Welcome back to the BettingPros PGA Podcast.

We’re going to deliver a betting preview of the Wyndham Championship in just a moment. But first, a quick recap of the Rocket Classic.

Rocket Classic Recap

Michael Thorbjornsen wins a shootout in Detroit. He finished 18-under par, two shots better than Xander Schauffele.

Thorbjornsen got hot in crunch time, shooting 5-under 30 on the back nine Sunday at Detroit Golf Club as part of a final-round 63. He put himself in position to win with consecutive birdies on the par 5 14th and par 3 15th holes, then added a birdie on the par 4 18th when he rolled in a 26-foot putt.

There were a lot of other players in contention early on Sunday, including Xander, Davis Riley, Rasmus Højgaard, Patrick Cantlay, Michael Kim, and Rickie Fowler. But the 24-year-old Thorbjornsen grabbed the tournament by the throat for his first career PGA Tour victory.

Course Preview: Sedgefield Country Club

And now we come to the Wyndham Championship – one last chance for players to accrue enough FedExCup points to land in the top 70 and qualify for the playoffs.

It used to be the top 125, but it’s more exclusive now with only the top 70 advancing. Some of the big names have already secured their playoff spots and will take the week off, but we’ll still get a pretty deep field this week.

The event will be played at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. It’s a par 70 course measuring 7,131 yards.

Like Detroit Golf Club, Sedgefield Country Club is another Donald Ross design. It’s a pretty short course. Nine of the par 4s are 442 yards or shorter.

There are only two par 5s. One measures 542 yards, while the other is just 529 yards. There are also a couple of long par 3s. The par 4 18th stretches to 507 yards, but there are going to be a lot of holes where players leave the driver in the bag and where they’ll have short irons or wedges into the greens.

There’s a premium on driving accuracy at Sedgefield because the fairways are narrow. The rough is pretty thick, and poorly placed drives could be blocked out by the trees on a number of holes.

We’ve been getting a lot of bentgrass greens lately, or bentgrass/Poa annua blends. We’re back to Bermuda this week, and the greens at Sedgefield are fast and undulating.

Cameron Young is the defending champion. He blitzed the field last year, finishing 22-under par to win by six shots. Aaron Rai won the Wyndham Championship in 2024 at 18-under par. Lucas Glover won in 2023 at 20-under, while Tom Kim also finished at 20-under when he won the event in 2022.

The forecast this week calls for temperatures in the mid-80s throughout the tournament with humid conditions. There are no major rain threats in the forecast, though we could see a pop-up shower or thunderstorm or two. The wind should be light for most of the week.

Bo McBrayer on Sedgefield Country Club

You have to say Sedgefield with your pinky up. Sip tea. Pinky up. It sounds exclusive.

Top 70. You’ve got to make yourself exclusive for next week by doing well at Sedgefield.

Greensboro is a pretty nice area of North Carolina, up in the hills and forests. Donald Ross is going to give you fast, undulating, sloped Bermuda greens.

You have to hit the fairway here. It’s really difficult to hit the fairway, but if you’re in the fairway, this is a birdie fest. If you’re out of the fairway, you’re going to make a bunch of pars, and it’s not going to be good enough.

Judging by an average winning score of 20-under par, that means you have to average 65 over the four days to win this tournament. That’s a pretty good clip of birdie-making.

Cam Young last year, like you said, completely blitzed the field. He got red hot, hit all the fairways, and found a hot putter, which broke his trend.

Overall, we’re looking for accurate players off the tee, really good ball strikers, and somebody who’s also coming in putting well, especially on Bermuda. If I’m looking at the last 20 to 24 rounds, I’m only interested in putting on Bermuda.

Otherwise, it’s all about proximity on approach, making birdies, and finding fairways.

It’s a really straightforward course and really short. The best player is going to win this tournament. It’s going to be a fair test of who’s playing really well right now.

I have a lot of surprises on my betting card this week.

Hard Rock Best Bets of the Week

Speaking of which, it’s time for our Hard Rock Best Bets of the Week, presented by Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.

Pat Fitzmaurice’s Best Bet

My Hard Rock Bet of the Week is…I said I was going to quit this guy. I lied. It’s Tom Kim at 38-1.

I like the price for a past champion here, whose accuracy off the tee and with his approach shots should play well at Sedgefield. I think the young man can get it done with his sterling iron play.

Pat Fitzmaurice’s Wyndham Championship Picks

• Hard Rock Best Bet: Tom Kim (+3800)
• Cameron Young (+820)
• Mac Meissner (+5000)
• Blades Brown (+6000)
• J.T. Poston (+6700)

Bo McBrayer’s Best Bet

I’m going with Blades Brown at 60-1. He’s super talented and I think he breaks through this week.

This is the Tom Kim parallel – I’m not going to quit Blades Brown like you said you’re going to quit Tom Kim. There are too many similarities in how they play golf and their age at the time of playing this tournament for the first time. I think Blades Brown is primed to win the thing, and that would be a massive payout at 60-1.

Bo McBrayer’s Wyndham Championship Picks

• Hard Rock Best Bet: Blades Brown (+6000)
• Mac Meissner (+5000)
• Eric Cole (+6900)
• Zac Blair (+10500)
• Luke Clanton (+12000)
• Kristoffer Ventura (+15000)
• Lucas Glover (+15500)

And that’s all for this week’s BettingPros PGA Podcast. Please join us again next week for the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, when we’ll be bringing you a full betting preview.

Until then, so long everyone.

It’s been a ping-pong week.

Back and forth. Winning day, losing day, winning day. Tuesday finished as a 2-1 card. The Red Sox got there easily, and Brandon Marsh cashed as well. Brice Turang managed just an infield single and never scored, so the over on his Hits+Runs+RBI prop came up short. The result was roughly a one-unit winning day.

For the week, it’s been a grind. Down 2.4 units, up 1.8 units. Overall, that leaves us about a half-unit down heading into Wednesday. Hopefully, today is the day we turn the corner.

Blue Jays vs. Astros: Yordan Álvarez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105)

Let’s begin with a player prop.

When the BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet is projecting Yordan Álvarez for 3.4 total bases, I pay attention. This is one of the top-rated props on the board.

Álvarez has been relatively quiet through the first two games of the series, but now he gets Jameson Taillon. Taillon enters 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA.

In his last two starts with the Cubs, he allowed six hits and five hits while surrendering 11 earned runs over just 8.1 innings. That’s an 11.88 ERA during July.

The Astros crush right-handed pitching. Houston owns a .750 OPS against righties, 46 points better than against left-handers, and Álvarez remains one of the league’s best hitters in these matchups.

Rather than laying heavy juice on Houston’s moneyline, I’d rather isolate Álvarez.

• Pick: Yordan Álvarez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105) (1.05 units)

Angels vs. Orioles: Orioles Moneyline (-127)

Next up, let’s continue fading Reid Detmers. The Angels have lost every game Detmers has started during July. To be fair, it hasn’t been entirely his fault.

He owned a respectable 4.62 ERA for the month and has allowed zero, one, and two earned runs over his last three starts. The real problem has been the Angels bullpen and everything around him.

Baltimore counters with Trevor Rogers. The Orioles have now won six of their last seven games started by Rogers. His most recent outing wasn’t his best – six innings, eight hits, and four earned runs in a 10-9 extra-inning win over Detroit – but Baltimore continues finding ways to win behind him.

Yes, it’s a public play. Yes, some professionals are taking a shot with the Angels because baseball is volatile. I’ll stay with Baltimore.

• Pick: Orioles Moneyline (-127) (1.27 units)

Pirates vs. Brewers: Brewers Moneyline (-130)

The third official play heads to Milwaukee.

It’s Paul Skenes Day. I’ve spent much of this season fading Skenes. Then I tried backing him, and that hasn’t worked either.

Something just hasn’t looked right. He allowed five earned runs against Cincinnati. He followed that with another five earned runs against the Cubs.

Whether it’s fatigue, an injury, or simply a rough stretch, Skenes enters this start 9-9 with a 3.90 ERA after posting a 6.25 ERA during July. Pittsburgh needs him to be an ace. He hasn’t pitched like one lately.

Milwaukee counters with Kyle Harrison. At home this season, Harrison has been dominant: 5-1 record, 1.53 ERA, .192 opponent batting average, only four home runs allowed, and eight earned runs across 47 innings.

The Brewers have lost three of his last four starts, but Harrison was banged up before the All-Star break and hasn’t pitched since July 8. Nearly a month of rest should do him some good.

With Milwaukee owning one of the league’s best home records, this feels like the right spot to back Harrison again.

• Pick: Brewers Moneyline (-130) (1.30 units)

Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-149)

Football season is getting closer every day, but until then, Hard Rock Bet is making baseball even better with its 10¢ Summer Sale. That means reduced juice on pregame MLB winners, spreads, and over/under bets.

Today’s featured play comes from the BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet.

Elly De La Cruz has been on an absolute tear. The Cheat Sheet projects him for roughly three combined hits, runs, and RBIs. His line sits at 1.5, with the juice ranging between -149 and -159. It’s another five-star play.

The Athletics will send left-hander Jacob Lopez to the mound. The A’s have lost five of the last six games Lopez has pitched, and Cincinnati has been swinging the bats well.

The Reds are averaging 5.4 runs over their last five games – roughly 30% above their season average – and they own a .760 OPS against left-handed pitching, 68 points higher than against righties. That’s exactly the matchup we’re looking for.

• Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-149) (1.49 units)

Wednesday’s MLB Betting Card

• Yordan Álvarez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105) (1.05 units)
• Orioles Moneyline (-127) (1.27 units)
• Brewers Moneyline (-130) (1.30 units)
• Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-149) (1.49 units)

What’s up friends, welcome back in to Leading Off.

The trade deadline is just hours away, and we’ve got a pair of Hard Rock Best Bets for Monday night.

Let’s get into it.

Welsh’s Best Bet: AZ-SD F5 Under 4.5 (+105)

I’m going with a first five innings run total in Diamondbacks vs. Padres. I know, it’s crazy. But give me under 4.5 runs for the first five in this one.

We’ve got Brandon Pfaadt, who’s been ridiculous in the early parts of games, going up against Michael King – who’s somewhat owned the Diamondbacks as of late. In his last two outings against Arizona, he’s given up 3 total earned runs.

If Pfaadt can continue this roll he’s been on and King can do the same, I like our chances tonight to keep this one low scoring.

Orrico’s Best Bet: SF-TEX Over 8.5 (+105)

I’m going the other way, taking an over tonight in Giants vs. Rangers.

This bet ultimately comes down to Cal Quantrill. I think he’s been extremely lucky to have a 3.84 ERA this season – he’s nowhere near that good, and we’re starting to see it recently.

Logan Webb is on the other side, and he hasn’t really had the same success we’re used to seeing from him this season.

At plus money for such a low total at 8.5, give me the over in Giants vs. Rangers for my Hard Rock Best Bet.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for August 3

• Diamondbacks vs. Padres F5 Under 4.5 (+105)
• Giants vs. Rangers Over 8.5 (+105)

We are back with another edition of Leading Off, locking in our Hard Rock Best Bets of the Day for Friday’s MLB slate.

Scott Bogman’s Best Bet: Brandon Young Under 2.5 Earned Runs (-120)

I’m taking Brandon Young under 2.5 earned runs.

The Phillies are struggling this month, with 12 games of scoring two or fewer runs in July. They rank 21st in ISO, 22nd in OBP, 23rd in home runs, 24th in batting average, 25th in hitting WAR, and 28th in strikeout percentage.

Young has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last six games, including each of his last two starts. So, let’s go with Young and fade the Phillies.

Chris Welsh’s Best Bet: Rays F5 Run Line -0.5 (-110)

I’m going with the Rays first five on the run line.

Nick Martinez has just been a demon out there. He has a 10-2 record and a 2.45 ERA. The Rays are in the thick of it. Obviously, the White Sox are as well, but I’m not a big Erick Fedde fan. This is why I think things are going to come apart in these first few innings.

Martinez has been really, really hard to hit early. I think the Rays are going to get to Fedde a little bit here. Fedde just worries me too much.

So, Rays first five run line is what I’m playing today. No push here – we have to be up through five innings – but that is going to be my Hard Rock Bet of the Day.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for July 31

• Brandon Young Under 2.5 Earned Runs (-120)
• Rays First 5 Innings Run Line -0.5 (-110)

What’s going on, everybody?

We’re back with Leading Off and we have a pair of Hard Rock Best Bets for tonight’s MLB slate.

KC’s Best Bet: C.J. Abrams Over 3 H+R+RBI (+133)

With Grant Holmes on the mound for the Braves, I’m targeting one of the hottest offenses in baseball: the Washington Nationals.

Give me C.J. Abrams over 3 hits + runs + RBIs at +133.

Abrams has been red hot lately, and this matchup sets up well for him to keep producing.

Orrico’s Best Bet: Braves vs. Nationals Over 9.5 (-105)

I’m also targeting Grant Holmes today. I think Nick Pollack has the best nickname in the industry for him: “The Realtor,” because he grants homes. It’s phenomenal.

Anyway, I’m backing the over in Braves vs. Nationals at -105.

Jake Irvin faces Grant Holmes in a matchup featuring two strong offenses and two pitchers I don’t have a ton of confidence in, so I’ll gladly take the over.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for July 30

• C.J. Abrams Over 3 Hits + Runs + RBIs (+133)
• Braves vs. Nationals Over 9.5 (-105)

Welcome back to the BettingPros PGA Podcast.

We’re going to deliver a betting preview of the Rocket Classic in just a moment. But first, a very quick recap of the 3M Open.

3M Open Recap

Twenty-one-year-old Jackson Koivun gets his first PGA Tour victory in only his 13th PGA event and his third tournament since turning professional. Koivun opened with rounds of 64 and 68, surged into the lead with a blistering 61 on Saturday, then held off his pursuers with a smooth, bogey-free 66 on Sunday.

Closest of those pursuers was Scottie Scheffler, who closed with a final-round 63. That gave him his fifth second-place finish of the season.

Koivun, a Northern California native, finished at 25-under par. Scottie was three shots back at 22-under, while Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Chandler Phillips, and Denny McCarthy tied for third at 20-under.

But we had the wrong young phenom named Jackson. We both liked Jackson Suber at the 3M Open.

Course Preview: Detroit Golf Club

And now the PGA Tour stays in the Midwest with the Rocket Classic in Detroit, Michigan.

We’re going to have a pretty good field for this one, with players trying to accrue FedExCup points in advance of the upcoming playoffs.

The Rocket Classic will be played at Detroit Golf Club, a par-70 course measuring 7,328 yards. It played as a par 72 last year, yet the course will only play 42 yards shorter than it did in 2025. Two of the short par 5s were turned into long par 4s, so the scoring isn’t going to be quite as good this year as it has been in years past.

Big hitters should have an advantage this week at Detroit Golf Club. The fairways are wide, the rough is pretty manageable, and while the fairways are tree-lined, this is not exactly a tight driving course.

A recent renovation at Detroit Golf Club restored the greens to the shape that course architect Donald Ross had intended. The greens are a mixture of bentgrass and Poa annua. Most of them slope from back to front, and Donald Ross courses typically feature fast, challenging greens. Putting will matter this week.

Aldrich Potgieter is the defending Rocket Classic champion. He finished 22-under last year and beat Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk in a playoff. Cam Davis won in 2024 at 18-under. Rickie Fowler won in 2023 at 24-under, defeating Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin in a playoff. In 2022, Tony Finau finished 26-under to win.

Temperatures this week are expected to be in the low to mid-80s throughout the tournament with very little wind. There’s a chance of rain on Saturday, but it should be mostly dry otherwise.

Bo McBrayer on Detroit Golf Club

The Rocket Classic is going to call for some rocket performers. Long drivers, good off the tee, good on approach, and lots of birdie putts.

These are going to be fast greens, but not overly challenging. They roll incredibly true. That’s one thing we’ve heard over and over again at this tournament – how true the greens roll. So while they’re fast and sloped, it’s going to come down to who can make the most putts, who’s riding the hottest putter, who can hit the ball down there, flip a short iron in, and convert.

You better believe the scoring won’t be as favorable relative to par because of the change in par, but the total score at the end is probably going to be about the same. Take two shots off each day, and you’re still looking at 18-, 19-, or 20-under par on a par-70 course. That’s a lot of birdies. You’re going to have to shoot around 6-under on average each day to win this tournament. That’s basically a 64 every round. I think we can get there.

It’s going to be a lot of fun. If you can average 64 or 65 over four days, you can win this tournament. That’s how much we’re looking at birdie-or-better percentage, off-the-tee play, driving distance, and putting on the Poa annua/bentgrass mix with fast green speeds.

We’re also looking at the shortest two approach buckets. In total, between 75 and 150 yards are going to account for a lot of these approach distances. Just make birdies. Get the ball in the hole as quickly as possible.

Hopefully we see somebody with a hot putter continue to stay hot. Usually, guys who come to this course as just okay putters – but aren’t traditionally good putters – don’t suddenly get better here. This course will expose you if you’re not one of the best putters on Tour, or at least one of the hottest putters coming in.

Hard Rock Best Bets of the Week

And now it’s time for our Hard Rock Best Bets of the Week, presented by Hard Rock Bet.

Pat Fitzmaurice’s Best Bet

I’m going to take Jake Knapp at 36-1. I think the young man fits this course well. Between his combination of driving and putting, I like Knapp in Detroit.

Pat Fitzmaurice’s Rocket Classic Picks

• Hard Rock Best Bet: Jake Knapp (+3600)
• Akshay Bhatia (+4200)
• Jackson Suber (+9200)
• Aldrich Potgieter (+10500)

Bo McBrayer’s Best Bet

My Hard Rock Bet of the week is Jackson Suber at 92-1.

I know I was a week early on Jackson Koivun – maybe I’m just a week early on Jackson Suber too.

In case that is what happens, we’re going to roll with the value here.

Bo McBrayer’s Rocket Classic Picks

• Hard Rock Best Bet: Jackson Suber (+9200)
• Jackson Koivun (+2300)
• J.J. Spaun (+3100)
• Akshay Bhatia (+4300)
• Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (+9600)
• Aldrich Potgieter (+10500)
• Jesper Svensson (+13000)

And that’s all for this week’s BettingPros PGA Podcast. Please join us again next week for the final event of the PGA Tour regular season before the FedExCup Playoffs, when we’ll be previewing the Wyndham Championship.

Until then, so long everyone.

It’s just been one of those paper-cut type of weeks. A lot of 1-2 days. We’ve got to find a way to flip that over.

The player props have not been good this week, so I’m going to get away from them today. We started off Monday and Tuesday playing those, but that experiment of going with two bets and a player prop has not worked.

The Yankees won both days for us. The Phillies lost both days for us, so I’m going to move away from the Phillies. Things might be going a little bit south in Philadelphia here towards the end of July.

But that takes us to a loaded Wednesday slate. I have a Hard Rock Bet of the Day along with three other bets – four sides and totals coming up today. Maybe that’ll change the mojo here and get us rolling towards a profitable week.

Pirates vs. Diamondbacks: Under 8.5 Runs (-115)

Let’s start with Jared Jones and the Pirates.

In the month of July, Jones has a 1.29 ERA. He’s been great. Last time out, six innings, one earned run. The time before that, five innings, one earned run. Before that, six innings with no earned runs against the Cubs, Guardians and Braves. He also went four innings and gave up one earned run in a road start against the Phillies.

The Pirates have split the first two games with the Diamondbacks, losing 8-7 after winning 3-2. We have the third game of the series today.

Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt. He allowed two earned runs over six innings in his last road start. His last home start after the All-Star break didn’t go well, giving up five earned runs in 2.2 innings, but maybe that’s just rust after the break. Before that, he tossed six innings of two-run ball against the Dodgers. He has a 4.79 ERA in July, but he was an All-Star with a 9-3 record and a 2.64 ERA.

I’m going to bank on a lack of offense today. Hopefully Pfaadt gets back to being sharp. Yesterday finished 8-7 with a lot of offense, but now we’re on a quick turnaround with a getaway day game in Pittsburgh.

The hope is we don’t go to extra innings. Let’s avoid extra innings. Let’s avoid seeing a bunch of offense. Extra-inning games have been a nightmare here, but let’s avoid that and get ourselves a final in nine innings. If we do that, I think we’re going to be good.

Yankees vs. White Sox: Yankees Moneyline (-140)

Next up is Cam Schlittler.

He’s been very good in the month of July, posting a 2.05 ERA over 26.1 innings with just six earned runs allowed. He’s given up only two home runs all month.

Last time out, he threw 7.1 scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Phillies. His last home start came in an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers, but he still allowed only three earned runs in 4.1 innings. Before that, he helped beat the Nationals 4-2 and the Rays 5-1. Three road starts, three road wins for the Yankees with Cam on the mound.

He’s matched up against Davis Martin for the White Sox. Chicago has lost six of Martin’s last seven starts, including every game he’s started in July. Over 18 innings this month, he’s allowed 12 earned runs.

Martin actually hasn’t been horrible at home, but the White Sox haven’t given him much run support. Now they face a very good young Yankees pitcher, and once the bullpens get involved, it’s bad news for Chicago.

This is a four-game series, and the Yankees have won the first two. We’ve bet the Yankees in both games. Frankly, it goes right back to the same handicap we’ve been using. The White Sox have been great at home, the Yankees have been very good on the road, and New York needs to keep winning to keep pace with Tampa while staying ahead of Boston.

I’ll bet the streak.

Rangers vs. Rays: Rangers Moneyline (+119)

We go to the Rangers and MacKenzie Gore.

The Rangers have won three consecutive Gore starts: 6-5 over the Astros, 7-6 over the Braves and 5-4 over Seattle.

His July ERA is inflated because of one outing when he allowed seven earned runs in five innings against the Angels. Since then, he’s turned things around and the Rangers have won three straight games with him on the mound.

I don’t mind the over in this game either because the total is pretty low, but I’m looking at Gore on the road. His road numbers aren’t great, but he’s pitched much better lately.

Texas has won four of its last five games. Tampa Bay is 38-16 at home, but the Rangers won last night. They’re facing a bullpen game for the Rays, with Casey Legumina expected to open before Tampa turns things over to the bullpen.

It’s an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game against a hot Texas pitcher.

The Rangers won 4-1 yesterday. I’ll come right back with Texas at plus money.

Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Tigers vs. Orioles Under 7.5 (-114)

Let’s talk about our Hard Rock Bet of the Day.

It’s Tarik Skubal time for the Tigers. The Tigers have won three of the four games started by Skubal during the month of July. He has a 1.48 ERA and is very much on the trading block for the Tigers to ship him out. Where will he go? Who knows? But he’s been very good since coming back from the arm injury.

On the road, Skubal owns a 2.05 ERA and a 4-3 record. At home, it’s a 3.46 ERA with a 3-2 mark. The opposing batting average is really, really low.

The Orioles counter with Trevor Rogers. Baltimore has won five of his last six starts. Last time out against the Braves, he threw seven innings and allowed two earned runs. The game should have gone under, but extra innings kicked in and Baltimore lost 7-6. That wasn’t Trevor Rogers’ fault.

You’re facing one of the best pitchers in Skubal, and Rogers has a 1.48 ERA himself. This screams a dead-under pitching battle on a Wednesday between Baltimore and Detroit.

It’s a 1:00 p.m. day game. Hopefully that means great pitching performances. We’ve seen scores of 8-5 and 14-0 in the first two games of the series. It’s the rubber game, and hopefully all the offense got out over the last two games, leaving a great pitching duel on deck today.

Wednesday’s MLB Betting Card

• Pirates vs. Diamondbacks Under 8.5 Runs (-115) (1.15 units)
• Yankees Moneyline (-140) (1.4 units)
• Rangers Moneyline (+119) (1 unit)
• Hard Rock Bet of the Day: Tigers vs. Orioles Under 7.5 (-114) (1.14 units)

What’s going on, everybody? Welcome in to FantasyPros.

We’re back with another episode of Leading Off, where we break down the biggest headlines from around Major League Baseball.

We’ve got a couple of interesting news stories and notes to get through, along with our Hard Rock Best Bets for Tuesday night.

KC’s Best Bet: Otto Lopez Over 3 H+R+RBI (+150)

I’m sticking with the game in Miami, where I was originally going with Connor Norby. Instead, I’m taking Otto Lopez over 3 hits + runs + RBIs at +150.

Lopez had been in a bit of a slump, but he broke out in a big way Monday night against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies, going 3-5 with two RBI while also scoring two runs. At plus money, this number feels like a gift.

Orrico’s Best Bet: AZ-PIT Over 9.5 Runs (+115)

I’m taking the over 9.5 runs at +115 in the Diamondbacks vs. Pirates game.

Brandon Pfaadt has won each of his last five starts, but we talked yesterday about him as a potential sell candidate. During that stretch, he’s totaled just 14 strikeouts in five starts, and I think the regression is coming against a good Arizona offense.

On the other side is Bubba Chandler, who has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season.

With questions surrounding both starters, I’ll gladly take plus money on the over.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for July 28

• Otto Lopez Over 3 Hits + Runs + RBIs (+150)
• Diamondbacks vs. Pirates Over 9.5 Runs (+115)

We are back with another edition of Leading Off, locking in another pair of Hard Rock Best Bets of the Day.

Today’s card features two different betting angles. One of us is targeting a low-scoring showdown between the Orioles and Tigers, while the other is backing a strikeout prop in the Red Sox-Athletics matchup.

Joe Orrico’s Best Bet: Orioles vs. Tigers Under 8.5 Runs (-110)

I’m taking a total for Orioles vs. Tigers at under 8.5 runs. It’s Kyle Bradish vs. Keider Montero. I think people would be surprised by how good Montero has been this year.

WHIP is one of my favorite stats to look at. I think it’s more predictive and tells you more about a pitcher than ERA does.

If you look at the WHIP leaderboards this year, Jacob Misiorowski is No. 1, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is No. 2, Cam Schlittler is No. 3, Drew Rasmussen is No. 4, and Montero comes in at No. 5 with a 0.96 WHIP on the season. He has a 3.14 ERA and has been awesome whenever he’s been given a chance to start, which he’s doing tonight going up against the Orioles.

Bradish, who was a bit of a punchline for the first couple of months of the season, has posted a 2.96 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over the last month. So, I’m targeting two really good starting pitchers who are on a roll.

Give me under 8.5 runs at -110.

Chris Welsh’s Best Bet: Payton Tolle 6+ K’s (-110)

I’m going to stay in the strikeout market, and I’m going with Payton Tolle over six strikeouts.

He’s carrying a 26% strikeout rate and is going up against the Athletics, who rank among the eight worst teams in baseball in strikeouts per game, averaging around 8.5. So, I’m sticking with the Red Sox across the board. He’s been hot, and he’s hit this number over his last couple of starts.

The A’s strike out a decent amount, and with that high strikeout percentage, I really like this number. It’s not super juiced up, either.

Sacramento makes the ball fly, which I think makes people a little scared of this one, but that’s what I’m going with for my Hard Rock Bet of the Day.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for July 27

• Orioles vs. Tigers Under 8.5 Runs (-110)
• Payton Tolle To Record 6+ Strikeouts (-110)

Joe Orrico’s Best Bet: Reds vs. Cardinals Over 8.5 Runs

I’m going with the over in Reds vs. Cardinals. Give me over 8.5 runs.

I’d see if you can find it listed at plus money, but I love this matchup either way. Rhett Lowder and Dustin May have both struggled badly of late, so 8.5 feels like a pretty low total.

I don’t even know if we’ll need to get to the bullpens for this one to cash. I think we’re going to see plenty of runs scored today.

KC Bubba’s Best Bet: Corbin Carroll Over 3 R+H+RBI (+120)

I’m going to keep riding the Corbin Carroll train with Carroll over 3 runs + hits + RBIs at +120.

He’s been doing it all lately. It’s either home runs or triples, and he’s constantly finding ways to fill up the box score.

Now he heads to Washington, a great ballpark to hit in, with Carson Palmquist opening before Zack Littell takes over. Littell ranks among the league leaders in home runs allowed, making this a great spot for Carroll to stay hot.

I love getting plus money on props like this, so that’s where I’m going today.

FantasyPros’ Best Bets for July 24

• Reds vs. Cardinals Over 8.5 Runs
• Corbin Carroll Over 3 Runs + Hits + RBIs (+120)