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WHAT’S ON TAP IN SPORTS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2019:
It’s another loaded Saturday, as Week 6 of the 2019 College Football season will close down with a ton of interesting matchups. Elsewhere, Week 1 of the 2019-20 NHL season goes on with 13 games on the schedule, while four Major League Baseball teams are in action, too, so let’s take a look at our free betting picks of the day:
MLB:
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American League Division Series Game 2:
Twins at Yankees
Rays at Astros
NHL:
Hurricanes +130 at Capitals -110
Blue Jackets +134 at Penguins -185
Canadiens +171 at Maple Leafs -217
Devils +110 at Sabres -130
Rangers -130 at Senators +110
Lightning -167 at Panthers +123
Stars +125 at Blues -145
Red Wings +180 at Predators -220
Bruins -135 at Coyotes +115
Wild +160 at Avalanche -185
Kings +135 at Oilers -155
Sharks -118 at Ducks -104
Canucks +155 at Flames -175
CFB:
Iowa at Michigan (-4.0)
Kent State at Wisconsin (-35.0)
Maryland at Rutgers (+13.5)
Oklahoma at Kansas (+32.0)
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (+10.0)
Purdue at Penn State (-28.5)
TCU at Iowa State (-3.5)
Tulane at Army (+2.5)
USF at UConn (+11.0)
Utah State at LSU (-27.5)
Boston College at Louisville (-5.0)
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan (+6.0)
Air Force at Navy (+3.5)
Arkansas State at Georgia State (+6.5)
Auburn at Florida (+2.5)
Ball State at NIU (-4.5)
Baylor at Kansas State (-1.5)
Bowling Green at Notre Dame (-46.5)
Illinois at Minnesota (-14.0)
Marshall at Middle Tennessee (+4.0)
Ohio at Buffalo (+3.5)
Texas at West Virginia (+10.0)
Virginia Tech at Miami FL (-14.0)
Western Michigan at Toledo (-1.0)
Memphis at Louisiana-Monroe (+15.0)
North Carolina at Georgia Tech (+10.5)
Northwestern at Nebraska (-7.5)
Troy at Missouri (-24.5)
Arizona at Colorado (-4.0)
WKU at Old Dominion (+3.0)
Georgia at Tennessee (+24.5)
Massachusetts at FIU (-27.0)
Rice at UAB (-9.5)
Michigan State at Ohio State (-20.0)
Tulsa at SMU (-13.0)
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss (-7.0)
California at Oregon (-18.0)
Liberty at New Mexico (+4.0)
Pittsburgh at Duke (-5.0)
UTSA at UTEP (-1.5)
Oregon State at UCLA (-6.0)
San Diego State at Colorado State (+7.5)
Boise State at UNLV (+22.5)
Washington at Stanford (+15.0)
FREE MLB BETTING PICK OF THE DAY
- Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros
The Houston Astros entered the American League Division Series as major favorites to win the 2019 World Series. They lost the regular-season series with the Rays 4-3, but the Astros are certainly a better team than Tampa Bay, especially at-bat.
The Astros are the 3rd-most efficient team in baseball, scoring 5.68 runs per game. They have the best batting average (.274) and on-base percentage (.352). On the other side, the Rays are scoring 4.75 runs per contest (tied-16th in the MLB) on a .254 batting average (12th) and a .325 on-base percentage (13th).
Likewise, the Astros’ pitching staff is 2nd in the MLB with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. The Rays are right behind with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Astros will start Gerrit Cole in Game 2, while the Rays will counter with Blake Snell.
Cole is having a great season, winning 20 of his 33 starts along with five losses. He has a 2.50 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, and the Astros won 13 straight games with him on the mound. Interestingly, Cole is 0-2 in four starts against the Rays in his career and 2-3 in five starts in the postseason.
Blake Snell is 6-8 in 23 starts this term. The lefty has a 4.29 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, while the Rays won five of his previous nine starts. Snell will have a debut in the postseason, and he’s 2-2 in six starts against the Astros in a career.
The Astros were terrific against the southpaw starting pitcher during the regular season, tallying 38 wins and just 11 losses. Gerrit Cole is playing in a tremendous form at the moment, while Blake Snell is far away from his best form. The bookies haven’t announced the odds yet, but consider taking the Astros to win Game 2.
- Houston Astros over Tampa Bay Rays
FREE NHL BETTING PICK OF THE DAY
- Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues opened the new season with a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The reigning champs blew a two-goal lead and dropped the game in overtime. On the other side, the Dallas Stars lost to the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday.
These two teams will meet for the first time since their second-round clash this past postseason. The Blues beat the Stars in seven games, winning the decisive battle in double overtime at home.
When it comes to their regular-season encounters, the Stars won six of the previous seven. However, the Blues are 7-2 in their last nine regular-season meetings with the Stars in St. Louis.
After both teams lost their opening contests, I like the Blues spot in this one. They play in front of the home fans, looking to record their first win as the reigning champions. Take the hosts at money line odds.
- St. Louis Blues -145 over Dallas Stars
FREE CFB BETTING PICK OF THE DAY
- Rice Owls vs. UAB Blazers
The Blazers dominated the Owls over the last two years, beating them 52-21 at home in 2017 and 42-0 on the road in 2018. Likewise, the Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their previous five encounters with the Owls and 14-0 SU and 11-2-1 ATS in their previous 14 outings at home.
The Owls lost 16 of their last 17 games overall, while they are 0-13 SU and 8-5 ATS in the last 13 contests on the road. Rice is 0-5 on the season, covering just once in the process. UAB is 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS this season.
The Blazers are playing tough defense, allowing 15.5 points per game (15th in the country) on 266.2 total yards (12th). They should continue with a strong defensive performance against the Owls who are scoring just 14.8 points per contest (129th). Take the hosts and points.
- UAB Blazers -9.5 at -110