What’s On Tap: Subway Series, Jim Dandy Stakes, And LIV Golf Hits The East Coast

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 25

Kyrgios favored in Atlanta tourney

Following his surprise run to the Wimbledon finals, Nick Kyrgios returns to the court this week in Atlanta. With the grass court season now in the rearview mirror, the U.S. hard court season begins on Monday with the ATP Tour’s Atlanta Open. Kyrgios, who moved to No. 47 in the world with his deep run at Wimbledon, arrives in Atlanta as the tournament’s No. 7 seed.

Kyrgios has odds of +450 at BetMGM to win the event. Two U.S. players, John Isner and Reilly Opelka, are next at +600 and +750, respectively. Eight events in the 2022 U.S. Open Series lead up to next month’s U.S. Open, the final grand slam of the year. Kyrgios has never made it beyond the third round at the U.S. Open.

Tuesday, July 26

Vets report to Seahawks’ camp as QB battle begins

The trade of Russell Wilson in the offseason has left major question marks for the Seattle Seahawks, as team veterans report to training camp on Tuesday. While the Seahawks acquired Drew Lock in the Wilson trade, the former second-round pick only completed 59.3% of his attempts in three seasons with the Broncos. Lock will battle Geno Smith for the starting position in Seattle.

DraftKings does not list props on either quarterback for season touchdown totals, indicating that the battle could be close. The Seahawks, who have nine playoff appearances since 2010, have odds of +500 to make the postseason at DraftKings. Seattle also has odds of +1800 to win the NFC West, the worst of the four teams in the division.

Our ⁦⁦@thenewstribune⁩ Seahawks training camp preview: The five battles to watch.

Not all are position battles. One is over offensive scheme.

The big one, of course, is Geno Smith vs Drew Lock to succeed Russell Wilson at quarterback: https://t.co/1g4SJFrSfY

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 25, 2022

Mets host Yankees in potential Fall Classic preview

More than two decades have passed since the New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in the 2000 World Series, more commonly known as the Subway Series. While the Yankees are typically one of the favorites to appear in the World Series each season, the Mets have struggled mightily over the last 10 years. But the addition of manager Buck Showalter and several marquee free agents have reversed the fortunes of the Metropolitans.

The New York teams will square off Tuesday in Flushing for the opener of a brief two-game series. The Mets broke out of a slump on Sunday night when Pete Alonso crushed a three-run homer in an 8-5 win over the Padres. Prior to that, the Mets went 1-of-15 with runners in scoring position in the weekend series against San Diego.

Ladies and gentlemen, the BIGGEST SUBWAY SERIES since 2000 is happening in Citi Field tomorrow night. The 1st place Mets take on the 1st place Yankees, both may see each other in the World Series. This is a pitiful series for each and will show what each team is made of. #LGM

— YouTube Thunderr  (@MeLlamoThunderr) July 25, 2022

Mets pitcher Tajuan Walker is scheduled to face Yankees counterpart Jordan Montgomery on Tuesday night. Both pitchers enter with ERAs below 3.25. The Yankees are favored to win the World Series at FanDuel, with odds of +300. FanDuel lists the Mets behind the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second choice to win the National League, at +300. There are also odds of 9/1 for the New York teams to meet in the World Series.

Thursday, July 28

Trump National Bedminister hosts third LIV Golf event

Since LIV Golf held its second-ever invitational earlier this month, several notable golfers have joined the Saudi Arabian-backed series. When golfers tee off in the opening round of the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminister on Thursday, Paul Casey, Jason Kokrak, and Charles Howell III are expected to make their series debuts. The event is being held at Trump National Golf Club Bedminister, outside of New York City. As with the LIV U.S. debut in Portland, this week’s invitational could see protesters show up opposing the Saudi Arabian regime.

Because LIV Golf is backed by Saudi Arabian money and Donald Trump is involved, some of those who might be showing up won't be there to watch golf. https://t.co/qz79CHW2t7

— MyCentralJersey (@MyCentralJersey) July 25, 2022

Two LIV golfers, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, placed in the Top 10 at the British Open with strong showings in the final round. Johnson (7/1) is favored at SuperBook Sports to win this week’s event, while DeChambeau is the second choice at 10/1. Before coming to LIV, Howell had three PGA Tour victories in 23 years on the tour. Howell has odds of 35/1 to win the tournament at the SuperBook.

Friday, July 29

CFB Countdown: One month until opening kickoff

The summer is racing by at a rapid pace as college football bettors thirst for the start of the NCAA season, which kicks off on Aug. 27. One intriguing matchup in Week 1 takes place in the Big Ten, with Nebraska facing Northwestern, only at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The matchup will mark Nebraska’s first game outside the U.S. since 1992. The Cornhuskers opened as 12.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook.

More broadly, bettors will struggle to find value on the futures market with a heavy bias on traditional powers. At Barstool Sportsbook, only three schools — Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia — have odds under 10/1 to win the national championship. The Crimson Tide are the favorites at +150, followed by the Buckeyes and Bulldogs, at +250 and +400, respectively. Two others, Texas A&M and USC, have odds of +2000 to capture the title.

Saturday, July 30

Winnipeg looks to remain undefeated

With a win over Edmonton last week, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1960. The Blue Bombers will look to stay undefeated Saturday night when they travel to Calgary to take on the Stampeders. Winnipeg won the opener between the teams, 26-19, on July 15.

Despite their unblemished mark, the Blue Bombers have not been steamrolling opponents. Winnipeg has won the seven games by an average margin of 9.4 points, including four games by seven points or less. The Blue Bombers still have odds of +145 to win the Grey Cup at PointsBet. Three others also have odds under +500 to win the title, with Toronto the second choice at +425.

“You can’t say enough about the continuity we have, the coaching we have, the leadership we have. Guys come in and learn from the vets before them and come in ready to play.”

Upon Further Review >> https://t.co/tWZ8cBlBrx#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/DeOTW5YNVR

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) July 24, 2022

Deep field expected for Jim Dandy Stakes

Early Voting returns to the track for the first time since his triumph in the Preakness, a 1 1/4 lengths victory over favorite Epicenter. The accomplished 3-year-olds will face off again at Saratoga in Saturday’s Jim Dandy Stakes, a traditional prep for next month’s Travers. Other probables in the deep field include Zandon, the third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, and Tawny Port, the winner of last month’s Grade 3 Ohio Derby.

The potential Travers field became more intriguing over the weekend when Cyberknife set a stakes record in the Grade 1 Haskell and Nest romped by 12 1/4 lengths in the Coaching Club American Oaks. Nest, the runner-up in the Belmont Stakes, may bypass the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga for the Travers in late August. A filly has not won the Travers since 1915 when Lady Rotha crossed the wire first in the Midsummer Derby.

Saratoga Notebook: Could Travers Be on Nest's Agenda? https://t.co/0fM4ccHdSx @tjwilkin pic.twitter.com/wHjFeC7oqk

— BloodHorse (@BloodHorse) July 25, 2022

Have a good week, everyone!