Odds and Bets: CANWNT off to the Right Start at FIFA Women’s World Cup

Nigeria vs Canada, FIFA Women’s World Cup

After co-host nations New Zealand and Australia kick off the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the wee hours of Thursday morning (Eastern Standard Time), Canada commences its journey for international glory in the evening against Nigeria. The game is set for 10:30 PM Standard Time July 20 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Winners of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal and led by manager Bev Priestman, CANWNT is hoping to get over the World Cup hump. It seems that Canada arrives at the party with big expectations on a regular basis, but has never made it past the semifinals (2003). Christine Sinclair remains the side’s heart and soul, although a younger generation of quality players is ready to start carrying the torch. Kadeisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming, Jordyn Huitema, Julia Grosso, the list of players that can make an impact goes on. With due respect to Nigeria, this feels like a game CANWNT should win. A loss, even a draw, would plant the seed of doubt in everyone’s mind about just how good (or not) this 2023 version of the team is.

Best Bet: Canada to win but under 3.0

Toronto Argonauts vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The undefeated Toronto Argonauts head down the road Friday night to play bitter rivals the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. At 4-0 and coming off a thrilling Week 6 win against Montreal that really tested their metal, the Argos are looking pretty good right now.

The Ticats are 2-3, which would serve as more than enough problems except for the fact that they’ll be going into battle with a rookie third-string quarterback in Taylor Powell. Both Bo Levi Mitchell and Matt Shiltz are gone for several weeks due to injury. Toronto pounded Hamilton into submission earlier this year and that was when the latter had their better QBs playing under centre. One doesn’t see a -8.0 favourite status on the road very often, but this occasion fits the bill

Best Bet: Toronto Argonauts with the spread

San Diego Padres vs Toronto Blue Jays

Oh boy. How quickly hope and optimism can get crushed. Alek Manoah was shellacked Tuesday night in a 9-1 defeat to the Padres at Rogers Centre. Not only did that see wishes that Manoah was back to his old self evaporate, it also dulled the good vibes of what had been a stupendous weekend sweep of the Diamondbacks.

On Wednesday the pitchers’ duel sees Yu Darvish tussle with Jose Berrios. The latter has won three of his last four starts and he has struck out at least six batters in three of four as well. This is an excellent bounce-back opportunity for the Toronto Blue Jays. They’re in a tight race for an AL Widl Card spot and can’t afford to drop these games against sides that most people intensively believe they are superior to.

Best Bet: Toronto Blue Jays with the -1.5 runline