Odds and Bets: Edmonton Elks riding North American-record losing streak
Today’s Sports Betting Picks – Thursday, August 10, 2023
Blue Jays at Guardians: Cleveland calling
It’s the end of a four-game series in Cleveland for the Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon. The Jays won 3-1 on Monday before being shutout 1-0 on Tuesday. Toronto reversed course on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory of their own. Prior to Tuesday’s loss, the Blue Jays had been riding a four-game win streak that included a weekend series sweep against division-rival Boston.
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East with 65-51 record, 6.5 games behind division leader Baltimore and 2.5 games behind Tampa Bay. They currently hold the final AL Wild Card spot, sitting 2.5 games ahead of Seattle and one game back of Houston. Cleveland is second in the AL Central with 55-60 record. They are 4.5 games behind division leader Minnesota and 9.5 games behind Toronto in the Wild Card race.
Right-hander Alek Manoah is in line for the start for Toronto on Thursday. Manoah has struggled heavily this season, posting a 3-8 record with a 5.72 ERA. He earned the win, however, in his last start on August 4 in Boston. Manoah lasted 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while picking up five strikeouts.
The Guardians are also expected to put a right-hander on the mound Thursday, with recently acquired Noah Syndergaard getting the ball. Syndergaard is 1-5 with a bloated 6.75 ERA this season. Cleveland traded for the former All-Star from the Dodgers on July 26. Syndergaard recorded a loss in his second start for the Guardians on August 5. He lasted 6.0 innings, giving up nine hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts.
MLB best bet: Game total Under 9.5 runs (-114)
Blue Bombers at Elks: Home cooking gone wrong
It has been all Winnipeg in this head-to-head series over the last few years, with the Bombers winning eight straight games and nine of the last 10. This is the second of three meetings between the teams in 2023. Winnipeg toppled Edmonton 28-14 at home in Week 7.
Winnipeg crushed B.C. last week, putting up 50 points against a Lions squad that was coming off a shutout victory against Edmonton. Quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Dru Brown combined for 447 passing yards and four touchdowns. Collaros currently leads the CFL with 2,292 passing yards and a league-best 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
As a team, the Blue Bombers rank first in average total yards per game (413.1), first in average passing yards per game (299.1) and second in points per game (30.0).
Canadian quarterback Tre Ford will take over starting duties after Edmonton’s 27-0 shutout loss against B.C. last week, which dropped them to 0-8 on the season. It was the 21st straight home loss for the Elks, a record among the major North American professional sports leagues.
Ford, originally No. 3 on the depth chart, takes over an offence that ranks dead last in the CFL with 105 total points in eight games. In 10 career CFL games (three starts), Ford has completed 58 per cent of his pass attempts for 461 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also added 149 yards on 19 rushing attempts. Ford hasn’t played a snap yet in 2023.
CFL best bet: Winnipeg covers as 12-point favourite (-110)
Vikings at Seahawks: The NFL is back!
The Vikings are coming off a strong season that saw them win the NFC North division with a 13-4 record, only to lose to the Giants in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Seattle finished second in the NFC West with a 9-8 record in 2022 and also lost in the Wild Card round, falling to San Francisco.
Minnesota finished 0-3 in the preseason last year, losing to the Raiders, 49ers and Broncos. Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t play a snap of preseason action so don’t expect to see him on Thursday. Veteran Nick Mullens and rookie Jaren Hall will likely split playing time.
Rookie receiver Jordan Addison should see significant action and he will have a lot of eyes on him. It would be surprising if the Vikings didn’t connect Mullens and Addison. With a veteran quarterback like Mullens, Minnesota will be able to get a good look at their rookie receiver in real game scenarios. Bank on the Vikings racking up a good amount of passing yards.
Seattle was also blanked in the preseason last year, losing to the Steelers, Bears and Cowboys. Quarterback Geno Smith did play some snaps in last year’s preseason, but that’s likely more because he was new to the system. Smith is expected to sit out on Thursday, while Drew Lock and Holton Ahlers are expected to split time under centre. In his preseason career, Lock has thrown for 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
The Seahawks have been hit with the injury bug during training camp, with running backs Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh and DeeJay Dallas all missing time. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks and safety Jamal Adams also remain on the PUP list.
NFL best bet: Minnesota covers as 4.5-point underdogs (-110)
