularly through his perimeter shooting.Durant’s age and VanVleet’s recovery remain concerns, but this number already accommodates meaningful regression. Houston can finish four wins below last season’s record and still deliver the Over. With better guard depth and multiple routes to improvement, the Rockets are my strongest Western Conference win-total selection.2. Denver Nuggets Over 49.5 Wins (+120)Denver’s championship outlook invites scrutiny, but its regular-season floor remains attractive at a number requiring 50 victories. The Nuggets finished 54-28 last season, extending their streak of 50-win campaigns to four.Nikola Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists, giving Denver a nightly advantage in scoring efficiency, rebounding and offensive organization. That production supports a team that can bank victories even when its supporting cast fluctuates.Health offers potential upside. Aaron Gordon played only 36 games, while Christian Braun appeared in 44. More availability from those complementary pieces would help offset offseason losses.Losing Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas creates legitimate defensive and depth concerns. DeMar DeRozan adds scoring, although his fit requires careful management.Still, Denver can lose four victories from last season and clear this total. I trust Jokic’s sustained excellence and the established core to keep the Nuggets above a threshold they have repeatedly reached.3. Oklahoma City Thunder Under 62.5 Wins (-110)Oklahoma City can remain a championship contender and still finish below this demanding total. Cashing the Over requires 63 victories, leaving little room for injuries, rotation adjustments or ordinary slippage.The Thunder went 64-18 last season behind the NBA’s best defense, allowing 106.5 points per 100 possessions. Repeating that dominance becomes more difficult after the departures of Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, which remove established perimeter defense, shooting and depth.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece, and improved availability from Jalen Williams could strengthen the offense. Williams played only 33 regular-season games last year, so better health is a substantial argument against this pick.However, the market demands near-perfect results from a reshaped rotation. San Antonio also presents a formidable rival for conference supremacy.My Under rests on the narrow margin for error at 62.5. Even a superb 60-win season would reward this position while keeping Oklahoma City dangerous.

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 10/08/26

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Oct 08, 2026

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and NHL action. Week 5 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Dallas Cowboys host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Cowboys have won two of their last three games after their 34-30 upset win at Houston as a 2.5-point underdog against the Texans last Sunday. The Buccaneers are winless in their first four games this season after their 17-14 loss at home against Green Bay as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. Dallas is an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 47.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with four games between FBS opponents. Two NCAAF games start at 7:00 p.m. ET. Western Kentucky plays at home against Missouri State on ESPN as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 56.5. Liberty is at home to take on Sam Houston on ESPNU as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 52.5. Two more NCAAF games begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. UTSA hosts South Florida on ESPN as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 49.5. Arkansas State plays at home against South Alabama on ESPN2 as a 3-point favorite with a total of 60.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with one game in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians travel to Chicago to play the White Sox on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Guardians had lost the first two games in this series before their 9-3 win on the road on Wednesday. They send out Parker Messick to pitch against a starting pitcher yet to be named for the White Sox. Cleveland is a -117 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The National Hockey League has 10 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning are at home against the Minnesota Wild as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Utah Mammoth play on the road in Boston against the Bruins as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks as a -325 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the Philadelphia Flyers as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Dallas Stars are on the road to face the Buffalo Sabres as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Montreal Canadiens are at home against the Nashville Predators as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the San Jose Sharks at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche visit Calgary to challenge the Flames at 9:10 p.m. ET as a -238 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home to battle the Toronto Maple Leafs at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. 

Read more

College Football Week 6 Top 10 Rankings

by Wayne Root

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2026

Week 5 of the college football season produced three Top-25 matchups that ended in double-digit blowouts, creating movement across the rankings. 1. Texas:The Longhorns were off in Week 5 and will be back in action against rival Oklahoma next Saturday. I can’t wait to see if there’s anything remarkable about Archie Manning this weekend. 2. Georgia:Though their ranking is not expected to change, the anticipation for next week's meeting with Alabama was only heightened after another dominant defensive performance in a 38-14 win against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs are allowing just 14.7 points per game in SEC play through three games after bottling up Blaze Berlowitz, but the challenge changes when staring down Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa next weekend. 3. Notre Dame:Rainy conditions in Chapel Hill forced the Fighting Irish to lean on their ground game in the second half, and the results were a continuation of the encouraging signs we've seen from the offense in recent weeks. Notre Dame rolled up a season-high 241 rushing yards on 45 attempts (5.4 per rush) while holding North Carolina to just 77 net rushing yards on the ground. This is the fifth straight game that Notre Dame has run for more yards than it did in the week prior, and suddenly the loss of two first-round running backs seems like less of an issue. 4. Miami:The Hurricanes defense arrived in Death Valley with numerous injuries, but the depth of that group was on full display in a convincing win against Clemson. Miami likely did not do much to close the gap on No. 1 with the win but played well enough to avoid getting jumped by Alabama's rise. That was their media eye candy game until Notre Dame in a few weeks. They covered a big spread. 5. Alabama: Saturday's early slate had Alabama in the spotlight in a tricky road spot at Mississippi State, which entered the weekend at No. 16. What voters tuned in and found was yet another runaway win for the Crimson Tide, who have put up 45+ points in every game and are beating opponents by 28.8 points per game. This is a team that's building a case for No. 1 consideration, and that debate will be the backdrop for next week's showdown with Georgia. Coach Sabin would approve of this team. 6. Ohio State:It's unlikely that Ohio State will have too many complaints about getting in and out of Iowa City without too much of an upset scare, but the 31-17 win against the Hawkeyes might not carry as much juice as Alabama's high-scoring win in Starkville. Ultimately, our projection is that the tiebreaker is the loss column, and the Tide's undefeated record gives them a slight edge for that last spot in the top five. 7. Indiana:The Hoosiers methodically picked Rutgers apart and cruised to a 47-15 win. We don't expect voters to be overwhelmed by the result, even if it came dominantly while dealing with injuries. The only real adjustment is a re-shuffling in response to Alabama's jump up. But a huge test is this Saturday in Lincoln against the Cornhuskers. 8. Ole Miss: The Rebels were off in Week 5 and will be back in action next week at Vanderbilt. Their profile took a hit with Florida's loss at Missouri, but the head-to-head win against LSU could prevent any major changes. Their quarterback keeps them relevant. 9.  Florida:While it will be difficult for Florida fans to justify a drop below the Ole Miss team that the Gators just beat, we are projecting that voters will use the Oregon-Mississippi State-Tennessee range as the floor for a move down. The strength of the Ole Miss win still carries plenty of weight, but the poor performance at Missouri and a common opponent with Tennessee (close win against Auburn) point to a shared tier in that range of the SEC. Florida got pushed off the charts after suffering last week’s embarrassing loss to Missouri. 10. Mississippi State: It does seem confusing that a team could give up 56 points at home and not move in the rankings, but the strength of Mississippi State's resume and the growing respect for Alabama could leave voters keeping the Bulldogs in this range on their ballots. With head-to-head wins against Missouri and Minnesota, this is a team that has already logged multiple quality power conference victories, and the loss to the Bulldogs included myriad injury issues, the most notable of which was star quarterback Kamario Taylor. 

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NCAAF, NHL and WNBA Previews and Odds - 10/07/26

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2026

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, MLB, NHL, and WNBA action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with two games between FBS opponents. Jacksonville State travels to Kennesaw State on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Gamecocks won for the third time in their last four games with a 23-13 victory at home against Middle Tennessee as a 7-point favorite on September 26th. The Owls are on a three-game losing streak after their 17-14 loss at Arkansas State as a 6.5-point underdog on September 26th. Jacksonville State is a 3-point road favorite with the total set at 49.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Florida International hosts New Mexico State on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Golden Panthers have won two of their last three games, including their 20-3 victory against Long Island as a 37.5-point favorite on September 26th. The Aggies ended a two-game losing streak with a 34-13 loss at home against Western Kentucky as a 2.5-point favorite last Wednesday. Florida International is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with four games in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Chicago White Sox play at home against the Cleveland Guardians on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 4:00 p.m. ET. The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in this series with their 4-3 win on the road on Monday. Chicago sends out Sean Newcomb to pitch against the Guardians’ Daniel Espino. The White Sox are a -120 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Los Angeles Dodgers play in Atlanta against the Braves on FS1 at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in this series with their 3-1 victory on the road against the Braves last night. Tyler Glasnow takes the mound for Los Angeles to duel against Tyler Mahle for Atlanta. The Dodgers are a -144 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The New York Yankees are at home to take on the Tampa Bay Rays on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Rays have a 2-0 series lead after their 5-2 win at home on Monday. The Yankees tap Max Fried to challenge the Rays Nick Martinez. New York is a -176 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The San Diego Padres host the Milwaukee Brewers on FS1 at  10:10 p.m. ET. The Padres kept their season alive last night with a 4-3 victory at home. The Brewers have a 2-1 lead in this series. San Diego is a -116 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche are on the road in Winnipeg to battle the Jets on TNT/HBO Max as a -185 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Washington Capitals play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers visit the Anaheim Ducks at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The WNBA continues its postseason with two games in the semifinals of the playoffs in its best-of-five series using a 2-2-1 home-court format. The Atlanta Dream are at home to challenge the New York Liberty on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Dream took the opening game in this series with a 92-82 victory as a 4.5-point home favorite on Sunday to extend their winning streak to eight games. The Liberty had won two games in a row before that loss. Atlanta is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 170.5. The Golden State Valkyries host the Las Vegas Aces on Peacock/NBC Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Valkyries won for the 10th time in their last 12 games with a 70-61 win at home against the Aces as a 1.5-point favorite on Sunday. Las Vegas has lost two of their last three games. Golden State is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 156.5. 

Read more

Five Defining NFL Observations Through Week 4

by Vegas Writer

Tuesday, Oct 06, 2026

Four weeks have begun to separate the NFL’s early promise from its recurring problems. Kansas City, Minnesota and San Francisco remain unbeaten, while Buffalo and Las Vegas absorbed their first losses Sunday.The more revealing developments came beneath those records.Kansas City won with an explosive running game despite an uneven afternoon from Patrick Mahomes. Minnesota controlled its game without scoring a touchdown. New England rediscovered its offensive confidence in Buffalo, while Carolina demonstrated that its young quarterback and emerging receiver can carry an offense on a national stage.Atlanta closed the week Monday night with another commanding road performance, completing an offensive turnaround that has changed the early conversation in the NFC South.Meanwhile, Houston and the Chargers offered different examples of how competitive teams become winless.These are five observations drawn from the performances, personnel and situational patterns emerging through Week 4 of the 2026 season:1. Kansas City’s running game is making the Chiefs harder to containKansas City’s 30-27 victory over Las Vegas demonstrated the value of an offense that can survive without its quarterback controlling the afternoon.Patrick Mahomes completed only 15 of 30 passes for 225 yards, yet the Chiefs generated enough explosive offense to remain unbeaten. Kenneth Walker III supplied 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, averaging slightly more than eight yards per attempt.Walker now has 537 rushing yards on 87 attempts through four games, averaging 6.17 yards per carry. He has exceeded 100 rushing yards three times, including performances of 173 yards against Denver and 177 against the Raiders. Those numbers make the running game central to Kansas City’s identity.The Raiders experienced the consequences. Walker’s 76-yard run helped set up Kansas City’s first lead, and his two fourth-quarter touchdown runs punished Las Vegas when the game’s opportunities shifted. The Chiefs scored 20 points in the final quarter despite possessing the ball for only 24:18 overall.For opponents, the strategic problem is substantial. Committing extra defenders to the run creates opportunities for Mahomes; prioritizing coverage gives Walker room to create explosive gains.Las Vegas finished with more yards and substantially more possession time. Kansas City demonstrated why those advantages can disappear against an offense capable of changing a game in one snap.2. Minnesota’s unbeaten start is built on control, but its scoring efficiency still needs workMinnesota’s 15-10 victory over Miami offered a useful distinction between moving the football and finishing possessions.Will Reichard supplied all 15 points with five field goals, extending his streak to 31 consecutive successful attempts. The Vikings won without Justin Jefferson, leaning on T.J. Hockenson’s 13 catches for 119 yards and Kyler Murray’s 247 passing yards.The offense nevertheless exerted considerable control. Minnesota ran 72 plays to Miami’s 37, possessed the ball for 39:11 and held it for approximately 14 minutes of the fourth quarter. Aaron Jones contributed 94 rushing yards on 20 carries, while Murray completed 12 of 13 fourth-quarter attempts.That is a meaningful foundation. Sustained possessions reduce an opponent's opportunities and allow a strong defense to recover between series. Minnesota also protected the football, avoiding giveaways that could have handed Miami an inexpensive scoring opportunity.Hockenson’s final reception illustrated the team’s situational awareness. He slid at the Miami 2-yard line near the two-minute warning, preserving possession and allowing the Vikings to finish in victory formation with the Dolphins out of timeouts.The concern is how that formula holds up against more productive offenses. Five successful field goals can win a defensive contest, but repeated possessions ending short of the end zone leave valuable points unclaimed.Minnesota has shown it can manage games. Improving touchdown production would give that control a larger margin for error.3. Young quarterbacks benefit when their supporting casts turn opportunities into touchdownsDrake Maye and Bryce Young supplied two of the weekend’s most encouraging quarterback performances, with each benefiting from receivers who rewarded their decisions.Maye threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns in New England’s 29-26 victory over Buffalo. His decisive throw became Efton Chism III’s one-handed, 23-yard touchdown reception with 1:50 remaining, followed by a successful two-point pass to Rhamondre Stevenson.The broader improvement mattered just as much. New England scored four offensive touchdowns Sunday after producing only two across its first three games. Romeo Doubs caught six passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns, giving Maye a productive connection as the Patriots returned to 2-2.Carolina found similar encouragement in its 32-26 victory over Detroit. Young threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while Tetairoa McMillan caught 14 passes for 192 yards and both scores. McMillan nearly matched his first three games’ combined receiving yardage in one evening.Chuba Hubbard added 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, giving Carolina the balance that makes a quarterback’s assignment more manageable.Neither performance settles the long-term evaluation of either quarterback. Both demonstrate why that evaluation must account for the offense around him.When receivers finish difficult catches and the running game commands attention, young quarterbacks can operate with greater confidence. New England and Carolina showed how quickly improved execution across an offense can change the perception of its most scrutinized player.4. Atlanta’s offensive turnaround has reopened the NFC South raceAtlanta’s first two games produced 16 combined points. Its next two produced 80.That reversal became impossible to overlook Monday night, when the Falcons defeated New Orleans 45-24 after winning 35-14 at Green Bay in their previous appearance. Atlanta has moved from 0-2 to 2-2 with consecutive road victories.Bijan Robinson remains the most compelling explanation. He rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints, opening the scoring with a 59-yard run on Atlanta’s third offensive play. Brian Robinson Jr. added 62 rushing yards and three touchdowns, giving the two backs five rushing scores.The production is becoming a pattern. Bijan Robinson followed his 194-yard rushing performance at Green Bay with another dominant evening, while Drake London followed 194 receiving yards against the Packers with 96 against New Orleans.Their combined threat gives Michael Penix Jr. a more favorable operating environment. Defenses must account for an explosive runner and a receiver capable of winning substantial yardage, creating opportunities elsewhere in the formation.The most revealing sequence came after New Orleans opened the second half with a field goal. Atlanta answered with a nine-play, 74-yard touchdown drive, extending its lead to 31-10.That response showed an offense sustaining control after its opponent adjusted. Atlanta still must prove this improvement can last, but its recovery has already moved it into a first-place tie with Carolina in the division.5. Houston and the Chargers are winless for different reasons, requiring different repairsAn 0-4 record describes the urgency facing Houston and the Chargers. Their latest losses reveal different problems.Houston received a strong performance from C.J. Stroud against Dallas: 347 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 126.7 passer rating. He averaged 11.2 yards per attempt, giving the Texans explosive production without sacrificing ball security.The Texans nevertheless lost 34-30 after allowing Dallas to overturn a 16-6 halftime deficit. CeeDee Lamb caught 17 passes for 189 yards, including the winning touchdown with 40 seconds remaining. Houston’s offense gave it a chance; its defense could not finish the assignment.The Chargers’ 30-23 loss at Seattle began unraveling much earlier. Justin Herbert completed five of 15 first-half passes for 36 yards and threw two interceptions. A muffed punt gave Seattle a short touchdown drive, and another scoring possession covered only 20 yards following Herbert’s second interception.Los Angeles recovered enough to threaten late, but Herbert’s strip-sack ended its final opportunity. The comeback effort could not erase the earlier possessions surrendered.Houston needs to convert productive quarterback play into complete performances, particularly when protecting a lead. The Chargers need cleaner starts and fewer mistakes that force their offense into recovery mode.Both teams face dwindling room for further losses. Their paths forward depend on identifying the specific breakdowns behind those records and correcting them before competitive afternoons become another month of missed opportunities.

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 10/06/26

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Oct 06, 2026

The Tuesday sports card features NCAAF, MLB, and NHL action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football kicks off with one game between FBS opponents. Troy hosts Southern Mississippi on ESPN2 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Trojans have lost two games in a row after their 21-10 loss at Utah State as a 3-point underdog two Saturdays ago on September 26th. They have a 2-2 record. The Golden Eagles are on a three-game losing streak after a 24-21 loss at Tulane as a 17.5-point underdog on September 26th. Troy is a 10.5-point favorite with the total set at 50.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Major League Baseball postseason continues with Game 3 in the two games National League best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs on FS1. The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Atlanta to play the Braves at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Braves evened this series at 1-1 with their 3-2 win on the road against the Dodgers on Sunday. The Dodgers send out Yoshinobu Yamamoto to take the ball to pitch against the Braves’ Chris Sale. Los Angeles is a -110 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The San Diego Padres play at home against the Milwaukee Brewers at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Brewers took a 2-0 lead in this series with their 4-3 win at home on Sunday. Nick Pivetta takes the mound for the Padres to duel against Dustin May for the Brewers. San Diego is a -144 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The National Hockey League has nine games on its slate. Five NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Wild play in Buffalo against the Sabres as a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators are on the road in Detroit to take on the Red Wings, with both teams priced as -110 money-line favorites with a total of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils are at home to face the Utah Mammoth as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes visit Montreal to challenge the Canadiens as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Nashville Predators as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New York Rangers play at home against the New York Islanders at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues play in Chicago against the Blackhawks at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are on the road in Seattle to battle the Kraken at 9:10 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Florida Panthers travel to Los Angeles to challenge the Kings on ESPN at 10:40 p.m. ET. The Panthers have lost two games in a row after their 3-2 loss on the road in Anaheim against the Ducks in overtime on Sunday. The Kings have lost two games in a row after a 5-4 loss in San Jose against the Sharks in overtime on Saturday. Florida is a -118 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. 

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 10/05/26

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Oct 05, 2026

The Monday sports card features NFL, MLB, and NHL action. Week 4 in the NFL concludes with one game. The New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons on ESPN and the ESPN2 Manningcast at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Saints have lost two of their first three games this season after a 35-27 loss at home against Las Vegas as a 4.5-point favorite last Sunday. The Falcons won their first game of the season last Thursday with a 35-14 win at Green Bay as a 4.5-point underdog. New Orleans is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 47.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with Game 2 in the two games American League best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs on TBS/truTV/HBO Max. The Cleveland Guardians play at home against the Chicago White Sox at 5:00 p.m. ET. The White Sox took the opening game of this series with a 3-0 victory on Saturday. The Guardians send out Gavin Williams to pitch against the White Sox’s Anthony Kay. Cleveland is a -157 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Yankees travel to Tampa Bay to play the Rays at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Rays took the opening game of this best-of-five series with a 1-0 victory at home on Saturday. Cam Schlittler takes the ball for the Yankees to duel against Freddy Peralta for the Rays. New York is a -131 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. The Tampa Bay Lightning are at home against the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Lightning rebounded from a 5-1 loss in New York against the Rangers with a 3-1 victory against Washington on Saturday. Tampa Bay is a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two more NHL games drop the puck at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Ottawa Senators play in Boston against the Bruins. The Senators won their opening game of the season with a 3-2 win at Toronto on Friday. The Bruins had won their first two games of the season before a 4-1 loss at Minnesota on Friday. Ottawa is a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Pittsburgh Panthers host the Winnipeg Jets. The Penguins have won their first two games this season after a 6-5 victory in overtime against Montreal on Friday. The Jets followed up a 4-3 loss in overtime against Boston with a 3-2 victory on the road against Detroit on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Dallas Stars play at home against the San Jose Sharks at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Stars have lost two games in a row to start the season after a 2-1 loss at Nashville on Saturday. The Sharks have won their first two games of the season after a 5-4 win against Nashville on Friday. Dallas is a -175 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5.  

Read more
« ‹ 1 4 6 413 › »

Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Links

Big Al's Sports Picks Info

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2026 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.