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WHAT’S ON TAP IN SPORTS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019:
It’s a big day for all football lovers and bettors who like to wager on the NFL, as the new season starts with the NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Elsewhere, the battle for the wild cards in Major League Baseball is heating up, so let’s see what’s on tap for today:
MLB:
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Phillies +145 at Reds -165
White Sox +180 at Indians -200
Tigers -115 at Royals +105
Giants +160 at Cardinals -175
Angels +175 at Athletics -185
Marlins +132 at Pirates -142
Rangers at Orioles
Cubs -121 at Brewers +111
Twins +133 at Red Sox -143
Blue Jays +185 at Rays -205
Nationals -117 at Braves +107
Mariners +220 at Astros -260
NFL:
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-3.0)
FREE MLB BETTING PICK OF THE DAY
- Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Blue Jays (55-85) take on the Rays (82-59) to open a four-game series at Tropicana Field. While the visitors can play in a relaxed manner, the hosts desperately need a win. The Rays are just half a game ahead of the Oakland Athletics in the race for the wild card in the American League.
Toronto lost three straight games, and the Blue Jays won just three of their last 15 games overall. Also, they dropped seven of the previous eight contests on the road, while their last four road losses came by two or more runs.
On the other side, the Rays won six of their last eight contests overall and six of their previous eight showings at Tropicana Field. Four of the Rays’ last five wins at home came by two or more runs, while the Rays are just 6-6 in their previous 12 home matchups with the AL East.
Trent Thornton will get the ball for the Blue Jays, and the right-hander is 4-9 in his rookie season. Thornton has a 5.34 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP, while the Blue Jays lost five straight games with Trent on the mound.
The Rays continue to start relievers, and Austin Pruitt will get his second starting nod of the season. The right-hander is 2-0 this term with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The Rays’ pitching staff is the 2nd-best in baseball with a 3.63 ERA.
The Rays have to take advantage of Trent Thornton and open the series with a win. They are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings with Toronto and 9-3 in the previous 12 encounters at Tropicana Field. The Rays covered the spread in six of their last ten victories over the Blue Jays.
Tampa Bay Rays -113 over Toronto Blue Jays by two or more runs
FREE NFL BETTING PICK OF THE DAY
- Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
The opening game of the 2019 NFL season will be a joy to watch, but wagering on it will be a very difficult job. Although Chicago enters the season as the reigning NFC North champ, Green Bay wants to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 season.
Last year, these two teams split their two encounters. Each team has been successful at home, while Chicago covered on both occasions. Green Bay is 9-2 straight up and 7-4 ATS in its last 11 meetings with the Bears and 8-1 straight up and 7-2 ATS in the previous nine matchups in Chicago.
If you like to follow the betting trends, Green Bay is certainly your team here. However, I would rather go with the Bears. They are favorites to retain the NFC North title and play at home. The Bears’ defense was excellent last year, and I think they will find the way to slow down Aaron Rodgers.
Likewise, the Bears are 8-2 straight up and ATS in their last ten outings at home. One of those two losses came to Philadelphia in the 2019 Divisional Round. In its last five games, Chicago limited its rivals below 18 points. Hereof, I would lean on the Bears’ defense and take them to cover.
- Chicago Bears -3.0 at -110