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. Also, check out our weekly review “Get a Grip” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, October 31
World Series moves to Philly for Game 3
On Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies erased a five-run deficit in Game 1 of the World Series in a stunning 6-5 defeat of the Houston Astros. The Phillies became the first team since the Angels in 2002 to win a World Series game after trailing by five runs. The Astros then knotted the series at one with a victory on Saturday night.
The Phillies are the sixth team all-time to overcome a five-run deficit to win a World Series game. Dusty Baker has now been on the losing end of the last two, also dropping Game 6 of the 2002 series vs the Angels. pic.twitter.com/lUzS00PEex
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 29, 2022
The series moves to Philadelphia for the next three, beginning with Monday night’s Game 3. Lance McCullers Jr. will take the mound for Houston against Phillies counterpart Noah Syndergaard. The Astros (-175) are still heavy favorites on the futures market to win the Fall Classic over the Phillies, who have odds of +145 at BetMGM to pull off the upset.
World Series exact outcome odds
- Astros in 7 — +200
- Astros in 6 — +300
- Phillies in 6 — +450
- Phillies in 7 — +450
- Astros in 5 — +500
- Phillies in 5 — +700
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Will the Browns, Broncos act as sellers at NFL trade deadline?
A large number of NFL teams have failed to meet expectations over the first two months of the season. Two teams with playoff aspirations, the Broncos and the Browns, could be sellers at Tuesday’s trade deadline. Broncos edge rusher Bradley Chubb, teammate Jerry Jeudy, and Browns running back Kareem Hunt are three players rumored to potentially be shipped elsewhere. The Broncos have odds of 29/1 to win the AFC Championship at BetRivers, while the Browns are 33/1 to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Kiszla: If the #Broncos trade OLB Bradley Chubb, the victory over Jacksonville doesn't mean a blankety bleeping thing https://t.co/NBGJFjl9xr via @denverpost
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) October 30, 2022
SBC conference in South Florida
Leading sports betting experts will converge for the SBC Summit Latinoamerica conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Weeks before the 2022 World Cup, Julio Lansac, an integrity officer with Conmebol, will discuss compliance, ethics, and governance issues in global football at a panel appearance. Conmebol is the governing body responsible for organizing major soccer tournaments in South America. The conference will also feature appearances from Betcris CEO JD Duarte, Pinnacle Sports CEO Paris Smith, and Entain executive Martin Lycka, among others.
Friday, Nov. 4
DraftKings’ 2022 Q3 earnings call
On Friday’s third-quarter earnings call, Wall Street analysts are expected to press DraftKings CEO Jason Robins about his company’s recent negotiations with ESPN. DraftKings shares surged 8% to $17.45 in pre-trading on Oct. 7 after a Bloomberg report that the two sides were near a deal on a comprehensive partnership. Since then, DraftKings has fallen back to around $15 a share in recent weeks. The downturn comes amid skepticism that the company can afford an upfront payment that would grant it exclusive rights to ESPN’s sports betting brand without raising capital.
Speaking at the second annual #ESPNEdge Conference Disney Networks & ESPN exec Laura Gentile indicated that it is "crystal clear," that there's enough demand for sports betting and it's time for the network "to move." ESPN did not address reports of a potential deal w #Draftkings pic.twitter.com/MR28nDRSWX
— Matt Rybaltowski (@MattRybaltowski) October 19, 2022
DraftKings is expected to post a quarterly loss of $1.07 per share, according to Zacks Consensus Estimate, up 20.7% from the prior year’s quarter. DraftKings caps a busy week of earnings among sports betting-focused companies, with MGM Resorts, PENN Entertainment, and Caesars Entertainment also scheduled to report earlier in the week.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Flightline looks to end career with Breeders’ Cup coronation
Flightline evoked memories of Secretariat in September’s Grade I Pacific Classic when he romped to a 19 1/4 length victory. In a crushing win over Dubai World Cup champion Country Grammer and several other graded stakes victors, undefeated Flightline did not face an easy field. It was arguably the most impressive performance in a high-profile race since Secretariat’s epic 31-length win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.
FLIGHTLINE is possibly the best horse I’ve ever seen. He’s easily the best horse I’ve seen train, though I’ve only watched workouts for a few years. He completely stands out physically; almost like another species of horse. I’ve always felt if he shows up, he wins. #BreedersCup https://t.co/hUihrVvQOo
— Maiden Focus (@MaidenFocus) October 20, 2022
Now, the John Sadler-trained Flightline can end his career with one achievement that eluded even Secretariat: an undefeated record. In trying to do so, he will face one of the most accomplished fields in the history of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Flightline’s main competition will likely come from Whitney Stakes champion Life Is Good and Travers winner Epicenter. Following his triumph in the Pacific Classic, Flightline closed the second of two Breeders’ Cup Classic futures pools with odds of 4/5. Bettors will be lucky to receive as favorable of a price before Saturday’s $6 million Classic.
In total, there are nine Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday’s card at Keeneland. Here are several other likely favorites at Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
- Breeders’ Cup Sprint — Jackie’s Warrior
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff — Nest or Malathaat
- Breeders’ Cup Mile — Modern Games
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint — Golden Pal
Dawgs hosts Vols with SEC East title on the line
Tennessee throttled Kentucky 44-6 on Saturday to move into a tie for No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll with Ohio State. The victory set the Vols up for a showdown in Athens in Week 10 against No. 1 Georgia, which defeated Florida to remain No. 1 in the nation for a fourth consecutive week. The two SEC schools have never met before in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. The Bulldogs are an 8.5-point favorite over the Vols at Caesars Sportsbook, with the total set at 65.5 points.
Tennessee has strong 2019 LSU "can anyone stop this offense?" vibes.
That team still had skeptics right up until they won at Alabama in November. Similar backdrop for Vols' trip to Georgia next week.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 30, 2022
Elsewhere in the SEC, No. 6 Alabama travels to Baton Rouge to face No. 15 LSU. The Tigers have put up 45 points in each of their last two games, including a lopsided win over then-No. 7 Ole Miss on Oct. 22. Alabama opened as a 13-point favorite, with the total at 58.
In other action, No. 13 Kansas State will host Texas. The Wildcats crushed then-No. 9 Oklahoma State 48-0 in Week 9. Still, the Longhorns are 3-point favorites; the total is 54.5. Texas needs to notch a victory over Kansas State to remain in contention for a spot in the Big 12 Championship.
Los Angeles FC hosts Philadelphia in MLS Cup final
The top two seeds in the MLS Cup playoffs, Los Angeles FC and the Philadelphia Union, advanced to the title game on Sunday with victories in the conference finals. Los Angeles FC blanked Austin FC 3-0, while Philadelphia defeated New York City FC 3-1. The finalists tied 2-all in their only matchup this season. Los Angeles FC is a considerable -223 favorite at PointsBet, which has Philadelphia +170 for an upset.
The top seeds in the Western and Eastern Conference will meet in the MLS Cup Final 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7jYnuedDzA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 31, 2022
Sunday, Nov. 6
Struggling Bucs attempt to end three-game skid
As the NFL season nears the midway point, few predicted that both the Bucs and the Rams would be under .500 heading into Week 9. But Tom Brady and the Bucs are 3-5 after losing three straight, while the Rams fell to 3-4 on Sunday with a loss to the 49ers. The loser of Sunday’s Week 9 matchup between them will face an uphill climb to make the playoffs.
Rams Pro Bowl receiver Cooper Kupp injured his ankle in the last minute of the loss to the Niners. Kupp believes he avoided a long-term injury, telling reporters afterward that he “dodged a bullet.” The Bucs are 3-point favorites at FanDuel; the total is 42.5 points.
Other key injuries heading into Week 9 of the NFL season:
- Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Jets. Pats quarterback Mac Jones went 24-of-35 and threw for a touchdown in the Pats’ victory over their AFC East rival. Jones, who split snaps with Bailey Zappe a week earlier, played the entire game on Sunday. The Pats are 6-point favorites over the Colts at WynnBET; the total is 39.5.
- Saints running back Mark Ingram left Sunday’s win over the Raiders with a knee injury. If Ingram is unable to play against the Ravens in Week 9, the Saints will be thin at running back beyond Alvin Kamara. Dwayne Washington, the third-string back, has only eight carries this season. The Ravens are 3-point favorites at Circa Sports; the total is 48.5.
- The Packers lost several starters in Sunday night’s loss to the Bills, including wide receiver Christian Watson (concussion) and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (knee). Green Bay is a 3.5-point favorite over the Lions at SuperBook Sports, which has the total at 49.
Have a good week, everyone!
