What’s On Tap: MLB All-Star Game, NFL Training Camp, And The Haskell Stakes

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, July 18

Race to land NBA All-Star guard Mitchell heats up

Following the trade of Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz may be entering rebuilding mode. Last week, the New York Knicks emerged as the favorites to acquire Donovan Mitchell when reports surfaced that the teams had started to engage in trade talks. Mitchell, a three-time All-Star guard, played for the Riverside Hawks, a famed New York City AAU team, as a teenager.

The acquisition of Mitchell could bolster the Knicks’ chances to win the 2023 Eastern Conference title considerably. As of Monday, the Knicks had odds of 30/1 at BetMGM to win the conference. The Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are two other suitors from the East that have been rumored to make offers for Mitchell. The Heat are +500 to win the East, while the Raptors have drastically higher odds at +1400. Miami also has odds of +1100 to win the NBA championship, seventh among all teams.

Donovan Mitchell just threw out the first pitch at the Brooklyn Cyclones game and this young fan has been yelling at him to come to the Knicks ever since Mitchell walked onto the field: pic.twitter.com/967DKwOnWU

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 16, 2022

Alonso seeks third straight MLB Home Run Derby title

Last July, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso defeated Trey Mancini 23-22 in the final round of the MLB Home Run Derby to win the contest for the second consecutive time (the contest wasn’t held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Alonso became the fourth player to win multiple derbies, as well as the third to win back-to-back titles. In Monday’s Home Run Derby, Alonso is favored at FanDuel to win the title with odds of +185.

FanDuel lists Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber as the second choice at +300, followed by Nats outfielder Juan Soto and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. at +650 and +700, respectively. Soto is favored at Caesars to hit the longest home run of the derby, with odds of +350. Dodger Stadium is hosting the MLB All-Star Game for the first time since 1980. The venue is ranked as one of the most unfriendly hitter ballparks in the league.

Pete Alonso Home Run Derby history: How the Mets slugger can join Ken Griffey Jr. as only three-time winners https://t.co/LcaRhC9iGF#Sports #Trending #News

— Fanlys (@FanlysSports) July 17, 2022

Wednesday, July 20

High expectations for the Raiders as NFL training camps open

With the offseason acquisitions of Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, the Las Vegas Raiders have emerged as a sleeper pick to win Super Bowl LVII. On Wednesday, the Raiders will be the first team to open training camp in full when veterans report in Las Vegas. Rookies are scheduled to report for every NFL team this week, beginning with the Raiders and the Bills on Monday. The Raiders open camp with odds of 20/1 at Caesars Sportsbook to win the Super Bowl for the first time since 1983.

While nearly every starting quarterback position in the league is settled, there will be a training camp battle in Spartanburg, S.C., where the Carolina Panthers train. Last week, Carolina acquired Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns for a conditional fifth-round pick. Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, will battle Sam Darnold for the Panthers’ starting spot. Oddsmakers at DraftKings expect Mayfield to win the job. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner has odds of -120 to finish with more than 22.5 passing touchdowns, with odds of +100 to end up below the total. DraftKings also has odds of 65/1 on Mayfield to finish with the most passing yards in the league, while Darnold has odds of 150/1.

Do you buy Baker Mayfield's newest team being a playoff contender? If so, the odds are enticing. 🤔

odds via @FOXBet // @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/wD8EQpteGc

— FOX Bet Live (@FOXBetLive) July 6, 2022

Thursday, July 21

Kadri, Klingberg unsigned as second week of NHL free agency begins

Several weeks have passed since the Colorado Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Colorado opened the free agency period by re-signing forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Josh Manson to multi-year deals. The Avs may need to clear considerable cap space, however, to bring back forward Nazem Kadri, one of their top players in the Stanley Cup run. Kadri may command a deal similar to the one received by Johnny Gaudreau, who set the market with a seven-year deal from Columbus. Gaudreau’s contract has an annual average value of $9.75 million.

The Avs remain the heavy favorite at PointsBet to win the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, with odds of +425. Three teams — the Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs — are the co-second choice at +1000. The Hurricanes made waves last week with the acquisition of All-Stars Max Pacioretty and Brett Burns. John Klingberg, a skilled defenseman with the Dallas Stars, is still on the market.

Saturday, July 23

Jack Christopher and Taiba square off in Haskell Stakes

Last fall, Jack Christopher became an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby with an impressive win in the Grade I Champagne Stakes. But saddled by injuries, the Chad Brown-trained horse fell off the Derby trail this spring. Now fully healthy, Jack Christopher enters Saturday’s Grade I Haskell Stakes off a 10-length romp last month in the Woody Stephens Stakes.

Jack Christopher will face a challenge from Taiba, a resounding winner in April’s Grade I Santa Anita Derby. Taiba, who has not raced since the Kentucky Derby, has since returned to the barn of Bob Baffert. Since 2000, Baffert has won the Haskell nine times, the last occurring in 2020 when Authentic crossed the wire in 1:50.45. White Abbario and Cyberknife, two other Kentucky Derby starters, are possible entries in the Haskell.

Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba has been confirmed for $1 million Haskell (G1) @MonmouthPark.

“This is the time of year when the 3-year-olds start to shine. I think he’s up for the Haskell and he’s coming to the Haskell.” – Bob Baffert pic.twitter.com/SmH2OxrBf9

— Racing Dudes (@racing_dudes) July 15, 2022

Sunday, July 24

Verstappen enters French Grand Prix as top choice

With 11 races remaining in the 2022 Formula One World Championship, Max Verstappen maintains a 38-point lead over Charles Leclerc. The two drivers have separated themselves from the field, as Leclerc holds a 19-point advantage over third-place driver Sergio Perez. Verstappen can pad his lead on Sunday with a victory at the French Grand Prix. Verstappen has odds of +125 at Barstool Sportsbook to win, just ahead of Leclerc at +137. Lewis Hamilton is the third choice at +850.

Tour De France concludes in Paris

Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark survived a crash in Sunday’s Stage 15 to maintain a two-minute-plus lead over Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar at the Tour De France. The Tour concludes on Sunday with a traditional ride through the Champs-Élysees. First, though, Vingegaard will need to hold off Pogačar in the critical Pyrenees stages this week. Vingegaard has odds of -225 at DraftKings to become the first Danish rider since Bjarne Riis in 1996 to win the Tour De France. The Tour later placed an asterisk on Riis’ win due to a doping offense. Pogačar has odds of +175 to win his third straight Tour De France.

Tough day for Jumbo-Visma at Tour de France: Hours after Primoz Roglic did not start Stage 15 due to injuries, teammate Steven Kruijswijk abandons following a crash. GC leader Jonas Vingegaard loses two key mountain domestiques before race has reached Pyrenees. #TDF2022 pic.twitter.com/PyZ6zF9rYc

— Neal Rogers 🇺🇦 (@nealrogers) July 17, 2022

Have a good week, everyone!