Each Monday, 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 4
G2E kicks off in Vegas
After being held virtually last fall due to COVID-19, the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) returns to Las Vegas on Monday. G2E is annually one of the world’s largest gaming conferences. The agenda on Monday is headlined by a panel that will delve into where the U.S. sports betting market is headed roughly three years after the Supreme Court’s historic PASPA decision. In total, there are more than a dozen sports betting-related panels at the four-day conference. A keynote presentation on Wednesday features a conversation between AGA President Bill Miller and Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill. Last month, Arizona rolled out legalized sports betting on the eve of the NFL season. BetMGM, which has a partnership with the Cardinals, plans on opening a sportsbook inside State Farm Stadium at some point during the 2022 season.
We're back tomorrow! 🤩 Who's ready for #G2E2021?
Make sure to follow us along this week, October 4-7, as we share highlights from the show on our socials. pic.twitter.com/UahW2G5Hpz
— Global Gaming Expo (@G2Eshows) October 3, 2021
Tuesday, October 5
Red Sox host Yankees in AL Wild Card
Since Major League Baseball added a wild card spot in 1995, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have met four times in the playoffs. But never before have the two rivals met in the one-game AL Wild Card format. The Red Sox clinched one of the two wild card positions on Sunday with a comeback win over the Nats, while the Yankees earned a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over the Rays. Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start for the Yankees against Nathan Eovaldi for the Red Sox. At BetMGM, the Yankees are a slight favorite on the moneyline at -115, with the total set at 8.5 runs. The winner will face Tampa Bay in the American League Divisional Series.
Futures odds to win the 2021 American League Championship (FanDuel)
- Rays: +250
- Astros: +250
- White Sox: +300
- Yankees: +550
- Red Sox: +600
Greatest rivalry in baseball. Elimination game. Tuesday night, Fenway Park. #RedSox #Yankees pic.twitter.com/FsbeeGabBf
— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) October 3, 2021
Wednesday, October 6
Dodgers face Cardinals in NL Wild Card
Two of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball will meet at Dodgers Stadium in Wednesday’s National League Wild Card game. The Dodgers tied a franchise record with 106 victories, but they finished one game out of first place in the NL West when the Giants defeated the Padres 11-4 on Sunday. The Cardinals head into the matchup with 19 wins over their last 22 games, including a franchise-best 17-game winning streak during the final month of the season. The Dodgers opened as -240 favorites at Barstool Sportsbook. Pitcher Max Scherzer, acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, finished the season with an NL-best WHIP of 0.86. Scherzer is scheduled to start for the Dodgers and will be opposed by Adam Wainwright for the Cardinals. San Francisco, which finished with an MLB-best 107 wins, will face the winner.
The Dodgers tied their franchise record with 106 wins and finished in 2nd in the NL West.
No team in MLB history has ever won more games and NOT finished in 1st place in its division or league. pic.twitter.com/IpA4tbX4aI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 3, 2021
Saturday, October 9
Top five showdown in Iowa City
Through five weeks in college football, Iowa has exhibited one of the most stout defenses in FBS. The third-ranked Hawkeyes shut down previously unbeaten Maryland in Week 5, forcing five interceptions from Taulia Tagovailoa in a 51-14 victory. In five wins this season, Iowa has yet to allow 20 points in any contest. The streak will be tested on Saturday against fourth-ranked Penn State, which improved to 5-0 with a 24-0 win over Indiana. The Hawkeyes opened as a pick’em choice against the Nittany Lions at Circa Sports. In another Top 25 matchup, 17th-ranked Ole Miss (-2) will face 13th-ranked Arkansas in Oxford, Miss. The Rebels are coming off a lopsided loss to top-ranked Alabama when the Crimson Tide controlled the line of scrimmage in a 42-21 victory. Alabama (-16) travels to College Station to take on Texas A&M. With quarterback Haynes King sidelined by a fractured leg, the Aggies have dropped two straight. Texas A&M was ranked as high as seventh in the nation last month. Also on Saturday, sixth-ranked Oklahoma will face 21st-ranked Texas in the Red River Shootout. The Longhorns are surging following Saturday’s intrastate win over TCU. Texas running back Bijan Robinson bolstered his Heisman Trophy chances by rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns against the Horned Frogs.
Sunday, October 10
Chiefs host Bills in AFC Championship rematch
After two straight defeats, the Kansas City Chiefs stopped the bleeding Sunday with a 42-30 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the Chiefs will look to move back above .500 with a win over the Bills. Both teams are coming off 40-point efforts, as Buffalo improved to 3-1 with a 40-0 victory over the Texans. It marked the third straight game that the Bills have scored at least 35 points. Patrick Mahomes torched the Bills secondary in the 2020 AFC Championship, finishing with 325 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-24 win. The Chiefs are 2.5-point favorites at DraftKings. The total is 56.5 points. Elsewhere, the Cardinals will look to remain undefeated when they welcome the 49ers to State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Arizona (-5.5) moved atop the NFC West standings on Sunday with a 37-20 win over the Rams. Through four weeks, only two NFL teams (Detroit and Jacksonville) are still winless. The Lions face the Vikings (-8) in Minneapolis, while the Jaguars host the Titans (-4.5) in Jacksonville.
Have a good week, everyone!
